Developing Plugin Programs

In this chapter. . .

• Understanding plug-in programs
• Using the API documentation
• Developing plug-in programs
• Creating a self-contained plug-in frame
• Installing a plug-in
• Examples of MIPAV plug-ins
  • Plug-in CT_MD, a typical plug-in program
    • PlugInAlgorithmCT_MD.java
    • Plug-in CT_MD.java

Developing and using plug-in programs

A plug-in program allows you to add customized functionality to MIPAV. Before you create a plug-in, you should have a strong understanding of the underlying structure of MIPAV's software design and data structure. Because plug-ins are written in Java, you should also have a basic understanding of that programming language. After you create the plug-in, you must then install it. Once it is installed, you can access it from the Plug-Ins menu in the main MIPAV window.

Users who know how to program in Java can write a plug-in program that adds support for a new file format, creates a new view, or applies a new algorithm to an image.

This chapter does not intended to explain how to write a Java program; rather it presents information to help users who are writing plug-in programs to customize MIPAV.

You can find in this chapter how to:

• Gain access to and use the online MIPAV application programming interface (API) documentation
  
• Determine which version of Java to use
  
• Select one of the three plug-in types
  
• Include mandatory lines of code in plug-in programs so that they interface correctly with MIPAV