My presentation at MAX went well. I just wanted to do a wrap-up to put this baby to rest so I can get back to focusing on tutorials. Also, any future “IDE” posts will be more about demonstrating features or general news rather than comparing one against another (at least that’s the plan).
So, in conclusion:
FlashBuilder ($699 for Premium: Windows and Mac) – Use FlashBuilder if you’re dependant on Adobe’s workflow. Having simple solutions around Catalyst, Flash Pro, AIR for Android, etc, are all your #1 priority
FDT ($699 for MAX: Windows, Mac, and Linux) – Use FDT if you build many Flash sites in a short amount of time. Speed is the key, so project templates, set-up time, and “quick fixes” are your power tools
IntelliJ ($599 for Commercial: Windows, Mac, and Linux) – Use IntelliJ if you’re on big projects that last months with large teams. IntelliJ’s refactoring tools, history tools, multiple language support, and much more make it a powerhouse for keeping your big machine running smoothly.
FlashDevelop (Free and Open-Source: Windows only) – Install FlashDevelop now. You’ll love it. The most responsive and light-weight of all the editors and you can take the source and extend it to your heart’s content. It might not be as fully-featured as other editors, but it’s darn close.
Realaxy ($99 Windows, Mac, and Linux) – Use Realaxy if you’re the type of guy who sees the value of language-oriented programming. If you’re expecting the same old IDE features, you’ll be disappointed. If you’re expecting a revolution in the way you think about code (for better or for worse), then you’ll be pleasantly surprised.
Amethyst ($249 Windows) – Use Amethyst if Design View is critical to your workflow and you’re already set up shop around Visual Studio.
This is all subject to change over the next year, so maybe I’ll do a state-of-the-IDE address at the end of each year. But until then, keep having fun defending your preferred IDE :)
