New Features

• Works with Eclipse 3.0.2!  (And Java 1.5!)
  

Feature Enhancements

• More extra help for compiler errors: Feedback for the extra compiler error support introduced in Gild 2.1.0 has been positive.  There are now over 50 messages for common errors.
• Export file preferences: In version 2.1.0 the exported files were included in the archive file if the were on the include list.  Since this was limiting the files that would be archived by default, files that are not to be archived (e.g. class files) are now specified through an exclude list.
• Gild Web Browser and Active HTML simplification: Methods for linking content between HTML and source code have been simplified without a loss of functionality.
• Improved navigation for errors encountered during run: Instead of forcing the user to fix problems before running, the
  following processing is done:
  
  1) If problems exist in one of the required projects, a warning is displayed.
  2) If a fatal exception causes the program to quit, then the stack trace
      is checked to see if a source file can be found in the student's project.
          a) If yes, then that file is opened in the Gild
             editor and the line at which the problem occurred is revealed.
          b) If the problem can be traced to a compilation problem, then the
             Gild problem view is brought to the top.
          c) If it isn't a compilation problem (probably an exception),
              then the console is revealed.
  3) An appropriate error dialog is shown if needed.
• Help files updated.

Bug Fixes (Since Gild 2.1.0)

• Archived (Zipped) Gild project and Windows XP unzip error fixed. The default Windows XP unzip program did not properly unzip Gild archive projects but this has now been fixed in Gild.
• Fixed debugger cleanup. The debugger would leave markers in the editor after the debugger was stopped.  These markers are now properly removed.
• Autobuild is now on by default.  Autobuild sets Gild to build the code every time it is saved.  By turning autobuild off, the code must be built explicitly before it is run.  This feature is now enabled by default, but can be easily turned off through the project menu.

Known Bugs

Can I open power point and pdf files in Gild?

Both power point (ppt) files and pdf files can be opened in Gild.  If the file is double-clicked it will open the editor for this file.  If you just want to view these files you can download a ppt or pdf viewer for free.  Once the viewer is installed, drag the file into the Gild web browser.  Some installations of Gild have “frozen” when loading Adobe Acrobat Reader for pdf files.  If this happens open the document externally or make sure Adobe Acrobat Reader has already loaded before dragging the pdf file into the web browser.

Windows Installation

1. Install Gild, Eclipse and the Java SDK

Gild 2.1 is made available through a single installer for Windows users.  This installer comes packaged with Java 2 SDK Standard Edition version 1.5_04 and Eclipse 3.0.2. 

1. Download gild212_win_installer.zip

2. Unzip the zip file.  You will get a file called setup.exe and a directory called thirdpartytools that contains Eclipse and Java.

3. Install Gild, Eclipse and the JDK.  Run setup.exe by double clicking on it.  You do not need to run any of the files in the thirdpartytools directory.  After accepting the license agreement the installer will pop-up a new window informing you that Eclipse 3.0.2 will be installed first; the installer will then automatically install Gild 2.1.2.  Once Gild is done installing, the installation program will then install the Java Software Development Kit (JDK) 1.5_04.  Just go with the defaults for the JDK installation.  You will be prompted to restart your system for some changes to take effect.  You must restart your system before trying to use Gild.

4. Start Gild. The installer created a shortcut to Gild on your Start Menu.  To open Gild go to Start Menu > Gild > Gild 2.1.2.

Mac/Linux Installation (Manual Installation)

1. Install Java JDK

Mac users should already have an appropriate Java JDK installed. If you do not have a JDK on your computer, you must install one. You will need Java 2 SDK Standard Edition version 1.4 or 1.5.

• For Mac OS, if for some reason you do not have the Java SDK, it can be downloaded through the Apple Software Update.
• For Windows or Linux, you can get the latest Java 1.5 installer by following the "Download JDK 5.x" link on the Java 1.5 download page.  Windows users may want to read the Windows Installation Notes for more help with installation.  For other operating systems, or Windows 64-bit,  follow the appropriate links on the Installation Notes page.

2. Install Eclipse SDK

If you do not have an Eclipse SDK on your computer, you must install one. You should use release 3.0.2. This version of Gild will not work with versions of Eclipse that are not at least version 3.0.

• Download the correct ".zip" file for your operating system from one of the mirrors listed in the Eclipse 3.0.2 download page
.
• Unzip this file into an appropriate location on your computer. For example: "C:\Program Files\" on Windows, or in the "/Applications/" folder on the Mac.  Mac OS will automatically "unzip" your file to the current directory, so you may have to move it to the Applications folder.
  
  
  
  
  
  
• In order to complete the Eclipse install you must run Eclipse once.
  Run by double-clicking (or invoking)  the executable file. (For example: "C:\Program Files\eclipse\eclipse.exe" on Windows, or "/Applications/eclipse/Eclipse" on the Mac). When Eclipse starts up, you will most likely see the image below. Normally, it will be okay to simply select Use this as the default and do not ask again, then select Okay.
  

3. Install Gild

1. Close Eclipse if running. Note: If you have not run Eclipse at least once, you should do so before installing Gild.

2. Download gild212.zip and then unzip it into your main Eclipse folder For example: the "C:\Program Files\eclipse\" folder on Windows, or the "/Applications/eclipse/" folder on the Mac.  (Again, Mac OS will automatically "unzip" your file to the current directory, so you will have to move it to the Applications/eclipse folder. ) The main Eclipse folder is the one that contains the executable and the "features" and "plugins" folders. All Gild's files will be automatically unzipped into these "plugins" and "features" folders.

3. Start Eclipse. Gild should now be installed. To start Gild, select Window > Open Perspective > Other... > Gild to start using Gild.