Description Geert Poels 2005-10-26 12:18:33 EDT

As a result of bug https://bugs.eclipse.org/bugs/show_bug.cgi?id=113844
(which might have been caused by my own error), I'd like to take the opportunity
to propose a change in the way errors are reported.
Take a look at the two attachments.

I'd like to make a few comments :
1) despite the dialog's big size, I'm still forced to scroll or enlarge the dialog
2) the message hints at what's wrong, yet doesn't precise the error in much detail
3) as were talking about not being able to open a project, the message should be
more straightforward

IMHO, An error/warning dialog should display the following :
1) Description of the error
2) Remedy to the error
3) often missing, present in Eclipse : a detail with MUCH detailed information.

Applying this to our example:

1) The project could not be opened. Error in project definition file.
2) Please check the details if the error can be corrected; Otherwise re-create
your project.
3) The currect information may remain PLUS the technical information 
   => why is the project file corrupt : XML-tag missing, entry missing, no UTF,
.... 

Eclipse is a tool from developers for developers. Their knowledge should be
technical enough not to be 'gripped' by all these details.
The real detail is optional through a button so only visible when the user
specifically wants to see it. Make it useful then : provide all info.