One of the most important parts of programming successfully is being able to edit source code. There are a few ways to do that, but a code editor is one of the best. The tool will make you much more efficient by helping you see where there are mistakes and where changes need to be made.
However, not all code editors are created equal. There are several different options, and each comes with its own unique features and inclusions. This guide will take you through some of the best code editors for your Mac computer and explain why they’re so special.
1. Visual Studio Code
Despite being created and maintained by Microsoft, Visual Studio Code is among the best code editors available for your Mac computer. It was built with both speed and simplicity in mind as a way to give a great experience to users. Despite its ease of use, it also includes professional features like IntelliSense for smart completions, debugging built right in the editor, and several extensions that can be installed to add even more additional features.
You can easily work with Git and other source code management providers as well. It’s also free to use, so it’s a good idea to at least give it a try and see how it works for you. It has great reviews and is trusted by many people in the code editor space.
2. Atom
Despite its simple-to-use and easy-to-follow interface, Atom is an advanced code editor that allows for a ton of customization options. There are thousands of different packages to choose from, and each one brings unique functionality to your experience. You can even build your own if you like. The themes and UI can also be customized.
Atom has a built-in package manager, lets you browse and open multiple files in the same window, and comes complete with smart autocompletion. The editor also makes it incredibly easy to work with others and collaborate on projects. The project is completely open source, which means it can be used for free, and anyone can be a part of the community to improve the editor.
3. Brackets
Brackets is a great open-source code editor for Mac devices that mainly focuses on web development. The editor makes it easy to design in your browser, and comes with a simple and minimalistic interface that anyone can quickly use. They also do a good job of blending visual tools right into the editor so you get all the help you need without slowing down your work.
You can also easily see a live preview of your work to make sure the changes you see on screen are the changes that you wanted to make. Extension management is easy in the editor, and the inline support is also extremely helpful.
4. Sublime Text
Sublime Text is a sophisticated and fully-featured source code editor that’s also incredibly lightweight and incredibly customizable. The editor supports over 50 different languages so no matter what sort of coding or programming you do, Sublime Text can likely help. It’s free to use, but also features a paid license if you’d like to support the developers that keep the code editor functional and updated.
Technically, it has a free trial period, but there’s no enforced end date for this period. This code editor includes several helpful features that range from the ability to edit multiple lines and make multiple changes at once to the ability to search for exactly what you need without having to navigate through a ton of different menus.
The editor is also incredibly responsive and works on Mac, Linux, and Windows. It truly sets the bar when it comes to blending performance and simplicity.
5. Coda
Coda is a text editor that’s quite popular among different programmers because it can work with both local and remote files. In addition, it’s very fast, has a clean UI, and a web kit preview. Local indexing is functional within the editor, and it features many guides to help improve your coding efficiency.
Coda does cost $99, but it features just about everything you could need or expect from a text editor. Syntax highlighting, code folding, fast commenting, and even automatic tag closing are all included here. It’s a great option for a wide range of users at different experience levels.
Final Words
Any of the above mentioned code editors will be able to help you edit source code and make sure everything is functioning as it’s supposed to. They can surely help you be more efficient when it comes to coding and programming. As long as you pick one that works for your coding style, you’ll see results in no time.
Do you use or know of a different code editor you feel should have been mentioned? If so, we’d love to hear more about it in a comment below!
