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annotate lispref/minibuf.texi @ 21963:b717a61747c5
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author | Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org> |
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date | Wed, 06 May 1998 20:46:35 +0000 |
parents | 90da2489c498 |
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rev | line source |
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6555 | 1 @c -*-texinfo-*- |
2 @c This is part of the GNU Emacs Lisp Reference Manual. | |
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3 @c Copyright (C) 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1998 Free Software Foundation, Inc. |
6555 | 4 @c See the file elisp.texi for copying conditions. |
5 @setfilename ../info/minibuf | |
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6 @node Minibuffers, Command Loop, Read and Print, Top |
6555 | 7 @chapter Minibuffers |
8 @cindex arguments, reading | |
9 @cindex complex arguments | |
10 @cindex minibuffer | |
11 | |
12 A @dfn{minibuffer} is a special buffer that Emacs commands use to read | |
13 arguments more complicated than the single numeric prefix argument. | |
14 These arguments include file names, buffer names, and command names (as | |
15 in @kbd{M-x}). The minibuffer is displayed on the bottom line of the | |
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16 frame, in the same place as the echo area, but only while it is in use |
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17 for reading an argument. |
6555 | 18 |
19 @menu | |
20 * Intro to Minibuffers:: Basic information about minibuffers. | |
21 * Text from Minibuffer:: How to read a straight text string. | |
22 * Object from Minibuffer:: How to read a Lisp object or expression. | |
23 * Minibuffer History:: Recording previous minibuffer inputs | |
24 so the user can reuse them. | |
25 * Completion:: How to invoke and customize completion. | |
26 * Yes-or-No Queries:: Asking a question with a simple answer. | |
27 * Multiple Queries:: Asking a series of similar questions. | |
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28 * Reading a Password:: Function for reading a password. |
6555 | 29 * Minibuffer Misc:: Various customization hooks and variables. |
30 @end menu | |
31 | |
32 @node Intro to Minibuffers | |
33 @section Introduction to Minibuffers | |
34 | |
35 In most ways, a minibuffer is a normal Emacs buffer. Most operations | |
36 @emph{within} a buffer, such as editing commands, work normally in a | |
37 minibuffer. However, many operations for managing buffers do not apply | |
38 to minibuffers. The name of a minibuffer always has the form @w{@samp{ | |
39 *Minibuf-@var{number}}}, and it cannot be changed. Minibuffers are | |
40 displayed only in special windows used only for minibuffers; these | |
41 windows always appear at the bottom of a frame. (Sometime frames have | |
42 no minibuffer window, and sometimes a special kind of frame contains | |
43 nothing but a minibuffer window; see @ref{Minibuffers and Frames}.) | |
44 | |
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45 The minibuffer's window is normally a single line. You can resize it |
6555 | 46 temporarily with the window sizing commands; it reverts to its normal |
47 size when the minibuffer is exited. You can resize it permanently by | |
48 using the window sizing commands in the frame's other window, when the | |
49 minibuffer is not active. If the frame contains just a minibuffer, you | |
50 can change the minibuffer's size by changing the frame's size. | |
51 | |
52 If a command uses a minibuffer while there is an active minibuffer, | |
53 this is called a @dfn{recursive minibuffer}. The first minibuffer is | |
54 named @w{@samp{ *Minibuf-0*}}. Recursive minibuffers are named by | |
55 incrementing the number at the end of the name. (The names begin with a | |
56 space so that they won't show up in normal buffer lists.) Of several | |
57 recursive minibuffers, the innermost (or most recently entered) is the | |
58 active minibuffer. We usually call this ``the'' minibuffer. You can | |
59 permit or forbid recursive minibuffers by setting the variable | |
60 @code{enable-recursive-minibuffers} or by putting properties of that | |
61 name on command symbols (@pxref{Minibuffer Misc}). | |
62 | |
63 Like other buffers, a minibuffer may use any of several local keymaps | |
64 (@pxref{Keymaps}); these contain various exit commands and in some cases | |
12098 | 65 completion commands (@pxref{Completion}). |
6555 | 66 |
67 @itemize @bullet | |
68 @item | |
69 @code{minibuffer-local-map} is for ordinary input (no completion). | |
70 | |
71 @item | |
72 @code{minibuffer-local-ns-map} is similar, except that @key{SPC} exits | |
73 just like @key{RET}. This is used mainly for Mocklisp compatibility. | |
74 | |
75 @item | |
76 @code{minibuffer-local-completion-map} is for permissive completion. | |
77 | |
78 @item | |
79 @code{minibuffer-local-must-match-map} is for strict completion and | |
80 for cautious completion. | |
81 @end itemize | |
82 | |
83 @node Text from Minibuffer | |
84 @section Reading Text Strings with the Minibuffer | |
85 | |
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86 Most often, the minibuffer is used to read text as a string. It can |
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87 also be used to read a Lisp object in textual form. The most basic |
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88 primitive for minibuffer input is @code{read-from-minibuffer}; it can do |
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89 either one. |
6555 | 90 |
12098 | 91 In most cases, you should not call minibuffer input functions in the |
92 middle of a Lisp function. Instead, do all minibuffer input as part of | |
93 reading the arguments for a command, in the @code{interactive} spec. | |
94 @xref{Defining Commands}. | |
95 | |
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96 @defun read-from-minibuffer prompt-string &optional initial-contents keymap read hist default inherit-input-method |
6555 | 97 This function is the most general way to get input through the |
98 minibuffer. By default, it accepts arbitrary text and returns it as a | |
99 string; however, if @var{read} is non-@code{nil}, then it uses | |
100 @code{read} to convert the text into a Lisp object (@pxref{Input | |
101 Functions}). | |
102 | |
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103 The first thing this function does is to activate a minibuffer and |
6555 | 104 display it with @var{prompt-string} as the prompt. This value must be a |
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105 string. Then the user can edit text in the minibuffer. |
6555 | 106 |
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107 When the user types a command to exit the minibuffer, |
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108 @code{read-from-minibuffer} constructs the return value from the text in |
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109 the minibuffer. Normally it returns a string containing that text. |
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110 However, if @var{read} is non-@code{nil}, @code{read-from-minibuffer} |
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111 reads the text and returns the resulting Lisp object, unevaluated. |
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112 (@xref{Input Functions}, for information about reading.) |
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113 |
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114 The argument @var{default} specifies a default value to make available |
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115 through the history commands. It should be a string, or @code{nil}. If |
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116 @var{read} is non-@code{nil}, then @var{default} is also used as the |
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117 input to @code{read}, if the user enters empty input. However, in the |
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118 usual case (where @var{read} is @code{nil}, @code{read-from-minibuffer} |
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119 does not return @var{default} when the user enters empty input; it |
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120 returns an empty string, @code{""}. In this respect, it is different |
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121 from all the other minibuffer input functions in this chapter. |
6555 | 122 |
123 If @var{keymap} is non-@code{nil}, that keymap is the local keymap to | |
124 use in the minibuffer. If @var{keymap} is omitted or @code{nil}, the | |
125 value of @code{minibuffer-local-map} is used as the keymap. Specifying | |
126 a keymap is the most important way to customize the minibuffer for | |
127 various applications such as completion. | |
128 | |
129 The argument @var{hist} specifies which history list variable to use | |
130 for saving the input and for history commands used in the minibuffer. | |
131 It defaults to @code{minibuffer-history}. @xref{Minibuffer History}. | |
132 | |
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133 If the variable @code{minibuffer-allow-text-properties} is |
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134 non-@code{nil}, then the string which is returned includes whatever text |
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135 properties were present in the minibuffer. Otherwise all the text |
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136 properties are stripped when the value is returned. |
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137 |
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138 If the argument @var{inherit-input-method} is non-@code{nil}, then the |
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139 minibuffer inherits the current input method and the setting of |
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140 @code{enable-multibyte-characters} from whichever buffer was current |
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141 before entering the minibuffer. |
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142 |
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143 If @var{initial-contents} is a string, @code{read-from-minibuffer} |
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144 inserts it into the minibuffer, leaving point at the end, before the |
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145 user starts to edit the text. The minibuffer appears with this text as |
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146 its initial contents. |
