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Handle right-to-left (RTL) text in a code editor by keeping source in its original logical order and rendering it with awareness of the programming language’s syntax. Do not apply ordinary paragraph-direction behavior to an entire source line: punctuation can move in ways that make code look different from how it parses. Unicode’s recommended approach treats syntax-aware pieces as “atoms,” applies bidirectional text processing within each atom, and displays the atoms in a consistent order.
Why ordinary RTL text rendering can mislead in code
The Unicode Bidirectional Algorithm (UBA) positions mixed-direction text for display; it does not reverse or rewrite the underlying characters. As Unicode explains, “When working with bidirectional text, the characters are still interpreted in logical order—only the display is affected.” UAX #9 defines the algorithm; the current version identified there is Version 18.0.0, dated 2026-09-01.
In ordinary text, the UBA considers characters’ directional properties. Strongly directional characters help establish ordering, while punctuation and symbols are often neutral and can be displayed according to nearby strong-direction characters. That is useful for prose, but a programming expression is not prose: the visual placement of an operator or number should not be pulled around by a nearby RTL identifier. Unicode’s bidi FAQ explains the role of Bidi_Class and neutral characters.
For example, UAX #9 contrasts plain-text bidi display of x + תו == 1 with a source-code-aware presentation. In a whole-line rendering, the Hebrew identifier may affect where the equality operator and digit appear. The source code’s logical sequence remains the same, but the display can suggest a different grouping or reading order.
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Use syntax-aware atoms, not whole-line bidi
Unicode Technical Standard #55 (UTS #55) describes a higher-level protocol, HL4, for displaying source code according to its lexical structure. The editor divides code into “atoms”: display units based on language syntax. Token boundaries are always atom boundaries, and an atom must not be split during rendering. The UBA then handles directional text within each atom, while the editor keeps the atom sequence orderly. See UTS #55, §4.1.
In practice, the lexer or parser supplies the structure that a renderer needs. Syntax-highlighting spans can provide a starting point, with additional boundaries where necessary for the contents of comments, string literals, or embedded languages. The key is not to let a directional character inside one piece reorder neighboring operators, punctuation, or numeric tokens.
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Keep the source logical; change only its presentation
Store and parse the original character sequence in logical order. Perform bidi layout during rendering rather than reversing characters or rewriting the source to make it look right. UTS #55 cautions against implementing HL4 by inserting directional isolates into a modified display copy of the source: isolates describe a formal equivalent, but the higher-level rendering protocol should produce the behavior directly.
Keep atom order consistent
Choose a stable order for code atoms and apply it consistently in both left-to-right and RTL contexts. Apply bidi processing inside each atom so Arabic or Hebrew text, or embedded LTR text, can display naturally without changing the apparent order of neighboring syntax. This separates two decisions that whole-line rendering conflates: how characters within a piece display, and where that piece belongs in the code sequence.
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Set direction deliberately for numbers and comments
UTS #55’s basic-ordering implementation note specifies left-to-right paragraph direction for numeric atoms and first-strong direction for comment-content atoms. These choices help numbers retain their expected reading order and allow comment text to follow its first strong character. If an editor deliberately chooses a different comment policy, it should make that behavior clear. UTS #55 reports that Visual Studio and Visual Studio Code since version 1.66 implement basic ordering, while noting that their comments use LTR rather than first-strong direction. This is an example recorded in the standard, not a current cross-editor compatibility survey.
Account for nested languages
A string, comment, or template can contain syntax or text belonging to another language. Treating the outer-language token as an indivisible atom may not be enough if its contents have their own structure. Where the language supports it, define boundaries that account for sub-token structure and nested-language regions while ensuring the outer code’s atom order remains stable.
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Make bidi controls visible during editing and review
Directional formatting controls can affect what a reader sees without being obvious in the source. Preserve such characters according to the programming language’s semantics, but give authors and reviewers a way to discover them—for example, visible markers, code-point inspection, or diagnostics. Ensure syntax highlighting and code review reflect the source that the parser actually reads, so a reordered display cannot quietly imply different program logic.
UAX #31 discusses ignorable format controls and warns that allowing them in lexical contexts does not by itself prevent spoofing. It points implementers toward higher-level display protocols and semantics-preserving conversion to plain text. A control-character display is therefore a review aid, not a replacement for correct parsing or a complete security policy.
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For background on Unicode’s source-code handling work and spoofing concerns, see the Unicode Consortium’s 2023 overview.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Preserve logical-order editing interactions
Because the source remains in logical order while its presentation changes, editor interactions need to respect both representations. Caret movement, selection, hit-testing, line wrapping, and copy-and-paste should operate predictably against the underlying sequence and its visual layout. UTS #55’s cited guidance establishes the distinction between logical source and display, but does not prescribe a complete interaction model; editors must define and test these behaviors for their language and interface.
Test the algorithm and the language-aware renderer
Conformance to the UBA and correct source-code presentation are related but separate concerns. UAX #9 describes the BidiTest.txt and BidiCharacterTest.txt files for algorithm conformance. Passing those tests does not establish that an editor has chosen suitable atom boundaries for every programming language.
- Test UBA behavior against the Unicode conformance data named in UAX #9.
- Test language-specific rendering with identifiers, operators, punctuation, numeric tokens, comments, strings, and nested-language regions.
- Check that atoms stay in the chosen consistent order and that no atom is split during rendering.
- Inspect how directional controls appear to authors and reviewers, and compare the visible presentation with parsing behavior.
How to assess an editor’s RTL code support
A label such as “supports RTL” does not tell you whether an editor handles code safely. Compare observable behavior instead. Unicode’s standards provide these evaluation criteria, but do not establish a current product ranking.
Quick Recap
| What to check | What sound behavior looks like |
|---|---|
| Source representation | The buffer and parser retain characters in logical order; rendering changes presentation, not source. |
| Syntax awareness | The renderer uses language-aware atom boundaries, at minimum preserving tokens as units. |
| Atom ordering | Code pieces follow a consistent sequence rather than being reordered by whole-line bidi behavior. |
| Numbers and comments | Numeric atoms use LTR direction, and comment content follows a deliberate policy such as UTS #55’s first-strong recommendation. |
| Nested languages | Embedded structures are handled where the language requires them rather than assumed to be plain text. |
| Control visibility | Authors and reviewers can inspect or diagnose directional formatting controls. |
| Algorithm conformance | The implementation is tested against the UAX #9 conformance data. |
Implementation checklist
- Keep the source buffer and parser input in logical character order.
- Use the language lexer or parser to define atoms; keep tokens intact and refine boundaries for comments, strings, and nested languages as appropriate.
- Choose a consistent order for atoms, and apply the UBA within each atom instead of to the entire source line as ordinary prose.
- Set numeric atoms to LTR direction and choose an intentional direction policy for comment content.
- Make bidi controls inspectable and ensure review and highlighting reflect the source’s actual parsing.
- Test both UBA conformance and language-specific rendering, including editing and selection behavior.
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