What would I like for Christmas? Thanks for asking! Well, besides a Mac mini, what I’d really like is a simple update manager for Eclipse RCP applications. Up to now, we’ve had two options for updating our applications: wiring in the Update Manager or coding something from scratch. The problem is that the Update Manager… Continue reading A simple update manager for Eclipse RCP applications
Category: Rich Client Platform
Why Eclipse RCP? One company provides it’s answer.
People often ask me what’s so special about Eclipse RCP and what types of projects it’s useful for. Well here is one answer from EXTOL, a software company that is using Eclipse RCP as the foundation for it’s own products. The short answer, which I like a lot, is: Adopting Eclipse RCP gets us out… Continue reading Why Eclipse RCP? One company provides it’s answer.
Renaming Eclipse RCP – Final results
Well the results of the survey are in, and the clear favorite is the existing name: Eclipse RCP. While the original purpose of the survey was to create a short-list of names, I think the strong showing of the existing name means that the process should stop here. So long live Eclipse RCP! For those… Continue reading Renaming Eclipse RCP – Final results
Managing Eclipse RCP launch arguments
In my last post I discussed how to best manage run configurations for Eclipse RCP applications. But there was one related topic I wanted to discuss in more detail, and that is how to manage launch arguments. What are launch arguments? Launch arguments are arguments that are added to the command line when you execute… Continue reading Managing Eclipse RCP launch arguments
Renaming Eclipse RCP – only 3 days left to vote!
The poll to help select a new name for Eclipse RCP will wrap up on September 6th, so make your voice heard and vote today! For more information on the purpose of the poll, as well as to see my picks, check out the initial announcement. Note: You can view the survey results online.
Run Configurations and Eclipse RCP
When developing Eclipse RCP applications we execute our code in the IDE using a run configuration. A run configuration is basically a collection of properties that defines how our application should be run, and these properties include: What application or product to launch, specified by id Which bundles to make available at runtime What program… Continue reading Run Configurations and Eclipse RCP
Creating an Eclipse RCP target platform
The PDE team has given RCP developers some great new features in Eclipse 3.5. It’s now much easier to create and manage target platforms for Eclipse RCP applications. In this post, I’ll outline one simple workflow that should work in most cases. But first, if you’re interested in what a target platform is or why… Continue reading Creating an Eclipse RCP target platform
What is a modular application, anyway?
What does the term application mean in the context of modular software development (and OSGi in particular). It seems to me that the concept of an application starts to break down. For instance, is an OSGi application just the set of bundles known to the framework? Well, here’s my take on what a modular application… Continue reading What is a modular application, anyway?
Adding Eclipse IDE menu options to your RCP applications
Note: The post below is actually incorrect, which is a good thing in my opinion. It is indeed possible to use the command framework to add the standard Eclipse IDE menu options. Rather than take down the post, which I think is unethical, please read the post and then the note at the end for… Continue reading Adding Eclipse IDE menu options to your RCP applications
Book Review: Practical Eclipse Rich Client Platform Projects
There aren’t many books available about the Eclipse Rich Client Platform. One reason for this, I think, is that it’s a difficult subject to cover effectively. Eclipse RCP is less a coherent framework than an aggregation of related technologies, and this can make it difficult to describe. As someone who has worked hard to craft… Continue reading Book Review: Practical Eclipse Rich Client Platform Projects