Code::Blocks Forums

User forums => General (but related to Code::Blocks) => Topic started by: aligorith on July 28, 2008, 07:19:52 am

Title: Migration from Other Editors
Post by: aligorith on July 28, 2008, 07:19:52 am
Hi,

I've just tried out Code::Blocks and I have to say that it is one of the better editors out there that I've seen (i.e. works as well as Notepad++ - which is my current editor - in most of the areas I consider critical). Well done.

However, I've got a few questions about several requests/suggestions:
* I often work on a large project that uses a scons buildsystem. Is there anyway that C::B could be hooked up to work with such buildsystems? I could always do what I've always done (compile from commandline), but it would be nice to try using an 'integrated' approach

* The function listing menu thingy at the top of the screen: it's great that this exists (as it's one of the 'critical' features IMO). However, that list displays in some alphabetical order NOT the order the code appears in the file. This is really bad, and not consistent with the function listing dialog. I'd prefer if it always shows in file-order, not alphabetical order. Alternatively (or in addition), would it be possible to make that function list dialog be dockable?

* Many editors I've worked with (with the exception of Notepad++) handle indention matters really poorly. Many are unable to properly indent code without corrupting the file so that it has mismatched formatting, and usually cannot load code written in another editor correctly. In this respect, C::B handles these quite well, and the indention guides are definitely a good thing. However, what bothers me is that 'blank' lines (i.e. with no code on them, but tabs) get all their tabs removed upon saving (reading goes fine, but tabs on these lines disappear when saving). This is a bit of a bug IMO. (Note: one of the things that bothers me with some formatting of code is the blank lines which break the indention pattern).

* At times, I've got a bit of a tendency to like to load up roughly 10 - 25+ files in an editor while working on a project, and I was wondering if everything will still hold up ok. Are there any known problems with stability under such conditions?

* Adding bookmarks - implementation looks good on the whole (another one of the 'critical' ones). I was wondering if an option could be added, where clicking in the margin beside a line number could toggle whether a line has a bookmark or not.

Anyways, it was great trying this app out. Hopefully these issues could be addressed, and then everything will be great.
Title: Re: Migration from Other Editors
Post by: mandrav on July 28, 2008, 08:47:44 am
* I often work on a large project that uses a scons buildsystem. Is there anyway that C::B could be hooked up to work with such buildsystems? I could always do what I've always done (compile from commandline), but it would be nice to try using an 'integrated' approach

Try "Project->Properties->Use custom makefile" and/or "Project->Build options->'Make' commands".

* Many editors I've worked with (with the exception of Notepad++) handle indention matters really poorly. Many are unable to properly indent code without corrupting the file so that it has mismatched formatting, and usually cannot load code written in another editor correctly. In this respect, C::B handles these quite well, and the indention guides are definitely a good thing. However, what bothers me is that 'blank' lines (i.e. with no code on them, but tabs) get all their tabs removed upon saving (reading goes fine, but tabs on these lines disappear when saving). This is a bit of a bug IMO. (Note: one of the things that bothers me with some formatting of code is the blank lines which break the indention pattern).

Uncheck "Settings->Editor->Strip trailing blanks".

* At times, I've got a bit of a tendency to like to load up roughly 10 - 25+ files in an editor while working on a project, and I was wondering if everything will still hold up ok. Are there any known problems with stability under such conditions?

No, I do that a lot. "View->Open files list" is of great help to easily locate an open file, without having to scroll the tabs to find it.

* Adding bookmarks - implementation looks good on the whole (another one of the 'critical' ones). I was wondering if an option could be added, where clicking in the margin beside a line number could toggle whether a line has a bookmark or not.

I think something similar (and even more) are provided by the BrowseTracker plugin.
Title: Re: Migration from Other Editors
Post by: aligorith on July 28, 2008, 10:48:36 am
Hi,

Try "Project->Properties->Use custom makefile" and/or "Project->Build options->'Make' commands".

I'll try that. So does it matter which project type I choose?


Uncheck "Settings->Editor->Strip trailing blanks".
Great! That fixes it


Thanks for the reply,
Aligorith
Title: Re: Migration from Other Editors
Post by: ixfd64 on August 13, 2008, 01:41:45 am
I have to agree that Code::Blocks is one of the better C++ IDEs out there. I used to use Dev-C++ but switched to Code::Blocks since the former doesn't really work on Linux and seems to have been abandoned.