Original URL: https://www.theregister.com/2013/07/31/microsoft_adds_code_editor_for_developers_to_skydrive/

Microsoft adds Visual-Studio-like text editor to SkyDrive

Word Web app gains syntax highlighting tools and ability to read code files

By Simon Sharwood

Posted in Software, 31st July 2013 02:02 GMT

Microsoft has tweaked the Word web app it offers with its SkyDrive cloud storage service, adding developer-friendly tools and the ability to work with JavaScript, CSS and HTML and other code files.

The Word web app is an in-browser version of Microsoft's famous word processor and has been a feature of the service since early 2013.

The newly-enhanced version of the app borrows features like syntax highlighting from Microsoft's tools for developers. When combined with SkyDrive's collaboration tools, the result is a tool that offers a decent slice of the functionality developers can access with Microsoft's developer tools like Visual Studio.

Developers will feel right at home in the tool, which even adopts keyboard shortcuts offered in its developer products.

Microsoft's at pains to point out the enhanced web app is not going to cut it for serious development chores, but does deem it suitable for personal projects, academic collaboration or those moments when developers feel the need to share but aren't in a position to do it in a more formal environment.

Enhancements to the app will also entice civilian users, with a send-by-email feature added alongside a slew of photo management tools. ®