apache / apache/netbeans

Show Quick Definition feature

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#5,895 0 comments 0 reactions 0 assignees View on GitHub
kind:feature needs:triage
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Java
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Description

### Description

Hello,

Please consider adding ability to preview definition of the method or property "inline" without leaving context of the current method you are working on.

Use case: I am working on a large and complex method. I need to execute some other method from other file of library. I want to see implementation details of this method. Or I want to see how exactly some property was defined and it's definition is not currently on the screen. Currently to see such details I will use "ctrl+click" on the method and I will navigate to method definition. Later to return to my "previous" position I can use "alt+left". However such approach means that I jump between files or different places inside single file. If I could "preview" definition of method or property is a popup window without leaving current "context" (navigating to some other place) it will be more convenient.

Examples:
VSCode: open definition in a popup window. I can see details I am interested in without leaving current place where I make code chanegs^
![show_definition](https://user-images.githubusercontent.com/2587238/234901928-8fca13ad-0931-4571-816e-bc501b26555b.png)
In Eclipse you have similar functionality "shift+hover".
In Idea you have similar functionality "ctrl + shift + I"

Thanks,
Serhiy

### Use case/motivation

Ability to view method or property definition without leaving context of the current window is convenient. As current workaround you can use "Ctrl+click" to navigate to definition and use "alt+left" to return to previous position. However you still navigate between parts of the same file or go to the other file and this slightly distracts since you are switching contexts.

### Related issues

_No response_

### Are you willing to submit a pull request?

No

Contributor guide

Open the contributing guide

Research direction

Start from NetBeans' existing Ctrl+click definition navigation for methods and properties, including the Alt+left return path. Define how a popup preview should preserve the current editing context and support the requested method/property definitions, then verify the behavior against the described VSCode, Eclipse, and IDEA workflows.

Written by the indexing model from the issue text.

Assessment

Tech stack
java
Domain
desktop, developer-experience
Issue type
Feature
Difficulty
5/5
Estimated time
Over a week
Activity status
Stale
Clarity
Mostly clear
Newbie friendliness
25/100

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