Pathagoras provides several tools to help you to highlight and 'debug' problems with variables, <<*options*>> and {simplified options} text.

  Alphabetize:

       A slight misspelling between two instances of what is intended to be the same variable (or the same !group! name) will cause Pathagoras to process two separate entries. If the entries appear on two separate IDB pages, it may be difficult to detect the error. In order to see similarly spelled variables in closer proximity, you can tell Pathagoras to alphabetize the entries:

       a. Display the IDB screen. Scan the document (or recall the mask) you want to 'debug'.

       b. Press the <Utilities> button and then press the <Alphabetize Variables> button which will appear in the bottom portion of the screen.

       c. Note any naming errors. Return to the document itself and correct the spellings. The next time you scan for variables, the 'bug' should be gone. (You can even ask Pathagoras to take you directly to the first instance of the selected variable. The button for that purpose is immediately below <Alphabetize Variables>.

       If the error is a mask error, please note the following: There is not a 'return to previous state' button. This is not a problem if you wish to save the mask in its alphabetical order. Make the corrections and save the mask in its current state. If you don't want to preserve the alphabetical listing, make a note of the offending entry. Then reselect the mask so that its original display returns. Then navigate to the offending entry and correct it.

  Color the [brackets]:

Pathagoras can 'paint' the brackets so it is easier to distinguish them from the surrounding text. Click the Editing Tools entry in the Pathagoras drop down features menu. Click the <Color Markers> button from the Form and Clause Editing Tools screen that will appear. (See blue arrow in  Figure below.)

  Color the [variable]:

To 'paint' the entire variable, check the box beneath the <Color Markers> button. (You can also click <Highlight each variable in yellow> which appears on the Instant Database screen when you click the <Utilities> button.) (See green arrow in Figure below.)

Note: The 'painting' of a variable is actually an insertion of background 'highlighting.' The highlighting can be toggled on and off by clicking the yellow button just to the right of the checkbox. The highlighting can also be toggled on and off via Words Tools|Options|View menu: check, or uncheck, the Highlight box.

  Count the brackets:

To determine if you have an equal number of brackets in the document, click the Editing Tools entry in the Pathagoras drop down features menu. Click the <Balance Markers> button from the Form and Clause Editing Tools screen that will appear. (To check just a section of the document, highlight that section before running this feature.) (See red arrow in  Figure below.)

 

Coloring the variables makes them easier to see
and helps in the 'debugging' process.

 

 

Page url: http://www.pathagoras.com/help/index.html?debugging.htm