snarf up text when at query-replace from: prompt

snarf up text when at query-replace from: prompt

[Dan Jacobson]

    ESC % runs the command query-replace
       which is an interactive compiled Lisp function in `replace'.
    (query-replace FROM-STRING TO-STRING &optional DELIMITED START END)

    Replace some occurrences of FROM-STRING with TO-STRING.
    As each match is found, the user must type a character saying
    what to do with it.  For directions, type C-h at that time.

I would like to have C-h tell me stuff right when I'm at the From:
string prompt.  To: also.

    In Transient Mark mode, if the mark is active, operate on the contents
    of the region.  Otherwise, operate from point to the end of the buffer.

    If `query-replace-interactive' is non-nil, the last incremental search
    string is used as FROM-STRING--you don't have to specify it with the
    minibuffer.

it would be nice if we could hit something to snarf up words from
point when we are entering the from and to strings.
-- 
http://jidanni.org/ Taiwan(04)25854780

Re: snarf up text when at query-replace from: prompt

[Dan Jacobson]

RMS> Could you be more specific?  What do you propose that C-h should do
RMS> when you are in the minibuffer entering the from-string?... to-string

well actually lets talk about C-s.  If one hit C-s C-h, wouldn't it be
neat if it were like when one hit C-h k C-s?  At least give some hints
in the minibuffer about goodies like:

Type C-s to search again forward, C-r to search again backward.
Type C-w to yank word from buffer onto end of search string and search for it.
Type C-y to yank rest of line onto end of search string and search for it.
Type M-y to yank last killed text onto end of search string and search for it.
etc.

this would appear as "C-s, C-w, C-y.... C-h for more info" in the
minibuffer.

Do something similar when one hits M-% C-h, of course offering the
choices I propose below.

>     it would be nice if we could hit something to snarf up words from
>     point when we are entering the from and to strings.

RMS> You can copy the text with M-w then do query-replace-interactive and then
RMS> yank it with C-y.

ah, but setting that variable back and forth is quite inconvenient.
I say the from and to stings should be able to be vacuumed up with
things like those 4 above... just like C-s... hmmm, true we are
sitting in the minibuffer and not in the main window like with C-s.

Anyway, a start would be if M-% C-w would copy the word we are on into
the From string..  More C-w's would add more to it, like C-s....
Hmm, then there's the To string... well, we would have to reposition
the cursor usually.... bla bla bla... anyways, C-s is quite high
powered vs. M-%...
-- 
http://jidanni.org/ Taiwan(04)25854780

Re: snarf up text when at query-replace from: prompt

[Dan Jacobson]

>>>>> "RMS" == Richard Stallman <rms@gnu.org> writes:

RMS> You can copy the text with M-w then do query-replace-interactive and then
RMS> yank it with C-y.

SMR>     ah, but setting that variable back and forth is quite inconvenient.

RMS> Sorry, I meant to type query-replace-regexp, not
RMS> query-replace-interactive.  (M-/ must have found
RMS> query-replace-interactive.)

RMS> Is it clear now?  You can use C-y to yank into the minibuffer
RMS> because it is an ordinary buffer and ordinary commands work.

Ah, but after enjoying C-s C-w C-w... one thirsts for other smart
commands that can snarf up text like that... that the cursor is in the
minibuffer is probably just a technical distraction.  The smart
command would remember where the cursor used to be in the big buffer
above and still snarf.

The 'M-w first' method requires forethought where my so called smart
method would be usable right there...

compare {M-w plus old non interactive search}, vs. {isearch plus C-w}. 
-- 
http://jidanni.org/ Taiwan(04)25854780