Chapter 1. Introduction
Prev		Next

Chapter 1. Introduction

The OMNeT⁠+⁠+ IDE is based on the Eclipse platform which is an extensible, Java based framework. While it started as an IDE framework only, its main goal is to be a generic integration platform. Extensions (called plug-ins) can be written in Java language. Plug-ins can be simply added to an existing Eclipse installation, extending it with new functionality by contributing various user interface elements into the platform user interface.

The OMNeT⁠+⁠+ IDE is in fact an Eclipse installation with some additional - simulation related - tools pre-installed:

The OMNeT⁠+⁠+ feature which contains all OMNeT⁠+⁠+ specific tools you use: the NED, MSG and INI file editor, simulation launcher, result analysis tools, sequence char view, documentation generator etc.
CDT (C/C⁠+⁠+ Development Tooling - eclipse.org/cdt) - for C⁠+⁠+ development and debugging. This feature integrates with the standard gcc toolchain and the gdb debugger.
Version control integration plug-ins for Git and Subversion.

To keep the size of OMNeT⁠+⁠+ distribution small, the OMNeT⁠+⁠+ IDE does not contain the tools required for Java development. If you would like to develop your own plug-ins for the IDE, you will need to install some additional components manually:

JDT (Java Development Tools) - for generic Java development. JDT contains a Java compiler and all the editors debuggers and tools used during Java development.
PDE (Plug-in Development Environment) - this component contains additional tools, API definitions and documentation for developing plug-ins. PDE requires the presence of JDT.

We recommend first learning the basics of Eclipse plug-in development. The best place to start is the Platform Plug-in Developer Guide which can be accessed from the Help menu after you have installed the PDE. Of course, you will need some Java programming experience as well.

Prev		Next
OMNeT⁠+⁠+ IDE Developers Guide	Home	Chapter 2. Installing the Plug-in Development Environment