2 @c This is part of the GNU Emacs Lisp Reference Manual.
3 @c Copyright (C) 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1998, 1999, 2002, 2003,
4 @c 2004, 2005, 2006 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
5 @c See the file elisp.texi for copying conditions.
6 @setfilename ../info/windows
7 @node Windows, Frames, Buffers, Top
10 This chapter describes most of the functions and variables related to
11 Emacs windows. See @ref{Display}, for information on how text is
15 * Basic Windows:: Basic information on using windows.
16 * Splitting Windows:: Splitting one window into two windows.
17 * Deleting Windows:: Deleting a window gives its space to other windows.
18 * Selecting Windows:: The selected window is the one that you edit in.
19 * Cyclic Window Ordering:: Moving around the existing windows.
20 * Buffers and Windows:: Each window displays the contents of a buffer.
21 * Displaying Buffers:: Higher-level functions for displaying a buffer
22 and choosing a window for it.
23 * Choosing Window:: How to choose a window for displaying a buffer.
24 * Window Point:: Each window has its own location of point.
25 * Window Start:: The display-start position controls which text
26 is on-screen in the window.
27 * Textual Scrolling:: Moving text up and down through the window.
28 * Vertical Scrolling:: Moving the contents up and down on the window.
29 * Horizontal Scrolling:: Moving the contents sideways on the window.
30 * Size of Window:: Accessing the size of a window.
31 * Resizing Windows:: Changing the size of a window.
32 * Coordinates and Windows:: Converting coordinates to windows.
33 * Window Tree:: The layout and sizes of all windows in a frame.
34 * Window Configurations:: Saving and restoring the state of the screen.
35 * Window Hooks:: Hooks for scrolling, window size changes,
36 redisplay going past a certain point,
37 or window configuration changes.
41 @section Basic Concepts of Emacs Windows
43 @cindex selected window
45 A @dfn{window} in Emacs is the physical area of the screen in which a
46 buffer is displayed. The term is also used to refer to a Lisp object that
47 represents that screen area in Emacs Lisp. It should be
48 clear from the context which is meant.
50 Emacs groups windows into frames. A frame represents an area of
51 screen available for Emacs to use. Each frame always contains at least
52 one window, but you can subdivide it vertically or horizontally into
53 multiple nonoverlapping Emacs windows.
55 In each frame, at any time, one and only one window is designated as
56 @dfn{selected within the frame}. The frame's cursor appears in that
57 window, but the other windows have ``non-selected'' cursors, normally
58 less visible. At any time, one frame is the selected frame; and the
59 window selected within that frame is @dfn{the selected window}. The
60 selected window's buffer is usually the current buffer (except when
61 @code{set-buffer} has been used). @xref{Current Buffer}.
63 @defvar cursor-in-non-selected-windows
64 If this variable is @code{nil}, Emacs displays only one cursor,
65 in the selected window. Other windows have no cursor at all.
68 For practical purposes, a window exists only while it is displayed in
69 a frame. Once removed from the frame, the window is effectively deleted
70 and should not be used, @emph{even though there may still be references
71 to it} from other Lisp objects. Restoring a saved window configuration
72 is the only way for a window no longer on the screen to come back to
73 life. (@xref{Deleting Windows}.)
75 Each window has the following attributes:
88 window edges with respect to the screen or frame
91 the buffer it displays
94 position within the buffer at the upper left of the window
97 amount of horizontal scrolling, in columns
106 how recently the window was selected
118 @cindex multiple windows
119 Users create multiple windows so they can look at several buffers at
120 once. Lisp libraries use multiple windows for a variety of reasons, but
121 most often to display related information. In Rmail, for example, you
122 can move through a summary buffer in one window while the other window
123 shows messages one at a time as they are reached.
125 The meaning of ``window'' in Emacs is similar to what it means in the
126 context of general-purpose window systems such as X, but not identical.
127 The X Window System places X windows on the screen; Emacs uses one or
128 more X windows as frames, and subdivides them into
129 Emacs windows. When you use Emacs on a character-only terminal, Emacs
130 treats the whole terminal screen as one frame.
132 @cindex terminal screen
133 @cindex screen of terminal
134 @cindex tiled windows
135 Most window systems support arbitrarily located overlapping windows.
136 In contrast, Emacs windows are @dfn{tiled}; they never overlap, and
137 together they fill the whole screen or frame. Because of the way in
138 which Emacs creates new windows and resizes them, not all conceivable
139 tilings of windows on an Emacs frame are actually possible.
140 @xref{Splitting Windows}, and @ref{Size of Window}.
142 @xref{Display}, for information on how the contents of the
143 window's buffer are displayed in the window.
145 @defun windowp object
146 This function returns @code{t} if @var{object} is a window.
149 @node Splitting Windows
150 @section Splitting Windows
151 @cindex splitting windows
152 @cindex window splitting
154 The functions described here are the primitives used to split a window
155 into two windows. Two higher level functions sometimes split a window,
156 but not always: @code{pop-to-buffer} and @code{display-buffer}
157 (@pxref{Displaying Buffers}).
159 The functions described here do not accept a buffer as an argument.
160 The two ``halves'' of the split window initially display the same buffer
161 previously visible in the window that was split.
163 @deffn Command split-window &optional window size horizontal
164 This function splits @var{window} into two windows. The original
165 window @var{window} remains the selected window, but occupies only
166 part of its former screen area. The rest is occupied by a newly created
167 window which is returned as the value of this function.
169 If @var{horizontal} is non-@code{nil}, then @var{window} splits into
170 two side by side windows. The original window @var{window} keeps the
171 leftmost @var{size} columns, and gives the rest of the columns to the
172 new window. Otherwise, it splits into windows one above the other, and
173 @var{window} keeps the upper @var{size} lines and gives the rest of the
174 lines to the new window. The original window is therefore the
175 left-hand or upper of the two, and the new window is the right-hand or
178 If @var{window} is omitted or @code{nil}, then the selected window is
179 split. If @var{size} is omitted or @code{nil}, then @var{window} is
180 divided evenly into two parts. (If there is an odd line, it is
181 allocated to the new window.) When @code{split-window} is called
182 interactively, all its arguments are @code{nil}.
184 If splitting would result in making a window that is smaller than
185 @code{window-min-height} or @code{window-min-width}, the function
186 signals an error and does not split the window at all.
188 The following example starts with one window on a screen that is 50
189 lines high by 80 columns wide; then it splits the window.
193 (setq w (selected-window))
194 @result{} #<window 8 on windows.texi>
195 (window-edges) ; @r{Edges in order:}
196 @result{} (0 0 80 50) ; @r{left--top--right--bottom}
200 ;; @r{Returns window created}
201 (setq w2 (split-window w 15))
202 @result{} #<window 28 on windows.texi>
206 @result{} (0 15 80 50) ; @r{Bottom window;}
211 @result{} (0 0 80 15) ; @r{Top window}
215 The screen looks like this:
231 Next, split the top window horizontally:
235 (setq w3 (split-window w 35 t))
236 @result{} #<window 32 on windows.texi>
240 @result{} (35 0 80 15) ; @r{Left edge at column 35}
244 @result{} (0 0 35 15) ; @r{Right edge at column 35}
248 @result{} (0 15 80 50) ; @r{Bottom window unchanged}
253 Now the screen looks like this:
270 Normally, Emacs indicates the border between two side-by-side windows
271 with a scroll bar (@pxref{Layout Parameters,Scroll Bars}) or @samp{|}
272 characters. The display table can specify alternative border
273 characters; see @ref{Display Tables}.
276 @deffn Command split-window-vertically &optional size
277 This function splits the selected window into two windows, one above the
278 other, leaving the upper of the two windows selected, with @var{size}
279 lines. (If @var{size} is negative, then the lower of the two windows
280 gets @minus{} @var{size} lines and the upper window gets the rest, but
281 the upper window is still the one selected.) However, if
282 @code{split-window-keep-point} (see below) is @code{nil}, then either
283 window can be selected.
285 In other respects, this function is similar to @code{split-window}.
286 In particular, the upper window is the original one and the return
287 value is the new, lower window.
290 @defopt split-window-keep-point
291 If this variable is non-@code{nil} (the default), then
292 @code{split-window-vertically} behaves as described above.
294 If it is @code{nil}, then @code{split-window-vertically} adjusts point
295 in each of the two windows to avoid scrolling. (This is useful on
296 slow terminals.) It selects whichever window contains the screen line
297 that point was previously on.
299 This variable only affects the behavior of @code{split-window-vertically}.
300 It has no effect on the other functions described here.
303 @deffn Command split-window-horizontally &optional size
304 This function splits the selected window into two windows
305 side-by-side, leaving the selected window on the left with @var{size}
306 columns. If @var{size} is negative, the rightmost window gets
307 @minus{} @var{size} columns, but the leftmost window still remains
310 This function is basically an interface to @code{split-window}.
311 You could define a simplified version of the function like this:
315 (defun split-window-horizontally (&optional arg)
316 "Split selected window into two windows, side by side..."
320 (let ((size (and arg (prefix-numeric-value arg))))
322 (setq size (+ (window-width) size)))
323 (split-window nil size t)))
328 @defun one-window-p &optional no-mini all-frames
329 This function returns non-@code{nil} if there is only one window. The
330 argument @var{no-mini}, if non-@code{nil}, means don't count the
331 minibuffer even if it is active; otherwise, the minibuffer window is
332 counted when it is active.
334 The argument @var{all-frames} specifies which frames to consider. Here
335 are the possible values and their meanings:
339 Count the windows in the selected frame, plus the minibuffer used
340 by that frame even if it lies in some other frame.
343 Count all windows in all existing frames.
346 Count all windows in all visible frames.
349 Count all windows in all visible or iconified frames.
352 Count precisely the windows in the selected frame, and no others.
356 @node Deleting Windows
357 @section Deleting Windows
358 @cindex deleting windows
360 A window remains visible on its frame unless you @dfn{delete} it by
361 calling certain functions that delete windows. A deleted window cannot
362 appear on the screen, but continues to exist as a Lisp object until
363 there are no references to it. There is no way to cancel the deletion
364 of a window aside from restoring a saved window configuration
365 (@pxref{Window Configurations}). Restoring a window configuration also
366 deletes any windows that aren't part of that configuration.
