An integrated development environment is a computer program that includes tools for a variety of programming and software tasks. IDEs merge several pieces of the software development process into one concise program. When a programmer uses an IDE, they don't have to access multiple different programs to use certain tools.
Implementing an IDE into your workflow reduces the need for configuring and aligning multiple programs for the specifications of the same project. Instead, every step of the process is accessible through one program. The tools available in an IDE include:
Authoring: The first tool for developing code is the ability to write the new code directly into the IDE's platform. IDEs provide this tool, and some can work with many coding languages.
Modifying: Next, the programmer modifies, or updates, code within the same IDE program. Modifications occur in the plain text version of the code.
Compiling: Compiling code translates it from readable code into machine code, which the computer understands. Using an IDE expedites this process.
Deploying: After the compiling phase, deploy or send out the new code through the IDE. When the developer does this, the code is active, meaning users have the ability to interact with it or see the changes.
Debugging: IDEs are typically outfitted with a debugging tool. This debugs the code as it's written, saving the developer time and energy.
Syntax highlighting: Because the IDE knows the intricacies of programming languages, it highlights certain bits of code to provide visual cues. This helps with authoring, modifying and debugging.
Auto-completion: The IDE's familiarity with programming language equips it to predict what code you might author next. Auto-completion helps the programmer focus on more important elements of authoring code.
