Welcome to Descent

The aim of this project is to provide an Eclipse plugin for writing code in the D programming language.

The idea is to port DMD source code to Java, and from this build all other functionalities. Instead of using some language processing tool like ANTLR, this has the following advantages:

• Not having to understand the (very out-dated) syntax in the digital mars webpage, which is constantly changing at a very speed rate.
• Updates to the language are easily adopted by the plugin: just diff it :-)
• No need to think of a model: Walter already took care of that.

What is done?

• Ported most of DMD lexer and parser code.
• Simple syntax errors are marked in the code (not just the line number, but the exact position)
• Syntax highlighting (colors still not configurable).
• Outline View
• Compiles source files with "-c" automatically to a bin folder, using "dmd" set on the environment path (need to make a workspace preference and use it).

How to get it?

The source is still not in dsource. You can get a copy here: http://www.esperanto.org.ar/d/descent.ui.zip

How to install it?

Unzip the contents of descent.ui.zip into the Eclipse directory.

How to use it?

Go to "File -> New -> Project". In the "D" category select "D Project", enter it's location and hit OK. You *must* create files under the "src" folder. If automatic build is enabled, when you save a file it is compiled to the "bin" folder using "dmd" command found in the environment path.

Now you can only play with the plugin to see some of it's functionality and help discovering bugs.

What to do next?

* Finish porting the lexer and parser code.

How to help?

I'm going on a trip for some days, when I'll come back I'll explain a bit more of the inners of the plugin and ask for help :-)