Mercurial > emacs
annotate man/help.texi @ 32286:c0b19a2770ca
(Info-goto-node, Info-menu): Doc fix.
(Info-mode-menu): Bind beginning-of-buffer, Info-edit
(info-tool-bar-map): New variable.
(Info-mode): Use it.
(Info-edit-map): Define all in defvar.
(speedbar-attached-frame): Avoid compiler warning.
author | Dave Love <fx@gnu.org> |
---|---|
date | Sun, 08 Oct 2000 15:44:36 +0000 |
parents | 49a967404304 |
children | c74db5a73b6f |
rev | line source |
---|---|
25829 | 1 @c This is part of the Emacs manual. |
28433 | 2 @c Copyright (C) 1985, 86, 87, 93, 94, 95, 97, 2000 |
3 @c Free Software Foundation, Inc. | |
25829 | 4 @c See file emacs.texi for copying conditions. |
5 @node Help, Mark, M-x, Top | |
6 @chapter Help | |
7 @kindex Help | |
8 @cindex help | |
9 @cindex self-documentation | |
10 @findex help-command | |
11 @kindex C-h | |
12 @kindex F1 | |
13 | |
14 Emacs provides extensive help features accessible through a single | |
15 character, @kbd{C-h}. @kbd{C-h} is a prefix key that is used only for | |
16 documentation-printing commands. The characters that you can type after | |
17 @kbd{C-h} are called @dfn{help options}. One help option is @kbd{C-h}; | |
18 that is how you ask for help about using @kbd{C-h}. To cancel, type | |
19 @kbd{C-g}. The function key @key{F1} is equivalent to @kbd{C-h}. | |
20 | |
21 @kindex C-h C-h | |
22 @findex help-for-help | |
23 @kbd{C-h C-h} (@code{help-for-help}) displays a list of the possible | |
24 help options, each with a brief description. Before you type a help | |
25 option, you can use @key{SPC} or @key{DEL} to scroll through the list. | |
26 | |
27 @kbd{C-h} or @key{F1} means ``help'' in various other contexts as | |
28 well. For example, in the middle of @code{query-replace}, it describes | |
29 the options available for how to operate on the current match. After a | |
30 prefix key, it displays a list of the alternatives that can follow the | |
31 prefix key. (A few prefix keys don't support @kbd{C-h}, because they | |
32 define other meanings for it, but they all support @key{F1}.) | |
33 | |
34 Most help buffers use a special major mode, Help mode, which lets you | |
28433 | 35 scroll conveniently with @key{SPC} and @key{DEL}. It also offers |
36 hyperlinks to more help on cross-referenced names, Info nodes, | |
37 customization buffers and the like. @xref{Help Mode}. | |
25829 | 38 |
32276
49a967404304
(Help): Describe an orderly procedure to find features in the docs.
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents:
30801
diff
changeset
|
39 @cindex searching documentation efficiently |
49a967404304
(Help): Describe an orderly procedure to find features in the docs.
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents:
30801
diff
changeset
|
40 @cindex looking for a subject in documentation |
49a967404304
(Help): Describe an orderly procedure to find features in the docs.
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents:
30801
diff
changeset
|
41 If you are looking for a certain feature, but don't know where exactly |
49a967404304
(Help): Describe an orderly procedure to find features in the docs.
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents:
30801
diff
changeset
|
42 it is documented, and aren't even sure what is the name of the related |
49a967404304
(Help): Describe an orderly procedure to find features in the docs.
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents:
30801
diff
changeset
|
43 command or option, we recommend the following procedure: |
49a967404304
(Help): Describe an orderly procedure to find features in the docs.
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents:
30801
diff
changeset
|
44 |
49a967404304
(Help): Describe an orderly procedure to find features in the docs.
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents:
30801
diff
changeset
|
45 @table @kbd |
49a967404304
(Help): Describe an orderly procedure to find features in the docs.
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents:
30801
diff
changeset
|
46 @item C-h a @var{topic} @key{RET} |
49a967404304
(Help): Describe an orderly procedure to find features in the docs.
