Code editors and IDEs for web developers and programmers

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What is a code editor?

A code editor is one of the most important tools in the arsenal of any web developer or programmer. It provides an environment for writing, editing, and organizing code, and its functionality can significantly increase productivity and ease of use. There are many code editors on the market, both paid and free to use, each with its own features, advantages, and disadvantages. In this article, we will review the most popular code editors in use today, provide links to their official websites, and briefly describe their key features and areas of application.

Code editors help developers write, edit, and debug code.

Key features of a quality code editor:

• Syntax Highlighting: Differentiate keywords, variables, operators, and other code elements with different colors for easier reading and understanding.
• Code Completion (IntelliSense): Suggest code completion options as you type, which significantly speeds up the writing process and reduces errors.
• Real-time syntax checking (linter): Detect potential errors and stylistic inconsistencies directly while writing code.
• Refactoring: Tools for safely renaming variables, functions, classes, and other code elements.
• Search and Replace: Powerful capabilities for finding and replacing text in one or more files.
• Multi-language support: Ability to correctly handle the syntax of different languages.
• Extensibility: Ability to install plugins and extensions to add new functionality.
• Integration with version control systems (e.g., Git): Convenient work with repositories directly from the editor.
• Multi-platform: Availability on different operating systems (Windows, macOS, Linux).

The most popular code editors (paid and free):

Notepad++

Notepad++ is a free text editor for Windows that supports a wide range of programming languages. It is lightweight, fast, and supports syntax highlighting for many programming languages. It is a great option for quickly working with code due to its simplicity and ease of use. Although it does not have the same features as more powerful editors such as VS Code, Notepad++ is suitable for quickly editing small scripts or configuration files. This code editor offers many useful features such as tabs, search and replace, macros, and plugin support.

Notepad++ is popular among system administrators and those who need a simple but functional text editor with syntax highlighting. It is often used as the first editor for beginners, as well as for teaching coding in educational institutions.

 ↓ You can download Notepad++ from the official website.

SublimeText

SublimeText is a fast and elegant code editor with support for various programming languages. It has a user-friendly interface and supports plugins to extend functionality. SublimeText is free to use, but after a certain amount of time working with the editor, a request appears to purchase a license. It is often used by developers who value high speed and efficiency in their work, especially in areas such as web development and scripting languages. Its ease and powerful editing capabilities make it attractive for working with large amounts of code.

 ↓ You can download SublimeText from the official website.

Atom

Atom is a code editor developed by GitHub. It is a free and open-source editor that allows users to customize almost every aspect of its functionality. Atom supports various programming languages, as well as HTML, CSS, and others. It was previously especially popular among web developers and the open-source community, and is ideal for working with Git repositories thanks to its integration with GitHub.

Note: Atom is no longer supported and archived as of December 15, 2022. It is recommended to switch to other editors, such as VS Code, which was developed by many of the same people.

 ↓ You can download Atom from the official website.

Pulsar

Pulsar is a community-based, open-source code editor that originated as a fork of the discontinued Atom editor. It retains the idea of ​​being “hyper-hackable” — i.e. deeply customizable by the user — and continues to develop the Atom package/theme ecosystem. The initiative emerged after the announcement of the closure of Atom in 2022; Pulsar is a community-led fork (community project), organized under the pulsar-edit organization/group on GitHub. The project started in late 2022 — and has been supported by many contributors since then.

Pulsar is built on Electron and written primarily in JavaScript (there are also Less, CoffeeScript, and Tree-sitter query files in the repository). That is, it is a “web-technological” desktop application (HTML/CSS/JS).

Pulsar runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux. It is used as a text editor and as an IDE-like environment: it has integration with language servers (autocomplete, navigation), a built-in package system, Git integration, a multi-panel interface, etc.

Pulsar itself is a universal editor: syntax/language support comes through packages/plugins (as it was in Atom). There are packages for dozens of languages ​​(JavaScript/TypeScript, Python, PHP, Ruby, Go, Rust, etc.), as well as themes, snippets, linters, integration with debuggers, etc. That is, it is suitable for almost any code - it depends on the availability of the package.

 ↓ You can download Pulsar from the official website.

