These are requests to new quick file open dialog box modified after kate 21 1. Add a switch to select sorting order of file list(file name or full path) 2. Align left side of base path of file in list (User can recognize the location of the file easily) 3. Allow to resize dialog box to show more information (Width of dialog box may not be enough to show all of file path) 4. Allow to change position of dialog box(User may want to see text in back ground during searching file)
Hi, You might be confusing Quick-open for something else. Here's what it's supposed to do: - allow you to open a file *quickly* by filtering What it's not supposed to be: - File explorer - File searcher We don't do *any* kind of sorting etc when showing the files *except* for showing the current opened docs on the top. This is intentional because we want to remain quick, quick to open, quick to filter. Its a temporary widget, which is meant to open files quickly and stay out of your way. Thus, if you want to see something in the background, close it and see and reopen.
Thank you for your comment about point 1, 2, 4. How about point 3? I still think the width of dialog box is too small to see file path and it's better to increase the size (and it would be great if it allows to resize, or it's resized automatically according to size of main window of kate).
Created attachment 139177 [details] Attached screen example of another editor(just reference) Attached screen example of another editor(just reference)
About point 3.. So, we can't ever get a one size fits all solution in any case, there can always be some path that is very long but anyways, this is besides the point. If you notice, Kate grays out the path a little bit while the filename stays "white" or whatever your primary foreground color is. The reason we do that is because we want filename to be the thing that you should be looking for without worrying about path. However, in some cases when you have multiple files with same name, for example CMakeLists.txt, you can do two things: - Type Cmklst, and navigate to the one you want by looking at the path - Filter by path directly, '/pth/toCmkl" The idea is to get you there quickly without you needing to read full paths. You read the path partially and you know that is what you want to open and hit enter just. The screenshot you posted has tons of redundant text, same path being repeated over and over again with some differences. This would make it harder to navigate and the longer it gets the harder it becomes to concentrate, imo. We try to minimize this as much as we can. Of course, we assume that the user has some knowledge of the folder he is in, so that they can navigate quickly. Lastly, I must mention that if you want to utilize quick-open in a more effective way, it is much better if you are working with a project, i.e., project opened inside kate. If you are unsure how to do that, just do "kate /path/to/folder". I hope my reasoning makes sense and is understandable.
Thank you for your comment. > it is much better if you are working with a project It seems like files can't be filtered by conbination of directory name AND file name in project panel (files only can be filtered by any of direcotry name OR file name). I expect quick file open dialog is designed for that user can filte files by conbination of directory name AND file name, isn't it? if so, this is advantage of quick file open dialog box.
Yes, with project panel filter, I don't think you can filter both. Tbh, I have almost never used the project filter myself as quick-open is a better solution for me.
Thank you to comment. About point1: As you commented above, quick file open dialog box has advantage compared to the file filter on project panel to search file (can filter files by combination of paths and names by less key typing). Thus, it has a benefit if the concept of quick file open dialog box also considers the use case to search a file from many candidates. Because it's very hard to find a target file from many candidate shown at random, the sorted file list is very helpful for user. If you are afraid the performance to show the dialog box, I think it's not necessary to sort the file list automatically always, it's enough to provide button or menu to sort when user necessary by manual. Other than this, I'm going to submit some requests about file filtering of project panel later. About point2 - 4: The problems may be resolved by using project panel (although I personally still believe it will gives user more option to operate if it's implemented). These request is not urgent, but I think it's great if Kate development team considers it on some day.