ZExpression "minimap" instead of showing the first line only

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rrTea
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Joined: Sat Feb 15, 2014 9:54 am

ZExpression "minimap" instead of showing the first line only

Post by rrTea »

The way ZExpressions are currently represented in the Properties panel is a bit confusing because the "Expression" field looks like an editable box… but it actually isn't, it just serves as a trigger to activate Code Editor. This is extra confusing when the whole ZExpression is just one line, so the "Expression" really looks like it could be edited the same like "Description" (which is right above it and looks exactly the same).

How about… if instead of showing the first line in the "Expression" on the Properties panel, a "mini map"of the whole ZExpression was used? Clicking on the mini map would activate the Code Editor, same like clicking on "Expression" does now (with maybe Option-Click / Alt-Click for automatically putting the cursor at the position in the code at the same place where the mini map was clicked, otherwise the cursor is set at the beginning)?

So the "Expression" would look something like this:
The ZExpression is represented by a minimap
The ZExpression is represented by a minimap
スクリーンショット 2022-12-04 13.33.13.png (355.34 KiB) Viewed 12770 times
I often wish to go directly to a particular place in a ZExpression and the current system "Expression field shows only the first line of code (which can't be edited directly despite looking the same as the field above it) for the whole ZExpression, click it to activate Code Editor, go to a particular place…" results in a bit of extra clicking. I think having a minimap would reduce the mousework and make it more obvious that the "Expression" field can't be edited.
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rrTea
Posts: 475
Joined: Sat Feb 15, 2014 9:54 am

Re: ZExpression "minimap" instead of showing the first line only

Post by rrTea »

Or if the ZExpression were a bit bigger:
Stretched proportionally to fill out the "Properties: panel
Stretched proportionally to fill out the "Properties: panel
スクリーンショット 2022-12-04 13.33.13.png (374.42 KiB) Viewed 12769 times
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VilleK
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Re: ZExpression "minimap" instead of showing the first line only

Post by VilleK »

Hi,

This is a good idea. It will have to go on the list of things to do maybe in the future, as I'm not sure how much work it would be.
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