Home > Articles > Programming

"Hello, World!" Writing Your First Program

Nov 24, 2014

📄 Contents

␡

⎙ Print

< Back Page 2 of 7 Next >

This chapter is from the book 

Learning to Program

Learn More Buy

Making Your Choice

Choosing the best text editor for you depends on your preferences (and your willingness to pay), as well as the project you are working on. I use Vim for most of my coding, but I use IntelliJ when I write Java code, and I use Xcode when I work on iOS apps. The following overview of text editors should help you make your decision.

What Is an IDE?

In the next chapter, you learn about how your computer actually executes the code you write in your text editor. Part of that process involves having an environment that can understand and execute your code. In this book, we use a programming language called JavaScript; the environment that can understand and execute JavaScript is a web browser. For some other programming languages, the text editor is also an environment that understands and executes the code. These special types of text editors are called integrated development environments, but their friends call them IDEs. An IDE is a powerful tool for languages that need an IDE. Your web browser can be just as powerful for writing JavaScript code.

Sublime Text

Sublime Text has a wide array of plug-ins that can help make you more productive. It is easy to use and has an attractive (dare I say sublime?) user interface.
It is available on Windows, Mac, and Linux.
Sublime Text is a good choice for beginners. It is simple and intuitive, and it follows many of the conventions you are familiar with from using a word processor.
A Sublime Text license costs $70, but you can try it for free.
Sublime Text is a simple text editor, not a full-fledged IDE.
You can download Sublime from http://www.sublimetext.com/.

TextMate

TextMate and Sublime Text have many of the same plug-ins—a plug-in for one usually works with the other. TextMate is easy to learn and easy to use.
It is available only on Mac.
As with Sublime Text, TextMate is a good choice for beginners. You can get started and be productive without needing to learn anything new.
A TextMate license costs $55, but you can try it for free.
TextMate is a simple text editor, not a full-fledged IDE.
You can download TextMate from http://macromates.com/.

Notepad++

Notepad++ is a great option if you are using Windows. The “++” (pronounced “plus plus”) comes from the programming language C++; the idea is that C++ is like C, but better—so Notepad++ is like Notepad, but better.
It is available only on Windows.
Notepad++ is easy to use and great for beginners.
Notepad++ is free.
NotePad++ is a simple text editor, not a full-fledged IDE.
You can download Notepad++ from http://notepad-plus-plus.org/download/.

Gedit

Gedit is a good basic editor, but it’s not as visually appealing as some of the other editors. If you’re using Linux, it is probably already installed.
It is available on Windows, Mac, and Linux.
Gedit is easy to use and easy to learn.
Gedit is free.
Gedit is a simple text editor, not a full-fledged IDE.
You can download Gedit from https://wiki.gnome.org/Apps/Gedit/.

Vim

Vim takes a while to learn, but once you know what you’re doing, you can work quickly, with a wide range of shortcuts and plug-ins. Additionally, Vim is compatible with nearly every operating system and is often already installed, so working on an unfamiliar OS is less unfamiliar when you use Vim. I used to be afraid of Vim, but now it’s my favorite editor.
It is available on nearly every operating system ever created (it comes preinstalled on Mac OS X and Linux, but you have to install it yourself on Windows). Vim is like a cockroach: It can survive nearly anywhere, and it will still be around long after the rest of us are gone.
Vim is not easy to learn and is probably not a great editor for beginners. If you want to learn Vim, though, you can find plenty of resources, including a built-in tutorial (type vimtutor on the command line).
Vim is free.
Vim is a simple text editor, not a full-fledged IDE.
You can download Vim from www.vim.org/download.php if it’s not already installed.

Eclipse

Eclipse is a full-featured IDE generally used for Java programming. If you are working on a Java project, this is a great choice.
It is available on Windows, Mac, and Linux.
Eclipse is not particularly easy for beginners to start using because it is far more than a simple text editor. However, learning to program Java using Eclipse or IntelliJ is much easier than using one of the simple text editors listed previously.
Eclipse is free.
Eclipse is an IDE focused on Java development.
You can download Eclipse from www.eclipse.org/downloads/.

IntelliJ

IntelliJ is a full-featured IDE for Java that is a bit more lightweight (and, arguably, better looking) than Eclipse. IntelliJ also offers support for other languages, such as Scala and JavaScript.
It is available on Windows, Mac, and Linux.
IntelliJ is about as easy to learn as Eclipse.
IntelliJ is available in a free Community Edition. A license for the Ultimate Edition costs $199.
IntelliJ is a full-featured IDE.
You can download IntelliJ from www.jetbrains.com/idea/.

