1 \input texinfo @c -*-texinfo-*-
2 @setfilename ../info/ada-mode
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8 @comment !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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12 2005 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
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37 * Ada mode: (ada-mode). Emacs mode for editing Ada code.
44 @subtitle An Emacs major mode for programming Ada 95 with GNAT
45 @subtitle July 1998 for Ada Mode Version 3.0
48 @vskip 0pt plus 1filll
53 @node Top, Overview, (dir), (dir)
57 * Installation:: Installing Ada mode on your system
58 * Customization:: Setting up Ada mode to your taste
59 * Project files:: Describing the organization of your project
60 * Syntax highlighting:: Using specific colors and fonts to highlight
61 the structure of your files
62 * Moving Through Ada Code:: Moving easily through Ada sources
63 * Identifier completion:: Finishing words automatically
64 * Index Menu of Subprograms:: A menu of all the types and subprograms
65 defined in your application
66 * File Browser:: Easy access to your files
67 * Automatic Smart Indentation:: Indenting your code automatically as you type
68 * Formatting Parameter Lists:: Formatting subprograms' parameter lists
70 * Automatic Casing:: Adjusting the case of words automatically
71 * Statement Templates:: Inserting code templates
72 * Comment Handling:: Reformatting comments easily
73 * Compiling Executing:: Working with your application within Emacs
74 * Debugging:: Debugging your application
75 * Using non-standard file names:: Configuring Emacs for special file names
76 * Working Remotely:: Working on a different machine
81 @c -----------------------------------------------------------------------
82 @node Overview, Installation, Top, Top
84 @c -----------------------------------------------------------------------
86 The Emacs mode for programming in Ada 95 with GNAT helps the user in
87 understanding existing code and facilitates writing new code. It
88 furthermore provides some utility functions for easier integration of
89 standard Emacs features when programming in Ada.
91 @section General features:
95 full Integrated Development Environment:
98 support of ``project files'' for the configuration (directories,
99 compilation options,...)
101 compiling and stepping through error messages.
103 running and debugging your applications within Emacs.
106 easy to use for beginners by pull-down menus,
108 user configurable by many user-option variables.
111 @section Ada mode features that help understanding code:
115 functions for easy and quick stepping through Ada code,
117 getting cross reference information for identifiers (e.g. find the
118 defining place by a keystroke),
120 displaying an index menu of types and subprograms and move point to
123 automatic color highlighting of the various entities in Ada code.
126 @section Emacs support for writing Ada code:
130 switching between spec and body files with eventually
131 auto-generation of body files,
133 automatic formatting of subprograms' parameter lists.
135 automatic smart indentation according to Ada syntax,
137 automatic completion of identifiers,
139 automatic casing of identifiers, keywords, and attributes,
141 insertion of statement templates,
143 filling comment paragraphs like filling normal text,
146 @c -----------------------------------------------------------------------
147 @node Installation, Customization, Overview, Top
148 @chapter Installation
149 @c -----------------------------------------------------------------------
151 If you got Ada mode as a separate distribution, you should have a
152 look at the @file{README} file. It explains the basic steps necessary
153 for a good installation of the emacs Ada mode.
155 Installing the Ada mode is basically just a matter of copying a few
156 files into the Emacs library directories. Every time you open a file
157 with a file extension of @file{.ads} or @file{.adb}, Emacs will
158 automatically load and activate Ada mode.
160 @xref{Using non-standard file names}, if your files do
161 not use these extensions and if you want Emacs to automatically start the
162 Ada mode every time you edit an Ada file.
164 Also, for general usage variables that you might want to set,
167 @cite{The GNU Emacs Manual}.
170 @cite{The GNU Emacs Manual}.
173 @ref{Top, , The GNU Emacs Manual, emacs, The GNU Emacs Manual}.
176 @c ---------------------------------------------------------------------
177 @section Required files
178 @c ---------------------------------------------------------------------
180 This Ada mode works best with Emacs 20.3 or higher (the easy editing
181 features for the project files won't work with any older version), but
182 most of the commands should work with older versions too. Please try to
183 install the most recent version of Emacs on your system before
186 Although part of Ada mode is compiler-independent, the most advanced
187 features are specific to the Gnat compiler @url{http://www.gnat.com}.
189 The following files are provided with the Ada mode distribution:
194 @file{ada-mode.el}: The main file for Ada mode.
195 This is the only file which does not require Gnat. It contains the
196 functions for indentation, formatting of parameter lists, stepping
197 through code, comment handling and automatic casing. Emacs versions
198 20.2 and higher already contain Ada mode version 2.27, which is an older
199 version of this file and should be replaced. Loading @file{ada-mode.el}
200 from the current distribution supersedes the standard installation.
203 @file{ada-stmt.el}: Contains the statement templates feature.
206 @file{ada-xref.el}: This file provides the main support for Gnat.
207 This is where the functions for cross-references, completion of
208 identifiers, support for project files and compilation of your
209 application are defined.
212 @file{ada-prj.el}: The functions to use for easy-edition of the
213 project files. This file is the only one which really requires Emacs
214 at least 20.2. It uses the new widget features from Emacs.
