As mentioned in Chapter 1, Introduction, the main purpose of the EGT™ is to allow development using resources held in a Guvnor repository. The first task is to make a connection to a Guvnor repository. This is handled by the Connection Wizard (see Section 3.2, “Guvnor Connection Wizard”).

There are two methods of getting local copies of Guvnor repository resources:

When local copies of Guvnor repository files are created, the EGT sets an association between the local copy and the master file in the repository. This information is kept in the (normally) hidden .guvnorinfo folder in the local project and, like all metadata, should not be changed by end users.

Figure 2.1. .guvnorinfo metadata

The EGT decorates local resources associated with Guvnor repository master copies. This decoration appears in Eclipse views conforming to the Eclipse Common Navigator framework, such as the Eclipse Resource Navigator and the Java Package Explorer. In the image above you can see the Dummy rule.drl file with the decoration in the Resource Navigator. The Guvnor icon decorator is on the top right of the file image, and the Guvnor revision details are appended to the file name. The location of these can be changed in the Local Guvnor Repository Resource Decoration Preferences (see the Section 3.6.2, “Local Guvnor Repository Resource Decoration Preferences” section).

Here we see that the Dummy rule.drl file is associated with a Guvnor repository resource, and the local copy is based on revision 0, with a 02-10-2008, 4:21:53 date/time stamp. However, the file Sample.drl is not associated with a Guvnor repository file. Further details about the association can be found in the standard Eclipse properties page, accessed via the Properties option in the context menu:

Figure 2.2. Association Details

The EGT provides a number of actions (available through the Guvnor context menu on files) for working with files, both those associated with Guvnor repository master copies and those not associated. The actions are:

Each of these actions is described below.

2.3.2. Add Action

The Add action is available for one or more local files that are not associated with a Guvnor repository master copy. Choosing the Add action launches the Add to Guvnor wizard:

Figure 2.3. Add to Guvnor Wizard

The first page of the wizard asks for the selection of the target Guvnor repository, and provides the option of creating a new Guvnor repository connection (in which case the second page is the same as Figure 3.4, “Guvnor Connection Wizard”). Once the target Guvnor repository is chosen, the wizard then asks for the folder location to add the selection files:

Figure 2.4. Selecting a Target Folder

Here the defaultPackage folder is selected as the destination location.

Note:

Note that the snapshot folder in the Guvnor repository is read-only for EGT, and hence not visible as a candidate location in this wizard. The Guvnor repository web administration tools must be used to add snapshot content.

Clicking on the Finish button adds the selected files to the Guvnor repository and creates an association between the local and Guvnor repository files.

Note:

Note that the wizard will not allow existing Guvnor repository files to be overwritten. Another target location must be chosen.

2.3.5. Compare with Version Action

The Compare with Version action is enabled for one Guvnor repository associated file. This action first opens a wizard asking for the version for comparison (with the local file contents):

Figure 2.5. Compare with Version Wizard

Once the revision is selected, the action opens the Eclipse Compare editor (in a read-only mode):

Figure 2.6. Eclipse Compare Editor

This editor uses the standard Eclipse comparison techniques to show the differences in the two versions. In cases where there are no differences, the editor will not open, and instead a dialog saying that there are no differences will be displayed.

Figure 2.7. Alert Dialog

2.3.6. Switch to Version Action

The Switch to Version action is enabled for one Guvnor repository associated file.

First the Switch to Version action prompts for the selection of a version:

Figure 2.8. Select Version Window

Once the version is selected, the Switch to Version action replaces the local file contents with those from the revision selected.

2.3.7. Delete Action

The Delete action is enabled for one or more Guvnor repository associated files. After the action has been confirmed using the dialog shown below, the Delete action removes the files in the Guvnor repository and deletes local metadata for the Guvnor repository association.

Figure 2.9. Confirm Delete Dialog