GNOME Builder is a completely free, next-generation, feature-rich and open source graphical application designed from the offset to act as an Integrated Development Environment (IDE) for the GNOME desktop environment. It is tailored specifically for developers who want to create powerful apps for GNOME.
Features at a glance
Key features include project management, auto completion, asset catalog, auto indentation, API (Application Programming Interface) exploration, powerful snippets, modern interface with split views, helpful tutorials, leak detection, issue tracker, as well as the ability to jump to a symbol.
Additionally, the application features global search functionality that allows you to search once in all of your source code files, HTML and Markdown previews, live issues, version tracking (integration with Git), support for snapshots, IDE scripting, unit testing, and GNOME Simulator.
Among other notable features, we can mention support for the Python programming language, support for the JavaScript scripting language, support for connecting to hardware devices (tablets, phones, etc.), powerful VIM-style editing, graphical debugger, and D-Bus support.
Easy-to-use and intuitive Graphical User Interface
The project’s GUI (Graphical User Interface) is easy-to-use and intuitive. It integrates perfactly into GNOME Shell, GNOME’s next-generation desktop user interface, and follows GNOME HIG (Human Interface Guidelines) specifications. It features a dual-pane window, allowing developers to edit two different files at the same time.
Integrates with Glade
Another interesting feature of the GNOME Builder application is that it integrates with Glade, an open source graphical software that allows GNOME and GTK+ developers to create modern and beautiful GUIs (Graphical User Interfaces) for their projects. Glade lets you create UI that follow the GNOME HIG (Human Interface Guidelines) specifications.
Designed for GNOME
As its name suggests, GNOME Builder is designed especially for the GNOME graphical desktop environment, so you can create powerful application for the GNOME platform. While it depends on some core components of the GNOME Project, such as GTK+ or GtkSourceView, the application can also be installed on other open source desktop environments.
