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1 @c -*-texinfo-*-
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2 @c This is part of the GNU Emacs Lisp Reference Manual.
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3 @c Copyright (C) 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1998, 1999, 2001, 2002,
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4 @c 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
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5 @c See the file elisp.texi for copying conditions.
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6 @setfilename ../info/commands
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7 @node Command Loop, Keymaps, Minibuffers, Top
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8 @chapter Command Loop
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9 @cindex editor command loop
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10 @cindex command loop
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11
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12 When you run Emacs, it enters the @dfn{editor command loop} almost
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13 immediately. This loop reads key sequences, executes their definitions,
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14 and displays the results. In this chapter, we describe how these things
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15 are done, and the subroutines that allow Lisp programs to do them.
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16
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17 @menu
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18 * Command Overview:: How the command loop reads commands.
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19 * Defining Commands:: Specifying how a function should read arguments.
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20 * Interactive Call:: Calling a command, so that it will read arguments.
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21 * Command Loop Info:: Variables set by the command loop for you to examine.
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22 * Adjusting Point:: Adjustment of point after a command.
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23 * Input Events:: What input looks like when you read it.
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24 * Reading Input:: How to read input events from the keyboard or mouse.
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25 * Special Events:: Events processed immediately and individually.
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26 * Waiting:: Waiting for user input or elapsed time.
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27 * Quitting:: How @kbd{C-g} works. How to catch or defer quitting.
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28 * Prefix Command Arguments:: How the commands to set prefix args work.
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29 * Recursive Editing:: Entering a recursive edit,
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30 and why you usually shouldn't.
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31 * Disabling Commands:: How the command loop handles disabled commands.
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32 * Command History:: How the command history is set up, and how accessed.
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33 * Keyboard Macros:: How keyboard macros are implemented.
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34 @end menu
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35
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36 @node Command Overview
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37 @section Command Loop Overview
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38
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39 The first thing the command loop must do is read a key sequence, which
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40 is a sequence of events that translates into a command. It does this by
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41 calling the function @code{read-key-sequence}. Your Lisp code can also
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42 call this function (@pxref{Key Sequence Input}). Lisp programs can also
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43 do input at a lower level with @code{read-event} (@pxref{Reading One
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44 Event}) or discard pending input with @code{discard-input}
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45 (@pxref{Event Input Misc}).
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46
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47 The key sequence is translated into a command through the currently
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48 active keymaps. @xref{Key Lookup}, for information on how this is done.
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49 The result should be a keyboard macro or an interactively callable
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50 function. If the key is @kbd{M-x}, then it reads the name of another
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51 command, which it then calls. This is done by the command
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52 @code{execute-extended-command} (@pxref{Interactive Call}).
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53
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54 To execute a command requires first reading the arguments for it.
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55 This is done by calling @code{command-execute} (@pxref{Interactive
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56 Call}). For commands written in Lisp, the @code{interactive}
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57 specification says how to read the arguments. This may use the prefix
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58 argument (@pxref{Prefix Command Arguments}) or may read with prompting
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59 in the minibuffer (@pxref{Minibuffers}). For example, the command
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60 @code{find-file} has an @code{interactive} specification which says to
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61 read a file name using the minibuffer. The command's function body does
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62 not use the minibuffer; if you call this command from Lisp code as a
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63 function, you must supply the file name string as an ordinary Lisp
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64 function argument.
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65
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66 If the command is a string or vector (i.e., a keyboard macro) then
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67 @code{execute-kbd-macro} is used to execute it. You can call this
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68 function yourself (@pxref{Keyboard Macros}).
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69
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70 To terminate the execution of a running command, type @kbd{C-g}. This
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71 character causes @dfn{quitting} (@pxref{Quitting}).
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72
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73 @defvar pre-command-hook
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74 The editor command loop runs this normal hook before each command. At
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75 that time, @code{this-command} contains the command that is about to
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76 run, and @code{last-command} describes the previous command.
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77 @xref{Command Loop Info}.
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78 @end defvar
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79
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80 @defvar post-command-hook
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81 The editor command loop runs this normal hook after each command
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82 (including commands terminated prematurely by quitting or by errors),
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83 and also when the command loop is first entered. At that time,
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84 @code{this-command} refers to the command that just ran, and
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85 @code{last-command} refers to the command before that.
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86 @end defvar
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87
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88 Quitting is suppressed while running @code{pre-command-hook} and
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89 @code{post-command-hook}. If an error happens while executing one of
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90 these hooks, it terminates execution of the hook, and clears the hook
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91 variable to @code{nil} so as to prevent an infinite loop of errors.
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92
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93 A request coming into the Emacs server (@pxref{Emacs Server,,,
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94 emacs, The GNU Emacs Manual}) runs these two hooks just as a keyboard
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95 command does.
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96
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97 @node Defining Commands
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98 @section Defining Commands
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99 @cindex defining commands
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100 @cindex commands, defining
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101 @cindex functions, making them interactive
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102 @cindex interactive function
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103
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104 A Lisp function becomes a command when its body contains, at top
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105 level, a form that calls the special form @code{interactive}. This
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106 form does nothing when actually executed, but its presence serves as a
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107 flag to indicate that interactive calling is permitted. Its argument
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108 controls the reading of arguments for an interactive call.
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109
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110 @menu
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111 * Using Interactive:: General rules for @code{interactive}.
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112 * Interactive Codes:: The standard letter-codes for reading arguments
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113 in various ways.
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114 * Interactive Examples:: Examples of how to read interactive arguments.
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115 @end menu
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116
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117 @node Using Interactive
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118 @subsection Using @code{interactive}
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119 @cindex arguments, interactive entry
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120
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121 This section describes how to write the @code{interactive} form that
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122 makes a Lisp function an interactively-callable command, and how to
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123 examine a command's @code{interactive} form.
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124
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125 @defspec interactive arg-descriptor
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126 This special form declares that the function in which it appears is a
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127 command, and that it may therefore be called interactively (via
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128 @kbd{M-x} or by entering a key sequence bound to it). The argument
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129 @var{arg-descriptor} declares how to compute the arguments to the
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130 command when the command is called interactively.
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131
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132 A command may be called from Lisp programs like any other function, but
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133 then the caller supplies the arguments and @var{arg-descriptor} has no
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134 effect.
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135
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136 The @code{interactive} form has its effect because the command loop
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137 (actually, its subroutine @code{call-interactively}) scans through the
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138 function definition looking for it, before calling the function. Once
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139 the function is called, all its body forms including the
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140 @code{interactive} form are executed, but at this time
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141 @code{interactive} simply returns @code{nil} without even evaluating its
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142 argument.
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143 @end defspec
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144
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145 There are three possibilities for the argument @var{arg-descriptor}:
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146
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147 @itemize @bullet
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148 @item
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149 It may be omitted or @code{nil}; then the command is called with no
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150 arguments. This leads quickly to an error if the command requires one
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151 or more arguments.
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152
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153 @item
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154 It may be a string; then its contents should consist of a code character
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155 followed by a prompt (which some code characters use and some ignore).
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156 The prompt ends either with the end of the string or with a newline.
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157 Here is a simple example:
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158
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159 @smallexample
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160 (interactive "bFrobnicate buffer: ")
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161 @end smallexample
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162
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163 @noindent
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164 The code letter @samp{b} says to read the name of an existing buffer,
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165 with completion. The buffer name is the sole argument passed to the
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166 command. The rest of the string is a prompt.
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167
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168 If there is a newline character in the string, it terminates the prompt.
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169 If the string does not end there, then the rest of the string should
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170 contain another code character and prompt, specifying another argument.
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171 You can specify any number of arguments in this way.
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172
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173 @c Emacs 19 feature
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174 The prompt string can use @samp{%} to include previous argument values
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175 (starting with the first argument) in the prompt. This is done using
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176 @code{format} (@pxref{Formatting Strings}). For example, here is how
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177 you could read the name of an existing buffer followed by a new name to
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178 give to that buffer:
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179
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180 @smallexample
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181 @group
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182 (interactive "bBuffer to rename: \nsRename buffer %s to: ")
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183 @end group
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184 @end smallexample
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185
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186 @cindex @samp{*} in @code{interactive}
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187 @cindex read-only buffers in interactive
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188 If the first character in the string is @samp{*}, then an error is
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189 signaled if the buffer is read-only.
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190
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191 @cindex @samp{@@} in @code{interactive}
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192 @c Emacs 19 feature
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193 If the first character in the string is @samp{@@}, and if the key
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194 sequence used to invoke the command includes any mouse events, then
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195 the window associated with the first of those events is selected
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196 before the command is run.
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197
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198 You can use @samp{*} and @samp{@@} together; the order does not matter.
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199 Actual reading of arguments is controlled by the rest of the prompt
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200 string (starting with the first character that is not @samp{*} or
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201 @samp{@@}).
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202
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203 @item
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204 It may be a Lisp expression that is not a string; then it should be a
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205 form that is evaluated to get a list of arguments to pass to the
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206 command. Usually this form will call various functions to read input
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207 from the user, most often through the minibuffer (@pxref{Minibuffers})
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208 or directly from the keyboard (@pxref{Reading Input}).
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209
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210 Providing point or the mark as an argument value is also common, but
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211 if you do this @emph{and} read input (whether using the minibuffer or
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212 not), be sure to get the integer values of point or the mark after
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213 reading. The current buffer may be receiving subprocess output; if
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214 subprocess output arrives while the command is waiting for input, it
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215 could relocate point and the mark.
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216
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217 Here's an example of what @emph{not} to do:
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218
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219 @smallexample
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220 (interactive
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221 (list (region-beginning) (region-end)
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222 (read-string "Foo: " nil 'my-history)))
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223 @end smallexample
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224
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225 @noindent
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226 Here's how to avoid the problem, by examining point and the mark after
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227 reading the keyboard input:
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228
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229 @smallexample
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230 (interactive
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231 (let ((string (read-string "Foo: " nil 'my-history)))
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232 (list (region-beginning) (region-end) string)))
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233 @end smallexample
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234
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235 @strong{Warning:} the argument values should not include any data
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236 types that can't be printed and then read. Some facilities save
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237 @code{command-history} in a file to be read in the subsequent
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238 sessions; if a command's arguments contain a data type that prints
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239 using @samp{#<@dots{}>} syntax, those facilities won't work.
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240
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241 There are, however, a few exceptions: it is ok to use a limited set of
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242 expressions such as @code{(point)}, @code{(mark)},
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243 @code{(region-beginning)}, and @code{(region-end)}, because Emacs
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244 recognizes them specially and puts the expression (rather than its
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245 value) into the command history. To see whether the expression you
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246 wrote is one of these exceptions, run the command, then examine
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247 @code{(car command-history)}.
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248 @end itemize
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249
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250 @cindex examining the @code{interactive} form
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251 @defun interactive-form function
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252 This function returns the @code{interactive} form of @var{function}.
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253 If @var{function} is an interactively callable function
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254 (@pxref{Interactive Call}), the value is the command's
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255 @code{interactive} form @code{(interactive @var{spec})}, which
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256 specifies how to compute its arguments. Otherwise, the value is
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257 @code{nil}. If @var{function} is a symbol, its function definition is
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258 used.
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259 @end defun
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260
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261 @node Interactive Codes
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262 @comment node-name, next, previous, up
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263 @subsection Code Characters for @code{interactive}
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264 @cindex interactive code description
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265 @cindex description for interactive codes
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266 @cindex codes, interactive, description of
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267 @cindex characters for interactive codes
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268
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269 The code character descriptions below contain a number of key words,
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270 defined here as follows:
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271
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272 @table @b
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273 @item Completion
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274 @cindex interactive completion
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275 Provide completion. @key{TAB}, @key{SPC}, and @key{RET} perform name
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276 completion because the argument is read using @code{completing-read}
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277 (@pxref{Completion}). @kbd{?} displays a list of possible completions.
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278
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279 @item Existing
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280 Require the name of an existing object. An invalid name is not
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281 accepted; the commands to exit the minibuffer do not exit if the current
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282 input is not valid.
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283
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284 @item Default
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285 @cindex default argument string
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286 A default value of some sort is used if the user enters no text in the
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287 minibuffer. The default depends on the code character.
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288
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289 @item No I/O
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290 This code letter computes an argument without reading any input.
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291 Therefore, it does not use a prompt string, and any prompt string you
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292 supply is ignored.
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293
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294 Even though the code letter doesn't use a prompt string, you must follow
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295 it with a newline if it is not the last code character in the string.
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296
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297 @item Prompt
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298 A prompt immediately follows the code character. The prompt ends either
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299 with the end of the string or with a newline.
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300
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301 @item Special
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302 This code character is meaningful only at the beginning of the
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303 interactive string, and it does not look for a prompt or a newline.
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304 It is a single, isolated character.
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305 @end table
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306
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307 @cindex reading interactive arguments
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308 Here are the code character descriptions for use with @code{interactive}:
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309
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310 @table @samp
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311 @item *
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312 Signal an error if the current buffer is read-only. Special.
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313
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314 @item @@
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315 Select the window mentioned in the first mouse event in the key
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316 sequence that invoked this command. Special.
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317
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318 @item a
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319 A function name (i.e., a symbol satisfying @code{fboundp}). Existing,
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320 Completion, Prompt.
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321
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322 @item b
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323 The name of an existing buffer. By default, uses the name of the
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324 current buffer (@pxref{Buffers}). Existing, Completion, Default,
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325 Prompt.
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326
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327 @item B
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328 A buffer name. The buffer need not exist. By default, uses the name of
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329 a recently used buffer other than the current buffer. Completion,
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330 Default, Prompt.
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331
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332 @item c
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333 A character. The cursor does not move into the echo area. Prompt.
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334
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335 @item C
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336 A command name (i.e., a symbol satisfying @code{commandp}). Existing,
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337 Completion, Prompt.
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338
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339 @item d
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340 @cindex position argument
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341 The position of point, as an integer (@pxref{Point}). No I/O.
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342
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343 @item D
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344 A directory name. The default is the current default directory of the
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345 current buffer, @code{default-directory} (@pxref{File Name Expansion}).
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346 Existing, Completion, Default, Prompt.
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347
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348 @item e
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349 The first or next mouse event in the key sequence that invoked the command.
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350 More precisely, @samp{e} gets events that are lists, so you can look at
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351 the data in the lists. @xref{Input Events}. No I/O.
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352
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353 You can use @samp{e} more than once in a single command's interactive
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354 specification. If the key sequence that invoked the command has
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355 @var{n} events that are lists, the @var{n}th @samp{e} provides the
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356 @var{n}th such event. Events that are not lists, such as function keys
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357 and @acronym{ASCII} characters, do not count where @samp{e} is concerned.
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358
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359 @item f
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360 A file name of an existing file (@pxref{File Names}). The default
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361 directory is @code{default-directory}. Existing, Completion, Default,
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362 Prompt.
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363
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364 @item F
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365 A file name. The file need not exist. Completion, Default, Prompt.
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366
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367 @item G
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368 A file name. The file need not exist. If the user enters just a
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369 directory name, then the value is just that directory name, with no
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370 file name within the directory added. Completion, Default, Prompt.
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371
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372 @item i
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373 An irrelevant argument. This code always supplies @code{nil} as
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374 the argument's value. No I/O.
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375
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376 @item k
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377 A key sequence (@pxref{Key Sequences}). This keeps reading events
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378 until a command (or undefined command) is found in the current key
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379 maps. The key sequence argument is represented as a string or vector.
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380 The cursor does not move into the echo area. Prompt.
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381
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382 If @samp{k} reads a key sequence that ends with a down-event, it also
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383 reads and discards the following up-event. You can get access to that
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384 up-event with the @samp{U} code character.
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385
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386 This kind of input is used by commands such as @code{describe-key} and
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387 @code{global-set-key}.
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388
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389 @item K
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390 A key sequence, whose definition you intend to change. This works like
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391 @samp{k}, except that it suppresses, for the last input event in the key
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392 sequence, the conversions that are normally used (when necessary) to
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393 convert an undefined key into a defined one.
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394
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395 @item m
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396 @cindex marker argument
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397 The position of the mark, as an integer. No I/O.
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398
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399 @item M
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400 Arbitrary text, read in the minibuffer using the current buffer's input
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401 method, and returned as a string (@pxref{Input Methods,,, emacs, The GNU
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402 Emacs Manual}). Prompt.
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403
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404 @item n
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405 A number, read with the minibuffer. If the input is not a number, the
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406 user has to try again. @samp{n} never uses the prefix argument.
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407 Prompt.
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408
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409 @item N
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410 The numeric prefix argument; but if there is no prefix argument, read
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411 a number as with @kbd{n}. The value is always a number. @xref{Prefix
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412 Command Arguments}. Prompt.
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413
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414 @item p
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415 @cindex numeric prefix argument usage
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416 The numeric prefix argument. (Note that this @samp{p} is lower case.)
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417 No I/O.
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418
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419 @item P
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420 @cindex raw prefix argument usage
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421 The raw prefix argument. (Note that this @samp{P} is upper case.) No
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422 I/O.
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423
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424 @item r
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425 @cindex region argument
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426 Point and the mark, as two numeric arguments, smallest first. This is
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427 the only code letter that specifies two successive arguments rather than
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428 one. No I/O.
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429
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430 @item s
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431 Arbitrary text, read in the minibuffer and returned as a string
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432 (@pxref{Text from Minibuffer}). Terminate the input with either
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433 @kbd{C-j} or @key{RET}. (@kbd{C-q} may be used to include either of
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434 these characters in the input.) Prompt.
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435
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436 @item S
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437 An interned symbol whose name is read in the minibuffer. Any whitespace
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438 character terminates the input. (Use @kbd{C-q} to include whitespace in
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439 the string.) Other characters that normally terminate a symbol (e.g.,
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440 parentheses and brackets) do not do so here. Prompt.
