Online compiler

An online compiler has the same basic functionality as a conventional compiler, however with one significant difference: all of a project or application's source code is stored and executed online via a web browser. Storing and executing source code online significantly reduces both the hardware and the software required by programmers when working on any given project, allowing programmers and development teams to quickly begin projects for a wide range of platforms, devices, and operating systems. Modern online compilers are still somewhat limited in their capabilities when compared to conventional compilers, however today's online compilers are capable of compiling Java, , VB.net, and working with the XNA platform.
Benefits of an Online Compiler
Mobility
The primary purpose behind the development of online compilers is the mobility that they provide to programmers. Because online compilers require only a web browser and internet connection to access and edit source code, using an online compiler has made it significantly easier for programmers to work on projects on multiple computers and/or devices. This is in contrast to conventional compilers which require programmers to set up and store their source code on a single computer.
Team Management
With an online compiler, members of a programming team can access and edit identical code, accessed via the online compiler's web interface. This is in contrast to conventional compilers which require extensive version control systems to keep the code of each team member working on the same set of code. With an online compiler each team member can browse the exact same project files just as they would were these files stored on their own computer.
Quick Project Setup
Online compilers are pre-packaged with the most common programming languages and libraries used in most projects and/or application. This allows a development team to begin new projects more quickly by choosing to include these programming languages and/or libraries in new project, rather than having to manually install each of these components for each new project.
System Agnostic
When programming for different devices or operating systems with a conventional compiler, a programmer would have to have physical access each device and/or operating system for which he or she would like to program. However with an online compiler, because a programmer's project is stored online, a programmer can work with a wide variety of devices and/or operating systems without having to physically having access to them, marking a large reduction in the hardware and software required by development teams.
Use of Online Compilers
Use in Game Development
Online compilers have been used in video game programming, particularly on the XNA platform . There is currently only one online compiler that supports game development, which is capable of programming on the XNA platform in C# and VB.net.
Use in Desktop Development
Several online compilers currently support desktop development, in programming languages including C#, C, , VB.net, and Java. These online compilers allow desktop development from the web browser, with the ability to compile code online.
Integrated Development Environments
Several online compilers currently offer an Integrated development environment where the source code to be compiled can be accessed and edited. When combined with an Online integrated development environment, online compilers can both edit and run applications from the web browser.
Current Limitations of Online Compilers
Online compilers are an emerging technology and currently lack some functionality of conventional compilers. Few online compilers have integrated reliable version control systems which are necessary to archive previous iterations of development projects. Some online compilers have attempted to rectify this temporarily by integrating auto-save functionality which will allow users to revert back to an auto-saved project should they loose their internet connection, however reliable version control has yet to be implemented. Team collaboration can sometimes be difficult with online compilers, as some online compilers do not allow users to share their source code with other user profiles. As a temporary solution some online compilers have added a "public projects" feature which allows users to share their source code with other members of their development team. Syntax highlighting is another issue for some online compilers, which have yet to integrate comprehensive highlighting of code.

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