Table Of Content

In my opinion you to download package: "Eclipse IDE for Java EE Developers". The only different package quantities Plugin, for the purpose of different programming. During the programming process can install the plugin for other purposes.

Install WindowBuilder plugin, there is a plugin that allows you to design SWT GUI applications using drag and drop convenience.
See installation instructions at:

Install WindowBuilder into Eclipse

Install RCP Components.

3- What is RCP Workbench application?

RCP (Rich Client Platform): As a platform it based on SWT, SWT which is a programming library for desktop applications. RCP provides a platform to help you write applications like Eclipse IDE.

RCP allows Workbench application programming interface similar to the interface of the Eclipse IDE. Programming the Eclipse Plugin integrates into the IDE.

To create a desktop application using SWT. On the Eclipse, we will create an RCP Plugin Project. You have 2 options.

Only use the features of the SWT
Using the platform provided by the RCP to RCP Application Workbench programming.

You can see SWT programming tutorial here:

//o7planning.org/en/10179/java-desktop-application-programming-using-swt

4- Create Project

First of all you have to create a new workspace to get started:
On Eclipse select: File/Switch Workspace/Other ...

Enter your workspace directory:

In Eclipse select: File/New/Other...

Check selected on (1)
On the (2) select "Yes" to create Eclipse RCP Project (Running on Desktop), otherwise it will create RAP Project (Running on the Web).

Project was created:

5- Run Project

We will test this Project Hello RCP immediately after it has been created.

Right-click on the Project: RCPWorkbenchTutorial choose RunAs/Eclipse Application

Result:

6- Structure RCP applications, and configure RCP

This is an image of the class is created by default when you create RCP Project from template "Hello RCP":

Application Configuration:

Change the code in the class ApplicationWorkbenchWindowAdvisor, to ensure Coolbar bar, PerspectiveBar, .. will be displayed on the Workbench:

ApplicationWorkbenchWindowAdvisor.java

package org.o7planning.tutorial.rcp;

import org.eclipse.swt.graphics.Point;
import org.eclipse.ui.application.ActionBarAdvisor;
import org.eclipse.ui.application.IActionBarConfigurer;
import org.eclipse.ui.application.IWorkbenchWindowConfigurer;
import org.eclipse.ui.application.WorkbenchWindowAdvisor;

public class ApplicationWorkbenchWindowAdvisor extends WorkbenchWindowAdvisor {

   public ApplicationWorkbenchWindowAdvisor(IWorkbenchWindowConfigurer configurer) {
       super(configurer);
   }

   public ActionBarAdvisor createActionBarAdvisor(IActionBarConfigurer configurer) {
       return new ApplicationActionBarAdvisor(configurer);
   }
   
   public void preWindowOpen() {
       IWorkbenchWindowConfigurer configurer = getWindowConfigurer();
       configurer.setInitialSize(new Point(400, 300));
       
       // Show MenuBar
       configurer.setShowMenuBar(true);
       // Show CoolBar.
       configurer.setShowCoolBar(true);
       // Show Status Line.
       configurer.setShowStatusLine(true);
       // Show PerspectiveBar
       configurer.setShowPerspectiveBar(true);
       // Show FastViewBars
       configurer.setShowFastViewBars(true);
       // Show ProgressIndicator
       configurer.setShowProgressIndicator(true);
       
       configurer.setTitle("Hello RCP"); //$NON-NLS-1$
   }
}

Rerun Application:

7- Project Target Component

RCP is Platform based on:

SWT
JFace
RCP Component.

Creating a file "Define Target" is necessary to actively declare the components needed, and runtime environment for RCP applications. You can also use other additional component such as Nebula for your RCP application, just declare in the file "Define Target".

Create a Java Project, to declare the file "Define Target" in it..

First of all, declare SWT libraries, it available on the Eclipse folder.

Next declare "RCP Target Component". It is the library component of the RCP.

Enter:

Name: RCP Target Component
Location: http://download.eclipse.org/eclipse/updates/4.4/

Click on "Set As Target Component", the library will be running environment for RCP applications.

You can also declare other libraries such as Nebula, ... on "Define Target".
See more Nabula widget at:

http://www.eclipse.org/nebula/

8- Create a few Command used in applications

You can create the class command to control a certain event, such as:

Open the file
Exit the application
Open AboutDialog
....

Each command will be registered with a certain ID. And MenuItem, or ToolItem will call command via the Command ID.

