Ever since I started using Visual Studio Code, it has become my favorite code editor. Below are my small thoughts on why it is worth switching to VS Code from popular JetBrains tools, not only because of the price.
Why VSCode Is My Favorite Code Editor
One of the main reasons VSCode became my favorite code editor is its versatility. It supports many programming languages, which means I do not have to use different editors for different projects. No matter whether I am writing JavaScript or SCSS code, or even Astro, VSCode provides all the features I need. In addition, VSCode is available on multiple platforms, including Windows, macOS, and Linux, so I can use it regardless of the operating system I am using.
Another reason I love VSCode is its community. Regular updates are released that bring new features and fixes, and there are thousands of extensions you can install to tailor the editor to your needs. The VSCode community is very active, and you can find plenty of educational materials, tutorials, and discussion forums where you can get help and support when needed.
Speed
VSCode is insanely fast. It does not put too much load on the system (especially important when you do not have a lot of RAM), it starts just as quickly and smoothly. Anyone switching from another tool will definitely appreciate and notice it.
Customizing VSCode with Extensions
One of the biggest advantages of VSCode is the ability to customize it to your own preferences using extensions. There is a huge library of extensions for different programming languages and use cases. Some of the most popular extensions are:
- ESLint - a tool for static JavaScript code analysis that helps maintain a consistent style and prevents mistakes.
- GitLens - an extension that integrates the Git version control system with VSCode, allowing you to easily browse commit history, compare versions, and use many other features.
- Live Server - an extension that lets you run web applications on a local server and automatically refresh your browser while you edit code.
- Copilot - an optional, paid Microsoft extension worth every penny
With so many extensions available, the possibilities for customizing VSCode are practically limitless. You can tailor the editor to your individual preferences and also optimize it for a specific project or programming language. Usually, when you need support for a new syntax, it is already covered by an available plugin.
Keyboard Shortcuts in VSCode
Keyboard shortcuts are an invaluable tool that lets us work faster and more efficiently. VSCode offers many shortcuts that allow us to perform various actions without using the mouse. Here are a few examples of the most useful keyboard shortcuts in VSCode:
- Ctrl + Shift + P - opens the command palette, where we can search for and run various editor functions.
- Ctrl + Shift + N - opens a new editor window.
- Ctrl + B - hides or shows the side bar with the file tree.
- Ctrl + D - selects the next occurrence of a given word in the document.
- Ctrl + / - comments out or uncomments the selected block of code.
These are only a few examples of keyboard shortcuts in VSCode. It is worth checking out the full list of available shortcuts and learning them so you can increase your productivity even more.
Debugging in VSCode
VSCode offers advanced debugging features that are extremely useful when troubleshooting problems in our code. You can run code step by step, set breakpoints, inspect variable values, and much more. To start debugging in VSCode, we first need to configure a configuration file for our project. This configuration defines which debugging tools and settings are used.
Once debugging is configured, we can run our program in debugging mode and then use various debugger features such as watching variable values, stepping through instructions, and stopping code at breakpoints, etc. Debugging in VSCode is intuitive and easy to use, which makes the troubleshooting process much simpler.
Git Integration in VSCode
VSCode includes built-in Git version control integration, which lets us conveniently manage our repositories. With Git integration, we can perform tasks such as committing, synchronizing, discarding changes, or resolving conflicts directly from the editor. We don’t need external tools or a separate console to manage our repositories.
VSCode shows differences between file versions, makes it easy to compare changes, and also provides the option to view commit history and other repository-related information. Git integration in VSCode makes managing our code and team collaboration much more effective.
Tips and Tricks for VSCode
To wrap up, I’d like to share a few tips and tricks that can make using VSCode even easier and more efficient:
- Use tabs - if you work on many files at the same time, tabs help you easily switch between open files.
- Personalize your theme - VSCode offers many themes you can adjust to your taste. Choose one that feels the most comfortable for your eyes and tailor it to your preferences.
- Use keyboard shortcuts - as I mentioned earlier, keyboard shortcuts are incredibly useful and can significantly speed up your work. Learn the most important shortcuts and use them every day.
- Save configurations - if you have your favorite settings and extensions in VSCode, make sure you save your configuration so you can easily restore it when needed.
Above, I explained why VSCode is my favorite code editor, but this is only my subjective opinion. It offers many features and benefits that increase our productivity and make life easier for developers. You can customize VSCode with extensions, use keyboard shortcuts, debug your code, collaborate with other developers, and manage your Git repositories. I hope this guide helps you discover the full power of VSCode and speeds up your work as a developer.