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147 |
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148 Alternatively, @var{initial-contents} can be a cons cell of the form |
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149 @code{(@var{string} . @var{position})}. This means to insert |
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150 @var{string} in the minibuffer but put point @var{position} characters |
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151 from the beginning, rather than at the end. |
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152 |
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153 @strong{Usage note:} The @var{initial-contents} argument and the |
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154 @var{default} argument are two alternative features for more or less the |
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155 same job. It does not make sense to use both features in a single call |
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156 to @code{read-from-minibuffer}. In general, we recommend using |
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157 @var{default}, since this permits the user to insert the default value |
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158 when it is wanted, but does not burden the user with deleting it from |
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159 the minibuffer on other occasions. |
6555 | 160 @end defun |
161 | |
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162 @defun read-string prompt &optional initial history default inherit-input-method |
6555 | 163 This function reads a string from the minibuffer and returns it. The |
164 arguments @var{prompt} and @var{initial} are used as in | |
165 @code{read-from-minibuffer}. The keymap used is | |
166 @code{minibuffer-local-map}. | |
167 | |
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168 The optional argument @var{history}, if non-nil, specifies a history |
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169 list and optionally the initial position in the list. The optional |
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170 argument @var{default} specifies a default value to return if the user |
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171 enters null input; it should be a string. The optional argument |
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172 @var{inherit-input-method} specifies whether to inherit the current |
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173 buffer's input method. |
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174 |
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175 This function is a simplified interface to the |
6555 | 176 @code{read-from-minibuffer} function: |
177 | |
178 @smallexample | |
179 @group | |
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180 (read-string @var{prompt} @var{initial} @var{history} @var{default} @var{inherit}) |
6555 | 181 @equiv{} |
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182 (let ((value |
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183 (read-from-minibuffer @var{prompt} @var{initial} nil nil |
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184 @var{history} @var{default} @var{inherit}))) |
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185 (if (equal value "") |
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186 @var{default} |
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187 value)) |
6555 | 188 @end group |
189 @end smallexample | |
190 @end defun | |
191 | |
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192 @defvar minibuffer-allow-text-properties |
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193 If this variable is non-@code{nil}, then @code{read-from-minibuffer} |
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194 strips all text properties from the string before returning the string. |
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195 Since all minibuffer input uses @code{read-from-minibuffer}, this |
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196 variable applies to all minibuffer input. |
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197 @end defvar |
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198 |
6555 | 199 @defvar minibuffer-local-map |
200 This is the default local keymap for reading from the minibuffer. By | |
201 default, it makes the following bindings: | |
202 | |
203 @table @asis | |
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204 @item @kbd{C-j} |
6555 | 205 @code{exit-minibuffer} |
206 | |
207 @item @key{RET} | |
208 @code{exit-minibuffer} | |
209 | |
210 @item @kbd{C-g} | |
211 @code{abort-recursive-edit} | |
212 | |
213 @item @kbd{M-n} | |
214 @code{next-history-element} | |
215 | |
216 @item @kbd{M-p} | |
217 @code{previous-history-element} | |
218 | |
219 @item @kbd{M-r} | |
220 @code{next-matching-history-element} | |
221 | |
222 @item @kbd{M-s} | |
223 @code{previous-matching-history-element} | |
224 @end table | |
225 @end defvar | |
226 | |
227 @c In version 18, initial is required | |
228 @c Emacs 19 feature | |
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229 @defun read-no-blanks-input prompt &optional initial inherit-input-method |
6555 | 230 This function reads a string from the minibuffer, but does not allow |
231 whitespace characters as part of the input: instead, those characters | |
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232 terminate the input. The arguments @var{prompt}, @var{initial}, and |
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233 @var{inherit-input-method} are used as in @code{read-from-minibuffer}. |
6555 | 234 |
235 This is a simplified interface to the @code{read-from-minibuffer} | |
236 function, and passes the value of the @code{minibuffer-local-ns-map} | |
237 keymap as the @var{keymap} argument for that function. Since the keymap | |
238 @code{minibuffer-local-ns-map} does not rebind @kbd{C-q}, it @emph{is} | |
239 possible to put a space into the string, by quoting it. | |
240 | |
241 @smallexample | |
242 @group | |
243 (read-no-blanks-input @var{prompt} @var{initial}) | |
244 @equiv{} | |
245 (read-from-minibuffer @var{prompt} @var{initial} minibuffer-local-ns-map) | |
246 @end group | |
247 @end smallexample | |
248 @end defun | |
249 | |
250 @defvar minibuffer-local-ns-map | |
251 This built-in variable is the keymap used as the minibuffer local keymap | |
252 in the function @code{read-no-blanks-input}. By default, it makes the | |
12098 | 253 following bindings, in addition to those of @code{minibuffer-local-map}: |
6555 | 254 |
255 @table @asis | |
256 @item @key{SPC} | |
257 @cindex @key{SPC} in minibuffer | |
258 @code{exit-minibuffer} | |
259 | |
260 @item @key{TAB} | |
261 @cindex @key{TAB} in minibuffer | |
262 @code{exit-minibuffer} | |
263 | |
264 @item @kbd{?} | |
265 @cindex @kbd{?} in minibuffer | |
266 @code{self-insert-and-exit} | |
267 @end table | |
268 @end defvar | |
269 | |
270 @node Object from Minibuffer | |
271 @section Reading Lisp Objects with the Minibuffer | |
272 | |
273 This section describes functions for reading Lisp objects with the | |
274 minibuffer. | |
275 | |
276 @defun read-minibuffer prompt &optional initial | |
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277 This function reads a Lisp object using the minibuffer, and returns it |
6555 | 278 without evaluating it. The arguments @var{prompt} and @var{initial} are |
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279 used as in @code{read-from-minibuffer}. |
6555 | 280 |
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281 This is a simplified interface to the |
6555 | 282 @code{read-from-minibuffer} function: |
283 | |
284 @smallexample | |
285 @group | |
286 (read-minibuffer @var{prompt} @var{initial}) | |
287 @equiv{} | |
288 (read-from-minibuffer @var{prompt} @var{initial} nil t) | |
289 @end group | |
290 @end smallexample | |
291 | |
292 Here is an example in which we supply the string @code{"(testing)"} as | |
293 initial input: | |
294 | |
295 @smallexample | |
296 @group | |
297 (read-minibuffer | |
298 "Enter an expression: " (format "%s" '(testing))) | |
299 | |
300 ;; @r{Here is how the minibuffer is displayed:} | |
301 @end group | |
302 | |
303 @group | |
304 ---------- Buffer: Minibuffer ---------- | |
305 Enter an expression: (testing)@point{} | |
306 ---------- Buffer: Minibuffer ---------- | |
307 @end group | |
308 @end smallexample | |
309 | |
310 @noindent | |
311 The user can type @key{RET} immediately to use the initial input as a | |
312 default, or can edit the input. | |
313 @end defun | |
314 | |
315 @defun eval-minibuffer prompt &optional initial | |
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316 This function reads a Lisp expression using the minibuffer, evaluates |
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317 it, then returns the result. The arguments @var{prompt} and |
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318 @var{initial} are used as in @code{read-from-minibuffer}. |
6555 | 319 |
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320 This function simply evaluates the result of a call to |
6555 | 321 @code{read-minibuffer}: |
322 | |
323 @smallexample | |
324 @group | |
325 (eval-minibuffer @var{prompt} @var{initial}) | |
326 @equiv{} | |
327 (eval (read-minibuffer @var{prompt} @var{initial})) | |
328 @end group | |
329 @end smallexample | |
330 @end defun | |
331 | |
332 @defun edit-and-eval-command prompt form | |
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333 This function reads a Lisp expression in the minibuffer, and then |
6555 | 334 evaluates it. The difference between this command and |
335 @code{eval-minibuffer} is that here the initial @var{form} is not | |
336 optional and it is treated as a Lisp object to be converted to printed | |
337 representation rather than as a string of text. It is printed with | |
338 @code{prin1}, so if it is a string, double-quote characters (@samp{"}) | |
339 appear in the initial text. @xref{Output Functions}. | |
340 | |
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341 The first thing @code{edit-and-eval-command} does is to activate the |
6555 | 342 minibuffer with @var{prompt} as the prompt. Then it inserts the printed |
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343 representation of @var{form} in the minibuffer, and lets the user edit it. |
6555 | 344 When the user exits the minibuffer, the edited text is read with |
345 @code{read} and then evaluated. The resulting value becomes the value | |
346 of @code{edit-and-eval-command}. | |
347 | |