218 @c --------------------------------------------------------------------
219 @node Customization, Project files, Installation, Top
220 @chapter Customizing Ada mode
221 @c ---------------------------------------------------------------------
223 Ada mode is fully customizable. Everything, from the file names to
224 the automatic indentation and the automatic casing can be adapted to
227 There are two different kinds of variables that control this
228 customization, both are easy to modify.
230 The first set of variables are standard Emacs variables. Of course, some
231 are defined only for Ada mode, whereas others have a more general
232 meaning in Emacs. Please see the Emacs documentation for more
233 information on the latest. In this documentation, we will detail all the
234 variables that are specific to Ada mode, and a few others. The names
235 will be given, as in @code{ada-case-identifier}.
237 Emacs provides an easy way to modify them, through a special mode called
238 customization. To access this mode, select the menu
239 @samp{Ada->Customize}. This will open a new buffer with some fields that
240 you can edit. For instance, you will get something like:
242 Put below the compiler switches.
243 comp_opt= _____________________________________
245 The first line gives a brief description of the variable. The second
246 line is the name of the variable and the field where you can give a
247 value for this variable. Simply type what you want in the field.
249 When you are finished modifying the variables, you can simply click on
250 the @b{Save for future sessions} button at the top of the buffer (click
251 with the middle mouse button). This will save the values in your
252 @file{.emacs} file, so that next time you start Emacs they will have the
255 To modify a specific variable, you can directly call the function
256 @code{customize-variable} from Emacs (just type @kbd{M-x
257 customize-variable @key{RET} @var{variable-name} @key{RET}}).
259 Some users might prefer to modify the variables directly in their
260 configuration file, @file{.emacs}. This file is coded in Emacs lisp, and
261 the syntax to set a variable is the following:
263 (setq variable-name value)
266 The second set of variables for customization are set through the use of
267 project files. These variables are specific to a given project, whereas
268 the first set was more general. For more information, please
269 @xref{Project files}.
271 @c ---------------------------------------------------------------------
272 @node Project files, Syntax highlighting, Customization, Top
273 @chapter Project files
274 @c ---------------------------------------------------------------------
276 @c ---------------------------------------------------------------------
277 @section General overview
278 @c ---------------------------------------------------------------------
280 Emacs provides a full Integrated Development Environment for GNAT and
281 Ada programmers. That is to say, editing, compiling, executing and
282 debugging can be performed within Emacs in a convenient and natural way.
284 To take full advantage of this features, it is possible to create a file
285 in the main directory of your application, with a @samp{.adp} extension.
286 This file contain all needed information dealing with the way your
287 application is organized between directories, the commands to compile,
288 run and debug it etc. Creating this file is not mandatory and convenient
289 defaults are automatically provided for simple setups. It only becomes
290 necessary when those above mentioned defaults need customizing.
292 A simple way to edit this file is provided for Emacs 20.2 or newer, with
293 the following functions, that you can access also through the Ada
294 menu. It is also possible to edit the project file as a regular text
297 Once in the buffer for editing the project file, you can save your
298 modification using the @samp{[OK]} button at the bottom of the buffer, or
299 simply use the usual @kbd{C-x C-s} binding. To cancel your
300 modifications, simply kill the buffer or click on the @samp{[CANCEL]} button
303 Each buffer using Ada mode will be associated with one project file when
304 there is one available, so that Emacs can easily navigate through
305 related source files for instance.
307 The exact algorithm to determine which project file should be used is
308 described in the next section, but you can force the project file you
309 want to use by setting one or two variables in your @file{.emacs} file.
313 To set up a default project file to use for any directory, anywhere
314 on your system, set the variable @code{ada-prj-default-project-file} to
315 the name of that file.
318 (set 'ada-prj-default-project-file "/dir1/dir2/file")
322 For finer control, you can set a per-directory project file.
323 This is done through the variable @code{ada-xref-default-prj-file}.
326 (set 'ada-xref-default-prj-file
327 '(("/dir1/dir2" . "/dir3/file1")
328 ("/dir4/dir5" . "/dir6/file2")))
331 Note: This has a higher priority than the first variable, so the first
332 choice is to use this variable settings, and otherwise
333 @code{ada-prj-default-project-file}.
339 @findex ada-customize
340 Create or edit the project file for the current buffer (@code{ada-customize}).
342 @findex ada-change-prj
343 Change the project file associated with the current Ada buffer (@code{ada-change-prj}).
345 @findex ada-change-default-project
346 Change the default project file for the current directory
347 (@code{ada-change-default-project}). Every new file opened from this
348 directory will be associated with that file by default.
349 @item ada-set-default-project-file
350 @findex ada-set-default-project-file
351 Set the default project file to use for *any* Ada file opened anywhere
352 on your system. This sets this file only for the current Emacs session.
355 @c ---------------------------------------------------------------------
356 @section Project file variables
357 @c ---------------------------------------------------------------------
359 The following variables can be defined in a project file. They all have
360 a default value, so that small projects do not need to create a project
363 Some variables below can be referenced in other variables, using a
364 shell-like notation. For instance, if the variable @code{comp_cmd}
365 contains a sequence like @code{$@{comp_opt@}}, the value of that variable
368 Here is the list of variables:
371 @item @code{src_dir} [default: @code{"./"}]
372 This is a list of directories where Ada mode will look for source
373 files. These directories are used mainly in two cases, both as a switch
374 for the compiler and for the cross-references.
