1 @c This is part of the Emacs manual.
2 @c Copyright (C) 1985, 86, 87, 93, 94, 95, 97, 2000
3 @c Free Software Foundation, Inc.
4 @c See file emacs.texi for copying conditions.
6 @chapter Miscellaneous Commands
8 This chapter contains several brief topics that do not fit anywhere
9 else: reading netnews, running shell commands and shell subprocesses,
10 using a single shared Emacs for utilities that expect to run an editor
11 as a subprocess, printing hardcopy, sorting text, narrowing display to
12 part of the buffer, editing double-column files and binary files, saving
13 an Emacs session for later resumption, emulating other editors, and
14 various diversions and amusements.
17 @node Gnus, Shell, Calendar/Diary, Top
20 @cindex reading netnews
22 Gnus is an Emacs package primarily designed for reading and posting
23 Usenet news. It can also be used to read and respond to messages from a
24 number of other sources---mail, remote directories, digests, and so on.
26 Here we introduce Gnus and describe several basic features.
28 For full details, see @ref{Top, Gnus,, gnus, The Gnus Manual}.
31 For full details on Gnus, type @kbd{M-x info} and then select the Gnus
36 To start Gnus, type @kbd{M-x gnus @key{RET}}.
39 * Buffers of Gnus:: The group, summary, and article buffers.
40 * Gnus Startup:: What you should know about starting Gnus.
41 * Summary of Gnus:: A short description of the basic Gnus commands.
45 @subsection Gnus Buffers
47 As opposed to most normal Emacs packages, Gnus uses a number of
48 different buffers to display information and to receive commands. The
49 three buffers users spend most of their time in are the @dfn{group
50 buffer}, the @dfn{summary buffer} and the @dfn{article buffer}.
52 The @dfn{group buffer} contains a list of groups. This is the first
53 buffer Gnus displays when it starts up. It normally displays only the
54 groups to which you subscribe and that contain unread articles. Use
55 this buffer to select a specific group.
57 The @dfn{summary buffer} lists one line for each article in a single
58 group. By default, the author, the subject and the line number are
59 displayed for each article, but this is customizable, like most aspects
60 of Gnus display. The summary buffer is created when you select a group
61 in the group buffer, and is killed when you exit the group. Use this
62 buffer to select an article.
64 The @dfn{article buffer} displays the article. In normal Gnus usage,
65 you don't select this buffer---all useful article-oriented commands work
66 in the summary buffer. But you can select the article buffer, and
67 execute all Gnus commands from that buffer, if you want to.
70 @subsection When Gnus Starts Up
72 At startup, Gnus reads your @file{.newsrc} news initialization file
73 and attempts to communicate with the local news server, which is a
74 repository of news articles. The news server need not be the same
75 computer you are logged in on.
77 If you start Gnus and connect to the server, but do not see any
78 newsgroups listed in the group buffer, type @kbd{L} or @kbd{A k} to get
79 a listing of all the groups. Then type @kbd{u} to toggle
80 subscription to groups.
82 The first time you start Gnus, Gnus subscribes you to a few selected
83 groups. All other groups start out as @dfn{killed groups} for you; you
84 can list them with @kbd{A k}. All new groups that subsequently come to
85 exist at the news server become @dfn{zombie groups} for you; type @kbd{A
86 z} to list them. You can subscribe to a group shown in these lists
87 using the @kbd{u} command.
89 When you quit Gnus with @kbd{q}, it automatically records in your
90 @file{.newsrc} and @file{.newsrc.eld} initialization files the
91 subscribed or unsubscribed status of all groups. You should normally
92 not edit these files manually, but you may if you know how.
95 @subsection Summary of Gnus Commands
97 Reading news is a two step process:
101 Choose a group in the group buffer.
104 Select articles from the summary buffer. Each article selected is
105 displayed in the article buffer in a large window, below the summary
106 buffer in its small window.
109 Each Gnus buffer has its own special commands; however, the meanings
110 of any given key in the various Gnus buffers are usually analogous, even
111 if not identical. Here are commands for the group and summary buffers:
114 @kindex q @r{(Gnus Group mode)}
115 @findex gnus-group-exit
117 In the group buffer, update your @file{.newsrc} initialization file
120 In the summary buffer, exit the current group and return to the
121 group buffer. Thus, typing @kbd{q} twice quits Gnus.
123 @kindex L @r{(Gnus Group mode)}
124 @findex gnus-group-list-all-groups
126 In the group buffer, list all the groups available on your news
127 server (except those you have killed). This may be a long list!
129 @kindex l @r{(Gnus Group mode)}
130 @findex gnus-group-list-groups
132 In the group buffer, list only the groups to which you subscribe and
133 which contain unread articles.
135 @kindex u @r{(Gnus Group mode)}
136 @findex gnus-group-unsubscribe-current-group
137 @cindex subscribe groups
138 @cindex unsubscribe groups
140 In the group buffer, unsubscribe from (or subscribe to) the group listed
141 in the line that point is on. When you quit Gnus by typing @kbd{q},
142 Gnus lists in your @file{.newsrc} file which groups you have subscribed
143 to. The next time you start Gnus, you won't see this group,
144 because Gnus normally displays only subscribed-to groups.
146 @kindex C-k @r{(Gnus)}
147 @findex gnus-group-kill-group
149 In the group buffer, ``kill'' the current line's group---don't
150 even list it in @file{.newsrc} from now on. This affects future
151 Gnus sessions as well as the present session.
153 When you quit Gnus by typing @kbd{q}, Gnus writes information
154 in the file @file{.newsrc} describing all newsgroups except those you
157 @kindex SPC @r{(Gnus)}
158 @findex gnus-group-read-group
160 In the group buffer, select the group on the line under the cursor
161 and display the first unread article in that group.
164 In the summary buffer,
168 Select the article on the line under the cursor if none is selected.
171 Scroll the text of the selected article (if there is one).
174 Select the next unread article if at the end of the current article.
177 Thus, you can move through all the articles by repeatedly typing @key{SPC}.
179 @kindex DEL @r{(Gnus)}
181 In the group buffer, move point to the previous group containing
184 @findex gnus-summary-prev-page
185 In the summary buffer, scroll the text of the article backwards.
188 @findex gnus-group-next-unread-group
189 @findex gnus-summary-next-unread-article
191 Move point to the next unread group, or select the next unread article.
194 @findex gnus-group-prev-unread-group
195 @findex gnus-summary-prev-unread-article
197 Move point to the previous unread group, or select the previous
200 @kindex C-n @r{(Gnus Group mode)}
201 @findex gnus-group-next-group
202 @kindex C-p @r{(Gnus Group mode)}
203 @findex gnus-group-prev-group
204 @kindex C-n @r{(Gnus Summary mode)}
205 @findex gnus-summary-next-subject
206 @kindex C-p @r{(Gnus Summary mode)}
207 @findex gnus-summary-prev-subject
210 Move point to the next or previous item, even if it is marked as read.
211 This does not select the article or group on that line.
213 @kindex s @r{(Gnus Summary mode)}
214 @findex gnus-summary-isearch-article
216 In the summary buffer, do an incremental search of the current text in
217 the article buffer, just as if you switched to the article buffer and
220 @kindex M-s @r{(Gnus Summary mode)}
221 @findex gnus-summary-search-article-forward
222 @item M-s @var{regexp} @key{RET}
223 In the summary buffer, search forward for articles containing a match
230 @subsection Where to Look Further
232 @c Too many references to the name of the manual if done with xref in TeX!
233 Gnus is powerful and customizable. Here are references to a few
239 additional topics in @cite{The Gnus Manual}:
243 Follow discussions on specific topics.@*
244 See section ``Threading.''
247 Read digests. See section ``Document Groups.''
250 Refer to and jump to the parent of the current article.@*
251 See section ``Finding the Parent.''
254 Refer to articles by using Message-IDs included in the messages.@*
255 See section ``Article Keymap.''
258 Save articles. See section ``Saving Articles.''
261 Have Gnus score articles according to various criteria, like author
262 name, subject, or string in the body of the articles.@*
263 See section ``Scoring.''
266 Send an article to a newsgroup.@*
267 See section ``Composing Messages.''
273 Follow discussions on specific topics.@*
274 @xref{Threading, , Reading Based on Conversation Threads,
275 gnus, The Gnus Manual}.
278 Read digests. @xref{Document Groups, , , gnus, The Gnus Manual}.
281 Refer to and jump to the parent of the current article.@*
282 @xref{Finding the Parent, , , gnus, The Gnus Manual}.
285 Refer to articles by using Message-IDs included in the messages.@*
286 @xref{Article Keymap, , , gnus, The Gnus Manual}.
289 Save articles. @xref{Saving Articles, , , gnus, The Gnus Manual}.
292 Have Gnus score articles according to various criteria, like author
293 name, subject, or string in the body of the articles.@*
294 @xref{Scoring, , , gnus, The Gnus Manual}.
297 Send an article to a newsgroup.@*
298 @xref{Composing Messages, , , gnus, The Gnus Manual}.
303 @node Shell, Emacs Server, Gnus, Top
304 @section Running Shell Commands from Emacs
306 @cindex shell commands
308 Emacs has commands for passing single command lines to inferior shell
309 processes; it can also run a shell interactively with input and output to
310 an Emacs buffer named @samp{*shell*}.
313 @item M-! @var{cmd} @key{RET}
314 Run the shell command line @var{cmd} and display the output
315 (@code{shell-command}).
316 @item M-| @var{cmd} @key{RET}
317 Run the shell command line @var{cmd} with region contents as input;
318 optionally replace the region with the output
319 (@code{shell-command-on-region}).
321 Run a subshell with input and output through an Emacs buffer.
322 You can then give commands interactively.
324 Run a subshell with input and output through an Emacs buffer.
325 You can then give commands interactively.
326 Full terminal emulation is available.
330 * Single Shell:: How to run one shell command and return.
331 * Interactive Shell:: Permanent shell taking input via Emacs.
332 * Shell Mode:: Special Emacs commands used with permanent shell.
333 * History: Shell History. Repeating previous commands in a shell buffer.
334 * Options: Shell Options. Options for customizing Shell mode.
335 * Terminal emulator:: An Emacs window as a terminal emulator.
336 * Term Mode:: Special Emacs commands used in Term mode.
337 * Paging in Term:: Paging in the terminal emulator.
338 * Remote Host:: Connecting to another computer.
342 @subsection Single Shell Commands
345 @findex shell-command
346 @kbd{M-!} (@code{shell-command}) reads a line of text using the
347 minibuffer and executes it as a shell command in a subshell made just
348 for that command. Standard input for the command comes from the null
349 device. If the shell command produces any output, the output goes into
350 an Emacs buffer named @samp{*Shell Command Output*}, which is displayed
351 in another window but not selected. A numeric argument, as in @kbd{M-1
352 M-!}, directs this command to insert any output into the current buffer.
353 In that case, point is left before the output and the mark is set after
356 If the shell command line ends in @samp{&}, it runs asynchronously.
357 For a synchronous shell command, @code{shell-command} returns the
358 command's exit status (0 means success), when it is called from a Lisp
362 @findex shell-command-on-region
363 @kbd{M-|} (@code{shell-command-on-region}) is like @kbd{M-!} but
364 passes the contents of the region as the standard input to the shell
365 command, instead of no input. If a numeric argument is used, meaning
366 insert the output in the current buffer, then the old region is deleted
367 first and the output replaces it as the contents of the region. It
368 returns the command's exit status when it is called from a Lisp program.
