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Ask HN: Do any of you dislike using Visual Studio Code?

18 points by ZanyProgrammer 7y ago

Given how very popular it is, anyone here actually dislike using it?

d0100 7y ago
I like because it's free. But autocomplete is very slow.
SiVal 7y ago
Just in case you mean the question literally, yes, some people on HN have said they dislike using it. I'm not one of them. I like it. But you're probably asking for people who dislike it to tell you what it is about VS Code they dislike. I do like it, but in case they don't answer: When people have said they tried it but abandoned it, they usually say they like the snappier speed of the QT-based Sublime Text. Most of us, it seems, find the speed of VS Code good enough, but some people have said that they don't. The next complaint isn't really dislike per se, but some people find that even though VS Code might work in general, their specific work is better done with more specialized tools, ex: xcode for iOS, Android Studio for Android, full Visual Studio for Windows apps, JetBrains IDEs for Java or Python, etc. Those two are the reasons I've heard most from people who have rejected VS Code.
- ZanyProgrammer 7y ago
  Yep, I'm just curious to hear people's opinions. It gets so much positive attention, and despite working in a .Net shop myself, I really don't like it either.
- arbhassan 7y ago
  Sublime Text is not QT-Based. According to Jon.[0] [0]https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=2822114 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=2822114
  - SiVal 7y ago
    +1. Thanks for that. I've heard it was QT many times, but Jon is the ultimate authority.
mladen5 7y ago
I don't like VS Code git integration, WebStorms (JetBrains) diff/merge tool with syntax highlighting is superior.
- misterioss 7y ago
  Debugger also much better in JetBrains products
gitgud 7y ago
I was a big sublime text user, but my work uses Vscode so I do too. I hated it at first but am always amazed at the maturity of the whole extensions ecosystem. Could be the only thing from Microsoft I actually like!.... And all they did was fork Atom Editor...
rman666 7y ago
Ha, I still love TextPad, but more for writing, not coding. Let the editor wars begin!
torstenvl 7y ago
I like VSCode, but I get slightly annoyed at how its auto-indentation doesn't auto-de-indent after a closing brace (the way emacs does).
- torstenvl 7y ago
  Disregard. Updated version works the way I expect it to. It must have been a while since I last used it.
dham 7y ago
Yea not a fan. Font rendering has always been hideous in Electron apps. Even with a 4k monitors it doesn't render like Mac native apps do. Simple things you take for granted in Sublime like it opening, typing speed, ui scaling correctly. Plus things like no sidebar customization (literally every other part of the editor is customizable). Icons in the editor are hideous. Then issues like these https://github.com/microsoft/vscode/issues/67288 https://github.com/microsoft/vscode/issues/67288 https://github.com/microsoft/vscode/issues/67413 https://github.com/microsoft/vscode/issues/67413 I question the people who use it and their attention to detail. If you zoom the editor all sort of issues start popping up. Stuff just shifting everywhere in the editor. So yea I don't like it and will be using Sublime for a long while, or at least until someone figures out how to do text input in Electron apps.
- sgillen 7y ago
  Not sure why you are getting downvotes. The question is literally asking for people who don’t like vscode to voice their criticisms.
SeaDude 7y ago
As someone (non-programmer, yet text-curious) who spent ~9months of this short life learning Emacs so I could use org-mode, I love using VS Code. It’s non-esoteric, easy to pick up, easy to kick ass with, and easy to show others how to kick ass with it. The terrible parts: - I don’t trust it , from a privacy-first standpoint, as much as I trust Emacs - There appears to be absolutely NO security around third party extensions (not good for newbs nor enterprise envs) https://stackoverflow.com/questions/55126683/how-is-vs-code-extension-security-handled?r=SearchResults https://stackoverflow.com/questions/55126683/how-is-vs-code-...
zneveu 7y ago
I'm used to using Vim with a bunch of plug-ins as my IDE. VSCode allows me to get an almost identical setup plus some extra features set up in a fraction of the time. This comes with too big tradeoffs though: customizability and speed. I've found VSCode can get laggy, particularly on older machines or with many plug-ins loaded. There are also all kinds of UI things I find myself unable to configure (status bars etc.).
radicalriddler 7y ago
ITT: People saying they like VSCode
nunez 7y ago
