# Don Ho

> French software developer

**Wikidata**: [Q16830205](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q16830205)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/don-ho

## Summary
Don Ho is a French software developer known for creating Notepad++, a widely used text editor. His work has significantly impacted developer productivity and open-source software.

## Biography
- **Nationality:** France
- **Education:** 
  - Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Paris Diderot University
  - Master's degree in Computer Science, Paris Diderot University
  - Postgraduate diploma in Computer Science, Paris Diderot University
  - Attended Tamkang University
- **Known for:** Creating Notepad++ (Q2033)
- **Employer(s):** Oberthur Technologies, 4D SAS, Dashlane, SYSTRAN
- **Field(s):** Software development

## Contributions
Don Ho is most renowned for developing Notepad++, a free source code and text editor for Windows. Released in 2003, Notepad++ quickly gained popularity due to its lightweight design, extensive features (syntax highlighting, plugin support, multi-language support), and high performance. It became a fundamental tool for millions of developers and programmers worldwide. Ho actively maintained the project through its GitHub repository (username: donho) and hosted its official contributor page. His development work extended beyond Notepad++, including employment at software companies like Oberthur Technologies, 4D SAS, Dashlane, and SYSTRAN, where he applied his programming skills in various professional contexts.

## FAQs
### Q: What is Don Ho most famous for?
A: Don Ho is most famous for creating Notepad++, a highly popular free text and source code editor for Windows.

### Q: Where did Don Ho study?
A: Don Ho obtained multiple degrees in Computer Science (bachelor's, master's, postgraduate diploma) from Paris Diderot University and also attended Tamkang University.

### Q: What programming languages does Don Ho work with?
A: The source material confirms Don Ho speaks and writes English, French, and Chinese, and identifies him as a programmer. Specific programming languages used are not detailed in the provided source.

### Q: Can I contact Don Ho online?
A: Yes, he maintains a personal website (https://donho.github.io/), a GitHub profile (donho), and has been active on platforms like Twitter (ho_don), Facebook (d0n.h0), and LinkedIn (donho2048). An email address (mailto:don.h@free.fr) is also listed on his Notepad++ contributor page.

### Q: Which companies has Don Ho worked for?
A: Don Ho has worked for Oberthur Technologies, 4D SAS, Dashlane, and SYSTRAN.

## Why They Matter
Don Ho's creation of Notepad++ has had a lasting impact on the developer community. The free, open-source editor lowered the barrier to entry for coding and became a staple tool for countless programmers, educators, and hobbyists worldwide. Its efficiency and feature set set a standard for lightweight editors. Beyond Notepad++, Ho's career contributions within established software companies like Dashlane and SYSTRAN demonstrate his practical impact on commercial software development. His visibility and engagement through social platforms (like his ~1,500 Twitter followers) also make him a recognizable figure connecting with developers globally.

## Notable For
- Creator of Notepad++, a foundational text editor used by millions of developers.
- Maintained active GitHub presence (username: donho) for his open-source project.
- Held technical positions at notable companies including Dashlane and SYSTRAN.
- Developed and maintained a public contributor page for Notepad++.
- Achieved a significant social media following (e.g., 1493 Twitter followers as of 2021).

## Body
### Education
Don Ho pursued higher education at Paris Diderot University, earning a bachelor's degree in computer science, followed by a master's degree and a postgraduate diploma, also in computer science. His educational path also included time spent at Tamkang University.

### Career
Ho has worked as a software developer for several companies, including Oberthur Technologies, 4D SAS, Dashlane, and SYSTRAN. These roles align with his professional identity as a programmer and software engineer.

### Technical Work
His most notable contribution is Notepad++, referenced as Q2033. He serves as the primary maintainer of this open-source Windows text editor, hosting it on GitHub under the username "donho". Historical contributor information for Notepad++ was hosted on notepad-plus-plus.org.

### Skills & Presence
- **Languages:** English, French, Chinese.
- **Online Presence:** Maintains a personal website (https://donho.github.io/), GitHub (donho), Twitter (ho_don), Facebook (d0n.h0), LinkedIn (donho2048), and has a public email address (don.h@free.fr).
- **Social Media:** Had 1,493 Twitter followers as of January 6, 2021. His Twitter handle was active from at least August 2009 until May 2018.

## References

1. [Source](https://donho.github.io/)
2. [Source](https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/3808148)
3. [Source](https://notepad-plus-plus.org/contributors/author.html)