This blog post details how to implement custom syntax highlighting in Emacs using tree-sitter. The author demonstrates creating a minor mode for highlighting TODO items and FIXMEs in comments within C++ code. This involves defining specific queries that target the comment nodes in the tree-sitter parse tree and then associating faces (colors and styles) with the captured nodes. The example provides a practical illustration of leveraging tree-sitter's structured code understanding to achieve more precise and context-aware highlighting than traditional regular expression-based approaches. The post also briefly covers how to incorporate these queries into a theme for broader application and includes a troubleshooting tip for ensuring tree-sitter highlighting is active.
The author explains their extensive use of Org Mode, an Emacs extension, as a powerful, all-encompassing tool beyond simple note-taking. They highlight its flexibility for managing writing projects, from initial brainstorming and outlining to drafting, editing, and publishing. Org Mode's structured format, using plain text and simple markup, facilitates easy reorganization, version control with Git, and export to various formats like HTML and PDF. The author demonstrates how features like tags, links, and the ability to embed code and results directly into documents make it ideal for technical writing, literate programming, and project management, ultimately creating a unified system for knowledge creation and organization.
Hacker News users generally praised the article for its clear explanation of Org Mode's benefits and the author's workflow. Several commenters shared their own experiences and tips for using Org Mode, highlighting its versatility for tasks beyond writing, such as project management and note-taking. Some discussed the learning curve associated with Org Mode, acknowledging its initial complexity but emphasizing the long-term payoff. A few users mentioned alternative tools, but the overall sentiment leaned towards appreciating Org Mode's powerful features and extensibility. The discussion also touched upon the advantages of plain text and the philosophical appeal of owning your data.
This blog post details how to create and manage recurring checklists within Emacs' Org Mode. It leverages the SCHEDULED and STYLE properties of list items to automate the reappearance of tasks at specified intervals. The author demonstrates how to define a daily checklist template, schedule its repetition daily, and configure it to reset each morning, ready for a new day's checking. Furthermore, it explores more complex scenarios, including using timestamps to track completion history and adding specific scheduling keywords for more nuanced control over recurrence, like excluding weekends. The post also briefly covers handling checklist items that don't need daily resetting.
Hacker News users generally praised the article for its clear explanation of using Org Mode for recurring tasks. Several commenters shared their own workflows and modifications, including using the org-super-agenda package, scripting with elisp for more complex recurring tasks, and integrating with mobile apps like Orgzly. Some pointed out potential limitations of the author's approach, suggesting alternatives like dynamic blocks for greater flexibility. The discussion also touched on broader Org Mode features, such as capturing tasks and agenda views. A few users highlighted the steep learning curve of Emacs and Org Mode but affirmed their power once mastered.
Parinfer simplifies Lisp code editing by automatically managing parentheses, brackets, and indentation. It offers two modes: "Paren Mode," where indentation dictates structure and Parinfer adjusts parentheses accordingly, and "Indent Mode," where parentheses define the structure and Parinfer corrects indentation. This frees the user from manually tracking matching delimiters, allowing them to focus on the code's logic. Parinfer analyzes the code as you type, instantly propagating changes and offering immediate feedback about structural errors, leading to a more fluid and less error-prone coding experience. It's adaptable to different indentation styles and supports various Lisp dialects.
HN users generally praised Parinfer for making Lisp editing easier, especially for beginners. Several commenters shared positive experiences using it with Clojure, noting improvements in code readability and reduced parenthesis-related errors. Some highlighted its ability to infer parentheses placement based on indentation, simplifying structural editing. A few users discussed its potential applicability to other languages, and at least one pointed out its integration with popular editors. However, some expressed skepticism about its long-term benefits or preference for traditional Lisp editing approaches. A minor point of discussion revolved around the tool's name and how it relates to its functionality.
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https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43217195
HN commenters largely praised the integration of tree-sitter into Emacs, highlighting the significant improvements in syntax highlighting accuracy and performance. Some expressed excitement over the potential for more advanced features like semantic highlighting and code navigation enabled by tree-sitter's deeper understanding of code structure. A few users shared their personal experiences with setting up and using tree-sitter in Emacs, offering tips and workarounds for common issues. One commenter noted the wider adoption of tree-sitter across various editors and its positive impact on the developer experience. Others discussed the technical details of tree-sitter's implementation, comparing it to traditional regular expression-based highlighting. A couple of comments touched on the potential for future improvements, such as asynchronous parsing and better support for more obscure languages.
The Hacker News post "Emacs Tree-sitter custom highlighting" discussing Amit Patel's blog post about the same topic has generated several comments. Many users express excitement and appreciation for the advancements in syntax highlighting offered by tree-sitter integration within Emacs.
Several commenters discuss the performance improvements and accuracy of tree-sitter parsing compared to traditional regular expression-based highlighting. One user points out that tree-sitter is particularly beneficial for languages with complex grammars, where regex-based highlighting often struggles. They specifically mention JavaScript as an example.
Another commenter praises the ability to highlight based on semantic understanding, enabling features like highlighting all variables of a specific type within a scope. This is highlighted as a significant improvement over purely syntactic highlighting.
Some discussion revolves around the installation and configuration of tree-sitter in Emacs. One user asks for clarification on the setup process, and another provides helpful links and tips for getting started.
A few comments mention other text editors and IDEs that have already adopted tree-sitter, highlighting its growing popularity and effectiveness. One user mentions its use in Neovim, and another points to its origins within Atom.
The overall sentiment in the comments is positive, with many users excited about the potential of tree-sitter to enhance the Emacs editing experience. Several express their intent to try out the new features and contribute to its development. The improvements to accuracy, performance, and the ability for semantic highlighting are repeatedly lauded.