TextMate vs Visual Studio Code: What are the differences?

Introduction

TextMate and Visual Studio Code are both popular code editors used by developers to write and edit code. Although they share some similarities, there are several key differences between the two.

1. Extensions and plugins: One major difference between TextMate and Visual Studio Code is the availability and variety of extensions and plugins. Visual Studio Code has a vast library of extensions that can be easily installed and used, allowing users to customize and enhance their coding experience. On the other hand, TextMate has a more limited selection of plugins, making it less flexible in terms of customization.

2. Integrated Terminal: Visual Studio Code offers an integrated terminal, which enables developers to run commands and interact with their code within the editor itself. TextMate, on the other hand, does not have an integrated terminal, requiring users to switch between the editor and a separate terminal application.

3. Multiple Cursors: Visual Studio Code supports the use of multiple cursors, allowing users to edit multiple sections of code simultaneously. This can significantly improve productivity, especially when making repetitive changes. In contrast, TextMate does not have built-in support for multiple cursors, making it less efficient for certain editing tasks.

4. Debugging Support: Visual Studio Code provides robust debugging support, with features such as breakpoints, step-by-step execution, and variable inspection. This makes it easier for developers to identify and troubleshoot issues in their code. TextMate, on the other hand, does not have built-in debugging capabilities, requiring users to rely on external tools or plugins for debugging.

5. IntelliSense and Code Completion: Visual Studio Code offers advanced IntelliSense features, providing suggestions and auto-completion while typing code. This can greatly speed up the coding process and help prevent syntax errors. TextMate, on the other hand, has limited support for IntelliSense and code completion, making it less efficient for writing code.

6. Version Control Integration: Visual Studio Code has seamless integration with popular version control systems such as Git, making it easy for developers to track changes, manage branches, and collaborate on code. TextMate, on the other hand, lacks built-in version control integration, requiring users to rely on external tools or plugins for version control functionality.

In summary, Visual Studio Code offers a wider range of extensions, integrated terminal, multiple cursor support, debugging capabilities, advanced IntelliSense, and better version control integration compared to TextMate.