Debugging and the execution path

[Jerry Daniels]

Colleagues,

I'm encouraged by your enthusiasm for an embedded var watcher in  
Constellation to replace the Rev Var watcher palette that we now use.

Here's what I'm proposing to do:

- inclusion of an embedded var watcher in Constellation as opposed to  
using Rev's as a separate palette

- new var watcher general behavior

      + only appears during debugging session
      + props and preview disappear during debugging session
      + new var watcher appears where props and preview would  
normally appear
      + new var watcher automatically appears during debugging session
      + new var watcher automatically disappears when debugging  
session is over
      + props and preview reappear when debugging session is over

- new var watcher features

      + calling path
          = drop down menu at top with calling path item in each line  
of menu
          = type of handler will be indicated in path item
          = path syntax will be like transcript syntax
          = choosing a calling path will reconstruct its context  
showing its vars and values

      + var names
          = name will appear in first column
          = if var is an array, a disclosure triangle will precede
          = clicking array disclosure triangle will reveal element  
keys and values

      + var values
          = first 100 chars and/or first line of var value will appear
          = values will be links
          = clicking link will make entire value of var editable
          = array elements will be editable in same fashion when  
disclosed

I have been somewhat reluctant to do this because most of this  
functionality is in Rev's var watcher. However, the approach outlined  
above, does offer several advantages, and hearing from folks so  
enthusiastically offers me encouragement.

I appreciate the offer of additional monies for upgrade, and  
certainly won't turn down paypal donations (paypal button at http:// 
www.daniels-mara.com). That said, spreading the word "amongst  
yourselves" and thus increasing Constellation market share would be  
an excellent tribute (payment) for this boon (embedded variable  
watcher) and future improvements.

Reminder: Constellation still only costs 50 dollars US. That's a  
cheap dinner for two in any major metro area. If you live in your  
mom's (or your wife's!) basement, she spends that kind of money on  
your food every couple of days.

Happy Holidays!

Jerry Daniels

Tool makers for the 21st century
http://www.daniels-mara.com/products

P.S. Dick, please send your install-again-for-each-rev-version hack  
to me (better rename it so Rev doesn't go bonkers), so I can see  
what  you're talking about.


On Dec 21, 2005, at 6:43 PM, Dick Kriesel wrote:

> I have an install-again-for-each-rev-version hack that does some of  
> this in
> the Rev Variable Watcher.  If you'd like to see it, let me know.  I  
> hope
> you'll extend Constellation with a new variable watcher.  I'm even  
> willing
> in principle to pay an upgrade fee for it.
>
> -- Dick