Comparing the Eclipse-based and Notes® LotusScript® editors
The LotusScript® editor in Eclipse (LSEE) works somewhat differently from the Notes® LotusScript® editor.
Undo and redo across sections
You can undo (Ctrl+Z) and redo (Ctrl+Y) across sections, including the creation and deletion of sections. The classic editor only applies these actions within one section.
Importing and exporting code
LSEE does not include explicit controls to import LotusScript® code from external files or export LotusScript® code to external files. You can either use the classic editor to import and export code or copy and paste code between the Eclipse-based editor and external LotusScript® files.Objects (Outline) tab
The Objects (Outline) tab on the left provides a more extensive hierarchy of the elements in the library:
- You can see the entire library in the source editor by clicking the top node of the outline.
- You can see one section in the source editor by clicking that section.
- You can expand and collapse elements of the outline.
- You can cut, copy, delete, and paste elements from the outline.
- Functions and Subs appear as their own sections.
- Classes appear as their own sections with properties and methods as sub-elements.
- Variables and types appear as sub-elements of the sections where they are defined.
The outline refreshes continually as elements are added, removed, and changed in the source editor.
Reference tab
The Reference tab is similar in appearance and function.
Find/Replace
Find/replace (Ctrl+F) does not work across sections in Eclipse. However, you can access all elements in one section by selecting the top node on the Objects (Outline) tab.
Printing
Printing does not work across sections in Eclipse. However, you can access all elements in one section by selecting the top node on the Objects (Outline) tab.
Color, indentation, case, and block completion
The source editor differentiates elements by color, automatically indents blocks, automatically adjusts case, and automatically completes blocks (for example, End If). This is similar to the classic editor. However, you are not forced to adhere to the automatic indentation.
Preferences and properties
Preferences and properties follow the Eclipse model. While the classic editor uses the Script Library and Programmer's Pane property boxes to display and change settings, LSEE uses:
- The Properties tab below the editor for:
- Basic properties, including the name of a library or agent and a comment, the agent trigger and target, and various options
- Agent security settings
- A document selection query that specifies the documents an agent will process
- for preferences specific to LotusScript®
- for preferences general to Eclipse editors
- to edit the template for automatically generating comments for new elements.
- to change fonts and colors for text in the editor.
The LotusScript-specific preferences include:
- Use Eclipse-based LotusScript editor (selected by default)
- Prompt me on save if there are LotusScript errors (selected by default)
- Automatically include 'Option Declare' in new libraries (selected by default)
- Remove existing object code when saving with errors (cleared by default)
- Save and sign design elements during automatic recompilation (cleared by default)