Mercurial > emacs
annotate lispref/help.texi @ 66091:02a6c15defdb mh-e-7_85
Released MH-E version 7.85.
* NEWS, MH-E-NEWS: Updated for release 7.85.
author | Bill Wohler <wohler@newt.com> |
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date | Fri, 14 Oct 2005 23:53:41 +0000 |
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rev | line source |
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6381 | 1 @c -*-texinfo-*- |
2 @c This is part of the GNU Emacs Lisp Reference Manual. | |
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3 @c Copyright (C) 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1998, 1999, 2002, 2003, |
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4 @c 2004, 2005 Free Software Foundation, Inc. |
6381 | 5 @c See the file elisp.texi for copying conditions. |
6 @setfilename ../info/help | |
7 @node Documentation, Files, Modes, Top | |
8 @chapter Documentation | |
9 @cindex documentation strings | |
10 | |
11 GNU Emacs Lisp has convenient on-line help facilities, most of which | |
12 derive their information from the documentation strings associated with | |
13 functions and variables. This chapter describes how to write good | |
14 documentation strings for your Lisp programs, as well as how to write | |
15 programs to access documentation. | |
16 | |
17 Note that the documentation strings for Emacs are not the same thing | |
18 as the Emacs manual. Manuals have their own source files, written in | |
19 the Texinfo language; documentation strings are specified in the | |
20 definitions of the functions and variables they apply to. A collection | |
21 of documentation strings is not sufficient as a manual because a good | |
22 manual is not organized in that fashion; it is organized in terms of | |
23 topics of discussion. | |
24 | |
25 @menu | |
26 * Documentation Basics:: Good style for doc strings. | |
27 Where to put them. How Emacs stores them. | |
28 * Accessing Documentation:: How Lisp programs can access doc strings. | |
29 * Keys in Documentation:: Substituting current key bindings. | |
30 * Describing Characters:: Making printable descriptions of | |
31 non-printing characters and key sequences. | |
32 * Help Functions:: Subroutines used by Emacs help facilities. | |
33 @end menu | |
34 | |
35 @node Documentation Basics | |
36 @comment node-name, next, previous, up | |
37 @section Documentation Basics | |
38 @cindex documentation conventions | |
39 @cindex writing a documentation string | |
40 @cindex string, writing a doc string | |
41 | |
42 A documentation string is written using the Lisp syntax for strings, | |
43 with double-quote characters surrounding the text of the string. This | |
44 is because it really is a Lisp string object. The string serves as | |
45 documentation when it is written in the proper place in the definition | |
46 of a function or variable. In a function definition, the documentation | |
47 string follows the argument list. In a variable definition, the | |
48 documentation string follows the initial value of the variable. | |
49 | |
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50 When you write a documentation string, make the first line a |
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51 complete sentence (or two complete sentences) since some commands, |
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52 such as @code{apropos}, show only the first line of a multi-line |
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53 documentation string. Also, you should not indent the second line of |
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54 a documentation string, if it has one, because that looks odd when you |
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55 use @kbd{C-h f} (@code{describe-function}) or @kbd{C-h v} |
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56 (@code{describe-variable}) to view the documentation string. There |
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57 are many other conventions for doc strings; see @ref{Documentation |
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58 Tips}. |
6381 | 59 |
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60 Documentation strings can contain several special substrings, which |
6381 | 61 stand for key bindings to be looked up in the current keymaps when the |
62 documentation is displayed. This allows documentation strings to refer | |
63 to the keys for related commands and be accurate even when a user | |
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64 rearranges the key bindings. (@xref{Keys in Documentation}.) |
6381 | 65 |
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66 In Emacs Lisp, a documentation string is accessible through the |
6381 | 67 function or variable that it describes: |
68 | |
69 @itemize @bullet | |
70 @item | |
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71 @kindex function-documentation |
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72 The documentation for a function is usually stored in the function |
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73 definition itself (@pxref{Lambda Expressions}). The function |
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74 @code{documentation} knows how to extract it. You can also put |
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75 function documentation in the @code{function-documentation} property |
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76 of the function name. That is useful with definitions such as |
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77 keyboard macros that can't hold a documentation string. |
6381 | 78 |
79 @item | |
80 @kindex variable-documentation | |
81 The documentation for a variable is stored in the variable's property | |
82 list under the property name @code{variable-documentation}. The | |
