Refactory: removed unnecessary local variables and imports.
[phpeclipse.git] / net.sourceforge.phpeclipse.externaltools / src / net / sourceforge / phpdt / externaltools / launchConfigurations / ExternalToolsUtil.java
index c5c5555..50fd0c0 100644 (file)
@@ -23,6 +23,9 @@ import net.sourceforge.phpdt.externaltools.model.ToolUtil;
 import net.sourceforge.phpdt.externaltools.variable.ExpandVariableContext;
 import net.sourceforge.phpeclipse.externaltools.ExternalToolsPlugin;
 
+import org.eclipse.jface.dialogs.MessageDialog;
+import org.eclipse.ui.IWorkbenchWindow;
+import org.eclipse.ui.PlatformUI;
 import org.eclipse.core.resources.IResource;
 import org.eclipse.core.runtime.CoreException;
 import org.eclipse.core.runtime.IPath;
@@ -45,319 +48,402 @@ import org.eclipse.debug.core.ILaunchManager;
  */
 public class ExternalToolsUtil {
 
-  private static final String LAUNCH_CONFIG_HANDLE = "LaunchConfigHandle"; //$NON-NLS-1$
+       private static final String LAUNCH_CONFIG_HANDLE = "LaunchConfigHandle"; //$NON-NLS-1$
 
-  /**
-   * Not to be instantiated.
-   */
-  private ExternalToolsUtil() {
-  };
+       /**
+        * Not to be instantiated.
+        */
+       private ExternalToolsUtil() {
+       };
 
-  /**
-   * Throws a core exception with an error status object built from the given message, lower level exception, and error code.
-   * 
-   * @param message
-   *          the status message
-   * @param exception
-   *          lower level exception associated with the error, or <code>null</code> if none
-   * @param code
-   *          error code
-   */
-  protected static void abort(String message, Throwable exception, int code) throws CoreException {
-    throw new CoreException(new Status(IStatus.ERROR, IExternalToolConstants.PLUGIN_ID, code, message, exception));
-  }
+       /**
+        * Throws a core exception with an error status object built from the given
+        * message, lower level exception, and error code.
+        * 
+        * @param message
+        *            the status message
+        * @param exception
+        *            lower level exception associated with the error, or
+        *            <code>null</code> if none
+        * @param code
+        *            error code
+        */
+       protected static void abort(String message, Throwable exception, int code)
+                       throws CoreException {
+               throw new CoreException(new Status(IStatus.ERROR,
+                               IExternalToolConstants.PLUGIN_ID, code, message, exception));
+       }
 
-  /**
-   * Returns active variable context. The active variable context is used to expand variable expressions. If the workspace is
-   * currently being built, the context is associated with the project being built. Otherwise, the context is associated with the
-   * selected resource.
-   * 
-   * @return active variable context
-   */
-  public static ExpandVariableContext getVariableContext() {
-    return VariableContextManager.getDefault().getVariableContext();
-  }
+       /**
+        * Returns active variable context. The active variable context is used to
+        * expand variable expressions. If the workspace is currently being built,
+        * the context is associated with the project being built. Otherwise, the
+        * context is associated with the selected resource.
+        * 
+        * @return active variable context
+        */
+       public static ExpandVariableContext getVariableContext() {
+               return VariableContextManager.getDefault().getVariableContext();
+       }
 
