Something like Visual Assist for Eclipse

[Oliver Wong]

Because most people want them. And all that is customizable in Eclipse. Go
to Java->Editor->Syntax Coloring and you will see that you have a great
deal of flexibility.

Eclipse has some nice ones that I like, such as highlighting static field
and method references differently and using strikethrough for deprecated
items.

Is it possible to export/import the syntax highlighting configuration?

if (yes) {
Is there a site where I can download pre-configured syntax highlighting
settings and import them into my local copy?
} else {
Let me know and I'll submit an RFE.
}

- Oliver

 

[Dale King]

You are right. I've had a hidden assumption that some of developers
here are familiar with C++ at have some experience with C++ IDE. I
wouldn't expect full time java developers without prior experience in
C++ to check VA features in C++ IDE.

I am at least one that is intimately familiar with C++ (although I am
not actually a full-time Java developer). But I am not going to go
download something searching for features.

For what it's worth I can list the VA features I use heavily in C++
development at work:
1). listboxes - you don't have to press ctrl+space. you get the list
automatically. You can type in insensetive chars and with acronyms.
Using that I find name of classes, symbols or methods in no time.

And as I said Eclipse has that, it's just not doing it automatically,
you have to request it. Frankly, I would not want it automatic as it
would slow things down and keep getting in my way.

2). you can mark local symbols in bold.

See Java > Editor > Syntax Coloring where you can customize it how you
want including specifying a style for local symbols.

3). you can select text.. if you press "/" it will comment it..
pressing again uncomments in.. you could also press on "*" to make
C-style commenting or uncommenting.

In Eclipse it is <ctrl>-/ to toggle // style comments and
<ctrl>-<shift>-/ to add a block comment. To remove the block comment you

4). you can copy multiple texts into clipboard.. and select via
alt+shift+v the one you want to paste..

I've used several programs that had this and I never had any use for it.
It just annoys me.

Another handy feature I recently discovered in Eclipse that has
eliminated much of my use of cut and paste is <alt>-up arrow and <alt>
down arrow. These move a line or lines up or down (indenting them
correctly). If you add a <ctrl> with that then it duplicates the

The most vaulable feature for me is the auto-suggestions it does while
I am typing.
Let's say I have a class "Widget". In order to use it I need to type
"wi" and enter. Of course it depends on number of classes that are
within current namespace/package. Remember, no ctrl+space involved.

I understand, but Eclipse has the feature it is just not as automatic. I
believe that is because of usability and performance concerns.

It's possible to apply filtering on list-boxes.. ie, see only public,
protected methods and more..

It's possible to do some of that in Eclipse. See Java > Editor > Code
Assist. For instance by default it won't show you completions that are
not visible from the current context.

Again, the question is ctrl-space or not ctrl-space.. I personally
prefer the suggestion to be done automatically without pressing on
special keys, like on ctrl-space.

Note that Eclipse does support some auto activation of code assist for
example when you hit '.'. You can add other characters if you want.

I don't think you will convince Eclipse to make the code assist always
automatic. I frankly would not want it to do so.

If choosing between more intelligent suggestions and having it
automatic, I chose more intelligence. While I haven't tried VA,
Eclipse's code assist is pretty darn smart. Note that it has entries
besides just identifiers. You can add templates and it gives you
suggestions like add a missing abstract method inherited from an
interface or abstract class.

I really suggest that you look through the menus. There's lots of good
stuff in the source menu. Also take a look at the key bindings in
General > Keys in the preferences and you will find lots of handy things.

 

[Oliver Wong]

Shimon Shvartsbroit wrote:

And as I said Eclipse has that, it's just not doing it automatically, you
have to request it. Frankly, I would not want it automatic as it would
slow things down and keep getting in my way.

Well, if some people want it to be completely automatic, and others want
it to be not automatic, then how about making it a feature that can be
toggled on or off? Then again, I've see an article saying that one big
problem with OSS is *too much* choice, in the sense that the developers
don't actually bother making design decisions anymore, and just gives flags
to let the user control everything. This might be a step in that direction.

[...]

In Eclipse it is <ctrl>-/ to toggle // style comments and <ctrl>-<shift>-/
to add a block comment. To remove the block comment you have to use
<ctrl>-<shift>-\. See the source menu.

Perhaps Eclipse could have a system to reconfigure the shortcut and key
configurations.

I've used several programs that had this and I never had any use for it.
It just annoys me.

The only app I've used that has this is Microsoft Office, and you can
disable it. (I did). Again, perhaps Eclipse can offer this as a feature
which can be turned off.

