IDEs, plugins and tools for Ext JS 2.0
February 1, 2008 by Jack Slocum
The Ext 2.0 API is very extensive and remembering all of the functions, properties or configs available is virtually impossible. The API documentation is very thorough, but it would be nice if IDEs would provide code assist options in JavaScript as they do in other languages such as Java and C#. Luckily, there are some IDEs and plugins available that do just that — and also have direct support for Ext 2.0.
Aptana Studio
When it comes to IDEs for JavaScript development, Aptana is definitely hard to miss. I personally use it daily for Adobe AIR development. However, the version of Ext (1.1) bundled with Aptana for code assist is a little outdated.
Markus Schmidleitner has created an Ext 2.0 Aptana plugin that works very well. To install it:
- Download and install Aptana Studio.
- Open up your Aptana application directory (for me that is C:\Aptana) and copy the jar file into the plugins folder.
- Restart Aptana.
- Go to Window -> Preferences -> Aptana -> Editors -> JavaScript -> Code Assist and select Ext 2.0 (you may need to deselect Ext 1.1).
Spket Eclipse Plugin & IDE
The Spket IDE has by far the most superior code assist for Ext 2.0. It uses the Ext .jsb project file and embedded script doc to build code assist that includes options inherited from base classes and full documentation.
It doesn’t have much for editing other types of files though (e.g. CSS), so my preference is to install it as an Eclipse plugin in Aptana. To install the plugin in Aptana:
- Download and install Aptana Studio (includes Eclipse).
- Start Aptana and navigate the application menu to: Help → Software Updates → Find and Install… → Search for new features to install → New remote site…
- Name: “Spket”, Url: “http://www.spket.com/update/”
- Restart Aptana
- Watch this Spket IDE Tutorial to see how to easily add Ext code assist (you can point it at the latest /src/ext.jsb to keep code assist up to date with the latest Ext version). The steps are basically:
- Window → Preferences → Spket → JavaScript Profiles → New
- Enter “ExtJS” and click OK
- Select “ExtJS” and click “Add Library”, then choose “ExtJS” from the dropdown
- Select “ExtJS” and click “Add File”, then choose the “ext.jsb” file in your “./ext-2.x/source” directory
- Set the new ExtJS profile as the default by selecting it an clicking the “Default” button on the right-hand side of the “JavaScript Profiles” dialog.
- Restart Aptana
- Create a new JS file and type: Ext. and you should get the Ext Code completion options.
Since you will have installed it as a plugin in Aptana, chances are Aptana will still be your default JS editor. So to try Spket, you need to right click on a file and select Open with -> Spket JavaScript Editor.
Komodo Edit
Komodo Edit has the strongest support for editing multiple types of files, including Perl, PHP, Python, Ruby and Tcl; plus support for browser-side code including JavaScript, CSS, HTML and XML. It’s also available on Windows, Mac OS X and Linux.
To install Komodo with Ext support:
- Download and install Komodo Edit.
- Download the API catalog.
- Go to Edit -> Preferences -> Code Intelligence and select the “Add an API catalog” button below the “API Catalog” section.
- Select the ExtJS API catalog CIX file you downloaded above.
Dreamweaver
For those using Dreamweaver, there are two plugins available SpketDW (Dreamweaver MX 2004 or higher) and SpketDWCS (Dreamweaver CS3). Both are made by the same team (Spket) as the Eclipse plugin above, so both are very accurate and thorough. One nice feature available in the Dreamweaver plugins is support for config option code assist.
To download and install, please visit their site.
Other IDEs
There is support for other IDEs, such as IntelliJ and Visual Studio 2008 being actively worked on by the community.
Summary
When working with Ext 2.0, there are quite a few tools available to help boost your productivity. Be sure to check them out. If you know of any other tools we’ve missed, please post a comment and let us know!

Posted on February 1st, 2008 at 1:15 pm
[…] Jack Slocum wrote an interesting post today on IDEs, plugins and tools for Ext JS 2.0Here’s a quick excerptThe Ext 2.0 API is very extensive and remembering all of the functions, properties or configs available is virtually impossible. The API documentation is very thorough, but it would be nice if IDEs would provide code assist options in … […]
Posted on February 1st, 2008 at 1:51 pm
Thanks a lot for the tip Jack, I have a hell of a time trying to remember all the methods for all the functions, actually I don’t remember any of them, my brain is full! The eclipse plugin will help with that.
ps what cool AIR apps are you working on and when can we see em
Posted on February 1st, 2008 at 2:07 pm
its possible add a Ext Outline on Aptana ?
