Mercurial > emacs
annotate man/buffers.texi @ 60489:7d03f539a034
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25829 | 1 @c This is part of the Emacs manual. |
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2 @c Copyright (C) 1985, 86, 87, 93, 94, 95, 97, 2000, 2001, 2004 |
31311 | 3 @c Free Software Foundation, Inc. |
25829 | 4 @c See file emacs.texi for copying conditions. |
5 @node Buffers, Windows, Files, Top | |
6 @chapter Using Multiple Buffers | |
7 | |
8 @cindex buffers | |
9 The text you are editing in Emacs resides in an object called a | |
10 @dfn{buffer}. Each time you visit a file, a buffer is created to hold the | |
11 file's text. Each time you invoke Dired, a buffer is created to hold the | |
12 directory listing. If you send a message with @kbd{C-x m}, a buffer named | |
13 @samp{*mail*} is used to hold the text of the message. When you ask for a | |
14 command's documentation, that appears in a buffer called @samp{*Help*}. | |
15 | |
16 @cindex selected buffer | |
17 @cindex current buffer | |
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18 At any time, one and only one buffer is @dfn{current}. It is also |
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19 called the @dfn{selected buffer}. Often we say that a command operates on |
25829 | 20 ``the buffer'' as if there were only one; but really this means that the |
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21 command operates on the current buffer (most commands do). |
25829 | 22 |
37121 | 23 When Emacs has multiple windows, each window has its own chosen |
24 buffer and displays it; at any time, only one of the windows is | |
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25 selected, and its chosen buffer is the current buffer. Each window's |
37121 | 26 mode line normally displays the name of the window's chosen buffer |
27 (@pxref{Windows}). | |
25829 | 28 |
29 Each buffer has a name, which can be of any length, and you can select | |
30 any buffer by giving its name. Most buffers are made by visiting files, | |
31 and their names are derived from the files' names. But you can also create | |
32 an empty buffer with any name you want. A newly started Emacs has a buffer | |
33 named @samp{*scratch*} which can be used for evaluating Lisp expressions in | |
34 Emacs. The distinction between upper and lower case matters in buffer | |
35 names. | |
36 | |
37 Each buffer records individually what file it is visiting, whether it is | |
38 modified, and what major mode and minor modes are in effect in it | |
39 (@pxref{Major Modes}). Any Emacs variable can be made @dfn{local to} a | |
40 particular buffer, meaning its value in that buffer can be different from | |
41 the value in other buffers. @xref{Locals}. | |
42 | |
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43 @cindex buffer size, maximum |
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44 A buffer's size cannot be larger than some maximum, which is defined |
37821 | 45 by the largest buffer position representable by the @dfn{Emacs integer} |
46 data type. This is because Emacs tracks buffer positions using that | |
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47 data type. For 32-bit machines, the largest buffer size is 256 |
37821 | 48 megabytes. |
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49 |
25829 | 50 @menu |
51 * Select Buffer:: Creating a new buffer or reselecting an old one. | |
52 * List Buffers:: Getting a list of buffers that exist. | |
53 * Misc Buffer:: Renaming; changing read-onlyness; copying text. | |
54 * Kill Buffer:: Killing buffers you no longer need. | |
55 * Several Buffers:: How to go through the list of all buffers | |
56 and operate variously on several of them. | |
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57 * Indirect Buffers:: An indirect buffer shares the text of another buffer. |
30869 | 58 * Buffer Convenience:: Convenience and customization features for |
59 buffer handling. | |
25829 | 60 @end menu |
61 | |
62 @node Select Buffer | |
63 @section Creating and Selecting Buffers | |
64 @cindex change buffers | |
65 @cindex switch buffers | |
66 | |
67 @table @kbd | |
68 @item C-x b @var{buffer} @key{RET} | |
69 Select or create a buffer named @var{buffer} (@code{switch-to-buffer}). | |
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70 @item C-x @key{LEFT} |
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71 Select the previous buffer in the list of existing buffers. |
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72 @item C-x @key{RIGHT} |
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73 Select the next buffer in the list of existing buffers. |
25829 | 74 @item C-x 4 b @var{buffer} @key{RET} |
75 Similar, but select @var{buffer} in another window | |
76 (@code{switch-to-buffer-other-window}). | |
77 @item C-x 5 b @var{buffer} @key{RET} | |
78 Similar, but select @var{buffer} in a separate frame | |
79 (@code{switch-to-buffer-other-frame}). | |
80 @end table | |
81 | |
82 @kindex C-x b | |
83 @findex switch-to-buffer | |
84 To select the buffer named @var{bufname}, type @kbd{C-x b @var{bufname} | |
85 @key{RET}}. This runs the command @code{switch-to-buffer} with argument | |
86 @var{bufname}. You can use completion on an abbreviation for the buffer | |
87 name you want (@pxref{Completion}). An empty argument to @kbd{C-x b} | |
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88 specifies the buffer that was current most recently among those not |
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89 now displayed in any window. |
25829 | 90 |
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91 @kindex C-x @key{LEFT} |
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92 @kindex C-x @key{RIGHT} |
