Syntax for entering multiple tasks in the Add box

[Duncan Lock]

I propose a syntax for adding multiple tasks in one go via the Add box:

Task One|Task Two|task3|Task Last

I propose that entering the above text into the Add box and pressing Enter or clicking 'Add' should create 4 new tasks, called:

Task One
Task Two
task3
Task Last

This syntax would allow power users to add multiple tasks more quickly and efficiently - but doesn't require any extra UI, so won't clutter the interface, confuse new users or be onerous to implement.

[Pititjo (jonathan-barnoud)]

Le mardi 31 mars 2009 à 19:27 +0000, Duncan Lock a écrit :
> Public bug reported:
>
> I propose a syntax for adding multiple tasks in one go via the Add box:
>
> Task One|Task Two|task3|Task Last
>
> I propose that entering the above text into the Add box and pressing
> Enter or clicking 'Add' should create 4 new tasks, called:
>
> Task One
> Task Two
> task3
> Task Last
>
> This syntax would allow power users to add multiple tasks more quickly
> and efficiently - but doesn't require any extra UI, so won't clutter the
> interface, confuse new users or be onerous to implement.
>
> ** Affects: gtg
> Importance: Undecided
> Status: New
>

Task One<return>Task Two<return>Task 3<return>Last Task is not longer as
what you propose.

I don't think it's hard to implement that but I don't see the use. Can
you develop your idea ?

[Lionel Dricot (ploum-deactivatedaccount)]

I believe that Duncan wants to be able to do : "Parent >> child1|child 2", am I wrong ? ;-)

Anyway, we should be sure that "|" is not too frequent to be reserved (and once again see how it plays with other rules).

Duncan > Pitijo is becoming the quickadd bar master so if you convince him, it might be enough.

[Duncan Lock (dunc)]

The idea for this wishlist/bug was to suggest using a pipe char to separate multiple tasks in the Add box. The purpose of the other one (https://bugs.launchpad.net/gtg/+bug/352686) was to suggest using '>>' to append subtasks to a task, via the Add box. I was going for one feature = one bug, but maybe these should be amalgamated into one Add box syntax bug/wishlist?

Anyway, I tried to stick with established command line norms for the syntax, with one eye on using chars that probably won't occur in task titles very often. This was why I suggested '>>' for subtasks rather than '>' or '-'. Both of those would probably occur in task titles at least occasionally, and '>>' is unix for append. It seems unlikely to me that lots of people are using either '>>' or '|' in task titles very often (if ever) and even if they are, would probably be willing to change in exchange for this functionality - I know I would, if I was using them (which I'm not).

Ideally these features would both be implemented, so that entering this into the Add bar:

Task One>>Sub Task One>>Sub Task Two|Task 2|Task Three>>Subtask One|Task-the-last

would create the following tasks and subtasks, all in one go:

Task One
    - Sub Task One
    - Sub Task Two
Task 2
Task Three
    - Subtask One
Task-the-last

If people are feeling adventurous, then adding tags would be nice too, so that this input:

Task One@follow-up>>Sub Task One@pr>>Sub Task Two|Task 2|Task Three>>Subtask One|Task-the-last@personal

creates these tasks, with the indicated tags attached:

Task One @follow-up
    - Sub Task One @follow-up, @pr
    - Sub Task Two @follow-up
Task 2
Task Three
    - Subtask One
Task-the-last @personal

Note the tag inheritance to subtasks, with additional tags also applied.

[Matthew Rasmus (mrasmus)]

I tried this out and pushed a branch for it--by itself, this feature doesn't feel that useful, but combined with some other syntax ideas I can see potential for it. I've opened up a bug report dealing with overall quick add syntax issues (bug #509761).

[Duncan Lock (dunc)]

I haven't really thought this through, so this is just off the top of my
head, but it seems like this might also make a nice command line feature?
Maybe the compact syntax would be a nice way to poke new tasks into GTG via
the command line?

2010/1/19 Matthew Rasmus <email address hidden>

> I tried this out and pushed a branch for it--by itself, this feature
> doesn't feel that useful, but combined with some other syntax ideas I
> can see potential for it. I've opened up a bug report dealing with
> overall quick add syntax issues (bug #509761).
>
> --
> Syntax for entering multiple tasks in the Add box
> https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/352637
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> of the bug.
>