Builder is a new Integrated Development Environment I'm developing to make it easier to write software for Linux.
By simplifying the development process, I hope to increase the number of people who can contribute to our platform.
To do this, I need your support so that I can work on Builder full time.
I'm asking for $30,000 to cover my costs for the next 3-5 months while I implement Builder's core features.
Over the last few of years, I've worked with people trying to get started developing for Linux.
Almost universally, I found that getting started was the single hardest problem.
I want builder to be the easiest way to get started.
I've worked on virtual machines, databases, graphics tool-kits, compiler tools, and programming languages. I think that puts me in a unique position to be successful in a project as large and complicated as an IDE.
I hope you'll agree and contribute to my campaign.
Planned Features
Project Management
Builder is designed to manage your autotools based project. We
manage the complex bits so you don't have to. Focus time more on
writing your application and less time on build system rules.
Asset Catalog
To simplify the management of user interface templates, icons,
setting schemas, CSS styling, and embedded files, we've included a
built in asset manager. Just navigate to your project details to
see more.
API Exploration
Learning new APIs can be a time consuming process. To save you
time we've added support for navigating types from right within
the source code editor. You can jump to a type declaration with
just a click.
Split Views
With Builder you can place content where you want it. Multiple
editors side by side is no problem. You can even place
documentation next to code so you don't have to keep switching
contexts.
Jump to Symbol
Navigating large files can be difficult. So Builder includes
everything you need to jump around your source code whether it's
within the same file, or somewhere else in your source tree.
Global Search
At the top of Builder is the Global Search bar. You can use this
to jump between files, open new files, locate symbols, search
documentation and more.
Glade Built In
By integrating Glade, Builder simplifies creating new Gtk+
widgets with templates, embedded icon themes, CSS, and more.
Jump between the designer and code in an instant.
Documentation
Browse the comprehensive documentation provided with the libraries
you use most. If you don't find what you are looking for or don't
understand it, you can flag the documentation for improvement by
the GNOME developers.
Quick Help
When auto completion is enabled we'll provide you documentation right
at your fingertips as you type. No more jumping between documentation
and code to see what that parameter means.
Global Navigation
To make it easier to jump back to what you were just doing we've
added Global Navigation. It works just like your web browser. We
keep track of where you are in the IDE and you can move freely
backwards and forwards.
IDE Scripting4
You can optimize your workflow with the scripting
capabilities provided by GObject Introspection and GJS. You'll have
access to all the APIs inside of Builder to make it do exactly what
you want.
GNOME Simulator9
Builder provides a simulator allowing you to test your application
on multiple versions of GNOME. The SDK is provided by OSTree and
GNOME Continuous. You can test against released versions of GNOME
as well as stay up to date with the development version in Git.
Connect Hardware Devices5
If you have a GNOME powered tablet, phone, or development board you
can connect it to Builder to run and debug applications remotely.
Sit back and debug from your workstation while you run the
application interactively on your tablet.
Collaborative Editing7
Sometimes you just need an extra eye. Or maybe you need some code
review? Our collaborative editor feature built upon libinifity will
allow you and a teammate to solve that problem together just as if
you had two keyboards at the same computer.
Compilers
Builder uses the two most common compilers on the market today.
Code navigation and analysis features are provided by clang and
built with GCC.
Graphical Debugger5
Nobody wishes to debug, but when it's needed you want a solid
debugger on your side. Builder integrates Nemiver, the GDB
frontend to help you track threads, variables, breakpoints,
watchpoints and more. You can even view and edit memory directly
using the hex editor.
Leak Detection7
Builder will help you find leaks in your applications using the
GObject runtime statistics. Additionally, more powerful tools like
valgrind will help you narrow that leak to the exact line of code.
Code Search9
When documentation is short it can help to look at other examples
of code in the GNOME repositories. Our code search feature will help
you find uses of GNOME APIs throughout code hosted on git.gnome.org.
Track Issues10
Browsing and searching Bugzilla can be a chore. So we'll cache the
bug information for your project locally so you can check that bug
report quickly without leaving the IDE. Using
git-bz
we can even attach patches and close bugs on your behalf.
|
Auto Completion6
The Clang compiler toolchain provides you with a robust auto completion engine for C and C++.
No matter where you are in your source code, you can determine what is possible with just a press of a key.
We will add auto completion support for Python and Vala if we reach our fundraising target.
Auto Indentation
Nobody wants to spend all of their time formatting code. Builder
will attempt to format the code for you as you type leaving you
to focus on the important part. We currently support C, Python,
and XML with more languages on the way.
