TIP #141 Version 1.1: Multiple Initial-Files in [tk_get*File]

This is not necessarily the current version of this TIP.

Abstract

This TIP proposes modifying the semantics of the -initialfile option when the [tk_get*File] commands are asked to select multiple files so as to allow several files to be selected initially.

Rationale

The [tk_getOpenFile] command has a -multiple option, which allows multiple files to be selected in the dialog. It also has an -initialfile argument. However, at the present time, at least on Unix, it is impossible to have multiple files selected initially with -initialfile. This TIP proposes that -initialfile take a list of files if -multiple is also passed as an argument.

As it is possible to select multiple files, it should also be possible to have multiple files be selected when the widget is created via the -initialfile switch.

An issue which must be carefully investigated before this proposal can be accepted is whether it is technically feasible on systems other than Unix (which the author has no access to).

Reference Implementation

The reference implementation exists in a patch available from:

http://sourceforge.net/tracker/?func=detail&aid=657656&group_id=12997&atid=362997

which also includes new tests for the Tk test suite. It does not contain updated documentation at this stage.

Copyright

This document is in the public domain.

This is not necessarily the current version of this TIP.