What is rcp?

RCP (Rich Client Platform) is a framework for developing desktop applications in Java. It provides a standard set of components and services which can be used for building Eclipse-based applications. The RCP framework enables developers to easily create cross-platform desktop applications with rich user interfaces and sophisticated features. It is built on top of the Eclipse platform, which is known for its extensibility and modularity. The RCP framework includes the Eclipse SWT widget toolkit, the JFace framework for building UI components, and the Eclipse plug-in architecture for managing modular components. It supports the development of standalone applications as well as plug-ins for the Eclipse IDE. RCP applications can run on multiple platforms including Windows, Linux, and Mac OS X. Some popular applications built using RCP include IBM Lotus Notes, Adobe Acrobat Reader, and the Eclipse IDE itself.