Re: [StrongED] Re: Regular Search and Replace on a key?

[Gavin Wraith <gavin@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

In message <4464d2e150.pnyoung@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> you wrote:

> Hang on a moment! It changes the slash before html to a dot, but also
> the slashes after http: to dots. Over to Gavin again, I think.

Yup! This was the force of my remark "For the script we need to know
to which strings in your StrongED window you want to apply the function".

The script submitted was written to alter all strings.

This little scenario is very typical of just about every problem to
do with text-handling (and not just text-handling). People rattle
off (no insult intended - it is very good that they are prepared to)
a request for software to do something, without stopping to think
whether they have fully specified what it is they actually want.
This is what makes systems-analysis much harder than programming.
The programming bit is easy. It is getting people to express
themselves adequately that is difficult.

So, if you want a script to switch slashes and dots you have to start
specifying the circumstances in which you want it to happen. This
specification process usually involves an extended dialogue, as each
person slowly comes to understand the other. I think it is fun, and
educational for all concerned.

Of course, the script is nothing other than a condensed way of writing
the specification. In that respect the programming part is trivial.

So, over to somebody else. Your specifications are my commands!

-- 
Gavin Wraith (gavin@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx)
Home page: http://www.wra1th.plus.com/

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