2 @c This is part of the GNU Emacs Lisp Reference Manual.
3 @c Copyright (C) 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
4 @c See the file elisp.texi for copying conditions.
5 @setfilename ../info/frames
6 @node Frames, Positions, Windows, Top
10 A @dfn{frame} is a rectangle on the screen that contains one or more
11 Emacs windows. A frame initially contains a single main window (plus
12 perhaps a minibuffer window), which you can subdivide vertically or
13 horizontally into smaller windows.
15 @cindex terminal frame
16 @cindex X window frame
17 When Emacs runs on a text-only terminal, it starts with one
18 @dfn{terminal frame}. If you create additional ones, Emacs displays
19 one and only one at any given time---on the terminal screen, of course.
21 When Emacs communicates directly with an X server, it does not have a
22 terminal frame; instead, it starts with a single @dfn{X window frame}.
23 It can display multiple X window frames at the same time, each in its
27 This predicate returns @code{t} if @var{object} is a frame, and
32 * Creating Frames:: Creating additional frames.
33 * Multiple Displays:: Creating frames on other X displays.
34 * Frame Parameters:: Controlling frame size, position, font, etc.
35 * Frame Titles:: Automatic updating of frame titles.
36 * Deleting Frames:: Frames last until explicitly deleted.
37 * Finding All Frames:: How to examine all existing frames.
38 * Frames and Windows:: A frame contains windows;
39 display of text always works through windows.
40 * Minibuffers and Frames:: How a frame finds the minibuffer to use.
41 * Input Focus:: Specifying the selected frame.
42 * Visibility of Frames:: Frames may be visible or invisible, or icons.
43 * Raising and Lowering:: Raising a frame makes it hide other X windows;
44 lowering it makes the others hide them.
45 * Frame Configurations:: Saving the state of all frames.
46 * Mouse Tracking:: Getting events that say when the mouse moves.
47 * Mouse Position:: Asking where the mouse is, or moving it.
48 * Pop-Up Menus:: Displaying a menu for the user to select from.
49 * Dialog Boxes:: Displaying a box to ask yes or no.
50 * Pointer Shapes:: Specifying the shape of the mouse pointer.
51 * X Selections:: Transferring text to and from other X clients.
52 * Color Names:: Getting the definitions of color names.
53 * Resources:: Getting resource values from the server.
54 * Server Data:: Getting info about the X server.
57 @xref{Display}, for related information.
60 @section Creating Frames
62 To create a new frame, call the function @code{make-frame}.
64 @defun make-frame &optional alist
65 This function creates a new frame. If you are using X, it makes
66 an X window frame; otherwise, it makes a terminal frame.
68 The argument is an alist specifying frame parameters. Any parameters
69 not mentioned in @var{alist} default according to the value of the
70 variable @code{default-frame-alist}; parameters not specified even there
71 default from the standard X defaults file and X resources.
73 The set of possible parameters depends in principle on what kind of
74 window system Emacs uses to display its frames. @xref{X Frame
75 Parameters}, for documentation of individual parameters you can specify.
78 @defvar before-make-frame-hook
79 A normal hook run by @code{make-frame} before it actually creates the
83 @defvar after-make-frame-hook
84 A normal hook run by @code{make-frame} after it creates the frame.
87 @node Multiple Displays
88 @section Multiple Displays
89 @cindex multiple displays
90 @cindex multiple X terminals
91 @cindex displays, multiple
93 A single Emacs can talk to more than one X Windows display.
94 Initially, Emacs uses just one display---the one chosen with the
95 @code{DISPLAY} environment variable or with the @samp{--display} option
96 (@pxref{Initial Options,,, emacs, The GNU Emacs Manual}). To connect to
97 another display, use the command @code{make-frame-on-display} or specify
98 the @code{display} frame parameter when you create the frame.
100 Emacs treats each X server as a separate terminal, giving each one its
101 own selected frame and its own minibuffer windows. A few Lisp variables
102 have values local to the current terminal (that is, the terminal
103 corresponding to the currently selected frame): these are
104 @code{default-minibuffer-frame}, @code{defining-kbd-macro},
105 @code{last-kbd-macro}, and @code{system-key-alist}. These variables are
106 always terminal-local and can never be buffer-local.
108 A single X server can handle more than one screen. A display name
109 @samp{@var{host}.@var{server}.@var{screen}} has three parts; the last
110 part specifies the screen number for a given server. When you use two
111 screens belonging to one server, Emacs knows by the similarity in their
112 names that they share a single keyboard, and it treats them as a single
115 @deffn Command make-frame-on-display display &optional parameters
116 This creates a new frame on display @var{display}, taking the other
117 frame parameters from @var{parameters}. Aside from the @var{display}
118 argument, it is like @code{make-frame} (@pxref{Creating Frames}).
121 @defun x-display-list
122 This returns a list that indicates which X displays Emacs has a
123 connection to. The elements of the list are strings, and each one is
127 @defun x-open-connection display &optional xrm-string
128 This function opens a connection to the X display @var{display}. It
129 does not create a frame on that display, but it permits you to check
130 that communication can be established with that display.
132 The optional argument @var{resource-string}, if not @code{nil}, is a
133 string of resource names and values, in the same format used in the
134 @file{.Xresources} file. The values you specify override the resource
135 values recorded in the X server itself; they apply to all Emacs frames
136 created on this display. Here's an example of what this string might
140 "*BorderWidth: 3\n*InternalBorder: 2\n"
146 @defun x-close-connection display
147 This function closes the connection to display @var{display}. Before
148 you can do this, you must first delete all the frames that were open on
149 that display (@pxref{Deleting Frames}).
152 @node Frame Parameters
153 @section Frame Parameters
155 A frame has many parameters that control its appearance and behavior.
156 Just what parameters a frame has depends on what display mechanism it
159 Frame parameters exist for the sake of window systems. A terminal frame
160 has a few parameters, mostly for compatibility's sake; only the height,
161 width and @code{buffer-predicate} parameters really do something.
