This project is abandoned, in favor of continuing with Bensku's Skript. It is not known if this project is a viable alternative. Try at your own risk.

SoftPlugin is a Spigot plugin. It is a thin loader; at runtime, it compiles Java source files and then loads a specific boot class. Whilst the server is running, the source files can be changed and the plugin reloaded without restarting the server.

Rationale

This plugin tries to have these benefits of scripting plugins (e.g. Skript, ScriptCraft):

Rapid development; no need to build and deploy a jar
Rapid prototyping; new features or ideas can be quickly tried
Quick changes and fixes; IDE not needed to make changes, just a text editor and reload

By compiling Java sources into classes, it could use these benefits:

Java language; strict-typing, static analysis, clearer code constructs, etc.
Native use of Spigot API; no need to wait for intermediate plugin to update
Access to existing libraries and other plugins

Requirements

(Paper)Spigot 1.9.2 or later
Server needs to be running on JDK 8 or later

Usage

Warning

This plugin compiles, loads and executes Java source files it is given. These are executed with zero security protection or considerations. They are executed in the same context and privilege level as the server itself. Potentially, any SoftPlugin "scripts" can destroy the server or the system it is running on.

Use Java source files with SoftPlugin at your own risk. Don't give SoftPlugin files you are unfamiliar with.

Setup

Upload a built JAR of SoftPlugin to the plugins directory of your server
Restart server once
Check plugins/SoftPlugin/config.yml and change settings to taste
In the created source directory, create or place Java source files in typical layout. e.g, a file for class softplugin.Main should be in source/softplugin/Main.java
Execute /softplugin-reload in the server

Commands

/softplugin-reload (or /spr) - does the following:
- Reloads SoftPlugin's configuration options
- Unloads any currently loaded classes
- Discard any compiled classes in the cache
- Compiles the source files
- Loads and executes the main class defined in the config

Permissions

softplugin.reload - Allows use of /softplugin-reload. Granted to op and console.

Building, debugging and debug logging

For instructions and screenshots on how to. . .

Compile this plugin from scratch
Build a JAR of this plugin
Debug this plugin on a server
Enable debug logging levels such as FINE and FINER

. . .please follow the linked guide on this Google document.

Gamealition/SoftPlugin