Eclipse RCP Integration for Canoo's UltraLightClient

Canoo has released a plug-in for Eclipse 3.0 to run UltraLightClient (http://www.canoo.com/ulc [1]) applications within the Eclipse Rich Client Platform (RCP).
This plug-in enables Eclipse RCP to run server-side web applications with rich UIs, leveraging existing investments in web platforms while taking advantage of rich client usability.

Using this new plug-in and the UltraLightClient library, web applications can be equipped with rich user interfaces and integrated with Eclipse based productivity applications. UltraLightClient's integration in Eclipse combines rich and thin client technology, providing the missing puzzle piece to take advantage of both worlds.

The plug-in source code is available for download at the UltraLightClient Community website (http://ulc-community.canoo.com [2]).

Easy Development, Easy Deployment
The UltraLightClient Java library offers a server-side API to Swing, providing rich graphical user interfaces for J2EE applications in a thin-client architecture. ULC builds o­n available developer know-how: it follows the Swing API, yet shields the developer from the complexities of client/server code distribution by taking care of the code split and optimized communication. Developing scalable server-side web applications becomes as easy as developing stand-alone Swing applications.

Application releases are deployed o­n the server o­nly. The UI is handled by an application-independent Java presentation engine distributed as an applet to a browser, to Eclipse RCP, or via Java Web Start.

UltraLightClient Community
Canoo recently launched a code community for UltraLightClient at:
http://ulc-community.canoo.com [3]
The aim is to provide a platform for developers to share useful extensions, add-ons and integration snippets. All code contributions are free.
Current contributions include:
- an application template,
- an integration of JFreeChart,
- a sample e-commerce application,
- an extension for user interface testing with Jemmy,
- LOG4J integration

About Canoo
Canoo (http://www.canoo.com [4]) is specialized in object-oriented, J2EE-based software, delivering solutions for business applications and products for software development.

Canoo is participating in the Eclipse Visual Editor project. The Swiss-based company has ported its ULC Visual Editor to the new Eclipse visual GUI construction and editor platform.