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6 * Ada mode: (ada-mode). The GNU Emacs mode for editing Ada.
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10 @comment The following lines inserts the copyright notice
11 @comment into the Info file.
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15 Copyright @copyright{} 1999, 2000, 2001 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
17 Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this document
18 under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1.1 or
19 any later version published by the Free Software Foundation; with the
20 Invariant Sections being ``The GNU Manifesto'', ``Distribution'' and
21 ``GNU GENERAL PUBLIC LICENSE'', with the Front-Cover texts being ``A GNU
22 Manual'', and with the Back-Cover Texts as in (a) below. A copy of the
23 license is included in the section entitled ``GNU Free Documentation
24 License'' in the Emacs manual.
26 (a) The FSF's Back-Cover Text is: ``You have freedom to copy and modify
27 this GNU Manual, like GNU software. Copies published by the Free
28 Software Foundation raise funds for GNU development.''
30 This document is part of a collection distributed under the GNU Free
31 Documentation License. If you want to distribute this document
32 separately from the collection, you can do so by adding a copy of the
33 license to the document, as described in section 6 of the license.
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37 @comment TeX title page
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44 @subtitle An Emacs major mode for programming Ada 95 with GNAT
45 @subtitle July 1998 for Ada Mode Version 3.0
49 @vskip 0pt plus 1filll
50 Copyright @copyright{} 1999, 2000, 2001 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
52 Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this document
53 under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1.1 or
54 any later version published by the Free Software Foundation; with the
55 Invariant Sections being ``The GNU Manifesto'', ``Distribution'' and
56 ``GNU GENERAL PUBLIC LICENSE'', with the Front-Cover texts being ``A GNU
57 Manual'', and with the Back-Cover Texts as in (a) below. A copy of the
58 license is included in the section entitled ``GNU Free Documentation
59 License'' in the Emacs manual.
61 (a) The FSF's Back-Cover Text is: ``You have freedom to copy and modify
62 this GNU Manual, like GNU software. Copies published by the Free
63 Software Foundation raise funds for GNU development.''
65 This document is part of a collection distributed under the GNU Free
66 Documentation License. If you want to distribute this document
67 separately from the collection, you can do so by adding a copy of the
68 license to the document, as described in section 6 of the license.
72 @node Top, Overview, (dir), (dir)
76 * Installation:: Installing Ada mode on your system
77 * Customization:: Setting up Ada mode to your taste
78 * Project files:: Describing the organization of your project
79 * Syntax highlighting:: Using specific colors and fonts to highlight
80 the structure of your files
81 * Moving Through Ada Code:: Moving easily through Ada sources
82 * Identifier completion:: Finishing words automatically
83 * Index Menu of Subprograms:: A menu of all the types and subprograms
84 defined in your application
85 * File Browser:: Easy access to your files
86 * Automatic Smart Indentation:: Indenting your code automatically as you type
87 * Formatting Parameter Lists:: Formating subprograms parameter lists
89 * Automatic Casing:: Adjusting the case of words automatically
90 * Statement Templates:: Inserting code templates
91 * Comment Handling:: Reformatting comments easily
92 * Compiling Executing:: Working with your application within Emacs
93 * Debugging:: Debugging your application
94 * Using non-standard file names:: Configuring Emacs for special file names
95 * Working Remotely:: Working on a different machine
99 @c -----------------------------------------------------------------------
100 @node Overview, Installation, Top, Top
102 @c -----------------------------------------------------------------------
104 The Emacs mode for programming in Ada 95 with GNAT helps the user in
105 understanding existing code and facilitates writing new code. It
106 furthermore provides some utility functions for easier integration of
107 standard Emacs features when programming in Ada.
109 @section General features:
113 full Integrated Development Environment:
116 support of ``project files'' for the configuration (directories,
117 compilation options,...)
119 compiling and stepping through error messages.
121 running and debugging your applications within Emacs.
124 easy to use for beginners by pull-down menus,
126 user configurable by many user-option variables.
129 @section Ada mode features that help understanding code:
133 functions for easy and quick stepping through Ada code,
135 getting cross reference information for identifiers (e.g. find the
136 defining place by a keystroke),
138 displaying an index menu of types and subprograms and move point to
141 automatic color highlighting of the various entities in Ada code.
144 @section Emacs support for writing Ada code:
148 switching between spec and body files with eventually
149 auto-generation of body files,
151 automatic formating of subprograms parameter lists.
153 automatic smart indentation according to Ada syntax,
155 automatic completion of identifiers,
157 automatic casing of identifiers, keywords, and attributes,
159 insertion of statement templates,
161 filling comment paragraphs like filling normal text,
164 @c -----------------------------------------------------------------------
165 @node Installation, Customization, Overview, Top
166 @chapter Installation
167 @c -----------------------------------------------------------------------
169 If you got Ada mode as a separate distribution, you should have a
170 look at the @file{README} file. It explains the basic steps necessary
171 for a good installation of the emacs Ada mode.
