More convenient editing of recentf files

More convenient editing of recentf files

[B. T. Raven]

In .emacs I have:

(add-to-list 'same-window-buffer-names "*Buffer List*")

and

  '(iswitchb-mode t nil (iswitchb)) in custom-set-variables

so I can navigate to buffers quickly with C-x b and kill selected ones 
with C-x C-b via

D, SPC, and X keys. Is there a way to do something like this with 
recentf files? Now I have to use the mousey checkbox interface:
menubar > Open Recent > Edit list > check ... check ... check .... move 
to bottom of list ... check ok

Thanks,

Ed

Re: More convenient editing of recentf files

[Lennart Borgman]

On Sun, Mar 15, 2009 at 7:42 PM, B. T. Raven <nihil@nihilo.net> wrote:
> In .emacs I have:
>
> (add-to-list 'same-window-buffer-names "*Buffer List*")
>
> and
>
>  '(iswitchb-mode t nil (iswitchb)) in custom-set-variables
>
> so I can navigate to buffers quickly with C-x b and kill selected ones with
> C-x C-b via
>
> D, SPC, and X keys. Is there a way to do something like this with recentf
> files? Now I have to use the mousey checkbox interface:
> menubar > Open Recent > Edit list > check ... check ... check .... move to
> bottom of list ... check ok

Maybe (recentf-open-files)?

RE: More convenient editing of recentf files

[Drew Adams]

> From: B. T. Raven Sent: Sunday, March 15, 2009 11:43 AM
> In .emacs I have:
> (add-to-list 'same-window-buffer-names "*Buffer List*")
> and '(iswitchb-mode t nil (iswitchb)) in custom-set-variables
> so I can navigate to buffers quickly with C-x b and kill 
> selected ones with C-x C-b via D, SPC, and X keys.

> Is there a way to do something like this with recentf files?
> Now I have to use the mousey checkbox interface:
> menubar > Open Recent > Edit list > check ... check ... check 
> .... move to bottom of list ... check ok

Perhaps someone else will give you an Iswitchb-specific answer for recentf file
deletion. If not, the following might help.

If you use Icicles, you can use `Remove from Recent Files List' in menu Files >
Icicles, or use `M-x icicle-remove-file-from-recentf-list'.

During completion, you can filter candidates with your input (e.g. substring,
regexp, prefix), and cycle among matches. Use `C-RET' or `C-mouse-2' repeatedly
to remove as many individual file names as you like.

Use `C-!' to remove all file names that match the current input pattern - use as
many patterns as you like. Use `C-~' (complement) to match against all
candidates that do *not* match some input pattern. Use `M-SPC' to combine input
patterns (logical AND): progessive completion.

(And yes, you can use Iswitchb with Icicles.)

----

Without Icicles, you could call, within a loop, a command that reads a single
absolute file name using completion (letting the user quit the loop with, e.g.,
`C-g'). A user would then complete file names to remove them from
`recentf-list'.

(defun remove-some-recent-files ()
  "Remove some files from the list of recently used files."
  (interactive)
  (while recentf-list
    (call-interactively #'remove-a-recent-file)))

Within the loop, call `completing-read' against `recentf-list'. E.g.:

(defun remove-a-recent-file (file)
  "Remove a file from the list of recently used files."
  (interactive
   (list
    (completing-read
     "Remove from recent files list (`C-g' when done): "
     (mapcar #'list
             (progn
               (unless (boundp 'recentf-list)(require 'recentf))
               (when (fboundp 'recentf-mode) (recentf-mode 99))
               (unless (consp recentf-list)
                 (error "No recently accessed files"))
               recentf-list))
     nil (and (fboundp 'confirm-nonexistent-file-or-buffer)
              (confirm-nonexistent-file-or-buffer)) ; Emacs23.
     nil 'file-name-history (car recentf-list))))
  (setq recentf-list  (delete file recentf-list))
  (message "`%s' removed from `recentf-list'" file))

If you know you're going to have `recentf.el' loaded and be in `recentf-mode',
then you can skip the first part of the `progn'. If you know you have Emacs 22+,
you can skip the `mapcar'. If you know you have Emacs 23, you can skip the
`fboundp' for `confirm-...'.

----

FYI, a nearly identical definition suffices to define the Icicles multi-command
(no loop needed) that lets you remove as many files as you want from the list:

(icicle-define-command icicle-remove-file-from-recentf-list
  "Remove some files from the list of recently used files."
  icicle-remove-from-recentf-candidate-action
  "Remove from recent files list: "
  (mapcar #'list
          (progn
            (unless (boundp 'recentf-list) (require 'recentf))
            (when (fboundp 'recentf-mode) (recentf-mode 99))
            (unless (consp recentf-list)
              (error "No recently accessed files"))
            recentf-list))
  nil (and (fboundp 'confirm-nonexistent-file-or-buffer)
           (confirm-nonexistent-file-or-buffer))
  nil 'file-name-history (car recentf-list) nil
  ((icicle-use-candidates-only-once-flag  t)))

(defun icicle-remove-from-recentf-candidate-action (file)
  "Action function for `icicle-remove-file-from-recentf-list'."
  (setq recentf-list  (delete file recentf-list))
  (message "`%s' removed from `recentf-list'" file))

HTH.

