Integrated Development Enviroment

IDE Integrated Development Environment:-

                                 

Whether you’re a seasoned developer or you’re just learning how to code, staying on top of the latest integrated development environments is a constant challenge. Truthfully, there is no best IDE for everyone. The best IDE is the IDE that works best for you, so below is a selection of 10 of the most popular

How is an IDE Different From a Text Editor?#

An IDE is more than a simple text editor. While code-centric text editors such as Sublime or Atom offer many convenient features such as syntax highlighting, customizable interfaces, and extensive navigation tools, they only allow you to write code. To make functioning applications, you at least need a compiler and a debugger.

An IDE includes all of these components and then more. Some IDEs come with additional tools for automating, testing and visualizing the development process. The term “integrated development environment” means that you have everything you need to turn code into functioning apps and programs.

1. Microsoft Visual Studio

Microsoft Visual Studio is a premium IDE ranging in price from $699 - $2,900 depending on the edition and licensing. The many editions of this IDE are capable of creating all types of programs ranging from web applications to mobile apps to video games. This series of software includes tons of tools for compatibility testing so that you can see how your apps run on more than 300 devices and browsers. Thanks to its flexibility, Visual Studio is a great tool for both students and professionals.

Languages Supported: ASP.NET, DHTML, JavaScript, JScript, Visual Basic, Visual C#, Visual C++, Visual F#, XAML and more

Notable Features:

• A massive library of extensions that is always growing
• IntelliSense
• Customizable dashboard and dockable windows
• Straightforward workflow and file hierarchy
• Insights for monitoring performance in real-time
• Automation tools
• Easy refactoring and code snippet insertion
• Split-screen support
• Error list that allows debugging while building
• Approval checks when deploying apps via ClickOnce, Windows Installer or Publish Wizard

Drawbacks: Because the Visual Studio is a heavyweight IDE, it takes considerable resources to open and run, so making simple edits may be time-consuming on some devices. For a simpler task, it may be easier to use a lightweight editor

2. NetBeans

Netbeans is a free and open-source IDE. Ideal for editing existing projects or starting from scratch, NetBeans boasts a simple drag-and-drop interface that comes with a myriad of convenient project templates. It is primarily used to develop Java applications, but you can download bundles that support other languages.

Languages Supported: C, C++, C++11, Fortran, HTML 5, Java, PHP and more

Notable Features:

• Intuitive drag-and-drop interface
• Dynamic and static libraries
• Multi-session GNU debugger integration with code assistance
• Allows for remote development
• Compatible with Windows, Linux, OS X, and Solaris platforms
• Supports Qt Toolkit
• Supports Fortran and Assembler files
• Supports several compilers including CLang/LLVM, Cygwin, GNU, MinGW, and Oracle Solaris Studio

Drawbacks: This free IDE consumes a lot of memory, so it may perform sluggishly on some machines

3. PyCharm

PyCharm is developed by the folks over at Jet Brains and provides users a free Community Edition, 30 days free trial for the Professional Edition, $213 - $690 for an annual subscription. Comprehensive code assistance and analysis make PyCharm the best IDE for Python programmers of all ability levels. PyCharm also supports other languages and works on multiple platforms, so practically anyone can use it.

Languages Supported: AngularJS, Coffee Script, CSS, Cython, HTML, JavaScript, Node.js, Python, TypeScript and template languages

Notable Features:

• Compatible with Windows, Linux, and Mac OS
• Comes with Django IDE
• Easy to integrate with Git, Mercurial, and SVN
• Customizable interface with VIM emulation
• JavaScript, Python and Django debuggers
• Supports Google App Engine

Drawbacks: Users complain that PyCharm has some bugs, such as the autocomplete feature occasionally not working, which can be a minor inconvenience

4. IntelliJ IDEA

IntelliJ IDEA is another IDE developed by Jet Brains. This IDE offers users a free Community Edition, 30 days free trial for the Ultimate Edition, and costs $533 - $693 annually depending on features. IntelliJ IDEA, which supports Java 8 and Java EE 7, comes with extensive tools to develop mobile apps and enterprise technologies for different platforms. When it comes to cost, IntelliJ is a real deal due to the massive the list of features you get.

Languages Supported: AngularJS, CoffeeScript, CS, HTML, JavaScript, Less, Node JS, PHP, Python, Ruby, Sass, TypeScript and more.

