Best Text Editor for AHK?

[scriptor2016]

Hello, currently I am using Notepad++ and plain old Notepad for scripting in AHK.

In Notepad++, I like to use the 'Doc Switcher' option which shows all scripts loaded into Notepad in a list format in its own window. Problem is, I can't get the list to sort alphabetically - and I have no idea why.

Also, Notepad++ doesn't have an option to change font colors in your code (or if it does, I haven't found out how). Is there any other software which might allow you to simply highlight some text in your script and change its color? Just wondering - I think this would be amazing.

Is there a better editor for AHK out there than Notepad++ (that might allow you to change font colors)??
Thanks

[Ridwan]

I like SublimeText
https://github.com/ahkscript/SublimeAutoHotkey
with PlasticCodeWrap theme by joedf
https://joedf.ahkscript.org/plasticcodewrap/index.html

and the simple and fast CodeQuickTester by GeekDude (but i think it can't change the font color)
https://www.autohotkey.com/boards/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=6113

[Helgef]

Editors

For notepad++, see Setup Notepad++ for AutoHotkey.

Cheers.

[Sabestian Caine]

No doubt, the best editor for ahk is AHK Studio by Maestrith.

Check out this link-
https://the-automator.com/ahk-studio/

[toralf]

I use notepad++
But with a few extensions

I do not understand what you exactly want when you write about coloring code.
Do you mean syntax highlighting? Or that e.g. when a variable name is selected all other occurrences are also highlighted? Both is possible with npp.
If you want to achieve something different please elaborate.

[scriptor2016]

perhaps change the color of the fonts. For example:

Code: Select all

lbutton::
msgbox, you clicked
return

z::
msgbox, you pressed z
return

h::
msgbox, you pressed h
return

for the lbutton hotkey block of code, maybe you could change the font colors of all 3 lines to green. Then change all 3 lines of the z:: hotkey block to red, and all 3 lines for the h:: to orange or something. Color-coding the fonts would make it easy to identify where certain parts of the script are, especially in large scripts.

(I'm sure this can already be done but I haven't figured out how yet)

[toralf]

I don’t think that this is possible in npp.
It is also contradicting the aim of syntax highlighting.

Usually one structures large scripts with larger comment sections or with lines of e.g. ####
Or by separating the code in different files.
I personally use my own function list to find the location I want to jump to. Or I search for the name. And I use several files to separate the code. I hardly scroll through the code.

[scriptor2016]

I just found out that if you highlight a few lines of code in Notepad++, then right click on it and choose "Style Token/Using 1st Style", it will change the color of the selected lines. This is pretty well what I was looking for (or close enough). There are up to 5 Styles in the context menu, but after all 5 are used up I'm not sure how to add more.

A video on youtube says that when all 5 Style colors are used up, then just highlight another line(s) of code, and again go to "Style Token/Using 1st Style", and then highlight those same lines again but this time choose "Style Token/Using 2nd Style" and it generates a new color not seen in the first 5 styles. Confusing!

[yedhrab]

- I prefer VsCode to develop AHK project
- I'm Using YAutoHotkey (https://marketplace.visualstudio.com/items?itemName=yedhrab.yautohotkey) extension for syntax highlight and code snippets
- And I suggest 🤍 DarkCode Theme (https://marketplace.visualstudio.com/items?itemName=yedhrab.darkcode-theme-adopted-python-and-markdown) that is really nice dark theme

[Chunjee]

- I prefer VsCode

same

[Odlanir]

Curious that no one mentions SciTE4AutoHotkey.

[AHK_user]

I used to use SciTE4AutoHotkey, very good and reliable.

But I switched to AHK Studio, as it has amazing capabilities for AHK.
Only disadvantage is that the default settings are not as userfriendly as other programs (no toolbar, for example), so you need to set this up by yourself.

[SOTE]

No doubt, the best editor for ahk is AHK Studio by Maestrith.

I also vote for AHK Studio by Maestrith. Did a great job, and it's coded entirely with AutoHotkey.
https://www.autohotkey.com/boards/viewtopic.php?f=62&t=300 (AHK Studio sub-forum)

Also, AutoGUI works well with it (all AutoHotkey code too).

[Hellbent]

Curious that no one mentions SciTE4AutoHotkey.

I don't use any of the bells and whistles of any editors so I love Scite4AutoHotkey. It is simple, clean, and gets the job done nicely.

On the other hand, if I was into using extra features, I would go with AHK Studio.

[boiler]

I use Visual Studio Code because one of the most important features to me is being able to have two views of the same document open (that don't get out of sync). Also used Notepad++ and Sublime Text for that reason. I would switch to AutoGUI if that feature were added.

[WalkerOfTheDay]

No doubt, the best editor for ahk is AHK Studio by Maestrith.

I also vote for AHK Studio by Maestrith. Did a great job, and it's coded entirely with AutoHotkey.
https://www.autohotkey.com/boards/viewtopic.php?f=62&t=300 (AHK Studio sub-forum)

Also, AutoGUI works well with it (all AutoHotkey code too).

Me three !

[gregster]

For a quick test of a code snippet, GeekDude's CodeQuickTester is great.

For the rest, a (slightly customized) Scite4AHK is usually good enough for me.

[boiler]

I should have mentioned CodeQuickTester as well. I use it every day for testing snippets and running scripts people post on the forum. Very handy.

[Hellbent]

CodeQuickTester

Do you have a link? If not, can try doing a search myself.

[gregster]

Second post from the top or https://www.autohotkey.com/boards/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=6113