When it comes to choosing a code editor for WordPress development, two popular options are PHPStorm and Visual Studio Code (VS Code). Both are powerful, feature-rich code editors that are well-suited for WordPress development, but they have some key differences that you should consider when deciding which one is right for you.
Price
One of the main differences between PHPStorm and VS Code is the price. PHPStorm is a paid code editor, while VS Code is free. This can be a deciding factor for some developers, particularly those who are just starting out or working on a tight budget.
PHPStorm is developed and maintained by JetBrains, a company that specializes in creating tools for developers. As a result, PHPStorm is a more fully-featured code editor that includes a number of advanced features that are not available in VS Code. These features come at a cost, however, as PHPStorm requires a subscription to use. The price of a subscription varies depending on the length of the subscription and the number of developers using it, but it typically starts at around $89 per year for an individual developer.
VS Code, on the other hand, is developed and maintained by Microsoft and is completely free to use. It includes a wide range of features that make it an excellent choice for WordPress development, including support for PHP, syntax highlighting, code completion, and debugging tools. It also has a large and active community of developers who contribute extensions and other enhancements to the code editor.
Focus
Another difference between PHPStorm and VS Code is the focus of the two code editors. PHPStorm is specifically designed for PHP development, while VS Code is a more general-purpose code editor that supports a wide range of languages and technologies.
PHPStorm includes a number of features that are tailored specifically for PHP development, such as code completion and refactoring tools. It also has built-in support for popular PHP frameworks like Laravel and Symfony, which can be helpful for WordPress developers who are using these frameworks.
VS Code, on the other hand, is a more general-purpose code editor that supports a wide range of languages and technologies. It includes excellent support for PHP, with features such as syntax highlighting, code completion, and debugging tools. However, it is not specifically designed for PHP development, and may not include some of the advanced features that are available in PHPStorm.
That being said, VS Code is still a strong choice for WordPress development thanks to its excellent PHP support and the availability of extensions that provide additional WordPress-specific functionality. There are a number of VS Code extensions that are specifically designed for WordPress development, including snippets, theme and plugin management tools, and integration with WP-CLI. These extensions can help make VS Code a more fully-featured code editor for WordPress development.
Customization
Both PHPStorm and VS Code are highly customizable code editors, with a wide range of options for customizing the interface and features to fit your specific needs.
PHPStorm includes a number of customization options, including the ability to change the color scheme, font, and layout of the interface. It also includes a number of settings that allow you to customize the behavior of the code editor, such as code formatting and code style options.
VS Code also has a wide range of customization options, including the ability to change the color scheme, font, and layout of the interface. It also includes a large number of extensions that can be installed to add additional functionality to the code editor. These extensions range from language support to tools for debugging and testing code, and can be easily installed and managed from within VS Code.
Conclusion
Overall, both PHPStorm and VS Code are excellent for WordPress development and ultimately it comes down to personal preference.
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