Using string-rectangle more than once

Using string-rectangle more than once

[Sebastien Vauban]

Hello,

Since not so long, I've discovered `string-rectangle' to replace rectangle
contents (each line of it) with some string.

That works perfectly the first time, but I have problem for the second one...

Suppose I want to replace `-' by `+' in the following list:

--8<---------------cut here---------------start------------->8---
- First
- Second
--8<---------------cut here---------------end--------------->8---

I call `C-x r t' on the right region (for example, a colon of two-chars wide),
and type `+ ' as the replacement string.

--8<---------------cut here---------------start------------->8---
+ First
+ Second
--8<---------------cut here---------------end--------------->8---

Now, I want to replace the `+' and the following space by nothing: I want to
remove the "list" aspect.

I do select the same region, call `C-x r t', and have to type the empty string.
But pressing RET selects the default, that is the last replacement string...
which is not empty.

How to pass an empty string, then?

Best regards,
  Seb

-- 
Sebastien Vauban

Re: Using string-rectangle more than once

[Michael Heerdegen]

"Sebastien Vauban" <sva-news@mygooglest.com>
writes:

> I do select the same region, call `C-x r t', and have to type the
> empty string.  But pressing RET selects the default, that is the last
> replacement string...  which is not empty.
>
> How to pass an empty string, then?

I would just kill the rectangle instead: C-x r k.


Regards,

Michael.

Re: Using string-rectangle more than once

[Sebastien Vauban]

Hello Michael,

Michael Heerdegen wrote:
> "Sebastien Vauban" <sva-news-D0wtAvR13HarG/iDocfnWg@public.gmane.org> writes:
>
>> I do select the same region, call `C-x r t', and have to type the
>> empty string.  But pressing RET selects the default, that is the last
>> replacement string...  which is not empty.
>>
>> How to pass an empty string, then?
>
> I would just kill the rectangle instead: C-x r k.

As you notice, my "rectangle" capability is still limited. And your solution is
correct, then.

Though, as this is common to many other situations, is there a way to pass the
empty string, instead of confirming to use the default proposition?

Best regards,
  Seb

-- 
Sebastien Vauban

Re: Using string-rectangle more than once

[Michael Heerdegen]

"Sebastien Vauban" <sva-news@mygooglest.com>
writes:

> Though, as this is common to many other situations, is there a way to
> pass the empty string, instead of confirming to use the default
> proposition?

In general, the behavior depends on how the code reads user input.
Without going much into details: in any situation where the empty string
is necessarily an available input option, it should be possible to enter
it (by hitting RET).  If not, it is a bug.

For your case (C-x r t), I think it is impossible to enter the empty
string at the prompt.  `repeat-complex-command' could be used to bypass
the problem, however.


Regards,

Michael.

Re: Using string-rectangle more than once

[Michael Heerdegen]

Michael Heerdegen <michael_heerdegen@web.de> writes:

> Without going much into details: in any situation where the empty string
> is necessarily an available input option, it should be possible to enter
> it (by hitting RET).

Since I know you're using Helm: in Helm the empty string can be entered
with <C-return> where appropriate.

Regards,

Michael.

Re: Using string-rectangle more than once

[Peter Dyballa]

Am 07.11.2013 um 17:36 schrieb Michael Heerdegen:

> In general, the behavior depends on how the code reads user input.
> Without going much into details: in any situation where the empty string
> is necessarily an available input option, it should be possible to enter
> it (by hitting RET).

There is really no sense in entering the "empty string" as argument to string-rectangle. It won't do nothing.

String-rectangle has a side-effect: The selected rectangle is overwritten. But no-one would select a rectangle to overwrite with nothing. It takes much too many key strokes to achieve as a side-effect what kill-rectangle can perform directly.

And kill-rectangle has an optional third argument: FILL. Let's wonder what this third argument might do!

--
Greetings

  Pete

If it dies, it's biology.  If it blows up, it's chemistry. If it doesn't work, it's physics.
			– University washroom sgraffito

Re: Using string-rectangle more than once

[Sebastien Vauban]

Michael Heerdegen wrote:
> Michael Heerdegen <michael_heerdegen-S0/GAf8tV78@public.gmane.org> writes:
>
>> Without going much into details: in any situation where the empty string
>> is necessarily an available input option, it should be possible to enter
>> it (by hitting RET).
>
> Since I know you're using Helm: in Helm the empty string can be entered
> with <C-return> where appropriate.

Thanks for your answers.

It is clear that I have to use `C-x r k'...

Best regards,
  Seb

-- 
Sebastien Vauban

Re: Using string-rectangle more than once

[Stefan Monnier]

> It is clear that I have to use `C-x r k'...

Or C-x r d which just "deletes" the rectangle, without "killing" it.
On the Emacs trunk, you can do: C-x SPC <..move..around..> DEL to delete
the rectangle and C-x SPC <..move..around..> C-t to invoke string-rectangle.


        Stefan

Re: Using string-rectangle more than once

[Suvayu Ali]

Hi Stefan,

On Tue, Nov 12, 2013 at 07:56:33PM -0500, Stefan Monnier wrote:
> > It is clear that I have to use `C-x r k'...
> 
> Or C-x r d which just "deletes" the rectangle, without "killing" it.
> On the Emacs trunk, you can do: C-x SPC <..move..around..> DEL to delete
> the rectangle and C-x SPC <..move..around..> C-t to invoke string-rectangle.

This does not seem to work for me.  On pressing `C-x SPC' anywhere, I
get backtrace:

  Debugger entered--Lisp error: (void-function gud-break)
    indirect-function(gud-break)
    command-execute(gud-break)

`C-h k C-x SPC' tells me:

  C-x SPC runs the command gud-break, which is an alias for `nil',
  which is not defined.  Please make a bug report.

I do not have any gud related binding in my setup.

Is this a bug?

-- 
Suvayu

Open source is the future. It sets us free.

Re: Using string-rectangle more than once

[Stefan Monnier]

> Is this a bug?

Yes a known one (that appears if you've somehow loaded gud.el without
actually using gud).


        Stefan

Re: Using string-rectangle more than once

[Suvayu Ali]

On Thu, Nov 14, 2013 at 03:06:10PM -0500, Stefan Monnier wrote:
> > Is this a bug?
> 
> Yes a known one (that appears if you've somehow loaded gud.el without
> actually using gud).

Thanks, I tried in a fresh Emacs session.  The keybindings you posted
worked nicely.  I would like to use them, I run emacs --daemon.  Is
there a way to work around the bug?  I tried unloading gud with
unload-feature, but that did not help.

-- 
Suvayu

Open source is the future. It sets us free.

Re: Using string-rectangle more than once

[Stefan Monnier]

>> > Is this a bug?
>> Yes a known one (that appears if you've somehow loaded gud.el without
>> actually using gud).
> Thanks, I tried in a fresh Emacs session.  The keybindings you posted
> worked nicely.  I would like to use them, I run emacs --daemon.  Is
> there a way to work around the bug?  I tried unloading gud with
> unload-feature, but that did not help.

You can try to update: I fixed the problem yesterday,


        Stefan

Re: Using string-rectangle more than once

[Suvayu Ali]

On Fri, Nov 15, 2013 at 08:23:15AM -0500, Stefan Monnier wrote:
> >> > Is this a bug?
> >> Yes a known one (that appears if you've somehow loaded gud.el without
> >> actually using gud).
> > Thanks, I tried in a fresh Emacs session.  The keybindings you posted
> > worked nicely.  I would like to use them, I run emacs --daemon.  Is
> > there a way to work around the bug?  I tried unloading gud with
> > unload-feature, but that did not help.
> 
> You can try to update: I fixed the problem yesterday,

It works, thank you.

:)

-- 
Suvayu

Open source is the future. It sets us free.