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annotate lispref/minibuf.texi @ 51974:111cc76606c6
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6555 | 1 @c -*-texinfo-*- |
2 @c This is part of the GNU Emacs Lisp Reference Manual. | |
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3 @c Copyright (C) 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1998, 1999, 2001 |
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4 @c Free Software Foundation, Inc. |
6555 | 5 @c See the file elisp.texi for copying conditions. |
6 @setfilename ../info/minibuf | |
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7 @node Minibuffers, Command Loop, Read and Print, Top |
6555 | 8 @chapter Minibuffers |
9 @cindex arguments, reading | |
10 @cindex complex arguments | |
11 @cindex minibuffer | |
12 | |
13 A @dfn{minibuffer} is a special buffer that Emacs commands use to read | |
14 arguments more complicated than the single numeric prefix argument. | |
15 These arguments include file names, buffer names, and command names (as | |
16 in @kbd{M-x}). The minibuffer is displayed on the bottom line of the | |
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17 frame, in the same place as the echo area, but only while it is in use |
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18 for reading an argument. |
6555 | 19 |
20 @menu | |
21 * Intro to Minibuffers:: Basic information about minibuffers. | |
22 * Text from Minibuffer:: How to read a straight text string. | |
23 * Object from Minibuffer:: How to read a Lisp object or expression. | |
24 * Minibuffer History:: Recording previous minibuffer inputs | |
25 so the user can reuse them. | |
26 * Completion:: How to invoke and customize completion. | |
27 * Yes-or-No Queries:: Asking a question with a simple answer. | |
28 * Multiple Queries:: Asking a series of similar questions. | |
23147 | 29 * Reading a Password:: Reading a password from the terminal. |
6555 | 30 * Minibuffer Misc:: Various customization hooks and variables. |
31 @end menu | |
32 | |
33 @node Intro to Minibuffers | |
34 @section Introduction to Minibuffers | |
35 | |
36 In most ways, a minibuffer is a normal Emacs buffer. Most operations | |
37 @emph{within} a buffer, such as editing commands, work normally in a | |
38 minibuffer. However, many operations for managing buffers do not apply | |
39 to minibuffers. The name of a minibuffer always has the form @w{@samp{ | |
46915 | 40 *Minibuf-@var{number}*}}, and it cannot be changed. Minibuffers are |
6555 | 41 displayed only in special windows used only for minibuffers; these |
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42 windows always appear at the bottom of a frame. (Sometimes frames have |
6555 | 43 no minibuffer window, and sometimes a special kind of frame contains |
44 nothing but a minibuffer window; see @ref{Minibuffers and Frames}.) | |
45 | |
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46 The text in the minibuffer always starts with the @dfn{prompt string}, |
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47 the text that was specified by the program that is using the minibuffer |
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48 to tell the user what sort of input to type. This text is marked |
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49 read-only so you won't accidentally delete or change it. It is also |
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50 marked as a field (@pxref{Fields}), so that certain motion functions, |
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51 including @code{beginning-of-line}, @code{forward-word}, |
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52 @code{forward-sentence}, and @code{forward-paragraph}, stop at the |
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53 boundary between the prompt and the actual text. (In older Emacs |
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54 versions, the prompt was displayed using a special mechanism and was not |
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55 part of the buffer contents.) |
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56 |
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57 The minibuffer's window is normally a single line; it grows |
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58 automatically if necessary if the contents require more space. You can |
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59 explicitly resize it temporarily with the window sizing commands; it |
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60 reverts to its normal size when the minibuffer is exited. You can |
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61 resize it permanently by using the window sizing commands in the frame's |
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62 other window, when the minibuffer is not active. If the frame contains |
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63 just a minibuffer, you can change the minibuffer's size by changing the |
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64 frame's size. |
6555 | 65 |
66 If a command uses a minibuffer while there is an active minibuffer, | |
67 this is called a @dfn{recursive minibuffer}. The first minibuffer is | |
68 named @w{@samp{ *Minibuf-0*}}. Recursive minibuffers are named by | |
69 incrementing the number at the end of the name. (The names begin with a | |
70 space so that they won't show up in normal buffer lists.) Of several | |
71 recursive minibuffers, the innermost (or most recently entered) is the | |
72 active minibuffer. We usually call this ``the'' minibuffer. You can | |
73 permit or forbid recursive minibuffers by setting the variable | |
74 @code{enable-recursive-minibuffers} or by putting properties of that | |
75 name on command symbols (@pxref{Minibuffer Misc}). | |
76 | |
77 Like other buffers, a minibuffer may use any of several local keymaps | |
78 (@pxref{Keymaps}); these contain various exit commands and in some cases | |
12098 | 79 completion commands (@pxref{Completion}). |
6555 | 80 |
81 @itemize @bullet | |
82 @item | |
83 @code{minibuffer-local-map} is for ordinary input (no completion). | |
84 | |
85 @item | |
86 @code{minibuffer-local-ns-map} is similar, except that @key{SPC} exits | |
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87 just like @key{RET}. |
6555 | 88 |
89 @item | |
90 @code{minibuffer-local-completion-map} is for permissive completion. | |
91 | |
92 @item | |
93 @code{minibuffer-local-must-match-map} is for strict completion and | |
94 for cautious completion. | |
95 @end itemize | |
96 | |
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97 When Emacs is running in batch mode, any request to read from the |
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98 minibuffer actually reads a line from the standard input descriptor that |
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99 was supplied when Emacs was started. |
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100 |
6555 | 101 @node Text from Minibuffer |
102 @section Reading Text Strings with the Minibuffer | |
103 | |
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104 Most often, the minibuffer is used to read text as a string. It can |
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105 also be used to read a Lisp object in textual form. The most basic |
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106 primitive for minibuffer input is @code{read-from-minibuffer}; it can do |
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107 either one. |
6555 | 108 |
12098 | 109 In most cases, you should not call minibuffer input functions in the |
110 middle of a Lisp function. Instead, do all minibuffer input as part of | |
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111 reading the arguments for a command, in the @code{interactive} |
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112 specification. @xref{Defining Commands}. |
12098 | 113 |
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114 @defun read-from-minibuffer prompt-string &optional initial-contents keymap read hist default inherit-input-method |
6555 | 115 This function is the most general way to get input through the |
116 minibuffer. By default, it accepts arbitrary text and returns it as a | |
117 string; however, if @var{read} is non-@code{nil}, then it uses | |
118 @code{read} to convert the text into a Lisp object (@pxref{Input | |
119 Functions}). | |
120 | |
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121 The first thing this function does is to activate a minibuffer and |
6555 | 122 display it with @var{prompt-string} as the prompt. This value must be a |
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123 string. Then the user can edit text in the minibuffer. |
6555 | 124 |
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125 When the user types a command to exit the minibuffer, |
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126 @code{read-from-minibuffer} constructs the return value from the text in |
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127 the minibuffer. Normally it returns a string containing that text. |
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128 However, if @var{read} is non-@code{nil}, @code{read-from-minibuffer} |
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129 reads the text and returns the resulting Lisp object, unevaluated. |
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130 (@xref{Input Functions}, for information about reading.) |
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131 |
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132 The argument @var{default} specifies a default value to make available |
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133 through the history commands. It should be a string, or @code{nil}. If |
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134 @var{read} is non-@code{nil}, then @var{default} is also used as the |
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135 input to @code{read}, if the user enters empty input. However, in the |
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136 usual case (where @var{read} is @code{nil}), @code{read-from-minibuffer} |
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137 does not return @var{default} when the user enters empty input; it |
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138 returns an empty string, @code{""}. In this respect, it is different |
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139 from all the other minibuffer input functions in this chapter. |
6555 | 140 |
141 If @var{keymap} is non-@code{nil}, that keymap is the local keymap to | |
142 use in the minibuffer. If @var{keymap} is omitted or @code{nil}, the | |
143 value of @code{minibuffer-local-map} is used as the keymap. Specifying | |
144 a keymap is the most important way to customize the minibuffer for | |
145 various applications such as completion. | |
146 | |
147 The argument @var{hist} specifies which history list variable to use | |
148 for saving the input and for history commands used in the minibuffer. | |
149 It defaults to @code{minibuffer-history}. @xref{Minibuffer History}. | |
150 | |
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151 If the variable @code{minibuffer-allow-text-properties} is |
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152 non-@code{nil}, then the string which is returned includes whatever text |
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153 properties were present in the minibuffer. Otherwise all the text |
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154 properties are stripped when the value is returned. |
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155 |
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156 If the argument @var{inherit-input-method} is non-@code{nil}, then the |
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157 minibuffer inherits the current input method (@pxref{Input Methods}) and |
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158 the setting of @code{enable-multibyte-characters} (@pxref{Text |
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159 Representations}) from whichever buffer was current before entering the |
