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JohnCampbell · Joined: 16 Feb 2006 Posts: 2554 Location: Sydney

Paul,

Having moved from my old editor to Plato (due to moving to Win7_64) I now find that I don't have a backup copy of the original file I last updated.
Does this capability exist in Plato ?
If it doesn't, is there a possibility of introducing it.

There are the two issues of backup file name and which version to keep.

My old editor simply changed the suffix, eg program.f95 > program.bak, so multiple .f95, .ins, .for files all shared the same backup. Another editor creates program_bak.f95, but that is harder to sort for cleaning out the old versions.
As it is possible with plato to do many updates, doing repeated edit/compile cycles, could I suggest that the backup file be the version of the original file that was opened (or selected to become backed up, if such a menu option exists). I remember an old OS that retained all temporary versions, appending a version number to the file name, ending up with 20 to 30 versions of the file to delete after each edit session. Didn't like that one.
The key functionality I am suggesting is that when editing a file, the original file is (optionally?) retained (renamed with original date/time stamp changed suffix), so that all changes can later be audited.

I notice there is an auto-backup facility for editing. Is this similar ? I suspect not. More likely this is so recent edits are not lost in case Plato crashes. (Unfortunately I use this feature a lot in Excel 2010, when editing .xls compatible mode files !!)

Something to consider as another Tools > Options > Text Editor

John

PaulLaidler · Posted: Thu Sep 13, 2012 7:55 am Post subject:

OK. I think that this could be done without too much effort.
The existing backup is only there for power failures etc.

LitusSaxonicum · Posted: Fri Sep 14, 2012 11:20 am Post subject:

Paul,

At the risk of making work, could I suggest that you also think about a menu item: "show differences between current file and backup" - this would seem to also address in part John's stated need to audit differences.

Eddie

PaulLaidler · Posted: Fri Sep 14, 2012 2:25 pm Post subject:

brucebowler · Guest

If you do that, please make the saving of a backup copy optional.

PaulLaidler · Posted: Fri Sep 14, 2012 3:42 pm Post subject: