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{{Short description|Software engineering toolkit}}
{{Short description| Software development tool that provides an integrated user experience}}
{{About|software development|the PC storage connector|Parallel ATA}}
{{About| software development|the PC storage connector| Parallel ATA}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2020}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2020}}
[[File:JGRASP+hello world.png|thumb|An integrated development environment running on a desktop operating system]]
[[File:JGRASP+hello world.png|thumb|260px|An integrated development environment running on a desktop operating system]]
{{Software development process|Tools}}
{{Software development process|Tools}}


An '''integrated development environment''' ('''IDE''') is a [[Application software|software application]] that provides comprehensive facilities for [[software development]]. An IDE normally consists of at least a [[source-code editor]], [[build automation]] tools, and a [[debugger]]. Some IDEs, such as [[IntelliJ IDEA]], [[Eclipse (software)|Eclipse]] and [[Lazarus (software)|Lazarus]] contain the necessary [[compiler]], [[interpreter (computing)|interpreter]] or both; others, such as [[SharpDevelop]] and [[NetBeans]], do not.
An '''integrated development environment''' ('''IDE''') is [[software]] that provides a relatively comprehensive set of features for [[software development]]. An IDE is intended to enhance productivity by providing development features with a consistent [[user experience]] as opposed to using separate tools, such as [[Vi (text editor)|vi]], [[GNU Debugger| GDB]], [[GNU Compiler Collection| GCC]], and [[make (software)|make]].  


The boundary between an IDE and other parts of the broader software development environment is not well-defined; sometimes a [[version control system]] or various tools to simplify the construction of a [[graphical user interface]] (GUI) are integrated. Many modern IDEs also have a [[class browser]], an [[object browser]], and a [[class diagram|class hierarchy diagram]] for use in [[object-oriented programming|object-oriented software development]].
At a minimum, an IDE typically supports [[source-code editor| source-code editing]], [[source control]], [[build automation]], and [[debugging]]. An IDE may include support for integrating tools such as
a [[compiler]], [[runtime environment]] or [[version control system]], but sometimes such tools are bundled with the IDE. Some IDEs provide special support for constructing a [[graphical user interface]] (GUI). Many IDEs support [[object-oriented programming]] via features such as [[class browser]] and [[object browser]]. Typically, an IDE provides special support for one or more [[programming language]]s, allowing for features tailored to a language. Some IDEs can be extended to support additional languages.


== Overview ==
Although some IDEs are implemented as a [[software application| application]], some are implemented as a [[Library (computing)|library]], often designed for a particular [[software platform]]. For example, although [[Eclipse (software)|Eclipse]] is a platform for which there are many [[Plug-in (computing)|plugins]] that each provide an IDE [[user experience| experience]], the core application does not.{{efn| Eclipse is often called an IDE since it was originally and still is today commonly installed with the Java IDE plugin. The plugins provide development environments. With no plugins enabled, the Eclipse application does not provide an experience that includes the typical, basic features of an integrated development environment.}}
[[File:Vim8-autocompletion-go-syntastic.png|thumb|Vim with integrated auto-completion and linting through an external plugin]]
Integrated development environments are designed to maximize programmer productivity by providing tight-knit components with similar [[user interface]]s. IDEs present a single program in which all development is done. This program typically provides many features for authoring, modifying, compiling, deploying and debugging software. This contrasts with software development using unrelated tools, such as [[Vi (text editor)|vi]], [[GNU Debugger|GDB]], [[GNU Compiler Collection]], or [[make (software)|make]].
 
One aim of the IDE is to reduce the configuration necessary to piece together multiple development utilities. Instead, it provides the same set of capabilities as one cohesive unit. Reducing setup time can increase developer productivity, especially in cases where learning to use the IDE is faster than manually integrating and learning all of the individual tools. Tighter integration of all development tasks has the potential to improve overall productivity beyond just helping with setup tasks. For example, code can be continuously parsed while it is being edited, providing instant feedback when syntax errors are introduced, thus allowing developers to debug code much faster and more easily with an IDE.
 
Some IDEs are dedicated to a specific [[programming language]], allowing a feature set that most closely matches the [[programming paradigm]]s of the language. However, there are many multiple-language IDEs.


