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Plugin Frameworks?

Kevin Lingofelter — Fri, 07 Apr 2006 19:40:20 GMT

Hello All!

Can anyone recommend a good plugin framework?

RE: Plugin Frameworks?

Trent L. Taylor — Fri, 07 Apr 2006 19:40:20 GMT

Kevin,

The problem that you run into in this arena is that plug-ins vary so much from app to app. In our medical system, we have implemented a plug in, so to speak, that allows users to download and purchase themes and then implement them. Granted this is a simple type of solution.

The only way you can really make a plug-in work is to create a set of classes and interfaces that allows other applications to be developed towards you application. If you create the foundational classes, it would be relatively easy to implement at that point using reflection and the activator classes.

Sorry this is a vague response, but there really isn't a defined standard for this type of implementation. :ermm:

RE: Plugin Frameworks?

Kevin Lingofelter — Fri, 07 Apr 2006 15:22:45 GMT

hehe...sorry...I suppose I could have a bit more vague...:D

I'm looking at implementing some sort of plugin architecture for the app I'm developing. I've done a little digging, but nothing has really jumped out...not even commercially, which is kind of suprising.

RE: Plugin Frameworks?

Trent L. Taylor — Fri, 07 Apr 2006 15:01:03 GMT

What are you attempting to do? If you want to create Visual Studio plug-ins, there really isn't anything. The most help you can get from here is by joining the VSIP (Visual Studio Industry Partner) program and get the VS SDK. You don't have to use the VSIP to create VS IDE integration, but to my knowledge nothing exists in the form of a framework. It is a matter of just digging it out and making it happen. Let me know if you were referring to another type of plug-in.