Brackets

Brackets — a free code editor from Adobe, aimed at web developers. It is especially suitable for working with HTML, CSS and JavaScript, has integration with Live Preview, which allows you to instantly see changes in the browser while editing HTML and CSS) and supports CSS editing directly from HTML. Brackets also supports plugins to extend functionality. It is often used by web developers working on creating websites and web applications.

Attention: Adobe has discontinued support for Brackets since September 1, 2021. It is recommended to switch to other editors.

 ↓ You can download Brackets from the official website.

Phoenix Code

Phoenix Code is a text editor designed to make coding as easy and fun as playing a video game. It is specifically designed for web developers, designers, and students. Phoenix Code's advanced visual tools and live previews take the guesswork out of web development, making web development faster and more enjoyable.

Phoenix Code is available for macOS, Windows, Linux, and ChromeOS. It also has a web app that can be used on any device with a browser.

Phoenix Code is a direct extension and successor to the Brackets code editor. Phoenix Code is a newer, more modern editor that has general programming features, including support for multiple programming languages. It may be less web-specific than Brackets, but it still focuses on improving developer productivity and supporting a variety of tools.

 ↓ You can download Phoenix Code from the official website.

Visual Studio Code (VS Code)

Visual Studio Code (VS Code) — a free, powerful and very popular code editor developed by Microsoft. It is distinguished by its speed, flexibility and a huge number of available extensions that add support for various programming languages, tools and integrations. VS Code has a built-in terminal, powerful debugging tools, Git support and much more.

Extremely popular among web developers (Front-end and Back-end), developers in Node.js, Python, Java, C++, C# and many other languages. Its versatility and large ecosystem of extensions make it suitable for a wide range of tasks. Suitable for both beginners and experienced programmers.

 ↓ You can download Visual Studio Code (VS Code) from the official website.

Eclipse (IDE)

Eclipse — is a free, open-source integrated development environment (IDE) used primarily for Java development. However, due to its plugin-oriented architecture, Eclipse supports a wide range of programming languages, including C/C++, Python, PHP, JavaScript, and others, through the installation of appropriate plugins.

Eclipse has historically been and remains very popular among Java developers for creating a variety of Java applications: from desktop applications to web services and Android development (although for Android Studio it is a more specialized tool).

Eclipse is particularly well suited for working with large and complex projects due to its structured nature and powerful code navigation and organization tools. Available for Windows, macOS, and Linux.

 ↓ You can Download Eclipse IDE from the official website.

Apache NetBeans (IDE)

Apache NetBeans is a free and open-source integrated development environment (IDE) that supports a variety of programming languages and technologies, including Java, PHP, HTML/CSS, JavaScript, and others. NetBeans was originally developed for Java, but has since added support for many other technologies.

NetBeans supports PHP and is used to build web applications and websites, especially with frameworks such as Symfony and Laravel.

NetBeans is often used in educational institutions to teach programming in Java and other languages due to its intuitiveness and ease of use.

 ↓ You can download NetBeans IDE from the official website.

Comodo IDE

Comodo IDE — (formerly known as Komodo Edit/IDE by ActiveState) is a powerful multilingual integrated development environment (IDE). There are two versions: Comodo Edit (free) and Comodo IDE (paid). Both versions offer a wide range of features for developers.

Comodo IDE supports a large number of programming languages, including Python, PHP, JavaScript, Perl, Ruby, Go, Node.js, HTML, CSS, and many others. This makes it attractive to developers who work with multiple technologies.

Comodo IDE is a convenient environment for developing programs in C and C++, including a debugging and testing system, which makes it ideal for working with low-level languages. Comodo IDE is also often used to work with popular frameworks such as Django (Python), Laravel (PHP), Ruby on Rails (Ruby), and Node.js.

 ↓ You can download Comodo IDE from the official website.

Emacs

Emacs is a powerful, extensible, and customizable text editor that is often used by programmers, writers, and system administrators. It is called the "operating system among editors" because of its numerous features and the ability to integrate with various tools (often written in Lisp). It is known for its flexibility and the ability to adapt to different needs.

Supports work with version control systems (e.g., Git), compilers, debuggers, task managers, and other tools. It also supports different modes for editing text, code (for various programming languages), Markdown, LaTeX, HTML, CSS, etc.

