The Integrated Development Environment (IDE) has a role in developing high and low level language programs. An IDE provides programmers with various tools that are needed to create computer programs. Some of the features offered by an IDE are:-
Editor: this allows a programmer to enter and edit source code/annotation. A programmer is allowed to enter, format and edit source code to produce a program.
Compiler: Translates source code into executable machine code to allow a program to be run. Once compiled, a program can be run at any time.
Interpreter: this converts each line of source code into machine code, and executes it as each line of code is run. The conversion process is required for a program to run and is performed each time the program needs to be run.
Automatic formatting: Correctly indents code
Automatic colour coding: Changes key words, literals and annotation to different colours
Linker: this is a program which allows previously compiled code, from software libraries, to be linked together to produce a single executable program.
Loader: this is a program which loads previously compiled code into memory allowing a program to execute
Debugger: this is a program that assists in error checking by helping which helps locate, identify and rectify errors in a program
Syntax error detection: Highlighting syntax errors before code is translated
Trace: this is a facility that assists in error checking by displaying the order in which the lines of a program are executed, and possibly the values of variables as the program is being run
Break point: this is a facility that assists in error checking by interrupting a program on a specific line of code, allowing the programmer to compare the values of variables against expected values. The program code can then usually be executed one line at a time. This is called single-stepping.
Variable watch: this is a facility that assists in error checking that displays the current value of any variable. The value can be 'watched' as the program code is single-stepped to see the effects of the code on the variable. Alternatively a variable watch may be set, which will interrupt the program flow if the watched variable reaches a specified value
Memory inspector: this is a facility which will display the contents of a section of memory and allows content to be checked for errors.
Error diagnostics: these are used when a program fails to compile or to run. Error messages are displayed to help the programmer diagnose what has gone wrong
Emulator: will provide an emulator to run the code/app so no physical device required
Context sensitive menu: IDE suggests available options
Statement completion: IDE will complete a statement such as adding an ‘end if’ to an ‘if’ statement
GUI creation: Allows programmer to create a GUI by dragging and dropping controls (buttons, etc...) onto a form.
Publisher: facility to package up and deploy program as an easy to install package
Code optimisation: Warning message when variables have been declared but not used.
For further details on the IDE facilities please click here.