What are the best programming text editors?
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Join our communityA text editor is a program that is used for the purpose of editing plain text files. In the context of this question, a programming text editor is used for writing code and has features that help developers with their tasks, such as auto-indentation or automatic code formatting.
Text editors are often mixed up with Integrated Development Environments (IDE) so it’s important to make the distinction.
Wikipedia defines an IDE as:
An integrated development environment (IDE) is a software application that provides comprehensive facilities tocomputer programmers for software development. An IDE normally consists of a source code editor, build automation tools and a debugger. Most modern IDEs have intelligent code completion.
In other words, an IDE is a tool that is not only used for writing code. It can also compile and debug it. Usually IDEs are specialized in a single language or platform. For example, there can be IDEs for Python, PHP, JavaScript or even for Android Development.
On the other hand, a text editor has a broader approach, being able to edit any programming language instead of specializing only in one. Text editors are usually able to only write and edit codes but most of them have the ability to be extended by plugins which help developers with things from code completion, to debugging, to automatically formatting their code.
When choosing a text editor one should keep in mind the number of plugins available and their availability. This is important because good plugins increase productivity and development speed considerably.
Some text editors are very fast and minimalistic and portable but still extendable, others are larger, take more memory and are generally slower but have more features out-of-the-box.
The best 2 for most people
Powered by 3486 community recommendations on 61 options and the Slant algorithm.
Pro Lightweight and fast
When compared to modern graphical editors like Atom and Brackets (which have underlying HTML5 engines, browsers, Node, etc.), Vim uses a sliver of the system's memory and it loads instantly, all the while delivering the same features. Vim is also faster than Emacs.
Pro Works in terminal over SSH
Unlike other editors such as Sublime Text, Vim is a command line editor and hence can be used in remote development environments like Chromebooks via SSH.
Pro Free and open-source software
Vim is open-source, GPL-compatible charityware.
Con Difficult learning curve
You'll spend a lot of time learning all the commands and modes supported in Vim. You'll then spend more time tuning settings to your needs. Although once it's tuned to your needs, you can take your .vimrc to any machine you need and have the same experience across all your computers.
Con Poor feature discoverability
Though basic features like syntax checking, autocompletion, and file management are all available out of the box or with minimal configuration, this is not obvious to new users, who might get intimidated or assume they need to install complex plugins just so they can have this functionality. Other...
Con Poor support for external tooling
Many plugins depend on optional Python and Lua features, which may or may not be included in whatever binaries are available for your system. And without platform-specific hacks, it is difficult for plugins to operate in the background or use external tooling.
Pro Still Vim but with upgraded features and some issues fixed
NeoVim was a complete rewrite of Vim, with new features added and underlying issues resolved thanks to the Vim code base. The keybindings and configuration are the same as Vim, so the switch can be pretty simple.
Pro Better integration with external tools
The core text editor is "headless", meaning it's detached from the user-interface so other programs can hook into it. This enables better integration with IDEs and browsers, where "Vim mode" has typically been a poor substitute because it was a partial rewrite or a partial p...
Pro Powerful plugin model
Vim plugins have always been useful, but tied to specific languages. Neovim's architecture provides better separation between plugins and the core product, so that plugins are completely flexible and can be written in any language.
Con Limited cross platform support
Neovim is not available for many legacy platforms. The Windows version is currently considered experimental.
Con No stable release yet
As of yet, Neovim is in an unstable point in it's development. There is no stable release and using it for the moment should be done with caution as many features may change in the future.
