API reference - Class Action

Notation used in Ruby API documentation

Module: lay

Description: The abstraction for an action (i.e. used inside menus)

Class hierarchy: Action

Actions act as a generalization of menu entries. The action provides the appearance of a menu entry such as title, key shortcut etc. and dispatches the menu events. The action can be manipulated to change to appearance of a menu entry and can be attached an observer that receives the events when the menu item is selected.

Multiple action objects can refer to the same action internally, in which case the information and event handler is copied between the incarnations. This way, a single implementation can be provided for multiple places where an action appears, for example inside the toolbar and in addition as a menu entry. Both actions will shared the same icon, text, shortcut etc.

Actions are mainly used for providing new menu items inside the AbstractMenu class. This is some sample Ruby code for that case:

a = RBA::Action.new
a.title = "Push Me!"
a.on_triggered do 
  puts "I was pushed!"
end

app = RBA::Application.instance
mw = app.main_window

menu = mw.menu
menu.insert_separator("@toolbar.end", "name")
menu.insert_item("@toolbar.end", "my_action", a)

This code will register a custom action in the toolbar. When the toolbar button is pushed a message is printed. The toolbar is addressed by a path starting with the pseudo root "@toolbar".

In Version 0.23, the Action class has been merged with the ActionBase class.

Public constructors

new Action ptrnewCreates a new object of this class

Public methods

void_createEnsures the C++ object is created
void_destroyExplicitly destroys the object
[const]bool_destroyed?Returns a value indicating whether the object was already destroyed
[const]bool_is_const_object?Returns a value indicating whether the reference is a const reference
void_manageMarks the object as managed by the script side.
void_unmanageMarks the object as no longer owned by the script side.
voidcheckable=(bool checkable)Makes the item(s) checkable or not
voidchecked=(bool checked)Checks or unchecks the item
[const]stringdefault_shortcutGets the default keyboard shortcut
voiddefault_shortcut=(string shortcut)Sets the default keyboard shortcut
[const]stringeffective_shortcutGets the effective keyboard shortcut
voidenabled=(bool enabled)Enables or disables the action
voidhidden=(bool hidden)Sets a value that makes the item hidden always
voidicon=(string file)Sets the icon to the given image file
voidicon=(const QIcon qicon)Sets the icon to the given QIcon object
[const]stringicon_textGets the icon's text
voidicon_text=(string icon_text)Sets the icon's text
[const]boolis_checkable?Gets a value indicating whether the item is checkable
[const]boolis_checked?Gets a value indicating whether the item is checked
[const]boolis_effective_enabled?Gets a value indicating whether the item is really enabled
[const]boolis_effective_visible?Gets a value indicating whether the item is really visible
[const]boolis_enabled?Gets a value indicating whether the item is enabled
[const]boolis_hidden?Gets a value indicating whether the item is hidden
[const]boolis_separator?Gets a value indicating whether the item is a separator
[const]boolis_visible?Gets a value indicating whether the item is visible
[const]Macro ptrmacroGets the macro associated with the action
[virtual]voidmenu_openingThis method is called if the menu item is a sub-menu and before the menu is opened.
[signal]voidon_menu_openingThis event is called if the menu item is a sub-menu and before the menu is opened.
[signal]voidon_triggeredThis event is called if the menu item is selected.
voidseparator=(bool separator)Makes an item a separator or not
[const]stringshortcutGets the keyboard shortcut
voidshortcut=(string shortcut)Sets the keyboard shortcut
[const]stringtitleGets the title
voidtitle=(string title)Sets the title
[const]stringtool_tipGets the tool tip text.
voidtool_tip=(string text)Sets the tool tip text
voidtriggerTriggers the action programmatically
[virtual]voidtriggeredThis method is called if the menu item is selected.
voidvisible=(bool visible)Sets the item's visibility
[virtual,const]boolwants_enabledReturns a value whether the action wants to become enabled.
[virtual,const]boolwants_visibleReturns a value whether the action wants to become visible

Public static methods and constants

[static,const]stringNoKeyBoundGets a shortcut value indicating that no shortcut shall be assigned

Deprecated methods (protected, public, static, non-static and constructors)

voidcreateUse of this method is deprecated. Use _create instead
voiddestroyUse of this method is deprecated. Use _destroy instead
[const]booldestroyed?Use of this method is deprecated. Use _destroyed? instead
[const]boolis_const_object?Use of this method is deprecated. Use _is_const_object? instead

Detailed description

NoKeyBound

Signature: [static,const] string NoKeyBound

Description: Gets a shortcut value indicating that no shortcut shall be assigned

This method has been introduced in version 0.26.