Xcode

If you are writing an iOS or Mac OS X app, Xcode is the IDE for you. Xcode is an IDE built by Apple for the purpose of building software for Apple platforms.
It is available only on Mac.
Xcode is not easy to learn, but Apple has extensive documentation and you can find a lot of community support. If you want to learn to build iPhone apps, you need to learn to use Xcode.
Xcode is free.
You can download Xcode from https://developer.apple.com/xcode/ or the Mac App Store.

Visual Studio

Visual Studio is a full-featured IDE mostly used for .NET development (C#, Visual Basic, and so on), but it can also be used for other languages.
It is available only on Windows.
Visual Studio is as easy to learn as any other full-featured IDE—not too easy.
Visual Studio is available for free as an Express Edition, which is both good and usable. The paid editions of Visual Studio range in price from $1,200 to $13,300.
You can download or purchase Visual Studio from www.visualstudio.com/downloads/download-visual-studio-vs.

I haven’t mentioned all the editors here, but this list should be enough to get you started. For the purposes of this book, I recommend Sublime Text (unless you have experience with one of the other editors). Sublime Text is more than good enough for our purposes and is easy to start using.

< Back Page 2 of 7 Next >

🔖 Save To Your Account

InformIT Promotional Mailings & Special Offers

I would like to receive exclusive offers and hear about products from InformIT and its family of brands. I can unsubscribe at any time.

Privacy Notice

Overview

Pearson Education, Inc., 221 River Street, Hoboken, New Jersey 07030, (Pearson) presents this site to provide information about products and services that can be purchased through this site.

This privacy notice provides an overview of our commitment to privacy and describes how we collect, protect, use and share personal information collected through this site. Please note that other Pearson websites and online products and services have their own separate privacy policies.

Collection and Use of Information

To conduct business and deliver products and services, Pearson collects and uses personal information in several ways in connection with this site, including:

Questions and Inquiries

For inquiries and questions, we collect the inquiry or question, together with name, contact details (email address, phone number and mailing address) and any other additional information voluntarily submitted to us through a Contact Us form or an email. We use this information to address the inquiry and respond to the question.

Online Store

For orders and purchases placed through our online store on this site, we collect order details, name, institution name and address (if applicable), email address, phone number, shipping and billing addresses, credit/debit card information, shipping options and any instructions. We use this information to complete transactions, fulfill orders, communicate with individuals placing orders or visiting the online store, and for related purposes.

Surveys

Pearson may offer opportunities to provide feedback or participate in surveys, including surveys evaluating Pearson products, services or sites. Participation is voluntary. Pearson collects information requested in the survey questions and uses the information to evaluate, support, maintain and improve products, services or sites, develop new products and services, conduct educational research and for other purposes specified in the survey.

Contests and Drawings

Occasionally, we may sponsor a contest or drawing. Participation is optional. Pearson collects name, contact information and other information specified on the entry form for the contest or drawing to conduct the contest or drawing. Pearson may collect additional personal information from the winners of a contest or drawing in order to award the prize and for tax reporting purposes, as required by law.

Newsletters

If you have elected to receive email newsletters or promotional mailings and special offers but want to unsubscribe, simply email information@informit.com.

Service Announcements

On rare occasions it is necessary to send out a strictly service related announcement. For instance, if our service is temporarily suspended for maintenance we might send users an email. Generally, users may not opt-out of these communications, though they can deactivate their account information. However, these communications are not promotional in nature.

Customer Service

We communicate with users on a regular basis to provide requested services and in regard to issues relating to their account we reply via email or phone in accordance with the users' wishes when a user submits their information through our Contact Us form.

Other Collection and Use of Information

Application and System Logs

Pearson automatically collects log data to help ensure the delivery, availability and security of this site. Log data may include technical information about how a user or visitor connected to this site, such as browser type, type of computer/device, operating system, internet service provider and IP address. We use this information for support purposes and to monitor the health of the site, identify problems, improve service, detect unauthorized access and fraudulent activity, prevent and respond to security incidents and appropriately scale computing resources.

