react-codemirror vs react-ace vs react-monaco-editor
React Code Editor Libraries
react-codemirrorreact-acereact-monaco-editorSimilar Packages:

React Code Editor Libraries

React code editor libraries provide developers with powerful tools to integrate code editing capabilities into their applications. These libraries offer a variety of features such as syntax highlighting, code completion, and customizable themes, enabling users to write and edit code efficiently within a web application. Each library has its unique strengths, catering to different use cases and preferences, making it essential for developers to choose the right one based on their specific requirements.

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react-codemirror16,6211,559-699 years agoMIT
react-ace04,2112.01 MB228a year agoMIT
react-monaco-editor04,17160.4 kB768 months agoMIT

Feature Comparison: react-codemirror vs react-ace vs react-monaco-editor

Language Support

  • react-codemirror:

    react-codemirror offers support for numerous programming languages and can be extended with additional modes. This flexibility allows developers to tailor the editor to their specific needs, making it suitable for applications that require support for niche languages or custom syntax highlighting.

  • react-ace:

    react-ace supports a wide range of programming languages, making it versatile for different coding tasks. It utilizes the Ace editor, which is known for its extensive language support and customizable syntax highlighting, allowing developers to easily integrate it into their applications.

  • react-monaco-editor:

    react-monaco-editor is built on top of the Monaco Editor, which powers Visual Studio Code. It provides comprehensive language support, including advanced features like IntelliSense and code completion for various languages, making it ideal for applications that require a robust coding environment.

Customization

  • react-codemirror:

    react-codemirror is highly customizable, allowing developers to tweak almost every aspect of the editor, including themes, key mappings, and extensions. This level of customization makes it a great choice for applications that require a tailored editing experience.

  • react-ace:

    react-ace allows for basic customization options such as themes and key bindings. While it provides a straightforward API for integrating the editor, it may not offer the depth of customization found in other libraries, making it suitable for simpler use cases.

  • react-monaco-editor:

    react-monaco-editor offers extensive customization options, including theming, layout, and editor behavior. Developers can create a personalized coding environment that closely resembles Visual Studio Code, making it perfect for applications that need a professional feel.

Performance

  • react-codemirror:

    react-codemirror is generally performant but can experience slowdowns with very large files or complex configurations. Developers should be mindful of performance when using extensive features or plugins, especially in resource-constrained environments.

  • react-ace:

    react-ace is lightweight and optimized for performance, making it suitable for applications that require quick loading times and responsive interactions. It is designed to handle basic code editing tasks efficiently without significant overhead.

  • react-monaco-editor:

    react-monaco-editor is designed for high performance and can handle large files and complex codebases with ease. Its architecture is optimized for speed, making it ideal for applications that require a responsive and efficient coding environment.

Integration

  • react-codemirror:

    react-codemirror also offers seamless integration with React, but it may require more configuration for advanced features. Its flexibility allows for deeper integration into applications that need specific functionalities, making it suitable for more complex projects.

  • react-ace:

    react-ace integrates easily with React applications, providing a simple API for embedding the editor. It is straightforward to set up and use, making it a good choice for developers who want to quickly add code editing capabilities to their projects.

  • react-monaco-editor:

    react-monaco-editor provides robust integration with React and is designed to work well with modern web applications. Its API is comprehensive, allowing developers to leverage advanced features without sacrificing ease of use, making it ideal for applications that require a sophisticated code editor.

Community and Support

  • react-codemirror:

    react-codemirror has a larger community and more extensive documentation, providing developers with a wealth of resources and plugins to enhance their projects. This support can be invaluable for troubleshooting and extending functionality.

  • react-ace:

    react-ace has a smaller community compared to the other two libraries, which may result in limited resources and third-party plugins. However, it is still actively maintained and has sufficient documentation for basic use cases.

  • react-monaco-editor:

    react-monaco-editor benefits from a strong community due to its association with Visual Studio Code. It has extensive documentation and a variety of resources available, making it an excellent choice for developers seeking robust support and community-driven enhancements.