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348 In the following example, we offer the user an expression with initial |
6555 | 349 text which is a valid form already: |
350 | |
351 @smallexample | |
352 @group | |
353 (edit-and-eval-command "Please edit: " '(forward-word 1)) | |
354 | |
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355 ;; @r{After evaluation of the preceding expression,} |
6555 | 356 ;; @r{the following appears in the minibuffer:} |
357 @end group | |
358 | |
359 @group | |
360 ---------- Buffer: Minibuffer ---------- | |
361 Please edit: (forward-word 1)@point{} | |
362 ---------- Buffer: Minibuffer ---------- | |
363 @end group | |
364 @end smallexample | |
365 | |
366 @noindent | |
367 Typing @key{RET} right away would exit the minibuffer and evaluate the | |
368 expression, thus moving point forward one word. | |
369 @code{edit-and-eval-command} returns @code{nil} in this example. | |
370 @end defun | |
371 | |
372 @node Minibuffer History | |
373 @section Minibuffer History | |
374 @cindex minibuffer history | |
375 @cindex history list | |
376 | |
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377 A @dfn{minibuffer history list} records previous minibuffer inputs so |
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378 the user can reuse them conveniently. A history list is actually a |
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379 symbol, not a list; it is a variable whose value is a list of strings |
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380 (previous inputs), most recent first. |
6555 | 381 |
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382 There are many separate history lists, used for different kinds of |
6555 | 383 inputs. It's the Lisp programmer's job to specify the right history |
384 list for each use of the minibuffer. | |
385 | |
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386 The basic minibuffer input functions @code{read-from-minibuffer} and |
6555 | 387 @code{completing-read} both accept an optional argument named @var{hist} |
388 which is how you specify the history list. Here are the possible | |
389 values: | |
390 | |
391 @table @asis | |
392 @item @var{variable} | |
393 Use @var{variable} (a symbol) as the history list. | |
394 | |
395 @item (@var{variable} . @var{startpos}) | |
396 Use @var{variable} (a symbol) as the history list, and assume that the | |
397 initial history position is @var{startpos} (an integer, counting from | |
398 zero which specifies the most recent element of the history). | |
399 | |
400 If you specify @var{startpos}, then you should also specify that element | |
401 of the history as the initial minibuffer contents, for consistency. | |
402 @end table | |
403 | |
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404 If you don't specify @var{hist}, then the default history list |
6555 | 405 @code{minibuffer-history} is used. For other standard history lists, |
406 see below. You can also create your own history list variable; just | |
407 initialize it to @code{nil} before the first use. | |
408 | |
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409 Both @code{read-from-minibuffer} and @code{completing-read} add new |
6555 | 410 elements to the history list automatically, and provide commands to |
411 allow the user to reuse items on the list. The only thing your program | |
412 needs to do to use a history list is to initialize it and to pass its | |
413 name to the input functions when you wish. But it is safe to modify the | |
414 list by hand when the minibuffer input functions are not using it. | |
415 | |
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416 Here are some of the standard minibuffer history list variables: |
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417 |
6555 | 418 @defvar minibuffer-history |
419 The default history list for minibuffer history input. | |
420 @end defvar | |
421 | |
422 @defvar query-replace-history | |
423 A history list for arguments to @code{query-replace} (and similar | |
424 arguments to other commands). | |
425 @end defvar | |
426 | |
427 @defvar file-name-history | |
428 A history list for file name arguments. | |
429 @end defvar | |
430 | |
431 @defvar regexp-history | |
432 A history list for regular expression arguments. | |
433 @end defvar | |
434 | |
435 @defvar extended-command-history | |
436 A history list for arguments that are names of extended commands. | |
437 @end defvar | |
438 | |
439 @defvar shell-command-history | |
440 A history list for arguments that are shell commands. | |
441 @end defvar | |
442 | |
443 @defvar read-expression-history | |
444 A history list for arguments that are Lisp expressions to evaluate. | |
445 @end defvar | |
446 | |
447 @node Completion | |
448 @section Completion | |
449 @cindex completion | |
450 | |
451 @dfn{Completion} is a feature that fills in the rest of a name | |
452 starting from an abbreviation for it. Completion works by comparing the | |
453 user's input against a list of valid names and determining how much of | |
454 the name is determined uniquely by what the user has typed. For | |
455 example, when you type @kbd{C-x b} (@code{switch-to-buffer}) and then | |
456 type the first few letters of the name of the buffer to which you wish | |
457 to switch, and then type @key{TAB} (@code{minibuffer-complete}), Emacs | |
458 extends the name as far as it can. | |
459 | |
460 Standard Emacs commands offer completion for names of symbols, files, | |
461 buffers, and processes; with the functions in this section, you can | |
462 implement completion for other kinds of names. | |
463 | |
464 The @code{try-completion} function is the basic primitive for | |
465 completion: it returns the longest determined completion of a given | |
466 initial string, with a given set of strings to match against. | |
467 | |
468 The function @code{completing-read} provides a higher-level interface | |
469 for completion. A call to @code{completing-read} specifies how to | |
470 determine the list of valid names. The function then activates the | |
471 minibuffer with a local keymap that binds a few keys to commands useful | |
472 for completion. Other functions provide convenient simple interfaces | |
473 for reading certain kinds of names with completion. | |
474 | |
475 @menu | |
476 * Basic Completion:: Low-level functions for completing strings. | |
477 (These are too low level to use the minibuffer.) | |
478 * Minibuffer Completion:: Invoking the minibuffer with completion. | |
479 * Completion Commands:: Minibuffer commands that do completion. | |
480 * High-Level Completion:: Convenient special cases of completion | |
481 (reading buffer name, file name, etc.) | |
482 * Reading File Names:: Using completion to read file names. | |
483 * Programmed Completion:: Finding the completions for a given file name. | |
484 @end menu | |
485 | |
486 @node Basic Completion | |
487 @subsection Basic Completion Functions | |
488 | |
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489 The two functions @code{try-completion} and @code{all-completions} |
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490 have nothing in themselves to do with minibuffers. We describe them in |
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491 this chapter so as to keep them near the higher-level completion |
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492 features that do use the minibuffer. |
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493 |
6555 | 494 @defun try-completion string collection &optional predicate |
495 This function returns the longest common substring of all possible | |
496 completions of @var{string} in @var{collection}. The value of | |
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497 @var{collection} must be an alist, an obarray, or a function that |
6555 | 498 implements a virtual set of strings (see below). |
499 | |
500 Completion compares @var{string} against each of the permissible | |
501 completions specified by @var{collection}; if the beginning of the | |
502 permissible completion equals @var{string}, it matches. If no permissible | |
503 completions match, @code{try-completion} returns @code{nil}. If only | |
504 one permissible completion matches, and the match is exact, then | |
505 @code{try-completion} returns @code{t}. Otherwise, the value is the | |
506 longest initial sequence common to all the permissible completions that | |
507 match. | |
508 | |
509 If @var{collection} is an alist (@pxref{Association Lists}), the | |
510 @sc{car}s of the alist elements form the set of permissible completions. | |
511 | |
512 @cindex obarray in completion | |
513 If @var{collection} is an obarray (@pxref{Creating Symbols}), the names | |
514 of all symbols in the obarray form the set of permissible completions. The | |
515 global variable @code{obarray} holds an obarray containing the names of | |
516 all interned Lisp symbols. | |
517 | |
518 Note that the only valid way to make a new obarray is to create it | |
519 empty and then add symbols to it one by one using @code{intern}. | |
520 Also, you cannot intern a given symbol in more than one obarray. | |
521 | |
522 If the argument @var{predicate} is non-@code{nil}, then it must be a | |
523 function of one argument. It is used to test each possible match, and | |
524 the match is accepted only if @var{predicate} returns non-@code{nil}. | |
525 The argument given to @var{predicate} is either a cons cell from the alist | |
526 (the @sc{car} of which is a string) or else it is a symbol (@emph{not} a | |
527 symbol name) from the obarray. | |
528 | |
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529 You can also use a symbol that is a function as @var{collection}. Then |
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530 the function is solely responsible for performing completion; |
6555 | 531 @code{try-completion} returns whatever this function returns. The |
532 function is called with three arguments: @var{string}, @var{predicate} | |
533 and @code{nil}. (The reason for the third argument is so that the same | |
534 function can be used in @code{all-completions} and do the appropriate | |
535 thing in either case.) @xref{Programmed Completion}. | |
536 | |
537 In the first of the following examples, the string @samp{foo} is | |
538 matched by three of the alist @sc{car}s. All of the matches begin with | |
539 the characters @samp{fooba}, so that is the result. In the second | |
540 example, there is only one possible match, and it is exact, so the value | |
541 is @code{t}. | |
542 | |
543 @smallexample | |
544 @group | |
545 (try-completion | |
546 "foo" | |
547 '(("foobar1" 1) ("barfoo" 2) ("foobaz" 3) ("foobar2" 4))) | |
