Add history_tail method to ConsoleWidget for retreiving the local history.

IPython/frontend/qt/console/frontend_widget.py

@@ -1,604 +1,604
 from __future__ import print_function
 
 # Standard library imports
 from collections import namedtuple
 import sys
 import time
 
 # System library imports
 from pygments.lexers import PythonLexer
 from IPython.external.qt import QtCore, QtGui
 
 # Local imports
 from IPython.core.inputsplitter import InputSplitter, transform_classic_prompt
 from IPython.core.oinspect import call_tip
 from IPython.frontend.qt.base_frontend_mixin import BaseFrontendMixin
 from IPython.utils.traitlets import Bool
 from bracket_matcher import BracketMatcher
 from call_tip_widget import CallTipWidget
 from completion_lexer import CompletionLexer
 from history_console_widget import HistoryConsoleWidget
 from pygments_highlighter import PygmentsHighlighter
 
 
 class FrontendHighlighter(PygmentsHighlighter):
     """ A PygmentsHighlighter that can be turned on and off and that ignores
         prompts.
     """
 
     def __init__(self, frontend):
         super(FrontendHighlighter, self).__init__(frontend._control.document())
         self._current_offset = 0
         self._frontend = frontend
         self.highlighting_on = False
 
     def highlightBlock(self, string):
         """ Highlight a block of text. Reimplemented to highlight selectively.
         """
         if not self.highlighting_on:
             return
 
         # The input to this function is a unicode string that may contain
         # paragraph break characters, non-breaking spaces, etc. Here we acquire
         # the string as plain text so we can compare it.
         current_block = self.currentBlock()
         string = self._frontend._get_block_plain_text(current_block)
 
         # Decide whether to check for the regular or continuation prompt.
         if current_block.contains(self._frontend._prompt_pos):
             prompt = self._frontend._prompt
         else:
             prompt = self._frontend._continuation_prompt
 
         # Don't highlight the part of the string that contains the prompt.
         if string.startswith(prompt):
             self._current_offset = len(prompt)
             string = string[len(prompt):]
         else:
             self._current_offset = 0
 
         PygmentsHighlighter.highlightBlock(self, string)
 
     def rehighlightBlock(self, block):
         """ Reimplemented to temporarily enable highlighting if disabled.
         """
         old = self.highlighting_on
         self.highlighting_on = True
         super(FrontendHighlighter, self).rehighlightBlock(block)
         self.highlighting_on = old
 
     def setFormat(self, start, count, format):
         """ Reimplemented to highlight selectively.
         """
         start += self._current_offset
         PygmentsHighlighter.setFormat(self, start, count, format)
 
 
 class FrontendWidget(HistoryConsoleWidget, BaseFrontendMixin):
     """ A Qt frontend for a generic Python kernel.
     """
 
     # An option and corresponding signal for overriding the default kernel
     # interrupt behavior.
     custom_interrupt = Bool(False)
     custom_interrupt_requested = QtCore.Signal()
 
     # An option and corresponding signals for overriding the default kernel
     # restart behavior.
     custom_restart = Bool(False)
     custom_restart_kernel_died = QtCore.Signal(float)
     custom_restart_requested = QtCore.Signal()
-   
-    # Emitted when an 'execute_reply' has been received from the kernel and
-    # processed by the FrontendWidget.
+
+    # Emitted when a user-visible 'execute_reply' has been received from the
+    # kernel and processed by the FrontendWidget. Contains the response message.
     executed = QtCore.Signal(object)
 
     # Emitted when an exit request has been received from the kernel.
     exit_requested = QtCore.Signal()
     
     # Protected class variables.
     _CallTipRequest = namedtuple('_CallTipRequest', ['id', 'pos'])
     _CompletionRequest = namedtuple('_CompletionRequest', ['id', 'pos'])
     _ExecutionRequest = namedtuple('_ExecutionRequest', ['id', 'kind'])
     _input_splitter_class = InputSplitter
     _local_kernel = False
 
     #---------------------------------------------------------------------------
     # 'object' interface
     #---------------------------------------------------------------------------
     
     def __init__(self, *args, **kw):
         super(FrontendWidget, self).__init__(*args, **kw)
 
         # FrontendWidget protected variables.
         self._bracket_matcher = BracketMatcher(self._control)
         self._call_tip_widget = CallTipWidget(self._control)
         self._completion_lexer = CompletionLexer(PythonLexer())
         self._copy_raw_action = QtGui.QAction('Copy (Raw Text)', None)
         self._hidden = False
         self._highlighter = FrontendHighlighter(self)
         self._input_splitter = self._input_splitter_class(input_mode='cell')
         self._kernel_manager = None
         self._request_info = {}
 
