[rkward-tracker] [ rkward-Bugs-3453725 ] Completion list doesn't work in the console

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Bugs item #3453725, was opened at 2011-12-07 09:03
Message generated for change (Comment added) made by nalimilan
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Category: None
Group: None
Status: Open
Resolution: None
Priority: 5
Private: No
Submitted By: Milan Bouchet-Valat (nalimilan)
Assigned to: Thomas Friedrichsmeier (tfry)
Summary: Completion list doesn't work in the console

Initial Comment:
A completion list is shown when you start typing object names in the R console. But there's absolutely no way of selecting an item. I can understand Return can't work for this, since it has already another meaning. Clicking with the mouse wouldn't be very efficient anyway, but if even this doesn't work, I don't see a reason to show this, as it is more frustrating than anything else.

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>Comment By: Milan Bouchet-Valat (nalimilan)
Date: 2011-12-20 01:35

Message:
I've also found one case where the new completion behavior can be annoying:
when you use two object starting with the same string.

For example, I often do
> tab <- table(var1, var2)
Then, when I type 'tab' then Return to see the result (immediately or
later), 'tab' gets completed to 'table'. Quite problematic!

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Comment By: Thomas Friedrichsmeier (tfry)
Date: 2011-12-19 06:53

Message:
I think the problem isn't offering text completion (in addition to object
name completion) in general. The problem is that both mechanisms simply
aren't integrated, yet. Now one type of completion pops up automatically,
and inserts completions on tab-presses, while the other is activated
manually, on tab-presses. Obviously this does not mix well.

So I have disabled the text-hints for now. I still intend to re-enable them
in an integrated solution, later.

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Comment By: m.eik (m-eik)
Date: 2011-12-19 05:50

Message:
well, i do sense a slight disturbance in the force. since the change, data
object completion gets mixed up with all kinds of text that was written
before. try this:

> foobar
# you'll get an error, but now:
> test.foo
# once you've typed "foo" here you're offered a completion to "foobar"

for the console i'd rather have the completion stick to objects which are
actually in existance. otherwise, if you make a mistake while typing, it
can haunt you by reappearing in the completion list. allthough an argument
completion for functions would be a hit!


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Comment By: Milan Bouchet-Valat (nalimilan)
Date: 2011-12-14 06:40

Message:
Something still feels weird: when there are several choices in the list,
you can't select another one than the first, because the up/down arrows
don't work (since they're used for the command history). Not sure something
can be done about that, but at least only one choice should be shown then.

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Comment By: Milan Bouchet-Valat (nalimilan)
Date: 2011-12-14 03:12

Message:
I've just tried it, and indeed it doesn't seem to disturb much. And it's
generally good that both completion lists behave the same. Thanks!

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Comment By: Thomas Friedrichsmeier (tfry)
Date: 2011-12-07 10:40

Message:
Hi!

Thanks for pointing out all those issues. Over time, I've become blind to
much of this.

Anyway, thinking about this, perhaps Return *can* work for this, after all,
and I have committed a corresponding (experimental) change. Perhaps you
want to give this a try (in the development version / tomorrows' daily
build). My impression so far is that it does not really get into the way
too much.

In fact, I'm considering to make code completion in the R Console look
exactly like in the script editor (I would add a configuration option to
control, whether completion options are shown automatically, or only on
Tab-key presses). That would obsolete a couple of quirks in the current
solution, and probably even remove some code complexity.

What do you think?

Regards
Thomas

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