Should we now also move the entire development to the browser?
We want to answer this question in the following article. We will look at examples of well-known WebIDEs and reveal what they can do and when they should be used.
What is a Web IDE?
A web IDE is essentially a development environment that runs directly in the web browser. This means that code is no longer written and executed locally on a machine, but everything takes place directly in the browser.
Which are the best-known Web IDEs?
There are already a large number of web IDEs on the market that offer a wide range of functions and tools. Some of the best known are
- GitHub Codespaces: is tightly integrated with GitHub and allows developers to work in a web-based editor. directly in their repositories. In addition to quick changes in the repository, a pull request can also be reviewed in the IDE view, for example. Code Spaces resembles the design of Visual Studio Code. This is no coincidence, as there is also a Online version of Microsoft's Visual Studio Code. This serves as the basis for many Web IDE providers.
- CodePen: CodePen is a very lightweight web-based development environment that can be especially for front-end developers is suitable. HTML, CSS and JavaScript can be written and executed directly in the browser. A live preview of the work is located directly below the code input. CodePen is also a form of social platform where developers can share their projects and learn from each other.
- StackBlitz: StackBlitz is a powerful web-based IDE that runs on top of Visual Studio Code. It provides a complete development environment for the most popular web frameworks, including Angular, React and Vue. But that's not all: Even backends can be developed with it. If the desired programming language has something to do with Javascript, it is most likely represented on Stackblitz. The selection is huge. Another interesting feature: libraries can be easily installed and tested in the environment.
Here is a list of ways to make your Favorite programming language try it out in the browser:
| Programming language | WebIDE link |
|---|---|
| JavaScript | CodePen |
| Python | online-python.com |
| Java | JDoodle |
| C# | Programiz |
| C++ | Compiler Explorer |
| TypeScript | StackBlitz |
| PHP | onlinephp.io |
| Ruby | runrb.io |
| Swift | Swift Playground |
| Go | Go Playground |
Web IDE vs. local IDE
Now that we understand what web IDEs are, which ones exist and what they can already do, let's take a look at the fundamental differences between web and local IDEs.
- Accessibility and flexibility:
- Web IDE: Accessible from anywhere, enabling seamless collaboration and high flexibility.
- Local IDE: Tied to the installed machine can affect mobility and collaboration.
- Performance and resource access:
- Web IDE: Dependent on server performance and internet connection, limited access to local resources.
- Local IDE: Direct access to all machine resources, fast code execution, more stable performance.
- Offline capability:
- Web IDE: Mostly online, limited offline capability (varies depending on WebIDE).
- Local IDE: Usually available offline, allows writing and editing code without an internet connection.
- Integration with version control:
- Web IDE: Seamless integration with version control systems such as Git, facilitating collaboration and branching.
- Local IDE: Also supports version control, may require additional configuration.
- Project size and complexity:
- Web IDE: Good for small to medium-sized projects, quick tests and prototypes.
- Local IDE: Better suited for larger and more complex projects, offering robust performance and extensive configuration options.
When should what be used?
Finally, there is a basic guideline on when to opt for a web IDE and when it is better to stick with a local IDE:
- Use a web IDE if You are working on a collaborative project, want to try something out quickly or are coding from different locations.
- Stick with a local IDE if You are working on larger projects, need robust performance or are dependent on local resources.
And with that: until the next #FrontendFriday!
