Pros of vim-colors-solarized

• Scientifically designed color scheme for optimal readability and reduced eye strain
• Offers both light and dark variants, suitable for different lighting conditions
• Widely adopted and supported across various applications beyond Vim

Cons of vim-colors-solarized

• Limited color palette may feel less vibrant compared to Jellybeans
• Can appear washed out on some displays, especially in the light variant
• Requires terminal support for 16 colors, which may not be available in all environments

Code Comparison

vim-colors-solarized:

let g:solarized_termcolors=256
set background=dark
colorscheme solarized

Jellybeans:

set background=dark
colorscheme jellybeans
let g:jellybeans_use_lowcolor_black = 1

Summary

vim-colors-solarized offers a scientifically designed color scheme with light and dark variants, suitable for extended coding sessions. However, it may appear less vibrant than Jellybeans and requires specific terminal support. Jellybeans provides a richer color palette but lacks the scientific approach of Solarized. Both color schemes are highly customizable and popular among Vim users, with the choice often coming down to personal preference and working environment.

Pros of Gruvbox

• More extensive color scheme with a wider range of colors and shades
• Better support for modern syntax highlighting features
• Actively maintained with regular updates and improvements

Cons of Gruvbox

• Heavier resource usage due to more complex color definitions
• Steeper learning curve for customization compared to Jellybeans
• May not be suitable for users who prefer simpler, more muted color schemes

Code Comparison

Jellybeans color definition:

let s:blue = "67"
let s:green = "107"
let s:red = "167"

Gruvbox color definition:

let s:gb.dark0_hard  = ['#1d2021', 234]     " 29-32-33
let s:gb.dark0       = ['#282828', 235]     " 40-40-40
let s:gb.dark0_soft  = ['#32302f', 236]     " 50-48-47
let s:gb.dark1       = ['#3c3836', 237]     " 60-56-54
let s:gb.dark2       = ['#504945', 239]     " 80-73-69

Gruvbox offers a more detailed and extensive color palette, allowing for finer control over the appearance of different syntax elements. Jellybeans, on the other hand, uses a simpler color definition approach, which may be easier to understand and modify for beginners.

Pros of onedark.vim

• More modern and actively maintained color scheme
• Better support for newer syntax highlighting features
• Includes additional themes like One Light for versatility

Cons of onedark.vim

• May not work as well with older Vim versions
• Less customization options compared to jellybeans.vim
• Potentially higher resource usage due to more complex color definitions

Code Comparison

jellybeans.vim:

let g:jellybeans_use_lowcolor_black = 1
colorscheme jellybeans
let g:airline_theme='jellybeans'

onedark.vim:

let g:onedark_termcolors=256
colorscheme onedark
let g:airline_theme='onedark'

Both color schemes offer easy integration with popular statusline plugins like vim-airline. The main difference in usage is the configuration options available. jellybeans.vim provides more granular control over specific color elements, while onedark.vim focuses on providing a cohesive, pre-designed color palette.

onedark.vim is inspired by the Atom One Dark theme, offering a modern and sleek appearance. It's particularly well-suited for contemporary coding environments and newer Vim versions. On the other hand, jellybeans.vim has been around longer and may offer better compatibility with older Vim setups and terminal emulators.

Ultimately, the choice between these two color schemes comes down to personal preference, desired aesthetics, and specific Vim setup requirements.

Pros of Dracula

• More active development and maintenance
• Broader ecosystem with support for many applications beyond Vim
• Larger community and user base

Cons of Dracula

• Higher resource usage due to more complex color definitions
• Less customization options for individual syntax elements
• Steeper learning curve for theme customization

Code Comparison

Jellybeans:

let g:jellybeans_overrides = {
\    'background': { 'ctermbg': 'none', '256ctermbg': 'none' },
\}
if has('termguicolors') && &termguicolors
    let g:jellybeans_overrides['background']['guibg'] = 'none'
endif
colorscheme jellybeans

Dracula:

if (has("termguicolors"))
 set termguicolors
endif
syntax enable
colorscheme dracula

Summary

Jellybeans offers a more lightweight and customizable option with a focus on Vim, while Dracula provides a consistent theme across multiple applications with a larger community. Jellybeans may be preferable for users who prioritize performance and fine-grained control, whereas Dracula suits those seeking a polished, widely-supported theme with minimal setup.

Pros of Molokai

• More vibrant and high-contrast color scheme
• Better syntax highlighting for certain languages (e.g., Python, JavaScript)
• Actively maintained with recent updates

Cons of Molokai

• Less customization options compared to Jellybeans
• May be too bright for some users, especially in low-light environments
• Limited support for terminal color schemes

Code Comparison

Jellybeans:

let g:jellybeans_overrides = {
\    'background': { 'ctermbg': 'none', '256ctermbg': 'none' },
\}
if has('termguicolors') && &termguicolors
    let g:jellybeans_overrides['background']['guibg'] = 'none'
endif
colorscheme jellybeans

Molokai:

let g:molokai_original = 1
let g:rehash256 = 1
colorscheme molokai

Both color schemes are popular choices for Vim users, offering distinct visual styles. Jellybeans provides a more subdued and customizable appearance, while Molokai offers a brighter, more vibrant look. The code comparison shows that Jellybeans requires more configuration for transparency, while Molokai has simpler setup options. Ultimately, the choice between these two color schemes depends on personal preference and specific use cases.

Pros of PaperColor Theme

• Offers both light and dark themes, providing more versatility
• Includes specific support for a wider range of programming languages and plugins
• More actively maintained with frequent updates and improvements

Cons of PaperColor Theme

• May have a steeper learning curve due to more customization options
• Some users might find the color palette less visually appealing or too bright
• Slightly larger file size, which could impact load times on older systems

Code Comparison

PaperColor Theme:

let g:PaperColor_Theme_Options = {
  \   'theme': {
  \     'default': {
  \       'transparent_background': 1
  \     }
  \   }
  \ }

Jellybeans:

let g:jellybeans_overrides = {
\    'background': { 'ctermbg': 'none', '256ctermbg': 'none' },
\}

Both themes allow for customization, but PaperColor Theme offers more granular control over various aspects of the color scheme. Jellybeans provides a simpler configuration for basic adjustments like background transparency.