4 @setfilename ../info/widget
5 @settitle The Emacs Widget Library
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40 * Widget: (widget). The "widget" package used by the Emacs Customization
44 @node Top, Introduction, (dir), (dir)
45 @comment node-name, next, previous, up
46 @top The Emacs Widget Library
51 * Programming Example::
52 * Setting Up the Buffer::
56 * Defining New Widgets::
64 @node Introduction, User Interface, Top, Top
65 @comment node-name, next, previous, up
68 Most graphical user interface toolkits provide a number of standard
69 user interface controls (sometimes known as `widgets' or `gadgets').
70 Emacs doesn't really support anything like this, except for an
71 incredibly powerful text ``widget.'' On the other hand, Emacs does
72 provide the necessary primitives to implement many other widgets
73 within a text buffer. The @code{widget} package simplifies this task.
76 @cindex widgets, basic types
77 The basic widgets are:
81 Areas of text with an associated action. Intended for hypertext links
84 Like link, but intended for stand-alone buttons.
86 An editable text field. It can be either variable or fixed length.
88 Allows the user to choose one of multiple options from a menu, each
89 option is itself a widget. Only the selected option will be visible in
91 @item radio-button-choice
92 Allows the user to choose one of multiple options by activating radio
93 buttons. The options are implemented as widgets. All options will be
94 visible in the buffer.
96 A simple constant widget intended to be used in the @code{menu-choice} and
97 @code{radio-button-choice} widgets.
99 A button item only intended for use in choices. When invoked, the user
100 will be asked to select another option from the choice widget.
102 A simple @samp{on}/@samp{off} switch.
104 A checkbox (@samp{[ ]}/@samp{[X]}).
106 Create an editable list. The user can insert or delete items in the
107 list. Each list item is itself a widget.
110 Now, of what possible use can support for widgets be in a text editor?
111 I'm glad you asked. The answer is that widgets are useful for
112 implementing forms. A @dfn{form} in Emacs is a buffer where the user is
113 supposed to fill out a number of fields, each of which has a specific
114 meaning. The user is not supposed to change or delete any of the text
115 between the fields. Examples of forms in Emacs are the @file{forms}
116 package (of course), the customize buffers, the mail and news compose
117 modes, and the @sc{html} form support in the @file{w3} browser.
119 @cindex widget library, why use it
120 The advantages for a programmer of using the @code{widget} package to
125 More complex fields than just editable text are supported.
127 You can give the users immediate feedback if they enter invalid data in a
128 text field, and sometimes prevent entering invalid data.
130 You can have fixed sized fields, thus allowing multiple fields to be
133 It is simple to query or set the value of a field.
135 Editing happens in the buffer, not in the mini-buffer.
137 Packages using the library get a uniform look, making them easier for
140 As support for embedded graphics improve, the widget library will be
141 extended to use the GUI features. This means that your code using the
142 widget library will also use the new graphic features automatically.
145 In order to minimize the code that is loaded by users who does not
146 create any widgets, the code has been split in two files:
148 @cindex widget library, files
151 This will declare the user variables, define the function
152 @code{define-widget}, and autoload the function @code{widget-create}.
154 Everything else is here, there is no reason to load it explicitly, as
155 it will be autoloaded when needed.
158 @node User Interface, Programming Example, Introduction, Top
159 @comment node-name, next, previous, up
160 @section User Interface
162 A form consist of read only text for documentation and some fields,
163 where each field contains two parts, a tag and a value. The tags are
164 used to identify the fields, so the documentation can refer to the
165 @samp{foo field}, meaning the field tagged with @samp{Foo}. Here is an
169 Here is some documentation.
171 Name: @i{My Name} @strong{Choose}: This option
172 Address: @i{Some Place
176 See also @b{_other work_} for more information.
178 Numbers: count to three below
179 @b{[INS]} @b{[DEL]} @i{One}
180 @b{[INS]} @b{[DEL]} @i{Eh, two?}
181 @b{[INS]} @b{[DEL]} @i{Five!}
196 @b{[Apply Form]} @b{[Reset Form]}
199 The top level widgets in is example are tagged @samp{Name},
200 @samp{Choose}, @samp{Address}, @samp{_other work_}, @samp{Numbers},
201 @samp{Select multiple}, @samp{Select one}, @samp{[Apply Form]}, and
202 @samp{[Reset Form]}. There are basically two things the user can do
203 within a form, namely editing the editable text fields and activating
206 @subsection Editable Text Fields
208 In the example, the value for the @samp{Name} is most likely displayed
209 in an editable text field, and so are values for each of the members of
210 the @samp{Numbers} list. All the normal Emacs editing operations are
211 available for editing these fields. The only restriction is that each
212 change you make must be contained within a single editable text field.
213 For example, capitalizing all text from the middle of one field to the
214 middle of another field is prohibited.
216 Editing text fields are created by the @code{editable-field} widget.
218 The editing text fields are highlighted with the
219 @code{widget-field-face} face, making them easy to find.
221 @deffn Face widget-field-face
222 Face used for other editing fields.
227 @cindex widget buttons
228 @cindex button widgets
229 Some portions of the buffer have an associated @dfn{action}, which can
230 be @dfn{invoked} by a standard key or mouse command. These portions
231 are called @dfn{buttons}. The default commands for activating a button
236 @deffn Command widget-button-press @var{pos} &optional @var{event}
237 Invoke the button at @var{pos}, defaulting to point.
238 If point is not located on a button, invoke the binding in
239 @code{widget-global-map} (by default the global map).
242 @kindex Mouse-2 @r{(on button widgets})
244 @deffn Command widget-button-click @var{event}
245 Invoke the button at the location of the mouse pointer. If the mouse
246 pointer is located in an editable text field, invoke the binding in
247 @code{widget-global-map} (by default the global map).
251 There are several different kind of buttons, all of which are present in
255 @cindex option field tag
256 @item The Option Field Tags
257 When you invoke one of these buttons, you will be asked to choose
258 between a number of different options. This is how you edit an option
259 field. Option fields are created by the @code{menu-choice} widget. In
260 the example, @samp{@b{Choose}} is an option field tag.
