Notepad++

This resource will provide an overview on the functionality, practicality and general use of Notepad ++ as well as other standard procedures such as installation and working withing the notepad++ environment.

What Is Notepad++
Notepad++ is a free text editor application made for the Windows Operating System. It can be used to write code in a variety of programming and scripting languages, currently supporting over 50. Notepad++ provides a markup interface which highlights text, color-codes specific language structures and provides visual cues needed for code development without the intricacies and heavy burden of more advanced IDEs.

Features

 * Notepad++ can best be described as an extended version of the standard notepad application. Code can be saved to any number of file extensions which in turn alters the markup and color-coding to match the language in use. Features include color-coded language structures, tabs for editing multiple files, standard text editing features (copy, cut, paste, find, replace...etc.), collapsible subsections of code and


 * At its core, notepad++ has all basic features of a plain text editor seen in applications such as notepad. Some features such as a standard search and replace feature have expanded to include common programming principles such as the capacity to check for regular expressions as well as text editing. It further adds a vast array of specialized functions for working with source code. Users can indent selected sections of code, toggle both inline and block comments and auto-complete functions.


 * More advanced features associated with more complex IDEs are noticeable missing from notepad++. Examples of such features include a built-in debug tool, error checking and built-in compilers.

Installation

 * Currently, Notepad++ can be found at http://notepad-plus-plus.org/. On the left pane, select the download icon which brings the user to the latest release of notepad ++. Depending on your preference, you can download a number of various formats to install the application. These include a standard executable installer, compressed archive formats such as zip and 7z as well as the source code.


 * Download the preferred installation. Place the installation in a location such as: "C:\Program Files\Notepad++".
 * Inside the Notepad++ directory is the Notepad++.exe file needed to run the application.
 * Start the application.

Note for Mac Users
Notepad ++ is not available for the Mac OS X platform. However, there is a very good alternative named "Text Wrangler" that is available for Mac and works just like Notepad ++. You can find it here.

Getting Started

 * Due to its versatility, notepad++ can be used in a variety of ways depending on your intended goal.
 * First, determine what type of project it is you will be working on. You can define this by saving the file and saving it under the correct file extension or by choosing a language from the Language tab. Once the language has been designated, all alterations you make to the file will be marked.
 * The notepad++ UI by default consists of a single pane for text input and a set of menus and icons on the top of the screen where all formatting and special functions can be performed.
 * Interacting with the code provides a number of additional useful features.
 * Highlighting a word will automatically highlight all other instances of that word in the document.
 * Placing the cursor to the right of brackets highlights the other bracket in the pair.
 * Subsections of code (functions, comments, loops...etc.) can be collapsed using the left side panel.
 * For standard coding, the User Interface of notepad++ works much like any other standard text editor with additional functionality and clearer markup.

Settings and Preferences

 * Notepad++ provides a large amount of control over the interface. To begin working with these settings, go to the "Settings" tab and select > "Preferences".
 * Under the general tab there are features to alter the basic core aspects of Notepad++ such as the language, icon size and icon displays.
 * The New "Document/Default Directory" tab contains settings for the default document that opens when the application begins. Users can modify the encoding, default directory and Operating System format.
 * Languages can be removed from the list under the "Language Menu/Tab Settings" tab.
 * Printing options are listed under "Print". You can change the header, display line numbers, control margins and color options.
 * File extensions can be associated by higher categories. For example, the Web grouping Encompasses the extensions HTML, CSS, PHP, JS and XML.

Enhancing Notepad++

 * Along with the current features of Notepad++, there are also additional plugins.
 * A good source for plugins is http://sourceforge.net/projects/npp-plugins/|http://sourceforge.net/projects/npp-plugins/
 * A comprehensive list of plugins can be found at http://sourceforge.net/apps/mediawiki/notepad-plus/index.php?title=Plugin_Central
 * To Install:
 * Download the plugin you want and place it inside the "plugins" subfolder within the Notepad++ directory.
 * Configuration files such as .ini files go inside the \plugins\config directory.
 * Restart notepad++ and the plugin will be installed.