This may be of interest to other *nix Java developers..
http://newgate.socialchange.net.au/~jeff/jpe/
Here is a summary, from the docs:
"[The JPE is] a simple system for working on multiple Java projects
under GNU/Linux, in particular for managing project classpaths.
..
One of the most painful aspects of Java programming, particularly for
new programmers, is dealing with classpaths. Every project requires a
set of jars, which must be listed in the $CLASSPATH variable before the
project compiles or runs. Of course, every project requires a different
set of jars. Since there is only one classpath, fixing it is a frequent
chore.
..
A solution: nested shell-based environments
The idea (and I'm sure it's pretty old..) is to start a new shell,
inside your current one, when you start working on a project. The
Subshell" can be customized in project-specific ways. Specifically,
the $CLASSPATH variable is automatically populated with jars from
certain directories (eg lib/), and directories containing classes (eg
src/java/).
..
Here's what happens when one enters the project subshell:
[EMAIL PROTECTED]:~$ cd myproj/
[EMAIL PROTECTED]:~/myproj$ proj.sh
-------------------------------------------------------------
Java Project Environment: version 1.24, 2001/06/28 12:46:49
-------------------------------------------------------------
Proj name: My wonderful new project
Proj alias: myproj
Proj author: Jeff Turner
Proj description:
This fictitious project exists solely to illustrate the JPE
-------------------------------------------------------------
Adding directories to classpath
Adding /home/jeff/myproj/src
Adding /home/jeff/myproj/src/java
Loading jars from /home/jeff/myproj/lib
Adding /home/jeff/myproj/lib/jaxp.jar
Adding /home/jeff/myproj/lib/xalan.jar
Adding /home/jeff/myproj/lib/xerces.jar
Setting cdc alias to src/java/org/myco/myproj
[EMAIL PROTECTED] myproj ~]$
..
..
When you start a project subshell:
* The $HOME variable is reset to point to the project root.
* The prompt ($PS1) is customized to include the project name.
* jars from various predefined and user-specified directories are added to
the classpath.
* predefined and user-specified directories are added to the classpath (if
present).
* Project aliases are set up.
Hope someone finds it useful. I tend to jump between a lot of projects,
and it's has saved me quite a lot of time.
--Jeff
