Re: [Q] Tools for Ada Quality and Style

[re@waporo.muc.de (Rolf Ebert)]

>>>>> "GB" == Geert Bosch <geert@fozzie.sun3.iaf.nl> writes:

GB> Robert Dewar (dewar@cs.nyu.edu) wrote: `` Such tools, to help entry,
GB> are found useful by many people. I find them annoying and completely
GB> useless, they just intefere with my typing speed. If I have to use
GB> one, I prefer Emacs ada-mode to DEC's LSE approach. ''

Nice to hear.

GB> Since I'm working on an IDE for GNAT/OS2 I've evaluated some methods
GB> that were mentioned to help entering Ada code.

GB> My initial approach (although I don't like it myself) was to do the
GB> standard syntax expansion that many editors provide: type 'if' and
GB> the 'then' and 'end if' appear aligned correctly and the writer can
GB> fill in the blanks.

I don't like it either.  That is why we separated statement templates
and the indenting functions in the Emacs mode in two different files
(ada-stmt.el and ada-mode.el).  If you don't want templates, you don't
need to load that file.  (that's why ada-stmt is so buggy.)


[problem description removed] 

GB> And then I do want *some* flexibility in doing the layout.


GB> To solve these problems I've only implemented indentation
GB> support. Having to indent and unindent myself causes most
GB> slow-down. The only drawback I've found so far is that's much harder
GB> to implement then the template approaches. Especially properly

I can feel with you.

GB> aligning begins was really hard, especially if it must be possible
GB> to deal with unfinished code.

[another problem description removed]

GB> Rober Dewar wrote: `` For me I prefer a completely non-intrusive
GB> editor. Other people like an editor which complains to them about
GB> errors as they are entered.  To each their own! ''

One of Emacs' (dis-)advantages is its flexibility.  You can use it
completely non-intrusive, than you must hit special keys for correcting
your indentation (usually TAB) or code expansion, or you can bind for
example the RETURN key to something called `ada-indent-newline-indent',
which first indent the current line, adds a newline and indents the
newly created empty line.

GB> I'm really curious if you are going to find this an improvement or
GB> not.  For me it is in any case, and I'm happy with it. As far as I
GB> know, the indentation rules used fit perfectly with the GNAT style.

I am very happy with the Emacs Ada mode as well :-)

GB> Regards, Geert

GB> -- E-Mail: geert@sun3.iaf.nl *** As far as we know, there have not
GB> been *** Phone: +31-53-4303054 ** any undetected failures in our
GB> software. **

        Rolf