Compared to vim, yes. It’s heavier, slower and depends too much on the mouse. I also have a vimrc I’ve maintained on github for the last 6 years, so configuring vim is as easy as running “git clone.” That said, I could start doing the same with Code since it uses settings.json for everything. Compared to everything else, no.
deepaksurti 7y ago
With Vim/Spacemacs/Tmux, Automator workflows (I am a Mac user), Notion/Org/Git[hub/lab] for tracking my project work; I don't know if there is any need to switch to anything else. Yes, for my Mac land work, I bit the bullet and use Xcode. So to answer, I dislike even the idea of moving onto something else with an already productive setup. I keep reading these VSCode articles, but I haven't found anything ultra special that inclines me to try out, maybe I am missing something here. And then their is always the fear of telemetry!!!
sgillen 7y ago
I want to like it but I have some problems with it. I’m trying to use it to replace Jupyter notebooks, but some things don’t work like I expect, the UI feels cluttered, and for some reason I’ve been having weird issues with the autocomplete when running code in kernels. Right now I still prefer my Jupyter lab + pycharm setup. I may continue to try and learn better workflows with VScode because I think it has the potential to replace both for me and alleviate many pain points.
prisar 7y ago
After installing some extensions in VS code on windows, it do becomes slow. So I don't like that much. But vs code is better than others in the market.
lmiller1990 7y ago
I am a Vim guy but find VSCode is the only option for TypeScript; none of the Vin plugins work quite as well. I'm happy with it. I much prefer my Vim setup, though, but for TS the seamlessness of VS Code is too good to give up. I enjoy the IDE part of VS Code; the editor, not so much.
- spectrum1234 7y ago
  Vim for vsc works pretty well. What don't you like about it! The word and line jump to are great.
deanmoriarty 7y ago
Unfortunately, the Java support for any semi-serious multi component Java project is an absolute joke. It saddens me because I am basically forced to use VS Code for everything else and then IntelliJ for those projects, which breaks my workflows and my muscle memory for keybindings.
- protonimitate 7y ago
  Same, my only complaint is that the java support isn't as good as intellij. I use VSC for everything other than java without a hitch. The only issue I run into is sometimes the tslint plugin gets slow/refuses to clear certain errors - but a restart of VSC clears it up. I'll agree with muscle memory for keybindings being an issue. I've re-mapped a bunch to be more consistent, but there are still some weird ones that throw me.
twoquestions 7y ago
I just wish it worked better on the toaster machine I have to work on.
potta_coffee 7y ago
I think it's ok, but I like Sublime better and that's what I use.
0_gravitas 7y ago
I like it but have some bugbears with it: - I feel like once every couple weeks one or more of my extensions stop working properly, and I need to either restart vscode, or worse, I sometimes need to reinstall the extensions. - it's the heaviest 'lightweight ide' I've ever used, if that makes sense. - kind of part of the last issue, but I need to say it explicitly: Electron
fn_esc 7y ago
Nearly everyone at my shop uses vscode, but I stick with spacemacs for a few reasons: - I know the shortcuts fairly well. If it ain’t broke, etc. - Magit is a good enough reason to use emacs all by itself. The git integration in vscode can’t touch it. - With vscode, if you want a given feature you have to search for extensions, vet them, pick one, etc. With spacemacs (most of the time) just search the docs, it’s probably already there and all you need to do is make a keybinding. At worst you add a line or two to your config file. - Emacs was laughably slow on 80’s hardware. Electron apps are laughably slow on 2010’s hardware. - The vi bindings available for vscode aren’t as deeply integrated as evil-mode is. If your muscle memory expects home-row navigation, it’s extra frustrating when even most of your editor doesn’t use it.
- Eire_Banshee 7y ago
  `Electron apps are laughably slow on 2010’s hardware.` VS Code is the exception to this rule... its solid.
- the_jpg 7y ago
  Do you do frontend stuff on your emacs? If yes; Mind if I take a look at your .emacs?
andrei_says_ 7y ago
I tried it and disliked it. Felt very heavy and complex compared to SublimeText.
renox 7y ago
What I don't like about VScode for C++: sometimes find source is very slow (much slower than doing a grep and opening the file yourself), and it opened the wrong file for one of my colleague, and find usage never work. And I never managed to configure vim the way I wanted ('correct' usage of multiple tab when opening a function/file definition) That said I still prefer it over Eclipse or CLion..
- renox 7y ago
  Oops, I meant that even though VScode has many flaws (copy paste from the LinuxVM to Windows doesn't work), it still work better for me than Eclipse, CLion or Vim.

