comparison etc/FAQ @ 597:434e13b1fc95

*** empty log message ***
author Jim Blandy <jimb@redhat.com>
date Mon, 23 Mar 1992 04:01:01 +0000
parents 93491679e7e9
children c18775a6cf55
comparison
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596:d02d6c2f7f80 597:434e13b1fc95
1 This is a list of frequently asked questions (FAQ) about GNU Emacs with 1 GNU Emacs FAQ: Introduction
2 answers. This list is designed to cut down on the noise in the 2
3 gnu.emacs.help newsgroup (which is also the help-gnu-emacs mailing list) 3 [To find what has changed, view the `Changes' posting or inspect the change
4 that results from people repeatedly asking many of the same questions. 4 bars in the text of the questions.]
5 5
6 This list is maintained by me, Joe Wells. My e-mail address is 6 This is the introduction to a list of frequently asked questions (FAQ) about
7 jbw@bu.edu. If jbw@bu.edu doesn't work try jbw@bucsf.bu.edu. 7 GNU Emacs with answers. This article contains a listing of the questions;
8 8 subsequent articles contain the questions and answers.
9 Feel free to contribute text for the answers that I haven't written yet, 9
10 to suggest new questions, to suggest changes in the wording, to suggest 10 The FAQ is posted to reduce the noise level in the `gnu.emacs.help' newsgroup
11 deletions, etc. Please include either "FAQ" or "frequently asked 11 (which is also the `help-gnu-emacs' mailing list) which results from the
12 questions" in the subject of messages you send to me to help keep me from 12 repetition of frequently asked questions, wrong answers to these questions,
13 accidentally filing your message in the wrong mail folder. 13 corrections to the wrong answers, corrections to the corrections, debate, name
14 14 calling, etc. Also, it serves as a repository of the canonical "best" answers
15 Here is a short list of new questions and questions that are now answered: 15 to these questions. However, if you know a better answer or even a slight
16 16 change that improves an answer, please tell me!
17 New questions: 17
18 18 If you know the answer of a question is in the FAQ, please reply to the
19 Why doesn't "C-c C-c" interrupt subprocesses under HP/UX? 19 question by e-mail instead of posting. Help reduce noise!
20 How do I make Emacs send 8-bit characters to my terminal? 20
21 Why does ispell sometimes ignore the local dictionary? 21 The FAQ is crossposted to `comp.emacs' because some sites do not receive the
22 Where can I get Emacs with NeWS support? 22 `gnu.*' newsgroups. The FAQ is also crossposted to `news.answers'.
23 23
24 Questions with improved answers: 24 Please suggest new questions, answers, wording changes, deletions, etc. The
25 25 most helpful form for suggestions is a context diff (ie., the output of `diff
26 Has someone written an GNU Emacs Lisp package that does XXX? 26 -c'). Include `FAQ' in the subject of messages sent to me about the FAQ.
27 How do I get Emacs running on VMS under DECwindows? 27
28 Why does Emacs crash from a bus error in XLookupString under OpenLook? 28 Please do not send questions to me just because you do not want to disturb a
29 Why does Emacs hang with message "Unknown XMenu" with X11R4? 29 lot of people and you think I would know the answer. I do not have time to
30 How do I use regexps (regular expressions) in Emacs? 30 answer questions individually. :-(
31 How do I make Emacs "typeover" or "overwrite" when I type instead of 31
32 always inserting? 32 Full instructions for getting the latest FAQ are in question 29. Also see the
33 How do I get Emacs for my PC? 33 `Introduction to news.answers' posting in the `news.answers' newsgroup, or send
34 How can I highlight a region? 34 e-mail to `mail-server@pit-manager.mit.edu' with `help' on a body line, or use
35 Where can I get GNU Emacs Lisp packages that don't come with Emacs? 35 FTP, WAIS, or Prospero to pit-manager.mit.edu.
36 Where can I get the latest VM, Supercite, GNUS, Calc, Calendar, or Patch? 36
37 37 Future plans for this FAQ list include:
38 Minor changes: 38
39 39 * A new section devoted to GNUS questions.
40 Where does the name "Emacs" come from? 40 * Verification for files available via FTP and for mailing lists.
41 In C mode, can I show just the lines that will be left after #ifdef 41 * Up-to-date IP addresses for sites mentioned for FTP access.
42 commands are handled by the compiler? 42 * A Texinfo version.
43 What does "M-x command" mean? 43 * Marking questions in the list below that have been changed recently.
44 How do I get a printed copy of the GNU Emacs manual?
45 What do things like this mean: C-h, M-C-a, RET, etc.?
46 Why doesn't GNUS work anymore via NNTP?
47 What does Emacs do every time it starts up?
48
49 Enjoy,
50 44
51 -- 45 --
52 Joe Wells <jbw@bu.edu> 46 Joe Wells <jbw@cs.bu.edu>
53 ------------------------------------------------- 47
54 GNU Emacs Frequently Asked Questions with Answers (part 1 of 2) 48 Member of the League for Programming Freedom --- send e-mail for details
55 49 ----------------------------------------------------------------------
56 Sat Dec 8 01:30:53 1990 50
57 51 Notation Used in the Answers
58 52
59 If you are viewing this file in a GNU Emacs Buffer, you can type "M-2 C-x 53 1: What do things like this mean: C-h, M-C-a, RET, etc.?
60 $" to get an overview of just the questions. Then, when you want to look 54 2: What do you mean when you write things like this: type "ESC a"?
61 at the text of the answers, just type "C-x $". 55 3: What if I don't have a Meta key?
62 56 4: What if I don't have an Escape key?
63 To search for a question numbered XXX, type "M-C-s ^XXX:", followed by a 57 5: What does "M-x command" mean?
64 C-r if that doesn't work, then type ESC to end the search. 58 6: What do things like this mean: etc/SERVICE, src/config.h,
65 59 lisp/default.el?
66 60 7: What are FSF, LPF, OSF, GNU, RMS, FTP, and GPL?
67 Notation Used in the Answers (READ THIS SECTION FIRST!) 61
68 62 Sources of Information and Help
63
64 8: I'm just starting GNU Emacs; how do I do basic editing?
65 9: How do I find out how to do something in GNU Emacs?
66 10: Where can I get GNU Emacs on the net (or by snail mail)?
67 11: Where can I get help in installing GNU Emacs?
68 12: How do I get a printed copy of the GNU Emacs manual?
69 13: How do I install a piece of Texinfo documentation?
70 14: How do I print a Texinfo file?
71 15: Can I view Info files without using GNU Emacs?
72 16: Where can I get documentation on GNU Emacs Lisp?
73 17: Has someone written an GNU Emacs Lisp package that does XXX?
74 18: Where can I get GNU Emacs Lisp packages that don't come with Emacs?
75 19: How do I submit code to the Emacs Lisp Archive?
76 20: What informational files are available for GNU Emacs?
77 21: Where can I get the latest VM, Supercite, GNUS, Calc, Calendar,
78 Ange-FTP, VIP, Dired, Ispell, Epoch, Demacs, Freemacs, or Patch?
79 22: What is the real legal meaning of the GNU copyleft?
80 23: What are appropriate messages for gnu.emacs.help, gnu.emacs.bug,
81 comp.emacs, etc.?
82 24: How do I unsubscribe to this mailing list?
83 25: What is the LPF and why should I join it?
84 26: What is the current address of the FSF?
85 27: What is the current address of the LPF?
86 28: Where can I get other up-to-date GNU stuff?
87 29: Where can I get the latest version of this document (the FAQ list)?
88
89 GNU Emacs and Various Computing Environments
90
91 30: Where does the name "Emacs" come from?
92 31: What is the latest version of GNU Emacs?
93 32: When will GNU Emacs 19 be available?
94 33: What will be different about GNU Emacs 19?
95 34: Is there an Emacs that has better mouse and X window support?
96 35: Where can I get the "unofficial HP GNU Emacs"?
97 36: Where can I get Emacs for my PC?
98 37: Where can I get Emacs for my Atari ST?
99 38: Where can I get Emacs for my Amiga?
100 39: Where can I get Emacs for my Apple computer?
101 40: Where can I get Emacs with NeWS support?
102 41: How do I get Emacs running on VMS under DECwindows?
103 42: How do I use emacstool under SunView?
104 43: How do I make Emacs display 8-bit characters?
105 44: How do I input 8-bit characters?
106 45: How do I use an already running Emacs from another window?
107 46: Where can I get an Emacs that can handle kanji characters?
108 47: Where can I get an Emacs that can handle Chinese?
109 48: Where is an Emacs that can handle Semitic (right-to-left) alphabets?
110
111 Binding Keys to Commands
112
113 49: Why does Emacs say "Key sequence XXX uses invalid prefix characters"?
114 50: Why doesn't this [terminal or window-system setup] code work in my
115 .emacs file, but it works just fine after Emacs starts up?
116 51: Other than that, why does my key binding fail?
117 52: How do I use function keys under X Windows?
118 53: How do I tell what characters my function or arrow keys emit?
119 54: Why does Emacs spontaneously start displaying "I-search:" and beeping?
120 55: How do I disable the use of C-s and C-q for flow control?
121 56: What do I do if my terminal is sending C-s and C-q for flow control and
122 I can't disable it?
123 57: How do I make Emacs honor C-s and C-q for flow control instead of for
124 commands?
125 58: Why does Emacs never see C-s and C-q through my network connection?
126 59: How do I use commands bound to C-s and C-q (or any key) if these keys
127 are filtered out?
128 60: How do I "swap" two keys?
129 61: Why does the "BackSpace" key invoke help?
130 62: How do I type DEL on PC terminal emulators?
131 63: Can I make my "Compose" key behave like a "Meta" key?
132 64: Why don't the arrow keys work?
133 65: How do I bind a combination of modifier key and function key?
134 66: Why doesn't my Meta key work in an xterm window?
135 67: Why doesn't my ExtendChar key work as a Meta key under HP-UX 8.0?
136 68: Where can I get key bindings to make Emacs emulate WordStar?
137
138 Building/Installing/Porting Emacs and Machine/OS-Specific Bugs
139
140 69: Why does Emacs crash with "Fatal error (6).Abort" under SunOS 4.1?
141 70: Why do I get an "f68881_used undefined" error, when I build Emacs on my
142 Sun 3?
143 71: Why does Emacs ignore my X resources (my .Xdefaults file)?
144 72: How do I get Emacs to compile with all features under OpenWindows?
145 73: How do I build Emacs under HP-UX 8.0?
146 74: What should I do if I have trouble building Emacs?
147
148 Weird/Confusing Problems
149
150 75: Does Emacs have problems with files larger than 8 megabytes?
151 76: Why does Emacs start up using the wrong directory?
152 77: How do I edit a file with a "$" in its name?
153 78: Why does Shell mode lose track of the shell's current directory?
154 79: Why doesn't Emacs expand my aliases when sending mail?
155 80: Why doesn't my change to load-path work?
156 81: Why does the cursor always go to the wrong column when I move up or
157 down one line?
158 82: Why does Emacs hang with message "Unknown XMenu error" with X11R4?
159 83: Why doesn't display-time show the load average in the mode line
160 anymore?
161 84: Why doesn't GNUS work anymore via NNTP?
162 85: Why does ispell sometimes ignore the local dictionary?
163 86: How do I get rid of the ^M junk in my Shell buffer?
164 87: Are there any security risks in GNU Emacs?
165 88: How do I recover my mail files after RMAIL munges their format?
166 89: Why do I get "Process shell exited abnormally with code 1"?
167
168 Configuring Emacs for Yourself
169
170 90: How do I set up a .emacs file properly?
171 91: How do you debug a .emacs file?
172 92: How do I turn on abbrevs by default just in mode XXX?
173 93: How do I turn on Auto-Fill mode by default?
174 94: How do I make Emacs use a certain major mode for certain files?
175 95: What are the valid X resource settings (ie., stuff in .Xdefaults file)?
176 96: How do I stop Emacs from beeping on a terminal?
177 97: How do I turn down the bell volume in Emacs running under X Windows?
178 98: How do I change load-path?
179 99: How do I change the included text prefix in mail/news followups?
180
181 Emacs Lisp Programming
182
183 100: What dialect of Lisp is Emacs Lisp?
184 101: How close is Emacs Lisp to Common Lisp?
185 102: How do I execute a piece of Emacs Lisp code?
186 103: How do I make a set of operations work only within a region?
187 104: How can I highlight text in Emacs?
188 105: How do I change Emacs's idea of the tab character's length?
189
190 Carrying Out Common Tasks
191
192 106: How do I insert ">"'s in the beginning of every line in a buffer?
193 107: How do I insert "_^H" characters before each character in a paragraph
194 to get an underlined paragraph?
195 108: How do I repeat a command as many times as possible?
196 109: How do I search for or delete unprintable (8-bit or control)
197 characters?
198 110: How do I control Emacs's case-sensitivity when searching/replacing?
199 111: How do I tell Emacs to automatically indent a new line to the
200 indentation of the previous line?
201 112: How do I make Emacs "typeover" or "overwrite" instead of inserting?
202 113: How do I show which parenthesis matches the one I'm looking at?
203 114: How do I make Emacs behave like this: when I go up or down, the cursor
204 should stay in the same column even if the line is too short?
205 115: How do I read news under Emacs?
206 116: In C mode, can I show just the lines that will be left after #ifdef
207 commands are handled by the compiler?
208 117: Is there an equivalent to the "." (dot) command of vi?
209 118: How do I make Emacs display the current line (or column) number?
210 119: How do I tell Emacs to iconify itself?
211 120: How do I use regexps (regular expressions) in Emacs?
212 121: How do I perform a replace operation across more than one file?
213 122: How do I make Emacs wrap words for me?
214 123: Where can I get a better spelling checker for Emacs?
215 124: How can I spell-check TeX or *roff documents?
216 125: How can I make Emacs automatically scroll horizontally?
217
218
219
220 Notation Used in the Answers -
221
69 You may skip this section if you are reasonably familiar with GNU Emacs. 222 You may skip this section if you are reasonably familiar with GNU Emacs.
70 Some of these are not actually frequently asked questions, but knowing 223 Some of these are not actually frequently asked questions, but knowing
71 them is important for understanding the answers to the rest of the 224 them is important for understanding the answers to the rest of the
72 questions. 225 questions.
73 226
74 1: What do things like this mean: C-h, M-C-a, RET, etc.? 227 1: What do things like this mean: C-h, M-C-a, RET, etc.?
75 228
76 C-a means while holding down the "Control" key press the "a" key. The 229 C-a means press the "a" key while holding down the "Control" key. The
77 ASCII code this sends will generally be the value that would be sent by 230 ASCII code this sends will generally be the value that would be sent by
78 pressing just "a" minus 96 or 64. Either way it will be a number from 0 231 pressing just "a" minus 96 or 64. Either way it will be a number from 0
79 to 31. 232 to 31.
80 233
81 M-a means while holding down the "Meta" key press the "a" key. The 234 M-a means press the "a" key while holding down the "Meta" key. The
82 ASCII code this sends is the sum of the ASCII code that would be sent by 235 ASCII code this sends is the sum of the ASCII code that would be sent by
83 pressing just "a" and 128. 236 pressing just "a" and 128.
84 237
85 M-C-a means while holding down both the "Control" key and the "Meta" key 238 M-C-a means press the "a" key while holding down both the "Control" key
86 press the "a" key. 239 and the "Meta" key. C-M-a is a synonym for M-C-a.
87 240
88 C-M-a is a synonym for M-C-a. 241 * RET means press the "Return" key. RET is the same as C-m. This sends
89 242 ASCII code 13.
90 RET means press the "Return" key. RET is the same as C-m. This sends 243 * LFD means press the "Linefeed" key. LFD is also the same as C-j. This
91 ASCII code 13. 244 sends ASCII code 10. Under Unix, ASCII code 10 is more often called
92 245 "Newline".
93 LFD means press the "Linefeed" key. LFD is also the same as C-j. This 246 * DEL means press the "Delete" key. DEL is the same as C-?. This sends
94 sends ASCII code 10. Under Unix, ASCII code 10 is more often called 247 ASCII code 127. (WARNING: It is a misnomer to call C-? a "control" key,
95 "Newline". 248 since 127 has both bits 6 and 7 turned ON, and the rule for control keys
96 249 is that they have 6 and 7 turned OFF. Also, on very few keyboards does
97 DEL means press the "Delete" key. DEL is the same as C-?. This sends 250 Control-? generate ASCII code 127. In fact, Control-? (which is
98 ASCII code 127. 251 actually Control-Shift-/) is more likely to generate C-_, ASCII code
99 252 31!)
100 ESC means press the "Escape" key. ESC is the same as C-[. This sends 253 * ESC means press the "Escape" key. ESC is the same as C-[. This sends
101 ASCII code 27. 254 ASCII code 27.
102 255 * SPC means press the "Space" key. This send ASCII code 32.
103 SPC means press the "Space" key. This send ASCII code 32. 256 * TAB means press the "Tab" key. TAB is the same as C-i. This send ASCII
104 257 code 9.
105 TAB means press the "Tab" key. TAB is the same as C-i. This send ASCII 258
106 code 9. 259 For C-@ and C-^, usually you don't have to hold down the shift key and you
260 can type Control-2 or Control-6 instead. For C-_, you may have to hold
261 down the shift key, typing Control-Shift-Hyphen. C-@ can often be
262 generated by typing Control-Space. C-@ is often called the NUL character,
263 and has ASCII value 0. C-_ can often be generated by typing Control-7 or
264 Control-/. C-? (aka DEL) may be generated by typing Shift-BackSpace or +
265 Control-BackSpace. Try Control with all of the digits on your keyboard to +
266 see what gets generated.
107 267
108 To read more about this online, type "C-h i m emacs RET m characters 268 To read more about this online, type "C-h i m emacs RET m characters
109 RET", and also "C-h i m emacs RET m keys RET". 269 RET", and also "C-h i m emacs RET m keys RET".
110 270
111 2: What do you mean when you write things like this: type "ESC a"? 271 2: What do you mean when you write things like this: type "ESC a"?
112 272
113 I will enclose key sequences that are longer than one key inside double 273 I will enclose key sequences that are longer than one key inside double
114 quotes. These notations refer to single keys (some with modifiers): 274 quotes. These notations refer to single key strokes (some with
275 modifiers):
115 276
116 C-x, M-x, M-C-x 277 C-x, M-x, M-C-x
117 RET, LFD, DEL, ESC, SPC, TAB 278 RET, LFD, DEL, ESC, SPC, TAB
118 279
119 I separate these from other keys within double quotes by spaces. Any 280 I separate these from other keys within double quotes by spaces. Any
122 represent single keys (some shifted). 283 represent single keys (some shifted).
123 284
124 3: What if I don't have a Meta key? 285 3: What if I don't have a Meta key?
125 286
126 Instead of typing M-a, you can type "ESC a" instead. In fact, Emacs 287 Instead of typing M-a, you can type "ESC a" instead. In fact, Emacs
127 converts M-a internally into "ESC a" anyway. 288 converts M-a internally into "ESC a" anyway (depending on the value of
289 meta-prefix-char).
128 290
129 4: What if I don't have an Escape key? 291 4: What if I don't have an Escape key?
130 292
131 Type C-[ instead. This should send ASCII code 27 just like an Escape 293 Type C-[ instead. This should send ASCII code 27 just like an Escape
132 key would. 294 key would.
146 NOTE: Your system administrator may have bound other key sequences to 308 NOTE: Your system administrator may have bound other key sequences to
147 invoke execute-extended-command. A function key labeled "Do" is a good 309 invoke execute-extended-command. A function key labeled "Do" is a good
148 candidate for this. 310 candidate for this.
149 311
150 To run non-interactive Emacs functions, use M-ESC instead and type a 312 To run non-interactive Emacs functions, use M-ESC instead and type a
151 Lisp form. 313 Lisp form that invokes the function (see question 102).
152 314
153 6: What do things like this mean: etc/SERVICE, src/config.h, 315 6: What do things like this mean: etc/SERVICE, src/config.h,
154 lisp/default.el? 316 lisp/default.el?
155 317
156 These are the names of files that are part of the GNU Emacs 318 These are the names of files that are part of the GNU Emacs
157 distribution. The GNU Emacs distribution is so big that it is divided 319 distribution. The GNU Emacs distribution is divided into several
158 into several subdirectories; the important subdirectories are named 320 subdirectories; the important subdirectories are named "etc", "lisp",
159 "etc", "lisp", and "src". 321 and "src".
160 322
161 If you use GNU Emacs, but don't know where it is kept on your system, 323 If you use GNU Emacs, but don't know where it is kept on your system,
162 start Emacs, then type "C-h v exec-directory RET". The directory name 324 start Emacs, then type "C-h v exec-directory RET". The directory name
163 that is displayed by this will be the full pathname of the "etc" 325 that is displayed by this will be the full pathname of the "etc"
164 directory of your installed GNU Emacs distribution. 326 directory of your installed GNU Emacs distribution.