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents:
30801
diff
changeset
|
47 This searches the built-in short documentation of each command for |
49a967404304
(Help): Describe an orderly procedure to find features in the docs.
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents:
30801
diff
changeset
|
48 strings which match @var{topic}. @var{topic} can be a regular |
49a967404304
(Help): Describe an orderly procedure to find features in the docs.
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents:
30801
diff
changeset
|
49 expression (@pxref{Regexps}). Browse the buffer popped up by Emacs, to |
49a967404304
(Help): Describe an orderly procedure to find features in the docs.
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents:
30801
diff
changeset
|
50 find what you are looking for. |
49a967404304
(Help): Describe an orderly procedure to find features in the docs.
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents:
30801
diff
changeset
|
51 |
49a967404304
(Help): Describe an orderly procedure to find features in the docs.
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents:
30801
diff
changeset
|
52 @item M-x apropos @var{topic} @key{RET} |
49a967404304
(Help): Describe an orderly procedure to find features in the docs.
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents:
30801
diff
changeset
|
53 This works like @kbd{C-h a}, but it also searches the documentation of |
49a967404304
(Help): Describe an orderly procedure to find features in the docs.
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents:
30801
diff
changeset
|
54 user options and other variables, in case the feature you are looking |
49a967404304
(Help): Describe an orderly procedure to find features in the docs.
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents:
30801
diff
changeset
|
55 for is controlled by an option, not a command. |
49a967404304
(Help): Describe an orderly procedure to find features in the docs.
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents:
30801
diff
changeset
|
56 |
49a967404304
(Help): Describe an orderly procedure to find features in the docs.
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents:
30801
diff
changeset
|
57 @item C-h i emacs @key{RET} i @var{topic} @key{RET} |
49a967404304
(Help): Describe an orderly procedure to find features in the docs.
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents:
30801
diff
changeset
|
58 This looks up @var{topic} in the indices of the Emacs on-line manual. |
49a967404304
(Help): Describe an orderly procedure to find features in the docs.
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents:
30801
diff
changeset
|
59 Press @key{,} repetitively until you find what you are looking for. |
49a967404304
(Help): Describe an orderly procedure to find features in the docs.
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents:
30801
diff
changeset
|
60 |
49a967404304
(Help): Describe an orderly procedure to find features in the docs.
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents:
30801
diff
changeset
|
61 @item C-h i emacs @key{RET} s @var{topic} @key{RET} |
49a967404304
(Help): Describe an orderly procedure to find features in the docs.
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents:
30801
diff
changeset
|
62 This works like the previous command, but it searches for @var{topic} |
49a967404304
(Help): Describe an orderly procedure to find features in the docs.
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents:
30801
diff
changeset
|
63 (which can be a regular expression) in the @emph{text} of the manual |
49a967404304
(Help): Describe an orderly procedure to find features in the docs.
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents:
30801
diff
changeset
|
64 rather than in its indices. |
49a967404304
(Help): Describe an orderly procedure to find features in the docs.
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents:
30801
diff
changeset
|
65 |
49a967404304
(Help): Describe an orderly procedure to find features in the docs.
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents:
30801
diff
changeset
|
66 @item C-h F |
49a967404304
(Help): Describe an orderly procedure to find features in the docs.
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents:
30801
diff
changeset
|
67 This brings up the Emacs FAQ, where you can use the usual search |
49a967404304
(Help): Describe an orderly procedure to find features in the docs.
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents:
30801
diff
changeset
|
68 commands (@pxref{Search}) to find the information. |
49a967404304
(Help): Describe an orderly procedure to find features in the docs.
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents:
30801
diff
changeset
|
69 |
49a967404304
(Help): Describe an orderly procedure to find features in the docs.
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents:
30801
diff
changeset
|
70 @item M-x finder-by-keyword |
49a967404304
(Help): Describe an orderly procedure to find features in the docs.
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents:
30801
diff
changeset
|
71 Finally, you can try looking up a suitable package using keywords |
49a967404304
(Help): Describe an orderly procedure to find features in the docs.
