Extend an existing Eclipse IDE

We can extend a compatible Eclipse integrated development environment (IDE) that is installed on our computer by adding the functions that are contained in the package we are installing. Some packages that we install might have the option to extend, or add, to the installed IDE additional functions that the installation kit provides. During installation, if the Extend an existing Eclipse IDE option is enabled on the Location page, the packages we are installing can extend an existing Eclipse IDE.

You might extend your existing Eclipse IDE, for example, to gain the functions that are provided in the installation kit, but also to preserve the preferences and settings in your current IDE. You might want to use plug-ins that we installed that already extend the Eclipse IDE.

Your existing Eclipse IDE must be version 3.2 or later to be extended. IBM Installation Manager checks that the Eclipse instance that you specify meets the requirements for the installation package.

When you extend an existing Eclipse IDE, Installation Manager allows the functionality in the installation package to be used within the existing Eclipse IDE. The files that provide the functionality are installed in the directory of the package group that you select.

The Eclipse instance that you choose to extend must have an initialization (.ini) file. If an .ini file does not exist, we must create an .ini file in the same folder as your Eclipse .exe file. The .ini file must have the same name as the Eclipse executable file. For example, if your Eclipse .exe file is product.exe, the .ini file must be named product.ini.

If we start your .exe file using certain vmargs arguments, we must add those arguments to the .ini file. After you add the arguments to the .ini file, we do not need to specify the vmargs arguments on the command line when you start the .exe file.

For more information about the Eclipse .ini file, see the Launcher.ini file section.

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