IDEs we had 30 years ago (blogsystem5.substack.com)

Article summary

The article discusses the text-based integrated development environments (IDEs) of the past, specifically those from the 1980s and 1990s, and how they compare to modern IDEs. The author reflects on their experience with Borland Turbo C++ and other IDEs, highlighting their features and usability. The article also touches on the concept of bloat in modern IDEs and the trade-offs between functionality and resource consumption. The author concludes by questioning whether modern IDEs have truly advanced beyond their predecessors.

Main themes

• text-based IDEs
• bloat in modern IDEs
• usability and functionality
• nostalgia for old IDEs
• Eclipse and NetBeans
• Smalltalk and its influence
• modern IDEs and alternatives
• resource efficiency and integration

What commenters say

• Some commenters share nostalgic experiences with old IDEs like Borland Pascal and Borland C.
• The mention of Smalltalk and its advanced IDE features sparked debate about its influence on modern IDEs.
• Eclipse is defended as a capable and efficient IDE, contrary to its reputation for being bloated and slow.
• Others argue that modern IDEs like VSCode and IntelliJ are resource-heavy and lack the simplicity of older IDEs.
• NetBeans is remembered fondly by some as a fast and simple Java IDE, despite being underrated.
• The concept of bloat is disputed, with some arguing that modern IDEs provide necessary features, while others see them as unnecessary and resource-intensive.
• Alternative IDEs and editors, such as JetBrains solutions, are suggested for those looking for different options.
• The discussion touches on the importance of integration, usability, and resource efficiency in modern IDEs.