2 @c This is part of the GNU Emacs Lisp Reference Manual.
3 @c Copyright (C) 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1998, 1999
4 @c Free Software Foundation, Inc.
5 @c See the file elisp.texi for copying conditions.
6 @setfilename ../info/frames
7 @node Frames, Positions, Windows, Top
11 A @dfn{frame} is a rectangle on the screen that contains one or more
12 Emacs windows. A frame initially contains a single main window (plus
13 perhaps a minibuffer window), which you can subdivide vertically or
14 horizontally into smaller windows.
16 @cindex terminal 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.
22 When Emacs communicates directly with a supported window system, such
23 as X, it does not have a terminal frame; instead, it starts with
24 a single @dfn{window frame}, but you can create more, and Emacs can
25 display several such frames at once as is usual for window systems.
28 This predicate returns a non-@code{nil} value if @var{object} is a
29 frame, and @code{nil} otherwise. For a frame, the value indicates which
30 kind of display the frame uses:
34 The frame is displayed in an X window.
36 A terminal frame on a character display.
38 The frame is displayed on a Macintosh.
40 The frame is displayed on MS-Windows 9X/NT.
42 The frame is displayed on an MS-DOS terminal.
47 * Creating Frames:: Creating additional frames.
48 * Multiple Displays:: Creating frames on other displays.
49 * Frame Parameters:: Controlling frame size, position, font, etc.
50 * Frame Titles:: Automatic updating of frame titles.
51 * Deleting Frames:: Frames last until explicitly deleted.
52 * Finding All Frames:: How to examine all existing frames.
53 * Frames and Windows:: A frame contains windows;
54 display of text always works through windows.
55 * Minibuffers and Frames:: How a frame finds the minibuffer to use.
56 * Input Focus:: Specifying the selected frame.
57 * Visibility of Frames:: Frames may be visible or invisible, or icons.
58 * Raising and Lowering:: Raising a frame makes it hide other windows;
59 lowering it makes the others hide them.
60 * Frame Configurations:: Saving the state of all frames.
61 * Mouse Tracking:: Getting events that say when the mouse moves.
62 * Mouse Position:: Asking where the mouse is, or moving it.
63 * Pop-Up Menus:: Displaying a menu for the user to select from.
64 * Dialog Boxes:: Displaying a box to ask yes or no.
65 * Pointer Shapes:: Specifying the shape of the mouse pointer.
66 * Window System Selections:: Transferring text to and from other X clients.
67 * Color Names:: Getting the definitions of color names.
68 * Text Terminal Colors:: Defining colors for text-only terminals.
69 * Resources:: Getting resource values from the server.
70 * Display Feature Testing:: Determining the features of a terminal.
73 @xref{Display}, for information about the related topic of
74 controlling Emacs redisplay.
77 @section Creating Frames
79 To create a new frame, call the function @code{make-frame}.
81 @defun make-frame &optional alist
82 This function creates a new frame. If you are using a supported window
83 system, it makes a window frame; otherwise, it makes a terminal frame.
85 The argument is an alist specifying frame parameters. Any parameters
86 not mentioned in @var{alist} default according to the value of the
87 variable @code{default-frame-alist}; parameters not specified even there
88 default from the standard X resources or whatever is used instead on
91 The set of possible parameters depends in principle on what kind of
92 window system Emacs uses to display its frames. @xref{Window Frame
93 Parameters}, for documentation of individual parameters you can specify.
96 @defvar before-make-frame-hook
97 A normal hook run by @code{make-frame} before it actually creates the
101 @defvar after-make-frame-functions
102 @tindex after-make-frame-functions
103 An abnormal hook run by @code{make-frame} after it creates the frame.
104 Each function in @code{after-make-frame-functions} receives one argument, the
108 @node Multiple Displays
109 @section Multiple Displays
110 @cindex multiple X displays
111 @cindex displays, multiple
113 A single Emacs can talk to more than one X display.
114 Initially, Emacs uses just one display---the one chosen with the
115 @code{DISPLAY} environment variable or with the @samp{--display} option
116 (@pxref{Initial Options,,, emacs, The GNU Emacs Manual}). To connect to
117 another display, use the command @code{make-frame-on-display} or specify
118 the @code{display} frame parameter when you create the frame.
120 Emacs treats each X server as a separate terminal, giving each one its
121 own selected frame and its own minibuffer windows. However, only one of
122 those frames is ``@emph{the} selected frame'' at any given moment, see
125 A few Lisp variables are @dfn{terminal-local}; that is, they have a
126 separate binding for each terminal. The binding in effect at any time
127 is the one for the terminal that the currently selected frame belongs
128 to. These variables include @code{default-minibuffer-frame},
129 @code{defining-kbd-macro}, @code{last-kbd-macro}, and
130 @code{system-key-alist}. They are always terminal-local, and can never
131 be buffer-local (@pxref{Buffer-Local Variables}) or frame-local.
133 A single X server can handle more than one screen. A display name
134 @samp{@var{host}:@var{server}.@var{screen}} has three parts; the last
135 part specifies the screen number for a given server. When you use two
136 screens belonging to one server, Emacs knows by the similarity in their
137 names that they share a single keyboard, and it treats them as a single
140 @deffn Command make-frame-on-display display &optional parameters
141 This creates a new frame on display @var{display}, taking the other
142 frame parameters from @var{parameters}. Aside from the @var{display}
143 argument, it is like @code{make-frame} (@pxref{Creating Frames}).
146 @defun x-display-list
147 This returns a list that indicates which X displays Emacs has a
148 connection to. The elements of the list are strings, and each one is
152 @defun x-open-connection display &optional xrm-string must-succeed
153 This function opens a connection to the X display @var{display}. It
154 does not create a frame on that display, but it permits you to check
155 that communication can be established with that display.
157 The optional argument @var{xrm-string}, if not @code{nil}, is a
158 string of resource names and values, in the same format used in the
159 @file{.Xresources} file. The values you specify override the resource
160 values recorded in the X server itself; they apply to all Emacs frames
161 created on this display. Here's an example of what this string might
165 "*BorderWidth: 3\n*InternalBorder: 2\n"
170 If @var{must-succeed} is non-@code{nil}, failure to open the connection
171 terminates Emacs. Otherwise, it is an ordinary Lisp error.
174 @defun x-close-connection display
175 This function closes the connection to display @var{display}. Before
176 you can do this, you must first delete all the frames that were open on
177 that display (@pxref{Deleting Frames}).
180 @node Frame Parameters
181 @section Frame Parameters
183 A frame has many parameters that control its appearance and behavior.
184 Just what parameters a frame has depends on what display mechanism it
187 Frame parameters exist mostly for the sake of window systems. A
188 terminal frame has a few parameters, mostly for compatibility's sake;
189 only the @code{height}, @code{width}, @code{name}, @code{title},
190 @code{menu-bar-lines}, @code{buffer-list} and @code{buffer-predicate}
191 parameters do something special. If the terminal supports colors, the
192 parameters @code{foreground-color}, @code{background-color},
193 @code{background-mode} and @code{display-type} are also meaningful.
196 * Parameter Access:: How to change a frame's parameters.
197 * Initial Parameters:: Specifying frame parameters when you make a frame.
198 * Window Frame Parameters:: List of frame parameters for window systems.
199 * Size and Position:: Changing the size and position of a frame.
202 @node Parameter Access
203 @subsection Access to Frame Parameters
205 These functions let you read and change the parameter values of a
208 @defun frame-parameter frame parameter
209 @tindex frame-parameter
210 This function returns the value of the parameter named @var{parameter}
211 of @var{frame}. If @var{frame} is @code{nil}, it returns the
212 selected frame's parameter.
215 @defun frame-parameters frame
216 The function @code{frame-parameters} returns an alist listing all the
217 parameters of @var{frame} and their values.
220 @defun modify-frame-parameters frame alist
221 This function alters the parameters of frame @var{frame} based on the
222 elements of @var{alist}. Each element of @var{alist} has the form
223 @code{(@var{parm} . @var{value})}, where @var{parm} is a symbol naming a
224 parameter. If you don't mention a parameter in @var{alist}, its value
228 @node Initial Parameters
229 @subsection Initial Frame Parameters
231 You can specify the parameters for the initial startup frame
232 by setting @code{initial-frame-alist} in your init file (@pxref{Init File}).