165 327
166 Some of these files are available individually via FTP or e-mail, see 328 Some of these files are available individually via FTP or e-mail, see
167 question 16. 329 question 20.
168 330
169 7: What are FSF, LPF, OSF, GNU, RMS, FTP, BTW, and GPL? 331 7: What are FSF, LPF, OSF, GNU, RMS, FTP, and GPL?
170 332
171 FSF == Free Software Foundation 333 FSF == Free Software Foundation
172 LPF == League for Programming Freedom 334 LPF == League for Programming Freedom
173 OSF == Open Software Foundation 335 OSF == Open Software Foundation
174 GNU == GNU's Not Unix 336 GNU == GNU's Not Unix
175 RMS == Richard M. Stallman 337 RMS == Richard Matthew Stallman
176 FTP == File Transfer Protocol 338 FTP == File Transfer Protocol
177 BTW == By the way
178 GPL == GNU General Public Licence 339 GPL == GNU General Public Licence
179 340
180 NOTE: Avoid confusing the FSF, the LPF, and the OSF. The LPF only 341 NOTE: Avoid confusing the FSF, the LPF, and the OSF. The LPF opposes
181 opposes look-and-feel copyrights and software patents. The FSF aims to 342 look-and-feel copyrights and software patents. The FSF aims to make high
182 make high quality free software available for everyone. The OSF is a 343 quality free software available for everyone. The OSF is a commercial
183 commercial organization which wants to provide an alternative, 344 organization which wants to provide an alternative, standardized version
184 standardized version of Unix not controlled by AT&T. 345 of Unix not controlled by AT&T.
346
347 NOTE: The word "free" in the title of the Free Software Foundation refers
348 to "freedom", not "zero dollars". Anyone can charge any price for
349 GPL-covered software that they want to. However, in practice, the freedom
350 enforced by the GPL leads to low prices, because you can always get the
351 software for less money from someone else, because everyone has the right
352 to resell or give away GPL-covered software.
185 353
186 354
187 355
188 Sources of Information and Help 356 Sources of Information and Help
189 357
190 8: I'm just starting GNU Emacs; how do I do basic editing? 358 8: I'm just starting GNU Emacs; how do I do basic editing?
191 359
192 Type "C-h t" to invoke the self-paced tutorial. Typing just C-h is 360 Type "C-h t" to invoke the self-paced tutorial. Typing just C-h is
193 how to enter the help system. 361 how to enter the help system.
194 362
195 WARNING: your system administrator may have changed C-h to act like DEL. 363 WARNING: Your system administrator may have changed C-h to act like DEL.
196 You can use M-x help-for-help instead to invoke help. To discover what 364 You can use M-x help-for-help instead to invoke help. To discover what
197 key (if any) invokes help on your system, type "M-x where-is RET 365 key (if any) invokes help on your system, type "M-x where-is RET
198 help-for-help RET". This will print a comma-separated list of key 366 help-for-help RET". This will print a comma-separated list of key
199 sequences in the echo area. Ignore the last character in each key 367 sequences in the echo area. Ignore the last character in each key
200 sequence listed. Each of the resulting key sequences invokes help. 368 sequence listed. Each of the resulting key sequences invokes help.
201 369
202 NOTE: Emacs's help facility works best if help is invoked by a single 370 NOTE: Emacs's help facility works best if help is invoked by a single
203 key. The variable help-char should hold the value of this character. 371 key. The variable help-char should hold the value of this character.
372 Andrew Arensburger <arensb@kong.gsfc.nasa.gov> wrote a patch that allows +
373 the help facility to work properly when invoked by multiple character +
374 sequences. +
204 375
205 9: How do I find out how to do something in GNU Emacs? 376 9: How do I find out how to do something in GNU Emacs?
206 377
207 There are several methods for finding out how to do things in Emacs. 378 There are several methods for finding out how to do things in Emacs.
208 379
209 You should become familiar with the online documentation for Emacs. The 380 * You should become familiar with the online documentation for Emacs. The +
210 complete text of the Emacs manual is available online in a hypertext 381 complete text of the Emacs manual is available online in a hypertext
211 format via the "Info" manual reader. Type "C-h i" to invoke Info. 382 format via the "Info" manual reader. Type "C-h i" to invoke Info.
212 383
213 You can order a hardcopy of the manual from the FSF. See question 12. 384 * You can order a hardcopy of the manual from the FSF. See question 12. +
214 385
215 You can list all of the commands whose names contain a certain word 386 * You can get a printed reference card listing commands and keys to invoke +
216 (actually which match a regular expression) using the "command-apropos" 387 them. You can order one from the FSF for $1 (or 10 for $5), or you can
217 command. Type "C-h a" to invoke this command. 388 print your own from the etc/refcard.tex file in the Emacs distribution.
218 389
219 You can list all of the functions and variables whose names contain a 390 * You can list all of the commands whose names contain a certain word +
220 certain word using the "apropos" command. M-x apropos invokes this 391 (actually which match a regular expression) using the "command-apropos"
221 command. 392 command. Type "C-h a" to invoke this command.
222 393
223 You may find that command-apropos and apropos are extremely slow on your 394 * You can list all of the functions and variables whose names contain a +
224 system. This will be fixed in Emacs 19. If you can't wait that long, 395 certain word using the "apropos" command. M-x apropos invokes this
225 I can send you the "fast-apropos.el" file that contains the fix. This 396 command.
226 file also contains a "super-apropos" command that will list all the 397
227 functions and variables whose documentation strings contain a certain 398 * There are many other commands in Emacs for getting help and information. +
228 word. 399 To get a list of these commands, type "C-h C-h C-h".
229 400
230 There are many other commands in Emacs for getting help and information. 401 NOTE: You may find that command-apropos and apropos are extremely slow
231 To get a list of these commands, type "C-h C-h C-h". 402 on your system. This will be fixed in Emacs 19. If you can't wait that
403 long, there is a "fast-apropos.el" file available in the Emacs Lisp
404 Archive (see question 18) that contains the fix. This file
405 also contains a "super-apropos" command that will list all the functions
406 and variables whose documentation strings contain a certain word.
232 407
233 10: Where can I get GNU Emacs on the net (or by snail mail)? 408 10: Where can I get GNU Emacs on the net (or by snail mail)?
234 409
235 Look in the files etc/DISTRIB and etc/FTP for information. If you don't 410 Look in the files etc/DISTRIB and etc/FTP for information on nearby
236 already have GNU Emacs, see question 16. 411 archive sites. If you don't already have GNU Emacs, see question 20 !
412 for how to get these two files.
413
414 The latest version is always available via anonymous FTP at MIT
415 (prep.ai.mit.edu:pub/gnu/emacs-18.58.tar.Z). !
237 416
238 11: Where can I get help in installing GNU Emacs? 417 11: Where can I get help in installing GNU Emacs?
239 418
240 Look in the file etc/SERVICE for names of companies and individuals who 419 Look in the file etc/SERVICE for names of companies and individuals who
241 will sell you this type of service. 420 will sell you this type of service. An up-to-date version of the
242 421 SERVICE file is available on prep.ai.mit.edu. See question 20
243 This file in the version 18.55 distribution is not completely up to 422 for how to retrieve this file.
244 date. The imminent release of 18.56 will help that. An up-to-date
245 version of the SERVICE file is available on prep.ai.mit.edu. See
246 question 16 for how to retrieve this file.
247 423
248 12: How do I get a printed copy of the GNU Emacs manual? 424 12: How do I get a printed copy of the GNU Emacs manual?
249 425
250 You can order a printed copy of the GNU Emacs manual from the FSF for 426 You can order a printed copy of the GNU Emacs manual from the FSF for
251 $15. A set of 6 manuals is $60. 427 $20. For 6 or more manuals the price is $13 each. {The price may be !
252 428 tax-deductible as a business expense. Can someone tell me for certain? I !
253 The full TeX source for the manual also comes with Emacs, if you're 429 know that pure donations to the FSF are tax-deductible, but I don't know !
254 daring enough to try to print out this 300 page manual yourself. (We're 430 about payments for manuals or tapes.} !
255 talking about killing an entire tree here. This kind of printer usage 431
256 can make you very unpopular. Besides, if you order it from the FSF, the 432 The full TeX source for the manual also comes in the "man" directory of
257 price may be tax-deductible as a business expense.) 433 the Emacs distribution, if you're daring enough to try to print out this
258 434 300 page manual yourself (see question 14).
259 If you absolutely have to print your own copy, and you don't have TeX, 435
260 you can get a PostScript version from: 436 If you absolutely have to print your own copy, and you don't have TeX, you
261 437 can get a PostScript version via anonymous FTP (cs.ubc.ca: -
262 Anonymous FTP: 438 src/gnu/manuals_ps/emacs-18.57.ps.Z, which site requests that you please
263 site: abcfd20.larc.nasa.gov 439 CONFINE ANY MAJOR FTPING TO LATE EVENINGS OR EARLY MORNINGS OUR TIME
264 file: /pub/docs/emacs-18.55.PS.Z (size: 472K) 440 (pacific time zone, GMT-8)).
441
442 If you don't have TeX you can convert the Texinfo sources into
443 {t,n,ps}roff format with the "texi2roff" program, which is available via
444 anonymous FTP (archive.cis.ohio-state.edu:
445 /pub/gnu/texi2roff/texi2roff.shar.Z)
265 446
266 Carl Witty <cwitty@cs.stanford.edu> writes: 447 Carl Witty <cwitty@cs.stanford.edu> writes:
267 448
268 The Emacs manual is also available online in the Info system, which is 449 The Emacs manual is also available online in the Info system, which is
269 available by typing "C-h i". In this form, it has hypertext links and 450 available by typing "C-h i". In this form, it has hypertext links and
270 is very easy to browse or search; many people prefer it to the printed 451 is very easy to browse or search; many people prefer it to the printed
271 manual. 452 manual.
272 453
273 13: Has someone written an GNU Emacs Lisp package that does XXX? 454 13: How do I install a piece of Texinfo documentation?
455
456 First create Info files from the Texinfo files with the "makeinfo"
457 program. makeinfo is available as part of the latest Texinfo package
458 (prep.ai.mit.edu:/pub/gnu/texinfo-2.12.tar.Z). -
459
460 For information about the Texinfo format, read the Texinfo manual which
461 comes with Emacs. This manual also comes installed in Info format, so you
462 can read it online.
463
464 Neither texinfo-format-buffer nor the makeinfo program install the
465 resulting Info files in Emacs's Info tree. To install Info files:
466
467 1. Move the files to the "info" directory in the installed Emacs
468 distribution. See question 6 if you don't know where that
469 is.
470
471 2. Edit the file info/dir in the installed Emacs distribution, and add a
472 line for the top level node in the Info package that you are
473 installing. Follow the examples are already in this file. The format
474 is:
475
476 * Topic: (relative-pathname). Short description of topic.
477
478 If you want to install Info files and you don't have the necessary
479 privileges, you have several options: !
480 !
481 * Info files don't actually need to be installed before being used. You !
482 can feed a file name to the Info-goto-node command (invoked by pressing
483 "g" in Info mode) by typing the name of the file in parentheses. This
484 goes to the node named "Top" in that file. For example, to view a Info
485 file named "XXX" in your home directory, you can type this:
486
487 C-h i g (~/XXX) RET
488
489 * You can create your own Info directory. You can tell Emacs where the !
490 Info directory is by setting the value of the variable Info-directory
491 to its pathname. For example, to use a private Info directory which
492 is a subdirectory of your home directory named "Info", you could do
493 this:
494
495 (setq Info-directory (expand-file-name "~/Info"))
496
497 You will need a top-level Info file named "dir" in this directory.
498 You can include the system-wide Info directory in your private Info
499 directory with symbolic links or by copying it.
500
501 * You can use an enhanced version of lisp/info.el that handles multiple +
502 Info directories. Then you can more easily use a mix of private and +
503 shared Info files. Dave Gillespie <daveg@csvax.cs.caltech.edu> has +
504 written one such enhancement and I am told there are others. +
505
506 14: How do I print a Texinfo file?
507
508 NOTE: You can't get nice printed output from Info files; you must still +
509 have the original Texinfo source file for the manual you want to print. +
510
511 1. Make sure the first line of the Texinfo file looks like this:
512
513 \input texinfo
514
515 You may need to alter "texinfo" to the full pathname of the
516 texinfo.tex file, which comes with Emacs as man/texinfo.tex (or copy
517 or link it into the current directory).
518
519 2. tex XXX.texinfo
520
521 3. texindex XXX.??
522
523 The "texindex" program comes with Emacs as man/texindex.c.
524
525 4. tex XXX.texinfo
526
527 5. Print the DVI file XXX.dvi in the normal way for printing DVI files
528 at your site.
529
530 To get more general instructions, retrieve the latest Texinfo package
531 mentioned in question 13.
532
533 15: Can I view Info files without using GNU Emacs?
534
535 Yes, the `info', `xinfo', and `ivinfo' programs do this. info uses
536 curses, xinfo uses standard X11R4 libraries, and ivinfo uses InterViews.
537 You can get info as part of the latest Texinfo package (see question 13).
538 xinfo is available separately (prep.ai.mit.edu:
539 pub/gnu/xinfo-1.01.01.tar.Z). ivinfo is available in a comp.sources.misc
540 archive or from Tom Horsley <tom@ssd.csd.harris.com>. For ivinfo, you
541 need Stanford's InterViews C++ X library, available via anonymous FTP
542 (interviews.stanford.edu).
543
544 16: Where can I get documentation on GNU Emacs Lisp?
545
546 Within Emacs, you can type "C-h f" to get the documentation for a
547 function, "C-h v" for a variable.
548
549 For more information, obtain the GNU Emacs Lisp Reference Manual for Emacs
550 18 under Unix. It is available from the FSF for $50 (or 5 for $200). The
551 latest revision available for FTP is edition 1.03 dated 28 January 1991.
552
553 For online use, a set of pregenerated Info files is available with the
554 Texinfo source for the Emacs Lisp manual via anonymous FTP (Emacs Lisp
555 Archive, prep.ai.mit.edu:pub/gnu/elisp-manual-1.03.tar.Z). (You can also !
556 create the Info files from the Texinfo source.) See question 13 for
557 details on how to install these files online.
558
559 If you are daring enough to try to print this 550 page manual out
560 yourself, for instructions see question 14.
561
562 Also, as a popular USENET saying goes, "Use the Force, Read the Source".
563
564 17: Has someone written an GNU Emacs Lisp package that does XXX?
274 565
275 Probably. A listing of Emacs Lisp packages, called the Lisp Code 566 Probably. A listing of Emacs Lisp packages, called the Lisp Code
276 Directory, is being maintained by Dave Brennan <brennan@dg-rtp.dg.com>. 567 Directory, is being maintained by Dave Brennan <brennan@hal.com> and !
277 You can search through this list to find if someone has written 568 Dave Sill <de5@ornl.gov>. You can search through this list to find if
278 something that fits your needs. 569 someone has written something that fits your needs.
279 570
280 This list is file "LCD-datafile.Z" in the Emacs Lisp Archive. (See 571 This list is file "LCD-datafile.Z" in the Emacs Lisp Archive. (See
281 question 14.) The files "lispdir.el.Z" and "lispdir.doc.Z" 572 question 18 for methods for getting this file.) The files "lispdir.el.Z"
282 in the archive contain information to help you use the list. 573 and "lispdir.doc.Z" in the archive contain information to help you use the
283 574 list. Once you have installed lispdir.el and LCD-datafile, then you can
284 14: Where can I get GNU Emacs Lisp packages that don't come with Emacs? 575 use the "M-x lisp-dir-apropos" command to look things up in the database.
576 For example, the command "M-x lisp-dir-apropos RET ange-ftp RET" produces
577 this (outdated) output:
578
579 GNU Emacs Lisp Code Apropos -- "ange-ftp"
580
581 ange-ftp (3.112) 91-08-12
582 Andy Norman, <ange@hplb.hpl.hp.com>
583 archive.cis.ohio-state.edu:
584 /pub/gnu/emacs/elisp-archive/as-is/ange-ftp.el.Z
585 transparent FTP Support for GNU Emacs
586
587 18: Where can I get GNU Emacs Lisp packages that don't come with Emacs?
285 588
286 First, check the Lisp Code Directory to find the name of the package you 589 First, check the Lisp Code Directory to find the name of the package you
287 are looking for. (See question 13). Then check local archives and 590 are looking for. (See question 17). Then check local archives and
288 the Emacs Lisp Archive to find a copy of the relevant files. Then, if 591 the Emacs Lisp Archive to find a copy of the relevant files. Then, if
289 you still haven't found it, you can send e-mail to the author asking for 592 you still haven't found it, you can send e-mail to the author asking for
290 a copy. 593 a copy.
291 594
292 You can access the Emacs Lisp Archive via: 595 NOTE: The archive maintainers do not have time to answer individual
293 596 requests for packages or the list of packages in the archive. If you
294 Anonymous FTP: 597 cannot use FTP or UUCP to access the archive yourself, try to find a
295 site: tut.cis.ohio-state.edu 598 friend who can, but please don't ask the maintainers.
296 directory: /pub/gnu/emacs/elisp-archive 599
297 file: README.Z 600 You can access the Emacs Lisp Archive via anonymous FTP
601 (archive.cis.ohio-state.edu:/pub/gnu/emacs/elisp-archive/). Fetch the
602 file "README" first.
298 603
299 NOTE: Any files with names ending in ".Z" are compressed, and you should 604 NOTE: Any files with names ending in ".Z" are compressed, and you should
300 use "binary" mode in FTP to retrive them. You should also use binary 605 use "binary" mode in FTP to retrieve them. You should also use binary
301 mode whenever you retrieve any files with names ending in ".elc". 606 mode whenever you retrieve any files with names ending in ".elc".
302 607
303 Submissions for the archive should be sent to Dave Sill <de5@ornl.gov>. 608 19: How do I submit code to the Emacs Lisp Archive?
304 If you have ftp access, the submission can be deposited in the directory 609
305 /pub/gnu/emacs/elisp-archive/incoming on tut.cis.ohio-state.edu. 610 Submissions should be mailed to elisp-archive@cis.ohio-state.edu. Mail
306 Whenever possible submissions should contain an LCD-datafile entry since 611 messages (submissions) are automatically saved and periodically archived.
307 this helps reduce administrative overhead for the maintainers. Before 612 Urgent mail may be sent directly to Dave Sill <de5@ornl.gov> or Dave
308 submitting anything, first read the file "guidelines.Z", which is 613 Brennan <brennan@hal.com> or should contain the string "urgent" in the !
309 available in the archive. 614 subject. The incomoing ftp directory is no longer available at the
310 615 request of Ohio State.
311 15: Where can I get documentation on GNU Emacs Lisp? 616
312 617 However, if someone has a submission with multiple files (which would be
313 Obtain the GNU Emacs Lisp Reference Manual for Emacs 18 under Unix. It 618 archived as a tar file) or binary files, then FTP transfer is preferred
314 is available from the FSF for $50. The latest revision is edition 1.02 619 and can be arranged via an anonymous FTP site. This is faster than
315 dated July 1990. 620 uudecoding, unsharing, etc., and re-packaging files.
316 621
317 Within Emacs, you can type "C-h f" to get the documentation for a 622 Before submitting anything, please read the file "guidelines.Z", which is
318 function, "C-h v" for a variable. 623 available in the archive. Whenever possible submissions should contain
319 624 a complete LCD entry since this helps reduce administrative overhead for
320 Also, as a popular USENET saying goes, "Use the Force, Read the Source". 625 the maintainers. You can include an entry in this format:
321 626
322 You can also get the Texinfo source for the manual, if you are daring 627 ;; LCD Archive Entry:
323 enough to try to print this 550 page manual out yourself. This is 628 ;; package name|author's name|email address
324 available in the Emacs Lisp Archive and also via: 629 ;; |description
325 630 ;; |date|version|archive path
326 Anonymous FTP: 631
327 site: prep.ai.mit.edu 632 For example:
328 file: /pub/gnu/elisp.tar.Z 633
329 634 ;; LCD Archive Entry:
330 A set of pregenerated Info files comes with the Texinfo source for the 635 ;; tex-complete|Sebastian Kremer|sk@thp.Uni-Koeln.DE
331 Emacs Lisp manual, so you don't have to format it yourself for online 636 ;; |Minibuffer name completion for editing [La]TeX.
332 use. (You can create the Info files from the Texinfo source.) See 637 ;; |91-03-26|$Revision: 1.12 $|~/packages/tex-complete.el.Z
333 question 21 for details on how to install these files online. 638
334 639 Dave Brennan has software which automatically looks for data in this
335 16: What informational files are available? 640 format. The format is fairly flexible. The entry ends when a line is
336 641 reached with a different prefix or the seventh field terminator is
337 This isn't a frequently asked question, but it should be! 642 seen.
643
644 20: What informational files are available for GNU Emacs?
645
646 This isn't a frequently asked question, but it should be! A variety of
647 informational files about GNU Emacs and relevant aspects of the GNU
648 project are available for you to read.
