Ace is an open source, standalone and web-based code editor that focuses on providing a similar or better experience with desktop-based ones.

It is actually developed for the well-known Cloud9 IDE and can be integrated into any web page easily.

The editor's syntax highlighting works with JavaScript, HTML, CSS, JSON, PHP, Perl, Python, Ruby, etc..

There is support for auto indent/outdent, completely customizable key bindings ad theming.

Users can perform search/replace operations with regular expressions besides the standard method, toggle between soft tabs + real tabs and much more.

WIODE is an open source and web-based IDE application which focuses on simplicity and expandability.

It is built with PHP-MySQL and has an interface that will feel familiar to anyone working with desktop IDEs.

The application is very easy to work with; it can manage multiple projects, a file-tree helps browsing files-folders where double-clicking an item is displayed in a new tab (multiple tabs, yay!).

Right-clicking on files/folders (context menu) brings options like "create copy, rename, delete or "FTP upload".

For the opened files, there are features like syntax highlighting, line numbering, auto-indenting, saving and previewing.

Also, a "system" menu displays the lists of projects, number of files in each and presents options like taking backups or archiving them.

WIODE is a multi-user application where users can work at the same time without overwriting each other's files.

For a productive development process, every web designer/developer needs tools that are functional and make you feel comfortable. 

An IDE (integrated development environment) is possibly the most frequently used tool as it is your touch to the code whether you're building something from scratch or applying just a small update.

And, you don't have to use only a single IDE, maybe something complicated with a debugger, built-in FTP, etc. as the main code editor and something simpler for quickly making updates + viewing source codes.

Here are 16 free IDEs for designers/developers that are used widely and proven to be stable:

Aptana Studio (Windows, Mac, Linux)

Aptana Studio is a very impressive and open source development tool that supports HTML5, CSS3, JavaScript and Ruby, Rails, PHP & Python on the server side.

It has a "code assist" feature where you can find out details about functions, elements, etc.

You can stay synchronized with the server via FTP, SFTP and control your code with the help of an integrated debugger.

There are many other features that will ease the development process including Git integration or a built-in terminal.

Komodo Edit (Windows, Mac, Linux)

Komodo Edit is an open source application that has support for PHP, Python, Ruby, JavaScript, Perl, Tcl, XML, HTML 5 and CSS 3.

It has syntax coloring, folding, background syntax checking,  auto-complete and calltips.

There are lots of extensions created by the community that will help you customize it more.

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Cloud9 IDE is an open source application that aims to provide a powerful and focused IDE for JavaScript developers.

It is powered by the Ajax.org platform + makes use of HTML5, node.js, socket.io and many other projects.

The application has a pretty fast text editor with bundled syntax highlighting support for JS, HTML, CSS and mixed modes.

Cloud9 IDE has integrated debuggers for node.js and Google Chrome which can be started, paused and stopped from the IDE.

Using WebDAV, it can connect to remote workspaces too and has a plugin system for improving it further (already has several bundled plugins).

P.S. The application is still in early development stages, can be a little buggy but improved continiously.

MonoDevelop is a free & advanced IDE that is mainly built for C# & other .NET languages.

It works in Linux, Windows & Mac OSX which is great, specially for developers who use multiple platforms but still want to work from the same interface.

MonoDevelop comes with advanced text editing features like code completion support for C# 3, code templates & code folding.

It also has an integrated debugger, web server (for instantly testing ASP.NET applications) & a GTK# visual designer.

The software also offers much more features like source control, makefile integration, unit testing, packaging & deployment, localization & more.

Web applications are offering an almost desktop-like functionality parallel to the increase in the connectivity speeds, wider usage of the cloud (easier scalability) & improvements in JavaScript/RIA development.

Also, moving to the cloud is no more a fantasy, it is the "current & future trend" considering the popularity of applications like Google Docs, Adobe Acrobat Online or web-based OSs.

As a web designer/developer, it is possible not to use any desktop softwares & work 100% web-based.

There are several tools that we use daily & has vital importance:

• IDE (code editor)
• Image editor
• Database manager
• FTP application
• Storage

Although desktop environment, clearly, has many advantages over web, web has an important one like working from any computer (even it is a weak one) & staying synchronized.

Here are free web applications that you can use to create your own web-based design/development environment:

Code Editing

PHPanywhere

This web application offers a desktop-like coding environment with features like:

• multiple projects
• built-in FTP explorer
• syntax highlighting
• undo-redo support
• & more.

There are also features like tabs, find-replace or auto-completion that we could expect from a desktop IDE.

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UIzard is an open source development tool for creating web applications on the web.

It has built-in support for various project types like:

• standard web applications
• Google API-based widgets/gadgets
• mobile web applications

User interface elements can be controlled with drag’n drops just like a desktop IDE & UIzard’s built-in editor has support for code-highlighting.

With an instant preview feature, the outputs of the design & code can be seen easily.

P.S. The application is currently in beta status & can be a little unstable.