Eclipse save automatically

Question

I would like Eclipse to automatically save every time I edit a file, in much the same way that it builds automatically. Because I've been using IntelliJ for the last year (which saves automatically by default), I keep having the following problem:

• Make some changes in Eclipse
• Forget to press save
• Run the build, unit tests, and notice some strange behaviour
• (Some time later....) realize that the unexpected behaviour occurred because I forgot to save the changes

Is there any way I can make Eclipse save automatically?

Answer 1

For Eclipse Mars 2, the settings are below Window > Preferences > General > Workspace. These settings are in minutes and not in seconds.

Answer 2

First, try Window -> Preferences -> General -> Workspace. There you can check "Save automatically before build" and "Build automatically."

If that does not work,

PLEASE TRY

Preferences -> Run/Debug -> Launching -> "Save dirty editors before launching"

Answer 3

In Helios this can be done by going to preferences and setting:

Run/Debug > Launching > Save required dirty editors before launching

Answer 4

Eclipse Neon (4.6)

Window > Preferences

General > Editors > Autosave > check Enable autosave for dirty editors > choose the value for autosave interval (in seconds)

Details in M7:

Auto-save of dirty editors is now available in Eclipse. The autosave option is disabled by default. A new autosave preference page (Preferences > General > Editors > Autosave) is available and allows to enable/disable the autosave and change the interval of autosave. The countdown is reset on keyboard activity, mouse click, or when a popup is displayed (e.g. content assist, preference page, ...).

Answer 5

I wrote an Eclipse plugin for this called smartsave. It's available in the Eclipse Market Place.

It saves your files at a specified interval and you can even tune it to prevent saving if errors, or warnings, are present in the preferences dialog.

Answer 6

You could go to Windows > Preferences > Autosave and set the auto intervals to 1.