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annotate lispref/streams.texi @ 29157:f0754aea38e3
(iso-8859-8-e, iso-8859-8-i): For now, just
aliases for hebrew-iso-8bit.
author | Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org> |
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date | Wed, 24 May 2000 16:03:39 +0000 |
parents | d2e5f1b7d8e2 |
children | 540143cd8527 |
rev | line source |
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6381 | 1 @c -*-texinfo-*- |
2 @c This is part of the GNU Emacs Lisp Reference Manual. | |
27189 | 3 @c Copyright (C) 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1998, 1999 |
4 @c Free Software Foundation, Inc. | |
6381 | 5 @c See the file elisp.texi for copying conditions. |
6 @setfilename ../info/streams | |
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7 @node Read and Print, Minibuffers, Debugging, Top |
6381 | 8 @comment node-name, next, previous, up |
9 @chapter Reading and Printing Lisp Objects | |
10 | |
11 @dfn{Printing} and @dfn{reading} are the operations of converting Lisp | |
12 objects to textual form and vice versa. They use the printed | |
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13 representations and read syntax described in @ref{Lisp Data Types}. |
6381 | 14 |
15 This chapter describes the Lisp functions for reading and printing. | |
16 It also describes @dfn{streams}, which specify where to get the text (if | |
17 reading) or where to put it (if printing). | |
18 | |
19 @menu | |
20 * Streams Intro:: Overview of streams, reading and printing. | |
21 * Input Streams:: Various data types that can be used as input streams. | |
22 * Input Functions:: Functions to read Lisp objects from text. | |
23 * Output Streams:: Various data types that can be used as output streams. | |
24 * Output Functions:: Functions to print Lisp objects as text. | |
25 * Output Variables:: Variables that control what the printing functions do. | |
26 @end menu | |
27 | |
28 @node Streams Intro | |
29 @section Introduction to Reading and Printing | |
30 @cindex Lisp reader | |
31 @cindex printing | |
32 @cindex reading | |
33 | |
34 @dfn{Reading} a Lisp object means parsing a Lisp expression in textual | |
35 form and producing a corresponding Lisp object. This is how Lisp | |
36 programs get into Lisp from files of Lisp code. We call the text the | |
37 @dfn{read syntax} of the object. For example, the text @samp{(a .@: 5)} | |
38 is the read syntax for a cons cell whose @sc{car} is @code{a} and whose | |
39 @sc{cdr} is the number 5. | |
40 | |
41 @dfn{Printing} a Lisp object means producing text that represents that | |
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42 object---converting the object to its @dfn{printed representation} |
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43 (@pxref{Printed Representation}). Printing the cons cell described |
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44 above produces the text @samp{(a .@: 5)}. |
6381 | 45 |
46 Reading and printing are more or less inverse operations: printing the | |
47 object that results from reading a given piece of text often produces | |
48 the same text, and reading the text that results from printing an object | |
49 usually produces a similar-looking object. For example, printing the | |
50 symbol @code{foo} produces the text @samp{foo}, and reading that text | |
51 returns the symbol @code{foo}. Printing a list whose elements are | |
52 @code{a} and @code{b} produces the text @samp{(a b)}, and reading that | |
7219 | 53 text produces a list (but not the same list) with elements @code{a} |
6381 | 54 and @code{b}. |
55 | |
25875 | 56 However, these two operations are not precisely inverse to each other. |
57 There are three kinds of exceptions: | |
6381 | 58 |
59 @itemize @bullet | |
60 @item | |
61 Printing can produce text that cannot be read. For example, buffers, | |
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62 windows, frames, subprocesses and markers print as text that starts |
6381 | 63 with @samp{#}; if you try to read this text, you get an error. There is |
64 no way to read those data types. | |
65 | |
66 @item | |
67 One object can have multiple textual representations. For example, | |
68 @samp{1} and @samp{01} represent the same integer, and @samp{(a b)} and | |
69 @samp{(a .@: (b))} represent the same list. Reading will accept any of | |
70 the alternatives, but printing must choose one of them. | |
12098 | 71 |
72 @item | |
73 Comments can appear at certain points in the middle of an object's | |
74 read sequence without affecting the result of reading it. | |
6381 | 75 @end itemize |
76 | |
77 @node Input Streams | |
78 @section Input Streams | |
79 @cindex stream (for reading) | |
80 @cindex input stream | |
81 | |
82 Most of the Lisp functions for reading text take an @dfn{input stream} | |
83 as an argument. The input stream specifies where or how to get the | |
84 characters of the text to be read. Here are the possible types of input | |
85 stream: | |
86 | |
87 @table @asis | |
88 @item @var{buffer} | |
89 @cindex buffer input stream | |
