vim-syntax-legend

A script to save the result of a Vim syntax highlighting test sample as diff-able text file.

The purpose of the script is to address the testability of changes to the syntax definition files. Using a language sample to highlight, a Vim plugin writer can precisely see the effects of changes to the syntax highlight definitions. The alternative is to 'eyeball' the syntax highlighting output after changes.

Example input and output

Cosider this C program input:

int main(int argc, char *argv[])
{
    printf("Hello World\n");

    return 0;
}

We get the following output:

Legend:
--------

" - <default>                      " 4
% - cBlock                         " 10
$ - cBracket                       " 2
) - cNumber                        " 1
# - cParen                         " 14
' - cSpecial                       " 2
( - cStatement                     " 6
& - cString                        " 12
! - cType                          " 10

Source:
--------
int main(int argc, char *argv[])
!!! """"#!!! ##### !!!! #####$$#
{
%
    printf("Hello World\n");
    %%%%%%#&&&&&& &&&&&''&#%

    return 0;
    (((((( )%
}
%

Features

• Support to up to 95 syntax elements.
• It is highly recommended to pass a previous input file so that the syntax element markers will remain stable. This is done using -p switch.

Quick-start

If all is okay, the test script should present a diff over the output of the script, to so that the legend for the syntax highlight is stable between executions.

The test script:

./test/run.sh

Should output somthing similar to the following:

--- sample/c.vsl        2018-06-29 19:39:13.334324075 +0300
+++ sample/c-changes.vsl        2018-06-29 19:39:13.371323446 +0300
@@ -6,9 +6,7 @@
 $ - cBracket
 ) - cNumber
 # - cParen
-' - cSpecial
 ( - cStatement
-& - cString
 ! - cType

 Source:
@@ -17,9 +15,6 @@
 !!! """"#!!! ##### !!!! #####$$#
 {
 %
-    printf("Hello World\n");
-    %%%%%%#&&&&&& &&&&&''&#%
-
     return 0;
     (((((( )%
 }