Button to show/hide hidden files only?

[ghisler(Author)]

The button cannot be half down, so it's not possible to show all 4 possible states with a 2 state button.

[white]

The button cannot be half down, so it's not possible to show all 4 possible states with a 2 state button.

A half enabled option is never enabled. It never works that way in any program (including Total Commander elsewhere). An option is only enabled when all conditions of the option are met. And if an option is disabled it does not necessarily mean that none of the conditions are met.

In TC 8.01 the option is:
☐ Show hidden/system files (for experts only!)

This option can be added to the button bar or menu by using the cm_SwitchHidSys command. Like Petermad did with his Extended Total Commander Menus:
MENUITEM "Sho&w Hidden/System Files", 2011

In TC 8.50beta you split the option into 2 separate options
☐ Show hidden files
☐ Show system files

The combined option is no longer in the configuration dialog, but still exists in the form of the cm_SwitchHidSys command in user menus and button bars. However, you changed the meaning of the cm_SwitchHidSys command. If you were to leave the combined option in the configuration dialog I don't think you would enable the combined option when one of the separate options is enabled:

☑ Show hidden files
☐ Show system files
☑ Show hidden/system files

But this is exactly what you are doing.


Another thing to consider is the consequences when people misunderstand the status of the cm_SwitchHidSys command. If people expect that all files are shown when the status is enabled, but actually hidden or system files are hidden, this can have serious consequences.
On the other hand if people expect that all hidden/system files are hidden when the status is disabled, but actually hidden or system files are shown, this can only cause some annoyance.

[petermad]

I tend to agree with white.

ShowHidSys should only be shown as enabled if BOTH ShowHid AND ShowSys are enabled.

Disabeling either ShowHid AND/OR ShowSys should alway disable ShowHidSys.

Enabeling BOTH ShowHid AND ShowSys should always enable ShowHidSys.

Enabeling ShowHidSys should always enable BOTH ShowHid AND ShowSys regardles of the state of the latter two.

Disabeling ShowHidSys should always disable BOTH ShowHid AND ShowSys regardles of the state of the latter two.

This way no files should be hidden without the user knowing it.


The slash in "Show hidden/system files" should NOT be interpreted as OR, but as AND - as it has always been in previous versions of TC.

[ghisler(Author)]

Sorry but there is no logical solution here - it can be interpreted in both directions. A slash is normally seen as an OR condition, while a "+" is seen as an AND condition by most users.

All I can recommend to people with such "problems" is to use the new buttons only, the old one doesn't make much sense any more. I still keep it for those who want to always toggle the two flags together.