3486 Community Recommendations
+2K
Recommend your favorite options here
Vim
Recommended 22 days ago by Elias
Vim is the daddy. Started using it as my main/only editor just over a year ago, can't imagine me ever going back to anything else
Pro
Extremely portablePro
Once learned, it's very hard to forgetPro
Keyboard-based, mouse-free interface, and trackpad supportPro
Macros increase productivityPro
Amazing extensibilityPro
Works in terminal over SSHPro
Free and open-source softwarePro
Tons of plugins/add-onsPro
Lightweight and fastPro
Has multiple distinct editing modesPro
Great productivityPro
Usable from a Terminal or with a GUI (GVim, MacVim)Pro
Excellent performancePro
Can never outgrow itPro
Productivity enhancing modal paradigmPro
Vim encourages discipline
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Atom
Recommended 9 days ago by Peter
Atom still has some growing pains to overcome, and I do still return to Sublime Text for certain use cases, but my commitment to open source solutions buoys my patience. Bugs and issues are disappearing on a monthly basis, regularly revealing a versatile, imaginative platform for coding projects of all but t...
Pro
Free and open sourcePro
Extensive list of packagesCon
SlowPro
MultiplatformPro
Built-in package managementPro
Embedded Git controlPro
Multi-line select and editPro
Command line integration out of the boxPro
ExtendablePro
Command Palette supportPro
Allows for instant file switchingPro
HiDPI supportCon
Missing additional touchesPro
Beginner friendlyCon
Has difficulty with large text filesCon
High memory usagePro
ThemesCon
Very slow startup timePro
Modern feel and very customizable and extendableCon
Slows down exponentially with plugins
Spacemacs
Recommended 9 days ago by TruthfulAequitas
Very nice support for exotic languages, amazing amount of working modes for every possible task. Works out of the box.
Pro
Simple but powerful configuration architecturePro
Gradual learning curvePro
Above average documentation qualityPro
Fast-paced developmentPro
Combines the best parts of Vi and EmacsPro
Cross-platformPro
Completely configured out of the boxPro
Can be controlled fully with the keyboardPro
Can work in terminal mode
Visual Studio Code
Recommended 23 days ago by Anton
Although this is so similar to Atom, I feel like there are just subtle differences that fit my cross-platform workflow a little nicer. Hotkey terminal pane, as well as integrated Git are quite nice to have out of the box.
Pro
Integrated debugging toolsPro
Embedded Git controlPro
Relatively fastPro
Markdown edit live previewPro
Extension supportPro
Integrated terminalPro
Cross platform built on ElectronVisual Studio Code
Recommended 2 months ago by Alex
Dest editor or even small IDE for Software developing. Intellisense is really cool feature. Love it.
Pro
Typescript Definition support for JavascriptPro
Open sourcePro
Intellisense
Sublime Text
Recommended 2 months ago by WorthyPhraPhrom
As a designer I’ve found sublime text to be the most usable editor. I use it to edit html, css and JavaScript files and have loved it’s helpful formatting features. Also love how it can open a whole folder for easy access.
Pro
Beginner-friendlyPro
Easy to get startedPro
Very fastOptions Considered
Pro Extension support
There's a growing number of extensions in Visual Studio Code, including a marketplace.
Con Still bad performance like all Electron-based editors
If you have I5-6500 or better CPU, as well as fast SSD, there is nothing to worry about. But if your hardware is a little different and somewhat worse, editing will be made difficult by freezes, lags, and slow issues. Performance of VSCode is much better in comparison to that of Atom; but still VSC...
Pro Comfortable to work with
Sublime Text has a minimap on the side that provides a top-down view of the file and keyboard shortcuts for most actions. It also supports a large number of languages and general text editing features out of the box.
Con Proprietary
Sublime Text protects and copyrights its code and is thus not the freedom-ware some would like it to be.
Pro Simple but powerful configuration architecture
At the heart of Spacemacs, the configuration layers group packages configuration into semantic units that can be toggled on and off. The architecture is simple but powerful, allowing the user to easily manage configuration dependencies between hundreds of packages.
Con Can be quite glitchy at times
Spacemacs combines many packages from many different authors that were never designed to work together. Sometimes they interact in unexpected ways, and things randomly break as one package interferes with another's features. This combined with delayed auto-loading of packages in unpredictable o...
Pro Extensive list of packages
Atom has a built-in package manager and an extensive list of packages. Packages are written in CoffeeScript.