Python specific notes:
The object exposes a readable attribute 'NoKeyBound'. This is the getter.

_create

Signature: void _create

Description: Ensures the C++ object is created

Use this method to ensure the C++ object is created, for example to ensure that resources are allocated. Usually C++ objects are created on demand and not necessarily when the script object is created.

_destroy

Signature: void _destroy

Description: Explicitly destroys the object

Explicitly destroys the object on C++ side if it was owned by the script interpreter. Subsequent access to this object will throw an exception. If the object is not owned by the script, this method will do nothing.

_destroyed?

Signature: [const] bool _destroyed?

Description: Returns a value indicating whether the object was already destroyed

This method returns true, if the object was destroyed, either explicitly or by the C++ side. The latter may happen, if the object is owned by a C++ object which got destroyed itself.

_is_const_object?

Signature: [const] bool _is_const_object?

Description: Returns a value indicating whether the reference is a const reference

This method returns true, if self is a const reference. In that case, only const methods may be called on self.

_manage

Signature: void _manage

Description: Marks the object as managed by the script side.

After calling this method on an object, the script side will be responsible for the management of the object. This method may be called if an object is returned from a C++ function and the object is known not to be owned by any C++ instance. If necessary, the script side may delete the object if the script's reference is no longer required.

Usually it's not required to call this method. It has been introduced in version 0.24.

_unmanage

Signature: void _unmanage

Description: Marks the object as no longer owned by the script side.

Calling this method will make this object no longer owned by the script's memory management. Instead, the object must be managed in some other way. Usually this method may be called if it is known that some C++ object holds and manages this object. Technically speaking, this method will turn the script's reference into a weak reference. After the script engine decides to delete the reference, the object itself will still exist. If the object is not managed otherwise, memory leaks will occur.

Usually it's not required to call this method. It has been introduced in version 0.24.

checkable=

Signature: void checkable= (bool checkable)

Description: Makes the item(s) checkable or not

checkable:true to make the item checkable

Python specific notes:
The object exposes a writable attribute 'checkable'. This is the setter.

checked=

Signature: void checked= (bool checked)

Description: Checks or unchecks the item

checked:true to make the item checked

Python specific notes:
The object exposes a writable attribute 'checked'. This is the setter.

create

Signature: void create

Description: Ensures the C++ object is created

Use of this method is deprecated. Use _create instead

Use this method to ensure the C++ object is created, for example to ensure that resources are allocated. Usually C++ objects are created on demand and not necessarily when the script object is created.

default_shortcut

Signature: [const] string default_shortcut

Description: Gets the default keyboard shortcut

Returns:The default keyboard shortcut as a string

This attribute has been introduced in version 0.25.

Python specific notes:
The object exposes a readable attribute 'default_shortcut'. This is the getter.

default_shortcut=

Signature: void default_shortcut= (string shortcut)

Description: Sets the default keyboard shortcut

The default shortcut is used, if shortcut is empty.

This attribute has been introduced in version 0.25.

Python specific notes:
The object exposes a writable attribute 'default_shortcut'. This is the setter.

destroy

Signature: void destroy

Description: Explicitly destroys the object

Use of this method is deprecated. Use _destroy instead

Explicitly destroys the object on C++ side if it was owned by the script interpreter. Subsequent access to this object will throw an exception. If the object is not owned by the script, this method will do nothing.

destroyed?

Signature: [const] bool destroyed?

