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    • guy038G
      guy038
      last edited by

      Hi, Claudia,

      Until your recent script, I didn’t interfere, in that discussion, because I thought that a simple S/R, in regex mode, was enough to get the same behaviour. Indeed :

      • For Replacement : SEARCH = "Searched word" and REPLACEMENT = "Replacement word"

      • For Insertion before : SEARCH = "Searched word" and REPLACEMENT = "Added word${0}"

      • For Insertion after : SEARCH = "Searched word" and REPLACEMENT = "${0}Added word"


      But, your last script, with the different area options, shows, clearly, the advantages of a script ;-)) Your script should satisfy everyone !

      However, I just noticed a minor bug : if you start the script by mistake, and that you want to stop it, the Cancel button does NOT work. So, the only choice is the Yes button !

      Cheers,

      guy038

      BTW, if your file is quite important, it can take some seconds, before all the matches are highlighted !!

      Claudia FrankC 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
      • Vasile CarausV
        Vasile Caraus @dail
        last edited by

        @dail

        agree

        1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
        • Claudia FrankC
          Claudia Frank @guy038
          last edited by

          @guy038

          there is no need for a stop routine as it is a per one time execution script - no callbacks.
          You run the script and all it does is to select the different instances of the selected word.
          Once everything has been selected it finishes instantly.

          You are right, it hasn’t optimized for speed but I think it doesn’t make sense to edit
          a huge file and use this little helper to replace all occurrences of a string. Npps
          builtin feature is much faster in this way.

          Cheers
          Claudia

          Scott SumnerS 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
          • Scott SumnerS
            Scott Sumner @Claudia Frank
            last edited by

            @Claudia-Frank

            I think what @guy038 meant was, what if you start the script running, get the prompt dialog box on the screen, and then change your mind and decide you don’t want to do what you started after all.

            Claudia FrankC 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
            • Claudia FrankC
              Claudia Frank @Scott Sumner
              last edited by

              @Scott-Sumner

              ahh - ok - yes correct - but just press ok and move cursor.
              Nothing changed.

              Cheers
              Claudia

              1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
              • Claudia FrankC
                Claudia Frank
                last edited by

                finally I understand - the cancel button !! phew – need a cup of coffee!

                Cheers
                Claudia

                1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                • Claudia FrankC
                  Claudia Frank
                  last edited by

                  cancel button fix

                  # this script implements the enhanced multi cursor edit functionality
                  
                  def default_positions():
                      return 0, editor.getLength()
                  
                  def get_pos_of_bookmarks():
                      npp_bookmark_marker_id_number = 24
                      npp_bookmark_marker_mask = 1 << npp_bookmark_marker_id_number
                      _start_position, _end_position = default_positions()
                      
                      line_nbr = editor.markerNext(_start_position, npp_bookmark_marker_mask)
                      if line_nbr != -1:
                          _start_position = editor.positionFromLine(line_nbr)
                          line_nbr = editor.markerNext(line_nbr + 1, npp_bookmark_marker_mask)
                          if line_nbr != -1:
                              _end_position = editor.getLineEndPosition(line_nbr)
                      return _start_position, _end_position
                  
                  def get_pos_of_visible_lines():
                      first_visible_line = editor.getFirstVisibleLine()
                      _start_position = editor.positionFromLine(first_visible_line)
                      lines_visible = editor.linesOnScreen()
                      last_visible_line = editor.docLineFromVisible(first_visible_line+lines_visible)
                      _end_position = editor.getLineEndPosition(last_visible_line)
                      return _start_position, _end_position
                  
                  def get_pos_of_selections():
                      _start_position, _end_position = default_positions()
                      if editor.getSelections() == 2:
                          _start_position = editor.getSelectionNStart(0)
                          _end_position = editor.getSelectionNEnd(1)
                      return _start_position, _end_position
                  
                  
                  area_dict = {'a':default_positions,
                               'b':get_pos_of_bookmarks,
                               's':get_pos_of_selections,
                               'v':get_pos_of_visible_lines}
                      
                  editor.beginUndoAction()
                  
                  def Main():
                      _text = editor.getTextRange(editor.getSelectionNStart(0), editor.getSelectionNEnd(0))
                      if len(_text) != 0:
                  
                          _current_position = editor.getCurrentPos()
                          _current_line = editor.lineFromPosition(_current_position)
                          _current_word_start_pos = editor.getLineSelStartPosition(_current_line)
                          _current_word_end_pos = editor.getLineSelEndPosition(_current_line)
                  
                          find_flag = 2 # 0=DEFAULT, 2=WHOLEWORD 4=MATCHCASE 6=WHOLEWORD | MATCHCASE
                          mode_options = ' 0=replace,  1=before,  2=afterwards\n'
                          area_options = ' a=all, b=bookmarks, s=selected, v=visible'
                          expected_results = [x+y for x in ['0','1','2'] for y in ['a','b','s','v']]
                             
