CodeKit vs Xcode

Overview

Xcode

Stacks19.3K

Followers14.7K

Votes213

CodeKit

Stacks69

Followers103

Votes28

CodeKit vs Xcode: What are the differences?

Platform Compatibility: CodeKit is compatible with both Mac and Windows operating systems, whereas Xcode is exclusively available for macOS. This means that if you are a Windows user, you may not be able to use Xcode for your development needs.
Focus of Development: CodeKit is mainly focused on front-end web development tasks such as compiling Sass, Less, and JavaScript files, optimizing images, and live browser reloading. On the other hand, Xcode is designed for native app development, offering features for designing user interfaces, writing code in multiple languages, debugging, and app testing.
Programming Languages Supported: CodeKit mainly supports web development languages such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. In contrast, Xcode supports a wide range of languages including Swift, Objective-C, C, and C++, making it suitable for developing a variety of macOS and iOS applications.
Project Management: CodeKit simplifies project management by providing a user-friendly interface for configuring build settings, managing dependencies, and monitoring file changes. Xcode, being a comprehensive IDE, offers advanced project management features such as version control integration, code refactoring tools, and project-wide search capabilities.
Community Support: CodeKit has a smaller community compared to Xcode, which is widely used by iOS and macOS developers worldwide. This means that developers using Xcode have access to a larger pool of resources, forums, and third-party libraries to enhance their development projects.
Debugging Tools: Xcode comes with robust debugging tools like LLDB debugger, Instruments for performance analysis, and Simulator for testing iOS apps on virtual devices. CodeKit, on the other hand, lacks advanced debugging capabilities, as it focuses more on front-end build processes rather than application debugging.

In Summary, CodeKit is a web development build tool with platform compatibility for both Mac and Windows, focusing on front-end tasks, while Xcode is a macOS-exclusive IDE tailored for native app development supporting multiple programming languages, advanced project management features, and robust debugging tools.

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Detailed Comparison

Xcode	CodeKit
The Xcode IDE is at the center of the Apple development experience. Tightly integrated with the Cocoa and Cocoa Touch frameworks, Xcode is an incredibly productive environment for building amazing apps for Mac, iPhone, and iPad.	Process Less, Sass, Stylus, Jade, Haml, Slim, CoffeeScript, Javascript, and Compass files automatically each time you save. Easily set options for each language.
Source Editor;Assistant Editor;Asset Catalog;OpenGL Frame Capture;Version Editor;Interface Builder Built In;iOS Simulator;Integrated Build System;Continuous Integration;Instrument Library;Command Line Tools	Compile Everything - Less, Sass, Stylus, CoffeeScript, Typescript, Jade, Haml, Slim, Markdown & Javascript.;Auto-Refresh Browsers - Refresh browsers across devices: Mac, PC, iOS, Android & kitchen fridge. Never hit command+R again.;Bower Built-In - Install 6,000+ components with a single click: Bootstrap, jQuery, Modernizr, Zurb Foundation, even WordPress.;It Just Works - There's no grunting at a command line and zero setup. Just drop your project on the app and go.
Statistics
Stacks 19.3K	Stacks 69
Followers 14.7K	Followers 103
Votes 213	Votes 28
Pros & Cons
Pros 130 IOS Development 33 Personal assistant on steroids 29 Easy setup 17 Excellent integration with Clang 3 Beautiful Cons 6 Massively bloated and complicated for smaller projects 3 Horrible auto completiting and text editing 1 Slow startup 1 Very slow emulator	Pros 8 Easy to configure 8 Instant setup for quick experiments 7 Cross device live reloading 5 Any editor OK
Integrations
Cocoa Touch (iOS) Cocoa (OS X)	Bower Foundation Bourbon Compass

What are some alternatives to Xcode, CodeKit?

PhpStorm

PhpStorm is a PHP IDE which keeps up with latest PHP & web languages trends, integrates a variety of modern tools, and brings even more extensibility with support for major PHP frameworks.

IntelliJ IDEA

Out of the box, IntelliJ IDEA provides a comprehensive feature set including tools and integrations with the most important modern technologies and frameworks for enterprise and web development with Java, Scala, Groovy and other languages.

Visual Studio

Visual Studio is a suite of component-based software development tools and other technologies for building powerful, high-performance applications.

WebStorm

WebStorm is a lightweight and intelligent IDE for front-end development and server-side JavaScript.

NetBeans IDE

NetBeans IDE is FREE, open source, and has a worldwide community of users and developers.

PyCharm

PyCharm’s smart code editor provides first-class support for Python, JavaScript, CoffeeScript, TypeScript, CSS, popular template languages and more. Take advantage of language-aware code completion, error detection, and on-the-fly code fixes!

Eclipse

Standard Eclipse package suited for Java and plug-in development plus adding new plugins; already includes Git, Marketplace Client, source code and developer documentation. Click here to file a bug against Eclipse Platform.

Android Studio

Android Studio is a new Android development environment based on IntelliJ IDEA. It provides new features and improvements over Eclipse ADT and will be the official Android IDE once it's ready.

RubyMine

JetBrains RubyMine IDE provides a comprehensive Ruby code editor aware of dynamic language specifics and delivers smart coding assistance, intelligent code refactoring and code analysis capabilities.

CLion

Knowing your code through and through, CLion can take care of the routine while you focus on the important things. Boost your productivity with the keyboard-centric approach (Vim-emulation plugin is also available in plugin repository), full coding assistance, smart and relevant code completion, fast project navigation, intelligent intention actions, and reliable refactorings.

Related Comparisons

CodeKit vs Xcode: What are the differences?

Platform Compatibility: CodeKit is compatible with both Mac and Windows operating systems, whereas Xcode is exclusively available for macOS. This means that if you are a Windows user, you may not be able to use Xcode for your development needs.
Focus of Development: CodeKit is mainly focused on front-end web development tasks such as compiling Sass, Less, and JavaScript files, optimizing images, and live browser reloading. On the other hand, Xcode is designed for native app development, offering features for designing user interfaces, writing code in multiple languages, debugging, and app testing.
Programming Languages Supported: CodeKit mainly supports web development languages such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. In contrast, Xcode supports a wide range of languages including Swift, Objective-C, C, and C++, making it suitable for developing a variety of macOS and iOS applications.
Project Management: CodeKit simplifies project management by providing a user-friendly interface for configuring build settings, managing dependencies, and monitoring file changes. Xcode, being a comprehensive IDE, offers advanced project management features such as version control integration, code refactoring tools, and project-wide search capabilities.
Community Support: CodeKit has a smaller community compared to Xcode, which is widely used by iOS and macOS developers worldwide. This means that developers using Xcode have access to a larger pool of resources, forums, and third-party libraries to enhance their development projects.
Debugging Tools: Xcode comes with robust debugging tools like LLDB debugger, Instruments for performance analysis, and Simulator for testing iOS apps on virtual devices. CodeKit, on the other hand, lacks advanced debugging capabilities, as it focuses more on front-end build processes rather than application debugging.

CodeKit vs Xcode

Overview