GNU bug report logs - #11656
24.1.50; Info-\(next\|prev\)-reference: Add numeric prefix argument

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Message #5 received at submit <at> debbugs.gnu.org (full text, mbox):

From: Christopher Schmidt <christopher <at> ch.ristopher.com>
To: bug-gnu-emacs <at> gnu.org
Subject: 24.1.50; Info-\(next\|prev\)-reference: Add numeric prefix argument
Date: Sat,  9 Jun 2012 04:41:16 +0100 (BST)

[Message part 1 (text/plain, inline)]

Hi,

this patch adds the optional numeric prefix argument COUNT to
Info-next-reference and Info-prev-reference.  This argument makes the
functions do The Right Thing, that is, repeat the functionality COUNT
times.

[Info-nextprev-reference.diff (text/x-diff, attachment)]

[Message part 3 (text/plain, inline)]

        Christopher

Message #8 received at submit <at> debbugs.gnu.org (full text, mbox):

From: Eli Zaretskii <eliz <at> gnu.org>
To: Christopher Schmidt <christopher <at> ch.ristopher.com>
Cc: bug-gnu-emacs <at> gnu.org
Subject: Re: bug#11656: 24.1.50;
	Info-\(next\|prev\)-reference: Add numeric prefix argument
Date: Sat, 09 Jun 2012 09:49:36 +0300

> From: Christopher Schmidt <christopher <at> ch.ristopher.com>
> Date: Sat,  9 Jun 2012 04:41:16 +0100 (BST)
> 
> this patch adds the optional numeric prefix argument COUNT to
> Info-next-reference and Info-prev-reference.  This argument makes the
> functions do The Right Thing, that is, repeat the functionality COUNT
> times.

Thanks.  Can you present a use case where this functionality is
needed?  Specifically, I wonder how a user would know how many Next or
Prev nodes she needs to go to get to whatever she is looking for.

Message #11 received at submit <at> debbugs.gnu.org (full text, mbox):

From: Christopher Schmidt <christopher <at> ch.ristopher.com>
To: bug-gnu-emacs <at> gnu.org
Subject: Re: bug#11656: 24.1.50;
	Info-\(next\|prev\)-reference: Add numeric prefix argument
Date: Sat,  9 Jun 2012 08:25:29 +0100 (BST)

[Message part 1 (text/plain, inline)]

Eli Zaretskii <eliz <at> gnu.org> writes:

>> From: Christopher Schmidt <christopher <at> ch.ristopher.com>
>> Date: Sat,  9 Jun 2012 04:41:16 +0100 (BST)
>>
>> this patch adds the optional numeric prefix argument COUNT to
>> Info-next-reference and Info-prev-reference.  This argument makes the
>> functions do The Right Thing, that is, repeat the functionality COUNT
>> times.
>
> Thanks.  Can you present a use case where this functionality is
> needed?  Specifically, I wonder how a user would know how many Next or
> Prev nodes she needs to go to get to whatever she is looking for.
       ^^^^^

Uhm, Info-next-reference and Info-prev-reference navigate within the
cross references in the current buffer.  I think you mistake
Info-next-reference (bound to <tab>) with Info-forward-node (bound to
]).

Pressing <tab> in combination with a prefix argument is just a lot
easier, faster and less intrusive than the use of any regular movement
commands or a repeated pressing of <tab>.  A prefix argument that
specifies the repeat count is also pretty consistent with most other
movement commands, especially forward-button.  To me, this is The Right
Thing.  At least this is what my subconscious, which takes over when I
navigate within the first three nodes after pressing C-h i, told me.

Here is an improved version of my patch that also handles negative
prefix arguments correctly.

[Info-nextprev-reference-v2.diff (text/x-diff, attachment)]

[Message part 3 (text/plain, inline)]

        Christopher

Message #14 received at submit <at> debbugs.gnu.org (full text, mbox):

From: Eli Zaretskii <eliz <at> gnu.org>
To: Christopher Schmidt <christopher <at> ch.ristopher.com>
Cc: bug-gnu-emacs <at> gnu.org
Subject: Re: bug#11656: 24.1.50;
	Info-\(next\|prev\)-reference: Add numeric prefix argument
Date: Sat, 09 Jun 2012 10:46:57 +0300

> From: Christopher Schmidt <christopher <at> ch.ristopher.com>
> Date: Sat,  9 Jun 2012 08:25:29 +0100 (BST)
> 
> > Thanks.  Can you present a use case where this functionality is
> > needed?  Specifically, I wonder how a user would know how many Next or
> > Prev nodes she needs to go to get to whatever she is looking for.
>        ^^^^^
> 
> Uhm, Info-next-reference and Info-prev-reference navigate within the
> cross references in the current buffer.  I think you mistake
> Info-next-reference (bound to <tab>) with Info-forward-node (bound to
> ]).

Yes, I did, sorry.

So you are saying that you frequently count the number of
cross-references to the one you want, and then type "C-u 10 TAB" or
some such?

Message #17 received at submit <at> debbugs.gnu.org (full text, mbox):

From: Christopher Schmidt <christopher <at> ch.ristopher.com>
To: bug-gnu-emacs <at> gnu.org
Subject: Re: bug#11656: 24.1.50;
	Info-\(next\|prev\)-reference: Add numeric prefix argument
Date: Sat,  9 Jun 2012 08:59:59 +0100 (BST)

Eli Zaretskii <eliz <at> gnu.org> writes:

> So you are saying that you frequently count the number of
> cross-references to the one you want, and then type "C-u 10 TAB" or
> some such?

