function to return most recently modified file to command line

function to return most recently modified file to command line

[Eric Smith]

I would like to have a function ideally to bind to a key combination
that returns the most recent file to the command line.

Like I might type
$ acroread <Alt-B>

would give

$ acroread todays_news.pdf

A couple of nice extra features would be:
Specify the type of file say `pdf' or `txt' for the latest instance
of that type of file.
Also the function could automatically add an <enter> after returning the
filename.

thanx!

-- 
Eric Smith

Re: function to return most recently modified file to command line

[Oliver Kiddle]

Eric Smith wrote:
> I would like to have a function ideally to bind to a key combination
> that returns the most recent file to the command line.
> 
> Like I might type
> $ acroread <Alt-B>

I do this with a completion widget:
zstyle ':completion:most-recent-file:*' match-original both
zstyle ':completion:most-recent-file::::' completer _menu _files _match
zstyle ':completion:most-recent-file:*' file-sort modification
zstyle ':completion:most-recent-file:*' file-patterns '*(.):normal\ files'
zstyle ':completion:most-recent-file:*' hidden all
bindkey '^Xm' most-recent-file
zle -C most-recent-file menu-complete _generic

> Specify the type of file say `pdf' or `txt' for the latest instance
> of that type of file.

The _match bit allows that: type *.pdf and ^Xm will get you the most
recent .pdf file.

> Also the function could automatically add an <enter> after returning the
> filename.

You can probably use a normal zle widget which invokes this followed by
accept-line.

You'd lose the feature that invoking this multiple times cycles through
files in modification order though.

I'm now away for a couple of weeks, by the way. Have a good Christmas
everyone.

Oliver

Re: function to return most recently modified file to command line - cycling in both directions

[Eric Smith - Fruitcom]

Hi Oliver

This approach of yours has radically improved my environment.  Thank you.

BTW, the _match bit did not work until I moved that token in front
of completer (for some reason).

I would like to know if you have (or can perhaps think of)
a way to cycle backwards through the file list - say if you miss the file
that you want.  Like you would with <c-r> and <c-o> in back-i-search.

ciao

According to Oliver Kiddle on Tue, Dec 23, 2003 at 02:08:36AM +0100:
> Eric Smith wrote:
> > I would like to have a function ideally to bind to a key combination
> > that returns the most recent file to the command line.
> > 
> > Like I might type
> > $ acroread <Alt-B>
> 
> I do this with a completion widget:
> zstyle ':completion:most-recent-file:*' match-original both
> zstyle ':completion:most-recent-file::::' completer _menu _files _match
> zstyle ':completion:most-recent-file:*' file-sort modification
> zstyle ':completion:most-recent-file:*' file-patterns '*(.):normal\ files'
> zstyle ':completion:most-recent-file:*' hidden all
> bindkey '^Xm' most-recent-file
> zle -C most-recent-file menu-complete _generic
> 
> > Specify the type of file say `pdf' or `txt' for the latest instance
> > of that type of file.
> 
> The _match bit allows that: type *.pdf and ^Xm will get you the most
> recent .pdf file.
> 
> > Also the function could automatically add an <enter> after returning the
> > filename.
> 
> You can probably use a normal zle widget which invokes this followed by
> accept-line.
> 
> You'd lose the feature that invoking this multiple times cycles through
> files in modification order though.
> 
> I'm now away for a couple of weeks, by the way. Have a good Christmas
> everyone.
> 
> Oliver

-- 
Eric Smith
Fruitcom BV 
Tel: +31 15 219 0468
Fax: +31 15 219 0524
Mobile: +31 6 551 76300
www.fruitcom.com
PO Box 2855 
2601 CW Delft 
The Netherlands

Re: function to return most recently modified file to command line - cycling in both directions

[Oliver Kiddle]

On 11 Jan, Eric Smith - Fruitcom wrote:
> I would like to know if you have (or can perhaps think of)
> a way to cycle backwards through the file list - say if you miss the file
> that you want.  Like you would with <c-r> and <c-o> in back-i-search.

If you've got a key bound to reverse-menu-complete, that should do the
job. The old list is reused.