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Apache Ant vs Eclipse: What are the differences?
# Introduction
Apache Ant and Eclipse are widely-used tools in software development, but they have key differences in their functionalities and purposes. Understanding these differences can help developers choose the right tool for their specific needs.
1. **Build Automation vs. Integrated Development Environment (IDE)**: Apache Ant is primarily a build tool used for automating software build processes, while Eclipse is an integrated development environment (IDE) that provides a comprehensive set of tools for software development, including code editing, debugging, and project management.
2. **Language vs. Framework Dependency**: Ant is not tied to any specific programming language and can be used to build projects written in various languages. In contrast, Eclipse is tightly integrated with Java and is commonly used for developing Java applications, although it also supports other programming languages through plugins.
3. **XML vs. Graphical User Interface (GUI)**: Ant build scripts are written in XML, which offers a high level of control and customization over the build process but can be complex to manage. Eclipse, on the other hand, provides a user-friendly graphical interface that simplifies development tasks and offers visual tools for coding and debugging.
4. **Community and Plugin Ecosystem**: Apache Ant has a strong community support and a wide range of plugins available for extending its functionality. Eclipse, being an IDE, also has a large community and vast plugin ecosystem, with a variety of plugins for different languages, frameworks, and tools.
5. **Command-Line vs. Interactive Development**: Ant is typically run from the command line interface, making it suitable for automated builds in continuous integration systems. Eclipse, on the contrary, provides an interactive development environment with features like code completion, refactoring, and real-time error checking.
6. **Complexity and Learning Curve**: Apache Ant is more suitable for experienced developers who prefer manual configuration and customization of build processes. Eclipse, with its beginner-friendly interface and integrated tools, is well-suited for developers of all levels, including beginners who are new to software development.
In Summary, Apache Ant and Eclipse differ in terms of their primary functions, language dependencies, scripting languages, user interfaces, community support, development environments, and learning curves, catering to different needs in software development.
UPDATE: Thanks for the great response. I am going to start with VSCode based on the open source and free version that will allow me to grow into other languages, but not cost me a license ..yet.
I have been working with software development for 12 years, but I am just beginning my journey to learn to code. I am starting with Python following the suggestion of some of my coworkers. They are split between Eclipse and IntelliJ IDEA for IDEs that they use and PyCharm is new to me. Which IDE would you suggest for a beginner that will allow expansion to Java, JavaScript, and eventually AngularJS and possibly mobile applications?
Pycharm is great for python development, but can feel sometimes slow and community version has Somme very annoying restrictions (like they disabled jupyter notebooks plugin and made it premium feature). I personally started looking into VS Code as an alternative, and it has some very good potential. I suggest you take it into account.
The Community version of PyCharm is free and should give you what you need to get started with Python. Both PyCharm and IntelliJ are made by JetBrains. IntelliJ is initially focused on Java but you can get plugins for lots of other things. I subscribe to JetBrains' Toolbox: https://www.jetbrains.com/toolbox-app/ and have access to all of their great tools.
Hi, I will give my opinion based on my experience. I have used PyCharm, both community and Professional version. The community has limited functions, like you can't use a Jupyter notebook whereas it's available in the Professional version. PyCharm is slower compared to Visual Studio Code. Also Visual Studio Code is an editor which supports various languages. I myself have used both Visual Studio Code and PyCharm. I feel Visual Studio Code would be better choice. You may as well decide based upon your requirements.
I couldn't imagine using a development tool other than the IntelliJ IDEA Ultimate All Products Pack. A single license allows me to work directly on my server running Ubuntu and/or my workstation running Windows 10 Pro simultaneously. My current project uses HTML, W3CSS, JavaScript, Java, Groovy, Grails, C, GO, Python, Flask, and Rust. For me it's worth every penny of the $150 license fee. And you can try it for free.
Visual Studio code is easy to use, has a good UI, and a large community. Python works great with it, but unlike some other editors, it works with most languages either by default or by downloading a plugin. VS Code has built in linting, syntax coloring, autocompletes (IntelliSense), and an api for plugins to do there own tooling.
I'd personally recommend Visual Studio Code as it gives you the flexibility of working in any language, so long as there are extensions to support it. It gives you the flexibility to learn Python, venture into Java, Javascript, and eventually AngularJS, and potentially mobile applications. It's also free and you can install it on your personal computer. I think Visual Studio Code would serve your intended use case best.
IntelliJ really is the best for Java, I switched from eclipse years ago and never looked back. As for javascript, python and angular either using the standalone products from jetbrains (pycharm for python, webstorm for js) or installing the relevant plugins for InteliJ will be your best bet. Pycharm etc. are really just InteliJ with some additional plugins installed.
If you starting with Python then PyCharm is better. For Java I would suggest to go with IntelliJ IDEA but people also prefer eclipse so I would say try both and then decide. For JS/Angular/React I would suggest go with VSCode. I personally use it and prefer as its light weight and have good integration with chrome for frontend development.
PyCharm, IntelliJ IDEA are both products of JetBrains. They have a free (limited feature) and paid edition. Eclipse is free. VSCode is also free.
Easy to learn and everything you need
All three are great, however, I believe that IntelliJ IDEA's multiple IDE's are slightly more straight-forward and more up-to date than Eclipse. If I had to choose one specifically for Python projects I would go with PyCharm.
Pycharm is all you need to get start coding in python or any of its framework. Its an awesome tool you should give it a try :)
This is a very easy to use tool and gives you the opportunity to start coding right after the installation with almost everything setup automatically by the tool.
I originally chose IntelliJ over Eclipse, as it was close enough to the look and feel of Visual Studio and we do go back and forth between the two. We really begin to love IntelliJ and their suite of IDEs so we are now using AppCode for the IOS development because the workflow is identical with the IntelliJ. IntelliJ is super complex and intimidating at first but it does afford a lot of nice utilities to get us produce clean code.
Pros of Apache Ant
- Flexible4
- Simple1
- Easy to learn1
- Easy to write own java-build-hooks1
Pros of Eclipse
- Does it all131
- Integrates with most of tools76
- Easy to use64
- Java IDE63
- Best Java IDE32
- Open source9
- Hard for newbews3
- Great gdb integration2
- Professional2
- Good Git client allowing direct stage area edit2
- True open source with huge contribution2
- Great code suggestions2
- Extensible2
- Lightweight2
- Works with php0
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Cons of Apache Ant
- Slow1
- Old and not widely used anymore1
Cons of Eclipse
- 2000 Design14
- Bad performance9
- Hard to use4