                          result = notepad.prompt(mode_options + area_options, 'Choose the desired option', '0a')
                          while result not in expected_results: 
                              if result is None:
                                  return
                              result = notepad.prompt(mode_options + area_options, 'Choose the desired option', '0a')
                  
                          chosen_mode, chosen_area = result
                          area_start_position, area_end_position = area_dict[chosen_area]()
                          
                          if chosen_mode == '0': # replace whole string version
                              editor.setEmptySelection(_current_position)       
                              position_tuple = editor.findText(find_flag, area_start_position, area_end_position, _text)
                              
                              while position_tuple is not None:
                                  if _current_position not in position_tuple:
                                      editor.addSelection(*position_tuple)
                                  position_tuple = editor.findText(find_flag, position_tuple[1], area_end_position, _text)
                                      
                  
                          elif chosen_mode == '1': # insert before selected string version
                              editor.setEmptySelection(_current_word_start_pos)
                              position_tuple = editor.findText(find_flag, area_start_position, area_end_position, _text)
                              
                              while position_tuple is not None: 
                                  startpos, endpos = position_tuple
                                  if startpos != _current_position and endpos != _current_position:
                                      editor.addSelection(startpos, startpos)
                                  else:
                                      _current_word_start_pos, _current_word_end_pos = startpos, startpos
                                  position_tuple = editor.findText(find_flag, endpos, area_end_position, _text)
                  
                  
                          elif chosen_mode == '2': # insert after selected string version
                              editor.setEmptySelection(_current_word_end_pos)
                              position_tuple = editor.findText(find_flag, area_start_position, area_end_position, _text)
                              
                              while position_tuple is not None: 
                                  startpos, endpos = position_tuple
                                  if startpos != _current_position and endpos != _current_position:
                                      editor.addSelection(endpos, endpos)
                                  else:
                                      _current_word_start_pos, _current_word_end_pos = endpos, endpos
                                  position_tuple = editor.findText(find_flag, endpos, area_end_position, _text)
                  
                                  
                          # now add the current selection
                          editor.addSelection(_current_word_start_pos, _current_word_end_pos)
                  
                  Main()
                  editor.endUndoAction()
                  

                  Cheers
                  Claudia

                  1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 2
                  • kpymK
                    kpym
                    last edited by

                    I want to advocate too for CTRL+D sublime-like build-in shortcut.
                    This is the most useful way to use multi-cursors :

                    • add next identical
                    • skip next identical
                    • select all identicals
                    1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 2
                    • Alan KilbornA
                      Alan Kilborn
                      last edited by

                      @kpym

                      So maybe on the surface this seems different, but this is really just a Find and Replace operation, for which Notepad++ already has a good solution for. Here’s a comparision:

                      • your ctrl+d <–> N++'s press ctrl+h, fill in replace field
                      • your add/skip next identical <–> N++ either “Find Next” or “Replace”
                      • your select all identicals <–> N++ “Replace All”
                      • your “whatever action you would do on what is multiselected…” <–> N++'s nothing to do, it’s already done!
                      1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                      • bitagorasB
                        bitagoras
                        last edited by

                        @Alan Kilborn
                        What you irgnore in your comment is the fact that Ctrl+D function is mainly used to quickly clone the cursor at positions of identical strings and not neccessarily to replace the selected. Once you have multiple cursors, you can move them and do much more things than just renaming. I uploaded a gif animation that shows what I mean:

                        https://gifyu.com/image/TaVW

                        It’s really magic what you can to with it and safes you a lot of time with a minimum of commands to remember. It is very intuitive and in most of the cases faster than search / replace or macro recording. Sometimes I use VS Code in parallel with Notepad++ only because of this function.

                        What is missing to make full use of this kind of multi editing:

                        • Ctrl+D (or another shortcut) to clone the cursor at similar occurences of the current word or selection.
                        • Multiple cursors should stay persistent until escape is pressed (as in the plugin “better multiselection”).
                        • Ctrl+mouseclick should not only add but also remove one cursor (when Ctrl+D has produced an unwanted cursor).
                        • Every cursor should have an indiviual clipboard.
                        Scott SumnerS 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                        • Scott SumnerS
                          Scott Sumner @bitagoras
                          last edited by

                          @bitagoras

                          This kind of functionality really has nothing to do with Notepad++ itself, but rather is Scintilla-related. Scintilla in Notepad++ is known to be very outdated. Would upgrading Scintilla to the latest version provide such functionality? I don’t know, but since remaining current with Scintilla doesn’t seem to be a priority of Notepad++ developers, it probably isn’t worth much discussion here. :-(

                          1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                          • bitagorasB
                            bitagoras
                            last edited by

                            I think with a little bit of programming it could be possible with scintilla but it is not a standard feature that can just be activated.

