1 \input texinfo @c -*-texinfo-*-
2 @setfilename ../info/ada-mode
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36 * Ada mode: (ada-mode). Emacs mode for editing Ada code.
43 @subtitle An Emacs major mode for programming Ada 95 with GNAT
44 @subtitle July 1998 for Ada Mode Version 3.0
47 @vskip 0pt plus 1filll
52 @node Top, Overview, (dir), (dir)
56 * Installation:: Installing Ada mode on your system
57 * Customization:: Setting up Ada mode to your taste
58 * Project files:: Describing the organization of your project
59 * Syntax highlighting:: Using specific colors and fonts to highlight
60 the structure of your files
61 * Moving Through Ada Code:: Moving easily through Ada sources
62 * Identifier completion:: Finishing words automatically
63 * Index Menu of Subprograms:: A menu of all the types and subprograms
64 defined in your application
65 * File Browser:: Easy access to your files
66 * Automatic Smart Indentation:: Indenting your code automatically as you type
67 * Formatting Parameter Lists:: Formatting subprograms' parameter lists
69 * Automatic Casing:: Adjusting the case of words automatically
70 * Statement Templates:: Inserting code templates
71 * Comment Handling:: Reformatting comments easily
72 * Compiling Executing:: Working with your application within Emacs
73 * Debugging:: Debugging your application
74 * Using non-standard file names:: Configuring Emacs for special file names
75 * Working Remotely:: Working on a different machine
80 @c -----------------------------------------------------------------------
81 @node Overview, Installation, Top, Top
83 @c -----------------------------------------------------------------------
85 The Emacs mode for programming in Ada 95 with GNAT helps the user in
86 understanding existing code and facilitates writing new code. It
87 furthermore provides some utility functions for easier integration of
88 standard Emacs features when programming in Ada.
90 @section General features:
94 full Integrated Development Environment:
97 support of ``project files'' for the configuration (directories,
98 compilation options,...)
100 compiling and stepping through error messages.
102 running and debugging your applications within Emacs.
105 easy to use for beginners by pull-down menus,
107 user configurable by many user-option variables.
110 @section Ada mode features that help understanding code:
114 functions for easy and quick stepping through Ada code,
116 getting cross reference information for identifiers (e.g. find the
117 defining place by a keystroke),
119 displaying an index menu of types and subprograms and move point to
122 automatic color highlighting of the various entities in Ada code.
125 @section Emacs support for writing Ada code:
129 switching between spec and body files with eventually
130 auto-generation of body files,
132 automatic formatting of subprograms' parameter lists.
134 automatic smart indentation according to Ada syntax,
136 automatic completion of identifiers,
138 automatic casing of identifiers, keywords, and attributes,
140 insertion of statement templates,
142 filling comment paragraphs like filling normal text,
145 @c -----------------------------------------------------------------------
146 @node Installation, Customization, Overview, Top
147 @chapter Installation
148 @c -----------------------------------------------------------------------
150 If you got Ada mode as a separate distribution, you should have a
151 look at the @file{README} file. It explains the basic steps necessary
152 for a good installation of the emacs Ada mode.
154 Installing the Ada mode is basically just a matter of copying a few
155 files into the Emacs library directories. Every time you open a file
156 with a file extension of @file{.ads} or @file{.adb}, Emacs will
157 automatically load and activate Ada mode.
159 @xref{Using non-standard file names}, if your files do
160 not use these extensions and if you want Emacs to automatically start the
161 Ada mode every time you edit an Ada file.
163 Also, for general usage variables that you might want to set,
166 @cite{The GNU Emacs Manual}.
169 @cite{The GNU Emacs Manual}.
172 @ref{Top, , The GNU Emacs Manual, emacs, The GNU Emacs Manual}.
175 @c ---------------------------------------------------------------------
176 @section Required files
177 @c ---------------------------------------------------------------------
179 This Ada mode works best with Emacs 20.3 or higher (the easy editing
180 features for the project files won't work with any older version), but
181 most of the commands should work with older versions too. Please try to
182 install the most recent version of Emacs on your system before
185 Although part of Ada mode is compiler-independent, the most advanced
186 features are specific to the Gnat compiler @url{http://www.gnat.com}.
188 The following files are provided with the Ada mode distribution:
193 @file{ada-mode.el}: The main file for Ada mode.
194 This is the only file which does not require Gnat. It contains the
195 functions for indentation, formatting of parameter lists, stepping
196 through code, comment handling and automatic casing. Emacs versions
197 20.2 and higher already contain Ada mode version 2.27, which is an older
198 version of this file and should be replaced. Loading @file{ada-mode.el}
199 from the current distribution supersedes the standard installation.
202 @file{ada-stmt.el}: Contains the statement templates feature.
205 @file{ada-xref.el}: This file provides the main support for Gnat.
206 This is where the functions for cross-references, completion of
207 identifiers, support for project files and compilation of your
208 application are defined.
211 @file{ada-prj.el}: The functions to use for easy-edition of the
212 project files. This file is the only one which really requires Emacs
213 at least 20.2. It uses the new widget features from Emacs.
