2 @c This is part of the GNU Emacs Lisp Reference Manual.
3 @c Copyright (C) 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1998, 1999, 2001,
4 @c 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 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. (@pxref{Cursor Parameters}, for customization of this.)
59 At any time, one frame is the selected frame; and the window selected
60 within that frame is @dfn{the selected window}. The selected window's
61 buffer is usually the current buffer (except when @code{set-buffer}
62 has been used). @xref{Current Buffer}.
64 For practical purposes, a window exists only while it is displayed in
65 a frame. Once removed from the frame, the window is effectively deleted
66 and should not be used, @emph{even though there may still be references
67 to it} from other Lisp objects. Restoring a saved window configuration
68 is the only way for a window no longer on the screen to come back to
69 life. (@xref{Deleting Windows}.)
71 Each window has the following attributes:
84 window edges with respect to the screen or frame
87 the buffer it displays
90 position within the buffer at the upper left of the window
93 amount of horizontal scrolling, in columns
102 how recently the window was selected
114 @cindex multiple windows
115 Users create multiple windows so they can look at several buffers at
116 once. Lisp libraries use multiple windows for a variety of reasons, but
117 most often to display related information. In Rmail, for example, you
118 can move through a summary buffer in one window while the other window
119 shows messages one at a time as they are reached.
121 The meaning of ``window'' in Emacs is similar to what it means in the
122 context of general-purpose window systems such as X, but not identical.
123 The X Window System places X windows on the screen; Emacs uses one or
124 more X windows as frames, and subdivides them into
125 Emacs windows. When you use Emacs on a character-only terminal, Emacs
126 treats the whole terminal screen as one frame.
128 @cindex terminal screen
129 @cindex screen of terminal
130 @cindex tiled windows
131 Most window systems support arbitrarily located overlapping windows.
132 In contrast, Emacs windows are @dfn{tiled}; they never overlap, and
133 together they fill the whole screen or frame. Because of the way in
134 which Emacs creates new windows and resizes them, not all conceivable
135 tilings of windows on an Emacs frame are actually possible.
136 @xref{Splitting Windows}, and @ref{Size of Window}.
138 @xref{Display}, for information on how the contents of the
139 window's buffer are displayed in the window.
141 @defun windowp object
142 This function returns @code{t} if @var{object} is a window.
145 @node Splitting Windows
146 @section Splitting Windows
147 @cindex splitting windows
148 @cindex window splitting
150 The functions described here are the primitives used to split a window
151 into two windows. Two higher level functions sometimes split a window,
152 but not always: @code{pop-to-buffer} and @code{display-buffer}
153 (@pxref{Displaying Buffers}).
155 The functions described here do not accept a buffer as an argument.
156 The two ``halves'' of the split window initially display the same buffer
157 previously visible in the window that was split.
159 @deffn Command split-window &optional window size horizontal
160 This function splits a new window out of @var{window}'s screen area.
161 It returns the new window.
163 If @var{horizontal} is non-@code{nil}, then @var{window} splits into
164 two side by side windows. The original window @var{window} keeps the
165 leftmost @var{size} columns, and gives the rest of the columns to the
166 new window. Otherwise, it splits into windows one above the other, and
167 @var{window} keeps the upper @var{size} lines and gives the rest of the
168 lines to the new window. The original window is therefore the
169 left-hand or upper of the two, and the new window is the right-hand or
172 If @var{window} is omitted or @code{nil}, that stands for the selected
173 window. When you split the selected window, it remains selected.
175 If @var{size} is omitted or @code{nil}, then @var{window} is divided
176 evenly into two parts. (If there is an odd line, it is allocated to
177 the new window.) When @code{split-window} is called interactively,
178 all its arguments are @code{nil}.
180 If splitting would result in making a window that is smaller than
181 @code{window-min-height} or @code{window-min-width}, the function
182 signals an error and does not split the window at all.
184 The following example starts with one window on a screen that is 50
185 lines high by 80 columns wide; then it splits the window.
189 (setq w (selected-window))
190 @result{} #<window 8 on windows.texi>
191 (window-edges) ; @r{Edges in order:}
192 @result{} (0 0 80 50) ; @r{left--top--right--bottom}
196 ;; @r{Returns window created}
197 (setq w2 (split-window w 15))
198 @result{} #<window 28 on windows.texi>
202 @result{} (0 15 80 50) ; @r{Bottom window;}
207 @result{} (0 0 80 15) ; @r{Top window}
211 The screen looks like this:
227 Next, split the top window horizontally:
231 (setq w3 (split-window w 35 t))
232 @result{} #<window 32 on windows.texi>
236 @result{} (35 0 80 15) ; @r{Left edge at column 35}
240 @result{} (0 0 35 15) ; @r{Right edge at column 35}
244 @result{} (0 15 80 50) ; @r{Bottom window unchanged}
249 Now the screen looks like this:
266 Normally, Emacs indicates the border between two side-by-side windows
267 with a scroll bar (@pxref{Layout Parameters,Scroll Bars}) or @samp{|}
268 characters. The display table can specify alternative border
269 characters; see @ref{Display Tables}.
272 @deffn Command split-window-vertically &optional size
273 This function splits the selected window into two windows, one above the
274 other, leaving the upper of the two windows selected, with @var{size}
275 lines. (If @var{size} is negative, then the lower of the two windows
276 gets @minus{} @var{size} lines and the upper window gets the rest, but
277 the upper window is still the one selected.) However, if
278 @code{split-window-keep-point} (see below) is @code{nil}, then either
279 window can be selected.
281 In other respects, this function is similar to @code{split-window}.
282 In particular, the upper window is the original one and the return
283 value is the new, lower window.
286 @defopt split-window-keep-point
287 If this variable is non-@code{nil} (the default), then
288 @code{split-window-vertically} behaves as described above.
290 If it is @code{nil}, then @code{split-window-vertically} adjusts point
291 in each of the two windows to avoid scrolling. (This is useful on
292 slow terminals.) It selects whichever window contains the screen line
293 that point was previously on.
295 This variable only affects the behavior of @code{split-window-vertically}.
296 It has no effect on the other functions described here.
299 @deffn Command split-window-horizontally &optional size
300 This function splits the selected window into two windows
301 side-by-side, leaving the selected window on the left with @var{size}
302 columns. If @var{size} is negative, the rightmost window gets
303 @minus{} @var{size} columns, but the leftmost window still remains
306 This function is basically an interface to @code{split-window}.
307 You could define a simplified version of the function like this:
311 (defun split-window-horizontally (&optional arg)
312 "Split selected window into two windows, side by side..."
316 (let ((size (and arg (prefix-numeric-value arg))))
318 (setq size (+ (window-width) size)))
319 (split-window nil size t)))
324 @defun one-window-p &optional no-mini all-frames
325 This function returns non-@code{nil} if there is only one window. The
326 argument @var{no-mini}, if non-@code{nil}, means don't count the
327 minibuffer even if it is active; otherwise, the minibuffer window is
328 counted when it is active.
330 The argument @var{all-frames} specifies which frames to consider. Here
331 are the possible values and their meanings:
335 Count the windows in the selected frame, plus the minibuffer used
336 by that frame even if it lies in some other frame.
339 Count all windows in all existing frames.
342 Count all windows in all visible frames.
345 Count all windows in all visible or iconified frames.
348 Count precisely the windows in the selected frame, and no others.
352 @node Deleting Windows
353 @section Deleting Windows
354 @cindex deleting windows
356 A window remains visible on its frame unless you @dfn{delete} it by
357 calling certain functions that delete windows. A deleted window cannot
358 appear on the screen, but continues to exist as a Lisp object until
359 there are no references to it. There is no way to cancel the deletion
360 of a window aside from restoring a saved window configuration
361 (@pxref{Window Configurations}). Restoring a window configuration also
362 deletes any windows that aren't part of that configuration.
364 When you delete a window, the space it took up is given to one
368 @defun window-live-p window
369 This function returns @code{nil} if @var{window} is deleted, and
372 @strong{Warning:} Erroneous information or fatal errors may result from
373 using a deleted window as if it were live.
376 @deffn Command delete-window &optional window
377 This function removes @var{window} from display, and returns @code{nil}.
378 If @var{window} is omitted, then the selected window is deleted. An
379 error is signaled if there is only one window when @code{delete-window}
383 @deffn Command delete-other-windows &optional window
384 This function makes @var{window} the only window on its frame, by
385 deleting the other windows in that frame. If @var{window} is omitted or
386 @code{nil}, then the selected window is used by default.
388 The return value is @code{nil}.
391 @deffn Command delete-windows-on buffer-or-name &optional frame
392 This function deletes all windows showing @var{buffer-or-name}. If
393 there are no windows showing @var{buffer-or-name}, it does nothing.
394 @var{buffer-or-name} must be a buffer or the name of an existing
397 @code{delete-windows-on} operates frame by frame. If a frame has
398 several windows showing different buffers, then those showing
399 @var{buffer-or-name} are removed, and the others expand to fill the
400 space. If all windows in some frame are showing @var{buffer-or-name}
401 (including the case where there is only one window), then the frame
402 winds up with a single window showing another buffer chosen with
403 @code{other-buffer}. @xref{The Buffer List}.
405 The argument @var{frame} controls which frames to operate on. This
406 function does not use it in quite the same way as the other functions
407 which scan all windows; specifically, the values @code{t} and @code{nil}
408 have the opposite of their meanings in other functions. Here are the
413 If it is @code{nil}, operate on all frames.
415 If it is @code{t}, operate on the selected frame.
417 If it is @code{visible}, operate on all visible frames.
419 If it is 0, operate on all visible or iconified frames.
421 If it is a frame, operate on that frame.
424 This function always returns @code{nil}.
427 @node Selecting Windows
428 @section Selecting Windows
429 @cindex selecting a window
431 When a window is selected, the buffer in the window becomes the current
432 buffer, and the cursor will appear in it.
434 @defun selected-window
435 This function returns the selected window. This is the window in
436 which the cursor appears and to which many commands apply.
