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Eclipse vs Visual Studio vs Xcode: What are the differences?
Key Differences between Eclipse, Visual Studio, and Xcode
Eclipse, Visual Studio, and Xcode are popular Integrated Development Environments (IDEs) used by developers for coding and software development purposes. Although all three IDEs serve similar purposes, they differ in various ways. Here are the key differences between Eclipse, Visual Studio, and Xcode:
Platform Compatibility: Eclipse is a cross-platform IDE that is compatible with Windows, macOS, and Linux operating systems. Visual Studio, on the other hand, primarily supports Windows and macOS, with limited functionality on Linux. Xcode is exclusive to macOS and iOS development.
Language Support: Eclipse supports a wide range of programming languages, including Java, C/C++, JavaScript, Python, and more through various plugins. Visual Studio focuses mainly on .NET languages like C#, F#, and Visual Basic, while also supporting other languages like C++, JavaScript, and Python. Xcode is primarily used for developing applications for Apple's ecosystem, supporting languages like Swift and Objective-C.
Features and Tools: Eclipse provides a vast array of features and plugins for different development tasks like code editing, debugging, version control, and building user interfaces. Visual Studio offers a comprehensive suite of tools for debugging, profiling, testing, and a wide range of project templates for different platforms. Xcode includes advanced iOS-specific tools like Interface Builder for designing user interfaces and Instruments for performance analysis.
Community and Ecosystem: Eclipse has a large and active community of developers, with a wide range of third-party plugins and extensions available. Visual Studio benefits from Microsoft's extensive support and resources, offering a strong ecosystem, a large user community, and extensive documentation. Xcode benefits from Apple's ecosystem, including Apple's developer resources, tutorials, and integration with other Apple software and hardware.
User Interface: Eclipse has a customizable and flexible user interface, allowing users to arrange and customize menus, toolbars, and views according to their preferences. Visual Studio has a modern and intuitive user interface with a focus on simplicity and productivity. Xcode provides a clean and user-friendly interface designed specifically for macOS and iOS development.
Target Platforms: Eclipse allows developers to code and build applications for various platforms, including desktop, web, and mobile. Visual Studio primarily focuses on Windows and web development, but it also supports cross-platform development through tools like Xamarin. Xcode, specifically designed for macOS and iOS development, allows developers to create applications exclusively for Apple's platforms.
In summary, Eclipse is a cross-platform IDE with extensive language support, while Visual Studio primarily targets Windows and web development, with strong Microsoft support. Xcode, exclusively for macOS and iOS development, offers specialized tools and integration with Apple's ecosystem.
UPDATE: Thanks for the great response. I am going to start with VSCode based on the open source and free version that will allow me to grow into other languages, but not cost me a license ..yet.
I have been working with software development for 12 years, but I am just beginning my journey to learn to code. I am starting with Python following the suggestion of some of my coworkers. They are split between Eclipse and IntelliJ IDEA for IDEs that they use and PyCharm is new to me. Which IDE would you suggest for a beginner that will allow expansion to Java, JavaScript, and eventually AngularJS and possibly mobile applications?
Pycharm is great for python development, but can feel sometimes slow and community version has Somme very annoying restrictions (like they disabled jupyter notebooks plugin and made it premium feature). I personally started looking into VS Code as an alternative, and it has some very good potential. I suggest you take it into account.
The Community version of PyCharm is free and should give you what you need to get started with Python. Both PyCharm and IntelliJ are made by JetBrains. IntelliJ is initially focused on Java but you can get plugins for lots of other things. I subscribe to JetBrains' Toolbox: https://www.jetbrains.com/toolbox-app/ and have access to all of their great tools.
I couldn't imagine using a development tool other than the IntelliJ IDEA Ultimate All Products Pack. A single license allows me to work directly on my server running Ubuntu and/or my workstation running Windows 10 Pro simultaneously. My current project uses HTML, W3CSS, JavaScript, Java, Groovy, Grails, C, GO, Python, Flask, and Rust. For me it's worth every penny of the $150 license fee. And you can try it for free.
Hi, I will give my opinion based on my experience. I have used PyCharm, both community and Professional version. The community has limited functions, like you can't use a Jupyter notebook whereas it's available in the Professional version. PyCharm is slower compared to Visual Studio Code. Also Visual Studio Code is an editor which supports various languages. I myself have used both Visual Studio Code and PyCharm. I feel Visual Studio Code would be better choice. You may as well decide based upon your requirements.
I'd personally recommend Visual Studio Code as it gives you the flexibility of working in any language, so long as there are extensions to support it. It gives you the flexibility to learn Python, venture into Java, Javascript, and eventually AngularJS, and potentially mobile applications. It's also free and you can install it on your personal computer. I think Visual Studio Code would serve your intended use case best.
Visual Studio code is easy to use, has a good UI, and a large community. Python works great with it, but unlike some other editors, it works with most languages either by default or by downloading a plugin. VS Code has built in linting, syntax coloring, autocompletes (IntelliSense), and an api for plugins to do there own tooling.
