As a developer – and especially if you’re a beginner – you’re likely familiar with how time-consuming and challenging compiling code can be. Although there are many editors and tools available that can help streamline your workflow and productivity, deciding which one to use can be tricky.
However, one of the most essential and helpful products to take advantage of is an Integrated Development Environment (IDE). This type of tool can make it easier to prevent problems and can even speed up your coding projects. If you work with WordPress, you’ll likely want to look specifically for a PHP IDE.
In this post, we’ll explain what a PHP IDE is and how it can improve and speed up your development process. Then we’ll recommend one you can use to get started. Let’s jump in!
An Overview of PHP IDEs (And Their Benefits)
PHP is a popular programming language, and the one WordPress is built on. As such, you’ll likely end up using it for many, if not most, of your WordPress development projects.
IDEs are not the same as code editors, although they share some similarities. In a nutshell, a code editor is a text editor in which you can write your code. Typically, they are used to write general code in any language.
An IDE is a tool that you can use to compile code for a specific programming language, such as PHP. With it, you can write, execute, and debug your code all in one place. It can also help streamline your development projects in a variety of ways.
Ultimately, with an IDE you can write code with fewer mistakes than you otherwise might, which is particularly handy if you’re new to PHP development. You can check your syntax, validate errors, and debug your projects easily.
Additional features such as code auto-completion can help expedite your workflow. For example, IDEs that offer this functionality eliminate the need for you to remember the names of functions, tags, and other elements.
How to Simplify PHP Development on Your WordPress Site With CodeLobster IDE
There are a wide variety of code editors and IDEs to choose from, which can make the decision-making process a bit difficult. However, if you’re looking for a reliable, reputable PHP IDE to get started with, we recommend CodeLobster IDE:
CodeLobster is a robust, flexible IDE that you can use on Windows, macOS, and Linux platforms. It can help you organize your files and work on projects more efficiently. While it’s geared mainly toward PHP, it also supports other languages, including JavaScript, CSS, and HTML.
One of our favorite features of CodeLobster is that it offers an extensive collection of plugins, including a dedicated WordPress plugin. This makes integrating the tool with your development sites that much easier. You can use it to transform your WordPress editor into a WordPress IDE.
Additional CodeLobster features include:
- Automatic configuration based on server settings
- PHP, HTML, CSS, and JavaScript highlighting and auto-completion
- Popup list showing constants and variables
- HTML editor and code inspector
- Context and Dynamic Help
- PHP editor and debugger
- Project manager
- SQL manager
- File Transfer Protocol (FTP) and Secure File Transfer Protocol (SFTP) support
- Version control systems
- Code validator and code formatting
- Code collapsing
- Split window comparison
You can download and use CodeLobster IDE for free. However, if you want to unlock its full suite of features, you have the option of upgrading to the premium version. It’s available for $59.95 for three activations and includes one year of free updates.
Conclusion
WordPress and PHP development projects can be tedious and complex. However, tools such as IDEs can make the process and your workflow significantly more efficient, boosting your overall productivity so you can take on more clients.
In addition to making it easier to compile code quickly and with fewer errors, this type of tool offers various helpful features for simplifying PHP project development, such as an internal debugger for validating code locally. To get started, we recommend checking out CodeLobster IDE, available in both free and premium versions.
Do you have any questions about PHP IDEs? Let us know in the comments section below!
