Understanding Eclipse Foundation
The Eclipse Foundation oversees numerous projects. It's not just an IDE, but a community-driven platform, fostering open-source software development across various languages and frameworks.
Eclipse IDE Origins
Initially developed by IBM in 2001, Eclipse quickly evolved beyond its Java roots. Today, it supports C/C++, PHP, JavaScript, and more, thanks to a plethora of plug-ins.
Rich Client Platform (RCP)
Eclipse RCP allows developers to build their own applications on the Eclipse architecture. It's not widely known, but many desktop applications are built on Eclipse RCP.
Eclipse Public License
Eclipse's own Public License (EPL) is an open-source license that allows for royalty-free source code sharing, making it attractive for developers.
Extensive Plugin Ecosystem
Eclipse's true power lies in its extendable plugin system. This system enables the integration of software development tools, version control systems, and build automation tools.
Eclipse Marketplace Client
The Eclipse Marketplace Client provides a direct route to install plugins, featuring a vast selection that can be browsed and installed within the IDE itself.
Continuous Integration Tools
Less known is that Eclipse integrates with continuous integration servers like Jenkins and Hudson, providing feedback on the fly during development.