Google's Project IDX, the Future of Web Development (VSCode Killer)?
Tags: webdev, projectidx, googlecloud, vscode
Published: 2024-03-21 14:29:36

Upon opening my mailbox, I was pleasantly surprised to find a long-awaited email awaiting my attention📬✨. Got accepted in the limited preview of Google's Project IDX, after months of waiting.


## Project IDX: Revolutionizing Full-Stack and Multi-Platform Web/App Development


Introducing Project IDX, an experimental initiative by Google that promises to reshape the way we approach app development. Built on Google Cloud and powered by Codey—an AI model trained on code—Project IDX offers a **browser-based development experience** that combines familiarity with innovation.

The project is currently in preview phase and only selective users are provided its [access](https://idx.dev/) to.

> Basically, VSCode but on the web


![Home Page](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/299em6js5uhjfe2rcer7.png)

## What is Project IDX?

Project IDX is an exciting experiment text-editor/development platform by Google, designed to enhance full-stack and multi-platform app development, while completely being based on the web.

## Major Commendable Features

- **Lightweight**- IDX offers a nimble performance and efficient resource usage, making it a lightweight champion that does not burden your system at all. 
- **Enhanced Security**- Fortified by Google’s robust infrastructure, Project IDX offers an extensive and strong security for developers working on major projects.
- Integration of Google Services- For developers who are entrenched in the Google Ecosystem, this editor is a boon, due to its seamlessly melding with various Google services.
- **Generative AI Assistance**- Project IDX’s AI can generate code snippets, boilerplate code, and even entire functions based on context. As you type, the AI predicts what you’re likely to write next. When you encounter complex code or unfamiliar libraries, **Project IDX’s AI can provide explanations**. It breaks down concepts, methods, and best practices, it also analyzes your code and highlights potential issues, such as syntax errors, missing imports, or logical inconsistencies.


## Customization

_Customize your environment using Nix, or import existing applications from GitHub (with support for most tech stacks)._
- **Extensibility**: Developers can tailor the IDE to their specific needs, with a wide array of Extensions.
- **Customization**: Create a development environment aligned with your workflows.
- **Import Existing Applications**: Import applications from GitHub, supporting most tech stacks.


![Project IDX Customization](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/ypcxa747ow1k7jydnkrx.png)


## Web Preview

- **In-App web preview module**- Makes it and faster to create responsive websites.

![Web Preview](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/0o57e6fhy78fc2nig5mh.png)


## Templates

You can create a workspace pre-loaded with basic files and packages using various templates. 
These templates cover popular frameworks and languages, such as:

1. **Web App Templates** 
![Web App Templates](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/ojwspngvweq72hhrleb7.png)

2. **Backend Templates**
![backend templates](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/r8xwgq9fvdhx2msfhu52.png)

3. **Mobile App Dev Templates**
![mobile templates](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/rb5nvq9f5uvp7f7le2zy.png)

4. **AI & ML**
![AI and ML](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/6l6xqmfos9hn39v06cjt.png)

## _Cons of IDX_

1. **Languages and Ecosystem Support**:
   - IDX leans more toward Google's ecosystem, which could be limiting for projects embracing diverse technologies.

2. **Collaboration and Sharing**:
   - IDX offers adequate collaboration tools but may not match the robustness found in VS Code.

3. **Extensions and Plugins**:
   - IDX, while making strides with its growing set of extensions, can't quite match the diverse offerings of VS Code's marketplace.

4. **Community and [Documentation](https://developers.google.com/idx/guides/introduction)**:
   - IDX's community is budding and may not yet offer the same wealth of knowledge and resources.

5. **Cost and Licensing**:
   - IDX has a free tier, but scaling projects may incur associated costs.


## Conclusion

The main and foremost question that came to my mind while using IDX was: 
> **"Is it a VSCode Killer?"**

My answer to that questions is that:
Yes, it is, given enough time. As it is a platform based on the web, and does not need installations, it will soon be a platform used by numerous students who have bad pc specs. It will also be used by mainstream developers due to its functionality and faster speed while also having a large scalability. 

Though, it will take time for it to enter mainstream developer zone, it is pretty efficient and can surely replace VSCode, in the coming years. 

> But yes, there still are users like 'ME' who would still prefer VSCode (loml).🤖🔥

As we mortals fight a war between choices in IDE: 
**Project IDX and VS Code POV**: is sitting in a dimly lit café, sipping their digital espressos. Exchange glances across the table, each silently judging the other's syntax highlighting. The tension is palpable—like a semicolon dangling at the end of an if statement.

As for us mere mortals? Well, we'll keep switching editors, chasing that elusive perfect setup. 

But hey, whether you're Team **IDX** or Team **VS Code**, just remember: real developers write code, not editor reviews(self-deprecating humor). 😉👾

**My First Blog Ever**
Let me know in the comments how you liked my review and how I can make it better. Also, lemme know what more you would like to know about Project IDX.

[More of Me](https://bit.ly/krishbhagwat)