Trouble installing Boilerpipe

Question

This is the third time I've installed it. I had it working on Windows, and up until a few days ago on Linux. I've done all I can do and I don't understand how to run this Java program.

The source code is a folder with a lib, src some jars and a classpath and project file. The classpath file makes some declarations like classpathentry=src/main and path=lib, path=src.

All of these make sense. There is a folder 'main' inside 'src'.

The tiny file I'm trying to run starts off by

import de.l3s.boilerpipe.demo

I'm trying to run 'Oneliner.java'. I cannot compile it.

No matter what/where that class file is, I cannot run it. It results in a noclassdeffound. I've run it in the main, the src, the root, the demo, the ... anywhere. I've tried compiling it in different directories, running it with various java command line switches that were recommended. Supposedly you can have it 'search' for the file, which I've yet to experience. The sheer stubbornness of this java environment is terrifying. And massively humiliating for me.

Answer 1

The best way to start using the boilerpipe algorithm (and to see what it is for) is to use the demo site: http://boilerpipe-web.appspot.com/

If you want to integrate the boilerpipe library into your applications, or even intent to modify/improve the code, you will definitely need solid Java programming skills.

As a quick-start I suggest that you install a recent version of the Eclipse IDE for Java Developers and import boilerpipe-core as a project. This avoids pretty much of the classpath configuration, and almost everything should be set up correctly for you.

The classpath file you mentioned is probably ".classpath", which is part of the Eclipse project configuration. You don't need it unless you want an Eclipse project.

Answer 2

I had the same problem with installing it. The 'Getting Started' page is poor quality.

My solution was to use a python wrapper, which you can find here: https://github.com/misja/python-boilerpipe

It takes care of all of the dependencies you'll need (however, you might be missing jpype if you're on a Mac. In that case, you'll need to install it manually from: http://jpype.sourceforge.net/).