FAQ When do I need to write a plug-in install handler?

Writing a plug-in install handler is appropriate for most professional applications. Doing so is not only a comfort that most end users will expect but also allows you to perform custom installation, such as

• Moving data to other locations in the file system outside the install directory. This allows data to be shared by multiple applications or by multiple versions of your application.
• Reading or saving values in the Windows registry.
• Asking the user to confirm licensing terms.
• Searching for installed components, such as ActiveX or database drivers, that your application requires and installing them, if necessary.

When creating a feature using the PDE wizard, you get the option to specify an optional feature-specific install handler.

See Also:

• FAQ Can I use an installation program to distribute my Eclipse product?

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This FAQ was originally published in Official Eclipse 3.0 FAQs. Copyright 2004, Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. This text is made available here under the terms of the Eclipse Public License v1.0.