annotate lispref/tips.texi @ 76070:1029d540daf5

(idlwave-shell-mode): Clean up pending commands, for restart. (idlwave-shell-current-module): Fix handling of module name by type. (idlwave-shell-break-in): Update type handling. (idlwave-shell-bp-get): Encode type in BP structure. (idlwave-shell-set-bp): Fix setting condition on disabled BPs. (idlwave-shell-module-source-query): Query routine info based on type. Fix path parsing for non-compiled files. (idlwave-shell-module-source-filter): Don't signal error in filter if no source found. (idlwave-shell-set-bp-in-module): Use fallback source to prevent filter race.
author J.D. Smith <jdsmith@as.arizona.edu>
date Thu, 22 Feb 2007 20:05:04 +0000
parents afd36ac582f5
children fc9d442f98d2 f83d17e1ace6
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1 @c -*-texinfo-*-
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2 @c This is part of the GNU Emacs Lisp Reference Manual.
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3 @c Copyright (C) 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1995, 1998, 1999, 2001, 2002,
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4 @c 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
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5 @c See the file elisp.texi for copying conditions.
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6 @setfilename ../info/tips
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7 @node Tips, GNU Emacs Internals, GPL, Top
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8 @appendix Tips and Conventions
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9 @cindex tips
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10 @cindex standards of coding style
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11 @cindex coding standards
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12
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13 This chapter describes no additional features of Emacs Lisp. Instead
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14 it gives advice on making effective use of the features described in the
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15 previous chapters, and describes conventions Emacs Lisp programmers
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16 should follow.
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17
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18 You can automatically check some of the conventions described below by
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19 running the command @kbd{M-x checkdoc RET} when visiting a Lisp file.
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20 It cannot check all of the conventions, and not all the warnings it
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21 gives necessarily correspond to problems, but it is worth examining them
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22 all.
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23
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24 @menu
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25 * Coding Conventions:: Conventions for clean and robust programs.
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26 * Key Binding Conventions:: Which keys should be bound by which programs.
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27 * Programming Tips:: Making Emacs code fit smoothly in Emacs.
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28 * Compilation Tips:: Making compiled code run fast.
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29 * Warning Tips:: Turning off compiler warnings.
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30 * Documentation Tips:: Writing readable documentation strings.
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31 * Comment Tips:: Conventions for writing comments.
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32 * Library Headers:: Standard headers for library packages.
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33 @end menu
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34
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35 @node Coding Conventions
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36 @section Emacs Lisp Coding Conventions
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37
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38 @cindex coding conventions in Emacs Lisp
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39 Here are conventions that you should follow when writing Emacs Lisp
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40 code intended for widespread use:
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41
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42 @itemize @bullet
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43 @item
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44 Simply loading the package should not change Emacs's editing behavior.
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45 Include a command or commands to enable and disable the feature,
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46 or to invoke it.
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47
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48 This convention is mandatory for any file that includes custom
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49 definitions. If fixing such a file to follow this convention requires
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50 an incompatible change, go ahead and make the incompatible change;
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51 don't postpone it.
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52
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53 @item
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54 Since all global variables share the same name space, and all
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55 functions share another name space, you should choose a short word to
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56 distinguish your program from other Lisp programs@footnote{The
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57 benefits of a Common Lisp-style package system are considered not to
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58 outweigh the costs.}. Then take care to begin the names of all global
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59 variables, constants, and functions in your program with the chosen
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60 prefix. This helps avoid name conflicts.
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61
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62 Occasionally, for a command name intended for users to use, it is more
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63 convenient if some words come before the package's name prefix. And
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64 constructs that define functions, variables, etc., work better if they
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65 start with @samp{defun} or @samp{defvar}, so put the name prefix later
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66 on in the name.
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68 This recommendation applies even to names for traditional Lisp
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69 primitives that are not primitives in Emacs Lisp---such as
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70 @code{copy-list}. Believe it or not, there is more than one plausible
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71 way to define @code{copy-list}. Play it safe; append your name prefix
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72 to produce a name like @code{foo-copy-list} or @code{mylib-copy-list}
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73 instead.
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74
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75 If you write a function that you think ought to be added to Emacs under
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76 a certain name, such as @code{twiddle-files}, don't call it by that name
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77 in your program. Call it @code{mylib-twiddle-files} in your program,
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78 and send mail to @samp{bug-gnu-emacs@@gnu.org} suggesting we add
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79 it to Emacs. If and when we do, we can change the name easily enough.
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80
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81 If one prefix is insufficient, your package can use two or three
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82 alternative common prefixes, so long as they make sense.
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83
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84 Separate the prefix from the rest of the symbol name with a hyphen,
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85 @samp{-}. This will be consistent with Emacs itself and with most Emacs
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86 Lisp programs.
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87
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88 @item
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89 Put a call to @code{provide} at the end of each separate Lisp file.
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91 @item
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92 If a file requires certain other Lisp programs to be loaded
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93 beforehand, then the comments at the beginning of the file should say
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94 so. Also, use @code{require} to make sure they are loaded.
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96 @item
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97 If one file @var{foo} uses a macro defined in another file @var{bar},
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98 @var{foo} should contain this expression before the first use of the
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99 macro:
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100
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101 @example
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102 (eval-when-compile (require '@var{bar}))
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103 @end example
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104
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105 @noindent
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106 (And the library @var{bar} should contain @code{(provide '@var{bar})},
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107 to make the @code{require} work.) This will cause @var{bar} to be
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108 loaded when you byte-compile @var{foo}. Otherwise, you risk compiling
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109 @var{foo} without the necessary macro loaded, and that would produce
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110 compiled code that won't work right. @xref{Compiling Macros}.
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111
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112 Using @code{eval-when-compile} avoids loading @var{bar} when
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113 the compiled version of @var{foo} is @emph{used}.
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114
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115 @item
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116 Please don't require the @code{cl} package of Common Lisp extensions at
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117 run time. Use of this package is optional, and it is not part of the
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118 standard Emacs namespace. If your package loads @code{cl} at run time,
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119 that could cause name clashes for users who don't use that package.
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120
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121 However, there is no problem with using the @code{cl} package at
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122 compile time, with @code{(eval-when-compile (require 'cl))}. That's
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123 sufficient for using the macros in the @code{cl} package, because the
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124 compiler expands them before generating the byte-code.
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125
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126 @item
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127 When defining a major mode, please follow the major mode
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128 conventions. @xref{Major Mode Conventions}.
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129
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130 @item
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131 When defining a minor mode, please follow the minor mode
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132 conventions. @xref{Minor Mode Conventions}.
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134 @item
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135 If the purpose of a function is to tell you whether a certain condition
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136 is true or false, give the function a name that ends in @samp{p}. If
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137 the name is one word, add just @samp{p}; if the name is multiple words,
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138 add @samp{-p}. Examples are @code{framep} and @code{frame-live-p}.
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139
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140 @item
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141 If a user option variable records a true-or-false condition, give it a
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142 name that ends in @samp{-flag}.
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143
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144 @item
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145 If the purpose of a variable is to store a single function, give it a
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146 name that ends in @samp{-function}. If the purpose of a variable is
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147 to store a list of functions (i.e., the variable is a hook), please
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148 follow the naming conventions for hooks. @xref{Hooks}.
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149
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150 @item
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151 @cindex unloading packages
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152 If loading the file adds functions to hooks, define a function
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153 @code{@var{feature}-unload-hook}, where @var{feature} is the name of
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154 the feature the package provides, and make it undo any such changes.
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155 Using @code{unload-feature} to unload the file will run this function.
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156 @xref{Unloading}.
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157
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158 @item
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159 It is a bad idea to define aliases for the Emacs primitives. Normally
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160 you should use the standard names instead. The case where an alias
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161 may be useful is where it facilitates backwards compatibility or
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162 portability.
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163
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164 @item
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165 If a package needs to define an alias or a new function for
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166 compatibility with some other version of Emacs, name it with the package
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167 prefix, not with the raw name with which it occurs in the other version.
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168 Here is an example from Gnus, which provides many examples of such
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169 compatibility issues.
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170
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171 @example
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172 (defalias 'gnus-point-at-bol
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173 (if (fboundp 'point-at-bol)
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174 'point-at-bol
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175 'line-beginning-position))
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176 @end example
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177
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178 @item
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179 Redefining (or advising) an Emacs primitive is a bad idea. It may do
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180 the right thing for a particular program, but there is no telling what
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181 other programs might break as a result. In any case, it is a problem
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182 for debugging, because the advised function doesn't do what its source
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183 code says it does. If the programmer investigating the problem is
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184 unaware that there is advice on the function, the experience can be
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185 very frustrating.
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186
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187 We hope to remove all the places in Emacs that advise primitives.
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188 In the mean time, please don't add any more.
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189
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190 @item
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191 It is likewise a bad idea for one Lisp package to advise a function
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192 in another Lisp package.
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193
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194 @item
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195 Likewise, avoid using @code{eval-after-load} (@pxref{Hooks for
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196 Loading}) in libraries and packages. This feature is meant for
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197 personal customizations; using it in a Lisp program is unclean,
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198 because it modifies the behavior of another Lisp file in a way that's
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199 not visible in that file. This is an obstacle for debugging, much
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200 like advising a function in the other package.
