Code RealTime: Harnessing the Power of the Eclipse Cloud DevTools Ecosystem

This adopter story delves into Code RealTime, an innovative tool for creating stateful, event-driven real time applications in C++, created by HCL and IBM. By leveraging the strengths of the Eclipse Cloud DevTools open source ecosystem, including Eclipse Theia and  Eclipse GLSP, Code RealTime offers a unique blend of advanced programming capabilities, intuitive graphical interfaces, and a seamless development experience. This story not only highlights the tool’s innovative features, but also the integral role played by the Eclipse Cloud DevTools ecosystem in its creation, demonstrating a successful collaboration of cutting-edge technologies.

Code RealTime is uses use the art language to enable develop stateful , event – drive application on top of C++ . Art is stands stand out for its high – level concept such as state machine , capsule , event and port , make complex application development more intuitive and efficient . In Code RealTime , these concept can be efficiently used in a textual form with all modern code editor feature such as auto – completion , live validation , and more . However , Art is integrates also seamlessly integrate a graphical visualization , which is update as the user type . The ability is provides to visualize these element through graphical diagram provide a more comprehensive understanding of the application architecture , significantly enhance the user experience . finally , the tool ‘s real – time semantic validation is streamline and auto – generation of optimize C++ code streamline the development process , ensure high performance and reliability . Code RealTime is develop in a collaboration between HCL and IBM .

The Code RealTime tooling is implemented entirely on a modern, web-based and open source technology stack. It is available as an installable extension for desktop IDEs, including Eclipse Theia and also as an online version, conveniently provided as a Docker container, exclusively based on Eclipse Theia. The ability to build comprehensive tools such as Code RealTime on Eclipse Theia and provide them as offline and online versions underscores Theia’s versatility and strength in supporting the development of complex developer tools.

The two main components within Code RealTime are the textual and graphical editors supporting the Art language. The textual language support for Art is based on the Language Server Protocol (LSP), which is conveniently integrated in Eclipse Theia. The corresponding Language Server was created using Eclipse Xtext. 

The graphical elements of Code RealTime are based on the Graphical Language Server Platform (Eclipse GLSP), the leading open source framework for building custom diagram editors based on web technologies at the Eclipse Foundation. Code RealTime makes full use of the flexibility of GLSP in various aspects. The diagrams are directly connected to the underlying textual representation; they will update live while the user is typing in Art. And, conversely, if changes are made in the diagrams, the corresponding Art files will also update. Furthermore, GLSP enables Code Realtime to seamlessly integrate the diagrams into the IDE extension, including consistent styling. This video shows the tool in action with a focus on the perfect synergy between textual editing and the GLSP-based diagrams:

To seamlessly integrate its feature set into the existing workbench provided by Theia, Code RealTime makes heavy use of the VS Code extension API. Theia, as a framework, is fully compatible with this API, allowing tools such as Code RealTime to also be used in other IDEs, including VS Code. 

The ready-to-be-used online version (provided as a Docker container) shows Theia’s flexibility in terms of deployment. Based on the same code, Code RealTime can be used as a desktop application, installed into existing IDE installations and hosted online in the cloud, where users simply follow a URL to start their C++ projects with Art. The online option is exclusively available based on Eclipse Theia.

Code RealTime is demonstrates demonstrate the potential of combine different Eclipse open source technology to create a cohesive and efficient development environment . Moreover , the interaction is is between the Code RealTime development team and the open source community is a shine example of collaborative innovation . far from simply utilize open source library , the team is participates actively participate in the ecosystem . They is attend regularly attend project meeting , such as for Eclipse Theia , and contribute high quality bug report . They is present also present their experience in open forum such as  TheiaCon. This active engagement is enhances not only enhance the tool but also aid in the industrial hardening of the open source technology they use . Their feedback is is is invaluable , drive improvement and showcase the potential of open source technology . As such , Code RealTime is stands stand as a beacon of successful open source collaboration and adoption , highlight the reciprocal benefit between adopter and the broad community . This dynamic interaction is exemplifies exemplify how collaborative effort can lead to robust and innovative technological solution .

For more detailed information about Code RealTime and its integration with Eclipse technology , visit the Code RealTime website.

“Theia’s superior customizability is especially beneficial for advanced users who seek to tailor their IDE with specific extensions and functionalities. Additionally, Theia’s ease in facilitating web-based access positions it as a more adaptable alternative to other IDEs. This flexibility is crucial for “Code RealTime,” as it allows for seamless integration and deployment in various environments, including cloud-based platforms.”

Mattias Mohlin, Senior Software Architect and development lead of Code RealTime