338 649
339 The following files are available in the "etc" directory of the GNU 650 The following files are available in the "etc" directory of the GNU
340 Emacs distribution, and also the latest versions are available 651 Emacs distribution, and also the latest versions are available
341 individually via: 652 individually via anonymous FTP (prep.ai.mit.edu:/pub/gnu/etc/):
342 653
343 Anonymous FTP: 654 APPLE -- Why the FSF doen't support GNU Emacs on Apple computers
344 site: prep.ai.mit.edu
345 directory: /pub/gnu/etc
346
347 APPLE -- Special Report: Apple's New Look and Feel
348 DISTRIB -- GNU Emacs Availability Information, 655 DISTRIB -- GNU Emacs Availability Information,
349 including the popular "Free Software Foundation Order Form" 656 including the popular "Free Software Foundation Order Form"
350 FTP -- How to get GNU Software by Internet FTP or by UUCP 657 FTP -- How to get GNU Software by Internet FTP or by UUCP
351 GNU -- The GNU Manifesto 658 GNU -- The GNU Manifesto
352 INTERVIEW -- Richard Stallman discusses his public-domain 659 INTERVIEW -- Richard Stallman discusses his public-domain
353 UNIX-compatible software system 660 UNIX-compatible software system
354 with BYTE editors 661 with BYTE editors
355 MACHINES -- Status of GNU Emacs on Various Machines and Systems 662 MACHINES -- Status of GNU Emacs on Various Machines and Systems
356 MAILINGLISTS -- GNU Project Electronic Mailing Lists 663 MAILINGLISTS -- GNU Project Electronic Mailing Lists
357 SERVICE -- GNU Service Directory 664 SERVICE -- GNU Service Directory
358 SUN-SUPPORT -- includes the popular "Using Emacstool with GNU Emacs" 665 SUN-SUPPORT -- including "Using Emacstool with GNU Emacs" !
359 666
360 These files are available in the "etc" directory of the GNU Emacs 667 These files are available in the "etc" directory of the GNU Emacs
361 distribution: 668 distribution:
362 669
363 DIFF -- Differences between GNU Emacs and Twenex Emacs 670 DIFF -- Differences between GNU Emacs and Twenex Emacs
364 CCADIFF -- Differences between GNU Emacs and CCA Emacs 671 CCADIFF -- Differences between GNU Emacs and CCA Emacs
365 GOSDIFF -- Differences between GNU Emacs and Gosling (Unipress??) Emacs 672 GOSDIFF -- Differences between GNU Emacs and Gosling (Unipress??) Emacs
366 COPYING -- GNU Emacs General Public License 673 COPYING -- GNU Emacs General Public License
367 NEWS -- GNU Emacs News, a history of user-visible changes 674 NEWS -- GNU Emacs News, a history of user-visible changes
675 LPF -- Why you should join the League for Programming Freedom
676 FAQ -- GNU Emacs Frequently Asked Questions (You're reading it)
677 OPTIONS -- a complete explanation of startup option handling
678
679 These files are available via anonymous FTP (prep.ai.mit.edu:/pub/gnu/):
680
681 tasks -- GNU Task List
682 standards.text -- GNU Coding Standards
368 683
369 In addition, all of the above files are available directly from the FSF 684 In addition, all of the above files are available directly from the FSF
370 via e-mail. Of course, please try to get them from a local source 685 via e-mail. Of course, please try to get them from a local source
371 first. 686 first.
372 687
373 These files are available from the FSF via e-mail: 688 These additional files are available from the FSF via e-mail:
374 689
375 * GNU's Bulletin, June, 1990 -- this file includes: 690 * GNU's Bulletin, June, 1991 -- this file includes:
376 GNU'S Who 691 GNU'S Who
377 What Is the Free Software Foundation? 692 What Is the Free Software Foundation?
378 What Is Copyleft? 693 What Is Copyleft?
379 GNUs Flashes 694 A Small Way to Help Free Software
380 Possible New Terms for GNU Libraries by Richard Stallman 695 GNUs Flashes (important recent developments for project GNU)
381 "League for Programming Freedom" by Michael Bloom and Richard Stallman 696 Free Software Support (and how to get it!)
382 Free Software Support 697 Copyrighted Programming Languages
383 GNU Project Status Report 698 AT&T Threatens Users of X Windows (and other software patent threats)
384 GNU Wish List 699 Project Gutenberg
385 GNU Documentation 700 GNU Project Status Report
386 GNU Software Available Now 701 GNU in Japan
387 Contents of the Emacs Release Tape 702 GNU Wish List
388 Contents of the Pre-Release Tape 703 Help Keep Government Software Free
389 Contents of the X11 Tapes 704 GNU Software Available Now
390 VMS Emacs and Compiler Tapes 705 Contents of the Emacs Tape
391 How to Get GNU Software 706 Contents of the Compiler Tape
392 Freemacs, an Extensible Editor for MS-DOS 707 Contents of the X11 Tapes
393 Thank GNUs 708 VMS Emacs and Compiler Tapes
394 FSF Order Form 709 GNU Documentation
395 * GNU Task List 710 How to Get GNU Software
396 * GNU Coding Standards 711 Free Software for Microcomputers
397 * Legal issues about contributing code to GNU 712 GNU Software on Apple computers
398 * GNU Project Status Report 713 GNU Software on the Amiga
399 714 GNU Software on the Atari
400 17: What is the current address of the FSF? 715 GNUish MS-DOS project
716 Freemacs, an Extensible Editor for MS-DOS
717 GNU in Japan
718 FSF Order Form
719 Thank GNUs
720 * Legal issues about contributing code to GNU
721 * GNU Project Status Report
722
723 21: Where can I get the latest VM, Supercite, GNUS, Calc, Calendar,
724 Ange-FTP, VIP, Dired, Ispell, Epoch, Demacs, Freemacs, or Patch?
725
726 {If you know of any other packages that are so substantial that they
727 deserve to be mentioned here, please tell me. Having its own mailing list
728 or newsgroup or more than half a megabyte of source code are good signs.}
729
730 * VM (View Mail) -- another mail reader within Emacs
731
732 Author: Kyle Jones <kyle@uunet.uu.net>
733 Latest released version: 4.41
734 Beta test version: 5.31
735 Anonymous FTP:
736 Emacs Lisp Archive: packages/vm-4.41.tar.Z, as-is/timer.shar.Z -
737 ftp.uu.net:/pub/vm-{4.41,5.31beta}.tar.Z
738 Newsgroups and mailing lists:
739 Info-VM:
740 gnu.emacs.vm.info
741 info-vm-request@uunet.uu.net (for subscriptions)
742 info-vm@uunet.uu.net (for submissions) +
743 Bug-VM:
744 gnu.emacs.vm.bug
745 bug-vm-request@uunet.uu.net (for subscriptions)
746 bug-vm@uunet.uu.net (for submissions) +
747
748 * SuperCite -- mail and news citation package within Emacs
749
750 Author: Barry Warsaw <bwarsaw@cen.com>
751 Mailing list: supercite-request@anthem.nlm.nih.gov (for subscriptions)
752 supercite@anthem.nlm.nih.gov (for submissions) +
753 Latest version: 2.2
754 Anonymous FTP:
755 Emacs Lisp Archive: packages/sc-2.2.tar.Z
756 Via e-mail:
757 To: library@cme.nist.gov
758 Subject: help
759
760 NOTE: Superyank is an old version of SuperCite.
761
762 * GNUS -- news reader within Emacs
763
764 Author: Masanobu Umeda <umerin@mse.kyutech.ac.jp>
765 Latest official version: 3.13
766 Unofficial test version: 3.14.1
767 Anonymous FTP:
768 cs.umn.edu:pub/gnu/emacs/gnus-3.14.1.tar.Z.
769 aun.uninett.no:pub/gnus-3.14.1.tar.Z
770 wnoc-fuk.wide.ad.jp:pub/GNU/etc/gnus-3.14.1.tar.Z
771 liasun3.epfl.ch:pub/gnu/emacs/gnus-3.14.1.tar.Z
772 aix370.rrz.uni-koeln.de:/pub/gnu/emacs/gnus-3.14.1.tar.Z
773 funet.fi:/networking/news/gnus-3.14.1.tar.Z
774 src.doc.ic.ac.uk:/gnu/EmacsBits/gnus/gnus-3.14.1.tar.Z
775 Emacs Lisp Archive: packages/gnus-3.13.tar.Z
776 Newsgroups and mailing lists:
777 English-only:
778 gnu.emacs.gnus
779 info-gnus-english-request@cis.ohio-state.edu (for subscriptions)
780 info-gnus-english@cis.ohio-state.edu (for submissions) +
781 Japanese (and some English):
782 info-gnus-request@flab.fujitsu.co.jp (for subscriptions)
783 info-gnus@flab.fujitsu.co.jp (for submissions) +
784
785 * Calc -- poor man's Mathematica within Emacs
786
787 Author: Dave Gillespie <daveg@csvax.cs.caltech.edu>
788 Latest released version: 2.02 !
789 Anonymous FTP:
790 csvax.cs.caltech.edu:pub/calc-2.02.tar.Z !
791 prep.ai.mit.edu:pub/gnu/calc-2.02.tar.Z !
792 NOTE: Unlike Wolfram Research, Dave has never threatened to sue anyone
793 for having a program with a similar command language to Calc. :-)
794
795 * Calendar/Diary -- calendar manager within Emacs
796
797 Author: Ed Reingold <reingold@cs.uiuc.edu>
798 Latest version: 4.01
799 Anonymous FTP:
800 emr.cs.uiuc.edu:/pub/emacs/calendar
801 Via e-mail:
802 To: reingold@cs.uiuc.edu
803 Subject: send-emacs-cal
804 Put your best internet e-mail address in the body.
805
806 * Ange-FTP -- adds transparent FTP access to Emacs's file access routines
807
808 Author: Andy Norman <ange@hplb.hpl.hp.com>
809 Latest version: 3.143
810 Anonymous FTP:
811 ftp.gnu.ai.mit.edu:ange-ftp/ange-ftp.el.Z
812 Emacs Lisp Archive:
813 as-is/ange-ftp.el.Z (current version)
814 packages/ange-ftp.el.Z (old version)
815 Mailing list: ange-ftp-lovers-request@anorman.hpl.hp.com (subscriptions) !
816 ange-ftp-lovers@anorman.hpl.hp.com (for submissions) +
817 NOTE: now with support for accessing VMS systems
818
819 * VIP -- vi emulation for Emacs -
820
821 Author: Aamod Sane <sane@cs.uiuc.edu>
822 Latest released version: 4.3 +
823 Anonymous FTP:
824 cs.uiuc.edu:pub/vip4.3.tar.Z
825 Emacs Lisp Archive: modes/vip-mode.tar.Z
826 NOTE: This version much more closely emulates vi than the one
827 distributed with Emacs.
828
829 Version distributed with Emacs: 3.5
830 Author: Masahiko Sato <ms@sail.stanford.edu,
831 masahiko@sato.riec.tohoku.junet>
832
833 * Dired -- directory editor for Emacs
834
835 Author: Sebastian Kremer <sk@thp.uni-koeln.de>
836 Latest released version: 5.239 +
837 Anonymous FTP: ftp.cs.buffalo.edu:pub/Emacs/diredall.tar.Z -
838 ftp.uni-koeln.de:pub/gnu/emacs/diredall.tar.Z -
839 NOTE: This is a huge improvement over the Dired distributed with Emacs.
840 This version will be in Emacs 19.
841
842 * AUC TeX -- enhanced LaTeX mode +
843 +
844 Author: Kresten Krab Thorup <krab@iesd.auc.dk> +
845 Latest released version: 5.4 +
846 Anonymous FTP: iesd.auc.dk:pub/emacs-lisp/auc-tex-5.4.tar.Z +
847 Mailing list: +
848 auc-tex-request@iesd.auc.dk (for subscriptions) +
849 auc-tex@iesd.auc.dk (for submissions) +
850 auc-tex_mgr@iesd.auc.dk (auc-tex development team) +
851 +
852 * Hyperbole -- extensible hypertext management system within Emacs +
853 +
854 Author: Bob Weiner <rsw@cs.brown.edu> +
855 Anonymous FTP: +
856 wilma.cs.brown.edu:pub/hyperbole/h*.tar.Z +
857 Mailing lists: +
858 hyperbole-announce -- Hyperbole release announcements only. +
859 Subscriptions: +
860 To: hyperbole-request@cs.brown.edu +
861 Subject: Add <mailbox@domain.name> to hyperbole-announce. +
862 hyperbole -- Hyperbole discussion. +
863 Subscriptions: +
864 To: hyperbole-request@cs.brown.edu +
865 Subject: Add <mailbox@domain.name> to hyperbole. +
866 Submissions: +
867 hyperbole@cs.brown.edu +
868 NOTE: Any member of the hyperbole mailing list is automatically a +
869 member of the hyperbole-announce mailing list. +
870 NOTE: No .UUCP or ! addresses are allowed on these mailing lists. +
871 +
872 * Ispell -- spell checker in C with interface for Emacs +
873
874 Author: Geoff Kuenning <geoff@itcorp.com> (latest of many)
875 Latest released version: 2.0.02
876 Beta test version: 3.0 (9 patches)
877 Anonymous FTP:
878 archive.cis.ohio-state.edu:/pub/gnu/ispell/* (version 2.0.02)
879 ftp.cs.ucla.edu:/pub/ispell/* (version 3.0, patches, dictionaries)
880 NOTE: Do not send mail to Geoff asking him to send you the latest
881 version of Ispell. He does not have free e-mail.
882
883 * Epoch -- enhanced GNU Emacs with better X interface
884
885 Latest released version: 3.2
886 Beta test version: 4.0 beta patchlevel 0 !
887 Anonymous FTP:
888 cs.uiuc.edu:pub/epoch-files/epoch/epoch-4.0b0.tar.Z !
889 cs.uiuc.edu:pub/epoch-files/epoch/epoch-3.2{.tar.Z,-patch-{1,2.tar.Z}}
890 Newsgroup and mailing lists: !
891 Epoch: !
892 gnu.emacs.epoch
893 epoch-request@cs.uiuc.edu (for subscriptions)
894 epoch@cs.uiuc.edu (for submissions) +
895 Epoch-Design: +
896 epoch-design-request@cs.uiuc.edu (for subscriptions) +
897 epoch-design@cs.uiuc.edu (for submissions) +
898
899 * Demacs -- GNU Emacs altered to work under MS-DOS on 386 and 486 machines
900
901 Authors: Manabu Higashida <manabu@sigmath.osaka-u.ac.jp>
902 HIRANO Satoshi <hirano@tkl.iis.u-tokyo.ac.jp>
903 Latest released version: 1.2.0
904 Anonymous FTP:
905 utsun.s.u-tokyo.ac.jp:GNU/demacs/* (nearest to U.S.A.)
906 ftp.sigmath.osaka-u.ac.jp:pub/Msdos/Demacs/*
907 wnoc-fuk.wide.ad.jp:pub/msdos/Demacs/*
908 ftp.3com.com:pub/gnu/msdos/demacs/* +
909 mindseye.berkeley.edu:pub/kanji/demacs/* +
910 ftp.hawaii.edu:pub/editors/demacs.tar.Z +
911 ftp.math.ksu.edu:pub/pc/demacs/* +
912 wsmr-simtel20.army.mil:pd1:<msdos.demacs>* +
913 ftp.uni-koeln.de: (PLEASE USE ONLY OUTSIDE WORKING HOURS!) +
914 msdos/gnuprogs/dem120e.zip (executables, lisp-code, doc)
915 msdos/gnuprogs/dem120s.zip (sources, diffs)
916 ftp.lysator.liu.se:pub/msdos/gnu/emacs/?????????????
917 mizar.docs.uu.se:pub/gnu/demacs/* +
918 iamsun.unibe.ch:PC/demacs/* +
919 flop.informatik.tu-muenchen.de:outgoing/demacs.tar +
920 ftp.funet.fi:pub/gnu/emacs/demacs/* +
921 garbo.uwasa.fi:pc/editor/dem120{e,s}.zip +
922 ftp.win.tue.nl:pub/gnu/demacs/* +
923 ugle.unit.no:pub/gnu/Demacs/* +
924 {Does anyone know which sites have the Kanji version?} +
925 Via e-mail: +
926 From garbo.uwasa.fi: +
927 To: mailserv@garbo.uwasa.fi +
928 Subject: garbo-request +
929 Body: send pc/editor/dem120e.zip +
930 send pc/editor/dem120s.zip +
931 quit +
932 Downloading:
933 EXEC-PC (Milwaukee, WI) 414-789-4210 (2400 bps)
934 in the Mahoney MS-DOS file area in its Editors/wordprocessors
935 library (F), named GNUEMACS.ZIP
936 Channel 1 (Cambridge, MA) 617-345-8873 (9600 bps)
937 in the New Uploads file area, named GNUEMACS.ZIP
938 NOTE: Use the -d option of [pk]unzip for all .zip archives. Some sites
939 have Demacs lharc'ed. {Can anyone tell me FTP sites for programs to
940 extract lharc and zip format files? Or even better, give me a pointer
941 to another FAQ that answers these questions.}
942 Mailing list: +
943 NOTE: There is no mailing list for Demacs. However, there is a list +
944 for DJGPP, which is the environment that Demacs runs in. Many +
945 Demacs problems are actually issues with DJGPP. +
946 DJGPP: +
947 Subscriptions: +
948 To: listserv@sun.soe.clarkson.edu +
949 body: add <your-address> djgpp +
950 or put "help" in the body. +
951 If this fails, mail to djgpp-request@sun.soe.clarkson.edu. +
952 Submissions: +
953 djgpp@sun.soe.clarkson.edu +
954
955 * Freemacs -- a small Emacs for MS-DOS
956
957 Author: Russ Nelson <nelson@sun.soe.clarkson.edu> +
958 Latest released version: 1.6a
959 Anonymous FTP:
960 simtel20.army.mil:PD:<MSDOS.FREEMACS>*
961 grape.ecs.clarkson.edu:pub/msdos/freemacs/*
962 Via e-mail:
963 To: archive-server@sun.soe.clarkson.edu
964 body: help
965 Via snail mail:
966 address: Russell Nelson, 11 Grant St., Potsdam, NY 13676
967 Send $15 copying fee, and specify preferred floppy disk format:
968 5.25", 360K, or 3.50", 720K
969 Mailing lists:
970 Subscriptions:
971 To: listserv@sun.soe.clarkson.edu
972 body: add <your-address> <name-of-list>
973 or put "help" in the body.
974 List distribution addresses:
975 freemacs-announce@sun.soe.clarkson.edu
976 freemacs-help@sun.soe.clarkson.edu
977 freemacs-workers@sun.soe.clarkson.edu (send bug reports here)
978
979 * Patch -- program to apply "diffs" for updating files
980
981 Author: Larry Wall <lwall@netlabs.com>
982 Latest version: 2.0 patchlevel 12u5
983 (This is the version that supports the new "unified" diff format.)
984 Anonymous FTP:
985 prep.ai.mit.edu:pub/gnu/patch-2.0.12u4.tar.Z
986
987 22: What is the real legal meaning of the GNU copyleft?
988
989 RMS writes:
990
991 The legal meaning of the GNU copyleft is less important than the spirit,
992 which is that Emacs is a free software project and that work pertaining
993 to Emacs should also be free software. "Free" means that all users have
994 the freedom to study, share, change and improve Emacs. To make sure
995 everyone has this freedom, pass along source code when you distribute
996 any version of Emacs or a related program, and give the recipients the
997 same freedom that you enjoyed.
998
999 If you still want to find out about the legal meaning of the copyleft,
1000 please ask yourself if this means you are not paying attention to the
1001 spirit.
1002
1003 23: What are appropriate messages for gnu.emacs.help, gnu.emacs.bug,
1004 comp.emacs, etc.?
1005
1006 The file etc/MAILINGLISTS discusses the purpose of each GNU
1007 mailing-list. (See question 20 on how to get a copy.) For
1008 those which are gatewayed with newsgroups, it lists both the newsgroup
1009 name and the mailing list address.
1010
1011 comp.emacs is for discussion of Emacs programs in general. This
1012 includes GNU Emacs along with various other implementations like JOVE,
1013 MicroEmacs, Freemacs, MG, Unipress, CCA, Epsilon, etc.
1014
1015 Many people post GNU Emacs questions to comp.emacs because they don't
1016 receive any of the gnu.* newsgroups. Arguments have been made both for
1017 and against posting GNU-Emacs-specific material to comp.emacs. You have
1018 to decide for yourself.
1019
1020 Messages advocating "non-free" software are considered unacceptable on any
1021 of the gnu.* newsgroups except for gnu.misc.discuss, which was created to
1022 hold the extensive flame-wars on the subject. "non-free" software
1023 includes any software for which the end user can't get source code. Be
1024 careful to remove the gnu.* groups from the "Newsgroups:" line when
1025 posting a followup that recommends such software.
