annotate lispref/tips.texi @ 77190:c633d235e436

Remove obsolete comment about Emacs 21.
author Glenn Morris <rgm@gnu.org>
date Sat, 14 Apr 2007 02:34:57 +0000
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1 @c -*-texinfo-*-
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2 @c This is part of the GNU Emacs Lisp Reference Manual.
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3 @c Copyright (C) 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1995, 1998, 1999, 2001, 2002,
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4 @c 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
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5 @c See the file elisp.texi for copying conditions.
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6 @setfilename ../info/tips
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7 @node Tips, GNU Emacs Internals, GPL, Top
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8 @appendix Tips and Conventions
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9 @cindex tips for writing Lisp
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10 @cindex standards of coding style
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11 @cindex coding standards
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12
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13 This chapter describes no additional features of Emacs Lisp. Instead
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14 it gives advice on making effective use of the features described in the
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15 previous chapters, and describes conventions Emacs Lisp programmers
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16 should follow.
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17
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18 You can automatically check some of the conventions described below by
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19 running the command @kbd{M-x checkdoc RET} when visiting a Lisp file.
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20 It cannot check all of the conventions, and not all the warnings it
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21 gives necessarily correspond to problems, but it is worth examining them
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22 all.
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23
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24 @menu
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25 * Coding Conventions:: Conventions for clean and robust programs.
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26 * Key Binding Conventions:: Which keys should be bound by which programs.
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27 * Programming Tips:: Making Emacs code fit smoothly in Emacs.
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28 * Compilation Tips:: Making compiled code run fast.
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29 * Warning Tips:: Turning off compiler warnings.
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30 * Documentation Tips:: Writing readable documentation strings.
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31 * Comment Tips:: Conventions for writing comments.
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32 * Library Headers:: Standard headers for library packages.
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33 @end menu
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34
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35 @node Coding Conventions
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36 @section Emacs Lisp Coding Conventions
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37
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38 @cindex coding conventions in Emacs Lisp
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39 Here are conventions that you should follow when writing Emacs Lisp
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40 code intended for widespread use:
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41
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42 @itemize @bullet
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43 @item
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44 Simply loading the package should not change Emacs's editing behavior.
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45 Include a command or commands to enable and disable the feature,
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46 or to invoke it.
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47
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48 This convention is mandatory for any file that includes custom
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49 definitions. If fixing such a file to follow this convention requires
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50 an incompatible change, go ahead and make the incompatible change;
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51 don't postpone it.
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52
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53 @item
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54 Since all global variables share the same name space, and all
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55 functions share another name space, you should choose a short word to
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56 distinguish your program from other Lisp programs@footnote{The
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57 benefits of a Common Lisp-style package system are considered not to
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58 outweigh the costs.}. Then take care to begin the names of all global
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59 variables, constants, and functions in your program with the chosen
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60 prefix. This helps avoid name conflicts.
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61
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62 Occasionally, for a command name intended for users to use, it is more
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63 convenient if some words come before the package's name prefix. And
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64 constructs that define functions, variables, etc., work better if they
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65 start with @samp{defun} or @samp{defvar}, so put the name prefix later
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66 on in the name.
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67
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68 This recommendation applies even to names for traditional Lisp
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69 primitives that are not primitives in Emacs Lisp---such as
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70 @code{copy-list}. Believe it or not, there is more than one plausible
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71 way to define @code{copy-list}. Play it safe; append your name prefix
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72 to produce a name like @code{foo-copy-list} or @code{mylib-copy-list}
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73 instead.
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74
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75 If you write a function that you think ought to be added to Emacs under
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76 a certain name, such as @code{twiddle-files}, don't call it by that name
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77 in your program. Call it @code{mylib-twiddle-files} in your program,
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78 and send mail to @samp{bug-gnu-emacs@@gnu.org} suggesting we add
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79 it to Emacs. If and when we do, we can change the name easily enough.
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80
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81 If one prefix is insufficient, your package can use two or three
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82 alternative common prefixes, so long as they make sense.
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83
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84 Separate the prefix from the rest of the symbol name with a hyphen,
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85 @samp{-}. This will be consistent with Emacs itself and with most Emacs
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86 Lisp programs.
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87
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88 @item
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89 Put a call to @code{provide} at the end of each separate Lisp file.
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91 @item
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92 If a file requires certain other Lisp programs to be loaded
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93 beforehand, then the comments at the beginning of the file should say
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94 so. Also, use @code{require} to make sure they are loaded.
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95
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96 @item
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97 If one file @var{foo} uses a macro defined in another file @var{bar},
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98 @var{foo} should contain this expression before the first use of the
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99 macro:
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100
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101 @example
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102 (eval-when-compile (require '@var{bar}))
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103 @end example
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104
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105 @noindent
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106 (And the library @var{bar} should contain @code{(provide '@var{bar})},
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107 to make the @code{require} work.) This will cause @var{bar} to be
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108 loaded when you byte-compile @var{foo}. Otherwise, you risk compiling
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109 @var{foo} without the necessary macro loaded, and that would produce
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110 compiled code that won't work right. @xref{Compiling Macros}.
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111
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112 Using @code{eval-when-compile} avoids loading @var{bar} when
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113 the compiled version of @var{foo} is @emph{used}.
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114
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115 @item
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116 Please don't require the @code{cl} package of Common Lisp extensions at
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117 run time. Use of this package is optional, and it is not part of the
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118 standard Emacs namespace. If your package loads @code{cl} at run time,
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119 that could cause name clashes for users who don't use that package.
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120
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121 However, there is no problem with using the @code{cl} package at
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122 compile time, with @code{(eval-when-compile (require 'cl))}. That's
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123 sufficient for using the macros in the @code{cl} package, because the
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124 compiler expands them before generating the byte-code.
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125
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126 @item
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127 When defining a major mode, please follow the major mode
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128 conventions. @xref{Major Mode Conventions}.
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129
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130 @item
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131 When defining a minor mode, please follow the minor mode
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132 conventions. @xref{Minor Mode Conventions}.
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133
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134 @item
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135 If the purpose of a function is to tell you whether a certain condition
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136 is true or false, give the function a name that ends in @samp{p}. If
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137 the name is one word, add just @samp{p}; if the name is multiple words,
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138 add @samp{-p}. Examples are @code{framep} and @code{frame-live-p}.
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139
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140 @item
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141 If a user option variable records a true-or-false condition, give it a
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142 name that ends in @samp{-flag}.
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143
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144 @item
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145 If the purpose of a variable is to store a single function, give it a
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146 name that ends in @samp{-function}. If the purpose of a variable is
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147 to store a list of functions (i.e., the variable is a hook), please
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148 follow the naming conventions for hooks. @xref{Hooks}.
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149
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150 @item
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151 @cindex unloading packages, preparing for
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152 If loading the file adds functions to hooks, define a function
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153 @code{@var{feature}-unload-hook}, where @var{feature} is the name of
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154 the feature the package provides, and make it undo any such changes.
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155 Using @code{unload-feature} to unload the file will run this function.
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156 @xref{Unloading}.
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157
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158 @item
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159 It is a bad idea to define aliases for the Emacs primitives. Normally
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160 you should use the standard names instead. The case where an alias
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161 may be useful is where it facilitates backwards compatibility or
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162 portability.
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163
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164 @item
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165 If a package needs to define an alias or a new function for
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166 compatibility with some other version of Emacs, name it with the package
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167 prefix, not with the raw name with which it occurs in the other version.
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168 Here is an example from Gnus, which provides many examples of such
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169 compatibility issues.
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170
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171 @example
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172 (defalias 'gnus-point-at-bol
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173 (if (fboundp 'point-at-bol)
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174 'point-at-bol
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175 'line-beginning-position))
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176 @end example
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177
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178 @item
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179 Redefining (or advising) an Emacs primitive is a bad idea. It may do
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180 the right thing for a particular program, but there is no telling what
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181 other programs might break as a result. In any case, it is a problem
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182 for debugging, because the advised function doesn't do what its source
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183 code says it does. If the programmer investigating the problem is
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184 unaware that there is advice on the function, the experience can be
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185 very frustrating.
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186
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187 We hope to remove all the places in Emacs that advise primitives.
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188 In the mean time, please don't add any more.
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189
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190 @item
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191 It is likewise a bad idea for one Lisp package to advise a function
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192 in another Lisp package.
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193
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194 @item
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195 Likewise, avoid using @code{eval-after-load} (@pxref{Hooks for
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196 Loading}) in libraries and packages. This feature is meant for
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197 personal customizations; using it in a Lisp program is unclean,
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198 because it modifies the behavior of another Lisp file in a way that's
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199 not visible in that file. This is an obstacle for debugging, much
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200 like advising a function in the other package.
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201
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202 @item
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203 If a file does replace any of the functions or library programs of
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204 standard Emacs, prominent comments at the beginning of the file should
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205 say which functions are replaced, and how the behavior of the
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206 replacements differs from that of the originals.
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207
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208 @item
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209 Constructs that define a function or variable should be macros,
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210 not functions, and their names should start with @samp{def}.
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211
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212 @item
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213 A macro that defines a function or variable should have a name that
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214 starts with @samp{define-}. The macro should receive the name to be
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215 defined as the first argument. That will help various tools find the
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216 definition automatically. Avoid constructing the names in the macro
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217 itself, since that would confuse these tools.
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218
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219 @item
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220 Please keep the names of your Emacs Lisp source files to 13 characters
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221 or less. This way, if the files are compiled, the compiled files' names
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222 will be 14 characters or less, which is short enough to fit on all kinds
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223 of Unix systems.
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224
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225 @item
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226 In some other systems there is a convention of choosing variable names
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227 that begin and end with @samp{*}. We don't use that convention in Emacs
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228 Lisp, so please don't use it in your programs. (Emacs uses such names
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229 only for special-purpose buffers.) The users will find Emacs more
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230 coherent if all libraries use the same conventions.
