Visual Studio Code vs Atom - Which one is the Best?
As a web developer, choosing the right code editor can be a daunting task. There are so many options available, each with their own pros and cons. It can be easy to get lost in the sea of choices. Two of the most popular code editors for web development are Visual Studio Code (VS Code) and Atom. In this blog post, we will compare the two editors and help you decide which one is better for you.
Performance
Performance is one of the most important factors to consider when choosing a code editor, especially when dealing with large codebases. In terms of startup time, Atom lags behind VS Code. Atom takes around 5-7 seconds to launch, whereas VS Code takes less than 2 seconds.
In terms of memory usage, VS Code is more efficient. It uses approximately 150 MB of RAM, while Atom uses around 250 MB. VS Code also handles large files better than Atom.
Features
Both VS Code and Atom come packed with a range of features to enhance workflow and productivity. However, VS Code's IntelliSense feature is hands down the best. It provides auto-completion suggestions, syntax highlighting, and error detection. Atom's autocomplete feature has been known to be slower and less accurate than VS Code's.
Another area where VS Code shines is debugging. It has a built-in debugger that allows you to run and debug your code within the editor. This means you can set breakpoints, step through your code, and inspect variables, all within the editor. Atom has a debugger too, but it is not as advanced as VS Code's.
Customization
Both editors are highly customizable, with extensions and themes available to tailor the interface and functionality to your liking. However, VS Code has a larger collection of extensions, with over 30,000 available compared to Atom's 8,000. VS Code also has a more active developer community, which means more frequent updates and bug fixes.
Pricing
Both VS Code and Atom are free and open source. While Atom is completely free, VS Code offers a premium version called Visual Studio Code - Insiders Edition, which includes additional features such as Live Share and Remote Development.
Conclusion
In conclusion, both Atom and VS Code are great code editors with a lot of features to offer. However, VS Code is the better option in terms of performance, features, and customization. It has a larger community and more vibrant development, which means more frequent updates and bug fixes.
Regardless of which editor you choose, remember that the most important thing is to find a tool that fits your workflow and helps you be productive.