90 The input characters are read from @var{buffer}, starting with the | |
91 character directly after point. Point advances as characters are read. | |
92 | |
93 @item @var{marker} | |
94 @cindex marker input stream | |
95 The input characters are read from the buffer that @var{marker} is in, | |
96 starting with the character directly after the marker. The marker | |
97 position advances as characters are read. The value of point in the | |
98 buffer has no effect when the stream is a marker. | |
99 | |
100 @item @var{string} | |
101 @cindex string input stream | |
102 The input characters are taken from @var{string}, starting at the first | |
103 character in the string and using as many characters as required. | |
104 | |
105 @item @var{function} | |
106 @cindex function input stream | |
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107 The input characters are generated by @var{function}, which must support |
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108 two kinds of calls: |
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109 |
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110 @itemize @bullet |
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111 @item |
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112 When it is called with no arguments, it should return the next character. |
6381 | 113 |
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114 @item |
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115 When it is called with one argument (always a character), @var{function} |
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116 should save the argument and arrange to return it on the next call. |
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117 This is called @dfn{unreading} the character; it happens when the Lisp |
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118 reader reads one character too many and wants to ``put it back where it |
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119 came from''. In this case, it makes no difference what value |
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120 @var{function} returns. |
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121 @end itemize |
6381 | 122 |
123 @item @code{t} | |
124 @cindex @code{t} input stream | |
125 @code{t} used as a stream means that the input is read from the | |
126 minibuffer. In fact, the minibuffer is invoked once and the text | |
127 given by the user is made into a string that is then used as the | |
128 input stream. | |
129 | |
130 @item @code{nil} | |
131 @cindex @code{nil} input stream | |
132 @code{nil} supplied as an input stream means to use the value of | |
133 @code{standard-input} instead; that value is the @dfn{default input | |
134 stream}, and must be a non-@code{nil} input stream. | |
135 | |
136 @item @var{symbol} | |
137 A symbol as input stream is equivalent to the symbol's function | |
138 definition (if any). | |
139 @end table | |
140 | |
7219 | 141 Here is an example of reading from a stream that is a buffer, showing |
6381 | 142 where point is located before and after: |
143 | |
144 @example | |
145 @group | |
146 ---------- Buffer: foo ---------- | |
147 This@point{} is the contents of foo. | |
148 ---------- Buffer: foo ---------- | |
149 @end group | |
150 | |
151 @group | |
152 (read (get-buffer "foo")) | |
153 @result{} is | |
154 @end group | |
155 @group | |
156 (read (get-buffer "foo")) | |
157 @result{} the | |
158 @end group | |
159 | |
160 @group | |
161 ---------- Buffer: foo ---------- | |
162 This is the@point{} contents of foo. | |
163 ---------- Buffer: foo ---------- | |
164 @end group | |
165 @end example | |
166 | |
167 @noindent | |
7219 | 168 Note that the first read skips a space. Reading skips any amount of |
169 whitespace preceding the significant text. | |
6381 | 170 |
171 Here is an example of reading from a stream that is a marker, | |
7219 | 172 initially positioned at the beginning of the buffer shown. The value |
6381 | 173 read is the symbol @code{This}. |
174 | |
175 @example | |
176 @group | |
177 | |
178 ---------- Buffer: foo ---------- | |
179 This is the contents of foo. | |
180 ---------- Buffer: foo ---------- | |
181 @end group | |
182 | |
183 @group | |
184 (setq m (set-marker (make-marker) 1 (get-buffer "foo"))) | |
185 @result{} #<marker at 1 in foo> | |
186 @end group | |
187 @group | |
188 (read m) | |
189 @result{} This | |
190 @end group | |
191 @group | |
192 m | |
7219 | 193 @result{} #<marker at 5 in foo> ;; @r{Before the first space.} |
6381 | 194 @end group |
195 @end example | |
196 | |
197 Here we read from the contents of a string: | |
198 | |
199 @example | |
200 @group | |
201 (read "(When in) the course") | |
202 @result{} (When in) | |
203 @end group | |
204 @end example | |
205 | |
206 The following example reads from the minibuffer. The | |
207 prompt is: @w{@samp{Lisp expression: }}. (That is always the prompt | |
208 used when you read from the stream @code{t}.) The user's input is shown | |
209 following the prompt. | |
210 | |
211 @example | |
212 @group | |
213 (read t) | |