-  /**
-   * Expands and returns the location attribute of the given launch configuration, based on the given variable context. The location
-   * is verified to point to an existing file, in the local file system.
-   * 
-   * @param configuration
-   *          launch configuration
-   * @param context
-   *          context used to expand variables
-   * @return an absolute path to a file in the local file system
-   * @throws CoreException
-   *           if unable to retrieve the associated launch configuration attribute, if unable to resolve any variables, or if the
-   *           resolved location does not point to an existing file in the local file system
-   */
-  public static IPath getLocation(ILaunchConfiguration configuration, ExpandVariableContext context) throws CoreException {
-    String location = configuration.getAttribute(IExternalToolConstants.ATTR_LOCATION, (String) null);
-    if (location == null) {
-      abort(MessageFormat.format(ExternalToolsLaunchConfigurationMessages
-          .getString("ExternalToolsUtil.Location_not_specified_by_{0}_1"), new String[] { configuration.getName() }), null, 0); //$NON-NLS-1$
-    } else {
-      MultiStatus status = new MultiStatus(IExternalToolConstants.PLUGIN_ID, 0, ExternalToolsModelMessages
-          .getString("RunExternalToolAction.runProblem"), null); //$NON-NLS-1$;
-      String expandedLocation = ToolUtil.expandFileLocation(location, context, status);
-      if (status.isOK()) {
-        if (expandedLocation == null || expandedLocation.length() == 0) {
-          String msg = ExternalToolsModelMessages.format(
-              "DefaultRunnerContext.invalidLocation", new Object[] { configuration.getName() }); //$NON-NLS-1$
-          abort(msg, null, 0);
-        } else {
-          File file = new File(expandedLocation);
-          if (file.isFile()) {
-            return new Path(expandedLocation);
-          } else {
-            String msg = ExternalToolsModelMessages.format(
-                "DefaultRunnerContext.invalidLocation", new Object[] { configuration.getName() }); //$NON-NLS-1$
-            abort(msg, null, 0);
-          }
-        }
-      } else {
-        throw new CoreException(status);
-      }
-    }
-    // execution will not reach here
-    return null;
-  }
+       /**
+        * Expands and returns the location attribute of the given launch
+        * configuration, based on the given variable context. The location is
+        * verified to point to an existing file, in the local file system.
+        * 
+        * @param configuration
+        *            launch configuration
+        * @param context
+        *            context used to expand variables
+        * @return an absolute path to a file in the local file system
+        * @throws CoreException
+        *             if unable to retrieve the associated launch configuration
+        *             attribute, if unable to resolve any variables, or if the
+        *             resolved location does not point to an existing file in the
+        *             local file system
+        */
+       public static IPath getLocation(ILaunchConfiguration configuration,
+                       ExpandVariableContext context) throws CoreException {
+               String location = configuration.getAttribute(
+                               IExternalToolConstants.ATTR_LOCATION, (String) null);
+               if (location == null) {
+                       abort(
+                                       MessageFormat
+                                                       .format(
+                                                                       ExternalToolsLaunchConfigurationMessages
+                                                                                       .getString("ExternalToolsUtil.Location_not_specified_by_{0}_1"), new String[] { configuration.getName() }), null, 0); //$NON-NLS-1$
+               } else {
+                       MultiStatus status = new MultiStatus(
+                                       IExternalToolConstants.PLUGIN_ID,
+                                       0,
+                                       ExternalToolsModelMessages
+                                                       .getString("RunExternalToolAction.runProblem"), null); //$NON-NLS-1$;
+                       String expandedLocation = ToolUtil.expandFileLocation(location,
+                                       context, status);
+                       if (status.isOK()) {
+                               if (expandedLocation == null || expandedLocation.length() == 0) {
+                                       String msg = ExternalToolsModelMessages
+                                                       .format(
+                                                                       "DefaultRunnerContext.invalidLocation", new Object[] { configuration.getName() }); //$NON-NLS-1$
+                                       abort(msg, null, 0);
+                               } else {
+                                       File file = new File(expandedLocation);
+                                       if (file.isFile()) {
+                                               return new Path(expandedLocation);
+                                       } else {
+                                               String msg = ExternalToolsModelMessages
+                                                               .format(
+                                                                               "DefaultRunnerContext.invalidLocation", new Object[] { configuration.getName() }); //$NON-NLS-1$
+                                               abort(msg, null, 0);
+                                       }
+                               }
+                       } else {
+                               throw new CoreException(status);
+                       }
+               }
+               // execution will not reach here
+               return null;
+       }
 