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441
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442 @item U
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443 A key sequence or @code{nil}. Can be used after a @samp{k} or
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444 @samp{K} argument to get the up-event that was discarded (if any)
|
|
445 after @samp{k} or @samp{K} read a down-event. If no up-event has been
|
|
446 discarded, @samp{U} provides @code{nil} as the argument. No I/O.
|
|
447
|
|
448 @item v
|
|
449 A variable declared to be a user option (i.e., satisfying the
|
|
450 predicate @code{user-variable-p}). This reads the variable using
|
|
451 @code{read-variable}. @xref{Definition of read-variable}. Existing,
|
|
452 Completion, Prompt.
|
|
453
|
|
454 @item x
|
|
455 A Lisp object, specified with its read syntax, terminated with a
|
|
456 @kbd{C-j} or @key{RET}. The object is not evaluated. @xref{Object from
|
|
457 Minibuffer}. Prompt.
|
|
458
|
|
459 @item X
|
|
460 @cindex evaluated expression argument
|
|
461 A Lisp form's value. @samp{X} reads as @samp{x} does, then evaluates
|
|
462 the form so that its value becomes the argument for the command.
|
|
463 Prompt.
|
|
464
|
|
465 @item z
|
|
466 A coding system name (a symbol). If the user enters null input, the
|
|
467 argument value is @code{nil}. @xref{Coding Systems}. Completion,
|
|
468 Existing, Prompt.
|
|
469
|
|
470 @item Z
|
|
471 A coding system name (a symbol)---but only if this command has a prefix
|
|
472 argument. With no prefix argument, @samp{Z} provides @code{nil} as the
|
|
473 argument value. Completion, Existing, Prompt.
|
|
474 @end table
|
|
475
|
|
476 @node Interactive Examples
|
|
477 @comment node-name, next, previous, up
|
|
478 @subsection Examples of Using @code{interactive}
|
|
479 @cindex examples of using @code{interactive}
|
|
480 @cindex @code{interactive}, examples of using
|
|
481
|
|
482 Here are some examples of @code{interactive}:
|
|
483
|
|
484 @example
|
|
485 @group
|
|
486 (defun foo1 () ; @r{@code{foo1} takes no arguments,}
|
|
487 (interactive) ; @r{just moves forward two words.}
|
|
488 (forward-word 2))
|
|
489 @result{} foo1
|
|
490 @end group
|
|
491
|
|
492 @group
|
|
493 (defun foo2 (n) ; @r{@code{foo2} takes one argument,}
|
|
494 (interactive "p") ; @r{which is the numeric prefix.}
|
|
495 (forward-word (* 2 n)))
|
|
496 @result{} foo2
|
|
497 @end group
|
|
498
|
|
499 @group
|
|
500 (defun foo3 (n) ; @r{@code{foo3} takes one argument,}
|
|
501 (interactive "nCount:") ; @r{which is read with the Minibuffer.}
|
|
502 (forward-word (* 2 n)))
|
|
503 @result{} foo3
|
|
504 @end group
|
|
505
|
|
506 @group
|
|
507 (defun three-b (b1 b2 b3)
|
|
508 "Select three existing buffers.
|
|
509 Put them into three windows, selecting the last one."
|
|
510 @end group
|
|
511 (interactive "bBuffer1:\nbBuffer2:\nbBuffer3:")
|
|
512 (delete-other-windows)
|
|
513 (split-window (selected-window) 8)
|
|
514 (switch-to-buffer b1)
|
|
515 (other-window 1)
|
|
516 (split-window (selected-window) 8)
|
|
517 (switch-to-buffer b2)
|
|
518 (other-window 1)
|
|
519 (switch-to-buffer b3))
|
|
520 @result{} three-b
|
|
521 @group
|
|
522 (three-b "*scratch*" "declarations.texi" "*mail*")
|
|
523 @result{} nil
|
|
524 @end group
|
|
525 @end example
|
|
526
|
|
527 @node Interactive Call
|
|
528 @section Interactive Call
|
|
529 @cindex interactive call
|
|
530
|
|
531 After the command loop has translated a key sequence into a command it
|
|
532 invokes that command using the function @code{command-execute}. If the
|
|
533 command is a function, @code{command-execute} calls
|
|
534 @code{call-interactively}, which reads the arguments and calls the
|
|
535 command. You can also call these functions yourself.
|
|
536
|
|
537 @defun commandp object &optional for-call-interactively
|
|
538 Returns @code{t} if @var{object} is suitable for calling interactively;
|
|
539 that is, if @var{object} is a command. Otherwise, returns @code{nil}.
|
|
540
|
|
541 The interactively callable objects include strings and vectors (treated
|
|
542 as keyboard macros), lambda expressions that contain a top-level call to
|
|
543 @code{interactive}, byte-code function objects made from such lambda
|
|
544 expressions, autoload objects that are declared as interactive
|
|
545 (non-@code{nil} fourth argument to @code{autoload}), and some of the
|
|
546 primitive functions.
|
|
547
|
|
548 A symbol satisfies @code{commandp} if its function definition
|
|
549 satisfies @code{commandp}. Keys and keymaps are not commands.
|
|
550 Rather, they are used to look up commands (@pxref{Keymaps}).
|
|
551
|
|
552 If @var{for-call-interactively} is non-@code{nil}, then
|
|
553 @code{commandp} returns @code{t} only for objects that
|
|
554 @code{call-interactively} could call---thus, not for keyboard macros.
|
|
555
|
|
556 See @code{documentation} in @ref{Accessing Documentation}, for a
|
|
557 realistic example of using @code{commandp}.
|
|
558 @end defun
|
|
559
|
|
560 @defun call-interactively command &optional record-flag keys
|
|
561 This function calls the interactively callable function @var{command},
|
|
562 reading arguments according to its interactive calling specifications.
|
|
563 It returns whatever @var{command} returns. An error is signaled if
|
|
564 @var{command} is not a function or if it cannot be called
|
|
565 interactively (i.e., is not a command). Note that keyboard macros
|
|
566 (strings and vectors) are not accepted, even though they are
|
|
567 considered commands, because they are not functions. If @var{command}
|
|
568 is a symbol, then @code{call-interactively} uses its function definition.
|
|
569
|
|
570 @cindex record command history
|
|
571 If @var{record-flag} is non-@code{nil}, then this command and its
|
|
572 arguments are unconditionally added to the list @code{command-history}.
|
|
573 Otherwise, the command is added only if it uses the minibuffer to read
|
|
574 an argument. @xref{Command History}.
|
|
575
|
|
576 The argument @var{keys}, if given, should be a vector which specifies
|
|
577 the sequence of events to supply if the command inquires which events
|
|
578 were used to invoke it. If @var{keys} is omitted or @code{nil}, the
|
|
579 default is the return value of @code{this-command-keys-vector}.
|
|
580 @xref{Definition of this-command-keys-vector}.
|
|
581 @end defun
|
|
582
|
|
583 @defun command-execute command &optional record-flag keys special
|
|
584 @cindex keyboard macro execution
|
|
585 This function executes @var{command}. The argument @var{command} must
|
|
586 satisfy the @code{commandp} predicate; i.e., it must be an interactively
|
|
587 callable function or a keyboard macro.
|
|
588
|
|
589 A string or vector as @var{command} is executed with
|
|
590 @code{execute-kbd-macro}. A function is passed to
|
|
591 @code{call-interactively}, along with the optional @var{record-flag}
|
|
592 and @var{keys}.
|
|
593
|
|
594 A symbol is handled by using its function definition in its place. A
|
|
595 symbol with an @code{autoload} definition counts as a command if it was
|
|
596 declared to stand for an interactively callable function. Such a
|
|
597 definition is handled by loading the specified library and then
|
|
598 rechecking the definition of the symbol.
|
|
599
|
|
600 The argument @var{special}, if given, means to ignore the prefix
|
|
601 argument and not clear it. This is used for executing special events
|
|
602 (@pxref{Special Events}).
|
|
603 @end defun
|
|
604
|
|
605 @deffn Command execute-extended-command prefix-argument
|
|
606 @cindex read command name
|
|
607 This function reads a command name from the minibuffer using
|
|
608 @code{completing-read} (@pxref{Completion}). Then it uses
|
|
609 @code{command-execute} to call the specified command. Whatever that
|
|
610 command returns becomes the value of @code{execute-extended-command}.
|
|
611
|
|
612 @cindex execute with prefix argument
|
|
613 If the command asks for a prefix argument, it receives the value
|
|
614 @var{prefix-argument}. If @code{execute-extended-command} is called
|
|
615 interactively, the current raw prefix argument is used for
|
|
616 @var{prefix-argument}, and thus passed on to whatever command is run.
|
|
617
|
|
618 @c !!! Should this be @kindex?
|
|
619 @cindex @kbd{M-x}
|
|
620 @code{execute-extended-command} is the normal definition of @kbd{M-x},
|
|
621 so it uses the string @w{@samp{M-x }} as a prompt. (It would be better
|
|
622 to take the prompt from the events used to invoke
|
|
623 @code{execute-extended-command}, but that is painful to implement.) A
|
|
624 description of the value of the prefix argument, if any, also becomes
|
|
625 part of the prompt.
|
|
626
|
|
627 @example
|
|
628 @group
|
|
629 (execute-extended-command 3)
|
|
630 ---------- Buffer: Minibuffer ----------
|
|
631 3 M-x forward-word RET
|
|
632 ---------- Buffer: Minibuffer ----------
|
|
633 @result{} t
|
|
634 @end group
|
|
635 @end example
|
|
636 @end deffn
|
|
637
|
|
638 @defun interactive-p
|
|
639 This function returns @code{t} if the containing function (the one
|
|
640 whose code includes the call to @code{interactive-p}) was called in
|
|
641 direct response to user input. This means that it was called with the
|
|
642 function @code{call-interactively}, and that a keyboard macro is
|
|
643 not running, and that Emacs is not running in batch mode.
|
|
644
|
|
645 If the containing function was called by Lisp evaluation (or with
|
|
646 @code{apply} or @code{funcall}), then it was not called interactively.
|
|
647 @end defun
|
|
648
|
|
649 The most common use of @code{interactive-p} is for deciding whether
|
|
650 to give the user additional visual feedback (such as by printing an
|
|
651 informative message). For example:
|
|
652
|
|
653 @example
|
|
654 @group
|
|
655 ;; @r{Here's the usual way to use @code{interactive-p}.}
|
|
656 (defun foo ()
|
|
657 (interactive)
|
|
658 (when (interactive-p)
|
|
659 (message "foo")))
|
|
660 @result{} foo
|
|
661 @end group
|
|
662
|
|
663 @group
|
|
664 ;; @r{This function is just to illustrate the behavior.}
|
|
665 (defun bar ()
|
|
666 (interactive)
|
|
667 (setq foobar (list (foo) (interactive-p))))
|
|
668 @result{} bar
|
|
669 @end group
|
|
670
|
|
671 @group
|
|
672 ;; @r{Type @kbd{M-x foo}.}
|
|
673 @print{} foo
|
|
674 @end group
|
|
675
|
|
676 @group
|
|
677 ;; @r{Type @kbd{M-x bar}.}
|
|
678 ;; @r{This does not display a message.}
|
|
679 @end group
|
|
680
|
|
681 @group
|
|
682 foobar
|
|
683 @result{} (nil t)
|
|
684 @end group
|
|
685 @end example
|
|
686
|
|
687 If you want to test @emph{only} whether the function was called
|
|
688 using @code{call-interactively}, add an optional argument
|
|
689 @code{print-message} which should be non-@code{nil} in an interactive
|
|
690 call, and use the @code{interactive} spec to make sure it is
|
|
691 non-@code{nil}. Here's an example:
|
|
692
|
|
693 @example
|
|
694 (defun foo (&optional print-message)
|
|
695 (interactive "p")
|
|
696 (when print-message
|
|
697 (message "foo")))
|
|
698 @end example
|
|
699
|
|
700 @noindent
|
|
701 Defined in this way, the function does display the message when called
|
|
702 from a keyboard macro. We use @code{"p"} because the numeric prefix
|
|
703 argument is never @code{nil}.
|
|
704
|
|
705 @defun called-interactively-p
|
|
706 This function returns @code{t} when the calling function was called
|
|
707 using @code{call-interactively}.
|
|
708
|
|
709 When possible, instead of using this function, you should use the
|
|
710 method in the example above; that method makes it possible for a
|
|
711 caller to ``pretend'' that the function was called interactively.
|
|
712 @end defun
|
|
713
|
|
714 @node Command Loop Info
|
|
715 @comment node-name, next, previous, up
|
|
716 @section Information from the Command Loop
|
|
717
|
|
718 The editor command loop sets several Lisp variables to keep status
|
|
719 records for itself and for commands that are run.
|
|
720
|
|
721 @defvar last-command
|
|
722 This variable records the name of the previous command executed by the
|
|
723 command loop (the one before the current command). Normally the value
|
|
724 is a symbol with a function definition, but this is not guaranteed.
|
|
725
|
|
726 The value is copied from @code{this-command} when a command returns to
|
|
727 the command loop, except when the command has specified a prefix
|
|
728 argument for the following command.
|
|
729
|
|
730 This variable is always local to the current terminal and cannot be
|
|
731 buffer-local. @xref{Multiple Displays}.
|
|
732 @end defvar
|
|
733
|
|
734 @defvar real-last-command
|
|
735 This variable is set up by Emacs just like @code{last-command},
|
|
736 but never altered by Lisp programs.
|
|
737 @end defvar
|
|
738
|
|
739 @defvar this-command
|
|
740 @cindex current command
|
|
741 This variable records the name of the command now being executed by
|
|
742 the editor command loop. Like @code{last-command}, it is normally a symbol
|
|
743 with a function definition.
|
|
744
|
|
745 The command loop sets this variable just before running a command, and
|
|
746 copies its value into @code{last-command} when the command finishes
|
|
747 (unless the command specified a prefix argument for the following
|
|
748 command).
|
|
749
|
|
750 @cindex kill command repetition
|
|
751 Some commands set this variable during their execution, as a flag for
|
|
752 whatever command runs next. In particular, the functions for killing text
|
|
753 set @code{this-command} to @code{kill-region} so that any kill commands
|
|
754 immediately following will know to append the killed text to the
|
|
755 previous kill.
|
|
756 @end defvar
|
|
757
|
|
758 If you do not want a particular command to be recognized as the previous
|
|
759 command in the case where it got an error, you must code that command to
|
|
760 prevent this. One way is to set @code{this-command} to @code{t} at the
|
|
761 beginning of the command, and set @code{this-command} back to its proper
|
|
762 value at the end, like this:
|
|
763
|
|
764 @example
|
|
765 (defun foo (args@dots{})
|
|
766 (interactive @dots{})
|
|
767 (let ((old-this-command this-command))
|
|
768 (setq this-command t)
|
|
769 @r{@dots{}do the work@dots{}}
|
|
770 (setq this-command old-this-command)))
|
|
771 @end example
|
|
772
|
|
773 @noindent
|
|
774 We do not bind @code{this-command} with @code{let} because that would
|
|
775 restore the old value in case of error---a feature of @code{let} which
|
|
776 in this case does precisely what we want to avoid.
|
|
777
|
|
778 @defvar this-original-command
|
|
779 This has the same value as @code{this-command} except when command
|
|
780 remapping occurs (@pxref{Remapping Commands}). In that case,
|
|
781 @code{this-command} gives the command actually run (the result of
|
|
782 remapping), and @code{this-original-command} gives the command that
|
|
783 was specified to run but remapped into another command.
|
|
784 @end defvar
|
|
785
|
|
786 @defun this-command-keys
|
|
787 This function returns a string or vector containing the key sequence
|
|
788 that invoked the present command, plus any previous commands that
|
|
789 generated the prefix argument for this command. Any events read by the
|
|
790 command using @code{read-event} without a timeout get tacked on to the end.
|
|
791
|
|
792 However, if the command has called @code{read-key-sequence}, it
|
|
793 returns the last read key sequence. @xref{Key Sequence Input}. The
|
|
794 value is a string if all events in the sequence were characters that
|
|
795 fit in a string. @xref{Input Events}.
|
|
796
|
|
797 @example
|
|
798 @group
|
|
799 (this-command-keys)
|
|
800 ;; @r{Now use @kbd{C-u C-x C-e} to evaluate that.}
|
|
801 @result{} "^U^X^E"
|
|
802 @end group
|
|
803 @end example
|
|
804 @end defun
|
|
805
|
|
806 @defun this-command-keys-vector
|
|
807 @anchor{Definition of this-command-keys-vector}
|
|
808 Like @code{this-command-keys}, except that it always returns the events
|
|
809 in a vector, so you don't need to deal with the complexities of storing
|
|
810 input events in a string (@pxref{Strings of Events}).
|
|
811 @end defun
|
|
812
|
|
813 @defun clear-this-command-keys &optional keep-record
|
|
814 This function empties out the table of events for
|
|
815 @code{this-command-keys} to return. Unless @var{keep-record} is
|
|
816 non-@code{nil}, it also empties the records that the function
|
|
817 @code{recent-keys} (@pxref{Recording Input}) will subsequently return.
|
|
818 This is useful after reading a password, to prevent the password from
|
|
819 echoing inadvertently as part of the next command in certain cases.
|
|
820 @end defun
|
|
821
|
|
822 @defvar last-nonmenu-event
|
|
823 This variable holds the last input event read as part of a key sequence,
|
|
824 not counting events resulting from mouse menus.
|
|
825
|
|
826 One use of this variable is for telling @code{x-popup-menu} where to pop
|
|
827 up a menu. It is also used internally by @code{y-or-n-p}
|
|
828 (@pxref{Yes-or-No Queries}).
|
|
829 @end defvar
|
|
830
|
|
831 @defvar last-command-event
|
|
832 @defvarx last-command-char
|
|
833 This variable is set to the last input event that was read by the
|
|
834 command loop as part of a command. The principal use of this variable
|
|
835 is in @code{self-insert-command}, which uses it to decide which
|
|
836 character to insert.
|
|
837
|
|
838 @example
|
|
839 @group
|
|
840 last-command-event
|
|
841 ;; @r{Now use @kbd{C-u C-x C-e} to evaluate that.}
|
|
842 @result{} 5
|
|
843 @end group
|
|
844 @end example
|
|
845
|
|
846 @noindent
|
|
847 The value is 5 because that is the @acronym{ASCII} code for @kbd{C-e}.
|
|
848
|
|
849 The alias @code{last-command-char} exists for compatibility with
|
|
850 Emacs version 18.
|
|
851 @end defvar
|
|
852
|
|
853 @c Emacs 19 feature
|
|
854 @defvar last-event-frame
|
|
855 This variable records which frame the last input event was directed to.
|
|
856 Usually this is the frame that was selected when the event was
|
|
857 generated, but if that frame has redirected input focus to another
|
|
858 frame, the value is the frame to which the event was redirected.
|
|
859 @xref{Input Focus}.
|
|
860
|
|
861 If the last event came from a keyboard macro, the value is @code{macro}.
|
|
862 @end defvar
|
|
863
|
|
864 @node Adjusting Point
|
|
865 @section Adjusting Point After Commands
|
|
866 @cindex adjusting point
|
|
867 @cindex invisible/intangible text, and point
|
|
868 @cindex @code{display} property, and point display
|
|
869 @cindex @code{composition} property, and point display
|
|
870
|
|
871 It is not easy to display a value of point in the middle of a
|
|
872 sequence of text that has the @code{display}, @code{composition} or
|
|
873 @code{intangible} property, or is invisible. Therefore, after a
|
|
874 command finishes and returns to the command loop, if point is within
|
|
875 such a sequence, the command loop normally moves point to the edge of
|
|
876 the sequence.
|
|
877
|
|
878 A command can inhibit this feature by setting the variable
|
|
879 @code{disable-point-adjustment}:
|
|
880
|
|
881 @defvar disable-point-adjustment
|
|
882 If this variable is non-@code{nil} when a command returns to the
|
|
883 command loop, then the command loop does not check for those text
|
|
884 properties, and does not move point out of sequences that have them.
|
|
885
|
|
886 The command loop sets this variable to @code{nil} before each command,
|
|
887 so if a command sets it, the effect applies only to that command.
|
|
888 @end defvar
|
|
889
|
|
890 @defvar global-disable-point-adjustment
|
|
891 If you set this variable to a non-@code{nil} value, the feature of
|
|
892 moving point out of these sequences is completely turned off.
|
|
893 @end defvar
|
|
894
|
|
895 @node Input Events
|
|
896 @section Input Events
|
|
897 @cindex events
|
|
898 @cindex input events
|
|
899
|
|
900 The Emacs command loop reads a sequence of @dfn{input events} that
|
|
901 represent keyboard or mouse activity. The events for keyboard activity
|
|
902 are characters or symbols; mouse events are always lists. This section
|
|
903 describes the representation and meaning of input events in detail.
|
|
904
|
|
905 @defun eventp object
|
|
906 This function returns non-@code{nil} if @var{object} is an input event
|
|
907 or event type.
|
|
908
|
|
909 Note that any symbol might be used as an event or an event type.
|
|
910 @code{eventp} cannot distinguish whether a symbol is intended by Lisp
|
|
911 code to be used as an event. Instead, it distinguishes whether the
|
|
912 symbol has actually been used in an event that has been read as input in
|
|
913 the current Emacs session. If a symbol has not yet been so used,
|
|
914 @code{eventp} returns @code{nil}.
|
|
915 @end defun
|
|
916
|
|
917 @menu
|
|
918 * Keyboard Events:: Ordinary characters--keys with symbols on them.
|
|
919 * Function Keys:: Function keys--keys with names, not symbols.
|
|
920 * Mouse Events:: Overview of mouse events.
|
|
921 * Click Events:: Pushing and releasing a mouse button.
|
|
922 * Drag Events:: Moving the mouse before releasing the button.