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160 minibuffer. |
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161 |
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162 If @var{initial-contents} is a string, @code{read-from-minibuffer} |
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163 inserts it into the minibuffer, leaving point at the end, before the |
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164 user starts to edit the text. The minibuffer appears with this text as |
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165 its initial contents. |
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166 |
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167 Alternatively, @var{initial-contents} can be a cons cell of the form |
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168 @code{(@var{string} . @var{position})}. This means to insert |
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169 @var{string} in the minibuffer but put point @var{position} characters |
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170 from the beginning, rather than at the end. |
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171 |
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172 @strong{Usage note:} The @var{initial-contents} argument and the |
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173 @var{default} argument are two alternative features for more or less the |
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174 same job. It does not make sense to use both features in a single call |
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175 to @code{read-from-minibuffer}. In general, we recommend using |
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176 @var{default}, since this permits the user to insert the default value |
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177 when it is wanted, but does not burden the user with deleting it from |
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178 the minibuffer on other occasions. |
6555 | 179 @end defun |
180 | |
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181 @defun read-string prompt &optional initial history default inherit-input-method |
6555 | 182 This function reads a string from the minibuffer and returns it. The |
183 arguments @var{prompt} and @var{initial} are used as in | |
184 @code{read-from-minibuffer}. The keymap used is | |
185 @code{minibuffer-local-map}. | |
186 | |
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187 The optional argument @var{history}, if non-@code{nil}, specifies a |
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188 history list and optionally the initial position in the list. The |
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189 optional argument @var{default} specifies a default value to return if |
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190 the user enters null input; it should be a string. The optional |
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191 argument @var{inherit-input-method} specifies whether to inherit the |
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192 current buffer's input method. |
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193 |
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194 This function is a simplified interface to the |
6555 | 195 @code{read-from-minibuffer} function: |
196 | |
197 @smallexample | |
198 @group | |
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199 (read-string @var{prompt} @var{initial} @var{history} @var{default} @var{inherit}) |
6555 | 200 @equiv{} |
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201 (let ((value |
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202 (read-from-minibuffer @var{prompt} @var{initial} nil nil |
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203 @var{history} @var{default} @var{inherit}))) |
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204 (if (equal value "") |
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205 @var{default} |
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206 value)) |
6555 | 207 @end group |
208 @end smallexample | |
209 @end defun | |
210 | |
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211 @defvar minibuffer-allow-text-properties |
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212 If this variable is @code{nil}, then @code{read-from-minibuffer} strips |
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213 all text properties from the minibuffer input before returning it. |
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214 Since all minibuffer input uses @code{read-from-minibuffer}, this |
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215 variable applies to all minibuffer input. |
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216 |
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217 Note that the completion functions discard text properties unconditionally, |
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218 regardless of the value of this variable. |
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219 @end defvar |
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220 |
6555 | 221 @defvar minibuffer-local-map |
222 This is the default local keymap for reading from the minibuffer. By | |
223 default, it makes the following bindings: | |
224 | |
225 @table @asis | |
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226 @item @kbd{C-j} |
6555 | 227 @code{exit-minibuffer} |
228 | |
229 @item @key{RET} | |
230 @code{exit-minibuffer} | |
231 | |
232 @item @kbd{C-g} | |
233 @code{abort-recursive-edit} | |
234 | |
235 @item @kbd{M-n} | |
236 @code{next-history-element} | |
237 | |
238 @item @kbd{M-p} | |
239 @code{previous-history-element} | |
240 | |
241 @item @kbd{M-r} | |
242 @code{next-matching-history-element} | |
243 | |
244 @item @kbd{M-s} | |
245 @code{previous-matching-history-element} | |
246 @end table | |
247 @end defvar | |
248 | |
249 @c In version 18, initial is required | |
250 @c Emacs 19 feature | |
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251 @defun read-no-blanks-input prompt &optional initial inherit-input-method |
6555 | 252 This function reads a string from the minibuffer, but does not allow |
253 whitespace characters as part of the input: instead, those characters | |
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254 terminate the input. The arguments @var{prompt}, @var{initial}, and |
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255 @var{inherit-input-method} are used as in @code{read-from-minibuffer}. |
6555 | 256 |
257 This is a simplified interface to the @code{read-from-minibuffer} | |
258 function, and passes the value of the @code{minibuffer-local-ns-map} | |
259 keymap as the @var{keymap} argument for that function. Since the keymap | |
260 @code{minibuffer-local-ns-map} does not rebind @kbd{C-q}, it @emph{is} | |
261 possible to put a space into the string, by quoting it. | |
262 | |
263 @smallexample | |
264 @group | |
265 (read-no-blanks-input @var{prompt} @var{initial}) | |
266 @equiv{} | |
267 (read-from-minibuffer @var{prompt} @var{initial} minibuffer-local-ns-map) | |
268 @end group | |
269 @end smallexample | |
270 @end defun | |
271 | |
272 @defvar minibuffer-local-ns-map | |
273 This built-in variable is the keymap used as the minibuffer local keymap | |
274 in the function @code{read-no-blanks-input}. By default, it makes the | |
12098 | 275 following bindings, in addition to those of @code{minibuffer-local-map}: |
6555 | 276 |
277 @table @asis | |
278 @item @key{SPC} | |
279 @cindex @key{SPC} in minibuffer | |
280 @code{exit-minibuffer} | |
281 | |
282 @item @key{TAB} | |
283 @cindex @key{TAB} in minibuffer | |
284 @code{exit-minibuffer} | |
285 | |
286 @item @kbd{?} | |
287 @cindex @kbd{?} in minibuffer | |
288 @code{self-insert-and-exit} | |
289 @end table | |
290 @end defvar | |
291 | |
292 @node Object from Minibuffer | |
293 @section Reading Lisp Objects with the Minibuffer | |
294 | |
295 This section describes functions for reading Lisp objects with the | |
296 minibuffer. | |
297 | |
298 @defun read-minibuffer prompt &optional initial | |
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299 This function reads a Lisp object using the minibuffer, and returns it |
6555 | 300 without evaluating it. The arguments @var{prompt} and @var{initial} are |
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301 used as in @code{read-from-minibuffer}. |
6555 | 302 |
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303 This is a simplified interface to the |
6555 | 304 @code{read-from-minibuffer} function: |
305 | |
306 @smallexample | |
307 @group | |
308 (read-minibuffer @var{prompt} @var{initial}) | |
309 @equiv{} | |
310 (read-from-minibuffer @var{prompt} @var{initial} nil t) | |
311 @end group | |
312 @end smallexample | |
313 | |
314 Here is an example in which we supply the string @code{"(testing)"} as | |
315 initial input: | |
316 | |
317 @smallexample | |
318 @group | |
319 (read-minibuffer | |
320 "Enter an expression: " (format "%s" '(testing))) | |
321 | |
322 ;; @r{Here is how the minibuffer is displayed:} | |
323 @end group | |
324 | |
325 @group | |
326 ---------- Buffer: Minibuffer ---------- | |
327 Enter an expression: (testing)@point{} | |
328 ---------- Buffer: Minibuffer ---------- | |
329 @end group | |
330 @end smallexample | |
331 | |
332 @noindent | |
333 The user can type @key{RET} immediately to use the initial input as a | |
334 default, or can edit the input. | |
335 @end defun | |
336 | |
337 @defun eval-minibuffer prompt &optional initial | |
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338 This function reads a Lisp expression using the minibuffer, evaluates |
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339 it, then returns the result. The arguments @var{prompt} and |
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340 @var{initial} are used as in @code{read-from-minibuffer}. |
6555 | 341 |
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342 This function simply evaluates the result of a call to |
6555 | 343 @code{read-minibuffer}: |
344 | |
345 @smallexample | |
346 @group | |
347 (eval-minibuffer @var{prompt} @var{initial}) | |
348 @equiv{} | |
349 (eval (read-minibuffer @var{prompt} @var{initial})) | |
350 @end group | |
351 @end smallexample | |
352 @end defun | |
353 | |
354 @defun edit-and-eval-command prompt form | |
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355 This function reads a Lisp expression in the minibuffer, and then |
6555 | 356 evaluates it. The difference between this command and |
357 @code{eval-minibuffer} is that here the initial @var{form} is not | |
358 optional and it is treated as a Lisp object to be converted to printed | |
359 representation rather than as a string of text. It is printed with | |
360 @code{prin1}, so if it is a string, double-quote characters (@samp{"}) | |
361 appear in the initial text. @xref{Output Functions}. | |
362 | |
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363 The first thing @code{edit-and-eval-command} does is to activate the |
6555 | 364 minibuffer with @var{prompt} as the prompt. Then it inserts the printed |
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365 representation of @var{form} in the minibuffer, and lets the user edit it. |
6555 | 366 When the user exits the minibuffer, the edited text is read with |
367 @code{read} and then evaluated. The resulting value becomes the value | |
368 of @code{edit-and-eval-command}. | |
369 | |
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370 In the following example, we offer the user an expression with initial |
6555 | 371 text which is a valid form already: |
372 | |
373 @smallexample | |
374 @group | |
375 (edit-and-eval-command "Please edit: " '(forward-word 1)) | |
376 | |
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377 ;; @r{After evaluation of the preceding expression,} |
6555 | 378 ;; @r{the following appears in the minibuffer:} |
379 @end group | |
380 | |
381 @group | |
382 ---------- Buffer: Minibuffer ---------- | |
383 Please edit: (forward-word 1)@point{} | |
384 ---------- Buffer: Minibuffer ---------- | |
385 @end group | |
386 @end smallexample | |
387 | |
388 @noindent | |
