Programmers rarely write code in a plain text editor. An IDE puts the editor, the translator, a place to run the program and tools for finding errors into one application. Learn the seven common functions of an IDE and how each one helps.
An integrated development environment (IDE) is software that provides the tools a programmer needs to write, translate, test and debug program code in one place. Common functions are: a code editor, a run-time environment, translators (a compiler and/or interpreter), error diagnostics, auto-completion, auto-correction and prettyprint. Together they make programs quicker to write and errors quicker to find and fix.
Fig. 1: an IDE window: the editor highlights an error on line 2, suggests a fix, and the diagnostics panel reports it
Section 01
What an IDE is for.
Without an IDE a programmer would type code in one program, translate it in another and run it in a third. An IDE integrates them.
Write: a code editor designed for program code.
Translate: a built-in compiler and/or interpreter, started with one click.
Run and test: a run-time environment shows the program working and its output.
Debug: error diagnostics point to where errors are and what is wrong.
Examiner trap
Saying an IDE "helps you write code" earns little. Name the function and explain how it helps, e.g. auto-completion suggests the rest of an identifier, so it is typed faster and without spelling mistakes.
Section 02
Seven functions.
Learn each function with a one-line description of how it helps the programmer.
Function
What it does and how it helps
Code editor
lets the programmer type and edit code, often with line numbers and colour-coded keywords
Run-time environment
lets the program be run (executed) and tested inside the IDE, showing its output and any run-time errors
Translators
a built-in compiler and/or interpreter turns the code into machine code so it can run
Error diagnostics
finds errors and reports where they are and what is wrong, e.g. highlighting the line, so they are fixed quickly
Auto-completion
suggests how to finish a keyword or identifier as it is typed, e.g. Cou... offers Count
Auto-correction
automatically corrects common mistakes as code is typed, e.g. a misspelt keyword
Prettyprint
displays the code with colour coding and consistent indentation, so its structure is easy to read
Examiner trap
Auto-completion and auto-correction are different. Auto-completion finishes what you are typing; auto-correction fixes a mistake you have made.
Stage 1 · Learn
Check what the sim just showed you
Four quick checks. Each correct answer earns XP and records this skill on your profile.
Quick check+10 XP
What does IDE stand for?
Quick check+10 XP
Which IDE function shows code with colour coding and consistent indentation?
Quick check+10 XP
Which IDE function suggests the rest of an identifier as you type?
Quick check+10 XP
What is the purpose of the run-time environment in an IDE?
Section 03
Name the function.
Questions often describe what an IDE does and ask you to name the function.
Worked example Match the function
Name the IDE function: (a) keywords such as WHILE appear in blue and the loop body is indented; (b) typing Tot shows a list containing Total; (c) the line with a missing bracket is underlined in red with a message; (d) the program is executed and its output appears in a window.
(a) Colour coding and indentation make the structure clear: prettyprint.
(b) Suggesting the rest of an identifier: auto-completion.
(c) Locating and describing an error: error diagnostics.
(d) Running and testing the program inside the IDE: run-time environment.