---
title: "Eclipse Equinox, PDE, p2, applications, and products"
chapter: "13"
---

# Eclipse Equinox, PDE, p2, applications, and products

Equinox is the OSGi Framework used by Eclipse and an ecosystem of runtime
services. The Eclipse Platform 4.40 release stream is the current stable
baseline in August 2026.

## Equinox framework

The standalone framework lives in `org.eclipse.osgi`. Equinox implements OSGi
Core and adds mature diagnostics, extension registry integration, launcher,
application model, security history, and platform behaviors.

## Extensions versus services

Eclipse extension points are declarative contributions read by the extension
registry. OSGi services are dynamic runtime objects. Eclipse applications often
use both. Prefer services for dynamic collaboration; use extension points where
the product ecosystem defines that contract.

## PDE

Plug-in Development Environment (PDE) develops bundles/plugins, features,
target platforms, applications, and products. A target platform pins what the
workspace compiles and resolves against. Never let “whatever is installed in my
IDE” become the implicit production target.

## p2

p2 is Eclipse's provisioning system. Installable Units describe capabilities,
requirements, artifacts, touchpoints, and update metadata. Repositories can
assemble and update products. p2 identity/version semantics interact with OSGi
bundle metadata but are not identical to Maven.

## Products and applications

An Eclipse application is an executable contribution. A product defines
branding, launcher, configuration, features/plugins, and update behavior.
Feature-based products curate installable units; bundle-based products list
plugins directly.

## Diagnostics

Use the OSGi console, bundle wiring, DS/component views, PDE dependency analysis,
p2 director logs, state area, and error log. Avoid deleting the entire
configuration/state directory before capturing evidence.

## Feynman check

Equinox is the module engine; PDE builds the product; p2 installs and updates
it; extension points contribute declared features; services provide live
objects.