Eclipse IDE is an open source platform useful to build an extensible development and develop application frameworks to build, deploy and manage through the complete SDLC of the software. Features wise Eclipse IDE is much more advanced than the conventional Java development Environment. As a first step you have to download Eclipse CDT from:
Use the following command to extract the tar:
$ tar xzvf eclipse-cpp-ganymede-SR2-linux-gtk,tar.gz
As the next step you have to change your directory in terminal window into the extracted folder and then start Eclipse as given below :
# cd eclipse
$ ./eclipse
Let us consider building a “C“ application using Eclipse IDE. Use the following command sequence to accomplish the first step :
Select File – New – C Project.
Assign the project a name and identify the location (it is advisable to retain the location field as the default value. Most important mention “Executable” under the Project type. Click “Next” followed by “Finish” to complete this step. Specify the Yes for “C/C++” perspective or not. Locate the Project explorer Select build project in Project Explorer with options like Console, Tasks and Problems. Next you have to compile this project using Eclipse IDE.
Let us now get down to the task at hand – Kernel compilation. Download a kernel tar file from the website – www.kernel.org.
The commands look like this :
$mv linux-2.6.34.tar.bz2 /usr /src.
Then the file has to be extracted into the respective folder through the following command :
$ tar -jxvf linux-2.6.34.tar.bz2
$cd linux-2.6.34
Configuration can be set as follows :
$ make menuconfig
Further steps in the process to compile a kernel using Eclipse IDE are fairly simple. Take care to disable the “Automatic building and indexing” to save time. This is accomplished as follows :
Window – Preference – General – C/C++ – Indexer. You have to select “No Indexer” Next give the following command – File – New – C Project. After assigning a name to the project undo checking of “Use default location” and browse to your kernel source code directory.
Project type – Makefile project – Empty Project. To cross-compile the kernel, use existing tool from “Toolchain”. Click on Finish to complete this beginning step. Give the following commands to complete the task :
Make all
CHK include/linux/version.h
CHK include/generated/utsrelease.h
CHK scripts/checksyscalls.sh
CHK include/generated/compile.h
On waiting for a few minutes the compilation is completed. To check that the kernel image file is created successfully type the following commands :
$ ls –l /usr/src/linux-2.6.34/arch/x86/boot/bzimage
–rw-r—r—1 manoj sc 3589920 2010-11-30 12:51 /usr/src/
Linux-2.6.34/arch/x86/boot/bzimage
Option readers and internet users will certainly admit that developing kernel using Eclipse ID is one of the simplest things anyone can do. However, to realize the true potential of the eclipse, You can gradually scale up the nature of projects to more complex projects to realize the full potential of eclipse IDE. A step-by-step approach would be wise in this regard. 
Several open source tools have evolved in the past and have become popular with the developers too. These tools have gained popularity not only because they come free but because of the ease to work with and the features. First let us see some code editors:
Computer Borders 