What does "IDE" stand for in software?

IDE stands for integrated development environment. It is a computer program that encompasses the tools required by programmers to develop software. Common elements found in an IDE include a source code editor, compiler, builder and debugger.

Programmers use IDEs over simple text editors because of the convenience they provide when writing code. Examples of IDEs include Visual Studio Express, Eclipse and NetBeans. Every IDE has its unique features and benefits, along with their own drawbacks. IDEs have specific language support, with some being limited to only one programming language. They also vary according to the different kinds of software development, such as mobile, web and desktop.