-  /**
-   * Expands and returns the working directory attribute of the given launch configuration, based on the given variable context.
-   * Returns <code>null</code> if a working directory is not specified. If specified, the working is verified to point to an
-   * existing directory in the local file system.
-   * 
-   * @param configuration
-   *          launch configuration
-   * @param context
-   *          context used to expand variables
-   * @return an absolute path to a direcoty in the local file system, or <code>null</code> if unspecified
-   * @throws CoreException
-   *           if unable to retrieve the associated launch configuration attribute, if unable to resolve any variables, or if the
-   *           resolved location does not point to an existing directory in the local file system
-   */
-  public static IPath getWorkingDirectory(ILaunchConfiguration configuration, ExpandVariableContext context) throws CoreException {
-    String location = configuration.getAttribute(IExternalToolConstants.ATTR_WORKING_DIRECTORY, (String) null);
-    if (location != null) {
-      MultiStatus status = new MultiStatus(IExternalToolConstants.PLUGIN_ID, 0, ExternalToolsModelMessages
-          .getString("RunExternalToolAction.runProblem"), null); //$NON-NLS-1$;
-      String expandedLocation = ToolUtil.expandDirectoryLocation(location, context, status);
-      if (status.isOK()) {
-        if (expandedLocation != null && expandedLocation.length() > 0) {
-          File path = new File(expandedLocation);
-          if (path.isDirectory()) {
-            return new Path(expandedLocation);
-          } else {
-            String msg = ExternalToolsModelMessages.format(
-                "DefaultRunnerContext.invalidDirectory", new Object[] { configuration.getName() }); //$NON-NLS-1$
-            abort(msg, null, 0);
-          }
-        }
-      } else {
-        throw new CoreException(status);
-      }
-    }
-    return null;
-  }
+       /**
+        * Expands and returns the working directory attribute of the given launch
+        * configuration, based on the given variable context. Returns
+        * <code>null</code> if a working directory is not specified. If
+        * specified, the working is verified to point to an existing directory in
+        * the local file system.
+        * 
+        * @param configuration
+        *            launch configuration
+        * @param context
+        *            context used to expand variables
+        * @return an absolute path to a direcoty in the local file system, or
+        *         <code>null</code> if unspecified
+        * @throws CoreException
+        *             if unable to retrieve the associated launch configuration
+        *             attribute, if unable to resolve any variables, or if the
+        *             resolved location does not point to an existing directory in
+        *             the local file system
+        */
+       public static IPath getWorkingDirectory(ILaunchConfiguration configuration,
+                       ExpandVariableContext context) throws CoreException {
+               String location = configuration.getAttribute(
+                               IExternalToolConstants.ATTR_WORKING_DIRECTORY, (String) null);
+               if (location != null) {
+                       MultiStatus status = new MultiStatus(
+                                       IExternalToolConstants.PLUGIN_ID,
+                                       0,
+                                       ExternalToolsModelMessages
+                                                       .getString("RunExternalToolAction.runProblem"), null); //$NON-NLS-1$;
+                       String expandedLocation = ToolUtil.expandDirectoryLocation(
+                                       location, context, status);
+                       if (status.isOK()) {
+                               if (expandedLocation != null && expandedLocation.length() > 0) {
+                                       File path = new File(expandedLocation);
+                                       if (path.isDirectory()) {
+                                               return new Path(expandedLocation);
+                                       } else {
+                                               String msg = ExternalToolsModelMessages
+                                                               .format(
+                                                                               "DefaultRunnerContext.invalidDirectory", new Object[] { configuration.getName() }); //$NON-NLS-1$
+                                               abort(msg, null, 0);
+                                       }
+                               }
+                       } else {
+                               throw new CoreException(status);
+                       }
+               }
+               return null;
+       }
 