         # Configure the ConsoleWidget.
         self.tab_width = 4
         self._set_continuation_prompt('... ')
 
         # Configure the CallTipWidget.
         self._call_tip_widget.setFont(self.font)
         self.font_changed.connect(self._call_tip_widget.setFont)
 
         # Configure actions.
         action = self._copy_raw_action
         key = QtCore.Qt.CTRL | QtCore.Qt.SHIFT | QtCore.Qt.Key_C
         action.setEnabled(False)
         action.setShortcut(QtGui.QKeySequence(key))
         action.setShortcutContext(QtCore.Qt.WidgetWithChildrenShortcut)
         action.triggered.connect(self.copy_raw)
         self.copy_available.connect(action.setEnabled)
         self.addAction(action)
 
         # Connect signal handlers.
         document = self._control.document()
         document.contentsChange.connect(self._document_contents_change)
         
         # Set flag for whether we are connected via localhost.
         self._local_kernel = kw.get('local_kernel', 
                                     FrontendWidget._local_kernel)
 
     #---------------------------------------------------------------------------
     # 'ConsoleWidget' public interface
     #---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
     def copy(self):
         """ Copy the currently selected text to the clipboard, removing prompts.
         """
         text = self._control.textCursor().selection().toPlainText()
         if text:
             lines = map(transform_classic_prompt, text.splitlines())
             text = '\n'.join(lines)
             QtGui.QApplication.clipboard().setText(text)
 
     #---------------------------------------------------------------------------
     # 'ConsoleWidget' abstract interface
     #---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
     def _is_complete(self, source, interactive):
         """ Returns whether 'source' can be completely processed and a new
             prompt created. When triggered by an Enter/Return key press,
             'interactive' is True; otherwise, it is False.
         """
         complete = self._input_splitter.push(source)
         if interactive:
             complete = not self._input_splitter.push_accepts_more()
         return complete
 
     def _execute(self, source, hidden):
         """ Execute 'source'. If 'hidden', do not show any output.
 
         See parent class :meth:`execute` docstring for full details.
         """
         msg_id = self.kernel_manager.xreq_channel.execute(source, hidden)
         self._request_info['execute'] = self._ExecutionRequest(msg_id, 'user')
         self._hidden = hidden
         
     def _prompt_started_hook(self):
         """ Called immediately after a new prompt is displayed.
         """
         if not self._reading:
             self._highlighter.highlighting_on = True
 
     def _prompt_finished_hook(self):
         """ Called immediately after a prompt is finished, i.e. when some input
             will be processed and a new prompt displayed.
         """
         # Flush all state from the input splitter so the next round of
         # reading input starts with a clean buffer.
         self._input_splitter.reset()
 
         if not self._reading:
             self._highlighter.highlighting_on = False
 
     def _tab_pressed(self):
         """ Called when the tab key is pressed. Returns whether to continue
             processing the event.
         """
         # Perform tab completion if:
         # 1) The cursor is in the input buffer.
         # 2) There is a non-whitespace character before the cursor.
         text = self._get_input_buffer_cursor_line()
         if text is None:
             return False
         complete = bool(text[:self._get_input_buffer_cursor_column()].strip())
         if complete:
             self._complete()
         return not complete
 
     #---------------------------------------------------------------------------
     # 'ConsoleWidget' protected interface
     #---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
     def _context_menu_make(self, pos):
         """ Reimplemented to add an action for raw copy.
         """
         menu = super(FrontendWidget, self)._context_menu_make(pos)
         for before_action in menu.actions():
             if before_action.shortcut().matches(QtGui.QKeySequence.Paste) == \
                     QtGui.QKeySequence.ExactMatch:
                 menu.insertAction(before_action, self._copy_raw_action)
                 break
         return menu
 
     def _event_filter_console_keypress(self, event):
         """ Reimplemented for execution interruption and smart backspace.
         """
         key = event.key()
         if self._control_key_down(event.modifiers(), include_command=False):
 
             if key == QtCore.Qt.Key_C and self._executing:
                 self.interrupt_kernel()
                 return True
 
             elif key == QtCore.Qt.Key_Period:
                 message = 'Are you sure you want to restart the kernel?'
                 self.restart_kernel(message, now=False)
                 return True
 
         elif not event.modifiers() & QtCore.Qt.AltModifier:
 