Web Analytics

Pearson may use third party web trend analytical services, including Google Analytics, to collect visitor information, such as IP addresses, browser types, referring pages, pages visited and time spent on a particular site. While these analytical services collect and report information on an anonymous basis, they may use cookies to gather web trend information. The information gathered may enable Pearson (but not the third party web trend services) to link information with application and system log data. Pearson uses this information for system administration and to identify problems, improve service, detect unauthorized access and fraudulent activity, prevent and respond to security incidents, appropriately scale computing resources and otherwise support and deliver this site and its services.

Cookies and Related Technologies

This site uses cookies and similar technologies to personalize content, measure traffic patterns, control security, track use and access of information on this site, and provide interest-based messages and advertising. Users can manage and block the use of cookies through their browser. Disabling or blocking certain cookies may limit the functionality of this site.

Do Not Track

This site currently does not respond to Do Not Track signals.

Security

Pearson uses appropriate physical, administrative and technical security measures to protect personal information from unauthorized access, use and disclosure.

Children

This site is not directed to children under the age of 13.

Marketing

Pearson may send or direct marketing communications to users, provided that

Pearson will not use personal information collected or processed as a K-12 school service provider for the purpose of directed or targeted advertising.
Such marketing is consistent with applicable law and Pearson's legal obligations.
Pearson will not knowingly direct or send marketing communications to an individual who has expressed a preference not to receive marketing.
Where required by applicable law, express or implied consent to marketing exists and has not been withdrawn.

Pearson may provide personal information to a third party service provider on a restricted basis to provide marketing solely on behalf of Pearson or an affiliate or customer for whom Pearson is a service provider. Marketing preferences may be changed at any time.

Correcting/Updating Personal Information

If a user's personally identifiable information changes (such as your postal address or email address), we provide a way to correct or update that user's personal data provided to us. This can be done on the Account page. If a user no longer desires our service and desires to delete his or her account, please contact us at customer-service@informit.com and we will process the deletion of a user's account.

Choice/Opt-out

Users can always make an informed choice as to whether they should proceed with certain services offered by InformIT. If you choose to remove yourself from our mailing list(s) simply visit the following page and uncheck any communication you no longer want to receive: www.informit.com/u.aspx.

Sale of Personal Information

Pearson does not rent or sell personal information in exchange for any payment of money.

While Pearson does not sell personal information, as defined in Nevada law, Nevada residents may email a request for no sale of their personal information to NevadaDesignatedRequest@pearson.com.

Supplemental Privacy Statement for California Residents

California residents should read our Supplemental privacy statement for California residents in conjunction with this Privacy Notice. The Supplemental privacy statement for California residents explains Pearson's commitment to comply with California law and applies to personal information of California residents collected in connection with this site and the Services.

Sharing and Disclosure

Pearson may disclose personal information, as follows:

As required by law.
With the consent of the individual (or their parent, if the individual is a minor)
In response to a subpoena, court order or legal process, to the extent permitted or required by law
To protect the security and safety of individuals, data, assets and systems, consistent with applicable law
In connection the sale, joint venture or other transfer of some or all of its company or assets, subject to the provisions of this Privacy Notice
To investigate or address actual or suspected fraud or other illegal activities
To exercise its legal rights, including enforcement of the Terms of Use for this site or another contract
To affiliated Pearson companies and other companies and organizations who perform work for Pearson and are obligated to protect the privacy of personal information consistent with this Privacy Notice
To a school, organization, company or government agency, where Pearson collects or processes the personal information in a school setting or on behalf of such organization, company or government agency.

Links

This web site contains links to other sites. Please be aware that we are not responsible for the privacy practices of such other sites. We encourage our users to be aware when they leave our site and to read the privacy statements of each and every web site that collects Personal Information. This privacy statement applies solely to information collected by this web site.

Requests and Contact

Please contact us about this Privacy Notice or if you have any requests or questions relating to the privacy of your personal information.

Changes to this Privacy Notice

We may revise this Privacy Notice through an updated posting. We will identify the effective date of the revision in the posting. Often, updates are made to provide greater clarity or to comply with changes in regulatory requirements. If the updates involve material changes to the collection, protection, use or disclosure of Personal Information, Pearson will provide notice of the change through a conspicuous notice on this site or other appropriate way. Continued use of the site after the effective date of a posted revision evidences acceptance. Please contact us if you have questions or concerns about the Privacy Notice or any objection to any revisions.

Last Update: November 17, 2020

Email Address