- Create a development profile:
You need to install several extensions which may slow down firefox performance. So create a separate development profile using the following steps-
- Open command prompt
- [Firefox Installation Directory]\firefox.exe -no-remote -P
- Create a new profile.
- Start firefox next time with the command: [Firefox Installation Directory]\firefox.exe -no-remote -P [new profile name]
- Install some useful extensions: Firebug is the most useful one.
- Firebug: https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/1843/
- DOM Inspector: https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/6622/
- Extension Developer: https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/7434/
- Set some developer preferences: Type about:config in the address bar. Set or add, if do not already exist, the following properties:
- javascript.options.showInConsole = true.
- nglayout.debug.disable_xul_cache = true.
- browser.dom.window.dump.enabled = true.
- javascript.options.strict = true.
- extensions.logging.enabled = true.
- dom.report_all_js_exceptions = true.
- Directory structure: Different from usual programming frameworks, Firefox extension has a predefined directory structure for files. The browser will look in specified folder when it needs a file for e.g. installation, preference or visual overlays.
- For new extension: Use the wizard in http://ted.mielczarek.org/code/mozilla/extensionwiz/. Copy the contents of the generated zip file into [Profile]\extensions\] folder. It is a folder with the name of your desired extension name. Rename this folder name into the extension ID from install.rdf or use some unique name like an e-mail address. Restart firefox. Your add-on should appear in the browser. Check Tools->Add-ons if your extension is listed there.
- Existing extension: Copy extension into the [Profile]\extensions\] folder. Remember the filename or sub-folder for the extension must be same as the extension ID in install.rdf or a unique name like an e-mail address.
- Building an extension: https://developer.mozilla.org/en/Building_an_Extension
- Setting up development environment: https://developer.mozilla.org/en/Setting_up_extension_development_environment
- Creating a status bar extension: https://developer.mozilla.org/en/Creating_a_status_bar_extension
- http://blog.mozilla.com/addons/2009/01/28/how-to-develop-a-firefox-extension/
- http://www.slideshare.net/littlebtc/ext-0509
- http://www.slideshare.net/robnyman/how-to-write-your-first-firefox-extensio?src=related_normal&rel=530642
- http://www.rietta.com/firefox/Tutorial/overview.html
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