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83 function @code{documentation-property} knows how to retrieve it. |
6381 | 84 @end itemize |
85 | |
86 @cindex @file{DOC} (documentation) file | |
87 @cindex @file{emacs/etc/DOC-@var{version}} | |
88 @cindex @file{etc/DOC-@var{version}} | |
89 To save space, the documentation for preloaded functions and variables | |
7254 | 90 (including primitive functions and autoloaded functions) is stored in |
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91 the file @file{emacs/etc/DOC-@var{version}}---not inside Emacs. The |
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92 documentation strings for functions and variables loaded during the |
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93 Emacs session from byte-compiled files are stored in those files |
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94 (@pxref{Docs and Compilation}). |
12098 | 95 |
96 The data structure inside Emacs has an integer offset into the file, or | |
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97 a list containing a file name and an integer, in place of the |
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98 documentation string. The functions @code{documentation} and |
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99 @code{documentation-property} use that information to fetch the |
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100 documentation string from the appropriate file; this is transparent to |
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101 the user. |
6381 | 102 |
103 For information on the uses of documentation strings, see @ref{Help, , | |
104 Help, emacs, The GNU Emacs Manual}. | |
105 | |
106 @c Wordy to prevent overfull hbox. --rjc 15mar92 | |
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107 The @file{emacs/lib-src} directory contains two utilities that you can |
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108 use to print nice-looking hardcopy for the file |
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109 @file{emacs/etc/DOC-@var{version}}. These are @file{sorted-doc} and |
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110 @file{digest-doc}. |
6381 | 111 |
112 @node Accessing Documentation | |
113 @section Access to Documentation Strings | |
114 | |
115 @defun documentation-property symbol property &optional verbatim | |
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116 This function returns the documentation string that is recorded in |
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117 @var{symbol}'s property list under property @var{property}. It |
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118 retrieves the text from a file if the value calls for that. If the |
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119 property value isn't @code{nil}, isn't a string, and doesn't refer to |
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120 text in a file, then it is evaluated to obtain a string. |
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121 |
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122 The last thing this function does is pass the string through |
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123 @code{substitute-command-keys} to substitute actual key bindings, |
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124 unless @var{verbatim} is non-@code{nil}. |
6381 | 125 |
126 @smallexample | |
127 @group | |
128 (documentation-property 'command-line-processed | |
129 'variable-documentation) | |
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130 @result{} "Non-nil once command line has been processed" |
6381 | 131 @end group |
132 @group | |
133 (symbol-plist 'command-line-processed) | |
134 @result{} (variable-documentation 188902) | |
135 @end group | |
136 @end smallexample | |
137 @end defun | |
138 | |
139 @defun documentation function &optional verbatim | |
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140 This function returns the documentation string of @var{function}. |
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141 |
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142 If @var{function} is a symbol, this function first looks for the |
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143 @code{function-documentation} property of that symbol; if that has a |
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144 non-@code{nil} value, the documentation comes from that value (if the |
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145 value is not a string, it is evaluated). If @var{function} is not a |
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146 symbol, or if it has no @code{function-documentation} property, then |
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147 @code{documentation} extracts the documentation string from the actual |
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148 function definition, reading it from a file if called for. |
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149 |
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150 Finally, unless @var{verbatim} is non-@code{nil}, it calls |
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151 @code{substitute-command-keys} so as to return a value containing the |
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152 actual (current) key bindings. |
6381 | 153 |
154 The function @code{documentation} signals a @code{void-function} error | |
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155 if @var{function} has no function definition. However, it is OK if |
6381 | 156 the function definition has no documentation string. In that case, |
157 @code{documentation} returns @code{nil}. | |
158 @end defun | |
159 | |
160 @c Wordy to prevent overfull hboxes. --rjc 15mar92 | |
7254 | 161 Here is an example of using the two functions, @code{documentation} and |
6381 | 162 @code{documentation-property}, to display the documentation strings for |
