Files with the .h extension are currently treated as C source code. However, the extension is also used for C++. It would be nice if Geany filetype auto detection switched the header type to C/C++ based on whether a corresponding source file is found.

For instance, many projects match .cc and .h files. If both filename.cc and filename.h exist, it would be reasonable to expect the .h file to be a C++ header. But if filename.c is found instead, the .h file is most likely a C header.

Since there are fewer C file extensions to check (just .c), the default could be for .h files to be treated as C++ and switched to C if a corresponding .c file is found. There is a potential issue when isolated .h files are loaded. I don't know how bothersome it would be fore users to have C files treated as C++.

Another option is to treat .h files as C and to switch filetype when a .cc file is detected, since that seems to be the most common mismatched pair.

Notes:

• I searched and read parts of the manual related to file types, but did not see anything that indicated this has already been implemented in Geany. I apologize if I missed it. But the manual is over 70 pages long when printed.

• This feature could be implemented in a plugin. But the plugins related to managing source code and projects didn't appear to have it.

• I have implemented this feature in a personal plugin, so whether this is implemented in the main program doesn't really affect me personally. However, I do wonder whether this would be appropriate as a standard feature.

• This functionality can likely be implemented as a Lua script. However, I am concerned about the longevity of the GeanyLua plugin because Lua 5.1 is over 9 years past EOL.

—
You are receiving this because you are subscribed to this thread.
Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub, or unsubscribe.
Triage notifications on the go with GitHub Mobile for iOS or Android.