Effect

Mode "Switch text/comments" just swaps the visible content of the diagram elements: Where usually the instruction text is displayed now the comments of the elements are shown, whereas the actual element content is only popped up while the cursor hovers over the respective element (provided, mode "Show comments" is active).

Motivation

Algorithm design may start with the structure and just some verbal specification of what is roughly to be done in the instruction block or loop etc. And this rough sketch is later to be refined by more formal expressions.

If the refinement replaces (und hence drops) the specifying descriptions they would get lost. Instead they might serve as useful comments and to compare the implementation with the specified intension. They would have to be copied from the text field to the comments field in the refinement phase, which is feasible but cumbersome. So why not start with them as comment in the first place? Well, because the diagram would look bare and empty until the "real instruction code" be filled in:

And that's where the "Switch text/comments" mode fits in. You can enable/disable it in the "View" menu (before version 3.32-13: "Diagram" menu):

(Note that the menu item may be disabled. This will be the case while the mode "Comments plus text" is active, which has priority. On the other hand, while mode "Switch text/comments" is active, the access to menu item "Operators in C style" will be blocked as to be seen above.)

In mode "Switch text/comments", the diagram elements display their comments instead of the "code" text. So you can design and document an algorithm just based on the informal comments:

This comments display mode documents the design at an abstract level, and all the information will stay in place (i.e. in the comments sections), even after the actual code had been filled in (to the text sections). Thus it will remain reproducible whenever you "switch" to this mode again.

You can edit the elements where both text and comments are available in the editor forms, specifying the code details. When you are done (or whenever you like) you may switch back to normal mode in order to see the "implementation":

Thus you may switch between both modes whenever you want, according to the emphasis you put on.

Impacts on and interference with other functions

The "Switch text/comments" mode sensibly modifies the way mode "Show comments" works: If both modes are combined, the comment indicator bars will show where there is already an implementation. Consequently, it's the code (text) that will pop up while the cursor is hovering over an element:

Since version 3.30-14, the content of the popups will be presented as styled text while the display mode "Highlight variables?" is also active (in this case display mode "Show operators in C style" may additionally impose modifications to the text):

On opening an element editor (see Edit element) it depends on the "Switch text/comments" mode whether the initial focus (the cursor) will be in the text area or in the comment area — it's the one presented in the diagram (with rare exceptions).

The static Analyser will present a warning in the Report List while the "Switch text/comments" mode is active, such that unexperienced users won't panic if they see their diagram suddenly empty:

Since version 3.30-11, there is an additional mode indicator in the toolbar (e.g. for the case that the Analyser Report list is disabled) - see red circle below:

Note that this display mode will be suppressed while mode "Comments plus text" is active.