439 @defun select-window window &optional norecord
440 This function makes @var{window} the selected window. The cursor then
441 appears in @var{window} (on redisplay). Unless @var{window} was
442 already selected, @code{select-window} makes @var{window}'s buffer the
445 Normally @var{window}'s selected buffer is moved to the front of the
446 buffer list, but if @var{norecord} is non-@code{nil}, the buffer list
449 The return value is @var{window}.
453 (setq w (next-window))
455 @result{} #<window 65 on windows.texi>
460 @defmac save-selected-window forms@dots{}
461 This macro records the selected frame, as well as the selected window
462 of each frame, executes @var{forms} in sequence, then restores the
463 earlier selected frame and windows. It also saves and restores the
464 current buffer. It returns the value of the last form in @var{forms}.
466 This macro does not save or restore anything about the sizes,
467 arrangement or contents of windows; therefore, if the @var{forms}
468 change them, the change persists. If the previously selected window
469 of some frame is no longer live at the time of exit from @var{forms},
470 that frame's selected window is left alone. If the previously
471 selected window is no longer live, then whatever window is selected at
472 the end of @var{forms} remains selected.
475 @defmac with-selected-window window forms@dots{}
476 This macro selects @var{window} (without changing the buffer list),
477 executes @var{forms} in sequence, then restores the previously
478 selected window and current buffer. It is just like
479 @code{save-selected-window}, except that it explicitly selects
480 @var{window}, also without altering the buffer list sequence.
483 @cindex finding windows
484 The following functions choose one of the windows on the screen,
485 offering various criteria for the choice.
487 @defun get-lru-window &optional frame dedicated
488 This function returns the window least recently ``used'' (that is,
489 selected). If any full-width windows are present, it only considers
490 these. The selected window is always the most recently used window.
492 The selected window can be the least recently used window if it is the
493 only window. A newly created window becomes the least recently used
494 window until it is selected. A minibuffer window is never a
495 candidate. Dedicated windows are never candidates unless the
496 @var{dedicated} argument is non-@code{nil}, so if all
497 existing windows are dedicated, the value is @code{nil}.
499 The argument @var{frame} controls which windows are considered.
503 If it is @code{nil}, consider windows on the selected frame.
505 If it is @code{t}, consider windows on all frames.
507 If it is @code{visible}, consider windows on all visible frames.
509 If it is 0, consider windows on all visible or iconified frames.
511 If it is a frame, consider windows on that frame.
515 @defun get-largest-window &optional frame dedicated
516 This function returns the window with the largest area (height times
517 width). If there are no side-by-side windows, then this is the window
518 with the most lines. A minibuffer window is never a candidate.
519 Dedicated windows are never candidates unless the
520 @var{dedicated} argument is non-@code{nil}, so if all existing windows
521 are dedicated, the value is @code{nil}.
523 If there are two candidate windows of the same size, this function
524 prefers the one that comes first in the cyclic ordering of windows
525 (see following section), starting from the selected window.
527 The argument @var{frame} controls which set of windows to
528 consider. See @code{get-lru-window}, above.
531 @cindex window that satisfies a predicate
532 @cindex conditional selection of windows
533 @defun get-window-with-predicate predicate &optional minibuf all-frames default
534 This function returns a window satisfying @var{predicate}. It cycles
535 through all visible windows using @code{walk-windows} (@pxref{Cyclic
536 Window Ordering}), calling @var{predicate} on each one of them
537 with that window as its argument. The function returns the first
538 window for which @var{predicate} returns a non-@code{nil} value; if
539 that never happens, it returns @var{default}.
541 The optional arguments @var{minibuf} and @var{all-frames} specify the
542 set of windows to include in the scan. See the description of
543 @code{next-window} in @ref{Cyclic Window Ordering}, for details.
546 @node Cyclic Window Ordering
547 @comment node-name, next, previous, up
548 @section Cyclic Ordering of Windows
549 @cindex cyclic ordering of windows
550 @cindex ordering of windows, cyclic
551 @cindex window ordering, cyclic
553 When you use the command @kbd{C-x o} (@code{other-window}) to select
554 the next window, it moves through all the windows on the screen in a
555 specific cyclic order. For any given configuration of windows, this
556 order never varies. It is called the @dfn{cyclic ordering of windows}.
558 This ordering generally goes from top to bottom, and from left to
559 right. But it may go down first or go right first, depending on the
560 order in which the windows were split.
562 If the first split was vertical (into windows one above each other),
563 and then the subwindows were split horizontally, then the ordering is
564 left to right in the top of the frame, and then left to right in the
565 next lower part of the frame, and so on. If the first split was
566 horizontal, the ordering is top to bottom in the left part, and so on.
567 In general, within each set of siblings at any level in the window tree,
568 the order is left to right, or top to bottom.
570 @defun next-window &optional window minibuf all-frames
571 @cindex minibuffer window, and @code{next-window}
572 This function returns the window following @var{window} in the cyclic
573 ordering of windows. This is the window that @kbd{C-x o} would select
574 if typed when @var{window} is selected. If @var{window} is the only
575 window visible, then this function returns @var{window}. If omitted,
576 @var{window} defaults to the selected window.
578 The value of the argument @var{minibuf} determines whether the
579 minibuffer is included in the window order. Normally, when
580 @var{minibuf} is @code{nil}, the minibuffer is included if it is
581 currently active; this is the behavior of @kbd{C-x o}. (The minibuffer
582 window is active while the minibuffer is in use. @xref{Minibuffers}.)
584 If @var{minibuf} is @code{t}, then the cyclic ordering includes the
585 minibuffer window even if it is not active.
587 If @var{minibuf} is neither @code{t} nor @code{nil}, then the minibuffer
588 window is not included even if it is active.
590 The argument @var{all-frames} specifies which frames to consider. Here
591 are the possible values and their meanings:
595 Consider all the windows in @var{window}'s frame, plus the minibuffer
596 used by that frame even if it lies in some other frame. If the
597 minibuffer counts (as determined by @var{minibuf}), then all windows on
598 all frames that share that minibuffer count too.
601 Consider all windows in all existing frames.
604 Consider all windows in all visible frames. (To get useful results, you
605 must ensure @var{window} is in a visible frame.)
608 Consider all windows in all visible or iconified frames.
611 Consider all windows on that frame.
614 Consider precisely the windows in @var{window}'s frame, and no others.
617 This example assumes there are two windows, both displaying the
618 buffer @samp{windows.texi}:
623 @result{} #<window 56 on windows.texi>
626 (next-window (selected-window))
627 @result{} #<window 52 on windows.texi>
630 (next-window (next-window (selected-window)))
631 @result{} #<window 56 on windows.texi>
636 @defun previous-window &optional window minibuf all-frames
637 This function returns the window preceding @var{window} in the cyclic
638 ordering of windows. The other arguments specify which windows to
639 include in the cycle, as in @code{next-window}.
642 @deffn Command other-window count &optional all-frames
643 This function selects the @var{count}th following window in the cyclic
644 order. If count is negative, then it moves back @minus{}@var{count}
645 windows in the cycle, rather than forward. It returns @code{nil}.
647 The argument @var{all-frames} has the same meaning as in
648 @code{next-window}, but the @var{minibuf} argument of @code{next-window}
649 is always effectively @code{nil}.
651 In an interactive call, @var{count} is the numeric prefix argument.
655 @defun walk-windows proc &optional minibuf all-frames
656 This function cycles through all windows. It calls the function
657 @code{proc} once for each window, with the window as its sole
660 The optional arguments @var{minibuf} and @var{all-frames} specify the
661 set of windows to include in the scan. See @code{next-window}, above,
665 @defun window-list &optional frame minibuf window
666 This function returns a list of the windows on @var{frame}, starting
667 with @var{window}. If @var{frame} is @code{nil} or omitted,
668 @code{window-list} uses the selected frame instead; if @var{window} is
669 @code{nil} or omitted, it uses the selected window.
671 The value of @var{minibuf} determines if the minibuffer window is
672 included in the result list. If @var{minibuf} is @code{t}, the result
673 always includes the minibuffer window. If @var{minibuf} is @code{nil}
674 or omitted, that includes the minibuffer window if it is active. If
675 @var{minibuf} is neither @code{nil} nor @code{t}, the result never
676 includes the minibuffer window.
679 @node Buffers and Windows
680 @section Buffers and Windows
681 @cindex examining windows
682 @cindex windows, controlling precisely
683 @cindex buffers, controlled in windows
685 This section describes low-level functions to examine windows or to
686 display buffers in windows in a precisely controlled fashion.
688 See the following section for
691 @xref{Displaying Buffers}, for
693 related functions that find a window to use and specify a buffer for it.
694 The functions described there are easier to use than these, but they
695 employ heuristics in choosing or creating a window; use these functions
696 when you need complete control.
698 @defun set-window-buffer window buffer-or-name &optional keep-margins
699 This function makes @var{window} display @var{buffer-or-name} as its
700 contents. It returns @code{nil}. @var{buffer-or-name} must be a
701 buffer, or the name of an existing buffer. This is the fundamental
702 primitive for changing which buffer is displayed in a window, and all
703 ways of doing that call this function.
707 (set-window-buffer (selected-window) "foo")
712 Normally, displaying @var{buffer} in @var{window} resets the window's
713 display margins, fringe widths, scroll bar settings, and position
714 based on the local variables of @var{buffer}. However, if
715 @var{keep-margins} is non-@code{nil}, the display margins and fringe
716 widths of @var{window} remain unchanged. @xref{Fringes}.
719 @defvar buffer-display-count
720 This buffer-local variable records the number of times a buffer is
721 displayed in a window. It is incremented each time
722 @code{set-window-buffer} is called for the buffer.
725 @defun window-buffer &optional window
726 This function returns the buffer that @var{window} is displaying. If
727 @var{window} is omitted, this function returns the buffer for the
733 @result{} #<buffer windows.texi>
738 @defun get-buffer-window buffer-or-name &optional all-frames
739 This function returns a window currently displaying
740 @var{buffer-or-name}, or @code{nil} if there is none. If there are
741 several such windows, then the function returns the first one in the
742 cyclic ordering of windows, starting from the selected window.
