The process whose specific outcome is the progression of the neural tube over time, from its formation to the mature structure. The mature structure of the neural tube exists when the tube has been segmented into the forebrain, midbrain, hindbrain and spinal cord regions. In addition neural crest has budded away from the epithelium. [ http://purl.obolibrary.org/obo/go/references/0000021 GOC:cls GOC:jid GOC:dgh GOC:dph ]