173 Installing the Ada mode is basically just a matter of copying a few
174 files into the Emacs library directories. Every time you open a file
175 with a file extension of @file{.ads} or @file{.adb}, Emacs will
176 automatically load and activate Ada mode.
178 @xref{Using non-standard file names}, if your files do
179 not use these extensions and if you want Emacs to automatically start the
180 Ada mode every time you edit an Ada file.
182 See also the Emacs Manual (@pxref{(Top,,,emacs, The Emacs Manual)}),
183 for general usage variables that you might want to set.
185 @c ---------------------------------------------------------------------
186 @section Required files
187 @c ---------------------------------------------------------------------
189 This Ada mode works best with Emacs 20.3 or higher (the easy editing
190 features for the project files won't work with any older version), but
191 most of the commands should work with older versions too. Please try to
192 install the most recent version of Emacs on your system before
195 Although part of Ada mode is compiler-independent, the most advanced
196 features are specific to the Gnat compiler @url{http://www.gnat.com}.
198 The following files are provided with the Ada mode distribution:
203 @file{ada-mode.el}: The main file for Ada mode.
204 This is the only file which does not require Gnat. It contains the
205 functions for indentation, formatting of parameter lists, stepping
206 through code, comment handling and automatic casing. Emacs versions
207 20.2 and higher already contain Ada mode version 2.27, which is an older
208 version of this file and should be replaced. Loading @file{ada-mode.el}
209 from the current distribution supersedes the standard installation.
212 @file{ada-stmt.el}: Contains the statement templates feature.
215 @file{ada-xref.el}: This file provides the main support for Gnat.
216 This is where the functions for cross-references, completion of
217 identifiers, support for project files and compilation of your
218 application are defined.
221 @file{ada-prj.el}: The functions to use for easy-edition of the
222 project files. This file is the only one which really requires Emacs
223 at least 20.2. It uses the new widget features from Emacs.
227 @c --------------------------------------------------------------------
228 @node Customization, Project files, Installation, Top
229 @chapter Customizing Ada mode
230 @c ---------------------------------------------------------------------
232 Ada mode is fully customizable. Everything, from the file names to
233 the automatic indentation and the automatic casing can be adapted to
236 There are two different kinds of variables that control this
237 customization, both are easy to modify.
239 The first set of variables are standard Emacs variables. Of course, some
240 are defined only for Ada mode, whereas others have a more general
241 meaning in Emacs. Please see the Emacs documentation for more
242 information on the latest. In this documentation, we will detail all the
243 variables that are specific to Ada mode, and a few others. The names
244 will be given, as in @code{ada-case-identifier}.
246 Emacs provides an easy way to modify them, through a special mode called
247 customization. To access this mode, select the menu
248 @samp{Ada->Customize}. This will open a new buffer with some fields that
249 you can edit. For instance, you will get something like:
251 Put below the compiler switches.
252 comp_opt= _____________________________________
254 The first line gives a brief description of the variable. The second
255 line is the name of the variable and the field where you can give a
256 value for this variable. Simply type what you want in the field.
258 When you are finished modifying the variables, you can simply click on
259 the @b{Save for future sessions} button at the top of the buffer (click
260 with the middle mouse button). This will save the values in your
261 @file{.emacs} file, so that next time you start Emacs they will have the
264 To modify a specific variable, you can directly call the function
265 @code{customize-variable} from Emacs (just type @kbd{M-x
266 customize-variable @key{RET} @var{variable-name} @key{RET}}).
268 Some users might prefer to modify the variables directly in their
269 configuration file, @file{.emacs}. This file is coded in Emacs lisp, and
270 the syntax to set a variable is the following:
272 (setq variable-name value)
275 The second set of variables for customization are set through the use of
276 project files. These variables are specific to a given project, whereas
277 the first set was more general. For more information, please
278 @xref{Project files}.
280 @c ---------------------------------------------------------------------
281 @node Project files, Syntax highlighting, Customization, Top
282 @chapter Project files
283 @c ---------------------------------------------------------------------
285 @c ---------------------------------------------------------------------
286 @section General overview
287 @c ---------------------------------------------------------------------
289 Emacs provides a full Integrated Development Environment for GNAT and
290 Ada programmers. That is to say, editing, compiling, executing and
291 debugging can be performed within Emacs in a convenient and natural way.
293 To take full advantage of this features, it is possible to create a file
294 in the main directory of your application, with a @samp{.adp} extension.
295 This file contain all needed information dealing with the way your
296 application is organized between directories, the commands to compile,
297 run and debug it etc. Creating this file is not mandatory and convenient
298 defaults are automatically provided for simple setups. It only becomes
299 necessary when those above mentioned defaults need customizing.
301 A simple way to edit this file is provided for Emacs 20.2 or newer, with
302 the following functions, that you can access also through the Ada
303 menu. It is also possible to edit the project file as a regular text
306 Once in the buffer for editing the project file, you can save your
307 modification using the @samp{[OK]} button at the bottom of the buffer, or
308 simply use the usual @kbd{C-x C-s} binding. To cancel your
309 modifications, simply kill the buffer or click on the @samp{[CANCEL]} button
312 Each buffer using Ada mode will be associated with one project file when
313 there is one available, so that Emacs can easily navigate through
314 related source files for instance.