376 @item @code{obj_dir} [default: @code{"./"}]
377 This is a list of directories where to look for object and library
378 files. The library files are the @samp{.ali} files generated by Gnat
379 and that contain cross-reference informations.
381 @item @code{comp_opt} [default: @code{""}]
382 Creates a variable which can be referred to subsequently by using the
383 @code{$@{comp_opt@}} notation. This is intended to store the default
384 switches given to @command{gnatmake} and @command{gcc}.
386 @item @code{bind_opt=@var{switches}} [default: @code{""}]
387 Creates a variable which can be referred to subsequently by using the
388 @code{$@{bind_opt@}} notation. This is intended to store the default
389 switches given to @command{gnatbind}.
391 @item @code{link_opt=@var{switches}} [default: @code{""}]
392 Creates a variable which can be referred to subsequently by using the
393 @code{$@{link_opt@}} notation. This is intended to store the default
394 switches given to @command{gnatlink}.
396 @item @code{main=@var{executable}} [default: @code{""}]
397 Specifies the name of the executable for the application. This variable
398 can be referred to in the following lines by using the @code{$@{main@}}
401 @item @code{cross_prefix=@var{prefix}} [default: @code{""}]
402 This variable should be set if you are working in a cross-compilation
403 environment. This is the prefix used in front of the gnatmake commands.
405 @item @code{remote_machine=@var{machine}} [default: @code{""}]
406 This is the name of the machine to log into before issuing the
407 compilation command. If this variable is empty, the command will be
408 run on the local machine. This will not work on Windows NT machines,
409 since Ada mode will simply precede the compilation command with a
410 @command{rsh} command, unknown on Windows.
412 @item @code{comp_cmd=@var{command}} [default: @code{"$@{cross_prefix@}gcc -c -I$@{src_dir@} -g -gnatq"}]
413 Specifies the command used to compile a single file in the application.
414 The name of the file will be added at the end of this command.
416 @item @code{make_cmd=@var{command}} [default: @code{"$@{cross_prefix@}gnatmake $@{main@} -aI$@{src_dir@} -aO$@{obj_dir@} -g -gnatq -cargs $@{comp_opt@} -bargs $@{bind_opt@} -largs $@{link_opt@}"]}'
417 Specifies the command used to recompile the whole application.
419 @item @code{run_cmd=@var{command}} [default: @code{"$@{main@}"}]
420 Specifies the command used to run the application.
422 @item @code{debug_cmd=@var{command}} [default: @code{"$@{cross_prefix@}gdb $@{main@}"}]
423 Specifies the command used to debug the application
427 @c ---------------------------------------------------------------------
428 @section Detailed algorithm
429 @c ---------------------------------------------------------------------
431 This section gives more details on the project file setup and is only of
432 interest for advanced users.
434 Usually, an Ada file is part of a larger application, whose sources and
435 objects can be spread over multiple directories. The first time emacs is
436 asked to compile, run or debug an application, or when a cross reference
437 function is used (goto declaration for instance), the following steps
442 find the appropriate project file, open and parse it.
443 All the fields read in the project file are then stored by emacs
444 locally. Finding the project file requires a few steps:
448 if a file from the same directory was already associated with
449 a project file, use the same one. This is the variable
450 @code{ada-xref-default-prj-file} described above.
452 if the variable @code{ada-prj-default-project-file} is set,
453 use the project file specified in this variable.
455 if there is a project file whose name is the same as the source file
456 except for the suffix, use this one.
458 if there's only one project file in the source directory, use
461 if there are more than one project file in the source directory,
464 if there are no project files in the source directory use standard
468 The first project file that is selected in a given directory becomes the
469 default project file for this directory and is used implicitly for other
470 sources unless specified otherwise by the user.
473 look for the corresponding @samp{.ali} file in the @code{obj_dir} defined
474 in the project file. If this file can not be found, emacs proposes to
475 compile the source using the @code{comp_cmd} defined in the project file
476 in order to create the ali file.
479 when cross referencing is requested, the @samp{.ali} file is parsed to
480 determine the file and line of the identifier definition. It is
481 possible for the @samp{.ali} file to be older than the source file,
482 in which case it will be recompiled if the variable
483 @code{ada-xref-create-ali} is set, otherwise the reference is searched
484 in the obsolete ali file with possible inaccurate results.
487 look for the file containing the declaration using the source
488 path @code{src_dir} defined in the project file. Put the cursor at the
489 correct position and display this new cursor.
492 @c -----------------------------------------------------------------------
493 @node Syntax highlighting, Moving Through Ada Code, Project files, Top
494 @chapter Syntax highlighting
495 @c -----------------------------------------------------------------------
497 Ada mode is made to help you understand the structure of your source
498 files. Some people like having colors or different fonts depending on
499 the context: commands should be displayed differently than keywords,
500 which should also be different from strings, @dots{}
502 Emacs is able to display in a different way the following syntactic
509 @item gnatprep statements (preprocessor)
510 @item types (under certain conditions)
514 This is not the default behavior for Emacs. You have to explicitly
515 activate it. This requires that you add a new line in your @file{.emacs}
516 file (if this file does not exist, just create it).
