no tab key - auto completion - in bash

fredsmit · 2014-05-17 01:54:47

Why is the tab key not working in bash ?

MountainDewManiac · 2014-05-17 05:48:25

From the wealth of information you have provided, I have determined that it's because you're not hitting it hard enough.

If you feel that to be an incorrect diagnosis, maybe you could cough up a little more information. Distro? XFCE version? Bash version? 32- or 64-bit? Et cetera?

Or you could try pressing the tab key twice - that works for me (just checked and verified); perhaps it's seeing a single tab as just a tab and wants a "double-tab" (not to be confused with a double-tap, lol) to initiate the auto-complete routine, IDK.

[EDIT: Strange... I type ba, press the tab key, and have to press it a second time to get a list. But if I type ho, a single press of the tab key turns it into host - and then a second press gives me a list. That appears to be inconsistent behavior. I guess it's time for someone with considerably more brain cells than I have to step in (Toz?), because I've managed to confuse myself. Apologies.]
Regards,
MDM

Last edited by MountainDewManiac (2014-05-17 05:59:17)

ToZ · 2014-05-17 11:13:22

@fredsmit, make sure you have the bash-completion package installed and double-check that bash is currently your shell. In addition to what MDM has asked for, can you also provide an example?

@MountainDewManiac, as I understand it (and lets see if I can explain it), on the first press of the tab key, bash-completion completes to the point of choice, on the second press, it displays the list. For example, on my system, "ho" can potentially resolve to "hostid", "hostname", "hostnamectl". In all instances, the common part is "host", therefore, the first press will auto-complete to "host" (point of choice). The second press will display the list. In the case of "ba", the third letter differs ("bacman badblocks base64 basename bash bashbug"), therefore you are already at the point of choice and the first tab press will do nothing. The second will display the choices.

fredsmit · 2014-05-17 13:10:58

ubuntu 14-04 ; When I ssh to the server bash tab works ; the xterm bash started in xfce tab doesn't work - at all ; no matter how many times I tap it ;

simple as that;

