Is there a way to edit a file ( BAS, INC, etc... ) without having to start a Project?
Basically you can edit the bas and inc files in the modules folder. You could even edit the frm files in the Forms folder with a text editor like PSPad, since the frm files are plain text files. The form description comes first and the toward the end of the file you find the subs and functions.
Does it make sense? I don't think so. FireFly helps you to create dialogs quick and easy. From the FireFly code FireFly creates the PowerBasic code which is afterwards compiled with the PB compiler. Besides that FireFly has a rich set of native functions (or wrappers) which are translated into PB code. So even if you manually add code into a function or sub of a frm file you would need to start the project in FireFly to compile.
The only thing that might make sense is to edit the PB code generated by FireFly. This code you can then compile directly with PB. But there is really no advantage to making your changes directly in FireFly.
Rolf
What I mean is, can FF3 be used as an editor for generic BAS and INC files that are not part of an actual Project.
I know I can open the generated files with an external editor, I use UltraEdit.
Doesn't look like it, since the menues / buttons are disabled without an open project.
I would recommend Jose Roca's SED editor for generic bas inc files.
Rolf
For me, when I have a BAS or INC file I need to edit, I use PBedit. It works just fine for me.
I don't understand why you would have the need to have that functionality build into FF3. Personally, I am fine with the way it is.
This is a tough question because I debated being able to use FireFly as a standalone code editor. In the end, I opted for keeping FireFly as a dedicated GUI development environment. I use JellyFish Pro Editor if I need to edit standalone files or to create DLL's, etc...
Once the FireFly code editor gets more sophisticated, I can see creating an open FireFly project for a standalone editor. Using FireFly to create such an application would be very easy (especially if the code editor component is already available).