234 @defvar initial-frame-alist
235 This variable's value is an alist of parameter values used when creating
236 the initial window frame. You can set this variable to specify the
237 appearance of the initial frame without altering subsequent frames.
238 Each element has the form:
241 (@var{parameter} . @var{value})
244 Emacs creates the initial frame before it reads your init
245 file. After reading that file, Emacs checks @code{initial-frame-alist},
246 and applies the parameter settings in the altered value to the already
247 created initial frame.
249 If these settings affect the frame geometry and appearance, you'll see
250 the frame appear with the wrong ones and then change to the specified
251 ones. If that bothers you, you can specify the same geometry and
252 appearance with X resources; those do take effect before the frame is
253 created. @xref{Resources X,, X Resources, emacs, The GNU Emacs Manual}.
255 X resource settings typically apply to all frames. If you want to
256 specify some X resources solely for the sake of the initial frame, and
257 you don't want them to apply to subsequent frames, here's how to achieve
258 this. Specify parameters in @code{default-frame-alist} to override the
259 X resources for subsequent frames; then, to prevent these from affecting
260 the initial frame, specify the same parameters in
261 @code{initial-frame-alist} with values that match the X resources.
264 If these parameters specify a separate minibuffer-only frame with
265 @code{(minibuffer . nil)}, and you have not created one, Emacs creates
268 @defvar minibuffer-frame-alist
269 This variable's value is an alist of parameter values used when creating
270 an initial minibuffer-only frame---if such a frame is needed, according
271 to the parameters for the main initial frame.
274 @defvar default-frame-alist
275 This is an alist specifying default values of frame parameters for all
276 Emacs frames---the first frame, and subsequent frames. When using the X
277 Window System, you can get the same results by means of X resources
281 See also @code{special-display-frame-alist}, in @ref{Choosing Window}.
283 If you use options that specify window appearance when you invoke Emacs,
284 they take effect by adding elements to @code{default-frame-alist}. One
285 exception is @samp{-geometry}, which adds the specified position to
286 @code{initial-frame-alist} instead. @xref{Command Arguments,,, emacs,
287 The GNU Emacs Manual}.
289 @node Window Frame Parameters
290 @subsection Window Frame Parameters
292 Just what parameters a frame has depends on what display mechanism it
293 uses. Here is a table of the parameters that have special meanings in a
294 window frame; of these, @code{name}, @code{title}, @code{height},
295 @code{width}, @code{buffer-list} and @code{buffer-predicate} provide
296 meaningful information in terminal frames, and @code{tty-color-mode}
297 is meaningful @emph{only} in terminal frames.
301 The display on which to open this frame. It should be a string of the
302 form @code{"@var{host}:@var{dpy}.@var{screen}"}, just like the
303 @code{DISPLAY} environment variable.
306 If a frame has a non-@code{nil} title, it appears in the window system's
307 border for the frame, and also in the mode line of windows in that frame
308 if @code{mode-line-frame-identification} uses @samp{%F}
309 (@pxref{%-Constructs}). This is normally the case when Emacs is not
310 using a window system, and can only display one frame at a time.
314 The name of the frame. The frame name serves as a default for the frame
315 title, if the @code{title} parameter is unspecified or @code{nil}. If
316 you don't specify a name, Emacs sets the frame name automatically
317 (@pxref{Frame Titles}).
319 If you specify the frame name explicitly when you create the frame, the
320 name is also used (instead of the name of the Emacs executable) when
321 looking up X resources for the frame.
324 The screen position of the left edge, in pixels, with respect to the
325 left edge of the screen. The value may be a positive number @var{pos},
326 or a list of the form @code{(+ @var{pos})} which permits specifying a
327 negative @var{pos} value.
329 A negative number @minus{}@var{pos}, or a list of the form @code{(-
330 @var{pos})}, actually specifies the position of the right edge of the
331 window with respect to the right edge of the screen. A positive value
332 of @var{pos} counts toward the left. @strong{Reminder:} if the
333 parameter is a negative integer @minus{}@var{pos}, then @var{pos} is
336 Some window managers ignore program-specified positions. If you want to
337 be sure the position you specify is not ignored, specify a
338 non-@code{nil} value for the @code{user-position} parameter as well.
341 The screen position of the top edge, in pixels, with respect to the
342 top edge of the screen. The value may be a positive number @var{pos},
343 or a list of the form @code{(+ @var{pos})} which permits specifying a
344 negative @var{pos} value.
346 A negative number @minus{}@var{pos}, or a list of the form @code{(-
347 @var{pos})}, actually specifies the position of the bottom edge of the
348 window with respect to the bottom edge of the screen. A positive value
349 of @var{pos} counts toward the top. @strong{Reminder:} if the
350 parameter is a negative integer @minus{}@var{pos}, then @var{pos} is
353 Some window managers ignore program-specified positions. If you want to
354 be sure the position you specify is not ignored, specify a
355 non-@code{nil} value for the @code{user-position} parameter as well.
358 The screen position of the left edge @emph{of the frame's icon}, in
359 pixels, counting from the left edge of the screen. This takes effect if
360 and when the frame is iconified.
363 The screen position of the top edge @emph{of the frame's icon}, in
364 pixels, counting from the top edge of the screen. This takes effect if
365 and when the frame is iconified.
368 When you create a frame and specify its screen position with the
369 @code{left} and @code{top} parameters, use this parameter to say whether
370 the specified position was user-specified (explicitly requested in some
371 way by a human user) or merely program-specified (chosen by a program).
372 A non-@code{nil} value says the position was user-specified.
374 Window managers generally heed user-specified positions, and some heed
375 program-specified positions too. But many ignore program-specified
376 positions, placing the window in a default fashion or letting the user
377 place it with the mouse. Some window managers, including @code{twm},
378 let the user specify whether to obey program-specified positions or
381 When you call @code{make-frame}, you should specify a non-@code{nil}
382 value for this parameter if the values of the @code{left} and @code{top}
383 parameters represent the user's stated preference; otherwise, use
387 The height of the frame contents, in characters. (To get the height in
388 pixels, call @code{frame-pixel-height}; see @ref{Size and Position}.)
391 The width of the frame contents, in characters. (To get the height in
392 pixels, call @code{frame-pixel-width}; see @ref{Size and Position}.)
395 Specify that width, height or both shall be set to the size of the screen.
396 The value @code{fullwidth} specifies that width shall be the size of the
397 screen. The value @code{fullheight} specifies that height shall be the
398 size of the screen. The value @code{fullboth} specifies that both the
399 width and the height shall be set to the size of the screen.
402 The number of the window-system window used by the frame
403 to contain the actual Emacs windows.
405 @item outer-window-id
406 The number of the outermost window-system window used for the whole frame.
409 Whether this frame has its own minibuffer. The value @code{t} means
410 yes, @code{nil} means no, @code{only} means this frame is just a
411 minibuffer. If the value is a minibuffer window (in some other frame),
412 the new frame uses that minibuffer.
414 @item buffer-predicate
415 The buffer-predicate function for this frame. The function
416 @code{other-buffer} uses this predicate (from the selected frame) to
417 decide which buffers it should consider, if the predicate is not
418 @code{nil}. It calls the predicate with one argument, a buffer, once for
419 each buffer; if the predicate returns a non-@code{nil} value, it
420 considers that buffer.
423 A list of buffers that have been selected in this frame,
424 ordered most-recently-selected first.
427 The name of the font for displaying text in the frame. This is a
428 string, either a valid font name for your system or the name of an Emacs
429 fontset (@pxref{Fontsets}). Changing this frame parameter on a frame
430 also changes the font-related attributes of the default face on that
434 Whether selecting the frame raises it (non-@code{nil} means yes).
437 Whether deselecting the frame lowers it (non-@code{nil} means yes).
439 @item vertical-scroll-bars
440 Whether the frame has scroll bars for vertical scrolling, and which side
441 of the frame they should be on. The possible values are @code{left},
442 @code{right}, and @code{nil} for no scroll bars.
