Top 5 open source IDE

1) NetBeans

Netbeans is a robust IDE for developers that allows developers to create web, desktop and mobile applications. While Java is the main language supported by NetBeans, it is also extensible and plugins can be installed easily to support C, C++, Ruby on Rails and PHP to name a few.

NetBeans also sports an impressive GUI builder that helps build good front-ends for your application without any hassle.

The only drawback is that the Java code automatically generated by NetBeans is quite messy and cannot be refactored easily. NetBeans also offers good static analysis to detect errors in your code as your typing them out.

Another cool feature is that you can access your databases and servers from within NetBeans itself, allowing coders to stop and start servers directly from the interface.

2) Eclipse Juno

One of the most popular software IDEs around, Eclipse has just released a new version called “Juno” in June 2012. Eclipse is a feature-packed development environment, and can be downloaded as a complete package, or just platforms for Java/C++ development.

Though it is a free software, Eclipse has enterprise-level features, including an integrated Unit testing suite and static code analysis tools, including smart autocomplete features that suggests class functions to accelerate the coding process.

There are also a plethora of plug-ins that can be downloaded and installed to Eclipse that allow great extensibility for devlepment. However, due to the vastness of features available in Eclipse, it can be a bit intimidating to novice programmers. The good thing is that there are plenty of Java tutorials on the net catered specifically for Eclipse, helping to shorten the learning curve.

3) Visual Studio Express

One of the most standard platforms in the industry, Visual Studio has made a name for itself as a stable and useful coding tool. Visual C# express is a powerful tool that can be used to develop applications that run on the .NET framework.

Visual C++ express allows developers to make native Win32 applications. Visual Studio has good features such as IntelliSense, which is Microsoft's version of autocompletion, that helps coders to complete function names and variable names without developers having to look them up constantly.

Visual C# can also be used with XNA Game Studio to develop games for Windows and Xbox 360. Visual Studio Express is available here.  

4) Code::Blocks

Code::Blocks is a free IDE that supports many compilers in C and C++, and can also be extended to support other languages.

One of the favorite features of this IDE is the customizable syntax highlighting and code folding, which makes code more readable to the programmer. It comes with a full breakpoint debugger.

Another useful feature is that you can import your projects seamlessly from other IDEs, such as Dev C++ and Visual C++.

5) Aptana Studio

Aptana is the best free IDE for building web applications. Aptana is specifically designed to support rapid web development, with features for code assisting in HTML,CSS, Javascript and PHP.

Another very useful feature in Aptana's code assist is that it includes information on browser support for various  javascript methods and HTML elements. Ruby on Rails is also supported through RadRails, a plugin that supports full development on the Rails platform.

The integrated debugger is great at detecting bugs in Ruby and Javascript code, making life way easier for developers who used to simulate code repeatedly in browsers to check if it worked.

Java software opens pc to hackers

                                                                                                                                                                           
Computer security firms are urging PC users to disable Java software in their browsers, saying the widely installed, free software from Oracle Corp opens machines to hacker attacks and there is no way to defend against them.

The warnings, which began emerging over the weekend from Rapid7, AlienVault and other cyber security firms, are likely to unnerve a PC community scrambling to fend off growing security threats from hackers, viruses and malware.

Researchers have identified code that attacks machines by exploiting a newly discovered flaw in the latest version of Java. Once in, a second piece of software called "Poison Ivy" is released that lets hackers gain control of the infected computer, said Jaime Blasco, a research manager with AlienVault Labs.

Several security firms advised users to immediately disable Java software installed in some form on the vast majority of personal computers around the world in their Internet browsers. Oracle says that Java sits on 97 percent of enterprise desktops.

"If exploited, the attacker will be able to perform any action the victim can perform on the victim's machine," said Tod Beardsley, an engineering manager with Rapid7's Metasploit division.

Computers can get infected without their users' knowledge simply by a visit to any website that has been compromised by hackers, said Joshua Drake, a senior research scientist with the security firm Accuvant.

Java is a computer language that enables programmers to write one set of code to run on virtually any type of machine. It is widely used on the Internet so that Web developers can make their sites accessible from multiple browsers running on Microsoft Windows PCs or Macs from Apple Inc.

An Oracle spokeswoman said she could not immediately comment on the matter.

Security experts recommended that users not enable Java for universal use on their browsers. Instead, they said it was safest to allow use of Java browser plug-ins on a case-by-case basis when prompted for permission by trusted programs such as GoToMeeting, a Web-based collaboration tool from Citrix Systems Inc.

Rapid7 has set up a web page that tells users whether their browser has a Java plug-in installed that is vulnerable to attack: http://www.isjavaexploitable.com/