Specific programming text editor for simple open/close editing

Question

I'm looking for very specific text editor:

Closes on ESC, no project management or tabs
Syntax highlighting - preferably with color themes (e.g. can apply different color themes without changing C# coloring definition) or, at least, can load/save themes; support for C/C#/XML/HTML/JavaScript/etc - common MS/.NET world - out of box
Configurable keys, or: Shift-Tab shifts blocks
XML/HTML auto-completion support - well, optional

I use synplus plugin for Total Commander currently, but it has few drawbacks (e.g. crashes sometimes ;-), no auto-completion, etc).

Basically I want fast Visual-Studio-like editor that I open, do edits, and then close using ESC. I remember I tried Notepad++, etc - most of them open files in tabs, don't close on ESC... - that is, behave like IDE.

At least I've just downloaded Notepad++, it doesn't close on ESC even if I setup keybindings to do so.

Autocompletion is optional (though it is to be simple as just tags completion), what I really look for is closing on ESC, not getting in the way with all the tabs and IDE-like, and good coloring. Plus shift-tab is must have for blocks manipulation.

Update: any open-source one that I can easily tweak to close on ESC? ;-) Seems like ESC (and reasonable color highlighting) is the core requirement. I've just tried many editors - Programmer's Notepad, E, Crimson, etc - I can't set any of them to close on ESC. Any external tool to close selected program on ESC? ;-)

UPDATE: Hm, found an awesome utility for my latest thought: http://www.autohotkey.com. Easy to setup to close any window on ESC (as well as many other tricks). Seems like the most tough requirements is gone - I can use ANY text editor ;-)

Auto-complete and "not behaving like an IDE" are two things that you're probably going to have a hard time finding in the same piece of software. — Amber
– Amber, Commented Nov 11, 2009 at 11:52
Well, this autocompletion is not about intellisense and sources parsing, what I need is rather simple <div> => </div> closing tag completion. — queen3
– queen3, Commented Nov 11, 2009 at 11:55

Teddy · Accepted Answer · 2009-11-11 12:10:42Z

3

You could use Emacs 23's new server functionality to make it start fast, and then configuring it to use whatever key bindings you like is trivial.

answered Nov 11, 2009 at 12:10

Teddy

6,1933 gold badges29 silver badges38 bronze badges

Sign up to request clarification or add additional context in comments.

Comments

Alen Siljak · Accepted Answer · 2010-03-20 07:34:41Z

2

You can try Notepad2. I like it for the same reasons - close on Escape and syntax highlighting. Very light and fast to start.

answered Mar 20, 2010 at 7:34

Alen Siljak

2,6152 gold badges25 silver badges31 bronze badges

2 Comments

queen3 Over a year ago

Hm, one of the rare editors that do not have tabbed interface... which is good.

Alen Siljak Over a year ago

Yep, I prefer the same. Plus it has syntax highlighting (forgot to mention that).

queen3 · Accepted Answer · 2009-11-11 21:15:31Z

1

So, I close this because I've found a fix for the main issue with ESC key: http://www.autohotkey.com. Here's a sample script that do the trick for e text editor:

SetTitleMatchMode, 3
#IfWinActive ahk_class wxWindowClassNR
Esc::WinClose, A
return

Now I'm free to choose from wide range of editors.

answered Nov 11, 2009 at 21:15

queen3

15.6k8 gold badges69 silver badges122 bronze badges

Comments

MichaelM · Accepted Answer · 2009-11-11 12:09:53Z

0

vim?

Sure, it doesn't use esc to quit, but :wq is pretty quick.

answered Nov 11, 2009 at 12:09

MichaelM

5,8782 gold badges32 silver badges23 bronze badges

1 Comment

Teddy Over a year ago

"Closes on ESC" was a requirement.

Cruachan · Accepted Answer · 2009-11-11 21:21:37Z

0

Given you've got rid of the ESC issue I'd suggest taking a look at jedit. It's fairly lightweight (well, compared to a full IDE), nicely configurable and runs on any OS. Generally one of the first things I install on any box I'm going to be working on because I know I'll always have a familiar environment.

answered Nov 11, 2009 at 21:21

Cruachan

16.1k6 gold badges63 silver badges113 bronze badges

2 Comments

queen3 Over a year ago

Hey, I like it, very nice! - jedit.org/index.php?page=screenshot&image=25 ;-)

queen3 Over a year ago

Does it support ClearType at all?

jussij · Accepted Answer · 2009-11-30 06:23:57Z

0

With a bit of tweaking the Zeus editor can be configure to behave this way.

To get the editor to close on ESC the keyboard mapping will need to be edited and the ESC key rebound to the FileExit function.

answered Nov 30, 2009 at 6:23

jussij

10.6k1 gold badge36 silver badges49 bronze badges

Comments

user1013803 · Accepted Answer · 2013-09-01 11:52:21Z

0

The current version of Notepad++ (6.4.5) does let you close files using Esc. To do this you have to set Esc as the Exit key (Number 19) by using Settings | Shortcut Mapper.

edited Sep 1, 2013 at 11:52

user1013803

32 bronze badges

answered Oct 14, 2011 at 5:01

Sean Kearon

11.5k13 gold badges82 silver badges102 bronze badges

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

Specific programming text editor for simple open/close editing

7 Answers 7

Comments

2 Comments

Comments

1 Comment

2 Comments

Comments

Comments

Your Answer

Hot Network Questions

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

7 Answers 7

Comments

2 Comments

Comments

1 Comment

2 Comments

Comments

Comments

Your Answer

Sign up or log in

Post as a guest

Related