I Tried 10 Code Editors: Discovering the Best in the 2020s

In the world of programming and web development, choosing the right code editor is just as important as writing quality code. With countless text editors and Integrated Development Environments (IDEs) available today, finding the perfect one can be a daunting task. So, I set out on a mission to try 10 different code editors and IDEs to help you decide which one is best for you. In this post, we'll discuss the pros and cons of each and how these tools have evolved over time.

Before we dive in, let's take a moment to be grateful for the modern conveniences like undo, find and replace, copy and paste – features that may seem ordinary but were actually revolutionary in the 1960s. Back then, programmers used punch cards, and one wrong keystroke meant starting over from scratch. Thanks for the computer screen and visual terminal, we now have tools like vi and Apple's Macintosh.

*Fun Fact:* On September 9, 1947, Grace Hopper discovered the first official computer bug – a moth that found its way onto the number 70 relay of the Harvard Mark II Aiken Relay Calculator. Nowadays, programmers create their own bugs, but this wouldn't be possible without the help of modern code editors.

Without further ado, let's dive into the code editors I tried and their features.

1. Vi

Vi editor is one of the oldest, written by Bill Joy in 1976. It's a standard tool on most Linux distributions, with a keyboard-based interface (since the mouse wasn't mainstream until Apple's Macintosh in 1984).

Pros:

- Pre-installed on most Linux distros.

- Excellent lightweight option.

- Fans of terminal-based tools will appreciate it.

- Offers powerful keyboard shortcuts and commands.

Cons:

- Not beginner-friendly.

- No graphical user interface (GUI).

2. Vim

Vim, short for Vi-Improved, is an upgraded version of Vi featuring more options and features while still keeping a command-line interface.

Pros:

- More feature-rich than Vi.

- High customizability.

- Extensive plugin ecosystem.

- Open-source and actively maintained.

Cons:

- Steeper learning curve than most modern code editors.

- No GUI

3. Emacs

Emacs is another classic, highly extensible and customizable code editor that's been around since the 1970s.

Pros:

- Extremely powerful and versatile.

- Large community and plugin support.

- Excellent for keyboard-oriented users.

Cons:

- Complex and can be overwhelming for beginners.

- Can be resource-intensive.

4. Sublime Text

Sublime Text is a modern and lightweight code editor known for its speed, ease of use, and customization options.

Pros:

- Lightning-fast and lightweight.

- Plethora of useful plugins and community-built packages.

- Multi-caret editing and simultaneous editing.

- Cross-platform support (Linux, Windows, macOS).

Cons:

- Proprietary software, requires a paid license.

5. Atom

Atom is an open-source text editor developed by GitHub, offering excellent integration with Git and other modern features out of the box.

Pros:

- Highly customizable.

- Integrated package manager.

- Extensive plugin ecosystem.

- Real-time collaboration on code through Teletype.

Cons:

- Performance can lag with larger projects.

6. Visual Studio Code (VSCode)

VSCode, developed by Microsoft, is an extremely popular and feature-rich code editor that supports numerous programming languages and platforms.

Pros:

- Excellent support for popular languages and frameworks.

- Extensive range of plugins.

- Integrated Git support.

- Intuitive GUI and user-friendly.

Cons:

- Can be resource-intensive compared to other lightweight editors.

7. TextMate

TextMate, a macOS exclusive code editor, provides a simple interface with powerful features, making it appealing to Mac users.

Pros:

- Lightweight and fast.

- Good performance on macOS.

- Highly customizable and extensible.

- Supports macOS system integration features.

Cons:

- Limited to macOS users.

8. IntelliJ IDEA

IntelliJ IDEA is a powerful IDE primarily designed for Java but supports numerous other languages and boasts numerous plugins and integrations.

Pros:

- Excellent support for Java and JVM languages.

- Smart code completion and analysis.

- Integrates with popular build tools, version control systems, and frameworks.

Cons:

- Requires a paid subscription for full features.

- Can be resource-intensive.

9. Eclipse

Eclipse is a popular, open-source IDE for Java development, with support for many other languages and platforms through plugins.

Pros:

- Highly extensible and customizable.

- Good support for Java development.

- Wide range of plugins available.

Cons:

- Slower and more resource-intensive compared to IntelliJ IDEA.

- Clunkier GUI than IntelliJ IDEA.

10. Cloud9

Cloud9 is a cloud-based IDE owned by Amazon Web Services, which allows developers to write, run, and debug their code directly within a browser.

Pros:

- Cloud-based - no need for local installation.

- Integrates with AWS services.

- Collaborative development environment.

- Language-specific templates and easy environment setup.

Cons:

- Subscription-based pricing.

- Requires an internet connection to operate.

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Choosing the right code editor ultimately depends on your personal preferences, budget, and specific programming languages or frameworks. However, by trying out a range of options – from command-line editors to cloud-based IDEs – you'll be better informed to make the perfect choice that suits your needs.

If you're interested in upgrading your web design skills and learning about modern tools, consider joining us at https://livelearning.editorx.io/editor-x-tv. We offer monthly NoCode Design Challenges with prizes and mentorship to help you push your design business and further your career. Don't hesitate to join our community today!