Notepad++ vs TextMate: What are the differences?

1. 1. Syntax Highlighting and Code Folding: Notepad++ provides syntax highlighting for various programming languages and allows users to fold code blocks to improve readability. TextMate also offers syntax highlighting and code folding, but it supports a wider range of languages and has more advanced customization options.

2. 2. Plug-in Support: Notepad++ supports plug-ins to enhance its functionality, allowing users to add features like spell checking, version control, and auto-completion. On the other hand, TextMate has a built-in bundle system that provides extensibility and allows users to easily install and manage additional language grammars, snippets, and macros.

3. 3. Cross-Platform Availability: Notepad++ is only available for Windows operating systems, while TextMate is exclusively designed for macOS. This difference in platform availability makes TextMate a preferred choice for Mac users, whereas Notepad++ is more commonly used by Windows users.

4. 4. User Interface: Notepad++ has a more traditional user interface with a menu bar and various toolbars, providing easy access to its features. TextMate, on the other hand, has a minimalist and sleek interface that allows users to focus on their code without distractions. The interface of TextMate can be customized using themes and various UI settings.

5. 5. Price and Licensing: Notepad++ is free and open-source software, available under the General Public License (GPL). It can be freely used, copied, modified, and distributed. TextMate, on the other hand, is a proprietary software and requires a paid license for full functionality. This difference in licensing can be a deciding factor for users who prefer free software or have budget limitations.

6. 6. Integration with Command Line Tools: TextMate has seamless integration with command line tools, making it easy to invoke external commands or scripts directly from the editor. Notepad++ lacks this level of integration, requiring users to rely on external tools or plugins for similar functionality. This integration can greatly improve the workflow and efficiency of developers utilizing command line tools.

In Summary, Notepad++ and TextMate differ in terms of syntax highlighting and code folding, plug-in support, platform availability, user interface, price and licensing, as well as integration with command line tools.