Wednesday, May 17, 2023

How to Increase Console Buffer Size in Eclipse IDE - Output and Debug Console Example

By default Eclipse, IDE has a limit on console output, also known as console buffer size. This means, your Eclipse console will overfill quickly if you are running a Java server program, which usually does a lot of logging. Once this happens, you start loosing logs. whenever new logs appear, an equal number of oldest logs are truncated. Thankfully there is a way to increase output capacity in Eclipse IDE. I discovered this tip, on my search of Eclipse productivity tips e.g. Eclipse shortcuts and settings to organize import. You can increase the console buffer size, which is specified in characters by using Eclipse preferences. Eclipse Indigo has a default console buffer size of 250000 characters.

Eclipse also provides a check box Limit Console Output to put enforce a limit on console output, In order to increase console output either you can uncheck this box or you can increase the console buffer size. I usually unchecked, Limit Console Output to avoid guessing a good number for console buffer size.

Btw, if you are a beginner, I suggest you first go through a beginner Eclipse course to understand the core concepts of Eclipse IDE and get yourself familiar with UI and essential features. Learning plugins will be a lot easier after that.

Steps to Increase Console Buffer Size in Eclipse

In order to increase console output capacity, follow these steps :
1) Click Preferences
2) Select Run/Debug
3) Either unchecked Limit console output or increase the console buffer size.

By the way, you can also increase the width of the Eclipse console on this screen. The default width of the Eclipse console is 80 characters. Similar to the above, you have two options here, either don't use a fixed-width console or increase maximum character width.

I personally don't use a fixed-width console by unchecking the tick box. Here is the snapshot from Eclipse IDE, which shows where these options are located :


You can clearly say options, rounded with red rectangle, first one is for changing width of console and second one is for increasing output capacity of Eclipse console.




That's all on How to increase console output in Eclipse. As I said, it's better not to limit console output, but if you do, make sure to choose a size large enough for your purpose.


This was another nice Eclipse setting, which helps a lot while running Java application from Eclipse IDE. Eclipse productivity tips help, to improve your speed and productivity. You can also check the following Eclipse tips and tricks :


2 comments :

Bhavna said...

WOW, Great tip Javin. I always struggled to get complete log because of lower default size of console buffer in Eclipse 3.6 version, didn't know about this tip. Now after setting it much higher, I am getting all logs, which I need. Looking forward to more of such Eclipse productivity tips in future.

Deeps said...

Hi, Wondering why you have n't mentioned about redirecting the console to file option of eclipse here which I do use more often .

go to Run -> Debug Configurations on Eclipse menu. Then under "Standard Input and Output" section, click on checkbox next to "File:", and choose the name of output file to use. If you check "Append" underneath, console output will be appended to the output file. These options will under common in line tab. Otherwise, console output will be overwritten to the file.

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