I've had experience writing computer programs (Java, FORTRAN, MATLAB), but have never done anything related to hardware programming.
I thought I would ease into simple hardware programming by using Arduino. However, I find the IDE absolutely horrible.
No line numbers
No mass commenting
No mass indenting
Error messages don't tell you much about what's wrong with the code (or where the error is since you don't have line numbers)
Maybe I've been spoiled writing in other languages, but programming in the Arduino IDE is so slow/unproductive. Is there some other IDE I can use or text editor + uploading-to-the-board software that I can use to replace the Arduino IDE?
Preferably, it should also be able to access the Arduino library and convert from Processing to C.
Ctrl-/ gives you comment. Highlight multiple lines first for mass commenting (See Edit menu)
Ctrl-[ gives you indent. Ctrl-] gives you outdent. Again, select multiple lines for mass-
Error messages don't tell you much, that's true. Welcome to C/C++.
I actually enjoy the simplicity of the IDE. I write OO multi-file projects (10+ files) in it all the time and enjoy it. I certainly don't feel the need to use Eclipse or Visual Studio to do what, for me, is "simple" coding.
Have another look at the menus. If you're not up to date on the IDE, you might need a download too.
Who uses line numbers? This isn't BASIC.
2)Mass commenting? Do you mean 'mass commenting-out'? That's what '#if 0' is there for.
Not sure what mass indenting is, but there's always auto-format to get you a good way there.
C gives you so much freedom, it is sometimes difficult for the compiler to pinpoint exactly where it went wrong, but it usually manages quite well.
Besides, it's all free - quit whining.