316 The exact algorithm to determine which project file should be used is
317 described in the next section, but you can force the project file you
318 want to use by setting one or two variables in your @file{.emacs} file.
322 To set up a default project file to use for any directory, anywhere
323 on your system, set the variable @code{ada-prj-default-project-file} to
324 the name of that file.
327 (set 'ada-prj-default-project-file "/dir1/dir2/file")
331 For finer control, you can set a per-directory project file.
332 This is done through the variable @code{ada-xref-default-prj-file}.
335 (set 'ada-xref-default-prj-file
336 '(("/dir1/dir2" . "/dir3/file1")
337 ("/dir4/dir5" . "/dir6/file2")))
340 Note: This has a higher priority than the first variable, so the first
341 choice is to use this variable settings, and otherwise
342 @code{ada-prj-default-project-file}.
348 Create or edit the project file for the current buffer (@code{ada-customize}).
350 Change the project file associated with the current Ada buffer (@code{ada-change-prj}).
352 Change the default project file for the current directory. Every new
353 file opened from this directory will be associated with that file by
355 @item ada-set-default-project-file
356 Set the default project file to use for *any* Ada file opened anywhere
357 on your system. This sets this file only for the current Emacs session.
360 @c ---------------------------------------------------------------------
361 @section Project file variables
362 @c ---------------------------------------------------------------------
364 The following variables can be defined in a project file. They all have
365 a default value, so that small projects do not need to create a project
368 Some variables below can be referenced in other variables, using a
369 shell-like notation. For instance, if the variable @code{comp_cmd}
370 contains a sequence like @code{$@{comp_opt@}}, the value of that variable
373 Here is the list of variables:
376 @item @code{src_dir} [default: @code{"./"}]
377 This is a list of directories where Ada mode will look for source
378 files. These directories are used mainly in two cases, both as a switch
379 for the compiler and for the cross-references.
381 @item @code{obj_dir} [default: @code{"./"}]
382 This is a list of directories where to look for object and library
383 files. The library files are the @samp{.ali} files generated by Gnat
384 and that contain cross-reference informations.
386 @item @code{comp_opt} [default: @code{""}]
387 Creates a variable which can be referred to subsequently by using the
388 @code{$@{comp_opt@}} notation. This is intended to store the default
389 switches given to @command{gnatmake} and @command{gcc}.
391 @item @code{bind_opt=@var{switches}} [default: @code{""}]
392 Creates a variable which can be referred to subsequently by using the
393 @code{$@{bind_opt@}} notation. This is intended to store the default
394 switches given to @command{gnatbind}.
396 @item @code{link_opt=@var{switches}} [default: @code{""}]
397 Creates a variable which can be referred to subsequently by using the
398 @code{$@{link_opt@}} notation. This is intended to store the default
399 switches given to @command{gnatlink}.
401 @item @code{main=@var{executable}} [default: @code{""}]
402 Specifies the name of the executable for the application. This variable
403 can be referred to in the following lines by using the @code{$@{main@}}
406 @item @code{cross_prefix=@var{prefix}} [default: @code{""}]
407 This variable should be set if you are working in a cross-compilation
408 environment. This is the prefix used in front of the gnatmake commands.
410 @item @code{remote_machine=@var{machine}} [default: @code{""}]
411 This is the name of the machine to log into before issuing the
412 compilation command. If this variable is empty, the command will be
413 run on the local machine. This will not work on Windows NT machines,
414 since Ada mode will simply precede the compilation command with a
415 @command{rsh} command, unknown on Windows.
417 @item @code{comp_cmd=@var{command}} [default: @code{"$@{cross_prefix@}gcc -c -I$@{src_dir@} -g -gnatq"}]
418 Specifies the command used to compile a single file in the application.
419 The name of the file will be added at the end of this command.
421 @item @code{make_cmd=@var{command}} [default: @code{"$@{cross_prefix@}gnatmake $@{main@} -aI$@{src_dir@} -aO$@{obj_dir@} -g -gnatq -cargs $@{comp_opt@} -bargs $@{bind_opt@} -largs $@{link_opt@}"]}'
422 Specifies the command used to recompile the whole application.
424 @item @code{run_cmd=@var{command}} [default: @code{"$@{main@}"}]
425 Specifies the command used to run the application.
427 @item @code{debug_cmd=@var{command}} [default: @code{"$@{cross_prefix@}gdb $@{main@}"}]
428 Specifies the command used to debug the application
432 @c ---------------------------------------------------------------------
433 @section Detailed algorithm
434 @c ---------------------------------------------------------------------
436 This section gives more details on the project file setup and is only of
437 interest for advanced users.
439 Usually, an Ada file is part of a larger application, whose sources and
440 objects can be spread over multiple directories. The first time emacs is
441 asked to compile, run or debug an application, or when a cross reference
442 function is used (goto declaration for instance), the following steps
447 find the appropriate project file, open and parse it.
