BBEdit ActionScript Syntax Coloring
Many months back there was a free ActionScript language module for BBEdit that enabled syntax coloring for *.as files. It was a big help for those (like me) who prefer to use external text editors (rather than the built-in Flash editor), but the module has been notoriously difficult to find.
Thanks to a reader of this site, I'm filling the void and offering it here for all those OS X users itching to use BBEdit for their ActionScript editing needs. I have no idea who originally created this, but since you can't find it anywhere, I'm sure they wouldn't mind.
** And on the same topic, this ActionScript 2 module for SubEthaEdit is quite handy. I sure hope SubEthaEdit hasn't died, for it hasn't been updated in months.
Comments
One of the most annoying things about BBEdit is the fact that its syntax highlighting is so limited.
I use BBEdit, like everyone else who uses a Mac, but it's annoying as all hell when I come home to my Mac after working all day on a PC at the office where I can use EditPlus, which has fantastic highlighting.
I get sick of BBEdit's three colour system really, really fast. I just don't understand why they haven't made it better?
Posted by: Garrett at April 23, 2004 10:36 AM
SubEthaEdit is alive and kicking.
Just give us a little bit more time... ;)
Posted by: map at April 23, 2004 1:33 PM
The best thing you can do is to write Bare Bones Software and tell them to get their act together. I've been using BBEdit forever and am horrified at their inattention towards flash, especially considering that the Actionscript module no longer works with the latest version...
Posted by: ryan at April 23, 2004 1:57 PM
"SubEthaEdit is alive and kicking."
Faaaaantastic.
Posted by: Todd Dominey at April 23, 2004 2:08 PM
I've recently semi-retired BBEdit and started using JEdit.
Posted by: Jason R at April 24, 2004 1:18 AM
Wow great find! I have always coded it right in Flash, but have been looking for a good external editor, this is it.
Thanks a bunch!
-Mike
Posted by: Mike at April 24, 2004 10:27 AM
thanks for filling the void, we occasionally go in search of more info on the flas module.
since you have stared a discussion, does anybody know why it's breaking within bbedit 7.1.3 and if this is going to be a future problem?
Posted by: Matthew Richmond at April 26, 2004 12:22 PM
A guy named Ken Hill wrote the AS module - originally with Flash5 syntax. I contributed the updated MX language list. Unfortunately, a couple of keywords were inadvertantly left out. To correct this elementary fault requires the module to be recompiled using Barebones' Plug-in SDK - which now seems unlikely to ever happen.
SubEthaEdit is much better - but even that app needs a bit of work to update the syntax, and it also lacks some of the great features you get on PC apps (eg. code-folding).
A free (but now apparently discontinued) app called Mi had the greatest highlighting-support: you just define keywords, colors etc from within a preference panel! Now why can't everyone make it this easy? ;-)
Posted by: mani at April 27, 2004 2:49 AM
barebones just released BBEdit 7.1.4 which fixes the language model error.
Posted by: duncan at April 28, 2004 6:29 PM
I've installed the plug-in into ~/Library/Application Support/ BBEdit Support/PlugIns
but the coloring does not kick in.
What am I missing? Clues appreciated...
Posted by: bongoman at May 7, 2004 6:02 AM
To install, put it in /Applicatoins/BBEdit/BBEdit Support/Language Modules/
Posted by: Todd Dominey at May 7, 2004 8:24 AM
I have updated BBEdit to 7.1.4 and copied the file into the Language Models folder, but I'm still getting the error. Any ideas on how I can make this work?
PS> The error I'm getting says that the plug-in was originally enconded using Unicode (UTF-8) and can therefore not be used.
Posted by: David Molanphy at May 20, 2004 9:09 PM
Thought you should know, SubEthaEdit 2.0 is out! Whohoo!
Posted by: Chris Messina at May 23, 2004 11:13 PM
