GNU bug report logs - #32825
27.0.50; Deterministic window management

Previous Next

Full log

View this message in rfc822 format

From: martin rudalics <rudalics <at> gmx.at>
To: Juri Linkov <juri <at> linkov.net>
Cc: Michael Heerdegen <michael_heerdegen <at> web.de>, 32825 <at> debbugs.gnu.org
Subject: bug#32825: 27.0.50; Deterministic window management
Date: Fri, 16 Nov 2018 09:53:27 +0100

> The need to skip.  If the original window was too small
> to split and display the buffer in a new window below, then
> if some existing window is reused to display the temporary buffer,
> it's understandable for the user why that temporary buffer is shown
> in the window-local tab-bar.
>
> At least, then the user will see in which window the same buffer
> will be reappear again - in the same window that shows this buffer
> in its window-local tab-bar.

The latter is a visual feedback.  But if I blindly use C-x left, I'd
still be surprised.

> The second time when the buffer is displayed again in a previous window
> is deterministic.  But the first time it is non-deterministic - it's
> displayed in a random window.  At least, the user can't predict the
> window where it will be displayed - thus the surprise factor.
> With get-mru-window instead get-lru-window the place is more
> deterministic because the user usually remembers which window is mru.

We can add an action alist entry to get the mru (or better
mru-not-selected) behavior.  A small deal.

>> When people work with two windows simultaneously, the mru one is
>> usually the "other" window they work with, maybe showing the same
>> buffer at a different location.  I think it would be a bad idea to
>> punish such users by reusing the other window for showing some
>> temporary buffer instead.
>
> Right.  Neither lru nor mru should be used to steal existing windows
> from users to show temporary buffers.  Only new windows should be
> created below or on the bottom.
>
> But my complaint about get-lru-window is that it prevents me from
> using more than two windows.

... the way you want.

> When I create three windows or more,
> then get-lru-window always selects a wrong window.  Is it possible
> to change get-lru-window to get-mru-window to allow using three windows
> and more on the same frame?

Earlier we discussed whether "creating a window" should also mean
"using that window".  This could be yet another action alist entry -
bump the use time of the window used for displaying a buffer even when
it's not selected.

I suggest you try adding this and the one providing mru behavior I
mentioned above, experiment with them and install them if they give
good results.

martin

Previous Next

GNU bug tracking system
Copyright (C) 1999 Darren O. Benham, 1997,2003 nCipher Corporation Ltd, 1994-97 Ian Jackson.