Configure Compilers Dialog Box

This dialog box is used to let CodeSnip know about the Pascal Compilers that are installed on the system. It is displayed using the Tools | Configure Compilers menu option. CodeSnip uses these compilers when test compiling routines.

Supported compilers are listed on the left hand side of the dialog. If a compiler is known to CodeSnip its name appears in bold. Unknown compilers (or compilers that are not installed on the local system) appear in plain text.

Any changes you make do not affect other users.

Selecting a compiler on the left displays information about it on the right hand side of the dialog. Here you enter or edit the required information on three tabs, as follows.

Compiler Tab

Enter the the full path to the compiler's executable file. This must be the command line version of the compiler - for example Delphi's DCC32.exe. You can either type in the name of the file or choose from a standard file dialog by clicking the ellipsis button to the right of the edit box. As soon as the cursor leaves the edit box the selected compiler is assigned the file name and the compiler name will be emboldened.

Command Line Tab

CodeSnip passes certain switches to the command line of each supported compiler. You can edit these switches if you wish the compilers to perform differently. You can add, deleted or edit switches as follows:

• Add a switch. Enter its name in the edit box and click Add.
• Delete a switch. Select the switch in the list box the click the Delete button.
• Edit a switch. Select the switch in the list box to copy it to the edit box. Change the switch and click Replace.
• Restore default switches. Click the Defaults button. This can be useful if you have made some changes to switches and CodeSnip ceases to function properly.

Warning: You should not remove any switches that cause the compilers to generate warnings and error messages since CodeSnip will not detect compilation errors correctly without these switches. You are strongly recommended not to pass any switches that alter the compiler's output otherwise CodeSnip may fail to operate correctly.

For an explanation of the purpose of the switches please see your compiler's documentation.

Output Log Tab

CodeSnip logs and examines the output of the compiler to determine if the compilation was clean or contained warnings. It also examines the output for error messages when the compilation fails. A summary of the logged output can be displayed by the user when warnings or errors occur. Instead of displaying the whole log the program filters out the required messages. It does this by looking for some common text that preceeds the messages in the log. These prefixes are listed in the Log Prefixes editor.

If you are using an English language version of a compiler the default values will be correct. For all Delphis and Free Pascal the default values are:

• For fatal errors: "Fatal: "
• For general errors: "Error: "
• For warnings: "Warning: "

For languages other than English you need to compile some code that generates warnings, errors and fatal errors then check what text preceeds each kind of message. This text should be entered in the Log Prefixes editor. Failure to do this will mean that CodeSnip won't detect warnings and won't report errors correctly.

Auto Detecting Compilers

CodeSnip can automatically detect the presence of Win 32 Delphi compilers from versions 2 to XE. Click the Auto Detect Compilers button to do this. Any supported installed version of Delphi will be recorded. This can save considerable time and avoid errors.

Free Pascal cannot be detected automatically and must be configured manually.