JC Lib

JC Lib is a Visual Studio Code extension for browsing, editing, importing, and generating library packs for LabWindows/CVI, C, and C++.

It is designed as a modern visual helper inspired by the classic LabWindows/CVI library browser, while adding a pack-based workflow that is easier to maintain, share, and publish.

Why JC Lib

JC Lib helps you centralize programming assistance for native code libraries inside VS Code:

• browse libraries, categories, and symbols from the side bar
• create and edit packs visually instead of hand-editing JSON only
• import content from existing .h, .hpp, .c, and .cpp files
• generate header content from packs
• insert calls and snippets directly into the active editor
• manage reusable packs for workspace or global usage

Main features

• Visual library browser in the activity bar

• Visual Pack Editor with pack, library, category, and symbol editing

• Workspace packs and global packs

• Import of:

  • functions
  • structs
  • typedefs
  • enums
  • enum class
  • classes and methods

• Starter content for C, C++, CVI, snippets, and DLL helper patterns

• Header export and scoped content export

• Symbol search by name, signature, library, category, header, or parameters

• Direct insertion of symbol calls into the active editor

Supported content

JC Lib can represent and manipulate content for:

• C
• C++
• LabWindows/CVI
• snippets
• helper templates
• mixed library documentation packs

Quick start

1. Open the view

Open JC Lib from the VS Code activity bar.

2. Create a pack

Run JC Lib: Create Library Pack to create a new editable pack.

3. Edit the pack visually

Run JC Lib: Open Visual Library Pack Editor to add and edit:

• libraries
• categories
• functions
• structs
• enums
• classes
• methods
• snippets

4. Import existing code

Use JC Lib: Add Content To Library Pack or the buttons in the visual editor to import symbols from your headers and source files.

5. Export generated content

Use JC Lib: Export Content From Library Pack or JC Lib: Generate Header From Library Pack to generate reusable .h content.

Pack locations

JC Lib loads packs from two places.

Workspace packs

.vscode/jc-lib/packs/

Use this location for project-specific packs that should travel with the repository.

Global packs

Global packs are stored in the VS Code extension storage location for the current user.

Use this location for reusable personal packs shared across multiple workspaces.

Minimal pack example

{
  "id": "my-pack",
  "name": "My Pack",
  "language": "cpp",
  "version": "1.0.0",
  "readOnly": false,
  "libraries": \\\[]
}

Main commands

• JC Lib: Refresh Libraries
• JC Lib: Find Symbol
• JC Lib: Clear Filter
• JC Lib: Manage Library Packs
• JC Lib: Create Library Pack
• JC Lib: Open Visual Library Pack Editor
• JC Lib: Import Library Pack
• JC Lib: Import Source/Header Into Library Pack
• JC Lib: Add Content To Library Pack
• JC Lib: Export Content From Library Pack
• JC Lib: Generate Header From Library Pack
• JC Lib: Show Symbol Details
• JC Lib: Insert Symbol Call