Document revision date: 19 July 1999
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Extensible Versatile Editor Reference Manual


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SELECT

Key

EVE Default: SELECT
VT100 Keypad: KP7
EDT Keypad: PERIOD
WPS Keypad: PERIOD

Format

SELECT


Description

The SELECT command selects text for an editing operation, such as copying, cutting, case change, or reformatting. Whatever text the cursor crosses is highlighted. Blank lines are not highlighted. If you move the cursor forward, the selection begins with the current character.

If you move the cursor back (reverse direction), the selection begins with the character left of the cursor. If you move the cursor by using FIND, FIND NEXT, or WILDCARD FIND in the forward direction, the selection ends at the start of the found string; that is, the found text is not part of the selection.

You can then edit the selection by using one of the commands or keys listed in Table 2-6.

Table 2-6 EVE Commands and Keys for Editing a Select Range
EVE Commands: BOX COPY
BOX CUT
CAPITALIZE WORD
CONVERT TABS
DELETE (if pending delete is enabled)
FILL or FILL RANGE
FIND SELECTED
LOWERCASE WORD
OPEN SELECTED
REMOVE or CUT
SPELL (if DECspell is installed on your system)
STORE TEXT or COPY
UPPERCASE WORD
EDT Keys: Append (KP9)
ChngCase (GOLD-KP1)
EDT Replace (GOLD-KP9)
Subs (GOLD-ENTER)
WPS Keys: WPS Copy (GOLD-MINUS)
WPS Cut (MINUS or REMOVE)
Lowercase (GOLD-KP3)
WPS Replace (GOLD-' or GOLD-")
Uppercase (KP3)

In DECwindows, you can select text by using the mouse (MB1) as follows:
Mouse Actions Effects
1 Click Cancels a selection (if any) and moves the cursor to where you are pointing with the mouse.
2 Clicks Selects all of the word the pointer is on and moves the cursor to where you are pointing.
3 Clicks Selects all of the line the pointer is on and moves the cursor to where you are pointing.
4 Clicks Selects all of the paragraph the pointer is on and moves the cursor to where you are pointing.
5 Clicks Selects all of the buffer (same as the SELECT ALL command) and moves the cursor to where you are pointing.
Drag Selects a block of text, starting where you press MB1 and ending where you release MB1.
Shift/Drag Extends or shrinks a selection.

To cancel the selection, do any of the following:

If SET BOX SELECT is in effect, SELECT (or any key so defined) is the same as BOX SELECT.

In the Buffer List, SELECT lets you view a buffer whose name the cursor is on without having to type the buffer name. See the description of the SHOW BUFFERS command.

If the $CHOICES$ buffer is displayed and you are in the list of choices, pressing a key defined as SELECT copies a choice onto the command line. For more information, read the online help topic on the Choices Buffer.

Related Commands


Example

The following example selects text starting with the current character to the end of the line, and then makes that text all uppercase:

Command: SELECT
Move the text cursor to select text.
Command: END OF LINE
Command: UPPERCASE WORD
      


SELECT ALL


Format

SELECT ALL


Description

The SELECT ALL command selects all of the current buffer---regardless of your position---so you can perform an editing operation, such as COPY, FILL, or REMOVE. You cannot use pending delete or any of the following commands: To cancel the selection, do any of the following:

Related Commands


SET BOX NOPAD


Format

SET BOX NOPAD


Description

The SET BOX NOPAD command disables padding and overstriking for box editing, unless the mode of the buffer is overstrike. For example:
Mode of Buffer Effects with SET BOX NOPAD
INSERT
(default)
Cutting a box (or erasing a box selection with pending delete) makes text to the right of the box move to the left, closing the gap. Pasting or restoring a box pushes existing text to the right.
OVERSTRIKE Cutting a box (or erasing a box selection with pending delete) pads the area with spaces to keep the column alignment of text to the right of the box. Pasting or restoring a box overwrites existing text. Thus, in overstrike mode, box editing is the same as SET BOX PAD, which is the default.

