How to get started with linefeed in a Rust CLI project?

Add 'linefeed = "0.6"' to your Cargo.toml dependencies and use the API to create a reader instance. Run the demo with 'cargo run --example demo' to see basic functionality and explore the API documentation for details.

linefeed or rustyline for Rust terminal apps?

linefeed offers better inputrc compatibility and concurrent design, while rustyline might have more complete GNU Readline support. Choose linefeed if configurability and cross-platform consistency are key, or rustyline for closer GNU Readline parity and potentially more features.

Does linefeed support tab completion?

Yes, linefeed supports tab completion as part of its command set, and you can customize it through the API. However, the implementation might not cover all GNU Readline completion behaviors, so check the documentation for specifics.

Can I use linefeed on Windows without issues?

Yes, linefeed is designed for cross-platform support and works on Windows console environments. It checks for inputrc files in %APPDATA%\linefeed\inputrc on Windows, as mentioned in the README.

How to add custom key bindings in linefeed?

Use the API to define new commands or modify existing ones by registering bindings. Refer to the API documentation for examples on command registration and binding sequences to achieve custom input behavior.

Is linefeed thread-safe for multi-threaded applications?

Yes, linefeed is built with concurrency in mind and handles input operations efficiently in concurrent contexts, as highlighted in its design philosophy for smooth integration in multi-threaded apps.

Open-Awesome

linefeed

Apache-2.0Rust

A configurable, concurrent, extensible, interactive line reader for Unix terminals and Windows console.

GitHub

194 stars19 forks0 contributors

What is linefeed?

`linefeed` is a Rust library that provides an interactive line reader for terminal applications, enabling configurable and extensible input handling. It solves the problem of building command-line interfaces with advanced line-editing features, history management, and cross-platform support.

Target Audience

Rust developers building terminal applications, command-line tools, or REPLs that require interactive input with line-editing capabilities.

Value Proposition

Developers choose `linefeed` for its Rust-native implementation, compatibility with GNU Readline commands and configuration files, and its concurrent, extensible design that simplifies adding interactive input to terminal applications.

Overview

Configurable, extensible, interactive line reader

Use Cases

Best For

Building REPLs (Read-Eval-Print Loops) in Rust
Adding GNU Readline-like line editing to CLI tools
Creating terminal applications with configurable key bindings
Developing cross-platform command-line interfaces
Implementing input history and completion in terminal apps
Extending terminal input handling with custom commands

Not Ideal For

Applications that require every GNU Readline command for legacy compatibility or advanced editing features.
Teams looking for out-of-the-box terminal UI components without managing input configuration files.
Projects where minimizing external configuration (like inputrc files) is a priority for user simplicity.

Pros & Cons

Pros

Flexible Key Bindings

Supports binding key sequences to commands, including many GNU Readline commands, enabling highly configurable input handling as stated in the README.

Readline Config Compatibility

Interprets standard GNU Readline inputrc files from environment variables or system paths, making adoption easy for users familiar with Readline.

Cross-Platform Operation

Works on both Unix terminals and Windows console environments, ensuring broad applicability for terminal applications.

Concurrent Input Handling

Designed for efficient operation in concurrent applications, enabling smooth input in multi-threaded contexts as per its philosophy.

Cons

Incomplete Command Set

Does not implement all GNU Readline commands, which can limit applications requiring specific advanced features, as admitted in the README.

Configuration Overhead

Requires setting up inputrc files or programmatic configuration, adding complexity compared to libraries with more default behaviors.

Early Development Stage

Being version 0.6, the API may undergo breaking changes, posing a risk for long-term stability in production projects.

Open Source Alternative To

linefeed is an open-source alternative to the following products:

GNU Readline

GNU Readline is a library for command-line interfaces that provides line editing, history, and tab completion features for interactive programs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Projects

ratatui-org/ratatui

A Rust crate for cooking up terminal user interfaces (TUIs) 👨‍🍳🐀 https://ratatui.rs

Stars21,628

Forks713

Last commit6 days ago

clap-rs

A full featured, fast Command Line Argument Parser for Rust

Stars16,567

Forks1,208

Last commit4 days ago

indicatif

A command line progress reporting library for Rust

Stars5,183

Forks281

Last commit5 days ago

Cursive

A Text User Interface library for the Rust programming language

Stars4,828

Forks267

Last commit1 day ago

Community-curated · Updated weekly · 100% open source

Found a gem we're missing?

Open-Awesome is built by the community, for the community. Submit a project, suggest an awesome list, or help improve the catalog on GitHub.

Submit a project Star on GitHub