Find and Replace - Grand Unification Theory

[gracefool]

Judging by the amount of threads and posts dedicated to the topic, I would say that improving find and replace functionality should be a top priority of Helios.

Here's a list I've compiled of the problems reported (many problems have been reported multiple times):

1. Replace lacks "in Files" option
2. Replace lacks "wrap" option
3. Find lacks "in selected text" option
4. Bug: bug in find in all documents
5. Replace and Find lack search results for a single file (it can be done for find, but only as part of "Find in Files" which is rather awkward)
6. Replace and Find lack "in marked lines" option
7. Entry fields (especially for regular expressions) are too small / not resizeable
8. "Cannot find" message is intrusive and unweildy
9. Bug: "Search in files" dialog puts search in zombiemode when closed

For the sake of completeness, here is a list of additional features requested for find and replace (in order of estimated popularity):

1. Search results overview
2. Treat all documents of document type "binary" as binary files for the purposes of Find / Replace in Files
3. Smart file selection (eg. exclude files)
4. Upgraded regular expressions
5. Type-ahead find
6. "Find next" and "find previous" toolbar buttons
7. Play a sound when wrapped search/replace reaches starting point (rather than start of file)

And additional features that are not especially for find and replace but directly improve them:

1. Dockable windows & sear
2. Editable GUI fonts (useful for some other-language users)

In my opinion, the best and simplest way to fix these problems would be to combine the find and replace functions. Merely merging the two would fix most problems (problems 1 to 6).

As it is, Replace is like a crippled version of a merged find and replace. Putting the two together is natural and easier to use (you don't have to remember two commands, and which has what features).

The best of both worlds. What do you think?

[CyberSlug]

I agree

Also, make the window dockable (like the Document Selector and Clip Library)!

[s_reynisson]

There's also that button thing here and don't forget about my obsession
with Courier New in those entry fields

[gracefool]

Thanks guys, I've edited the original post.

[gracefool]

Added issue about files only being treated as binary if they have a null.

[SteveB]

I have also found it to be a pain that when finding in multiple open documents find reports that it found an occurance but does not give any way of getting to it if it is not in the current top document. Even if you mark them all you can not jump to them. I had to use find in files to get a list. Perhaps if find/replace/find in files were merged we would have a check box for show list or jump to entry?

[Tzimisce]

If you select several lines, then do Replace, TextPad (wisely) defaults to a scope of Selected Text.

However, if you have a portion of a line selected, TextPad defaults to a scope of Active Document. This has bitten me before. It's a good thing you have Undo.

As a related request, if a word is selected and Find is done, TextPad places that word in the find dialog. However, other programs (specifically Borland's Delphi) go further - if the cursor is on a word and Find is done, the word is placed in the find dialog. I'd prefer that behavior - it saves time.

[bihler]

I would very much like the following feature: Let the user save often used find & replace expressions as presets, together with a name for the preset to memorize it by.
I have many quite complex regular expressions that I often use, and having to re-type them every time is quite a pain. The dropdown-boxes make things a little bit better already, but having a list with named presets to select from would be really great. (Another dropdown-box with the list and an additional "Save preset" button on the dialog would do.)

[Bob Hansen]

I would very much like the following feature: Let the user save often used find & replace expressions as presets, together with a name for the preset to memorize it by.

You can do that now by making a Clip Library for RegEx strings.

Not quite the same as selecting from a drop down while in the Find/Search window, but is available to use today.

[iburns]

Here is another vote for replace for bookmarked lines.

[Nial]

> Here's a list I've compiled of the problems reported (the links are just a
> sample; many problems have been reported multiple times):


I would also like a "Find all occurrences in the current File" option,
able to be called as a tool. Combined with...

Dockable windows

...it makes it much easier to track assignments when bug fixing etc, you
can see every occurrence that a variable is assigned etc.

It would also make...

[*] "Find next" and "find previous" toolbar buttons

.. this redundant as you could see all results in the search window (which
you've placed away from the Textpad main window).

This is so handy when you've used it, it's really frustrating not having
it available.


Nial.

[gracefool]

I think this is covered in "Search results overview".

It doesn't make the toolbar buttons redundant - most people will still like to find in the traditional way.

[gracefool]

Added feature Type-ahead find.

[gracefool]

Added problem Replace and Find lack search results for a single file.
Added bug "Search in files" dialog puts search in zombiemode when closed.
Added feature Play a sound when wrapped search/replace reaches starting point (rather than start of file).

[Andrewr66]

I have been using Replace with Regular expressions a lot.
Still, I seldom manage to write my Find what and Replace With expressions correctly at the first attempt. This means my work routine will be like this:
- Select text
- F8, type in two regular expressions in the textboxes.
- Esc (from replace dialogue)
- Undo (the replacement)
- select text again
- F8, correct regular expressions
- and so on.

What I want is a Undo button in the Replace dialogue!

Is there any better way to do this?