Top 10 Integrated development environments

February 03, 2024 | Editor: Michael Stromann


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.
1
Eclipse is probably best known as a Java IDE, but it is more: it is an IDE framework, a tools framework, an open source project, a community, an eco-system, and a foundation.
2
Adobe Dreamweaver is a web development tool with support for Web technologies such as CSS, JavaScript, and various server-side scripting languages and frameworks including ASP (ASP JavaScript, ASP VBScript, ASP.NET C#, ASP.NET VB), ColdFusion, Scriptlet, and PHP.
3
The Smarter and Faster Way to Code. Quickly and easily develop desktop, mobile and web applications with Java, HTML5, PHP, C/C++ and more. NetBeans IDE is FREE, open source, and has a worldwide community of users and developers.
4
Microsoft Visual Studio is an integrated development environment (IDE) from Microsoft. Visual Studio is a comprehensive collection of developer tools and services to help you create apps for the Microsoft platform and beyond.
5
The Most Intelligent Java IDE. Excel at enterprise, mobile and web development with Java, Scala and Groovy, with all the latest modern technologies and frameworks available out of the box.
6
Code::Blocks is a free C, C++ and Fortran IDE built to meet the most demanding needs of its users. It is designed to be very extensible and fully configurable.
7
WebStorm is a lightweight yet powerful IDE, perfectly equipped for complex client-side development and server-side development with Node.js. WebStorm’s smart code editor provides first-class support for JavaScript, Node.js, HTML and CSS, as well as their modern successors.
8
The Xcode IDE is at the center of the Apple development experience. Tightly integrated with the Cocoa and Cocoa Touch frameworks, Xcode is an incredibly productive environment for building amazing apps for Mac, iPhone, and iPad.
9
Adobe Muse is a website builder that allows designers to create fixed, fluid, and adaptive websites without having to write any code. Muse generates static websites giving users the freedom to host their sites with any hosting provider.
10
Android Studio is a new Android development environment based on IntelliJ IDEA. It provides new features and improvements over Eclipse ADT and will be the official Android IDE once it's ready.
11
A free Java Development Environment designed for beginners, used by millions worldwide. BlueJ has a deliberately smaller and simpler interface than professional environments like NetBeans or Eclipse. This allows beginners to get started more quickly, and without being overwhelmed.
12
Built on top of the open source LoopBack framework, StrongLoop allows you to visually develop REST APIs in Node and get them connected to your data.

Latest news about Integrated development environments


2020. Microsoft’s Visual Studio Online code editor is now Visual Studio Codespaces and gets a price drop



Approximately one year ago, Microsoft introduced Visual Studio Online, an online code editor built upon the well-known Visual Studio Code project. This offering essentially provides users with a comprehensive code editor and a hosted environment accessible directly from their web browser. Today, the company has revealed that it will be rebranding this service as Visual Studio Codespaces. Alongside the name change, Microsoft has also implemented a significant price reduction, reducing the cost of the service by over 50%. Additionally, developers now have the flexibility to utilize low-performance virtual machines at a starting price of $0.08 per hour.


2020. DevOps startup Datree raises $8M



Datree, an early-stage startup focused on developing a DevOps policy engine on GitHub, has recently announced a successful Series A funding round, raising $8 million. The company recognized that while DevOps teams found value in code scanning for identifying issues, they required assistance in defining the rules. In response, Datree has created a set of rules packages that can be executed against code to identify any gaps or issues. These rules packages are developed based on Datree's expertise, contributions from the community, and collaborations with domain experts. For instance, in the case of their Docker security package, Datree partnered with Aqua Security to deliver an effective solution.




2015. Android Studio 2.0 features Instant Run



Google has introduced version 2.0 of its integrated development environment (IDE), Android Studio, specifically designed for creating applications for its mobile operating system. Notably, this new release boasts twice the speed of previous versions, representing a significant improvement. However, the feature that developers are likely to appreciate the most is the introduction of "Instant Run." This feature emulates the experience of writing HTML, where developers can modify their code, refresh their browser, and observe the changes immediately. Traditionally, this process takes considerably longer on mobile platforms, even with enhanced build speeds. With Instant Run, developers can build and deploy their apps once, whether on an emulator or a physical device. Subsequent code changes and deployments will only require a second or two before the updated changes are visible in the running application. This feature is compatible with all apps targeting Ice Cream Sandwich and later versions of Android.


2015. IBM acquired Node.js API development platform StrongLoop



IBM has completed the acquisition of StrongLoop, a startup specializing in the development of application development software for enterprises using the open-source JavaScript programming language, Node.js. This acquisition empowers enterprises to construct mobile and cloud-based applications that are equipped with APIs, facilitating seamless integration between various applications and efficient management of high-volume data across mobile, web, and Internet-of-Things platforms. IBM intends to incorporate StrongLoop's Node.js capabilities into its extensive software portfolio, complementing offerings such as MobileFirst and WebSphere. The inclusion of a Node.js development framework presents a significant advantage, fulfilling the demand from enterprises seeking to build data-intensive applications with robust API functionality and seamless backend connectivity with other enterprise applications.


