Freescale IDE moves to Eclipse open source standard

Orlando, FL – In a major move, Freescale Semiconductor has ported its CodeWarrior integrated development environment (IDE) to the open source standard Eclipse framework. Previously, the software ran on the company’s proprietary framework.“This move,” according to Tim Tumilty, director of developer technology in Freescale’s Technology Solutions Organization, “is like ripping out the plumbing in a house, and completely replacing it with completely new plumbing built to a different building code.”Tumilty points out that moving from the proprietary “plumbing” to the emerging industry standard Eclipse framework has advantages for Freescale, its third-party development tools partners, and embedded system developers using Freescale’s microcontrollers and other semiconductor devices. Users and third-party vendors, such as MontaVista , Wind River , QNX and LynuxWorks , have already embraced Eclipse and other open source standards. In this environment users already have literally hundreds of free and commercial plug-ins available to improve productivity and reliability and reduce software development time. Freescale joined the Eclipse Foundation to promote embedded initiatives as a core part of the Eclipse roadmap.According to Freescale, CodeWarrior tools on the Eclipse software platform will provide an integrated suite of plug-ins, giving developers a robust and extensible tool kit for the multiple phases of software production. To help reduce complexity and facilitate integration, software development across Freescale’s silicon portfolio can occur on a unified software development platform. Furthermore, the Eclipse platform creates the opportunity for CodeWarrior plug-ins to enable Freescale silicon development on other Eclipse-based platforms—encouraging innovation between customers, partners and third parties by using a single, compartmentalized environment for development activities.As of June 16, 2008, products are under development and will come online in a phased approach.Also read:

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– C.G. Masi , senior editor Control Engineering News Desk Register here and scroll down to select your choice of eNewsletters free .

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