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Java LSP client for Xtext Language Server? [message #1836723]

Tue, 12 January 2021 16:54

Eclipse User

Hi,

I'm trying to build my own sort of editor and use it with the Xtext language server. The LSP client must be in Java. I've created a jar with the Xtext language server following this link (https://www.eclipse.org/community/eclipse_newsletter/2017/may/article5.php). The problem is, I have no idea of how to build the LSP client to connect to the server.

All examples I have found are for IDEs where a plugin / extension uses the jar. But I haven't been able to find something in just Java. I've looked at LSP4J which I know Xtext also uses for the server, but again haven't found anything.

Any solutions or ideas of how to get the client connecting to the server?

Thanks.

[Updated on: Tue, 12 January 2021 17:45] by Moderator

Re: Java LSP client for Xtext Language Server? [message #1836730 is a reply to message #1836723]

Wed, 13 January 2021 00:03

Eclipse User

Hi, can you please explain what you mean by client .
What are your plans to build?

[Updated on: Wed, 13 January 2021 00:04] by Moderator

Re: Java LSP client for Xtext Language Server? [message #1836740 is a reply to message #1836730]

Wed, 13 January 2021 04:23

Eclipse User

The plan is to build sort of a web-based editor that follows the language of an Xtext grammar. The idea is for the inputs in the editor to be sent to a server, that sends them to the Xtext language server. I believe an implementation of a language server client will be needed on the server, to send the inputs as JSON-RPC to the Xtext language server?

I do not know if the jar can be located on the actual server, but nonetheless I need a way in just Java to send the JSON-RPC messages to the Xtext language server. If that makes sense?

Re: Java LSP client for Xtext Language Server? [message #1836747 is a reply to message #1836740]

Wed, 13 January 2021 04:52

Eclipse User

but if you have a web based editor then your client will be written in html/javascript or will run e.g. in theia as vscode plugin.
so i dont see the client written in java here.

of course you can use lsp4j to implement the client in java e.g. as LSP4E does

[Updated on: Wed, 13 January 2021 04:52] by Moderator

Re: Java LSP client for Xtext Language Server? [message #1836837 is a reply to message #1836747]

Fri, 15 January 2021 03:14

Eclipse User

The editor will some based on spreadsheets. Of course some way of processing the inputs will have to be done to make it work with the grammar. That's why the idea was for the input to be sent to a java server and then processed there. Don't know if you see an easier way here?

I've looked at the LSP4E. But I haven't really been able to figure out exactly how it works. I've looked at LanguageServerWrapper and LanguageServerRegistry, but they seem to make use of Eclipse plugins. You don't have a small example when using it with a generated jar? Just need the client to be able to send a simple message to the language server here in the beginning.

Re: Java LSP client for Xtext Language Server? [message #1836839 is a reply to message #1836837]

Fri, 15 January 2021 04:07

Eclipse User

i dont understand. maybe you are confused by the bad terms client and server

- a server runs as a jar. there are basically 3 ways to talk it. (1) process io, in this case the client (or a client proxy) starts the server as child process. socket and websocket.
- then the client sends json rcp messages to the server and receives notifications from the server.

=> have no idea how your client is comprised. likely it is written in javascript and you will talk to the server via websocket?

[Updated on: Fri, 15 January 2021 04:08] by Moderator

Re: Java LSP client for Xtext Language Server? [message #1837063 is a reply to message #1836839]

Thu, 21 January 2021 09:38

Eclipse User

When I try to run my Language Server jar in the terminal I'm expecting it to print the "... starting" and "... started" strings but that never happens. Presumably because I'm not passing any args? But I can't find any documentation about which args would be required to get process IO started. Any links or tips? Obviously subsequent inputs to the terminal don't result in any outputs from the server either.

Re: Java LSP client for Xtext Language Server? [message #1837064 is a reply to message #1837063]

Thu, 21 January 2021 09:44

Eclipse User

can you start with -log debug then a log file with that messages should be created.
as process io is used to communicate with the server the srdin/out streams are redirected for that

Re: Java LSP client for Xtext Language Server? [message #1837066 is a reply to message #1837064]

Thu, 21 January 2021 09:54

Eclipse User

"-log debug" helped getting the output when starting. Thanks.
Do you have any sources that show how to use Process IO for the subsequent communication with the server?

Re: Java LSP client for Xtext Language Server? [message #1837068 is a reply to message #1837066]

Thu, 21 January 2021 10:07

Eclipse User

this is usually done by the client.
it starts a child process
and uses its io to communicate
=> again the question: which client do you want to use

you may e.g. have a look at the https://git.eclipse.org/r/plugins/gitiles/lsp4e/lsp4e codebase e.g. the LanguageServerWrapper or LanguageClientImpl classes and their usages. i am not sure if there is somewhere a more simple example.
you may check out org.eclipse.lsp4j.launch.LSPLauncher.createClientLauncher(LanguageClient, InputStream, OutputStream)

[Updated on: Thu, 21 January 2021 10:15] by Moderator

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