Powerful Snippets
The Builder team knows how powerful snippets can be in the daily
tasks of a developer. We built the snippet system we always wanted,
and now it's yours too! You can have multiple tab stops, linked
entry points, and dynamic content. Snippets within snippets?
No problem!
Tutorials4
Builder comes with a set of tutorials to help you get started with
GNOME and Builder. Start by creating your first Gtk+ application.
Quick Open
Open any file in your project quickly using the Global Search bar.
Just start typing a few distinctive characters of the files name
and press Enter.
Markdown and HTML Preview
Editing markdown and HTML can be frustrating when you are constantly
switching between code and preview. So Builder includes a live preview
right in the IDE to save you time and patience.
Live Issues
Tired of switching back and forth to a terminal to compile your
code just to get the line number of the error? Save time with
errors shown right as you type them.
Fix-It!
If the compiler knows how to fix an issue that is preventing your
program from compiling, simply click the Fix-It! button to fix the
error rather than solving it yourself.
Version Tracking
Git has won the version control wars and so we natuarly chose it
as our SCM of choice in GNOME. We bring the power of Git to you
in a simple and easy to understand way. You can create branches,
commit, push, pull, and more.
Snapshots
Ever wanted to try that crazy new idea without risking your project?
Builder includes a snapshoting to save your project so that if you
break something you can easily rollback to where you were.
JavaScript4
You can write applications using JavaScript and deploy them just
like they were a natively compiled language. Builder will bundle
all of your resources together and bootstrap the JavaScript runtime
for you. Just choose JavaScript for your next project.
Python6
Love Python? We do too. So we added support for Python right into
Builder. You have auto indentation and auto completion right at
your fingertips. Get all the benefits of the project management
features found in C and C++ projects like settings, CSS, UI
templates and more.
Powerful VIM-style Editing
Longstanding VIM users know firsthand the power of a modal editor.
Our developers don't want you to feel left out so we created a robust
VIM engine within Builder to help you feel at home. "ll^[Ihe^[Ao" to you too buddy!
Command Bar
If you ever need to get at the internals of Builder while it is running
you can use the Firefox-inspired command bar. You can even execute
commands internal to builder exposed via GAction.
D-Bus4
Creating and consuming D-Bus services can be a daunting task for those
new to the platform. So we've created all the tools you need to
create your own or connect to an existing service. Just browse to
the service installed on your system and click to add it to your project.
Unit Testing7
The industry aggress that tests are important for the long term
stability of your project. Wouldn't it be nice to see how your project
has performed over time? We'll track those unit test results and store
them in git-notes so
you can graph them later.
GNOME Shell Extensions10
Create and test your shell extension without breaking your running GNOME session!
You can create a new GNOME shell extension and test it from within the simulator.
That means you can test it against multiple GNOME versions including what is currently under development from Git.
|
The Perks!
$25 – Casual Observer
This tier is meant for people that may not use the final product
but want to support our effort anyway. We are thrilled to have your
help and hope that someday you benefit from GNOME or a piece of
software made by a happier GNOME developer.
To show our appreciation, we'll mention you in the credits.
Donate Now!
$100 – Student
This tier is meant for students with limited income. We'll send
you a set of laptop stickers as thanks for your donation.
Additionally, you'll get a digital copy of the USB stick image. You
can dd it to a USB stick of your choice or boot it in a Virtual Machine.
To help you study software design, we'll give you a digital copy
of the design documents used to create Builder. That will cover
plans, specifications, and drawings. We hope that this will help you
in your journey to becoming a Software Engineer.
And of course, we'll mention you in the credits.
Donate Now!
$250 – Young Professional
At this tier, we'll send you a USB stick with Builder and GNOME 3.16 as a token of our appreciation. Additionally we'll send you a
set of Builder laptop stickers. A digital copy of the engineering
journal including plans, specifications, and drawings will be
included as well.
You'll also get access to the bi-weekly contributors video chat where you can keep up to date on development and ask questions.
And of course, we'll mention you in the credits.
Donate Now!
$400 – Professional
At this tier you'll get a comfy American Apparel zip-up hoodie
with the Builder logo for those rainy day hacking sessions. We'll
send you a USB stick with a copy of Builder and GNOME 3.16 along with
a set of laptop stickers. You'll receive a digital copy of the
engineering journal including plans, specifications, and drawings.
You'll also get access to the bi-weekly contributors video chat where you can keep up to date on development and ask questions.
And of course, we'll mention you in the credits.
