Using IAction::setAccelerator does not work as expected - swt

I face an issue regarding keyboard shortcuts using JFace IAction and setAccelerator(). My sample code:
menuAction.setAccelerator(SWT.CTRL | 'A');
The keyboard shortcut CtrlL+A is not recognised within my application.

To my knowledge, the accelerator property of an IAction only carries the information which key shortcut should be used.
The actual implementation that captures key shortcuts and executes matching actions is not part of JFace or at least not active by default. Some bits and pieces that are part of Platform/UI make it work in the workbench.
To see what is actually needed to make accelerators work in a standalone JFace application, you should follow the call to ExternalActionManager.ICallback::isAcceleratorInUse() in ActionContributionItem ~ line 825.
If this doesn't lead to a solution, you can still add a display filter to invoke the respective actions for a key shortcut (see also SWT Actions with Keyboard Shortcuts... without having to add them to the menu).

Don't forget to add this action menuAction to your menu manager and after applying all you stuffs you must to update the menu manager. Call updateAll(true) method on your menu manager. This update is required because the menu manager didn't notice your accelerator assignment yet!

Related

Folder View Focus Disable Automatic Search

I would like to change the automatic find that happens when the Explorer Folder View is in focus:
Steps to reproduce (provided you have default bindings):
Open a workspace with files
Focus on the folders view
Start typing anything
This is to find files based on what you type (notice the find query in the top right) and the arrow keys skip to them. I would like to remap this feature to something like Ctrl+F (with a 'when expression', if possible) that way I can use other shortcuts for things like adding a new file. If this can not be remapped, I'm ok with disabling it, provided that's allowed.
I used to have the atom keymap extension that changed this but I removed it so I would be forced to learn all the default shortcuts so when I go into work I wouldn't be phased no matter what device I am on
I was looking through the atom keymap repo and found a comment on the main js file about 'new explorer filtration'. Interesting to see documentation being useful :p Anyways, I noticed they added a context setting so I changed the following user setting:
workbench.list.automaticKeyboardNavigation = false
Controls whether keyboard navigation in lists and trees is automatically triggered simply by typing. If set to false, keyboard navigation is only triggered when executing the list.toggleKeyboardNavigation command, for which you can assign a keyboard shortcut
We need either better setting id naming conventions or better ways to find settings, especially now that the list has grown substantially. I would have never guessed this would be the name of the setting, or list.toggleKeyboardNavigation being a trigger, since you aren't actually navigating

Inject OnClick Event into running EXE

Is it possible with some program to to send an OnClick Event eg: MenuNewClick (File New) or others.
I have an application that has no Keyboard shortcuts.
When I use a Resource Editor I can see the Delphi Forms for each OnClick Event I need.
I would just like to be able to send these OnClick Events with Keyboard Shortcuts into the running exe.
Have used apps like Darker's Enabler, EDA Preview that allow you to modify the layout of a running exe.
Possible ?
Even this forum has options "Keyboard shortcuts
Enable keyboard shortcuts (when enabled, press ? for help)"
Thanks.
If the application is indeed made with Delphi and if it uses default TMainMenu component you could modify the RCData in which the .dfm is stored (this data alows you to view the form and its properties with programs like PE Exporer and similar) in a way that you change the AutoHotkeys property of TMainMenu to maAutomatic and then change ShortCut property of each menu item to contain proper keyboard shortcut.
If you have access to Delphi I recomend you first make an example application which will have all available shourctuts implemented so you could comparison the RCData between these two applications and made necessary changes.
NOTE: What I'm suggesting will require editing the EXE resource data so make sure you are working on a copy of the exe and not on the real one so you don't break your application.

Key binding to popup menu item in eclipse Helios?

In our project at work, they have written one plug-in for eclipse helios. They have used the
objectContribution for adding the popups and written respective action classes for them.
I am trying to add the shortcut key for one of the popup menu item in project explorer.
But I read here http://www.eclipse.org/forums/index.php/mv/tree/172398/#page_top that there is no way to call key bindings from objectContribution and need to migrate it to handlers/commands.
Is there any other way to bind keys to popups instead of migrate them to handlers?
Thanks in advance!!
No, objectContributions cannot accept keybindings. From legacy action extension points, only actionSets accept keybindings correctly.
The other option available (as mentioned) is to provide a handler for the command you want. The handler won't interfere with the objectContribution behaviour (the objectContribution action delegate class will still be called directly from the menu item, the handler would be called when using a keybinding).
PW

How can I make my Eclipse RCP app's keyboard shortcuts (accelerators) work immediately after startup?