444 @item horizontal-scroll-bars
445 Whether the frame has scroll bars for horizontal scrolling
446 (non-@code{nil} means yes). (Horizontal scroll bars are not currently
449 @item scroll-bar-width
450 The width of the vertical scroll bar, in pixels.
453 The type of icon to use for this frame when it is iconified. If the
454 value is a string, that specifies a file containing a bitmap to use.
455 Any other non-@code{nil} value specifies the default bitmap icon (a
456 picture of a gnu); @code{nil} specifies a text icon.
459 The name to use in the icon for this frame, when and if the icon
460 appears. If this is @code{nil}, the frame's title is used.
462 @item foreground-color
463 The color to use for the image of a character. This is a string; the
464 window system defines the meaningful color names. Changing this
465 parameter is equivalent to changing the foreground color of the face
466 @code{default} on the frame in question.
468 @item background-color
469 The color to use for the background of characters. Changing this
470 parameter is equivalent to changing the foreground color of the face
471 @code{default} on the frame in question.
473 @item background-mode
474 This parameter is either @code{dark} or @code{light}, according
475 to whether the background color is a light one or a dark one.
478 The color for the mouse pointer. Changing this parameter is equivalent
479 to changing the background color of face @code{mouse}.
482 The color for the cursor that shows point. Changing this parameter is
483 equivalent to changing the background color of face @code{cursor}.
486 The color for the border of the frame. Changing this parameter is
487 equivalent to changing the background color of face @code{border}.
490 @cindex standard colors for character terminals
491 This parameter overrides the terminal's color support as given by the
492 system's terminal capabilities database in that this parameter's value
493 specifies the color mode to use in terminal frames. The value can be
494 either a symbol or a number. A number specifies the number of colors
495 to use (and, indirectly, what commands to issue to produce each
496 color). For example, @code{(tty-color-mode . 8)} forces Emacs to use
497 the ANSI escape sequences for 8 standard text colors; and a value of
498 -1 means Emacs should turn off color support. If the parameter's
499 value is a symbol, that symbol is looked up in the alist
500 @code{tty-color-mode-alist}, and if found, the associated number is
501 used as the color support mode.
503 @item scroll-bar-foreground
504 If non-@code{nil}, the color for the foreground of scroll bars.
505 Changing this parameter is equivalent to setting the foreground color of
506 face @code{scroll-bar}.
508 @item scroll-bar-background
509 If non-@code{nil}, the color for the background of scroll bars.
510 Changing this parameter is equivalent to setting the background color of
511 face @code{scroll-bar}.
514 This parameter describes the range of possible colors that can be used
515 in this frame. Its value is @code{color}, @code{grayscale} or
519 The way to display the cursor. The legitimate values are @code{bar},
520 @code{box}, and @code{(bar . @var{width})}. The symbol @code{box}
521 specifies an ordinary black box overlaying the character after point;
522 that is the default. The symbol @code{bar} specifies a vertical bar
523 between characters as the cursor. @code{(bar . @var{width})} specifies
524 a bar @var{width} pixels wide.
527 The buffer-local variable @code{cursor-type} overrides the value of
528 the @code{cursor-type} frame parameter, and can in addition have
529 values @code{t} (use the cursor specified for the frame) and
530 @code{nil} (don't display a cursor).
533 The width in pixels of the window border.
535 @item internal-border-width
536 The distance in pixels between text and border.
539 If non-@code{nil}, this frame's window is never split automatically.
542 The state of visibility of the frame. There are three possibilities:
543 @code{nil} for invisible, @code{t} for visible, and @code{icon} for
544 iconified. @xref{Visibility of Frames}.
547 The number of lines to allocate at the top of the frame for a menu bar.
548 The default is 1. @xref{Menu Bar}. (In Emacs versions that use the X
549 toolkit, there is only one menu bar line; all that matters about the
550 number you specify is whether it is greater than zero.)
553 @cindex gamma correction
554 If this is a number, Emacs performs ``gamma correction'' which adjusts
555 the brightness of all colors. The value should be the screen gamma of
556 your display, a floating point number.
558 Usual PC monitors have a screen gamma of 2.2, so color values in
559 Emacs, and in X windows generally, are calibrated to display properly
560 on a monitor with that gamma value. If you specify 2.2 for
561 @code{screen-gamma}, that means no correction is needed. Other values
562 request correction, designed to make the corrected colors appear on
563 your screen they way they would have appeared without correction on an
564 ordinary monitor with a gamma value of 2.2.
566 If your monitor displays colors too light, you should specify a
567 @code{screen-gamma} value smaller than 2.2. This requests correction
568 that makes colors darker. A screen gamma value of 1.5 may give good
569 results for LCD color displays.
572 The number of lines to use for the toolbar. A value of @code{nil} means
573 don't display a tool bar.
576 Additional space put below text lines in pixels (a positive integer).
580 @c ??? Not yet working.
581 The X window number of the window that should be the parent of this one.
582 Specifying this lets you create an Emacs window inside some other
583 application's window. (It is not certain this will be implemented; try
584 it and see if it works.)
588 @node Size and Position
589 @subsection Frame Size And Position
590 @cindex size of frame
595 You can read or change the size and position of a frame using the
596 frame parameters @code{left}, @code{top}, @code{height}, and
597 @code{width}. Whatever geometry parameters you don't specify are chosen
598 by the window manager in its usual fashion.
600 Here are some special features for working with sizes and positions.
601 (For the precise meaning of ``selected frame'' used by these functions,
602 see @ref{Input Focus}.)
604 @defun set-frame-position frame left top
605 This function sets the position of the top left corner of @var{frame} to
606 @var{left} and @var{top}. These arguments are measured in pixels, and
607 normally count from the top left corner of the screen.
609 Negative parameter values position the bottom edge of the window up from
610 the bottom edge of the screen, or the right window edge to the left of
611 the right edge of the screen. It would probably be better if the values
612 were always counted from the left and top, so that negative arguments
613 would position the frame partly off the top or left edge of the screen,
614 but it seems inadvisable to change that now.
617 @defun frame-height &optional frame
618 @defunx frame-width &optional frame
619 These functions return the height and width of @var{frame}, measured in
620 lines and columns. If you don't supply @var{frame}, they use the
626 These functions are old aliases for @code{frame-height} and
627 @code{frame-width}. When you are using a non-window terminal, the size
628 of the frame is normally the same as the size of the terminal screen.
631 @defun frame-pixel-height &optional frame
632 @defunx frame-pixel-width &optional frame
633 These functions return the height and width of @var{frame}, measured in
634 pixels. If you don't supply @var{frame}, they use the selected frame.
637 @defun frame-char-height &optional frame
638 @defunx frame-char-width &optional frame
639 These functions return the height and width of a character in
640 @var{frame}, measured in pixels. The values depend on the choice of
641 font. If you don't supply @var{frame}, these functions use the selected
645 @defun set-frame-size frame cols rows
646 This function sets the size of @var{frame}, measured in characters;
647 @var{cols} and @var{rows} specify the new width and height.
649 To set the size based on values measured in pixels, use
650 @code{frame-char-height} and @code{frame-char-width} to convert
651 them to units of characters.
654 @defun set-frame-height frame lines &optional pretend
655 This function resizes @var{frame} to a height of @var{lines} lines. The
656 sizes of existing windows in @var{frame} are altered proportionally to
659 If @var{pretend} is non-@code{nil}, then Emacs displays @var{lines}
660 lines of output in @var{frame}, but does not change its value for the
661 actual height of the frame. This is only useful for a terminal frame.
662 Using a smaller height than the terminal actually implements may be
663 useful to reproduce behavior observed on a smaller screen, or if the
664 terminal malfunctions when using its whole screen. Setting the frame
665 height ``for real'' does not always work, because knowing the correct
666 actual size may be necessary for correct cursor positioning on a
670 @defun set-frame-width frame width &optional pretend
671 This function sets the width of @var{frame}, measured in characters.
672 The argument @var{pretend} has the same meaning as in
673 @code{set-frame-height}.
676 @findex set-screen-height
677 @findex set-screen-width
678 The older functions @code{set-screen-height} and
679 @code{set-screen-width} were used to specify the height and width of the
680 screen, in Emacs versions that did not support multiple frames. They
681 are semi-obsolete, but still work; they apply to the selected frame.
