Eclipse is an integrated development environment (IDE) primarily used for Java development, although it supports multiple programming languages through its extensive plugin system. Released in November 2001, it was developed by the Eclipse Foundation and has since become a popular choice among developers.

One of Eclipse’s key features is its modular architecture, which allows for a high degree of customization and flexibility. It is built on a Rich Client Platform (RCP) that enables developers to create rich client applications. Additionally, Eclipse supports various programming languages, including C/C++, Python, and PHP, thanks to a wide array of available plugins.

Eclipse also offers strong version control integration, allowing seamless work with systems like Git and SVN. Its advanced debugging tools provide powerful capabilities for troubleshooting Java applications, while support for project management tools like Maven and Gradle facilitates efficient build management.

Being cross-platform, Eclipse is available for Windows, macOS, and Linux, making it accessible to a broad range of developers. With a large community and numerous third-party plugins, Eclipse remains a robust environment for enterprise Java development and is widely adopted in the software industry.