Eclipsebased

Eclipsebased denotes software applications that run on the Eclipse platform, usually leveraging the Eclipse Rich Client Platform or the Eclipse IDE runtime. Such products are assembled from plug-ins and features that extend or customize the base platform.

The core of an Eclipsebased application is a modular OSGi runtime with a UI built on SWT and JFace. The workbench provides editors, views, perspectives, and a set of extension points that allow third parties to contribute functionality. Applications are packaged as plugins and features and are distributed via update sites, enabling modular installation and updates.

Development is typically Java-centric, though the platform supports other languages and tooling through adapters and specialized plugins (e.g., modeling frameworks, language workbenches). The ecosystem favors reuse of existing plug-ins and a large marketplace of extensions, facilitating domain-specific IDEs, modeling tools, and data editors.

Benefits include cross-platform operation, a consistent user experience, strong modularity, and a large ecosystem. Limitations can include a steep learning curve, potential performance overhead, and API drift between Eclipse releases, which can affect plugin compatibility.

Notable examples of Eclipsebased tools include the Eclipse IDE itself and modeling tools such as Papyrus and Sirius, as well as numerous industry-specific IDEs and tooling built on the platform.