548 @result{} "fooba" | |
549 @end group | |
550 | |
551 @group | |
552 (try-completion "foo" '(("barfoo" 2) ("foo" 3))) | |
553 @result{} t | |
554 @end group | |
555 @end smallexample | |
556 | |
557 In the following example, numerous symbols begin with the characters | |
558 @samp{forw}, and all of them begin with the word @samp{forward}. In | |
559 most of the symbols, this is followed with a @samp{-}, but not in all, | |
560 so no more than @samp{forward} can be completed. | |
561 | |
562 @smallexample | |
563 @group | |
564 (try-completion "forw" obarray) | |
565 @result{} "forward" | |
566 @end group | |
567 @end smallexample | |
568 | |
569 Finally, in the following example, only two of the three possible | |
570 matches pass the predicate @code{test} (the string @samp{foobaz} is | |
571 too short). Both of those begin with the string @samp{foobar}. | |
572 | |
573 @smallexample | |
574 @group | |
575 (defun test (s) | |
576 (> (length (car s)) 6)) | |
577 @result{} test | |
578 @end group | |
579 @group | |
580 (try-completion | |
581 "foo" | |
582 '(("foobar1" 1) ("barfoo" 2) ("foobaz" 3) ("foobar2" 4)) | |
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583 'test) |
6555 | 584 @result{} "foobar" |
585 @end group | |
586 @end smallexample | |
587 @end defun | |
588 | |
12067 | 589 @defun all-completions string collection &optional predicate nospace |
6555 | 590 This function returns a list of all possible completions of |
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591 @var{string}. The arguments to this function are the same as those of |
6555 | 592 @code{try-completion}. |
593 | |
594 If @var{collection} is a function, it is called with three arguments: | |
595 @var{string}, @var{predicate} and @code{t}; then @code{all-completions} | |
596 returns whatever the function returns. @xref{Programmed Completion}. | |
597 | |
12067 | 598 If @var{nospace} is non-@code{nil}, completions that start with a space |
599 are ignored unless @var{string} also starts with a space. | |
600 | |
6555 | 601 Here is an example, using the function @code{test} shown in the |
602 example for @code{try-completion}: | |
603 | |
604 @smallexample | |
605 @group | |
606 (defun test (s) | |
607 (> (length (car s)) 6)) | |
608 @result{} test | |
609 @end group | |
610 | |
611 @group | |
612 (all-completions | |
613 "foo" | |
614 '(("foobar1" 1) ("barfoo" 2) ("foobaz" 3) ("foobar2" 4)) | |
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615 'test) |
6555 | 616 @result{} ("foobar1" "foobar2") |
617 @end group | |
618 @end smallexample | |
619 @end defun | |
620 | |
621 @defvar completion-ignore-case | |
622 If the value of this variable is | |
623 non-@code{nil}, Emacs does not consider case significant in completion. | |
624 @end defvar | |
625 | |
626 @node Minibuffer Completion | |
627 @subsection Completion and the Minibuffer | |
628 | |
629 This section describes the basic interface for reading from the | |
630 minibuffer with completion. | |
631 | |
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632 @defun completing-read prompt collection &optional predicate require-match initial hist default inherit-input-method |
6555 | 633 This function reads a string in the minibuffer, assisting the user by |
634 providing completion. It activates the minibuffer with prompt | |
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635 @var{prompt}, which must be a string. |
6555 | 636 |
637 The actual completion is done by passing @var{collection} and | |
638 @var{predicate} to the function @code{try-completion}. This happens in | |
639 certain commands bound in the local keymaps used for completion. | |
640 | |
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641 If @var{require-match} is @code{nil}, the exit commands work regardless |
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642 of the input in the minibuffer. If @var{require-match} is @code{t}, the |
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643 usual minibuffer exit commands won't exit unless the input completes to |
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644 an element of @var{collection}. If @var{require-match} is neither |
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645 @code{nil} nor @code{t}, then the exit commands won't exit unless the |
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646 input already in the buffer matches an element of @var{collection}. |
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647 |
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648 However, empty input is always permitted, regardless of the value of |
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649 @var{require-match}; in that case, @code{completing-read} returns |
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650 @var{default}. The value of @var{default} (if non-@code{nil}) is also |
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651 available to the user through the history commands. |
6555 | 652 |
8753 | 653 The user can exit with null input by typing @key{RET} with an empty |
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654 minibuffer. Then @code{completing-read} returns @code{""}. This is how |
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655 the user requests whatever default the command uses for the value being |
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656 read. The user can return using @key{RET} in this way regardless of the |
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657 value of @var{require-match}, and regardless of whether the empty string |
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658 is included in @var{collection}. |
8753 | 659 |
6555 | 660 The function @code{completing-read} works by calling |
661 @code{read-minibuffer}. It uses @code{minibuffer-local-completion-map} | |
662 as the keymap if @var{require-match} is @code{nil}, and uses | |
663 @code{minibuffer-local-must-match-map} if @var{require-match} is | |
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664 non-@code{nil}. @xref{Completion Commands}. |
6555 | 665 |
666 The argument @var{hist} specifies which history list variable to use for | |
667 saving the input and for minibuffer history commands. It defaults to | |
668 @code{minibuffer-history}. @xref{Minibuffer History}. | |
669 | |
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670 If @var{initial} is non-@code{nil}, @code{completing-read} inserts it |
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671 into the minibuffer as part of the input. Then it allows the user to |
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672 edit the input, providing several commands to attempt completion. |
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673 In most cases, we recommend using @var{default}, and not @var{initial}. |
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674 |
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675 If the argument @var{inherit-input-method} is non-@code{nil}, then the |
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676 minibuffer inherits the current input method and the setting of |
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677 @code{enable-multibyte-characters} from whichever buffer was current |
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678 before entering the minibuffer. @xref{Input Methods,,, emacs, The GNU |
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679 Emacs Manual}. |
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680 |
6555 | 681 Completion ignores case when comparing the input against the possible |
682 matches, if the built-in variable @code{completion-ignore-case} is | |
683 non-@code{nil}. @xref{Basic Completion}. | |
684 | |
685 Here's an example of using @code{completing-read}: | |
686 | |
687 @smallexample | |
688 @group | |
689 (completing-read | |
690 "Complete a foo: " | |
691 '(("foobar1" 1) ("barfoo" 2) ("foobaz" 3) ("foobar2" 4)) | |
692 nil t "fo") | |
693 @end group | |
694 | |
695 @group | |
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696 ;; @r{After evaluation of the preceding expression,} |
6555 | 697 ;; @r{the following appears in the minibuffer:} |
698 | |
699 ---------- Buffer: Minibuffer ---------- | |
700 Complete a foo: fo@point{} | |
701 ---------- Buffer: Minibuffer ---------- | |
702 @end group | |
703 @end smallexample | |
704 | |
705 @noindent | |
706 If the user then types @kbd{@key{DEL} @key{DEL} b @key{RET}}, | |
707 @code{completing-read} returns @code{barfoo}. | |
708 | |
709 The @code{completing-read} function binds three variables to pass | |
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710 information to the commands that actually do completion. These |
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711 variables are @code{minibuffer-completion-table}, |
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712 @code{minibuffer-completion-predicate} and |
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713 @code{minibuffer-completion-confirm}. For more information about them, |
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714 see @ref{Completion Commands}. |
6555 | 715 @end defun |
716 | |
717 @node Completion Commands | |
718 @subsection Minibuffer Commands That Do Completion | |
719 | |
720 This section describes the keymaps, commands and user options used in | |
721 the minibuffer to do completion. | |
722 | |
723 @defvar minibuffer-local-completion-map | |
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724 @code{completing-read} uses this value as the local keymap when an |
6555 | 725 exact match of one of the completions is not required. By default, this |
726 keymap makes the following bindings: | |
727 | |
728 @table @asis | |
729 @item @kbd{?} | |
730 @code{minibuffer-completion-help} | |
731 | |
732 @item @key{SPC} | |
733 @code{minibuffer-complete-word} | |
734 | |
735 @item @key{TAB} | |
736 @code{minibuffer-complete} | |
737 @end table | |
738 | |
739 @noindent | |
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740 with other characters bound as in @code{minibuffer-local-map} |
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741 (@pxref{Text from Minibuffer}). |
6555 | 742 @end defvar |
743 | |
744 @defvar minibuffer-local-must-match-map | |
745 @code{completing-read} uses this value as the local keymap when an | |
746 exact match of one of the completions is required. Therefore, no keys | |
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747 are bound to @code{exit-minibuffer}, the command that exits the |
6555 | 748 minibuffer unconditionally. By default, this keymap makes the following |
749 bindings: | |
750 | |
751 @table @asis | |
