Tell me about ECL IDE and Client Tools

Quick guide to ECL IDE features

ECL IDE is our integrated development environment for ECL programmers to create, edit, and execute ECL code. The repository contains an ecllib folder which includes all the ECL functions available for you to add to your query with a simple point and click. In just a few quick steps after installation, setup your preferences to point to your HPCC Systems environment and specify the destination folder you will use to store your ECL files. Available clusters are shown in a drop down list from which you select the cluster you want to use to submit your query. Available ECL files and folders are easily accessible from the repository tree.

The interface is customisable and user friendly, allowing you to do all of these and more:

Create and edit your code using the editor
Submit your code and publish your query to a cluster
See a workunit's execution graph
Configure how results are displayed
Access ECL Watch from within the ECL IDE interface
Check syntax before submitting
Use the built in debugger work through your code to make sure it is working as expected or to locate issues that need resolving
Set your preferred color scheme
Arrange the different toolboxes on the screen to suit your preferences
Use the ribbon to get easy access to commands and features
Easily identify different file types by color
Easily identify ECL keywords using syntax highlighting
Integrate with Tortoise git to implement version control

ECL IDE is a Windows based interface and as such is only available on our download page when you select Windows as the operating system.

Get started with the ECL language to create queries you can submit to a Thor or ROXIE cluster, or if you are already familiar with ECL, extend your knowledge with more advanced ECL language techniques including using embedded languages and machine learning.

What's included in HPCC Systems Client Tools

Downloading HPCC Systems Client Tools provides you with the following command line tools:

ECLPlus - Used to facilitate the automation of ECL code execution
ECL command syntax
ECL Compiler as a stand alone option
DFUPlus - Used to facilitate the automation of data file spray, despray, and other common file handling tasks
ESDL command syntax

Even if you aren't using ECL IDE, you need to install Client Tools to get access to these features. We recommend you install Client Tools when you install the platform. Our download page allows you to choose whether to install it alongside your chosen Ubuntu/CentOS HPCC Systems platform install, or as part of a Windows download package with the ECL IDE.