Date: Thu, 13 Mar 1997 22:40:12 +1100 (EST)
Message-Id: <2.2.16.19970313224211.2dbfcce0@ozemail.com.au>
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To: Tim Bird <tbird AT caldera DOT com>
From: Graeme Cruise <gtc AT ozemail DOT com DOT au>
Subject: Re: [opendos] YAWI (Yet Another Wishlist Item): tab completion
Cc: opendos AT mail DOT tacoma DOT net
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At 10:56 PM 12/03/97 -0700, you wrote:

>I'd like to see COMMAND.COM do tab completion.  It already has some
>weird history completion options, I'd think it was easy to add command
>and filename tab completion.  This is a feature of bash under Linux
>that I've grown to love.  Basically, it is this: if you type part of
>a word, then the tab key, the shell will figure out what you meant
>and type the rest for you.  If there is any ambiguity, then the shell
>completes what it can.  Pressing tab a second time gives you a list
>of matches to choose from.
>

Ah, this takes me back! Good old "command recognition" as it was known in
Digital's 36-bit O/S called TOPS-20 (born of Tenex from the great firm of BBN).

Except that in TOPS-20, the <esc> key triggered the "shell" to try to
complete the command (or filespec), and the <?> key was used to list the
ambiguous matches.

With filespecs of up to 36-dot-36 allowed, it was a vital feature to the
keyboard challenged <g>.

Call it TAB completion or recognition, it's a truly great feature. Once
you've used it you're hooked for life!

Add my vote to this YAWI.

Cheers, GC.