368 When you delete a window, the space it took up is given to one
372 @defun window-live-p window
373 This function returns @code{nil} if @var{window} is deleted, and
376 @strong{Warning:} Erroneous information or fatal errors may result from
377 using a deleted window as if it were live.
380 @deffn Command delete-window &optional window
381 This function removes @var{window} from display, and returns @code{nil}.
382 If @var{window} is omitted, then the selected window is deleted. An
383 error is signaled if there is only one window when @code{delete-window}
387 @deffn Command delete-other-windows &optional window
388 This function makes @var{window} the only window on its frame, by
389 deleting the other windows in that frame. If @var{window} is omitted or
390 @code{nil}, then the selected window is used by default.
392 The return value is @code{nil}.
395 @deffn Command delete-windows-on buffer-or-name &optional frame
396 This function deletes all windows showing @var{buffer-or-name}. If
397 there are no windows showing @var{buffer-or-name}, it does nothing.
398 @var{buffer-or-name} must be a buffer or the name of an existing
401 @code{delete-windows-on} operates frame by frame. If a frame has
402 several windows showing different buffers, then those showing
403 @var{buffer-or-name} are removed, and the others expand to fill the
404 space. If all windows in some frame are showing @var{buffer-or-name}
405 (including the case where there is only one window), then the frame
406 winds up with a single window showing another buffer chosen with
407 @code{other-buffer}. @xref{The Buffer List}.
409 The argument @var{frame} controls which frames to operate on. This
410 function does not use it in quite the same way as the other functions
411 which scan all windows; specifically, the values @code{t} and @code{nil}
412 have the opposite of their meanings in other functions. Here are the
417 If it is @code{nil}, operate on all frames.
419 If it is @code{t}, operate on the selected frame.
421 If it is @code{visible}, operate on all visible frames.
423 If it is 0, operate on all visible or iconified frames.
425 If it is a frame, operate on that frame.
428 This function always returns @code{nil}.
431 @node Selecting Windows
432 @section Selecting Windows
433 @cindex selecting windows
435 When a window is selected, the buffer in the window becomes the current
436 buffer, and the cursor will appear in it.
438 @defun selected-window
439 This function returns the selected window. This is the window in
440 which the cursor appears and to which many commands apply.
443 @defun select-window window &optional norecord
444 This function makes @var{window} the selected window. The cursor then
445 appears in @var{window} (on redisplay). Unless @var{window} was
446 already selected, @code{select-window} makes @var{window}'s buffer the
449 Normally @var{window}'s selected buffer is moved to the front of the
450 buffer list, but if @var{norecord} is non-@code{nil}, the buffer list
453 The return value is @var{window}.
457 (setq w (next-window))
459 @result{} #<window 65 on windows.texi>
464 @defmac save-selected-window forms@dots{}
465 This macro records the selected frame, as well as the selected window
466 of each frame, executes @var{forms} in sequence, then restores the
467 earlier selected frame and windows. It also saves and restores the
468 current buffer. It returns the value of the last form in @var{forms}.
470 This macro does not save or restore anything about the sizes,
471 arrangement or contents of windows; therefore, if the @var{forms}
472 change them, the change persists. If the previously selected window
473 of some frame is no longer live at the time of exit from @var{forms},
474 that frame's selected window is left alone. If the previously
475 selected window is no longer live, then whatever window is selected at
476 the end of @var{forms} remains selected.
479 @defmac with-selected-window window forms@dots{}
480 This macro selects @var{window} (without changing the buffer list),
481 executes @var{forms} in sequence, then restores the previously
482 selected window and current buffer. It is just like
483 @code{save-selected-window}, except that it explicitly selects
484 @var{window}, also without altering the buffer list sequence.
487 @cindex finding windows
488 The following functions choose one of the windows on the screen,
489 offering various criteria for the choice.
491 @defun get-lru-window &optional frame dedicated
492 This function returns the window least recently ``used'' (that is,
493 selected). If any full-width windows are present, it only considers
494 these. The selected window is always the most recently used window.
496 The selected window can be the least recently used window if it is the
497 only window. A newly created window becomes the least recently used
498 window until it is selected. A minibuffer window is never a
499 candidate. Dedicated windows are never candidates unless the
500 @var{dedicated} argument is non-@code{nil}, so if all
501 existing windows are dedicated, the value is @code{nil}.
503 The argument @var{frame} controls which windows are considered.
507 If it is @code{nil}, consider windows on the selected frame.
509 If it is @code{t}, consider windows on all frames.
511 If it is @code{visible}, consider windows on all visible frames.
513 If it is 0, consider windows on all visible or iconified frames.
515 If it is a frame, consider windows on that frame.
519 @defun get-largest-window &optional frame dedicated
520 This function returns the window with the largest area (height times
521 width). If there are no side-by-side windows, then this is the window
522 with the most lines. A minibuffer window is never a candidate.
523 Dedicated windows are never candidates unless the
524 @var{dedicated} argument is non-@code{nil}, so if all existing windows
525 are dedicated, the value is @code{nil}.
527 If there are two candidate windows of the same size, this function
528 prefers the one that comes first in the cyclic ordering of windows
529 (see following section), starting from the selected window.
531 The argument @var{frame} controls which set of windows to
532 consider. See @code{get-lru-window}, above.
535 @cindex window that satisfies a predicate
536 @cindex conditional selection of windows
537 @defun get-window-with-predicate predicate &optional minibuf all-frames default
538 This function returns a window satisfying @var{predicate}. It cycles
539 through all visible windows using @code{walk-windows} (@pxref{Cyclic
540 Window Ordering}), calling @var{predicate} on each one of them
541 with that window as its argument. The function returns the first
542 window for which @var{predicate} returns a non-@code{nil} value; if
543 that never happens, it returns @var{default}.
545 The optional arguments @var{minibuf} and @var{all-frames} specify the
546 set of windows to include in the scan. See the description of
547 @code{next-window} in @ref{Cyclic Window Ordering}, for details.
550 @node Cyclic Window Ordering
551 @comment node-name, next, previous, up
552 @section Cyclic Ordering of Windows
553 @cindex cyclic ordering of windows
554 @cindex ordering of windows, cyclic
555 @cindex window ordering, cyclic
557 When you use the command @kbd{C-x o} (@code{other-window}) to select
558 the next window, it moves through all the windows on the screen in a
559 specific cyclic order. For any given configuration of windows, this
560 order never varies. It is called the @dfn{cyclic ordering of windows}.
562 This ordering generally goes from top to bottom, and from left to
563 right. But it may go down first or go right first, depending on the
564 order in which the windows were split.
566 If the first split was vertical (into windows one above each other),
567 and then the subwindows were split horizontally, then the ordering is
568 left to right in the top of the frame, and then left to right in the
569 next lower part of the frame, and so on. If the first split was
570 horizontal, the ordering is top to bottom in the left part, and so on.
571 In general, within each set of siblings at any level in the window tree,
572 the order is left to right, or top to bottom.
574 @defun next-window &optional window minibuf all-frames
575 @cindex minibuffer window
576 This function returns the window following @var{window} in the cyclic
577 ordering of windows. This is the window that @kbd{C-x o} would select
578 if typed when @var{window} is selected. If @var{window} is the only
579 window visible, then this function returns @var{window}. If omitted,
580 @var{window} defaults to the selected window.
582 The value of the argument @var{minibuf} determines whether the
583 minibuffer is included in the window order. Normally, when
584 @var{minibuf} is @code{nil}, the minibuffer is included if it is
585 currently active; this is the behavior of @kbd{C-x o}. (The minibuffer
586 window is active while the minibuffer is in use. @xref{Minibuffers}.)
588 If @var{minibuf} is @code{t}, then the cyclic ordering includes the
589 minibuffer window even if it is not active.
591 If @var{minibuf} is neither @code{t} nor @code{nil}, then the minibuffer
592 window is not included even if it is active.
594 The argument @var{all-frames} specifies which frames to consider. Here
595 are the possible values and their meanings:
599 Consider all the windows in @var{window}'s frame, plus the minibuffer
600 used by that frame even if it lies in some other frame. If the
601 minibuffer counts (as determined by @var{minibuf}), then all windows on
602 all frames that share that minibuffer count too.
605 Consider all windows in all existing frames.
608 Consider all windows in all visible frames. (To get useful results, you
609 must ensure @var{window} is in a visible frame.)
612 Consider all windows in all visible or iconified frames.
615 Consider all windows on that frame.
618 Consider precisely the windows in @var{window}'s frame, and no others.
621 This example assumes there are two windows, both displaying the
622 buffer @samp{windows.texi}:
627 @result{} #<window 56 on windows.texi>
630 (next-window (selected-window))
631 @result{} #<window 52 on windows.texi>
634 (next-window (next-window (selected-window)))
635 @result{} #<window 56 on windows.texi>
640 @defun previous-window &optional window minibuf all-frames
641 This function returns the window preceding @var{window} in the cyclic
642 ordering of windows. The other arguments specify which windows to
643 include in the cycle, as in @code{next-window}.
646 @deffn Command other-window count &optional all-frames
647 This function selects the @var{count}th following window in the cyclic
648 order. If count is negative, then it moves back @minus{}@var{count}
649 windows in the cycle, rather than forward. It returns @code{nil}.
651 The argument @var{all-frames} has the same meaning as in
652 @code{next-window}, but the @var{minibuf} argument of @code{next-window}
653 is always effectively @code{nil}.
655 In an interactive call, @var{count} is the numeric prefix argument.
659 @defun walk-windows proc &optional minibuf all-frames
660 This function cycles through all windows. It calls the function
661 @code{proc} once for each window, with the window as its sole
664 The optional arguments @var{minibuf} and @var{all-frames} specify the
665 set of windows to include in the scan. See @code{next-window}, above,
669 @defun window-list &optional frame minibuf window
670 This function returns a list of the windows on @var{frame}, starting
671 with @var{window}. If @var{frame} is @code{nil} or omitted,
672 @code{window-list} uses the selected frame instead; if @var{window} is
673 @code{nil} or omitted, it uses the selected window.
