JetBrains WebStorm: Why I Switched to an IDE for API Development

As a developer, I've had my fair share of debates with fellow coders about the best tools to use for development. Recently, I met a colleague who was perplexed by my choice of using an editor instead of an Integrated Development Environment (IDE) for building large business applications. At first, I brushed off his concerns, but as time went on, I began to see things from his perspective.

That's why I've started using JetBrains WebStorm for most of my development projects, including API development with Angular. In this article, I'll share my experience switching from Visual Studio Code (VS Code) to WebStorm and explain why I think it's the better choice for large-scale development.

One of the main reasons I opted for WebStorm is its robust static code analysis capabilities. This feature provides fast and flexible error detection, suggesting corrections and improvements along the way. With WebStorm, I can rest assured that my code is free from language and runtime errors, which has significantly reduced the time spent debugging.

Another significant advantage of WebStorm is its ability to index my entire project, allowing me to quickly identify unused methods, variables, and more. This feature has been a game-changer for me, as it saves a tremendous amount of time that would otherwise be spent searching through code to find issues or optimize performance.

In contrast, VS Code's static analysis capabilities are limited compared to WebStorm's. While VS Code does offer some basic error detection features, they pale in comparison to the comprehensive analysis provided by WebStorm.

Additionally, WebStorm offers a range of other tools and features that make it an ideal choice for API development. For instance, its built-in debugger allows me to step through my code line-by-line, inspect variables, and set breakpoints with ease. This has greatly improved my ability to identify and fix issues in my code.

In conclusion, while the debate about using editors versus IDEs will likely continue, I'm convinced that WebStorm is the better choice for large-scale development projects like API development with Angular. Its robust static code analysis capabilities, fast debugging tools, and comprehensive project indexing features make it an indispensable tool for any serious developer.

So, if you're considering switching from VS Code to WebStorm or are simply looking for a more efficient way to develop your applications, I encourage you to give it a try. You might just find that it's the perfect solution for your development needs.

Jetbrains webstorm api development