Guidelines

OpenOffice.org Developer's Guide

Writing UNO Components

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• Required Files
• Using UNOIDL to Specify New Components

• Writing the Specification

• Preprocessing
• Grouping Definitions in Modules
• Simple Types
• Defining an Interface
• Defining a Service
• Defining a Sequence
• Defining a Struct
• Defining an Exception
• Predefining Values
• Using Comments
• Singleton
• Reserved Types
• Published Entities

• Generating Source Code from UNOIDL Definitions

• Component Architecture
• Core Interfaces to Implement

• XInterface
• XTypeProvider
• XServiceInfo
• XWeak
• XComponent
• XInitialization
• XMain
• XAggregation
• XUnoTunnel

• Simple Component in Java

• Class Definition with Helper Class
• Implementing Your Own Interfaces
• Providing a Single Factory Using a Helper Method
• Write Registration Info Using a Helper Method
• Implementing without Helpers
• Storing the Service Manager for Further Use
• Create Instance with Arguments
• Possible Structures for Java Components
• Running and Debugging Java Components

• Register Component File
• Make Registration Available to OpenOffice.org
• Test the Registration
• Debugging
• The Java Environment in OpenOffice.org
• Troubleshooting

• C++ Component

• Class Definition with Helper Template Classes
• Implementing your own Interfaces
• Providing a Single Factory Using a Helper Method
• Write Registration Info Using a Helper Method
• Provide Implementation Environment
• Implementing without Helpers
• Storing the Service Manager for Further Use
• Create Instance with Arguments
• Multiple Components in One Dynamic Link Library
• Building and Testing C++ Components

• Integrating Components into OpenOffice.org

• Protocol Handler

• Implementation
• Configuration
• Installation

• Jobs

• Execution Environment
• Implementation
• Initialization
• Returning Results
• Configuration
• Installation
• Using the vnd.sun.star.jobs: URL Schema
• List of Supported Events

• Add-Ons

• Guidelines
• Configuration

• Menus
• Toolbars
• Images for Toolbars and Menus
• Help Integration

• Installation

• Disable Commands
• Intercepting Context Menus

• File Naming Conventions
• Deployment Options for Components

• Command Line Registry Tools
• Manual Component Installation
• Bootstrapping a Service Manager
• Special Service Manager Configurations

• The UNO Executable

• Standalone Use Case
• Server Use Case
• Using the UNO Executable

• Accessing Dialogs

• Assigning Component Methods to Control Events
• Using Dialogs in Components

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For a smooth integration, a developer should be aware of the following guidelines:

Add-Ons Submenu

• Since the Tools - Add-Ons menu is shared by all installed add-ons, an add-on should save space and use a submenu when it has more than two functions. The name of the add-on should be part of the menu item names or the submenu title.
• If your add-on has many menu items, use additional submenus to enhance the overview. Use four to seven entries for a single menu. If you exceed this limit, start creating submenus.

Custom Top-Level Menu

• Only frequently used add-ons or add-ons that offer very important functions in a user environment should use their own top-level menu.
• Use submenus to enhance the overview. Use four to seven entries for a single menu. If you exceed this limit, start creating submenus.
• Use the option to group related items by means of separator items.

Toolbar

• Only important functions should be integrated into the toolbar.
• Use the option to group functions by means of separator items.

Add-On Help menu

Every add-on should provide help to user. This help has to be made available through an entry in the OpenOffice.org Help menu. Every add-on should only use a single Help menu item.

If the add-on comes with its own dialogs, it should also offer Help buttons in the dialogs.

Content on this page is licensed under the Public Documentation License (PDL).