fredsmit · 2014-05-17 13:24:07

(trusty)root@jade-rev4:~# cat /tmp/shit
ii gtk2-engines-xfce 3.0.1-2 powerpc GTK+-2.0 theme engine for Xfce
ii libxfce4ui-1-0 4.11.1-2ubuntu1 powerpc widget library for Xfce - Gtk+2 variant
ii libxfce4ui-common 4.11.1-2ubuntu1 all common files for libxfce4ui
ii libxfce4ui-utils 4.11.1-2ubuntu1 powerpc Utility files for libxfce4ui
ii libxfce4util-bin 4.10.1-1ubuntu1 powerpc tools for libxfce4util
ii libxfce4util-common 4.10.1-1ubuntu1 all common files for libxfce4util
ii libxfce4util6 4.10.1-1ubuntu1 powerpc Utility functions library for Xfce4
ii libxfcegui4-4 4.10.0-2 powerpc Basic GUI C functions for Xfce4
ii xfce-keyboard-shortcuts 4.11.1-2ubuntu1 all xfce keyboard shortcuts configuration (transitional package)
ii xfce4 4.10.1 all Meta-package for the Xfce Lightweight Desktop Environment
ii xfce4-appfinder 4.10.1-1 powerpc Application finder for the Xfce4 Desktop Environment
ii xfce4-artwork 0.1.1a~git+20110420-1 all additional artwork for the Xfce4 Desktop Environment
ii xfce4-battery-plugin 1.0.5-2ubuntu1 powerpc battery monitor plugin for the Xfce4 panel
ii xfce4-clipman 2:1.2.5-1 powerpc clipboard history utility
ii xfce4-clipman-plugin 2:1.2.5-1 powerpc clipboard history plugin for Xfce panel
ii xfce4-cpufreq-plugin 1.1.0-1 powerpc cpufreq information plugin for the Xfce4 panel
ii xfce4-cpugraph-plugin 1.0.5-1 powerpc CPU load graph plugin for the Xfce4 panel
ii xfce4-datetime-plugin 0.6.2-1ubuntu2 powerpc date and time plugin for the Xfce4 panel
ii xfce4-dict 0.7.0-1 powerpc Dictionary plugin for Xfce4 panel
ii xfce4-diskperf-plugin 2.5.4-2ubuntu1 powerpc disk performance display plugin for the Xfce4 panel
ii xfce4-fsguard-plugin 1.0.1-2ubuntu1 powerpc filesystem monitor plugin for the Xfce4 panel
ii xfce4-genmon-plugin 3.4.0-2 powerpc Generic Monitor for the Xfce4 panel
ii xfce4-goodies 4.10 powerpc enhancements for the Xfce4 Desktop Environment
ii xfce4-mailwatch-plugin 1.2.0-1 powerpc mail watcher plugin for the Xfce4 panel
ii xfce4-mixer 1:4.10.0-1ubuntu2 powerpc Xfce mixer application
ii xfce4-mount-plugin 0.6.4-2 powerpc mount plugin for the Xfce4 panel
ii xfce4-netload-plugin 1.2.0-1 powerpc network load monitor plugin for the Xfce4 panel
ii xfce4-notes 1.7.7-3ubuntu2 powerpc Notes application for the Xfce4 desktop
ii xfce4-notes-plugin 1.7.7-3ubuntu2 powerpc Notes plugin for the Xfce4 desktop
ii xfce4-notifyd 0.2.4-2 powerpc simple, visually-appealing notification daemon for Xfce
ii xfce4-panel 4.11.0-0ubuntu1 powerpc panel for Xfce4 desktop environment
ii xfce4-places-plugin 1.6.0-1ubuntu1 powerpc quick access to folders, documents and removable media
ii xfce4-power-manager 1.2.0-3ubuntu4 powerpc power manager for Xfce desktop
ii xfce4-power-manager-data 1.2.0-3ubuntu4 all power manager for Xfce desktop, arch-indep files
ii xfce4-quicklauncher-plugin 1.9.4-10ubuntu1 powerpc rapid launcher plugin for the Xfce4 panel
ii xfce4-screenshooter 1.8.1-2ubuntu1 powerpc screenshots utility for Xfce
ii xfce4-sensors-plugin 1.2.5-2 powerpc hardware sensors plugin for the Xfce4 panel
ii xfce4-session 4.10.1-3ubuntu5 powerpc Xfce4 Session Manager
ii xfce4-settings 4.11.2-1ubuntu2 powerpc graphical application for managing Xfce settings
ii xfce4-smartbookmark-plugin 0.4.5-1 powerpc search the web via the Xfce4 panel
ii xfce4-systemload-plugin 1:1.1.1-1ubuntu2 powerpc system load monitor plugin for the Xfce4 panel
ii xfce4-taskmanager 1.0.1-1 powerpc process manager for the Xfce4 Desktop Environment
ii xfce4-terminal 0.6.3-1ubuntu1 powerpc Xfce terminal emulator
ii xfce4-timer-plugin 1.5.0-1 powerpc timer plugin for Xfce panel
ii xfce4-verve-plugin 1.0.0-2ubuntu1 powerpc Verve (command line) plugin for Xfce panel
ii xfce4-volumed 0.2.0-0ubuntu1 powerpc volume keys daemon
ii xfce4-wavelan-plugin 0.5.11-2ubuntu1 powerpc wavelan status plugin for the Xfce4 panel
ii xfce4-weather-plugin 0.8.3-1 powerpc weather information plugin for the Xfce4 panel
ii xfce4-xkb-plugin 1:0.7.0-0ubuntu2 powerpc xkb layout switch plugin for the Xfce4 panel
ii xfdesktop4 4.11.6-1ubuntu1 powerpc xfce desktop background, icons and root menu manager
ii xfdesktop4-data 4.11.6-1ubuntu1 all xfce desktop background, icons and root menu (common files)

fredsmit · 2014-05-17 14:15:11

The xterm turd uses tab to switch to the next xterm ; and there is no way to configure the behavior ;

Last edited by fredsmit (2014-05-17 16:29:50)

ToZ · 2014-05-17 17:02:55

xterm is a terminal emulator that ships with X window system (xorg). xfce4-terminal is the terminal emulator that ships with Xfce. Can you confirm which one you are using?

If it is xfce4-terminal, and the tab key is moving you to the next terminal tab, have a look at the menu. Next to the "Next Tab" and "Previous Tab" menu entries, is "tab" shown as the shortcut accelerator? If so, follow the instructions here to change that accelerator. I believe the defaults are Ctrl+PgUp for Previous and Ctrl+PgDn for Next.

fredsmit · 2014-05-18 14:00:29

xfce4-terminal ; There is no reason xfce4-terminal should use the tab to change window focus to another xfce4-terminal;

fredsmit · 2014-05-18 14:15:13

ToZ wrote:

xterm is a terminal emulator that ships with X window system (xorg). xfce4-terminal is the terminal emulator that ships with Xfce. Can you confirm which one you are using?
If it is xfce4-terminal, and the tab key is moving you to the next terminal tab, have a look at the menu. Next to the "Next Tab" and "Previous Tab" menu entries, is "tab" shown as the shortcut accelerator? If so, follow the instructions here to change that accelerator. I believe the defaults are Ctrl+PgUp for Previous and Ctrl+PgDn for Next.

