Stories with Tag data manipulation

• Nebu: A Spreadsheet Editor for Varvara

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  Posted: 2025-03-02 03:06:39

  Verbose tl;dr

  Nebu is a minimalist spreadsheet editor designed for Varvara, a unique computer system. It focuses on simplicity and efficiency, utilizing a keyboard-driven interface with limited mouse interaction. Features include basic spreadsheet operations like calculations, cell formatting, and navigation. Nebu embraces a "less is more" philosophy, aiming to provide a distraction-free environment for working with numerical data within the constraints of Varvara's hardware and software ecosystem. It prioritizes performance and responsiveness over complex features, striving for a smooth and intuitive user experience.

  This wiki post details the development of "Nebu," a custom spreadsheet editor crafted specifically for the Varvara computer system. Varvara, being a unique computing environment emphasizing minimalism and interconnectedness, necessitates software tailored to its particular constraints and philosophies. Nebu aims to provide spreadsheet functionality within this context, prioritizing a seamless integration with the broader Varvara ecosystem.

  The post outlines Nebu's core features and design principles. Central to its operation is the concept of "cells," fundamental units holding data which can be referenced and manipulated through formulas. These formulas utilize a simplified syntax designed for clarity and ease of use within Varvara's restricted input methods. The post highlights the editor's capability to perform basic arithmetic operations, employing a stack-based calculation model reminiscent of Reverse Polish Notation (RPN). Furthermore, Nebu supports referencing cells across multiple sheets, facilitating complex calculations and data relationships within the spreadsheet.

  The development process is documented, emphasizing the iterative nature of building Nebu. The post discusses initial prototyping and subsequent refinements, including the implementation of features like cell formatting and navigation. Technical aspects, such as memory management and data structures, are also touched upon, providing insight into the challenges of creating efficient software within Varvara's resource-constrained environment.

  The overall goal, as conveyed in the post, is not to replicate the extensive feature set of conventional spreadsheet applications, but rather to offer a focused and efficient tool tailored to Varvara’s specific needs. This involves a careful balancing act between functionality and simplicity, ensuring the editor remains usable and performant within the system's limitations. The post suggests a continued evolution of Nebu, with potential future enhancements hinted at, while maintaining its core philosophy of streamlined spreadsheet editing within the unique paradigm of the Varvara system.

  • spreadsheet
  • Editor
  • varvara
  • nebu
  • xxiivv
  • plan9
  • acme
  • Text-based
  • command-line
  • tui
  • terminal
  • Spreadsheet Software
  • data manipulation
  • Data Analysis

  Summary of Comments ( 12 )
  https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43226792

  Verbose tl;dr

  Hacker News users discuss Nebu, a spreadsheet editor designed for the Varvara computer. Several commenters express interest in the project, particularly its minimalist aesthetic and novel approach to spreadsheet interaction. Some question the practicality and target audience, given Varvara's niche status. There's discussion about the potential benefits of a simplified interface and the limitations of traditional spreadsheet software. A few users compare Nebu to other minimalist or unconventional spreadsheet tools and speculate about its potential for broader adoption. Several also inquire about the specifics of its implementation and integration with Varvara's unique operating system. Overall, the comments reflect a mixture of curiosity, skepticism, and cautious optimism about Nebu's potential.

  The Hacker News post titled "Nebu: A Spreadsheet Editor for Varvara" generated several comments discussing the project's unique approach, potential uses, and limitations.

  Several commenters expressed intrigue at Nebu's minimalist design and its integration with the Varvara operating system. They appreciated the focus on simplicity and the potential for a distraction-free environment. The fact that Nebu utilizes a plain text format was seen as a positive, offering potential interoperability and version control benefits. Some drew parallels to other text-based spreadsheet tools, like sc-im, and discussed how Nebu could improve upon existing options.

  The conversation also touched upon the nature of "live programming" within spreadsheets. Some users saw the direct manipulation aspect as a key strength, allowing for immediate feedback and experimentation. The idea of incorporating more sophisticated programming concepts, like variables and functions, into the spreadsheet paradigm was also explored.

  Several comments delved into the technical aspects of Nebu. There was discussion about the choice of using a custom format rather than adopting an existing standard like CSV. The implementation details, including the use of the Zig programming language and WebAssembly, also attracted attention. Some commenters questioned the performance implications of these choices, particularly when dealing with large datasets.

  The limitations of Nebu were also acknowledged. Several commenters pointed out the lack of features commonly found in traditional spreadsheet software, such as charting and complex formulas. The limited functionality raised questions about the practical applicability of Nebu for complex tasks.

