auto-completioneditorstexniccenter
I have experience in programming Python in NetBeans and using the code hints with Ctrl+Space or Tab is a breeze. Here is my experience with using the code hints in TeXnicCenter:
When I type the following:
\begin{d
I will then get a popup that says:
\begin{document}
\end{document}
At this point I eagerly press Ctrl+Space. But to my dismay, I get the following:
\begin{\begin{document}
\end{document}
Any tips on how to use code hints / code completion in TeXnicCenter?
In your TeXnicCenter installation folder and subfolders look out for xml files, such as base.xml and math.xml. Edit these files or create your own xml file.
Some example lines for align autocompletion:
<lxEnvironment name="align"
parameters="1"
desc="Math environment"
icon="math.bmp"
index="10"
expafter="}
	& \\%
\end{align}"
expbefore="\begin{" />
Houston has posted instructions and a customized xml file here: Missing autocompletition for \paragraph. The align example is taken from that file.
Here are a few examples of what I put in the field:
\makeatletter (see What do \makeatletter and \makeatother do?)\makeatother\documentclass{@} (Texmaker only has \documentclass[@]{@} preconfigured)\cref{#label#} (for the cleveref package)\Cref{#label#}\qroof{@}.@ (for the qtree package)When you start typing one of these commands, Texmaker will offer you matching options for autocompletion, which you can choose between with the arrow keys and select with Tab.
If the command you entered had an @ placeholder in it (Note: That's Texmaker syntax and has nothing to do with the @ used in package internal macros), it'll be turned into a •, to which you can jump with Tab:
The same idea applies for #bib# (bibliography items, i.e. items in a .bib file you specified in your document) and #label# (created through \label{labelname}). Unfortunately, the implementation of the latter seems to be flawed(note to self: file bug report):
To answer your question succinctly: You can enter whatever macros you're planning on using frequently, using one of the three placeholders Texmaker offers, if necessary.
Best Answer
Start typing only the name of the environment, e.g.
docu, press the code-completion shortcut, and TexnicCenter will create it with\begin, and appropriate braces. I've been tripped off by this in the beginning as well, but apparently it's supposed to save more typing.