Emacs is available on Linux, macOS, and Windows.

 ↓ You can download Emacs from the official website.

Vim

Vim is a powerful, highly customizable text editor known for its efficiency and keyboard-oriented interface. It is an improved version of the classic Vi editor, which is available on almost every Unix-like system. Vim is often used by programmers and system administrators due to its speed, efficiency, and customization.

Vim supports syntax highlighting, autocompletion, and other features for a wide range of programming languages (C, Python, JavaScript, Ruby, etc.). Due to its lightness and efficiency, Vim works well with large text files. Vim is available on many platforms, including Linux, macOS, Windows.

 ↓ You can download Vim from the official website.

Geany

Geany is a lightweight, fast, and easy-to-use text editor with basic IDE (Integrated Development Environment) capabilities. It is designed to be small and independent of large desktop environments such as GNOME or KDE, although it integrates well with them.

Geany supports a wide range of programming and markup languages, making it convenient for writing and editing code for small to medium-sized projects. It is especially popular among those looking for a simple but functional editor without unnecessary complexity.

Geany is well suited for writing scripts in languages such as Python, Bash, Perl, etc. It can be used to edit HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, although it lacks advanced features specific to web development.

It runs on Linux, Windows, and macOS, has been translated into over 40 languages, and has built-in support for over 50 programming languages. Due to its simplicity and clear interface, Geany can be a good choice for beginners in programming.

 ↓ You can download Geany from the official website.

LightTable IDE

LightTable is an integrated development environment (IDE) that is distinguished by its concept of instant feedback. The developers sought to create an editor that would show the effect of changes to the code in real time, and the ability to interact with the program directly from the editor. Initially, the editor was focused on Clojure and ClojureScript, but later support was added for Python, JavaScript, HTML and CSS. Support for other languages is possible through a plugin system.

LightTable is ideal for those looking for an interactive editor for quick development, testing and debugging of code. It is especially useful for languages that support REPL (for example, Clojure, Python). Due to its interactivity, the editor is convenient for educational purposes and rapid prototyping.

 ↓ You can Download LightTable from the official website or from GitHub/LightTable.

MonoDevelop IDE

MonoDevelop is a free, open-source integrated development environment (IDE) based on the GTK# and Mono libraries. It is primarily focused on developing cross-platform applications, especially in C# and .NET languages. It was previously focused on the Mono platform (an open-source clone of .NET), but over time it has become a cross-platform tool for Linux, macOS, and Windows.

Basic support for C#, F#, VB.NET, C/C++. There is also support for other languages through extensions. Built-in support for Git and other tools for working with version control systems, which allows you to manage code and collaborate in a team.

 ↓ You can Download MonoDevelop from the official website.

UltraEdit

UltraEdit is a powerful text editor that has gained popularity due to its versatility and ability to work with large files. It supports many programming languages and is a great choice for developers, as it combines ease of use with powerful tools for editing and managing code.

UltraEdit supports a wide range of programming languages, such as C, C++, Java, JavaScript, HTML, CSS, PHP, Python, and many others. This makes it a versatile tool for developers.

One of the main advantages of UltraEdit is its ability to work with large text files (up to several gigabytes), which makes it ideal for processing large logs or data.

UltraEdit is a paid editor (Trial - 30 days), but offers many powerful features that make it a valuable tool for professionals who work intensively with text and code.

 ↓ You can download UltraEdit from the official website.

JetBrains IDE

JetBrains is a company known for its powerful integrated development environments (IDEs) used by programmers around the world for various programming languages. JetBrains software is characterized by flexibility, convenience, intuitive interface and rich functionality.

The main IDEs from JetBrains:

IntelliJ IDEA:

• What it's used for: Development in Java, Kotlin, Scala, Groovy and other JVM-compatible languages. The Ultimate Edition also supports JavaScript, TypeScript, Python, PHP and many other web and enterprise technologies.
• Key features: Intelligent code completion, deep code analysis, powerful refactoring tools, integration with version control systems (Git, SVN), built-in debugging tools, profiling, support for frameworks (Spring, Jakarta EE), databases, Docker, etc. It has two versions: the free Community Edition and the paid Ultimate Edition with extended functionality.
• Where to download: https://www.jetbrains.com/idea/download/.

