Define Theia default package for installer

[koegel]

We need to define what to include in terms of extensions and plugins.

Initial suggestion:

• Edit, Launch and Debug JS, Typescript and Java Code
• Edit XML and JSON files with syntax highlighting
• Git Integration (Clone, push, pull, commit, checkout, diff)

In addition we could add some features to showcase the flexibility of the Theia platform:

• A code generator based on Xtend
• A textual editor for an XText-based DSL
• A form-based editor (e.g. for editing bug reports)
• A graphical editor or visualization (e.g. editing diagrams for Ecore)

[koegel]

We (EclipseSource) intend to work on this on behalf of ST Microelectronics.

[koegel]

The current product is configured so it can be used to edit, run and debug JavaScript, Typescript and Java code. We decided to aim for a product that contains all required features to be able to work on the Theia code-base.

[marcdumais-work]

edit, run and debug JavaScript, Typescript and Java code. We decided to aim for a product that contains all required features to be able to work on the Theia code-base.

That's a very good start, and the list of "included by default" extensions can be enhanced at any time.

[marcdumais-work]

As an enhancement you can consider including the full set of vscode built-ins (minus exceptions). Usually the Microsoft or 3rd party extensions will not re-implement features provided by built-ins. So you might e.g. have a user install the MS python extension, have LS support and other advanced features but no syntax highlight because the vscode.python extension, that provides the TExtmate grammar, is missing. The user could install it, if they know-to.

[marcdumais-work]

cc: @vince-fugnitto

[koegel]

As an enhancement you can consider including the full set of vscode built-ins (minus exceptions). Usually the Microsoft or 3rd party extensions will not re-implement features provided by built-ins. So you might e.g. have a user install the MS python extension, have LS support and other advanced features but no syntax highlight because the vscode.python extension, that provides the TExtmate grammar, is missing. The user could install it, if they know-to.

Good point. How can we include all of them? Is there a list somewhere?

[marcdumais-work]

Good point. How can we include all of them? Is there a list somewhere?

No, I do not think so. I think we should have a way to list them. Would you open an issue on the vscode-builtin-extensions repo about this?

For a quick list, see the main repo's example app. The only thing is that their versions have not been updated in a while.
https://github.com/eclipse-theia/theia/blob/master/package.json#L86-L154

[koegel]

Ok, thanks.
And sure, I opened an issue.

[koegel]

To add all built-ins to blueprint I also created an issue separate from this one.

[marcdumais-work]

Good point. How can we include all of them? Is there a list somewhere?

No, I do not think so.

There is now an easy way to add all built-ins, in one operation - the built-in extensions pack:
https://open-vsx.org/extension/eclipse-theia/builtin-extension-pack/1.50.0

There are still things to iron-out, like we'd probably want the extensions to be fetched/installed at build-time rather than runtime. See this draft PR (not to be merged at this time), the first step in using the pack.
#93