Re: [PATCH] Re: Other details about completion.

[Ergus <spacibba@aol.com>]

On Fri, Apr 08, 2022 at 10:40:33AM +0300, Juri Linkov wrote:
>>> 1. zstyle ':completion:*' menu select interactive
>>>    - allows typing a letter that immediately
>>>    updates the list of completions.
>>
>> Yes, but that may be complicated because completions calls a function
>> that will try first to complete the common part and then update the
>> completions. (Look what happens when you press a letter and tab
>> immediately). There are few ways to go around that without braking half
>> of the Universe. Look where I added the code for the
>> completion-auto-help visible and always... there is where the magic
>> happens.
>>
>> Maybe you will find a better way to manage what you want.
>
>Indeed, this is why I proposed to create zcomplete-mode
>that works exactly like icomplete-mode, but updates completions
>in the Completions window instead of the minibuffer.
>
IIRC Helm already uses that approach?

>>> 2. zstyle ':completion:*' menu select search
>>>    - shows the prompt "isearch:" where typing letters
>>>    searches them incrementally in the list of completions.
>>
>>>> 2) it will be simpler to implement with
>>>> icomplete and that family of completion engines.
>>>
>>> Agreed, this would be the best thing to do.
>>
>> For that we have fido and similes... What we are trying to improve a bit
>> is the default completion engine. Then the user will choose fido, ido or
>> something external... it is up to him.
>
>fido, ido and others use the minibuffer, but zcomplete-mode will use
>the Completions window.
>
Then my question will be... what's the advantage/difference from the
user point of view compared with putting the completions in the
minibuffer like icomplete/fido/ivy/ido do?

I mean, in general fido/icomplete/ivy work fine and comfortable. The
only difference with zsh in general will be the tabular vs vertical
view... but that can be implemented in icomplete more or less easily if
you really want to...

>>> Does vertico show completions in the Completions window?
>>
>> I don't think so but I am not sure... Most of these tools stay in the
>> minibuffer for completions... so they don't need to switch context.
>
>They stay in the minibuffer and display completions in the minibuffer,
>whereas zcomplete-mode will display completions in the Completions window
>while staying in the minibuffer, like zsh does.
>
As I said... whats the practical benefit?

Best,
Ergus