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1 @c -*-texinfo-*-
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2 @c This is part of the GNU Emacs Lisp Reference Manual.
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3 @c Copyright (C) 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1998, 1999
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4 @c 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/buffers
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7 @node Buffers, Windows, Backups and Auto-Saving, Top
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8 @chapter Buffers
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9 @cindex buffer
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10
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11 A @dfn{buffer} is a Lisp object containing text to be edited. Buffers
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12 are used to hold the contents of files that are being visited; there may
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13 also be buffers that are not visiting files. While several buffers may
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14 exist at one time, only one buffer is designated the @dfn{current
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15 buffer} at any time. Most editing commands act on the contents of the
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16 current buffer. Each buffer, including the current buffer, may or may
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17 not be displayed in any windows.
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18
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19 @menu
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20 * Buffer Basics:: What is a buffer?
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21 * Current Buffer:: Designating a buffer as current
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22 so that primitives will access its contents.
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23 * Buffer Names:: Accessing and changing buffer names.
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24 * Buffer File Name:: The buffer file name indicates which file is visited.
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25 * Buffer Modification:: A buffer is @dfn{modified} if it needs to be saved.
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26 * Modification Time:: Determining whether the visited file was changed
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27 ``behind Emacs's back''.
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28 * Read Only Buffers:: Modifying text is not allowed in a read-only buffer.
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29 * The Buffer List:: How to look at all the existing buffers.
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30 * Creating Buffers:: Functions that create buffers.
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31 * Killing Buffers:: Buffers exist until explicitly killed.
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32 * Indirect Buffers:: An indirect buffer shares text with some other buffer.
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33 * Buffer Gap:: The gap in the buffer.
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34 @end menu
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35
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36 @node Buffer Basics
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37 @comment node-name, next, previous, up
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38 @section Buffer Basics
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39
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40 @ifnottex
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41 A @dfn{buffer} is a Lisp object containing text to be edited. Buffers
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42 are used to hold the contents of files that are being visited; there may
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43 also be buffers that are not visiting files. Although several buffers
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44 normally exist, only one buffer is designated the @dfn{current
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45 buffer} at any time. Most editing commands act on the contents of the
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46 current buffer. Each buffer, including the current buffer, may or may
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47 not be displayed in any windows.
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48 @end ifnottex
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49
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50 Buffers in Emacs editing are objects that have distinct names and hold
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51 text that can be edited. Buffers appear to Lisp programs as a special
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52 data type. You can think of the contents of a buffer as a string that
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53 you can extend; insertions and deletions may occur in any part of the
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54 buffer. @xref{Text}.
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55
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56 A Lisp buffer object contains numerous pieces of information. Some of
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57 this information is directly accessible to the programmer through
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58 variables, while other information is accessible only through
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59 special-purpose functions. For example, the visited file name is
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60 directly accessible through a variable, while the value of point is
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61 accessible only through a primitive function.
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62
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63 Buffer-specific information that is directly accessible is stored in
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64 @dfn{buffer-local} variable bindings, which are variable values that are
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65 effective only in a particular buffer. This feature allows each buffer
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66 to override the values of certain variables. Most major modes override
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67 variables such as @code{fill-column} or @code{comment-column} in this
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68 way. For more information about buffer-local variables and functions
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69 related to them, see @ref{Buffer-Local Variables}.
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70
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71 For functions and variables related to visiting files in buffers, see
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72 @ref{Visiting Files} and @ref{Saving Buffers}. For functions and
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73 variables related to the display of buffers in windows, see
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74 @ref{Buffers and Windows}.
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75
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76 @defun bufferp object
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77 This function returns @code{t} if @var{object} is a buffer,
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78 @code{nil} otherwise.
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79 @end defun
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80
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81 @node Current Buffer
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82 @section The Current Buffer
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83 @cindex selecting a buffer
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84 @cindex changing to another buffer
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85 @cindex current buffer
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86
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87 There are, in general, many buffers in an Emacs session. At any time,
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88 one of them is designated as the @dfn{current buffer}. This is the
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89 buffer in which most editing takes place, because most of the primitives
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90 for examining or changing text in a buffer operate implicitly on the
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91 current buffer (@pxref{Text}). Normally the buffer that is displayed on
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92 the screen in the selected window is the current buffer, but this is not
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93 always so: a Lisp program can temporarily designate any buffer as
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94 current in order to operate on its contents, without changing what is
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95 displayed on the screen.
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96
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97 The way to designate a current buffer in a Lisp program is by calling
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98 @code{set-buffer}. The specified buffer remains current until a new one
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99 is designated.
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100
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101 When an editing command returns to the editor command loop, the
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102 command loop designates the buffer displayed in the selected window as
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103 current, to prevent confusion: the buffer that the cursor is in when
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104 Emacs reads a command is the buffer that the command will apply to.
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105 (@xref{Command Loop}.) Therefore, @code{set-buffer} is not the way to
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106 switch visibly to a different buffer so that the user can edit it. For
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107 that, you must use the functions described in @ref{Displaying Buffers}.
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108
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109 @strong{Warning:} Lisp functions that change to a different current buffer
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110 should not depend on the command loop to set it back afterwards.
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111 Editing commands written in Emacs Lisp can be called from other programs
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112 as well as from the command loop; it is convenient for the caller if
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113 the subroutine does not change which buffer is current (unless, of
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114 course, that is the subroutine's purpose). Therefore, you should
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115 normally use @code{set-buffer} within a @code{save-current-buffer} or
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116 @code{save-excursion} (@pxref{Excursions}) form that will restore the
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117 current buffer when your function is done. Here is an example, the
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118 code for the command @code{append-to-buffer} (with the documentation
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119 string abridged):
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120
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121 @example
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122 @group
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123 (defun append-to-buffer (buffer start end)
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124 "Append to specified buffer the text of the region.
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125 @dots{}"
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126 (interactive "BAppend to buffer: \nr")
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127 (let ((oldbuf (current-buffer)))
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128 (save-current-buffer
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129 (set-buffer (get-buffer-create buffer))
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130 (insert-buffer-substring oldbuf start end))))
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131 @end group
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132 @end example
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133
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134 @noindent
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135 This function binds a local variable to record the current buffer, and
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136 then @code{save-current-buffer} arranges to make it current again.
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137 Next, @code{set-buffer} makes the specified buffer current. Finally,
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138 @code{insert-buffer-substring} copies the string from the original
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139 current buffer to the specified (and now current) buffer.
