Files from Project open in external editors

[Ivan C.]

(version 12.0.1.1814)
File extension pkb is set for Package body under Preferences -> Files -> Program Files. However, when I open a project with such files in the list, double-clicking any opens them in an external editor (in my case Notepad++). I assume that's because such file extension is associated with that program at the OS level (Windows 7 Pro, SP1). The same happens for pks files.

How do I configure PL/SQL Developer to open these files locally, in the same session?

Note: This works fine with tst and sql file extensions (they open in the PL/SQL Developer session I'm currently in)

 

[Marco Kalter]

We'll check it out. Does it help if you assign the file extension to PL/SQL Developer?

 

[Ivan C.]

The version of PL/SQL Developer I installed is the 32-bit, on a 64-bit OS (I didn't want to go through the trouble of installing a 64-bit Oracle client. I had version PL/SQL Developer 10 installed before, so that Oracle client version was required)

I dis-associated pkb file extension from Notepad++, but now can't associate it with PL/SQL Developer (v12). Is it because it's a 32-bit app?

When I was using PL/SQL Developer 10 (which was 32-bit, uninstalled), I was able to associate these files with it. However, when I double-clicked the file in Project list, it would open in a new instance of PL/SQL Developer.

 

[Ivan C.]

I was able to associate .pkb files with PL/SQL Developer 12 executable (it was a registry issue, Computer\HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Applications\plsqldev.exe\shell\open\command was pointing to the location of the old version).

Now if I double-click a .pkb file in the Project file list, a new instance of PL/SQL Developer opens, but it doesn't even open the file (just an empty instance).

Please fix it. It's been an issue in version 10 too. It makes the Projects feature useless. I have to constantly drag and drop files from Windows Explorer.

 

[Gustavo]

I've noticed this long ago, but I have never reported it. These 3 tests are probably valid from version 5 (except for the File Browser test), when Projects were added, to version 11. I don't have v12 here, so someone else please confirm:

1.1. Open a Project
1.2. Open a Program file
1.3. Go to Project menu and choose "Add to Project".
1.4. This results in a bold entry in Project items, and the checkbox will be chfecked.
1.5. Close the file and double-click it in Project Items. It will be open in current instance.

2.1. Open a Project
2.2. From File Browser, choose a file, righ-click and "Add to Project".
2.3. This results in a normal entry in Project Items, no bold, no checkbox.
2.4. Double-click it in Project Items. It will be open in a new instance.

3.1. Open a Project
3.2. Hit the "Add Items" button from Project Items.
3.3. Choose a file and confirm.
3.4. This results in a normal entry in Project Items, no bold, no checkbox.
3.5. Double-click it in Project Items. It will be open in a new instance.

Best regards,
Gustavo

 

[Ivan C.]

Version 12.0.1.1814 (32-bit) on Windows 7 (64-bit). I didn't have version 11 installed (went from 10 to 12).

Reproducing Gustavo's (thank you very much) examples using a new project:

Scenario 1 reproduced exactly. Good.

Scenario 2 worked differently. Good.
In step 2.3. the file was added to the Project file list, check-box checked, file name in bold.
In step 2.4. the file opened in the same instance.
BTW. When I closed the Project it didn't ask me to save it, so my changes were lost. Not Good!

Scenario 3 worked differently. Good.
In step 3.2. projects now have Add File(s) button.
In step 3.4 the file was added to the Project file list, check-box checked, file name in bold.
In step 3.5 the file opened in the same instance.

Conclusion: I believe in my case the files didn't open properly due to project file being old (from an older version). I'll set up a new one and report back if something's not working.

 

[Gustavo]

Ivan,

It looks like if you added files to your project until version 11 using methods 2 or 3, they won't open in same instance, regardless of your current version. I believe you could remove the item and re-add it to the same project. As all 3 methods seem to work now, you should be ok.

Best regards,
Gustavo