Re: [wtp-incubator-dev] More on XSL Graduation ...

[Doug Satchwell <doug.satchwell@xxxxxxxxx>]

I too think that having an XML Tools project is a good idea. However, it would be really quite a massive undertaking - it would need to be discussed as some sort of high-level strategic review for Eclipse. I'm not saying it can't be done, its just going to take a lot of time and careful consideration. Its not going to happen any time soon.

I would definitely like to see XSL Tools graduate within Source Editing before any discussions about having an XML Tools project. Graduating would mean we can get this project out to the big wide world as part of the standard Eclipse packages. After years of hard work, we have developed some quality code. What XSL Tools needs right now is more widespread adoption - incubators are great but many people just won't bother with them, either because they don't know they are there or because of bad previous experiences of using non-production ready incubating plugins. 

Graduation would be official confirmation that this code is good enough for the real world, and ultimately would lend more weight to the idea of having a separate XML Tools project.

Doug.



----- Original Message ----
> From: David Carver <d_a_carver@xxxxxxxxx>
> To: WTP Incubator Dev list <wtp-incubator-dev@xxxxxxxxxxx>
> Sent: Thursday, 19 February, 2009 5:33:09
> Subject: Re: [wtp-incubator-dev] More on XSL Graduation ...
> 
> Konstantin Komissarchik wrote:
> >> While I agree, I also view the WTP Incubator as it's own project, and the XSL 
> Tools as a sub project within that project.
> >>    
> > 
> > Have to be carefully transposing personal views onto technical terms with
> > specific definitions in the process. :) 
> > Right now XSL Tools is a component, not a project. That has particular
> > implications from process standpoint. Until recently, it was not possible to
> > have arbitrary nesting of projects, so components were frequently created
> > when a project would have been more appropriate. Since the process change,
> > I've seen more and more projects converting components into projects.
> >  
> Ooops..semantics. :) Yes it's a component in name only. :)
> 
> >  
> >> In some ways, this is why I would eventually like to see a true XML 
> Development Tools project either in WTP or housed in the Technology
> >>    
> > project.
> > 
> > I would agree with that. The large potential scope of XML development tools
> > functional area, the pace of growth of activity in this area and the
> > importance of positioning Eclipse as a viable player in this area all argue
> > for a dedicated project. So, why don't you propose the XML Tools project
> > (with XSL Tools as the initial component) right now? It doesn't make much
> > sense to move this code first into source editing while planning on moving
> > it again later. In fact, if you were feeling really aggressive, you could
> > even use the new project to stake out org.eclipse.xml namespace.
> >  
> Aww....you walked right into it.
> 
> http://wiki.eclipse.org/XML_Development_Tools_Proposal
> 
> > If you do end up proposing a separate project, I would recommend starting it
> > out as WTP sub-project while you have dependencies on parts of WTP. One of
> > the things that would hopefully happen once there is a dedicated XML tools
> > component is that some of the existing pieces from other WTP projects (XML
> > editor, XSD support, etc.) would eventually find their way into it. If that
> > happens and interest in this area keeps growing like it has been so far, I
> > can see this project moving to the Tools project or even becoming a
> > top-level project in an extreme case. Technology project would not be the
> > right place as it's an incubator for emerging projects rather than a place
> > where mature projects can remain indefinitely.
> >  
> See above. Tools would work as well. Anyways, if anybody is interested, update 
> the wiki page.
> 
> 
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