Given how very popular it is, anyone here actually dislike using it?

d0100 7y ago

I like because it's free. But autocomplete is very slow.

SiVal 7y ago

Just in case you mean the question literally, yes, some people on HN have said they dislike using it. I'm not one of them. I like it. But you're probably asking for people who dislike it to tell you what it is about VS Code they dislike. I do like it, but in case they don't answer: When people have said they tried it but abandoned it, they usually say they like the snappier speed of the QT-based Sublime Text. Most of us, it seems, find the speed of VS Code good enough, but some people have said that they don't. The next complaint isn't really dislike per se, but some people find that even though VS Code might work in general, their specific work is better done with more specialized tools, ex: xcode for iOS, Android Studio for Android, full Visual Studio for Windows apps, JetBrains IDEs for Java or Python, etc. Those two are the reasons I've heard most from people who have rejected VS Code.

ZanyProgrammer 7y ago
Yep, I'm just curious to hear people's opinions. It gets so much positive attention, and despite working in a .Net shop myself, I really don't like it either.
arbhassan 7y ago
Sublime Text is not QT-Based. According to Jon.[0] [0]https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=2822114 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=2822114
- SiVal 7y ago
  +1. Thanks for that. I've heard it was QT many times, but Jon is the ultimate authority.

mladen5 7y ago

I don't like VS Code git integration, WebStorms (JetBrains) diff/merge tool with syntax highlighting is superior.

misterioss 7y ago
Debugger also much better in JetBrains products

gitgud 7y ago

I was a big sublime text user, but my work uses Vscode so I do too. I hated it at first but am always amazed at the maturity of the whole extensions ecosystem. Could be the only thing from Microsoft I actually like!.... And all they did was fork Atom Editor...

rman666 7y ago

Ha, I still love TextPad, but more for writing, not coding. Let the editor wars begin!

torstenvl 7y ago

I like VSCode, but I get slightly annoyed at how its auto-indentation doesn't auto-de-indent after a closing brace (the way emacs does).

torstenvl 7y ago
Disregard. Updated version works the way I expect it to. It must have been a while since I last used it.

dham 7y ago

Yea not a fan. Font rendering has always been hideous in Electron apps. Even with a 4k monitors it doesn't render like Mac native apps do. Simple things you take for granted in Sublime like it opening, typing speed, ui scaling correctly. Plus things like no sidebar customization (literally every other part of the editor is customizable). Icons in the editor are hideous. Then issues like these https://github.com/microsoft/vscode/issues/67288 https://github.com/microsoft/vscode/issues/67288 https://github.com/microsoft/vscode/issues/67413 https://github.com/microsoft/vscode/issues/67413 I question the people who use it and their attention to detail. If you zoom the editor all sort of issues start popping up. Stuff just shifting everywhere in the editor. So yea I don't like it and will be using Sublime for a long while, or at least until someone figures out how to do text input in Electron apps.

sgillen 7y ago
Not sure why you are getting downvotes. The question is literally asking for people who don’t like vscode to voice their criticisms.

SeaDude 7y ago

As someone (non-programmer, yet text-curious) who spent ~9months of this short life learning Emacs so I could use org-mode, I love using VS Code. It’s non-esoteric, easy to pick up, easy to kick ass with, and easy to show others how to kick ass with it. The terrible parts: - I don’t trust it , from a privacy-first standpoint, as much as I trust Emacs - There appears to be absolutely NO security around third party extensions (not good for newbs nor enterprise envs) https://stackoverflow.com/questions/55126683/how-is-vs-code-extension-security-handled?r=SearchResults https://stackoverflow.com/questions/55126683/how-is-vs-code-...

zneveu 7y ago

I'm used to using Vim with a bunch of plug-ins as my IDE. VSCode allows me to get an almost identical setup plus some extra features set up in a fraction of the time. This comes with too big tradeoffs though: customizability and speed. I've found VSCode can get laggy, particularly on older machines or with many plug-ins loaded. There are also all kinds of UI things I find myself unable to configure (status bars etc.).

radicalriddler 7y ago

ITT: People saying they like VSCode

nunez 7y ago

Compared to vim, yes. It’s heavier, slower and depends too much on the mouse. I also have a vimrc I’ve maintained on github for the last 6 years, so configuring vim is as easy as running “git clone.” That said, I could start doing the same with Code since it uses settings.json for everything. Compared to everything else, no.

