So I was working on my project on Github when I got a message from one of my peers that Github has launched the ฮฒ testing mode of a new cloud-based development environment named Github Codespaces. So apparently I researched about it and found it quite interesting.
These days I have noticed that everything is moving on the Cloud. Be it computing or saving resources, the Cloud has become a one-stop solution for everything.
Who knows with the advancement I.O.T and Cloud, even the physical presence of our P.C's may disappear and everything would become Cloud based!
Github Codespaces is an instant cloud-based dev environment which says of giving you a full V.S Code experience. A codespace includes everything you need to develop for a specific repository, including a text editor with syntax highlighting and autocomplete, a terminal, debugging tools, and Git commands, all within GitHub.
You can also install Visual Studio Code extensions in your codespace to add more functionality. This sounds interesting because if that becomes the case I would be able to save a lot of space in my local storage ;).
It assures you that everything right from writing code, building, testing, debugging, and deploying can be done on the development environment in your browser.
Anyone can create a codespace for any public repository, or for any repository owned by their user account. This surely makes life easier!
This would also help to push, pull, merge code right from the browser. The dependency on git would be substantially reduced with this new feature.
You can also contribute code from any device, using the VS Code or your browser. When you create a codespace, you can leave it open for as long as you wish but it will suspend automatically after 30 minutes of inactivity though you can reconnect at any time through Codespaces.
You can follow entire detailed documentation on Codespaces here.
I was very satisfied with this new move by Github until this word struck me: 'Gitpod'. I wondered what role would Gitpod play now?
For those who don't know what Gitpod is; It's similar to Codespaces.
Gitpod provides continuous dev environments for the development flows of common code hosting platforms.
You can even run your code on the Gitpod dev environment just by pasting this link before your code URL:
https://gitpod.io/#https://github.com/.....(code URL)
You can run your code hosted on GitLab, GitHub, or Bitbucket repository.
Gitpod launches a prebuilt dev environment with just a single click.
You can follow the entire documentation here.
Gitpod is developed by TypeFox whereas Codespaces is being developed by Github.
Now after comparing the features of both I didn't find any significant difference. I wonder what features can Github include in Codespaces to bring in significant difference with Gitpod!
Any thoughts? :)
Top comments (20)
Keep in mind that Gitpod is open source whereas Codespaces... Well, its not, only works with GitHub and uses their proprietary marketplace.
Full disclosure, I've used Gitpod for a long time and can't imagine developing on my laptop again. I wrote about it on multiple occasions:
Glad to know your thoughts! The articles were a great read :)
I really like the idea of developing in the cloud or developing in containers in general.
The biggest roadblock right now is the lack of support for graphics.
Shadow PC seems to be only option right now.
Yeah, I agree! Maybe in the near future as tech progresses we can hope for some great optimizations.
Iโm quite doubtful. Graphics and especially native GUI is one of the strongest bastions of platform dependent differences there are.
Not only is there no common low level API supported on all major platforms everyone also uses their own compositing and presentation platform which vary significantly (Linux has two l, plus Android, plus Chrome OS).
This is quite different from most of tech used on the backend of web services. The vast majority itโs cross platform by default or just a recompilation away.
Gitpod supports GUI developement too (with the use of VNC embedded in HTML5). Currently it is good for desktop apps development, since Gitpod deosn't support direct connection of local devices (mobile phones, ioT devices, Microcontroller boards, etc), also lacks support for device emulators (due to the complexity in virtualization) - there are some hack ways - not tried yet.
A common drawback for both platforms is support for windows only technologies like .NET Framework (but, supports .NET Core). I think Microsoft will overcome this limitation in near future thorugh Codespaces.
๐ Johannes here from Gitpod. I might be a bit biased, but for people interested in a more in-depth, technical comparison we created the following landing page: gitpod.io/gitpod-vs-codespaces/
Yes, even I am excited for the CodeSpaces release. I hope it's free, I am just a high school student so I don't buy stuff ๐๐
I currently use GitPod for React projects and it is like 20 times faster than my local environment (3GB RAM).
PS I'm just curious to know whether we can create Python projects with GitPod. It doesn't support and deps via pip when I try.
Yes, see this tutorial: gitpod.io/#https://github.com/brea...
Gitpod Supports everything that a linux machine supports, except GUI things
This news may be of interest:
Visual Studio Codespaces is consolidating into GitHub Codespaces
Interesting! :)
I think this is all base on user case scenario. Some people/devs might find more useful to have Codespace available against their repos in GitHub. However, Gitpod is opensource which means devs would be able to build on top of it easier since they can contribute to the project them self.
The war between both is pointless in my opinion as they are both for aiming against different types of people who wish to use it.
But good article, It was great to read it and bring out some thoughts on it.
Keep it going !
Gald to know your opinion & thanks :)
My concern for Codespaces is the pricing model is still being worked out. Sounds like it'll get people hooked in beta and then get priced out when it's done. Otherwise, I'm just along for the ride to see how cloud-based development continues as a trend :)
Glad to know your opinion!
I wonder why Github was not like that in the beginnings?! ๐ค
No: mspoweruser.com/microsoft-is-killi...
What about stackblitz.com? This is becoming a crowded market...
StackBlitz is not cloud based, you develop in your browser with a nodeJs embedded in wasm. And The files are saved in your local machine.