             # Smart backspace: remove four characters in one backspace if:
             # 1) everything left of the cursor is whitespace
             # 2) the four characters immediately left of the cursor are spaces
             if key == QtCore.Qt.Key_Backspace:
                 col = self._get_input_buffer_cursor_column()
                 cursor = self._control.textCursor()
                 if col > 3 and not cursor.hasSelection():
                     text = self._get_input_buffer_cursor_line()[:col]
                     if text.endswith('    ') and not text.strip():
                         cursor.movePosition(QtGui.QTextCursor.Left,
                                             QtGui.QTextCursor.KeepAnchor, 4)
                         cursor.removeSelectedText()
                         return True
 
         return super(FrontendWidget, self)._event_filter_console_keypress(event)
 
     def _insert_continuation_prompt(self, cursor):
         """ Reimplemented for auto-indentation.
         """
         super(FrontendWidget, self)._insert_continuation_prompt(cursor)
         cursor.insertText(' ' * self._input_splitter.indent_spaces)
 
     #---------------------------------------------------------------------------
     # 'BaseFrontendMixin' abstract interface
     #---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
     def _handle_complete_reply(self, rep):
         """ Handle replies for tab completion.
         """
         cursor = self._get_cursor()
         info = self._request_info.get('complete')
         if info and info.id == rep['parent_header']['msg_id'] and \
                 info.pos == cursor.position():
             text = '.'.join(self._get_context())
             cursor.movePosition(QtGui.QTextCursor.Left, n=len(text))
             self._complete_with_items(cursor, rep['content']['matches'])
 
     def _handle_execute_reply(self, msg):
         """ Handles replies for code execution.
         """
         info = self._request_info.get('execute')
         if info and info.id == msg['parent_header']['msg_id'] and \
                 info.kind == 'user' and not self._hidden:
             # Make sure that all output from the SUB channel has been processed
             # before writing a new prompt.
             self.kernel_manager.sub_channel.flush()
 
             # Reset the ANSI style information to prevent bad text in stdout
             # from messing up our colors. We're not a true terminal so we're
             # allowed to do this.
             if self.ansi_codes:
                 self._ansi_processor.reset_sgr()
 
             content = msg['content']
             status = content['status']
             if status == 'ok':
                 self._process_execute_ok(msg)
             elif status == 'error':
                 self._process_execute_error(msg)
             elif status == 'abort':
                 self._process_execute_abort(msg)
 
             self._show_interpreter_prompt_for_reply(msg)
             self.executed.emit(msg)
 
     def _handle_input_request(self, msg):
         """ Handle requests for raw_input.
         """
         if self._hidden:
             raise RuntimeError('Request for raw input during hidden execution.')
 
         # Make sure that all output from the SUB channel has been processed
         # before entering readline mode.
         self.kernel_manager.sub_channel.flush()
 
         def callback(line):
             self.kernel_manager.rep_channel.input(line)
         self._readline(msg['content']['prompt'], callback=callback)
 
     def _handle_kernel_died(self, since_last_heartbeat):
         """ Handle the kernel's death by asking if the user wants to restart.
         """
         if self.custom_restart:
             self.custom_restart_kernel_died.emit(since_last_heartbeat)
         else:
             message = 'The kernel heartbeat has been inactive for %.2f ' \
                 'seconds. Do you want to restart the kernel? You may ' \
                 'first want to check the network connection.' % \
                 since_last_heartbeat
             self.restart_kernel(message, now=True)
 
     def _handle_object_info_reply(self, rep):
         """ Handle replies for call tips.
         """
         cursor = self._get_cursor()
         info = self._request_info.get('call_tip')
         if info and info.id == rep['parent_header']['msg_id'] and \
                 info.pos == cursor.position():
             # Get the information for a call tip.  For now we format the call
             # line as string, later we can pass False to format_call and
             # syntax-highlight it ourselves for nicer formatting in the
             # calltip.
             call_info, doc = call_tip(rep['content'], format_call=True)
             if call_info or doc:
                 self._call_tip_widget.show_call_info(call_info, doc)
 
     def _handle_pyout(self, msg):
         """ Handle display hook output.
         """
         if not self._hidden and self._is_from_this_session(msg):
             self._append_plain_text(msg['content']['data']['text/plain'] + '\n')
 
