Eclipse release train
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| Eclipse release train | |
|---|---|
| Name | Eclipse release train |
| Developer | Eclipse Foundation |
| Initial release | 2006 |
| Programming language | Java (programming language) |
| Operating system | Cross-platform |
| License | Eclipse Public License |
Eclipse release train.
The Eclipse release train is a coordinated annual synchronization of multiple Eclipse Foundation projects producing an integrated simultaneous delivery. It serves as a focal point linking diverse initiatives such as Eclipse IDE, Equinox (OSGi implementation), Tycho (build tool), Jakarta EE, and other ecosystem projects to provide a predictable, tested package for downstream consumers like IBM, Red Hat, SAP SE, and educational institutions such as University of Cambridge. The release train model facilitates collaboration among contributors from organizations including Google, Microsoft, and independent developers from communities like the Apache Software Foundation and the Linux Foundation.
Overview
The release train aggregates dozens of projects from the Eclipse Foundation ecosystem into a single coordinated delivery, enabling organizations such as Oracle Corporation, Intel, Samsung Electronics and research groups at Massachusetts Institute of Technology to adopt a stable set of components. It arises from practices pioneered in large-scale open source endeavors informed by processes used by Mozilla Corporation, Apache Software Foundation, and proprietary vendors like IBM. The model emphasizes interoperability across projects like Eclipse IDE, Eclipse Che, Eclipse Jetty, and Eclipse MicroProfile while aligning schedules with stakeholders including European Commission funded efforts and academic collaborators.
Release History
The release train concept began in the mid-2000s with early coordinated milestones influenced by release engineering approaches from Mozilla Firefox and GNOME Project. Notable annual milestones have included synchronized deliveries referenced by vendors such as IBM and Red Hat. Major named trains coincided with broader industry events like JavaOne and EclipseCon where corporate sponsors including HP Inc. and Nokia announced downstream integrations. Over time the train adapted to include projects migrated from organizations like the Apache Software Foundation and newcomers supported by companies such as Samsung and Huawei Technologies.
Components and Projects Included
Each train bundles core projects and many optional subprojects: examples include Eclipse IDE, Eclipse Platform, Equinox (OSGi implementation), Eclipse JDT, Eclipse CDT, Eclipse PDE, EclipseLink, Eclipse Jetty, Eclipse MicroProfile, Jakarta EE, Eclipse Che, Sirius (software), Papyrus (software), and tools maintained by corporate contributors such as IBM and Red Hat. Community-driven efforts like Eclipse Theia and integrations with Tomcat and GlassFish have appeared through collaboration with organizations like Oracle Corporation and foundations including the Linux Foundation. The train often includes build and infrastructure pieces maintained by projects inspired by Maven (software), Gradle, and Tycho (build tool).
Versioning and Naming Convention
Release train names and version numbers have followed a mix of calendar-driven and theme-based conventions, influenced by practices at Google and the Apache Software Foundation. Trains are typically denoted by year or a codename and aligned to versioned project streams such as Eclipse IDE major releases and Jakarta EE platform versions. The convention borrows from semantic versioning concepts popularized by projects like Node.js and Ruby on Rails, while integrating milestone markers familiar to users of GitHub and GitLab workflows. Vendors such as IBM and Red Hat often map train releases to their own lifecycle labels.
Development Process and Governance
Governance rests with the Eclipse Foundation board and working groups comprising representatives from corporate members including IBM, Red Hat, SAP SE, Microsoft, Oracle Corporation, and independent committers. The process uses release engineering best practices seen at Mozilla Corporation and Apache Software Foundation, employing continuous integration systems comparable to those used by Google and Facebook, Inc. Community decision-making occurs in project-specific steering committers and project management committees analogous to structures at Linux Foundation projects. Formal policies such as intellectual property handling echo agreements used by Apache Software Foundation and corporate contributors like Intel.
Adoption and Impact
The synchronized train model increased adoption among enterprises and research labs including IBM Research, Red Hat Research, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, and universities like Stanford University. Downstream products from IBM, SAP SE, and Red Hat integrated train releases into commercial offerings, while cloud vendors such as Amazon Web Services and Google Cloud Platform referenced components for platform services. The coordinated schedule reduced integration risk for systems integrators and independent software vendors including Zend Technologies and Progress Software and influenced other ecosystems such as Kubernetes distributions and OpenStack by demonstrating the value of synchronized release cadences.
Security and Support Policies
Security response and support for train components are governed by procedures maintained by the Eclipse Foundation security team and mirrored in corporate security processes used at IBM and Red Hat. Vulnerability handling follows disclosure practices similar to CERT Coordination Center and industry standards adopted by Microsoft and Google. Long-term support arrangements are offered by companies such as IBM, Red Hat, and SAP SE for specific train snapshots, with commercial SLAs mapping back to foundation-managed reports and issue trackers used by projects hosted on platforms like GitHub and GitLab.