An IDE (Integrated Development Environment) is a software application that provides developers with tools to write, test, and debug their code. It combines essential features like a code editor, compiler, and debugger into a single interface, making it easier for programmers to create software. Popular IDEs include Visual Studio, Eclipse, and PyCharm, each tailored for different programming languages and tasks. Using an IDE can significantly enhance productivity by offering features like code completion, syntax highlighting, and version control integration. These tools help developers catch errors early and streamline the coding process, allowing them to focus more on building their applications rather than managing the development environment.