[Bug 180543] New: Abbreviations for any kde-input

[AlbrechtMehl]

http://bugs.kde.org/show_bug.cgi?id=180543

           Summary: Abbreviations for any kde-input
           Product: kde
           Version: unspecified
          Platform: unspecified
        OS/Version: Linux
            Status: UNCONFIRMED
          Severity: wishlist
          Priority: NOR
         Component: general
        AssignedTo: unassigned-bugs at kde.org
        ReportedBy: mehl at freunde.tu-darmstadt.de


Version:           2.0.1 (using 3.5.9 "release 49.1" , openSUSE 11.0)
Compiler:          Target: i586-suse-linux
OS:                Linux (i686) release 2.6.25.18-0.2-pae

After my switch from windows to linux I am missing just one thing: a
comfortable tool to abbreviate longer inputs at _any_ place where an input is
requested. To illustrate what I mean I would like to direct your attention to
the windows program SHORTCUt which can be downloaded and bought from the page

   http://www.typer.de/

This program allows to configure abbreviations either in a graphical interface
or by means of an abbreviations file. It is possible to choose for each
abbreviation whether it should be automatically replaced by the full text or on
command by a key combination which can be configured differently for each
abbreviation.  This tool is very convinient e.g. to place one's own email
address somewhere, to place recurring phrases like 'Dear Sir/Madam', but
for writing documents in LaTeX, too. Its usefullness stems mostly from the fact
that the tool can be used _universally_ at any place.

 When using an abbreviations file the abbreviations should be arranged so that
the shorter ones are on top, e.g.

  b = \boldface
  bd = \begin{document}
  bt  = \begin{table}
  bta = \begin{tabular}

as the input text is parsed upon the completion command backwards from the
present cursor position until the previous space character to get the
abbreviation. Then the abbreviations file is parsed ahead to find the line
consistent with this abbreviation. 

Shortcut allows the insertion of the complete content of a file, too. It offers
a macro language for more complex tasks. 

On the Linux side there is nothing comparable. There are clipboards and
cliplets ... but these programs are very slow as they use scripts.
But shortcut is programmed in assembler language which makes the reaction time
very short. 

Of course a one to one transfer of shortcut to kde would be very welcome. But
as this would be quite a task a more modest beginning would be welcome, too.
E.g. one could start without a graphical interface just offering the use of an
abbreviations file, without macro facilities, without free change of hotkey
etc.

It would be nice to get some information on whether the kde team considers
embarking on such a project - unfortunately I can be of no help as my computer
knowledge is too small.

A. Mehl


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