You want to learn C programming. So you are now probably asking “what is the best software for c programming?” Well, this can be answered by a variety of different software. There are numerous utilities which can make your experience with C easier, however choosing one really boils down to three things: how much time you have to invest, how much money you can spend on the program, and what your specific needs are.
C programming software can be used for developing applications for android, windows, apple, linux and many other platforms. But it is not only for mobile or desktop applications. C programming can be used to develop web applications and even server-side applications as well. These days there are lot of tools available for c programming which make this programming language useful for a variety of applications. You may just get confused with the number of tools you see over the internet. So here are some of the best C programming tools that can help you to achieve your goals in no time .
VI/VIM Editor
VI/VIM Editor is a software for a writing C program. It offers a good search and replaces text facility. This program can highlight the syntax. The software has in-built facility for comparing files.
Features:
- It provides shortcuts for ease of access.
- VI/VIM Editor supports screen splitting editing more than one file.
- The tool can edit compressed files.
- It includes multiple undo and redo facility.
- This application can be used on UNIX operating system.
MinGW
MinGW is Minimalist GNU for Windows which provides Graphical User Interface based Integrated Development Environment for MS Windows applications. It also has compilers for C, C++, Fortran and ADA. It doesn’t depend on any 3rd parties DLL but requires DLL files provided by Microsoft itself.
Key Benefits:
- Fast and Simple
- Open-source programming toolset
- Runs on Microsoft Windows Platform, cross-hosted on Linux or cross-native on Cygwin
- Provide access to the functionality of the Microsoft C runtime
- Suitable for the development of native MS-Windows (x86) applications
Programming Languages Supported: C, C++, Objective-C, Fortran and others
Lazarus IDE
Lazarus is a program for rapid application development. This tool offers numerous components and graphical form designer to create a complex GUI. It has an integrated debugger for the testing program.
Features:
- Automatic synchronization between code and GUI forms.
- You can add or make changes in existing code components without any hassle.
- It is capable of handling large projects.
- You can project on any operating system and compile it.
PlatformIO
PlatformIO is a software for a writing program in C language. It offers smart code completion for professional application development.
Features:
- It supports dark and light color themes.
- It offers advanced search facility for keywords, known or missed headers, etc.
- PlatformIO tool supports more than 200 embedded boards.
- This IDE can be used on Windows, Linux, and Mac.
K Develop
K Develop is open-source IDE for writing a C program. It allows programmers to work on a project of any size. This program helps you to improve the quality of code. The tool offers customizable color schemes and shortcuts.
Features:
- It uses a version control system like Git, Subversion, Bazaar, and CVS.
- You can jump to function declaration or definition.
- It can highlight the code.
- This tool supports Solaris, Linux, macOS, Windows, and more.
Apache Arrow
Apache Arrow is a software framework for developing applications in C. This application can highlight the code. It supports numerous varieties of industry-standard programming languages.
Features:
- It supports columnar layout that can be optimized for data locality.
- You can develop programs fast.
- It provides numerous computational libraries.
- This tool is organized for the efficient operation of analytic on modern hardware.
- Supported platforms are Linux, Windows, and macOS.
CLion
CLion is a tool developed by Jetbrains. It helps you to quickly solve errors in the program. This IDE enables you to analyze the performance of your application with no hassle.
Features:
- Programmers can effortlessly run and debug programs.
- It helps you to test individual units of source code.
- This software helps you to manage your project and code effectively.
- CLion enables the developer to customize the editor.
- It automatically set formatting while you write code.
- Supported platforms are Linux, Mac, and Windows.
Kite
Kite is IDE for C that automatically completes multiple line codes. This editor supports more than 16 languages. It helps you to code faster with no hassle.
Price: Free
Features:
- It offers C documentation.
- This editor provides a function signature as you type.
- You will get a tooltip on mouse hover.
- Provides support in email.
- Uses machine learning models for C language.
Visual Studio Code
It is an open-source code editor developed by Microsoft for Windows, Linux and Mac OS. Visual Studio Code is based on an Electron framework. According to a survey done in 2018 by Stack Overflow, it was ranked the most popular developer environment tool among others. Furthermore, this IDE is also customizable which lets programmers change the theme, keyword shortcuts and preferences.
Key Benefits:
- Support for Debugging
- Syntax highlighting
- Intelligent Code completion, snippets and code refactoring
- EmbeddedGit Control
- Completely portable
- Easy customization
Programming Languages Supported: C, C++, C#, CSS, Go, HTML, Java, JavaScript, Python, PHP, TypeScript and much more!
Eclipse
It is one of the most popular, powerful and useful IDEs used by developers for C/C++ programming. It is an open-source software which is simple and easy to use. Originally, it was used for Java Programming but now it is used for various languages. Eclipse can run Windows, Linux and Mac OS. You can even file a bug on their website if you encounter any on the Eclipse IDE or Compiler.