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231
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232 @item
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233 If your program contains non-ASCII characters in string or character
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234 constants, you should make sure Emacs always decodes these characters
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235 the same way, regardless of the user's settings. There are two ways
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236 to do that:
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237
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238 @itemize -
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239 @item
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240 Use coding system @code{emacs-mule}, and specify that for
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241 @code{coding} in the @samp{-*-} line or the local variables list.
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242
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243 @example
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244 ;; XXX.el -*- coding: emacs-mule; -*-
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245 @end example
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246
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247 @item
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248 Use one of the coding systems based on ISO 2022 (such as
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249 iso-8859-@var{n} and iso-2022-7bit), and specify it with @samp{!} at
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250 the end for @code{coding}. (The @samp{!} turns off any possible
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251 character translation.)
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252
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253 @example
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254 ;; XXX.el -*- coding: iso-latin-2!; -*-
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255 @end example
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256 @end itemize
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257
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258 @item
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259 Indent each function with @kbd{C-M-q} (@code{indent-sexp}) using the
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260 default indentation parameters.
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261
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262 @item
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263 Don't make a habit of putting close-parentheses on lines by themselves;
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264 Lisp programmers find this disconcerting. Once in a while, when there
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265 is a sequence of many consecutive close-parentheses, it may make sense
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266 to split the sequence in one or two significant places.
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267
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268 @item
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269 Please put a copyright notice and copying permission notice on the
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270 file if you distribute copies. Use a notice like this one:
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271
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272 @smallexample
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273 ;; Copyright (C) @var{year} @var{name}
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274
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275 ;; This program is free software; you can redistribute it and/or
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276 ;; modify it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as
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277 ;; published by the Free Software Foundation; either version 2 of
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278 ;; the License, or (at your option) any later version.
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279
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280 ;; This program is distributed in the hope that it will be
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281 ;; useful, but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied
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282 ;; warranty of MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR
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283 ;; PURPOSE. See the GNU General Public License for more details.
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284
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285 ;; You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public
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286 ;; License along with this program; if not, write to the Free
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287 ;; Software Foundation, Inc., 51 Franklin Street, Fifth Floor,
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288 ;; Boston, MA 02110-1301 USA
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289 @end smallexample
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290
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291 If you have signed papers to assign the copyright to the Foundation,
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292 then use @samp{Free Software Foundation, Inc.} as @var{name}.
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293 Otherwise, use your name. See also @xref{Library Headers}.
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294 @end itemize
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295
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296 @node Key Binding Conventions
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297 @section Key Binding Conventions
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298 @cindex key binding, conventions for
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299
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300 @itemize @bullet
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301 @item
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302 @cindex mouse-2
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303 @cindex references, following
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304 Special major modes used for read-only text should usually redefine
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305 @kbd{mouse-2} and @key{RET} to trace some sort of reference in the text.
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306 Modes such as Dired, Info, Compilation, and Occur redefine it in this
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307 way.
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308
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309 In addition, they should mark the text as a kind of ``link'' so that
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310 @kbd{mouse-1} will follow it also. @xref{Links and Mouse-1}.
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311
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312 @item
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313 @cindex reserved keys
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314 @cindex keys, reserved
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315 Please do not define @kbd{C-c @var{letter}} as a key in Lisp programs.
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316 Sequences consisting of @kbd{C-c} and a letter (either upper or lower
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317 case) are reserved for users; they are the @strong{only} sequences
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318 reserved for users, so do not block them.
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319
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320 Changing all the Emacs major modes to respect this convention was a
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321 lot of work; abandoning this convention would make that work go to
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322 waste, and inconvenience users. Please comply with it.
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323
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324 @item
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325 Function keys @key{F5} through @key{F9} without modifier keys are
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326 also reserved for users to define.
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327
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328 @item
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329 Applications should not bind mouse events based on button 1 with the
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330 shift key held down. These events include @kbd{S-mouse-1},
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331 @kbd{M-S-mouse-1}, @kbd{C-S-mouse-1}, and so on. They are reserved for
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332 users.
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333
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334 @item
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335 Sequences consisting of @kbd{C-c} followed by a control character or a
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336 digit are reserved for major modes.
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337
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338 @item
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339 Sequences consisting of @kbd{C-c} followed by @kbd{@{}, @kbd{@}},
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340 @kbd{<}, @kbd{>}, @kbd{:} or @kbd{;} are also reserved for major modes.
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341
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342 @item
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343 Sequences consisting of @kbd{C-c} followed by any other punctuation
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344 character are allocated for minor modes. Using them in a major mode is
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345 not absolutely prohibited, but if you do that, the major mode binding
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346 may be shadowed from time to time by minor modes.
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347
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348 @item
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349 Do not bind @kbd{C-h} following any prefix character (including
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350 @kbd{C-c}). If you don't bind @kbd{C-h}, it is automatically available
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351 as a help character for listing the subcommands of the prefix character.
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352
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353 @item
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354 Do not bind a key sequence ending in @key{ESC} except following
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355 another @key{ESC}. (That is, it is OK to bind a sequence ending in
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356 @kbd{@key{ESC} @key{ESC}}.)
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357
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358 The reason for this rule is that a non-prefix binding for @key{ESC} in
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359 any context prevents recognition of escape sequences as function keys in
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360 that context.
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361
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362 @item
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363 Anything which acts like a temporary mode or state which the user can
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364 enter and leave should define @kbd{@key{ESC} @key{ESC}} or
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365 @kbd{@key{ESC} @key{ESC} @key{ESC}} as a way to escape.
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366
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367 For a state which accepts ordinary Emacs commands, or more generally any
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368 kind of state in which @key{ESC} followed by a function key or arrow key
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369 is potentially meaningful, then you must not define @kbd{@key{ESC}
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370 @key{ESC}}, since that would preclude recognizing an escape sequence
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371 after @key{ESC}. In these states, you should define @kbd{@key{ESC}
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372 @key{ESC} @key{ESC}} as the way to escape. Otherwise, define
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373 @kbd{@key{ESC} @key{ESC}} instead.
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374 @end itemize
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375
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376 @node Programming Tips
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377 @section Emacs Programming Tips
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378 @cindex programming conventions
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379
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380 Following these conventions will make your program fit better
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381 into Emacs when it runs.
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382
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383 @itemize @bullet
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384 @item
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385 Don't use @code{next-line} or @code{previous-line} in programs; nearly
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386 always, @code{forward-line} is more convenient as well as more
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387 predictable and robust. @xref{Text Lines}.
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388
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389 @item
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390 Don't call functions that set the mark, unless setting the mark is one
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391 of the intended features of your program. The mark is a user-level
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392 feature, so it is incorrect to change the mark except to supply a value
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393 for the user's benefit. @xref{The Mark}.
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394
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395 In particular, don't use any of these functions:
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396
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397 @itemize @bullet
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398 @item
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399 @code{beginning-of-buffer}, @code{end-of-buffer}
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400 @item
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401 @code{replace-string}, @code{replace-regexp}
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402 @item
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403 @code{insert-file}, @code{insert-buffer}
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404 @end itemize
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405
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406 If you just want to move point, or replace a certain string, or insert
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407 a file or buffer's contents, without any of the other features
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408 intended for interactive users, you can replace these functions with
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409 one or two lines of simple Lisp code.
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410
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411 @item
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412 Use lists rather than vectors, except when there is a particular reason
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413 to use a vector. Lisp has more facilities for manipulating lists than
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414 for vectors, and working with lists is usually more convenient.
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415
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416 Vectors are advantageous for tables that are substantial in size and are
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417 accessed in random order (not searched front to back), provided there is
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418 no need to insert or delete elements (only lists allow that).
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419
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420 @item
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421 The recommended way to show a message in the echo area is with
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422 the @code{message} function, not @code{princ}. @xref{The Echo Area}.
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423
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424 @item
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425 When you encounter an error condition, call the function @code{error}
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426 (or @code{signal}). The function @code{error} does not return.
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427 @xref{Signaling Errors}.
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428
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429 Do not use @code{message}, @code{throw}, @code{sleep-for},
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430 or @code{beep} to report errors.
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431
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432 @item
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433 An error message should start with a capital letter but should not end
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434 with a period.
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435
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436 @item
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437 A question asked in the minibuffer with @code{y-or-n-p} or
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438 @code{yes-or-no-p} should start with a capital letter and end with
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439 @samp{? }.
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440
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441 @item
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442 When you mention a default value in a minibuffer prompt,
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443 put it and the word @samp{default} inside parentheses.
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444 It should look like this:
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445
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446 @example
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447 Enter the answer (default 42):
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448 @end example
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449
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450 @item
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451 In @code{interactive}, if you use a Lisp expression to produce a list
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452 of arguments, don't try to provide the ``correct'' default values for
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453 region or position arguments. Instead, provide @code{nil} for those
3577e0c41a1e Give advice about how to default position args and region args.
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454 arguments if they were not specified, and have the function body
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455 compute the default value when the argument is @code{nil}. For
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diff changeset
456 instance, write this:
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457
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458 @example
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459 (defun foo (pos)
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460 (interactive
3577e0c41a1e Give advice about how to default position args and region args.
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461 (list (if @var{specified} @var{specified-pos})))
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diff changeset
462 (unless pos (setq pos @var{default-pos}))
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463 ...)
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464 @end example
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465
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466 @noindent
3577e0c41a1e Give advice about how to default position args and region args.
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diff changeset
467 rather than this:
3577e0c41a1e Give advice about how to default position args and region args.
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468
3577e0c41a1e Give advice about how to default position args and region args.