261 @item The @samp{@b{[INS]}} and @samp{@b{[DEL]}} buttons
262 Activating these will insert or delete elements from an editable list.
263 The list is created by the @code{editable-list} widget.
264 @cindex embedded buttons
265 @item Embedded Buttons
266 The @samp{@b{_other work_}} is an example of an embedded
267 button. Embedded buttons are not associated with a fields, but can serve
268 any purpose, such as implementing hypertext references. They are
269 usually created by the @code{link} widget.
270 @item The @samp{@b{[ ]}} and @samp{@b{[X]}} buttons
271 Activating one of these will convert it to the other. This is useful
272 for implementing multiple-choice fields. You can create it with the
273 @code{checkbox} widget.
274 @item The @samp{@b{( )}} and @samp{@b{(*)}} buttons
275 Only one radio button in a @code{radio-button-choice} widget can be
276 selected at any time. When you invoke one of the unselected radio
277 buttons, it will be selected and the previous selected radio button will
279 @item The @samp{@b{[Apply Form]}} @samp{@b{[Reset Form]}} buttons
280 These are explicit buttons made with the @code{push-button} widget. The
281 main difference from the @code{link} widget is that the buttons will be
282 displayed as GUI buttons when possible.
285 To make them easier to locate, buttons are emphasized in the buffer.
287 @deffn Face widget-button-face
288 Face used for buttons.
291 @defopt widget-mouse-face
292 Face used for highlighting a button when the mouse pointer moves across
296 @subsection Navigation
298 You can use all the normal Emacs commands to move around in a form
299 buffer, plus you will have these additional commands:
303 @deffn Command widget-forward &optional count
304 Move point @var{count} buttons or editing fields forward.
307 @deffn Command widget-backward &optional count
308 Move point @var{count} buttons or editing fields backward.
312 @node Programming Example, Setting Up the Buffer, User Interface, Top
313 @comment node-name, next, previous, up
314 @section Programming Example
316 @cindex widgets, programming example
317 @cindex example of using widgets
318 Here is the code to implement the user interface example (@pxref{User
327 (defvar widget-example-repeat)
329 (defun widget-example ()
330 "Create the widgets from the Widget manual."
332 (switch-to-buffer "*Widget Example*")
333 (kill-all-local-variables)
334 (make-local-variable 'widget-example-repeat)
335 (let ((inhibit-read-only t))
337 (widget-insert "Here is some documentation.\n\nName: ")
338 (widget-create 'editable-field
341 (widget-create 'menu-choice
344 :help-echo "Choose me, please!"
345 :notify (lambda (widget &rest ignore)
346 (message "%s is a good choice!"
347 (widget-value widget)))
348 '(item :tag "This option" :value "This")
349 '(choice-item "That option")
350 '(editable-field :menu-tag "No option" "Thus option"))
351 (widget-insert "Address: ")
352 (widget-create 'editable-field
353 "Some Place\nIn some City\nSome country.")
354 (widget-insert "\nSee also ")
356 :notify (lambda (&rest ignore)
357 (widget-value-set widget-example-repeat
362 " for more information.\n\nNumbers: count to three below\n")
363 (setq widget-example-repeat
364 (widget-create 'editable-list
365 :entry-format "%i %d %v"
366 :notify (lambda (widget &rest ignore)
367 (let ((old (widget-get widget
369 (new (length (widget-value widget))))
371 (widget-put widget ':example-length new)
372 (message "You can count to %d." new))))
373 :value '("One" "Eh, two?" "Five!")
374 '(editable-field :value "three")))
375 (widget-insert "\n\nSelect multiple:\n\n")
376 (widget-create 'checkbox t)
377 (widget-insert " This\n")
378 (widget-create 'checkbox nil)
379 (widget-insert " That\n")
380 (widget-create 'checkbox
381 :notify (lambda (&rest ignore) (message "Tickle"))
383 (widget-insert " Thus\n\nSelect one:\n\n")
384 (widget-create 'radio-button-choice
386 :notify (lambda (widget &rest ignore)
387 (message "You selected %s"
388 (widget-value widget)))
389 '(item "One") '(item "Another One.") '(item "A Final One."))
391 (widget-create 'push-button
392 :notify (lambda (&rest ignore)
393 (if (= (length (widget-value widget-example-repeat))
395 (message "Congratulation!")
396 (error "Three was the count!")))
399 (widget-create 'push-button
400 :notify (lambda (&rest ignore)
404 (use-local-map widget-keymap)
408 @node Setting Up the Buffer, Basic Types, Programming Example, Top
409 @comment node-name, next, previous, up
410 @section Setting Up the Buffer
412 Widgets are created with @code{widget-create}, which returns a
413 @dfn{widget} object. This object can be queried and manipulated by
414 other widget functions, until it is deleted with @code{widget-delete}.
415 After the widgets have been created, @code{widget-setup} must be called
418 @defun widget-create type [ keyword argument ]@dots{}
419 Create and return a widget of type @var{type}.
420 The syntax for the @var{type} argument is described in @ref{Basic Types}.
422 The keyword arguments can be used to overwrite the keyword arguments
423 that are part of @var{type}.
426 @defun widget-delete widget
427 Delete @var{widget} and remove it from the buffer.
431 Set up a buffer to support widgets.
433 This should be called after creating all the widgets and before allowing
434 the user to edit them.
438 If you want to insert text outside the widgets in the form, the
439 recommended way to do that is with @code{widget-insert}.
442 Insert the arguments, either strings or characters, at point.
443 The inserted text will be read-only.
446 There is a standard widget keymap which you might find useful.
448 @findex widget-button-press
449 @findex widget-button-click
450 @defvr Const widget-keymap
451 A keymap with the global keymap as its parent.@*
452 @key{TAB} and @kbd{C-@key{TAB}} are bound to @code{widget-forward} and
453 @code{widget-backward}, respectively. @key{RET} and @kbd{Mouse-2}
454 are bound to @code{widget-button-press} and
455 @code{widget-button-click}.@refill
458 @defvar widget-global-map
459 Keymap used by @code{widget-button-press} and @code{widget-button-click}
460 when not on a button. By default this is @code{global-map}.