|
|
923 * Button-Down Events:: A button was pushed and not yet released.
|
|
924 * Repeat Events:: Double and triple click (or drag, or down).
|
|
925 * Motion Events:: Just moving the mouse, not pushing a button.
|
|
926 * Focus Events:: Moving the mouse between frames.
|
|
927 * Misc Events:: Other events the system can generate.
|
|
928 * Event Examples:: Examples of the lists for mouse events.
|
|
929 * Classifying Events:: Finding the modifier keys in an event symbol.
|
|
930 Event types.
|
|
931 * Accessing Events:: Functions to extract info from events.
|
|
932 * Strings of Events:: Special considerations for putting
|
|
933 keyboard character events in a string.
|
|
934 @end menu
|
|
935
|
|
936 @node Keyboard Events
|
|
937 @subsection Keyboard Events
|
|
938 @cindex keyboard events
|
|
939
|
|
940 There are two kinds of input you can get from the keyboard: ordinary
|
|
941 keys, and function keys. Ordinary keys correspond to characters; the
|
|
942 events they generate are represented in Lisp as characters. The event
|
|
943 type of a character event is the character itself (an integer); see
|
|
944 @ref{Classifying Events}.
|
|
945
|
|
946 @cindex modifier bits (of input character)
|
|
947 @cindex basic code (of input character)
|
|
948 An input character event consists of a @dfn{basic code} between 0 and
|
|
949 524287, plus any or all of these @dfn{modifier bits}:
|
|
950
|
|
951 @table @asis
|
|
952 @item meta
|
|
953 The
|
|
954 @tex
|
|
955 @math{2^{27}}
|
|
956 @end tex
|
|
957 @ifnottex
|
|
958 2**27
|
|
959 @end ifnottex
|
|
960 bit in the character code indicates a character
|
|
961 typed with the meta key held down.
|
|
962
|
|
963 @item control
|
|
964 The
|
|
965 @tex
|
|
966 @math{2^{26}}
|
|
967 @end tex
|
|
968 @ifnottex
|
|
969 2**26
|
|
970 @end ifnottex
|
|
971 bit in the character code indicates a non-@acronym{ASCII}
|
|
972 control character.
|
|
973
|
|
974 @sc{ascii} control characters such as @kbd{C-a} have special basic
|
|
975 codes of their own, so Emacs needs no special bit to indicate them.
|
|
976 Thus, the code for @kbd{C-a} is just 1.
|
|
977
|
|
978 But if you type a control combination not in @acronym{ASCII}, such as
|
|
979 @kbd{%} with the control key, the numeric value you get is the code
|
|
980 for @kbd{%} plus
|
|
981 @tex
|
|
982 @math{2^{26}}
|
|
983 @end tex
|
|
984 @ifnottex
|
|
985 2**26
|
|
986 @end ifnottex
|
|
987 (assuming the terminal supports non-@acronym{ASCII}
|
|
988 control characters).
|
|
989
|
|
990 @item shift
|
|
991 The
|
|
992 @tex
|
|
993 @math{2^{25}}
|
|
994 @end tex
|
|
995 @ifnottex
|
|
996 2**25
|
|
997 @end ifnottex
|
|
998 bit in the character code indicates an @acronym{ASCII} control
|
|
999 character typed with the shift key held down.
|
|
1000
|
|
1001 For letters, the basic code itself indicates upper versus lower case;
|
|
1002 for digits and punctuation, the shift key selects an entirely different
|
|
1003 character with a different basic code. In order to keep within the
|
|
1004 @acronym{ASCII} character set whenever possible, Emacs avoids using the
|
|
1005 @tex
|
|
1006 @math{2^{25}}
|
|
1007 @end tex
|
|
1008 @ifnottex
|
|
1009 2**25
|
|
1010 @end ifnottex
|
|
1011 bit for those characters.
|
|
1012
|
|
1013 However, @acronym{ASCII} provides no way to distinguish @kbd{C-A} from
|
|
1014 @kbd{C-a}, so Emacs uses the
|
|
1015 @tex
|
|
1016 @math{2^{25}}
|
|
1017 @end tex
|
|
1018 @ifnottex
|
|
1019 2**25
|
|
1020 @end ifnottex
|
|
1021 bit in @kbd{C-A} and not in
|
|
1022 @kbd{C-a}.
|
|
1023
|
|
1024 @item hyper
|
|
1025 The
|
|
1026 @tex
|
|
1027 @math{2^{24}}
|
|
1028 @end tex
|
|
1029 @ifnottex
|
|
1030 2**24
|
|
1031 @end ifnottex
|
|
1032 bit in the character code indicates a character
|
|
1033 typed with the hyper key held down.
|
|
1034
|
|
1035 @item super
|
|
1036 The
|
|
1037 @tex
|
|
1038 @math{2^{23}}
|
|
1039 @end tex
|
|
1040 @ifnottex
|
|
1041 2**23
|
|
1042 @end ifnottex
|
|
1043 bit in the character code indicates a character
|
|
1044 typed with the super key held down.
|
|
1045
|
|
1046 @item alt
|
|
1047 The
|
|
1048 @tex
|
|
1049 @math{2^{22}}
|
|
1050 @end tex
|
|
1051 @ifnottex
|
|
1052 2**22
|
|
1053 @end ifnottex
|
|
1054 bit in the character code indicates a character typed with
|
|
1055 the alt key held down. (On some terminals, the key labeled @key{ALT}
|
|
1056 is actually the meta key.)
|
|
1057 @end table
|
|
1058
|
|
1059 It is best to avoid mentioning specific bit numbers in your program.
|
|
1060 To test the modifier bits of a character, use the function
|
|
1061 @code{event-modifiers} (@pxref{Classifying Events}). When making key
|
|
1062 bindings, you can use the read syntax for characters with modifier bits
|
|
1063 (@samp{\C-}, @samp{\M-}, and so on). For making key bindings with
|
|
1064 @code{define-key}, you can use lists such as @code{(control hyper ?x)} to
|
|
1065 specify the characters (@pxref{Changing Key Bindings}). The function
|
|
1066 @code{event-convert-list} converts such a list into an event type
|
|
1067 (@pxref{Classifying Events}).
|
|
1068
|
|
1069 @node Function Keys
|
|
1070 @subsection Function Keys
|
|
1071
|
|
1072 @cindex function keys
|
|
1073 Most keyboards also have @dfn{function keys}---keys that have names or
|
|
1074 symbols that are not characters. Function keys are represented in Emacs
|
|
1075 Lisp as symbols; the symbol's name is the function key's label, in lower
|
|
1076 case. For example, pressing a key labeled @key{F1} places the symbol
|
|
1077 @code{f1} in the input stream.
|
|
1078
|
|
1079 The event type of a function key event is the event symbol itself.
|
|
1080 @xref{Classifying Events}.
|
|
1081
|
|
1082 Here are a few special cases in the symbol-naming convention for
|
|
1083 function keys:
|
|
1084
|
|
1085 @table @asis
|
|
1086 @item @code{backspace}, @code{tab}, @code{newline}, @code{return}, @code{delete}
|
|
1087 These keys correspond to common @acronym{ASCII} control characters that have
|
|
1088 special keys on most keyboards.
|
|
1089
|
|
1090 In @acronym{ASCII}, @kbd{C-i} and @key{TAB} are the same character. If the
|
|
1091 terminal can distinguish between them, Emacs conveys the distinction to
|
|
1092 Lisp programs by representing the former as the integer 9, and the
|
|
1093 latter as the symbol @code{tab}.
|
|
1094
|
|
1095 Most of the time, it's not useful to distinguish the two. So normally
|
|
1096 @code{function-key-map} (@pxref{Translation Keymaps}) is set up to map
|
|
1097 @code{tab} into 9. Thus, a key binding for character code 9 (the
|
|
1098 character @kbd{C-i}) also applies to @code{tab}. Likewise for the other
|
|
1099 symbols in this group. The function @code{read-char} likewise converts
|
|
1100 these events into characters.
|
|
1101
|
|
1102 In @acronym{ASCII}, @key{BS} is really @kbd{C-h}. But @code{backspace}
|
|
1103 converts into the character code 127 (@key{DEL}), not into code 8
|
|
1104 (@key{BS}). This is what most users prefer.
|
|
1105
|
|
1106 @item @code{left}, @code{up}, @code{right}, @code{down}
|
|
1107 Cursor arrow keys
|
|
1108 @item @code{kp-add}, @code{kp-decimal}, @code{kp-divide}, @dots{}
|
|
1109 Keypad keys (to the right of the regular keyboard).
|
|
1110 @item @code{kp-0}, @code{kp-1}, @dots{}
|
|
1111 Keypad keys with digits.
|
|
1112 @item @code{kp-f1}, @code{kp-f2}, @code{kp-f3}, @code{kp-f4}
|
|
1113 Keypad PF keys.
|
|
1114 @item @code{kp-home}, @code{kp-left}, @code{kp-up}, @code{kp-right}, @code{kp-down}
|
|
1115 Keypad arrow keys. Emacs normally translates these into the
|
|
1116 corresponding non-keypad keys @code{home}, @code{left}, @dots{}
|
|
1117 @item @code{kp-prior}, @code{kp-next}, @code{kp-end}, @code{kp-begin}, @code{kp-insert}, @code{kp-delete}
|
|
1118 Additional keypad duplicates of keys ordinarily found elsewhere. Emacs
|
|
1119 normally translates these into the like-named non-keypad keys.
|
|
1120 @end table
|
|
1121
|
|
1122 You can use the modifier keys @key{ALT}, @key{CTRL}, @key{HYPER},
|
|
1123 @key{META}, @key{SHIFT}, and @key{SUPER} with function keys. The way to
|
|
1124 represent them is with prefixes in the symbol name:
|
|
1125
|
|
1126 @table @samp
|
|
1127 @item A-
|
|
1128 The alt modifier.
|
|
1129 @item C-
|
|
1130 The control modifier.
|
|
1131 @item H-
|
|
1132 The hyper modifier.
|
|
1133 @item M-
|
|
1134 The meta modifier.
|
|
1135 @item S-
|
|
1136 The shift modifier.
|
|
1137 @item s-
|
|
1138 The super modifier.
|
|
1139 @end table
|
|
1140
|
|
1141 Thus, the symbol for the key @key{F3} with @key{META} held down is
|
|
1142 @code{M-f3}. When you use more than one prefix, we recommend you
|
|
1143 write them in alphabetical order; but the order does not matter in
|
|
1144 arguments to the key-binding lookup and modification functions.
|
|
1145
|
|
1146 @node Mouse Events
|
|
1147 @subsection Mouse Events
|
|
1148
|
|
1149 Emacs supports four kinds of mouse events: click events, drag events,
|
|
1150 button-down events, and motion events. All mouse events are represented
|
|
1151 as lists. The @sc{car} of the list is the event type; this says which
|
|
1152 mouse button was involved, and which modifier keys were used with it.
|
|
1153 The event type can also distinguish double or triple button presses
|
|
1154 (@pxref{Repeat Events}). The rest of the list elements give position
|
|
1155 and time information.
|
|
1156
|
|
1157 For key lookup, only the event type matters: two events of the same type
|
|
1158 necessarily run the same command. The command can access the full
|
|
1159 values of these events using the @samp{e} interactive code.
|
|
1160 @xref{Interactive Codes}.
|
|
1161
|
|
1162 A key sequence that starts with a mouse event is read using the keymaps
|
|
1163 of the buffer in the window that the mouse was in, not the current
|
|
1164 buffer. This does not imply that clicking in a window selects that
|
|
1165 window or its buffer---that is entirely under the control of the command
|
|
1166 binding of the key sequence.
|
|
1167
|
|
1168 @node Click Events
|
|
1169 @subsection Click Events
|
|
1170 @cindex click event
|
|
1171 @cindex mouse click event
|
|
1172
|
|
1173 When the user presses a mouse button and releases it at the same
|
|
1174 location, that generates a @dfn{click} event. All mouse click event
|
|
1175 share the same format:
|
|
1176
|
|
1177 @example
|
|
1178 (@var{event-type} @var{position} @var{click-count})
|
|
1179 @end example
|
|
1180
|
|
1181 @table @asis
|
|
1182 @item @var{event-type}
|
|
1183 This is a symbol that indicates which mouse button was used. It is
|
|
1184 one of the symbols @code{mouse-1}, @code{mouse-2}, @dots{}, where the
|
|
1185 buttons are numbered left to right.
|
|
1186
|
|
1187 You can also use prefixes @samp{A-}, @samp{C-}, @samp{H-}, @samp{M-},
|
|
1188 @samp{S-} and @samp{s-} for modifiers alt, control, hyper, meta, shift
|
|
1189 and super, just as you would with function keys.
|
|
1190
|
|
1191 This symbol also serves as the event type of the event. Key bindings
|
|
1192 describe events by their types; thus, if there is a key binding for
|
|
1193 @code{mouse-1}, that binding would apply to all events whose
|
|
1194 @var{event-type} is @code{mouse-1}.
|
|
1195
|
|
1196 @item @var{position}
|
|
1197 This is the position where the mouse click occurred. The actual
|
|
1198 format of @var{position} depends on what part of a window was clicked
|
|
1199 on.
|
|
1200
|
|
1201 For mouse click events in the text area, mode line, header line, or in
|
|
1202 the marginal areas, @var{position} has this form:
|
|
1203
|
|
1204 @example
|
|
1205 (@var{window} @var{pos-or-area} (@var{x} . @var{y}) @var{timestamp}
|
|
1206 @var{object} @var{text-pos} (@var{col} . @var{row})
|
|
1207 @var{image} (@var{dx} . @var{dy}) (@var{width} . @var{height}))
|
|
1208 @end example
|
|
1209
|
|
1210 @table @asis
|
|
1211 @item @var{window}
|
|
1212 This is the window in which the click occurred.
|
|
1213
|
|
1214 @item @var{pos-or-area}
|
|
1215 This is the buffer position of the character clicked on in the text
|
|
1216 area, or if clicked outside the text area, it is the window area in
|
|
1217 which the click occurred. It is one of the symbols @code{mode-line},
|
|
1218 @code{header-line}, @code{vertical-line}, @code{left-margin},
|
|
1219 @code{right-margin}, @code{left-fringe}, or @code{right-fringe}.
|
|
1220
|
|
1221 In one special case, @var{pos-or-area} is a list containing a symbol (one
|
|
1222 of the symbols listed above) instead of just the symbol. This happens
|
|
1223 after the imaginary prefix keys for the event are inserted into the
|
|
1224 input stream. @xref{Key Sequence Input}.
|
|
1225
|
|
1226
|
|
1227 @item @var{x}, @var{y}
|
|
1228 These are the pixel coordinates of the click, relative to
|
|
1229 the top left corner of @var{window}, which is @code{(0 . 0)}.
|
|
1230 For the mode or header line, @var{y} does not have meaningful data.
|
|
1231 For the vertical line, @var{x} does not have meaningful data.
|
|
1232
|
|
1233 @item @var{timestamp}
|
|
1234 This is the time at which the event occurred, in milliseconds.
|
|
1235
|
|
1236 @item @var{object}
|
|
1237 This is the object on which the click occurred. It is either
|
|
1238 @code{nil} if there is no string property, or it has the form
|
|
1239 (@var{string} . @var{string-pos}) when there is a string-type text
|
|
1240 property at the click position.
|
|
1241
|
|
1242 @table @asis
|
|
1243 @item @var{string}
|
|
1244 This is the string on which the click occurred, including any
|
|
1245 properties.
|
|
1246
|
|
1247 @item @var{string-pos}
|
|
1248 This is the position in the string on which the click occurred,
|
|
1249 relevant if properties at the click need to be looked up.
|
|
1250 @end table
|
|
1251
|
|
1252 @item @var{text-pos}
|
|
1253 For clicks on a marginal area or on a fringe, this is the buffer
|
|
1254 position of the first visible character in the corresponding line in
|
|
1255 the window. For other events, it is the current buffer position in
|
|
1256 the window.
|
|
1257
|
|
1258 @item @var{col}, @var{row}
|
|
1259 These are the actual coordinates of the glyph under the @var{x},
|
|
1260 @var{y} position, possibly padded with default character width
|
|
1261 glyphs if @var{x} is beyond the last glyph on the line.
|
|
1262
|
|
1263 @item @var{image}
|
|
1264 This is the image object on which the click occurred. It is either
|
|
1265 @code{nil} if there is no image at the position clicked on, or it is
|
|
1266 an image object as returned by @code{find-image} if click was in an image.
|
|
1267
|
|
1268 @item @var{dx}, @var{dy}
|
|
1269 These are the pixel coordinates of the click, relative to
|
|
1270 the top left corner of @var{object}, which is @code{(0 . 0)}. If
|
|
1271 @var{object} is @code{nil}, the coordinates are relative to the top
|
|
1272 left corner of the character glyph clicked on.
|
|
1273
|
|
1274 @item @var{width}, @var{height}
|
|
1275 These are the pixel width and height of @var{object} or, if this is
|
|
1276 @code{nil}, those of the character glyph clicked on.
|
|
1277 @end table
|
|
1278
|
|
1279 @sp 1
|
|
1280 For mouse clicks on a scroll-bar, @var{position} has this form:
|
|
1281
|
|
1282 @example
|
|
1283 (@var{window} @var{area} (@var{portion} . @var{whole}) @var{timestamp} @var{part})
|
|
1284 @end example
|
|
1285
|
|
1286 @table @asis
|
|
1287 @item @var{window}
|
|
1288 This is the window whose scroll-bar was clicked on.
|
|
1289
|
|
1290 @item @var{area}
|
|
1291 This is the scroll bar where the click occurred. It is one of the
|
|
1292 symbols @code{vertical-scroll-bar} or @code{horizontal-scroll-bar}.
|
|
1293
|
|
1294 @item @var{portion}
|
|
1295 This is the distance of the click from the top or left end of
|
|
1296 the scroll bar.
|
|
1297
|
|
1298 @item @var{whole}
|
|
1299 This is the length of the entire scroll bar.
|
|
1300
|
|
1301 @item @var{timestamp}
|
|
1302 This is the time at which the event occurred, in milliseconds.
|
|
1303
|
|
1304 @item @var{part}
|
|
1305 This is the part of the scroll-bar which was clicked on. It is one
|
|
1306 of the symbols @code{above-handle}, @code{handle}, @code{below-handle},
|
|
1307 @code{up}, @code{down}, @code{top}, @code{bottom}, and @code{end-scroll}.
|
|
1308 @end table
|
|
1309
|
|
1310 @item @var{click-count}
|
|
1311 This is the number of rapid repeated presses so far of the same mouse
|
|
1312 button. @xref{Repeat Events}.
|
|
1313 @end table
|
|
1314
|
|
1315 @node Drag Events
|
|
1316 @subsection Drag Events
|
|
1317 @cindex drag event
|
|
1318 @cindex mouse drag event
|
|
1319
|
|
1320 With Emacs, you can have a drag event without even changing your
|
|
1321 clothes. A @dfn{drag event} happens every time the user presses a mouse
|
|
1322 button and then moves the mouse to a different character position before
|
|
1323 releasing the button. Like all mouse events, drag events are
|
|
1324 represented in Lisp as lists. The lists record both the starting mouse
|
|
1325 position and the final position, like this:
|
|
1326
|
|
1327 @example
|
|
1328 (@var{event-type}
|
|
1329 (@var{window1} START-POSITION)
|
|
1330 (@var{window2} END-POSITION))
|
|
1331 @end example
|
|
1332
|
|
1333 For a drag event, the name of the symbol @var{event-type} contains the
|
|
1334 prefix @samp{drag-}. For example, dragging the mouse with button 2
|
|
1335 held down generates a @code{drag-mouse-2} event. The second and third
|
|
1336 elements of the event give the starting and ending position of the
|
|
1337 drag. They have the same form as @var{position} in a click event
|
|
1338 (@pxref{Click Events}) that is not on the scroll bar part of the
|
|
1339 window. You can access the second element of any mouse event in the
|
|
1340 same way, with no need to distinguish drag events from others.
