Feature Request: Disable Autocomplete

[jamesbeninger]

I see that there are two closed requests for this feature already, but I'd like to make another plea to consider the ability to disable autocomplete. The reasoning I've seen for closing the other issues is "why would you want to disable it", and, more to the point, "we should not work on disabling it, we should work on improving it".

Previous Issues:
#640
#423

For my own workflow, I don't see any way to improve it that does not involve disabling it. Adding this feature - even as an undocumented setting in a config file somewhere - would make my life better.

Why I want the feature

• I find the popup distracting. Having a box of constantly-changing variable names right next to my cursor as I type is a distraction.
• It steals Enter presses. When the autocomplete box is present, I have to press Enter or Esc to dismiss it, and then Enter again to move to the next line. This is simply not how a text editor should work.
• The suggestion to "disable the language server" means I'm missing out on indentation and syntax coloring, which I do find very useful.
• Disabling autocomplete has been a long-standing feature of Eclipse, either by adding a delay (e.g. 200ms) before the popup appears, or disable it altogether.

Why autocomplete doesn't help me

• I type fast. Reading the autocomplete box to find and move to the name I'm looking for is slower than just typing it.
• Eclipse already has a keystroke (Alt+/) to summon Word Completion at will. I use this often, but only when I know I need it.

I recognize that autocomplete is a valuable tool for a lot of people, but it's clear from the multiple feature request that there are also developers who simply do not want the feature, or want more control over how it's shown.

And if nothing else, please fix the steals-Enter-keypresses behaviour (for example, adding a delay). This behaviour is why I've searched "how to disable autocorrect" multiple times in the past year before finally submitting this issue.

[Abdull]

The only way I found to disable "content assist automatic popups during typing" is by deactivating the JavaScript Language Server.

Unfortunately, this also deactivates all other content assist triggers as well, such as Ctrl+Shift and pointer hover.

But turning the Language Server off is the only solution to be able to work at all with WW JavaScript files (at least for my Eclipse setup); because with autocomplete on, there is a constant jarring/seizure-triggering popup storm during typing, and every newline inserts unintended incorrect inputs: I'm blind-typing; I'm not aware of the suggested autocomplete during blind-typing.

[Abdull]

video-for-android-hd.mp4

[muren400]

Bumping this issue. It would be really great, if the autocomplete would only be activated by a dedicated keystroke like in the Eclipse Java Editor. The constant need, to press the ESC-Key really kills the productivity. If that's too much work, a simple option, to disable autocomplete can't be that much effort, to dismiss it everytime it comes up.

Or maybe, if it is really about improving the autocomplete function, it would be nice to add an option to make it less fuzzy.
If I type a number for example, I probably just want to type that number. So, if there is no variable or method that starts with that number, why suggest something completely different?

[piradix]

The autocompletion on typing is really annoying! You've got something that pops up when you're typing code, and then you have to press ESC to close it! It prevents productivity.
There's no cache option, even a parameter file to modify would do it, please!

[mickaelistria]

Window > Preference > General > Editor > Generic Code Editor; uncheck "Enable auto activation".