PyCharm:

• What it's used for: Python development, including web development (Django, Flask, FastAPI), scientific computing (Jupyter Notebook support, NumPy, SciPy, Matplotlib), machine learning, etc.
• Key features: Specialized Python support, smart autocompletion, code analysis, debugging, testing, VCS integration, virtual environment support, built-in terminal, database tools, Docker, Kubernetes. Also has Community (free) and Professional (paid) versions.
• Where to download: https://www.jetbrains.com/pycharm/download/.

WebStorm:

• What is it used for: Web application development in JavaScript, TypeScript, HTML, CSS. Supports popular frameworks and libraries such as React, Angular, Vue.js, Node.js, etc.
• Key features: Intelligent JavaScript and TypeScript code editing, autocompletion, navigation, refactoring, client and server code debugging, VCS integration, CSS preprocessor support, built-in terminal, testing tools and linters. It is a paid IDE.
• Where to download: https://www.jetbrains.com/webstorm/download/.

Rider:

• What it's used for: .NET development (C#, F#, VB.NET) on Windows, macOS, and Linux. Also, great for Unity game development.
• Key features: Powerful code editor with IntelliSense support, refactoring, debugging, unit testing, code analysis. VCS integration, NuGet support, built-in terminal, special tools for Unity development. It's a paid IDE.
• Where to download: https://www.jetbrains.com/rider/download/.

PhpStorm:

• What is it used for: PHP development. Supports all major PHP frameworks (Symfony, Laravel, CodeIgniter, Yii), CMS (WordPress, Drupal, Joomla), as well as HTML, CSS, JavaScript, SQL.
• Key features: Intelligent PHP code editing, autocompletion, code analysis, refactoring, debugging, profiling, support for VCS, databases, SSH, Docker, Composer and other PHP development tools. Is a paid IDE.
• Where to download: https://www.jetbrains.com/phpstorm/download/.

GoLand:

• What it's used for: Go development.
• Key features: Specialized Go support, smart autocompletion, navigation, refactoring, debugging, testing, VCS integration, built-in profiling and database tools. It's a paid IDE.
• Where to download: https://www.jetbrains.com/go/download/

CLion:

• What it's used for: C and C++ development.
• Key features: Intelligent C/C++ code editing, C++ standards support (including C++20), CMake, debugging, code analysis, refactoring, VCS integration, GDB and LLDB support. It's a paid IDE.
• Where to download: https://www.jetbrains.com/clion/download/.

RubyMine:

• What it's used for: Ruby and Ruby on Rails development.
• Key features: Specialized Ruby support, smart editing, navigation, refactoring, debugging, Rails, Rake, Bundler support, VCS integration, testing. It's a paid IDE.
• Where to download: https://www.jetbrains.com/rubymine/download/.

General features of the JetBrains IDE:

• Intelligent code editing: Highly accurate auto-completion, syntax highlighting, real-time code analysis, quick fixes.
• Powerful navigation and search: Quickly jump to definitions, find usages, navigate files and symbols.
• Safe and convenient refactoring: Automated operations to change the code structure without losing functionality.
• Integrated development tools: Debugger, unit testing support, integration with version control systems (Git, Mercurial, SVN, etc.), built-in terminal.
• Support for many technologies and frameworks: Specialized support for different languages and their ecosystems.
• Extensibility with plugins: A large number of plugins to extend functionality IDE.
• Cross-platform: Most IDEs are available for Windows, macOS, and Linux.
• User-friendly and customizable interface: Ability to personalize the appearance and behavior of the IDE.

Most of JetBrains' paid IDEs offer a free 30-day trial. There are also special free licenses for students, teachers, and open-source projects.

For easy installation and updating of JetBrains IDEs, we recommend using the JetBrains Toolbox App, which can be downloaded from the JetBrains main website.

Android Studio IDE

Android Studio is the official integrated development environment (IDE) for the Android platform. It is specially designed by Google based on JetBrains' IntelliJ IDEA and is the primary tool for building Android applications.

