Features

The BBj Language Server provides a comprehensive set of features to enhance your BBj development experience in VS Code.

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
• Snippets: Common code patterns and templates

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 for:

• Keywords and verbs
• String literals and numbers
• Comments (single-line and multi-line)
• Class and method names
• Variable references
• Labels and line numbers

Validation and Diagnostics

Real-time error detection:

• 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 you type with detailed messages and quick fixes where available.

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 bbjcpl would report on save, shown earlier.

The bbj.compiler.trigger setting 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. The delay is fixed and cannot be configured.
• 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. The Compile BBj Program command still works.

If files.autoSave is afterDelay, each auto-save counts as a save, so on-save then checks about as often as debounced.

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

Changing the setting takes effect immediately, without restarting.

Use on-save in large workspaces.

Hover Information

Hover over elements to see:

• Functions: Parameter signatures and documentation
• Variables: Type information
• Classes: Java class documentation (JavaDoc)
• Methods: Method signatures with parameter names

Code Navigation

Go to Definition

• F12 or Ctrl+Click to jump to definitions
• Works for classes, methods, variables, labels, and the program file named in a RUN or CALL statement
• Hovering that file name shows its resolved file-system path
• Supports cross-file navigation

Find All References

• Shift+F12 to find all usages
• Useful for refactoring and understanding code

Document Symbols

• Ctrl+Shift+O to list all symbols in the file
• Quick navigation within large files
• Shows classes, methods, variables, and labels

Code Formatting

Format Document, Format Selection and format on save run through the BBj language server and are controlled by 15 settings. Denumber removes the line numbers from a line-numbered program. See Formatting for the details.

Developer Commands

Run Commands

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

Build Commands

Command	Shortcut	Description
Compile BBj Program	Alt+C	Compile BBj program to bytecode
Denumber BBj Program	Alt+N	Remove line numbers from program

Configuration Commands

• Show the Active Config File: Open the active BBj configuration file
• Show the BBj.properties file: Open BBj properties file
• Open Enterprise Manager: Launch the EM web interface
• Show Available Classpath Entries: Display available classpath entries

Java Integration

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
• Import Suggestions: Automatic use statement suggestions

Snippets

Built-in code snippets for common patterns:

• Comment blocks
• Routine definitions
• Interface declarations
• Boolean constants (BBjAPI.TRUE/BBjAPI.FALSE)
• Control structures

Access snippets by typing the prefix and pressing Tab.

File Support

The extension supports multiple BBj file types:

Extension	Description
.bbj	BBj source files
.bbjt	BBj template files
.src	BBj source files (legacy)
.bbx	BBx program files
config.bbx, config.min	BBj/BBx configuration files (dedicated config syntax highlighting)

Note: .bbl (BBj library) files are not supported by the extension. They are excluded from workspace indexing and do not receive language features.

Workspace Features

• Multi-file Support: Cross-file references and navigation
• Class Indexing: Automatic indexing of class definitions
• Import Resolution: Resolve imports across workspace
• Symbol Search: Workspace-wide symbol search

Auto-Save

Configure automatic saving before running programs:

{
  "bbj.web.AutoSaveUponRun": true
}