Our Eclipse RCP application was originally built in the 3.1/3.2 era and was running on 3.2 until we switched to 3.6 recently. Its IApplication runs via PlatformUI.createAndRunWorkbench(...). The WorkbenchAdvisor we pass to that function overridescreateWorkbenchWindowAdvisor(...) to return a WorkbenchWindowAdvisor whose createActionBarAdvisor(...) returns an ActionBarAdvisor.
This ActionBarAdvisor's makeActions(...) creates and register()s a bunch of org.eclipse.jface.action.Actions, many of which do things like setAccelerator(SWT.CTRL | 'O'); in their constructors. The Actions are subsequently installed in the ActionBarAdvisor's fillMenuBar(...) and fillCoolBar(...) methods.
The problem we are having (now that we are on Eclipse RCP 3.6) is that these accelerators don't seem to be active until their menus are shown (even if no action is taken besides closing the menu again).
We see a relevant bug but are having some difficulty understanding how to apply its remedy to our situation. We recognize that instead of Actions we "ought" to be using commands, handlers, and key bindings. But we're hoping we don't have to go down that path just yet.
How can we make our accelerators "live" as soon as the application starts up?
If you don't choose to use o.e.ui.bindings extension point, then there isn't a better way. You should only force update the menuManager yourself as you have done in your answer.
As #Prakash mentioned, if you want to keep down that path in your RCP app you must render all of the main menus to see your accelerators.
There is a partial upgrade path that will get you on the right track to commands without forcing a complete switch over right away. For each action in your menu, define a command with an id and define a binding to the shortcut you want in your plugin.xml. Then, when you create the action in your ActionBarAdvisor, don't set the accelerator. Set the IAction.setActionDefinitionId(*) to the command id, can call register(action);
Then you no longer need to use menuManager.updateAll(true) to eagerly render all of your main menu.
After hunting around and experimenting a bit trying to apply the advice from the bug, we added the following to our WorkbenchWindowAdvisor, which seems to have done the trick:
#Override
public void postWindowCreate() {
getWindowConfigurer().getActionBarConfigurer().getMenuManager().updateAll(true);
}
We have no idea how well this fits with the Workbench's design expectations; there could be a better way.

Useful Eclipse features? [closed]

