Mini Tabs for Catalog

[blewis999]

I find the catalogue to be one of the most useful tools in my work. My disadvantage is that I have to keep a lot of catagories collapsed inorder to maintain as large a view as possible for the tree beneath the catalog. If we had mini tabs in the catalogue we could group together functions, then also have a lot more catagories and enteries by tab and keep them expanded. For example we have System, Schematics, Embedded, .... etc. In each catalog there are a number of related tools and directory enteries. Having a mini tab would allow multiple work functions to be left expanded and enable quick switching between major work functions that often occur at entirely different times.

[admin]

I don't want to complicate the Catalog because I'm convinced its strength lies (also) in its simplicity.

But you can emulate something similar to your wish: Simply make the first 5 (or so) items point to a catalogload ... scripting command and you have 5 pseudo tabs to quickly one-click-switch between different catalogs.

[gtm]

I have read your post, admin.

I wanted to add my opinion too. I also feel tabs in the catalog is very very helpful. I feel there can be an option for the catalog to a full column in itself as well instead of bottom of the side tree view.

Cataloging (and portable file associations) is one of the most useful features of the xyplorer, I have found.

I'd strongly recommend and request to reconsider. You can add an option to disable the tabs feature in configuration menu, so the users can decided and customize.

Please add this !!

[blewis999]

Does this script exist that you mention, or should I write one? I was unclear on this. I don't know the scripting language so it would be a learning curve for me if it doesn't exist.

I would like to add one further point to the comment GTM made. The catalog really has its best potential in mutiple functions, at least in my work enviroment. I have the compilers and editors I use in the catalogue as well as a lot of other tools. By using the catalog to vector to a directory quickly in a maze of directory branches, I am able to quickly select a group of files and then click on a tool entry in the catalog, for instance the editor and all the files are bought into the editor. Similarly for starting the compiler in a work space.

So working with sets of functions in the catalog is very useful because it turns xyplorer into it's own IDE. A lot of the work I want to do could be done by making XYployer the primary tool. More could be done if it were possible to have more catalog items. Having tabs on the top row of the catalog would allow a great deal more organization, catagorization and additional functions within each catagory. Right now the system is almost a equal priority system because of space. All this would cost would be the equivalent space of a single catalog entry along the top row. The tabs could be color coded and have a single letter or number. Right now the size of the catalog is a trade off against the size of the folder tree. Either losses at the expense of the other.

Another option would be to allow a floating detached catalog window that could be vertical or horizontal. A lot of CAD systems have this sort of window. This makes the catalog really what I think it should be, a control point for the work enviroment, not just a fast alternative to a windows desktop icon.

All the best

Robert

[highend]

Does this script exist that you mention, or should I write one? I was unclear on this. I don't know the scripting language so it would be a learning curve for me if it doesn't exist.

Just add a new item and insert a simple:

Code: Select all

catalogload "your catalog name.dat", "";

in the "Location" line for the new item.

[blewis999]

Thank you highend, I don't mean to be 'thick' but I can't see how that will give me multiple entries per item. Do I create a new catalog.dat file called mycatalog.dat and then put entries in that catalog?

[highend]

This was not meant to give you multiple catalogs with _one_ script item, but one catalog for each.
But ofc you can switch to different catalogs with one item also (through a simple script).

And yes, you have to create several catalogs, populate and save them under a different name.

A small example for one button that switches catalogs:

Instead of entering

Code: Select all

catalogload "your catalog name.dat", "";

into the Location line of the new item you enter a script load command:
e.g.:

Code: Select all

::load "<xyscripts>\LoadCatalogs.xys";

and then you create a LoadCatalogs.xys file in your script folder of xyplorer and edit it:

Code: Select all

"Catalog 1"
	catalogload "catalog_1.dat", "";

"Catalog 2"
	catalogload "catalog_2.dat", "";

"Catalog 3"
	catalogload "catalog_3.dat", "";

"Catalog 4"
	catalogload "catalog_4.dat", "";

When you click on the new entry you'll get a small list popup with all of your catalogs...