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
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