SDK vs IDE

[bluetide]

I have to do a presentation on software IDE's

What ive been unable to find out is the difference between a SDK and a IDE

Could someone please explain the difference

thanks guys

[Andre S. Veteran]

An IDE is a software application that generally comprises a code editor, a compiler, a debugger, as well as all sorts of tools to help manage complex projects. Example : Eclipse, Visual Studio.

An SDK is a broader term encompassing any set of development tools, sometimes including an IDE, sometimes not. The DirectX SDK is a huge class library, a huge pile of documentation, and a few tools. The Eclipse SDK is a gigantic platform which primary feature is an IDE.

Maybe reading the article on the Eclipse SDK can help : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eclipse_SDK

[rpgfan]

If Dr_Asik didn't help (that's hard to believe... he's a really good programmer), perhaps I can explain a bit better.

An IDE is used to actually write and test programs. An SDK is what adds functionality to those programs. As Dr_Asik mentioned, some SDKs come with their own IDE, and some do not.

For example, assuming you were programming with Visual Studio on Windows, you could download the Windows Server 2008 SDK, and you'd be able to write GUI applications for Windows Server 2008 in Visual Studio. This adds functionality to the program you create; the IDE is simply Visual Studio itself. The SDK didn't come with an IDE in this case.

That's the difference. How did my post end up being longer than Dr_Asik's if I wanted to be more clear? :p

[bluetide]

thanks guys

[Andre S. Veteran]

If Dr_Asik didn't help (that's hard to believe... he's a really good programmer), perhaps I can explain a bit better.

I'm a horrible programmer and you're free to add whatever you want to any explanation I try to give. :blush: