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Year 10
AQA

Features of an IDE

I can describe the key features of an integrated development environment (IDE) and explain how they support programming.

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New
New
Year 10
AQA

Features of an IDE

I can describe the key features of an integrated development environment (IDE) and explain how they support programming.

Download all resources
Share activities with pupils

Link copied to clipboard

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. An IDE includes tools such as a code editor, debugger, and compiler to streamline software development.
  2. Features like syntax highlighting, auto-completion, and error detection improve coding efficiency and accuracy.

Keywords

  • IDE - integrated development environment (IDE) is an application that facilitates the writing and running of programs. It also provides support tools.

  • Syntax highlighting - using colours to distinguish code elements

Common misconception

You must use an IDE to write and run programs.

You don’t need an IDE to write and run programs; you can use a simple text editor and a compiler or interpreter. However, an IDE makes the process much easier by providing tools such as autocompletion and error checking.


To help you plan your year 10 computer science lesson on: Features of an IDE, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

If possible, demonstrate how to write and run a simple program using a basic text editor and a command-line compiler or interpreter. Then, show the same task in an IDE, highlighting features such as syntax highlighting, autocompletion, and debugging.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
What is a low-level programming language?
Correct answer: a language that provides direct control over hardware
a language that uses abstraction to make programming easier
a language written in formal, structured English
a language that replaces short instructions with machine code
Q2.
What is a high-level programming language?
a language written in binary code
a language that provides direct control over hardware
Correct answer: a human-readable language written in formal, structured English
a language that uses machine code
Q3.
What does a compiler do?
translates code into machine-readable code line by line
Correct answer: creates an executable file by translating the program into machine-readable code
replaces machine code with short, readable instructions
allows direct control over hardware
Q4.
What does an interpreter do?
Correct answer: translates and executes code line by line
translates the entire program into machine-readable code at once
replaces machine code with short instructions
provides direct control over hardware
Q5.
What is assembly language?
Correct answer: a language that replaces machine code with short, readable instructions
a high-level programming language
a human-readable language written in structured English
a language that uses abstraction
Q6.
What is the main advantage of high-level languages?
They provide direct control over hardware.
They use binary code for programming.
They are specific to a single machine.
Correct answer: They are easier for humans to read and write.

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
What does IDE stand for? environment
Correct Answer: integrated development
Q2.
Match the terms with their definitions.
Correct Answer:IDE,an application that facilitates the writing and running of programs

an application that facilitates the writing and running of programs

Correct Answer:syntax highlighting,using colours to distinguish code elements

using colours to distinguish code elements

Correct Answer:auto-completion,suggests and completes code as you type

suggests and completes code as you type

Q3.
Which feature of an IDE is where programmers write and organise their code?
debugger
Correct answer: code editor
compiler
syntax highlighting
Q4.
What is a common misconception about IDEs?
They are only used for debugging.
They cannot highlight syntax errors.
Correct answer: You must use an IDE to write and run programs.
They make programming harder.
Q5.
Which feature of an IDE helps detect mistakes in your code?
syntax highlighting
auto-completion
code formatting
Correct answer: error detection
Q6.
What is the purpose of auto-completion in an IDE?
to highlight syntax errors
Correct answer: to suggest and complete code as you type
to fix errors automatically
to run the program directly