389 Typing @key{RET} right away would exit the minibuffer and evaluate the | |
390 expression, thus moving point forward one word. | |
391 @code{edit-and-eval-command} returns @code{nil} in this example. | |
392 @end defun | |
393 | |
394 @node Minibuffer History | |
395 @section Minibuffer History | |
396 @cindex minibuffer history | |
397 @cindex history list | |
398 | |
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399 A @dfn{minibuffer history list} records previous minibuffer inputs so |
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400 the user can reuse them conveniently. A history list is actually a |
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401 symbol, not a list; it is a variable whose value is a list of strings |
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402 (previous inputs), most recent first. |
6555 | 403 |
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404 There are many separate history lists, used for different kinds of |
6555 | 405 inputs. It's the Lisp programmer's job to specify the right history |
406 list for each use of the minibuffer. | |
407 | |
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408 The basic minibuffer input functions @code{read-from-minibuffer} and |
6555 | 409 @code{completing-read} both accept an optional argument named @var{hist} |
410 which is how you specify the history list. Here are the possible | |
411 values: | |
412 | |
413 @table @asis | |
414 @item @var{variable} | |
415 Use @var{variable} (a symbol) as the history list. | |
416 | |
417 @item (@var{variable} . @var{startpos}) | |
418 Use @var{variable} (a symbol) as the history list, and assume that the | |
419 initial history position is @var{startpos} (an integer, counting from | |
420 zero which specifies the most recent element of the history). | |
421 | |
422 If you specify @var{startpos}, then you should also specify that element | |
423 of the history as the initial minibuffer contents, for consistency. | |
424 @end table | |
425 | |
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426 If you don't specify @var{hist}, then the default history list |
6555 | 427 @code{minibuffer-history} is used. For other standard history lists, |
428 see below. You can also create your own history list variable; just | |
429 initialize it to @code{nil} before the first use. | |
430 | |
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431 Both @code{read-from-minibuffer} and @code{completing-read} add new |
6555 | 432 elements to the history list automatically, and provide commands to |
433 allow the user to reuse items on the list. The only thing your program | |
434 needs to do to use a history list is to initialize it and to pass its | |
435 name to the input functions when you wish. But it is safe to modify the | |
436 list by hand when the minibuffer input functions are not using it. | |
437 | |
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438 Emacs functions that add a new element to a history list can also |
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439 delete old elements if the list gets too long. The variable |
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440 @code{history-length} specifies the maximum length for most history |
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441 lists. To specify a different maximum length for a particular history |
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442 list, put the length in the @code{history-length} property of the |
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443 history list symbol. |
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444 |
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445 @defvar history-length |
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446 The value of this variable specifies the maximum length for all |
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447 history lists that don't specify their own maximum lengths. If the |
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448 value is @code{t}, that means there no maximum (don't delete old |
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449 elements). |
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450 @end defvar |
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451 |
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452 Here are some of the standard minibuffer history list variables: |
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453 |
6555 | 454 @defvar minibuffer-history |
455 The default history list for minibuffer history input. | |
456 @end defvar | |
457 | |
458 @defvar query-replace-history | |
459 A history list for arguments to @code{query-replace} (and similar | |
460 arguments to other commands). | |
461 @end defvar | |
462 | |
463 @defvar file-name-history | |
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464 A history list for file-name arguments. |
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465 @end defvar |
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466 |
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467 @defvar buffer-name-history |
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468 A history list for buffer-name arguments. |
6555 | 469 @end defvar |
470 | |
471 @defvar regexp-history | |
472 A history list for regular expression arguments. | |
473 @end defvar | |
474 | |
475 @defvar extended-command-history | |
476 A history list for arguments that are names of extended commands. | |
477 @end defvar | |
478 | |
479 @defvar shell-command-history | |
480 A history list for arguments that are shell commands. | |
481 @end defvar | |
482 | |
483 @defvar read-expression-history | |
484 A history list for arguments that are Lisp expressions to evaluate. | |
485 @end defvar | |
486 | |
487 @node Completion | |
488 @section Completion | |
489 @cindex completion | |
490 | |
491 @dfn{Completion} is a feature that fills in the rest of a name | |
492 starting from an abbreviation for it. Completion works by comparing the | |
493 user's input against a list of valid names and determining how much of | |
494 the name is determined uniquely by what the user has typed. For | |
495 example, when you type @kbd{C-x b} (@code{switch-to-buffer}) and then | |
496 type the first few letters of the name of the buffer to which you wish | |
497 to switch, and then type @key{TAB} (@code{minibuffer-complete}), Emacs | |
498 extends the name as far as it can. | |
499 | |
500 Standard Emacs commands offer completion for names of symbols, files, | |
501 buffers, and processes; with the functions in this section, you can | |
502 implement completion for other kinds of names. | |
503 | |
504 The @code{try-completion} function is the basic primitive for | |
505 completion: it returns the longest determined completion of a given | |
506 initial string, with a given set of strings to match against. | |
507 | |
508 The function @code{completing-read} provides a higher-level interface | |
509 for completion. A call to @code{completing-read} specifies how to | |
510 determine the list of valid names. The function then activates the | |
511 minibuffer with a local keymap that binds a few keys to commands useful | |
512 for completion. Other functions provide convenient simple interfaces | |
513 for reading certain kinds of names with completion. | |
514 | |
515 @menu | |
516 * Basic Completion:: Low-level functions for completing strings. | |
517 (These are too low level to use the minibuffer.) | |
518 * Minibuffer Completion:: Invoking the minibuffer with completion. | |
519 * Completion Commands:: Minibuffer commands that do completion. | |
520 * High-Level Completion:: Convenient special cases of completion | |
521 (reading buffer name, file name, etc.) | |
522 * Reading File Names:: Using completion to read file names. | |
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523 * Programmed Completion:: Writing your own completion-function. |
6555 | 524 @end menu |
525 | |
526 @node Basic Completion | |
527 @subsection Basic Completion Functions | |
528 | |
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529 The two functions @code{try-completion} and @code{all-completions} |
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530 have nothing in themselves to do with minibuffers. We describe them in |
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531 this chapter so as to keep them near the higher-level completion |
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532 features that do use the minibuffer. |
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533 |
6555 | 534 @defun try-completion string collection &optional predicate |
535 This function returns the longest common substring of all possible | |
536 completions of @var{string} in @var{collection}. The value of | |
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537 @var{collection} must be an alist, an obarray, or a function that |
6555 | 538 implements a virtual set of strings (see below). |
539 | |
540 Completion compares @var{string} against each of the permissible | |
541 completions specified by @var{collection}; if the beginning of the | |
542 permissible completion equals @var{string}, it matches. If no permissible | |
543 completions match, @code{try-completion} returns @code{nil}. If only | |
544 one permissible completion matches, and the match is exact, then | |
545 @code{try-completion} returns @code{t}. Otherwise, the value is the | |
546 longest initial sequence common to all the permissible completions that | |
547 match. | |
548 | |
549 If @var{collection} is an alist (@pxref{Association Lists}), the | |
550 @sc{car}s of the alist elements form the set of permissible completions. | |
551 | |
552 @cindex obarray in completion | |
553 If @var{collection} is an obarray (@pxref{Creating Symbols}), the names | |
554 of all symbols in the obarray form the set of permissible completions. The | |
555 global variable @code{obarray} holds an obarray containing the names of | |
556 all interned Lisp symbols. | |
557 | |
558 Note that the only valid way to make a new obarray is to create it | |
559 empty and then add symbols to it one by one using @code{intern}. | |
560 Also, you cannot intern a given symbol in more than one obarray. | |
561 | |
562 If the argument @var{predicate} is non-@code{nil}, then it must be a | |
563 function of one argument. It is used to test each possible match, and | |
564 the match is accepted only if @var{predicate} returns non-@code{nil}. | |
565 The argument given to @var{predicate} is either a cons cell from the alist | |
566 (the @sc{car} of which is a string) or else it is a symbol (@emph{not} a | |
567 symbol name) from the obarray. | |
568 | |
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569 You can also use a symbol that is a function as @var{collection}. Then |
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570 the function is solely responsible for performing completion; |
6555 | 571 @code{try-completion} returns whatever this function returns. The |
572 function is called with three arguments: @var{string}, @var{predicate} | |
573 and @code{nil}. (The reason for the third argument is so that the same | |
574 function can be used in @code{all-completions} and do the appropriate | |
575 thing in either case.) @xref{Programmed Completion}. | |
576 | |
577 In the first of the following examples, the string @samp{foo} is | |
578 matched by three of the alist @sc{car}s. All of the matches begin with | |
579 the characters @samp{fooba}, so that is the result. In the second | |
580 example, there is only one possible match, and it is exact, so the value | |
581 is @code{t}. | |
582 | |
583 @smallexample | |
584 @group | |
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585 (try-completion |
6555 | 586 "foo" |
587 '(("foobar1" 1) ("barfoo" 2) ("foobaz" 3) ("foobar2" 4))) | |
588 @result{} "fooba" | |
589 @end group | |
590 | |
591 @group | |
592 (try-completion "foo" '(("barfoo" 2) ("foo" 3))) | |
593 @result{} t | |
594 @end group | |
595 @end smallexample | |
596 | |
597 In the following example, numerous symbols begin with the characters | |
598 @samp{forw}, and all of them begin with the word @samp{forward}. In | |
599 most of the symbols, this is followed with a @samp{-}, but not in all, | |
