My latest Visual Studio extension is now available! Get it here: 2017, 2015
So what is CodeLink?
Getting two developers on the same page over chat can be time consuming. I work remote, so I can’t just walk to someone’s desk. I often find myself saying “go to this file” and “ok, now find function <name>”. Then I wait. Most of the time it’s only 10-20 seconds lost. If it’s a common filename or function, it takes longer. Even then, mistakes can be made.
So I asked myself: Self, wouldn’t it be great if I could send them a link to the place / cursor location in the solution I’m at? Just like a web link?
CodeLink was born.
So here’s what a CodeLink looks like:
codelink://[visualstudio]/[AurisIdeas.Common.Security\AurisIdeas.Common.Security.csproj]/[ParameterFactory.cs]/[9]
I would simply share that CodeLink with a fellow developer. They’d select “Open CodeLink…” in VisualStudio, paste it in, and be brought to that line of code in that project. No more walking them through it, much less waiting.
Technically, the format is:
codelink://[Platform]/[Project Unique Path]/[File Unique Path]/[LineNumber]
What’s it good for?
Other than what I’ve suggested, and what you come up with, I’m thinking CodeLink will help you, teams, teachers, and students with:
- Include CodeLinks in bugs, code reviews to highlight what needs to be reviewed
- Share CodeLinks on Git repos, pointing to specific code examples, points of interest, and so forth
- Share CodeLinks with students so they can continue referring / reviewing useful code
So what’s next?
When I was thinking of the link format, I figured I may end up extending this to VS Code and other editors in the future. After all, not everyone uses VS. Why not XCode, Visual Studio Mac, Atom? So, I added a type identifier.
As always, I look forward to your feedback. Hit me up on Twitter or LinkedIn.
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