What do I need to know to create a source code editor?

Say I want to create a source code editor for ocaml programming language, w开发者_高级运维here do I start? I am looking to create an editor for the Windows platform as a hobby project. My primary skill is in web development. I have developed windows apps long time ago. I have no clue how it is done with todays available tools. I have visual studio 2008 and C# is my language of choice.

You need to know:

• OCAML Syntax, Features, Keywords, Functions etc...
• C# as this is your native language I guess
• You need to know what features you wanna implement
• ...if it's using a GUI or just from a terminal like nano/vim
• how syntax highlighting works
• how to open and save files
• how autocompletion works
• etc..

You might want to take look at some open source editors like dev-c++ or gedit

Also, as you in person are more web-devvy, you might want to start creating one which runs in a web browser. This is often easier and helps you understand the basics of creating a code editor. Later you can always write one for desktops.

If you are most comfortable in Visual Studio, then you can use the Visual Studio Shell to create your own IDE based on that foundation.

Here is a podcast that gives a good overview: http://www.code-magazine.com/codecast/index.aspx?messageid=32b9401a-140d-4acb-95bb-6accd3a3dafc

Also, as a reference, the IronPython Studio was created using the Visual Studio 2008 Shell: http://ironpythonstudio.codeplex.com/

Browsing that source code should give you a good starting point.

a lighter-weight alternative is to use the RichEdit control

example:
http://www.codeproject.com/Messages/3401956/NET-Richedit-Control.aspx

// http://www.codeproject.com/Messages/3401956/NET-Richedit-Control.aspx

using System;
using System.Windows.Forms;
using System.Runtime.InteropServices;

namespace RichEditor
{
    public class RichTextBoxEx : RichTextBox    
    {
        IntPtr mHandle = IntPtr.Zero;

        protected override CreateParams CreateParams        
        {
            get
            {
                // Prevent module being loaded multiple times.
                if (this.mHandle == IntPtr.Zero)                
                {
                    // load the library to obtain an instance of the RichEdit50 class.
                    this.mHandle = LoadLibrary("msftedit.dll");                
                }
                // If module loaded, reset ClassName.
                if (this.mHandle != IntPtr.Zero)                 
                {
                    CreateParams cParams = base.CreateParams;
                    // Check Unicode or ANSI system and set appropriate ClassName.
                    if (Marshal.SystemDefaultCharSize == 1)                     
                    {
                        cParams.ClassName = "RichEdit50A";                    
                    }
                    else
                    {
                        cParams.ClassName = "RichEdit50W";                    
                    }
                    return cParams;                
                }
                else // Module wasnt loaded, return default .NET RichEdit20 CreateParams.                
                {
                    return base.CreateParams;                
                }
            }
        }

        ~RichTextBoxEx()        
        {
            //Free loaded Library.
            if (mHandle != IntPtr.Zero)            
            {
                FreeLibrary(mHandle);            
            }
        }

        [DllImport("kernel32.dll", SetLastError = true)]
        private static extern IntPtr LoadLibrary(String lpFileName);

        [DllImport("kernel32.dll", SetLastError = true)]
        private static extern bool FreeLibrary(IntPtr hModule);    
    }

}

You could use Scintilla. It has syntax highlighting and some other features. Also, it has a .NET Version available here.

Another good tool is Alsing Syntax Box:

Powerful Syntax Highlight Windows Forms Control for the Microsoft.NET Platform. Written in 100% managed C#. Supports syntax highlighting and code folding for just about any programming language.

With Alsing Syntax Box, you can define a syntax file (just like this one for C#) and later have a intellisense like feature.

You can start with one of them for your editor.