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140
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141 If the buffer appended to happens to be displayed in some window,
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142 the next redisplay will show how its text has changed. Otherwise, you
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143 will not see the change immediately on the screen. The buffer becomes
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144 current temporarily during the execution of the command, but this does
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145 not cause it to be displayed.
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146
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147 If you make local bindings (with @code{let} or function arguments) for
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148 a variable that may also have buffer-local bindings, make sure that the
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149 same buffer is current at the beginning and at the end of the local
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150 binding's scope. Otherwise you might bind it in one buffer and unbind
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151 it in another! There are two ways to do this. In simple cases, you may
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152 see that nothing ever changes the current buffer within the scope of the
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153 binding. Otherwise, use @code{save-current-buffer} or
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154 @code{save-excursion} to make sure that the buffer current at the
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155 beginning is current again whenever the variable is unbound.
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156
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157 Do not rely on using @code{set-buffer} to change the current buffer
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158 back, because that won't do the job if a quit happens while the wrong
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159 buffer is current. Here is what @emph{not} to do:
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160
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161 @example
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162 @group
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163 (let (buffer-read-only
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164 (obuf (current-buffer)))
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165 (set-buffer @dots{})
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166 @dots{}
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167 (set-buffer obuf))
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168 @end group
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169 @end example
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170
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171 @noindent
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172 Using @code{save-current-buffer}, as shown here, handles quitting,
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173 errors, and @code{throw}, as well as ordinary evaluation.
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174
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175 @example
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176 @group
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177 (let (buffer-read-only)
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178 (save-current-buffer
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179 (set-buffer @dots{})
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180 @dots{}))
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181 @end group
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182 @end example
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183
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184 @defun current-buffer
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185 This function returns the current buffer.
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186
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187 @example
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188 @group
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189 (current-buffer)
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190 @result{} #<buffer buffers.texi>
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191 @end group
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192 @end example
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193 @end defun
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194
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195 @defun set-buffer buffer-or-name
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196 This function makes @var{buffer-or-name} the current buffer. This does
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197 not display the buffer in any window, so the user cannot necessarily see
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198 the buffer. But Lisp programs will now operate on it.
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199
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200 This function returns the buffer identified by @var{buffer-or-name}.
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201 An error is signaled if @var{buffer-or-name} does not identify an
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202 existing buffer.
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203 @end defun
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204
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205 @defspec save-current-buffer body...
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(Current Buffer): Describe `save-current-buffer' as a special form, not a macro.
Juanma Barranquero <lekktu@gmail.com>
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206 The @code{save-current-buffer} special form saves the identity of the
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(Current Buffer): Describe `save-current-buffer' as a special form, not a macro.
Juanma Barranquero <lekktu@gmail.com>
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207 current buffer, evaluates the @var{body} forms, and finally restores
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(Current Buffer): Describe `save-current-buffer' as a special form, not a macro.
Juanma Barranquero <lekktu@gmail.com>
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208 that buffer as current. The return value is the value of the last
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(Current Buffer): Describe `save-current-buffer' as a special form, not a macro.
Juanma Barranquero <lekktu@gmail.com>
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209 form in @var{body}. The current buffer is restored even in case of an
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(Current Buffer): Describe `save-current-buffer' as a special form, not a macro.
Juanma Barranquero <lekktu@gmail.com>
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210 abnormal exit via @code{throw} or error (@pxref{Nonlocal Exits}).
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211
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212 If the buffer that used to be current has been killed by the time of
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213 exit from @code{save-current-buffer}, then it is not made current again,
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214 of course. Instead, whichever buffer was current just before exit
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215 remains current.
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216 @end defspec
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217
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218 @defmac with-current-buffer buffer body...
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219 The @code{with-current-buffer} macro saves the identity of the current
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220 buffer, makes @var{buffer} current, evaluates the @var{body} forms, and
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221 finally restores the buffer. The return value is the value of the last
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222 form in @var{body}. The current buffer is restored even in case of an
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223 abnormal exit via @code{throw} or error (@pxref{Nonlocal Exits}).
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224 @end defmac
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225
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226 @anchor{Definition of with-temp-buffer}
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227 @defmac with-temp-buffer body...
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228 The @code{with-temp-buffer} macro evaluates the @var{body} forms
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229 with a temporary buffer as the current buffer. It saves the identity of
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230 the current buffer, creates a temporary buffer and makes it current,
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231 evaluates the @var{body} forms, and finally restores the previous
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232 current buffer while killing the temporary buffer.
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233
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234 The return value is the value of the last form in @var{body}. You can
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235 return the contents of the temporary buffer by using
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236 @code{(buffer-string)} as the last form.
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237
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238 The current buffer is restored even in case of an abnormal exit via
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239 @code{throw} or error (@pxref{Nonlocal Exits}).
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240 @end defmac
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241
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242 See also @code{with-temp-file} in @ref{Writing to Files}.
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243
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244 @node Buffer Names
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245 @section Buffer Names
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246 @cindex buffer names
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247
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248 Each buffer has a unique name, which is a string. Many of the
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249 functions that work on buffers accept either a buffer or a buffer name
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250 as an argument. Any argument called @var{buffer-or-name} is of this
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251 sort, and an error is signaled if it is neither a string nor a buffer.
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252 Any argument called @var{buffer} must be an actual buffer
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253 object, not a name.
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254
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255 Buffers that are ephemeral and generally uninteresting to the user
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256 have names starting with a space, so that the @code{list-buffers} and
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(Buffer Names): Buffers whose names start with a space, but which visit
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
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257 @code{buffer-menu} commands don't mention them (but if such a buffer
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(Buffer Names): Buffers whose names start with a space, but which visit
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258 visits a file, it @strong{is} mentioned). A name starting with
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259 space also initially disables recording undo information; see
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260 @ref{Undo}.
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261
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262 @defun buffer-name &optional buffer
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263 This function returns the name of @var{buffer} as a string. If
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264 @var{buffer} is not supplied, it defaults to the current buffer.
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265
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266 If @code{buffer-name} returns @code{nil}, it means that @var{buffer}
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267 has been killed. @xref{Killing Buffers}.
