Macro editing tip - matching braces

[Meeply]

Small tip now that I have started creating, editing and reading macros.

I use Visual Studio to edit macro files. Any version from at least VC++ 6.0 up to the latest version of VS has one very nifty feature that I have used for many years to help read or prevent (, {, [ matching errors.

If you put the caret on one of these symbols, the editor will match it up the corresponding one if it can. To find or check the matching ( or ) for example, just use the keys or mouse to put the caret directly in front of or behind the brace/paren you want to match and press Ctrl-] (that's Control end square brace.) If it can find a matching one it will move the caret to the matching one. This works for both opening and closing "brackets/braces/parens". Hitting that key combination again will put you back where you started.

I'm not saying VS is the absolute best editor out there. I have seen others that can highlight and color various text and syntax, but if you use VS anyway, it's a very nice tool to have.

Good luck!

 

[ChatWithThisName]

You can achieve the same results using Notepad++ with a few settings. Personally, I use my own language file with a function list setting (provided by CTaylor to me) along with a series of custom color settings.

 

[vivviv]

You can achieve the same results using Notepad++ with a few settings. Personally, I use my own language file with a function list setting (provided by CTaylor to me) along with a series of custom color settings.

View attachment 14152

Id like to set this up in notepad++, can you provide a howto?

 

[eqtrader74]

Not sure this has all the color set up, but here is Add some style to your Notepad ++ (MQ2 file settings.)

 

[ChatWithThisName]

https://www.redguides.com/community...-and-inc-files?p=350526&viewfull=1#post350526

is correct. That should link you to post #13

As far as the colors settings goes that's not something I can store in a file to give you that I know of. I'll see if I can sort out a walkthrough on color setup the way I have it for background and bracing.

 

[ChatWithThisName]

In notepad++ top bar click on

Settings ~> Style Configurator to get the color settings window.


Language: Global Styles and Style: Global Override
change the background to black/dark color of your choice to go with the color scheme.


Language: Global Styles and Style: Default Style
Foreground: Dark Orange
Background: Black


Language: Global Styles and Style: Indent Guideline
Foreground: Grey
Background: White

Language: Global Styles and Style: Brace Highlight Style
Foreground: Black
Background: Neon Green

Language: Global Styles and Style: Bad Brace Color
Foreground: Light Yellow
Background: Red

Language: Global Styles and Style: Current Line Background
Foreground: ------
Background: Dark blue? Pick a color that is lighter than the background, but goes well with the color scheme.

Language: Global Styles and Style: Indent Guideline
Foreground: -----
Background: Medium Blue

Language: Global Styles and Style: Caret Color
Foreground: Purple
Background: ----

Language: Global Styles and Style: Edge Color
Foreground: Sky Blue
Background: ----

Language: Global Styles and Style: Line Number Margin
Foreground: Grey
Background: Black

Language: Global Styles and Style: Smart Highlighting
Foreground: ----
Background: Light Purple


Should be the only changes that need to be made.

 

[Meeply]

Yes but you can't debug in Notepad++ no matter how pretty it looks.

I also believe VS is configurable for colors, spacing. indenting and even help lookup functions that could refer back to the MQ2 wiki's appropriate page if someone wanted to do that work. Like I said, wasn't necessarily the best editor (without the customizations) but for those that do use it, here's a trick.