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents:
30801
diff
changeset
|
72 pertinent to the feature you need. |
49a967404304
(Help): Describe an orderly procedure to find features in the docs.
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents:
30801
diff
changeset
|
73 @end table |
49a967404304
(Help): Describe an orderly procedure to find features in the docs.
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents:
30801
diff
changeset
|
74 |
25829 | 75 @menu |
76 * Help Summary:: Brief list of all Help commands. | |
77 * Key Help:: Asking what a key does in Emacs. | |
78 * Name Help:: Asking about a command, variable or function name. | |
79 * Apropos:: Asking what pertains to a given topic. | |
80 * Library Keywords:: Finding Lisp libraries by keywords (topics). | |
81 * Language Help:: Help relating to international language support. | |
82 * Help Mode:: Special features of Help mode and Help buffers. | |
83 * Misc Help:: Other help commands. | |
28433 | 84 * Help Echo:: Help on active text and tooltips (`balloon help') |
25829 | 85 @end menu |
86 | |
87 @iftex | |
88 @node Help Summary | |
89 @end iftex | |
90 @ifinfo | |
91 @node Help Summary | |
92 @section Help Summary | |
93 @end ifinfo | |
94 | |
95 Here is a summary of the defined help commands. | |
96 | |
97 @table @kbd | |
98 @item C-h a @var{regexp} @key{RET} | |
99 Display a list of commands whose names match @var{regexp} | |
100 (@code{apropos-command}). | |
101 @item C-h b | |
102 Display a table of all key bindings in effect now, in this order: minor | |
103 mode bindings, major mode bindings, and global bindings | |
104 (@code{describe-bindings}). | |
105 @item C-h c @var{key} | |
106 Print the name of the command that @var{key} runs | |
107 (@code{describe-key-briefly}). Here @kbd{c} stands for `character'. For more | |
108 extensive information on @var{key}, use @kbd{C-h k}. | |
109 @item C-h f @var{function} @key{RET} | |
110 Display documentation on the Lisp function named @var{function} | |
111 (@code{describe-function}). Since commands are Lisp functions, | |
112 a command name may be used. | |
113 @item C-h h | |
114 Display the @file{hello} file, which shows examples of various character | |
115 sets. | |
116 @item C-h i | |
117 Run Info, the program for browsing documentation files (@code{info}). | |
118 The complete Emacs manual is available on-line in Info. | |
119 @item C-h k @var{key} | |
120 Display the name and documentation of the command that @var{key} runs | |
121 (@code{describe-key}). | |
122 @item C-h l | |
123 Display a description of the last 100 characters you typed | |
124 (@code{view-lossage}). | |
125 @item C-h m | |
126 Display documentation of the current major mode (@code{describe-mode}). | |
127 @item C-h n | |
128 Display documentation of Emacs changes, most recent first | |
129 (@code{view-emacs-news}). | |
26767 | 130 @item C-h P |
131 Display info on known problems with Emacs and possible workarounds | |
132 (@code{view-emacs-problems}). | |
25829 | 133 @item C-h p |
134 Find packages by topic keyword (@code{finder-by-keyword}). | |
135 @item C-h s | |
136 Display current contents of the syntax table, plus an explanation of | |
137 what they mean (@code{describe-syntax}). @xref{Syntax}. | |
138 @item C-h t | |
139 Enter the Emacs interactive tutorial (@code{help-with-tutorial}). | |
140 @item C-h v @var{var} @key{RET} | |
141 Display the documentation of the Lisp variable @var{var} | |
142 (@code{describe-variable}). | |
143 @item C-h w @var{command} @key{RET} | |
144 Print which keys run the command named @var{command} (@code{where-is}). | |
145 @item C-h C @var{coding} @key{RET} | |
146 Describe coding system @var{coding} | |
147 (@code{describe-coding-system}). | |
148 @item C-h C @key{RET} | |
149 Describe the coding systems currently in use. | |
150 @item C-h I @var{method} @key{RET} | |
151 Describe an input method (@code{describe-input-method}). | |
152 @item C-h L @var{language-env} @key{RET} | |
153 Describe information on the character sets, coding systems and input | |
