jEdit 5.7.0

Overview

jEdit is one of the must have text editing utilities for coders and programmers. This software has been designed in the Java coding language and the interface is visual-based and employs the Swing toolkit. jEdit is freeware, but do not let that fool you into thinking that its capabilities are limited. The truth is that this programming text editor has features that can outshine some of the most famous counterparts any day. The interface is easy and it allows programmers to manage and sort their codes quickly and painlessly. So are these claims valid? Let’s review its features and see how it matches up!

Installation

jEdit needs java 6 (1.6) or above in order to work properly, but the system requirements stop here. After downloading the installation kit and opening the file, you will be prompted to select the language, agree to the terms and conditions, and choose the location where jEdit will be installed. Next, you will be able to opt for installing the full array of features or skip the API documentation on macros and plug-ins as well as the default macros themselves.

The developers highly recommended choosing the full installation, as the default macros can come in handy, but the decision is really up to the users. Before you proceed, you will need to check that the drive where you want to install the jEdit utility has at least 44.9MB of free space. When you are done installing the text editor, a pop-up window prompting you to read the change log for the latest version will appear. This window also enables you to read the help menu and launch the application.

Interface

As mentioned before, the interface of the jEdit is very comprehensive and user-friendly. The management possibilities it offers will simplify your work a great deal. However, it is advisable that you take a quick look at the help menu, in order to clarify any aspect you are unsure about. If the help menu is not able to provide you with the answers you are looking for, then you can check out the comprehensive online help.

Even though the interface may look a bit simplistic at first glance, it is designed to meet all the practical aspects. For instance, you can select several fragments of code from different locations simultaneously, thus greatly simplifying the transfer. In addition, the number of clipboards provided by this utility is limitless. If you find that you have deleted or overwritten a certain part of the code by mistake, do not panic. You can redo and undo your actions an unlimited amount of times.

Pros

One of the most appreciated features of the jEdit is that there are no restrictions regarding the number of windows that can be opened simultaneously. However, that is not all, as each and every window can be divided into numerous sections, which can display distinctive files. Even if you close the program, the windows will be remembered and opened accordingly for the next editing session. This also applies for the register content.

In order to simplify access to certain parts of the code, jEdit allows coders to place a marker in all edited files through the MarkerSets plugin, which provides a very good "replacement" for the built-in markers. These markers are also memorized after having closed the utility, thus you can make full use of them throughout the editing process. In addition, thanks to the default macros and shortcuts, all the functions of the program can be accessed quickly and easily, saving users a lot of time on scrolling through menus. 

Cons

The only argument some customers had against jEdit is that the compiler is a bit sluggish. However, this problem could be related to the architecture of the user’s computer, especially since there have been very few people reporting this issue.

Alternatives

Common alternatives are programs such as HxD Hex Editor, Notepad++, Hex Workshop, HexAssistant or EditPlus. However, most other positive reviews and the significantly higher number of downloads deem jEdit the best program in its category so far.

Conclusion

The proficient and fully functional features, as well the lack of obsolete options, make jEdit the top choice for programmers. Not only is the interface simple to use, but also the default shortcuts and macros make it easy to operate on several files simultaneously without having to scroll through unnecessary menus.