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268
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269 @example
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270 @group
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271 (buffer-name)
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272 @result{} "buffers.texi"
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273 @end group
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274
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275 @group
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276 (setq foo (get-buffer "temp"))
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277 @result{} #<buffer temp>
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278 @end group
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279 @group
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280 (kill-buffer foo)
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281 @result{} nil
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282 @end group
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283 @group
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284 (buffer-name foo)
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285 @result{} nil
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286 @end group
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287 @group
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288 foo
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289 @result{} #<killed buffer>
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290 @end group
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291 @end example
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292 @end defun
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293
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294 @deffn Command rename-buffer newname &optional unique
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295 This function renames the current buffer to @var{newname}. An error
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296 is signaled if @var{newname} is not a string, or if there is already a
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297 buffer with that name. The function returns @var{newname}.
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298
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299 @c Emacs 19 feature
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300 Ordinarily, @code{rename-buffer} signals an error if @var{newname} is
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301 already in use. However, if @var{unique} is non-@code{nil}, it modifies
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302 @var{newname} to make a name that is not in use. Interactively, you can
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303 make @var{unique} non-@code{nil} with a numeric prefix argument.
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304 (This is how the command @code{rename-uniquely} is implemented.)
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305 @end deffn
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306
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307 @defun get-buffer buffer-or-name
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308 This function returns the buffer specified by @var{buffer-or-name}.
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309 If @var{buffer-or-name} is a string and there is no buffer with that
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310 name, the value is @code{nil}. If @var{buffer-or-name} is a buffer, it
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311 is returned as given; that is not very useful, so the argument is usually
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312 a name. For example:
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313
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314 @example
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315 @group
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316 (setq b (get-buffer "lewis"))
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317 @result{} #<buffer lewis>
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318 @end group
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319 @group
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320 (get-buffer b)
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321 @result{} #<buffer lewis>
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322 @end group
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323 @group
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324 (get-buffer "Frazzle-nots")
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325 @result{} nil
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326 @end group
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327 @end example
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328
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329 See also the function @code{get-buffer-create} in @ref{Creating Buffers}.
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330 @end defun
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331
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332 @c Emacs 19 feature
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333 @defun generate-new-buffer-name starting-name &rest ignore
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334 This function returns a name that would be unique for a new buffer---but
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335 does not create the buffer. It starts with @var{starting-name}, and
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336 produces a name not currently in use for any buffer by appending a
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337 number inside of @samp{<@dots{}>}.
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338
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339 If the optional second argument @var{ignore} is non-@code{nil}, it
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340 should be a string; it makes a difference if it is a name in the
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341 sequence of names to be tried. That name will be considered acceptable,
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342 if it is tried, even if a buffer with that name exists. Thus, if
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343 buffers named @samp{foo}, @samp{foo<2>}, @samp{foo<3>} and @samp{foo<4>}
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344 exist,
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345
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346 @example
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347 (generate-new-buffer-name "foo")
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348 @result{} "foo<5>"
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349 (generate-new-buffer-name "foo" "foo<3>")
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350 @result{} "foo<3>"
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351 (generate-new-buffer-name "foo" "foo<6>")
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352 @result{} "foo<5>"
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353 @end example
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354
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355 See the related function @code{generate-new-buffer} in @ref{Creating
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356 Buffers}.
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357 @end defun
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358
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359 @node Buffer File Name
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360 @section Buffer File Name
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361 @cindex visited file
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362 @cindex buffer file name
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363 @cindex file name of buffer
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364
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365 The @dfn{buffer file name} is the name of the file that is visited in
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366 that buffer. When a buffer is not visiting a file, its buffer file name
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367 is @code{nil}. Most of the time, the buffer name is the same as the
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368 nondirectory part of the buffer file name, but the buffer file name and
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369 the buffer name are distinct and can be set independently.
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370 @xref{Visiting Files}.
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371
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372 @defun buffer-file-name &optional buffer
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373 This function returns the absolute file name of the file that
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374 @var{buffer} is visiting. If @var{buffer} is not visiting any file,
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375 @code{buffer-file-name} returns @code{nil}. If @var{buffer} is not
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376 supplied, it defaults to the current buffer.
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377
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378 @example
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379 @group
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380 (buffer-file-name (other-buffer))
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381 @result{} "/usr/user/lewis/manual/files.texi"
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382 @end group
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383 @end example
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384 @end defun
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385
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386 @defvar buffer-file-name
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387 This buffer-local variable contains the name of the file being visited
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388 in the current buffer, or @code{nil} if it is not visiting a file. It
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389 is a permanent local variable, unaffected by
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390 @code{kill-all-local-variables}.
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391
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392 @example
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393 @group
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394 buffer-file-name
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395 @result{} "/usr/user/lewis/manual/buffers.texi"
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396 @end group
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397 @end example
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398
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399 It is risky to change this variable's value without doing various other
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400 things. Normally it is better to use @code{set-visited-file-name} (see
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401 below); some of the things done there, such as changing the buffer name,
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402 are not strictly necessary, but others are essential to avoid confusing
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403 Emacs.
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404 @end defvar
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405
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406 @defvar buffer-file-truename
|
|
407 This buffer-local variable holds the truename of the file visited in the
|
|
408 current buffer, or @code{nil} if no file is visited. It is a permanent
|
25950
|
409 local, unaffected by @code{kill-all-local-variables}. @xref{Truenames}.
|
6564
|
410 @end defvar
|
|
411
|
|
412 @defvar buffer-file-number
|
|
413 This buffer-local variable holds the file number and directory device
|
|
414 number of the file visited in the current buffer, or @code{nil} if no
|
|
415 file or a nonexistent file is visited. It is a permanent local,
|
25950
|
416 unaffected by @code{kill-all-local-variables}.
|
6564
|
417
|
|
418 The value is normally a list of the form @code{(@var{filenum}
|
|
419 @var{devnum})}. This pair of numbers uniquely identifies the file among
|
|
420 all files accessible on the system. See the function
|
|
421 @code{file-attributes}, in @ref{File Attributes}, for more information
|
|
422 about them.
|
|
423 @end defvar
|
|
424
|
|
425 @defun get-file-buffer filename
|
|
426 This function returns the buffer visiting file @var{filename}. If
|
|
427 there is no such buffer, it returns @code{nil}. The argument
|
|
428 @var{filename}, which must be a string, is expanded (@pxref{File Name
|
|
429 Expansion}), then compared against the visited file names of all live
|
|
430 buffers.
|
|
431
|
|
432 @example
|
|
433 @group
|
|
434 (get-file-buffer "buffers.texi")
|
|
435 @result{} #<buffer buffers.texi>
|
|
436 @end group
|
|
437 @end example
|
|
438
|
|
439 In unusual circumstances, there can be more than one buffer visiting
|
|
440 the same file name. In such cases, this function returns the first
|
|
441 such buffer in the buffer list.