-  /**
-   * Expands and returns the arguments attribute of the given launch configuration, based on the given variable context. Returns
-   * <code>null</code> if arguments are not specified.
-   * 
-   * @param configuration
-   *          launch configuration
-   * @param context
-   *          context used to expand variables
-   * @return an array of resolved arguments, or <code>null</code> if unspecified
-   * @throws CoreException
-   *           if unable to retrieve the associated launch configuration attribute, or if unable to resolve any variables
-   */
-  public static String[] getArguments(ILaunchConfiguration configuration, ExpandVariableContext context) throws CoreException {
-    String args = configuration.getAttribute(IExternalToolConstants.ATTR_TOOL_ARGUMENTS, (String) null);
-    if (args != null) {
-      MultiStatus status = new MultiStatus(IExternalToolConstants.PLUGIN_ID, 0, ExternalToolsModelMessages
-          .getString("RunExternalToolAction.runProblem"), null); //$NON-NLS-1$;
-      String[] expandedArgs = ToolUtil.expandArguments(args, context, status);
-      if (status.isOK()) {
-        return expandedArgs;
-      } else {
-        throw new CoreException(status);
-      }
-    }
-    return null;
-  }
+       /**
+        * Expands and returns the arguments attribute of the given launch
+        * configuration, based on the given variable context. Returns
+        * <code>null</code> if arguments are not specified.
+        * 
+        * @param configuration
+        *            launch configuration
+        * @param context
+        *            context used to expand variables
+        * @return an array of resolved arguments, or <code>null</code> if
+        *         unspecified
+        * @throws CoreException
+        *             if unable to retrieve the associated launch configuration
+        *             attribute, or if unable to resolve any variables
+        */
+       public static String[] getArguments(ILaunchConfiguration configuration,
+                       ExpandVariableContext context) throws CoreException {
+               String args = configuration.getAttribute(
+                               IExternalToolConstants.ATTR_TOOL_ARGUMENTS, (String) null);
+               if (args != null) {
+                       MultiStatus status = new MultiStatus(
+                                       IExternalToolConstants.PLUGIN_ID,
+                                       0,
+                                       ExternalToolsModelMessages
+                                                       .getString("RunExternalToolAction.runProblem"), null); //$NON-NLS-1$;
+                       String[] expandedArgs = ToolUtil.expandArguments(args, context,
+                                       status);
+                       if (status.isOK()) {
+                               return expandedArgs;
+                       } else {
+                               throw new CoreException(status);
+                       }
+               }
+               return null;
+       }
 
-  /**
-   * Returns the refresh scope specified by the given launch configuration or <code>null</code> if none.
-   * 
-   * @param configuration
-   * @return refresh scope
-   * @throws CoreException
-   *           if unable to access the associated attribute
-   */
-  public static String getRefreshScope(ILaunchConfiguration configuration) throws CoreException {
-    return configuration.getAttribute(IExternalToolConstants.ATTR_REFRESH_SCOPE, (String) null);
-  }
+       /**
+        * Returns the refresh scope specified by the given launch configuration or
+        * <code>null</code> if none.
+        * 
+        * @param configuration
+        * @return refresh scope
+        * @throws CoreException
+        *             if unable to access the associated attribute
+        */
+       public static String getRefreshScope(ILaunchConfiguration configuration)
+                       throws CoreException {
+               return configuration.getAttribute(
+                               IExternalToolConstants.ATTR_REFRESH_SCOPE, (String) null);
+       }
 
-  /**
-   * Returns whether the refresh scope specified by the given launch configuration is recursive.
-   * 
-   * @param configuration
-   * @return whether the refresh scope is recursive
-   * @throws CoreException
-   *           if unable to access the associated attribute
-   */
-  public static boolean isRefreshRecursive(ILaunchConfiguration configuration) throws CoreException {
-    return configuration.getAttribute(IExternalToolConstants.ATTR_REFRESH_RECURSIVE, false);
-  }
+       /**
+        * Returns whether the refresh scope specified by the given launch
+        * configuration is recursive.
+        * 
+        * @param configuration
+        * @return whether the refresh scope is recursive
+        * @throws CoreException
+        *             if unable to access the associated attribute
+        */
+       public static boolean isRefreshRecursive(ILaunchConfiguration configuration)
+                       throws CoreException {
+               return configuration.getAttribute(
+                               IExternalToolConstants.ATTR_REFRESH_RECURSIVE, false);
+       }
 