600 so no more than @samp{forward} can be completed. | |
601 | |
602 @smallexample | |
603 @group | |
604 (try-completion "forw" obarray) | |
605 @result{} "forward" | |
606 @end group | |
607 @end smallexample | |
608 | |
609 Finally, in the following example, only two of the three possible | |
610 matches pass the predicate @code{test} (the string @samp{foobaz} is | |
611 too short). Both of those begin with the string @samp{foobar}. | |
612 | |
613 @smallexample | |
614 @group | |
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615 (defun test (s) |
6555 | 616 (> (length (car s)) 6)) |
617 @result{} test | |
618 @end group | |
619 @group | |
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620 (try-completion |
6555 | 621 "foo" |
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622 '(("foobar1" 1) ("barfoo" 2) ("foobaz" 3) ("foobar2" 4)) |
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623 'test) |
6555 | 624 @result{} "foobar" |
625 @end group | |
626 @end smallexample | |
627 @end defun | |
628 | |
12067 | 629 @defun all-completions string collection &optional predicate nospace |
6555 | 630 This function returns a list of all possible completions of |
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631 @var{string}. The arguments to this function (aside from @var{nospace}) |
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632 are the same as those of @code{try-completion}. If @var{nospace} is |
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633 non-@code{nil}, completions that start with a space are ignored unless |
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634 @var{string} also starts with a space. |
6555 | 635 |
636 If @var{collection} is a function, it is called with three arguments: | |
637 @var{string}, @var{predicate} and @code{t}; then @code{all-completions} | |
638 returns whatever the function returns. @xref{Programmed Completion}. | |
639 | |
640 Here is an example, using the function @code{test} shown in the | |
641 example for @code{try-completion}: | |
642 | |
643 @smallexample | |
644 @group | |
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645 (defun test (s) |
6555 | 646 (> (length (car s)) 6)) |
647 @result{} test | |
648 @end group | |
649 | |
650 @group | |
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651 (all-completions |
6555 | 652 "foo" |
653 '(("foobar1" 1) ("barfoo" 2) ("foobaz" 3) ("foobar2" 4)) | |
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654 'test) |
6555 | 655 @result{} ("foobar1" "foobar2") |
656 @end group | |
657 @end smallexample | |
658 @end defun | |
659 | |
660 @defvar completion-ignore-case | |
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661 If the value of this variable is |
6555 | 662 non-@code{nil}, Emacs does not consider case significant in completion. |
663 @end defvar | |
664 | |
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665 @defmac lazy-completion-table var fun &rest args |
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666 This macro provides a way to initialize the variable @var{var} as a |
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667 completion table in a lazy way, not computing its actual contents |
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668 until they are first needed. You use this macro to produce a value |
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669 that you store in @var{var}. The actual computation of the proper |
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670 value is done the first time you do completion using @var{var}. It is |
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671 done by calling @var{fun} with the arguments @var{args}. The value |
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672 @var{fun} returns becomes the permanent value of @var{var}. |
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673 |
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674 @example |
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675 (defvar foo (lazy-completion-table foo make-my-alist 'global)) |
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676 (make-local-variable 'bar) |
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677 (setq bar (lazy-completion-table foo make-my-alist 'local) |
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678 @end example |
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679 @end defmac |
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680 |
6555 | 681 @node Minibuffer Completion |
682 @subsection Completion and the Minibuffer | |
683 | |
684 This section describes the basic interface for reading from the | |
685 minibuffer with completion. | |
686 | |
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687 @defun completing-read prompt collection &optional predicate require-match initial hist default inherit-input-method |
6555 | 688 This function reads a string in the minibuffer, assisting the user by |
689 providing completion. It activates the minibuffer with prompt | |
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690 @var{prompt}, which must be a string. |
6555 | 691 |
692 The actual completion is done by passing @var{collection} and | |
693 @var{predicate} to the function @code{try-completion}. This happens in | |
694 certain commands bound in the local keymaps used for completion. | |
695 | |
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696 If @var{require-match} is @code{nil}, the exit commands work regardless |
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697 of the input in the minibuffer. If @var{require-match} is @code{t}, the |
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698 usual minibuffer exit commands won't exit unless the input completes to |
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699 an element of @var{collection}. If @var{require-match} is neither |
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700 @code{nil} nor @code{t}, then the exit commands won't exit unless the |
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701 input already in the buffer matches an element of @var{collection}. |
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702 |
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703 However, empty input is always permitted, regardless of the value of |
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704 @var{require-match}; in that case, @code{completing-read} returns |
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705 @var{default}. The value of @var{default} (if non-@code{nil}) is also |
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706 available to the user through the history commands. |
6555 | 707 |
8753 | 708 The user can exit with null input by typing @key{RET} with an empty |
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709 minibuffer. Then @code{completing-read} returns @code{""}. This is how |
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710 the user requests whatever default the command uses for the value being |
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711 read. The user can return using @key{RET} in this way regardless of the |
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712 value of @var{require-match}, and regardless of whether the empty string |
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713 is included in @var{collection}. |
8753 | 714 |
6555 | 715 The function @code{completing-read} works by calling |
716 @code{read-minibuffer}. It uses @code{minibuffer-local-completion-map} | |
717 as the keymap if @var{require-match} is @code{nil}, and uses | |
718 @code{minibuffer-local-must-match-map} if @var{require-match} is | |
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719 non-@code{nil}. @xref{Completion Commands}. |
6555 | 720 |
721 The argument @var{hist} specifies which history list variable to use for | |
722 saving the input and for minibuffer history commands. It defaults to | |
723 @code{minibuffer-history}. @xref{Minibuffer History}. | |
724 | |
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725 If @var{initial} is non-@code{nil}, @code{completing-read} inserts it |
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726 into the minibuffer as part of the input. Then it allows the user to |
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727 edit the input, providing several commands to attempt completion. |
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728 In most cases, we recommend using @var{default}, and not @var{initial}. |
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729 |
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730 @strong{We discourage use of a non-@code{nil} value for |
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731 @var{initial}}, because it is an intrusive interface. The history |
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732 list feature (which did not exist when we introduced @var{initial}) |
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733 offers a far more convenient and general way for the user to get the |
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734 default and edit it, and it is always available. |
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735 |
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736 If the argument @var{inherit-input-method} is non-@code{nil}, then the |
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737 minibuffer inherits the current input method (@pxref{Input |
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738 Methods}) and the setting of @code{enable-multibyte-characters} |
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739 (@pxref{Text Representations}) from whichever buffer was current before |
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740 entering the minibuffer. |
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741 |
6555 | 742 Completion ignores case when comparing the input against the possible |
743 matches, if the built-in variable @code{completion-ignore-case} is | |
744 non-@code{nil}. @xref{Basic Completion}. | |
745 | |
746 Here's an example of using @code{completing-read}: | |
747 | |
748 @smallexample | |
749 @group | |
750 (completing-read | |
751 "Complete a foo: " | |
752 '(("foobar1" 1) ("barfoo" 2) ("foobaz" 3) ("foobar2" 4)) | |
753 nil t "fo") | |
754 @end group | |
755 | |
756 @group | |
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757 ;; @r{After evaluation of the preceding expression,} |
6555 | 758 ;; @r{the following appears in the minibuffer:} |
759 | |
760 ---------- Buffer: Minibuffer ---------- | |
761 Complete a foo: fo@point{} | |
762 ---------- Buffer: Minibuffer ---------- | |
763 @end group | |
764 @end smallexample | |
765 | |
766 @noindent | |
767 If the user then types @kbd{@key{DEL} @key{DEL} b @key{RET}}, | |
768 @code{completing-read} returns @code{barfoo}. | |
769 | |
770 The @code{completing-read} function binds three variables to pass | |
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771 information to the commands that actually do completion. These |
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772 variables are @code{minibuffer-completion-table}, |
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773 @code{minibuffer-completion-predicate} and |
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774 @code{minibuffer-completion-confirm}. For more information about them, |
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775 see @ref{Completion Commands}. |
6555 | 776 @end defun |
777 | |
778 @node Completion Commands | |
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779 @subsection Minibuffer Commands that Do Completion |
6555 | 780 |
781 This section describes the keymaps, commands and user options used in | |
782 the minibuffer to do completion. | |
783 | |
784 @defvar minibuffer-local-completion-map | |
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785 @code{completing-read} uses this value as the local keymap when an |
6555 | 786 exact match of one of the completions is not required. By default, this |
787 keymap makes the following bindings: | |
788 | |
789 @table @asis | |
790 @item @kbd{?} | |
791 @code{minibuffer-completion-help} | |
792 | |
793 @item @key{SPC} | |
794 @code{minibuffer-complete-word} | |
