Executing Mathematica code via Notepad++

Question

I wonder if there is a way to execute Mathematica code via Notepad++.

After some searching on the web, I found that there is a user-defined language that supports Mathematica highlighting, but there are no instructions on how to execute Mathematica scripts via Notepad++.

I have already installed the NppExec plugin

Answer 1

Here's one possible way to execute scripts, as it's understood by Mathematica itself (check out ref/program/math for reference).

You might just replicate the following instructions for using MiKTeX with Notepad++.

The following is mostly a blatant copy of that answer.

1. Make sure you have math.exe in your PATH variable.

2. Create a bat file

   :: Change drive and go to file directory
   %~d1
   cd %1
   
   :: Run MathKernel in script mode
   math -noprompt -script %2
   

   and save it.

3. Open a simple Mathematica script file in Notepad++ (e.g., type Print@"Hello"), press F6 to execute.

4. Type the following lines in the window that pops up:

   NPP_SAVE
   <Path_to_bat_file> "$(CURRENT_DIRECTORY)" "$(FULL_CURRENT_PATH)"
   

   This will save your current script and execute it with math.exe in batch mode.

5. Click on “Save” and type in a recognizable name such as math -script.

6. Go to the menubar, Plugins → NppExec → Advanced Options… Under “Menu item”, choose the script we just created above, and “Add/Modify” it to the Menu items with a suitable name. This allows us to assign shortcut keys through Settings → Shortcut Mapper → Plugin commands.

7. Navigate to the script name and choose a shortcut key. For example, Ctrl+Shift+M is not binded to anything in default installation for now.

Note

This will start a fresh math kernel. If, for example, in your casual Mathematica session you currently have x = 2, this definition will not be taken into account while executing script this way.