SET BOX NOPAD applies to all buffers. To save your setting, use SAVE ATTRIBUTES to create a section file or to create or update a command file. For more information, read the online help topic on Attributes.

Related Commands


SET BOX NOSELECT


Format

SET BOX NOSELECT


Description

The SET BOX NOSELECT command disables box selections so that SELECT, COPY, REMOVE, and so on, work on standard linear ranges. This is the default. If SET BOX NOSELECT is in effect, you can still do box operations by using BOX commands, such as BOX SELECT, BOX CUT, and BOX PASTE. The setting applies in all buffers.

Related Commands


SET BOX PAD


Format

SET BOX PAD


Description

The SET BOX PAD command enables padding and overstriking for cutting and pasting boxes, regardless of the mode of the buffer. This is the default. SET BOX PAD makes cutting a box the same as BOX CUT OVERSTRIKE, padding the area with spaces to keep the column alignment of the text to the right of the box. Similarly, it makes BOX PASTE the same as BOX PASTE OVERSTRIKE, overwriting existing text.

The setting also applies to pending delete and to other commands and keys for box editing, such as RESTORE BOX SELECTION, the EDT Append key, WPS Paste keys, and so on.

If you disable box padding, then the box editing effects depend on the mode of the buffer (see the description of SET BOX NOPAD). To override the settings without having to change them, use BOX CUT INSERT (so that text to the right moves to the left, closing the gap) and BOX PASTE INSERT (so that existing text is pushed to the right).

Related Commands


SET BOX SELECT


Format

SET BOX SELECT


Description

The SET BOX SELECT command enables box editing, making the following commands the same as BOX commands:
Commands Enabled with SET BOX SELECT
INSERT HERE or PASTE BOX PASTE
REMOVE or CUT BOX CUT
RESTORE SELECTION RESTORE BOX SELECTION
SELECT BOX SELECT
STORE TEXT or COPY BOX COPY

For example, you can select, cut, and paste a box by using the Select, Remove, and Insert Here keys without having to redefine the keys. In effect, the command redefines keys for you. The setting also affects some EDT and WPS keys, such as the EDT Append key and WPS Paste key.

If SET BOX SELECT is in effect, you cannot select a standard linear range. Use SET BOX SELECT when you are frequently cutting and pasting columns, such as in editing tables, and do not want to define or redefine keys for box editing.

The setting applies in all buffers. To save your setting, use SAVE ATTRIBUTES to create a section file or to create or update a command file. However, for routine editing, you might want to use the EVE default SET BOX NOSELECT. For more information, read the online help topic on Attributes.

Related Commands


SET BUFFER


Format

SET BUFFER {MODIFIABLE |UNMODIFIABLE |READ_ONLY |WRITE}


Parameters

MODIFIABLE

This buffer is modifiable. For example, you can insert and erase text. Also, this parameter restores the previous mode of the buffer (insert or overstrike). This is the default.

UNMODIFIABLE

This buffer is not modifiable. For example, you cannot insert or erase text in the buffer. Commands and keys that cut a range or box will copy the range or box instead. In the status line, Unmodifiable replaces the Insert or Overstrike indicator.

READ_ONLY

The buffer is write-locked and unmodifiable. Text-editing functions do not work in the buffer, and exiting does not write out the buffer. However, you can write out the buffer by using the WRITE FILE, SAVE FILE, or SAVE FILE AS command.

WRITE

The buffer is write-enabled (opposite of READ_ONLY). On exiting, if the buffer has been modified, EVE writes it out or asks if you want to write it out. This is the default.

You can specify only one keyword per command. If you do not specify a keyword, EVE prompts for one. Pressing the Return key or the Do key at the prompt without typing anything cancels the operation.


Description

The SET BUFFER command sets the editing status of the current buffer---whether you can modify the buffer or whether EVE writes out the buffer on exiting. The read/write attribute of the buffer is shown by Read-only or Write in the status line. The modification attribute of the buffer is indicated in the status line by Insert or Overstrike (if the buffer is modifiable) or by Unmodifiable.

