Inverse search
Encyclopedia
Inverse search is a feature of some non-interactive typesetting programs, such as LaTeX
and GNU LilyPond
. These programs read an abstract, textual, definition of a document as input, and converts this into a graphical format such as DVI or PDF
. In a windowing system
, this typically means that the source code
is entered in one editor
window, and the resulting output is viewed in a different output window. Inverse search means that a graphical object in the output window works as a hyperlink
, which brings you back to the line and column in the editor, where the clicked object was defined. The inverse search feature is particularly useful during proofreading
.
LaTeX
LaTeX is a document markup language and document preparation system for the TeX typesetting program. Within the typesetting system, its name is styled as . The term LaTeX refers only to the language in which documents are written, not to the editor used to write those documents. In order to...
and GNU LilyPond
GNU LilyPond
GNU LilyPond is a computer program for music engraving. One of LilyPond's major goals is to produce scores that are engraved with traditional layout rules, reflecting the era when scores were engraved by hand....
. These programs read an abstract, textual, definition of a document as input, and converts this into a graphical format such as DVI or PDF
Portable Document Format
Portable Document Format is an open standard for document exchange. This file format, created by Adobe Systems in 1993, is used for representing documents in a manner independent of application software, hardware, and operating systems....
. In a windowing system
Windowing system
A windowing system is a component of a graphical user interface , and more specifically of a desktop environment, which supports the implementation of window managers, and provides basic support for graphics hardware, pointing devices such as mice, and keyboards...
, this typically means that the source code
Source code
In computer science, source code is text written using the format and syntax of the programming language that it is being written in. Such a language is specially designed to facilitate the work of computer programmers, who specify the actions to be performed by a computer mostly by writing source...
is entered in one editor
Text editor
A text editor is a type of program used for editing plain text files.Text editors are often provided with operating systems or software development packages, and can be used to change configuration files and programming language source code....
window, and the resulting output is viewed in a different output window. Inverse search means that a graphical object in the output window works as a hyperlink
Hyperlink
In computing, a hyperlink is a reference to data that the reader can directly follow, or that is followed automatically. A hyperlink points to a whole document or to a specific element within a document. Hypertext is text with hyperlinks...
, which brings you back to the line and column in the editor, where the clicked object was defined. The inverse search feature is particularly useful during proofreading
Proofreading
Proofreading is the reading of a galley proof or computer monitor to detect and correct production-errors of text or art. Proofreaders are expected to be consistently accurate by default because they occupy the last stage of typographic production before publication.-Traditional method:A proof is...
.
Implementations
- In TeXTeXTeX is a typesetting system designed and mostly written by Donald Knuth and released in 1978. Within the typesetting system, its name is formatted as ....
and LaTeXLaTeXLaTeX is a document markup language and document preparation system for the TeX typesetting program. Within the typesetting system, its name is styled as . The term LaTeX refers only to the language in which documents are written, not to the editor used to write those documents. In order to...
, the package srcltx provides an inverse search feature through DVI output files, while vpe, pdfsync and SyncTeX provide similar functionality for PDF output, among other techniques. - GNU LilyPondGNU LilyPondGNU LilyPond is a computer program for music engraving. One of LilyPond's major goals is to produce scores that are engraved with traditional layout rules, reflecting the era when scores were engraved by hand....
provides an inverse search feature through PDF output files, since version 2.6. The program calls this feature Point-and-click, - Many integrated development environmentIntegrated development environmentAn integrated development environment is a software application that provides comprehensive facilities to computer programmers for software development...
s for programming use inverse search to display compilationCompilerA compiler is a computer program that transforms source code written in a programming language into another computer language...
error messageError messageAn error message is information displayed when an unexpected condition occurs, usually on a computer or other device. On modern operating systems with graphical user interfaces, error messages are often displayed using dialog boxes...
s, and during debuggingDebuggerA debugger or debugging tool is a computer program that is used to test and debug other programs . The code to be examined might alternatively be running on an instruction set simulator , a technique that allows great power in its ability to halt when specific conditions are encountered but which...
when a breakpointBreakpointIn software development, a breakpoint is an intentional stopping or pausing place in a program, put in place for debugging purposes. It is also sometimes simply referred to as a pause....
happens.