Php editors are the web development tools. There are a number of php editors in the market which are available for free and as paid versions as well. But to choose the best php editor is the main motto of any web developer.
These editors provide an Integrated Development Environment(IDE) to the web programmers to develop, debug and manage php files.
Php IDE is as important as a web server and a web browser for writing php codes. Some of the free and open source php editors are Netbeans, Eclipse PDT, Atom, Sublime text etc.
A good php editor together with an appropriate php framework makes the web development an easy task. There are several editor we use during our php classes, that students can complete their tasks or help industry to improve fast delivery of projects.
A web developer often finds it difficult what Php IDE he should go for. Well, giving recommendation will work out for you but going through the features yourself will be even better that will help you to choose the best php editor.
So, here we have enlisted some of the best php editors with brief information according to the operating system they are designed for.
PHP EDITORS FOR WINDOWS OS
- Notepad++ :Notepad++ is the most widely used php editor around the globe developed by Don Ho. It first came into sight on 24 Nov, 2003. It is basically a source code editor especially designed for Windows operating system and is available for free on the internet. It supports programming languages like asp, java, php, perl, python, C, C++, C#, objective-C, SQL, XML, YAML, CSS, HTML and many more.
- Features include:
➡ Multi-tasking tabbed document interface(enable a web developer to work on one or more files at the same time in a window).
➡ Free and open source php editor.
➡ Built-in support for plugins.
➡ Text and source code highlighting (improves readability).
➡ Supports text or source code folding.
➡ Saves the file automatically.
➡ Available in more than 50 languages.
➡ Other features include zooming, spell checking, drag & drop, find & replace, manual functioning, automatic detection of programming language, etc. - Adobe Dreamweaver : This is a copyrighted php editor developed by the famous computer software company Adobe Systems. It is an Adobe acquired Macromedia product. Dreamweaver was released on Dec, 1997 for the first time. It is supported only on Windows OS and macOS. Linux do not support Adobe Dreamweaver. It provides support for programming languages like CSS, EDML, XHTML, XSLT, Javascript, WML, ColdFusion, asp, php, java, etc.
- Features include:
➡ Built-in support for transfer protocols like FTP(File Transfer Protocol), SFTP(Secure File Transfer Protocol).
➡ Enable a web developer to manage content of a website.
➡ Visibility of web content while writing a code.
➡ A rapid tool for coding as it provides auto-completion.
➡ Supports parsing.
➡ Code highlighting. - Codelobster : This is another popular Php editor which is available for free and provides paid versions as well with some added features like inclusion of CMS plugins, SQL manager, Code formatting etc. It is developed by Codelobster Software. It comes only for Windows operating system under the Freemium license. Other languages that can be implemented on Codelobster are HTML, Javascript, SQL, XML etc.
- Features include:
➡ Text and source code highlighting.
➡ Auto-completion.
➡ Supports syntax analysis.
➡ Supports Content Management platforms like WordPress, Joomla, Drupal, Magento, etc.
➡ Supports Php Frameworks like Laravel, Symfony, CakePHP, CodeIgniter, Phalcon, Yii, etc.
➡ Java Frameworks are also supported like jQuery, BACKBONE.JS, etc.
➡ Supports File Transfer Protocol(FTP).Some other Php IDE’s typically designed for Windows OS are listed below.
- Kantharos IDE
- Crimson Editor
- PSPad
PHP EDITORS FOR MACOS
- TextMate : It is a source code editor developed by Allan Odgaard. TextMate runs only on macOS. The first version of TextMate was released on 5 Oct, 2004. The main advantage of using TextMate is that it provides community support. There are several hints and suggestions provided by skilled professional which can help you to remove your complications while writing a code. Its newest version was released on 18 Aug, 2016.
- Features include:
➡ Lightweight
➡ Characterized by simple Graphic User Interface.
➡ Find and Replace feature.
➡ Built-in support for SVK, Perforce, etc.
➡ Enable users to manipulate data in tabular form. - BBEdit : It is a text editor made by an american software company Bare Bones Software. The company is aimed to provide software solutions only for macOS. BBEdit is a paid software and was first released on 12 April 1992. This editor has been made by keeping in mind the needs of a software developer. Programming languages supported by BBEdit are Php, HTML, Java, Javascript, Perl, Python, Objective-C, Ruby, SQL etc.
