How to set a breakpoint in Eclipse in a third party library? - java

I'm getting a NullPointerException in a Class from a 3rd party library. Now I'd like to debug the whole thing and I would need to know from which object the class is held. But it seems to me that I cannot set a breakpoint in a Class from a 3rd party.
Does anyone know a way out of my trouble? Of course I'm using Eclipse as my IDE.
Update: the library is open-source.

You can easily set method breakpoints in 3rd party libraries without having the source. Just open the class (you'll get the "i-have-no-source" view). Open the outline, right-click on the method you want and click on Toggle Method Breakpoint to create the method breakpoint.

The most sure-fire way to do this (and end up with something that's actually useful) is to download the source (you say that it is open-source), and set up another "Java Project" pointing at that source.
To do that, get the source downloaded and unzipped somewhere on your system. Click "File"->"New"->"Java Project". In the next dialog, give it a project name and select "Create Project from Existing Source". Browse to the root location of the open source library.
Supposing that all the additional libraries that are required by the project and such are included in the project you downloaded, Eclipse will figure everything out and set the build path up for you.
You'll need to remove the open source jar from your project's build path, and add this new project to the build path of your project.
Now, you can just treat this as your code, and debug at will.
This gets around at least a couple of problems with other approaches:
You could "attach source" to the jar file, but if the jar file was compiled without debug information, this still won't work. If the jar file was compiled with debug information (lines,source,vars...see http://java.sun.com/j2se/1.3/docs/tooldocs/win32/javac.html, and the -g option).
You could add an "exception breakpoint" to see when the NullPointerException is raised, but that's a common exception, and may well get raised and dealt with many (hundreds of?) times prior to the one you're looking for. Plus, without the original source, you won't be able to really see much of anything about the code that is throwing the NullPointerException - the likelihood you'll be able to figure out what's wrong is pretty low.

You can also set breakpoints on specific exceptions. From the Debug perspective, there's a button "Add Java Exception Breakpoint", and there you can add "NullPointerException". Your debugger will then suspend execution as soon as such an exception is raised.

Normally, you should be able to set a break point. Especially if the 3rd party library is open source. But if your 3rd party lib is from a commercial vendor, they may have compiled the source with the debug flag turned off. This will make it impossible for you to debug into it. Your vendor might have done this as part of an obfuscation process to make it impossible to reverse engineer the library, or just simply because the final compiled classes will be smaller.

To make this work with a maven materialized web app, I had to do three things.
1) Create a new eclipse project with the source code of the 3rd party jar.
2) Remove the reference to the jar from pom.xml dependencies.
3) Add the new eclipse project to Deployment Assembly in the project properties.
4) Add the new eclipse project to project Properties -> Java Build Path -> Projects of the existing project that references the 3rd party project.
If the 3rd project has been added to your maven repository correctly, with sources, maven will automagically download the appropriate source code and let you add breakpoints without you having to do any of the steps above; however, I have learnt that you can't always count on this.

Just attach the source (or use something that automatically attaches the source jar) and then set a breakpoint in the normal way, by double-clicking to the left of the line of interest.

In maven projects, easily you can open maven dependencies tree view in project explorer view and see a list of jar files that your project depends on.  
Open project explorer and then expand your project.  
Then, look for maven dependencies and expand this tree view.  
Now, you can expand any jar file and see list of available classes and by pressing enter on any of them, Eclipse will decompile the source for you and you can set a breakpoint.  
If your project has sub maven module projects, you should look for dependencies in your modules.
I recommend to install Enhance class decompiler plugin, So you can easily debug your project without source code or you can specify source for eclipse to avoid source not found while debugging.If the third party jar file's source  is already open as project in eclipse, You can not expand it in Maven dependencies section.

