Skip to main content

Syntax Highlighting

Syntax highlighting improves code readability by coloring different syntax elements in your code. This feature helps you quickly identify keywords, variables, and other code components, aiding in error detection and code comprehension.

How It Works​

Syntax highlighting works by analyzing the code and applying color schemes to various elements:

  • Keywords: Special words with predefined meanings (e.g., if, else).
  • Strings: Text literals enclosed in quotes.
  • Comments: Non-executable text, used for annotations.
  • Variables: Names assigned to data values.
  • Functions: Defined operations or methods.

Phoenix uses predefined rules for different programming languages to apply the appropriate colors.

Syntax Highlighting Default Image Syntax Highlighting Example in a JavaScript File

Theme Dependency​

The colors used for syntax highlighting depend on the theme you are using. Themes define the color schemes for various syntax elements, allowing you to choose a style that suits your preference or needs.

Syntax Highlighting Example [Theme : Monokai Dark Soda] Syntax Highlighting Monokai Dark Soda Theme Image

Syntax Highlighting Example [Theme : Material Color Light] Syntax Highlighting Material Color Light Theme Image

To learn more about Themes. Click Here

Add Syntax Highlighting for a Particular File Type​

If you create a new file and the file type is not recognized, it will be treated as plain text by default, and no syntax highlighting will be applied. However, you can manually add syntax highlighting for the file in Phoenix.

  1. Click on the Text Button: Locate the Text button in the Status Bar at the bottom of the editor.
  2. Select a Language: From the dropdown list, choose the language whose syntax rules you want to apply for highlighting this file.

Adding Syntax Highlighting for a new file type

The file will now be treated as the selected language type, and syntax highlighting will be applied accordingly.

To learn more about File Type Associations. Click Here

Change Syntax Highlighting for a Particular File Type​

If you need to change the syntax highlighting for an existing file:

  1. Click on the Text Button: Click on the Text button in the Status Bar.
  2. Select a New Language: Choose a different language from the list to change the syntax highlighting for the file. The syntax highlighting will be updated according to the newly selected language.

Troubleshooting​

  • No Highlighting : Ensure that the file type is correctly recognized by the editor. Check the file extension and language mode.
  • Incorrect Colors : Verify your color scheme settings. You may need to adjust or switch to a different theme.
  • Missing Language Support : Install the necessary language extension from the editor’s marketplace.