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93 @findex next-buffer |
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94 @findex prev-buffer |
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95 For conveniently switching between a few buffers, use the commands |
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96 @kbd{C-x @key{LEFT}} and @kbd{C-x @key{RIGHT}}. @kbd{C-x @key{RIGHT}} |
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97 (@code{prev-buffer}) selects the previous buffer (following the order |
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98 of most recent selection), while @kbd{C-x @key{LEFT}} |
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99 (@code{next-buffer}) moves through buffers in the reverse direction. |
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100 |
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101 @kindex C-x 4 b |
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102 @findex switch-to-buffer-other-window |
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103 @vindex even-window-heights |
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104 To select a buffer in a window other than the current one, type |
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105 @kbd{C-x 4 b @var{bufname} @key{RET}}. This runs the command |
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106 @code{switch-to-buffer-other-window} which displays the buffer |
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107 @var{bufname} in another window. By default, if displaying the buffer |
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108 causes two vertically adjacent windows to be displayed, the heights of |
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109 those windows are evened out; to countermand that and preserve the |
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110 window configuration, set the variable @code{even-window-heights} to |
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111 @code{nil}. |
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112 |
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113 @kindex C-x 5 b |
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114 @findex switch-to-buffer-other-frame |
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115 Similarly, @kbd{C-x 5 b @var{buffer} @key{RET}} runs the command |
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116 @code{switch-to-buffer-other-frame} which selects a buffer in another |
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117 frame. |
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118 |
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119 @vindex display-buffer-reuse-frames |
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120 You can control how certain buffers are handled by these commands by |
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121 customizing the variables @code{special-display-buffer-names}, |
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122 @code{special-display-regexps}, @code{same-window-buffer-names}, and |
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123 @code{same-window-regexps}. See @ref{Force Same Window}, and |
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124 @ref{Special Buffer Frames}, for more about these variables. In |
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125 addition, if the value of @code{display-buffer-reuse-frames} is |
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126 non-@code{nil}, and the buffer you want to switch to is already |
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127 displayed in some frame, Emacs will raise that frame. |
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128 |
25829 | 129 Most buffers are created by visiting files, or by Emacs commands that |
130 want to display some text, but you can also create a buffer explicitly | |
131 by typing @kbd{C-x b @var{bufname} @key{RET}}. This makes a new, empty | |
132 buffer that is not visiting any file, and selects it for editing. Such | |
133 buffers are used for making notes to yourself. If you try to save one, | |
134 you are asked for the file name to use. The new buffer's major mode is | |
135 determined by the value of @code{default-major-mode} (@pxref{Major | |
136 Modes}). | |
137 | |
138 Note that @kbd{C-x C-f}, and any other command for visiting a file, | |
139 can also be used to switch to an existing file-visiting buffer. | |
140 @xref{Visiting}. | |
141 | |
142 Emacs uses buffer names that start with a space for internal purposes. | |
143 It treats these buffers specially in minor ways---for example, by | |
144 default they do not record undo information. It is best to avoid using | |
145 such buffer names yourself. | |
146 | |
147 @node List Buffers | |
148 @section Listing Existing Buffers | |
149 | |
150 @table @kbd | |
151 @item C-x C-b | |
152 List the existing buffers (@code{list-buffers}). | |
153 @end table | |
154 | |
155 @cindex listing current buffers | |
156 @kindex C-x C-b | |
157 @findex list-buffers | |
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158 To display a list of existing buffers, type @kbd{C-x C-b}. Each |
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159 line in the list shows one buffer's name, major mode and visited file. |
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160 The buffers are listed in the order that they were current; the |
25829 | 161 buffers that were current most recently come first. |
162 | |
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163 @samp{*} in the first field of a line indicates the buffer is ``modified.'' |
25829 | 164 If several buffers are modified, it may be time to save some with @kbd{C-x s} |
165 (@pxref{Saving}). @samp{%} indicates a read-only buffer. @samp{.} marks the | |
