[dorkbotpdx-blabber] Building an IDE (that doesn't suck)

[Paul Stoffregen]

As many of you know, I'm building a completely new microcontroller 
development platform, which will eventually feature an IDE (integrated 
development environment... not the disk interface acronym).

Many people feel a lot of IDEs suck.  I usually find them to be more 
trouble than they're worth.  On the other hand, some people love them 
and could never imagine using terminal windows, editing a makefile and 
running it all via the command line.  Especially with the Arduino IDE, 
it sure makes things very easy to learn, though maybe somewhat limiting?

So I'm looking for input and feedback, admittedly at this very early stage.

Are there any IDEs you particularly like, and what makes them compelling?

What sucks (if anything) about IDEs you've used?

What features are essential, important, nice-but-not-necessary, or just 
extra fluff?

How can I make it easy to learn for beginners, yet also usable for 
experienced users?

Really, any ideas are welcome, as I have a completely blank slate right 
now.  Well, in truth I'm hoping to reuse existing free code, if not 
simply use an existing IDE with minor mods.  Eclipse, Arduino, and 
Code::Blocks are ones I've looked at so far.  However, I'm not against 
writing lots and lots of code if necessary.


-Paul