If you are a coder or programmer then your code editor is your home, a place where you spend lots of the time doing your favorite work. Though there are lots of code editors available in the market, you should choose a simple and also functional code editor of your comfort. It doesn’t matter whether you’re coding on a Linux, Mac, or Windows PC, a good code editor always gives you the same experience more or less.
What is a Code Editor?
A code editor is a tool that developers use to help them write code more efficiently. It is a standalone program where the developer can enter their code. Color-coded syntax highlighting, automatic indentation, error checking, auto-complete with suggested code, and code snippets are some of the capabilities available in code editors. They also help the Developer navigate code files and resources. Furthermore, they frequently allow for additional functionality via the use of extensions.
Top 10 Code Editors in 2024
The best code editors may significantly improve your productivity and workflow. The best code editors have a fast, versatile interface that allows you to write code more efficiently, as well as tools to assist you review code for errors and see where adjustments are required. They are also easily customizable, allowing you to construct the UI and user experience that you want. So, if you are looking for the best code editors below there’s a list of some most popular text editors for coding.
1. Visual Studio Code
Visual Studio Code is a free open-source, cross-platformed, and lightweight code editor from Microsoft which is very popular among developers. It provides smart completions based on variable types, function definitions, and imported modules which goes beyond syntax highlighting and autocomplete with smart IntelliSense.
- Work with Git and other SCM providers with Built-in Git support,
- Easy debugging of code right from the editor with an interactive console,
- Built-in extension manager with lots of available extensions to download,
- Supports a huge number of programming languages,
- Integrated terminal and custom snippet support.
2. Sublime Text
Sublime Text is a beautiful and sophisticated feature-rich text editor that gives you a premium experience during coding, editing code, markup, and prose experience. This cross-platform and open-source code was editor built from custom components, which provides unmatched responsiveness and syntax highlighting engine and sets the bar for performance.
- Open files with only a few keystrokes, and instantly jump to symbols, lines, or words with Go to Anything.
- Allows you to interactively change many lines at once, renaming variables and manipulating files faster than ever with Multiple selections.
- Provides Powerful Python API and simple access to thousands of useful Packages.
- Customize just anything like menus, snippets, macros, and completions with simple JSON files.
- Edit files side by side, or edit two locations in the one file, Edit with as many rows and columns as you wish with split editing support.
- Switch between projects instantly with no save prompts, and all modifications are restored till the project is reopened.
3. PyCharm from JetBrains
PyCharm is an Integrated Development Environment (IDE) with extensive features to enhance code control. The inspections, and refactoring help to verify that your code is clean and free of errors. The program supports a variety of frameworks and allows for remote web creation. Key features of PyCharm from JetBrains are
- Built-in development tools, like as debuggers, allow you to alter code and identify bugs before they become problems.
- Use the built-in test runners to evaluate changes all in one place.
- Cross-platform technology supports a variety of languages, including SQL, Ruby on Rails, Cython, and markup.
- The intelligent support automates code refactoring, error highlighting, and rich navigation.
- One downside of PyCharm from JetBrains is the paid version might be costly, which limits its utility for smaller businesses.
- The application is resource-intensive in terms of memory and storage.
4. ATOM
It is a hackable, modern, and sleek-looking open-source editor of the 21st century for programmers, developed by GitHub. It became popular even before its first stable release for its excellent list of features. It works with Git and GitHub directly with the help of the GitHub package, so you can create new branches, stage and commit, push and pull, and do all the git operations from within your editor.
- Cross-platform, It works across any operating system, like MacOS, Windows, or Linux.
- Faster and smoother coding experience with a smart and flexible autocomplete
- Search and install new packages or create your own with the built-in package manager.
- Easily customize and style the UI with CSS, and add major features with HTML and JavaScript.
- Split the interface into multiple panes to easily compare and edit code.