1026
1027 The correct place to report GNU Emacs bugs is by e-mail to
1028 bug-gnu-emacs@prep.ai.mit.edu. Anything sent here also appears in the
1029 newsgroup gnu.emacs.bug, but please use e-mail instead of news to submit
1030 the bug report. This way a reliable return address is available so you
1031 can be contacted for further details.
1032
1033 RMS explains: !
1034
1035 Sending bug reports to help-gnu-emacs (which has the effect of posting
1036 on gnu.emacs.help) is undesirable because it takes the time of an
1037 unnecessarily large group of people, most of whom are just users and
1038 have no idea how to fix these problem. bug-gnu-emacs reaches a much
1039 smaller group of people who are more likely to know what to do and have
1040 expressed a wish to receive more messages about Emacs than the others.
1041
1042 However, RMS says there are circumstances when it is okay to post to +
1043 gnu.emacs.help: +
1044 +
1045 If you have reported a bug and you don't hear about a possible fix, then +
1046 after a suitable delay (such as a week) it is okay to post on +
1047 gnu.emacs.help asking if anyone can help you. +
1048
1049 If you are unsure whether you have a bug, RMS describes how to tell: !
1050
1051 ... if Emacs crashes, that is a bug. If Emacs gets compilation errors
1052 while building, that is a bug. If Emacs crashes while building, that is
1053 a bug. If Lisp code does not do what the documentation says it does,
1054 that is a bug.
1055
1056 24: How do I unsubscribe to this mailing list?
1057
1058 If you are receiving a GNU mailing list named "XXX", you might be able
1059 to unsubscribe to it by sending a request to the address
1060 "XXX-request@prep.ai.mit.edu". However, this will not work if you are
1061 not listed on the main mailing list, but instead recieve the mail from a
1062 distribution point. In that case, you will have to track down at which
1063 distribution point you are listed. Inspecting the "Received:" headers
1064 on the mail messages may help, along with liberal use of the "EXPN" or
1065 "VRFY" sendmail commands through "telnet <site-address> smtp". Ask your
1066 postmaster for help.
1067
1068 25: What is the LPF and why should I join it?
1069
1070 The LPF opposes the expanding danger of software patents and
1071 look-and-feel copyrights. Write to league@prep.ai.mit.edu for more
1072 information. You can get papers describing the LPF's views via
1073 anonymous FTP (prep.ai.mit.edu:/pub/lpf/*) or via anonymous UUCP
1074 (osu-cis!~/lpf/*).
1075
1076 26: What is the current address of the FSF?
401 1077
402 Snail mail address: 1078 Snail mail address:
403 Free Software Foundation 1079 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
404 675 Massachusetts Avenue 1080 675 Massachusetts Avenue
405 Cambridge, MA 02139, USA 1081 Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
406 1082
407 Phone number: 1083 Phone number:
408 (617) 876-3296 1084 (617) 876-3296
409 1085
410 E-mail addresses: 1086 E-mail addresses:
411 gnu@prep.ai.mit.edu {probably read by Len Tower} 1087 gnu@prep.ai.mit.edu
412 gnulists@prep 1088
413 1089 27: What is the current address of the LPF?
414 18: What is the current address of the LPF?
415 1090
416 Snail mail address: 1091 Snail mail address:
417 League for Programming Freedom 1092 League for Programming Freedom
418 1 Kendall Square, Number 143 1093 1 Kendall Square, Number 143
419 Post Office Box 9171 1094 Post Office Box 9171
420 Cambridge, MA 02139, USA 1095 Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
421 1096
422 Phone number: 1097 Phone number:
423 (617) 243-4061 { or 243-4091, I'm not sure ... } 1098 (617) 243-4061 { or 243-4091, I'm not sure ... }
1099 {Will someone please tell me which of the above numbers is correct?}
424 1100
425 E-mail address: 1101 E-mail address:
426 league@prep.ai.mit.edu 1102 league@prep.ai.mit.edu
427 1103
428 19: Where can I get the up-to-date GNU stuff? 1104 28: Where can I get other up-to-date GNU stuff?
429 1105
430 The most up-to-date official GNU stuff is normally kept on 1106 The most up-to-date official GNU stuff is normally kept on
431 prep.ai.mit.edu and is available for anonymous FTP. See the files 1107 prep.ai.mit.edu and is available for anonymous FTP. See the files
432 etc/DISTRIB and etc/FTP for more information. (To get copies of these 1108 etc/DISTRIB and etc/FTP for more information. (To get copies of these
433 files, see question 16.) 1109 files, see question 20.)
434 1110
435 20: Where can I get the latest VM, Supercite, GNUS, Calc, Calendar, or Patch? 1111 For Europeans, the site nic.funet.fi duplicates the directory /pub/gnu
436 1112 from prep.ai.mit.edu.
437 1. VM: 1113
438 1114 29: Where can I get the latest version of this document (the FAQ list)?
439 Author: Kyle Jones <kyle@xanth.cs.odu.edu> 1115
440 1116 The GNU Emacs FAQ is available in several ways:
441 Mailing lists: info-vm-request@uunet.uu.net 1117
442 info-vm@uunet.uu.net 1118 1. Via USENET. If you can read news, the FAQ should be available in your +
443 bug-vm-request@uunet.uu.net 1119 news spool, in both the "gnu.emacs.help" and "comp.emacs" newsgroups.
444 bug-vm@uunet.uu.net 1120 Every news reader of which I know will allow you to read any news
445 1121 article that is still in the news spool, even if you have read the
446 Anonymous FTP: 1122 article before. You may need to read the instructions for your news
447 1123 reader to discover how to do this. In "rn", this command will do this
448 Last released version: 4.41 1124 for you at the "article selection level":
449 site: tut.cis.ohio-state.edu 1125
450 file: /pub/gnu/vm/vm-4.41.tar.Z 1126 ?GNU Emacs FAQ?rc:m
451 1127
452 Beta test version: 5.18 1128 In GNUS, you should type "C-u G" from the *Subject* buffer or "C-u SPC"
453 site: abcfd20.larc.nasa.gov 1129 from the *Newsgroup* buffer to view all articles in a newsgroup.
454 directory: /pub/vm 1130
455 1131 The FAQ articles' message IDs are:
456 2. Supercite: 1132
457 1133 <GNU-Emacs-FAQ-0.92Feb23210646@bigbird.bu.edu> !
458 Author: Barry Warsaw <warsaw@warsaw.nlm.nih.gov> 1134 <GNU-Emacs-FAQ-1.92Feb23210646@bigbird.bu.edu> !
459 1135 <GNU-Emacs-FAQ-2.92Feb23210646@bigbird.bu.edu> !
460 Latest version: 2.1 1136 <GNU-Emacs-FAQ-3.92Feb23210646@bigbird.bu.edu> +
461 1137
462 Mailing lists: supercite@warsaw.nlm.nih.gov 1138 If you are viewing this in the GNUS `*Article*' buffer, you can move
463 supercite-request@warsaw.nlm.nih.gov 1139 point within one of the above message IDs and type "r" to fetch the
464 1140 referenced article into the `*Article*' buffer. Type "o" in the
465 Anonymous FTP: 1141 `*Article*' buffer to restore the previous contents of the `*Article*'
466 site: durer.cme.nist.gov [129.6.32.4] 1142 buffer. If you are not viewing this in the GNUS `*Article*' buffer,
467 files:/pub/gnu/elisp/supercite-2.1.shar.0# (where # is replaced by 1 or 2) 1143 use M-x gnus-Article-refer-article instead of "r". GNUS must be
468 1144 running and you must display the `*Article*' buffer to see the results.
469 NOTE: Superyank is an old version of Supercite. 1145
470 1146 If the FAQ articles have expired and been deleted from your news spool,
471 3. GNUS: 1147 it might (or might not) do some good to complain to your news
472 1148 administrator, because the most recent FAQ should not expire before
473 Author: Masanobu Umeda 1149 April 15, 1992. !
474 1150
475 Latest version: 3.13 1151 2. Via anonymous FTP. You can fetch the FAQ articles via anonymous FTP +
476 1152 (pit-manager.mit.edu:pub/usenet/news.answers/GNU-Emacs-FAQ/part?). !
477 Anonymous FTP: 1153
478 site: tut.cis.ohio-state.edu 1154 3. Via e-mail. You can send the following magical incantation in the body +
479 files: /pub/gnu/gnus/3.13.##-of-11.Z (where ## is replaced by 00 -- 11) 1155 of a message to mail-server@pit-manager.mit.edu:
480 1156
481 4. Calc: 1157 send usenet/news.answers/GNU-Emacs-FAQ/part0 !
482 1158 send usenet/news.answers/GNU-Emacs-FAQ/part1 !
483 Author: Dave Gillespie <daveg@csvax.cs.caltech.edu> 1159 send usenet/news.answers/GNU-Emacs-FAQ/part2 +
484 1160 send usenet/news.answers/GNU-Emacs-FAQ/part3 +
485 Latest version: 1.06 1161 +
486 1162 4. Via WAIS. The GNU Emacs FAQ is available via WAIS indexed on a +
487 Anonymous FTP: 1163 per-question basis from the "faq" database on bigbird.bu.edu on the +
488 site: csvax.cs.caltech.edu [131.215.131.131] 1164 non-standard IP port number of 2210. This is probably the best way to +
489 or any comp.sources.misc archive 1165 find out if there is something in the FAQ related to your question. I +
490 1166 use this myself to answer questions I see posted on gnu.emacs.help. !
491 5. Calendar/Diary 1167 !
492 1168 The articles of the GNU Emacs FAQ are also available from the "usenet" !
493 Author: Ed Reingold <reingold@cs.uiuc.edu> 1169 database on pit-manager.mit.edu (on the standard IP port: 210), along !
494 1170 with a lot of other FAQ articles. However, these are all indexed at !
495 Latest version: 4 1171 the whole article level instead of at the question level. This is a !
496 1172 better place to look if you want to fetch the entire FAQ. !
497 E-mail: 1173 !
498 Subject: send-emacs-cal 1174 5. In the GNU Emacs distribution. Since GNU Emacs 18.56, the latest !
499 body: your best internet e-mail address 1175 available version of the FAQ at the time of release has been part of
500 1176 the GNU Emacs distribution as file etc/FAQ. 18.58 is the latest !
501 6. Patch 1177 version, and it was released in February 1992. !
502 1178
503 Author: Larry Wall <lwall@jpl-devvax.jpl.nasa.gov> 1179
504 1180
505 Latest version: 2.0 patchlevel 12 1181 GNU Emacs and Various Computing Environments
506 1182
507 Anonymous FTP: 1183 30: Where does the name "Emacs" come from?
508 site: any comp.sources.unix archive 1184
509 1185 EMACS originally was an acronym for Editor MACroS. The first Emacs was
510 or, for Europeans: 1186 a set of macros written by Richard Stallman and Guy Steele for the
511 1187 editor TECO (Text Editor and COrrector (originally Tape Editor and
512 site: archive.cs.ruu.nl [131.211.80.5] 1188 COrrector)) on a PDP-10. (Amusing fact: many people have told me that
513 file: /pub/UNIX/patch-2.0.tar.Z 1189 TECO code looks a lot like line noise. See alt.lang.teco if you are
514 1190 interested.)
515 21: How do I install a piece of Texinfo documentation? 1191
516 1192 31: What is the latest version of GNU Emacs?
517 First create Info files from the Texinfo files with M-x 1193
518 texinfo-format-buffer. There is also a program called "makeinfo" that 1194 GNU Emacs 18.58 is the current version. Fixes from 18.57 include better !
519 provides better error checking and runs faster. Currently, it comes 1195 mail address parsing, an X visual bell speedup, a call-process !
520 with the Emacs Lisp manual (which comes on the GNU Emacs tape). 1196 enhancement, a regexp matching change, the ability to apply a numeric !
521 1197 argument to a self-inserting digit, getting X resource values from the !
522 For information about the Texinfo format, read the Texinfo manual which 1198 RESOURCE_MANAGER property, more reliable shell mode job control, and a !
523 comes with Emacs. This manual also comes installed in Info format, so 1199 change to copy-keymap. Also, support has been added for many new system !
524 you can read it online. 1200 types. !
525 1201
526 Neither texinfo-format-buffer nor the makeinfo program install the 1202 The June 1991 GNU's Bulletin says this about the status of Emacs: +
527 resulting Info files in Emacs's Info tree. To install Info files: 1203
528 1204 GNU Emacs 18.57 is the current version. The undo facility has been
529 1. Move the files to the "info" directory in the installed Emacs 1205 completely rewritten and now holds unlimited data temporarily, and a
530 distribution. See question 6 if you don't know where that 1206 user-specified amount for the long term.
531 is. 1207
532 1208 Berkeley is distributing GNU Emacs with the 4.3 BSD distribution, and
533 2. Edit the file info/dir in the installed Emacs distribution, and add a 1209 numerous companies distribute it also.
534 line for the top level node in the Info package that you are 1210
535 installing. 1211 Emacs 18 maintenance continues for simple bug fixes.
536 1212
537 22: What is the real legal meaning of the GNU copyleft? 1213 To visit a file with information about what has changed in recent !
1214 versions, type "C-h n". !
1215
1216 32: When will GNU Emacs 19 be available?
1217
1218 Good question, I don't know. For that matter, neither do the developers.
1219 It will undoubtedly be available sometime in the 1990s. :-) People are
1220 actually using alpha-test version of Emacs 19, which is a good sign. Work
1221 has begun on features for Emacs 20.
538 1222
539 RMS writes: 1223 RMS writes:
540 1224
541 The legal meaning of the GNU copyleft is less important than the spirit, 1225 Work is progressing steadily on 19 and it the to-do list is getting
542 which is that Emacs is a free software project and that work pertaining 1226 smaller. But I don't want to make the mistake of predicting when it
543 to Emacs should also be free software. "Free" means that all users have 1227 will be ready.
544 the freedom to study, share, change and improve Emacs. To make sure 1228
545 everyone has this freedom, pass along source code when you distribute 1229 33: What will be different about GNU Emacs 19?
546 any version of Emacs or a related program, and give the recipients the 1230
547 same freedom that you enjoyed. 1231 From the June 1991 GNU's Bulletin:
548 1232
549 If you still want to find out about the legal meaning of the copyleft, 1233 Version 19 approaches release, counting among its new features: before
550 please ask yourself if this means you are not paying attention to the 1234 and after change hooks, source-level debugging of Emacs Lisp programs, X
551 spirit. 1235 selection processing (including clipboard selections), scrollbars,
552 1236 support for European character sets, floating point numbers, per-buffer
553 23: What are appropriate messages for gnu.emacs.help/gnu.emacs.bug/comp.emacs 1237 mouse commands, X resource manager interfacing, mouse-tracking,
554 etc.? 1238 Lisp-level binding of function keys, multiple X windows (`screens' to
555 1239 Emacs), a new input system---all input now arrives in the form of Lisp
556 The file etc/MAILINGLISTS discusses the purpose of each GNU 1240 objects---and buffer allocation, which uses a new mechanism capable of
557 mailing-list. (See question 16 on how to get a copy.) For 1241 returning storage to the system when a buffer is killed.
558 those which are gatewayed with newsgroups, it lists both the newsgroup 1242
559 name and the mailing list address. 1243 Thanks go to Alan Carroll and the people who worked on Epoch for
560 1244 generating initial feedback to a multi-windowed Emacs. Emacs 19
561 comp.emacs is for discussion of Emacs programs in general. This 1245 supports two styles of multiple windows, one with a separate screen for
562 includes GNU Emacs along with various other implementations like JOVE, 1246 the minibuffer, and another with a minibuffer attached to each screen.
563 MicroEmacs, Freemacs, MG, Unipress, CCA, etc. 1247
564 1248 Features being considered for later releases of Emacs include:
565 Many people post GNU Emacs questions to comp.emacs because they don't 1249 associating property lists with regions of text in a buffer; multiple
566 receive any of the gnu.* newsgroups. Arguments have been made both for 1250 fonts, color, and pixmaps defined by those properties; different
567 and against posting GNU-Emacs-specific material to comp.emacs. You have 1251 visibility conditions for the regions, and for various windows showing
568 to decide for yourself. 1252 one buffer; hooks to be run if point or mouse moves outside a certain
569 1253 range; incrementally saving undo history in a file; static menu bars;
570 24: Should I send questions directly to people who post a lot on the net, 1254 and better pop-up menus.
571 instead of posting myself? 1255
572 1256 Mention of these two items disappeared in the January 1991 GNU's bulletin:
573 I don't know about the others, but please don't send such messages to me 1257
574 just because you don't want to disturb a lot of people. Send messages 1258 * Incremental syntax analysis for various programming languages (Leif).
575 to individuals that concern things that individual has written.
576
577
578
579 GNU Emacs, all its Variants, and other Editors
580
581 25: Where does the name "Emacs" come from?
582
583 EMACS originally was an acronym for Editor MACroS. The first Emacs was
584 a set of macros written by Richard Stallman for the editor TECO (Tape
585 Editor and COrrector {Text Editor and COrrector?}) on a PDP-10.
586 (Amusing fact: many people have told me that TECO code looks a lot like
587 line noise.)
588
589 26: What is the latest version of GNU Emacs?
590
591 GNU Emacs 18.55. GNU Emacs 18.56 is coming out with some bug fixes, but
592 no additional functionality.
593
594 27: When will GNU Emacs 19 be available?
595
596 Good question, I don't know. For that matter, neither do the
597 developers. It will undoubtedly be available sometime in the 1990s.
598
599 28: What will be different about GNU Emacs 19?
600
601 From the latest "GNU's Bulletin":
602
603 Version 19 approaches release with a host of new features: before and
604 after change hooks; X selection processing (including CLIPBOARD
605 selections); scrollbars; support for European character sets; floating
606 point numbers; per-buffer mouse commands; interfacing with the X
607 resource manager; mouse-tracking; Lisp-level binding of function keys;
608 and multiple X windows (`screens' to Emacs).
609
610 Thanks go to Alan Carroll and the people who worked on Epoch for
611 generating initial feedback to a multi-windowed Emacs. Emacs 19
612 supports two styles of multiple windows, one with a separate screen for
613 the minibuffer, and another with a minibuffer attached to each screen.
614
615 More features of Version 19 are buffer allocation, which uses a new
616 mechanism capable of returning storage to the system when a buffer is
617 killed, and a new input system---all input now arrives in the form of
618 Lisp objects.
619
620 Other features being considered for Version 19 include:
621
622 * Associating property lists with regions of text in a buffer.
623 * Multiple font, color, and pixmaps defined by those properties.
624 * Different visibility conditions for the regions, and for the various
625 windows showing one buffer.
626 * Incremental syntax analysis for various programming languages.
627 * Hooks to be run if point or mouse moves outside a certain range.
628 * Source-level debugging for Emacs Lisp.
629 * Incrementally saving undo history in a file, so that recover-file also
630 reinstalls buffer's undo history.
631 * Static menu bars, and better pop-up menus.
632 * A more sophisticated emacsclient/server model, which would provide 1259 * A more sophisticated emacsclient/server model, which would provide
633 network transparent Emacs widget functionality. 1260 network transparent Emacs widget functionality.
634 1261
635 Also, Emacs 19 will have a Emacs Lisp source code debugger. 1262 34: Is there an Emacs that has better mouse and X window support?
636
637 29: Is there an Emacs that has better mouse and X window support?
638 1263
639 Emacs 18 has some limited X Window System support, but there are 1264 Emacs 18 has some limited X Window System support, but there are
640 problems. Emacs 19 will have amazing mouse and window support. Right 1265 problems. Emacs 19 will have amazing mouse and window support. Right
641 now, there is a modified version of Emacs 18.55 called "Epoch" which has 1266 now, there is a modified version of Emacs 18.55 called "Epoch" which has
642 greatly improved mouse and window support. The latest version of Epoch 1267 greatly improved mouse and window support. To obtain Epoch, see
643 is available via: 1268 question 21.
644 1269
645 Anonymous FTP: 1270 There are numerous Emacs Lisp packages that have been written to extend
646 site: cs.uiuc.edu 1271 Emacs 18's mouse handling capabilities. Some of these packages also have
647 directory: pub/epoch-files/epoch 1272 patches to the C code to provide enhanced capabilities. Look up "mouse"
648 file: epoch-3.2b (b stands for beta) 1273 in the Lisp Code Directory (see question 17).
649 1274
650 NOTE: Epoch only works with the X Window System; it does not work on 1275 NOTE: Epoch only works with the X Window System; it does not work on
651 ordinary terminals. 1276 ordinary terminals.
652 1277
653 30: How do I get Emacs for my PC? 1278 35: Where can I get the "unofficial HP GNU Emacs"?
654 1279
655 GNU Emacs won't run on a PC directly under MS-DOS. There have been 1280 The unofficial HP GNU Emacs is available via anonymous FTP
656 reports of people running GNU Emacs under a special program under MS-DOS 1281 (me10.lbl.gov:pub/interex/HUGE/HUGE.{README.HP,tar.Z.??},
657 on 286 or 386 machines, but I don't know the details. 1282 ee.utah.edu:HUGE/*, PLEASE FTP DURING NON-WORK HOURS!!!) and takes about
658 1283 35 megabytes of disk space to build. It is useful for non-HP machines,
659 You can try a variety of similar programs such as MG, MicroEmacs, 1284 but some of the added features will only work under HP-UX.