  A few commenters expressed skepticism about the overall project, questioning the need for yet another spreadsheet editor, especially one with limited features. Others countered this by arguing that Nebu's unique approach and integration within Varvara could carve out a niche for specific use cases.

  Overall, the comments reflected a mixture of curiosity, enthusiasm, and skepticism. While some praised Nebu's innovative approach and potential, others remained unconvinced of its practical value in its current state. The discussion highlighted the ongoing evolution of spreadsheet software and the exploration of alternative paradigms.

• Show HN: Jq-Like Tool for Markdown

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  Posted: 2025-02-23 20:05:49

  Verbose tl;dr

  mdq is a command-line tool, inspired by jq, that allows users to process and manipulate Markdown files using CSS-like selectors. It can extract specific elements from Markdown, such as headings, paragraphs, or code blocks, and output them in various formats, including Markdown, HTML, and text. This facilitates tasks like extracting specific sections of a document, reformatting content, and generating summaries, offering a powerful way to automate Markdown workflows.

  A new command-line tool called mdq, heavily inspired by the popular JSON processor jq, has been introduced. mdq aims to provide a similar flexible and powerful way to process Markdown files, allowing users to filter, extract, modify, and reformat Markdown content using a declarative query language. Just as jq uses a syntax rooted in JSON's structure to manipulate JSON data, mdq leverages a syntax that understands the hierarchical structure of Markdown – elements like headings, paragraphs, lists, code blocks, and inline formatting. This enables users to target specific parts of a Markdown document based on their structural context. For instance, one could use mdq to extract all level 2 headings, change the formatting of emphasized text, or remove all code blocks from a Markdown file. The tool is written in Go, offering potential performance advantages, and aims to be a versatile addition to the toolkit of anyone working frequently with Markdown, including writers, developers, and content creators. The project is open-source and available on GitHub, inviting community contributions and further development. While drawing clear inspiration from jq, mdq focuses specifically on Markdown processing and does not aim to be a general-purpose data manipulation tool. The stated goal is to provide a dedicated, efficient, and expressive way to manipulate Markdown content directly from the command line, filling a perceived gap in the available tooling for working with this ubiquitous markup language.

  • markdown
  • JSON
  • jq
  • command-line
  • Tool
  • cli
  • text processing
  • data manipulation
  • filtering
  • querying
  • GitHub
  • open-source
  • utility
  • shell

  Summary of Comments ( 10 )
  https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43152704

  Verbose tl;dr

  Hacker News users generally praised mdq for its potential usefulness, comparing it favorably to jq for JSON. Several commenters expressed interest in using it for tasks like extracting links or reformatting Markdown files. Some suggested improvements, such as adding support for YAML frontmatter and improving error handling. Others highlighted the complexities of parsing Markdown reliably due to its flexible nature and the potential challenges of handling variations and edge cases. One user pointed out the limitations of existing markdown parsers and the difficulties in accurately representing markdown as a data structure, while another cautioned against over-engineering the tool for simple tasks that could be accomplished with grep, sed, or awk.

  The Hacker News post "Show HN: Jq-Like Tool for Markdown" at https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43152704 generated a modest number of comments, primarily focusing on the tool's utility and potential use cases, as well as comparisons to existing tools.

  Several commenters expressed interest in the tool, particularly for tasks like extracting specific sections of markdown files or modifying metadata within markdown documents. One user highlighted its potential for automating tasks related to managing a large collection of markdown files, a sentiment echoed by others who saw value in its ability to streamline workflows.

  A significant portion of the discussion centered around comparing mdq to existing tools like pandoc. Some users pointed out pandoc's broader functionality and established ecosystem, suggesting it might be a more versatile solution for complex markdown manipulation. However, others argued that mdq's focused approach and simpler syntax could be advantageous for specific, targeted tasks, especially where the full power of pandoc isn't necessary. The lighter weight of mdq was also mentioned as a potential benefit.

  There was some discussion about the specific implementation details of mdq, with one commenter noting the use of regular expressions and raising concerns about potential limitations or edge cases. Another user inquired about handling markdown variations, such as those used by different platforms like GitHub.

  One commenter suggested a potential integration with other command-line tools like ripgrep for more complex file searching and filtering scenarios. Another user expressed a desire for additional features, specifically the ability to merge multiple markdown files.

  Overall, the comments reflect a generally positive reception of mdq, recognizing its potential as a helpful tool for specific markdown-related tasks. However, the discussion also acknowledges the existing landscape of markdown tools and the need for mdq to carve out a distinct niche with its specialized functionality and streamlined approach.