Microsoft Develops a Minimalist, Extensible Text Editor Called "Edit" for Windows and Linux
Creating a lightweight command-line text editor with syntax highlighting capabilities has long been a challenge. The balance between a minimal footprint and rich features such as syntax coloring often proves difficult to maintain. Recognizing this dilemma, Microsoft’s development team has embarked on a new project—an editor tentatively named "Edit"—aiming to deliver a simple yet expandable tool for coders and system users alike.
A Growing File Size and the Path Toward Modularity
One of the key observations leading to this initiative is the significant size that extended functionalities can demand. Currently, the grammars required for syntax highlighting in "Edit" occupy approximately 166 megabytes once unpacked, a considerable weight for a lightweight tool. This has prompted the developers to consider an architecture based on extensions, allowing core functionality to remain minimal while enabling users to add features as needed.
Since "Edit" is still in its early stages—having reached version 1.0—the future looks open for growth. The modular design approach envisions a system where new features, such as syntax schemes, are installed via plugins rather than embedded directly into the main application. This strategy aligns with modern development practices seen in editors like Visual Studio Code, which support a rich ecosystem of extensions.
Historical Inspiration and Modern Goals
Interestingly, the name "Edit" isn’t entirely new within Microsoft’s ecosystem. Historically, there have been other text editors bearing the same name—most notably, the simple editor bundled with MS-DOS, which remained part of Windows 3.1 and Windows 95. The new project draws inspiration from these roots but distinguishes itself through a more contemporary look and feel.
Designed with a modern interface, "Edit" incorporates controls similar to those found in VS Code, signaling Microsoft’s intent to blend familiarity with simplicity. The ultimate goal is to create a "modeless" editor—meaning users can keep commands and editing tasks active concurrently—that functions natively on 64-bit versions of Windows. Additionally, the lightweight nature of the new editor aims to ensure it does not bloat system images or increase resource consumption unduly.
Technical Specifications and Current Capabilities
Released under the MIT license, "Edit" currently weighs around 250 kilobytes, a remarkably small size for a text editing tool. It is compatible with Windows and Linux architectures, specifically x86_64 and ARM64, making it accessible across various hardware platforms.
The developers plan for incremental integration into the Windows operating system, starting with the Windows Insider Program in the coming months. This phased approach allows for testing and refinement before broader release.
Existing Features and Planned Developments
The initial version of "Edit" already supports essential editing functionalities: mouse interaction, search-and-replace, and line break management. It also permits opening multiple files simultaneously, albeit in separate windows for now. An essential upcoming feature is support for tabbed interfaces, which will enhance workflow efficiency.
Additional planned features include:
- Support for multiple cursors, facilitating simultaneous editing at various points in a document.
- Opening several files through a single command, streamlining session management.
- Semi-automatic input suggestions in open/save dialogs to improve user experience.
- Moving lines up or down using shortcuts similar to those in VS Code (e.g., Alt+Up/Down).
- A dedicated settings page for customization.
- Dialogs for navigating to specific lines or columns within a file.
These enhancements aim to position "Edit" as both a practical and modern editor suitable for quick edits and more complex coding tasks, all while maintaining its lightweight core.
Conclusion
Microsoft’s "Edit" initiative reflects a strategic effort to provide a minimal yet flexible command-line text editor capable of evolving through extensions. By focusing on a lean core, supporting essential editing features, and opening the door for community-developed plugins, the project aims to cater to users who require speed and simplicity without sacrificing the option for complexity when needed. As development progresses, it will be intriguing to observe how this new tool integrates into the broader ecosystem of Windows and Linux development environments, potentially becoming a go-to lightweight editor for diverse user needs.
