comparison man/ediff.texi @ 38514:10482dd382e7

* viper-ex.el (ex-token-list,ex-cmd-execute): Revamped, courtesy of Scott Bronson. (ex-cmd-assoc,ex-compile,ex-cmd-one-letr): New functions. (viper-check-sub,viper-get-ex-command,viper-execute-ex-command): Deleted functions. (viper-get-ex-com-subr,viper-ex,ex-mark): Changed to use the new ex-token-list. (viper-get-ex-address-subr): convert registers to char data type. * viper-util.el (viper-int-to-char,viper-char-equal): new functions. (viper-memq-char): use viper-int-to-char. (viper-file-checked-in-p): use vc-locking-user, if vc doesn't have vc-locking-state. (viper-read-key): use viper-read-key-sequence. * viper.el (viper-major-mode-modifier-list): added inferior-emacs-lisp-mode. (this-major-mode-requires-vi-state): new function that uses simple heuristics to decide if vi state is appropriate. (set-viper-state-in-major-mode): use this-major-mode-requires-vi-state. (viper-non-hook-settings): don't advise read-key-sequence. (viper-read-key-sequence): new function that replaces the previously used advice to read-key-sequence. * viper-cmd.el (viper-test-com-defun,viper-exec-change, viper-exec-Change,viper-execute-com,viper-insert,viper-append, viper-Append,viper-Insert,viper-open-line,viper-Open-line, viper-open-line-at-point,viper-substitute,viper-overwrite, viper-replace-char-subr,viper-forward-word,viper-forward-Word): got rid of the negative character hack. (viper-escape-to-state,viper-replace-state-exit-cmd): use viper-read-key-sequence. (viper-envelop-ESC-key): no need for ad-get-orig-definition. (viper-minibuffer-standard-hook,viper-read-string-with-history): don't override existing minibuffer-setup-hook. (viper-mark-point,viper-goto-mark-subr,viper-brac-function): convert registers to char data type. (viper-autoindent): use viper-indent-line. * viper-keym.el: use viper-exec-key-in-emacs. * viper.texi: Added credits, new commands, like :make. * ediff-util.el: Copyright years. (ediff-choose-syntax-table): New function. (ediff-setup): Use ediff-choose-syntax-table. (ediff-file-checked-out-p,ediff-file-checked-in-p): check if vc-state is available. (ediff-make-temp-file): use ediff-coding-system-for-write. * ediff-init.el (ediff-with-syntax-table): New macro, uses with-syntax-table. (ediff-coding-system-for-read): from ediff-diff.el (ediff-coding-system-for-write): new variable. (ediff-highest-priority): fixed the bug having to do with disappearing overlays. (ediff-file-remote-p): use file-remote-p, if available. (ediff-listable-file): new function. (ediff-file-attributes): use ediff-listable-file. * ediff-mult.el (ediff-meta-insert-file-info1): use ediff-listable-file. * ediff-ptch.el (ediff-prompt-for-patch-file): use ediff-coding-system-for-read. (ediff-patch-file-internal): use ediff-coding-system-for-write. * ediff-diff.el (ediff-coding-system-for-read): moved to ediff-init.el. (ediff-match-diff3-line,ediff-get-diff3-group): improved pattern. * ediff.el: Date of last update, copyright years. * ediff-wind (ediff-setup-control-frame): Nill->nil. * ediff.texi: added clarifications, acknowledgements.

38513:144b56521d1d

@settitle Ediff User's Manual
@synindex vr cp
@synindex fn cp
@synindex pg cp

@dircategory Emacs
@direntry
* Ediff: (ediff).       A visual interface for comparing and merging programs.
@end direntry

extends Emerge, much of the functionality in Ediff is influenced by Emerge.
The architecture and the interface are, of course, drastically different.

@node Major Entry Points, Session Commands, Introduction, Top
@chapter Major Entry Points

Ediff can be invoked interactively using the following functions, which can
be run either from the minibuffer or from the menu bar.  In the menu bar,
all Ediff's entry points belong to three submenus of the Tools menu:
Compare, Merge, and Apply Patch.

