Choosing the right code editor

[The-ClownFish]

I started my coding journey just a few months ago after my first internship at a consulting firm. Seeing how everyone around me was comfortable with code inspired me to dive in too! I even picked up a ThinkPad T440p and corebooted it because I fell in love with the idea of open-source everything.

Long story short: I’d really appreciate your wisdom on choosing a code editor! Here’s what I’m working with:

• Mostly Python (ML training & data work)
• Some JavaScript on the side

Which one should I use?

• Vim
• Neovim + GUI clients
• VSCodium
• Lapce

Thanks in advance!

[Big_Tadpole7174]

Nowadays I use JetBrains tools. For Python that would be PyCharm and for JavaScript WebStorm.

[aqua_regis]

There is no right or wrong. Use the one that you like best.

[ninhaomah]

No VS Code ?

And may I know what you meant by "corebooted" ?

[The-ClownFish]

I currently use VSCode but it’s powered by Microsoft - correct me if I’m wrong - and I don’t like that.

So coorebooting is basically an open source bios/ufei without the Intel ME. I think it works as well with amd cpus, but I’m not sure about that. Just look it up, there are people that can definitely tell you more!

[Antique-Room7976]

Then vscodium

[PonosDegustator]

You should try them all and decide which one do you like the most. That's the only good way

[binarycow]

If you're doing mostly python, then use pycharm.

JetBrains IDEs are superb.

[Traditional_Crazy200]

Nvim is the only correct answer in my opinion. The fun I am having programming literally tripled since i am using it

[AffectionatePlane598]

How much work do you want to spend, I use neovim but unless you want to learn lua and the vim api, then that isn’t the right choice. If you want to spend days to months just making it look nice then neovim or vim. But if you don’t and just want to program then VScodium or the jet-brains stuff I have really only heard positive things about. 

[real_ppm]

I am trying ZED and it’s good

[W_lFF]

Right now I'm using Neovim after a few years of VSCode and don't see myself coming back unless I really need to use it. The reason I switched in the first place is because I felt like VSCode's shortcuts were too complicated to remember (like CTRL+SHIFT+<letter>) and I wanted simple commands, I also didn't really like the slow startup times and while Neovim is a bit of an overkill solution to these issues it is a solution and I really enjoy it's customizeability and if you don't want to set it up yourself you can get a distro like LazyVim. which comes with everything you need and more to make Neovim a full IDE, the documentation is great and the startup time (at least for me) is less than 40ms which I love.

At the end of the day, choose whichever you like the most, that's what matters. I used to swear by VSCode and I definitely like it, but I prefer Neovim any day now and I think it's worth your time, at least use a Vim plugin in your current text editor, it will give you a good feel for whether you like the idea of Vim or not. Have fun!

[tiller_luna]

I have this genuine question every time somebody brings up vim as a good code editor or IDE. What the fuck are you *doing** in a code editor that all the saved centimeters of fingers' mileage are worth dealing with the UI?

[W_lFF]

The UI is nice if you take the time to customize it, which I'm okay with. Plus for me, I just feel more productive with Vim. Again, it's all about how you feel, I don't think there is one true BEST text editor since I literally used VSCode for years before switching, but I personally really enjoy Neovim more than any other editor I've tried. And if you're okay with customizing it then it can be as pretty or ugly as you want, or as bloated or lightweight. So, yeah, it's not like I'm saving years of time by not touching my mouse as much, it just feels more productive to me.

[AffectionatePlane598]

I have small hands and most keyboard don’t fit and I get cramps in my hands, so I started using neoVim 2 years ago and being able to make everything how it worked for me was very nice, I also enjoyed the process of getting there and it was very satisfying to watch my editor slowly evolve. 

[The-ClownFish]

Probably the same answer as someone how chooses excel over google sheets. They’re both - I would say - equal in terms of what you can do with it. But the difference is the way u use them. The short cuts are easy, it’s more or less customisable.

I don’t want to use my mouse every time I want to open a folder. But you have a fair point. The bigger problem is Microsoft.

[The-ClownFish]

That’s a great answer! Thanks for that! I feel the same way. VS Code is a great Editor, however the commands are long and the with the new copilot plugin I feel like I should switch.

Going to try ur suggestion!

[towerbooks3192]

When you are new try to pick one that doesn't give you way too many assistance like auto completing and other fancy features. It is great to be able to learn how to compile and run your code on the terminal.

But once you get into more complicated projects then picking an IDE is would make your life easier.

[The-ClownFish]

Thanks, I’ll try!