519 (global-font-lock-mode t)
522 But the default colors might not be the ones you like. Fortunately,
523 there is a very easy way to change them. Just select the menu
524 @samp{Help->Customize->Specific Face...} and press @key{RET}. This
525 will display a buffer will all the ``faces'' (the colors) that Emacs knows
526 about. You can change any of them.
529 @c -----------------------------------------------------------------------
530 @node Moving Through Ada Code, Identifier completion, Syntax highlighting, Top
531 @chapter Moving Through Ada Code
532 @c -----------------------------------------------------------------------
534 There are several easy to use commands to stroll through Ada code. All
535 these functions are available through the Ada menu, and you can also use
536 the following key bindings or the command names:
540 @findex ada-next-procedure
541 Move to the next function/procedure/task, which ever comes next
542 (@code{ada-next-procedure}).
544 @findex ada-previous-procedure
545 Move to previous function/procedure/task
546 (@code{ada-previous-procedure}).
547 @item M-x ada-next-package
548 @findex ada-next-package
549 Move to next package.
550 @item M-x ada-prev-package
551 @findex ada-prev-package
552 Move to previous package.
554 @findex ada-move-to-start
555 Move to matching start of @code{end} (@code{ada-move-to-start}). If
556 point is at the end of a subprogram, this command jumps to the
557 corresponding @code{begin} if the user option
558 @code{ada-move-to-declaration} is @code{nil} (default), it jumps to
559 the subprogram declaration otherwise.
561 @findex ada-move-to-end
562 Move point to end of current block (@code{ada-move-to-end}).
564 Switch between corresponding spec and body file
565 (@code{ff-find-other-file}). If the cursor is on a subprogram, switch
566 between declaration and body.
568 @findex ada-goto-declaration
569 Move from any reference to its declaration and switch between
570 declaration and body (for procedures, tasks, private and incomplete
573 @findex ada-find-references
574 runs the @file{gnatfind} command to search for all references to the
575 entity pointed by the cursor (@code{ada-find-references}). Use
576 @kbd{C-x `} (@code{next-error}) to visit each reference (as for
580 These functions use the information in the output of the Gnat Ada
581 compiler. However, if your application was compiled with the
582 @samp{-gnatx} switch, these functions will not work, since no extra
583 information is generated by GNAT. See GNAT documentation for further
586 Emacs will try to run Gnat for you whenever the cross-reference
587 informations are older than your source file (provided the
588 @code{ada-xref-create-ali} variable is non-@code{nil}). Gnat then produces a
589 file with the same name as the current Ada file but with the extension
590 changed to @file{.ali}. This files are normally used by the binder, but
591 they will also contain additional cross-referencing information.
593 @c -----------------------------------------------------------------------
594 @node Identifier completion, Index Menu of Subprograms, Moving Through Ada Code, Top
595 @chapter Identifier completion
596 @c -----------------------------------------------------------------------
598 @c -----------------------------------------------------------------------
600 @c -----------------------------------------------------------------------
602 Emacs and Ada mode provide two general ways for the completion of
603 identifiers. This is an easy way to type faster: you just have to type
604 the first few letters of an identifiers, and then loop through all the
605 possible completions.
607 The first method is general for Emacs. It will work both with Ada
608 buffers, but also in C buffers, Java buffers, @enddots{} The idea is to parse
609 all the opened buffers for possible completions.
611 For instance, if the words @samp{my_identifier}, @samp{my_subprogram}
612 are the only words starting with @samp{my} in any of the opened files,
613 then you will have this scenario:
616 You type: my@key{M-/}
617 Emacs inserts: @samp{my_identifier}
618 If you press @key{M-/} once again, Emacs replaces @samp{my_identifier} with
619 @samp{my_subprogram}.
620 Pressing @key{M-/} once more will bring you back to @samp{my_identifier}.
623 This is a very fast way to do completion, and the casing of words will
626 The second method is specific to Ada buffer, and even to users of the
627 Gnat compiler. Emacs will search the cross-information found in the
628 @samp{.ali} files generated by Gnat for possible completions.
630 The main advantage is that this completion is more accurate: only
631 existing identifier will be suggested, you don't need to have a file
632 opened that already contains this identifiers, @enddots{}
634 On the other hand, this completion is a little bit slower and requires
635 that you have compiled your file at least once since you created that
638 @c -----------------------------------------------------------------------
639 @section Summary of commands
640 @c -----------------------------------------------------------------------
644 @findex ada-complete-identifier
645 Complete accurately current identifier using information in @samp{.ali} file
646 (@code{ada-complete-identifier}).