795 | |
796 @item @key{TAB} | |
797 @code{minibuffer-complete} | |
798 @end table | |
799 | |
800 @noindent | |
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801 with other characters bound as in @code{minibuffer-local-map} |
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802 (@pxref{Text from Minibuffer}). |
6555 | 803 @end defvar |
804 | |
805 @defvar minibuffer-local-must-match-map | |
806 @code{completing-read} uses this value as the local keymap when an | |
807 exact match of one of the completions is required. Therefore, no keys | |
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808 are bound to @code{exit-minibuffer}, the command that exits the |
6555 | 809 minibuffer unconditionally. By default, this keymap makes the following |
810 bindings: | |
811 | |
812 @table @asis | |
813 @item @kbd{?} | |
814 @code{minibuffer-completion-help} | |
815 | |
816 @item @key{SPC} | |
817 @code{minibuffer-complete-word} | |
818 | |
819 @item @key{TAB} | |
820 @code{minibuffer-complete} | |
821 | |
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822 @item @kbd{C-j} |
6555 | 823 @code{minibuffer-complete-and-exit} |
824 | |
825 @item @key{RET} | |
826 @code{minibuffer-complete-and-exit} | |
827 @end table | |
828 | |
829 @noindent | |
830 with other characters bound as in @code{minibuffer-local-map}. | |
831 @end defvar | |
832 | |
833 @defvar minibuffer-completion-table | |
834 The value of this variable is the alist or obarray used for completion | |
835 in the minibuffer. This is the global variable that contains what | |
836 @code{completing-read} passes to @code{try-completion}. It is used by | |
837 minibuffer completion commands such as @code{minibuffer-complete-word}. | |
838 @end defvar | |
839 | |
840 @defvar minibuffer-completion-predicate | |
841 This variable's value is the predicate that @code{completing-read} | |
842 passes to @code{try-completion}. The variable is also used by the other | |
843 minibuffer completion functions. | |
844 @end defvar | |
845 | |
846 @deffn Command minibuffer-complete-word | |
847 This function completes the minibuffer contents by at most a single | |
848 word. Even if the minibuffer contents have only one completion, | |
849 @code{minibuffer-complete-word} does not add any characters beyond the | |
850 first character that is not a word constituent. @xref{Syntax Tables}. | |
851 @end deffn | |
852 | |
853 @deffn Command minibuffer-complete | |
854 This function completes the minibuffer contents as far as possible. | |
855 @end deffn | |
856 | |
857 @deffn Command minibuffer-complete-and-exit | |
858 This function completes the minibuffer contents, and exits if | |
859 confirmation is not required, i.e., if | |
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860 @code{minibuffer-completion-confirm} is @code{nil}. If confirmation |
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861 @emph{is} required, it is given by repeating this command |
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862 immediately---the command is programmed to work without confirmation |
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863 when run twice in succession. |
6555 | 864 @end deffn |
865 | |
866 @defvar minibuffer-completion-confirm | |
867 When the value of this variable is non-@code{nil}, Emacs asks for | |
868 confirmation of a completion before exiting the minibuffer. The | |
869 function @code{minibuffer-complete-and-exit} checks the value of this | |
870 variable before it exits. | |
871 @end defvar | |
872 | |
873 @deffn Command minibuffer-completion-help | |
874 This function creates a list of the possible completions of the | |
875 current minibuffer contents. It works by calling @code{all-completions} | |
876 using the value of the variable @code{minibuffer-completion-table} as | |
877 the @var{collection} argument, and the value of | |
878 @code{minibuffer-completion-predicate} as the @var{predicate} argument. | |
879 The list of completions is displayed as text in a buffer named | |
880 @samp{*Completions*}. | |
881 @end deffn | |
882 | |
883 @defun display-completion-list completions | |
884 This function displays @var{completions} to the stream in | |
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885 @code{standard-output}, usually a buffer. (@xref{Read and Print}, for more |
6555 | 886 information about streams.) The argument @var{completions} is normally |
887 a list of completions just returned by @code{all-completions}, but it | |
888 does not have to be. Each element may be a symbol or a string, either | |
889 of which is simply printed, or a list of two strings, which is printed | |
890 as if the strings were concatenated. | |
891 | |
892 This function is called by @code{minibuffer-completion-help}. The | |
893 most common way to use it is together with | |
894 @code{with-output-to-temp-buffer}, like this: | |
895 | |
896 @example | |
897 (with-output-to-temp-buffer "*Completions*" | |
898 (display-completion-list | |
899 (all-completions (buffer-string) my-alist))) | |
900 @end example | |
901 @end defun | |
902 | |
903 @defopt completion-auto-help | |
904 If this variable is non-@code{nil}, the completion commands | |
905 automatically display a list of possible completions whenever nothing | |
906 can be completed because the next character is not uniquely determined. | |
907 @end defopt | |
908 | |
909 @node High-Level Completion | |
910 @subsection High-Level Completion Functions | |
911 | |
912 This section describes the higher-level convenient functions for | |
913 reading certain sorts of names with completion. | |
914 | |
12098 | 915 In most cases, you should not call these functions in the middle of a |
916 Lisp function. When possible, do all minibuffer input as part of | |
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917 reading the arguments for a command, in the @code{interactive} |
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918 specification. @xref{Defining Commands}. |
12098 | 919 |
6555 | 920 @defun read-buffer prompt &optional default existing |
921 This function reads the name of a buffer and returns it as a string. | |
922 The argument @var{default} is the default name to use, the value to | |
923 return if the user exits with an empty minibuffer. If non-@code{nil}, | |
924 it should be a string or a buffer. It is mentioned in the prompt, but | |
925 is not inserted in the minibuffer as initial input. | |
926 | |
927 If @var{existing} is non-@code{nil}, then the name specified must be | |
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928 that of an existing buffer. The usual commands to exit the minibuffer |
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929 do not exit if the text is not valid, and @key{RET} does completion to |
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930 attempt to find a valid name. (However, @var{default} is not checked |
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931 for validity; it is returned, whatever it is, if the user exits with the |
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932 minibuffer empty.) |
6555 | 933 |
934 In the following example, the user enters @samp{minibuffer.t}, and | |
935 then types @key{RET}. The argument @var{existing} is @code{t}, and the | |
936 only buffer name starting with the given input is | |
937 @samp{minibuffer.texi}, so that name is the value. | |
938 | |
939 @example | |
940 (read-buffer "Buffer name? " "foo" t) | |
941 @group | |
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942 ;; @r{After evaluation of the preceding expression,} |
6555 | 943 ;; @r{the following prompt appears,} |
944 ;; @r{with an empty minibuffer:} | |
945 @end group | |
946 | |
947 @group | |
948 ---------- Buffer: Minibuffer ---------- | |
949 Buffer name? (default foo) @point{} | |
950 ---------- Buffer: Minibuffer ---------- | |
951 @end group | |
952 | |
953 @group | |
954 ;; @r{The user types @kbd{minibuffer.t @key{RET}}.} | |
955 @result{} "minibuffer.texi" | |
956 @end group | |
957 @end example | |
958 @end defun | |
959 | |
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960 @defvar read-buffer-function |
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961 This variable specifies how to read buffer names. For example, if you |
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962 set this variable to @code{iswitchb-read-buffer}, all Emacs commands |
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963 that call @code{read-buffer} to read a buffer name will actually use the |
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964 @code{iswitchb} package to read it. |
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965 @end defvar |
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966 |
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967 @defun read-command prompt &optional default |
6555 | 968 This function reads the name of a command and returns it as a Lisp |
969 symbol. The argument @var{prompt} is used as in | |
970 @code{read-from-minibuffer}. Recall that a command is anything for | |
971 which @code{commandp} returns @code{t}, and a command name is a symbol | |
972 for which @code{commandp} returns @code{t}. @xref{Interactive Call}. | |
973 | |
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974 The argument @var{default} specifies what to return if the user enters |
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975 null input. It can be a symbol or a string; if it is a string, |
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976 @code{read-command} interns it before returning it. If @var{default} is |
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977 @code{nil}, that means no default has been specified; then if the user |
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978 enters null input, the return value is @code{nil}. |
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979 |
6555 | 980 @example |
981 (read-command "Command name? ") | |
982 | |
983 @group | |
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984 ;; @r{After evaluation of the preceding expression,} |
6555 | 985 ;; @r{the following prompt appears with an empty minibuffer:} |
986 @end group | |
987 | |
988 @group | |
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989 ---------- Buffer: Minibuffer ---------- |
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990 Command name? |
6555 | 991 ---------- Buffer: Minibuffer ---------- |
992 @end group | |
993 @end example | |
994 | |
995 @noindent | |
996 If the user types @kbd{forward-c @key{RET}}, then this function returns | |
997 @code{forward-char}. | |
998 | |
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999 The @code{read-command} function is a simplified interface to |
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1000 @code{completing-read}. It uses the variable @code{obarray} so as to |
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1001 complete in the set of extant Lisp symbols, and it uses the |
6555 | 1002 @code{commandp} predicate so as to accept only command names: |
1003 | |
1004 @cindex @code{commandp} example | |
1005 @example | |
1006 @group | |
1007 (read-command @var{prompt}) | |
1008 @equiv{} | |
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1009 (intern (completing-read @var{prompt} obarray |
6555 | 1010 'commandp t nil)) |
1011 @end group | |
1012 @end example | |
1013 @end defun | |
1014 | |
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1015 @defun read-variable prompt &optional default |
6555 | 1016 This function reads the name of a user variable and returns it as a |
1017 symbol. | |
1018 | |
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1019 The argument @var{default} specifies what to return if the user enters |
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1020 null input. It can be a symbol or a string; if it is a string, |
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1021 @code{read-variable} interns it before returning it. If @var{default} |
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1022 is @code{nil}, that means no default has been specified; then if the |
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1023 user enters null input, the return value is @code{nil}. |
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1024 |