448 All the fields read in the project file are then stored by emacs
449 locally. Finding the project file requires a few steps:
453 if a file from the same directory was already associated with
454 a project file, use the same one. This is the variable
455 @code{ada-xref-default-prj-file} described above.
457 if the variable @code{ada-prj-default-project-file} is set,
458 use the project file specified in this variable.
460 if there is a project file whose name is the same as the source file
461 except for the suffix, use this one.
463 if there's only one project file in the source directory, use
466 if there are more than one project file in the source directory,
469 if there are no project files in the source directory use standard
473 The first project file that is selected in a given directory becomes the
474 default project file for this directory and is used implicitly for other
475 sources unless specified otherwise by the user.
478 look for the corresponding @samp{.ali} file in the @code{obj_dir} defined
479 in the project file. If this file can not be found, emacs proposes to
480 compile the source using the @code{comp_cmd} defined in the project file
481 in order to create the ali file.
484 when cross referencing is requested, the @samp{.ali} file is parsed to
485 determine the file and line of the identifier definition. It is
486 possible for the @samp{.ali} file to be older than the source file,
487 in which case it will be recompiled if the variable
488 @code{ada-xref-create-ali} is set, otherwise the reference is searched
489 in the obsolete ali file with possible inaccurate results.
492 look for the file containing the declaration using the source
493 path @code{src_dir} defined in the project file. Put the cursor at the
494 correct position and display this new cursor.
497 @c -----------------------------------------------------------------------
498 @node Syntax highlighting, Moving Through Ada Code, Project files, Top
499 @chapter Syntax highlighting
500 @c -----------------------------------------------------------------------
502 Ada mode is made to help you understand the structure of your source
503 files. Some people like having colors or different fonts depending on
504 the context: commands should be displayed differently than keywords,
505 which should also be different from strings, @dots{}
507 Emacs is able to display in a different way the following syntactic
514 @item gnatprep statements (preprocessor)
515 @item types (under certain conditions)
519 This is not the default behavior for Emacs. You have to explicitly
520 activate it. This requires that you add a new line in your @file{.emacs}
521 file (if this file does not exist, just create it).
524 (global-font-lock-mode t)
527 But the default colors might not be the ones you like. Fortunately,
528 there is a very easy way to change them. Just select the menu
529 @samp{Help->Customize->Specific Face...} and press @key{RET}. This
530 will display a buffer will all the ``faces'' (the colors) that Emacs knows
531 about. You can change any of them.
534 @c -----------------------------------------------------------------------
535 @node Moving Through Ada Code, Identifier completion, Syntax highlighting, Top
536 @chapter Moving Through Ada Code
537 @c -----------------------------------------------------------------------
539 There are several easy to use commands to stroll through Ada code. All
540 these functions are available through the Ada menu, and you can also use
541 the following key bindings or the command names:
545 Move to the next function/procedure/task, which ever comes next
546 (@code{ada-next-procedure}).
548 Move to previous function/procedure/task
549 (@code{ada-previous-procedure}).
550 @item M-x ada-next-package
551 Move to next package.
552 @item M-x ada-prev-package
553 Move to previous package.
555 Move to matching start of @code{end} (@code{ada-move-to-start}). If
556 point is at the end of a subprogram, this command jumps to the
557 corresponding @code{begin} if the user option
558 @code{ada-move-to-declaration} is @code{nil} (default), it jumps to
559 the subprogram declaration otherwise.
561 Move point to end of current block (@code{ada-move-to-end}).
563 Switch between corresponding spec and body file
564 (@code{ff-find-other-file}). If the cursor is on a subprogram, switch
565 between declaration and body.
567 Move from any reference to its declaration and switch between
568 declaration and body (for procedures, tasks, private and incomplete
571 runs the @file{gnatfind} command to search for all references to the
572 entity pointed by the cursor (@code{ada-find-references}). Use
573 @kbd{C-x `} (@code{next-error}) to visit each reference (as for
577 These functions use the information in the output of the Gnat Ada
578 compiler. However, if your application was compiled with the
579 @samp{-gnatx} switch, these functions will not work, since no extra
580 information is generated by GNAT. See GNAT documentation for further
583 Emacs will try to run Gnat for you whenever the cross-reference
584 informations are older than your source file (provided the
585 @code{ada-xref-create-ali} variable is non-@code{nil}). Gnat then produces a
586 file with the same name as the current Ada file but with the extension
587 changed to @file{.ali}. This files are normally used by the binder, but
588 they will also contain additional cross-referencing information.
590 @c -----------------------------------------------------------------------
591 @node Identifier completion, Index Menu of Subprograms, Moving Through Ada Code, Top
592 @chapter Identifier completion
593 @c -----------------------------------------------------------------------
595 @c -----------------------------------------------------------------------
597 @c -----------------------------------------------------------------------
599 Emacs and Ada mode provide two general ways for the completion of
600 identifiers. This is an easy way to type faster: you just have to type
601 the first few letters of an identifiers, and then loop through all the
602 possible completions.
