Saving a Project in VEXcode Pro V5 – VEX Library

The VEX Visual Studio Code Extension has replaced VEXcode Pro V5, which is now end-of-life.

VEXcode Blocks and VEXcode Text remain actively developed and supported for all VEX platforms.

When working in VEXcode Pro V5, it is good practice for the user to regularly save the files being changed. Working in VEXcode Pro V5 includes multiple files as tabs from multiple subfolders. Systematically saving changes is the best way to ensure that no work is lost.

Where projects are saved on the computer

When a new project is started or an example project is opened, the user is prompted to name the project. Using that name, the new project folder is then saved to the vexcode-projects folder inside of the user’s Documents folder.

Windows

Screenshot of the Documents Window in Vex V5, showcasing a boxed layout with various document options and a user interface for easy navigation in tutorials.

Mac

Screenshot of the Mac Directory interface, displaying various categories and options for managing files and settings in the V5 software, as referenced in the V5 Category Description tutorials.

The user can also change the location of the directory.

Screenshot of the Preferences settings in Vex Robotics V5 software, displaying various configuration options for users in the Tutorials section.

Select Preferences from the File Menu.

Screenshot of the VEX V5 Pref Directory, displaying categorized options and tutorials for VEX robotics programming and resources.

Click the directory’s location next to the Program folder and choose the location where project folders should be saved.

Windows

Screenshot showing the 'Change Directory' function in V5 software, illustrating the user interface and options available for directory management in the tutorial section.

Mac

Screenshot of VEX Robotics V5 category tutorial interface, displaying various options and features for users to explore and learn about V5 robotics systems.

Options for saving in VEXcode Pro V5

Windows

Screenshot of the File Menu in VEX Robotics software, showcasing various options available for file management, including New, Open, Save, and Import, relevant for users following tutorials in the V5 Category.

Mac

Screenshot of the File Menu in V5, showcasing various options available for file management, including new file creation, opening existing files, and saving projects, as part of the V5 Tutorials section.

The File Menu includes three saving options.

Save - Saves the active file that the editor is currently showing to the folder for the open project.
Save All - Saves all files in the File Tree to the folder for the open project.
Save As - Saves a copy of all of the files in the File Tree in their current states, including any unsaved changes within files, to a new project folder that the user will need to name.

Note:

Save As does not save the open project.
The user can then continue to work on the open project and save when needed to update the open project.
Save As will not update the previously “saved as” project to the current state of the open project.

If the user wants to replace that saved project with the current version, they need to Save As again, use the same project name, and replace it.

How to know whether a file has been saved

Changes saved

Screenshot of a saved project in VEX V5 software, displaying the project name, settings, and options for editing or deleting the project, illustrating the tutorial on managing saved projects.

Changes not saved

Screenshot of an unsaved changes notification in Vex V5 software, illustrating the prompt that appears when attempting to exit without saving, relevant to tutorials on V5 category description.

When a file has unsaved changes, there is a dot indicator on the tab after the file’s name.

The user can switch between files with unsaved changes within a project and they will not be prompted to save. The user should keep track of the indicators.

If and when VEXcode Pro V5 will automatically save the project

Screenshot of the Auto Save feature in V5, showing the toggle option to enable or disable automatic saving of changes in the application.

VEXcode Pro V5 will automatically save the project whenever the user clicks to build it.

This is the default setting for VEXcode Pro V5. To disable the automatic saving feature after a build, access Preferences in the File Menu and un-select that option.

Note: Before a build is the only time VEXcode Pro V5 will automatically save a project.

When the user will be prompted to save the project

Screenshot of a saving prompt in Vex V5 software, displaying options to save changes, with buttons for 'Save', 'Cancel', and 'Don't Save' highlighted, illustrating the process of saving projects in the V5 tutorials section.

Whenever there are unsaved changes, VEXcode Pro V5 will prompt users to save their work if the user attempts to:

Close the file tab
Close VEXcode Pro V5
Create a new project
Open an existing project or example project
Import or Export a project
Build a project (when the default “Save before build” feature is disabled)