Although WinEdt can be used for any text editing purposes, it’s more oriented towards creating and compiling LaTeX files, which allows creating documents with a high typographic quality, as that needed for scientific publications. Moreover, the application can be used as an integrated development environment for some compilers and typesetting systems. In this regard, the tool supports such document types as ASCII, ANSI, Data, WinEdt, HTML, TeX, BibTeX, Metapost document, and NSIS script.
The program's interface is very straightforward as all of its features can be accessed from the menu. Probably because there’s no intention of making this editor popular among regular users, the program has a “serious” (unattractive) look, more likable by scientists and programmers. The editor is full of features and getting to know how to use all of them may certainly take some time. Fortunately, there’s a configuration wizard to help you adapt the tool to your specific needs. Additionally, there’s excellent accompanying documentation on how to use it; and not only that, you can get more help on specific topics at the program´s community site.
WinEdt has various built-in tools to help you write correctly. These include Thesaurus, spell checking and abbreviations. Although English is installed as the default language, it’s possible to download and install other dictionaries, which are also available at the community site. Besides, it comes with multiple features specifically intended for writing code, such as code folding, syntax highlighting, and automatic completion. Likewise, the editor supports various code standards, as Unicode and UTF8. It’s also good that the program allows recording macros as a way to automate repetitive tasks.
In general, WinEdt is a complete editor that can be integrated with a TeX system without problems. I wouldn’t recommend this application for general-purpose editing, even when it can be used for that. However, it can be a great help for code editing.
v10.1 [May 18, 2016]
WinEdt 10.1 is now the official version of the program. It supports (customizable) auto completion and code folding, it is unicode/utf8-capable, and it integrates seamlessly with the latest accessories and TeX Systems (such as SumatraPDF viewer, MiKTeX and TeX Live). It has been extensively tested under Windows 10, 8 and 7 (32-bit and 64-bit) with different system dpi settings.
WinEdt is compatible with Windows High Contrast Schemes. It is compliant with Section 508 of the US Rehabilitation Act §1194.22. Furthermore, WinEdt is dpi-aware on system level: it comes with high-quality graphic resources at different sizes and at startup it automatically adjusts its GUI to high-resolution displays (without stretched or blurred graphics and text).
This version uses the powerful Uniscribe library in order to better handle Unicode and complex language processing (including support for bidirectional text). It also contains improved integration with the latest versions of MiKTeX (including proper support for MiKTeX's "Install packages on demand" feature when running TeX accessories in WinEdt console).
