New command, "Select to Bracket", that will select the text between ...

[user3323]

• VSCode Version: 1.21.0-ins
• OS Version: win7x64

https://code.visualstudio.com/updates/v1_20#_select-text-while-jumping-between-brackets
tells us:

There is a new command, Select to Bracket, that will select the text between two matching brackets (as opposed to the already existing command, Go to Bracket, which only moves the cursor to the matching bracket).

I'm not an expert in English, but I think "between two matching brackets" means, that brackets (parenthesis, etc.) should be excluded from this selection...

.. shouldn't they?

[alexdima]

I don't know what would be best, to select the brackets or not...

This came in as PR #39066 from @afonsobspinto

[afonsobspinto]

Hey. That's a great question. We faced the same one.
We ended up opting to select the brackets too since it was @chrisdavies's preference in the PR #28163

I vote for selecting the brackets as well. I'm often trying to yank code, which generally includes the brackets.

I should try to add support for multicursors soon, so let me know if you want me to change the behavior too.

[user3323]

@alexandrudima

how about to make an option?

1. with brackets
2. without brackets

[alexdima]

We could add an argument to the command implementation.

It would be definable in keybindings.json like e.g.:

	{
		"key": "shift+cmd+\\",
		"command": "editor.action.selectToBracket",
		"args": { "selectBrackets": false }
	}

Those would be available in the last argument (not used now) for the run method:

public abstract run(accessor: ServicesAccessor, editor: ICodeEditor, args: any): void | TPromise<void>;

https://github.com/Microsoft/vscode/blob/1633d0959a33c1ba0169618280a0edb30d1ddcc3/src/vs/editor/contrib/bracketMatching/bracketMatching.ts#L61

[kanlukasz]

Is it possible to select without brackets now?
I looking for solution for selection without brackets because it's really useful.

Example - CSS rules sorting:

Step 1 - Select all without brackets
Step 2 - Run command - Sort lines Asc.

Above scenario is impossible right now :(

Ps. label smart-select should be added to this ticket i think :)

[serend1p1ty]

Let's say that there is a command called selectBracket.
Then selectBracket ( select the text between brackets does not include brackets themself.
selectBracket ) select the text between brackets include brackets themself.

[jsejcksn]

You might be interested in Shrink/Expand Selection

[yisibl]

@alexandrudima @afonsobspinto Do you have the opportunity to support this?

I want the behavior of selectToBracket to continue to expand(editor.action.smartSelect.grow) like Smart selection.

[alexdima]

There is now a new argument to the command, which can be used via keybindings.json, e.g.:

{
	"key": "shift+cmd+\\",
	"command": "editor.action.selectToBracket",
	"args": { "selectBrackets": false }
}

[ReaperTech]

Does anyone know - is there a shortcut key for editor.action.selectToBracket ? When I search through Keyboard Shortcuts it is not listed.

[kanlukasz]

From what i know they didn't add this but it's not a problem because you can make your own shortcut:

{
    "key": "ctrl+shift+'",
    "command": "editor.action.selectToBracket",
    "args": {
        "selectBrackets": false
    }
}

[ReaperTech]

From what i know they didn't add this but it's not a problem because you can make your own shortcut:

{
    "key": "ctrl+shift+'",
    "command": "editor.action.selectToBracket",
    "args": {
        "selectBrackets": false
    }
}

Thanks @kanlukasz ! If anyone reading this wants to know where you place this text ->
press ctrl+shift+p and type Preferences: Open Keyboard Shortcuts, select the Open Keyboard Shortcuts (JSON) icon top right and add it in there.

https://code.visualstudio.com/docs/getstarted/keybindings#_advanced-customization