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166 current buffer. Here is an example of a buffer list:@refill |
25829 | 167 |
168 @smallexample | |
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169 CRM Buffer Size Mode File |
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170 . * .emacs 3294 Emacs-Lisp ~/.emacs |
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171 % *Help* 101 Help |
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172 search.c 86055 C ~/cvs/emacs/src/search.c |
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173 % src 20959 Dired by name ~/cvs/emacs/src/ |
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174 * *mail* 42 Mail |
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175 % HELLO 1607 Fundamental ~/cvs/emacs/etc/HELLO |
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176 % NEWS 481184 Outline ~/cvs/emacs/etc/NEWS |
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177 *scratch* 191 Lisp Interaction |
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178 * *Messages* 1554 Fundamental |
25829 | 179 @end smallexample |
180 | |
181 @noindent | |
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182 Note that the buffer @samp{*Help*} was made by a help request; it is |
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183 not visiting any file. The buffer @code{src} was made by Dired on the |
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184 directory @file{~/cvs/emacs/src/}. You can list only buffers that are |
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185 visiting files by giving the command a prefix; for instance, by typing |
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186 @kbd{C-u C-x C-b}. |
25829 | 187 |
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188 @code{list-buffers} omits buffers whose names begin with a space, |
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189 unless they visit files: such buffers are used internally by Emacs. |
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190 |
25829 | 191 @need 2000 |
192 @node Misc Buffer | |
193 @section Miscellaneous Buffer Operations | |
194 | |
195 @table @kbd | |
196 @item C-x C-q | |
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197 Toggle read-only status of buffer (@code{toggle-read-only}). |
25829 | 198 @item M-x rename-buffer @key{RET} @var{name} @key{RET} |
199 Change the name of the current buffer. | |
200 @item M-x rename-uniquely | |
201 Rename the current buffer by adding @samp{<@var{number}>} to the end. | |
202 @item M-x view-buffer @key{RET} @var{buffer} @key{RET} | |
203 Scroll through buffer @var{buffer}. | |
204 @end table | |
205 | |
206 @kindex C-x C-q | |
207 @vindex buffer-read-only | |
208 @cindex read-only buffer | |
209 A buffer can be @dfn{read-only}, which means that commands to change | |
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210 its contents are not allowed. The mode line indicates read-only |
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211 buffers with @samp{%%} or @samp{%*} near the left margin. Read-only |
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212 buffers are usually made by subsystems such as Dired and Rmail that |
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213 have special commands to operate on the text; also by visiting a file |
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214 whose access control says you cannot write it. |
25829 | 215 |
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216 @findex toggle-read-only |
25829 | 217 If you wish to make changes in a read-only buffer, use the command |
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218 @kbd{C-x C-q} (@code{toggle-read-only}). It makes a read-only buffer |
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219 writable, and makes a writable buffer read-only. This |
25829 | 220 works by setting the variable @code{buffer-read-only}, which has a local |
221 value in each buffer and makes the buffer read-only if its value is | |
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222 non-@code{nil}. If you have files under version control, you may find |
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223 it convenient to bind @kbd{C-x C-q} to @code{vc-toggle-read-only} |
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224 instead. Then, typing @kbd{C-x C-q} not only changes the read-only |
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225 flag, but it also checks the file in or out. @xref{Version |
25829 | 226 Control}. |
227 | |
228 @findex rename-buffer | |
229 @kbd{M-x rename-buffer} changes the name of the current buffer. Specify | |
230 the new name as a minibuffer argument. There is no default. If you | |
231 specify a name that is in use for some other buffer, an error happens and | |
232 no renaming is done. | |
233 | |
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234 @findex rename-uniquely |
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235 @kbd{M-x rename-uniquely} renames the current buffer to a similar |
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236 name with a numeric suffix added to make it both different and unique. |
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237 This command does not need an argument. It is useful for creating |
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238 multiple shell buffers: if you rename the @samp{*Shell*} buffer, then |
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239 do @kbd{M-x shell} again, it makes a new shell buffer named |
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240 @samp{*Shell*}; meanwhile, the old shell buffer continues to exist |
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241 under its new name. This method is also good for mail buffers, |