6555 | 1025 @example |
1026 @group | |
1027 (read-variable "Variable name? ") | |
1028 | |
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1029 ;; @r{After evaluation of the preceding expression,} |
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1030 ;; @r{the following prompt appears,} |
6555 | 1031 ;; @r{with an empty minibuffer:} |
1032 @end group | |
1033 | |
1034 @group | |
1035 ---------- Buffer: Minibuffer ---------- | |
1036 Variable name? @point{} | |
1037 ---------- Buffer: Minibuffer ---------- | |
1038 @end group | |
1039 @end example | |
1040 | |
1041 @noindent | |
1042 If the user then types @kbd{fill-p @key{RET}}, @code{read-variable} | |
1043 returns @code{fill-prefix}. | |
1044 | |
1045 This function is similar to @code{read-command}, but uses the | |
1046 predicate @code{user-variable-p} instead of @code{commandp}: | |
1047 | |
1048 @cindex @code{user-variable-p} example | |
1049 @example | |
1050 @group | |
1051 (read-variable @var{prompt}) | |
1052 @equiv{} | |
1053 (intern | |
1054 (completing-read @var{prompt} obarray | |
1055 'user-variable-p t nil)) | |
1056 @end group | |
1057 @end example | |
1058 @end defun | |
1059 | |
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1060 See also the functions @code{read-coding-system} and |
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1061 @code{read-non-nil-coding-system}, in @ref{User-Chosen Coding Systems}. |
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1062 |
6555 | 1063 @node Reading File Names |
1064 @subsection Reading File Names | |
1065 | |
1066 Here is another high-level completion function, designed for reading a | |
1067 file name. It provides special features including automatic insertion | |
1068 of the default directory. | |
1069 | |
1070 @defun read-file-name prompt &optional directory default existing initial | |
1071 This function reads a file name in the minibuffer, prompting with | |
1072 @var{prompt} and providing completion. If @var{default} is | |
1073 non-@code{nil}, then the function returns @var{default} if the user just | |
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1074 types @key{RET}. @var{default} is not checked for validity; it is |
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1075 returned, whatever it is, if the user exits with the minibuffer empty. |
6555 | 1076 |
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1077 If @var{existing} is non-@code{nil}, then the user must specify the name |
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1078 of an existing file; @key{RET} performs completion to make the name |
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1079 valid if possible, and then refuses to exit if it is not valid. If the |
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1080 value of @var{existing} is neither @code{nil} nor @code{t}, then |
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1081 @key{RET} also requires confirmation after completion. If |
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1082 @var{existing} is @code{nil}, then the name of a nonexistent file is |
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1083 acceptable. |
6555 | 1084 |
1085 The argument @var{directory} specifies the directory to use for | |
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1086 completion of relative file names. If @code{insert-default-directory} |
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1087 is non-@code{nil}, @var{directory} is also inserted in the minibuffer as |
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1088 initial input. It defaults to the current buffer's value of |
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1089 @code{default-directory}. |
6555 | 1090 |
1091 @c Emacs 19 feature | |
1092 If you specify @var{initial}, that is an initial file name to insert in | |
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1093 the buffer (after @var{directory}, if that is inserted). In this |
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1094 case, point goes at the beginning of @var{initial}. The default for |
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1095 @var{initial} is @code{nil}---don't insert any file name. To see what |
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1096 @var{initial} does, try the command @kbd{C-x C-v}. @strong{Note:} we |
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1097 recommend using @var{default} rather than @var{initial} in most cases. |
6555 | 1098 |
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1099 Here is an example: |
6555 | 1100 |
1101 @example | |
1102 @group | |
1103 (read-file-name "The file is ") | |
1104 | |
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1105 ;; @r{After evaluation of the preceding expression,} |
6555 | 1106 ;; @r{the following appears in the minibuffer:} |
1107 @end group | |
1108 | |
1109 @group | |
1110 ---------- Buffer: Minibuffer ---------- | |
1111 The file is /gp/gnu/elisp/@point{} | |
1112 ---------- Buffer: Minibuffer ---------- | |
1113 @end group | |
1114 @end example | |
1115 | |
1116 @noindent | |
1117 Typing @kbd{manual @key{TAB}} results in the following: | |
1118 | |
1119 @example | |
1120 @group | |
1121 ---------- Buffer: Minibuffer ---------- | |
1122 The file is /gp/gnu/elisp/manual.texi@point{} | |
1123 ---------- Buffer: Minibuffer ---------- | |
1124 @end group | |
1125 @end example | |
1126 | |
1127 @c Wordy to avoid overfull hbox in smallbook mode. | |
1128 @noindent | |
1129 If the user types @key{RET}, @code{read-file-name} returns the file name | |
1130 as the string @code{"/gp/gnu/elisp/manual.texi"}. | |
1131 @end defun | |
1132 | |
1133 @defopt insert-default-directory | |
1134 This variable is used by @code{read-file-name}. Its value controls | |
1135 whether @code{read-file-name} starts by placing the name of the default | |
1136 directory in the minibuffer, plus the initial file name if any. If the | |
1137 value of this variable is @code{nil}, then @code{read-file-name} does | |
12098 | 1138 not place any initial input in the minibuffer (unless you specify |
1139 initial input with the @var{initial} argument). In that case, the | |
6555 | 1140 default directory is still used for completion of relative file names, |
1141 but is not displayed. | |
1142 | |
1143 For example: | |
1144 | |
1145 @example | |
1146 @group | |
1147 ;; @r{Here the minibuffer starts out with the default directory.} | |
1148 (let ((insert-default-directory t)) | |
1149 (read-file-name "The file is ")) | |
1150 @end group | |
1151 | |
1152 @group | |
1153 ---------- Buffer: Minibuffer ---------- | |
1154 The file is ~lewis/manual/@point{} | |
1155 ---------- Buffer: Minibuffer ---------- | |
1156 @end group | |
1157 | |
1158 @group | |
1159 ;; @r{Here the minibuffer is empty and only the prompt} | |
1160 ;; @r{appears on its line.} | |
1161 (let ((insert-default-directory nil)) | |
1162 (read-file-name "The file is ")) | |
1163 @end group | |
1164 | |
1165 @group | |
1166 ---------- Buffer: Minibuffer ---------- | |
1167 The file is @point{} | |
1168 ---------- Buffer: Minibuffer ---------- | |
1169 @end group | |
1170 @end example | |
1171 @end defopt | |
1172 | |
1173 @node Programmed Completion | |
1174 @subsection Programmed Completion | |
1175 @cindex programmed completion | |
1176 | |
1177 Sometimes it is not possible to create an alist or an obarray | |
1178 containing all the intended possible completions. In such a case, you | |
1179 can supply your own function to compute the completion of a given string. | |
1180 This is called @dfn{programmed completion}. | |
1181 | |
1182 To use this feature, pass a symbol with a function definition as the | |
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1183 @var{collection} argument to @code{completing-read}. The function |
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1184 @code{completing-read} arranges to pass your completion function along |
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1185 to @code{try-completion} and @code{all-completions}, which will then let |
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1186 your function do all the work. |
6555 | 1187 |
1188 The completion function should accept three arguments: | |
1189 | |
1190 @itemize @bullet | |
1191 @item | |
1192 The string to be completed. | |
1193 | |
1194 @item | |
1195 The predicate function to filter possible matches, or @code{nil} if | |
1196 none. Your function should call the predicate for each possible match, | |
1197 and ignore the possible match if the predicate returns @code{nil}. | |
1198 | |
1199 @item | |
1200 A flag specifying the type of operation. | |
1201 @end itemize | |
1202 | |
1203 There are three flag values for three operations: | |
1204 | |
1205 @itemize @bullet | |
1206 @item | |
1207 @code{nil} specifies @code{try-completion}. The completion function | |
1208 should return the completion of the specified string, or @code{t} if the | |
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1209 string is a unique and exact match already, or @code{nil} if the string |
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1210 matches no possibility. |
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1211 |
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1212 If the string is an exact match for one possibility, but also matches |
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1213 other longer possibilities, the function should return the string, not |
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1214 @code{t}. |
6555 | 1215 |
1216 @item | |
1217 @code{t} specifies @code{all-completions}. The completion function | |
1218 should return a list of all possible completions of the specified | |
1219 string. | |
1220 | |
1221 @item | |
1222 @code{lambda} specifies a test for an exact match. The completion | |
1223 function should return @code{t} if the specified string is an exact | |
1224 match for some possibility; @code{nil} otherwise. | |
1225 @end itemize | |
1226 | |
1227 It would be consistent and clean for completion functions to allow | |
12098 | 1228 lambda expressions (lists that are functions) as well as function |
6555 | 1229 symbols as @var{collection}, but this is impossible. Lists as |
1230 completion tables are already assigned another meaning---as alists. It | |
1231 would be unreliable to fail to handle an alist normally because it is | |
1232 also a possible function. So you must arrange for any function you wish | |
1233 to use for completion to be encapsulated in a symbol. | |
1234 | |
1235 Emacs uses programmed completion when completing file names. | |
1236 @xref{File Name Completion}. | |
1237 | |
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1238 @defmac dynamic-completion-table function |
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1239 This macro is a convenient way to write a function that can act as |
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1240 programmed completion function. The argument @var{function} should be |
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1241 a function that takes one argument, a string, and returns an alist of |
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1242 possible completions of it. You can think of |
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1243 @code{dynamic-completion-table} as a transducer between that interface |
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1244 and the interface for programmed completion functions. |
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1245 @end defmac |
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1246 |
6555 | 1247 @node Yes-or-No Queries |
1248 @section Yes-or-No Queries | |
1249 @cindex asking the user questions | |
1250 @cindex querying the user | |
1251 @cindex yes-or-no questions | |
1252 | |
1253 This section describes functions used to ask the user a yes-or-no | |
1254 question. The function @code{y-or-n-p} can be answered with a single | |
1255 character; it is useful for questions where an inadvertent wrong answer | |
1256 will not have serious consequences. @code{yes-or-no-p} is suitable for | |
1257 more momentous questions, since it requires three or four characters to | |
1258 answer. | |
1259 | |