154 methods used for language environment @var{language-env} | |
155 (@code{describe-language-environment}). | |
156 @item C-h C-c | |
157 Display the copying conditions for GNU Emacs. | |
158 @item C-h C-d | |
159 Display information about getting new versions of GNU Emacs. | |
160 @item C-h C-f @var{function} @key{RET} | |
161 Enter Info and go to the node documenting the Emacs function @var{function} | |
162 (@code{Info-goto-emacs-command-node}). | |
163 @item C-h C-k @var{key} | |
164 Enter Info and go to the node where the key sequence @var{key} is | |
165 documented (@code{Info-goto-emacs-key-command-node}). | |
166 @item C-h C-p | |
167 Display information about the GNU Project. | |
168 @item C-h @key{TAB} @var{symbol} @key{RET} | |
169 Display the Info documentation on symbol @var{symbol} according to the | |
170 programming language you are editing (@code{info-lookup-symbol}). | |
171 @end table | |
172 | |
173 @node Key Help | |
174 @section Documentation for a Key | |
175 | |
176 @kindex C-h c | |
177 @findex describe-key-briefly | |
178 The most basic @kbd{C-h} options are @kbd{C-h c} | |
179 (@code{describe-key-briefly}) and @w{@kbd{C-h k}} (@code{describe-key}). | |
180 @kbd{C-h c @var{key}} prints in the echo area the name of the command | |
181 that @var{key} is bound to. For example, @kbd{C-h c C-f} prints | |
182 @samp{forward-char}. Since command names are chosen to describe what | |
183 the commands do, this is a good way to get a very brief description of | |
184 what @var{key} does. | |
185 | |
186 @kindex C-h k | |
187 @findex describe-key | |
188 @kbd{C-h k @var{key}} is similar but gives more information: it | |
189 displays the documentation string of the command as well as its name. | |
190 This is too big for the echo area, so a window is used for the display. | |
191 | |
192 @kbd{C-h c} and @kbd{C-h k} work for any sort of key sequences, | |
193 including function keys and mouse events. | |
194 | |
195 @node Name Help | |
196 @section Help by Command or Variable Name | |
197 | |
198 @kindex C-h f | |
199 @findex describe-function | |
200 @kbd{C-h f} (@code{describe-function}) reads the name of a Lisp function | |
201 using the minibuffer, then displays that function's documentation string | |
202 in a window. Since commands are Lisp functions, you can use this to get | |
203 the documentation of a command that you know by name. For example, | |
204 | |
205 @example | |
206 C-h f auto-fill-mode @key{RET} | |
207 @end example | |
208 | |
209 @noindent | |
210 displays the documentation of @code{auto-fill-mode}. This is the only | |
211 way to get the documentation of a command that is not bound to any key | |
212 (one which you would normally run using @kbd{M-x}). | |
213 | |
214 @kbd{C-h f} is also useful for Lisp functions that you are planning to | |
215 use in a Lisp program. For example, if you have just written the | |
216 expression @code{(make-vector len)} and want to check that you are using | |
217 @code{make-vector} properly, type @kbd{C-h f make-vector @key{RET}}. | |
218 Because @kbd{C-h f} allows all function names, not just command names, | |
219 you may find that some of your favorite abbreviations that work in | |
220 @kbd{M-x} don't work in @kbd{C-h f}. An abbreviation may be unique | |
221 among command names yet fail to be unique when other function names are | |
222 allowed. | |
223 | |
224 The function name for @kbd{C-h f} to describe has a default which is | |
225 used if you type @key{RET} leaving the minibuffer empty. The default is | |
226 the function called by the innermost Lisp expression in the buffer around | |
227 point, @emph{provided} that is a valid, defined Lisp function name. For | |
228 example, if point is located following the text @samp{(make-vector (car | |
229 x)}, the innermost list containing point is the one that starts with | |
230 @samp{(make-vector}, so the default is to describe the function | |
231 @code{make-vector}. | |
232 | |
233 @kbd{C-h f} is often useful just to verify that you have the right | |
