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Beey
Beey

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the difference between Visual studio code and Visual studio (And how to decide whats best for you)

What most people think

Now you may think Visual studio code is the same as Visual studio but they're different.


Operating system compatibility difference

In compatibility with Operating Systems they are significantly different.

Visual studio code operating system compatibility

Visual studio code: Allows running on macOS(Called Darwin in VS code), Linux, Windows and openBSD.

Visual studio operating system compatibility

Visual studio: Dependent on Windows only.

What is best on different operating systems

On macOS, linux and openbsd Visual studio code is the better option for OS compatibility.

On windows both Visual studio code and Visual studio support this OS so its up to your choice.


Team difference

Visual studio code team recommendation

Visual studio code is recommended for solo developers up to a medium team of ~50 people

Visual studio team recommendation

Visual studio was designed for big teams ~100 people or higher

Visual studio was made for enterprice

Visual studio is also designed for enterprice development with huge teams.

What is best for different team sizes and solo developers

for Solo developers and small to medium teams Visual studio code was designed for you.

for big teams Visual studio was designed for you.


What is heavier: Visual studio or Visual studio code.

Visual studio is heavier while Visual studio code is light-weight with minimal load time.

Load-time difference

Visual studio often takes a minute or longer to load.

Visual studio code takes minimal loading time.

Built-in support difference

Visual studio code built in support

Visual studio code already supports on download various coding languages without any extensions these includes(and more not listed):

  • html
  • css
  • js
  • ts
  • jsx
  • c
  • c++
  • python

Code extensions built in support

They also include built-in support for code extensions they include(Some are not listed):

  • mjs
  • tsx
  • ts declaration file

Markup built-in support

There are also built-in support for things focused on markdown these can include(Some are not listed):

  • jade
  • pug
  • html
  • markdown

Built-in configuaration file support

Visual studio code Configuaration file support can include(Some are not listed);

  • eslintrc
  • babelrc

Built-in terminal

Visual studio code has a built-in terminal that runs bash

Visual studio built in support

Visual studio supports less coding languages built-in than Visual studio code but they have built-in coding languages Visual studio code needs an extension for, this includes(Some are not listed):

  • C#
  • C++
  • C
  • Basic js
  • Basic ts

Built-in terminal

Visual studio has a built-in terminal but it does not support built-in bash


Comparison table

Visual studio code Studio code
Light-weight Heavy
Supports multiple operating systems Only windows recommended
supports built-in bash in terminal Built-in bash to run in terminal not supported
Very fast loading time Long loading time
Built for solo devs and small to medium teams Built for enterprice development in big teams
Can handle mjs and ts declaration files mjs and ts declaration files are not built-in

Whats best for you

If you meet some of these:

  • solo developer
  • small or medium team
  • Visual studio does not fit your needs
  • You are on a non-compatible device for Visual studio
  • Need fast loading
  • Not enterprice development
  • A web developer
  • A frontend developer
  • A multi-language coder

Visual studio code is typicaly better

If you meet some of these:

  • Big team
  • Enterprice development
  • Visual studio code does not fit your needs
  • You are on a compatible device for Visual studio
  • Loading does not matter
  • A single-language coder

Visual studio is typicaly better

NOTE: Its your choice!

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