PB Editor Bug

[Jochen Noller]

Hello,
I'm using the new PBx-versions and I'm facing an annoying behaviour. When I scroll with the wheel of my mouse the cursor is not holding it's position, instead it hangs on the top/bottom of the editor window and moves in vertical direction as long as I scroll. When I continue typing I often write characters, where I don't want to. Is anybody else facing this problem or is it related to my mice?
Regards,
Jochen

[Paul Dixon]

Jochen,
it's not your mouse at fault. The editor window behaves that way when it's scrolled using the scroll bars.
I don't know if it's a bug or a feature but the PBCC1.0 editor didn't do it.

Paul.

[Mel Bishop]

First post. Welcome to the board.

Personally, I don't consider that to be a bug per-sey.

Since you already have your hand on the mouse while scrolling, it's real easy to scroll to where you want, place the mouse cursor where you want then click. The editor cursor will then be placed where you want (you might have to use the arrow keys to adjust one or two places) then continue typing.

[Rodney Hicks]

It's not a bug, and it is handy sometimes. It is also why, quite some time ago I sent in a NFS(New Feature Suggestion) for a 'Back' button that would take me back to where I last added text. Of course, the more people that make that suggestion, the more likely it may come to pass.
You too can make an NFS at :[email protected]
Rod

[Jochen Noller]

The problem was in the past, that I often have to look up the definition of some variables/APIs (as the editor didn't have IntelliSense). So I scroll up and then I want to continue typing as I'm doing it in other editors... I think this is not an intended behaviour.
Regards,
Jochen

[Rodney Hicks]

Welcome to PB Jochen Noller!

The cursor issue? is more of a problem for those relatively new to PB, and one of the ways around it is to keep a bookmark(s) close to the part where your programming focus is. I usually keep a bookmark within 15 lines of my focus line.

I think, my opinion only, that the cursor acts the way it does because there is more shifting back and forth during the programming. i.e. Moving the cursor to dim or declare or change variables, as an example.

I kind of like the 'Whereever you go, there you are.' aspect of the cursor, now that I'm used to it, but would still like that 'BACK' button.

Rod

[Jochen Noller]

Hello Rodney,
I think this has nothing to do with PB, it's only related to the Editor. I do not know any editor, who is behaving like this. Especially, when you use the scroll bars, the cursor isn't moving. And you are right. I've often to lookup declarations and definitions. In that case it's annoying, that the cursor is moving. I really like to continue typing without searching the place where I was.
Maybe this topic is only relevant for me, because I'm used to the "normal" editor behaviour of VB or any other editor. Nevertheless I think it's possible to spend a option for this.
Regards,
Jochen

[Adam J. Drake]

I've gotten used to the scrolling cursor and have found it quite handy. I've never noticed it working differently. I believe it is probably intended behavior, but you can always email PB Support and see - [email protected]

[Walter Henn]

I don't wish to get into the semantics of whether this is a bug, intended behavior, or whatever. However, the cursor behavior of the PB editor when using the scroll bar is not in accordance with the Windows convention which retains the cursor position in the document when using the scroll bar and only relocates the cursor within a document when scrolling with the keyboard (arrow keys, page up, page down, etc.) or clicking with the mouse.

In my opinion, this unconventional and unexpected behavior of the PB editor -- a Windows application -- is highly undesirable.

[Rodney Hicks]

While it is unconventional behavior, after searching the forums, this seems to be the only thread that concerns itself with the issue.

Quite some time ago I sent in an NFS for a "BACK" button to address the issue, because I kind of like the cursor being wherever I go in the editor, but I like a link back to where I was as well.

Since it doesn't seem to be a burning issue, nor would I like to see it one, it might make my request something that gets put on the furthest back burner.

Rod

[Roger Garstang]

The problem was in the past, that I often have to look up the definition of some variables/APIs (as the editor didn't have IntelliSense). So I scroll up and then I want to continue typing as I'm doing it in other editors... I think this is not an intended behaviour.
Regards,
Jochen

I experience the same thing and for the same reason you mention above I reported it, but got about the same response. The way it is now is more of a PB-DOS behavior. All other applications I use keep the cursor where I left it and allow me to scroll to find a variable/type/function name and not lose my place, all I have to do is tap an arrow key and my screen scrolls right back to where my cursor was. No need for a Back button...I have yet to see an IDE work like a browser other than searching.

