About The Project
Rocket MV BASIC for VS code is a free Visual Studio Code Extension created by Rocket Software. The purpose of this extension is to enable BASIC developers to develop MV BASIC applications in one of the most popular development platforms- Microsoft Visual Studio Code. Rocket MV BASIC for VS code provides users with an exceptional editing experience.
Features
This extension includes the following features:
- BASIC statements / keywords highlighting
- Semantic highlighting
- Symbols collection / outline on the current document
- Code folding
- Go to / Peek definition on the current document or crossing different files
- Rename symbols for the same type
- Find symbol references in current document and crossing different files
- Hover over a statement to display its documentation
- Document formatting, range formatting and on typing formatting
- Detail settings for formatting
- Auto-Completion for BASIC statements, keywords, and symbols
- Connect to U2 MultiValue server and cache cataloged programs to local machine when necessary
- Auto-Group files and customize the group rules
- Add customized documentation for functions, subroutines, or labels
- Show syntax and grammar errors
- Prompt parameters of BASIC internal functions
- Compile / Catalog BASIC programs on the U2 server or jBASE
- Debug BASIC program files
- Remote editing of BASIC program files on a U2 server or jBASE
- jBASE Support
Quick Start
Requirements: VS Code 1.75 or higher version is required.
Install this extension from the VS Code Marketplace.
Download, install and setup the Java environment. Note that you can skip Step 1 and Step 2 if you already have Java 17+ (OpenJDK or Oracle JDK) installed.
Step 1: Download the Open JDK 17 or above GA releases zip file from this page.
Step 2: Unzip the downloaded zip file to a temporary location on your system (for example, "C:\ThirdParty\open-jdk-17").
Step 3. Open User Settings (use the appropriate option listed below):
On Windows/Linux
File > Preferences > Settings
Use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + , to open the setting editor
Press F1 or Ctrl + Shift + P to open the Command Palette, and then select Preferences: Open Settings (UI)
On macOS
Code > Preferences > Settings
Press F1 or Ctrl + Shift + P on Mac to open Command Palette, and then select Preferences: Open Settings (UI)
Step 4. Search “Rocket” to locate the Rocket MV BASIC extension and enter the Java bin path.
Note: Using this method, an existing working environment that requires a different version of Java would not be impacted and the extension will work properly in the Java 17 (or above) environment.
Select "File" > "Open Folder" to open a folder that contains the BASIC program files you want to view or edit. You can also add multiple folders to the workspace using "File" > "Add Folder to Workspace". We recommend that you open the U2 account level folders to avoid encountering exceptions.
Note: This extension is designed to work with folders/directories rather than individual program files. If you open a single file, some functions may be limited.
Activate the extension.
By default, the extension is automatically activated when opening a file with the suffix ".B". If your BASIC program files don’t end with a ".B" suffix, please refer to the FAQ to see how to customize the rules for activating the extension automatically.
If the extension is not activated automatically, please open the Command Palette in VS code(use any option listed below), and enter the "Activate Rocket MV BASIC" command to activate it manually.
On Windows/Linux
On macOS
Note: Currently, the extension does not provide version control capabilities. Users should manage source code versions independent of this extension.
GitHub Copilot Integration
Rocket provides ready-made instruction files that teach GitHub Copilot about MV BASIC syntax and the Rocket MV BASIC extension workflows (compiling, cataloging, debugging, and connecting to MultiValue servers). Once installed, Copilot automatically uses them to give better answers about MV BASIC and the MultiValue platform (UniVerse, UniData, jBASE).
Files
mvbasic-syntax.instructions.md — MV BASIC language syntax, statements, dynamic arrays, file I/O, and functions.mvbasic-plugin.instructions.md — how to use the extension: compile, catalog, debug, and connect.
Disclaimer
Rocket provides MV BASIC syntax and workflow context as GitHub Copilot custom instructions files that you can add to your project to improve GitHub Copilot's assistance with MV BASIC development and MVVS configuration. Use of these files requires GitHub Copilot to be separately installed and enabled under your own license. MVVS does not install, enable, or require GitHub Copilot, and MVVS features work the same whether or not you add these files. These files do not send source code, prompts, or usage data to Rocket or any third party. Your use of GitHub Copilot, including GitHub Copilot's handling of your code and prompts, is governed by GitHub Copilot's terms.
Installation
Download both instruction files from the Rocket MV BASIC repository: https://github.com/RocketSoftware/rocket-mvbasic/.
In your project, create the folder (if it does not already exist): <your-project>/.github/instructions/.
Copy both .instructions.md files into that folder.
Reload VS Code, or start a new Copilot Chat session.
VS Code automatically discovers any *.instructions.md file under .github/instructions/. Each file's applyTo: "**/*" frontmatter applies the instructions to every file in your workspace, so they are active for all MV BASIC programs regardless of file extension or folder. This requires GitHub Copilot and Copilot Chat to be enabled.
Usage
Click the link below to learn more about using each feature. You can also refer to the user manual documentation online.
Please visit our forum for user collaboration or raise an issue with Rocket support.