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201
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202 @item
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203 If a file does replace any of the functions or library programs of
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204 standard Emacs, prominent comments at the beginning of the file should
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205 say which functions are replaced, and how the behavior of the
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206 replacements differs from that of the originals.
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207
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208 @item
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209 Constructs that define a function or variable should be macros,
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210 not functions, and their names should start with @samp{def}.
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211
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212 @item
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213 A macro that defines a function or variable should have a name that
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214 starts with @samp{define-}. The macro should receive the name to be
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215 defined as the first argument. That will help various tools find the
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216 definition automatically. Avoid constructing the names in the macro
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217 itself, since that would confuse these tools.
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218
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219 @item
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220 Please keep the names of your Emacs Lisp source files to 13 characters
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221 or less. This way, if the files are compiled, the compiled files' names
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222 will be 14 characters or less, which is short enough to fit on all kinds
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223 of Unix systems.
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224
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225 @item
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226 In some other systems there is a convention of choosing variable names
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227 that begin and end with @samp{*}. We don't use that convention in Emacs
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228 Lisp, so please don't use it in your programs. (Emacs uses such names
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229 only for special-purpose buffers.) The users will find Emacs more
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230 coherent if all libraries use the same conventions.
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231
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232 @item
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233 If your program contains non-ASCII characters in string or character
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234 constants, you should make sure Emacs always decodes these characters
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235 the same way, regardless of the user's settings. There are two ways
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236 to do that:
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237
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238 @itemize -
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239 @item
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240 Use coding system @code{emacs-mule}, and specify that for
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241 @code{coding} in the @samp{-*-} line or the local variables list.
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242
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243 @example
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244 ;; XXX.el -*- coding: emacs-mule; -*-
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245 @end example
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246
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247 @item
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248 Use one of the coding systems based on ISO 2022 (such as
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249 iso-8859-@var{n} and iso-2022-7bit), and specify it with @samp{!} at
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250 the end for @code{coding}. (The @samp{!} turns off any possible
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251 character translation.)
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252
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253 @example
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254 ;; XXX.el -*- coding: iso-latin-2!; -*-
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255 @end example
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256 @end itemize
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257
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258 @item
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259 Indent each function with @kbd{C-M-q} (@code{indent-sexp}) using the
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260 default indentation parameters.
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261
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262 @item
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263 Don't make a habit of putting close-parentheses on lines by themselves;
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264 Lisp programmers find this disconcerting. Once in a while, when there
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265 is a sequence of many consecutive close-parentheses, it may make sense
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266 to split the sequence in one or two significant places.
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267
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268 @item
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269 Please put a copyright notice and copying permission notice on the
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270 file if you distribute copies. Use a notice like this one:
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271
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272 @smallexample
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273 ;; Copyright (C) @var{year} @var{name}
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274
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275 ;; This program is free software; you can redistribute it and/or
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276 ;; modify it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as
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277 ;; published by the Free Software Foundation; either version 2 of
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278 ;; the License, or (at your option) any later version.
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279
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280 ;; This program is distributed in the hope that it will be
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281 ;; useful, but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied
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282 ;; warranty of MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR
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283 ;; PURPOSE. See the GNU General Public License for more details.
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284
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285 ;; You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public
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286 ;; License along with this program; if not, write to the Free
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287 ;; Software Foundation, Inc., 51 Franklin Street, Fifth Floor,
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288 ;; Boston, MA 02110-1301 USA
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289 @end smallexample
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290
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291 If you have signed papers to assign the copyright to the Foundation,
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292 then use @samp{Free Software Foundation, Inc.} as @var{name}.
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293 Otherwise, use your name. See also @xref{Library Headers}.
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294 @end itemize
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295
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296 @node Key Binding Conventions
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297 @section Key Binding Conventions
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298
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299 @itemize @bullet
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300 @item
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301 @cindex mouse-2
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302 @cindex references, following
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303 Special major modes used for read-only text should usually redefine
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304 @kbd{mouse-2} and @key{RET} to trace some sort of reference in the text.
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305 Modes such as Dired, Info, Compilation, and Occur redefine it in this
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306 way.
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307
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308 In addition, they should mark the text as a kind of ``link'' so that
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309 @kbd{mouse-1} will follow it also. @xref{Links and Mouse-1}.
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310
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311 @item
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312 @cindex reserved keys
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313 @cindex keys, reserved
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314 Please do not define @kbd{C-c @var{letter}} as a key in Lisp programs.
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315 Sequences consisting of @kbd{C-c} and a letter (either upper or lower
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316 case) are reserved for users; they are the @strong{only} sequences
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317 reserved for users, so do not block them.
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318
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319 Changing all the Emacs major modes to respect this convention was a
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320 lot of work; abandoning this convention would make that work go to
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321 waste, and inconvenience users. Please comply with it.
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322
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323 @item
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324 Function keys @key{F5} through @key{F9} without modifier keys are
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325 also reserved for users to define.
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326
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327 @item
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328 Applications should not bind mouse events based on button 1 with the
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329 shift key held down. These events include @kbd{S-mouse-1},
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330 @kbd{M-S-mouse-1}, @kbd{C-S-mouse-1}, and so on. They are reserved for
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331 users.
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332
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333 @item
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334 Sequences consisting of @kbd{C-c} followed by a control character or a
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335 digit are reserved for major modes.
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336
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337 @item
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338 Sequences consisting of @kbd{C-c} followed by @kbd{@{}, @kbd{@}},
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339 @kbd{<}, @kbd{>}, @kbd{:} or @kbd{;} are also reserved for major modes.
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340
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341 @item
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342 Sequences consisting of @kbd{C-c} followed by any other punctuation
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343 character are allocated for minor modes. Using them in a major mode is
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344 not absolutely prohibited, but if you do that, the major mode binding
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345 may be shadowed from time to time by minor modes.
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346
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347 @item
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348 Do not bind @kbd{C-h} following any prefix character (including
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349 @kbd{C-c}). If you don't bind @kbd{C-h}, it is automatically available
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350 as a help character for listing the subcommands of the prefix character.
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351
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352 @item
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353 Do not bind a key sequence ending in @key{ESC} except following
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354 another @key{ESC}. (That is, it is OK to bind a sequence ending in
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355 @kbd{@key{ESC} @key{ESC}}.)
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356
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357 The reason for this rule is that a non-prefix binding for @key{ESC} in
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358 any context prevents recognition of escape sequences as function keys in
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359 that context.
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360
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361 @item
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362 Anything which acts like a temporary mode or state which the user can
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363 enter and leave should define @kbd{@key{ESC} @key{ESC}} or
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364 @kbd{@key{ESC} @key{ESC} @key{ESC}} as a way to escape.
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365
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366 For a state which accepts ordinary Emacs commands, or more generally any
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367 kind of state in which @key{ESC} followed by a function key or arrow key
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368 is potentially meaningful, then you must not define @kbd{@key{ESC}
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369 @key{ESC}}, since that would preclude recognizing an escape sequence
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370 after @key{ESC}. In these states, you should define @kbd{@key{ESC}
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371 @key{ESC} @key{ESC}} as the way to escape. Otherwise, define
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372 @kbd{@key{ESC} @key{ESC}} instead.
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373 @end itemize
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374
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375 @node Programming Tips
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376 @section Emacs Programming Tips
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377
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378 Following these conventions will make your program fit better
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379 into Emacs when it runs.
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380
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381 @itemize @bullet
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382 @item
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383 Don't use @code{next-line} or @code{previous-line} in programs; nearly
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384 always, @code{forward-line} is more convenient as well as more
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385 predictable and robust. @xref{Text Lines}.
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386
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387 @item
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388 Don't call functions that set the mark, unless setting the mark is one
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389 of the intended features of your program. The mark is a user-level
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390 feature, so it is incorrect to change the mark except to supply a value
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391 for the user's benefit. @xref{The Mark}.
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392
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393 In particular, don't use any of these functions:
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394
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395 @itemize @bullet
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396 @item
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397 @code{beginning-of-buffer}, @code{end-of-buffer}
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398 @item
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399 @code{replace-string}, @code{replace-regexp}
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400 @item
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401 @code{insert-file}, @code{insert-buffer}
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402 @end itemize
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403
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404 If you just want to move point, or replace a certain string, or insert
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405 a file or buffer's contents, without any of the other features
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406 intended for interactive users, you can replace these functions with
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407 one or two lines of simple Lisp code.
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408
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409 @item
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410 Use lists rather than vectors, except when there is a particular reason
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411 to use a vector. Lisp has more facilities for manipulating lists than
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412 for vectors, and working with lists is usually more convenient.
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413
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414 Vectors are advantageous for tables that are substantial in size and are
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415 accessed in random order (not searched front to back), provided there is
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416 no need to insert or delete elements (only lists allow that).
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417
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418 @item
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419 The recommended way to show a message in the echo area is with
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420 the @code{message} function, not @code{princ}. @xref{The Echo Area}.
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421
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422 @item
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423 When you encounter an error condition, call the function @code{error}
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424 (or @code{signal}). The function @code{error} does not return.