648 Complete identifier using buffer information (not Ada-specific).
651 @c -----------------------------------------------------------------------
652 @node Index Menu of Subprograms, File Browser, Identifier completion, Top
653 @chapter Index Menu of Subprograms
654 @c -----------------------------------------------------------------------
656 You can display a choice menu with all procedure/function/task
657 declarations in the file and choose an item by mouse click to get to its
658 declaration. This function is accessible through the @samp{Ada} menu when
659 editing a Ada file, or simply through the following key binding:
666 @c -----------------------------------------------------------------------
667 @node File Browser, Automatic Smart Indentation, Index Menu of Subprograms, Top
668 @chapter File Browser
669 @c -----------------------------------------------------------------------
671 Emacs provides a special mode, called @code{speedbar}. When this mode is
672 activated, a new frame is displayed, with a file browser. The files from
673 the current directory are displayed, and you can click on them as you
674 would with any file browser. The following commands are then available.
676 You can click on a directory name or file name to open it. The editor
677 will automatically select the best possible mode for this file,
678 including of course Ada mode for files written in Ada.
680 If you click on the @samp{[+]} symbol near a file name, all the symbols (types,
681 variables and subprograms) defined in that file will be displayed, and
682 you can directly click on them to open the right file at the right
685 You can activate this mode by typing @key{M-x speedbar} in the editor.
686 This will open a new frame. A better way might be to associate the
687 following key binding
690 (global-set-key [f7] 'speedbar-get-focus)
693 Every time you press @key{F7}, the mouse will automatically move to the
694 speedbar frame (which will be created if it does not exist).
696 @c -----------------------------------------------------------------------
697 @node Automatic Smart Indentation, Formatting Parameter Lists, File Browser, Top
698 @chapter Automatic Smart Indentation
699 @c -----------------------------------------------------------------------
701 Ada mode comes with a full set of rules for automatic indentation.
702 You can of course configure the indentation as you want, by setting the
703 value of a few variables.
705 As always, the preferred way to modify variables is to use the
706 @samp{Ada->Customize} menu (don't forget to save your changes!). This
707 will also show you some example of code where this variable is used, and
708 hopefully make things clearer.
710 The relevant variables are the following:
713 @item @code{ada-broken-indent} (default value: 2)
714 Number of columns to indent the continuation of a broken line.
716 @item @code{ada-indent} (default value: 3)
717 Width of the default indentation.
719 @item @code{ada-indent-record-rel-type} (default value: 3)
720 Indentation for @code{record} relative to @code{type} or @code{use}.
722 @item @code{ada-indent-return} (default value: 0)
723 Indentation for @code{return} relative to @code{function} (if
724 @code{ada-indent-return} is greater than 0), or the open parenthesis
725 (if @code{ada-indent-return} is negative or null). Note that in the second
726 case, when there is no open parenthesis, the indentation is done
727 relative to @code{function} with the value of @code{ada-broken-indent}.
729 @item @code{ada-label-indent} (default value: -4)
730 Number of columns to indent a label.
732 @item @code{ada-stmt-end-indent} (default value: 0)
733 Number of columns to indent a statement @code{end} keyword on a separate line.
735 @item @code{ada-when-indent} (default value: 3)
736 Indentation for @code{when} relative to @code{exception} or @code{case}.
738 @item @code{ada-indent-is-separate} (default value: t)
739 Non-@code{nil} means indent @code{is separate} or @code{is abstract} if on a single line.
741 @item @code{ada-indent-to-open-paren} (default value: t)
742 Non-@code{nil} means indent according to the innermost open parenthesis.
744 @item @code{ada-indent-after-return} (default value: t)
745 Non-@code{nil} means that the current line will also be re-indented before
746 inserting a newline, when you press @key{RET}.
749 Most of the time, the indentation will be automatic, i.e when you will
750 press @key{RET}, the cursor will move to the correct column on the
753 However, you might want or need sometimes to re-indent the current line
754 or a set of lines. For this, you can simply go to that line, or select
755 the lines, and then press @key{TAB}. This will automatically re-indent
758 Another mode of indentation exists that helps you to set up your
759 indentation scheme. If you press @kbd{C-c @key{TAB}}, Ada mode will do
764 Reindent the current line, as @key{TAB} would do.
766 Temporarily move the cursor to a reference line, i.e., the line that
767 was used to calculate the current indentation.
769 Display at the bottom of the window the name of the variable that
770 provided the offset for the indentation.
773 The exact indentation of the current line is the same as the one for the
774 reference line, plus an offset given by the variable.
776 Once you know the name of the variable, you can either modify it
777 through the usual @samp{Ada->Customize} menu, or by typing @kbd{M-x
778 customize-variable @key{RET}} in the Emacs window, and then give the
779 name of the variable.
783 Indent the current line or the current region.
785 Indent lines in the current selected block.
787 Indent the current line and prints the name of the variable used for
793 @c -----------------------------------------------------------------------
794 @node Formatting Parameter Lists, Automatic Casing, Automatic Smart Indentation, Top
795 @chapter Formatting Parameter Lists
796 @c -----------------------------------------------------------------------
798 To help you correctly align fields in a subprogram parameter list,
799 Emacs provides one function that will do most of the work for you.
800 This function will align the declarations on the colon (@samp{:})
801 separating argument names and argument types, plus align the
802 @code{in}, @code{out} and @code{in out} keywords if required.