- Features include:
➡ Built-in support for FTP and SFTP.
➡ Text coloring is available with support for color schemes.
➡ Enable users to develop custom modules for language.
➡ Find and replace facility.
➡ Auto-completion.
➡ Built-in support for Git.
➡ Enhanced searching capability.Some other php editors typically designed for macOS are given below.
- Coda
- Smultron
- Adobe Dreamweaver
PHP EDITORS FOR LINUX OS
- Kwrite : It is a cross-platform text editor developed by software development company KDE. It is basically written in C++. It can be used in Linux, windows and macOS. It has a built-in support for plugins.
- Features include:
➡ Syntax coloring.
➡ Auto-completion.
➡ Supports code folding (enable users to hide and display the text file according to their need)
➡ Find and replace functionality, and several other features. - gedit : It is an open source text editor available for free on the internet. It is supported on Linux, windows and macOS. The interface is very simple which makes it an easy to use software. Programming languages supported by gedit are C, C++, HTML, Java, XML, Perl, Python, and many other languages.
- Features include:
➡ Find and replace functionality.
➡ Automatically saves file.
➡ Huge plugin support.
➡ Text coloring, and several other features.
➡ Multiple editing (edit two or more document simultaneously).Some other php editors supported on Linux operating system are listed below.
- KDevelop
- Kate
PHP EDITOR FOR WINDOWS OS, MACOS AND LINUX OS
- Eclipse PDT : It is a free and open source software which provides an environment to write php scripts. It is developed by Eclipse foundation and is among the most downloaded php editors across the globe. It is basically written in Java. It is available for Windows, Linux and macOS. It can be downloaded from the official website of its developer organisation. It provides wide range of plugins to its users which helps in gaining speed while coding. Programming languages supported by Eclipse IDE are C, C++, JavaScript, Lasso, Fortran, COBOL, Python, Perl, Php, Prolog, Ruby, Erlang and many others.
- Features include:
➡ Syntax coloring functionality.
➡ Code formatting and automatic code-completion.
➡ Advanced debugging functionality.
➡ Support for php refactoring.
➡ Support for plugin architecture.
➡ Simplified GUI. - JetBrains Php Storm : Php Storm is a copyrighted cross platform php editor developed by software company JetBrains. It came into sight for the first time in 2009. It can be downloaded from the official website of JetBrains. It is basically written in Java. Php Storm is very rich in features and is one of the most popular php editors around the world. It gives all the essential built-in mechanisms to its users to develop a robust and attracting application. It supports programming languages like Php, Javascript, HTML, SQL, CSS, and many others.
- Features include:
➡ Automatic code completion.
➡ Code analysis, code formatting and automatic refactoring.
➡ Support for FTP, SFTP, FTPS
➡ Debugging and testing.
➡ Live editing.
➡ Built-in support for Git, Perforce, Mercurial, etc.
➡ Built-in support for PHPDoc, and several other features.
➡ MVC architecture. - Zend Studio : It is another copyrighted Php Integrated Development Environment developed by Zend Technologies for writing php scripts. It serves as a rapid development tool for creating web applications which means it speeds up the development process by providing several essential tools like plugins, framework support etc. Its newest version was launched on 31 May, 2016.
- Features include:
➡ MVC architecture.
➡ Code auto-completion.
➡ Automatic server detection.
➡ Built-in support for Visual Mobile Development.
➡ Built-in support for frameworks like Symfony, Zend etc.
➡ Refactoring functionality.
➡ Built-in support for jsDoc and Dojo Toolkit.
➡ Built-in support for API Builder, and several other features.Some other popular php editors designed for Windows, Linux and macOS are given below.
- SublimeText
- Visual Studio Code
- Netbeans
- Aptana Studio
- Atom
- Komodo IDE
- SlickEdit
We have given you the best possible information about Php IDE’s. You can use the above information in order to choose the best php editor. These php editors are practically examined by our professional team and you can implement them according to your need.