Showing Declarations and Definitions

When you click on an identifier name in a source file window, the Context Window will show you the symbol’s declaration automatically. Functions and other symbols show up in the Context Window along with their parameters and other definition information.

The Context Window determines what type of symbol you are clicking or typing. For example, if you click on a variable, it will show you the declaration of the variable. If the variable is a data structure instance or pointer, then the Context Window will show you the structure or class definition.

The Context Window also tracks selections in other types of windows, such as the Project Window, Relation Window, and Clip Window.

To summarize, the Context Window tracks the following:

Table 3.1: Context Window Behavior

Your Action

Context Window Result

Selecting (clicking) on an identifier in a source file window

Shows symbol definition based on context.

If more than one symbol matches, the Context Window will show a list of matches.

If only one symbol in your project matches, then the Context Window will show the declaration of the symbol.

Typing in a source file window

If the auto-completion feature is not enabled, then the Context Window shows prefix matches, or symbol definition if unique. For example, if you typed “Insert”, then the Context Window will show all symbols that begin with “Insert”. It there is only one symbol named “Insert”, then the Context Window will show the declaration of “Insert”.

Selecting a file in the Project Window

Shows the file contents

Selecting a clip in the Clip Window

Shows the clip contents

Selecting an item in the Relation Window

Shows the selected symbol’s definition. If the symbol in the Relation Window is a reference, then the Context Window shows the location of the reference.