217 @c --------------------------------------------------------------------
218 @node Customization, Project files, Installation, Top
219 @chapter Customizing Ada mode
220 @c ---------------------------------------------------------------------
222 Ada mode is fully customizable. Everything, from the file names to
223 the automatic indentation and the automatic casing can be adapted to
226 There are two different kinds of variables that control this
227 customization, both are easy to modify.
229 The first set of variables are standard Emacs variables. Of course, some
230 are defined only for Ada mode, whereas others have a more general
231 meaning in Emacs. Please see the Emacs documentation for more
232 information on the latest. In this documentation, we will detail all the
233 variables that are specific to Ada mode, and a few others. The names
234 will be given, as in @code{ada-case-identifier}.
236 Emacs provides an easy way to modify them, through a special mode called
237 customization. To access this mode, select the menu
238 @samp{Ada->Customize}. This will open a new buffer with some fields that
239 you can edit. For instance, you will get something like:
241 Put below the compiler switches.
242 comp_opt= _____________________________________
244 The first line gives a brief description of the variable. The second
245 line is the name of the variable and the field where you can give a
246 value for this variable. Simply type what you want in the field.
248 When you are finished modifying the variables, you can simply click on
249 the @b{Save for future sessions} button at the top of the buffer (click
250 with the middle mouse button). This will save the values in your
251 @file{.emacs} file, so that next time you start Emacs they will have the
254 To modify a specific variable, you can directly call the function
255 @code{customize-variable} from Emacs (just type @kbd{M-x
256 customize-variable @key{RET} @var{variable-name} @key{RET}}).
258 Some users might prefer to modify the variables directly in their
259 configuration file, @file{.emacs}. This file is coded in Emacs lisp, and
260 the syntax to set a variable is the following:
262 (setq variable-name value)
265 The second set of variables for customization are set through the use of
266 project files. These variables are specific to a given project, whereas
267 the first set was more general. For more information, please
268 @xref{Project files}.
270 @c ---------------------------------------------------------------------
271 @node Project files, Syntax highlighting, Customization, Top
272 @chapter Project files
273 @c ---------------------------------------------------------------------
275 @c ---------------------------------------------------------------------
276 @section General overview
277 @c ---------------------------------------------------------------------
279 Emacs provides a full Integrated Development Environment for GNAT and
280 Ada programmers. That is to say, editing, compiling, executing and
281 debugging can be performed within Emacs in a convenient and natural way.
283 To take full advantage of this features, it is possible to create a file
284 in the main directory of your application, with a @samp{.adp} extension.
285 This file contain all needed information dealing with the way your
286 application is organized between directories, the commands to compile,
287 run and debug it etc. Creating this file is not mandatory and convenient
288 defaults are automatically provided for simple setups. It only becomes
289 necessary when those above mentioned defaults need customizing.
291 A simple way to edit this file is provided for Emacs 20.2 or newer, with
292 the following functions, that you can access also through the Ada
293 menu. It is also possible to edit the project file as a regular text
296 Once in the buffer for editing the project file, you can save your
297 modification using the @samp{[OK]} button at the bottom of the buffer, or
298 simply use the usual @kbd{C-x C-s} binding. To cancel your
299 modifications, simply kill the buffer or click on the @samp{[CANCEL]} button
302 Each buffer using Ada mode will be associated with one project file when
303 there is one available, so that Emacs can easily navigate through
304 related source files for instance.
306 The exact algorithm to determine which project file should be used is
307 described in the next section, but you can force the project file you
308 want to use by setting one or two variables in your @file{.emacs} file.
312 To set up a default project file to use for any directory, anywhere
313 on your system, set the variable @code{ada-prj-default-project-file} to
314 the name of that file.
317 (set 'ada-prj-default-project-file "/dir1/dir2/file")
321 For finer control, you can set a per-directory project file.
322 This is done through the variable @code{ada-xref-default-prj-file}.
325 (set 'ada-xref-default-prj-file
326 '(("/dir1/dir2" . "/dir3/file1")
327 ("/dir4/dir5" . "/dir6/file2")))
330 Note: This has a higher priority than the first variable, so the first
331 choice is to use this variable settings, and otherwise
332 @code{ada-prj-default-project-file}.
338 @findex ada-customize
339 Create or edit the project file for the current buffer (@code{ada-customize}).
341 @findex ada-change-prj
342 Change the project file associated with the current Ada buffer (@code{ada-change-prj}).
344 @findex ada-change-default-project
345 Change the default project file for the current directory
346 (@code{ada-change-default-project}). Every new file opened from this
347 directory will be associated with that file by default.
348 @item ada-set-default-project-file
349 @findex ada-set-default-project-file
350 Set the default project file to use for *any* Ada file opened anywhere
351 on your system. This sets this file only for the current Emacs session.
354 @c ---------------------------------------------------------------------
355 @section Project file variables
356 @c ---------------------------------------------------------------------
358 The following variables can be defined in a project file. They all have
359 a default value, so that small projects do not need to create a project
362 Some variables below can be referenced in other variables, using a
363 shell-like notation. For instance, if the variable @code{comp_cmd}
364 contains a sequence like @code{$@{comp_opt@}}, the value of that variable
367 Here is the list of variables:
370 @item @code{src_dir} [default: @code{"./"}]
371 This is a list of directories where Ada mode will look for source
372 files. These directories are used mainly in two cases, both as a switch
373 for the compiler and for the cross-references.