@node Quick Help Commands,Other Session Commands,,Session Commands
@section Quick Help Commands

@table @kbd
@item ?
Toggles the Ediff Quick Help window ON and OFF.
@item G
Prepares a mail buffer for sending a praise or a curse to the Ediff maintainer.

@item E
Brings up the top node of this manual, where you can find further
information on the various Ediff functions and advanced issues, such as
customization, session groups, etc.

@item v
Scrolls up buffers A and B (and buffer C where appropriate) in a
coordinated fashion.
@item V
Scrolls the buffers down.

@item <
Scrolls the buffers to the left simultaneously.
@item >
Scrolls buffers to the right.

@item wd
Saves the output from the diff utility, for further reference.

With prefix argument, saves the plain output from @code{diff} (see
@code{ediff-diff-program} and @code{ediff-diff-options}).  Without the
argument, it saves customized @code{diff} output (see
@code{ediff-custom-diff-program} and @code{ediff-custom-diff-options}), if
it is available.

@item wa
Saves buffer A, if it was modified.
@item wb
Saves buffer B, if it was modified.
@item wc
Saves buffer C, if it was modified (if you are in a session that
compares three files simultaneously).

@item a
@emph{In comparison sessions:}
Copies the current difference region (or the region specified as the prefix
to this command) from buffer A to buffer B.
Ediff saves the old contents of buffer B's region; it can
be restored via the command @kbd{rb}, which see.

Copies the current difference region (or the region specified as the prefix
to this command) from buffer A to the merge buffer.  The old contents of
this region in buffer C can be restored via the command @kbd{r}.

@item b
Works similarly, but copies the current difference region from buffer B to
buffer A (in @emph{comparison sessions}) or the merge buffer (in
@emph{merge sessions}).

Ediff saves the old contents of the difference region copied over; it can
be reinstated via the command @kbd{ra} in comparison sessions and
@kbd{r} in merge sessions.

@item ab
Copies the current difference region (or the region specified as the prefix
to this command) from buffer A to buffer B.  This (and the next five)
command is enabled only in sessions that compare three files
simultaneously.  The old region in buffer B is saved and can be restored
via the command @kbd{rb}.
@item ac
Copies the difference region from buffer A to buffer C.
The old region in buffer C is saved and can be restored via the command
@kbd{rc}.
@item ba
Copies the difference region from buffer B to buffer A.
The old region in buffer A is saved and can be restored via the command
@kbd{ra}.
@item bc
Copies the difference region from buffer B to buffer C.
The command @kbd{rc} undoes this.
@item ca
Copies the difference region from buffer C to buffer A.
The command @kbd{ra} undoes this.
@item cb
Copies the difference region from buffer C to buffer B.
The command @kbd{rb} undoes this.

@item p
@itemx DEL
Makes the previous difference region current.
@item n
@itemx SPC
Makes the next difference region current.

@item j
@itemx -j
@itemx Nj
Makes the very first difference region current.

@kbd{-j} makes the last region current.  Typing a number, N, and then `j'
makes the difference region N current.  Typing -N (a negative number) then
`j' makes current the region Last - N.

@item ga
Makes current the difference region closest to the position of the point in
buffer A.

However, with a prefix argument, Ediff would position all variants
around the area indicated by the current point in buffer A: if

positioned at this difference region.  If the point is not in any difference
region, then it is in an area where all variants agree with each other.  In
this case, the variants will be positioned so that each would display this
area (of agreement).
@item gb
Makes current the difference region closest to the position of the point in
buffer B.

With a prefix argument, behaves like @kbd{ga}, but with respect to buffer B.
@item gc
@emph{In merge sessions:}
makes current the difference region closest to the point in the merge buffer.

@emph{In 3-file comparison sessions:}
makes current the region closest to the point in buffer C.

With a prefix argument, behaves like @kbd{ga}, but with respect to buffer C.

