Free PHP editor in CodeLobster IDE

Free CodeLobster IDE includes free PHP editor


Free PHP editor represents the following abilities to work with PHP code:


1. Code highlighting
Code highlighting means syntax highlighting for PHP code in the active Editor window
PHP highlighting

2. Pair highlighting
The Editor highlights in pairs enclosing square brackets,
PHP pairs highlighting
braces,
PHP braces highlighting
parenthesis
PHP parentheses highlighting

when the cursor is placed between beginning and ending enclosing characters. Mismatched enclosing characters are highlighted in a special color. You can change it from the Preferences menu:
Preferences - change colors for PHP highlighting

3. Intelligent PHP autocomplete
Intelligent PHP autocomplete feature speeds up writing code. Pop-up completion list includes both standard php and user's constants, variables,
PHP autocomplete

functions,
PHP functions autocomplete

classes names
PHP classes autocomplete

classes variables and functions
PHP variables and functions of classes autocomplete

It is called automatically in required part of code and lists possible names and syntax for completion.

4. Context and Dynamic Help
These features are intended for getting necessary information about php language structure and syntax. As a reference address for searching, the Application uses https://www.php.net. It conducts search through English PHP Manual only. If you want it to use another language manual:
  • Download necessary chm file from https://www.php.net
  • Move to the Preferences menu (Tools|Preferences)
  • On the left panel for Context Help item select PHP
  • On the right panel for the Location property select "chm file from www.php.net" value from the dropdown list. For Path property specify path to your downloaded chm file.
  • Press Apply, then click Ok button.
Prefernces - PHP context and dynamic help location

Prefernces - PHP context and dynamic help path

To get help topics with Context Help, place the pointer on necessary element and press F1 button. Appropriate help topic will be opened in a browser.
The Dynamic Help window displays links to help topics for an element the pointer is placed on. By default free PHP editor conducts search to https://www.php.net site.
PHP dynamic help
5. Organizing files into a project
This feature makes possible to join files into a project. You can also create new php project from existing one.
To create PHP project:
  • Open Project Wizard from Project menu (Project|Create Project). The following dialogue will appear:
    PHP Project Wizard
  • In the left white grid click Empty PHP Site
  • Fill out the following fields with appropriate values:
    • Base URL for debug - URL of a project virtual folder
    • Project name - name for your project
    • Location - path to a folder with files you want to include in a project
  • If you want your project to be created in a new folder, tick off Create project in a new folder checkbox. Otherwise leave it blank. Press Ok button.

Creating php project on the base of existing one:
To create php project from existing one, perform the instructions above with some changes in the following fields:
  • Base URL for debug - URL of a project virtual folder
  • Project name - name of your new project
  • Location - path to a folder with existing project

6. Code collapsing
This feature allows hiding code blocks (functions body, control structures) you aren't working on to make navigation a little easier.
To collapse code fragment, click "-" marker next to it in the gutter by the line numbers.
PHP Code collapsing
7. Commenting code
For commenting php code you can use the following abilities:
  • The Comment Lines option (Edit|Comment Lines) - allows commenting lines and blocks of a code.
PHP commenting
  • The Comment Lines by the Line option (Edit| Comment Lines by the Line) - comments each line separately within selected code block.
comment PHP code

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