375 @item @code{obj_dir} [default: @code{"./"}]
376 This is a list of directories where to look for object and library
377 files. The library files are the @samp{.ali} files generated by Gnat
378 and that contain cross-reference informations.
380 @item @code{comp_opt} [default: @code{""}]
381 Creates a variable which can be referred to subsequently by using the
382 @code{$@{comp_opt@}} notation. This is intended to store the default
383 switches given to @command{gnatmake} and @command{gcc}.
385 @item @code{bind_opt=@var{switches}} [default: @code{""}]
386 Creates a variable which can be referred to subsequently by using the
387 @code{$@{bind_opt@}} notation. This is intended to store the default
388 switches given to @command{gnatbind}.
390 @item @code{link_opt=@var{switches}} [default: @code{""}]
391 Creates a variable which can be referred to subsequently by using the
392 @code{$@{link_opt@}} notation. This is intended to store the default
393 switches given to @command{gnatlink}.
395 @item @code{main=@var{executable}} [default: @code{""}]
396 Specifies the name of the executable for the application. This variable
397 can be referred to in the following lines by using the @code{$@{main@}}
400 @item @code{cross_prefix=@var{prefix}} [default: @code{""}]
401 This variable should be set if you are working in a cross-compilation
402 environment. This is the prefix used in front of the gnatmake commands.
404 @item @code{remote_machine=@var{machine}} [default: @code{""}]
405 This is the name of the machine to log into before issuing the
406 compilation command. If this variable is empty, the command will be
407 run on the local machine. This will not work on Windows NT machines,
408 since Ada mode will simply precede the compilation command with a
409 @command{rsh} command, unknown on Windows.
411 @item @code{comp_cmd=@var{command}} [default: @code{"$@{cross_prefix@}gcc -c -I$@{src_dir@} -g -gnatq"}]
412 Specifies the command used to compile a single file in the application.
413 The name of the file will be added at the end of this command.
415 @item @code{make_cmd=@var{command}} [default: @code{"$@{cross_prefix@}gnatmake $@{main@} -aI$@{src_dir@} -aO$@{obj_dir@} -g -gnatq -cargs $@{comp_opt@} -bargs $@{bind_opt@} -largs $@{link_opt@}"]}'
416 Specifies the command used to recompile the whole application.
418 @item @code{run_cmd=@var{command}} [default: @code{"$@{main@}"}]
419 Specifies the command used to run the application.
421 @item @code{debug_cmd=@var{command}} [default: @code{"$@{cross_prefix@}gdb $@{main@}"}]
422 Specifies the command used to debug the application
426 @c ---------------------------------------------------------------------
427 @section Detailed algorithm
428 @c ---------------------------------------------------------------------
430 This section gives more details on the project file setup and is only of
431 interest for advanced users.
433 Usually, an Ada file is part of a larger application, whose sources and
434 objects can be spread over multiple directories. The first time emacs is
435 asked to compile, run or debug an application, or when a cross reference
436 function is used (goto declaration for instance), the following steps
441 find the appropriate project file, open and parse it.
442 All the fields read in the project file are then stored by emacs
443 locally. Finding the project file requires a few steps:
447 if a file from the same directory was already associated with
448 a project file, use the same one. This is the variable
449 @code{ada-xref-default-prj-file} described above.
451 if the variable @code{ada-prj-default-project-file} is set,
452 use the project file specified in this variable.
454 if there is a project file whose name is the same as the source file
455 except for the suffix, use this one.
457 if there's only one project file in the source directory, use
460 if there are more than one project file in the source directory,
463 if there are no project files in the source directory use standard
467 The first project file that is selected in a given directory becomes the
468 default project file for this directory and is used implicitly for other
469 sources unless specified otherwise by the user.
472 look for the corresponding @samp{.ali} file in the @code{obj_dir} defined
473 in the project file. If this file can not be found, emacs proposes to
474 compile the source using the @code{comp_cmd} defined in the project file
475 in order to create the ali file.
478 when cross referencing is requested, the @samp{.ali} file is parsed to
479 determine the file and line of the identifier definition. It is
480 possible for the @samp{.ali} file to be older than the source file,
481 in which case it will be recompiled if the variable
482 @code{ada-xref-create-ali} is set, otherwise the reference is searched
483 in the obsolete ali file with possible inaccurate results.
486 look for the file containing the declaration using the source
487 path @code{src_dir} defined in the project file. Put the cursor at the
488 correct position and display this new cursor.
491 @c -----------------------------------------------------------------------
492 @node Syntax highlighting, Moving Through Ada Code, Project files, Top
493 @chapter Syntax highlighting
494 @c -----------------------------------------------------------------------
496 Ada mode is made to help you understand the structure of your source
497 files. Some people like having colors or different fonts depending on
498 the context: commands should be displayed differently than keywords,
499 which should also be different from strings, @dots{}
501 Emacs is able to display in a different way the following syntactic
508 @item gnatprep statements (preprocessor)
509 @item types (under certain conditions)
513 This is not the default behavior for Emacs. You have to explicitly
514 activate it. This requires that you add a new line in your @file{.emacs}
515 file (if this file does not exist, just create it).