|
|
1341
|
|
1342 The @samp{drag-} prefix follows the modifier key prefixes such as
|
|
1343 @samp{C-} and @samp{M-}.
|
|
1344
|
|
1345 If @code{read-key-sequence} receives a drag event that has no key
|
|
1346 binding, and the corresponding click event does have a binding, it
|
|
1347 changes the drag event into a click event at the drag's starting
|
|
1348 position. This means that you don't have to distinguish between click
|
|
1349 and drag events unless you want to.
|
|
1350
|
|
1351 @node Button-Down Events
|
|
1352 @subsection Button-Down Events
|
|
1353 @cindex button-down event
|
|
1354
|
|
1355 Click and drag events happen when the user releases a mouse button.
|
|
1356 They cannot happen earlier, because there is no way to distinguish a
|
|
1357 click from a drag until the button is released.
|
|
1358
|
|
1359 If you want to take action as soon as a button is pressed, you need to
|
|
1360 handle @dfn{button-down} events.@footnote{Button-down is the
|
|
1361 conservative antithesis of drag.} These occur as soon as a button is
|
|
1362 pressed. They are represented by lists that look exactly like click
|
|
1363 events (@pxref{Click Events}), except that the @var{event-type} symbol
|
|
1364 name contains the prefix @samp{down-}. The @samp{down-} prefix follows
|
|
1365 modifier key prefixes such as @samp{C-} and @samp{M-}.
|
|
1366
|
|
1367 The function @code{read-key-sequence} ignores any button-down events
|
|
1368 that don't have command bindings; therefore, the Emacs command loop
|
|
1369 ignores them too. This means that you need not worry about defining
|
|
1370 button-down events unless you want them to do something. The usual
|
|
1371 reason to define a button-down event is so that you can track mouse
|
|
1372 motion (by reading motion events) until the button is released.
|
|
1373 @xref{Motion Events}.
|
|
1374
|
|
1375 @node Repeat Events
|
|
1376 @subsection Repeat Events
|
|
1377 @cindex repeat events
|
|
1378 @cindex double-click events
|
|
1379 @cindex triple-click events
|
|
1380 @cindex mouse events, repeated
|
|
1381
|
|
1382 If you press the same mouse button more than once in quick succession
|
|
1383 without moving the mouse, Emacs generates special @dfn{repeat} mouse
|
|
1384 events for the second and subsequent presses.
|
|
1385
|
|
1386 The most common repeat events are @dfn{double-click} events. Emacs
|
|
1387 generates a double-click event when you click a button twice; the event
|
|
1388 happens when you release the button (as is normal for all click
|
|
1389 events).
|
|
1390
|
|
1391 The event type of a double-click event contains the prefix
|
|
1392 @samp{double-}. Thus, a double click on the second mouse button with
|
|
1393 @key{meta} held down comes to the Lisp program as
|
|
1394 @code{M-double-mouse-2}. If a double-click event has no binding, the
|
|
1395 binding of the corresponding ordinary click event is used to execute
|
|
1396 it. Thus, you need not pay attention to the double click feature
|
|
1397 unless you really want to.
|
|
1398
|
|
1399 When the user performs a double click, Emacs generates first an ordinary
|
|
1400 click event, and then a double-click event. Therefore, you must design
|
|
1401 the command binding of the double click event to assume that the
|
|
1402 single-click command has already run. It must produce the desired
|
|
1403 results of a double click, starting from the results of a single click.
|
|
1404
|
|
1405 This is convenient, if the meaning of a double click somehow ``builds
|
|
1406 on'' the meaning of a single click---which is recommended user interface
|
|
1407 design practice for double clicks.
|
|
1408
|
|
1409 If you click a button, then press it down again and start moving the
|
|
1410 mouse with the button held down, then you get a @dfn{double-drag} event
|
|
1411 when you ultimately release the button. Its event type contains
|
|
1412 @samp{double-drag} instead of just @samp{drag}. If a double-drag event
|
|
1413 has no binding, Emacs looks for an alternate binding as if the event
|
|
1414 were an ordinary drag.
|
|
1415
|
|
1416 Before the double-click or double-drag event, Emacs generates a
|
|
1417 @dfn{double-down} event when the user presses the button down for the
|
|
1418 second time. Its event type contains @samp{double-down} instead of just
|
|
1419 @samp{down}. If a double-down event has no binding, Emacs looks for an
|
|
1420 alternate binding as if the event were an ordinary button-down event.
|
|
1421 If it finds no binding that way either, the double-down event is
|
|
1422 ignored.
|
|
1423
|
|
1424 To summarize, when you click a button and then press it again right
|
|
1425 away, Emacs generates a down event and a click event for the first
|
|
1426 click, a double-down event when you press the button again, and finally
|
|
1427 either a double-click or a double-drag event.
|
|
1428
|
|
1429 If you click a button twice and then press it again, all in quick
|
|
1430 succession, Emacs generates a @dfn{triple-down} event, followed by
|
|
1431 either a @dfn{triple-click} or a @dfn{triple-drag}. The event types of
|
|
1432 these events contain @samp{triple} instead of @samp{double}. If any
|
|
1433 triple event has no binding, Emacs uses the binding that it would use
|
|
1434 for the corresponding double event.
|
|
1435
|
|
1436 If you click a button three or more times and then press it again, the
|
|
1437 events for the presses beyond the third are all triple events. Emacs
|
|
1438 does not have separate event types for quadruple, quintuple, etc.@:
|
|
1439 events. However, you can look at the event list to find out precisely
|
|
1440 how many times the button was pressed.
|
|
1441
|
|
1442 @defun event-click-count event
|
|
1443 This function returns the number of consecutive button presses that led
|
|
1444 up to @var{event}. If @var{event} is a double-down, double-click or
|
|
1445 double-drag event, the value is 2. If @var{event} is a triple event,
|
|
1446 the value is 3 or greater. If @var{event} is an ordinary mouse event
|
|
1447 (not a repeat event), the value is 1.
|
|
1448 @end defun
|
|
1449
|
|
1450 @defopt double-click-fuzz
|
|
1451 To generate repeat events, successive mouse button presses must be at
|
|
1452 approximately the same screen position. The value of
|
|
1453 @code{double-click-fuzz} specifies the maximum number of pixels the
|
|
1454 mouse may be moved (horizontally or vertically) between two successive
|
|
1455 clicks to make a double-click.
|
|
1456
|
|
1457 This variable is also the threshold for motion of the mouse to count
|
|
1458 as a drag.
|
|
1459 @end defopt
|
|
1460
|
|
1461 @defopt double-click-time
|
|
1462 To generate repeat events, the number of milliseconds between
|
|
1463 successive button presses must be less than the value of
|
|
1464 @code{double-click-time}. Setting @code{double-click-time} to
|
|
1465 @code{nil} disables multi-click detection entirely. Setting it to
|
|
1466 @code{t} removes the time limit; Emacs then detects multi-clicks by
|
|
1467 position only.
|
|
1468 @end defopt
|
|
1469
|
|
1470 @node Motion Events
|
|
1471 @subsection Motion Events
|
|
1472 @cindex motion event
|
|
1473 @cindex mouse motion events
|
|
1474
|
|
1475 Emacs sometimes generates @dfn{mouse motion} events to describe motion
|
|
1476 of the mouse without any button activity. Mouse motion events are
|
|
1477 represented by lists that look like this:
|
|
1478
|
|
1479 @example
|
|
1480 (mouse-movement (POSITION))
|
|
1481 @end example
|
|
1482
|
|
1483 The second element of the list describes the current position of the
|
|
1484 mouse, just as in a click event (@pxref{Click Events}).
|
|
1485
|
|
1486 The special form @code{track-mouse} enables generation of motion events
|
|
1487 within its body. Outside of @code{track-mouse} forms, Emacs does not
|
|
1488 generate events for mere motion of the mouse, and these events do not
|
|
1489 appear. @xref{Mouse Tracking}.
|
|
1490
|
|
1491 @node Focus Events
|
|
1492 @subsection Focus Events
|
|
1493 @cindex focus event
|
|
1494
|
|
1495 Window systems provide general ways for the user to control which window
|
|
1496 gets keyboard input. This choice of window is called the @dfn{focus}.
|
|
1497 When the user does something to switch between Emacs frames, that
|
|
1498 generates a @dfn{focus event}. The normal definition of a focus event,
|
|
1499 in the global keymap, is to select a new frame within Emacs, as the user
|
|
1500 would expect. @xref{Input Focus}.
|
|
1501
|
|
1502 Focus events are represented in Lisp as lists that look like this:
|
|
1503
|
|
1504 @example
|
|
1505 (switch-frame @var{new-frame})
|
|
1506 @end example
|
|
1507
|
|
1508 @noindent
|
|
1509 where @var{new-frame} is the frame switched to.
|
|
1510
|
|
1511 Most X window managers are set up so that just moving the mouse into a
|
|
1512 window is enough to set the focus there. Emacs appears to do this,
|
|
1513 because it changes the cursor to solid in the new frame. However, there
|
|
1514 is no need for the Lisp program to know about the focus change until
|
|
1515 some other kind of input arrives. So Emacs generates a focus event only
|
|
1516 when the user actually types a keyboard key or presses a mouse button in
|
|
1517 the new frame; just moving the mouse between frames does not generate a
|
|
1518 focus event.
|
|
1519
|
|
1520 A focus event in the middle of a key sequence would garble the
|
|
1521 sequence. So Emacs never generates a focus event in the middle of a key
|
|
1522 sequence. If the user changes focus in the middle of a key
|
|
1523 sequence---that is, after a prefix key---then Emacs reorders the events
|
|
1524 so that the focus event comes either before or after the multi-event key
|
|
1525 sequence, and not within it.
|
|
1526
|
|
1527 @node Misc Events
|
|
1528 @subsection Miscellaneous System Events
|
|
1529
|
|
1530 A few other event types represent occurrences within the system.
|
|
1531
|
|
1532 @table @code
|
|
1533 @cindex @code{delete-frame} event
|
|
1534 @item (delete-frame (@var{frame}))
|
|
1535 This kind of event indicates that the user gave the window manager
|
|
1536 a command to delete a particular window, which happens to be an Emacs frame.
|
|
1537
|
|
1538 The standard definition of the @code{delete-frame} event is to delete @var{frame}.
|
|
1539
|
|
1540 @cindex @code{iconify-frame} event
|
|
1541 @item (iconify-frame (@var{frame}))
|
|
1542 This kind of event indicates that the user iconified @var{frame} using
|
|
1543 the window manager. Its standard definition is @code{ignore}; since the
|
|
1544 frame has already been iconified, Emacs has no work to do. The purpose
|
|
1545 of this event type is so that you can keep track of such events if you
|
|
1546 want to.
|
|
1547
|
|
1548 @cindex @code{make-frame-visible} event
|
|
1549 @item (make-frame-visible (@var{frame}))
|
|
1550 This kind of event indicates that the user deiconified @var{frame} using
|
|
1551 the window manager. Its standard definition is @code{ignore}; since the
|
|
1552 frame has already been made visible, Emacs has no work to do.
|
|
1553
|
|
1554 @cindex @code{wheel-up} event
|
|
1555 @cindex @code{wheel-down} event
|
|
1556 @item (wheel-up @var{position})
|
|
1557 @item (wheel-down @var{position})
|
|
1558 These kinds of event are generated by moving a mouse wheel. Their
|
|
1559 usual meaning is a kind of scroll or zoom.
|
|
1560
|
|
1561 The element @var{position} is a list describing the position of the
|
|
1562 event, in the same format as used in a mouse-click event.
|
|
1563
|
|
1564 This kind of event is generated only on some kinds of systems. On some
|
|
1565 systems, @code{mouse-4} and @code{mouse-5} are used instead. For
|
|
1566 portable code, use the variables @code{mouse-wheel-up-event} and
|
|
1567 @code{mouse-wheel-down-event} defined in @file{mwheel.el} to determine
|
|
1568 what event types to expect for the mouse wheel.
|
|
1569
|
|
1570 @cindex @code{drag-n-drop} event
|
|
1571 @item (drag-n-drop @var{position} @var{files})
|
|
1572 This kind of event is generated when a group of files is
|
|
1573 selected in an application outside of Emacs, and then dragged and
|
|
1574 dropped onto an Emacs frame.
|
|
1575
|
|
1576 The element @var{position} is a list describing the position of the
|
|
1577 event, in the same format as used in a mouse-click event, and
|
|
1578 @var{files} is the list of file names that were dragged and dropped.
|
|
1579 The usual way to handle this event is by visiting these files.
|
|
1580
|
|
1581 This kind of event is generated, at present, only on some kinds of
|
|
1582 systems.
|
|
1583
|
|
1584 @cindex @code{help-echo} event
|
|
1585 @item help-echo
|
|
1586 This kind of event is generated when a mouse pointer moves onto a
|
|
1587 portion of buffer text which has a @code{help-echo} text property.
|
|
1588 The generated event has this form:
|
|
1589
|
|
1590 @example
|
|
1591 (help-echo @var{frame} @var{help} @var{window} @var{object} @var{pos})
|
|
1592 @end example
|
|
1593
|
|
1594 @noindent
|
|
1595 The precise meaning of the event parameters and the way these
|
|
1596 parameters are used to display the help-echo text are described in
|
|
1597 @ref{Text help-echo}.
|
|
1598
|
|
1599 @cindex @code{sigusr1} event
|
|
1600 @cindex @code{sigusr2} event
|
|
1601 @cindex user signals
|
|
1602 @item sigusr1
|
|
1603 @itemx sigusr2
|
|
1604 These events are generated when the Emacs process receives
|
|
1605 the signals @code{SIGUSR1} and @code{SIGUSR2}. They contain no
|
|
1606 additional data because signals do not carry additional information.
|
|
1607
|
|
1608 To catch a user signal, bind the corresponding event to an interactive
|
|
1609 command in the @code{special-event-map} (@pxref{Active Keymaps}).
|
|
1610 The command is called with no arguments, and the specific signal event is
|
|
1611 available in @code{last-input-event}. For example:
|
|
1612
|
|
1613 @smallexample
|
|
1614 (defun sigusr-handler ()
|
|
1615 (interactive)
|
|
1616 (message "Caught signal %S" last-input-event))
|
|
1617
|
|
1618 (define-key special-event-map [sigusr1] 'sigusr-handler)
|
|
1619 @end smallexample
|
|
1620
|
|
1621 To test the signal handler, you can make Emacs send a signal to itself:
|
|
1622
|
|
1623 @smallexample
|
|
1624 (signal-process (emacs-pid) 'sigusr1)
|
|
1625 @end smallexample
|
|
1626 @end table
|
|
1627
|
|
1628 If one of these events arrives in the middle of a key sequence---that
|
|
1629 is, after a prefix key---then Emacs reorders the events so that this
|
|
1630 event comes either before or after the multi-event key sequence, not
|
|
1631 within it.
|
|
1632
|
|
1633 @node Event Examples
|
|
1634 @subsection Event Examples
|
|
1635
|
|
1636 If the user presses and releases the left mouse button over the same
|
|
1637 location, that generates a sequence of events like this:
|
|
1638
|
|
1639 @smallexample
|
|
1640 (down-mouse-1 (#<window 18 on NEWS> 2613 (0 . 38) -864320))
|
|
1641 (mouse-1 (#<window 18 on NEWS> 2613 (0 . 38) -864180))
|
|
1642 @end smallexample
|
|
1643
|
|
1644 While holding the control key down, the user might hold down the
|
|
1645 second mouse button, and drag the mouse from one line to the next.
|
|
1646 That produces two events, as shown here:
|
|
1647
|
|
1648 @smallexample
|
|
1649 (C-down-mouse-2 (#<window 18 on NEWS> 3440 (0 . 27) -731219))
|
|
1650 (C-drag-mouse-2 (#<window 18 on NEWS> 3440 (0 . 27) -731219)
|
|
1651 (#<window 18 on NEWS> 3510 (0 . 28) -729648))
|
|
1652 @end smallexample
|
|
1653
|
|
1654 While holding down the meta and shift keys, the user might press the
|
|
1655 second mouse button on the window's mode line, and then drag the mouse
|
|
1656 into another window. That produces a pair of events like these:
|
|
1657
|
|
1658 @smallexample
|
|
1659 (M-S-down-mouse-2 (#<window 18 on NEWS> mode-line (33 . 31) -457844))
|
|
1660 (M-S-drag-mouse-2 (#<window 18 on NEWS> mode-line (33 . 31) -457844)
|
|
1661 (#<window 20 on carlton-sanskrit.tex> 161 (33 . 3)
|
|
1662 -453816))
|
|
1663 @end smallexample
|
|
1664
|
|
1665 To handle a SIGUSR1 signal, define an interactive function, and
|
|
1666 bind it to the @code{signal usr1} event sequence:
|
|
1667
|
|
1668 @smallexample
|
|
1669 (defun usr1-handler ()
|
|
1670 (interactive)
|
|
1671 (message "Got USR1 signal"))
|
|
1672 (global-set-key [signal usr1] 'usr1-handler)
|
|
1673 @end smallexample
|
|
1674
|
|
1675 @node Classifying Events
|
|
1676 @subsection Classifying Events
|
|
1677 @cindex event type
|
|
1678
|
|
1679 Every event has an @dfn{event type}, which classifies the event for
|
|
1680 key binding purposes. For a keyboard event, the event type equals the
|
|
1681 event value; thus, the event type for a character is the character, and
|
|
1682 the event type for a function key symbol is the symbol itself. For
|
|
1683 events that are lists, the event type is the symbol in the @sc{car} of
|
|
1684 the list. Thus, the event type is always a symbol or a character.
|
|
1685
|
|
1686 Two events of the same type are equivalent where key bindings are
|
|
1687 concerned; thus, they always run the same command. That does not
|
|
1688 necessarily mean they do the same things, however, as some commands look
|
|
1689 at the whole event to decide what to do. For example, some commands use
|
|
1690 the location of a mouse event to decide where in the buffer to act.
|
|
1691
|
|
1692 Sometimes broader classifications of events are useful. For example,
|
|
1693 you might want to ask whether an event involved the @key{META} key,
|
|
1694 regardless of which other key or mouse button was used.
|
|
1695
|
|
1696 The functions @code{event-modifiers} and @code{event-basic-type} are
|
|
1697 provided to get such information conveniently.
|
|
1698
|
|
1699 @defun event-modifiers event
|
|
1700 This function returns a list of the modifiers that @var{event} has. The
|
|
1701 modifiers are symbols; they include @code{shift}, @code{control},
|
|
1702 @code{meta}, @code{alt}, @code{hyper} and @code{super}. In addition,
|
|
1703 the modifiers list of a mouse event symbol always contains one of
|
|
1704 @code{click}, @code{drag}, and @code{down}. For double or triple
|
|
1705 events, it also contains @code{double} or @code{triple}.
|
|
1706
|
|
1707 The argument @var{event} may be an entire event object, or just an
|
|
1708 event type. If @var{event} is a symbol that has never been used in an
|
|
1709 event that has been read as input in the current Emacs session, then
|
|
1710 @code{event-modifiers} can return @code{nil}, even when @var{event}
|
|
1711 actually has modifiers.