[...]

I understand, but Eclipse has the feature it is just not as automatic. I
believe that is because of usability and performance concerns.

If I typed "wi" and pressed enter, and I ended up with the text "Widget"
instead of "wi\n", I'd be very annoyed. However, if I typed "wi", and then
pressed ctrl-space to mean "I don't *REALLY* want 'wi'; rather, I want
something which vaguely sounds like 'wi' and which makes sense in this
context", *then* I'd fully expect "Widget" to appear as one of the
suggestions.

By default, I want Eclipse to do what I say. That is, if I typed in
something, that's what I want typed in, and not something else. It's only
when I do key-combinations which don't lead to the the emitting of text
(e.g. ctrl-anything) that I'd want Eclipse to jump in and do all sorts of
magic for me.

It's possible to do some of that in Eclipse. See Java > Editor > Code
Assist. For instance by default it won't show you completions that are not
visible from the current context.

I think Eclipse is foregoing the user-configurable filters and is
instead using some sort of "AI" to determine what to show you. Based on my
experience (I haven't looked at the source code), I'm guessing its
suggestions are based on type checking (e.g. if you're typing in something
which will be used as a parameter to a method which expects a string, the
first few choices will be local variables and fields which are Strings, or
methods which extend string), and most-recently-used.

- Oliver

 

[Dale King]

Well, if some people want it to be completely automatic, and others
want it to be not automatic, then how about making it a feature that can
be toggled on or off? Then again, I've see an article saying that one
big problem with OSS is *too much* choice, in the sense that the
developers don't actually bother making design decisions anymore, and
just gives flags to let the user control everything. This might be a
step in that direction.

My point is that it would take a lot of throughput to make it automatic
without totally bogging things down. I would rather they concentrate on
making it good rather than fast enough to be constantly getting in your
face on every keystroke.

[...]

In Eclipse it is <ctrl>-/ to toggle // style comments and
<ctrl>-<shift>-/ to add a block comment. To remove the block comment
you have to use <ctrl>-<shift>-\. See the source menu.

Perhaps Eclipse could have a system to reconfigure the shortcut and
key configurations.

It does of course. And you can export and import the key configurations.

The only app I've used that has this is Microsoft Office, and you can
disable it. (I did). Again, perhaps Eclipse can offer this as a feature
which can be turned off.

But it gets down to priorities. They don't have enough resources to
implement everything. Of course you can influence those priorities by
voting for bugs/enhancements. If enough people ask for it they will work
on it. I don't even see an RFE for the feature so it must not be high on
anyone's list.

I think Eclipse is foregoing the user-configurable filters and is
instead using some sort of "AI" to determine what to show you. Based on
my experience (I haven't looked at the source code), I'm guessing its
suggestions are based on type checking (e.g. if you're typing in
something which will be used as a parameter to a method which expects a
string, the first few choices will be local variables and fields which
are Strings, or methods which extend string), and most-recently-used.

It has lots of intelligence to try to show you the most likely choices
and yes it does do it based on the type needed in the expression. Not
only parameters but when assigning to a variable it will present choices
of the correct type first. This is where I care more about the code
assist being smarter rather than more automatic.

 

[Dale King]

Is it possible to export/import the syntax highlighting configuration?

if (yes) {
Is there a site where I can download pre-configured syntax highlighting
settings and import them into my local copy?
} else {
Let me know and I'll submit an RFE.
}

I don't see any way to export it.

 

[Chris Uppal]

Eclipse has some nice ones that I like, such as highlighting static
field and method references differently and using strikethrough for
deprecated items.

Now that is good. In fact they've added some worthwhile options that I had
missed.

Pity the default is still to waste the power of highlighing, though.

-- chris

 

[Chris Uppal]

My point is that it would take a lot of throughput to make it automatic
without totally bogging things down. I would rather they concentrate on
making it good rather than fast enough to be constantly getting in your
face on every keystroke.

Agreed. The IDE I use (not Java) has recently added "in-your-face" code
completion, and it drives me nuts. It's possible to turn it off, but there's
no real equivalent of control-space for on-demand completion. I'll have to
add it myself, but so far I'm just sticking with the previous version (though
not only because of code-completion).

-- chris

 

[smartsupport2006]

You can try this EnergyKey
http://www30.webSamba.com/SmartStudio
This may be help you.
Now I always use EnergyKey, it helps me so much in my work.

 

[Shimon Shvartsbroit]

I am at least one that is intimately familiar with C++ (although I am
not actually a full-time Java developer). But I am not going to go
download something searching for features.