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242 compilation buffers, and most Emacs features that create special |
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243 buffers with particular names. (With some of these features, such as |
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244 @kbd{M-x compile}, @kbd{M-x grep} an @kbd{M-x info}, you need to |
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245 switch to some other buffer before using the command, in order for it |
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246 to make a different buffer.) |
25829 | 247 |
248 @findex view-buffer | |
249 @kbd{M-x view-buffer} is much like @kbd{M-x view-file} (@pxref{Misc | |
250 File Ops}) except that it examines an already existing Emacs buffer. | |
251 View mode provides commands for scrolling through the buffer | |
252 conveniently but not for changing it. When you exit View mode with | |
253 @kbd{q}, that switches back to the buffer (and the position) which was | |
254 previously displayed in the window. Alternatively, if you exit View | |
255 mode with @kbd{e}, the buffer and the value of point that resulted from | |
256 your perusal remain in effect. | |
257 | |
258 The commands @kbd{M-x append-to-buffer} and @kbd{M-x insert-buffer} | |
259 can be used to copy text from one buffer to another. @xref{Accumulating | |
260 Text}.@refill | |
261 | |
262 @node Kill Buffer | |
263 @section Killing Buffers | |
264 | |
265 @cindex killing buffers | |
266 If you continue an Emacs session for a while, you may accumulate a | |
267 large number of buffers. You may then find it convenient to @dfn{kill} | |
268 the buffers you no longer need. On most operating systems, killing a | |
269 buffer releases its space back to the operating system so that other | |
270 programs can use it. Here are some commands for killing buffers: | |
271 | |
272 @table @kbd | |
273 @item C-x k @var{bufname} @key{RET} | |
274 Kill buffer @var{bufname} (@code{kill-buffer}). | |
275 @item M-x kill-some-buffers | |
276 Offer to kill each buffer, one by one. | |
277 @end table | |
278 | |
279 @findex kill-buffer | |
280 @findex kill-some-buffers | |
281 @kindex C-x k | |
282 | |
283 @kbd{C-x k} (@code{kill-buffer}) kills one buffer, whose name you | |
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284 specify in the minibuffer. The default, used if you type just |
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285 @key{RET} in the minibuffer, is to kill the current buffer. If you |
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286 kill the current buffer, another buffer becomes current: one that was |
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287 current in the recent past but is not displayed in any window now. If |
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288 you ask to kill a file-visiting buffer that is modified (has unsaved |
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289 editing), then you must confirm with @kbd{yes} before the buffer is |
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290 killed. |
25829 | 291 |
292 The command @kbd{M-x kill-some-buffers} asks about each buffer, one by | |
293 one. An answer of @kbd{y} means to kill the buffer. Killing the current | |
294 buffer or a buffer containing unsaved changes selects a new buffer or asks | |
295 for confirmation just like @code{kill-buffer}. | |
296 | |
297 The buffer menu feature (@pxref{Several Buffers}) is also convenient | |
298 for killing various buffers. | |
299 | |
300 @vindex kill-buffer-hook | |
301 If you want to do something special every time a buffer is killed, you | |
302 can add hook functions to the hook @code{kill-buffer-hook} (@pxref{Hooks}). | |
303 | |
304 @findex clean-buffer-list | |
305 If you run one Emacs session for a period of days, as many people do, | |
306 it can fill up with buffers that you used several days ago. The command | |
307 @kbd{M-x clean-buffer-list} is a convenient way to purge them; it kills | |
308 all the unmodified buffers that you have not used for a long time. An | |
309 ordinary buffer is killed if it has not been displayed for three days; | |
310 however, you can specify certain buffers that should never be killed | |
311 automatically, and others that should be killed if they have been unused | |
312 for a mere hour. | |
313 | |
314 @cindex Midnight mode | |
315 @vindex midnight-mode | |
316 @vindex midnight-hook | |
317 You can also have this buffer purging done for you, every day at | |
318 midnight, by enabling Midnight mode. Midnight mode operates each day at | |
319 midnight; at that time, it runs @code{clean-buffer-list}, or whichever | |
320 functions you have placed in the normal hook @code{midnight-hook} | |
321 (@pxref{Hooks}). | |
322 | |
323 To enable Midnight mode, use the Customization buffer to set the | |
324 variable @code{midnight-mode} to @code{t}. @xref{Easy Customization}. | |
325 | |
326 @node Several Buffers | |
327 @section Operating on Several Buffers | |
328 @cindex buffer menu | |
329 | |
330 The @dfn{buffer-menu} facility is like a ``Dired for buffers''; it allows | |
331 you to request operations on various Emacs buffers by editing an Emacs | |
332 buffer containing a list of them. You can save buffers, kill them | |
333 (here called @dfn{deleting} them, for consistency with Dired), or display | |
334 them. | |
335 | |
336 @table @kbd | |
337 @item M-x buffer-menu | |
338 Begin editing a buffer listing all Emacs buffers. | |
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339 @item M-x buffer-menu-other-window. |
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340 Similar, but do it in another window. |
25829 | 341 @end table |
342 | |
