SearchForAnswersURL

SearchForAnswersURL

#Overview

name: SearchForAnswersURL

The value of this variable can be defined or overridden in .ini config files. 1 .ini config file referencing this setting variable.

It is referenced in 4 C++ source files.

#Summary

#Usage in the C++ source code

The purpose of SearchForAnswersURL is to store the URL of the “Search for Answers” web page, which is part of the Unreal Engine’s support system accessible from the editor interface.

This setting variable is primarily used in the MainFrame module of the Unreal Engine editor. Specifically, it’s utilized in the FMainFrameActionCallbacks class, which handles various actions in the main editor frame.

The value of this variable is not set directly in the provided code snippets. Instead, it’s retrieved using the FUnrealEdMisc::Get().GetURL() method, suggesting that it’s likely set elsewhere in the engine configuration, possibly in an INI file or through some other centralized settings management system.

The SearchForAnswersURL interacts with an associated variable of the same name (SearchForAnswersURL), which is a local FString variable used to store the retrieved URL value temporarily.

Developers should be aware that this variable is used to provide a direct link to the Unreal Engine’s support resources from within the editor. Modifying this URL could potentially break the built-in help system, so it should be done with caution.

Best practices when using this variable include:

  1. Ensuring that any custom implementations maintain the functionality of the support system.
  2. If customizing, update the URL to point to valid, helpful resources for your development team.
  3. Consider the implications on your team’s workflow if you modify this URL, as it’s a key part of the editor’s help system.

Regarding the associated variable SearchForAnswersURL:

This is a local FString variable used within the VisitSearchForAnswersPage() function. Its purpose is to temporarily store the URL retrieved from the engine’s URL system.

It’s used in conjunction with the FUnrealEdMisc::Get().GetURL() method to fetch the actual URL value, and then passed to FPlatformProcess::LaunchURL() to open the web page.

Developers should note that this local variable is scoped to the VisitSearchForAnswersPage() function and is separate from any global or persistent storage of the URL. It’s a temporary holder for the URL value during the function’s execution.

Best practices for this associated variable include:

  1. Ensuring proper error handling if the URL retrieval fails.
  2. Consider adding logging or telemetry to track usage of this feature.
  3. If extending this functionality, maintain the same pattern of retrieving the URL dynamically rather than hardcoding it.

#Setting Variables

#References In INI files

Location: <Workspace>/Engine/Config/BaseEditor.ini:290, section: [UnrealEd.URLs]

#References in C++ code

#Callsites

This variable is referenced in the following C++ source code:

#Loc: <Workspace>/Engine/Source/Editor/MainFrame/Private/Frame/MainFrameActions.cpp:629

Scope (from outer to inner):

file
function     void FMainFrameActionCallbacks::VisitSearchForAnswersPage

Source code excerpt:

}

void FMainFrameActionCallbacks::VisitSearchForAnswersPage()
{
	FString SearchForAnswersURL;
	if(FUnrealEdMisc::Get().GetURL( TEXT("SearchForAnswersURL"), SearchForAnswersURL, true ))
	{
		FPlatformProcess::LaunchURL( *SearchForAnswersURL, NULL, NULL );
	}
}

void FMainFrameActionCallbacks::VisitSupportWebSite()
{
	FString SupportWebsiteURL;
	if(FUnrealEdMisc::Get().GetURL( TEXT("SupportWebsiteURL"), SupportWebsiteURL, true ))
	{
		FPlatformProcess::LaunchURL( *SupportWebsiteURL, NULL, NULL );

#Loc: <Workspace>/Engine/Source/Editor/MainFrame/Private/Frame/MainFrameActions.cpp:628

Scope (from outer to inner):

file
function     void FMainFrameActionCallbacks::VisitSearchForAnswersPage

Source code excerpt:

	}
}

void FMainFrameActionCallbacks::VisitSearchForAnswersPage()
{
	FString SearchForAnswersURL;
	if(FUnrealEdMisc::Get().GetURL( TEXT("SearchForAnswersURL"), SearchForAnswersURL, true ))
	{
		FPlatformProcess::LaunchURL( *SearchForAnswersURL, NULL, NULL );
	}
}

void FMainFrameActionCallbacks::VisitSupportWebSite()
{
	FString SupportWebsiteURL;
	if(FUnrealEdMisc::Get().GetURL( TEXT("SupportWebsiteURL"), SupportWebsiteURL, true ))
	{
		FPlatformProcess::LaunchURL( *SupportWebsiteURL, NULL, NULL );
	}
}

#Associated Variable and Callsites

This variable is associated with another variable named SearchForAnswersURL. They share the same value. See the following C++ source code.

#Loc: <Workspace>/Engine/Source/Editor/MainFrame/Private/Frame/MainFrameActions.cpp:629

Scope (from outer to inner):

file
function     void FMainFrameActionCallbacks::VisitSearchForAnswersPage

Source code excerpt:

}

void FMainFrameActionCallbacks::VisitSearchForAnswersPage()
{
	FString SearchForAnswersURL;
	if(FUnrealEdMisc::Get().GetURL( TEXT("SearchForAnswersURL"), SearchForAnswersURL, true ))
	{
		FPlatformProcess::LaunchURL( *SearchForAnswersURL, NULL, NULL );
	}
}

void FMainFrameActionCallbacks::VisitSupportWebSite()
{
	FString SupportWebsiteURL;
	if(FUnrealEdMisc::Get().GetURL( TEXT("SupportWebsiteURL"), SupportWebsiteURL, true ))
	{
		FPlatformProcess::LaunchURL( *SupportWebsiteURL, NULL, NULL );

#Loc: <Workspace>/Engine/Source/Editor/MainFrame/Private/Frame/MainFrameActions.cpp:628

Scope (from outer to inner):

file
function     void FMainFrameActionCallbacks::VisitSearchForAnswersPage

Source code excerpt:

	}
}

void FMainFrameActionCallbacks::VisitSearchForAnswersPage()
{
	FString SearchForAnswersURL;
	if(FUnrealEdMisc::Get().GetURL( TEXT("SearchForAnswersURL"), SearchForAnswersURL, true ))
	{
		FPlatformProcess::LaunchURL( *SearchForAnswersURL, NULL, NULL );
	}
}

void FMainFrameActionCallbacks::VisitSupportWebSite()
{
	FString SupportWebsiteURL;
	if(FUnrealEdMisc::Get().GetURL( TEXT("SupportWebsiteURL"), SupportWebsiteURL, true ))
	{
		FPlatformProcess::LaunchURL( *SupportWebsiteURL, NULL, NULL );
	}
}