The Eclipse software development environment provides programmers with the means of creating rich-client applications within an integrated development environment (IDE) as well as a comprehensive plug-in system. Its base programming language is Java; however, thanks to several plug-ins, it can also be utilized to work with many top-rated languages such as C, C++, PHP, Perl, Python, Ruby, Ada or COBOL.
The Eclipse SDK targets Java developers, thus allowing production of multi-platform software for Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X, Linux distributions and even Solaris. It includes the Eclipse Java development tools (JDT) comprising an incremental Java compiler as well as a complete set of Java source files that help you analyze code and advanced refactoring techniques.
Various platforms are provided by Eclipse including the `Rich Client Platform` (RCP) and Server, Web Tools or Modeling platforms. The RCP aids you in your developing of general purpose applications and it consists of Equinox OSGi, the core platform, Standard Widget Toolkit (SWT), JFace and the Eclipse Workbench for viewing, editing perspectives and wizards purposes.
You can also take advantage of the features supporting development for a plethora of servers like Tomcat or GlassFish included in the Server platform, while the Web Tools Platform comes as an extension containing the necessary tools to create Web and Java EE software. It comprises a variety of editors (both source and graphic) to ameliorate the development as well as tools and APIs for everything you need to deploy, run and test your applications.
The Modeling Platform consists of several official project categories of the Eclipse Foundation that set their sights on model-based development technologies. The list incorporates Model Transformation, Model Development Tools, Concrete Syntax Development, Abstract Syntax Development, Technology and Research as well as Amalgam.
RCP developers are greeted with a set of features that focus on the model-based interface and the CSS-based declarative mechanism in order to ease the process of obtaining a stylish UI. Designing and customizing application interfaces is done in a flexible manner, while the services-oriented programming model simplifies the utilization of discreet Eclipse platform services.
Amongst the plethora of Eclipse-based software, you can easily find applications worth mentioning such as 2-plan Desktop, Acceleo, Adobe Flash Builder, Aptana, Bioclipse, CityEngine, IBM Lotus Notes, RSSOwl, Talend Open Studio, Xmind, Zen Coding or Zend Studio. All in all, the Eclipse SDK provides a witty JAVA IDE alongside all the right ingredients for developing truly great programs.

What's New in This Release:
Platform:
· Migration Wizard: Building on the changes introduced in M5 to detect changes in shared installs, Eclipse now includes a migration wizard to help users through the re-ininstallation of their plug-ins.
· This wizard is presented in two situations. First, when a read-only installation of Eclipse is being changed (i.e. Eclipse is being updated or plugins are added / remove), second when a new read-only installation of Eclipse is run for the first time.
· BIDI Text Direction: New API has been added to allow text direction to be set independent of the widget orientation. For more info see Snippet 364.
· New SWT color constant for hyperlinks: A new constant (SWT_COLOR_LINK_FOREGROUND) has been added that will return the native color of hyperlinks on all platforms.
· Whole word option on File Search page: The File Search page now allows to search for words via a new option.
· Open Search dialog on last used page: The Search dialog can now be configured to open on the last used page, instead ...