best code snippet tool that works with any program

[kmkmdon]

Hi everyone.

Wondering what you guys are using, if any, for storing code snippets. I'd like to able to type a keyword and hit a special keyboard shortcut and voila, my code snippet is pasted into whatever application window I'm typing in. It would be best if it would let you define parameters that can change within the snippet. I mainly need this when I write ad-hoc SQL queries but love to be able to use it in any application.

Any suggestions? Thanks

[c.gingerich]

Phrase Express is the one I hear most often

[kmkmdon]

I was looking for a for free / open source version. The closest simple app I got word expander http://www.wordexpander.net which does not support variables unfortunately. The other option is ArsClip http://www.joejoesoft.com/vcms/97/ but it is more of a clipboard manager application though it has permanent clip feature with variables and also hard to grasp at once. Others are AutoHotKey type applications.

There does not seem to be any simple dedicated free snippet code manager with variable support out there. Maybe @mouser or someone from this community will take the challenge.

[rjbull]

other option is ArsClip http://www.joejoesoft.com/vcms/97/ but it is more of a clipboard manager application though it has permanent clip feature with variables and also hard to grasp at once.

-kmkmdon (August 20, 2014, 02:58 PM)

ArsClip is great, but I haven't tried it with variables.  There are many threads on DC about text expanders...  some of them heated.

There does not seem to be any simple dedicated free snippet code manager with variable support out there.

-kmkmdon (August 20, 2014, 02:58 PM)

You might check out Konrad Papala's Ka Type In, which is free, but I don't know if its concept of variables matches yours, and it's getting quite old:

Ka Type In lets you define frequently used text snippets, ready to be typed into any application, document, web form. Just create a set of items, like e-mail addresses, zip code, phone number, etc. and you'll never have to type it again. The application can also auto-complete sentences, for example you can enter "Bes" and hit Ctrl+; (customizable) to expand it to "Best regards...".

In addition, you can create more sophisticated templates - with variables, which will cause a form to be shown, enabling you to setup those variables.

[kmkmdon]

just checked out Ka Type In. That's exactly the type of application I was looking for. Unfortunately it worked in notepad but failed in SSMS query window. Any other suggestion similar to this?

[rjbull]

Any other suggestion similar to this?

-kmkmdon (August 20, 2014, 05:50 PM)

[Edit at UK time 2014-08-22, 11:06:-]
Better suggestion than below: just try searching DC for snippets.  That will find numerous existing threads.
[/Edit]

The obvious one is PhraseExpress, which is free for personal use.  I've not actually used any free ones that use templates or macros, that you don't know about already.  However, some suggestions:

• Comfort Keys
  Shareware.  I only briefly tried its template feature and seem to recall I found it a bit limited for what I wanted at the time.  Try before you buy...
• TwinkiePaste
  Shareware, modestly priced.  Not tried by me.
• AceText
  Shareware by the author of the famous EditPad editors. Not tried by me.
• Text Accelerator
  Shareware, modestly priced, by the author of True Launch Bar.  Not tried by me. 
• NoteTab Light
  This is an indirect solution.  NoteTab Light is a free text editor. You need the payware Pro version to get the full macro language, with extended clipboard functionality, but the free version should be enough to see if it's feasible to use it to make your own templates and snippets and send them to the clipboard.

Why not review some of DC's many threads on text expanders?  Here are some older ones to start you off:

jgpaiva's abbreviations importer
https://www.donation...dex.php?topic=2598.0

link to jgpaiva's AHK tools
https://www.donation...dex.php?topic=3461.0

Harrie's review of Instant Text, and following posts
https://www.donation...dex.php?topic=2631.0

Word AutoCompleter
https://www.donation...1036.msg6713#msg6713 (mentions IntelliComplete, AutoTyping, LetMeType, AllChars, Type Pilot)

Auspex
https://www.donation....msg231091#msg231091

[kmkmdon]

I gave up and decided to use Ars Clipboard for now. If it doesn't work, I'll check out PhraseExpress

I reviewed some of those thread but couldn't find anything useable. Lots of AutoHotKey based solutions that doesn't survive the time test, even if you try to recompile with the latest AutoHotKey. Maybe I'll write my own one day if I get enough frustrated and motivated

Thanks for your help

[kmkmdon]

update: for SQL server management studio at least, my search is over. Apex SQL Complete does exactly what I needed and it is a free tool. It has a snippet feature where you can define variables to be prompted for user to enter.

http://www.apexsql.com/free/