-  /**
-   * Refreshes the resources as specified by the given launch configuration.
-   * 
-   * @param configuration
-   *          launch configuration
-   * @param context
-   *          context used to expand variables
-   * @param monitor
-   *          progress monitor
-   * @throws CoreException
-   *           if an exception occurrs while refreshing resources
-   */
-  public static void refreshResources(ILaunchConfiguration configuration, ExpandVariableContext context, IProgressMonitor monitor)
-      throws CoreException {
-    String scope = getRefreshScope(configuration);
-    if (scope == null)
-      return;
+       /**
+        * Refreshes the resources as specified by the given launch configuration.
+        * 
+        * @param configuration
+        *            launch configuration
+        * @param context
+        *            context used to expand variables
+        * @param monitor
+        *            progress monitor
+        * @throws CoreException
+        *             if an exception occurrs while refreshing resources
+        */
+       public static void refreshResources(ILaunchConfiguration configuration,
+                       ExpandVariableContext context, IProgressMonitor monitor)
+                       throws CoreException {
+               String scope = getRefreshScope(configuration);
+               if (scope == null)
+                       return;
 
-    ToolUtil.VariableDefinition varDef = ToolUtil.extractVariableTag(scope, 0);
-    if (varDef.start == -1 || varDef.end == -1 || varDef.name == null) {
-      String msg = ExternalToolsModelMessages.format(
-          "DefaultRunnerContext.invalidRefreshVarFormat", new Object[] { configuration.getName() }); //$NON-NLS-1$
-      abort(msg, null, 0);
-    }
+               ToolUtil.VariableDefinition varDef = ToolUtil.extractVariableTag(scope,
+                               0);
+               if (varDef.start == -1 || varDef.end == -1 || varDef.name == null) {
+                       String msg = ExternalToolsModelMessages
+                                       .format(
+                                                       "DefaultRunnerContext.invalidRefreshVarFormat", new Object[] { configuration.getName() }); //$NON-NLS-1$
+                       abort(msg, null, 0);
+               }
 
-    RefreshScopeVariableRegistry registry = ExternalToolsPlugin.getDefault().getRefreshVariableRegistry();
-    RefreshScopeVariable variable = registry.getRefreshVariable(varDef.name);
-    if (variable == null) {
-      String msg = ExternalToolsModelMessages.format(
-          "DefaultRunnerContext.noRefreshVarNamed", new Object[] { configuration.getName(), varDef.name }); //$NON-NLS-1$
-      abort(msg, null, 0);
-    }
+               RefreshScopeVariableRegistry registry = ExternalToolsPlugin
+                               .getDefault().getRefreshVariableRegistry();
+               RefreshScopeVariable variable = registry
+                               .getRefreshVariable(varDef.name);
+               if (variable == null) {
+                       String msg = ExternalToolsModelMessages
+                                       .format(
+                                                       "DefaultRunnerContext.noRefreshVarNamed", new Object[] { configuration.getName(), varDef.name }); //$NON-NLS-1$
+                       abort(msg, null, 0);
+               }
 
-    int depth = IResource.DEPTH_ZERO;
-    if (isRefreshRecursive(configuration))
-      depth = IResource.DEPTH_INFINITE;
+               int depth = IResource.DEPTH_ZERO;
+               if (isRefreshRecursive(configuration))
+                       depth = IResource.DEPTH_INFINITE;
 
-    if (monitor.isCanceled())
-      return;
+               if (monitor.isCanceled())
+                       return;
 
-    IResource[] resources = variable.getExpander().getResources(varDef.name, varDef.argument, context);
-    if (resources == null || resources.length == 0)
-      return;
+               IResource[] resources = variable.getExpander().getResources(
+                               varDef.name, varDef.argument, context);
+               if (resources == null || resources.length == 0)
+                       return;
 
-    monitor.beginTask(ExternalToolsModelMessages.getString("DefaultRunnerContext.refreshResources"), //$NON-NLS-1$
-        resources.length);
+               monitor.beginTask(ExternalToolsModelMessages
+                               .getString("DefaultRunnerContext.refreshResources"), //$NON-NLS-1$
+                               resources.length);
 