743 @xref{Cyclic Window Ordering}.
745 The argument @var{all-frames} controls which windows to consider.
749 If it is @code{nil}, consider windows on the selected frame.
751 If it is @code{t}, consider windows on all frames.
753 If it is @code{visible}, consider windows on all visible frames.
755 If it is 0, consider windows on all visible or iconified frames.
757 If it is a frame, consider windows on that frame.
761 @defun get-buffer-window-list buffer-or-name &optional minibuf all-frames
762 This function returns a list of all the windows currently displaying
763 @var{buffer-or-name}.
765 The two optional arguments work like the optional arguments of
766 @code{next-window} (@pxref{Cyclic Window Ordering}); they are @emph{not}
767 like the single optional argument of @code{get-buffer-window}. Perhaps
768 we should change @code{get-buffer-window} in the future to make it
769 compatible with the other functions.
772 @defvar buffer-display-time
773 This variable records the time at which a buffer was last made visible
774 in a window. It is always local in each buffer; each time
775 @code{set-window-buffer} is called, it sets this variable to
776 @code{(current-time)} in the specified buffer (@pxref{Time of Day}).
777 When a buffer is first created, @code{buffer-display-time} starts out
778 with the value @code{nil}.
781 @node Displaying Buffers
782 @section Displaying Buffers in Windows
783 @cindex switching to a buffer
784 @cindex displaying a buffer
786 In this section we describe convenient functions that choose a window
787 automatically and use it to display a specified buffer. These functions
788 can also split an existing window in certain circumstances. We also
789 describe variables that parameterize the heuristics used for choosing a
792 See the preceding section for
795 @xref{Buffers and Windows}, for
797 low-level functions that give you more precise control. All of these
798 functions work by calling @code{set-window-buffer}.
800 Do not use the functions in this section in order to make a buffer
801 current so that a Lisp program can access or modify it; they are too
802 drastic for that purpose, since they change the display of buffers in
803 windows, which would be gratuitous and surprise the user. Instead, use
804 @code{set-buffer} and @code{save-current-buffer} (@pxref{Current
805 Buffer}), which designate buffers as current for programmed access
806 without affecting the display of buffers in windows.
808 @deffn Command switch-to-buffer buffer-or-name &optional norecord
809 This function makes @var{buffer-or-name} the current buffer, and also
810 displays the buffer in the selected window. This means that a human can
811 see the buffer and subsequent keyboard commands will apply to it.
812 Contrast this with @code{set-buffer}, which makes @var{buffer-or-name}
813 the current buffer but does not display it in the selected window.
814 @xref{Current Buffer}.
816 If @var{buffer-or-name} does not identify an existing buffer, then a new
817 buffer by that name is created. The major mode for the new buffer is
818 set according to the variable @code{default-major-mode}. @xref{Auto
819 Major Mode}. If @var{buffer-or-name} is @code{nil},
820 @code{switch-to-buffer} chooses a buffer using @code{other-buffer}.
822 Normally the specified buffer is put at the front of the buffer list
823 (both the selected frame's buffer list and the frame-independent buffer
824 list). This affects the operation of @code{other-buffer}. However, if
825 @var{norecord} is non-@code{nil}, this is not done. @xref{The Buffer
828 The @code{switch-to-buffer} function is often used interactively, as
829 the binding of @kbd{C-x b}. It is also used frequently in programs. It
830 returns the buffer that it switched to.
833 The next two functions are similar to @code{switch-to-buffer}, except
834 for the described features.
836 @deffn Command switch-to-buffer-other-window buffer-or-name &optional norecord
837 This function makes @var{buffer-or-name} the current buffer and
838 displays it in a window not currently selected. It then selects that
839 window. The handling of the buffer is the same as in
840 @code{switch-to-buffer}.
842 The currently selected window is absolutely never used to do the job.
843 If it is the only window, then it is split to make a distinct window for
844 this purpose. If the selected window is already displaying the buffer,
845 then it continues to do so, but another window is nonetheless found to
846 display it in as well.
848 This function updates the buffer list just like @code{switch-to-buffer}
849 unless @var{norecord} is non-@code{nil}.
852 @defun pop-to-buffer buffer-or-name &optional other-window norecord
853 This function makes @var{buffer-or-name} the current buffer and
854 switches to it in some window, preferably not the window previously
855 selected. The ``popped-to'' window becomes the selected window within
856 its frame. The return value is the buffer that was switched to.
857 If @var{buffer-or-name} is @code{nil}, that means to choose some
858 other buffer, but you don't specify which.
860 If the variable @code{pop-up-frames} is non-@code{nil},
861 @code{pop-to-buffer} looks for a window in any visible frame already
862 displaying the buffer; if there is one, it returns that window and makes
863 it be selected within its frame. If there is none, it creates a new
864 frame and displays the buffer in it.
866 If @code{pop-up-frames} is @code{nil}, then @code{pop-to-buffer}
867 operates entirely within the selected frame. (If the selected frame has
868 just a minibuffer, @code{pop-to-buffer} operates within the most
869 recently selected frame that was not just a minibuffer.)
871 If the variable @code{pop-up-windows} is non-@code{nil}, windows may
872 be split to create a new window that is different from the original
873 window. For details, see @ref{Choosing Window}.
875 If @var{other-window} is non-@code{nil}, @code{pop-to-buffer} finds or
876 creates another window even if @var{buffer-or-name} is already visible
877 in the selected window. Thus @var{buffer-or-name} could end up
878 displayed in two windows. On the other hand, if @var{buffer-or-name} is
879 already displayed in the selected window and @var{other-window} is
880 @code{nil}, then the selected window is considered sufficient display
881 for @var{buffer-or-name}, so that nothing needs to be done.
883 All the variables that affect @code{display-buffer} affect
884 @code{pop-to-buffer} as well. @xref{Choosing Window}.
886 If @var{buffer-or-name} is a string that does not name an existing
887 buffer, a buffer by that name is created. The major mode for the new
888 buffer is set according to the variable @code{default-major-mode}.
889 @xref{Auto Major Mode}.
891 This function updates the buffer list just like @code{switch-to-buffer}
892 unless @var{norecord} is non-@code{nil}.
895 @deffn Command replace-buffer-in-windows buffer-or-name
896 This function replaces @var{buffer-or-name} with some other buffer in all
897 windows displaying it. It chooses the other buffer with
898 @code{other-buffer}. In the usual applications of this function, you
899 don't care which other buffer is used; you just want to make sure that
900 @var{buffer-or-name} is no longer displayed.
902 This function returns @code{nil}.
905 @node Choosing Window
906 @section Choosing a Window for Display
908 This section describes the basic facility that chooses a window to
909 display a buffer in---@code{display-buffer}. All the higher-level
910 functions and commands use this subroutine. Here we describe how to use
911 @code{display-buffer} and how to customize it.
913 @deffn Command display-buffer buffer-or-name &optional not-this-window frame
914 This command makes @var{buffer-or-name} appear in some window, like
915 @code{pop-to-buffer}, but it does not select that window and does not
916 make the buffer current. The identity of the selected window is
917 unaltered by this function. @var{buffer-or-name} must be a buffer, or
918 the name of an existing buffer.
920 If @var{not-this-window} is non-@code{nil}, it means to display the
921 specified buffer in a window other than the selected one, even if it is
922 already on display in the selected window. This can cause the buffer to
923 appear in two windows at once. Otherwise, if @var{buffer-or-name} is
924 already being displayed in any window, that is good enough, so this
925 function does nothing.
927 @code{display-buffer} returns the window chosen to display
928 @var{buffer-or-name}.
930 If the argument @var{frame} is non-@code{nil}, it specifies which frames
931 to check when deciding whether the buffer is already displayed. If the
932 buffer is already displayed in some window on one of these frames,
933 @code{display-buffer} simply returns that window. Here are the possible
934 values of @var{frame}:
938 If it is @code{nil}, consider windows on the selected frame.
939 (Actually, the last non-minibuffer frame.)
941 If it is @code{t}, consider windows on all frames.
943 If it is @code{visible}, consider windows on all visible frames.
945 If it is 0, consider windows on all visible or iconified frames.
947 If it is a frame, consider windows on that frame.
950 Precisely how @code{display-buffer} finds or creates a window depends on
951 the variables described below.
954 @defopt display-buffer-reuse-frames
955 If this variable is non-@code{nil}, @code{display-buffer} searches
956 existing frames for a window displaying the buffer. If the buffer is
957 already displayed in a window in some frame, @code{display-buffer} makes
958 the frame visible and raises it, to use that window. If the buffer is
959 not already displayed, or if @code{display-buffer-reuse-frames} is
960 @code{nil}, @code{display-buffer}'s behavior is determined by other
961 variables, described below.
964 @defopt pop-up-windows
965 This variable controls whether @code{display-buffer} makes new windows.
966 If it is non-@code{nil} and there is only one window, then that window
967 is split. If it is @code{nil}, then @code{display-buffer} does not
968 split the single window, but uses it whole.
971 @defopt split-height-threshold
972 This variable determines when @code{display-buffer} may split a window,
973 if there are multiple windows. @code{display-buffer} always splits the
974 largest window if it has at least this many lines. If the largest
975 window is not this tall, it is split only if it is the sole window and
976 @code{pop-up-windows} is non-@code{nil}.
979 @defopt even-window-heights
980 This variable determines if @code{display-buffer} should even out window
981 heights if the buffer gets displayed in an existing window, above or
982 beneath another existing window. If @code{even-window-heights} is
983 @code{t}, the default, window heights will be evened out. If
984 @code{even-window-heights} is @code{nil}, the original window heights
989 @defopt pop-up-frames
990 This variable controls whether @code{display-buffer} makes new frames.
991 If it is non-@code{nil}, @code{display-buffer} looks for an existing
992 window already displaying the desired buffer, on any visible frame. If
993 it finds one, it returns that window. Otherwise it makes a new frame.
