[e4-dev] Workbench Customizations?

[Eugene Ostroukhov <eugeneo@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Arguably, the main "killer app" of the E3 was the RCP - i.e.  
refactoring of the IDE that allowed customizing the workbench layout,  
reduced dependencies on workspace and other frameworks that are more  
specific for IDE application. I wonder - will there be any more  
enhancements in that department in E4?

I wonder if anything from the list below will be easier in E4. For all  
examples consider projects built on top of WTP or CDT - i.e. IDEs that  
are built upon complex multi-plugin codebase:
1. There is no control over UI contributions. I.e. if some framework  
(say, GEF) contributes a view (Palette View) you can try to conceal it  
using the "Capabilities" but that really will only hide it from some  
UI parts (i.e. you will still see it when pressing Ctrl+3). Sometimes  
this results in some unwieldy UI when user sees UI that really is not  
needed for the particular task.
To me the best solution would be to let product control such  
registries and/or provide builders for menus/toolbars. This will not  
only allow removing the UI contributions but will also let products:
	1. "Override" contributions by providing other views/editors/wizards  
that are specific to particular task.
	2. Provide better control over menus.

2. Will it be easier to customize the workbench UI? I.e. what if we  
need to change the perspective switcher to one like in QtCreator?  
Please not - the resulting code should not break WTP/CDT.

3. Is there any change in policy with views? In E3 all views are  
basically equal while some other IDEs (i.e. NetBeans) make some  
"views" become a part of editor.
Consider the GEF Flyout Palette. It can be used either as standalone  
view or become a part of editor area. I believe it would be great if  
other views like Outline and Properties would follow the pattern. Many  
editors don't really need both views - i.e. JDT editor have little use  
for Proprties and some visual designer might not need the Outline - so  
current solution doesn't make effective use of the screen area.

I know that E4 has a new workbench model that should make such changes  
easier - but I wonder if there are some code examples for these  
particular tasks.

Best regards,
Eugene