Currently we have abstractions over constant values, for Text we have Labels and for Integers we have Enums.
When working with Labels it can be useful to be able to see quickly what the label contains.
It's enforced by the CodeCop to name the labels descriptively but we have a lot of global Text001, Text002, Text003, etc. variables which can be refactored over time to appropriate names. But until then, it would be really nice to get a glimpse of the content without needing to navigate back and forth (and possible to rename it with F2 without looking for further context).
A similar concern is apparent when working with Enum values, as there is no way to see the ordinal it returns except if we go to the definition.
So, could the start of the string at least be shown for Labels (even just the start of it followed by ellipsis) and if it's Locked?
Could Enum values also show us a bit more information about it - especially the ordinal and even the beginning of the caption, if present or different from the value?
Original ticket was posted here:
https://github.com/microsoft/AL/issues/6263
Comments
I'd just like to point out that this idea has been mostly implemented (at least Labels show content on hover) in 2023w2: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/dynamics365/release-plan/2023wave2/smb/dynamics365-business-central/hover-over-label-variable-see-text-string-value
Category: Development
I would love if the there was a setting to specify the order of enums in intellisense by Ordinal Value instead of Name.
Category: Development
Yes. That would be really helpful, because even with a descriptive var name, I still need to know the full contents at the time of code changes.
Category: Development
Business Central Team (administrator)
Thank you for this suggestion! Currently this is not on our roadmap. We are tracking this idea and if it gathers more votes and comments we will consider it in the future. Best regards, Business Central Team