Vscode-cmake-tools: CMakeLists.txt is not syntax highlighted

[python152]

Brief Issue Summary

CMakeLists.txt is not syntax highlighted

Expected:

When I open CMakeLists.txt, expected syntax highlight and intellisense.

Apparent Behavior:

It is opened as a plaintext, and if I want to change the language association, there is no "Cmake" - the closest thing is makefile.

CMake Tools Log

None

Platform and Versions

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• Operating System: macOS
• CMake Version: 3.11.4
• VSCode Version: 1.26.1
• CMake Tools Extension Version: 1.1.1
• Compiler/Toolchain: Clang

[decimad]

There are addons providing syntax highliting for cmake... This one is concerned about building with cmake.

[mmanyen]

https://marketplace.visualstudio.com/items?itemName=twxs.cmake

[soroshsabz]

ITNOA

I think it is very good to provide Colorization and Completion Lists features with this extension to see complete solution to work with cmake.

@vector-of-bool did you can merge twxs.cmake with this project?

thx

[oryandunn]

I would also prefer if this extension provided the syntax highlighting. I'm currently using the twxs.cmake, however, it differs from the highlighting that Microsoft themselves provide for cmake files in Visual Studio 2019. In particular, variables and control flow statements are different. I find the VS2019 highlighting to be better.

Also, in some environments, it's easier to get approval to use extensions provided by Microsoft themselves.

[bobbrow]

Thanks for the feedback. This feature request is not yet on our roadmap. Please make sure you add a 👍 to the first post to add your vote.

[YaniManster]

"CMake Tools provides the native developer a full-featured, convenient, and powerful workflow for CMake-based projects in Visual Studio Code."

[munsingh]

It would be great if this can be addressed. Visual Studio does it and so do many other editors. Its high time Visual Studio Code also does syntax highlighting for CMakeLists.txt files.

[bobbrow]

@munsingh there is an extension that does syntax highlighting for CMakeLists.txt files in VS Code. It just isn't bundled with this extension.

[FranciscoPombal]

@munsingh there is an extension that does syntax highlighting for CMakeLists.txt files in VS Code. It just isn't bundled with this extension.

That extension is missing several keywords, and looks like it's abandoned. Furthermore, I don't see why 2 CMake extensions should be required just to get syntax highlighting. "full-featured, convenient, and powerful workflow for CMake-based projects in Visual Studio Code." should also include "syntax highlighting". Alternatively, CMake syntax highlighting could come natively with VSCode.

Thanks for the feedback. This feature request is not yet on our roadmap. Please make sure you add a :+1: to the first post to add your vote.

This feature has been the most :+1:'d for ages. Why is it still in the Backlog milestone, and not in the On deck one at least? Is not "ready to be looked into" yet?

[bobbrow]

Unfortunately, providing language services for CMake is currently out of scope for this extension because it's a significant investment that we haven't been able to justify funding while another extension exists that provides the feature already. We'd certainly accept a pull request with the implementation if anyone feels like tackling it.

If folks are upset with the use of the term "full-featured", I will remove that from the description. That was the previous maintainer's word choice and we didn't change it when we assumed maintainer responsibilities because it was part of the "legacy."

[johnmarkwayve]

I image most other people will do exactly what I've just done.

1. Open a cmake project
2. Click to install the suggested extension with the prompt in the bottom right
3. Be confused that there's no syntax highlighting
4. Look at the other extensions in the marketplace
5. Be confused as to whether they overlap with the suggested one I just installed
6. Find this issue

Every other language I've tried in vscode will get highlighting after installing the suggested extension. Perhaps the twxs.cmake extension could also get suggested-status? That would give an actually full-featured experience.

[woodz-]

@johnmarkwayve same for me.
To the devs: how would you explain not taking into account highlighting from the early beginning, which is such a visual experience going all the way through the idea of vsc and its extensions leading to catch many people with less experience?