Development Environment

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koko
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Development Environment

Post by koko »

I have seen the huge thread on favorite editors, but I need help in finding a real PHP development environment for rapid development.

I found Eclipse comfortable for Java and would really be looking for similar features from a PHP environment:

- Integrated remote CVS access
- Realtime debugging
- etc...

I played around with Zend, but was disappointed to find out that there was no way to connect to a remote CVS repository, plus I couldn't figure out what advantages were offered by installing the server-side debugger (any idea?).

In any case - I'm calling out for help in finding a comfortable development environment. Any help would be appreciated.

Shawn - leaping into the PHP unknown.
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JAM
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Post by JAM »

Not tested this particular software myself, but feel free.
PhpED IDE v3.3 - http://www.nusphere.com/products/

Please do give us a review about it's pros and cons for future usage. ;)
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patrikG
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Post by patrikG »

http://www.phpedit.net - not sure in how far that actually supports CVS, nevermind third-party CVS, though.
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Weirdan
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Post by Weirdan »

JAM wrote: PhpED IDE v3.3
Fine beta version. Nice features, minor bugs.
malcolmboston
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Re: Development Environment

Post by malcolmboston »

koko wrote:I played around with Zend, but was disappointed to find out that there was no way to connect to a remote CVS repository, plus I couldn't figure out what advantages were offered by installing the server-side debugger (any idea?).
i believe the server-side debugger (which i dont have) actually runs the script on your server, as often when i run scripts through zend they fail when they shouldnt this is because it doesnt know what modules i am using

GD is a great example

its a really annoying problem that i have no idea why they left in other than to screw more money out of you for the server-side debugger
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Post by jason »

Zend allows you to connect to a remote CVS repository. In fact, I use it every day. Granted, the remote server I connect to is sitting at the other end of my office, but it's remote. There is another CVS server I connect to, and it's in Europe. I don't use it anymore, but I connected with Zend through that as well.

The Server Side debugger is an excellent tool, as it allows you to test your scripts as you write them on a live development server. Or you can even find bugs in the production server by walking over the scripts. So it's actually pretty good for that stuff.

The other great thing about Zend is that it's cross platform. It runs on Windows, Mac, and Linux. I use Mac and Linux myself (Mac OS X when I am over Piera's, Linux at home and work). And if I am stuck on Windows, it works there as well. Being able to take my tools with me is a big plus. If I can't take the tool with me from one OS to another, it just isn't worth it for me. This is part of the reason I spent time to learn GIMP. Photoshop doesn't work on Linux (natively), but GIMP works on Windows, Linux, and Mac OS X. I can take that with me everywhere I go.

And for those that don't think that's important, it really is. You never know when you will be somewhere, and you will need your tools. Just this past weekend, during an Easter party, Nadia, Piera's cousin, needed help with a web site she was doing for school. This was one of those courses that she had to take, and wasn't her focus. She didn't have a real image editor (Microsoft Paint was all she had). I was able to quickly download GIMP, and help her crop some images. Not only was it legal, but it was quick, and easy. She even appreciated having it on her computer, and was glad to keep it.

Had I not known Gimp, I would have suffered using Paint, and things would not have gone as smoothly.

So, whenever you are out to choose tools, also make sure the tools don't force you to stick to a single operating system. You never know when you will want to change your OS, or that your job will require you to use something besides Windows/Linux/Mac.

If you rely on your tools, and your tools rely on a base, you are possibly shooting yourself in the foot. Being able to take your tools with you wherever you go is priceless.
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Ixplodestuff8
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Post by Ixplodestuff8 »

One problem is that Zend isn't free, and even if it is cross platform I can't just install it to different systems as I wish.
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Post by jason »

What do you mean you can't just install it to different systems? I do it all the time, and it doesn't give me a problem?

Sure, it's not free. But it's worth every penny.
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JAM
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Post by JAM »

jason wrote:What do you mean you can't just install it to different systems? I do it all the time, and it doesn't give me a problem?

Sure, it's not free. But it's worth every penny.
Just had to add that "You get what you pay for...", do make sence. But I ca agree that even if that is true, it's not that simple.

It's very much about commitment, if you are making a living out of using it, rather than needing it to ease up on your part-time "for fun" playing around.

Zend Studio starting at $195 is just to much if you are the later I imagine...
timvw
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Post by timvw »

I've once seen a php plugin for eclipse..... perhaps google still knows where
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