HippoEDIT 1.50

Overview

HippoEDIT is a powerful text editor that targets programmers, developers and power users. The editor is designed to make it faster and easier to program with its syntax highlighting that colors each correctly entered command in many different programming languages which helps to clarify any typos as they happen. The HippoEDIT package is big on features, but small on file size so it downloads quickly.

Installation

During the installation, there is the choice to install the full, minimal or custom package. Elements like plug-ins for spell checkers and dictionaries can be toggled on or off using the checkboxes against each item within the install dialog window. There is a file manager and bookmark manager which can be included in the install. The eight syntax languages understood by the HippoEDIT (HTML, CSS, Javascript, PHP, C++, Visual Basic, Pascal and XML) can also be selectively included during the install process.

The total space needed is 13.3 MB.

Interface

The interface is pretty busy like most programming editors seem to be. There are menu options near the title, a file manager down part of the left sidebar and below that is a display which shows only certain files matching programming file extensions. The multi-tabbed main pane offers color coded support for multiple files open, using different languages, at one time.

Blocks of code can be expanded or collapsed to make it easier to jump to the right part of a programming file that is lengthy. A nice feature.

Pros

• Attractive, colorful interface
• Built-in file manager
• 160 commands understood
• Skinable interface to change its look
• Multi-tabbed support with color-coded tabs
• Syntax highlighting in C++, Perl, PHP, XLM, XSLT, Javascript, HTML, XHTML, and Java
• Print preview using WYSIWYG
• Quick and responsive

Cons

• A bit overwhelming for new programmers
• Expensive premium version

Alternatives

Notepad++ is a popular programming editor that offers similar features to HippoEDIT and more languages are supported with the standard package.

Conclusion

HippoEDIT is a professionally developed programming editor which offers syntax highlighting for a decent selection of the main programming languages used today. The interface, which is skinable, is quite busy looking but it has to pack a lot into the screen real estate. The colorful nature of the design makes it easier on the eye and faster to spot what you are looking for. The price is quite steep for HippoEDIT given that there are many programming editors available that are either cheaper or free.