EngInSite PHP Editor 3.1.2 review

The PHP IDE is similar in design to Microsoft Visual Studio, but, for once, familiarity doesn’t breed contempt: EngInSite is a polished performer in its own right. Experienced users will appreciate the IntelliSense system that automatically recognises public and private functions of the class, as well as the proprietary technology that emulates HTTP server behaviour within the editing output window. We were equally impressed by the debugger, with its breakpoint option that halts script execution when a defined breakpoint is reached, along with the fact that the editor can wrap itself round existing projects so you can try different PHP distributions. Beginners will like the fact that it contains built-in PHP 4.3.8 and PHP 5.02 for the ultimate ease of use too. It isn’t cheap, but it isn’t nasty either, and is well worth evaluating.