deepaksurti 7y ago

With Vim/Spacemacs/Tmux, Automator workflows (I am a Mac user), Notion/Org/Git[hub/lab] for tracking my project work; I don't know if there is any need to switch to anything else. Yes, for my Mac land work, I bit the bullet and use Xcode. So to answer, I dislike even the idea of moving onto something else with an already productive setup. I keep reading these VSCode articles, but I haven't found anything ultra special that inclines me to try out, maybe I am missing something here. And then their is always the fear of telemetry!!!

sgillen 7y ago

I want to like it but I have some problems with it. I’m trying to use it to replace Jupyter notebooks, but some things don’t work like I expect, the UI feels cluttered, and for some reason I’ve been having weird issues with the autocomplete when running code in kernels. Right now I still prefer my Jupyter lab + pycharm setup. I may continue to try and learn better workflows with VScode because I think it has the potential to replace both for me and alleviate many pain points.

prisar 7y ago

After installing some extensions in VS code on windows, it do becomes slow. So I don't like that much. But vs code is better than others in the market.

lmiller1990 7y ago

I am a Vim guy but find VSCode is the only option for TypeScript; none of the Vin plugins work quite as well. I'm happy with it. I much prefer my Vim setup, though, but for TS the seamlessness of VS Code is too good to give up. I enjoy the IDE part of VS Code; the editor, not so much.

spectrum1234 7y ago
Vim for vsc works pretty well. What don't you like about it! The word and line jump to are great.

deanmoriarty 7y ago

Unfortunately, the Java support for any semi-serious multi component Java project is an absolute joke. It saddens me because I am basically forced to use VS Code for everything else and then IntelliJ for those projects, which breaks my workflows and my muscle memory for keybindings.

protonimitate 7y ago
Same, my only complaint is that the java support isn't as good as intellij. I use VSC for everything other than java without a hitch. The only issue I run into is sometimes the tslint plugin gets slow/refuses to clear certain errors - but a restart of VSC clears it up. I'll agree with muscle memory for keybindings being an issue. I've re-mapped a bunch to be more consistent, but there are still some weird ones that throw me.

twoquestions 7y ago

I just wish it worked better on the toaster machine I have to work on.

potta_coffee 7y ago

I think it's ok, but I like Sublime better and that's what I use.

0_gravitas 7y ago

I like it but have some bugbears with it: - I feel like once every couple weeks one or more of my extensions stop working properly, and I need to either restart vscode, or worse, I sometimes need to reinstall the extensions. - it's the heaviest 'lightweight ide' I've ever used, if that makes sense. - kind of part of the last issue, but I need to say it explicitly: Electron

fn_esc 7y ago

Nearly everyone at my shop uses vscode, but I stick with spacemacs for a few reasons: - I know the shortcuts fairly well. If it ain’t broke, etc. - Magit is a good enough reason to use emacs all by itself. The git integration in vscode can’t touch it. - With vscode, if you want a given feature you have to search for extensions, vet them, pick one, etc. With spacemacs (most of the time) just search the docs, it’s probably already there and all you need to do is make a keybinding. At worst you add a line or two to your config file. - Emacs was laughably slow on 80’s hardware. Electron apps are laughably slow on 2010’s hardware. - The vi bindings available for vscode aren’t as deeply integrated as evil-mode is. If your muscle memory expects home-row navigation, it’s extra frustrating when even most of your editor doesn’t use it.

Eire_Banshee 7y ago
`Electron apps are laughably slow on 2010’s hardware.` VS Code is the exception to this rule... its solid.
the_jpg 7y ago
Do you do frontend stuff on your emacs? If yes; Mind if I take a look at your .emacs?

andrei_says_ 7y ago

I tried it and disliked it. Felt very heavy and complex compared to SublimeText.

renox 7y ago

What I don't like about VScode for C++: sometimes find source is very slow (much slower than doing a grep and opening the file yourself), and it opened the wrong file for one of my colleague, and find usage never work. And I never managed to configure vim the way I wanted ('correct' usage of multiple tab when opening a function/file definition) That said I still prefer it over Eclipse or CLion..

renox 7y ago
Oops, I meant that even though VScode has many flaws (copy paste from the LinuxVM to Windows doesn't work), it still work better for me than Eclipse, CLion or Vim.