In version 3.0 of the Eclipse IDE, eclipse introduced the Rich Client Platform (eRCP which is basically a re-factoring of the fundamental parts of Eclipse's UI, allowing it to be used for non-IDE applications.
What does this mean, we are able to use all the goodness of Eclipse's rich UI API and Pluggable architecture without taking all the features of its IDE.
here is a FAQ: http://dev.eclipse.org/viewcvs/index.cgi/%7Echeckout%7E/platform-ui-home/rcp/faq.html#whatis
Authoring Enviroment (AE)
Some of the needs of the authoring environment are going to be:
1. Graphical creation and editing of authored units.
2. suite of wizards to guide users through the authoring process.
3. IDE level tools for the advanced author. This includes editors and debuggers.
4. Integrated authoring enviroment/online portal integration. This includes giving the author the ability to upload/download projects into the AE, sync, versioning, scheduling runs, etc..
5. An authoring experience different from using the eclipse IDE.
1. GEF (Graphical Editing Framework) framework
GEF is a standard framework for the creation and editing of visual components that represent some data structure. For instance we can represent a POD,SOCK, etc.. graphically and give the user the ability to edit that component graphically without touching a script.
2. Wizard framework
Eclipse has a rich wizard framework that can be extended for any authoring need.
3. IDE tools for script level authoring.
Eclipse IDE API capabilities can be used to create scripting editors, debuggers and launchers.
4. SWT web Browser.
Eclipse has a nice built-in web browser that uses the systems native browser. This can be used for many things. Inside the authoring environment, the author would be able to access their online portal. It would also give the option of creation of authoring/online portal integrated enviroment.
5. Authoring Experience
When an author comes to the authoring tool they should not be faced with a full fledged IDE. The authoring experience should be completely different than what the standard IDE brings. Using eRCP, the author tool can be constructed from the ground up, starting from a clean slate. Creating a user interface that will appeal to beginners, novices and advanced authors more interested in scripting.