683 @defun x-parse-geometry geom
684 @cindex geometry specification
685 The function @code{x-parse-geometry} converts a standard X window
686 geometry string to an alist that you can use as part of the argument to
689 The alist describes which parameters were specified in @var{geom}, and
690 gives the values specified for them. Each element looks like
691 @code{(@var{parameter} . @var{value})}. The possible @var{parameter}
692 values are @code{left}, @code{top}, @code{width}, and @code{height}.
694 For the size parameters, the value must be an integer. The position
695 parameter names @code{left} and @code{top} are not totally accurate,
696 because some values indicate the position of the right or bottom edges
697 instead. These are the @var{value} possibilities for the position
702 A positive integer relates the left edge or top edge of the window to
703 the left or top edge of the screen. A negative integer relates the
704 right or bottom edge of the window to the right or bottom edge of the
707 @item @code{(+ @var{position})}
708 This specifies the position of the left or top edge of the window
709 relative to the left or top edge of the screen. The integer
710 @var{position} may be positive or negative; a negative value specifies a
711 position outside the screen.
713 @item @code{(- @var{position})}
714 This specifies the position of the right or bottom edge of the window
715 relative to the right or bottom edge of the screen. The integer
716 @var{position} may be positive or negative; a negative value specifies a
717 position outside the screen.
723 (x-parse-geometry "35x70+0-0")
724 @result{} ((height . 70) (width . 35)
725 (top - 0) (left . 0))
730 @section Frame Titles
732 Every frame has a @code{name} parameter; this serves as the default
733 for the frame title which window systems typically display at the top of
734 the frame. You can specify a name explicitly by setting the @code{name}
737 Normally you don't specify the name explicitly, and Emacs computes the
738 frame name automatically based on a template stored in the variable
739 @code{frame-title-format}. Emacs recomputes the name each time the
740 frame is redisplayed.
742 @defvar frame-title-format
743 This variable specifies how to compute a name for a frame when you have
744 not explicitly specified one. The variable's value is actually a mode
745 line construct, just like @code{mode-line-format}. @xref{Mode Line
749 @defvar icon-title-format
750 This variable specifies how to compute the name for an iconified frame,
751 when you have not explicitly specified the frame title. This title
752 appears in the icon itself.
755 @defvar multiple-frames
756 This variable is set automatically by Emacs. Its value is @code{t} when
757 there are two or more frames (not counting minibuffer-only frames or
758 invisible frames). The default value of @code{frame-title-format} uses
759 @code{multiple-frames} so as to put the buffer name in the frame title
760 only when there is more than one frame.
763 @node Deleting Frames
764 @section Deleting Frames
765 @cindex deletion of frames
767 Frames remain potentially visible until you explicitly @dfn{delete}
768 them. A deleted frame cannot appear on the screen, but continues to
769 exist as a Lisp object until there are no references to it. There is no
770 way to cancel the deletion of a frame aside from restoring a saved frame
771 configuration (@pxref{Frame Configurations}); this is similar to the
774 @deffn Command delete-frame &optional frame force
775 @vindex delete-frame-hook
776 This function deletes the frame @var{frame} after running the hook
777 @code{delete-frame-hook}. By default, @var{frame} is the selected
780 A frame cannot be deleted if its minibuffer is used by other frames.
781 Normally, you cannot delete a frame if all other frames are invisible,
782 but if the @var{force} is non-@code{nil}, then you are allowed to do so.
785 @defun frame-live-p frame
786 The function @code{frame-live-p} returns non-@code{nil} if the frame
787 @var{frame} has not been deleted.
790 Some window managers provide a command to delete a window. These work
791 by sending a special message to the program that operates the window.
792 When Emacs gets one of these commands, it generates a
793 @code{delete-frame} event, whose normal definition is a command that
794 calls the function @code{delete-frame}. @xref{Misc Events}.
796 @node Finding All Frames
797 @section Finding All Frames
800 The function @code{frame-list} returns a list of all the frames that
801 have not been deleted. It is analogous to @code{buffer-list} for
802 buffers, and includes frames on all terminals. The list that you get is
803 newly created, so modifying the list doesn't have any effect on the
807 @defun visible-frame-list
808 This function returns a list of just the currently visible frames.
809 @xref{Visibility of Frames}. (Terminal frames always count as
810 ``visible'', even though only the selected one is actually displayed.)
813 @defun next-frame &optional frame minibuf
814 The function @code{next-frame} lets you cycle conveniently through all
815 the frames on the current display from an arbitrary starting point. It
816 returns the ``next'' frame after @var{frame} in the cycle. If
817 @var{frame} is omitted or @code{nil}, it defaults to the selected frame
818 (@pxref{Input Focus}).
820 The second argument, @var{minibuf}, says which frames to consider:
824 Exclude minibuffer-only frames.
826 Consider all visible frames.
828 Consider all visible or iconified frames.
830 Consider only the frames using that particular window as their
837 @defun previous-frame &optional frame minibuf
838 Like @code{next-frame}, but cycles through all frames in the opposite
842 See also @code{next-window} and @code{previous-window}, in @ref{Cyclic
845 @node Frames and Windows
846 @section Frames and Windows
848 Each window is part of one and only one frame; you can get the frame
849 with @code{window-frame}.
851 @defun window-frame window
852 This function returns the frame that @var{window} is on.
855 All the non-minibuffer windows in a frame are arranged in a cyclic
856 order. The order runs from the frame's top window, which is at the
857 upper left corner, down and to the right, until it reaches the window at
858 the lower right corner (always the minibuffer window, if the frame has
859 one), and then it moves back to the top. @xref{Cyclic Window Ordering}.
861 @defun frame-first-window frame
862 This returns the topmost, leftmost window of frame @var{frame}.
865 At any time, exactly one window on any frame is @dfn{selected within the
866 frame}. The significance of this designation is that selecting the
867 frame also selects this window. You can get the frame's current
868 selected window with @code{frame-selected-window}.
870 @defun frame-selected-window frame
871 This function returns the window on @var{frame} that is selected within
875 Conversely, selecting a window for Emacs with @code{select-window} also
876 makes that window selected within its frame. @xref{Selecting Windows}.
878 Another function that (usually) returns one of the windows in a given
879 frame is @code{minibuffer-window}. @xref{Minibuffer Misc}.
881 @node Minibuffers and Frames
882 @section Minibuffers and Frames
884 Normally, each frame has its own minibuffer window at the bottom, which
885 is used whenever that frame is selected. If the frame has a minibuffer,
886 you can get it with @code{minibuffer-window} (@pxref{Minibuffer Misc}).
888 However, you can also create a frame with no minibuffer. Such a frame
889 must use the minibuffer window of some other frame. When you create the
890 frame, you can specify explicitly the minibuffer window to use (in some
891 other frame). If you don't, then the minibuffer is found in the frame
892 which is the value of the variable @code{default-minibuffer-frame}. Its
893 value should be a frame that does have a minibuffer.
895 If you use a minibuffer-only frame, you might want that frame to raise
896 when you enter the minibuffer. If so, set the variable
897 @code{minibuffer-auto-raise} to @code{t}. @xref{Raising and Lowering}.
899 @defvar default-minibuffer-frame
900 This variable specifies the frame to use for the minibuffer window, by
901 default. It is always local to the current terminal and cannot be
902 buffer-local. @xref{Multiple Displays}.
908 @cindex selected frame
910 At any time, one frame in Emacs is the @dfn{selected frame}. The selected
911 window always resides on the selected frame.
913 When Emacs displays its frames on several terminals (@pxref{Multiple
914 Displays}), each terminal has its own selected frame. But only one of
915 these is ``@emph{the} selected frame'': it's the frame that belongs to
916 the terminal from which the most recent input came. That is, when Emacs
917 runs a command that came from a certain terminal, the selected frame is
918 the one of that terminal. Since Emacs runs only a single command at any
919 given time, it needs to consider only one selected frame at a time; this
920 frame is what we call @dfn{the selected frame} in this manual. The
921 display on which the selected frame is displayed is the @dfn{selected
924 @defun selected-frame
925 This function returns the selected frame.
928 Some window systems and window managers direct keyboard input to the
929 window object that the mouse is in; others require explicit clicks or
930 commands to @dfn{shift the focus} to various window objects. Either
931 way, Emacs automatically keeps track of which frame has the focus.
