I used to love Atom as my go-to text editor before it was discontinued in 2022. I've tried VS Code and Sublime Text, but both have features that annoy me—VS Code feels too bloated, like a desktop app running in its own Chrome tab, and Sublime keeps reminding me to purchase it, which I find distracting. I'm not ready to dive into Neovim since it has a steep learning curve with all its commands, and I really like the convenience of GUI text editors with file management sidebars and tabs.
Now I'm thinking about picking Atom back up, but I'm really worried about security since it's no longer being updated and whether I can find new extensions to enhance my experience. I noticed the package repository for Atom is gone, making it tough to install new packages, which limits its usability. Before I make the jump to something like VS Code or Neovim, are there any solid reasons to stick with Atom?
6 Answers
In terms of security and updates, Atom is running the older versions that you seem to want to avoid. You might want to consider moving to newer platforms that can provide the functionality you need without the fear of running out-of-date software.
Installing packages on an unsupported editor is risky. Not only will you run into security issues, but finding reliable plugins will be a pain too. It's probably a better idea to consider other editors that have active support and a vibrant community for plugins.
Atom was indeed the pioneer for Electron apps, but if you think about it, you're sticking with an outdated and less secure option. Maybe it's time to embrace something new that fits your needs better!
You should think twice before going back to Atom. It's important to remember that Atom runs on Electron, which means it's essentially a web app operating in an old version of Chrome. VS Code might be bloated, but at least it's a more optimized Electron-based editor. If you're looking for something lighter and more performant, I'd recommend checking out native options instead of returning to Atom.
True, Atom was built on Electron which isn't the most efficient. There are definitely lighter alternatives out there like Vim or Neovim if you're open to picking up something new!
Honestly, Atom is pretty much dead in terms of updates and support. If you're looking for an alternative, I'd suggest either VS Code or something like Zed, which is fully native and developed by the same team that created Atom. It might be worth trying out instead!
Zed is a solid choice if you're looking for a modern replacement for Atom. It's created by the same folks and works natively, which means it's lighter and pretty snappy. Might be worth a look!
Exactly! Staying with Atom could open you up to a lot of security risks without the benefit of new features or packages. Better to play it safe!