The paper introduces GATE, a General Architecture for Text Engineering, designed to address the slow adoption of reusable algorithmic resources in Natural Language Engineering (NLE). GATE is a freely available system that aims to facilitate the reuse of both data and algorithmic resources, thereby reducing redundancy and improving efficiency. The architecture consists of three main components: the GATE Document Manager (GDM), which stores information about texts; the GATE Graphical Interface (GGI), which provides a user-friendly environment for launching and evaluating processing tools; and CREOLE, a collection of wrappers for algorithmic and data resources that interoperate with GDM and GGI. GATE addresses common integration issues by providing a common model for expressing and managing text information, reducing the overhead of integrating diverse NLE modules. The system is intended to support researchers and developers in building and evaluating NLE systems, promoting the reuse of existing components and reducing the need for reinventing solutions.The paper introduces GATE, a General Architecture for Text Engineering, designed to address the slow adoption of reusable algorithmic resources in Natural Language Engineering (NLE). GATE is a freely available system that aims to facilitate the reuse of both data and algorithmic resources, thereby reducing redundancy and improving efficiency. The architecture consists of three main components: the GATE Document Manager (GDM), which stores information about texts; the GATE Graphical Interface (GGI), which provides a user-friendly environment for launching and evaluating processing tools; and CREOLE, a collection of wrappers for algorithmic and data resources that interoperate with GDM and GGI. GATE addresses common integration issues by providing a common model for expressing and managing text information, reducing the overhead of integrating diverse NLE modules. The system is intended to support researchers and developers in building and evaluating NLE systems, promoting the reuse of existing components and reducing the need for reinventing solutions.