JV236: Eclipse RCP and Plug-In Development (4 - 5 Days)

Course Overview

The Eclipse IDE is now the defacto tool used by Java and other language software developers. However, the platform on which the Eclipse IDE is built offers so much more than just an IDE. The Eclipse Platform and its many parts and add-ons provide not only a universal tool platform but a cross-platform framework for building any rich-client application.

This customizable course examines the many layers which exist within the Eclipse Platform. Highlights of the course include:

• An overview of all the features Eclipse provides to the Java developer
• A description of the core runtime and Open Service Gateway Initiative (OSGi) underpinnings and the concept of extension points
• An overview of the SWT and JFace UI APIs and features
• Details of the workbench facilities
• Coverage of RCP development
• Details of plug-in development

Audience

Software developers and architects interested in hands-on exploration of Eclipse RCP and plug-in development.

Course Objectives

Expect an interactive course structured into several modules and delivered to suit customer requirements. All modules have a strong practical component, which enables each attendee to learn from hands-on experience and from other attendees while working alone or in small teams. Students will also receive a full copy of supporting notes.

Pre-requisites

To gain the most benefit from the practical components of the course, attendees will need to have previous development experience in Java and preferably some previous exposure to Eclipse.

Course Topics for the Eclipse User (1 Day - Optional)

Eclipse Preliminaries Topics

• Exploring the Workbench
• Managing Workspaces and Projects
• Running Applications
• Debugging Applications
• Testing Applications
• Importing/Exporting Resources
• Update Manager
• Using Help
• Team features

Eclipse Java Development Features

• Writing and Navigating Code
• Productivity: Quick Fix, Content Assist
• Refactoring
• JUnit Integration
• Useful Plug-ins
• Scrapbook
• Java Debugger Features

Course Topics for the Eclipse Developer (4 Days)

SWT Preliminaries Topics

• SWT Concepts and Architecture
• SWT Widgets/Controls
• SWT: Graphics, Fonts, Cursors
• SWT: Threads and Timers, Drag and Drop, Printing
• SWT: Events, Errors and Exceptions
• JFace Concepts
• JFace: Viewers, Actions, Dialogs, Progress monitors
• JFace: Preferences, Resource Registries, Wizards

Workbench Topics

• Views
• Editors
• Perspectives
• Dialogs and Wizards
• Preferences Pages
• Action Sets
• Builders, Markers and Natures
• Undo/Redo Support
• Command and Key Bindings
• Properties
• Filters

RCP Topics

• Overview: RCP Application Basics, OSGi and runtime
• UI Components: Text, UI Forms, GEF
• Actions, Editors, Views
• Workbench Adapters, Perspectives
• Simple Branding
• Communication across Parts
• RCP Deployment, Branding Basics
• Workbench Advisors

RCP Advanced Topics

• Modularity, Integration and Extensibility
• Deployment: JNLP/Web Start, Update Manager
• Branding
• Third-Party Libraries
• Reporting: BIRT
• Modeling: EMF
• Security
• User Assistance: Help, Intro, Cheat sheets

Aditional Plug-in Development Topics

• Creating Plug-in Projects
• Plug-in Development Environment (PDE)
• Plug-in components
• Plug-in fragments
• Extension points
• Features
• Packaging and Publishing
• Tooling: Visual Editor