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425 @xref{Signaling Errors}.
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426
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427 Do not use @code{message}, @code{throw}, @code{sleep-for},
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428 or @code{beep} to report errors.
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429
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430 @item
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431 An error message should start with a capital letter but should not end
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432 with a period.
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433
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434 @item
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435 A question asked in the minibuffer with @code{y-or-n-p} or
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436 @code{yes-or-no-p} should start with a capital letter and end with
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437 @samp{? }.
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438
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439 @item
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440 When you mention a default value in a minibuffer prompt,
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441 put it and the word @samp{default} inside parentheses.
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442 It should look like this:
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443
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444 @example
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95aa6fb80959 (Programming Tips): Correct the "default" prompt spec.
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445 Enter the answer (default 42):
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446 @end example
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447
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448 @item
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449 In @code{interactive}, if you use a Lisp expression to produce a list
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450 of arguments, don't try to provide the ``correct'' default values for
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451 region or position arguments. Instead, provide @code{nil} for those
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452 arguments if they were not specified, and have the function body
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453 compute the default value when the argument is @code{nil}. For
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diff changeset
454 instance, write this:
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455
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456 @example
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457 (defun foo (pos)
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458 (interactive
3577e0c41a1e Give advice about how to default position args and region args.
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459 (list (if @var{specified} @var{specified-pos})))
3577e0c41a1e Give advice about how to default position args and region args.
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460 (unless pos (setq pos @var{default-pos}))
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461 ...)
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462 @end example
3577e0c41a1e Give advice about how to default position args and region args.
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463
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464 @noindent
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diff changeset
465 rather than this:
3577e0c41a1e Give advice about how to default position args and region args.
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466
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diff changeset
467 @example
3577e0c41a1e Give advice about how to default position args and region args.
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diff changeset
468 (defun foo (pos)
3577e0c41a1e Give advice about how to default position args and region args.
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469 (interactive
3577e0c41a1e Give advice about how to default position args and region args.
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470 (list (if @var{specified} @var{specified-pos}
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diff changeset
471 @var{default-pos})))
3577e0c41a1e Give advice about how to default position args and region args.
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diff changeset
472 ...)
3577e0c41a1e Give advice about how to default position args and region args.
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diff changeset
473 @end example
3577e0c41a1e Give advice about how to default position args and region args.
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474
3577e0c41a1e Give advice about how to default position args and region args.
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diff changeset
475 @noindent
3577e0c41a1e Give advice about how to default position args and region args.
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diff changeset
476 This is so that repetition of the command will recompute
3577e0c41a1e Give advice about how to default position args and region args.
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diff changeset
477 these defaults based on the current circumstances.
3577e0c41a1e Give advice about how to default position args and region args.
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diff changeset
478
3577e0c41a1e Give advice about how to default position args and region args.
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479 You do not need to take such precautions when you use interactive
3577e0c41a1e Give advice about how to default position args and region args.
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diff changeset
480 specs @samp{d}, @samp{m} and @samp{r}, because they make special
3577e0c41a1e Give advice about how to default position args and region args.
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diff changeset
481 arrangements to recompute the argument values on repetition of the
3577e0c41a1e Give advice about how to default position args and region args.
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diff changeset
482 command.
3577e0c41a1e Give advice about how to default position args and region args.
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parents: 34305
diff changeset
483
3577e0c41a1e Give advice about how to default position args and region args.
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diff changeset
484 @item
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parents: 12098
diff changeset
485 Many commands that take a long time to execute display a message that
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3577e0c41a1e Give advice about how to default position args and region args.
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parents: 34305
diff changeset
486 says something like @samp{Operating...} when they start, and change it to
13893
2576d1142ed3 Explain style of "done" messages.
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diff changeset
487 @samp{Operating...done} when they finish. Please keep the style of
2576d1142ed3 Explain style of "done" messages.
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488 these messages uniform: @emph{no} space around the ellipsis, and
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3577e0c41a1e Give advice about how to default position args and region args.
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489 @emph{no} period after @samp{done}.
13893
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diff changeset
490
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diff changeset
491 @item
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diff changeset
492 Try to avoid using recursive edits. Instead, do what the Rmail @kbd{e}
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diff changeset
493 command does: use a new local keymap that contains one command defined
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diff changeset
494 to switch back to the old local keymap. Or do what the
3b19456b877a *** empty log message ***
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parents: 6552
diff changeset
495 @code{edit-options} command does: switch to another buffer and let the
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parents: 6552
diff changeset
496 user switch back at will. @xref{Recursive Editing}.
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497 @end itemize
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498
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499 @node Compilation Tips
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500 @section Tips for Making Compiled Code Fast
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parents:
diff changeset
501 @cindex execution speed
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diff changeset
502 @cindex speedups
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parents:
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503
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504 Here are ways of improving the execution speed of byte-compiled
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505 Lisp programs.
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parents:
diff changeset
506
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507 @itemize @bullet
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diff changeset
508 @item
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509 @cindex profiling
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parents:
diff changeset
510 @cindex timing programs
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diff changeset
511 @cindex @file{elp.el}
44654
774d49397ece (Tips for Making Compiled Code Fast): Don't advertise profile.el.
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 42979
diff changeset
512 Profile your program with the @file{elp} library. See the file
774d49397ece (Tips for Making Compiled Code Fast): Don't advertise profile.el.
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 42979
diff changeset
513 @file{elp.el} for instructions.
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parents:
diff changeset
514
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515 @item
61056
0b041af08b4a (Compilation Tips): Mention benchmark.el.
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parents: 60273
diff changeset
516 @cindex @file{benchmark.el}
0b041af08b4a (Compilation Tips): Mention benchmark.el.
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parents: 60273
diff changeset
517 @cindex benchmarking
0b041af08b4a (Compilation Tips): Mention benchmark.el.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 60273
diff changeset
518 Check the speed of individual Emacs Lisp forms using the
0b041af08b4a (Compilation Tips): Mention benchmark.el.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 60273
diff changeset
519 @file{benchmark} library. See the functions @code{benchmark-run} and
0b041af08b4a (Compilation Tips): Mention benchmark.el.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 60273
diff changeset
520 @code{benchmark-run-compiled} in @file{benchmark.el}.
0b041af08b4a (Compilation Tips): Mention benchmark.el.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 60273
diff changeset
521
0b041af08b4a (Compilation Tips): Mention benchmark.el.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 60273
diff changeset
522 @item
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parents:
diff changeset
523 Use iteration rather than recursion whenever possible.
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
524 Function calls are slow in Emacs Lisp even when a compiled function
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
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parents:
diff changeset
525 is calling another compiled function.
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
526
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
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parents:
diff changeset
527 @item
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Karl Heuer <kwzh@gnu.org>
parents: 11648
diff changeset
528 Using the primitive list-searching functions @code{memq}, @code{member},
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Karl Heuer <kwzh@gnu.org>
parents: 11648
diff changeset
529 @code{assq}, or @code{assoc} is even faster than explicit iteration. It
21007
66d807bdc5b4 *** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 19361
diff changeset
530 can be worth rearranging a data structure so that one of these primitive
12098
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parents: 11648
diff changeset
531 search functions can be used.
6552
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
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parents:
diff changeset
532
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
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parents:
diff changeset
533 @item
49600
23a1cea22d13 Trailing whitespace deleted.
Juanma Barranquero <lekktu@gmail.com>
parents: 44733
diff changeset
534 Certain built-in functions are handled specially in byte-compiled code,
6552
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
535 avoiding the need for an ordinary function call. It is a good idea to
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
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parents:
diff changeset
536 use these functions rather than alternatives. To see whether a function
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
537 is handled specially by the compiler, examine its @code{byte-compile}
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
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parents:
diff changeset
538 property. If the property is non-@code{nil}, then the function is
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
539 handled specially.
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
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parents:
diff changeset
540
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
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parents:
diff changeset
541 For example, the following input will show you that @code{aref} is
22138
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Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 21682
diff changeset
542 compiled specially (@pxref{Array Functions}):
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parents:
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543
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diff changeset
544 @example
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545 @group
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parents:
diff changeset
546 (get 'aref 'byte-compile)
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parents:
diff changeset
547 @result{} byte-compile-two-args
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548 @end group
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549 @end example
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550
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parents:
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551 @item
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parents: 22138
diff changeset
552 If calling a small function accounts for a substantial part of your
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553 program's running time, make the function inline. This eliminates
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Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
554 the function call overhead. Since making a function inline reduces
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
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parents:
diff changeset
555 the flexibility of changing the program, don't do it unless it gives
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diff changeset
556 a noticeable speedup in something slow enough that users care about
6552
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parents:
diff changeset
557 the speed. @xref{Inline Functions}.
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diff changeset
558 @end itemize
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parents:
diff changeset
559
64916
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parents: 64889
diff changeset
560 @node Warning Tips
d16e2016fc7d (Key Binding Conventions, Programming Tips, Warning Tips):
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parents: 64889
diff changeset
561 @section Tips for Avoiding Compiler Warnings
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562
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563 @itemize @bullet
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564 @item
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565 Try to avoid compiler warnings about undefined free variables, by adding
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566 dummy @code{defvar} definitions for these variables, like this:
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567
d16e2016fc7d (Key Binding Conventions, Programming Tips, Warning Tips):
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568 @example
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diff changeset
569 (defvar foo)
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570 @end example
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571
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572 Such a definition has no effect except to tell the compiler
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573 not to warn about uses of the variable @code{foo} in this file.
