vogella.de

Follow me on twitter
About Lars Vogel
Flattr this

Eclipse Feature Project- Tutorial

Lars Vogel

Version 0.5

01.06.2010

Revision History
Revision 0.130.11.2008Lars Vogel
Created Article
Revision 0.220.04.2009Lars Vogel
Added links to Eclipse RCP and Eclipse Plugin development
Revision 0.325.05.2009Lars Vogel
feature.xml described
Revision 0.403.02.2010Lars Vogel
Fixed missing part
Revision 0.501.06.2010Lars Vogel
Update to Eclipse 3.6 (Helios)

Eclipse Feature Project

This article describes the basic steps on how to create an Eclipse feature project.

This articles mainly exists because I need the description of how to create a feature in several articles. Instead of describing it several times I write it here once and link to it.


Table of Contents

1. Eclipse Feature Project
2. Creating a feature project
2.1. Create Plugin
2.2. Create Feature Project
2.3. Feature Project Properties
2.4. Finished
3. Thank you
4. Questions and Discussion
5. Links and Literature
5.1. Eclipse resources
5.2. vogella Resources

1. Eclipse Feature Project

A feature project is basically a list of plugins and other features which can be understood as a logical separate unit. As of Eclipse 3.6 features can be used as the basis for a launch configuration. Eclipse also uses feature projects for the updates manager and for the build process. You can also supply a software license which a feature.

The following description will focus on the creation of features. Feature can be used for grouping Eclipse Plugins or for the development of Eclipse RCP applications .

2. Creating a feature project

The following will explain how to create an Eclipse feature project.

2.1. Create Plugin

Create a Eclipse RCP application "de.vogella.featuretest.testplugin". Use the "RCP application with a view" as a template.

2.2. Create Feature Project

Create a feature project "de.vogella.featuretest.feature" via File ->New -> Other -> Plug-in Development -> "Feature Project".

2.3.  Feature Project Properties

In your new project you have now a file feature.xml. Select this file to get an editor to maintain the properties. For example change the name of your feature to the project name "de.vogella.featuretest.feature".

The tab "Plug-ins" allows you to change the plugins which are in the feature.

2.4. Finished

You have created a feature project. This feature project contains only one plugin but in general you would add a group of related plugins to your feature. The feature can then be the basis for building your software, for automatic update functionality and for creating launch configuration.

3. Thank you

Thank you for practicing with this tutorial.

I maintain this tutorial in my private time. If you like the information please help me by using flattr or donating or by recommending this tutorial to other people.

Flattr this

4. Questions and Discussion

Before posting questions, please see the vogella FAQ . If you have questions or find an error in this article please use the www.vogella.de Google Group . I have created a short list how to create good questions which might also help you. .

5. Links and Literature

5.1. Eclipse resources

The Eclipse p2 update wiki