163 several symbols in a @samp{*Help*} buffer. | |
164 | |
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165 @anchor{describe-symbols example} |
6381 | 166 @smallexample |
167 @group | |
168 (defun describe-symbols (pattern) | |
169 "Describe the Emacs Lisp symbols matching PATTERN. | |
170 All symbols that have PATTERN in their name are described | |
171 in the `*Help*' buffer." | |
172 (interactive "sDescribe symbols matching: ") | |
173 (let ((describe-func | |
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174 (function |
6381 | 175 (lambda (s) |
176 @end group | |
177 @group | |
178 ;; @r{Print description of symbol.} | |
179 (if (fboundp s) ; @r{It is a function.} | |
180 (princ | |
181 (format "%s\t%s\n%s\n\n" s | |
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182 (if (commandp s) |
6381 | 183 (let ((keys (where-is-internal s))) |
184 (if keys | |
185 (concat | |
186 "Keys: " | |
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187 (mapconcat 'key-description |
6381 | 188 keys " ")) |
189 "Keys: none")) | |
190 "Function") | |
191 @end group | |
192 @group | |
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193 (or (documentation s) |
6381 | 194 "not documented")))) |
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195 |
6381 | 196 (if (boundp s) ; @r{It is a variable.} |
197 @end group | |
198 @group | |
199 (princ | |
200 (format "%s\t%s\n%s\n\n" s | |
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201 (if (user-variable-p s) |
6381 | 202 "Option " "Variable") |
203 @end group | |
204 @group | |
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205 (or (documentation-property |
6381 | 206 s 'variable-documentation) |
207 "not documented"))))))) | |
208 sym-list) | |
209 @end group | |
210 | |
211 @group | |
212 ;; @r{Build a list of symbols that match pattern.} | |
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213 (mapatoms (function |
6381 | 214 (lambda (sym) |
215 (if (string-match pattern (symbol-name sym)) | |
216 (setq sym-list (cons sym sym-list)))))) | |
217 @end group | |
218 | |
219 @group | |
220 ;; @r{Display the data.} | |
221 (with-output-to-temp-buffer "*Help*" | |
222 (mapcar describe-func (sort sym-list 'string<)) | |
223 (print-help-return-message)))) | |
224 @end group | |
225 @end smallexample | |
226 | |
227 The @code{describe-symbols} function works like @code{apropos}, | |
228 but provides more information. | |
229 | |
230 @smallexample | |
231 @group | |
232 (describe-symbols "goal") | |
233 | |
234 ---------- Buffer: *Help* ---------- | |
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235 goal-column Option |
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236 *Semipermanent goal column for vertical motion, as set by @dots{} |
6381 | 237 @end group |
238 @c Do not blithely break or fill these lines. | |
239 @c That makes them incorrect. | |
240 | |
241 @group | |
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242 set-goal-column Keys: C-x C-n |
6381 | 243 Set the current horizontal position as a goal for C-n and C-p. |
244 @end group | |
245 @c DO NOT put a blank line here! That is factually inaccurate! | |
246 @group | |
247 Those commands will move to this position in the line moved to | |
248 rather than trying to keep the same horizontal position. | |
249 With a non-nil argument, clears out the goal column | |
250 so that C-n and C-p resume vertical motion. | |
251 The goal column is stored in the variable `goal-column'. | |
252 @end group | |
253 | |
254 @group | |
255 temporary-goal-column Variable | |
256 Current goal column for vertical motion. | |
257 It is the column where point was | |
258 at the start of current run of vertical motion commands. | |
259 When the `track-eol' feature is doing its job, the value is 9999. | |
260 ---------- Buffer: *Help* ---------- | |
261 @end group | |
262 @end smallexample | |
263 | |
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264 The asterisk @samp{*} as the first character of a variable's doc string, |
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265 as shown above for the @code{goal-column} variable, means that it is a |
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266 user option; see the description of @code{defvar} in @ref{Defining |
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267 Variables}. |
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268 |
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269 @defun Snarf-documentation filename |
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270 @anchor{Definition of Snarf-documentation} |
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271 This function is used only during Emacs initialization, just before |
6381 | 272 the runnable Emacs is dumped. It finds the file offsets of the |
273 documentation strings stored in the file @var{filename}, and records | |
274 them in the in-core function definitions and variable property lists in | |
275 place of the actual strings. @xref{Building Emacs}. | |
276 | |
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277 Emacs reads the file @var{filename} from the @file{emacs/etc} directory. |
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278 When the dumped Emacs is later executed, the same file will be looked |
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279 for in the directory @code{doc-directory}. Usually @var{filename} is |
6381 | 280 @code{"DOC-@var{version}"}. |
281 @end defun | |
282 | |
283 @c Emacs 19 feature | |
284 @defvar doc-directory | |
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285 This variable holds the name of the directory which should contain the |
6381 | 286 file @code{"DOC-@var{version}"} that contains documentation strings for |
287 built-in and preloaded functions and variables. | |
288 | |
289 In most cases, this is the same as @code{data-directory}. They may be | |
