Microsoft Azure Support Comes To Cloud9 IDE Developers

Cloud9 IDE, provider of the eponymous cloud-based integrated development environment (IDE) for Web and mobile applications, has announced the availability of Windows Azure deployment from the IDE.

Cloud9 made its announcement at the Node Summit in San Francisco. The integration offers Node.js developers the advantages of a cloud-based development environment paired with the scalability and interoperability of Microsoft’s Windows Azure cloud computing platform.

Browser-based deployment

Cloud9 IDE runs in Web browsers and enables developers to run, debug and deploy Node.js applications from anywhere, at any time. Integrating the Node.js IDE with Windows Azure enables developers to deploy applications and permanently host code on Windows Azure’s services platform. Developers can benefit from Windows Azure’s high availability and “infinite scale” model, which enables users to deploy enterprise-level applications globally, with the ability to grow or shrink resource usage based on need.

“We’re pleased to offer Windows Azure deployment from Cloud9 IDE,” said Ruben Daniels, CEO of Cloud9 IDE, in a statement. “Like Cloud9, Microsoft has demonstrated a strong commitment to the Node.js community through Windows Azure. This relationship shows how quickly Node.js is becoming the runtime of cloud, and proves that a fully cloud-based development workflow is now a reality.”

“Windows Azure’s adoption of Node.js gives customers new and powerful options that let them take advantage of the openness and flexibility of the cloud,” said Scott Guthrie, a corporate vice president in Microsoft’s Server and Tools Business division, in a statement. “By working with Cloud9 IDE, our goal is to make development even easier for customers and to continue to demonstrate our support for interoperability.”

Cloud9 officials said developers can take advantage of the Node-specific capabilities offered by both Cloud9 IDE and Windows Azure. Cloud9 IDE offers a variety of Node features, such as syntax highlighting, Node Package Manager (NPM) support, code completion, testing and in-browser debugging.

The company also recently announced a variety of tools designed to support the growth of the Node.js community, including Nodebits.org, a blog featuring high-quality Node.js tutorials; and Nodemanual.org, Cloud9 IDE’s Node documentation site. Similarly, Node.js developers can use Windows Azure’s new Node.js Developer Center and Windows Azure SDK for Node.js.

In addition, Cloud9 said the Windows Azure integration marks a significant milestone as Cloud9 IDE continues to revolutionise the landscape of modern-day programming. Developers can now extend the professional Node.js facilities offered by Cloud9 IDE onto Windows Azure for a complete end-to-end development environment.