Integrated Development Environment (IDE)

Context:
- It can (typically) include a Software Code Editor, Debugger, Compiler, Build Automation Tools, and Version Control System.
- It can range from being a General Programming IDE to being a Domain-Specific IDE such as a numerical analysis development environment.
- It can range from being a Multi-Language IDE to being a Language-Specific IDE, such as a Java IDE, Python IDE, or a Javascript IDE.
- It can provide Intelligent Code Completion and Refactoring Tools to make it easier for developers to write and maintain code.
- It can offer IDE Plugins that allows developers to extend the functionality of the IDE by installing additional tools, frameworks, and features.
- It can range from being a Desktop IDE or a Web-based IDE/Cloud-Based IDE.
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Example(s):
- IntelliJ IDE.
- Visual Studio IDE.
- Eclipse IDE.
- SharpDevelop, Lazarus (IDE), ...
- Python IDE's, such as: PyCharm IDE and Spyder IDE.
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Counter-Example(s):
See: Software Program, Build Automation, Intelli-Sense, Net Beans, GUI, Class Browser, Object Browser.

References

(Wikipedia, 2013) ⇒ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Integrated_development_environment Retrieved:2013-12-2.
- An integrated development environment (IDE) or interactive development environment 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. Several modern IDEs integrate with Intelli-sense coding features.
  Some IDEs contain a compiler, interpreter, or both, such as Net Beans and Eclipse; others do not, such as SharpDevelop and Lazarus. 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 and various tools are integrated to simplify the construction of a GUI. Many modern IDEs also have a class browser, an object browser, and a class hierarchy diagram, for use in object-oriented software development.