With the introduction of the top level Kawa Projects folder in the project tree it is not necessary to create a project for single Java files or even simple projects. Previously, in order to set custom compiler options or interpreter options it was necessary to create a Kawa project. Since it is possible to set these options globally at the Projects level, a project would only need to be created to group files together, debugging, or to create a dialog or frame resource via Kawa GUI builder. This is done by selecting Project/New and typing a new name for the project after selecting the appropriate directory. The new project is automatically added to the projects tree and is made the current open project.
Kawa projects tree is capable of displaying multiple projects in the tree. There are 2 ways to add Kawa project to the projects tree - first method is to open the project from the menu option Project/Open. If the project is not already in the tree the project is added to the projects tree. Second method is to select Add Project from the root Projects option right button menu and selecting the project file to add to the tree. The latter method does not open the project but it just adds the project to the tree.
An existing project in the projects tree can be opened by clicking right button on the project item and selecting Open from the menu. However, there can be only one project open at any given time. Open project is always the first item in the project tree and is drawn with a bold font.
It is now possible to set global compiler, interpreter and Javadoc options for all projects by right clicking on "Projects" item in the tree. These options will apply to all the projects in the tree and is superseded by project options. Also, the global compiler and interpreter options apply to individual Java files which are not part of any Kawa project.
In order to add or delete files or to set compiler or interpreter options for a project the project has to be open. In general to modify any project options the project will have to be opened first. Compiling a file from the project tree by right clicking on the file and selecting compile will apply all the compiler options from the file's project even if the file is not part of an open project.
It is possible to add virtual folders to the project. Selecting Add Folder from the Project right button menu will add a folder to the project. Folder can be renamed any time by selecting rename from the Folder right button menu. Files can be added to a project folder by selecting Add File from the folder right button menu or by simply dragging the files into the folder from another project folder. Files can be dragged out of the folders in the same way. Folders are just a convenient way of arranging files by any criteria. Folders can be deleted just like a file by selecting the folder and pressing the delete key or selecting Delete from the folder right button menu.
Please refer to Projects Tab for more details on other Project tree options.