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 Default Case Branch
	Add Else Statement		Add Getter		Add Initialization
	Add Missing Case Statements		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.