VSCode vs JetBrains IDEs vs Vim

VSCode vs JetBrains IDEs vs Vim

VSCode, JetBrains IDEs, and Vim are three of the most popular code editors in use today. Each has its own strengths and weaknesses, and the best choice for you will depend on your specific needs and preferences.

Introduction

VSCode, JetBrains IDEs, and Vim are three of the most popular code editors in use today. Each has its own strengths and weaknesses, and the best choice for you will depend on your specific needs and preferences.

VSCode is a lightweight and easy-to-use code editor that is well-suited for beginners. It supports a wide range of programming languages and frameworks, and it has a large community of users and developers who create and maintain extensions that add new features and functionality.

  • Easy to use, even for beginners
  • Wide range of extensions available, including many for beginners
  • Supports a variety of programming languages and frameworks
  • Syntax highlighting, code completion, debugging, refactoring
  • Integrated terminal
  • Free and open-source

JetBrains IDEs are a suite of code editors and integrated development environments (IDEs) that are designed for specific programming languages and frameworks. JetBrains IDEs offer a wide range of features, including syntax highlighting, code completion, debugging, refactoring, and integrations with other JetBrains IDEs.

  • Wide range of features, including syntax highlighting, code completion, debugging, refactoring, and integrations with other JetBrains IDEs
  • Designed for specific programming languages and frameworks, such as IntelliJ IDEA for Java and PyCharm for Python
  • More powerful than VSCode, but also more complex
  • Can be expensive

Vim is a modal-based text editor that is known for its powerful customization options and keyboard-centric workflow. Vim is a popular choice for experienced developers, but it can be difficult to learn for beginners.

  • Modal editing, which means that different keys have different functions depending on the mode
  • Keyboard-centric workflow
  • Highly customizable
  • Many plugins available, including many for beginners
  • Free and open-source

Features

Here is a more detailed comparison of the features of VSCode, JetBrains IDEs, and Vim:

Feature

VSCode

JetBrains IDEs

Vim

Syntax highlighting

Yes

Yes

Yes

Code completion

Yes

Yes

Yes

Debugging

Yes

Yes

Yes

Refactoring

Yes

Yes

Yes

Integrated terminal

Yes

Yes

No

Integrated build and deployment tools

No

Yes

No

Side-by-side editing

Yes

Yes

No

Package manager

Yes

No

Yes

Customization

Good

Excellent

Excellent

Price

Free and open-source

Paid

Free and open-source

Additional Questions

Which one is best for beginners?

If you are a beginner, I recommend VSCode. It is easy to use and has a wide range of extensions available, including many for beginners. It also supports a variety of programming languages and frameworks, so you can use it for a variety of projects.

When to use JetBrains IDEs

JetBrains IDEs are a good choice if you are working on a project in a specific programming language or framework, such as Java or Python. They offer a wide range of features that can help you write code more quickly and accurately. However, they can be more complex to use than VSCode, and they can be expensive.

When to use Vim

Vim is a good choice if you want a highly customizable code editor. It also has a number of plugins available, including many for beginners. However, it can be difficult to learn to use, and it is not as well-suited for beginners as VSCode.

Ease of use

VSCode is the easiest to learn and use of the three code editors. It has a clean and intuitive user interface, and it provides a variety of features that make it easy to get started with coding.

JetBrains IDEs are more complex than VSCode, but they offer a wider range of features. JetBrains IDEs can be a bit overwhelming for beginners, but they are a good choice for developers who need a powerful and feature-rich code editor.

Vim is the most difficult to learn and use of the three code editors. It has a modal-based workflow that requires users to learn a new set of commands for each task. Vim is a good choice for experienced developers who want a highly customizable code editor, but it is not recommended for beginners.

Which one is right for you?

If you are a beginner, I recommend starting with VSCode. It is easy to learn and use, and it has a wide range of features that can help you get started with coding.

If you are an experienced developer, you may want to consider a JetBrains IDE or Vim. JetBrains IDEs offer a wide range of features that can help you write code more quickly and accurately. Vim is a good choice for developers who want a highly customizable code editor.

Conclusion

The best code editor for you depends on your specific needs and preferences. If you are a beginner, I recommend VSCode. It is easy to use and has a wide range of features. If you are working on a project in a specific programming language or framework, you may want to consider a JetBrains IDE. If you want a highly customizable code editor, you may want to consider Vim.

# Details

Published on January 31, 2024 4 min read

Programming