3 ms·

> It could also be more "discoverable". I definitely agree that I want to type some string and it should show a fuzzy search from all available commands and th

> It could also be more "discoverable". I definitely agree that I want to type some string and it should show a fuzzy search from all available commands and their descriptions. That would be huge timesaver for functionality I know exist, but I forgot the exact commands.

uncletaco 5y ago
This is literally what `M-x` does. You want to do the same for functions? `C-h f`. Variables? `C-h v`. Keybindings for the current mode? `C-h ?`. If I'm not mistaken when you install vanilla Emacs the screen even includes a tutorial and guided tour that both tell you these commands.
- trey-jones 5y ago
  Yes, once you make the connection between every single keypress invoking an elisp function, and the various help combinations (variables, functions, keystrokes as you mention), I think Emacs is actually the most "discoverable" editor that I've used.
- wiz21c 5y ago
  Except when the name of what you look for doesn't match your mental model (yep, I'm in the group of people who think software should adapt to human and not the other way around) Example : I want to change the encoding of a file when I load it... Good luck figuring that out without resorting to reading the documentation.
  - uncletaco 5y ago
    And here I would argue that, since the documentation is included with Emacs and can be pulled up in the editor, this is still a point towards its inherent discoverability. Again when you load emacs there's a link to the manual on its splash screen and as a guided tour. A lot of people rush to turn off this screen or suppress the menues on startup (which I get, the menu bar is pretty ugly) but they do have useful functionality for someone who doesn't know Emacs.
- b3morales 5y ago
  M-x completions aren't really "fuzzy" out of the box. `partial-completion` is in default `completion-styles`, yes, but then you have to do word breaks with dashes manually.
vvillena 5y ago
Discoverability is a key part of larger addons such as Spacemacs and Doom Emacs. They come configured out-of-the-box with nice completion panels for command and function search panels.

uncletaco 5y ago

This is literally what `M-x` does. You want to do the same for functions? `C-h f`. Variables? `C-h v`. Keybindings for the current mode? `C-h ?`. If I'm not mistaken when you install vanilla Emacs the screen even includes a tutorial and guided tour that both tell you these commands.

trey-jones 5y ago
Yes, once you make the connection between every single keypress invoking an elisp function, and the various help combinations (variables, functions, keystrokes as you mention), I think Emacs is actually the most "discoverable" editor that I've used.
wiz21c 5y ago
Except when the name of what you look for doesn't match your mental model (yep, I'm in the group of people who think software should adapt to human and not the other way around) Example : I want to change the encoding of a file when I load it... Good luck figuring that out without resorting to reading the documentation.
- uncletaco 5y ago
  And here I would argue that, since the documentation is included with Emacs and can be pulled up in the editor, this is still a point towards its inherent discoverability. Again when you load emacs there's a link to the manual on its splash screen and as a guided tour. A lot of people rush to turn off this screen or suppress the menues on startup (which I get, the menu bar is pretty ugly) but they do have useful functionality for someone who doesn't know Emacs.
b3morales 5y ago
M-x completions aren't really "fuzzy" out of the box. `partial-completion` is in default `completion-styles`, yes, but then you have to do word breaks with dashes manually.

vvillena 5y ago

Discoverability is a key part of larger addons such as Spacemacs and Doom Emacs. They come configured out-of-the-box with nice completion panels for command and function search panels.