Rickerism

I have been building Java applications since the 0.9 beta release of the language in 1995. The barrier for Java as a commercial application platform has always been the graphical user interface (GUI). The Java widgets never met customer expectations, which is death. Customers focus on what they understand, and they understand the GUI. The Eclipse platform finally overcame this barrier. With Standard Widget Toolkit (SWT), Java wraps the native GUI widgets of a platform. You still have the write-once, run-anywhere nature of the Java Virtual Machine, but your GUI application looks just like a native GUI application. With the Eclipse Rich Client Platform (RCP), Java applications look just like Windows applications.

I had the pleasure of serving on the board of Eclipse for a year until its restructuring. I have been helping companies build Eclipse-base applications and plug-ins since version 2.0.

I cross-post my articles regarding Eclipse technology to the EclipseZone website. Here is a cross listing:

• Managing your extension points
• Bridging EMF to the common navigator
• Common logging methods
• Accessing plug-in properties

The following is a list of projects and applications that I have built as extensions (plug-ins) to the Eclipse platform.

Project SIGIL

A complete prototype IDE for a major software company that demonstrates a new graphical programming language that merges the five domains of UI, workflow, objects, rules and services

• Extensive use of GMF and EMF
• Code generation through JET
• OSGI plugins for workflow and ASAP

Project FALCON

A vehicle telematics system with peer-to-peer communications

• Built using IBM’s WebSphere Studio Device Developer
• Complete OSGi architecture
• Advanced integration with URN-accessible repository built on ebXML RIM

Project MOBIUS

A custom scripting environment to enable users to write complex credit approval processes for their specific company. Process specifications are shared by team and deployed to application servers.

• Extensive use of Eclipse Modeling Framework (EMF)

• Deployed as Rich Client Platform (RCP)
• Text editor with context assist for proprietary scripting language
• Specialized licensing schema for platform
• Custom integration with WEBDAV server
• Uses update sites for deploying to customer

Project MORPHEUS

An avionics load design and analysis tool for a major aircraft manufacturer. Users drag and drop power boxes, cards and loads to configure the secondary power distribution of the aircraft.

• Drag and drop of elements to complete tasks
• Extensive use of forms for editors, new with 3.0
• New perspectives and project natures
• Branding of platform
• Custom widgets for graphic display of the status of hardware
• Extensive use of Java XML Binding (JAXB) and Relax NG

Project INGHAM

Sensor fusion project for the US Air Force

• Created Java Media Framework (JMF) capability for Eclipse and SWT
• Capture and display streaming video in Eclipse workbench
• Capture and display binary serial port data in Eclipse using Java Communication API
• Control the collection, translation and streaming of sensor data across Internet

Project DEXTER

A radio frequency identifier (RFID) management console

• Created Java Management Extension (JMX) capability for Eclipse
• Integration with Java Messaging Service (JMS) and Java Database Connectivity (JDBC)
• Views for browsing and configuring JMX components in Eclipse

Project REQZILLA

A requirements management plug-in for Eclipse

• Store and edit requirements in either XML files or relational database

• Created new SWT widgets for collapsing and expanding large forms as trees

Project EUROPA

Prototype messaging console for patrol cars using location-based message routing.

• Created POP backboard for Eclipse to send and receive e-mail messages
• View for managing an inbox
• Preferences for managing connections
• Special editor for displaying XML Common Alert Protocol (CAP) messages

Project JOLIET

Extensible Messaging and Presence Protocol (XMPP) messaging plug-in for Eclipse.

• Created XMPP backboard for Eclipse
• Views for managing buddy lists and for online chat
• Save conversations as part of the project