While most modern IDEs are graphical, text-based IDEs such as [[Turbo Pascal]] were in popular use before the availability of windowing systems like [[Microsoft Windows]] and the [[X Window System]] (X11). They commonly use function keys or [[keyboard shortcut|hotkeys]] to execute frequently used commands or macros.
While a modern IDE provides a GUI, there were IDEs before the availability of windowing systems like [[Windows]] and the [[X Window System]] (X11). For example, [[Turbo Pascal]] for [[DOS]] had a full-screen, text-based user experience.


== History ==
== History ==
[[File:Emacs-screenshot.png|thumb|[[GNU Emacs]], an extensible editor that is commonly used as an IDE on [[Unix-like]] systems]]
IDEs initially became possible when developing via a [[System console|console]] or [[Computer terminal|terminal]]. Early systems could not support one, since programs were submitted to a [[compiler]] or [[Assembly language|assembler]] via [[punched card]]s, [[paper tape]], etc. [[Dartmouth BASIC]] was the first language to be created with an IDE (and was also the first to be designed for use while sitting in front of a console or terminal).{{Citation needed|date=April 2016}} Its IDE (part of the [[Dartmouth Time-Sharing System]]) was command-based, and therefore did not look much like the menu-driven, graphical IDEs popular after the advent of the [[graphical user interface]]. However it integrated editing, file management, compilation, debugging and execution in a manner consistent with a modern IDE.
IDEs initially became possible when developing via a [[System console|console]] or [[Computer terminal|terminal]]. Early systems could not support one, since programs were submitted to a [[compiler]] or [[Assembly language|assembler]] via [[punched card]]s, [[paper tape]], etc. [[Dartmouth BASIC]] was the first language to be created with an IDE (and was also the first to be designed for use while sitting in front of a console or terminal).{{Citation needed|date=April 2016}} Its IDE (part of the [[Dartmouth Time-Sharing System]]) was command-based, and therefore did not look much like the menu-driven, graphical IDEs popular after the advent of the [[graphical user interface]]. However it integrated editing, file management, compilation, debugging and execution in a manner consistent with a modern IDE.


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{{As of|2023|08}}, the most commonly searched for IDEs on [[Google Search]] were [[Visual Studio]], [[Visual Studio Code]], and [[Eclipse (software)|Eclipse]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://pypl.github.io/IDE.html|title=TOP IDE Top Integrated Development Environment index|website=pypl.github.io|access-date=August 8, 2023}}</ref>
{{As of|2023|08}}, the most commonly searched for IDEs on [[Google Search]] were [[Visual Studio]], [[Visual Studio Code]], and [[Eclipse (software)|Eclipse]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://pypl.github.io/IDE.html|title=TOP IDE Top Integrated Development Environment index|website=pypl.github.io|access-date=August 8, 2023}}</ref>


