[jbosstools-dev] Classpaths for projects targeting AS 7.2 / EAP 6.1

[Rob Stryker]

Hey guys:

So I've had this in the back of my mind for a bit and kinda forgot about 
it... But now users of JBossTools alpha release are starting to notice, 
and its time to bring it up again.

In the past, up until as 7.1, JBossTools would set a list of jars to 
automatically add to a project's classpath to help users get started. If 
they create a web project, or ejb project, or ear project, we'd 
helpfully add a bunch of common jars we're pretty sure users would on 
their classpath automatically.

For AS 7.2/EAP6.1, we currently return 0 jars. A user creating an as7.2 
runtime and a web project to go with it gets 0 jars, and 0 help at 
starting their project (unless they're using maven stuff or jboss 
central stuff). This was because we were informed it was inappropriate 
for us to just go willy-nilly poking around the modules folder ;)

I do remember discussing with some of the AS guys about this, but I 
can't seem to find a jira requesting API for us to figure out what jars 
should be made available to a client. So if anyone remembers a jira 
being created, that'd be great, otherwise I can make a new one.

Remember, our requirements are that this must be done based only on a 
non-running server, and preferably not launching a new VM or process to 
inspect an installation folder since that would count as long-running. 
Ideally this would just return a best-guess of what's publicly available 
to a majority of deployable units.

And of course I remember from the discussion that the list of jars would 
obviously change based on what kind of deployment needs access... and 
that any correct implementation would require a running server and 
jboss-modules fully loaded etc, but that's not what JBT is looking for. 
We're just looking for a best-guess that covers most of the bases.

Again, if we weren't told not to by the AS team, we'd probably just 
hand-pick a nice subset of jars that include javax packages and the 
like, but we've been repeatedly told that poking around the modules 
folder is inappropriate, so, guidance is requested.

Anyway, if anyone knows a jira that was opened for this (if one indeed 
was opened), I'd be glad to discuss the issue there. Otherwise, it'd be 
good to get some sense of what's possible and if it will be included in 
as7.2 or not.

Again, I'm not experienced at coding for app server, at all actually, 
but if I can be of any help at all in any way, I'd definitely be willing 
to try to make sure this stuff goes on. Currently exposing 0 jars seems 
very wrong and users will complain.