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Re: String issues
Posted: Wed Jul 29, 2020 1:26 am
by JackieBlue1970
FourthWorld wrote: ↑Tue Jul 28, 2020 6:41 pm
- Use a field, as you've done.
- Use the simple "put" command, to display in the Message Box
- Use the debugger, designed for exactly this sort of observation.
I have used the debugger some but find it cumbersome for this purpose, when I want to just observe the variable for a test.
Re: String issues
Posted: Wed Jul 29, 2020 2:03 am
by dunbarx
Hi.
It is true that setting a breakpoint to view a variable requires looking at another window, and stopping execution. But for me, the advantages of knowing exactly where the variable's value was loaded far outweighs these small encumbrances. And stopping execution is desirable, since if I want to know what the variables are up to, I am usually already trying to track something down.
But even more useful is that if you explicitly open a variable in its own window, that window stays open (it is just a stack). So you can run your handler again, and see any changes directly.
Craig
Re: String issues
Posted: Wed Jul 29, 2020 6:15 am
by jacque
The debugger is my first choice when I want to see variable values, because I don't have to change the scripts and then remember to remove the debugging lines afterwards. Even if I forget to remove the breakpoints, they won't trigger in a standalone because there is no debugger there.
On the other hand, it's easy to remove all the red dot breakpoints at once, in all open stacks, just by choosing a menu item when any script is open.
I generally work with scripts open on one side of the monitor and my stack(s) on the other. It's easy to move between debugging and running that way.
Re: String issues
Posted: Wed Jul 29, 2020 8:31 am
by richmond62
I generally work with scripts open on one side of the monitor and my stack(s) on the other. It's easy to move between debugging and running that way.
Indeed: I have a Mac Mini with 3 monitors:
1. Stack slap-dead-centre.
2. Script(s) open to the left.
3. LiveCode Dictionary on the right.
4. Cup of coffee on the table in front of the monitors.
Re: String issues
Posted: Wed Jul 29, 2020 5:58 pm
by stam
richmond62 wrote: ↑Wed Jul 29, 2020 8:31 am
1. Stack slap-dead-centre.
2. Script(s) open to the left.
3. LiveCode Dictionary on the right.
Yeh that is the kind of set up needed; coding on a laptop isn't remotely as comfortable.
I suppose i could add a screen but that would mean getting off the couch
Regarding the OP's post... i too have been stung by the idiosyncrasies of LiveCode. I don't dislike it, it's just very very different to more common languages.
With most 'traditional' languages there are many syntactical similarities - sort of like learning French if you can already speak Italian and English... It's similar enough to those that you can build on your experience.
But linguistically there are languages which use a different way of saying things - sort of like asking for the time in Swedish (literally 'What's the time?" would translate to "How much is she?" is Swedish). Then add a completely different alphabet as well (like Greek/Cyrillic) and you're really stuck.
Thankfully between the documentation, website and this forum, most issues can be quickly answered -- so props to you guys for helping us LiveCode newbies
Re: String issues
Posted: Wed Jul 29, 2020 8:44 pm
by richmond62
the idiosyncrasies of LiveCode
Oh, as, aiblins, the idiosyncrasies of FORTH, FORTRAN an COBOL: ilka leid has its ain 'idiosyncrasies,' an your
stramash anent LiveCode is juist bein subjective.
Then add a completely different alphabet as well (like Greek/Cyrillic) and you're really stuck.
Защо? Нямам проблем с Лaтиница или с ЛайвКод . . . това е глупосте!
אתא מישוגעד
Re: String issues
Posted: Thu Jul 30, 2020 4:54 am
by kdjanz
Yeh that is the kind of set up needed; coding on a laptop isn't remotely as comfortable.
I suppose i could add a screen but that would mean getting off the couch
One benefit of Catalina is that your iPad becomes a wonderful second screen to the MacBook. Perch the iPad on the arm of the couch and leave the computer in your lap and you are off to the races.
At my desk, I already have a big external screen, so adding the iPad brings me into the the blessed three screen Nirvana like the elite!
But I can’t do that on the couch... 8-(
Kelly
Re: String issues
Posted: Thu Jul 30, 2020 6:53 am
by richmond62
the blessed three screen Nirvana like the elite
Emphasis added.
If 3 screens fished out of dustbins put me in the elite, I'm yer man!
Re: String issues
Posted: Thu Jul 30, 2020 7:03 am
by FourthWorld
stam wrote: ↑Wed Jul 29, 2020 5:58 pm
richmond62 wrote: ↑Wed Jul 29, 2020 8:31 am
1. Stack slap-dead-centre.
2. Script(s) open to the left.
3. LiveCode Dictionary on the right.
Yeh that is the kind of set up needed; coding on a laptop isn't remotely as comfortable.
Most of my work is done on a dual-screen setup, but when I'm on the road or the porch I use a small laptop at 1360x768, the most popular resolution for the last several years.
At some point it occurred to me that the key isn't necessarily to have everything visible at once, but to have it visible
when you need it. And when you do, it must be instantly available; no hunting through menus, no remembering keyboard shortcuts, but something big and clear like an oversized button.
But then the trick is to make the button not only large enough to be easy to hit, but just small enough to fit all the ones you need on screen at once, in a slender layout.
And thus
devolution was born:
After much experimentation for more than a year, I finally settled on the size and layout shown there, just short enough to fit well at 768p but big enough to make working on a large monitor that much better. Of course since editing scripts is where we spend most of our time, that button is bigger. But the rest are sized generously enough to rapid access, and the tool includes options to hide all of LC's tools at startup, so you have your screen real estate devoted to your project.
You can read more about
devolution here:
https://fourthworld.com/products/devolution/index.html
It's free to use with source available, and auto-updates when a new version is available (I'm working on another update as we speak).
Re: String issues
Posted: Thu Jul 30, 2020 3:46 pm
by stam
Wow that looks amazing! Will definitely check it out when I’m back at my laptop, thank you!
Re: String issues
Posted: Fri Jul 31, 2020 3:27 am
by stam
Having checked out
Devolution, i really do like it -- it's truly a well thought out utility and I can see how the will become indispensable for laptop use... great job!
Quick question as i'm still learning LC - how do i access the source code?
Also - what's the correct forum for some minor feedback and feature requests?