Posted on February 1st, 2008 at 3:49 pm
Daniel, the Aptana outline will work with Ext.extend() in all cases except a direct Ext.extend(Class, {overrides}) with no constructor.
Gary, we will have something out real soon including an application sandbox friendly version and some new APIs.
Posted on February 1st, 2008 at 4:41 pm
Hey, if I didn’t know any better I’d say you’ve been reading my blog…
(No, I know — lots of us are using Aptana now.)
Just started using Aptana and the Ext 2.0 Plugin within the past month — seriously, it’s like a whole different world actually programming in an IDE made with JavaScript in mind.
Posted on February 1st, 2008 at 5:03 pm
[…] Ext JS Blog - » IDEs, plugins and tools for Ext JS 2.0 - The Ext 2.0 API is very extensive and remembering all of the functions, properties or configs available is virtually impossible. The API documentation is very thorough, but it would be nice if IDEs would provide code assist options in JavaScript as they d […]
Posted on February 1st, 2008 at 6:50 pm
[…] Ext JavaScript framework site has a good article regarding how to setup different IDEs, plugins, and tools to help during development with Ext 2.0. If you’re using Ext in a project, this is a good […]
Posted on February 1st, 2008 at 8:56 pm
Excellent!
Posted on February 1st, 2008 at 11:32 pm
Very nice, I just want to say that since version 1.6.6, Spket IDE also support code completion for Adobe AIR APIs, take a look at http://www.spket.com/ext-air-tutorials.html see how to using Ext and Adobe AIR at same time…
Posted on February 2nd, 2008 at 1:24 am
[…] Ext JS Blog - » IDEs, plugins and tools for Ext JS 2.0 [?] Share This Read More Post a Comment […]
Posted on February 2nd, 2008 at 2:37 am
Translation support for Chinese User is available. I post it on a Java forum where Ext is hot in China mainland.
http://www.javaeye.com/topic/161161
Posted on February 2nd, 2008 at 6:29 am
IDEs, plugins and tools for Ext JS 2.0…
[…]The Ext 2.0 API is very extensive and remembering all of the functions, properties or configs available is virtually impossible. The API documentation is very thorough, but it would be nice if IDEs would provide code assist options in JavaScript a…
Posted on February 2nd, 2008 at 11:08 am
Thanks for the tip Eric, I didn’t know about support for the AIR APIs as well.
Posted on February 2nd, 2008 at 9:50 pm
呵呵,谢谢哈。有了这个东东,应该会更容易写。。。thank you!!
Posted on February 2nd, 2008 at 10:06 pm
很感谢!!!
Posted on February 2nd, 2008 at 11:19 pm
Jack, the current version of Aptana (1.1.0) has Ext 2.0 support right out of the box. In the references panel, select global references and then Ext 2.0
Posted on February 4th, 2008 at 12:19 am
I would greatly like to see the Ext style documentation generator released to the public.
Posted on February 4th, 2008 at 12:36 pm
[…] they offer for the various JavaScript libraries. Ext’s uber-coder, Jack Slocum, has put up a blog entry explaining which IDEs support the Ext JS framework: The Ext 2.0 API is very extensive and remembering all of the functions, properties or configs […]
Posted on February 4th, 2008 at 1:32 pm
While Ext 2.0 is great, some (many ?) of us consider Eclipse based IDEs to be flying pigs. And the other options aren’t really IDEs, just smart edittors.
Given that Ext is all about writing “real” apps in browsers, are there any plans for a browser based IDE (”BBIDE”), ala TIBCO GI ? I’d consider that as a major killer app, and a great way to show exactly what Ext can do.
Posted on February 4th, 2008 at 1:36 pm
[…] they offer for the various JavaScript libraries. Ext’s uber-coder, Jack Slocum, has put up a blog entry explaining which IDEs support the Ext JS framework: The Ext 2.0 API is very extensive and remembering all of the functions, properties or configs […]
Posted on February 4th, 2008 at 2:28 pm
“Select ‘ExtJS’ and click ‘Add File’, then choose the ‘ext.jsb’ file in your ‘./ext-2.x/source’ directory”
Please be consice. By default, opening the open file browse button takes the user to My Documents (in Windows), so “./ext-2.x/source” is invalid, and at this time I don’t know where to track it down ….
Jon
Posted on February 4th, 2008 at 2:38 pm
k got it.. the .jsb is in the ExtJS SDK, source directory
Posted on February 4th, 2008 at 4:12 pm
[…] they offer for the various JavaScript libraries. Ext’s uber-coder, Jack Slocum, has put up a blog entry explaining which IDEs support the Ext JS framework: The Ext 2.0 API is very extensive and remembering all of the functions, properties or configs […]
Posted on February 5th, 2008 at 6:52 am
I found a little bug on Aptana Plugin.