|
|
442 @end defun
|
|
443
|
22252
|
444 @deffn Command set-visited-file-name filename &optional no-query along-with-file
|
6564
|
445 If @var{filename} is a non-empty string, this function changes the
|
26239
|
446 name of the file visited in the current buffer to @var{filename}. (If the
|
6564
|
447 buffer had no visited file, this gives it one.) The @emph{next time}
|
52137
3c3abdef580e
(Buffer File Name): set-visited-file-name renames the buffer too.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
diff
changeset
|
448 the buffer is saved it will go in the newly-specified file.
|
3c3abdef580e
(Buffer File Name): set-visited-file-name renames the buffer too.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
diff
changeset
|
449
|
3c3abdef580e
(Buffer File Name): set-visited-file-name renames the buffer too.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
diff
changeset
|
450 This command marks the buffer as modified, since it does not (as far
|
3c3abdef580e
(Buffer File Name): set-visited-file-name renames the buffer too.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
diff
changeset
|
451 as Emacs knows) match the contents of @var{filename}, even if it
|
3c3abdef580e
(Buffer File Name): set-visited-file-name renames the buffer too.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
diff
changeset
|
452 matched the former visited file. It also renames the buffer to
|
3c3abdef580e
(Buffer File Name): set-visited-file-name renames the buffer too.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
diff
changeset
|
453 correspond to the new file name, unless the new name is already in
|
3c3abdef580e
(Buffer File Name): set-visited-file-name renames the buffer too.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
diff
changeset
|
454 use.
|
6564
|
455
|
|
456 If @var{filename} is @code{nil} or the empty string, that stands for
|
|
457 ``no visited file''. In this case, @code{set-visited-file-name} marks
|
|
458 the buffer as having no visited file.
|
|
459
|
22252
|
460 Normally, this function asks the user for confirmation if the specified
|
|
461 file already exists. If @var{no-query} is non-@code{nil}, that prevents
|
|
462 asking this question.
|
|
463
|
|
464 If @var{along-with-file} is non-@code{nil}, that means to assume that the
|
|
465 former visited file has been renamed to @var{filename}.
|
|
466
|
6564
|
467 @c Wordy to avoid overfull hbox. --rjc 16mar92
|
|
468 When the function @code{set-visited-file-name} is called interactively, it
|
|
469 prompts for @var{filename} in the minibuffer.
|
|
470 @end deffn
|
|
471
|
|
472 @defvar list-buffers-directory
|
21007
|
473 This buffer-local variable specifies a string to display in a buffer
|
|
474 listing where the visited file name would go, for buffers that don't
|
|
475 have a visited file name. Dired buffers use this variable.
|
6564
|
476 @end defvar
|
|
477
|
|
478 @node Buffer Modification
|
|
479 @section Buffer Modification
|
|
480 @cindex buffer modification
|
|
481 @cindex modification flag (of buffer)
|
|
482
|
|
483 Emacs keeps a flag called the @dfn{modified flag} for each buffer, to
|
|
484 record whether you have changed the text of the buffer. This flag is
|
|
485 set to @code{t} whenever you alter the contents of the buffer, and
|
|
486 cleared to @code{nil} when you save it. Thus, the flag shows whether
|
|
487 there are unsaved changes. The flag value is normally shown in the mode
|
|
488 line (@pxref{Mode Line Variables}), and controls saving (@pxref{Saving
|
|
489 Buffers}) and auto-saving (@pxref{Auto-Saving}).
|
|
490
|
|
491 Some Lisp programs set the flag explicitly. For example, the function
|
|
492 @code{set-visited-file-name} sets the flag to @code{t}, because the text
|
|
493 does not match the newly-visited file, even if it is unchanged from the
|
|
494 file formerly visited.
|
|
495
|
|
496 The functions that modify the contents of buffers are described in
|
|
497 @ref{Text}.
|
|
498
|
|
499 @defun buffer-modified-p &optional buffer
|
|
500 This function returns @code{t} if the buffer @var{buffer} has been modified
|
|
501 since it was last read in from a file or saved, or @code{nil}
|
|
502 otherwise. If @var{buffer} is not supplied, the current buffer
|
|
503 is tested.
|
|
504 @end defun
|
|
505
|
|
506 @defun set-buffer-modified-p flag
|
|
507 This function marks the current buffer as modified if @var{flag} is
|
|
508 non-@code{nil}, or as unmodified if the flag is @code{nil}.
|
|
509
|
|
510 Another effect of calling this function is to cause unconditional
|
|
511 redisplay of the mode line for the current buffer. In fact, the
|
|
512 function @code{force-mode-line-update} works by doing this:
|
|
513
|
|
514 @example
|
|
515 @group
|
|
516 (set-buffer-modified-p (buffer-modified-p))
|
|
517 @end group
|
|
518 @end example
|
|
519 @end defun
|
|
520
|
53421
|
521 @defun restore-buffer-modified-p flag
|
|
522 Like @code{set-buffer-modified-p}, but does not force redisplay
|
|
523 of mode lines.
|
|
524 @end defun
|
|
525
|
6564
|
526 @deffn Command not-modified
|
13229
|
527 This command marks the current buffer as unmodified, and not needing to
|
|
528 be saved. With prefix arg, it marks the buffer as modified, so that it
|
|
529 will be saved at the next suitable occasion.
|
|
530
|
|
531 Don't use this function in programs, since it prints a message in the
|
|
532 echo area; use @code{set-buffer-modified-p} (above) instead.
|
6564
|
533 @end deffn
|
|
534
|
|
535 @c Emacs 19 feature
|
|
536 @defun buffer-modified-tick &optional buffer
|
13229
|
537 This function returns @var{buffer}'s modification-count. This is a
|
6564
|
538 counter that increments every time the buffer is modified. If
|
|
539 @var{buffer} is @code{nil} (or omitted), the current buffer is used.
|
|
540 @end defun
|
|
541
|
|
542 @node Modification Time
|
|
543 @comment node-name, next, previous, up
|
|
544 @section Comparison of Modification Time
|
|
545 @cindex comparison of modification time
|
49600
|
546 @cindex modification time, comparison of
|
6564
|
547
|
|
548 Suppose that you visit a file and make changes in its buffer, and
|
|
549 meanwhile the file itself is changed on disk. At this point, saving the
|
|
550 buffer would overwrite the changes in the file. Occasionally this may
|
|
551 be what you want, but usually it would lose valuable information. Emacs
|
|
552 therefore checks the file's modification time using the functions
|
|
553 described below before saving the file.
