When You Develop an IDE in an IDE: The Journey of Self-Debugging

The pursuit of creating a robust and reliable Integrated Development Environment (IDE) has been a noble endeavor for software developers and engineers. In the early 1970s, I had the privilege of developing one such powerful debugger, dubbed OLIVER, with features resembling those of modern IDEs like Visual Studio. This journey not only shed light on the feasibility of a self-debugging mechanism but also underscored the complexity and potential pitfalls involved.

While developing OLIVER, I could have incorporated code that would debug itself, monitoring its own monitoring functions. However, it became evident that the features already available were more than sufficient for the first-level monitoring needs. The idea of stepping through a debugger while simultaneously debugging a target program might have been tempting, but ultimately, such a feature would have been overkill. The overhead of implementing such a functionality would significantly impact performance and add unnecessary complexity to the base code.

OLIVER: A Now-Overviewed Innovation

Despite the advanced features and a robust customer base including 600 blue chip companies, banks, insurance firms, and many household names from the 1970s through the mid-1990s, there is no substantive mention of OLIVER or its companion product Simon in Wikipedia. This is largely due to the policies of Wikipedia editors who deemed the information irrelevant or outdated. Nonetheless, OLIVER stands as a testament to the early pioneers in software development and innovation.

Why Not Use the Debugger to Debug Itself?

While it might seem counterintuitive, the question "When you develop an IDE in an IDE, will you use its debugger to debug itself?" is not as straightforward as it appears. Generally, developers rely on a stable version of the development tool to work on their projects. Ensuring that this version is free from critical bugs is paramount to maintaining productivity. Therefore, it is rare to modify the core of an IDE in such a way that it impacts the development process.

However, many features of an IDE are modular, residing within plugins. These plugins can be tested and debugged using the current version of the IDE without causing significant disruptions. Under these circumstances, it is indeed possible to have the debugger "loop back" on the IDE if it makes sense for the development process. Typically, this approach involves using a remote debugger connection to attach and detach as needed, ensuring that the development workflow remains unhindered.

Compilers and Self-Hosting: A Useful Analogy

Another illuminating perspective on this topic is the concept of self-hosted compilers. Much like IDEs, compilers are often built using the language and tools they support. This self-hosting feature allows developers to create more efficient and optimized compilers, as they already have the necessary infrastructure to test and refine the new versions. Similarly, building tools for building better tools is a fundamental principle in the evolution of technology and craftsmanship.

Visionaries in software development recognize that the tools we use are constantly evolving. Just as a hammer factory uses hammers to build better hammers, modern IDEs are being used to develop even better IDEs. This cycle of tooling exemplifies the continuous improvement and innovation that drives the tech industry forward. So, it is not surprising to find such self-referential tools in use; they represent a natural progression in the evolution of software and development practices.

Conclusion

The journey of developing an IDE, with the potential for self-debugging, reveals the complexities and considerations involved. While it might be technically feasible, the practical challenges of maintaining performance and simplicity often outweigh the benefits. Yet, the analogy of self-hosted compilers and the historical context provided by early innovations like OLIVER underline the importance of continuous improvement and self-reliance in the realm of software development. Embracing these principles can lead to more robust, reliable, and efficient tools for today's developers.