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469 @example
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470 (defun foo (pos)
3577e0c41a1e Give advice about how to default position args and region args.
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471 (interactive
3577e0c41a1e Give advice about how to default position args and region args.
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472 (list (if @var{specified} @var{specified-pos}
3577e0c41a1e Give advice about how to default position args and region args.
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diff changeset
473 @var{default-pos})))
3577e0c41a1e Give advice about how to default position args and region args.
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diff changeset
474 ...)
3577e0c41a1e Give advice about how to default position args and region args.
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diff changeset
475 @end example
3577e0c41a1e Give advice about how to default position args and region args.
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diff changeset
476
3577e0c41a1e Give advice about how to default position args and region args.
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diff changeset
477 @noindent
3577e0c41a1e Give advice about how to default position args and region args.
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diff changeset
478 This is so that repetition of the command will recompute
3577e0c41a1e Give advice about how to default position args and region args.
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diff changeset
479 these defaults based on the current circumstances.
3577e0c41a1e Give advice about how to default position args and region args.
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diff changeset
480
3577e0c41a1e Give advice about how to default position args and region args.
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diff changeset
481 You do not need to take such precautions when you use interactive
3577e0c41a1e Give advice about how to default position args and region args.
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diff changeset
482 specs @samp{d}, @samp{m} and @samp{r}, because they make special
3577e0c41a1e Give advice about how to default position args and region args.
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diff changeset
483 arrangements to recompute the argument values on repetition of the
3577e0c41a1e Give advice about how to default position args and region args.
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diff changeset
484 command.
3577e0c41a1e Give advice about how to default position args and region args.
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parents: 34305
diff changeset
485
3577e0c41a1e Give advice about how to default position args and region args.
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diff changeset
486 @item
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2576d1142ed3 Explain style of "done" messages.
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diff changeset
487 Many commands that take a long time to execute display a message that
38043
3577e0c41a1e Give advice about how to default position args and region args.
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diff changeset
488 says something like @samp{Operating...} when they start, and change it to
13893
2576d1142ed3 Explain style of "done" messages.
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diff changeset
489 @samp{Operating...done} when they finish. Please keep the style of
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parents: 12098
diff changeset
490 these messages uniform: @emph{no} space around the ellipsis, and
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diff changeset
491 @emph{no} period after @samp{done}.
13893
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diff changeset
492
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diff changeset
493 @item
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parents: 6552
diff changeset
494 Try to avoid using recursive edits. Instead, do what the Rmail @kbd{e}
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parents: 6552
diff changeset
495 command does: use a new local keymap that contains one command defined
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diff changeset
496 to switch back to the old local keymap. Or do what the
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parents: 6552
diff changeset
497 @code{edit-options} command does: switch to another buffer and let the
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parents: 6552
diff changeset
498 user switch back at will. @xref{Recursive Editing}.
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499 @end itemize
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parents:
diff changeset
500
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501 @node Compilation Tips
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502 @section Tips for Making Compiled Code Fast
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
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parents:
diff changeset
503 @cindex execution speed
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parents:
diff changeset
504 @cindex speedups
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parents:
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505
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506 Here are ways of improving the execution speed of byte-compiled
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diff changeset
507 Lisp programs.
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diff changeset
508
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diff changeset
509 @itemize @bullet
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diff changeset
510 @item
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511 @cindex profiling
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parents:
diff changeset
512 @cindex timing programs
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d4ac295a98b3 *** empty log message ***
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parents: 21682
diff changeset
513 @cindex @file{elp.el}
44654
774d49397ece (Tips for Making Compiled Code Fast): Don't advertise profile.el.
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 42979
diff changeset
514 Profile your program with the @file{elp} library. See the file
774d49397ece (Tips for Making Compiled Code Fast): Don't advertise profile.el.
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 42979
diff changeset
515 @file{elp.el} for instructions.
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516
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
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diff changeset
517 @item
61056
0b041af08b4a (Compilation Tips): Mention benchmark.el.
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parents: 60273
diff changeset
518 @cindex @file{benchmark.el}
0b041af08b4a (Compilation Tips): Mention benchmark.el.
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parents: 60273
diff changeset
519 @cindex benchmarking
0b041af08b4a (Compilation Tips): Mention benchmark.el.
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parents: 60273
diff changeset
520 Check the speed of individual Emacs Lisp forms using the
0b041af08b4a (Compilation Tips): Mention benchmark.el.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 60273
diff changeset
521 @file{benchmark} library. See the functions @code{benchmark-run} and
0b041af08b4a (Compilation Tips): Mention benchmark.el.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 60273
diff changeset
522 @code{benchmark-run-compiled} in @file{benchmark.el}.
0b041af08b4a (Compilation Tips): Mention benchmark.el.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 60273
diff changeset
523
0b041af08b4a (Compilation Tips): Mention benchmark.el.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 60273
diff changeset
524 @item
6552
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parents:
diff changeset
525 Use iteration rather than recursion whenever possible.
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
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parents:
diff changeset
526 Function calls are slow in Emacs Lisp even when a compiled function
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
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parents:
diff changeset
527 is calling another compiled function.
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
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parents:
diff changeset
528
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diff changeset
529 @item
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Karl Heuer <kwzh@gnu.org>
parents: 11648
diff changeset
530 Using the primitive list-searching functions @code{memq}, @code{member},
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Karl Heuer <kwzh@gnu.org>
parents: 11648
diff changeset
531 @code{assq}, or @code{assoc} is even faster than explicit iteration. It
21007
66d807bdc5b4 *** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 19361
diff changeset
532 can be worth rearranging a data structure so that one of these primitive
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diff changeset
533 search functions can be used.
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parents:
diff changeset
534
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
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parents:
diff changeset
535 @item
49600
23a1cea22d13 Trailing whitespace deleted.
Juanma Barranquero <lekktu@gmail.com>
parents: 44733
diff changeset
536 Certain built-in functions are handled specially in byte-compiled code,
6552
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parents:
diff changeset
537 avoiding the need for an ordinary function call. It is a good idea to
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
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parents:
diff changeset
538 use these functions rather than alternatives. To see whether a function
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
539 is handled specially by the compiler, examine its @code{byte-compile}
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
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parents:
diff changeset
540 property. If the property is non-@code{nil}, then the function is
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
541 handled specially.
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
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parents:
diff changeset
542
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parents:
diff changeset
543 For example, the following input will show you that @code{aref} is
22138
d4ac295a98b3 *** empty log message ***
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parents: 21682
diff changeset
544 compiled specially (@pxref{Array Functions}):
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parents:
diff changeset
545
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diff changeset
546 @example
6552
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parents:
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547 @group
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parents:
diff changeset
548 (get 'aref 'byte-compile)
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parents:
diff changeset
549 @result{} byte-compile-two-args
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parents:
diff changeset
550 @end group
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diff changeset
551 @end example
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552
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parents:
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553 @item
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parents: 22138
diff changeset
554 If calling a small function accounts for a substantial part of your
6552
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parents:
diff changeset
555 program's running time, make the function inline. This eliminates
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
556 the function call overhead. Since making a function inline reduces
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
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parents:
diff changeset
557 the flexibility of changing the program, don't do it unless it gives
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diff changeset
558 a noticeable speedup in something slow enough that users care about
6552
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parents:
diff changeset
559 the speed. @xref{Inline Functions}.
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diff changeset
560 @end itemize
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
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parents:
diff changeset
561
64916
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Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 64889
diff changeset
562 @node Warning Tips
d16e2016fc7d (Key Binding Conventions, Programming Tips, Warning Tips):
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 64889
diff changeset
563 @section Tips for Avoiding Compiler Warnings
76841
fc9d442f98d2 Improve indexing.
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 75477
diff changeset
564 @cindex byte compiler warnings, how to avoid
64916
d16e2016fc7d (Key Binding Conventions, Programming Tips, Warning Tips):
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 64889
diff changeset
565
d16e2016fc7d (Key Binding Conventions, Programming Tips, Warning Tips):
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 64889
diff changeset
566 @itemize @bullet
d16e2016fc7d (Key Binding Conventions, Programming Tips, Warning Tips):
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 64889
diff changeset
567 @item
d16e2016fc7d (Key Binding Conventions, Programming Tips, Warning Tips):
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 64889
diff changeset
568 Try to avoid compiler warnings about undefined free variables, by adding
d16e2016fc7d (Key Binding Conventions, Programming Tips, Warning Tips):
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 64889
diff changeset
569 dummy @code{defvar} definitions for these variables, like this:
d16e2016fc7d (Key Binding Conventions, Programming Tips, Warning Tips):
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 64889
diff changeset
570
d16e2016fc7d (Key Binding Conventions, Programming Tips, Warning Tips):
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 64889
diff changeset
571 @example
d16e2016fc7d (Key Binding Conventions, Programming Tips, Warning Tips):
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 64889
diff changeset
572 (defvar foo)
d16e2016fc7d (Key Binding Conventions, Programming Tips, Warning Tips):
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 64889
diff changeset
573 @end example
d16e2016fc7d (Key Binding Conventions, Programming Tips, Warning Tips):
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 64889
diff changeset
574
d16e2016fc7d (Key Binding Conventions, Programming Tips, Warning Tips):
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 64889
diff changeset
575 Such a definition has no effect except to tell the compiler
d16e2016fc7d (Key Binding Conventions, Programming Tips, Warning Tips):
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 64889
diff changeset
576 not to warn about uses of the variable @code{foo} in this file.