518 (global-font-lock-mode t)
521 But the default colors might not be the ones you like. Fortunately,
522 there is a very easy way to change them. Just select the menu
523 @samp{Help->Customize->Specific Face...} and press @key{RET}. This
524 will display a buffer will all the ``faces'' (the colors) that Emacs knows
525 about. You can change any of them.
528 @c -----------------------------------------------------------------------
529 @node Moving Through Ada Code, Identifier completion, Syntax highlighting, Top
530 @chapter Moving Through Ada Code
531 @c -----------------------------------------------------------------------
533 There are several easy to use commands to stroll through Ada code. All
534 these functions are available through the Ada menu, and you can also use
535 the following key bindings or the command names:
539 @findex ada-next-procedure
540 Move to the next function/procedure/task, which ever comes next
541 (@code{ada-next-procedure}).
543 @findex ada-previous-procedure
544 Move to previous function/procedure/task
545 (@code{ada-previous-procedure}).
546 @item M-x ada-next-package
547 @findex ada-next-package
548 Move to next package.
549 @item M-x ada-prev-package
550 @findex ada-prev-package
551 Move to previous package.
553 @findex ada-move-to-start
554 Move to matching start of @code{end} (@code{ada-move-to-start}). If
555 point is at the end of a subprogram, this command jumps to the
556 corresponding @code{begin} if the user option
557 @code{ada-move-to-declaration} is @code{nil} (default), it jumps to
558 the subprogram declaration otherwise.
560 @findex ada-move-to-end
561 Move point to end of current block (@code{ada-move-to-end}).
563 Switch between corresponding spec and body file
564 (@code{ff-find-other-file}). If the cursor is on a subprogram, switch
565 between declaration and body.
567 @findex ada-goto-declaration
568 Move from any reference to its declaration and switch between
569 declaration and body (for procedures, tasks, private and incomplete
572 @findex ada-find-references
573 runs the @file{gnatfind} command to search for all references to the
574 entity pointed by the cursor (@code{ada-find-references}). Use
575 @kbd{C-x `} (@code{next-error}) to visit each reference (as for
579 These functions use the information in the output of the Gnat Ada
580 compiler. However, if your application was compiled with the
581 @samp{-gnatx} switch, these functions will not work, since no extra
582 information is generated by GNAT. See GNAT documentation for further
585 Emacs will try to run Gnat for you whenever the cross-reference
586 informations are older than your source file (provided the
587 @code{ada-xref-create-ali} variable is non-@code{nil}). Gnat then produces a
588 file with the same name as the current Ada file but with the extension
589 changed to @file{.ali}. This files are normally used by the binder, but
590 they will also contain additional cross-referencing information.
592 @c -----------------------------------------------------------------------
593 @node Identifier completion, Index Menu of Subprograms, Moving Through Ada Code, Top
594 @chapter Identifier completion
595 @c -----------------------------------------------------------------------
597 @c -----------------------------------------------------------------------
599 @c -----------------------------------------------------------------------
601 Emacs and Ada mode provide two general ways for the completion of
602 identifiers. This is an easy way to type faster: you just have to type
603 the first few letters of an identifiers, and then loop through all the
604 possible completions.
606 The first method is general for Emacs. It will work both with Ada
607 buffers, but also in C buffers, Java buffers, @enddots{} The idea is to parse
608 all the opened buffers for possible completions.
610 For instance, if the words @samp{my_identifier}, @samp{my_subprogram}
611 are the only words starting with @samp{my} in any of the opened files,
612 then you will have this scenario:
615 You type: my@key{M-/}
616 Emacs inserts: @samp{my_identifier}
617 If you press @key{M-/} once again, Emacs replaces @samp{my_identifier} with
618 @samp{my_subprogram}.
619 Pressing @key{M-/} once more will bring you back to @samp{my_identifier}.
622 This is a very fast way to do completion, and the casing of words will
625 The second method is specific to Ada buffer, and even to users of the
626 Gnat compiler. Emacs will search the cross-information found in the
627 @samp{.ali} files generated by Gnat for possible completions.
629 The main advantage is that this completion is more accurate: only
630 existing identifier will be suggested, you don't need to have a file
631 opened that already contains this identifiers, @enddots{}
633 On the other hand, this completion is a little bit slower and requires
634 that you have compiled your file at least once since you created that
637 @c -----------------------------------------------------------------------
638 @section Summary of commands
639 @c -----------------------------------------------------------------------
643 @findex ada-complete-identifier
644 Complete accurately current identifier using information in @samp{.ali} file
645 (@code{ada-complete-identifier}).
