Need to get TAB key bind to Word Completion and have it insert TAB character.

General Discussions
#1

Before on my old computer using an older Eclipse IDE, I was able to use TAB key to alternate between Word Completion and insert TAB character. It was pretty much the same as Visual Studio, and I love it. Now, I lost that older version, downloaded the latest IDE, and was dumbfounded by the lack of TAB characters and multiple Windows alert sounds. It used to be TAB for Word Completion after Content Assist pops up, and then TAB for TAB characters while editing text, with no Content Assist popping up.

Seriously, this is unproductive for me. It’s like a sushi chef has lost its taste of sashimi, an artist who lost its sense of art, and an athlete who felt a muscle is feeling wrongly.

Where can I find alternatives? Plugins, other Java IDE with TAB characters and TAB key bound to Word Completion, anything. I am so used to Visual Studio’s TAB Word Completion + TAB character, if I separate from it, I’d be dying in my own arms.

I’m breaking down guys. Please help me. I beg anyone! :’( :’( :’(

#2

I’m confused- what does your tab key do now?

In my eclipse, tab inserts a tab character when you’re typing, and when an autocomplete window pops up, tab switches the that window, then hitting it again expands the javadoc of whatever suggestion is highlighted, and then scrolls down in that javadoc.

What do you want it to do instead?

#3

I am still fumbling around with the Keys in the Preferences. TAB key is inserting TAB characters as normal.

Currently, I need to unbind TAB key from Word Completion, in order for TAB key to work normally. (Inserting TAB characters.) But, Word Completion is something I always use. I habitually type TAB to get it to complete a word, and I don’t know any other keys that could work with Word Completion without affecting its original behavior.

#4

I don’t think I’m understanding you correctly, but tab is for… well tabbing code over, and the spacebar is the default way of auto-completing words.

#5

I am at a loss of words right now.

Let me sit here, and ponder about life.

#6

We… were you just looking for the auto-complete key? xD

#7

@tom_mai78101 / opiop65

IDK, I feel like there was at least one version of eclipse that would auto complete instead of tab if it knew it could auto complete instead. If there was I’m pretty sure it’s Helios, but I could very well be wrong.

#8

Yes, regrettably.

#9

I don’t know if this is the default key or I have customized, Ctrl + Space.

#10

It’s the default.

Ctrl+space autocompletes. Ctrl+I autoformats.

I habitually Ctrl+A, Ctrl+I, Ctrl+S pretty much every time I write a line of code.