Compatible Code Editors For ThinkOrSwim

[Picard]

Is there a way to test my code without logging onto my account?

 

[merryDay]

Is there a way to test my code without logging onto my account?

I can't say that I am up on all the newest trends in code editors.
But I believe that most long-timers on the forum are using Visual Studio because it has a ThinkScript extension.

I mostly only use code editors to automate massive coding changes. So I use whatever happens to be open on my desktop.

Read more about what other members are doing:
https://usethinkscript.com/threads/closest-related-programming-language-to-thinkscript.7218/
https://usethinkscript.com/threads/thinkscript-custom-code-fall-cleaning-and-change-management.722/
https://usethinkscript.com/threads/how-to-debug-thinkscript.1471/
https://usethinkscript.com/threads/comment-a-block-of-thinkscript-code.10909/


Oh oh oh!
You do know about the ToS Tools ThinkScript Editor introduced last year, right?
While, yes you do need to sign on to your app.
It is worth it for this great tool!

No more clicking through chart settings, modifying the code, and navigating back to see the changes.

With the ThinkScript Editor in ToS Tools detached, you can keep the editor window open at all times. Make your code adjustments and instantly see them on your chart without the hassle of going in and out of chart settings.

If you're fine-tuning your indicator settings, this feature is a significant time-saver!

Click on --> Tools
Click on --> ThinkScript
Then on the right-hand-side of your screen Click on --> detach

 

[TickTockTony]

When coding Think Script do the experienced coders use "Virtual Studio Code" or as I do, the Think or swim, Tools, Thinkscript, and save directly to see the changes in my indicator. I have tried Virtual Studio Code for think script, downloaded all the think script libraries, but I cannot fine a debugger even in the marketplace.

Does the Debugger exist?

It has been said they "Ruby" code is very similar to Think Script cand could be used. It has a debugger available.

I would be so handy to step through the code and see the label contents.

Comments welcome?

Thanks in advance for your time.

 

[rad14733]

@TickTockTony I use the Thinkscript editor that Merryday mentioned above for most of my editing... I do, however, use Visual Studio Code editor to do global Search and Replace on larger scripts which is one thing sadly missing from the Thinkscript editor... Having multiple scripts open in Thinkscript Editor allows Copying and Pasting of blocks of code to eliminate retyping otherwise existing code which speeds creation of new indicators...

 

[sbhyde]

If you prefer Notepad++ (NPP) as a thinkScript editor, I hope you will find the attached files to implement a User Defined Language (UDL) useful. Once installed, the following capabilities are enabled

• Syntax highlighting
• AutoComplete for thinkScript language elements

If a thinkscript language element is not highlighted in the proper color, you should probably look at it.
This will not stop you from coding badly or mismatching parameters, but it will make certain errors jump out.

A few notes:

• This was developed for a Light Themed screen. If you want dark themed, you will need to adjust colors appropriately. NPP help has lots of information about UDLs and setting colors. Who ever takes this on should submit it back to NPP or to me and I will submit it to them.
• I have submitted this to NPP and suspect they will incorporate it in a future build as the 91st language they support.

Manual Installation instructions are as follows

What this UDL (User Defined Language) does
1) Provides Syntax based highlighting of proper language elements
2) Provides Autocomplete source by language keywords

How to Install the UDL

1) Use Notepad++'s Language > User Defined Language > Open User Defined Language folder... menu entry to find the right userDefineLangs\ folder
Place the file thinkScript.xml in that folder.

2) Locate the installation folder for Notepad++. It should be something like C:\Program Files\Notepad++. You will note multiple folders in that folder. Notice "autoCompletion" and "functionlist"

3) Rename autoComplete.xml to thinkScript.xml (i know) and deposit it in the autoComplete folder

4) Rename functionlist.xml to thinkScript.xml (i know) and deposit it in the functionlist folder

5) Enter the functionlist foldere and rename overrideMap.xml to something else

6) Deposit overrideMap.xml I sent you in the functionlist folder.