|
|
554
|
|
555 @defun verify-visited-file-modtime buffer
|
|
556 This function compares what @var{buffer} has recorded for the
|
|
557 modification time of its visited file against the actual modification
|
|
558 time of the file as recorded by the operating system. The two should be
|
|
559 the same unless some other process has written the file since Emacs
|
|
560 visited or saved it.
|
|
561
|
|
562 The function returns @code{t} if the last actual modification time and
|
|
563 Emacs's recorded modification time are the same, @code{nil} otherwise.
|
|
564 @end defun
|
|
565
|
|
566 @defun clear-visited-file-modtime
|
|
567 This function clears out the record of the last modification time of
|
|
568 the file being visited by the current buffer. As a result, the next
|
|
569 attempt to save this buffer will not complain of a discrepancy in
|
|
570 file modification times.
|
|
571
|
|
572 This function is called in @code{set-visited-file-name} and other
|
|
573 exceptional places where the usual test to avoid overwriting a changed
|
|
574 file should not be done.
|
|
575 @end defun
|
|
576
|
|
577 @c Emacs 19 feature
|
|
578 @defun visited-file-modtime
|
|
579 This function returns the buffer's recorded last file modification time,
|
|
580 as a list of the form @code{(@var{high} . @var{low})}. (This is the
|
|
581 same format that @code{file-attributes} uses to return time values; see
|
|
582 @ref{File Attributes}.)
|
|
583 @end defun
|
|
584
|
|
585 @c Emacs 19 feature
|
|
586 @defun set-visited-file-modtime &optional time
|
|
587 This function updates the buffer's record of the last modification time
|
|
588 of the visited file, to the value specified by @var{time} if @var{time}
|
|
589 is not @code{nil}, and otherwise to the last modification time of the
|
|
590 visited file.
|
|
591
|
|
592 If @var{time} is not @code{nil}, it should have the form
|
|
593 @code{(@var{high} . @var{low})} or @code{(@var{high} @var{low})}, in
|
|
594 either case containing two integers, each of which holds 16 bits of the
|
|
595 time.
|
|
596
|
|
597 This function is useful if the buffer was not read from the file
|
|
598 normally, or if the file itself has been changed for some known benign
|
|
599 reason.
|
|
600 @end defun
|
|
601
|
7677
|
602 @defun ask-user-about-supersession-threat filename
|
6564
|
603 @cindex obsolete buffer
|
|
604 This function is used to ask a user how to proceed after an attempt to
|
7677
|
605 modify an obsolete buffer visiting file @var{filename}. An
|
|
606 @dfn{obsolete buffer} is an unmodified buffer for which the associated
|
|
607 file on disk is newer than the last save-time of the buffer. This means
|
|
608 some other program has probably altered the file.
|
|
609
|
|
610 @kindex file-supersession
|
|
611 Depending on the user's answer, the function may return normally, in
|
|
612 which case the modification of the buffer proceeds, or it may signal a
|
|
613 @code{file-supersession} error with data @code{(@var{filename})}, in which
|
49600
|
614 case the proposed buffer modification is not allowed.
|
6564
|
615
|
|
616 This function is called automatically by Emacs on the proper
|
|
617 occasions. It exists so you can customize Emacs by redefining it.
|
|
618 See the file @file{userlock.el} for the standard definition.
|
|
619
|
|
620 See also the file locking mechanism in @ref{File Locks}.
|
|
621 @end defun
|
|
622
|
|
623 @node Read Only Buffers
|
|
624 @section Read-Only Buffers
|
|
625 @cindex read-only buffer
|
|
626 @cindex buffer, read-only
|
|
627
|
|
628 If a buffer is @dfn{read-only}, then you cannot change its contents,
|
49600
|
629 although you may change your view of the contents by scrolling and
|
6564
|
630 narrowing.
|
|
631
|
|
632 Read-only buffers are used in two kinds of situations:
|
|
633
|
|
634 @itemize @bullet
|
|
635 @item
|
|
636 A buffer visiting a write-protected file is normally read-only.
|
|
637
|
21007
|
638 Here, the purpose is to inform the user that editing the buffer with the
|
6564
|
639 aim of saving it in the file may be futile or undesirable. The user who
|
|
640 wants to change the buffer text despite this can do so after clearing
|
12098
|
641 the read-only flag with @kbd{C-x C-q}.
|
6564
|
642
|
|
643 @item
|
|
644 Modes such as Dired and Rmail make buffers read-only when altering the
|
25751
|
645 contents with the usual editing commands would probably be a mistake.
|
6564
|
646
|
|
647 The special commands of these modes bind @code{buffer-read-only} to
|
|
648 @code{nil} (with @code{let}) or bind @code{inhibit-read-only} to
|
21007
|
649 @code{t} around the places where they themselves change the text.
|
6564
|
650 @end itemize
|
|
651
|
|
652 @defvar buffer-read-only
|
|
653 This buffer-local variable specifies whether the buffer is read-only.
|
|
654 The buffer is read-only if this variable is non-@code{nil}.
|
|
655 @end defvar
|
|
656
|
|
657 @defvar inhibit-read-only
|
|
658 If this variable is non-@code{nil}, then read-only buffers and read-only
|
7677
|
659 characters may be modified. Read-only characters in a buffer are those
|
|
660 that have non-@code{nil} @code{read-only} properties (either text
|
|
661 properties or overlay properties). @xref{Special Properties}, for more
|
|
662 information about text properties. @xref{Overlays}, for more
|
|
663 information about overlays and their properties.
|
6564
|
664
|
7677
|
665 If @code{inhibit-read-only} is @code{t}, all @code{read-only} character
|
|
666 properties have no effect. If @code{inhibit-read-only} is a list, then
|
|
667 @code{read-only} character properties have no effect if they are members
|
|
668 of the list (comparison is done with @code{eq}).
|
6564
|
669 @end defvar
|
|
670
|
|
671 @deffn Command toggle-read-only
|
|
672 This command changes whether the current buffer is read-only. It is
|
25751
|
673 intended for interactive use; do not use it in programs. At any given
|
6564
|
674 point in a program, you should know whether you want the read-only flag
|
|
675 on or off; so you can set @code{buffer-read-only} explicitly to the
|
|
676 proper value, @code{t} or @code{nil}.
