Understanding the Types of Projects

We mentioned this topic earlier, but it deserves a little more discussion now. Using the JDE Plug-in for Eclipse, you can create several types of BlackBerry projects. We’ve been making applications up to this point, but there are two others that you may end up using: libraries and alternate entry points.

Libraries

Libraries, like applications, are packaged as .cod files. They’re loaded onto a device in the same way. The difference is that they aren’t executed directly by the BlackBerry device; they contain code or resources used by one or more other applications. You may want to create a library to logically separate your code or reuse code between applications.

Creating a Library

Creating a library is similar to creating an application. From Eclipse you create a normal BlackBerry project. On Eclipse’s Package Explorer and under the newly created project, double-click the BlackBerry_App_Descriptor.xml file. You’ll see a screen similar to the one shown in Figure 3–5. On this screen, change the application type to Library.