Delphi/Lazarus plugin template - update info about probs with Lazarus

klaus101

@Ekopalypse @rdipardo
Ekopalypse, as you took part of the discussion in
https://community.notepad-plus-plus.org/topic/22772/new-cross-platform-plugin-template-for-delphi-developers
this is for your info:
About some issues mentioned when using with Lazarus (3.6 64bit)

GDB needed as external installation?
No. One might choose, in project settings, Debugger, as debugger backend “GDB (GNU debugger” from the dropdown list
Could not start Debug:
Reason: in the HelloWrld.lpi there is the line: <Runnable Value=“False”/>
When setting the options within the IDE, it’s in project settings, Miscellaneous, “Project runnable?” (or similar)
Must be true for using the debugger.
The compiler output must be defined for the correct place, and this is not obvious:
Given, Npp is installed or unzipped into some <npp-dir>.
Npp expects the plugin dll to exist in <npp-dir>\plugins<plugin-name>
So the compiler option ‘Target-filename (-o)’ must be set to <npp-dir>\plugins<plugin-name>$NameOnly($(ProjFile))
Otherwise one might debug and step through, but he is in the wrong room.
It’s not enough to define ‘host application’ etc. For to be able to debug, it’s a Must
to set such path within IDE: project settings >> compiler settings >> Paths.

Would be good to have such within the documentation.

Now the reason for the ‘issue when shrinking the number of plugin’s submenu items’ could be found
(= when removing some items, NPP might start next with showing the plugin’s About box).
Reason: HelloWorldPlugin.pas:

const
  /// menu index of the dockable form
  //DlgMenuId = 2;
  DlgMenuId = 0;       // When shrinking the menu it might be 0 !
}

A more understandable variable (instead of a constant) name would have helped when modifying the menu. Maybe with a defaulting.

constructor THelloWorldPlugin.Create;
...
begin
  inherited;
  self.PluginName := 'Hello &World';

  DlgMenuId := 2;  // That was the original value valid before shrinking the menu
  // With defaulting and using a speaking variable name it could be something like:
  // DlgMenuIdDockingForm := DlgMenuIdDockingFormDefault;

  // ---  Now shrking the menu:
{
  PSk := MakeShortcutKey(true, false, true, $48); // CTRL + SHIFT + H
  self.AddFuncItem('&Insert "Hello, World!"', _FuncHelloWorld, PSk);
  PSk := MakeShortcutKey(false, true, true, $48); // ALT + SHIFT + H
  self.AddFuncItem('&Replace "Hello, World!"', _FuncHolaMundo, PSk);
}
  self.AddFuncItem('Load Docking &Form', _FuncHelloWorldDocking);
  DlgMenuId := 0; //   menu index of the dockable form is here now 0, not 2 !! First item!
  // DlgMenuIdDockingForm := 0;  // More understandable name

@rdipardo probably i’ll make an item in your new wiki later.

klaus101

Entered as:
https://bitbucket.org/rdipardo/delphiplugintemplate/issues/1/two-initial-issues-with-lazarus-proposals