Re: Usability suggestion : completion for M-:

[Paul R]

"paul r" <address@hidden> writes:

> Hello,
>
> Emacs seems to have a consistent behaviour regarding TAB and
> completion, i.e : Almost everywhere, TAB triggers completion when :
> - indentation does not make sens
> - tabulation char is unlikely to make sens
>
> For exemple, TAB triggers completion in find-file. I think TAB should
> be bound to lisp-complete-symbol in M-x eval-expression, aka M-: .
>
> Hope everybody agree and this will be widely considered as a simple
> yet positive change.
>
> Paul

This thread ended whithout consensus, leading to statu quo :)
If I can try to sum-up positions :

 * Drew believe that the whole M-: should evolve to something more
   like a interactive scratch in the context of current buffer, and
   that if TAB does not complete in scratch, it should not complete in
   M-:
 * Some other people believe TAB should complete in M-:, because M-:
   happens in minibuffer, and other prompts in minibuffer are usually
   completed by TAB
 * In any case : everybody agree inserting a tabulation caracter does
   not make sens, because 1) it not the behaviour in *scratch*; 2) it
   is not the behaviour in minibuffer prompts; 3) it is almost useless
   in this case.

I do not think we should let this default binding in its current
state, because it is confusing. Even if there is no absolute consensus
in this thread, I think this default should be changed.

-- Paul