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574
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575 @item
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576 If you use many functions and variables from a certain file, you can
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577 add a @code{require} for that package to avoid compilation warnings
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diff changeset
578 for them. For instance,
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579
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580 @example
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581 (eval-when-compile
d16e2016fc7d (Key Binding Conventions, Programming Tips, Warning Tips):
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parents: 64889
diff changeset
582 (require 'foo))
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583 @end example
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diff changeset
584
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585 @item
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586 If you bind a variable in one function, and use it or set it in
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diff changeset
587 another function, the compiler warns about the latter function unless
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588 the variable has a definition. But adding a definition would be
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589 unclean if the variable has a short name, since Lisp packages should
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590 not define short variable names. The right thing to do is to rename
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591 this variable to start with the name prefix used for the other
d16e2016fc7d (Key Binding Conventions, Programming Tips, Warning Tips):
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592 functions and variables in your package.
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593
d16e2016fc7d (Key Binding Conventions, Programming Tips, Warning Tips):
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594 @item
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595 The last resort for avoiding a warning, when you want to do something
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parents: 64889
diff changeset
596 that usually is a mistake but it's not a mistake in this one case,
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597 is to put a call to @code{with-no-warnings} around it.
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598 @end itemize
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599
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600 @node Documentation Tips
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601 @section Tips for Documentation Strings
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602
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603 @findex checkdoc-minor-mode
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604 Here are some tips and conventions for the writing of documentation
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605 strings. You can check many of these conventions by running the command
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606 @kbd{M-x checkdoc-minor-mode}.
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607
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608 @itemize @bullet
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609 @item
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610 Every command, function, or variable intended for users to know about
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611 should have a documentation string.
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612
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613 @item
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2e5dcd5f3090 Recommend doc strings for all functions and variables.
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parents: 9807
diff changeset
614 An internal variable or subroutine of a Lisp program might as well have
2e5dcd5f3090 Recommend doc strings for all functions and variables.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 9807
diff changeset
615 a documentation string. In earlier Emacs versions, you could save space
2e5dcd5f3090 Recommend doc strings for all functions and variables.
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parents: 9807
diff changeset
616 by using a comment instead of a documentation string, but that is no
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parents: 26211
diff changeset
617 longer the case---documentation strings now take up very little space in
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diff changeset
618 a running Emacs.
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619
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620 @item
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621 Format the documentation string so that it fits in an Emacs window on an
7359d6d75a9c Minor cleanups.
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622 80-column screen. It is a good idea for most lines to be no wider than
7359d6d75a9c Minor cleanups.
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parents: 40970
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623 60 characters. The first line should not be wider than 67 characters
7359d6d75a9c Minor cleanups.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 40970
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624 or it will look bad in the output of @code{apropos}.
7359d6d75a9c Minor cleanups.
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625
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parents: 40970
diff changeset
626 You can fill the text if that looks good. However, rather than blindly
7359d6d75a9c Minor cleanups.
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parents: 40970
diff changeset
627 filling the entire documentation string, you can often make it much more
7359d6d75a9c Minor cleanups.
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parents: 40970
diff changeset
628 readable by choosing certain line breaks with care. Use blank lines
7359d6d75a9c Minor cleanups.
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parents: 40970
diff changeset
629 between topics if the documentation string is long.
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parents: 40970
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630
7359d6d75a9c Minor cleanups.
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diff changeset
631 @item
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632 The first line of the documentation string should consist of one or two
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633 complete sentences that stand on their own as a summary. @kbd{M-x
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634 apropos} displays just the first line, and if that line's contents don't
ef5e7bbe6f19 Current version from /gd/gnu/elisp.
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parents: 26211
diff changeset
635 stand on their own, the result looks bad. In particular, start the
ef5e7bbe6f19 Current version from /gd/gnu/elisp.
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parents: 26211
diff changeset
636 first line with a capital letter and end with a period.
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637
40970
fb31125d0d7b Say what questions first line of doc string should answer.
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diff changeset
638 For a function, the first line should briefly answer the question,
fb31125d0d7b Say what questions first line of doc string should answer.
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parents: 40561
diff changeset
639 ``What does this function do?'' For a variable, the first line should
fb31125d0d7b Say what questions first line of doc string should answer.
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parents: 40561
diff changeset
640 briefly answer the question, ``What does this value mean?''
fb31125d0d7b Say what questions first line of doc string should answer.
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parents: 40561
diff changeset
641
fb31125d0d7b Say what questions first line of doc string should answer.
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parents: 40561
diff changeset
642 Don't limit the documentation string to one line; use as many lines as
fb31125d0d7b Say what questions first line of doc string should answer.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 40561
diff changeset
643 you need to explain the details of how to use the function or
fb31125d0d7b Say what questions first line of doc string should answer.
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parents: 40561
diff changeset
644 variable. Please use complete sentences for the rest of the text too.
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645
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
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646 @item
49960
10a8aba3dfc7 First line of function doc string should mention the most important
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parents: 49600
diff changeset
647 The first line should mention all the important arguments of the
10a8aba3dfc7 First line of function doc string should mention the most important
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parents: 49600
diff changeset
648 function, and should mention them in the order that they are written
10a8aba3dfc7 First line of function doc string should mention the most important
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parents: 49600
diff changeset
649 in a function call. If the function has many arguments, then it is
10a8aba3dfc7 First line of function doc string should mention the most important
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parents: 49600
diff changeset
650 not feasible to mention them all in the first line; in that case, the
10a8aba3dfc7 First line of function doc string should mention the most important
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 49600
diff changeset
651 first line should mention the first few arguments, including the most
10a8aba3dfc7 First line of function doc string should mention the most important
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 49600
diff changeset
652 important arguments.
10a8aba3dfc7 First line of function doc string should mention the most important
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parents: 49600
diff changeset
653
10a8aba3dfc7 First line of function doc string should mention the most important
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parents: 49600
diff changeset
654 @item
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diff changeset
655 For consistency, phrase the verb in the first sentence of a function's
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17dfaa4af669 (Documentation Tips): Fix typo.
Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents: 54042
diff changeset
656 documentation string as an imperative---for instance, use ``Return the
25751
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diff changeset
657 cons of A and B.'' in preference to ``Returns the cons of A and B@.''
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parents: 24862
diff changeset
658 Usually it looks good to do likewise for the rest of the first
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parents: 24862
diff changeset
659 paragraph. Subsequent paragraphs usually look better if each sentence
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diff changeset
660 is indicative and has a proper subject.
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661
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662 @item
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663 Write documentation strings in the active voice, not the passive, and in
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parents:
diff changeset
664 the present tense, not the future. For instance, use ``Return a list
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
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parents:
diff changeset
665 containing A and B.'' instead of ``A list containing A and B will be
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666 returned.''
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parents:
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667
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668 @item
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669 Avoid using the word ``cause'' (or its equivalents) unnecessarily.
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parents:
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670 Instead of, ``Cause Emacs to display text in boldface,'' write just
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parents:
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671 ``Display text in boldface.''
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672
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673 @item
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674 When a command is meaningful only in a certain mode or situation,
ef5e7bbe6f19 Current version from /gd/gnu/elisp.
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parents: 26211
diff changeset
675 do mention that in the documentation string. For example,
ef5e7bbe6f19 Current version from /gd/gnu/elisp.
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parents: 26211
diff changeset
676 the documentation of @code{dired-find-file} is:
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677
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diff changeset
678 @example
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parents: 26211
diff changeset
679 In Dired, visit the file or directory named on this line.
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diff changeset
680 @end example
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681
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682 @item
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683 Do not start or end a documentation string with whitespace.
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parents: 44733
diff changeset
684
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685 @item
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parents:
diff changeset
686 @strong{Do not} indent subsequent lines of a documentation string so
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parents:
diff changeset
687 that the text is lined up in the source code with the text of the first
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
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parents:
diff changeset
688 line. This looks nice in the source code, but looks bizarre when users
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
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parents:
diff changeset
689 view the documentation. Remember that the indentation before the
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
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parents:
diff changeset
690 starting double-quote is not part of the string!
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
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diff changeset
691
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parents:
diff changeset
692 @item
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parents: 15198
diff changeset
693 When the user tries to use a disabled command, Emacs displays just the
9fa09185bca0 Explain how disabled commands' doc strings are displayed.
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parents: 15198
diff changeset
694 first paragraph of its documentation string---everything through the
9fa09185bca0 Explain how disabled commands' doc strings are displayed.
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parents: 15198
diff changeset
695 first blank line. If you wish, you can choose which information to
9fa09185bca0 Explain how disabled commands' doc strings are displayed.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 15198
diff changeset
696 include before the first blank line so as to make this display useful.
9fa09185bca0 Explain how disabled commands' doc strings are displayed.
