How to create an auto-property faster in Delphi IDE?

Question

I need to create and manage many simple published properties. I call them auto-properties if they look like that:

private
  FTitle: string;
published
  property Title: string read FTitle write FTitle;

Usually I create them next way:

1. Adding property name and type:

   property Title: string

2. Selecting and copying property name Title to clipboard.

3. Appending the line with read F Ctrl+V write F Ctrl+V ;

4. Pressing Ctrl+Shift+C and this will generate the private field

Is there any way to exclude steps 2 and 3 to add properties faster? Maybe it is possible to create some macro for this?

Answer 1

Since Delphi 2006 you can use LiveTemplates.

In Delphi XE for example:

• type propf and hit Ctrl + J keystroke
• write the property name and hit TAB key
• write the property type name, hit TAB or ENTER key and you are done

You can find more information on how to write your own Live Templates here:

• Delphi Live Templates - http://delphi.wikia.com
• Creating Live Templates - http://docwiki.embarcadero.com

Answer 2

I use macros for that purpose.

For example I have model with fields

private
  FTitle: string;
  FName: string
  FAge: Integer

then I copy-paste the fields into published section and create macro

1. Goto first field and hit Home
2. Hit Ctrl + Shift + R to start recording macro
3. Use Crtl + ->, Crtl + <- and End keys for navigation and convert first field to property like property Title: string Read FTitle Write FTitle;
4. After that hit Home and go to next row
5. Finish macro by hitting Ctrl + Shift + R
6. For all other fields, just press Crtl + Shift + P

At first it seems difficult, but the skills will pay off.