Aptana

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Aptana studio

Aptana running on Windows XP, showcasing its coding assistance features
Developed by Aptana Inc.
Latest release Version 1.1.6 (Stable: Build 009905) Stable / April 8th, 2008
OS Cross-platform
Genre Web Development / IDE
License Dual License
Aptana Public License, v1.0
GNU General Public License
Website http://www.aptana.com

Aptana, Inc. is based in San Mateo, CA. Founded by Paul Colton in 2005, the company is focused on creating tools and products for web developers who use scripting languages (JavaScript, Ruby and PHP) for the Web page and Ajax application development. Aptana's main products are Aptana Jaxer and Aptana Studio.

Aptana Studio is an open source integrated development environment (IDE) for building Ajax web applications. It includes coding assistance for JavaScript, HTML, DOM, and CSS languages, an outliner of JavaScript, HTML, and CSS code structure, error and warning notification and the possibility to customize and extend the UI. In addition there are Aptana Studio plugins for developing with Ruby on Rails, PHP, Adobe AIR, and Apple iPhone.

Aptana Jaxer is an open source Ajax Web server for building rich Web pages and applications using a unified Ajax model wherein both client-side and server-side code can be written in JavaScript. The server-side engine is Mozilla, the same browser engine that's in the Firefox browser. On the server-side Jaxer's JavaScript APIs enable database access, file system access, network communications, user sessions, and other functions typical of web application servers. The difference is that Jaxer lets developers use the JavaScript language. Jaxer also provides for access to Java objects via the open source DWR (Java) project.

This Eclipse-based IDE is available as standalone on Microsoft Windows, Mac OS and Linux, or as a plugin for Eclipse.

Contents

[edit] License

Aptana uses a "dual licensing" model. Under this model, users may choose to use the Aptana IDE under the free software/open source GNU General Public License (commonly known as the "GPL") or under the Aptana Public License (known as the "APL").

With the GPL license, the Aptana IDE is available free of charge, as long as the use of the Aptana IDE adheres to the terms of the GPL license. Users may download the software for free, and modify, integrate and distribute it. However, GPL users must abide by the rules of the GPL, which stipulate that if an application is redistributed that contains any Aptana IDE source code or binaries, the complete source code for this application must also be open and available for redistribution under the terms of the GPL.

Aptana offers the APL license for organizations that want to use the Aptana IDE for free and modify, integrate and distribute it for personal or internal use only, without any redistribution requirements.[1]

[edit] License history

  • When launched in 2006, Aptana was released under the Eclipse Public License 1.0. They were using the EPL until milestone 8. The first few builds of milestone 9 were licensed under the Eclipse Public License 1.0 until nightly build 16120.
  • One nightly build of milestone 9 was licensed under the Gnu Public License 3.0 (build 16204)
  • Builds after 16204 have been licensed as Freeware with redistribution restrictions licensed under the Aptana Public License, v1.0.
  • On September 21st 2007, Aptana announced they would be using a dual license: GPL V3 and the freeware APL.

[edit] System requirements

  • Windows - 512 MB RAM, Pentium 4-level processor
  • Mac OS - 512 MB RAM, G5 or Intel-based machine
  • Linux - 512 MB RAM, Pentium 4-level processor

[edit] Features

[edit] Ajax Library Support

Aptana Studio ships with the following Ajax libraries, but more can be added or updated.

[edit] PHP

The Aptana IDE provides some support for PHP. This PHP support includes Code Assist on PHP functions and parameters, PHP syntax colorization, and a PHP outliner. It is also possible to configure Aptana to edit ASP or other not (yet) supported file types[2].

[edit] Adobe AIR Support

Aptana IDE provides some support for Adobe AIR.[3]

[edit] iPhone Support

The Apple iPhone Development Plugin (beta) enables the Aptana IDE to assist in the development of iPhone applets. You'll need the newest version of Aptana (build 15637) to use it.[4]

[edit] RadRails

Aptana RadRails is an environment for building Ruby on Rails applications. It provides features to make both Ruby and Ruby on Rails development more productive.

[edit] Code Assist

Code Assist is similar to completing code statements, by presenting a pop-up with either:

  • the supported arguments for the function call begin coded;
  • the supported properties and methods on the desired object.

This applies both to built-in functions / methods and to those already coded — but the latter use requires documenting such functions/methods with ScriptDoc[5], a documentation dialect similar to that used by Javadoc.[6]

[edit] Browser support

The Code Assist feature includes information on browser support for JavaScript methods / properties, HTML elements and CSS properties.[7]

[edit] FTP/SFTP

Support for uploading downloading and synchronization using FTP and SFTP.

[edit] Debugger

Integrated JavaScript debugging.

[edit] See also

Free software Portal

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ What is Aptana's software licensing model for Aptana Studio?. Aptana Studio Frequently Asked Legal Questions. Retrieved on 2008-05-22.
  2. ^ Changing your file association preferences. Aptana Documentation. Retrieved on 2008-05-22.
  3. ^ Adobe AIR Screencast. Retrieved on 2008-05-22.
  4. ^ iPhone Screencast. Retrieved on 2008-05-22.
  5. ^ About Code Assist. Retrieved on 2008-05-22.
  6. ^ Documenting your code using ScriptDoc. Retrieved on 2008-05-22.
  7. ^ Browser Support screencast. Retrieved on 2008-05-22.

[edit] External links

  • Aptana - official site
  • aptana.tv - official Aptana screencasts and demonstrations