164 * Parameter Access:: How to change a frame's parameters.
165 * Initial Parameters:: Specifying frame parameters when you make a frame.
166 * X Frame Parameters:: List of frame parameters.
167 * Size and Position:: Changing the size and position of a frame.
170 @node Parameter Access
171 @subsection Access to Frame Parameters
173 These functions let you read and change the parameter values of a
176 @defun frame-parameters frame
177 The function @code{frame-parameters} returns an alist listing all the
178 parameters of @var{frame} and their values.
181 @defun modify-frame-parameters frame alist
182 This function alters the parameters of frame @var{frame} based on the
183 elements of @var{alist}. Each element of @var{alist} has the form
184 @code{(@var{parm} . @var{value})}, where @var{parm} is a symbol naming a
185 parameter. If you don't mention a parameter in @var{alist}, its value
189 @node Initial Parameters
190 @subsection Initial Frame Parameters
192 You can specify the parameters for the initial startup frame
193 by setting @code{initial-frame-alist} in your @file{.emacs} file.
195 @defvar initial-frame-alist
196 This variable's value is an alist of parameter values used when creating
197 the initial X window frame. Each element has the form:
200 (@var{parameter} . @var{value})
203 Emacs creates the initial frame before it reads your @file{~/.emacs}
204 file. After reading that file, Emacs checks @code{initial-frame-alist},
205 and applies the parameter settings in the altered value to the already
206 created initial frame.
208 If these settings affect the frame geometry and appearance, you'll see
209 the frame appear with the wrong ones and then change to the specified
210 ones. If that bothers you, you can specify the same geometry and
211 appearance with X resources; those do take affect before the frame is
212 created. @xref{Resources X,, X Resources, emacs, The GNU Emacs Manual}.
214 X resource settings typically apply to all frames. If you want to
215 specify some X resources solely for the sake of the initial frame, and
216 you don't want them to apply to subsequent frames, here's how to achieve
217 this. Specify parameters in @code{default-frame-alist} to override the
218 X resources for subsequent frames; then, to prevent these from affecting
219 the initial frame, specify the same parameters in
220 @code{initial-frame-alist} with values that match the X resources.
223 If these parameters specify a separate minibuffer-only frame with
224 @code{(minibuffer . nil)}, and you have not created one, Emacs creates
227 @defvar minibuffer-frame-alist
228 This variable's value is an alist of parameter values used when creating
229 an initial minibuffer-only frame---if such a frame is needed, according
230 to the parameters for the main initial frame.
233 @defvar default-frame-alist
234 This is an alist specifying default values of frame parameters for
235 subsequent Emacs frames (not the initial ones).
238 See also @code{special-display-frame-alist}, in @ref{Choosing Window}.
240 If you use options that specify window appearance when you invoke Emacs,
241 they take effect by adding elements to @code{default-frame-alist}. One
242 exception is @samp{-geometry}, which adds the specified position to
243 @code{initial-frame-alist} instead. @xref{Command Arguments,,, emacs,
244 The GNU Emacs Manual}.
246 @node X Frame Parameters
247 @subsection X Window Frame Parameters
249 Just what parameters a frame has depends on what display mechanism it
250 uses. Here is a table of the parameters of an X window frame; of these,
251 @code{name}, @code{height}, @code{width}, and @code{buffer-predicate}
252 provide meaningful information in non-X frames.
256 The name of the frame. Most window managers display the frame's name in
257 the frame's border, at the top of the frame. If you don't specify a
258 name, and you have more than one frame, Emacs sets the frame name based
259 on the buffer displayed in the frame's selected window.
261 If you specify the frame name explicitly when you create the frame, the
262 name is also used (instead of the name of the Emacs executable) when
263 looking up X resources for the frame.
266 The display on which to open this frame. It should be a string of the
267 form @code{"@var{host}:@var{dpy}.@var{screen}"}, just like the
268 @code{DISPLAY} environment variable.
271 The screen position of the left edge, in pixels, with respect to the
272 left edge of the screen. The value may be a positive number @var{pos},
273 or a list of the form @code{(+ @var{pos})} which permits specifying a
274 negative @var{pos} value.
276 A negative number @minus{}@var{pos}, or a list of the form @code{(-
277 @var{pos})}, actually specifies the position of the right edge of the
278 window with respect to the right edge of the screen. A positive value
279 of @var{pos} counts toward the left. If the parameter is a negative
280 integer @minus{}@var{pos} then @var{pos} is positive!
282 Some window managers ignore program-specified positions. If you want to
283 be sure the position you specify is not ignored, specify a
284 non-@code{nil} value for the @code{user-position} parameter as well.
287 The screen position of the top edge, in pixels, with respect to the
288 top edge of the screen. The value may be a positive number @var{pos},
289 or a list of the form @code{(+ @var{pos})} which permits specifying a
290 negative @var{pos} value.
292 A negative number @minus{}@var{pos}, or a list of the form @code{(-
293 @var{pos})}, actually specifies the position of the bottom edge of the
294 window with respect to the bottom edge of the screen. A positive value
295 of @var{pos} counts toward the top. If the parameter is a negative
296 integer @minus{}@var{pos} then @var{pos} is positive!
298 Some window managers ignore program-specified positions. If you want to
299 be sure the position you specify is not ignored, specify a
300 non-@code{nil} value for the @code{user-position} parameter as well.
303 The screen position of the left edge @emph{of the frame's icon}, in
304 pixels, counting from the left edge of the screen. This takes effect if
305 and when the frame is iconified.
308 The screen position of the top edge @emph{of the frame's icon}, in
309 pixels, counting from the top edge of the screen. This takes effect if
310 and when the frame is iconified.
313 When you create a frame and specify its screen position with the
314 @code{left} and @code{top} parameters, use this parameter to say whether
315 the specified position was user-specified (explicitly requested in some
316 way by a human user) or merely program-specified (chosen by a program).
