LANGUAGE DEFINITION

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You can use the Prism Editor to generate your own languages definitions in a very simple way.  Here is how the editor works.

• When the editor loads, it looks for a configuration file. The default file is called prism.ini, which is found in the config directory, but the user can create their own file if they wish.  The ini file contains a definition of all languages that the editor will use.
• When you open a file, Prism tries to match the file extension with a language definition.  A language's [Extension] field will dictate what file extension it should be used on. If the editor finds a match, it applies that language definition to that file. It's that simple!

Defining your own Language.

New languages can be defined very easily. Remember that when I use the word language, I am referring to any consistent text file structure, be it a language like Verilog or a report file generate by a FPGA Place and Route tool. The following simple steps are required to define a new language

• Set up the language
• Define it's structure
• Define macros for the language
• Define hotkeys
• Define Wordlists

Setting up the language

Run [View->Language Definitions]

 

In the 'language' frame, click the Add Button and enter the language name.

1. In the 'Extensions' box, put in the extensions of the files you  would like to use. Remember that the editor will use these extensions when editing/viewing a file e.g. "vhd;vhdl" for a vhdl file, "c;h" for a c file etc. Alternative extensions are separated with a semicolon.
2. If there is a help file associated with the language, enter it's name (i.e. path name) in the 'Help File' box.

Define It's Structure

1. Enter language keywords. These must be separated by a Carriage Return.
2. Enter in language operators. These must be separated by a Carriage Return.
3. Enter in Text Delimiters.. These would  normally be " or '. If there are more than two, separate them with a carriage return.
4. Enter in Single-Line Comments if they exist for the language.
5. Enter in Multiple line comments, start and end. Note that the start and end comments must match.
6. For code formatting, enter in the Indent fields. Refer to Indentation for more help.
7. That's the structure complete.

From the extension Prism Editor will know what to do with the file. To enhance the funcionality of the editor when working with this type of file you can ...
 

Define Macros

1. Click the 'Macros' Tab.
2. Press the Add Button to add a new macro. The name that you select for the macro will appear on the Custom menu when you are editing that particular language.
3. Enter in the macro definition into the text box. A macro is composed of a group of commands. See the command reference for details.

Define Templates

1. Click the 'Templates' Tab.
2. Press the Add Button to add a new template. The name that you select for the template is also known as a hotcode. Whenever this text is typed in the editor window and Shift-F1 is pressed, the code in the text box will be copied to that file.
3. See the Template Reference for details.

Define Wordlists

1. Click the 'Wordlists' Tab.
2. Press the Add Button to add a new wordlist. Input an appropriate  name for the wordlist.
3. Enter in a list of words that will be cycled through by the wordlist.
4. See WordLists for details.

Defining your own Language Suite.

In order to be as effective as possible, The Prism Editor allows you to define your own languages in separate files.

1. In the languages definition form, select the languages you wish to group together. Press CTRL-C (Copy).
2. Browse for a new ini file and change the name to a  blank ini file or one that contains languages already.
3. Press CTRL-V and this pastes the languages into this file.
4. Save the languages.

For example you could copy prism.ini to HDLSuite.ini and add languages specifically for HDL design. You could also delete languages that you don't use.

If you work on WEB design you could make up a WEBSuite.ini for anything from HTML Files to VBScript.

When you create your own ini file, you can add/delete/copy/paste languages at your leisure.
 

Submitting or downloading a Language Suite.

People who save themselves a lot of time can also help others do the same by submitting a specific language definition using a Language submission form.  It takes just a few clicks
 

1. In the languages definition form, select the languages you wish to submit using a combination of CTRL, SHIFT and the left mouse key.
2. Click on the submit button. This will bring up your default WEB browser with a Language Submission page.
3. Click on the submit button on this page and the languages is automatically submitted.

Please note when downloading or submitting a language, your privacy will be respected.  As these definitions are updated and become more refined, they will be available to everyone.

Please see how to submit a language
Please see how to download a language