Note: This feature has essentially been replaced by the $input() identifier.

Description

The $? identifier is used to request immediate user-input. The values that you gather from this input can be used in a plethora of different ways, from designing games to requesting a user to kick on a channel.

Synopsis

$?="[Input Request Message]"

Displays an input box to get user-input. The "Input Request Message" is optional; if not specified, it is replaced by "Enter reply:"

Properties

There are three ways you can modify the intent of the requested data:

• $?="Give Me Input"

Displays an input request with the words 'Give Me Input' above the input box.

• $?*="Give Me Password"

Displays a password input request, in that the information the user inputs will be treated as a password field, therefore the characters will be replaced with password characters. The information is still displayed normally once the input is received.

• $?!="Give Me Input"

Displays an input request with a Yes & No button, with the words 'Give Me Input' above them.

- If you click Yes, the input returns $true, otherwise it returns $false, even if you don't click No and exit out other ways.

Examples

Below are three examples that display exactly how to use each individual property:

alias testme {
  echo -a $?="Type something for me"
}

Echoes whatever the user types into the input field to the active window.

alias testme {
  echo -a $?*="Enter Password:"
}

Does the same as the first example, except while the user is typing, the characters are replaced by password characters. The typed value, however, is visibly legible when it is echoed to the active window.

alias testme {
  echo -a $?!="Do you like chocolate?"
}

Pops up an input request asking if the user likes chocolate. If they click Yes, it echoes $true to the active window; otherwise, it echoes $false.