The Flex Builder 2 IDE, which offers increased productivity, is based on the Eclipse open source software development platform. Since many developers already use Eclipse for Java development, the IDE gives them a familiar environment for development of both Java applications and rich clients.  

The IDE supports more advanced code-hinting, in which Flex Builder will provide recommendations on completing statements. The code-hinting feature now works within the Eclipse model.

Flex Builder's visual layout capability has been improved as well, being based on Eclipse with WYSIWYG functionality. Skinning and styling capabilities also have been revamped, enabling developers to apply their own customized look and feel to an application.

Flex Builder 2 costs $499 per seat. An enhanced version featuring the ability to build charts and other graphics costs $749 per developer seat.