Demonstrations

In the first part of this demonstration, we will use visualization techniques to show how Eclipse utilizes plugins and its extension mechanism to form a basic runtime infrastructure that allows the design and implementation of IDEs and general applications. We will show how bytecode manipulation techniques can be used to instrument all the classes in all the Eclipse jars and what possible visualizations can be the result. We will start with a bird's eye view and gradually dive down into the gory details. The goal of this exercise is to gain a better understanding of the inner workings of Eclipse and to address bugs and performance issues of given plugins.

In the second part of the demo, we will investigate aspect-oriented programming using AspectJ. We will show how one can combine the world of Eclipse plugins and AspectJ. One such example would be a logging aspect, implemented as a plugin. Using aspect techniques on Eclipse plugin jars, would allow for the development of aspects that modularize crosscutting concerns across plugin boundaries. We will present an enhanced version of the Eclipse Core Runtime Platform that integrates load-time weaving functionality of the AspectJ language into the platform.

Attendees of this demonstration will see the running systems and how they can be used. The implementation details of both the visualization techniques used in part 1 and the enhanced Eclipse Core Runtime discussed in part 2 will be described in detail.