[GHC] #13437: Easier editing of multi-line GHCi-commands

[GHC]

#13437: Easier editing of multi-line GHCi-commands
-------------------------------------+-------------------------------------
           Reporter:  fredefox       |             Owner:  (none)
               Type:  feature        |            Status:  new
  request                            |
           Priority:  normal         |         Milestone:
          Component:  Compiler       |           Version:  8.0.1
           Keywords:                 |  Operating System:  Unknown/Multiple
       Architecture:                 |   Type of failure:  None/Unknown
  Unknown/Multiple                   |
          Test Case:                 |        Blocked By:
           Blocking:                 |   Related Tickets:
Differential Rev(s):                 |         Wiki Page:
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 In my terminal emulator I can write something like:

 {{{
 cat > /dev/null << EOF
 bla
 bla
 bla
 EOF
 }}}

 If I later want to edit something in this command I can recall the command
 from history and I can navigate to the line I want to change. In GHCi this
 is not possible, the history only recalls *one line* at a time. It would
 be nice if it recognized commands entered using {{{ :{ ... }: }}} and
 would give you that whole command when recalling commands from the
 history.

 Also, it would be very handy if doing e.g. Shift+Enter would insert a
 newline into your multi-line command rather than run the command.

 Furthermore, it could also serve as a handy shortcut for engaging the
 multi-line command mode. So say you were sitting at the prompt {{{ > }}}
 and you then hit enter, then GHCi moves to a new-line but has inserted the
 {{{ :{ }}} part for you, it could similarly close the command for you when
 you hit Enter (without holding down the modifier key).

 I believe this change would make GHCi's multi-line command mode way more
 useful. Currently I very seldomly (if ever) use GHCi for anything other
 than one-liners. This means that I usually have to edit the source-file
 I'm currently working on to put things into scope (or try and formulate a
 long and awkward expression).

--
Ticket URL: <http://ghc.haskell.org/trac/ghc/ticket/13437>
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