Integrated development environment

Integrated development environment (IDE) is a software application that provides comprehensive facilities to computer programmers for software development. An IDE normally consists of a source code editor, build automation tools and a debugger. Most modern IDEs have intelligent code completion.

Overview

The term integrated refers to the integration of the work of development in a single environment. The environment is where the programmer can perform tasks such as code writing, code execution, debugging and testing. Development environments can be as simple as a text editor with compile and execute commands, or they can be a complex set of software applications, such as Eclipse, NetBeans or Microsoft Visual Studio.

Features

Most IDEs include at least a source code editor, build automation tools and a debugger. Some IDEs, such as NetBeans and Eclipse, contain the necessary compiler, interpreter, or both; others, such as SharpDevelop and Lazarus, do not.

The boundary between an integrated development environment 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 hierarchy diagram, for use in object-oriented software development.

History

IDEs initially became possible when developing via a console or terminal. Early systems could not support one, since programs were prepared using flowcharts, entering programs with punched cards (or paper tape, etc.) before submitting them to a compiler. 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).

See also

• Comparison of integrated development environments
• List of integrated development environments
• Game development tool

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