|
|
677 @end deffn
|
|
678
|
|
679 @defun barf-if-buffer-read-only
|
|
680 This function signals a @code{buffer-read-only} error if the current
|
|
681 buffer is read-only. @xref{Interactive Call}, for another way to
|
|
682 signal an error if the current buffer is read-only.
|
|
683 @end defun
|
|
684
|
|
685 @node The Buffer List
|
|
686 @section The Buffer List
|
|
687 @cindex buffer list
|
|
688
|
|
689 The @dfn{buffer list} is a list of all live buffers. Creating a
|
50466
|
690 buffer adds it to this list, and killing a buffer removes it. The
|
|
691 order of the buffers in the list is based primarily on how recently
|
|
692 each buffer has been displayed in the selected window. Buffers move
|
|
693 to the front of the list when they are selected (selecting a window
|
|
694 that already displays the buffer counts as selecting the buffer), and
|
|
695 to the end when they are buried (see @code{bury-buffer}, below).
|
|
696 Several functions, notably @code{other-buffer}, use this ordering. A
|
|
697 buffer list displayed for the user also follows this order.
|
6564
|
698
|
21682
|
699 In addition to the fundamental Emacs buffer list, each frame has its
|
|
700 own version of the buffer list, in which the buffers that have been
|
|
701 selected in that frame come first, starting with the buffers most
|
|
702 recently selected @emph{in that frame}. (This order is recorded in
|
|
703 @var{frame}'s @code{buffer-list} frame parameter; see @ref{Window Frame
|
|
704 Parameters}.) The buffers that were never selected in @var{frame} come
|
|
705 afterward, ordered according to the fundamental Emacs buffer list.
|
21007
|
706
|
21682
|
707 @defun buffer-list &optional frame
|
|
708 This function returns the buffer list, including all buffers, even those
|
|
709 whose names begin with a space. The elements are actual buffers, not
|
|
710 their names.
|
|
711
|
|
712 If @var{frame} is a frame, this returns @var{frame}'s buffer list. If
|
|
713 @var{frame} is @code{nil}, the fundamental Emacs buffer list is used:
|
|
714 all the buffers appear in order of most recent selection, regardless of
|
|
715 which frames they were selected in.
|
21007
|
716
|
6564
|
717 @example
|
|
718 @group
|
|
719 (buffer-list)
|
|
720 @result{} (#<buffer buffers.texi>
|
|
721 #<buffer *Minibuf-1*> #<buffer buffer.c>
|
|
722 #<buffer *Help*> #<buffer TAGS>)
|
|
723 @end group
|
|
724
|
|
725 @group
|
|
726 ;; @r{Note that the name of the minibuffer}
|
|
727 ;; @r{begins with a space!}
|
|
728 (mapcar (function buffer-name) (buffer-list))
|
49600
|
729 @result{} ("buffers.texi" " *Minibuf-1*"
|
6564
|
730 "buffer.c" "*Help*" "TAGS")
|
|
731 @end group
|
|
732 @end example
|
15862
|
733 @end defun
|
6564
|
734
|
15862
|
735 The list that @code{buffer-list} returns is constructed specifically
|
|
736 by @code{buffer-list}; it is not an internal Emacs data structure, and
|
|
737 modifying it has no effect on the order of buffers. If you want to
|
21007
|
738 change the order of buffers in the frame-independent buffer list, here
|
|
739 is an easy way:
|
15862
|
740
|
|
741 @example
|
|
742 (defun reorder-buffer-list (new-list)
|
|
743 (while new-list
|
|
744 (bury-buffer (car new-list))
|
|
745 (setq new-list (cdr new-list))))
|
|
746 @end example
|
|
747
|
|
748 With this method, you can specify any order for the list, but there is
|
|
749 no danger of losing a buffer or adding something that is not a valid
|
|
750 live buffer.
|
6564
|
751
|
21007
|
752 To change the order or value of a frame's buffer list, set the frame's
|
|
753 @code{buffer-list} frame parameter with @code{modify-frame-parameters}
|
|
754 (@pxref{Parameter Access}).
|
|
755
|
22252
|
756 @defun other-buffer &optional buffer visible-ok frame
|
6564
|
757 This function returns the first buffer in the buffer list other than
|
22252
|
758 @var{buffer}. Usually this is the buffer selected most recently (in
|
39403
f242022750ee
(The Buffer List): Add cross-references to the definition of selected frame.
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
diff
changeset
|
759 frame @var{frame} or else the currently selected frame, @pxref{Input
|
f242022750ee
(The Buffer List): Add cross-references to the definition of selected frame.
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
diff
changeset
|
760 Focus}), aside from @var{buffer}. Buffers whose names start with a
|
f242022750ee
(The Buffer List): Add cross-references to the definition of selected frame.
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
diff
changeset
|
761 space are not considered at all.
|
6564
|
762
|
13247
|
763 If @var{buffer} is not supplied (or if it is not a buffer), then
|
21007
|
764 @code{other-buffer} returns the first buffer in the selected frame's
|
|
765 buffer list that is not now visible in any window in a visible frame.
|
6564
|
766
|
22252
|
767 If @var{frame} has a non-@code{nil} @code{buffer-predicate} parameter,
|
|
768 then @code{other-buffer} uses that predicate to decide which buffers to
|
|
769 consider. It calls the predicate once for each buffer, and if the value
|
|
770 is @code{nil}, that buffer is ignored. @xref{Window Frame Parameters}.
|
12067
|
771
|
6564
|
772 @c Emacs 19 feature
|
|
773 If @var{visible-ok} is @code{nil}, @code{other-buffer} avoids returning
|
|
774 a buffer visible in any window on any visible frame, except as a last
|
|
775 resort. If @var{visible-ok} is non-@code{nil}, then it does not matter
|
|
776 whether a buffer is displayed somewhere or not.
|
|
777
|
|
778 If no suitable buffer exists, the buffer @samp{*scratch*} is returned
|
|
779 (and created, if necessary).
|
|
780 @end defun
|
|
781
|
|
782 @deffn Command bury-buffer &optional buffer-or-name
|
21007
|
783 This function puts @var{buffer-or-name} at the end of the buffer list,
|
6564
|
784 without changing the order of any of the other buffers on the list.
|
|
785 This buffer therefore becomes the least desirable candidate for
|
|
786 @code{other-buffer} to return.
