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INTRODUCTION

 

Many programs allow the user to search through text, be it a text file, a collection of email messages, or a web page. Sometimes one has the text for which to search in one program (e.g. in a mail message) while the text in which to search is in a different program (e.g. a text editor or a web browser). While one can usually copy the search string from the source program and paste it into the destination program, it is even more convenient if the programs can share this text directly. The Search Parameter Sharing Protocol (XSearch) provides a simple way to share both the search string and the replace string, thereby replacing the sequence:

 

  1. Go to program #1

  2. Copy text

  3. Go to program #3

  4. Open search dialog

  5. Paste text into search string input field

  6. Go to program #2

  7. Copy text

  8. Go to program #3

  9. Open search dialog

  10. Paste text into replace string input field

  11. Search

 

with the must shorter sequence:

 

  1. Go to program #1

  2. Use selection as search string

  3. Go to program #2

  4. Use selection as replace string

  5. Go to program #3

  6. Search

 

Many text editors already provide this convenience between windows within the application. The XSearch protocol can be viewed as an extension of this ability to work with all windows on the desktop.

 

Note that Mac OS X also provides this feature for all native applications.

 

Table of Contents
 

 

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