Columns, Numbers - Revision history

Jsimlo at 13:46, 2 October 2013

2013-10-02T13:46:19Z

Kew at 07:46, 29 June 2011

2011-06-29T07:46:11Z

Jsimlo at 22:17, 7 May 2011

2011-05-07T22:17:18Z

Jsimlo: /* Columnizing trick */

2011-05-07T22:11:48Z

Columnizing trick

Jsimlo: /* Examples */

2011-05-07T21:56:48Z

Examples

Jsimlo at 21:48, 7 May 2011

2011-05-07T21:48:38Z

Jsimlo at 21:38, 7 May 2011

2011-05-07T21:38:48Z

Jsimlo at 21:04, 7 May 2011

2011-05-07T21:04:59Z

Jsimlo at 21:01, 7 May 2011

2011-05-07T21:01:03Z

Jsimlo at 12:11, 8 May 2010

2010-05-08T12:11:05Z

New page

<noinclude>{{manversion|5.4.1.1}}__NOTOC__</noinclude>
====Columns, Numbers... (Alt+Ctrl+Y)====

Cuts portions from each {{defined|line}} and then gnerates new {{defined|lines}} according to the given {{field|Output mask}}. The mask may contain any text, and may also include these special variables:
* '''%0''' - returns the entire original line.
* '''%1'''-'''%9''' - return the columns cut according to rules specified in the corresponding tab.
* '''%d''' - returns a decimal number from the {{field|Counter}}. You may specify the {{field|Start}} and the {{field|Step}}.
* '''%x''' - returns a lower case hexadecimal number from the {{field|Counter}}.
* '''%X''' - returns an upper case hexadecimal number from the {{field|Counter}}.
* '''%b''' - returns a binary number from the {{field|Counter}}.
* '''%o''' - returns an octal number from the {{field|Counter}}.
* '''%n''' - returns a simple newline.


All these veriables might be furthermore qualified with an aligning specifier:
* '''<''' - aligns the entire column to the left, using spaces to fill the shorter lines from right.
* '''>''' - aligns the entire column to the right, using spaces to fill the shorter lines from left.
* '''+''' - aligns the entire column to the right, using 0 to fill the shorter lines from left.
* '''^''' - aligns the entire column to the center, using spaces to fill the shorter lines from both sides.

Optionally, you may choose to {{field|Modify non-empty lines only}}, if you need to keep the {{defined|empty}} lines intact.

Example of an {{field|Output mask}}. This mask will cut the first column from each line and place it in the results after a decimal number, colon and a space. The numbers will be aligned to the right by zeroes, so that they all have the same number of digits:
{{example_start}}
{{example_body}}%+d, %1
{{example_end}}

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:46, 2 October 2013
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	{{#headline:Lines tools\|Columns, Numbers... (Alt+Ctrl+Y)}}		{{#headline:Lines tools\|Columns, Numbers... (Alt+Ctrl+Y)}}

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-<noinclude>{{manversion|6.0.0.16|feature}}__NOTOC__</noinclude>
+<noinclude>{{manversion|6.0.0.17|feature}}__NOTOC__</noinclude>
-====Columns, Numbers... (Alt+Ctrl+Y)====
+{{#headline:Lines tools|Columns, Numbers... (Alt+Ctrl+Y)}}
 Cuts portions of {{defined|lines}} from the selection and replaces the old {{defined|lines}} with new generated {{defined|lines}} according to given {{field|Columns, Numbers|Output mask}}. The {{field|Columns, Numbers|Output mask}} may contain any text, which is duplicated to every new generated line, and may include these special variables, which are computed on the fly and have the following purpose:

@@ Line 3: / Line 3: @@
 Cuts portions of {{defined|lines}} from the selection and replaces the old {{defined|lines}} with new generated {{defined|lines}} according to given {{field|Columns, Numbers|Output mask}}. The {{field|Columns, Numbers|Output mask}} may contain any text, which is duplicated to every new generated line, and may include these special variables, which are computed on the fly and have the following purpose:
-* {{field|Columns, Numbers|%0}} &mdash; inserts a copy of the entire original line.
+* {{syntax|Columns, Numbers|%0}} &mdash; inserts a copy of the entire original line.
-* {{field|Columns, Numbers|%1}} - {{field|Columns, Numbers|%9}} &mdash; inserts a line portion, cut from the original line according to rules specified in corresponding tab. See below.
+* {{syntax|Columns, Numbers|%1}} - {{syntax|Columns, Numbers|%9}} &mdash; inserts a line portion, cut from the original line according to rules specified in corresponding tab. See below.
-* {{field|Columns, Numbers|%d}} &mdash; inserts a decimal number from the {{field|Columns, Numbers|Counter}}. See below.
+* {{syntax|Columns, Numbers|%d}} &mdash; inserts a decimal number from the {{field|Columns, Numbers|Counter}}. See below.
-* {{field|Columns, Numbers|%x}} &mdash; inserts a lower case hexadecimal number from the {{field|Columns, Numbers|Counter}}. See below.
+* {{syntax|Columns, Numbers|%x}} &mdash; inserts a lower case hexadecimal number from the {{field|Columns, Numbers|Counter}}. See below.
-* {{field|Columns, Numbers|%X}} &mdash; inserts an upper case hexadecimal number from the {{field|Columns, Numbers|Counter}}. See below.
+* {{syntax|Columns, Numbers|%X}} &mdash; inserts an upper case hexadecimal number from the {{field|Columns, Numbers|Counter}}. See below.
-* {{field|Columns, Numbers|%b}} &mdash; inserts a binary number from the {{field|Columns, Numbers|Counter}}. See below.
+* {{syntax|Columns, Numbers|%b}} &mdash; inserts a binary number from the {{field|Columns, Numbers|Counter}}. See below.
-* {{field|Columns, Numbers|%o}} &mdash; inserts an octal number from the {{field|Columns, Numbers|Counter}}. See below.
+* {{syntax|Columns, Numbers|%o}} &mdash; inserts an octal number from the {{field|Columns, Numbers|Counter}}. See below.
-* {{field|Columns, Numbers|%r}} &mdash; inserts a random number from the {{field|Columns, Numbers|Random}} number generator. See below.
+* {{syntax|Columns, Numbers|%r}} &mdash; inserts a random number from the {{field|Columns, Numbers|Random}} number generator. See below.
-* {{field|Columns, Numbers|%l0}} &mdash; inserts length, in characters, of the original line.
+* {{syntax|Columns, Numbers|%l0}} &mdash; inserts length, in characters, of the original line.
-* {{field|Columns, Numbers|%l1}} - {{field|Columns, Numbers|%l9}} &mdash; inserts length of a line portion, cut from the original line according to rules specified in corresponding tab. See below.
+* {{syntax|Columns, Numbers|%l1}} - {{syntax|Columns, Numbers|%l9}} &mdash; inserts length of a line portion, cut from the original line according to rules specified in corresponding tab. See below.
-* {{field|Columns, Numbers|%n}} &mdash; inserts a newline. Note: This variable results in generating sequence of multiple lines for each of the input lines.
+* {{syntax|Columns, Numbers|%n}} &mdash; inserts a newline. Note: This variable results in generating sequence of multiple lines for each of the input lines.
-* {{field|Columns, Numbers|%%}} &mdash; inserts a single ''%'' character. Note: Since ''%'' character is used to prefix variables, doubled ''%%'' must be used in order to place plain ''%'' into the results. Note: Using a simple ''%'' character, not followed by a recognized variable, is considered an error in the {{field|Columns, Numbers|Output mask}} to prevent possible inconvenience from future improvements of the tool.. ;)
+* {{syntax|Columns, Numbers|%%}} &mdash; inserts a single ''%'' character. Note: Since ''%'' character is used to prefix variables, doubled ''%%'' must be used in order to place plain ''%'' into the results. Note: Using a simple ''%'' character, not followed by a recognized variable, is considered an error in the {{field|Columns, Numbers|Output mask}} to prevent possible inconvenience from future improvements of the tool.. ;)
-All variables (except {{field|Columns, Numbers|%n}}) may be supplied an aligning specifier. Aligning specifier must appear directly after the ''%'' prefix character. It is used to align values of the variable into a neat fixed-width column. Width of such column is determined by examining the variable for all lines and taking the longest length. Aligning specifier may be one of the following:
