Is Persistent Selection Possible?

[Clayton]

Hello All,

I'm a new user. I'm coming from years of using the TSE text mode editor. UE is the first GUI editor that I can configure to be close to what I'm used to.

However, one thing I miss severely is persistent selections. Is this possible in UE? Thanks very much.

Regards,
Clayton

Edit: Persistent selection is supported by UltraEdit since v13.20.

[mrainey56]

Define "persistent selections".

[Clayton]

Hello mrainey56,

Thanks for your reply.

I have been using TSE Pro (The Semware Editor, semware.com, an excellent Windows 32-bit text mode editor) for almost 14 years (it originally was a DOS editor), and have recently been looking for a GUI editor that has the same or similar features (I like the tabbed windows and better multiple window handling). I've looked at MultiEdit, Ed4Win and a few others but none make the grade for me, for various reasons.

A friend suggested UltraEdit and so far I'm very pleased, enough so that I purchased it two days ago. I've been able to configure it with keystroke remapping and macros to be very much like what I'm used to, except for persistent selections. Here's what I would like to have:

1) Command to begin column block marking (like the current Alt+C).
2) Use cursor keys to mark the block *without* holding down the Shift key
3) Command to end column block marking
4) Command to mark current line and begin line marking.
5) Up/down cursor keys continue to mark lines *without* holding down the Shift key.
6) Command to end line marking
7) A line or column selection/block does not disappear when you move the cursor (it is persistent), and it does not have to be copied to a clipboard to preserve it. It remains marked until you specifically unmark it (subject to #15 below).
8) Command to copy a block to wherever the cursor is (cursor location indicates upper left corner of the new block)
9) Command to move the block to wherever the cursor is
10) Command to copy the block to another file (create a new file or append/replace in an existing file)
11) Command to delete the block contents (subject to #14 below).
12) Command to unmark the block
13) Command to move cursor to upper left corner of the block, and another for lower right corner (extremely useful, a great time/labor saver).
14) A setting for option of not moving any surrounding text if block contents are deleted (MultiEdit has this) or a command to relace a block's contents with blank spaces or any other characters or strings (TSE Pro has this).
15) A setting for option of leaving blocks marked after copying, moving, or deleting of contents.

This is not a casual request. I use this functionality constantly in my programming and most other editors have this or something close to it. What I have described here is what TSE Pro has and I've gotten spoiled. MultiEdit has most of it but its interface, macro system and other things make it unsuitable for me. Ed4win has only some of it, and falls short in other ways.

UltraEdit is wonderful. I love its macro system, keystroke remapping and its interface (it doesn't distract me from the work itself - the other editors all have various annoyances to the point that I am constantly distracted by it, as if I'm fighting it; UE is "invisible" in that sense). It's just great, but the lack of the above is giving me serious pause. I'm trying to decide if I can live without it. I use this functionality constantly and it will be a bottleneck in my productivity without it.

I'm thinking of emailing in this request to UE Support but surely this must have been already requested since it is so common in other good editors (but there is no published list of requested features, so how do I know...). If I could have some assurance that this will be included in a future version I would not hesitate to switch. I will appreciate any feedback from you and other users about this.

Regards,
Clayton

[Mofi]

I know TSE very well. We worked with it for many years until Windows 95/98 get default OS on all of our PCs. We also tried the first "windows" version of TSE, but that was a really bad one because of DOS engine with Windows GUI - horrible. So we looked for a real windows GUI text editor and found UltraEdit. V6.?? was the first version of UE we used.

Point 1) - 13) describes the old method of block handling at old DOS time. At DOS this was simply the only possible block handling, because no clipboard function has existed. I still rarely use it when editing in old DOS Borland Turbo C++ V1.0. Now with UltraEdit you have 10 clipboards.

We all have adapted to the windows block handling very fast. So believe me, use consequently the SHIFT key for block selection and UltraEdits special select commands (for example Select Line) and you will forget the old method in a few weeks.

Point 14) and 15) already works in column mode. For normal mode, macros can be written to do that. Maybe also for the other.

[Clayton]

Hello Mofi,

>>>>I know TSE very well. ..
Point 1) - 13) describes the old method of block handling at old DOS time. At DOS this was simply the only possible block handling, because no clipboard function has exist. A already rarely use it when editing in old DOS Borland Turbo C++ V1.0. Now with UltraEdit you have 10 clipboards.
>>>>>

Understood, but I find it so much more efficient when I can see what I'm working with, how big it is, etc. I will try to get used to it.


>Point 14) and 15) already works in column mode.

Where can I find these options?

Thank you.

Regards,
Clayton

[Mofi]

When you select a block in column mode and hit for example space, all characters of the selected block are replaced by the space character. To replace all selected characters in column mode with an other string, use Column - Insert/Fill Columns.

In column mode you can also select a block, delete it with the DEL key and then simply enter the new string. Play a little with column mode which is of course different the line mode.

To delete a selected block in normale mode without deleting the line breaks, you have to use the regular expression replace all feature for selected text in UltraEdit style.