370 @vindex shell-file-name
372 Both @kbd{M-!} and @kbd{M-|} use @code{shell-file-name} to specify the
373 shell to use. This variable is initialized based on your @env{SHELL}
374 environment variable when Emacs is started. If the file name does not
375 specify a directory, the directories in the list @code{exec-path} are
376 searched; this list is initialized based on the environment variable
377 @env{PATH} when Emacs is started. Your @file{.emacs} file can override
378 either or both of these default initializations.@refill
380 Both @kbd{M-!} and @kbd{M-|} wait for the shell command to complete.
381 To stop waiting, type @kbd{C-g} to quit; that terminates the shell
382 command with the signal @code{SIGINT}---the same signal that @kbd{C-c}
383 normally generates in the shell. Emacs waits until the command actually
384 terminates. If the shell command doesn't stop (because it ignores the
385 @code{SIGINT} signal), type @kbd{C-g} again; this sends the command a
386 @code{SIGKILL} signal which is impossible to ignore.
388 To specify a coding system for @kbd{M-!} or @kbd{M-|}, use the command
389 @kbd{C-x @key{RET} c} immediately beforehand. @xref{Specify Coding}.
391 @vindex shell-command-default-error-buffer
392 Error output from the command is normally intermixed with the regular
393 output. If you set the variable
394 @code{shell-command-default-error-buffer} to a string, which is a buffer
395 name, error output is inserted before point in the buffer of that name.
397 @node Interactive Shell
398 @subsection Interactive Inferior Shell
401 To run a subshell interactively, putting its typescript in an Emacs
402 buffer, use @kbd{M-x shell}. This creates (or reuses) a buffer named
403 @samp{*shell*} and runs a subshell with input coming from and output going
404 to that buffer. That is to say, any ``terminal output'' from the subshell
405 goes into the buffer, advancing point, and any ``terminal input'' for
406 the subshell comes from text in the buffer. To give input to the subshell,
407 go to the end of the buffer and type the input, terminated by @key{RET}.
409 Emacs does not wait for the subshell to do anything. You can switch
410 windows or buffers and edit them while the shell is waiting, or while it is
411 running a command. Output from the subshell waits until Emacs has time to
412 process it; this happens whenever Emacs is waiting for keyboard input or
415 To make multiple subshells, rename the buffer @samp{*shell*} to
416 something different using @kbd{M-x rename-uniquely}. Then type @kbd{M-x
417 shell} again to create a new buffer @samp{*shell*} with its own
418 subshell. If you rename this buffer as well, you can create a third
419 one, and so on. All the subshells run independently and in parallel.
421 @vindex explicit-shell-file-name
422 @cindex @env{ESHELL} environment variable
423 @cindex @env{SHELL} environment variable
424 The file name used to load the subshell is the value of the variable
425 @code{explicit-shell-file-name}, if that is non-@code{nil}. Otherwise,
426 the environment variable @env{ESHELL} is used, or the environment
427 variable @env{SHELL} if there is no @env{ESHELL}. If the file name
428 specified is relative, the directories in the list @code{exec-path} are
429 searched; this list is initialized based on the environment variable
430 @env{PATH} when Emacs is started. Your @file{.emacs} file can override
431 either or both of these default initializations.
433 To specify a coding system for the shell, you can use the command
434 @kbd{C-x @key{RET} c} immediately before @kbd{M-x shell}. You can also
435 specify a coding system after starting the shell by using @kbd{C-x
436 @key{RET} p} in the shell buffer. @xref{Specify Coding}.
438 As soon as the subshell is started, it is sent as input the contents
439 of the file @file{~/.emacs_@var{shellname}}, if that file exists, where
440 @var{shellname} is the name of the file that the shell was loaded from.
441 For example, if you use bash, the file sent to it is
442 @file{~/.emacs_bash}.
444 @vindex shell-pushd-regexp
445 @vindex shell-popd-regexp
446 @vindex shell-cd-regexp
447 @code{cd}, @code{pushd} and @code{popd} commands given to the inferior
448 shell are watched by Emacs so it can keep the @samp{*shell*} buffer's
449 default directory the same as the shell's working directory. These
450 commands are recognized syntactically by examining lines of input that are
451 sent. If you use aliases for these commands, you can tell Emacs to
452 recognize them also. For example, if the value of the variable
453 @code{shell-pushd-regexp} matches the beginning of a shell command line,
454 that line is regarded as a @code{pushd} command. Change this variable when
455 you add aliases for @samp{pushd}. Likewise, @code{shell-popd-regexp} and
456 @code{shell-cd-regexp} are used to recognize commands with the meaning of
457 @samp{popd} and @samp{cd}. These commands are recognized only at the
458 beginning of a shell command line.@refill
460 @vindex shell-set-directory-error-hook
461 If Emacs gets an error while trying to handle what it believes is a
462 @samp{cd}, @samp{pushd} or @samp{popd} command, it runs the hook
463 @code{shell-set-directory-error-hook} (@pxref{Hooks}).
466 If Emacs does not properly track changes in the current directory of
467 the subshell, use the command @kbd{M-x dirs} to ask the shell what its
468 current directory is. This command works for shells that support the
469 most common command syntax; it may not work for unusual shells.
471 @findex dirtrack-mode
472 You can also use @kbd{M-x dirtrack-mode} to enable (or disable) an
473 alternative and more aggressive method of tracking changes in the
476 Emacs defines the environment variable @env{EMACS} in the subshell,
477 with value @code{t}. A shell script can check this variable to
478 determine whether it has been run from an Emacs subshell.
481 @subsection Shell Mode
485 Shell buffers use Shell mode, which defines several special keys
486 attached to the @kbd{C-c} prefix. They are chosen to resemble the usual
487 editing and job control characters present in shells that are not under
488 Emacs, except that you must type @kbd{C-c} first. Here is a complete list
489 of the special key bindings of Shell mode:
493 @kindex RET @r{(Shell mode)}
494 @findex comint-send-input
495 @vindex comint-use-prompt-regexp-instead-of-fields
496 @cindex prompt, shell
497 At end of buffer send line as input; otherwise, copy current line to end
498 of buffer and send it (@code{comint-send-input}). When a line is
499 copied, any prompt is left out (where the prompt is the part of the line
500 that was not input by the user; see also
501 @code{comint-use-prompt-regexp-instead-of-fields}).
504 @kindex TAB @r{(Shell mode)}
505 @findex comint-dynamic-complete
506 Complete the command name or file name before point in the shell buffer
507 (@code{comint-dynamic-complete}). @key{TAB} also completes history
508 references (@pxref{History References}) and environment variable names.
510 @vindex shell-completion-fignore
511 @vindex comint-completion-fignore
512 The variable @code{shell-completion-fignore} specifies a list of file
513 name extensions to ignore in Shell mode completion. The default setting
514 ignores file names ending in @samp{~}, @samp{#} or @samp{%}. Other
515 related Comint modes use the variable @code{comint-completion-fignore}
519 @kindex M-? @r{(Shell mode)}
520 @findex comint-dynamic-list-filename@dots{}
521 Display temporarily a list of the possible completions of the file name
522 before point in the shell buffer
523 (@code{comint-dynamic-list-filename-completions}).
526 @kindex C-d @r{(Shell mode)}
527 @findex comint-delchar-or-maybe-eof
528 Either delete a character or send @sc{eof}
529 (@code{comint-delchar-or-maybe-eof}). Typed at the end of the shell
530 buffer, @kbd{C-d} sends @sc{eof} to the subshell. Typed at any other
531 position in the buffer, @kbd{C-d} deletes a character as usual.
534 @kindex C-c C-a @r{(Shell mode)}
536 Move to the beginning of the line, but after the prompt if any
537 (@code{comint-bol}). If you repeat this command twice in a row, the
538 second time it moves back to the process mark, which is the beginning of
539 the input that you have not yet sent to the subshell. (Normally that is
540 the same place---the end of the prompt on this line---but after @kbd{C-c
541 @key{SPC}} the process mark may be in a previous line.)
544 Accumulate multiple lines of input, then send them together. This
545 command inserts a newline before point, but does not send the preceding
546 text as input to the subshell---at least, not yet. Both lines, the one
547 before this newline and the one after, will be sent together (along with
548 the newline that separates them), when you type @key{RET}.
551 @kindex C-c C-u @r{(Shell mode)}
552 @findex comint-kill-input
553 Kill all text pending at end of buffer to be sent as input
554 (@code{comint-kill-input}).
557 @kindex C-c C-w @r{(Shell mode)}
558 Kill a word before point (@code{backward-kill-word}).
561 @kindex C-c C-c @r{(Shell mode)}
562 @findex comint-interrupt-subjob
563 Interrupt the shell or its current subjob if any
564 (@code{comint-interrupt-subjob}). This command also kills
565 any shell input pending in the shell buffer and not yet sent.
568 @kindex C-c C-z @r{(Shell mode)}
569 @findex comint-stop-subjob
570 Stop the shell or its current subjob if any (@code{comint-stop-subjob}).
571 This command also kills any shell input pending in the shell buffer and
575 @findex comint-quit-subjob
576 @kindex C-c C-\ @r{(Shell mode)}
577 Send quit signal to the shell or its current subjob if any
578 (@code{comint-quit-subjob}). This command also kills any shell input
579 pending in the shell buffer and not yet sent.
582 @kindex C-c C-o @r{(Shell mode)}
583 @findex comint-delete-output
584 Delete the last batch of output from a shell command
585 (@code{comint-delete-output}). This is useful if a shell command spews
586 out lots of output that just gets in the way. This command used to be
587 called @code{comint-kill-output}.
590 @kindex C-c C-s @r{(Shell mode)}
591 @findex comint-write-output
592 Write the last batch of output from a shell command to a file
593 (@code{comint-write-output}). With a prefix argument, the file is
594 appended to instead. Any prompt at the end of the output is not
599 @kindex C-c C-r @r{(Shell mode)}
600 @kindex C-M-l @r{(Shell mode)}
601 @findex comint-show-output
602 Scroll to display the beginning of the last batch of output at the top
603 of the window; also move the cursor there (@code{comint-show-output}).
606 @kindex C-c C-e @r{(Shell mode)}
607 @findex comint-show-maximum-output
608 Scroll to put the end of the buffer at the bottom of the window
609 (@code{comint-show-maximum-output}).
612 @kindex C-c C-f @r{(Shell mode)}
613 @findex shell-forward-command
614 @vindex shell-command-regexp
615 Move forward across one shell command, but not beyond the current line
616 (@code{shell-forward-command}). The variable @code{shell-command-regexp}
617 specifies how to recognize the end of a command.
620 @kindex C-c C-b @r{(Shell mode)}
621 @findex shell-backward-command
622 Move backward across one shell command, but not beyond the current line
623 (@code{shell-backward-command}).
626 @kindex C-c C-l @r{(Shell mode)}
627 @findex comint-dynamic-list-input-ring
628 Display the buffer's history of shell commands in another window
629 (@code{comint-dynamic-list-input-ring}).