AboutDialog.java

package org.o7planning.tutorial.rcp.dialog;

import org.eclipse.swt.SWT;

public class AboutDialog extends Dialog {

   protected Object result;
   protected Shell shlAbout;

   /**
    * Create the dialog.
    * @param parent
    * @param style
    */
   public AboutDialog(Shell parent, int style) {
       super(parent, style);
       setText("SWT Dialog");  
   }

   /**
    * Open the dialog.
    * @return the result
    */
   public Object open() {
       createContents();
       shlAbout.open();
       shlAbout.layout();
       Display display = getParent().getDisplay();
       while (!shlAbout.isDisposed()) {
           if (!display.readAndDispatch()) {
               display.sleep();
           }
       }
       return result;
   }

   /**
    * Create contents of the dialog.
    */
   private void createContents() {
       shlAbout = new Shell(getParent(), getStyle());
       shlAbout.setSize(418, 145);
       shlAbout.setText("About");
       shlAbout.setLayout(new GridLayout(1, false));
       
       Label lblNewLabel = new Label(shlAbout, SWT.NONE);
       lblNewLabel.setLayoutData(new GridData(SWT.CENTER, SWT.CENTER, true, true, 1, 1));
       lblNewLabel.setText("RCP Tutorial");

   }

}

Create Extension Point:

org.eclipse.ui.commands

Next we will create a Command class with ID:

org.o7planning.tutorial.rcp.cmd.about

Enter:

id: org.o7planning.tutorial.rcp.cmd.about
defaultHandler: org.o7planning.tutorial.rcp.cmd.AboutCommand

Click to link "defaultHandler" to create class.

You should write AboutCommand extends from the class:

org.eclipse.core.commands.AbstractHandler.

AboutCommand.java

package org.o7planning.tutorial.rcp.cmd;

import org.eclipse.core.commands.AbstractHandler;
import org.eclipse.core.commands.ExecutionEvent;
import org.eclipse.core.commands.ExecutionException;
import org.eclipse.swt.SWT;
import org.eclipse.swt.widgets.Shell;
import org.eclipse.ui.handlers.HandlerUtil;
import org.o7planning.tutorial.rcp.dialog.AboutDialog;

public class AboutCommand extends AbstractHandler {

  @Override
  public Object execute(ExecutionEvent event) throws ExecutionException {
      Shell shell = HandlerUtil.getActiveWorkbenchWindow(event).getShell();
      AboutDialog dialog = new AboutDialog(shell, SWT.DIALOG_TRIM
              | SWT.APPLICATION_MODAL);
      dialog.open();
      return null;
  }

}

9- Design Interface

9.1- Interface

Below is a Workbench picture that we would design.

9.2- Menu

We will design the menu as shown below:

Enter:

locationURI: menu:org.eclipse.ui.main.menu

menu:org.eclipse.ui.main.menu ==> ID to Locate of the menu, it is a constant of the RCP workbench available. You can also create locationURI to define the position display MENU.

Next create Menu "File".

And add Command "Exit" in the menu "File".

Enter Command ID:

org.eclipse.ui.file.exit

This is a pre-defined command in RCP Platform, it exit the application.

Similarly we create menu "Help".

And create Command "About" child of Menu "Help".

Enter ID of command will call to:

org.o7planning.tutorial.rcp.cmd.about

Class AboutCommand with ID: org.o7planning.tutorial.rcp.cmd.about was created above.

Rerun:

9.3- Toolbar

This is the toolbar structure seen on the Eclipse IDE.

Create Coolbar:

Enter

locationURI: toolbar:org.eclipse.ui.main.toolbar

locationURI: ID- defines the position of the Coolbar.
toolbar:org.eclipse.ui.main.toolbar an ID has been declared available by RCP Platform. You can also create locationURI to define certain location..

Enter commandID:

org.eclipse.ui.file.exit

This is a predefined ID Platform RCP, it executes the command exit workbench applications..

Similarly to create ToolItem (Type Command) to call Command ID:

org.o7planning.tutorial.rcp.cmd.about

Similar create Toolbar with id: toolbar0

9.4- View

Add "Extension Point"

org.eclipse.ui.views

Enter:

id: org.o7planning.tutorial.rcp.view.contact
class: org.o7planning.tutorial.rcp.view.ContactView

Click to link "class" Eclipse will create class if it not exists.

Class ContactView is created you can easily design it with WindowBuilder. Click on the class and open with WindowBuilder.

Similarly create another view.

CategoryView

name: Category
id: org.o7planning.tutorial.rcp.view.category
class: org.o7planning.tutorial.rcp.view.CategoryView
icon: icons/category16.png

HistoryView

name: History
id: org.o7planning.tutorial.rcp.view.history
class: org.o7planning.tutorial.rcp.view.HistoryView
icon: icons/history16.png

TaskView

name: Task
id: org.o7planning.tutorial.rcp.view.task
class: org.o7planning.tutorial.rcp.view.TaskView
icon: icons/task16.png

Registry Views to the Perspective

Add "Extension Point":

org.eclipse.ui.perspectiveExtensions

We define View: ContactView on the left compared with Editor.

Next CategoryView stack up compared to ContactView.

Next HistoryView below than ContactView

Finally TaskView declared displayed on the Perspective id is *, which means it will show up on any Perspective. Right position compared with the Editors.

Rerun Application:

If Workbench does not display the View, right-click on the "RCP Perspective" and select reset.

9.5- Perspective

A workbench application has one or more Perspective.