343 @findex buffer-menu | |
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344 @findex buffer-menu-other-window |
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345 The command @code{buffer-menu} writes a list of all Emacs |
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346 buffers@footnote{Buffers which don't visit files and whose names begin |
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347 with a space are omitted: these are used internally by Emacs.} into the |
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348 buffer @samp{*Buffer List*}, and selects that buffer in Buffer Menu |
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349 mode. |
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350 |
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351 The buffer is read-only, and can be |
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352 changed only through the special commands described in this section. |
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353 The usual Emacs cursor motion commands can be used in the @samp{*Buffer |
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354 List*} buffer. The following commands apply to the buffer described on |
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355 the current line. |
25829 | 356 |
357 @table @kbd | |
358 @item d | |
359 Request to delete (kill) the buffer, then move down. The request | |
360 shows as a @samp{D} on the line, before the buffer name. Requested | |
361 deletions take place when you type the @kbd{x} command. | |
362 @item C-d | |
363 Like @kbd{d} but move up afterwards instead of down. | |
364 @item s | |
365 Request to save the buffer. The request shows as an @samp{S} on the | |
366 line. Requested saves take place when you type the @kbd{x} command. | |
367 You may request both saving and deletion for the same buffer. | |
368 @item x | |
369 Perform previously requested deletions and saves. | |
370 @item u | |
371 Remove any request made for the current line, and move down. | |
372 @item @key{DEL} | |
373 Move to previous line and remove any request made for that line. | |
374 @end table | |
375 | |
376 The @kbd{d}, @kbd{C-d}, @kbd{s} and @kbd{u} commands to add or remove | |
377 flags also move down (or up) one line. They accept a numeric argument | |
378 as a repeat count. | |
379 | |
380 These commands operate immediately on the buffer listed on the current | |
381 line: | |
382 | |
383 @table @kbd | |
384 @item ~ | |
385 Mark the buffer ``unmodified.'' The command @kbd{~} does this | |
386 immediately when you type it. | |
387 @item % | |
388 Toggle the buffer's read-only flag. The command @kbd{%} does | |
389 this immediately when you type it. | |
390 @item t | |
391 Visit the buffer as a tags table. @xref{Select Tags Table}. | |
392 @end table | |
393 | |
394 There are also commands to select another buffer or buffers: | |
395 | |
396 @table @kbd | |
397 @item q | |
398 Quit the buffer menu---immediately display the most recent formerly | |
399 visible buffer in its place. | |
400 @item @key{RET} | |
401 @itemx f | |
402 Immediately select this line's buffer in place of the @samp{*Buffer | |
403 List*} buffer. | |
404 @item o | |
405 Immediately select this line's buffer in another window as if by | |
406 @kbd{C-x 4 b}, leaving @samp{*Buffer List*} visible. | |
407 @item C-o | |
408 Immediately display this line's buffer in another window, but don't | |
409 select the window. | |
410 @item 1 | |
411 Immediately select this line's buffer in a full-screen window. | |
412 @item 2 | |
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413 Immediately set up two windows, with this line's buffer selected in |
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414 one, and the previously current buffer (aside from the buffer |
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415 @samp{*Buffer List*}) displayed in the other. |
25829 | 416 @item b |
417 Bury the buffer listed on this line. | |
418 @item m | |
419 Mark this line's buffer to be displayed in another window if you exit | |
420 with the @kbd{v} command. The request shows as a @samp{>} at the | |
421 beginning of the line. (A single buffer may not have both a delete | |
422 request and a display request.) | |
423 @item v | |
424 Immediately select this line's buffer, and also display in other windows | |
425 any buffers previously marked with the @kbd{m} command. If you have not | |
426 marked any buffers, this command is equivalent to @kbd{1}. | |
427 @end table | |
428 | |
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429 There is also a command that affects the entire buffer list: |
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430 |
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431 @table @kbd |
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432 @item T |
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433 Delete, or reinsert, lines for non-file buffers. This command toggles |
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434 the inclusion of such buffers in the buffer list. |
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435 @end table |
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436 |
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437 What @code{buffer-menu} actually does is create and switch to a |
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438 suitable buffer, and turn on Buffer Menu mode in it. Everything else |
25829 | 439 described above is implemented by the special commands provided in |
440 Buffer Menu mode. One consequence of this is that you can switch from | |
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441 the @samp{*Buffer List*} buffer to another Emacs buffer, and edit |
