Windows Notepad Stinks!
When making quick changes to an existing code file, using Visual Studio is akin to hitting a nail with a sledge hammer. These tasks are best suited for a simple text editor. Like most operating systems, Windows includes a small text editor named Notepad for completing such tasks.
The problem with Notepad is that it’s completely inadequate for coding. Do you like line numbering or auto-indenting? If so, you’d better find another text editor. In short, Notepad is possibly the world’s worse, albeit most installed text editor. Microsoft reworked many of the default programs bundled with Windows when they developed Windows 7. They unfortunately chose not to update Notepad. This is where Notepad2 steps in.
Notepad2 is a simple, yet powerful and quick text editor for Windows that is intended to replace the original Notepad application. Its features include line numbering, auto-indenting, brace matching, syntax highlighting, and code folding. Best of all, Notepad2 is open source and FREE.
I came across a custom build of Notepad2 today that completely replaces the original Notepad application. It even includes a handy installation tool so you don’t need to do any manual grunt work on your machine. Additional information and download links are available at the link below.
Geany is a super light weight cross-platform IDE/Text Editor that I use at home and at work. It’s super snappy and has almost all the features I’d ever need. The only thing it doesn’t have that I miss is built in support for remote file editing over SFTP. For that I usually load up Komodo Edit.
http://www.geany.org/
Posted on Jul 13, 2009.