@item !
Recomputes the difference regions, bringing them up to date.  This is often
needed because it is common to do all sorts of editing during Ediff
sessions, so after a while, the highlighted difference regions may no
longer reflect the actual differences among the buffers.

@item *
Forces refinement of the current difference region, which highlights the exact
words of disagreement among the buffers.  With a negative prefix argument,
unhighlights the current region.

Forceful refinement may be needed if Ediff encounters a difference region

This command is also useful when the highlighted fine differences are
no longer current, due to user editing.

@item m
Displays the current Ediff session in a frame as wide as the physical
display.  This is useful when comparing files side-by-side.  Typing `m' again
restores the original size of the frame.

@item |
Toggles the horizontal/vertical split of the Ediff display.  Horizontal
split is convenient when it is possible to compare files
side-by-side.  If the frame in which files are displayed is too narrow
and lines are cut off, typing @kbd{m} may help some.

@item @@
Toggles auto-refinement of difference regions (i.e., automatic highlighting
of the exact words that differ among the variants).  Auto-refinement is
turned off on devices where Emacs doesn't support highlighting.

On slow machines, it may be advantageous to turn auto-refinement off.  The
user can always forcefully refine specific difference regions by typing
@kbd{*}.

@item h
Cycles between full highlighting, the mode where fine differences are not
highlighted (but computed), and the mode where highlighting is done with
ASCII strings.  The latter is not really recommended, unless on a dumb TTY.

@item r
Restores the old contents of the region in the merge buffer.
(If you copied a difference region from buffer A or B into the merge buffer
using the commands @kbd{a} or @kbd{b}, Ediff saves the old contents of the
region in case you change your mind.)

This command is enabled in merge sessions only.

@item ra
Restores the old contents of the current difference region in buffer A,
which was previously saved when the user invoked one of these commands:
@kbd{b}, @kbd{ba}, @kbd{ca}, which see.  This command is enabled in
comparison sessions only.
@item rb
Restores the old contents of the current difference region in buffer B,
which was previously saved when the user invoked one of these commands:
@kbd{a}, @kbd{ab}, @kbd{cb}, which see.  This command is enabled in
comparison sessions only.
@item rc
Restores the old contents of the current difference region in buffer C,
which was previously saved when the user invoked one of these commands:
@kbd{ac}, @kbd{bc}, which see.  This command is enabled in 3-file
comparison sessions only.

@item ##
Tell Ediff to skip over regions that disagree among themselves only in the
amount of white space and line breaks.

Even though such regions will be skipped over, you can still jump to any
one of them by typing the region number and then `j'.  Typing @kbd{##}
again puts Ediff back in the original state.

@item #h
@itemx #f
Ediff works hard to ameliorate the effects of boredom in the workplace...

Quite often differences are due to identical replacements (e.g., the word
`foo' is replaced with the word `bar' everywhere).  If the number of regions
with such boring differences exceeds your tolerance threshold, you may be

@kbd{#f} does dual job: it focuses on regions that match the corresponding
regular expressions.  All other regions will be skipped
over.  @xref{Selective Browsing}, for more.

@item A
Toggles the read-only property in buffer A.
If file A is under version control and is checked in, it is checked out
(with your permission).
@item B
Toggles the read-only property in buffer B.
If file B is under version control and is checked in, it is checked out.
@item C
Toggles the read-only property in buffer C (in 3-file comparison sessions).
If file C is under version control and is checked in, it is checked out.

@item ~
Swaps the windows where buffers A and B are displayed.  If you are comparing
three buffers at once, then this command would rotate the windows among
buffers A, B, and C.

@item i
Displays all kinds of useful data about the current Ediff session.
@item D
Runs @code{ediff-custom-diff-program} on the variants and displays the
buffer containing the output.  This is useful when you must send the output
to your Mom.

With a prefix argument, displays the plain @code{diff} output.
@xref{Patch and Diff Programs}, for details.

