I've recently had an experience with the JDE project file that I would like
to relate because Paul might want to reconsider the project file
implementation.
First the configuration:
Windows NT 4.0 sp3,
Emacs 20.3.1
JDE 2.1.6beta4
I've had some project files around since I started using JDE back when it
was a version 1 and I've always had problems with them when the JDE
versions changed. Yesterday's problem dealt with using the new
jde-wiz-find-and-import function which is bound to ^C^V^Z, at least
according to the release notes it is. I couldn't understand why sometimes
it would work and sometimes it wouldn't. Instead of getting
jde-wiz-find-and-import I was getting the older function jde-wiz-import.
After a bit of digging through the sources I finally checked the JDE
Project customize settings and found that there was a setting for the
bindings. I had customized many things but never the bindings. However,
some project files had the key bindings from older versions of the JDE.
When I reset the project file to the standard settings the ^C^V^Z key got
the correct value of jde-wiz-find-and-import.
I believe that the project file should not store all the standard settings
plus the customized settings. It should only store the customized values.
This would make upgrading to newer versions of JDE easier. Or there should
be a JDE version number in the project file that would cause JDE to update
old project files or notify you that the old project files need updating.
I've also had problems with project files when the format of the option was
changed. This caused strange EMACS Lisp errors.
At this time I would like to thank Paul and all the others who are making
the EMACS JDE such a pleasure to work with. Using it reenforces my belief
that the other IDE's are leading programers down a dangerous path. Those
IDE's make people believe that it is easy to build a program but they will
find that those programs are very hard to maintain. I believe that the
traditional development environment of EMACS allows you to see the
structure of the program more clearly and thus you will think more about
the structure and produce a better program. It is time to get off the
soapbox.
Erik Husby | VOX: (781)778-3834
Domain Pharma Corporation | FAX: (781)778-3800
10 Maguire Rd | Notes: Erik Husby/PHA/Domain
Lexington, MA 02421 | Internet: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
