8 Best IDE For Codeigniter Development to Use in Web Apps

The globe is rapidly moving in the direction of digitalization and building a secure, robust, and scalable web is the ultimate solution to match this pace. With the emergence of new scripting languages every year, usage statistics of PHP for websites depicts its popularity.

PHP development has attracted the advancement of several frameworks like CakePHP, CodeIgniter, Symfony, Yii, Laravel to name a few. If we talk about CodeIgniter, it is extensively used as a framework for robust web application development. To maintain high-quality code, the best IDE for CodeIgniter must be employed.

PHP CodeIgniter provides numerous functionalities and toolsets to facilitate developers for building web solutions with minimal exertion. We offer custom PHP web development services to businesses of all sizes with CodeIgniter.

To help you in choosing the right technologies, we have compiled a list of the best IDE for CodeIgniter development. Let us understand in detail which IDE is the best one for this technology.

What is Integrated Development Environment?

An application that delivers a comprehensive facility to the computer programmers for any software development is termed as an integrated development environment (IDE). It usually comprises build automation tools, source code editor, and debugger.

Some of the IDEs, namely Eclipse and NetBeans, enclose all the necessary interpreters or compilers, or both; and others, like Lazarus and SharpDevelop, do not enclose them.

The border between other parts and IDE of a wide development environment is not clearly defined. Also, at times a version control method or a variety of tools makes simpler the structure of a graphical user interface application. Numerous contemporary IDEs have an object browser, a class browser, and class hierarchy illustration for usage in object based software development.

IDE and Code Editors: The Difference

Due to a few similar features in IDE and Code Editors, it becomes necessary to state the vital differences between them. It seems that when writing the code in a text editor has turned out to be a crucial skill, there are still some baffling aspects that make it distinct elements.

Specifically, IDE for the front-end and back end is a self-sufficient package manager that renders compiling, writing, debugging, and executing codes in that same space.

On the contrary, a code editor is a text editor with a number of characteristics that smoothen the procedure of writing codes, either through optional plug-ins or native capabilities. Normally, IDEs are determined on a single language and have the interpreter/compiler and debugger detailed to that language.

While, the code editor serves a more wide-ranging purpose in their text editor capacities, being competent to function with many programming languages. Its text editor is limited to writing codes and hence, does not surpass this stage.

Both code editors and IDEs share some familiar features such as highlighting sections of code, hints, custom folding of sections of code, and code completion. Selecting between these two technologies is mainly a subject of personal choice, consisting of a particular programming language and its workflow.

What Is CodeIgniter?

CodeIgniter is an open-source model view controller based PHP framework. This software assists developers to make dynamic websites with PHP. On comparing with other PHP frameworks, CodeIgniter is preferable for its speed. In 2008, the inventor of PHP, Rasmus Lerdorf, said at frOSCon that he liked CodeIgniter ‘because it is faster, lighter and the least like a framework.’

With the accessible package, manifold operations like session handling, file uploads, and email sending can be performed. Being loosely based on MVC development pattern, controller class is a basic element of development under CodeIgniter; while views and models are non-compulsory.

It can be altered to exercise Hierarchical Model View Controller (HMVC) which permits PHP developers to preserve modular assembling of models, controller, and view organized in the sub-directory layout. MVC framework helps to fabricate many processes of the web development cycle simultaneously with a proficient design.

MVC is a logical pattern that includes:

• Models: It contains business logic through efficient functioning through databases and computations.
• Views: It is capable of dealing with the arrangement of data supplied by the models.
• Controllers: It establishes an association between views and models.

