Persiflage and Piffle

Recently I encountered a problem that prevented me from adding features to my Eclipse 3.2.1 install using the built in update mechanism. I first saw the problem when trying to pull down the Ruby RDT; I kinda thought it might have been the fault of that update site’s config and ignored the problem by downloading the plugins and installing manually. Then I got the same problem trying to get hold of Scala’s SDT eclipse plugin… hmmm, so perhaps the RDT wasn’t at fault.
(more…)

Whilst doing something with EMF (Eclipse Modelling Framework) recently I noticed some interesting behaviour when dealing with containment. I’ll describe it using two scenarios, each with an alternative.
(more…)

Adding domain specific semantics to a UML model is an incredibly useful thing to do. It enables early validation of thinking and ideally puts constraints onto the development teams that are required to help secure a sucessful delivery. It could also enable better code generation, but I’m not a fan of that!

Adding some validation constraints into the IBM Rational modelling tools is actually really quite easy, assuming that you’re not frightened of Java and Eclipse plugins. (Of course if you have no one in your team who isn’t frightened, perhaps you should just bite the bullet; it’s really not that hard you know )
(more…)

Whilst writing an RCP application in Eclipse 3.2.1 I found it quite strange that some of the referenced Eclipse plugins that I was using had their source attached, while some didn’t. The problem isn’t helped by the fact that you (quite rightly) can’t update the Plug-in Dependencies library to attach the source. Whilst I haven’t got the complete, final and correct answer, I’ve got a little short term hack workaround.
(more…)

I’m a great fan of Eclipse but sometimes I’m disappointed with how people use it. I’ll give you a simple example; when you create a Java project you get the option to “Create separate source and output folders“. In my opinion, it’s good practice to always do this - and hopefully there are few these days who would try to argue that having source and generated artefacts together is a good thing.

But why do so many developers stop there; why put your test cases in the same directories as your application classes, why put the configuration in there too? The simple answer is don’t - create additional source folders. Right click the project and select “New->Source Folder” - it’s as simple as that.
(more…)

If you’ve ever used WebSphere Integration Developer (WID) and also do Java development, like me you’ll probably find having all the generated projects cluttering up your workspace quite annoying.
(more…)

I have many versions of Eclipse and Eclipse based IDEs installed and for each of these I like to be able to open my workspaces from the Windows explorer rather than from the Eclipse workspace launcher dialog. To acheive this I add an entry to the registry to add an entry when you right-click a directory.
(more…)