Force.com IDE
Build, test, and deploy applications on the Force.com platform
The Force.com IDE is the world's first integrated development environment for Platform-as-a-Service. Based on Eclipse technology, the Force.com IDE provides professional developers and development teams the tools to code, test, deploy, and version Force.com components, including Apex, Visualforce, custom objects, layouts, and more. See the Getting Started section to start taking advantage of the Force.com IDE today.
What's New in the Summer '08 Developer Preview
The Summer '08 release of the Force.com IDE contains the following major new features:
- Summer '08 Metadata API, adding the following components:
- Home Page Components
- Home Page Layouts
- Page Layouts
- Validation Rules
- Workflows
- Project Contents Selection lets you control what to download:
- All packages and default unpackaged components (identical to previous releases)
- Single package
- Selected metadata types only
- None (if loading project from version control system)
- Usability Enhancements
- Simplified connection options in the New Force.com Project wizard
- Refresh objects list from within the New Apex Trigger and New Workflow wizards
- Force.com Projects now use Eclipse proxy server settings, rather than per-project settings
- Improved stability and performance
See the Release Notes for a full description.
Major Features
Configuration Metadata The Force.com IDE allows editing all metadata components available in the Metadata API. You can now create Eclipse projects that include custom fields, custom objects, tabs, applications, profiles, and more! You can edit these components directly in the IDE, create new ones, and save them back to your Salesforce organization.
Visualforce The Force.com IDE allows editing of Visualforce pages, components, static resources, and controllers. Learn more about Visualforce.
Apex Code The Force.com IDE is the only tool you need to write and manage Apex Classes and Triggers. It locates syntax errors and displays inline auto-complete tips for Apex Code methods. The Test Runner executes unit tests and integrates error messages, debug output, and code coverage reports.
S-Controls Use the Force.com IDE to save your s-controls directly to your Salesforce organization. You can manage multiple projects, copy s-controls from one organization to another with drag and drop, insert merge fields, and much more.
Deployment The Force.com IDE allows you to edit and test your project in a sandbox or Developer Edition organization, then deploy the finished application into your production organization.
Code Share Apply Force.com application lifecycle management best practices through integration with any Eclipse-enabled version control system. Teams can now collaborate on the development, testing and deployment of their PaaS applications. Learn more about Code Share.
Online Project Mode Keep your local metadata files up to date with your Salesforce organization and easily detect and resolve conflicting changes.
Schema Browser View your Salesforce organization's schema and construct and execute SOQL queries from within the Force.com IDE. Similar to the Apex Explorer, the Schema Browser shows information about all standard and custom objects and fields.
The Force.com IDE is currently released as a Developer Preview. This IDE is unsupported, and capabilities will change in upcoming releases, potentially with manual or no upgrade path. Questions and problems may be posted on the public discussion forum.
Getting Started
Start developing applications today with the Force.com IDE. Signing up for a free Developer Edition account, then following the Force.com IDE installation instructions below.
Installation
- Force.com IDE Installation for Eclipse 3.3.x
- Force.com IDE Installation for Eclipse 3.2.x
- Updating the Force.com IDE from a previous version
Note: The Force.com IDE is not compatible with Eclipse 3.4.
Tutorials
Resources