Author Topic: v8 - Type dropdown box broken (Read 18051 times)

Geert Bellekens · « **on:** February 15, 2010, 11:22:15 pm »

The type dropdown gui element in the properties dialog of an attribute is of the type combobox.
That means that it allows both to type a value as to select one from the list.

In v8 they have managed to break this simple control. Once something has been selected previously you cannot type anything in the field anymore. Only if you select <none> (from somewhere in the middle of the list :-?) it allows you to type again.

Also in v7.5 this combobox allowed to simply start typing the name of a classifier, and it showed you the possibilities to choose from. This possibility has gone. I have to open a new dialog now if I want to select an existing class as type of my attribute

In engineering there is a golden rule: if it aint broke, don't fix it!

Geert

Paolo F Cantoni · « **Reply #1 on:** February 15, 2010, 11:47:02 pm »

Geert,

You DID formally report this didn't you?

I can see your frustration, particularly since there is the builder button next to the type which brings up the browse/search functionality anyway.

Paolo

Geert Bellekens · « **Reply #2 on:** February 15, 2010, 11:56:14 pm »

Yes, I did submit a formal bug report (for version 7.5 because v8 is not available in the dropdown

)

Geert

Eve · « **Reply #3 on:** February 16, 2010, 09:05:59 am »

The golden rule wasn't broken.

The combo itself was limited in effectiveness due to the lack of namespace qualification. (A common complaint on this forum) Also, on large models was taking a long time to fill.

Geert Bellekens · « **Reply #4 on:** February 16, 2010, 03:08:08 pm »

Simon,

I agree, the dropdown had its limitation, that's what the [...] button next to it was good for.

As for the issue of performance, I work on a largish model with ~50.000 objects, and it hasn't really slowed me down so far.

The current dropdown is just useless.

Geert

Aaron B · « **Reply #5 on:** February 16, 2010, 03:35:51 pm »

Quote

Yes, I did submit a formal bug report (for version 7.5 because v8 is not available in the dropdown )

Just a quick note on reporting bugs with the EA 8.0 beta - there is a special form for this linked from the download page for the beta. EA 8.0 builds won't be added to builds list on other report forms until it is out of beta.
http://www.sparxsystems.com/registered/reg_bug_report_beta.html

RoyC · « **Reply #6 on:** February 16, 2010, 03:41:48 pm »

It isn't a perfect solution, but if you save the attribute you can type over the Type field, even if it has a combo box value or Select Classifier dialog value. A click or two simpler than selecting <none> from the combo box.

Geert Bellekens · « **Reply #7 on:** February 16, 2010, 09:35:51 pm »

The new type dropdown (for attributes, parameters etc..) in v8 doesn't allow anymore to type the name of the type anymore (if it is anything else then a primitive type)
If you want to use a type you are obligated to use the "select type dialog" (couple of mouseclicks).

For me this is not acceptable. It takes a lot longer then before to select a type for attributes or parameters in v8.

Please vote on how you like the new type dropdown. If enough users agree with me we might pursuade Sparx to give us back the easy way of settign the type.

Geert

beginner · « **Reply #8 on:** February 16, 2010, 10:48:09 pm »

hmmmm. I just tried the dialogs and to me they appear the same as in 7.5 with no change in behavior?!

b.

However, how did you mange to create a poll? This is the first poll I see on this board. When has this functionality been added?

Geert Bellekens · « **Reply #9 on:** February 16, 2010, 10:55:10 pm »

Are you able to select another class as type of your attribute using the dropdown?

I certainly wasn't. I could only select some primitives, <none> and the option that opens the select element dialog (like the [...] button)

About the poll, I don't know, must be a week or two since I first saw the create poll button.

Geert

beginner · « **Reply #10 on:** February 16, 2010, 11:31:43 pm »

Now I see. I just thought that typing was not possible :-/

Well, the 7.5 version always showed me a 10 mile long list which wasn't so useful either. If there would have been a way to limit the namespace. So now it's probably to chose between pest and cholera?!

Thinking a bit more: I typed the first chars and had the class "nearby". So yes. I choose cholera 7.5

b.

marcelloh · « **Reply #11 on:** February 17, 2010, 05:31:05 pm »

If a combobox takes a long time to fill, that is probably a sign of a design-flaw. I would suggest just to rebuild this so it just loads faster.
(like indexing the 'beast', or... make it so, that people can make a list of favorites.)

Paolo F Cantoni · « **Reply #12 on:** February 17, 2010, 05:58:44 pm »

Geert,

Before I vote, I'd like some clarification... You're just talking about the dropdown and NOT the builder button yes?

I'd like the 7.5 dropdown with the v8 builder button. Is that your 7.5 option? If not, can you add an option to the poll?

Paolo
PS: Where do the poll results go? Who can see them?

beginner · « **Reply #13 on:** February 17, 2010, 06:23:48 pm »

Just look on top of this thread, Paolo.

b.

Geert Bellekens · « **Reply #14 on:** February 17, 2010, 06:28:20 pm »

Is the v8 builder button different from the 7.5 (850) one? I haven't noticed any differences. In one of the last builds of 7.5 they added this great new "select item" dialog.

I don't know where the results go. I can see them every time I open the topic, can't you? (or can you only see the results after you voted?)

I actually hope the Sparxians will notice the poll (and its results) and take appropriate action.

Geert

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