MyEclipse: Tools Without the IDE
Jens Eckels
October 13, 2006
Did Michaelangelo use a 30-pound sledgehammer to chisel details of David's physique? Naturally, the answer is: “of course not!” Rather, this great artisan individually selected each tool appropriate for his project status, leaving the rest of the tools untouched in the bin for later use.
Analogously, many development tool bins today contain “sledgehammers” handed to them by the big boys that constantly display everything a developer COULD want, rather than focusing on the ability to individually address small problems faced on an everyday basis. Unfortunately, the sledge they hand over is getting even heavier over time. When developers cry for a certain feature, rather than responding intuitively with a small, easy-to-use 2-pound hammer, the big boys melt it down and add it to the metal in the existing sledgehammer, making a new, shiny 32-pound tool. Problem solved, right? Yes and no. The 2-pound feature requested is there for certain. Now the user just has to negotiate the other 30 pounds to get to it.
This is obviously not efficient for most developers, a good percentage of whom use their IDE in stages throughout the development process to to achieve a specific objective. At various points along the way, much of the other functionality in their IDE toolkit (which has been or will be used) is superfluous.
Wouldn't it be nice if you could open up ONLY your Database Explorer or Visual Web Designer as a small RC application and fix only the problems you're facing at your specific project stage rather than opening up the entire IDE?
Enter MyEclipse. As part of the distribution of MyEclipse in upcoming releases, subscribers will have the option of utilizing lightweight rich client applications that address their specific needs. Imagine the difference: a small, fast .exe file-launched app on your desktop that allows you to access only the Visual HTML Editor, make your quick fix, and close the application. No need to open the entire workbench every time you have a small change. You can open up the right tool at the right time for your project. When you do choose to open the entire workbench for a more complex integration, all of your changes and updates are included. The list of initial RC applications for inclusion in the MyEclipse distribution will be:
1. Visual Web Designer
2. Database Explorer
3. Image Editor
4. UML Drawing
Michaelangelo individually selected his specialty tools to create his masterpiece. By providing the right tools for the right problems and making them as accessible and lightweight as possible, MyEclipse is likewise ushering in a new Renaissance of development. One that allows developers to efficiently function on their desktops – not spend time sorting through toolboxes full of sledgehammers.
Analogously, many development tool bins today contain “sledgehammers” handed to them by the big boys that constantly display everything a developer COULD want, rather than focusing on the ability to individually address small problems faced on an everyday basis. Unfortunately, the sledge they hand over is getting even heavier over time. When developers cry for a certain feature, rather than responding intuitively with a small, easy-to-use 2-pound hammer, the big boys melt it down and add it to the metal in the existing sledgehammer, making a new, shiny 32-pound tool. Problem solved, right? Yes and no. The 2-pound feature requested is there for certain. Now the user just has to negotiate the other 30 pounds to get to it.
This is obviously not efficient for most developers, a good percentage of whom use their IDE in stages throughout the development process to to achieve a specific objective. At various points along the way, much of the other functionality in their IDE toolkit (which has been or will be used) is superfluous.
Wouldn't it be nice if you could open up ONLY your Database Explorer or Visual Web Designer as a small RC application and fix only the problems you're facing at your specific project stage rather than opening up the entire IDE?
Enter MyEclipse. As part of the distribution of MyEclipse in upcoming releases, subscribers will have the option of utilizing lightweight rich client applications that address their specific needs. Imagine the difference: a small, fast .exe file-launched app on your desktop that allows you to access only the Visual HTML Editor, make your quick fix, and close the application. No need to open the entire workbench every time you have a small change. You can open up the right tool at the right time for your project. When you do choose to open the entire workbench for a more complex integration, all of your changes and updates are included. The list of initial RC applications for inclusion in the MyEclipse distribution will be:
1. Visual Web Designer
2. Database Explorer
3. Image Editor
4. UML Drawing
Michaelangelo individually selected his specialty tools to create his masterpiece. By providing the right tools for the right problems and making them as accessible and lightweight as possible, MyEclipse is likewise ushering in a new Renaissance of development. One that allows developers to efficiently function on their desktops – not spend time sorting through toolboxes full of sledgehammers.
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