set_width for console

[aroberge]

Using either an IPython console or a Jupyter notebook/lab, I often find that the default width is too wide. I defined a simple set_width function as follows:

def set_width(width):
    console_instance._width = width

which I use in interactive sessions.

This works perfectly for my use case. However, I know that accessing private variables (hidden behind a read-only property) is definitely not good practice, but I could not find any other way to update the parameters of an active console. Am I missing a more acceptable way to achieve the same result?

[willmcgugan]

The next version of Rich will have a property setter for width and height. In the meantime, I forgive you for accessing a private variable! It won't break.

[aroberge]

Thanks using width instead of _width works ... in most cases. However, I found that __rich_repr__ does not seem to respect the console's width (regardless of whether I use width or _width. Is is supposed to respect the console width, thus indicating that I have done something wrong?

[aroberge]

Perhaps I should clarify: the __rich_repr__ content consists of long strings.

If I "physically" reduce the width of the terminal, they do not wrap properly at the boundary either. Here's an example of this:

[willmcgugan]

The Rich reprs will format as you would code. It will expand on to multiple lines where it can to fit within the width. But if a single line contains a string that is larger than the width there is nowhere to insert a new line that doesn't break the syntax -- and it leaves the wrapping to the terminal.

[aroberge]

Thanks, it makes sense. I am abusing __rich_repr__ to provide translatable help in a convenient way.

When I have time, I will write a blob post about how I "use and abuse" Rich in my project.