290 different when you run Emacs from the directory where you built it, | |
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291 without actually installing it. @xref{Definition of data-directory}. |
6381 | 292 |
293 In older Emacs versions, @code{exec-directory} was used for this. | |
294 @end defvar | |
295 | |
296 @node Keys in Documentation | |
297 @section Substituting Key Bindings in Documentation | |
298 @cindex documentation, keys in | |
299 @cindex keys in documentation strings | |
300 @cindex substituting keys in documentation | |
301 | |
7254 | 302 When documentation strings refer to key sequences, they should use the |
303 current, actual key bindings. They can do so using certain special text | |
304 sequences described below. Accessing documentation strings in the usual | |
305 way substitutes current key binding information for these special | |
306 sequences. This works by calling @code{substitute-command-keys}. You | |
307 can also call that function yourself. | |
6381 | 308 |
309 Here is a list of the special sequences and what they mean: | |
310 | |
311 @table @code | |
312 @item \[@var{command}] | |
313 stands for a key sequence that will invoke @var{command}, or @samp{M-x | |
314 @var{command}} if @var{command} has no key bindings. | |
315 | |
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316 @item \@{@var{mapvar}@} |
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317 stands for a summary of the keymap which is the value of the variable |
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318 @var{mapvar}. The summary is made using @code{describe-bindings}. |
6381 | 319 |
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320 @item \<@var{mapvar}> |
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321 stands for no text itself. It is used only for a side effect: it |
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322 specifies @var{mapvar}'s value as the keymap for any following |
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323 @samp{\[@var{command}]} sequences in this documentation string. |
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324 |
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325 @item \= |
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326 quotes the following character and is discarded; thus, @samp{\=\[} puts |
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327 @samp{\[} into the output, and @samp{\=\=} puts @samp{\=} into the |
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328 output. |
6381 | 329 @end table |
330 | |
7254 | 331 @strong{Please note:} Each @samp{\} must be doubled when written in a |
6381 | 332 string in Emacs Lisp. |
333 | |
334 @defun substitute-command-keys string | |
335 This function scans @var{string} for the above special sequences and | |
336 replaces them by what they stand for, returning the result as a string. | |
337 This permits display of documentation that refers accurately to the | |
7254 | 338 user's own customized key bindings. |
6381 | 339 @end defun |
340 | |
341 Here are examples of the special sequences: | |
342 | |
343 @smallexample | |
344 @group | |
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345 (substitute-command-keys |
6381 | 346 "To abort recursive edit, type: \\[abort-recursive-edit]") |
347 @result{} "To abort recursive edit, type: C-]" | |
348 @end group | |
349 | |
350 @group | |
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351 (substitute-command-keys |
6381 | 352 "The keys that are defined for the minibuffer here are: |
353 \\@{minibuffer-local-must-match-map@}") | |
354 @result{} "The keys that are defined for the minibuffer here are: | |
355 @end group | |
356 | |
357 ? minibuffer-completion-help | |
358 SPC minibuffer-complete-word | |
359 TAB minibuffer-complete | |
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360 C-j minibuffer-complete-and-exit |
6381 | 361 RET minibuffer-complete-and-exit |
362 C-g abort-recursive-edit | |
363 " | |
364 | |
365 @group | |
366 (substitute-command-keys | |
367 "To abort a recursive edit from the minibuffer, type\ | |
368 \\<minibuffer-local-must-match-map>\\[abort-recursive-edit].") | |
369 @result{} "To abort a recursive edit from the minibuffer, type C-g." | |
370 @end group | |
371 @end smallexample | |
372 | |
373 @node Describing Characters | |
374 @section Describing Characters for Help Messages | |
375 | |
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376 These functions convert events, key sequences, or characters to |
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377 textual descriptions. These descriptions are useful for including |
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378 arbitrary text characters or key sequences in messages, because they |
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379 convert non-printing and whitespace characters to sequences of printing |
6381 | 380 characters. The description of a non-whitespace printing character is |
381 the character itself. | |
382 | |
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383 @defun key-description sequence &optional prefix |
6381 | 384 @cindex Emacs event standard notation |
385 This function returns a string containing the Emacs standard notation | |
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386 for the input events in @var{sequence}. If @var{prefix} is |
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387 non-@code{nil}, it is a sequence of input events leading up to |
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388 @var{sequence} and is included in the return value. Both arguments |
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389 may be strings, vectors or lists. @xref{Input Events}, for more |
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390 information about valid events. |
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391 |