@item R
Displays a list of currently active Ediff sessions---the Ediff Registry.
You can then restart any of these sessions by either clicking on a session
record or by putting the cursor over it and then typing the return key.

(Some poor souls leave so many active Ediff sessions around that they loose

Typing @kbd{R} brings up Ediff Registry only if it is typed into an Ediff
Control Panel.  If you don't have a control panel handy, type this in the
minibuffer: @kbd{M-x eregistry}.  @xref{Registry of Ediff Sessions}.

@item M
Shows the session group buffer that invoked the current Ediff session.
@xref{Session Groups}, for more information on session groups.

@item z
Suspends the current Ediff session.  (If you develop a condition known as
Repetitive Ediff Injury---a serious but curable illness---you must change
your current activity.  This command tries hard to hide all Ediff-related
buffers.)

The easiest way to resume a suspended Ediff session is through the registry
of active sessions.  @xref{Registry of Ediff Sessions}, for details.
@item q
Terminates this Ediff session.  With a prefix argument (e.g.,@kbd{1q}), asks
if you also want to delete the buffers of the variants.
Modified files and the results of merges are never deleted.

@item %
Toggles narrowing in Ediff buffers.  Ediff buffers may be narrowed if you
are comparing only parts of these buffers via the commands
@code{ediff-windows-*} and @code{ediff-regions-*}, which see.

@item C-l
Restores the usual Ediff window setup.  This is the quickest way to resume
an Ediff session, but it works only if the control panel of that session is
visible.

@item $$
While merging with an ancestor file, Ediff is determined to reduce user's
wear and tear by saving him and her much of unproductive, repetitive
typing.  If it notices that, say, file A's difference region is identical to
the same difference region in the ancestor file, then the merge buffer will
automatically get the difference region taken from buffer B.  The rationale

The above command does this for you by skipping the regions where only one
of the variants clashes with the ancestor but the other variant agrees with
it.  Typing @kbd{$$} again undoes this setting.

@item $*
When merging files with large number of differences, it is sometimes
convenient to be able to skip the difference regions for which you already
decided which variant is most appropriate. Typing @kbd{$*} will accomplish
precisely this.

things in this respect).  If the merge region is marked as `prefer-A' then
this region will be skipped if it differs from the current difference
region in buffer A, etc.

@item /
Displays the ancestor file during merges.
@item &
In some situations, such as when one of the files agrees with the ancestor file
on a difference region and the other doesn't, Ediff knows what to do: it copies
the current difference region from the second buffer into the merge buffer.

In other cases, the right course of action is not that clearcut, and Ediff

region has the status @samp{default-A} then changing the default action to
@samp{default-B} will also replace this merge-buffer's region with the
corresponding region from buffer B.

@item s
Causes the merge window shrink to its minimum size, thereby exposing as much
of the variant buffers as possible.  Typing `s' again restores
the original size of that window.

With a positive prefix argument, this command enlarges the merge window.

The split between the merge window and the variant windows is controlled by
the variable @code{ediff-merge-window-share}, which see.

@item +
Combines the difference regions from buffers A and B and copies the
result into the merge buffer.  @xref{Merging and diff3}, and the
variables @code{ediff-combine-diffs} and @code{ediff-combination-pattern}.


@item =
You may run into situations when a large chunk of text in one file has been
edited and then moved to a different place in another file.  In such a case,
these two chunks of text are unlikely to belong to the same difference
region, so the refinement feature of Ediff will not be able to tell you
what exactly differs inside these chunks.  Since eyeballing large pieces of

be asked which two of the three buffers to use).

@emph{If you are merging files or buffers (with or without ancestor):}
Ediff would take the current region in the merge buffer and compare
it to the current region in the buffer of your choice (A or B).

Highlighting set by the parent Ediff session is removed, to avoid interference
with highlighting of the child session.  When done with the child session, type
@kbd{C-l} in the parent's control panel to restore the original highlighting.

