Best Free Code Editors Resources & Tutorials

There are plenty of professionals who are eager to learn how to use code editors but hesitate because of the perceived up-front costs. Fortunately, most code editors are free to download, so there’s no initial investment there. Also, there is a surprising amount of free resources available to help beginners get the hang of this critical tool, meaning that you can get started on your training without needing to pay anything for it right away.

Read on to learn more about the different types of free resources and tutorials available to help you learn code editors.

What are Code Editors?

A code editor is a type of developer tool, widely used by programmers to facilitate their writing process. It’s a standalone program that developers will write their code in before entering it where it will ultimately be executed. Code editors provide features that make coding more efficient and give the programmer more clarity about how their code functions. Code editors have been in use since 1985, when IBM developed the first one. 

Prior to the invention of code editors, coders generally wrote in a word processing program before transferring their code to be executed. The importance of code editors is that they are specifically designed for writing programs efficiently. Unlike a word processing program, the creators of a code editor build all of its features with this purpose in mind. Standard features of a code editor include live parsing, syntax highlighting, automatic indentation, auto-completion, and expandable code snippets.

One of a code editor’s most important features is color-coded syntax highlighting. The code editor parses the code in real-time to identify its key elements—such as variables, commands, and functions—and highlights them in different colors to help the programmer see the code’s structure more clearly. Another aspect of code editors that clarifies structure is the automatic indentation of code that runs inside functions or loops, so the coder can see that this code is subordinate to the larger structure of the program.

Code editors typically include built-in error-checking, which allows coders to avoid tedious debugging by hand. Like search engines, code editors also have an auto-complete feature, which saves time by anticipating and suggesting what you might want to write next. Another time-saving element of most code editors is the ability to use built-in code snippets to execute the same code repeatedly. Some editors let you create custom code snippets for your specific projects. Many of them can also work with plug-ins that increase their functionality. 

On a higher level, code editors make it easier for a Developer to navigate code files and resources as they work. Today, almost every Developer uses a code editor. For beginners, the most popular code editor is Visual Studio Code. Other beginner-friendly code editors include Atom, Notepad++, and Sublime.

Read more about what code editors are and why you should learn them.

What Can You Do with Code Editors?

Code editors allow a Developer to write error-free code more efficiently. They come equipped with features that facilitate the coding process. These features include syntax highlighting, automatic indentation, error-checking, autocomplete, and code snippets. That’s why their use is practically universal among developers today.

Color-coded syntax highlighting allows the coder to see the structure of their code. The code editor identifies in real-time what type of coding element the programmer is using, and uses color highlighting to mark variables, commands, and functions in the code. The live parsing that makes syntax highlighting possible also allows code editors to provide automatic indentation. Sections of code that are subordinate to the overall program, like those within functions or loops, are indented to show the relationship they bear to the rest of the code.

Another aspect of code editors that increases developer efficiency is the error-checking function, which allows the coder to avoid hours of tedious debugging. Many code editors have an autocomplete function, just as search engines do. This saves you time by anticipating and suggesting what you may want to write next. Code snippets also speed up your process by allowing you to avoid typing the same lengthy bit of code over and over again.

Free Resources on Code Editors

Are you learning coding and code editors for the first time? You may want to start out with an overview of the basics before paying to take a course. Noble has a number of free resources that you can use to get started with coding and code editors. 

When it comes to editors, you might be uncertain as to which one is the best choice for you to use. To help you decide, you can check out Noble’s blog post on how to choose a code editor. If you choose to start with the beginner-friendly Visual Studio Code, this free tutorial on the Visual Studio Code editor will get you started with that program. If you prefer reading to watching, you can investigate the topic through our hub of tutorials, articles, and resources to help you learn code editors.

Which resources you find useful will also depend on your purpose in learning to use a code editor. Noble’s seminar introduction to front end web development is a free video resource for those looking to go into that field. For more videos after that, see Noble’s playlist on web design and development. 

In addition to the free resources available at Noble, you can find basic courses at Codecademy and FreeCodeCamp that will show you how to set up a code editor and get started coding with it. Those providers also have free video tutorials on how to use specific features of code editors. If you’ve chosen to use Visual Studio Code, you can look at the free tutorials offered by its owner, Microsoft, as well.

What Free Resources Cannot Provide

The disadvantage of free tutorials is that they rarely take you far beyond the basics. Plus, it can be difficult to identify which tutorials are the best to use or filter out the ones that are obsolete. Regardless of the on-demand materials you choose, too, taking this path will not afford you access to clarification, feedback, and guidance from an expert instructor, which can be particularly vital when you are beginning your studies.

Key Insights

• Noble has free resources that can help you learn code editors. These include:
• Blog posts
• Tutorials
• Seminars
• Video playlists
• However, the learning potential of free resources is limited because these materials are typically introductory, can be difficult to choose among, and don’t provide access to a knowledgeable instructor
• You can receive comprehensive training in how to use code editors through an in-person or live online course with Noble Desktop

Learn Coding with Hands-on Training at Noble Desktop

When you study coding at Noble Desktop, the expert instructors and small class sizes will expedite and enhance your learning process. Noble’s varied training formats allow you to choose the type of training that will work best for you, whether that’s in-person or live online. Once you’ve finished a Noble course, you can retake that class for free, which can be helpful if you’d like to learn even more about coding. Coding courses at Noble include the use of code editors and other vital developer tools.

Noble has several certificate programs in coding. Your choice of program will depend on why you want to learn the skill. If you’re interested in becoming a Web Developer, you might want to enroll in a certificate in full stack development, unless you’re exclusively interested in front end work. In that case, the front end web development certificate program might be for you. Noble’s certificate in JavaScript development is also a good option for aspiring Web Developers. Students looking to become Data Scientists may want to check out the Python Developer certificate program.

If you’d prefer to start with an individual class before leaping into a certificate program, you can study coding in-person or take live online coding classes.