Asking for recommendations on how to add a feature to KTextEditor

[Aleix Pol]

On Mon, Apr 9, 2018 at 12:49 PM, Michal Srb <michalsrb at gmail.com> wrote:
> Hi,
>
> I would like to ask for hints/recommendations on how to implement a
> feature for KTextEditor.
>
> My ultimate goal is to make a plugin for KDevelop that will show some
> additional information in the code itself. For example names of
> function arguments at call site. Something like this in intellij:
> https://d3nmt5vlzunoa1.cloudfront.net/idea/files/2016/09/Screen-Shot-2016-09-27-at-10.29.15.png
>
> For this I would need a way to render something in the text, affecting
> the layout of the line. It would be nice to be able to place any
> general widget or image into the line, but even plain text would be
> sufficient. It must behave differently than the "real" text around it,
> such that it can not be edited, cursor skips it, copying does not copy
> it, etc.
>
> So far I thought of adding something like `AnnotationViewInterface`,
> which would allow to add this kind of immutable text on line+column
> position. Then in `KateRenderer` it could take these into
> consideration when layouting the line and render it in. It would be
> visible in the text, but never become a real part of the text.
>
> Would you recommend some other approach, or is there perhaps a way to
> do it without modifying KTextEditor?

Including kwrite-devel where many kate developers live. :)
Looking forward to seeing your feature implemented in KDevelop! :D

Aleix