Decoupling Eclipse RCP products from feature versions

I just spent some time updating the sample projects I provide to help Eclipse RCP developers get started with PDE Build. One of the main reasons for the update was to decouple the product configurations from specific feature versions, and I thought it was worth a post to talk about this. What’s the problem? By… Continue reading Decoupling Eclipse RCP products from feature versions

Common Navigator Framework Tip #1 – Know when to use it

Of all the posts I’ve written on this blog, those on the Common Navigator Framework have been among the most popular. This is a little surprising to me, as I don’t hear CNF mentioned very frequently. My guess is that this framework is quietly becoming an essential part of Eclipse RCP. Because of this, I’ve… Continue reading Common Navigator Framework Tip #1 – Know when to use it

A simple update manager for Eclipse RCP applications

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

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.

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

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