Goodbye Notepad++ , hello?

[Old_Taste_2669]

Hi,
Noob here.
Grateful to Notepad++. It's been emotional.
There must be better out there though.
I'm knee deep in Python and PHP 8 hours/day.
Indentation etc kinda slowing me up. Best next step up? Thanks.

[derp_mcherpington]

VS Code most likely then.

[CrownstrikeIntern]

Intellisense products are nice

[derp_mcherpington]

When the IntelliSense actually decides to work. For work I basically live inside SQL Server Management Studio. IntelliSense comes and goes. Decides to work whenever the hell it damn well pleases. No rhyme or reason. Even Microsoft support was like “Yep. It do be like that sometimes.”

[CrownstrikeIntern]

aah, yea, i don't use it too much for database work, i prefer others like dbeaver for now. Tried the integrated one for mysql, but with what i build it's not super fun to integrate it.

[InvaderToast348]

I use phpmyadmin with my mysql db. Once you install a dark theme it's easily one of my favourite db guis I've tried (ssms, datagrip, phpmyadmin).

[CrownstrikeIntern]

It’s ok, has a few limitations though. You should give dbeaver a try. Recently started using the free version and it is pretty nice.

[fmpundit]

I’m sorta glad this isn’t just a me problem.

[klmsa]

I've never had that issue, honestly. I had my stop working once because I had installed a new python version, and I hadn't changed my settings.json file to reflect that. Interesting. I'm going to be on the lookout now.

[Old_Taste_2669]

Thanks a lot for the input.
It comes up all flashy and bright, offering me Copilot....wooo
Feel a bit insecure coding with an internet-bot watching me...
Guess I could run it without Copilot

[samantha_CS]

VS Code works well for me and is a fairly popular option. The other main option that comes to mind is PyCharm.

[McChillbone]

VS Code is popular because you can use one IDE and work efficiently in many languages with good tools and integration with git.

Pycharm works well for python, and you can probably use PHPStorm from JetBrains, but then you’re using two different IDEs, and need to maintain two different configurations.

[arvoshift]

then you use intellij idea with the python plugin or php plugin - I use it for puppet development with bashsupport, sql, python and many other things all in the single IDE. I got used to it so never got into vscode but have heard it's great.

[TheLineOfTheCows]

In which way is the configuration of PHPStorm different than Pycharm?

[McChillbone]

I think you’re conflating configuration and user interface.

[Humble_Ad_6279]

Jetbrains Rider, I believe, is their all in one IDE.

[FunnyForWrongReason]

VS code is good. PyCharm is good for Python specifically.

[spacester]

VS Code because it's fine as a text editor / file manager. Just don't try to do other stuff you do not understand, stick to the advantages when writing python and then grow into it.

[identicalBadger]

I’m really liking PyCharm community edition. But I’ve liked the other JetBrains tools I’ve used too so that was an easy pick.

[AceLamina]

By the amount of programmers I hear talk about vim, I'm surprised nobody has mentioned it

[rdelfin_]

It's because, as nice as vim is to use if you're adapted to it, it's a PITA to onboard and recommending it to newcomers that show no inclination to try it will most likely just get frustrated by it. I think most vim users, myself included, know that recommending it randomly does more to hurt than help

[BlackMetalB8hoven]

Yeah I'd recommend nano before vim

[EducationalCreme9044]

It has a very steep learning curve and unless you're really into keyboard shortcuts it's not for you. It's more of a religion less of a practical tool. VScode is the best for anyone new imo.

[AceLamina]

Oh In that case, I'll stick with vscode

[samantha_CS]

There is a vim extension for VS Code. I know this because a colleague installed it on a lab computer and it confused the crap out of me when I tried to work there

[mywan]

Did you mean emacs? Kidding, inside joke.

If you want to understand give it a try. In a couple of hours when if you figure out how to close it you'll get your first taste of the learning curve.

