Development system with methods for assisting a user with inputting source code

• US 6,314,559 B1
• Filed: 10/02/1997
• Issued: 11/06/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 10/02/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: CodeGear (Idera, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Barland Software Corporation
• Inventors: Sollich, Peter Franz Valentin
• Primary Examiner(s): Powell, Mark R.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Booker, Kelvin
• Application Number:
  US08/942,782
• Time in Patent Office: 1,496 Days
• Field of Search: 395/705, 395/710, 717/5, 717/10
• US Class Current: 717/111
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/33 Intelligent editors

Abstract

A visual development system having an interface which assists a user with input of source code expressions and statements during creation of a computer program is described. The interface includes an Integrated Development Environment (IDE) interface having a code editor with “Code Completion” and “Code Parameter” features for displaying context sensitive pop-up windows within a source code file. Code Completion is implemented at the user interface level by displaying a Code Completion dialog box after the user enters a record or class name followed by a period. For a class, the dialog lists the properties, methods and events appropriate to the class. For a record or structure, the dialog lists the data members of the record. To complete entry of the expression, the user need only select an item from the dialog list, whereupon the system automatically enters the selected item in the code. Code completion also operates during input of assignment statements. When the user enters an assignment statement for a variable and presses a hot key (e.g., <ctrl><space_bar>), a list of arguments valid for the variable is displayed. Here, the user can simply select an argument to be entered in the code. Similarly, the user can bring up a list of arguments when typing a procedure, function, or method call and needs to add an argument. In this manner, the user can view the required arguments for a method as he or she enters a method, function, or procedure call.

Claims

1. In a development system, a method for assisting a user with inputting source code for a computer program, the method comprising:

detecting a need for assisting the user with input for a source code module under development;

determining a current cursor position representing a location in the source code module where the user is currently providing input;

determining input items which are suitable for input in the source code module at the current cursor position;

displaying to the user a list of said suitable input items; and

in response to selection by the user of a particular item from the list, automatically completing input at the current cursor position;

wherein said detecting step includes;

determining instances in the source code module where the system can automatically provide input; and

wherein said detecting step includes;

determining in the source code module use of a structure variable which references a nested data member.

2. In a development system, a method for assisting a user with inputting source code for a computer program, the method comprising:

detecting a need for assisting the user with input for a source code module under development;

determining a current cursor position representing a location in the source code module where the user is currently providing input;

determining input items which are suitable for input in the source code module at the current cursor position;

displaying to the user a list of said suitable input items; and

in response to selection by the user of a particular item from the list, automatically completing input at the current cursor position;

wherein said current cursor position comprises a line number and a column position for a particular source code file.

3. In a development system, a method for assisting a user with inputting source code for a computer program, the method comprising:

detecting a need for assisting the user with input for a source code module under development;

determining a current cursor position representing a location in the source code module where the user is currently providing input;

determining input items which are suitable for input in the source code module at the current cursor position;

displaying to the user a list of said suitable input items; and

in response to selection by the user of a particular item from the list, automatically completing input at the current cursor position;

wherein said step of determining input items which are suitable for input in the source code module includes;

determining which variables are within scope for the current cursor position; and

eliminating as a suitable input item any item that is not within scope for the current cursor position; and

wherein said step of determining input items which are suitable for input in the source code module at the current cursor position includes;

compiling the source code module up to the current cursor position.

4. In a development system, a method for assisting a user with inputting source code for a computer program, the method comprising:

detecting a need for assisting the user with input for a source code module under development;

determining a current cursor position representing a location in the source code module where the user is currently providing input;

determining input items which are suitable for input in the source code module at the current cursor position;

displaying to the user a list of said suitable input items; and

in response to selection by the user of a particular item from the list, automatically completing input at the current cursor position;

wherein said step of determining input items which are suitable for input in the source code module includes;

determining which variables are within scope for the current cursor position; and

eliminating as a suitable input item any item that is not within scope for the current cursor position; and

wherein said step of compiling the source code module up to the current cursor position includes;

skipping compilation of any method defined in the source code unless the cursor is currently positioned within the method.

5. In a development system, a method for assisting a user with inputting source code for a computer program, the method comprising:

detecting a need for assisting the user with input for a source code module under development;

determining a current cursor position representing a location in the source code module where the user is currently providing input;

determining input items which are suitable for input in the source code module at the current cursor position;

displaying to the user a list of said suitable input items; and

in response to selection by the user of a particular item from the list, automatically completing input at the current cursor position;

wherein said list of suitable input items includes items which are suitable by virtue of having a nested member which is suitable.