Using FileWorkbench

Given that FWB is built around components (MiniApps), it is natural to look at the different components and how they can interact. Components (such as file browsers, tree browsers, text editors, command shells) occupy space in a managed application main window. The components are loosely coupled, but if you use one or several main windows, and how each one of them is arranged is up to you.

Many file managers are divided into two parallel panes, where two different directories can be viewed. This is also the default layout in FWB, it is very convenient:

Main Window Layouts

One can have one or several main windows open at the same time. New main windows are created from the Windows menu. Additional panes can be created from the Pane menu. More info here.

File Browsers

Through this component, you browse directories, select and open files. The image above has two of them. You can rename, apply popup menus and invoke various file operations. Two file browsers are often in a ‘partner relationship’, where by hitting the Tab key you swap between them. More documentation here.

Tree Browsers

This component is similar to a file browser, but allows for viewing files in several directories at the same time. You can use the tree from the root (default) or focus in on a subtree (or just a single folder) by hitting Ctrl Enter. Click here for more documenation.

Text Editors

FWB allows any number of text editors to be open in a given main window. The editors have syntax high-lighting, folding and other features. It is based on Scintilla. You can connect a file browser with a text editor, so text files can be conveniently viewed by hitting F3. Further documentation here.

Command Prompts

The command prompt can either hold a native OS shell session (bash_/_c-shell/… on Unix, DOS_/_cmd on Windows) or an interactive application scripting prompt (Squirrel_/SQSession). In all cases, FWB provideds line editing and command history facilities, together with the convenience of an almost full text editing environment. Documentation herePrompts.

A command prompt may also be a a script engine prompt (Squirrel). See below.

Scripting

File Workbench has a builtin Squirrel script engine. Squirrel is a light weight and easy to learn dynamic application scripting language. Its syntax belongs to the C / Java / JavaScript family. In terms of features, influences are Lua / Java / JavaScript among others.

Many components of FileWorkbench are available to Squirrel scripts. One can create new toolbar commands (and keyboard shortcuts) that runs a script snippet on the current component. One can use a scripting prompt to interactively test and develop a new command. Finally, the new script can be included whenever FWB is launched, so that it’s available in future sessions.

More scripting documentation.