1 files changed, 22 insertions, 0 deletions
diff --git a/pygments/lexers/__init__.py b/pygments/lexers/__init__.py
index 7d0b89d4..d64f163f 100644
--- a/pygments/lexers/__init__.py
+++ b/pygments/lexers/__init__.py
@@ -72,6 +72,28 @@ def find_lexer_class(name):
             return cls
 
 
+def find_lexer_class_by_name(alias):
+    """Lookup a lexer class by alias.
+
+    Like `get_lexer_by_name`, but does not instantiate the class.
+
+    .. versionadded:: 2.2
+    """
+    if not _alias:
+        raise ClassNotFound('no lexer for alias %r found' % _alias)
+    # lookup builtin lexers
+    for module_name, name, aliases, _, _ in itervalues(LEXERS):
+        if _alias.lower() in aliases:
+            if name not in _lexer_cache:
+                _load_lexers(module_name)
+            return _lexer_cache[name]
+    # continue with lexers from setuptools entrypoints
+    for cls in find_plugin_lexers():
+        if _alias.lower() in cls.aliases:
+            return cls
+    raise ClassNotFound('no lexer for alias %r found' % _alias)
+
+
 def get_lexer_by_name(_alias, **options):
     """Get a lexer by an alias.