PHP application development is a long process that would require considerable time and efforts of a developer to build high performing applications. Coding, then testing and debugging all these steps implemented one after the other will consume time and hence, delay the time to market for an application. In order to cut down the time overheads in the development processes and increase the productivity of its developers, a PHP development company can suggest using integrated development environments for the purpose.
As a PHP developer you may be bored of using a simple text editor for coding. Then try out using an IDE for the purpose. An IDE will improve your productivity by reducing your time to production. Yes, with text editor, one can only write the code for development needs, but with IDE you can code, test and debug your code as well.
IDE stands for Integrated Development Environment and is an efficient tool for the PHP developers who want to maximize their productivity by writing good code with fewer mistakes. A PHP programmer can write the code quickly and efficiently using the tools provided in the supportive editing environment of the IDE.
Now let us a have a look at what are the beneficial features and advantages that IDEs can offer to the developers for productivity enhancement.
Better Code Readability
Syntax highlighter is an excellent feature of an integrated development environment that will automatically highlight your code with different colors and hence increases its readability. Locating a mistake in coding is easier in such an environment because as you type a wrong syntax the color of the particular wrongly typed command will change or will appear in a different color like usually red thereby giving you a clear idea about the mistake done.
Code Suggestions with Errors Highlighting
The developer will not have to type all the way as the code suggestions would appear as soon as the programmer starts typing a familiar command or syntax. This feature will prevent typos and enable you to learn about your mistake early at the coding stage itself. For example if you have spelled a command wrong then no suggestions would appear. Hence, you are avoiding coding mistakes while coding itself. Common programming mistakes are avoidable with on-the-fly syntax facility available with most of the PHP integrated environments.
Resource Management
During PHP application development, your code may have to rely on certain libraries or header files that are at specific locations. An IDE would be aware of such required resources and hence, would suggest for using them. This will enable you prevent errors regarding the resource allocation at the development stage itself.
Development Made Faster and Easier
Features and tools of an IDE will help you organize your code and resources, provide coding shortcuts and prevent errors. Hence, development in such a supportive environment becomes much faster and easier.
Standard Way of Development
While working with same IDE, a group of PHP developers can stick on to the similar programming standards or style. Hence, all of them work in similar fashion to define and develop the coding standards of the group or the company they belong to.
Moreover, with an IDE you can test your PHP application even before release. Project management becomes much easier with the documentation tools that many IDEs offer. Hence, it would not be wrong to say that working in an integrated development environment for PHP development can definitely enhance the coding efficiency and productivity of the developers.