Installing and configuring Eclipse for ABAP Development Tool

Introduction

It has been a while since I installed Eclipse, but when I had searched at that time, I had not found a detailed blog describing the installation of Eclipse for ABAP Development Tool(ADT). I was successful in installing the Eclipse for ADT, even though I did not know the ABCs of system ‘path variables’ or JavaRuntime(JRE). So, I am writing this blog for all the people who are in the same boat.

Before diving deep into the technical details, let me throw some light as to why we need to do this. ABAP Development Tool(ADT) is an Eclipse based tool provided by SAP. You will need ADT if you have to work on the HANA CDS Views. Even though, CDS views are embedded into the ABAP Dictionary, there are some differences in the features available between the Eclipse and the Data Dictionary environments. You will get a better idea if you go through this blog. I am elaborating all the steps I followed and the troubleshooting I did for a successful installation of Eclipse for ADT.

Steps for the Installation

The following is the Step-by-step installation of Eclipse for ABAP development Tool on Eclipse.

1. Install JAVA

https://www.java.com/en/

2. Next, Install Eclipse for JAVA developers

https://www.eclipse.org/downloads/packages/

Pay attention to what your system configuration is? 32 bit or 64 bit. Install accordingly.

4. Extract eclipse and cut the Eclipse folder

I created folders SAP\ADT in the ‘Program files’ in ‘C:\’ drive. So, the path looks like:

‘C:\Program Files\SAP\ADT’ and pasted the Eclipse folder here.

And created a desktop shortcut.

5. When I tried to run the Eclipse (short on my desktop), I got this error:

Eclipse Error

6. To solve this, install JRE from this link: https://www.oracle.com/java/technologies/javase-jre8-downloads.html
7. To maintain path variable for this JRE:

• Go to ‘This PC’ and right click and click on ‘Properties’

PC Properties

• Go to Advanced system settings

Advanced Settings

• Click on ‘Environment Variables’

Environment Variables

• And click on NEW

You should give the path where the JRE is in your system.

• The path is my system looks like

C:\Program Files (x86)\Java\jre1.8.0_251\bin
to give you some idea.

• This solved the ‘JAVA was started but returned exit code = 1’ error

8. Now, start the eclipse application and select a directory for workspace. You may select the    checkbox if you don’t want to be asked again.

Launch Eclipse and select Workspace

9. Now go to Help…Install New Software

Work with https://tools.hana.ondemand.com/latest

And click on Finish.

10. Then open perspective ‘ABAP’. Click on ABAP and click on OPEN.

Then I encountered this error after I tried logging into the SAP ABAP system:

Microsoft Visual C++ Error

11. I found out that I had to install MS Visual C++ from this link:

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=40784

Download MS Visual C++ DLL from this link

And then I was able to finally open the SAP system from Eclipse.

I hope this blog made it easier for you to troubleshoot all the issues while installing Eclipse for ADT. Please leave any comments or suggestions you might have.

PS: I have written this blog for Windows PC. These steps might differ for other OS.