IntelliJ really is the best for Java, I switched from eclipse years ago and never looked back. As for javascript, python and angular either using the standalone products from jetbrains (pycharm for python, webstorm for js) or installing the relevant plugins for InteliJ will be your best bet. Pycharm etc. are really just InteliJ with some additional plugins installed.
If you starting with Python then PyCharm is better. For Java I would suggest to go with IntelliJ IDEA but people also prefer eclipse so I would say try both and then decide. For JS/Angular/React I would suggest go with VSCode. I personally use it and prefer as its light weight and have good integration with chrome for frontend development.
PyCharm, IntelliJ IDEA are both products of JetBrains. They have a free (limited feature) and paid edition. Eclipse is free. VSCode is also free.
This is a very easy to use tool and gives you the opportunity to start coding right after the installation with almost everything setup automatically by the tool.
Easy to learn and everything you need
Pycharm is all you need to get start coding in python or any of its framework. Its an awesome tool you should give it a try :)
All three are great, however, I believe that IntelliJ IDEA's multiple IDE's are slightly more straight-forward and more up-to date than Eclipse. If I had to choose one specifically for Python projects I would go with PyCharm.
The problem I have is whether to choose Android Studio or Visual Studio? I have to develop a simple app for a school project that can work on both iPhone and Android.
The most important factors for me are Android and iOS compatibility. Although note that i would like to become a Software Engineer when i finish my course. (I'd like to work for Apple, just saying!)
After that id like easy integration for Google Ads and such if i do develop another app that people actually use to support development. (I'd also like to stick with one easy programming language that's compatible with a wide variety of platforms since i'm a beginner and have only ever used Pascal)
First of all - Android Studio and Visual Studio are IDE's. Tools to create code. What you are asking is programming framework. I assume that when you are talking about Android Studio you mean Native Android Development and by Visual Studio you mean Xamarin.
If you want to create crossplatform app then Native Android Development is NOT a way to go. Xamarin might work for you, BUT - you'd rather recommend you to go with Flutter. It's much more performant than Xamarin, programming model is friendlier for developer and technology seems just more refined. It's also officially supported by google, so no worries about support.
Expo was a tool Macombey really wanted to utilize from the beginning. I have been working with React Native since 2016 and originally I had to use simulators in Xcode, install pods on top of node packages, configure certificates, and more abundant objectives that take time away from actual development. As a development studio, we have to move quick and get projects to our clients and partners in a matter of months.
Expo made this easy for us. We now have a mobile app for clients to download and test their project on, there is no need to install pods or configure Xcode, and development is super fast and reliable now.
Since IntelliJ is the de-facto standard for writing Java/Kotlin/Scala application, and in Relay42 we are heavy Java users, every new engineer gets an Ultimate subscription from day1. The gains in productivity, pair programming speed (esp with the Code With Me feature) by using the same and familiar editor are totally worth the cost.
I originally chose IntelliJ over Eclipse, as it was close enough to the look and feel of Visual Studio and we do go back and forth between the two. We really begin to love IntelliJ and their suite of IDEs so we are now using AppCode for the IOS development because the workflow is identical with the IntelliJ. IntelliJ is super complex and intimidating at first but it does afford a lot of nice utilities to get us produce clean code.
Pros of Eclipse
- Does it all131
- Integrates with most of tools76
- Easy to use64
- Java IDE63
- Best Java IDE32
- Open source9
- Hard for newbews3
- Great gdb integration2
- Professional2
- Good Git client allowing direct stage area edit2
- True open source with huge contribution2
- Great code suggestions2
- Extensible2
- Lightweight2
- Works with php0
Pros of Visual Studio
- Intellisense, ui305
- Complete ide and debugger244
- Plug-ins165
- Integrated104
- Documentation93
- Fast37
- Node tools for visual studio (ntvs)35
- Free Community edition33
- Simple24
- Bug free17
- Made by Microsoft8
- Full free community version6
- JetBrains plugins (ReSharper etc.) work sufficiently OK5
- Productivity Power Tools3
- Vim mode2
- VIM integration2
- I develop UWP apps and Intellisense is super useful1
- Cross platform development1
- The Power and Easiness to Do anything in any.. language1
- Available for Mac and Windows1
Pros of Xcode
- IOS Development130
- Personal assistant on steroids33
- Easy setup29
- Excellent integration with Clang17
- Beautiful3
- Built-in everything1
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Cons of Eclipse
- 2000 Design14
- Bad performance9
- Hard to use4
Cons of Visual Studio
- Bulky16
- Made by Microsoft14
- Sometimes you need to restart to finish an update6
- Too much size for disk3
- Only avalible on Windows3
Cons of Xcode
- Massively bloated and complicated for smaller projects6
- Horrible auto completiting and text editing3
- Slow startup1
- Very slow emulator1