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Notepad++ VS Code::Blocks

Compare Notepad++ VS Code::Blocks and see what are their differences

Notepad++ logo Notepad++

A free source code editor which supports several programming languages running under the MS Windows environment.

Code::Blocks logo Code::Blocks

Code::Blocks is a free C++ IDE built to meet the most demanding needs of its users.
  • Notepad++ Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-10-07
  • Code::Blocks Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-10-15

Notepad++ features and specs

  • Free and Open Source
    Notepad++ is completely free to download and use, and its source code is open for anyone to review, modify, and contribute to.
  • Lightweight and Fast
    Notepad++ is lightweight, meaning it uses fewer system resources compared to more complex IDEs, allowing for quick loading times and responsiveness.
  • Syntax Highlighting
    Supports syntax highlighting for over 80 programming languages, making it easier to read and write code.
  • Plugin Support
    Offers a wide range of plugins to extend its functionality, including customization options, code analyzers, and more.
  • Tabbed Interface
    Allows multiple documents to be opened in the same window through a tabbed interface, which greatly improves productivity.
  • Regular Updates
    Frequently receives updates and patches, improving its features and fixing bugs.

Possible disadvantages of Notepad++

  • Limited Advanced Features
    Lacks some of the advanced features and integrations of full-fledged IDEs, which might be necessary for professional software development.
  • Windows Only
    Natively available only on Windows, although it can be run on other systems using compatibility layers like Wine, which might affect performance.
  • Manual Plugin Management
    Managing plugins can be cumbersome, as users often need to download and install them manually.
  • Occasional Stability Issues
    Although generally stable, users sometimes encounter crashes or bugs, particularly when using many plugins.

Code::Blocks features and specs

  • Open Source
    Code::Blocks is open-source software, which means it is free to use, modify, and distribute. This makes it accessible to a wide audience, including students and hobbyists.
  • Cross-Platform
    It runs on Windows, Linux, and macOS, allowing developers to maintain a consistent development environment across different operating systems.
  • Plug-in Extensibility
    The IDE supports plugins, enabling users to extend its functionality easily. This provides flexibility and customization to meet specific development needs.
  • Lightweight
    Code::Blocks is relatively lightweight compared to some other IDEs, leading to faster load times and less resource consumption on the host machine.
  • Multiple Compiler Support
    It supports multiple compilers, including GCC, Clang, and MSVC, giving developers the freedom to choose their preferred tools.

Possible disadvantages of Code::Blocks

  • Interface Outdated
    The user interface may feel outdated and less modern compared to other IDEs, which might affect user experience for some developers.
  • Limited Language Support
    While it supports multiple languages, Code::Blocks primarily focuses on C, C++, and Fortran. This may not be suitable for developers working with other languages.
  • Infrequent Updates
    Updates and new feature releases are not as frequent as some competing IDEs, potentially leading to slower adoption of new development trends and tools.
  • Steeper Learning Curve
    For beginners, the setup and configuration can be more complex compared to other, more user-friendly IDEs, leading to a steeper learning curve.
  • Lack of Advanced Features
    Code::Blocks may lack some advanced features found in other IDEs, such as built-in support for advanced debugging tools, integrated version control, and sophisticated refactoring capabilities.

Analysis of Notepad++

Overall verdict

  • Yes, Notepad++ is considered a good editor for both programmers and general users who need a reliable and feature-rich text editing tool.

Why this product is good

  • Notepad++ is a popular text and code editor due to its lightweight design, wide array of features, and support for numerous programming languages. It offers syntax highlighting, macro recording, customizable interfaces, and plugin support, making it highly versatile for various coding and text editing tasks. Its open-source nature allows for community-driven improvements, and it runs efficiently on Windows systems without consuming significant resources.

Recommended for

    Notepad++ is recommended for programmers, developers, and writers who need a robust text editor with advanced features. It's ideal for anyone using Windows who wants a free, efficient, and customizable editing solution capable of handling a wide range of file types and coding languages.

Analysis of Code::Blocks

Overall verdict

  • Code::Blocks is generally considered a 'good' IDE if your priorities include simplicity, ease of installation, and customization through plugins. It may not have as many advanced features as some other IDEs, but it is a solid choice for educational purposes and for those who need a lightweight, no-frills environment for C/C++ development.

Why this product is good

  • Code::Blocks is a popular open-source Integrated Development Environment (IDE) that is favored for its simplicity, extensibility, and cross-platform support. It is particularly appealing to beginners and students due to its straightforward interface and setup process. The IDE is compatible with multiple compilers, including GCC and MSVC, and supports a variety of programming languages, though it is predominantly used for C, C++, and Fortran development. Additionally, its plugin-based architecture allows users to expand its functionality according to their needs.

Recommended for

    Code::Blocks is recommended for beginners, students, and hobbyists who are learning C or C++ programming. It's also suitable for developers who prefer a lightweight and customizable IDE without a steep learning curve. Users who need to work across different operating systems will appreciate its cross-platform capabilities.