|
|
1712
|
|
1713 Here are some examples:
|
|
1714
|
|
1715 @example
|
|
1716 (event-modifiers ?a)
|
|
1717 @result{} nil
|
|
1718 (event-modifiers ?A)
|
|
1719 @result{} (shift)
|
|
1720 (event-modifiers ?\C-a)
|
|
1721 @result{} (control)
|
|
1722 (event-modifiers ?\C-%)
|
|
1723 @result{} (control)
|
|
1724 (event-modifiers ?\C-\S-a)
|
|
1725 @result{} (control shift)
|
|
1726 (event-modifiers 'f5)
|
|
1727 @result{} nil
|
|
1728 (event-modifiers 's-f5)
|
|
1729 @result{} (super)
|
|
1730 (event-modifiers 'M-S-f5)
|
|
1731 @result{} (meta shift)
|
|
1732 (event-modifiers 'mouse-1)
|
|
1733 @result{} (click)
|
|
1734 (event-modifiers 'down-mouse-1)
|
|
1735 @result{} (down)
|
|
1736 @end example
|
|
1737
|
|
1738 The modifiers list for a click event explicitly contains @code{click},
|
|
1739 but the event symbol name itself does not contain @samp{click}.
|
|
1740 @end defun
|
|
1741
|
|
1742 @defun event-basic-type event
|
|
1743 This function returns the key or mouse button that @var{event}
|
|
1744 describes, with all modifiers removed. The @var{event} argument is as
|
|
1745 in @code{event-modifiers}. For example:
|
|
1746
|
|
1747 @example
|
|
1748 (event-basic-type ?a)
|
|
1749 @result{} 97
|
|
1750 (event-basic-type ?A)
|
|
1751 @result{} 97
|
|
1752 (event-basic-type ?\C-a)
|
|
1753 @result{} 97
|
|
1754 (event-basic-type ?\C-\S-a)
|
|
1755 @result{} 97
|
|
1756 (event-basic-type 'f5)
|
|
1757 @result{} f5
|
|
1758 (event-basic-type 's-f5)
|
|
1759 @result{} f5
|
|
1760 (event-basic-type 'M-S-f5)
|
|
1761 @result{} f5
|
|
1762 (event-basic-type 'down-mouse-1)
|
|
1763 @result{} mouse-1
|
|
1764 @end example
|
|
1765 @end defun
|
|
1766
|
|
1767 @defun mouse-movement-p object
|
|
1768 This function returns non-@code{nil} if @var{object} is a mouse movement
|
|
1769 event.
|
|
1770 @end defun
|
|
1771
|
|
1772 @defun event-convert-list list
|
|
1773 This function converts a list of modifier names and a basic event type
|
|
1774 to an event type which specifies all of them. The basic event type
|
|
1775 must be the last element of the list. For example,
|
|
1776
|
|
1777 @example
|
|
1778 (event-convert-list '(control ?a))
|
|
1779 @result{} 1
|
|
1780 (event-convert-list '(control meta ?a))
|
|
1781 @result{} -134217727
|
|
1782 (event-convert-list '(control super f1))
|
|
1783 @result{} C-s-f1
|
|
1784 @end example
|
|
1785 @end defun
|
|
1786
|
|
1787 @node Accessing Events
|
|
1788 @subsection Accessing Events
|
|
1789 @cindex mouse events, data in
|
|
1790
|
|
1791 This section describes convenient functions for accessing the data in
|
|
1792 a mouse button or motion event.
|
|
1793
|
|
1794 These two functions return the starting or ending position of a
|
|
1795 mouse-button event, as a list of this form:
|
|
1796
|
|
1797 @example
|
|
1798 (@var{window} @var{pos-or-area} (@var{x} . @var{y}) @var{timestamp}
|
|
1799 @var{object} @var{text-pos} (@var{col} . @var{row})
|
|
1800 @var{image} (@var{dx} . @var{dy}) (@var{width} . @var{height}))
|
|
1801 @end example
|
|
1802
|
|
1803 @defun event-start event
|
|
1804 This returns the starting position of @var{event}.
|
|
1805
|
|
1806 If @var{event} is a click or button-down event, this returns the
|
|
1807 location of the event. If @var{event} is a drag event, this returns the
|
|
1808 drag's starting position.
|
|
1809 @end defun
|
|
1810
|
|
1811 @defun event-end event
|
|
1812 This returns the ending position of @var{event}.
|
|
1813
|
|
1814 If @var{event} is a drag event, this returns the position where the user
|
|
1815 released the mouse button. If @var{event} is a click or button-down
|
|
1816 event, the value is actually the starting position, which is the only
|
|
1817 position such events have.
|
|
1818 @end defun
|
|
1819
|
|
1820 @cindex mouse position list, accessing
|
|
1821 These functions take a position list as described above, and
|
|
1822 return various parts of it.
|
|
1823
|
|
1824 @defun posn-window position
|
|
1825 Return the window that @var{position} is in.
|
|
1826 @end defun
|
|
1827
|
|
1828 @defun posn-area position
|
|
1829 Return the window area recorded in @var{position}. It returns @code{nil}
|
|
1830 when the event occurred in the text area of the window; otherwise, it
|
|
1831 is a symbol identifying the area in which the event occurred.
|
|
1832 @end defun
|
|
1833
|
|
1834 @defun posn-point position
|
|
1835 Return the buffer position in @var{position}. When the event occurred
|
|
1836 in the text area of the window, in a marginal area, or on a fringe,
|
|
1837 this is an integer specifying a buffer position. Otherwise, the value
|
|
1838 is undefined.
|
|
1839 @end defun
|
|
1840
|
|
1841 @defun posn-x-y position
|
|
1842 Return the pixel-based x and y coordinates in @var{position}, as a
|
|
1843 cons cell @code{(@var{x} . @var{y})}. These coordinates are relative
|
|
1844 to the window given by @code{posn-window}.
|
|
1845
|
|
1846 This example shows how to convert these window-relative coordinates
|
|
1847 into frame-relative coordinates:
|
|
1848
|
|
1849 @example
|
|
1850 (defun frame-relative-coordinates (position)
|
|
1851 "Return frame-relative coordinates from POSITION."
|
|
1852 (let* ((x-y (posn-x-y position))
|
|
1853 (window (posn-window position))
|
|
1854 (edges (window-inside-pixel-edges window)))
|
|
1855 (cons (+ (car x-y) (car edges))
|
|
1856 (+ (cdr x-y) (cadr edges)))))
|
|
1857 @end example
|
|
1858 @end defun
|
|
1859
|
|
1860 @defun posn-col-row position
|
|
1861 Return the row and column (in units of the frame's default character
|
|
1862 height and width) of @var{position}, as a cons cell @code{(@var{col} .
|
|
1863 @var{row})}. These are computed from the @var{x} and @var{y} values
|
|
1864 actually found in @var{position}.
|
|
1865 @end defun
|
|
1866
|
|
1867 @defun posn-actual-col-row position
|
|
1868 Return the actual row and column in @var{position}, as a cons cell
|
|
1869 @code{(@var{col} . @var{row})}. The values are the actual row number
|
|
1870 in the window, and the actual character number in that row. It returns
|
|
1871 @code{nil} if @var{position} does not include actual positions values.
|
|
1872 You can use @code{posn-col-row} to get approximate values.
|
|
1873 @end defun
|
|
1874
|
|
1875 @defun posn-string position
|
|
1876 Return the string object in @var{position}, either @code{nil}, or a
|
|
1877 cons cell @code{(@var{string} . @var{string-pos})}.
|
|
1878 @end defun
|
|
1879
|
|
1880 @defun posn-image position
|
|
1881 Return the image object in @var{position}, either @code{nil}, or an
|
|
1882 image @code{(image ...)}.
|
|
1883 @end defun
|
|
1884
|
|
1885 @defun posn-object position
|
|
1886 Return the image or string object in @var{position}, either
|
|
1887 @code{nil}, an image @code{(image ...)}, or a cons cell
|
|
1888 @code{(@var{string} . @var{string-pos})}.
|
|
1889 @end defun
|
|
1890
|
|
1891 @defun posn-object-x-y position
|
|
1892 Return the pixel-based x and y coordinates relative to the upper left
|
|
1893 corner of the object in @var{position} as a cons cell @code{(@var{dx}
|
|
1894 . @var{dy})}. If the @var{position} is a buffer position, return the
|
|
1895 relative position in the character at that position.
|
|
1896 @end defun
|
|
1897
|
|
1898 @defun posn-object-width-height position
|
|
1899 Return the pixel width and height of the object in @var{position} as a
|
|
1900 cons cell @code{(@var{width} . @var{height})}. If the @var{position}
|
|
1901 is a buffer position, return the size of the character at that position.
|
|
1902 @end defun
|
|
1903
|
|
1904 @cindex timestamp of a mouse event
|
|
1905 @defun posn-timestamp position
|
|
1906 Return the timestamp in @var{position}. This is the time at which the
|
|
1907 event occurred, in milliseconds.
|
|
1908 @end defun
|
|
1909
|
|
1910 These functions compute a position list given particular buffer
|
|
1911 position or screen position. You can access the data in this position
|
|
1912 list with the functions described above.
|
|
1913
|
|
1914 @defun posn-at-point &optional pos window
|
|
1915 This function returns a position list for position @var{pos} in
|
|
1916 @var{window}. @var{pos} defaults to point in @var{window};
|
|
1917 @var{window} defaults to the selected window.
|
|
1918
|
|
1919 @code{posn-at-point} returns @code{nil} if @var{pos} is not visible in
|
|
1920 @var{window}.
|
|
1921 @end defun
|
|
1922
|
|
1923 @defun posn-at-x-y x y &optional frame-or-window whole
|
|
1924 This function returns position information corresponding to pixel
|
|
1925 coordinates @var{x} and @var{y} in a specified frame or window,
|
|
1926 @var{frame-or-window}, which defaults to the selected window.
|
|
1927 The coordinates @var{x} and @var{y} are relative to the
|
|
1928 frame or window used.
|
|
1929 If @var{whole} is @code{nil}, the coordinates are relative
|
|
1930 to the window text area, otherwise they are relative to
|
|
1931 the entire window area including scroll bars, margins and fringes.
|
|
1932 @end defun
|
|
1933
|
|
1934 These functions are useful for decoding scroll bar events.
|
|
1935
|
|
1936 @defun scroll-bar-event-ratio event
|
|
1937 This function returns the fractional vertical position of a scroll bar
|
|
1938 event within the scroll bar. The value is a cons cell
|
|
1939 @code{(@var{portion} . @var{whole})} containing two integers whose ratio
|
|
1940 is the fractional position.
|
|
1941 @end defun
|
|
1942
|
|
1943 @defun scroll-bar-scale ratio total
|
|
1944 This function multiplies (in effect) @var{ratio} by @var{total},
|
|
1945 rounding the result to an integer. The argument @var{ratio} is not a
|
|
1946 number, but rather a pair @code{(@var{num} . @var{denom})}---typically a
|
|
1947 value returned by @code{scroll-bar-event-ratio}.
|
|
1948
|
|
1949 This function is handy for scaling a position on a scroll bar into a
|
|
1950 buffer position. Here's how to do that:
|
|
1951
|
|
1952 @example
|
|
1953 (+ (point-min)
|
|
1954 (scroll-bar-scale
|
|
1955 (posn-x-y (event-start event))
|
|
1956 (- (point-max) (point-min))))
|
|
1957 @end example
|
|
1958
|
|
1959 Recall that scroll bar events have two integers forming a ratio, in place
|
|
1960 of a pair of x and y coordinates.
|
|
1961 @end defun
|
|
1962
|
|
1963 @node Strings of Events
|
|
1964 @subsection Putting Keyboard Events in Strings
|
|
1965 @cindex keyboard events in strings
|
|
1966 @cindex strings with keyboard events
|
|
1967
|
|
1968 In most of the places where strings are used, we conceptualize the
|
|
1969 string as containing text characters---the same kind of characters found
|
|
1970 in buffers or files. Occasionally Lisp programs use strings that
|
|
1971 conceptually contain keyboard characters; for example, they may be key
|
|
1972 sequences or keyboard macro definitions. However, storing keyboard
|
|
1973 characters in a string is a complex matter, for reasons of historical
|
|
1974 compatibility, and it is not always possible.
|
|
1975
|
|
1976 We recommend that new programs avoid dealing with these complexities
|
|
1977 by not storing keyboard events in strings. Here is how to do that:
|
|
1978
|
|
1979 @itemize @bullet
|
|
1980 @item
|
|
1981 Use vectors instead of strings for key sequences, when you plan to use
|
|
1982 them for anything other than as arguments to @code{lookup-key} and
|
|
1983 @code{define-key}. For example, you can use
|
|
1984 @code{read-key-sequence-vector} instead of @code{read-key-sequence}, and
|
|
1985 @code{this-command-keys-vector} instead of @code{this-command-keys}.
|
|
1986
|
|
1987 @item
|
|
1988 Use vectors to write key sequence constants containing meta characters,
|
|
1989 even when passing them directly to @code{define-key}.
|
|
1990
|
|
1991 @item
|
|
1992 When you have to look at the contents of a key sequence that might be a
|
|
1993 string, use @code{listify-key-sequence} (@pxref{Event Input Misc})
|
|
1994 first, to convert it to a list.
|
|
1995 @end itemize
|
|
1996
|
|
1997 The complexities stem from the modifier bits that keyboard input
|
|
1998 characters can include. Aside from the Meta modifier, none of these
|
|
1999 modifier bits can be included in a string, and the Meta modifier is
|
|
2000 allowed only in special cases.
|
|
2001
|
|
2002 The earliest GNU Emacs versions represented meta characters as codes
|
|
2003 in the range of 128 to 255. At that time, the basic character codes
|
|
2004 ranged from 0 to 127, so all keyboard character codes did fit in a
|
|
2005 string. Many Lisp programs used @samp{\M-} in string constants to stand
|
|
2006 for meta characters, especially in arguments to @code{define-key} and
|
|
2007 similar functions, and key sequences and sequences of events were always
|
|
2008 represented as strings.
|
|
2009
|
|
2010 When we added support for larger basic character codes beyond 127, and
|
|
2011 additional modifier bits, we had to change the representation of meta
|
|
2012 characters. Now the flag that represents the Meta modifier in a
|
|
2013 character is
|
|
2014 @tex
|
|
2015 @math{2^{27}}
|
|
2016 @end tex
|
|
2017 @ifnottex
|
|
2018 2**27
|
|
2019 @end ifnottex
|
|
2020 and such numbers cannot be included in a string.
|
|
2021
|
|
2022 To support programs with @samp{\M-} in string constants, there are
|
|
2023 special rules for including certain meta characters in a string.
|
|
2024 Here are the rules for interpreting a string as a sequence of input
|
|
2025 characters:
|
|
2026
|
|
2027 @itemize @bullet
|
|
2028 @item
|
|
2029 If the keyboard character value is in the range of 0 to 127, it can go
|
|
2030 in the string unchanged.
|
|
2031
|
|
2032 @item
|
|
2033 The meta variants of those characters, with codes in the range of
|
|
2034 @tex
|
|
2035 @math{2^{27}}
|
|
2036 @end tex
|
|
2037 @ifnottex
|
|
2038 2**27
|
|
2039 @end ifnottex
|
|
2040 to
|
|
2041 @tex
|
|
2042 @math{2^{27} + 127},
|
|
2043 @end tex
|
|
2044 @ifnottex
|
|
2045 2**27+127,
|
|
2046 @end ifnottex
|
|
2047 can also go in the string, but you must change their
|
|
2048 numeric values. You must set the
|
|
2049 @tex
|
|
2050 @math{2^{7}}
|
|
2051 @end tex
|
|
2052 @ifnottex
|
|
2053 2**7
|
|
2054 @end ifnottex
|
|
2055 bit instead of the
|
|
2056 @tex
|
|
2057 @math{2^{27}}
|
|
2058 @end tex
|
|
2059 @ifnottex
|
|
2060 2**27
|
|
2061 @end ifnottex
|
|
2062 bit, resulting in a value between 128 and 255. Only a unibyte string
|
|
2063 can include these codes.
|
|
2064
|
|
2065 @item
|
|
2066 Non-@acronym{ASCII} characters above 256 can be included in a multibyte string.
|
|
2067
|
|
2068 @item
|
|
2069 Other keyboard character events cannot fit in a string. This includes
|
|
2070 keyboard events in the range of 128 to 255.
|
|
2071 @end itemize
|
|
2072
|
|
2073 Functions such as @code{read-key-sequence} that construct strings of
|
|
2074 keyboard input characters follow these rules: they construct vectors
|
|
2075 instead of strings, when the events won't fit in a string.
|
|
2076
|
|
2077 When you use the read syntax @samp{\M-} in a string, it produces a
|
|
2078 code in the range of 128 to 255---the same code that you get if you
|
|
2079 modify the corresponding keyboard event to put it in the string. Thus,
|
|
2080 meta events in strings work consistently regardless of how they get into
|
|
2081 the strings.
|
|
2082
|
|
2083 However, most programs would do well to avoid these issues by
|
|
2084 following the recommendations at the beginning of this section.
|
|
2085
|
|
2086 @node Reading Input
|
|
2087 @section Reading Input
|
|
2088 @cindex read input
|
|
2089 @cindex keyboard input
|
|
2090
|
|
2091 The editor command loop reads key sequences using the function
|
|
2092 @code{read-key-sequence}, which uses @code{read-event}. These and other
|
|
2093 functions for event input are also available for use in Lisp programs.
|
|
2094 See also @code{momentary-string-display} in @ref{Temporary Displays},
|
|
2095 and @code{sit-for} in @ref{Waiting}. @xref{Terminal Input}, for
|
|
2096 functions and variables for controlling terminal input modes and
|
|
2097 debugging terminal input.
|
|
2098
|
|
2099 For higher-level input facilities, see @ref{Minibuffers}.
|
|
2100
|
|
2101 @menu
|
|
2102 * Key Sequence Input:: How to read one key sequence.
|
|
2103 * Reading One Event:: How to read just one event.
|
|
2104 * Event Mod:: How Emacs modifies events as they are read.
|
|
2105 * Invoking the Input Method:: How reading an event uses the input method.
|
|
2106 * Quoted Character Input:: Asking the user to specify a character.
|
|
2107 * Event Input Misc:: How to reread or throw away input events.
|
|
2108 @end menu
|
|
2109
|
|
2110 @node Key Sequence Input
|
|
2111 @subsection Key Sequence Input
|
|
2112 @cindex key sequence input
|
|
2113
|
|
2114 The command loop reads input a key sequence at a time, by calling
|
|
2115 @code{read-key-sequence}. Lisp programs can also call this function;
|
|
2116 for example, @code{describe-key} uses it to read the key to describe.
|
|
2117
|
|
2118 @defun read-key-sequence prompt &optional continue-echo dont-downcase-last switch-frame-ok command-loop
|
|
2119 This function reads a key sequence and returns it as a string or
|
|
2120 vector. It keeps reading events until it has accumulated a complete key
|
|
2121 sequence; that is, enough to specify a non-prefix command using the
|
|
2122 currently active keymaps. (Remember that a key sequence that starts
|
|
2123 with a mouse event is read using the keymaps of the buffer in the
|
|
2124 window that the mouse was in, not the current buffer.)
|
|
2125
|
|
2126 If the events are all characters and all can fit in a string, then
|
|
2127 @code{read-key-sequence} returns a string (@pxref{Strings of Events}).
|
|
2128 Otherwise, it returns a vector, since a vector can hold all kinds of
|
|
2129 events---characters, symbols, and lists. The elements of the string or
|
|
2130 vector are the events in the key sequence.
|
|
2131
|
|
2132 Reading a key sequence includes translating the events in various
|
|
2133 ways. @xref{Translation Keymaps}.
|
|
2134
|
|
2135 The argument @var{prompt} is either a string to be displayed in the
|
|
2136 echo area as a prompt, or @code{nil}, meaning not to display a prompt.
|
|
2137 The argument @var{continue-echo}, if non-@code{nil}, means to echo
|
|
2138 this key as a continuation of the previous key.
|
|
2139
|
|
2140 Normally any upper case event is converted to lower case if the
|
|
2141 original event is undefined and the lower case equivalent is defined.
