[news.eclipse.platform.rcp] Re: Migrating a C++ app to RCP

[Nick Edgar <nick_edgar@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

I know of several apps that have taken that approach.

Yes, there is COM and OLE support in SWT.  For example, if your Eclipse 
project contains a Word or Excel document, it opens in-place.
If you want to see the implementation for that, the code is in the 
org.eclipse.ui.win32 plug-in, and makes use of SWT's OleFrame, 
OleClientSite and OleAutomation classes.

However, most RCP apps that I know of that need to integrate legacy 
Windows apps end up doing their own reparenting under an SWT Composite 
rather than using OLE.  Note that you can obtain a control's window 
handle via Control.handle.

They then either have a low-level bridge to the app via JNI, or 
establish a higher-level sockets-based protocol (often using XML).  The 
advantage of the latter approach is that it doesn't require low-level 
JNI hacking, and is less platform-specific.  But there are performance 
considerations either way.  Crossing the JNI boundary frequently is not 
cheap either.

As a proof-point of this kind of integration, Lotus Workplace (which is 
an RCP app) integrates Open Office, legacy Notes, and several other 3rd 
party applications.  Open Office documents and Notes items appear as 
views or editors, with integration into the main menu.

You also asked about XML dialects for SWT.  See XSWT:
http://xswt.sourceforge.net/cgi-bin/xswt/home
http://sweet-swt.sourceforge.net/designdoc/xswt_design.html

Nick Edgar
Eclipse RCP UI tech lead


Stephan H. Wissel wrote:
> Hi Bernd,
>
> thx for your reply.
> So OLE/COM would be an option. Wrapping in SWT as well I guess. Our goal is twofold: First get our components into Eclipse on customer demand as well as benefit on the standardized Layout of Eclipse application.
> Second: develop future extensions in native RCP and over time phase out the C++ components to gain platform independence. Would you be interested? (It's a MUC-SIN project) PM me then.
> Currently we are in the phase of feasibility study.
> :-) stw
>  
>
> --
> View in EZ forum: http://www.eclipsezone.com/eclipse/forums/m91949958.html