9.6- Editor

Add Extension Point:

org.eclipse.ui.editors

Enter:

id: org.o7planning.tutorial.rcp.editor.user
name: UserEditor
icon: icons/user16.png
class: org.o7planning.tutorial.rcp.editor.UserEditor

Class UserEditor was created. Next we create a class UserEditorInput

UserEditorInput.java

package org.o7planning.tutorial.rcp.editor;

import org.eclipse.jface.resource.ImageDescriptor;
import org.eclipse.ui.IEditorInput;
import org.eclipse.ui.IPersistableElement;

public class UserEditorInput implements IEditorInput {

   @Override
   public Object getAdapter(Class adapter) {
       return null;
   }

   @Override
   public boolean exists() {
       return false;
   }

   @Override
   public ImageDescriptor getImageDescriptor() {
       return null;
   }

   @Override
   public String getName() {
       return "User Editor";
   }

   @Override
   public IPersistableElement getPersistable() {
       return null;
   }

   @Override
   public String getToolTipText() {
       return "User Editor";
   }

}

And edit UserEditor

UserEditorInput.java

package org.o7planning.tutorial.rcp.editor;

import org.eclipse.core.runtime.IProgressMonitor;
import org.eclipse.swt.SWT;
import org.eclipse.swt.layout.FillLayout;
import org.eclipse.swt.widgets.Composite;
import org.eclipse.ui.IEditorInput;
import org.eclipse.ui.IEditorSite;
import org.eclipse.ui.PartInitException;
import org.eclipse.ui.part.EditorPart;

public class UserEditor extends EditorPart {

 public static final String ID = "org.o7planning.tutorial.rcp.editor.user";

 public UserEditor() {

 }

 @Override
 public void doSave(IProgressMonitor monitor) {

 }

 @Override
 public void doSaveAs() {

 }

 /**
  * Important!!!
  */
 @Override
 public void init(IEditorSite site, IEditorInput input)
         throws PartInitException {
     if (!(input instanceof UserEditorInput)) {
         throw new PartInitException("Invalid Input: Must be "
                 + UserEditorInput.class.getName());
     }
     setSite(site);
     setInput(input);
 }

 @Override
 public boolean isDirty() {
     return false;
 }

 @Override
 public boolean isSaveAsAllowed() {
     return false;
 }

 @Override
 public void createPartControl(Composite parent) {
     // Add Code.
     // If you want to design with WindowBuilder Designer
     // Change code like:  (Important!!!)
     parent.setLayout(new FillLayout());
     Composite body = new Composite(parent, SWT.NONE);
 }

 @Override
 public void setFocus() {

 }

}

You can open UserEditor with WindowBuilder to design.

Next we create a Command to call UserEditor.

Enter:

id: org.o7planning.tutorial.rcp.cmd.user
name: Call UserEditor
defaultHandler: org.o7planning.tutorial.rcp.cmd.UserCommand

UserCommand.java

package org.o7planning.tutorial.rcp.cmd;

import org.eclipse.core.commands.AbstractHandler;
import org.eclipse.core.commands.ExecutionEvent;
import org.eclipse.core.commands.ExecutionException;
import org.eclipse.ui.IWorkbenchPage;
import org.eclipse.ui.IWorkbenchWindow;
import org.eclipse.ui.PartInitException;
import org.eclipse.ui.handlers.HandlerUtil;
import org.o7planning.tutorial.rcp.editor.UserEditor;
import org.o7planning.tutorial.rcp.editor.UserEditorInput;

public class UserCommand extends AbstractHandler {

   public static final String ID = "org.o7planning.tutorial.rcp.cmd.user";

   @Override
   public Object execute(ExecutionEvent event) throws ExecutionException {
       IWorkbenchWindow window = HandlerUtil.getActiveWorkbenchWindow(event);
       IWorkbenchPage page = window.getActivePage();

       UserEditorInput input = new UserEditorInput();
       try {
           page.openEditor(input, UserEditor.ID);
       } catch (PartInitException e) {
           System.out.println("Error:" + this.getClass().getName() + ":" + e);
           e.printStackTrace();
           throw new ExecutionException("Error open UserEditor");
       }
       return null;
   }

}

Next you to make a MenuItem (Command):

Rerun Application:

10- Packing and Deploying Eclipse RCP Application

You can see the instructions at:

Packing and Deploying Desktop Application SWT/RCP

11- View and Editor Integration

Next tutorial: Simple Eclipse RCP Application - View and Editor integration:

Simple Eclipse RCP 3 Application - View and Editor integration

Table Of Content

Eclipse RCP 3 Tutorial for Beginners - Workbench Application

View more Tutorials:

1- Instroduction

Eclipse 4.4 (LUNA) (or Eclipse 4.5 MARS create RCP 3 application, not Eclipse e4 RCP)

RCP 3

Note:

2- The settings required before starting

3- What is RCP Workbench application?

4- Create Project

5- Run Project

6- Structure RCP applications, and configure RCP

Application Configuration:

7- Project Target Component

Create a Java Project, to declare the file "Define Target" in it..

8- Create a few Command used in applications

Next we will create a Command class with ID:

9- Design Interface

9.1- Interface

9.2- Menu

Rerun:

9.3- Toolbar

Create Coolbar:

9.4- View

Registry Views to the Perspective

Rerun Application:

9.5- Perspective

9.6- Editor

Next we create a Command to call UserEditor.

Rerun Application:

10- Packing and Deploying Eclipse RCP Application

11- View and Editor Integration

View more Tutorials: