how-to configure the perl tidy to work with textpad on windows

Perl::Tidy is a nice module providing the functionality to automatically format your perl code.
This instruction is done for the Textpad version 5.4.2 , but it should work on all TP > 4.7 versions

1. Install the Perl::Tidy module
   1.1. Start the cmd shell
   Start - Run - cmd
   1.2. Start the cpan shell ( You should have perl in the Windows PATH env variable )
   perl -MCPAN -e shell
   1.3. install the Perl::Tidy module
    install Perl::Tidy
2. Create a new file named perltidy.ini in your perl modules folder
   2.1. Start - Run - textpad C:\Temp\projects\MyProject\perltidy.ini
   2.2. Set the initial configuration of the Perl::Tidy in the this file copy paste as follows

### START COPY

# Perl Best Practices (plus errata) .perltidyrc / perltidy.ini file
-l=98    # Max line width is 98 cols
-i=3    # Indent level is 3 cols
-ci=3    # Continuation indent is 3 cols
#-st     # Output to STDOUT
-se      # Errors to STDERR
-vt=2    # Maximal vertical tightness
-cti=1   # No extra indentation for closing brackets
-pt=1    # Medium parenthesis tightness
-bt=1    # Medium brace tightness
-sbt=1   # Medium square bracket tightness
-bbt=1   # Medium block brace tightness
-nsfs    # No space before semicolons
-nolq    # Don't outdent long quoted strings
-wbb="% + - * / x != == >= <= =~ < > | & **= += *= &= <<= &&= -= /= |= >>= ||= .= %= ^= x="
         # Break before all operators

# Extras/overrides/deviations from Perl Best Practices
--maximum-line-length=78              # Be less generous
--warning-output                      # Show warnings
--maximum-consecutive-blank-lines=2   # Default is 1
--nohanging-side-comments             # Troublesome for commented out code

-isbc   # Block comments may only be indented if they have some space characters before the #
-ci=2   # Continuation indent is 2 cols

# We use version control, so just rewrite the file
-b

# For the up-tight folk :)
-pt=0    # parenthesis tightness
-bt=0    # brace tightness
-sbt=0   # square bracket tightness

### STOP COPY

3. Configure Textpad
   3.1. In Textpad - Configure Preferences - Alt + C , P
   3.2. Tools - Add - Dos Command
   3.3. Parameters: perl -x -S perltidy $FileName
   3.4. Initial Folder : $FileDir
   3.5. Check Save all documents first
   3.6. Capture output
4. Assign shortcut
   4.1. In Textpad - Configure Preferences - Alt + C , P
   4.2. Click Keyboard-Tools-Commands
   4.3. Choose the perl -x -S perltidy $FileName
   4.4. Alt + H or click on the "Press new shortcut " textbox
   4.5 Ctrl + 9 for the new shortcut ( or choose your own ; )
   4.6. Click Apply
   4.7. Click OK
5. Test functionality
   5.1. Open my module Start - Run - type textpad C:\Temp\Proejcts\MyProject\MyModule.pm
   5.2. Ctrl + 9 to format , the result should be reloaded re-formatted source file