Donate Now!
$1,000 – Hardware Hacker
At this tier, we have a really special perk for you. We will be
shipping you a Tablet running GNOME 3.16 or newer. We haven't finalized hardware, but it will likely be a
tablet in the 7-10” range. We are going to do our best to source
quality hardware for you. We also want to ship hardware with open
drivers if possible.
If we raise $50,000 then we will have the resources necessary to add
support for building, running, and debugging applications on the tablet
directly from Builder.
Additionally, we'll send you a comfy American Apparel hoodie with
the Builder logo for those rainy day hacking sessions. You'll receive
a digital copy of the engineering journal including plans,
specifications, and drawings. You'll also get a set of laptop
stickers with the Builder logo.
You'll also get access to the bi-weekly contributors video chat where you can keep up to date on development and ask questions.
And of course, we'll mention you in the credits.
Donate Now!
$2,000 – Philanthropist
If you really believe in what we are doing, and have some money to
spare, we would really appreciate your support at the philanthropist
tier. This tier includes everything the hardware hacker tier receives
but also includes a special dinner at GUADEC 2015 to thank you for
your support and listen to any comments you have about the GNOME
platform and where we should be going.
You'll also get access to the bi-weekly contributors video chat where you can keep up to date on development and ask questions.
Donate Now!
$10,000 – Corporate Sponsor
Do you control the budget for a company that uses GNOME
technology? We would love to have your support at this tier! Your
company will receive its name in the credits, 5 tablets for your
development team to play with, and 5 hoodies too. We'll
send you a box of swag including USB sticks, laptop stickers and
mugs.
You'll also get access to the bi-weekly contributors video chat where you can keep up to date on development and ask questions.
We'd also like to invite up to 5 of your team members to a special
thank you dinner at GUADEC 2015 where you can share with us
everything you think we need to hear.
Additionally, we'd be happy to do a full-day training session on
Builder either at GUADEC 2015 or at your office (travel not included).
Donate Now!
Community Support
These days, an operating system is as good as the application ecosystem around it; Builder enriches the GNOME platform with a simple yet powerful developer workflow, designed to maximize productivity and to make it as easy as possible to turn an idea into a beautiful, integrated application. I'm personally thrilled by the opportunities this project will open up in our community.
Cosimo Cecchi
Free/libre software lives in an interesting but precarious place,
where it is moot to charge for the actual software, but development
still costs time and money. I am extremely happy that Christian
took the plunge to stop being an unpaid volunteer and turn himself
into a crowdfunded toolmaker. High-quality, pleasant tools are hard
to find, and Builder is an excellent opportunity to make it possible
for more people to develop beautiful software for GNOME. Support the
development of Builder and help improve free software for everyone!
Federico Mena Quintero
Stretch Goals
If we reach our goal, we'll be able to complete the third milestone of Builder. Each tier afterwards helps us reach additional milestones. The more that we raise, the longer I can focus my life and energy on Builder.
If we reach $40,000, we'll have enough to reach the fourth milestone of Builder. This includes IDE scripting, JavaScript applications, and tight D-Bus integration. These are needed as a foundation for further milestones.
If we reach $50,000, we'll have enough funds to reach the fifth milestone of Builder. This includes a graphical debugger and integration with external hardware such as tablets and ARM-based hardware devices.
If we reach $60,000, we'll have enough funds to reach the sixth milestone of Builder. This includes support for writing GNOME applications in both Python and Vala.
If we reach $75,000, we'll have enough funds to reach the seventh milestone of Builder. This includes support for unit testing, application leak detection, split views within a single document and collaborative editing features.
If we reach $90,000, we'll have enough funds to reach the eighth milestone of Builder. This includes the addition of a GNOME simulator to help developers test their application in multiple versions of a pristine GNOME experience. Additionally, we'll add server side support to GNOMEs infrastructure for a robust code search that can be accessed from the IDE.
If we reach $100,000, we'll have enough funds to reach the ninth milestone of Builder. This will add support for writing GNOME Shell Extensions within the IDE. You'll be able to test them inside of the GNOME simulator to ensure that you don't break your currently running GNOME environment. Additionally, we'll add support for bugzilla issue tracking right in the IDE.
Alternative Payment
We understand that credit cards aren't for everyone. If you cannot or do
not want to pay by credit card, eCheck, or paypal, contact christian@hergert.me to make alternate arrangements.
Like the music in our video? Get the album from Highcastle on soundcloud.
The GNOME trademark is used with permission from the GNOME Foundation.