Setting up a Development Environment

Before you can start creating a new rule for Composable Architecture Platform, you need a suitable development environment. The following example illustrates how to set up a rule writing environment using Eclipse. We are making the assumption that you are familiar with Eclipse. If you are using an alternative development environment, then the instructions should still be useful for setting up your own particular project.

Within Eclipse, select File->New->Project..

Select the Java Project as shown:

Java project

Click on Next >.

Name your project. For this example, we have used MyTomorrowRule:

Project name

Click on Finish. If you are not already in the Java Perspective, you will be asked if you wish to switch to it:

Opening associated perspective

Click on Yes.

Your project is now visible and ready to configure:

Package exploere

We are now going to locate and copy the files we need for rules writing into a folder under the project. Start by signing in to the Composable Architecture Platform console as either a super user or an administrator, then click on the Base Rules extension.

You will have the option to download the extension:

Extension file

Save the downloaded extension to a convenient folder and unzip it. You will see the following file structure:

file structure

Right click the lib folder and select Copy.

Return to the Eclipse project, right click it and select Paste:

Paste

All of the libraries required for basic rule writing are now within the project:

Project files

Select the entire list of libraries, then right click and select Add to Build Path:

Build Path

Next, create an appropriate package for your rule:

Package

Name the package something that is unique, and preferably matches your organization’s naming conventions. In this case we have used software.tomorrow.rules.sample:

Java Package

Your project is now ready for you to begin coding.