Transcript CIS 234: Systems & Objects

CIS 234: Integrated
Development Environments
Dr. Ralph D. Westfall
May, 2007
What Is an IDE?

an integrated development environment
is a computer program to help people
write computer programs



faster
better
using technology to "automate"
technology creation

contra shoemaker's children
Integrated

an IDE contains a number of different
parts, and these parts all work together


editor for writing or changing code
pop ups to speed up coding



code methods and sequences to reduce
typing and syntax errors
tools to compile and debug code
some IDEs allow you to have tools from
other vendors work inside of them
Before IDEs – 1960s

write programs on punched cards



submit card deck to computer center




some keypunches didn't even print code
1 typo, throw card away and type again
be careful not to drop deck
get printout of errors next day
retype cards with errors
submit and wait another day
Before IDEs – 1970s/1980s

use a text editor to type programs





simple, single window, like Notepad
submit over network or run on a PC
get list of errors
still use printed documentation to help
fix errors
repeat
IDEs – 1980s/1990s

multiple windows on screen

text editor




syntax checking
"autocompletion"
online, searchable documentation
debugging windows

can show variable values, program flow
IDEs – 1990s

functional capabilities


run code 1 line at a time
drag and drop Windows components into a
project


input box, buttons, data controls
code generation

writes some code for you
TextPad

text editor rather than an IDE

has some IDE features:





multiple windows
compiles inside the editor
line numbering
does not write any lines of java code
no pop ups that allow you to pick
methods and show argument syntax
TextPad -2

works with many different languages


in other words, it is "vendor neutral"
it can also be used with new languages, for
which IDEs are not yet available



for example, HTML in 1995
for people who want to get "ahead of the
curve"
download and installation instructions
Eclipse

a generic software development tool
designed to be usable with many
different programming languages


other tools (e.g., editors) can be "plugged
in" so they can be used with it
Eclipse can be customized for specific
languages

Java version is the most popular
Eclipse - 2

original developer purchased by IBM


IBM donated it to Eclipse.org and
continues to support it
Eclipse.org operates under the "open
source" development mode


developers contribute their work
therefore can download Eclipse for free
Using Eclipse



download onto your computer
create an Eclipse subdirectory in
C:\Program Files and unzip it there
double click the eclipse.exe to run it

can create a shortcut to eclipse.exe on
desktop and/or in Start menu to make it
easier to use
Creating a Project and Class


Eclipse works with "projects" rather
than with just individual files
File>New Project>Java Project>Next


input a Project name>Finish
File>New>Class


input a Name for it
be sure that public static void main(String[]
args) is checked for method stubs
Coding the Class in Eclipse

create a new main method class




type System.out.p and select from
autocompletion choices i.e., scroll down to
System.out.println(String arg0), hit Enter
type output in between ( ) and ; at end
Run>Run As>Java Application>OK
File>Close to stop editing the file or
Close All to stop editing all files
Existing Projects in Eclipse




File>Import>File System>Next
browse for and select folder
on left, check folder name
on right, check files that you want to
include in project and then click Finish
Existing Projects in Eclipse - 2




expand + sign to left of project name
right click a Java file name>Open
edit code in window on right
Run and Close in same way as
described two slides back
Eclipse Support

MyEclipse offers support for Eclipse
users for $29.95/year

can get a 30 day free trial membership
IDEs for Other Software

Borland offered 1st commercial product


Turbo Pascal
Microsoft Visual Studio.NET

Visual Basic, Visual C++, Visual FoxPro



J++ .Net download (need Visual
Studio.NET, not true Java!)
available for many languages/systems
Java IDEs and free Java IDEs
RAD

IDEs used in Rapid Application
Development (RAD)



"quick and dirty" prototyping of sample
systems
developing complete systems
RAD competition
Review



Give an example of an integrated
development environment (IDE).
Identify some capabilities or features of
an IDE.
Is TextPad an IDE?
Exercise

Solve some short problems from the
handout using an integrated
development environment