An IDE (integrated development environment) is software that combines all the functions needed for development in one place. Without an IDE, developers would need to use both a text editor to enter code and a separate compiler to make the program understandable to the computer. An IDE combines these features into one tool, making development more efficient.
Why IDEs are essential for developers
Before IDEs, building a development environment required configuring and operating multiple pieces of software separately. Using an IDE, developers can start iterating on new applications quickly, which is especially beneficial for beginners.
Software included in IDEs
- Text editor: Lets you input, edit, and save text information. By making words bold or italic, changing font colors, the source code becomes more readable and syntax errors can be prevented.
- Compiler: Translates programming languages written by humans into a form that can be run by computers.
- Linker: Converts the programming language transformed by the compiler into executable files that can be launched by the OS. Combining the work of the compiler and linker is called “building.”
- Debugger: Lets you identify and fix errors and bugs during software testing, debuggers allow developers to examine and modify the state of a program at specific points in its execution, helping to improve software quality.
The structure and benefits of IDEs
Some IDEs are installed on your computer and others are available from the cloud. While locally installed IDEs were popular in the past, there are now many cloud-based IDEs that don’t require installation on individual computers. Cloud-based IDEs allow for easy development using browsers like Google Chrome or Safari and enable sharing of development environments among multiple people.
The shift toward non-local development environments has accelerated significantly, with the majority of developers now using cloud-based or remote environments as their primary development setup. This trend reflects the need for more powerful compute resources, consistent team environments, and the ability to work from anywhere.
Benefit 1: Saves time
Typically, setting up a development environment involves searching, installing, and configuring various software like text editors, compilers, linkers, and debuggers, which takes time and effort before starting development. With an IDE, all the necessary software for development is included, saving setup time.
Benefit 2: Facilitates team development
Sharing a single development environment among a team can prevent coordination errors related to version or source code management. Other individuals with access rights can easily edit the code, allowing quick debugging and error resolution. This helps reduce mistakes and improves work efficiency, benefiting team development.
Benefit 3: Prevents human error
IDEs include features such as predictive text (similar to the autocomplete function on mobile phones). Compilers also include a syntax checking tool that alerts users to mistakes in code formatting. Utilizing these features helps prevent human error and allows for efficient programming.
Benefit 4: AI-powered development assistance
Modern IDEs now include sophisticated AI-driven capabilities that go far beyond simple autocomplete. The vast majority of developers now regularly use AI tools for coding — whether to speed up routine tasks, get suggestions for the next line of code, or answer specific technical questions.
AI coding assistants integrated into IDEs can:
- Generate boilerplate code: Automatically produce common patterns and reduce monotonous work.
- Suggest implementations: Provide contextual code suggestions based on your project’s patterns.
- Identify bugs: Intelligently analyze code to identify not just syntax errors but logical issues.
- Explain code: Help developers understand unfamiliar codebases or complex algorithms.
- Refactor code: Suggest improvements to code structure and efficiency.
These AI capabilities have transformed IDEs from simple editing tools into intelligent development partners that actively assist throughout the coding process.
AI-native IDEs and coding assistants
The evolution of AI in development has given rise to a new category of tools: AI-native IDEs and sophisticated coding assistants that integrate deeply with traditional development environments.
Cursor
Cursor represents a new approach: an AI-native IDE built from the ground up around AI capabilities. Rather than adding AI to an existing editor, Cursor is a VS Code fork rebuilt with AI at its core. It offers:
- Project-wide context: Understanding your entire codebase, not just the current file.
- Multi-file editing: Making coordinated changes across multiple files.
- Model flexibility: Access to multiple AI models from different providers.
- Advanced planning: Breaking down complex tasks into manageable steps.
Cursor is particularly well-suited for developers handling complex codebases who want AI to have deeper context about their projects.
Learn how to set up Cursor with CircleCI to combine the capabilites of AI coding agents with real-time information from your CI/CD pipeline.