-    MultiStatus status = new MultiStatus(IExternalToolConstants.PLUGIN_ID, 0, ExternalToolsLaunchConfigurationMessages
-        .getString("ExternalToolsUtil.Exception(s)_occurred_during_refresh._2"), null); //$NON-NLS-1$
-    for (int i = 0; i < resources.length; i++) {
-      if (monitor.isCanceled())
-        break;
-      if (resources[i] != null && resources[i].isAccessible()) {
-        try {
-          resources[i].refreshLocal(depth, null);
-        } catch (CoreException e) {
-          status.merge(e.getStatus());
-        }
-      }
-      monitor.worked(1);
-    }
+               MultiStatus status = new MultiStatus(
+                               IExternalToolConstants.PLUGIN_ID,
+                               0,
+                               ExternalToolsLaunchConfigurationMessages
+                                               .getString("ExternalToolsUtil.Exception(s)_occurred_during_refresh._2"), null); //$NON-NLS-1$
+               for (int i = 0; i < resources.length; i++) {
+                       if (monitor.isCanceled())
+                               break;
+                       if (resources[i] != null && resources[i].isAccessible()) {
+                               try {
+                                       resources[i].refreshLocal(depth, null);
+                               } catch (CoreException e) {
+                                       status.merge(e.getStatus());
+                               }
+                       }
+                       monitor.worked(1);
+               }
 
-    monitor.done();
-    if (!status.isOK()) {
-      throw new CoreException(status);
-    }
-  }
+               monitor.done();
+               if (!status.isOK()) {
+                       throw new CoreException(status);
+               }
+       }
 
-  /**
-   * Returns whether this tool is to be run in the background..
-   * 
-   * @param configuration
-   * @return whether this tool is to be run in the background
-   * @throws CoreException
-   *           if unable to access the associated attribute
-   */
-  public static boolean isBackground(ILaunchConfiguration configuration) throws CoreException {
-    return configuration.getAttribute(IExternalToolConstants.ATTR_RUN_IN_BACKGROUND, false);
-  }
+       /**
+        * Returns whether this tool is to be run in the background..
+        * 
+        * @param configuration
+        * @return whether this tool is to be run in the background
+        * @throws CoreException
+        *             if unable to access the associated attribute
+        */
+       public static boolean isBackground(ILaunchConfiguration configuration)
+                       throws CoreException {
+               return configuration.getAttribute(
+                               IExternalToolConstants.ATTR_RUN_IN_BACKGROUND, false);
+       }
 
-  /**
-   * Returns a launch configuration from the given ICommand arguments. If the given arguments are from an old-style external tool,
-   * an unsaved working copy will be created from the arguments and returned.
-   * 
-   * @param commandArgs
-   *          the builder ICommand arguments
-   * @param newName
-   *          a new name for the config if the one in the command is invalid
-   * @return a launch configuration, a launch configuration working copy, or <code>null</code> if not possible.
-   */
-  public static ILaunchConfiguration configFromBuildCommandArgs(Map commandArgs) {
-    String configHandle = (String) commandArgs.get(LAUNCH_CONFIG_HANDLE);
-    if (configHandle == null) {
-      // Probably an old-style external tool. Try to migrate.
-      return ExternalToolMigration.configFromArgumentMap(commandArgs);
-    }
-    try {
-      return DebugPlugin.getDefault().getLaunchManager().getLaunchConfiguration(configHandle);
-    } catch (CoreException e) {
-      return null;
-    }
-  }
+       /**
+        * Returns a launch configuration from the given ICommand arguments. If the
+        * given arguments are from an old-style external tool, an unsaved working
+        * copy will be created from the arguments and returned.
+        * 
+        * @param commandArgs
+        *            the builder ICommand arguments
+        * @param newName
+        *            a new name for the config if the one in the command is invalid
+        * @return a launch configuration, a launch configuration working copy, or
+        *         <code>null</code> if not possible.
+        */
+       public static ILaunchConfiguration configFromBuildCommandArgs(
+                       Map commandArgs) {
+               String configHandle = (String) commandArgs.get(LAUNCH_CONFIG_HANDLE);
+               if (configHandle == null) {
+                       // Probably an old-style external tool. Try to migrate.
+                       return ExternalToolMigration.configFromArgumentMap(commandArgs);
+               }
+               try {
+                       return DebugPlugin.getDefault().getLaunchManager()
+                                       .getLaunchConfiguration(configHandle);
+               } catch (CoreException e) {
+                       return null;
+               }
+       }
 
