Software development does not take place in a vacuum. It requires the hand of qualified professionals, from software developers to quality assurance (QA) testers, and carefully honed methodologies. It also demands the best software development tools to aid the process.
What tools do software developers use? There are many solutions professionals apply to make the process smoother, more efficient, and ultimately easier. The best software engineering tools apply to a range of niches within and aspects of this process, helping you manage workflows and both daily and long-term operations.
Frontend vs. Backend Development
First, it’s important to understand the difference between frontend and backend development. Both are critical to the process. Frontend developers focus on the user-facing aspects of the software or website—the parts users see and interact with. Meanwhile, the backend developers work on the part of the product that users do not see—the behind-the-scenes processes that make the product function.
There are some tools that are specific to backend or frontend development, while others apply to the whole development process.
Types of Software Development Tools
When we discuss tools for software development, we might be talking about any number of aspects of the development process: languages, methodologies, approaches, and so on. But what are the main types of software development tools?
Here, we will explore a range of types of tools that facilitate smoother software development, including:
- Writing and editing
- Testing
- Version control
- Development environment
- Configuration
- Documenting
- Project management
- Source control
- Wireframing
- Continuous integration/continuous delivery (CI/CD)
- Debugging
- Compilation
- GUI design
- Performance analysis
- Maintenance
Best Software Engineering Tools
What are the top tools used in software development? That depends on your purpose. You should also consider factors like the level of developer knowledge, your company standards and practices, the purpose of the tool, its usefulness, the learning curve associated with it, and its ability to integrate with other tools you use in development.
Let’s look at development tool examples—some of the best on the market.
Atom
An open-source, free desktop and source code editor, Atom supports cross-platform editing. It is customizable and compatible with major operating systems. It also has built-in package management, multiple panes, and additional features that make it a user-friendly web development tool.
Axure
Axure is a tool for UX prototyping, wireframing, and documenting. You don’t need extensive knowledge of coding to build functional, dynamic prototypes using the tool—you have plenty of assistance through RP widgets, which allow you to develop components like working forms and grids. Through Axure, you can also create and organize your widget libraries, as well as share your prototypes through links the platform creates, making it ideal for collaboration.
Azure
Microsoft Azure supports an array of languages, frameworks, devices, and operating systems, offering a platform for prototyping projects. Developers, IT professionals, product managers, and others use it to create prototypes, wireframes, and documentation. With Azure, you can build and manage your cloud-based application quickly, as well as debug and deploy it.
Bootstrap
If you’re developing a project with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, Bootstrap is an excellent solution. The responsive framework offers a huge list of built-in components, and features are drag and drop, leading to easier and quicker development for responsive webpages and design. It can also be customized depending on your particular needs.
Cloud9
A user-friendly integrated development environment, Cloud9 supports a range of programming languages, from JavaScript to C to Python. Just some of its many features include enabling cloning of your entire development environment, code compilation suggestions, breakpoint setters in the debugger, and multiple split views.
Embold
Bugs can derail your project, but thanks to Embold, you can nip them in the bud. This tool allows you to analyze your source code and address issues that could interfere with key features like security, maintainability, and other critical functions prior to deployment. It also integrates with additional tools like GitHub and has numerous plugins that make the process of defect detection even more seamless.
GitHub
GitHub is widely used and lauded as the leader in software development platforms. A web-based Git repository hosting platform, it allows developers to store, manage, and work on their projects, keeping all the chief components and tools in one place. Through the service, you can organize, compile, package, test, review, and share your project and its pieces. It’s also a community, as well as a space that is ideal for collaborating with other team members.
HTML5 Builder
HTML5 Builder is a free, comprehensive tool for web and mobile apps, using just one HTML5, CSS#, JavaScript, and PHP codebase to design and create your product. It’s an ideal solution for developing cross-platform apps, increasing the speed of the programming process, and incorporating cloud services for more efficient development. You do need to know the programming languages in question to use HTML5 Builder effectively.
IntelliJ IDEA
An integrated development environment (IDE), IntelliJ brings together many tools that will facilitate easier development—a code editor, a debugger, a tester, a compiler, and more, all in one. The platform also provides suggestions to make your development experience even better. There are both community and enterprise versions of the IDE.
Zoho Creator
Ideal for beginners and those with minimal coding knowledge, Zoho Creator is a low-code platform that allows developers to efficiently create mobile and web applications via a drag-and-drop interface. It offers plenty of features, such as multi-language support, third-party integrations, reporting tools, and offline mobile access, and has a free plan, along with paid versions that allow you to access more robust features within the platform.
Ready to build your next great program, app, or website? These software development tools will help you do it efficiently, effectively, and productively.
