Top 10 Xcode Alternatives

This article will explore ten of the best Xcode alternatives. The list includes names like Visual Studio, Android Studio, React Native, Xamarin, etc.

If you want to compile apps and look for a code editor, but it doesn’t seem easy to find one, you might go with Xcode.

It is Apple’s integrated development environment (IDE) through which a user builds apps for Apple products. 

Xcode provides tools to manage development workflow, including creating apps, testing, optimizing, and submitting them to the App Store.

Xcode features include source editor, asset catalog, assistant editor, integrated build issues, live issues, version editor, etc.

One of the main features of this platform IDE is whenever you make a coding mistake, Xcode will immediately alert you.

Today, we will discuss more Xcode alternatives.

XCODE OVERVIEW

Xcode is a platform that allows the developers to design a user interface, compile code, test the code, and debug. It can also be used for writing source code in numerous languages for use in other projects.

Writing codes on Xcode is a simple process. Simply, developers write code into a file on the main screen.

Then, the IDE assists in various ways; it helps to make sure users can produce understandable code and minimize errors.

These ways include color-coding the source code that reflects different factors of the coding language’s structure.

TOP 10 ALTERNATIVES TO XCODE

Following are the Xcode alternatives one can be taken advantage of:

1. VISUAL STUDIO

Visual Studio is also a platform IDE from Microsoft. It features a code editor supporting IntelliSense also code refactoring.

Visual Studio uses Microsoft software development platforms including Windows API, Windows Presentation Foundation, Windows Store, Windows Forms, and Microsoft Silverlight. Other features include:

• Allows debugger to support any programming language.
• Supports syntax highlighting.
• Also includes a website designer allowing web pages to be authored by dragging and dropping widgets.

2. ANDROID STUDIO

Android Studio is an IDE app for Google’s Android operating system. You can easily download it on Windows, Linux-based operating systems, also macOS.

This platform supports all the programming languages of IntelliJ such as Java, C++, Go, etc. the main purpose is to let you build high-quality apps for every Android device. Various features are:

• Helps you work faster.
• Includes code templates, making it easier to add well-established patterns such as a navigation drawer and view pager.
• Provides a robust static analysis framework.

3. IntelliJ IDEA

It is designed for JVM languages, but various plugins can extend it to provide a multilingual experience.

Some other languages include SQL, Ruby, Python, Markdown, HTML, Dart, XML, and more. IntelliJ IDEA provides features like:

• Code completion by analyzing the context.
• Supports version control system.
• Supports plugins, which can be downloaded from IntelliJ’s plugin repository website.

4. APP CODE

AppCode is a platform IDE for Objective-C, C, Swift, and C++ development built on JetBrains’s IntelliJ IDEA platform.

AppCode is a smart code editor. It monitors the quality of your code, warns you of errors, and suggests quick fixes. The key features of AppCode are:

• It offers good developing opportunities.
• Provides templates and code formatting.
• Integration with issue tracking systems like Lighthouse, JetBrains You Track.

5. XAMARIN

Xamarin is also a developer platform made up of programming languages and tools.

Xamarin is a Microsoft-owned company, which are cross-platform implementation of the Common Language Infrastructure and Common Language Specifications.

Xamarin mobile app code supports all three major platforms iOS, Windows, and Android devices.

6. FLUTTER

It is a UI software development kit launched by Google. The app allows fast compilation. The newer versions of Flutter apps use ahead-of-time (AOT) compilation.

Its framework comprises two parts. One, Material Design widgets implement Google’s design language, and Cupertino widgets implement Apple’s iOS Human interface.

Other features include:

• Make use of many advanced languages.
• Do not rely on web browser technology.
• Highly optimized, mobile-first 2D rendering engine with excellent support for text.

7. REACT NATIVE

This Xcode alternative is created by Meta Platforms. It is used to develop applications for iOS, Android, macOS, Windows, Web, tvOS, and UWP.

The ease of using React Native is that you don’t have to be expert in many other coding languages. The benefits of using React Native are given below:

• Developers are allowed to use the code more than once developing apps for iOS and Android.
• It is budget friendly.
• Allows the developers to write native code in languages like Objective-C or Swift for iOS, Java or Kotlin for Android, and C++/WinRT or C# for Windows.

8. SUBLIME TEXT

Sublime text is another code editor used as an alternative to Xcode. It supports programming as well as markup languages.

Developers are allowed to expand their functionality plugins. For this purpose, Sublime Text features a Python API. 

The platform comprises 23 different visual themes. Moreover, you always have the option to download additional themes. Subline Text has the following characteristics:

• Allows simultaneous editing. This means users can select entire columns at once or place more than one cursor in text.
• Allows the auto-completion of variables created by the developer.
• Corrects the spelling as you type.
• Auto-save your work. This prevents users from losing their work.

9. APACHE NETBEANS

Apache Netbeans is an IDE program for Java. It runs on Linux, Windows, macOS, and Solaris. Some of the Apache Netbeans features are:

• Other than Java, it has extensions to other languages such as HTML5, C++, C, JavaScript, and PHP.
• It provides support for java and other CVS and SVN systems
• Provides editors and templates to help you create applications.

10. WEBSTORM IDE

WebStorm is a platform IDE for JavaScript. Not only JavaScript, but it also gives the best coding assistance for HTML, CSS, and other web technologies.

One of the characteristics of WebStorm IDE is that you can find all the essential tools for coding in one place. Other features are:

• Allows auto-completion of your code.
• Detect and suggest fixes for errors and help you refactor code safely.
• Provides a built-in debugger for your code.

Conclusion

There are quite a several alternatives for the Xcode. However, the best ones are tough to find.

To know more about the completion of codes and other website technologies via Xcode alternatives, make sure to give the mentioned details a thorough read.

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