Slick V3.3 manual Code Templates, Instantiating a Template

Instantiating a Template

Code Templates

Code templates are pre-defined units of code that you can use to automate the creation of common code elements, like a standard class implementation or design patterns. You can create templates for a whole file or multiple files. Templates can contain substitution parameters that are replaced when the template is instantiated—when a new element is created from that template. Some parameters are replaced with cal- culated or pre-defined values, like date or author. If a value is not known, you will be prompted for a value when the template is instantiated.

Code templates are composed of one or more template source files and a metadata file providing addi- tional information, like the name of the template, a description of the template, prompts for substitution parameters, and default values for substitution parameters. The following is an example of a single file source template. The items surrounded by dollar signs ($) are the substitution parameters.

/*

*$copyright$

*/

package $package$; /**

*@author $author$

*@version $version$

*/

public class $safeitemname$ {

/**

*Default constructor.

*/

public $safeitemname$(){

}

}

Templates can be organized into Categories to make them easier to manage. The templates shipped with SlickEdit® Core are organized into categories by language and then by purpose. Use the Template Man- ager dialog to add, edit, and delete user templates. The Template Manager dialog is accessed by clicking File → SlickEdit Template Manager.

Instantiating a Template

You can add an item to your current project by clicking File → New Item from SlickEdit Template. If you want to create a new item from a template without adding it to your current project, then click File → New Item from SlickEdit Template. The Add New Item dialog box is shown below.

Figure 6.11. Add New Item Dialog

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