5. IntelliJ IDEA
IntelliJ IDEA is a Java and Kotlin IDE that allows you to code collaboratively and remotely with your complete team in a simplified workspace. This application is more than simply a text editor; it is intended to streamline the entire coding process, from design and undertaking to testing and deployment. Key features of IntelliJ IDEA are
- The IDE offers a simple, user-friendly interface that may be customized to meet specific needs.
- IntelliJ IDEA is available on Windows, macOS, and Linux.
- IntelliJ IDEA offers a large selection of plugins, which allow developers to enhance the IDE’s functionality.
- The IDE offers intelligent suggestions and rapid corrections to make coding faster and more effective.
- IntelliJ IDEA includes features that increase productivity, such as smart code completion, on-the-fly mistake detection, and powerful refactoring tools.
6. Vim
Vim is also referred to as vi. The text editor supports hundreds of programming languages. It is compatible with both UNIX and MacOS. It makes it easier to record macros. It also supports search and replacement. It is available for free. It offers a spelling check. It has minimal IDE functionality. Key features of Vim
- Vim offers a large number of plugins that allow employees to personalize their workspace according to their needs and preferences.
- Vim is command-centric. You can execute sophisticated text-related tasks with a few commands.
- Vim is very memory efficient.
- Vim is very configurable and uses a simple text file to store its settings.
- Vim supports multiple windows. Using this capability, the screen can be divided into many windows.
7. Espresso
Espresso is a flexible Mac code editor that allows you to create custom code snippets, edit multiple files, and work in tabbed workspaces. There are many of plugin extensions and syntax themes available to assist you add functionality to the program while also improving its look and feel. CSS editing tools are also accessible. Key features
- Real-time previews of your web projects are available, as well as an X-ray function for reviewing and modifying layouts while in preview.
- Supports a variety of web languages with features such as code folding and syntax highlighting, which improve readability and organization.
- Contains advanced CSS editing capabilities, such as visual navigation and dynamic styling with live editing.
- File management, FTP/SFTP publishing, and project management are all seamlessly integrated into a streamlined interface.
- One downside of it is that it doesn’t have a cross-platform testing feature.
8. Apache NetBeans
Apache NetBeans is a free open-source Java IDE that includes a variety of tools to help with development efficiency. Smart code completion is also included in Apache NetBeans, which automatically recommends possible code fragments to help fill in gaps. Key features are
- A vast range of editing tools lets users edit from simple to complex projects.
- Apache Netbeans is used by an active community of developers hence if you are stuck somewhere you will find help for sure.
- Apache Netbeans is cross-platform support means this tool is suitable for Java applications including Microsoft Windows, Linux, Mac OS, etc.
- Apache Netbeans is free to use and open-sourced.
9. Notepad++
A free, open-source, and super fast source code editor written in C++ which ensures a higher execution speed and smaller program size with pure Win32 API and STL support. It is not cross-platformed and runs only in Windows using a GPL License, a more robust version of the Windows Notepad software. It supports syntax highlighting and has auto-completion for words and functions. Key features of Notepad are
- Super lightweight with small download and program size
- Entirely Customizable GUI
- Supports Plugin to extend functionality,
- Multi-view option and Multiple Language support
- User-defined Syntax highlighting with Macro recording and playback.
10. Brackets
A free open-source text editor that understands web design by allowing you to toggle between your code and the browser view has become very popular among web designers and front-end developers. It is a lightweight yet powerful modern text editor written in JavaScript that makes UI design super simple. It has focused visual tools and preprocessor support.
- Real-time visualization with a connection to your browser.
- Inline editing instead of jumping between file tabs.
- Quick Edit and Live Highlight with Preprocessor Support.
- High-speed HTML and CSS workflow with the popular Emmet Extension.
- Cross-platform and git support with Brackets-Git.
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Conclusion
Whatever code editor you choose, make sure to seek out crucial features like a built-in package manager, find and replace, and syntax highlighting. You can use any one of these most popular code editors for software development, depending on your own comfort. Different editors have different unique functionality, so choose your editor depending on your project requirements. Now you are well aware of the best code editors. Go ahead and write some code in your code editor of choice.