Proposed changes to empty command handling in JDB

[Alan Bateman]

On 28/08/2021 18:59, Jakob Cornell wrote:
> Hi Alan,
>
> Yes, this is just the empty command handling.  I am personally 
> interested in Jline integration, but Chris is skeptical about the 
> review prospects for that, and since he's been helping me through the 
> process I've limited the present work.  Maybe now that the patch for 
> empty command handling is done (for now) I'll look into prototyping 
> Jline integration.  I believe that would need a separate JBS ticket, 
> and a separate PR once ready, and we probably want to kick off a new 
> thread here since the present subject lines don't mention Jline.

Okay, I just checking as improving the line editing experience would go 
a long way to improve the overall usability and bring it closer to the 
jshell experience. At the same time, most developers will use IDEs and 
other tools for debugging and probably only rarely use jdb. Aside from 
the JDK tests, the number of direct users of jdb may be small, perhaps 
only as a simple tool for debugging/diagnostics when accessing remote 
systems. So not opposed to just focusing on have a way for empty lines 
repeat the command, I'm just pointing out that there are larger 
usability issues.

As requires JBS issues, PR, and CSRs, then I view the currently 
discussion as mostly in exploratory phase right now. The extent of the 
changes with the prototypes will help building consensus on a direction.

-Alan.