     def _handle_stream(self, msg):
         """ Handle stdout, stderr, and stdin.
         """
         if not self._hidden and self._is_from_this_session(msg):
             # Most consoles treat tabs as being 8 space characters. Convert tabs
             # to spaces so that output looks as expected regardless of this
             # widget's tab width.
             text = msg['content']['data'].expandtabs(8)
             
             self._append_plain_text(text)
             self._control.moveCursor(QtGui.QTextCursor.End)
 
     def _handle_shutdown_reply(self, msg):
         """ Handle shutdown signal, only if from other console.
         """
         if not self._hidden and not self._is_from_this_session(msg):
             if self._local_kernel:
                 if not msg['content']['restart']:
                     sys.exit(0)
                 else:
                     # we just got notified of a restart!
                     time.sleep(0.25) # wait 1/4 sec to reset
                                      # lest the request for a new prompt
                                      # goes to the old kernel
                     self.reset()
             else: # remote kernel, prompt on Kernel shutdown/reset
                 title = self.window().windowTitle()
                 if not msg['content']['restart']:
                     reply = QtGui.QMessageBox.question(self, title,
                         "Kernel has been shutdown permanently. "
                         "Close the Console?",
                         QtGui.QMessageBox.Yes,QtGui.QMessageBox.No)
                     if reply == QtGui.QMessageBox.Yes:
                         sys.exit(0)
                 else:
                     reply = QtGui.QMessageBox.question(self, title,
                         "Kernel has been reset. Clear the Console?",
                         QtGui.QMessageBox.Yes,QtGui.QMessageBox.No)
                     if reply == QtGui.QMessageBox.Yes:
                         time.sleep(0.25) # wait 1/4 sec to reset
                                          # lest the request for a new prompt
                                          # goes to the old kernel
                         self.reset()
 
     def _started_channels(self):
         """ Called when the KernelManager channels have started listening or 
             when the frontend is assigned an already listening KernelManager.
         """
         self.reset()
 
     #---------------------------------------------------------------------------
     # 'FrontendWidget' public interface
     #---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
     def copy_raw(self):
         """ Copy the currently selected text to the clipboard without attempting
             to remove prompts or otherwise alter the text.
         """
         self._control.copy()
 
     def execute_file(self, path, hidden=False):
         """ Attempts to execute file with 'path'. If 'hidden', no output is
             shown.
         """
         self.execute('execfile("%s")' % path, hidden=hidden)
 
     def interrupt_kernel(self):
         """ Attempts to interrupt the running kernel.
         """
         if self.custom_interrupt:
             self.custom_interrupt_requested.emit()
         elif self.kernel_manager.has_kernel:
             self.kernel_manager.interrupt_kernel()
         else:
             self._append_plain_text('Kernel process is either remote or '
                                     'unspecified. Cannot interrupt.\n')
 
     def reset(self):
         """ Resets the widget to its initial state. Similar to ``clear``, but
             also re-writes the banner and aborts execution if necessary.
         """ 
         if self._executing:
             self._executing = False
             self._request_info['execute'] = None
         self._reading = False
         self._highlighter.highlighting_on = False
 
         self._control.clear()
         self._append_plain_text(self._get_banner())
         self._show_interpreter_prompt()
 
     def restart_kernel(self, message, now=False):
         """ Attempts to restart the running kernel.
         """
         # FIXME: now should be configurable via a checkbox in the dialog.  Right
         # now at least the heartbeat path sets it to True and the manual restart
         # to False.  But those should just be the pre-selected states of a
         # checkbox that the user could override if so desired.  But I don't know
         # enough Qt to go implementing the checkbox now.
 
         if self.custom_restart:
             self.custom_restart_requested.emit()
 
         elif self.kernel_manager.has_kernel:
             # Pause the heart beat channel to prevent further warnings.
             self.kernel_manager.hb_channel.pause()
 
             # Prompt the user to restart the kernel. Un-pause the heartbeat if
             # they decline. (If they accept, the heartbeat will be un-paused
             # automatically when the kernel is restarted.)
             buttons = QtGui.QMessageBox.Yes | QtGui.QMessageBox.No
             result = QtGui.QMessageBox.question(self, 'Restart kernel?',
                                                 message, buttons)
             if result == QtGui.QMessageBox.Yes:
                 try:
                     self.kernel_manager.restart_kernel(now=now)
                 except RuntimeError:
                     self._append_plain_text('Kernel started externally. '
                                             'Cannot restart.\n')
                 else:
                     self.reset()
             else:
                 self.kernel_manager.hb_channel.unpause()
 
         else:
             self._append_plain_text('Kernel process is either remote or '
                                     'unspecified. Cannot restart.\n')
 
