Re: [Caml-list] Emacs mode for revised syntax

[Jan Rehders <cmdkeen@gmx.de>]

On 18.12.2007, at 15:53, Matthieu Dubuget wrote:

> I do not know if it is at will, but you only replied to myself,
> not to caml-list.

Oh, thank you for the notification. Here's my reply, again:

> - it would have to know wich syntax extension is used in each
> file. Until know, this knowledge is at building tools level? Would
> it be a good idea to move this information inside the files.

This also has the potential to simplify build files. This would be a  
Good Thing(tm). On the other hand it could cause troubles if one would  
want to use different extensions for different build configurations  
(the conditional compilation extension might make this desirable).  
This could probably be resolved by making the specified extension the  
default one and allowing one to override it on the command line.

> Well would it be possible (and enough) or something to much difficult
> to add some more simple tools that would help any IDE?
> Like -dtypes does, for example.
> I mean simple tools that would make editors mode more simple to
> write (especially emacs, since this is the one I tend to use ;-)

A tool which emits something like an annotated AST containing  
information like unique ids for names, their AST types etc. would be  
very useful. It could be used for syntax highlighting as well as more  
intricate tasks like refactoring tools. This might prove to be very  
useful for IDE builders. I also made good experiences letting emacs  
query an interactive toplevel for completions etc (for a custom  
language). Steal.. erm getting inspiration from the lisp community