[Linux] C Shell (csh) complete usage: Complete command line arguments

Overview

The complete command in C Shell (csh) is used to specify how command-line arguments should be completed automatically. This feature enhances the user experience by allowing for faster and more efficient command entry.

Usage

The basic syntax of the complete command is as follows:

complete [options] [arguments]

Common Options

• -c: Specifies the command for which you want to set completion.
• -d: Defines a list of directories for completion.
• -f: Allows completion of filenames.
• -n: Sets a condition for when the completion should occur.
• -s: Specifies a short option for the command.

Common Examples

Here are some practical examples of how to use the complete command:

Example 1: Basic Command Completion

To set up completion for a custom command called mycmd:

complete -c mycmd -f

Example 2: Directory Completion

To enable completion for a command that requires directory paths:

complete -c mydircmd -d

Example 3: Filename Completion

To allow filename completion for a command:

complete -c filecmd -f

Example 4: Conditional Completion

To set up completion that only occurs when a specific condition is met:

complete -c mycmd -n '[[ $status == 0 ]]'

Tips

• Always test your completion settings to ensure they work as expected.
• Use the -n option wisely to create context-sensitive completions.
• Consider combining options for more complex completion scenarios.
• Regularly review your completion settings to keep them relevant as your command usage evolves.