I’m looking for a privacy-focused code editor that can handle HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. I am just learning how to code, so I need something that works for beginners as well as respecting my privacy. I have looked around, but I don’t know which one is the best option.
You can use VSCodium, it’s VSCode without Microsoft telemetry
WTF is a “privacy-focused code editor?” They’re just glorified text editors! They run locally! They don’t connect to the Internet at all! How would they be anything other than “privacy-focused” by default? Why is this even a question?!
I fucking hate this timeline.
Anyway, to answer your question: emacs, obviously. Or vim if you’re evil, I suppose. Or just whatever the Hell you want, because if your editor even has “terms of service” or a “privacy policy” of any kind something has already gone horribly wrong.
This is one of the few types of software where it would probably make more sense to just list the few that are not “privacy-focused”.
I fucking hate this timeline.
my first thought as well…how did we get to the point that this is a valid topic? (not a comment about you OP, just the state of the world)
vim
Geany is a great, lightweight FOSS editor that totally respects your privacy, and supports all if the languages you mentioned, plus many more.
I like that Geany is lightweight, so I’ll more into it. Thank you!
i like Pulsar
vim
If you’re just writing those languages, here are my picks:
For Linux and Unix:
- Xed (just called “Text Editor” in the menu)
- Geany
- Notepadqq
- Micro (terminal, but very friendly)
- Nano (also terminal, also friendly)
For Windows:
- Notepad++
- VSCodium
For macOS:
- Micro
- Nano
- VSCodium
Thank you for breaking it down my operating system. I forgot to to mention which OS I’m looking for (Windows and Linux). I’ll take a look at the options your provided. Thank you!
VSCodium
How might
catand/orteefit into one’s coding workflow? Is it basicallycatfor displaying what’s been saved andteefor writing changes to a file?No, both work for both but
teewill yap back at you.
Most of the popular open-source ones are fine. VSCodium if you want a rich GUI or perhaps Geany if you want a lightweight but beginner-friendly editor. Only things you’ll have to watch out for are editors with online features like AI integration, particularly Microsoft VSCode and the new notepad.exe with AI.
Yes, I want to stay away from the AI integration so I will take a look at VSCodium and Geany. Thank you.
…I can’t think of a “privacy-focused code editor” because code editors are generally not known for having telemetry/tracking/anything privacy-invasive in the first place? A “privacy-respecting” code editor is just a normal one. Use whatever you like. Vim is great. Maybe Kate if you want a GUI.
Vim, Emacs, Helix, Neovim
Probably I’m going to be downvoted as f*ck, but if it’s for HTML, CSS and JavaScript the most privacy respecting option could be vim or, with a pinch of salt, Notepad++ if you are on Windows. If you are learning grab a good reference book or website (I used w3school like 20 years ago) and break things. On a personal level, I never liked the “training wheels” that some editors force into you. But, could be that this isn’t a quite popular opinion 😅
Edit: some fat-finger typos
I’ve been using websites like w3school, but I’ll also pick up some books as well. Thank you.
You want a privacy code editor but you use w3schools? That is not very good combo.
pluma is good. i used it until switching to vim/emacs https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pluma_(text_editor)
I would check out Lapce and CudaText. They are both solid editors. If you are comfortable in the terminal, then nvim as well, of course.
