Thomson-Davis Editor
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (June 2025) |
 Screenshot of TDE in console (DOS/Unix) | |
| Developer(s) | Eric Pement; maintenance by Jason Hood |
|---|---|
| Stable release | 5.1v
|
| Written in | C |
| Operating system | DOS, Windows, Unix-like |
| Platform | Cross-platform |
| Type | Text editor |
| License | Public domain |
| Website | http://www.pement.org/tde.htm |
TDE (Thomson–Davis Editor), also called the TDE programmer's editor, is a public-domain, cross-platform, console-mode text editor written in C. It targets programmers and technical writers, and runs under DOS, Windows (Win32/Cygwin), and Unix-like systems.[1][2]
History and development
[edit]TDE was created by Eric Pement and released into the public domain, later mainteined by Jason Hood.[3]
Features
[edit]TDE provides a range of console-oriented editing capabilities[3]:
- Console-mode operation – no GUI required
- Keyboard remapping, with custom keymaps including WordStar-style bindings
- Macros for automating editing tasks
- Drawing mode using IBM OEM line-drawing characters
- Resizable block to measure string width
- Window splitting and two-file comparison with synchronized scrolling
- Syntax highlighting with user-definable lexers
- Custom help menus editable by users
- Change tracking – flags unsaved edits
Reception
[edit]Users value TDE for its lightweight nature, portability, and rich console-based features. One user described it as "powerful and light and infinitely customisable"[3]. Eric Pement places TDE second in his personal use, just behind GNU Emacs[4].
Comparison
[edit]TDE differentiates itself from GUI editors like Notepad++ or UltraEdit by operating entirely in console environments. It shares use-case similarities with vi and Emacs, but is distinct in its keyboard customizability and multi-file compare tool[3].
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "TDE by Eric Pement". Retrieved 2025-06-13.
- ^ "TDE, the Thomson-Davis Editor". adoxa.altervista.org. Retrieved 2025-06-13.
- ^ a b c d "Why I like TDE". Retrieved 2025-06-13.
- ^ "Text Editors - Eric Pement". Retrieved 2025-06-13.