604 The first method is general for Emacs. It will work both with Ada
605 buffers, but also in C buffers, Java buffers, @enddots{} The idea is to parse
606 all the opened buffers for possible completions.
608 For instance, if the words @samp{my_identifier}, @samp{my_subprogram}
609 are the only words starting with @samp{my} in any of the opened files,
610 then you will have this scenario:
613 You type: my@key{M-/}
614 Emacs inserts: @samp{my_identifier}
615 If you press @key{M-/} once again, Emacs replaces @samp{my_identifier} with
616 @samp{my_subprogram}.
617 Pressing @key{M-/} once more will bring you back to @samp{my_identifier}.
620 This is a very fast way to do completion, and the casing of words will
623 The second method is specific to Ada buffer, and even to users of the
624 Gnat compiler. Emacs will search the cross-information found in the
625 @samp{.ali} files generated by Gnat for possible completions.
627 The main advantage is that this completion is more accurate: only
628 existing identifier will be suggested, you don't need to have a file
629 opened that already contains this identifiers, @enddots{}
631 On the other hand, this completion is a little bit slower and requires
632 that you have compiled your file at least once since you created that
635 @c -----------------------------------------------------------------------
636 @section Summary of commands
637 @c -----------------------------------------------------------------------
641 Complete accurately current identifier using information in @samp{.ali} file
642 (@code{ada-complete-identifier}).
644 Complete identifier using buffer information (not Ada-specific).
647 @c -----------------------------------------------------------------------
648 @node Index Menu of Subprograms, File Browser, Identifier completion, Top
649 @chapter Index Menu of Subprograms
650 @c -----------------------------------------------------------------------
652 You can display a choice menu with all procedure/function/task
653 declarations in the file and choose an item by mouse click to get to its
654 declaration. This function is accessible through the @samp{Ada} menu when
655 editing a Ada file, or simply through the following key binding:
662 @c -----------------------------------------------------------------------
663 @node File Browser, Automatic Smart Indentation, Index Menu of Subprograms, Top
664 @chapter File Browser
665 @c -----------------------------------------------------------------------
667 Emacs provides a special mode, called @code{speedbar}. When this mode is
668 activated, a new frame is displayed, with a file browser. The files from
669 the current directory are displayed, and you can click on them as you
670 would with any file browser. The following commands are then available.
672 You can click on a directory name or file name to open it. The editor
673 will automatically select the best possible mode for this file,
674 including of course Ada mode for files written in Ada.
676 If you click on the @samp{[+]} symbol near a file name, all the symbols (types,
677 variables and subprograms) defined in that file will be displayed, and
678 you can directly click on them to open the right file at the right
681 You can activate this mode by typing @key{M-x speedbar} in the editor.
682 This will open a new frame. A better way might be to assicate the
683 following key binding
686 (global-set-key [f7] 'speedbar-get-focus)
689 Every time you press @key{F7}, the mouse will automatically move to the
690 speedbar frame (which will be created if it does not exist).
692 @c -----------------------------------------------------------------------
693 @node Automatic Smart Indentation, Formatting Parameter Lists, File Browser, Top
694 @chapter Automatic Smart Indentation
695 @c -----------------------------------------------------------------------
697 Ada mode comes with a full set of rules for automatic indentation.
698 You can of course configure the indentation as you want, by setting the
699 value of a few variables.
701 As always, the preferred way to modify variables is to use the
702 @samp{Ada->Customize} menu (don't forget to save your changes!). This
703 will also show you some example of code where this variable is used, and
704 hopefully make things clearer.
706 The relevant variables are the following:
709 @item @code{ada-broken-indent} (default value: 2)
710 Number of columns to indent the continuation of a broken line.
712 @item @code{ada-indent} (default value: 3)
713 Width of the default indentation.
715 @item @code{ada-indent-record-rel-type} (default value: 3)
716 Indentation for @code{record} relative to @code{type} or @code{use}.
718 @item @code{ada-indent-return} (default value: 0)
719 Indentation for @code{return} relative to @code{function} (if
720 @code{ada-indent-return} is greater than 0), or the open parenthesis
721 (if @code{ada-indent-return} is negative or null). Note that in the second
722 case, when there is no open parenthesis, the indentation is done
723 relative to @code{function} with the value of @code{ada-broken-indent}.
725 @item @code{ada-label-indent} (default value: -4)
726 Number of columns to indent a label.
728 @item @code{ada-stmt-end-indent} (default value: 0)
729 Number of columns to indent a statement @code{end} keyword on a separate line.
731 @item @code{ada-when-indent} (default value: 3)
732 Indentation for @code{when} relative to @code{exception} or @code{case}.
734 @item @code{ada-indent-is-separate} (default value: t)
735 Non-@code{nil} means indent @code{is separate} or @code{is abstract} if on a single line.
737 @item @code{ada-indent-to-open-paren} (default value: t)
738 Non-@code{nil} means indent according to the innermost open parenthesis.
740 @item @code{ada-indent-after-return} (default value: t)
741 Non-@code{nil} means that the current line will also be re-indented before
742 inserting a newline, when you press @key{RET}.