214 @result{} 23 | |
215 ---------- Buffer: Minibuffer ---------- | |
216 Lisp expression: @kbd{23 @key{RET}} | |
217 ---------- Buffer: Minibuffer ---------- | |
218 @end group | |
219 @end example | |
220 | |
221 Finally, here is an example of a stream that is a function, named | |
222 @code{useless-stream}. Before we use the stream, we initialize the | |
223 variable @code{useless-list} to a list of characters. Then each call to | |
7219 | 224 the function @code{useless-stream} obtains the next character in the list |
6381 | 225 or unreads a character by adding it to the front of the list. |
226 | |
227 @example | |
228 @group | |
229 (setq useless-list (append "XY()" nil)) | |
230 @result{} (88 89 40 41) | |
231 @end group | |
232 | |
233 @group | |
234 (defun useless-stream (&optional unread) | |
235 (if unread | |
236 (setq useless-list (cons unread useless-list)) | |
237 (prog1 (car useless-list) | |
238 (setq useless-list (cdr useless-list))))) | |
239 @result{} useless-stream | |
240 @end group | |
241 @end example | |
242 | |
243 @noindent | |
244 Now we read using the stream thus constructed: | |
245 | |
246 @example | |
247 @group | |
248 (read 'useless-stream) | |
249 @result{} XY | |
250 @end group | |
251 | |
252 @group | |
253 useless-list | |
7219 | 254 @result{} (40 41) |
6381 | 255 @end group |
256 @end example | |
257 | |
258 @noindent | |
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259 Note that the open and close parentheses remain in the list. The Lisp |
7219 | 260 reader encountered the open parenthesis, decided that it ended the |
261 input, and unread it. Another attempt to read from the stream at this | |
262 point would read @samp{()} and return @code{nil}. | |
6381 | 263 |
264 @defun get-file-char | |
265 This function is used internally as an input stream to read from the | |
266 input file opened by the function @code{load}. Don't use this function | |
267 yourself. | |
268 @end defun | |
269 | |
270 @node Input Functions | |
271 @section Input Functions | |
272 | |
273 This section describes the Lisp functions and variables that pertain | |
274 to reading. | |
275 | |
276 In the functions below, @var{stream} stands for an input stream (see | |
277 the previous section). If @var{stream} is @code{nil} or omitted, it | |
278 defaults to the value of @code{standard-input}. | |
279 | |
280 @kindex end-of-file | |
281 An @code{end-of-file} error is signaled if reading encounters an | |
7219 | 282 unterminated list, vector, or string. |
6381 | 283 |
284 @defun read &optional stream | |
285 This function reads one textual Lisp expression from @var{stream}, | |
286 returning it as a Lisp object. This is the basic Lisp input function. | |
287 @end defun | |
288 | |
289 @defun read-from-string string &optional start end | |
290 @cindex string to object | |
291 This function reads the first textual Lisp expression from the text in | |
292 @var{string}. It returns a cons cell whose @sc{car} is that expression, | |
293 and whose @sc{cdr} is an integer giving the position of the next | |
294 remaining character in the string (i.e., the first one not read). | |
295 | |
7219 | 296 If @var{start} is supplied, then reading begins at index @var{start} in |
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297 the string (where the first character is at index 0). If you specify |
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298 @var{end}, then reading is forced to stop just before that index, as if |
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299 the rest of the string were not there. |
6381 | 300 |
301 For example: | |
302 | |
303 @example | |
304 @group | |
305 (read-from-string "(setq x 55) (setq y 5)") | |
306 @result{} ((setq x 55) . 11) | |
307 @end group | |
308 @group | |
309 (read-from-string "\"A short string\"") | |
310 @result{} ("A short string" . 16) | |
311 @end group | |
312 | |
313 @group | |
314 ;; @r{Read starting at the first character.} | |
315 (read-from-string "(list 112)" 0) | |
316 @result{} ((list 112) . 10) | |
317 @end group | |
318 @group | |
319 ;; @r{Read starting at the second character.} | |
320 (read-from-string "(list 112)" 1) | |
7219 | 321 @result{} (list . 5) |
6381 | 322 @end group |
323 @group | |
324 ;; @r{Read starting at the seventh character,} | |
325 ;; @r{and stopping at the ninth.} | |
326 (read-from-string "(list 112)" 6 8) | |
327 @result{} (11 . 8) | |
328 @end group | |
329 @end example | |
330 @end defun | |
331 | |
332 @defvar standard-input | |
333 This variable holds the default input stream---the stream that | |
334 @code{read} uses when the @var{stream} argument is @code{nil}. | |
335 @end defvar | |
336 | |
337 @node Output Streams | |
338 @section Output Streams | |
339 @cindex stream (for printing) | |
340 @cindex output stream | |
341 | |
342 An output stream specifies what to do with the characters produced | |
343 by printing. Most print functions accept an output stream as an | |
344 optional argument. Here are the possible types of output stream: | |
345 | |
346 @table @asis | |
347 @item @var{buffer} | |