317 A non-@code{nil} value says the position was user-specified.
319 Window managers generally heed user-specified positions, and some heed
320 program-specified positions too. But many ignore program-specified
321 positions, placing the window in a default fashion or letting the user
322 place it with the mouse. Some window managers, including @code{twm},
323 let the user specify whether to obey program-specified positions or
326 When you call @code{make-frame}, you should specify a non-@code{nil}
327 value for this parameter if the values of the @code{left} and @code{top}
328 parameters represent the user's stated preference; otherwise, use
332 The height of the frame contents, in characters. (To get the height in
333 pixels, call @code{frame-pixel-height}; see @ref{Size and Position}.)
336 The width of the frame contents, in characters. (To get the height in
337 pixels, call @code{frame-pixel-width}; see @ref{Size and Position}.)
340 The number of the X window for the frame.
343 Whether this frame has its own minibuffer. The value @code{t} means
344 yes, @code{nil} means no, @code{only} means this frame is just a
345 minibuffer. If the value is a minibuffer window (in some other frame),
346 the new frame uses that minibuffer.
348 @item buffer-predicate
349 The buffer-predicate function for this frame. The function
350 @code{other-buffer} uses this predicate (from the selected frame) to
351 decide which buffers it should consider, if the predicate is not
352 @code{nil}. It calls the predicate with one arg, a buffer, once for
353 each buffer; if the predicate returns a non-@code{nil} value, it
354 considers that buffer.
357 The name of the font for displaying text in the frame. This is a
361 Whether selecting the frame raises it (non-@code{nil} means yes).
364 Whether deselecting the frame lowers it (non-@code{nil} means yes).
366 @item vertical-scroll-bars
367 Whether the frame has scroll bars for vertical scrolling
368 (non-@code{nil} means yes).
370 @item horizontal-scroll-bars
371 Whether the frame has scroll bars for horizontal scrolling
372 (non-@code{nil} means yes). (Horizontal scroll bars are not currently
375 @item scroll-bar-width
376 The width of the vertical scroll bar, in pixels.
379 The type of icon to use for this frame when it is iconified. If the
380 value is a string, that specifies a file containing a bitmap to use.
381 Any other non-@code{nil} value specifies the default bitmap icon (a
382 picture of a gnu); @code{nil} specifies a text icon.
385 The name to use in the icon for this frame, when and if the icon
386 appears. If this is @code{nil}, the frame's title is used.
388 @item foreground-color
389 The color to use for the image of a character. This is a string; the X
390 server defines the meaningful color names.
392 @item background-color
393 The color to use for the background of characters.
396 The color for the mouse pointer.
399 The color for the cursor that shows point.
402 The color for the border of the frame.
405 The way to display the cursor. The legitimate values are @code{bar},
406 @code{box}, and @code{(bar . @var{width})}. The symbol @code{box}
407 specifies an ordinary black box overlaying the character after point;
408 that is the default. The symbol @code{bar} specifies a vertical bar
409 between characters as the cursor. @code{(bar . @var{width})} specifies
410 a bar @var{width} pixels wide.
413 The width in pixels of the window border.
415 @item internal-border-width
416 The distance in pixels between text and border.
419 If non-@code{nil}, this frame's window is never split automatically.
422 The state of visibility of the frame. There are three possibilities:
423 @code{nil} for invisible, @code{t} for visible, and @code{icon} for
424 iconified. @xref{Visibility of Frames}.
427 The number of lines to allocate at the top of the frame for a menu bar.
428 The default is 1. @xref{Menu Bar}. (In Emacs versions that use the X
429 toolkit, there is only one menu bar line; all that matters about the
430 number you specify is whether it is greater than zero.)
433 @c ??? Not yet working.
434 The X window number of the window that should be the parent of this one.
435 Specifying this lets you create an Emacs window inside some other
436 application's window. (It is not certain this will be implemented; try
437 it and see if it works.)
440 @node Size and Position
441 @subsection Frame Size And Position
443 You can read or change the size and position of a frame using the
444 frame parameters @code{left}, @code{top}, @code{height}, and
445 @code{width}. Whatever geometry parameters you don't specify are chosen
446 by the window manager in its usual fashion.
448 Here are some special features for working with sizes and positions:
450 @defun set-frame-position frame left top
451 This function sets the position of the top left corner of @var{frame} to
452 @var{left} and @var{top}. These arguments are measured in pixels, and
453 count from the top left corner of the screen. Negative parameter values
454 count up or rightward from the top left corner of the screen.
457 @defun frame-height &optional frame
458 @defunx frame-width &optional frame
459 These functions return the height and width of @var{frame}, measured in
460 characters. If you don't supply @var{frame}, they use the selected
464 @defun frame-pixel-height &optional frame
465 @defunx frame-pixel-width &optional frame
466 These functions return the height and width of @var{frame}, measured in
467 pixels. If you don't supply @var{frame}, they use the selected frame.
470 @defun frame-char-height &optional frame
471 @defunx frame-char-width &optional frame
472 These functions return the height and width of a character in
473 @var{frame}, measured in pixels. The values depend on the choice of
474 font. If you don't supply @var{frame}, these functions use the selected
478 @defun set-frame-size frame cols rows
479 This function sets the size of @var{frame}, measured in characters;
480 @var{cols} and @var{rows} specify the new width and height.
482 To set the size based on values measured in pixels, use
483 @code{frame-char-height} and @code{frame-char-width} to convert
484 them to units of characters.
487 The old-fashioned functions @code{set-screen-height} and
488 @code{set-screen-width}, which were used to specify the height and width
489 of the screen in Emacs versions that did not support multiple frames,
490 are still usable. They apply to the selected frame. @xref{Screen
493 @defun x-parse-geometry geom
494 @cindex geometry specification
495 The function @code{x-parse-geometry} converts a standard X windows
496 geometry string to an alist that you can use as part of the argument to
499 The alist describes which parameters were specified in @var{geom}, and
500 gives the values specified for them. Each element looks like
501 @code{(@var{parameter} . @var{value})}. The possible @var{parameter}
502 values are @code{left}, @code{top}, @code{width}, and @code{height}.
