Auto-complete with persisted atomically linked entities

A data processing system for providing a linked entity, comprising:

• a processor;
• and
• a memory in communication with the processor, the memory comprising executable instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to control the data processing system to perform functions of:
• receiving, via a user interface, a first user input comprising an invocation character and a first character arranged after the invocation character, the first invocation character comprising a non-space character;
• in response to receiving the first user input, identifying a plurality of first identification entities relevant to the first character, each first identification entity associated with a different user;
• displaying, via a display, a first auto-complete suggestion list comprising the plurality of first identification entities;
• receiving, via the user interface, a second user input to select one of the plurality of first identification entities of the first auto-complete suggestion list, the selected first identification entity being associated with a first user;
• creating a first linked entity linking the selected first identification entity to program code defining an action involving the first user;
• displaying, via the display, the invocation character and first linked entity, wherein the displayed first linked entity is arranged after the invocation character and editable only by deleting the first linked entity in its entirety;
• receiving, via the user interface, a third user input selecting the displayed first linked entity;
• in response to receiving the third user input, highlighting the displayed first linked entity in its entirety;
• while the displayed first linked entity is being highlighted, receiving, via the user interface, a fourth user input comprising a second character;
• and
• in response to receiving the fourth user input, performing:
• deleting the first linked entity while maintaining the invocation character;
• identifying a plurality of second identification entities relevant to the second character, each second identification entity associated with a different user;
• and
• displaying, via the display, a second auto-complete suggestion list comprising the plurality of second identification entities.

A non-transitory computer readable medium containing instructions which, when executed by a processor, cause a data processing system to perform functions of:

• receiving, via a user interface, a first user input comprising an invocation character and a first character arranged after the invocation character, the first invocation character comprising a non-space character;
• in response to receiving the first user input, identifying a plurality of first identification entities relevant to the first character, each first identification entity associated with a different user;
• displaying, via a display, a first auto-complete suggestion list comprising the plurality of first identification entities;
• receiving, via the user interface, a second user input to select one of the plurality of first identification entities of the first auto-complete suggestion list, the selected first identification entity being associated with a first user;
• creating a first linked entity linking the selected first identification entity to program code defining an action involving the first user;
• displaying, via the display, the invocation character and first linked entity, wherein the displayed first linked entity is arranged after the invocation character and editable only by deleting the first linked entity in its entirety;
• receiving, via the user interface, a third user input to select the displayed first linked entity;
• in response to receiving the third user input, highlighting the displayed first linked entity in its entirety;
• while the displayed first linked entity is being highlighted, receiving, via the user interface, a fourth user input comprising a second character;
• and
• in response to receiving the fourth user input, performing:
• deleting the first linked entity while maintaining the invocation character;
• identifying a plurality of second identification entities relevant to the second character, each second identification entity associated with a different user;
• and
• displaying, via the display, a second auto-complete suggestion list comprising the plurality of second identification entities.