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Free and open source text editor that works as an alternative to Notepad. Extremely powerful and extensive it is for Windows only and runs under the GPL License.
SpecsUpdate
PlatformsWindows
LicenseGPL-3.0-or-later
Collaborative editingPlug-in
Bracket MatchingYes
Supported remote file editing protocolsFTP; SSH (plug-in)
Auto CompleteYes
Extension languageC/C++; any language able to interface with C code
Multi Language SupportYes
Plugin ManagerBuilt-in
Column selectionYes
Supported keybinding stylesIBM CUA
RTLYes
BidiYes
Pros
Pro Free under GPL
Notepad++ is licensed under GPL, which means it is free/open source software that you can use freely.
Know any positive aspects of this option?
Cons
Con Windows-only
While it can run in Wine, it is native only to Windows. Linux users will have to use Notepadqq instead.
Con Annoying update notifications upon start-up
Annoying update notifications tend to pop up upon start-up after not having used the app or machine for a few days. At the same time, they can be easily turned off.
Con Outdated UI
Only the text area can be themed, and it doesn't have as many features as browser-based text areas.
Know any negative aspects of this option?
Recommendations
Notepad++
Recommended 6 years ago
Developing on Windows without Notepad++? You might as well be dead :)
Pro
Syntax highlighting for a wide variety of languagesPro
Split screenPro
Easy to use and adminPro
Light and fastPro
Regex replace in selection, active tab, or all tabsCon
Windows-onlyPro
Persistent documents, even after exiting the applicationPro
Extendable via pluginsPro
PortablePro
Free under GPLPro
Multi-line editingNotepad++
Recommended 5 years ago
On Windows, Notepad++ is very fast. It is feature rich for an open source editor on the Windows platform. In order to achieve the speed, it is not cross platform, which is viewed as its major negative on this forum. Unfortunately, many of us don't have a choice in operating systems (though we may like to...
Pro
Syntax highlighting for a wide variety of languagesPro
Split screenPro
Easy to use and adminPro
Light and fastPro
Supports MarkdownPro
User defined language syntax supportPro
Persistent documents, even after exiting the applicationPro
Extendable via pluginsPro
PortablePro
Free under GPLPro
Multi-line editingNotepad++
Recommended 5 years ago
Installer is Small. simple. powerfull extensions support many languages
Pro
Syntax highlighting for a wide variety of languagesPro
Split screenPro
Light and fastPro
Regex replace in selection, active tab, or all tabsPro
Extendable via pluginsPro
PortablePro
Free under GPLPro
Multi-line editingNotepad++
Recommended a year ago
Pro
Syntax highlighting for a wide variety of languagesPro
Easy to use and adminPro
Light and fastPro
Regex replace in selection, active tab, or all tabsPro
User defined language syntax supportPro
Extendable via pluginsPro
PortablePro
Free under GPLCon
Settings confusingly scatteredComments
Flagged Pros + Cons
Con Not feature-rich
Just syntax highlighting, some text operations and simple completion.