Eclipse Syntax Highlighter For Proxo/Sidki - Intro

[ProxoDent]

I've finished up a working syntax highlighter / colorer for use with *.ptron and *.ptxt files in Eclipse. Colorer-take5 plug-in for Eclipse is required as the rules were written in CT5's hrc format.

I won't post the actual working files yet because I'd like to document it further, test it for a bit longer, and maybe add some color-scheme files. Some plug-ins for Eclipse can be a little quirky. So far everything seems stable enough.

In the meantime, I'll post some screenshots of it and provide a link to a 'blog' I set-up on Live.com. On the blog, you can view some video clips of the paired-symbol matching and outline features I coded (I'm not sure how long I'll leave the link active / available to the public).

I really doubt there will be much interest in this, but it was a nice diversion putting it together for myself.

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2009-11-20 - Version 1.0.0 uploaded.

Files in 'zip' attachment (7):

ptron.hrc
ptxt.hrc
ptron01.hrd
ptxt01.hrd
FilterOutlined.gif
SectionOutlined.gif
README.txt

The README.txt file contains info and INSTALL instructions. I will not reproduce all of it here as it is quite lengthy, but here are the 'Requirements' section and selected 'Notes' from the file. The info may be of interest to anyone thinking about trying this out without having to download the zip file and digging through everything else. It may have the effect of persuading or dissuading you to continue.

Code:

-----
Requirements:

- Eclipse IDE - Galileo (3.5.1x) was used for testing, but any version
   compatible with the current Colorer-take5 plug-in should work. Get it here:
      
        http://www.eclipse.org/

- Colorer-take5 plug-in for Eclipse IDE - use only version 0.8.0 (or later).
   Get it here:
        
        http://sourceforge.net/projects/colorer/files/Eclipse%20Colorer/

Notes:

- Eclipse uses a lot of memory (everyone knows that, right?). However, be aware
  that a fast machine (CPU) is also required for this plug-in when using large,
  heavily colored files like Sidki *.ptron files. You may find it too much for
  your machine, especially in regard to the Outliner feature. If your Outline
  view doesn't fully populate initially, i.e., you don't see all of the *.ptron
  configuration file sections listed:
    
    Global
    WinSizes
    Blocklists
    HTTP Headers
    Patterns
    Proxies
  
  you can navigate to the bottom of the file and it should populate as the file
  is viewed. Again, this shouldn't always be necessary.
      
  If you have any doubts about your system, especially avoid the 'Colorer Parse
  Tree' available as an option in the Outline view. The option is primarily
  there for diagnostics when developing a colorer, so it really isn't necessary
  for general use. If you do decide to open it while viewing a *.ptron file on a
  slow / moderately fast machine, you may have to wait a while before your
  Eclipse session becomes usable again. On smaller files like the *.ptxt files,
  there shouldn't be a problem.

- The *.hrc and *.hrd files are heavily commented if anyone is interested in
  reviewing them. However, the *.hrd files, where colors are actually set, will
  likely be accessed more often if you care to change the colors. A reference
  section is included at the bottom of each Proxo *.hrd file as an aid to
  setting things to suit your taste.

- Useful links to Colorer-take5 HRC and HRD documentation:
  
  HRC Language Reference
  http://colorer.sourceforge.net/hrc-ref/

  HRD Spec
  http://colorer.sourceforge.net/hrc-ref/#ref.hrd.hrd

I'll post modified files required for console-based editors like FAR Manager later.