Xcode

by Apple

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Current version4.2.1 Last release17/11/2011

Apple's XCode Editor is a code editor and development environment that runs on the MAC. The XCode Editor not only allows the user to edit standard HTML code, but also provides many additional features that are valuable to developers working with various code languages including, but not limited, to Cascading Style Sheets (CSS), C++, Python, PHP and JavaScript.

As a simple code editor, XCode includes valuable features such as a “find and replace” feature that is straightforward and easy to use. In addition, the editor will display snapshots of of code pages. XCode also includes “code folding,” where sections of code may be collapsed and hidden from view to unclutter the working page, and then easily expanded with one click to reveal the collapsed code. As with many editors, the XCode Editor includes syntax highlighting and color coding, which operates when working on various code flavors, such as PHP, CSS, JavaScript and, of course, HTML.

For editing HTML, the XCode Editor behaves in much the same way as any other HTML editor. To edit an HTML page, simply select “Open” from the “File” menu and navigate to the HTML page to edit. Open the code page in the editor, make and then save your changes. A few templates are provided by default with the editor, and XCode also supports SVN and GIT. However, Xcode really gets to show off it's true value when editing and building complete application projects. Start a project with just a few clicks. When you first create a new project in XCode, an “assistant” launches which allows you to select the type of application you will build. Choices of applications include AppleScript programs, Carbon C++ programs, and Cocoa Python programs and documents, to list just a few. Once you have selected your application type, name the project, click “OK,” and then the base code for the application appears in the editor. Add your custom code to define specific application behaviors, and then click “Build” from the top navigation menu to build your project.

The functionality of the XCode Editor extends far beyond merely editing HTML and other types of code pages. Entire MAC and iOS applications, including apps for the iPhone and the Android operating system, may be built using the XCode Editor. However, the best feature of the XCode Editor is that the development environment is 100% free and available on the software installation disk that is shipped with your MAC.