+All variables (except {{syntax|Columns, Numbers|%n}}) may be supplied an aligning specifier. Aligning specifier must appear directly after the ''%'' prefix character. It is used to align values of the variable into a neat fixed-width column. Width of such column is determined by examining the variable for all lines and taking the longest length. Aligning specifier may be one of the following:
 * '''<''' &mdash; aligns the variable to the left, using spaces to fill the shorter lines from right.
 * '''!''' &mdash; aligns the variable to the center, using spaces to fill the shorter lines from both sides.
@@ Line 59: / Line 59: @@
 =====Simple numbering=====
-Example of a simple numbering {{field|Columns, Numbers|Output mask}}: {{string|%+d, %1}}. This mask will cut a line portion (specified for variable {{field|Columns, Numbers|%1}}) from each line and place it in the results after a decimal number, colon and a space. The numbers will be neatly aligned to the right by leading zeroes where necessary, in order to have the same count of digits.
+Example of a simple numbering {{field|Columns, Numbers|Output mask}}: {{string|%+d, %1}}. This mask will cut a line portion (specified for variable {{syntax|Columns, Numbers|%1}}) from each line and place it in the results after a decimal number, colon and a space. The numbers will be neatly aligned to the right by leading zeroes where necessary, in order to have the same count of digits.
-{{example_start}}The variable {{field|Columns, Numbers|%1}} cuts the third column (columns separated by {{string|;}} delimiter) and the {{field|Columns, Numbers|Counter}} is set to {{field|Columns, Numbers|Start}}: {{string|1}} and {{field|Columns, Numbers|Step}}: {{string|1}}:
+{{example_start}}The variable {{syntax|Columns, Numbers|%1}} cuts the third column (columns separated by {{string|;}} delimiter) and the {{field|Columns, Numbers|Counter}} is set to {{field|Columns, Numbers|Start}}: {{string|1}} and {{field|Columns, Numbers|Step}}: {{string|1}}:
 {{example_body}}<nowiki>1, Race
 , labrador
@@ Line 70: / Line 70: @@
 =====Columnizing trick=====
-Example of a ''columnizing'' {{field|Columns, Numbers|Output mask}}: {{string|%<1&nbsp;<nowiki>|</nowiki>&nbsp;%2}}. If variable {{field|Columns, Numbers|%1}} cuts the first line column, and the variable {{field|Columns, Numbers|%2}} cuts the rest of the line, this mask can be used to visually ''columnize'' the list from the example above. This is done by aligning the variable {{field|Columns, Numbers|%1}} (the first column) to the left, adding a glue like {{string|&nbsp;<nowiki>|</nowiki>&nbsp;}}, and then appending the rest of the line. However, since this would ''columnize'' the first column only, one needs to invoke this tool several times in a row, until all columns are transformed. The main reason to do it this way is that it can ''columnize'' quite many columns very quickly once this is set up correctly.
+Example of a ''columnizing'' {{field|Columns, Numbers|Output mask}}: {{string|%<1&nbsp;<nowiki>|</nowiki>&nbsp;%2}}. If variable {{syntax|Columns, Numbers|%1}} cuts the first line column, and the variable {{syntax|Columns, Numbers|%2}} cuts the rest of the line, this mask can be used to visually ''columnize'' the list from the example above. This is done by aligning the variable {{syntax|Columns, Numbers|%1}} (the first column) to the left, adding a glue like {{string|&nbsp;<nowiki>|</nowiki>&nbsp;}}, and then appending the rest of the line. However, since this would ''columnize'' the first column only, one needs to invoke this tool several times in a row, until all columns are transformed. The main reason to do it this way is that it can ''columnize'' quite many columns very quickly once this is set up correctly.
 Note: Make sure not to use the same delimiter for new columns that is used for old columns. Doing so would result in ''columnizing'' the first column over and over again. The main idea in this trick is to make the tool work subsequently thru all old columns, converting them into new columns one by one. The tool may not be allowed to confuse new and old columns, or it won't pan out. In this example, old columns are delimited by {{string|;}} while new columns are delimited by {{string|&nbsp;<nowiki>|</nowiki>&nbsp;}}, which is mutually exclusive as required.
-{{example_start}}The variable {{field|Columns, Numbers|%1}} cuts column 1 (columns separated by {{string|;}}), variable {{field|Columns, Numbers|%2}} cuts columns 2-4 (separated by {{string|;}} as well). After using this tool for 3 times:
+{{example_start}}The variable {{syntax|Columns, Numbers|%1}} cuts column 1 (columns separated by {{string|;}}), variable {{syntax|Columns, Numbers|%2}} cuts columns 2-4 (separated by {{string|;}} as well). After using this tool for 3 times:
 {{example_body}}<nowiki>No | Name  | Race         | Age
   | Amy   | labrador     | 4