== Topics ==
== Features ==
Features commonly found in an IDE include:
; Language support: Some IDEs support multiple languages, such as [[GNU Emacs]], [[IntelliJ IDEA]], [[Eclipse (software)|Eclipse]], [[MyEclipse]], [[NetBeans]], [[MonoDevelop]], JDoodle or PlayCode. Support for alternative languages is often provided by [[plug-in (computing)|plugins]], allowing them to be installed on the same IDE at the same time. For example, Flycheck is a modern on-the-fly syntax checking extension for [[GNU Emacs]] 24 with support for 39 languages.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://flycheck.readthedocs.org/en/latest/manual/introduction.html |title=Introduction - Flycheck 0.18-cvs | website = [[Read the Docs]] |access-date=2014-03-10 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140310225211/http://flycheck.readthedocs.org/en/latest/manual/introduction.html |archive-date=10 March 2014}}</ref> Another example is JDoodle, an online cloud-based IDE that supports 88 languages.[https://www.jdoodle.com/docs/jdoodle-apis/programming-languages-and-versions] [[Eclipse (software)|Eclipse]], and [[Netbeans]] have plugins for [[C (programming language)|C]]/[[C++]], [[Ada (programming language)|Ada]], [[GNAT]] (for example AdaGIDE), [[Perl]], [[Python (programming language)|Python]], [[Ruby (programming language)|Ruby]], and [[PHP]], which are selected between automatically based on file extension, environment or project settings.
; [[Syntax highlighting]]: The [[source-code editor| source-code editing]] feature usually includes syntax highlighting, it can show both the structures, the language keywords and the syntax errors with visually distinct colors and font effects.<ref name="ide-common"/>
; Continual syntax checking: Code syntax can be continuously validated while it is being edited and errors can be provided an error are introduced instead of the developer waiting until a build is run.
; Code search: The IDE may support searching for class and function declarations, usages, variable and field read/write, etc. IDEs can use different kinds of user interface for code search, for example form-based widgets<ref>{{cite web |title=Eclipse Cookbook - Searching Code |url=https://www.oreilly.com/library/view/eclipse-cookbook/0596007108/ch04s05.html |website=O’Reilly |language=en}}</ref> and natural-language based interfaces. The IDE may also support searching for an implementation of a declaration.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1 =Stolee|first1=Kathryn T.|last2=Elbaum|first2=Sebastian|last3=Dobos|first3=Daniel|date=2014|title=Solving the Search for Source Code|url=https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1145/2581377|journal=ACM Transactions on Software Engineering and Methodology|language=en|volume=23|issue=3|pages=1–45|doi=10.1145/2581377|s2cid=8558710 |issn=1049-331X|url-access=subscription}}</ref>
; [[Code completion]]
; [[Refactoring]]<ref name="ide-common">{{cite web |title=Course CS350 Integrated Development Environments |url=https://www.cs.odu.edu/~zeil/cs350/f17/Public/IDEs/index.html |website=cs.odu.edu |publisher=Old Dominion University |access-date=10 October 2018}}</ref>
; [[Version control]]<ref name="ide-common"/>
; Simplified configuration: One typical aim of an IDE is to reduce the configuration necessary to integrate multiple development utilities. An IDE can provide for a cohesive configuration aspect that reduces setup time and therefore increases productivity, especially in cases where learning to use the IDE is faster than otherwise integrating and learning multiple tools.
; [[Debugging]]: Debugging support usually includes setting breakpoints in the editor, visual rendering of steps, etc.<ref>{{cite web |title=Programming software and the IDE |url=https://www.bbc.com/bitesize/guides/zgmpr82/revision/1 |website=BBC Bitesize |access-date=10 October 2018 |archive-date=9 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181009173403/https://www.bbc.com/bitesize/guides/zgmpr82/revision/1 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
; [[Visual programming]]: Visual Basic allows users to design an application by moving programming, building blocks, or code nodes to create flowcharts or structure diagrams that are then compiled or interpreted. These flowcharts often are based on the [[Unified Modeling Language]].


=== Syntax highlighting ===
: This interface has been popularized with the [[Lego Mindstorms]] system and is being actively perused by a number of companies wishing to capitalize on the power of custom browsers like those found at [[Mozilla]]. [[KTechlab]] supports flowcode and is a popular open-source IDE and Simulator for developing software for microcontrollers. Visual programming is also responsible for the power of [[distributed programming]] (cf. [[LabVIEW]] and EICASLAB software).{{Clarify|date=July 2025|reason= I thought distributed programming involved 2 or more computers communicating, while LabView typically runs on a single computer?}} An early visual programming system, [[Max (software)|Max]], was modeled after an analog [[synthesizer]] design and has been used to develop real-time music performance software since the 1980s. Another early example was [[Prograph]], a [[dataflow programming|dataflow]]-based system originally developed for the [[Macintosh]]. The graphical programming environment "[[GRAPE]]" is used to program [[qfix robot kits]].
{{Main|Syntax highlighting}}


The IDE editor usually provides [[syntax highlighting]], it can show both the structures, the language keywords and the syntax errors with visually distinct colors and font effects.<ref name="ide-common"/>
: This approach is also used in specialist software such as Openlab,{{Clarify|date=July 2025|reason= City Tech Openlab? Agilent Openlab? CERN Openlab? NORCE Openlab?}} where the end-users want the flexibility of a full programming language, without the traditional learning curve associated with one.


=== Code completion ===
== Use ==
For a long time and still somewhat today, IDEs are used more commonly in [[Windows]] environments than on [[Unix-like]] environments. A notable exception is Apple platforms. IDEs have been popular on [[classic Mac OS]] and [[macOS]], dating back to [[Macintosh Programmer's Workshop]], [[Turbo Pascal]], THINK Pascal and [[THINK C]] environments of the mid-1980s. Currently, macOS programmers can choose between native IDEs like [[Xcode]] and third-party tools such as [[Eclipse (software)|Eclipse]], [[Netbeans]] and [[ActiveState Komodo]].