994 The variables @code{pop-up-windows} and @code{split-height-threshold} do
995 not matter if @code{pop-up-frames} is non-@code{nil}.
997 If @code{pop-up-frames} is @code{nil}, then @code{display-buffer} either
998 splits a window or reuses one.
1000 @xref{Frames}, for more information.
1004 @defopt pop-up-frame-function
1005 This variable specifies how to make a new frame if @code{pop-up-frames}
1008 Its value should be a function of no arguments. When
1009 @code{display-buffer} makes a new frame, it does so by calling that
1010 function, which should return a frame. The default value of the
1011 variable is a function that creates a frame using parameters from
1012 @code{pop-up-frame-alist}.
1015 @defopt pop-up-frame-alist
1016 This variable holds an alist specifying frame parameters used when
1017 @code{display-buffer} makes a new frame. @xref{Frame Parameters}, for
1018 more information about frame parameters.
1021 @defopt special-display-buffer-names
1022 A list of buffer names for buffers that should be displayed specially.
1023 If the buffer's name is in this list, @code{display-buffer} handles the
1026 By default, special display means to give the buffer a dedicated frame.
1028 If an element is a list, instead of a string, then the @sc{car} of the
1029 list is the buffer name, and the rest of the list says how to create
1030 the frame. There are two possibilities for the rest of the list (its
1031 @sc{cdr}). It can be an alist, specifying frame parameters, or it can
1032 contain a function and arguments to give to it. (The function's first
1033 argument is always the buffer to be displayed; the arguments from the
1034 list come after that.)
1039 (("myfile" (minibuffer) (menu-bar-lines . 0)))
1043 specifies to display a buffer named @samp{myfile} in a dedicated frame
1044 with specified @code{minibuffer} and @code{menu-bar-lines} parameters.
1046 The list of frame parameters can also use the phony frame parameters
1047 @code{same-frame} and @code{same-window}. If the specified frame
1048 parameters include @code{(same-window . @var{value})} and @var{value}
1049 is non-@code{nil}, that means to display the buffer in the current
1050 selected window. Otherwise, if they include @code{(same-frame .
1051 @var{value})} and @var{value} is non-@code{nil}, that means to display
1052 the buffer in a new window in the currently selected frame.
1055 @defopt special-display-regexps
1056 A list of regular expressions that specify buffers that should be
1057 displayed specially. If the buffer's name matches any of the regular
1058 expressions in this list, @code{display-buffer} handles the buffer
1061 By default, special display means to give the buffer a dedicated frame.
1063 If an element is a list, instead of a string, then the @sc{car} of the
1064 list is the regular expression, and the rest of the list says how to
1065 create the frame. See above, under @code{special-display-buffer-names}.
1068 @defun special-display-p buffer-name
1069 This function returns non-@code{nil} if displaying a buffer
1070 named @var{buffer-name} with @code{display-buffer} would
1071 create a special frame. The value is @code{t} if it would
1072 use the default frame parameters, or else the specified list
1073 of frame parameters.
1076 @defvar special-display-function
1077 This variable holds the function to call to display a buffer specially.
1078 It receives the buffer as an argument, and should return the window in
1079 which it is displayed.
1081 The default value of this variable is
1082 @code{special-display-popup-frame}.
1085 @defun special-display-popup-frame buffer &optional args
1086 This function makes @var{buffer} visible in a frame of its own. If
1087 @var{buffer} is already displayed in a window in some frame, it makes
1088 the frame visible and raises it, to use that window. Otherwise, it
1089 creates a frame that will be dedicated to @var{buffer}. This
1090 function returns the window it used.
1092 If @var{args} is an alist, it specifies frame parameters for the new
1095 If @var{args} is a list whose @sc{car} is a symbol, then @code{(car
1096 @var{args})} is called as a function to actually create and set up the
1097 frame; it is called with @var{buffer} as first argument, and @code{(cdr
1098 @var{args})} as additional arguments.
1100 This function always uses an existing window displaying @var{buffer},
1101 whether or not it is in a frame of its own; but if you set up the above
1102 variables in your init file, before @var{buffer} was created, then
1103 presumably the window was previously made by this function.
1106 @defopt special-display-frame-alist
1107 @anchor{Definition of special-display-frame-alist}
1108 This variable holds frame parameters for
1109 @code{special-display-popup-frame} to use when it creates a frame.
1112 @defopt same-window-buffer-names
1113 A list of buffer names for buffers that should be displayed in the
1114 selected window. If the buffer's name is in this list,
1115 @code{display-buffer} handles the buffer by switching to it in the
1119 @defopt same-window-regexps
1120 A list of regular expressions that specify buffers that should be
1121 displayed in the selected window. If the buffer's name matches any of
1122 the regular expressions in this list, @code{display-buffer} handles the
1123 buffer by switching to it in the selected window.
1126 @defun same-window-p buffer-name
1127 This function returns @code{t} if displaying a buffer
1128 named @var{buffer-name} with @code{display-buffer} would
1129 put it in the selected window.
1133 @defvar display-buffer-function
1134 This variable is the most flexible way to customize the behavior of
1135 @code{display-buffer}. If it is non-@code{nil}, it should be a function
1136 that @code{display-buffer} calls to do the work. The function should
1137 accept two arguments, the first two arguments that @code{display-buffer}
1138 received. It should choose or create a window, display the specified
1139 buffer in it, and then return the window.
1141 This hook takes precedence over all the other options and hooks
1146 @cindex dedicated window
1147 A window can be marked as ``dedicated'' to its buffer. Then
1148 @code{display-buffer} will not try to use that window to display any
1151 @defun window-dedicated-p window
1152 This function returns non-@code{nil} if @var{window} is marked as
1153 dedicated; otherwise @code{nil}.
1156 @defun set-window-dedicated-p window flag
1157 This function marks @var{window} as dedicated if @var{flag} is
1158 non-@code{nil}, and nondedicated otherwise.
1162 @section Windows and Point
1163 @cindex window position
1164 @cindex window point
1165 @cindex position in window
1166 @cindex point in window
1168 Each window has its own value of point, independent of the value of
1169 point in other windows displaying the same buffer. This makes it useful
1170 to have multiple windows showing one buffer.
1174 The window point is established when a window is first created; it is
1175 initialized from the buffer's point, or from the window point of another
1176 window opened on the buffer if such a window exists.
1179 Selecting a window sets the value of point in its buffer from the
1180 window's value of point. Conversely, deselecting a window sets the
1181 window's value of point from that of the buffer. Thus, when you switch
1182 between windows that display a given buffer, the point value for the
1183 selected window is in effect in the buffer, while the point values for
1184 the other windows are stored in those windows.
1187 As long as the selected window displays the current buffer, the window's
1188 point and the buffer's point always move together; they remain equal.
1192 @xref{Positions}, for more details on buffer positions.
1195 As far as the user is concerned, point is where the cursor is, and
1196 when the user switches to another buffer, the cursor jumps to the
1197 position of point in that buffer.
1199 @defun window-point &optional window
1200 This function returns the current position of point in @var{window}.
1201 For a nonselected window, this is the value point would have (in that
1202 window's buffer) if that window were selected. If @var{window} is
1203 @code{nil}, the selected window is used.
1205 When @var{window} is the selected window and its buffer is also the
1206 current buffer, the value returned is the same as point in that buffer.
1208 Strictly speaking, it would be more correct to return the
1209 ``top-level'' value of point, outside of any @code{save-excursion}
1210 forms. But that value is hard to find.
1213 @defun set-window-point window position
1214 This function positions point in @var{window} at position
1215 @var{position} in @var{window}'s buffer. It returns @var{position}.
1217 If @var{window} is selected, and its buffer is current,
1218 this simply does @code{goto-char}.
1222 @section The Window Start Position
1223 @cindex window start position
1225 Each window contains a marker used to keep track of a buffer position
1226 that specifies where in the buffer display should start. This position
1227 is called the @dfn{display-start} position of the window (or just the
1228 @dfn{start}). The character after this position is the one that appears
1229 at the upper left corner of the window. It is usually, but not
1230 inevitably, at the beginning of a text line.
1232 After switching windows or buffers, and in some other cases, if the
1233 window start is in the middle of a line, Emacs adjusts the window
1234 start to the start of a line. This prevents certain operations from
1235 leaving the window start at a meaningless point within a line. This
1236 feature may interfere with testing some Lisp code by executing it
1237 using the commands of Lisp mode, because they trigger this
1238 readjustment. To test such code, put it into a command and bind the
1241 @defun window-start &optional window
1242 @cindex window top line
1243 This function returns the display-start position of window
1244 @var{window}. If @var{window} is @code{nil}, the selected window is
1254 When you create a window, or display a different buffer in it, the
1255 display-start position is set to a display-start position recently used
1256 for the same buffer, or 1 if the buffer doesn't have any.
1258 Redisplay updates the window-start position (if you have not specified
1259 it explicitly since the previous redisplay)---for example, to make sure
1260 point appears on the screen. Nothing except redisplay automatically
1261 changes the window-start position; if you move point, do not expect the
1262 window-start position to change in response until after the next
1265 For a realistic example of using @code{window-start}, see the
1266 description of @code{count-lines}. @xref{Definition of count-lines}.
1269 @defun window-end &optional window update
1270 This function returns the position of the end of the display in window
1271 @var{window}. If @var{window} is @code{nil}, the selected window is
1274 Simply changing the buffer text or moving point does not update the
1275 value that @code{window-end} returns. The value is updated only when
1276 Emacs redisplays and redisplay completes without being preempted.
1278 If the last redisplay of @var{window} was preempted, and did not finish,
1279 Emacs does not know the position of the end of display in that window.
1280 In that case, this function returns @code{nil}.
1282 If @var{update} is non-@code{nil}, @code{window-end} always returns an
1283 up-to-date value for where the window ends, based on the current
1284 @code{window-start} value. If the saved value is valid,
1285 @code{window-end} returns that; otherwise it computes the correct
1286 value by scanning the buffer text.
