IronPython is a version of Python that is tightly integrated with .NET, originally developed and maintained by a team of Microsoft engineers but recently released to the open-source community. IronPython integrates with Microsoft Visual Studio and allows you to combine traditional Python code with .NET technologies, including Windows Forms and WPF for UI design. The result is a Python-coded application that looks and behaves no differently than any other Windows program, which is a big improvement over the command-line programs typical of the language.

But how exactly does IronPython fit into the .NET world? The diagram below shows the basic functionality where the Python code makes calls to both the .NET framework classes as well as Python libraries. The Python code is then compiled by the IronPython Engine and converted to assembly code that can be executed by the .NET runtime.

IronPython isn’t just for the desktop and can be used to develop web applications that integrate with Silverlight, a Microsoft framework similar to Adobe Flash. If you’re worried about pigeon-holing yourself into Windows with .NET, fear not, IronPython is supported by Mono, an open-source and cross-platform alternative to .NET. Likewise, if you don’t have the money to throw down on a license for Visual Studio, IronPython Studio is a free IDE that runs from the Visual Studio Shell.

So, if you’re a Python developer and want to make user-friendly apps that can take advantage of all that .NET has to offer, bust out of your command-line world give IronPython a spin.

The post Bring Python to Your .NET Development with IronPython first appeared on Techerator.

ShiftEdit is a web-based development environment for HTML, PHP, Ruby, Python and more, and they’re adding new languages all the time. Like the usual desktop-based WYSIWYG counterparts, ShiftEdit offers ‘Code’ and ‘Design’ views for creating your applications, as well as syntax highlighting for their expanding portfolio. As you code, your projects are automatically saved, safe and sound in the cloud and accessible from any computer with a browser and internet connection.

If you require FTP access and database connectivity for your projects, ShiftEdit gives you the ability to connect to one site for free with the option to add unlimited sites by upgrading to their Premier service ($5/month). ShiftEdit also gives you access to basic version control tools in case you’ll be collaborating with other users.

If you’re looking for enterprise-class tools that help you whip out projects at lightning speed, ShiftEdit may not be everything you need. The IDE currently lacks auto-complete functionality and only provides real-time syntax debugging for JavaScript and PHP. Combine that with a finicky FTP tool, and you may want to steer clear with your high-impact projects. That said, ShiftEdit is on the right track to being a feature-rich IDE with new things being added all the time, like Dropbox support.

With more and more production-grade development tools becoming web-based, don’t be surprised if you’re developing straight to the cloud in the next few years. Give ShiftEdit a try and put yourself ahead of the curve.

The post ShiftEdit: A Web-Based IDE for PHP, Python, Ruby and More first appeared on Techerator.