                            But you say the Notepad++ developers plan to replace Scintilla? Do you know any details? I haven’t seen any discussion here on this. I wonder, if this wouldn’t be just another new editor but not Notepad++ any more.

                            Scott SumnerS 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                            • Scott SumnerS
                              Scott Sumner @bitagoras
                              last edited by

                              @bitagoras said:

                              but it is not a standard feature that can just be activated

                              Maybe not, I didn’t investigate–but I seem to recall that some of the “fancier” multi-selection stuff is available in newer Scintilla versions…but I don’t know if it takes it to the level of your examples. I really don’t care…until Notepad++ updates to something newer, and THEN I’ll take the time to explore what new features it provides.

                              you say the Notepad++ developers plan to replace Scintilla?

                              I most certainly did NOT say that! :-)

                              1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                              • guy038G
                                guy038
                                last edited by

                                Hello, @bitagoras, @scott-sumner and All,

                                @bitagoras, why don’t you use the excellent @Dail plugin BetterMultiselection version v1.3 ? See, below :

                                https://github.com/dail8859/BetterMultiSelection/

                                https://github.com/dail8859/BetterMultiSelection/releases

                                https://notepad-plus-plus.org/community/topic/13653/new-plugin-bettermultiselection

                                Note that, if you have the last v7.6 version of N++, you’ll have to :

                                • Create the new directory BetterMultiSelection, under your active plugins folder

                                • Place the BetterMultiSelection.dll inside the BetterMultiSelection folder

                                Now, assuming the test test, below :

                                abcde fghijk lmno pqr..stuv wxyz 012345789
                                abcde fghijk lmno pqr..stuv wxyz 012345789
                                abcde fghijk lmno pqr..stuv wxyz 012345789
                                abcde fghijk lmno pqr><stuv wxyz 012345789
                                abcde fghijk lmno pqr><stuv wxyz 012345789
                                abcde fghijk lmno pqr><stuv wxyz 012345789
                                abcde fghijk lmno pqr..stuv wxyz 012345789
                                abcde fghijk lmno pqr..stuv wxyz 012345789
                                abcde fghijk lmno pqr..stuv wxyz 012345789
                                
                                • Create a column-mode selection, on the 3 middle lines, between the angle brackets ><

                                • And, now have fun, playing around, with any of the following keys or shortcuts, below ;-))

                                  • Home , End , Left , Right , Ctrl + Left , Ctrl + Right

                                  • Shift + Home, Shift + End , Shift + Left, Shift + Right , Ctrl + Shift + Left , Ctrl + Shift + Right

                                  • Backspace , Delete , Ctrl + Backspace , Ctrl + Delete

                                  • Up, Down , Shift + Up, Shift + Down

                                  • Enter , Tab , Shift + Tab

                                Just a pleasure, isn’t it ? Many thanks, again, @dail, for this very useful plugin, while waiting for this native behavior in N++, after a future update of Scintilla !

                                Though I suppose,it will not happen soon, as I guess that @don-ho is quite busy with the new plugin’s organization :-)

                                Best Regards,

                                P.S. :

                                You may be interested, too, by this other @dail useful plugin SurroundSelection.dll. See, below :

                                https://github.com/dail8859/SurroundSelection/

                                https://github.com/dail8859/SurroundSelection/releases

                                https://notepad-plus-plus.org/community/topic/13610/new-plugin-surroundselection

                                1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 2
                                • bitagorasB
                                  bitagoras
                                  last edited by

                                  @Scott-Sumner

                                  I most certainly did NOT say that! :-)

                                  Sorry that I misunderstood you sentence. What you say is that it is a priority to upgrade to a new Scintilla version rather than tinker with the current version. I agree.

                                  @guy038,

                                  Yes BetterMultiSelection works very well. But the mulit clipboard and the Ctrl+D would make it perfekt.

                                  Here the example again. I just figured out how to embedd the GIF.

                                  Scott SumnerS 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 2
                                  • Scott SumnerS
                                    Scott Sumner @bitagoras
                                    last edited by

                                    @bitagoras said:

                                    What you say is that it is a priority to upgrade to a new Scintilla version rather than tinker with the current version

                                    I didn’t say THAT either (I don’t know WHAT if any Scintilla-based decisions are being made, or how they are made), but I agree as well. :-)

                                    I just figured out how to embedd the GIF.

                                    I don’t see the embedded GIF. But it is OK since it is available via the earlier link you posted.

