Genuitec makes editing a SNAP

The latest milestone of MyEclipse IDE (5.5M1) allows you to use some of its tools without bringing up the IDE. According to Todd Williams, VP of Technology at Genuitec,

We're starting to "dis-integrate" MyEclipse into a series of what we call SNAPs (Simple Non-integrated APplications) that provide silos of our IDE's functionality, but in a lightweight, desktop-friendly, double-clickable, non-workspace-tied versions. So, now for fast edits, when you just don't need an IDE you have a choice. And, since they're not tied to a workspace they work with whatever IDE you might use, not just ours.

This brings up the interesting possibility of using MyEclipse technology along side Visual Studio or NetBeans.

To use a SNAP, you can either select it from the Start menu (it's Windows-only for now) or double-click on a file associated with the tool. For example, when you double-click on a .sql file you can have the Database Explorer pop up. If it's already up, a new editor will open inside the already open tool.

The first SNAPs to be provided are:

• Database Explorer
• HTML Designer
• XML Editor
• Image Editor

SNAPs share the MyEclipse installation and only launch the minimum amount of plug-ins required for the capabilities of each SNAP. Therefore each SNAP install weighs in at only about 1MB. Genuitec calls this "Fusion" technology because it's a fusion of lightweight RCP applications and IDE plug-ins.

"We'll continue to ship and improve the IDE," says Todd, "but we'll also be providing more and more SNAPs over time. There is no lock-in; just use as much as you need."

For more information see the MyEclipse 5.5M1 New and Noteworthy page.