8 Best IDE for Codeigniter To Consider For Web Development

PHP Codeigniter tools are known to have perfect IDEs where developers can resourcefully build innovative, engaging, and feature-rich projects. The skills to consider when hiring a Codeigniter Developer must be looked at before choosing the best IDE from the following:

Logo	Overview	G2 Rating	Download Link
	Apache NetBeans is much more than a text editor. It highlights source code syntactically and semantically, lets you easily refactor code, with a range of handy and powerful tools.	4.1 661 Reviews	NetBeans
	The Eclipse Foundation – home to a global community, the Eclipse IDE, Jakarta EE and over 415 open source projects, including runtimes, tools and frameworks.	4.2 2550 Reviews	Eclipse
	Build web applications quickly and easily using the industry’s leading web application IDE. Aptana Studio harnesses the flexibility of Eclipse and focuses it into a powerful web development engine.	4.2 40 Reviews	Aptana Studio
	Transform your database into complete web PHP systems with Grids, Forms, Charts, and BI reports, saving time and reducing costs.	4.5 4 Reviews	Scriptcase
	Visual Studio Code is a code editor redefined and optimized for building and debugging modern web and cloud applications.	4.7 1777 Reviews	Visual Studio Code
	PhpStorm is a perfect PHP IDE for working with Symfony, Laravel, Drupal, WordPress, Laminas, Magento, Joomla!, CakePHP, Yii, and other frameworks.	4.6 467 Reviews	PhpStorm
	Zend Studio is your proven PHP IDE, that can be used as a standalone solution or used with Zend Server as a wholly integrated solution.	3.8 23 Reviews	Zend Studio
	CodeLobster – Free portable PHP IDE with support Drupal, Smarty, Twig, WordPress, Joomla, JQuery, CodeIgniter, HTML, CSS, JavaScript, AngularJS, CakePHP, Facebook, Laravel, Phalcon, Symfony, Yii	4.3 16 Reviews	CodeLobster

1. NetBeans

   

   NetBeans is an exceptional and most famous website development IDE for PHP available in the market. It gives you an opportunity to form amazing work areas and web applications in much less time. It is usually preferred for HTML5 and JavaScript improvement. It works well with Java advancement, PHP CodeIgnitor, and C/C++.

   NetBeans is well known for JavaScript and HTML5 improvement as well as for PHP, C/C++, and Java advancement. Apart from the English language, it is accessible in abundant well-known languages like Simplified Chinese, Japanese, Brazilian, Russian, and Portuguese, as well. It is basically known as an incredible HTML5 IDE and an open JavaScript IDE for standard usages.

   NetBeans IDE 8.1 supplies the creative code editors and analyzers in case you require functioning with the most current Java 8 advances like Java SE Embedded 8, Java ME Embedded 8, and Java SE 8. It can similarly be used for JavaScript programming and modification. NetBeans IDEs can be employed for diverse advancements like Node.js, AngularJS, and Knockout.js.

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2. Eclipse

   

   The most popular IDE used in various computer programming is termed as Eclipse. It has a foundation workspace and plug-in structure that is extensible and can be tailored as per the given environment. The development environments are Eclipse PDT for PHP CodeIgniter, Eclipse CDT for C and C++, Eclipse Java development tools (JDT) for Java and Scala.

   With the freedom to opt from a wide range of plug ins, development turns out to be easier and the complex coding is simplified. It also assists in customizing and extending the IDE to fulfill various needs of project management. This is a good IDE that can sustain both graphical UI and non-graphical UI applications.

   Apart from this, it facilities code templates, syntax highlighting, code navigation, and formatting of codes.

3. Aptana Studio

   

   Aptana Studio, an open-source PHP CodeIgniter development device utilized in integration with a variety of client-side and server-side web technologies. It hugely supports the command line interface and debuggers to make it simpler for app development. It allows developers to build and test web apps in a single environment.

   This dominant web app development engine gets the flexibility of Eclipse and contains details about an array of support for every element in the foremost browsers. Aptana Studio is considered to be a high-performing IDE due to its extensive collection of vital features to augment your productivity.

   It also supports HTML CSS, JavaScript, and DOM with, JavaScript debugging, outlining, code completion, integrated documentation, and error and warning notifications. The additional plugins sanctions Aptana Studio facilitate PHP, Perl, Adobe AIR, Ruby on Rails, and Python.