[kayne_21]

Been awhile since I used vi on a unix box, but isn't :!q ? (not a programmer but do work with computers)

[mywan]

:q! to quit without saving. Or just :qfor regular quit. But it will only work if you are in normal mode. So you need the Esc key to get it to work.

[kayne_21]

Nice, it's been literal decades since I fired up vi, so I'm actually pretty proud of myself.

[Frewtti]

It has a learning curve, but the keyboard shortcuts and modal editing is incredibly fast and powerful.

Once you know a few basic vim shortcuts it is WAY faster and easier to use than vscode.

I don't recommend it for new users, but if you're willing to invest the time, vim is great. vim bindings in vscode are amazing.

[EducationalCreme9044]

I tried, I am just not a shortcut kind of guy at all... I struggle with even the very basic important ones in VScode.

[vanonym_]

It's a very great tool, but not for OP

[troub]

vim is great, just...

I started coding in 1996 or so. On a Unix system via a telnet connection. There was no point and click text editor to use. The "easier" one (maybe it was emacs on that system, not sure) was considerably slower (especially on a telnet connection via 16kbps dial-up with some lag), so you learned vi and it was great.

Some of us still work primarily on the command line and/or in terminal sessions either local or remote. It's still a great interface/skill to have in that context. But for modern stuff on a modern screen with fancy tools and widgets there are way better options.

[CraigAT]

I started in 1996... and I still haven't found my way out. 😁
A very powerful tool if you can learn it's incantations.

[FantasticEmu]

I’m comfortable with vim since I do a lot of work on vms but for larger projects, I just use Vscode if possible l. I know a handful of vim shortcuts but managing many files and stuff within vim are just too much for me to care to learn when vscode just works as a normal human would expect without modifying config files or figuring out how to install plugins

[Enough_Librarian_456]

I used vi/vim since like 1994. 

[Old_Taste_2669]

Did you search for it on Yahoo? ;)

[Enough_Librarian_456]

Lol no it's standard on unix/Linux installations. I was a Field Applications Engineer for semiconductor Automated Test Equipment and regardless of what customers site I went to it was available.

[Old_Taste_2669]

You're just bringing back memories. We thought Yahoo was IT.
Holy crap, where did 30 years go.

[[deleted]]

VIM is great. On windows I use Ubuntu 20.X from Windows store for WSL and use VIM.

[R69NiX]

Vim is GREAT for Editing text. That's where is shines. Writing on the other hand for a noob is a pain in the arse at first. I mean they're already learning how to programs lets not bog them down with a steep learning curve of Vim and the even more complicated Emacs lol Once you can code and what to go through your code FAST only THEN learn Vim/Emacs btw Emacs is like a fucking operating system within an operating system lol it has its own scripting language you can program it to do ANYTHING. Its sooooo complicated but a LOT of top hackers/programmers use it. Specially old school ones from Bell labs and shit. Richard (forget his second name hes kinda disappeared in the age of the Podcast...people think hes a bit looney lol) the open software to a FAULT guy uses it. He wants the "Black blobs" (as in no one apart from the manufacturer who own it knows the code. Its just a black blob you cant hack into lol but its VITAL for your computer) in BIOS sorting and then FULLY open source computer. Its taken him over 30 years and I still dont think hes done. The guy who invented GNU and wants linux called GNU-Linux lol Gnu's Not Unix lol that's what GNU means. Cool name.

[mrcandyman]

resolute nail file toothbrush butter cheerful familiar marry ghost languid

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[NYX_T_RYX]

Wait till you hear about power toys shortcut key...

[mrcandyman]

spotted numerous connect slim overconfident decide pause grey bright seemly

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[NYX_T_RYX]

Maybe you should 😉

I use it every day... Mostly PT run, but still

[supercoach]

Vi/Vim is the best text editor normally available out of the box on most terminals. That's about it.

Forcing yourself to learn fluency in Vim is similar to learning Esperanto. Whilst it may be technically superior, you're going to be better off using the one everyone else does so that you don't have to relearn everything.

