IDE tools for Windows 10 combine everything developers need in one place with a GUI. Some IDEs can handle many languages, while others can handle only one language.
Most IDE tools for Windows 10 provide three major things to help developers:
1. Source code editor – This is the most important part. It’s not just about text editing, but also syntax highlighting and code completion.
2. Local build automation – Helps developers compile the source code easily.
3. Debugger – A feature that easily finds bugs in your code.
Why do we use IDEs?
What makes an IDE tool for Windows 10 stand out?
Can one IDE target many platforms?
What are the most successful IDEs in 2022?
Delphi
C++ Builder
Dev-C++
PyScripter
RAD Studio
Visual Studio
Visual Studio Code
Ready to get started with the best IDE tools for Windows 10?
Why do we use IDEs?
IDEs help new developers learn languages easily. Today’s IDEs are full of features to get new developers on board quickly. With those features, IDEs save many hours in the development process. IDEs can parse code and show errors, just like how word processors can highlight grammar and spelling mistakes in documents.
Intelligence code completion helps developers, especially new developers, speed up coding. Today, programming languages are evolving rapidly. Some syntax is getting changed, and new classes and attributes are getting added. Most programmers don’t take the time to read the documentation. Therefore, intelligence code completion is a great help to discover new things in the language.
Most IDEs also have enterprise editions. It provides feature requests for complex enterprise application developments, such as automation features and environment standardization. Support for enterprise-level is a must for today’s IDEs. For example, RAD Studio IDE offers an enterprise edition with more features than the professional edition.
- Build connected apps with support for remote and enterprise data sources with FireDAC
- Build Linux client/server applications (includes FMX GUI for Linux)
- Connect with the cloud using Enterprise Connectors (CData)
- Build your REST web services on Linux or Windows with RAD Server
Beyond that, RAD Studio supports the Architect edition which is suited for enterprise teams building a database, cloud, or web-enabled apps.
What makes an IDE tool for Windows 10 stand out?
Most developers learn several languages, and there are some IDEs that support many languages. For example, Rad Studio supports both C++ and Delphi.
If one IDE supports many operating systems, it will reduce the learning curve because the developer can use their familiar IDE in every OS.
Besides the basic IDE functions discussed above, some IDEs support many additional functionalities to facilitate the development process. For example, code search, continuous integration, and continuous deployment.
The performance of the IDE and the impact of the system resource must be considered when choosing an IDE for long-term development. If the developer can make small changes and can compile it instantly to see the result, it will reduce the development time and cost. RAD Studio has done many improvements in version 10.4 Sydney to reduce the compile time.
- Library packages – Built-in, 3rd party, and shared libraries are already compiled
- Pre-compiled units – Only new changes will be compiled
- Divide large projects into many smaller packages
- In-lining compiler optimizations, run-time packages, optional debugging, and run-time type information
Plug-ins and extensions can improve and customize the IDE to match developer needs. Developers also get the opportunity to develop plug-ins to make themselves comfortable in the IDE. They can then publish them in the store to help other developers. RAD Studio has a Getit package manager with many plug-ins.
Can one IDE target many platforms?
There are many cross-platform frameworks and languages. Some IDEs can easily compile to many platforms. Developers just need to deploy the binaries compiled from a single code base. It can be desktop, web, or mobile. An IDE takes care of the compilers and will use the correct compiler for the selected platform.
What are the most successful IDEs in 2022?
Delphi
Delphi was developed in 1995. It has code search and bookmarking, as well as intelligence code completion. You have to pay only for what you use. Delphi has great support for modern client/server applications. More important, with Delphi, you can develop multi-platform applications. You can target Windows, Android, iOS, macOS, and Linux.
C++ Builder
With the combination of a well-known language and the VCL framework, you can easily develop native Windows and iOS apps. Rad Studio comes with the latest C++ version with clang-enhanced compilers. It supports the latest Windows 11 and store apps. With the use of VCL styles, you can make stunning apps. It supports high-definition and 4K monitors and comes with FireDAC, which can connect to up to 20 database types out of the box.
Version control has never been easier. Like other modern IDEs, C++ builder supports Subversion and Git natively. C++ Builder provides all the components to make your application cloud-connected.
Dev-C++
This is another open-source C++ development environment backed by Embarcadero. Dev-C++ is a free and fully-featured IDE for C++ development. This IDE is developed using Embercardero Delphi. It uses TDM-GCC, which is a recommended compiler by many books. It has GPROF profiling and code completion. You can use many windows, like class browsers and file explore windows. Dev-C++ has both ClangFormat and AStyle to choose from.
PyScripter
PyScripter is also a free and open-source tool written in Delphi. It has all the features to develop Python projects. Also, it’s more lightweight than most other Python IDEs. It has all the features to stand out from other IDEs, such as:
- Syntax highlighting
- Code explorer
- To-do list
- Python debugging support
- Unit testing
- Working with different versions of Python
- Integration with Python tools like PyLint, TabNanny, Remote Python Debugger and many more
RAD Studio
RAD Studio is well known for developing native executables fast using well-known programming languages like Delphi and C++. It can compile millions of lines of code in just a few seconds. The IDE itself is very attractive and customizable. You will get regular updates and upgrades.
Cross-platform development is one of the key features of RAD Studio. It can deliver native binaries for Windows 10, macOS, iOS, Android, and Linux.
There is an amazing feature in RAD Studio called LiveBindings which enables you to connect any property of components to any property of another component. For example, you can connect the caption of the TLabel to the Text of TEdit. So when the text of the edit changes, the label will reflect that without a single line of the code. There are plenty of styles to select for your application. You just have to select the styles from the list and then set the style property. It will reflect in the entire application. There are many components to support client/server applications and connect to REST APIs.
Visual Studio
Microsoft develops Visual Studio. Today, it is the most widely used IDE. It provides most of Microsoft’s own programming languages, such as C# and F#, and many more languages and platforms. Visual Studio has most of the above-discussed benefits. It supports many platforms like Windows, Windows phone, web, and Windows Universal apps.
Visual Studio Code
This is different from other complex IDEs. The purpose of Visual Studio Code is to provide quick code modification, debugging, and version control. You have to use other complex IDEs to do complex things. Visual Studio Code is extremely lightweight. But you can install many extensions from their store and make it more productive for your specific programming language.
Ready to get started with the best IDE tools for Windows 10?
When it comes to C++ development, there are plenty of great IDE tools to choose from. In summary, they come with a broad range of features and support the latest software development trends. Any of the above IDEs can be an effective tool for quick C++ app development, both by individual developers and enterprise teams. Get started with one today!
