Syntax highlighting

Syntax highlighting is a feature of text editors that are used for programming, scripting, or markup languages.

Description

Syntax highlighting displays text, especially source code, in different colors and fonts according to the category of terms.

This feature facilitates writing in a structured language such as a programming language or a markup language as both structures and syntax errors are visually distinct.

Does not affect meaning of text

Highlighting does not affect the meaning of the text itself; it is intended only for human readers.

Secondary notation

Syntax highlighting is a form of secondary notation, since the highlights are not part of the text meaning, but serve to reinforce it.

Some editors also integrate syntax highlighting with other features, such as spell checking or code folding, as aids to editing which are external to the language.

See also

• Computer programming
• Software development
• Source code editor
• Syntax (programming languages)
• Text
• Text editor
• Word processor

External links

• Syntax highlighting @ Wikipedia