This is an Eclipse Plugin that inserts a Builder inner static class within the current class. Use this from the content assist menus that appear when you type Control+space.

The basic builder class created conforms to that described in Effective Java 2nd Edition.

The extended version creates an additional template validate() method, which is intended to ensure that only valid instances can be constructed. It assumes the availability of a "Validate" class. This will have static methods that validate fields and throw java.lang.IllegalStateException if invalid.

Field getters are not supplied for the outter class. Eclipse can add them for you if you require them.

Download jar from effectivejava-builder-proposal_1.0.0.201503241351.jar, drop into ECLIPSE_HOME/plugins/ and re-start eclipse.

Within the class containing fields that requires a builder: type control+space and cursor down to "builder" or "builder with validation", and select.

To build from source (see warning below):

• Download sources (as a zip or using 'git clone https://github.com/regwhitton/eclipse-effectivejavabuilder-plugin.git').
• Import project into workspace.
• Right click on project in package explorer, and select Export -> Plug-in Development -> Deployable plugin-ins and fragments -> Next -> Destination -> Install into host Repository (workspace/.metadata/.plugins/org.eclipse.pde.core/install/) -> Finish.

Warning: there is a problem in current versions of Eclipse (Luna). Once you do an export (or possibly when you exit Exclipse), the workspace loses the plugin dependencies. I recommend creating a separate workspace and importing this project into it. When the plugins disappear, exit Eclipse, delete the workspace directory, re-start Eclipse and re-import.

Yes, this is a very simple plugin, and there is lots of room for improvement. You could add option menus, templates and many many other things. Good luck with that.

Acknowledgement: Martin Monperrus for his Eclipse Content Assist Example.