-  /**
-   * Executes an external progam and saves the LaunchConfiguration under external tools
-   * 
-   * @param command
-   *          external tools command name
-   * @param executable
-   *          executable path i.e.c:\apache\apache.exe
-   * @param arguments
-   *          arguments for this configuration
-   * @param background
-   *          run this configuration in background mode
-   */
-  public static void execute(String command, String executable, String arguments, boolean background) {
-    execute(command, executable, null, arguments, background);
-  }
-  
-  
-  public static void execute(String command, String executable, String workingDirectory, String arguments, boolean background) {
-    ILaunchManager manager = DebugPlugin.getDefault().getLaunchManager();
-    ILaunchConfigurationType type = manager.getLaunchConfigurationType(IExternalToolConstants.ID_PROGRAM_LAUNCH_CONFIGURATION_TYPE);
+       /**
+        * Executes an external progam and saves the LaunchConfiguration under
+        * external tools
+        * 
+        * @param command
+        *            external tools command name
+        * @param executable
+        *            executable path i.e.c:\apache\apache.exe
+        * @param arguments
+        *            arguments for this configuration
+        * @param background
+        *            run this configuration in background mode
+        */
+       public static void execute(String command, String executable,
+                       String arguments, boolean background) {
+               execute(command, executable, null, arguments, background);
+       }
 
-    ILaunchConfigurationWorkingCopy wc = null;
-    try {
-      wc = type.newInstance(null, command);
-    } catch (CoreException e) {
-      //some exception handling
-    }
-    wc.setAttribute(IExternalToolConstants.ATTR_LOCATION, executable);
-    if (workingDirectory != null) {
-      wc.setAttribute(IExternalToolConstants.ATTR_WORKING_DIRECTORY, workingDirectory);
-    }
-    if (arguments != null) {
-      wc.setAttribute(IExternalToolConstants.ATTR_TOOL_ARGUMENTS, arguments);
-    }
-    wc.setAttribute(IExternalToolConstants.ATTR_RUN_IN_BACKGROUND, background);
+       public static void execute(String command, String executable,
+                       String workingDirectory, String arguments, boolean background) {
+               ILaunchManager manager = DebugPlugin.getDefault().getLaunchManager();
+               ILaunchConfigurationType type = manager
+                               .getLaunchConfigurationType(IExternalToolConstants.ID_PROGRAM_LAUNCH_CONFIGURATION_TYPE);
 
-    //         saving will add the configuration to the external tools configurations
-    ILaunchConfiguration config;
-    try {
-      config = wc.doSave();
-      config.launch(ILaunchManager.RUN_MODE, null);
-    } catch (CoreException e) {
-    }
+               ILaunchConfigurationWorkingCopy wc = null;
+               try {
+                       wc = type.newInstance(null, command);
+               } catch (CoreException e) {
+                       // some exception handling
+               }
+               wc.setAttribute(IExternalToolConstants.ATTR_LOCATION, executable);
+               if (workingDirectory != null) {
+                       wc.setAttribute(IExternalToolConstants.ATTR_WORKING_DIRECTORY,
+                                       workingDirectory);
+               }
+               if (arguments != null) {
+                       wc.setAttribute(IExternalToolConstants.ATTR_TOOL_ARGUMENTS,
+                                       arguments);
+               }
+               wc.setAttribute(IExternalToolConstants.ATTR_RUN_IN_BACKGROUND,
+                               background);
 
-  }
-}
\ No newline at end of file
+               // saving will add the configuration to the external tools
+               // configurations
+               ILaunchConfiguration config;
+               try {
+                       config = wc.doSave();
+                       config.launch(ILaunchManager.RUN_MODE, null);
+               } catch (CoreException e) {
+                       alertDialog(executable);
+               }
+
+       }
+
+       /**
+        * Shows an alert dialog with a warning message
+        * 
+        * @param executable external tools command name
+        */
+       private static void alertDialog(String executable) {
+               IWorkbenchWindow window = PlatformUI.getWorkbench()
+                               .getActiveWorkbenchWindow();
+               MessageDialog.openWarning(window.getShell(), "Launch Error",
+                               "Could not execute external app" + executable);
+       }
+}