Re: JLPEX Editor -- WDSCI-L

Jim Essinger wrote:

Issue 1: When I highlight a block, it is not a block like the CODE editor. I use a-b.t (I assume that means the alt-b combination, please feel free to correct me if I'm wrong!) to start the block.

a-b.t is indeed the definition of Alt+B in the context of the text-edit area. For a full explanation of the key definitions, enter:

?keyAction

on the LPEX command line.

Alt+B sets or extends a *character* block.

According to the help information on the LPEX BASE PROFILE, I found that a-r.t is supposed to do a rectangle, but alt-r brings forth the 'Run' menu.

Yes, this was mentioned before in this newsgroup - unfortunately, the underlying Eclipse R2.0 doesn't give LPEX all the keys it wants... This is fixed in Eclipse R2.1, i.e. upcoming WDSC 5.1.

There is the menu option Edit > Select > Rectangle that starts me off in the right direction, but that is *way* to many key presses to just get the process going. I just found that holding the alt key and dragging the mouse will also highlight the block, but that takes my hands of the keyboard and slows me down.

Actually, holding Alt and *double*-clicking the left mouse button will also set a rectangle block; subsequent dragging of the mouse will extend this rectagular block.

"Select rectangle" is also available on the pop-up (context) menu - it will at least save selecting the "Edit" menu...

Can I get it to block like CODE does? I tried to set the Window > Preferences > LPEX Editor > block settings to "rectangle", which is where it is now, but the editor does not seem to acknowledge my request. Frustration sets in!

The default block setting that you tried to change is for selections which do not specify a particular type (as Alt+B does), like live find's "Select found text" checkbox...

If you're willing to give up on the Alt+B, or use another key combination (that LPEX *does* receive from Eclipse - such as Ctrl+E or Ctrl+T) for rectangle blocks, set it via the "User Key Actions" preference page (for example "Key": c-t, "Action": blockMarkRectangle).

Issue 2: OK, so now the block of text (COBOL program) is highlighted. When I try to shift the highlighted text right or left (F7 and F8?) the editor gives me a cryptic one time message, "The chosen operation is not enabled."

I'm using LPEX right now at home, straight on top of Eclipse (that is without WDSC installed), and F7 and F8 work fine (NOTE: in the "lpex" editor profile) when the selection is rectangle, and 'keep quiet' when the selection is a character block. I don't know who issues this "The chosen operation is not enabled." message?!?!...

In the "seu" editor profile, though, the F7 and F8 keys are defined as page up / down, so you will have to use "Edit" -> "Selected" -> "Shift Selected Text Left / Right". In WDSC 5.1, all the block operations will also appear on the pop-up (context) menu.