d16e2016fc7d (Key Binding Conventions, Programming Tips, Warning Tips):
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 64889
diff changeset
577
d16e2016fc7d (Key Binding Conventions, Programming Tips, Warning Tips):
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 64889
diff changeset
578 @item
d16e2016fc7d (Key Binding Conventions, Programming Tips, Warning Tips):
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 64889
diff changeset
579 If you use many functions and variables from a certain file, you can
d16e2016fc7d (Key Binding Conventions, Programming Tips, Warning Tips):
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 64889
diff changeset
580 add a @code{require} for that package to avoid compilation warnings
d16e2016fc7d (Key Binding Conventions, Programming Tips, Warning Tips):
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 64889
diff changeset
581 for them. For instance,
d16e2016fc7d (Key Binding Conventions, Programming Tips, Warning Tips):
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 64889
diff changeset
582
d16e2016fc7d (Key Binding Conventions, Programming Tips, Warning Tips):
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 64889
diff changeset
583 @example
d16e2016fc7d (Key Binding Conventions, Programming Tips, Warning Tips):
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 64889
diff changeset
584 (eval-when-compile
d16e2016fc7d (Key Binding Conventions, Programming Tips, Warning Tips):
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 64889
diff changeset
585 (require 'foo))
d16e2016fc7d (Key Binding Conventions, Programming Tips, Warning Tips):
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 64889
diff changeset
586 @end example
d16e2016fc7d (Key Binding Conventions, Programming Tips, Warning Tips):
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 64889
diff changeset
587
d16e2016fc7d (Key Binding Conventions, Programming Tips, Warning Tips):
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 64889
diff changeset
588 @item
d16e2016fc7d (Key Binding Conventions, Programming Tips, Warning Tips):
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 64889
diff changeset
589 If you bind a variable in one function, and use it or set it in
d16e2016fc7d (Key Binding Conventions, Programming Tips, Warning Tips):
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 64889
diff changeset
590 another function, the compiler warns about the latter function unless
d16e2016fc7d (Key Binding Conventions, Programming Tips, Warning Tips):
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 64889
diff changeset
591 the variable has a definition. But adding a definition would be
d16e2016fc7d (Key Binding Conventions, Programming Tips, Warning Tips):
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 64889
diff changeset
592 unclean if the variable has a short name, since Lisp packages should
d16e2016fc7d (Key Binding Conventions, Programming Tips, Warning Tips):
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 64889
diff changeset
593 not define short variable names. The right thing to do is to rename
d16e2016fc7d (Key Binding Conventions, Programming Tips, Warning Tips):
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 64889
diff changeset
594 this variable to start with the name prefix used for the other
d16e2016fc7d (Key Binding Conventions, Programming Tips, Warning Tips):
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 64889
diff changeset
595 functions and variables in your package.
d16e2016fc7d (Key Binding Conventions, Programming Tips, Warning Tips):
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 64889
diff changeset
596
d16e2016fc7d (Key Binding Conventions, Programming Tips, Warning Tips):
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 64889
diff changeset
597 @item
d16e2016fc7d (Key Binding Conventions, Programming Tips, Warning Tips):
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 64889
diff changeset
598 The last resort for avoiding a warning, when you want to do something
d16e2016fc7d (Key Binding Conventions, Programming Tips, Warning Tips):
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 64889
diff changeset
599 that usually is a mistake but it's not a mistake in this one case,
d16e2016fc7d (Key Binding Conventions, Programming Tips, Warning Tips):
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 64889
diff changeset
600 is to put a call to @code{with-no-warnings} around it.
d16e2016fc7d (Key Binding Conventions, Programming Tips, Warning Tips):
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 64889
diff changeset
601 @end itemize
d16e2016fc7d (Key Binding Conventions, Programming Tips, Warning Tips):
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 64889
diff changeset
602
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parents:
diff changeset
603 @node Documentation Tips
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
604 @section Tips for Documentation Strings
76841
fc9d442f98d2 Improve indexing.
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 75477
diff changeset
605 @cindex documentation strings, conventions and tips
6552
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
606
21682
90da2489c498 *** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 21007
diff changeset
607 @findex checkdoc-minor-mode
90da2489c498 *** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 21007
diff changeset
608 Here are some tips and conventions for the writing of documentation
90da2489c498 *** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 21007
diff changeset
609 strings. You can check many of these conventions by running the command
90da2489c498 *** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 21007
diff changeset
610 @kbd{M-x checkdoc-minor-mode}.
6552
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Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
611
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
612 @itemize @bullet
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
613 @item
7601
c5927c75b2b5 *** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 6959
diff changeset
614 Every command, function, or variable intended for users to know about
6552
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
615 should have a documentation string.
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
616
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
617 @item
10225
2e5dcd5f3090 Recommend doc strings for all functions and variables.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 9807
diff changeset
618 An internal variable or subroutine of a Lisp program might as well have
2e5dcd5f3090 Recommend doc strings for all functions and variables.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 9807
diff changeset
619 a documentation string. In earlier Emacs versions, you could save space
2e5dcd5f3090 Recommend doc strings for all functions and variables.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 9807
diff changeset
620 by using a comment instead of a documentation string, but that is no
26696
ef5e7bbe6f19 Current version from /gd/gnu/elisp.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents: 26211
diff changeset
621 longer the case---documentation strings now take up very little space in
ef5e7bbe6f19 Current version from /gd/gnu/elisp.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents: 26211
diff changeset
622 a running Emacs.
6552
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
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parents:
diff changeset
623
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
624 @item
42979
7359d6d75a9c Minor cleanups.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 40970
diff changeset
625 Format the documentation string so that it fits in an Emacs window on an
7359d6d75a9c Minor cleanups.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 40970
diff changeset
626 80-column screen. It is a good idea for most lines to be no wider than
7359d6d75a9c Minor cleanups.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 40970
diff changeset
627 60 characters. The first line should not be wider than 67 characters
7359d6d75a9c Minor cleanups.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 40970
diff changeset
628 or it will look bad in the output of @code{apropos}.
7359d6d75a9c Minor cleanups.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 40970
diff changeset
629
7359d6d75a9c Minor cleanups.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 40970
diff changeset
630 You can fill the text if that looks good. However, rather than blindly
7359d6d75a9c Minor cleanups.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 40970
diff changeset
631 filling the entire documentation string, you can often make it much more
7359d6d75a9c Minor cleanups.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 40970
diff changeset
632 readable by choosing certain line breaks with care. Use blank lines
7359d6d75a9c Minor cleanups.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 40970
diff changeset
633 between topics if the documentation string is long.
7359d6d75a9c Minor cleanups.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 40970
diff changeset
634
7359d6d75a9c Minor cleanups.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 40970
diff changeset
635 @item
6552
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
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parents:
diff changeset
636 The first line of the documentation string should consist of one or two
7601
c5927c75b2b5 *** empty log message ***
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parents: 6959
diff changeset
637 complete sentences that stand on their own as a summary. @kbd{M-x
26696
ef5e7bbe6f19 Current version from /gd/gnu/elisp.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents: 26211
diff changeset
638 apropos} displays just the first line, and if that line's contents don't
ef5e7bbe6f19 Current version from /gd/gnu/elisp.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents: 26211
diff changeset
639 stand on their own, the result looks bad. In particular, start the
ef5e7bbe6f19 Current version from /gd/gnu/elisp.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents: 26211
diff changeset
640 first line with a capital letter and end with a period.
6552
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
641
40970
fb31125d0d7b Say what questions first line of doc string should answer.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 40561
diff changeset
642 For a function, the first line should briefly answer the question,
fb31125d0d7b Say what questions first line of doc string should answer.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 40561
diff changeset
643 ``What does this function do?'' For a variable, the first line should
fb31125d0d7b Say what questions first line of doc string should answer.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 40561
diff changeset
644 briefly answer the question, ``What does this value mean?''
fb31125d0d7b Say what questions first line of doc string should answer.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 40561
diff changeset
645
fb31125d0d7b Say what questions first line of doc string should answer.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 40561
diff changeset
646 Don't limit the documentation string to one line; use as many lines as
fb31125d0d7b Say what questions first line of doc string should answer.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 40561
diff changeset
647 you need to explain the details of how to use the function or
fb31125d0d7b Say what questions first line of doc string should answer.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 40561
diff changeset
648 variable. Please use complete sentences for the rest of the text too.
6552
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
649
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
650 @item
49960
10a8aba3dfc7 First line of function doc string should mention the most important
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 49600
diff changeset
651 The first line should mention all the important arguments of the
10a8aba3dfc7 First line of function doc string should mention the most important
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 49600
diff changeset
652 function, and should mention them in the order that they are written
10a8aba3dfc7 First line of function doc string should mention the most important
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 49600
diff changeset
653 in a function call. If the function has many arguments, then it is
10a8aba3dfc7 First line of function doc string should mention the most important
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 49600
diff changeset
654 not feasible to mention them all in the first line; in that case, the
10a8aba3dfc7 First line of function doc string should mention the most important
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 49600
diff changeset
655 first line should mention the first few arguments, including the most
10a8aba3dfc7 First line of function doc string should mention the most important
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 49600
diff changeset
656 important arguments.
10a8aba3dfc7 First line of function doc string should mention the most important
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 49600
diff changeset
657
10a8aba3dfc7 First line of function doc string should mention the most important
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 49600
diff changeset
658 @item
25751
467b88fab665 *** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 24862
diff changeset
659 For consistency, phrase the verb in the first sentence of a function's
54124
17dfaa4af669 (Documentation Tips): Fix typo.
Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents: 54042
diff changeset
660 documentation string as an imperative---for instance, use ``Return the
25751
467b88fab665 *** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 24862
diff changeset
661 cons of A and B.'' in preference to ``Returns the cons of A and B@.''
467b88fab665 *** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 24862
diff changeset
662 Usually it looks good to do likewise for the rest of the first
467b88fab665 *** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 24862
diff changeset
663 paragraph. Subsequent paragraphs usually look better if each sentence
42979
7359d6d75a9c Minor cleanups.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 40970
diff changeset
664 is indicative and has a proper subject.