504 For the size parameters, the value must be an integer. The position
505 parameter names @code{left} and @code{top} are not totally accurate,
506 because some values indicate the position of the right or bottom edges
507 instead. These are the @var{value} possibilities for the position
512 A positive integer relates the left edge or top edge of the window to
513 the left or top edge of the screen. A negative integer relates the
514 right or bottom edge of the window to the right or bottom edge of the
517 @item @code{(+ @var{position})}
518 This specifies the position of the left or top edge of the window
519 relative to the left or top edge of the screen. The integer
520 @var{position} may be positive or negative; a negative value specifies a
521 position outside the screen.
523 @item @code{(- @var{position})}
524 This specifies the position of the right or bottom edge of the window
525 relative to the right or bottom edge of the screen. The integer
526 @var{position} may be positive or negative; a negative value specifies a
527 position outside the screen.
533 (x-parse-geometry "35x70+0-0")
534 @result{} ((width . 35) (height . 70)
535 (left . 0) (top - 0))
540 New functions @code{set-frame-height} and @code{set-frame-width} set the
541 size of a specified frame. The frame is the first argument; the size is
546 @section Frame Titles
548 Every frame has a title; most window managers display the frame title at
549 the top of the frame. You can specify an explicit title with the
550 @code{name} frame property. But normally you don't specify this
551 explicitly, and Emacs computes the title automatically.
553 Emacs computes the frame title based on a template stored in the
554 variable @code{frame-title-format}.
556 @defvar frame-title-format
557 This variable specifies how to compute a title for a frame
558 when you have not explicitly specified one.
560 The variable's value is actually a mode line construct, just like
561 @code{mode-line-format}. @xref{Mode Line Data}.
564 @defvar icon-title-format
565 This variable specifies how to compute the title for an iconified frame,
566 when you have not explicitly specified the frame title. This title
567 appears in the icon itself.
570 @defvar multiple-frames
571 This variable is set automatically by Emacs. Its value is @code{t} when
572 there are two or more frames (not counting minibuffer-only frames or
573 invisible frames). The default value of @code{frame-title-format} uses
574 @code{multiple-frames} so as to put the buffer name in the frame title
575 only when there is more than one frame.
578 @node Deleting Frames
579 @section Deleting Frames
580 @cindex deletion of frames
582 Frames remain potentially visible until you explicitly @dfn{delete}
583 them. A deleted frame cannot appear on the screen, but continues to
584 exist as a Lisp object until there are no references to it. There is no
585 way to cancel the deletion of a frame aside from restoring a saved frame
586 configuration (@pxref{Frame Configurations}); this is similar to the
589 @deffn Command delete-frame &optional frame
590 This function deletes the frame @var{frame}. By default, @var{frame} is
594 @defun frame-live-p frame
595 The function @code{frame-live-p} returns non-@code{nil} if the frame
596 @var{frame} has not been deleted.
599 Some window managers provide a command to delete a window. These work
600 by sending a special message to the program that operates the window.
601 When Emacs gets one of these commands, it generates a
602 @code{delete-frame} event, whose normal definition is a command that
603 calls the function @code{delete-frame}. @xref{Misc Events}.
605 @node Finding All Frames
606 @section Finding All Frames
609 The function @code{frame-list} returns a list of all the frames that
610 have not been deleted. It is analogous to @code{buffer-list} for
611 buffers. The list that you get is newly created, so modifying the list
612 doesn't have any effect on the internals of Emacs.
615 @defun visible-frame-list
616 This function returns a list of just the currently visible frames.
617 @xref{Visibility of Frames}. (Terminal frames always count as
618 ``visible'', even though only the selected one is actually displayed.)
621 @defun next-frame &optional frame minibuf
622 The function @code{next-frame} lets you cycle conveniently through all
623 the frames from an arbitrary starting point. It returns the ``next''
624 frame after @var{frame} in the cycle. If @var{frame} is omitted or
625 @code{nil}, it defaults to the selected frame.
627 The second argument, @var{minibuf}, says which frames to consider:
631 Exclude minibuffer-only frames.
633 Consider all visible frames.
635 Consider all visible or iconified frames.
637 Consider only the frames using that particular window as their
644 @defun previous-frame &optional frame minibuf
645 Like @code{next-frame}, but cycles through all frames in the opposite
649 See also @code{next-window} and @code{previous-window}, in @ref{Cyclic
652 @node Frames and Windows
653 @section Frames and Windows
655 Each window is part of one and only one frame; you can get the frame
656 with @code{window-frame}.
658 @defun window-frame window
659 This function returns the frame that @var{window} is on.
662 All the non-minibuffer windows in a frame are arranged in a cyclic
663 order. The order runs from the frame's top window, which is at the
664 upper left corner, down and to the right, until it reaches the window at
665 the lower right corner (always the minibuffer window, if the frame has
666 one), and then it moves back to the top.
668 @defun frame-top-window frame
669 This returns the topmost, leftmost window of frame @var{frame}.
672 At any time, exactly one window on any frame is @dfn{selected within the
673 frame}. The significance of this designation is that selecting the
674 frame also selects this window. You can get the frame's current
675 selected window with @code{frame-selected-window}.
677 @defun frame-selected-window frame
678 This function returns the window on @var{frame} that is selected within
682 Conversely, selecting a window for Emacs with @code{select-window} also
683 makes that window selected within its frame. @xref{Selecting Windows}.
685 Another function that (usually) returns one of the windows in a frame is
686 @code{minibuffer-window}. @xref{Minibuffer Misc}.
688 @node Minibuffers and Frames
689 @section Minibuffers and Frames
691 Normally, each frame has its own minibuffer window at the bottom, which
692 is used whenever that frame is selected. If the frame has a minibuffer,
693 you can get it with @code{minibuffer-window} (@pxref{Minibuffer Misc}).