Related

Android : source not found [duplicate]

While debugging a java app in eclipse I receive a "Source not found" error in two cases:
Stepping in to a file in a different project which is already imported
Stepping in to a file in an installed maven repository
The files are there, but eclipse won't step into them, instead it shows a button to "attach source"
I tried attaching (which opened a dialog to define a variable?!) and eclipse did jump to the file, but the debugger could not inspect any variables there. Also manually attaching the source for each dependency isn't practical, as in my case there are thousands of dependency files.
Why is this happening, and how can it be resolved?
Just 3 steps to configuration Eclipse IDE:
Note: After updating the Source Lookup paths, you'll have to stop and restart your debug session. Otherwise, the file with the missing source will continue to show "missing source".
Edit Source Lookup
Select the Edit Source Lookup... command [ Edit Source Lookup ] to open the Source Path Dialog, which allows you to make changes to the source lookup path of the selected debug target.
IMPORTANT Restart Eclipse after this last step.
Eclipse debugging works with the class actually loaded by the program.
The symptoms you describe sounds like the class in question was not found in the project, but in a distribution jar without debug info found before the project you are working with.
This can happen for several reasons but have a look at the location where the classes showing this behaviour is found (look in the navigation pane to identify it). You will most likely need to change the build path of the project to avoid using this jar and have the JVM use the project instead.
EDIT: Note that as of 2018 it is common to use a build framework like Maven, where the build path is managed by the m2e plugin so this problem should be very less frequent than when the question was asked. If you use Maven and m2e, make sure to enable Preferences / Maven / "Download Artifact Sources" or right-click the project, Maven / "Download Sources".
The symptoms perfectly describes the case when the found class doesn't have associated (or assigned) source.
You can associate the sources for JDK classes in Preferences > Java > Installed JRE. If JRE (not JDK) is detected as default JRE to be used, then your JDK classes won't have attached sources. Note that, not all of the JDK classes have provided sources, some of them are distributed in binary form only.
Classes from project's build path, added manually requires that you manually attach the associated source. The source can reside in a zip or jar file, in the workspace or in the filesystem. Eclipse will scan the zip, so your sources doesn't have to be in the root of the archive file, for example.
Classes, from dependencies coming from another plugins (maven, PDE, etc.). In this case, it is up to the plugin how the source will be provided.
PDE will require that each plugin have corresponding XXX.source bundle, which contains the source of the plugin. More information can be found here and here.
m2eclipse can fetch sources and javadocs for Maven dependencies if they are available. This feature should be enabled m2eclipse preferences (the option was named something like "Download source and javadocs".
For other plugins, you'll need to consult their documentation
Classes, which are loaded from your project are automatically matched with the sources from the project.
But what if Eclipse still suggest that you attach source, even if I correctly set my classes and their sources:
This almost always means that Eclipse is finding the class from different place than you expect. Inspect your source lookup path to see where it might get the wrong class. Update the path accordingly to your findings.
Eclipse doesn't find anything at all, when breakpoint is hit:
This happens, when you are source lookup path doesn't contain the class, which is currently loaded in the runtime. Even if the class is in the workspace, it can be invisible to the launch configuration, because Eclipse follows the source lookup path strictly and attaches only the dependencies of the project, which is currently debugged.
An exception is the debugging bundles in PDE. In this case, because the runtime is composed from multiple projects, which doesn't have to declare dependencies on one another, Eclipse will automatically find the class in the workspace, even if it is not available in the source lookup path.
I cannot see the variables when I hit a breakpoint or it just opens the source, but doesn't select the breakpoint line:
This means that in the runtime, either the JVM or the classes themselves doesn't have the necessary debug information. Each time classes are compiled, debug information can be attached. To reduce the storage space of the classes, sometimes this information is omitted, which makes debugging such code a pain. Your only chance is to try and recompile with debug enabled.
