It is unlikely that there is anyone working in mainstream Java development that has not at least heard of Eclipse, the open source IDE framework. Eclipse will soon be as familiar to J2ME developers, more particularly developers who work closely with Nokia's mobile platforms.

Eclipse was created in November 2001 when IBM put source code, with a value some estimate at $40 million, into open source. From the start IBM worked hard to involve other companies, as it knew from the outset that getting others engaged was key to the project's success. In 2003 IBM, and a number of its key partners, recognized that the project had hit a glass ceiling; because potential partners viewed Eclipse.org as being IBM controlled. To correct this perception, and reach the levels of adoption IBM had originally envisaged, the independent Eclipse Foundation was formed in January 2004. The result has seen projects more then doubling in the last 18 month.

The Eclipse Foundation is now run by a board made up of companies that each contribute in excess of $250,000 each to the foundation annually, and also take the lead on a project, contributing a minimum of eight developers. It is this role that Nokia is stepping into and taking the lead creating a mobile Java version of Eclipse.

"We are very happy to have Nokia join," says Mike Milinkovich, executive director, Eclipse Foundation. "J2ME is one area where the Eclipse Foundation has lacked a component. Nokia is an ideal partner for this, given their name recognition, the quality of resources they are contributing and their leadership in the mobile Java space."

Nokia's role in leading the J2ME project will be to create a generic framework within Eclipse that can be used to support J2ME tools. This approach is a significant feature of Eclipse, because it enables companies to create their own tools for a domain, rather than attempting to impose some de-facto standard. Nokia will prove this framework by using it to creating its own tools.

"One of the things which is unique about Eclipse," says Mike, "is that we are very focused on the commercialization of our technology, and we want people to build commercial products based on Eclipse."

Given that Eclipse has such a strong commercial focus does it have room for the traditionally open source developer, the skilled garage developer?

"We do have space for the independent developer who wants to get involved," says Mike, "but the majority of work is done by employees of foundation members. However, I would say that the image of open-source being dominated by the lone hacker is somewhat overstated. Most well known open source projects are created mainly by paid employees of interested companies, who, unlike Eclipse members, often go to great lengths to hide that fact. At Eclipse we view this cooperation as a good thing and don't want to sweep it under the carpet."

From Nokia's perspective Eclipse is a logical step. "Java development generally is increasingly dominated by Eclipse," says D'Arcy Salzmann, Senior Manager, Tool Partners, Forum Nokia. "So as part of a strategy to modernize our tools, Eclipse was an obvious choice. It's a wonderfully modern platform upon which to build tools. It also means that, as mobile Java development increasingly becoming an essential component of any major IT initiative, Java developers embracing Nokia's Platforms will be able to do so using a familiar tool."

Nokia's goal is to provide developers and other users of Eclipse (including other tools developers) a standard way of building J2ME application. "Nokia is contributing a number of J2ME assets we have developed in-house to Eclipse," says D'Arcy. "We believe these tools will make J2ME development easier for all developers. As we are building a generic project, not one specifically about supporting Nokia's Java implementation, they will also make it easier for companies who want to build J2ME tools."

One interesting question this raises is what happens to the CodeWarrior tool set which Nokia licensed only last year, bringing a number of staff from Metrowerks with it?

"While the focus of this announcement is on Nokia's joining Eclipse Foundation and leading a J2ME project it should also be clear that we are modernizing all of our tool assets and Eclipse will play a role in that," says D'Arcy. "The value in CodeWarrior comprises the IP Nokia acquired, such as the debug technology, and the engineering talent. You should expect to hear, in the not too distant future, announcements on how Eclipse will play a role in our Symbian OS development tools."

Further information on this announcement read the official press release here or visit www.eclipse.org.