Release 4.0 ; MyEclipse UML, Advanced Oracle Browser, JSF Designer, Visual HTML/JSP Web Designer, Hibernate 3, Spring and Tapestry IDE Integration, New Weblogic 9, Websphere 6, Geronimo 1.0 Appserver connectors
   
        More News and Noteworthy - 2.8/3.8 Beta-1/2 | 2.7 | 3.8.3/3.8.4  
 

Release 4.0 ; MyEclipse UML, Advanced Oracle DBase Connector, JSF Designer, Visual HTML/JSP Web Designer, Hibernate3 Enhancements, Tapestry & Spring IDE Integration, New Application Server Connectors for Weblogic 9, Websphere 6 and Geronimo 1.0 as well as Modular Feature set for Eclipse 3.1 (9/12/2005)


MyEclipse-UML
Pro Version Only (Windows & Linux)

  Key features include:

  • 6 UML Diagrams: Use-case, Class, Collaboration, State, Activity, Deployment,
  • Integrated Diagram Editor, Outline View, and Properties View
  • UML Perspective
  • Free-form figure drawing tools
  • Direct edit of Node and Connection details via Hot-Zones
  • Diagrams stored in UML Model Repository File (e.g., cardemo.umr)
  • No restriction on location or project type that may contain UML Model Repository files
  • Generate Java code from models
  • Export models as XMI 1.0 format
  • Export diagrams in image format: GIF, PNG, PS, EPS, SVG

New Milestone-2 and Milestone-3 features include:

  • Reverse-engineer UML class diagrams from any MyEclipse J2EE project or Eclipse Java project
    • Batch process reverse-engineer any combination of project, source-folder, Java package or individual class
    • Drag-n-drop any Java class or interface from the Eclipse PackageExplorer view onto any UML class diagram
    • Customizable reverse-engineering preferences
  • Drag-n-drop any UML artifact from the Outline view onto any compatible UML diagram
  • Auto-layout option for class diagram
  • Comprehensive Undo support for all operations
  • Numerous bug fixes

UML roundtrip - reverse Engineering


MyEclipse UML Perspective  The MyEclipse UML Perspective provides a workbench organization tailored to activities of the modeling process. Default views include the UML Diagram Editor, Outline View, and custom Properties View. Toolbar actions are contributed to make new diagram creation quick and simple.

MyEclipse UML Perspective provides a workbench organization tailored to activities of the modeling process


Example State Diagram

Example State Diagram


UML Diagram Editor

The UML Diagram Editor supports the navigation and editing of the diagrams that make up a UML Model Repository (UMR). The Diagram Editor's toolbar is customized with tools for each type of diagram. Additionally, a drop-menu enables direct navigation to any diagram within the UMR. New model elements (nodes) are added to a diagaram by selecting the item on the toolbar and then dropping it on the Diagram Editor's drawing surface at the desired position.

UML Diagram Editor

 

A rich set of actions are available for managing individual model element via custom context-menus. Right-click any element will display the element's context-menu.

managing individual model element via custom context-menus


  


MyEclipse UML Reverse-engineering - Batch Mode The MyEclipse UML Reverse-Engineering tools enable you to import the Java classes and interfaces from any Java project, source folder, Java package or source file. The reverse-engineering process is opening a UMR file. Then from the Eclipse menubar select UML>Reverse Engineer UML from Java...  This will launch the MyEclipse UML Reverse-Engineering Wizard. 

UML Reverse-Engineering tools  

Navigate to and select the Java source files to reverse-engineer

  Java source files to reverse-engineer  

Specify your processing preferences. Select Finish to initiate reverse-engineering process.

  initiate reverse-engineering 
          process


Drag-n-drop Reverse-engineering - Mode

You can seamlessly add Java classes and interfaces to any UML class diagram using drag-n-drop operations. Select one or more classes or interfaces from the Java PackageExplorer View. Then drag and drop them onto the active UML class diagram in the UML Diagram Editor.

Drag-n-drop Reverse-engineering 
          - Mode     


  UML class diagram using drag-n-drop operations


UML Diagram Creation

All constraints on UML diagram creation have been removed. Create any diagram at any time by selecting the appropriate action from the Eclipse toolbar.