Eclipse source viewer shows different lines than those that are actually executed:
It sometimes can show that empty space is executed as well. This means that your sources doesn't match your runtime version of the classes. Even if you think that this is not possible, it is, so make sure you setup the correct sources. Or your runtime match your latest changes, depending on what are you trying to do.
From http://www.coderanch.com/t/587493/vc/Debugging-Eclipse-Source
"When running in debug mode, right click on the running thread (in threads tab) and select Edit Source Lookup. At this point, you should be able to add the necessary project/jar which contains your source code."
I added my current project in this way, and it solved my problem
I had similar problem with my eclipse maven project. I fought with this issue quite a long time then I tried to rebuild project with
mvn clean eclipse:eclipse
and it helped.
Note: Using this approach will confuse the m2e plugin since the two approaches are very different. m2e adds a virtual node to your project called "Maven Dependencies" and asks Maven to add all dependencies there.
mvn eclipse:eclipse, on the other hand, will create a lot of individual entries in the file .classpath. Eclipse will handle them as if you manually added JARs to your project.
Unless you know how the classpath in Eclipse works, this approach is not recommended.
I was facing the same issue,I followed the bellow steps.
Window => Preferences => Java => Installed JREs,
You see in the above screen Jre1.8.0_12 is selected.
select the JRE you are using and click Edit. Now You should see the bellow screen.
Click on the directory, browse for Jdk, It should look like bellow screen.
click ok, and its done
I had the problem that my Eclipse was not debugging the source code of my project. I was getting a blank page with "Source code node found".
Please click the Attach source code button. Then delete the "default" folder then click add and go to your project location and attach. This worked for me
Remove the existing Debug Configuration and create a new one. That should resolve the problem.
None of the mentioned answer worked for me.
To resolve this issue i have to follow bellow steps:
Right click on Java HotSpot(TM) 64 Bit server.
Select "Edit Source Lookup".
Click on "Add".
Select "File System Directory" instead of Java project.
Select Root directory of your project.
Check "Search Subfolders".
Click Ok ok ok.
Thanks.
Click -> Edit Source Lookup Path
after then
Click -> Add finally select Java project and select project path.
Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IGIKPY6q1Qw
In my case, even after Editing source lookup and Adding project, it didn't worked. I configured the Build path of the project.
After that, I selected JRE System Library and it worked.
Evidently, Eclipse does not automatically know where the source code for the dependent jars are. It is not clear why debugger could not inspect variables once the source was attached. One possibility is incorrect/incompatible source.
Assuming you have a maven project and the sources of the dependencies are downloaded and available in the local repository, you may want to install m2eclipse, the maven eclipse plugin and see if that helps in addressing your issue.
You might have source code of a dependency accessible to Eclipse. But Eclipse does not know for source code for code that is dynamically loaded. E.g. through Maven.
In case of Maven, I recommend that you use run-jetty-run plugin:
http://code.google.com/p/run-jetty-run/
As a workaround you can also connect to a running JVM with the debugger and you will see the code.
Alternatively you can use Dynamic Source Lookup plugin for Eclipse from here:
https://github.com/ifedorenko/com.ifedorenko.m2e.sourcelookup
Unfortunately it didn't helped me as it has issues with Windows paths with spaces.
I have filled an enhancement request on Eclipse Bugzilla and if you agree this issue "Source not found" should vanish forever, please vote for it here:
https://bugs.eclipse.org/bugs/show_bug.cgi?id=384065
Thanks!
Sasa
In my case in "Attach Source", I added the other maven project directory in the "Source Attachment Configuration" panel. Adding the latest version jar from the m2 repository din't work. All the classes from the other maven project failed to open.
Here test was my other maven project containing all the java sources.
I had the very same problem. In my case, I've disabled Window-Preferences-Java-Debug [Suspend execution on uncaught exceptions]. Then, the console showed me the correct error: my MySql user hadn't privileges to access the database. According to this topic.
