As a software developer, it's a challenge finding the right Integrated Development Environment(IDE). IBM is working on an exciting new concept in developing applications for the AIX operating system.

As an AIX developer, you are no doubt used to working on the machine you are compiling on in a remote terminal session using a command line editor such as vi or emacs. While these editors are powerful and efficient, modern IDEs provide powerful tools such as indexed searching, code navigation and on the fly error detection. These powerful tools can help you find bugs sooner and save time usually spent waiting for compilers to finish.

IBM has developed an IDE that allows you to leverage the Eclipse platform on a client workstation to edit and compile C/C++ code directly on AIX. You can import existing projects into your workspace and use the existing tool chain. The IDE also provides the capability to edit, compile, and debug COBOL source code. Intelligent marking of errors allows you to jump quickly to the problem. The platform also allows you to navigate remote directories and perform basic file operations.

A beta level trial version of this technology is available here http://www.alphaworks.ibm.com/tech/cremoteide

Go ahead and give it a try and feel free to comment in the Forum section of the above site.