Alexandra Oyoh Alison

Posted on Aug 7, 2023

Which Code Editor Is Best To Use in 2023? A Beginnerʼs Guide.

#webdev #web #code #beginners

Choosing the right code editing tool is essential for all developers, from beginners to experienced developers. Code editors are essential tools for making the coding process easier, more error free, and more productive.

Some of the features of code editors include;

• Syntax highlighting

• Code completion

• Error checking

• Debugging

• Customizability

• Performance

In this article, Iʼll discuss the best code editor to use as a beginner. But first, letʼs define a code editor.

What is a Code Editor?

A code editor is a software application used by programmers and developers to create and edit source code for computer programs. It provides a user interface that allows developers to write, edit, and manage code, as well as to preview the outcome of the code.

Code Editor Evolution

Since the 1950s, Code editors have evolved, with punch cards replacing paper tapes and magnetic tape in the 1960s, text editors like Emacs and VI in the 1970s, integrated environments (IDEs) in the 1980s and 1990s, graphical user interfaces (GUIs) in the 2000s, web based code editors in the 2010s, and Visual Studio Code and Atom in recent years. Code editors were invented because of the need for software developers to have efficient and effective tools to write, edit and manage code.

Is A Code Editor The Same As A Text Editor?

A code editor is a type of text editor, specifically designed for writing and editing source code. While a text editor is a more general purpose tool for editing plain text, a code editor goes the extra mile- it provides additional features and functionality that are specifically tailored to programming and development.

Features of a Good Code Editor

For a code editor to termed good, it must posses a wide range of unique features and functionalities that make writing and editing code easier and effective.

Here are some features of a good code editor;

Syntax highlighting:

Syntax highlighting makes your code easier to read and understand by highlighting different parts of your codes in different colors.

Code Completion:

This feature suggests code completion as you type. Thereby saving you time and reducing errors.

Debugging:

This feature is a must-have for a good code editor. It makes it easy to identify and fix errors in your code.

Customizability:

A good code editor should enable you to customize the look and feel of the editor, including themes, keyboard shortcuts, and plugins.

Performance:

A good code editor should be fast and responsive even when handling large or complex code files.

Types of Code Editors

There are several types of code editors, each with its own peculiarities, unique features and functionalities.

Here are 4 of the most common types:

Text editors:

As earlier reiterated, text editors are basic code editors, mainly used for creating and editing plain textfiles.
Examples include; Notepad, Atom, Sublime Text.

IDEs (Integrated Development Environments):

Unlike text editors, this editor is comprehensive; it includes a wide range of tools and features for developing and debugging software applications. Examples include: Visual Code, Eclipse, and IntelliJIDEA.

Lightweight Code Editors:

As the name implies, these code editors are designed to be fast and lightweight, with minimal features and functionality. Examples include Nano, Vim, and Emacs.

Collaborative Code Editors:

These type of code editors allow developers to work on the same code base simultaneously, with collaboration features such as, chat, live editing, and version control.

Examples include; Google docs, CodePen, Projects, and GitHub code spaces.

These are just some of the many types of code editors available to developers today.

Which Code Editor is The Best To Use in 2023?

There are several popular and highly recommended code editors that are widely usedby developers in 2023, they include;

Visual Studio Code

This code editor was developed by Microsoft to make coding easier for developers all around the world. Visual studio editor is a free and open source editor with a wide range of features, including Syntax, highlighting, code completion, debugging tools. It is available for download on different platform, such as, Linux, macOs, and Windows operating systems.

Atom

Developed by Github, Atom is a free and open source editor which offers many customizable features, including Syntax highlighting, code completion, and integration With GitHub. It is also available for download on Windows, Linux, and macOs.

Emacs

This code editor is highly customizable, extensible and powerful. The editor has been around for decades. The free and open source software can be used for a wide range of tasks, including software development. Emacs is available for download on several operating systems, such as, GNU/Linux , macOs, FreeBSD, NetBSD, OpenBSD, MsWindows and Solaris.

Sublime Text:

Sublime Text is a popular source code editor with unique features and minimalistic design. The features include multiple cursors, code folding, and easy navigation. However, it requires a license for to proceed further. Sublime Text is available for download on macOs, Linux, and Windows operating systems.

Conclusion

In the end, the type of code editor you choose largely depends on your personal preferences, programming needs, and the unique features and integrations that are most important to you as a developer. It is best to try your hands on the different types of code editorsto figure out what works best for you.

Thanks so much for reading!