1288 Even if @var{update} is non-@code{nil}, @code{window-end} does not
1289 attempt to scroll the display if point has moved off the screen, the
1290 way real redisplay would do. It does not alter the
1291 @code{window-start} value. In effect, it reports where the displayed
1292 text will end if scrolling is not required.
1295 @defun set-window-start window position &optional noforce
1296 This function sets the display-start position of @var{window} to
1297 @var{position} in @var{window}'s buffer. It returns @var{position}.
1299 The display routines insist that the position of point be visible when a
1300 buffer is displayed. Normally, they change the display-start position
1301 (that is, scroll the window) whenever necessary to make point visible.
1302 However, if you specify the start position with this function using
1303 @code{nil} for @var{noforce}, it means you want display to start at
1304 @var{position} even if that would put the location of point off the
1305 screen. If this does place point off screen, the display routines move
1306 point to the left margin on the middle line in the window.
1308 For example, if point @w{is 1} and you set the start of the window
1309 @w{to 37}, the start of the next line, point will be ``above'' the top
1310 of the window. The display routines will automatically move point if
1311 it is still 1 when redisplay occurs. Here is an example:
1315 ;; @r{Here is what @samp{foo} looks like before executing}
1316 ;; @r{the @code{set-window-start} expression.}
1320 ---------- Buffer: foo ----------
1321 @point{}This is the contents of buffer foo.
1327 ---------- Buffer: foo ----------
1341 ;; @r{Here is what @samp{foo} looks like after executing}
1342 ;; @r{the @code{set-window-start} expression.}
1343 ---------- Buffer: foo ----------
1349 ---------- Buffer: foo ----------
1353 If @var{noforce} is non-@code{nil}, and @var{position} would place point
1354 off screen at the next redisplay, then redisplay computes a new window-start
1355 position that works well with point, and thus @var{position} is not used.
1358 @defun pos-visible-in-window-p &optional position window partially
1359 This function returns non-@code{nil} if @var{position} is within the
1360 range of text currently visible on the screen in @var{window}. It
1361 returns @code{nil} if @var{position} is scrolled vertically out of
1362 view. Locations that are partially obscured are not considered
1363 visible unless @var{partially} is non-@code{nil}. The argument
1364 @var{position} defaults to the current position of point in
1365 @var{window}; @var{window}, to the selected window.
1367 If @var{position} is @code{t}, that means to check the last visible
1368 position in @var{window}.
1370 The @code{pos-visible-in-window-p} function considers only vertical
1371 scrolling. If @var{position} is out of view only because @var{window}
1372 has been scrolled horizontally, @code{pos-visible-in-window-p} returns
1373 non-@code{nil} anyway. @xref{Horizontal Scrolling}.
1375 If @var{position} is visible, @code{pos-visible-in-window-p} returns
1376 @code{t} if @var{partially} is @code{nil}; if @var{partially} is
1377 non-@code{nil}, and the character after @var{position} is fully
1378 visible, it returns a list of the form @code{(@var{x} @var{y})}, where
1379 @var{x} and @var{y} are the pixel coordinates relative to the top left
1380 corner of the window; otherwise it returns an extended list of the
1381 form @code{(@var{x} @var{y} @var{rtop} @var{rbot} @var{rowh}
1382 @var{vpos})}, where the @var{rtop} and @var{rbot} specify the number
1383 of off-window pixels at the top and bottom of the row at
1384 @var{position}, @var{rowh} specifies the visible height of that row,
1385 and @var{vpos} specifies the vertical position (zero-based row number)
1392 ;; @r{If point is off the screen now, recenter it now.}
1393 (or (pos-visible-in-window-p
1394 (point) (selected-window))
1400 @defun window-line-height &optional line window
1401 This function returns information about text line @var{line} in @var{window}.
1402 If @var{line} is one of @code{header-line} or @code{mode-line},
1403 @code{window-line-height} returns information about the corresponding
1404 line of the window. Otherwise, @var{line} is a text line number
1405 starting from 0. A negative number counts from the end of the window.
1406 The argument @var{line} defaults to the current line in @var{window};
1407 @var{window}, to the selected window.
1409 If the display is not up to date, @code{window-line-height} returns
1410 @code{nil}. In that case, @code{pos-visible-in-window-p} may be used
1411 to obtain related information.
1413 If there is no line corresponding to the specified @var{line},
1414 @code{window-line-height} returns @code{nil}. Otherwise, it returns
1415 a list @code{(@var{height} @var{vpos} @var{ypos} @var{offbot})},
1416 where @var{height} is the height in pixels of the visible part of the
1417 line, @var{vpos} and @var{ypos} are the vertical position in lines and
1418 pixels of the line relative to the top of the first text line, and
1419 @var{offbot} is the number of off-window pixels at the bottom of the
1420 text line. If there are off-window pixels at the top of the (first)
1421 text line, @var{ypos} is negative.
1424 @node Textual Scrolling
1425 @section Textual Scrolling
1426 @cindex textual scrolling
1427 @cindex scrolling textually
1429 @dfn{Textual scrolling} means moving the text up or down through a
1430 window. It works by changing the value of the window's display-start
1431 location. It may also change the value of @code{window-point} to keep
1432 point on the screen.
1434 Textual scrolling was formerly called ``vertical scrolling,'' but we
1435 changed its name to distinguish it from the new vertical fractional
1436 scrolling feature (@pxref{Vertical Scrolling}).
1438 In the commands @code{scroll-up} and @code{scroll-down}, the directions
1439 ``up'' and ``down'' refer to the motion of the text in the buffer at which
1440 you are looking through the window. Imagine that the text is
1441 written on a long roll of paper and that the scrolling commands move the
1442 paper up and down. Thus, if you are looking at text in the middle of a
1443 buffer and repeatedly call @code{scroll-down}, you will eventually see
1444 the beginning of the buffer.
1446 Some people have urged that the opposite convention be used: they
1447 imagine that the window moves over text that remains in place. Then
1448 ``down'' commands would take you to the end of the buffer. This view is
1449 more consistent with the actual relationship between windows and the
1450 text in the buffer, but it is less like what the user sees. The
1451 position of a window on the terminal does not move, and short scrolling
1452 commands clearly move the text up or down on the screen. We have chosen
1453 names that fit the user's point of view.
1455 The textual scrolling functions (aside from
1456 @code{scroll-other-window}) have unpredictable results if the current
1457 buffer is different from the buffer that is displayed in the selected
1458 window. @xref{Current Buffer}.
1460 If the window contains a row which is taller than the height of the
1461 window (for example in the presence of a large image), the scroll
1462 functions will adjust the window vscroll to scroll the partially
1463 visible row. To disable this feature, Lisp code may bind the variable
1464 `auto-window-vscroll' to @code{nil} (@pxref{Vertical Scrolling}).
1466 @deffn Command scroll-up &optional count
1467 This function scrolls the text in the selected window upward
1468 @var{count} lines. If @var{count} is negative, scrolling is actually
1471 If @var{count} is @code{nil} (or omitted), then the length of scroll
1472 is @code{next-screen-context-lines} lines less than the usable height of
1473 the window (not counting its mode line).
1475 @code{scroll-up} returns @code{nil}, unless it gets an error
1476 because it can't scroll any further.
1479 @deffn Command scroll-down &optional count
1480 This function scrolls the text in the selected window downward
1481 @var{count} lines. If @var{count} is negative, scrolling is actually
1484 If @var{count} is omitted or @code{nil}, then the length of the scroll
1485 is @code{next-screen-context-lines} lines less than the usable height of
1486 the window (not counting its mode line).
1488 @code{scroll-down} returns @code{nil}, unless it gets an error because
1489 it can't scroll any further.
1492 @deffn Command scroll-other-window &optional count
1493 This function scrolls the text in another window upward @var{count}
1494 lines. Negative values of @var{count}, or @code{nil}, are handled
1495 as in @code{scroll-up}.
1497 You can specify which buffer to scroll by setting the variable
1498 @code{other-window-scroll-buffer} to a buffer. If that buffer isn't
1499 already displayed, @code{scroll-other-window} displays it in some
1502 When the selected window is the minibuffer, the next window is normally
1503 the one at the top left corner. You can specify a different window to
1504 scroll, when the minibuffer is selected, by setting the variable
1505 @code{minibuffer-scroll-window}. This variable has no effect when any
1506 other window is selected. When it is non-@code{nil} and the
1507 minibuffer is selected, it takes precedence over
1508 @code{other-window-scroll-buffer}. @xref{Definition of
1509 minibuffer-scroll-window}.
1511 When the minibuffer is active, it is the next window if the selected
1512 window is the one at the bottom right corner. In this case,
1513 @code{scroll-other-window} attempts to scroll the minibuffer. If the
1514 minibuffer contains just one line, it has nowhere to scroll to, so the
1515 line reappears after the echo area momentarily displays the message
1516 @samp{Beginning of buffer}.
1520 @defvar other-window-scroll-buffer
1521 If this variable is non-@code{nil}, it tells @code{scroll-other-window}
1522 which buffer to scroll.
1525 @defopt scroll-margin
1526 This option specifies the size of the scroll margin---a minimum number
1527 of lines between point and the top or bottom of a window. Whenever
1528 point gets within this many lines of the top or bottom of the window,
1529 redisplay scrolls the text automatically (if possible) to move point
1530 out of the margin, closer to the center of the window.
1533 @defopt scroll-conservatively
1534 This variable controls how scrolling is done automatically when point
1535 moves off the screen (or into the scroll margin). If the value is a
1536 positive integer @var{n}, then redisplay scrolls the text up to
1537 @var{n} lines in either direction, if that will bring point back into
1538 proper view. This action is called @dfn{conservative scrolling}.
1539 Otherwise, scrolling happens in the usual way, under the control of
1540 other variables such as @code{scroll-up-aggressively} and
1541 @code{scroll-down-aggressively}.
