Context Field

Click on any symbol and see its context in the VA Navigation Bar. Finish typing a symbol and make sure you reference the correct version. You need not wait for a hovering tooltip.

context.gif

When not on a symbol, the context field contains a yellow arrow and identifies your current scope. You know how deep you are in nested code.

contextScope.gif

List Methods in File

Click the Down Arrow at the right of the Context field to list methods in file.

methods.png

Move Scope

Use the tiny arrows to the right of the Context field to move scope.

contextNextScope.gif

Global Scope

When the caret is at global scope, i.e. not in a method or function, the Context contains the name of the current file. The Definition field contains the full path of the file.

contextGlobalScope.gif

Icons

Icons in the left of the Context field indicate the scope of the current symbol:
  • contextIconLocal.gif  Defined in current file.
  • contextIconProject.gif  Defined in current workspace.
  • contextIconStable.gif  Defined outside of workspace, i.e. considered a stable symbol.
For example, the icon for CWnd indicates the symbol is defined outside of the current workspace.

contextIconStableExample.gif

Whereas, the icon for myWnd indicates the symbol is defined in the current file. The balance of the Context field tells us myWnd is defined in OnLButtonUp.

contextIconLocalExample.png

Copying Context

Right+Click in the Context field to copy its content. When the Context field displays context or scope, only copy has any meaning. The remaining items in the Right+Click menu apply only when the Context field is used to list methods in file.

contextCopy.gif

Duplicate Context

Although uncommon, two unrelated symbols have the same context when they are defined using a common name, at the same level of scope, and within the same method.

contextDuplicate.gif

Errant Context

Refrain from leaving unmatched braces and parentheses in your code. They adversely effect scope. Some symbols may appear with the wrong context, with incorrect syntax coloring, or become underlined as if they are no longer defined.

Top or Bottom

Specify the location of the VA Navigation Bar in the options dialog. Disable the feature, or eliminate the IDE's Navigation Bar or Wizard Bar, to conserve the space in your source windows.

vaNavBarOptions.png

Miscellaneous

Context contains only a name when the caret is moved inside a standalone function, i.e. a function not part of a class.

Clicking on an unknown symbol makes the Context field go blank.