Using the global install handler

Install handlers are Java™ classes that are run by the Update Manager during the install, configuration, and uninstall processing of a feature.

Update manager can handle standard installation of features, plug-ins, and fragments without writing any Java code. However, if additional tasks are required to be performed during install, configuration, and uninstall processing, an install handler can be used to perform these tasks. An example of tasks that might be performed by install handlers include configuration file updates.

The client platform provides an install handler that can be used to perform updates to files present on the client system. The install handler provides additional capabilities beyond that offered by the default install handler provided by Eclipse. Capabilities provided by the install handler include the following: