Automatic Code Generation

Code Templates

Code templates are blocks of code that expand from short abbreviations and mnemonics that you type into the editor. CodeRush's template engine represents the state-of-the-art in code template technology, offering unrivaled and unparalleled flexibility and power.

To expand a template, type in the template name and then press Space. Many templates start out simple, but can be made more and more specific with additional modifying mnemonics that you can chain together into a powerful template combo! For example, you can type "m" to declare a void method (or Sub in VB), or "mb" to declare a method that returns a Boolean, or "mb[" to declare a method that returns an array of Booleans. As you see it's very easy to learn templates because of the strong logic and common sense in their structure.

One more thing that makes templates a joy to use is their ability to adapt to context and expand in an intelligent manner; the same template can expand appropriately for different contexts. For instance, you can use the same "mb" alias to declare a Boolean method if you're inside a class, or to invoke a message box if you're inside a method. Context allows templates to use the simplest possible abbreviation in both cases. So instead of having to memorize thousands of crazy abbreviations, you simply learn one or two rules and apply a bit of common sense, and you'll find yourself up and running in no time.

One of the coolest features in CodeRush is the training window, which displays useful hints as well as template verbs so you can be instantly productive. In addition to these hints, the training window presents a template expansion preview. Using this preview you can see the code that will be generated if you press Space to expand the template.

To see a sample template expansion, click the image below.

Templates can do more than simply enter text. They can also position the caret, select code, drop markers (for navigation), create text fields or establish links among identifiers (so changes to one result in changes to all). All these are little enhancements work together so you can write code more efficiently and devote more focus to the design and the essence of the problem you're trying to solve. Read on to learn more about these powerful tools you can incorporate into your own templates...

Code Providers

CodeRush includes dozens of Code Providers used to create common code parts based on existing code. The major code providers relate to automatic declaration. They enable you to create a declaration based on a reference to an undeclared class, member, variable, struct etc. In addition, there are conversion code providers, code providers working with loops and conditionals, embedding code providers etc.

The CodeRush context menu contains only code providers available in the current context.

Here is the full list of currently available code providers:

Supported Code Providers

	Add AssocatedControlID Attribute		Add Contract		Add Else Statement
	Add Getter		Add Initialization		Add Missing Constructors
	Add RunAt Attribute		Add Setter		Add to Interface
	Add Validator		Add XML Comments		Change Tag
	Consolidate duplicate code to		Convert to Auto-implemented Property		Convert to Function
	Convert to Integer		Convert to Procedure		Convert to Property with Backing Store
	Create Ancestor		Create Case Blocks from Enum		Create Descendant
	Create Descendant (with virtual overrides)		Create Event Trigger		Create Implementer (implicit)
	Create Implementer (explicit)		Declare Action		Declare Attribute
	Declare Class		Declare Class with Properties		Declare Constructor
	Declare Controller		Declare Delegate		Declare Enum
	Declare Enum Element		Declare Event		Declare Event Handler
	Declare EventArgs Descendant		Declare Field		Declare Field (read-only)
	Declare Getter		Declare Initialized Field		Declare Initialized Fields
	Declare Initialized Properties		Declare Initialized Property		Declare Interface
	Declare Local		Declare Local (implicit)		Declare Method
	Declare Method (abstract)		Declare Properties		Declare Property
	Declare Property (auto-implemented)		Declare Property (with backing store)		Declare Setter
	Declare Struct		Declare View		Dispose Fields
	Embed Selection		Format Item...		Implement IDisposable
	Introduce Setter Guard Clause		Introduce Using Statement		Invert Selection
	Make Member Private		Merge Styles		Mirror Code
	Reference Assembly		Remove Attribute		Remove Outer Tag
	Remove Region Directives		Remove Setter		Remove Setter Guard Clause
	Replace "this" Qualifier with Local Variable		Reverse For Loop		Rotate 90 Degrees
	Seal Class		Set CssClass		Spell Checker
	Split Style		Surround with Tag		Surround with UpdatePanel
	Toggle ViewState		Toggle ViewState (all Controls)		Use Equality Operator
	Use Equals		Use Explicit Typecast		Use Identity Operator
	Use Implicit Typecast		Use IsNullOrEmpty

Cycle Scope Up/Down

You can change the scope of a class or a class member with a single keystroke. Use the ALT+UP or ALT+DOWN shortcuts to change the element scope.

Duplicate Line

Duplicate Line is useful when you need to create several similar lines in your code. For instance, you are going to declare a number of string fields. You can declare each field manually, but that will take too much time. The other method is to create a single declaration, and duplicate it with Duplicate Line. Place the cursor on the line to be duplicated, and press SHIFT+ENTER. CodeRush will duplicate the line and select the field name in the new line, that will allow you to immediately type the name of the new field.

CodeRush includes the following duplications:

Intelassist

Intellassist completes text at the caret with an in-scope identifier, and may include other suggestions.

To use Intellassist, just write code as you normally would. When Intellassist senses one or more suggestions matching the code you've entered so far, the best suggestion will be displayed to the right of the caret. You can accept the offered suggestion, or its part (to the next uppercase letter) by pressing ENTER or SHIFT+ENTER appropriately.

If more than one entry is suggested, you can cycle forward and backward through the suggestions by pressing the TAB and SHIFT+TAB.

Smart Constructor

Smart Constructor enables you to add a constructor to an existing class in several keystrokes. In addition, the generated constructor includes initialization of the specified members. An XML documentation stub is generated as well.

To add a constructor to a class just type "cc" within the class body and press Space. If the class contains members, Smart Constructor offers you to choose the ones to be initialized.

Smart Parens And Brackets

Smart Parens & Brackets adds a closing paren or bracket, after the opening one is typed, and places a text field between them. The feature is activated if an opening parenthesis or bracket is typed at the end of a an identifier, or if a parenthesis is typed in front of it.

The feature also enables you to quickly enclose an identifier to parens. Just select the needed identifier or another part of code, and type the opening paren.