Sam Steingold (sds@@goems.com),
Leigh L Klotz (klotz@@adoc.xerox.com),
Fritz Knabe (Fritz.Knabe@@ecrc.de),
Heinz Knutzen (hk@@informatik.uni-kiel.d400.de),
Andrew Koenig (ark@@research.att.com),
Ken Laprade (laprade@@dw3f.ess.harris.com),
Will C Lauer (wcl@@cadre.com),
Richard Levitte (levitte@@e.kth.se),
Mike Long (mike.long@@analog.com),
Martin Maechler (maechler@@stat.math.ethz.ch),
Simon Marshall (simon@@gnu.org),
Richard Mlynarik (mly@@adoc.xerox.com),
Stefan Monnier (monnier@@cs.yale.edu),
Chris Murphy (murphycm@@sun.aston.ac.uk),
Erik Naggum (erik@@naggum.no),
Eyvind Ness (Eyvind.Ness@@hrp.no),

38514:10482dd382e7

@settitle Ediff User's Manual
@synindex vr cp
@synindex fn cp
@synindex pg cp
@synindex ky cp

@dircategory Emacs
@direntry
* Ediff: (ediff).       A visual interface for comparing and merging programs.
@end direntry

extends Emerge, much of the functionality in Ediff is influenced by Emerge.
The architecture and the interface are, of course, drastically different.

@node Major Entry Points, Session Commands, Introduction, Top
@chapter Major Entry Points

When Ediff starts up, it displays a small control window, which accepts the
Ediff commands and two or three windows displaying the files to be compared
or merged. The control window can be in its own small frame or it can be
part of a bigger frame that displays other buffers. In any case, it is
important that the control window be active (i.e., be the one receiving the
keystrokes) when you use Ediff. You can switch to other Emacs buffers at
will and even edit the files currently being compared with Ediff and then
switch back to Ediff at any time by activating the appropriate Emacs windows.

Ediff can be invoked interactively using the following functions, which can
be run either from the minibuffer or from the menu bar.  In the menu bar,
all Ediff's entry points belong to three submenus of the Tools menu:
Compare, Merge, and Apply Patch.

@node Quick Help Commands,Other Session Commands,,Session Commands
@section Quick Help Commands

@table @kbd
@item ?
@kindex ?
Toggles the Ediff Quick Help window ON and OFF.
@item G
@kindex G
Prepares a mail buffer for sending a praise or a curse to the Ediff maintainer.

@item E
@kindex E
Brings up the top node of this manual, where you can find further
information on the various Ediff functions and advanced issues, such as
customization, session groups, etc.

@item v
@kindex v
Scrolls up buffers A and B (and buffer C where appropriate) in a
coordinated fashion.
@item V
@kindex V
Scrolls the buffers down.

@item <
@kindex <
Scrolls the buffers to the left simultaneously.
@item >
@kindex >
Scrolls buffers to the right.

@item wd
@kindex wd
Saves the output from the diff utility, for further reference.

With prefix argument, saves the plain output from @code{diff} (see
@code{ediff-diff-program} and @code{ediff-diff-options}).  Without the
argument, it saves customized @code{diff} output (see
@code{ediff-custom-diff-program} and @code{ediff-custom-diff-options}), if
it is available.

@item wa
@kindex wa
Saves buffer A, if it was modified.
@item wb
@kindex wb
Saves buffer B, if it was modified.
@item wc
@kindex wc
Saves buffer C, if it was modified (if you are in a session that
compares three files simultaneously).

@item a
@kindex a
@emph{In comparison sessions:}
Copies the current difference region (or the region specified as the prefix
to this command) from buffer A to buffer B.
Ediff saves the old contents of buffer B's region; it can
be restored via the command @kbd{rb}, which see.

Copies the current difference region (or the region specified as the prefix
to this command) from buffer A to the merge buffer.  The old contents of
this region in buffer C can be restored via the command @kbd{r}.

@item b
@kindex b
Works similarly, but copies the current difference region from buffer B to
buffer A (in @emph{comparison sessions}) or the merge buffer (in
@emph{merge sessions}).