806 @findex ada-format-paramlist
807 Format the parameter list (@code{ada-format-paramlist}).
810 @c -----------------------------------------------------------------------
811 @node Automatic Casing, Statement Templates, Formatting Parameter Lists, Top
812 @chapter Automatic Casing
813 @c -----------------------------------------------------------------------
815 Casing of identifiers, attributes and keywords is automatically
816 performed while typing when the variable @code{ada-auto-case} is set.
817 Every time you press a word separator, the previous word is
820 You can customize the automatic casing differently for keywords,
821 attributes and identifiers. The relevant variables are the following:
822 @code{ada-case-keyword}, @code{ada-case-attribute} and
823 @code{ada-case-identifier}.
825 All these variables can have one of the following values:
829 The previous word will simply be in all lower cases. For instance
830 @code{My_vARIable} is converted to @code{my_variable}.
833 The previous word will be fully converted to upper cases. For instance
834 @code{My_vARIable} is converted to @code{MY_VARIABLE}.
836 @item ada-capitalize-word
837 All letters, except the first one of the word and every letter after the
838 @samp{_} character are lower cased. Other letters are upper cased. For
839 instance @code{My_vARIable} is converted to @code{My_Variable}.
841 @item ada-loose-case-word
842 No letters is modified in the previous word, except the ones after the
843 @samp{_} character that are upper cased. For instance @code{My_vARIable} is
844 converted to @code{My_VARIable}.
847 These functions, although they will work in most cases, will not be
848 accurate sometimes. The Ada mode allows you to define some exceptions,
849 that will always be cased the same way.
851 The idea is to create a dictionary of exceptions, and store it in a
852 file. This file should contain one identifier per line, with the casing
853 you want to force. The default name for this file is
854 @file{~/.emacs_case_exceptions}. You can of course change this name,
855 through the variable @code{ada-case-exception-file}.
857 Note that each line in this file must start with the key word whose
858 casing you want to specify. The rest of the line can be used for
859 comments (explaining for instance what an abbreviation means, as
860 recommended in the Ada 95 Quality and Style, paragraph 3.1.4). Thus, a
861 good example for this file could be:
864 DOD Department of Defense
866 GNAT The GNAT compiler from Ada Core Technologies
869 When working on project involving multiple programmers, we recommend
870 that every member of the team sets this variable to the same value,
871 which should point to a system-wide file that each of them can
872 write. That way, you will ensure that the casing is consistent
873 throughout your application(s).
875 @findex ada-create-case-exception
876 There are two ways to add new items to this file: you can simply edit it
877 as you would edit any text file, and add or suppress entries in this
878 file. Remember that you should put one entity per line. The other,
879 easier way, is to position the cursor over the word you want to add, in
880 an Ada buffer. This word should have the casing you want. Then simply
881 select the menu @samp{Ada->Edit->Create Case Exception}, or the key
882 @kbd{C-c C-y} (@code{ada-create-case-exception}). The word will
883 automatically be added to the current list of exceptions and to the file.
885 It is sometimes useful to have multiple exception files around (for
886 instance, one could be the standard Ada acronyms, the second some
887 company specific exceptions, and the last one some project specific
888 exceptions). If you set up the variable @code{ada-case-exception-file}
889 as a list of files, each of them will be parsed and used in your emacs
892 However, when you save a new exception through the menu, as described
893 above, the new exception will be added to the first file in the list
894 only. You can not automatically add an exception to one of the other
895 files, although you can of course edit the files by hand at any time.
897 Automatic casing can be performed on port or whole buffer using:
901 @findex ada-adjust-case-buffer
902 Adjust case in the whole buffer (@code{ada-adjust-case-buffer}).
904 Create a new entry in the exception dictionary, with the word under
905 the cursor (@code{ada-create-case-exception})
907 @findex ada-case-read-exceptions
908 Rereads the exception dictionary from the file
909 @code{ada-case-exception-file} (@code{ada-case-read-exceptions}).
912 @c -----------------------------------------------------------------------
913 @node Statement Templates, Comment Handling, Automatic Casing, Top
914 @chapter Statement Templates
915 @c -----------------------------------------------------------------------
917 NOTE: This features are not available on VMS for Emacs 19.28. The
918 functions used here do not exist on Emacs 19.28.
920 Templates exist for most Ada statements. They can be inserted in the
921 buffer using the following commands:
925 @findex ada-exception-block
926 exception Block (@code{ada-exception-block}).
929 case (@code{ada-case}).
931 @findex ada-declare-block
932 declare Block (@code{ada-declare-block}).
935 else (@code{ada-else}).
938 for Loop (@code{ada-for-loop}).
941 Header (@code{ada-header}).
946 @findex ada-package-body
947 package Body (@code{ada-package-body}).
950 loop (@code{ada-loop}).
952 @findex ada-subprogram-body
953 subprogram body (@code{ada-subprogram-body}).
955 @findex ada-task-body
956 task Body (@code{ada-task-body}).
959 while Loop (@code{ada-while}).
962 use (@code{ada-use}).
965 exit (@code{ada-exit}).
968 array (@code{ada-array}).
971 elsif (@code{ada-elsif}).
973 @findex ada-function-spec
974 function Spec (@code{ada-function-spec}).
