Professional Eclipse 3 for Java Developers

Taking the Java world by storm, Eclipse is an open-source platform that can be used to develop cutting-edge programs, components, Web sites, and more. In the first book to explore the greatly extended functionality ofEclipse 3, Berthold Daum shows you how to use this powerful Java IDE to make coding, testing, debugging, and deploying applications much easier.

You’ll find tips for authoring code efficiently and organizing development projects correctly. You’ll unlock the secrets of the SWT and JFace libraries while learning how to create an MP3 player. And you’ll discover how to develop your own products under the Rich Client Platform (RCP).

What you will learn from this book

• All the major features of Eclipse 3
• Techniques for building GUIs with SWT, JFace, and the Eclipse workbench
• Tips on how to speed development time by using Eclipse as an application framework
• How to create custom Eclipse plug-ins following easy steps
• Methods for team software development
• Ways to develop and package your own products for deployment
• How to use the RCP as a generic platform for a wide range of applications

Who this book is for
This book is for Java programmers who want to implement their own professional applications with the help of Eclipse.

Table of Contents
Chapter 1. Introduction to Eclipse
Chapter 2. Effective Programming with Eclipse
Chapter 3. The Art of (Visual) Composition
Chapter 4. Organizing Your Code
Chapter 5. Project One: Duke Speaks
Chapter 6. Project Development
Chapter 7. Advanced Topics of Project Development
Chapter 8. The SWT Library
Chapter 9. JFace
Chapter 10. Project Two: Jukebox
Chapter 11. Developing Plug-ins for the Eclipse Platform
Chapter 12. Developing Your Own Eclipse-Based Products
Chapter 13. A Spell Checker as an Eclipse Plug-in
Chapter 14. The Rich Client Platform
Chapter 15. The Hex Game as a Rich Client Application
Chapter 16. Conclusions and Outlook

Appendix A. Useful Plug-ins for Eclipse
Appendix B. Migrating Projects to a New Eclipse Version
Appendix C. Important Downloads
Appendix D. Bibliography