VS Code Clarion Extension – 0.9.7/0.9.8 - The Biggest Update Yet

Announcements
1

I’ve just published another substantial update to the VS Code Clarion Extension.

Was 0.9.7, but now 0.9.8 as I hadn’t updated the docs correctly

Since the previous release this update includes:

  • 166 documented changes
  • 92 bug fixes
  • 48 new features
  • Numerous performance optimisations and usability improvements based on feedback from Clarion developers

Some of the highlights include:

IDE Integration

  • F5 now launches the Clarion debugger directly from VS Code.
  • Ctrl+F5 prompts to Build & Run or Run Without Building.
  • The extension now synchronises the active startup project and build configuration with the Clarion IDE, so changing either in VS Code is reflected back into Clarion automatically.
  • New Clarion Actions toolbar providing one-click Build, Run, Debug, Open Solution and Close Solution commands, along with a live summary of the current solution.

Navigation & Productivity

  • Rename Symbol (F2) across the entire workspace.
  • Workspace Symbol Search (Ctrl+T).
  • Document Highlight for the symbol under the cursor.
  • Cross-project navigation is now significantly faster thanks to a new caching system, making repeated Ctrl+F12 operations almost instantaneous.
  • Improved Hover, Go To Definition and Find All References throughout the extension.
  • Full support for namespaced routines and improved handling of FUNCTION declarations and MAP procedures.

Code Generation

  • New “Add MODULE with PROCEDURE” code action (Ctrl+.) which can:

    • create a new CLW file,
    • insert the MODULE declaration,
    • update the project,
    • refresh the solution,
    • and open the new source file automatically.

Language Intelligence

  • Better support for local class instances.
  • Improved handling of overloaded procedures.
  • Cross-file resolution of SELF.Method() calls.
  • Better documentation hovers, including support for !!! comments.
  • Numerous improvements to hover information and code previews.

Solution Management

  • Dependency-aware build ordering.
  • Better build progress reporting.
  • Additional batch commands for UpperPark users.

Performance

  • Much faster cross-project lookups (typically 50–70% faster).
  • Reduced file I/O through shared caching.
  • Faster document opening and navigation.

Bug Fixes
This release also contains fixes covering:

  • Hover and Go To Definition accuracy.
  • Find All References.
  • Rename edge cases.
  • Local class resolution.
  • Documentation parsing.
  • Overloaded procedure diagnostics.
  • Cross-file navigation reliability.
  • Various IDE integration improvements.

As always, feedback, bug reports and feature suggestions are very welcome. The project continues to evolve based on real-world Clarion development, so if something can make your day easier, let me know.

Full changelog:

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