463 @node Basic Types, Sexp Types, Setting Up the Buffer, Top
464 @comment node-name, next, previous, up
467 The syntax of a type specification is given below:
470 NAME ::= (NAME [KEYWORD ARGUMENT]... ARGS)
474 Where, @var{name} is a widget name, @var{keyword} is the name of a
475 property, @var{argument} is the value of the property, and @var{args}
476 are interpreted in a widget specific way.
478 @cindex keyword arguments
479 The following keyword arguments that apply to all widgets:
482 @vindex value@r{ keyword}
484 The initial value for widgets of this type.
486 @vindex format@r{ keyword}
488 This string will be inserted in the buffer when you create a widget.
489 The following @samp{%} escapes are available:
494 The text inside will be marked as a button.
496 By default, the text will be shown in @code{widget-button-face}, and
497 surrounded by brackets.
499 @defopt widget-button-prefix
500 String to prefix buttons.
503 @defopt widget-button-suffix
504 String to suffix buttons.
509 The text inside will be displayed with the face specified by
513 This will be replaced with the buffer representation of the widget's
514 value. What this is depends on the widget type.
517 Insert the string specified by @code{:doc} here.
520 Like @samp{%d}, with the following modifications: If the documentation
521 string is more than one line, it will add a button which will toggle
522 between showing only the first line, and showing the full text.
523 Furthermore, if there is no @code{:doc} property in the widget, it will
524 instead examine the @code{:documentation-property} property. If it is a
525 lambda expression, it will be called with the widget's value as an
526 argument, and the result will be used as the documentation text.
529 Insert the string specified by @code{:tag} here, or the @code{princ}
530 representation of the value if there is no tag.
533 Insert a literal @samp{%}.
536 @vindex button-face@r{ keyword}
538 Face used to highlight text inside %[ %] in the format.
540 @vindex button-prefix@r{ keyword}
541 @vindex button-suffix@r{ keyword}
543 @itemx :button-suffix
544 Text around %[ %] in the format.
552 The string is inserted literally.
555 The value of the symbol is expanded according to this table.
558 @vindex doc@r{ keyword}
560 The string inserted by the @samp{%d} escape in the format
563 @vindex tag@r{ keyword}
565 The string inserted by the @samp{%t} escape in the format
568 @vindex tag-glyph@r{ keyword}
570 Name of image to use instead of the string specified by @code{:tag} on
571 Emacsen that supports it.
573 @vindex help-echo@r{ keyword}
575 Specifies how to display a message whenever you move to the widget with
576 either @code{widget-forward} or @code{widget-backward} or move the mouse
577 over it (using the standard @code{help-echo} mechanism). The argument
578 is either a string to display or a function of one argument, the widget,
579 which should return a string to display.
581 @vindex indent@r{ keyword}
583 An integer indicating the absolute number of spaces to indent children
586 @vindex offset@r{ keyword}
588 An integer indicating how many extra spaces to add to the widget's
589 grandchildren compared to this widget.
591 @vindex extra-offset@r{ keyword}
593 An integer indicating how many extra spaces to add to the widget's
594 children compared to this widget.
596 @vindex notify@r{ keyword}
598 A function called each time the widget or a nested widget is changed.
599 The function is called with two or three arguments. The first argument
600 is the widget itself, the second argument is the widget that was
601 changed, and the third argument is the event leading to the change, if
604 @vindex menu-tag@r{ keyword}
606 Tag used in the menu when the widget is used as an option in a
607 @code{menu-choice} widget.
609 @vindex menu-tag-get@r{ keyword}
611 Function used for finding the tag when the widget is used as an option
612 in a @code{menu-choice} widget. By default, the tag used will be either the
613 @code{:menu-tag} or @code{:tag} property if present, or the @code{princ}
614 representation of the @code{:value} property if not.
616 @vindex match@r{ keyword}
618 Should be a function called with two arguments, the widget and a value,
619 and returning non-nil if the widget can represent the specified value.
621 @vindex validate@r{ keyword}
623 A function which takes a widget as an argument, and returns @code{nil}
624 if the widget's current value is valid for the widget. Otherwise it
625 should return the widget containing the invalid data, and set that
626 widget's @code{:error} property to a string explaining the error.
628 The following predefined function can be used:
630 @defun widget-children-validate widget
631 All the @code{:children} of @var{widget} must be valid.
634 @vindex tab-order@r{ keyword}
636 Specify the order in which widgets are traversed with
637 @code{widget-forward} or @code{widget-backward}. This is only partially
642 Widgets with tabbing order @code{-1} are ignored.
645 (Unimplemented) When on a widget with tabbing order @var{n}, go to the
646 next widget in the buffer with tabbing order @var{n+1} or @code{nil},
647 whichever comes first.
650 When on a widget with no tabbing order specified, go to the next widget
651 in the buffer with a positive tabbing order, or @code{nil}
654 @vindex parent@r{ keyword}
656 The parent of a nested widget (e.g.@: a @code{menu-choice} item or an
657 element of a @code{editable-list} widget).
659 @vindex sibling-args@r{ keyword}
661 This keyword is only used for members of a @code{radio-button-choice} or
662 @code{checklist}. The value should be a list of extra keyword
663 arguments, which will be used when creating the @code{radio-button} or
664 @code{checkbox} associated with this item.
668 @deffn {User Option} widget-glyph-directory
669 Directory where glyphs are found.
670 Widget will look here for a file with the same name as specified for the
671 image, with either a @file{.xpm} (if supported) or @file{.xbm} extension.
