6502-npp-syntax/README.md

# Notepad++ Syntax Highlighting for 6502 Assembly

## Introduction
I started programming an NES game in 6502 assembly but couldn't find any syntax highlighting files anywhere, so I ended up making my own. 

There are two files included here:
- **npp_6502_general.xml**, which highlights opcodes, numbers, comments, etc. for the 6502 assembly language
- **npp_6502_nesasm.xml**, which does the same thing, but also highlights assembler directives and functions for NESASM3

## Installation
1. Download **npp_6502_general.xml** or **npp_6502_nesasm.xml**.
1. In Notepad++, go to *Language* → *User Defined Language* → *Define your language...*
1. Click *Import...* and select the file.
1. Restart Notepad++.
1. Go to *Language* and select *6502 Assembly* to load the syntax highlighting.
1. If you use a theme, go to *Settings* → *Style Configurator* and check *Enable global background color* to fix text display issues.

## Features
- Highlights opcodes, comments, numbers, and strings
- Separate colors for integers, hex, and binary numbers
- Special highlighting for immediate addressing symbol (#)
- Special highlighting for registers (A, X, Y, S, P)
- Opcodes can be entered in upper or lower case
- Illegal opcodes are recognized and differentiated with a darker color
- Works well on most themes with darker backgrounds

## Notes
I've left off the automatic extension checking for `.asm` files because it would overlap with other types of assembly files, but if you'd like to make this highlighting the default for all `.asm` files, just add **"asm"** to the *Ext.* box in *Language* → *User Defined Language* → *Define your language...*
Update README.md 2018-01-12 04:32:31 +00:00			`# Notepad++ Syntax Highlighting for 6502 Assembly`

			`## Introduction`
			`I started programming an NES game in 6502 assembly but couldn't find any syntax highlighting files anywhere, so I ended up making my own.`

			`There are two files included here:`
			`- npp_6502_general.xml, which highlights opcodes, numbers, comments, etc. for the 6502 assembly language`
			`- npp_6502_nesasm.xml, which does the same thing, but also highlights assembler directives and functions for NESASM3`

			`## Installation`
Update README.md 2018-01-12 05:46:18 +00:00			`1. Download npp_6502_general.xml or npp_6502_nesasm.xml.`
Updated to match Notepad++ UI changes 2021-01-01 04:08:49 +00:00			`1. In Notepad++, go to Language → User Defined Language → Define your language...`
Update README.md 2018-01-12 05:46:18 +00:00			`1. Click Import... and select the file.`
			`1. Restart Notepad++.`
			`1. Go to Language and select 6502 Assembly to load the syntax highlighting.`
Updated to match Notepad++ UI changes 2021-01-01 04:08:49 +00:00			`1. If you use a theme, go to Settings → Style Configurator and check Enable global background color to fix text display issues.`
Update README.md 2018-01-12 04:32:31 +00:00
			`## Features`
			`- Highlights opcodes, comments, numbers, and strings`
			`- Separate colors for integers, hex, and binary numbers`
			`- Special highlighting for immediate addressing symbol (#)`
			`- Special highlighting for registers (A, X, Y, S, P)`
			`- Opcodes can be entered in upper or lower case`
			`- Illegal opcodes are recognized and differentiated with a darker color`
Update README.md 2018-01-12 05:46:18 +00:00			`- Works well on most themes with darker backgrounds`
Update README.md 2018-01-12 04:32:31 +00:00
			`## Notes`
Updated to match Notepad++ UI changes 2021-01-01 04:08:49 +00:00			I've left off the automatic extension checking for `.asm` files because it would overlap with other types of assembly files, but if you'd like to make this highlighting the default for all `.asm` files, just add "asm" to the Ext. box in Language → User Defined Language → Define your language...