My New Text File function

[BGM]

Salvete! For some time now, I have been using Powerpro to do a special function, and I create a FCXE button, and attach the script to that button. My script will create a new blank text file in the directory of the active tab, ask you for its name (and extension, too, if say you want it to be an .ahk file or a .bat file - but if you don't specify the extension, it defaults to .txt), save it there, and then open it so I can begin typing immediately. I know FC can create a new text file, but how about the rest? Anybody like this idea?

Now, I want to say that I have a second, similar button, that runs a script to create what I call an "info-page" file. This is a text file that is always named "!info.txt" - the ! makes it sort to the top in name-sorted lists. When it is created and named, it is automatically opened, a separator bar (------------), the date and time is inserted, and the cursor is jumped to the first blank line after that date. Then I can make any notes I want there. Now, the next time I am in that directory, and I push the infopage button, instead of creating a new info-page, it opens the original one, jumps to the end of the text, inserts a new separator, date an sets the cursor on the next following blank line. Now I have a sort of dated diary.
Do you like that idea too?

[joby_toss]

I like them both!
I use PowerPro, but I have no idea how to create those scripts.

I'd like to see in FC XE the same functionality you get with PowerPro snippets: blocks of text that are automatically inserted in the active window. And when you make a New file, you hit that snippets button and chose a file name previously set (from the snippets menu). Or automatically insert your address, or mail regards or anything else into your newly created text file...

[Karol]

My script will create a new blank text file in the directory of the active tab, ask you for its name (and extension, too, if say you want it to be an .ahk file or a .bat file - but if you don't specify the extension, it defaults to .txt), save it there, and then open it so I can begin typing immediately. I know FC can create a new text file, but how about the rest?

Simply try Shift+F4 in FC XE.
If you like for each extension othe editor, then define the editors under Settings - Programs.

[joby_toss]

I remembered there is no icon for the "Edit new" toolbar button either.

[BGM]

Well, I may translate the pp script to ahk someday, but it is rather intensive, and may take me a little time. I am too swamped at the moment to do it. However, if you want to learn powerpro, I can send you (or post here, somewhere) my powerpro script for FC. I wish FC were scriptable (I hear XYPlorer is scriptable) in itself, but since it isn't, then we can use ahk or powerpro to script FC in a certain fashion.

Marek, is it possible to create a system for scripting FCXE?

I didn't realize about the shift+F4 function, however! The only difference between that and my "New Text File" script is that my script puts two input boxes - one for the name and one for the extension, and if you leave the extension blank, it will save the file as a .txt file. I like that.

Also, shift+F4 is too much like alt+f4, and if you do that by accident, well, you'll close FC!

[Marek]

Marek, is it possible to create a system for scripting FCXE?

I have now enough basic stuff to make .

and if you leave the extension blank, it will save the file as a .txt file

In Shift+F4 dialog you can type the file name without extension and it will save the file as .txt file.

Also, shift+F4 is too much like alt+f4, and if you do that by accident, well, you'll close FC!

You can simply change the hotkey.

[BGM]

Yeah, I know I can change the hotkey...

Quote:

and if you leave the extension blank, it will save the file as a .txt file

In Shift+F4 dialog you can type the file name without extension and it will save the file as .txt file.

Well, on my FC, it creates a file called, simply "test" rather than "test.txt" - in other words, if I don't specify an extension, it doesn't make one. I think that is how it ought to be, because sometimes developers want to create extensionless read me text files, but I wouldn't. Anyway, that's okay, I wouldn't chase you (Marek) for a checkbox option...

Quote:
Marek, is it possible to create a system for scripting FCXE?

I have now enough basic stuff to make .

Yeah, I figured that! Marek, what do you do for a day-job, anyhow?

[BGM]

In Shift+F4 dialog you can type the file name without extension and it will save the file as .txt file.

Marek, this will, indeed, create a text file by default, but is there a way we can have an option to specify a default extension in the case that we don't add one ourselves?

For example, I want to name the new text file, simply, "test"
and I want FC to create "test.txt"
unless I specify an extension, in which case, it will forget ".txt" and use my extension instead.