Is there a way to create custom auto completing text boxes(framework) in smalltalk ?

[Narender Sharma]

Is there a way to create custom auto completing text boxes(framework) in smalltalk ?

These text boxes could have the capability to give a number of suggestions in drop down OR in the same text box highlighting the best fit.

What I am looking for is a framework that can be reused by all.

Thanks!

[Marten Feldtmann]

try to create your own one:

1) Create a new window

2) Place a ComboBox on that window
     Settings: stayDroppedDown to true

3) Create a new method with one parameter: e.g "checkEntryString:"

4) Connect event "entryObject" via "Event To Script .." to the method created above (3)

5) The missing parameter in the connection created in (4) should be connected to attribute "entryObject" of your ComboBox created in (2)

6) Connect NormalResult of your connection (created in 4) to attribute "items" of your ComboBox.

Now write/fill the method checkEntryString: with the logic you want and this method should always create an OrderedCollection of Strings and returns this collection as the result.

That's it.

[Marten Feldtmann]

Ok, the ComboBox is not the way (or you have to make it a little bit but more complicated), but using "DataEntry" object and a "List" will do it ...

[Marten Feldtmann]

Here is the code for an example ...

[Narender Sharma]

Thanks Marten, this is a good example but I was looking for something built into the language itself. I would like to see this as the property of the widgets (that can be edited e.g. text, table(cells) etc...) and some placeholders that needs to be filled in to suit the need of the application. It should support both a drop down (with all suggestions ) and best suggestion (without drop down). For reference we can see the search box of Google. You will find a drop down as well as best suggestion (gray colored test in the text box). May be I am asking too much but that's what I was looking for.

Again thanks for sending a working example.

Thanks!