660 Freemacs, etc. 1285
1286 You will need to get patches to work with HP-UX 8.0 or on 700 series
1287 machines via e-mail from Darryl Okahata <darrylo@sr.hp.com>.
1288
1289 36: Where can I get Emacs for my PC?
1290
1291 ** Demacs
1292
1293 For 386 or 486 PCs, there is a version of GNU Emacs called Demacs. To get
1294 Demacs see question 21.
1295
1296 From the announcement message:
1297
1298 Demacs is almost a full set of GNU Emacs but does not support some
1299 features: asynchronous process, locking a file, etc.
1300
1301 Demacs provides following DOS specific features:
1302
1303 * File type: text or binary file translation.
1304 * "8bit clean" display mode.
1305 * 8086 software interrupt call by int86 lisp function.
1306 * Machine specific features such as function key support.
1307 * File name completion with drive name.
1308 * Child process (suspend-emacs, call-process).
1309 * Enhanced dired mode which can work without 'ls.exe'.
1310
1311 To our regret `shell-mode' does not work, but `compile' command works
1312 properly.
1313
1314 Demacs was developed using an MS-DOS version of gcc called djgpp by D. J.
1315 Delorie <dj@ctron.com> which can compile and run large programs under
1316 MS-DOS, but not under MS Windows. Demacs was derived from Nemacs rather
1317 than straight from GNU Emacs.
1318
1319 There are a variety of other Emacses for MS-DOS including among them the
1320 following.
1321
1322 ** Freemacs
661 1323
662 Russ Nelson <nelson@sun.soe.clarkson.edu>, the author, describes 1324 Russ Nelson <nelson@sun.soe.clarkson.edu>, the author, describes
663 Freemacs: 1325 Freemacs:
664 1326
665 * Freemacs is free, and it was designed from the start to be 1327 * Freemacs is free, and it was designed from the start to be
666 programmable. 1328 programmable.
667 * Freemacs is the only IBM-PC editor that tries to be like GNU Emacs. 1329 * Freemacs is the only IBM-PC editor that tries to be like GNU Emacs.
668 * Freemacs can only edit files less than 64K in length. 1330 * Freemacs can only edit files less than 64K in length.
669 * Freemacs doesn't have undo. 1331 * Freemacs doesn't have undo.
670 1332
671 Carl Witty <cwitty@cs.stanford.edu> writes about Freemacs: 1333 Carl Witty <cwitty@cs.stanford.edu> describes Freemacs:
672 1334
673 Better is Freemacs, which follows the tradition of ITS and GNU Emacs 1335 Better is Freemacs, which follows the tradition of ITS and GNU Emacs by
674 by having an full, turing-complete extension language which is 1336 having an full, turing-complete extension language which is incompatible
675 incompatible with everything else. In fact, it's even closer to ITS 1337 with everything else. In fact, it's even closer to ITS Emacs than GNU
676 Emacs than GNU Emacs is, because Mint (Freemacs' extension language) 1338 Emacs is, because Mint (Freemacs' extension language) is absolutely
677 is absolutely illegible without weeks of study, much like TECO. 1339 illegible without weeks of study, much like TECO.
678 1340
679 You can get Freemacs several ways: 1341 To get Freemacs see question 21.
680 1342
681 1. Anonymous FTP: 1343 ** MicroEmacs
682 site: simtel20.army.mil, directory: PD:<MSDOS.FREEMACS> 1344
683 site: grape.ecs.clarkson.edu [128.153.13.196], directory: /e/freemacs 1345 MicroEmacs is a descendant of Microemacs {originally by Dave Conroy?}. It +
684 1346 is programmable in a BASIC-like language. Many of the keybindings are +
685 2. E-mail: 1347 different from GNU Emacs. It is rumored that MicroEmacs can not correctly +
686 address: archive-server@sun.soe.clarkson.edu, or 1348 edit files larger than memory. The author is Daniel Lawrence +
687 archive-server%sun.soe@omnigate (BITNET), or 1349 <dan@mdbs.uucp, dan@midas.mgmt.purdue.edu, nwd@j.cc.purdue.edu>. The -
688 {smart-host}!sun.soe.clarkson.edu!archive-server (UUCP) 1350 latest version is 3.10 and it is available via anonymous FTP
689 body: help 1351 (midas.mgmt.purdue.edu (non-working hours only), durer.cme.nist.gov,
690 1352 wuarchive.wustl.edu:/mirrors/msdos/memacs/*). Version 3.11 is in beta
691 3. Snail mail: 1353 test.
692 address: Russell Nelson, 11 Grant St., Potsdam, NY 13676 1354
693 Send $15 copying fee, and specify preferred floppy disk format: 1355 ** JOVE
694 5.25", 1.2 Meg, or 5.25", 360K, or 3.50", 720K 1356
695 1357 Another Emacs for small machines is JOVE (Jonathan's Own Version of
696 I don't know much about MicroEmacs. All I know is that the latest 1358 Emacs). The latest official version is 4.14. There appears to be a newer
697 version is 3.10 and it is available via: 1359 version. People rumored to be working on JOVE include Mark Moraes
1360 <moraes@cs.toronto.edu> and Bill Marsh <bmarsh@cod.nosc.mil>. It is
1361 available via anonymous FTP (cs.rochester.edu:/pub/jove.tar.4.14.Z,
1362 cs.toronto.edu:/pub/moraes/jove4.14.3.tar.Z, ftp.uu.net:????). +
1363
1364 ** MG
1365
1366 MG is another descendant of Microemacs. MG used to stand for
1367 MicroGNUEmacs, but now just stands for MG. The look-and-feel of MG is +
1368 intended to be close to that of GNU Emacs. It is rumored that MG can not +
1369 correctly edit files larger than memory. The current version is rumored +
1370 to be 2. There is a version 3 in beta which works on the Amiga. It is
1371 also available via anonymous FTP (ftp.white.toronto.edu:pub/mg/*,
1372 wuarchive.wustl.edu: /mirrors/unix-c/editors/mg*, procyon.cis.ksu.edu
1373 (source and executable)).
1374
1375 37: Where can I get Emacs for my Atari ST?
698 1376
699 Anonymous FTP: 1377 Anonymous FTP:
700 site: durer.cme.nist.gov 1378 cs.uni-sb.de:/pub/atari/emacs/????????
701 1379
702 Another Emacs for small machines is Jove (Jonathan's Own Version of 1380 38: Where can I get Emacs for my Amiga?
703 Emacs). The latest version is 4.9. It is available via: 1381
1382 All of the files are lharc-ed.
704 1383
705 Anonymous FTP: 1384 Anonymous FTP:
706 sites: hipl.psych.nyu.edu, cs.toronto.edu, cayuga.cs.rochester.edu 1385 oes.orst.edu:/pub/almanac/comp/amiga/software/gnuemacs-1.10/*
707 1386
708 Yet another Emacs is "mg", which used to stand for MicroGNUEmacs, but 1387 Via e-mail:
709 now just stands for "mg". It is available via: 1388 To: almanac@oes.orst.edu:
1389 body:
1390 mode uuencode
1391 send computer amiga software gnuemacs <file>
1392 <file> is replaced by one of the following:
1393 Required: d1.lzh d2.lzh
1394 Recommended: d3_info.lzh d3_infolisp.lzh
1395 Optional: d3_autoloaded.lzh d3_entertainmentetc.lzh
1396 d3_entertainmentlisp.lzh d4_src.lzh d5_languagelisp.lzh
1397 d5_viclone.lzh d6_gnulibsrc.lzh d6_mailpackage.lzh
1398 d6_mathpackage.lzh d6_misc.lzh d6_textformat.lzh
1399 The `d#' at the beginning of each file is its disk number, which is
1400 referred to by the documentation.
1401
1402 39: Where can I get Emacs for my Apple computer?
1403
1404 The FSF is a participant in a boycott of Apple because of Apple's "look
1405 and feel" copyright suits. See the file etc/APPLE for more details.
1406 Because of this boycott, the FSF doesn't include support in GNU software
1407 for Apple computers such as the Macintosh.
1408
1409 Please don't help people port or develop software for Apple computers.
1410
1411 40: Where can I get Emacs with NeWS support?
1412
1413 Chris Maio's NeWS support package for GNU Emacs is available via
1414 anonymous FTP (columbia.edu:pub/ps-emacs.tar.Z, -
1415 archive.cis.ohio-state.edu:pub/gnu/emacs/ps-emacs.tar.Z) and via e-mail !
1416 (body: send NeWS emacs-support, To: archive-server@columbia.edu). +
1417
1418 41: How do I get Emacs running on VMS under DECwindows?
1419
1420 Hal R. Brand <BRAND@addvax.llnl.gov> is said to have a VMS save set with a
1421 ready-to-run VMS version of Emacs 18.55 for X Windows. It is available
1422 via anonymous FTP (addvax.llnl.gov). It is possible that the VMS versions +
1423 of Emacs at other sites have X support compiled in. See etc/FTP for +
1424 locations. +
1425
1426 Johan Vromans <jv@mh.nl> writes:
1427
1428 Getting Emacs to run on VMS with DECwindows requires a number of changes
1429 to the sources. Fortunately this has been done already. Joshua Marantz
1430 <josh@viewlogic.com> did most of the work for Emacs 18.52, and the mods
1431 were ported to 18.55 by Johan Vromans <jv@mh.nl>. Also included is the
1432 handling of DEC's LK201 keyboard. You need to apply the changes to a
1433 fresh Emacs 18.55 distribution on a Unix system, and then you can copy
1434 the sources to VMS to perform the compile/link/build.
1435
1436 The set of changes have been posted a number of times three times the
1437 last 12 months, so they should be widely available.
1438
1439 42: How do I use emacstool under SunView?
1440
1441 First read the man page for emacstool (etc/emacstool.1). The file !
1442 etc/SUN-SUPPORT includes further information. +
1443
1444 43: How do I make Emacs display 8-bit characters?
1445
1446 There is a patch called the `8-bit ctl-arrow patch' that allows Emacs to
1447 display characters with codes from 128 to 255. {It appears to be by
1448 Kenneth Cline <cline@proof.ergo.cs.cmu.edu>.}
710 1449
711 Anonymous FTP: 1450 Anonymous FTP:
712 site: snow.white.toronto.edu 1451 cs.purdue.edu:pub/ygz/cemacs.tar.Z:cemacs/8bit-patch-18.57
713 1452 sics.se:archive/emacs-18.55-8bit-diff (new version not available)
714 31: Where can I get Emacs for my Atari ST? 1453 laas.laas.fr:pub/emacs/patch-8bit-18.5{5,7}
715 1454
716 The latest version for the ST is available via: 1455 Via e-mail: +
1456 To: mail-server@sics.se
1457 body: send emacs-18.55-8bit-diff
1458
1459 Anders Edenbrandt <anderse@dna.lth.se> has produced a more comprehensive
1460 patch that allows for 8-bit input and output.
717 1461
718 Anonymous FTP: 1462 Anonymous FTP:
719 site: cs.uni-sb.de [134.96.7.254] 1463 sics.se:archive/emacs-8bit-diff-lth
720 directory: /pub/atari/emacs 1464 gatekeeper.dec.com:pub/GNU/DS-emacs-18.57-8bit-diff-lth
721 1465
722 32: Where can I get Emacs with NeWS support? 1466 The most comprehensive patches for 8-bit output are by Howard Gayle for -
723 1467 Emacs 18.55. These patches allow displaying any arbitrary string for a
724 Chris Maio's NeWS support package for GNU Emacs is available via: 1468 given 8-bit character (except TAB and C-j). Also supported is defining +
1469 the sorting order and the uppercase and lowercase translations. It is +
1470 reported that the 8-bit character support in Emacs 19 is largely based on +
1471 these patches. Thomas Bellman <Bellman@lysator.liu.se> has updated these !
1472 patches for Emacs 18.57. !
725 1473
726 Anonymous FTP: 1474 Anonymous FTP:
727 site: columbia.edu 1475 sics.se:archive/emacs-gayle.tar.Z (patches for 18.55) +
728 file: /pub/ps-emacs.tar.Z 1476 ftp.lysator.liu.se:pub/emacs/gayle-18.57.diff.tar.Z (patches for 18.57) +
729 1477 ftp.lysator.liu.se:pub/emacs/emacs-18.57-gayle.tar.Z (patched 18.57) +
730 site: tut.cis.ohio-state.edu 1478 +
731 file: /pub/gnu/emacs/ps-emacs.tar.Z 1479 Nemacs displays 8-bit characters, and it may be useful for displaying the +
1480 8-bit ISO-8859 alphabet, but I don't know for sure. See question 46. +
1481
1482 44: How do I input 8-bit characters?
1483
1484 Minor modes for ISO Latin-1 that allow one to easily input this character
1485 set have been written by several people. Such modes have been written by !
1486 Matthieu Herrb <matthieu@laas.fr> (laas.laas.fr:pub/emacs/iso-latin-1.el), !
1487 Johan Vromans <jv@mh.nl> {FTP site??}, and Marc Shapiro +
1488 <shapiro@sor.inria.fr> {FTP site??}. +
1489
1490 These approaches differ from the one taken by Anders Edenbrandt in that
1491 his method uses direct 8-bit input, while these methods use a compose
1492 sequence for 8-bit characters. {I have heard conflicting reports on
1493 whether this results in losing the Meta key. Perhaps this depends on
1494 whether Emacs is running under X. Can someone resolve this?}
1495
1496 Karl Heuer <karl@haddock.ima.isc.com> is said to have a patch to allow !
1497 8-bit input.
1498
1499 45: How do I use an already running Emacs from another window?
1500
1501 The `emacsclient' program is for editing a file using an already running
1502 Emacs rather than starting up a new Emacs. It does this by sending a
1503 request to the already running Emacs, which must be expecting the request. +
1504 +
1505 * Setup +
1506 +
1507 Emacs must have executed the `server-start' function for emacsclient to !
1508 work. This can be done either by a command line option:
1509
1510 emacs -f server-start
1511
1512 or by invoking server-start from the .emacs file:
1513
1514 (if (some conditions are met) (server-start))
1515
1516 When this is done, Emacs starts a subprocess running a program called
1517 `server'. `server' creates a Unix domain socket in the user's home
1518 directory named `.emacs_server'.
1519
1520 To get your news reader, mail reader, etc., to invoke emacsclient, try +
1521 setting the environment variable EDITOR (or sometimes VISUAL) to the +
1522 value `emacsclient'. You may have to specify the full pathname of the +
1523 emacsclient program instead. Examples: +
1524 +
1525 # csh commands: +
1526 setenv EDITOR emacsclient +
1527 setenv EDITOR /usr/local/emacs/etc/emacsclient # using full pathname +
1528 +
1529 # sh command: +
1530 EDITOR=emacsclient export EDITOR +
1531 +
1532 * Normal use +
1533
1534 When emacsclient is run, it connects to the `.emacs_server' socket and !
1535 passes its command line options to `server'. When `server' receives -
1536 these requests, it sends this information on the the Emacs process,
1537 which at the next opportunity will visit the files specified. (Line
1538 numbers can be specified just like with Emacs.) When the user is done
1539 editing a file, the user can type "C-x #" to indicate this. This will
1540 switch to another buffer created at the request of emacsclient if there
1541 are any. When "C-x #" has been invoked on all of the files that the
1542 emacsclient requested to be edited, Emacs will send notification of this
1543 to `server' which will pass this on to the emacsclient, which will then
1544 exit.
1545
1546 NOTE: `emacsclient' and `server' must be running on machines which share +
1547 the same filesystem for this to work. The pathnames that emacsclient +
1548 specifies should be correct for the filesystem that the Emacs process +
1549 sees, which is not necessarily the same as the one the emacsclient sees. +
1550 The Emacs process should not be suspended at the time emacsclient is +
1551 invoked. Thus, emacsclient should either be invoked from another X window +
1552 or from a shell window inside Emacs itself. +
1553
1554 There is an enhanced version of emacsclient/server called `gnuserv' by !
1555 Andy Norman <ange@hplb.hpl.hp.com> which is available in the Emacs Lisp
1556 Archive. gnuserv uses Internet domain sockets, so it can work across most
1557 network connections. It also supports the execution of arbitrary Emacs
1558 Lisp forms, not just the ability to visit files, and also does not require +
1559 the client program to wait for completion. It is available via anonymous +
1560 FTP (Emacs Lisp Archive: packages/gnuserv.shar).
1561
1562 46: Where can I get an Emacs that can handle kanji characters? -
1563
1564 Nemacs 3.3.2 (Nihongo GNU Emacs) is a modified version of GNU Emacs 18.55
1565 that handles kanji characters. It is available via anonymous FTP
1566 (crl.nmsu.edu:pub/misc/nemacs-3.3.2.tar.Z, uhccux.uhcc.hawaii.edu:
1567 editors/Nemacs-3.3.2/*, miki.cs.titech.ac.jp:
1568 JAPAN/nemacs/nemacs-3.3.2.tar.Z). You might also need files for "wnn", a
1569 kanji input method (wnn-4.0.3{-README,.tar.Z} {on which machine?}). You +
1570 need a terminal (or terminal emulator) that can display text encoded in +
1571 JIS, Shift-JIS, or EUC (Extended Unix Code), or the ability to run Nemacs +
1572 as a direct X Window client. +
1573
1574 47: Where can I get an Emacs that can handle Chinese?
1575
1576 `cemacs' by Stephen G. Simpson <simpson@math.psu.edu> is a patch to Emacs
1577 18.57 (the ctl-arrow patch) and some Emacs Lisp code that combined with
1578 Cxterm allows using Chinese characters. It is available via anonymous FTP
1579 (crl.nmsu.edu:pub/chinese/cemacs.tar.Z, cs.purdue.edu:
1580 pub/ygz/cemacs.tar.Z). Cxterm is available from the same place
1581 (cs.purdue.edu: pub/ygz/cxterm-11.5.1.tar.Z).
1582
1583 48: Where is an Emacs that can handle Semitic (right-to-left) alphabets?
1584
1585 Joel M. Hoffman <joel@wam.umd.edu> writes:
1586
1587 A couple of years ago a wrote a hebrew.el file that allows right-to-left
1588 editing of Hebrew. I relied on the hardware to display the Hebrew
1589 letters, given the right codes, but not for any right-to-left support;
1590 the hardware also doesn't have to send any specific char. codes. Emacs
1591 keeps track of when the user is typing Hebrew vs. English. (The VT-*
1592 terminals in Israel contain built-in support for Hebrew.)
1593
1594 To get it to work I had to modify only a few lines of GNU Emacs's source
1595 code --- just enough to make it 8-bit clean.
1596
1597 [and in a separate message:]
1598
1599 It doesn't produce time-order ["sefer" format] (I wouldn't recommend
1600 trying that with emacs, because converting time-order to screen-order
1601 with arbitrarily long lines is a bit tricky), but I also concocted a
1602 quick filter to convert screen-order into time-order. I'll be happy to
1603 send you the requisite files if you want them. If you're using it for
1604 anything large, however, you'll want something that works better.
1605
1606 Joseph Friedman <yossi@Neon.Stanford.EDU> wrote something for Emacs that
1607 provides Hebrew support under X Windows.
1608
1609 Warren Burstein <warren@itex.jct.ac.il> says he has mapped 7-bit keys by
1610 modifying self-insert-command "for Hebrew input on 7-bit keyboards".
1611
1612 A good suggestion is to query archie for files named with "hebrew".
732 1613
733 1614
734 1615
735 Binding Keys to Commands 1616 Binding Keys to Commands
736 1617
737 33: Why does my key binding fail? 1618 49: Why does Emacs say "Key sequence XXX uses invalid prefix characters"?
738 1619
739 Most likely, it failed because "ESC [" was already defined. Evaluate 1620 Most likely, it failed because the key sequence you were binding started
1621 with "ESC [" and this sequence was already bound to a command. Evaluate
740 this form first: 1622 this form first:
741 1623
742 (define-key esc-map "[" nil) 1624 (define-key esc-map "[" nil)
743 1625
744 34: Why doesn't this [terminal or window-system setup] code work in my 1626 NOTE: By default, "ESC [" is bound to backward-paragraph, and if you do !
1627 this you will lose this key binding. For most people, this is not a
1628 problem.
1629
1630 50: Why doesn't this [terminal or window-system setup] code work in my
745 .emacs file, but it works just fine after Emacs starts up? 1631 .emacs file, but it works just fine after Emacs starts up?
746 1632
747 This is because you're trying to do something in your .emacs file that 1633 This is because you're trying to do something in your .emacs file that
748 needs to be postponed until after the terminal/window-system setup code 1634 needs to be postponed until after the terminal/window-system setup code
749 is loaded. This is a result of the order in which things are done 1635 is loaded. This is a result of the order in which things are done
750 during the startup of Emacs. 1636 during the startup of Emacs. For more details see question 64.