674 @deffn{User Option} widget-glyph-enable
675 If non-nil, allow glyphs to appear on displays where they are supported.
687 * radio-button-choice::
697 @node link, url-link, Basic Types, Basic Types
698 @comment node-name, next, previous, up
699 @subsection The @code{link} Widget
700 @findex link@r{ widget}
705 TYPE ::= (link [KEYWORD ARGUMENT]... [ VALUE ])
708 The @var{value}, if present, is used to initialize the @code{:value}
709 property. The value should be a string, which will be inserted in the
712 By default the link will be shown in brackets.
714 @defopt widget-link-prefix
715 String to prefix links.
718 @defopt widget-link-suffix
719 String to suffix links.
722 @node url-link, info-link, link, Basic Types
723 @comment node-name, next, previous, up
724 @subsection The @code{url-link} Widget
725 @findex url-link@r{ widget}
730 TYPE ::= (url-link [KEYWORD ARGUMENT]... URL)
733 @findex browse-url-browser-function@r{, and @code{url-link} widget}
734 When this link is invoked, the @sc{www} browser specified by
735 @code{browse-url-browser-function} will be called with @var{url}.
737 @node info-link, push-button, url-link, Basic Types
738 @comment node-name, next, previous, up
739 @subsection The @code{info-link} Widget
740 @findex info-link@r{ widget}
745 TYPE ::= (info-link [KEYWORD ARGUMENT]... ADDRESS)
748 When this link is invoked, the built-in Info reader is started on
751 @node push-button, editable-field, info-link, Basic Types
752 @comment node-name, next, previous, up
753 @subsection The @code{push-button} Widget
754 @findex push-button@r{ widget}
759 TYPE ::= (push-button [KEYWORD ARGUMENT]... [ VALUE ])
762 The @var{value}, if present, is used to initialize the @code{:value}
763 property. The value should be a string, which will be inserted in the
766 By default the tag will be shown in brackets.
768 @defopt widget-push-button-prefix
769 String to prefix push buttons.
772 @defopt widget-push-button-suffix
773 String to suffix push buttons.
776 @node editable-field, text, push-button, Basic Types
777 @comment node-name, next, previous, up
778 @subsection The @code{editable-field} Widget
779 @findex editable-field@r{ widget}
784 TYPE ::= (editable-field [KEYWORD ARGUMENT]... [ VALUE ])
787 The @var{value}, if present, is used to initialize the @code{:value}
788 property. The value should be a string, which will be inserted in
789 field. This widget will match all string values.
791 The following extra properties are recognized:
794 @vindex size@r{ keyword}
796 The width of the editable field.@*
797 By default the field will reach to the end of the line.
799 @vindex value-face@r{ keyword}
801 Face used for highlighting the editable field. Default is
802 @code{widget-field-face}, see @ref{User Interface}.
804 @vindex secret@r{ keyword}
806 Character used to display the value. You can set this to e.g.@: @code{?*}
807 if the field contains a password or other secret information. By
808 default, this is nil, and the value is not secret.
810 @vindex valid-regexp@r{ keyword}
812 By default the @code{:validate} function will match the content of the
813 field with the value of this attribute. The default value is @code{""}
814 which matches everything.
816 @vindex keymap@r{ keyword}
817 @vindex widget-field-keymap
819 Keymap used in the editable field. The default value is
820 @code{widget-field-keymap}, which allows you to use all the normal
821 editing commands, even if the buffer's major mode suppresses some of
822 them. Pressing @key{RET} invokes the function specified by
826 @node text, menu-choice, editable-field, Basic Types
827 @comment node-name, next, previous, up
828 @subsection The @code{text} Widget
829 @findex text@r{ widget}
831 @vindex widget-text-keymap
832 This is just like @code{editable-field}, but intended for multiline text
833 fields. The default @code{:keymap} is @code{widget-text-keymap}, which
834 does not rebind the @key{RET} key.
836 @node menu-choice, radio-button-choice, text, Basic Types
837 @comment node-name, next, previous, up
838 @subsection The @code{menu-choice} Widget
839 @findex menu-choice@r{ widget}
844 TYPE ::= (menu-choice [KEYWORD ARGUMENT]... TYPE ... )
847 The @var{type} argument represents each possible choice. The widget's
848 value will be that of the chosen @var{type} argument. This widget will
849 match any value matching at least one of the specified @var{type}
853 @vindex void@r{ keyword}
855 Widget type used as a fallback when the value does not match any of the
856 specified @var{type} arguments.
858 @vindex case-fold@r{ keyword}
860 Set this to nil if you don't want to ignore case when prompting for a
861 choice through the minibuffer.
863 @vindex children@r{ keyword}
865 A list whose @code{car} is the widget representing the currently chosen
868 @vindex choice@r{ keyword}
870 The current chosen type.
872 @vindex args@r{ keyword}
877 @node radio-button-choice, item, menu-choice, Basic Types
878 @comment node-name, next, previous, up
879 @subsection The @code{radio-button-choice} Widget
880 @findex radio-button-choice@r{ widget}
885 TYPE ::= (radio-button-choice [KEYWORD ARGUMENT]... TYPE ... )
888 The @var{type} argument represents each possible choice. The widget's
889 value will be that of the chosen @var{type} argument. This widget will
890 match any value matching at least one of the specified @var{type}
893 The following extra properties are recognized.
896 @vindex entry-format@r{ keyword}
898 This string will be inserted for each entry in the list.
899 The following @samp{%} escapes are available:
902 Replace with the buffer representation of the @var{type} widget.
904 Replace with the radio button.
906 Insert a literal @samp{%}.
909 @vindex button-args@r{ keyword}
911 A list of keywords to pass to the radio buttons. Useful for setting
912 e.g.@: the @samp{:help-echo} for each button.
914 @vindex buttons@r{ keyword}
916 The widgets representing the radio buttons.
918 @vindex children@r{ keyword}
920 The widgets representing each type.
922 @vindex choice@r{ keyword}
924 The current chosen type
926 @vindex args@r{ keyword}
931 You can add extra radio button items to a @code{radio-button-choice}
932 widget after it has been created with the function
933 @code{widget-radio-add-item}.
