将Java项目添加到rcp插件的类路径中

Question

I have a java project and imported plug-in in my workspace and I'd like to add the project to plug-in's classpath. I know that it's possible by exporting the project to jar file and then importing it in plug-in's manifest, but when I make a change in project I have to export it again. Is there a way to add java project instead of jar file to the plug-in's classpath?

Answer 1

Your Eclipse IDE does resolve two kinds of plugins/fragments/features:

1. Those located in your workspace and
2. those you have in your target platform

The plugins in your target platform are usually the one which come along as a JAR (expanded is also possible).

To add your java project as a dependency of your plugin, you have to change the project to be a plugin by adding META-INF/MANIFEST.MF to the root of your project.

Content could be as follows:

Manifest-Version: 1.0
Bundle-ManifestVersion: 2
Bundle-Name: MyBundleName
Bundle-SymbolicName: com.example.mybundlename
Bundle-Version: 1.0.0.qualifier
Bundle-ActivationPolicy: lazy
Bundle-RequiredExecutionEnvironment: JavaSE-1.7

As a plus you should export the packages with your API-classes

Export-Package: com.example.mypackage

Finally you have to define the enhanced java project as a dependency in your plugin. Open META-INF/MANIFEST.MF of your plugin edit "Required Plugins" in Tab "Dependencies".

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Update:

You can add class folders to the classpath of your plugin. To do so open the properties of your plugin (rightclick plugin > 'Properties'), choose 'Java Build Path', 'Add Class Folder...' and add the folder(s) which contain(s) your classes (eg 'bin').