Notable Features:

• Extensive database editor and UML designer
• Supports multiple build systems
• Test runner UI
• Code coverage
• Git integration
• Supports Google App Engine, Grails, GWT, Hibernate, Java EE, OSGi, Play, Spring, Struts and more
• Deployment and debugging tools for most application servers
• Intelligent text editors for HTML, CSS, and Java
• Integrated version control
• AIR Mobile supports Android and iOS devices

Drawbacks: This IDE comes with a learning curve, so it may not the best for beginners. There are many shortcuts to remember, and some users complain about the clunky UI

5. Eclipse

Eclipse is a free and flexible open-source editor useful for beginners and pros alike. Originally a Java environment, Eclipse now has a wide range of capabilities thanks to a large number of plug-ins and extensions. In addition to debugging tools and Git/CVS support, the standard edition of Eclipse comes with Java and Plugin Development Tooling. If that’s not enough for you, there’s plenty of other packages to choose from that include tools for charting, modeling, reporting, testing, and building GUIs. The Eclipse Marketplace Client gives users access to a treasure trove of plugins and information supplied by an expanding community of developers.

Languages Supported: C, C++, Java, Perl, PHP, Python, Ruby and more

Notable Features:

• A plethora of package solutions allowing for multi-language support
• Java IDE enhancements such as hierarchical views of nested projects with customizable perspectives
• Task-focused interface including system-tray notifications
• Automated error reporting
• Tooling options for JEE projects
• JUnit integration

Drawbacks: While Eclipse is a very versatile software, the many options may be intimidating to newcomers. Eclipse doesn’t have all of the same features as IntelliJ IDEA, but it is open source

6. Code: Blocks

Code:: Blocks is another popular free and open-source option. It is a highly customizable IDE that performs consistently across all platforms, so it is great for developers who frequently switch between workspaces. The plug-in framework lets users tweak this IDE to meet their needs.

Languages Supported: C, C++, Fortran

Notable Features:

• Easy-to-navigate tabbed interface including a list of open files
• Compatible with Linux, Mac, and Windows
• Written in C++
• Requires no interpreted or proprietary languages
• Supports many pre-built and custom-built plug-ins
• Supports multiple compilers including GCC, MSVC++, clang and more
• A debugger that includes breakpoint support
• Text editor with syntax highlighting and autocomplete
• Customizable external tools
• Simple task management tools ideal for multiple users

Drawbacks: Though Code:: Blocks comes with many features, it is a relatively lightweight IDE, so it’s not suited for larger projects. It is a great tool for beginners, but advanced coders may be frustrated with the limitations

7. Xcode

Xcode IDE is free, open-source, and part of Xcode, which is a collection of tools for making apps for Apple devices such as the iPad, iPhone, and Mac. Integration with Cocoa Touch makes development in the Apple environment a breeze, and you can enable services such as Game Center or Passbook with a single mouse click. Built-in communication with the developer’s website helps users produce fully functioning apps on the fly.

Languages Supported: AppleScript, C, C++, Java, Objective-C

Notable Features:

• UI controls can be easily connected with implementation code
• Apple LLVM compiler scans code offers advice for addressing performance issues
• The assistant function allows for split-code workspace
• Jump bar permits quick navigation
• Interface Builder lets the user build prototypes without writing any code
• UI and source code can be graphically connected to sketch complex interface prototypes in just minutes
• Version Editor includes log files and commits timeline
• Branch and merge for distributed teams
• Test Navigator lets you quickly test applications at any point during development
• Automatically builds, analyzes, tests, and archives projects thanks to Integration with OX X server
• Workflow is highly customizable with Tabs, Behaviors, and Snippets
• Instrument library and asset catalog

Drawbacks: You obviously need an Apple machine to run Xcode, and keep in mind that you need a developers license to upload apps to the Apple Store.

Finding the Best IDE for Your Needs#

As you can see, the best IDE for you depends on your operating system, your programming language of choice and which platforms you wish to develop for. Finding the right fit is really an ongoing process. Your options are practically limitless, so it may be helpful to make a list of your preferences and then searching for the IDE that most closely matches your needs. While every developer has their favorite software, don’t be afraid to branch out as the world of IDEs is always expanding.