Microsoft Visual Studio Code: A Development Environment that Straddles the Line between Text Editor and IDE

The debate between text editors and Integrated Development Environments (IDEs) has been ongoing for years, with each side having its own strengths and weaknesses. Recently, I decided to put this debate to the test by comparing some of the most popular development tools, including Vim, P圜harm, and Microsoft Visual Studio Code.

To demonstrate my point, I loaded up a python discord bot I scripted a few months ago on each of these platforms and non-scientifically tested their resource usage and launch speed. My results showed that Vim was the first to go, opening the file instantly and sipping an unnoticeable portion of my 8GB RAM.

On the other end of the spectrum, P圜harm took a while to open and finish indexing project files, making it seem like a distant second in terms of speed. However, Microsoft Visual Studio Code, often referred to as the most popular development environment, fell right smack at the middle. While it may not be as lightning-fast as Vim, its resource usage was also relatively moderate.

What's interesting is that this makes Microsoft Visual Studio Code an attractive choice for developers who value both speed and functionality. Unlike traditional text editors like Vim and Nano, which take less than a second to open in the terminal (granted you're using them without any plugins), Microsoft Visual Studio Code offers a wide range of features and extensions that make it a powerful development tool.

However, this also means that Microsoft Visual Studio Code is neither a pure text editor nor an IDE. It occupies a unique space that blends the best of both worlds, making it a compelling choice for developers who want flexibility and customization without sacrificing performance.

In conclusion, Microsoft Visual Studio Code is a development environment that straddles the line between text editors and IDEs. Its moderate resource usage and launch speed make it an attractive option for developers who value both speed and functionality. Whether you're working on a small script or a large-scale project, Microsoft Visual Studio Code has something to offer.

Microsoft visual studio code