UML Diagram Creation
  


UML Undo Edit Support

Full undo edit support is now available. 

UML Undo Edit Support
  


Diagram Editor - Hot Zones

The Diagram Editor enables you to directly modify nodes and connections through a concept known as a Hot-Zone. There are two type of Hot-Zones: text and connection.

The labels and text of any model element may be edited directly using Text Hot-Zones.  A Text Hot-Zone is an editable region within a node or at the center and end-points of a connection, e.g., association. The Hot-Zone is activated by dbl-clicking within its region. When activated a Hot-Zone presents a rectangular editable type-in field. The type-in field accepts direct type-in text and delete/cut/copy/paste operations. To commit the changes of a Text Hot-Zone select anywhere outside of the Hot-Zone edit region. The type-in region will disappear and be replaced with its content. 

UML Diagram Editor

 

Quick Connects are a type of Hot-Zone that provides fly-over short-cut association and generalization connections on a node. The user can quickly choose the connection type, e.g., association, generalization, self association, and drag the connection to another node to complete the connection.  

UML Quick Connects


UML Model Repository creation wizard

MyEclipse UML persists UML diagrams and model elements in a file known asthe UML Model Repository (UMR). A UMR has a file extension of " .umr". The creation and organization of UML Model Repositories is determined by the user. There are no restrictions to how many UMRs that can reside within a project or requirement that projects must be of a certain type to host a UMR. To create a UMR use the UML Model Repository Creation Wizard, File>New>MyEclipse>UML>UML Model Repository    

UML Model Repository creation wizard

 


Forward Engineer - UML2Java Generation

MyEclipse UML enables you to generate Java code directly from the class diagrams of your UML model.  The Model2Java Wizard automatically detects and preselects the source folders as destination targets for code generation.

Forward Engineer - UML2Java Generation


Free-form Drawing

Free-form figures and text may be added to any UML diagram using the Figure Tool.

UML Free-form Drawing


XMI 1.0 Export

Export UML models in XMI 1.0 format. From the context-menu of any diagram choose "Export as XMI 1.0".  This will launch the XMI Export Wizard that will guide you through the process of selecting an output location. and execution of the XMI translation process.

Export UML models in XMI format


Save Diagram as Image

Image Export Wizard enables you to save any UML diagram in image format. The image formats supported are: GIF, PNG, PS, EPS, and SVG. To save a diagram as an image right-click in the Diagram Editor to launch the Image Save Wizard.  The wizard enables you to specify the format and location of the image to save.

save any UML diagram in image format.


Diagram Printing

Diagrams can be printed to any connected printer.

Advanced Oracle Connector
Pro Version Only

  Key features include:

  • Browse, create and edit Oracle types:
    • Sequences
    • Triggers,
    • Stored Procedures
    • Functions
    • Packages
    • Package Bodies
    • Java Procedures
    • Sessions
    • Database Links
    • Dump metadata in XML and DDL
  •  Execute and test services for :
    • Stored Procedures
    • Functions
    • Packages
  • Generate metadata:
    • Extract in XML form
    • Extract in DDL form

Enhance DB Browser for Oracle

 When browsing an Oracle database connection, many of the advanced features are now available for viewing, editing, and executing Oracle types.


Edit Stored Procedures

 

 

Right clicking on an item under the PROCEDURE element will show the context-menu with new actions for running and editing stored procedures.

Clicking the "Open" action will open the stored procedure in the SQL Editor for editing.

 


Run Stored Procedures

The DB Browser will allow execution of any stored procedure.  Simply bring up the context-menu of a procedure and choose the "Run" action.

A Run Procedure dialog is displayed if any procedure takes any input.

The output is shown in a message dialog.

 


Edit and Run DB Functions

Database functions can be edited and executed in an Oracle database just like stored procedures.


Edit and Run Package Body

Database package bodies can be edited and executed in an Oracle database just like stored procedures.


Edit Database Triggers

Opening an Oracle trigger will allow it to be editied using the SQL Editor.


 


Working with Table Views

Table views are browsable just like normal tables.  The "Open" action is available from the context-menu in the DB Browser view.

After opening the view, it can be edited in the SQL Editor.

Two additional actions on the view will either generate a Select statement or a table script.