632 Ask the shell what its current directory is, so that Emacs can agree
635 @item M-x send-invisible @key{RET} @var{text} @key{RET}
636 @findex send-invisible
637 Send @var{text} as input to the shell, after reading it without
638 echoing. This is useful when a shell command runs a program that asks
641 Alternatively, you can arrange for Emacs to notice password prompts
642 and turn off echoing for them, as follows:
645 (add-hook 'comint-output-filter-functions
646 'comint-watch-for-password-prompt)
649 @item M-x comint-continue-subjob
650 @findex comint-continue-subjob
651 Continue the shell process. This is useful if you accidentally suspend
652 the shell process.@footnote{You should not suspend the shell process.
653 Suspending a subjob of the shell is a completely different matter---that
654 is normal practice, but you must use the shell to continue the subjob;
655 this command won't do it.}
657 @item M-x comint-strip-ctrl-m
658 @findex comint-strip-ctrl-m
659 Discard all control-M characters from the current group of shell output.
660 The most convenient way to use this command is to make it run
661 automatically when you get output from the subshell. To do that,
662 evaluate this Lisp expression:
665 (add-hook 'comint-output-filter-functions
666 'comint-strip-ctrl-m)
669 @item M-x comint-truncate-buffer
670 @findex comint-truncate-buffer
671 This command truncates the shell buffer to a certain maximum number of
672 lines, specified by the variable @code{comint-buffer-maximum-size}.
673 Here's how to do this automatically each time you get output from the
677 (add-hook 'comint-output-filter-functions
678 'comint-truncate-buffer)
682 Shell mode also customizes the paragraph commands so that only shell
683 prompts start new paragraphs. Thus, a paragraph consists of an input
684 command plus the output that follows it in the buffer.
688 Shell mode is a derivative of Comint mode, a general-purpose mode for
689 communicating with interactive subprocesses. Most of the features of
690 Shell mode actually come from Comint mode, as you can see from the
691 command names listed above. The special features of Shell mode include
692 the directory tracking feature, and a few user commands.
694 Other Emacs features that use variants of Comint mode include GUD
695 (@pxref{Debuggers}) and @kbd{M-x run-lisp} (@pxref{External Lisp}).
698 You can use @kbd{M-x comint-run} to execute any program of your choice
699 in a subprocess using unmodified Comint mode---without the
700 specializations of Shell mode.
703 @subsection Shell Command History
705 Shell buffers support three ways of repeating earlier commands. You
706 can use the same keys used in the minibuffer; these work much as they do
707 in the minibuffer, inserting text from prior commands while point
708 remains always at the end of the buffer. You can move through the
709 buffer to previous inputs in their original place, then resubmit them or
710 copy them to the end. Or you can use a @samp{!}-style history
714 * Ring: Shell Ring. Fetching commands from the history list.
715 * Copy: Shell History Copying. Moving to a command and then copying it.
716 * History References:: Expanding @samp{!}-style history references.
720 @subsubsection Shell History Ring
723 @findex comint-previous-input
724 @kindex M-p @r{(Shell mode)}
726 Fetch the next earlier old shell command.
728 @kindex M-n @r{(Shell mode)}
729 @findex comint-next-input
731 Fetch the next later old shell command.
733 @kindex M-r @r{(Shell mode)}
734 @kindex M-s @r{(Shell mode)}
735 @findex comint-previous-matching-input
736 @findex comint-next-matching-input
737 @item M-r @var{regexp} @key{RET}
738 @itemx M-s @var{regexp} @key{RET}
739 Search backwards or forwards for old shell commands that match @var{regexp}.
741 @item C-c C-x @r{(Shell mode)}
742 @findex comint-get-next-from-history
743 Fetch the next subsequent command from the history.
746 Shell buffers provide a history of previously entered shell commands. To
747 reuse shell commands from the history, use the editing commands @kbd{M-p},
748 @kbd{M-n}, @kbd{M-r} and @kbd{M-s}. These work just like the minibuffer
749 history commands except that they operate on the text at the end of the
750 shell buffer, where you would normally insert text to send to the shell.
752 @kbd{M-p} fetches an earlier shell command to the end of the shell buffer.
753 Successive use of @kbd{M-p} fetches successively earlier shell commands,
754 each replacing any text that was already present as potential shell input.
755 @kbd{M-n} does likewise except that it finds successively more recent shell
756 commands from the buffer.
758 The history search commands @kbd{M-r} and @kbd{M-s} read a regular
759 expression and search through the history for a matching command. Aside
760 from the choice of which command to fetch, they work just like @kbd{M-p}
761 and @kbd{M-r}. If you enter an empty regexp, these commands reuse the
762 same regexp used last time.
764 When you find the previous input you want, you can resubmit it by
765 typing @key{RET}, or you can edit it first and then resubmit it if you
768 Often it is useful to reexecute several successive shell commands that
769 were previously executed in sequence. To do this, first find and
770 reexecute the first command of the sequence. Then type @kbd{C-c C-x};
771 that will fetch the following command---the one that follows the command
772 you just repeated. Then type @key{RET} to reexecute this command. You
773 can reexecute several successive commands by typing @kbd{C-c C-x
774 @key{RET}} over and over.
776 These commands get the text of previous shell commands from a special
777 history list, not from the shell buffer itself. Thus, editing the shell
778 buffer, or even killing large parts of it, does not affect the history
779 that these commands access.
781 @vindex shell-input-ring-file-name
782 Some shells store their command histories in files so that you can
783 refer to previous commands from previous shell sessions. Emacs reads
784 the command history file for your chosen shell, to initialize its own
785 command history. The file name is @file{~/.bash_history} for bash,
786 @file{~/.sh_history} for ksh, and @file{~/.history} for other shells.
788 @node Shell History Copying
789 @subsubsection Shell History Copying
792 @kindex C-c C-p @r{(Shell mode)}
793 @findex comint-previous-prompt
795 Move point to the previous prompt (@code{comint-previous-prompt}).
797 @kindex C-c C-n @r{(Shell mode)}
798 @findex comint-next-prompt
800 Move point to the following prompt (@code{comint-next-prompt}).
802 @kindex C-c RET @r{(Shell mode)}
803 @findex comint-copy-old-input
805 Copy the input command which point is in, inserting the copy at the end
806 of the buffer (@code{comint-copy-old-input}). This is useful if you
807 move point back to a previous command. After you copy the command, you
808 can submit the copy as input with @key{RET}. If you wish, you can
809 edit the copy before resubmitting it.
812 Moving to a previous input and then copying it with @kbd{C-c
813 @key{RET}} produces the same results---the same buffer contents---that
814 you would get by using @kbd{M-p} enough times to fetch that previous
815 input from the history list. However, @kbd{C-c @key{RET}} copies the
816 text from the buffer, which can be different from what is in the history
817 list if you edit the input text in the buffer after it has been sent.
819 @node History References
820 @subsubsection Shell History References
821 @cindex history reference
823 Various shells including csh and bash support @dfn{history references}
824 that begin with @samp{!} and @samp{^}. Shell mode can understand these
825 constructs and perform the history substitution for you. If you insert
826 a history reference and type @key{TAB}, this searches the input history
827 for a matching command, performs substitution if necessary, and places
828 the result in the buffer in place of the history reference. For
829 example, you can fetch the most recent command beginning with @samp{mv}
830 with @kbd{! m v @key{TAB}}. You can edit the command if you wish, and
831 then resubmit the command to the shell by typing @key{RET}.
833 @vindex shell-prompt-pattern
834 @vindex comint-prompt-regexp
835 @vindex comint-use-prompt-regexp-instead-of-fields
836 @cindex prompt, shell
837 History references take effect only following a shell prompt. The
838 prompt is defined to be any text not input by the user, unless the
839 variable @code{comint-use-prompt-regexp-instead-of-fields} is
840 non-@code{nil} (the default value is @code{nil}). When
841 @code{comint-use-prompt-regexp-instead-of-fields} is non-@code{nil}, the
842 variable @code{shell-prompt-pattern} specifies how to recognize a shell
843 prompt, and comint modes in general use the variable
844 @code{comint-prompt-regexp} (shell mode uses @code{shell-prompt-pattern}
845 to set up the local value of @code{comint-prompt-regexp}).
847 @vindex comint-input-autoexpand
848 Shell mode can optionally expand history references in the buffer when
849 you send them to the shell. To request this, set the variable
850 @code{comint-input-autoexpand} to @code{input}.
852 @findex comint-magic-space
853 You can make @key{SPC} perform history expansion by binding @key{SPC} to
854 the command @code{comint-magic-space}.
857 @subsection Shell Mode Options
859 @vindex comint-scroll-to-bottom-on-input
860 If the variable @code{comint-scroll-to-bottom-on-input} is
861 non-@code{nil}, insertion and yank commands scroll the selected window
862 to the bottom before inserting.
864 @vindex comint-scroll-show-maximum-output
865 If @code{comint-scroll-show-maximum-output} is non-@code{nil}, then
866 scrolling due to arrival of output tries to place the last line of text
867 at the bottom line of the window, so as to show as much useful text as
868 possible. (This mimics the scrolling behavior of many terminals.)
869 The default is @code{nil}.
871 @vindex comint-scroll-to-bottom-on-output
872 By setting @code{comint-scroll-to-bottom-on-output}, you can opt for
873 having point jump to the end of the buffer whenever output arrives---no
874 matter where in the buffer point was before. If the value is
875 @code{this}, point jumps in the selected window. If the value is
876 @code{all}, point jumps in each window that shows the comint buffer. If
877 the value is @code{other}, point jumps in all nonselected windows that
878 show the current buffer. The default value is @code{nil}, which means
879 point does not jump to the end.
881 @vindex comint-input-ignoredups
882 The variable @code{comint-input-ignoredups} controls whether successive
883 identical inputs are stored in the input history. A non-@code{nil}
884 value means to omit an input that is the same as the previous input.
885 The default is @code{nil}, which means to store each input even if it is
886 equal to the previous input.
888 @vindex comint-completion-addsuffix
889 @vindex comint-completion-recexact
890 @vindex comint-completion-autolist
891 Three variables customize file name completion. The variable
892 @code{comint-completion-addsuffix} controls whether completion inserts a
893 space or a slash to indicate a fully completed file or directory name
894 (non-@code{nil} means do insert a space or slash).
895 @code{comint-completion-recexact}, if non-@code{nil}, directs @key{TAB}
896 to choose the shortest possible completion if the usual Emacs completion
897 algorithm cannot add even a single character.
898 @code{comint-completion-autolist}, if non-@code{nil}, says to list all
899 the possible completions whenever completion is not exact.
901 @findex comint-dynamic-complete-variable
902 The command @code{comint-dynamic-complete-variable} does variable-name
903 completion using the environment variables as set within Emacs. The
904 variables controlling file name completion apply to variable-name
905 completion too. This command is normally available through the menu
908 @vindex shell-command-execonly
909 Command completion normally considers only executable files.
910 If you set @code{shell-command-execonly} to @code{nil},
911 it considers nonexecutable files as well.
913 @findex shell-pushd-tohome
914 @findex shell-pushd-dextract
915 @findex shell-pushd-dunique
916 You can configure the behavior of @samp{pushd}. Variables control
917 whether @samp{pushd} behaves like @samp{cd} if no argument is given
918 (@code{shell-pushd-tohome}), pop rather than rotate with a numeric
919 argument (@code{shell-pushd-dextract}), and only add directories to the
920 directory stack if they are not already on it
921 (@code{shell-pushd-dunique}). The values you choose should match the
922 underlying shell, of course.