|
|
787
|
21007
|
788 @code{bury-buffer} operates on each frame's @code{buffer-list} parameter
|
|
789 as well as the frame-independent Emacs buffer list; therefore, the
|
|
790 buffer that you bury will come last in the value of @code{(buffer-list
|
|
791 @var{frame})} and in the value of @code{(buffer-list nil)}.
|
|
792
|
7677
|
793 If @var{buffer-or-name} is @code{nil} or omitted, this means to bury the
|
|
794 current buffer. In addition, if the buffer is displayed in the selected
|
|
795 window, this switches to some other buffer (obtained using
|
|
796 @code{other-buffer}) in the selected window. But if the buffer is
|
|
797 displayed in some other window, it remains displayed there.
|
6564
|
798
|
21007
|
799 To replace a buffer in all the windows that display it, use
|
6564
|
800 @code{replace-buffer-in-windows}. @xref{Buffers and Windows}.
|
|
801 @end deffn
|
|
802
|
|
803 @node Creating Buffers
|
|
804 @section Creating Buffers
|
|
805 @cindex creating buffers
|
|
806 @cindex buffers, creating
|
|
807
|
|
808 This section describes the two primitives for creating buffers.
|
7677
|
809 @code{get-buffer-create} creates a buffer if it finds no existing buffer
|
|
810 with the specified name; @code{generate-new-buffer} always creates a new
|
|
811 buffer and gives it a unique name.
|
6564
|
812
|
|
813 Other functions you can use to create buffers include
|
|
814 @code{with-output-to-temp-buffer} (@pxref{Temporary Displays}) and
|
|
815 @code{create-file-buffer} (@pxref{Visiting Files}). Starting a
|
|
816 subprocess can also create a buffer (@pxref{Processes}).
|
|
817
|
|
818 @defun get-buffer-create name
|
|
819 This function returns a buffer named @var{name}. It returns an existing
|
|
820 buffer with that name, if one exists; otherwise, it creates a new
|
|
821 buffer. The buffer does not become the current buffer---this function
|
|
822 does not change which buffer is current.
|
|
823
|
|
824 An error is signaled if @var{name} is not a string.
|
|
825
|
|
826 @example
|
|
827 @group
|
|
828 (get-buffer-create "foo")
|
|
829 @result{} #<buffer foo>
|
|
830 @end group
|
|
831 @end example
|
|
832
|
12067
|
833 The major mode for the new buffer is set to Fundamental mode. The
|
|
834 variable @code{default-major-mode} is handled at a higher level.
|
|
835 @xref{Auto Major Mode}.
|
6564
|
836 @end defun
|
|
837
|
|
838 @defun generate-new-buffer name
|
|
839 This function returns a newly created, empty buffer, but does not make
|
|
840 it current. If there is no buffer named @var{name}, then that is the
|
|
841 name of the new buffer. If that name is in use, this function adds
|
7677
|
842 suffixes of the form @samp{<@var{n}>} to @var{name}, where @var{n} is an
|
|
843 integer. It tries successive integers starting with 2 until it finds an
|
|
844 available name.
|
6564
|
845
|
|
846 An error is signaled if @var{name} is not a string.
|
|
847
|
|
848 @example
|
|
849 @group
|
|
850 (generate-new-buffer "bar")
|
|
851 @result{} #<buffer bar>
|
|
852 @end group
|
|
853 @group
|
|
854 (generate-new-buffer "bar")
|
|
855 @result{} #<buffer bar<2>>
|
|
856 @end group
|
|
857 @group
|
|
858 (generate-new-buffer "bar")
|
|
859 @result{} #<buffer bar<3>>
|
|
860 @end group
|
|
861 @end example
|
|
862
|
12067
|
863 The major mode for the new buffer is set to Fundamental mode. The
|
|
864 variable @code{default-major-mode} is handled at a higher level.
|
|
865 @xref{Auto Major Mode}.
|
6564
|
866
|
|
867 See the related function @code{generate-new-buffer-name} in @ref{Buffer
|
|
868 Names}.
|
|
869 @end defun
|
|
870
|
|
871 @node Killing Buffers
|
|
872 @section Killing Buffers
|
|
873 @cindex killing buffers
|
|
874 @cindex buffers, killing
|
|
875
|
|
876 @dfn{Killing a buffer} makes its name unknown to Emacs and makes its
|
7677
|
877 text space available for other use.
|
6564
|
878
|
7677
|
879 The buffer object for the buffer that has been killed remains in
|
6564
|
880 existence as long as anything refers to it, but it is specially marked
|
|
881 so that you cannot make it current or display it. Killed buffers retain
|
25751
|
882 their identity, however; if you kill two distinct buffers, they remain
|
|
883 distinct according to @code{eq} although both are dead.
|
6564
|
884
|
|
885 If you kill a buffer that is current or displayed in a window, Emacs
|
|
886 automatically selects or displays some other buffer instead. This means
|
|
887 that killing a buffer can in general change the current buffer.
|
|
888 Therefore, when you kill a buffer, you should also take the precautions
|
|
889 associated with changing the current buffer (unless you happen to know
|
|
890 that the buffer being killed isn't current). @xref{Current Buffer}.
|
|
891
|
12098
|
892 If you kill a buffer that is the base buffer of one or more indirect
|
|
893 buffers, the indirect buffers are automatically killed as well.
|
|
894
|
6564
|
895 The @code{buffer-name} of a killed buffer is @code{nil}. You can use
|
|
896 this feature to test whether a buffer has been killed:
|
|
897
|
|
898 @example
|
|
899 @group
|
|
900 (defun buffer-killed-p (buffer)
|
|
901 "Return t if BUFFER is killed."
|
|
902 (not (buffer-name buffer)))
|
|
903 @end group
|
|
904 @end example
|
|
905
|
|
906 @deffn Command kill-buffer buffer-or-name
|
|
907 This function kills the buffer @var{buffer-or-name}, freeing all its
|
13229
|
908 memory for other uses or to be returned to the operating system. It
|
|
909 returns @code{nil}.
|
6564
|
910
|
|
911 Any processes that have this buffer as the @code{process-buffer} are
|
|
912 sent the @code{SIGHUP} signal, which normally causes them to terminate.
|
|
913 (The basic meaning of @code{SIGHUP} is that a dialup line has been
|
44346
|
914 disconnected.) @xref{Signals to Processes}.