751 1637
752 In order to postpone the execution of Emacs Lisp code until after the 1638 In order to postpone the execution of Emacs Lisp code until after the
753 terminal/window-system setup, set the value of the variable 1639 terminal/window-system setup, set the value of the variable
754 term-setup-hook or window-setup-hook to be a function which does what 1640 term-setup-hook or window-setup-hook to be a function which does what
755 you want. 1641 you want.
756 1642
757 See question 72 for a complete explanation of what Emacs 1643 See etc/OPTIONS for a complete explanation of what Emacs does every time
758 does every time it is started. 1644 it is started.
759 1645
760 Here is a simple example of how to set term-setup-hook: 1646 Here is a simple example of how to set term-setup-hook:
761 1647
762 (setq term-setup-hook 1648 (setq term-setup-hook
763 (function 1649 (function
764 (lambda () 1650 (lambda ()
765 (if (string-match "^vt220" (or (getenv "TERM") "")) 1651 (cond ((string-match "\\`vt220" (or (getenv "TERM") ""))
766 ;; Make vt220's "Do" key behave like M-x: 1652 ;; Make vt220's "Do" key behave like M-x:
767 (define-key CSI-map "29~" 'execute-extended-command))))) 1653 (define-key CSI-map "29~" 'execute-extended-command))
768 1654 ))))
769 35: How do I use function keys under X Windows? 1655
770 1656 51: Other than that, why does my key binding fail?
771 If compiled on a Sun, Emacs recognizes the function keys that are 1657
772 normally on a Sun keyboard, and you can bind them the same way you 1658 One possible reason that I've seen many times is improperly specifying
773 normally bind Sun keys. Each function key will generate a key sequence 1659 the character ESC in the key binding string. In an Emacs Lisp string,
774 that looks like "ESC [ ### z", where ### is replaced by a number. 1660 ESC is specified as "\e". (ESC can also be specified as itself, the
775 1661 ASCII character with value 27, but this can cause serious problems when
776 If not compiled on a Sun, the function keys will appear to Emacs in a 1662 you try to print/view/mail the file.) Thus, for example, to bind the
777 way remarkably similar to the keys of a VT220 terminal. Each function 1663 key sequence "ESC O D" to the command 'my-backward-char, the simplest
778 key will generate a key sequence that looks like "ESC [ ### ~". 1664 incantation is this:
1665
1666 (global-set-key "\eOD" 'my-backward-char)
1667
1668 These are also correct (and represent what the above command actually
1669 does):
1670
1671 (define-key global-map "\eOD" 'my-backward-char)
1672 (define-key esc-map "OD" 'my-backward-char)
1673
1674 The string forms for the keys RET, LFD, DEL, ESC, SPC, and TAB are
1675 respectively "\r", "\n", "\C-?", "\e", " ", and "\t".
1676
1677 52: How do I use function keys under X Windows?
1678
1679 This depends on whether you are running Emacs inside a terminal emulator
1680 window, or whether you are allowing Emacs to create its own X window.
1681 You can tell which you are doing by noticing whether Emacs creates a new
1682 window when you start it.
1683
1684 If you are running Emacs inside a terminal emulator window, then it
1685 behaves exactly as it does on any other tty. In this case, for function
1686 keys to be useful, they must generate character sequences that are sent
1687 to the programs running inside the window as input. The "xterm" program
1688 has two different sets of character sequences that it generates when
1689 function keys are pressed, depending on the sunFunctionKeys X resource
1690 and the -sf and +sf command line options. (To find out what these key
1691 sequences are, see question 53.) In addition, with xterm,
1692 you can override what key sequence a specific function key (or any other
1693 key) will generate with the "translations" resource. This, for example:
1694
1695 XTerm.VT100.Translations: #override \
1696 <KeyPress>F1: string(0x1b) string("[xyzzy")
1697
1698 makes the function key F1 generate the character sequence "ESC [xyzzy".
1699
1700 On the other hand, if Emacs is managing its own X window, the following
1701 description applies. Emacs receives `KeyPress' events from the X server
1702 when a key is pressed while the keyboard focus is in its window. The
1703 KeyPress event contains an X `keysym' code, which is simply an arbitrary
1704 number corresponding to the name of the keysym, and information on which
1705 "modifiers" such as `control' and `shift' are active. For example, the
1706 `Tab' keysym is 0xff09. (Generally, a key on the keyboard will generate a
1707 keysym whose name is the same as the label on the key, ie. the `Tab' key
1708 will normally generate the `Tab' keysym. This can be changed with the
1709 xmodmap program.) Emacs recognizes all the keysyms that correspond to
1710 standard ASCII characters and internally uses the ASCII character instead.
1711
1712 (WARNING: I am about to describe a gross, disgusting hack to you, have
1713 your barf bag ready.)
1714
1715 When Emacs receives the X keysym of one of the arrow keys, it behaves
1716 the same as if it had received a letter key with the control modifier
1717 down as follows (this is hard-coded):
1718
1719 Up becomes C-p
1720 Down becomes C-n
1721 Right becomes C-f
1722 Left becomes C-b
1723
1724 The way Emacs treats other keysyms depends on what kind of machine it was
1725 compiled on. The type of the display machine is irrelevant! Function +
1726 keys are mapped internally to escape sequences, while other keys are
1727 completely ignored.
1728
1729 1. If compiled on a Sun, Emacs recognizes these X keysyms that
1730 are normally on a Sun keyboard:
1731
1732 F1 through F9
1733 L1 through L10 (same as F11 through F20)
1734 R1 through R15 (same as F21 through F35)
1735 (The keys labelled R8, R10, R12, and R14 usually are mapped to the !
1736 X keysyms Up, Left, Right, and Down.)
1737 Break (the "Alternate" key is given this keysym)
1738
1739 These keys work like Sun function keys. When Emacs recieves the
1740 keysym, it will internally use character sequences that look like "ESC
1741 [ ### z", where ### is replaced by a number. The character sequences
1742 are identical to those generated by Sun's keyboard under SunView. Any
1743 function key not listed above generates "ESC [ - 1 z".
1744
1745 In order to use these key sequences, they should be bound to commands
1746 using the standard key binding methods, just as if Emacs were running
1747 on a regular terminal.
1748
1749 WARNING: F11 and L1 are the same keysym in X, as are F12 and L2, etc.
1750 {Yes, this is stupid. Complain to the X consortium.}
1751
1752 2. If not compiled on a Sun, the function keys will appear to Emacs in a
1753 way remarkably similar to the keys of a DEC LK201 keyboard (used on
1754 some VT series terminals). These X keysyms will be recognized:
1755
1756 F1 through F20
1757 Help (treated same as F15)
1758 Menu (treated same as F16, is the LK201 "Do" key)
1759 Find
1760 Insert (LK201 "Insert Here" key)
1761 Select
1762
1763 These keysyms are supposed to be recognized, but they are not due to a
1764 bug (which is fixed in Emacs 18.58): +
1765
1766 Prior (LK201 "Prev Screen" key)
1767 Next (LK201 "Next Screen" key)
1768
1769 And finally, the LK201 key labelled `Remove' (or `Delete') is often !
1770 mapped to the Delete keysym which generates the DEL character (C-?) !
1771 instead of the key sequence given by the LK201 `Remove' key. It may +
1772 also be mapped to some other keysym, such as `_Remove', in which case +
1773 you can't use it from within Emacs at all. +
1774
1775 Each function key will be internally converted to a character sequence
1776 that looks like "ESC [ ## ~", where ## is replaced by a number. The
1777 character sequences are identical to those generated by a LK201
1778 keyboard. Any function key not listed above generates "ESC [ - 1 ~".
779 1779
780 For the complete list of the numbers which are generated by the function 1780 For the complete list of the numbers which are generated by the function
781 keys, look in the file src/x11term.c. 1781 keys, look in the file src/x11term.c at the definitions of the function
782 1782 "stringFuncVal".
783 However, this may be inadequate for you if you have function keys Emacs 1783
784 doesn't know about. Johan Vromans <jv@mh.nl> explains: 1784 If you are running Emacs on a Sun machine, even if your X display is
785 1785 running on a non-Sun machine (eg., an X terminal), you get the setup
786 There are a number of tricks that can be helpful. The most elegant 1786 described above for Suns. The determining factor is what type of
787 solution, however, is to use the function "x-rebind-key". This function 1787 machine Emacs is running (was compiled) on, not what type of machine
788 is commented out in the source for good reasons --- it's buggy. 1788 your X display is on.
789 1789
790 It is rather easy to replace this function with the function 1790 If you have function keys not listed above on your keyboard, you can use +
791 epoch:rebind-key from the Epoch distribution. 1791 `xmodmap' to change their keysym assignments to get keys that Emacs will !
792 1792 recognize, but that may screw up other programs. !
793 After implementing this, all keyboard keys can be configured to send 1793
794 user definable sequences, e.g. 1794 X resources are not used by Emacs to affect the key sequences generated.
1795 In particular, there are no X key "translations" for Emacs. +
1796
1797 If you have function keys not listed above and you don't want to use
1798 xmodmap to change their names, you might want to make a modification to
1799 your Emacs. Johan Vromans <jv@mh.nl> explains:
1800
1801 There are a number of tricks that can be helpful. The most elegant
1802 solution, however, is to use the function "x-rebind-key". This function
1803 is commented out in the source for good reasons --- it's buggy.
1804
1805 It is rather easy to replace this function with the function
1806 epoch:rebind-key from the Epoch distribution.
1807
1808 After implementing this, all keyboard keys can be configured to send
1809 user definable sequences, e.g.
795 1810
796 (x-rebind-key "KP_F1" 0 "\033OP") 1811 (x-rebind-key "KP_F1" 0 "\033OP")
797 1812
798 This will have the keypad key PF1 send the sequence \eOP, just like an 1813 This will have the keypad key PF1 send the sequence "ESC O P", just like
799 ordinary VTxxx terminal. 1814 an ordinary VT series terminal.
800 1815
801 Another method is to handle the keys in the C source. Although this may 1816 This is what I do in my Emacs. Note that you need to add an entry to
802 be slightly more efficient, it is much less flexible. 1817 syms_of_xfns at the bottom of src/x11fns.c. I can send a patch that has +
803 1818 the necessary changes, so you don't have to get the Epoch sources. +
804 Finally, some people have established a convention to have the special 1819
805 keys send a sequence of characters that indicate the key and its 1820 53: How do I tell what characters my function or arrow keys emit? +
806 modifiers instead of a plain escape sequence. This is also a good
807 method. The advantage of sending the plain escape sequences is that you
808 require only one setup for Emacs running under X and on normal
809 terminals, e.g.
810
811 (x-rebind-key "KP_F1" 0 "\033OP")
812
813 will have key PF1 send \eOP, and, probably in another setup file:
814
815 (global-set-key "\eOP" 'specific-function)
816
817 to bind PF1 to a function. The last statement applies for normal VTxxx
818 terminal also.
819
820 36: How do I tell what characters my function keys emit?
821 1821
822 Use this function by Randal L. Schwartz <merlyn@iwarp.intel.com>: 1822 Use this function by Randal L. Schwartz <merlyn@iwarp.intel.com>:
823 1823
824 (defun see-chars () 1824 (defun see-chars ()
825 "Displays characters typed, terminated by a 3-second timeout." 1825 "Displays characters typed, terminated by a 3-second timeout."
830 (while (not (sit-for 3)) 1830 (while (not (sit-for 3))
831 (setq chars (concat chars (list (read-char))) 1831 (setq chars (concat chars (list (read-char)))
832 quit-flag nil)) ; quit-flag maybe set by C-g 1832 quit-flag nil)) ; quit-flag maybe set by C-g
833 (message "Characters entered: %s" (key-description chars)))) 1833 (message "Characters entered: %s" (key-description chars))))
834 1834
835 1835 Alternatively, use the "C-h l" view-lossage command, which will display
836 1836 the last 100 characters Emacs has seen in its input stream. Kevin +
837 Problems with Key Bindings and Input 1837 Gallagher <kgallagh@digi.lonestar.org> suggests typing some unique string +
838 1838 like "wxyz", typing the key in question, then typing "C-h l". The +
839 37: Why does Emacs spontaneously go into "I-search:" mode? 1839 characters that appear between "wxyz" and "C-h l" were generated by the +
1840 key. +
1841
1842 54: Why does Emacs spontaneously start displaying "I-search:" and beeping?
840 1843
841 Your terminal (or something between your terminal and the computer) is 1844 Your terminal (or something between your terminal and the computer) is
842 sending C-s and C-q for flow control, and Emacs is receiving these 1845 sending C-s and C-q for flow control, and Emacs is receiving these
843 characters and interpreting them as commands. (The C-s character 1846 characters and interpreting them as commands. (The C-s character normally
844 normally invokes the isearch-forward command.) 1847 invokes the isearch-forward command.) The best solution is to disable the
845 1848 use of C-s and C-q for flow control. If you can't do that, you can make
846 For a more detailed discussion, read the file PROBLEMS in the Emacs 1849 Emacs treat C-s and C-q as flow control characters by evaluating this
847 distribution. 1850 form:
848 1851
849 38: What do I do if my terminal is sending C-s and C-q for flow control and 1852 (set-input-mode nil t)
1853
1854 If you are fixing this for yourself, simply put the form in your .emacs
1855 file. If you are fixing this for your entire site, the best place to put
1856 it is unclear. I don't know if this has any effect when used in
1857 lisp/site-init.el when building Emacs; I've never tried that. {Can
1858 someone tell me whether it works?} Putting things in users' .emacs files
1859 has a number of problems. Putting this form in lisp/default.el has the
1860 problem that if the user's .emacs file has an error, this will prevent
1861 lisp/default.el from being loaded and Emacs may be unusable for the user,
1862 even for correcting their .emacs file (unless they're smart enough to move
1863 it to another name).
1864
1865 If some of your users are connecting through XON/XOFF flow-controlled
1866 connections, but some are not, then here is a possible solution. Disable
1867 C-s and C-q by setting keyboard-translate-table in lisp/site-init.el,
1868 either with swap-keys (see question 60) or with the following form:
1869
1870 ;; by Roger Crew <crew@cs.stanford.edu>:
1871 (setq keyboard-translate-table
1872 "\C-@\C-a\C-b\C-c\C-d\C-e\C-f\C-g\C-h\C-i\C-j\C-k\C-l\C-m\C-n\C-o\C-p\C-^\C-r\C-\\\C-t\C-u\C-v\C-w\C-x\C-y\C-z\C-[\C-s\C-]\C-q\C-_")
1873
1874 Then in lisp/default.el, if it is determined to be safe, they can be
1875 reenabled (being careful not to screw up any other key mappings users
1876 might have established using keyboard-translate-table, use swap-keys for
1877 this), or else set-input-mode can be called to further disable C-s and
1878 C-q.
1879
1880 For further discussion of this issue, read the file etc/PROBLEMS in the +
1881 Emacs distribution.
1882
1883 55: How do I disable the use of C-s and C-q for flow control?
1884
1885 Your terminal may be using C-s and C-q for XON/XOFF flow control. For +
1886 example, VT series terminals do this. On some terminals, it may be +
1887 possible to turn this off from a setup menu. This is also true for some +
1888 terminal emulation programs on PCs. +
1889 +
1890 If you are using a dialup connection, the modems may be using XON/XOFF +
1891 flow control. I don't know how to get around this. Also, some network +
1892 box between the terminal and your computer may be using XON/XOFF flow !
1893 control. You will probably have to ask your local network experts for
1894 help with this.
1895
1896 56: What do I do if my terminal is sending C-s and C-q for flow control and
850 I can't disable it? 1897 I can't disable it?
851 1898
852 Use this piece of Emacs Lisp: 1899 See question 54.
853 1900
854 (set-input-mode nil t) 1901 57: How do I make Emacs honor C-s and C-q for flow control instead of for
855
856 39: How do I make Emacs use C-s and C-q for flow control instead of for
857 commands? 1902 commands?
858 1903
859 Same answer as previous question. 1904 See question 54.
860 1905
861 40: How do I use commands bound to C-s and C-q (or any key) if these keys 1906 58: Why does Emacs never see C-s and C-q through my network connection?
1907
1908 Eirik Fuller <eirik@theory.tn.cornell.edu> writes:
1909
1910 Some versions of rlogin (and possibly telnet) do not pass flow control
1911 characters to the remote system to which they connect. On such systems,
1912 Emacs on the remote system cannot disable flow control on the local
1913 system. Sometimes "rlogin -8" will avoid this problem.
1914
1915 One way to cure this is to disable flow control on the local host (the
1916 one running rlogin, not the one running rlogind) using the stty command,
1917 before starting the rlogin process. On many systems, "stty start u stop
1918 u" will do this.
1919
1920 Some versions of tcsh will prevent even this from working. One way
1921 around this is to start another shell before starting rlogin, and issue
1922 the stty command to disable flow control from that shell.
1923
1924 59: How do I use commands bound to C-s and C-q (or any key) if these keys
862 are filtered out? 1925 are filtered out?
863 1926
864 I suggest swapping C-s with C-\ and C-q with C-^: 1927 I suggest swapping C-s with C-\ and C-q with C-^:
865 1928
866 (swap-keys ?\C-s ?\C-\\) 1929 (swap-keys ?\C-s ?\C-\\)
867 (swap-keys ?\C-q ?\C-^) 1930 (swap-keys ?\C-q ?\C-^)
868 1931
869 See question 41 for the implementation of swap-keys. 1932 See question 60 for the implementation of swap-keys. This method +
870 1933 has the advantage that it simultaneously swaps the characters everywhere +
871 41: How do I "swap" two keys? 1934 throughout Emacs, while just switching the keybindings will miss important +
1935 places where the character codes are stored (eg., the search-repeat-char +
1936 variable, major mode keymaps, etc.). +
1937 +
1938 WARNING: If you do this for an entire site, the users will be confused by +
1939 the disparity between what the documentation says and how Emacs actually +
1940 behaves. +
1941
1942 60: How do I "swap" two keys?
872 1943
873 When Emacs receives a character, you can make Emacs behave as though it 1944 When Emacs receives a character, you can make Emacs behave as though it
874 received another character by setting the value of 1945 received another character by setting the value of
875 keyboard-translate-table. The following Emacs Lisp will do this for 1946 keyboard-translate-table. The following Emacs Lisp will do this for you,
876 you, allowing you to "swap" keys. 1947 allowing you to "swap" keys. After arranging for this Lisp to be
877 1948 evaluated by Emacs, you can evaluate `(swap-keys ?A ?B)' to swap A and B.
878 WARNING: the value of C-g (7) is hard coded in several places both 1949 The function `show-mapped-keys' will allow you to see what low-level key +
879 before and after the translation specified by keyboard-translate-table 1950 mappings are in effect. +
880 is carried out. Thus, swapping C-g with another key may cause problems; 1951
881 rebinding C-g may also cause problems. (Well, I've never done it, so I 1952 WARNING: the value of C-g (7) is still hard coded in one place in the
882 don't know for sure.) 1953 minibuffer code. Thus, swapping C-g with another key may cause a minor
1954 problem. (Fixed in Emacs 18.58.)
883 1955
884 (defun swap-keys (key1 key2) 1956 (defun swap-keys (key1 key2)
885 "Swap keys KEY1 and KEY2 using map-key." 1957 "Swap keys KEY1 and KEY2 using map-key."
886 (map-key key1 key2 t) 1958 (map-key key1 key2)
887 (map-key key2 key1)) 1959 (map-key key2 key1))
888 1960
889 (defvar map-keys-alist nil 1961 (defun map-key (from to)
890 "Association list of key mappings currently in effect. 1962 "Make key FROM behave as though key TO was typed instead."