     #---------------------------------------------------------------------------
     # 'FrontendWidget' protected interface
     #---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
     def _call_tip(self):
         """ Shows a call tip, if appropriate, at the current cursor location.
         """
         # Decide if it makes sense to show a call tip
         cursor = self._get_cursor()
         cursor.movePosition(QtGui.QTextCursor.Left)
         if cursor.document().characterAt(cursor.position()) != '(':
             return False
         context = self._get_context(cursor)
         if not context:
             return False
 
         # Send the metadata request to the kernel
         name = '.'.join(context)
         msg_id = self.kernel_manager.xreq_channel.object_info(name)
         pos = self._get_cursor().position()
         self._request_info['call_tip'] = self._CallTipRequest(msg_id, pos)
         return True
 
     def _complete(self):
         """ Performs completion at the current cursor location.
         """
         context = self._get_context()
         if context:
             # Send the completion request to the kernel
             msg_id = self.kernel_manager.xreq_channel.complete(
                 '.'.join(context),                       # text
                 self._get_input_buffer_cursor_line(),    # line
                 self._get_input_buffer_cursor_column(),  # cursor_pos
                 self.input_buffer)                       # block 
             pos = self._get_cursor().position()
             info = self._CompletionRequest(msg_id, pos)
             self._request_info['complete'] = info
 
     def _get_banner(self):
         """ Gets a banner to display at the beginning of a session.
         """
         banner = 'Python %s on %s\nType "help", "copyright", "credits" or ' \
             '"license" for more information.'
         return banner % (sys.version, sys.platform)
 
     def _get_context(self, cursor=None):
         """ Gets the context for the specified cursor (or the current cursor
             if none is specified).
         """
         if cursor is None:
             cursor = self._get_cursor()
         cursor.movePosition(QtGui.QTextCursor.StartOfBlock, 
                             QtGui.QTextCursor.KeepAnchor)
         text = cursor.selection().toPlainText()
         return self._completion_lexer.get_context(text)
 
     def _process_execute_abort(self, msg):
         """ Process a reply for an aborted execution request.
         """
         self._append_plain_text("ERROR: execution aborted\n")
 
     def _process_execute_error(self, msg):
         """ Process a reply for an execution request that resulted in an error.
         """
         content = msg['content']
         # If a SystemExit is passed along, this means exit() was called - also
         # all the ipython %exit magic syntax of '-k' to be used to keep
         # the kernel running
         if content['ename']=='SystemExit':
             keepkernel = content['evalue']=='-k' or content['evalue']=='True'
             self._keep_kernel_on_exit = keepkernel
             self.exit_requested.emit()
         else:
             traceback = ''.join(content['traceback'])
             self._append_plain_text(traceback)
 
     def _process_execute_ok(self, msg):
         """ Process a reply for a successful execution equest.
         """
         payload = msg['content']['payload']
         for item in payload:
             if not self._process_execute_payload(item):
                 warning = 'Warning: received unknown payload of type %s'
                 print(warning % repr(item['source']))
 
     def _process_execute_payload(self, item):
         """ Process a single payload item from the list of payload items in an
             execution reply. Returns whether the payload was handled.
         """
         # The basic FrontendWidget doesn't handle payloads, as they are a
         # mechanism for going beyond the standard Python interpreter model.
         return False
 
     def _show_interpreter_prompt(self):
         """ Shows a prompt for the interpreter.
         """
         self._show_prompt('>>> ')
 
     def _show_interpreter_prompt_for_reply(self, msg):
         """ Shows a prompt for the interpreter given an 'execute_reply' message.
         """
         self._show_interpreter_prompt()
 
     #------ Signal handlers ----------------------------------------------------
 
     def _document_contents_change(self, position, removed, added):
         """ Called whenever the document's content changes. Display a call tip
             if appropriate.
         """
         # Calculate where the cursor should be *after* the change:
         position += added
 
         document = self._control.document()
         if position == self._get_cursor().position():
             self._call_tip()

IPython/frontend/qt/console/history_console_widget.py

@@ -1,163 +1,173
 # System library imports
 from IPython.external.qt import QtGui
 
 # Local imports
 from console_widget import ConsoleWidget
 
 
 class HistoryConsoleWidget(ConsoleWidget):
     """ A ConsoleWidget that keeps a history of the commands that have been
         executed and provides a readline-esque interface to this history.
     """
     