Set a buffer to read-only, unmodifiable, or both to prevent inadvertently changing text you want to keep intact, such as reference data or a previous draft. If the buffer is unmodifiable, commands or keys that cut a range or box perform the following copy operations instead:
Commands or Keys Commands in an Unmodifiable Buffer
REMOVE
CUT
EDT Append key
STORE TEXT
WPS Cut key WPS Copy key
BOX CUT
BOX CUT INSERT
BOX CUT OVERSTRIKE
BOX COPY

If you create a "scratchpad" buffer as a temporary work area, you may want to set it to read-only and modifiable. You can edit the buffer, but EVE does not write out (save) that buffer on exiting.

You can also set the read/write and modification attributes of the MAIN (or first) buffer by invoking EVE with the /READ_ONLY and /NOMODIFY qualifiers.

Related Commands


SET CLIPBOARD


Format

SET CLIPBOARD


Description

The SET CLIPBOARD command enables the DECwindows clipboard for copying, cutting, and pasting text so you can transfer text between EVE and other DECwindows applications. You can enable the clipboard only if you are using the DECwindows interface.

Table 2-7 lists the commands and keys that use the clipboard. WPS keys do not use the clipboard, regardless of the setting.

Table 2-7 EVE Commands and Keys That Use the DECwindows Clipboard
EVE Commands: BOX COPY
BOX CUT
BOX PASTE
INSERT HERE or PASTE
REMOVE or CUT
STORE TEXT or COPY
EDT Keys: Append (KP9)
EDT Replace (GOLD-KP9)
Subs (GOLD-ENTER)

The default is SET NOCLIPBOARD, which uses the INSERT HERE buffer in EVE.

The setting applies in all buffers. To save your setting, use SAVE ATTRIBUTES to create a section file or to create or update a command file. However, for routine editing within EVE, using the INSERT HERE buffer may be faster, depending on the amount of text involved.


Example

The following commands enable the DECwindows clipboard, select the entire buffer, and then copy the selection, storing it in the clipboard so you can paste it into another DECwindows application or elsewhere in EVE:

Command: SET CLIPBOARD
Command: SELECT ALL
Command: STORE TEXT
      


SET CURSOR BOUND


Format

SET CURSOR BOUND


Description

The SET CURSOR BOUND command enables bound cursor motion like that in EDT, WPS, and other editors. A bound cursor cannot move into unused portions of the buffer. As you move through the buffer, the cursor follows the shape of your text. For example, if you press the <downarrow symbol> key, the cursor moves down to the next line, staying in the same column only if there is a character at that position on the line. If there is no character in that column, the cursor moves left (as well as down) to occupy a column in which there is a character. If you are at the end of a line and you press the -> key, the cursor moves to the start of the next line; it does not move into the unused area or white space.

When you use the SET CURSOR BOUND command, if the cursor is in an unused area of the buffer, EVE moves the cursor to the nearest text---an effect called snapping.

Table 2-8 lists the commands and keys affected by the type of cursor motion.

Table 2-8 EVE Commands and Keys That Use Bound or Free Cursor Motion
EVE Commands: MOVE DOWN (<downarrow symbol>)
MOVE LEFT ( <-)
MOVE RIGHT (->)
MOVE UP (<uparrow symbol>)
NEXT SCREEN
PREVIOUS SCREEN
EDT Keys: Next Screen (NEXT SCREEN)
Previous Screen (PREV SCREEN)
Sect (KP8)
WPS Keys: Advance (KP0)
Backup (KP1)
Scroll Advance (GOLD-KP0)
Scroll Backup (GOLD-KP1)

By default, EVE uses a free cursor. You can move the cursor anywhere in the buffer whether text is already there or not. However, for editing command lines, the cursor is always bound.

SET CURSOR BOUND applies in all buffers. To save your setting, use SAVE ATTRIBUTES to create a section file or to create or update a command file. For more information, read the online help topic on Attributes.

The SET KEYPAD WPS command automatically sets the cursor to bound.