745 Most of the time, the indentation will be automatic, i.e when you will
746 press @key{RET}, the cursor will move to the correct column on the
749 However, you might want or need sometimes to re-indent the current line
750 or a set of lines. For this, you can simply go to that line, or select
751 the lines, and then press @key{TAB}. This will automatically re-indent
754 Another mode of indentation exists that helps you to set up your
755 indentation scheme. If you press @kbd{C-c @key{TAB}}, Ada mode will do
760 Reindent the current line, as @key{TAB} would do.
762 Temporarily move the cursor to a reference line, i.e., the line that
763 was used to calculate the current indentation.
765 Display at the bottom of the window the name of the variable that
766 provided the offset for the indentation.
769 The exact indentation of the current line is the same as the one for the
770 reference line, plus an offset given by the variable.
772 Once you know the name of the variable, you can either modify it
773 through the usual @samp{Ada->Customize} menu, or by typing @kbd{M-x
774 customize-variable @key{RET}} in the Emacs window, and then give the
775 name of the variable.
779 Indent the current line or the current region.
781 Indent lines in the current selected block.
783 Indent the current line and prints the name of the variable used for
789 @c -----------------------------------------------------------------------
790 @node Formatting Parameter Lists, Automatic Casing, Automatic Smart Indentation, Top
791 @chapter Formatting Parameter Lists
792 @c -----------------------------------------------------------------------
794 To help you correctly align fields in a subprogram parameter list,
795 Emacs provides one function that will do most of the work for you.
796 This function will align the declarations on the colon (@samp{:})
797 separating argument names and argument types, plus align the
798 @code{in}, @code{out} and @code{in out} keywords if required.
802 Format the parameter list (@code{ada-format-paramlist}).
805 @c -----------------------------------------------------------------------
806 @node Automatic Casing, Statement Templates, Formatting Parameter Lists, Top
807 @chapter Automatic Casing
808 @c -----------------------------------------------------------------------
810 Casing of identifiers, attributes and keywords is automatically
811 performed while typing when the variable @code{ada-auto-case} is set.
812 Every time you press a word separator, the previous word is
815 You can customize the automatic casing differently for keywords,
816 attributes and identifiers. The relevant variables are the following:
817 @code{ada-case-keyword}, @code{ada-case-attribute} and
818 @code{ada-case-identifier}.
820 All these variables can have one of the following values:
824 The previous word will simply be in all lower cases. For instance
825 @code{My_vARIable} is converted to @code{my_variable}.
828 The previous word will be fully converted to upper cases. For instance
829 @code{My_vARIable} is converted to @code{MY_VARIABLE}.
831 @item ada-capitalize-word
832 All letters, except the first one of the word and every letter after the
833 @samp{_} character are lower cased. Other letters are upper cased. For
834 instance @code{My_vARIable} is converted to @code{My_Variable}.
836 @item ada-loose-case-word
837 No letters is modified in the previous word, except the ones after the
838 @samp{_} character that are upper cased. For instance @code{My_vARIable} is
839 converted to @code{My_VARIable}.
842 These functions, although they will work in most cases, will not be
843 accurate sometimes. The Ada mode allows you to define some exceptions,
844 that will always be cased the same way.
846 The idea is to create a dictionary of exceptions, and store it in a
847 file. This file should contain one identifier per line, with the casing
848 you want to force. The default name for this file is
849 @file{~/.emacs_case_exceptions}. You can of course change this name,
850 through the variable @code{ada-case-exception-file}.
852 Note that each line in this file must start with the key word whose
853 casing you want to specify. The rest of the line can be used for
854 comments (explaining for instance what an abbreviation means, as
855 recommended in the Ada 95 Quality and Style, paragraph 3.1.4). Thus, a
856 good example for this file could be:
859 DOD Department of Defense
861 GNAT The GNAT compiler from Ada Core Technologies
864 When working on project involving multiple programmers, we recommend
865 that every member of the team sets this variable to the same value,
866 which should point to a system-wide file that each of them can
867 write. That way, you will ensure that the casing is consistent
868 throughout your application(s).
870 There are two ways to add new items to this file: you can simply edit it
871 as you would edit any text file, and add or suppress entries in this
872 file. Remember that you should put one entity per line. The other,
873 easier way, is to position the cursor over the word you want to add, in
874 an Ada buffer. This word should have the casing you want. Then simply
875 select the menu @samp{Ada->Edit->Create Case Exception}, or the key
876 @kbd{C-c C-y}. The word will automatically be added to the current list
877 of exceptions and to the file.
879 It is sometimes useful to have multiple exception files around (for
880 instance, one could be the standard Ada acronyms, the second some
881 company specific exceptions, and the last one some project specific
882 exceptions). If you set up the variable @code{ada-case-exception-file}
883 as a list of files, each of them will be parsed and used in your emacs
886 However, when you save a new exception through the menu, as described
887 above, the new exception will be added to the first file in the list
888 only. You can not automatically add an exception to one of the other
889 files, although you can of course edit the files by hand at any time.
