Design and construction of a prototype general purpose syntax-aware text editor

A comparison is made between traditional text editors, syntax-directed editors and syntax-aware editors. The design for a prototype general purpose syntax-aware editor is presented. This editor utilizes a user-written language specification to continuously parse the text buffer. Errors are indicated to the user non-intrusively by modifying the display color of the text. Error messages are presented to the user as the cursor is placed over portions of the text which are in error. A description of the implementation of the editor, and a critique of its usefulness is included.