SnlEditor

= SNL Editor = '''Purpose: Editor for the State Notation Language (SNL)'''

The State Notation Language is a superset of the C language, used for programming EPICS-based IOCs. The SNL perspective aids in editing through syntax highlighting, display of problems, code completion and outline-based navigation in the source code.BR A brief introduction for using the SNL Development perspective follows.

== SNL Development Perspective == Open the SNL Development perspective (resetting it if appropriate) so your display has a layout similar to this one:BR

Image(SNL Developer Perspective.png)BR

== Install Samples == Install the samples via CSS menu:BR

Image(SNL Menu Install Sample Projects.png)BR

Then you will find the SNL Demo Project in the Navigator View.

== Import existing source files == You may as well import your own source files. If you want to do so, first create an SNL Project with the help of its wizardBR

Image(SNL Create Project.png)BR

and import your files using the Import menu of the navigatorBR

Image(SNL Navigator Import.png)BR

followed by the selection of the Import WizardBR

Image(SNL Navigator Import from File System.png)BR

and eventually chosing your files and the newly created project as the destination.

== Editing == Now double click a file containing source code from the navigator. The editor will open. Positoning of the cursor is now reflected in the outline. You may navigate using the outline as well.BR

Image(SNL Editor And Outline With Selection.png)BR

Code Completion (triggered by Ctrl-Space as usual) helps in editing:BR

Image(SNL Editor Code Completion.png)BR

== Problem View == Now let us have a look at the problem view. You may want to filter its output to stay focused:BR

Image(SNL Problem View Filter.png)BR

The problem view shows warnings or errors which can be determined through syntactical analysis. Update occurs after saving the source file. Double-clicking an entry in the problem view navigates to the location in the source file.BR

Image(SNL Problem View Error.png)BR

== Editing history == Even though you are not connected to a source code repository, a limited amount of version management is available.BR

Image(SNL Editor Show History.png)BR

The History View will open, giving you access to previous versions. For example, select the versions you want to compare and start a comparison:BR

Image(SNL Editor Select For Comparison.png)BR

Now you can review your changes:BR

Image(SNL Editor Differ.png)BR

The actual amount of source code which is stored in the local history is a matter of preferences.

== Compilation (not yet available) == Finally your source code will be ready to be compiled. However, this is currently not supported (for non-DESY versions).

== Documentation == Documentation for the State Notation Language is available from the Argonne National Laboratory at the EPICS Home http://www.aps.anl.gov/epics/