jrswab

Why You Need To Ditch VS Code To Be a Better Programmer

Categories: [Terminal], [Programming]

Last Update: January 20, 2025

VS Code is holding you back as a programmer. I know that's a bold statement, but hear me out. After spending years in the terminal then a year with VS Code and then moving to terminal-based development, I've seen firsthand how relying on GUI-based IDEs can limit your effectiveness as a developer.

The Hidden Cost of Convenience

VS Code's biggest selling point is convenience. This is exactly what's hurting your development as a programmer. When you rely on VS Code to:

• Manage your Git workflow
• Handle file operations
• Auto-complete your code
• Format your documents
• Run your tests
• Debug your applications

You're letting the IDE think for you instead of building a deep understanding of these fundamental operations.

Understanding Your Tools

When you work directly in the terminal, you're forced to understand what's actually happening when you:

1. Stage and commit changes in Git
2. Navigate and manipulate your file system
3. Build your tools to fit your exact needs
4. Debug your code without visual breakpoints
5. Write code without constant auto-completion

This deeper understanding makes you a more capable programmer because you know exactly what's happening under the hood. No more blindly accepting VS Code's suggestions or clicking buttons without understanding the underlying commands.

The Real-World Impact

Here's where this really matters: when things break. I've seen countless junior developers freeze when their IDE isn't available or when they need to work on a remote server. They know how to code in VS Code, but they don't know how to code.

Consider these scenarios:

• Your production server needs an emergency hotfix
• You're SSH'd into a cloud instance that needs debugging
• You're working with a minimal Docker container
• You need to develop on a resource-constrained device

In these situations, your VS Code knowledge won't help you. But if you're comfortable with terminal-based development, you can work effectively anywhere.

Breaking Free from the GUI Crutch

The issue isn't just about terminal vs. GUI. It's about understanding vs. abstraction. Every time VS Code handles something for you, you miss an opportunity to learn:

• When VS Code formats your code, you don't learn your language's style conventions
• When it handles Git conflicts, you don't learn proper merge strategies
• When it manages your build process, you don't learn your build tools
• When it auto-imports modules, you don't learn your project's structure

The Path to Better Programming

Here's how ditching VS Code makes you a better programmer:

1. Deeper Understanding

   • You learn how your tools actually work
   • You understand the commands behind each operation
   • You see the direct relationship between input and output

2. Better Problem Solving

   • No more relying on IDE error messages
   • Forced to understand error outputs
   • Development of debugging intuition

3. Increased Flexibility

   • Ability to work in any environment
   • Not tied to specific IDE features
   • Portable knowledge across platforms

4. Improved Efficiency

   • Faster text manipulation with vim motions
   • Direct command execution without menu diving
   • Reduced context switching

Real Growth Requires Discomfort

Yes, leaving VS Code will feel uncomfortable at first. Your productivity will temporarily drop. But this discomfort is the price of growth. Every time you:

• Look up a Git command instead of clicking a button
• Navigate files with terminal commands instead of a GUI
• Write code without constant auto-completion
• Debug using logs and terminal output

You're building real, transferable skills that make you a better programmer.

The Challenge

I'm not saying you need to uninstall VS Code today. Instead, I challenge you to:

1. Start using the terminal for Git operations
2. Learn basic vim motions for text editing
3. Try debugging without breakpoints
4. Write code without relying on auto-completion

Give it a month. Push through the initial discomfort. I guarantee you'll come out a stronger, more capable programmer on the other side.

Remember: VS Code isn't bad - it's just a crutch that's preventing you from developing crucial skills. The sooner you break free from that dependency, the sooner you'll grow into a more complete programmer.

Ready to take your programming skills to the next level? Open your terminal and start the journey today.

Happy coding, J.R.