Those directions point to : http://docs.xfce.org/xfce/xfce4-setting … nd_buttons

There is no configuration menu for this action on the desktop;

ToZ · 2014-05-18 15:42:07

Those directions point to : http://docs.xfce.org/xfce/xfce4-setting … nd_buttons

Yes. The section of interest is titled "Enable editable accelerators".

There is no configuration menu for this action on the desktop;

Here is how to do it:

1. Settings Manager >> Appearance >> Settings Tab >> check the "Enable editable accelerators" checkbox.
2. With xfce4-terminal open, at least one extra tab enabled, and the menubar visible, hover your mouse over the "Previous tab" menu entry and press the backspace key (this should delete the shortcut).
3. With the mouse still hovering over the "Previous tab" menu entry, press another menu shortcut (if you want one).
4. Repeat for the "Next tab" menu entry.

fredsmit · 2014-05-18 21:20:45

ToZ wrote:

Those directions point to : http://docs.xfce.org/xfce/xfce4-setting … nd_buttons
Yes. The section of interest is titled "Enable editable accelerators".
There is no configuration menu for this action on the desktop;
Here is how to do it:
1. Settings Manager >> Appearance >> Settings Tab >> check the "Enable editable accelerators" checkbox.
2. With xfce4-terminal open, at least one extra tab enabled, and the menubar visible, hover your mouse over the "Previous tab" menu entry and press the backspace key (this should delete the shortcut).
3. With the mouse still hovering over the "Previous tab" menu entry, press another menu shortcut (if you want one).
4. Repeat for the "Next tab" menu entry.

There is no"manager " choice under the "settings " pulldown.

Why is a terminal program doing what the window manager does .. changing focus using tab key. And why does the default behaviour have it turned on?

Under the "ab " pulldown for the terminal program.. the choices are shaded out.

ToZ · 2014-05-19 00:06:47

fredsmit wrote:

There is no"manager " choice under the "settings " pulldown.

Settings Manager
---> Appearance
--------> Settings Tab
------------> "Enable editable accelerators"
(or Alt+F2 and run):

xfce4-appearance-settings

...and look on the "Settings" tab.

Why is a terminal program doing what the window manager does .. changing focus using tab key.

I don't know. Its not the default. Perhaps the distro you use changed it?

Under the "ab " pulldown for the terminal program.. the choices are shaded out.

Make sure you have at least one tab open to enable them.

fredsmit · 2014-05-19 12:46:57

ToZ wrote:

fredsmit wrote:
There is no"manager " choice under the "settings " pulldown.
Settings Manager
---> Appearance
--------> Settings Tab
------------> "Enable editable accelerators"
(or Alt+F2 and run):
xfce4-appearance-settings
...and look on the "Settings" tab.
Why is a terminal program doing what the window manager does .. changing focus using tab key.
I don't know. Its not the default. Perhaps the distro you use changed it?
Under the "ab " pulldown for the terminal program.. the choices are shaded out.

Make sure you have at least one tab open to enable them.

I found this appearance stting . After I enabled that setting and closing the utility I don't see the behaviour changed..

This doesn't answer why the terminal widow is doing this behaviour .

fredsmit · 2014-05-19 13:24:03

I installed xfce on another server and the terminal window accepts no input ; When it is launched stdin is ignored;

ToZ · 2014-05-19 14:01:58

fredsmit wrote:

I found this appearance stting . After I enabled that setting and closing the utility I don't see the behaviour changed..

After the setting is enabled, you need to also (as per a previous post):

2. With xfce4-terminal open, at least one extra tab enabled, and the menubar visible, hover your mouse over the "Previous tab" menu entry and press the backspace key (this should delete the shortcut).
3. With the mouse still hovering over the "Previous tab" menu entry, press another menu shortcut (if you want one).
4. Repeat for the "Next tab" menu entry.

fredsmit · 2014-05-19 14:12:19

fredsmit wrote:

ToZ wrote:
Those directions point to : http://docs.xfce.org/xfce/xfce4-setting … nd_buttons
Yes. The section of interest is titled "Enable editable accelerators".
There is no configuration menu for this action on the desktop;
Here is how to do it:
1. Settings Manager >> Appearance >> Settings Tab >> check the "Enable editable accelerators" checkbox.
2. With xfce4-terminal open, at least one extra tab enabled, and the menubar visible, hover your mouse over the "Previous tab" menu entry and press the backspace key (this should delete the shortcut).
3. With the mouse still hovering over the "Previous tab" menu entry, press another menu shortcut (if you want one).
4. Repeat for the "Next tab" menu entry.

