Wayne Parrott - Sleepless MyEclipse Developer

Matisse4MyEclipse - NetBeans Swing GUI Builder on Eclipse

Last week our dev team completed a new port of the cool NetBeans 6 Swing GUI Builder for the MyEclipse and Eclipse platforms. This innovative project combines two world-class features, the NetBeans Swing form editor and the Eclipse Java Editor and compilation tools into powerful new Swing design tool known as Matisse4MyEclipse - Matisse was the original project name for the NetBeans Swing GUI Builder. Matisse4MyEclipse feature overview and how-to documentation can be found here.

Posted at 12:18AM Jan 15, 2008 by Wayne Parrott in MyEclipse  | 

"Show me, don't tell me" - Examples On-Demand

Examples On-Demand is a new free online resource for Java developers that want quick, easy-to-install example Java and AJAX applications that can be downloaded and run with zero configuration in seconds using MyEclipse 6. The examples repository currently includes applications that demonstrate use of technologies such as JSF, AJAX using GoogleMaps and DWR, Spring, JPA, Hibernate, Struts, Swing, SWT, ... Many more example applications are planned and developers are encouraged to contribute to the examples repository.

MyEclipse 6.0.1 includes a new innovative Example-On Demand Browser that enables you to browse the online example applications, checkout and install any example, and then launch the example directly on the MyEclipse Server Sandbox (integrated Tomcat 6 & Derby servers).

Grady Booch once stated that "Every complex working solution evolved from a simpler working solution." Examples On-Demand provides you the simpler working solution that you can evolve to your own purposes.

Examples On-Demand is developed and maintained by the MyEclipse IDE development team. We hope others are interested in participating and helping share their expertise with follow developers. The goal is to develop a rich set of examples of core and emerging technologies that other developer can study and learn from.

Posted at 04:00AM Oct 26, 2007 by Wayne Parrott in MyEclipse  | 

MyEclipse 6.0 available

MyEclipse 6.0 for the Eclipse 3.3/Europa platform shipped last Tuesday. It includes lots of new and improved features. Checkout the New & Noteworthy to learn about the release.

Congratulations to everyone on the MyEclipse development team for their dedication and commitment to excellence. You are a special group.

Posted at 11:55AM Aug 23, 2007 by Wayne Parrott in MyEclipse  | 

Eclipse EJB3 & JPA tutorials using MyEclipse

If you're interested in developing EJB3 and JPA solutions with Eclipse, MyEclipse 5.5 provides Java EE 5 support. A couple of tutorials have been recently posted that provide an introduction to the MyEclipse EJB3 and JPA development.

MyEclipse EJB3 Bean Tutorial
Learn how to create, deploy and test an EJB3 bean in minutes.

MyEclipse Java Persistence Tutorial
Reverse-engineer JPA Entities and DAOs from your DB.

Posted at 03:33PM Jun 15, 2007 by Wayne Parrott in MyEclipse  | 

Add your JSF tags to MyEclipse JSF Designer

The MyEclipse 5.5 Visual JSF Designer can be extended to support your custom JSF and JSP taglibs. Today, Greg Amerson of the MyEclipse Web Tools team published a tutorial that describes how to add custom tags to the JSF Designer's UI control palette (supports drag-n-drop layout) and design-time rendering of custom JSF and JSP tags. The tutorial illustrates how to customize the designer to support the MyFaces Tomahawk JSF tags: <inputText>, <commandButton> and <collapsiblePanel>.

Posted at 08:44PM May 30, 2007 by Wayne Parrott in MyEclipse  | 

MyEclipse 5.5 GA ships Java EE 5 and Facelets tools

Today Genuitec released MyEclipse 5.5 GA. New features of this release include:

MyEclipse provides tools that simplify Java enterprise development and Eclipse IDE implementation management without the drug-addiction/welfare-dependency tactics employed by the server companies attempting to lock you into their technology and server stacks.

Posted at 03:24PM May 17, 2007 by Wayne Parrott in MyEclipse  | 

MyEclipse 5.5M2 does EJB3, JPA & JSF WYSIWYG

The theme for the upcoming MyEclipse 5.5 release is to provide Eclipse users a great out of the box Java EE 5 development experience on the Eclipse 3.2 platform. Today we released MyEclipse 5.5 Milestone-2 that includes the following new features:

Other features include:

ME 5.5 Milestone-1 feature highlights include:

Visit MyEclipse to learn more.

Posted at 04:30AM Apr 13, 2007 by Wayne Parrott in MyEclipse  | 

Use MyEclipse SNAP Tools from NetBeans & IntelliJ

Want to be able to use power tools from your IDE in a more agile standalone desktop application mode?  The MyEclipse 5.5 milestone-1 release make this possible by including 4 general-purpose SNAP (simple non-ide applications) developer tools. To my knowledge they are a unique addition to the IDE tools market that recognizes that not every developer task requires a full-blown IDE. The MyEclipse SNAP Tools suite consist of the following RCP applications:

  MyEclipse HTML Designer
  MyEclipse XML Editor
  MyEclipse Database Explorer
  MyEclipse ImageEditor w/ Screen Capture Pro
  
What is cool about these tools is that: 1) they provide a familiar usage model similar to their MyEclipse IDE counterpart features, 2) they have native look & feel (you can't tell they are Java apps) and 3) they install on Windows to behave native with dbl-click associated file launch, open-with support, and single instance sharing (e.g., if XML Editor SNAP is running when you dbl-click a different xml file, the file is opened in the running XML Editor vs. launching a new editor instance). 

