Platform questions index

Getting started

• How do I install the examples?

Core runtime

• What is an extension point?  an extension?
• What is the formal definition for the manifest file?
• What is the formal definition for the plugin.xml?
• Where do I put translated files for NLS?

Resources

• What is a workspace?  
• What is a resource?
• What are resource properties?
• How can I save my plug-in's information when the workspace is saved?
• How do I know what changes are being made to resources in the workspace?
• How do I use markers?
• How do I define my own marker?
• What is a project nature?
• How do I set up an incremental project builder?

New file types in the UI

• How do I set up an editor for a particular file extension?
• How do I add a properties page for a resource?
• How do I add a new resource wizard to the workbench?
• How do I provide special icons for my new file type?

Workbench UI

• What is a view?  an editor?  a page?
• What is a perspective?  How do I define one?
• When do I want to build a view vs. an editor?
• How do I customize a content outliner for an editor?
• How do I add a page to the preferences dialog?
• Where should I start learning how to extend the workbench UI?
• What extension points are defined by the workbench UI?
• How do I add a menu to the workbench?
• How do I specify menu and toolbar paths?
• How do I implement common actions like cut/copy/paste?
• How should I manage the icons in my plug-in?
• How do I build an error or message dialog?
• How do I implement a simple dialog of my own?
• How should I remember the user settings in a dialog?
• Why would I want a viewer instead of an SWT widget?
• How should I start learning about the text framework?
• How do I launch a wizard if I'm not adding it as a workbench extension?
• How do I build a wizard with multiple pages?
• Which widgets are available in SWT?
• How do I implement an SWT layout?
• How do I implement an SWT native widget?
• How do I implement a custom widget in SWT?
• How do I draw my own graphics?

Installation and upgrade

• How do I configure my own splash screens and product name?
• What is a feature?
• How do I package a feature so it can be installed or upgraded?
• How do I configure a custom welcome (intro) page?
• How do I install an Eclipse based product?