Code completion is an important IDE feature, intended to speed up programming. Modern IDEs even have [[intelligent code completion]].
[[File:Vim8-autocompletion-go-syntastic.png|thumb|Vim with integrated auto-completion and linting through an external plugin]]
[[File:Emacs-screenshot.png|thumb|[[GNU Emacs]], an extensible editor that is commonly used as an IDE on [[Unix-like]] systems]]


====Intelligent code completion====
Instead of using an IDE, developing software for a [[Unix-like]] environment often involves using various [[command-line]] tools<ref>
{{Excerpt|Intelligent code completion}}
 
=== Refactoring ===
 
Advanced IDEs provide support for [[Source-to-source compiler#Refactoring tools|automated refactoring]].<ref name="ide-common">{{cite web |title=Course CS350 Integrated Development Environments |url=https://www.cs.odu.edu/~zeil/cs350/f17/Public/IDEs/index.html |website=cs.odu.edu |publisher=Old Dominion University |access-date=10 October 2018}}</ref>
 
=== Version control ===
 
An IDE is expected to provide integrated [[version control]], in order to interact with source repositories.<ref name="ide-common"/>
 
=== Debugging ===
 
IDEs are also used for debugging, using an integrated [[debugger]], with support for setting breakpoints in the editor, visual rendering of steps, etc.<ref>{{cite web |title=Programming software and the IDE |url=https://www.bbc.com/bitesize/guides/zgmpr82/revision/1 |website=BBC Bitesize |access-date=10 October 2018 |archive-date=9 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181009173403/https://www.bbc.com/bitesize/guides/zgmpr82/revision/1 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
 
=== Code search ===
 
IDEs may provide support for code search. Code search has two different meanings. First, it means searching for class and function declarations, usages, variable and field read/write, etc. IDEs can use different kinds of user interface for code search, for example form-based widgets<ref>{{cite web |title=Eclipse Cookbook - Searching Code |url=https://www.oreilly.com/library/view/eclipse-cookbook/0596007108/ch04s05.html |website=O’Reilly |language=en}}</ref> and natural-language based interfaces.
Second, it means searching for a concrete implementation of some specified functionality.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1 =Stolee|first1=Kathryn T.|last2=Elbaum|first2=Sebastian|last3=Dobos|first3=Daniel|date=2014|title=Solving the Search for Source Code|url=https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1145/2581377|journal=ACM Transactions on Software Engineering and Methodology|language=en|volume=23|issue=3|pages=1–45|doi=10.1145/2581377|s2cid=8558710 |issn=1049-331X|url-access=subscription}}</ref>
=== Visual programming ===
[[Visual programming]] is a usage scenario in which an IDE is generally required. Visual Basic allows users to create new applications by moving programming, building blocks, or code nodes to create flowcharts or structure diagrams that are then compiled or interpreted. These flowcharts often are based on the [[Unified Modeling Language]].
 
This interface has been popularized with the [[Lego Mindstorms]] system and is being actively perused by a number of companies wishing to capitalize on the power of custom browsers like those found at [[Mozilla]]. [[KTechlab]] supports flowcode and is a popular open-source IDE and Simulator for developing software for microcontrollers. Visual programming is also responsible for the power of [[distributed programming]] (cf. [[LabVIEW]] and EICASLAB software). An early visual programming system, [[Max (software)|Max]], was modeled after an analog [[synthesizer]] design and has been used to develop real-time music performance software since the 1980s. Another early example was [[Prograph]], a [[dataflow programming|dataflow]]-based system originally developed for the [[Macintosh]]. The graphical programming environment "Grape" is used to program [[qfix robot kits]].
 
This approach is also used in specialist software such as Openlab, where the end-users want the flexibility of a full programming language, without the traditional learning curve associated with one.
 
=== Language support ===
Some IDEs support multiple languages, such as [[GNU Emacs]], [[IntelliJ IDEA]], [[Eclipse (software)|Eclipse]], [[MyEclipse]], [[NetBeans]], [[MonoDevelop]], JDoodle or PlayCode.
 