752 @item @kbd{?} | |
753 @code{minibuffer-completion-help} | |
754 | |
755 @item @key{SPC} | |
756 @code{minibuffer-complete-word} | |
757 | |
758 @item @key{TAB} | |
759 @code{minibuffer-complete} | |
760 | |
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761 @item @kbd{C-j} |
6555 | 762 @code{minibuffer-complete-and-exit} |
763 | |
764 @item @key{RET} | |
765 @code{minibuffer-complete-and-exit} | |
766 @end table | |
767 | |
768 @noindent | |
769 with other characters bound as in @code{minibuffer-local-map}. | |
770 @end defvar | |
771 | |
772 @defvar minibuffer-completion-table | |
773 The value of this variable is the alist or obarray used for completion | |
774 in the minibuffer. This is the global variable that contains what | |
775 @code{completing-read} passes to @code{try-completion}. It is used by | |
776 minibuffer completion commands such as @code{minibuffer-complete-word}. | |
777 @end defvar | |
778 | |
779 @defvar minibuffer-completion-predicate | |
780 This variable's value is the predicate that @code{completing-read} | |
781 passes to @code{try-completion}. The variable is also used by the other | |
782 minibuffer completion functions. | |
783 @end defvar | |
784 | |
785 @deffn Command minibuffer-complete-word | |
786 This function completes the minibuffer contents by at most a single | |
787 word. Even if the minibuffer contents have only one completion, | |
788 @code{minibuffer-complete-word} does not add any characters beyond the | |
789 first character that is not a word constituent. @xref{Syntax Tables}. | |
790 @end deffn | |
791 | |
792 @deffn Command minibuffer-complete | |
793 This function completes the minibuffer contents as far as possible. | |
794 @end deffn | |
795 | |
796 @deffn Command minibuffer-complete-and-exit | |
797 This function completes the minibuffer contents, and exits if | |
798 confirmation is not required, i.e., if | |
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799 @code{minibuffer-completion-confirm} is @code{nil}. If confirmation |
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800 @emph{is} required, it is given by repeating this command |
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801 immediately---the command is programmed to work without confirmation |
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802 when run twice in succession. |
6555 | 803 @end deffn |
804 | |
805 @defvar minibuffer-completion-confirm | |
806 When the value of this variable is non-@code{nil}, Emacs asks for | |
807 confirmation of a completion before exiting the minibuffer. The | |
808 function @code{minibuffer-complete-and-exit} checks the value of this | |
809 variable before it exits. | |
810 @end defvar | |
811 | |
812 @deffn Command minibuffer-completion-help | |
813 This function creates a list of the possible completions of the | |
814 current minibuffer contents. It works by calling @code{all-completions} | |
815 using the value of the variable @code{minibuffer-completion-table} as | |
816 the @var{collection} argument, and the value of | |
817 @code{minibuffer-completion-predicate} as the @var{predicate} argument. | |
818 The list of completions is displayed as text in a buffer named | |
819 @samp{*Completions*}. | |
820 @end deffn | |
821 | |
822 @defun display-completion-list completions | |
823 This function displays @var{completions} to the stream in | |
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824 @code{standard-output}, usually a buffer. (@xref{Read and Print}, for more |
6555 | 825 information about streams.) The argument @var{completions} is normally |
826 a list of completions just returned by @code{all-completions}, but it | |
827 does not have to be. Each element may be a symbol or a string, either | |
828 of which is simply printed, or a list of two strings, which is printed | |
829 as if the strings were concatenated. | |
830 | |
831 This function is called by @code{minibuffer-completion-help}. The | |
832 most common way to use it is together with | |
833 @code{with-output-to-temp-buffer}, like this: | |
834 | |
835 @example | |
836 (with-output-to-temp-buffer "*Completions*" | |
837 (display-completion-list | |
838 (all-completions (buffer-string) my-alist))) | |
839 @end example | |
840 @end defun | |
841 | |
842 @defopt completion-auto-help | |
843 If this variable is non-@code{nil}, the completion commands | |
844 automatically display a list of possible completions whenever nothing | |
845 can be completed because the next character is not uniquely determined. | |
846 @end defopt | |
847 | |
848 @node High-Level Completion | |
849 @subsection High-Level Completion Functions | |
850 | |
851 This section describes the higher-level convenient functions for | |
852 reading certain sorts of names with completion. | |
853 | |
12098 | 854 In most cases, you should not call these functions in the middle of a |
855 Lisp function. When possible, do all minibuffer input as part of | |
856 reading the arguments for a command, in the @code{interactive} spec. | |
857 @xref{Defining Commands}. | |
858 | |
6555 | 859 @defun read-buffer prompt &optional default existing |
860 This function reads the name of a buffer and returns it as a string. | |
861 The argument @var{default} is the default name to use, the value to | |
862 return if the user exits with an empty minibuffer. If non-@code{nil}, | |
863 it should be a string or a buffer. It is mentioned in the prompt, but | |
864 is not inserted in the minibuffer as initial input. | |
865 | |
866 If @var{existing} is non-@code{nil}, then the name specified must be | |
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867 that of an existing buffer. The usual commands to exit the minibuffer |
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868 do not exit if the text is not valid, and @key{RET} does completion to |
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869 attempt to find a valid name. (However, @var{default} is not checked |
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870 for validity; it is returned, whatever it is, if the user exits with the |
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871 minibuffer empty.) |
6555 | 872 |
873 In the following example, the user enters @samp{minibuffer.t}, and | |
874 then types @key{RET}. The argument @var{existing} is @code{t}, and the | |
875 only buffer name starting with the given input is | |
876 @samp{minibuffer.texi}, so that name is the value. | |
877 | |
878 @example | |
879 (read-buffer "Buffer name? " "foo" t) | |
880 @group | |
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881 ;; @r{After evaluation of the preceding expression,} |
6555 | 882 ;; @r{the following prompt appears,} |
883 ;; @r{with an empty minibuffer:} | |
884 @end group | |
885 | |
886 @group | |
887 ---------- Buffer: Minibuffer ---------- | |
888 Buffer name? (default foo) @point{} | |
889 ---------- Buffer: Minibuffer ---------- | |
890 @end group | |
891 | |
892 @group | |
893 ;; @r{The user types @kbd{minibuffer.t @key{RET}}.} | |
894 @result{} "minibuffer.texi" | |
895 @end group | |
896 @end example | |
897 @end defun | |
898 | |
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899 @defvar read-buffer-function |
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900 This variable specifies how to read buffer names. For example, if you |
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901 set this variable to @code{iswitchb-read-buffer}, all Emacs commands |
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902 that call @code{read-buffer} to read a buffer name will actually use the |
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903 @code{iswitchb} package to read it. |
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904 @end defvar |
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905 |
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906 @defun read-command prompt &optional default |
6555 | 907 This function reads the name of a command and returns it as a Lisp |
908 symbol. The argument @var{prompt} is used as in | |
909 @code{read-from-minibuffer}. Recall that a command is anything for | |
910 which @code{commandp} returns @code{t}, and a command name is a symbol | |
911 for which @code{commandp} returns @code{t}. @xref{Interactive Call}. | |
912 | |
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913 The argument @var{default} specifies what to return if the user enters |
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914 null input. It can be a symbol or a string; if it is a string, |
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915 @code{read-command} interns it before returning it. If @var{default} is |
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916 @code{nil}, that means no default has been specified; then if the user |
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917 enters null input, the return value is @code{nil}. |
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918 |
6555 | 919 @example |
920 (read-command "Command name? ") | |
921 | |
922 @group | |
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923 ;; @r{After evaluation of the preceding expression,} |
6555 | 924 ;; @r{the following prompt appears with an empty minibuffer:} |
925 @end group | |
926 | |
927 @group | |
928 ---------- Buffer: Minibuffer ---------- | |
929 Command name? | |
930 ---------- Buffer: Minibuffer ---------- | |
931 @end group | |
932 @end example | |
933 | |
934 @noindent | |
935 If the user types @kbd{forward-c @key{RET}}, then this function returns | |
936 @code{forward-char}. | |
937 | |
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938 The @code{read-command} function is a simplified interface to |
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939 @code{completing-read}. It uses the variable @code{obarray} so as to |
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940 complete in the set of extant Lisp symbols, and it uses the |
6555 | 941 @code{commandp} predicate so as to accept only command names: |
942 | |
943 @cindex @code{commandp} example | |
944 @example | |
945 @group | |
946 (read-command @var{prompt}) | |
947 @equiv{} | |
948 (intern (completing-read @var{prompt} obarray | |
949 'commandp t nil)) | |
950 @end group | |
951 @end example | |
952 @end defun | |
953 | |
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954 @defun read-variable prompt &optional default |
6555 | 955 This function reads the name of a user variable and returns it as a |
956 symbol. | |
957 | |
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958 The argument @var{default} specifies what to return if the user enters |
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959 null input. It can be a symbol or a string; if it is a string, |
