Customizing AutoScript
There are four ways to customize AutoScript:
Creating shortcut
keys
AutoScript is easier to use if you create shortcuts for the menu
items that you use frequently.
To modify or create shortcut keys for using
AutoScript
-
Select Tools>Keyboard Shortcuts from the menu bar and
expand the Edit menu in the Keyboard Shortcuts dialog box. -
Scroll down and select Activate AutoScript and type a key
sequence, such as Ctrl+space. -
Expand the Go To menu, select Next Marker, and type a key
sequence, such as Ctrl+M.After you click OK, the shortcuts display in the Edit
menu.
Specifying what displays
in the list
You can select different items to include in three different
contexts:
-
When you have started typing a variable or method name or
the beginning of a PowerScript statement -
When you have typed the name of an object followed by a
dot -
When the cursor is at the beginning of a new line or in
white space
To make these customizations, select Design>Options from the
menu bar and select the AutoScript tab.
The following table shows what is included in the list or pasted
when you check each box.
|
Check box |
Displays |
|---|---|
|
Arguments |
Arguments for the current function or |
|
Local Variables |
Variables defined in the current |
|
Instance Variables |
Variables defined for and associated with an |
|
Shared Variables |
Variables defined for the current object and |
|
Global Variables |
Variables defined for the current |
|
Properties |
Properties for the current object or, after a |
|
Methods |
Functions and events for the current object or, |
|
Statement Templates |
PowerScript statement templates for each type of |
Turning options off reduces the length of the list that displays
when you invoke AutoScript so that it is faster and easier to paste a
completion or insert code into the script:
-
To show all variables and methods when typing, check all the
boxes except Statement Templates in the Partial Name Resolution
Include group box. When you pause or press the Activate AutoScript
shortcut key, the list shows variables and methods that begin with
the string you typed. -
To quickly find functions on an object, clear all the boxes
except Methods in the After A Dot Include group box. When you type
an instance name followed by a dot, only function and event names
for the instance display. -
To see a list of arguments and local variables when the
cursor is in white space, check the Arguments and Local Variables
boxes in the When No Context Include group box. When you press the
Activate AutoScript shortcut key, the list shows only arguments
and local variables.
Using name completion shortens the list
You might not need to clear boxes on the AutoScript page to
reduce the length of the list if you are using name completion and
the Activate AutoScript shortcut key to invoke AutoScript. For
example, suppose you have created an instance called inv_ncst_dssrv
of the class n_cst_dssrv and you know the function you want to use
begins with of_g. Type the following into a script and then press
the Activate AutoScript shortcut key:
|
1 |
inv_ncst_dssrv.of_g |
AutoScript displays a pop-up window showing only the functions
on n_cst_dssrv that begin with of_g.
Using automatic
pop-up
Most of the time you will probably use a shortcut key to invoke
AutoScript, but you can also have AutoScript pop up a list or paste a
selection automatically whenever you pause for several seconds while
typing. To do so, check the Automatic Popup box on the AutoScript
options page. Automatic pop-up does not operate when the cursor is at
the beginning of a line or in white space.
This feature is most useful when you are entering new code. You
can customize the options in the Partial Name Resolution Include and
After A Dot Include group boxes to reduce the number of times
AutoScript pops up.
When you are editing existing code, it is easier to work with
automatic pop-up off. AutoScript might pop up a list or paste a
template for a function when you do not want it to. Using only the
shortcut key to invoke AutoScript gives you complete control.
Using AutoScript only
with dot notation
If you want AutoScript to work only when you have typed an
identifier followed by a dot, check the Activate Only After a Dot box
on the AutoScript options page. The effect of checking this box
applies whether or not you have checked Automatic Popup. You might
find it most useful when you have checked Automatic Popup, because it
provides another way to limit the number of times AutoScript pops up
automatically.