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442 there. You can reselect the @samp{*Buffer List*} buffer later, to |
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443 perform the operations already requested, or you can kill it, or pay |
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444 no further attention to it. |
25829 | 445 |
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446 The list in the @samp{*Buffer List*} buffer looks exactly like the |
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447 buffer list described in @ref{List Buffers}, because they really are |
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448 the same. The only difference between @code{buffer-menu} and |
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449 @code{list-buffers} is that @code{buffer-menu} switches to the |
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450 @samp{*Buffer List*} buffer in the selected window; |
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451 @code{list-buffers} displays the same buffer in another window. If |
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452 you run @code{list-buffers} (that is, type @kbd{C-x C-b}) and select |
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453 the buffer list manually, you can use all of the commands described |
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454 here. |
25829 | 455 |
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456 Normally, the buffer @samp{*Buffer List*} is not updated automatically when |
25829 | 457 buffers are created and killed; its contents are just text. If you have |
458 created, deleted or renamed buffers, the way to update @samp{*Buffer | |
459 List*} to show what you have done is to type @kbd{g} | |
460 (@code{revert-buffer}) or repeat the @code{buffer-menu} command. | |
461 | |
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462 The @samp{*Buffer List*} buffer does automatically update every |
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463 @code{auto-revert-interval} seconds if you enable Auto Revert mode in |
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464 it. (As long as it is not marked modified.) Global Auto Revert mode |
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465 does not update the @samp{*Buffer List*} buffer by default, but it |
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466 does if @code{global-auto-revert-non-file-buffers} is non-@code{nil}. |
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467 @inforef{Autorevert,, emacs-xtra}, for details. |
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468 |
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469 The command @code{buffer-menu-other-window} works the same as |
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470 @code{buffer-menu}, except that it displays the buffers list in |
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471 another window. |
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472 |
25829 | 473 @node Indirect Buffers |
474 @section Indirect Buffers | |
475 @cindex indirect buffer | |
476 @cindex base buffer | |
477 | |
478 An @dfn{indirect buffer} shares the text of some other buffer, which | |
479 is called the @dfn{base buffer} of the indirect buffer. In some ways it | |
480 is the analogue, for buffers, of a symbolic link between files. | |
481 | |
482 @table @kbd | |
483 @findex make-indirect-buffer | |
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484 @item M-x make-indirect-buffer @key{RET} @var{base-buffer} @key{RET} @var{indirect-name} @key{RET} |
25829 | 485 Create an indirect buffer named @var{indirect-name} whose base buffer |
486 is @var{base-buffer}. | |
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487 @findex clone-indirect-buffer |
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488 @item M-x clone-indirect-buffer @key{RET} |
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489 Create an indirect buffer that is a twin copy of the current buffer. |
36884 | 490 @item C-x 4 c |
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491 @kindex C-x 4 c |
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492 @findex clone-indirect-buffer-other-window |
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493 Create an indirect buffer that is a twin copy of the current buffer, and |
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494 select it in another window (@code{clone-indirect-buffer-other-window}). |
25829 | 495 @end table |
496 | |
497 The text of the indirect buffer is always identical to the text of its | |
498 base buffer; changes made by editing either one are visible immediately | |
499 in the other. But in all other respects, the indirect buffer and its | |
500 base buffer are completely separate. They have different names, | |
501 different values of point, different narrowing, different markers, | |
502 different major modes, and different local variables. | |
503 | |
504 An indirect buffer cannot visit a file, but its base buffer can. If | |
505 you try to save the indirect buffer, that actually works by saving the | |
506 base buffer. Killing the base buffer effectively kills the indirect | |
507 buffer, but killing an indirect buffer has no effect on its base buffer. | |
508 | |
509 One way to use indirect buffers is to display multiple views of an | |
510 outline. @xref{Outline Views}. | |
30869 | 511 |
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512 A quick and handy way to make an indirect buffer is with the command |
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513 @kbd{M-x clone-indirect-buffer}. It creates and selects an indirect |
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514 buffer whose base buffer is the current buffer. With a numeric |
