Vex Language Support for Visual Studio Code

A comprehensive Visual Studio Code extension providing language support for VEX (VEX Expression Language), the scripting language used in SideFX Houdini for procedural geometry manipulation, shading, and effects.

Features

Syntax Highlighting

Full syntax highlighting for VEX code with support for:

• Keywords (if, else, for, foreach, while, struct, etc.)
• Data types (int, float, vector, matrix, string, etc.)
• Built-in functions and operators
• Comments (line and block)
• String literals and numeric constants

IntelliSense Auto-Completion

Intelligent code completion for over 100 built-in VEX functions organized into 10 categories:

• Array Functions - append, push, pop, len, resize, removeindex
• Math Functions - abs, sin, cos, sqrt, pow, lerp, clamp, fit, min, max
• Vector Functions - dot, cross, length, distance, normalize, reflect, refract
• Noise Functions - noise, snoise, curlnoise, random, rand
• Attribute Functions - point, prim, detail, vertex, setpointattrib, setattrib
• Geometry Functions - npoints, nprimitives, neighbours, nearpoints, xyzdist
• String Functions - sprintf, strlen, split, join
• Channel Functions - ch, chs, chv, chramp
• Matrix Functions - ident, invert, transpose, rotate, scale, translate
• Utility Functions - printf, warning, error, set

Each function completion includes:

• Function signature with parameter types
• Return type information
• Detailed description
• Category classification

Signature Help

Real-time parameter hints when typing function calls:

• Triggered automatically when typing ( or ,
• Shows function signature with parameter types
• Displays parameter descriptions
• Highlights current parameter position

Document Outline

Navigate your VEX code structure easily:

• View functions and symbols in the Outline panel
• Quick navigation to function definitions
• Hierarchical code structure view

Symbol Renaming

Rename symbols across your code:

• Press F2 on any variable or function
• Automatically updates all references
• Maintains code consistency

Supported File Extensions

• .vfl - VEX Function Library files
• .h - VEX header files

Usage

1. Open any .vfl or .h file in Visual Studio Code
2. The extension activates automatically for VEX files
3. Start typing to see auto-completions
4. Type a function name followed by ( to see parameter hints
5. Use F2 to rename variables and functions
6. View document structure in the Outline panel (View > Outline)

Requirements

• Visual Studio Code version 1.75.0 or higher

Known Issues

None currently reported.

Release Notes

0.0.1

Initial release of Vex Language Support:

• Syntax highlighting for VEX code
• IntelliSense auto-completion with 100+ VEX functions
• Function signature help with parameter hints
• Document outline and symbol navigation
• Symbol renaming support

About VEX

VEX (VEX Expression Language) is a high-performance scripting language used in SideFX Houdini for:

• Procedural geometry manipulation
• Attribute creation and modification
• Custom shaders and materials
• Particle systems and simulations
• Procedural effects and dynamics

This extension makes VEX development more efficient by providing modern IDE features for the VEX language.

Enjoy coding in VEX!