3.24 Echo area operations

3.24.1 Completing commands

Many of the commands used in the Editor are long, in the knowledge that the user can use completion commands in the Echo Area, and so rarely has to type a whole command name. Details of these completion commands are given below.

Complete Input

Editor Command

: Arguments: None
Key sequence:Tab
: Completes the text in the Echo Area as far as possible, thereby saving the user from having to type in the whole of a long file name or command. UseTab Tab to produce a popup list of all possible completions.

Complete Field

Editor Command

: Arguments: None
Key sequence:Space
: Completes the current part of the text in the Echo Area. So, for a command that involves two or more words, ifComplete Field is used when part of the first word has been entered, an attempt is made to complete just that word.

Confirm Parse

Editor Command

: Arguments: None
Key sequence: Return
: Terminates an entry in the Echo Area. The Editor then tries to parse the entry. IfReturn is typed in the Echo Area when nothing is being parsed, or the entry is erroneous, an error is signalled.

Help on Parse

Editor Command

: Arguments: None
Key sequence:?
: Displays a popup list of all possible completions of the text in the echo area.