348 @cindex buffer output stream | |
349 The output characters are inserted into @var{buffer} at point. | |
350 Point advances as characters are inserted. | |
351 | |
352 @item @var{marker} | |
353 @cindex marker output stream | |
354 The output characters are inserted into the buffer that @var{marker} | |
7219 | 355 points into, at the marker position. The marker position advances as |
6381 | 356 characters are inserted. The value of point in the buffer has no effect |
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357 on printing when the stream is a marker, and this kind of printing |
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358 does not move point. |
6381 | 359 |
360 @item @var{function} | |
361 @cindex function output stream | |
362 The output characters are passed to @var{function}, which is responsible | |
363 for storing them away. It is called with a single character as | |
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364 argument, as many times as there are characters to be output, and |
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365 is responsible for storing the characters wherever you want to put them. |
6381 | 366 |
367 @item @code{t} | |
368 @cindex @code{t} output stream | |
369 The output characters are displayed in the echo area. | |
370 | |
371 @item @code{nil} | |
372 @cindex @code{nil} output stream | |
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373 @code{nil} specified as an output stream means to use the value of |
6381 | 374 @code{standard-output} instead; that value is the @dfn{default output |
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375 stream}, and must not be @code{nil}. |
6381 | 376 |
377 @item @var{symbol} | |
378 A symbol as output stream is equivalent to the symbol's function | |
379 definition (if any). | |
380 @end table | |
381 | |
7219 | 382 Many of the valid output streams are also valid as input streams. The |
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383 difference between input and output streams is therefore more a matter |
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384 of how you use a Lisp object, than of different types of object. |
7219 | 385 |
6381 | 386 Here is an example of a buffer used as an output stream. Point is |
387 initially located as shown immediately before the @samp{h} in | |
388 @samp{the}. At the end, point is located directly before that same | |
389 @samp{h}. | |
390 | |
391 @cindex print example | |
392 @example | |
393 @group | |
394 ---------- Buffer: foo ---------- | |
395 This is t@point{}he contents of foo. | |
396 ---------- Buffer: foo ---------- | |
397 @end group | |
398 | |
399 (print "This is the output" (get-buffer "foo")) | |
400 @result{} "This is the output" | |
401 | |
402 @group | |
403 ---------- Buffer: foo ---------- | |
404 This is t | |
405 "This is the output" | |
406 @point{}he contents of foo. | |
407 ---------- Buffer: foo ---------- | |
408 @end group | |
409 @end example | |
410 | |
411 Now we show a use of a marker as an output stream. Initially, the | |
7219 | 412 marker is in buffer @code{foo}, between the @samp{t} and the @samp{h} in |
413 the word @samp{the}. At the end, the marker has advanced over the | |
414 inserted text so that it remains positioned before the same @samp{h}. | |
415 Note that the location of point, shown in the usual fashion, has no | |
416 effect. | |
6381 | 417 |
418 @example | |
419 @group | |
420 ---------- Buffer: foo ---------- | |
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421 This is the @point{}output |
6381 | 422 ---------- Buffer: foo ---------- |
423 @end group | |
424 | |
425 @group | |
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426 (setq m (copy-marker 10)) |
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427 @result{} #<marker at 10 in foo> |
6381 | 428 @end group |
429 | |
430 @group | |
431 (print "More output for foo." m) | |
432 @result{} "More output for foo." | |
433 @end group | |
434 | |
435 @group | |
436 ---------- Buffer: foo ---------- | |
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437 This is t |
6381 | 438 "More output for foo." |
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439 he @point{}output |
6381 | 440 ---------- Buffer: foo ---------- |
441 @end group | |
442 | |
443 @group | |
444 m | |
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445 @result{} #<marker at 34 in foo> |
6381 | 446 @end group |
447 @end example | |
448 | |
449 The following example shows output to the echo area: | |
450 | |
451 @example | |
452 @group | |
453 (print "Echo Area output" t) | |
454 @result{} "Echo Area output" | |
455 ---------- Echo Area ---------- | |
456 "Echo Area output" | |
457 ---------- Echo Area ---------- | |
458 @end group | |
459 @end example | |
460 | |
461 Finally, we show the use of a function as an output stream. The | |
462 function @code{eat-output} takes each character that it is given and | |
463 conses it onto the front of the list @code{last-output} (@pxref{Building | |
464 Lists}). At the end, the list contains all the characters output, but | |