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960 @code{read-variable} interns it before returning it. If @var{default} |
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961 is @code{nil}, that means no default has been specified; then if the |
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962 user enters null input, the return value is @code{nil}. |
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963 |
6555 | 964 @example |
965 @group | |
966 (read-variable "Variable name? ") | |
967 | |
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968 ;; @r{After evaluation of the preceding expression,} |
6555 | 969 ;; @r{the following prompt appears,} |
970 ;; @r{with an empty minibuffer:} | |
971 @end group | |
972 | |
973 @group | |
974 ---------- Buffer: Minibuffer ---------- | |
975 Variable name? @point{} | |
976 ---------- Buffer: Minibuffer ---------- | |
977 @end group | |
978 @end example | |
979 | |
980 @noindent | |
981 If the user then types @kbd{fill-p @key{RET}}, @code{read-variable} | |
982 returns @code{fill-prefix}. | |
983 | |
984 This function is similar to @code{read-command}, but uses the | |
985 predicate @code{user-variable-p} instead of @code{commandp}: | |
986 | |
987 @cindex @code{user-variable-p} example | |
988 @example | |
989 @group | |
990 (read-variable @var{prompt}) | |
991 @equiv{} | |
992 (intern | |
993 (completing-read @var{prompt} obarray | |
994 'user-variable-p t nil)) | |
995 @end group | |
996 @end example | |
997 @end defun | |
998 | |
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999 See also the functions @code{read-coding-system} and |
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1000 @code{read-non-nil-coding-system}, in @ref{Lisp and Coding Systems}. |
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1001 |
6555 | 1002 @node Reading File Names |
1003 @subsection Reading File Names | |
1004 | |
1005 Here is another high-level completion function, designed for reading a | |
1006 file name. It provides special features including automatic insertion | |
1007 of the default directory. | |
1008 | |
1009 @defun read-file-name prompt &optional directory default existing initial | |
1010 This function reads a file name in the minibuffer, prompting with | |
1011 @var{prompt} and providing completion. If @var{default} is | |
1012 non-@code{nil}, then the function returns @var{default} if the user just | |
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1013 types @key{RET}. @var{default} is not checked for validity; it is |
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1014 returned, whatever it is, if the user exits with the minibuffer empty. |
6555 | 1015 |
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1016 If @var{existing} is non-@code{nil}, then the user must specify the name |
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1017 of an existing file; @key{RET} performs completion to make the name |
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1018 valid if possible, and then refuses to exit if it is not valid. If the |
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1019 value of @var{existing} is neither @code{nil} nor @code{t}, then |
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1020 @key{RET} also requires confirmation after completion. If |
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1021 @var{existing} is @code{nil}, then the name of a nonexistent file is |
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1022 acceptable. |
6555 | 1023 |
1024 The argument @var{directory} specifies the directory to use for | |
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1025 completion of relative file names. If @code{insert-default-directory} |
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1026 is non-@code{nil}, @var{directory} is also inserted in the minibuffer as |
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1027 initial input. It defaults to the current buffer's value of |
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1028 @code{default-directory}. |
6555 | 1029 |
1030 @c Emacs 19 feature | |
1031 If you specify @var{initial}, that is an initial file name to insert in | |
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1032 the buffer (after with @var{directory}, if that is inserted). In this |
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1033 case, point goes at the beginning of @var{initial}. The default for |
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1034 @var{initial} is @code{nil}---don't insert any file name. To see what |
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1035 @var{initial} does, try the command @kbd{C-x C-v}. @strong{Note:} we |
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1036 recommend using @var{default} rather than @var{initial} in most cases. |
6555 | 1037 |
1038 Here is an example: | |
1039 | |
1040 @example | |
1041 @group | |
1042 (read-file-name "The file is ") | |
1043 | |
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1044 ;; @r{After evaluation of the preceding expression,} |
6555 | 1045 ;; @r{the following appears in the minibuffer:} |
1046 @end group | |
1047 | |
1048 @group | |
1049 ---------- Buffer: Minibuffer ---------- | |
1050 The file is /gp/gnu/elisp/@point{} | |
1051 ---------- Buffer: Minibuffer ---------- | |
1052 @end group | |
1053 @end example | |
1054 | |
1055 @noindent | |
1056 Typing @kbd{manual @key{TAB}} results in the following: | |
1057 | |
1058 @example | |
1059 @group | |
1060 ---------- Buffer: Minibuffer ---------- | |
1061 The file is /gp/gnu/elisp/manual.texi@point{} | |
1062 ---------- Buffer: Minibuffer ---------- | |
1063 @end group | |
1064 @end example | |
1065 | |
1066 @c Wordy to avoid overfull hbox in smallbook mode. | |
1067 @noindent | |
1068 If the user types @key{RET}, @code{read-file-name} returns the file name | |
1069 as the string @code{"/gp/gnu/elisp/manual.texi"}. | |
1070 @end defun | |
1071 | |
1072 @defopt insert-default-directory | |
1073 This variable is used by @code{read-file-name}. Its value controls | |
1074 whether @code{read-file-name} starts by placing the name of the default | |
1075 directory in the minibuffer, plus the initial file name if any. If the | |
1076 value of this variable is @code{nil}, then @code{read-file-name} does | |
12098 | 1077 not place any initial input in the minibuffer (unless you specify |
1078 initial input with the @var{initial} argument). In that case, the | |
6555 | 1079 default directory is still used for completion of relative file names, |
1080 but is not displayed. | |
1081 | |
1082 For example: | |
1083 | |
1084 @example | |
1085 @group | |
1086 ;; @r{Here the minibuffer starts out with the default directory.} | |
1087 (let ((insert-default-directory t)) | |
1088 (read-file-name "The file is ")) | |
1089 @end group | |
1090 | |
1091 @group | |
1092 ---------- Buffer: Minibuffer ---------- | |
1093 The file is ~lewis/manual/@point{} | |
1094 ---------- Buffer: Minibuffer ---------- | |
1095 @end group | |
1096 | |
1097 @group | |
1098 ;; @r{Here the minibuffer is empty and only the prompt} | |
1099 ;; @r{appears on its line.} | |
1100 (let ((insert-default-directory nil)) | |
1101 (read-file-name "The file is ")) | |
1102 @end group | |
1103 | |
1104 @group | |
1105 ---------- Buffer: Minibuffer ---------- | |
1106 The file is @point{} | |
1107 ---------- Buffer: Minibuffer ---------- | |
1108 @end group | |
1109 @end example | |
1110 @end defopt | |
1111 | |
1112 @node Programmed Completion | |
1113 @subsection Programmed Completion | |
1114 @cindex programmed completion | |
1115 | |
1116 Sometimes it is not possible to create an alist or an obarray | |
1117 containing all the intended possible completions. In such a case, you | |
1118 can supply your own function to compute the completion of a given string. | |
1119 This is called @dfn{programmed completion}. | |
1120 | |
1121 To use this feature, pass a symbol with a function definition as the | |
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1122 @var{collection} argument to @code{completing-read}. The function |
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1123 @code{completing-read} arranges to pass your completion function along |
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1124 to @code{try-completion} and @code{all-completions}, which will then let |
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1125 your function do all the work. |
6555 | 1126 |
1127 The completion function should accept three arguments: | |
1128 | |
1129 @itemize @bullet | |
1130 @item | |
1131 The string to be completed. | |
1132 | |
1133 @item | |
1134 The predicate function to filter possible matches, or @code{nil} if | |
1135 none. Your function should call the predicate for each possible match, | |
1136 and ignore the possible match if the predicate returns @code{nil}. | |
1137 | |
1138 @item | |
1139 A flag specifying the type of operation. | |
1140 @end itemize | |
1141 | |
1142 There are three flag values for three operations: | |
1143 | |
1144 @itemize @bullet | |
1145 @item | |
1146 @code{nil} specifies @code{try-completion}. The completion function | |
1147 should return the completion of the specified string, or @code{t} if the | |
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1148 string is a unique and exact match already, or @code{nil} if the string |
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1149 matches no possibility. |
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1150 |
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1151 If the string is an exact match for one possibility, but also matches |
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1152 other longer possibilities, the function should return the string, not |
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1153 @code{t}. |
6555 | 1154 |
1155 @item | |
1156 @code{t} specifies @code{all-completions}. The completion function | |
1157 should return a list of all possible completions of the specified | |
1158 string. | |
1159 | |
1160 @item | |
1161 @code{lambda} specifies a test for an exact match. The completion | |
1162 function should return @code{t} if the specified string is an exact | |
1163 match for some possibility; @code{nil} otherwise. | |
1164 @end itemize | |
1165 | |
1166 It would be consistent and clean for completion functions to allow | |
12098 | 1167 lambda expressions (lists that are functions) as well as function |
6555 | 1168 symbols as @var{collection}, but this is impossible. Lists as |
1169 completion tables are already assigned another meaning---as alists. It | |