 

New views can be created from the context-menu of the "VIEW" folder.




View Sequences

The DB Browser allows viewing of defined sequences.


 


Extract DDL Metatdata

The database metadata can be extracted from any Oracle database element.  The XML and DDL forms of metadata is available from the context menu in the DB Browser.

Extract the DDL script for a Sequence from the context menu.

 


Extract XML Metatdata

Extract the XML Metadata for a Procedure from the context menu.


MyEclipse JSF Developer

  Key features include:

  • Support for Sun JSF RI 1.1.01 and MyFaces 1.0.9
  • Faces Config Designer (multipage editor)
    • Graphical Navigation Flow Designer
    • Advanced XML source editor
    • Multi-mode outline view
    • 10 Integrated JSF Configuration Wizards with MyEclipse J/Codegen Support
  • Integrated with MyEclipse Hot-Sync Deployment and WAR Export Tools
  • New MyEclipse Perspective exposes JSF Component Templates for JSP Development

MyEclipse Perspective with JSF Tools

 The MyEclipse Perspective layout has been modified to include the Snippets and Image viewer in lower left corner.

MyEclipse Perspective layout has been modified to include the Snippets and Image viewer in lower left corner


Sun JSF RI and MyFaces Support

 

 

MyEclipse now supports creation of JSF Web applications that use the MyFaces as the JSF implementation.  JSF implementation of your project is selected on the first page of the “Add JSF Support” wizard.

Sun JSF RI and MyFaces Support

Customize the Sun JSF RI implementation and MyFaces implementations through the MyEclipse Preferences.

Customize the Sun JSF RI implementation and MyFaces implementations through the MyEclipse Preferences

 


JSF Config Designer - Source Mode

The JSF Configuration Designer is a multipage editor that provides synchronized XML source and graphical navigation flow editing.  The XML editor mode provides syntax highlighting, context assistant and DTD-based. validation

JSF Config Designer - Source Mode

 


JSF Config Designer - Navigation Flow Design

Graphical navigation rule designer for easy navigation-rule definition and management. Palette provides tools for adding resources to the application flow. Additionally resource can be added to flow description by drag-n-drop from Project Explorer and Navigation views.

JSF Config Designer - Navigation Flow Design

 


JSF Config Designer - Outline View

The JSF Config Designer provides a synchronized Outline View for quickly navigating to elements of interest. Three display modes are provided: XML, JSF, and JSFCategory. JSF Category and JSF modes are shown below. The order of elements in the XML and JSF outline modes can be adjusted using drag-n-drop positioning to move elements up and down the list.. 

Outline View for quickly navigating to elements of interest     JSF Config Designer - Outline View

 


JSF Configuration  Wizards

MyEclipse provides easy-to-use wizards for creating and updating the XML elements of a JSF configuration file. Following is a list of the new wizards:

  • Application Wizard
  • Factory Wizard
  • Component Wizard
  • Converter Wizard
  • Managed-bean Wizard
  • Navigation-rule Wizard
  • Referenced-bean Wizard
  • RenderKit Wizard
  • Lifecycle Wizard
  • Validator Wizard

These wizards are available from the Outline menu and the context-menu of the JSF Config Designer's XML source mode.

JSF Configuration Wizards

 


JSF Configuration Wizard -Features

To minimize configuration errors all JSF Configuration Wizards provide integrated help assistance and perform advanced user input validation. Code completion available for many the input fields.


JSF Configuration Wizard -Features


JSF Configuration Wizards -  J/CodeGen Support

All JSF Configuration Wizards provide the user option to generate Java classes required by the particular configuration element of the wizard.  


JSF Configuration Wizards - J/CodeGen Support

 


Managed-Bean Configuration Wizard

The ManagedBean Wizard simplifies creation and maintenance of XML managed-bean elements and their corresponding managed-bean Java classes. The wizard enables you to manage a XML managed-bean element,  create and add properties to a new Java bean class or initialize the XML element from an existing Java bean class to which additional properties may be created.


