Provide Custom Display Name For Stdin Stream

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Introduction

When working with stdin streams in moar, it can be challenging to display a meaningful filename or path on the status bar. However, there are scenarios where a custom display name could be beneficial, such as when the input is passed through stdin or when a user-friendly name is required. In this article, we will explore the possibility of providing a custom display name for stdin streams in moar.

The Need for Custom Display Name

When the input to moar is passed through stdin, it does not have access to the filename or path, making it difficult to display a meaningful name on the status bar. However, there are cases where a custom display name could be available to the caller, such as when the input is passed as an optional flag. This feature could also be used to override the displayed filename with a custom string that might not be a valid path, such as a more user-friendly name or a URL.

Potential Use Cases

  1. Passing a custom display name as an optional flag: In some cases, the caller may have access to a custom display name that can be passed as an optional flag to moar. This would allow moar to display a meaningful name on the status bar, even when the input is passed through stdin.
  2. Overriding the displayed filename with a custom string: This feature could also be used to override the displayed filename with a custom string that might not be a valid path. For example, a user-friendly name or a URL could be used instead of the original filename.

Potential Issues

  1. Opening the current file in an editor: If the feature is used to open the current file in an editor, it may use the original file rather than moar's internal buffer. In this case, the displayed filename and the stored path for reopening in an editor would need to be stored separately.
  2. Conflicts with existing behavior: If the feature is implemented, it may conflict with existing behavior, such as when the input is passed through stdin. In this case, the feature would need to be designed to work seamlessly with existing behavior.

Personal Use Case

My personal use case for this feature would be to display the source metadata value in nushell, which says where the currently used data came from, even if the data itself has been modified during a pipeline in some way. This would be a small quality of life change that would make it easier to work with stdin streams in moar.

Design Considerations

  1. API design: The API for providing a custom display name would need to be designed carefully to ensure that it is easy to use and does not conflict with existing behavior.
  2. Storage of displayed filename and stored path: If the feature is used to open the current file in an editor, the displayed filename and the stored path would need to be stored separately to avoid conflicts with existing behavior.
  3. Error handling: The feature would need to handle errors carefully to ensure that it does not crash or produce unexpected behavior.

Conclusion

Providing a custom display name for stdin streams in moar would be a useful feature that would make it easier to work with stdin streams. However, it would require careful design and implementation to avoid conflicts with existing behavior. By considering the potential use cases, potential issues, and design considerations, we can create a feature that is both useful and reliable.

Future Work

  1. Implement the feature: Once the design considerations have been addressed, the feature can be implemented.
  2. Test the feature: The feature would need to be tested thoroughly to ensure that it works as expected and does not produce unexpected behavior.
  3. Refine the feature: Based on feedback from users, the feature can be refined to make it even more useful and reliable.

References

  1. Moar documentation
  2. Nushell documentation
    Q&A: Providing Custom Display Name for Stdin Stream =====================================================

Q: What is the purpose of providing a custom display name for stdin stream?

A: The purpose of providing a custom display name for stdin stream is to allow users to display a meaningful name on the status bar, even when the input is passed through stdin. This can be useful in scenarios where the input is not a file, but rather a custom string or a URL.

Q: How would the custom display name be provided?

A: The custom display name would be provided as an optional flag to moar. This would allow the caller to pass a custom display name that would be used instead of the original filename.

Q: What are the potential use cases for this feature?

A: The potential use cases for this feature include:

  • Passing a custom display name as an optional flag to moar
  • Overriding the displayed filename with a custom string that might not be a valid path
  • Displaying a user-friendly name or a URL instead of the original filename

Q: What are the potential issues with this feature?

A: The potential issues with this feature include:

  • Conflicts with existing behavior, such as when the input is passed through stdin
  • Opening the current file in an editor using the original file rather than moar's internal buffer
  • Error handling and storage of displayed filename and stored path

Q: How would the feature be designed to avoid conflicts with existing behavior?

A: The feature would be designed to work seamlessly with existing behavior by storing the displayed filename and the stored path separately. This would ensure that the feature does not conflict with existing behavior, such as when the input is passed through stdin.

Q: What are the design considerations for this feature?

A: The design considerations for this feature include:

  • API design to ensure that it is easy to use and does not conflict with existing behavior
  • Storage of displayed filename and stored path to avoid conflicts with existing behavior
  • Error handling to ensure that the feature does not crash or produce unexpected behavior

Q: How would the feature be tested?

A: The feature would be tested thoroughly to ensure that it works as expected and does not produce unexpected behavior. This would include testing the feature with different inputs, such as custom display names, user-friendly names, and URLs.

Q: What is the future work for this feature?

A: The future work for this feature includes:

  • Implementing the feature
  • Testing the feature thoroughly
  • Refining the feature based on feedback from users

Q: What are the references for this feature?

A: The references for this feature include:

  • Moar documentation
  • Nushell documentation

Q: What is the conclusion for this feature?

A: Providing a custom display name for stdin stream would be a useful feature that would make it easier to work with stdin streams. However, it would require careful design and implementation to avoid conflicts with existing behavior. By considering the potential use cases, potential issues, and design considerations, we can create a feature that is both useful and reliable.