1170 would be unreliable to fail to handle an alist normally because it is | |
1171 also a possible function. So you must arrange for any function you wish | |
1172 to use for completion to be encapsulated in a symbol. | |
1173 | |
1174 Emacs uses programmed completion when completing file names. | |
1175 @xref{File Name Completion}. | |
1176 | |
1177 @node Yes-or-No Queries | |
1178 @section Yes-or-No Queries | |
1179 @cindex asking the user questions | |
1180 @cindex querying the user | |
1181 @cindex yes-or-no questions | |
1182 | |
1183 This section describes functions used to ask the user a yes-or-no | |
1184 question. The function @code{y-or-n-p} can be answered with a single | |
1185 character; it is useful for questions where an inadvertent wrong answer | |
1186 will not have serious consequences. @code{yes-or-no-p} is suitable for | |
1187 more momentous questions, since it requires three or four characters to | |
1188 answer. | |
1189 | |
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1190 If either of these functions is called in a command that was invoked |
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1191 using the mouse---more precisely, if @code{last-nonmenu-event} |
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1192 (@pxref{Command Loop Info}) is either @code{nil} or a list---then it |
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1193 uses a dialog box or pop-up menu to ask the question. Otherwise, it |
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1194 uses keyboard input. You can force use of the mouse or use of keyboard |
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1195 input by binding @code{last-nonmenu-event} to a suitable value around |
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1196 the call. |
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1197 |
6555 | 1198 Strictly speaking, @code{yes-or-no-p} uses the minibuffer and |
1199 @code{y-or-n-p} does not; but it seems best to describe them together. | |
1200 | |
1201 @defun y-or-n-p prompt | |
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1202 This function asks the user a question, expecting input in the echo |
6555 | 1203 area. It returns @code{t} if the user types @kbd{y}, @code{nil} if the |
1204 user types @kbd{n}. This function also accepts @key{SPC} to mean yes | |
1205 and @key{DEL} to mean no. It accepts @kbd{C-]} to mean ``quit'', like | |
1206 @kbd{C-g}, because the question might look like a minibuffer and for | |
1207 that reason the user might try to use @kbd{C-]} to get out. The answer | |
1208 is a single character, with no @key{RET} needed to terminate it. Upper | |
1209 and lower case are equivalent. | |
1210 | |
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1211 ``Asking the question'' means printing @var{prompt} in the echo area, |
6555 | 1212 followed by the string @w{@samp{(y or n) }}. If the input is not one of |
1213 the expected answers (@kbd{y}, @kbd{n}, @kbd{@key{SPC}}, | |
1214 @kbd{@key{DEL}}, or something that quits), the function responds | |
1215 @samp{Please answer y or n.}, and repeats the request. | |
1216 | |
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1217 This function does not actually use the minibuffer, since it does not |
6555 | 1218 allow editing of the answer. It actually uses the echo area (@pxref{The |
1219 Echo Area}), which uses the same screen space as the minibuffer. The | |
1220 cursor moves to the echo area while the question is being asked. | |
1221 | |
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1222 The answers and their meanings, even @samp{y} and @samp{n}, are not |
6555 | 1223 hardwired. The keymap @code{query-replace-map} specifies them. |
1224 @xref{Search and Replace}. | |
1225 | |
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1226 In the following example, the user first types @kbd{q}, which is |
6555 | 1227 invalid. At the next prompt the user types @kbd{y}. |
1228 | |
1229 @smallexample | |
1230 @group | |
1231 (y-or-n-p "Do you need a lift? ") | |
1232 | |
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1233 ;; @r{After evaluation of the preceding expression,} |
6555 | 1234 ;; @r{the following prompt appears in the echo area:} |
1235 @end group | |
1236 | |
1237 @group | |
1238 ---------- Echo area ---------- | |
1239 Do you need a lift? (y or n) | |
1240 ---------- Echo area ---------- | |
1241 @end group | |
1242 | |
1243 ;; @r{If the user then types @kbd{q}, the following appears:} | |
1244 | |
1245 @group | |
1246 ---------- Echo area ---------- | |
1247 Please answer y or n. Do you need a lift? (y or n) | |
1248 ---------- Echo area ---------- | |
1249 @end group | |
1250 | |
1251 ;; @r{When the user types a valid answer,} | |
1252 ;; @r{it is displayed after the question:} | |
1253 | |
1254 @group | |
1255 ---------- Echo area ---------- | |
1256 Do you need a lift? (y or n) y | |
1257 ---------- Echo area ---------- | |
1258 @end group | |
1259 @end smallexample | |
1260 | |
1261 @noindent | |
1262 We show successive lines of echo area messages, but only one actually | |
1263 appears on the screen at a time. | |
1264 @end defun | |
1265 | |
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1266 @defun y-or-n-p-with-timeout prompt seconds default-value |
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1267 Like @code{y-or-n-p}, except that if the user fails to answer within |
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1268 @var{seconds} seconds, this function stops waiting and returns |
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1269 @var{default-value}. It works by setting up a timer; see @ref{Timers}. |
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1270 The argument @var{seconds} may be an integer or a floating point number. |
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1271 @end defun |
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1272 |
6555 | 1273 @defun yes-or-no-p prompt |
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1274 This function asks the user a question, expecting input in the |
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1275 minibuffer. It returns @code{t} if the user enters @samp{yes}, |
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1276 @code{nil} if the user types @samp{no}. The user must type @key{RET} to |
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1277 finalize the response. Upper and lower case are equivalent. |
6555 | 1278 |
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1279 @code{yes-or-no-p} starts by displaying @var{prompt} in the echo area, |
6555 | 1280 followed by @w{@samp{(yes or no) }}. The user must type one of the |
1281 expected responses; otherwise, the function responds @samp{Please answer | |
1282 yes or no.}, waits about two seconds and repeats the request. | |
1283 | |
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1284 @code{yes-or-no-p} requires more work from the user than |
6555 | 1285 @code{y-or-n-p} and is appropriate for more crucial decisions. |
1286 | |
1287 Here is an example: | |
1288 | |
1289 @smallexample | |
1290 @group | |
1291 (yes-or-no-p "Do you really want to remove everything? ") | |
1292 | |
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1293 ;; @r{After evaluation of the preceding expression,} |
6555 | 1294 ;; @r{the following prompt appears,} |
1295 ;; @r{with an empty minibuffer:} | |
1296 @end group | |
1297 | |
1298 @group | |
1299 ---------- Buffer: minibuffer ---------- | |
1300 Do you really want to remove everything? (yes or no) | |
1301 ---------- Buffer: minibuffer ---------- | |
1302 @end group | |
1303 @end smallexample | |
1304 | |
1305 @noindent | |
1306 If the user first types @kbd{y @key{RET}}, which is invalid because this | |
1307 function demands the entire word @samp{yes}, it responds by displaying | |
1308 these prompts, with a brief pause between them: | |
1309 | |
1310 @smallexample | |
1311 @group | |
1312 ---------- Buffer: minibuffer ---------- | |
1313 Please answer yes or no. | |
1314 Do you really want to remove everything? (yes or no) | |
1315 ---------- Buffer: minibuffer ---------- | |
1316 @end group | |
1317 @end smallexample | |
1318 @end defun | |
1319 | |
1320 @node Multiple Queries | |
1321 @section Asking Multiple Y-or-N Questions | |
1322 | |
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1323 When you have a series of similar questions to ask, such as ``Do you |
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1324 want to save this buffer'' for each buffer in turn, you should use |
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1325 @code{map-y-or-n-p} to ask the collection of questions, rather than |
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1326 asking each question individually. This gives the user certain |
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1327 convenient facilities such as the ability to answer the whole series at |
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1328 once. |
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1329 |
6555 | 1330 @defun map-y-or-n-p prompter actor list &optional help action-alist |
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1331 This function asks the user a series of questions, reading a |
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1332 single-character answer in the echo area for each one. |
6555 | 1333 |
1334 The value of @var{list} specifies the objects to ask questions about. | |
1335 It should be either a list of objects or a generator function. If it is | |
1336 a function, it should expect no arguments, and should return either the | |
1337 next object to ask about, or @code{nil} meaning stop asking questions. | |
1338 | |
1339 The argument @var{prompter} specifies how to ask each question. If | |
1340 @var{prompter} is a string, the question text is computed like this: | |
1341 | |
1342 @example | |
1343 (format @var{prompter} @var{object}) | |
1344 @end example | |
1345 | |
1346 @noindent | |
1347 where @var{object} is the next object to ask about (as obtained from | |
1348 @var{list}). | |
1349 | |
1350 If not a string, @var{prompter} should be a function of one argument | |
12226 | 1351 (the next object to ask about) and should return the question text. If |
1352 the value is a string, that is the question to ask the user. The | |
1353 function can also return @code{t} meaning do act on this object (and | |
1354 don't ask the user), or @code{nil} meaning ignore this object (and don't | |
1355 ask the user). | |
6555 | 1356 |
1357 The argument @var{actor} says how to act on the answers that the user | |
1358 gives. It should be a function of one argument, and it is called with | |