Find What: %*$
Replace With:

This regular expression can be defined as macro with a hotkey.

InsertMode
ColumnModeOff
HexOff
UnixReOff
Find RegExp "%*$"
Replace All SelectText ""

15) is also a part for persistent block handling, so it is not possible in UE.

[Clayton]

Hello Mofi,

When you select a block in column mode and hit for example space, all characters of the selected block are replaced by the space character.

Thanks, that's one of the things I use regularly.

To be honest, I'm having quite a struggle with UE, as much as I like its interface, multiple clipboards and some other features. The lack of things listed in my earlier post is especially giving me fits. I have 14 years of ingrained keystroke patterns that is really difficult to overcome, and when I try to write program code with UE it is a constant battle. Lots of things require more keystrokes to accomplish and take significantly longer. Many things simply can't be done. I don't mean any disrespect, UE is a fine product, but compared to what I'm used to it's like slogging through a mud puddle compared to running on dry solid ground.

When I'm programming I work very quickly. Thughts and creative ideas come to mind and flow onto the screen - the editor is transparent. But I'm finding UE to be a major impediment to my productivity. I make heavy use of column blocks. Having to turn on the column mode, then use the Shift key, then copy it to a clipboard, then not be able to see it and guage
where it will fit - it's like loading an antique gun one bullet at a time, then shooting in the dark, and then turning on the light to see if you hit the target...I'm used to a machine gun in broad daylight. This is the biggie but there are several other issues as well. I'm sorry to say it, but I simply can't work with UE without constant distractions and annoyances.

A few years ago someone gave me copy of MultiEdit 8.0 and I've played with it on and off, but never really liked its interface. It's a '57 Chevy compared to UE's BMW interface <g>. BUT, even though its macro language is maddening to use, I AM able to configure it to be nearly exactly like TSE Pro. So I can actually get some work done with it. So I think I'll go back to it and see if I can live with it.

I appreciate your efforts to help me, and I am going to continue to experiment with UE and keep an eye on it's future development. Perhaps someday it will meet my needs. My thanks to you and Mrainey67.


Regards,
Clayton

[Clayton]

Follow up to previous post:

>A few years ago someone gave me copy of MultiEdit 8.0 and I've played
>with it on and off, but never really liked its interface....I think I'll go back
>to it and see if I can live with it.

Ugh! MultiEdit is still a '57 Chevy. I even tried their latest demo. It is too complicated, has too many things I don't need, and has too many annoyances and a horrendous macro system.

I have spent all week on this quest , tried just about everthing out there. I really like UltraEdit's interface - it's the best of them all. I'm going to continue my production work with TSE Pro for now, but will also continue to work at configuring UltraEdit and learn more about it. Thanks again to forum members for your help.

Regards,
Clayton

[cjkawu]

I have spent all week on this quest , tried just about everthing out there. I really like UltraEdit's interface - it's the best of them all. I'm going to continue my production work with TSE Pro for now, but will also continue to work at configuring UltraEdit and learn more about it. Thanks again to forum members for your help.

Clayton,
What was your opinion of EditPad Pro? I have been a long time user of UE, but I am trying to increase my productivity. This can only be done if the mouse is eliminated or much minimized. If you have found EPP to be weak on the productvity side, please advise so I do not waste my time. - Thank you

[BillStewart]

I know TSE very well. We worked with it for many years til Windows 95/98 get default OS on all of our PCs. We also tried the first "windows" version of TSE, but that was a really bad one because of DOS engine with Windows GUI - horrible.

Hi Mofi,

I'm not sure what you mean by "DOS engine." TSE Pro comes in two flavors: console and GUI. The native GUI version looks like a text-based application, but that's only by appearance. It's a Windows program and won't run in DOS.

HTH,

Bill

[BillStewart]

This is not a casual request. I use this functionality constantly in my programming and most other editors have this or something close to it. What I have described here is what TSE Pro has and I've gotten spoiled.

Hi Clayton,

I emailed IDM support with this feature request a while back. I like your explanation here. I think you should send something similar to IDM.

Regards,

Bill

[BillStewart]

I make heavy use of column blocks. Having to turn on the column mode, then use the Shift key, then copy it to a clipboard, then not be able to see it and guage where it will fit - it's like loading an antique gun one bullet at a time, then shooting in the dark, and then turning on the light to see if you hit the target...I'm used to a machine gun in broad daylight.

Hi Clayton,

UE's notion of "modal" column selection is an annoyance to me as well. I prefer to be able to mark a column without having to turn a mode on or off. I think we should mail IDM about this also.

Regards,

Bill

[vhdluser]

Count another vote for that from me.
But let's not propose to orphan people who like the modes. It can stay.
It be nice if they added:
1. Ability to select lines by clicking/dragging the left sidebar, while in "column" mode
2. Ability to select rectangles from "nomal" mode by, say, tripple click, or by holding ALT key. Perhaps both. I know that people think that tripple click is not practical, but when something is *really* useful, you try and try and trains yourself. A common gvim setup expects quadrupple click to initiate rectangular select. Eventually you get the hang of it.
More regards - vhdlguy