Java Executable Wrapper Plugin for Eclipse

About

After we written a java application by Eclipse, we should type a command like "java myapp.class" or "javaw -jar myapp.jar" to run our application. Though we can write a .bat file on Windows or write a shell script on Linux to do the job, it feels not very convenience.

The aim of this Google Summer of Code 2007 project is to develop a plugin for Eclipse to wrap compiled Java applications and give out a excutable file. It is supposed to support both Windows and Unix-like Systems.

This plugin will take use of the Eclipse executable application which comes from the "platform-launcher" project in the Eclipse cvs.

This plugin will consist of two main parts.

• An editor of ".launcher" files. The ".launcher" files contain the required information to generate a executable launcher.
• A wizard that generates the executable launcher. The wizard can get configuration from users step by step or load it from some ".launcher" configuration files.

Deliverables

• Java Executable Wrapper Plugin (include source codes)
• The documentation of the project including user guides and manuals.

Schedule

• 1. Initial planning and designing of the project- to be finished by 31st May
  • Within this period I should get in touch with the mentor and I will learn how to use Eclipse "platform Launcher". And also I will learn the Eclipse plugin development for the wizard and give out a design description.
  • Deliverable(s): Architectural design description
• 2. Implementation of the design – to be finished by 30th of June
  • This period will be the main development period when development and debugging will be taken place. At the same time get ready for mid evaluation.
  • Deliverables(s):Prototypes and documentation for the mid evaluation.
• 3 .Modifications and samples – to be finished by 1st of July
  • This period will be taken to add new features, modify the code for deliverable and to write raw user's manual.
  • Deliverable(s) : Samples, improved code and raw user's manual.
• 4. Final code and documentation - to be finished by 1st of August
  • During this stage the code would be tested for the production quality codes. Documentation would also be completed for the final evaluation.
  • Deliverable(s) : Final plugin and Documentation

The schedule will likely need some modification. ^_^