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Builder, An IDE of our GNOME

Let's make it easy to create software for GNOME!

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Builder, An IDE of our GNOME

Builder, An IDE of our GNOME

Builder, An IDE of our GNOME

Builder, An IDE of our GNOME

Builder, An IDE of our GNOME

Let's make it easy to create software for GNOME!

Let's make it easy to create software for GNOME!

Let's make it easy to create software for GNOME!

Let's make it easy to create software for GNOME!

Christian Hergert
Christian Hergert
Christian Hergert
Christian Hergert
1 Campaign |
San Francisco, United States
$56,245 USD by 617 backers
$50,607 USD by 531 backers on Jan 27, 2015

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.

$40,000 - Milestone 4

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.

$50,000 - Milestone 5

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.

$60,000 - Milestone 6

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.

$75,000 - Milestone 7

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.

$90,000 - Milestone 8

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.

$100,000 - Milestone 9

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.

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Choose your Perk

Casual Observer

$25 USD
We'll make you a set of video tutorials to help you get started! We'll also mention you in the credits!
Estimated Shipping
April 2015
171 claimed
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