Pathagoras provides several tools to help you to 'debug' problems with variables, robust <<*options*>> and {simple 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 the text as two separate elements. 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.

Paint the [brackets]:

Pathagoras can 'paint' the brackets so it is easier to distinguish them from the surrounding text. Click 'Pathagoras Features | Authoring/Editing |         General Editing Tools | Mark-up Tools' and click 'Paint' (See red arrow in  Figure below.)

•'Paint' is also a default tool in the Alt-Q (QuickPicks) menu. (This is the quickest way to 'paint' if you've not reassigned QuickPicks.)                

•You can also 'paint' by typing the word 'paint' on a blank line of the document followed by <Alt-G>.

•You can also 'paint' by selecting 'Paint' under the <Alt-G Calls> tab

Highlight the [variables]:

 To highlight the entire variable, click Pathagoras Features | Authoring/Editing | General Editing Tools. Click the Markup tab. Then click the yellow 'Highlight Variables' button. Alternatively: click the 'Highlight each variable in yellow' button which appears on the Instant Database screen when you click the <Utilities> button.) (See gold arrow in Figure below.)

Note: Highlighting a variable is actually the insertion of background 'highlighting.' The highlighting can be toggled on and off by clicking the yellow button just to the right of the check-box. The highlighting can also be toggled on and off via Words Tools|Options|View menu: check, or uncheck, the Highlight box. Highlighting can also be toggled on and off via the Instant Database screen. Look for the yellow box just beneath the records listing.

 

 

Painting or highlighting variables makes them easier to see
and helps in the 'debugging' process.

Structure Checker:

 To determine if you have an equal number of brackets in the document, click Pathagoras Features | Authoring/Editing | General Editing Tools. Click the <Structure Checkers> tab. Check the appropriate parameter (in this case, balance of brackets. (To check just a section of the document, highlight that section before running this feature.)