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Code Writer is a text and code editor app which is built with the new Metro UI in mind. Coding is one of the main functions for us geeks with our PCs. When Windows 8 showed its Metro UI, I wondered how coding would be on this new interface. Well coding with Code Writer is fast and fluid and makes coding on Windows 8 a pleasant experience.
What is it and what does it do
Main Functionality
Code Writer is a text and code editor app with active syntax highlighting that updates as you edit documents and has 20 supported file types.
Pros
- 20 syntax-highlighted file types supported including HTML, CSS, JavaScript, XML, C#, VB, C++, PHP, Perl, Python, Ruby, SQL, and many other common languages
- Chrome less tabbed interface
- Options for theme, font family/size, line numbers, etc.
- Plethora of keyboard shortcuts
- Open and save documents on local drives and SkyDrive
Cons
- Word Wrapping is missing
- No auto indentation
- No support for printers
Discussion
Code Writers as the developers state was built with the Windows 8 design principles in mind. Think of it is as Notepad ++ for Windows 8. There was a void in apps for developers and this app just perfectly fills it up.
It supports 20 syntax-highlighted file types including HTML, CSS, JavaScript, XML, C#, VB, C++, PHP, Perl, Python, Ruby, SQL, and many other common languages.
You have advanced options to customize and make the editor completely personal. You have options for themes, font family, size, background, layout, etc. Chrome less UI editing surface that only shows caret position and scrollbars.
Access to a plethora of keyboard shortcuts means ease of use and there are options to add custom file extensions for file types, and disable file types you don’t work with. It also has pretty decent integration with charms for sharing and settings.
Also you have a handy option of opening and saving documents on the cloud using SkyDrive.
On the cons side, word wrapping is missing. And Windows defaults scrolling system is very irritating when you type a lot of code. They should try to get this feature as soon as possible. Also auto indentation as in Notepad ++ would be very handy. And though it may not affect many users of Windows 8, this app doesn’t have an option to print the code.
Conclusion and download link
This app is a boon for all the coders and developers on Windows 8 and RT right now. Coding was considered to be a pain with the new UI and many people actually passed it because of this. But Code Writer fills up this void. Coding has never been so much fun, and the best part is the app actually makes coding look cool with the new Metro UI. This app is a must download for all programmers and developers on Windows 8. Though this won’t be a complete replacement for all IDE’s and Compilers out there, this is one handy tool that must be in your app repository.
Price: Free
Supported OS: Windows 8, Windows RT
Supported architectures: x86, x64, ARM