@@ Line 70: / Line 70: @@
 =====Columnizing trick=====
-{{todo|proof-read and fix}}
+Example of a ''columnizing'' {{field|Columns, Numbers|Output mask}}: {{string|%<1&nbsp;<nowiki>|</nowiki>&nbsp;%2}}. If variable {{field|Columns, Numbers|%1}} cuts the first line column, and the variable {{field|Columns, Numbers|%2}} cuts the rest of the line, this mask can be used to visually ''columnize'' the list from the example above. This is done by aligning the variable {{field|Columns, Numbers|%1}} (the first column) to the left, adding a glue like {{string|&nbsp;<nowiki>|</nowiki>&nbsp;}}, and then appending the rest of the line. However, since this would ''columnize'' the first column only, one needs to invoke this tool several times in a row, until all columns are transformed. The main reason to do it this way is that it can ''columnize'' quite many columns very quickly once this is set up correctly.
-Example of a ''columnizing'' {{field|Columns, Numbers|Output mask}}: {{string|%<1 <nowiki>|</nowiki> %2}}. If variable {{field|Columns, Numbers|%1}} cuts the first line column, and the variable {{field|Columns, Numbers|%2}} cuts the rest of the line, this mask can be used to visually ''columnize'' the list from the example above. This is done by aligning the variable {{field|Columns, Numbers|%1}} (the first column) to the left, adding a glue like {{string|<nowiki> | </nowiki>}}, and then appending the rest of the line. Since this would ''columnize'' only the first column, you need to invoke this tool several times in a row, until all columns are transformed. The main reason to do it this way is that it can ''columnize'' quite many columns very quickly once this is set up correctly.
+Note: Make sure not to use the same delimiter for new columns that is used for old columns. Doing so would result in ''columnizing'' the first column over and over again. The main idea in this trick is to make the tool work subsequently thru all old columns, converting them into new columns one by one. The tool may not be allowed to confuse new and old columns, or it won't pan out. In this example, old columns are delimited by {{string|;}} while new columns are delimited by {{string|&nbsp;<nowiki>|</nowiki>&nbsp;}}, which is mutually exclusive as required.
 {{example_start}}The variable {{field|Columns, Numbers|%1}} cuts column 1 (columns separated by {{string|;}}), variable {{field|Columns, Numbers|%2}} cuts columns 2-4 (separated by {{string|;}} as well). After using this tool for 3 times:
-{{example_body}}
+{{example_body}}<nowiki>No | Name  | Race         | Age
   | Amy   | labrador     | 4
   | Konie | bordercollie | 3
-  | Kvido | mongrel      | 2
+  | Kvido | mongrel      | 2</nowiki>
 {{example_end}}
-Note: The above example only works for aligning to the left. If you want to align to the right, you can do it by ''columnizing'' backwards, from the last column to the first (i.e. the idea of working thru columns is reversed). There is no way to center the columns this way (though you can always cut each column separately into a different variable and then specify a mask, which enumerates all the variables).
+Note: The example above only works for aligning to the left. To align to the right, ''columnizing'' backwards must be applied, from the last column to the first (i.e. the principle of working thru columns must be reversed). There is no way to center the columns this way (though one can always cut each column separately into a different variable and then specify a mask, which enumerates all the variables).
-{{tip}} Note: The {{field|Settings:Tools|Persistent selection}} setting might come handy for this technique. See chapter [[Tools page]] of the {{dialog|Settings}} dialog for more details.
+{{tip}} {{field|Settings:Tools|Persistent selection}} setting might come handy for this technique. See chapter [[Tools page]] of the {{dialog|Settings}} dialog for more details.