Key Benefits:
- Great Graphical User Interface with drag-and-drop functionality
- Supports static code analysis
- Smart code completion
- Productivity Boosters
- Git integration
- Cross-platform support
- Rich Community
Programming Languages Supported: C, C++, C#, Java, JavaScript, COBOL, Perl, PHP, Python & others
NetBeans
It is one of the most used IDEs and can run on Windows, Linux, Mac OS X, and Solaris. It is a free and open-source IDE that is written in Java. This IDE consists of an interface that comes with a drag-and-drop feature and a list of convenient project templates. You can use NetBeans to create C/C++ applications with dynamic and static libraries. It allows programmers to create C/C++ applications from existing code. Additionally, it provides a great set of tools for C/C++ programmers. NetBeans has numerous plugins that can extend the software. Developers can also remotely monitor their project’s development.
Key Benefits:
- Cross-platform support
- Rich set of plugins
- Supports multiple programming languages
- Simple and efficient project management
- Smart code editing
- Large support community
Programming Languages Supported: Java, HTML, HTML 5, C, C++ and others
Sublime Text
It is a cross-platform source code editor which supports several languages and markup languages. Sublime Text has a Python application programming interface and has a slick user interface along with incredible features and amazing performance. Programmers can also add additional functions with numerous plugins that are community-built.
Key Benefits:
- Go To Anything- Quick navigation to symbols, lines or words
- Go To Definition- Can automatically generate a project-wide index of every class, method and function.
- Allows multiple selections
- Command Palette
- Powerful API
- Highly customizable
- Cross-platform supporting Mac, Windows and Linux
- Syntax highlighting
- Auto-completion
- Plugins and Integrations
Programming Languages Supported: C, C++, Java, and others
Atom
It is one of the highly configurable text editors which is free for personal and commercial developments. It was designed and developed by GitHub and has a very large community. A multitude of plugins are available for this editor which extends its features and makes it more customizable. It also supports OS X, Windows and Linux, and has a very simple interface to work on.
Key Benefits:
- Cross-platform support
- Smart autocompletion
- Package manager
- Plugins support
- Multiple panes
- Option to find and replace text
- Supports command palette
Programming Languages Supported: C/C++, CSS, HTML, JavaScript, PHP, Python, Ruby and others
Code::Blocks
It is a free, open-source IDE that was developed in C++ using wxWidgets as a GUI toolkit. Code::Blocks is an extensible and highly customizable IDE that performs on all platforms including Linux, Mac and Windows. Any function can be added to this IDE by installing or coding a plugin. For e.g., functions of compiling and debugging are available because of plugins. Code::Blocks support various pre-built plugins as well as custom plugins. Programmers can easily tweak the IDE accordingly and can also easily navigate through the tab interface. Initially, it was created for C++ but now you can also run C programs.
Key Benefits:
- Compatible with Linux, Mac, and Windows
- Smart Code Completion
- Easy Navigation
- Integrated intelligent Syntax highlighting
- Full-featured debugger
- Rich Community
Programming Languages Supported: C, C++, Fortran
CodeLite
Another good IDE for C or C++ programming used by the myriad of programmers. It is an open-source software that can run on all major platforms including Windows, Linux and OS X. It provides great support for compilers and also allows users to know more about the errors by just clicking on it.
Key Benefits:
- Spell Checker
- Word Completion
- Clang Based Code Completion Engine
- JavaScript, PHP code completion
- Graphical Diff Utility
- Valgrind Support
- Git and Svn plugins
- Database Explorer
Programming Languages Supported: C, C++, PHP, and others
CodeWarrior
It is a complete IDE known for providing a highly visual and automated framework for fast development of an application. CodeWarrior was published by NXP Semiconductors for editing, compiling and debugging software. This IDE can run on Windows and Linux OS and can simplify the most complex activities making developer’s work simple and easy.
Key Benefits:
- Easy-to-use Graphical User Interface
- Allows a single gateway to all components
- Project Manager
- Provides a single gateway to all components
- Highly optimizable
- Powerful macro assembler
- Provides fast access to different source code elements like variables, classes and others
- Smart linker
- Programmers can build custom libraries
- Colorized, multi-paned and syntax-directed editor
Programming Languages Supported: C, C++, and Java
Dev-C++
It is a full-featured IDE for C or C++ languages. For compilation, it uses MinGW port of GNU Compiler Collection (GCC) or any other GCC compilers. It is supported on Windows OS for Software Development.
Key Benefits:
- Support GCC based compilers
- Integrated Debugging
- Syntax highlighting
- Code Completion
- Project Manager
- Editable Shortcuts
- Tool Manager
- CVS Support
Programming Languages Supported: C and C++
Conclusion:
Perhaps you have spent days, maybe even weeks trying to decide what c programming software to use. Maybe the majority of your time was wasted looking at youtube videos, scrolling through forum posts on reddit, checking out Facebook and watching cat videos on youtube. Or maybe your personal life was a bit neglected because you chose learning c++ over going out with friends, or even having a romantic date with your significant other.