Managed-Bean Configuration Wizard


MyEclipse Visual Web Designer
(Windows Only)

Milestone-3 introduces the new MyEclipse Visual Web Designer. This editor provides the following features:

  • Multiple page editor:
    • Source Mode
    • Visual Design Mode
    • Split-screen Source-Design Mode
    • Preview Mode
  • Visually layout and size HTML, JSF and Struts UI controls
  • Real-time synchronization between design and source modes 
  • Collapsible palette with 50+ design wizards for the creation of new web UI controls
  • Custom form-based property editors integrated with Properties View 
  • Drag-and-drop and copy/cut/paste UI controls and visually represented source artifacts
  • Visual controls depict fly-over details of the underlying source code
  • Design mode support for CSS styles
  • Code completion of elements and attributes
  • While-you-type and file save validation with Problems view support
  • Auto-correction support of JSP imports
  • Special support for default tag namespaces when editing JSP fragments that lack explicit
  • Show/hide non-visual tags in Visual Design Mode
Visual Web Designer for HTML and JSP

Visually layout and size HTML, JSF and Struts UI controls


MyEclipse Visual Web Designer - Wizards Over 50 wizards are accessible from the Visual Web Designer's embedded palette to assist with the configuration of HTML, JSF and Struts UI controls. The palette can be configured in embedded mode or fly-out mode. Following is the JSF Listbox wizard. The JSF wizards consists of 2 pages. Presentation details are presented on page-1. The action/event and component parameter configuration are configured on page-2.

Visual Web Designer's embedded palette to assist with the configuration of HTML, JSF and Struts UI controls     Visual Web Designer - Wizards


MyEclipse Visual Web Designer - Synchronized Modes All editor modes are synchronized such to reflect edits and selections between modes in real-time. This feature allows the user to quickly move between visual design and source editing modes without loosing the edit context. 

allows the user to quickly move between visual design and source editing modes


MyEclipse Visual Web Designer - Drag-n-Drop

Reposition UI controls using drag-n-drop operations.

Visual Web Designer - Drag-n-Drop Operations

Reposition UI controls using drag-n-drop operations

 

 


MyEclipse Visual Web Designer - Validation and Code Completion

The Source Mode of the MyEclipse Visual Web Designer provides full HTML and JSP editing support. The following image illustrates the code completion and real-time and save-time validation.

 Visual Web Designer provides full HTML and JSP editing support


  


MyEclipse Hibernate 2/3 Enhancements

Key MyEclipse Hibernate enhancements include:

  • Hibernate3 Support
  • New Hibernate Configuration editor
    • Change configuration file dynamically at any stage of the development process
    • Easily use an existing DB connection profile, key-in a new profile, or use a JNDI datasource
    • Add, remove and edit properties and mapping files using the new forms look-n-feel
    • Powerful XML editor for source editing with outline view
  • Simplified Hibernate support wizard
    • Add Hibernate support in 3 easy steps
    • Relaxed the need to supply properties and mapping information while adding Hibernate support

MyEclipse Hibernate3 Enhancements

 In addition to Hibernate 2.1 support, MyEclipse 4.0 milestone-2 has been extended to support Hibernate 3.0. The new features include:

  • MyEclipse 4.0 milestone-2 ships with Hibernate 3.0 libraries
  • Added Hibernate 3.0 support to the "Add Hibernate Capabilities" process
  • Hibernate 3.0 libraries can be easily modified through the MyEclipse preferences

 


MyEclipse Hibernate3 Preferences

The default Hibernate 3.0 libraries are shipped with MyEclipse Hibernate Tools. These libraries can be viewed and modified in the MyEclipse Preferences. Access them from the Eclipse menubar, Windows>Preferences>MyEclipse>Project Capabilities>Hibernate.


MyEclipse Hibernate3 - Add Capabilities   

The Add Hibernate Capabilities wizard includes an option to use Hibernate 3 or Hibernate 2.1.


  


Hibernate Configuration Editor

The comprehensive Hibernate Configuration Editor has 3 modes of operation: XML source mode, XML design mode, and structured forms Configuration mode.

comprehensive Hibernate Configuration Editor has 3 modes of operation: XML source mode, XML design mode, and structured forms Configuration mode.


Use the Connection Details section to quickly select an existing database connection profile or create a new profile.

Connection Details section to quickly select an existing database connection profile or create a new profile.


Alternatively configure a JNDI Datasource.

configure a JNDI Datasource


Add, edit or remove configuration properties and mapping files references.