675 The value of @var{minibuf} determines if the minibuffer window is
676 included in the result list. If @var{minibuf} is @code{t}, the result
677 always includes the minibuffer window. If @var{minibuf} is @code{nil}
678 or omitted, that includes the minibuffer window if it is active. If
679 @var{minibuf} is neither @code{nil} nor @code{t}, the result never
680 includes the minibuffer window.
683 @node Buffers and Windows
684 @section Buffers and Windows
685 @cindex examining windows
686 @cindex windows, controlling precisely
687 @cindex buffers, controlled in windows
689 This section describes low-level functions to examine windows or to
690 display buffers in windows in a precisely controlled fashion.
692 See the following section for
695 @xref{Displaying Buffers}, for
697 related functions that find a window to use and specify a buffer for it.
698 The functions described there are easier to use than these, but they
699 employ heuristics in choosing or creating a window; use these functions
700 when you need complete control.
702 @defun set-window-buffer window buffer-or-name &optional keep-margins
703 This function makes @var{window} display @var{buffer-or-name} as its
704 contents. It returns @code{nil}. @var{buffer-or-name} must be a
705 buffer, or the name of an existing buffer. This is the fundamental
706 primitive for changing which buffer is displayed in a window, and all
707 ways of doing that call this function.
711 (set-window-buffer (selected-window) "foo")
716 Normally, displaying @var{buffer} in @var{window} resets the window's
717 display margins, fringe widths, scroll bar settings, and position
718 based on the local variables of @var{buffer}. However, if
719 @var{keep-margins} is non-@code{nil}, the display margins and fringe
720 widths of @var{window} remain unchanged. @xref{Fringes}.
723 @defvar buffer-display-count
724 This buffer-local variable records the number of times a buffer is
725 displayed in a window. It is incremented each time
726 @code{set-window-buffer} is called for the buffer.
729 @defun window-buffer &optional window
730 This function returns the buffer that @var{window} is displaying. If
731 @var{window} is omitted, this function returns the buffer for the
737 @result{} #<buffer windows.texi>
742 @defun get-buffer-window buffer-or-name &optional all-frames
743 This function returns a window currently displaying
744 @var{buffer-or-name}, or @code{nil} if there is none. If there are
745 several such windows, then the function returns the first one in the
746 cyclic ordering of windows, starting from the selected window.
747 @xref{Cyclic Window Ordering}.
749 The argument @var{all-frames} controls which windows to consider.
753 If it is @code{nil}, consider windows on the selected frame.
755 If it is @code{t}, consider windows on all frames.
757 If it is @code{visible}, consider windows on all visible frames.
759 If it is 0, consider windows on all visible or iconified frames.
761 If it is a frame, consider windows on that frame.
765 @defun get-buffer-window-list buffer-or-name &optional minibuf all-frames
766 This function returns a list of all the windows currently displaying
767 @var{buffer-or-name}.
769 The two optional arguments work like the optional arguments of
770 @code{next-window} (@pxref{Cyclic Window Ordering}); they are @emph{not}
771 like the single optional argument of @code{get-buffer-window}. Perhaps
772 we should change @code{get-buffer-window} in the future to make it
773 compatible with the other functions.
776 @defvar buffer-display-time
777 This variable records the time at which a buffer was last made visible
778 in a window. It is always local in each buffer; each time
779 @code{set-window-buffer} is called, it sets this variable to
780 @code{(current-time)} in the specified buffer (@pxref{Time of Day}).
781 When a buffer is first created, @code{buffer-display-time} starts out
782 with the value @code{nil}.
785 @node Displaying Buffers
786 @section Displaying Buffers in Windows
787 @cindex switching to a buffer
788 @cindex displaying a buffer
790 In this section we describe convenient functions that choose a window
791 automatically and use it to display a specified buffer. These functions
792 can also split an existing window in certain circumstances. We also
793 describe variables that parameterize the heuristics used for choosing a
796 See the preceding section for
799 @xref{Buffers and Windows}, for
801 low-level functions that give you more precise control. All of these
802 functions work by calling @code{set-window-buffer}.
804 Do not use the functions in this section in order to make a buffer
805 current so that a Lisp program can access or modify it; they are too
806 drastic for that purpose, since they change the display of buffers in
807 windows, which would be gratuitous and surprise the user. Instead, use
808 @code{set-buffer} and @code{save-current-buffer} (@pxref{Current
809 Buffer}), which designate buffers as current for programmed access
810 without affecting the display of buffers in windows.
812 @deffn Command switch-to-buffer buffer-or-name &optional norecord
813 This function makes @var{buffer-or-name} the current buffer, and also
814 displays the buffer in the selected window. This means that a human can
815 see the buffer and subsequent keyboard commands will apply to it.
816 Contrast this with @code{set-buffer}, which makes @var{buffer-or-name}
817 the current buffer but does not display it in the selected window.
818 @xref{Current Buffer}.
820 If @var{buffer-or-name} does not identify an existing buffer, then a new
821 buffer by that name is created. The major mode for the new buffer is
822 set according to the variable @code{default-major-mode}. @xref{Auto
823 Major Mode}. If @var{buffer-or-name} is @code{nil},
824 @code{switch-to-buffer} chooses a buffer using @code{other-buffer}.
826 Normally the specified buffer is put at the front of the buffer list
827 (both the selected frame's buffer list and the frame-independent buffer
828 list). This affects the operation of @code{other-buffer}. However, if
829 @var{norecord} is non-@code{nil}, this is not done. @xref{The Buffer
832 The @code{switch-to-buffer} function is often used interactively, as
833 the binding of @kbd{C-x b}. It is also used frequently in programs. It
834 returns the buffer that it switched to.
837 The next two functions are similar to @code{switch-to-buffer}, except
838 for the described features.
840 @deffn Command switch-to-buffer-other-window buffer-or-name &optional norecord
841 This function makes @var{buffer-or-name} the current buffer and
842 displays it in a window not currently selected. It then selects that
843 window. The handling of the buffer is the same as in
844 @code{switch-to-buffer}.
846 The currently selected window is absolutely never used to do the job.
847 If it is the only window, then it is split to make a distinct window for
848 this purpose. If the selected window is already displaying the buffer,
849 then it continues to do so, but another window is nonetheless found to
850 display it in as well.
852 This function updates the buffer list just like @code{switch-to-buffer}
853 unless @var{norecord} is non-@code{nil}.
856 @defun pop-to-buffer buffer-or-name &optional other-window norecord
857 This function makes @var{buffer-or-name} the current buffer and
858 switches to it in some window, preferably not the window previously
859 selected. The ``popped-to'' window becomes the selected window within
860 its frame. The return value is the buffer that was switched to.
861 If @var{buffer-or-name} is @code{nil}, that means to choose some
862 other buffer, but you don't specify which.
864 If the variable @code{pop-up-frames} is non-@code{nil},
865 @code{pop-to-buffer} looks for a window in any visible frame already
866 displaying the buffer; if there is one, it returns that window and makes
867 it be selected within its frame. If there is none, it creates a new
868 frame and displays the buffer in it.
870 If @code{pop-up-frames} is @code{nil}, then @code{pop-to-buffer}
871 operates entirely within the selected frame. (If the selected frame has
872 just a minibuffer, @code{pop-to-buffer} operates within the most
873 recently selected frame that was not just a minibuffer.)
875 If the variable @code{pop-up-windows} is non-@code{nil}, windows may
876 be split to create a new window that is different from the original
877 window. For details, see @ref{Choosing Window}.
879 If @var{other-window} is non-@code{nil}, @code{pop-to-buffer} finds or
880 creates another window even if @var{buffer-or-name} is already visible
881 in the selected window. Thus @var{buffer-or-name} could end up
882 displayed in two windows. On the other hand, if @var{buffer-or-name} is
883 already displayed in the selected window and @var{other-window} is
884 @code{nil}, then the selected window is considered sufficient display
885 for @var{buffer-or-name}, so that nothing needs to be done.
887 All the variables that affect @code{display-buffer} affect
888 @code{pop-to-buffer} as well. @xref{Choosing Window}.
890 If @var{buffer-or-name} is a string that does not name an existing
891 buffer, a buffer by that name is created. The major mode for the new
892 buffer is set according to the variable @code{default-major-mode}.
893 @xref{Auto Major Mode}.
895 This function updates the buffer list just like @code{switch-to-buffer}
896 unless @var{norecord} is non-@code{nil}.
899 @deffn Command replace-buffer-in-windows buffer-or-name
900 This function replaces @var{buffer-or-name} with some other buffer in all
901 windows displaying it. It chooses the other buffer with
902 @code{other-buffer}. In the usual applications of this function, you
903 don't care which other buffer is used; you just want to make sure that
904 @var{buffer-or-name} is no longer displayed.
906 This function returns @code{nil}.
909 @node Choosing Window
910 @section Choosing a Window for Display
912 This section describes the basic facility that chooses a window to
913 display a buffer in---@code{display-buffer}. All the higher-level
914 functions and commands use this subroutine. Here we describe how to use
915 @code{display-buffer} and how to customize it.
917 @deffn Command display-buffer buffer-or-name &optional not-this-window frame
918 This command makes @var{buffer-or-name} appear in some window, like
919 @code{pop-to-buffer}, but it does not select that window and does not
920 make the buffer current. The identity of the selected window is
921 unaltered by this function. @var{buffer-or-name} must be a buffer, or
922 the name of an existing buffer.
924 If @var{not-this-window} is non-@code{nil}, it means to display the
925 specified buffer in a window other than the selected one, even if it is
926 already on display in the selected window. This can cause the buffer to
927 appear in two windows at once. Otherwise, if @var{buffer-or-name} is
928 already being displayed in any window, that is good enough, so this
929 function does nothing.
931 @code{display-buffer} returns the window chosen to display
932 @var{buffer-or-name}.