7) Restart Notepad++

When you open a file with the extension of "ts", it should apply the UDL. You can manually invoke the UDL from the Language menu. You can also select "None" to disable the Syntax highlighting.

Should you decide to back out, just delete the 3 thinkscript.xml files, delete the overrideMap.xml file and restore your original overrideMap.xml.

 

[sbhyde]

If you prefer Notepad++ (NPP) as a thinkScript editor, I hope you will find the attached files to implement a User Defined Language (UDL) useful. Once installed, the following capabilities are enabled

• Syntax highlighting
• AutoComplete for thinkScript language elements

If a thinkscript language element is not highlighted in the proper color, you should probably look at it.
This will not stop you from coding badly or mismatching parameters, but it will make certain errors jump out.

A few notes:

• This was developed for a Light Themed screen. If you want dark themed, you will need to adjust colors appropriately. NPP help has lots of information about UDLs and setting colors. Who ever takes this on should submit it back to NPP or to me and I will submit it to them.
• I have submitted this to NPP and suspect they will incorporate it in a future build as the 91st language they support.

Manual Installation instructions are as follows

What this UDL (User Defined Language) does
1) Provides Syntax based highlighting of proper language elements
2) Provides Autocomplete source by language keywords

How to Install the UDL

1) Use Notepad++'s Language > User Defined Language > Open User Defined Language folder... menu entry to find the right userDefineLangs\ folder
Place the file thinkScript.xml in that folder.

2) Locate the installation folder for Notepad++. It should be something like C:\Program Files\Notepad++. You will note multiple folders in that folder. Notice "autoCompletion" and "functionlist"

3) Rename autoComplete.xml to thinkScript.xml (i know) and deposit it in the autoComplete folder

4) Rename functionlist.xml to thinkScript.xml (i know) and deposit it in the functionlist folder

5) Enter the functionlist foldere and rename overrideMap.xml to something else

6) Deposit overrideMap.xml I sent you in the functionlist folder.

7) Restart Notepad++

When you open a file with the extension of "ts", it should apply the UDL. You can manually invoke the UDL from the Language menu. You can also select "None" to disable the Syntax highlighting.

Should you decide to back out, just delete the 3 thinkscript.xml files, delete the overrideMap.xml file and restore your original overrideMap.xml.

SInce the submission of this post, the UDL has been incorporated in the NPP environment.
You not longer need the above files.

You can import it from NPP.
1) On the NPP menu, Plugins >> CollectionInterface >> Collection Interface Download
2) In the UDL box, click on thinkScript.
3) Select the check boxes for "Also AutoCompletion" and "Also FunctionList"
4) Click Download

 

[sbhyde]

When coding Think Script do the experienced coders use "Virtual Studio Code" or as I do, the Think or swim, Tools, Thinkscript, and save directly to see the changes in my indicator. I have tried Virtual Studio Code for think script, downloaded all the think script libraries, but I cannot fine a debugger even in the marketplace.

Does the Debugger exist?

It has been said they "Ruby" code is very similar to Think Script cand could be used. It has a debugger available.

I would be so handy to step through the code and see the label contents.

Comments welcome?

Thanks in advance for your time.

I know this was 18 months ago. In case anyone else is looking for the info.

I haven't seen a debugger and I suspect one does not exist. (Thinkscript isn't really a language)

I add debug statements into my code like this

input debug = yes;
AddChartBubble(debug and <??>, " Parm = " + value + ....

You can use "\n" in the text field to create multi-line comments (see image). You may need to expand the time/price axis to see the bubbles if they overlap. (remember this is for debugging, not production)

I would add these recommendations
1) use the <??> to suppress bubbles you don't care to see (screen clutter)
2) Study the AddChartBubble help for other options (specifically location of bubble)
3) Add and Debug code in smaller chunks. The compiler gets confused by errors and will point you to the wrong line/issue. It is a lot easier to find problems in the last 10 lines you added than the last 100 lines.

To zero in on when a problem is occuring, you can also put similar code in a lower panel and show lines, symbols or bars when a specific condition occurs.