976 @findex ada-package-spec
977 package Spec (@code{ada-package-spec}).
979 @findex ada-procedure-spec
980 procedure Spec (@code{ada-package-spec}.
983 record (@code{ada-record}).
986 subtype (@code{ada-subtype}).
988 @findex ada-task-spec
989 task Spec (@code{ada-task-spec}).
992 with (@code{ada-with}).
995 private (@code{ada-private}).
998 when (@code{ada-when}).
1000 @findex ada-exception
1001 exception (@code{ada-exception}).
1004 type (@code{ada-type}).
1007 @c -----------------------------------------------------------------------
1008 @node Comment Handling, Compiling Executing, Statement Templates, Top
1009 @chapter Comment Handling
1010 @c -----------------------------------------------------------------------
1012 By default, comment lines get indented like Ada code. There are a few
1013 additional functions to handle comments:
1018 Start a comment in default column.
1020 Continue comment on next line.
1022 Comment the selected region (add -- at the beginning of lines).
1024 Uncomment the selected region
1026 autofill the current comment.
1029 @c -----------------------------------------------------------------------
1030 @node Compiling Executing, Debugging, Comment Handling, Top
1031 @chapter Compiling Executing
1032 @c -----------------------------------------------------------------------
1034 Ada mode provides a much complete environment for compiling, debugging
1035 and running an application within Emacs.
1037 All the commands used by Emacs to manipulate your application can be
1038 customized in the project file. Some default values are provided, but
1039 these will likely not be good enough for a big or even medium-sized
1040 project. See the section on the project file for an explanation on how
1041 to set up the commands to use.
1043 One of the variables you can set in your project file,
1044 @code{cross_prefix}, indicates whether you are using a cross-compilation
1045 environment, and if yes for which target. The default command used for
1046 compilation will add this @code{cross_prefix} in front of the name:
1047 @code{gcc} will become @code{cross_prefix}-@code{gcc}, @code{gnatmake}
1048 will become @code{cross_prefix}-@code{gnatmake}, @enddots{}
1050 This will also modify the way your application is run and debugged,
1051 although this is not implemented at the moment.
1053 Here are the commands for building and using an Ada application
1057 @item Compiling the current source
1058 This command is issued when issuing the @code{compile} command from the
1059 Ada menu. It compiles unconditionally the current source using the
1060 @code{comp_cmd} variable of the project file. Compilation options can be
1061 customized with the variable @code{comp_opt} of the project file.
1063 Emacs will display a new buffer that contains the result of the
1064 compilation. Each line associated with an error will become active: you
1065 can simply click on it with the middle button of the mouse, or move the
1066 cursor on it and press @key{RET}. Emacs will then display the
1067 relevant source file and put the cursor on the line and column the error
1070 You can also simply press the @kbd{C-x `} key and Emacs will jump to the
1071 first error. If you press that key again, it will move you to the second
1074 Some error messages might also include references to some files. These
1075 references are also clickable in the same way.
1078 @item (Re)building the whole application
1079 This command is issued when you select the @code{build} command from the
1080 Ada menu. It compiles all obsolete units of the current application
1081 using the @code{make_cmd} variable of the project file. Compilation
1082 options can be customized with the variable @code{comp_opt} of the
1083 project file, binder options with @code{bind_opt} and linker options
1084 with @code{link_opt}. The main unit of the application may be specified
1087 The compilation buffer is also active in the same way it was for the above
1090 @item Running the application
1091 This command is issued when you select the @code{run} command from the
1092 Ada menu. It executes the current application in an emacs
1093 buffer. Arguments can be passed through before executing. The execution
1094 buffer allows for interactive input/output.
1096 This command is not yet available in a cross-compilation
1097 toolchain. Emacs would first need to log on the target before running
1098 the application. This will be implemented in a future release of Gnat.
1102 @c ---------------------------------------------------------------------
1103 @node Debugging, Using non-standard file names, Compiling Executing, Top
1104 @chapter Debugging your application
1105 @c ---------------------------------------------------------------------
1107 You can set up in the project file a command to use to debug your
1108 application. Emacs is compatible with a lot of debuggers, and provide an
1109 easy interface to them.
1111 This selection will focus on the gdb debugger, and two of the graphical
1112 interfaces that exist for it.
1114 In all cases, the main window in Emacs will be split in two: in the
1115 upper buffer, the source code will appear, whereas the debugger
1116 input/output window is displayed at the bottom. You can enter the
1117 debugger commands as usual in the command window. Every time a new
1118 source file is selected by the debugger (for instance as a result of a
1119 @code{frame} command), the appropriate source file is displayed in the
1122 The source window is interactive: you can click on an identifier with the
1123 right mouse button, and print its value in the debugger window. You can
1124 also set a breakpoint simply by right-clicking on a line.
