By default, project directories are created within the workspace directory. In addition, you can link an existing directory in another location into the workspace, providing all of the benefits of the project mechanism but leaving the actual files in their original location.

Once your project is created, you can modify any of the project properties in the IDL Project Properties page. To open the page, right-click on the project in the Project Explorer and select Properties > IDL Project Properties.

Default Project

A project is created automatically when you first start the workbench. This project, called “Default,” is like any project you create; you can delete or rename it as you like.

The File > Save operation saves files in a project directory. If you delete all projects from a workspace and then attempt to save a file, the workbench will recreate the Default project.

Create a Project in the Workspace

To create a project in the current workspace:

  1. On the main menu, click File > New Project. The New IDL Project dialog appears.
  2. Enter a Name for your new project.
  3. Create the new project in the workspace is selected by default.
  4. Select Update IDL path when project is opened or closed to include the project’s path in the IDL compilation path.
  5. Click Finish. The new project is listed in the Project Explorer view.

Create a Linked Project

If you prefer not to store all your files in the workspace directory, you can create a linked project. For example, if you have a large number of legacy files residing on a server, it might be inconvenient to copy them to the workspace directory. In this case, you can create a linked project. In a linked project, project metadata resides in the workspace, but the actual directory containing the project files is located elsewhere.

To create a linked project:

  1. On the main menu, click File > New Project. The New IDL Project dialog appears.
  2. Enter a Name for your new project.
  3. Select the Create the new project from an existing directory check box.
  4. Enter a path or browse for the project location.
  5. Select Update IDL path when project is opened or closed to include the project’s path in the IDL compilation path.
  6. Click Finish.