Top JavaScript Playgrounds every developer should try!

Javascript has seen significant advancements in recent years, allowing developers to create, edit, and run code using an online environment called “Playground”. These playgrounds offer several features over the traditional offline code editor that runs on a development environment.

Just like in a regular playground for children, a javascript playground is a space where developers can write their code and it allows them to try out new features and test if they cause any issues, much like a scientific approach to coding. Additionally, a javascript playground helps you to easily share the code, and collaborate with others in real-time, fostering open-source practices and encouraging teamwork.

How JavaScript Playground can help?

• Writing and testing code snippets in real-time.
• Collaborating with others by sharing code snippets and projects.
• Debugging and troubleshooting code errors.
• Creating and sharing code demos or prototypes.
• Trying out APIs and integrating them into code.
• Documentation and showcasing code for personal or professional portfolios.
• Exploring and contributing to open-source projects.

Let's look at some of the Top JavaScript Playgrounds:

CodePen

CodePen is an online code editor and playground that allows developers to write and share JavaScript code snippets and projects with others.

Features :

• Provides a real-time preview of the code developers write, allowing them to see the results of their changes immediately.
• Allows developers to share their code snippets and projects with others and collaborate on them in real-time.
• Developers can embed their code snippets and projects on other websites or blogs.
• Supports preprocessors like Sass, Less, and Stylus, allowing developers to write CSS in a more efficient and organized way.
• Provides an easy-to-use interface for sharing code snippets and projects on social media and other platforms.

One key feature of CodePen is its ability to create and share "Pens", which are self-contained code snippets that can be embedded in other websites or shared with others. This makes it easy for developers to showcase their work and share their code with others, whether they're collaborating on a project or simply looking for feedback from the community.

JSFiddle

JSFiddle is a lightweight JavaScript and CSS editor that enables you to quickly prototype, test, and share your code with others.

Features :

• Provides a real-time preview of your code, allowing you to see the results of your changes as you make them.
• Share your code with others and collaborate in real-time.
• Provides pre-defined templates for popular frameworks like jQuery, React, and Vue.js.
• Split your screen into multiple panes to work on different parts of your code at the same time.
• Integrate with popular libraries like jQuery, Bootstrap, and D3.js.

One key feature of JSFiddle is its ease of use. It has a simple and intuitive interface that makes it easy for beginners to get started with coding, while also providing advanced features for more experienced developers.

Replit

Replit is a cloud-based development environment that supports many programming languages, which include JavaScript, Python, Ruby, and many more.

Features :

• Allows you to share your code with others and collaborate in real time.
• Includes built-in package management for many popular languages, making it easy to install and manage dependencies.
• Supports many programming languages, including JavaScript, Python, Ruby, and more.
• Provides pre-defined templates for popular frameworks and libraries like React, Flask, and Express.

One key feature of Repl.it is its ability to create and run applications in the cloud, making it accessible from anywhere and on any device with an internet connection. This feature also allows you to quickly spin up new development environments for different projects, without needing to worry about installing and configuring software locally.

CodeSandbox

CodeSandbox is an online code editor and sandbox that allows developers to create, test, and share JavaScript projects in a collaborative environment.

Features :

• Provides a real-time preview of the code developers write, allowing them to see the results of their changes immediately.
• Allows developers to share their projects with others and collaborate on them in real-time.
• Offers a wide range of project templates for different JavaScript frameworks and libraries, such as React, Vue.js, and Angular.
• Integrates with Git and GitHub, allowing developers to manage their code changes and collaborate with others on their projects.
• Supports popular package managers like npm and yarn, making it easy to manage project dependencies.

One key feature of CodeSandbox is its ability to create and share “sandboxes”. A sandbox is a self-contained environment for a project that includes all the necessary files and dependencies. This allows developers to easily share their projects with others, without having to worry about setting up a development environment or managing dependencies. Sandboxes can also be used to test and experiment with different code snippets or libraries, without affecting the main project. This makes CodeSandbox a powerful tool for prototyping and sharing JavaScript projects with others.

Glitch

Glitch is a free online code editor that makes it easy to build and host web applications using JavaScript, HTML, and CSS.

Features :

• Allows users to edit their code in real-time, with automatic syntax highlighting, error checking, and suggestions.
• Automatically creates and saves versions of your code as you work, so you can easily roll back to a previous version if needed.
• Makes it easy for multiple users to work together on the same project in real-time, making it great for hackathons and group projects.
• Makes it easy to deploy your web applications to the cloud, so you can share your creations with the world.

One key feature of Glitch is its focus on community and collaboration. Users can easily share their projects with others, explore other users’ code, and collaborate on projects in real-time. This makes Glitch a great platform for learning to code, building prototypes, and working on group projects.

Visual Studio Code Online

Visual Studio Code Online is an online version of the popular Visual Studio Code editor, offering a rich code editor, debugging, and integrated terminal.