Where and how to use Android Studio:

Android Studio is used exclusively for developing applications that run on the Android operating system. This includes:

• Mobile apps for smartphones and tablets.
• Android TV apps.
• Android Wear apps (smart watches).
• Android Auto apps.

Developers use Android Studio to write code (in Java or Kotlin), design the user interface (using XML), debug applications, test them, and then publish them to the Google Play Store.

Key features of Android Studio:

• Intelligent Code Editor: Provides code completion, syntax highlighting, real-time code analysis, and improvement suggestions.
• Visual Layout Editor: Allows you to create user interfaces by dragging and dropping elements or editing XML code. Offers cross-device viewing modes.
• Debugger Tools: Powerful debugger to trace code execution, set breakpoints, view variable values, and more.
• Android SDK (Software Development Kit) Integration: Provides access to all the necessary libraries and tools for Android development.
• Android Emulator: The built-in emulator allows you to test applications on virtual devices without the need for a physical device.
• Profiler Tools: Helps analyze the memory, CPU, network, and power usage of an application to optimize its performance.
• Gradle Support: Integrated Gradle build system to manage dependencies and the application build process.
• Testing Tools: Supports various types of testing, including unit tests, integration tests, and UI tests.
• Integration with Firebase and Google Cloud Platform: Simplifies integration with Google's cloud services.
• Kotlin Support: First-class support for the Kotlin programming language, which is officially recommended for Android development.

Android Studio can be downloaded for free from the official Android developer website:

Official website: https://developer.android.com/studio.

On this page you will find links to download the latest stable version of Android Studio for various operating systems (Windows, macOS, Linux). It is recommended to always download the IDE from the official source to get the latest and safest version.

Arduino IDE

Arduino is an open hardware and software platform used to create interactive electronic devices. It consists of:

• Physical programmable board (microcontroller): This is the basic computing element that can be programmed to perform various tasks. There are many different models of Arduino boards, each with different specifications and input/output capabilities.
• Integrated Development Environment (IDE): This is software that runs on your computer and is used to write and upload code to the Arduino board. The Arduino programming language is based on C/C++, but has been simplified to make it easier for beginners to use.

Official website: https://www.arduino.cc/.

Where is Arduino used?

Arduino is an extremely versatile platform and is used in a wide range of projects and industries, including:

• Prototyping: Arduino is ideal for quickly prototyping interactive devices and systems. Engineers, designers, and hobbyists use it to test ideas before developing more complex solutions.
• Education: Due to its simplicity and affordability, Arduino is widely used in educational institutions to study electronics, programming, and robotics. Students can create a variety of projects, from simple LED circuits to complex robots.
• Hobby and DIY projects: Enthusiasts use Arduino to implement their creative ideas, such as home automation (lighting, heating control), weather stations, interactive installations, game controllers, and much more.
• Robotics: Arduino is a popular "brain" for many robotics projects, from simple tracking robots to more complex autonomous systems. It can control motors, servos, sensors, and other components of robots.
• Internet of Things (IoT): Arduino can be connected to the Internet to create IoT devices that can collect data, control other devices remotely, or interact with online services.
• Art and Design: Artists and designers use Arduino to create interactive installations, light shows, musical instruments, and other creative projects that respond to the environment or the actions of viewers.
• Scientific Research: Arduino is used to create inexpensive scientific instruments, collect data, and automate experiments in various fields of science.

How is Arduino used?

• Programming: Using the Arduino IDE, the user writes code (sketch) in a simplified version of C/C++. This code defines how the Arduino board should interact with the electronic components connected to it (sensors, motors, LEDs, etc.).
• Connecting components: Electronic components are connected to the Arduino board via special contacts (pins). These pins can be digital (for turning on/off) or analog (for reading a range of values).
• Downloading code: After writing, the code is downloaded from the Arduino IDE to the board's microcontroller via a USB cable.
• Execution: After the code is downloaded, the microcontroller begins to execute instructions, controlling the connected components and responding to input signals from sensors.

Conclusion: Due to its accessibility, large user community, and vast number of online resources, Arduino is a great tool for learning, experimenting, and creating a variety of electronic projects.

Note. This article was created using artificial intelligence.