934 If the argument @var{frame} is non-@code{nil}, it specifies which frames
935 to check when deciding whether the buffer is already displayed. If the
936 buffer is already displayed in some window on one of these frames,
937 @code{display-buffer} simply returns that window. Here are the possible
938 values of @var{frame}:
942 If it is @code{nil}, consider windows on the selected frame.
943 (Actually, the last non-minibuffer frame.)
945 If it is @code{t}, consider windows on all frames.
947 If it is @code{visible}, consider windows on all visible frames.
949 If it is 0, consider windows on all visible or iconified frames.
951 If it is a frame, consider windows on that frame.
954 Precisely how @code{display-buffer} finds or creates a window depends on
955 the variables described below.
958 @defopt display-buffer-reuse-frames
959 If this variable is non-@code{nil}, @code{display-buffer} searches
960 existing frames for a window displaying the buffer. If the buffer is
961 already displayed in a window in some frame, @code{display-buffer} makes
962 the frame visible and raises it, to use that window. If the buffer is
963 not already displayed, or if @code{display-buffer-reuse-frames} is
964 @code{nil}, @code{display-buffer}'s behavior is determined by other
965 variables, described below.
968 @defopt pop-up-windows
969 This variable controls whether @code{display-buffer} makes new windows.
970 If it is non-@code{nil} and there is only one window, then that window
971 is split. If it is @code{nil}, then @code{display-buffer} does not
972 split the single window, but uses it whole.
975 @defopt split-height-threshold
976 This variable determines when @code{display-buffer} may split a window,
977 if there are multiple windows. @code{display-buffer} always splits the
978 largest window if it has at least this many lines. If the largest
979 window is not this tall, it is split only if it is the sole window and
980 @code{pop-up-windows} is non-@code{nil}.
983 @defopt even-window-heights
984 This variable determines if @code{display-buffer} should even out window
985 heights if the buffer gets displayed in an existing window, above or
986 beneath another existing window. If @code{even-window-heights} is
987 @code{t}, the default, window heights will be evened out. If
988 @code{even-window-heights} is @code{nil}, the original window heights
993 @defopt pop-up-frames
994 This variable controls whether @code{display-buffer} makes new frames.
995 If it is non-@code{nil}, @code{display-buffer} looks for an existing
996 window already displaying the desired buffer, on any visible frame. If
997 it finds one, it returns that window. Otherwise it makes a new frame.
998 The variables @code{pop-up-windows} and @code{split-height-threshold} do
999 not matter if @code{pop-up-frames} is non-@code{nil}.
1001 If @code{pop-up-frames} is @code{nil}, then @code{display-buffer} either
1002 splits a window or reuses one.
1004 @xref{Frames}, for more information.
1008 @defopt pop-up-frame-function
1009 This variable specifies how to make a new frame if @code{pop-up-frames}
1012 Its value should be a function of no arguments. When
1013 @code{display-buffer} makes a new frame, it does so by calling that
1014 function, which should return a frame. The default value of the
1015 variable is a function that creates a frame using parameters from
1016 @code{pop-up-frame-alist}.
1019 @defopt pop-up-frame-alist
1020 This variable holds an alist specifying frame parameters used when
1021 @code{display-buffer} makes a new frame. @xref{Frame Parameters}, for
1022 more information about frame parameters.
1025 @defopt special-display-buffer-names
1026 A list of buffer names for buffers that should be displayed specially.
1027 If the buffer's name is in this list, @code{display-buffer} handles the
1030 By default, special display means to give the buffer a dedicated frame.
1032 If an element is a list, instead of a string, then the @sc{car} of the
1033 list is the buffer name, and the rest of the list says how to create
1034 the frame. There are two possibilities for the rest of the list (its
1035 @sc{cdr}). It can be an alist, specifying frame parameters, or it can
1036 contain a function and arguments to give to it. (The function's first
1037 argument is always the buffer to be displayed; the arguments from the
1038 list come after that.)
1043 (("myfile" (minibuffer) (menu-bar-lines . 0)))
1047 specifies to display a buffer named @samp{myfile} in a dedicated frame
1048 with specified @code{minibuffer} and @code{menu-bar-lines} parameters.
1050 The list of frame parameters can also use the phony frame parameters
1051 @code{same-frame} and @code{same-window}. If the specified frame
1052 parameters include @code{(same-window . @var{value})} and @var{value}
1053 is non-@code{nil}, that means to display the buffer in the current
1054 selected window. Otherwise, if they include @code{(same-frame .
1055 @var{value})} and @var{value} is non-@code{nil}, that means to display
1056 the buffer in a new window in the currently selected frame.
1059 @defopt special-display-regexps
1060 A list of regular expressions that specify buffers that should be
1061 displayed specially. If the buffer's name matches any of the regular
1062 expressions in this list, @code{display-buffer} handles the buffer
1065 By default, special display means to give the buffer a dedicated frame.
1067 If an element is a list, instead of a string, then the @sc{car} of the
1068 list is the regular expression, and the rest of the list says how to
1069 create the frame. See above, under @code{special-display-buffer-names}.
1072 @defun special-display-p buffer-name
1073 This function returns non-@code{nil} if displaying a buffer
1074 named @var{buffer-name} with @code{display-buffer} would
1075 create a special frame. The value is @code{t} if it would
1076 use the default frame parameters, or else the specified list
1077 of frame parameters.
1080 @defvar special-display-function
1081 This variable holds the function to call to display a buffer specially.
1082 It receives the buffer as an argument, and should return the window in
1083 which it is displayed.
1085 The default value of this variable is
1086 @code{special-display-popup-frame}.
1089 @defun special-display-popup-frame buffer &optional args
1090 This function makes @var{buffer} visible in a frame of its own. If
1091 @var{buffer} is already displayed in a window in some frame, it makes
1092 the frame visible and raises it, to use that window. Otherwise, it
1093 creates a frame that will be dedicated to @var{buffer}. This
1094 function returns the window it used.
1096 If @var{args} is an alist, it specifies frame parameters for the new
1099 If @var{args} is a list whose @sc{car} is a symbol, then @code{(car
1100 @var{args})} is called as a function to actually create and set up the
1101 frame; it is called with @var{buffer} as first argument, and @code{(cdr
1102 @var{args})} as additional arguments.
1104 This function always uses an existing window displaying @var{buffer},
1105 whether or not it is in a frame of its own; but if you set up the above
1106 variables in your init file, before @var{buffer} was created, then
1107 presumably the window was previously made by this function.
1110 @defopt special-display-frame-alist
1111 @anchor{Definition of special-display-frame-alist}
1112 This variable holds frame parameters for
1113 @code{special-display-popup-frame} to use when it creates a frame.
1116 @defopt same-window-buffer-names
1117 A list of buffer names for buffers that should be displayed in the
1118 selected window. If the buffer's name is in this list,
1119 @code{display-buffer} handles the buffer by switching to it in the
1123 @defopt same-window-regexps
1124 A list of regular expressions that specify buffers that should be
1125 displayed in the selected window. If the buffer's name matches any of
1126 the regular expressions in this list, @code{display-buffer} handles the
1127 buffer by switching to it in the selected window.
1130 @defun same-window-p buffer-name
1131 This function returns @code{t} if displaying a buffer
1132 named @var{buffer-name} with @code{display-buffer} would
1133 put it in the selected window.
1137 @defvar display-buffer-function
1138 This variable is the most flexible way to customize the behavior of
1139 @code{display-buffer}. If it is non-@code{nil}, it should be a function
1140 that @code{display-buffer} calls to do the work. The function should
1141 accept two arguments, the first two arguments that @code{display-buffer}
1142 received. It should choose or create a window, display the specified
1143 buffer in it, and then return the window.
1145 This hook takes precedence over all the other options and hooks
1150 @cindex dedicated window
1151 A window can be marked as ``dedicated'' to its buffer. Then
1152 @code{display-buffer} will not try to use that window to display any
1155 @defun window-dedicated-p window
1156 This function returns non-@code{nil} if @var{window} is marked as
1157 dedicated; otherwise @code{nil}.
1160 @defun set-window-dedicated-p window flag
1161 This function marks @var{window} as dedicated if @var{flag} is
1162 non-@code{nil}, and nondedicated otherwise.
1166 @section Windows and Point
1167 @cindex window position
1168 @cindex window point
1169 @cindex position in window
1170 @cindex point in window
1172 Each window has its own value of point, independent of the value of
1173 point in other windows displaying the same buffer. This makes it useful
1174 to have multiple windows showing one buffer.
1178 The window point is established when a window is first created; it is
1179 initialized from the buffer's point, or from the window point of another
1180 window opened on the buffer if such a window exists.
1183 Selecting a window sets the value of point in its buffer from the
1184 window's value of point. Conversely, deselecting a window sets the
1185 window's value of point from that of the buffer. Thus, when you switch
1186 between windows that display a given buffer, the point value for the
1187 selected window is in effect in the buffer, while the point values for
1188 the other windows are stored in those windows.
1191 As long as the selected window displays the current buffer, the window's
1192 point and the buffer's point always move together; they remain equal.
1196 @xref{Positions}, for more details on buffer positions.
1198 As far as the user is concerned, point is where the cursor is, and
1199 when the user switches to another buffer, the cursor jumps to the
1200 position of point in that buffer.
1202 @defun window-point &optional window
1203 This function returns the current position of point in @var{window}.
1204 For a nonselected window, this is the value point would have (in that
1205 window's buffer) if that window were selected. If @var{window} is
1206 @code{nil}, the selected window is used.
1208 When @var{window} is the selected window and its buffer is also the
1209 current buffer, the value returned is the same as point in that buffer.
1211 Strictly speaking, it would be more correct to return the
1212 ``top-level'' value of point, outside of any @code{save-excursion}
1213 forms. But that value is hard to find.
1216 @defun set-window-point window position
1217 This function positions point in @var{window} at position
1218 @var{position} in @var{window}'s buffer. It returns @var{position}.
1220 If @var{window} is selected, and its buffer is current,
1221 this simply does @code{goto-char}.
