[zmmmmm]

I think a lot of people's views have been influenced by their use of languages where the type system or overall language framework is either too weak (eg: Python, Javascript) or in some cases too complex (eg: C++) for more than a thin layer IDE experience to be possible. If you use those kind of languages then it's true, IDEs buy you a limited set of functionality and you don't need much more than a basic language server because that's about the limit of what you can get anyway.

[wwalexander]

I agree; before I starting writing Swift, my only IDE experience was using Eclipse in college, and I really looked down on IDEs. I thought of them as a crutch required by poorly-designed and overly-verbose languages like Java.

But the IDE experience with a language that has decent type system like Swift is really great. It truly just feels like a more efficient way to consume documentation and write code.

The analogy I would make is to texting on a numpad by repeatedly tapping a key vs. using T9 (assuming you’re in the right age range to have memories of texting on numpads). Sure, T9 might have guessed the wrong word a fraction of the time, but you never felt like it was dictating the direction of your thoughts or getting in your way.

This all depends on the programming language, the package/project scaffolding, and the IDE being tightly integrated and very thoughtfully designed, but when it works it’s a real pleasure. While I still believe that all languages should be ergonomical to write without IDEs, I definitely underrated the experience.

[viceroyalbean]

Even if an IDE is only a crutch for poorly designed languages, people still use those languages and an IDE is a useful tool in that scenario.

[winrid]

Actually, modern IDEs are super helpful with JS and Python, especially with type hints.

I can export a function or class in a big JS project, go to any file, start typing the method name, and Webstorm will suggest the import. With JavaScript!

Not as great as the Java integration but still pretty nice.

[kitd]

Completely agree.

I recently had to work on an unfamiliar JS codebase. After initially pulling my hair out trying to understand what objects were being passed where, I decided to define some types and parameters using JSDoc . VsCode picked them up instantly and it was like coding with a language server after that.

[winrid]

Also recommend this to learn a new code base which will log every function call:

https://www.npmjs.com/package/@phenomnomnominal/debug

[fuzzythinker]

The repo has zero documentation. Do you use it on client, node, or both? Does it renders the calls in a tree?

[winrid]

Oh you're right, sorry. Here's the blog post the dev wrote:

https://dev.to/phenomnominal/lazy-debug-logging-for-node-js-...

The idea is it logs every function call. Nice for picking up a new code base.

[stickfigure]

I cut my teeth with IDEs from the 90s that did a great job with C++. The article author is just ignorant.

[user3939382]

I use PhpStorm by JetBrains and am totally blown away by how powerful it is. It does all of the GP’s list and way more.

[Aeolun]

Powerfull, but sloooow. I really want a faster Jetbrains IDE.

[twothamendment]

Yes, if the next release didn't have a single new feature and was just a bunch of "x is faster, y is faster" - I'd call that a great release!

[native_samples]

Usually when people have speed problems with Jetbrains IDEs it's one of two things:

1. Heap size is too small and it's GCing a lot without the user realizing. Open IDE VM options and double the -Xmx setting.

2. Using a 4k display on macOS. Try the new JBR17+Metal builds. They aren't shipped yet but switch it to using Metal to render. Makes it a lot faster.

[Aeolun]

Huh. Nr 2 is applicable to me. Will give it a try. Can’t see how it’ll fix my permanent indexing, but maybe it’ll at least feel faster.

My heap size is already at 3GB, which I feel should be enough for opening a bunch of 5kb text files :/

[native_samples]

If you're permanently indexing something is very wrong and that will indeed break your IDE. That's just a bug. Try wiping all your caches from the menus and see if that helps. Otherwise file a bug in YouTrack.

[user3939382]

They're working on a new, faster underlying architecture with an IDE called Fleet. It looks like it may be a long-term foundational replacement for their other IDEs including PhpStorm.

https://www.jetbrains.com/fleet/