465 in reverse order. | |
466 | |
467 @example | |
468 @group | |
469 (setq last-output nil) | |
470 @result{} nil | |
471 @end group | |
472 | |
473 @group | |
474 (defun eat-output (c) | |
475 (setq last-output (cons c last-output))) | |
476 @result{} eat-output | |
477 @end group | |
478 | |
479 @group | |
480 (print "This is the output" 'eat-output) | |
481 @result{} "This is the output" | |
482 @end group | |
483 | |
484 @group | |
485 last-output | |
486 @result{} (10 34 116 117 112 116 117 111 32 101 104 | |
487 116 32 115 105 32 115 105 104 84 34 10) | |
488 @end group | |
489 @end example | |
490 | |
491 @noindent | |
492 Now we can put the output in the proper order by reversing the list: | |
493 | |
494 @example | |
495 @group | |
496 (concat (nreverse last-output)) | |
497 @result{} " | |
498 \"This is the output\" | |
499 " | |
500 @end group | |
501 @end example | |
502 | |
7219 | 503 @noindent |
504 Calling @code{concat} converts the list to a string so you can see its | |
505 contents more clearly. | |
506 | |
6381 | 507 @node Output Functions |
508 @section Output Functions | |
509 | |
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510 This section describes the Lisp functions for printing Lisp |
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511 objects---converting objects into their printed representation. |
6381 | 512 |
513 @cindex @samp{"} in printing | |
514 @cindex @samp{\} in printing | |
515 @cindex quoting characters in printing | |
516 @cindex escape characters in printing | |
517 Some of the Emacs printing functions add quoting characters to the | |
518 output when necessary so that it can be read properly. The quoting | |
519 characters used are @samp{"} and @samp{\}; they distinguish strings from | |
520 symbols, and prevent punctuation characters in strings and symbols from | |
7219 | 521 being taken as delimiters when reading. @xref{Printed Representation}, |
522 for full details. You specify quoting or no quoting by the choice of | |
523 printing function. | |
6381 | 524 |
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525 If the text is to be read back into Lisp, then you should print with |
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526 quoting characters to avoid ambiguity. Likewise, if the purpose is to |
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527 describe a Lisp object clearly for a Lisp programmer. However, if the |
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528 purpose of the output is to look nice for humans, then it is usually |
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529 better to print without quoting. |
6381 | 530 |
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531 Lisp objects can refer to themselves. Printing a self-referential |
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532 object in the normal way would require an infinite amount of text, and |
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533 the attempt could cause infinite recursion. Emacs detects such |
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534 recursion and prints @samp{#@var{level}} instead of recursively printing |
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535 an object already being printed. For example, here @samp{#0} indicates |
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536 a recursive reference to the object at level 0 of the current print |
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537 operation: |
6381 | 538 |
539 @example | |
540 (setq foo (list nil)) | |
541 @result{} (nil) | |
542 (setcar foo foo) | |
543 @result{} (#0) | |
544 @end example | |
545 | |
546 In the functions below, @var{stream} stands for an output stream. | |
547 (See the previous section for a description of output streams.) If | |
548 @var{stream} is @code{nil} or omitted, it defaults to the value of | |
549 @code{standard-output}. | |
550 | |
551 @defun print object &optional stream | |
552 @cindex Lisp printer | |
553 The @code{print} function is a convenient way of printing. It outputs | |
554 the printed representation of @var{object} to @var{stream}, printing in | |
555 addition one newline before @var{object} and another after it. Quoting | |
556 characters are used. @code{print} returns @var{object}. For example: | |
557 | |
558 @example | |
559 @group | |
560 (progn (print 'The\ cat\ in) | |
561 (print "the hat") | |
562 (print " came back")) | |
563 @print{} | |
564 @print{} The\ cat\ in | |
565 @print{} | |
566 @print{} "the hat" | |
567 @print{} | |
568 @print{} " came back" | |
569 @print{} | |
570 @result{} " came back" | |
571 @end group | |
572 @end example | |
573 @end defun | |
574 | |
575 @defun prin1 object &optional stream | |
576 This function outputs the printed representation of @var{object} to | |
7219 | 577 @var{stream}. It does not print newlines to separate output as |
578 @code{print} does, but it does use quoting characters just like | |
579 @code{print}. It returns @var{object}. | |
6381 | 580 |
581 @example | |
582 @group | |
583 (progn (prin1 'The\ cat\ in) | |
584 (prin1 "the hat") | |
