eclipse-jdt / eclipse-jdt/eclipse.jdt.ui
Search (Ctrl-F) not possible in Class File Editor without source
- Dominant language
- Java
- Stars
- 59
- Forks
- 127
- Avg merge
- 1d 8h
- Merged PRs (30d)
- 37
Description
Whenever I open a class file in the "Class File Editor" without source code and want to search text in the decompiled file Ctrl-F is not available.
To reproduce:
1. Create a *.java file and compile.
2. Open created *.class file in class file editor without source (in my setting with maven the file can be found in target). Therefore use the context menu "Open with: Class File Viewer". The file should show the decompiled code.
3. Ctrl-F: nothing happens.
Expected behaviour:
Find/Replace opens with "Replace with" grayed out like in console output windows and it should be possible to search for text in the decompiled source code.
Current behaviour:
Find does not open, nothing happens, no error. In the main window menu "Edit" all find related entries are grayed out. Select All is available.
Workaround:
Select all, copy and paste in a new text file. But this is annoying if one has to inspect more than a few files.
Justification and use case:
When I encounter an unexpected dependency for a project and did't find a direct include it is possible to see class and package uses in the decompiled source code (maven dependency:analyze does the same - it also looks in the binary class files).
My configuration:
Eclipse IDE for Enterprise Java and Web Developers (includes Incubating components)
Version: 2025-06 (4.36.0)
Build id: 20250605-1316
Windows 11
Contributor guide
Research direction
Start with the Class File Editor path used when opening a .class file through “Open with: Class File Viewer,” and compare its find behavior with console output windows. Reproduce the missing Ctrl-F action and the grayed-out Edit menu entries, then verify that Find/Replace opens with Replace with disabled and searches the decompiled source.
Written by the indexing model from the issue text.
Assessment
- Tech stack
- java
- Domain
- devtools
- Issue type
- Bug
- Difficulty
- 3/5
- Estimated time
- 1-2 days
- Activity status
- Stale
- Clarity
- Mostly clear
- Newbie friendliness
- 45/100