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1 files changed, 39 insertions, 14 deletions
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 8de5178..ca9bedf 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ declared by application or other plugins. Also a plugin can define extension poi
Features/Benefits
-------------------
With PF4J you can easily transform a monolithic java application in a modular application.
-PF4J is an open source (Apache license) lightweight (around __50 KB__) plugin framework for java, with minimal dependencies (only slf4j-api) and very extensible (see PluginDescriptorFinder and ExtensionFinder).
+PF4J is an open source (Apache license) lightweight (around __50 KB__) plugin framework for java, with minimal dependencies (only slf4j-api) and very extensible (see `PluginDescriptorFinder` and `ExtensionFinder`).
Practically PF4J is a microframework and the aim is to keep the core simple but extensible. I try to create a little ecosystem (extensions) based on this core with the help of the comunity.
For now are available these extensions:
@@ -39,11 +39,15 @@ Components
Any java interface or abstract class can be marked as an extension point (implements `ExtensionPoint` interface).
- **Extension** is an implementation of an extension point. It's a java annotation on a class.
+**PLUGIN** = a container for **EXTENSION POINTS** and **EXTENSIONS** + lifecycle methods (start, stop, delete)
+
+A **PLUGIN** is similar with a **MODULE** from other systems. If you don't need lifecycle methods (hook methods for start, stop, ...) you are not forced to supply a plugin class (the `PluginClass` property from the plugin descriptor is optional). You only need to supply some description of plugin (id, version, author, ...) for a good tracking (your application want to know who supplied the extensions or extensions points).
+
How to use
-------------------
It's very simple to add pf4j in your application.
-Define an extension point in your application using **ExtensionPoint** interface marker:
+Define an extension point in your application/plugin using **ExtensionPoint** interface marker:
```java
public interface Greeting extends ExtensionPoint {
@@ -53,28 +57,49 @@ public interface Greeting extends ExtensionPoint {
}
```
-Create a plugin that contribute with an extension:
+Create an extension using `@Extension` annotation:
```java
+@Extension
+public static class WelcomeGreeting implements Greeting {
+
+ public String getGreeting() {
+ return "Welcome";
+ }
+
+}
+```
+
+Create (it's optional) a `Plugin` class if you are interested for plugin's lifecycle events (start, stop, ...):
+
+```java
public class WelcomePlugin extends Plugin {
public WelcomePlugin(PluginWrapper wrapper) {
super(wrapper);
- }
- @Extension
- public static class WelcomeGreeting implements Greeting {
-
- public String getGreeting() {
- return "Welcome";
- }
+ // you can use "wrapper" to have access to the plugin context (plugin manager, descriptor, ...)
+ }
+ @Override
+ public void start() {
+ System.out.println("WelcomePlugin.start()");
}
+ @Override
+ public void stop() {
+ System.out.println("WelcomePlugin.stop()");
+ }
+
+ @Override
+ public void delete() {
+ System.out.println("WelcomePlugin.delete()");
+ }
+
}
```
-In above code I created a plugin that comes with one extension for the `Greeting` extension point.
+In above code I created a plugin (welcome) that comes with one extension for the `Greeting` extension point.
You can distribute you plugin as a jar file (the simple solution). In this case add the plugin's metadata in `MANIFEST.MF` file of jar:
@@ -91,8 +116,8 @@ Plugin-Provider: Decebal Suiu
Plugin-Version: 0.0.1
```
-In above manifest I described a plugin with id `welcome-plugin`, with class `org.pf4j.demo.welcome.WelcomePlugin`, with version `0.0.1` and with dependencies
-to plugins `x, y, z`.
+In above manifest I described a plugin with id `welcome-plugin` (mandatory), with class `org.pf4j.demo.welcome.WelcomePlugin` (optional), with version `0.0.1` (mandatory) and with dependencies
+to plugins `x, y, z` (optional).
Now you can play with plugins and extensions in your code:
@@ -101,7 +126,7 @@ public static void main(String[] args) {
...
// create the plugin manager
- PluginManager pluginManager = new DefaultPluginManager();
+ PluginManager pluginManager = new DefaultPluginManager(); // or "new JarPluginManager()"
// start and load all plugins of application
pluginManager.loadPlugins();