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From: tr@wind.UUCP
Newsgroups: comp.sys.ibm.pc
Subject: Re: Program Editor
Message-ID: <1157@bellcore.bellcore.com>
Date: Tue, 16-Jun-87 19:12:04 EDT
Article-I.D.: bellcore.1157
Posted: Tue Jun 16 19:12:04 1987
Date-Received: Fri, 19-Jun-87 00:44:15 EDT
References: <370@aucs.UUCP>
Sender: news@bellcore.bellcore.com
Reply-To: tr@wind.UUCP (tom reingold)
Distribution: na
Organization: BellCoRe (Bell Communications Research)
Lines: 62

In article <370@aucs.UUCP> peter@aucs.UUCP (Peter Steele) writes:
$I hate to post a message like this (there's already enough talk about
$editors), but I'd like to have some info on good program editors for
$the PC (inexpensive or PD, we're broke here!). Some specific features
$I am looking for are:
$
$    -auto-indent variable tabs that checks the file extension for
$     the amount of indent to use (I like 2 space indent for Pascal
$     and dBase, 4 for C, and 8 (non-variable) for assembler). The
$     latest version of WordStar 4.0 can do this but it is expensive
$     and my employer won't spend that amount of money for just a
$     program editor.
$
$    -WordStar compatibility: I've been using WordStar and Turbo Pascal
$     for a long time and prefer the WordStar command layout over any
$     other editor I've used. This isn't an absolute requirement,
$     just a wish-list item.
$
$    -column blocks would be nice
$
$    -good macro ability
$
$    -take file name on the command line
$
$These are just some of the things I'd like to see. I've tried out PC/VI
$and don't like it. I've also tried out the WordPerfect program editor
$PE and have nothing good to say about it (unlike WordPerfect which is
$quite good). The reason I'm looking is that I've just started a new job
$and my employer does not have anything suitable; for the previous five
$years I've been using mostly WordStar for document/nondocument editing.
$I'm doing a lot of C and dBase programming now and need something in
$particular that would work well with these languages (especially dBase
$since it has to load the editor while it stays resident).
$
$Any suggestions would be VERY appreciated. Prices, addresses, etc., 
$preferred.  Thanx.
$
$
$Peter W. Steele     UUCP     : {seismo|watmath|utai|garfield}!dalcs!aucs!Peter

I have a suggestion.  It may seem odd but bear it out.  You have used
Turbo Pascal so far.  Why not continue to use it for a program editor.
I used it for Pascal and dBase III program editing for a year and liked
it.  And since you are trying to cut costs, you have it already.  It
does not have all of the things you ask for but most of them.  It does
autoindent.  It is WordStar compatible.  In fact, it sounds like your
expectations are based on your experience.  (Isn't that the case with
life?)  It's not great but it's not bad.

It does not take a command line argument for a file name.  It does
not do columns, but few editors do (not that it's an excuse).  

As for macros, you can program DOS to make macros and roll your
own.  You can use escape sequences which you send to the console.
Just put the escape sequences in a file and TYPE the file.  For
specifications on how to compose the escape sequences, consult a DOS
technical reference manual, a reference on ANSI terminals, or ask me.

Tom Reingold
INTERNET:       tr@bellcore.bellcore.com
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