933 Lisp programs can also switch frames ``temporarily'' by calling the
934 function @code{select-frame}. This does not alter the window system's
935 concept of focus; rather, it escapes from the window manager's control
936 until that control is somehow reasserted.
938 When using a text-only terminal, only the selected terminal frame is
939 actually displayed on the terminal. @code{switch-frame} is the only way
940 to switch frames, and the change lasts until overridden by a subsequent
941 call to @code{switch-frame}. Each terminal screen except for the
942 initial one has a number, and the number of the selected frame appears
943 in the mode line before the buffer name (@pxref{Mode Line Variables}).
945 @c ??? This is not yet implemented properly.
946 @defun select-frame frame
947 This function selects frame @var{frame}, temporarily disregarding the
948 focus of the X server if any. The selection of @var{frame} lasts until
949 the next time the user does something to select a different frame, or
950 until the next time this function is called. The specified @var{frame}
951 becomes the selected frame, as explained above, and the terminal that
952 @var{frame} is on becomes the selected terminal.
954 In general, you should never use @code{select-frame} in a way that could
955 switch to a different terminal without switching back when you're done.
958 Emacs cooperates with the window system by arranging to select frames as
959 the server and window manager request. It does so by generating a
960 special kind of input event, called a @dfn{focus} event, when
961 appropriate. The command loop handles a focus event by calling
962 @code{handle-switch-frame}. @xref{Focus Events}.
964 @deffn Command handle-switch-frame frame
965 This function handles a focus event by selecting frame @var{frame}.
967 Focus events normally do their job by invoking this command.
968 Don't call it for any other reason.
971 @defun redirect-frame-focus frame focus-frame
972 This function redirects focus from @var{frame} to @var{focus-frame}.
973 This means that @var{focus-frame} will receive subsequent keystrokes and
974 events intended for @var{frame}. After such an event, the value of
975 @code{last-event-frame} will be @var{focus-frame}. Also, switch-frame
976 events specifying @var{frame} will instead select @var{focus-frame}.
978 If @var{focus-frame} is @code{nil}, that cancels any existing
979 redirection for @var{frame}, which therefore once again receives its own
982 One use of focus redirection is for frames that don't have minibuffers.
983 These frames use minibuffers on other frames. Activating a minibuffer
984 on another frame redirects focus to that frame. This puts the focus on
985 the minibuffer's frame, where it belongs, even though the mouse remains
986 in the frame that activated the minibuffer.
988 Selecting a frame can also change focus redirections. Selecting frame
989 @code{bar}, when @code{foo} had been selected, changes any redirections
990 pointing to @code{foo} so that they point to @code{bar} instead. This
991 allows focus redirection to work properly when the user switches from
992 one frame to another using @code{select-window}.
994 This means that a frame whose focus is redirected to itself is treated
995 differently from a frame whose focus is not redirected.
996 @code{select-frame} affects the former but not the latter.
998 The redirection lasts until @code{redirect-frame-focus} is called to
1002 @defopt focus-follows-mouse
1003 This option is how you inform Emacs whether the window manager transfers
1004 focus when the user moves the mouse. Non-@code{nil} says that it does.
1005 When this is so, the command @code{other-frame} moves the mouse to a
1006 position consistent with the new selected frame.
1009 @node Visibility of Frames
1010 @section Visibility of Frames
1011 @cindex visible frame
1012 @cindex invisible frame
1013 @cindex iconified frame
1014 @cindex frame visibility
1016 A window frame may be @dfn{visible}, @dfn{invisible}, or
1017 @dfn{iconified}. If it is visible, you can see its contents. If it is
1018 iconified, the frame's contents do not appear on the screen, but an icon
1019 does. If the frame is invisible, it doesn't show on the screen, not
1022 Visibility is meaningless for terminal frames, since only the selected
1023 one is actually displayed in any case.
1025 @deffn Command make-frame-visible &optional frame
1026 This function makes frame @var{frame} visible. If you omit @var{frame},
1027 it makes the selected frame visible.
1030 @deffn Command make-frame-invisible &optional frame
1031 This function makes frame @var{frame} invisible. If you omit
1032 @var{frame}, it makes the selected frame invisible.
1035 @deffn Command iconify-frame &optional frame
1036 This function iconifies frame @var{frame}. If you omit @var{frame}, it
1037 iconifies the selected frame.
1040 @defun frame-visible-p frame
1041 This returns the visibility status of frame @var{frame}. The value is
1042 @code{t} if @var{frame} is visible, @code{nil} if it is invisible, and
1043 @code{icon} if it is iconified.
1046 The visibility status of a frame is also available as a frame
1047 parameter. You can read or change it as such. @xref{Window Frame
1050 The user can iconify and deiconify frames with the window manager.
1051 This happens below the level at which Emacs can exert any control, but
1052 Emacs does provide events that you can use to keep track of such
1053 changes. @xref{Misc Events}.
1055 @node Raising and Lowering
1056 @section Raising and Lowering Frames
1058 Most window systems use a desktop metaphor. Part of this metaphor is
1059 the idea that windows are stacked in a notional third dimension
1060 perpendicular to the screen surface, and thus ordered from ``highest''
1061 to ``lowest''. Where two windows overlap, the one higher up covers
1062 the one underneath. Even a window at the bottom of the stack can be
1063 seen if no other window overlaps it.
1065 @cindex raising a frame
1066 @cindex lowering a frame
1067 A window's place in this ordering is not fixed; in fact, users tend
1068 to change the order frequently. @dfn{Raising} a window means moving
1069 it ``up'', to the top of the stack. @dfn{Lowering} a window means
1070 moving it to the bottom of the stack. This motion is in the notional
1071 third dimension only, and does not change the position of the window
1074 You can raise and lower Emacs frame Windows with these functions:
1076 @deffn Command raise-frame &optional frame
1077 This function raises frame @var{frame} (default, the selected frame).
1080 @deffn Command lower-frame &optional frame
1081 This function lowers frame @var{frame} (default, the selected frame).
1084 @defopt minibuffer-auto-raise
1085 If this is non-@code{nil}, activation of the minibuffer raises the frame
1086 that the minibuffer window is in.
1089 You can also enable auto-raise (raising automatically when a frame is
1090 selected) or auto-lower (lowering automatically when it is deselected)
1091 for any frame using frame parameters. @xref{Window Frame Parameters}.
1093 @node Frame Configurations
1094 @section Frame Configurations
1095 @cindex frame configuration
1097 A @dfn{frame configuration} records the current arrangement of frames,
1098 all their properties, and the window configuration of each one.
1099 (@xref{Window Configurations}.)
1101 @defun current-frame-configuration
1102 This function returns a frame configuration list that describes
1103 the current arrangement of frames and their contents.
1106 @defun set-frame-configuration configuration &optional nodelete
1107 This function restores the state of frames described in
1108 @var{configuration}.
1110 Ordinarily, this function deletes all existing frames not listed in
1111 @var{configuration}. But if @var{nodelete} is non-@code{nil}, the
1112 unwanted frames are iconified instead.
1115 @node Mouse Tracking
1116 @section Mouse Tracking
1117 @cindex mouse tracking
1118 @cindex tracking the mouse
1120 Sometimes it is useful to @dfn{track} the mouse, which means to display
1121 something to indicate where the mouse is and move the indicator as the
1122 mouse moves. For efficient mouse tracking, you need a way to wait until
1123 the mouse actually moves.
1125 The convenient way to track the mouse is to ask for events to represent
1126 mouse motion. Then you can wait for motion by waiting for an event. In
1127 addition, you can easily handle any other sorts of events that may
1128 occur. That is useful, because normally you don't want to track the
1129 mouse forever---only until some other event, such as the release of a
1132 @defspec track-mouse body@dots{}
1133 This special form executes @var{body}, with generation of mouse motion
1134 events enabled. Typically @var{body} would use @code{read-event} to
1135 read the motion events and modify the display accordingly. @xref{Motion
1136 Events}, for the format of mouse motion events.
1138 The value of @code{track-mouse} is that of the last form in @var{body}.
1139 You should design @var{body} to return when it sees the up-event that
1140 indicates the release of the button, or whatever kind of event means
1141 it is time to stop tracking.