Rather than view the world as Eclipse vs. world,  MyEclipse takes a more inclusive approach to working with other IDEs. Therefore MyEclipse has released the Use-Anywhere SNAP Connector for NetBeans and Use-Anywhere SNAP Connector for IDEA. These SNAP connector plugins for NetBeans and IDEA enable you to use any SNAP tool on resources from within their respective IDE. Instructions are also provide for using SNAP Tools from Visual Studio.

Posted at 08:26AM Feb 21, 2007 by Wayne Parrott in MyEclipse  | 

Screen capture support for MyEclipse

A feature that is often overlooked when collaboration tools are discussed is the ability to capture a window or panel, annotate it with simple text and figures, and then send it to a coworker or attach it to a bug report. We do this a lot at Genuitec as our dev team is spread around the globe. Since we are an Eclipse technology company we thought "how about building a good screen capture factility into MyEclipse?" We surveyed both Java and native methods for implementing this feature and settled on a native method due to the level of control and sophistication we desired. The initial release of our screen capture facility is integrated in the latest MyEclipse 5.5 milestone-1 release.

The new MyEclipse capture facility enables you to perform 4 types of screen capture operations:

During the capture process you can set timed delay for as well as automatically close the MyEclipse window in the capture process. In addition to the capture features MyEclipse has coupled them with its Image Editor and Send To Mail Recipient features. So now you can capture, annotate and share what's on your screen with your coworkers.

The screen capture feature set is tentatively branded Screen Capture Pro and is available in both the MyEclipse Enterprise Workbench (IDE) and the MyEclipse Image Editor SNAP (desktop dev tool). The SNAP version is a lightweight image editor that is useful for when you don't want to launch the full MyEclipse IDE. 

Check out the New & Noteworthy (scroll down) which was created using Screen Capture Pro for a few screenshots.

Note: At this time Screen Capture Pro is only available for the Windows platform.

Posted at 09:27AM Feb 13, 2007 by Wayne Parrott in MyEclipse  | 

Genuitec/MyEclipse hiring J2EE/Eclipse plugin devs

Genuitec, is expanding its MyEclipse product development team and is seeking experienced Eclipse plugin developers with additional experience in J2EE and related technologies. Our team is highly collaborative, delivery focused, and committed to the production of world-class Eclipse-based products. Since we work as a globally distributed team, full time opportunities are available from wherever you are.  Relocation is not required so all experienced candidates are encouraged to apply.

Responsibilities:
* Collaboration at all levels: feature-team, peers and management team
* Design and implementation of a family of new innovative MyEclipse feature-sets
* Delivery on commitments

Requirements:
* Without exception ALL candidates must demonstrate expert knowledge of the Eclipse plugin model and frameworks and provide a referencable Eclipse-based product or project
* Expert skills in at least 2 of the following Eclipse areas:
    o JFaces/SWT/SWT_AWT integration
    o JDT and Debugger frameworks
    o WTP
    o GEF
    o EMF
    o UML2
* Expert skills are required in at least 2 of the following areas:
    o User interface design and implementation with SWT/JFace, Swing expertise a plus
    o Web Design (HTML, DHTML, Javascript, CSS, Struts, JSF)
    o J2EE architecture, patterns, application servers and deployment, and alternative technologies such as Spring
    o Database and ORM (Hibernate) development
    o UML and MDA
    o OSGI, security, and services
    o Microsoft .Net/COM/ActiveX development and Eclipse integration
* English language competency, both written and verbal
* Access to reliable, high-speed internet service

If you enjoy Eclipse-based development and want to apply those skills towards the development of innovative and novel solutions please send your resume in electronic form to "employment at genuitec.com".

About Genuitec:
Genuitec L.L.C. is a leading provider of innovative Eclipse-based technology products, training, and consulting services. Genuitec's flagship product, MyEclipse Enterprise Workbench, is the first and most cost effective, full-featured J2EE IDE designed to enhance the Eclipse platform with productivity focused J2EE, database, and UML development features and technical support.  Genuitec also offers training and expert consulting and development services for the Eclipse Tools and Rich Client Platforms. Genuitec joined the Eclipse Foundation early in 2003 and actively participates in steering the strategy and direction of the Eclipse organization by serving on the board of directors. Genuitec L.L.C. was founded in 1997 and is headquartered in Dallas, Texas. (www.genuitec.com & www.myeclipseide.com)

For additional information about Genuitec, please see this recent interview at EclipseZone: http://www.eclipsezone.com/articles/williams-interview/

Posted at 04:54PM Aug 30, 2006 by Wayne Parrott in Eclipse Technology  | 

Software development - measures of success

How do you measure software developer success?  I assert that the principle measure of success for a software developer is product delivery. If your success measure doesn't include product delivery then what is it?   