891 If (FROM . TO) is an element, that means key FROM is currently mapped to TO.") 1963 (setq keyboard-translate-table
892 1964 (concat keyboard-translate-table
893 (defun map-key (from to &optional no-update) 1965 (let* ((i (length keyboard-translate-table))
894 "Make key FROM behave as though key TO was typed instead. 1966 (j from)
895 If optional argument NO-UPDATE is non-nil, the key-mapping does not take 1967 (k i)
896 effect until a subsequent map-key or unmap-key." 1968 (str (make-string (max 0 (- j (1- i))) ?X)))
897 (let ((alist-entry (assq from map-keys-alist))) 1969 (while (<= k j)
898 (if alist-entry 1970 (aset str (- k i) k)
899 (setcdr alist-entry to) 1971 (setq k (1+ k)))
900 (setq map-keys-alist (cons (cons from to) map-keys-alist)))) 1972 str)))
901 (or no-update (map-keys-update))) 1973 (aset keyboard-translate-table from to)
902 1974 (let ((i (1- (length keyboard-translate-table))))
903 (defun unmap-key (key) 1975 (while (and (>= i 0) (eq (aref keyboard-translate-table i) i))
904 "Undo any mapping of key KEY." 1976 (setq i (1- i)))
905 (setq map-keys-alist (delq (assq key map-keys-alist) map-keys-alist)) 1977 (setq keyboard-translate-table
906 (map-keys-update)) 1978 (if (eq i -1)
907 1979 nil
908 ;; Makes keyboard-translate-table reflect the key mappings in 1980 (substring keyboard-translate-table 0 (1+ i))))))
909 ;; map-keys-alist. 1981
910 1982 (defun show-mapped-keys () +
911 (defun map-keys-update () 1983 "Analyze keyboard-translate-table and display mapped keys." +
912 (if (null map-keys-alist) 1984 (interactive) +
913 ;; Emacs runs fasted if keyboard-translate-table is nil 1985 (let (mapping-alist +
914 (setq keyboard-translate-table nil) 1986 (l (length keyboard-translate-table)) +
915 (let ((max-key-mapped 1987 (i 0) +
916 ;; Find the mapped key with largest value 1988 e pair) +
917 (apply 'max 1989 (while (< i l) +
918 (mapcar 1990 (setq e (aref keyboard-translate-table i)) +
919 (function 1991 (or (eq i e) +
920 (lambda (x) 1992 (setq mapping-alist (cons (cons i e) mapping-alist))) +
921 (car x))) 1993 (setq i (1+ i))) +
922 map-keys-alist))) 1994 (cond (mapping-alist +
923 (i 0)) 1995 (princ "Mapped Keys: ") +
924 ;; keyboard-translate-table doesn't have to be any longer than 1996 (setq mapping-alist (nreverse mapping-alist))) +
925 ;; necessary. This speeds up Emacs. 1997 (t +
926 (setq keyboard-translate-table (make-string (1+ max-key-mapped) 0)) 1998 (princ "No keys mapped"))) +
927 (while (<= i max-key-mapped) 1999 (while mapping-alist +
928 (aset keyboard-translate-table i (or (cdr (assq i map-keys-alist)) i)) 2000 (setq pair (car mapping-alist) +
929 (setq i (1+ i)))))) 2001 i (car pair) +
930 2002 e (cdr pair)) +
931 42: Why does the "Backspace" key invoke help? 2003 (princ (single-key-description i)) +
932 2004 (cond ((eq i (cdr (setq pair (assq e mapping-alist)))) +
933 The Backspace key (on every keyboard I've used) sends ASCII code 8. C-h 2005 (setq mapping-alist (delq pair mapping-alist)) +
934 sends the same code. In Emacs by default C-h invokes "help-command". 2006 (princ " <=> ")) +
935 The easiest solution to this problem is to use C-h (and Backspace) for 2007 (t +
936 help and DEL (the Delete key) for deleting the previous character. 2008 (princ " => "))) +
937 2009 (princ (single-key-description e)) +
938 For some people this solution may be problematic: 2010 (setq mapping-alist (cdr mapping-alist)) +
939 2011 (if mapping-alist (princ ", "))))) +
940 1. They normally use Backspace outside of Emacs for deleting the 2012
941 previous character typed. This can be solved by making DEL be the 2013 NOTE: You must evaluate the definition of swap-keys before calling it!
942 command for deleting the previous character outside of Emacs. This 2014 The easiest way is to list it first in the file (eg., your .emacs file).
943 command will do this on many Unix systems: 2015
944 2016 61: Why does the "BackSpace" key invoke help?
945 stty erase ^? 2017
946 2018 The BackSpace key (on every keyboard I've used) generates ASCII code 8. !
947 2. The person may prefer using the Backspace key for deleting the 2019 C-h sends the same code. In Emacs by default C-h invokes `help-command'.
948 previous character because it is more conveniently located on their 2020 This is intended to be easy to remember since the first letter of `help'
949 keyboard or because they don't even have a separate Delete key. In 2021 is `h'. The easiest solution to this problem is to use C-h (and
950 this case, the best solution is to swap C-h and DEL: 2022 BackSpace) for help and DEL (the Delete key) for deleting the previous
951 2023 character.
952 (swap-keys ?\C-h ?\C-?) 2024
953 2025 For many people this solution may be problematic:
954 See question 41 for the implementation of swap-keys. 2026
955 2027 * They normally use BackSpace outside of Emacs for deleting the previous !
956 43: How do I type DEL on PC terminal emulators? 2028 character typed. This can be solved by making DEL be the command for
2029 deleting the previous character outside of Emacs. This command will do
2030 this on many Unix systems:
2031
2032 stty erase '^?'
2033
2034 * The person may prefer using the BackSpace key for deleting the previous !
2035 character because it is more conveniently located on their keyboard or
2036 because they don't even have a separate Delete key. In this case, the
2037 BackSpace key should be made to behave like Delete. There are several !
2038 methods. !
2039 !
2040 * Under X Windows, the easiest solution is to change the BackSpace key !
2041 into a Delete key like this: !
2042 !
2043 xmodmap -e "keysym BackSpace = Delete" !
2044 !
2045 * Some terminals (eg., VT3## terminals) allow the character generated by !
2046 the BackSpace key to be changed from a setup menu. !
2047 !
2048 * You may be able to get a keyboard that is completely programmable. !
2049 !
2050 * Under X or on a dumb terminal, it is possible to swap the BackSpace and !
2051 Delete keys inside Emacs: +
2052
2053 (swap-keys ?\C-h ?\C-?)
2054
2055 See question 60 for the implementation of swap-keys.
2056
2057 * Another approach is to switch keybindings and put help on "C-x h" !
2058 instead:
2059
2060 (global-set-key "\C-h" 'delete-backward-char)
2061 (global-set-key "\C-xh" 'help-command) ; override mark-whole-buffer
2062
2063 Other popular key bindings for help are M-? and "C-x ?". +
2064
2065 WARNING: This method fails to correctly bind BackSpace in the various !
2066 major and minor modes that define their own backward character !
2067 deletion or help commands, such as C mode and Lisp mode. To actually
2068 do that for every mode is a lot of work. There are probably other +
2069 places where the correspondence between help and C-h is hardcoded. +
2070
2071 62: How do I type DEL on PC terminal emulators?
957 2072
958 Someone whose name I forgot wrote: 2073 Someone whose name I forgot wrote:
959 2074
960 Most PCs have deficient keyboards that don't have both Backspace and 2075 Most PCs have deficient keyboards that don't have both BackSpace and
961 Delete keys. Whether C-h (backspace) or DEL is generated by the 2076 Delete keys. Whether C-h (BackSpace) or DEL is generated by the
962 "Backspace" key varies from one terminal emulator to another. If you're 2077 BackSpace key varies from one terminal emulator to another. If you're !
963 lucky, you can reconfigure the keyboard so that it generates DEL. If 2078 lucky, you can reconfigure the keyboard so that it generates DEL. If
964 not, you will have to hunt to figure out what keystroke will do it --- 2079 not, you will have to hunt to figure out what keystroke will do it ---
965 possibilities include various shifted and controlled versions of 2080 possibilities include various shifted and controlled versions of
966 "Backspace", the "Del" key on the numeric keypad (which might depend on 2081 BackSpace, the `Del' key on the numeric keypad (which might depend on !
967 "Shift" or "NumLock"), or perhaps C-? (Control-?). 2082 Shift or NumLock), or perhaps C-? (Control-?). !
968 2083
969 If this is too hard, you may want to swap the delete key with some other 2084 If this is too hard, you may want to swap the Delete key with some other
970 key. See question 42. 2085 key. See question 61.
971 2086
972 2087 63: Can I make my "Compose" key behave like a "Meta" key?
973 2088
974 Building/Installing/Porting Emacs and Machine/OS-Specific Bugs: 2089 On a dumb terminal such as a VT220, no. It is rumored that certain VT220
975 2090 clones could have their Compose key configured this way. If you're on an
976 44: Why do I get an "f68881_used undefined" error, when I build Emacs on my 2091 X workstation, you might have luck using the "xmodmap" program.
2092
2093 64: Why don't the arrow keys work?
2094
2095 When Emacs starts up, it doesn't know anything about arrow keys at all
2096 (except when running under X, see question 52). During the
2097 process of starting up, Emacs will load a terminal-specific initialization
2098 file for your terminal type (as determined by the environment variable
2099 TERM), if one exists. This file has the responsibility for enabling the
2100 arrow keys.
2101
2102 There are several things that can go wrong:
2103
2104 1. There is no initialization file for your terminal.
2105
2106 You can determine this by looking in the lisp/term directory. If your
2107 terminal type (as determined by the TERM environment variable) is
2108 xxx-yy-z, then the first of these files in the lisp/term directory will
2109 be loaded as the terminal-specific initialization file: xxx-yy-z.el,
2110 xxx-yy.el, or xxx.el.
2111
2112 If there is none there, one can be made for your terminal, or you can
2113 just add code to your own .emacs to handle this problem for yourself.
2114 For example, if your terminal's arrow keys send these character
2115 sequences:
2116
2117 Up: ESC [ A
2118 Down: ESC [ B
2119 Right: ESC [ C
2120 Left: ESC [ D
2121
2122 then you can bind these keys to the appropriate commands with code in
2123 your .emacs like this:
2124
2125 (setq term-setup-hook
2126 (function
2127 (lambda ()
2128 (cond ((string-match "\\`xyzzy" (or (getenv "TERM") ""))
2129 ;; First, must unmap the binding for M-[
2130 (or (keymapp (lookup-key global-map "\e["))
2131 (define-key global-map "\e[" nil))
2132 ;; Enable terminal type xyzzy's arrow keys:
2133 (define-key global-map "\e[A" 'previous-line)
2134 (define-key global-map "\e[B" 'next-line)
2135 (define-key global-map "\e[C" 'forward-char)
2136 (define-key global-map "\e[D" 'backward-char))
2137 ((string-match "\\`abcde" (or (getenv "TERM") ""))
2138 ;; Do something different for terminal type abcde
2139 ;; .....
2140 ))))))
2141
2142 This technique allows you to easily add more `cond' cases for different
2143 terminal types.
2144
2145 NOTE: You will have to restart Emacs to get this change to take effect
2146 when using this technique.
2147
2148 NOTE: Your arrow keys may send sequences beginning with "ESC O" when +
2149 Emacs is running, even if they send sequences beginning with "ESC [" at +
2150 all other times. This is because Emacs uses any command there may be +
2151 in your terminal's termcap entry for putting the terminal into +
2152 `Application Keypad Mode'. Just map these sequences the same way as +
2153 above. +
2154
2155 The next two cases are problems even if there is a initialization file for
2156 your terminal type.
2157
2158 2. Your terminal's arrow keys send individual control characters.
2159
2160 For example, the arrow keys on an ADM-3 send C-h, C-j, C-k, and C-l. +
2161
2162 There is not much Emacs can do in this situation, since all the control
2163 characters except for C-^ and C-\ are already used as Emacs commands.
2164 It may be possible to convince the terminal to send something else when +
2165 you press the arrow keys; it is worth investigating. +
2166
2167 You have to make the hard choices of how to rebind keys to commands to
2168 make things work the way you want. Another alternative is to start +
2169 learning the standard Emacs keybindings for moving point around: C-b, +
2170 C-f, C-p, and C-n. Personally, I no longer use the arrow keys when +
2171 editing. +
2172
2173 3. Your terminal's arrow keys send sequences beginning with "ESC [".
2174
2175 Due to an extremely poor design decision (ie., these sequences are ANSI
2176 standard), none of the the terminal-specific initialization files that
2177 are distributed with Emacs will bind these character sequences to the
2178 appropriate commands by default. (This also applies to any other
2179 function keys which generate character sequences starting with "ESC
2180 [".) This is because it was deemed far more important to preserve the
2181 binding of M-[ to the backward-paragraph command. It appears that this
2182 will change in Emacs 19.
2183
2184 Some of the terminal-specific initialization files that come with Emacs
2185 provide a command `enable-arrow-keys' that will fix this problem. To
2186 get this automatically invoked, put this in your .emacs:
2187
2188 (setq term-setup-hook
2189 (function
2190 (lambda ()
2191 (if (fboundp 'enable-arrow-keys) (enable-arrow-keys)))))
2192
2193 We put this in our lisp/default.el file, so users don't have to worry
2194 about it:
2195
2196 ;; don't override a user's term-setup-hook
2197 (or term-setup-hook
2198 (setq term-setup-hook
2199 (function
2200 (lambda ()
2201 (and (fboundp 'enable-arrow-keys)
2202 ;; don't override a user key mapping
2203 (eq 'backward-paragraph (lookup-key esc-map "["))
2204 (enable-arrow-keys))))))
2205
2206 If your terminal type is `sun', you should put this in your .emacs
2207 instead (or in addition to the above):
2208
2209 (setq sun-esc-bracket t)
2210
2211 If your terminal type is `xterm', you will have to bind the arrow keys
2212 as in part 1 above, since the xterm.el file doesn't do anything useful.
2213
2214 It is possible that the terminal-specific initialization file for your
2215 terminal type was written locally and does not follow the rule
2216 mentioned above. In this case you may need to inspect it to find out
2217 how to enable the arrow keys. (Actually, if it was written locally, it
2218 probably enables the arrow keys by default.)
2219
2220 65: How do I bind a combination of modifier key and function key?
2221
2222 Unless you're using Emacs under emacstool (or xvetool?) or you have a
2223 working version of x-rebind-key (see question 52), you can't do this
2224 with Emacs alone. When using emacstool, Emacs sees different character
2225 sequences for the combination of a modifier and a function key from what
2226 it sees for the function key alone. See etc/emacstool.1 for more
2227 information. Since Emacs sees different character sequences, you can bind
2228 these different sequences to different commands.
2229
2230 If you are running Emacs inside a terminal emulator window like xterm, you
2231 can modify its translation tables to make it generate different character
2232 sequences for the combination of a modifier and a function key. For
2233 example, this X resource setting:
2234
2235 XTerm.VT100.Translations: #override \
2236 Shift<KeyPress>F1: string(0x1b) string("[xyzzy")
2237
2238 makes Shift-F1 generate the character sequence "ESC [ xyzzy". You can
2239 bind these character sequences in Emacs as normal.
2240
2241 66: Why doesn't my Meta key work in an xterm window?
2242
2243 Try all of these methods before asking for further help:
2244
2245 * If you are using `olwm' as your window manager, switch to another window +
2246 manager. :-) {Seriously though, does anyone know a good generic +
2247 solution to allow the use of the Meta key with Emacs under olwm?} +
2248 +
2249 * For X11R4: Make sure it really is a Meta key. Use "xev" to find out +
2250 what keysym your Meta key generates. It should be either Meta_L or
2251 Meta_R. If it isn't, use xmodmap to fix the situation.
2252
2253 * Make sure the pty the xterm is using is passing 8 bit characters.
2254 "stty -a" (or "stty everything") should show "cs8" somewhere. If it
2255 shows "cs7" instead, use "stty cs8 -istrip" (or "stty pass8") to fix
2256 it.
2257
2258 * If there is an rlogin connection between the xterm and the Emacs, the
2259 "-8" argument may need to be given to rlogin to make it pass all 8
2260 bits of every character.
2261
2262 * If the Emacs is running under Ultrix, it is reported that evaluating !
2263 (set-input-mode t nil) helps. +
2264
2265 * If all else fails, you can make xterm generate "ESC W" when you type
2266 M-W, which is the same conversion Emacs would make if it got the M-W
2267 anyway. In X11R4, the following resource specification will do this:
2268
2269 XTerm.VT100.EightBitInput: false
2270
2271 (This changes the behavior of the insert-eight-bit action.)
2272
2273 With older xterms, you can specify this behavior with a translation:
2274
2275 XTerm.VT100.Translations: #override \
2276 Meta<KeyPress>: string(0x1b) insert()
2277
2278 You might have to replace "Meta" with "Alt".
2279
2280 67: Why doesn't my ExtendChar key work as a Meta key under HP-UX 8.0?
2281
2282 This is a result of an internationalization extension in X11R4 and the
2283 fact that HP is now using this extension. Emacs assumes that
2284 XLookupString returns the same result regardless of the Meta key state
2285 which is no longer necessarily true. Until Emacs is fixed, the temporary
2286 kludge is to run this command after each time the X server is started but
2287 preferably before any xterm clients are:
2288
2289 xmodmap -e 'remove mod1 = Mode_switch'
2290
2291 NOTE: This will disable the use of the extra keysyms systemwide, which
2292 may be undesirable if you actually intend to use them.
2293
2294 68: Where can I get key bindings to make Emacs emulate WordStar?
2295
2296 Look for the package `wordstar' in the Emacs Lisp Archive (see question
2297 18).
2298
2299
2300
2301 Building/Installing/Porting Emacs and Machine/OS-Specific Bugs -
2302
2303 69: Why does Emacs crash with "Fatal error (6).Abort" under SunOS 4.1?
2304
2305 I had hoped this question would go away after Emacs 18.57 was released,
2306 but people continue to compile 18.55.
2307
2308 There is a bug in the "localtime" routine supplied with SunOS 4.1. A
2309 private function called by tzsetwall zeroes the byte just past an eight
2310 byte region it mallocs. This corrupts GNU malloc's memory pool. When GNU
2311 malloc detects this it aborts.
2312
2313 In the 18.57 release "#define SYSTEM_MALLOC" was added to the !
2314 configuration file for SunOS 4.1, which allowed Emacs to work. However, !
2315 Sun's realloc behaves horribly when alternated with malloc, so your +
2316 process size can balloon rapidly in certain situations quickly using up +
2317 all available memory. Thus, you may prefer the approach taken by Emacs +
2318 18.58, which has a different fix that makes GNU's malloc always allocate +
2319 at least 16 bytes. +
2320 +
2321 Eirik Fuller <eirik@theory.tn.cornell.edu> supplies most of the following +
2322 information: +
2323
2324 In SunOS 4.1.1, it appears that Sun has still not fixed their bug, since
2325 the localtime.o file did not change. They must be aware of it since they
2326 suggest using "#define SYSTEM_MALLOC" to compile Emacs in their
2327 documentation. It is reported that this same bug causes mysterious
2328 behavior in Sun's /usr/etc/rpc.mountd.
2329
2330 For people who want to fix this problem for real, there is a fixed version
2331 of the localtime.o file available via anonymous FTP (titan.rice.edu:
2332 incoming/localtime.tar.Z). {Someone has reported that this file is now
2333 missing.} The new localtime.o file should be installed in the
2334 /usr/lib/libc{.a,.so.*} files. Read the `ar' man page and the README file
2335 in /usr/lib/shlib.etc for instructions. -
2336
2337 Now stop asking this question! :-) :-)
2338
2339 70: Why do I get an "f68881_used undefined" error, when I build Emacs on my
977 Sun 3? 2340 Sun 3?
978 2341
979 Barry A. Warsaw <warsaw@cme.nist.gov> writes: 2342 Barry A. Warsaw <warsaw@cme.nist.gov> writes:
980 2343
981 Some of the code that is being linked on the "ld" line of emacs' 2344 Some of the code that is being linked on the "ld" line of emacs' build
982 build command has been compiled with the -f68881 option. Most 2345 command has been compiled with the -f68881 option. Most common reason
983 common reason is that you're linking with X libraries which were 2346 is that you're linking with X libraries which were built with -f68881
984 built with -f68881 option set. You need to either remove all 2347 option set. You need to either remove all dependencies to the 68881
985 dependencies to the 68881 (may mean a recompile of the X libraries 2348 (may mean a recompile of the X libraries with -fswitch or -fsoft
986 with -fswitch or -fsoft option), or you need to link emacs with 2349 option), or you need to link emacs with the 68881 startup file
987 the 68881 startup file /usr/lib/Mcrt1.o. Make this change to 2350 /usr/lib/Mcrt1.o. Make this change to src/ymakefile:
988 src/ymakefile: 2351
989 2352 change: #define START_FILES crt0.o
990 change: #define START_FILES crt0.o 2353 to: #define START_FILES crt0.o /usr/lib/Mcrt1.o
991 to: #define START_FILES crt0.o /usr/lib/Mcrt1.o 2354
992 2355 The order of these start files is critical.
993 The order of these start files is critical. 2356
994 2357 71: Why does Emacs ignore my X resources (my .Xdefaults file)?
995 45: Why does Emacs crash under SunOS 4.1? 2358
996 2359 * Try compiling Emacs with the XBACKWARDS macro defined. There is a bug
997 Under SunOS 4.1, Emacs dies with this message: 2360 in some implementations of XGetDefault, which do not correspond to the
998 2361 documentation or the header files.
999 Fatal error (6).Abort 2362
1000 2363 * Make sure you are either using the class name of `Emacs' or the correct
1001 There is a bug in the "localtime" routine supplied with SunOS 4.1. 2364 instance name. The instance name is normally the same as the name of
1002 A private function called by tzsetwall zeroes the byte just past an 2365 the file Emacs is in (ie., the last part of argv[0]), but this can be
1003 eight byte region it mallocs. This corrupts GNU malloc's memory pool. 2366 overridden by -rn command line option or the WM_RES_NAME environment
1004 2367 variable.
1005 Put "#define SYSTEM_MALLOC" in src/config.h. 2368
1006 2369 WARNING: The advice the man page gives to use `emacs' is often wrong.
