Re: Makeing the subshell reliable

[Pavel Tsekov <ptsekov gmx net>]

On Fri, 14 Jul 2006, Oswald Buddenhagen wrote:

> On Fri, Jul 14, 2006 at 08:11:55AM +0300, Pavel Tsekov wrote:
> > > > > >  * execution of commands typed at MC's prompt widget trough the
> > > > > >    subshell
> > > > > read my lips: NO WAY IN HELL. ;)
> > > > > this is one of the few actual selling points of mc over all the other
> > > >
> > > > The prompt widget or the fact that if the subshell is enabled commands
> > > > are executed trough the subshell ? Don't get me wrong - I want to keep
> > > > the prompt widget. What I propose is to handle commands typed at it
> > > > just as if the subshell is disabled. I cannot see how commands typed
> > > > at the prompt and executed trough the subshell give MC an advantage
> > > > over the other file managers.
> > > the fact that i can switch the panels on and off at any time - without
> > > losing the command's output.
> >
> > Even without the subshell the command output doesn't get lost - just try
> > it. It is taken care of.
> you snipped way too much of my quote. ;-P
> without the subshell i can't operate mc while the command is executed, i

Ok. But it can be  as simple as Ctrl-O, execute command, Ctrl-O. There is
only an extra Ctrl-O.

> can't use the shell's much better completion, history and line editing,

The subshell prompt widget doesn't perform these via the subshell.

> aliases & shell functions and whatever cool features a modern unix shell

Well yes - but see above. Again Ctrl-O followed by a command should do 
just fine.

> offers, and i can't execute a series of commands without switching off

I dont understand this.

> point is, i tried several other managers (mostly shiny kde programs,
> because they have a much better vfs than mc), and always went back to
> mc, because the real shell is right at my fingertips and it's sort-of
> integrated with the panels (even if it's only one-way, but alt-enter,
> alt-a & ctrl-shift-j are priceless).

I am not advertising the removal of the subshell . I just want to remove 
the ability to execute commands typed at MC's prompt widget trough the
subshell (if it isn't clear yet). However, if this functionality is
to remain we have to define exactly how it is supposed to work and the
subshell prompt should definitely go. My opinion is that if we start to
impose restrictions on that feature there would alway be a group of 
confused users since it want behave exactly as they would expect to. But I 
am open to suggestions.