The tools in an integrated development environment, and how syntax, logic and run-time errors are found and fixed.
What you will learn
- Name IDE features and what they are for
- Tell syntax, logic and run-time errors apart
- Use a trace to find a logic error
The IDE
An integrated development environment puts the tools for writing and testing code in one place.
- Editor: syntax highlighting, auto-completion, automatic indentation and line numbers.
- Error diagnostics: lists errors with their line numbers.
- Run-time environment: runs the program and shows its output.
- Debugging: breakpoints pause at a chosen line, stepping runs one line at a time, and a watch window shows variables changing.
- Translator: the compiler or interpreter is built in.
A code library is a collection of tested subroutines that programs can use, such as Python's math library. Using one saves writing and testing that code yourself.
Every Brainlag Code lesson runs in a small IDE of this kind: try one, such as Debugging.
The rest of this lesson and its 7 practice questions are locked.
In this lesson
- The IDE
- Three kinds of error
- Try it: Which kind of error?
7 practice questions, marked as you go; about 20 minutes in all.
Key terms
Integrated development environment, Breakpoints, Stepping, Watch window, Code library
In this unit: Languages and translators
High-level and low-level languages, machine code and assembly language, compilers, interpreters and assemblers, IDEs, and the three kinds of error.