Usages of a Text Editor
If you want to get into scripting, you need a text editor. The CK's built-in editor has nothing inherently wrong with it, but text editors with support for Papyrus have so much more going for them.
These are features like auto-complete, syntax highlighting, folding, and quick compiling. Each of the text editors also have a few of their own little features, unique to the program. Both text editors are great applications, so you can't really go wrong with either of them. It's a matter of preference.
Don't care about what the features are, or already know? Click here to go straight to the comparisons.
Auto Complete
Syntax Highlighting
Folding
Quick Compiling
You can create new scripts by making a .psc file in the Scripts/Source folder (make a .txt and change the file extension), then opening it, making sure the Scriptname matches the file name, and compiling.
Comparisons
One small note. Sublime Text 2 is not entirely free. Before you go and download NP++ - Sublime Text 2 has a free trial that lasts FOREVER. You don't have to buy it. There is a small, pop up messagebox saying they'd appreciate it if you bought it once a month. All you have to do is press OK. There is no lack of features or anything, no need to buy to gain access to something special.
Sublime Text 2
Note that SublimePapyrus also has support for SublimeText 3, so you could use that instead of 2.
Pros
- Very easy to set up
- Autocomplete
- Syntax Highlighting
- Support for SKSE, SkyUI, and almost all other SKSE plugins (syntax and autocomplete)
- Free, changeable color schemes (different syntax highlighting colors and background)
- Folding
- Plugins and more color schemes are downloadable with the (free) Package Control
Cons
- No autocomplete definitions
- Freeware
My Thoughts
I personally use Sublime Text 2. I started out with Notepad++, and that was great. But I much prefer Sublime Text 2 - it feels more professional to me, with more options and more support for SKSE and its plugins, and it was far easier to set up than NP++. I actually stopped using NP++ because I was having a whole host of issues trying to set up the quick compiler, which I never managed to fix.
The only thing I really miss was the definitions NP++ had. These definitions told you what a function did, and how it could be used, as well as it's parameters. It doesn't have support for every function, but it was really useful when I was starting out. However, as I learned the ropes, it became less and less of a necessity for me, and it's no longer something that really helps me.
Notepad ++
Pros
- Auto-complete
- Syntax highlighting
- Folding
- Quick compile
- Good support for SKSE functions and SkyUI functions
- Easy to use once set up
- Nice interface, clean look
- Definitions (shows what function does and how to use parameters for many functions, though not all supported yet)
- Completely free, no unobtrusive pop up once a month :P
Cons
- Harder to set up (especially quick compiler)
- Can't change syntax highlighting colors easily, and only 2 other options for colors
- No extra plugins
- Less options
My Thoughts
I started out with NP++, but I ultimately switched to Sublime Text 2 after I had a lot of problems trying to set up the quick compile for NP. It's a great text editor, and while I prefer Sublime Text 2, it certainly has some great features. The interface has a nice, clean look and it's easy to get a hold of. However, it doesn't have as many aesthetic choices as Sublime Text, and doesn't have the wide array of extra plugins like Package Control for Sublime Text 2. However, it's a well-made text editor in its own right.
Getting Set Up
While there are already a few tutorials on getting NP++ set up, and Sublime Text, which I've linked, there are a few things to take note of:
Sublime Text 2:
Be sure to open Sublime Text 2 before installing Sublime Papyrus.
Compatible with MO, see the SublimePapyrus page for details.
If syntax highlighting doesn't work out of the box, when you open a .psc just press View>Syntax>Papyrus>Papyrus.
NP++:
Not sure if it's compatible with MO. Most likely it is.
Honorable Mentions
A very easy to set up program, you can find it on the Nexus. It's absolutely free, and has a lot of features. Autocomplete, syntax highlighting, a built in compiler (a quick compile), and a great feature allowing you to check your script for errors before even compiling. Furthermore, you can quickly and easily make a new script, though you can't hook up the properties from anything but the CK (and this is not a fault of PapyrusED).
However, it hasn't been updated since January of 2014 and I can't guarantee support for new SKSE plugins, the current SKSE version, or SkyUI.
Skyrim Script Editor (Pro)
Yet another program found on the Skyrim Nexus, Skyrim Script Editor IS entirely free. It's got a plethora of features and is being actively worked on.
The features include autocomplete, syntax highlighting, a very fast quick compiler, and you can even do side by side comparisons of two scripts, with the program highlighting differences. You can create new scripts from the program, tab all selected lines (Sublime Text has this feature as well, not sure about NP++), and as said it IS being actively worked on. The author is creating new features and accepting suggestions.
There's also a cool feature where you can choose the background color, and syntax colors, yourself - quickly and easily from within the program.
What text editor do you prefer? Tell me in the comments below!
Also, did you find the inclusion of "anchor links" helpful so you could easily navigate the (rather long) post? Tell me below.