I've noticed that many a time I have to repeatedly tap the Home key to have it behave as
expected. Just took a minute now to analyze what I reacted on as illogical, to see what
actually went on ...
Seems that on "empty" lines, for instance lines with "auto indent" applied or just a bunch-
load of spaces, the Home key will act both as Home and End.
The odd part that made me register that something was getting to me, is that if the caret
is in between the extremes it will first go to the end of the line, thus requiring me to tap it
again to get what I need and expect.
Just to elaborate a typical scenario where the home function
behaves unlogical;
1) Hit Home on the current line in preparation for copying it.
Caret stops at first character, not home position.
2) Hit home again to really get there.
3) Hit Shift + End to select the code line, and then copy it.
4) Hit End to lose the selection, then Enter to enter a new line.
5) Hit Home to get home, then paste.
Occasionally the new line has a few spaces more than the
indent inherited from the previous line, and than an additional
tap on Home is required as the first send the caret to the end.
When I wrote the code editor, I designed the HOME key so that it would go to the start of the text on a line first, and a subsequent press to the first position of the line. I like this behaviour. This is the way that it works in the CodeMax control (used in JPro) so I guess that I am very used to it.
That's not an unacceptable design decision although it's a behavior I personally don't feel is particularly useful to me. If it where going home first, then to the first character of the line, I assume I would find it more useful. {wish; option}
It's more the jumping to the end of the line first I feel is unlogical and that I fail to get accustomed to. Might that be a side effect of the calculations on where to land the caret on the first step to home-position?
Personally, I would like the Home key to send the cursor home first and then to the end of the line.
In my other editors I use this for copying a line:
Home
shift-down arrow
shift-delete
shift-insert
got to new line location
shift-insert
with JPro or FF I must check or the cursor after the first home press.
An option to select the behavior would be nice for me.
Peter
(not to be a bone-head, but I, too, am a "very keyboard" person, and use the exact same steps to copy as Peter does above... : )
I'm also a "keyboard person", but instead of Shift+Delete/Shift+Insert, I use Ctrl+X/Ctrl+V, not only because it's Windows's standard, but because I only need my left hand to do it, whereas with the first option I need my two hands.
Then you're wearing out one hand before the other. 8o)
Peter,
Ctrl-Insert is copy. You can cut your steps from six to five.
Jose,
Both ways are "Windows standards" and have been for some time. I only use one hand like you, but I use my right hand. The reason I don't use Ctrl+X/Ctrl+V is because a fair number of applications re-assign those key combinations for themselves and are therefore unreliable. I can't remember seeing a situation when the other method has been re-assigned. I'm not trying to talk anybody out of their preferred method, but I come from a desktop support background where I am using/testing many apps that I am unfamiliar with and I have just learned to rely on the one that doesn't change.
David
QuoteI can't remember seeing a situation when the other method has been re-assigned.
Dreamweaver springs to mind with some odd behavior in that regard. CTRL+V inserts content into current/active textbox (properties pane) while SHIFT+Insert inserts content into the document at "last known" caret position. A real annoyance to me since I've always preferred the latter for everyday copy/cut'n paste action.
Yea, I started to say that I have never seen one, but then thought better of it and decided to say that I can't remember seeing one. I do know that I have run across many programs that do re-assign Ctlr-X & V. I have installed Dreamweaver but never had to support or use it myself.
I Find the Shift-delete, shift-insert is easir since I move my hand less and my thumb stays on the shift key.
I learned a LONG time ago (1985) to use my left hand for the mouse since when I am drawing or editing I either have both hands on the keyboard, or left on the mouse and right on the keypad editing keys.
It sounds quirky but most programmer I have shown end up converting after a short trial period. Most right handed people (like me) find it devilish to start using the mouse left handed.
It is very ergonomic.
Peter
My thinking error: If your not doing it the way I do it, you must not know about it. You know what they say about assumptions... I'm guilty :-\ And I'm sure we all seem quirky to somebody. Sounds like left-hand mousing might be good for gaming also. If your into that.
BTW, I never analyzed how I do it before, but my thumb stays in the same place also. It comes down to dropping the knuckle to get the Ctrl or dropping the tip to get the Shift. Then I am not having to move my ring finger.
David
QuoteI learned a LONG time ago (1985) to use my left hand for the mouse ...
Overusing my right arm (in conjunction with a sports injury?) lead to the involuntary choice of switching arms for mousing, some 5-6 years ago. This Easter I seriously damaged my right hand (mangled a couple of fingers), and then I also learned to eat, write and even wipe my butt (didn't quite see my wife getting that job for months) with the left hand â€" so it's all down to (changing) habits. 8o)
I sit in an office chair with my chest against the desk. A US Letter Pad of paper with a pen is between me and the keyboard which is a comfortable arms length away with my mouse on the left and my arm resting and relaxed on the desk. I can work like this for hours - relaxed physically - this is the key.
Haakon - how do you pronounce your name and what does the 80) symbol represent?
True, the KEY-board is the KEY to efficiency and untrained usage of the computer.
Then there are applications where the mouse at best can be switched to for instance
a Wacom tablet or similar.
My name goes almost like "hawk on" — just mute the w a little more than usual.
8o) is just my take on the ordinary boring :) (you know, the colon +
parenthesis, not the graphic), and sometimes you'll see me doing 8oÞ or ~8o) too.
{I wear glasses, have a nose and often smile — especially when being sarcastic}.
QuoteI designed the HOME key so that it would go to the start of the text on a line first, and a subsequent press to the first position of the line. I like this behaviour.
That is what I am acustomed to since Qb, BasicPro, and VB. I like it!
Rolf