[news.eclipse.newcomer] Re: Need to change the default Launch Configurat

[Eric Rizzo <eclipse-news@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Darren Frenette wrote:
> Hello,
>
> I have created a custom launch configuration, and am looking for a way 
> to change the default 'New_configuration' to a more meaningful string.
>
> I have made some progress with this, but fear I am heading down the path 
> to ugly code. Here is what I have tried so far:
>
> 1) Looked at ILaunchConfiguration and noticed there is only a getName(), 
> but no setName().
>
> 2) Looked at the eclipse source to find where the default name gets set, 
> and found RunDebugPropertiesPage.java. Great to know, but this doesn't 
> help me out much.
>
> 3) Figured out a way to access the text control that contains the launch 
> configuration name. Then added a VerifyEvent to that text box. Here I 
> can substitute my name in, which then shows up in the GUI. The problem 
> is I can't save my working configuration, as I have no access to it in 
> the VerifyEvent.
>
> Looking for some guidance, hoping there is an easier way to do this.

I'm not sure how you arrived at the RunDebugPropertiesPage, but I don't 
think that is related (that appears to be a Preferences page, not part 
of the Launch Configuration dialog where these things are actually created).
I would start by looking at the class 
org.eclipse.debug.internal.ui.launchConfigurations.CreateLaunchConfigurationAction 
which is what is invoked when the user presses the "New launch 
configuration" button in the dialog.
(I used Plug-in Spy Alt+Shift+F1) to learn about the classes that 
implement that dialog).

Another avenue to explore would be to look at how other code does it; 
for example, if you select a class with a main() method, right-click, 
and select Run As > Java Application, it will create a launch 
configuration with a reasonable name. You can use the Plug-in Spy on 
Menus (Alt+Shift+F2) to learn what code implements that menu action.

Hope this helps,
Eric