Re: [platform-ant-dev] Using latest org.eclipse.ant.core plugin generate

[Jeff_McAffer@xxxxxxxxxx]

SWT has a bulid.xml because they have to do a mess of custom stuff.

PDE generates scripts (the same scripts that are gen'd for the real build) by right clicking on the plugin.xml and saying "Create Ant build file".  The generated build.xml can then be run with the default target to generate all of the jars required by the plugin.  Of course, there are other targets you can use if you want the whole plugin zip'd up and ready to ship etc.  The build.xml file is not deleted so you can run as many times as you like.  

Typically people do not commit the build.xml file to the repo as it may or may not be location independent depending on the configuration of the workspace in which it was created (for example, if the workspace had projects on different drives then some paths would be absolute).  In fact, the whole point of this mechanism is that people do not have to worry about the build.xml.  It is disposable since it can be regen'd at any time with almost no cost.

Looking at the scripts you currently have to maintain they have the following drawbacks:
- brittle in that they require particular locations for various prereq plugins
- have hardcoded dir names including versions
- they do not mirror what is specified in the build.properties

If there are still issues with the way that PDE works (i.e., if it does not support the workflows you need) then you should be working with the PDE team to resolve the issue.  Eating our own dog food is an ideal way to improve the environment.

Jeff

p.s., it is not just the Ant team.  I cant' see any reasons for the other teams to be maintaining their own scripts.  They started doing this years ago before PDE had the script generator and have never stopped.  Doesn't mean it is right.

Jared Burns <jared-eclipse@xxxxxxxxx> Sent by: platform-ant-dev-admin@xxxxxxxxxxx 03/06/2003 10:04 AM Please respond to platform-ant-dev

To:        platform-ant-dev@xxxxxxxxxxx         cc:                 Subject:        Re: [platform-ant-dev] Using latest org.eclipse.ant.core plugin generated from the exportPlugin script

It sounds like a good idea, Jeff, but it looks like the other teams aren't 
using PDE either. I looked through CVS and SWT was the only project I saw 
with a build.xml file in the repository. (Assuming my interpretation is 
correct) any idea why the other teams aren't using PDE?

It looks like everyone currently uses an exportplugins.xml build file, but PDE 
doesn't have any scripts in the repository at all. Do you have any idea how 
PDE updates their host plugins between builds? Do they generate the build.xml 
file and delete it everytime they export? It seems like that would get 
tedious.

- Jared

On Wednesday 05 March 2003 07:46 pm, Jeff_McAffer@xxxxxxxxxx wrote:
> Can you refresh my memory as to why you can't use PDE to build your jars?
> Its a bummer that you can't/don't because:
>
> - fewer people eating our own dog food and providing feedback
> - more work for you to write/maintain the export scripts
> - more errors because you are testing something different then what will
> be built.
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