585 (prin1 " came back")) | |
586 @print{} The\ cat\ in"the hat"" came back" | |
587 @result{} " came back" | |
588 @end group | |
589 @end example | |
590 @end defun | |
591 | |
592 @defun princ object &optional stream | |
593 This function outputs the printed representation of @var{object} to | |
594 @var{stream}. It returns @var{object}. | |
595 | |
596 This function is intended to produce output that is readable by people, | |
597 not by @code{read}, so it doesn't insert quoting characters and doesn't | |
598 put double-quotes around the contents of strings. It does not add any | |
599 spacing between calls. | |
600 | |
601 @example | |
602 @group | |
603 (progn | |
604 (princ 'The\ cat) | |
605 (princ " in the \"hat\"")) | |
606 @print{} The cat in the "hat" | |
607 @result{} " in the \"hat\"" | |
608 @end group | |
609 @end example | |
610 @end defun | |
611 | |
612 @defun terpri &optional stream | |
613 @cindex newline in print | |
614 This function outputs a newline to @var{stream}. The name stands | |
615 for ``terminate print''. | |
616 @end defun | |
617 | |
618 @defun write-char character &optional stream | |
619 This function outputs @var{character} to @var{stream}. It returns | |
620 @var{character}. | |
621 @end defun | |
622 | |
623 @defun prin1-to-string object &optional noescape | |
624 @cindex object to string | |
625 This function returns a string containing the text that @code{prin1} | |
626 would have printed for the same argument. | |
627 | |
628 @example | |
629 @group | |
630 (prin1-to-string 'foo) | |
631 @result{} "foo" | |
632 @end group | |
633 @group | |
634 (prin1-to-string (mark-marker)) | |
635 @result{} "#<marker at 2773 in strings.texi>" | |
636 @end group | |
637 @end example | |
638 | |
639 If @var{noescape} is non-@code{nil}, that inhibits use of quoting | |
640 characters in the output. (This argument is supported in Emacs versions | |
641 19 and later.) | |
642 | |
643 @example | |
644 @group | |
645 (prin1-to-string "foo") | |
646 @result{} "\"foo\"" | |
647 @end group | |
648 @group | |
649 (prin1-to-string "foo" t) | |
650 @result{} "foo" | |
651 @end group | |
652 @end example | |
653 | |
654 See @code{format}, in @ref{String Conversion}, for other ways to obtain | |
655 the printed representation of a Lisp object as a string. | |
656 @end defun | |
657 | |
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658 @defmac with-output-to-string body... |
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659 This macro executes the @var{body} forms with @code{standard-output} set |
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660 up to feed output into a string. Then it returns that string. |
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661 |
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662 For example, if the current buffer name is @samp{foo}, |
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663 |
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664 @example |
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665 (with-output-to-string |
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666 (princ "The buffer is ") |
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667 (princ (buffer-name))) |
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668 @end example |
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669 |
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670 @noindent |
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671 returns @code{"The buffer is foo"}. |
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672 @end defmac |
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673 |
6381 | 674 @node Output Variables |
675 @section Variables Affecting Output | |
676 | |
677 @defvar standard-output | |
678 The value of this variable is the default output stream---the stream | |
679 that print functions use when the @var{stream} argument is @code{nil}. | |
680 @end defvar | |
681 | |
682 @defvar print-escape-newlines | |
683 @cindex @samp{\n} in print | |
684 @cindex escape characters | |
685 If this variable is non-@code{nil}, then newline characters in strings | |
686 are printed as @samp{\n} and formfeeds are printed as @samp{\f}. | |
687 Normally these characters are printed as actual newlines and formfeeds. | |
688 | |
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689 This variable affects the print functions @code{prin1} and @code{print} |
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690 that print with quoting. It does not affect @code{princ}. Here is an |
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691 example using @code{prin1}: |
6381 | 692 |
693 @example | |
694 @group | |
695 (prin1 "a\nb") | |
696 @print{} "a | |
697 @print{} b" | |
698 @result{} "a | |
699 b" | |
700 @end group | |
701 | |
702 @group | |
703 (let ((print-escape-newlines t)) | |
704 (prin1 "a\nb")) | |
705 @print{} "a\nb" | |
706 @result{} "a | |
707 b" | |
708 @end group | |
709 @end example | |
710 | |
711 @noindent | |
712 In the second expression, the local binding of | |
713 @code{print-escape-newlines} is in effect during the call to | |