There is no"manager " choice under the "settings " pulldown.

Why is a terminal program doing what the window manager does .. changing focus using tab key. And why does the default behaviour have it turned on?
Under the "ab " pulldown for the terminal program.. the choices are shaded out.

2. With xfce4-terminal open, at least one extra tab enabled, and the menubar visible, hover your mouse over the "Previous tab" menu entry and press the backspace key (this should delete the shortcut).
3. With the mouse still hovering over the "Previous tab" menu entry, press another menu shortcut (if you want one).
4. Repeat for the "Next tab" menu entry.

None of this works; "Hovering " over the shaded "Previous Tab" does nothing;

ToZ · 2014-05-19 15:59:28

"hover your mouse over the "Previous tab" menu entry and press the backspace key (this should delete the shortcut)."

fredsmit · 2014-05-20 13:25:01

ToZ wrote:

"hover your mouse over the "Previous tab" menu entry and press the backspace key (this should delete the shortcut)."

No change ;

fredsmit · 2014-05-22 23:27:01

I installed Roxterm and it behaves the same way and the tab can't be disabled in that either

leomcsnarf · 2014-07-07 01:35:51

For some reason... you need to do these few steps... it doesn't make sense, but do it. Okay...

#1 settings manager/window manager, clear shortcut for "switch window for same application"
#2 $ sudo apt-get --purge remove bash-completion
#3 $ sudo apt-get install bash-completion

It should now work. It does seem that for apt-get install it doesn't want to autocomplete, maybe so you don't install things you don't mean to and you have to know what application that you want to be installing, but it does work for installed applications. This is something that put me off a little too. There are a few thing tweaks you need to make to Xfce but all desktop environments are like that and I love how smooth Xfce is...

Champal · 2014-10-29 11:29:57

Hi, old post but this can help other people.

CTRL+i works like TAB for autocomplete

And to disable terminal switchnig : Source edwinorc @ http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php? … st11107297

I accidentally discovered a fix for this while trying to solve a different problem.
edit
~/.config/xfce4/xfconf/xfce-perchannel-xml/xfce4-keyboard-shortcuts.xml
find the line
<property name="<Super>Tab" type="string" value="switch_window_key"/>
and change it to
<property name="<Super>Tab" type="empty"/>
reboot or whatever and then tab will work properly!
I have no idea why but when using vnc this file seems to override tab's normal behaviour and makes it into a switch window key.

Champal

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#1 2014-05-17 01:54:47

no tab key - auto completion - in bash

#2 2014-05-17 05:48:25

Re: no tab key - auto completion - in bash

#3 2014-05-17 11:13:22

Re: no tab key - auto completion - in bash

#4 2014-05-17 13:10:58

Re: no tab key - auto completion - in bash

#5 2014-05-17 13:24:07

Re: no tab key - auto completion - in bash

#6 2014-05-17 14:15:11

Re: no tab key - auto completion - in bash

#7 2014-05-17 17:02:55

Re: no tab key - auto completion - in bash

#8 2014-05-18 14:00:29

Re: no tab key - auto completion - in bash

#9 2014-05-18 14:15:13

Re: no tab key - auto completion - in bash

#10 2014-05-18 15:42:07

Re: no tab key - auto completion - in bash

#11 2014-05-18 21:20:45

Re: no tab key - auto completion - in bash

#12 2014-05-19 00:06:47

Re: no tab key - auto completion - in bash

#13 2014-05-19 12:46:57

Re: no tab key - auto completion - in bash

#14 2014-05-19 13:24:03

Re: no tab key - auto completion - in bash

#15 2014-05-19 14:01:58

Re: no tab key - auto completion - in bash

#16 2014-05-19 14:12:19

Re: no tab key - auto completion - in bash

#17 2014-05-19 15:59:28

Re: no tab key - auto completion - in bash

#18 2014-05-20 13:25:01

Re: no tab key - auto completion - in bash

#19 2014-05-22 23:27:01

Re: no tab key - auto completion - in bash

#20 2014-07-07 01:35:51

Re: no tab key - auto completion - in bash

#21 2014-10-29 11:29:57

Re: no tab key - auto completion - in bash

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