SWT

Native tree with columns

The SWT Tree widget can now display multiple columns. New API in Tree, TreeItem, and TreeColumn provides the same support for columns as Table. This obsoletes the TableTree widget, which is now deprecated.

For more details see the example snippet.

Reorderable table columns

The display order of columns in a table can be changed by dragging the column header (as well as being set programmatically).

For more details see the example snippet.

Windows XP look and feel for Buttons

Under Windows XP, buttons with images now show the expected look and feel for the current skin.

For more details on Windows XP skins, see the SWT FAQ.

SWT Browser widget improvements

On Windows, new window requests can now be opened in a standalone Internet Explorer browser. A new flag (required) added to the WindowEvent notification specifies whether the platform requires the user to provide a Browser to handle the new window or if the request will open in a standalone system browser otherwise.

Eclipse RCP launcher improvements

The Eclipse launcher supports new arguments (-name and -startup) and a new configuration file to improve customization for RCP applications. For details, see the Eclipse Launcher description.

Starting SWT standalone applications inside Eclipse is now easy

You can now run and debug your SWT application quickly and easily using the new SWT application launcher. It handles such things as identifying the location of the SWT native libraries. A shortcut to the launcher is available in the context menu of your Java class via Run As > SWT Application.

Advanced graphics

New API has been added for advanced graphics operations such as path for curves and lines, alpha blending and transformations. This new API requires the Cairo Vector engine on GTK and Motif, and GDI+ on Windows.

For more details see the example snippet.

New Link widget

The new Link widget displays text containing hyperlinks.

For more details, see the example snippet.

Remove widgets from Layout

RowData and GridData have a new exclude attribute for removing the associated widget from the layout management. Previously, applications had to dispose and recreate widgets to achieve this effect.

For more details, see the example snippet.

PDE

Build an Eclipse product with a single click

The product configuration editor manages all aspects of a product from basic definition to branding. You can create plug-in-based and feature-based products. The overview page provides hot links to test and export the product.

More RCP templates

New feature and update site manifest editors