Getting Started - My PHP Syntax Highlighter

How to Use

Automatic Features (No Configuration Required)

The extension works automatically on all .php files:

1. PHP Tag Highlighting

   • Open any .php file
   • Tags <?php, <?, and ?> are automatically highlighted in goldenrod bold

2. Bracket Matching

   • Position your cursor on any (, ), {, }, [, or ]
   • The matching bracket is highlighted with a goldenrod background

3. Control Structure Highlighting

   • Place your cursor on any PHP control keyword:
     • if, elseif, else, endif
     • foreach, endforeach
     • for, endfor
     • while, endwhile
     • switch, endswitch
   • The entire chain is highlighted with a lime-yellow background

4. Quote Matching

   • Click on a " or ' quote
   • The matching opening/closing quote is highlighted with a light blue background

5. Syntax Error Detection

   • Red squiggles appear automatically for:
     • Missing semicolons at end of statements
     • Unbalanced brackets/braces
     • Variables without $ prefix
   • Hover over the red squiggle to see the error message

Color Scheme

Element	Background Color	Text Color
PHP Tags	-	Goldenrod (bold)
Brackets	Goldenrod dark	Blue
Control Structures	Lime-yellow	Blue
Quotes	Light blue	-
Syntax Errors	-	Red (squiggle)

Performance

The extension is optimized for large files:

• Syntax checks run only 500ms after you stop typing
• No impact on editor responsiveness

Supported Syntax

Works with both PHP syntaxes:

// Standard syntax
if ($condition) {
    echo "test";
}

// Alternative syntax
if ($condition):
    echo "test";
endif;

Troubleshooting

Extension not working?

1. Restart Visual Studio
2. Verify the file has .php extension
3. Check that the file is recognized as PHP in the bottom status bar

Performance issues?

• The extension automatically adds a 500ms delay before checking syntax
• If you experience slowness with very large files (>500KB), consider splitting them

Feedback & Support

• Report bugs: https://github.com/OskarCosimo/My-PHP-Syntax-Highlighter/issues

• Feature requests: https://github.com/OskarCosimo/My-PHP-Syntax-Highlighter/discussions

• Developers official blog: https://blog.myetv.tv/2025/11/21/my-php-syntax-highlighter-for-visual-studio/

  Official Visual Studio Market Extension

  You can find it here: https://marketplace.visualstudio.com/items?itemName=MYETV.mpsh

Thank you for using My PHP Syntax Highlighter! 💙