An integrated development environment is an Integrated Development Environment, abbreviated to IDE. This IDE allows coders to write and generate applications that can be run and processed on any device with any operating system. But the main difference between Xcode and other integrated development environments is that Xcode is for Mac owners. Although Xcode allows the user to write code in all programming languages. The code written by it can be executed in other projects, but this environment is only for Mac systems.
An Xcode user can enjoy the following benefits:
- Ability to write UI codes
- Collect pre-written code
- It can write the codes of an application
- Ability to test and test written code and design applications
- It can debug
Xcode outputs and the applications designed in it have the necessary standards and quality for public release and distribution in the App Store.
Interestingly, using Xcode is free for all Mac owners. But when a developer wants to bring their Xcode-coded product into app stores like the App Store. They have to get a developer subscription from Apple. The cost of this annual subscription is over $ 99.
Xcode History
It is a project-based system environment originally designed and developed by NEXT for NEXTSTEP OS. Xcode was first released in 2003 for Mac OS X 10.3 Panther. Apple then designed a new look for Xcode and released it with a different user interface that would be suitable for Mac software development users.
Right after its unveiling, every year a new update and update for Xcode is provided by Apple. These updates include new features as well as the ability for Xcode to support new operating systems and new technology products.
In this way, updates force coders to produce applications and programs that are in line with the latest technology in the world and up-to-date and new systems on the market. Currently, in December 2020, Xcode is in version 11.3 and can be downloaded from the Mac App Store.
Coding in Xcode
The core of the Xcode suite is the IDE, also known as the Xcode. Xcode is a comprehensive set of tools and files that a programmer uses to write his code. There is also a window to open previous projects or create new ones.
Just like other programming environments, the programmer writes his code in a window. As the programmer writes his code, IDE tries to help him in various ways and accompanies him in writing his code like an assistant.
In this way, Xcode helps the coder to write and execute the cleanest and least error-free code possible for the program.
This help can include coloring different structures of code commands to get the coder’s attention. Depending on what programming language the coder uses, the IDE can anticipate his or her writing and offer suggestions to speed up his or her coding operations.
The system can display instruction warnings to the coder according to the selected programming language and identify words or phrases that have been typed incorrectly. Also, identify commands that are incomplete or incorrect with the Flagging Errors system and even provide suggestions on how to correct these errors.
Developers can open different projects in different tabs and move between them while working and browse to any file they want. It also allows Xcode users to view multiple files and move between them simultaneously.
Xcode supports a variety of programming languages such as Swift, Apple Script, C, C ++, Objective C, Objective C, Python, Ruby, and many other programming languages.
Learn to use Xcode
You can easily download training versions to learn how to use Xcode. There are several pilot projects for your training next to these tutorials that you can see how they are written and do exercises on them.
How to design
Xcode also can design the appearance of the application. In this way, in a separate window, it displays an image of the final view of your application on the mobile screen. And in the side window, it allows you to access your code and allows you to make changes to it.
In this way, you can code the applications in terms of appearance and apply changes based on the size of the screen of different mobile phones on them.
The image of the final view of the application is in your code. And every time you make a change in the UI code. It displays the appearance of its output.
The Version control
When working alone on a project, you can use it locally and view the results of your work in the same program. But when you are working on a project as a team and you are all using Xcode. Version control allows you to make a match between the Xcode versions used on all members’ systems. Do the group so that the codes that are being written separately do not conflict with each other and do not pose a challenge for you.
Also, when one of your co-workers makes a change in a part of the code. It will be clear to the other co-workers which co-worker has made the change in which part of the code. So that everyone will have access to an integrated and controlled system.