Info: This is a possible solution, when you use maven (pom.xml) with couple of projects.
If you are working with maven, make sure what version you are taking inside the according pom.xml (e. g. 1.0.1-SNAPSHOT ).
It might be possible that your code is up-to-date, but your pom.xml dependencies are still taking the old JAR's/Snapshots (with the old code).
Finding the problem:
Try to debug the according file.
Therefore, set a breakpoint in the relevant code area.
When "source not found" appears, make sure to bind in the right project (where the .java file can be found).
The compile .class file opens up in the IDE editor.
Click "Link with Editor" to find the according JAR/Snapshot.
Now make sure that this JAR is the most recent one. Possibly there is a newer one. In that case, write the most recent version number in the pom.xml.
Then do a maven update and build (e. g. "mvn clean install -U") in the right project directory.
If you are on eclipse or STS please install and Use GC(GrepCode Plugin) ,some time you don't need to attach the source .zip file into your project path so GrepCode works fine for you.
I've had a related issue in connection with Glassfish server debugging in Eclipse.
This was brought about by loading the source code from a different repository (changing from SVN to GitHub). In the process, the wrong compiled classes were used by the Glassfish server and hence, the source and run time would be out of sync with break points appearing on empty lines.
To solve this, rename or delete the top folder of the classes directory and Glassfish will recreate the whole class directory tree including updating the class files with the correctly compiled version.
The classes directory is located in: /workspace/glassfish3122eclipsedefaultdomain/eclipseApps/< your Web Application>/WEB-INF/classes
In my case with tomcat projects I have checked project here:
Window - Preferences - Tomcat - Source Path - Add java projects to source path
In my case the Maven version of the other referenced project didn't match the version of the test project. Once they were the same, the problem disappeared.
When running in debug mode, click Edit Source Lookup after suspended from thread. At this point, we should be able to add the necessary project/jar which contains your source code.
After I added my current project in this way, and it solved my problem. Thanks
If you want to attach source code to any JAR by auto-downloading, try using this Eclipse plugin Java Source Attacher
I had this problem while working on java code to do process on a excel file containing a data set, then convert it to .csv file, i tried answers to this post, but they did not work.
the problem was the jar files themselves. after downloading needed jar files one by one(older releases) and add them to my project, "source not found" error vanished.
maybe you can check your jar files.
hope this would help.
this worked for me
right click on project -> Properties -> Deployment Assembly -> add your jar
Go to Debug configuration in eclipse and use below goal to run your application.
-Dmaven.surefire.debug
e.g
-Dmaven.surefire.debug exec:java
Well, here's what worked for me. I tried every possible solution on StackOverflow that there was. I tried changing my source location in the debug menu, I installed the m2e Eclipse plugin, I changed from embedded Maven, and I installed the run-jetty-run and nothing worked. Now, I will caveat that I was not trying to view an external person's source code, I just wanted to see my OWN code, but every time I "stepped in" to my methods that I wrote that were in MY project, I got the "Source now found" error.
After finally asking an expert, my issue was that the first thing Eclipse was doing was calling a ClassLoader, which you can see from the debug stack. All I had to do was F6 (step over) and then it took me back to my original call and then F5 (step in). And there was my code. Sigh...such a simple fix but an hour wasted.
For beginners,
There is a possibility that the jar file is a part of the project which you have not yet included in the Eclipse workspace.
For that, you need to know the project name of the jar file.
Say for example, its abc-18.0.0-SNAPSHOT.jar, it means that the project you are supposed to include in your workspace is abc.
I had the same issue with eclipse 2019-03 (4.11.0) and I was only able to solve this by doing the debugging via remote debugging instead of directly launching it in debug mode.
Attach source -> Add -> External Archive -> select the jar -> open -> done
the catch is look for the sources jar and attach this jar.
for example the jar ends with "-sources" Stax2-api-3.4.1-sources
sometimes these thing happens because of the version also like if you are using latest
version in that case it may arise try to use older version it will work.