935 @defun widget-radio-add-item widget type
936 Add to @code{radio-button-choice} widget @var{widget} a new radio button
937 item of type @var{type}.
940 Please note that such items added after the @code{radio-button-choice}
941 widget has been created will @strong{not} be properly destructed when
942 you call @code{widget-delete}.
944 @node item, choice-item, radio-button-choice, Basic Types
945 @comment node-name, next, previous, up
946 @subsection The @code{item} Widget
947 @findex item@r{ widget}
952 ITEM ::= (item [KEYWORD ARGUMENT]... VALUE)
955 The @var{value}, if present, is used to initialize the @code{:value}
956 property. The value should be a string, which will be inserted in the
957 buffer. This widget will only match the specified value.
959 @node choice-item, toggle, item, Basic Types
960 @comment node-name, next, previous, up
961 @subsection The @code{choice-item} Widget
962 @findex choice-item@r{ widget}
967 ITEM ::= (choice-item [KEYWORD ARGUMENT]... VALUE)
970 The @var{value}, if present, is used to initialize the @code{:value}
971 property. The value should be a string, which will be inserted in the
972 buffer as a button. Activating the button of a @code{choice-item} is
973 equivalent to activating the parent widget. This widget will only match
976 @node toggle, checkbox, choice-item, Basic Types
977 @comment node-name, next, previous, up
978 @subsection The @code{toggle} Widget
979 @findex toggle@r{ widget}
984 TYPE ::= (toggle [KEYWORD ARGUMENT]...)
987 The widget has two possible states, @samp{on} and @samp{off}, which
988 correspond to a @code{t} or @code{nil} value, respectively.
990 The following extra properties are recognized:
994 A string representing the @samp{on} state. By default the string
997 A string representing the @samp{off} state. By default the string
999 @vindex on-glyph@r{ keyword}
1001 Name of a glyph to be used instead of the @samp{:on} text string, on
1002 emacsen that supports this.
1003 @vindex off-glyph@r{ keyword}
1005 Name of a glyph to be used instead of the @samp{:off} text string, on
1006 emacsen that supports this.
1009 @node checkbox, checklist, toggle, Basic Types
1010 @comment node-name, next, previous, up
1011 @subsection The @code{checkbox} Widget
1012 @findex checkbox@r{ widget}
1014 This widget has two possible states, @samp{selected} and
1015 @samp{unselected}, which corresponds to a @code{t} or @code{nil} value.
1020 TYPE ::= (checkbox [KEYWORD ARGUMENT]...)
1023 @node checklist, editable-list, checkbox, Basic Types
1024 @comment node-name, next, previous, up
1025 @subsection The @code{checklist} Widget
1026 @findex checklist@r{ widget}
1031 TYPE ::= (checklist [KEYWORD ARGUMENT]... TYPE ... )
1034 The @var{type} arguments represent each checklist item. The widget's
1035 value will be a list containing the values of all checked @var{type}
1036 arguments. The checklist widget will match a list whose elements all
1037 match at least one of the specified @var{type} arguments.
1039 The following extra properties are recognized:
1042 @vindex entry-format@r{ keyword}
1044 This string will be inserted for each entry in the list.
1045 The following @samp{%} escapes are available:
1048 Replaced with the buffer representation of the @var{type} widget.
1050 Replace with the checkbox.
1052 Insert a literal @samp{%}.
1055 @vindex greedy@r{ keyword}
1057 Usually a checklist will only match if the items are in the exact
1058 sequence given in the specification. By setting @code{:greedy} to
1059 non-nil, it will allow the items to come in any sequence. However, if
1060 you extract the value they will be in the sequence given in the
1061 checklist, i.e.@: the original sequence is forgotten.
1063 @vindex button-args@r{ keyword}
1065 A list of keywords to pass to the checkboxes. Useful for setting
1066 e.g.@: the @samp{:help-echo} for each checkbox.
1068 @vindex buttons@r{ keyword}
1070 The widgets representing the checkboxes.
1072 @vindex children@r{ keyword}
1074 The widgets representing each type.
1076 @vindex args@r{ keyword}
1081 @node editable-list, group, checklist, Basic Types
1082 @comment node-name, next, previous, up
1083 @subsection The @code{editable-list} Widget
1084 @findex editable-list@r{ widget}
1089 TYPE ::= (editable-list [KEYWORD ARGUMENT]... TYPE)
1092 The value is a list, where each member represents one widget of type
1095 The following extra properties are recognized:
1098 @vindex entry-format@r{ keyword}
1100 This string will be inserted for each entry in the list.
1101 The following @samp{%} escapes are available:
1104 This will be replaced with the buffer representation of the @var{type}
1107 Insert the @b{[INS]} button.
1109 Insert the @b{[DEL]} button.
1111 Insert a literal @samp{%}.
1114 @vindex insert-button-args@r{ keyword}
1115 @item :insert-button-args
1116 A list of keyword arguments to pass to the insert buttons.
1118 @vindex delete-button-args@r{ keyword}
1119 @item :delete-button-args
1120 A list of keyword arguments to pass to the delete buttons.
1122 @vindex append-button-args@r{ keyword}
1123 @item :append-button-args
1124 A list of keyword arguments to pass to the trailing insert button.
1126 @vindex buttons@r{ keyword}
1128 The widgets representing the insert and delete buttons.
1130 @vindex children@r{ keyword}
1132 The widgets representing the elements of the list.
1134 @vindex args@r{ keyword}
1136 List whose @code{car} is the type of the list elements.
1139 @node group, , editable-list, Basic Types
1140 @comment node-name, next, previous, up
1141 @subsection The @code{group} Widget
1142 @findex group@r{ widget}
1144 This widget simply group other widgets together.
1149 TYPE ::= (group [KEYWORD ARGUMENT]... TYPE...)
1152 The value is a list, with one member for each @var{type}.
1154 @node Sexp Types, Widget Properties, Basic Types, Top
1159 A number of widgets for editing @dfn{s-expressions} (lisp types), sexp
1160 for short, are also available. These basically fall in several
1161 categories described in this section.
