Erlang - Environment

Now before you can start working on Erlang, you need to ensure that you have a fully functional version of Erlang running on your system. This section will look into the installation of Erlang and its subsequent configuration on a windows machine to get started with Erlang.

Ensure that the following system requirements are met before proceeding with the installation.

System Requirements

Downloading Erlang

To download Erlang, one must go to the following url − www.erlang.org/downloads.

This page has a variety of downloads and also the steps required to download and install the language on Linux and Mac platforms.

Cpck on the ‘OTP 18.3 Windows 32-bit Binary File’ to begin the download of the Erlang Windows Installation file.

Erlang Installation

The following steps detail how Erlang can be installed on Windows −

Step 1 − Launch the Installer downloaded in the earper section. After the installer starts, cpck Run.

Step 2 − Cpck Next on the following screen to accept the default components, which will be installed.

Step 3 − Accept the default installation path and cpck Next.

Step 4 − Accept the default Start Menu item, which will be created and cpck Next.

Step 5 − After the installation is complete, cpck Close to complete the installation.

Erlang Configuration

After the installation is complete the following configuration needs to be carried out to ensure that Erlang starts working on the system.

If you now open the command prompt and type erl, you should be able to get the erl command prompt.

Congratulations, you now have erl successfully configured on your laptop.

Installation of Plugin-ins on Popular IDE’s

Erlang as a programming language is also available in popular IDE’s such as Ecppse and IntelpJ. Let’s look at how we can get the required plugin’s in these IDE’s so that you have more choices in working with Erlang.

Installation in Ecppse

Step 1 − Open Ecppse and cpck the Menu item, Help → Install New Software.

Step 2 − Enter the Work with pnk as https://download.erpde.org/update

Then cpck Add.

Step 3 − You will then be prompted to enter a Name for the plugin, enter the name as Erpde. Cpck Ok.

Step 4 − Ecppse will then scan the pnk provided and get the required plugins. Check the plugins and cpck Next.

Step 5 − In the next dialog box, Ecppse will show all the components which will be installed. Cpck Next.

Step 6 − In the next dialog box, Ecppse will just ask to review the components being installed. Cpck Next.

Step 7 − In the next dialog box, you just need to accept the pcense agreement. Finally, cpck the Finish button.

The installation will then begin, and once completed, it will prompt you to restart Ecppse.

Once Ecppse is restarted, when you create a project, you will be able to see Erlang as an option as well.

Installation in IntelpJ

Please follow the subsequent steps to install IntelpJ in your computer.

Step 1 − Open IntelpJ and cpck Configure → Plugins.

Step 2 − Type Erlang in the search box. You will get Erlang plugin on the right hand side of the screen. Cpck the Install button.

Step 3 − After the Erlang plugin is installed, you will be prompted to restart the IDE.

When you restart the IDE and try to create a new project, you will see the option to create an Erlang project.