New feature: IDE comment links

Currently there are two types of ide:// links:
run - Runs an external program (as demonstrated above). There are several options that control the IDE behavior.
goto - jumps to a sub or a line.
Example:

B4XPages template will include this comment:
It is similar to File - Export as zip for B4XPages where there are actually three projects.

It will also include this one, which solves a problem that most developers are less familiar with:
This is relevant when you add files to the shared files folder. Currently you need to run the project, let it fail and now click on the Sync button to add the files to the IDE.

Wow, What else should we be expecting?

The next version is not far away. It will include templates and links and some other smaller stuff. The templates feature really makes it easier to get started, especially with B4XPages projects.

The ide links feature has a lot of potential as a base for other extensions.

BTW, it will also work with batch files, B4J jars and other executables.

Nice!!! can't wait. If you don't mind me asking, your file explorer, which app is that? it looks better that windows explorer...

Thanks.

Mashiane said:

If you don't mind me asking, your file explorer, which app is that? it looks better that windows explorer...

Click to expand...

It is indeed an excellent tool: https://www.gpsoft.com.au/

It's almost like telepathy.

I was going to request something like this

For me the reason for the request was playing around with B4Xlibs.

Now I need to use this method

save my file(s) in the library project
open the B4Xlib in total commander's left pane
copy the updated .bas file(s) from right pane into the zip in the left pane.
switch right pane to additional libs folder tab (ctrl-tab)
exit zip in left tab and copy to right pane

if I want it updated in B4i I need an additional copy.

it would be ideal if I could use such line to call a batch/vbscript file or a shortcut (alt-0 ?) for the first ide:// link in a class then I only need to refresh the libs to do the testing
and a switch to total commander ain't even needed anymore.

I will write the script for it as it will save me some time and keypresses already. (edit: just a 2 liner batch file was enough to zip it to both B4A & B4i additional libs folders)

It was either something like this or an additional B4Xlibs path mainly for B4i. But that would've been not so ideal I guess.

If you don't/can't pay for Opus then Q-Dir is pretty good and free. It has multi-page browsing with tabs and lots of other things that I have never explored.

Erel said:

See ide://goto?Module=StatusView&Sub=SetTopText for more information.

Click to expand...

Can I pre-empt code manipulation in the IDE that could be perhaps "live". For example, I want to Lowercase code from line 10 to 15? Then I write a script to find the lines and convert the code in lowercase and then the IDE reflects such changes. #WishfulThinking.

Not possible for now. You cannot tell the IDE to reload the file. I'm also not sure that this is a use case that is suitable for a comment link.

Erel said:

Not possible for now. You cannot tell the IDE to reload the file.

Click to expand...

Ahh.. I was think of it 'if it can be done'

You see, I make changes in my current .b4a file from another project by using Beyond Compare (3rd party text compare). I have noted that after I save in BC, the ide takes time and then shows the 'added/changed' lines as yellow marked. Saving the file changes it to green. Ok here.

Problem is I have to wait for the ide to make the 'yellow' lines else all changes are lost.

Anyway to make ide reload/refresh the active file .b4a or .bas will be very very helpful for me.

Regards,

Anand

Note that the IDE checks for file changes whenever the IDE becomes focused. Click on a different app and then back in the IDE to force it to update.

Erel said:

Note that the IDE checks for file changes whenever the IDE becomes focused. Click on a different app and then back in the IDE to force it to update.

Click to expand...

Is that new? In the past I always had problems when I opened the same module in another IDE, that I suddenly got the old version from the other IDE in my active IDE, because the other IDE did not update itself yet.

It is not new. However if there are changes in both instances then such things can happen.

You can make the file monitoring interval faster by editing the ini file (when the IDEs are closed). You should decrease FileMonitorInterval.