Open Perl IDE - User Manual
Version 0.9.9
2 Environment
2.1 File Handling
Open Perl IDE is an MDI application, that means, it is possible to open
multiple editor windows.
Important:
There can be several different files opened, but only one window per file.
Trying to open a file a second time does not create a new window -
instead the existing window is activated to display the file.
In addition to default MDI behaviour, a Tab-Panel has been added:
This supports a fast activation of any opened window, even if there are
many of them. |
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Here are some other features
- Drag&Drop: Files dropped on Open Perl IDE are opened.
- Read-only files are opened in a read-only window.
- If an open file has been changed or deleted by another application,
a message is shown, asking if the file should be reload.
- A File given as command line parameter is opened after program start.
Currently, multiple parameters are not supported.
All file functions are listed in the following table:
Table: File functions
Name | Shortcut | Description |
New | CTRL-N | Open a new, empty editor window. |
Open | CTRL-O | Open a file in a new editor window. |
Save | CTRL-S | Save the current editor window under the corresponding filename. |
Save As | - | Save the current editor window under a new filename. |
Save All | - | Save all editor windows. |
Close | CTRL-F4 | Close the current editor window. |
Close All | - | Close all editor windows. |
2.2 Desktop Configuration
In the current version of Open Perl IDE, the following windows are dockable:
- Output windows: Console, Error Output and Communication Log.
- Debug windows: Breakpoints, Call Stack, Variables and Modules.
- Help windows: Help Contents, Help Index and Help Viewer.
Each dockable window can be docked in one of the five docking areas as shown
below. If the last window of a docking area has been removed or hidden, the
hosting panel of this area disappears.
Hint: Pressing CTRL when moving over an area prevents a window from being docked.
Figure: Docking areas and desktop combobox

There are two common strategies to use an area for docking two or more windows:
- Flat Docking: The area is partioned into subareas; supported by all
docking areas, including the editor area.
- Tabbed Docking: The windows are docked as TabSheets into a
dynamically created PageControl. Not supported by the editor area.
Both strategies can be combined to create highly optimized desktops.
There is no limit for the number of created desktops.
The following desktop management functions are provided to Create, Save,
Load and Delete desktops:
- Define a new desktop
Move all dockable windows to the right positions, enter a name for the new
desktop into the desktop combobox and press RETURN.
- Use another desktop as current desktop
Select another desktop in the desktop combobox.
- Save current desktop
Move all dockable windows to the right positions and press RETURN in the
desktop combobox.
- Delete current desktop
Press CTRL-DEL in the desktop combobox.
Hint: To associate a desktop with a program state, go to the preferences
dialog, switch to general panel and set the desktops for default,
run and debug states.
2.3 Environment Preferences
The settings for fonts and foreground/background colors for many elements,
including editor windows and all dockable windows, can be viewed and modified
on the Fonts&Colors tabsheet of the preferences dialog.
Figure: Fonts&Colors tabsheet of the preferences dialog

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