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On Plug-ins and Extensible Architectures

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the not-exactly-frank-lloyd-wright-architecture dept.

gManZboy writes "Developers who want a flexible, configurable, IDE have long preferred plug-in architectures such as Eclipse over what they might view as the bloated, monolithic alternatives. Ever wondered how it all works? Well, ACM Queue just posted an article by someone who has worked on Eclipse since its inception, Dorian Birsan. He gives a great explanation of the Eclipse architecture as well as a thorough analysis of things to watch out for when developing or working with pure plug-in architectures."

8 of 173 comments (clear)

  1. Ever wondered how it all works? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Funny

    No

  2. Could you tone down the editorial bashing? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

    Might I suggest a slight rewrite of the first sentence:

    Developers who want a flexible, configurable, IDE have long preferred plug-in architectures such as Eclipse over what they might view as the alternatives that promote pedophilia and Satanism.

    It just sounds more professional.

  3. Surprisingly like cooking! (analogy) by FortKnox · · Score: 5, Funny

    The whole plugin environment works a lot like cooking a large meal. Add in extra ingredients, or substituting one ingredient for another can create a whole new experience. You could even use the same 'plugins' for different 'bases' if you provided the functionality correctly... like having pork (Java) as the basis for your sauce or chicken (.Net).

    But, it can be a tremendously dangerous[tt] if not done correctly, so you could almost make the analogy of baking instead of cooking. Only specific elements can be used or you could ruin the whole dish... could you relate bloated software that hardly runs with something like a ruined custard or creme brulee??

    --
    Good quote, too many chars. Seriously, the slashdot 120 char limit sucks!
  4. Article Text by MynockGuano · · Score: 5, Funny

    Plug-ins are implemented as the plug-ins plug-ins with plug-ins over plug-ins plug-ins plug-ins plug-ins plug-ins.

    Furthermore, plug-ins plug-ins plug-ins so that plug-ins plug-ins.

    Mine eyes glazeth over.

    P.S. plug-ins
    P.P.S I just like saying plug-ins. It's a funny word. Plug-ins. Hee!

    1. Re:Article Text by disposable60 · · Score: 4, Funny

      Malkovich? Malkovich! Malkovich. Malkovich.

      --
      You're looking for quotes? See my journal.
  5. This post was created by Timesprout · · Score: 4, Funny

    Using the Slashdot posting plugin for eclipse.

    --
    Do not try to read the dupe, thats impossible. Instead, only try to realize the truth
    What truth?
    There is no dupe
  6. Re:Surprisingly like cooking! (analogy) by smittyoneeach · · Score: 2, Funny
    I want the "all your plugins are belong to us" Borg plug-in.
    See emacs.
    --
    Get thee glass eyes, and, like a scurvy politician, seem to see things thou dost not.--King Lear
  7. Re:Joking, of course by ShadyG · · Score: 3, Funny
    When I have to Java, I use XCode, which takes about 30-50MB.

    Dude, that's THIRTY TO FIFTY MILLION BYTES!!! And I also do not know how big the Library of Congress is!
    --
    Nerd Rock In Progress