Claude Code and other CLI tools
Beyond traditional IDEs, AI coding agents like Claude Code and Gemini operate as command-line tools that can understand repositories, make multi-file changes, run tests, and iterate on tasks with minimal human input. These tools represent the evolution toward autonomous coding agents that work alongside developers.
Choosing the right tool
The choice between AI coding tools often comes down to workflow preferences:
- For AI-first development: Cursor provides deeper AI integration and project-wide understanding.
- For flexibility: Many developers use multiple tools, choosing the right one for each specific task.
Types of IDEs
Depending on the system or program being developed, one IDE may be more suitable than another. Knowing the selection criteria can help you choose an IDE that best suits your team.
Supported programming languages
While most IDEs are specialized for a single programming language, there are those that support multiple programming languages. Choose an IDE that aligns with the programming languages you plan to use.
Download vs. cloud
IDEs come in two forms: those that are downloaded and used directly on your computer and those that are cloud-based. If you download the IDE to use, it may be limited by the OS, like Android or iOS. With a cloud IDE, you can edit and compile directly in your browser without downloading software to your OS. Using a cloud IDE, you can share development environments, preventing errors caused by differences in individual computer configurations. Also, while building may require substantial memory and can slow down your computer, a cloud IDE relies on cloud storage, which can minimize speed issues.
Development containers (DevContainers) provide a standardized way to define development environments as code, ensuring every team member works in an identical setup regardless of their local machine configuration.
Types of support and plugins
In addition to basic software like editors and compilers, some IDEs support tools for continuous integration and continuous deployment (CI/CD), or features like UI extensions for code editors, automatic testing capabilities, and more. Some IDEs even allow for customization through plugin installation to align with developers’ specific needs.
AI capabilities are now a key differentiator. Most major IDEs offer AI plugins or extensions, with models from OpenAI, Claude, and other assistants available across VS Code, JetBrains IDEs, and other popular editors.
Examples of IDEs
VS Code has become the dominant IDE for many developers, offering extensive extension capabilities, excellent AI tool integration (including GitHub Copilot), and support for virtually every programming language. Its lightweight design and active community make it suitable for everything from web development to data science.
An AI-native IDE built as a VS Code fork, Cursor is designed specifically for AI-assisted development. It offers deep AI integration with project-wide context understanding, making it ideal for developers who want AI as a core part of their workflow.
Comes with Java by default and offers extensive extension capabilities supporting various languages.
Supports a wide range of languages focusing on Java and is compatible with Windows, Mac, and Linux. JetBrains IDEs are known for their powerful refactoring tools and intelligent code analysis. AI Assistant is available as an add-on for enhanced AI capabilities.
Includes nearly all needed programming features and is used by programmers worldwide, particularly for .NET and C++ development.
Supports various languages and allows for web service development. An open-source IDE that not only offers functionality extension through plugins but also requires minimal setup, making it a recommended IDE for beginners.
There are many other IDEs such as Xcode for developing Apple apps and Android Studio for developing Android apps. Availability for commercial use, flexibility across multiple programming languages, and the extent of support differ between paid and free IDEs.
Conclusion
An integrated development environment (IDE) enhances developers’ productivity by consolidating software such as text editors, compilers, linkers, and debuggers into one environment. Setting up a development environment doesn’t need to involve meticulous tasks like researching, installing, and configuring multiple pieces of software. IDEs can streamline this process, making it quicker and easier to start and manage development projects.
With AI coding assistants now integrated into virtually every major IDE, developers have access to intelligent partners that can suggest code, identify bugs, explain complex logic, and accelerate routine tasks. Whether you choose a traditional IDE with AI extensions or an AI-native environment like Cursor, these tools are reshaping how software is written.
Once you have your IDE set up and are ready to start building, continue streamlining your development workflows with best practices like test-driven development and continuous integration. Sign up for a free CircleCI account today and see how intelligent automation can take your development process to the next level.