647 Complete identifier using buffer information (not Ada-specific).
650 @c -----------------------------------------------------------------------
651 @node Index Menu of Subprograms, File Browser, Identifier completion, Top
652 @chapter Index Menu of Subprograms
653 @c -----------------------------------------------------------------------
655 You can display a choice menu with all procedure/function/task
656 declarations in the file and choose an item by mouse click to get to its
657 declaration. This function is accessible through the @samp{Ada} menu when
658 editing a Ada file, or simply through the following key binding:
665 @c -----------------------------------------------------------------------
666 @node File Browser, Automatic Smart Indentation, Index Menu of Subprograms, Top
667 @chapter File Browser
668 @c -----------------------------------------------------------------------
670 Emacs provides a special mode, called @code{speedbar}. When this mode is
671 activated, a new frame is displayed, with a file browser. The files from
672 the current directory are displayed, and you can click on them as you
673 would with any file browser. The following commands are then available.
675 You can click on a directory name or file name to open it. The editor
676 will automatically select the best possible mode for this file,
677 including of course Ada mode for files written in Ada.
679 If you click on the @samp{[+]} symbol near a file name, all the symbols (types,
680 variables and subprograms) defined in that file will be displayed, and
681 you can directly click on them to open the right file at the right
684 You can activate this mode by typing @key{M-x speedbar} in the editor.
685 This will open a new frame. A better way might be to associate the
686 following key binding
689 (global-set-key [f7] 'speedbar-get-focus)
692 Every time you press @key{F7}, the mouse will automatically move to the
693 speedbar frame (which will be created if it does not exist).
695 @c -----------------------------------------------------------------------
696 @node Automatic Smart Indentation, Formatting Parameter Lists, File Browser, Top
697 @chapter Automatic Smart Indentation
698 @c -----------------------------------------------------------------------
700 Ada mode comes with a full set of rules for automatic indentation.
701 You can of course configure the indentation as you want, by setting the
702 value of a few variables.
704 As always, the preferred way to modify variables is to use the
705 @samp{Ada->Customize} menu (don't forget to save your changes!). This
706 will also show you some example of code where this variable is used, and
707 hopefully make things clearer.
709 The relevant variables are the following:
712 @item @code{ada-broken-indent} (default value: 2)
713 Number of columns to indent the continuation of a broken line.
715 @item @code{ada-indent} (default value: 3)
716 Width of the default indentation.
718 @item @code{ada-indent-record-rel-type} (default value: 3)
719 Indentation for @code{record} relative to @code{type} or @code{use}.
721 @item @code{ada-indent-return} (default value: 0)
722 Indentation for @code{return} relative to @code{function} (if
723 @code{ada-indent-return} is greater than 0), or the open parenthesis
724 (if @code{ada-indent-return} is negative or null). Note that in the second
725 case, when there is no open parenthesis, the indentation is done
726 relative to @code{function} with the value of @code{ada-broken-indent}.
728 @item @code{ada-label-indent} (default value: -4)
729 Number of columns to indent a label.
731 @item @code{ada-stmt-end-indent} (default value: 0)
732 Number of columns to indent a statement @code{end} keyword on a separate line.
734 @item @code{ada-when-indent} (default value: 3)
735 Indentation for @code{when} relative to @code{exception} or @code{case}.
737 @item @code{ada-indent-is-separate} (default value: t)
738 Non-@code{nil} means indent @code{is separate} or @code{is abstract} if on a single line.
740 @item @code{ada-indent-to-open-paren} (default value: t)
741 Non-@code{nil} means indent according to the innermost open parenthesis.
743 @item @code{ada-indent-after-return} (default value: t)
744 Non-@code{nil} means that the current line will also be re-indented before
745 inserting a newline, when you press @key{RET}.
748 Most of the time, the indentation will be automatic, i.e when you will
749 press @key{RET}, the cursor will move to the correct column on the
752 However, you might want or need sometimes to re-indent the current line
753 or a set of lines. For this, you can simply go to that line, or select
754 the lines, and then press @key{TAB}. This will automatically re-indent
757 Another mode of indentation exists that helps you to set up your
758 indentation scheme. If you press @kbd{C-c @key{TAB}}, Ada mode will do
763 Reindent the current line, as @key{TAB} would do.
765 Temporarily move the cursor to a reference line, i.e., the line that
766 was used to calculate the current indentation.
768 Display at the bottom of the window the name of the variable that
769 provided the offset for the indentation.
772 The exact indentation of the current line is the same as the one for the
773 reference line, plus an offset given by the variable.
775 Once you know the name of the variable, you can either modify it
776 through the usual @samp{Ada->Customize} menu, or by typing @kbd{M-x
777 customize-variable @key{RET}} in the Emacs window, and then give the
778 name of the variable.
782 Indent the current line or the current region.
784 Indent lines in the current selected block.
786 Indent the current line and prints the name of the variable used for
792 @c -----------------------------------------------------------------------
793 @node Formatting Parameter Lists, Automatic Casing, Automatic Smart Indentation, Top
794 @chapter Formatting Parameter Lists
795 @c -----------------------------------------------------------------------
797 To help you correctly align fields in a subprogram parameter list,
798 Emacs provides one function that will do most of the work for you.
799 This function will align the declarations on the colon (@samp{:})
800 separating argument names and argument types, plus align the
801 @code{in}, @code{out} and @code{in out} keywords if required.