Description: Returns a value indicating whether the object was already destroyed

Use of this method is deprecated. Use _destroyed? instead

This method returns true, if the object was destroyed, either explicitly or by the C++ side. The latter may happen, if the object is owned by a C++ object which got destroyed itself.

effective_shortcut

Signature: [const] string effective_shortcut

Description: Gets the effective keyboard shortcut

Returns:The effective keyboard shortcut as a string

The effective shortcut is the one that is taken. It's either shortcut or default_shortcut.

This attribute has been introduced in version 0.25.

enabled=

Signature: void enabled= (bool enabled)

Description: Enables or disables the action

enabled:true to enable the item

Python specific notes:
The object exposes a writable attribute 'enabled'. This is the setter.

hidden=

Signature: void hidden= (bool hidden)

Description: Sets a value that makes the item hidden always

See is_hidden? for details.

This attribute has been introduced in version 0.25

Python specific notes:
The object exposes a writable attribute 'hidden'. This is the setter.

icon=

(1) Signature: void icon= (string file)

Description: Sets the icon to the given image file

file:The image file to load for the icon

Passing an empty string will reset the icon.

Python specific notes:
The object exposes a writable attribute 'icon'. This is the setter.

(2) Signature: void icon= (const QIcon qicon)

Description: Sets the icon to the given QIcon object

qicon:The QIcon object

This variant has been added in version 0.28.

Python specific notes:
The object exposes a writable attribute 'icon'. This is the setter.

icon_text

Signature: [const] string icon_text

Description: Gets the icon's text

Python specific notes:
The object exposes a readable attribute 'icon_text'. This is the getter.

icon_text=

Signature: void icon_text= (string icon_text)

Description: Sets the icon's text

If an icon text is set, this will be used for the text below the icon. If no icon text is set, the normal text will be used for the icon. Passing an empty string will reset the icon's text.

Python specific notes:
The object exposes a writable attribute 'icon_text'. This is the setter.

is_checkable?

Signature: [const] bool is_checkable?

Description: Gets a value indicating whether the item is checkable

Python specific notes:
The object exposes a readable attribute 'checkable'. This is the getter.

is_checked?

Signature: [const] bool is_checked?

Description: Gets a value indicating whether the item is checked

Python specific notes:
The object exposes a readable attribute 'checked'. This is the getter.

is_const_object?

Signature: [const] bool is_const_object?

Description: Returns a value indicating whether the reference is a const reference

Use of this method is deprecated. Use _is_const_object? instead

This method returns true, if self is a const reference. In that case, only const methods may be called on self.

is_effective_enabled?

Signature: [const] bool is_effective_enabled?

Description: Gets a value indicating whether the item is really enabled

This is the combined value from is_enabled? and dynamic value (wants_enabled). This attribute has been introduced in version 0.28.

is_effective_visible?

Signature: [const] bool is_effective_visible?

Description: Gets a value indicating whether the item is really visible

This is the combined visibility from is_visible? and is_hidden? and dynamic visibility (wants_visible). This attribute has been introduced in version 0.25.

is_enabled?

Signature: [const] bool is_enabled?

Description: Gets a value indicating whether the item is enabled

Python specific notes:
The object exposes a readable attribute 'enabled'. This is the getter.

is_hidden?

Signature: [const] bool is_hidden?

Description: Gets a value indicating whether the item is hidden

If an item is hidden, it's always hidden and is_visible? does not have an effect. This attribute has been introduced in version 0.25.

Python specific notes:
The object exposes a readable attribute 'hidden'. This is the getter.

is_separator?

Signature: [const] bool is_separator?

Description: Gets a value indicating whether the item is a separator

This method has been introduced in version 0.25.

Python specific notes:
The object exposes a readable attribute 'separator'. This is the getter.

is_visible?

Signature: [const] bool is_visible?

Description: Gets a value indicating whether the item is visible

The visibility combines with is_hidden?. To get the true visiblity, use is_effective_visible?.

Python specific notes:
The object exposes a readable attribute 'visible'. This is the getter.

macro

Signature: [const] Macro ptr macro

Description: Gets the macro associated with the action

If the action is associated with a macro, this method returns a reference to the Macro object. Otherwise, this method returns nil.