924 @node Terminal emulator
925 @subsection Interactive Inferior Shell with Terminal Emulator
928 To run a subshell in a terminal emulator, putting its typescript in an Emacs
929 buffer, use @kbd{M-x term}. This creates (or reuses) a buffer named
930 @samp{*term*} and runs a subshell with input coming from your keyboard and
931 output going to that buffer.
933 All the normal keys that you type are sent without any interpretation
934 by Emacs directly to the subshell, as ``terminal input''.
935 Any ``echo'' of your input is the responsibility of the subshell.
936 (The exception is the terminal escape character,
937 which by default is @kbd{C-c}. @xref{Term Mode}.)
938 Any ``terminal output'' from the subshell goes into the buffer,
941 Some programs (such as Emacs itself) need to control the
942 appearance on the terminal screen in detail. They do this by
943 sending special control codes. The exact control
944 codes needed vary from terminal to terminal, but nowadays
945 most terminals and terminal emulators (including @code{xterm})
946 understand the ANSI-standard (VT100-style) escape sequences.
947 Term mode also understands these escape sequences,
948 and for each control code does the appropriate thing
949 to change the buffer so that the appearance of the window
950 matches what it would be on a real terminal.
951 Thus you can actually run Emacs inside an Emacs Term window!
953 Emacs does not wait for the subshell to do anything. You can switch
954 windows or buffers and edit them while the shell is waiting, or while
955 it is running a command. Output from the subshell waits until Emacs
956 has time to process it; this happens whenever Emacs is waiting for
957 keyboard input or for time to elapse.
959 To make multiple terminal emulators, rename the buffer @samp{*term*}
960 to something different using @kbd{M-x rename-uniquely},
961 just as with Shell mode.
963 The file name used to load the subshell is determined
964 the same way as for Shell mode.
966 Unlike Shell mode, Term mode does not track the current directory
967 by examining your input. Instead, if you use a programmable
968 shell, you can have it tell Term what the current directory is.
969 This is done automatically by @code{bash} version 1.15 and later.
972 @subsection Term Mode
976 Term uses Term mode, which has two input modes:
977 In line mode, Term basically acts like Shell mode. @xref{Shell Mode}.
978 In Char mode, each character is sent directly to the inferior subshell,
979 except for the Term escape character, normally @kbd{C-c}.
981 To switch between line and char mode, use these commands:
983 @kindex C-c C-k @r{(Term mode)}
984 @findex term-char-mode
986 Switch to line mode. Do nothing if already in line mode.
988 @kindex C-c C-j @r{(Term mode)}
989 @findex term-line-mode
991 Switch to char mode. Do nothing if already in char mode.
994 The following commands are only available in Char mode:
997 Send a literal @key{C-c} to the sub-shell.
1000 A prefix command to access the global @key{C-x} commands conveniently.
1001 For example, @kbd{C-c C-x o} invokes the global binding of
1002 @kbd{C-x o}, which is normally @samp{other-window}.
1005 @node Paging in Term
1006 @subsection Paging in the terminal emulator
1008 Term mode has a pager feature. When the pager is enabled,
1009 term mode will pause at the end of each screenful.
1012 @kindex C-c C-q @r{(Term mode)}
1013 @findex term-pager-toggle
1015 Toggles the pager feature: Disables the pager if it is enabled,
1016 and vice versa. This works in both line and char modes.
1017 If the pager enabled, the mode-line contains the word @samp{page}.
1020 If the pager is enabled, and Term receives more than a screenful
1021 of output since your last input, Term will enter More break mode.
1022 This is indicated by @samp{**MORE**} in the mode-line.
1023 Type a @kbd{Space} to display the next screenful of output.
1024 Type @kbd{?} to see your other options. The interface is similar
1025 to the Unix @code{more} program.
1028 @subsection Remote Host Shell
1030 @cindex connecting to remote host
1034 You can login to a remote computer, using whatever commands you
1035 would from a regular terminal (e.g.@: using the @code{telnet} or
1036 @code{rlogin} commands), from a Term window.
1038 A program that asks you for a password will normally suppress
1039 echoing of the password, so the password will not show up in the buffer.
1040 This will happen just as if you were using a real terminal, if
1041 the buffer is in char mode. If it is in line mode, the password
1042 will be temporarily visible, but will be erased when you hit return.
1043 (This happens automatically; there is no special password processing.)
1045 When you log in to a different machine, you need to specify the
1046 type of terminal your using. Terminal types @samp{ansi}
1047 or @samp{vt100} will work on most systems.
1049 @c If you are talking to a Bourne-compatible
1050 @c shell, and your system understands the @env{TERMCAP} variable,
1051 @c you can use the command @kbd{M-x shell-send-termcap}, which
1052 @c sends a string specifying the terminal type and size.
1053 @c (This command is also useful after the window has changed size.)
1055 @c You can of course run @samp{gdb} on that remote computer. One useful
1056 @c trick: If you invoke gdb with the @code{--fullname} option,
1057 @c it will send special commands to Emacs that will cause Emacs to
1058 @c pop up the source files you're debugging. This will work
1059 @c whether or not gdb is running on a different computer than Emacs,
1060 @c as long as Emacs can access the source files specified by gdb.
1062 You cannot log into to a remove comuter using the Shell mode.
1063 @c (This will change when Shell is re-written to use Term.)
1064 Instead, Emacs provides two commands for logging in to another computer
1065 and communicating with it through an Emacs buffer.
1068 @item M-x telnet @key{RET} @var{hostname} @key{RET}
1069 Set up a Telnet connection to the computer named @var{hostname}.
1070 @item M-x rlogin @key{RET} @var{hostname} @key{RET}
1071 Set up an Rlogin connection to the computer named @var{hostname}.
1075 Use @kbd{M-x telnet} to set up a Telnet connection to another
1076 computer. (Telnet is the standard Internet protocol for remote login.)
1077 It reads the host name of the other computer as an argument with the
1078 minibuffer. Once the connection is established, talking to the other
1079 computer works like talking to a subshell: you can edit input with the
1080 usual Emacs commands, and send it a line at a time by typing @key{RET}.
1081 The output is inserted in the Telnet buffer interspersed with the input.
1084 @vindex rlogin-explicit-args
1085 Use @kbd{M-x rlogin} to set up an Rlogin connection. Rlogin is
1086 another remote login communication protocol, essentially much like the
1087 Telnet protocol but incompatible with it, and supported only by certain
1088 systems. Rlogin's advantages are that you can arrange not to have to
1089 give your user name and password when communicating between two machines
1090 you frequently use, and that you can make an 8-bit-clean connection.
1091 (To do that in Emacs, set @code{rlogin-explicit-args} to @code{("-8")}
1092 before you run Rlogin.)
1094 @kbd{M-x rlogin} sets up the default file directory of the Emacs
1095 buffer to access the remote host via FTP (@pxref{File Names}), and it
1096 tracks the shell commands that change the current directory, just like
1099 @findex rlogin-directory-tracking-mode
1100 There are two ways of doing directory tracking in an Rlogin
1101 buffer---either with remote directory names
1102 @file{/@var{host}:@var{dir}/} or with local names (that works if the
1103 ``remote'' machine shares file systems with your machine of origin).
1104 You can use the command @code{rlogin-directory-tracking-mode} to switch
1105 modes. No argument means use remote directory names, a positive
1106 argument means use local names, and a negative argument means turn
1107 off directory tracking.
1109 @node Emacs Server, Hardcopy, Shell, Top
1110 @section Using Emacs as a Server
1112 @cindex Emacs as a server
1113 @cindex server, using Emacs as
1114 @cindex @env{EDITOR} environment variable
1116 Various programs such as @code{mail} can invoke your choice of editor
1117 to edit a particular piece of text, such as a message that you are
1118 sending. By convention, most of these programs use the environment
1119 variable @env{EDITOR} to specify which editor to run. If you set
1120 @env{EDITOR} to @samp{emacs}, they invoke Emacs---but in an
1121 inconvenient fashion, by starting a new, separate Emacs process. This
1122 is inconvenient because it takes time and because the new Emacs process
1123 doesn't share the buffers in the existing Emacs process.
1125 You can arrange to use your existing Emacs process as the editor for
1126 programs like @code{mail} by using the Emacs client and Emacs server
1127 programs. Here is how.
1129 @cindex @env{TEXEDIT} environment variable
1130 First, the preparation. Within Emacs, call the function
1131 @code{server-start}. (Your @file{.emacs} file can do this automatically
1132 if you add the expression @code{(server-start)} to it.) Then, outside
1133 Emacs, set the @env{EDITOR} environment variable to @samp{emacsclient}.
1134 (Note that some programs use a different environment variable; for
1135 example, to make @TeX{} use @samp{emacsclient}, you should set the
1136 @env{TEXEDIT} environment variable to @samp{emacsclient +%d %s}.)
1140 Then, whenever any program invokes your specified @env{EDITOR}
1141 program, the effect is to send a message to your principal Emacs telling
1142 it to visit a file. (That's what the program @code{emacsclient} does.)
1143 Emacs displays the buffer immediately and you can immediately begin
1146 When you've finished editing that buffer, type @kbd{C-x #}
1147 (@code{server-edit}). This saves the file and sends a message back to
1148 the @code{emacsclient} program telling it to exit. The programs that
1149 use @env{EDITOR} wait for the ``editor'' (actually, @code{emacsclient})
1150 to exit. @kbd{C-x #} also checks for other pending external requests
1151 to edit various files, and selects the next such file.
1153 You can switch to a server buffer manually if you wish; you don't have
1154 to arrive at it with @kbd{C-x #}. But @kbd{C-x #} is the only way to
1155 say that you are ``finished'' with one.
1157 @vindex server-window
1158 If you set the variable @code{server-window} to a window or a frame,
1159 @kbd{C-x #} displays the server buffer in that window or in that frame.
1161 While @code{mail} or another application is waiting for
1162 @code{emacsclient} to finish, @code{emacsclient} does not read terminal
1163 input. So the terminal that @code{mail} was using is effectively
1164 blocked for the duration. In order to edit with your principal Emacs,
1165 you need to be able to use it without using that terminal. There are
1166 two ways to do this:
1170 Using a window system, run @code{mail} and the principal Emacs in two
1171 separate windows. While @code{mail} is waiting for @code{emacsclient},
1172 the window where it was running is blocked, but you can use Emacs by
1176 Use Shell mode in Emacs to run the other program such as @code{mail};
1177 then, @code{emacsclient} blocks only the subshell under Emacs, and you
1178 can still use Emacs to edit the file.
1181 @vindex server-temp-file-regexp
1182 Some programs write temporary files for you to edit. After you edit
1183 the temporary file, the program reads it back and deletes it. If the
1184 Emacs server is later asked to edit the same file name, it should assume
1185 this has nothing to do with the previous occasion for that file name.
1186 The server accomplishes this by killing the temporary file's buffer when
1187 you finish with the file. Use the variable
1188 @code{server-temp-file-regexp} to specify which files are temporary in
1189 this sense; its value should be a regular expression that matches file
1190 names that are temporary.