1225 @section The Window Start Position
1227 Each window contains a marker used to keep track of a buffer position
1228 that specifies where in the buffer display should start. This position
1229 is called the @dfn{display-start} position of the window (or just the
1230 @dfn{start}). The character after this position is the one that appears
1231 at the upper left corner of the window. It is usually, but not
1232 inevitably, at the beginning of a text line.
1234 @defun window-start &optional window
1235 @cindex window top line
1236 This function returns the display-start position of window
1237 @var{window}. If @var{window} is @code{nil}, the selected window is
1247 When you create a window, or display a different buffer in it, the
1248 display-start position is set to a display-start position recently used
1249 for the same buffer, or 1 if the buffer doesn't have any.
1251 Redisplay updates the window-start position (if you have not specified
1252 it explicitly since the previous redisplay)---for example, to make sure
1253 point appears on the screen. Nothing except redisplay automatically
1254 changes the window-start position; if you move point, do not expect the
1255 window-start position to change in response until after the next
1258 For a realistic example of using @code{window-start}, see the
1259 description of @code{count-lines}. @xref{Definition of count-lines}.
1262 @defun window-end &optional window update
1263 This function returns the position of the end of the display in window
1264 @var{window}. If @var{window} is @code{nil}, the selected window is
1267 Simply changing the buffer text or moving point does not update the
1268 value that @code{window-end} returns. The value is updated only when
1269 Emacs redisplays and redisplay completes without being preempted.
1271 If the last redisplay of @var{window} was preempted, and did not finish,
1272 Emacs does not know the position of the end of display in that window.
1273 In that case, this function returns @code{nil}.
1275 If @var{update} is non-@code{nil}, @code{window-end} always returns an
1276 up-to-date value for where the window ends, based on the current
1277 @code{window-start} value. If the saved value is valid,
1278 @code{window-end} returns that; otherwise it computes the correct
1279 value by scanning the buffer text.
1281 Even if @var{update} is non-@code{nil}, @code{window-end} does not
1282 attempt to scroll the display if point has moved off the screen, the
1283 way real redisplay would do. It does not alter the
1284 @code{window-start} value. In effect, it reports where the displayed
1285 text will end if scrolling is not required.
1288 @defun set-window-start window position &optional noforce
1289 This function sets the display-start position of @var{window} to
1290 @var{position} in @var{window}'s buffer. It returns @var{position}.
1292 The display routines insist that the position of point be visible when a
1293 buffer is displayed. Normally, they change the display-start position
1294 (that is, scroll the window) whenever necessary to make point visible.
1295 However, if you specify the start position with this function using
1296 @code{nil} for @var{noforce}, it means you want display to start at
1297 @var{position} even if that would put the location of point off the
1298 screen. If this does place point off screen, the display routines move
1299 point to the left margin on the middle line in the window.
1301 For example, if point @w{is 1} and you set the start of the window @w{to
1302 2}, then point would be ``above'' the top of the window. The display
1303 routines will automatically move point if it is still 1 when redisplay
1304 occurs. Here is an example:
1308 ;; @r{Here is what @samp{foo} looks like before executing}
1309 ;; @r{the @code{set-window-start} expression.}
1313 ---------- Buffer: foo ----------
1314 @point{}This is the contents of buffer foo.
1320 ---------- Buffer: foo ----------
1326 (1+ (window-start)))
1331 ;; @r{Here is what @samp{foo} looks like after executing}
1332 ;; @r{the @code{set-window-start} expression.}
1333 ---------- Buffer: foo ----------
1334 his is the contents of buffer foo.
1340 ---------- Buffer: foo ----------
1344 If @var{noforce} is non-@code{nil}, and @var{position} would place point
1345 off screen at the next redisplay, then redisplay computes a new window-start
1346 position that works well with point, and thus @var{position} is not used.
1349 @defun pos-visible-in-window-p &optional position window partially
1350 This function returns non-@code{nil} if @var{position} is within the
1351 range of text currently visible on the screen in @var{window}. It
1352 returns @code{nil} if @var{position} is scrolled vertically out of
1353 view. Locations that are partially obscured are not considered
1354 visible unless @var{partially} is non-@code{nil}. The argument
1355 @var{position} defaults to the current position of point in
1356 @var{window}; @var{window}, to the selected window.
1358 The @code{pos-visible-in-window-p} function considers only vertical
1359 scrolling. If @var{position} is out of view only because @var{window}
1360 has been scrolled horizontally, @code{pos-visible-in-window-p} returns
1361 non-@code{nil} anyway. @xref{Horizontal Scrolling}.
1363 If @var{position} is visible, @code{pos-visible-in-window-p} returns
1364 @code{t} if @var{partially} is @code{nil}; if @var{partially} is
1365 non-@code{nil}, it returns a list of the form @code{(@var{x} @var{y}
1366 @var{partial})}, where @var{x} and @var{y} are the pixel coordinates
1367 relative to the top left corner of the window, and @var{partial} is
1368 @code{nil} if the character after @var{position} is fully visible;
1369 otherwise it is a cons @code{(@var{rtop} . @var{rbot})} where the
1370 @var{rtop} and @var{rbot} specify the number of invisible pixels at
1371 the top and bottom of the row at @var{position}.
1377 ;; @r{If point is off the screen now, recenter it now.}
1378 (or (pos-visible-in-window-p
1379 (point) (selected-window))
1385 @node Textual Scrolling
1386 @section Textual Scrolling
1387 @cindex textual scrolling
1388 @cindex scrolling textually
1390 @dfn{Textual scrolling} means moving the text up or down through a
1391 window. It works by changing the value of the window's display-start
1392 location. It may also change the value of @code{window-point} to keep
1393 point on the screen.
1395 Textual scrolling was formerly called ``vertical scrolling,'' but we
1396 changed its name to distinguish it from the new vertical fractional
1397 scrolling feature (@pxref{Vertical Scrolling}).
1399 In the commands @code{scroll-up} and @code{scroll-down}, the directions
1400 ``up'' and ``down'' refer to the motion of the text in the buffer at which
1401 you are looking through the window. Imagine that the text is
1402 written on a long roll of paper and that the scrolling commands move the
1403 paper up and down. Thus, if you are looking at text in the middle of a
1404 buffer and repeatedly call @code{scroll-down}, you will eventually see
1405 the beginning of the buffer.
1407 Some people have urged that the opposite convention be used: they
1408 imagine that the window moves over text that remains in place. Then
1409 ``down'' commands would take you to the end of the buffer. This view is
1410 more consistent with the actual relationship between windows and the
1411 text in the buffer, but it is less like what the user sees. The
1412 position of a window on the terminal does not move, and short scrolling
1413 commands clearly move the text up or down on the screen. We have chosen
1414 names that fit the user's point of view.
1416 The textual scrolling functions (aside from
1417 @code{scroll-other-window}) have unpredictable results if the current
1418 buffer is different from the buffer that is displayed in the selected
1419 window. @xref{Current Buffer}.
1421 If the window contains a row which is taller than the height of the
1422 window (for example in the presense of a large image), the scroll
1423 functions will adjust the window vscroll to scroll the partially
1424 visible row. To disable this feature, Lisp code may bind the variable
1425 `auto-window-vscroll' to @code{nil} (@pxref{Vertical Scrolling}).
1427 @deffn Command scroll-up &optional count
1428 This function scrolls the text in the selected window upward
1429 @var{count} lines. If @var{count} is negative, scrolling is actually
1432 If @var{count} is @code{nil} (or omitted), then the length of scroll
1433 is @code{next-screen-context-lines} lines less than the usable height of
1434 the window (not counting its mode line).
1436 @code{scroll-up} returns @code{nil}, unless it gets an error
1437 because it can't scroll any further.
1440 @deffn Command scroll-down &optional count
1441 This function scrolls the text in the selected window downward
1442 @var{count} lines. If @var{count} is negative, scrolling is actually
1445 If @var{count} is omitted or @code{nil}, then the length of the scroll
1446 is @code{next-screen-context-lines} lines less than the usable height of
1447 the window (not counting its mode line).
1449 @code{scroll-down} returns @code{nil}, unless it gets an error because
1450 it can't scroll any further.
1453 @deffn Command scroll-other-window &optional count
1454 This function scrolls the text in another window upward @var{count}
1455 lines. Negative values of @var{count}, or @code{nil}, are handled
1456 as in @code{scroll-up}.
1458 You can specify which buffer to scroll by setting the variable
1459 @code{other-window-scroll-buffer} to a buffer. If that buffer isn't
1460 already displayed, @code{scroll-other-window} displays it in some
1463 When the selected window is the minibuffer, the next window is normally
1464 the one at the top left corner. You can specify a different window to
1465 scroll, when the minibuffer is selected, by setting the variable
1466 @code{minibuffer-scroll-window}. This variable has no effect when any
1467 other window is selected. When it is non-@code{nil} and the
1468 minibuffer is selected, it takes precedence over
1469 @code{other-window-scroll-buffer}. @xref{Definition of
1470 minibuffer-scroll-window}.
1472 When the minibuffer is active, it is the next window if the selected
1473 window is the one at the bottom right corner. In this case,
1474 @code{scroll-other-window} attempts to scroll the minibuffer. If the
1475 minibuffer contains just one line, it has nowhere to scroll to, so the
1476 line reappears after the echo area momentarily displays the message
1477 ``Beginning of buffer''.
1481 @defvar other-window-scroll-buffer
1482 If this variable is non-@code{nil}, it tells @code{scroll-other-window}
1483 which buffer to scroll.
1486 @defopt scroll-margin
1487 This option specifies the size of the scroll margin---a minimum number
1488 of lines between point and the top or bottom of a window. Whenever
1489 point gets within this many lines of the top or bottom of the window,
1490 redisplay scrolls the text automatically (if possible) to move point
1491 out of the margin, closer to the center of the window.
1494 @defopt scroll-conservatively
1495 This variable controls how scrolling is done automatically when point
1496 moves off the screen (or into the scroll margin). If the value is a
1497 positive integer @var{n}, then redisplay scrolls the text up to
1498 @var{n} lines in either direction, if that will bring point back into
1499 proper view. This action is called @dfn{conservative scrolling}.
