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Object Browser

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The Object Browser allows you to examine and discover objects (namespaces, classes, structures, interfaces, types, enums, and so forth) and their members (properties, methods, events, variables, constants, enum items, and so forth) from various components. These components can be projects in your solution, referenced components within those projects, and external components. For more information about the Object Browser, see Browsing Code and Components. For a guide to the icons displayed in the Object Browser, see Class View and Object Browser Icons.

You can determine what components are shown at any given time by choosing and customizing the browsing scope. For more information about modifying the browsing scope, see Viewing and Altering the Browsing Scope.

To open the Object Browser, either press CTRL+ALT+J, choose Object Browser on the View menu, or click the Object Browser button on the main toolbar.

  • Browse
    Allows you to select either the Active Project browsing scope or the Selected Components browsing scope as defined in the Selected Components dialog box. The Active Project browsing scope is the contents of the active project and its referenced components. As the active project changes, the Object Browser updates.
  • Customize
    This button is available when you choose Selected Components as your browsing scope. This displays the Selected Components dialog box which allows you to specify the components you want to browse — projects and their referenced components, and external components
  • Object Browser Sort Objects
    The Sort Objects button allows you to choose a particular view of the objects. You can sort the objects independently from the members. The ToolTip that displays for the button reflects the name of the current view in use. The available choices are:
    • Sort Alphabetically – Objects are listed alphabetically by their names in ascending order (A->Z).
    • Sort By Type – Objects are listed in order of their type, such as bases, followed by interfaces, followed by methods, and so forth.
    • Sort By Access – Objects are listed in order of their access type, such as public or private.
    • Group By Type – Objects are grouped together by component type under nodes in the tree view. For example, when this is selected, all classes display together in a node called "Classes," and all interfaces display together in a node called "Interfaces."
  • Object Browser Sort Members
    The Sort Members button allows you to choose a particular view of the members. You can sort the members independently from the objects. The ToolTip that displays for the button reflects the name of the current view in use. The available choices are:
    • Sort Alphabetically – Members are listed alphabetically by their names in ascending order (A->Z).
    • Sort By Type – Members are listed in order of their type, such as bases, followed by interfaces, followed by methods, and so forth.
    • Sort By Access – Members are listed in order of their access type, such as public or private.
  • Back
    Navigates to the previously selected item. You can do this repeatedly to navigate through previously selected items until you reach the first browsed item. Together, Back and Forward maintain a history list of items that you previously browsed.
  • Forward
    Becomes available when you click the Back button and allows you to return to the selected item. You can do this repeatedly until you reach the currently selected item. Together, Back and Forward maintain a history list of items that you previously browsed.
  • Find Symbol
    Displays the Find Symbol dialog box which allows you to search the current browsing scope for a particular symbol. For more information about this, see Searching for Symbols: Objects, Definitions and References.
  • Objects Pane
    This pane on the left side of the Object Browser displays the container objects in components in the current browsing scope, such as namespaces, classes, structures, interfaces, types, and enums. For more information about the panes in the Object Browser, see Object Browser Elements.
  • Members Pane
    This pane on the right side of the Object Browser displays the members of the object selected in the Objects pane. These can include properties, methods, events, variables, constants, and enum items.
  • Description Pane
    This pane at the bottom of the Object Browser displays detailed information about the currently selected object or member.

See Also

Browsing Code and Components | Class View and Object Browser Icons | Object Browser Elements | Viewing and Altering the Browsing Scope | Navigating in the Object Browser | Searching for Symbols: Objects, Definitions and References