891 Automatic casing can be performed on port or whole buffer using:
895 Adjust case in the whole buffer.
897 Create a new entry in the exception dictionary, with the word under
900 Rereads the exception dictionary from the file
901 @code{ada-case-exception-file}.
904 @c -----------------------------------------------------------------------
905 @node Statement Templates, Comment Handling, Automatic Casing, Top
906 @chapter Statement Templates
907 @c -----------------------------------------------------------------------
909 NOTE: This features are not available on VMS for Emacs 19.28. The
910 functions used here do not exist on Emacs 19.28.
912 Templates exist for most Ada statements. They can be inserted in the
913 buffer using the following commands:
970 @c -----------------------------------------------------------------------
971 @node Comment Handling, Compiling Executing, Statement Templates, Top
972 @chapter Comment Handling
973 @c -----------------------------------------------------------------------
975 By default, comment lines get indented like Ada code. There are a few
976 additional functions to handle comments:
981 Start a comment in default column.
983 Continue comment on next line.
985 Comment the selected region (add -- at the beginning of lines).
987 Uncomment the selected region
989 autofill the current comment.
992 @c -----------------------------------------------------------------------
993 @node Compiling Executing, Debugging, Comment Handling, Top
994 @chapter Compiling Executing
995 @c -----------------------------------------------------------------------
997 Ada mode provides a much complete environment for compiling, debugging
998 and running an application within Emacs.
1000 All the commands used by Emacs to manipulate your application can be
1001 customized in the project file. Some default values are provided, but
1002 these will likely not be good enough for a big or even medium-sized
1003 project. See the section on the project file for an explanation on how
1004 to set up the commands to use.
1006 One of the variables you can set in your project file,
1007 @code{cross_prefix}, indicates whether you are using a cross-compilation
1008 environment, and if yes for which target. The default command used for
1009 compilation will add this @code{cross_prefix} in front of the name:
1010 @code{gcc} will become @code{cross_prefix}-@code{gcc}, @code{gnatmake}
1011 will become @code{cross_prefix}-@code{gnatmake}, @enddots{}
1013 This will also modify the way your application is run and debugged,
1014 although this is not implemented at the moment.
1016 Here are the commands for building and using an Ada application
1020 @item Compiling the current source
1021 This command is issued when issuing the @code{compile} command from the
1022 Ada menu. It compiles unconditionally the current source using the
1023 @code{comp_cmd} variable of the project file. Compilation options can be
1024 customized with the variable @code{comp_opt} of the project file.
1026 Emacs will display a new buffer that contains the result of the
1027 compilation. Each line associated with an error will become active: you
1028 can simply click on it with the middle button of the mouse, or move the
1029 cursor on it and press @key{RET}. Emacs will then display the
1030 relevant source file and put the cursor on the line and column the error
1033 You can also simply press the @kbd{C-x `} key and Emacs will jump to the
1034 first error. If you press that key again, it will move you to the second
1037 Some error messages might also include references to some files. These
1038 references are also clickable in the same way.
1041 @item (Re)building the whole application
1042 This command is issued when you select the @code{build} command from the
1043 Ada menu. It compiles all obsolete units of the current application
1044 using the @code{make_cmd} variable of the project file. Compilation
1045 options can be customized with the variable @code{comp_opt} of the
1046 project file, binder options with @code{bind_opt} and linker options
1047 with @code{link_opt}. The main unit of the application may be specified
1050 The compilation buffer is also active in the same way it was for the above
1053 @item Running the application
1054 This command is issued when you select the @code{run} command from the
1055 Ada menu. It executes the current application in an emacs
1056 buffer. Arguments can be passed through before executing. The execution
1057 buffer allows for interactive input/output.
1059 This command is not yet available in a cross-compilation
1060 toolchain. Emacs would first need to log on the target before running
1061 the application. This will be implemented in a future release of Gnat.
1065 @c ---------------------------------------------------------------------
1066 @node Debugging, Using non-standard file names, Compiling Executing, Top
1067 @chapter Debugging your application
1068 @c ---------------------------------------------------------------------
1070 You can set up in the project file a command to use to debug your
1071 application. Emacs is compatible with a lot of debuggers, and provide an
1072 easy interface to them.
1074 This selection will focus on the gdb debugger, and two of the graphical
1075 interfaces that exist for it.
1077 In all cases, the main window in Emacs will be split in two: in the
1078 upper buffer, the source code will appear, whereas the debugger
1079 input/output window is displayed at the bottom. You can enter the
1080 debugger commands as usual in the command window. Every time a new
1081 source file is selected by the debugger (for instance as a result of a
1082 @code{frame} command), the appropriate source file is displayed in the
1085 The source window is interactive: you can click on an identifier with the
1086 right mouse button, and print its value in the debugger window. You can
1087 also set a breakpoint simply by right-clicking on a line.