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515 argument, it prompts for the name of the indirect buffer; otherwise it |
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516 defaults to the name of the current buffer, modifying it by adding a |
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517 @samp{<@var{n}>} suffix if required. @kbd{C-x 4 c} |
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518 (@code{clone-indirect-buffer-other-window}) works like @kbd{M-x |
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519 clone-indirect-buffer}, but it selects the new buffer in another |
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520 window. |
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521 |
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522 The more general way to make an indirect buffer is with the command |
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523 @kbd{M-x make-indirect-buffer}. It creates an indirect buffer from |
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524 buffer @var{base-buffer}, under the name @var{indirect-name}. It |
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525 prompts for both @var{base-buffer} and @var{indirect-name} using the |
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526 minibuffer. |
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527 |
30869 | 528 @node Buffer Convenience |
529 @section Convenience Features and Customization of Buffer Handling | |
530 | |
37121 | 531 This section describes several modes and features that make it more |
532 convenient to switch between buffers. | |
533 | |
30869 | 534 @menu |
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535 * Uniquify:: Making buffer names unique with directory parts. |
31815 | 536 * Iswitchb:: Switching between buffers with substrings. |
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537 * Buffer Menus:: Configurable buffer menu. |
30869 | 538 @end menu |
539 | |
540 @node Uniquify | |
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541 @subsection Making Buffer Names Unique |
30869 | 542 |
543 @cindex unique buffer names | |
544 @cindex directories in buffer names | |
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545 When several buffers visit identically-named files, Emacs must give |
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546 the buffers distinct names. The usual method for making buffer names |
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547 unique adds @samp{<2>}, @samp{<3>}, etc. to the end of the buffer |
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548 names (all but one of them). |
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549 |
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550 @vindex uniquify-buffer-name-style |
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551 Other methods work by adding parts of each file's directory to the |
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552 buffer name. To select one, customize the variable |
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553 @code{uniquify-buffer-name-style} (@pxref{Easy Customization}). |
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554 |
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555 For instance, the @code{forward} naming method puts part of the |
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556 directory name at the beginning of the buffer name; using this method, |
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557 buffers visiting @file{/u/mernst/tmp/Makefile} and |
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558 @file{/usr/projects/zaphod/Makefile} would be named |
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559 @samp{tmp/Makefile} and @samp{zaphod/Makefile}, respectively (instead |
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560 of @samp{Makefile} and @samp{Makefile<2>}). |
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561 |
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562 By contrast, the @code{post-forward} naming method would call the |
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563 buffers @samp{Makefile|tmp} and @samp{Makefile|zaphod}, and the |
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564 @code{reverse} naming method would call them @samp{Makefile\tmp} and |
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565 @samp{Makefile\zaphod}. The nontrivial difference between |
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566 @code{post-forward} and @code{reverse} occurs when just one directory |
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567 name is not enough to distinguish two files; then @code{reverse} puts |
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568 the directory names in reverse order, so that @file{/top/middle/file} |
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569 becomes @samp{file\middle\top}, while @code{post-forward} puts them in |
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570 forward order after the file name, as in @samp{file|top/middle}. |
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571 |
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572 Which rule to follow for putting the directory names in the buffer |
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573 name is not very important if you are going to @emph{look} at the |
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574 buffer names before you type one. But as an experienced user, if you |
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575 know the rule, you won't have to look. And then you may find that one |
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576 rule or another is easier for you to remember and utilize fast. |