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parents: 15198
diff changeset
697
9fa09185bca0 Explain how disabled commands' doc strings are displayed.
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parents: 15198
diff changeset
698 @item
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parents: 66516
diff changeset
699 When you define a variable that users ought to set interactively, you
67690
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parents: 67686
diff changeset
700 normally should use @code{defcustom}. However, if for some reason you
67686
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parents: 66516
diff changeset
701 use @code{defvar} instead, start the doc string with a @samp{*}.
a99220d00c05 (Documentation Tips): Update for new conventions for using `*' in docstrings.
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parents: 66516
diff changeset
702 @xref{Defining Variables}.
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703
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diff changeset
704 @item
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
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diff changeset
705 The documentation string for a variable that is a yes-or-no flag should
71957
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parents: 71855
diff changeset
706 start with words such as ``Non-nil means,'' to make it clear that
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parents: 6552
diff changeset
707 all non-@code{nil} values are equivalent and indicate explicitly what
3b19456b877a *** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 6552
diff changeset
708 @code{nil} and non-@code{nil} mean.
6552
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
709
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
710 @item
40517
37a08b5afded Document textual convention for doc strings of predicates.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 38344
diff changeset
711 The documentation string for a function that is a yes-or-no predicate
71957
61cb5aae3bc3 Put period and comma inside quotes.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 71855
diff changeset
712 should start with words such as ``Return t if,'' to indicate
61cb5aae3bc3 Put period and comma inside quotes.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 71855
diff changeset
713 explicitly what constitutes ``truth.'' The word ``return'' avoids
61cb5aae3bc3 Put period and comma inside quotes.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 71855
diff changeset
714 starting the sentence with lower-case ``t,'' which could be somewhat
40517
37a08b5afded Document textual convention for doc strings of predicates.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 38344
diff changeset
715 distracting.
37a08b5afded Document textual convention for doc strings of predicates.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 38344
diff changeset
716
37a08b5afded Document textual convention for doc strings of predicates.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 38344
diff changeset
717 @item
6552
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
718 When a function's documentation string mentions the value of an argument
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
719 of the function, use the argument name in capital letters as if it were
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
720 a name for that value. Thus, the documentation string of the function
26696
ef5e7bbe6f19 Current version from /gd/gnu/elisp.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents: 26211
diff changeset
721 @code{eval} refers to its second argument as @samp{FORM}, because the
ef5e7bbe6f19 Current version from /gd/gnu/elisp.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents: 26211
diff changeset
722 actual argument name is @code{form}:
6552
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
723
26696
ef5e7bbe6f19 Current version from /gd/gnu/elisp.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents: 26211
diff changeset
724 @example
ef5e7bbe6f19 Current version from /gd/gnu/elisp.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents: 26211
diff changeset
725 Evaluate FORM and return its value.
ef5e7bbe6f19 Current version from /gd/gnu/elisp.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents: 26211
diff changeset
726 @end example
ef5e7bbe6f19 Current version from /gd/gnu/elisp.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents: 26211
diff changeset
727
ef5e7bbe6f19 Current version from /gd/gnu/elisp.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents: 26211
diff changeset
728 Also write metasyntactic variables in capital letters, such as when you
ef5e7bbe6f19 Current version from /gd/gnu/elisp.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents: 26211
diff changeset
729 show the decomposition of a list or vector into subunits, some of which
ef5e7bbe6f19 Current version from /gd/gnu/elisp.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents: 26211
diff changeset
730 may vary. @samp{KEY} and @samp{VALUE} in the following example
25751
467b88fab665 *** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 24862
diff changeset
731 illustrate this practice:
467b88fab665 *** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 24862
diff changeset
732
467b88fab665 *** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 24862
diff changeset
733 @example
467b88fab665 *** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 24862
diff changeset
734 The argument TABLE should be an alist whose elements
467b88fab665 *** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 24862
diff changeset
735 have the form (KEY . VALUE). Here, KEY is ...
467b88fab665 *** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 24862
diff changeset
736 @end example
6552
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
737
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
738 @item
40517
37a08b5afded Document textual convention for doc strings of predicates.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 38344
diff changeset
739 Never change the case of a Lisp symbol when you mention it in a doc
71957
61cb5aae3bc3 Put period and comma inside quotes.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 71855
diff changeset
740 string. If the symbol's name is @code{foo}, write ``foo,'' not
40517
37a08b5afded Document textual convention for doc strings of predicates.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 38344
diff changeset
741 ``Foo'' (which is a different symbol).
37a08b5afded Document textual convention for doc strings of predicates.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 38344
diff changeset
742
37a08b5afded Document textual convention for doc strings of predicates.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 38344
diff changeset
743 This might appear to contradict the policy of writing function
37a08b5afded Document textual convention for doc strings of predicates.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 38344
diff changeset
744 argument values, but there is no real contradiction; the argument
37a08b5afded Document textual convention for doc strings of predicates.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 38344
diff changeset
745 @emph{value} is not the same thing as the @emph{symbol} which the
37a08b5afded Document textual convention for doc strings of predicates.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 38344
diff changeset
746 function uses to hold the value.
37a08b5afded Document textual convention for doc strings of predicates.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 38344
diff changeset
747
37a08b5afded Document textual convention for doc strings of predicates.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 38344
diff changeset
748 If this puts a lower-case letter at the beginning of a sentence
37a08b5afded Document textual convention for doc strings of predicates.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 38344
diff changeset
749 and that annoys you, rewrite the sentence so that the symbol
37a08b5afded Document textual convention for doc strings of predicates.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 38344
diff changeset
750 is not at the start of it.
37a08b5afded Document textual convention for doc strings of predicates.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 38344
diff changeset
751
37a08b5afded Document textual convention for doc strings of predicates.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 38344
diff changeset
752 @item
26696
ef5e7bbe6f19 Current version from /gd/gnu/elisp.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents: 26211
diff changeset
753 If a line in a documentation string begins with an open-parenthesis,
ef5e7bbe6f19 Current version from /gd/gnu/elisp.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents: 26211
diff changeset
754 write a backslash before the open-parenthesis, like this:
ef5e7bbe6f19 Current version from /gd/gnu/elisp.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents: 26211
diff changeset
755
ef5e7bbe6f19 Current version from /gd/gnu/elisp.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents: 26211
diff changeset
756 @example
ef5e7bbe6f19 Current version from /gd/gnu/elisp.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents: 26211
diff changeset
757 The argument FOO can be either a number
ef5e7bbe6f19 Current version from /gd/gnu/elisp.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents: 26211
diff changeset
758 \(a buffer position) or a string (a file name).
ef5e7bbe6f19 Current version from /gd/gnu/elisp.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents: 26211
diff changeset
759 @end example
ef5e7bbe6f19 Current version from /gd/gnu/elisp.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents: 26211
diff changeset
760
ef5e7bbe6f19 Current version from /gd/gnu/elisp.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents: 26211
diff changeset
761 This prevents the open-parenthesis from being treated as the start of a
ef5e7bbe6f19 Current version from /gd/gnu/elisp.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents: 26211
diff changeset
762 defun (@pxref{Defuns,, Defuns, emacs, The GNU Emacs Manual}).
ef5e7bbe6f19 Current version from /gd/gnu/elisp.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents: 26211
diff changeset
763
53300
2cabf526af0e (Documentation Tips): Add anchor.
Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents: 52912
diff changeset
764 @anchor{Docstring hyperlinks}
26696
ef5e7bbe6f19 Current version from /gd/gnu/elisp.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents: 26211
diff changeset
765 @item
6552
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
766 @iftex
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
767 When a documentation string refers to a Lisp symbol, write it as it
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
768 would be printed (which usually means in lower case), with single-quotes
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
769 around it. For example: @samp{`lambda'}. There are two exceptions:
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
770 write @code{t} and @code{nil} without single-quotes.
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
771 @end iftex
27193
89afca54a135 @ifinto -> @ifnottex.
Gerd Moellmann <gerd@gnu.org>
parents: 27189
diff changeset
772 @ifnottex
6552
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
773 When a documentation string refers to a Lisp symbol, write it as it
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
774 would be printed (which usually means in lower case), with single-quotes
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
775 around it. For example: @samp{lambda}. There are two exceptions: write
21682
90da2489c498 *** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 21007
diff changeset
776 t and nil without single-quotes. (In this manual, we use a different
90da2489c498 *** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 21007
diff changeset
777 convention, with single-quotes for all symbols.)
27193
89afca54a135 @ifinto -> @ifnottex.
