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Running Eclipse 3.x and 4.x plugins together [message #1124371]

Thu, 03 October 2013 09:16

Eclipse User

I would like to know if this is possible at all. I've read the Lars Vogel's article but I am still confused.

When I run Eclipse 4 in the compatibility mode, then I can use 3.x plugins but I can't use Eclipse 4.x plugins (DI, modeled UI...), right?

What about the Eclipse IDE (4.3)? Does it run in the compatibility mode or not? I mean, lots of plugins it uses are still 3.x don't they? Does it mean that any of the Eclipse IDE uses the new Eclipse 4.x features?

Re: Running Eclipse 3.x and 4.x plugins together [message #1130642 is a reply to message #1124371]

Wed, 09 October 2013 15:49

Eclipse User

The current story is that 'pure' e4 RCP apps cannot consume legacy 3.x stuff. We are trying to reconcile this in both directions; making it possible to use the new e4 coding style in the Eclipse 4 IDE and also allowing a better path for allowing e4 RCP apps to consume at least most of the existing 3.x views...but we're not there yet.

There was however a good demo by Wim Jongman on a 'mixed-mode' where he did show a 3.x part in what was primarily a pure e4 app, take a look at

https://bugs.eclipse.org/bugs/show_bug.cgi?id=403745

and perhaps search the web for more info.

Re: Running Eclipse 3.x and 4.x plugins together [message #1132883 is a reply to message #1130642]

Fri, 11 October 2013 09:03

Eclipse User

Thanks for responding Eric. I've searched the web, but informations about this are still vague.

If I understand it correctly, the Eclipse IDE 4.3 runs in the compatibility mode and any of its plugins are pure e4.
They are all old 3.x stuff. Am I right?

Re: Running Eclipse 3.x and 4.x plugins together [message #1142330 is a reply to message #1132883]

Thu, 17 October 2013 10:52

Eclipse User

ping

Re: Running Eclipse 3.x and 4.x plugins together [message #1143386 is a reply to message #1132883]

Fri, 18 October 2013 02:36

Eclipse User

Yes, Eclipse 4.3 has everything (PDE, JDT, ...) running as 3.x on top of the compatibility layer. As for properly mixing 4.x and 3.x plug-ins you'll need to wait for Luna/4.4. The link Eric posted shows what's coming.

However it is possible to work in "mixed mode" already, but there's caveats with it. We did a trial migration of one of our 3.x based RCP applications about 2 years back - see http://www.eclipsecon.org/2012/sessions/experiences-porting-commercial-rcp-application-eclipse-4x

One of the limitations that was a blocker was the disconnect between the selection services in 3.x and 4.x. While the new 4.x selection service stays updated when the "3.x selection" changes, it doesn't work the other way around:

https://bugs.eclipse.org/bugs/show_bug.cgi?id=403930

Re: Running Eclipse 3.x and 4.x plugins together [message #1143566 is a reply to message #1143386]

Fri, 18 October 2013 05:18

Eclipse User

Thanks for additional info Fredrik.

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