Class Help

java.lang.Object
org.eclipse.help.standalone.Help

public class Help extends Object
This is a standalone help system. It takes care of launching the Eclipse with its help system implementation, and controling it. This class can be instantiated and used in a Java program, or can be launched from command line to execute single help action. Usage as a Java component:
  • create an instantance of this class and then hold onto this instance for the duration of your application
  • call start()
  • call displayHelp(...) or displayContext(..) any number of times
  • at the end, call shutdown().
  • Constructor Details

    • Help

      public Help(String[] options)
      Constructs help system
      Parameters:
      options - array of String options and their values

      Option -eclipseHome dir specifies Eclipse installation directory. This directory is a parent to "plugins" directory and eclipse executable. The option must be provided, when current directory from which infocenter is launched, is not the same as Eclipse installation directory.

      Option -host helpServerHost specifies host name of the interface that help server will use. It overrides host name specified in the application server plugin preferences.

      Option -port helpServerPort specifies port number that help server will use. It overrides port number specified in the application server plugin preferences.

      Option -dir rtl sets right-to-left rendering direction of help UI in the browser.

      Additionally, most options accepted by Eclipse execuable are supported.

    • Help

      @Deprecated public Help(String pluginsDir)
      Deprecated.
      use Help#Help(String[])
      This contstructs the stand alone help.
      Parameters:
      pluginsDir - directory containing Eclipse plugins
  • Method Details

    • start

      public void start() throws Exception
      Starts the stand alone help system.
      Throws:
      Exception
    • shutdown

      public void shutdown() throws Exception
      Shuts-down the stand alone help system.
      Throws:
      Exception
    • displayHelp

      public void displayHelp() throws Exception
      Displays help.
      Throws:
      Exception
    • displayHelp

      public void displayHelp(String href) throws Exception
      Displays specified help resource.
      Parameters:
      href - the href of the table of contents
      Throws:
      Exception
    • displayContext

      public void displayContext(String contextId, int x, int y) throws Exception
      Displays context sensitive help.
      Parameters:
      contextId - context id
      x - x coordinate
      y - y coordinate
      Throws:
      Exception
    • displayContextInfopop

      public void displayContextInfopop(String contextId, int x, int y) throws Exception
      Displays context sensitive help in infopop.
      Parameters:
      contextId - context id
      x - x coordinate
      y - y coordinate
      Throws:
      Exception
    • main

      public static void main(String[] args)
      Controls standalone help system from command line.
      Parameters:
      args - array of String containing options.
      Options are: -command start | shutdown | (displayHelp [href]) [-eclipsehome eclipseInstallPath] [-host helpServerHost] [-port helpServerPort] [-dir rtl] [platform options] [-vmargs JavaVMarguments]
      where:
      • href is the URL of the help resource to display,
      • eclipseInstallPath specifies Eclipse installation directory; it must be provided, when current directory is not the same as Eclipse installation directory,
      • helpServerHost specifies host name of the interface that help server will use, it overrides host name specified the application server plugin preferences
      • helpServerPort specifies port number that help server will use, it overrides port number specified the application server plugin preferences.
      • -dir rtl sets right-to-left rendering direction of help UI in the browser.
      • platform options are other options that are supported by Eclipse Executable.