The Eclipse-based Rational Systems Developer supports C, C++, and the standard edition of Java. These languages are of particular use in building specialty systems, according to IBM. The tool is integrated with UML 2.0 modeling capabilities.

Systems can be developed in which software is tightly connected to specialized hardware, such as mission control systems, medical devices, and telecommunications systems. IBM anticipates a large market for its new offering.

"There's nothing similar in the market, and what we're filling is this need for a combination of design capabilities and construction capabilities for C, C++, and Java applications," said Roger Oberg, Rational vice president of marketing.

UML-based, platform-independent models developed in the tool can be transformed specifically into these languages as well as into CORBA IDL (Interface Definition Language). The package features integration with the Rational Team Unifying Platform, including Rational's ClearCase and ClearQuest offerings.

Rational Systems Developer supports the U.S. Department of Defense Architecture Framework, for building large-scale systems such as command and control systems.