[Texstudio-list] [IdeaTorrent] Idea #7: Filename tokens in commands

[TeXstudio <be...@be...>]

Idea #7: Filename tokens in commands
This concerns the tokens used in commands:
e.g. latex -src -interaction=nonstopmode %.tex
where % expands to filename.
Current special chars syntax:
- % and @ tokens inherited from Texmaker
- ? syntax with a, m, e acronyms for absolute path, basefile and extension.
- ? has the c prefix for current files
- ? has four possible terminators ':', '.', ' ' and ')'
- %, @@ and ?? as escape sequences for %, @, ?
Personally I find this syntax hard to read and to write.
I'll put two votes below. The first is just to see, if there is any need for change. The second is a possible alternative.
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Is there a need for changes by t_hoffmann

Please vote up, if you would like to have changes to the syntax. And vote down, if you are happy with the current situation.


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Extended names by t_hoffmann

An alternative could be extended names:
% -> [filename]
@ -> [line]
?e) -> [extension]
?a) -> [path]
?m) -> [filename]
Also possible: [current-filename], [current-path] (the ones above may refer to the master file).
Examples:
old: latex -src -interaction=nonstopmode %.tex
new: latex -src -interaction=nonstopmode [filename].tex
old: mpost -interaction=nonstopmode ?me) ->
new: mpost -interaction=nonstopmode "[filename].[extension]"
old: "AcroRd32.exe" "?am.pdf"
new: "AcroRd32.exe" "[path]/[filename].pdf"
The great advantage is the improved readability and consistency. Furthermore it's more explicit: Dots slashes and quotation marks have to be provided by the user. You can debate if that's a plus or a minus. On the downside it's a little more verbose, but these commands are seldomly changed.
[...]
Checking the tokens for typos after each change can be easily added.