695 However, you can also create a frame with no minibuffer. Such a frame
696 must use the minibuffer window of some other frame. When you create the
697 frame, you can specify explicitly the minibuffer window to use (in some
698 other frame). If you don't, then the minibuffer is found in the frame
699 which is the value of the variable @code{default-minibuffer-frame}. Its
700 value should be a frame that does have a minibuffer.
702 If you use a minibuffer-only frame, you might want that frame to raise
703 when you enter the minibuffer. If so, set the variable
704 @code{minibuffer-auto-raise} to @code{t}. @xref{Raising and Lowering}.
706 @defvar default-minibuffer-frame
707 This variable specifies the frame to use for the minibuffer window, by
708 default. It is always local to the current terminal and cannot be
709 buffer-local. @xref{Multiple Displays}.
715 @cindex selected frame
717 At any time, one frame in Emacs is the @dfn{selected frame}. The selected
718 window always resides on the selected frame.
720 @defun selected-frame
721 This function returns the selected frame.
724 The X server normally directs keyboard input to the X window that the
725 mouse is in. Some window managers use mouse clicks or keyboard events
726 to @dfn{shift the focus} to various X windows, overriding the normal
727 behavior of the server.
729 Lisp programs can switch frames ``temporarily'' by calling
730 the function @code{select-frame}. This does not override the window
731 manager; rather, it escapes from the window manager's control until
732 that control is somehow reasserted.
734 When using a text-only terminal, there is no window manager; therefore,
735 @code{switch-frame} is the only way to switch frames, and the effect
736 lasts until overridden by a subsequent call to @code{switch-frame}.
737 Only the selected terminal frame is actually displayed on the terminal.
738 Each terminal screen except for the initial one has a number, and the
739 number of the selected frame appears in the mode line after the word
740 @samp{Emacs} (@pxref{Mode Line Variables}).
742 @c ??? This is not yet implemented properly.
743 @defun select-frame frame
744 This function selects frame @var{frame}, temporarily disregarding the
745 focus of the X server if any. The selection of @var{frame} lasts until
746 the next time the user does something to select a different frame, or
747 until the next time this function is called.
750 Emacs cooperates with the X server and the window managers by arranging
751 to select frames according to what the server and window manager ask
752 for. It does so by generating a special kind of input event, called a
753 @dfn{focus} event. The command loop handles a focus event by calling
754 @code{handle-switch-frame}. @xref{Focus Events}.
756 @deffn Command handle-switch-frame frame
757 This function handles a focus event by selecting frame @var{frame}.
759 Focus events normally do their job by invoking this command.
760 Don't call it for any other reason.
763 @defun redirect-frame-focus frame focus-frame
764 This function redirects focus from @var{frame} to @var{focus-frame}.
765 This means that @var{focus-frame} will receive subsequent keystrokes
766 intended for @var{frame}. After such an event, the value of
767 @code{last-event-frame} will be @var{focus-frame}. Also, switch-frame
768 events specifying @var{frame} will instead select @var{focus-frame}.
770 If @var{focus-frame} is @code{nil}, that cancels any existing
771 redirection for @var{frame}, which therefore once again receives its own
774 One use of focus redirection is for frames that don't have minibuffers.
775 These frames use minibuffers on other frames. Activating a minibuffer
776 on another frame redirects focus to that frame. This puts the focus on
777 the minibuffer's frame, where it belongs, even though the mouse remains
778 in the frame that activated the minibuffer.
780 Selecting a frame can also change focus redirections. Selecting frame
781 @code{bar}, when @code{foo} had been selected, changes any redirections
782 pointing to @code{foo} so that they point to @code{bar} instead. This
783 allows focus redirection to work properly when the user switches from
784 one frame to another using @code{select-window}.
786 This means that a frame whose focus is redirected to itself is treated
787 differently from a frame whose focus is not redirected.
788 @code{select-frame} affects the former but not the latter.
790 The redirection lasts until @code{redirect-frame-focus} is called to
794 @node Visibility of Frames
795 @section Visibility of Frames
796 @cindex visible frame
797 @cindex invisible frame
798 @cindex iconified frame
799 @cindex frame visibility
801 An X window frame may be @dfn{visible}, @dfn{invisible}, or
802 @dfn{iconified}. If it is visible, you can see its contents. If it is
803 iconified, the frame's contents do not appear on the screen, but an icon
804 does. If the frame is invisible, it doesn't show on the screen, not
807 Visibility is meaningless for terminal frames, since only the selected
808 one is actually displayed in any case.
810 @deffn Command make-frame-visible &optional frame
811 This function makes frame @var{frame} visible. If you omit @var{frame},
812 it makes the selected frame visible.
815 @deffn Command make-frame-invisible &optional frame
816 This function makes frame @var{frame} invisible. If you omit
817 @var{frame}, it makes the selected frame invisible.
820 @deffn Command iconify-frame &optional frame
821 This function iconifies frame @var{frame}. If you omit @var{frame}, it
822 iconifies the selected frame.
825 @defun frame-visible-p frame
826 This returns the visibility status of frame @var{frame}. The value is
827 @code{t} if @var{frame} is visible, @code{nil} if it is invisible, and
828 @code{icon} if it is iconified.
831 The visibility status of a frame is also available as a frame
832 parameter. You can read or change it as such. @xref{X Frame
835 The user can iconify and deiconify frames with the window manager.
836 This happens below the level at which Emacs can exert any control, but
837 Emacs does provide events that you can use to keep track of such
838 changes. @xref{Misc Events}.
840 @node Raising and Lowering
841 @section Raising and Lowering Frames
843 The X Window System uses a desktop metaphor. Part of this metaphor is
844 the idea that windows are stacked in a notional third dimension
845 perpendicular to the screen surface, and thus ordered from ``highest''
846 to ``lowest''. Where two windows overlap, the one higher up covers the
847 one underneath. Even a window at the bottom of the stack can be seen if
848 no other window overlaps it.