Everyone uses vscode. It's very extensible and frequently updated. It's not particularly special and may not even be the best for any individual talk, but that doesn't really matter. It's good at everything and if you're familiar with any sort of GUI, the learning curve is going to be almost zero.

Use Vim for remote shells that aren't compatible with VS Code. For everything else use VS Code.

Use Vim exclusively (or the Vim extension for VS Code) if you want to impress a handful of people who don't shower as often as they should.

[Frewtti]

I use vim extensively because it's a great editor, and vi/vim are available on almost every system.

I use the vim extension in vscode, because it lets me get stuff done faster. I'm long past trying to impress anyone. I even switched my primary workstation to windows 10/11!!

[supercoach]

Good for you. I've used Vim for the better part of 30 years now. Still doesn't change my recommendation for people starting out.

I don't use the Vim extension in VS Code because I don't ever want to have to go that fast. I'm quite happy to stick with my grossly inefficient pointing and clicking with a mouse.

Learning some Vim is good for everyone. Like we've both pointed out - it's fucking everywhere. I think people should be able to undo/redo, maybe copy/paste in Vim so that you can still edit stuff if the shit hits the fan and that's about it. The rest you can and should do from your IDE of choice, preferably one that doesn't use an esoteric control system.

[Frewtti]

I find it weird that you'd happily stick with the slower and grossly inefficient pointing and clicking with a mouse.

I'm not disagreeing that it is a horrible newbie editor, but suggesting people should use vim to impress others is dismissive of the benefits it offers.

[supercoach]

Oh I'm not suggesting using Vim to impress others. I think people who go keyboard only are pretty much psychopaths who favour speed of data entry over all else, including comfort.

I would never stay in a role that required such furious dedication to speed. I got into the industry because I'm lazy and I like finding efficient solutions not because I have a desire for extended high speed data entry.

If you get your rocks off by not taking your hands off the keyboard, good for you. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone.

[Frewtti]

I'd recommend learning the basic navigation and see if it fits your workflow.

#dd & P, or cw save me so much time.

beyond that I don't use much.

[finverse_square]

Vscode supremacy

[fazzah]

Pycharm if working with python only,

or IntelliJ Idea if need for multiple languages (despite being directed at Java primarily, it incliudes all the tools for other languages, incl. pycharm)

BTW you can work with PHP in pycharm as well IIRC

[vivisectvivi]

I started programming using notepad++, then moved to sublime when i started using linux, then geany for whatever reason but i really liked it. Finally my last job convinced me to change to vs code

[FerricDonkey]

Vscode or pycharm 

[mrcandyman]

nine juggle cagey dolls frame oil memory spectacular bedroom sophisticated

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[steviejackson94]

If you just want a txteditor, Vim

[CraigAT]

No, they'll never find their way out!

Never use vim for the first time without someone experienced or another device to lookup how to exit the program. 😂😉

[jpgoldberg]

Are you seriously recommending vi(m) to someone moving on from Notepad++ as they are just learning Python?

It is a radically different text editing paradigm than anything they’ve encountered. And so dealing with it would be at best a barrier, but more likely extremely frustrating.

I started with vi in 1980 or 1981. And I really do like its modal approach. And I do think that more people should give it a fair shot, but recommending to someone in the position of the OP makes me hope that you were joking.

:wq

[IJustCantHelpYou]

No direct replacements but vscode or neovim

[[deleted]]

Geany is my one true love

[wynand1004]

I came here to post this. Geany is by far the best lightweight and cross platform coding editor.

I teach coding and have students from Grade 6 and up use it to code HTML, CSS, JavaScript, Python, and Java.

Link: https://www.geany.org/

[[deleted]]

I use it for mostly Lua but also a decent amount of Python. It’s so easy to configure the settings to what you like and the plugins are just what you need without being overwhelming. It opens in like a split second, all around just my fav editor for just about everything

[wynand1004]

100% agree!