Support for alternative languages is often provided by [[plug-in (computing)|plugins]], allowing them to be installed on the same IDE at the same time. For example, [[Flycheck]] is a modern on-the-fly syntax checking extension for [[GNU Emacs]] 24 with support for 39 languages.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://flycheck.readthedocs.org/en/latest/manual/introduction.html |title=Introduction - Flycheck 0.18-cvs | website = [[Read the Docs]] |access-date=2014-03-10 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140310225211/http://flycheck.readthedocs.org/en/latest/manual/introduction.html |archive-date=10 March 2014}}</ref> Another example is JDoodle, an online cloud-based IDE that supports 88 languages.[https://www.jdoodle.com/docs/jdoodle-apis/programming-languages-and-versions] [[Eclipse (software)|Eclipse]], and [[Netbeans]] have plugins for [[C (programming language)|C]]/[[C++]], [[Ada (programming language)|Ada]], [[GNAT]] (for example [[AdaGIDE]]), [[Perl]], [[Python (programming language)|Python]], [[Ruby (programming language)|Ruby]], and [[PHP]], which are selected between automatically based on file extension, environment or project settings.
 
=== Implementation ===
IDEs can be implemented in various languages, for example:
* [[GNU Emacs]] using [[Emacs Lisp]] and [[C (programming language)|C]];
* [[IntelliJ IDEA]], [[Eclipse (software)|Eclipse]] and [[NetBeans]], using [[Java (programming language)|Java]];
*[[MonoDevelop]] and [[JetBrains Rider|Rider]] using [[C Sharp (programming language)|C#]].
 
=== Attitudes across different computing platforms ===
[[Unix]] programmers can combine [[command-line]] [[POSIX]] tools into a complete development environment, capable of developing large programs such as the [[Linux kernel]] and its environment.<ref>
Rehman, Christopher Paul, Christopher R. Paul.
Rehman, Christopher Paul, Christopher R. Paul.
"The Linux Development Platform: Configuring, Using and Maintaining a Complete Programming Environment".
"The Linux Development Platform: Configuring, Using and Maintaining a Complete Programming Environment".
2002.
2002.
{{ISBN|0-13-009115-4}}
{{ISBN|0-13-009115-4}}
</ref> In this sense, the entire Unix system functions as an IDE.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://c2.com/cgi/wiki?UnixIsAnIde|title=UnixIsAnIde}}</ref> The free software [[GNU toolchain]] (including [[GNU Compiler Collection]] (GCC), [[GNU Debugger]] (GDB), and [[GNU make]]) is available on many platforms, including Windows.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gnu.org/software/emacs/windows/Developing-with-Emacs.html|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130704094014/http://www.gnu.org/software/emacs/windows/Developing-with-Emacs.html|url-status=dead|title="Use Emacs with Microsoft Visual C++ ... use Emacs as an IDE"|archivedate=4 July 2013}}</ref> The pervasive Unix philosophy of "everything is a text stream" enables developers who favor [[command-line]] oriented tools to use editors with support for many of the standard Unix and GNU build tools, building an IDE with programs like
</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://c2.com/cgi/wiki?UnixIsAnIde|title=UnixIsAnIde}}</ref> such as the [[GNU toolchain]] (including [[GNU Compiler Collection| GCC]], [[GNU Debugger |GDB]], and [[GNU make| make]])<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gnu.org/software/emacs/windows/Developing-with-Emacs.html|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130704094014/http://www.gnu.org/software/emacs/windows/Developing-with-Emacs.html|url-status=dead|title="Use Emacs with Microsoft Visual C++ ... use Emacs as an IDE"|archivedate=4 July 2013}}</ref> and an text editor such as [[Emacs]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.linuxjournal.com/article/5765|title=Emacs: the Free Software IDE &#124; Linux Journal|website=www.linuxjournal.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://cl-cookbook.sourceforge.net/emacs-ide.html|title=The Common Lisp Cookbook - Using Emacs as a Lisp IDE|website=cl-cookbook.sourceforge.net}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://obsidianrook.com/perlnow/emacs_as_perl_ide.html|title=Emacs as a Perl IDE|website=obsidianrook.com|access-date=11 May 2011|archive-date=21 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160521010534/http://obsidianrook.com/perlnow/emacs_as_perl_ide.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>
[[Emacs]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.linuxjournal.com/article/5765|title=Emacs: the Free Software IDE &#124; Linux Journal|website=www.linuxjournal.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://cl-cookbook.sourceforge.net/emacs-ide.html|title=The Common Lisp Cookbook - Using Emacs as a Lisp IDE|website=cl-cookbook.sourceforge.net}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://obsidianrook.com/perlnow/emacs_as_perl_ide.html|title=Emacs as a Perl IDE|website=obsidianrook.com|access-date=11 May 2011|archive-date=21 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160521010534/http://obsidianrook.com/perlnow/emacs_as_perl_ide.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>
or [[Vim (text editor)|Vim]]. Some programmers prefer managing [[makefile]]s (and similar build files) over the build configuration experience presented by an IDE. For example, most contributors to the [[PostgreSQL]] database use make and GDB directly.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://wiki.postgresql.org/wiki/Developer_FAQ#What_development_environment_is_required_to_develop_code.3F|title=Developer FAQ - PostgreSQL wiki|website=wiki.postgresql.org}}</ref> Even when building PostgreSQL for [[Windows]] via [[Visual C++]], [[Perl]] scripts are used as a replacement for [[makefile|make]] rather than relying on any IDE features.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.postgresql.org/docs/devel/install-windows.html|title=Chapter 18. Installation from Source Code on Windows|date=29 September 2021|website=PostgreSQL Documentation}}</ref> Some Linux IDEs such as [[Geany]] attempt to provide a graphical front end to traditional build operations. [[Data Display Debugger]] is graphical front-end for many text-based [[debugger]] tools.
or [[Vim (text editor)|Vim]]. [[Data Display Debugger]] is intended to be an advanced graphical front-end for many text-based [[debugger]] standard tools. Some programmers prefer managing [[makefile]]s and their derivatives to the similar code building tools included in a full IDE. For example, most contributors to the [[PostgreSQL]] database use [[makefile|make]] and [[GNU Debugger|GDB]] directly to develop new features.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://wiki.postgresql.org/wiki/Developer_FAQ#What_development_environment_is_required_to_develop_code.3F|title=Developer FAQ - PostgreSQL wiki|website=wiki.postgresql.org}}</ref> Even when building PostgreSQL for [[Microsoft Windows]] using [[Visual C++]], [[Perl]] scripts are used as a replacement for [[makefile|make]] rather than relying on any IDE features.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.postgresql.org/docs/devel/install-windows.html|title=Chapter 18. Installation from Source Code on Windows|date=29 September 2021|website=PostgreSQL Documentation}}</ref> Some Linux IDEs such as [[Geany]] attempt to provide a graphical front end to traditional build operations.
 