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392 @smallexample |
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393 @group |
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394 (key-description [?\M-3 delete]) |
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395 @result{} "M-3 <delete>" |
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396 @end group |
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397 @group |
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398 (key-description [delete] "\M-3") |
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399 @result{} "M-3 <delete>" |
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400 @end group |
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401 @end smallexample |
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402 |
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403 See also the examples for @code{single-key-description}, below. |
6381 | 404 @end defun |
405 | |
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406 @defun single-key-description event &optional no-angles |
6381 | 407 @cindex event printing |
408 @cindex character printing | |
409 @cindex control character printing | |
410 @cindex meta character printing | |
411 This function returns a string describing @var{event} in the standard | |
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412 Emacs notation for keyboard input. A normal printing character |
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413 appears as itself, but a control character turns into a string |
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414 starting with @samp{C-}, a meta character turns into a string starting |
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415 with @samp{M-}, and space, tab, etc.@: appear as @samp{SPC}, |
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416 @samp{TAB}, etc. A function key symbol appears inside angle brackets |
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417 @samp{<@dots{}>}. An event that is a list appears as the name of the |
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418 symbol in the @sc{car} of the list, inside angle brackets. |
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419 |
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420 If the optional argument @var{no-angles} is non-@code{nil}, the angle |
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421 brackets around function keys and event symbols are omitted; this is |
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422 for compatibility with old versions of Emacs which didn't use the |
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423 brackets. |
6381 | 424 |
425 @smallexample | |
426 @group | |
427 (single-key-description ?\C-x) | |
428 @result{} "C-x" | |
429 @end group | |
430 @group | |
431 (key-description "\C-x \M-y \n \t \r \f123") | |
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432 @result{} "C-x SPC M-y SPC C-j SPC TAB SPC RET SPC C-l 1 2 3" |
6381 | 433 @end group |
434 @group | |
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435 (single-key-description 'delete) |
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436 @result{} "<delete>" |
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437 @end group |
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438 @group |
6381 | 439 (single-key-description 'C-mouse-1) |
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440 @result{} "<C-mouse-1>" |
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441 @end group |
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442 @group |
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443 (single-key-description 'C-mouse-1 t) |
6381 | 444 @result{} "C-mouse-1" |
445 @end group | |
446 @end smallexample | |
447 @end defun | |
448 | |
449 @defun text-char-description character | |
450 This function returns a string describing @var{character} in the | |
451 standard Emacs notation for characters that appear in text---like | |
452 @code{single-key-description}, except that control characters are | |
453 represented with a leading caret (which is how control characters in | |
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454 Emacs buffers are usually displayed). Another difference is that |
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455 @code{text-char-description} recognizes the 2**7 bit as the Meta |
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456 character, whereas @code{single-key-description} uses the 2**27 bit |
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457 for Meta. |
6381 | 458 |
459 @smallexample | |
460 @group | |
461 (text-char-description ?\C-c) | |
462 @result{} "^C" | |
463 @end group | |
464 @group | |
465 (text-char-description ?\M-m) | |
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466 @result{} "\xed" |
6381 | 467 @end group |
468 @group | |
469 (text-char-description ?\C-\M-m) | |
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470 @result{} "\x8d" |
6381 | 471 @end group |
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472 @group |
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473 (text-char-description (+ 128 ?m)) |
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474 @result{} "M-m" |
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475 @end group |
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476 @group |
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477 (text-char-description (+ 128 ?\C-m)) |
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478 @result{} "M-^M" |
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479 @end group |
6381 | 480 @end smallexample |
481 @end defun | |
482 | |
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483 @defun read-kbd-macro string &optional need-vector |
