Title: Setting up your tools
Course: COP1000: Introduction to Programming > Section: Module Two

Introduction

A source code editor is a text editor program designed specifically for editing source code of computer programs by programmers. Source code editors have features specifically designed to simplify and speed up input of source code, such as syntax highlighting, autocomplete and bracket matching functionality. So, while many text editors can be used to edit source code, if they don't enhance, automate or ease the editing of code, they are not source code editors, but simply text editors that can also be used to edit source code. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Source_code_editor)

A compiler is a computer program (or set of programs) that transforms source code written in a programming language (the source language) into computer language (the target language, often having a binary form known as object code). The most common reason for wanting to transform source code is to create an executable program. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compiler)

Debugging is a methodical process of finding and reducing the number of bugs, or defects, in a computer program, thus making it behave as expected.

An Integrated Development Environment (IDE) is a set of programs run from a single user interface. For example, programming languages often include a text editor, compiler and debugger, which are all activated and function from a common IDE menu. (http://www.pcmag.com/encyclopedia_term/0,1237,t=IDE&i=44707,00.asp)

Objectives

Upon completion of this module, the student will be able to:

Define the following: "Source Editor", "compiler", "debugging", and "IDE"
Choose a development environment
Write and compile a program

Readings & Resources

Chapter 1: Installing Python p. 2-7