How to use Java 8 docs in Eclipse

Question

I'm having issues seeing API documentation for Java 8 in Eclipse. Here's an example of the problem I'm having

Calendar myCalendar = Calendar.getInstance();

If I mouse over Calendar then I see all the correct documentation, however if I mouse over getInstance() I get a message saying

Note: This element has no attached source and the Javadoc could not be found in the attached Javadoc.

I have the Javadoc location for rt.jar set to http://docs.oracle.com/javase/8/docs/api/, I've also tried downloading a local copy of the docs and had the same problem. Changing the link to the Java 7 docs fixes the problem I'm having.

Eclipse seems to be using the wrong anchor style (not sure how else to word it) when looking for methods. When it looks for the getInstance() method, it checks http://docs.oracle.com/javase/8/docs/api/java/util/Calendar.html#getInstance(), but it should be checking

Calendar.html#getInstance--

All brackets and commas seem to have been replaced by hyphens in the Java 8 doc links. I experienced this problem with Eclipse 4.3 (Kepler), 4.3 with the patches for Java 8, and now with 4.4 (Luna)

Is there a way to update Eclipse so that it properly displays the docs in the mouse over tooltips?

Answer 1

Setting the installed JRE to JDK 8 fixes your problem.

This can be done by going to

Window -> Preferences -> Java -> Installed JRE -> Edit -> Directory and selecting the JDK 8 installation folder

Answer 2

Step 1: Windows -> Preference -> Java -> Installed JRE -> Edit -> Directory (Specify the JDK directory (and not JRE))

Step 2: Click "Restore Defaults"

Step 3: Click OK