# IDE: your programming workbench

[Concepts explained](README.md)

**IDE** stands for *Integrated Development Environment*. It puts several programming tools in one place. Think of a workbench with your notebook, tools, and a place to try what you made.

## Parts of the workbench

- The **editor** is where you change source code or blocks.
- The **project view** helps organize source files and assets.
- The **console** shows text output and messages.
- The **preview** shows visual results supported by that environment.
- Execution controls let you run or stop your program.

An editor and a console can look like similar text boxes, but they do different jobs. Code typed into the editor becomes part of your source. A message printed in the console is output from a run.

## Saving and running

Saving keeps your source or project for later. Running carries out its instructions. Editing a line after a run does not automatically change what happened in that run. Use the intended execution controls to try the changed program.

Pliro's desktop IDE uses the Go compiler and runtime for its language behavior. The interface helps you work with that language; it does not create a different set of arithmetic or variable rules.

Try writing a short message, saving the project, and running it. Then change only the message and run again. Point out the source and output on your screen.

[Your first program](../guides/getting-started.md) · [Running and stopping](../guides/execution.md)