Code Generation and Refactoring library

Overview | Refactoring and Code Generation

The code generation api provides a system to simplify the creation of refactoring and code generating tools. The definition-use chain (duchain) and the language's specific abstract syntax tree (AST) provide the basis of a two-tiered, high-level and low-level api respectively. This gives you the simplicity and reusability of working with a language-independent api (the duchain) while still having the full power to manipulate language specifics (the AST).

To perform code generation, you should create a new duchain (eg. starting with a KDevelop::DUContext or KDevelop::Declaration) and then if desired attach AST branches where required.

To perform refactoring, a change set needs to be created against pre-existing duchains and/or ASTs; the chains/ASTs are not modified directly. Create a KDevelop::DUChangeSet and/or an KDevelop::AstChangeSet. Once created, this api will use the KDevelop::EditorIntegrator to modify the editor text, or directly edit on-disk files.

Refactoring which includes some code generation can combine the two different approaches (direct creation of objects and change sets).

License(s):

LGPLv2

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