Inserting Code Snippets

  • Article

Keyboard:  CTRL + K, CTRL + X
Menu:  Edit -> IntelliSense -> Insert Snippet
Command:  Edit.InsertSnippet
Versions:  2008,2010
Published:  4/20/2010
Code:  vstipEdit0051

 

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Let's talk about snippets.  For some reason, even though these have been around for a while, people still don't have this baked into their brain.  So let's assume you are in the editor:

C#

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VB

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And you want to crank out an "if" statement.  You can type it out but that would be the hard way out.  Why not just use a snippet?  There are several ways to do this:

  1. Just type "if" and press TAB twice: 

    C#
    The piece of paper indicates this is a snippet in C#.
    image 

    VB
    In VB you won't have the piece of paper but will have a note in the tooltip that indicates this is a snippet:
    image

  2. Press CTRL + K, CTRL + X or Right-Click and choose Insert Snippet or Go to Edit -> IntelliSense -> Insert Snippet on the Menu Bar:

    C#
    You will get this prompt to Insert Snippet.
    image 

    Go to "Visual C#" then press ENTER:
     image

    Then type "if" and press ENTER:
    image

    VB
    You will get the same prompt as you did in C# to start but the path is different.  Go to "Code Patterns [.]" then press ENTER:
    image 
    Go to "Conditionals and Loops" then press ENTER:
    image 

    Pick the "if" statement you want:
    image 

 

No matter which option you choose the result is essentially the same:

C#

image

 

VB

image

 

You can now type in your condition and then the rest of your logic.  Enjoy!