805 @findex ada-format-paramlist
806 Format the parameter list (@code{ada-format-paramlist}).
809 @c -----------------------------------------------------------------------
810 @node Automatic Casing, Statement Templates, Formatting Parameter Lists, Top
811 @chapter Automatic Casing
812 @c -----------------------------------------------------------------------
814 Casing of identifiers, attributes and keywords is automatically
815 performed while typing when the variable @code{ada-auto-case} is set.
816 Every time you press a word separator, the previous word is
819 You can customize the automatic casing differently for keywords,
820 attributes and identifiers. The relevant variables are the following:
821 @code{ada-case-keyword}, @code{ada-case-attribute} and
822 @code{ada-case-identifier}.
824 All these variables can have one of the following values:
828 The previous word will simply be in all lower cases. For instance
829 @code{My_vARIable} is converted to @code{my_variable}.
832 The previous word will be fully converted to upper cases. For instance
833 @code{My_vARIable} is converted to @code{MY_VARIABLE}.
835 @item ada-capitalize-word
836 All letters, except the first one of the word and every letter after the
837 @samp{_} character are lower cased. Other letters are upper cased. For
838 instance @code{My_vARIable} is converted to @code{My_Variable}.
840 @item ada-loose-case-word
841 No letters is modified in the previous word, except the ones after the
842 @samp{_} character that are upper cased. For instance @code{My_vARIable} is
843 converted to @code{My_VARIable}.
846 These functions, although they will work in most cases, will not be
847 accurate sometimes. The Ada mode allows you to define some exceptions,
848 that will always be cased the same way.
850 The idea is to create a dictionary of exceptions, and store it in a
851 file. This file should contain one identifier per line, with the casing
852 you want to force. The default name for this file is
853 @file{~/.emacs_case_exceptions}. You can of course change this name,
854 through the variable @code{ada-case-exception-file}.
856 Note that each line in this file must start with the key word whose
857 casing you want to specify. The rest of the line can be used for
858 comments (explaining for instance what an abbreviation means, as
859 recommended in the Ada 95 Quality and Style, paragraph 3.1.4). Thus, a
860 good example for this file could be:
863 DOD Department of Defense
865 GNAT The GNAT compiler from Ada Core Technologies
868 When working on project involving multiple programmers, we recommend
869 that every member of the team sets this variable to the same value,
870 which should point to a system-wide file that each of them can
871 write. That way, you will ensure that the casing is consistent
872 throughout your application(s).
874 @findex ada-create-case-exception
875 There are two ways to add new items to this file: you can simply edit it
876 as you would edit any text file, and add or suppress entries in this
877 file. Remember that you should put one entity per line. The other,
878 easier way, is to position the cursor over the word you want to add, in
879 an Ada buffer. This word should have the casing you want. Then simply
880 select the menu @samp{Ada->Edit->Create Case Exception}, or the key
881 @kbd{C-c C-y} (@code{ada-create-case-exception}). The word will
882 automatically be added to the current list of exceptions and to the file.
884 It is sometimes useful to have multiple exception files around (for
885 instance, one could be the standard Ada acronyms, the second some
886 company specific exceptions, and the last one some project specific
887 exceptions). If you set up the variable @code{ada-case-exception-file}
888 as a list of files, each of them will be parsed and used in your emacs
891 However, when you save a new exception through the menu, as described
892 above, the new exception will be added to the first file in the list
893 only. You can not automatically add an exception to one of the other
894 files, although you can of course edit the files by hand at any time.
896 Automatic casing can be performed on port or whole buffer using:
900 @findex ada-adjust-case-buffer
901 Adjust case in the whole buffer (@code{ada-adjust-case-buffer}).
903 Create a new entry in the exception dictionary, with the word under
904 the cursor (@code{ada-create-case-exception})
906 @findex ada-case-read-exceptions
907 Rereads the exception dictionary from the file
908 @code{ada-case-exception-file} (@code{ada-case-read-exceptions}).
911 @c -----------------------------------------------------------------------
912 @node Statement Templates, Comment Handling, Automatic Casing, Top
913 @chapter Statement Templates
914 @c -----------------------------------------------------------------------
916 NOTE: This features are not available on VMS for Emacs 19.28. The
917 functions used here do not exist on Emacs 19.28.
919 Templates exist for most Ada statements. They can be inserted in the
920 buffer using the following commands:
924 @findex ada-exception-block
925 exception Block (@code{ada-exception-block}).
928 case (@code{ada-case}).
930 @findex ada-declare-block
931 declare Block (@code{ada-declare-block}).
934 else (@code{ada-else}).
937 for Loop (@code{ada-for-loop}).
940 Header (@code{ada-header}).
945 @findex ada-package-body
946 package Body (@code{ada-package-body}).
949 loop (@code{ada-loop}).
951 @findex ada-subprogram-body
952 subprogram body (@code{ada-subprogram-body}).
954 @findex ada-task-body
955 task Body (@code{ada-task-body}).
958 while Loop (@code{ada-while}).
961 use (@code{ada-use}).
964 exit (@code{ada-exit}).
967 array (@code{ada-array}).
970 elsif (@code{ada-elsif}).
