How do developers improve productivity and reduce time spent on different tasks? How do they decide tools, configure them, and learn how to use new tools? A simple solution for them is to follow standard development using IDE. Since it has all tools they need in one interface, it helps developers to streamline coding.
But how do developers choose the best IDE (Integrated Development Environment)? It depends on their project, language, control system, etc.
For choosing the right IDE businesses also consider budget and personal preferences. For e.g., time, speed, debugging, packages for IDE, ease of use, libraries can help select the right IDE.
1. How is an IDE Different from a Code Editor?
IDE is a collection of tools like text editor, compiler, integrator, debugging tool, etc., IDE uses a single language or group of languages or frameworks.
An editor is nothing more than a tool for editing text. Many code editors have capabilities for non-programming content. But, it is often suited for programming languages. Important thing is that text editors’ function with any language or framework.
Here is a list of different IDEs used for developing innovative websites and mobile apps.
2. Best IDEs for Web Development
1. Visual Studio
Microsoft Visual Studio has completion tools that understand context of your code. It understands variable names, functions, and sort of code you're creating. This improves accuracy and allows developers to code with confidence. It has integrated debugging and you can change, investigate your code.
Key Features of Visual Studio:
- Search feature while debugging
- Code cleanup feature
- New search bar
- Testing tools
Microsoft Visual Studio understand variable names, functions, and sort of code you're creating. This improves accuracy and allows developers to code with confidence. It has integrated debugging and you can change, investigate the execution route of your code, and just about anything else beneath the hood.
Cost:
- Visual Studio Professional (Monthly) - $45.00 per month
- Visual Studio Enterprise (Monthly) - $250.00 per month
- Visual Studio Professional 2019 standalone license - $499.00
- Visual Studio Professional (Standard) - $1999.00 per year
- Visual Studio Test Professional (Standard subscriptions for testers and IT Professionals) - $2169.00 per year
- Visual Studio Enterprise (Standard) - $5999.00 per year
2. Eclipse
In context of computing, Eclipse is used for developing applications using Java. It also uses other programming languages such as C/C++, Python, PERL, Ruby etc.
Eclipse provides plug-ins and is designed to be extensible using extra plug-ins. Because Eclipse offers a graphical debugger, debugging apps is much easier. Eclipse is still one of the most popular IDEs for developers that is used in a variety of fields.
Cost - Free
Key features of Eclipse
- Eclipse Marketplace
- Releng
- Eclipse workspace
- Standard widget tool
- XML editing
- Code recommendation
- Debug
- Apache Maven integration
- Git version control
- Gradle support
3. PyCharm
PyCharm is a dedicated IDE providing a wide range of essential tools for Python. It is integrated to create a convenient environment for Python, web, and data science development.
Key Features of PyCharm:
- Intelligent Python editor
- Scientific tools
- Graphical debugger and test runner
- Web development
- Navigation and Refactoring
- Python web frameworks
- Code inspections
- Python Profiler
- VCS support
- Remote development capabilities
- Database & SQL support
PyCharm assist you in propagating changes throughout your code. PyCharm offers best full-stack support by pre-installing WebStorm and SQL DataGrip.
4. Android Studio
Android Studio is android's official IDE. It is purpose-built for Android to speed up your development. It helps you build highest-quality apps for every Android device. It has annotations for variables, arguments, and return values in Android Studio. It can help catch errors like null pointer exceptions and resource type conflicts. Building automation, dependency management, and customized build are all available in Android Studio. You may set up your project to incorporate both local and hosted libraries. It can specify build variants and use different code shrinking and app settings.
Key Features of Android Studio:
- Visual layout editor
- Intelligent code editor
- APK Analyzer
- Flexible building system
- Fast emulator
- Realtime profilers
5. Net Beans
NetBeans is an open-source, IDE that is developed in Java. It is used to design, debug, and deploy software applications that run on desktop, web, and mobile.
Key Features of Net Beans:
- Smart Administration
- Cross Platform Access
- Easy to Use
- Anywhere editing
3. Advantages and Disadvantages of using IDEs
Many IDEs are tailored to a particular programming language. PyCharm, for instance, is the greatest IDE for Python development. For Java programming, Eclipse is the best choice. The IDE includes some pre-installed libraries for programming language in question.
External plugins are also supported. You can use their plugin if you need an interface for external tools such as debugging tools. It includes syntax highlighting. It facilitates and accelerates your development. The IDE also has a console where you can see the results of the execution. You can see error information if there is one. Debugging and repairing fault is simple.
Some of the disadvantages of IDEs are that they can be difficult to master. It will take time and patience to maximize their benefit. A powerful IDE may not be the best tool for new programmers. It can be rather frustrating to learn how to program while also learning how to use an IDE. Furthermore, for experienced programmers, features and shortcuts mask vital characteristics of a language.
IDEs can't repair faulty code, procedures, or design. You'll still need to be skilled and thorough. An IDE will not solve your application's efficiency or performance issues.
4. Types of IDEs
Conclusion:
Your development productivity might be influenced by the IDE you use. Some of the IDEs mentioned are free, so give them a shot and see what you like.
