Visual Studio Code Vs Atom: The Ultimate Comparison

In the fast-paced world of software development, choosing the right source code editor can make or break your productivity. Two of the most popular editors in the modern developer’s toolkit are Visual Studio Code (VS Code) and Atom. Both are free, open-source, and packed with features, but they cater to slightly different audiences and use cases. This comprehensive comparison of Visual Studio Code vs Atom will help you decide which editor is the best fit for your needs.

Whether you’re searching for Atom vs VSCode, VSCode vs Atom, or Atom versus Visual Studio Code, this guide covers everything you need to know. We’ll dive into their features, performance, and customization options.

What is a Source Code Editor?

A source code editor is a specialized tool designed for writing and editing code. Unlike traditional text editors, these tools come equipped with features like syntax highlighting, code completion, debugging, and plugin support, making them indispensable for developers. While some editors are standalone applications, others are part of Integrated Development Environments (IDEs) that offer additional tools for building and deploying software.

In this comparison, we’ll focus on Visual Studio Code and Atom, two editors that straddle the line between lightweight text editors and full-fledged IDEs. Both are highly customizable, extensible, and widely used in modern web and cloud application development.

Visual Studio Code vs Atom: An Overview

Before diving into the specifics, let’s briefly introduce both editors:

• Visual Studio Code (VS Code): Developed by Microsoft, VS Code is a free, open-source editor known for its speed, versatility, and robust feature set. It supports a wide range of programming languages, including JavaScript, TypeScript, and Node.js, and is available for Windows, macOS, and Linux. For a deeper dive into VS Code’s capabilities,
• Atom: Created by GitHub, Atom is another free, open-source editor often referred to as the “hackable text editor for the 21st century.” It’s highly customizable, with a strong emphasis on community-driven plugins and themes. Like VS Code, it’s available for Windows, macOS, and Linux.

Now, let’s explore the history of the Atom editor

Who Owns Atom Editor? (The Surprising Truth Developers Should Know)

If you’re wondering what happened to Atom, the once-beloved code editor, the ownership story reveals why it disappeared. Let me explain in simple terms:

The Short Answer:
Atom is technically owned by Microsoft through their GitHub acquisition, but it’s no longer actively developed.

The Full Timeline:

1. The GitHub Era (2011-2018)
   • Created by GitHub as an open-source alternative
   • Pioneered “hackable” editor concepts
   • Gained passionate following among web developers
2. The Microsoft Takeover (2018)
   • Microsoft acquired GitHub for $7.5B
   • Created awkward sibling rivalry with VS Code
   • Development slowed as resources shifted
3. The Sunset (2022-Present)
   • Officially discontinued December 2022
   • Still downloadable but unsupported
   • Most features absorbed into VS Code

Why This Matters for Developers:

• VS Code now dominates with 75%+ market share
• Microsoft consolidated their editor strategy
• Many Atom features live on in VS Code

Feature Comparison: VS Code vs Atom

To help you decide which editor is right for you, let’s compare Visual Studio Code and Atom across several key categories:

1. Setup and Installation

Both editors are straightforward to install, but there are subtle differences:

• VS Code: Offers a lightweight installer with more built-in features, reducing the need for additional plugins right out of the box.
• Atom: Has a larger installation size, which can impact performance, especially when multiple plugins are added.

For a step-by-step guide on installing and setting up VS Code, Please follow below steps.

Visual Studio Code Installation on Windows

 Step 1: Download the .exe package from the official website as shown below.

You can download the Visual Studio Code from their Official Website. Or search Visual Studio code on Google and click on first link

Step 2: Now run the executable file. As you run, you will see the below window.

Step 3: Select the option “I accept the agreement” and click on Next.

Step 4: Select the other tasks that you would like to perform from the below window.

Step 5: Click on Install from the following window.

Step 6: Wait for the installation to be completed.

Step 8: As the installation gets completed, you will land on the below window. Click on Finish button.

Step 9: As you click on finish, the Visual Studio Code gets launched.

Atom Installation On Windows

Step #1: Download the .exe package from the official website as shown below.

Step #2: As you run the downloaded file, the below window will appear.

Step #3: As installation is complete, the Atom editor window is launched.

