Features

The BBj Language Support plugin provides a comprehensive set of features to enhance your BBj development experience in IntelliJ IDEA.

Code Completion

Get intelligent suggestions as you type:

• BBj Keywords: All BBj verbs and statements
• Built-in Functions: Complete list of BBj functions with documentation
• Variables: Global and local variable suggestions
• Java Classes: Full Java class, method, and field completions (via Java interop service)
• Custom Icon Mapping: BBj-specific completion icons for different element types

Completion Triggers

Completions automatically appear when:

• Typing after a dot (.) for method/field access
• Starting a new statement
• Inside function parameters
• After USE statements for class imports

Syntax Highlighting

Rich semantic highlighting powered by TextMate grammars (bbj.tmLanguage.json, bbx.tmLanguage.json):

• Keywords and Verbs: BBj language keywords
• String Literals and Numbers: Constant values
• Comments: Single-line and multi-line comments
• Class and Method Names: Type identifiers
• Variable References: Local and global variables
• Labels and Line Numbers: Jump targets

Customization

Highlighting colors are driven entirely by the bundled TextMate grammars and follow your active IDE theme — there is no separate BBj color page; change your IDE theme to change BBj highlighting.

Validation and Diagnostics

Real-time error detection as you type:

• Syntax Errors: Invalid BBj syntax
• Undefined References: Missing variables, labels, or classes
• Access Violations: Incorrect access to class members
• Type Mismatches: Incompatible type operations

Errors appear as squiggles in the editor with detailed messages.

Live Compiler Diagnostics

With BBj 26.03 or later, the BBj compiler's own parser checks the currently open file as you type, and its syntax errors appear in the editor without saving — the same errors the save-time compile would report, shown earlier.

The Compiler check setting (Settings, Languages & Frameworks > BBj, under BBj Compiler) controls when these compiler checks run:

• Debounced — the default; checks about 500 ms after you stop typing, and when you open or save a file.
• On save — checks only when you open or save a file. Typing runs no compiler work; lines you type or change are checked by the language server's own diagnostics instead. The last check's errors stay visible on their lines while you edit, until the next save replaces them.
• Off — no compiler checks at all; only the language server's own checks remain.

Applying a change restarts the language server, which then uses the new choice. On save is recommended for large workspaces. IntelliJ's own automatic saves (for example when the IDE is idle or loses focus) count as saves, so on-save then checks about as often as debounced.

With an earlier BBj, or when BBjServices is not running, the save-time compile (bbjcpl) compiles the saved file instead after the same pause, so its errors reflect the last save.

Hover Information

Hover over elements to see:

• Functions: Parameter signatures and documentation
• Variables: Type information
• Java Classes: JavaDoc documentation from Java sources
• Methods: Method signatures with parameter names

Code Navigation

Go to Definition

Navigate to symbol definitions:

• Mac: Cmd+Click or Cmd+B
• Windows/Linux: Ctrl+Click or Ctrl+B

Works for:

• Classes
• Methods
• Variables
• Labels
• Program files named in RUN and CALL statements, with hover showing the resolved path

Supports cross-file navigation.

Signature Help

Parameter hints appear as you type function arguments:

• Shows parameter names and types
• Displays current parameter position
• Updates dynamically as you type

Document Symbols (Structure View)

Navigate large files efficiently:

• Access via the Structure tool window
• Shows classes, methods, variables, and labels
• Click to jump to symbol definition
• Powered by LSP textDocument/documentSymbol

Quick access: Cmd+F12 (Mac) or Ctrl+F12 (Windows/Linux)

Comment Toggling

Toggle line comments quickly:

• Mac: Cmd+/
• Windows/Linux: Ctrl+/

Uses REM prefix for BBj comments.

Bracket Matching

Automatic matching for (), [], {}:

• Highlights matching brackets when cursor is adjacent
• Helps navigate nested structures

Spell Checking

Intelligent spell checking with BBj awareness:

• Bundled BBj keyword dictionary
• BBj keywords not flagged as typos
• Standard IntelliJ spell checking for comments and strings

Code Formatting

Reformat Code formats a BBj file or a selection, and Actions on Save can format on save. The 15 Formatter settings are on the BBj settings page, and Denumber removes the line numbers from line-numbered programs. See Formatting for the details.

Run Commands

Execute BBj programs directly from the editor. See Commands page for full details.

Quick reference:

Command	Shortcut	Description
Run As BBj Program	Alt+G	Run program in BBj GUI mode
Run As BUI Program	Alt+B	Run program as BUI web application
Run As DWC Program	Alt+D	Run program as DWC application
Compile BBj File	Alt+C	Compile BBj program to bytecode
Denumber BBj Program	none	Remove line numbers (line-numbered programs only)

Java Interop

Seamless integration with Java classes:

• Class Completions: All classes from configured classpath
• Method Signatures: Full parameter information
• Field Access: Public field completions
• JavaDoc: Documentation from Java sources
• Connection State: Status bar widget shows Connected/Disconnected/Checking

Requirements

Java interop requires:

1. BBjServices running
2. Classpath configured in BBj settings
3. Proper BBj Home configuration

Check the Java Interop status bar widget for connection state.

File Type Support

The plugin recognizes multiple BBj file types:

Extension	Description
.bbj	BBj source files
.bbjt	Tokenized BBj files
.src	BBj source files (legacy)
.bbx	BBx configuration files
.bbl	BBj library files (recognized for run commands)

Status Bar Widgets

Real-time status information in the IDE status bar:

Language Server Status

Shows the state of the BBj Language Server:

• Ready: Server running normally
• Starting: Server initialization in progress
• Stopped: Server not running
• Crashed: The server process stopped unexpectedly; the plugin restarts it once, and stops restarting after a second crash within 30 seconds
• Error: Server encountered an error

Java Interop Status

Shows the connection state of the Java interop service:

• Connected: Java interop service is available
• Disconnected: Service not available
• Checking: Connection check in progress

Click the widget to view more details or restart the service.

Editor Banners

Contextual notifications appear at the top of the editor to help with configuration:

• Missing BBj Home - Set BBj Home in Settings to enable language features
• Missing Node.js - Install Node.js or let the plugin download it automatically
• Java Interop Unavailable - Start BBjServices or check configuration
• Server Crash - The language server crashed twice within 30 seconds and was not restarted automatically; use Restart Server or check the log
• Line-numbered program - This is a line-numbered BBj program. Denumber it for editing. Click its Denumber link to remove the line numbers

Follow the banner instructions to resolve configuration issues.

Server Log Tool Window

Debug language server issues:

• BBj Language Server log panel in the bottom tool window
• Console output from the language server process
• Error messages and diagnostic information
• Useful for troubleshooting startup issues

Access via View > Tool Windows > BBj Language Server or click the status bar widget.