How do you keep up with the latest features and updates of PHPStorm and VSCode for PHP development?

1 Check the official blogs and newsletters

One of the easiest ways to keep up with the latest features and updates of PHPStorm and VSCode is to follow their official blogs and newsletters. These sources often announce the new releases, highlight the major changes, and provide tutorials and demos on how to use them. You can also find useful tips and tricks, best practices, and feedback from other users and developers. You can subscribe to the PHPStorm blog and newsletter here, and the VSCode blog and newsletter here.

2 Explore the settings and preferences

Another way to keep up with the latest features and updates of PHPStorm and VSCode is to explore their settings and preferences. These options allow you to customize your IDE according to your needs and preferences, and also enable or disable the features that you want to use. You can access the settings and preferences from the menus or the shortcuts, and browse through the categories and sections that interest you. You can also search for specific features or settings using the search bar or the filter. You can learn more about the settings and preferences of PHPStorm here, and VSCode here.

3 Watch the videos and webinars

A third way to keep up with the latest features and updates of PHPStorm and VSCode is to watch their videos and webinars. These resources often showcase the new features and updates in action, and explain how they work and how they can benefit your PHP development. You can also ask questions and interact with the presenters and the audience. You can find the videos and webinars of PHPStorm here, and VSCode here.

4 Join the communities and forums

A fourth way to keep up with the latest features and updates of PHPStorm and VSCode is to join their communities and forums. These platforms allow you to connect with other PHP developers who use these IDEs, and share your experiences, opinions, problems, and solutions. You can also learn from the experts, get tips and advice, and discover new features and updates that you might have missed. You can join the PHPStorm community and forum here, and the VSCode community and forum here.

5 Experiment with the extensions and plugins

A fifth way to keep up with the latest features and updates of PHPStorm and VSCode is to experiment with their extensions and plugins. These add-ons enhance the functionality and performance of your IDE, and provide additional features and tools that can help you with your PHP development. You can find and install the extensions and plugins from the marketplaces or the IDEs themselves, and try them out on your projects. You can also create your own extensions and plugins, or contribute to the existing ones. You can find the extensions and plugins of PHPStorm here, and VSCode here.

6 Read the documentation and changelogs

A sixth way to keep up with the latest features and updates of PHPStorm and VSCode is to read their documentation and changelogs. These sources provide detailed information on how to use the features and tools of your IDE, and what has changed or improved in each version. You can also find the bug fixes, enhancements, and new features that have been added or removed. You can access the documentation and changelogs of PHPStorm here, and VSCode here.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?