Pros of VS Code

• Extensive ecosystem of extensions and plugins
• Built-in Git integration and terminal
• Cross-platform support with consistent experience

Cons of VS Code

• Higher resource usage and slower startup time
• Steeper learning curve for advanced features
• Requires more configuration for optimal performance

Code Comparison

VS Code (settings.json):

{
  "editor.fontSize": 14,
  "editor.wordWrap": "on",
  "files.autoSave": "afterDelay"
}

Notepad++ (config.xml):

<GUIConfig name="NewDocDefaultSettings" fontName="Courier New" fontSize="10">
    <WordWrap>yes</WordWrap>
</GUIConfig>

VS Code offers more granular control over settings through its JSON configuration, while Notepad++ uses an XML-based approach. VS Code's settings are typically more extensive and customizable, but Notepad++'s configuration is simpler and more straightforward for basic adjustments.

Both editors support syntax highlighting, code folding, and multi-language support. However, VS Code's IntelliSense and debugging capabilities are more advanced, making it better suited for complex development tasks. Notepad++, on the other hand, excels in quick text editing and manipulation, with a lighter footprint and faster startup time.

Pros of Atom

• More modern, customizable interface with themes and packages
• Built-in Git integration for easier version control
• Cross-platform support (Windows, macOS, Linux)

Cons of Atom

• Slower startup time and higher resource usage
• Discontinued development as of December 2022
• Steeper learning curve for new users

Code Comparison

Notepad++:

#include "PluginInterface.h"

extern FuncItem funcItem[nbFunc];
extern NppData nppData;

BOOL APIENTRY DllMain(HANDLE hModule, DWORD  reasonForCall, LPVOID lpReserved)
{
    // Plugin initialization code
}

Atom:

const {CompositeDisposable} = require('atom');

module.exports = {
  activate(state) {
    this.subscriptions = new CompositeDisposable();
    // Plugin activation code
  },
  deactivate() {
    this.subscriptions.dispose();
  }
};

Both editors support plugin development, but Atom uses JavaScript and Node.js, making it more accessible for web developers. Notepad++ uses C++ for plugins, which may be more familiar to traditional desktop application developers.

Pros of vim

• Highly customizable and extensible through plugins and scripting
• Efficient text editing with powerful keyboard shortcuts and modes
• Lightweight and runs well on various systems, including remote servers

Cons of vim

• Steeper learning curve, especially for beginners
• Less intuitive graphical interface compared to Notepad++
• Limited built-in features without additional configuration

Code comparison

vim:

:set number
:syntax on
:colorscheme desert
:set expandtab
:set tabstop=4

Notepad++:

<GUIConfig name="TabSettings" size="4" replaceBySpace="yes" />
<GUIConfig name="AppPosition" x="0" y="0" width="1024" height="768" isMaximized="no" />
<GUIConfig name="NewDocDefaultSettings" format="0" encoding="4" lang="0" codepage="-1" openAnsiAsUTF8="yes" />

The vim configuration is done through command-line settings, while Notepad++ uses an XML-based configuration file. vim's setup is more concise but may be less intuitive for new users. Notepad++'s XML format is more verbose but potentially easier to understand and modify for those familiar with XML.

Both editors offer extensive customization options, but vim's approach requires more manual configuration and knowledge of its scripting language. Notepad++ provides a more user-friendly interface for adjusting settings, making it more accessible to casual users.

Pros of Emacs

• Highly extensible and customizable through Emacs Lisp
• Powerful text manipulation capabilities with built-in macros
• Supports a wide range of programming languages and file formats

Cons of Emacs

• Steeper learning curve, especially for beginners
• Less intuitive interface compared to modern text editors
• Slower startup time and potentially higher resource usage

Code Comparison

Emacs configuration (init.el):

(setq inhibit-startup-message t)
(global-linum-mode t)
(setq-default indent-tabs-mode nil)
(setq-default tab-width 4)
(global-set-key (kbd "C-x C-b") 'ibuffer)

Notepad++ configuration (config.xml):

<GUIConfig name="TabSettings" size="4" replaceBySpace="yes" />
<GUIConfig name="AppPosition" x="0" y="0" width="1024" height="768" isMaximized="no" />
<GUIConfig name="noUpdate" intervalDays="15" nextUpdateDate="20231231" />
<GUIConfig name="Auto-detection" autoDetectLineEnding="yes" />

Both editors offer customization options, but Emacs provides more flexibility through its Lisp-based configuration. Notepad++ uses an XML-based approach, which is simpler but less powerful. Emacs allows for more complex behaviors and keybindings, while Notepad++ focuses on basic settings and appearance configurations.

Pros of Packages

• Cross-platform support (Windows, macOS, Linux)
• Extensive customization options and plugin ecosystem
• Advanced features like multiple cursors and split editing

Cons of Packages

• Steeper learning curve for new users
• Requires a paid license for continued use
• Larger resource footprint compared to lightweight editors

Code Comparison

Notepad++:

#include "PluginInterface.h"

extern FuncItem funcItem[nbFunc];
extern NppData nppData;

BOOL APIENTRY DllMain(HANDLE hModule, DWORD reasonForCall, LPVOID lpReserved)
{
    // Plugin initialization code
}

Packages (Sublime Text):

import sublime
import sublime_plugin

class ExampleCommand(sublime_plugin.TextCommand):
    def run(self, edit):
        # Command implementation

The code snippets demonstrate the different approaches to plugin development in each editor. Notepad++ uses C++ with a specific plugin interface, while Sublime Text (Packages) utilizes Python for more accessible plugin creation.

Pros of TextMate

• Mac-native application with a polished, native UI
• Powerful bundle system for extending functionality
• Innovative features like snippets and macros

Cons of TextMate

• Limited to macOS, not cross-platform
• Less frequent updates compared to Notepad++
• Smaller community and plugin ecosystem

Code Comparison

TextMate (Ruby bundle example):

snippet do
def ${1:method_name}
	${0:# TODO}
end

Notepad++ (User Defined Language example):

<UserLang name="MyLang" ext="mylang">
    <Settings>
        <Global caseIgnored="no" />
        <TreatAsSymbol comment="yes" commentLine="//" />
    </Settings>
    <KeywordLists>
        <Keywords name="Keywords1">if else for while</Keywords>
    </KeywordLists>
</UserLang>

TextMate focuses on a bundle-based approach for language support and customization, while Notepad++ uses XML-based User Defined Languages for similar functionality. TextMate's snippet system is more concise and powerful, but Notepad++'s approach offers more granular control over syntax highlighting and folding.

Both editors are highly customizable, but they cater to different ecosystems and user preferences. TextMate excels in the macOS environment with its native integration, while Notepad++ offers broader platform support and a larger user base.