@@ Line 48: / Line 48: @@
 =====Examples=====
-{{todo|proof-read and fix}}
+In the examples below, we use the following input text:
 {{example_start}}Example:
-{{example_body}}
+{{example_body}}{{example_select|<nowiki>No;Name;Race;Age
 ;Amy;labrador;4
 ;Konie;bordercollie;3
-;Kvido;mongrel;2
+;Kvido;mongrel;2</nowiki>}}
 {{example_end}}
-======Simple numbering======
+=====Simple numbering=====
 Example of a simple numbering {{field|Columns, Numbers|Output mask}}: {{string|%+d, %1}}. This mask will cut a line portion (specified for variable {{field|Columns, Numbers|%1}}) from each line and place it in the results after a decimal number, colon and a space. The numbers will be neatly aligned to the right by leading zeroes where necessary, in order to have the same count of digits.
-{{example_start}}The variable {{field|Columns, Numbers|%1}} cuts the third column (columns separated by {{string|;}}) and the {{field|Columns, Numbers|Counter}} is set to {{field|Columns, Numbers|Start}}: {{string|1}} and {{field|Columns, Numbers|Step}}: {{string|1}}:
+{{example_start}}The variable {{field|Columns, Numbers|%1}} cuts the third column (columns separated by {{string|;}} delimiter) and the {{field|Columns, Numbers|Counter}} is set to {{field|Columns, Numbers|Start}}: {{string|1}} and {{field|Columns, Numbers|Step}}: {{string|1}}:
-{{example_body}}
+{{example_body}}<nowiki>1, Race
 , labrador
 , bordercollie
-, mongrel
+, mongrel</nowiki>
 {{example_end}}
-======Columnizing trick======
+=====Columnizing trick=====
-Example of a ''columnizing'' {{field|Columns, Numbers|Output mask}}: {{string|%<1 <nowiki>|</nowiki> %2}}. If variable {{field|Columns, Numbers|%1}} cuts the first line column, and the variable {{field|Columns, Numbers|%2}} cuts the rest of the line, this mask can be used to visually ''columnize'' the list from the example above. This is done by aligning the variable {{field|Columns, Numbers|%1}} (first column) to the left, adding a glue like {{string|<nowiki> | </nowiki>}}, and then appending the rest of the line. Since this would ''columnize'' only the first column, you need to invoke this tool several times in a row, until all columns are transformed. The main reason to do it this way is that it can ''columnize'' quite many columns very quickly once this is set up correctly.
+Example of a ''columnizing'' {{field|Columns, Numbers|Output mask}}: {{string|%<1 <nowiki>|</nowiki> %2}}. If variable {{field|Columns, Numbers|%1}} cuts the first line column, and the variable {{field|Columns, Numbers|%2}} cuts the rest of the line, this mask can be used to visually ''columnize'' the list from the example above. This is done by aligning the variable {{field|Columns, Numbers|%1}} (the first column) to the left, adding a glue like {{string|<nowiki> | </nowiki>}}, and then appending the rest of the line. Since this would ''columnize'' only the first column, you need to invoke this tool several times in a row, until all columns are transformed. The main reason to do it this way is that it can ''columnize'' quite many columns very quickly once this is set up correctly.
 Note: Make sure you do not use the same delimiter for new columns that you used for old columns. Doing so would result in ''columnizing'' the first column over and over again. The main idea in this trick is to make the tool work thru old columns, converting them into new columns. The tool should not confuse new and old columns. In this example the old columns are delimited by {{string|;}} and new columns by {{string|<nowiki> | </nowiki>}}, which are mutually exclusive as required.