1170 @node constants, generic, Sexp Types, Sexp Types
1171 @comment node-name, next, previous, up
1172 @subsection The Constant Widgets
1173 @cindex constant widgets
1175 The @code{const} widget can contain any lisp expression, but the user is
1176 prohibited from editing it, which is mainly useful as a component of one
1177 of the composite widgets.
1179 The syntax for the @code{const} widget is:
1182 TYPE ::= (const [KEYWORD ARGUMENT]... [ VALUE ])
1185 The @var{value}, if present, is used to initialize the @code{:value}
1186 property and can be any s-expression.
1189 This will display any valid s-expression in an immutable part of the
1193 There are two variations of the @code{const} widget, namely
1194 @code{variable-item} and @code{function-item}. These should contain a
1195 symbol with a variable or function binding. The major difference from
1196 the @code{const} widget is that they will allow the user to see the
1197 variable or function documentation for the symbol.
1199 @deffn Widget variable-item
1200 An immutable symbol that is bound as a variable.
1203 @deffn Widget function-item
1204 An immutable symbol that is bound as a function.
1207 @node generic, atoms, constants, Sexp Types
1208 @comment node-name, next, previous, up
1209 @subsection Generic Sexp Widget
1210 @cindex generic sexp widget
1212 The @code{sexp} widget can contain any lisp expression, and allows the
1213 user to edit it inline in the buffer.
1215 The syntax for the @code{sexp} widget is:
1218 TYPE ::= (sexp [KEYWORD ARGUMENT]... [ VALUE ])
1222 This will allow you to edit any valid s-expression in an editable buffer
1225 The @code{sexp} widget takes the same keyword arguments as the
1226 @code{editable-field} widget. @xref{editable-field}.
1229 @node atoms, composite, generic, Sexp Types
1230 @comment node-name, next, previous, up
1231 @subsection Atomic Sexp Widgets
1232 @cindex atomic sexp widget
1234 The atoms are s-expressions that do not consist of other s-expressions.
1235 For example, a string, a file name, or a symbol are atoms, while a list
1236 is a composite type. You can edit the value of an atom with the
1239 The syntax for all the atoms are:
1242 TYPE ::= (NAME [KEYWORD ARGUMENT]... [ VALUE ])
1245 The @var{value}, if present, is used to initialize the @code{:value}
1246 property and must be an expression of the same type as the widget.
1247 That is, the string widget can only be initialized with a string.
1249 All the atom widgets take the same keyword arguments as the
1250 @code{editable-field} widget. @xref{editable-field}.
1252 @deffn Widget string
1253 Allows you to edit a string in an editable field.
1256 @deffn Widget regexp
1257 Allows you to edit a regular expression in an editable field.
1260 @deffn Widget character
1261 Allows you to enter a character in an editable field.
1265 Allows you to edit a file name in an editable field. If you invoke
1266 the tag button, you can edit the file name in the mini-buffer with
1271 @vindex must-match@r{ keyword}
1273 If this is set to non-nil, only existing file names will be allowed in
1278 @deffn Widget directory
1279 Allows you to edit a directory name in an editable field.
1280 Similar to the @code{file} widget.
1283 @deffn Widget symbol
1284 Allows you to edit a lisp symbol in an editable field.
1287 @deffn Widget function
1288 Allows you to edit a lambda expression, or a function name with completion.
1291 @deffn Widget variable
1292 Allows you to edit a variable name, with completion.
1295 @deffn Widget integer
1296 Allows you to edit an integer in an editable field.
1299 @deffn Widget number
1300 Allows you to edit a number in an editable field.
1303 @deffn Widget boolean
1304 Allows you to edit a boolean. In lisp this means a variable which is
1305 either nil meaning false, or non-nil meaning true.
1309 @node composite, , atoms, Sexp Types
1310 @comment node-name, next, previous, up
1311 @subsection Composite Sexp Widgets
1312 @cindex composite sexp widgets
1314 The syntax for the composite widget is:
1317 TYPE ::= (NAME [KEYWORD ARGUMENT]... COMPONENT...)
1321 where each @var{component} must be a widget type. Each component widget
1322 will be displayed in the buffer, and will be editable by the user.
1325 The value of a @code{cons} widget is a cons-cell where the @code{car} is
1326 the value of the first component and the @code{cdr} is the value of the
1327 second component. There must be exactly two components.
1331 The value of a @code{list} widget is a list containing the value of
1332 each of its component.
1335 @deffn Widget vector
1336 The value of a @code{vector} widget is a vector containing the value of
1337 each of its component.
1340 The above suffice for specifying fixed size lists and vectors. To get
1341 variable length lists and vectors, you can use a @code{choice},
1342 @code{set}, or @code{repeat} widgets together with the @code{:inline}
1343 keywords. If any component of a composite widget has the @code{:inline}
1344 keyword set, its value must be a list which will then be spliced into
1345 the composite. For example, to specify a list whose first element must
1346 be a file name, and whose remaining arguments should either by the
1347 symbol @code{t} or two files, you can use the following widget
1354 :value ("foo" "bar")
1358 The value of a widget of this type will either have the form
1359 @code{(file t)} or @code{(file string string)}.
1361 This concept of inline is probably hard to understand. It was certainly
1362 hard to implement, so instead of confusing you more by trying to explain
1363 it here, I'll just suggest you meditate over it for a while.
1365 @deffn Widget choice
1366 Allows you to edit a sexp which may have one of a fixed set of types.
1367 It is currently implemented with the @code{choice-menu} basic widget,
1368 and has a similar syntax.
1372 Allows you to specify a type which must be a list whose elements all
1373 belong to given set. The elements of the list are not significant.
1374 This is implemented on top of the @code{checklist} basic widget, and has
1378 @deffn Widget repeat
1379 Allows you to specify a variable length list whose members are all of
1380 the same type. Implemented on top of the @code{editable-list} basic
1381 widget, and has a similar syntax.
