Even in a world of advanced IDEs, Sublime Text holds its own due to its speed, simplicity, and extensibility. The author appreciates its snappy performance, distraction-free interface, and powerful customization options via plugins and keybindings. While acknowledging the benefits of more feature-rich alternatives like VS Code, they find Sublime Text's minimalist approach ideal for focused coding and quick edits, particularly for tasks involving multiple languages or remote servers where a lightweight editor shines. Its enduring popularity speaks to its effectiveness as a powerful yet uncluttered coding tool.
Parinfer simplifies Lisp code editing by automatically managing parentheses, brackets, and indentation. It offers two modes: "Paren Mode," where indentation dictates structure and Parinfer adjusts parentheses accordingly, and "Indent Mode," where parentheses define the structure and Parinfer corrects indentation. This frees the user from manually tracking matching delimiters, allowing them to focus on the code's logic. Parinfer analyzes the code as you type, instantly propagating changes and offering immediate feedback about structural errors, leading to a more fluid and less error-prone coding experience. It's adaptable to different indentation styles and supports various Lisp dialects.
HN users generally praised Parinfer for making Lisp editing easier, especially for beginners. Several commenters shared positive experiences using it with Clojure, noting improvements in code readability and reduced parenthesis-related errors. Some highlighted its ability to infer parentheses placement based on indentation, simplifying structural editing. A few users discussed its potential applicability to other languages, and at least one pointed out its integration with popular editors. However, some expressed skepticism about its long-term benefits or preference for traditional Lisp editing approaches. A minor point of discussion revolved around the tool's name and how it relates to its functionality.
Summary of Comments ( 478 )
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=42862246
Hacker News users generally agreed with the author's preference for Sublime Text, praising its speed, simplicity, and extensibility. Several commenters highlighted its performance advantages, particularly for large files and complex projects, where other editors can become sluggish. The robust plugin ecosystem and keyboard-centric workflow were also frequently mentioned as key strengths. Some suggested that Sublime Text's appeal lies in its resistance to feature bloat and focus on core editing functionality, contrasting it with more resource-intensive IDEs. A few dissenting voices mentioned the lack of integrated debugging and other advanced features, but the overall sentiment was strongly positive towards Sublime Text's enduring relevance. The discussion also touched on the benefits of a perpetual license model and the value of mastering a single, powerful tool.
The Hacker News post "I still like Sublime Text" (linking to an article explaining why the author still prefers Sublime Text in 2025) generated a moderate number of comments, mostly focusing on editor preferences and the perceived strengths and weaknesses of Sublime Text compared to alternatives like VS Code, Vim, and Emacs.
Several commenters shared the author's appreciation for Sublime Text's speed and minimalist approach. They highlighted its responsiveness, low resource usage, and the absence of "bloat" often associated with larger IDEs. The ability to customize extensively through plugins was also mentioned as a key advantage, allowing users to tailor the editor to their exact needs without sacrificing performance. One commenter specifically praised Sublime Text's handling of large files, claiming it outperformed other editors in this area. Another appreciated its distraction-free mode for focused coding sessions.
However, other commenters expressed different preferences and questioned the long-term viability of Sublime Text. Some argued that while Sublime Text excels in speed and simplicity, it lacks the advanced features and robust plugin ecosystems offered by VS Code, especially for web development. The debugging capabilities and Git integration in VS Code were cited as significant advantages. Others defended Vim and Emacs, emphasizing their extensibility and powerful editing paradigms, though acknowledging the steeper learning curve associated with these editors.
A few comments centered on the licensing model of Sublime Text, with some expressing concern about the cost and others considering it reasonable for a powerful and well-maintained tool. The discussion also touched upon the importance of personal preference in editor choice, acknowledging that the "best" editor ultimately depends on individual workflows and priorities. One commenter aptly summarized this sentiment by stating that the ideal editor is subjective and evolves over time based on individual needs and experience.
While no single comment dominated the discussion, the overall sentiment reflected a respectful appreciation for Sublime Text's strengths, particularly its speed and minimalism, while also acknowledging the competitive landscape and the validity of alternative choices depending on individual requirements and preferences.