1543 The default value is zero, which means that conservative scrolling
1547 @defopt scroll-down-aggressively
1548 The value of this variable should be either @code{nil} or a fraction
1549 @var{f} between 0 and 1. If it is a fraction, that specifies where on
1550 the screen to put point when scrolling down. More precisely, when a
1551 window scrolls down because point is above the window start, the new
1552 start position is chosen to put point @var{f} part of the window
1553 height from the top. The larger @var{f}, the more aggressive the
1556 A value of @code{nil} is equivalent to .5, since its effect is to center
1557 point. This variable automatically becomes buffer-local when set in any
1561 @defopt scroll-up-aggressively
1562 Likewise, for scrolling up. The value, @var{f}, specifies how far
1563 point should be placed from the bottom of the window; thus, as with
1564 @code{scroll-up-aggressively}, a larger value scrolls more aggressively.
1568 This variable is an older variant of @code{scroll-conservatively}. The
1569 difference is that it if its value is @var{n}, that permits scrolling
1570 only by precisely @var{n} lines, not a smaller number. This feature
1571 does not work with @code{scroll-margin}. The default value is zero.
1574 @defopt scroll-preserve-screen-position
1575 If this option is @code{t}, scrolling which would move the current
1576 point position out of the window chooses the new position of point
1577 so that the vertical position of the cursor is unchanged, if possible.
1579 If it is non-@code{nil} and not @code{t}, then the scrolling functions
1580 always preserve the vertical position of point, if possible.
1583 @defopt next-screen-context-lines
1584 The value of this variable is the number of lines of continuity to
1585 retain when scrolling by full screens. For example, @code{scroll-up}
1586 with an argument of @code{nil} scrolls so that this many lines at the
1587 bottom of the window appear instead at the top. The default value is
1591 @deffn Command recenter &optional count
1592 @cindex centering point
1593 This function scrolls the text in the selected window so that point is
1594 displayed at a specified vertical position within the window. It does
1595 not ``move point'' with respect to the text.
1597 If @var{count} is a nonnegative number, that puts the line containing
1598 point @var{count} lines down from the top of the window. If
1599 @var{count} is a negative number, then it counts upward from the
1600 bottom of the window, so that @minus{}1 stands for the last usable
1601 line in the window. If @var{count} is a non-@code{nil} list, then it
1602 stands for the line in the middle of the window.
1604 If @var{count} is @code{nil}, @code{recenter} puts the line containing
1605 point in the middle of the window, then clears and redisplays the entire
1608 When @code{recenter} is called interactively, @var{count} is the raw
1609 prefix argument. Thus, typing @kbd{C-u} as the prefix sets the
1610 @var{count} to a non-@code{nil} list, while typing @kbd{C-u 4} sets
1611 @var{count} to 4, which positions the current line four lines from the
1614 With an argument of zero, @code{recenter} positions the current line at
1615 the top of the window. This action is so handy that some people make a
1616 separate key binding to do this. For example,
1620 (defun line-to-top-of-window ()
1621 "Scroll current line to top of window.
1622 Replaces three keystroke sequence C-u 0 C-l."
1626 (global-set-key [kp-multiply] 'line-to-top-of-window)
1631 @node Vertical Scrolling
1632 @section Vertical Fractional Scrolling
1633 @cindex vertical fractional scrolling
1635 @dfn{Vertical fractional scrolling} means shifting the image in the
1636 window up or down by a specified multiple or fraction of a line.
1637 Each window has a @dfn{vertical scroll position},
1638 which is a number, never less than zero. It specifies how far to raise
1639 the contents of the window. Raising the window contents generally makes
1640 all or part of some lines disappear off the top, and all or part of some
1641 other lines appear at the bottom. The usual value is zero.
1643 The vertical scroll position is measured in units of the normal line
1644 height, which is the height of the default font. Thus, if the value is
1645 .5, that means the window contents are scrolled up half the normal line
1646 height. If it is 3.3, that means the window contents are scrolled up
1647 somewhat over three times the normal line height.
1649 What fraction of a line the vertical scrolling covers, or how many
1650 lines, depends on what the lines contain. A value of .5 could scroll a
1651 line whose height is very short off the screen, while a value of 3.3
1652 could scroll just part of the way through a tall line or an image.
1654 @defun window-vscroll &optional window pixels-p
1655 This function returns the current vertical scroll position of
1656 @var{window}. If @var{window} is @code{nil}, the selected window is
1657 used. If @var{pixels-p} is non-@code{nil}, the return value is
1658 measured in pixels, rather than in units of the normal line height.
1668 @defun set-window-vscroll window lines &optional pixels-p
1669 This function sets @var{window}'s vertical scroll position to
1670 @var{lines}. The argument @var{lines} should be zero or positive; if
1671 not, it is taken as zero.
1673 If @var{window} is @code{nil}, the selected window is used.
1675 The actual vertical scroll position must always correspond
1676 to an integral number of pixels, so the value you specify
1677 is rounded accordingly.
1679 The return value is the result of this rounding.
1683 (set-window-vscroll (selected-window) 1.2)
1688 If @var{pixels-p} is non-@code{nil}, @var{lines} specifies a number of
1689 pixels. In this case, the return value is @var{lines}.
1692 @defvar auto-window-vscroll
1693 If this variable is non-@code{nil}, the line-move, scroll-up, and
1694 scroll-down functions will automatically modify the window vscroll to
1695 scroll through display rows that are taller that the height of the
1696 window, for example in the presence of large images.
1699 @node Horizontal Scrolling
1700 @section Horizontal Scrolling
1701 @cindex horizontal scrolling
1703 @dfn{Horizontal scrolling} means shifting the image in the window left
1704 or right by a specified multiple of the normal character width. Each
1705 window has a @dfn{horizontal scroll position}, which is a number, never
1706 less than zero. It specifies how far to shift the contents left.
1707 Shifting the window contents left generally makes all or part of some
1708 characters disappear off the left, and all or part of some other
1709 characters appear at the right. The usual value is zero.
1711 The horizontal scroll position is measured in units of the normal
1712 character width, which is the width of space in the default font. Thus,
1713 if the value is 5, that means the window contents are scrolled left by 5
1714 times the normal character width. How many characters actually
1715 disappear off to the left depends on their width, and could vary from
1718 Because we read from side to side in the ``inner loop,'' and from top
1719 to bottom in the ``outer loop,'' the effect of horizontal scrolling is
1720 not like that of textual or vertical scrolling. Textual scrolling
1721 involves selection of a portion of text to display, and vertical
1722 scrolling moves the window contents contiguously; but horizontal
1723 scrolling causes part of @emph{each line} to go off screen.
1725 Usually, no horizontal scrolling is in effect; then the leftmost
1726 column is at the left edge of the window. In this state, scrolling to
1727 the right is meaningless, since there is no data to the left of the edge
1728 to be revealed by it; so this is not allowed. Scrolling to the left is
1729 allowed; it scrolls the first columns of text off the edge of the window
1730 and can reveal additional columns on the right that were truncated
1731 before. Once a window has a nonzero amount of leftward horizontal
1732 scrolling, you can scroll it back to the right, but only so far as to
1733 reduce the net horizontal scroll to zero. There is no limit to how far
1734 left you can scroll, but eventually all the text will disappear off the
1737 @vindex auto-hscroll-mode
1738 If @code{auto-hscroll-mode} is set, redisplay automatically alters
1739 the horizontal scrolling of a window as necessary to ensure that point
1740 is always visible. However, you can still set the horizontal
1741 scrolling value explicitly. The value you specify serves as a lower
1742 bound for automatic scrolling, i.e. automatic scrolling will not
1743 scroll a window to a column less than the specified one.
1745 @deffn Command scroll-left &optional count set-minimum
1746 This function scrolls the selected window @var{count} columns to the
1747 left (or to the right if @var{count} is negative). The default
1748 for @var{count} is the window width, minus 2.
1750 The return value is the total amount of leftward horizontal scrolling in
1751 effect after the change---just like the value returned by
1752 @code{window-hscroll} (below).
1754 Once you scroll a window as far right as it can go, back to its normal
1755 position where the total leftward scrolling is zero, attempts to scroll
1756 any farther right have no effect.
1758 If @var{set-minimum} is non-@code{nil}, the new scroll amount becomes
1759 the lower bound for automatic scrolling; that is, automatic scrolling
1760 will not scroll a window to a column less than the value returned by
1761 this function. Interactive calls pass non-@code{nil} for
1765 @deffn Command scroll-right &optional count set-minimum
1766 This function scrolls the selected window @var{count} columns to the
1767 right (or to the left if @var{count} is negative). The default
1768 for @var{count} is the window width, minus 2. Aside from the direction
1769 of scrolling, this works just like @code{scroll-left}.
1772 @defun window-hscroll &optional window
1773 This function returns the total leftward horizontal scrolling of
1774 @var{window}---the number of columns by which the text in @var{window}
1775 is scrolled left past the left margin.
1777 The value is never negative. It is zero when no horizontal scrolling
1778 has been done in @var{window} (which is usually the case).
1780 If @var{window} is @code{nil}, the selected window is used.
1798 @defun set-window-hscroll window columns
1799 This function sets horizontal scrolling of @var{window}. The value of
1800 @var{columns} specifies the amount of scrolling, in terms of columns
1801 from the left margin. The argument @var{columns} should be zero or
1802 positive; if not, it is taken as zero. Fractional values of
1803 @var{columns} are not supported at present.
1805 Note that @code{set-window-hscroll} may appear not to work if you test
1806 it by evaluating a call with @kbd{M-:} in a simple way. What happens
1807 is that the function sets the horizontal scroll value and returns, but
1808 then redisplay adjusts the horizontal scrolling to make point visible,
1809 and this overrides what the function did. You can observe the
1810 function's effect if you call it while point is sufficiently far from
1811 the left margin that it will remain visible.
