GNU Emacs vs Visual Studio Code : Which is Better?

GNU Emacs icon

GNU Emacs

GNU Emacs is the most popular and most ported Emacs text editor. Developed by The Free Software Foundation

License: Open Source

Categories: Development

Apps available for Mac OS X Windows Linux BSD

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Visual Studio Code icon

Visual Studio Code

Visual Studio Code is a source code editor developed by Microsoft for Windows, Linux and macOS. Developed by Microsoft

License: Open Source

Categories: Development

Apps available for Mac OS X Windows Linux Electron / Atom Shell

GNU Emacs VS Visual Studio Code

GNU Emacs is a powerful, highly customizable text editor favored by programmers who appreciate extensive control and scripting capabilities, especially in Lisp. In contrast, Visual Studio Code offers a more user-friendly experience with a modern interface and integrated features, making it ideal for collaborative programming and quick setups.

GNU Emacs

Pros:

  • Highly customizable with extensive package support
  • Powerful text editing capabilities
  • Supports multiple programming languages out of the box
  • Great for Lisp programming and scripting
  • Strong community support and documentation

Cons:

  • Steep learning curve for new users
  • Can be overwhelming due to its vast number of features
  • Performance can be slow with large files or complex configurations

Visual Studio Code

Pros:

  • User-friendly interface with a modern design
  • Integrated terminal for command-line access
  • Extensive marketplace for extensions and plugins
  • Built-in support for Git and version control
  • Real-time collaborative editing features

Cons:

  • Can be resource-heavy on older machines
  • Some features may require additional extensions
  • Limited customizability compared to Emacs

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