Php IDE: PhpStorm vs free IDEs (Eclipse , NetBeans, etc.)

Question

I need a PHP IDE with the essential features for a developer:

• validate PHP/JS/HTML5/XML code ( highlight syntax errors )

• run/debug a local site, or a single PHP script

• run/debug a PHPUnit instance ( PhpStorm can do it, you specify which is the xml configuration to use and you launch PHPUnit from there )

• When i run/debug a site or script or PHPUnit, i want to define environment variables which the PHP instance will see. PhpStorm can do it by creating a "Debug configuration" with PHP interpreter options and also environment variables.

• (optional) Debugging PHP remote site

PhpStorm can do all of the above. Is there a free alternative that can do it as well ?

Answer 1

There are two options:

1. PhpStorm Early Access Program
2. JetBrains for Students

However, I highly recommend to pay for it, it's worth every cent.

For reference, see:

• https://confluence.jetbrains.com/plugins/servlet/mobile#content/view/51185764
• https://www.jetbrains.com/student/

Also, TANSTAAFL .