234 spelling for the function name. If @kbd{C-h f} mentions a name from the | |
235 buffer as the default, that name must be defined as a Lisp function. If | |
236 that is all you want to know, just type @kbd{C-g} to cancel the @kbd{C-h | |
237 f} command, then go on editing. | |
238 | |
239 @kindex C-h w | |
240 @findex where-is | |
241 @kbd{C-h w @var{command} @key{RET}} tells you what keys are bound to | |
242 @var{command}. It prints a list of the keys in the echo area. If it | |
243 says the command is not on any key, you must use @kbd{M-x} to run it. | |
244 @kbd{C-h w} runs the command @code{where-is}. | |
245 | |
246 @kbd{C-h v} (@code{describe-variable}) is like @kbd{C-h f} but describes | |
247 Lisp variables instead of Lisp functions. Its default is the Lisp symbol | |
248 around or before point, but only if that is the name of a known Lisp | |
249 variable. @xref{Variables}.@refill | |
250 | |
30801
03dc1bdbddec
(Name Help): Don't mention find-func.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
28433
diff
changeset
|
251 Help buffers describing variables or functions defined in Lisp normally |
03dc1bdbddec
(Name Help): Don't mention find-func.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
28433
diff
changeset
|
252 have hyperlinks to their definitions if you have the Lisp source files |
03dc1bdbddec
(Name Help): Don't mention find-func.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
28433
diff
changeset
|
253 installed. If you can read Lisp, this provides the ultimate |
03dc1bdbddec
(Name Help): Don't mention find-func.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
28433
diff
changeset
|
254 documentation. |
28433 | 255 |
25829 | 256 @node Apropos |
257 @section Apropos | |
258 | |
259 @kindex C-h a | |
260 @findex apropos-command | |
261 @cindex apropos | |
262 A more sophisticated sort of question to ask is, ``What are the | |
263 commands for working with files?'' To ask this question, type @kbd{C-h | |
264 a file @key{RET}}, which displays a list of all command names that | |
265 contain @samp{file}, including @code{copy-file}, @code{find-file}, and | |
266 so on. With each command name appears a brief description of how to use | |
267 the command, and what keys you can currently invoke it with. For | |
268 example, it would say that you can invoke @code{find-file} by typing | |
269 @kbd{C-x C-f}. The @kbd{a} in @kbd{C-h a} stands for `Apropos'; | |
270 @kbd{C-h a} runs the command @code{apropos-command}. This command | |
271 normally checks only commands (interactive functions); if you specify a | |
272 prefix argument, it checks noninteractive functions as well. | |
273 | |
274 Because @kbd{C-h a} looks only for functions whose names contain the | |
275 string you specify, you must use ingenuity in choosing the | |
276 string. If you are looking for commands for killing backwards and | |
277 @kbd{C-h a kill-backwards @key{RET}} doesn't reveal any, don't give up. | |
278 Try just @kbd{kill}, or just @kbd{backwards}, or just @kbd{back}. Be | |
279 persistent. Also note that you can use a regular expression as the | |
280 argument, for more flexibility (@pxref{Regexps}). | |
281 | |
282 Here is a set of arguments to give to @kbd{C-h a} that covers many | |
283 classes of Emacs commands, since there are strong conventions for naming | |
284 the standard Emacs commands. By giving you a feel for the naming | |
285 conventions, this set should also serve to aid you in developing a | |
286 technique for picking @code{apropos} strings. | |
287 | |
288 @quotation | |
289 char, line, word, sentence, paragraph, region, page, sexp, list, defun, | |
290 rect, buffer, frame, window, face, file, dir, register, mode, beginning, end, | |
291 forward, backward, next, previous, up, down, search, goto, kill, delete, | |
292 mark, insert, yank, fill, indent, case, change, set, what, list, find, | |
293 view, describe, default. | |
294 @end quotation | |
295 | |
296 @findex apropos-variable | |
297 To list all user variables that match a regexp, use the command | |
298 @kbd{M-x apropos-variable}. This command shows only user variables and | |
