[news.eclipse.newcomer] Re: Cannot Load Visual Editor

[Hal Vaughan <hal@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Eric Rizzo wrote:

> Hal Vaughan wrote:
>> Any idea why the error message dialog box only says, "NullPointerError"
>> and doesn't give a stacktrace?
> 
> I can't say with authority about Eclipse's design, but it is generally
> considered poor UI design to show details like a stack trace in a error
> notification dialog. These kinds of error usually mean that "something
> went horribly wrong" and a GUI element isnt' the proper debugging
> mechanism.
> 
> Eric

I could see that in most programs, but it would seem that in an IDE the user
is expected to have a certain level of sophistication.  In this case, the
program is written in Java for those who are, for the most part, also
writing in Java.  It's one of the few cases where more error details would
seem to be more beneficial.  At least a button on the error window that
would reveal more details might help.

I'm not directing this at you, Eric.  I'm just voicing a thought that any
Eclipse developers reading this might find worth considering.

Hal