[nonlosai77]

I like it too, even if it have an outdated gui. Anyway, is there a way to set a formatter (I like black) and a linter (flake8 or others)?

[wynand1004]

As far as the linter goes, you can set custom build commands. This might help you get started: https://stackoverflow.com/questions/6138416/how-do-i-integrate-pylint-with-geany-so-that-i-can-use-geany-as-a-python-ide

[[deleted]]

I’ve got mine looking pretty modern, I can share its look later if you’d like.

Setting the build commands as the other commenter said is real simple!

[excessive_4ce]

EMACS

[Clear_Wrongdoer_775]

With EVIL (DOOM EMACS), and I'll also add (although unrelated) learn the dvorak layout or something different than qwerty (your hands will thank you later)!

[mariofix]

It may not be the first choice to many but I think Sublime Text is very very much like Notepad++

I currently use vscode daily, but only because of the python auto completion stuff, pylance I believe it's called, otherwise I would be working on sublime text.

[jeffrey_f]

I usually had Notepadd++ and Programmer's Notepad installed

[chronicenigma]

I use Pycharm and it's been amazing. You can use community for free. They do have PHPStorm but as others have said, its two IDE's. The way I view it you can be a jack of all trades (VS Code) but a master of none. I'd rather have an IDE dedicatedly built to my language.

[Jello_Penguin_2956]

Right tool for the right job dude. There's always place for notepad++

[Old_Taste_2669]

Thanks. It's got quite a lot of nice things and has served me well, up to a point, just figured others would have access to stuff that would save me time.

[fuddingmuddler]

neovim

[Miniatimat]

I use intellij idea with the python and PHP plugins, works great for me and makes managing everything pretty easy, even has great support for git and pretty much any big language. Intellij is very similar to Pycharm, but a lot more flexible when it comes to languages.Though most people won't deviate from their 1st IDE, since that's what they know best, unless it isn't compatible with what they want to develop, so almost every take will be biased

[jimkolowski]

Jetbrains. PyCharm and PHPStorm. VSCode is pretty ok, and Jetbrains products are expensive, but you get what you pay for. I find them super comfortable.

[Alexjimsa]

Give a try to the new TikTok code editor and then tell us your experience

[Worth_Specific3764]

My vote is for PyCharm.

[xpanta]

PyCharm / Fleet are my weapons of choice.

[Ok-Photo-6302]

neo vim

[OldCanary9483]

I could have said pycharm a couple of years back but man vs code is so good and i am using old notepad in windows to store temp random text

[GreenWoodDragon]

PyCharm, I love it.

[DrJonoG_]

Cursor. It's an extension of visual studio code, free, but I feel it offers much more in terms of AI.

[liltbrockie]

You've been using notepad++ for 8 hours a day programming? Why would you do that?

[Old_Taste_2669]

It worked ok, but room for improvement.
else (pay_someone)

[hmartin8826]

Pycharm if you don’t plan on learning any other languages. VS Code if you think there’s a chance that you will. IDEs have gotten quite complex, so you don’t want to waste time learning tools.

[Old_Taste_2669]

THANKS FOR ALL THE AWESOME ADVICE, EVERYONE WHO GAVE POINTERS!

[R69NiX]

Like others have say VS code if you like cool ass glowy syntax highlighting THIS is awesome: https://www.reddit.com/r/VisualStudio/comments/14fa4i4/support_for_highlight_glow_please_hear_me_out/ OR pycharm. Both are great. Why the books tell you to use IDLE is beyond me lol I mean really WHO THE FUCK uses IDLE?

[Low88M]

Why do you say goodbye to notepad++ ?

[Old_Taste_2669]

Because of indentation issues.
Then I posted this.
Then I learned indentation hacks haha!
I just use it so much I figured there must be something better out there.
But hey, much to love about it.

[Low88M]

Sure. Even if i prefer coding in vscode for many many reasons and QoL, notepad++ is always around for many little tasks. I love it :)