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1260 If either of these functions is called in a command that was invoked |
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1261 using the mouse---more precisely, if @code{last-nonmenu-event} |
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1262 (@pxref{Command Loop Info}) is either @code{nil} or a list---then it |
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1263 uses a dialog box or pop-up menu to ask the question. Otherwise, it |
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1264 uses keyboard input. You can force use of the mouse or use of keyboard |
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1265 input by binding @code{last-nonmenu-event} to a suitable value around |
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1266 the call. |
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1267 |
6555 | 1268 Strictly speaking, @code{yes-or-no-p} uses the minibuffer and |
1269 @code{y-or-n-p} does not; but it seems best to describe them together. | |
1270 | |
1271 @defun y-or-n-p prompt | |
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1272 This function asks the user a question, expecting input in the echo |
6555 | 1273 area. It returns @code{t} if the user types @kbd{y}, @code{nil} if the |
1274 user types @kbd{n}. This function also accepts @key{SPC} to mean yes | |
1275 and @key{DEL} to mean no. It accepts @kbd{C-]} to mean ``quit'', like | |
1276 @kbd{C-g}, because the question might look like a minibuffer and for | |
1277 that reason the user might try to use @kbd{C-]} to get out. The answer | |
1278 is a single character, with no @key{RET} needed to terminate it. Upper | |
1279 and lower case are equivalent. | |
1280 | |
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1281 ``Asking the question'' means printing @var{prompt} in the echo area, |
6555 | 1282 followed by the string @w{@samp{(y or n) }}. If the input is not one of |
1283 the expected answers (@kbd{y}, @kbd{n}, @kbd{@key{SPC}}, | |
1284 @kbd{@key{DEL}}, or something that quits), the function responds | |
1285 @samp{Please answer y or n.}, and repeats the request. | |
1286 | |
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1287 This function does not actually use the minibuffer, since it does not |
6555 | 1288 allow editing of the answer. It actually uses the echo area (@pxref{The |
1289 Echo Area}), which uses the same screen space as the minibuffer. The | |
1290 cursor moves to the echo area while the question is being asked. | |
1291 | |
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1292 The answers and their meanings, even @samp{y} and @samp{n}, are not |
6555 | 1293 hardwired. The keymap @code{query-replace-map} specifies them. |
1294 @xref{Search and Replace}. | |
1295 | |
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1296 In the following example, the user first types @kbd{q}, which is |
6555 | 1297 invalid. At the next prompt the user types @kbd{y}. |
1298 | |
1299 @smallexample | |
1300 @group | |
1301 (y-or-n-p "Do you need a lift? ") | |
1302 | |
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1303 ;; @r{After evaluation of the preceding expression,} |
6555 | 1304 ;; @r{the following prompt appears in the echo area:} |
1305 @end group | |
1306 | |
1307 @group | |
1308 ---------- Echo area ---------- | |
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1309 Do you need a lift? (y or n) |
6555 | 1310 ---------- Echo area ---------- |
1311 @end group | |
1312 | |
1313 ;; @r{If the user then types @kbd{q}, the following appears:} | |
1314 | |
1315 @group | |
1316 ---------- Echo area ---------- | |
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1317 Please answer y or n. Do you need a lift? (y or n) |
6555 | 1318 ---------- Echo area ---------- |
1319 @end group | |
1320 | |
1321 ;; @r{When the user types a valid answer,} | |
1322 ;; @r{it is displayed after the question:} | |
1323 | |
1324 @group | |
1325 ---------- Echo area ---------- | |
1326 Do you need a lift? (y or n) y | |
1327 ---------- Echo area ---------- | |
1328 @end group | |
1329 @end smallexample | |
1330 | |
1331 @noindent | |
1332 We show successive lines of echo area messages, but only one actually | |
1333 appears on the screen at a time. | |
1334 @end defun | |
1335 | |
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1336 @defun y-or-n-p-with-timeout prompt seconds default-value |
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1337 Like @code{y-or-n-p}, except that if the user fails to answer within |
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1338 @var{seconds} seconds, this function stops waiting and returns |
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1339 @var{default-value}. It works by setting up a timer; see @ref{Timers}. |
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1340 The argument @var{seconds} may be an integer or a floating point number. |
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1341 @end defun |
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1342 |
6555 | 1343 @defun yes-or-no-p prompt |
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1344 This function asks the user a question, expecting input in the |
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1345 minibuffer. It returns @code{t} if the user enters @samp{yes}, |
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1346 @code{nil} if the user types @samp{no}. The user must type @key{RET} to |
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1347 finalize the response. Upper and lower case are equivalent. |
6555 | 1348 |
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1349 @code{yes-or-no-p} starts by displaying @var{prompt} in the echo area, |
6555 | 1350 followed by @w{@samp{(yes or no) }}. The user must type one of the |
1351 expected responses; otherwise, the function responds @samp{Please answer | |
1352 yes or no.}, waits about two seconds and repeats the request. | |
1353 | |
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1354 @code{yes-or-no-p} requires more work from the user than |
6555 | 1355 @code{y-or-n-p} and is appropriate for more crucial decisions. |
1356 | |
1357 Here is an example: | |
1358 | |
1359 @smallexample | |
1360 @group | |
1361 (yes-or-no-p "Do you really want to remove everything? ") | |
1362 | |
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1363 ;; @r{After evaluation of the preceding expression,} |
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1364 ;; @r{the following prompt appears,} |
6555 | 1365 ;; @r{with an empty minibuffer:} |
1366 @end group | |
1367 | |
1368 @group | |
1369 ---------- Buffer: minibuffer ---------- | |
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1370 Do you really want to remove everything? (yes or no) |
6555 | 1371 ---------- Buffer: minibuffer ---------- |
1372 @end group | |
1373 @end smallexample | |
1374 | |
1375 @noindent | |
1376 If the user first types @kbd{y @key{RET}}, which is invalid because this | |
1377 function demands the entire word @samp{yes}, it responds by displaying | |
1378 these prompts, with a brief pause between them: | |
1379 | |
1380 @smallexample | |
1381 @group | |
1382 ---------- Buffer: minibuffer ---------- | |
1383 Please answer yes or no. | |
1384 Do you really want to remove everything? (yes or no) | |
1385 ---------- Buffer: minibuffer ---------- | |
1386 @end group | |
1387 @end smallexample | |
1388 @end defun | |
1389 | |
1390 @node Multiple Queries | |
1391 @section Asking Multiple Y-or-N Questions | |
1392 | |
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1393 When you have a series of similar questions to ask, such as ``Do you |
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1394 want to save this buffer'' for each buffer in turn, you should use |
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1395 @code{map-y-or-n-p} to ask the collection of questions, rather than |
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1396 asking each question individually. This gives the user certain |
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1397 convenient facilities such as the ability to answer the whole series at |
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1398 once. |
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1399 |
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1400 @defun map-y-or-n-p prompter actor list &optional help action-alist no-cursor-in-echo-area |
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1401 This function asks the user a series of questions, reading a |
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1402 single-character answer in the echo area for each one. |
6555 | 1403 |
1404 The value of @var{list} specifies the objects to ask questions about. | |
1405 It should be either a list of objects or a generator function. If it is | |
1406 a function, it should expect no arguments, and should return either the | |
1407 next object to ask about, or @code{nil} meaning stop asking questions. | |
1408 | |
1409 The argument @var{prompter} specifies how to ask each question. If | |
1410 @var{prompter} is a string, the question text is computed like this: | |
1411 | |
1412 @example | |
1413 (format @var{prompter} @var{object}) | |
1414 @end example | |
1415 | |
1416 @noindent | |
1417 where @var{object} is the next object to ask about (as obtained from | |
1418 @var{list}). | |
1419 | |
1420 If not a string, @var{prompter} should be a function of one argument | |
12226 | 1421 (the next object to ask about) and should return the question text. If |
1422 the value is a string, that is the question to ask the user. The | |
1423 function can also return @code{t} meaning do act on this object (and | |
1424 don't ask the user), or @code{nil} meaning ignore this object (and don't | |
1425 ask the user). | |
6555 | 1426 |
1427 The argument @var{actor} says how to act on the answers that the user | |
1428 gives. It should be a function of one argument, and it is called with | |
1429 each object that the user says yes for. Its argument is always an | |
1430 object obtained from @var{list}. | |
1431 | |
1432 If the argument @var{help} is given, it should be a list of this form: | |
1433 | |
1434 @example | |
1435 (@var{singular} @var{plural} @var{action}) | |
1436 @end example | |
1437 | |
1438 @noindent | |
1439 where @var{singular} is a string containing a singular noun that | |
1440 describes the objects conceptually being acted on, @var{plural} is the | |
1441 corresponding plural noun, and @var{action} is a transitive verb | |
1442 describing what @var{actor} does. | |
1443 | |
1444 If you don't specify @var{help}, the default is @code{("object" | |
1445 "objects" "act on")}. | |
1446 | |
1447 Each time a question is asked, the user may enter @kbd{y}, @kbd{Y}, or | |
1448 @key{SPC} to act on that object; @kbd{n}, @kbd{N}, or @key{DEL} to skip | |
1449 that object; @kbd{!} to act on all following objects; @key{ESC} or | |
1450 @kbd{q} to exit (skip all following objects); @kbd{.} (period) to act on | |
1451 the current object and then exit; or @kbd{C-h} to get help. These are | |
1452 the same answers that @code{query-replace} accepts. The keymap | |
1453 @code{query-replace-map} defines their meaning for @code{map-y-or-n-p} | |
1454 as well as for @code{query-replace}; see @ref{Search and Replace}. | |
1455 | |
1456 You can use @var{action-alist} to specify additional possible answers | |
1457 and what they mean. It is an alist of elements of the form | |
1458 @code{(@var{char} @var{function} @var{help})}, each of which defines one | |
1459 additional answer. In this element, @var{char} is a character (the | |
1460 answer); @var{function} is a function of one argument (an object from | |
1461 @var{list}); @var{help} is a string. | |
1462 | |
1463 When the user responds with @var{char}, @code{map-y-or-n-p} calls | |
1464 @var{function}. If it returns non-@code{nil}, the object is considered | |
1465 ``acted upon'', and @code{map-y-or-n-p} advances to the next object in | |
1466 @var{list}. If it returns @code{nil}, the prompt is repeated for the | |
1467 same object. | |
1468 | |
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1469 Normally, @code{map-y-or-n-p} binds @code{cursor-in-echo-area} while |
