What is IDE (Integrated Developement Environment)? Why it is used ?

IDE stands for Integrated Developement Environment. It is a tool that helps in developing software application easier and faster. For example, Visual Studio is an IDE developed by Microsoft for developing application in Microsoft technologies. Eclipse is an IDE used for Java development.

Advantages
1. An IDE helps us to reduce time and effort that is required for repeated activities. It increases the productivity of the developers. For example, Visual Studio provides intellisense support to know about the methods and properties of a class.

2. Makes complicated activities simpler.

3. Provides a user interface for complicated task.

4. Advanced IDE like Visual Studio Team System includes configuration management systems, life cycle management sytems, project managerement tools, unit testing tools, etc.

5. Provides deployment tools.

6. Has code analysis tools.

etc...