6959
3b19456b877a *** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 6552
diff changeset
665
3b19456b877a *** empty log message ***
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parents: 6552
diff changeset
666 @item
6552
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
667 Write documentation strings in the active voice, not the passive, and in
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
668 the present tense, not the future. For instance, use ``Return a list
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
669 containing A and B.'' instead of ``A list containing A and B will be
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
670 returned.''
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
671
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
672 @item
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
673 Avoid using the word ``cause'' (or its equivalents) unnecessarily.
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
674 Instead of, ``Cause Emacs to display text in boldface,'' write just
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
675 ``Display text in boldface.''
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
676
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
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parents:
diff changeset
677 @item
26696
ef5e7bbe6f19 Current version from /gd/gnu/elisp.
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parents: 26211
diff changeset
678 When a command is meaningful only in a certain mode or situation,
ef5e7bbe6f19 Current version from /gd/gnu/elisp.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents: 26211
diff changeset
679 do mention that in the documentation string. For example,
ef5e7bbe6f19 Current version from /gd/gnu/elisp.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents: 26211
diff changeset
680 the documentation of @code{dired-find-file} is:
ef5e7bbe6f19 Current version from /gd/gnu/elisp.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents: 26211
diff changeset
681
ef5e7bbe6f19 Current version from /gd/gnu/elisp.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents: 26211
diff changeset
682 @example
ef5e7bbe6f19 Current version from /gd/gnu/elisp.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents: 26211
diff changeset
683 In Dired, visit the file or directory named on this line.
ef5e7bbe6f19 Current version from /gd/gnu/elisp.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents: 26211
diff changeset
684 @end example
ef5e7bbe6f19 Current version from /gd/gnu/elisp.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents: 26211
diff changeset
685
ef5e7bbe6f19 Current version from /gd/gnu/elisp.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents: 26211
diff changeset
686 @item
6552
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Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
687 Do not start or end a documentation string with whitespace.
49600
23a1cea22d13 Trailing whitespace deleted.
Juanma Barranquero <lekktu@gmail.com>
parents: 44733
diff changeset
688
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Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
689 @item
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
690 @strong{Do not} indent subsequent lines of a documentation string so
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
691 that the text is lined up in the source code with the text of the first
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
692 line. This looks nice in the source code, but looks bizarre when users
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
693 view the documentation. Remember that the indentation before the
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
694 starting double-quote is not part of the string!
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
695
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
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parents:
diff changeset
696 @item
16671
9fa09185bca0 Explain how disabled commands' doc strings are displayed.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 15198
diff changeset
697 When the user tries to use a disabled command, Emacs displays just the
9fa09185bca0 Explain how disabled commands' doc strings are displayed.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 15198
diff changeset
698 first paragraph of its documentation string---everything through the
9fa09185bca0 Explain how disabled commands' doc strings are displayed.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 15198
diff changeset
699 first blank line. If you wish, you can choose which information to
9fa09185bca0 Explain how disabled commands' doc strings are displayed.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 15198
diff changeset
700 include before the first blank line so as to make this display useful.
9fa09185bca0 Explain how disabled commands' doc strings are displayed.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 15198
diff changeset
701
9fa09185bca0 Explain how disabled commands' doc strings are displayed.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 15198
diff changeset
702 @item
67686
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Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents: 66516
diff changeset
703 When you define a variable that users ought to set interactively, you
67690
f5914f5bfb9c (Documentation Tips): Minor change.
Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents: 67686
diff changeset
704 normally should use @code{defcustom}. However, if for some reason you
67686
a99220d00c05 (Documentation Tips): Update for new conventions for using `*' in docstrings.
Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents: 66516
diff changeset
705 use @code{defvar} instead, start the doc string with a @samp{*}.
a99220d00c05 (Documentation Tips): Update for new conventions for using `*' in docstrings.
Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents: 66516
diff changeset
706 @xref{Defining Variables}.
6552
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Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
707
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
708 @item
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
709 The documentation string for a variable that is a yes-or-no flag should
71957
61cb5aae3bc3 Put period and comma inside quotes.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 71855
diff changeset
710 start with words such as ``Non-nil means,'' to make it clear that
6959
3b19456b877a *** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 6552
diff changeset
711 all non-@code{nil} values are equivalent and indicate explicitly what
3b19456b877a *** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 6552
diff changeset
712 @code{nil} and non-@code{nil} mean.
6552
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
713
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
714 @item
40517
37a08b5afded Document textual convention for doc strings of predicates.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 38344
diff changeset
715 The documentation string for a function that is a yes-or-no predicate
71957
61cb5aae3bc3 Put period and comma inside quotes.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 71855
diff changeset
716 should start with words such as ``Return t if,'' to indicate
61cb5aae3bc3 Put period and comma inside quotes.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 71855
diff changeset
717 explicitly what constitutes ``truth.'' The word ``return'' avoids
61cb5aae3bc3 Put period and comma inside quotes.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 71855
diff changeset
718 starting the sentence with lower-case ``t,'' which could be somewhat
40517
37a08b5afded Document textual convention for doc strings of predicates.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 38344
diff changeset
719 distracting.
37a08b5afded Document textual convention for doc strings of predicates.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 38344
diff changeset
720
37a08b5afded Document textual convention for doc strings of predicates.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 38344
diff changeset
721 @item
6552
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
722 When a function's documentation string mentions the value of an argument
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
723 of the function, use the argument name in capital letters as if it were
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
724 a name for that value. Thus, the documentation string of the function
26696
ef5e7bbe6f19 Current version from /gd/gnu/elisp.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents: 26211
diff changeset
725 @code{eval} refers to its second argument as @samp{FORM}, because the
ef5e7bbe6f19 Current version from /gd/gnu/elisp.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents: 26211
diff changeset
726 actual argument name is @code{form}:
6552
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
727
26696
ef5e7bbe6f19 Current version from /gd/gnu/elisp.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents: 26211
diff changeset
728 @example
ef5e7bbe6f19 Current version from /gd/gnu/elisp.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents: 26211
diff changeset
729 Evaluate FORM and return its value.
ef5e7bbe6f19 Current version from /gd/gnu/elisp.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents: 26211
diff changeset
730 @end example
ef5e7bbe6f19 Current version from /gd/gnu/elisp.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents: 26211
diff changeset
731
ef5e7bbe6f19 Current version from /gd/gnu/elisp.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents: 26211
diff changeset
732 Also write metasyntactic variables in capital letters, such as when you
ef5e7bbe6f19 Current version from /gd/gnu/elisp.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents: 26211
diff changeset
733 show the decomposition of a list or vector into subunits, some of which
ef5e7bbe6f19 Current version from /gd/gnu/elisp.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents: 26211
diff changeset
734 may vary. @samp{KEY} and @samp{VALUE} in the following example
25751
467b88fab665 *** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 24862
diff changeset
735 illustrate this practice:
467b88fab665 *** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 24862
diff changeset
736
467b88fab665 *** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 24862
diff changeset
737 @example
467b88fab665 *** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 24862
diff changeset
738 The argument TABLE should be an alist whose elements
467b88fab665 *** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 24862
diff changeset
739 have the form (KEY . VALUE). Here, KEY is ...
467b88fab665 *** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 24862
diff changeset
740 @end example
6552
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
741
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
742 @item
40517
37a08b5afded Document textual convention for doc strings of predicates.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 38344
diff changeset
743 Never change the case of a Lisp symbol when you mention it in a doc
71957
61cb5aae3bc3 Put period and comma inside quotes.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 71855
diff changeset
744 string. If the symbol's name is @code{foo}, write ``foo,'' not
40517
37a08b5afded Document textual convention for doc strings of predicates.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 38344
diff changeset
745 ``Foo'' (which is a different symbol).
37a08b5afded Document textual convention for doc strings of predicates.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 38344
diff changeset
746
37a08b5afded Document textual convention for doc strings of predicates.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 38344
diff changeset
747 This might appear to contradict the policy of writing function
37a08b5afded Document textual convention for doc strings of predicates.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 38344
diff changeset
748 argument values, but there is no real contradiction; the argument
37a08b5afded Document textual convention for doc strings of predicates.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 38344
diff changeset
749 @emph{value} is not the same thing as the @emph{symbol} which the
37a08b5afded Document textual convention for doc strings of predicates.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 38344
diff changeset
750 function uses to hold the value.
37a08b5afded Document textual convention for doc strings of predicates.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 38344
diff changeset
751
37a08b5afded Document textual convention for doc strings of predicates.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 38344
diff changeset
752 If this puts a lower-case letter at the beginning of a sentence
37a08b5afded Document textual convention for doc strings of predicates.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 38344
diff changeset
753 and that annoys you, rewrite the sentence so that the symbol
37a08b5afded Document textual convention for doc strings of predicates.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 38344
diff changeset
754 is not at the start of it.
37a08b5afded Document textual convention for doc strings of predicates.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 38344
diff changeset
755
37a08b5afded Document textual convention for doc strings of predicates.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 38344
diff changeset
756 @item
26696
ef5e7bbe6f19 Current version from /gd/gnu/elisp.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents: 26211
diff changeset
757 If a line in a documentation string begins with an open-parenthesis,
ef5e7bbe6f19 Current version from /gd/gnu/elisp.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents: 26211
diff changeset
758 write a backslash before the open-parenthesis, like this:
ef5e7bbe6f19 Current version from /gd/gnu/elisp.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents: 26211
diff changeset
759
ef5e7bbe6f19 Current version from /gd/gnu/elisp.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents: 26211
diff changeset
760 @example
ef5e7bbe6f19 Current version from /gd/gnu/elisp.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents: 26211
diff changeset
761 The argument FOO can be either a number
ef5e7bbe6f19 Current version from /gd/gnu/elisp.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents: 26211
diff changeset
762 \(a buffer position) or a string (a file name).
ef5e7bbe6f19 Current version from /gd/gnu/elisp.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents: 26211
diff changeset
763 @end example
ef5e7bbe6f19 Current version from /gd/gnu/elisp.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents: 26211
diff changeset
764
ef5e7bbe6f19 Current version from /gd/gnu/elisp.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents: 26211
diff changeset
765 This prevents the open-parenthesis from being treated as the start of a
ef5e7bbe6f19 Current version from /gd/gnu/elisp.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents: 26211
diff changeset
766 defun (@pxref{Defuns,, Defuns, emacs, The GNU Emacs Manual}).
ef5e7bbe6f19 Current version from /gd/gnu/elisp.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents: 26211
diff changeset
767
53300
2cabf526af0e (Documentation Tips): Add anchor.
Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents: 52912
diff changeset
768 @anchor{Docstring hyperlinks}
26696
ef5e7bbe6f19 Current version from /gd/gnu/elisp.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents: 26211
diff changeset
769 @item
6552
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
770 @iftex
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
771 When a documentation string refers to a Lisp symbol, write it as it
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
772 would be printed (which usually means in lower case), with single-quotes
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
773 around it. For example: @samp{`lambda'}. There are two exceptions:
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
774 write @code{t} and @code{nil} without single-quotes.
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
775 @end iftex
27193
89afca54a135 @ifinto -> @ifnottex.
Gerd Moellmann <gerd@gnu.org>
parents: 27189
diff changeset
776 @ifnottex
6552
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
777 When a documentation string refers to a Lisp symbol, write it as it
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
778 would be printed (which usually means in lower case), with single-quotes
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
779 around it. For example: @samp{lambda}. There are two exceptions: write
21682
90da2489c498 *** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 21007
diff changeset
780 t and nil without single-quotes. (In this manual, we use a different
90da2489c498 *** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 21007
diff changeset
781 convention, with single-quotes for all symbols.)
27193
89afca54a135 @ifinto -> @ifnottex.
Gerd Moellmann <gerd@gnu.org>
parents: 27189
diff changeset
782 @end ifnottex
6552
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
783
22252
40089afa2b1d *** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 22138
diff changeset
784 Help mode automatically creates a hyperlink when a documentation string
40089afa2b1d *** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 22138
diff changeset
785 uses a symbol name inside single quotes, if the symbol has either a
22138
d4ac295a98b3 *** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 21682
diff changeset
786 function or a variable definition. You do not need to do anything
d4ac295a98b3 *** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 21682
diff changeset
787 special to make use of this feature. However, when a symbol has both a
d4ac295a98b3 *** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 21682
diff changeset
788 function definition and a variable definition, and you want to refer to
d4ac295a98b3 *** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 21682
diff changeset
789 just one of them, you can specify which one by writing one of the words
d4ac295a98b3 *** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 21682
diff changeset
790 @samp{variable}, @samp{option}, @samp{function}, or @samp{command},
d4ac295a98b3 *** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 21682
diff changeset
791 immediately before the symbol name. (Case makes no difference in
d4ac295a98b3 *** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 21682
diff changeset
792 recognizing these indicator words.) For example, if you write
21682
90da2489c498 *** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 21007
diff changeset
793
90da2489c498 *** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 21007
diff changeset
794 @example
22138
d4ac295a98b3 *** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 21682
diff changeset
795 This function sets the variable `buffer-file-name'.
21682
90da2489c498 *** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 21007
diff changeset
796 @end example
90da2489c498 *** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 21007
diff changeset
797
22138
d4ac295a98b3 *** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 21682
diff changeset
798 @noindent
d4ac295a98b3 *** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 21682
diff changeset
799 then the hyperlink will refer only to the variable documentation of
d4ac295a98b3 *** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 21682
diff changeset
800 @code{buffer-file-name}, and not to its function documentation.
d4ac295a98b3 *** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 21682
diff changeset
801
d4ac295a98b3 *** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 21682
diff changeset
802 If a symbol has a function definition and/or a variable definition, but
d4ac295a98b3 *** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 21682
diff changeset
803 those are irrelevant to the use of the symbol that you are documenting,
69590
d9fdd137cff0 (Documentation Tips): One can now also write `program' in front of a
Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents: 68648
diff changeset
804 you can write the words @samp{symbol} or @samp{program} before the
d9fdd137cff0 (Documentation Tips): One can now also write `program' in front of a
Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents: 68648
diff changeset
805 symbol name to prevent making any hyperlink. For example,
22138
d4ac295a98b3 *** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 21682
diff changeset
806
d4ac295a98b3 *** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 21682
diff changeset
807 @example
d4ac295a98b3 *** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 21682
diff changeset
808 If the argument KIND-OF-RESULT is the symbol `list',
d4ac295a98b3 *** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 21682
diff changeset
809 this function returns a list of all the objects
d4ac295a98b3 *** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 21682
diff changeset
810 that satisfy the criterion.
d4ac295a98b3 *** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 21682
diff changeset
811 @end example
d4ac295a98b3 *** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 21682
diff changeset
812
d4ac295a98b3 *** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 21682
diff changeset
813 @noindent
d4ac295a98b3 *** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 21682
diff changeset
814 does not make a hyperlink to the documentation, irrelevant here, of the
d4ac295a98b3 *** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 21682
diff changeset
815 function @code{list}.
d4ac295a98b3 *** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 21682
diff changeset
816
52912
2fdb8b16bceb (Documentation Tips): Document new behavior for face and variable
Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents: 52845
diff changeset
817 Normally, no hyperlink is made for a variable without variable
2fdb8b16bceb (Documentation Tips): Document new behavior for face and variable
Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents: 52845
diff changeset
818 documentation. You can force a hyperlink for such variables by
2fdb8b16bceb (Documentation Tips): Document new behavior for face and variable
Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents: 52845
diff changeset
819 preceding them with one of the words @samp{variable} or
2fdb8b16bceb (Documentation Tips): Document new behavior for face and variable
Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents: 52845
diff changeset
820 @samp{option}.
2fdb8b16bceb (Documentation Tips): Document new behavior for face and variable
Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents: 52845
diff changeset
821
2fdb8b16bceb (Documentation Tips): Document new behavior for face and variable
Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents: 52845
diff changeset
822 Hyperlinks for faces are only made if the face name is preceded or
2fdb8b16bceb (Documentation Tips): Document new behavior for face and variable
Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents: 52845
diff changeset
823 followed by the word @samp{face}. In that case, only the face
2fdb8b16bceb (Documentation Tips): Document new behavior for face and variable
Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents: 52845
diff changeset
824 documentation will be shown, even if the symbol is also defined as a
2fdb8b16bceb (Documentation Tips): Document new behavior for face and variable
Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents: 52845
diff changeset
825 variable or as a function.
2fdb8b16bceb (Documentation Tips): Document new behavior for face and variable
Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents: 52845
diff changeset
826
25751
467b88fab665 *** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 24862
diff changeset
827 To make a hyperlink to Info documentation, write the name of the Info
53457
3bd5e3d6a230 (Documentation Tips): Update item on hyperlinks in documentation strings.
Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents: 53300
diff changeset
828 node (or anchor) in single quotes, preceded by @samp{info node},
3bd5e3d6a230 (Documentation Tips): Update item on hyperlinks in documentation strings.
Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents: 53300
diff changeset
829 @samp{Info node}, @samp{info anchor} or @samp{Info anchor}. The Info
3bd5e3d6a230 (Documentation Tips): Update item on hyperlinks in documentation strings.
Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents: 53300
diff changeset
830 file name defaults to @samp{emacs}. For example,
25751
467b88fab665 *** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 24862
diff changeset
831
467b88fab665 *** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 24862
diff changeset
832 @smallexample
467b88fab665 *** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 24862
diff changeset
833 See Info node `Font Lock' and Info node `(elisp)Font Lock Basics'.
467b88fab665 *** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 24862
diff changeset
834 @end smallexample
467b88fab665 *** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 24862
diff changeset
835
66516
62934d7c890f (Documentation Tips): Help mode now creates hyperlinks for URLs.
Bill Wohler <wohler@newt.com>
parents: 65386
diff changeset
836 Finally, to create a hyperlink to URLs, write the URL in single
62934d7c890f (Documentation Tips): Help mode now creates hyperlinks for URLs.
Bill Wohler <wohler@newt.com>
parents: 65386
diff changeset
837 quotes, preceded by @samp{URL}. For example,
62934d7c890f (Documentation Tips): Help mode now creates hyperlinks for URLs.
Bill Wohler <wohler@newt.com>
parents: 65386
diff changeset
838
62934d7c890f (Documentation Tips): Help mode now creates hyperlinks for URLs.
Bill Wohler <wohler@newt.com>
parents: 65386
diff changeset
839 @smallexample
62934d7c890f (Documentation Tips): Help mode now creates hyperlinks for URLs.
Bill Wohler <wohler@newt.com>
parents: 65386
diff changeset
840 The home page for the GNU project has more information (see URL
62934d7c890f (Documentation Tips): Help mode now creates hyperlinks for URLs.
Bill Wohler <wohler@newt.com>
parents: 65386
diff changeset
841 `http://www.gnu.org/').
62934d7c890f (Documentation Tips): Help mode now creates hyperlinks for URLs.
Bill Wohler <wohler@newt.com>
parents: 65386
diff changeset
842 @end smallexample
62934d7c890f (Documentation Tips): Help mode now creates hyperlinks for URLs.
