In C# the document comments (i.e. the /// comments) contain formatting elements a la HTML and reference links. These blocks are a bunch of XML. It would be really nice if these blocks could be rendered in their fully formated form in place instead of as the XML that they are. Of course they should still be the underlying XML in the source file, but when scrolling around the file and using them I'd rather see them nicely formatted.
As a second order, being able to do WYSIWYG editting of these comments would also be a plus. Of course having it switch back dynamically to the XML when needed is going to be required.
If I understand correctly this is not something we could really do. We do not have control of the IDE, we are sneaking around behind its back redrawing the screen. This is why you sometimes get clipping with italic text.
To radically change what is visible on the screen would take a level of control that we do not really have.
Oh well. I guess I'll have to kick this up to the VS guys as a feature request. If this doc comments stuff is really going to be useful we really need to get more bang and less bloat. I love the XML for capturing intention, but reading it sucks rocks.
Formatted Doc Comments Display/Edit
Posted - May 06 2007 : 8:07:27 PM