Notepad++ videos

Notepad++ Review

More videos:

  • Review - Notepad++ Review
  • Review - Notepad++ Text Editor: Intro for Beginners

Code::Blocks videos

How to use CodeBlocks IDE for C Programming

More videos:

  • Tutorial - How to Use CodeBlocks
  • Review - 1. C++ Review - Codeblocks Install

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Notepad++ and Code::Blocks)
Text Editors
88 88%
12% 12
IDE
82 82%
18% 18
Software Development
86 86%
14% 14
IDEs And Text Editors
100 100%
0% 0

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare Notepad++ and Code::Blocks

Notepad++ Reviews

  1. the best assistant at work

    I've been using it for a long time, I can say that it has become my main tool in my work. First, you need to get used to using it and look at all the functionality. Overall, it's useful for me!


Boost Your Productivity with These Top Text Editors and IDEs
Notepad++ provides a tabbed interface, allowing you to work on multiple files simultaneously. Its intuitive user interface makes it easy to navigate and edit your code efficiently. With features like syntax highlighting, code folding, and auto-completion, Notepad++ helps you write clean and error-free code.
Source: convesio.com
13 Best Text Editors to Speed up Your Workflow
If you’re a beginner who needs a text editor, Notepad++ is far easier to understand than some of the other options on this list. Not only that, but you’ll enjoy the ability to locate words and replace them all, while also revealing certain bits of code with highlighting. As for advanced users, Notepad++ also does the trick, with its syntax highlighting for HTML, PHP, and...
Source: kinsta.com
Top 10 Free CSV Readers in 2023!
Notepad++: A popular text editor for Windows that has a CSV plugin for viewing and editing CSV files.
Source: www.retable.io
Top 10 Notepad++ Alternatives for Mac in 2022
First, you can get a better version of Notepad++ Mac. For instance, Setapp caters to your own Notepad++ Mac. You can also Notepad++ Mac using an emulator. Typically, the emulator is a form of creating a layer of compatibility where you can run the Notepad++ Mac on your operating system. Another thing you can do t enjoy Notepad++ Mac is by using Wine. This can help you have e...
Source: www.imymac.com
The Top 7 Notepad++ Alternatives for You
I have provided you with mainly free Notepad++ alternatives here. This is not that surprising because Notepad++ is free also. When choosing a Notepad++ alternative you need to consider what you are going to use it for and your level of programming experience.

Code::Blocks Reviews

What's The Best C++ IDE? Our Top C++ IDEs & Editors In 2024
Customizability is another strong suit of Code::Blocks, as you can enhance your development experience with various plugins. Whether it's additional language support, enhanced editing capabilities, or other tools, the extensibility of Code::Blocks ensures it can adapt to a wide range of development needs.
Source: hackr.io

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Notepad++ seems to be a lot more popular than Code::Blocks. While we know about 176 links to Notepad++, we've tracked only 3 mentions of Code::Blocks. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

Notepad++ mentions (176)

  • Microsoft dumps AI into Notepad as 'Copilot all the things' mania takes hold
    I would like to recommend notepad++. It does the job and I especially like it for multi-document and the other feautures like regex replace and plugins, etc... https://notepad-plus-plus.org. - Source: Hacker News / 27 days ago
  • How to Run Windows Applications on Linux Using Bottles: A Step-by-Step Guide
    Are you transitioning from Windows to Linux but struggling to replace tools like Notepad++ or WinMerge? Thanks to Wine and Bottles, you can now run Windows-only applications natively on Linux. This guide will show you how to install Windows apps on Linux effortlessly, perfect for .NET developers or anyone needing Windows tools in a Linux environment. - Source: dev.to / 3 months ago
  • Currency converter in Rust + WebAssembly
    Then we need to modify Cargo.toml file located in your folder that you created with the above command, right click and edit I use notepad++ (to download notepad++ use this link (https://notepad-plus-plus.org/) so you will get the option to edit file directly. - Source: dev.to / 7 months ago
  • What I learned from my NodeJS course (part 1)
    Always working in the js-fundamentals.js file Open the file with any text editor. For now, use Notepad++. - Source: dev.to / 7 months ago
  • 6 free Markdown (.md) WYSIWYG desktop Editors – Part3
    Where to get it: Https://notepad-plus-plus.org/ Plugin: inside Plugin Admin. - Source: dev.to / 7 months ago
View more

Code::Blocks mentions (3)

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Notepad++ and Code::Blocks, you can also consider the following products

Sublime Text - Sublime Text is a sophisticated text editor for code, html and prose - any kind of text file. You'll love the slick user interface and extraordinary features. Fully customizable with macros, and syntax highlighting for most major languages.

Microsoft Visual Studio - Microsoft Visual Studio is an integrated development environment (IDE) from Microsoft.

VS Code - Build and debug modern web and cloud applications, by Microsoft

Qt Creator - Qt Creator is a cross-platform C++, JavaScript and QML integrated development environment. It is the fastest, easiest and most fun experience a C++ developer could wish for.

Vim - Highly configurable text editor built to enable efficient text editing

Eclipse - Eclipse is an open source community, whose projects are focused on building an open development platform comprised of extensible frameworks, tools and runtimes for building, deploying and managing software across the lifecycle.