Selecting the most appropriate web IDE for learning programming using AHP

The focus in computing today has shifted from the desktop environment to the Web. Tasks that were previously performed exclusively on desktop can now be done in Web environment. Web tools have the same features as their desktop counterparts and offer additional specific benefits. These tools do not need to be installed or updated nor are restricted to individual computer or operating system yet available anytime and from any location. Work can be done in collaboration and result can be easily shared. The same applies to programming which indicates that complete process of software development can now be done without the use of traditional desktop tools. The basic tool used in software development is an IDE (Integrated Development Environment) which allows writing, translating and testing programs. It is also commonly used in a learning programming process. Replacing desktop IDE with its Web equivalent in learning programming has potential to improve that process and bring some advantages related to new environment. This paper presents the use of AHP (Analytic Hierarchy Process) method for multi-criteria decision-making related to choosing the most appropriate Web IDE for learning programming and reports experience of its use in introductory programming course.