Back to blog

Syntax Highlighting with Prism.js for XML, PUG, YAML, and C#

September 29, 20245 min read

Syntax highlighting is a crucial aspect of code readability and presentation. In this guide, we will explore how to implement syntax highlighting for XML, PUG, YAML, and C# using the powerful Prism.js library. Additionally, we will delve into automating the bundling process with render-scripts.js to streamline your workflow.

Syntax Highlighting with Prism.js for XML, PUG, YAML, and C#

Enhance Your Code Presentation

Syntax highlighting is a crucial aspect of code readability and presentation. In this guide, we will explore how to implement syntax highlighting for XML, PUG, YAML, and C# using the powerful Prism.js library. Additionally, we will delve into automating the bundling process with

render-scripts.js
to streamline your workflow.

Why Use Prism.js?

Prism.js is a lightweight, extensible syntax highlighter that supports a wide range of languages. It is easy to integrate and customize, making it an ideal choice for developers looking to enhance their code display on web pages.

Key Features of Prism.js:

  • Lightweight and Fast: Minimal impact on page load times.
  • Extensible: Easily add support for new languages.
  • Customizable: Tailor the appearance to fit your website's theme.

Implementing Syntax Highlighting

Step 1: Include Prism.js

To start using Prism.js, include the library in your HTML file. You can either download it from the Prism.js website or use a CDN.

<link href="https://cdnjs.cloudflare.com/ajax/libs/prism/1.23.0/themes/prism.min.css" rel="stylesheet" />
<script src="https://cdnjs.cloudflare.com/ajax/libs/prism/1.23.0/prism.min.js"></script>

Step 2: Add Language Support

Prism.js supports many languages out of the box. For XML, PUG, YAML, and C#, ensure you include the relevant components.

<script src="https://cdnjs.cloudflare.com/ajax/libs/prism/1.23.0/components/prism-xml.min.js"></script>
<script src="https://cdnjs.cloudflare.com/ajax/libs/prism/1.23.0/components/prism-pug.min.js"></script>
<script src="https://cdnjs.cloudflare.com/ajax/libs/prism/1.23.0/components/prism-yaml.min.js"></script>
<script src="https://cdnjs.cloudflare.com/ajax/libs/prism/1.23.0/components/prism-csharp.min.js"></script>

Step 3: Markup Your Code

Wrap your code blocks with

<pre>
and
<code>
tags, specifying the language class.

<pre><code class="language-xml">
<note>
  <to>Tove</to>
  <from>Jani</from>
  <heading>Reminder</heading>
  <body>Don't forget me this weekend!</body>
</note>
</code></pre>

Automating with render-scripts.js

To automate the process of bundling and managing your scripts, consider using

render-scripts.js
. This tool helps streamline the inclusion of necessary scripts, reducing manual errors.

How to Use render-scripts.js

  1. Install the Tool: Ensure you have Node.js installed, then run:

    npm install render-scripts
  2. Configure Your Scripts: Create a configuration file to specify which scripts to bundle.

  3. Run the Bundler: Execute the bundler to automatically include and manage your scripts.

Conclusion

By leveraging Prism.js and

render-scripts.js
, you can significantly enhance the readability and management of your code snippets. This approach not only improves the visual appeal of your code but also streamlines your development process.

Additional Resources