1144 The usual purpose of tracking mouse motion is to indicate on the screen
1145 the consequences of pushing or releasing a button at the current
1148 In many cases, you can avoid the need to track the mouse by using
1149 the @code{mouse-face} text property (@pxref{Special Properties}).
1150 That works at a much lower level and runs more smoothly than
1151 Lisp-level mouse tracking.
1154 @c These are not implemented yet.
1156 These functions change the screen appearance instantaneously. The
1157 effect is transient, only until the next ordinary Emacs redisplay. That
1158 is OK for mouse tracking, since it doesn't make sense for mouse tracking
1159 to change the text, and the body of @code{track-mouse} normally reads
1160 the events itself and does not do redisplay.
1162 @defun x-contour-region window beg end
1163 This function draws lines to make a box around the text from @var{beg}
1164 to @var{end}, in window @var{window}.
1167 @defun x-uncontour-region window beg end
1168 This function erases the lines that would make a box around the text
1169 from @var{beg} to @var{end}, in window @var{window}. Use it to remove
1170 a contour that you previously made by calling @code{x-contour-region}.
1173 @defun x-draw-rectangle frame left top right bottom
1174 This function draws a hollow rectangle on frame @var{frame} with the
1175 specified edge coordinates, all measured in pixels from the inside top
1176 left corner. It uses the cursor color, the one used for indicating the
1180 @defun x-erase-rectangle frame left top right bottom
1181 This function erases a hollow rectangle on frame @var{frame} with the
1182 specified edge coordinates, all measured in pixels from the inside top
1183 left corner. Erasure means redrawing the text and background that
1184 normally belong in the specified rectangle.
1188 @node Mouse Position
1189 @section Mouse Position
1190 @cindex mouse position
1191 @cindex position of mouse
1193 The functions @code{mouse-position} and @code{set-mouse-position}
1194 give access to the current position of the mouse.
1196 @defun mouse-position
1197 This function returns a description of the position of the mouse. The
1198 value looks like @code{(@var{frame} @var{x} . @var{y})}, where @var{x}
1199 and @var{y} are integers giving the position in characters relative to
1200 the top left corner of the inside of @var{frame}.
1203 @defvar mouse-position-function
1204 If non-@code{nil}, the value of this variable is a function for
1205 @code{mouse-position} to call. @code{mouse-position} calls this
1206 function just before returning, with its normal return value as the
1207 sole argument, and it returns whatever this function returns to it.
1209 This abnormal hook exists for the benefit of packages like
1210 @file{xt-mouse.el} that need to do mouse handling at the Lisp level.
1213 @defun set-mouse-position frame x y
1214 This function @dfn{warps the mouse} to position @var{x}, @var{y} in
1215 frame @var{frame}. The arguments @var{x} and @var{y} are integers,
1216 giving the position in characters relative to the top left corner of the
1217 inside of @var{frame}. If @var{frame} is not visible, this function
1218 does nothing. The return value is not significant.
1221 @defun mouse-pixel-position
1222 This function is like @code{mouse-position} except that it returns
1223 coordinates in units of pixels rather than units of characters.
1226 @defun set-mouse-pixel-position frame x y
1227 This function warps the mouse like @code{set-mouse-position} except that
1228 @var{x} and @var{y} are in units of pixels rather than units of
1229 characters. These coordinates are not required to be within the frame.
1231 If @var{frame} is not visible, this function does nothing. The return
1232 value is not significant.
1238 @section Pop-Up Menus
1240 When using a window system, a Lisp program can pop up a menu so that
1241 the user can choose an alternative with the mouse.
1243 @defun x-popup-menu position menu
1244 This function displays a pop-up menu and returns an indication of
1245 what selection the user makes.
1247 The argument @var{position} specifies where on the screen to put the
1248 menu. It can be either a mouse button event (which says to put the menu
1249 where the user actuated the button) or a list of this form:
1252 ((@var{xoffset} @var{yoffset}) @var{window})
1256 where @var{xoffset} and @var{yoffset} are coordinates, measured in
1257 pixels, counting from the top left corner of @var{window}'s frame.
1259 If @var{position} is @code{t}, it means to use the current mouse
1260 position. If @var{position} is @code{nil}, it means to precompute the
1261 key binding equivalents for the keymaps specified in @var{menu},
1262 without actually displaying or popping up the menu.
1264 The argument @var{menu} says what to display in the menu. It can be a
1265 keymap or a list of keymaps (@pxref{Menu Keymaps}). Alternatively, it
1266 can have the following form:
1269 (@var{title} @var{pane1} @var{pane2}...)
1273 where each pane is a list of form
1276 (@var{title} (@var{line} . @var{item})...)
1279 Each @var{line} should be a string, and each @var{item} should be the
1280 value to return if that @var{line} is chosen.
1283 @strong{Usage note:} Don't use @code{x-popup-menu} to display a menu
1284 if you could do the job with a prefix key defined with a menu keymap.
1285 If you use a menu keymap to implement a menu, @kbd{C-h c} and @kbd{C-h
1286 a} can see the individual items in that menu and provide help for them.
1287 If instead you implement the menu by defining a command that calls
1288 @code{x-popup-menu}, the help facilities cannot know what happens inside
1289 that command, so they cannot give any help for the menu's items.
1291 The menu bar mechanism, which lets you switch between submenus by
1292 moving the mouse, cannot look within the definition of a command to see
1293 that it calls @code{x-popup-menu}. Therefore, if you try to implement a
1294 submenu using @code{x-popup-menu}, it cannot work with the menu bar in
1295 an integrated fashion. This is why all menu bar submenus are
1296 implemented with menu keymaps within the parent menu, and never with
1297 @code{x-popup-menu}. @xref{Menu Bar},
1299 If you want a menu bar submenu to have contents that vary, you should
1300 still use a menu keymap to implement it. To make the contents vary, add
1301 a hook function to @code{menu-bar-update-hook} to update the contents of
1302 the menu keymap as necessary.
1305 @section Dialog Boxes
1306 @cindex dialog boxes
1308 A dialog box is a variant of a pop-up menu---it looks a little
1309 different, it always appears in the center of a frame, and it has just
1310 one level and one pane. The main use of dialog boxes is for asking
1311 questions that the user can answer with ``yes'', ``no'', and a few other
1312 alternatives. The functions @code{y-or-n-p} and @code{yes-or-no-p} use
1313 dialog boxes instead of the keyboard, when called from commands invoked
1316 @defun x-popup-dialog position contents
1317 This function displays a pop-up dialog box and returns an indication of
1318 what selection the user makes. The argument @var{contents} specifies
1319 the alternatives to offer; it has this format:
1322 (@var{title} (@var{string} . @var{value})@dots{})
1326 which looks like the list that specifies a single pane for
1327 @code{x-popup-menu}.
1329 The return value is @var{value} from the chosen alternative.
1331 An element of the list may be just a string instead of a cons cell
1332 @code{(@var{string} . @var{value})}. That makes a box that cannot
1335 If @code{nil} appears in the list, it separates the left-hand items from
1336 the right-hand items; items that precede the @code{nil} appear on the
1337 left, and items that follow the @code{nil} appear on the right. If you
1338 don't include a @code{nil} in the list, then approximately half the
1339 items appear on each side.
1341 Dialog boxes always appear in the center of a frame; the argument
1342 @var{position} specifies which frame. The possible values are as in
1343 @code{x-popup-menu}, but the precise coordinates don't matter; only the
1346 In some configurations, Emacs cannot display a real dialog box; so
1347 instead it displays the same items in a pop-up menu in the center of the
1351 @node Pointer Shapes
1352 @section Pointer Shapes
1353 @cindex pointer shape
1354 @cindex mouse pointer shape
1356 These variables specify which shape to use for the mouse pointer in
1357 various situations, when using the X Window System:
1360 @item x-pointer-shape
1361 @vindex x-pointer-shape
1362 This variable specifies the pointer shape to use ordinarily in the Emacs
1365 @item x-sensitive-text-pointer-shape
1366 @vindex x-sensitive-text-pointer-shape
1367 This variable specifies the pointer shape to use when the mouse
1368 is over mouse-sensitive text.