|
6564
|
915
|
|
916 If the buffer is visiting a file and contains unsaved changes,
|
|
917 @code{kill-buffer} asks the user to confirm before the buffer is killed.
|
|
918 It does this even if not called interactively. To prevent the request
|
|
919 for confirmation, clear the modified flag before calling
|
|
920 @code{kill-buffer}. @xref{Buffer Modification}.
|
|
921
|
|
922 Killing a buffer that is already dead has no effect.
|
|
923
|
|
924 @smallexample
|
|
925 (kill-buffer "foo.unchanged")
|
|
926 @result{} nil
|
|
927 (kill-buffer "foo.changed")
|
|
928
|
|
929 ---------- Buffer: Minibuffer ----------
|
|
930 Buffer foo.changed modified; kill anyway? (yes or no) @kbd{yes}
|
|
931 ---------- Buffer: Minibuffer ----------
|
|
932
|
|
933 @result{} nil
|
|
934 @end smallexample
|
|
935 @end deffn
|
|
936
|
7542
|
937 @defvar kill-buffer-query-functions
|
|
938 After confirming unsaved changes, @code{kill-buffer} calls the functions
|
|
939 in the list @code{kill-buffer-query-functions}, in order of appearance,
|
|
940 with no arguments. The buffer being killed is the current buffer when
|
25751
|
941 they are called. The idea of this feature is that these functions will
|
|
942 ask for confirmation from the user. If any of them returns @code{nil},
|
|
943 @code{kill-buffer} spares the buffer's life.
|
7542
|
944 @end defvar
|
|
945
|
|
946 @defvar kill-buffer-hook
|
|
947 This is a normal hook run by @code{kill-buffer} after asking all the
|
|
948 questions it is going to ask, just before actually killing the buffer.
|
|
949 The buffer to be killed is current when the hook functions run.
|
51925
|
950 @xref{Hooks}. This variable is a permanent local, so its local binding
|
|
951 is not cleared by changing major modes.
|
7542
|
952 @end defvar
|
|
953
|
|
954 @defvar buffer-offer-save
|
|
955 This variable, if non-@code{nil} in a particular buffer, tells
|
|
956 @code{save-buffers-kill-emacs} and @code{save-some-buffers} to offer to
|
|
957 save that buffer, just as they offer to save file-visiting buffers. The
|
|
958 variable @code{buffer-offer-save} automatically becomes buffer-local
|
|
959 when set for any reason. @xref{Buffer-Local Variables}.
|
|
960 @end defvar
|
|
961
|
53421
|
962 @defun buffer-live-p buffer
|
|
963 This function returns @code{t} if @var{object} is a buffer which has
|
|
964 not been killed, @code{nil} otherwise.
|
|
965 @end defun
|
|
966
|
12067
|
967 @node Indirect Buffers
|
|
968 @section Indirect Buffers
|
|
969 @cindex indirect buffers
|
|
970 @cindex base buffer
|
6564
|
971
|
12067
|
972 An @dfn{indirect buffer} shares the text of some other buffer, which
|
|
973 is called the @dfn{base buffer} of the indirect buffer. In some ways it
|
12098
|
974 is the analogue, for buffers, of a symbolic link among files. The base
|
12067
|
975 buffer may not itself be an indirect buffer.
|
6564
|
976
|
12067
|
977 The text of the indirect buffer is always identical to the text of its
|
|
978 base buffer; changes made by editing either one are visible immediately
|
|
979 in the other. This includes the text properties as well as the characters
|
|
980 themselves.
|
6564
|
981
|
25751
|
982 In all other respects, the indirect buffer and its base buffer are
|
12067
|
983 completely separate. They have different names, different values of
|
|
984 point, different narrowing, different markers and overlays (though
|
|
985 inserting or deleting text in either buffer relocates the markers and
|
21682
|
986 overlays for both), different major modes, and different buffer-local
|
12067
|
987 variables.
|
6564
|
988
|
12067
|
989 An indirect buffer cannot visit a file, but its base buffer can. If
|
25751
|
990 you try to save the indirect buffer, that actually saves the base
|
|
991 buffer.
|
6564
|
992
|
12067
|
993 Killing an indirect buffer has no effect on its base buffer. Killing
|
|
994 the base buffer effectively kills the indirect buffer in that it cannot
|
|
995 ever again be the current buffer.
|
6564
|
996
|
12067
|
997 @deffn Command make-indirect-buffer base-buffer name
|
|
998 This creates an indirect buffer named @var{name} whose base buffer
|
|
999 is @var{base-buffer}. The argument @var{base-buffer} may be a buffer
|
|
1000 or a string.
|
49600
|
1001
|
12067
|
1002 If @var{base-buffer} is an indirect buffer, its base buffer is used as
|
|
1003 the base for the new buffer.
|
|
1004 @end deffn
|
6564
|
1005
|
12067
|
1006 @defun buffer-base-buffer buffer
|
|
1007 This function returns the base buffer of @var{buffer}. If @var{buffer}
|
|
1008 is not indirect, the value is @code{nil}. Otherwise, the value is
|
|
1009 another buffer, which is never an indirect buffer.
|
6564
|
1010 @end defun
|
|
1011
|
24951
|
1012 @node Buffer Gap
|
|
1013 @section The Buffer Gap
|
|
1014
|
|
1015 Emacs buffers are implemented using an invisible @dfn{gap} to make
|
|
1016 insertion and deletion faster. Insertion works by filling in part of
|
|
1017 the gap, and deletion adds to the gap. Of course, this means that the
|
|
1018 gap must first be moved to the locus of the insertion or deletion.
|
|
1019 Emacs moves the gap only when you try to insert or delete. This is why
|
|
1020 your first editing command in one part of a large buffer, after
|
|
1021 previously editing in another far-away part, sometimes involves a
|
|
1022 noticeable delay.
|
|
1023
|
|
1024 This mechanism works invisibly, and Lisp code should never be affected
|
|
1025 by the gap's current location, but these functions are available for
|
|
1026 getting information about the gap status.
|
|
1027
|
|
1028 @defun gap-position
|
|
1029 This function returns the current gap position in the current buffer.
|
|
1030 @end defun
|
|
1031
|
|
1032 @defun gap-size
|
|
1033 This function returns the current gap size of the current buffer.
|
|
1034 @end defun
|
52401
|
1035
|
|
1036 @ignore
|
|
1037 arch-tag: 2e53cfab-5691-41f6-b5a8-9c6a3462399c
|
|
1038 @end ignore
|