Guide to Subclipse Decorator Icons

Rory — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 21:17:17 +0000

In my current role, we are using Subversion (SVN) as our version control system. As an Eclipse user, I am using the Subclipse plugin that allows you to easily interact with Subversion to commit changes and make updates to your code. I quickly noticed that there was no online resource out there that specifically talked about what the “decorator” icons mean in Subclipse, and thought this might be helpful for new users of Subclipse. “Decorator” icons are icons that are added to your file icons in Eclipse whenever you make a change, add a file, etc.

Eclipse does include the icons under Preferences > Team > SVN, but the explanation is reduced to one word in each case. I have included the one word descriptions with the icons below.

Table 1: Icons within your project

Icon	What this means to you
	The “plus” sign indicates that this is a new file that did not exist before.
	The “asterisk” indicates that this file has been changed since the last Commit
	The “question mark” indicates that this file is not part of the Version Control. All new files you create will have this icon. You need to add them (right-click >> Team >> Add to Version Control). If you don’t add them, they will still show up when doing your Commit, so you may be able to add them here by including them in your commit.
	The “yellow pipe” indicates no change to the file. It is also used on folders.
	No decorater means the file is ignored completely. This is similar in effect to the Question Mark. By default, files have the Question Mark. To remove that mark, you need to (right-click >> Team >> Add to svn:ignore…)
	Conflicted: I have not encountered this.
	Read Only: I have not encountered this.
	Locked: I have not encountered this.

You will also run into some new icons within the commit process, documented below

Table 2: Icons during the Commit Process

Icon	What this means to you
	The “plus” within the arrow means this file is new in your version, and will be added to the latest Server revision
	The “minus” within the arrow means this file has been deleted in your version, and will be deleted from the latest Server revision.
	The blank arrow means this file has been updated, and will be updated in the latest Server revision.
	The Question Mark means this file has not been added to Version control. I have not checked if this updates if you check the update box!

I am likely missing some icons above. I have not run into any conflicts as of yet, so I may not have stumbled into every scenario. I will update this post as I encounter new icons.

Note: I am using Eclipse Ganymede 3.4.0, and the “Default” icons.

Any questions or corrections, leave me a comment!

Rory Cullen, Kaizen Software Developer » Eclipse

Guide to Subclipse Decorator Icons

Table 1: Icons within your project

Table 2: Icons during the Commit Process