1192 @vindex server-kill-new-buffers
1193 If the variable @code{server-kill-new-buffers} is set to non-nil,
1194 buffers which still have a client are killed when you are done with
1195 them, unless they were already present before Emacs Server visited
1196 them. This overrides the effect of the @code{server-temp-file-regexp}
1197 variable. By default, @code{server-kill-new-buffers} has a non-nil
1198 value; set it to nil if you want the old behavior governed by
1199 @code{server-temp-file-regexp}.
1201 If you run @code{emacsclient} with the option @samp{--no-wait}, it
1202 returns immediately without waiting for you to ``finish'' the buffer in
1203 Emacs. Note that it this case, buffers for temporary files will not be
1204 killed automatically with the default value of
1205 @code{server-kill-new-buffers}, since those buffers will not have a
1208 If you have forgotten to start Emacs, then the option
1209 @samp{--alternate-editor=@var{command}} may be useful. It specifies a
1210 command to run if @code{emacsclient} fails to contact Emacs. For
1211 example, the following setting for the @var{EDITOR} environment variable
1212 will always give an editor, even if Emacs is not running.
1215 EDITOR="emacsclient --alternate-editor vi +%d %s"
1218 The environment variable @var{ALTERNATE_EDITOR} has the same effect, but
1219 the value of the @samp{--alternate-editor} takes precedence.
1222 Alternatively, the file @file{etc/emacs.bash} defines a function for
1223 @command{bash} which will use a running Emacs server or start one if
1227 * Invoking emacsclient::
1230 @node Invoking emacsclient,, Emacs Server, Emacs Server
1231 @section Invoking @code{emacsclient}
1233 To run the @code{emacsclient} program, specify file names as arguments,
1234 and optionally line numbers as well. Do it like this:
1237 emacsclient @r{@{}@r{[}+@var{line}@r{]} @var{filename}@r{@}}@dots{}
1240 This tells Emacs to visit each of the specified files; if you specify a
1241 line number for a certain file, Emacs moves to that line in the file.
1243 Ordinarily, @code{emacsclient} does not return until you use the
1244 @kbd{C-x #} command on each of these buffers. When that happens, Emacs
1245 sends a message to the @code{emacsclient} program telling it to return.
1247 But if you use the option @samp{-n} or @samp{--no-wait} when running
1248 @code{emacsclient}, then it returns immediately. (You can take as long
1249 as you like to edit the files in Emacs.)
1252 @node Hardcopy, PostScript, Emacs Server, Top
1253 @section Hardcopy Output
1256 The Emacs commands for making hardcopy let you print either an entire
1257 buffer or just part of one, either with or without page headers.
1258 See also the hardcopy commands of Dired (@pxref{Misc File Ops})
1259 and the diary (@pxref{Diary Commands}).
1262 @item M-x print-buffer
1263 Print hardcopy of current buffer with page headings containing the file
1264 name and page number.
1265 @item M-x lpr-buffer
1266 Print hardcopy of current buffer without page headings.
1267 @item M-x print-region
1268 Like @code{print-buffer} but print only the current region.
1269 @item M-x lpr-region
1270 Like @code{lpr-buffer} but print only the current region.
1273 @findex print-buffer
1274 @findex print-region
1277 @vindex lpr-switches
1278 The hardcopy commands (aside from the Postscript commands) pass extra
1279 switches to the @code{lpr} program based on the value of the variable
1280 @code{lpr-switches}. Its value should be a list of strings, each string
1281 an option starting with @samp{-}. For example, to specify a line width
1282 of 80 columns for all the printing you do in Emacs, set
1283 @code{lpr-switches} like this:
1286 (setq lpr-switches '("-w80"))
1289 @vindex printer-name
1290 You can specify the printer to use by setting the variable
1291 @code{printer-name}.
1293 @vindex lpr-headers-switches
1294 @vindex lpr-commands
1295 @vindex lpr-add-switches
1296 The variable @code{lpr-command} specifies the name of the printer
1297 program to run; the default value depends on your operating system type.
1298 On most systems, the default is @code{"lpr"}. The variable
1299 @code{lpr-headers-switches} similarly specifies the extra switches to
1300 use to make page headers. The variable @code{lpr-add-switches} controls
1301 whether to supply @samp{-T} and @samp{-J} options (suitable for
1302 @code{lpr}) to the printer program: @code{nil} means don't add them.
1303 @code{lpr-add-switches} should be @code{nil} if your printer program is
1304 not compatible with @code{lpr}.
1306 @node PostScript, PostScript Variables, Hardcopy, Top
1307 @section PostScript Hardcopy
1309 These commands convert buffer contents to PostScript,
1310 either printing it or leaving it in another Emacs buffer.
1313 @item M-x ps-print-buffer
1314 Print hardcopy of the current buffer in PostScript form.
1315 @item M-x ps-print-region
1316 Print hardcopy of the current region in PostScript form.
1317 @item M-x ps-print-buffer-with-faces
1318 Print hardcopy of the current buffer in PostScript form, showing the
1319 faces used in the text by means of PostScript features.
1320 @item M-x ps-print-region-with-faces
1321 Print hardcopy of the current region in PostScript form, showing the
1322 faces used in the text.
1323 @item M-x ps-spool-buffer
1324 Generate PostScript for the current buffer text.
1325 @item M-x ps-spool-region
1326 Generate PostScript for the current region.
1327 @item M-x ps-spool-buffer-with-faces
1328 Generate PostScript for the current buffer, showing the faces used.
1329 @item M-x ps-spool-region-with-faces
1330 Generate PostScript for the current region, showing the faces used.
1332 Generates/prints PostScript for the current buffer as if handwritten.
1335 @findex ps-print-region
1336 @findex ps-print-buffer
1337 @findex ps-print-region-with-faces
1338 @findex ps-print-buffer-with-faces
1339 The PostScript commands, @code{ps-print-buffer} and
1340 @code{ps-print-region}, print buffer contents in PostScript form. One
1341 command prints the entire buffer; the other, just the region. The
1342 corresponding @samp{-with-faces} commands,
1343 @code{ps-print-buffer-with-faces} and @code{ps-print-region-with-faces},
1344 use PostScript features to show the faces (fonts and colors) in the text
1345 properties of the text being printed.
1347 If you are using a color display, you can print a buffer of program
1348 code with color highlighting by turning on Font-Lock mode in that
1349 buffer, and using @code{ps-print-buffer-with-faces}.
1351 @findex ps-spool-region
1352 @findex ps-spool-buffer
1353 @findex ps-spool-region-with-faces
1354 @findex ps-spool-buffer-with-faces
1355 The commands whose names have @samp{spool} instead of @samp{print}
1356 generate the PostScript output in an Emacs buffer instead of sending
1361 @kbd{M-x handwrite} is more frivolous. It generates a PostScript
1362 rendition of the current buffer as a cursive handwritten document. It
1363 can be customized in group @code{handwrite}.
1366 The following section describes variables for customizing these commands.
1369 @node PostScript Variables, Sorting, PostScript, Top
1370 @section Variables for PostScript Hardcopy
1372 @vindex ps-lpr-command
1373 @vindex ps-lpr-switches
1374 @vindex ps-printer-name
1375 All the PostScript hardcopy commands use the variables
1376 @code{ps-lpr-command} and @code{ps-lpr-switches} to specify how to print
1377 the output. @code{ps-lpr-command} specifies the command name to run,
1378 @code{ps-lpr-switches} specifies command line options to use, and
1379 @code{ps-printer-name} specifies the printer. If you don't set the
1380 first two variables yourself, they take their initial values from
1381 @code{lpr-command} and @code{lpr-switches}. If @code{ps-printer-name}
1382 is @code{nil}, @code{printer-name} is used.
1384 @vindex ps-print-header
1385 @vindex ps-print-color-p
1386 The variable @code{ps-print-header} controls whether these commands
1387 add header lines to each page---set it to @code{nil} to turn headers
1388 off. You can turn off color processing by setting
1389 @code{ps-print-color-p} to @code{nil}.
1391 @vindex ps-paper-type
1392 @vindex ps-page-dimensions-database
1393 The variable @code{ps-paper-type} specifies which size of paper to
1394 format for; legitimate values include @code{a4}, @code{a3},
1395 @code{a4small}, @code{b4}, @code{b5}, @code{executive}, @code{ledger},
1396 @code{legal}, @code{letter}, @code{letter-small}, @code{statement},
1397 @code{tabloid}. The default is @code{letter}. You can define
1398 additional paper sizes by changing the variable
1399 @code{ps-page-dimensions-database}.
1401 @vindex ps-landscape-mode
1402 The variable @code{ps-landscape-mode} specifies the orientation of
1403 printing on the page. The default is @code{nil}, which stands for
1404 ``portrait'' mode. Any non-@code{nil} value specifies ``landscape''
1407 @vindex ps-number-of-columns
1408 The variable @code{ps-number-of-columns} specifies the number of
1409 columns; it takes effect in both landscape and portrait mode. The
1412 @vindex ps-font-family
1413 @vindex ps-font-size
1414 @vindex ps-font-info-database
1415 The variable @code{ps-font-family} specifies which font family to use
1416 for printing ordinary text. Legitimate values include @code{Courier},
1417 @code{Helvetica}, @code{NewCenturySchlbk}, @code{Palatino} and
1418 @code{Times}. The variable @code{ps-font-size} specifies the size of
1419 the font for ordinary text. It defaults to 8.5 points.
1421 Many other customization variables for these commands are defined and
1422 described in the Lisp file @file{ps-print.el}.
1424 @node Sorting, Narrowing, PostScript Variables, Top
1425 @section Sorting Text
1428 Emacs provides several commands for sorting text in the buffer. All
1429 operate on the contents of the region (the text between point and the
1430 mark). They divide the text of the region into many @dfn{sort records},
1431 identify a @dfn{sort key} for each record, and then reorder the records
1432 into the order determined by the sort keys. The records are ordered so
1433 that their keys are in alphabetical order, or, for numeric sorting, in
1434 numeric order. In alphabetic sorting, all upper-case letters `A' through
1435 `Z' come before lower-case `a', in accord with the ASCII character
1438 The various sort commands differ in how they divide the text into sort
1439 records and in which part of each record is used as the sort key. Most of
1440 the commands make each line a separate sort record, but some commands use
1441 paragraphs or pages as sort records. Most of the sort commands use each
1442 entire sort record as its own sort key, but some use only a portion of the
1443 record as the sort key.
1446 @findex sort-paragraphs
1449 @findex sort-numeric-fields
1450 @vindex sort-numeric-base
1452 @item M-x sort-lines
1453 Divide the region into lines, and sort by comparing the entire
1454 text of a line. A numeric argument means sort into descending order.
1456 @item M-x sort-paragraphs
1457 Divide the region into paragraphs, and sort by comparing the entire
1458 text of a paragraph (except for leading blank lines). A numeric
1459 argument means sort into descending order.
1461 @item M-x sort-pages
1462 Divide the region into pages, and sort by comparing the entire
1463 text of a page (except for leading blank lines). A numeric
1464 argument means sort into descending order.
1466 @item M-x sort-fields
1467 Divide the region into lines, and sort by comparing the contents of
1468 one field in each line. Fields are defined as separated by
1469 whitespace, so the first run of consecutive non-whitespace characters
1470 in a line constitutes field 1, the second such run constitutes field
1473 Specify which field to sort by with a numeric argument: 1 to sort by
1474 field 1, etc. A negative argument means count fields from the right
1475 instead of from the left; thus, minus 1 means sort by the last field.