1500 Otherwise, scrolling happens in the usual way, under the control of
1501 other variables such as @code{scroll-up-aggressively} and
1502 @code{scroll-down-aggressively}.
1504 The default value is zero, which means that conservative scrolling
1508 @defopt scroll-down-aggressively
1509 @tindex scroll-down-aggressively
1510 The value of this variable should be either @code{nil} or a fraction
1511 @var{f} between 0 and 1. If it is a fraction, that specifies where on
1512 the screen to put point when scrolling down. More precisely, when a
1513 window scrolls down because point is above the window start, the new
1514 start position is chosen to put point @var{f} part of the window
1515 height from the top. The larger @var{f}, the more aggressive the
1518 A value of @code{nil} is equivalent to .5, since its effect is to center
1519 point. This variable automatically becomes buffer-local when set in any
1523 @defopt scroll-up-aggressively
1524 @tindex scroll-up-aggressively
1525 Likewise, for scrolling up. The value, @var{f}, specifies how far
1526 point should be placed from the bottom of the window; thus, as with
1527 @code{scroll-up-aggressively}, a larger value scrolls more aggressively.
1531 This variable is an older variant of @code{scroll-conservatively}. The
1532 difference is that it if its value is @var{n}, that permits scrolling
1533 only by precisely @var{n} lines, not a smaller number. This feature
1534 does not work with @code{scroll-margin}. The default value is zero.
1537 @defopt scroll-preserve-screen-position
1538 If this option is @code{t}, scrolling which would move the current
1539 point position out of the window chooses the new position of point
1540 so that the vertical position of the cursor is unchanged, if possible.
1542 If it is non-@code{nil} and not @code{t}, then the scrolling functions
1543 always preserve the vertical position of point, if possible.
1546 @defopt next-screen-context-lines
1547 The value of this variable is the number of lines of continuity to
1548 retain when scrolling by full screens. For example, @code{scroll-up}
1549 with an argument of @code{nil} scrolls so that this many lines at the
1550 bottom of the window appear instead at the top. The default value is
1554 @deffn Command recenter &optional count
1555 @cindex centering point
1556 This function scrolls the text in the selected window so that point is
1557 displayed at a specified vertical position within the window. It does
1558 not ``move point'' with respect to the text.
1560 If @var{count} is a nonnegative number, that puts the line containing
1561 point @var{count} lines down from the top of the window. If
1562 @var{count} is a negative number, then it counts upward from the
1563 bottom of the window, so that @minus{}1 stands for the last usable
1564 line in the window. If @var{count} is a non-@code{nil} list, then it
1565 stands for the line in the middle of the window.
1567 If @var{count} is @code{nil}, @code{recenter} puts the line containing
1568 point in the middle of the window, then clears and redisplays the entire
1571 When @code{recenter} is called interactively, @var{count} is the raw
1572 prefix argument. Thus, typing @kbd{C-u} as the prefix sets the
1573 @var{count} to a non-@code{nil} list, while typing @kbd{C-u 4} sets
1574 @var{count} to 4, which positions the current line four lines from the
1577 With an argument of zero, @code{recenter} positions the current line at
1578 the top of the window. This action is so handy that some people make a
1579 separate key binding to do this. For example,
1583 (defun line-to-top-of-window ()
1584 "Scroll current line to top of window.
1585 Replaces three keystroke sequence C-u 0 C-l."
1589 (global-set-key [kp-multiply] 'line-to-top-of-window)
1594 @node Vertical Scrolling
1595 @section Vertical Fractional Scrolling
1596 @cindex Vertical Fractional Scrolling
1598 @dfn{Vertical fractional scrolling} means shifting the image in the
1599 window up or down by a specified multiple or fraction of a line.
1600 Each window has a @dfn{vertical scroll position},
1601 which is a number, never less than zero. It specifies how far to raise
1602 the contents of the window. Raising the window contents generally makes
1603 all or part of some lines disappear off the top, and all or part of some
1604 other lines appear at the bottom. The usual value is zero.
1606 The vertical scroll position is measured in units of the normal line
1607 height, which is the height of the default font. Thus, if the value is
1608 .5, that means the window contents are scrolled up half the normal line
1609 height. If it is 3.3, that means the window contents are scrolled up
1610 somewhat over three times the normal line height.
1612 What fraction of a line the vertical scrolling covers, or how many
1613 lines, depends on what the lines contain. A value of .5 could scroll a
1614 line whose height is very short off the screen, while a value of 3.3
1615 could scroll just part of the way through a tall line or an image.
1617 @defun window-vscroll &optional window pixels-p
1618 This function returns the current vertical scroll position of
1619 @var{window}. If @var{window} is @code{nil}, the selected window is
1620 used. If @var{pixels-p} is non-@code{nil}, the return value is
1621 measured in pixels, rather than in units of the normal line height.
1631 @defun set-window-vscroll window lines &optional pixels-p
1632 This function sets @var{window}'s vertical scroll position to
1633 @var{lines}. The argument @var{lines} should be zero or positive; if
1634 not, it is taken as zero.
1636 If @var{window} is @code{nil}, the selected window is used.
1638 The actual vertical scroll position must always correspond
1639 to an integral number of pixels, so the value you specify
1640 is rounded accordingly.
1642 The return value is the result of this rounding.
1646 (set-window-vscroll (selected-window) 1.2)
1651 If @var{pixels-p} is non-@code{nil}, @var{lines} specifies a number of
1652 pixels. In this case, the return value is @var{lines}.
1655 @defvar auto-window-vscroll
1656 If this variable is non-@code{nil}, the line-move, scroll-up, and
1657 scroll-down functions will automatically modify the window vscroll to
1658 scroll through display rows that are taller that the height of the
1659 window, for example in the presense of large images.
1662 @node Horizontal Scrolling
1663 @section Horizontal Scrolling
1664 @cindex horizontal scrolling
1666 @dfn{Horizontal scrolling} means shifting the image in the window left
1667 or right by a specified multiple of the normal character width. Each
1668 window has a @dfn{horizontal scroll position}, which is a number, never
1669 less than zero. It specifies how far to shift the contents left.
1670 Shifting the window contents left generally makes all or part of some
1671 characters disappear off the left, and all or part of some other
1672 characters appear at the right. The usual value is zero.
1674 The horizontal scroll position is measured in units of the normal
1675 character width, which is the width of space in the default font. Thus,
1676 if the value is 5, that means the window contents are scrolled left by 5
1677 times the normal character width. How many characters actually
1678 disappear off to the left depends on their width, and could vary from
1681 Because we read from side to side in the ``inner loop'', and from top
1682 to bottom in the ``outer loop'', the effect of horizontal scrolling is
1683 not like that of textual or vertical scrolling. Textual scrolling
1684 involves selection of a portion of text to display, and vertical
1685 scrolling moves the window contents contiguously; but horizontal
1686 scrolling causes part of @emph{each line} to go off screen.
1688 Usually, no horizontal scrolling is in effect; then the leftmost
1689 column is at the left edge of the window. In this state, scrolling to
1690 the right is meaningless, since there is no data to the left of the edge
1691 to be revealed by it; so this is not allowed. Scrolling to the left is
1692 allowed; it scrolls the first columns of text off the edge of the window
1693 and can reveal additional columns on the right that were truncated
1694 before. Once a window has a nonzero amount of leftward horizontal
1695 scrolling, you can scroll it back to the right, but only so far as to
1696 reduce the net horizontal scroll to zero. There is no limit to how far
1697 left you can scroll, but eventually all the text will disappear off the
1700 @vindex auto-hscroll-mode
1701 If @code{auto-hscroll-mode} is set, redisplay automatically alters
1702 the horizontal scrolling of a window as necessary to ensure that point
1703 is always visible. However, you can still set the horizontal
1704 scrolling value explicitly. The value you specify serves as a lower
1705 bound for automatic scrolling, i.e. automatic scrolling will not
1706 scroll a window to a column less than the specified one.
1708 @deffn Command scroll-left &optional count set-minimum
1709 This function scrolls the selected window @var{count} columns to the
1710 left (or to the right if @var{count} is negative). The default
1711 for @var{count} is the window width, minus 2.
1713 The return value is the total amount of leftward horizontal scrolling in
1714 effect after the change---just like the value returned by
1715 @code{window-hscroll} (below).
1717 Once you scroll a window as far right as it can go, back to its normal
1718 position where the total leftward scrolling is zero, attempts to scroll
1719 any farther right have no effect.
1721 If @var{set-minimum} is non-@code{nil}, the new scroll amount becomes
1722 the lower bound for automatic scrolling; that is, automatic scrolling
1723 will not scroll a window to a column less than the value returned by
1724 this function. Interactive calls pass non-@code{nil} for
1728 @deffn Command scroll-right &optional count set-minimum
1729 This function scrolls the selected window @var{count} columns to the
1730 right (or to the left if @var{count} is negative). The default
1731 for @var{count} is the window width, minus 2. Aside from the direction
1732 of scrolling, this works just like @code{scroll-left}.
1735 @defun window-hscroll &optional window
1736 This function returns the total leftward horizontal scrolling of
1737 @var{window}---the number of columns by which the text in @var{window}
1738 is scrolled left past the left margin.
1740 The value is never negative. It is zero when no horizontal scrolling
1741 has been done in @var{window} (which is usually the case).
1743 If @var{window} is @code{nil}, the selected window is used.
1761 @defun set-window-hscroll window columns
1762 This function sets horizontal scrolling of @var{window}. The value of
1763 @var{columns} specifies the amount of scrolling, in terms of columns
1764 from the left margin. The argument @var{columns} should be zero or
1765 positive; if not, it is taken as zero. Fractional values of
1766 @var{columns} are not supported at present.
1768 Note that @code{set-window-hscroll} may appear not to work if you test
1769 it by evaluating a call with @kbd{M-:} in a simple way. What happens
1770 is that the function sets the horizontal scroll value and returns, but
1771 then redisplay adjusts the horizontal scrolling to make point visible,
1772 and this overrides what the function did. You can observe the
1773 function's effect if you call it while point is sufficiently far from
1774 the left margin that it will remain visible.