850 @cindex raising a frame
851 @cindex lowering a frame
852 A window's place in this ordering is not fixed; in fact, users tend to
853 change the order frequently. @dfn{Raising} a window means moving it
854 ``up'', to the top of the stack. @dfn{Lowering} a window means moving
855 it to the bottom of the stack. This motion is in the notional third
856 dimension only, and does not change the position of the window on the
859 You can raise and lower Emacs's X windows with these functions:
861 @deffn Command raise-frame frame
862 This function raises frame @var{frame}.
865 @deffn Command lower-frame frame
866 This function lowers frame @var{frame}.
869 @defopt minibuffer-auto-raise
870 If this is non-@code{nil}, activation of the minibuffer raises the frame
871 that the minibuffer window is in.
874 You can also enable auto-raise (raising automatically when a frame is
875 selected) or auto-lower (lowering automatically when it is deselected)
876 for any frame using frame parameters. @xref{X Frame Parameters}.
878 @node Frame Configurations
879 @section Frame Configurations
880 @cindex frame configuration
882 A @dfn{frame configuration} records the current arrangement of frames,
883 all their properties, and the window configuration of each one.
885 @defun current-frame-configuration
886 This function returns a frame configuration list that describes
887 the current arrangement of frames and their contents.
890 @defun set-frame-configuration configuration
891 This function restores the state of frames described in
896 @section Mouse Tracking
897 @cindex mouse tracking
898 @cindex tracking the mouse
900 Sometimes it is useful to @dfn{track} the mouse, which means to display
901 something to indicate where the mouse is and move the indicator as the
902 mouse moves. For efficient mouse tracking, you need a way to wait until
903 the mouse actually moves.
905 The convenient way to track the mouse is to ask for events to represent
906 mouse motion. Then you can wait for motion by waiting for an event. In
907 addition, you can easily handle any other sorts of events that may
908 occur. That is useful, because normally you don't want to track the
909 mouse forever---only until some other event, such as the release of a
912 @defspec track-mouse body@dots{}
913 Execute @var{body}, meanwhile generating input events for mouse motion.
914 The code in @var{body} can read these events with @code{read-event} or
915 @code{read-key-sequence}. @xref{Motion Events}, for the format of mouse
918 The value of @code{track-mouse} is that of the last form in @var{body}.
921 The usual purpose of tracking mouse motion is to indicate on the screen
922 the consequences of pushing or releasing a button at the current
925 In many cases, you can avoid the need to track the mouse by using
926 the @code{mouse-face} text property (@pxref{Special Properties}).
927 That works at a much lower level and runs more smoothly than
928 Lisp-level mouse tracking.
931 @c These are not implemented yet.
933 These functions change the screen appearance instantaneously. The
934 effect is transient, only until the next ordinary Emacs redisplay. That
935 is ok for mouse tracking, since it doesn't make sense for mouse tracking
936 to change the text, and the body of @code{track-mouse} normally reads
937 the events itself and does not do redisplay.
939 @defun x-contour-region window beg end
940 This function draws lines to make a box around the text from @var{beg}
941 to @var{end}, in window @var{window}.
944 @defun x-uncontour-region window beg end
945 This function erases the lines that would make a box around the text
946 from @var{beg} to @var{end}, in window @var{window}. Use it to remove
947 a contour that you previously made by calling @code{x-contour-region}.
950 @defun x-draw-rectangle frame left top right bottom
951 This function draws a hollow rectangle on frame @var{frame} with the
952 specified edge coordinates, all measured in pixels from the inside top
953 left corner. It uses the cursor color, the one used for indicating the
957 @defun x-erase-rectangle frame left top right bottom
958 This function erases a hollow rectangle on frame @var{frame} with the
959 specified edge coordinates, all measured in pixels from the inside top
960 left corner. Erasure means redrawing the text and background that
961 normally belong in the specified rectangle.
966 @section Mouse Position
967 @cindex mouse position
968 @cindex position of mouse
970 The functions @code{mouse-position} and @code{set-mouse-position}
971 give access to the current position of the mouse.
973 @defun mouse-position
974 This function returns a description of the position of the mouse. The
975 value looks like @code{(@var{frame} @var{x} . @var{y})}, where @var{x}
976 and @var{y} are integers giving the position in characters relative to
977 the top left corner of the inside of @var{frame}.
980 @defun set-mouse-position frame x y
981 This function @dfn{warps the mouse} to position @var{x}, @var{y} in
982 frame @var{frame}. The arguments @var{x} and @var{y} are integers,
983 giving the position in characters relative to the top left corner of the
984 inside of @var{frame}.
987 @defun mouse-pixel-position
988 This function is like @code{mouse-position} except that it returns
989 coordinates in units of pixels rather than units of characters.
992 @defun set-mouse-pixel-position frame x y
993 This function warps the mouse like @code{set-mouse-position} except that
994 @var{x} and @var{y} are in units of pixels rather than units of
995 characters. These coordinates are not required to be within the frame.
1001 @section Pop-Up Menus
1003 When using X windows, a Lisp program can pop up a menu which the
1004 user can choose from with the mouse.
1006 @defun x-popup-menu position menu
1007 This function displays a pop-up menu and returns an indication of
1008 what selection the user makes.
1010 The argument @var{position} specifies where on the screen to put the
1011 menu. It can be either a mouse button event (which says to put the menu
1012 where the user actuated the button) or a list of this form:
1015 ((@var{xoffset} @var{yoffset}) @var{window})
1019 where @var{xoffset} and @var{yoffset} are coordinates, measured in
1020 pixels, counting from the top left corner of @var{window}'s frame.
1022 If @var{position} is @code{t}, it means to use the current mouse
1023 position. If @var{position} is @code{nil}, it means to precompute the
1024 key binding equivalents for the keymaps specified in @var{menu},
1025 without actually displaying or popping up the menu.