1384 @node Widget Properties, Defining New Widgets, Sexp Types, Top
1385 @comment node-name, next, previous, up
1387 @cindex properties of widgets
1388 @cindex widget properties
1390 You can examine or set the value of a widget by using the widget object
1391 that was returned by @code{widget-create}.
1393 @defun widget-value widget
1394 Return the current value contained in @var{widget}.
1395 It is an error to call this function on an uninitialized widget.
1398 @defun widget-value-set widget value
1399 Set the value contained in @var{widget} to @var{value}.
1400 It is an error to call this function with an invalid @var{value}.
1403 @strong{Important:} You @emph{must} call @code{widget-setup} after
1404 modifying the value of a widget before the user is allowed to edit the
1405 widget again. It is enough to call @code{widget-setup} once if you
1406 modify multiple widgets. This is currently only necessary if the widget
1407 contains an editing field, but may be necessary for other widgets in the
1410 If your application needs to associate some information with the widget
1411 objects, for example a reference to the item being edited, it can be
1412 done with @code{widget-put} and @code{widget-get}. The property names
1413 must begin with a @samp{:}.
1415 @defun widget-put widget property value
1416 In @var{widget} set @var{property} to @var{value}.
1417 @var{property} should be a symbol, while @var{value} can be anything.
1420 @defun widget-get widget property
1421 In @var{widget} return the value for @var{property}.
1422 @var{property} should be a symbol, the value is what was last set by
1423 @code{widget-put} for @var{property}.
1426 @defun widget-member widget property
1427 Non-nil if @var{widget} has a value (even nil) for property @var{property}.
1430 Occasionally it can be useful to know which kind of widget you have,
1431 i.e.@: the name of the widget type you gave when the widget was created.
1433 @defun widget-type widget
1434 Return the name of @var{widget}, a symbol.
1437 @cindex active widget
1438 @cindex inactive widget
1439 @cindex activate a widget
1440 @cindex deactivate a widget
1441 Widgets can be in two states: active, which means they are modifiable by
1442 the user, or inactive, which means they cannot be modified by the user.
1443 You can query or set the state with the following code:
1446 ;; Examine if @var{widget} is active or not.
1447 (if (widget-apply @var{widget} :active)
1448 (message "Widget is active.")
1449 (message "Widget is inactive.")
1451 ;; Make @var{widget} inactive.
1452 (widget-apply @var{widget} :deactivate)
1454 ;; Make @var{widget} active.
1455 (widget-apply @var{widget} :activate)
1458 A widget is inactive if it, or any of its ancestors (found by
1459 following the @code{:parent} link), have been deactivated. To make sure
1460 a widget is really active, you must therefore activate both it and
1465 (widget-apply widget :activate)
1466 (setq widget (widget-get widget :parent)))
1469 You can check if a widget has been made inactive by examining the value
1470 of the @code{:inactive} keyword. If this is non-nil, the widget itself
1471 has been deactivated. This is different from using the @code{:active}
1472 keyword, in that the latter tells you if the widget @strong{or} any of
1473 its ancestors have been deactivated. Do not attempt to set the
1474 @code{:inactive} keyword directly. Use the @code{:activate}
1475 @code{:deactivate} keywords instead.
1478 @node Defining New Widgets, Widget Browser, Widget Properties, Top
1479 @comment node-name, next, previous, up
1480 @section Defining New Widgets
1482 @cindex defining new widgets
1484 You can define specialized widgets with @code{define-widget}. It allows
1485 you to create a shorthand for more complex widgets, including specifying
1486 component widgets and new default values for the keyword
1489 @defun define-widget name class doc &rest args
1490 Define a new widget type named @var{name} from @code{class}.
1492 @var{name} and class should both be symbols, @code{class} should be one
1493 of the existing widget types.
1495 The third argument @var{DOC} is a documentation string for the widget.
1497 After the new widget has been defined, the following two calls will
1498 create identical widgets:
1503 (widget-create @var{name})
1508 (apply widget-create @var{class} @var{args})
1514 Using @code{define-widget} just stores the definition of the widget type
1515 in the @code{widget-type} property of @var{name}, which is what
1516 @code{widget-create} uses.
1518 If you only want to specify defaults for keywords with no complex
1519 conversions, you can use @code{identity} as your conversion function.
1521 The following additional keyword arguments are useful when defining new
1524 @vindex convert-widget@r{ keyword}
1525 @item :convert-widget
1526 Function to convert a widget type before creating a widget of that
1527 type. It takes a widget type as an argument, and returns the converted
1528 widget type. When a widget is created, this function is called for the
1529 widget type and all the widget's parent types, most derived first.
1531 The following predefined functions can be used here:
1533 @defun widget-types-convert-widget widget
1534 Convert @code{:args} as widget types in @var{widget}.
1537 @defun widget-value-convert-widget widget
1538 Initialize @code{:value} from @code{:args} in @var{widget}.
1541 @vindex value-to-internal@r{ keyword}
1542 @item :value-to-internal
1543 Function to convert the value to the internal format. The function
1544 takes two arguments, a widget and an external value, and returns the
1545 internal value. The function is called on the present @code{:value}
1546 when the widget is created, and on any value set later with
1547 @code{widget-value-set}.
1549 @vindex value-to-external@r{ keyword}
1550 @item :value-to-external
1551 Function to convert the value to the external format. The function
1552 takes two arguments, a widget and an internal value, and returns the
1553 external value. The function is called on the present @code{:value}
1554 when the widget is created, and on any value set later with
1555 @code{widget-value-set}.
1557 @vindex create@r{ keyword}
1559 Function to create a widget from scratch. The function takes one
1560 argument, a widget type, and creates a widget of that type, inserts it
1561 in the buffer, and returns a widget object.
1563 @vindex delete@r{ keyword}
1565 Function to delete a widget. The function takes one argument, a widget,
1566 and should remove all traces of the widget from the buffer.