1776 The value returned is @var{columns}.
1780 (set-window-hscroll (selected-window) 10)
1786 Here is how you can determine whether a given position @var{position}
1787 is off the screen due to horizontal scrolling:
1791 (defun hscroll-on-screen (window position)
1793 (goto-char position)
1795 (>= (- (current-column) (window-hscroll window)) 0)
1796 (< (- (current-column) (window-hscroll window))
1797 (window-width window)))))
1801 @node Size of Window
1802 @section The Size of a Window
1804 @cindex size of window
1806 An Emacs window is rectangular, and its size information consists of
1807 the height (the number of lines) and the width (the number of character
1808 positions in each line). The mode line is included in the height. But
1809 the width does not count the scroll bar or the column of @samp{|}
1810 characters that separates side-by-side windows.
1812 The following three functions return size information about a window:
1814 @defun window-height &optional window
1815 This function returns the number of lines in @var{window}, including
1816 its mode line and header line, if any. If @var{window} fills its
1817 entire frame except for the echo area, this is typically one less than
1818 the value of @code{frame-height} on that frame.
1820 If @var{window} is @code{nil}, the function uses the selected window.
1828 (split-window-vertically)
1829 @result{} #<window 4 on windows.texi>
1838 @tindex window-body-height
1839 @defun window-body-height &optional window
1840 Like @code{window-height} but the value does not include the
1841 mode line (if any) or the header line (if any).
1844 @defun window-width &optional window
1845 This function returns the number of columns in @var{window}. If
1846 @var{window} fills its entire frame, this is the same as the value of
1847 @code{frame-width} on that frame. The width does not include the
1848 window's scroll bar or the column of @samp{|} characters that separates
1849 side-by-side windows.
1851 If @var{window} is @code{nil}, the function uses the selected window.
1861 @defun window-edges &optional window
1862 This function returns a list of the edge coordinates of @var{window}.
1863 If @var{window} is @code{nil}, the selected window is used.
1865 The order of the list is @code{(@var{left} @var{top} @var{right}
1866 @var{bottom})}, all elements relative to 0, 0 at the top left corner of
1867 the frame. The element @var{right} of the value is one more than the
1868 rightmost column used by @var{window}, and @var{bottom} is one more than
1869 the bottommost row used by @var{window} and its mode-line.
1871 The edges include the space used by the window's scroll bar, display
1872 margins, fringes, header line, and mode line, if it has them. Also,
1873 if the window has a neighbor on the right, its right edge value
1874 includes the width of the separator line between the window and that
1875 neighbor. Since the width of the window does not include this
1876 separator, the width does not usually equal the difference between the
1877 right and left edges.
1880 @defun window-inside-edges &optional window
1881 This is similar to @code{window-edges}, but the edge values
1882 it returns include only the text area of the window. They
1883 do not include the header line, mode line, scroll bar or
1884 vertical separator, fringes, or display margins.
1887 Here are the results obtained on a typical 24-line terminal with just
1888 one window, with menu bar enabled:
1892 (window-edges (selected-window))
1893 @result{} (0 1 80 23)
1896 (window-inside-edges (selected-window))
1897 @result{} (0 1 80 22)
1902 The bottom edge is at line 23 because the last line is the echo area.
1903 The bottom inside edge is at line 22, which is the window's mode line.
1905 If @var{window} is at the upper left corner of its frame, and there is
1906 no menu bar, then @var{bottom} returned by @code{window-edges} is the
1907 same as the value of @code{(window-height)}, @var{right} is almost the
1908 same as the value of @code{(window-width)}, and @var{top} and
1909 @var{left} are zero. For example, the edges of the following window
1910 are @w{@samp{0 0 8 5}}. Assuming that the frame has more than 8
1911 columns, the last column of the window (column 7) holds a border
1912 rather than text. The last row (row 4) holds the mode line, shown
1913 here with @samp{xxxxxxxxx}.
1929 In the following example, let's suppose that the frame is 7
1930 columns wide. Then the edges of the left window are @w{@samp{0 0 4 3}}
1931 and the edges of the right window are @w{@samp{4 0 7 3}}.
1932 The inside edges of the left window are @w{@samp{0 0 3 2}},
1933 and the inside edges of the right window are @w{@samp{4 0 7 2}},
1946 @defun window-pixel-edges &optional window
1947 This function is like @code{window-edges} except that, on a graphical
1948 display, the edge values are measured in pixels instead of in
1949 character lines and columns.
1952 @defun window-inside-pixel-edges &optional window
1953 This function is like @code{window-inside-edges} except that, on a
1954 graphical display, the edge values are measured in pixels instead of
1955 in character lines and columns.
1958 @node Resizing Windows
1959 @section Changing the Size of a Window
1960 @cindex window resizing
1961 @cindex changing window size
1962 @cindex window size, changing
1964 The window size functions fall into two classes: high-level commands
1965 that change the size of windows and low-level functions that access
1966 window size. Emacs does not permit overlapping windows or gaps between
1967 windows, so resizing one window affects other windows.
1969 @deffn Command enlarge-window size &optional horizontal
1970 This function makes the selected window @var{size} lines taller,
1971 stealing lines from neighboring windows. It takes the lines from one
1972 window at a time until that window is used up, then takes from another.
1973 If a window from which lines are stolen shrinks below
1974 @code{window-min-height} lines, that window disappears.
1976 If @var{horizontal} is non-@code{nil}, this function makes
1977 @var{window} wider by @var{size} columns, stealing columns instead of
1978 lines. If a window from which columns are stolen shrinks below
1979 @code{window-min-width} columns, that window disappears.
1981 If the requested size would exceed that of the window's frame, then the
1982 function makes the window occupy the entire height (or width) of the
1985 If there are various other windows from which lines or columns can be
1986 stolen, and some of them specify fixed size (using
1987 @code{window-size-fixed}, see below), they are left untouched while
1988 other windows are ``robbed.'' If it would be necessary to alter the
1989 size of a fixed-size window, @code{enlarge-window} gets an error
1992 If @var{size} is negative, this function shrinks the window by
1993 @minus{}@var{size} lines or columns. If that makes the window smaller
1994 than the minimum size (@code{window-min-height} and
1995 @code{window-min-width}), @code{enlarge-window} deletes the window.
1997 @code{enlarge-window} returns @code{nil}.
2000 @deffn Command enlarge-window-horizontally columns
2001 This function makes the selected window @var{columns} wider.
2002 It could be defined as follows:
2006 (defun enlarge-window-horizontally (columns)
2008 (enlarge-window columns t))
2013 @deffn Command shrink-window size &optional horizontal
2014 This function is like @code{enlarge-window} but negates the argument
2015 @var{size}, making the selected window smaller by giving lines (or
2016 columns) to the other windows. If the window shrinks below
2017 @code{window-min-height} or @code{window-min-width}, then it disappears.
2019 If @var{size} is negative, the window is enlarged by @minus{}@var{size}
2023 @deffn Command shrink-window-horizontally columns
2024 This function makes the selected window @var{columns} narrower.
2025 It could be defined as follows:
2029 (defun shrink-window-horizontally (columns)
2031 (shrink-window columns t))
2036 @defun adjust-window-trailing-edge window delta horizontal
2037 This function makes the selected window @var{delta} lines taller or
2038 @var{delta} columns wider, by moving the bottom or right edge. This
2039 function does not delete other windows; if it cannot make the
2040 requested size adjustment, it signals an error. On success, this
2041 function returns @code{nil}.
2044 @defun fit-window-to-buffer &optional window max-height min-height
2045 This function makes @var{window} the right height to display its
2046 contents exactly. If @var{window} is omitted or @code{nil}, it uses
2047 the selected window.
2049 The argument @var{max-height} specifies the maximum height the window
2050 is allowed to be; @code{nil} means use the frame height. The argument
2051 @var{min-height} specifies the minimum height for the window;
2052 @code{nil} means use @code{window-min-height}. All these height
2053 values include the mode-line and/or header-line.
2056 @deffn Command shrink-window-if-larger-than-buffer &optional window
2057 This command shrinks @var{window} vertically to be as small as
2058 possible while still showing the full contents of its buffer---but not
2059 less than @code{window-min-height} lines. If @var{window} is not
2060 given, it defaults to the selected window.
2062 However, the command does nothing if the window is already too small to
2063 display the whole text of the buffer, or if part of the contents are
2064 currently scrolled off screen, or if the window is not the full width of
2065 its frame, or if the window is the only window in its frame.
2067 This command returns non-@code{nil} if it actually shrank the window
2068 and @code{nil} otherwise.
2071 @tindex window-size-fixed
2072 @defvar window-size-fixed
2073 If this variable is non-@code{nil}, in any given buffer,
2074 then the size of any window displaying the buffer remains fixed
2075 unless you explicitly change it or Emacs has no other choice.
2077 If the value is @code{height}, then only the window's height is fixed;
2078 if the value is @code{width}, then only the window's width is fixed.
2079 Any other non-@code{nil} value fixes both the width and the height.
2081 This variable automatically becomes buffer-local when set.
2083 Explicit size-change functions such as @code{enlarge-window}
2084 get an error if they would have to change a window size which is fixed.
2085 Therefore, when you want to change the size of such a window,
2086 you should bind @code{window-size-fixed} to @code{nil}, like this:
2089 (let ((window-size-fixed nil))
2090 (enlarge-window 10))
2093 Note that changing the frame size will change the size of a
2094 fixed-size window, if there is no other alternative.
2097 @cindex minimum window size
2098 The following two variables constrain the window-structure-changing
2099 functions to a minimum height and width.
2101 @defopt window-min-height
2102 The value of this variable determines how short a window may become
2103 before it is automatically deleted. Making a window smaller than
2104 @code{window-min-height} automatically deletes it, and no window may
2105 be created shorter than this. The default value is 4.
2107 The absolute minimum window height is one; actions that change window
2108 sizes reset this variable to one if it is less than one.