On the various [[Microsoft Windows]] platforms, command-line tools for development are seldom used. Accordingly, there are many commercial and non-commercial products. However, each has a different design commonly creating incompatibilities. Most major compiler vendors for Windows still provide free copies of their command-line tools, including [[Microsoft]] ([[Visual C++]], [[Platform SDK]], [[.NET Framework]] SDK, [[nmake]] utility).
 
IDEs have always been popular on the Apple Macintosh's [[classic Mac OS]] and [[macOS]], dating back to [[Macintosh Programmer's Workshop]], [[Turbo Pascal]], THINK Pascal and [[THINK C]] environments of the mid-1980s. Currently macOS programmers can choose between native IDEs like [[Xcode]] and open-source tools such as [[Eclipse (software)|Eclipse]] and [[Netbeans]]. [[ActiveState Komodo]] is a proprietary multilanguage IDE supported on macOS.


== Online ==
== Online ==
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A Mobile-Based Integrated Development Environment (IDE) is a software application that provides a comprehensive suite of tools for software development on mobile platforms. Unlike traditional desktop IDEs, mobile-based IDEs are designed to run on smartphones and tablets, allowing developers to write, debug, and deploy code directly from their mobile devices.
A Mobile-Based Integrated Development Environment (IDE) is a software application that provides a comprehensive suite of tools for software development on mobile platforms. Unlike traditional desktop IDEs, mobile-based IDEs are designed to run on smartphones and tablets, allowing developers to write, debug, and deploy code directly from their mobile devices.
== Agentic Development Environment ==
As AI-Assistance is increasing in IDEs, the concept of Agentic Development Environment(ADE) began to appear. agents not only suggest code completions but explain code, analyze bugs, suggest solutions, plan them and implement them. Some ADEs are plugins in regular IDEs as GitHub Copilot, Cline and Continue for Visual Studio Code, while some are deeply integrated as Windsurf, cursor and Google Antigravity. Zed Editor also has optional AI, while the upcoming Jetbrains Fleet Editor was cancelled in favor of an ADE called Jetbrains Air that is based on it.<ref>https://www.jetbrains.com/help/air/quick-start-with-air.html</ref>


