Programming tool

Not to be confused with Programmable tooling.

A programming tool or software development tool is a computer program that is used to develop another computer program, usually by helping the developer manage computer files. For example, a programmer may use a tool called a source code editor to edit source code files, and then a compiler to convert the source code into machine code files. They may also use build tools that automatically package executable program and data files into shareable packages or install kits.

A set of tools that are run one after another, with each tool feeding its output to the next one, is called a toolchain. An integrated development environment (IDE) integrates the function of several tools into a single program. Usually, an IDE provides a source code editor as well as other built-in or plug-in tools that help with compiling, debugging, and testing.

Whether a program is considered a "development tool" can be subjective. Some tools, such as the GNU Compiler Collection, are used exclusively for software development. Others, like the text editor Windows Notepad, are not meant specifically for development but are nevertheless often used by programmers.

Major functions of development tools

Translation

A translator is used to translate code from one computer language to another. For example, a compiler can translate source code from its original programming language to lower-level language, such as machine code. Other tools, namely assemblers (another type of translator) and linkers, are used alongside compilers to package the code into its final, usable form.

Some programming languages, such as Python and Java, are usually compiled into a special kind of machine code called bytecode. The bytecode may be further compiled to machine code as the program is running, a process called just-in-time compilation, or it may be fed to another type of tool called an interpreter, which executes bytecode or source code directly. Some interpreters provide on-demand translation to machine code or an intermediate form.

Debugging

A debugger allows a programmer to view information about the state of a program while it is executing. For example, a developer can use a debugger to pause the program at a breakpoint inserted at a particular line of code, and then directly check the value of a variable. This information is useful in resolving bugs and testing.

Categories

Notable categories of development tools:

• Assembler – Converts assembly language into machine code
• Bug tracking system – Software application that records software bugs
• Build automation – Building software via an unattended fashion
• Code review software – Activity where one or more people check a program's code
• Compiler – Computer program which translates code from one programming language to another
• Compiler-compiler – Program that generates parsers or compilers, a.k.a. parser generator
• Debugger – Computer program used to test and debug other programs
• Decompiler – Program translating executable to source code
• Disassembler – Computer program to translate machine language into assembly language
• Documentation generator – Automation technology for creating software documentation
• Graphical user interface builder – Software development tool
• Linker – Program that combines intermediate build files into an executable file
• Memory debugger – Software memory problem finder
• Minifier – Removal of unnecessary characters in code without changing its functionality
• Pretty-printer – Formatting to make code or markup easier to readPages displaying short descriptions of redirect targets
• Performance profiler – Measuring the time or resources used by a section of a computer program
• Static code analyzer – Analysis of computer programs without executing themPages displaying short descriptions of redirect targets
• Source code editor – Text editor specializing in software codePages displaying short descriptions of redirect targets and [[text editor}}
• Source code generation – Type of computer programmingPages displaying short descriptions of redirect targets
• Version control system – Stores and tracks versions of files

See also

• Call graph – Structure in computing
• Comparison of integrated development environments – Notable software packages that are nominal IDE
• Computer aided software engineering – Domain of software toolsPages displaying short descriptions of redirect targets
• Git – Distributed version control software system
• GitHub – Software development collaboration platform
• Lint – Tool to flag poor computer code
• List of software engineering topics – Overview of and topical guide to software engineeringPages displaying short descriptions of redirect targets
• List of unit testing frameworks
• Manual memory management – Computer memory management methodology
• Memory leak – When a computer program fails to release unnecessary memory
• Reverse-engineering – Process of extracting design information from anything artificialPages displaying short descriptions of redirect targets
• Revision Control System – Version-control system
• Software development kit – Set of software development tools
• Software engineering – Engineering approach to software development
• SourceForge – Software discovery and hosting platform for B2B and open source software
• SWIG – Open-source programming tool
• Toolkits for User Innovation – Design methodPages displaying short descriptions of redirect targets
• Valgrind – Programming tool for profiling, memory debugging and memory leak detection

References

• Software Development Tools for Petascale Computing Workshop 2007
• Kernighan, Brian W.; Plauger, P. J. (1976), Software Tools, Addison-Wesley, pp. 352, ISBN 0-201-03669-X

External links

Media related to Programming tools at Wikimedia Commons