You’re developing a web application. How do you choose the best code editor?

Features and languages support are very important reasons for choosing an editor. Choosing a wrong one could delay development time and/or create a bad development experience. For beginners testing different languages to see which one they prefer. I would recommend Visual Studio Code since it's light weight and can be easily customized.

When selecting a code editor for web development, consider these factors: Functionality: Look for features like syntax highlighting, auto-completion, and linting. Popular options include: Visual Studio Code: Lightweight, customizable, and supports JavaScript, TypeScript, and Node.js. Sublime Text: Highly customizable, ideal for large projects. Atom: Open-source, extensible, and beginner-friendly. Platform Compatibility: Ensure the editor runs on your operating system (Windows, macOS, Linux). Customization: Choose an editor that allows you to tweak settings, themes, and shortcuts to match your workflow. Community Support: Opt for editors with active communities, regular updates, and a wealth of extensions.

If I am developing a web application. Then I must say to choose Visual Studio Code. It is one of the most popular IDEs for web development. It is used by 70% of professional developers.

When choosing a code editor for your web app, prioritize language support. Ensure it recognizes your preferred languages, offers syntax highlighting, and stays updated with the latest standards for seamless development.

For the most part, yes, you want one that supports what you’ll need… but you’ll also want the one that does it the best FOR YOU. Just because it handles oodles of languages or is the newest thing on the block doesn’t mean it’s for you. Try out several; go on a hunt for some of the more obscure tools out there. There’s nothing wrong with having more than one IDE if one is very strong for something particular, but weak for another subject. Nothing says you can only use one tool… and that applies sometimes to even the same language.

Customization and extensibility are always good options to have in an IDE, but when working with sensitive code, which is the case for most enterprise code anyway, it's important to keep an eye out for shady extensions and plugins that might pose a risk in that regard.

I find customization and extensibility to be much less important than core strengths of the IDE. The only things I need to customize are the syntax highlighting theme, turning on dark mode overall, and a handful of things each IDE should have if they aren’t present. Any IDE I need a PhD just to setup and use is not something I’m going to use.

Customization of your editor can be a huge productivity booster. The little things like fonts and colors could put you in the right mood to be very productive.

Another crucial aspect to consider is the ability to customize and extend your code editor. Look for options to personalize the appearance, layout, and themes to match your preferences. Additionally, ensure the editor supports plugins, extensions, and other features that can boost productivity and efficiency, allowing you to tailor it to your specific needs.

One thing to remember here is that sometimes it’s not the IDE’s fault. RAM pressure is real, and if your computer simply doesn’t have enough RAM to handle the demand you’re throwing at it then that’s your fault. Having said that, your RAM constraints might inform your decision of which IDE(s) to use. When comparing two IDEs, the one that performs better for your configuration is probably the one you’ll want to go with.

Performance and reliability are critical when selecting a code editor. Ensure it operates smoothly, even with large-scale projects, and offers automatic saving and backup features. Look for editors with a strong reputation, developer support, and regular updates to minimize bugs and crashes, allowing for uninterrupted workflow.

An IDE that integrates well with your entire infrastructure is obviously preferable, but at the end of the day a compromise could be made, and additional tools can be integrated into the flow if necessary. So if using a particular IDE with excellent integration poses other challenges (i.e. pricing, performance, security, etc) then it's better to use a code editor that doesn't integrate as well but covers all other points, and instead add an additional integration toolset to close the gap.

Consider the collaboration and integration capabilities of your code editor. Look for features like version control, live editing, and cloud hosting to streamline collaboration and deployment. Ensure the editor integrates seamlessly with other tools and services you rely on, such as databases, APIs, and frameworks, to enhance productivity and workflow.

An IDE either vast collaboration options is preferable because everything you need is in one place. But, in reality we can’t always do that, so find the IDE that gives you most of your needs.

Consider the cost and availability of your code editor. Determine if it aligns with your budget and platform preferences, whether you prefer free or open-source options or have specific operating system requirements. Evaluate the features and benefits of different editors to ensure they meet your needs while staying within your financial and technical constraints.

This days you can find great IDEs free of charge like: Atom- an open source IDE with vast options, support and community And for the legacy users visual studio code.

If you like Intellij for work and are wanting to use it for personal projects, check out Intellijs Early Access program (EAP). If you don't mind upgrading to a new IDE version every month or so, the EAP is a great free option.

Most modern code editors are more or less the same. Don’t get bogged down in trying to pick the right one. Trying to pick the best one is probably an act of procrastination. Just pick something, anything, and get started on the actual work.

The points above are great, but there are 2 major missing points for me: Popularity, and Familiarity. Last year, I started a Charity around a web App. If I only considered the points above for my current Project, and Popularity, I would have used Visual Studio Code. It's a great editor, it's FREE, it works well, has a large community, and a robust plugin ecosystem. In my 9-5 I use IntellIJ IDEA ultimate. It's paid, has plugins, and is well used, plus I am very familiar with it, and its shortcuts. So I paid for a copy of IntellliJ. I have been very productive and very happy with my choice.

Drop the though about having one for all of your teams, let developers choose what they want (of cause with in reason for pricing).

I use Visual Studio Code in all cases. I work with .NET, Javascript/Typescript, Python, HTML/CSS, Angular/React, SQL, Solidity, Clouds, etc. It supports any language or framework by just installing the proper extension. It has account synchronization so you can get the same setup on different PCs if needed. And, of course, it's completely free.