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When we write programs, we can do this using only a basic text editor. However, there are a number of extra tools and facilities to help us write code.

An Integrated Development Environment (IDE) provides numerous tools and facilities to help us develop software projects. It helps perform all the many stages of software design and implemention.

These include:

Code editor: Allows users to write code just like in a text editor. It can also provide line numbers and colour coding for easy identification of errors.

Debugger: Helps identify where errors occur so they can be fixed or amended. This will either be an error report if it is a compiler, or an error message if it is a translator.

Translator: IDEs will have a built-in compiler or interpreter that allows source code written in a high-level language to be translated into the machine code needed to run the program on the computer.

Form designer: Allows a programmer to build forms with a drag and drop interface. The IDE then creates all the necessary source code to make the form.

Syntax highlighter: The code editor provides a feature to colour different text depending on the function that it carries out. Some IDEs will provide auto completion features – this provides available options as the programmer enters code.

Auto documentation: IDEs may automatically create documentation about the code as it is being written, including what variables, arrays and subroutines are used for.