Tag: shortcuts

The Dimensions of Navigation in Eclipse

Following up on “The Dimensions of Navigation in Object-Oriented Code” this post explores how Eclipse, one of the most mature IDEs for Java development, supports navigating across different dimensions of code: hierarchy, behavior, validation and utilities.

Let’s walk through these dimensions and see how Eclipse helps us travel through code with precision.

1. Hierarchy Navigation

Hierarchy navigation reveals the structure of code through inheritance, interfaces and abstract classes.

  • Open Type Hierarchy (F4):
    Select a class or interface, then press F4. This opens a dedicated view that shows both the supertype and subtype hierarchies.
  • Quick Type Hierarchy (Ctrl + T):
    When your cursor is on a type (like a class, interface name), this shortcut brings up a popover showing where it fits in the hierarchy—without disrupting your current layout.
  • Open Implementation (Ctrl + T on method):
    Especially useful when dealing with interfaces or abstract methods, this shortcut lists all concrete implementations of the selected method.

2. Behavioral Navigation

Behavioral navigation tells you what methods call what, and how data flows through the application.

  • Open Declaration (F3 or Ctrl + Click):
    When your cursor is on a method call, pressing F3 or pressing Ctrl and click on the method jumps directly to its definition.
  • Call Hierarchy (Ctrl + Alt + H):
    This is a powerful tool that opens a tree view showing all callers and callees of a given method. You can expand both directions to get a full picture of where your method fits in the system’s behavior.
  • Search Usages in Project (Ctrl + Shift + G):
    Find where a method, field, or class is used across your entire project. This complements call hierarchy by offering a flat list of usages.

3. Validation Navigation

Validation navigation is the movement between your business logic and its corresponding tests. Eclipse doesn’t support this navigation out of the box. However, the MoreUnit plugin adds clickable icons next to classes and tests, allowing you to switch between them easily.

4. Utility Navigation

This is a collection of additional navigation features and productivity shortcuts.

  • Quick Outline (Ctrl + O):
    Pops up a quick structure view of the current class. Start typing a method name to jump straight to it.
  • Search in All Files (Ctrl + H):
    The search dialog allows you to search across projects, file types, or working sets.
  • Content Assist (Ctrl + Space):
    This is Eclipse’s autocomplete—offering method suggestions, parameter hints, and even auto-imports.
  • Generate Code (Alt + Shift + S):
    Use this to bring up the “Source” menu, which allows you to generate constructors, getters/setters, toString(), or even delegate methods.
  • Format Code (Ctrl + Shift + F):
    Helps you clean up messy files or align unfamiliar code to your formatting preferences.
  • Organize Imports (Ctrl + Shift + O):
    Automatically removes unused imports and adds any missing ones based on what’s used in the file.
  • Markers View (Window → Show View → Markers):
    Shows compiler warnings, TODOs, and FIXME comments—helps prioritize navigation through unfinished or problematic code.

Eclipse Navigation Cheat Sheet

ActionShortcut / Location
Open Type HierarchyF4
Quick Type HierarchyCtrl + T
Open ImplementationCtrl + T (on method)
Open DeclarationF3 or Ctrl + Click
Call HierarchyCtrl + Alt + H
Search UsagesCtrl + Shift + G
MoreUnit SwitchMoreUnit Plugin
Quick OutlineCtrl + O
Search in All FilesCtrl + H
Content AssistCtrl + Space
Generate CodeAlt + Shift + S
Format CodeCtrl + Shift + F
Organize ImportsCtrl + Shift + O
Markers ViewWindow → Show View → Markers

Text editing tricks

Multiple cursors

Recently I was in a pair programming session, when I noticed that there were three cursors blinking in the editor window of the IDE. I initially assumed it was a bug in the IDE (which is not that uncommon), but it acutally turned out it was a feature. In IntelliJ based IDEs you can place multiple cursors in the editor window, start typing and the typed text gets inserted at all of these positions. To achieve this press Shift+Alt while clicking the mouse to position the cursor carets.

When I start using a new IDE I usually look up and memorize the shortcuts for refactoring operations like “rename” or “extract method” or other essential operations like “quick fix”.

But of course there are many other neat tricks for advanced text editing in most IDEs and programming editors. Here are some of them, in this case for IntelliJ based IDEs.

Rectangular selection

Rectangular selection

This one comes in handy when you have to select a column of text, for example a common prefix of keys in a properties file. I initially knew this type of selection from Vim, but many other programming editors allow it too. For a rectangular selection in IntelliJ based IDEs press Ctrl+Shift+Alt (Shift+Alt+Cmd on Mac) and drag the mouse pointer.

Multiselection

Similar to the multiple cursors feature mentioned at the beginning of this post, you can also select multiple parts of a text at once and then cut, copy or delete them. To achieve this multi-selection press Shift+Alt while selecting text.

Multiple selction

Extending selection

By pressing Ctrl+W repeatedly within a fragment of code the selection will progressively extend. First the current expression under the cursor is selected, then the surrounding code block, then the code block surrounding this code block, etc.

Extending selection

Conclusion

Take some time and look up some of the more advanced text editing capabilities of your IDE or text editor. Adopt them if you find them helpful and share them with your colleagues, for example in a pair programming session.