@@ Line 25: / Line 25: @@
 * If proportional font is used for text displaying, it may render different characters with different extents, resulting in different visual positions of respective character positions.
 * If multiple variables are used in the {{field|Columns, Numbers|Output mask}}, all of them should include an aligning specifier to ensure nothing else but neat aligned columns in the results. This is because variable alignment is computed separately for each variable, and is thus insensitive to other portions of currently generated line. Therefore, if one variable results in a non-fixed-width column, there is no guaranteed way to ensure further visual column alignment (although variables themselves would continue to get ''aligned'' neatly into ''their own private columns'').
 Some variables require a {{field|Columns, Numbers|Counter}} to be defined. The tool uses {{field|Columns, Numbers|Start}} number to initialize the {{field|Columns, Numbers|Counter}} before processing the selection. Then, for each line of the selection, increments the {{field|Columns, Numbers|Counter}} by a {{field|Columns, Numbers|Step}}.
@@ Line 37: / Line 30: @@
 Note: {{field|Columns, Numbers|Counter}} always produces the same number for the same line, even if used multiple times per line.
-Some variables require a {{field|Columns, Numbers|Random}} number generator. The generator produces decimal numbers between {{field|Columns, Numbers|Min}} and {{field|Columns, Numbers|Max}} (including {{field|Columns, Numbers|Min}} and {{field|Columns, Numbers|Max}}) every time a variable requires a random number.
+Some variables require a {{field|Columns, Numbers|Random}} number generator. The generator produces decimal numbers between {{field|Columns, Numbers|Min}} and {{field|Columns, Numbers|Max}} (inclusive) every time a variable requires a random number.
 Note: Unlike {{field|Columns, Numbers|Counter}}, {{field|Columns, Numbers|Random}} number generator produces a different number each time it is used, even if used multiple times for the same line.
 Note: {{field|Columns, Numbers|Random}} number generator expects the {{field|Columns, Numbers|Min}} to be less than {{field|Columns, Numbers|Max}}. If {{field|Columns, Numbers|Min}} is greater or equal to {{field|Columns, Numbers|Max}}, numbers between 0 and 4294967295 are generated.
 Optionally, {{field|Columns, Numbers|Modify non-empty lines only}} can be used to keep all {{defined|empty lines}} intact by this tool.
-Note: The {{field|Columns, Numbers|Preview}} option can be used to toggle on/off the {{field|Columns, Numbers|Preview pane}}. The {{field|Columns, Numbers|Preview pane}} shows a small portion of lines transformed by values currently set in the tool dialog. Be aware that the preview is always generated from the current selection. If there is no selection, then there is nothing to preview. Also, since only a small portion of the selection is used for preview, alignment of columns is computed for that portion only (excluding the rest of the selection), which may result in ''shorter'' lines.
+Note: The {{field|Columns, Numbers|Preview}} option can be used to toggle on/off {{field|Columns, Numbers|Preview pane}}. {{field|Columns, Numbers|Preview pane}} shows a small portion of lines transformed by values currently set in the tool dialog. Be aware that preview is always generated from the current selection. If there is no selection, then there is nothing to preview. Also, since only a small portion of the selection is used for preview, alignment of columns is computed for that portion only (excluding the rest of the selection), which may result in ''shorter'' lines.
 =====Cutting line portion=====
@@ Line 52: / Line 47: @@
 =====Examples=====
 {{example_start}}Example: