Multiple instances of the IDE - possible?

[stevech]

Is there a configuration setting to permit 2+ instances of the ZBasic IDE? Each would use a different COM port.

As is, each attempt to launch the IDE again is ignored.

[dkinzer]

On the Options menu, uncheck "Open Files Here". You should then be able to launch another instance. You can make this choice permanent by adding the line below to your User Options file:

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check.if.already.open=0

It is likely that issues will arise when trying to run multiple instances since they will all be trying to use the same data in the User Options file.

[stevech]

ah yes - I recall that there are work session (project) specific edits of the user options file made automatically by the IDE - so two IDE instances would not work, e.g., if different target processors were in use.

[dkinzer]

I recall that there are work session (project) specific edits of the user options file made automatically by the IDE - so two IDE instances would not work, e.g., if different target processors were in use.

I've created an experimental version of the IDE that allows the User Properties filename to be specified on the command line. With this, you can create several shortcuts to invoke a new instance using a different User Properties file. To set this up, create a new shortcut and in its properties, set the Target field to something like:

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"C:\Program Files\ZBasic\IDE\ZBasicIDE.exe" -check.if.already.open=0 -userProperties:"user2.properties"

The properties filename only requires quotes if it contains spaces. Note that this specifies only the filename and extension of the User Properties file. The pathname will always be the "Documents and Settings" directory of the current user.

Also note that the command line argument "-check.if.already.open=0" makes it unnecessary to have that property set in the primary instance.

[stevech]

I'll give it a try. Two+ IDEs going concurrently is occasionally useful.