This is a simple lightweight template for getting started creating Scala projects. It consists of a simple 'Hello World' program and some sample tests.

It uses the Simple Build Tool (SBT) to quickly and easily:

• download all the libraries on which the project depends, including Scala, if necessary
• run your programs and tests
• to generate the necessary configuration files for importing your project into an IDE such as Eclipse or Intellij IDEA

Assuming you have Java 1.5 or later installed, to get started:

1. Download the template:

    git clone git://github.com/dph01/scala-sbt-template.git
   

   Or, if you don't have git installed, download and unzip the files manually from here.

2. Launch sbt:

    cd scala-sbt-template
    ./sbt (or sbt.bat for Windows)
   

This downloads all the dependencies for the project.

3. To run your program, in SBT:

    >run        
   

This searches all objects for a 'main' method. If it finds more than one, it asks you to chose which you want to run.

3. To load the project into Eclipse, at the SBT prompt:

    > eclipse with-sources=true
   

   Then from within Eclipse, select File->Import->General->Existing Projects Into Workspace, and select your project directory. Install the Eclipse Scala IDE plugin from here.

4. Or, to load the project into Intellij IDEA, at the SBT prompt:

    > gen-idea
   

   Then from within IDEA, select File -> Open Project, and select your project directory.

5. Put your Scala class files in src/main/scala. An example has been created in: src/main/scala/com/myapp/App.scala. SBT uses the same folder structure as Maven. For more information see here.

6. Write your tests in src/test/scala (some examples have been included). To run all your tests:

    > test
   

7. To run just one test:

    > test-only com.myapp.AppTest
   

8. To launch the Scala interpreter, at the sbt prompt:

    > console
   

   This allows you to 'play around' with Scala commands, with full access to all the libraries defined in your project. Ctrl-D returns you to SBT.

9. To view / modify project configuration settings, see build.sbt in the project root directory. If you change anything, run

    >reload
   

   from within SBT for your changes to take effect.

For comments, questions, etc. please see the accompanying blogpost.