Generate setters that return self in Eclipse

Question

I'd like to have my setters so that I can chain them like:

myPojo.setX(x).setY(y); 

Usually I generate setters with Eclipse but unfortunately code template for setters allows me to change only the body of the setter, not the signature.

What would be the easiest way to complete the above? Besides search-and-replace + manual editing? :)

Answer 1

I can offer a kind of patch that however does not require any additional installations.

Go to Window/preferences/Java/Code Style/Code templates. Edit "setter body" template as following:

${field} = ${param}; return this; 

Now when you run "generate getters and setters" it will create setter like:

public void setMyField(String myField) {     this.myField = myField;     return this; } 

This obviously cause compilation error because the method type is void. But you can strike Ctrl-F and replace all 'public void set' by public YourClassName set.

It is a patch, but it works...

Answer 2

You could use the Editor/Templates for this purpose. To define a new Template open the Preferences Window, then Java->Editor->Templates. In this window you can define a new template and give it a name. For example:

public ${enclosing_type} setName(${argType} name) {     this.name = name;     return this; } 

Give it a name, e.g. settr. You can then use this template in your java code by typing 'settr' and then Ctrl-Space.