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I have been using Eclipse as an IDE for a short amount of time (about 3 months of full use) and almost every day I learn about some shortcut or feature that I had absolutely no idea about. For instance, just today I learned that Ctrl+3 was the shortcut for a Quick Access window.
I was wondering what your most useful/favorite Eclipse features are. With the IDE being so big, it would be helpful to learn about the more commonly used parts of the program.
My most commonly used features are
ctrl+1 quick-fix / spell-checker
opening files
ctrl+shift+t load class file by classname
ctrl+shift+r load any file by filename
matches are made on the start of the class/filename. start your search pattern with a * to search anywhere within the filename/classname.
Formatting
ctrl+shift+f Format source file
(set up your formatting style in Window | preferences | java | code style | formatter)
ctrl+shift+o Organise imports
Generated code
alt+s,r to generate getters and setters
alt+s,v to insert method signatures for overidden methods from superclass or interface
Refactorings
alt+shift+l Extract text-selection as local variable (really handy in that it determines and inserts the type for you.
alt+shift+m Extract text-selection as a method
alt+shift+i inline selected method
Running and debugging.
alt+shift+x is a really handy prefix to run stuff in your current file.
alt+shift+x, t run unit tests in current file
alt+shift+x, j run main in current file
alt+shift+x, r run on server
There are more. The options are shown to you in the lower-right popup after hitting alt+shift+x.
alt+shift+x can be switched for alt+shift+d in all the above examples to run in the debugger.
Validation
As of the recent Ganymede release, you can now switch of validation in specified files and folders. I've been waiting for this feature for ages.
Go to Project | Properties | Validation
click on the ... button in the settings column of the validator you want to shut up
Add a rule to the exclude group
code navigation
hold down ctrl to make all variables, methods and classnames hyperlinks to their definitions.
alt+left to navigate back to where you clicked ctrl
alt+right to go "forwards" again
This is cool: If someone has emailed you a stack trace, you can copy and paste the stack trace into Eclipse's Console window. You can then click on class names in the stack trace as if your own code had generated it.
In terms of actual features, rather than shortcuts, I strongly recommend taking a look at Mylyn.
It essentially skins Eclipse with a task focussed view. It tracks the files you touch when working on a task, and focusses many aspects of the UI onto the resources that it decides are relevant to the job in hand. Eclipse can be somewhat busy to look at, especially with a big multi module project, and Mylyn helps cut through the cruft. The connectivity to issue tracking software and source control repositories is also excellent.
In my experience, it polarises opinion amongst those who try working with it, which is probably a sign that it is offering something interesting... Don't mean to sound like a fanboy - it is definitely worth a look though.
A shortcut that I use everyday is Ctrl+K. In your editor (not only Java file), simply select a text (like a variable, a function, etc.), and then use this shortcut to go to the next occurrence of this text in the current editor.
It's faster than using the Ctrl+F shortcut...
Note also that you can use Ctrl+Shift+K to search backwards.
Ctrl-Alt (up/down) Copy selected line(s) above or below current line.
Alt (up/down) Move current (or multiple selected) lines up or down
Ctrl-Shift-R Bring up the resource window, start typing to find class/resource
Ctrl-O Bring up all methods and fields for the current class. Hitting it again will bring up all methods and fields for current class and super classes.
Ctrl-/ or Ctrl-Alt-C Comment single or multiple lines with //
Ctrl-Shift-/ Comment selected lines with /* */
Ctrl-. Take you to the next error or warning line
CTRL+PAGE DOWN / CTRL+PAGE UP to switch between opened editors
CTRL+E to also switch between opened editors (allows to type the name)
CTRL+O is extremely important for me. You don't longer need the Outline View then (you can close it which will give you more space). Then, you can type a method name or just the beginning of it and you quickly can get to it. I also use it to inspect what stuff is available. For example: CTRL+O and then type get ... now I see all getters.
F3 while an element is selected in the code: brings you to its definition or it's source. e.g. used on a method call it brings you into the source code of that method.
CTRL+M to maximize the current window
As already said, CTRL+3 is extremely good. It basically allows you to use Eclipse completely without a mouse. Just type CTRL+3 and then package explorer for example.
CTRL+F8 cycle trough perspectives
CTRL+L allows to type a line number and brings you directly to that line.
CTRL+SHIFT+G searches for all references to the selected element in the workspace.
And not a shortcut: In the project settings under Java Editor you can find Save Actions. This allows you to set up the project so that the code is automatically cleaned up and formatted when you save a file. That's very good it safes you from constantly pressing CTRL+O and CTRL+F.
Eclipse auto refresh isn't on by default so if you make changes to a file outside of eclipse, the change won't be reflected in your build. this is very annoying if you just did an svn/git update/rebase and things aren't working the way they're supposed to.
Turn it on in windows->preferences->workspace and tick Refresh Automatically.
Local History
It's a great feature. Eclipse has its own mini-CVS for all files in a project. If you want to revert some change you made, or even restore deleted file - you can right click on the project and select "Restore from Local History".
Just saved my ass *tears of joy*
CTRL+Shift+P to jump to the matching bracket/parenthesis.
One key feature: Shift+Alt+T for the refactoring menu.
Ctrl-shift-T, but only type the initial characters (and even a few
more) of the class you're looking
for. For example, you can type
"NetLi" to find NetworkListener
In the Search window, Ctrl-. takes you to the first leaf of a tree branch
Alt-/ is Word Completion. Slightly different from Ctrl-space
CTRL+SHIFT+X selected text becomes UPPERCASE
CTRL+SHIFT+Y selected text becomes lowercase
I'd like to add two additional shortcuts:
CTRL+F6 Switch between open editors (CTRL+SHIFT+F6 to scroll through the list in the opposite direction)
CTRL+F11 start program in debug mode
F11 start program in normal mode
A lot of the key bindings depend on the perspective and view currently active.
My most used ones for the Java perspective:
ctrl-shift-r open resource
ctrl-shift-t open type
ctrl-1 quick fix/refactor
ctrl-j incremental search
ctrl-h search in files (select a base directory and set scope to selected resources)
ctrl-o list methods
ctrl-alt-h open call hierarchy
ctrl-shift-l list shortcut keys
hit ctrl-shift-l again to go directly to preferences to change key mappings
I am also a fan of Eclipse, however since I spend a majority of my time in Visual Studio, I will suggest that you read Eric Sink's series of articles "C# to Java" (parts 1-4). Not only is Eric always an entertaining read, but this brief series covers some awesome Eclipse insight for those who have not been into Eclipse or have been away from it for a while:
From C# to Java: Part 1
From C# to Java: Part 2
From C# to Java: Part 3
From C# to Java: Part 4
Ctrl-Shift-M while the cursor is on a class name in your java file, will specifically add that and only that class to your imports. This is different from Ctrl-Shift-O which will not only add those imports not already defined, but will also remove imports not currently needed, something you might not necessarily want to do.
I forgot about [Ctrl+2 -> r] scope variable rename. Place the cursor in the variable you wish to rename, press Ctrl+2, then r, then type the new name watching all instances of that variable get renamed at the same time.
It's awesome at refactoring Hungarian Notation.
alt-shift-a is extremely useful in a few situations.
I use a lot of the above and also like for quick search: CTRL+J then type what I am looking for, then CTRL+K for next occurrence.
Lately I've been using the MouseFeeds plugin to automatically tell me what the key stroke combinations are. That way by repetition I remember them better.
This link has a better picture and description of what it looks like and does.
Shift+Alt+b for the simple navigation row over the editor.
I've just released this blog post about Top 5 Useful Hidden Eclipse Features. It contains:
Favorites: Types and members that will always show up in auto-completion
The awesome block selection mode: For multi-line editing
The EGit staging view: Much better than git itself
Type filters: To remove awt and java.lang.Object stuff from auto-completion
Formatter tags: To delimit code sections that shouldn't be auto-formatted
Alt+left and Alt+ right will navigate you forward and back.
I find the project-specific settings useful in Eclipse 3.3.
For example, if you have several developers working on a project who have different code styles for curly braces, line spacing, number of imports etc. then you can specify the style settings for the project. Then you can configure the save actions so that the code is automatically formatted when a file is saved. The result is everyone's code is formatted the same before it's checked in.