1371 These variables affect newly created frames. They do not normally
1372 affect existing frames; however, if you set the mouse color of a frame,
1373 that also updates its pointer shapes based on the current values of
1374 these variables. @xref{Window Frame Parameters}.
1376 The values you can use, to specify either of these pointer shapes, are
1377 defined in the file @file{lisp/term/x-win.el}. Use @kbd{M-x apropos
1378 @key{RET} x-pointer @key{RET}} to see a list of them.
1380 @node Window System Selections
1381 @section Window System Selections
1382 @cindex selection (for window systems)
1384 The X server records a set of @dfn{selections} which permit transfer of
1385 data between application programs. The various selections are
1386 distinguished by @dfn{selection types}, represented in Emacs by
1387 symbols. X clients including Emacs can read or set the selection for
1390 @defun x-set-selection type data
1391 This function sets a ``selection'' in the X server. It takes two
1392 arguments: a selection type @var{type}, and the value to assign to it,
1393 @var{data}. If @var{data} is @code{nil}, it means to clear out the
1394 selection. Otherwise, @var{data} may be a string, a symbol, an integer
1395 (or a cons of two integers or list of two integers), an overlay, or a
1396 cons of two markers pointing to the same buffer. An overlay or a pair
1397 of markers stands for text in the overlay or between the markers.
1399 The argument @var{data} may also be a vector of valid non-vector
1402 Each possible @var{type} has its own selection value, which changes
1403 independently. The usual values of @var{type} are @code{PRIMARY} and
1404 @code{SECONDARY}; these are symbols with upper-case names, in accord
1405 with X Window System conventions. The default is @code{PRIMARY}.
1408 @defun x-get-selection &optional type data-type
1409 This function accesses selections set up by Emacs or by other X
1410 clients. It takes two optional arguments, @var{type} and
1411 @var{data-type}. The default for @var{type}, the selection type, is
1414 The @var{data-type} argument specifies the form of data conversion to
1415 use, to convert the raw data obtained from another X client into Lisp
1416 data. Meaningful values include @code{TEXT}, @code{STRING},
1417 @code{TARGETS}, @code{LENGTH}, @code{DELETE}, @code{FILE_NAME},
1418 @code{CHARACTER_POSITION}, @code{LINE_NUMBER}, @code{COLUMN_NUMBER},
1419 @code{OWNER_OS}, @code{HOST_NAME}, @code{USER}, @code{CLASS},
1420 @code{NAME}, @code{ATOM}, and @code{INTEGER}. (These are symbols with
1421 upper-case names in accord with X conventions.) The default for
1422 @var{data-type} is @code{STRING}.
1426 The X server also has a set of numbered @dfn{cut buffers} which can
1427 store text or other data being moved between applications. Cut buffers
1428 are considered obsolete, but Emacs supports them for the sake of X
1429 clients that still use them.
1431 @defun x-get-cut-buffer n
1432 This function returns the contents of cut buffer number @var{n}.
1435 @defun x-set-cut-buffer string &optional push
1436 This function stores @var{string} into the first cut buffer (cut buffer
1437 0). If @var{push} is @code{nil}, only the first cut buffer is changed.
1438 If @var{push} is non-@code{nil}, that says to move the values down
1439 through the series of cut buffers, much like the way successive kills in
1440 Emacs move down the kill ring. In other words, the previous value of
1441 the first cut buffer moves into the second cut buffer, and the second to
1442 the third, and so on through all eight cut buffers.
1445 @defvar selection-coding-system
1446 This variable specifies the coding system to use when reading and
1447 writing selections, the clipboard, or a cut buffer. @xref{Coding
1448 Systems}. The default is @code{compound-text-with-extensions}, which
1449 converts to the text representation that X11 normally uses.
1452 @cindex clipboard support (for MS-Windows)
1453 When Emacs runs on MS-Windows, it does not implement X selections in
1454 general, but it does support the clipboard. @code{x-get-selection}
1455 and @code{x-set-selection} on MS-Windows support the text data type
1456 only; if the clipboard holds other types of data, Emacs treats the
1459 @defopt x-select-enable-clipboard
1460 If this is non-@code{nil}, the Emacs yank functions consult the
1461 clipboard before the primary selection, and the kill functions store in
1462 the clipboard as well as the primary selection. Otherwise they do not
1463 access the clipboard at all. The default is @code{nil} on most systems,
1464 but @code{t} on MS-Windows.
1468 @section Color Names
1470 These functions provide a way to determine which color names are
1471 valid, and what they look like. In some cases, the value depends on the
1472 @dfn{selected frame}, as described below; see @ref{Input Focus}, for the
1473 meaning of the term ``selected frame''.
1475 @defun color-defined-p color &optional frame
1476 @tindex color-defined-p
1477 This function reports whether a color name is meaningful. It returns
1478 @code{t} if so; otherwise, @code{nil}. The argument @var{frame} says
1479 which frame's display to ask about; if @var{frame} is omitted or
1480 @code{nil}, the selected frame is used.
1482 Note that this does not tell you whether the display you are using
1483 really supports that color. When using X, you can ask for any defined
1484 color on any kind of display, and you will get some result---typically,
1485 the closest it can do. To determine whether a frame can really display
1486 a certain color, use @code{color-supported-p} (see below).
1488 @findex x-color-defined-p
1489 This function used to be called @code{x-color-defined-p},
1490 and that name is still supported as an alias.
1493 @defun defined-colors &optional frame
1494 @tindex defined-colors
1495 This function returns a list of the color names that are defined
1496 and supported on frame @var{frame} (default, the selected frame).
1498 @findex x-defined-colors
1499 This function used to be called @code{x-defined-colors},
1500 and that name is still supported as an alias.
1503 @defun color-supported-p color &optional frame background-p
1504 @tindex color-supported-p
1505 This returns @code{t} if @var{frame} can really display the color
1506 @var{color} (or at least something close to it). If @var{frame} is
1507 omitted or @code{nil}, the question applies to the selected frame.
1509 Some terminals support a different set of colors for foreground and
1510 background. If @var{background-p} is non-@code{nil}, that means you are
1511 asking whether @var{color} can be used as a background; otherwise you
1512 are asking whether it can be used as a foreground.
1514 The argument @var{color} must be a valid color name.
1517 @defun color-gray-p color &optional frame
1518 @tindex color-gray-p
1519 This returns @code{t} if @var{color} is a shade of gray, as defined on
1520 @var{frame}'s display. If @var{frame} is omitted or @code{nil}, the
1521 question applies to the selected frame. The argument @var{color} must
1522 be a valid color name.
1525 @defun color-values color &optional frame
1526 @tindex color-values
1527 This function returns a value that describes what @var{color} should
1528 ideally look like. If @var{color} is defined, the value is a list of
1529 three integers, which give the amount of red, the amount of green, and
1530 the amount of blue. Each integer ranges in principle from 0 to 65535,
1531 but in practice no value seems to be above 65280. This kind
1532 of three-element list is called an @dfn{rgb value}.
1534 If @var{color} is not defined, the value is @code{nil}.
1537 (color-values "black")
1539 (color-values "white")
1540 @result{} (65280 65280 65280)
1541 (color-values "red")
1542 @result{} (65280 0 0)
1543 (color-values "pink")
1544 @result{} (65280 49152 51968)
1545 (color-values "hungry")
1549 The color values are returned for @var{frame}'s display. If @var{frame}
1550 is omitted or @code{nil}, the information is returned for the selected
1553 @findex x-color-values
1554 This function used to be called @code{x-color-values},
1555 and that name is still supported as an alias.
1558 @node Text Terminal Colors
1559 @section Text Terminal Colors
1560 @cindex colors on text-only terminals
1562 Emacs can display color on text-only terminals, starting with version
1563 21. These terminals usually support only a small number of colors, and
1564 the computer uses small integers to select colors on the terminal. This
1565 means that the computer cannot reliably tell what the selected color
1566 looks like; instead, you have to inform your application which small
1567 integers correspond to which colors. However, Emacs does know the
1568 standard set of colors and will try to use them automatically.
