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General Discussion

Leandro Severino
Leandro Severino
12,674 Points

IDE recommendations?

What are good IDEs for web development? I'll be using PHP and Javascript in my work and I need a good IDE mostly for debugging. I have been using Visual Studio Express before for C++ and I really like it.

4 Answers

Webstorm or PHPstrom by Jetbrains...but they are not free (but you can test them with the 30-day-trail)

Mikko Metso
Mikko Metso
22,375 Points

Hi Leandro,

I think the question about IDEs depends strongly on your own habits that grow along you go. Don't really know your specific needs, but thought to write you a answer also, because I was screening IDEs for working with javascript few months ago.

I have my own background working with IDEs learning/writing Java with IDEs like Eclipse and Netbeans. So naturally on January when I started my study leave and wanted to boost my work flow learning about all things front end I did my research as well. I'm hoping to drastically improve my skill set this year, so why not do it as effective as possible.

At least with Javascript I have found that the best workflow for me is dual display set up that has sublime text on the other side and web browser and developer tools on the other split side by side. I know it's not IDE, but honestly I looked on this and it seemed to be conventional way to go and has been working for me as well.

From IDEs I have tried JetBrains Webstorm and I would also say if you really need IDE it's the one to go with.

From basic text-editors beside Sublime Text 2/3 I have used Adobe's Brackets and GitHubs very own Atom. But I always end up going back with Sublime Text. I think the biggest reason (among being just a pure habit) for me is the package control that seemed to be most easiest to set up. Packages like Emmet and Javascript Completions give me IDE:ish feature of autocompletion that speeds up tons the workflow and dual displays make it more convenient to work when you can see so much more about what you're doing at once.

Hope this was at all helpful. Would be nice to hear what kind of set up you end up having yourself.

Have a great one!

-M

Leandro Severino
Leandro Severino
12,674 Points

I have used sublime and brackets too but for html / css stuff only and both are great tools. I just wanted to know what other developers use and why, and I got a lot of information from you. Thank you so much!

What i have missed to say: The newest Visual Studio version (2017) will have an improved JavaScript Editor. So if you are really used to VS just stick to it. There is a RC Version of the VS2017 already on the MS site.

BTW the new free Version are called Community Editions.

I am also sure, that they will improve Visual Studio Code. Its also a fine editor (like the others that Mikko mentioned)

Leandro Severino
Leandro Severino
12,674 Points

Thanks!! I'll check out Visual Studio ver 2k17 for sure!

Try using Atom.

I used to use Sublime Text, then I found that Brackets is also really neat, But for some reason I decided to go back to Sublime Text... I don't remember why, but at that time I heard about Atom and it looked wonderful... But I carried away by Visual Studio XD

Also, the text editors/IDEs that Jetbrains are AMAZING. I'm telling you... I used Jetbrinan's PyCharm and also RubyMine and they are both amazing. Highly recommended!