1813 The value returned is @var{columns}.
1817 (set-window-hscroll (selected-window) 10)
1823 Here is how you can determine whether a given position @var{position}
1824 is off the screen due to horizontal scrolling:
1828 (defun hscroll-on-screen (window position)
1830 (goto-char position)
1832 (>= (- (current-column) (window-hscroll window)) 0)
1833 (< (- (current-column) (window-hscroll window))
1834 (window-width window)))))
1838 @node Size of Window
1839 @section The Size of a Window
1841 @cindex size of window
1843 An Emacs window is rectangular, and its size information consists of
1844 the height (the number of lines) and the width (the number of character
1845 positions in each line). The mode line is included in the height. But
1846 the width does not count the scroll bar or the column of @samp{|}
1847 characters that separates side-by-side windows.
1849 The following three functions return size information about a window:
1851 @defun window-height &optional window
1852 This function returns the number of lines in @var{window}, including
1853 its mode line and header line, if any. If @var{window} fills its
1854 entire frame except for the echo area, this is typically one less than
1855 the value of @code{frame-height} on that frame.
1857 If @var{window} is @code{nil}, the function uses the selected window.
1865 (split-window-vertically)
1866 @result{} #<window 4 on windows.texi>
1875 @defun window-body-height &optional window
1876 Like @code{window-height} but the value does not include the
1877 mode line (if any) or the header line (if any).
1880 @defun window-width &optional window
1881 This function returns the number of columns in @var{window}. If
1882 @var{window} fills its entire frame, this is the same as the value of
1883 @code{frame-width} on that frame. The width does not include the
1884 window's scroll bar or the column of @samp{|} characters that separates
1885 side-by-side windows.
1887 If @var{window} is @code{nil}, the function uses the selected window.
1897 @defun window-full-width-p &optional window
1898 This function returns non-@code{nil} if @var{window} is as wide as
1899 the frame that contains it; otherwise @code{nil}.
1900 If @var{window} is @code{nil}, the function uses the selected window.
1903 @defun window-edges &optional window
1904 This function returns a list of the edge coordinates of @var{window}.
1905 If @var{window} is @code{nil}, the selected window is used.
1907 The order of the list is @code{(@var{left} @var{top} @var{right}
1908 @var{bottom})}, all elements relative to 0, 0 at the top left corner of
1909 the frame. The element @var{right} of the value is one more than the
1910 rightmost column used by @var{window}, and @var{bottom} is one more than
1911 the bottommost row used by @var{window} and its mode-line.
1913 The edges include the space used by the window's scroll bar, display
1914 margins, fringes, header line, and mode line, if it has them. Also,
1915 if the window has a neighbor on the right, its right edge value
1916 includes the width of the separator line between the window and that
1917 neighbor. Since the width of the window does not include this
1918 separator, the width does not usually equal the difference between the
1919 right and left edges.
1922 @defun window-inside-edges &optional window
1923 This is similar to @code{window-edges}, but the edge values
1924 it returns include only the text area of the window. They
1925 do not include the header line, mode line, scroll bar or
1926 vertical separator, fringes, or display margins.
1929 Here are the results obtained on a typical 24-line terminal with just
1930 one window, with menu bar enabled:
1934 (window-edges (selected-window))
1935 @result{} (0 1 80 23)
1938 (window-inside-edges (selected-window))
1939 @result{} (0 1 80 22)
1944 The bottom edge is at line 23 because the last line is the echo area.
1945 The bottom inside edge is at line 22, which is the window's mode line.
1947 If @var{window} is at the upper left corner of its frame, and there is
1948 no menu bar, then @var{bottom} returned by @code{window-edges} is the
1949 same as the value of @code{(window-height)}, @var{right} is almost the
1950 same as the value of @code{(window-width)}, and @var{top} and
1951 @var{left} are zero. For example, the edges of the following window
1952 are @w{@samp{0 0 8 5}}. Assuming that the frame has more than 8
1953 columns, the last column of the window (column 7) holds a border
1954 rather than text. The last row (row 4) holds the mode line, shown
1955 here with @samp{xxxxxxxxx}.
1971 In the following example, let's suppose that the frame is 7
1972 columns wide. Then the edges of the left window are @w{@samp{0 0 4 3}}
1973 and the edges of the right window are @w{@samp{4 0 7 3}}.
1974 The inside edges of the left window are @w{@samp{0 0 3 2}},
1975 and the inside edges of the right window are @w{@samp{4 0 7 2}},
1988 @defun window-pixel-edges &optional window
1989 This function is like @code{window-edges} except that, on a graphical
1990 display, the edge values are measured in pixels instead of in
1991 character lines and columns.
1994 @defun window-inside-pixel-edges &optional window
1995 This function is like @code{window-inside-edges} except that, on a
1996 graphical display, the edge values are measured in pixels instead of
1997 in character lines and columns.
2000 @node Resizing Windows
2001 @section Changing the Size of a Window
2002 @cindex window resizing
2003 @cindex resize window
2004 @cindex changing window size
2005 @cindex window size, changing
2007 The window size functions fall into two classes: high-level commands
2008 that change the size of windows and low-level functions that access
2009 window size. Emacs does not permit overlapping windows or gaps between
2010 windows, so resizing one window affects other windows.
2012 @deffn Command enlarge-window size &optional horizontal
2013 This function makes the selected window @var{size} lines taller,
2014 stealing lines from neighboring windows. It takes the lines from one
2015 window at a time until that window is used up, then takes from another.
2016 If a window from which lines are stolen shrinks below
2017 @code{window-min-height} lines, that window disappears.
2019 If @var{horizontal} is non-@code{nil}, this function makes
2020 @var{window} wider by @var{size} columns, stealing columns instead of
2021 lines. If a window from which columns are stolen shrinks below
2022 @code{window-min-width} columns, that window disappears.
2024 If the requested size would exceed that of the window's frame, then the
2025 function makes the window occupy the entire height (or width) of the
2028 If there are various other windows from which lines or columns can be
2029 stolen, and some of them specify fixed size (using
2030 @code{window-size-fixed}, see below), they are left untouched while
2031 other windows are ``robbed.'' If it would be necessary to alter the
2032 size of a fixed-size window, @code{enlarge-window} gets an error
2035 If @var{size} is negative, this function shrinks the window by
2036 @minus{}@var{size} lines or columns. If that makes the window smaller
2037 than the minimum size (@code{window-min-height} and
2038 @code{window-min-width}), @code{enlarge-window} deletes the window.
2040 @code{enlarge-window} returns @code{nil}.
2043 @deffn Command enlarge-window-horizontally columns
2044 This function makes the selected window @var{columns} wider.
2045 It could be defined as follows:
2049 (defun enlarge-window-horizontally (columns)
2051 (enlarge-window columns t))
2056 @deffn Command shrink-window size &optional horizontal
2057 This function is like @code{enlarge-window} but negates the argument
2058 @var{size}, making the selected window smaller by giving lines (or
2059 columns) to the other windows. If the window shrinks below
2060 @code{window-min-height} or @code{window-min-width}, then it disappears.
2062 If @var{size} is negative, the window is enlarged by @minus{}@var{size}
2066 @deffn Command shrink-window-horizontally columns
2067 This function makes the selected window @var{columns} narrower.
2068 It could be defined as follows:
2072 (defun shrink-window-horizontally (columns)
2074 (shrink-window columns t))
2079 @defun adjust-window-trailing-edge window delta horizontal
2080 This function makes the selected window @var{delta} lines taller or
2081 @var{delta} columns wider, by moving the bottom or right edge. This
2082 function does not delete other windows; if it cannot make the
2083 requested size adjustment, it signals an error. On success, this
2084 function returns @code{nil}.
2087 @defun fit-window-to-buffer &optional window max-height min-height
2088 This function makes @var{window} the right height to display its
2089 contents exactly. If @var{window} is omitted or @code{nil}, it uses
2090 the selected window.
2092 The argument @var{max-height} specifies the maximum height the window
2093 is allowed to be; @code{nil} means use the frame height. The argument
2094 @var{min-height} specifies the minimum height for the window;
2095 @code{nil} means use @code{window-min-height}. All these height
2096 values include the mode-line and/or header-line.
2099 @deffn Command shrink-window-if-larger-than-buffer &optional window
2100 This command shrinks @var{window} vertically to be as small as
2101 possible while still showing the full contents of its buffer---but not
2102 less than @code{window-min-height} lines. If @var{window} is not
2103 given, it defaults to the selected window.
2105 However, the command does nothing if the window is already too small to
2106 display the whole text of the buffer, or if part of the contents are
2107 currently scrolled off screen, or if the window is not the full width of
2108 its frame, or if the window is the only window in its frame.
2110 This command returns non-@code{nil} if it actually shrank the window
2111 and @code{nil} otherwise.
2114 @defvar window-size-fixed
2115 If this variable is non-@code{nil}, in any given buffer,
2116 then the size of any window displaying the buffer remains fixed
2117 unless you explicitly change it or Emacs has no other choice.
2119 If the value is @code{height}, then only the window's height is fixed;
2120 if the value is @code{width}, then only the window's width is fixed.
2121 Any other non-@code{nil} value fixes both the width and the height.
2123 This variable automatically becomes buffer-local when set.
2125 Explicit size-change functions such as @code{enlarge-window}
2126 get an error if they would have to change a window size which is fixed.
2127 Therefore, when you want to change the size of such a window,
2128 you should bind @code{window-size-fixed} to @code{nil}, like this:
2131 (let ((window-size-fixed nil))
2132 (enlarge-window 10))
2135 Note that changing the frame size will change the size of a
2136 fixed-size window, if there is no other alternative.
2139 @cindex minimum window size
2140 The following two variables constrain the window-structure-changing
2141 functions to a minimum height and width.
2143 @defopt window-min-height
2144 The value of this variable determines how short a window may become
2145 before it is automatically deleted. Making a window smaller than
2146 @code{window-min-height} automatically deletes it, and no window may
2147 be created shorter than this. The default value is 4.
2149 The absolute minimum window height is one; actions that change window
2150 sizes reset this variable to one if it is less than one.
2153 @defopt window-min-width
2154 The value of this variable determines how narrow a window may become
2155 before it is automatically deleted. Making a window smaller than
2156 @code{window-min-width} automatically deletes it, and no window may be
2157 created narrower than this. The default value is 10.
