What to Learn After Code Editors

Code editors are a tool Software Developers use to facilitate the writing of error-free code. A code editor is a program designed to make writing code smooth and error-free. If you already know how to use code editors, you might consider learning how to use Git, Emmet, and/or important coding frameworks and libraries like React, Node.js, and Django. Once you’re comfortable using a code editor with one programming language, you might also consider looking into learning a new language to become a more versatile coder. We’ll cover Git, Emmet, frameworks and libraries, and new coding languages below so you have a clear understanding of what skill you want to tackle next. 

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.

Git

Git is an open-source version-control tool that allows programmers to keep track of the changes they make to their code and restore earlier versions if desired. It also facilitates collaborative work on a program by allowing it to be saved in multiple versions. Like a code editor, it is an important tool for a budding developer to learn because it is industry-standard in software engineering. Learning Git is not especially difficult unless you choose to employ its more complex documentation tools, which can take some time to pick up. You can learn more about Git in Noble’s web development courses, including its front end web development certificate and certificate in full stack web development.

Emmet

Emmet is a plug-in you can use with many code editors, including Visual Studio Code. With Emmet, programmers can type in snippets of code that the plug-in will automatically expand into full pieces of code. It comes with many snippets already programmed in, but you can create your own custom snippets as well. Once you know how to use your code editor, Emmet can help you employ it more efficiently. Noble’s front end tools and portfolio course can help you learn how to make Visual Studio Code and Emmet a dream team for coding purposes. The plug-in is designed to be intuitive and easy to incorporate into your process.

Frameworks and Libraries

To be an effective programmer, you’ll need to know how to use the frameworks and libraries that are available for the language you’re coding in. If you’re using JavaScript, you’ll need to know the library React and the framework library Node.js. Python coders will want to know how to use the Django framework. Whatever the language, using its frameworks and libraries will be a critical skill for you as a coder. These will not be difficult to learn as long as you have a solid grounding in the language.

A New Programming Language

When you learn to use a code editor as part of your study of coding, you can typically apply that knowledge to coding in a different language. Learning multiple programming languages will also make you more versatile as a developer and qualify you for a wider range of careers. The TIOBE programming language popularity index lists Python, Java, and JavaScript as among the most commonly used languages today. If you’ve already studied one of these, you might want to pick up another one, and if you haven’t, it could be a good time to get started.

Key Insights

• After you learn code editors, you’ll want to consider learning other developer tools
• These tools include Git for version control and Emmet for efficient coding through expandable snippets
• You’ll also want to familiarize yourself with the libraries and frameworks in the language you are working with
• Once you’ve learned to code in one language using a code editor, learning a new language could be a great next step
• 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.