A development environment is a set of tools and software that programmers use to create, test, and debug applications. It typically includes an integrated development environment (IDE), which provides features like code editing, debugging, and version control. This environment allows developers to write code efficiently and manage their projects effectively. Development environments can be local, where the software runs on a developer's machine, or cloud-based, allowing access from anywhere. They often support various programming languages and frameworks, making it easier for developers to collaborate and share their work. Popular examples include Visual Studio Code, Eclipse, and GitHub.