# Editor problems

**URL:** <https://discourse.processing.org/t/editor-problems/13044>\
**Category:** Processing\
**Created:** [July 29, 2019, 4:30pm UTC](https://discourse.processing.org/t/editor-problems/13044 "2019-07-29T16:30:37Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![LivioR](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c89c15/32.png) [@LivioR](https://discourse.processing.org/u/LivioR)\
**Post date:** [July 29, 2019, 4:30pm UTC](https://discourse.processing.org/t/editor-problems/13044/1 "2019-07-29T16:30:37Z")

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Hi, my name is Livio.  
I started using processing (Version 3.5.3 on Windows 10) a week ago.  
I noticed some problems in the editor:

- TAB does not allow to align the lines well.

- When I use getContent(), from class XML, the word getContent it appears blue and I can use the help “Find In Reference”, but if I use getIntContent() it appears black and I can’t use the " Find In Reference" function when I click with right button of the mouse.

I like very much Processing and I hope the editor will improve soon, recently I use Atmel Studio 7 and I must say that the editor of the latter is much more powerful.

Bye  
Livio

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**Author:** ![kll](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex036/user_avatar/discourse.processing.org/kll/32/964_2.png) [@kll](https://discourse.processing.org/u/kll)\
**Post date:** [July 30, 2019, 1:17am UTC](https://discourse.processing.org/t/editor-problems/13044/2 "2019-07-30T01:17:48Z")

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hi LIVIO,  
thank’s for the feedback on using processing IDE 3.5.3  
for a week.

> [@LivioR](#):
>
> TAB does not allow to align the lines well

the aligning of code lines in the editor actually is automatic  
( line indentation on [enter] )  
OR  
if you use accidently use [Tab] or manual [space]  
can be repaired with [ctrl][t]

so if you ok with that formatting you have not to use [Tab] at all;  
but if you like another manual formatting ( [Tab] or [space] )  
a [ctrl][t] might damage that.

so the trick is to learn what different style/format the default code styler allows.  
i like this way, example:

```auto
int longv = 5; // a variable
int v = 20; // a other variable

if ( v > longv ) v = longv; // check
else v = 0; // stay safe

```

and i call that

> positioning for readability

with [Tab] or [space] works and survives [ctrl][t]

* * *

for comparing the editor ( or the whole IDE … )  
with other tools, the processing IDE is meant for a easy start  
and will NOT evolve ( in weeks or month )  
so if you are more happy with other tools use them.  
often mentioned requests are code folding and coloring…,  
please try tools like “atom” or “geany”

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**Author:** ![LivioR](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c89c15/32.png) [@LivioR](https://discourse.processing.org/u/LivioR)\
**Post date:** [July 30, 2019, 1:03pm UTC](https://discourse.processing.org/t/editor-problems/13044/3 "2019-07-30T13:03:20Z")

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Thank you for the answer, and about getIntContent() ?

I have other indications for the editor, is anyone interested? Is this the right forum to post them?

Bye  
Livio

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**Author:** ![glv](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex036/user_avatar/discourse.processing.org/glv/32/18785_2.png) [@glv](https://discourse.processing.org/u/glv)\
**Post date:** [August 4, 2019, 2:33pm UTC](https://discourse.processing.org/t/editor-problems/13044/4 "2019-08-04T14:33:14Z")

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> [@LivioR](#):
>
> TAB does not allow to align the lines well.

I use the tabs to align my comments or code for readability and they do not align as expected and I may have to add spaces.  
In my other editors the tab is at absolute locations and equal increments from left of page.

🙂