Javascript Markdown Editors: Choosing the Right Tool

This Stack Overflow post explores the world of javascript markdown editors, focusing on the best choices for building a site with live preview functionality. The question was originally asked in 2008 and has garnered a wealth of information and insights over the years. This summary provides a breakdown of the key options, considerations, and trends in the field of javascript markdown editing.

WMD: Stack Overflow's Choice

The post begins by highlighting the WMD editor, used on the popular Q&A platform Stack Overflow. WMD is a powerful tool that offers a live preview, allowing users to see their markdown text transformed into HTML in real-time. The editor is praised for its functionality and ease of use, but it was initially a proprietary solution.

• WMD's Strengths: WMD is known for its user-friendly interface, intuitive features, and seamless live preview. It's been battle-tested on a massive platform like Stack Overflow.
• WMD's Challenges: While WMD has proven its worth, it wasn't originally open source, limiting customization options. However, this has since been addressed.

Showdown: The Power Behind WMD

The post goes on to mention Showdown, a javascript library that converts markdown to HTML. Showdown is actually used by WMD, providing the core functionality behind the live preview.

• Showdown's Role: Showdown is the engine that powers the HTML output for WMD and other markdown editors.
• Showdown's Benefits: It's a lightweight and efficient library, well-suited for implementing live preview functionality.

Other Options: Beyond WMD and Showdown

The thread also explores a range of alternative javascript markdown editors and libraries, providing insights into their strengths and limitations.

• MarkitUp!: While not a dedicated markdown editor, MarkitUp! stands out for its flexibility and customizability. It doesn't have a built-in live preview but allows you to easily integrate one through Ajax.
• Marked: This lightweight and efficient javascript library is easy to use and supports GitHub Flavored Markdown (GFM), a popular extension of standard markdown. It's well-suited for both client-side and server-side (Node.js) implementation.
• Strapdown.js: This framework simplifies the creation of elegant markdown documents without server-side compilation, making it ideal for quick and easy deployments.
• EpicEditor: A more feature-rich editor with flexible parsing options and responsive development support, EpicEditor offers a robust solution for markdown editing.
• MarkdownDeep: This option stands out for its support of Markdown Extra, a popular extension that adds features like tables and definition lists. It's based on the .NET version, making it accessible to developers familiar with that environment.
• js-markdown-extra: This is a faithful port of the PHP library and is well-maintained, providing support for Markdown Extra.

Key Considerations: Choosing the Right Editor

When selecting a javascript markdown editor, the following factors are crucial:

• Live Preview: A live preview is essential for a smooth writing experience, allowing users to instantly see how their markdown text will render.
• Customization: The ability to tailor the editor's functionality, appearance, and features to your specific needs is important for a seamless integration.
• Markdown Extensions: Support for Markdown Extra, GFM, or other extensions can be crucial, depending on the level of functionality you require.
• Browser Compatibility: Ensuring your chosen editor works across a wide range of browsers is critical for a user-friendly experience.
• Community Support: Having a strong community of developers and users behind the editor provides a valuable resource for troubleshooting and finding solutions.