Creating pattern projects and libraries

A pattern library project is a standard Eclipse plug-in project that employs a Pattern Plug-in template. Creation of a pattern library project results in the generation of custom pattern plug-in files, pattern library Java files, and a RAS asset manifest file.

About this task

Rational® design patterns are Java-based patterns that are applied to UML models. You can share patterns that you create with other Rational pattern users using the RAS asset export and import utilities. A pattern repository is automatically created for you to list all of the patterns available to you on you workstation. In addition, you can create a repository using the Reusable Asset Specification (RAS) capability to create and organize a shared pattern archive.

To create the pattern library project and the pattern library:

Procedure

  1. Click File > New > Project to open the New Project wizard.
  2. Select the Show All Wizards check box, expand Plug-in Development, click Plug-in Project, and click Next.
  3. If the Confirm Enablement window opens, click OK to enable the Eclipse plug-in development capability. This may assist you in using these instructions.
  4. On the Plug-in Project page, type a name in the Project name field, and click Next to open the Plug-in Content page.
  5. Accept the defaults on this page and click Next to open the Templates page.
  6. Select the Create a plug-in using one of the templates check box and, in the list of available templates, click Plug-in with Patterns.
  7. Click Next to go to the Pattern Library page.
  8. Accept the default names for the pattern library and click Finish.
  9. If the Confirm Perspective Switch window opens, optionally click YES to open the Plug-in Development perspective. This may assist you in using these instructions. The new pattern library node appears in the Patterns Authoring view, the supporting RAS metafile for the library and the Java classes for the pattern library are created.
  10. If the Confirm Enablement window opens, click OK to enable the Reusable Asset Management capability. This capability, based on the Reusable Asset Specification (RAS) based capability supports the packaging and documentation of the pattern.

Results

You are ready to add patterns and parameters to the new pattern library.


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