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484 This function is used mainly for operating on keyboard macros, but it |
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485 can also be used as a rough inverse for @code{key-description}. You |
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486 call it with a string containing key descriptions, separated by spaces; |
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487 it returns a string or vector containing the corresponding events. |
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488 (This may or may not be a single valid key sequence, depending on what |
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489 events you use; @pxref{Keymap Terminology}.) If @var{need-vector} is |
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490 non-@code{nil}, the return value is always a vector. |
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491 @end defun |
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492 |
6381 | 493 @node Help Functions |
494 @section Help Functions | |
495 | |
496 Emacs provides a variety of on-line help functions, all accessible to | |
497 the user as subcommands of the prefix @kbd{C-h}. For more information | |
498 about them, see @ref{Help, , Help, emacs, The GNU Emacs Manual}. Here | |
499 we describe some program-level interfaces to the same information. | |
500 | |
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501 @deffn Command apropos regexp &optional do-all |
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502 This function finds all ``meaningful'' symbols whose names contain a |
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503 match for the regular expression @var{regexp}, and returns a list of |
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504 them, with associated documentation (@pxref{Regular Expressions}). It |
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505 also displays the symbols in a buffer named @samp{*Apropos*}, each |
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506 with a one-line description taken from the beginning of its |
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507 documentation string. A symbol is ``meaningful'' if it has a |
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508 definition as a function, variable, or face, or has properties. |
6381 | 509 |
510 @c Emacs 19 feature | |
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511 If @var{do-all} is non-@code{nil}, or if the user option |
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512 @code{apropos-do-all} is non-@code{nil}, then @code{apropos} also |
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513 shows key bindings for the functions that are found; it also shows |
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514 @emph{all} interned symbols, not just meaningful ones (and it lists |
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515 them in the return value as well). |
6381 | 516 @end deffn |
517 | |
518 @defvar help-map | |
519 The value of this variable is a local keymap for characters following the | |
520 Help key, @kbd{C-h}. | |
521 @end defvar | |
522 | |
523 @deffn {Prefix Command} help-command | |
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524 This symbol is not a function; its function definition cell holds the |
6381 | 525 keymap known as @code{help-map}. It is defined in @file{help.el} as |
526 follows: | |
527 | |
528 @smallexample | |
529 @group | |
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530 (define-key global-map (char-to-string help-char) 'help-command) |
6381 | 531 (fset 'help-command help-map) |
532 @end group | |
533 @end smallexample | |
534 @end deffn | |
535 | |
536 @defun print-help-return-message &optional function | |
7254 | 537 This function builds a string that explains how to restore the previous |
538 state of the windows after a help command. After building the message, | |
539 it applies @var{function} to it if @var{function} is non-@code{nil}. | |
540 Otherwise it calls @code{message} to display it in the echo area. | |
6381 | 541 |
542 This function expects to be called inside a | |
543 @code{with-output-to-temp-buffer} special form, and expects | |
544 @code{standard-output} to have the value bound by that special form. | |
545 For an example of its use, see the long example in @ref{Accessing | |
546 Documentation}. | |
547 @end defun | |
548 | |
549 @defvar help-char | |
550 The value of this variable is the help character---the character that | |
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551 Emacs recognizes as meaning Help. By default, its value is 8, which |
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552 stands for @kbd{C-h}. When Emacs reads this character, if |
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553 @code{help-form} is a non-@code{nil} Lisp expression, it evaluates that |
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554 expression, and displays the result in a window if it is a string. |
6381 | 555 |
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556 Usually the value of @code{help-form} is @code{nil}. Then the |
6381 | 557 help character has no special meaning at the level of command input, and |
558 it becomes part of a key sequence in the normal way. The standard key | |
559 binding of @kbd{C-h} is a prefix key for several general-purpose help | |
560 features. | |
561 | |
562 The help character is special after prefix keys, too. If it has no | |
563 binding as a subcommand of the prefix key, it runs | |
564 @code{describe-prefix-bindings}, which displays a list of all the | |
565 subcommands of the prefix key. | |
566 @end defvar | |
567 | |
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568 @defvar help-event-list |
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569 The value of this variable is a list of event types that serve as |