1476 If several lines have identical contents in the field being sorted, they
1477 keep same relative order that they had in the original buffer.
1479 @item M-x sort-numeric-fields
1480 Like @kbd{M-x sort-fields} except the specified field is converted
1481 to an integer for each line, and the numbers are compared. @samp{10}
1482 comes before @samp{2} when considered as text, but after it when
1483 considered as a number. By default, numbers are interpreted according
1484 to @code{sort-numeric-base}, but numbers beginning with @samp{0x} or
1485 @samp{0} are interpreted as hexadecimal and octal, respectively.
1487 @item M-x sort-columns
1488 Like @kbd{M-x sort-fields} except that the text within each line
1489 used for comparison comes from a fixed range of columns. See below
1492 @item M-x reverse-region
1493 Reverse the order of the lines in the region. This is useful for
1494 sorting into descending order by fields or columns, since those sort
1495 commands do not have a feature for doing that.
1498 For example, if the buffer contains this:
1501 On systems where clash detection (locking of files being edited) is
1502 implemented, Emacs also checks the first time you modify a buffer
1503 whether the file has changed on disk since it was last visited or
1504 saved. If it has, you are asked to confirm that you want to change
1509 applying @kbd{M-x sort-lines} to the entire buffer produces this:
1512 On systems where clash detection (locking of files being edited) is
1513 implemented, Emacs also checks the first time you modify a buffer
1514 saved. If it has, you are asked to confirm that you want to change
1516 whether the file has changed on disk since it was last visited or
1520 where the upper-case @samp{O} sorts before all lower-case letters. If
1521 you use @kbd{C-u 2 M-x sort-fields} instead, you get this:
1524 implemented, Emacs also checks the first time you modify a buffer
1525 saved. If it has, you are asked to confirm that you want to change
1527 On systems where clash detection (locking of files being edited) is
1528 whether the file has changed on disk since it was last visited or
1532 where the sort keys were @samp{Emacs}, @samp{If}, @samp{buffer},
1533 @samp{systems} and @samp{the}.
1535 @findex sort-columns
1536 @kbd{M-x sort-columns} requires more explanation. You specify the
1537 columns by putting point at one of the columns and the mark at the other
1538 column. Because this means you cannot put point or the mark at the
1539 beginning of the first line of the text you want to sort, this command
1540 uses an unusual definition of `region': all of the line point is in is
1541 considered part of the region, and so is all of the line the mark is in,
1542 as well as all the lines in between.
1544 For example, to sort a table by information found in columns 10 to 15,
1545 you could put the mark on column 10 in the first line of the table, and
1546 point on column 15 in the last line of the table, and then run
1547 @code{sort-columns}. Equivalently, you could run it with the mark on
1548 column 15 in the first line and point on column 10 in the last line.
1550 This can be thought of as sorting the rectangle specified by point and
1551 the mark, except that the text on each line to the left or right of the
1552 rectangle moves along with the text inside the rectangle.
1555 @vindex sort-fold-case
1556 Many of the sort commands ignore case differences when comparing, if
1557 @code{sort-fold-case} is non-@code{nil}.
1559 @node Narrowing, Two-Column, Sorting, Top
1564 @cindex accessible portion
1566 @dfn{Narrowing} means focusing in on some portion of the buffer,
1567 making the rest temporarily inaccessible. The portion which you can
1568 still get to is called the @dfn{accessible portion}. Canceling the
1569 narrowing, which makes the entire buffer once again accessible, is
1570 called @dfn{widening}. The amount of narrowing in effect in a buffer at
1571 any time is called the buffer's @dfn{restriction}.
1573 Narrowing can make it easier to concentrate on a single subroutine or
1574 paragraph by eliminating clutter. It can also be used to restrict the
1575 range of operation of a replace command or repeating keyboard macro.
1580 Narrow down to between point and mark (@code{narrow-to-region}).
1582 Widen to make the entire buffer accessible again (@code{widen}).
1584 Narrow down to the current page (@code{narrow-to-page}).
1586 Narrow down to the current defun (@code{narrow-to-defun}).
1589 When you have narrowed down to a part of the buffer, that part appears
1590 to be all there is. You can't see the rest, you can't move into it
1591 (motion commands won't go outside the accessible part), you can't change
1592 it in any way. However, it is not gone, and if you save the file all
1593 the inaccessible text will be saved. The word @samp{Narrow} appears in
1594 the mode line whenever narrowing is in effect.
1597 @findex narrow-to-region
1598 The primary narrowing command is @kbd{C-x n n} (@code{narrow-to-region}).
1599 It sets the current buffer's restrictions so that the text in the current
1600 region remains accessible but all text before the region or after the region
1601 is inaccessible. Point and mark do not change.
1604 @findex narrow-to-page
1606 @findex narrow-to-defun
1607 Alternatively, use @kbd{C-x n p} (@code{narrow-to-page}) to narrow
1608 down to the current page. @xref{Pages}, for the definition of a page.
1609 @kbd{C-x n d} (@code{narrow-to-defun}) narrows down to the defun
1610 containing point (@pxref{Defuns}).
1614 The way to cancel narrowing is to widen with @kbd{C-x n w}
1615 (@code{widen}). This makes all text in the buffer accessible again.
1617 You can get information on what part of the buffer you are narrowed down
1618 to using the @kbd{C-x =} command. @xref{Position Info}.
1620 Because narrowing can easily confuse users who do not understand it,
1621 @code{narrow-to-region} is normally a disabled command. Attempting to use
1622 this command asks for confirmation and gives you the option of enabling it;
1623 if you enable the command, confirmation will no longer be required for
1624 it. @xref{Disabling}.
1626 @node Two-Column, Editing Binary Files, Narrowing, Top
1627 @section Two-Column Editing
1628 @cindex two-column editing
1629 @cindex splitting columns
1630 @cindex columns, splitting
1632 Two-column mode lets you conveniently edit two side-by-side columns of
1633 text. It uses two side-by-side windows, each showing its own
1636 There are three ways to enter two-column mode:
1639 @item @kbd{@key{F2} 2} or @kbd{C-x 6 2}
1642 @findex 2C-two-columns
1643 Enter two-column mode with the current buffer on the left, and on the
1644 right, a buffer whose name is based on the current buffer's name
1645 (@code{2C-two-columns}). If the right-hand buffer doesn't already
1646 exist, it starts out empty; the current buffer's contents are not
1649 This command is appropriate when the current buffer is empty or contains
1650 just one column and you want to add another column.
1652 @item @kbd{@key{F2} s} or @kbd{C-x 6 s}
1656 Split the current buffer, which contains two-column text, into two
1657 buffers, and display them side by side (@code{2C-split}). The current
1658 buffer becomes the left-hand buffer, but the text in the right-hand
1659 column is moved into the right-hand buffer. The current column
1660 specifies the split point. Splitting starts with the current line and
1661 continues to the end of the buffer.
1663 This command is appropriate when you have a buffer that already contains
1664 two-column text, and you wish to separate the columns temporarily.
1666 @item @kbd{@key{F2} b @var{buffer} @key{RET}}
1667 @itemx @kbd{C-x 6 b @var{buffer} @key{RET}}
1670 @findex 2C-associate-buffer
1671 Enter two-column mode using the current buffer as the left-hand buffer,
1672 and using buffer @var{buffer} as the right-hand buffer
1673 (@code{2C-associate-buffer}).
1676 @kbd{@key{F2} s} or @kbd{C-x 6 s} looks for a column separator, which
1677 is a string that appears on each line between the two columns. You can
1678 specify the width of the separator with a numeric argument to
1679 @kbd{@key{F2} s}; that many characters, before point, constitute the
1680 separator string. By default, the width is 1, so the column separator
1681 is the character before point.
1683 When a line has the separator at the proper place, @kbd{@key{F2} s}
1684 puts the text after the separator into the right-hand buffer, and
1685 deletes the separator. Lines that don't have the column separator at
1686 the proper place remain unsplit; they stay in the left-hand buffer, and
1687 the right-hand buffer gets an empty line to correspond. (This is the
1688 way to write a line that ``spans both columns while in two-column
1689 mode'': write it in the left-hand buffer, and put an empty line in the
1695 The command @kbd{C-x 6 @key{RET}} or @kbd{@key{F2} @key{RET}}
1696 (@code{2C-newline}) inserts a newline in each of the two buffers at
1697 corresponding positions. This is the easiest way to add a new line to
1698 the two-column text while editing it in split buffers.
1703 When you have edited both buffers as you wish, merge them with
1704 @kbd{@key{F2} 1} or @kbd{C-x 6 1} (@code{2C-merge}). This copies the
1705 text from the right-hand buffer as a second column in the other buffer.
1706 To go back to two-column editing, use @kbd{@key{F2} s}.
1710 @findex 2C-dissociate
1711 Use @kbd{@key{F2} d} or @kbd{C-x 6 d} to dissociate the two buffers,
1712 leaving each as it stands (@code{2C-dissociate}). If the other buffer,
1713 the one not current when you type @kbd{@key{F2} d}, is empty,
1714 @kbd{@key{F2} d} kills it.
1716 @node Editing Binary Files, Saving Emacs Sessions, Two-Column, Top
1717 @section Editing Binary Files
1721 @cindex editing binary files
1723 There is a special major mode for editing binary files: Hexl mode. To
1724 use it, use @kbd{M-x hexl-find-file} instead of @kbd{C-x C-f} to visit
1725 the file. This command converts the file's contents to hexadecimal and
1726 lets you edit the translation. When you save the file, it is converted
1727 automatically back to binary.
1729 You can also use @kbd{M-x hexl-mode} to translate an existing buffer
1730 into hex. This is useful if you visit a file normally and then discover
1731 it is a binary file.
1733 Ordinary text characters overwrite in Hexl mode. This is to reduce
1734 the risk of accidentally spoiling the alignment of data in the file.
1735 There are special commands for insertion. Here is a list of the
1736 commands of Hexl mode:
1738 @c I don't think individual index entries for these commands are useful--RMS.
1741 Insert a byte with a code typed in decimal.
1744 Insert a byte with a code typed in octal.
1747 Insert a byte with a code typed in hex.
1750 Move to the beginning of a 1k-byte ``page.''
1753 Move to the end of a 1k-byte ``page.''
1756 Move to an address specified in hex.
1759 Move to an address specified in decimal.
1762 Leave Hexl mode, going back to the major mode this buffer had before you
1763 invoked @code{hexl-mode}.
1767 Other Hexl commands let you insert strings (sequences) of binary bytes,
1768 move by short's or int's, etc.; type @kbd{C-h a hexl- RET} for details.
1771 @node Saving Emacs Sessions, Recursive Edit, Editing Binary Files, Top
1772 @section Saving Emacs Sessions
1773 @cindex saving sessions
1776 You can use the Desktop library to save the state of Emacs from one
1777 session to another. Saving the state means that Emacs starts up with
1778 the same set of buffers, major modes, buffer positions, and so on that
1779 the previous Emacs session had.
