Which version of Eclipse should I be downloading?

Question

I just want to develop some Java and Python applications on Windows XP. Which version should I be using:

• Eclipse IDE for Java Developers, 99MB
• Eclipse

Answer 1

The Eclipse Classic version comes with Java support out-of-the-box. The version for Java Developers might just have a couple of packages more specifically tailored to a Java development workflow.

Find a comparison chart of the different versions here.

In any version you can install other packages using the built-in Eclipse installation/update system.

For developing Python applications with Eclipse you will definitely want to install PyDev.

Answer 2

Eclipse IDE for Java Developers - simply made for Java developers. If you develop standalone or similar applications, this is your choice

Eclipse Classic - also has modules to develop Java applications, but also provides different other plugins (extra plugins, which may be unrelated to Java)

Eclipse IDE for Java EE Developers - if you are going to develop dynamic web applications with help of Java, this is what you need.

Make your choice, then in Eclipse go to "Help/Eclipse Marketplace...", type there "python" and on the top you will see PyDev (already mentioned by @cschol), click install :) Using Marketplace you can find other plugins you need for work (just tell it because new Eclipse MArketplace seems to be less known feature of Eclipse Helios platform)