Notepad++ 8.9.8.1

Notepad++: Free Source Code Editor for Windows

Notepad++ is a free source code editor and Notepad replacement for the Windows environment. It supports several programming languages as well as natural languages, and it is released under the GPL license. Built on the Scintilla editing component, it pairs a light resource footprint and quick startup with a broad set of editing tools, which suits developers, power users, and anyone who needs a capable code editor without the weight of a full IDE. The project is developed openly on GitHub.

Core capabilities

• Language and syntax support: Syntax highlighting, folding, and auto-completion for many languages, including HTML, CSS, JavaScript, Python, C/C++, PHP, and XML, along with user-defined language support.
• Performance: Designed for speed and low RAM usage, handling large files and long sessions with little lag.
• Plugin ecosystem: Plugin Admin lets users find, install, and update plugins for tasks such as Git integration, FTP, linting, code formatting, and language tooling.
• Tabbed and multi-view editing: A tabbed interface with split views and multi-instance options supports side-by-side comparison and multi-file work.
• Search and replace: Project-wide search, multi-file replace, and regular expression support help with refactoring and bulk edits.
• Encoding and line endings: Support for UTF-8 with and without BOM, UTF-16, and many legacy encodings, with conversion between Windows, UNIX, and Mac line endings.
• Session management and backups: Session snapshots, periodic backups, and a portable ZIP build for running from USB drives.
• Macros: Macros can be recorded, saved, and replayed to automate repetitive editing tasks.
• Interface and themes: Multiple themes, configurable toolbars, and language packs allow the editor to be adjusted to personal preferences.
• Column mode and block editing: Column selection and multi-caret editing make it practical to work with tabular text.

Development and community

• The project is actively maintained on GitHub, with regular commits, issue tracking, pull requests, and community contributions.
• Official releases include signed installers for 32-bit and 64-bit Windows and portable ZIP packages, with release notes and binaries published for each version.
• Since version 7.6.5, releases are signed with a GPG key, and the public key is available in the repository.
• The source code is publicly hosted, so changes, issues, and discussions can be reviewed by anyone. Contributors are asked to follow the project's contribution rules, and a build guide is provided for compiling from source.

Who benefits most

1. Developers and web designers who want a fast, focused editor without the complexity of a full IDE.
2. System administrators and DevOps engineers who need to make quick configuration edits, inspect logs, and maintain scripts.
3. Students and beginners learning programming who need syntax highlighting, auto-completion, and lightweight tooling.
4. Users who prefer portable software or need an offline installer for restricted environments.

Key points

• Free, GPL-licensed open-source software developed transparently on GitHub.
• Plugin Admin and a broad plugin ecosystem extend the core functionality.
• Handles large files well with a small RAM footprint compared with many modern IDEs.
• Flexible encoding and line-ending conversion support cross-platform file exchange.
• Portable builds, session snapshots, and automatic backups help reduce the risk of data loss.

Known limitations

• Official builds target Windows only, with no official macOS or Linux releases. The supported systems are those still supported by Microsoft.
• The interface is functional and utilitarian, and users who want a more modern look or built-in IDE features such as debugging, profiling, or language servers will need to look elsewhere or add plugins.
• Advanced IDE capabilities depend on plugins and manual configuration rather than being available out of the box.