AutoMod Users Forum

kurmann · Joined: 18 Mar 2008 Posts: 5 Location: Switzerland

Hello everbody

I tried now a few editors for automod, but I didn't found the right one for me.

Which editors do you use? And do you have an index highlighting file?

Normaly I use notepad++ as my favorit editor, but he has some problems with comments in automod. for example comments in comment.

What can you recommend?

Best regards
Markus

johngibbons · Joined: 14 Mar 2008 Posts: 21 Location: Holland, MI

i use default automod text editor. no reason to look further - been very happy with it, in fact i set it up to be editor of many non automod file types.

in past have used bedit and vi.
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Chip · Joined: 23 Apr 2008 Posts: 13 Location: Omicron Persai 8

Hi kurmann,

I use PS Pad for writing my functions and debugging code in Automod.

http://www.pspad.com/

You can determine within PS Pad which language you're working with via View>Change Syntax - I like working with the C/C++ syntax highlighter and I believe there is a way to add more languages. PS Pad can also perform binary diffs between the saved text file and the updates so you can review before saving, just to name one function. There are many, many functions; a very powerful code editor. Plus, it's free. : )

I have also editied the Automod .am2rc file to indicate that PSPad is my default editor (i.e. - Automod will open code in PS Pad and return code to debug within PS Pad). You can implement this via the following procedure:

*my apologies if any of this is redundant for ya, but it may be good knowledge for others who may come across this thread:

0. Install PS Pad

1. In Automod, Save Startup Config from the File menu.
2. A new file called “.am2rc,” is created in your directory.
3. Open .am2rc in a text editor.
4. Change the line: build.editor; amedit -to- build.editor;pspad

Then...

1. From the desktop, right-click My Computer and click properties.
2. In the System Properties window, click on the Advanced tab.
3. In the Advanced section, click the Environment Variables button.
4. In the Environment Variables window, edit the 'path' variable and add the following onto the end of the path variable string:

C:\Program Files\PSPad editor

Also in the Environment Variables, add the "pspad" variable:

System variables>New:
Variable name: pspad
Variable value: C:\Program Files\PSPad editor

Now whenever you open an Automod project where .am2rc is located in the project directory (you'll either have to copy the .am2rc file you just edited to each new project directory, or create a new .am2rc file for each project and change the build.editor line), PS Pad will be the default editor. Also, something to be aware of when utilizing the .am2rc file:

* taken from the web pertaining to the use of a .am2rc file:

To save the current size and position of your windows, save the startup configuration. Then every time you open this model, the view will appear as you saved it. For example, you can organize the placement of the windows on your screen in any manner you desire: resize the Work Area window, reposition the palette, change system display preferences, and set options from the View Control.

This is the main use of the .am2rc file.

Hope that helps,
~Chip

kurmann · Joined: 18 Mar 2008 Posts: 5 Location: Switzerland

hello chip

thank you for your tip.

i know how to implement a new editor and how to set it as default.

i also tested pspad before. but i have the same problem as with notepad++ (i have syntax file for automod, i can sent it to you if you like)

wenn i have comments between the code and i want to comment out a full part. the editor hightlights only the part until the first */ and not until the end of the part.

my favorit editor is notepad++ because you can hide full loops (from begin until end command).

but i look forward to find a editor which haven't the comment problem.

regards markus
_________________

- Simulation

Chip · Joined: 23 Apr 2008 Posts: 13 Location: Omicron Persai 8

Hey Markus,

That'd be great, would love a copy of the Automod syntax file. (not sure if you can post files to the forum, if not, maybe you could PM it to me? else, I'll PM you my email.)

I know that in PS Pad, if you want to comment out a block of code, the quick keys are Ctrl+Shift+A, but if you send me the syntax file, I'll play around with it in PS Pad and see if I can generate a solution.

Cheers,
~Chip

Chip · Joined: 23 Apr 2008 Posts: 13 Location: Omicron Persai 8

Hey Markus,

I'm still looking into your problem, I got the .ini file and now I see what the problem is that you're talking about. PS Pad applies comments via:

/*function {
/*
/* actions
/*
/*end

rather than:

/*
function {

actions

end
*/

I was looking for a way to reverse commented blocks after making changes to the code, but haven't found it yet. I also posted a thread on the PS Pad forum asking the specifics of defining multi-line comments. You can watch it here if you're interested:

http://forum.pspad.com/read.php?2,46248

...but I'll post the answer here as well, as soon as I find one. Sorry, but no solution yet.

~Chip

kurmann · Joined: 18 Mar 2008 Posts: 5 Location: Switzerland

no I have an other problem too.

if have comment in a comment like this

/*
begin /* begin this function */

bla

end */

pspad and notepad++ show be only the red part as comment and not until the last */
_________________

- Simulation

Chip · Joined: 23 Apr 2008 Posts: 13 Location: Omicron Persai 8

Hey again Markus,

Finally found one thread that speaks of your problem pertaining to PS Pad.

http://forum.pspad.com/read.php?2,14012,37896#msg-37896

All signs point to "This can't be done in PS Pad", but I don't believe it, at least not yet Wink

Chip · Joined: 23 Apr 2008 Posts: 13 Location: Omicron Persai 8

The Syn Text Editor looks like it might be a winner:

http://syn.sourceforge.net/

I can confirm that I am able to comment out blocks of code properly with the .m syntax, as well as comment out nested comments within blocks of code, but the setup process is not very intuitive. I wish PS Pad had this functionality, but alas it does not. Right now, Syn uses a registry key to define a new syntax, and there is only one user definable syntax. The actual color coding is not working for me yet, but it shows promise as an external .m editor.

~Chipley

Chip · Joined: 23 Apr 2008 Posts: 13 Location: Omicron Persai 8

I found a very nice editor yesterday called jEdit:

http://jedit.org/

per this thread at Whirlpool forums, which is completely based around code editors, if anyone is interested:

http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/forum-replies-archive.cfm/907568.html

Good comments, informative, and many edtiors are listed.
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