Ediff saves the old contents of the difference region copied over; it can
be reinstated via the command @kbd{ra} in comparison sessions and
@kbd{r} in merge sessions.

@item ab
@kindex ab
Copies the current difference region (or the region specified as the prefix
to this command) from buffer A to buffer B.  This (and the next five)
command is enabled only in sessions that compare three files
simultaneously.  The old region in buffer B is saved and can be restored
via the command @kbd{rb}.
@item ac
@kindex ac
Copies the difference region from buffer A to buffer C.
The old region in buffer C is saved and can be restored via the command
@kbd{rc}.
@item ba
@kindex ba
Copies the difference region from buffer B to buffer A.
The old region in buffer A is saved and can be restored via the command
@kbd{ra}.
@item bc
@kindex bc
Copies the difference region from buffer B to buffer C.
The command @kbd{rc} undoes this.
@item ca
@kindex ca
Copies the difference region from buffer C to buffer A.
The command @kbd{ra} undoes this.
@item cb
@kindex cb
Copies the difference region from buffer C to buffer B.
The command @kbd{rb} undoes this.

@item p
@itemx DEL
@kindex p
@kindex DEL
Makes the previous difference region current.
@item n
@itemx SPC
@kindex n
@kindex SPC
Makes the next difference region current.

@item j
@itemx -j
@itemx Nj
@kindex j
Makes the very first difference region current.

@kbd{-j} makes the last region current.  Typing a number, N, and then `j'
makes the difference region N current.  Typing -N (a negative number) then
`j' makes current the region Last - N.

@item ga
@kindex ga
Makes current the difference region closest to the position of the point in
buffer A.

However, with a prefix argument, Ediff would position all variants
around the area indicated by the current point in buffer A: if

positioned at this difference region.  If the point is not in any difference
region, then it is in an area where all variants agree with each other.  In
this case, the variants will be positioned so that each would display this
area (of agreement).
@item gb
@kindex gb
Makes current the difference region closest to the position of the point in
buffer B.

With a prefix argument, behaves like @kbd{ga}, but with respect to buffer B.
@item gc
@kindex gc
@emph{In merge sessions:}
makes current the difference region closest to the point in the merge buffer.

@emph{In 3-file comparison sessions:}
makes current the region closest to the point in buffer C.

With a prefix argument, behaves like @kbd{ga}, but with respect to buffer C.

@item !
@kindex !
Recomputes the difference regions, bringing them up to date.  This is often
needed because it is common to do all sorts of editing during Ediff
sessions, so after a while, the highlighted difference regions may no
longer reflect the actual differences among the buffers.

@item *
@kindex *
Forces refinement of the current difference region, which highlights the exact
words of disagreement among the buffers.  With a negative prefix argument,
unhighlights the current region.

Forceful refinement may be needed if Ediff encounters a difference region

This command is also useful when the highlighted fine differences are
no longer current, due to user editing.

@item m
@kindex m
Displays the current Ediff session in a frame as wide as the physical
display.  This is useful when comparing files side-by-side.  Typing `m' again
restores the original size of the frame.

@item |
@kindex |
Toggles the horizontal/vertical split of the Ediff display.  Horizontal
split is convenient when it is possible to compare files
side-by-side.  If the frame in which files are displayed is too narrow
and lines are cut off, typing @kbd{m} may help some.

@item @@
@kindex @@
Toggles auto-refinement of difference regions (i.e., automatic highlighting
of the exact words that differ among the variants).  Auto-refinement is
turned off on devices where Emacs doesn't support highlighting.

On slow machines, it may be advantageous to turn auto-refinement off.  The
user can always forcefully refine specific difference regions by typing
@kbd{*}.

@item h
@kindex h
Cycles between full highlighting, the mode where fine differences are not
highlighted (but computed), and the mode where highlighting is done with
ASCII strings.  The latter is not really recommended, unless on a dumb TTY.

