Re: [Audacity-devel] Suggesting new extensions to mod-script-pipe Solo, Mute commands: Refer by TrackName, and monitoring while recording

[Dan H. <da...@go...>]

On Fri, May 14, 2010 at 02:01:35PM +0000, Marty Goddard wrote:
> Hello James C., and Dan H., and everyone,
>  
> Earlier I suggested providing a track number within the track panel.  I did this rather selfishly (because it would make it easier to refer to tracks by number using voice commands), and it was quite reasonably de-suggested because of the specific use of unavailable screen real-estate.
>  
> There already is a command to select a track by name, and I'd like to extend Solo and Mute to accept the track name, in a similar and consistent way to the Select command.  Then tracks could be re-ordered and remain accessible.  It’s only a slight issue that tracks need unique names to be uniquely referenced, but doing this can very easily be done with the existing system.

I would have thought extending the Solo and Mute commands should be ok,
as it isn't likely to affect the workings of any of the rest of the code
and it adds to the flexibility of the command system. I'm not sure about
enforcing unique track naming, as this might be more of a usability
question and probably needs wider discussion.

I think the general long-term solution to this problem would be a system
involving a kind of semi-abstract 'track reference' - the external
program/script could request a reference to a track by
name/number/whatever, and would then be given a persistent handle to
that track, which would be unaffected by track reordering or renaming,
and could be safely invalidated if the track is deleted.
However, this idea is quite a lot more complicated and so it's probably
best to keep it on the back-burner unless somebody suddenly has the time
and inclination to work on it!

> I wish I could say that I have already modeled this successfully on my development system, but I am putting the cart before the horse and asking for ideas/agreement/acquiescence before I begin, presently.
> 
> I could converse with Dan and James off list about the particulars unless it is preferred these particulars remain on the list. (Also provided Dan has the time (hopefully your final exams are done -- best of luck.  I've just finished mine ;)  )).

Thanks! Alas, my exams are currently still very much impending. Hope
yours went well and you get the results you want!

All the best,
Dan