Re: [gef-dev] GEF extensibility

["Eugene Ostroukhov" <eostroukhov@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Hello.

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Asha Rajbhoj" <ashad@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <gef-dev@xxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Wednesday, April 14, 2004 10:58 AM
Subject: [gef-dev] GEF extensibility


> Hello,
>
> I am using GEF for writing digramming tool. After going through the
> documentation I have following queries.
>
> 1)What is extensibility mechanism provided in GEF.  Suppose there are
> certain new digramming features which I need in future , are not available
> in GEF.  then can I implement them. At what all level can I do this. e.g.
> keyboard event , editpart , editpolicy

You can provide custom implementation for almost anything in the GEF - as
long as it complies with the framework (i.e. mouse input is handled in
tool/drag tracker, model presentation is handled by the edit part, etc.)

>
> 2)Can I have my own editpolicies , my own edit roles , or my own tools ,
> where in I can directly implement the interfaces  editpolicy , tool

Yes. In most cases:
1. You create your edit part factory.
2. You create your palette.
3. Depending on the active tool model is updated, if needed new edit parts
are created (you will supply implementation) and respective edit policies
are created (again - in most cases you will create them)

See GEF examples for details.

>
> 3)Can I extend my GEF application by adding plugins for change in
behaviour
> at runtime. This changes  required may be at controller level , figure
level
> or even at model level.  This is required because I don't want to change
the
> GEF application everytime , instead I will just change the supporting
> plug-ins.

GEF does not constraint in your application design - it is just a
presentation framework. You create ordinary Eclipse application and
one/some/all editors use special widget (provided by GEF) to render the
model to the users.

>
> Is this possible ? If yes How?
>
> Please Reply.
> Thanks and Regards,
> Asha S Rajbhoj
> Tata Consultancy Services
> Mailto: asha.rajbhoj@xxxxxxx
> Website: http://www.tcs.com
>
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Best regards,
Eugene