@item r
@kindex r
Restores the old contents of the region in the merge buffer.
(If you copied a difference region from buffer A or B into the merge buffer
using the commands @kbd{a} or @kbd{b}, Ediff saves the old contents of the
region in case you change your mind.)

This command is enabled in merge sessions only.

@item ra
@kindex ra
Restores the old contents of the current difference region in buffer A,
which was previously saved when the user invoked one of these commands:
@kbd{b}, @kbd{ba}, @kbd{ca}, which see.  This command is enabled in
comparison sessions only.
@item rb
@kindex rb
Restores the old contents of the current difference region in buffer B,
which was previously saved when the user invoked one of these commands:
@kbd{a}, @kbd{ab}, @kbd{cb}, which see.  This command is enabled in
comparison sessions only.
@item rc
@kindex rc
Restores the old contents of the current difference region in buffer C,
which was previously saved when the user invoked one of these commands:
@kbd{ac}, @kbd{bc}, which see.  This command is enabled in 3-file
comparison sessions only.

@item ##
@kindex ##
Tell Ediff to skip over regions that disagree among themselves only in the
amount of white space and line breaks.

Even though such regions will be skipped over, you can still jump to any
one of them by typing the region number and then `j'.  Typing @kbd{##}
again puts Ediff back in the original state.

@item #h
@itemx #f
@kindex #f
@kindex #h
Ediff works hard to ameliorate the effects of boredom in the workplace...

Quite often differences are due to identical replacements (e.g., the word
`foo' is replaced with the word `bar' everywhere).  If the number of regions
with such boring differences exceeds your tolerance threshold, you may be

@kbd{#f} does dual job: it focuses on regions that match the corresponding
regular expressions.  All other regions will be skipped
over.  @xref{Selective Browsing}, for more.

@item A
@kindex A
Toggles the read-only property in buffer A.
If file A is under version control and is checked in, it is checked out
(with your permission).
@item B
@kindex B
Toggles the read-only property in buffer B.
If file B is under version control and is checked in, it is checked out.
@item C
@kindex C
Toggles the read-only property in buffer C (in 3-file comparison sessions).
If file C is under version control and is checked in, it is checked out.

@item ~
@kindex ~
Swaps the windows where buffers A and B are displayed.  If you are comparing
three buffers at once, then this command would rotate the windows among
buffers A, B, and C.

@item i
@kindex i
Displays all kinds of useful data about the current Ediff session.
@item D
@kindex D
Runs @code{ediff-custom-diff-program} on the variants and displays the
buffer containing the output.  This is useful when you must send the output
to your Mom.

With a prefix argument, displays the plain @code{diff} output.
@xref{Patch and Diff Programs}, for details.

@item R
@kindex R
Displays a list of currently active Ediff sessions---the Ediff Registry.
You can then restart any of these sessions by either clicking on a session
record or by putting the cursor over it and then typing the return key.

(Some poor souls leave so many active Ediff sessions around that they loose

Typing @kbd{R} brings up Ediff Registry only if it is typed into an Ediff
Control Panel.  If you don't have a control panel handy, type this in the
minibuffer: @kbd{M-x eregistry}.  @xref{Registry of Ediff Sessions}.

@item M
@kindex M
Shows the session group buffer that invoked the current Ediff session.
@xref{Session Groups}, for more information on session groups.

@item z
@kindex z
Suspends the current Ediff session.  (If you develop a condition known as
Repetitive Ediff Injury---a serious but curable illness---you must change
your current activity.  This command tries hard to hide all Ediff-related
buffers.)

The easiest way to resume a suspended Ediff session is through the registry
of active sessions.  @xref{Registry of Ediff Sessions}, for details.
@item q
@kindex q
Terminates this Ediff session.  With a prefix argument (e.g.,@kbd{1q}), asks
if you also want to delete the buffers of the variants.
Modified files and the results of merges are never deleted.

@item %
@kindex %
Toggles narrowing in Ediff buffers.  Ediff buffers may be narrowed if you
are comparing only parts of these buffers via the commands
@code{ediff-windows-*} and @code{ediff-regions-*}, which see.

