Re: [eclipse.org-architecture-council] Proposal API/extension point desi

[David M Williams <david_williams@xxxxxxxxxx>]

Just to raise some more ideas ... 
Depending on the final scope, purpose,
and interest ....  

It might be useful to include or even
focus on an "API Tools" aspect to such a summit, or workshop.

You know, 'Discouraged access warnings'
are a good start ... what's next? 
And ... our favorite ... who's interested
in writing them :) 

Be sure to include Anti-API ... 
  what's bad API look like
  how/when do API become "hidden"
(compiles ok, 
      but leads to subtle,
hard to spot dependancies on certain 
      behavior, right
or wrong, that might lead to large re-writes later. 

besides Java and extension points, what
can be said about other languages? 
C++, _javascript_, taglibraries, webservices,
or even file formats? 
Still within or how-pertains to Eclipse
of course :) 

I think the final goals and deliverables
should be something more concrete and tangible.
Even if the very final form of the deliverable
goes beyond the workshop, the workshop 
could have a goal of a first draft,
of ... 
    - a book on Eclipse APIs
(don't know if it's still done, but there used to be books where 
         an
editor would collect and organize "chapters", each written by
a different person, therefore
         more
loosely organized than usual, but still organized. [Handbook of Human-Computer
         Interaction,
Ed. Martin Helander is one example of what I mean, if that helps.]

  - a tool to do xyz? 

   - an architecture or data
format that allows API tools to interoperate, or exchange data? 


Good idea Michael ... may be lots of
interest ... now, if we could plan to hold the summit on one of those cruise
ships ... :)

"Scharf, Michael" <Michael.Scharf@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent by: eclipse.org-architecture-council-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxx

05/11/2007 12:27 AM

Please respond to
"eclipse.org-architecture-council"        <eclipse.org-architecture-council@xxxxxxxxxxx>

To	<eclipse.org-architecture-council@xxxxxxxxxxx>
cc	"Scharf, Michael" <Michael.Scharf@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject	[eclipse.org-architecture-council] Proposal API/extension point        design workshop

Hi,

since we don't have regular architecture council meetings anymore
and we have decided to have workshops on special interesting topics,
I'd like to propose a workshop on API and extension-point design.

<when I say API this also includes the design of extension points>

What are the goals?
-------------------
- Exchange experiences with defining API
- Build up a tribal knowledge on APIs
- Learn from bad APIs
- Learn from successful APIs
- Sharpen your eye for good and bad APIs
- How make design extensible for the future (don't
  make your decisions today block you tomorrow)
- Get help on your current work on APIs
- ... what ever you want to share/learn about APIs
  and extension points

Who should come to the workshop?
--------------------------------
- Anybody involved in API design

How to prepare?
----------------
- Every participant has to submit a paper/slide deck 
- Come with some API you want to have reviewed or 
  where you need help.
- Bring some API you are proud of.
- Bring some API you struggle with.
- Bring examples of the evolution of your API.

What will we do?
----------------
- everybody/some will present the submitted paper
  (depending on the number of participants)
- we will split into small workgroups
  - focus on one participants API/problem
  - discuss it, dig into it (hands on!)
  - iterate until each member has been in the 
    focus


What do you think? 

Feel free to change the agenda, goals etc. 
This is just a first raw proposal!

Michael

-- 
Michael Scharf, Wind River
direct +49.6621.586.0139 mobile +49.173.664.2579 fax +49.6221.436.805
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