What Is The Purpose Of Color-coding Your Writing

Development tools come in dozens of forms, including compilers, linkers, assemblers, debuggers, GUI designer, and performance analysis tools. The right tool can significantly increase your productivity and help you easily maintain the project's workflow.

One of the most basic programming software is the source code editor, which is used ubiquitously and continuously. It is basically a text editor program designed for writing and editing programming code.

Code editor can either be a standalone application or built into a web browser or integrated development environment (IDE). Since there are literally hundreds of Code Editors available in the market, it is difficult for developers to choose one.

To make this job easier, we have gathered a few best programming software that can speed up your coding process while offering plenty of useful features.

14. Eclipse

Pros

Great framework for building Java applications
Includes plenty of debugging options
Supports various build systems such as CMAKE
Easy to get standard plugins from the marketplace

Cons

It consumes a lot of RAM
Sometimes it crashes on loading big projects

Price: Free
Platform: Linux, macOS, Windows

Eclipse is an IDE that supports an extensible plug-in system for customizing the environment. Although it is primarily used for developing Java applications, you can use it to write apps in other programming languages as well (via plug-ins).

It checks compile-time errors while writing the code. And since it provides suggestions and has a great online community to help users, you can increase your pace of coding with this tool.

Eclipse manages multiple files and projects efficiently and supports a broad range of file formats with type-specific syntax formatting. It provides connectors for multiple databases and supports common DB access methods. Moreover, project integration into GIT is virtually seamless.

13. Geany

Pros

Lightweight and fast
Comes with a built-in plugin manager
Code completion and syntax highlighting
Extensive file-type support

Cons

Not as advanced as some other text editors
Windows version doesn't properly support 2-byte characters such as Japanese and Chinese

Price: Free
Platform: Linux, macOS, Windows

Geany is an open-source, lightweight text editor, specifically designed to have short load times with limited dependencies on external libraries or separate packages.

It supports many programming and markup languages, including C, C#, C++, PHP, HTML, CSS JavaScript, Python, Perl, Haskell, and Pascal. Other common filetypes like Diff-output, SQL files, and ini-style config files are also supported.

Unlike other code editors, you don't have to search through numerous syntax styles just to be able to change the used font. And since it features Real Syntax Parsing (not just coloring), it can display inner classes and methods in source code.

12. gedit

Pros

The UI is clean and minimal
Customizable theme
Multi-monitor editing and syntax highlighting
Available on all systems that use Gnome
Full support for internationalized text (UTF-8)

Cons

It misses many important features, including auto-complete for several languages

Price: Free
Platform: Linux, macOS, Windows

gedit is a lightweight yet powerful general-purpose text editor of the GNOME desktop environment. As per the philosophy of the GNOME project, it has a clean and simple GUI for editing source code and structured text like markup languages.

In addition to syntax highlighting for various programming languages, it also comes with spell checking features and all other basic options like Goto line, find and replace.

The tool could run fast on low-end PCs: it uses little memory and CPU resources while reading very large logs.

11. Brackets

Pros

Live preview system
Supports drag and drop
Supports Adobe PSD content
Vim-style editing is already built in the text editor
It is being actively maintained and developed

Cons

Lacks full screen and split-screen support
The shortcuts aren't robust

Price: Free
Platform: Linux, macOS, Windows

Brackets is an open-source code editor developed by Adobe Systems. It primarily focuses on HTML, CSS, and JavaScript editing functionality.

The Live Preview pushes your code edits instantly to the browser to display an updated webpage as you modify the code. Another useful feature called Split-Screen enables you to easily work on CSS and actual code at the same time.

Brackets has a decent library of extensions such as prefixer that analyses your code and auto prefix CSS selectors. It is still relatively small in the text editor arena, but because of plenty of customization options and extensibility via plugins, implementing code feels effortless.

10. NetBeans

Pros

Easy to use and very efficient in code development
Supports multiple programming languages
Includes static analysis tool and batch code analyzer
Perfect for creating test scripts for automation testing

Cons

Consumes more RAM as compared to other IDEs
Sometimes it gets really slow when you compile and run programs

Price: Free
Platform: Linux, macOS, Windows

NetBeans is an open-source IDE that allows you to quickly develop mobile, desktop, and web apps with Java, C/C++, PHP, and more. Applications are developed from a group of modular software components called 'modules.'

The tool doesn't require any licensing and quite easy to work on. You can indent code effortlessly: just define rules for the indentation of code in every language, and it will follow accordingly. You can also compare code across different files to know the differences between the code of different developers.

NetBeans integrates seamlessly with several web application servers such as GlassFish and Tomcat. It also works well with version control tools like GIT.

