JSFiddle vs Visual Studio Code: What are the differences?

Introduction

In this task, I will provide the key differences between JSFiddle and Visual Studio Code, two popular tools used for web development. Both JSFiddle and Visual Studio Code are widely used by developers, but they have distinct features and purposes.

1. Platform and Environment: JSFiddle is an online platform designed specifically for writing and testing HTML, CSS, and JavaScript code in a browser-based environment. It provides a simple interface for quickly prototyping and sharing code snippets. On the other hand, Visual Studio Code is a code editor that can be installed on a local machine. It offers a feature-rich development environment with extensions and productivity tools for various programming languages, including web development.

2. Code Execution and Collaboration: JSFiddle allows real-time code execution and collaboration. It automatically updates the result pane as you type, making it easy to see the changes instantly. It also provides options to share your code and collaborate with others by generating a unique URL. In contrast, Visual Studio Code is primarily designed for local development. It doesn't have built-in real-time code execution or collaboration features like JSFiddle. However, it supports various extensions that enable code linting, debugging, and version control, facilitating collaboration in different ways.

3. Project Management: JSFiddle is predominantly used for small code snippets and prototypes. It doesn't have advanced project management features like file organization, project scaffolding, and build tools. Visual Studio Code, being a full-fledged code editor, provides comprehensive project management capabilities. It allows creating and organizing files and folders, integrating version control systems, and configuring build tasks, making it suitable for managing complex web development projects.

4. Editor Features: JSFiddle offers a basic editor with syntax highlighting and code auto-completion for HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. It focuses on simplicity and quick prototyping, so it doesn't provide advanced code editing features like code refactoring, intelligent code suggestions, or customizable keybindings. Visual Studio Code, being a professional code editor, offers a wide range of features for code editing, including code navigation, debugging, code refactoring, intellisense, and customizable keybindings. These features enhance productivity and make the development process more efficient.

5. Extensions and Customization: JSFiddle doesn't support extensions or customizations beyond the basic editor features. It offers limited customization options for layout and theme selection. On the other hand, Visual Studio Code has a vast ecosystem of extensions that can be installed to extend its functionality. These extensions cover various aspects, such as language support, code formatting, linting, git integration, and more. Visual Studio Code also allows customizing the editor's appearance, including themes, file icons, and fonts.

6. Offline Availability: JSFiddle is entirely web-based, meaning it requires an internet connection to use. It can't be accessed offline, and any code you write is stored on the JSFiddle servers. Conversely, Visual Studio Code can be installed on a local machine, allowing offline access to your code. It doesn't rely on an internet connection for basic functionality and can be used in offline development environments.

In summary, JSFiddle is a web-based platform mainly used for quick prototyping and collaboration of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript code snippets, while Visual Studio Code is a locally installed code editor with advanced features and a wide range of extensions, suitable for professional web development projects.