Using a Library in Source Code in Eclipse?

It's been about 6 years since I had to do any Java programming, and even longer since I had to do any notable amount of Java programming. While I remember the language, I was always weak on all the other things, such as all the tools for building programs and such. In fact, I've forgotten more than I remember - and I was self taught in the first place.
In the past I based my organization of code on what I had seen in some open source projects, so I had directories set up with something like com/mybiz/util and com/mybiz/network and so on. I'd put the source code for the classes in the appropriate directory and make sure it was in the package that matched that path. Then if I had to change the code (like for a bug fix or to add a new routine in an existing class), it was easy for me - change it and recompile the class. As I recall, imports for the classes in the root directory for my project (it was all tied together) to use these classes were no problem with that setup.
Then someone told me about Eclipse, but the biggest thing I remember doing was refactoring in it. Until then, my IDE was a console window and a text editor.
So I still have a lot of classes in that hierarchy - com/mybiz/util (and so on). But now I'm using this code for personal libraries, so it's in com/tango/util and com/tango/network and such. I've having to make changes here and there to code to make it more universal and to remove stuff that was specific to the business for one reason or another.
I want to use these classes as libraries for my projects in Eclipse now. I'd rather not just compile and put them all into a jar, since many of the classes are still being fine tuned and need recompiling. I'd rather just be able to tell Eclipse, "Use this bundle of source code in the "com/tango..." directory tree and then just use something like "import com.tango.util.FileUtils" in my source code.
Even more, I'd like to be able to specify this as a library or some kind of available source code or resource in Eclipse so it's easily added (or added by default) to each project I create.
Can I do this? Or should I be looking into something else or another way to handle it instead? Again, I'd rather just have the source code included, since it's still being changed around and being recompiled.
For the refactoring "magic" you want to use Eclipse needs to know all source files to execute, so you have to have all your source code added into an Eclipse Java project.
However, if you want to have a set of classes that are available for multiple projects, nobody stops you from creating multiple projects, and setting up dependencies between them. The easiest way to achieve this is to add a dependency in the New Java Project wizard (be careful not to press the finish button after setting up the project name but use the Next button where you can add existing Java projects into the build path).
If all your source code is available in either a single, or some interdependent Eclipse Java projects, then Eclipse will take care of compiling all the classes. Usually, Eclipse is intelligent enough to only recompile what needs to be changed, so this process is really swift (at least most of the time).
I hope this answer is helpful enough - if not, feel free to ask for further information.
Edit: Adding information about Java libraries support.
If your "library" project does not change, but you have a jar for it (typically a case of an externally downloaded library), Eclipse allows you to define User Libraries - libraries that can be added to build path of a Java project. To create such a User Library, open Preferences, go to the page Java/*Build Path*/User Libraries, where you can define libraries that consist of one or more jar files.
However, if you are developing your own libraries, and your project does not go into a gigantic size (e.g. several million lines of code), I recommend adding the library project as source into the Eclipse workspace, as in my experience that is easier to maintain in the long run.
First, I would suggest using IntelliJ (in my opinion it's much better than eclipse) but it is very possible to do this and simple as well. So to save time lets pretend all the classes you need in the future library are Network.class, FileUtils.class, and Helper.class. First make a new folder on your desktop called My Libraries. Right click on it and hit Send To, then Compressed Zip Folder.:
Once that's done drag your class files into the folder.
Open up Eclipse and choose a workspace. Once you've done that, you should show up with the default Eclipse screen. Now hit the File tab and hover over New, then go to Java Project.
You will show up with another screen. Enter the name for your project and click Next. Hit the Libraries tab and then click Add External Jars.
Now navigate to your Compressed Zip and click Open.
You now have your library added.
Here is a little ASCII Chart so you can remember:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Folder -> Class Files -> Compressed Zip -> Eclipse -> New Project -> Next -> Libraries -> Add External Jars -> Compressed Zip (Library)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Opening source code from debug view edits .class after Android R18 update

