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WebStorm and Sublime Text lead a field of diverse and capable tools for JavaScript programming
JavaScript is used for many different kinds of applications today. Most often, it's partnered with HTML5 and CSS to build Web front ends, but it's also used for mobile applications, and it's even finding a place on the back end in the form of Node.js servers. Fortunately, JavaScript development tools -- at least some of them -- are rising to meet the new challenges.
In this roundup, I look at 10 different editors and IDEs (integrated development environments) of interest to JavaScript programmers. Six of these -- ActiveState's Komodo IDE, Eclipse with JSDT (JavaScript Development Tools), Microsoft's Visual Studio 2013, NetBeans, Sublime Text, and JetBrains' WebStorm -- could serve as the primary JavaScript tool for serious developers. I've given these six products full, scored evaluations.
[ JetBrains' WebStorm and Sublime Text are InfoWorld 2014 Technology of the Year Award winners. Read about the other winning products in our slideshow, "InfoWorld's 2014 Technology of the Year Award winners." | For quick, smart takes on the news you'll be talking about, check out InfoWorld TechBrief -- subscribe today. ]
The other four tools -- Alpha Anywhere, Komodo Edit, Notepad++, and TextMate -- don't rank with the above group, and I didn't give them full evaluations. Still, they're worth knowing about, so I've included them in the discussion.
Most of the tools reviewed here run on Windows, OS X, and Linux. A few run on only one or two of these Platforms. Many are full-featured integrated development environments, and some are code editors with smarts about JavaScript.
Which should you pick? I have to give you the Consultant's answer: It depends on what you need, like, and can afford.
If you want a flexible, powerful, extensible, and lightning-fast programming text editor, look no further than Sublime Text. For bonus points, it's also cross-platform. And while Sublime Text is definitely not an IDE, it can be beefed up using plug-ins to take on some of the features of an IDE.
For integrated development focused exclusively on JavaScript, HTML5, and CSS, Consider WebStorm. It's an incredibly productive and capable professional IDE for Web development that comes at a very reasonable price. I recommend WebStorm...