1781 @vindex desktop-enable
1782 To use Desktop, you should use the Customization buffer (@pxref{Easy
1783 Customization}) to set @code{desktop-enable} to a non-@code{nil} value,
1784 or add these lines at the end of your @file{.emacs} file:
1787 (desktop-load-default)
1792 @findex desktop-save
1793 The first time you save the state of the Emacs session, you must do it
1794 manually, with the command @kbd{M-x desktop-save}. Once you have done
1795 that, exiting Emacs will save the state again---not only the present
1796 Emacs session, but also subsequent sessions. You can also save the
1797 state at any time, without exiting Emacs, by typing @kbd{M-x
1798 desktop-save} again.
1800 In order for Emacs to recover the state from a previous session, you
1801 must start it with the same current directory as you used when you
1802 started the previous session. This is because @code{desktop-read} looks
1803 in the current directory for the file to read. This means that you can
1804 have separate saved sessions in different directories; the directory in
1805 which you start Emacs will control which saved session to use.
1807 @vindex desktop-files-not-to-save
1808 The variable @code{desktop-files-not-to-save} controls which files are
1809 excluded from state saving. Its value is a regular expression that
1810 matches the files to exclude. By default, remote (ftp-accessed) files
1811 are excluded; this is because visiting them again in the subsequent
1812 session would be slow. If you want to include these files in state
1813 saving, set @code{desktop-files-not-to-save} to @code{"^$"}.
1814 @xref{Remote Files}.
1818 @findex toggle-save-place
1819 There is a simpler mechanism provided by Saveplace library which records
1820 your position in each file when you kill its buffer (or kill Emacs), and
1821 jumps to the same position when you visit the file again (even in
1822 another Emacs session). Use @kbd{M-x toggle-save-place} to turn on
1823 place-saving in a given file. Customize the option @code{save-place} to
1824 turn it on for all files in each session.
1826 @node Recursive Edit, Emulation, Saving Emacs Sessions, Top
1827 @section Recursive Editing Levels
1828 @cindex recursive editing level
1829 @cindex editing level, recursive
1831 A @dfn{recursive edit} is a situation in which you are using Emacs
1832 commands to perform arbitrary editing while in the middle of another
1833 Emacs command. For example, when you type @kbd{C-r} inside of a
1834 @code{query-replace}, you enter a recursive edit in which you can change
1835 the current buffer. On exiting from the recursive edit, you go back to
1836 the @code{query-replace}.
1839 @findex exit-recursive-edit
1840 @cindex exiting recursive edit
1841 @dfn{Exiting} the recursive edit means returning to the unfinished
1842 command, which continues execution. The command to exit is @kbd{C-M-c}
1843 (@code{exit-recursive-edit}).
1845 You can also @dfn{abort} the recursive edit. This is like exiting,
1846 but also quits the unfinished command immediately. Use the command
1847 @kbd{C-]} (@code{abort-recursive-edit}) to do this. @xref{Quitting}.
1849 The mode line shows you when you are in a recursive edit by displaying
1850 square brackets around the parentheses that always surround the major and
1851 minor mode names. Every window's mode line shows this, in the same way,
1852 since being in a recursive edit is true of Emacs as a whole rather than
1853 any particular window or buffer.
1855 It is possible to be in recursive edits within recursive edits. For
1856 example, after typing @kbd{C-r} in a @code{query-replace}, you may type a
1857 command that enters the debugger. This begins a recursive editing level
1858 for the debugger, within the recursive editing level for @kbd{C-r}.
1859 Mode lines display a pair of square brackets for each recursive editing
1860 level currently in progress.
1862 Exiting the inner recursive edit (such as, with the debugger @kbd{c}
1863 command) resumes the command running in the next level up. When that
1864 command finishes, you can then use @kbd{C-M-c} to exit another recursive
1865 editing level, and so on. Exiting applies to the innermost level only.
1866 Aborting also gets out of only one level of recursive edit; it returns
1867 immediately to the command level of the previous recursive edit. If you
1868 wish, you can then abort the next recursive editing level.
1870 Alternatively, the command @kbd{M-x top-level} aborts all levels of
1871 recursive edits, returning immediately to the top-level command reader.
1873 The text being edited inside the recursive edit need not be the same text
1874 that you were editing at top level. It depends on what the recursive edit
1875 is for. If the command that invokes the recursive edit selects a different
1876 buffer first, that is the buffer you will edit recursively. In any case,
1877 you can switch buffers within the recursive edit in the normal manner (as
1878 long as the buffer-switching keys have not been rebound). You could
1879 probably do all the rest of your editing inside the recursive edit,
1880 visiting files and all. But this could have surprising effects (such as
1881 stack overflow) from time to time. So remember to exit or abort the
1882 recursive edit when you no longer need it.
1884 In general, we try to minimize the use of recursive editing levels in
1885 GNU Emacs. This is because they constrain you to ``go back'' in a
1886 particular order---from the innermost level toward the top level. When
1887 possible, we present different activities in separate buffers so that
1888 you can switch between them as you please. Some commands switch to a
1889 new major mode which provides a command to switch back. These
1890 approaches give you more flexibility to go back to unfinished tasks in
1891 the order you choose.
1893 @node Emulation, Hyperlinking, Recursive Edit, Top
1895 @cindex emulating other editors
1896 @cindex other editors
1901 @cindex PC keybindings
1902 @cindex scrolling all windows
1904 @cindex Motif keybindings
1905 @cindex Macintosh keybindings
1908 GNU Emacs can be programmed to emulate (more or less) most other
1909 editors. Standard facilities can emulate these:
1912 @item CRiSP/Brief (PC editor)
1914 @vindex crisp-override-meta-x
1915 @findex scroll-all-mode
1917 @cindex Brief emulation
1919 You can turn on keybindings to emulate the CRiSP/Brief editor with
1920 @kbd{M-x crisp-mode}. Note that this rebinds @kbd{M-x} to exit Emacs
1921 unless you change the user option @code{crisp-override-meta-x}. You can
1922 also use the command @kbd{M-x scroll-all-mode} or set the user option
1923 @code{crisp-load-scroll-all} to emulate CRiSP's scroll-all feature
1924 (scrolling all windows together).
1926 @item EDT (DEC VMS editor)
1927 @findex edt-emulation-on
1928 @findex edt-emulation-off
1929 Turn on EDT emulation with @kbd{M-x edt-emulation-on}. @kbd{M-x
1930 edt-emulation-off} restores normal Emacs command bindings.
1932 Most of the EDT emulation commands are keypad keys, and most standard
1933 Emacs key bindings are still available. The EDT emulation rebindings
1934 are done in the global keymap, so there is no problem switching
1935 buffers or major modes while in EDT emulation.
1938 @findex pc-bindings-mode
1939 @cindex `PC' key bindings
1940 The command @kbd{M-x pc-bindings-mode} sets up certain key bindings for
1941 `PC compatibility'---what people are often used to on PCs---as follows:
1942 @kbd{Delete} and its variants) delete forward instead of backward,
1943 @kbd{C-Backspace} kills backward a word (as @kbd{C-Delete} normally
1944 would), @kbd{M-Backspace} does undo, @kbd{Home} and @kbd{End} move to
1945 beginning and end of line, @kbd{C-Home} and @kbd{C-End} move to
1946 beginning and end of buffer and @kbd{C-Escape} does @code{list-buffers}.
1948 @item PC Selection mode
1949 @findex pc-selection-mode
1950 @cindex PC Selection minor mode
1951 @cindex mode, PC selection
1952 @cindex selection, `PC'
1953 The command @kbd{M-x pc-selction-mode} turns on a global minor mode
1954 which emulates the mark, copy, cut and paste
1955 look-and-feel of Motif programs (which is the same as the Macintosh GUI
1956 and MS-Windows). It makes the keybindings of PC mode and also modifies
1957 the bindings of the cursor keys and the @kbd{next}, @kbd{prior},
1958 @kbd{home} and @kbd{end} keys. It does not provide the full set of CUA
1959 keybindings---the fundamental Emacs keys @kbd{C-c}, @kbd{C-v} and
1960 @kbd{C-x} are not rebound.
1962 The standard keys for moving around (@kbd{right}, @kbd{left}, @kbd{up},
1963 @kbd{down}, @kbd{home}, @kbd{end}, @kbd{prior}, @kbd{next}, called
1964 ``move-keys'') will always de-activate the mark. Using @kbd{Shift}
1965 together with the ``move keys'' activates the region over which they
1966 move. The copy, cut and paste functions (as in many other programs)
1967 operate on the active region, bound to @kbd{C-insert}, @kbd{S-delete}
1968 and @kbd{S-insert} respectively.
1970 @cindex s-region package
1971 The @code{s-region} package provides similar, but less complete,
1974 @item TPU (DEC VMS editor)
1977 @kbd{M-x tpu-edt-on} turns on emulation of the TPU editor emulating EDT.
1979 @item vi (Berkeley editor)
1981 Viper is the newest emulator for vi. It implements several levels of
1982 emulation; level 1 is closest to vi itself, while level 5 departs
1983 somewhat from strict emulation to take advantage of the capabilities of
1984 Emacs. To invoke Viper, type @kbd{M-x viper-mode}; it will guide you
1985 the rest of the way and ask for the emulation level. @inforef{Top,
1988 @item vi (another emulator)
1990 @kbd{M-x vi-mode} enters a major mode that replaces the previously
1991 established major mode. All of the vi commands that, in real vi, enter
1992 ``input'' mode are programmed instead to return to the previous major
1993 mode. Thus, ordinary Emacs serves as vi's ``input'' mode.
1995 Because vi emulation works through major modes, it does not work
1996 to switch buffers during emulation. Return to normal Emacs first.
1998 If you plan to use vi emulation much, you probably want to bind a key
1999 to the @code{vi-mode} command.
2001 @item vi (alternate emulator)
2003 @kbd{M-x vip-mode} invokes another vi emulator, said to resemble real vi
2004 more thoroughly than @kbd{M-x vi-mode}. ``Input'' mode in this emulator
2005 is changed from ordinary Emacs so you can use @key{ESC} to go back to
2006 emulated vi command mode. To get from emulated vi command mode back to
2007 ordinary Emacs, type @kbd{C-z}.
2009 This emulation does not work through major modes, and it is possible
2010 to switch buffers in various ways within the emulator. It is not
2011 so necessary to assign a key to the command @code{vip-mode} as
2012 it is with @code{vi-mode} because terminating insert mode does
2015 @inforef{Top, VIP, vip}, for full information.
2017 @item WordStar (old wordprocessor)
2018 @findex wordstar-mode
2019 @kbd{M-x wordstar-mode} provides a major mode with WordStar-like
2023 @node Hyperlinking, Dissociated Press, Emulation, Top
2024 @section Hyperlinking and Navigation Features
2026 @cindex hyperlinking
2029 Various modes documented elsewhere have hypertext features whereby you
2030 can follow links, usually with @kbd{mouse-2} or @kbd{RET} on the text of
2031 the link. Info mode, Help mode and the Dired-like modes are examples.
2032 The Tags facility links between uses and definitions in source files,
2033 see @ref{Tags}. Imenu provides navigation amongst items indexed in the
2034 current buffer, see @ref{Imenu}. Info-lookup provides mode-specific
2035 lookup of definitions in Info indexes, see @ref{Documentation}.
2036 Speedbar maintains a frame in which links to files, and locations in
2037 files are displayed, see @ref{Speedbar}.
2039 Other non-mode-specific facilities described in this section enable
2040 following links from the current buffer in a context-sensitive fashion.