When I'm debugging my code in Eclipse, I get annoyed when I open up the editor to find out I cant edit it because I'm actually viewing the source of the .class file. How do I get Eclipse to open up the .java file instead of the .class file when in debug mode?
EDIT: When I hit a breakpoint in my code, it brings me to MyFile.class, instead of MyFile.java, so I can see my code but not edit it.
EDIT: I'm guessing it has somethign to do with Android and ADT R18
After I finally found some time and good reason to look into this issue a bit deeper I'll elaborate a bit on Thornbjorn's answer.
As of lately, Google changed the way your Android projects package your external Android libraries. In ADT R17 (I think) it started packaging the external projects source into .jar files and including them directly into your project in the Android Dependencies or /libs folder.
Now, when the debugger hits a breakpoint, it brings up your source code in the .jar, essentially telling you to edit a .class file. The problem is that this file is read-only and so you have to go find your .java source manually. (Pain)
The fix is to right click the Project name in the debug view, and select "Edit Source Lookup..." from the menu. From there, remove the Default lookup path. After that, manually add the associated projects (not jars) that your project references. This is done by clicking Add, selecting Java Project, then checking the appropriate projects.
OK, so I hate to be "that guy", given the number of people for whom this worked, but this didn't work at all for me. I mean that the "Edit Source Lookup..." menu item was not in the context menu. I did not miss the instruction to do this in the Debug Perspective (presumably in the Project Explorer in the Debug Perspective). I tried it while the app was running and while the app was suspended. I tried checking the menu for the application's project (presumably what the instructions refer to) and for the library's project. No dice. This is with the latest Eclipse build.
However, I was able to resolve the issue:
Set a breakpoint in either your application or the library you are trying to link source for. You can actually put this anywhere as long as the library you are trying to link source for has a function that will appear on the call stack when the breakpoint is hit.
Start debugging your application.
Navigate your app to hit the breakpoint.
Make sure you are in the Debug perspective.
In the Debug tab (where the call-stack appears), find any function from your library.
Right-click that function. The "Edit Source Lookup..." menu option should be there (close to the bottom).
From here, the instructions are the same as Styler's. Click "Add", select "Java Project" and add your project (or multiple projects).
Before you exit the "Edit Source Lookup..." window, if you are like me, you will see that Eclipse has chosen to add a bunch of stuff to the list that you didn't choose. Some of that stuff (probably under expandable items with names like "Android Private Libraries" may be the jars for the libraries you just added source for. Remove those jars from the list.
Profit!
Open main project properties -> Java Build Path -> Projects tab and add there projects the main project depend on.
Switch to Order and Export tab and uncheck Android Dependencies
Enjoy
For some reason Eclipse does not believe that the class file comes from your Java file. This is frequently a malconfigured buildpath, or a jar-file used instead of the project generating the jar file.
Look in the project manager panel (<->button) to see where Eclipse finds the class file and then figure out why it uses that location instead of your project with the source file.

Dependency bundle (jar-files/sources/API docs) in Eclipse

I'm developing various in-house extensions for JIRA, the issue tracker we use. So far I worked with Netbeans and everything worked like a charm. However, now I need to switch to Eclipse and I'm having struggle setting up the environment for this development project.
First a clarification why I'm using the approach I'm describing here: building JIRA (in an IDE) is not easily done and I'm absolutely not interested in wasting my time to figure out how to do it. Besides, I don't need to build it, I just want to develop extensions and be able to use the IDE's auto-completion and help support (API docs). Atlassian (the company that develops JIRA) provides a "development" package, but it's just a sorry excuse rather than a real solution.
What I did with Netbeans was to create a library bundle with all relevant jar-files, the Java source files and the API documentation. This way I could use auto-completion, "jump to" the source and the API docs would pop-up when needed.
It seems Eclipse doesn't offer such a functionality, at least I couldn't figure out how to add the sources and the API docs to a "User Library" (which I'd then add as a dependency to my project just as with Netbeans).
My next approach was to create a separate project that holds all the stuff and mark that project as a dependency of my project. This works, but it leaves me with another issue: now I get 37k errors reported (all within the "dependency project"). As said, correctly setting up building for this dependency is a major struggle and not my original goal, therefore I'd happily ignore these errors. Automatic building is turned off and changing the "Errors/Warnings" settings under "Java Compiler" for the project didn't change a thing, so I'm kind of lost now.
Okay, let me try to phrase this as questions:
Maybe I just didn't find it: Is there a way to create a dependency bundle (call it whatever you want) in Eclipse that -- besides just carrying jar-files -- gives me the ability to use the API docs and "jump to" the declaration in the sources?
If not, what's the common practice to do in such a situation?
If the "dependency project" solution is the way to go, how can I completely disable compiler errors for that project?
Check this for illustration with images
Add the source code for jar
Add the Javadoc for a jar
Or just right-click on the jar file in the Package Explorer view. Select "Properties" then set the according paths in the "Java Source Attachment" and the "Javadoc Location" field.
When you create user libs via window->preferences->java-build path->user libraries you can specify which jar you need, sources (in archive or folder) && javadoc (from internet, or local, or from archive). Then you can use this lib in your project via context menu on project->Build path->add library->user library-> choose your lib.
Here you acn pick up more info Eclipse help

Getting Netbeans and Subversion to play together nicely with libraries?

