Automatically Refresh Browser Window

Automatically refresh the browser window when saving a file in Eclipse IDE

The edit/preview workflow pattern is make some change, save the files (CTR+S), swtich to browser (ALT+Tab), refresh the windows (F5), switch back to Eclipse IDE (ALT+Tab) and rinse and repeat. Even though I can do this quickly it is repetitive and cumbersome and the seconds it takes turn into minutes and hours wasted over many projects.

Googling you will find posts that show how to automate the Alt+Tab F5 Alt+Tab sequence using VBScript and setting it as an automatic builder in Eclipse.

Now this is a good enough solution and it does work very well except that it does not work with all browsers. Google Chrome being one of them where the SendKeys seem to be ignored. However using an alternative utility NirCmd I was able to make it work as follows:

• Download NirCmd and extract 'nircmd.exe' into your projects.
• Create the following 'nircmd-chrome-focus+f5.bat' batch file:
  
  

  ECHO Off
  REM This little batch files calls the awesome nircmd utility to focus Chrome window send an F5 and swtich
  REM back to Eclipse. This is no longer possible with VBScript in WIN7 as Chrome can only be focused but won't 
  REM accept key sends unless a click is made. Seriously donate to the NirSoft for making this tool. 
  
  %~dp0nircmd.exe win activate ititle "- Google Chrome"
  %~dp0nircmd.exe win max ititle "- Google Chrome"
  %~dp0nircmd.exe sendkey f5 press
  %~dp0nircmd.exe win activate ititle "- Eclipse"
  %~dp0nircmd.exe win max ititle "- Eclipse" 
  
  

• Add the batch file as a project builder 'Project > Properties > Builder > New' and ensure 'Project > Build Automatically' is selected. See above screen shot for assistance.

Feel free to comment or share this if it has hepled you, also consider donating to NirSoft and check out some of their other utilities.