9. Vim

Pros

Works in terminal over SSHWorks in terminal over SSH
Includes multiple distinct editing modes
Supports tons of plugins/add-ons
Includes an interactive tutorial for beginners

Cons

Steep learning curve
UI looks outdated

Price: Free
Platform: Unix, Linux, macOS, Windows

Vim is open-source software designed for use both from a command-line interface and as a standalone tool in a GUI. It features automatic syntax and conversion to HTML, error list, set compiler, and automatic correction.

For better visualization, you can either change the size of the windows or split them horizontally/vertically. It has many commands to do typical things with the keyboard instead of the mouse. This increases your speed by at least two times.

Although it looks like a basic plain text editor, it's a great productivity tool with tons of useful plugins. In the Stack Overflow developer survey (2019), Vim was the fifth most popular development environment.

8. TextMate

TextMate

Pros

Its lightweight footprint makes it fast to load and use
Features an extensive library of plugins
Multi line select and editing
Version control shows which files and lines have been changed recently

Cons

UI Seems a bit outdated
No block tabbing facility left or right

Price: Free
Platform: macOS

TextMate is a lightweight GUI text editor specifically designed for macOS. It features recordable macros, declarative customizations, folding sections, shell integration, and an extensive library of plugins.

It allows you to swap a piece of code and turn commonly used pieces of code into snippets with ease. Repetitive tasks can be eliminated with macros: either record a scratch macro for immediate replay or save them for repeated use.

It's very beginner-friendly, and formatting is very helpful with writing and debugging code.

7. Emacs

Pros

Content-aware editing modes
UI is highly customizable
Comprehensive documentation including tutorials for beginners
Full Unicode support for almost all human scripts

Cons

There is a bit of a learning curve at the beginning
Shortcut key combinations seem odd

Price: Free
Platform: Linux, macOS, Windows

Emacs is a customizable and extensible text editor capable of achieving whatever the user wishes. It is packed with more than 10,000 built-in commands, which can be combined with macros to automate work.

Emacs features content-aware editing modes, full Unicode supports for almost all scripts, and the complete ecosystem of functionality beyond text editing, including news and mail reader, calendar, debugger interface, and project planner.

The tool is extensible with Lisp extensions, so you can get all new benefits of modern IDEs like syntax highlighting, code-complete, static checking, and more by installing plug-ins.

6. AWS Cloud9

Pros

Interface is very simple and easy to use
Instantly run and maintain Lambda functions
Share code with team members in real-time
Integrates very well with other AWS tools

Cons

Doesn't contain shortcut keys
Long setup process

Price: Free | $2.05 for 90-hour usage
Platform: Online IDE

AWS Cloud9 allows you to write, run, and debug source code with just a web browser. You don't need to install files or configure the development machine to start new projects. It is packed with all the important tools required for popular programming languages.

The platform lets you define resources, debug, and switch between remote and local execution of serverless apps. You can also share your projects and pair code, and track your team's inputs in real-time.

The fully-featured editor comes with a built-in terminal and image editor, collaborative editing, and chat feature so you can communicate with your team without having to leave the IDE.

5. IntelliJ IDEA

Pros

Great dark theme
Auto suggestions/completion
Plenty of configuration options
Good code analyzer for evaluating code execution and error detection
Seamless connectivity with third-party tools, such as Git

Cons

Indexing process sometimes can take a long time
Uses significant amount of system resources

Price: Free | $49.9 per month
Platform: Linux, macOS, Windows

Written in Java, IntelliJ IDEA integrates hundreds of features and tweaks that make programming easier. Smart code completion for a large variety of languages, support for the microservices framework, and built-in developer tools such as version control and terminal make this tool special.

Ranging from frontend JavaScript applications to backend Java, IntelliJ IDEA has proved itself to be one of the most versatile IDEs out there.

It is perfect for developers who have had experience with other JetBrains tools. For newbies, the user interface could be confusing as there are too many options and complex features.

4. Xcode

Pros

Alerts you when you make coding mistake
Version editor displays a running timeline of commits
Easily search and find anything within the Documentation
Server-side bots continuously build, analyze, test, and archive your projects

Cons

Consumes a lot of system resource, especially when multiple projects are open
Can't handle anything non-native Apple-developed Swift

Price: Free
Platform: macOS

Xcode contains a suite of software development tools that includes most of Apple's developer documentation and built-in Interface Builder. It is used for developing software for iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, and tvOS.

Xcode and Swift (a multi-paradigm language developed by Apple Inc) together make programming a delightfully live experience. The best thing about Xcode is you can just drag-drop the element, and your design is good to go.

The Interface Builder displays the live rendering of your code, instantly reflecting changes you made in code. Plugins are not that important for this tool: just keep the IDE updated for a seamless experience.