1027 The argument @var{menu} says what to display in the menu. It can be a
1028 keymap or a list of keymaps (@pxref{Menu Keymaps}). Alternatively, it
1029 can have the following form:
1032 (@var{title} @var{pane1} @var{pane2}...)
1036 where each pane is a list of form
1039 (@var{title} (@var{line} . @var{item})...)
1042 Each @var{line} should be a string, and each @var{item} should be the
1043 value to return if that @var{line} is chosen.
1046 @strong{Usage note:} Don't use @code{x-popup-menu} to display a menu if
1047 a prefix key with a menu keymap would do the job. If you use a menu
1048 keymap to implement a menu, @kbd{C-h c} and @kbd{C-h a} can see the
1049 individual items in that menu and provide help for them. If instead you
1050 implement the menu by defining a command that calls @code{x-popup-menu},
1051 the help facilities cannot know what happens inside that command, so
1052 they cannot give any help for the menu's items.
1054 The menu bar mechanism, which lets you switch between submenus by
1055 moving the mouse, cannot look within the definition of a command to see
1056 that it calls @code{x-popup-menu}. Therefore, if you try to implement a
1057 submenu using @code{x-popup-menu}, it cannot work with the menu bar in
1058 an integrated fashion. This is why all menu bar submenus are
1059 implemented with menu keymaps within the parent menu, and never with
1060 @code{x-popup-menu}. @xref{Menu Bar},
1062 If you want a menu bar submenu to have contents that vary, you should
1063 still use a menu keymap to implement it. To make the contents vary, add
1064 a hook function to @code{menu-bar-update-hook} to update the contents of
1065 the menu keymap as necessary.
1068 @section Dialog Boxes
1069 @cindex dialog boxes
1071 A dialog box is a variant of a pop-up menu. It looks a little
1072 different (if Emacs uses an X toolkit), it always appears in the center
1073 of a frame, and it has just one level and one pane. The main use of
1074 dialog boxes is for asking questions that the user can answer with
1075 ``yes'', ``no'', and a few other alternatives. The functions
1076 @code{y-or-n-p} and @code{yes-or-no-p} use dialog boxes instead of the
1077 keyboard, when called from commands invoked by mouse clicks.
1079 @defun x-popup-dialog position contents
1080 This function displays a pop-up dialog box and returns an indication of
1081 what selection the user makes. The argument @var{contents} specifies
1082 the alternatives to offer; it has this format:
1085 (@var{title} (@var{string} . @var{value})@dots{})
1089 which looks like the list that specifies a single pane for
1090 @code{x-popup-menu}.
1092 The return value is @var{value} from the chosen alternative.
1094 An element of the list may be just a string instead of a cons cell
1095 @code{(@var{string} . @var{value})}. That makes a box that cannot
1098 If @code{nil} appears in the list, it separates the left-hand items from
1099 the right-hand items; items that precede the @code{nil} appear on the
1100 left, and items that follow the @code{nil} appear on the right. If you
1101 don't include a @code{nil} in the list, then approximately half the
1102 items appear on each side.
1104 Dialog boxes always appear in the center of a frame; the argument
1105 @var{position} specifies which frame. The possible values are as in
1106 @code{x-popup-menu}, but the precise coordinates don't matter; only the
1109 If your Emacs executable does not use an X toolkit, then it cannot
1110 display a real dialog box; so instead it displays the same items in a
1111 pop-up menu in the center of the frame.
1114 @node Pointer Shapes
1115 @section Pointer Shapes
1116 @cindex pointer shape
1117 @cindex mouse pointer shape
1119 These variables specify which shape to use for the mouse pointer in
1123 @item x-pointer-shape
1124 @vindex x-pointer-shape
1125 This variable specifies the pointer shape to use ordinarily in the Emacs
1128 @item x-sensitive-text-pointer-shape
1129 @vindex x-sensitive-text-pointer-shape
1130 This variable specifies the pointer shape to use when the mouse
1131 is over mouse-sensitive text.
1134 These variables affect newly created frames. They do not normally
1135 affect existing frames; however, if you set the mouse color of a frame,
1136 that also updates its pointer shapes based on the current values of
1137 these variables. @xref{X Frame Parameters}.
1139 The values you can use, to specify either of these pointer shapes, are
1140 defined in the file @file{lisp/term/x-win.el}. Use @kbd{M-x apropos
1141 @key{RET} x-pointer @key{RET}} to see a list of them.
1144 @section X Selections
1145 @cindex selection (for X windows)
1147 The X server records a set of @dfn{selections} which permit transfer of
1148 data between application programs. The various selections are
1149 distinguished by @dfn{selection types}, represented in Emacs by
1150 symbols. X clients including Emacs can read or set the selection for
1153 @defun x-set-selection type data
1154 This function sets a ``selection'' in the X server. It takes two
1155 arguments: a selection type @var{type}, and the value to assign to it,
1156 @var{data}. If @var{data} is @code{nil}, it means to clear out the
1157 selection. Otherwise, @var{data} may be a string, a symbol, an integer
1158 (or a cons of two integers or list of two integers), an overlay, or a
1159 cons of two markers pointing to the same buffer. An overlay or a pair
1160 of markers stands for text in the overlay or between the markers.
1162 The data may also be a vector of valid non-vector selection values.
1164 Each possible @var{type} has its own selection value, which changes
1165 independently. The usual values of @var{type} are @code{PRIMARY} and
1166 @code{SECONDARY}; these are symbols with upper-case names, in accord
1167 with X Window System conventions. The default is @code{PRIMARY}.
