Ionic compounds need positive(Gp1,2:Cu,K...) and negative(Gp6,7:Cl,F,I,O...) ions to form Ionic compounds .the force between Ionic compounds are Van der Waal's force and ionic bonds.covalent compound form by elements(C,O,S,N) to form by sharing electrons the force between is only Van der waal's force.I hope i can help you.
The biggest difference is that Ionic compounds are formed by metal & non-metal, whereas covalent compounds are formed by 2 non-metals.
Ionic compounds:
NaCl (metal + non-metal), you name it "Sodium Chloride".
LiF (metal+ non-metal), you name it "Lithium Floride".
Generally speaking, you need to write the name of the metal first, and then write the name of the non-metal but remember to change the suffix of the nonmetal to -ide.
Covalent compouds:
CO2 (non-metal and non-metal), you name it carbon dioxide.