Eclipse - HelloWorld project

If you haven't already done so, open the eclipse.ini file in your eclipse installation, and specify the -vm argument:

 -vm   
 C:\Program Files\Java\jdk1.6.0_21\bin\javaw.exe  
   

Create a workspace in your home directory called workspace-confucius.
For example, I have:
C:\Documents and Settings\LavanniM\workspace-confucius

Start Eclipse by double clicking on the eclipse.exe in your eclipse installation.

When it asks you for the workspace, specify the workspace-confucius folder.

When Eclipse comes up, it will show you the Welcome screen - you can close it, and then you will see the regular Eclipse editors.

Take a moment to look into the /workspace-confucius directory.

You will see that Eclipse has created the .metadata directory for this workspace.

In Eclipse, go to File->New->Project.. and select the Java-->Java Project

Name the project HelloWorld and use all the defaults in the Wizard

When the process completes, you will see the HelloWorld project in your Package Explorer window.