How to yank a regexp in isearch-mode?

How to yank a regexp in isearch-mode?

[Zhang Haijun]

Is there a functions like isearch-yank-string but yank a regexp?

(defun my-isearch-foobar ()
  (interactive)
  (isearch-mode t)
  (isearch-yank-string “ foobar "))

RE: How to yank a regexp in isearch-mode?

[Drew Adams]

> Is there a functions like isearch-yank-string but yank a regexp?
> 
> (defun my-isearch-foobar ()
>   (interactive)
>   (isearch-mode t)
>   (isearch-yank-string " foobar "))

`isearch-yank-string' can yank a regexp string as well.

If you use Isearch+ then you have option
`isearchp-regexp-quote-yank-flag':

Non-nil means escape special chars in text yanked for a regexp isearch.
You can toggle this using `isearchp-toggle-regexp-quote-yank', bound
to `C-`' during Isearch.

IOW, if you turn off this escaping then regexp search
interprets yanked regexps normally.  If you turn it on
then a yanked regexp string has its special chars
quoted (escaped).

With this escaping turned off, you can yank text such
as `^\*.*' without it being transformed to `\^\\\*\.\*'.

Isearch+:

https://www.emacswiki.org/emacs/IsearchPlus

RE: How to yank a regexp in isearch-mode?

[Drew Adams]

> > `isearch-yank-string' can yank a regexp string as well.
> 
> But it escape the string if isearch-regexp is not nil.

Yes.  That's why Isearch+ adds `isearchp-regexp-quote-yank-flag'
(and a key to toggle that during Isearch): to give you a choice
(control).

> > If you use Isearch+ then you have option
> > `isearchp-regexp-quote-yank-flag':...
> >
> > With this escaping turned off, you can yank text such
> > as `^\*.*' without it being transformed to `\^\\\*\.\*'.
> >
> > Isearch+:
> >
> > https://www.emacswiki.org/emacs/IsearchPlus
> 
> I see it. It is a big package. It is too big for my use case. I just
> want to yank a regexp.

It's not very big, if you remove the Commentary.  But
yes, it's purpose is not just to let you yank  regexp.

If you don't want to use Isearch+ then just advise or
redefine `isearch-yank-string', like Isearch+ does.
It's trivial to do.  E.g., change this:

(if isearch-regexp (setq string (regexp-quote string)))

to this:

(when (and isearch-regexp  your-variable)
  (setq string  (regexp-quote string)))

Or define a separate command that yanks without doing
`regexp-quote' - same defun but without that line
(if regexp-quote...).  And bind that command to a different
key.

IOW, either use a variable with two values (and maybe a
toggle command) or two different keys.  Pretty simple.

Re: How to yank a regexp in isearch-mode?

[Zhang Haijun]

On 11/12/2018 01:13 AM, Drew Adams wrote:
>>> `isearch-yank-string' can yank a regexp string as well.
>>
>> But it escape the string if isearch-regexp is not nil.
> 
> Yes.  That's why Isearch+ adds `isearchp-regexp-quote-yank-flag'
> (and a key to toggle that during Isearch): to give you a choice
> (control).
> 
>>> If you use Isearch+ then you have option
>>> `isearchp-regexp-quote-yank-flag':...
>>>
>>> With this escaping turned off, you can yank text such
>>> as `^\*.*' without it being transformed to `\^\\\*\.\*'.
>>>
>>> Isearch+:
>>>
>>> https://www.emacswiki.org/emacs/IsearchPlus
>>
>> I see it. It is a big package. It is too big for my use case. I just
>> want to yank a regexp.
> 
> It's not very big, if you remove the Commentary.  But
> yes, it's purpose is not just to let you yank  regexp.
> 
> If you don't want to use Isearch+ then just advise or
> redefine `isearch-yank-string', like Isearch+ does.
> It's trivial to do.  E.g., change this:
> 
> (if isearch-regexp (setq string (regexp-quote string)))
> 
> to this:
> 
> (when (and isearch-regexp  your-variable)
>    (setq string  (regexp-quote string)))
> 
> Or define a separate command that yanks without doing
> `regexp-quote' - same defun but without that line
> (if regexp-quote...).  And bind that command to a different
> key.
> 
> IOW, either use a variable with two values (and maybe a
> toggle command) or two different keys.  Pretty simple.
> 

OK. Thank you for your advice.I will try it.