1089 You can easily use Emacs as the source window when you are using a
1090 graphical interface for the debugger. The interesting thing is that,
1091 whereas you still have the graphical nifties, you can also you the
1092 cross-references features that Ada mode provides to look at the
1093 definition for the identifiers, @enddots{}
1095 Here is how you can set up gdbtk and ddd for use with Emacs (These are
1096 the commands you should setup in the project file):
1100 should be used with the switch @samp{--emacs_gdbtk}. It provides a nice
1101 backtrace window, as well as a tasks window. You can click interactively
1102 on both of them, and Emacs will display the source file on the correct
1105 @item ddd (Data Display Debugger)
1106 should be used with the switches @samp{--tty} and
1107 @samp{--fullname}. Whenever you print a variable from Emacs, it will
1108 be displayed graphically in the data window.
1113 @c ---------------------------------------------------------------------
1114 @node Using non-standard file names, Working Remotely, Debugging, Top
1115 @chapter Using non-standard file names
1116 @c ---------------------------------------------------------------------
1118 By default, Emacs is configured to use the GNAT style file names, where
1119 file names are the package names, and the extension for spec and bodies
1120 are respectively @samp{.ads} and @samp{.adb}.
1122 If you want to use other types of file names, you will need to modify
1123 your @file{.emacs} file.
1125 Adding new possible extensions is easy. Since Ada mode needs to know
1126 how to go from the body to the spec (and back), you always have to
1127 specify both. A function is provided with Ada mode to add new
1130 For instance, if your spec and bodies files are called
1131 @file{@var{unit}_s.ada} and @file{@var{unit}_b.ada}, respectively, you
1132 need to add the following to your @file{.emacs} file:
1135 (ada-add-extensions "_s.ada" "_b.ada")
1138 Note that it is possible to redefine the extension, even if they already
1142 (ada-add-extensions ".ads" "_b.ada")
1143 (ada-add-extensions ".ads" ".body")
1146 This simply means that whenever the ada-mode will look for the body for
1147 a file whose extension is @file{.ads}, it will take the first available
1148 file that ends with either @file{.adb} (standard), @file{_b.ada} or
1151 If the filename is not the unit name, then things are a little more
1152 complicated. You then need to rewrite the function
1153 @code{ada-make-filename-from-adaname} (see the file @file{ada-mode.el}
1156 @c ---------------------------------------------------------------------
1157 @node Working Remotely, ,Using non-standard file names, Top
1158 @chapter Working Remotely
1159 @c ---------------------------------------------------------------------
1161 When you work on project that involve a lot of programmers, it is
1162 generally the case that you will edit the files on your own machine, but
1163 you want to compile, run and debug your application in another buffer.
1165 Fortunately, here too Emacs provides a very convenient way to do this.
1167 @c ---------------------------------------------------------------------
1168 @section Remote editing
1169 @c ---------------------------------------------------------------------
1171 First of all, the files do not need to be on your machine. Emacs can
1172 edit any remote file, by doing transparent FTP sessions between your
1173 machine and the remote machine that stores your files. This is a special
1174 Emacs mode, called @code{ange-ftp}. To use it, you just have to use a
1175 slightly different syntax when you open a file.
1177 For instance, if you want to open the file @file{/work/foo.adb} on the machine
1178 aleph.gnu.org, where you log in as qwe, you would simply do this:
1181 C-x C-f /qwe@@aleph.gnu.org:/work/foo.adb @key{RET}
1185 i.e., use your name, the name of the machine and the name of the file.
1187 The first time, Emacs will ask you for a password that it will remember
1188 until you close the current Emacs. Even if the ftp session times out,
1189 you won't need to reenter your password.
1191 Every time you save the file, Emacs will upload it to the remote machine
1192 transparently. No file is modified on the local machine.
1194 @c ---------------------------------------------------------------------
1195 @section Remote compiling
1196 @c ---------------------------------------------------------------------
1198 If the machine you want to compile on is not the one your Emacs is
1199 running on, you can set the variable @code{remote_machine} in the
1200 project file for your application.
1202 This will force Emacs to issue a @command{rsh} command for the compilation,
1203 instead of running it on the local machine. Unfortunately, this won't
1204 work on Windows workstations, since this protocol is not supported.
1207 If your @code{remote_machine} is aleph.gnu.org and the standard
1208 compilation command is @code{cd /work/ && gnatmake foo}, then Emacs will
1209 actually issue the command @code{rsh aleph.gnu.org 'cd /work/ &&
1213 The advantage of using the @code{remote_machine} variable is that it is
1214 easier to change that machine without having to modify the compilation
1217 Note that if you need to set up some environment variables before the
1218 compilation, you need to insert a call to the appropriate initialization
1219 script in the compilation command, for instance:
1222 build_cmd= initialization_script; cd /work/ && gnatmake foo
1225 @c ---------------------------------------------------------------------
1226 @section Remote running and debugging
1227 @c ---------------------------------------------------------------------
1229 This feature is not completely implemented yet.
1231 However, most of the time, you will be able to run your application
1232 remotely simply by replacing it with a @command{rsh} call.
1233 For instance, if your command was @code{$@{main@}}, you could replace it with
1234 @code{rsh aleph.gnu.org $@{main@}}.
1236 However, this would not work on vxworks, for instance, where
1237 @command{rsh} is not supported.