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IDE Integrations

In this chapter you'll learn about Jenova integrations with Visual Studio, VSCode, NeoVim etc.

Screenshot_VisualStudio2022

Visual Studio 2022, Exported Visual Studio C++ project from Jenova Framework.

Godot IDE​

Jenova Runtime transforms Godot Editor into a capable IDE, Allowing you to edit C++ Scripts, Compile, and Run them directly within Godot. However, this cannot fully replace a powerful and feature-rich IDE like Visual Studio.

To provide a comprehensive coding and debugging experience, Jenova Framework offers deep integration with Visual Studio 2017+ through a custom build system. Additionally, it supports external code editors such as Visual Studio Code (VSCode), NeoVim, Code::Blocks etc.

Visual Studio IDE​

Using Visual Studio integration significantly enhances your workflow by providing access to numerous useful tools and features.

Some of the Features are :

  • Unmatched IntelliSense: Visual Studio offers some of the best IntelliSense features on the market. IntelliSense includes code completion, parameter information, quick info, and error reporting, helping programmers write code more efficiently.
  • Debugging Tools: Visual Studio provides robust debugging tools, enabling developers to thoroughly inspect their programs at runtime.
  • Templates: Visual Studio accelerates C++ code development by offering templates for constructs such as if, for and switch.
  • Code Analyzers: Visual Studio includes various code analysis tools to help optimize and improve your code.

Beyond these benefits, Jenova's Hot-Reloading System (Sakura) allows you to hot-reload the entire code in the editor and all running game instances with each successful build via Visual Studio integration.

📖 Learn more about Jenova Hot-Reloading System
 
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Visual Studio Selector​

Jenova includes an internal system to automatically detect all supported and installed versions of Visual Studio on your machine, eliminating the need for manual configuration.

GuideImage_JenovaVSSelector

Jenova Visual Studio Selector Window, Automatically detected Visual Studio instances.

Using Visual Studio Exporter​

To export your Jenova Solution (Project) to Visual Studio, Simply open the exporter from the menu Jenova > Export to Visual Studio...

You can also open the exporter using the shortcut Ctrl + Shift + E

Screenshot_VisualStudioExporterInJenovaMenu

Jenova Main Menu, Visual Studio Exporter is accessible from the Jenova Main Menu.

Then, select your desired version and click Generate Solution to export the solution. After successful generation, you will be prompted to decide whether to open the solution in Visual Studio.

GuideImage_VisualStudioExporterPrompt

Visual Studio Exporter Prompt, You can open the Visual Studio solution immediately after export.

Now you can edit your code in Visual Studio. Simply build the module and observe the changes in the editor and game.

Note that to use Visual Studio with Hot-Reload, you need to set External Changes Trigger Mode to Watchdog Invoke.

If you only want to edit code without using the Jenova Build System in Visual Studio, set it to Script Reload.

📖 Learn more about External Changes Trigger Mode
 
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Tip

If you have a supported Visual Studio instance installed on your machine, You can skip the compiler installation inside the Godot Editor and use the Jenova Build System in Visual Studio independently.

Attention

Do not modify the codebase directly from Visual Studio. This includes adding, renaming, or deleting C++, header, resource and project files in a generated Visual Studio solution. Instead, apply changes in Godot and re-export the project.

Visual Studio Code​

In addition to Visual Studio, You can use any external editor including Visual Studio Code (VSCode) for enhanced code editing.

Screenshot_VisualStudioCode

Visual Studio Code, Editing Jenova C++ Scripts in an external editor.

Jenova provides a built-in Visual Studio Code Exporter which can be access the menu Jenova > Export to Visual Studio Code...

You can also open the exporter using the shortcut Alt + Shift + E

To use an external editor, Simply set External Changes Trigger Mode to Script Reload. Now you can open any C++ Script in VSCode.

After saving your source file and returning to Godot, it will rebuild on demand. You can also use this with Build and Run Mode to automatically run your game after making changes.