714 @code{prin1}, but not during the printing of the result. | |
715 @end defvar | |
716 | |
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717 @defvar print-escape-nonascii |
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718 If this variable is non-@code{nil}, then unibyte non-@sc{ascii} |
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719 characters in strings are unconditionally printed as backslash sequences |
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720 by the print functions @code{prin1} and @code{print} that print with |
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721 quoting. |
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722 |
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723 Those functions also use backslash sequences for unibyte non-@sc{ascii} |
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724 characters, regardless of the value of this variable, when the output |
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725 stream is a multibyte buffer or a marker pointing into one. |
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726 @end defvar |
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727 |
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728 @defvar print-escape-multibyte |
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729 If this variable is non-@code{nil}, then multibyte non-@sc{ascii} |
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730 characters in strings are unconditionally printed as backslash sequences |
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731 by the print functions @code{prin1} and @code{print} that print with |
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732 quoting. |
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733 |
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734 Those functions also use backslash sequences for multibyte |
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735 non-@sc{ascii} characters, regardless of the value of this variable, |
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736 when the output stream is a unibyte buffer or a marker pointing into |
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737 one. |
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738 @end defvar |
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739 |
6381 | 740 @defvar print-length |
741 @cindex printing limits | |
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742 The value of this variable is the maximum number of elements to print in |
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743 any list, vector or bool-vector. If an object being printed has more |
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744 than this many elements, it is abbreviated with an ellipsis. |
6381 | 745 |
746 If the value is @code{nil} (the default), then there is no limit. | |
747 | |
748 @example | |
749 @group | |
750 (setq print-length 2) | |
751 @result{} 2 | |
752 @end group | |
753 @group | |
754 (print '(1 2 3 4 5)) | |
755 @print{} (1 2 ...) | |
756 @result{} (1 2 ...) | |
757 @end group | |
758 @end example | |
759 @end defvar | |
760 | |
761 @defvar print-level | |
762 The value of this variable is the maximum depth of nesting of | |
7219 | 763 parentheses and brackets when printed. Any list or vector at a depth |
6381 | 764 exceeding this limit is abbreviated with an ellipsis. A value of |
765 @code{nil} (which is the default) means no limit. | |
766 @end defvar | |
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767 |
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768 These variables are used for detecting and reporting circular |
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769 and shared structure---but they are only defined in Emacs 21. |
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770 |
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771 @tindex print-circle |
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772 @defvar print-circle |
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773 If non-@code{nil}, this variable enables detection of circular |
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774 and shared structure in printing. |
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775 @end defvar |
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776 |
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777 @tindex print-gensym |
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778 @defvar print-gensym |
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779 If non-@code{nil}, this variable enables detection of uninterned symbols |
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780 (@pxref{Creating Symbols}) in printing. When this is enabled, |
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781 uninterned symbols print with the prefix @samp{#:}, which tells the Lisp |
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782 reader to produce an uninterned symbol. |
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783 @end defvar |