CodeSense
CodeSense is a set of Studio features that intelligently assist you in writing code, providing lists of context-sensitive options and information. Using CodeSense dramatically increases productivity by giving you context-sensitive information directly when you need it as you're typing code in the editor, so you don't have to leave the editor to look up references in the documentation. It can even be used to complete your typing for you, minimizing typos, etc.
CodeSense comprises the following features:
List Members
Ctrl+J
Displays a context-sensitive list of available source code commands, classes, data types, methods, variables, constants, objects, etc. The list is context-sensitive and contains only the appropriate options for the context where it's invoked. Selecting an option from the list inserts the appropriate code in the editor.
The CodeSense list is invoked automatically as you're typing certain source code constructs, such as typing a struct variable name followed by a dot. It can also be invoked manually at any time by pressing Ctrl+J to provide a list of valid options within the context.
Code Complete
Ctrl+Space
Auto-completes the word you're typing by filling in the rest of the variable name, method name, etc., as soon as you have entered enough characters to disambiguate the term within the current context. Just type the first few letters of the name and then press Ctrl+Space to invoke Code Complete. If what you have typed has more than one possible match or no match at all, Code Complete automatically displays a list of valid options by invoking List Members as described above.
Parameter Info
Ctrl+Shift+Space
Displays a tooltip with information about the parameters for the current method call. The current parameter is displayed in bold and automatically advanced as you type. Parameter Info is available for all functions, procedures, properties of all classes and objects, built-in language functions, as well as external functions.
The Parameter Info tooltip is automatically displayed when typing a method call, such as using the Get, Set, or Send command, or within an expression. Parameter Info can also be manually invoked at any time within a valid parameter block of a method call context by pressing Ctrl+Shift+Space.
Quick Info
Displays a tooltip with information about the symbol under the cursor. Quick Info gives you quick access to brief information about variables, classes, objects, methods, etc. If there are multiple hits for the specified symbol, they will all be displayed.
Quick Info can be invoked by hovering the mouse cursor over a word in the editor.
Auto Complete
Auto-completes code snippets by automatically closing the current scope using the appropriate closing scope text or automatically inserting other text. For example, typing Procedure followed by a space automatically inserts End_Procedure in the appropriate location. Augmenting a method by typing the Procedure/Function followed by the method name and space automatically inserts the parameters from the augmented method.
Go To Definition
Locates the definition of the symbol under the cursor. Go To Definition lets you quickly find the definition of a specified symbol by opening the file and locating the definition for classes, methods, etc. Just right-click the superclass name in an Object or Class declaration, select Go To Definition, and it will take you directly to the superclass definition, opening the file and locating the line of code for the definition.
Find All Occurrences
Find All Occurrences finds all occurrences of the highlighted text.
By default, Find All Occurrences searches the entire make path, including libraries, the system library, and subfolders. Once Find in Files parameters are modified, those parameters are used.
It only searches files with recognized DataFlex file extensions (including user-defined file name extensions).
Find All Occurrences complements the Go To Definition operation. Go To Definition will find the point where the searched symbol is declared, regardless of whether the file is in a library or is a system file. Find All Occurrences will find everywhere that the symbol is used, including within comments or quotes (unlike Go To Definition).
The found occurrences are displayed in the Find Results panel, sorted in order of the Workspace's make path. This means that Workspace folders are sorted to the top, which means the hits you are most likely interested in are at the top of the list.
Object Browser
The Object Browser CodeSense list gives you a focused list of methods for the specified object, so you can easily find and select a method of a particular object. After selecting a method, CodeSense automatically completes the method call to the specified object by additionally inserting the appropriate object access code after the specified method name.
The Object Browser can be invoked in Get, Set, and Send commands, as well as in expressions. For example, type Get and then select Browse Objects at the very top of the list.
Using CodeSense
CodeSense information is available for practically every language command, all classes, objects, methods, variables, struct types, etc., including your own classes and methods from your source code. CodeSense information is always up to date; as soon as you declare a variable or add a Use statement, for example, the information is immediately available.
Video Clips Demonstrating CodeSense:
- Using CodeSense in a method call.
- Using CodeSense with auto-complete.
- Using CodeSense with the object browser.
- Using CodeSense with variables and struct types.
More Examples of Using CodeSense:
Get
Send Foo to
Move
Move abc to
Typing a command at the beginning of a line displays a CodeSense list of all available language commands and data types, including your own data types.