Скачать или смотреть Efficient Approach to Editable RichTextBox in C# WinForms

Learn how to create a C# WinForms `RichTextBox` that allows for syntax highlighting and easy editing without causing bugs or layout issues, making it ideal for script-like editing.
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This video is based on the question https://stackoverflow.com/q/63722850/ asked by the user 'Naveh' ( https://stackoverflow.com/u/10282204/ ) and on the answer https://stackoverflow.com/a/63762398/ provided by the user 'Naveh' ( https://stackoverflow.com/u/10282204/ ) at 'Stack Overflow' website. Thanks to these great users and Stackexchange community for their contributions.

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Improving the RichTextBox Editing Experience in C# WinForms

Working with a RichTextBox in C# WinForms can be quite challenging, especially when you're trying to create an editor that mimics code syntax highlighting. A common requirement is to color specific keywords and reset their color when edited, all while allowing smooth scrolling and typing functionality. If you're struggling with bugs and layout shifting when implementing these features, keep reading to discover a refined approach that not only resolves these issues but enhances usability as well.

The Problem: Buggy Syntax Highlighting in RichTextBox

Many developers encounter difficulties when trying to implement syntax highlighting. The goal might seem straightforward: color certain keywords when typed. However, we often face issues like:

Jumpy UI: The RichTextBox behaves erratically, jumping around as text changes, especially when scrolling.

Performance Woes: Looping through and applying color to the entire text can lead to significant delays and glitches in user experience.

In this blog, we'll explore how to focus on only the current word being edited rather than the entire text, leading to smoother interactions and a more reliable interface.

The Solution: Focused Keyword Detection

Here's the essence of our solution — rather than monitoring the changes to the RichTextBox content as a whole, we strategically limit the operation to the word that the user is currently editing. This significantly reduces the impact on performance and eliminates the erratic jumps that can occur while typing. Let's dive into the code that facilitates this.

Updated Event Handler

First, update the TextChanged event handler for your RichTextBox. This method will invoke a new function that focuses solely on the current word being modified:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Finding and Highlighting the Current Word

Next, we implement the FindStringsInCurrentWord method that intelligently identifies the word the user is typing and checks it against pre-defined lists of keywords:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Key Points in Logic Implementation

Understanding Boundaries: The solution identifies spaces to determine where the user’s typing starts and ends, allowing it to capture the entire word.

Array Combination: Combining different arrays of keywords and checking against them simultaneously helps in effective keyword detection without redundancy.

Reset Selection: After coloring the correct keywords, reset the selection to make any changes or new entries appear in the default color (black).

Conclusion: A More Reliable RichTextBox Experience

By focusing on individual words rather than the entire text within the RichTextBox, we've sidestepped many of the common pitfalls associated with syntax highlighting. This method not only enhances performance but also improves the usability of your application. As you continue to refine your C# WinForms applications, remember that targeted approaches often yield the best results.

With this approach, you'll enjoy a more seamless editing experience in your applications, making it easier for users to focus on writing elegant code without distractions.

Now it’s time to put this knowledge into practice! Start enhancing your RichTextBox functionality today.