What do you do if your code editor crashes?

It's essential to remain calm and composed when your code editor crashes. Panicking may lead to further mistakes or data loss.

Clear Cache and Temporary Files: Clearing the cache and temporary files of your code editor can help resolve issues related to corrupted or outdated files. Most code editors have an option to clear cache or temporary files in their settings or preferences. Disable Extensions or Plugins: If you're using extensions or plugins in your code editor, one of them may be causing the crash. Try disabling extensions or plugins one by one to identify if any specific extension is the culprit. Once you identify the problematic extension, consider updating it or finding an alternative.

Take a moment to assess the potential damage caused by the crash. Determine if any unsaved work was lost and how critical the lost work is to your project.

Evaluate Data Loss: Determine if any unsaved work was lost due to the code editor crash. Check if the editor has an autosave feature and whether it captured recent changes. Assess the extent of data loss and prioritize recovering any critical work if possible. Review Error Messages: If the code editor provided an error message or crash report, review it carefully to understand the cause of the crash. Look for any specific error codes, stack traces, or messages that can help diagnose the issue and guide troubleshooting efforts.

Make it a habit to save your work frequently, even if your code editor has an autosave feature. This minimizes the risk of losing significant progress in the event of a crash.

Prevents Data Loss: Saving your work frequently helps prevent data loss in case of unexpected events like power outages, system crashes, or software errors. By saving regularly, you minimize the risk of losing hours of progress due to an unforeseen issue. Preserves Iterative Progress: Software development is often an iterative process, where you make incremental changes to code, design, or documentation over time. Saving your work regularly ensures that you capture each stage of your progress, making it easier to backtrack if needed or revert to a previous version.

If you're working on a project, utilize version control systems like Git. Committing changes regularly allows you to revert to previous versions of your code if necessary, mitigating the impact of a code editor crash.

Set Up a Repository: Create a central repository for your project on a version control hosting platform like GitHub, GitLab, or Bitbucket. Initialize the repository with a README file and configure access permissions for team members. Clone the Repository: Clone the repository to your local machine using the Git command-line interface or a graphical user interface (GUI) tool. Cloning creates a local copy of the repository on your computer, allowing you to work on the code locally.

If your code editor consistently crashes or fails to meet your needs, consider exploring alternative editors or IDEs (Integrated Development Environments). There are numerous options available, each with its unique features and stability.

Subversion (SVN): Subversion is a centralized version control system that predates Git and Mercurial. Unlike distributed systems like Git, SVN follows a centralized model where all code changes are stored on a central server. Perforce (Helix Core): Perforce, also known as Helix Core, is a commercial version control system designed for enterprise-scale development workflows. It offers advanced features like fine-grained access control, high-performance file storage, and support for large-scale distributed teams.

After the crash, take the time to troubleshoot the underlying issues that caused the crash. Check for software updates, review error logs, and investigate any known bugs or compatibility issues. Addressing these issues can help prevent future crashes.

As a developer for many years, I seldom come across IDE crashes, the most important part is to choose the OS you use widely, normally I use Ubuntu or Mac depends on the project, they are simply more stable.