                                    bitagorasB 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                    • bitagorasB
                                      bitagoras @Scott Sumner
                                      last edited by

                                      @Scott-Sumner

                                      ok but I think I got your point ;-)

                                      Probably this GIF is only visible from my IP.

                                      1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                      • PeterJonesP
                                        PeterJones
                                        last edited by

                                        I can see the animated gif. It may be that Scott’s connection is being filtered from seeing s2.gifyu.com – I know that my employer blocks many file-sharing sites; fortunately, imgur is not one of them (amazingly enough), so I can upload to and see embedded images from imgur, which is quite helpful here.

                                        1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 2
                                        • guy038G
                                          guy038
                                          last edited by guy038

                                          Hi, @bitagoras, and All,

                                          I found out a work-around to simulate the behavior of your animated gif picture !

                                          I suppose 3 hypotheses :

                                          • The Multi-Editing feature is enabled ( Settings > Preferences… > Editing > Multi-Editing settings )

                                          • The BetterMultiSelection plugin is installed and enabled

                                          • The Ctrl+ D shortcut is assigned to the Scintilla function SCI_SELECTION DUPLICATE ( and not to SCI_LINEDUPLICATE ! )


                                          So, assuming this sample test, below , in a new tab :

                                          var1, var2, object1, object2, object3, flag2, flag3
                                          
                                          • Place the cursor right before the string var1 ( without the Ctrl key pressed )

                                          • Holding down a Ctrl key, left click, right in front of all the other strings, in order to get a total of 7 cursors !

                                          Now :

                                          • Backspace * 2

                                          • Enter

                                          You should get a 7- lines selection, below :

                                          var1
                                          var2
                                          object1
                                          object2
                                          object3
                                          flag2
                                          flag3
                                          

                                          Note that the SP notation, below, represents a hit on the Space bar

                                          • Type obj.

                                          • Shift + End

                                          • Ctrl + D

                                          • Right

                                          • Type SP=SParg["

                                          • Shift + End

                                          • Ctrl + D

                                          • Right

                                          • Type "]SP#SPDefinitionSPofSP

                                          • Esc

                                          You obtain the following text :

                                          obj.var1 = arg["var1"] # Definition of var1
                                          obj.var2 = arg["var2"] # Definition of var2
                                          obj.object1 = arg["object1"] # Definition of object1
                                          obj.object2 = arg["object2"] # Definition of object2
                                          obj.object3 = arg["object3"] # Definition of object3
                                          obj.flag2 = arg["flag2"] # Definition of flag2
                                          obj.flag3 = arg["flag3"] # Definition of flag3
                                          

                                          Now, regarding the second block, we start, again, with the following text :

                                          var1, var2, object1, object2, object3, flag2, flag3
                                          
                                          • Place the cursor right before the string var1 ( without the Ctrl key pressed )

                                          • Holding down a Ctrl key, left click, right in front of all the other strings, in order to get a total of 7 cursors

                                          Then :

                                          • Backspace * 2

                                          • Enter

                                          Again , you’ll obtain the 7- lines selection, below :

                                          var1
                                          var2
                                          object1
                                          object2
                                          object3
                                          flag2
                                          flag3
                                          

                                          Now :

                                          • Tab

                                          • Type "

                                          • Shift + End

                                          • Ctrl + D

                                          • Right

                                          • Type ":SPobj.

                                          • End

                                          • Type ,

                                          • Esc

                                          And… you get the expected text, with a leading tabulation :

                                          	"var1": obj.var1,
                                          	"var2": obj.var2,
                                          	"object1": obj.object1,
                                          	"object2": obj.object2,
                                          	"object3": obj.object3,
                                          	"flag2": obj.flag2,
                                          	"flag3": obj.flag3,
                                          

                                          Cheers,

                                          guy038

                                          1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 2
                                          • cipher-1024C
                                            cipher-1024
                                            last edited by

                                            I don’t know HOW I missed @dali 's plugin for this long! I have to admit whenever I saw someone doing multiline work I was extremely jealous and tempted to try the VS Code waters. @guy038, what is your CTRL-D mapped to? CTRL-D is mapped to “Duplicate Current Line” for me. When I follow your instructions, I just get duplicate lines. If I try to copy and paste, the paste is just all of the selections globbed together. I can’t seem to duplicate just the selection (like it does in the gif on github). This is what I get when I follow your instructions:

                                            	"var1": obj.,
                                            	"var1
                                            	"var2": obj.,
                                            	"var2
                                            	"object1": obj.,
                                            	"object1
                                            	"object2": obj.,
                                            	"object2
                                            	"object3": obj.,
                                            	"object3
                                            	"flag2": obj.,
                                            	"flag2
                                            	"flag3": obj.,
                                            	"flag3
                                            
                                            1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 2
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