Document Window

The figure shows the components of the document window with editing area (1), tool bar (2), status bar (3) and document tabs (4).

Editing Area

The center of the document window shows the contents of the files loaded from the PC or the network. The figure shows an opened graphics file shot_custom_eng_US.png as well as the message digest file apache-tomcat-5.5.31.exe.digest. Currently the following file types are supported by the window which means that such files can be viewed or edited: 

For these file types arbitrary file extensions may be configured in the preferences. In addition to that you can configure if such files are opened/edited using the document window or the operating system based on the file extension. Please note, that this strongly depends on the operating system and possibly the system does not show any response. On Windows operating systems for example, the program WordPad may be opened if this is configured as an editor for the selected file.

The open function distinguishes between opening and editing files. While editing normally causes the appropriate editor to be shown in the document window opening may cause a specific program function to be executed. So the check routine of the Digester software is started if an *.md5 file is opened.

Besides the file types mentioned above the Hexedit function of the file system window and network file system window can be used to open any readable file. The editing area therefore shows a special hex editor component, where arbitrary data may be presented on the byte-level. In order to prevent from loading of very large files in the editing area, you can configure a maximum file size within the preferences. Additionally you can limit the number of currently opened files so that the editing area does not become confusing.

In the preferences you can find more ways to configure the document window. There it is possible to start the window with either no documents or with the previous documents. Also you can configure how to handle files with pending changes if tabs shall be closed.

Any supported file type is displayed individually by the document window. XML documents for example are presented using syntax highlighting where XML elements, attributes etc. are colored specially. This allows for an easy overview of the opened files.

Tool Bar

The toolbar of the document window provides simple functions for the work with the opened files. The following listing shows the tool bar functions, which may vary for the supported file types: 

The button with the diskette dymbol (Save) saves the current content back into the file or network file where it was originally loaded from. If the content has been loaded from a different source (e.g. from clipboard) this function is not possible, the button is disabled then. The next button with the arrow on the folder (Save as file) saves the content into a local file of your choice which can be specified with a dialog. The button with the server arrow (Save as network file) can be used similarily to save the content into a network file. The detailed properties of the resource including size and used editor type are being displayed when the info icon is clicked (Properties). If possible for the file type additional symbols may be shown here e.g. for printing.

Status Bar

The status bar at the bottom of the document window shows messages of the editors for example if resources are saved. If saving a network files for instance takes a long time then the status bar component displays a progress bar or indicator on the right side.

Document Tabs

For each of the opened files and network files (resource in general) the window displays a separate tab showing the resource name. The tab tooltips display the full names or URLs of the resources. The tabs may be closed using the red X button, the contents are being removed from main memory. You should always save changed files properly to avoid data loss.

Within the preferences you can configure how to proceed if changed documents are closed:

Within the preferences you can configure if documents should be reopened automatically on program start. You have the choice here to start with no documents (empty window) or to restore the previous documents. 

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