This method has been added in version 0.25.

menu_opening

Signature: [virtual] void menu_opening

Description: This method is called if the menu item is a sub-menu and before the menu is opened.

Reimplement this method is a derived class to receive this event. You can also use the on_menu_opening event instead.

This method has been added in version 0.28.

new

Signature: [static] new Action ptr new

Description: Creates a new object of this class

Python specific notes:
This method is the default initializer of the object.

on_menu_opening

Signature: [signal] void on_menu_opening

Description: This event is called if the menu item is a sub-menu and before the menu is opened.

This event provides an opportunity to populate the menu before it is opened.

This event has been introduced in version 0.28.

Python specific notes:
The object exposes a readable attribute 'on_menu_opening'. This is the getter.
The object exposes a writable attribute 'on_menu_opening'. This is the setter.

on_triggered

Signature: [signal] void on_triggered

Description: This event is called if the menu item is selected.

This event has been introduced in version 0.21 and moved to the ActionBase class in 0.28.

Python specific notes:
The object exposes a readable attribute 'on_triggered'. This is the getter.
The object exposes a writable attribute 'on_triggered'. This is the setter.

separator=

Signature: void separator= (bool separator)

Description: Makes an item a separator or not

separator:true to make the item a separator

This method has been introduced in version 0.25.

Python specific notes:
The object exposes a writable attribute 'separator'. This is the setter.

shortcut

Signature: [const] string shortcut

Description: Gets the keyboard shortcut

Returns:The keyboard shortcut as a string

Python specific notes:
The object exposes a readable attribute 'shortcut'. This is the getter.

shortcut=

Signature: void shortcut= (string shortcut)

Description: Sets the keyboard shortcut

shortcut:The keyboard shortcut in Qt notation (i.e. "Ctrl+C")

If the shortcut string is empty, the default shortcut will be used. If the string is equal to Action#NoKeyBound, no keyboard shortcut will be assigned.

The NoKeyBound option has been added in version 0.26.

Python specific notes:
The object exposes a writable attribute 'shortcut'. This is the setter.

title

Signature: [const] string title

Description: Gets the title

Returns:The current title string

Python specific notes:
The object exposes a readable attribute 'title'. This is the getter.

title=

Signature: void title= (string title)

Description: Sets the title

title:The title string to set (just the title)

Python specific notes:
The object exposes a writable attribute 'title'. This is the setter.

tool_tip

Signature: [const] string tool_tip

Description: Gets the tool tip text.

This method has been added in version 0.22.

Python specific notes:
The object exposes a readable attribute 'tool_tip'. This is the getter.

tool_tip=

Signature: void tool_tip= (string text)

Description: Sets the tool tip text

The tool tip text is displayed in the tool tip window of the menu entry. This is in particular useful for entries in the tool bar. This method has been added in version 0.22.

Python specific notes:
The object exposes a writable attribute 'tool_tip'. This is the setter.

trigger

Signature: void trigger

Description: Triggers the action programmatically

triggered

Signature: [virtual] void triggered

Description: This method is called if the menu item is selected.

Reimplement this method is a derived class to receive this event. You can also use the on_triggered event instead.

visible=

Signature: void visible= (bool visible)

Description: Sets the item's visibility

visible:true to make the item visible

Python specific notes:
The object exposes a writable attribute 'visible'. This is the setter.

wants_enabled

Signature: [virtual,const] bool wants_enabled

Description: Returns a value whether the action wants to become enabled.

This is a dynamic query for enabled state which the system uses to dynamically show or hide menu items. This information is evaluated in addition to is_enabled? and contributes to the effective enabled status from is_effective_enabled?.

This feature has been introduced in version 0.28.

wants_visible

Signature: [virtual,const] bool wants_visible

Description: Returns a value whether the action wants to become visible

This is a dynamic query for visibility which the system uses to dynamically show or hide menu items, for example in the MRU lists. This visibility information is evaluated in addition to is_visible? and is_hidden? and contributes to the effective visibility status from is_effective_visible?.

This feature has been introduced in version 0.28.