2159 The absolute minimum window width is two; actions that change window
2160 sizes reset this variable to two if it is less than two.
2163 @node Coordinates and Windows
2164 @section Coordinates and Windows
2166 This section describes how to relate screen coordinates to windows.
2168 @defun window-at x y &optional frame
2169 This function returns the window containing the specified cursor
2170 position in the frame @var{frame}. The coordinates @var{x} and @var{y}
2171 are measured in characters and count from the top left corner of the
2172 frame. If they are out of range, @code{window-at} returns @code{nil}.
2174 If you omit @var{frame}, the selected frame is used.
2177 @defun coordinates-in-window-p coordinates window
2178 This function checks whether a particular frame position falls within
2179 the window @var{window}.
2181 The argument @var{coordinates} is a cons cell of the form @code{(@var{x}
2182 . @var{y})}. The coordinates @var{x} and @var{y} are measured in
2183 characters, and count from the top left corner of the screen or frame.
2185 The value returned by @code{coordinates-in-window-p} is non-@code{nil}
2186 if the coordinates are inside @var{window}. The value also indicates
2187 what part of the window the position is in, as follows:
2190 @item (@var{relx} . @var{rely})
2191 The coordinates are inside @var{window}. The numbers @var{relx} and
2192 @var{rely} are the equivalent window-relative coordinates for the
2193 specified position, counting from 0 at the top left corner of the
2197 The coordinates are in the mode line of @var{window}.
2200 The coordinates are in the header line of @var{window}.
2203 The coordinates are in the vertical line between @var{window} and its
2204 neighbor to the right. This value occurs only if the window doesn't
2205 have a scroll bar; positions in a scroll bar are considered outside the
2206 window for these purposes.
2210 The coordinates are in the left or right fringe of the window.
2214 The coordinates are in the left or right margin of the window.
2217 The coordinates are not in any part of @var{window}.
2220 The function @code{coordinates-in-window-p} does not require a frame as
2221 argument because it always uses the frame that @var{window} is on.
2225 @section The Window Tree
2228 A @dfn{window tree} specifies the layout, size, and relationship
2229 between all windows in one frame.
2231 @defun window-tree &optional frame
2232 This function returns the window tree for frame @var{frame}.
2233 If @var{frame} is omitted, the selected frame is used.
2235 The return value is a list of the form @code{(@var{root} @var{mini})},
2236 where @var{root} represents the window tree of the frame's
2237 root window, and @var{mini} is the frame's minibuffer window.
2239 If the root window is not split, @var{root} is the root window itself.
2240 Otherwise, @var{root} is a list @code{(@var{dir} @var{edges} @var{w1}
2241 @var{w2} ...)} where @var{dir} is @code{nil} for a horizontal split,
2242 and @code{t} for a vertical split, @var{edges} gives the combined size and
2243 position of the subwindows in the split, and the rest of the elements
2244 are the subwindows in the split. Each of the subwindows may again be
2245 a window or a list representing a window split, and so on. The
2246 @var{edges} element is a list @code{(@var{left}@var{ top}@var{ right}@var{ bottom})}
2247 similar to the value returned by @code{window-edges}.
2250 @node Window Configurations
2251 @section Window Configurations
2252 @cindex window configurations
2253 @cindex saving window information
2255 A @dfn{window configuration} records the entire layout of one
2256 frame---all windows, their sizes, which buffers they contain, how
2257 those buffers are scrolled, and their values of point and the mark;
2258 also their fringes, margins, and scroll bar settings. It also
2259 includes the values of @code{window-min-height},
2260 @code{window-min-width} and @code{minibuffer-scroll-window}. As a
2261 special exception, the window configuration does not record the value
2262 of point in the selected window for the current buffer.
2264 You can bring back an entire previous layout by restoring a window
2265 configuration previously saved. If you want to record all frames
2266 instead of just one, use a frame configuration instead of a window
2267 configuration. @xref{Frame Configurations}.
2269 @defun current-window-configuration &optional frame
2270 This function returns a new object representing @var{frame}'s current
2271 window configuration. If @var{frame} is omitted, the selected frame
2275 @defun set-window-configuration configuration
2276 This function restores the configuration of windows and buffers as
2277 specified by @var{configuration}, for the frame that @var{configuration}
2280 The argument @var{configuration} must be a value that was previously
2281 returned by @code{current-window-configuration}. This configuration is
2282 restored in the frame from which @var{configuration} was made, whether
2283 that frame is selected or not. This always counts as a window size
2284 change and triggers execution of the @code{window-size-change-functions}
2285 (@pxref{Window Hooks}), because @code{set-window-configuration} doesn't
2286 know how to tell whether the new configuration actually differs from the
2289 If the frame which @var{configuration} was saved from is dead, all this
2290 function does is restore the three variables @code{window-min-height},
2291 @code{window-min-width} and @code{minibuffer-scroll-window}. In this
2292 case, the function returns @code{nil}. Otherwise, it returns @code{t}.
2294 Here is a way of using this function to get the same effect
2295 as @code{save-window-excursion}:
2299 (let ((config (current-window-configuration)))
2301 (progn (split-window-vertically nil)
2303 (set-window-configuration config)))
2308 @defspec save-window-excursion forms@dots{}
2309 This special form records the window configuration, executes @var{forms}
2310 in sequence, then restores the earlier window configuration. The window
2311 configuration includes, for each window, the value of point and the
2312 portion of the buffer that is visible. It also includes the choice of
2313 selected window. However, it does not include the value of point in
2314 the current buffer; use @code{save-excursion} also, if you wish to
2317 Don't use this construct when @code{save-selected-window} is sufficient.
2319 Exit from @code{save-window-excursion} always triggers execution of the
2320 @code{window-size-change-functions}. (It doesn't know how to tell
2321 whether the restored configuration actually differs from the one in
2322 effect at the end of the @var{forms}.)
2324 The return value is the value of the final form in @var{forms}.
2330 @result{} #<window 25 on control.texi>
2333 (setq w (selected-window))
2334 @result{} #<window 19 on control.texi>
2337 (save-window-excursion
2338 (delete-other-windows w)
2339 (switch-to-buffer "foo")
2341 @result{} do-something
2342 ;; @r{The screen is now split again.}
2347 @defun window-configuration-p object
2348 This function returns @code{t} if @var{object} is a window configuration.
2351 @defun compare-window-configurations config1 config2
2352 This function compares two window configurations as regards the
2353 structure of windows, but ignores the values of point and mark and the
2354 saved scrolling positions---it can return @code{t} even if those
2357 The function @code{equal} can also compare two window configurations; it
2358 regards configurations as unequal if they differ in any respect, even a
2359 saved point or mark.
2362 @defun window-configuration-frame config
2363 This function returns the frame for which the window configuration
2364 @var{config} was made.
2367 Other primitives to look inside of window configurations would make
2368 sense, but are not implemented because we did not need them. See the
2369 file @file{winner.el} for some more operations on windows
2373 @section Hooks for Window Scrolling and Changes
2374 @cindex hooks for window operations
2376 This section describes how a Lisp program can take action whenever a
2377 window displays a different part of its buffer or a different buffer.
2378 There are three actions that can change this: scrolling the window,
2379 switching buffers in the window, and changing the size of the window.
2380 The first two actions run @code{window-scroll-functions}; the last runs
2381 @code{window-size-change-functions}.
2383 @defvar window-scroll-functions
2384 This variable holds a list of functions that Emacs should call before
2385 redisplaying a window with scrolling. It is not a normal hook, because
2386 each function is called with two arguments: the window, and its new
2387 display-start position.
2389 Displaying a different buffer in the window also runs these functions.
2391 These functions must be careful in using @code{window-end}
2392 (@pxref{Window Start}); if you need an up-to-date value, you must use
2393 the @var{update} argument to ensure you get it.
2395 @strong{Warning:} don't use this feature to alter the way the window
2396 is scrolled. It's not designed for that, and such use probably won't
2400 @defvar window-size-change-functions
2401 This variable holds a list of functions to be called if the size of any
2402 window changes for any reason. The functions are called just once per
2403 redisplay, and just once for each frame on which size changes have
2406 Each function receives the frame as its sole argument. There is no
2407 direct way to find out which windows on that frame have changed size, or
2408 precisely how. However, if a size-change function records, at each
2409 call, the existing windows and their sizes, it can also compare the
2410 present sizes and the previous sizes.
2412 Creating or deleting windows counts as a size change, and therefore
2413 causes these functions to be called. Changing the frame size also
2414 counts, because it changes the sizes of the existing windows.
2416 It is not a good idea to use @code{save-window-excursion} (@pxref{Window
2417 Configurations}) in these functions, because that always counts as a
2418 size change, and it would cause these functions to be called over and
2419 over. In most cases, @code{save-selected-window} (@pxref{Selecting
2420 Windows}) is what you need here.
2423 @defvar redisplay-end-trigger-functions
2424 This abnormal hook is run whenever redisplay in a window uses text that
2425 extends past a specified end trigger position. You set the end trigger
2426 position with the function @code{set-window-redisplay-end-trigger}. The
2427 functions are called with two arguments: the window, and the end trigger
2428 position. Storing @code{nil} for the end trigger position turns off the
2429 feature, and the trigger value is automatically reset to @code{nil} just
2430 after the hook is run.
2433 @defun set-window-redisplay-end-trigger window position
2434 This function sets @var{window}'s end trigger position at
2438 @defun window-redisplay-end-trigger &optional window
2439 This function returns @var{window}'s current end trigger position.
2440 If @var{window} is @code{nil} or omitted, it uses the selected window.
2443 @defvar window-configuration-change-hook
2444 A normal hook that is run every time you change the window configuration
2445 of an existing frame. This includes splitting or deleting windows,
2446 changing the sizes of windows, or displaying a different buffer in a
2447 window. The frame whose window configuration has changed is the
2448 selected frame when this hook runs.
2452 arch-tag: 3f6c36e8-df49-4986-b757-417feed88be3