Paste a multi-line Java String in Eclipse

Prepping Eclipse for string auto-formatting

Understandably, you would want to use the 'Fast Answer' every day. Before that, here's how to prep Eclipse to make the magic happen:

1. Open Preferences > Java > Editor > Typing.
2. Check Escape text when pasting into a string literal. Eclipse is now trained to format multi-line string pastes for you. Start pasting!

Advanced Eclipse String Handling

EclipsePastasJavaString Plugin

Is pasting multi-line strings your daily bread and butter? EclipsePasteAsJavaString plugin should be your tool of choice. Do the installation dance from GitHub, and Ctrl+Shift+V becomes your super-power shortcut to paste anything as a Java string.

Using Eclipse's Keyboard Shortcuts

Shortcuts are time-savers life-savers in crunch times. TOAD IDE's CTRL+M and CTRL+P is like 'abra-ca-dabra' for SQL multi-line strings. Eclipse too has its fair share of shortcuts.

Explore GitHub's Flexibility

Voraciously using variables in strings? Your savior is GitHub's multiple-line-syntax that understands all your variable needs and helps with multi-line strings.

Boost Your Productivity

Automating manual tasks is the first step to skyrocketing your productivity. Turn on automation, focus on cell-dividing your brain cells while solving complex problems.

Savvy Tips to Handle Java Strings in Eclipse

Keep the Common Errors at Bay

Manually escaping line breaks and adding concatenations can lead to a chaotic situation. Dodge common errors by utilizing Eclipse's built-in feature or a handy plugin.

Multi-line String Edits

Made a massive paste and now need to edit? Manual intervention is required here, as Eclipse's auto-formatting chills only during the paste act!

Stay Alert with External Text

Stay on high alert when you are importing text outside of Eclipse. Invisible special characters or different line endings can make you pull your hairs out.

Visualization

To help hamstring this concept, here's an analogy:

Track being Pasted: 🎶🎵🎶
Eclipse Editing Table: 🖥️

Pasting text into a string:

String text = "First line\n" +
              "Second line\n" +
              "Third line";   //...and DROP the 🎵 on the 🖥️


It's like mixing + signs in-beat to create a harmonized Java String Symphony!

Before: [📜] multipartite multiline text
After: [🖥️] composite String tuned on Eclipse 

You just tuned the Symphony of Code in perfect harmony!

Efficient Paste Operations

Pasting Code Snippets

Bringing in code snippets into your Eclipse? First place your cursor within an empty string literal, and paste. Eclipse now ensures all quotes are correctly escaped.

Stay Aware of Line Separator Preferences

Ensure your Eclipse settings carry the same line separator as your source text (UNIX systems use LF, windows use CRLF), or your bait of automatic pasting can backfire.

Think about Externalizing the Strings

Strings getting out-of-hand lengthy? Consider making the life-giving shift to external properties files or use Java's text block (from Java 13 onwards) that loves maintaining simplicity in multi-line strings.