299 customization options by default; if you specify a prefix argument, it | |
300 checks all variables. | |
301 | |
302 @findex apropos | |
303 To list all Lisp symbols that contain a match for a regexp, not just | |
304 the ones that are defined as commands, use the command @kbd{M-x apropos} | |
305 instead of @kbd{C-h a}. This command does not check key bindings by | |
306 default; specify a numeric argument if you want it to check them. | |
307 | |
308 @findex apropos-documentation | |
309 The @code{apropos-documentation} command is like @code{apropos} except | |
310 that it searches documentation strings as well as symbol names for | |
311 matches for the specified regular expression. | |
312 | |
313 @findex apropos-value | |
314 The @code{apropos-value} command is like @code{apropos} except that it | |
315 searches symbols' values for matches for the specified regular | |
316 expression. This command does not check function definitions or | |
317 property lists by default; specify a numeric argument if you want it to | |
318 check them. | |
319 | |
320 @vindex apropos-do-all | |
321 If the variable @code{apropos-do-all} is non-@code{nil}, the commands | |
322 above all behave as if they had been given a prefix argument. | |
323 | |
324 If you want more information about a function definition, variable or | |
325 symbol property listed in the Apropos buffer, you can click on it with | |
326 @kbd{Mouse-2} or move there and type @key{RET}. | |
327 | |
328 @node Library Keywords | |
329 @section Keyword Search for Lisp Libraries | |
330 | |
331 @kindex C-h p | |
332 @findex finder-by-keyword | |
333 The @kbd{C-h p} command lets you search the standard Emacs Lisp | |
334 libraries by topic keywords. Here is a partial list of keywords you can | |
335 use: | |
336 | |
337 @display | |
338 abbrev --- abbreviation handling, typing shortcuts, macros. | |
339 bib --- support for the bibliography processor @code{bib}. | |
340 c --- C and C++ language support. | |
341 calendar --- calendar and time management support. | |
342 comm --- communications, networking, remote access to files. | |
343 data --- support for editing files of data. | |
344 docs --- support for Emacs documentation. | |
345 emulations --- emulations of other editors. | |
346 extensions --- Emacs Lisp language extensions. | |
347 faces --- support for using faces (fonts and colors; @pxref{Faces}). | |
348 frames --- support for Emacs frames and window systems. | |
349 games --- games, jokes and amusements. | |
350 hardware --- support for interfacing with exotic hardware. | |
351 help --- support for on-line help systems. | |
352 hypermedia --- support for links within text, or other media types. | |
353 i18n --- internationalization and alternate character-set support. | |
354 internal --- code for Emacs internals, build process, defaults. | |
355 languages --- specialized modes for editing programming languages. | |
356 lisp --- support for using Lisp (including Emacs Lisp). | |
357 local --- libraries local to your site. | |
358 maint --- maintenance aids for the Emacs development group. | |
359 mail --- modes for electronic-mail handling. | |
360 matching --- searching and matching. | |
361 news --- support for netnews reading and posting. | |
362 non-text --- support for editing files that are not ordinary text. | |
363 oop --- support for object-oriented programming. | |
364 outlines --- hierarchical outlining. | |
365 processes --- process, subshell, compilation, and job control support. | |
366 terminals --- support for terminal types. | |
367 tex --- support for the @TeX{} formatter. | |
368 tools --- programming tools. | |
369 unix --- front-ends/assistants for, or emulators of, Unix features. | |
370 vms --- support code for VMS. | |
371 wp --- word processing. | |
372 @end display | |
373 | |
374 @node Language Help | |
375 @section Help for International Language Support | |
376 | |
377 You can use the command @kbd{C-h L} | |
378 (@code{describe-language-environment}) to find out the support for a | |
