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In Eclipse M9 there are more syntax highlighting options for the Java editor. The editor now understands code semantics like parameters, local variables, inherited method invocation… You can set different highlighting option for these. You can enable semantic highlighting by checking the 'Enable advanced highlighting' in Window>Preferences>Java>Editor>Syntax. The following are the new syntax highlighting options:

 Abstract method invocation
 Constants
 Fields
 Inherited method invocation
 Local variable declaration
 Local variable references
 Method decelerations
 Parameter variables
 Static fields
 Static method invocation

All this makes the java editor very colorful. :-) But once you get used to it, it helps to understand other people's code better. There is also an option to set the 'return' keyword to a different color form other keywords. This can be used to quickly spot all the exit points of a method. Plus now it is also possible to use italics in syntax highlighting.

Eclipse tips from elsewhere:

Eclipse tip: The -keyring option Via [eclipsepowered]
Eclipse Tip: Startup Performance Via [Jesus M. Rodriguez's Weblog]

Plus check out the new eclipse wiki from the people who bring you the eclipse plugins site. Via [eclipsepowered]