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.
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.
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)
You can use VSCodium, it’s VSCode without Microsoft telemetry
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
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.
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.