1170 @defun x-get-selection &optional type data-type
1171 This function accesses selections set up by Emacs or by other X
1172 clients. It takes two optional arguments, @var{type} and
1173 @var{data-type}. The default for @var{type}, the selection type, is
1176 The @var{data-type} argument specifies the form of data conversion to
1177 use, to convert the raw data obtained from another X client into Lisp
1178 data. Meaningful values include @code{TEXT}, @code{STRING},
1179 @code{TARGETS}, @code{LENGTH}, @code{DELETE}, @code{FILE_NAME},
1180 @code{CHARACTER_POSITION}, @code{LINE_NUMBER}, @code{COLUMN_NUMBER},
1181 @code{OWNER_OS}, @code{HOST_NAME}, @code{USER}, @code{CLASS},
1182 @code{NAME}, @code{ATOM}, and @code{INTEGER}. (These are symbols with
1183 upper-case names in accord with X conventions.) The default for
1184 @var{data-type} is @code{STRING}.
1188 The X server also has a set of numbered @dfn{cut buffers} which can
1189 store text or other data being moved between applications. Cut buffers
1190 are considered obsolete, but Emacs supports them for the sake of X
1191 clients that still use them.
1193 @defun x-get-cut-buffer n
1194 This function returns the contents of cut buffer number @var{n}.
1197 @defun x-set-cut-buffer string
1198 This function stores @var{string} into the first cut buffer (cut buffer
1199 0), moving the other values down through the series of cut buffers, much
1200 like the way successive kills in Emacs move down the kill ring.
1204 @section Color Names
1206 @defun x-color-defined-p color &optional frame
1207 This function reports whether a color name is meaningful. It returns
1208 @code{t} if so; otherwise, @code{nil}. The argument @var{frame} says
1209 which frame's display to ask about; if @var{frame} is omitted or
1210 @code{nil}, the selected frame is used.
1212 Note that this does not tell you whether the display you are using
1213 really supports that color. You can ask for any defined color on any
1214 kind of display, and you will get some result---that is how the X server
1215 works. Here's an approximate way to test whether your display supports
1216 the color @var{color}:
1219 (defun x-color-supported-p (color &optional frame)
1220 (and (x-color-defined-p color frame)
1221 (or (x-display-color-p frame)
1222 (member color '("black" "white"))
1223 (and (> (x-display-planes frame) 1)
1224 (equal color "gray")))))
1228 @defun x-color-values color &optional frame
1229 This function returns a value that describes what @var{color} should
1230 ideally look like. If @var{color} is defined, the value is a list of
1231 three integers, which give the amount of red, the amount of green, and
1232 the amount of blue. Each integer ranges in principle from 0 to 65535,
1233 but in practice no value seems to be above 65280. If @var{color} is not
1234 defined, the value is @code{nil}.
1237 (x-color-values "black")
1239 (x-color-values "white")
1240 @result{} (65280 65280 65280)
1241 (x-color-values "red")
1242 @result{} (65280 0 0)
1243 (x-color-values "pink")
1244 @result{} (65280 49152 51968)
1245 (x-color-values "hungry")
1249 The color values are returned for @var{frame}'s display. If @var{frame}
1250 is omitted or @code{nil}, the information is return for the selected
1255 @section X Resources
1257 @defun x-get-resource attribute class &optional component subclass
1258 The function @code{x-get-resource} retrieves a resource value from the X
1259 Windows defaults database.
1261 Resources are indexed by a combination of a @dfn{key} and a @dfn{class}.
1262 This function searches using a key of the form
1263 @samp{@var{instance}.@var{attribute}} (where @var{instance} is the name
1264 under which Emacs was invoked), and using @samp{Emacs.@var{class}} as
1267 The optional arguments @var{component} and @var{subclass} add to the key
1268 and the class, respectively. You must specify both of them or neither.
1269 If you specify them, the key is
1270 @samp{@var{instance}.@var{component}.@var{attribute}}, and the class is
1271 @samp{Emacs.@var{class}.@var{subclass}}.
1274 @xref{Resources X,, X Resources, emacs, The GNU Emacs Manual}.
1277 @section Data about the X Server
1279 This section describes functions you can use to get information about
1280 the capabilities and origin of an X display that Emacs is using. Each
1281 of these functions lets you specify the display you are interested in:
1282 the @var{display} argument can be either a display name, or a frame
1283 (meaning use the display that frame is on). If you omit the
1284 @var{display} argument, or specify @code{nil}, that means to use the
1285 selected frame's display.
1287 @defun x-display-screens &optional display
1288 This function returns the number of screens associated with the display.
1291 @defun x-server-version &optional display
1292 This function returns the list of version numbers of the X server
1293 running the display.
1296 @defun x-server-vendor &optional display
1297 This function returns the vendor that provided the X server software.
1300 @defun x-display-pixel-height &optional display
1301 This function returns the height of the screen in pixels.
1304 @defun x-display-mm-height &optional display
1305 This function returns the height of the screen in millimeters.
1308 @defun x-display-pixel-width &optional display
1309 This function returns the width of the screen in pixels.
1312 @defun x-display-mm-width &optional display
1313 This function returns the width of the screen in millimeters.
1316 @defun x-display-backing-store &optional display
1317 This function returns the backing store capability of the screen.
1318 Values can be the symbols @code{always}, @code{when-mapped}, or
1322 @defun x-display-save-under &optional display
1323 This function returns non-@code{nil} if the display supports the
1327 @defun x-display-planes &optional display
1328 This function returns the number of planes the display supports.
1331 @defun x-display-visual-class &optional display
1332 This function returns the visual class for the screen. The value is one
1333 of the symbols @code{static-gray}, @code{gray-scale},
1334 @code{static-color}, @code{pseudo-color}, @code{true-color}, and
1335 @code{direct-color}.
1338 @defun x-display-grayscale-p &optional display
1339 This function returns @code{t} if the screen can display shades of gray.
1342 @defun x-display-color-p &optional display
1343 This function returns @code{t} if the screen is a color screen.
1346 @defun x-display-color-cells &optional display
1347 This function returns the number of color cells the screen supports.
1351 @defvar x-no-window-manager
1352 This variable's value is is @code{t} if no X window manager is in use.
1358 The functions @code{x-pixel-width} and @code{x-pixel-height} return the
1359 width and height of an X Window frame, measured in pixels.