The Alf Plugin version 19.0 SP3 provides better syntax-error highlighting in the Alf Editor, a new Create button in the Alf Editor window, the ability to access context features without using this and improved performance of the on-open check. It also provides bug fixes.
Previously, when Alf code in the Alf Editor had syntax errors, only the first error was identified and highlighted. Now, multiple syntax errors can be highlighted.
A Create button has been added to the Alf Editor window. This button provides a convenient means to create a behavior associated with a selected element, to you can then add Alf code.
The Create button is inactive when editing
Pressing Create pops up a menu when there are multiple options
Like Java and JavaScript, Alf uses the keyword this to denote the current instance of the context Class in which the this expression occurs. Unlike Java and JavaScript, however, the Alf specification requires that this be used explicitly in order to access features (Properties, Operations and Receptions) of the context Class. The Alf Plugin now implements an extension to the Alf language that allows context features to be accessed by name without explicitly using a this prefix. This is similar to what is allowed in Java and JavaScript.
When an Alf project is opened, the Alf Plugin searches the project for Alf code and parses any code it finds, in order to find any errors and establish dependencies of the code on other model elements. The Alf Plugin now performs the initial search phase of this check much faster and allows it to be cancelled by the user.
