IBM Streams 4.3.0

SPL editors for editing SPL source

Streams Studio provides both the SPL Graphical Editor and the SPL Editor to create and edit SPL source files (files with the .spl extension).

The SPL Graphical Editor provides a graphical representation of the SPL source code and provides a graphical user interface to create SPL applications. You drag elements from the palette onto the canvas to create SPL applications in the SPL Graphical Editor.

The SPL Editor provides a textual representation of the SPL source code. You type SPL code in the SPL Editor to create SPL applications.

The SPL Graphical Editor is the default editor for editing SPL source files. Use the Open With option to change the default editor for the SPL source files.

The following table describes the key factors that can help you choose an editor that is based on your requirements.

Table 1. Determining which editors to use
Editor	When to use
SPL Graphical Editor	Graphical representation A graphical representation of an SPL application is useful when you want to add and connect operators, or when you need to understand the flow of data and view the operators in the context of data flow. Designing an SPL application It is easier to design applications in the SPL Graphical Editor. See Developing a simple stream application and Developing another simple stream processing application.
SPL Editor	Extensive coding It is easier to enter large code segments in the SPL Editor. Refactoring code If you are refactoring the code, the SPL Editor provides a better understanding of the refactoring operation. Fixing compilation errors It is easier to correct compilation errors in the SPL Editor.