972 @findex ada-function-spec
973 function Spec (@code{ada-function-spec}).
975 @findex ada-package-spec
976 package Spec (@code{ada-package-spec}).
978 @findex ada-procedure-spec
979 procedure Spec (@code{ada-package-spec}.
982 record (@code{ada-record}).
985 subtype (@code{ada-subtype}).
987 @findex ada-task-spec
988 task Spec (@code{ada-task-spec}).
991 with (@code{ada-with}).
994 private (@code{ada-private}).
997 when (@code{ada-when}).
999 @findex ada-exception
1000 exception (@code{ada-exception}).
1003 type (@code{ada-type}).
1006 @c -----------------------------------------------------------------------
1007 @node Comment Handling, Compiling Executing, Statement Templates, Top
1008 @chapter Comment Handling
1009 @c -----------------------------------------------------------------------
1011 By default, comment lines get indented like Ada code. There are a few
1012 additional functions to handle comments:
1017 Start a comment in default column.
1019 Continue comment on next line.
1021 Comment the selected region (add -- at the beginning of lines).
1023 Uncomment the selected region
1025 autofill the current comment.
1028 @c -----------------------------------------------------------------------
1029 @node Compiling Executing, Debugging, Comment Handling, Top
1030 @chapter Compiling Executing
1031 @c -----------------------------------------------------------------------
1033 Ada mode provides a much complete environment for compiling, debugging
1034 and running an application within Emacs.
1036 All the commands used by Emacs to manipulate your application can be
1037 customized in the project file. Some default values are provided, but
1038 these will likely not be good enough for a big or even medium-sized
1039 project. See the section on the project file for an explanation on how
1040 to set up the commands to use.
1042 One of the variables you can set in your project file,
1043 @code{cross_prefix}, indicates whether you are using a cross-compilation
1044 environment, and if yes for which target. The default command used for
1045 compilation will add this @code{cross_prefix} in front of the name:
1046 @code{gcc} will become @code{cross_prefix}-@code{gcc}, @code{gnatmake}
1047 will become @code{cross_prefix}-@code{gnatmake}, @enddots{}
1049 This will also modify the way your application is run and debugged,
1050 although this is not implemented at the moment.
1052 Here are the commands for building and using an Ada application
1056 @item Compiling the current source
1057 This command is issued when issuing the @code{compile} command from the
1058 Ada menu. It compiles unconditionally the current source using the
1059 @code{comp_cmd} variable of the project file. Compilation options can be
1060 customized with the variable @code{comp_opt} of the project file.
1062 Emacs will display a new buffer that contains the result of the
1063 compilation. Each line associated with an error will become active: you
1064 can simply click on it with the middle button of the mouse, or move the
1065 cursor on it and press @key{RET}. Emacs will then display the
1066 relevant source file and put the cursor on the line and column the error
1069 You can also simply press the @kbd{C-x `} key and Emacs will jump to the
1070 first error. If you press that key again, it will move you to the second
1073 Some error messages might also include references to some files. These
1074 references are also clickable in the same way.
1077 @item (Re)building the whole application
1078 This command is issued when you select the @code{build} command from the
1079 Ada menu. It compiles all obsolete units of the current application
1080 using the @code{make_cmd} variable of the project file. Compilation
1081 options can be customized with the variable @code{comp_opt} of the
1082 project file, binder options with @code{bind_opt} and linker options
1083 with @code{link_opt}. The main unit of the application may be specified
1086 The compilation buffer is also active in the same way it was for the above
1089 @item Running the application
1090 This command is issued when you select the @code{run} command from the
1091 Ada menu. It executes the current application in an emacs
1092 buffer. Arguments can be passed through before executing. The execution
1093 buffer allows for interactive input/output.
1095 This command is not yet available in a cross-compilation
1096 toolchain. Emacs would first need to log on the target before running
1097 the application. This will be implemented in a future release of Gnat.
1101 @c ---------------------------------------------------------------------
1102 @node Debugging, Using non-standard file names, Compiling Executing, Top
1103 @chapter Debugging your application
1104 @c ---------------------------------------------------------------------
1106 You can set up in the project file a command to use to debug your
1107 application. Emacs is compatible with a lot of debuggers, and provide an
1108 easy interface to them.
1110 This selection will focus on the gdb debugger, and two of the graphical
1111 interfaces that exist for it.
1113 In all cases, the main window in Emacs will be split in two: in the
1114 upper buffer, the source code will appear, whereas the debugger
1115 input/output window is displayed at the bottom. You can enter the
1116 debugger commands as usual in the command window. Every time a new
1117 source file is selected by the debugger (for instance as a result of a
1118 @code{frame} command), the appropriate source file is displayed in the
1121 The source window is interactive: you can click on an identifier with the
1122 right mouse button, and print its value in the debugger window. You can
1123 also set a breakpoint simply by right-clicking on a line.
