Auto Replace in Rapid SQL by Dan Hotka

Hi!

Dan Hotka here with more knowledge about Rapid SQL. I’ll address the auto replace feature of this tool and how you can use this feature to create customized shortcuts that should benefit your coding projects and style.

The auto replace feature of Rapid SQL has some useful examples already in it. You will certainly want to add a bunch of your own!

Auto replace is triggered by the space bar. Rapid SQL will check any word entered against this list and substitute in the replaced option.

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At line 14, I entered ‘cou’ then hit the space bar.

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Notice the ‘select count(*) from ‘ then appeared.

This technique is easily manipulated for your benefit and coding style.

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To make sure this feature is both turned on and available…click on Tools à Code Workbench then make sure the Settings tab has Auto Replace enabled.

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Notice that you can export and import your settings between releases of Rapid SQL. This is convenient to preserve your short cuts and code templates. We will cover the code templates in the next blog.

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Now click on the Auto Replace tab and you will see the existing short cuts. Notice there are several for DBMS_OUTPUT.

I want to add a couple. I can add anything I usually typo. I want to add a short cut for DBMS_OUTPUT.Put_Line(“ .

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To do this, click the ‘Add’ button…and fill out the box. ‘\s’ is the space bar for Activation.

Lets test the new Auto Replace Expression:

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I enter the ‘pl’ short cut and voila!

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My auto replace entry works! I intentionally left the rest of the line off as I would start my coding at the double quote. Notice Rapid SQL turned the rest of my code red because of the lack of an ending on this line. Rapid SQL is reminding us that there is a syntax error until we complete our code here.

I find this technique quite useful. You can use it to add any single line short cut you desire. You can export and save these shortcuts if you get a new computer. I have a series of my own short cuts I enjoy and will take 5 minutes and adjust the tool to accommodate the coding technique that I have grown accustomed to over the years.

I hope this technique helps you in your day-to-day use of Rapid SQL.

Dan Hotka

Oracle ACE Director

Instructor/Author/CEO

Click to learn more about Embarcadero database tools related to this post:

• Rapid SQL – The Intelligent IDE for SQL Development
• Rapid SQL free trial download
• DB PowerStudio – The ultimate cross-platform database tools