Moving through options with completing read

Moving through options with completing read

[uzibalqa via Users list for the GNU Emacs text editor]

I am using `completing-read'. The way to go through options in using the arrow keys, right?

Re: Moving through options with completing read

[Jean Louis]

* uzibalqa via Users list for the GNU Emacs text editor <help-gnu-emacs@gnu.org> [2022-08-12 00:56]:
> I am using `completing-read'. The way to go through options in using
> the arrow keys, right?

1. If I am already very acquainted with what I am expected to write
   during `completing-read' function and there was some previous entry
   which is remembered in history, then I would usually just search
   for the previous entry by using M-p or M-n

2. If there was no previous history, and I am very acquainted with it,
   I would then start typing an entry and press TAB to expand it.

3. If I am not acquainted with what I am expected to enter then I
   press TAB to see possible completion. This is often the case even
   with my own programs.

To make the function `completing-read' more visual or interactive
depending of personal preferences, one can turn on `helm-mode` or
`ivy-mode' or similar. However, after extensively using those special
completion modes I have found out that I work more efficient with the
Emacs standard completion.

-- 
Jean

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Re: Moving through options with completing read

[uzibalqa]

------- Original Message -------
On Friday, August 12th, 2022 at 6:02 AM, Jean Louis <bugs@gnu.support> wrote:


> * uzibalqa via Users list for the GNU Emacs text editor help-gnu-emacs@gnu.org [2022-08-12 00:56]:
>
> > I am using `completing-read'. The way to go through options in using
> > the arrow keys, right?
>
>
> 1. If I am already very acquainted with what I am expected to write
> during `completing-read' function and there was some previous entry which is remembered in history, then I would usually just search for the previous entry by using M-p or M-n 2. If there was no previous history, and I am very acquainted with it, I would then start typing an entry and press TAB to expand it. 3. If I am not acquainted with what I am expected to enter then I press TAB to see possible completion. This is often the case even with my own programs. To make the function` completing-read' more visual or interactive
> depending of personal preferences, one can turn on `helm-mode` or
> `ivy-mode' or similar. However, after extensively using those special
> completion modes I have found out that I work more efficient with the
> Emacs standard completion.

Had a go at using TAB,  I get "[Sole Completion]" rather than progressing from the first option to the next.

Re: Moving through options with completing read

[Michael Heerdegen]

uzibalqa <uzibalqa@proton.me> writes:

> Had a go at using TAB, I get "[Sole Completion]" rather than
> progressing from the first option to the next.

In newer Emacs version it is possible to make TAB cycle through
completions by customizing `completion-cycle-threshold' (default:
cycling is off).  Maybe that is what you are looking for?

Michael.

Re: Moving through options with completing read

[uzibalqa]

------- Original Message -------
On Friday, August 12th, 2022 at 9:47 PM, Michael Heerdegen <michael_heerdegen@web.de> wrote:


> uzibalqa uzibalqa@proton.me writes:
>
> > Had a go at using TAB, I get "[Sole Completion]" rather than
> > progressing from the first option to the next.
>
>
> In newer Emacs version it is possible to make TAB cycle through
> completions by customizing `completion-cycle-threshold' (default:
> cycling is off). Maybe that is what you are looking for?
>
> Michael.

No.  I am saying that some argue that TAB cycles through the options, but if one goes to try it, it does not work like that.  But I can do it using the arrow keys.  But the manual does not explain that the arrow keys can be used to iterate through the options provided by completing-read.

Re: Moving through options with completing read

[Michael Heerdegen]

uzibalqa <uzibalqa@proton.me> writes:

> No.  I am saying that some argue that TAB cycles through the options,
> but if one goes to try it, it does not work like that.

Does not work like what?  Or not at all?

> But I can do it using the arrow keys.  But the manual does not explain
> that the arrow keys can be used to iterate through the options
> provided by completing-read.

Arrow keys cycle through the history, see
(info "(emacs) Minibuffer History")

The future history depends on the context.  It will not always just be
the list of completion candidates.

Michael.

Re: Moving through options with completing read

[uzibalqa]

------- Original Message -------
On Friday, August 12th, 2022 at 11:49 PM, Michael Heerdegen <michael_heerdegen@web.de> wrote:


> uzibalqa uzibalqa@proton.me writes:
>
> > No. I am saying that some argue that TAB cycles through the options,
> > but if one goes to try it, it does not work like that.
>
>
> Does not work like what? Or not at all?
>
> > But I can do it using the arrow keys. But the manual does not explain
> > that the arrow keys can be used to iterate through the options
> > provided by completing-read.
>
>
> Arrow keys cycle through the history, see
> (info "(emacs) Minibuffer History")
>
> The future history depends on the context. It will not always just be
> the list of completion candidates.
>
> Michael.

Have not been focusing on minibuffer history, but minibuffer option cycling for completing-read, which is not based on history.