And as I said Eclipse has that, it's just not doing it automatically,
you have to request it. Frankly, I would not want it automatic as it
would slow things down and keep getting in my way.


See Java > Editor > Syntax Coloring where you can customize it how you
want including specifying a style for local symbols. Looks promising


In Eclipse it is <ctrl>-/ to toggle // style comments and
<ctrl>-<shift>-/ to add a block comment. To remove the block comment you


I've used several programs that had this and I never had any use for it.
It just annoys me.

What's annoying? you can continue using copy&cut&paste as you've used
to. But in case you want you can have a listbox of your clipboard and
past something you've copied into clipboard previously. if you don't
use it, there's nothing to be annoyed about. as they say "you don't
need to pay for the things you don't use".

Another handy feature I recently discovered in Eclipse that has
eliminated much of my use of cut and paste is <alt>-up arrow and <alt>
down arrow. These move a line or lines up or down (indenting them
correctly). If you add a <ctrl> with that then it duplicates the
line(s). <ctrl>-d deletes the current line.

Good to know, thanks for the tip.

I understand, but Eclipse has the feature it is just not as automatic. I
believe that is because of usability and performance concerns.

It could be because of the reasons you've mentioned. That should be
possible to overcome this issue, in case it's because of performance
concerns. Regarding the usability, I don't think people find it
un-usefull or unsable because most of chances are that they are not
aware of such feature existence.

It's possible to do some of that in Eclipse. See Java > Editor > Code
Assist. For instance by default it won't show you completions that are
not visible from the current context.

I will check on that next time I run eclipse. Though, I doubt it's like
VA. Since in eclipse, most chances, you statically set your settings.
In VA you can modify your setting each time the list-box appears. But
then again, I can live without it.
You are right. I've tried it. It's very convinient.

Note that Eclipse does support some auto activation of code assist for
example when you hit '.'. You can add other characters if you want.

I don't think you will convince Eclipse to make the code assist always
automatic. I frankly would not want it to do so.

If choosing between more intelligent suggestions and having it
automatic, I chose more intelligence. While I haven't tried VA,
Eclipse's code assist is pretty darn smart. Note that it has entries
besides just identifiers. You can add templates and it gives you
suggestions like add a missing abstract method inherited from an
interface or abstract class.

I think there's some kind of misunderstanding. Why need to choose
between intelligent suggestions and having it automatic? Each time VA
suggest code completetition it shows it as a list-box and you can
either choose the suggestion or you could continue typing and VA will
choose it for you. Rememer the choise is only in a listbox, you don't
have to accept it. You could press on escape to turn off listbox for
current suggestion.
I consider it to be 80-20 rule.. I'd rather have it automatic in 80% of
my usage, and in the remaining 20% ,though I think it's much less than
20, I am willing to press on escape to turn it off. So there is no
sacrifice of intelligense. You don't have to use automatic suggestions
when you don't want to. Intelligense stays. I write a lot of code at
work, and usually use descriptive long names when necessary. Using
automatic code completetion saves me a lot of typing time. Remember,
only when the suggestion is good for me, I press on enter key and
accept it.

I really suggest that you look through the menus. There's lots of good
stuff in the source menu. Also take a look at the key bindings in
General > Keys in the preferences and you will find lots of handy things.

I agree.. It has a lot of great functionallity. I've never claimed it's
bad. I think there are helpfull features in eclipse that it's a shame
they don't appear in visual studio.


Anyway, back to work now.

Regards,
Shimon

 

[smartsupport2006]

You can try this EnergyKey
http://www30.webSamba.com/SmartStudio
This may be help you.
Now I always use EnergyKey, it helps me so much in my work.

 

[smart2006go]

You can try this EnergyKey
http://www30.webSamba.com/SmartStudio
This may be help you.
Now I always use EnergyKey, it helps me so much in my work.

 

[Dale King]

What's annoying? you can continue using copy&cut&paste as you've used
to. But in case you want you can have a listbox of your clipboard and
past something you've copied into clipboard previously. if you don't
use it, there's nothing to be annoyed about. as they say "you don't
need to pay for the things you don't use".

That listbox is what is annoying. It pops up and gets in my way.

I think there's some kind of misunderstanding. Why need to choose
between intelligent suggestions and having it automatic? Each time VA
suggest code completetition it shows it as a list-box and you can
either choose the suggestion or you could continue typing and VA will
choose it for you. Rememer the choise is only in a listbox, you don't
have to accept it. You could press on escape to turn off listbox for
current suggestion.