|
|
2142 The argument @var{dont-downcase-last}, if non-@code{nil}, means do not
|
|
2143 convert the last event to lower case. This is appropriate for reading
|
|
2144 a key sequence to be defined.
|
|
2145
|
|
2146 The argument @var{switch-frame-ok}, if non-@code{nil}, means that this
|
|
2147 function should process a @code{switch-frame} event if the user
|
|
2148 switches frames before typing anything. If the user switches frames
|
|
2149 in the middle of a key sequence, or at the start of the sequence but
|
|
2150 @var{switch-frame-ok} is @code{nil}, then the event will be put off
|
|
2151 until after the current key sequence.
|
|
2152
|
|
2153 The argument @var{command-loop}, if non-@code{nil}, means that this
|
|
2154 key sequence is being read by something that will read commands one
|
|
2155 after another. It should be @code{nil} if the caller will read just
|
|
2156 one key sequence.
|
|
2157
|
|
2158 In the following example, Emacs displays the prompt @samp{?} in the
|
|
2159 echo area, and then the user types @kbd{C-x C-f}.
|
|
2160
|
|
2161 @example
|
|
2162 (read-key-sequence "?")
|
|
2163
|
|
2164 @group
|
|
2165 ---------- Echo Area ----------
|
|
2166 ?@kbd{C-x C-f}
|
|
2167 ---------- Echo Area ----------
|
|
2168
|
|
2169 @result{} "^X^F"
|
|
2170 @end group
|
|
2171 @end example
|
|
2172
|
|
2173 The function @code{read-key-sequence} suppresses quitting: @kbd{C-g}
|
|
2174 typed while reading with this function works like any other character,
|
|
2175 and does not set @code{quit-flag}. @xref{Quitting}.
|
|
2176 @end defun
|
|
2177
|
|
2178 @defun read-key-sequence-vector prompt &optional continue-echo dont-downcase-last switch-frame-ok command-loop
|
|
2179 This is like @code{read-key-sequence} except that it always
|
|
2180 returns the key sequence as a vector, never as a string.
|
|
2181 @xref{Strings of Events}.
|
|
2182 @end defun
|
|
2183
|
|
2184 @cindex upper case key sequence
|
|
2185 @cindex downcasing in @code{lookup-key}
|
|
2186 If an input character is upper-case (or has the shift modifier) and
|
|
2187 has no key binding, but its lower-case equivalent has one, then
|
|
2188 @code{read-key-sequence} converts the character to lower case. Note
|
|
2189 that @code{lookup-key} does not perform case conversion in this way.
|
|
2190
|
|
2191 The function @code{read-key-sequence} also transforms some mouse events.
|
|
2192 It converts unbound drag events into click events, and discards unbound
|
|
2193 button-down events entirely. It also reshuffles focus events and
|
|
2194 miscellaneous window events so that they never appear in a key sequence
|
|
2195 with any other events.
|
|
2196
|
|
2197 @cindex @code{header-line} prefix key
|
|
2198 @cindex @code{mode-line} prefix key
|
|
2199 @cindex @code{vertical-line} prefix key
|
|
2200 @cindex @code{horizontal-scroll-bar} prefix key
|
|
2201 @cindex @code{vertical-scroll-bar} prefix key
|
|
2202 @cindex @code{menu-bar} prefix key
|
|
2203 @cindex mouse events, in special parts of frame
|
|
2204 When mouse events occur in special parts of a window, such as a mode
|
|
2205 line or a scroll bar, the event type shows nothing special---it is the
|
|
2206 same symbol that would normally represent that combination of mouse
|
|
2207 button and modifier keys. The information about the window part is kept
|
|
2208 elsewhere in the event---in the coordinates. But
|
|
2209 @code{read-key-sequence} translates this information into imaginary
|
|
2210 ``prefix keys,'' all of which are symbols: @code{header-line},
|
|
2211 @code{horizontal-scroll-bar}, @code{menu-bar}, @code{mode-line},
|
|
2212 @code{vertical-line}, and @code{vertical-scroll-bar}. You can define
|
|
2213 meanings for mouse clicks in special window parts by defining key
|
|
2214 sequences using these imaginary prefix keys.
|
|
2215
|
|
2216 For example, if you call @code{read-key-sequence} and then click the
|
|
2217 mouse on the window's mode line, you get two events, like this:
|
|
2218
|
|
2219 @example
|
|
2220 (read-key-sequence "Click on the mode line: ")
|
|
2221 @result{} [mode-line
|
|
2222 (mouse-1
|
|
2223 (#<window 6 on NEWS> mode-line
|
|
2224 (40 . 63) 5959987))]
|
|
2225 @end example
|
|
2226
|
|
2227 @defvar num-input-keys
|
|
2228 @c Emacs 19 feature
|
|
2229 This variable's value is the number of key sequences processed so far in
|
|
2230 this Emacs session. This includes key sequences read from the terminal
|
|
2231 and key sequences read from keyboard macros being executed.
|
|
2232 @end defvar
|
|
2233
|
|
2234 @node Reading One Event
|
|
2235 @subsection Reading One Event
|
|
2236 @cindex reading a single event
|
|
2237 @cindex event, reading only one
|
|
2238
|
|
2239 The lowest level functions for command input are those that read a
|
|
2240 single event.
|
|
2241
|
|
2242 None of the three functions below suppresses quitting.
|
|
2243
|
|
2244 @defun read-event &optional prompt inherit-input-method seconds
|
|
2245 This function reads and returns the next event of command input, waiting
|
|
2246 if necessary until an event is available. Events can come directly from
|
|
2247 the user or from a keyboard macro.
|
|
2248
|
|
2249 If the optional argument @var{prompt} is non-@code{nil}, it should be a
|
|
2250 string to display in the echo area as a prompt. Otherwise,
|
|
2251 @code{read-event} does not display any message to indicate it is waiting
|
|
2252 for input; instead, it prompts by echoing: it displays descriptions of
|
|
2253 the events that led to or were read by the current command. @xref{The
|
|
2254 Echo Area}.
|
|
2255
|
|
2256 If @var{inherit-input-method} is non-@code{nil}, then the current input
|
|
2257 method (if any) is employed to make it possible to enter a
|
|
2258 non-@acronym{ASCII} character. Otherwise, input method handling is disabled
|
|
2259 for reading this event.
|
|
2260
|
|
2261 If @code{cursor-in-echo-area} is non-@code{nil}, then @code{read-event}
|
|
2262 moves the cursor temporarily to the echo area, to the end of any message
|
|
2263 displayed there. Otherwise @code{read-event} does not move the cursor.
|
|
2264
|
|
2265 If @var{seconds} is non-@code{nil}, it should be a number specifying
|
|
2266 the maximum time to wait for input, in seconds. If no input arrives
|
|
2267 within that time, @code{read-event} stops waiting and returns
|
|
2268 @code{nil}. A floating-point value for @var{seconds} means to wait
|
|
2269 for a fractional number of seconds. Some systems support only a whole
|
|
2270 number of seconds; on these systems, @var{seconds} is rounded down.
|
|
2271 If @var{seconds} is @code{nil}, @code{read-event} waits as long as
|
|
2272 necessary for input to arrive.
|
|
2273
|
|
2274 If @var{seconds} is @code{nil}, Emacs is considered idle while waiting
|
|
2275 for user input to arrive. Idle timers---those created with
|
|
2276 @code{run-with-idle-timer} (@pxref{Idle Timers})---can run during this
|
|
2277 period. However, if @var{seconds} is non-@code{nil}, the state of
|
|
2278 idleness remains unchanged. If Emacs is non-idle when
|
|
2279 @code{read-event} is called, it remains non-idle throughout the
|
|
2280 operation of @code{read-event}; if Emacs is idle (which can happen if
|
|
2281 the call happens inside an idle timer), it remains idle.
|
|
2282
|
|
2283 If @code{read-event} gets an event that is defined as a help character,
|
|
2284 then in some cases @code{read-event} processes the event directly without
|
|
2285 returning. @xref{Help Functions}. Certain other events, called
|
|
2286 @dfn{special events}, are also processed directly within
|
|
2287 @code{read-event} (@pxref{Special Events}).
|
|
2288
|
|
2289 Here is what happens if you call @code{read-event} and then press the
|
|
2290 right-arrow function key:
|
|
2291
|
|
2292 @example
|
|
2293 @group
|
|
2294 (read-event)
|
|
2295 @result{} right
|
|
2296 @end group
|
|
2297 @end example
|
|
2298 @end defun
|
|
2299
|
|
2300 @defun read-char &optional prompt inherit-input-method seconds
|
|
2301 This function reads and returns a character of command input. If the
|
|
2302 user generates an event which is not a character (i.e. a mouse click or
|
|
2303 function key event), @code{read-char} signals an error. The arguments
|
|
2304 work as in @code{read-event}.
|
|
2305
|
|
2306 In the first example, the user types the character @kbd{1} (@acronym{ASCII}
|
|
2307 code 49). The second example shows a keyboard macro definition that
|
|
2308 calls @code{read-char} from the minibuffer using @code{eval-expression}.
|
|
2309 @code{read-char} reads the keyboard macro's very next character, which
|
|
2310 is @kbd{1}. Then @code{eval-expression} displays its return value in
|
|
2311 the echo area.
|
|
2312
|
|
2313 @example
|
|
2314 @group
|
|
2315 (read-char)
|
|
2316 @result{} 49
|
|
2317 @end group
|
|
2318
|
|
2319 @group
|
|
2320 ;; @r{We assume here you use @kbd{M-:} to evaluate this.}
|
|
2321 (symbol-function 'foo)
|
|
2322 @result{} "^[:(read-char)^M1"
|
|
2323 @end group
|
|
2324 @group
|
|
2325 (execute-kbd-macro 'foo)
|
|
2326 @print{} 49
|
|
2327 @result{} nil
|
|
2328 @end group
|
|
2329 @end example
|
|
2330 @end defun
|
|
2331
|
|
2332 @defun read-char-exclusive &optional prompt inherit-input-method seconds
|
|
2333 This function reads and returns a character of command input. If the
|
|
2334 user generates an event which is not a character,
|
|
2335 @code{read-char-exclusive} ignores it and reads another event, until it
|
|
2336 gets a character. The arguments work as in @code{read-event}.
|
|
2337 @end defun
|
|
2338
|
|
2339 @defvar num-nonmacro-input-events
|
|
2340 This variable holds the total number of input events received so far
|
|
2341 from the terminal---not counting those generated by keyboard macros.
|
|
2342 @end defvar
|
|
2343
|
|
2344 @node Event Mod
|
|
2345 @subsection Modifying and Translating Input Events
|
|
2346
|
|
2347 Emacs modifies every event it reads according to
|
|
2348 @code{extra-keyboard-modifiers}, then translates it through
|
|
2349 @code{keyboard-translate-table} (if applicable), before returning it
|
|
2350 from @code{read-event}.
|
|
2351
|
|
2352 @c Emacs 19 feature
|
|
2353 @defvar extra-keyboard-modifiers
|
|
2354 This variable lets Lisp programs ``press'' the modifier keys on the
|
|
2355 keyboard. The value is a character. Only the modifiers of the
|
|
2356 character matter. Each time the user types a keyboard key, it is
|
|
2357 altered as if those modifier keys were held down. For instance, if
|
|
2358 you bind @code{extra-keyboard-modifiers} to @code{?\C-\M-a}, then all
|
|
2359 keyboard input characters typed during the scope of the binding will
|
|
2360 have the control and meta modifiers applied to them. The character
|
|
2361 @code{?\C-@@}, equivalent to the integer 0, does not count as a control
|
|
2362 character for this purpose, but as a character with no modifiers.
|
|
2363 Thus, setting @code{extra-keyboard-modifiers} to zero cancels any
|
|
2364 modification.
|
|
2365
|
|
2366 When using a window system, the program can ``press'' any of the
|
|
2367 modifier keys in this way. Otherwise, only the @key{CTL} and @key{META}
|
|
2368 keys can be virtually pressed.
|
|
2369
|
|
2370 Note that this variable applies only to events that really come from
|
|
2371 the keyboard, and has no effect on mouse events or any other events.
|
|
2372 @end defvar
|
|
2373
|
|
2374 @defvar keyboard-translate-table
|
|
2375 This variable is the translate table for keyboard characters. It lets
|
|
2376 you reshuffle the keys on the keyboard without changing any command
|
|
2377 bindings. Its value is normally a char-table, or else @code{nil}.
|
|
2378 (It can also be a string or vector, but this is considered obsolete.)
|
|
2379
|
|
2380 If @code{keyboard-translate-table} is a char-table
|
|
2381 (@pxref{Char-Tables}), then each character read from the keyboard is
|
|
2382 looked up in this char-table. If the value found there is
|
|
2383 non-@code{nil}, then it is used instead of the actual input character.
|
|
2384
|
|
2385 Note that this translation is the first thing that happens to a
|
|
2386 character after it is read from the terminal. Record-keeping features
|
|
2387 such as @code{recent-keys} and dribble files record the characters after
|
|
2388 translation.
|
|
2389
|
|
2390 Note also that this translation is done before the characters are
|
|
2391 supplied to input methods (@pxref{Input Methods}). Use
|
|
2392 @code{translation-table-for-input} (@pxref{Translation of Characters}),
|
|
2393 if you want to translate characters after input methods operate.
|
|
2394 @end defvar
|
|
2395
|
|
2396 @defun keyboard-translate from to
|
|
2397 This function modifies @code{keyboard-translate-table} to translate
|
|
2398 character code @var{from} into character code @var{to}. It creates
|
|
2399 the keyboard translate table if necessary.
|
|
2400 @end defun
|
|
2401
|
|
2402 Here's an example of using the @code{keyboard-translate-table} to
|
|
2403 make @kbd{C-x}, @kbd{C-c} and @kbd{C-v} perform the cut, copy and paste
|
|
2404 operations:
|
|
2405
|
|
2406 @example
|
|
2407 (keyboard-translate ?\C-x 'control-x)
|
|
2408 (keyboard-translate ?\C-c 'control-c)
|
|
2409 (keyboard-translate ?\C-v 'control-v)
|
|
2410 (global-set-key [control-x] 'kill-region)
|
|
2411 (global-set-key [control-c] 'kill-ring-save)
|
|
2412 (global-set-key [control-v] 'yank)
|
|
2413 @end example
|
|
2414
|
|
2415 @noindent
|
|
2416 On a graphical terminal that supports extended @acronym{ASCII} input,
|
|
2417 you can still get the standard Emacs meanings of one of those
|
|
2418 characters by typing it with the shift key. That makes it a different
|
|
2419 character as far as keyboard translation is concerned, but it has the
|
|
2420 same usual meaning.
|
|
2421
|
|
2422 @xref{Translation Keymaps}, for mechanisms that translate event sequences
|
|
2423 at the level of @code{read-key-sequence}.
|
|
2424
|
|
2425 @node Invoking the Input Method
|
|
2426 @subsection Invoking the Input Method
|
|
2427
|
|
2428 The event-reading functions invoke the current input method, if any
|
|
2429 (@pxref{Input Methods}). If the value of @code{input-method-function}
|
|
2430 is non-@code{nil}, it should be a function; when @code{read-event} reads
|
|
2431 a printing character (including @key{SPC}) with no modifier bits, it
|
|
2432 calls that function, passing the character as an argument.
|
|
2433
|
|
2434 @defvar input-method-function
|
|
2435 If this is non-@code{nil}, its value specifies the current input method
|
|
2436 function.
|
|
2437
|
|
2438 @strong{Warning:} don't bind this variable with @code{let}. It is often
|
|
2439 buffer-local, and if you bind it around reading input (which is exactly
|
|
2440 when you @emph{would} bind it), switching buffers asynchronously while
|
|
2441 Emacs is waiting will cause the value to be restored in the wrong
|
|
2442 buffer.
|
|
2443 @end defvar
|
|
2444
|
|
2445 The input method function should return a list of events which should
|
|
2446 be used as input. (If the list is @code{nil}, that means there is no
|
|
2447 input, so @code{read-event} waits for another event.) These events are
|
|
2448 processed before the events in @code{unread-command-events}
|
|
2449 (@pxref{Event Input Misc}). Events
|
|
2450 returned by the input method function are not passed to the input method
|
|
2451 function again, even if they are printing characters with no modifier
|
|
2452 bits.
|
|
2453
|
|
2454 If the input method function calls @code{read-event} or
|
|
2455 @code{read-key-sequence}, it should bind @code{input-method-function} to
|
|
2456 @code{nil} first, to prevent recursion.
|
|
2457
|
|
2458 The input method function is not called when reading the second and
|
|
2459 subsequent events of a key sequence. Thus, these characters are not
|
|
2460 subject to input method processing. The input method function should
|
|
2461 test the values of @code{overriding-local-map} and
|
|
2462 @code{overriding-terminal-local-map}; if either of these variables is
|
|
2463 non-@code{nil}, the input method should put its argument into a list and
|
|
2464 return that list with no further processing.
|
|
2465
|
|
2466 @node Quoted Character Input
|
|
2467 @subsection Quoted Character Input
|
|
2468 @cindex quoted character input
|
|
2469
|
|
2470 You can use the function @code{read-quoted-char} to ask the user to
|
|
2471 specify a character, and allow the user to specify a control or meta
|
|
2472 character conveniently, either literally or as an octal character code.
|
|
2473 The command @code{quoted-insert} uses this function.
|
|
2474
|
|
2475 @defun read-quoted-char &optional prompt
|
|
2476 @cindex octal character input
|
|
2477 @cindex control characters, reading
|
|
2478 @cindex nonprinting characters, reading
|
|
2479 This function is like @code{read-char}, except that if the first
|
|
2480 character read is an octal digit (0-7), it reads any number of octal
|
|
2481 digits (but stopping if a non-octal digit is found), and returns the
|
|
2482 character represented by that numeric character code. If the
|
|
2483 character that terminates the sequence of octal digits is @key{RET},
|
|
2484 it is discarded. Any other terminating character is used as input
|
|
2485 after this function returns.
|
|
2486
|
|
2487 Quitting is suppressed when the first character is read, so that the
|
|
2488 user can enter a @kbd{C-g}. @xref{Quitting}.
|
|
2489
|
|
2490 If @var{prompt} is supplied, it specifies a string for prompting the
|
|
2491 user. The prompt string is always displayed in the echo area, followed
|
|
2492 by a single @samp{-}.
|
|
2493
|
|
2494 In the following example, the user types in the octal number 177 (which
|
|
2495 is 127 in decimal).
|
|
2496
|
|
2497 @example
|
|
2498 (read-quoted-char "What character")
|
|
2499
|
|
2500 @group
|
|
2501 ---------- Echo Area ----------
|
|
2502 What character @kbd{1 7 7}-
|
|
2503 ---------- Echo Area ----------
|
|
2504
|
|
2505 @result{} 127
|
|
2506 @end group
|
|
2507 @end example
|
|
2508 @end defun
|
|
2509
|
|
2510 @need 2000
|
|
2511 @node Event Input Misc
|
|
2512 @subsection Miscellaneous Event Input Features
|
|
2513
|
|
2514 This section describes how to ``peek ahead'' at events without using
|
|
2515 them up, how to check for pending input, and how to discard pending
|
|
2516 input. See also the function @code{read-passwd} (@pxref{Reading a
|
|
2517 Password}).
|
|
2518
|
|
2519 @defvar unread-command-events
|
|
2520 @cindex next input
|
|
2521 @cindex peeking at input
|
|
2522 This variable holds a list of events waiting to be read as command
|
|
2523 input. The events are used in the order they appear in the list, and
|
|
2524 removed one by one as they are used.
|
|
2525
|
|
2526 The variable is needed because in some cases a function reads an event
|
|
2527 and then decides not to use it. Storing the event in this variable
|
|
2528 causes it to be processed normally, by the command loop or by the
|
|
2529 functions to read command input.