3. Visual Studio

Visual Code Editor

Pros

More than 20,000 extensions available
Full stack web development
Integration with Azure DevOps is excellent
A strong community of users
The tool is updated regularly

Cons

High system configuration required for smooth operation
More expensive than other developing case tools

Price: Free | $45.00 per month
Platform: Windows, macOS

Microsoft Visual Studio is a very powerful tool for creating websites, web services, and mobile applications. It is mostly used by small and midsize businesses to develop computer programs.

The code editor comes with IntelliSense (context-aware code completion feature), code refactoring, and an integrated debugger, which works as both a machine-level debugger and a source-level debugger.

The online community support for this tool is outstanding, and Microsoft continuously keeps the product up to date.

Read: 15 Best Note-Taking Apps To Boost Your Productivity

2. Sublime Text

Sublime Text

Pros

Provides numerous preferences which suits all users's needs
Text highlights are great for debugging
Accurate syntax suggestions
Shortcuts and Macros improve efficiency

Cons

Doesn't autosave documents
Often prompts to purchase a new version

Price: Free | $80 per license
Platform: Linux, Windows, macOS

Sublime Text is a sophisticated text editor for prose, code, and markup. It has a minimap of the side the provides a hierarchical view of files and keyboard shortcuts for most actions.

It's a lightweight software written in C/C++ and Python. It can do a lot more heavy lifting without running into issues. There is a decent command palette that allows for an in-depth utilization of the editor.

Sublime Text allows users to customize every aspect of the tool and write code with speed and efficiency. It also makes it easier to link code to other pages of code. Overall, it does a great job for what it is meant to be.

1. Notepad++

Pros

Easy file read and write acess
Supports more than 60 programming/scripting languages
Saves the file automatically
Search and replace multiple files in one go

Cons

Sometimes hangs when dealing with large amount of data

Price: Free
Platform: Windows

Notepad++ is more than an editor: it's a Notepad replacement that supports many different programming languages. It is written in C++ and uses Win32 and STL, which ensures smaller program size and higher execution speed.

It's an excellent sidekick for coding projects. You can work on several documents at the same time, thanks to its multi-tab editing feature. The editor makes it easy to inspect files at all stages on embedded software projects, from HEX to C++ source.

In summary, Notepad++ is simply Microsoft Notepad, but on steroid. It does everything better and provides additional features to fulfill all your requirements.

Read: 9 Best Alternatives To Notepad++ For Mac Users

Other Equally Great Programming Software

15. Komodo

Platform: Windows, Linux, macOS

Komodo uses Scintilla and Mozilla codebase. Its powerful editor is equipped with syntax highlighting, code refactoring, autocomplete, and many more features. It supports a wide range of programming languages, including Python, Ruby, SQL, Perl, JavaScript, Go, and PHP.

The editor comes with a visual debugger that allows you to debug, inspect and test your code. The commercial version also adds a database explorer, code browsing, and support for numerous popular source code control systems.

16. KDevelop

Platform: Windows, Linux, macOS

Built on modern open source technology, KDevelop is capable of handling projects of any size. It has parser backends for OpenCL, Objective-C, JavaScript, C, and C++, with plugins supporting Python, Ruby, and PHP.

At the core of the software lies the combination of a smart editor and semantic code analysis, which delivers an enhanced programming experience. It also provides seamless integration with various documentation providers.

17. CodeLite

Platform: Windows, Linux, macOS

CodeLite is specially built for C, C++, JavaScript, and PHP programming languages. It has a very simple and easy-to-use interface. You can configure it to write code in any language.

The software features source browsing, syntax highlighting, code completion, code refactoring, and project management. It supports cscope integration, Subversion integration, and UnitTest++ integration, which is a lightweight unit testing framework for C++.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is an IDE?

IDE stands for Integrated Development Environment. It allows developers to consolidate different aspects of writing a program. It enhances developers' productivity by combining three elements into a single application: editing source code, building executables, and debugging.

Some of the most popular IDEs, such as Eclipse and NetBeans, contain additional features (like refactoring and code search) and include the ability to customize workflows to match a programmer's needs and preferences.

What is the best coding app for iOS?

While most programmers work on desktops and laptops, few realize that their smartphones can handle large projects too. Today, we have many iPhone and iPad applications that help you write and inspect code from scratch.

Swift Playgrounds makes it easy to learn and experiment with code
Pythonista is a complete scripting environment for Python
Textastic is a versatile text, code, and markup editor.
Buffer Editor allows you to develop software, view code, and take notes on the go.
Koder Code Editor is a fully-baked development environment with support for over 80 programming languages

Read: 6 Best iOS Emulators

What is the best software for developing games?

If you are looking for tools to make your own games, you can use GameMaker: Studio, Unity, Stencyl, and Blender. These are the top four game development software for creating both easy and complex games.