Which IDE you using for debug?

[explorer1979]

Hi all,

I am not programmer, but I am using ZC over 6 year, plus install many 3rd module that can download from there and thank you who work hard all on it.

And I know CSS, HTML, some not too complex PHP, MySQL etc.

Now I want to learning more programming thing.

I am using Dreamweaver and NotePad ++, Firefox + Firebug (Firebug is good track and debug for HTML and CSS)

Now I am wonder, how to all ZC programmer who developing module or like Dr.Byte, This software guys etc who make ZC, which IDE you are using on Windows Platform, and how did you LIVE track the PHP coding running and debug? I need a better IDE with LIVE track like Firefox's firebug. Better it is free or open source.

Thank you very much of your help and time.

[RodG]

Now I am wonder, how to all ZC programmer who developing module or like Dr.Byte, This software guys etc who make ZC, which IDE you are using on Windows Platform, and how did you LIVE track the PHP coding running and debug? I need a better IDE with LIVE track like Firefox's firebug. Better it is free or open source.

My personal preference is Netbeans. There are several others that are equally as good (and possibly even better at some things), but for various reasons I keep coming back to this one.

Cheers
RodG

[mc12345678]

My personal preference is Netbeans. There are several others that are equally as good (and possibly even better at some things), but for various reasons I keep coming back to this one.

Cheers
RodG

I use it also, and have somewhat had a similar question. I don't know specifically what LIVE track is, but I've been trying to figure out how to do a couple of things with it. One is to have a fully functional "site" but have a few files that are part of a mod but like pulled out as their own files. (Or does one need to simply in a sense have two copies of the files (maybe via github related storage) make all the changes, then save the files that have differences?) The other is to trace the variables/"see" the code coming together. I'm guessing the latter has to do with the debug "utility", but I can't say that I've gotten that installed successfully yet. Don't know what other files/extensions/addins I need to make it work. Got any ideas/tips?

[RodG]

I don't know specifically what LIVE track is,

Me neither. I'm assuming its an application specific term referring to either a means of tracking variables in real time, or perhaps just a means of stepping through the code line by line.

but I've been trying to figure out how to do a couple of things with it. One is to have a fully functional "site" but have a few files that are part of a mod but like pulled out as their own files.

I tend to to use Symbolic links for this. These a like windows 'shortcuts', but I don't know if windows shortcuts will work the same or not.

(Or does one need to simply in a sense have two copies of the files (maybe via github related storage) make all the changes, then save the files that have differences?)

Having two copies of files can often lead to confusion. I prefer to use Subversion to track my code changes. I'm pretty sure github has the same kind of functionality, perhaps even better.

Netbeans also has a feature similar to Dreamweaver whereby you you edit files from one location and they get copied to another location for execution/debugging. It's similar to having having two copies of the files, but without the need to manually keep them synchronised.

The other is to trace the variables/"see" the code coming together. I'm guessing the latter has to do with the debug "utility", but I can't say that I've gotten that installed successfully yet. Don't know what other files/extensions/addins I need to make it work. Got any ideas/tips?

The netbeans 'debug utility' isn't of much use for .php files. It is primarily used for debugging Java (not javascript), C/C++ and similar compiled programs. PHP isn't compiled, so it doesn't need this kind of debugging utility.

Debugging .PHP with netbeans is a matter of selecting the browser you wish to debug with (which generally requires its own plugin or configuration settings for the purpose), adding a 'breakpoint' to the code being developed/debugged and clicking the 'debug' button, which will launch the browser and run the code until it reaches one of the breakpoints. From there you can view the values of all variables, step through the code line by line, or continue to the next breakpoint. All pretty standard stuff (although a bit of a mystery until/unless you've used an IDE in this manner before).

No add-ons are needed for this.

Cheers
RodG

ps. For a LONG time I was using Firefox as my debugging brower, but I gave up on this a couple of month ago because it kept hogging all my CPU power (quad core, all maxed out). Since then I've been using Chrome, which works a charm. Netbean even provides a link to its add-on that is needed for the debugger to work.

[lhungil]

... Now I am wonder, how to all ZC programmer who developing module ... which IDE you are using ...

I am currently using Eclipse w/ PDT, Mylyn, GIT, SVN, and a number of other "features" installed.

... how did you LIVE track the PHP coding running and debug? ...

As in debugging the PHP code while it is running (and setting breakpoints, etc)? Installed Xdebug on my local "testing" and remote "development" servers. I connect remotely and access via Eclipse.


Note: The local "testing" server is currently WAMP x64 (with a number of additional Apache, MySQL, and PHP versions - and ssl - to test different environments) and the remote "development" servers are running CentOS and Debian (with common hosting configurations such as suPHP, openssl, gnutls, etc).

[torvista]

As in debugging the PHP code while it is running (and setting breakpoints, etc)? Installed Xdebug on my local "testing" and remote "development" servers. I connect remotely and access via Eclipse.

Me too.

[explorer1979]

Thx all of the share and suggestion.

Special to RodG, who answer many detail parts for who just only try Dreamweaver. I will try NetBean first.

Eclipse w/ PDT, how do it Xdebug work, any addition inform for install this like manual, and user usage manual etc? I am also have interest on this for a try.

Thank you of all again who answer my questions.

[RodG]

Special to RodG, who answer many detail parts for who just only try Dreamweaver.

I was formally 'trained' with Dreamweaver, and although I don't use it at all these days, and in spite of many 'horror stories' and ongoing advice against using it, I have to admit it is quite a good/robust system for beginners and dabblers, especially with the way it interacts with SQL. Alas, this is also its downfall. It tends to take too much away from the users control and does things in it's own 'unique' way (which in the longer term is actually detrimental).

I will try NetBean first.

As for Netbeans vs Eclipse. This is a bit like a battle of the giants. Both are exceptionally good and still tend to be the leaders of the pack after many years and a number of competitors. I don't think you'll find any serious developer that would say that one is better than the other, it really is a matter of personal preference, so ideally you'll need to complete a project or two with each to see which one you'll be most comfortable with.

Do keep in mind that both are just a tool though. At the end of the day neither will teach you how to code, or what good coding practices are. I still spend as much time (possibly more) editing (and debugging) code with a simple text editor as I do with an IDE.

Cheers
Rod