I consider it to be 80-20 rule.. I'd rather have it automatic in 80% of
my usage, and in the remaining 20% ,though I think it's much less than
20, I am willing to press on escape to turn it off. So there is no
sacrifice of intelligense. You don't have to use automatic suggestions
when you don't want to. Intelligense stays. I write a lot of code at
work, and usually use descriptive long names when necessary. Using
automatic code completetion saves me a lot of typing time. Remember,
only when the suggestion is good for me, I press on enter key and
accept it.

But there is a choice between the creators of Eclipse exerting effort to
make it fast enough to automatically pop up without being annoying or
working on other features or improving what they have. I would rather
they improve other things.

And you seem to belittle the performance impact of it being automatic. I
used to use Eclipse on a 200 MHz P2 laptop and let me tell you that
performance was important (actually it was quite usable).

I agree.. It has a lot of great functionallity. I've never claimed it's
bad. I think there are helpfull features in eclipse that it's a shame
they don't appear in visual studio.

It always annoys me when Visual Studio is held up as some great IDE.
Most of the Java IDE's surpassed it ages ago.

 

[Oliver Wong]

What's annoying? you can continue using copy&cut&paste as you've used
to. But in case you want you can have a listbox of your clipboard and
past something you've copied into clipboard previously. if you don't
use it, there's nothing to be annoyed about. as they say "you don't
need to pay for the things you don't use".

In the implementations I've seen (Microsoft Office), they create a new
pane on the right side of the screen to display all the contents of the
clipboard, taking up valuable screen real estate.

- Oliver

 

[Oliver Wong]

I don't see any way to export it.

K, I did a quick search for "export syntax highlighting" and didn't see
an existing RFE, so I added it:
https://bugs.eclipse.org/bugs/show_bug.cgi?id=144463

- Oliver

 

[Shimon Shvartsbroit]

That listbox is what is annoying. It pops up and gets in my way.

Maybe that's matter of taste. I find its advtanages more significant
than the poping.

But there is a choice between the creators of Eclipse exerting effort to
make it fast enough to automatically pop up without being annoying or
working on other features or improving what they have. I would rather
they improve other things.

The question wasn't which feature is more important. Of course it might
be more important for eclipse creators and for the community to have
other features made by eclipse programmers rather than having smart
automatic code suggestions. But that does not mean that automatic code
suggestions is not an important feature by its own. IMHO, it should be
added to some eclipse "wish-list" and let the creators to choose
feature priority or whatever the procedure is.

And you seem to belittle the performance impact of it being automatic. I
used to use Eclipse on a 200 MHz P2 laptop and let me tell you that
performance was important (actually it was quite usable).

In such situation the feature could be disabled.

It always annoys me when Visual Studio is held up as some great IDE.
Most of the Java IDE's surpassed it ages ago.

Regardless of which IDE is better. The majority usually prefers less
functionality with GUI
that is simple to use rather than lots of functionality with GUI that
is less straightforward to use. I don't try to claim here which IDE is
superior or which is simpler. Just something to think about ;-)

As final note, it's not fair to claim feature might be not usefull
without really giving it a fair try. Not forget it has to do a lot with
personal preferences of each programmer.
The idea was to make working with eclipse better and more productive.
It wasn't about vstudio vs eclipse.

Shimon

 

[Dale King]

The question wasn't which feature is more important. Of course it might
be more important for eclipse creators and for the community to have
other features made by eclipse programmers rather than having smart
automatic code suggestions. But that does not mean that automatic code
suggestions is not an important feature by its own. IMHO, it should be
added to some eclipse "wish-list" and let the creators to choose
feature priority or whatever the procedure is.

And you are free to suggest it. Feel free to file an enhancement request
at www.eclipse.org. All I am saying is don't hold your breath.

 

[pixelpusher]

im hearing you chris, guys you dont know what text complition is.
if you want to se the joy of working with stuff like that without $ try dl autoit3 (an automation scripting program that turned into a behemoth of scripting power including com linking + one click compiling), theres a package that includes it and a heavly moded copy of scite.
i didnt try visuallassist but i have a feeling its the same experiance. another ide ($) is this one,for javascript.
im

 

[Kalk]

It is always possible to enter a building using a window and not a door.
It is not impossible it is just much harder.

And thats the difference between VA and eclipse, not the features included but the accessability of them.

 

[ricardo.ekm]

I really miss something like Visual Assist in eclipse.
After a long search I found a plugin that helps. Posted about it here:
agileenterprise dot wordpress dot com/2009/01/23/eclipse-content-assist/