2015. Microsoft launched Visual Studio 2015



Microsoft has officially introduced the latest edition of the Visual Studio integrated development environment (IDE) along with an update to its .NET framework. The availability of Visual Studio 2015 (VS 2015) for download and purchase has been announced. Additionally, Microsoft shared updated download figures for various tools within the Visual Studio ecosystem. Visual Studio Community, an enhanced free version of the software for non-enterprise users, has achieved 5 million downloads since its launch seven months ago. More than 3.2 million developers have registered for Visual Studio Online services. Visual Studio Code, the standalone code editor compatible with Windows, Mac, and Linux, has garnered half a million downloads within three months of its release. Notably, over half of these downloads originated from Mac and Linux users. A noteworthy integration in Visual Studio is the inclusion of Apache Cordova, allowing developers to create iOS and Android apps using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.


2015. Microsoft Visual Studio will allow to transform Android and iOS apps to Windows apps



Amidst the challenge of limited applications on its Windows Phone and Windows 8.x platforms, Microsoft has unveiled a solution that allows developers to more seamlessly port their Android applications to Windows devices. Microsoft announced that developers can leverage their existing Java and C++ code from an Android app to create applications for Windows 10 phones, enabling code reuse. Additionally, with new tools available in Visual Studio, developers can repurpose their Objective-C apps from iOS. Furthermore, Microsoft shared that web developers now have the capability to bring their web apps and traditional Windows desktop apps directly to the Windows Store. Previously, while developers could feature their regular Windows apps in the store, purchases had to be made on the developer's website. This update enables apps to be installed directly from the Windows Store, enhancing accessibility for users.


2015. Microsoft launched Visual Studio for OS X and Linux



During its Build developer conference, Microsoft unveiled the introduction of Visual Studio Code, a lightweight and cross-platform code editor designed for creating modern web and cloud applications. This code editor is compatible with OS X, Linux, and Windows, representing Microsoft's first offering of a truly cross-platform code editor for developers. While the complete Visual Studio remains exclusive to Windows, this announcement demonstrates Microsoft's dedication to supporting other operating systems. Visual Studio Code provides developers with built-in support for various programming languages and offers rich code assistance and navigation for each of these languages. Furthermore, JavaScript, TypeScript, Node.js, and ASP.NET 5 developers will benefit from a set of additional tools specifically tailored to their needs. The code editor incorporates essential features such as syntax highlighting, customizable keyboard bindings, bracket matching, and code snippets, making it a comprehensive tool for modern development workflows.


2015. Microsoft simplifies Visual Studio pricing for Enterprise



Microsoft has announced its plans to streamline its offerings for enterprises by merging Visual Studio Premium and Ultimate into a single product with the upcoming release of Visual Studio 2015. The consolidated product, now known as Visual Studio Enterprise With MSDN, will encompass all the features that were previously available in Visual Studio Ultimate, including IntelliTrace in production and CodeLens support. Additionally, Microsoft has reduced the price of the new Enterprise version to slightly below the previous cost of the Premium edition. The initial year subscription for Enterprise with MSDN will be priced at $5,999, followed by subsequent years at $2,569 (compared to the previous prices of $6,119 and $2,569, respectively, for Premium). This represents a significant 55 percent price reduction for existing Ultimate subscribers. The pricing for Visual Studio Pro, which caters to individuals and smaller teams, will remain unchanged at $1,199 for the first year and $799 for renewals.


2014. Microsoft launches free Visual Studio for small teams



Microsoft has introduced the Community edition of Visual Studio IDE as a replacement for the previously limited Visual Studio Express version. Essentially, the Community edition offers the complete functionality of Visual Studio without any restrictions, except for its non-availability for enterprise settings and teams exceeding five members. This shift signifies Visual Studio's transition towards a freemium model. Microsoft has developed a suite of online tools around Visual Studio Online, which it expects users to pay for. The Visual Studio IDE now serves as the gateway to this broader ecosystem. By attracting more developers to this platform, Microsoft aims to increase the adoption of its paid toolset through subscriptions to MSDN and other channels.

Editor: Michael Stromann
Michael is an expert in IT Service Management, IT Security and software development. With his extensive experience as a software developer and active involvement in multiple ERP implementation projects, Michael brings a wealth of practical knowledge to his writings. Having previously worked at SAP, he has honed his expertise and gained a deep understanding of software development and implementation processes. Currently, as a freelance developer, Michael continues to contribute to the IT community by sharing his insights through guest articles published on several IT portals. You can contact Michael by email stromann@liventerprise.com