Gerd Moellmann <gerd@gnu.org>
parents: 27189
diff changeset
778 @end ifnottex
6552
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
779
22252
40089afa2b1d *** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 22138
diff changeset
780 Help mode automatically creates a hyperlink when a documentation string
40089afa2b1d *** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 22138
diff changeset
781 uses a symbol name inside single quotes, if the symbol has either a
22138
d4ac295a98b3 *** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 21682
diff changeset
782 function or a variable definition. You do not need to do anything
d4ac295a98b3 *** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 21682
diff changeset
783 special to make use of this feature. However, when a symbol has both a
d4ac295a98b3 *** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 21682
diff changeset
784 function definition and a variable definition, and you want to refer to
d4ac295a98b3 *** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 21682
diff changeset
785 just one of them, you can specify which one by writing one of the words
d4ac295a98b3 *** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 21682
diff changeset
786 @samp{variable}, @samp{option}, @samp{function}, or @samp{command},
d4ac295a98b3 *** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 21682
diff changeset
787 immediately before the symbol name. (Case makes no difference in
d4ac295a98b3 *** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 21682
diff changeset
788 recognizing these indicator words.) For example, if you write
21682
90da2489c498 *** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 21007
diff changeset
789
90da2489c498 *** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 21007
diff changeset
790 @example
22138
d4ac295a98b3 *** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 21682
diff changeset
791 This function sets the variable `buffer-file-name'.
21682
90da2489c498 *** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 21007
diff changeset
792 @end example
90da2489c498 *** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 21007
diff changeset
793
22138
d4ac295a98b3 *** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 21682
diff changeset
794 @noindent
d4ac295a98b3 *** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 21682
diff changeset
795 then the hyperlink will refer only to the variable documentation of
d4ac295a98b3 *** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 21682
diff changeset
796 @code{buffer-file-name}, and not to its function documentation.
d4ac295a98b3 *** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 21682
diff changeset
797
d4ac295a98b3 *** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 21682
diff changeset
798 If a symbol has a function definition and/or a variable definition, but
d4ac295a98b3 *** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 21682
diff changeset
799 those are irrelevant to the use of the symbol that you are documenting,
69590
d9fdd137cff0 (Documentation Tips): One can now also write `program' in front of a
Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents: 68648
diff changeset
800 you can write the words @samp{symbol} or @samp{program} before the
d9fdd137cff0 (Documentation Tips): One can now also write `program' in front of a
Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents: 68648
diff changeset
801 symbol name to prevent making any hyperlink. For example,
22138
d4ac295a98b3 *** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 21682
diff changeset
802
d4ac295a98b3 *** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 21682
diff changeset
803 @example
d4ac295a98b3 *** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 21682
diff changeset
804 If the argument KIND-OF-RESULT is the symbol `list',
d4ac295a98b3 *** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 21682
diff changeset
805 this function returns a list of all the objects
d4ac295a98b3 *** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 21682
diff changeset
806 that satisfy the criterion.
d4ac295a98b3 *** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 21682
diff changeset
807 @end example
d4ac295a98b3 *** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 21682
diff changeset
808
d4ac295a98b3 *** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 21682
diff changeset
809 @noindent
d4ac295a98b3 *** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 21682
diff changeset
810 does not make a hyperlink to the documentation, irrelevant here, of the
d4ac295a98b3 *** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 21682
diff changeset
811 function @code{list}.
d4ac295a98b3 *** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 21682
diff changeset
812
52912
2fdb8b16bceb (Documentation Tips): Document new behavior for face and variable
Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents: 52845
diff changeset
813 Normally, no hyperlink is made for a variable without variable
2fdb8b16bceb (Documentation Tips): Document new behavior for face and variable
Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents: 52845
diff changeset
814 documentation. You can force a hyperlink for such variables by
2fdb8b16bceb (Documentation Tips): Document new behavior for face and variable
Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents: 52845
diff changeset
815 preceding them with one of the words @samp{variable} or
2fdb8b16bceb (Documentation Tips): Document new behavior for face and variable
Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents: 52845
diff changeset
816 @samp{option}.
2fdb8b16bceb (Documentation Tips): Document new behavior for face and variable
Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents: 52845
diff changeset
817
2fdb8b16bceb (Documentation Tips): Document new behavior for face and variable
Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents: 52845
diff changeset
818 Hyperlinks for faces are only made if the face name is preceded or
2fdb8b16bceb (Documentation Tips): Document new behavior for face and variable
Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents: 52845
diff changeset
819 followed by the word @samp{face}. In that case, only the face
2fdb8b16bceb (Documentation Tips): Document new behavior for face and variable
Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents: 52845
diff changeset
820 documentation will be shown, even if the symbol is also defined as a
2fdb8b16bceb (Documentation Tips): Document new behavior for face and variable
Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents: 52845
diff changeset
821 variable or as a function.
2fdb8b16bceb (Documentation Tips): Document new behavior for face and variable
Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents: 52845
diff changeset
822
25751
467b88fab665 *** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 24862
diff changeset
823 To make a hyperlink to Info documentation, write the name of the Info
53457
3bd5e3d6a230 (Documentation Tips): Update item on hyperlinks in documentation strings.
Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents: 53300
diff changeset
824 node (or anchor) in single quotes, preceded by @samp{info node},
3bd5e3d6a230 (Documentation Tips): Update item on hyperlinks in documentation strings.
Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents: 53300
diff changeset
825 @samp{Info node}, @samp{info anchor} or @samp{Info anchor}. The Info
3bd5e3d6a230 (Documentation Tips): Update item on hyperlinks in documentation strings.
Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents: 53300
diff changeset
826 file name defaults to @samp{emacs}. For example,
25751
467b88fab665 *** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 24862
diff changeset
827
467b88fab665 *** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 24862
diff changeset
828 @smallexample
467b88fab665 *** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 24862
diff changeset
829 See Info node `Font Lock' and Info node `(elisp)Font Lock Basics'.
467b88fab665 *** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 24862
diff changeset
830 @end smallexample
467b88fab665 *** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 24862
diff changeset
831
66516
62934d7c890f (Documentation Tips): Help mode now creates hyperlinks for URLs.
Bill Wohler <wohler@newt.com>
parents: 65386
diff changeset
832 Finally, to create a hyperlink to URLs, write the URL in single
62934d7c890f (Documentation Tips): Help mode now creates hyperlinks for URLs.
Bill Wohler <wohler@newt.com>
parents: 65386
diff changeset
833 quotes, preceded by @samp{URL}. For example,
62934d7c890f (Documentation Tips): Help mode now creates hyperlinks for URLs.
Bill Wohler <wohler@newt.com>
parents: 65386
diff changeset
834
62934d7c890f (Documentation Tips): Help mode now creates hyperlinks for URLs.
Bill Wohler <wohler@newt.com>
parents: 65386
diff changeset
835 @smallexample
62934d7c890f (Documentation Tips): Help mode now creates hyperlinks for URLs.
Bill Wohler <wohler@newt.com>
parents: 65386
diff changeset
836 The home page for the GNU project has more information (see URL
62934d7c890f (Documentation Tips): Help mode now creates hyperlinks for URLs.
Bill Wohler <wohler@newt.com>
parents: 65386
diff changeset
837 `http://www.gnu.org/').
62934d7c890f (Documentation Tips): Help mode now creates hyperlinks for URLs.
Bill Wohler <wohler@newt.com>
parents: 65386
diff changeset
838 @end smallexample
62934d7c890f (Documentation Tips): Help mode now creates hyperlinks for URLs.
Bill Wohler <wohler@newt.com>
parents: 65386
diff changeset
839
6552
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
840 @item
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
841 Don't write key sequences directly in documentation strings. Instead,
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
842 use the @samp{\\[@dots{}]} construct to stand for them. For example,
16736
981e116b4ac6 Minor cleanups for overfull hboxes.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 16671
diff changeset
843 instead of writing @samp{C-f}, write the construct
981e116b4ac6 Minor cleanups for overfull hboxes.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 16671
diff changeset
844 @samp{\\[forward-char]}. When Emacs displays the documentation string,
981e116b4ac6 Minor cleanups for overfull hboxes.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 16671
diff changeset
845 it substitutes whatever key is currently bound to @code{forward-char}.
981e116b4ac6 Minor cleanups for overfull hboxes.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 16671
diff changeset
846 (This is normally @samp{C-f}, but it may be some other character if the
981e116b4ac6 Minor cleanups for overfull hboxes.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 16671
diff changeset
847 user has moved key bindings.) @xref{Keys in Documentation}.
6552
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
848
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
849 @item
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
850 In documentation strings for a major mode, you will want to refer to the
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
851 key bindings of that mode's local map, rather than global ones.
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
852 Therefore, use the construct @samp{\\<@dots{}>} once in the
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
853 documentation string to specify which key map to use. Do this before
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
854 the first use of @samp{\\[@dots{}]}. The text inside the
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
855 @samp{\\<@dots{}>} should be the name of the variable containing the
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
856 local keymap for the major mode.
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
857
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
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parents:
diff changeset
858 It is not practical to use @samp{\\[@dots{}]} very many times, because
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
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parents:
diff changeset
859 display of the documentation string will become slow. So use this to
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Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
860 describe the most important commands in your major mode, and then use
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
861 @samp{\\@{@dots{}@}} to display the rest of the mode's keymap.
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
862 @end itemize
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
863
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Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
864 @node Comment Tips
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Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
865 @section Tips on Writing Comments
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
866
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
867 We recommend these conventions for where to put comments and how to
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Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
868 indent them:
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
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parents:
diff changeset
869
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Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
870 @table @samp
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Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
871 @item ;
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
872 Comments that start with a single semicolon, @samp{;}, should all be
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
873 aligned to the same column on the right of the source code. Such
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
874 comments usually explain how the code on the same line does its job. In
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
875 Lisp mode and related modes, the @kbd{M-;} (@code{indent-for-comment})
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
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parents:
diff changeset
876 command automatically inserts such a @samp{;} in the right place, or
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parents: 6552
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877 aligns such a comment if it is already present.
