Most code editors are similar to notepad.exe in that they are "text editors", but unlike notepad.exe they have functionality built into them to send the code into the compiler.

For another notepad replacement that has recieved accolades from code-writing readers here, check out Notepad++. Programmer's Notepad is freeware, Windows only.

XML Notepad 2007 is themed around the same kind of just-the-text-ma'am simplicity of Windows' Notepad, but does add relevant features for markup language hacking.

Microsoft Word is perfect for writing code if you're not too keen on using Notepad. To learn how, please keep reading.

At the very least I often find myself using NotePad whenever I want to look at some code from Windows Explorer and don't want to start up Visual Studio. I've used a couple of NotePad replacements ...

For instance, when you are working with and editing multiple files spread across various folders, you can use VS Code to manage everything instead of using Notepad and File Explorer.