4. Scriptcase

   

   If you want to build a web-enabled application, then Scriptcase is one of the most efficient PHP CodeIgniter web development tools. With the assistance of this tool, you can shift from prototype to production stage in real-time. Its cost is too high and it may not be the bestchoice for small-scale businesses.

   You can create charts, menus, reports, and forms mechanically in just a few clicks. Scriptcase can also be utilized to form CRUD, which is Create, Read, Update, and Delete web applications. It facilitates adding customized codes to administer validation and rules.

   Scriptcase can allow you to create queries in PHP, forms, starting from a simple form to forms containing complex elements that influence data from databases like SQLite, MySQL, Interbase, PostgreSQL, Oracle, Informix, and SyBase.

   Its functionalities enable rapid connectivity with key database engines, forming vital figures like pivot tables. Also, it empowers to build interactive reports while exporting familiar formats. Within a short span of time, large efficient web systems can be built which saves your effort and time.

   It comes in manifold languages namely French, English, Italian, and Spanish. This tool is best for medium as well as large-scale projects that are developed in Laravel and CodeIgniter.

5. Visual Studio Code

   

   Visual Studio Code is an open-source editor developed by Microsoft for Windows Linux and macOS. It is the best editor for CodeIgniter programming which is intensely prevalent amongst engineers. It has distinct features namely support for debugging, intelligent code completion, code refactoring, snippets, embedded Git, and syntax highlighting.

   Visual Studio contains an easy-to-use interface and is simpler to employ computerization machines. It renders clear work procedure and easy to function highlights. You can synchronize a JavaScript UI library into this tool. Its expense depends on the version that you choose to incorporate.

   Considering the fact that Visual Studio supports JavaScript, it also supports Node.js and TypeScript. It gets along with the whole environment of augmentation for varied programming languages comprising Python, PHP CodeIgniter, C++, C#, etc.

   The users can alter keyboard shortcuts, change the theme, preferences, and install the extensions that can add functionality.

6. PhpStorm

   

   PHPStorm is one more IDE for PHP developed by JetBrains. It is best for coding conditions that work with PHP development frameworks like CodeIgniter Yii Symfony WordPress Magento Zend Drupal to name a few. It provides an editor for HTML JavaScript and PHP with error prevention code analysis and automated refactoring for JavaScript and PHP.

   With explicit language refactoring, you can make wide changes securely and repair them with a few snaps. Here, the UI is easy to utilize and enormously appealing and it enables the utilization of frontend innovations namely JavaScript, Emmet, CSS, Sass, TypeScript, Stylus, HTML5, to name a few.

7. Zend Studio

   

   Most of the web developers choose Zend Studio because of its finest speed. Debugging and writing code in this IDE for PHP does not demand extra time and effort from developers. This wide-ranging PHP CodeIgniter IDE comes with a stimulating collection of features and is empowered to install applications on different servers containing servers in the cloud.

   While providing language support for PHP 7, it can debug PHP script by integrating Xdebug, X-ray, and Zend Debugger. The developers can expand the Studio through Eclipse plug-in. It provides docker support, indexing, and searching code for the platforms like Linux, MacOS, and Microsoft Windows.

8. CodeLobster

   

   Codelobster is an IDE chiefly for all PHP frameworks but also supports HTML JavaScript and CSS. The plug-in is accessible for Codeigniter, WordPress, Drupal, Joomla, Smarty, CakePHP, Yii, and JQuery. It is capable of streamlining as well as simplifying the complete development course.

   There is no requirement to memorize the names of functions, arguments, tags, and attributes as it has employed all these factors with auto-complete features for JavaScript, HTML, CSS, and PHP.

   With its in-house debugger, you can authenticate your codes locally. In addition to this, the tool mechanically detects the arrangement of the current server and configures the associated files to make you utilize a free debugger. It has distinct features like function parameters display, SQL manager, code validator, and syntax highlighting.

