Notepad++ is a free and open-source code editor created as a more advanced replacement for the standard Notepad. It supports numerous programming languages and runs efficiently on Microsoft Windows. The editor also allows users to define their own custom syntax highlighting and code folding rules, offering flexibility for any coding style or language.
The software significantly improves coding productivity by providing color-printed source code, making code structure and syntax easier to read and understand. Its multi-document editing system lets users handle multiple files simultaneously or edit one file in two synchronized split views for side-by-side comparison or parallel work.
Notepad++ features a fully customizable interface with complete drag-and-drop functionality. This makes it simple to organize tabs, rearrange panels, or open files directly by dragging them into the workspace. These features help streamline the coding workflow and reduce time spent on repetitive tasks.
The project is built on the robust Scintilla editing component, written in C++ with the Win32 API and STL. This ensures a combination of high performance, efficiency, and low memory usage. Released under the GPL License, Notepad++ remains a lightweight yet powerful editor that continues to evolve through community contributions and open development.
The supported programming languages: ASP, Ada, ASCII artwork, Assembly, AutoIt, BAT, C, C#, C++, Caml, CSS, Doxygen, FORTRAN, HTML, Haskell, Java, javascript, KiXtart, Lisp, Lua, makefile, Matlab, Objective-C, Pascal, Perl, PHP, PostScript, Python, Ruby, Scheme, Unix Shell Script, Smalltalk, SQL, Tcl, TeX, Verilog, VHDL, VB/VBScript, XML.
Notepad++ Features
- Syntax Highlighting and Syntax Folding
- WYSIWYG
- User-Defined Syntax Highlighting
- Auto-completion
- Multi-Document
- Multi-View
- Regular Expression Search/Replace is supported
- Full Drag ‘N’ Drop supported
- Dynamic Place of Views
- File Status Auto-detection
- Zoom in and zoom out
- Multi-language environment supported
- Bookmark
- Brace and Indent guideline Highlighting
- Macro recording and playback
Changes in Notepad++ 8.8.8 :
- Add the app MSI (x64) for enterprise IT deployment.
- Security enhancement: Prevent the app updater from being hijacked.
- Fix multi-selection crash (regression) when smart highlighting is enabled.
- Add a tab label length limitation option to have a reasonable tab width.
- Improve the performance of the saving session on exit.
- Fixes the problem where enabling Distraction-free Mode blocked the tab bar from being hidden.
- Add text scale support.
- Fix the switching among some encodings so that it works.
- Fix Notepad++ not handling the system default code page UTF-8 well.
- Improve Rust handling: keywords and auto-completion.
Compatible Operating Systems: Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, 10, and 11 (32-bit and 64-bit).
