The Eclipse Dynamic Update Server is a dynamic Eclipse update site that allows plug-in providers to easily deploy and publish new and updated Eclipse features. The server removes the need for regenerating feature.xml and site.xml files when new plug-ins or plug-in versions become available. New or updated plug-ins can be simply uploaded via HTTP POST/PUT or similar means. An updated feature.xml and a corresponding entry in the server’s site.xml will be automatically generated based on the version and dependency information in the plug-in’s manifest. Feature manifest and site.xml and no longer need to be generated as part of the plug-in build procedure. The server also manages user feedback and allows for easy removal of faulty feature releases. The finished server product will provide a user experience similar to the Eclipse plug-in central but will present itself as a single Eclipse update site whose content can be easily modified.

The Eclipse Dynamic Update Server will be implemented as a Java servlet.

This project is in its early planning phase and currently has one developer. The idea for this project originated at Intuit, Inc. and will likely be used by Intuit for internal distribution of Eclipse plug-ins.