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<a name="The-Requester-1"></a>
<h3 class="section">3.5 The Requester</h3>
<a name="index-Requester"></a>
<a name="index-File-requester-2"></a>
<a name="index-Interrupting-directory-scanning"></a>
<a name="index-Help-requester"></a>

<p>In various situations, <code>ne</code> needs to ask you to choose one string
from several (where &ldquo;several&rdquo; can mean a lot).
For this kind of event, the <em>requester</em> is issued. The requester
displays the strings in as many columns as possible and lets you move
with the cursor from one string to another. The strings can fill many
screens, which are handled as consecutive pages. Most navigation keys
work exactly as in normal editing. This is true even of custom key
bindings. Thus, for instance, you can page up and down through the
list with <kbd><span class="key">Control</span>-P</kbd> and <kbd><span class="key">Control</span>-N</kbd> (in the standard keyboard
configuration).
</p>
<p>As with the input line (see <a href="The-Input-Line.html#The-Input-Line">The Input Line</a>), you can confirm your
input with <tt class="key">Return</tt> or escape the requester with <tt class="key">f1</tt> or the
<tt class="key">Escape</tt> key (or whatever has been bound to the <code>Escape</code>
command). Moreover, if you are selecting a file name there is a third
possibility: by escaping with the <tt class="key">Tab</tt> key, the file or directory
name that the cursor is currently on will be copied to the input
line. This allows you to choose an existing name with <tt class="key">Tab</tt> and
modify it before hitting <tt class="key">Return</tt>.
</p>
<p>A special feature is bound to printing characters: the requester
progressively filters out entries that don&rsquo;t match the characters you
type without regard to case. You can use <tt class="key">Backspace</tt> to
progressively return filtered out entries to the list. This lets you
quickly navigate large lists to get to the entries you really want.
</p>
<p>An example of a requester is the list of commands appearing when you use
the <code>Help</code> command. Another is the list of document words matching
a prefix given to the <code>AutoComplete</code> command. A third example is the file requester that
<code>ne</code> issues whenever a file operation is going to take place. In
this case, pressing <tt class="key">Return</tt> while on a directory name will enter
the directory. Note also that, should the requester take too long to
appear, you can interrupt the directory scanning with
<kbd><span class="key">Control</span>-\</kbd>. However, the listing will likely be incomplete.
</p>
<p>Note that there are two items that always appear in the file requester:
<samp>./</samp> and <samp>../</samp>. The first one represents the current directory
and can be used to force a reread of the directory. The second one represents the
parent directory and can be used to move up by one directory level.
</p>
<p>Another example of a requester is the list of current documents which
is displayed when you use the <code>Select...</code> entry from the <code>Documents</code>
menu, or invoke the <code>SelectDoc</code> command with the <tt class="key">f4</tt> key.
Documents with unsaved changes will be bold (if your terminal supports
bold) and marked with an asterisk. These documents are generally listed in the
order they were opened. However, in this requester you can reorder these
documents by using the keys bound to the <code>NextDoc</code> and <code>PrevDoc</code>
commands, usually <tt class="key">f2</tt> and <tt class="key">f3</tt>. Any document reordering and selection
will only take effect if you exit the requester with the <tt class="key">Return</tt> key.
</p>
<p>The requester presents the strings by default in &ldquo;row major order,&rdquo;
which means the second string is on the same row as the first but to
its right, at the top of the second column, and so on across each row
before filling in the next row down. If you prefer your lists displayed in
&ldquo;column major order&rdquo;&mdash;the first, second, and third strings are in
the same column and each column is filled before starting on the next
column to the right&mdash;then use the <code>RequestOrder</code> command to
switch that preference. The setting will be stored in your default
preferences the next time you save them. See <a href="Preferences-Commands.html#Preferences-Commands">Preferences Commands</a>.
</p>

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