How to Choose: react-codemirror vs react-ace vs react-monaco-editor

  • react-codemirror:

    Select react-codemirror if you want a highly customizable editor with extensive support for various programming languages and rich features like linting, code folding, and collaborative editing. It is suitable for applications that require a more sophisticated editing experience.

  • react-ace:

    Choose react-ace if you need a lightweight editor that supports multiple programming languages and offers a simple API for integration. It is ideal for applications that require basic code editing features without the overhead of a full-fledged IDE.

  • react-monaco-editor:

    Opt for react-monaco-editor if you are looking for a feature-rich editor similar to Visual Studio Code. It provides advanced features like IntelliSense, debugging capabilities, and a powerful language server integration, making it perfect for applications that need a professional-grade code editing experience.

README for react-codemirror

Codemirror

The excellent CodeMirror editor as a React.js component.

Demo & Examples

Live demo: JedWatson.github.io/react-codemirror

To build the examples locally, run:

npm install
npm start

Then open localhost:8000 in a browser.

Installation

The easiest way to use codemirror is to install it from NPM and include it in your own React build process (using Browserify, Webpack, etc).

You can also use the standalone build by including dist/react-codemirror.js in your page. If you use this, make sure you have already included React, and it is available as a global variable.

npm install react-codemirror --save

Usage

Require the CodeMirror component and render it with JSX:

var React = require('react');
var CodeMirror = require('react-codemirror');

var App = React.createClass({
	getInitialState: function() {
		return {
			code: "// Code",
		};
	},
	updateCode: function(newCode) {
		this.setState({
			code: newCode,
		});
	},
	render: function() {
		var options = {
			lineNumbers: true,
		};
		return <CodeMirror value={this.state.code} onChange={this.updateCode} options={options} />
	}
});

React.render(<App />, document.getElementById('app'));

Include the CSS

Ensure that CodeMirror's stylesheet codemirror.css is loaded.

If you're using LESS (similar for Sass) you can import the css directly from the codemirror package, as shown in example.less:

@import (inline) "./node_modules/codemirror/lib/codemirror.css";

If you're using Webpack with the css loader, you can require the codemirror css in your application instead:

require('codemirror/lib/codemirror.css');

Alternatively, you can explicitly link the codemirror.css file from the CodeMirror project in your index.html file, e.g <link href="css/codemirror.css" rel="stylesheet">.

Methods

  • focus focuses the CodeMirror instance
  • getCodeMirror returns the CodeMirror instance, available .

You can interact with the CodeMirror instance using a ref and the getCodeMirror() method after the componentDidMount lifecycle event has fired (including inside the componentDidMount event in a parent Component).

Properties

  • autoFocus Boolean automatically focuses the editor when it is mounted (default false)
  • autoSave Boolean automatically persist changes to underlying textarea (default false)
  • className String adds a custom css class to the editor
  • codeMirrorInstance Function provides a specific CodeMirror instance (defaults to require('codemirror'))
  • defaultValue String provides a default (not change tracked) value to the editor
  • name String sets the name of the editor input field
  • options Object options passed to the CodeMirror instance
  • onChange Function (newValue) called when a change is made
  • onCursorActivity Function (codemirror) called when the cursor is moved
  • onFocusChange Function (focused) called when the editor is focused or loses focus
  • onScroll Function (scrollInfo) called when the editor is scrolled
  • preserveScrollPosition Boolean=false preserve previous scroll position after updating value
  • value String the editor value

See the CodeMirror API Docs for the available options.

Using Language Modes

Several language modes are included with CodeMirror for syntax highlighting.

By default (to optimise bundle size) all modes are not included. To enable syntax highlighting:

  • install the codemirror package dependency (in addition to react-codemirror)
  • require the language modes you wish to make available after you require react-codemirror itself
  • set the mode option in the options object
var React = require('react');
var CodeMirror = require('react-codemirror');
require('codemirror/mode/javascript/javascript');
require('codemirror/mode/xml/xml');
require('codemirror/mode/markdown/markdown');

<CodeMirror ... options={{
	mode: 'javascript',
}} />

See the example source for a reference implementation including JavaScript and markdown syntax highlighting.

License

Copyright (c) 2016 Jed Watson. MIT Licensed.