CLion 2019.1 Help

Code Hierarchies

Build hierarchies

In CLion, you can build the following hierarchies:

  • Type hierarchies show parent and children classes of a class. To build a type hierarchy, select the desired class in the Project tool window or in the editor and choose Navigate | Type Hierarchy on the main menu (or just press Ctrl+H).

  • Call hierarchies show callers (supertypes) or callees (subtypes) of a method (Navigate | Call Hierarchy) .

  • Imports hierarchies show where the current file is included and track all files included in the current file. To build an import hierarchy, open the file in the editor or select it in the Project view, and choose Navigate | Imports Hierarchy on the main menu.

When built, a hierarchy can be viewed and examined in the Hierarchy tool window. By default, every new built hierarchy overwrites the contents of the current tab.

You can retain the current tab and have the next hierarchy built in a new one.

View hierarchies

Once built, hierarchies can be brought up for close examination in the Hierarchy tool window. Note that the Hierarchy tool window is not shown when there are no hierarchies to display.

Open the Hierarchy tool window

Do one of the following:

  • On the main menu, choose View | Tool Windows | Hierarchy.

  • Use Alt+8 keyboard shortcut.

Navigate between the tabs of the Hierarchy tool window

Do one of the following:

  • Right-click the currently displayed tab, and choose Select Next Tab/Select Previous Tab on the context menu.

  • Use the Alt+Right and Alt+Left keyboard shortcuts.

  • Click the currently displayed tab, and choose the next tab to display.

Toggle between views

To show ascending or descending hierarchy (callee vs. caller methods, parent vs. children classes etc.), use the toolbar of the Hierarchy tool window:

  • Click icons hierarchy supertypes svg to show supertypes.

  • Click icons hierarchy subtypes svg to show subtypes.

View structure of a source file

You can examine the structure of the file currently opened in the editor using the Structure tool window or the Structure popup. By default, CLion shows all the classes, methods, etc. presented in the current file.

To have other members displayed, click the corresponding buttons on the toolbar of the Structure tool window. You can also have class members shown in the Project tool window.

View the file structure

Do one of the following:

Display inherited members

  • Click show inherited on the toolbar of the Structure tool window.

By default, CLion shows only methods, constants, and fields defined in the current class. If shown, inherited members are displayed gray.

Display class members in the Project tool window

  • Turn on the Show members item on the context menu of the Project tool window title bar.

Last modified: 24 July 2019