[Bob Zale]

...I reported it, but got about the same response....

That's interesting, Roger. What "same response" do you mean? You seem to be suggesting that PowerBASIC Technical Support isn't answering someone? I don't believe that's correct -- we've searched back months and find no record of any inquiry at all of this type.

Anyway, for the record, the PowerBASIC Editor is working just as it was designed to work. Precisely. A couple of folks here seem to just want to "argue" about it {smile}, but that won't help at all. If you feel you have a better suggestion, please send it (with all the supporting info possible) to [email protected] We review every suggestion very carefully, and do our best to give you the finest product.

Best regards,

Bob Zale
PowerBASIC Inc.

[Jochen Noller]

If you feel you have a better suggestion, please send it (with all the supporting info possible) to [email protected] We review every suggestion very carefully, and do our best to give you the finest product.

Hello Bob,
I've followed your suggestion and send my improvement proposal to your E-Mail-address. I agree to everyone, that if you never have used other editors to code you'll probably find the behaviour of the PB editor o.k. But I really don't know any programming language or editor who is behaving in that way. In the past I've often typed some characters at the wrong place exactly because of this strange behaviour.

As I believe that PB is an improving product I hope you'll follow my suggestion.

Regards,
Jochen

[John Strasser]

Fwiw, one of my "tricks" for big projects is that I have all variable declarations in external files that are then #included into the code as needed.

Handy for things like the constant DIMming of global variables inside subs, etc. Just #Include the relevant file.

Made it easier to do lookups as well - just keep the file open in the IDE or in Notepad and bounce back and forth without losing my place

[Roger Garstang]

You seem to be suggesting that PowerBASIC Technical Support isn't answering someone? I don't believe that's correct -- we've searched back months and find no record of any inquiry at all of this type.

Anyway, for the record, the PowerBASIC Editor is working just as it was designed to work.

Best regards,

Bob Zale
PowerBASIC Inc.

I don't want to "argue" about it, but how does a comment to a thread with only user's responses suggest that I meant PowerBASIC responses?
I meant the same responses that are in the thread...as in no one really concerned about it, etc. That you found no record may have been me getting Forum threads confused with our other "group" discussions. It was probably early 2007 or 2006 if it went back that far. (If I remember right I was even working with Tom on it scrolling right and left with some code I had that when scrolled right to left with certain keystrokes wasn't painting the chars right. And he said something about it working the way it did because of how it was coded, and he was able to fix the issue I had, but couldn't make the cursor go off screen...so it was when he was still on board)

I do know the last half of 2007 myself and others reported the other issue of the IDE chopping off the last pixels of certain chars when Truetype/Cleartype is enabled. I think it may have even been posted here in one for or another. It only seemed to effect Ati Video Cards the most too.

The only reason I bring it up now is because you say it is "working just as it was designed to work" and at the time the reply to that error was close to the same thing in that it uses a RichEdit Control so should behave as all others...but Notepad, Wordpad, Word, and an app I made with both Richedit and a plain Edit control displayed the chars correctly. Just as Notepad, Wordpad, Word, and other 3rd Party Editors I've used all scroll the cursor off screen and leave it where it is (Not within the bounds of the window as the IDE does), so how is that the "designed" behavior of an Richedit/Edit control?

[Walter Henn]

Hello Bob,
I've followed your suggestion and send my improvement proposal to your E-Mail-address...

As I believe that PB is an improving product I hope you'll follow my suggestion.

Regards,
Jochen

Rather than relying on a hope and a prayer (to say nothing about the time before you see any of your suggestions implemented), you might want to look into some other editors (such as Jellyfish Pro, which is free, designed for use with PowerBasic, conforms to the Windows convention of maintaining cursor position while scrolling, and incorporates many fine features).