Java Reference
In-Depth Information
access the repository with the help of the Plugin Manager, accessible through the
Plugins
button in the
IDE
Settings pane.
With the help of the provided open
API
, you can extend almost every aspect of
IDEA
's functionality. For example, it's possible to do the following:
Add new intention actions
■
Add new code inspections
■
Integrate new code editing features
■
Implement new refactorings
■
Incorporate new tool windows
■
Integrate with new version control systems, or extend existing
VCS
integra-
tions
■
Provide integration with application servers
■
Embed new types of editors (for example, for viewing images or other file
types)
■
We obviously don't have enough room in this book to list all the opportunities
provided by the open
API
, because there are almost no restricted areas for exten-
sions. To learn more about
IDEA
plugin development, visit the dedicated commu-
nity-driven web site at www.intellij.org/twiki/bin/view/Main/Intelli
JP
luginsHome.
13.6 Summary
On projects of any significant magnitude, the software development process
always encounters interruptions in its smooth and steady flow. The act of intro-
ducing new features and eliminating bugs requires you to simultaneously edit
files from all over the source tree; unforeseen features and refactorings reveal
themselves deep in code, and you can't immediately address them without affect-
ing the project schedule; part of the build, test, and audit process involves run-
ning third-party tools that aren't integrated with the development environment
and yet affect it considerably.
These problems, although significant, are commonplace and can be reduced
in scope with the proper support.
IDEA
has included features such as source code
bookmarks, cataloging and highlighting of ToDo comments in source code, the
Commander for large-scale file-based refactorings, and a generic external tool
integration mechanism to alleviate a large portion of these headaches. In addi-
tion, the Open
API
gives you the power to extend
IDEA
in a coherent way.
