Implement Split File Editor Functionality for the Eclipse IDE

Releases

• 2008-06-23. DOWNLOAD. 1st release of multi editor and split editor implementations. Instructions: Download the plugin jar and place in the dropins directory (compatible with Eclipse 3.4 RC4 or later).

Implementations

Multi Editor-based

Usage: Open a file in Eclipse, then select Window -> New Split Editor from the main menu to open a split editor of the file.

This implementation is based on Paul Webster's patch, which uses the existing multi-editor architecture in Eclipse.

• Advantages
  • does not require custom work for different editor types (java/xml/etc)
  • works automatically with new custom editor types

• Disadvantages
  • bound by the limitations of the multi-editor infrastructure

Custom Split Editor Implementation

Usage: Right-click on a file, select Open with -> Other... and select \[Split Text Editor\] from the list of editors.

This implementation is based on a custom editor implementation that dynamically creates a new StyledText control when a sash is dragged within the editor to split it.

• Advantages
  • fully replaces existing editors and allows splitting the active editor in-place (as opposed to opening a split editor in a new tab)
  • easier activation via the mouse because there is no need to go to the window main menu or editor tab context menu.

• Disadvantages
  • requires customization of every editor class that wants to support split editing (java/xml... etc)

Issue Tracker

Feature	Test Case	Multi Editor	Split Editor	New Editor Tab
Save	Select File-> Save from the main menu	works but invokes Save command twice	works	works
Save as	Select File-> Save As from the main menu	does not work	works	works
Star (*) in editor tab next to file name on modification	Make a change in the editor	does not mark editor tab as dirty with a * (star)	works	works
Mark occurrences (java)	enable mark occurrences and click over a java element (method/field/class name etc)	works but marks occurrences in both editors	not applicable (java editor not available)	works
Mark occurrences of different elements (java)	enable mark occurrences and click over different java elements in both editors	works but both elements are highlighted in both editors	not applicable (java editor not available)	works but both elements are highlighted in both editors (see bug 64911)
Current line highlight within active focused editor	switch the focus (by mouse-clicking) between the two editors	works	does not appear in top editor and cursor is no longer visible in bottom editor after split	works
Navigation using back/forward buttons or Alt-LeftArrow/Alt-RightArrow	click within the one of the two editors; make a change; switch to another editor; use Go Back command (Alt-LeftArrow) to go back	does not always go back to the editor where the change was made	does not always go back to the editor where the change was made	does not always go back to the editor where the change was made