Features :

• Provides a full-featured code editor that includes support for IntelliSense, syntax highlighting, debugging, and more.
• With Visual Studio Code Online, multiple users can work together in real-time on the same codebase, making it easier to collaborate on projects remotely.
• Available on Windows, Linux, and macOS, and can be accessed through a web browser.
• Includes a built-in terminal, making it easy to execute command-line commands and scripts directly from the editor.
• Supports a vast array of extensions, which can be used to add new functionality to the editor.

One key feature of Visual Studio Code Online is its ability to seamlessly integrate with other Microsoft cloud-based services like Azure and GitHub, making it easier for developers to develop, test, and deploy their applications in the cloud. This integration also allows developers to leverage Azure’s scalable cloud infrastructure for their development and deployment needs, making it easier to build and deploy robust applications.

Koding

Koding is a cloud-based development environment that offers support for JavaScript and other programming languages, as well as collaboration features and tools for deployment.

Features :

• Provides a full-featured code editor that includes syntax highlighting, auto-completion, and debugging support for a wide range of programming languages, including JavaScript.
• Allows multiple developers to collaborate on a single codebase in real-time, making it easier to work together on projects remotely.
• Provides tools for deploying code to a variety of cloud-based services, including AWS, Google Cloud, and Digital Ocean.
• Provides a command-line interface that can be used to execute shell commands and scripts, making it easier to manage and automate development tasks.
• Integrates seamlessly with GitHub, allowing developers to easily clone repositories, collaborate with other developers, and share their code.

One key feature of Koding is its ability to provide a complete cloud-based development environment that includes all of the tools and services necessary for coding, testing, and deployment. This makes it easier for developers to focus on their code and avoid the hassle of setting up and managing their own development environment. Additionally, Koding’s support for multiple programming languages and cloud-based services makes it a powerful platform for developing and deploying a wide range of applications.

StackBlitz

StackBlitz is a web-based IDE that offers a powerful editor, real-time collaboration, and live preview.

Features :

• Provides a powerful code editor that includes features such as IntelliSense, auto-completion, and debugging support for JavaScript and other programming languages.
• Provides a real-time preview of your application, allowing you to see how changes to your code affect the application’s user interface and behavior.
• Allows multiple developers to work on the same codebase in real-time, making it easier to collaborate on projects remotely.
• Allows you to deploy your application directly from the IDE to cloud-based services such as Firebase, GitHub Pages, and Netlify.
• Supports a wide range of extensions, which can be used to add new functionality to the IDE.

One key feature of StackBlitz is its ability to provide a complete development environment directly in the browser, without requiring any software installation or configuration. This makes it easy to get started with web development, as developers can simply open StackBlitz in a web browser and start coding. Additionally, StackBlitz’s live preview feature allows developers to quickly see how changes to their code affect the application, making it easier to test and debug their code.

Cloud9

Cloud9 is a full-featured cloud-based IDE that offers support for JavaScript and other programming languages, as well as tools for collaboration, debugging, and deployment.

Features :

• Provides a full-featured code editor that includes support for syntax highlighting, auto-completion, and debugging for a wide range of programming languages, including JavaScript.
• Allows multiple developers to collaborate on a single codebase in real-time, making it easier to work together on projects remotely.
• Available on Windows, Linux, and macOS, and can be accessed through a web browser.
• Includes a built-in terminal, making it easy to execute command-line commands and scripts directly from the editor.
• Provides tools for deploying code to a variety of cloud-based services, including AWS, Heroku, and Azure.

One key feature of Cloud9 is its ability to provide a complete cloud-based development environment that includes all of the tools and services necessary for coding, testing, and deployment. This makes it easier for developers to focus on their code and avoid the hassle of setting up and managing their own development environment. Additionally, Cloud9’s integration with other cloud-based services like AWS makes it easy to deploy and scale applications in the cloud.

JS Bin

JS Bin is a minimalist online code editor that provides a real-time preview of your code.

Features :

• Provides a clean and simple code editor that includes syntax highlighting, auto-completion, and error highlighting for JavaScript, HTML, and CSS.
• Provides a real-time preview of your code, allowing you to see how changes to your code affect the application’s user interface and behavior.
• Allows developers to share their code snippets with others and work together on the same codebase in real-time.
• Provides a customizable layout that allows developers to resize and rearrange the editor and preview panes to suit their preferences.
• Allows developers to embed their code snippets in other web pages or blog posts, making it easy to share their work with others.

One key feature of JS Bin is its simplicity and ease of use. It provides a quick and easy way for developers to test and share code snippets without the need for complex setup or configuration. Additionally, JS Bin’s real-time collaboration feature makes it easy for developers to work together on the same codebase, making it a useful tool for pair programming and code reviews.

Conclusion :

Thus, there are many excellent online JavaScript IDEs available to developers, each with its own unique set of features and benefits. These IDEs provide a range of powerful tools and services for coding, testing, and deploying web applications in the cloud. Ultimately, the best online JavaScript IDE for a given developer will depend on their specific needs and preferences, as well as the specific requirements of the project they are working on. The availability of these online IDEs provides developers with powerful and accessible tools for building modern web applications with JavaScript.