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 ;-)

Answer 1

vim?

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

Answer 2

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.

Answer 3

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.

Answer 4

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.

Answer 5

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.

Answer 6

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