I believe the need to create and deliver software products is the primary motivation behind the open-source movement. I know of no developer that works with passion and true interest on a requirement or problem that does not intensely desire to see his work released to its intended user audience. Yet, I know many developers that work on projects that will never see the light of day. For one reason or another (most very simple) their projects or feature-set is cancelled, descoped, or just perpetual undelivered with a never ending scope or requirements for perfection.

Some of the reasons for failure are the fault of the developer, management, marketing, or company vision. But in almost all cases the problem can be directly traced to failure to focus on delivery and to deliver value early in the product life-cycle. How can you deliver value if never deliver anything at all? 

The world is replete with examples of projects that just don't or didn't get how to deliver.  I learned the hard way and for brevity sake will refrain from sharing the stories. When Todd Williams and I set down to develop the first release of MyEclipse over 3 years ago, we made all of our decisions based upon how they influence delivery, the user experience, and cost. Many in the Eclipse space attacked us for our development strategy. We have shut them up by delivering release after release with broader and deeper feature-sets and by attracting many of our competitor's customers during in process.

I'll wrap up my thoughts with congratulations to my fellow developers on the MyEclipse development team for the delivery of MyEclipse 5.0 this past week. I have the privilege to manage a high performance, delivery-driven team that "gets it".  Because of this they can all claim on their resumes another effective and timely product delivery experience. Congratulations team!

Posted at 11:13AM Aug 12, 2006 by Wayne Parrott in MyEclipse  | 

MyEclipse 5.0M2 supports Callisto & XFire web services

MyEclipse Enterprise Workbench 5.0 milestone-2 was released last week. It is built on and extends the Eclipse3.2/Callisto platform with a number of advanced features. Included in this release is the new MyEclipse Web Services Tools with support for the XFire Java SOAP framework. This feature set is part of the MyEclipse standard $29.95 subscription. To learn more visit the New & Noteworthy document.

Posted at 10:25AM Jul 11, 2006 by Wayne Parrott in MyEclipse  | 

Matisse4MyEclipse Milestone-1 available

Matisse4MyEclipse Milestone-1 has been released.

http://www.myeclipseide.com/PNphpBB2+file-viewtopic-t-12375.html

Posted at 10:57AM Apr 24, 2006 by Wayne Parrott in MyEclipse  | 

Matisse4MyEclipse demo posted

Posted at 05:27PM Mar 31, 2006 by Wayne Parrott in MyEclipse  | 

Matisse4MyEclipse - why we did it

Why did we (Genuitec) integrate Matisse into MyEclipse? No, not because it was there; OK, maybe :-).

My team has received a lot of positive feedback and questions about the Matisse4MyEclipse announcement that we have integrated the OSS Netbeans Matisse Swing UI builder into MyEclipse Enterprise Workbench. Riyad at the EclipseZone has a nice write-up. I'll talk more about the technical aspects in the future. The more important question is not how we did it but why?  For the record we embarked on this effort for the following two reasons listed in priority order:

1) To provide high quality Swing UI designer to MyEclipse users

2) To understand the broader integration requirements of non-Eclipse IDE features, e.g., JSR-198

The 1st point was a no brainer for us. MyEclipse is approaching its 3rd anniversary and since its 1st release we have had numerous requests for a Swing visual UI designer. We have talked to a number of MyEclipse Swing/RCP developers and they were hands-down Matisse proponents. Plus we turned Matisse loose on our own developer team and they were most positive. That was all we needed to green light the R&D integration effort.

Regarding the 2nd point, for those that have followed the growth and evolution of MyEclipse and Genuitec's Eclipse-centric business model it should be no surprise that we step outside the traditional box of pure Eclipse-only technology when doing so satisfies our objective to deliver good economical Eclipse developer productivity features. After all Eclipse is "an open universal tools integration platform for multi-language, multi-platform and multi-vendor choice". A few of the non-SWT or non-Java technologies that we have shipped or demo'ed as part of MyEclipse include Windows JNI/COM, OSGI/DDE services, ShellExt integration such as SendTo, OpenFileExplore & dbl-click files to launch MyEclipse, native JavaScript debugging, XPCOM, native XUL-SWT integration, and lots of Swing and Java2D and image APIs. Our RCP development team has integrated even cooler technologies but NDA's make those discussions N/A. The recent adoption of JSR198 was very timely as we are conducting research in this area as part of this effort. 

We will post more info in the next 1-2 weeks as we get closer to releasing Matisse4MyEclipse. In a few days we hope to have a flash demo available off the site to provide you a more detailed view of the integration level of Matisse and the quality of the user experience.

Posted at 03:45AM Mar 10, 2006 by Wayne Parrott in MyEclipse  |