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570 alternative ``help characters.'' These events are handled just like the |
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571 event specified by @code{help-char}. |
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572 @end defvar |
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573 |
6381 | 574 @defvar help-form |
575 If this variable is non-@code{nil}, its value is a form to evaluate | |
576 whenever the character @code{help-char} is read. If evaluating the form | |
577 produces a string, that string is displayed. | |
578 | |
579 A command that calls @code{read-event} or @code{read-char} probably | |
580 should bind @code{help-form} to a non-@code{nil} expression while it | |
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581 does input. (The time when you should not do this is when @kbd{C-h} has |
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582 some other meaning.) Evaluating this expression should result in a |
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583 string that explains what the input is for and how to enter it properly. |
6381 | 584 |
585 Entry to the minibuffer binds this variable to the value of | |
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586 @code{minibuffer-help-form} (@pxref{Definition of minibuffer-help-form}). |
6381 | 587 @end defvar |
588 | |
589 @defvar prefix-help-command | |
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590 This variable holds a function to print help for a prefix key. The |
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591 function is called when the user types a prefix key followed by the help |
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592 character, and the help character has no binding after that prefix. The |
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593 variable's default value is @code{describe-prefix-bindings}. |
6381 | 594 @end defvar |
595 | |
596 @defun describe-prefix-bindings | |
597 This function calls @code{describe-bindings} to display a list of all | |
598 the subcommands of the prefix key of the most recent key sequence. The | |
599 prefix described consists of all but the last event of that key | |
7254 | 600 sequence. (The last event is, presumably, the help character.) |
6381 | 601 @end defun |
602 | |
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603 The following two functions are meant for modes that want to provide |
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604 help without relinquishing control, such as the ``electric'' modes. |
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605 Their names begin with @samp{Helper} to distinguish them from the |
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606 ordinary help functions. |
6381 | 607 |
608 @deffn Command Helper-describe-bindings | |
609 This command pops up a window displaying a help buffer containing a | |
610 listing of all of the key bindings from both the local and global keymaps. | |
611 It works by calling @code{describe-bindings}. | |
612 @end deffn | |
613 | |
614 @deffn Command Helper-help | |
615 This command provides help for the current mode. It prompts the user | |
616 in the minibuffer with the message @samp{Help (Type ? for further | |
617 options)}, and then provides assistance in finding out what the key | |
618 bindings are, and what the mode is intended for. It returns @code{nil}. | |
619 | |
620 This can be customized by changing the map @code{Helper-help-map}. | |
621 @end deffn | |
622 | |
623 @c Emacs 19 feature | |
624 @defvar data-directory | |
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625 @anchor{Definition of data-directory} |
6381 | 626 This variable holds the name of the directory in which Emacs finds |
627 certain documentation and text files that come with Emacs. In older | |
628 Emacs versions, @code{exec-directory} was used for this. | |
629 @end defvar | |
630 | |
631 @c Emacs 19 feature | |
632 @defmac make-help-screen fname help-line help-text help-map | |
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633 This macro defines a help command named @var{fname} that acts like a |
7254 | 634 prefix key that shows a list of the subcommands it offers. |
6381 | 635 |
636 When invoked, @var{fname} displays @var{help-text} in a window, then | |
637 reads and executes a key sequence according to @var{help-map}. The | |
7254 | 638 string @var{help-text} should describe the bindings available in |
6381 | 639 @var{help-map}. |
640 | |
641 The command @var{fname} is defined to handle a few events itself, by | |
642 scrolling the display of @var{help-text}. When @var{fname} reads one of | |
643 those special events, it does the scrolling and then reads another | |
7254 | 644 event. When it reads an event that is not one of those few, and which |
6381 | 645 has a binding in @var{help-map}, it executes that key's binding and |
646 then returns. | |
647 | |
648 The argument @var{help-line} should be a single-line summary of the | |
649 alternatives in @var{help-map}. In the current version of Emacs, this | |
650 argument is used only if you set the option @code{three-step-help} to | |
651 @code{t}. | |
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652 |
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653 This macro is used in the command @code{help-for-help} which is the |
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654 binding of @kbd{C-h C-h}. |
6381 | 655 @end defmac |
656 | |
657 @defopt three-step-help | |
658 If this variable is non-@code{nil}, commands defined with | |
659 @code{make-help-screen} display their @var{help-line} strings in the | |
660 echo area at first, and display the longer @var{help-text} strings only | |
661 if the user types the help character again. | |
662 @end defopt | |
52401 | 663 |
664 @ignore | |
665 arch-tag: ba36b4c2-e60f-49e2-bc25-61158fdcd815 | |
666 @end ignore |