Add, edit or remove configuration properties and mapping files references


The generated XML code can be viewed and editied in Source mode.

The generated XML code can be viewed and editied in Source mode


Hibernate Project Configuration Wizard

The Hibernate Project Support Wizard has been simplified to you to configure a Java project with Hibernate capabilities in 3 easy steps:


Wizard Page-1

The first page of the wizard enables you to specify if and where Hibernate libraries should be added to a Java project. Additionally it allows for specifying whether a new hibernate.cfg.xml file should be created or an existing or an existing configuration file should be used.

Hibernate Project Configuration Wizard


Wizard Page-2

On page-2 of the wizard specify the new configuration file's name and path properties.

specify the new configuration file's name and path properties


Wizard Page-3

Define the Hibernate session-factory to be used by the project. The session-factory is configured to use details from project's hibernate.cfg.xml file defined on Page-2 of this wizard.

Define the Hibernate session-factory


MyEclipse-Spring Tools

   MyEclipse 4.0 milestones 2 & 3 introduces support for Spring Project Capabilities based on Spring Framework 1.2.3 and an enhanced version of Spring IDE 1.2.2. The key features include:

  • New "Add Spring Capabilities" wizard
  • Spring Framework 1.2.3 and all dependent libraries are shipped to support the "Add Spring Capabilities" process
  • MyEclipse Spring Libraries
  • Enhanced Spring IDE features:
    • Bean View
    • Bean Graph View
    • Integrated MyEclipse XML editor default bean configuration editor
    • Bean file validation
    • 'S' character decoration for Spring enabled projects
    • Spring Framework Developer Manual
    • Spring IDE Developer Manual

MyEclipse Spring - Libraries MyEclipse Spring Tools include the full Spring Framework 1.2.3 core libraries and dependent libraries. They are packaged in the form of MyEclipse Libraries that can be added to any Java project's build-path during the Add Spring Capabilities process or from the project's build-path property sheet. The MyEclipse Spring Libraries are configured through MyEclipse preferences. 

  


MyEclipse Spring - Add Spring Project Capabilities

To enable a project with Spring Capabilities, select the project and launch the "Add Spring Capabilities" Wizard.

 

Select the MyEclipse Spring libraries that correspond to the level of Spring support your project will require. 


    

Specify the path to an existing bean configuration file or select the New option and provide the location and name where the new file will be created by the wizard

 


MyEclipse Spring - Project Properties

The MyEclipse-Spring project properties page enables the developer to identify the bean configuration files of the project. 


  


MyEclipse Spring - Bean Config View and MyEclipse XML Editor integration

The Bean Configuration View provides a structured view of a project's Spring configuration file(s). Spring IDE has been enhanced to enable it to interact with the MyEclipse XML Editor. Dbl-click any bean or property in the Bean Configuration View and the MyEclipse XML Editor is opened and positioned to the corresponding line.


  


MyEclipse Spring - Bean Configuration Graph View

The Bean Configuration Graph View provides a graphical view of a project's Spring configuration file(s). 


  


MyEclipse Spring - Help Documentation

MyEclipse bundles the Spring Framework Developer Manual and Spring IDE Help


  

 

MyEclipse Tapestry Integration

Key Tapestry Integration Features include:

  • Easily add Tapestry capabilities and dependencies to any MyEclipse Web Project.
    • Name your Tapestry application, designate the nature of the jars Tapestry requires, and optionally choose file generation templates.
    • Augment the project classpath, modify web.xml, and generate basic templated Tapestry files.
  • Specification Editor offers completion suggestions that apply in the Tapestry context
    • View useful information by hovering the mouse pointer over interesting points in the source.
    • Revalidates the source, as-you-type
  • Template Editor - A Tapestry aware markup editor
    • Edit any markup recognized by Tapestry
    • Hover help and as-you-type revalidation
  • Tapestry Project Validations
    • Completely revalidated projects
    • Drastically increase your development speed by reducing the develop->deploy->fix cyle

Add Tapestry Capabilities Wizard

Easily add Tapestry capabilities and dependencies to any MyEclipse Web Project.

Easily add Tapestry capabilities and dependencies to any MyEclipse Web Project.