1126 You can easily use Emacs as the source window when you are using a
1127 graphical interface for the debugger. The interesting thing is that,
1128 whereas you still have the graphical nifties, you can also you the
1129 cross-references features that Ada mode provides to look at the
1130 definition for the identifiers, @enddots{}
1132 Here is how you can set up gdbtk and ddd for use with Emacs (These are
1133 the commands you should setup in the project file):
1137 should be used with the switch @samp{--emacs_gdbtk}. It provides a nice
1138 backtrace window, as well as a tasks window. You can click interactively
1139 on both of them, and Emacs will display the source file on the correct
1142 @item ddd (Data Display Debugger)
1143 should be used with the switches @samp{--tty} and
1144 @samp{--fullname}. Whenever you print a variable from Emacs, it will
1145 be displayed graphically in the data window.
1150 @c ---------------------------------------------------------------------
1151 @node Using non-standard file names, Working Remotely, Debugging, Top
1152 @chapter Using non-standard file names
1153 @c ---------------------------------------------------------------------
1155 By default, Emacs is configured to use the GNAT style file names, where
1156 file names are the package names, and the extension for spec and bodies
1157 are respectively @samp{.ads} and @samp{.adb}.
1159 If you want to use other types of file names, you will need to modify
1160 your @file{.emacs} file.
1162 Adding new possible extensions is easy. Since Ada mode needs to know
1163 how to go from the body to the spec (and back), you always have to
1164 specify both. A function is provided with Ada mode to add new
1167 For instance, if your spec and bodies files are called
1168 @file{@var{unit}_s.ada} and @file{@var{unit}_b.ada}, respectively, you
1169 need to add the following to your @file{.emacs} file:
1172 (ada-add-extensions "_s.ada" "_b.ada")
1175 Note that it is possible to redefine the extension, even if they already
1179 (ada-add-extensions ".ads" "_b.ada")
1180 (ada-add-extensions ".ads" ".body")
1183 This simply means that whenever the ada-mode will look for the body for
1184 a file whose extension is @file{.ads}, it will take the first available
1185 file that ends with either @file{.adb} (standard), @file{_b.ada} or
1188 If the filename is not the unit name, then things are a little more
1189 complicated. You then need to rewrite the function
1190 @code{ada-make-filename-from-adaname} (see the file @file{ada-mode.el}
1193 @c ---------------------------------------------------------------------
1194 @node Working Remotely, Index, Using non-standard file names, Top
1195 @chapter Working Remotely
1196 @c ---------------------------------------------------------------------
1198 When you work on project that involve a lot of programmers, it is
1199 generally the case that you will edit the files on your own machine, but
1200 you want to compile, run and debug your application in another buffer.
1202 Fortunately, here too Emacs provides a very convenient way to do this.
1204 @c ---------------------------------------------------------------------
1205 @section Remote editing
1206 @c ---------------------------------------------------------------------
1208 First of all, the files do not need to be on your machine. Emacs can
1209 edit any remote file, by doing transparent FTP sessions between your
1210 machine and the remote machine that stores your files. This is a special
1211 Emacs mode, called @code{ange-ftp}. To use it, you just have to use a
1212 slightly different syntax when you open a file.
1214 For instance, if you want to open the file @file{/work/foo.adb} on the machine
1215 aleph.gnu.org, where you log in as qwe, you would simply do this:
1218 C-x C-f /qwe@@aleph.gnu.org:/work/foo.adb @key{RET}
1222 i.e., use your name, the name of the machine and the name of the file.
1224 The first time, Emacs will ask you for a password that it will remember
1225 until you close the current Emacs. Even if the ftp session times out,
1226 you won't need to reenter your password.
1228 Every time you save the file, Emacs will upload it to the remote machine
1229 transparently. No file is modified on the local machine.
1231 @c ---------------------------------------------------------------------
1232 @section Remote compiling
1233 @c ---------------------------------------------------------------------
1235 If the machine you want to compile on is not the one your Emacs is
1236 running on, you can set the variable @code{remote_machine} in the
1237 project file for your application.
1239 This will force Emacs to issue a @command{rsh} command for the compilation,
1240 instead of running it on the local machine. Unfortunately, this won't
1241 work on Windows workstations, since this protocol is not supported.
1244 If your @code{remote_machine} is aleph.gnu.org and the standard
1245 compilation command is @code{cd /work/ && gnatmake foo}, then Emacs will
1246 actually issue the command @code{rsh aleph.gnu.org 'cd /work/ &&
1250 The advantage of using the @code{remote_machine} variable is that it is
1251 easier to change that machine without having to modify the compilation
1254 Note that if you need to set up some environment variables before the
1255 compilation, you need to insert a call to the appropriate initialization
1256 script in the compilation command, for instance:
1259 build_cmd= initialization_script; cd /work/ && gnatmake foo
1262 @c ---------------------------------------------------------------------
1263 @section Remote running and debugging
1264 @c ---------------------------------------------------------------------
1266 This feature is not completely implemented yet.
1268 However, most of the time, you will be able to run your application
1269 remotely simply by replacing it with a @command{rsh} call.
1270 For instance, if your command was @code{$@{main@}}, you could replace it with
1271 @code{rsh aleph.gnu.org $@{main@}}.
1273 However, this would not work on vxworks, for instance, where
1274 @command{rsh} is not supported.
1276 @node Index, , Working Remotely, Top
1285 arch-tag: 68cf0d8a-55cc-4190-a28d-4984fa56ed1e