RE: More convenient editing of recentf files

[Drew Adams]

I said:

> Within the loop, call `completing-read' against
> `recentf-list'. E.g.:
> ...
>  (progn
>    (unless (boundp 'recentf-list)(require 'recentf))
>    (when (fboundp 'recentf-mode) (recentf-mode 99))
>    (unless (consp recentf-list)
>       (error "No recently accessed files"))
>         recentf-list))

Obviously, if you choose this approach, you would want to move the recentf tests
outside the loop.

I wanted to also show how defining an Icicles multi-command mirrors defining an
ordinary command that calls `completing-read'. (In Icicles there is no loop -
just a single call to `completing-read'.)

Re: More convenient editing of recentf files

[B. T. Raven]

Lennart Borgman wrote:
> On Sun, Mar 15, 2009 at 7:42 PM, B. T. Raven <nihil@nihilo.net> wrote:
>> In .emacs I have:
>>
>> (add-to-list 'same-window-buffer-names "*Buffer List*")
>>
>> and
>>
>>  '(iswitchb-mode t nil (iswitchb)) in custom-set-variables
>>
>> so I can navigate to buffers quickly with C-x b and kill selected ones with
>> C-x C-b via
>>
>> D, SPC, and X keys. Is there a way to do something like this with recentf
>> files? Now I have to use the mousey checkbox interface:
>> menubar > Open Recent > Edit list > check ... check ... check .... move to
>> bottom of list ... check ok
> 
> Maybe (recentf-open-files)?
> 
> 

No. That works just like (recentf-edit-list). You navigate with Tab and 
Return rather than with Spacebar, D, and X as in dired.

Re: More convenient editing of recentf files

[B. T. Raven]

Drew Adams wrote:
>> From: B. T. Raven Sent: Sunday, March 15, 2009 11:43 AM
>> In .emacs I have:
>> (add-to-list 'same-window-buffer-names "*Buffer List*")
>> and '(iswitchb-mode t nil (iswitchb)) in custom-set-variables
>> so I can navigate to buffers quickly with C-x b and kill 
>> selected ones with C-x C-b via D, SPC, and X keys.
> 
>> Is there a way to do something like this with recentf files?
>> Now I have to use the mousey checkbox interface:
>> menubar > Open Recent > Edit list > check ... check ... check 
>> .... move to bottom of list ... check ok
> 
> Perhaps someone else will give you an Iswitchb-specific answer for recentf file
> deletion. If not, the following might help.
> 
> If you use Icicles, you can use `Remove from Recent Files List' in menu Files >
> Icicles, or use `M-x icicle-remove-file-from-recentf-list'.
> 
> During completion, you can filter candidates with your input (e.g. substring,
> regexp, prefix), and cycle among matches. Use `C-RET' or `C-mouse-2' repeatedly
> to remove as many individual file names as you like.
> 
> Use `C-!' to remove all file names that match the current input pattern - use as
> many patterns as you like. Use `C-~' (complement) to match against all
> candidates that do *not* match some input pattern. Use `M-SPC' to combine input
> patterns (logical AND): progessive completion.
> 
> (And yes, you can use Iswitchb with Icicles.)
> 
> ----
> 
> Without Icicles, you could call, within a loop, a command that reads a single
> absolute file name using completion (letting the user quit the loop with, e.g.,
> `C-g'). A user would then complete file names to remove them from
> `recentf-list'.
> 
> (defun remove-some-recent-files ()
>   "Remove some files from the list of recently used files."
>   (interactive)
>   (while recentf-list
>     (call-interactively #'remove-a-recent-file)))
> 
> Within the loop, call `completing-read' against `recentf-list'. E.g.:
> 
> (defun remove-a-recent-file (file)
>   "Remove a file from the list of recently used files."
>   (interactive
>    (list
>     (completing-read
>      "Remove from recent files list (`C-g' when done): "
>      (mapcar #'list
>              (progn
>                (unless (boundp 'recentf-list)(require 'recentf))
>                (when (fboundp 'recentf-mode) (recentf-mode 99))
>                (unless (consp recentf-list)
>                  (error "No recently accessed files"))
>                recentf-list))
>      nil (and (fboundp 'confirm-nonexistent-file-or-buffer)
>               (confirm-nonexistent-file-or-buffer)) ; Emacs23.
>      nil 'file-name-history (car recentf-list))))
>   (setq recentf-list  (delete file recentf-list))
>   (message "`%s' removed from `recentf-list'" file))
> 
> If you know you're going to have `recentf.el' loaded and be in `recentf-mode',
> then you can skip the first part of the `progn'. If you know you have Emacs 22+,
> you can skip the `mapcar'. If you know you have Emacs 23, you can skip the
> `fboundp' for `confirm-...'.

