Exercise 3.2: Changing default editor settings

Before you begin, you must complete Exercise 3.1: Introducing the editor.

The LPEX Editor has predefined settings, but also has an associated preferences page containing settings that you can modify. The name of the category is LPEX Editor and it appears in the left pane of the Preferences window.
LPEX Editor Preferences

You will change the default settings of Appearance and User Key Actions.

Changing the editor appearance

  1. In the left pane of the Preferences window, expand LPEX Editor.
  2. Select Appearance under LPEX Editor.
  3. Select formatLine under the Styles list.
  4. Change the Foreground color to dark green.
  5. Change Font to 12.
  6. Change Background color to light green.

    Notice how your changes are reflected in the sample edit view.
    Sample edit view

  7. Select currentLine under the Styles list.

    This option highlights the line that the cursor is on. The option applies to all source files opened in the editor area.

  8. Change the Background color to light yellow.
  9. If you don't like the changes you made, you can click Restore Defaults to return to the original settings.

Modifying the default behavior of the Enter key

To modify the default behavior of the Enter key to split the current line in the source instead of creating a new line:

  1. Expand LPEX Editor if not already expanded then select User Key Actions.
    Set user key actions
  2. Type enter in the Key field.
    Note:
    The Key and Action fields are case sensitive. Make sure that the values typed in the Key and Action fields are exactly as shown above.
  3. Type splitLine in the Action field.
  4. Click Set.
  5. Click OK on the Preferences window.

    Return to the Editor window.

Seeing the results of splitLine

To see what splitLine does:

  1. Place the cursor somewhere on a line and press Enter.

    The text to the right of the cursor is moved to the next line.

You have changed the default editor settings and now you are ready to begin Exercise 3.3: Entering SEU commands.