netbeans c auto popup code completion

I'm using Netbeans 7 to program C.

Imagine if I type prin and CTRL+SPACE a popup window will come up with the printf suggestion.

How can I make this popup to show as I type? I don't want to use CTRL+SPACE.

If you have Netbeans with the C/C++ plugin installed, you can go to Tools -> Options -> Editor -> Code Completion.

Switch the Language drop down to C/C++. You can then modify the Auto Popup Triggers for C/C++ Identifiers to something like this:

.;->;.*;->*;::;new ; ;a;b;c;d;e;f;g;h;i;j;k;l;m;n;o;p;q;r;s;t;u;v;w;x;y;z;

This will cause the auto completion window to popup once any of the above patterns are entered. Tested in Netbeans 8.0.2 works like a charm for me.

I'm using netbeans with Java, but it may work the same way. It should be possible to enable autocomplete for C as well. Check Tools -> Options -> Editor -> Code completion. If it's disabled, you can invoke it with Ctrl + Space. When enabled it should pop up automatically. Hope this helps.