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parents:
diff changeset
878
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parents: 6959
diff changeset
879 This and following examples are taken from the Emacs sources.
6552
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parents:
diff changeset
880
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
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diff changeset
881 @smallexample
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parents:
diff changeset
882 @group
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parents:
diff changeset
883 (setq base-version-list ; there was a base
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parents:
diff changeset
884 (assoc (substring fn 0 start-vn) ; version to which
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
885 file-version-assoc-list)) ; this looks like
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parents:
diff changeset
886 ; a subversion
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
887 @end group
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parents:
diff changeset
888 @end smallexample
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parents:
diff changeset
889
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parents:
diff changeset
890 @item ;;
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parents:
diff changeset
891 Comments that start with two semicolons, @samp{;;}, should be aligned to
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parents: 6552
diff changeset
892 the same level of indentation as the code. Such comments usually
6552
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parents:
diff changeset
893 describe the purpose of the following lines or the state of the program
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
894 at that point. For example:
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parents:
diff changeset
895
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parents:
diff changeset
896 @smallexample
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parents:
diff changeset
897 @group
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parents:
diff changeset
898 (prog1 (setq auto-fill-function
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Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
899 @dots{}
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parents:
diff changeset
900 @dots{}
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parents: 6552
diff changeset
901 ;; update mode line
6552
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902 (force-mode-line-update)))
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
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parents:
diff changeset
903 @end group
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Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
904 @end smallexample
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parents:
diff changeset
905
26696
ef5e7bbe6f19 Current version from /gd/gnu/elisp.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents: 26211
diff changeset
906 We also normally use two semicolons for comments outside functions.
ef5e7bbe6f19 Current version from /gd/gnu/elisp.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents: 26211
diff changeset
907
ef5e7bbe6f19 Current version from /gd/gnu/elisp.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents: 26211
diff changeset
908 @smallexample
ef5e7bbe6f19 Current version from /gd/gnu/elisp.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents: 26211
diff changeset
909 @group
ef5e7bbe6f19 Current version from /gd/gnu/elisp.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents: 26211
diff changeset
910 ;; This Lisp code is run in Emacs
ef5e7bbe6f19 Current version from /gd/gnu/elisp.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents: 26211
diff changeset
911 ;; when it is to operate as a server
ef5e7bbe6f19 Current version from /gd/gnu/elisp.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents: 26211
diff changeset
912 ;; for other processes.
ef5e7bbe6f19 Current version from /gd/gnu/elisp.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents: 26211
diff changeset
913 @end group
ef5e7bbe6f19 Current version from /gd/gnu/elisp.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents: 26211
diff changeset
914 @end smallexample
ef5e7bbe6f19 Current version from /gd/gnu/elisp.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents: 26211
diff changeset
915
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diff changeset
916 Every function that has no documentation string (presumably one that is
26696
ef5e7bbe6f19 Current version from /gd/gnu/elisp.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents: 26211
diff changeset
917 used only internally within the package it belongs to), should instead
ef5e7bbe6f19 Current version from /gd/gnu/elisp.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents: 26211
diff changeset
918 have a two-semicolon comment right before the function, explaining what
ef5e7bbe6f19 Current version from /gd/gnu/elisp.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents: 26211
diff changeset
919 the function does and how to call it properly. Explain precisely what
ef5e7bbe6f19 Current version from /gd/gnu/elisp.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents: 26211
diff changeset
920 each argument means and how the function interprets its possible values.
6552
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
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parents:
diff changeset
921
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
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parents:
diff changeset
922 @item ;;;
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
923 Comments that start with three semicolons, @samp{;;;}, should start at
26696
ef5e7bbe6f19 Current version from /gd/gnu/elisp.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents: 26211
diff changeset
924 the left margin. These are used, occasionally, for comments within
ef5e7bbe6f19 Current version from /gd/gnu/elisp.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents: 26211
diff changeset
925 functions that should start at the margin. We also use them sometimes
ef5e7bbe6f19 Current version from /gd/gnu/elisp.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents: 26211
diff changeset
926 for comments that are between functions---whether to use two or three
53924
ed40e77a5176 (Comment Tips): Document the new conventions for commenting out code.
Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents: 53457
diff changeset
927 semicolons depends on whether the comment should be considered a
ed40e77a5176 (Comment Tips): Document the new conventions for commenting out code.
Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents: 53457
diff changeset
928 ``heading'' by Outline minor mode. By default, comments starting with
ed40e77a5176 (Comment Tips): Document the new conventions for commenting out code.
Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents: 53457
diff changeset
929 at least three semicolons (followed by a single space and a
ed40e77a5176 (Comment Tips): Document the new conventions for commenting out code.
Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents: 53457
diff changeset
930 non-whitespace character) are considered headings, comments starting
ed40e77a5176 (Comment Tips): Document the new conventions for commenting out code.
Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents: 53457
diff changeset
931 with two or less are not.
6552
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parents:
diff changeset
932
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parents: 6959
diff changeset
933 Another use for triple-semicolon comments is for commenting out lines
26696
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Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents: 26211
diff changeset
934 within a function. We use three semicolons for this precisely so that
53924
ed40e77a5176 (Comment Tips): Document the new conventions for commenting out code.
Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents: 53457
diff changeset
935 they remain at the left margin. By default, Outline minor mode does
ed40e77a5176 (Comment Tips): Document the new conventions for commenting out code.
Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents: 53457
diff changeset
936 not consider a comment to be a heading (even if it starts with at
ed40e77a5176 (Comment Tips): Document the new conventions for commenting out code.
Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents: 53457
diff changeset
937 least three semicolons) if the semicolons are followed by at least two
ed40e77a5176 (Comment Tips): Document the new conventions for commenting out code.
Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents: 53457
diff changeset
938 spaces. Thus, if you add an introductory comment to the commented out
ed40e77a5176 (Comment Tips): Document the new conventions for commenting out code.
Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents: 53457
diff changeset
939 code, make sure to indent it by at least two spaces after the three
ed40e77a5176 (Comment Tips): Document the new conventions for commenting out code.
Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents: 53457
diff changeset
940 semicolons.
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diff changeset
941
3b19456b877a *** empty log message ***
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diff changeset
942 @smallexample
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parents: 6552
diff changeset
943 (defun foo (a)
53924
ed40e77a5176 (Comment Tips): Document the new conventions for commenting out code.
Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents: 53457
diff changeset
944 ;;; This is no longer necessary.
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parents: 6552
diff changeset
945 ;;; (force-mode-line-update)
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parents: 6552
diff changeset
946 (message "Finished with %s" a))
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parents: 6552
diff changeset
947 @end smallexample
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diff changeset
948
53924
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diff changeset
949 When commenting out entire functions, use two semicolons.
ed40e77a5176 (Comment Tips): Document the new conventions for commenting out code.
Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents: 53457
diff changeset
950
6552
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
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diff changeset
951 @item ;;;;
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
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parents:
diff changeset
952 Comments that start with four semicolons, @samp{;;;;}, should be aligned
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
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parents:
diff changeset
953 to the left margin and are used for headings of major sections of a
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
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parents:
diff changeset
954 program. For example:
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
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parents:
diff changeset
955
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
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parents:
diff changeset
956 @smallexample
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
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parents:
diff changeset
957 ;;;; The kill ring
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
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parents:
diff changeset
958 @end smallexample
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
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parents:
diff changeset
959 @end table
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parents:
diff changeset
960
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
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parents:
diff changeset
961 @noindent
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parents:
diff changeset
962 The indentation commands of the Lisp modes in Emacs, such as @kbd{M-;}
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diff changeset
963 (@code{indent-for-comment}) and @key{TAB} (@code{lisp-indent-line}),
6552
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parents:
diff changeset
964 automatically indent comments according to these conventions,
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diff changeset
965 depending on the number of semicolons. @xref{Comments,,
6552
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diff changeset
966 Manipulating Comments, emacs, The GNU Emacs Manual}.
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parents:
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967
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parents:
diff changeset
968 @node Library Headers
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parents:
diff changeset
969 @section Conventional Headers for Emacs Libraries
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parents:
diff changeset
970 @cindex header comments
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parents:
diff changeset
971 @cindex library header comments
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972
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973 Emacs has conventions for using special comments in Lisp libraries
6552
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diff changeset
974 to divide them into sections and give information such as who wrote
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diff changeset
975 them. This section explains these conventions.
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diff changeset
976
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diff changeset
977 We'll start with an example, a package that is included in the Emacs
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diff changeset
978 distribution.