2111 @defopt window-min-width
2112 The value of this variable determines how narrow a window may become
2113 before it is automatically deleted. Making a window smaller than
2114 @code{window-min-width} automatically deletes it, and no window may be
2115 created narrower than this. The default value is 10.
2117 The absolute minimum window width is two; actions that change window
2118 sizes reset this variable to two if it is less than two.
2121 @node Coordinates and Windows
2122 @section Coordinates and Windows
2124 This section describes how to relate screen coordinates to windows.
2126 @defun window-at x y &optional frame
2127 This function returns the window containing the specified cursor
2128 position in the frame @var{frame}. The coordinates @var{x} and @var{y}
2129 are measured in characters and count from the top left corner of the
2130 frame. If they are out of range, @code{window-at} returns @code{nil}.
2132 If you omit @var{frame}, the selected frame is used.
2135 @defun coordinates-in-window-p coordinates window
2136 This function checks whether a particular frame position falls within
2137 the window @var{window}.
2139 The argument @var{coordinates} is a cons cell of the form @code{(@var{x}
2140 . @var{y})}. The coordinates @var{x} and @var{y} are measured in
2141 characters, and count from the top left corner of the screen or frame.
2143 The value returned by @code{coordinates-in-window-p} is non-@code{nil}
2144 if the coordinates are inside @var{window}. The value also indicates
2145 what part of the window the position is in, as follows:
2148 @item (@var{relx} . @var{rely})
2149 The coordinates are inside @var{window}. The numbers @var{relx} and
2150 @var{rely} are the equivalent window-relative coordinates for the
2151 specified position, counting from 0 at the top left corner of the
2155 The coordinates are in the mode line of @var{window}.
2158 The coordinates are in the header line of @var{window}.
2161 The coordinates are in the vertical line between @var{window} and its
2162 neighbor to the right. This value occurs only if the window doesn't
2163 have a scroll bar; positions in a scroll bar are considered outside the
2164 window for these purposes.
2168 The coordinates are in the left or right fringe of the window.
2172 The coordinates are in the left or right margin of the window.
2175 The coordinates are not in any part of @var{window}.
2178 The function @code{coordinates-in-window-p} does not require a frame as
2179 argument because it always uses the frame that @var{window} is on.
2183 @section The Window Tree
2186 A @dfn{window tree} specifies the layout, size, and relationship
2187 between all windows in one frame.
2189 @defun window-tree &optional frame
2190 This function returns the window tree for frame @var{frame}.
2191 If @var{frame} is omitted, the selected frame is used.
2193 The return value is a list of the form @code{(@var{root} @var{mini})},
2194 where @var{root} represents the window tree of the frame's
2195 root window, and @var{mini} is the frame's minibuffer window.
2197 If the root window is not split, @var{root} is the root window itself.
2198 Otherwise, @var{root} is a list @code{(@var{dir} @var{edges} @var{w1}
2199 @var{w2} ...)} where @var{dir} is @code{nil} for a horizontal split,
2200 and @code{t} for a vertical split, @var{edges} gives the combined size and
2201 position of the subwindows in the split, and the rest of the elements
2202 are the subwindows in the split. Each of the subwindows may again be
2203 a window or a list representing a window split, and so on. The
2204 @var{edges} element is a list @code{(@var{left}@var{ top}@var{ right}@var{ bottom})}
2205 similar to the value returned by @code{window-edges}.
2208 @node Window Configurations
2209 @section Window Configurations
2210 @cindex window configurations
2211 @cindex saving window information
2213 A @dfn{window configuration} records the entire layout of one
2214 frame---all windows, their sizes, which buffers they contain, what
2215 part of each buffer is displayed, and the values of point and the
2216 mark; also their fringes, margins, and scroll bar settings. It also
2217 includes the values of @code{window-min-height},
2218 @code{window-min-width} and @code{minibuffer-scroll-window}. An
2219 exception is made for point in the selected window for the current
2220 buffer; its value is not saved in the window configuration.
2222 You can bring back an entire previous layout by restoring a window
2223 configuration previously saved. If you want to record all frames
2224 instead of just one, use a frame configuration instead of a window
2225 configuration. @xref{Frame Configurations}.
2227 @defun current-window-configuration &optional frame
2228 This function returns a new object representing @var{frame}'s current
2229 window configuration. If @var{frame} is omitted, the selected frame
2233 @defun set-window-configuration configuration
2234 This function restores the configuration of windows and buffers as
2235 specified by @var{configuration}, for the frame that @var{configuration}
2238 The argument @var{configuration} must be a value that was previously
2239 returned by @code{current-window-configuration}. This configuration is
2240 restored in the frame from which @var{configuration} was made, whether
2241 that frame is selected or not. This always counts as a window size
2242 change and triggers execution of the @code{window-size-change-functions}
2243 (@pxref{Window Hooks}), because @code{set-window-configuration} doesn't
2244 know how to tell whether the new configuration actually differs from the
2247 If the frame which @var{configuration} was saved from is dead, all this
2248 function does is restore the three variables @code{window-min-height},
2249 @code{window-min-width} and @code{minibuffer-scroll-window}. In this
2250 case, the function returns @code{nil}. Otherwise, it returns @code{t}.
2252 Here is a way of using this function to get the same effect
2253 as @code{save-window-excursion}:
2257 (let ((config (current-window-configuration)))
2259 (progn (split-window-vertically nil)
2261 (set-window-configuration config)))
2266 @defspec save-window-excursion forms@dots{}
2267 This special form records the window configuration, executes @var{forms}
2268 in sequence, then restores the earlier window configuration. The window
2269 configuration includes, for each window, the value of point and the
2270 portion of the buffer that is visible. It also includes the choice of
2271 selected window. However, it does not include the value of point in
2272 the current buffer; use @code{save-excursion} also, if you wish to
2275 Don't use this construct when @code{save-selected-window} is sufficient.
2277 Exit from @code{save-window-excursion} always triggers execution of the
2278 @code{window-size-change-functions}. (It doesn't know how to tell
2279 whether the restored configuration actually differs from the one in
2280 effect at the end of the @var{forms}.)
2282 The return value is the value of the final form in @var{forms}.
2288 @result{} #<window 25 on control.texi>
2291 (setq w (selected-window))
2292 @result{} #<window 19 on control.texi>
2295 (save-window-excursion
2296 (delete-other-windows w)
2297 (switch-to-buffer "foo")
2299 @result{} do-something
2300 ;; @r{The screen is now split again.}
2305 @defun window-configuration-p object
2306 This function returns @code{t} if @var{object} is a window configuration.
2309 @defun compare-window-configurations config1 config2
2310 This function compares two window configurations as regards the
2311 structure of windows, but ignores the values of point and mark and the
2312 saved scrolling positions---it can return @code{t} even if those
2315 The function @code{equal} can also compare two window configurations; it
2316 regards configurations as unequal if they differ in any respect, even a
2317 saved point or mark.
2320 @defun window-configuration-frame config
2321 This function returns the frame for which the window configuration
2322 @var{config} was made.
2325 Other primitives to look inside of window configurations would make
2326 sense, but are not implemented because we did not need them. See the
2327 file @file{winner.el} for some more operations on windows
2331 @section Hooks for Window Scrolling and Changes
2333 This section describes how a Lisp program can take action whenever a
2334 window displays a different part of its buffer or a different buffer.
2335 There are three actions that can change this: scrolling the window,
2336 switching buffers in the window, and changing the size of the window.
2337 The first two actions run @code{window-scroll-functions}; the last runs
2338 @code{window-size-change-functions}.
2340 @defvar window-scroll-functions
2341 This variable holds a list of functions that Emacs should call before
2342 redisplaying a window with scrolling. It is not a normal hook, because
2343 each function is called with two arguments: the window, and its new
2344 display-start position.
2346 Displaying a different buffer in the window also runs these functions.
2348 These functions must be careful in using @code{window-end}
2349 (@pxref{Window Start}); if you need an up-to-date value, you must use
2350 the @var{update} argument to ensure you get it.
2353 @defvar window-size-change-functions
2354 This variable holds a list of functions to be called if the size of any
2355 window changes for any reason. The functions are called just once per
2356 redisplay, and just once for each frame on which size changes have
2359 Each function receives the frame as its sole argument. There is no
2360 direct way to find out which windows on that frame have changed size, or
2361 precisely how. However, if a size-change function records, at each
2362 call, the existing windows and their sizes, it can also compare the
2363 present sizes and the previous sizes.
2365 Creating or deleting windows counts as a size change, and therefore
2366 causes these functions to be called. Changing the frame size also
2367 counts, because it changes the sizes of the existing windows.
2369 It is not a good idea to use @code{save-window-excursion} (@pxref{Window
2370 Configurations}) in these functions, because that always counts as a
2371 size change, and it would cause these functions to be called over and
2372 over. In most cases, @code{save-selected-window} (@pxref{Selecting
2373 Windows}) is what you need here.
2376 @defvar redisplay-end-trigger-functions
2377 This abnormal hook is run whenever redisplay in a window uses text that
2378 extends past a specified end trigger position. You set the end trigger
2379 position with the function @code{set-window-redisplay-end-trigger}. The
2380 functions are called with two arguments: the window, and the end trigger
2381 position. Storing @code{nil} for the end trigger position turns off the
2382 feature, and the trigger value is automatically reset to @code{nil} just
2383 after the hook is run.
2386 @defun set-window-redisplay-end-trigger window position
2387 This function sets @var{window}'s end trigger position at
2391 @defun window-redisplay-end-trigger &optional window
2392 This function returns @var{window}'s current end trigger position.
2393 If @var{window} is @code{nil} or omitted, it uses the selected window.
2396 @defvar window-configuration-change-hook
2397 A normal hook that is run every time you change the window configuration
2398 of an existing frame. This includes splitting or deleting windows,
2399 changing the sizes of windows, or displaying a different buffer in a
2400 window. The frame whose window configuration has changed is the
2401 selected frame when this hook runs.
2405 arch-tag: 3f6c36e8-df49-4986-b757-417feed88be3