Thanks, Drew. I called the main defun prune-recentf-list and it worked 
but with deeply nested file hierarchy, it's still a lot of typing. For 
now I'll just use:

(defalias 'rel 'recentf-edit-list)
(defalias 'rof 'recentf-open-files)
(defalias 'rsl 'recentf-save-list)

so I can avoid the mouse.

Does the code below require that Icicles be installed? It looks like it 
depends on the existence of icicle-define-command. I probably will 
install icicles someday. It looks intriguing but I need to keep things 
as close to the standard Emacs install as possible for now.

Ed

> 
> ----
> 
> FYI, a nearly identical definition suffices to define the Icicles multi-command
> (no loop needed) that lets you remove as many files as you want from the list:
> 
> (icicle-define-command icicle-remove-file-from-recentf-list
>   "Remove some files from the list of recently used files."
>   icicle-remove-from-recentf-candidate-action
>   "Remove from recent files list: "
>   (mapcar #'list
>           (progn
>             (unless (boundp 'recentf-list) (require 'recentf))
>             (when (fboundp 'recentf-mode) (recentf-mode 99))
>             (unless (consp recentf-list)
>               (error "No recently accessed files"))
>             recentf-list))
>   nil (and (fboundp 'confirm-nonexistent-file-or-buffer)
>            (confirm-nonexistent-file-or-buffer))
>   nil 'file-name-history (car recentf-list) nil
>   ((icicle-use-candidates-only-once-flag  t)))
> 
> (defun icicle-remove-from-recentf-candidate-action (file)
>   "Action function for `icicle-remove-file-from-recentf-list'."
>   (setq recentf-list  (delete file recentf-list))
>   (message "`%s' removed from `recentf-list'" file))
> 
> HTH.
> 
> 
> 

RE: More convenient editing of recentf files

[Drew Adams]

> From: B. T. Raven Sent: Sunday, March 15, 2009 6:09 PM
>
> Thanks, Drew. I called the main defun prune-recentf-list and 
> it worked but with deeply nested file hierarchy, it's still
> a lot of typing.

I guess you're saying that with a file that has many ancestor directories, you
must type a lot, for (absolute file-name) completion to distinguish a unique
candidate.

Yes, I can see that. That's where Icicles substring or regexp matching comes
into play. You can match any parts of the absolute file name. Pick one or more
distinctive parts of the name, and match just those parts directly. No need to
type the whole prefix up to the significantly different part.

That part is not available with the vanilla code I sent, even though the actual
code is almost the same. You need Icicles to get the other features.

> For now I'll just use:
> (defalias 'rel 'recentf-edit-list)
> (defalias 'rof 'recentf-open-files)
> (defalias 'rsl 'recentf-save-list)
> so I can avoid the mouse.
> 
> Does the code below require that Icicles be installed?
> It looks like it depends on the existence of icicle-define-command.

The first code I sent (`remove-some-recent-files') does not require Icicles. I
think it might respond to your need. (I guess that's what you called
`prune-recentf-list', above.)

The second code I sent (`icicle-remove-file-from-recentf-list') depends on (a)
Icicles being installed and (b) your being in Icicle minor mode. It uses Icicles
multi-command features.

> I probably will install icicles someday. It looks intriguing
> but I need to keep things as close to the standard Emacs
> install as possible for now.

(FWIW, you can toggle Icicle mode off at any time, to return to vanilla Emacs
behavior.)

Let me be clear. My aim was to:

1. Give you an idea how to code a command that would help you out, using vanilla
Emacs (no Icicles).

2. Explain that nearly the same code will define a multi-command in Icicles,
which can be even more helpful (but which requires Icicles). The code is about
the same, but the effect is more power, because of being able to bring into play
other Icicles features (e.g. regexp matching, candidate cycling).

Had the aim been just to tell you how to get what you need with Icicles, I would
have mentioned foremost that you can remove file names from the recent list on
the fly, when you use command `icicle-recent-file' (File > Icicles > Open Recent
File) to open recent files. No need to invoke a separate command
(`icicle-remove-file-from-recentf-list') just for the removal.

How does that work? `icicle-recent-file' is ostensibly for opening one or more
recent files, not for removing them from `recentf-list'.

But just as you can use `C-RET', `C-mouse-2', etc. with an Icicles multi-command
to act on more than one candidate (see previous mail), so, at least with some
multi-commands, you can use `C-S-RET', `C-S-mouse-2', etc. to act in some other
way on candidates. These are "alternative action" keys, and for
`icicle-recent-file' the alternative action is to remove the chosen file name
from the recent-files list.

So this is a second way to do what you requested using Icicles. If you are
already in the process of opening one or more recent files, you can also remove
one or more others from the recent list at the same time.

HTH.