IDEs tend to share a common set of functions including code-completion, code-hints, and step-wise debugging. When it comes to PHP there are a number of IDEs that can be used in the development process including Zend Studio, Visual Studio Code, Eclipse, and many others. Left-shifting defect isolation and resolution can dramatically decrease the overall SDLC time-cycle which has a subsequent reduction in the cost of software development and also results in quicker time-to-market with new products, features, and functions. Left-shift is a term that has been given to the process of moving defect isolation to the left of the overall Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) such that defects are found during development rather than follow-on Quality Assurance (QA) and testing processes of the SDLC.

The use of Integrated Development Environments (IDEs) can greatly enhance and left-shift the development process. And editors? It's breathtaking how many developers still rely on editors such as notepad for development of their code. Many developers rely on manual methods to debug their applications including placing echo statements around and through the offending code and using functions such as print_r() and var_dump() to get a look at values of variables at different execution points. We've all uttered the phrases – 'well that's odd', 'it should work', and even the occasional 'it's not my fault' when developing and debugging code. It can also be one of the most frustrating endeavors you will ever undertake.Īny of us who have written code beyond the simplicity of a 'hello world' program knows the agonizing frustration of looking for that elusive syntax error or worst yet logic defect.

Watching and participating in the creation of a new function or solution and raising it from the infancy of a new idea to the maturity of a fully functional solution can be truly breathtaking. Of all the fields in Information Technology, software development can be one of the most creating and rewarding. In this article, we'll look at the role that IDEs play in debugging, and how PHPStorm and Zend Server can combine for a streamlined PHP debugging experience. Luckily, the tools that support PHP development, like IDEs, offer increased coding efficiency, and streamlined debugging processes. Today, developers are increasingly asked to do more with less time.

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