Maemo Eclipse Integration 2nd Edition Alpha 1 released

Maemo Eclipse Integration 2nd Edition will offer the same functionality as 1st Edition plus some more features to both ESBox and Pluthon plugins. In addition to the native C programming language supported by the Maemo SDK, C++ and Python support for application development can also be added.

Release Information

Project:    Maemo Eclipse Integration 2nd Edition 
Version:    0.1 (Alpha 1)
Baseline:   Maemo 4.1.x Diablo Internet Tablet and maemo SDK
Date:       2008-11-14

Maemo Eclipse Integration 2nd Edition includes the following parts:

• Eclipse IDE for C/C++ Developers 
• Maemo PC Connectivity 
• Maemo ESBox plugin for Eclipse version 2.0.0M1 (updated from 1st Edition)
• Maemo Pluthon plugin for Eclipse version 2.0.0M1 (updated from 1st Edition)
• Maemo C++ and Python programming language support

New features introduced with Alpha 1 release (compared to Maemo Eclipse Integration 1st Edition)

For Alpha 1 release both ESBox and Pluthon plugin architecture was restructured to use common Maemo Eclipse plugin framework called Mica (Maemo Integration Common Architecture)

Maemo ESBox plugin for Eclipse new features introduced in Alpha 1

• architecture of plugin was restructured to support Mica plugin framework
• new C/C++ and Python project wizards will automatically install missing build/runtime dependencies in Scratchbox
• Eclipse DSF debugger framework integration 
• new template engine and wizard for C/C++ and Python 
• build configurations support, there is a one-to-one mapping from build target to build configuration
• autotools files editing ,you can edit *.ac, *.m4, and *.am files with the editor provided
• Eclipse TM/RSE framework integration with features such as remote file system explorer, remote process viewer, remote shell and terminal to the Internet Tablet
• new download method Copy via RSE (in addition to Copy via SSH and Mount via SBRSH) is added for Maemo Remote Application launch configuration
• full product build which allows user to get all requried Eclipse components by downloading and installing just one distribution package
• some bug fixes

Maemo Pluthon plugin for Eclipse new features introduced in Alpha 1

• architecture of plugin was restructured to support Mica plugin framework
• new template engine and wizard for Python
• it is possible to select what files you want to upload to the Internet Tablet
• build configurations support, there is a one-to-one mapping from build target to build configuration
• python debugger now stops on the breakpoints of source code
• full product build which allows user to get all requried Eclipse components by downloading and installing just one distribution package
• some bug fixes

There were no changes with Alpha 1 release to these products:

• Maemo PC Connectivity 1st Edition
• Maemo C++ and Python programming language support

Maemo Eclipse Integration 2nd Edition project plans to release several prereleases during 1H2009

• With Alpha 1 release true development process for all Maemo Eclipse Integration components starts with Garage open source projects using agile development process
• Next prerelease will be Alpha 2 that is planned to be released February 2009
• Planned new high level features for Alpha 2 release can be found from maemo.org wiki: http://wiki.maemo.org/EclipseIntegration

More information about Alpha 1 release for ESBox and Pluthon plugins and how to contribute to Alpha 2 release development can be found from following Garage project pages:

• http://esbox.garage.maemo.org/second_edition.htm
• http://pluthon.garage.maemo.org/second_edition.htm

1. Eclipse IDE for C/C++ Developers

Maemo Eclipse integration requires Eclipse 3.4.x and CDT 5.0.x versions. Instructions to install or update Eclipse IDE on the host PC can be found from the Eclipse IDE for C/C++ Developers pages at eclipse.org.

Notice that if only Maemo Pluthon plugin for Eclipse is used (it does not require Scratchbox and Maemo SDK installation on host PC) then also Windows platform can be used. This release of Maemo Pluthon plugin has only beta level support for Windows. 

2. Maemo PC Connectivity

Maemo PC connectivity packages are tools and other components developer needs to install into his Internet Tablet to enable connectivity between developer PC and Internet Tablet. This release of Maemo PC connectivity includes very basics e.g. mainly components needed for setting up USB networking with ssh, sshfs and NFS support for mounting disks between PC and Tablet and Scratchbox Remote Shell to support starting applications on SDK to run them on Internet Tablet.

Maemo PC Connectivity components can be installed from Maemo extras repository e.g. install maemo-pc-connectivity package to the Internet Tablet. Detailed instructions how to install and configure Maemo PC Connectivity can be found from maemo.org PC Connectivity page.

Main features: 

• Openssh used as basic connectivity framework.
• sshfs and NFS support for mounts between host PC and Tablet.
• sbrsh (Scratchbox Remote Shell) support to start applications on SDK to run on Internet Tablet.
• Easy installation using Application Manager or command line tools in Internet Tablet from Maemo extras repository.
• Support for USB networking (wlan and Bluetooth not tested).
• Configuration tool for Internet Tablet for easy PC-Tablet connectivity configuration.

3. Maemo ESBox plugin for Eclipse version 2.0.0M1

Maemo ESBox plugin for Eclipse IDE integrates Maemo SDK Scratchbox based development environment to the Eclipse development environment. ESBox plugin supports application development using C, C++ or Python programming language. Developers are able to do all their development work inside Eclipse, from starting the project using template to packaging final application into Maemo  installation package. 

Maemo ESBox plugin can be installed from ESBox project using standard Eclipse plugin installation.

Main features:

• Easy PC-Tablet connectivity with Maemo PC Connectivity.
• C, C++ and Python programming language support.
• Templates for the most common type of Maemo applications.
• Build application with x86 target.
• Launch and test application on x86 target.
• Debug application on x86 target.
• Search for memory leaks using Valgrind on x86 target.
• Cross-compile application with ARMEL target.
• Debug application on the Internet Tablet using GDB or GDB Server.
• Performance test on Internet Tablets using OProfile.
• Maemo installation package creation wizard.

4. Maemo Pluthon plugin for Eclipse version 2.0.0M1

Maemo Pluthon plugin for Eclipse IDE integrates Eclipse IDE development environment directly to the Internet Tablet so that Maemo Python developers do not need to use Maemo SDK and Scratchbox as development environment. Maemo Pluthon plugin fully supports application development process with Python where developer develops and tests his Python application directly with Internet Tablet. 

Maemo Pluthon plugin can be installed from Pluthon project using standard Eclipse plugin installation.

Main features

• Easy PC-Tablet connectivity with Maemo PC Connectivity.
• Python programming language support.
• Templates for the most common type of Maemo applications.
• Develop application directly on the Internet Tablet.
• Debug application on the Internet Tablet using pyDev.

5. Maemo C++ and Python programming language support

By default, the Maemo development environment supports the C programming language but you may add support for other programming languages. Instructions how to install Maemo support for C++ and Python application development can be found from maemo.org Programming Languages page.  

The Maemo development environment defines helpful meta packages that install all the components and tools for C++ and Python development for the for Maemo SDK and Internet Tablet.

Feedback can be sent to eclipse-integration AT maemo.org