How to programmatically change the selection within package explorer

Question

I am currently developing a plugin for eclipse that analyzes dependencies and references between projects within the Eclipse Workspace and displays them in its own View in a

Answer 1

This answer extends what the accepted answer states but takes it further for folks who mind the "Discouraged Access" warning on the use of PackageExplorerPart. Exact warning (more for easier searching off Google) that you see is

Discouraged access: The type PackageExplorerPart is not accessible due to restriction on required library /eclipse_install_path/eclipse/plugins/org.eclipse.jdt.ui_3.9.1.v20130820-1427.jar

Code Sample:

final IWorkbenchPart activePart = getActivePart();
if (activePart != null && activePart instanceof IPackagesViewPart) {
    ((IPackagesViewPart) activePart).selectAndReveal(newElement);
}

Supporting Code:

private IWorkbenchPart getActivePart() {
    final IWorkbench workbench = PlatformUI.getWorkbench();
    final IWorkbenchWindow activeWindow = workbench.getActiveWorkbenchWindow();
    if (activeWindow != null) {
        final IWorkbenchPage activePage = activeWindow.getActivePage();
        if (activePage != null) {
            return activePage.getActivePart();
        }
    }
    return null;
}