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parents: 24862
diff changeset
979
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980 Parts of this example reflect its status as part of Emacs; for
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parents: 24862
diff changeset
981 example, the copyright notice lists the Free Software Foundation as the
467b88fab665 *** empty log message ***
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parents: 24862
diff changeset
982 copyright holder, and the copying permission says the file is part of
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parents: 24862
diff changeset
983 Emacs. When you write a package and post it, the copyright holder would
467b88fab665 *** empty log message ***
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diff changeset
984 be you (unless your employer claims to own it instead), and you should
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parents: 24862
diff changeset
985 get the suggested copying permission from the end of the GNU General
467b88fab665 *** empty log message ***
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parents: 24862
diff changeset
986 Public License itself. Don't say your file is part of Emacs
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parents: 24862
diff changeset
987 if we haven't installed it in Emacs yet!
467b88fab665 *** empty log message ***
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parents: 24862
diff changeset
988
467b88fab665 *** empty log message ***
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diff changeset
989 With that warning out of the way, on to the example:
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990
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diff changeset
991 @smallexample
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992 @group
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diff changeset
993 ;;; lisp-mnt.el --- minor mode for Emacs Lisp maintainers
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994
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995 ;; Copyright (C) 1992 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
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diff changeset
996 @end group
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997
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diff changeset
998 ;; Author: Eric S. Raymond <esr@@snark.thyrsus.com>
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diff changeset
999 ;; Maintainer: Eric S. Raymond <esr@@snark.thyrsus.com>
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parents:
diff changeset
1000 ;; Created: 14 Jul 1992
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diff changeset
1001 ;; Version: 1.2
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1002 @group
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parents:
diff changeset
1003 ;; Keywords: docs
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1004
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1005 ;; This file is part of GNU Emacs.
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Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 21007
diff changeset
1006 @dots{}
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6fb026ad601f Update FSF's address.
Lute Kamstra <lute@gnu.org>
parents: 64083
diff changeset
1007 ;; Free Software Foundation, Inc., 51 Franklin Street, Fifth Floor,
6fb026ad601f Update FSF's address.
Lute Kamstra <lute@gnu.org>
parents: 64083
diff changeset
1008 ;; Boston, MA 02110-1301, USA.
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3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
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1009 @end group
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Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
1010 @end smallexample
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Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
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1011
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Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
1012 The very first line should have this format:
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Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
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1013
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Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
1014 @example
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Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
1015 ;;; @var{filename} --- @var{description}
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
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1016 @end example
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parents:
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1017
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
1018 @noindent
52149
9928a29a3e80 (Library Headers): Explain where to put -*-.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 49960
diff changeset
1019 The description should be complete in one line. If the file
9928a29a3e80 (Library Headers): Explain where to put -*-.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 49960
diff changeset
1020 needs a @samp{-*-} specification, put it after @var{description}.
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parents:
diff changeset
1021
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Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
1022 After the copyright notice come several @dfn{header comment} lines,
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3b19456b877a *** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 6552
diff changeset
1023 each beginning with @samp{;; @var{header-name}:}. Here is a table of
6552
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
1024 the conventional possibilities for @var{header-name}:
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
1025
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
1026 @table @samp
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Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
1027 @item Author
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
1028 This line states the name and net address of at least the principal
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
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1029 author of the library.
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
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1030
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parents:
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1031 If there are multiple authors, you can list them on continuation lines
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3b19456b877a *** empty log message ***
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parents: 6552
diff changeset
1032 led by @code{;;} and a tab character, like this:
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1033
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parents:
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1034 @smallexample
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Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
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1035 @group
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parents:
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1036 ;; Author: Ashwin Ram <Ram-Ashwin@@cs.yale.edu>
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Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 6552
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1037 ;; Dave Sill <de5@@ornl.gov>
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parents: 6552
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1038 ;; Dave Brennan <brennan@@hal.com>
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Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 6552
diff changeset
1039 ;; Eric Raymond <esr@@snark.thyrsus.com>
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Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
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1040 @end group
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parents:
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1041 @end smallexample
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parents:
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1042
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Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
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1043 @item Maintainer
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Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
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1044 This line should contain a single name/address as in the Author line, or
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3b19456b877a *** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 6552
diff changeset
1045 an address only, or the string @samp{FSF}. If there is no maintainer
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Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 6552
diff changeset
1046 line, the person(s) in the Author field are presumed to be the
3b19456b877a *** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 6552
diff changeset
1047 maintainers. The example above is mildly bogus because the maintainer
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parents: 6552
diff changeset
1048 line is redundant.
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parents:
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1049
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Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
1050 The idea behind the @samp{Author} and @samp{Maintainer} lines is to make
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
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1051 possible a Lisp function to ``send mail to the maintainer'' without
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
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1052 having to mine the name out by hand.
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
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1053
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
1054 Be sure to surround the network address with @samp{<@dots{}>} if
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
1055 you include the person's full name as well as the network address.
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
1056
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
1057 @item Created
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
1058 This optional line gives the original creation date of the
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
1059 file. For historical interest only.
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
1060
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Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
1061 @item Version
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Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
1062 If you wish to record version numbers for the individual Lisp program, put
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
1063 them in this line.
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Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
1064
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Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
1065 @item Adapted-By
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
1066 In this header line, place the name of the person who adapted the
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
1067 library for installation (to make it fit the style conventions, for
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
1068 example).
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
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1069
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1070 @item Keywords
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Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
1071 This line lists keywords for the @code{finder-by-keyword} help command.
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d4ac295a98b3 *** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 21682
diff changeset
1072 Please use that command to see a list of the meaningful keywords.
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Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 21682
diff changeset
1073
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parents:
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1074 This field is important; it's how people will find your package when
10229
634f36d4b2ae Give syntax of keywords.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 10225
diff changeset
1075 they're looking for things by topic area. To separate the keywords, you
634f36d4b2ae Give syntax of keywords.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 10225
diff changeset
1076 can use spaces, commas, or both.
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diff changeset
1077 @end table
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Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
1078
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parents:
diff changeset
1079 Just about every Lisp library ought to have the @samp{Author} and
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
1080 @samp{Keywords} header comment lines. Use the others if they are
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
1081 appropriate. You can also put in header lines with other header
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
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parents:
diff changeset
1082 names---they have no standard meanings, so they can't do any harm.
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1083
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1084 We use additional stylized comments to subdivide the contents of the
26696
ef5e7bbe6f19 Current version from /gd/gnu/elisp.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents: 26211
diff changeset
1085 library file. These should be separated by blank lines from anything
ef5e7bbe6f19 Current version from /gd/gnu/elisp.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents: 26211
diff changeset
1086 else. Here is a table of them:
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parents:
diff changeset
1087
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parents:
diff changeset
1088 @table @samp
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parents:
diff changeset
1089 @item ;;; Commentary:
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
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parents:
diff changeset
1090 This begins introductory comments that explain how the library works.
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Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 21682
diff changeset
1091 It should come right after the copying permissions, terminated by a
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Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 21682
diff changeset
1092 @samp{Change Log}, @samp{History} or @samp{Code} comment line. This
d4ac295a98b3 *** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 21682
diff changeset
1093 text is used by the Finder package, so it should make sense in that
d4ac295a98b3 *** empty log message ***
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1094 context.
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1095
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Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents: 52808
diff changeset
1096 @item ;;; Documentation:
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Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 52814
diff changeset
1097 This was used in some files in place of @samp{;;; Commentary:},
1826a112381b (Library Headers): Clean up Documentation.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 52814
diff changeset
1098 but it is deprecated.
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d4ac295a98b3 *** empty log message ***
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parents: 21682
diff changeset
1099
d4ac295a98b3 *** empty log message ***
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parents: 21682
diff changeset
1100 @item ;;; Change Log:
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parents:
diff changeset
1101 This begins change log information stored in the library file (if you
26696
ef5e7bbe6f19 Current version from /gd/gnu/elisp.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents: 26211
diff changeset
1102 store the change history there). For Lisp files distributed with Emacs,
ef5e7bbe6f19 Current version from /gd/gnu/elisp.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents: 26211
diff changeset
1103 the change history is kept in the file @file{ChangeLog} and not in the
ef5e7bbe6f19 Current version from /gd/gnu/elisp.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents: 26211
diff changeset
1104 source file at all; these files generally do not have a @samp{;;; Change
ef5e7bbe6f19 Current version from /gd/gnu/elisp.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents: 26211
diff changeset
1105 Log:} line. @samp{History} is an alternative to @samp{Change Log}.
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parents:
diff changeset
1106
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diff changeset
1107 @item ;;; Code:
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parents:
diff changeset
1108 This begins the actual code of the program.
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
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parents:
diff changeset
1109
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diff changeset
1110 @item ;;; @var{filename} ends here
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parents:
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1111 This is the @dfn{footer line}; it appears at the very end of the file.
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
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diff changeset
1112 Its purpose is to enable people to detect truncated versions of the file
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diff changeset
1113 from the lack of a footer line.
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
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parents:
diff changeset
1114 @end table
52401
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Miles Bader <miles@gnu.org>
parents: 52149
diff changeset
1115
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Miles Bader <miles@gnu.org>
parents: 52149
diff changeset
1116 @ignore
695cf19ef79e Add arch taglines
Miles Bader <miles@gnu.org>
parents: 52149
diff changeset
1117 arch-tag: 9ea911c2-6b1d-47dd-88b7-0a94e8b27c2e
695cf19ef79e Add arch taglines
Miles Bader <miles@gnu.org>
parents: 52149
diff changeset
1118 @end ignore