1568 @vindex value-create@r{ keyword}
1570 Function to expand the @samp{%v} escape in the format string. It will
1571 be called with the widget as its argument and should insert a
1572 representation of the widget's value in the buffer.
1574 @vindex value-delete@r{ keyword}
1576 Should remove the representation of the widget's value from the buffer.
1577 It will be called with the widget as its argument. It doesn't have to
1578 remove the text, but it should release markers and delete nested widgets
1579 if such have been used.
1581 The following predefined function can be used here:
1583 @defun widget-children-value-delete widget
1584 Delete all @code{:children} and @code{:buttons} in @var{widget}.
1587 @vindex value-get@r{ keyword}
1589 Function to extract the value of a widget, as it is displayed in the
1592 The following predefined function can be used here:
1594 @defun widget-value-value-get widget
1595 Return the @code{:value} property of @var{widget}.
1598 @vindex format-handler@r{ keyword}
1599 @item :format-handler
1600 Function to handle unknown @samp{%} escapes in the format string. It
1601 will be called with the widget and the character that follows the
1602 @samp{%} as arguments. You can set this to allow your widget to handle
1603 non-standard escapes.
1605 @findex widget-default-format-handler
1606 You should end up calling @code{widget-default-format-handler} to handle
1607 unknown escape sequences, which will handle the @samp{%h} and any future
1608 escape sequences, as well as give an error for unknown escapes.
1610 @vindex action@r{ keyword}
1612 Function to handle user initiated events. By default, @code{:notify}
1615 The following predefined function can be used here:
1617 @defun widget-parent-action widget &optional event
1618 Tell @code{:parent} of @var{widget} to handle the @code{:action}.
1619 Optional @var{event} is the event that triggered the action.
1622 @vindex prompt-value@r{ keyword}
1624 Function to prompt for a value in the minibuffer. The function should
1625 take four arguments, @var{widget}, @var{prompt}, @var{value}, and
1626 @var{unbound} and should return a value for widget entered by the user.
1627 @var{prompt} is the prompt to use. @var{value} is the default value to
1628 use, unless @var{unbound} is non-nil, in which case there is no default
1629 value. The function should read the value using the method most natural
1630 for this widget, and does not have to check that it matches.
1633 If you want to define a new widget from scratch, use the @code{default}
1636 @deffn Widget default
1637 Widget used as a base for other widgets.
1639 It provides most of the functionality that is referred to as ``by
1640 default'' in this text.
1643 @node Widget Browser, Widget Minor Mode, Defining New Widgets, Top
1644 @comment node-name, next, previous, up
1645 @section Widget Browser
1646 @cindex widget browser
1648 There is a separate package to browse widgets. This is intended to help
1649 programmers who want to examine the content of a widget. The browser
1650 shows the value of each keyword, but uses links for certain keywords
1651 such as @samp{:parent}, which avoids printing cyclic structures.
1653 @deffn Command widget-browse WIDGET
1654 Create a widget browser for WIDGET.
1655 When called interactively, prompt for WIDGET.
1658 @deffn Command widget-browse-other-window WIDGET
1659 Create a widget browser for WIDGET and show it in another window.
1660 When called interactively, prompt for WIDGET.
1663 @deffn Command widget-browse-at POS
1664 Create a widget browser for the widget at POS.
1665 When called interactively, use the position of point.
1668 @node Widget Minor Mode, Utilities, Widget Browser, Top
1669 @comment node-name, next, previous, up
1670 @section Widget Minor Mode
1671 @cindex widget minor mode
1673 There is a minor mode for manipulating widgets in major modes that
1674 don't provide any support for widgets themselves. This is mostly
1675 intended to be useful for programmers doing experiments.
1677 @deffn Command widget-minor-mode
1678 Toggle minor mode for traversing widgets.
1679 With arg, turn widget mode on if and only if arg is positive.
1682 @defvar widget-minor-mode-keymap
1683 Keymap used in @code{widget-minor-mode}.
1686 @node Utilities, Widget Wishlist, Widget Minor Mode, Top
1687 @comment node-name, next, previous, up
1689 @cindex utility functions for widgets
1691 @defun widget-prompt-value widget prompt [ value unbound ]
1692 Prompt for a value matching @var{widget}, using @var{prompt}.
1693 The current value is assumed to be @var{value}, unless @var{unbound} is
1697 @defun widget-get-sibling widget
1698 Get the item which @var{widget} is assumed to toggle.
1699 This is only meaningful for radio buttons or checkboxes in a list.
1702 @node Widget Wishlist, Index, Utilities, Top
1703 @comment node-name, next, previous, up
1709 It should be possible to add or remove items from a list with @kbd{C-k}
1710 and @kbd{C-o} (suggested by @sc{rms}).
1713 The @samp{[INS]} and @samp{[DEL]} buttons should be replaced by a single
1714 dash (@samp{-}). The dash should be a button that, when invoked, asks
1715 whether you want to add or delete an item (@sc{rms} wanted to git rid of
1716 the ugly buttons, the dash is my idea).
1719 The @code{menu-choice} tag should be prettier, something like the abbreviated
1723 Finish @code{:tab-order}.
1726 Make indentation work with glyphs and proportional fonts.
1729 Add commands to show overview of object and class hierarchies to the
1733 Find a way to disable mouse highlight for inactive widgets.
1736 Find a way to make glyphs look inactive.
1739 Add @code{property-list} widget.
1742 Add @code{association-list} widget.
1745 Add @code{key-binding} widget.
1748 Add @code{widget} widget for editing widget specifications.
1751 Find clean way to implement variable length list.
1752 See @code{TeX-printer-list} for an explanation.
1755 @kbd{C-h} in @code{widget-prompt-value} should give type specific help.
1758 Add a @code{mailto} widget.
1761 @node Index, , Widget Wishlist, Top
1762 @comment node-name, next, previous, up
1765 This is an alphabetical listing of all concepts, functions, commands,
1766 variables, and widgets described in this manual.
1769 @setchapternewpage odd