Dessa for VS Code
Language support for Dessa, a
statically typed language that compiles to C++ (native programs) and to
JavaScript (the browser and Node).
The extension asks the dessa compiler itself for errors, types and
definitions, so what you see in the editor is exactly what the compiler does.
Requirements
The dessa compiler. Get it from the
releases page or build it
from source (see the
installation guide).
If dessa isn't on your PATH, set dessa.compilerPath to the executable.
Highlighting works without the compiler; everything else needs it.
Files
| Files |
What they are |
.ds |
Dessa programs (also .dx, .dz, .dsx, .dxx, .dzx, .dds, .dss) |
.dm |
Dessa modules |
.dhtml |
HTML pages with Dessa scripts, built with dessa build page.dhtml |
.html |
Dessa scripts in <script type="text/dessa"> are highlighted too |
Features
Highlighting for Dessa files, .dhtml pages, and Dessa scripts inside
HTML pages.
Errors as you type. The compiler checks the file while you type and marks
the exact spot. In .dhtml pages every script is checked, with positions in
the page itself.
Unused imports are faded, like in TypeScript. Set dessa.unusedImports to
warning to see them as warnings, or off.
Completion from the real types. customer. lists the members of
customer's class, inherited ones included. It also works after is checks,
inside lambdas, through ?. and along call chains such as
win.button("OK").onClick(...). Library imports complete too. Only names are
suggested (no keywords), and picking a function doesn't add (). Snippets
are in Insert Snippet.
Hover shows the type at that spot, the documentation comment, and a
"Defined in" link.
Go to definition (F12 or ctrl+click) on variables, functions, classes,
fields, methods, constructors (new Window), type names (var[Window]),
builtins ("text".upper) and library functions.
Links on imports. Ctrl+click $("webutils") or $("utils.strings") to
open the module.
Parameter hints while you type a call, with the default values.
HTML help in .dhtml pages. Outside the Dessa scripts you get what
VS Code gives in .html files: tag and attribute completion, hover with the
tag's description, matching tag highlights and folding.
Run with Ctrl+F5 or the play button in the editor title. .ds files run
as native programs; .dhtml pages are served locally (dessa run page.dhtml).
Snippets for common forms (functions, classes, loops, imports).
Commands
| Command |
What it does |
| Dessa: Run File |
runs the file or page (Ctrl+F5) |
| Dessa: Show Generated C++ |
opens the C++ the compiler makes from the file |
| Dessa: Check File |
checks the file for errors now |
Settings
| Setting |
Default |
Meaning |
dessa.compilerPath |
dessa |
the dessa executable, if it isn't on PATH |
dessa.checkOnType |
true |
check while typing (otherwise on open and save) |
dessa.unusedImports |
dim |
imports the file never uses: dim (faded), warning, or off |
dessa.packageFolders |
[] |
extra folders with riv packages for $("lib") imports (like DESSA_PACKAGES) |
More
