Developing a Language Service

This section links to topics that help you create a language service.

In This Section

• Model of a Language Service
  Provides a model of a minimal language service for the Visual Studio core editor. You can use this model as a guide for creating your own language service.

• Language Service Objects
  Discusses the objects required to implement a language service and provides a listing of additional objects that you can use to provide syntax highlighting, method data, and other features.

• Checklist: Creating a Language Service
  Provides step-by-step instructions for creating and integrating a language service for the core editor.

• Intercepting Language Service Commands
  Describes how to insert a command filter into your language service to intercept commands that the text view would otherwise handle.

• Registering a Language Service
  Provides information about how to register your language service by using Visual Studio.

• Debugger and Language Overview
  Describes how a language service can provide features to support a debugger.

Related Sections

• Implementing a Language Service
  Discusses how to create a language service for integration into Visual Studio.

• Language Service Features
  Discusses various features your language service can provide for your editor.

• Providing a Syntax Coloring Service
  Discusses how to implement syntax highlighting in your language service.

• How to: Use Built-In Colorable Items
  Provides information about how to use the colorable items provided by the environment instead of providing your own custom colorable items.

• Custom Colorable Items
  Describes how to add custom colorable items to the list of default items available for colorizing.

• Statement Completion
  Discusses statement completion, the process by which a language service helps users finish a language keyword or element that they have started typing.

• Parameter Info Tooltips
  Describes how to provide method tips for overloaded functions and methods.

• How to: Implement Error Markers
  Provides step-by-step instructions about how to implement a wavy red underline under text the parser indicates as incorrect.

• Automatic Formatting
  Discusses automatic formatting, the process by which a language service inserts a line or lines of code when the user types the beginning of a known code construct.

• How to: Provide Hidden Text Support
  Explains the purpose of a hidden text region and provides instructions about how to implement a hidden text region.

• How to: Provide Expanded Outlining Support
  Explains the two options that extend outlining support for your language beyond supporting the Collapse to Definitions command.

• Language Services
  Describes how you can add support for a new programming language to Visual Studio.