I'm having a difficult time figuring out how to add a .jar/library to a Netbeans project in such a way that I can get it committed to the repository.
The typical way to add a library (per the Netbeans documents I've already gone through) ends up with it just being local to me. Anyone who checks out my project ends up missing my required library.
Inserting it manually and trying to work around Netbeans results in Netbeans hanging while trying to scan the project...
So, how can I tell Netbeans to pick up a jar as a library and include it in my project in such a way that Subversion will be able to handle it?
There are a couple ways to fix this.
A. When you define your Library, use a path to a common location. A location that's identical on everyone's machine--such as the location of a JAR installed with a third-party app into Program Files or /usr/local/ works well or a network drive.
Then, when they check-out the code, the path will still be correct and they do not have to define the Library on their Netbeans workspace.
B. Edit your project.properties file to use a relative path. Open your project.properties file and look for "libs.LIBRARY_NAME.classpath=...". That will be the "default" location used if the Library is not defined.
Change this to use a path relative to your project and store the jar files in your project. For example:
libs.Log4J.classpath=lib/log4j.jar
Keep in mind that the Library definition in your Library Manager will override this value--so make sure you keep them in-sync (i.e. append a version number to the library name!).
C. Use Vincent's suggestion of using a build-system such as Maven. The Maven build-process will take care of downloading dependencies, etc. Netbeans has plugins for several popular build systems.
There is a new feature in NetBeans 6.5 (variable-based paths in projects) which should make this easier.
See http://wiki.netbeans.org/NewAndNoteWorthyNB65#section-NewAndNoteWorthyNB65-VariableBasedPathsInJ2SEJ2EEProjects for details. Note the screenshot includes variable references in the library customizer.
Not really an answer to your question but... generally you should not include these libraries in your subversion repository. There is usually no need to have them managed. What you might want is to set up a central repository similar to what happens with maven. If you use maven, you can create a local repository of libraries on a server accessible by the team. The dependencies on these libraries are entered in the pom.xml file and this is in the subversion repository. Now, as team members check out the code from subversion they all have access to the maven repository.
[I am looking for a reference to this right now. When I find it I'll edit this answer.]
I use NetBeans IDE 6.5.1 and the best solution I've found so far is to include the needed libraries from your local host and then change their paths to relative. After that you have to remove the libraries manually from the NetBeans file explorer, and then copy them from their OS location in your computer manually to the file explorer again. That way NetBeans detects the change and you can commit it to the repository.
Note: I Highly recommend to clean and build the project again after updating.
An easy way to pack up your lib/jars into your project so that subversion "just handles it" so you can grab it out with all the attached libraries ready to compile and go is to include them all under your project directory via the "shared libraries" option by managing the libraries folder.
When creating a new project you can specify "Use Dedicated Folder for Storing Libraries" and then use the suggested relative .\lib path. If you have an existing project, you can edit it's properties, Libraries Category, and Browse for a Libraries Folder. Again a first-time run will suggest .\lib and then offer to copy existing dependencies to that folder. These graphical actions should provide similar results to James Schek's 'B' answer.
Commit the project with the newly added libs in .\lib and you should be able to checkout and build from anywhere and know you'll have the same libs (at the same version) as you had when you last built and committed.
I don't know how long this feature has been in NetBeans. For more details see:
http://netbeans.org/kb/docs/java/project-setup.html#projects-shared-libraries
I ended up just downloading my own set and putting them on my local drive for this project. I setup my Netbeans to look there and warned the other guys what I did... Eventually, we'll have to do something a bit more scalable though... :-)
OK, the working solution that I've now moved to is to extract the class files out of the jars and dump them into the Source Packages area. Then it all gets committed to the repository and also avoids having to deal with handling a separate "lib" directory in the deployment phase.
This solution does everything I'm looking for, yet I feel real dirty about doing it this way. It just seems horribly broken and wrong... :-)

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