Possible Work Items

• improve Java Editor
  
• 3.1 navigate from selected key in Java editor to definition in properties file editor
• navigate to start of file if the key is not yet defined
  
• 3.1 show value when hovering over key in Java editor
• 3.1 show value as is in the properties file
• show value as returned by the accessor class (substitute parameters with defaults)
• offer a new Quick Fix to mark all strings on a line as non-externalizable at once
• offer a new Quick Fix which externalizes just that string
• ideas:
• open corresponding properties file, add key, be in linked mode in CU editor
  
• make it a refactoring
• allow to type the key at the place of the string and add the new code
• the hover which shows the value is an action hover which allows to change the value
• should support parametrized strings (see below)
  
• provide a Quick Assist to rename a property key and all places where it is used
• allow to invoke the NLS Quick Fixes even if NLS warning is disabled (⇒ Quick Assists?)
• improve Properties File editor
• 3.1 syntax coloring for Properties File Editor (comments, keys and values)
  
• 3.1 provide separate double-click strategy for key and value part
  
• 3.1 navigate from selected key and value in properties file to location in Java editor and Plug-in Manifest editor
• 3.1 spell checking
• ensure correct ISO-8859-1 encoding when writing a properties file. Convert to ascii upon save. If using native2ascii tool a preference is needed to specify it (try to auto-detected).
• allow to sort alphabetically
• allow to group by first common prefix up to a specified separator (preference)
• context-sensitive search: Search Reference
• provide a Quick Assist to rename a property key and all places where it is used
• problem reporter which reports temporary problems (builder might be added later)
• duplicate keys
  
• unused keys
• invalid format strings being passed to MessageFormat causing IllegalArgumentException
  
• offer Quick Fixes to solve above errors:
• remove unused key (plus value)
• correct invalid strings that cause MessageFormat to fail
  
• offer folding via first common prefix up to a specified separator (preference)
• offer an Outline (request from Adam - asked him via e-mail)
• along a separator (e.g. . or _) or common prefix
• allow to sort the file
  
• allow to add, remove, paste, sort, ...
• allow to change the key
• allow to change the value
  
• improve Externalize Strings wizard
  
• spell checking
• ensure correct ISO-8859-1 encoding when writing a properties file. Convert to ascii upon save. If using native2ascii tool a preference is needed to specify it (try to auto-detected)
• improve setting of default values
  
• improve accessor class (and properties file) selection dialog
• replace it: instead of a dialog make it the first page of the wizard
  
• add an Advanced >> button
• correctly fill in values (detect and make read-only if accessor class has been chosen)
  
• find duplicate keys: currently the scope is limited to the keys inside the CU instead of the whole properties file
  
• keep a history of values, especially which property file belongs to which accessor (if it can't be detected from the accessor)
• support parametrized strings:
• allow to generate accessor method with parameters
• suggest string with  {0}, {1}, ...
  
• correctly pass the parameters to the accessor method
• improve NLS Search
• improve setting of default values in NLS Search page
• reduce wrong matches reported by NLS Search
• improve visibility (the tool is not well known)
  
• possible solution: integrate NLS Search into the Externalize Strings wizard or the new Java Properties view
  
• improve property handling when moving and copying CUs
  
• add refactoring, move and copy participants which help take care of properties
• offer a command to inline the property values into the CU
• this is already available as "Internalize" from the Externalize Strings wizard
• problems:
• comments might get lost
• keys might have to be entered again
  
• for one CU and it CU members
• for multiple CUs i.e. for a selection with CUs, packages, source folders and projects
• provide a builder which generates
• problems on properties files for unused keys
• problems on properties files for duplicate keys
• problems on properties files for invalid format strings being passed to MessageFormat
• problems on CUs for non-existent keys
• problems on CUs for unused keys
• investigate
• provide the functionality of the Externalize Strings wizard through a new Java Properties view which allows to externalize the strings of the currently selected element
• make the NLS hover an action hover: user can activate it and directly change the value
• add a preview to the Properties File editor which shows the file in ascii mode
• show the UI (e.g. error dialog) where a select a property is used
• NLS manager which allows to manage key/values per Java project / plug-in
• show all key/values, find duplicate values, allow to cut/copy/paste key/value pairs
• find all unused keys
• fix spell check errors
• find duplicates