Help me before I simply delete this and go back to TextEdit + Terminal (calling Obi Wan Kenobi...)
Before I just delete this thing in frustration, I'm hoping someone can point out what I'm missing. Here is my scenario:
Running on Mac OS X, I have two existing Java files and a single JAR file they depend on, that is working. Developed in plain old TextEdit and compiled/run from command line. They work. Plain and simple. I'm trying to get them to run in Intellij IDEA. So I created a project (which seems to be required with IDEA) and added the files to the project.
First issue: I couldn't find any way in the IDE to "add existing files" to the project. Nothing. That feature must be there somewhere right? So I simply used Finder and copied my two files to the "src" folder, now they show up in the project.
Second issue: my simple 2-file program depends on a single external JAR file. This JAR file is located in my /usr/local/special/special.jar. I've tired using the IDE to add this (in Project structure in the Module and Library section). When I try, it only lets me navigate to the normal Mac OS X visible folders. It seems there is no way to tell the stupid thing that my external JAR is in /usr/local.
Oh, and as for me RTFM, every time I try to use the "Help" in the IDEA, it simply takes me to a 404 web page; not very helpful. Thanks for your help, and for putting up with my rant.
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> First issue: I couldn't find any way in the IDE to "add existing files" to the project. Nothing. That feature must be there somewhere right? So I simply used Finder and copied my two files to the "src" folder, now they show up i the project.
You either create a project on the top of the existing files (the most common approach) or you copy your files to the project location using you favorite file manager.
> Second issue: my simple 2-file program depends on a single external JAR file. This JAR file is located in my /usr/local/special/special.jar. I've tired using the IDE to add this (in Project structure in the Module and Library section). When I try, it only lets me navigate to the normal Mac OS X visible folders. It seems there is no way to tell the stupid thing that my external JAR is in /usr/local.
Could you please show the screenshot of Finder? Do you mean you can't navigate to the folder because it's hidden? If it's the case, please see https://intellij-support.jetbrains.com/hc/en-us/community/posts/205435510 for the solutiuon.
> Oh, and as for me RTFM, every time I try to use the "Help" in the IDEA, it simply takes me to a 404 web page; not very helpful. Thanks for your help, and for putting up with my rant.
What IntelliJ IDEA version do you have? Which help URL gives you 404? Please provide an example. Note that you can access Help here: http://www.jetbrains.com/idea/webhelp/getting-help.html.
I guess I'm surprised that to add files to a project the IDE doesn't have a built-in way of managing that. As I mentioned, I found that dropping the files into the "src" folder via Finder worked. I realized I could force IDEA to show me hidden folders using SHIFT-CMD-G, again just surprised that a programming IDE wouldn't just show all files when you're trying to open one. I'm using the latest version of IDEA Ultimate.
IntelliJ IDEA is using the standard file chooser on Mac, so the behavior defaults to it. On other operating systems it could be different.