Integrating JBoss with the Eclipse IDE (win32)

Following versions work together:

• jboss-4.0.3SP1
• Eclipse SDK 3.1.1;Build id: M20050929-0840
• JBossIDE 1.5

Step by step guide

1. Download and install jboss-4.0.3SP1. I used "Run Installer"
2. Download and unzip Eclipse 3.1.1 under program files. Make sure you download and install the proper build. I have not been lucky with other builds so far.
3. Run Eclipse.
   
4. Download and install JBossIDE:
   
1. Under the Eclipse IDE: Help/S.W updates/Find and install/Search for new features to install.
   
2. URL: "http://download.jboss.org/jbosside/updates/development"
   
3. Name: "JBossIDE 1.5 Release Candidate 1"
4. Download and Insatall all in the list Do not do manual installation, automatic works!
   
5. Setting up the default server menu: Once you are done with 4, right click any where on the IDE tool bar in eclipse and open up "Customize Perspective"; Select "Commands" tab. Select the "Default Server" check box from the list. Should be the 8th item in the list. This will enable the default server operations menu.
   
6. Creating default server configuration: From the menu select Run/Debug/Jboss4.0.x. Click New button on bottom right of the drop down. Home directory: C:\Program Files\jboss-4.0.3SP1. Under the "Server Configuration" select "Default". If you see a error on top left, means you are doing something wrong. Try one of these tips:
   
1. Error: could not locate tools.jar; Resolution, select a proper JDK and not JRE. The tools.jar is in the JDK folder. You have to add the JDK as an installed JRE by selecting Window->Preferences, going to the Java->Installed JREs page, adding the JDK location with a name of your choice and making it the default for your workspace. Then goto the JDK tab under your new_configuration and select the proper JDK. I am using jdk1.5.0_04.
   
2. Error: no jboss.4.0.x directory; Resolution, Uninstall your jboss and reinstall it. If that doesnt work, Reinstall the eclipseIDE plugin. If still no luck, gooooogle!
3. Error: Irritating pop up saying: Exception .metadata\.plugins\org.eclipse.debug.core\.launches. Resolution: Delete your .metadata folder that eclipse created in the workspace directory that you select at the time of launching the eclipse application. Then try 6 again.
   
7. Enabling the default server menu: If you pass the above step, you are almost done! Just go under Windows/Preferences/JBoss-IDE/Launcher. Now select the default server from the drop down. This should be the server configuration you just created under step 6.
   
8. Starting your server: Go back to the "Default Server" menu item, now you should be able to start/stop/etc the server.
   

Credits:
@devx article
@formum link for setting jdk instead of jvm

Note: Use default installation locations and settings, atleast until you get things working.