AJB [2005/01/03] - This is a quick little proc that uses a list to perform auto-completion in an entry box as the user enters data. Should work with other types of entry widgets as well, like the Tile combobox. Although, in the case of a combobox, this functionallity should probably be built into the widget, considering that the widget already has a list of values.
And, if you dont understand the test code, then you are probably not very cultured, and you should try to watch more classic films. ;)
SRIV I'm boycotting the MPAA for at least the next 40 years
AJB SRIV: That should not be a problem, Monty Python is British made. ;)
#use autocomplete in the validate command of an entry box as follows
# -validatecommand {autocomplete %W %d %v %P $list}
# where list is a tcl list of values to complete the entry with
proc autocomplete {win action validation value valuelist} {
if {$action == 1 & $value != {} & [set pop [lsearch -inline $valuelist $value*]] != {}} {
$win delete 0 end; $win insert end $pop
$win selection range [string length $value] end
$win icursor [string length $value]
} else {
$win selection clear
}
after idle [list $win configure -validate $validation]
return 1
}
#Test code--- change to if 1
if 0 {
package require Tk
set fruitlist {apple banana cherry grape grapefruit lemon loganberry mango orange \
{passion fruit} pear plum pomegranate prune raspberry}
entry .test -validate all -validatecommand {autocomplete %W %d %v %P $fruitlist}
label .top -text "Self Defense Against Fresh Fruit"
label .ret -wraplength 300
button .done -text Go -command {.ret configure -text "It's quite simple to defend yourself against \
a man armed with a [.test get]. First of all you force him to drop the [.test get]. \
Second, you eat the [.test get], thus disarming him. You have now rendered him harmless."}
grid .top -pady 5 -columnspan 2
grid .ret -columnspan 2
grid .test .done
}It's safest to put the strings in the list sorted by length. For example see what happens if you
set fruitlist [concat aaaabbb $fruitlist aaa]
and then put an a in the entry widget.
MAK A regular lsort will do that implicitly. Just use [lsort $valuelist] before lsearch.
AJB The sorting is important, however, it is also important that the list be sorted elsewhere. This script is called every time the user presses a key. If you are working with a large list, it could cause additional performance issues.