MSP432P4111: A few questions before I purchase the TI Launch Pad MSP432P4111 Dev Board

Part Number: MSP432P4111

 Thinking about purchasing the TI Launch Pad TI Launch Pad MSP-EXP432P4111.

I have a ton of experience on both the HW and IDE side of microchip XLP micros and MPLAB IDE - embedded c.  Looking for better tech support and cheaper dev boards and debugging tools.

 The development board comes with built in debugging hardware along with
 a backdoor UART path.

 1.  How good is the built in debugger?  TI offers a separate/dedicated
     JTAG debugger device.  Just want to know if the built-in is as good or
     close to the dedicated.

 2.  Is the "backdoor" UART independent of the built in debugger?  That is
     if the board is "released" i.e. does not require an IDE to step through
     code can I still communicate via say Hyperterminal (text editor) and
     the on board micro?

 3.  I'm use to working with Microchip's MPLAB IDE.  Which TI's IDE is most
     similar and works with this development board?  Also is it free?  

 4.  Is there anything else that I need to purchase?  Compiler? ...

Thank you,

Craig