Creating Eclipse plug-in project

You need a plug-in project to hold the Java class file and other resources.

About this task

To create an Eclipse plug-in project, use the New Project wizard, do the following steps:

Procedure

  1. Create an Eclipse workspace.
    Note: You can work in an existing workspace, but you are going to be changing some settings that might affect other plug-in development.
  2. Select New > Project from the File menu.

    The New Project wizard is displayed.

  3. Select Plug-in Development > Plug-in Project, then click Next.

    The Plug-in Project screen is displayed.

  4. Enter a value in the Project name field.

    This value is the projects name as well as the plug-ins ID. For our example, enter com.samples.functions.dateformat.

  5. Click Next and enter the following values in the Plug-in Content screen.
    Option Value/Setting
    Plug-in ID This ID must be a unique ID for your plug-in. If you are developing more than one plug-in, make sure that they have different IDs.
    Plug-in Version The version of the plug-in (for example, 1.0.0).
    Plug-in Name A descriptive name for the plug-in (for example, Format Date Function).
    Plug-in Provider The name of the company/individual who provided the plug-in, normally the name of your company (for example, Sample Provider).
    Classpath Enter a "." (dot) to add the root of your plug-in to the classpath.
    Plug-in Options Disable both options.
    Rich Client Application? Select "No" for this option.
  6. Click Finish.
  7. If you are prompted to switch to the Plug-in Development perspective, click No.

    A plug-in project is created in your workspace. Additionally, a plug-in project exists in your Package Explorer and Eclipse opened the plug-ins manifest (MANIFEST.MF) in the Manifest Editor.