Pros of VS Code

• Larger and more active community, resulting in frequent updates and extensive plugin ecosystem
• Built-in features like integrated terminal, Git integration, and debugging tools
• Cross-platform support with consistent experience across Windows, macOS, and Linux

Cons of VS Code

• Heavier resource usage, potentially slower startup times on older hardware
• Steeper learning curve for customization due to more complex configuration options
• Some users may find the interface cluttered compared to Sublime Text's minimalist approach

Code Comparison

VS Code (settings.json):

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

Packages (Preferences.sublime-settings):

{
  "font_size": 14,
  "word_wrap": true,
  "save_on_focus_lost": true,
  "color_scheme": "Packages/Color Scheme - Default/Monokai.sublime-color-scheme"
}

Both editors allow for extensive customization through JSON configuration files, but VS Code's settings tend to be more verbose and granular compared to Sublime Text's more concise approach.

Pros of Atom

• Open-source and highly customizable with a large ecosystem of packages
• Built-in package manager for easy installation and updates
• Active community with frequent updates and contributions

Cons of Atom

• Slower performance, especially with large files or projects
• Higher memory usage compared to lightweight editors
• Discontinued development by GitHub (as of December 2022)

Code Comparison

Atom (JavaScript):

atom.commands.add('atom-workspace', {
  'custom:command': () => {
    console.log('Custom command executed');
  }
});

Packages (JSON):

{
  "name": "Custom Package",
  "commands": [
    {
      "caption": "Custom: Command",
      "command": "custom_command"
    }
  ]
}

The code snippets demonstrate the different approaches to defining custom commands in Atom and Sublime Text (via Packages). Atom uses JavaScript and its API for command creation, while Sublime Text relies on JSON configuration files.

Atom offers a more programmatic approach with its JavaScript-based ecosystem, allowing for complex package development. Packages, on the other hand, provides a simpler, declarative method for extending Sublime Text functionality.

While Atom's approach offers more flexibility, Packages' method is more lightweight and easier to implement for basic functionality extensions.

Pros of TextMate

• Open-source and community-driven development
• Extensive customization options and powerful scripting capabilities
• Native macOS application with seamless integration

Cons of TextMate

• Limited cross-platform support (macOS only)
• Less frequent updates compared to Packages
• Steeper learning curve for advanced features

Code Comparison

TextMate (Ruby bundle example):

snippet do "do |variable| ... end" b
do ${1:|${2:variable}|}
	$0
end
endsnippet

Packages (Ruby package example):

{
  "name": "do",
  "content": "do ${1:|${2:variable}|}\n\t$0\nend"
}

Both repositories provide syntax highlighting and snippets for various programming languages. TextMate offers a more comprehensive development environment, while Packages focuses on providing language support for Sublime Text. TextMate's bundles are more complex and feature-rich, whereas Packages uses a simpler JSON-based format for defining snippets and syntax rules.

TextMate's repository includes the entire text editor's source code, making it suitable for those interested in contributing to the editor itself. Packages, on the other hand, is specifically designed for extending Sublime Text's language support and is more accessible for users looking to add or modify language-specific features.

Pros of vim

• Highly customizable and extensible through Vim script and plugins
• Lightweight and fast, suitable for use on remote servers or low-resource environments
• Extensive keyboard shortcuts for efficient text editing without relying on a mouse

Cons of vim

• Steeper learning curve, especially for users accustomed to graphical editors
• Less intuitive interface for beginners, requiring time to master basic operations
• Limited built-in GUI features compared to modern text editors

Code Comparison

vim:

" Example Vim configuration
set nocompatible
filetype plugin indent on
syntax enable
set number
set expandtab

Packages:

{
  "name": "Example Package",
  "scope": "source.example",
  "settings": {
    "lineNumbers": true,
    "tabSize": 2
  }
}

The vim code snippet shows a basic configuration in Vim script, while the Packages example demonstrates a JSON-based configuration for Sublime Text packages. Vim's configuration is more programmatic, allowing for complex logic and customization, whereas Packages uses a declarative approach for defining syntax and editor settings.

Pros of Emacs

• Highly extensible and customizable with Emacs Lisp
• Comprehensive built-in functionality, including text editing, project management, and version control
• Large and active community with extensive documentation and packages

Cons of Emacs

• Steeper learning curve, especially for users new to Lisp-based customization
• Slower startup time compared to lightweight editors
• Less modern default UI, which may require additional configuration

Code Comparison

Emacs (Emacs Lisp):

(defun hello-world ()
  (interactive)
  (message "Hello, World!"))

Packages (JSON):

{
  "name": "Hello World",
  "scope": "source.example",
  "content": "Hello, World!"
}

Summary

Emacs is a powerful, extensible text editor with a rich ecosystem, while Packages focuses on providing syntax definitions and language support for Sublime Text. Emacs offers more built-in functionality and customization options but has a steeper learning curve. Packages, on the other hand, is more specialized and easier to use for Sublime Text users. The code comparison illustrates the different approaches: Emacs uses Lisp for defining functions, while Packages uses JSON for configuration.

Pros of macdown

• Specialized Markdown editor for macOS with live preview
• User-friendly interface with customizable themes and syntax highlighting
• Exports to various formats including PDF and HTML

Cons of macdown

• Limited to macOS platform, not cross-platform like Sublime Text
• Fewer language support options compared to Packages
• Less extensive plugin ecosystem

Code Comparison

macdown (Objective-C):

- (void)viewDidLoad {
    [super viewDidLoad];
    self.markdownView.string = self.markdown;
    [self.markdownView setNeedsDisplay:YES];
}

Packages (JSON):

{
    "name": "Markdown",
    "scope": "text.html.markdown",
    "settings": {
        "foreground": "#FFFFFF"
    }
}

Summary

macdown is a dedicated Markdown editor for macOS with a focus on user-friendly features and live preview. Packages, on the other hand, is a collection of language support files for Sublime Text, offering broader language coverage and cross-platform compatibility. While macdown provides a more specialized Markdown editing experience, Packages offers greater flexibility for various programming languages and text formats within the Sublime Text ecosystem.