     #---------------------------------------------------------------------------
     # 'object' interface
     #---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
     def __init__(self, *args, **kw):
         super(HistoryConsoleWidget, self).__init__(*args, **kw)
 
         # HistoryConsoleWidget protected variables.
         self._history = []
         self._history_index = 0
         self._history_prefix = ''
 
     #---------------------------------------------------------------------------
     # 'ConsoleWidget' public interface
     #---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
     def execute(self, source=None, hidden=False, interactive=False):
         """ Reimplemented to the store history.
         """
         if not hidden:
             history = self.input_buffer if source is None else source
 
         executed = super(HistoryConsoleWidget, self).execute(
             source, hidden, interactive)
 
         if executed and not hidden:
             # Save the command unless it was an empty string or was identical 
             # to the previous command.
             history = history.rstrip()
             if history and (not self._history or self._history[-1] != history):
                 self._history.append(history)
 
             # Move the history index to the most recent item.
             self._history_index = len(self._history)
 
         return executed
 
     #---------------------------------------------------------------------------
     # 'ConsoleWidget' abstract interface
     #---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
     def _up_pressed(self):
         """ Called when the up key is pressed. Returns whether to continue
             processing the event.
         """
         prompt_cursor = self._get_prompt_cursor()
         if self._get_cursor().blockNumber() == prompt_cursor.blockNumber():
 
             # Set a search prefix based on the cursor position.
             col = self._get_input_buffer_cursor_column()
             input_buffer = self.input_buffer
             if self._history_index == len(self._history) or \
                     (self._history_prefix and col != len(self._history_prefix)):
                 self._history_index = len(self._history)
                 self._history_prefix = input_buffer[:col]
 
             # Perform the search.
             self.history_previous(self._history_prefix)
 
             # Go to the first line of the prompt for seemless history scrolling.
             # Emulate readline: keep the cursor position fixed for a prefix
             # search.
             cursor = self._get_prompt_cursor()
             if self._history_prefix:
                 cursor.movePosition(QtGui.QTextCursor.Right, 
                                     n=len(self._history_prefix))
             else:
                 cursor.movePosition(QtGui.QTextCursor.EndOfLine)
             self._set_cursor(cursor)
 
             return False
 
         return True
 
     def _down_pressed(self):
         """ Called when the down key is pressed. Returns whether to continue
             processing the event.
         """
         end_cursor = self._get_end_cursor()
         if self._get_cursor().blockNumber() == end_cursor.blockNumber():
 
             # Perform the search.
             self.history_next(self._history_prefix)
 
             # Emulate readline: keep the cursor position fixed for a prefix
             # search. (We don't need to move the cursor to the end of the buffer
             # in the other case because this happens automatically when the
             # input buffer is set.)
             if self._history_prefix:
                 cursor = self._get_prompt_cursor()
                 cursor.movePosition(QtGui.QTextCursor.Right, 
                                     n=len(self._history_prefix))
                 self._set_cursor(cursor)
 
             return False
 
         return True
 
     #---------------------------------------------------------------------------
     # 'HistoryConsoleWidget' public interface
     #---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
     def history_previous(self, prefix=''):
         """ If possible, set the input buffer to a previous item in the history.
 
         Parameters:
         -----------
         prefix : str, optional
             If specified, search for an item with this prefix.
         """
         index = self._history_index
         while index > 0:
             index -= 1
             history = self._history[index]
             if history.startswith(prefix):
                 break
         else:
             history = None
         
         if history is not None:
             self._history_index = index
             self.input_buffer = history
 
     def history_next(self, prefix=''):
         """ Set the input buffer to a subsequent item in the history, or to the
         original search prefix if there is no such item.
 
         Parameters:
         -----------
         prefix : str, optional
             If specified, search for an item with this prefix.
         """
         while self._history_index < len(self._history) - 1:
             self._history_index += 1
             history = self._history[self._history_index]
             if history.startswith(prefix):
                 break
         else:
             self._history_index = len(self._history)
             history = prefix
         self.input_buffer = history
 
+    def history_tail(self, n=10):
+        """ Get the local history list.
+
+        Parameters
+        ----------
+        n : int
+            The (maximum) number of history items to get.
+        """
+        return self._history[-n:]
+        
     #---------------------------------------------------------------------------
     # 'HistoryConsoleWidget' protected interface
     #---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
     def _set_history(self, history):
         """ Replace the current history with a sequence of history items.
         """
         self._history = list(history)
         self._history_index = len(self._history)