We are all using different editors, and sometimes, we are even using the same editor with different OCaml modes. The point is not to choose the editor beginners are going to use in the next 20 years, but to provide a minimal environment for beginners with OCaml. Actually, many programmers use an editor specific to their language (Eclipse for Java, Charm for Python, etc.), because they often provide a better environment for that language than generic editors. We decided to implement a new editor because we wanted to design the basic building blocks both for this simple editor, and to be useful to improve existing editors (Emacs, Vim, etc.). --Fabrice On 02/11/2013 01:59 PM, Gabriel Scherer wrote: > The OCaml installer for windows ( > http://protz.github.com/ocaml-installer/ ) optionally downloads and > install Emacs, configured for OCaml use. Couldn't the same approach be > used to install Geany (or whatever modern-beginner-friendly existing > editor that works on Windows) on end-user systems? > > On Mon, Feb 11, 2013 at 1:47 PM, Fabrice Le Fessant > wrote: >> Hi Gabriel, >> >> The goal of this editor is not to replace Emacs or VI, but to be part of a >> minimal distribution under Windows (by OCamlPro): the idea is that Windows >> users downloading OCaml should be able to start writing a simple OCaml >> program without installing anything else. Of course, under Linux/Mac OS X, >> or for bigger projects, they would be advised to use more powerful editors >> (Emacs, Vim, Notepad++, etc.). >> >> Moreover, the two paradigms are not incompatible: you can imagine two >> versions of the "editor", one version with an interface (GTK or whatever) to >> interact with beginners, another version with a argument/text interface, to >> interact with other editors, both providing the same set of functionalities >> (indentation, coloring, documentation, code navigation, etc.) through the >> same set of libraries, and why not a Javascript version through >> js_of_ocaml... >> >> --Fabrice