2. Design and Customization

• Both editors feature clean, modern interfaces with support for dark and light themes.
• VS Code: Provides a more polished and professional look, with a focus on usability.
• Atom: Excels in customization, allowing users to create and apply their own themes and UI tweaks with ease.

3. Performance

• VS Code: Known for its speed and efficiency, even with multiple extensions enabled. Its performance is often praised by developers.
• Atom: While functional, Atom can become sluggish when handling large files or running numerous plugins due to its extension-heavy architecture.

Performance comparison: VS Code vs Atom.

4. Configuration

• VS Code: Uses a simple JSON file for configuration, recently enhanced with a Graphical User Interface (GUI) for easier customization.
• Atom: Relies heavily on a GUI for configuration, offering a more intuitive but sometimes less flexible setup.

5. User Experience

• VS Code: Offers a seamless experience with a rich set of built-in features, making it ideal for both beginners and experienced developers.
• Atom: Provides a good user experience but requires more effort to configure and extend to match VS Code’s out-of-the-box capabilities.

6. Core Features

• VS Code: Comes with powerful built-in tools like IntelliSense (code completion), debugging, Git integration, and Markdown preview.
• Atom: Relies more on plugins for core functionality, though it does include built-in Git integration.

Let’s have a glimpse of the features that Visual Studio Code and Atom offer. This indeed will help to decide which editor to use as per the requirement.

7. Plugins and Extensions

• VS Code: Has a vast library of extensions for adding language support, themes, and advanced features.
• Atom: Takes customization to the next level with a wide array of plugins, making it highly adaptable but potentially slower.

Check out this Introduction To Dot Net Framework to discover the concepts of the .NET framework.

8. Community and Support

• Both editors have large, active communities.
• VS Code: Backed by Microsoft, ensuring regular updates and strong support.
• Atom: Benefits from GitHub’s open-source community, fostering innovation and collaboration.

9. Source Control Integration

• Atom: As a GitHub product, it offers seamless Git integration, with visual indicators for uncommitted changes.
• VS Code: While it supports Git through extensions, it doesn’t quite match Atom’s native integration—though this may improve with Microsoft’s ownership of GitHub.

Additional Topics: Atom vs VSCode and Synonyms

When discussing Atom vs VSCode, it’s important to consider synonyms and related terms like VSCode vs Atom, Atom versus Visual Studio Code, and Atom compared to VSCode. These terms are often used interchangeably, but they all refer to the same comparison between these two popular code editors.

10. Ecosystem and Integration

• VS Code: Integrates seamlessly with Microsoft’s ecosystem, including Azure, GitHub, and other Microsoft services. It also supports a wide range of third-party tools and extensions.
• Atom: Being a GitHub product, it integrates naturally with GitHub repositories, making it a favorite among open-source developers.

11. Learning Curve

• VS Code: Easier for beginners due to its intuitive interface and extensive documentation.
• Atom: Slightly steeper learning curve due to its reliance on plugins and customization.

12. Updates and Maintenance

• VS Code: Receives frequent updates from Microsoft, ensuring it stays current with the latest development trends.
• Atom: Updates are less frequent, but the open-source community ensures it remains relevant.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why is VS Code faster than Atom?
   VS Code has more built-in features, whereas Atom relies on plugins for similar functionality, which can slow it down.
2. Is VS Code based on Atom?
   No, but both editors use the Electron framework. VS Code includes additional features like IntelliSense that set it apart.
3. Is Atom owned by Microsoft?
   Atom is developed by GitHub, which is owned by Microsoft.
4. What’s the difference between VS Code and Visual Studio?
   VS Code is a lightweight text editor, while Visual Studio is a full-fledged IDE with advanced tools for debugging, compiling, and more.

Conclusion

Both Visual Studio Code and Atom are excellent choices for developers, each with its own strengths and weaknesses. VS Code shines with its performance, built-in features, and polished user experience, making it a favorite for many. Atom, on the other hand, offers unparalleled customization and flexibility, appealing to those who enjoy tailoring their tools to their exact needs.

If you’re new to coding, either editor will serve you well. However, if performance and ease of use are your priorities, VS Code is the better choice. For those who value customization and don’t mind a bit of setup, Atom is a strong contender.

Ultimately, the best way to decide is to try both editors and see which one aligns with your workflow and preferences. Happy coding!