IDEs baby new programmers in such a way that they will become crutches. Text editors (in theory) only modify the source code. All compilation and backend work i

IDEs baby new programmers in such a way that they will become crutches. Text editors (in theory) only modify the source code. All compilation and backend work is done by the programmer with external tools. IDEs will usually hide that work away in some button or drop down menu, so the new programmer will be less inclined to learn how everything is run. When I learned java, I broke away from the IDE I was given to use in class and switched to a text editor. I read about command line tools and what a classpath is. I doubt that I would have known about how programming works behind-the-scenes if I hadn't broken away. Many (not all) of my classmates haven't; they rely on the almighty 'Compile' button, don't question it, and won't bother to learn otherwise.