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1470 prompting. But if @var{no-cursor-in-echo-area} is non-@code{nil}, it |
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1471 does not do that. |
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1472 |
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1473 If @code{map-y-or-n-p} is called in a command that was invoked using the |
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1474 mouse---more precisely, if @code{last-nonmenu-event} (@pxref{Command |
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1475 Loop Info}) is either @code{nil} or a list---then it uses a dialog box |
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1476 or pop-up menu to ask the question. In this case, it does not use |
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1477 keyboard input or the echo area. You can force use of the mouse or use |
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1478 of keyboard input by binding @code{last-nonmenu-event} to a suitable |
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1479 value around the call. |
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1480 |
6555 | 1481 The return value of @code{map-y-or-n-p} is the number of objects acted on. |
1482 @end defun | |
1483 | |
23147 | 1484 @node Reading a Password |
1485 @section Reading a Password | |
1486 @cindex passwords, reading | |
1487 | |
1488 To read a password to pass to another program, you can use the | |
1489 function @code{read-passwd}. | |
1490 | |
1491 @defun read-passwd prompt &optional confirm default | |
1492 This function reads a password, prompting with @var{prompt}. It does | |
1493 not echo the password as the user types it; instead, it echoes @samp{.} | |
1494 for each character in the password. | |
1495 | |
1496 The optional argument @var{confirm}, if non-@code{nil}, says to read the | |
1497 password twice and insist it must be the same both times. If it isn't | |
1498 the same, the user has to type it over and over until the last two | |
1499 times match. | |
1500 | |
1501 The optional argument @var{default} specifies the default password to | |
1502 return if the user enters empty input. If @var{default} is @code{nil}, | |
1503 then @code{read-passwd} returns the null string in that case. | |
1504 @end defun | |
1505 | |
6555 | 1506 @node Minibuffer Misc |
1507 @section Minibuffer Miscellany | |
1508 | |
1509 This section describes some basic functions and variables related to | |
1510 minibuffers. | |
1511 | |
1512 @deffn Command exit-minibuffer | |
1513 This command exits the active minibuffer. It is normally bound to | |
1514 keys in minibuffer local keymaps. | |
1515 @end deffn | |
1516 | |
1517 @deffn Command self-insert-and-exit | |
1518 This command exits the active minibuffer after inserting the last | |
1519 character typed on the keyboard (found in @code{last-command-char}; | |
1520 @pxref{Command Loop Info}). | |
1521 @end deffn | |
1522 | |
1523 @deffn Command previous-history-element n | |
1524 This command replaces the minibuffer contents with the value of the | |
1525 @var{n}th previous (older) history element. | |
1526 @end deffn | |
1527 | |
1528 @deffn Command next-history-element n | |
1529 This command replaces the minibuffer contents with the value of the | |
1530 @var{n}th more recent history element. | |
1531 @end deffn | |
1532 | |
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1533 @deffn Command previous-matching-history-element pattern n |
6555 | 1534 This command replaces the minibuffer contents with the value of the |
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1535 @var{n}th previous (older) history element that matches @var{pattern} (a |
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1536 regular expression). |
6555 | 1537 @end deffn |
1538 | |
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1539 @deffn Command next-matching-history-element pattern n |
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1540 This command replaces the minibuffer contents with the value of the |
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1541 @var{n}th next (newer) history element that matches @var{pattern} (a |
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1542 regular expression). |
6555 | 1543 @end deffn |
1544 | |
12098 | 1545 @defun minibuffer-prompt |
1546 This function returns the prompt string of the currently active | |
1547 minibuffer. If no minibuffer is active, it returns @code{nil}. | |
1548 @end defun | |
1549 | |
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1550 @defun minibuffer-prompt-end |
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1551 @tindex minibuffer-prompt-end |
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1552 This function, available starting in Emacs 21, returns the current |
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1553 position of the end of the minibuffer prompt, if a minibuffer is |
39531
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1554 current. Otherwise, it returns the minimum valid buffer position. |
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1555 @end defun |
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1556 |
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1557 @defun minibuffer-contents |
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1558 @tindex minibuffer-contents |
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1559 This function, available starting in Emacs 21, returns the editable |
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1560 contents of the minibuffer (that is, everything except the prompt) as |
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1561 a string, if a minibuffer is current. Otherwise, it returns the |
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1562 entire contents of the current buffer. |
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1563 @end defun |
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1564 |
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1565 @defun minibuffer-contents-no-properties |
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1566 @tindex minibuffer-contents-no-properties |
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1567 This is like @code{minibuffer-contents}, except that it does not copy text |
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1568 properties, just the characters themselves. @xref{Text Properties}. |
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1569 @end defun |
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1570 |
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1571 @defun delete-minibuffer-contents |
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1572 @tindex delete-minibuffer-contents |
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1573 This function, available starting in Emacs 21, erases the editable |
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1574 contents of the minibuffer (that is, everything except the prompt), if |
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1575 a minibuffer is current. Otherwise, it erases the entire buffer. |
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1576 @end defun |
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1577 |
44275 | 1578 @defun minibuffer-prompt-width |
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1579 This function returns the current display-width of the minibuffer |
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1580 prompt, if a minibuffer is current. Otherwise, it returns zero. |
12098 | 1581 @end defun |
1582 | |
6555 | 1583 @defvar minibuffer-setup-hook |
1584 This is a normal hook that is run whenever the minibuffer is entered. | |
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1585 @xref{Hooks}. |
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1586 @end defvar |
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1587 |
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1588 @defvar minibuffer-exit-hook |
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1589 This is a normal hook that is run whenever the minibuffer is exited. |
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1590 @xref{Hooks}. |
6555 | 1591 @end defvar |
1592 | |
1593 @defvar minibuffer-help-form | |
1594 The current value of this variable is used to rebind @code{help-form} | |
1595 locally inside the minibuffer (@pxref{Help Functions}). | |
1596 @end defvar | |
1597 | |
12067 | 1598 @defun active-minibuffer-window |
1599 This function returns the currently active minibuffer window, or | |
1600 @code{nil} if none is currently active. | |
1601 @end defun | |
1602 | |
6555 | 1603 @defun minibuffer-window &optional frame |
12067 | 1604 This function returns the minibuffer window used for frame @var{frame}. |
1605 If @var{frame} is @code{nil}, that stands for the current frame. Note | |
1606 that the minibuffer window used by a frame need not be part of that | |
1607 frame---a frame that has no minibuffer of its own necessarily uses some | |
1608 other frame's minibuffer window. | |
6555 | 1609 @end defun |
1610 | |
1611 @c Emacs 19 feature | |
1612 @defun window-minibuffer-p window | |
1613 This function returns non-@code{nil} if @var{window} is a minibuffer window. | |
1614 @end defun | |
1615 | |
1616 It is not correct to determine whether a given window is a minibuffer by | |
1617 comparing it with the result of @code{(minibuffer-window)}, because | |
1618 there can be more than one minibuffer window if there is more than one | |
1619 frame. | |
1620 | |
1621 @defun minibuffer-window-active-p window | |
1622 This function returns non-@code{nil} if @var{window}, assumed to be | |
1623 a minibuffer window, is currently active. | |
1624 @end defun | |
1625 | |
1626 @defvar minibuffer-scroll-window | |
1627 If the value of this variable is non-@code{nil}, it should be a window | |
1628 object. When the function @code{scroll-other-window} is called in the | |
1629 minibuffer, it scrolls this window. | |
1630 @end defvar | |
1631 | |
1632 Finally, some functions and variables deal with recursive minibuffers | |
1633 (@pxref{Recursive Editing}): | |
1634 | |
1635 @defun minibuffer-depth | |
1636 This function returns the current depth of activations of the | |
1637 minibuffer, a nonnegative integer. If no minibuffers are active, it | |
1638 returns zero. | |
1639 @end defun | |
1640 | |
1641 @defopt enable-recursive-minibuffers | |
1642 If this variable is non-@code{nil}, you can invoke commands (such as | |
21682
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1643 @code{find-file}) that use minibuffers even while the minibuffer window |
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1644 is active. Such invocation produces a recursive editing level for a new |
6555 | 1645 minibuffer. The outer-level minibuffer is invisible while you are |
1646 editing the inner one. | |
1647 | |
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1648 If this variable is @code{nil}, you cannot invoke minibuffer |
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1649 commands when the minibuffer window is active, not even if you switch to |
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1650 another window to do it. |
6555 | 1651 @end defopt |
1652 | |
1653 @c Emacs 19 feature | |
1654 If a command name has a property @code{enable-recursive-minibuffers} | |
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1655 that is non-@code{nil}, then the command can use the minibuffer to read |
6555 | 1656 arguments even if it is invoked from the minibuffer. The minibuffer |
12098 | 1657 command @code{next-matching-history-element} (normally @kbd{M-s} in the |
1658 minibuffer) uses this feature. | |
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1659 |
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1660 @defun minibuffer-message string &optional timeout |
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1661 This function displays @var{string} temporarily at the end of the |
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1662 minibuffer text, for @var{timeout} seconds. (The default is 2 |
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1663 seconds.) |
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1664 @end defun |