|
|
2530
|
|
2531 @cindex prefix argument unreading
|
|
2532 For example, the function that implements numeric prefix arguments reads
|
|
2533 any number of digits. When it finds a non-digit event, it must unread
|
|
2534 the event so that it can be read normally by the command loop.
|
|
2535 Likewise, incremental search uses this feature to unread events with no
|
|
2536 special meaning in a search, because these events should exit the search
|
|
2537 and then execute normally.
|
|
2538
|
|
2539 The reliable and easy way to extract events from a key sequence so as to
|
|
2540 put them in @code{unread-command-events} is to use
|
|
2541 @code{listify-key-sequence} (@pxref{Strings of Events}).
|
|
2542
|
|
2543 Normally you add events to the front of this list, so that the events
|
|
2544 most recently unread will be reread first.
|
|
2545
|
|
2546 Events read from this list are not normally added to the current
|
|
2547 command's key sequence (as returned by e.g. @code{this-command-keys}),
|
|
2548 as the events will already have been added once as they were read for
|
|
2549 the first time. An element of the form @code{(@code{t} . @var{event})}
|
|
2550 forces @var{event} to be added to the current command's key sequence.
|
|
2551 @end defvar
|
|
2552
|
|
2553 @defun listify-key-sequence key
|
|
2554 This function converts the string or vector @var{key} to a list of
|
|
2555 individual events, which you can put in @code{unread-command-events}.
|
|
2556 @end defun
|
|
2557
|
|
2558 @defvar unread-command-char
|
|
2559 This variable holds a character to be read as command input.
|
|
2560 A value of -1 means ``empty.''
|
|
2561
|
|
2562 This variable is mostly obsolete now that you can use
|
|
2563 @code{unread-command-events} instead; it exists only to support programs
|
|
2564 written for Emacs versions 18 and earlier.
|
|
2565 @end defvar
|
|
2566
|
|
2567 @defun input-pending-p
|
|
2568 @cindex waiting for command key input
|
|
2569 This function determines whether any command input is currently
|
|
2570 available to be read. It returns immediately, with value @code{t} if
|
|
2571 there is available input, @code{nil} otherwise. On rare occasions it
|
|
2572 may return @code{t} when no input is available.
|
|
2573 @end defun
|
|
2574
|
|
2575 @defvar last-input-event
|
|
2576 @defvarx last-input-char
|
|
2577 This variable records the last terminal input event read, whether
|
|
2578 as part of a command or explicitly by a Lisp program.
|
|
2579
|
|
2580 In the example below, the Lisp program reads the character @kbd{1},
|
|
2581 @acronym{ASCII} code 49. It becomes the value of @code{last-input-event},
|
|
2582 while @kbd{C-e} (we assume @kbd{C-x C-e} command is used to evaluate
|
|
2583 this expression) remains the value of @code{last-command-event}.
|
|
2584
|
|
2585 @example
|
|
2586 @group
|
|
2587 (progn (print (read-char))
|
|
2588 (print last-command-event)
|
|
2589 last-input-event)
|
|
2590 @print{} 49
|
|
2591 @print{} 5
|
|
2592 @result{} 49
|
|
2593 @end group
|
|
2594 @end example
|
|
2595
|
|
2596 The alias @code{last-input-char} exists for compatibility with
|
|
2597 Emacs version 18.
|
|
2598 @end defvar
|
|
2599
|
|
2600 @defmac while-no-input body@dots{}
|
|
2601 This construct runs the @var{body} forms and returns the value of the
|
|
2602 last one---but only if no input arrives. If any input arrives during
|
|
2603 the execution of the @var{body} forms, it aborts them (working much
|
|
2604 like a quit). The @code{while-no-input} form returns @code{nil} if
|
|
2605 aborted by a real quit, and returns @code{t} if aborted by arrival of
|
|
2606 other input.
|
|
2607
|
|
2608 If a part of @var{body} binds @code{inhibit-quit} to non-@code{nil},
|
|
2609 arrival of input during those parts won't cause an abort until
|
|
2610 the end of that part.
|
|
2611
|
|
2612 If you want to be able to distinguish all possible values computed
|
|
2613 by @var{body} from both kinds of abort conditions, write the code
|
|
2614 like this:
|
|
2615
|
|
2616 @example
|
|
2617 (while-no-input
|
|
2618 (list
|
|
2619 (progn . @var{body})))
|
|
2620 @end example
|
|
2621 @end defmac
|
|
2622
|
|
2623 @defun discard-input
|
|
2624 @cindex flushing input
|
|
2625 @cindex discarding input
|
|
2626 @cindex keyboard macro, terminating
|
|
2627 This function discards the contents of the terminal input buffer and
|
|
2628 cancels any keyboard macro that might be in the process of definition.
|
|
2629 It returns @code{nil}.
|
|
2630
|
|
2631 In the following example, the user may type a number of characters right
|
|
2632 after starting the evaluation of the form. After the @code{sleep-for}
|
|
2633 finishes sleeping, @code{discard-input} discards any characters typed
|
|
2634 during the sleep.
|
|
2635
|
|
2636 @example
|
|
2637 (progn (sleep-for 2)
|
|
2638 (discard-input))
|
|
2639 @result{} nil
|
|
2640 @end example
|
|
2641 @end defun
|
|
2642
|
|
2643 @node Special Events
|
|
2644 @section Special Events
|
|
2645
|
|
2646 @cindex special events
|
|
2647 Special events are handled at a very low level---as soon as they are
|
|
2648 read. The @code{read-event} function processes these events itself, and
|
|
2649 never returns them. Instead, it keeps waiting for the first event
|
|
2650 that is not special and returns that one.
|
|
2651
|
|
2652 Events that are handled in this way do not echo, they are never grouped
|
|
2653 into key sequences, and they never appear in the value of
|
|
2654 @code{last-command-event} or @code{(this-command-keys)}. They do not
|
|
2655 discard a numeric argument, they cannot be unread with
|
|
2656 @code{unread-command-events}, they may not appear in a keyboard macro,
|
|
2657 and they are not recorded in a keyboard macro while you are defining
|
|
2658 one.
|
|
2659
|
|
2660 These events do, however, appear in @code{last-input-event} immediately
|
|
2661 after they are read, and this is the way for the event's definition to
|
|
2662 find the actual event.
|
|
2663
|
|
2664 The events types @code{iconify-frame}, @code{make-frame-visible},
|
|
2665 @code{delete-frame}, @code{drag-n-drop}, and user signals like
|
|
2666 @code{sigusr1} are normally handled in this way. The keymap which
|
|
2667 defines how to handle special events---and which events are special---is
|
|
2668 in the variable @code{special-event-map} (@pxref{Active Keymaps}).
|
|
2669
|
|
2670 @node Waiting
|
|
2671 @section Waiting for Elapsed Time or Input
|
|
2672 @cindex waiting
|
|
2673
|
|
2674 The wait functions are designed to wait for a certain amount of time
|
|
2675 to pass or until there is input. For example, you may wish to pause in
|
|
2676 the middle of a computation to allow the user time to view the display.
|
|
2677 @code{sit-for} pauses and updates the screen, and returns immediately if
|
|
2678 input comes in, while @code{sleep-for} pauses without updating the
|
|
2679 screen.
|
|
2680
|
|
2681 @defun sit-for seconds &optional nodisp
|
|
2682 This function performs redisplay (provided there is no pending input
|
|
2683 from the user), then waits @var{seconds} seconds, or until input is
|
|
2684 available. The usual purpose of @code{sit-for} is to give the user
|
|
2685 time to read text that you display. The value is @code{t} if
|
|
2686 @code{sit-for} waited the full time with no input arriving
|
|
2687 (@pxref{Event Input Misc}). Otherwise, the value is @code{nil}.
|
|
2688
|
|
2689 The argument @var{seconds} need not be an integer. If it is a floating
|
|
2690 point number, @code{sit-for} waits for a fractional number of seconds.
|
|
2691 Some systems support only a whole number of seconds; on these systems,
|
|
2692 @var{seconds} is rounded down.
|
|
2693
|
|
2694 The expression @code{(sit-for 0)} is equivalent to @code{(redisplay)},
|
|
2695 i.e. it requests a redisplay, without any delay, if there is no pending input.
|
|
2696 @xref{Forcing Redisplay}.
|
|
2697
|
|
2698 If @var{nodisp} is non-@code{nil}, then @code{sit-for} does not
|
|
2699 redisplay, but it still returns as soon as input is available (or when
|
|
2700 the timeout elapses).
|
|
2701
|
|
2702 In batch mode (@pxref{Batch Mode}), @code{sit-for} cannot be
|
|
2703 interrupted, even by input from the standard input descriptor. It is
|
|
2704 thus equivalent to @code{sleep-for}, which is described below.
|
|
2705
|
|
2706 It is also possible to call @code{sit-for} with three arguments,
|
|
2707 as @code{(sit-for @var{seconds} @var{millisec} @var{nodisp})},
|
|
2708 but that is considered obsolete.
|
|
2709 @end defun
|
|
2710
|
|
2711 @defun sleep-for seconds &optional millisec
|
|
2712 This function simply pauses for @var{seconds} seconds without updating
|
|
2713 the display. It pays no attention to available input. It returns
|
|
2714 @code{nil}.
|
|
2715
|
|
2716 The argument @var{seconds} need not be an integer. If it is a floating
|
|
2717 point number, @code{sleep-for} waits for a fractional number of seconds.
|
|
2718 Some systems support only a whole number of seconds; on these systems,
|
|
2719 @var{seconds} is rounded down.
|
|
2720
|
|
2721 The optional argument @var{millisec} specifies an additional waiting
|
|
2722 period measured in milliseconds. This adds to the period specified by
|
|
2723 @var{seconds}. If the system doesn't support waiting fractions of a
|
|
2724 second, you get an error if you specify nonzero @var{millisec}.
|
|
2725
|
|
2726 Use @code{sleep-for} when you wish to guarantee a delay.
|
|
2727 @end defun
|
|
2728
|
|
2729 @xref{Time of Day}, for functions to get the current time.
|
|
2730
|
|
2731 @node Quitting
|
|
2732 @section Quitting
|
|
2733 @cindex @kbd{C-g}
|
|
2734 @cindex quitting
|
|
2735 @cindex interrupt Lisp functions
|
|
2736
|
|
2737 Typing @kbd{C-g} while a Lisp function is running causes Emacs to
|
|
2738 @dfn{quit} whatever it is doing. This means that control returns to the
|
|
2739 innermost active command loop.
|
|
2740
|
|
2741 Typing @kbd{C-g} while the command loop is waiting for keyboard input
|
|
2742 does not cause a quit; it acts as an ordinary input character. In the
|
|
2743 simplest case, you cannot tell the difference, because @kbd{C-g}
|
|
2744 normally runs the command @code{keyboard-quit}, whose effect is to quit.
|
|
2745 However, when @kbd{C-g} follows a prefix key, they combine to form an
|
|
2746 undefined key. The effect is to cancel the prefix key as well as any
|
|
2747 prefix argument.
|
|
2748
|
|
2749 In the minibuffer, @kbd{C-g} has a different definition: it aborts out
|
|
2750 of the minibuffer. This means, in effect, that it exits the minibuffer
|
|
2751 and then quits. (Simply quitting would return to the command loop
|
|
2752 @emph{within} the minibuffer.) The reason why @kbd{C-g} does not quit
|
|
2753 directly when the command reader is reading input is so that its meaning
|
|
2754 can be redefined in the minibuffer in this way. @kbd{C-g} following a
|
|
2755 prefix key is not redefined in the minibuffer, and it has its normal
|
|
2756 effect of canceling the prefix key and prefix argument. This too
|
|
2757 would not be possible if @kbd{C-g} always quit directly.
|
|
2758
|
|
2759 When @kbd{C-g} does directly quit, it does so by setting the variable
|
|
2760 @code{quit-flag} to @code{t}. Emacs checks this variable at appropriate
|
|
2761 times and quits if it is not @code{nil}. Setting @code{quit-flag}
|
|
2762 non-@code{nil} in any way thus causes a quit.
|
|
2763
|
|
2764 At the level of C code, quitting cannot happen just anywhere; only at the
|
|
2765 special places that check @code{quit-flag}. The reason for this is
|
|
2766 that quitting at other places might leave an inconsistency in Emacs's
|
|
2767 internal state. Because quitting is delayed until a safe place, quitting
|
|
2768 cannot make Emacs crash.
|
|
2769
|
|
2770 Certain functions such as @code{read-key-sequence} or
|
|
2771 @code{read-quoted-char} prevent quitting entirely even though they wait
|
|
2772 for input. Instead of quitting, @kbd{C-g} serves as the requested
|
|
2773 input. In the case of @code{read-key-sequence}, this serves to bring
|
|
2774 about the special behavior of @kbd{C-g} in the command loop. In the
|
|
2775 case of @code{read-quoted-char}, this is so that @kbd{C-q} can be used
|
|
2776 to quote a @kbd{C-g}.
|
|
2777
|
|
2778 @cindex preventing quitting
|
|
2779 You can prevent quitting for a portion of a Lisp function by binding
|
|
2780 the variable @code{inhibit-quit} to a non-@code{nil} value. Then,
|
|
2781 although @kbd{C-g} still sets @code{quit-flag} to @code{t} as usual, the
|
|
2782 usual result of this---a quit---is prevented. Eventually,
|
|
2783 @code{inhibit-quit} will become @code{nil} again, such as when its
|
|
2784 binding is unwound at the end of a @code{let} form. At that time, if
|
|
2785 @code{quit-flag} is still non-@code{nil}, the requested quit happens
|
|
2786 immediately. This behavior is ideal when you wish to make sure that
|
|
2787 quitting does not happen within a ``critical section'' of the program.
|
|
2788
|
|
2789 @cindex @code{read-quoted-char} quitting
|
|
2790 In some functions (such as @code{read-quoted-char}), @kbd{C-g} is
|
|
2791 handled in a special way that does not involve quitting. This is done
|
|
2792 by reading the input with @code{inhibit-quit} bound to @code{t}, and
|
|
2793 setting @code{quit-flag} to @code{nil} before @code{inhibit-quit}
|
|
2794 becomes @code{nil} again. This excerpt from the definition of
|
|
2795 @code{read-quoted-char} shows how this is done; it also shows that
|
|
2796 normal quitting is permitted after the first character of input.
|
|
2797
|
|
2798 @example
|
|
2799 (defun read-quoted-char (&optional prompt)
|
|
2800 "@dots{}@var{documentation}@dots{}"
|
|
2801 (let ((message-log-max nil) done (first t) (code 0) char)
|
|
2802 (while (not done)
|
|
2803 (let ((inhibit-quit first)
|
|
2804 @dots{})
|
|
2805 (and prompt (message "%s-" prompt))
|
|
2806 (setq char (read-event))
|
|
2807 (if inhibit-quit (setq quit-flag nil)))
|
|
2808 @r{@dots{}set the variable @code{code}@dots{}})
|
|
2809 code))
|
|
2810 @end example
|
|
2811
|
|
2812 @defvar quit-flag
|
|
2813 If this variable is non-@code{nil}, then Emacs quits immediately, unless
|
|
2814 @code{inhibit-quit} is non-@code{nil}. Typing @kbd{C-g} ordinarily sets
|
|
2815 @code{quit-flag} non-@code{nil}, regardless of @code{inhibit-quit}.
|
|
2816 @end defvar
|
|
2817
|
|
2818 @defvar inhibit-quit
|
|
2819 This variable determines whether Emacs should quit when @code{quit-flag}
|
|
2820 is set to a value other than @code{nil}. If @code{inhibit-quit} is
|
|
2821 non-@code{nil}, then @code{quit-flag} has no special effect.
|
|
2822 @end defvar
|
|
2823
|
|
2824 @defmac with-local-quit body@dots{}
|
|
2825 This macro executes @var{body} forms in sequence, but allows quitting, at
|
|
2826 least locally, within @var{body} even if @code{inhibit-quit} was
|
|
2827 non-@code{nil} outside this construct. It returns the value of the
|
|
2828 last form in @var{body}, unless exited by quitting, in which case
|
|
2829 it returns @code{nil}.
|
|
2830
|
|
2831 If @code{inhibit-quit} is @code{nil} on entry to @code{with-local-quit},
|
|
2832 it only executes the @var{body}, and setting @code{quit-flag} causes
|
|
2833 a normal quit. However, if @code{inhibit-quit} is non-@code{nil} so
|
|
2834 that ordinary quitting is delayed, a non-@code{nil} @code{quit-flag}
|
|
2835 triggers a special kind of local quit. This ends the execution of
|
|
2836 @var{body} and exits the @code{with-local-quit} body with
|
|
2837 @code{quit-flag} still non-@code{nil}, so that another (ordinary) quit
|
|
2838 will happen as soon as that is allowed. If @code{quit-flag} is
|
|
2839 already non-@code{nil} at the beginning of @var{body}, the local quit
|
|
2840 happens immediately and the body doesn't execute at all.
|
|
2841
|
|
2842 This macro is mainly useful in functions that can be called from
|
|
2843 timers, process filters, process sentinels, @code{pre-command-hook},
|
|
2844 @code{post-command-hook}, and other places where @code{inhibit-quit} is
|
|
2845 normally bound to @code{t}.
|
|
2846 @end defmac
|
|
2847
|
|
2848 @deffn Command keyboard-quit
|
|
2849 This function signals the @code{quit} condition with @code{(signal 'quit
|
|
2850 nil)}. This is the same thing that quitting does. (See @code{signal}
|
|
2851 in @ref{Errors}.)
|
|
2852 @end deffn
|
|
2853
|
|
2854 You can specify a character other than @kbd{C-g} to use for quitting.
|
|
2855 See the function @code{set-input-mode} in @ref{Terminal Input}.
|
|
2856
|
|
2857 @node Prefix Command Arguments
|
|
2858 @section Prefix Command Arguments
|
|
2859 @cindex prefix argument
|
|
2860 @cindex raw prefix argument
|
|
2861 @cindex numeric prefix argument
|
|
2862
|
|
2863 Most Emacs commands can use a @dfn{prefix argument}, a number
|
|
2864 specified before the command itself. (Don't confuse prefix arguments
|
|
2865 with prefix keys.) The prefix argument is at all times represented by a
|
|
2866 value, which may be @code{nil}, meaning there is currently no prefix
|
|
2867 argument. Each command may use the prefix argument or ignore it.
|
|
2868
|
|
2869 There are two representations of the prefix argument: @dfn{raw} and
|
|
2870 @dfn{numeric}. The editor command loop uses the raw representation
|
|
2871 internally, and so do the Lisp variables that store the information, but
|
|
2872 commands can request either representation.
|
|
2873
|
|
2874 Here are the possible values of a raw prefix argument:
|
|
2875
|
|
2876 @itemize @bullet
|
|
2877 @item
|
|
2878 @code{nil}, meaning there is no prefix argument. Its numeric value is
|
|
2879 1, but numerous commands make a distinction between @code{nil} and the
|
|
2880 integer 1.
|
|
2881
|
|
2882 @item
|
|
2883 An integer, which stands for itself.
|
|
2884
|
|
2885 @item
|
|
2886 A list of one element, which is an integer. This form of prefix
|
|
2887 argument results from one or a succession of @kbd{C-u}'s with no
|
|
2888 digits. The numeric value is the integer in the list, but some
|
|
2889 commands make a distinction between such a list and an integer alone.
|
|
2890
|
|
2891 @item
|
|
2892 The symbol @code{-}. This indicates that @kbd{M--} or @kbd{C-u -} was
|
|
2893 typed, without following digits. The equivalent numeric value is
|
|
2894 @minus{}1, but some commands make a distinction between the integer
|
|
2895 @minus{}1 and the symbol @code{-}.