1125 You can easily use Emacs as the source window when you are using a
1126 graphical interface for the debugger. The interesting thing is that,
1127 whereas you still have the graphical nifties, you can also you the
1128 cross-references features that Ada mode provides to look at the
1129 definition for the identifiers, @enddots{}
1131 Here is how you can set up gdbtk and ddd for use with Emacs (These are
1132 the commands you should setup in the project file):
1136 should be used with the switch @samp{--emacs_gdbtk}. It provides a nice
1137 backtrace window, as well as a tasks window. You can click interactively
1138 on both of them, and Emacs will display the source file on the correct
1141 @item ddd (Data Display Debugger)
1142 should be used with the switches @samp{--tty} and
1143 @samp{--fullname}. Whenever you print a variable from Emacs, it will
1144 be displayed graphically in the data window.
1149 @c ---------------------------------------------------------------------
1150 @node Using non-standard file names, Working Remotely, Debugging, Top
1151 @chapter Using non-standard file names
1152 @c ---------------------------------------------------------------------
1154 By default, Emacs is configured to use the GNAT style file names, where
1155 file names are the package names, and the extension for spec and bodies
1156 are respectively @samp{.ads} and @samp{.adb}.
1158 If you want to use other types of file names, you will need to modify
1159 your @file{.emacs} file.
1161 Adding new possible extensions is easy. Since Ada mode needs to know
1162 how to go from the body to the spec (and back), you always have to
1163 specify both. A function is provided with Ada mode to add new
1166 For instance, if your spec and bodies files are called
1167 @file{@var{unit}_s.ada} and @file{@var{unit}_b.ada}, respectively, you
1168 need to add the following to your @file{.emacs} file:
1171 (ada-add-extensions "_s.ada" "_b.ada")
1174 Note that it is possible to redefine the extension, even if they already
1178 (ada-add-extensions ".ads" "_b.ada")
1179 (ada-add-extensions ".ads" ".body")
1182 This simply means that whenever the ada-mode will look for the body for
1183 a file whose extension is @file{.ads}, it will take the first available
1184 file that ends with either @file{.adb} (standard), @file{_b.ada} or
1187 If the filename is not the unit name, then things are a little more
1188 complicated. You then need to rewrite the function
1189 @code{ada-make-filename-from-adaname} (see the file @file{ada-mode.el}
1192 @c ---------------------------------------------------------------------
1193 @node Working Remotely, Index, Using non-standard file names, Top
1194 @chapter Working Remotely
1195 @c ---------------------------------------------------------------------
1197 When you work on project that involve a lot of programmers, it is
1198 generally the case that you will edit the files on your own machine, but
1199 you want to compile, run and debug your application in another buffer.
1201 Fortunately, here too Emacs provides a very convenient way to do this.
1203 @c ---------------------------------------------------------------------
1204 @section Remote editing
1205 @c ---------------------------------------------------------------------
1207 First of all, the files do not need to be on your machine. Emacs can
1208 edit any remote file, by doing transparent FTP sessions between your
1209 machine and the remote machine that stores your files. This is a special
1210 Emacs mode, called @code{ange-ftp}. To use it, you just have to use a
1211 slightly different syntax when you open a file.
1213 For instance, if you want to open the file @file{/work/foo.adb} on the machine
1214 aleph.gnu.org, where you log in as qwe, you would simply do this:
1217 C-x C-f /qwe@@aleph.gnu.org:/work/foo.adb @key{RET}
1221 i.e., use your name, the name of the machine and the name of the file.
1223 The first time, Emacs will ask you for a password that it will remember
1224 until you close the current Emacs. Even if the ftp session times out,
1225 you won't need to reenter your password.
1227 Every time you save the file, Emacs will upload it to the remote machine
1228 transparently. No file is modified on the local machine.
1230 @c ---------------------------------------------------------------------
1231 @section Remote compiling
1232 @c ---------------------------------------------------------------------
1234 If the machine you want to compile on is not the one your Emacs is
1235 running on, you can set the variable @code{remote_machine} in the
1236 project file for your application.
1238 This will force Emacs to issue a @command{rsh} command for the compilation,
1239 instead of running it on the local machine. Unfortunately, this won't
1240 work on Windows workstations, since this protocol is not supported.
1243 If your @code{remote_machine} is aleph.gnu.org and the standard
1244 compilation command is @code{cd /work/ && gnatmake foo}, then Emacs will
1245 actually issue the command @code{rsh aleph.gnu.org 'cd /work/ &&
1249 The advantage of using the @code{remote_machine} variable is that it is
1250 easier to change that machine without having to modify the compilation
1253 Note that if you need to set up some environment variables before the
1254 compilation, you need to insert a call to the appropriate initialization
1255 script in the compilation command, for instance:
1258 build_cmd= initialization_script; cd /work/ && gnatmake foo
1261 @c ---------------------------------------------------------------------
1262 @section Remote running and debugging
1263 @c ---------------------------------------------------------------------
1265 This feature is not completely implemented yet.
1267 However, most of the time, you will be able to run your application
1268 remotely simply by replacing it with a @command{rsh} call.
1269 For instance, if your command was @code{$@{main@}}, you could replace it with
1270 @code{rsh aleph.gnu.org $@{main@}}.
1272 However, this would not work on vxworks, for instance, where
1273 @command{rsh} is not supported.
1275 @node Index, , Working Remotely, Top