Bill Wohler <wohler@newt.com>
parents: 65386
diff changeset
843
6552
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
844 @item
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
845 Don't write key sequences directly in documentation strings. Instead,
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
846 use the @samp{\\[@dots{}]} construct to stand for them. For example,
16736
981e116b4ac6 Minor cleanups for overfull hboxes.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 16671
diff changeset
847 instead of writing @samp{C-f}, write the construct
981e116b4ac6 Minor cleanups for overfull hboxes.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 16671
diff changeset
848 @samp{\\[forward-char]}. When Emacs displays the documentation string,
981e116b4ac6 Minor cleanups for overfull hboxes.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 16671
diff changeset
849 it substitutes whatever key is currently bound to @code{forward-char}.
981e116b4ac6 Minor cleanups for overfull hboxes.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 16671
diff changeset
850 (This is normally @samp{C-f}, but it may be some other character if the
981e116b4ac6 Minor cleanups for overfull hboxes.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 16671
diff changeset
851 user has moved key bindings.) @xref{Keys in Documentation}.
6552
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
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diff changeset
852
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
853 @item
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
854 In documentation strings for a major mode, you will want to refer to the
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
855 key bindings of that mode's local map, rather than global ones.
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
856 Therefore, use the construct @samp{\\<@dots{}>} once in the
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
857 documentation string to specify which key map to use. Do this before
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
858 the first use of @samp{\\[@dots{}]}. The text inside the
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
859 @samp{\\<@dots{}>} should be the name of the variable containing the
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
860 local keymap for the major mode.
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
861
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
862 It is not practical to use @samp{\\[@dots{}]} very many times, because
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
863 display of the documentation string will become slow. So use this to
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
864 describe the most important commands in your major mode, and then use
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
865 @samp{\\@{@dots{}@}} to display the rest of the mode's keymap.
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
866 @end itemize
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
867
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
868 @node Comment Tips
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
869 @section Tips on Writing Comments
76993
55c9ef5f1559 Improve index entries.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 76841
diff changeset
870 @cindex comments, Lisp convention for
6552
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Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
871
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
872 We recommend these conventions for where to put comments and how to
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
873 indent them:
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
874
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
875 @table @samp
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
876 @item ;
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
877 Comments that start with a single semicolon, @samp{;}, should all be
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
878 aligned to the same column on the right of the source code. Such
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
879 comments usually explain how the code on the same line does its job. In
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
880 Lisp mode and related modes, the @kbd{M-;} (@code{indent-for-comment})
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
881 command automatically inserts such a @samp{;} in the right place, or
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3b19456b877a *** empty log message ***
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parents: 6552
diff changeset
882 aligns such a comment if it is already present.
6552
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
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parents:
diff changeset
883
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parents: 6959
diff changeset
884 This and following examples are taken from the Emacs sources.
6552
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
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parents:
diff changeset
885
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
886 @smallexample
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
887 @group
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
888 (setq base-version-list ; there was a base
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
889 (assoc (substring fn 0 start-vn) ; version to which
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
890 file-version-assoc-list)) ; this looks like
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
891 ; a subversion
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
892 @end group
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
893 @end smallexample
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
894
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
895 @item ;;
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
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parents:
diff changeset
896 Comments that start with two semicolons, @samp{;;}, should be aligned to
6959
3b19456b877a *** empty log message ***
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parents: 6552
diff changeset
897 the same level of indentation as the code. Such comments usually
6552
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
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parents:
diff changeset
898 describe the purpose of the following lines or the state of the program
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
899 at that point. For example:
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
900
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
901 @smallexample
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
902 @group
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
903 (prog1 (setq auto-fill-function
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
904 @dots{}
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
905 @dots{}
6959
3b19456b877a *** empty log message ***
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parents: 6552
diff changeset
906 ;; update mode line
6552
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
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parents:
diff changeset
907 (force-mode-line-update)))
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
908 @end group
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
909 @end smallexample
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
910
26696
ef5e7bbe6f19 Current version from /gd/gnu/elisp.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents: 26211
diff changeset
911 We also normally use two semicolons for comments outside functions.
ef5e7bbe6f19 Current version from /gd/gnu/elisp.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents: 26211
diff changeset
912
ef5e7bbe6f19 Current version from /gd/gnu/elisp.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents: 26211
diff changeset
913 @smallexample
ef5e7bbe6f19 Current version from /gd/gnu/elisp.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents: 26211
diff changeset
914 @group
ef5e7bbe6f19 Current version from /gd/gnu/elisp.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents: 26211
diff changeset
915 ;; This Lisp code is run in Emacs
ef5e7bbe6f19 Current version from /gd/gnu/elisp.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents: 26211
diff changeset
916 ;; when it is to operate as a server
ef5e7bbe6f19 Current version from /gd/gnu/elisp.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents: 26211
diff changeset
917 ;; for other processes.
ef5e7bbe6f19 Current version from /gd/gnu/elisp.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents: 26211
diff changeset
918 @end group
ef5e7bbe6f19 Current version from /gd/gnu/elisp.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents: 26211
diff changeset
919 @end smallexample
ef5e7bbe6f19 Current version from /gd/gnu/elisp.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents: 26211
diff changeset
920
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90da2489c498 *** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 21007
diff changeset
921 Every function that has no documentation string (presumably one that is
26696
ef5e7bbe6f19 Current version from /gd/gnu/elisp.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents: 26211
diff changeset
922 used only internally within the package it belongs to), should instead
ef5e7bbe6f19 Current version from /gd/gnu/elisp.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents: 26211
diff changeset
923 have a two-semicolon comment right before the function, explaining what
ef5e7bbe6f19 Current version from /gd/gnu/elisp.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents: 26211
diff changeset
924 the function does and how to call it properly. Explain precisely what
ef5e7bbe6f19 Current version from /gd/gnu/elisp.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents: 26211
diff changeset
925 each argument means and how the function interprets its possible values.
6552
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
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parents:
diff changeset
926
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
927 @item ;;;
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
928 Comments that start with three semicolons, @samp{;;;}, should start at
26696
ef5e7bbe6f19 Current version from /gd/gnu/elisp.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents: 26211
diff changeset
929 the left margin. These are used, occasionally, for comments within
ef5e7bbe6f19 Current version from /gd/gnu/elisp.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents: 26211
diff changeset
930 functions that should start at the margin. We also use them sometimes
ef5e7bbe6f19 Current version from /gd/gnu/elisp.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents: 26211
diff changeset
931 for comments that are between functions---whether to use two or three
53924
ed40e77a5176 (Comment Tips): Document the new conventions for commenting out code.
Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents: 53457
diff changeset
932 semicolons depends on whether the comment should be considered a
ed40e77a5176 (Comment Tips): Document the new conventions for commenting out code.
Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents: 53457
diff changeset
933 ``heading'' by Outline minor mode. By default, comments starting with
ed40e77a5176 (Comment Tips): Document the new conventions for commenting out code.
Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents: 53457
diff changeset
934 at least three semicolons (followed by a single space and a
ed40e77a5176 (Comment Tips): Document the new conventions for commenting out code.
Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents: 53457
diff changeset
935 non-whitespace character) are considered headings, comments starting
ed40e77a5176 (Comment Tips): Document the new conventions for commenting out code.
Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents: 53457
diff changeset
936 with two or less are not.
6552
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
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parents:
diff changeset
937
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parents: 6959
diff changeset
938 Another use for triple-semicolon comments is for commenting out lines
26696
ef5e7bbe6f19 Current version from /gd/gnu/elisp.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents: 26211
diff changeset
939 within a function. We use three semicolons for this precisely so that
53924
ed40e77a5176 (Comment Tips): Document the new conventions for commenting out code.
Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents: 53457
diff changeset
940 they remain at the left margin. By default, Outline minor mode does
ed40e77a5176 (Comment Tips): Document the new conventions for commenting out code.
Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents: 53457
diff changeset
941 not consider a comment to be a heading (even if it starts with at
ed40e77a5176 (Comment Tips): Document the new conventions for commenting out code.
Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents: 53457
diff changeset
942 least three semicolons) if the semicolons are followed by at least two
ed40e77a5176 (Comment Tips): Document the new conventions for commenting out code.
Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents: 53457
diff changeset
943 spaces. Thus, if you add an introductory comment to the commented out
ed40e77a5176 (Comment Tips): Document the new conventions for commenting out code.
Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents: 53457
diff changeset
944 code, make sure to indent it by at least two spaces after the three
ed40e77a5176 (Comment Tips): Document the new conventions for commenting out code.
Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents: 53457
diff changeset
945 semicolons.
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parents: 6552
diff changeset
946
3b19456b877a *** empty log message ***
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parents: 6552
diff changeset
947 @smallexample
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parents: 6552
diff changeset
948 (defun foo (a)
53924
ed40e77a5176 (Comment Tips): Document the new conventions for commenting out code.
Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents: 53457
diff changeset
949 ;;; This is no longer necessary.
6959
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parents: 6552
diff changeset
950 ;;; (force-mode-line-update)
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parents: 6552
diff changeset
951 (message "Finished with %s" a))
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parents: 6552
diff changeset
952 @end smallexample
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parents: 6552
diff changeset
953
53924
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Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents: 53457
diff changeset
954 When commenting out entire functions, use two semicolons.
ed40e77a5176 (Comment Tips): Document the new conventions for commenting out code.
Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents: 53457
diff changeset
955
6552
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
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parents:
diff changeset
956 @item ;;;;
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
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parents:
diff changeset
957 Comments that start with four semicolons, @samp{;;;;}, should be aligned
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
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parents:
diff changeset
958 to the left margin and are used for headings of major sections of a
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
959 program. For example:
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
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parents:
diff changeset
960
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
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parents:
diff changeset
961 @smallexample
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
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parents:
diff changeset
962 ;;;; The kill ring
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
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parents:
diff changeset
963 @end smallexample
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
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parents:
diff changeset
964 @end table
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
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parents:
diff changeset
965
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
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parents:
diff changeset
966 @noindent
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
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parents:
diff changeset
967 The indentation commands of the Lisp modes in Emacs, such as @kbd{M-;}
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parents: 21007
diff changeset
968 (@code{indent-for-comment}) and @key{TAB} (@code{lisp-indent-line}),
6552
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
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parents:
diff changeset
969 automatically indent comments according to these conventions,
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diff changeset
970 depending on the number of semicolons. @xref{Comments,,
6552
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parents:
diff changeset
971 Manipulating Comments, emacs, The GNU Emacs Manual}.
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
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parents:
diff changeset
972
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
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parents:
diff changeset
973 @node Library Headers
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parents:
diff changeset
974 @section Conventional Headers for Emacs Libraries
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
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parents:
diff changeset
975 @cindex header comments
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
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parents:
diff changeset
976 @cindex library header comments
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
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parents:
diff changeset
977
21007
66d807bdc5b4 *** empty log message ***
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diff changeset
978 Emacs has conventions for using special comments in Lisp libraries
6552
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parents:
diff changeset
979 to divide them into sections and give information such as who wrote
25751
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parents: 24862
diff changeset
980 them. This section explains these conventions.
467b88fab665 *** empty log message ***
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parents: 24862
diff changeset
981
467b88fab665 *** empty log message ***
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parents: 24862
diff changeset
982 We'll start with an example, a package that is included in the Emacs
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parents: 24862
diff changeset
983 distribution.
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parents: 24862
diff changeset
984
467b88fab665 *** empty log message ***
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parents: 24862
diff changeset
985 Parts of this example reflect its status as part of Emacs; for
467b88fab665 *** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 24862
diff changeset
986 example, the copyright notice lists the Free Software Foundation as the
467b88fab665 *** empty log message ***
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parents: 24862
diff changeset
987 copyright holder, and the copying permission says the file is part of
467b88fab665 *** empty log message ***
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parents: 24862
diff changeset
988 Emacs. When you write a package and post it, the copyright holder would
467b88fab665 *** empty log message ***
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parents: 24862
diff changeset
989 be you (unless your employer claims to own it instead), and you should
467b88fab665 *** empty log message ***
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parents: 24862
diff changeset
990 get the suggested copying permission from the end of the GNU General
467b88fab665 *** empty log message ***
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parents: 24862
diff changeset
991 Public License itself. Don't say your file is part of Emacs
467b88fab665 *** empty log message ***
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parents: 24862
diff changeset
992 if we haven't installed it in Emacs yet!
467b88fab665 *** empty log message ***
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parents: 24862
diff changeset
993
467b88fab665 *** empty log message ***
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parents: 24862
diff changeset
994 With that warning out of the way, on to the example:
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parents:
diff changeset
995
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
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parents:
diff changeset
996 @smallexample
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
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parents:
diff changeset
997 @group
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
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parents:
diff changeset
998 ;;; lisp-mnt.el --- minor mode for Emacs Lisp maintainers
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
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parents:
diff changeset
999
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parents:
diff changeset
1000 ;; Copyright (C) 1992 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
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parents:
diff changeset
1001 @end group
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parents:
diff changeset
1002
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
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parents:
diff changeset
1003 ;; Author: Eric S. Raymond <esr@@snark.thyrsus.com>
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parents:
diff changeset
1004 ;; Maintainer: Eric S. Raymond <esr@@snark.thyrsus.com>
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parents:
diff changeset
1005 ;; Created: 14 Jul 1992
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parents:
diff changeset
1006 ;; Version: 1.2
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1007 @group
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1008 ;; Keywords: docs
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1009
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1010 ;; This file is part of GNU Emacs.
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1011 @dots{}
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1012 ;; Free Software Foundation, Inc., 51 Franklin Street, Fifth Floor,
6fb026ad601f Update FSF's address.
Lute Kamstra <lute@gnu.org>
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1013 ;; Boston, MA 02110-1301, USA.
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1014 @end group
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1015 @end smallexample
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1016
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1017 The very first line should have this format:
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1018
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1019 @example
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1020 ;;; @var{filename} --- @var{description}
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1021 @end example
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1022
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1023 @noindent
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9928a29a3e80 (Library Headers): Explain where to put -*-.
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parents: 49960
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1024 The description should be complete in one line. If the file
9928a29a3e80 (Library Headers): Explain where to put -*-.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 49960
diff changeset
1025 needs a @samp{-*-} specification, put it after @var{description}.
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1026
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1027 After the copyright notice come several @dfn{header comment} lines,
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parents: 6552
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1028 each beginning with @samp{;; @var{header-name}:}. Here is a table of
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Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
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1029 the conventional possibilities for @var{header-name}:
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1030
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1031 @table @samp
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1032 @item Author
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1033 This line states the name and net address of at least the principal
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1034 author of the library.
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1035
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1036 If there are multiple authors, you can list them on continuation lines
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parents: 6552
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1037 led by @code{;;} and a tab character, like this:
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1038
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1039 @smallexample
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1040 @group
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1041 ;; Author: Ashwin Ram <Ram-Ashwin@@cs.yale.edu>
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1042 ;; Dave Sill <de5@@ornl.gov>
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1043 ;; Dave Brennan <brennan@@hal.com>
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1044 ;; Eric Raymond <esr@@snark.thyrsus.com>
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1045 @end group
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1046 @end smallexample
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1047
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1048 @item Maintainer
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1049 This line should contain a single name/address as in the Author line, or
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1050 an address only, or the string @samp{FSF}. If there is no maintainer
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1051 line, the person(s) in the Author field are presumed to be the
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Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 6552
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1052 maintainers. The example above is mildly bogus because the maintainer
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parents: 6552
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1053 line is redundant.
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1054
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
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1055 The idea behind the @samp{Author} and @samp{Maintainer} lines is to make
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
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1056 possible a Lisp function to ``send mail to the maintainer'' without
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
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1057 having to mine the name out by hand.
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
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1058
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1059 Be sure to surround the network address with @samp{<@dots{}>} if
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
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1060 you include the person's full name as well as the network address.
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1061
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1062 @item Created
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Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
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1063 This optional line gives the original creation date of the
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Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
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1064 file. For historical interest only.
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1065
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1066 @item Version
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Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
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1067 If you wish to record version numbers for the individual Lisp program, put
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
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1068 them in this line.
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Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
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1069
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Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
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1070 @item Adapted-By
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Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
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1071 In this header line, place the name of the person who adapted the
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
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1072 library for installation (to make it fit the style conventions, for
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Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
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1073 example).
3b84ed22f747 Initial revision
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
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1074
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1075 @item Keywords
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1076 This line lists keywords for the @code{finder-by-keyword} help command.
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parents: 21682
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1077 Please use that command to see a list of the meaningful keywords.
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1078
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1079 This field is important; it's how people will find your package when
10229
634f36d4b2ae Give syntax of keywords.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 10225
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1080 they're looking for things by topic area. To separate the keywords, you
634f36d4b2ae Give syntax of keywords.
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parents: 10225
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1081 can use spaces, commas, or both.
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1082 @end table
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1083
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1084 Just about every Lisp library ought to have the @samp{Author} and
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Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
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1085 @samp{Keywords} header comment lines. Use the others if they are
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1086 appropriate. You can also put in header lines with other header
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1087 names---they have no standard meanings, so they can't do any harm.
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1088
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1089 We use additional stylized comments to subdivide the contents of the
26696
ef5e7bbe6f19 Current version from /gd/gnu/elisp.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents: 26211
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1090 library file. These should be separated by blank lines from anything
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Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents: 26211
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1091 else. Here is a table of them:
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1092
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1093 @table @samp
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1094 @item ;;; Commentary:
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1095 This begins introductory comments that explain how the library works.
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1096 It should come right after the copying permissions, terminated by a
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1097 @samp{Change Log}, @samp{History} or @samp{Code} comment line. This
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diff changeset
1098 text is used by the Finder package, so it should make sense in that
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1099 context.
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1100
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Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents: 52808
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1101 @item ;;; Documentation:
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Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 52814
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1102 This was used in some files in place of @samp{;;; Commentary:},
1826a112381b (Library Headers): Clean up Documentation.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 52814
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1103 but it is deprecated.
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1104
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1105 @item ;;; Change Log:
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1106 This begins change log information stored in the library file (if you
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ef5e7bbe6f19 Current version from /gd/gnu/elisp.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents: 26211
diff changeset
1107 store the change history there). For Lisp files distributed with Emacs,
ef5e7bbe6f19 Current version from /gd/gnu/elisp.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents: 26211
diff changeset
1108 the change history is kept in the file @file{ChangeLog} and not in the
ef5e7bbe6f19 Current version from /gd/gnu/elisp.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents: 26211
diff changeset
1109 source file at all; these files generally do not have a @samp{;;; Change
ef5e7bbe6f19 Current version from /gd/gnu/elisp.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents: 26211
diff changeset
1110 Log:} line. @samp{History} is an alternative to @samp{Change Log}.
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1111
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1112 @item ;;; Code:
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1113 This begins the actual code of the program.
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1114
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1115 @item ;;; @var{filename} ends here
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1116 This is the @dfn{footer line}; it appears at the very end of the file.
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1117 Its purpose is to enable people to detect truncated versions of the file
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1118 from the lack of a footer line.
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1119 @end table
52401
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Miles Bader <miles@gnu.org>
parents: 52149
diff changeset
1120
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Miles Bader <miles@gnu.org>
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1121 @ignore
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Miles Bader <miles@gnu.org>
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1122 arch-tag: 9ea911c2-6b1d-47dd-88b7-0a94e8b27c2e
695cf19ef79e Add arch taglines
Miles Bader <miles@gnu.org>
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1123 @end ignore