|
|
2896 @end itemize
|
|
2897
|
|
2898 We illustrate these possibilities by calling the following function with
|
|
2899 various prefixes:
|
|
2900
|
|
2901 @example
|
|
2902 @group
|
|
2903 (defun display-prefix (arg)
|
|
2904 "Display the value of the raw prefix arg."
|
|
2905 (interactive "P")
|
|
2906 (message "%s" arg))
|
|
2907 @end group
|
|
2908 @end example
|
|
2909
|
|
2910 @noindent
|
|
2911 Here are the results of calling @code{display-prefix} with various
|
|
2912 raw prefix arguments:
|
|
2913
|
|
2914 @example
|
|
2915 M-x display-prefix @print{} nil
|
|
2916
|
|
2917 C-u M-x display-prefix @print{} (4)
|
|
2918
|
|
2919 C-u C-u M-x display-prefix @print{} (16)
|
|
2920
|
|
2921 C-u 3 M-x display-prefix @print{} 3
|
|
2922
|
|
2923 M-3 M-x display-prefix @print{} 3 ; @r{(Same as @code{C-u 3}.)}
|
|
2924
|
|
2925 C-u - M-x display-prefix @print{} -
|
|
2926
|
|
2927 M-- M-x display-prefix @print{} - ; @r{(Same as @code{C-u -}.)}
|
|
2928
|
|
2929 C-u - 7 M-x display-prefix @print{} -7
|
|
2930
|
|
2931 M-- 7 M-x display-prefix @print{} -7 ; @r{(Same as @code{C-u -7}.)}
|
|
2932 @end example
|
|
2933
|
|
2934 Emacs uses two variables to store the prefix argument:
|
|
2935 @code{prefix-arg} and @code{current-prefix-arg}. Commands such as
|
|
2936 @code{universal-argument} that set up prefix arguments for other
|
|
2937 commands store them in @code{prefix-arg}. In contrast,
|
|
2938 @code{current-prefix-arg} conveys the prefix argument to the current
|
|
2939 command, so setting it has no effect on the prefix arguments for future
|
|
2940 commands.
|
|
2941
|
|
2942 Normally, commands specify which representation to use for the prefix
|
|
2943 argument, either numeric or raw, in the @code{interactive} specification.
|
|
2944 (@xref{Using Interactive}.) Alternatively, functions may look at the
|
|
2945 value of the prefix argument directly in the variable
|
|
2946 @code{current-prefix-arg}, but this is less clean.
|
|
2947
|
|
2948 @defun prefix-numeric-value arg
|
|
2949 This function returns the numeric meaning of a valid raw prefix argument
|
|
2950 value, @var{arg}. The argument may be a symbol, a number, or a list.
|
|
2951 If it is @code{nil}, the value 1 is returned; if it is @code{-}, the
|
|
2952 value @minus{}1 is returned; if it is a number, that number is returned;
|
|
2953 if it is a list, the @sc{car} of that list (which should be a number) is
|
|
2954 returned.
|
|
2955 @end defun
|
|
2956
|
|
2957 @defvar current-prefix-arg
|
|
2958 This variable holds the raw prefix argument for the @emph{current}
|
|
2959 command. Commands may examine it directly, but the usual method for
|
|
2960 accessing it is with @code{(interactive "P")}.
|
|
2961 @end defvar
|
|
2962
|
|
2963 @defvar prefix-arg
|
|
2964 The value of this variable is the raw prefix argument for the
|
|
2965 @emph{next} editing command. Commands such as @code{universal-argument}
|
|
2966 that specify prefix arguments for the following command work by setting
|
|
2967 this variable.
|
|
2968 @end defvar
|
|
2969
|
|
2970 @defvar last-prefix-arg
|
|
2971 The raw prefix argument value used by the previous command.
|
|
2972 @end defvar
|
|
2973
|
|
2974 The following commands exist to set up prefix arguments for the
|
|
2975 following command. Do not call them for any other reason.
|
|
2976
|
|
2977 @deffn Command universal-argument
|
|
2978 This command reads input and specifies a prefix argument for the
|
|
2979 following command. Don't call this command yourself unless you know
|
|
2980 what you are doing.
|
|
2981 @end deffn
|
|
2982
|
|
2983 @deffn Command digit-argument arg
|
|
2984 This command adds to the prefix argument for the following command. The
|
|
2985 argument @var{arg} is the raw prefix argument as it was before this
|
|
2986 command; it is used to compute the updated prefix argument. Don't call
|
|
2987 this command yourself unless you know what you are doing.
|
|
2988 @end deffn
|
|
2989
|
|
2990 @deffn Command negative-argument arg
|
|
2991 This command adds to the numeric argument for the next command. The
|
|
2992 argument @var{arg} is the raw prefix argument as it was before this
|
|
2993 command; its value is negated to form the new prefix argument. Don't
|
|
2994 call this command yourself unless you know what you are doing.
|
|
2995 @end deffn
|
|
2996
|
|
2997 @node Recursive Editing
|
|
2998 @section Recursive Editing
|
|
2999 @cindex recursive command loop
|
|
3000 @cindex recursive editing level
|
|
3001 @cindex command loop, recursive
|
|
3002
|
|
3003 The Emacs command loop is entered automatically when Emacs starts up.
|
|
3004 This top-level invocation of the command loop never exits; it keeps
|
|
3005 running as long as Emacs does. Lisp programs can also invoke the
|
|
3006 command loop. Since this makes more than one activation of the command
|
|
3007 loop, we call it @dfn{recursive editing}. A recursive editing level has
|
|
3008 the effect of suspending whatever command invoked it and permitting the
|
|
3009 user to do arbitrary editing before resuming that command.
|
|
3010
|
|
3011 The commands available during recursive editing are the same ones
|
|
3012 available in the top-level editing loop and defined in the keymaps.
|
|
3013 Only a few special commands exit the recursive editing level; the others
|
|
3014 return to the recursive editing level when they finish. (The special
|
|
3015 commands for exiting are always available, but they do nothing when
|
|
3016 recursive editing is not in progress.)
|
|
3017
|
|
3018 All command loops, including recursive ones, set up all-purpose error
|
|
3019 handlers so that an error in a command run from the command loop will
|
|
3020 not exit the loop.
|
|
3021
|
|
3022 @cindex minibuffer input
|
|
3023 Minibuffer input is a special kind of recursive editing. It has a few
|
|
3024 special wrinkles, such as enabling display of the minibuffer and the
|
|
3025 minibuffer window, but fewer than you might suppose. Certain keys
|
|
3026 behave differently in the minibuffer, but that is only because of the
|
|
3027 minibuffer's local map; if you switch windows, you get the usual Emacs
|
|
3028 commands.
|
|
3029
|
|
3030 @cindex @code{throw} example
|
|
3031 @kindex exit
|
|
3032 @cindex exit recursive editing
|
|
3033 @cindex aborting
|
|
3034 To invoke a recursive editing level, call the function
|
|
3035 @code{recursive-edit}. This function contains the command loop; it also
|
|
3036 contains a call to @code{catch} with tag @code{exit}, which makes it
|
|
3037 possible to exit the recursive editing level by throwing to @code{exit}
|
|
3038 (@pxref{Catch and Throw}). If you throw a value other than @code{t},
|
|
3039 then @code{recursive-edit} returns normally to the function that called
|
|
3040 it. The command @kbd{C-M-c} (@code{exit-recursive-edit}) does this.
|
|
3041 Throwing a @code{t} value causes @code{recursive-edit} to quit, so that
|
|
3042 control returns to the command loop one level up. This is called
|
|
3043 @dfn{aborting}, and is done by @kbd{C-]} (@code{abort-recursive-edit}).
|
|
3044
|
|
3045 Most applications should not use recursive editing, except as part of
|
|
3046 using the minibuffer. Usually it is more convenient for the user if you
|
|
3047 change the major mode of the current buffer temporarily to a special
|
|
3048 major mode, which should have a command to go back to the previous mode.
|
|
3049 (The @kbd{e} command in Rmail uses this technique.) Or, if you wish to
|
|
3050 give the user different text to edit ``recursively,'' create and select
|
|
3051 a new buffer in a special mode. In this mode, define a command to
|
|
3052 complete the processing and go back to the previous buffer. (The
|
|
3053 @kbd{m} command in Rmail does this.)
|
|
3054
|
|
3055 Recursive edits are useful in debugging. You can insert a call to
|
|
3056 @code{debug} into a function definition as a sort of breakpoint, so that
|
|
3057 you can look around when the function gets there. @code{debug} invokes
|
|
3058 a recursive edit but also provides the other features of the debugger.
|
|
3059
|
|
3060 Recursive editing levels are also used when you type @kbd{C-r} in
|
|
3061 @code{query-replace} or use @kbd{C-x q} (@code{kbd-macro-query}).
|
|
3062
|
|
3063 @defun recursive-edit
|
|
3064 @cindex suspend evaluation
|
|
3065 This function invokes the editor command loop. It is called
|
|
3066 automatically by the initialization of Emacs, to let the user begin
|
|
3067 editing. When called from a Lisp program, it enters a recursive editing
|
|
3068 level.
|
|
3069
|
|
3070 If the current buffer is not the same as the selected window's buffer,
|
|
3071 @code{recursive-edit} saves and restores the current buffer. Otherwise,
|
|
3072 if you switch buffers, the buffer you switched to is current after
|
|
3073 @code{recursive-edit} returns.
|
|
3074
|
|
3075 In the following example, the function @code{simple-rec} first
|
|
3076 advances point one word, then enters a recursive edit, printing out a
|
|
3077 message in the echo area. The user can then do any editing desired, and
|
|
3078 then type @kbd{C-M-c} to exit and continue executing @code{simple-rec}.
|
|
3079
|
|
3080 @example
|
|
3081 (defun simple-rec ()
|
|
3082 (forward-word 1)
|
|
3083 (message "Recursive edit in progress")
|
|
3084 (recursive-edit)
|
|
3085 (forward-word 1))
|
|
3086 @result{} simple-rec
|
|
3087 (simple-rec)
|
|
3088 @result{} nil
|
|
3089 @end example
|
|
3090 @end defun
|
|
3091
|
|
3092 @deffn Command exit-recursive-edit
|
|
3093 This function exits from the innermost recursive edit (including
|
|
3094 minibuffer input). Its definition is effectively @code{(throw 'exit
|
|
3095 nil)}.
|
|
3096 @end deffn
|
|
3097
|
|
3098 @deffn Command abort-recursive-edit
|
|
3099 This function aborts the command that requested the innermost recursive
|
|
3100 edit (including minibuffer input), by signaling @code{quit}
|
|
3101 after exiting the recursive edit. Its definition is effectively
|
|
3102 @code{(throw 'exit t)}. @xref{Quitting}.
|
|
3103 @end deffn
|
|
3104
|
|
3105 @deffn Command top-level
|
|
3106 This function exits all recursive editing levels; it does not return a
|
|
3107 value, as it jumps completely out of any computation directly back to
|
|
3108 the main command loop.
|
|
3109 @end deffn
|
|
3110
|
|
3111 @defun recursion-depth
|
|
3112 This function returns the current depth of recursive edits. When no
|
|
3113 recursive edit is active, it returns 0.
|
|
3114 @end defun
|
|
3115
|
|
3116 @node Disabling Commands
|
|
3117 @section Disabling Commands
|
|
3118 @cindex disabled command
|
|
3119
|
|
3120 @dfn{Disabling a command} marks the command as requiring user
|
|
3121 confirmation before it can be executed. Disabling is used for commands
|
|
3122 which might be confusing to beginning users, to prevent them from using
|
|
3123 the commands by accident.
|
|
3124
|
|
3125 @kindex disabled
|
|
3126 The low-level mechanism for disabling a command is to put a
|
|
3127 non-@code{nil} @code{disabled} property on the Lisp symbol for the
|
|
3128 command. These properties are normally set up by the user's
|
|
3129 init file (@pxref{Init File}) with Lisp expressions such as this:
|
|
3130
|
|
3131 @example
|
|
3132 (put 'upcase-region 'disabled t)
|
|
3133 @end example
|
|
3134
|
|
3135 @noindent
|
|
3136 For a few commands, these properties are present by default (you can
|
|
3137 remove them in your init file if you wish).
|
|
3138
|
|
3139 If the value of the @code{disabled} property is a string, the message
|
|
3140 saying the command is disabled includes that string. For example:
|
|
3141
|
|
3142 @example
|
|
3143 (put 'delete-region 'disabled
|
|
3144 "Text deleted this way cannot be yanked back!\n")
|
|
3145 @end example
|
|
3146
|
|
3147 @xref{Disabling,,, emacs, The GNU Emacs Manual}, for the details on
|
|
3148 what happens when a disabled command is invoked interactively.
|
|
3149 Disabling a command has no effect on calling it as a function from Lisp
|
|
3150 programs.
|
|
3151
|
|
3152 @deffn Command enable-command command
|
|
3153 Allow @var{command} (a symbol) to be executed without special
|
|
3154 confirmation from now on, and alter the user's init file (@pxref{Init
|
|
3155 File}) so that this will apply to future sessions.
|
|
3156 @end deffn
|
|
3157
|
|
3158 @deffn Command disable-command command
|
|
3159 Require special confirmation to execute @var{command} from now on, and
|
|
3160 alter the user's init file so that this will apply to future sessions.
|
|
3161 @end deffn
|
|
3162
|
|
3163 @defvar disabled-command-function
|
|
3164 The value of this variable should be a function. When the user
|
|
3165 invokes a disabled command interactively, this function is called
|
|
3166 instead of the disabled command. It can use @code{this-command-keys}
|
|
3167 to determine what the user typed to run the command, and thus find the
|
|
3168 command itself.
|
|
3169
|
|
3170 The value may also be @code{nil}. Then all commands work normally,
|
|
3171 even disabled ones.
|
|
3172
|
|
3173 By default, the value is a function that asks the user whether to
|
|
3174 proceed.
|
|
3175 @end defvar
|
|
3176
|
|
3177 @node Command History
|
|
3178 @section Command History
|
|
3179 @cindex command history
|
|
3180 @cindex complex command
|
|
3181 @cindex history of commands
|
|
3182
|
|
3183 The command loop keeps a history of the complex commands that have
|
|
3184 been executed, to make it convenient to repeat these commands. A
|
|
3185 @dfn{complex command} is one for which the interactive argument reading
|
|
3186 uses the minibuffer. This includes any @kbd{M-x} command, any
|
|
3187 @kbd{M-:} command, and any command whose @code{interactive}
|
|
3188 specification reads an argument from the minibuffer. Explicit use of
|
|
3189 the minibuffer during the execution of the command itself does not cause
|
|
3190 the command to be considered complex.
|
|
3191
|
|
3192 @defvar command-history
|
|
3193 This variable's value is a list of recent complex commands, each
|
|
3194 represented as a form to evaluate. It continues to accumulate all
|
|
3195 complex commands for the duration of the editing session, but when it
|
|
3196 reaches the maximum size (@pxref{Minibuffer History}), the oldest
|
|
3197 elements are deleted as new ones are added.
|
|
3198
|
|
3199 @example
|
|
3200 @group
|
|
3201 command-history
|
|
3202 @result{} ((switch-to-buffer "chistory.texi")
|
|
3203 (describe-key "^X^[")
|
|
3204 (visit-tags-table "~/emacs/src/")
|
|
3205 (find-tag "repeat-complex-command"))
|
|
3206 @end group
|
|
3207 @end example
|
|
3208 @end defvar
|
|
3209
|
|
3210 This history list is actually a special case of minibuffer history
|
|
3211 (@pxref{Minibuffer History}), with one special twist: the elements are
|
|
3212 expressions rather than strings.
|
|
3213
|
|
3214 There are a number of commands devoted to the editing and recall of
|
|
3215 previous commands. The commands @code{repeat-complex-command}, and
|
|
3216 @code{list-command-history} are described in the user manual
|
|
3217 (@pxref{Repetition,,, emacs, The GNU Emacs Manual}). Within the
|
|
3218 minibuffer, the usual minibuffer history commands are available.
|
|
3219
|
|
3220 @node Keyboard Macros
|
|
3221 @section Keyboard Macros
|
|
3222 @cindex keyboard macros
|
|
3223
|
|
3224 A @dfn{keyboard macro} is a canned sequence of input events that can
|
|
3225 be considered a command and made the definition of a key. The Lisp
|
|
3226 representation of a keyboard macro is a string or vector containing the
|
|
3227 events. Don't confuse keyboard macros with Lisp macros
|
|
3228 (@pxref{Macros}).
|
|
3229
|
|
3230 @defun execute-kbd-macro kbdmacro &optional count loopfunc
|
|
3231 This function executes @var{kbdmacro} as a sequence of events. If
|
|
3232 @var{kbdmacro} is a string or vector, then the events in it are executed
|
|
3233 exactly as if they had been input by the user. The sequence is
|
|
3234 @emph{not} expected to be a single key sequence; normally a keyboard
|
|
3235 macro definition consists of several key sequences concatenated.
|
|
3236
|
|
3237 If @var{kbdmacro} is a symbol, then its function definition is used in
|
|
3238 place of @var{kbdmacro}. If that is another symbol, this process repeats.
|
|
3239 Eventually the result should be a string or vector. If the result is
|
|
3240 not a symbol, string, or vector, an error is signaled.
|
|
3241
|
|
3242 The argument @var{count} is a repeat count; @var{kbdmacro} is executed that
|
|
3243 many times. If @var{count} is omitted or @code{nil}, @var{kbdmacro} is
|
|
3244 executed once. If it is 0, @var{kbdmacro} is executed over and over until it
|
|
3245 encounters an error or a failing search.
|
|
3246
|
|
3247 If @var{loopfunc} is non-@code{nil}, it is a function that is called,
|
|
3248 without arguments, prior to each iteration of the macro. If
|
|
3249 @var{loopfunc} returns @code{nil}, then this stops execution of the macro.
|
|
3250
|
|
3251 @xref{Reading One Event}, for an example of using @code{execute-kbd-macro}.
|
|
3252 @end defun
|
|
3253
|
|
3254 @defvar executing-kbd-macro
|
|
3255 This variable contains the string or vector that defines the keyboard
|
|
3256 macro that is currently executing. It is @code{nil} if no macro is
|
|
3257 currently executing. A command can test this variable so as to behave
|
|
3258 differently when run from an executing macro. Do not set this variable
|
|
3259 yourself.
|
|
3260 @end defvar
|
|
3261
|
|
3262 @defvar defining-kbd-macro
|
|
3263 This variable is non-@code{nil} if and only if a keyboard macro is
|
|
3264 being defined. A command can test this variable so as to behave
|
|
3265 differently while a macro is being defined. The value is
|
|
3266 @code{append} while appending to the definition of an existing macro.
|
|
3267 The commands @code{start-kbd-macro}, @code{kmacro-start-macro} and
|
|
3268 @code{end-kbd-macro} set this variable---do not set it yourself.
|
|
3269
|
|
3270 The variable is always local to the current terminal and cannot be
|
|
3271 buffer-local. @xref{Multiple Displays}.
|
|
3272 @end defvar
|
|
3273
|
|
3274 @defvar last-kbd-macro
|
|
3275 This variable is the definition of the most recently defined keyboard
|
|
3276 macro. Its value is a string or vector, or @code{nil}.
|
|
3277
|
|
3278 The variable is always local to the current terminal and cannot be
|
|
3279 buffer-local. @xref{Multiple Displays}.
|
|
3280 @end defvar
|
|
3281
|
|
3282 @defvar kbd-macro-termination-hook
|
|
3283 This normal hook (@pxref{Standard Hooks}) is run when a keyboard
|
|
3284 macro terminates, regardless of what caused it to terminate (reaching
|
|
3285 the macro end or an error which ended the macro prematurely).
|
|
3286 @end defvar
|
|
3287
|
|
3288 @ignore
|
|
3289 arch-tag: e34944ad-7d5c-4980-be00-36a5fe54d4b1
|
|
3290 @end ignore
|