1570 The functions described in this section control how terminal colors
1574 Several of these functions use or return @dfn{rgb values}. An rgb
1575 value is a list of three integers, which give the amount of red, the
1576 amount of green, and the amount of blue. Each integer ranges in
1577 principle from 0 to 65535, but in practice the largest value used is
1580 These functions accept a display (either a frame or the name of a
1581 terminal) as an optional argument. We hope in the future to make Emacs
1582 support more than one text-only terminal at one time; then this argument
1583 will specify which terminal to operate on (the default being the
1584 selected frame's terminal; @pxref{Input Focus}). At present, though,
1585 the @var{display} argument has no effect.
1587 @defun tty-color-define name number &optional rgb display
1588 @tindex tty-color-define
1589 This function associates the color name @var{name} with
1590 color number @var{number} on the terminal.
1592 The optional argument @var{rgb}, if specified, is an rgb value; it says
1593 what the color actually looks like. If you do not specify @var{rgb},
1594 then this color cannot be used by @code{tty-color-approximate} to
1595 approximate other colors, because Emacs does not know what it looks
1599 @defun tty-color-clear &optional display
1600 @tindex tty-color-clear
1601 This function clears the table of defined colors for a text-only terminal.
1604 @defun tty-color-alist &optional display
1605 @tindex tty-color-alist
1606 This function returns an alist recording the known colors supported by a
1609 Each element has the form @code{(@var{name} @var{number} . @var{rgb})}
1610 or @code{(@var{name} @var{number})}. Here, @var{name} is the color
1611 name, @var{number} is the number used to specify it to the terminal.
1612 If present, @var{rgb} is an rgb value that says what the color
1613 actually looks like.
1616 @defun tty-color-approximate rgb &optional display
1617 @tindex tty-color-approximate
1618 This function finds the closest color, among the known colors supported
1619 for @var{display}, to that described by the rgb value @var{rgb}.
1622 @defun tty-color-translate color &optional display
1623 @tindex tty-color-translate
1624 This function finds the closest color to @var{color} among the known
1625 colors supported for @var{display}. If the name @var{color} is not
1626 defined, the value is @code{nil}.
1628 @var{color} can be an X-style @code{"#@var{xxxyyyzzz}"} specification
1629 instead of an actual name. The format
1630 @code{"RGB:@var{xx}/@var{yy}/@var{zz}"} is also supported.
1634 @section X Resources
1636 @defun x-get-resource attribute class &optional component subclass
1637 The function @code{x-get-resource} retrieves a resource value from the X
1638 Windows defaults database.
1640 Resources are indexed by a combination of a @dfn{key} and a @dfn{class}.
1641 This function searches using a key of the form
1642 @samp{@var{instance}.@var{attribute}} (where @var{instance} is the name
1643 under which Emacs was invoked), and using @samp{Emacs.@var{class}} as
1646 The optional arguments @var{component} and @var{subclass} add to the key
1647 and the class, respectively. You must specify both of them or neither.
1648 If you specify them, the key is
1649 @samp{@var{instance}.@var{component}.@var{attribute}}, and the class is
1650 @samp{Emacs.@var{class}.@var{subclass}}.
1653 @defvar x-resource-class
1654 This variable specifies the application name that @code{x-get-resource}
1655 should look up. The default value is @code{"Emacs"}. You can examine X
1656 resources for application names other than ``Emacs'' by binding this
1657 variable to some other string, around a call to @code{x-get-resource}.
1660 @xref{Resources X,, X Resources, emacs, The GNU Emacs Manual}.
1662 @node Display Feature Testing
1663 @section Display Feature Testing
1664 @cindex display feature testing
1666 The functions in this section describe the basic capabilities of a
1667 particular display. Lisp programs can use them to adapt their behavior
1668 to what the display can do. For example, a program that ordinarly uses
1669 a popup menu could use the minibuffer if popup menus are not supported.
1671 The optional argument @var{display} in these functions specifies which
1672 display to ask the question about. It can be a display name, a frame
1673 (which designates the display that frame is on), or @code{nil} (which
1674 refers to the selected frame's display, @pxref{Input Focus}).
1676 @xref{Color Names}, @ref{Text Terminal Colors}, for other functions to
1677 obtain information about displays.
1679 @defun display-popup-menus-p &optional display
1680 @tindex display-popup-menus-p
1681 This function returns @code{t} if popup menus are supported on
1682 @var{display}, @code{nil} if not. Support for popup menus requires that
1683 the mouse be available, since the user cannot choose menu items without
1687 @defun display-graphic-p &optional display
1688 @tindex display-graphic-p
1689 @cindex frames, more than one on display
1690 @cindex fonts, more than one on display
1691 This function returns @code{t} if @var{display} is a graphic display
1692 capable of displaying several frames and several different fonts at
1693 once. This is true for displays that use a window system such as X, and
1694 false for text-only terminals.
1697 @defun display-mouse-p &optional display
1698 @tindex display-mouse-p
1699 @cindex mouse, availability
1700 This function returns @code{t} if @var{display} has a mouse available,
1704 @defun display-color-p &optional display
1705 @tindex display-color-p
1706 @findex x-display-color-p
1707 This function returns @code{t} if the screen is a color screen.
1708 It used to be called @code{x-display-color-p}, and that name
1709 is still supported as an alias.
1712 @defun display-grayscale-p &optional display
1713 @tindex display-grayscale-p
1714 This function returns @code{t} if the screen can display shades of gray.
1715 (All color displays can do this.)
1718 @defun display-selections-p &optional display
1719 @tindex display-selections-p
1720 This function returns @code{t} if @var{display} supports selections.
1721 Windowed displays normally support selections, but they may also be
1722 supported in some other cases.
1725 @defun display-images-p &optional display
1726 This function returns @code{t} if @var{display} can display images.
1727 Windowed displays ought in principle to handle images, but some
1728 systems lack the support for that. On a display that does not support
1729 images, Emacs cannot display a tool bar.
1732 @defun display-screens &optional display
1733 @tindex display-screens
1734 This function returns the number of screens associated with the display.
1737 @defun display-pixel-height &optional display
1738 @tindex display-pixel-height
1739 This function returns the height of the screen in pixels.
1742 @defun display-mm-height &optional display
1743 @tindex display-mm-height
1744 This function returns the height of the screen in millimeters,
1745 or @code{nil} if Emacs cannot get that information.
1748 @defun display-pixel-width &optional display
1749 @tindex display-pixel-width
1750 This function returns the width of the screen in pixels.
1753 @defun display-mm-width &optional display
1754 @tindex display-mm-width
1755 This function returns the width of the screen in millimeters,
1756 or @code{nil} if Emacs cannot get that information.
1759 @defun display-backing-store &optional display
1760 @tindex display-backing-store
1761 This function returns the backing store capability of the display.
1762 Backing store means recording the pixels of windows (and parts of
1763 windows) that are not exposed, so that when exposed they can be
1764 displayed very quickly.
1766 Values can be the symbols @code{always}, @code{when-mapped}, or
1767 @code{not-useful}. The function can also return @code{nil}
1768 when the question is inapplicable to a certain kind of display.
1771 @defun display-save-under &optional display
1772 @tindex display-save-under
1773 This function returns non-@code{nil} if the display supports the
1774 SaveUnder feature. That feature is used by pop-up windows
1775 to save the pixels they obscure, so that they can pop down
1779 @defun display-planes &optional display
1780 @tindex display-planes
1781 This function returns the number of planes the display supports.
1782 This is typically the number of bits per pixel.
1783 For a tty display, it is log to base two of the number of colours supported.
1786 @defun display-visual-class &optional display
1787 @tindex display-visual-class
1788 This function returns the visual class for the screen. The value is one
1789 of the symbols @code{static-gray}, @code{gray-scale},
1790 @code{static-color}, @code{pseudo-color}, @code{true-color}, and
1791 @code{direct-color}.
1794 @defun display-color-cells &optional display
1795 @tindex display-color-cells
1796 This function returns the number of color cells the screen supports.
1799 These functions obtain additional information specifically
1802 @defun x-server-version &optional display
1803 This function returns the list of version numbers of the X server
1804 running the display.
1807 @defun x-server-vendor &optional display
1808 This function returns the vendor that provided the X server software.
1812 @defvar x-no-window-manager
1813 This variable's value is @code{t} if no X window manager is in use.
1819 The functions @code{x-pixel-width} and @code{x-pixel-height} return the
1820 width and height of an X Window frame, measured in pixels.