== See also ==
== See also ==
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* [[Collaborative development environment]] (CDE)
* [[Collaborative development environment]] (CDE)
* [[Computer-aided software engineering]] (CASE)
* [[Computer-aided software engineering]] (CASE)
* [[Game integrated development environment]]
* [[Software engine]]
* [[Software engine]]
* {{section link|Multiple document interface|IDE-style interface}} (MDI)
* {{section link|Multiple document interface|IDE-style interface}} (MDI)
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* [[Transportable Applications Environment]]
* [[Transportable Applications Environment]]
}}
}}
== Notes ==
{{notelist}}


== References ==
== References ==

Latest revision as of 02:43, 19 December 2025

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File:JGRASP+hello world.png
An integrated development environment running on a desktop operating system

Template:Sidebar with collapsible lists

An integrated development environment (IDE) is software that provides a relatively comprehensive set of features for software development. An IDE is intended to enhance productivity by providing development features with a consistent user experience as opposed to using separate tools, such as vi, GDB, GCC, and make.

At a minimum, an IDE typically supports source-code editing, source control, build automation, and debugging. An IDE may include support for integrating tools such as a compiler, runtime environment or version control system, but sometimes such tools are bundled with the IDE. Some IDEs provide special support for constructing a graphical user interface (GUI). Many IDEs support object-oriented programming via features such as class browser and object browser. Typically, an IDE provides special support for one or more programming languages, allowing for features tailored to a language. Some IDEs can be extended to support additional languages.

Although some IDEs are implemented as a application, some are implemented as a library, often designed for a particular software platform. For example, although Eclipse is a platform for which there are many plugins that each provide an IDE experience, the core application does not.Template:Efn

While a modern IDE provides a GUI, there were IDEs before the availability of windowing systems like Windows and the X Window System (X11). For example, Turbo Pascal for DOS had a full-screen, text-based user experience.

History

IDEs initially became possible when developing via a console or terminal. Early systems could not support one, since programs were submitted to a compiler or assembler via punched cards, paper tape, etc. Dartmouth BASIC was the first language to be created with an IDE (and was also the first to be designed for use while sitting in front of a console or terminal).Script error: No such module "Unsubst". Its IDE (part of the Dartmouth Time-Sharing System) was command-based, and therefore did not look much like the menu-driven, graphical IDEs popular after the advent of the graphical user interface. However it integrated editing, file management, compilation, debugging and execution in a manner consistent with a modern IDE.

Maestro I is a product from Softlab Munich and was the world's first integrated development environment[1] for software. Maestro I was installed for 22,000 programmers worldwide. Until 1989, 6,000 installations existed in the Federal Republic of Germany. Maestro was arguably the world leader in this field during the 1970s and 1980s. Today one of the last Maestro I can be found in the Museum of Information Technology at Arlington in Texas.

One of the first IDEs with a plug-in concept was Softbench. In 1995 Computerwoche commented that the use of an IDE was not well received by developers since it would fence in their creativity.

since August 2023Template:Dated maintenance category (articles)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters"., the most commonly searched for IDEs on Google Search were Visual Studio, Visual Studio Code, and Eclipse.[2]

Features

Features commonly found in an IDE include:

Language support
Some IDEs support multiple languages, such as GNU Emacs, IntelliJ IDEA, Eclipse, MyEclipse, NetBeans, MonoDevelop, JDoodle or PlayCode. Support for alternative languages is often provided by plugins, allowing them to be installed on the same IDE at the same time. For example, Flycheck is a modern on-the-fly syntax checking extension for GNU Emacs 24 with support for 39 languages.[3] Another example is JDoodle, an online cloud-based IDE that supports 88 languages.[1] Eclipse, and Netbeans have plugins for C/C++, Ada, GNAT (for example AdaGIDE), Perl, Python, Ruby, and PHP, which are selected between automatically based on file extension, environment or project settings.
Syntax highlighting
The source-code editing feature usually includes syntax highlighting, it can show both the structures, the language keywords and the syntax errors with visually distinct colors and font effects.[4]
Continual syntax checking
Code syntax can be continuously validated while it is being edited and errors can be provided an error are introduced instead of the developer waiting until a build is run.
Code search
The IDE may support searching for class and function declarations, usages, variable and field read/write, etc. IDEs can use different kinds of user interface for code search, for example form-based widgets[5] and natural-language based interfaces. The IDE may also support searching for an implementation of a declaration.[6]
Code completion
Refactoring[4]
Version control[4]
Simplified configuration
One typical aim of an IDE is to reduce the configuration necessary to integrate multiple development utilities. An IDE can provide for a cohesive configuration aspect that reduces setup time and therefore increases productivity, especially in cases where learning to use the IDE is faster than otherwise integrating and learning multiple tools.
Debugging
Debugging support usually includes setting breakpoints in the editor, visual rendering of steps, etc.[7]
Visual programming
Visual Basic allows users to design an application by moving programming, building blocks, or code nodes to create flowcharts or structure diagrams that are then compiled or interpreted. These flowcharts often are based on the Unified Modeling Language.
This interface has been popularized with the Lego Mindstorms system and is being actively perused by a number of companies wishing to capitalize on the power of custom browsers like those found at Mozilla. KTechlab supports flowcode and is a popular open-source IDE and Simulator for developing software for microcontrollers. Visual programming is also responsible for the power of distributed programming (cf. LabVIEW and EICASLAB software).Script error: No such module "Unsubst". An early visual programming system, Max, was modeled after an analog synthesizer design and has been used to develop real-time music performance software since the 1980s. Another early example was Prograph, a dataflow-based system originally developed for the Macintosh. The graphical programming environment "GRAPE" is used to program qfix robot kits.
This approach is also used in specialist software such as Openlab,Script error: No such module "Unsubst". where the end-users want the flexibility of a full programming language, without the traditional learning curve associated with one.

