Optimal Text Editors for Coding on Windows
The software utilized for editing code can significantly impact your workflow, particularly when it comes to text editors designed for coding on Windows. These applications come equipped with essential features such as syntax highlighting, code folding, and auto-completion.
1. Sublime Text
Sublime Text offers a range of features that enhance productivity, such as effortless split panes, intuitive code navigation, and side-by-side definitions. One standout feature is tab multi-select, which simplifies split views and file navigation. With auto-complete popups, you can easily view definitions and jump to references. Additionally, the ability to make multiple selections allows for quick variable renaming across projects.
What sets Sublime Text apart is its impressive speed, thanks to indexed project files that enable near-instant searches across thousands of files. This speed advantage distinguishes it from other editors, including Visual Studio Code. Combined with its sleek and user-friendly interface, Sublime Text becomes an indispensable tool for coding.
While Sublime Text offers a free evaluation, it is highly recommended to purchase a personal or business license. The personal license costs a one-time fee of $99 and includes three years of updates. By obtaining a license, you not only eliminate the bothersome notifications about your unregistered license but also gain access to all the premium features and benefits.
Download: Sublime Text (Subscription required, free trial available)
2. VS Code
Efficiency is crucial when it comes to coding, and VS Code excels in this aspect. It is a lightweight editor that offers powerful capabilities.
With IntelliSense auto-complete, you can code without having to move your fingers away from the home row. The editor also allows you to debug directly by using breakpoints and call stacks. Additionally, managing source control is made easy with integrated Git support, enabling you to stage, commit, and push changes effortlessly.
However, the true strength of VS Code lies in its extensive range of extensions. These extensions allow you to enhance the functionality of the editor by adding new languages, themes, debuggers, and services. Whether you need Python linting, React IDE features, or serverless deployment to AWS, there is a plug-in available to fulfill your requirements and more.
VS Code is not only powerful but also free of charge. It supports numerous languages through the Marketplace, providing a versatile coding environment.
Download: VS code (Free)
3. Notepad++
Notepad++ offers a range of features such as syntax highlighting, code folding, and basic auto-complete for more than 70 languages. It is powered by the fast Scintilla editing component, making it lightweight and responsive.
Tabs enable users to work on multiple files simultaneously, while plugins enhance functionality. Default plugins include spell-checking, HTML validation, text sorting, and quote manipulation. Notepad++ also supports internationalization through translation files for additional languages.
Although it may lack more advanced code checking and completion features, Notepad++ excels in handling plain text with functions like auto-save, string finding, regex-based replacing, line bookmarking, and macros. It can recognize various line endings and dynamically reinterpret encodings. For basic coding requirements, it remains an essential free text editor for Windows.
Download: Notepad++ (Free)
4. Windows Notepad
Notepad, the default text editor that comes with Windows, offers a convenient way to take notes. Despite its simplicity, it meets your basic requirements for recording code snippets, configuration instructions, and other informative text documents.
With Windows Notepad, you can write code or jot down notes without any unnecessary distractions. Its main advantages include easy accessibility, quick loading times, compatibility across different platforms, and the ability to remove unwanted formatting. It supports various encodings to preserve character sets and can handle different types of line endings.
While more advanced editors offer additional features, Notepad is sufficient for managing small code documents, documentation, TODO lists, and other lightweight reference materials during your work processes. Moreover, it is free and comes pre-installed on Windows.
Download: Windows Notepad (Free)
5. Typora
If you are a devoted user of markdown, Typora provides a natural and efficient note-taking environment. With its live preview feature, you can seamlessly write and view your content without any distractions. Typora simplifies the use of markdown by offering intuitive formatting options, support for lists, images, and mathematical syntax.
To help you stay organized, Typora offers a customizable file tree, search functionality, and outline panels for easy navigation. Additionally, you can enhance your writing experience with various themes that optimize visual comfort during long writing sessions. If you prefer to store your files on cloud services like Dropbox, Typora allows you to do so. Moreover, there are multiple export options available for sharing your notes with others.
Although a license for Typora costs $14.99, you have the opportunity to fully explore its capabilities with a generous 15-day free trial.
Download: Typora
6. Code Writer
Code Writer is an efficient yet lightweight text editor designed for Windows systems. With its user-friendly interface, it simplifies tasks by offering features such as syntax highlighting for over 20 file formats, managing multiple documents, and providing a distraction-free full-screen mode.
Easily edit, print, search, and open any file with smooth zooming and text dragging capabilities. This text editor is a great alternative to Notepad, offering coding tools for free.
Download: Code Writer (Free)
7. Bluefish
Bluefish effortlessly manages the diverse requirements of web development. It offers support for more than 20 markup and coding languages through real-time syntax highlighting, auto-completion, and code folding. Project Support enables a seamless transition between tasks.
Bluefish's robust search/replace and snippet features aid in simplifying repetitive tasks. Its integration with external validation and compilation tools provides valuable feedback directly within the editing environment. Additionally, online documentation and translation into 17 languages make the text editor accessible to a global audience. The best part is that Bluefish is available for free.
Download: Bluefish (Free)