Eclipse 101

Eclipse is a software development application that allows developers to create Java applications. However, since Eclipse has an extensible plug-in system, developers can also create applications using C, C++, COBOL, Python etc.

How do I get it?

When you go to the eclipse download site, you can see that there are different types of Eclipse. But these are not types. They are just VERSIONS named after the solar system. To sum it up,

Release	Date	Platform
Indigo	2011	3.7
Helios	2010	3.6
Galileo	2009	3.5
Ganymede	2008	3.4
Europa	2007	3.3
Callisto	2006	3.2
Eclipse 3.1	2005	3.1
Eclipse 3.0	2004	3.0

source: http://wiki.eclipse.org/Older_Versions_Of_Eclipse

Which Eclipse should I get?

In every eclipse version, they also have different packages. To know more, check out: http://www.eclipse.org/downloads/compare.php


However, I would discuss the three top downloaded Eclipse IDE which are:

• Eclipse Classic
• Eclipse IDE for Java EE Developer
• Eclipse IDE for Java Developer

 It actually depends on your application and needs.

Eclipse IDE for Java EE Developer: Used mainly for building and running enterprise software, widely used for server programming, in other words, used for Web Development.

Eclipse IDE for Java Developer: Used mainly to build java applications.

Eclipse Classic:The basic eclipse without the EE part - support for web development.