1359 each object that the user says yes for. Its argument is always an | |
1360 object obtained from @var{list}. | |
1361 | |
1362 If the argument @var{help} is given, it should be a list of this form: | |
1363 | |
1364 @example | |
1365 (@var{singular} @var{plural} @var{action}) | |
1366 @end example | |
1367 | |
1368 @noindent | |
1369 where @var{singular} is a string containing a singular noun that | |
1370 describes the objects conceptually being acted on, @var{plural} is the | |
1371 corresponding plural noun, and @var{action} is a transitive verb | |
1372 describing what @var{actor} does. | |
1373 | |
1374 If you don't specify @var{help}, the default is @code{("object" | |
1375 "objects" "act on")}. | |
1376 | |
1377 Each time a question is asked, the user may enter @kbd{y}, @kbd{Y}, or | |
1378 @key{SPC} to act on that object; @kbd{n}, @kbd{N}, or @key{DEL} to skip | |
1379 that object; @kbd{!} to act on all following objects; @key{ESC} or | |
1380 @kbd{q} to exit (skip all following objects); @kbd{.} (period) to act on | |
1381 the current object and then exit; or @kbd{C-h} to get help. These are | |
1382 the same answers that @code{query-replace} accepts. The keymap | |
1383 @code{query-replace-map} defines their meaning for @code{map-y-or-n-p} | |
1384 as well as for @code{query-replace}; see @ref{Search and Replace}. | |
1385 | |
1386 You can use @var{action-alist} to specify additional possible answers | |
1387 and what they mean. It is an alist of elements of the form | |
1388 @code{(@var{char} @var{function} @var{help})}, each of which defines one | |
1389 additional answer. In this element, @var{char} is a character (the | |
1390 answer); @var{function} is a function of one argument (an object from | |
1391 @var{list}); @var{help} is a string. | |
1392 | |
1393 When the user responds with @var{char}, @code{map-y-or-n-p} calls | |
1394 @var{function}. If it returns non-@code{nil}, the object is considered | |
1395 ``acted upon'', and @code{map-y-or-n-p} advances to the next object in | |
1396 @var{list}. If it returns @code{nil}, the prompt is repeated for the | |
1397 same object. | |
1398 | |
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1399 If @code{map-y-or-n-p} is called in a command that was invoked using the |
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1400 mouse---more precisely, if @code{last-nonmenu-event} (@pxref{Command |
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1401 Loop Info}) is either @code{nil} or a list---then it uses a dialog box |
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1402 or pop-up menu to ask the question. In this case, it does not use |
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1403 keyboard input or the echo area. You can force use of the mouse or use |
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1404 of keyboard input by binding @code{last-nonmenu-event} to a suitable |
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1405 value around the call. |
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1406 |
6555 | 1407 The return value of @code{map-y-or-n-p} is the number of objects acted on. |
1408 @end defun | |
1409 | |
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1410 @node Reading a Password |
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1411 @section Reading a Password |
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1412 |
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1413 This function is useful for reading passwords. |
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1414 |
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1415 @tindex read-password |
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1416 @defun read-password prompt default |
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1417 This function reads a password, echoing @samp{.} in the echo area |
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1418 for each character entered, and returns it as a string. It prompts |
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1419 with @var{prompt}, and returns @var{default} if the user enters the |
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1420 null string. |
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1421 @end defun |
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1422 |
6555 | 1423 @node Minibuffer Misc |
1424 @section Minibuffer Miscellany | |
1425 | |
1426 This section describes some basic functions and variables related to | |
1427 minibuffers. | |
1428 | |
1429 @deffn Command exit-minibuffer | |
1430 This command exits the active minibuffer. It is normally bound to | |
1431 keys in minibuffer local keymaps. | |
1432 @end deffn | |
1433 | |
1434 @deffn Command self-insert-and-exit | |
1435 This command exits the active minibuffer after inserting the last | |
1436 character typed on the keyboard (found in @code{last-command-char}; | |
1437 @pxref{Command Loop Info}). | |
1438 @end deffn | |
1439 | |
1440 @deffn Command previous-history-element n | |
1441 This command replaces the minibuffer contents with the value of the | |
1442 @var{n}th previous (older) history element. | |
1443 @end deffn | |
1444 | |
1445 @deffn Command next-history-element n | |
1446 This command replaces the minibuffer contents with the value of the | |
1447 @var{n}th more recent history element. | |
1448 @end deffn | |
1449 | |
1450 @deffn Command previous-matching-history-element pattern | |
1451 This command replaces the minibuffer contents with the value of the | |
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1452 previous (older) history element that matches @var{pattern} (a regular |
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1453 expression). |
6555 | 1454 @end deffn |
1455 | |
1456 @deffn Command next-matching-history-element pattern | |
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1457 This command replaces the minibuffer contents with the value of the next |
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1458 (newer) history element that matches @var{pattern} (a regular |
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1459 expression). |
6555 | 1460 @end deffn |
1461 | |
12098 | 1462 @defun minibuffer-prompt |
1463 This function returns the prompt string of the currently active | |
1464 minibuffer. If no minibuffer is active, it returns @code{nil}. | |
1465 @end defun | |
1466 | |
1467 @defun minibuffer-prompt-width | |
1468 This function returns the display width of the prompt string of the | |
1469 currently active minibuffer. If no minibuffer is active, it returns 0. | |
1470 @end defun | |
1471 | |
6555 | 1472 @defvar minibuffer-setup-hook |
1473 This is a normal hook that is run whenever the minibuffer is entered. | |
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1474 @xref{Hooks}. |
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1475 @end defvar |
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1476 |
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1477 @defvar minibuffer-exit-hook |
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1478 This is a normal hook that is run whenever the minibuffer is exited. |
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1479 @xref{Hooks}. |
6555 | 1480 @end defvar |
1481 | |
1482 @defvar minibuffer-help-form | |
1483 The current value of this variable is used to rebind @code{help-form} | |
1484 locally inside the minibuffer (@pxref{Help Functions}). | |
1485 @end defvar | |
1486 | |
12067 | 1487 @defun active-minibuffer-window |
1488 This function returns the currently active minibuffer window, or | |
1489 @code{nil} if none is currently active. | |
1490 @end defun | |
1491 | |
6555 | 1492 @defun minibuffer-window &optional frame |
12067 | 1493 This function returns the minibuffer window used for frame @var{frame}. |
1494 If @var{frame} is @code{nil}, that stands for the current frame. Note | |
1495 that the minibuffer window used by a frame need not be part of that | |
1496 frame---a frame that has no minibuffer of its own necessarily uses some | |
1497 other frame's minibuffer window. | |
6555 | 1498 @end defun |
1499 | |
1500 @c Emacs 19 feature | |
1501 @defun window-minibuffer-p window | |
1502 This function returns non-@code{nil} if @var{window} is a minibuffer window. | |
1503 @end defun | |
1504 | |
1505 It is not correct to determine whether a given window is a minibuffer by | |
1506 comparing it with the result of @code{(minibuffer-window)}, because | |
1507 there can be more than one minibuffer window if there is more than one | |
1508 frame. | |
1509 | |
1510 @defun minibuffer-window-active-p window | |
1511 This function returns non-@code{nil} if @var{window}, assumed to be | |
1512 a minibuffer window, is currently active. | |
1513 @end defun | |
1514 | |
1515 @defvar minibuffer-scroll-window | |
1516 If the value of this variable is non-@code{nil}, it should be a window | |
1517 object. When the function @code{scroll-other-window} is called in the | |
1518 minibuffer, it scrolls this window. | |
1519 @end defvar | |
1520 | |
1521 Finally, some functions and variables deal with recursive minibuffers | |
1522 (@pxref{Recursive Editing}): | |
1523 | |
1524 @defun minibuffer-depth | |
1525 This function returns the current depth of activations of the | |
1526 minibuffer, a nonnegative integer. If no minibuffers are active, it | |
1527 returns zero. | |
1528 @end defun | |
1529 | |
1530 @defopt enable-recursive-minibuffers | |
1531 If this variable is non-@code{nil}, you can invoke commands (such as | |
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1532 @code{find-file}) that use minibuffers even while the minibuffer window |
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1533 is active. Such invocation produces a recursive editing level for a new |
6555 | 1534 minibuffer. The outer-level minibuffer is invisible while you are |
1535 editing the inner one. | |
1536 | |
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1537 If this variable is @code{nil}, you cannot invoke minibuffer |
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1538 commands when the minibuffer window is active, not even if you switch to |
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1539 another window to do it. |
6555 | 1540 @end defopt |
1541 | |
1542 @c Emacs 19 feature | |
1543 If a command name has a property @code{enable-recursive-minibuffers} | |
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1544 that is non-@code{nil}, then the command can use the minibuffer to read |
6555 | 1545 arguments even if it is invoked from the minibuffer. The minibuffer |
12098 | 1546 command @code{next-matching-history-element} (normally @kbd{M-s} in the |
1547 minibuffer) uses this feature. |