The Source Window


When opening or creating new non-visual or server-side applications the Application Builder switches the display to show the Method Tree, Method Explorer and Source and Definition Windows. These windows give you a complete visual representation of your Java source file.

Source Window

The source window allows the developer to enter and edit the source for methods, constructors, global variables and the class definition. Using the definition window to initially define the skeleton of the method or variable will save the inexperienced programmer valuable time while at the same time ensuring that consistency of the layout is maintained. This allows other developers to more easily understand your code at a later date. The Source Window and Definition Window work in conjunction with each other. If you make changes in one they will be reflected in the other.

Creating Source

Generally it is up to use as the programmer to create the code to perform the functions that you require. JDesignerPro does provide the SQL Wizard to help you with quickly creating the code necessary to interact with a database. The SQL Wizard may be invoked by placing the cursor where you want the new source to go and choosing SQL Wizard from the popup menu that is displayed when you click on the method name in the Method Tree. The SQL Wizard will also create a new method if you do not place the cursor in an existing method. See the SQL Wizard for more information.

Source Helper

The Source Helper is a handy feature that is available in several areas of the Application Builder. It anticipates your moves and displays variable and method names that match what you are typing. See the Source Helper for more information.

Searching through source

The search panel and the bottom of the source window allows you to quickly locate text in the currently displayed method. Use the search backward and search forward buttons to determine which direction from the cursor to search in.

Note that while clicking around in the Explorer window the search text will change to the method or variable name that you select if you click on the description and not the icon. This feature allows you to quickly find where a method accesses another in the source. To do this select a method or variable on the right of the centermost one and then click on the centermost one again and then press the search button to find exactly where that method or variable is accessed. Likewise clicking on the description of a method to the left of the centermost one will put the centermost method name in the search field and display the source for the left method. Pressing the search button will locate exactly where the leftmost method accesses or calls the centermost method.

Displaying/Locating a line number

Because JDesignerPro breaks the source into methods and never displays it as one complete entity it is difficult to find a particular line number in the complete source. In some cases you make have a line number that cam from some debug information. To go to that line number simply enter it in the line number field and press enter. The Application Builder will position you to the method that contains that line and subsequently highlight that line. Likewise when you're moving about in a method the current line number will be displayed. Note that only on the first click into a method will the line number be displayed. Move the cursor with the keyboard to accurately locate the line number.