Con Very slow startup time
Atom is very slow to startup, which is a big disadvantage if you are accustomed to using it to make quick changes on your files.
Pro Light and fast
Geany is very lightweight thanks to the smaller offering of features.
Con Not many third-party plugins
Geany is not as popular as some other text editors with plugin support. As such it's understandable that it's missing lots of powerful plugins available in other editors.
Pro Keyboard-focused, mouse-free editing
Emacs can be controlled entirely with the keyboard.
Con Learning curve is long
While it's better than it used to be, with most functions being possible through the menu, Emacs is still quite a bit different from your standard editor. You'll need to learn new keyboard shortcuts.
Pro Syntax highlighting
Kate supports syntax highlighting for over 180 languages, from Assembler to Zsh
Con Hard to install
Kate can be a little hard to install and configure, especially for beginners.
Pro Lots of plugins
Every plugin available for Vim is available for MacVim too.
Con Slow when opening files with very long lines
A lot of very long lines can make MacVim take up to a minute to open, where a few other editors take only a few seconds to load the same file.
Pro Built-in browser live-updating
Brackets will automatically refresh the browser and load the latest saved version of a file open in the browser. This works with php as well. Editing a css will even highlight the tag that's currently being worked on. However, it only works with Chrome.
Con Still missing some elementary text editor commands
Some gaps have to be filled by plugins, while these features should be built in. For example: Jump to matching brace (bracket / parenthesis); Gutter selection of lines; Recall previous searches / replacements; Autofill of search field with text under caret (text has to be selected...
Pro Flexible
It's property files allow for fine tweaks of its behavior, at a global or per language / project level. These textual settings might be confusing for those used to preference dialogs, but prove to be powerful, flexible, and fine grained.
Con Hard to config
The configuration is mainly a file-based config, which can be unintuitive and difficult to use for new users.
Pro Sane default settings but heavily customizable
Common key bindings as used from Windows, macOS or linux desctop environments, but can be changed to personal needs
Know any negative aspects of this option?
Pro Syntax highlighting for a wide variety of languages
Notepad++ has built-in support for syntax highlighting for a wide selection of programming languages.
Con Windows-only
While it can run in Wine, it is native only to Windows.
Pro Integrated code quality tools
WebStorm comes bundled with JSHint and JSLint. JSCS, ESLint, and Closure Linter can be installed via npm. They register as inspections and are customizable through IDE settings. They run automatically and will highlight potential issues. Pressing alt+enter on an issue will allow the user to view su...
Con Occasional slow performance
WebStorm can sometimes choke all cores of the CPU. There are numerous reports of high CPU usage.
Pro Plugins allow for added functionality and customization
There are tons of plugins for productivity available in many different workflows, such as a dictation plugin, an encryption add-on, a whitespace remover, and more.
Con Not a lot of features
Gedit is a text editor. Though it's simple and fast, it misses a lot of features, most notably auto-complete for several languages.
Pro Easy to use
Howl is very intuitive and easy to use.
Con Lack of Lua examples
Although Howl can be extended in both Lua and MoonScript, almost all bundles are written in MoonScript. This means that it is a bit harder to find examples if you'd rather write your bundle in Lua. MoonScript can be compiled to Lua but the code won't be as clean and understandable as if it...
Pro Extensible
TextMate has an extensive library of plugins which can be further extended to make it even more powerful.
Con OS X only
TextMate is for OSX only.
Pro No need to re-compile the whole source file
With Light Table's inline valuation you don't have to re-compile your whole source file each time you want to see an output. All you have to do is hover your cursor over the line you'd like to evaluate and press ctrl+enter; Light Table will evaluate that line of code for you.
Con Supports limited programming languages for debugging purposes
Currently LT only supports Clojure, JS, and Python for testing or debugging (namely the Watches feature).
Pro Good UNIX citizen
It follows the UNIX philosophy by doing one thing well (text editing) and interfaces nicely with other CLI tools.
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