What is your favorite VBScript Editor?

Question

I currently use notepad++ for writing/editing VBScipts, but I am looking for something new (and also free). Anybody have a favorite?

I don't have a problem with notepad++; in fact I really like it and I use it a lot, I just want to see what other options are available. I would like to find something that has more of an IDE feel to it, but also supports multiple languages.

Edit:
I guess I underestimated notepad++, or I just want too much for nothing, either way I will be sticking with notepad++.

Answer 1

I used to use UltraEdit-32 back in the day - sadly it's no longer free but when I was using it I found it useful enough that I wouldn't quibble at the $35.00 fee now.

I've heard good things about SciTE which free. It's based on a Linux editor Scintilla. There's a Windows version found at: http://www.scintilla.org/SciTE.html

Allegedly (though I'm relaying 2nd hand info here so don't hold me to it), it supports intellisense as well as your usual syntax highlighting and code collapsing. I'm not sure if it supports breakpoints and debugging though.

I've been trialing the latest version of PrimalScript which one of my friends recommended to me that I find outstanding, it supports all sorts of neat features - intellisense, . I'm just waiting to find out if the company is going to shell out for it. It's not cheap either though at $279.00. I'd say this app is well worth shelling out for. It supports full script debugging, intellisense, syntax highlighting - the whole caboodle. It also works for a whole bunch of languages, not just VBScript... it does JavaScript, batch files, PowerShell, SQL scripts, the lot. It's a full IDE, not really usable as a replacement for something like Visual Studio but for most single script/file applications, I don't think it can be beat.

Answer 2

Excel isn't free, but in case you already have it...

If you want intellisense, you can use the Excel macro editor (aka VBE) and export the modules to .vbs files. It's not a great editor and hasn't been updated in over a decade. But, the intellisense still makes it better than most text editors.

Answer 3

I'm a huge fan of Notepad++. I have a couple of issues with it, but it's a great editor overall.

I've been looking at emacs for a while, but haven't yet taken the plunge.

Answer 4

I still use Crimson Editor. It's pretty cool, specially if you create a custom "user tool" that call wscript.exe with a key stroke.

Answer 5

I use SciTE, with a customized properties file for autocomplete, intellisense and running scripts.

Answer 6

GVim (vi) for me.

Answer 7

I currently use AdminScriptEditor, which has just about all of the features of Primal Script at a fraction of the cost. In my past life I used Microsoft Script Editor which is bundled in every version of Office 200 and 2003 (maybe even 2007, but I'm not sure). MSE is meant for web debugging but it does a decent job for doing syntax highlighting and hta/html support. Although now that I think of it, you could probably get the same benefits of MSE in the Web Express version of Visual Studio, which is free.

Answer 8

Visual Studio would be my favorite VBScript editor, where there are express editions if you want to try out a free version. Course I have been using VS from 6.0 to 2008 with a few versions inbetween.

Answer 9

I use PSPad which support handful of languages including vbs, and is also decent editor. worth checking it out.

Answer 10

I like emacs with visual-basic-mode. As others have mentioned Notepad++ is also quite good.

Answer 11

GridinSoft Notepad Lite is my favorite for writing/editing VBScipts. Freeware.

Answer 12

I currently use notepad++ for writing/editing VBScipts.

Answer 13

VBsEdit and vim, depends on the size of the script.

Answer 14

I haven't seen anyone suggesting E - TextEditor so I will put it out there. I started out with NotePad++ but after trying E I haven't gone back. My specific reasons for switching is the template support for different files, the theme (coloring) capabilities, the tab bar, and the snippet support...

Answer 15

PrimalScript is a brilliant script editor that handles VBScript, WSH, PowerShell, HTA and others. It's not free but if you do a lot of scripting it might make a world of a difference.

Answer 16

Notepad++ is the best free script editor I have encountered (so far).

But if you do a lot of VB scripting, VBSEdit (~$75) is hard to beat. Ability to drop in code snippets at the click of a menu button as well as tons of scripting examples. Has a slick interface including object reference but only designed for vbscript.

XLNow OnScirpt (~$60) handles a few more scripting languages and code snippets and quite a few examples. The interface also includes an object reference but is a little clunky (IMHO).

Answer 17

I use ExeScript VBScript Editor It allowing to edit, compile and debug scripts, search and apply COM objects.

Answer 18

I love Vbsedit, it makes my daily scripting tasks so much easier.

Answer 19

I use an updated version of Exescript - ExeScript Pro. All modern features: intellisense, com code completion, debug, COM browser and helper, WMI suport, Powershell, Bat, VBS, JS, HTA, a lot of samples and of course - native compilation to EXE!