Provides programmers with various tools that are needed to create computer programs. For example, graphical design; programming; translation; debugging.

The text editor allows a programmer to enter and edit source code/annotation.

Error detection - errors are flagged during coding rather than after compilation.

This is done automatically and changes key words, literals and annotations to different colours.

Context sensitive menu - IDE suggests available options.

An IDE will complete a statement such as adding an end if to an if statement.

Code optimisation - warning message when variables have been declared but not used.

GUI Creation - allows programmer to create a GUI by dragging and dropping controls onto a form.

The IDE can also: interpret code line by line; compile code (whole program); link code; load code; provide debugging features (Can be used in conjunction with each other); emulate a device; publish.

The interpreter translates each line of source code and executes it.

The linker is a program which allows previously compiled code, from software libraries, to be linked together.

The loader is a program which loads previously compiled code into memory.

The compiler translates source code into machine code.

Emulator - will provide an emulator to run the code/app so no physical device required.

Publisher - facility to package and deploy program as an easy to install package.