Related Commands


SET CURSOR FREE


Format

SET CURSOR FREE


Description

The SET CURSOR FREE command enables free cursor motion, which lets you move anywhere in the buffer and insert text whether characters are already there or not. This is the default. With a free cursor, moving up or down keeps the cursor in the same column on the screen. Also, you can move left of the left margin (if the left margin is greater than 1), right of the right margin, into the middle of a tab, or past the [End of file] marker (if the buffer is shorter than the current window).

For example, if you are at the end of a line and press the -> key, the cursor moves past the end of the line and you can put text there. By contrast, a bound cursor moves to the start of the next line.

For a list of the commands and keys affected by the setting, see Table 2-8.

Free cursor motion is useful to create tables or other special layouts because you can put the text anywhere in the buffer. For example, you can put text to the right of the right margin or, if the left margin is greater than 1, you can put text left of the left margin. If you move the cursor into an unused area of the buffer, such as to the right of the right margin, and enter text there, EVE puts in spaces or blank lines between your existing text and where you put the new text. In other words, EVE pads the gap with spaces or blank lines. You can erase these spaces or blank lines to close up the gap. If you move into an unused area of the buffer without typing anything, no padding occurs.

To enable bound cursor motion (like that in EDT or WPS), use the SET CURSOR BOUND command. Also, setting the WPS keypad enables bound cursor motion. The setting applies in all buffers (except the COMMANDS buffer and $PROMPT$ buffer).


SET DEFAULT COMMAND FILE


Format

SET DEFAULT COMMAND FILE command-file


Parameter

command-file

The name of the command file you want EVE to use by default. The default file type is .TPU. If you do not specify a file name on the command line, EVE prompts you. The prompt shows the name of the current default command file, if one is set. If you have not already set a default command file, the prompt shows one of the following:

Description

The SET DEFAULT COMMAND FILE command determines the DECTPU command file that you want EVE to create or update for saving attributes and menu entries. You do not need to specify the command file each time you invoke EVE. SET DEFAULT COMMAND FILE does not determine the command file executed at startup but only the command file created for saving attributes and menu entries.

For more information about using command files, read the online help topic on Command Files. For information about saving attributes, read the topic on Attributes.

Related Commands


Example

The following command sets your default command file as MYCOMM.TPU in your top-level login directory:

Command: SET DEFAULT COMMAND FILE SYS$LOGIN:MYCOMM
      


SET DEFAULT SECTION FILE


Format

SET DEFAULT SECTION FILE section-file


Parameter

section-file

The name of the section file you want EVE to use by default. The default file type is .TPU$SECTION. If you use SET DEFAULT SECTION FILE and do not specify a file name on the command line, EVE prompts you. The prompt shows the name of the current, default section file, if one is set. If you have not already set a default section file, the prompt shows SYS$LOGIN:EVE$SECTION.TPU$SECTION.

Description

The SET DEFAULT SECTION FILE command determines the section file that EVE creates to save attributes, key definitions, and other customizations. You do not need to specify the section file each time you invoke EVE. SET DEFAULT SECTION FILE does not determine the section file loaded at startup. Instead, it determines only the section file created for saving attributes and menu entries.

For more information about using section files, read the online help topic called Section Files.

The following table shows the effects of SET DEFAULT SECTION FILE, depending on whether you save attributes by enabling or disabling section file prompting:
Prompt Settings Effects with SET DEFAULT SECTION FILE
SET SECTION FILE PROMPTING
(default)
When you save attributes, EVE asks whether you want to save them in a section file. If you respond YES, EVE saves the attributes in your default section file.
SET NOSECTION FILE PROMPTING When you save attributes, EVE saves them in your default section file without prompting you.

These effects apply when you use either SAVE ATTRIBUTES or SAVE SYSTEM ATTRIBUTES or when you save attributes as part of exiting or quitting.

For more information, read the online help topic on Attributes.

Related Commands


Example

The following commands set your default section file as MYSECT.TPU$SECTION in your top-level login directory and then create that section file (or a new version of that file):

Command: SET DEFAULT SECTION FILE SYS$LOGIN:MYSECT
Command: SAVE EXTENDED EVE
      


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