30869 | 577 |
31815 | 578 @node Iswitchb |
579 @subsection Switching Between Buffers using Substrings | |
580 | |
581 @findex iswitchb-mode | |
582 @cindex Iswitchb mode | |
583 @cindex mode, Iswitchb | |
584 @kindex C-x b @r{(Iswitchb mode)} | |
585 @kindex C-x 4 b @r{(Iswitchb mode)} | |
586 @kindex C-x 5 b @r{(Iswitchb mode)} | |
587 @kindex C-x 4 C-o @r{(Iswitchb mode)} | |
588 | |
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589 Iswitchb global minor mode provides convenient switching between |
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590 buffers using substrings of their names. It replaces the normal |
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591 definitions of @kbd{C-x b}, @kbd{C-x 4 b}, @kbd{C-x 5 b}, and @kbd{C-x |
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592 4 C-o} with alternative commands that are somewhat ``smarter.'' |
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593 |
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594 When one of these commands prompts you for a buffer name, you can |
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595 type in just a substring of the name you want to choose. As you enter |
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596 the substring, Iswitchb mode continuously displays a list of buffers |
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597 that match the substring you have typed. |
31815 | 598 |
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599 At any time, you can type @key{RET} to select the first buffer in |
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600 the list. So the way to select a particular buffer is to make it the |
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601 first in the list. There are two ways to do this. You can type more |
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602 of the buffer name and thus narrow down the list, excluding unwanted |
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603 buffers above the desired one. Alternatively, you can use @kbd{C-s} |
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604 and @kbd{C-r} to rotate the list until the desired buffer is first. |
31815 | 605 |
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606 @key{TAB} while entering the buffer name performs completion on the |
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607 string you have entered, based on the displayed list of buffers. |
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608 |
37121 | 609 To enable Iswitchb mode, type @kbd{M-x iswitchb-mode}, or customize |
610 the variable @code{iswitchb-mode} to @code{t} (@pxref{Easy | |
611 Customization}). | |
612 | |
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613 @node Buffer Menus |
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Major rewrite of Uniquify node and Iswitchb node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
31815
diff
changeset
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614 @subsection Customizing Buffer Menus |
30869 | 615 |
31311 | 616 @findex bs-show |
617 @cindex buffer list, customizable | |
618 @table @kbd | |
619 @item M-x bs-show | |
620 Make a list of buffers similarly to @kbd{M-x list-buffers} but | |
621 customizable. | |
622 @end table | |
623 | |
36143
44a6f7ea121f
Major rewrite of Uniquify node and Iswitchb node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
31815
diff
changeset
|
624 @kbd{M-x bs-show} pops up a buffer list similar to the one normally |
44a6f7ea121f
Major rewrite of Uniquify node and Iswitchb node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
31815
diff
changeset
|
625 displayed by @kbd{C-x C-b} but which you can customize. If you prefer |
44a6f7ea121f
Major rewrite of Uniquify node and Iswitchb node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
31815
diff
changeset
|
626 this to the usual buffer list, you can bind this command to @kbd{C-x |
44a6f7ea121f
Major rewrite of Uniquify node and Iswitchb node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
31815
diff
changeset
|
627 C-b}. To customize this buffer list, use the @code{bs} Custom group |
44a6f7ea121f
Major rewrite of Uniquify node and Iswitchb node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
31815
diff
changeset
|
628 (@pxref{Easy Customization}). |
30869 | 629 |
31815 | 630 @findex msb-mode |
631 @cindex mode, MSB | |
632 @cindex MSB mode | |
633 @cindex buffer menu | |
634 @findex mouse-buffer-menu | |
36143
44a6f7ea121f
Major rewrite of Uniquify node and Iswitchb node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
31815
diff
changeset
|
635 @kindex C-Down-Mouse-1 |
44a6f7ea121f
Major rewrite of Uniquify node and Iswitchb node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
31815
diff
changeset
|
636 MSB global minor mode (``MSB'' stands for ``mouse select buffer'') |
44a6f7ea121f
Major rewrite of Uniquify node and Iswitchb node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
31815
diff
changeset
|
637 provides a different and customizable mouse buffer menu which you may |
44a6f7ea121f
Major rewrite of Uniquify node and Iswitchb node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
31815
diff
changeset
|
638 prefer. It replaces the bindings of @code{mouse-buffer-menu}, |
44a6f7ea121f
Major rewrite of Uniquify node and Iswitchb node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
31815
diff
changeset
|
639 normally on @kbd{C-Down-Mouse-1}, and the menu bar buffer menu. You |
44a6f7ea121f
Major rewrite of Uniquify node and Iswitchb node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
31815
diff
changeset
|
640 can customize the menu in the @code{msb} Custom group. |
52401 | 641 |
642 @ignore | |
643 arch-tag: 08c43460-f4f4-4b43-9cb5-1ea9ad991695 | |
644 @end ignore |