Getting started

with Mozilla's Add-on SDK

London, UK September 29, 2011

Follow along

http://talks.canuckistani.ca/intro-london-2011/#2

A Brief History

• The Jetpack project started in Mozilla Labs in 2009
• goal is to simplify add-on development:
  • no XML/XUL
  • high-level JavaScript APIs
  • packaging tool
  • integrated test framework
  • extensibility via modules using CommonJS format.

Current release: SDK 1.1

• 1.0 Released June, 2011
• 1.1 released Sept 13, 2011:
  • stabilization release
  • compatibility fixes for Firefox 7+

Next release: 1.2 on Oct. 23.

• Every 6 weeks, 2 weeks before Firefox
• 2 week period to allow for complications and add-on re-packs

Current State

• Goal is to allow easy implementation of simple add-ons
• Missing functionality can be implemented via modules
• 1.x currently contains a useful but incomplete range of modules
• Obvious advantages:
  • Always restart-less
  • Test framework
  • Future-proof!

Roadmap

• Top priorities:
  • Mobile
  • Electrolysis
  • Localization
• Secondary priorities:
  • better support for existing add-on developers
  • SDK simplification
  • missing pieces: Prefs, Sidebar, Add-on Tab, Tab Groups
  • more missing pieces: minimal / packed xpis, restart-less testing
  • Hug the web harder.

Style notes

Basic JS style similar in feel to Node.js

1. require('some-module')
2. create a new instance; pass in an options object
3. Rock out!

var someModule = require("some-module");
var instance = someModule.someClass({
  thisoption: 'my option',
  thatoption: 42,
  onSomeEvent: function(data) {},
});
instance.someMethod();

Let's Get set up!

Local development

Requirements:

• install Python ( for Windows users )
• any reasonable text editor

Set-up

• download the SDK and unzip, or
• check out the source from Github
• in a console window:
  • cd /path/to/SDK
  • source bin/activate

Online development with Builder

• Requirements:
  • Firefox
  • AMO account
  • Builder 'helper' add-on
• Benefits:
  • in-browser development
  • create and share re-usable modules
  • planned: publish to AMO

Tonight's schedule:

• First Session: 7PM - 7:45PM
• First Session: 8PM - 8:45PM
• First Session: 9PM - 9:45PM

Checkpoint

Ok to go?