2043 * Browse-URL:: Following URLs.
2044 * Goto-address:: Activating URLs.
2045 * FFAP:: Finding files etc. at point.
2046 * Find-func:: Finding function and variable definitions.
2050 @subsection Following URLs
2051 @cindex World Wide Web
2054 @findex browse-url-at-point
2055 @findex browse-url-at-mouse
2060 @item M-x browse-url @key{RET} @var{url} @key{ret}
2061 Load a URL into a Web browser.
2064 The Browse-URL package provides facilities for following URLs specifying
2065 links on the World Wide Web. Usually this works by invoking a web
2066 browser but you can, for instance, arrange to invoke @code{compose-mail}
2067 from @samp{mailto:} URLs. Packages such as Gnus may make active links
2068 from URLs themselves. Otherwise you can use @kbd{M-x browse-url} to
2069 follow a link, defaulting to the URL at point. Other commands are
2070 available which you might like to bind to keys, such as
2071 @code{browse-url-at-point} and @code{browse-url-at-mouse}.
2073 @vindex browse-url-browser-function
2074 You can customize Browse-URL's behaviour via various options in the
2075 @code{browse-url} Customize group, particularly
2076 @code{browse-url-browser-function}. You can invoke actions dependent on
2077 the type of URL by defining @code{browse-url-browser-function} as an
2078 association list. The package's commentary available via @kbd{C-h p}
2079 provides more information. Packages with facilities for following URLs
2080 should use Browse-URL, so customizing options in the @code{browse-url}
2081 group should be sufficient to determine how they all work in that
2085 @subsection Activating URLs
2086 @findex goto-address
2087 @cindex Goto-address
2088 @cindex URLs, activating
2091 @item M-x goto-address
2092 Activate URLs and e-mail addresses in the current buffer.
2095 You can arrange to activate URLs in any buffer with @kbd{M-x
2096 goto-address}. It may be useful to add @code{goto-address} to hooks
2097 invoked when buffers are displayed in particular modes.
2098 @code{rmail-show-message-hook} is the appropriate hook if you use Rmail,
2099 or @code{mh-show-mode-hook} if you use MH.
2102 @subsection Finding Files and URLs at Point
2104 @findex find-file-at-point
2106 @findex ffap-dired-at-point
2111 @cindex finding file at point
2114 @item M-x ffap @key{RET} @var{filename} @key{RET}
2115 Find @var{filename}, guessing a default from text around point.
2117 Search buffer for next file or URL, and run `ffap'. With single prefix
2118 arg, search backwards, with double arg wrap search forwards, with triple
2119 arg wrap search backwards.
2121 Put up a menu of files and URLs mentioned in current buffer and try to
2122 fetch the selected one.
2123 @item M-x ffap-dired-at-point
2124 Start Dired, defaulting to file at point.
2127 The command @kbd{M-x find-file-at-point} (or @kbd{M-x ffap}) can be used
2128 as a replacement for @kbd{M-x find-file}. With a prefix argument it
2129 behaves as @kbd{M-x find-file}. Otherwise it tries to guess a default
2130 file or URL from the text around point. In the case of a URL, it will
2131 invoke @code{browse-url} rather than finding a file. This is useful for
2132 following references in mail or news buffers, @file{README}s,
2133 @file{MANIFEST}s, and so on. The @samp{ffap} package's
2134 commentary available via @kbd{C-h p} and the @code{ffap} Custom group
2137 @cindex FFAP minor mode
2139 You can turn on FFAP minor mode to make the following key bindings and
2140 to install hooks for using @code{ffap} in Rmail, Gnus and VM article
2145 @kindex C-x C-f @r{(FFAP)}
2146 @kbd{find-file-at-point};
2148 @kindex C-x 4 f @r{(FFAP)}
2149 @code{ffap-other-window}, analagous to @kbd{M-x find-file-other-window};
2151 @kindex C-x 5 f @r{(FFAP)}
2152 @code{ffap-other-frame}, analagous to @kbd{M-x find-file-other-frame};
2154 @kindex C-x d @r{(FFAP)}
2155 @code{ffap-dired-at-point}, analogous to @kbd{M-x dired};
2157 @kindex S-mouse-3 @r{(FFAP)}
2158 @code{ffap-at-mouse} finds the file guessed from text around the position
2161 @kindex C-S-mouse-3 @r{(FFAP)}
2162 @code{ffap-menu} puts up a selectable menu of files and URLs mentioned in
2167 @subsection Finding Function and Variable Definitions
2168 @findex find-function
2169 @findex find-function-on-key
2170 @findex find-variable
2171 @cindex examples of Lisp functions
2172 @cindex Lisp examples
2174 @cindex Lisp definitions
2175 @cindex definitions, locating in sources
2179 @item M-x find-function @key{RET} @var{function} @key{RET}
2180 Find the definition of the @var{function} at point.
2181 @item M-x find-variable @key{RET} @var{variable} @key{RET}
2182 Find the definition of the @var{variable} at point.
2183 @item M-x find-function-on-key @var{key}
2184 Find the definition of the function that @var{key} invokes.
2187 The Find-func package provides convenient facilities for finding the
2188 definitions of Emacs Lisp functions and variables. It has a somewhat
2189 similar function to the Tags facility (@pxref{Tags}) but uses Emacs's
2190 introspective facilities which maintain information about loaded
2191 libraries. In contrast to Tags, it only works for functions and
2192 variables with definitions which are already loaded but it relates to
2193 the code actually running and doesn't require maintaining tags files.
2195 You need to have the Lisp source (@samp{.el}) files available on your
2196 load path along with the compiled (@samp{.elc}) versions for this to
2197 work. You can use compressed source files if you turn on
2198 @code{auto-compression-mode}.
2200 The commands available include @kbd{M-x find-function} to find the
2201 definition of a named function, @kbd{find-function-on-key} to find the
2202 definition of the function bound to a key and @kbd{find-variable} to
2203 find a variable's definition. These only work for things defined in
2204 Lisp source files, not primitive functions or variables defined
2205 primitively in the Emacs layer implemented in C.
2207 Find-func is useful for finding examples of how to do things if you want
2208 to write an Emacs Lisp extension similar to some existing function.
2210 @node Dissociated Press, Amusements, Hyperlinking, Top
2211 @section Dissociated Press
2213 @findex dissociated-press
2214 @kbd{M-x dissociated-press} is a command for scrambling a file of text
2215 either word by word or character by character. Starting from a buffer of
2216 straight English, it produces extremely amusing output. The input comes
2217 from the current Emacs buffer. Dissociated Press writes its output in a
2218 buffer named @samp{*Dissociation*}, and redisplays that buffer after every
2219 couple of lines (approximately) so you can read the output as it comes out.
2221 Dissociated Press asks every so often whether to continue generating
2222 output. Answer @kbd{n} to stop it. You can also stop at any time by
2223 typing @kbd{C-g}. The dissociation output remains in the
2224 @samp{*Dissociation*} buffer for you to copy elsewhere if you wish.
2226 @cindex presidentagon
2227 Dissociated Press operates by jumping at random from one point in the
2228 buffer to another. In order to produce plausible output rather than
2229 gibberish, it insists on a certain amount of overlap between the end of
2230 one run of consecutive words or characters and the start of the next.
2231 That is, if it has just printed out `president' and then decides to jump
2232 to a different point in the file, it might spot the `ent' in `pentagon'
2233 and continue from there, producing `presidentagon'.@footnote{This
2234 dissociword actually appeared during the Vietnam War, when it was very
2235 appropriate.} Long sample texts produce the best results.
2237 @cindex againformation
2238 A positive argument to @kbd{M-x dissociated-press} tells it to operate
2239 character by character, and specifies the number of overlap characters. A
2240 negative argument tells it to operate word by word and specifies the number
2241 of overlap words. In this mode, whole words are treated as the elements to
2242 be permuted, rather than characters. No argument is equivalent to an
2243 argument of two. For your againformation, the output goes only into the
2244 buffer @samp{*Dissociation*}. The buffer you start with is not changed.
2246 @cindex Markov chain
2248 @cindex techniquitous
2249 Dissociated Press produces nearly the same results as a Markov chain
2250 based on a frequency table constructed from the sample text. It is,
2251 however, an independent, ignoriginal invention. Dissociated Press
2252 techniquitously copies several consecutive characters from the sample
2253 between random choices, whereas a Markov chain would choose randomly for
2254 each word or character. This makes for more plausible sounding results,
2261 @cindex developediment
2263 It is a mustatement that too much use of Dissociated Press can be a
2264 developediment to your real work. Sometimes to the point of outragedy.
2265 And keep dissociwords out of your documentation, if you want it to be well
2266 userenced and properbose. Have fun. Your buggestions are welcome.
2268 @node Amusements, Customization, Dissociated Press, Top
2269 @section Other Amusements
2274 @cindex tower of Hanoi
2276 If you are a little bit bored, you can try @kbd{M-x hanoi}. If you are
2277 considerably bored, give it a numeric argument. If you are very very
2278 bored, try an argument of 9. Sit back and watch.
2281 If you want a little more personal involvement, try @kbd{M-x gomoku},
2282 which plays the game Go Moku with you.
2288 @kbd{M-x blackbox}, @kbd{M-x mpuz} and @kbd{M-x 5x5} are kinds of puzzles.
2289 @code{blackbox} challenges you to determine the location of objects
2290 inside a box by tomography. @code{mpuz} displays a multiplication
2291 puzzle with letters standing for digits in a code that you must
2292 guess---to guess a value, type a letter and then the digit you think it
2293 stands for. The aim of @code{5x5} is to fill in all the squares.
2297 @cindex cryptanalysis
2298 @kbd{M-x decipher} helps you to cryptanalyze a buffer which is encrypted
2299 in a simple monoalphabetic substitution cipher.
2302 @kbd{M-x dunnet} runs an adventure-style exploration game, which is
2303 a bigger sort of puzzle.
2306 @cindex landmark game
2307 @kbd{M-x lm} runs a relatively non-participatory game in which a robot
2308 attempts to maneuver towards a tree at the center of the window based on
2309 unique olfactory cues from each of the four directions.
2313 @kbd{M-x life} runs Conway's `Life' cellular automaton.
2315 @findex morse-region
2316 @findex unmorse-region
2318 @cindex --/---/.-./.../.
2319 @kbd{M-x morse-region} converts text in a region to Morse code and
2320 @kbd{M-x unmorse-region} converts it back. No cause for remorse.
2324 @kbd{M-x pong} plays an implementation of the game Pong, bouncing the
2325 ball off opposing bats.
2329 @kbd{M-x solitaire} plays a game of solitaire in which you jump pegs
2332 @findex studlify-region
2334 @kbd{M-x studlify-region} studlify-cases the region, that is
2337 M-x stUdlIfY-RegioN stUdlIfY-CaSeS thE region.
2342 @kbd{M-x tetris} runs an implementation of the well-known Tetris game.
2345 Likewise, @kbd{M-x snake} provides an implementation of Snake.
2347 When you are frustrated, try the famous Eliza program. Just do
2348 @kbd{M-x doctor}. End each input by typing @key{RET} twice.
2351 When you are feeling strange, type @kbd{M-x yow}.
2354 The command @kbd{M-x zone} plays games with the display when Emacs is