Well, that can never happen in a million years. So, guys, AI is here. And believe me, it’s here to stay. Previously, it was considered as some beast that would eat everyone’s jobs. But sane people around the world are actively debunking this myth. Nevertheless, it seems like Google has also realized the power of AI. They have launched Project IDX, which is actually a cloud-based, AI-enabled browser that helps you build full-stack web apps. It was launched on August 8, 2023, by Google.
Now, what’s the upside of using Project IDX? Well, you don’t have to purchase or install multiple IDEs. Project IDX has a cloud-based IDE. This means whether you have an old laptop or a brand-new MacBook, you can code as long as you are connected to the internet. And all your code will be saved on a cloud workstation.
The best thing is that Project IDX not only supports JavaScript and Dart but also Angular, Flutter, Next.js, React, Svelte, and Vue. Google has announced that more languages and frameworks will be added soon. Palm AI, using which code can be automatically completed, is also a feature of Project IDX. Using this, the developer will be able to write code, quickly.
You can also ask Project IDX to explain the code. It’s also integrated with Google Firebase hosting using which you can bring and use your existing GitHub projects. There’s also a comment option in Project IDX. And then there are ready-made templates that will speed up your web development time.
And don’t worry, junior developers! To make sure you don’t have a hard time while working on Project IDX, it uses Code OSS — Visual Studio Code engine. You can also see the code in real time in Project IDX. The iOS simulator and Android emulator are also on their way to Project IDX.
Nonetheless, developers are still concerned about how it will keep the code repositories secure because browser extensions can read the page. And then there are also those people who have themselves used Project IDX. According to them, in Project IDX, neither the code can be manipulated, nor the editor can know what piece of code you have selected. And this shortfall is understandable because Project IDX is still in the development phase. Now, if you want to use some more amazing features of Project IDX, you have to join their waitlist (I’ve applied for it. I’ll write an article as soon as I get accepted there).
Now, let’s spice things up. Project IDX isn’t the only browser-based IDE. Founded in 2016 by Amjad Masad, and Faris Masad, Replit is also an online IDE that supports almost 50 languages, including Python, JavaScript, and C++. Here, you don’t need any coding platform. You can code as long as you have an internet connection. Replit also offers smart auto-completion of code. Developers can also do collaborative coding to speed up development time. They can also import programs from Glitch and GitHub. Managing who can see your Repl is another great feature. Replit makes this possible by using secret management that hides values from the public.
Also, if you are stuck somewhere while coding in Replit, there’s a great and large Replit community out there. Using Replit, you can also switch branches, revert code, or even push files. And since this is a web browser app, you don’t have to download anything. If you want to use something, you can easily find and download it. all your codes are also automatically saved in the cloud. Additionally, Replit also uses console and Linux. The console being difficult to use is another story. But the good thing about Replit is that anyone can use it by just signing up.
So, guys what are you up for using? Replit or Project IDX?
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