Use

For a long time and still somewhat today, IDEs are used more commonly in Windows environments than on Unix-like environments. A notable exception is Apple platforms. IDEs have been popular on classic Mac OS and macOS, dating back to Macintosh Programmer's Workshop, Turbo Pascal, THINK Pascal and THINK C environments of the mid-1980s. Currently, macOS programmers can choose between native IDEs like Xcode and third-party tools such as Eclipse, Netbeans and ActiveState Komodo.

File:Vim8-autocompletion-go-syntastic.png
Vim with integrated auto-completion and linting through an external plugin
File:Emacs-screenshot.png
GNU Emacs, an extensible editor that is commonly used as an IDE on Unix-like systems

Instead of using an IDE, developing software for a Unix-like environment often involves using various command-line tools[8][9] such as the GNU toolchain (including GCC, GDB, and make)[10] and an text editor such as Emacs[11][12][13] or Vim. Some programmers prefer managing makefiles (and similar build files) over the build configuration experience presented by an IDE. For example, most contributors to the PostgreSQL database use make and GDB directly.[14] Even when building PostgreSQL for Windows via Visual C++, Perl scripts are used as a replacement for make rather than relying on any IDE features.[15] Some Linux IDEs such as Geany attempt to provide a graphical front end to traditional build operations. Data Display Debugger is graphical front-end for many text-based debugger tools.

Online

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An online integrated development environment, also known as a web IDE or cloud IDE, is a browser based IDE that allows for software development or web development.[16] An online IDE can be accessed from a web browser, allowing for a portable work environment. An online IDE does not usually contain all of the same features as a traditional or desktop IDE although all of the basic IDE features, such as syntax highlighting, are typically present.

A Mobile-Based Integrated Development Environment (IDE) is a software application that provides a comprehensive suite of tools for software development on mobile platforms. Unlike traditional desktop IDEs, mobile-based IDEs are designed to run on smartphones and tablets, allowing developers to write, debug, and deploy code directly from their mobile devices.

Agentic Development Environment

As AI-Assistance is increasing in IDEs, the concept of Agentic Development Environment(ADE) began to appear. agents not only suggest code completions but explain code, analyze bugs, suggest solutions, plan them and implement them. Some ADEs are plugins in regular IDEs as GitHub Copilot, Cline and Continue for Visual Studio Code, while some are deeply integrated as Windsurf, cursor and Google Antigravity. Zed Editor also has optional AI, while the upcoming Jetbrains Fleet Editor was cancelled in favor of an ADE called Jetbrains Air that is based on it.[17]

See also

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Notes

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References

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  1. ↑ "Interaktives Programmieren als Systems-Schlager" from Computerwoche (German)
  2. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  3. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  4. ↑ a b c Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  5. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  6. ↑ Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
  7. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  8. ↑ Rehman, Christopher Paul, Christopher R. Paul. "The Linux Development Platform: Configuring, Using and Maintaining a Complete Programming Environment". 2002. Template:ISBN
  9. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  10. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  11. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  12. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  13. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  14. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  15. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  16. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  17. ↑ https://www.jetbrains.com/help/air/quick-start-with-air.html

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