Use the Wizard to name your Tapestry application, designate the nature of the jars Tapestry requires, and optionally choose file generation templates.

name your Tapestry application, designate the nature of the jars Tapestry requires, and optionally choose file generation templates

Completing the wizard performs tasks to augment the project classpath, modify web.xml, and generate basic templated Tapestry files.

augment the project classpath, modify web.xml, and generate basic templated Tapestry files


Specification Editor - A Tapestry aware XML Editor

In addition to DTD based syntax completion, the Specification Editor offers completion suggestions that apply in the Tapestry context.

Specification Editor - A Tapestry aware XML Editor

View useful information by hovering the mouse pointer over interesting points in the source.

hovering the mouse pointer over interesting points in the source

The Specification Editor revalidates the source, as-you-type.

The Specification Editor revalidates the source, as-you-type



Template Editor - A Tapestry aware markup editor

Most often used for editing HTML Files, the Template Editor can be used to edit any markup recognized by Tapestry.

Tapestry specific completion suggestions are available. Optionally, XHTML suggestions can be toggled via user prefences.

Template Editor - A Tapestry aware markup editor

Hover help and as-you-type revalidation are also available in the Template Editor.

Hover help and as-you-type revalidation are also available in the Template Editor.



Tapestry Project Validations

Projects with Tapestry capabilities are completely revalidated whenever the project is built by Eclipse.

Drastically increase your development speed by reducing the develop->deploy->fix cyle since project validation intercepts over 60 developer errors that will cause a runtime exception in a Tapestry application.

Tapestry Project Validations


Expanded Application-Server Connector Support

 Milestone-3 expands MyEclipse' application server support to 26 with the introduction of the 3 new application server connectors:

  • Weblogic9 Connector
  • Websphere6 Connector
  • Geronimo 1.0 Connector

MyEclipse application-server connectors provide user features that enable MyEclipse to deploy and undeploy J2EE applications to a local application-server instance, start and stop the server from within MyEclipse, perform native JSP deugging and hot-swap debugging of Java code, and perform hot-sync deployment of J2EE applications deployed in expoded format. 

Expanded Application-Server Connector Support

MyEclipse Weblogic9 Connector 

Weblogic9 connector configuration preferences

Weblogic9 connector configuration preferences

 


MyEclipse Websphere6 Connector 

Websphere 6 connector configuration preferences

Websphere 6 connector configuration preferences
  


MyEclipse Geronimo 1.0 Connector 

Geronimo 1.0 connector configuration preferences

Geronimo 1.0 connector configuration preferences

 


MyEclipse Platform Enhancements

 Milestone-3  MyEclipse Platform enhancements include:

  • Modularized MyEclipse feature-sets for independent update
  • Configurable MyEclipse User-interface feature-sets 

 


MyEclipse Modularity -  Feature-Sets

Eclipse "features" enable collections of plugins to be managed and updated as a single unit. MyEclipse was one of the 1st products to make effective use of "features" in its architecture. Now MyEclipse features have been significantly expanded and refactored. MyEclipse 4.0 will ship with 15 Eclipse features. This will enable future product updates to be smaller and localized to individual feature-sets.

  • MyEclipse Core - Platform (required)

  • J2EE Project Mgmt

  • Application Servers and Deployment

  • UML Modeling

  • Database Explorer

  • Web Editing and Validation

  • JSF Tools

  • Hibernate Development

  • Spring Framework Integration

  • Spring IDE Integration

  • Struts Tools

  • Tapestry Tools

  • Help 

  • Bugzilla 


MyEclipse UI Configurability -  Capabilities  

You can now configure the Eclipse desktop to show/hide the MyEclipse feature-sets using the Eclipse "capabilities" facility.

configure the Eclipse desktop to show/hide the MyEclipse feature-sets using the Eclipse "capabilities" facility 


MyEclipse Deployment Enhancement

 A new deployment option named "Overwrite Remote Resources" has been introduced. When this option is specified on the Deployment Wizard, then during deployment process if the MyEclipse Deployer writes all new deployment resource to the server's deployment location. The Deployer overwrites existing resources with their newer instance. The process is effectively a merge of the newer resources onto a deployment location with newer files overwriting older files.

new deployment option -  Overwrite Remote Resources