379 specific language environment. @xref{Language Environments}. This | |
380 tells you which languages this language environment is useful for, and | |
381 lists the character sets, coding systems, and input methods that go with | |
382 it. It also shows some sample text to illustrate scripts. | |
383 | |
384 The command @kbd{C-h h} (@code{view-hello-file}) displays the file | |
385 @file{etc/HELLO}, which shows how to say ``hello'' in many languages. | |
386 | |
387 The command @kbd{C-h I} (@code{describe-input-method}) describes | |
388 information about input methods---either a specified input method, or by | |
389 default the input method in use. @xref{Input Methods}. | |
390 | |
391 The command @kbd{C-h C} (@code{describe-coding-system}) describes | |
392 information about coding systems---either a specified coding system, or | |
393 the ones currently in use. @xref{Coding Systems}. | |
394 | |
395 @node Help Mode | |
396 @section Help Mode Commands | |
397 | |
398 Help buffers provide the commands of View mode (@pxref{Misc File | |
399 Ops}), plus a few special commands of their own. | |
400 | |
401 @table @kbd | |
402 @item @key{SPC} | |
403 Scroll forward. | |
404 @item @key{DEL} | |
405 Scroll backward. | |
406 @item @key{RET} | |
407 Follow a cross reference at point. | |
408 @item @key{TAB} | |
409 Move point forward to the next cross reference. | |
410 @item S-@key{TAB} | |
411 Move point back to the previous cross reference. | |
412 @item Mouse-2 | |
413 Follow a cross reference that you click on. | |
414 @end table | |
415 | |
416 When a command name (@pxref{M-x,, Running Commands by Name}) or | |
417 variable name (@pxref{Variables}) appears in the documentation, it | |
418 normally appears inside paired single-quotes. You can click on the name | |
419 with @kbd{Mouse-2}, or move point there and type @key{RET}, to view the | |
420 documentation of that command or variable. Use @kbd{C-c C-b} to retrace | |
421 your steps. | |
422 | |
423 @kindex @key{TAB} @r{(Help mode)} | |
424 @findex help-next-ref | |
425 @kindex S-@key{TAB} @r{(Help mode)} | |
426 @findex help-previous-ref | |
427 There are convenient commands for moving point to cross references in | |
428 the help text. @key{TAB} (@code{help-next-ref}) moves point down to the | |
429 next cross reference. Use @kbd{S-@key{TAB}} to move point up to the | |
430 previous cross reference (@code{help-previous-ref}). | |
431 | |
432 @node Misc Help | |
433 @section Other Help Commands | |
434 | |
435 @kindex C-h i | |
436 @findex info | |
437 @cindex Info | |
438 @cindex manuals, on-line | |
439 @cindex on-line manuals | |
440 @kbd{C-h i} (@code{info}) runs the Info program, which is used for | |
441 browsing through structured documentation files. The entire Emacs manual | |
442 is available within Info. Eventually all the documentation of the GNU | |
443 system will be available. Type @kbd{h} after entering Info to run | |
444 a tutorial on using Info. | |
445 | |
446 If you specify a numeric argument, @kbd{C-h i} prompts for the name of | |
447 a documentation file. This way, you can browse a file which doesn't | |
448 have an entry in the top-level Info menu. It is also handy when you | |
449 need to get to the documentation quickly, and you know the exact name of | |
450 the file. | |
451 | |
452 @kindex C-h C-f | |
453 @kindex C-h C-k | |
454 @findex Info-goto-emacs-key-command-node | |
455 @findex Info-goto-emacs-command-node | |
456 There are two special help commands for accessing Emacs documentation | |
457 through Info. @kbd{C-h C-f @var{function} @key{RET}} enters Info and | |
458 goes straight to the documentation of the Emacs function | |
459 @var{function}. @kbd{C-h C-k @var{key}} enters Info and goes straight | |
460 to the documentation of the key @var{key}. These two keys run the | |
461 commands @code{Info-goto-emacs-command-node} and | |
462 @code{Info-goto-emacs-key-command-node}. | |
463 | |
464 When editing a program, if you have an Info version of the manual for | |
465 the programming language, you can use the command @kbd{C-h C-i} to refer | |
