Allows the developer to view and edit an entire
class definition in one view. The class definition and all of its fields and methods are
shown just as they would be seen in an exported .java file. If any methods are modified
(either directly or as a result of applied formatting), only the
methods that were changed will have a new edition created for themselves. Likewise, if
only the class definition is modified, it will be the only element with a new edition
created. If methods are added, they will appear in the members list of the class just as
if they had been added via normal means. Methods may not be deleted in whole class view by
default. To delete a method, simply click on it in the members view and select Delete. If
you wish to delete or replace methods in whole class edit mode, then make sure to turn on
the "Allow method deletion and replacement" option.
Note that compilation errors are not shown in
whole class view mode and the setting of breakpoints is not available. If you wish to
review the errors associated with a method or set breakpoints in a method, click on the
method individually.
Whole class view mode is also supported in the
Repository Explorer. With this on, you can easily see the full code for any edition of any
class in the repository.
This option may be configured via the "VA
Assist | Code Viewing" options page. The class' methods may be optionally formatted
(indented, formatted, ordered, etc.) using the formatting options available on the "VA Assist | Export" options page.
Note that if you choose to
format your class code according to your export format settings, this may cause all of the
methods in the class to appear changed the first time you view and edit a class (causing
new editions of each to be created). Once the reformatted methods have been saved the
first time, subsequent edits in whole class edit mode will not cause any new editions to
be created (since they will already have been formatted according to your specifications).
When viewing large classes while connected to
either a remote repository or via a slow local connection, you may perceive a perceptible
delay when clicking on a class (while the source of each method is retrieved). To options
are available to help control this. The first, "Alt key inverts whole class view
mode", allows you to temporarily turn whole class view mode on and off (based upon
the overall setting) when clicking on a class (note that direct
editing of classes is disabled when this option is enabled). The second, "Only when N or fewer
method", allows you to set a cutoff above which whole class view mode will turn off.
This value may be set from 1-999 (zero turns it off).
