Atom vs Vim, The fight for which IDE/Editor is better is a never-ending battle since we have different opinions and desires.
Although, these arguments are important because knowing and choosing the best IDE for yourself is vital.
Today, We would be looking at ATOM and VIM. Using the right IDE one step to begin productive while coding.
ATOM IDE, is a free and open-source editor for Windows, Linux, and Mac, usually called the hackable text editor developed by Github in 2014, written in Electron, CoffeeScript, and JavaScript, and Licensed by MIT under the Source Code Editor/IDE category.
VIM, is a highly configurable text editor built to enable efficient text editing for Windows, Linux and Mac, usually called the “programmer’s editor,” developed by Bram Moolenaar in 1991, written in C and Vim Script , and Licensed GPL-compatible under the Text Editor category.
Factors | VIM | ATOM |
AutoComplete | Inbuilt | Requires Plugin |
Bracket Matching | Inbuilt | Requires Plugin |
Code Templates | Requires Plugin | Requires Plugin |
Column selection | Inbuilt | Requires Plugin |
Cross-Platform | Yes | Yes |
Extension language | Vim Script | Python |
License | GPL | MIT |
Plugin Manager | Third-Party | Inbuilt |
Source Control Integration | Requires Plugin | GIT |
Pros and Cons
VIM
PROS | CONS |
Lightweight and fast | High effort to customize |
Free and open-source software | Difficult learning curve |
Works in terminal over SSH | Poor support for external tooling |
Multiple clipboards known as “registers” | Difficult learning curve |
Keyboard-based, mouse-free interface, and trackpad support | Difficult to copy, paste, and delete |
Built-in package management | Poor feature discoverability |
ATOM
PROS | CONS |
Embedded Git control | Crash and data loss |
Beginner-friendly | Too Many Packages |
Multi-line select and edit | Recognition of Few Keyboards |
Allows for instant file switching | High memory usage |
very customizable and extendable | Slow startup Time |
HiDPI support | Not recommendable for older computers |
Conclusion
A lot of developers choose VIM over ATOM, even on scoreboards and ranking charts, VIM takes the lead. Personally, I have used both and I like neither(I enjoy VScode). I will personally still pick VIM over ATOM.
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