@item C-l
@kindex C-l
Restores the usual Ediff window setup.  This is the quickest way to resume
an Ediff session, but it works only if the control panel of that session is
visible.

@item $$
@kindex $$
While merging with an ancestor file, Ediff is determined to reduce user's
wear and tear by saving him and her much of unproductive, repetitive
typing.  If it notices that, say, file A's difference region is identical to
the same difference region in the ancestor file, then the merge buffer will
automatically get the difference region taken from buffer B.  The rationale

The above command does this for you by skipping the regions where only one
of the variants clashes with the ancestor but the other variant agrees with
it.  Typing @kbd{$$} again undoes this setting.

@item $*
@kindex $*
When merging files with large number of differences, it is sometimes
convenient to be able to skip the difference regions for which you already
decided which variant is most appropriate. Typing @kbd{$*} will accomplish
precisely this.

things in this respect).  If the merge region is marked as `prefer-A' then
this region will be skipped if it differs from the current difference
region in buffer A, etc.

@item /
@kindex /
Displays the ancestor file during merges.
@item &
@kindex &
In some situations, such as when one of the files agrees with the ancestor file
on a difference region and the other doesn't, Ediff knows what to do: it copies
the current difference region from the second buffer into the merge buffer.

In other cases, the right course of action is not that clearcut, and Ediff

region has the status @samp{default-A} then changing the default action to
@samp{default-B} will also replace this merge-buffer's region with the
corresponding region from buffer B.

@item s
@kindex s
Causes the merge window shrink to its minimum size, thereby exposing as much
of the variant buffers as possible.  Typing `s' again restores
the original size of that window.

With a positive prefix argument, this command enlarges the merge window.

The split between the merge window and the variant windows is controlled by
the variable @code{ediff-merge-window-share}, which see.

@item +
@kindex +
Combines the difference regions from buffers A and B and copies the
result into the merge buffer.  @xref{Merging and diff3}, and the
variables @code{ediff-combine-diffs} and @code{ediff-combination-pattern}.


@item =
@kindex =
You may run into situations when a large chunk of text in one file has been
edited and then moved to a different place in another file.  In such a case,
these two chunks of text are unlikely to belong to the same difference
region, so the refinement feature of Ediff will not be able to tell you
what exactly differs inside these chunks.  Since eyeballing large pieces of

be asked which two of the three buffers to use).

@emph{If you are merging files or buffers (with or without ancestor):}
Ediff would take the current region in the merge buffer and compare
it to the current region in the buffer of your choice (A or B).

@emph{Note: In all these cases you must first switch to the appropriate
Emacs buffers and manually set the regions that you want to compare.}

Highlighting set by the parent Ediff session is removed, to avoid interference
with highlighting of the child session.  When done with the child session, type
@kbd{C-l} in the parent's control panel to restore the original highlighting.

Sam Steingold (sds@@goems.com),
Leigh L Klotz (klotz@@adoc.xerox.com),
Fritz Knabe (Fritz.Knabe@@ecrc.de),
Heinz Knutzen (hk@@informatik.uni-kiel.d400.de),
Andrew Koenig (ark@@research.att.com),
Hannu Koivisto (azure@@iki.fi),
Ken Laprade (laprade@@dw3f.ess.harris.com),
Will C Lauer (wcl@@cadre.com),
Richard Levitte (levitte@@e.kth.se),
Mike Long (mike.long@@analog.com),
Martin Maechler (maechler@@stat.math.ethz.ch),
Simon Marshall (simon@@gnu.org),
Paul C. Meuse (pmeuse@@delcomsys.com),
Richard Mlynarik (mly@@adoc.xerox.com),
Stefan Monnier (monnier@@cs.yale.edu),
Chris Murphy (murphycm@@sun.aston.ac.uk),
Erik Naggum (erik@@naggum.no),
Eyvind Ness (Eyvind.Ness@@hrp.no),