Yes.

If the number of cross-references is greater than 10, I estimate.  That
is, I use C-u C-u TAB and then continue with TAB or M-TAB.  In the end
this is a lot easier and faster than using the mouse,
Info-virtual-index, etc.

        Christopher

Message #20 received at submit <at> debbugs.gnu.org (full text, mbox):

From: Juri Linkov <juri <at> jurta.org>
To: bug-gnu-emacs <at> gnu.org
Subject: Re: bug#11656: 24.1.50;
	Info-\(next\|prev\)-reference: Add numeric prefix argument
Date: Tue, 12 Jun 2012 02:52:33 +0300

>> So you are saying that you frequently count the number of
>> cross-references to the one you want, and then type "C-u 10 TAB" or
>> some such?
>
> Yes.
>
> If the number of cross-references is greater than 10, I estimate.  That
> is, I use C-u C-u TAB and then continue with TAB or M-TAB.  In the end
> this is a lot easier and faster than using the mouse,

To choose a menu item by its number is possible by typing
`1', `2', `3', ..., `9'.  But to help the user to select
the right number, every third `*' in the menu is highlighted
with the special face `info-menu-star'.

I wonder if it's possible to use a similar indication for references?

In any case, I think your patch is useful.  If a node begins with the menu
(so there are no references before the menu beginning), menu indications
will help to give the right argument to `Info-next-reference' to arrive
to the reference of the menu item.

Message #23 received at submit <at> debbugs.gnu.org (full text, mbox):

From: Christopher Schmidt <christopher <at> ch.ristopher.com>
To: bug-gnu-emacs <at> gnu.org
Subject: Re: bug#11656: 24.1.50;
	Info-\(next\|prev\)-reference: Add numeric prefix argument
Date: Sun, 24 Jun 2012 16:15:52 +0100 (BST)

Juri Linkov <juri <at> jurta.org> writes:

> To choose a menu item by its number is possible by typing
> `1', `2', `3', ..., `9'.  But to help the user to select
> the right number, every third `*' in the menu is highlighted
> with the special face `info-menu-star'.
>
> I wonder if it's possible to use a similar indication for references?

Well, menu items a densely packed whereas regular cross references are
usually spread around the node.  I think this is not exactly helpful.

> In any case, I think your patch is useful.  If a node begins with the
> menu (so there are no references before the menu beginning), menu
> indications will help to give the right argument to
> `Info-next-reference' to arrive to the reference of the menu item.

Thank you.

Is my second patch OK to commit?

        Christopher

Message #26 received at submit <at> debbugs.gnu.org (full text, mbox):

From: Christopher Schmidt <christopher <at> ch.ristopher.com>
To: bug-gnu-emacs <at> gnu.org
Subject: Re: bug#11656: 24.1.50;
	Info-\(next\|prev\)-reference: Add numeric prefix argument
Date: Sun, 24 Jun 2012 16:23:21 +0100 (BST)

Christopher Schmidt <christopher <at> ch.ristopher.com> writes:

> Is my second patch OK to commit?

I'd cross-reference this bug report in the ChangeLog of course...

        Christopher

Message #29 received at submit <at> debbugs.gnu.org (full text, mbox):

From: Christopher Schmidt <christopher <at> ch.ristopher.com>
To: bug-gnu-emacs <at> gnu.org
Subject: Re: bug#11656: 24.1.50;
	Info-\(next\|prev\)-reference: Add numeric prefix argument
Date: Sun, 13 Jan 2013 08:55:24 +0000 (GMT)

Christopher Schmidt <christopher <at> ch.ristopher.com> writes:
> Here is an improved version of my patch that also handles negative
> prefix arguments correctly.

Ping?

It would be great if someone applied this patch or got me green light so
I can apply it myself.

        Christopher

Message #32 received at submit <at> debbugs.gnu.org (full text, mbox):

From: Stefan Monnier <monnier <at> iro.umontreal.ca>
To: bug-gnu-emacs <at> gnu.org
Subject: Re: bug#11656: 24.1.50;
	Info-\(next\|prev\)-reference: Add numeric prefix argument
Date: Tue, 15 Jan 2013 09:02:07 -0500

>> Here is an improved version of my patch that also handles negative
>> prefix arguments correctly.
> Ping?
> It would be great if someone applied this patch or got me green light so
> I can apply it myself.

Sure, go ahead,


        Stefan

Message #37 received at 11656-done <at> debbugs.gnu.org (full text, mbox):

From: Christopher Schmidt <christopher <at> ch.ristopher.com>
To: 11656-done <at> debbugs.gnu.org
Subject: Re: bug#11656: 24.1.50;
	Info-\(next\|prev\)-reference: Add numeric prefix argument
Date: Fri,  1 Feb 2013 17:01:59 +0000 (GMT)

Stefan Monnier <monnier <at> iro.umontreal.ca> writes:
>> It would be great if someone applied this patch or got me green light
>> so I can apply it myself.
>
> Sure, go ahead,

Installed in trunk.

        Christopher

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