## Agent Editor Preferences

The Agent Editor Preferences dialog allows you to customize these editor features:

Look and Feel
  The user can select the desired look and feel. Default values for UNIX and AIX platforms is metal, while for other platforms it is Windows.
Text Editor
  Text edit capability can be useful in some instances. Because of platform differences and individual preferences, you specify the command for the editor you wish to use in this field. This command is run when you select Tools and Text Editor from the menu bar.
Bean Jars
  When the editor starts, any jars in this list are examined for Able beans and added to the bean palette. The Browse button finds a jar file and appends it to the existing list. Note that a semicolon (;) is used between jars regardless of platform. When you press OK, any new jars will be added to the bean palette. To remove a jar, edit the text field. Its beans will be included on the bean palette until the editor is started again.
Plugin Jar Directory
  If the checkbox is enabled, when the editor starts any jars in this directory are examined for custom Able beans and added to the bean palette. The Browse button is used to find a jar file and extract any classes marked as beans in the jar manifest. This change does not take effect until you leave the Agent Editor and restart it.
Message file log severity
  Select one of the possible severity values for logging messages. If the daily checkbox is not selected, messages will be written to the user's home directory in the file shown. If the daily checkbox is selected, a timestamp will be included in the filename like AbleMsgyyyymmdd.log. The default logging level is none. Messages are translatable text intended for users.
Message console log severity
  Select one of the possible severity values for logging messages on the console. The default logging level is ERROR. Messages are translatable text intended for users.
Trace file log level
  Select one of the possible severity values for logging trace output. If the daily checkbox is not selected, messages will be written to the user's home directory in the file shown. If the daily checkbox is selected, a timestamp will be included in the filename like AbleTrcyyyymmdd.log. The default tracing level is none. Trace statements are nontranslated text intended for programmers.
Trace console log level
  Select one of the possible severity values for logging messages on the console. The tracing logging level is none. Trace statements are nontranslated text intended for programmers.
Prompt to save on exit
  If you do not wish to be reminded that agent contents have been changed before exitting ABLE or loading another agent, deselect this option.

If you develop your own beans, it is suggested that either your message logging level be set to warning or your trace level to low. This will display bean loading errors when the Agent Editor starts.

Runtime preferences are located in the able.preferences file located in the directory immediately above the Able product directory. Gui preferences are in the same directory in a file named ablegui.preferences. Example text files are available for both Able Preferences and for AbleGui Preferences. These properties files may contain additional values which cannot be set from this panel.