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Visual Editor for AMLTM (VA) Frequently Asked Questions
If you have specific questions or suggestions to make VA a better program please direct them to: info@ctigis.com ARC/INFO , Arc Macro Language (AML), and Simple Macro Language (SML) are trademarks of Environmental Systems Research Institute, Inc. Will Visual Editor for AML (VA) work in Unix?
I have a Windows computer, but ARC/INFO TM is installed on a Unix computer. How can I use VA? You can run VA on the Windows computer and save AMLs in Unix format for use in Unix ARC/INFO. In this scenario, VA will not be able to access ArcDoc, but all other features will be available (the figure below indicates VA is running on a computer without ARC/INFO). You can copy the ArcDoc files to your Windows machine and then point VA to use that directory. The Windows version of ArcDoc can be found on the Win NT CD that ships with ARC/INFO. Simply copy the entire 'help' directory to a directory on the Windows computer, (ie 'D:\arc\help'). In the preferences diolog in VA enter 'D:\arc' as the ARC/INFO directory. This will cause VA to look for a directory 'D:\arc\help' for the ArcDoc files. 
back to top What makes VA different from other programming editors? VA is specifically designed for AML files and integrates with ARC/INFO in several ways. VA recognizes and stores various AML elements such as ARC/INFO coverages, variables, routines, system commands, etc. into useable ‘lists’. These lists can indicate problems with the AML, can be used for documenting the AML, or can be used to navigate the AML. 
Will VA check my AML for errors?
Can VA help document and organize my AMLs? Yes, VA has several features to help users document their AML code. VA features an AML library that users can build, update, and search for AMLs. VA will soon have a library for routines as well. Users can also copy and paste VA’s unique list information into other applications for documenting purposes. New AMLs started with VA are given a default header, with date, time, and user name automatically inserted. A time stamp feature is also available for inserting into your code to help document the development history of you AML (see figure below for example of library search).  back to top Why do some of my AMLs load more slowly in VA than other text editors? VA will load large AMLs more slowly than other text editors because VA scans the AML for coverages, variables, routines, system commands, labels, comments, etc. during the opening process. VA organizes the AML elements into unique ‘lists’ (e.g. a list of all variables used in the AML) that the user can then use during AML development. VA also applies coloring to AML code components during opening. Due to a user request, we have added a preference to VA that allows users to turn off ‘coloring’ to speed up opening of large AMLs.Yes, VA indicates the current line number in the lower status bar (or SpeedBar as we call it). Users can click on the "Line" button on the SpeedBar and type in a line number to jump to. We are considering adding line numbers along side the code as well if enough users request it. What do you think? Do you have a similar product for Simple Macro Language (SMLTM )? Yes, we also developed Visual Editor for SML (VS) which contains many of the same features as VA. VS is also available on our Website in an evaluation version.VA’s price is variable depending upon the user environment. The following prices are currently in effect: Single Licenses (all U.S. Dollars)
In addition to the VA software, users get free updates and revision to the VA program for one year. Also, we are very responsive to user requests, so our users often get program features that they specifically request. For example, a user requested a feature to copy the information from VA’s ‘lists’ to help his documentation process. Now, right clicking on a VA list will copy it to the Windows clipboard. What types of payment do you accept? We accept Checks, and Purchase OrdersAt the moment, regional and local government agencies, private corporations, and educational institutions use VA. VA is currently used in Illinois, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Louisiana, and Vermont. Professionals in many other states and countries are also evaluating VA at the time of this posting. |
