C++ IDE on Linux [closed]

Question

We trying to choose an IDE for C++ development on Linux. The proposed options are KDevelop and Eclipse.

Eclipse is highly customizable, but Java centric and heavy. KDevelop is bounded to particular KDE (I believe because KDE API) and can not be replaced if required.

What you use and why?

Thanks Dima

Answer 1

KDevelop, because:

• It supports CMake.
• It fully integrates with the GCC utilities.
• It has a good syntax highligher and code editor
• It has a relatively quick startup time and is relatively light weight.

Since you are comparing KDevelop with Eclipse, let me also point out that:

• KDevelop uses a file for its projects, so you can open the project file in your file manager. By contrast, Eclipse stores metadata in folders, so you need to open your Eclipse project by running Eclipse.
• Because KDevelop stores its information in a single project file, whereas Eclipse uses lots of hidden metadata, KDevelop leaves your code folders much cleaner than does Eclipse.
• KDevelop will never attempt to delete files on your filesystem, unless you specifically ask it to do so. By contrast, it is very easy to accidentally harm files on your filesystem using Eclipse.

Also, when I've used KDevelop, I've been using it on Ubuntu which uses the Gnome desktop. On Gnome, KDevelop still beats Eclipse in terms of startup time, and is definitely worth using.

Also, one last note, if you use CMake with KDevelop, then you can distribute your source code to users on Windows, Mac, and Linux, and they will be able to compile your source code, even if they don't have KDevelop; CMake can generate a native Makefile, a Visual Studio project, an Xcode project, or a KDevelop project. So, the concern that you can't replace KDevelop really doesn't apply if you use the CMake backend.

Answer 2

I use Qt Creator, which is excellent if you're considering using Qt. I've found the C++ tools for Eclipse work well though - editor seemed solid, debugging "just worked", so I was happy!