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Eclipse SDK is an open source platform-independent software framework for delivering what the project calls or is known as "rich-client applications" (as opposed to "thin clients", this means the clients perform heavy-duty work on the host. The Eclipse software development environment provides programmers with the means of creating client-oriented applications within an IDE, along with a comprehensive plug-in system. Its base programming language is Java. However, thanks to several dedicated plug-ins, it can also be utilized to work with other programming and scripting languages, such as C, C++, JavaScript, PHP, Perl, Python, Ruby, Ada or COBOL. Various platforms are provided, such as the Rich Client Platform (RCP) and Server, Web Tools or Modeling components. The RCP consists of Equinox OSGi, the core platform, Standard Widget Toolkit (SWT), JFace, and the Eclipse Workbench for viewing and editing perspectives. The Modeling Platform consists of several official project categories of the Eclipse Foundation that set their sights on model-based development technologies. Model Transformation, Model Development Tools, Concrete Syntax Development, Abstract Syntax Development, Technology and Research, together with Amalgam are included.

So far this framework has typically been used to develop IDEs (Integrated Development Environments), such as the highly-regarded Java IDE called Java Development Toolkit (JDT) and compiler that come as part of Eclipse SDK (and which are also used to develop Eclipse itself). However, it can be used for other types of client application as well, see the popular BitTorrent client Azureus for example.

Eclipse SDK was originally developed by IBM, but is now developed by the Eclipse Foundation, an independent not-for-profit consortium of software industry vendors. Many notable software tool vendors have embraced Eclipse as a future framework for their IDEs, among them Borland and IBM Rational.