Features of CodeIgniter Framework

The MVC design of PHP CodeIgniter facilitates the administration of separating code formatting based on data formation and creating HTML code. It needs fewer codes as compared to other PHP development frameworks. Let us have a look at its dynamic properties that makes the course of web development more harmonized:

1. Easy Error Management

   CI streamlines error management assignments as it renders abundant error handling systems. Scripting one line code is sufficient to catch all errors on the screen. Since the detection of errors is simple, it is resolved with much accuracy and speed.

2. Free to employ

   It is free to use as it has been licensed under MIT license. CI is believed to be ideal for sites as it does not need installation like other parallel frameworks. Here, the files can effortlessly be uploaded to a directory that can start functioning of the framework. Its configuration procedure is hassle-free as the models are required to be placed in the ‘models’ folder.

3. Inbuilt libraries

   With this framework, by forming a new library you can certainly alter its traits. Also, its coding is simpler to understand when compared to the rest of the frameworks. It renders a complete packet library that facilitates the tasks like sending email, database, manipulating images, form validation, etc.

4. Light-weighted

   It is exceptionally light in weight as its core system needs a very small library. Other libraries can be added based on your needs. It provides an easy interface that makes it simpler to use. It can be expanded effortlessly and that authenticates it to be lightweight, more reliable, and efficient in use. This feature makes it fast and dynamic.

5. Small footprint

   The complete source code of this framework is nearly 2MB. Also, CodeIgniter 4 is 1.2MB download and 6MB download for a user guide. This makes it easy to learn and master CodeIgniter.

6. Produce SEO friendly URLs

   URLs furnished by PHP CodeIgniter are clean and search engine friendly. It utilizes the segment-based approach instead of a standard query-based scheme. It provides much flexibility to the developers by facilitating them to present their website page in an advanced manner. It permits the visitors to transform the regular URL into an SEO-friendly.

Why CodeIgniter Framework?

Codeigniter framework presents data encryption, query builder database support, and full-page caching. It supports session administration and data and form validation. It also renders unit testing and zip encoding class.

The reasons to choose Codeigniter framework for your next project are as follows:

• By exercising this PHP framework, you can write fewer codes and thus, spend minimum time typing. Also, you don’t require any third-party library for some new web development project because it approaches with a default formation and configuration.
• This framework has a wide collection of fundamental libraries, which include validations, zip encoding, calendar, email, sessions, unit testing modules, etc. Due to this controlling the strings, forms, array, directory data becomes easier.
• As compared to PHP development frameworks, namely, Zend and Symfony, this framework requires less code and in this way, it proves to be advantageous for rapid development. With this benefit, there comes huge customization support. This helps PHP CodeIgniter developers to alter the behavior easily by customizing the current library.
• The PHP CodeIgniter framework has exceptional documentation. The CI documentation is meant to be better than records in the rest of the programming languages. It has comprehensive and perfect documentation of all your code and serves as your user guide.

  This greatly diminishes the time needed to get references for integrating changes, whenever obligatory.

• The prime requirement for any software development company is getting enhanced security. CodeIgniter has an outstanding inbuilt security tool that helps the developers to create and alter any security measure needed for your website as per your specifications.

  It contains encryption and decryption arrangements that are enormously functional for the people to obtain the charge and supervise the data in any installation procedure.

Conclusion

An ideal IDE or code editor is considered to be more than just a tool for writing codes. These are some of the best CodeIgniter IDEs easily accessible in the market. Selecting one amongst these IDEs is a challenging task.

Contact us to get professional consultation services for the CodeIgniter framework. We will help you choose the right tools and technologies inlcuding IDE, database, server and libraries for your CodeIgniter web development project.

The front-end and back-end IDEs contain some remarkable tools and features that streamline the whole process of debugging and writing code. Though each one of them has distinctive features but all have a common aim that is to speed up web development with scalable and clean coding.

This makes the time spent on the production of codes resourcefully used to create superior quality code.