466 to the manual documentation for a symbol (keyword, function or | |
467 variable). The details of how this command works depend on the major | |
468 mode. | |
469 | |
470 @kindex C-h l | |
471 @findex view-lossage | |
472 If something surprising happens, and you are not sure what commands you | |
473 typed, use @kbd{C-h l} (@code{view-lossage}). @kbd{C-h l} prints the last | |
474 100 command characters you typed in. If you see commands that you don't | |
475 know, you can use @kbd{C-h c} to find out what they do. | |
476 | |
477 @kindex C-h m | |
478 @findex describe-mode | |
479 Emacs has numerous major modes, each of which redefines a few keys and | |
480 makes a few other changes in how editing works. @kbd{C-h m} | |
481 (@code{describe-mode}) prints documentation on the current major mode, | |
482 which normally describes all the commands that are changed in this | |
483 mode. | |
484 | |
485 @kindex C-h b | |
486 @findex describe-bindings | |
487 @kbd{C-h b} (@code{describe-bindings}) and @kbd{C-h s} | |
488 (@code{describe-syntax}) present other information about the current | |
489 Emacs mode. @kbd{C-h b} displays a list of all the key bindings now in | |
490 effect; the local bindings defined by the current minor modes first, | |
491 then the local bindings defined by the current major mode, and finally | |
492 the global bindings (@pxref{Key Bindings}). @kbd{C-h s} displays the | |
493 contents of the syntax table, with explanations of each character's | |
494 syntax (@pxref{Syntax}). | |
495 | |
496 You can get a similar list for a particular prefix key by typing | |
497 @kbd{C-h} after the prefix key. (There are a few prefix keys for which | |
498 this does not work---those that provide their own bindings for | |
499 @kbd{C-h}. One of these is @key{ESC}, because @kbd{@key{ESC} C-h} is | |
500 actually @kbd{C-M-h}, which marks a defun.) | |
501 | |
502 @kindex C-h F | |
503 @findex view-emacs-FAQ | |
504 @kindex C-h n | |
505 @findex view-emacs-news | |
506 @kindex C-h C-c | |
507 @findex describe-copying | |
508 @kindex C-h C-d | |
509 @findex describe-distribution | |
510 @kindex C-h C-w | |
511 @findex describe-no-warranty | |
512 @kindex C-h C-p | |
513 @findex describe-project | |
26767 | 514 @kindex C-h P |
515 @findex view-emacs-problems | |
25829 | 516 The other @kbd{C-h} options display various files of useful |
517 information. @kbd{C-h C-w} displays the full details on the complete | |
518 absence of warranty for GNU Emacs. @kbd{C-h n} (@code{view-emacs-news}) | |
519 displays the file @file{emacs/etc/NEWS}, which contains documentation on | |
520 Emacs changes arranged chronologically. @kbd{C-h F} | |
521 (@code{view-emacs-FAQ}) displays the Emacs frequently-answered-questions | |
522 list. @kbd{C-h t} (@code{help-with-tutorial}) displays the | |
523 learn-by-doing Emacs tutorial. @kbd{C-h C-c} (@code{describe-copying}) | |
524 displays the file @file{emacs/etc/COPYING}, which tells you the | |
525 conditions you must obey in distributing copies of Emacs. @kbd{C-h C-d} | |
526 (@code{describe-distribution}) displays the file | |
527 @file{emacs/etc/DISTRIB}, which tells you how you can order a copy of | |
528 the latest version of Emacs. @kbd{C-h C-p} (@code{describe-project}) | |
26767 | 529 displays general information about the GNU Project. @kbd{C-h P} |
530 (@code{view-emacs-problems}) displays the file | |
531 @file{emacs/etc/PROBLEMS}, which lists known problems with Emacs in | |
532 various situations with solutions or workarounds in many cases. | |
28433 | 533 |
534 @node Help Echo | |
535 @section Help on Active Text and Tooltips | |
536 | |
537 @cindex tooltips | |
538 @cindex ballon help | |
539 Often when a region of text is `active' so that you can select it with | |
540 the mouse or a key like @kbd{RET}, it has associated help text. Areas | |
541 of the mode line are examples. This help will normally be printed in | |
542 the echo area when you move point into the active text. In a window | |
543 system you can display the help text as `tooltips'. @xref{Tooltips}. |