Integration with EMF.cloud Model Server on Eclipse IDE

[Avaritia1]

Hi! Currently, I've created a GLSP server using the template running on Eclipse based on Java and EMF. I now want to implement a GLSP server based on Java and EMF.cloud running on Eclipse. The idea is to build a graphical editor based on my model with connection to the server. But I found that there is no such combination template. I wonder if such a combination is possible? Or can you give me some suggestions or ideas to realize this integration? Thanks!

[ndoschek]

Hi @Avaritia1,

Thanks for your interest 🎉! Yes, there is one project-template available at https://github.com/eclipse-emfcloud/modelserver-glsp-integration/tree/main/project-templates/modelserver-glspjava-emf-theia.
Please note: Currently, there is one PR open, which updates to the latest GLSP RC version (see eclipse-emfcloud/modelserver-glsp-integration#56).

HTH and best regards,
Nina

[Avaritia1]

Hi @ndoschek ! Thanks for the help. After my research, I feel that it is too cumbersome to realize the combination of the front end of Eclipse IDE and the back end of Theia project (many API problems, etc.). So I decided to continue my project on this Theia based template.

The purpose of my project is to achieve collaboration, for example: first open an instance with localhost:3000, and then open an instance with localhost:3001. Both instances are based on the same model and use the model server for interaction. (for example, node movement on one instance will be received on the other instance). Do you think this idea is feasible? If so, can you provide some suggestions or ideas? Thanks!

[Avaritia1]

Hi @ndoschek! Do you have any suggestions or insights for my above thoughts? Any help would be much appreciated. Thanks in advance!

[ndoschek]

Hi @Avaritia1,
Glad to hear you continue your project with the EMF cloud project template!

In general, we didn't target the use case of supporting collaborative multi-user editing yet with the EMF cloud Model Server project, yet.
It's main purpose is to support editing and synchronizing across different editing capabilities inside one IDE, e.g. diagram, form-based and property editing for example.

However, to achieve support for multiple users, I assume at least the subscription handling needs to be extended to deal with multiple users simultaneously. Because in the end to work on the same resources, it is necessary to work with the same unique identifiers (modelURIs) to broadcast all updates.
Currently, we have not planned to extend the project in that area, but also, we would gladly appreciate contributions :)

Best, Nina

[Avaritia1]

Hi @ndoschek, I have another question about this template.

For now, I am trying to use my customized model instead of tasklist model. I think there should be a place for source model file (like model.ecore), right? If not, how does this project load or process the source model?

Thanks in advance!

[ndoschek]

Hi @Avaritia1,
Yes that assumption is correct.
This template consumes its model from the same repository, please see here.
This is mainly, to be able to reuse it in multiple projects.

So if you want to use your own custom model, you can use that as guideline. You will have to create your own custom ecore model and genmodel and the resulting generated source code.
You can include this "model project" to your application project next to the server components for example.
In the next step you will then have to take care of proper resource management for your custom model in the Model Server.
For this you will need to adapt the TaskListPackageConfiguration, TaskListResource, TaskListResourceSetFactory (you may want to adapt the names according to your model). ThePackageConfiguration links the file extension to your custom model EPackage.
The ModelResourceManager should then be able to handle your resources accordingly.

The next step is then to adapt the GLSP server to be able to process the new source model and generate the graphical model.

Best, Nina