Eclipse Rich Client Platform: Designing, Coding, and Packaging Java™ Applications

Build Powerful, Cross-Platform Rich Client Applications

Eclipse is more than a state-of-the-art IDE: its Rich Client Platform (RCP) plug-ins form an outstanding foundation for any desktop application, from chat applications to enterprise software front-ends. In Eclipse Rich Client Platform, two leaders of the Eclipse RCP project show exactly how to leverage Eclipse for rapid, efficient, cross-platform desktop development.

In addition to explaining the power of Eclipse as a desktop application development platform, the authors walk step-by-step through developing a fully featured, branded RCP application. They introduce a wide range of techniques, including developing pluggable and dynamically extensible systems, using third-party code libraries, and packaging applications for diverse environments. You'll build, refine, and refactor a complete prototype; customize the user interface; add Help and Update features; and build, brand, and ship the finished software.

• For every Java developer, regardless of previous Eclipse experience

• Thoroughly covers Eclipse 3.1's new RCP features and its extensive new tools for designing, coding, and packaging RCP applications

• Presents techniques for branding and customizing the look and feel of RCP applications

• Shows how to overcome the challenges and "rough edges" of RCP development

• Discusses the similarities and differences between RCP and conventional plug-in development

• Includes an overview of OSGi, the base execution framework for Eclipse

If you want to develop and deploy world-class Java applications with rich, native GUIs, and use Eclipse RCP—get this book.

CD-ROM contains the Eclipse 3.1 SDK, Eclipse 3.1 RCP SDK, and Eclipse 3.1 RCP Delta Pack appropriate for Windows, Linux, and Mac OS X. It also contains all the code samples developed in the book.

© Copyright Pearson Education. All rights reserved.

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Sample Chapter(s)

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Index

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Foreword

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Foreword by John Weigand

Foreword by Jeff Norris

Table of Contents

Foreword by John Weigand.

Foreword by Jeff Norris.

Acknowledgments.

Preface.

I. INTRODUCTION.

1. Eclipse as a Rich Client Platform.

2. Eclipse RCP Concepts.

II. RCP BY EXAMPLE.

3. Tutorial Introduction.

4. The Hyperbola Application.

5. Starting the Hyperbola Prototype.

6. Adding Actions.

7. Adding a Chat Editor.

8. Branding Hyperbola.

9. Packaging Hyperbola.

10. Messaging Support.

11. Adding a Login Dialog.

12. Adding Key Bindings.

13. Adding Help.

14. Adding Update.

III. THE WORKBENCH.

15. Workbench Advisors.

16. Perspectives, Views, and Editors.

17. Actions.

18. Customizing Workbench Windows.

19. Customizing the Presentation of Views and Editors.

IV. DEVELOPMENT PROCESSES.

20. Integrating Code Libraries.

21. Installing and Updating Plug-ins.

22. Dynamic Plug-ins.

23. RCP Everywhere.

24. Building Hyperbola.

25. The Last Mile.

V. REFERENCE.

26. OSGi Essentials.

27. Eclipse.org Plug-ins.

Index.