The number of compiler errors may vary, from a single error to hundreds, but the underlying issue is often the same: the workspace metadata is no longer reliable.
Metadata Write Failures
A more explicit indicator of workspace corruption is an error message similar to:
“Periodic workspace save has encountered a problem. Could not write workspace metadata … .metadata\.plugins\…”
Although the workspace name or directory path may differ, this error strongly points to a corrupted or locked workspace metadata area.
Why Workspace Corruption Happens
Workspace corruption can occur for many reasons, and in most cases, the exact trigger is difficult to pinpoint. It may be related to environmental factors, prolonged usage, large volumes of test assets, or unexpected tool behavior over time.
Rather than focusing on identifying a single cause, it is more practical to recognize that workspace corruption is a possibility in any long-running or heavily used workspace, even when best practices are followed.
Eclipse workspaces are volatile by nature. Given time, increasing test assets, etc., they sometimes become corrupted. It's just a good idea to do a periodic 'cleansing' by moving to a new workspace anyhow.
Once corruption sets in, attempting to fix errors within the same workspace usually leads to additional instability and inconsistent behavior. Creating a clean workspace is often the safest and fastest path to recovery.
Recommendation:
Always keep regular backups of your work by exporting test assets at planned intervals even when you are not facing any workspace issues. Proactive backups significantly reduce recovery time and help safeguard your test investments.
Recommended Fix for Workspace Corruption
The most reliable and supported solution is to abandon the corrupted workspace and move to a clean one.
Step 1: Perform a Clean Launch
Before moving to a new workspace, you may attempt a clean launch to resolve plugin or initialization issues.
Why perform a clean launch?
A clean launch forces the tool to refresh and reinitialize Eclipse plugins and internal metadata, which can resolve errors caused by stale plugin states or incomplete shutdown.
On Windows:
- Kill all IBM DevOps Test related processes such as:
javaw.exe
eclipse.exe
java.exe
- Open Command Prompt.
- Navigate to the tool installation directory (where the eclipse command exists).
- Execute: eclipse.exe -clean -refresh -initialize
On Linux:
- Open a terminal window as the user who normally starts the tool.
- Navigate to the installation directory (where the eclipse command exists).
- Run the tool with the clean option enabled.
- Execute: ./eclipse -clean -product <com.ibm.rational.rpt.product.ide> (product name may vary)
Step 2: Create a New Workspace
If issues persist or metadata corruption is confirmed, create a completely new workspace.
- Start the tool and choose a new workspace location.
- Ensure the new workspace is created on a local disk.
Step 3: Import Projects into the New Workspace
If the old workspace is still accessible:
- After creating the new workspace, go to:
File → Import → General → Existing Projects into Workspace
- Click Next.
- Browse to the root directory of the old workspace.
- Select the projects and check the option: “Copy projects into workspace.”
- Click Finish.
Once you verify that all required project files are functioning correctly in the new workspace, you can safely delete the corrupted workspace.
The import method is crucial and is discussed in detail in the next section.
Part 2: Import and Export Issues (Not Workspace Corruption)
Not all errors are caused by workspace corruption. Another common category of problems arises when test assets are imported or exported incorrectly. These issues are often mistaken for workspace corruption, but they have a very different root cause.
Typical Import / Export Error Symptoms
When assets are imported without dependencies, you may see errors such as:
- Tests showing No application selected
- Build or validation errors immediately after import
- Missing datasets, schedules, or shared resources
These errors do not indicate workspace corruption. Instead, they indicate that required dependencies were not included during export or import.
Correct Way to Export Test Assets
To avoid dependency-related issues, always export assets using the Test Assets with Dependencies option.
- Right-click the project.
- Select Export.
- Choose 'Test Assets with Dependencies'.
- Complete the wizard and save the archive file.
Correct Way to Import Test Assets
In the target workspace:
- Right-click and select Import.
- Navigate to Test → Test Assets with Dependencies.
- Browse to the exported archive file.
- Finish the import and allow the workspace to rebuild.
Important Clarification
Errors such as 'No application selected' or build failures after import are dependency issues, not workspace corruption. Re-importing assets correctly usually resolves them without requiring a new workspace.
Best Practices to Stay Out of Trouble
- Use local disks for workspaces
- Avoid reusing workspaces across tool versions
- Always export using 'Test Assets with Dependencies'
- Keep regular backups of exported assets
- Close the tool gracefully before system shutdown
Following these practices will help you avoid both workspace corruption and import/export issues.
Conclusion
Understanding the difference between workspace corruption and import/export dependency issues can save significant troubleshooting time. Large compiler error counts and metadata write failures usually indicate workspace corruption and require a new workspace. Import-related errors, on the other hand, are resolved by using the correct export and import process.
Knowing which problem you are facing is the first step toward fixing it quickly and confidently.