At Samples View, when I try to preview sample (right click on a sample), I got a an alert message (’Ext’ is not defined).
Any way, good work!!! and thanks!!!
Posted on February 5th, 2008 at 7:12 am
hi,
checking code of project, I have realised the bug is the references to ext library on each sample.
I mean. e.g., at “forum” sample in forum.html file the reference to ext library is
and should be
Posted on February 5th, 2008 at 7:22 am
hi, sorry about previous comment.
checking code of project, I have realised the bug is the references to ext library on each sample.
I mean. e.g., at “forum” sample in forum.html file the reference to ext library is
src=”../../adapter/ext/ext-base.js”
and should be
src=”lib/ext/adapter/ext/ext-base.js”
Posted on February 5th, 2008 at 5:59 pm
Hi Jack,
Thank you for your feedback. We’d like to post your comment on the Komodo Edit testimonial page. Would that be okay with you?
“Komodo Edit has the strongest support for editing multiple types of files, including Perl, PHP, Python, Ruby and Tcl; plus support for browser-side code including JavaScript, CSS, HTML and XML.”
In return, we’re happy to send you a t-shirt and a mug. Please let me know your t-shirt size, delivery address and phone number, and we’ll send the package along shortly.
Posted on February 5th, 2008 at 7:22 pm
[…] Ext JS Blog - » IDEs, plugins and tools for Ext JS 2.0 (tags: extjs javascript ide ajax development plugin programming editor eclipse ext aptana css) […]
Posted on February 6th, 2008 at 1:54 am
Sure Cindy. I will send you an email shortly.
Posted on February 6th, 2008 at 9:17 pm
Hi Jim, If you have problem install Spket, you can post your question at http://forums.spket.com, I tried Eclipse 3.2.1, and everything works fine.
Posted on February 10th, 2008 at 5:02 pm
[…] Оригинальная статья на английском: IDEs, plugins and tools for Ext JS 2.0 […]
Posted on February 11th, 2008 at 3:38 am
Hi, for those who using Visual Studio 2008, you can downlad JavaScript Intellisense for Ext 2.0.1 here: http://www.spket.com/ext-intellisense-visual-studio.html
Posted on February 11th, 2008 at 11:04 pm
Hi I just installed Aptana IDE for extjs .. Really brilliant . Can someone help me in integrating the documentation to the IDE for extjs. Thanks in advance.
Posted on February 13th, 2008 at 9:01 pm
[…] IDEs, plugins and tools for Ext JS 2.0 也有不少支持 ext2 的 ide 可用了 […]
Posted on February 19th, 2008 at 5:55 pm
Hi! Any options with adding support to NetBeans? Thanks!
Posted on February 21st, 2008 at 2:18 am
Is there any IDE, plugin or tools available for ExtJS 1.1.1 ?
Posted on February 21st, 2008 at 4:13 am
Hi, Spket IDE support Ext 1.x - 2.x, If you using Dreamweaver, SpketDW also support Ext 1.x - 2.x, currently SpketDWCS only for Ext 2.0.1
Posted on February 25th, 2008 at 12:05 pm
hello,
is it possoble to install this extension on Zend Studio for Eclipse?
Posted on February 25th, 2008 at 12:09 pm
May be anybody knows is there any solutions to integrate Extjs plufin into Zend Studio For Eclipse?
Thanks in advance!
Posted on February 25th, 2008 at 9:57 pm
You can install Spket as plugin in Zend Studio, just the same way to intall Spket plugin in Aptana, they both based on Eclipse
Posted on February 26th, 2008 at 4:05 am
Thank you Eric! Your advise was very usefull!
Posted on February 26th, 2008 at 5:47 am
Good news. Thanks for clause. I shall go to search for the information on the given theme further
Posted on February 27th, 2008 at 8:43 pm
[…] Ext JS Blog - » IDEs, plugins and tools for Ext JS 2.0 (tags: extjs development eclipse) […]
Posted on March 1st, 2008 at 10:17 pm
Opensuse 10.3 + Zend for Eclipse + Spket = great IDE
Posted on March 9th, 2008 at 12:14 am
Ubuntu + Eclipse + Aptana + Spket = perfect Linux IDE for Javascript. Thanks a lot!
Posted on March 11th, 2008 at 8:32 am
What about Netbeans Support?
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