So I'm trying Eclipse again, because I'm wanting to integrate it with
Subversion so that I can provide the extra information along with the
templates for all my CF projects (primarily onTap framework projects
of course).
I say again: rarely have I ever seen an application so BLATANTLY
difficult to use... you might say, INTENTIONALLY difficult to use.
I open a CF template to edit. I change some text, I hit Ctrl+Z and as
expected that's the default shortcut for "undo". So I try Ctrl+Shift+Z
(which is at this point so deeply seeded in my behavior it would be
difficult for me to change) and discover it's associated with "Insert
Color" instead of "Redo". I check the pull-down menu and discover Redo
is associated with Ctrl+Y. But I rarely use or rarely would use
"insert color".
"Not a problem" I think to myself, "shortcut keys are always
editable." Little did I know that changing the shortcut keys in
eclipse would require a doctorate in quantum theory.
So I open the preferences and I select General > Editors > Keys ...
Ignoring the fact that "Keys" could mean FREAKING ANYTHING, I'm
greeted by what appears to be a reasonable list of the current
shortcut key configuration. I sort them by command and find "Redo" in
the list. I select Redo and press the Edit key.
This is the point at which it becomes really interesting (or more to
the point, really FREAKING STUPID). Shortcut keys have several
properties:
Command = what it does
Key Sequence = self explanatory
Category = Seemingly random/arbitrary categorization
When = the context in which the key is relevant, i.e. when editing
text, when debugging, etc. (who thought "when" was a good name for
this?)
Editing the selected shortcut key entry moves you over to the "Modify"
tab and selects the appropriate values in several select/combo lists.
In addition to these are two "Assignments" lists -- one in a "Command"
fieldset, and another in a "Key Sequence" fieldset, so you can see the
shortcuts associated with both the command and the key sequence
simultaneously. And of course, the context (otherwise known as "when"
- stupid stupid stupid... did I mention stupid?), exists so that you
can have one shortcut sequence which performs different tasks in
different contexts, i.e. Ctrl+Apetite suppresses your appetite when
you're editing text, and orders the salad when you're out at a
restaurant. Fine.
(The Modify tab also highlights the fact that the previous tab didn't
include a "Scheme" property which can be "default" or "emacs" -- yes,
I know what this is, I'm just perturbed that there's no mention of it
on the previous list tab.)
So I go to edit the key sequence to change it from Ctrl+Y to Ctrl+Z
and for starters, I have to wage a DARING COMMANDO RAID on the
freaking INPUT element (which has been cleverly disguised with the
label "Name").
After struggling with it for several moments, I finally figure out
that if I carefully place the cursor with the mouse and then select
the backspace key, I can remove the original key selection. But... I
can't simply change the key sequence and update it... no that would
border on user-friendliness, and that simply WON'T DO. So instead I
have to select the "Remove" button... which removes the selected
command/key-sequence combination from the selected context ("when") in
the Assigments lists.
Now that the Ctrl+Y/Redo association is gone, I add Ctrl+Z/Redo to the
"In Windows" context (apparently this is the default and I assume it
means "everywhere"). I hit apply and go back to editing to discover
that my changes had no effect.
So, determined to have my shortcut keys, I return to the preferences,
I seek out the offending command ("insert color") and I remove the
Ctrl+Shift+Z/Insert-Color association. I apply my changes again and
return to the editor where I discover that, in spite of the fact that
there is now only ONE shortcut command for Ctrl+Shift+Z which is not
"insert color" and ZERO shortcut commands for "Insert Color", pressing
Ctrl+Shift+Z CONTINUES to prompt the Insert Color command.
It's not until I return to the preferences and add an ADDITIONAL
Ctrl+Shift+Z/Redo association in the "Editing Text" context ("when")
and apply changes that Ctrl+Shift+Z finally accomplishes a Redo in the
editor.
Welcome to FREAKING Java: Requiring doctoral degrees for trivial tasks
since 1980-someodd...
s. isaac dealey 954.522.6080
new epoch : isn't it time for a change?
add features without fixtures with
the onTap open source framework
http://www.fusiontap.com
http://coldfusion.sys-con.com/author/4806Dealey.htm
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