autocompletion in HP-UX default shells

[Andy Kosela]

Has ksh(1) in default HP-UX system got autocompletion (tab autocompletion)?

[Matt Palmer_2]

Hi,

I have tried this on my system, and ksh doesnt appear to have tab completion, it does have access to a history but I'm pretty sure that you cant use the arrow keys to do this. Also be aware that the ksh I have used is a 32bit port from the hpux developers site, so I dont think its 64bit aware.

http://hpux.connect.org.uk/

hope that helps

regards

Matt

[Matti_Kurkela]

There is a basic filename completion feature, but it is not enabled by default and the keystroke is different.

To use the filename completion in HP-UX ksh, you must first activate one of the editing modes (emacs, gmacs or vi). This is done with a command like "set -o emacs" or "set -o vi".

When the vi editing mode is enabled, filename completion can be attempted by typing "ESC \".

If you use the emacs/gmacs editing mode, the keystroke is usually "ESC ESC". (Depending on your terminal settings, Alt-ESC might also work in some cases.)

In both cases, the filename will be completed only if the shell finds exactly one matching file or directory. If it's a directory, "/" will be appended to the name automatically.

This information can be found in the ksh man page, by searching for the word "completion".

MK

[Michal Kapalka (mikap)]

hi.

its depend on your setting

set -o vi

or emacs

set -o emacs

http://geosoft.no/development/emacs.html

mikap

PS : i'm using set -o vi

[Andy Kosela]

ok, but it only has filename completion, *not* command completion.

I found out the default csh on HP-UX has *both* filename completion and command completion, but it seems it doesn't have vi-editing mode?
or am I missing something?

Also what is the quick way to remap esc completion to tab completion?

[Dennis Handly]

>(tab autocompletion)?

No, you must use ESC.

>I found out the default csh on HP-UX has *both* filename completion and command completion, but it seems it doesn't have vi-editing mode? Or am I missing something?

No, I don't call it scummy C shell for nothing. Don't even think of using it.

>what is the quick way to remap esc completion to tab completion?

There isn't for HP-UX's ksh and sh.

>MK: When the vi editing mode is enabled, filename completion can be attempted by typing "ESC \".

That's ESC ESC.

>the filename will be completed only if the shell finds exactly one matching file or directory.

You can use ESC * for all, and ESC = to show you the list.

[Andy Kosela]

>No, you must use ESC.

Is there some workaround for this? tab is much simpler to use as this key is located near my usual left hand position on the keyboard.

>I found out the default csh on HP-UX has >*both* filename completion and command >completion, but it seems it doesn't have >vi-editing mode? Or am I missing something?

>No, I don't call it scummy C shell for >nothing. Don't even think of using it.

If only csh had vi-editing mode it would be much better than POSIX sh as I prefer to use *one* key to autocomplete and not *two*.

[Matti_Kurkela]

If you want to access the command history with sh/ksh using the arrow keys, you must use the emacs/gmacs editing mode, and you must explicitly set some softkey aliases to make the arrow keys work:

set -o emacs

# hpterm cursor keys
alias -x _A=$(echo '\020')
alias -x _B=$(echo '\016')
alias -x _D=$(echo '\002')
alias -x _C=$(echo '\006')

# vt100 normal (non-application) cursor keys
alias -x __A=$(echo '\020')
alias -x __B=$(echo '\016')
alias -x __D=$(echo '\002')
alias -x __C=$(echo '\006')

# Home and End for typical vt100 emulations
alias -x __H=$(echo '\001')
alias -x __F=$(echo '\005')

MK

[James R. Ferguson]

Hi Andy:

The HP-UX Posix shell ('/sbin/sh') _must_ be used for the root account. To change this will cripple a reboot.

The default Posix shell for non-root user's is the dynamically linked '/usr/bin/sh'.

One option might be to install a Bash shell (e.g. from the HP Porting Centre).

http://hpux.connect.org.uk/hppd/hpux/Shells/bash-4.0.010/

If you choose to install the bash shell, be sure to install its dependencies!

As Dennis, noted, the C shell is a brain-dead dysfunctional shell that should be avoided.

Regards!

...JRF...

[OldSchool]

"If only csh had vi-editing mode it would be much better than POSIX sh as I prefer to use *one* key to autocomplete and not *two*."

let's see....it absolutely can't be used as root's default shell....it has issues if its a users default shell w/ CDE, then there's always "csh programming considered harmful" at:

http://faqs.cs.uu.nl/na-dir/unix-faq/shell/csh-whynot.html

bash is a better alternative if you absolutely insist that you must have command completion w/ 1 keystroke I guess. and you could always start it after a successful login (if needed) when logging in as "root"