1007 Or, for the purists: 2370
1008 2371 WARNING: Older versions of Emacs got the class name wrong.
1009 Put "#define SUNOS_LOCALTIME_BUG" in src/config.h and apply the following 2372
1010 patch to src/malloc.c. 2373 * Emacs currently ignores the -xrm command line argument. !
1011 2374
1012 (Patch by Eirik Fuller <eirik@elf.tn.cornell.edu>.) 2375 * Emacs does not yet handle X11R5 screen-specific resources.
1013 2376
1014 >*** malloc.c~ Fri Apr 7 22:12:10 1989 2377 * Emacs has a bug where it ignores color specifications if running on a
1015 >--- malloc.c Tue May 8 07:07:22 1990 2378 1-bit display (ie. a non-color display).
1016 >*************** 2379
1017 >*** 476,482 **** 2380 72: How do I get Emacs to compile with all features under OpenWindows?
1018 >--- 476,487 ---- 2381
1019 > multiple of 8, then figure out which nestf[] area to use. 2382 Problems fixed in 18.58: the reference to include file <X11/X10.h>, !
1020 > Both the beginning of the header and the beginning of the 2383 linking with the OpenWindows libX11.a. !
1021 > block should be on an eight byte boundary. */ 2384
1022 >+ #ifdef SUNOS_LOCALTIME_BUG 2385 If libX11.a is missing, you may need to use `add_services' to add the +
1023 >+ /* SunOS 4.1 localtime scribbles on the ninth byte. */ 2386 `OpenWindows Programmers' optional software category from the CD-ROM. To +
1024 >+ nbytes = (n + ((sizeof *p + 15) & ~15) + EXTRA + 15) & ~15; 2387 get the Xmenu stuff to work, you need to find a copy of MIT's liboldX.a.
1025 >+ #else 2388
1026 > nbytes = (n + ((sizeof *p + 7) & ~7) + EXTRA + 7) & ~7; 2389 Questions for the net {please send me answers!}:
1027 >+ #endif 2390
1028 > { 2391 * Are compiled versions of liboldX.A for Sun 4s running SunOS 4.*
1029 > register unsigned int shiftr = (nbytes - 1) >> 2; 2392 available for FTP anywhere?
1030 > 2393 * What is the solution to the "not a sun window" problem with xvetool? -
1031 2394
1032 46: Why does Emacs occasionally cause segmentation faults and machine 2395 73: How do I build Emacs under HP-UX 8.0?
1033 panics on my DECstation 3100? 2396
1034 2397 Problems fixed in 18.58: missing errnet.h, "Cannot do arithmetic with !
1035 Bruce Cole <cole@dip.cs.wisc.edu> writes: 2398 pointers to objects of unknown size" (void *), not finding -lX11, unexec !
1036 2399 making a bad dumped emacs due to shared libraries ("Fatal Error(11)- !
1037 > We're running Emacs 18.54 on an Ultrix Risc DECsystem 5400. Three 2400 Segmentation Fault", I think). !
1038 > times we've had the machine hang with the following message: 2401 !
1039 > 2402 If libX11.a is missing, you may need to run `update' again to load the !
1040 > panic: tblmod on invalid pte 2403 X11-PRG "fileset". This may be missing even if you specified "all !
1041 > 2404 filesets" the first time. !
1042 > Ultrix support tells us this is caused by Emacs. Has anyone 2405
1043 > experienced this? DEC says it only happens on RISC boxes. 2406 74: What should I do if I have trouble building Emacs?
1044 2407
1045 This is due to a MIPS specific Ultrix kernel bug. I sent DEC a 2408 First look in the file etc/PROBLEMS to see if there is already a solution
1046 description of the bug with a bug fix. The Kernel bug manifests itself 2409 for your problem. Next check the FAQ (you're reading it). If you don't
1047 with Emacs since Emacs uses a non-standard data start address on Ultrix 2410 find a solution, then report your problem via e-mail to
1048 MIPS machines. 2411 bug-gnu-emacs@prep.ai.mit.edu. Please do not post it to gnu.emacs.help or
1049 2412 e-mail it to help-gnu-emacs@prep.ai.mit.edu. For further guidelines, see +
1050 I haven't often seen Emacs cause MIPS machines to panic. Usually you 2413 question 23. +
1051 just see one of the following errors when you try to start up Emacs: 2414
1052 2415
1053 segmentation fault (core dumped) 2416
1054 emacs: Bad address 2417 Weird/Confusing Problems -
1055 Out of memory 2418
1056 data size rlimit exceeded, pid 6523, process tcsh (for example) 2419 75: Does Emacs have problems with files larger than 8 megabytes?
1057 2420
1058 Until DEC fixes their kernel, you can avoid the bug by changing the data 2421 Most installed versions of GNU Emacs will use 24-bit signed integers (and +
1059 start address used by Emacs. 2422 24-bit pointers) internally. This limits the file size that Emacs can !
1060 2423 handle to 8,388,607 bytes (2^23 - 1). !
1061 > I have built two newer versions of GNU Emacs and it still happens. I 2424
1062 > should also mention that these faults happen quite rarely to some 2425 Leonard N. Zubkoff <lnz@lucid.com> suggests putting the following two !
1063 > users (I may see it once a month), while other users see it a few 2426 lines in src/config.h before compiling Emacs to allow for 26-bit integers !
1064 > times a week or even daily! 2427 and pointers (and thus filesizes of up to 33,554,431 bytes): +
1065
1066 The problem only occurs when a MIPS machine is doing a lot of paging.
1067 Users who don't cause their workstation to page will not see this
1068 problem.
1069
1070 Patch to GNU Emacs 18.55:
1071
1072 >*** m-pmax.h Thu Jun 8 11:53:55 1989
1073 >--- m-pmax.h.new Mon Jul 9 10:21:21 1990
1074 >***************
1075 >*** 1,3 ****
1076 >--- 1,7 ----
1077 > #include "m-mips.h"
1078 > #undef LIBS_MACHINE
1079 > #undef BIG_ENDIAN
1080 >+ #undef LD_SWITCH_MACHINE
1081 >+ #undef DATA_START
1082 >+ #define DATA_START 0x10000000
1083 >+ #define DATA_SEG_BITS 0x10000000
1084
1085 47: How do I get Emacs running on VMS under DECwindows?
1086
1087 Hal R. Brand <BRAND@addvax.llnl.gov> is said to have a VMS save set with
1088 a ready-to-run VMS version of Emacs for X Windows. It is available via:
1089
1090 Anonymous FTP:
1091 site: addvax.llnl.gov
1092
1093 Johan Vromans <jv@mh.nl> writes:
1094
1095 Getting Emacs to run on VMS with DECwindows requires a number of changes
1096 to the sources. Fortunately this has been done already. Joshua Marantz
1097 <josh@viewlogic.com> did most of the work for Emacs 18.52, and the mods
1098 were ported to 18.55 by Johan Vromans <jv@mh.nl>. Also included is the
1099 handling of DEC's LK201 keyboard. You need to apply the changes to a
1100 fresh Emacs 18.55 distribution on a Unix system, and then you can copy
1101 the sources to VMS to perform the compile/link/build.
1102
1103 The set of changes have been posted a number of times three times the
1104 last 12 months, so they should be widely available.
1105
1106 48: Why won't src/alloc.c compile on a SPARCstation?
1107
1108 {Could someone send me a better description of the symptoms ... Does it
1109 really not compile, or does it refuse to link, or does it die when it's
1110 run?}
1111
1112 An object in src/alloc.c is declared as an array of char. However, on a
1113 SPARCstation, this object must be aligned on a longword boundary.
1114 gcc will align this object not on a longword boundary because it thinks
1115 this is ok because the object is an array of char.
1116
1117 Here is a solution:
1118
1119 (Patch from the Epoch source code.)
1120
1121 >*** dist-18.55.dist/src/alloc.c Mon Feb 13 05:23:35 1989
1122 >--- dist-18.55/src/alloc.c Mon Nov 27 23:30:13 1989
1123 >***************
1124 >*** 665,673 ****
1125 > #define NSTATICS 200
1126 >
1127 >- char staticvec1[NSTATICS * sizeof (Lisp_Object *)] = {0};
1128 >-
1129 > int staticidx = 0;
1130 >
1131 > #define staticvec ((Lisp_Object **) staticvec1)
1132 >
1133 > /* Put an entry in staticvec, pointing at the variable whose address is given */
1134 >--- 665,676 ----
1135 > #define NSTATICS 200
1136 >
1137 > int staticidx = 0;
1138 >
1139 >+ #ifdef __GNUC__
1140 >+ Lisp_Object *staticvec[NSTATICS] = {0};
1141 >+ #else
1142 >+ char staticvec1[NSTATICS * sizeof (Lisp_Object *)] = {0};
1143 > #define staticvec ((Lisp_Object **) staticvec1)
1144 >+ #endif
1145 >
1146 > /* Put an entry in staticvec, pointing at the variable whose address is given */
1147
1148 {Does anyone understand why one might want to declare staticvec as an
1149 array of char instead of an array of LispObject?}
1150
1151 49: Why do shells started from Emacs suspend themselves under SunOS 4.1?
1152
1153 In SunOS 4.1, when subprocesses are started by an Emacs process started
1154 by "rsh", the process stops with a message like this:
1155
1156 Process shell stopped (tty input)
1157
1158 SunOS 4.1 uses the POSIX standard's specification for job control.
1159 Basically, a process must be a session leader to acquire a new
1160 controlling terminal.
1161
1162 A quick fix is to run Emacs as "/usr/etc/setsid emacs" instead.
1163
1164 To fix it in Emacs, use this patch:
1165
1166 (Patch by Eirik Fuller <eirik@elf.tn.cornell.edu>.)
1167
1168 >*** /tmp/,RCSt1a12635 Fri Jul 6 11:29:10 1990
1169 >--- process.c Sat Jun 16 14:04:55 1990
1170 >***************
1171 >*** 1031,1036 ****
1172 >--- 1031,1039 ----
1173 > int j = open ("/dev/tty", O_RDWR, 0);
1174 > ioctl (j, TIOCNOTTY, 0);
1175 > close (j);
1176 >+ #ifndef USG
1177 >+ setpgrp (0, 0);
1178 >+ #endif
1179 > }
1180 > #endif /* TIOCNOTTY */
1181 >
1182
1183 50: Why does Emacs crash from a bus error in XLookupString under OpenLook?
1184
1185 The Sun OpenLook libraries use the XComposeStatus parameter on
1186 XLookupString for composing key sequences. I'm told this is actually
1187 supposed to be an optional parameter.
1188
1189 (Patch by David J. MacKenzie <djm@eng.umd.edu>.)
1190
1191 >*** dist-18.55.dist/src/x11term.c Wed Aug 2 21:56:42 1989
1192 >--- dist-18.55/src/x11term.c Fri Jul 13 19:22:32 1990
1193 >***************
1194 >*** 1213,1216 ****
1195 >--- 1213,1218 ----
1196 > #endif /* not sun */
1197 >
1198 >+ static XComposeStatus status;
1199 >+
1200 > internal_socket_read(bufp, numchars)
1201 > register unsigned char *bufp;
1202 >***************
1203 >*** 1223,1227 ****
1204 > BLOCK_INPUT_DECLARE ();
1205 > XEvent event;
1206 >- XComposeStatus status;
1207 > KeySym keysym;
1208 >
1209 >--- 1225,1228 ----
1210 >***************
1211 >*** 1330,1334 ****
1212 > nbytes = XLookupString (&event,
1213 > mapping_buf, 20, &keysym,
1214 >! 0);
1215 > /* Someday this will be unnecessary as we will
1216 > be able to use XRebindKeysym so XLookupString
1217 >--- 1331,1335 ----
1218 > nbytes = XLookupString (&event,
1219 > mapping_buf, 20, &keysym,
1220 >! &status);
1221 > /* Someday this will be unnecessary as we will
1222 > be able to use XRebindKeysym so XLookupString
1223
1224 51: Why doesn't "C-c C-c" interrupt subprocesses under HP/UX?
1225
1226 Paul Stravers <stravers@dutentb.tudelft.nl> writes:
1227
1228 In HP/UX we can (must) combine the two distinct calls
1229 1. ioctl (fildes, TIOCGPGRP, &gid);
1230 2. kill (-gid, signo);
1231 into the single call
1232 1+2. ioctl (fildes, TIOCSIGSEND, signo);
1233
1234 This is apparently the case under at least HP/UX versions 6.5 and 7.0.
1235
1236 Here is a set of patches courtesy of Piet van Oostrum <piet@cs.ruu.nl>
1237 that fixes these problems:
1238
1239 1. Signals to child processes work now (like the C-c C-c mentioned above)
1240
1241 2. When running under X11, C-g now correctly interrupts long-running commands
1242
1243 3. When running under X11, the window is redislayed even if emacs is doing
1244 some work (e.g. if your window becomes visible after being behind another
1245 one.
1246
1247 4. A nasty bug in alloca is solved. This bug is very infrequent unless you
1248 apply the other patches.
1249
1250 {I don't know for sure whether all of these patches are applicable only
1251 under HP/UX. Perhaps someone can tell me.}
1252
1253 >*** alloca.s.~1~ Fri Sep 15 16:35:39 1989
1254 >--- alloca.s Tue May 1 17:18:08 1990
1255 >***************
1256 >*** 92,103 ****
1257 > sub.l &MAXREG*4,%d1 # space for saving registers
1258 > mov.l %d1,%sp # save new value of sp
1259 > tst.b PROBE(%sp) # create pages (sigh)
1260 > move.w &MAXREG-1,%d0
1261 > copy_regs_loop: /* save caller's saved registers */
1262 >! mov.l (%a1)+,(%sp)+
1263 > dbra %d0,copy_regs_loop
1264 >! mov.l %sp,%d0 # return value
1265 >! mov.l %d1,%sp
1266 > add.l &-4,%sp # adjust tos
1267 > jmp (%a0) # rts
1268 > #endif /* new hp assembler */
1269 >--- 92,105 ----
1270 > sub.l &MAXREG*4,%d1 # space for saving registers
1271 > mov.l %d1,%sp # save new value of sp
1272 > tst.b PROBE(%sp) # create pages (sigh)
1273 >+ mov.l %a2,%d1 # save reg a2
1274 >+ mov.l %sp,%a2
1275 > move.w &MAXREG-1,%d0
1276 > copy_regs_loop: /* save caller's saved registers */
1277 >! mov.l (%a1)+,(%a2)+
1278 > dbra %d0,copy_regs_loop
1279 >! mov.l %a2,%d0 # return value
1280 >! mov.l %d1,%a2 # restore a2
1281 > add.l &-4,%sp # adjust tos
1282 > jmp (%a0) # rts
1283 > #endif /* new hp assembler */
1284
1285 >*** keyboard.c.~1~ Wed Apr 4 14:53:49 1990
1286 >--- keyboard.c Thu Apr 26 14:46:27 1990
1287 >***************
1288 >*** 719,724 ****
1289 >--- 719,773 ----
1290 > errno = old_errno;
1291 > }
1292 >
1293 >+ #ifdef HPUX
1294 >+ /* tells if an alarm is outstanding for emptying the socket */
1295 >+ int socket_alarm;
1296 >+
1297 >+ static void
1298 >+ empty_socket_interrupt()
1299 >+ {
1300 >+ int nread;
1301 >+ char buf[256 * BUFFER_SIZE_FACTOR];
1302 >+ register int i;
1303 >+ int old_errno = errno;
1304 >+
1305 >+ if (waiting_for_input) return;
1306 >+
1307 >+ fcntl (fileno (stdin), F_SETFL, O_NDELAY);
1308 >+
1309 >+ /* Read what is waiting. */
1310 >+
1311 >+ nread = (*read_socket_hook) (0, buf, sizeof buf);
1312 >+
1313 >+ #ifdef EBADSLT
1314 >+ if (nread == -1 && (errno == EAGAIN || errno == EBADSLT))
1315 >+ #else
1316 >+ if (nread == -1 && errno == EAGAIN)
1317 >+ #endif
1318 >+ nread = 0;
1319 >+
1320 >+ fcntl (fileno (stdin), F_SETFL, 0);
1321 >+
1322 >+ /* Scan the chars for C-g and store them in kbd_buffer. */
1323 >+ kbd_ptr = kbd_buffer;
1324 >+ for (i = 0; i < nread; i++)
1325 >+ {
1326 >+ kbd_buffer_store_char (buf[i]);
1327 >+ /* Don't look at input that follows a C-g too closely.
1328 >+ This reduces lossage due to autorepeat on C-g. */
1329 >+ if (buf[i] == Ctl ('G'))
1330 >+ break;
1331 >+ }
1332 >+
1333 >+ /* reestablish interrupt */
1334 >+ signal (SIGALRM, empty_socket_interrupt);
1335 >+ alarm (1);
1336 >+
1337 >+ errno = old_errno;
1338 >+ }
1339 >+
1340 >+ #endif /* HPUX */
1341 >+
1342 > /* read a character from the keyboard; call the redisplay if needed */
1343 > /* commandflag 0 means do not do auto-saving, but do do redisplay.
1344 > -1 means do not do redisplay, but do do autosaving.
1345 >***************
1346 >*** 733,738 ****
1347 >--- 782,794 ----
1348 > Lisp_Object tem;
1349 > extern request_echo ();
1350 >
1351 >+ #ifdef HPUX
1352 >+ if (socket_alarm) {
1353 >+ alarm (0);
1354 >+ socket_alarm = 0;
1355 >+ }
1356 >+ #endif
1357 >+
1358 > if ((c = unread_command_char) >= 0)
1359 > {
1360 > unread_command_char = -1;
1361 >***************
1362 >*** 869,874 ****
1363 >--- 925,938 ----
1364 > }
1365 > }
1366 >
1367 >+ #ifdef HPUX
1368 >+ if (read_socket_hook) {
1369 >+ socket_alarm = 1;
1370 >+ signal (SIGALRM, empty_socket_interrupt);
1371 >+ alarm (1);
1372 >+ }
1373 >+ #endif
1374 >+
1375 > return c;
1376 > }
1377 >
1378 >***************
1379 >*** 1094,1119 ****
1380 >
1381 > #else /* no FIONREAD */
1382 > #ifdef USG
1383 > if (kbd_count)
1384 > abort ();
1385 >
1386 > fcntl (fileno (stdin), F_SETFL, O_NDELAY);
1387 >! kbd_ptr = kbd_buffer;
1388 > if (read_socket_hook)
1389 >! {
1390 >! kbd_count = (*read_socket_hook) (0, kbd_buffer, sizeof kbd_buffer);
1391 >! }
1392 > else
1393 >! {
1394 >! kbd_count = read (fileno (stdin), kbd_buffer, sizeof kbd_buffer);
1395 >! }
1396 > #ifdef EBADSLT
1397 >! if (kbd_count == -1 && (errno == EAGAIN || errno == EBADSLT))
1398 > #else
1399 >! if (kbd_count == -1 && errno == EAGAIN)
1400 > #endif
1401 >! kbd_count = 0;
1402 > fcntl (fileno (stdin), F_SETFL, 0);
1403 > #else /* not USG */
1404 > you lose
1405 > #endif /* not USG */
1406 >--- 1158,1209 ----
1407 >
1408 > #else /* no FIONREAD */
1409 > #ifdef USG
1410 >+ char buf[256 * BUFFER_SIZE_FACTOR];
1411 >+ register int i;
1412 >+ #ifdef HPUX
1413 >+ int mask;
1414 >+ #endif
1415 >+
1416 > if (kbd_count)
1417 > abort ();
1418 >
1419 >+ #ifdef HPUX
1420 >+ if (socket_alarm)
1421 >+ mask = sigblock (sigmask (SIGALRM));
1422 >+ #endif
1423 >+
1424 > fcntl (fileno (stdin), F_SETFL, O_NDELAY);
1425 >!
1426 >! /* Read what is waiting. */
1427 > if (read_socket_hook)
1428 >! nread = (*read_socket_hook) (0, buf, sizeof buf);
1429 > else
1430 >! nread = read (fileno(stdin), buf, sizeof buf);
1431 > #ifdef EBADSLT
1432 >! if (nread == -1 && (errno == EAGAIN || errno == EBADSLT))
1433 > #else
1434 >! if (nread == -1 && errno == EAGAIN)
1435 > #endif
1436 >! nread = 0;
1437 >!
1438 > fcntl (fileno (stdin), F_SETFL, 0);
1439 >+
1440 >+ /* Scan the chars for C-g and store them in kbd_buffer. */
1441 >+ kbd_ptr = kbd_buffer;
1442 >+ for (i = 0; i < nread; i++)
1443 >+ {
1444 >+ kbd_buffer_store_char (buf[i]);
1445 >+ /* Don't look at input that follows a C-g too closely.
1446 >+ This reduces lossage due to autorepeat on C-g. */
1447 >+ if (buf[i] == Ctl ('G'))
1448 >+ break;
1449 >+ }
1450 >+
1451 >+ #ifdef HPUX
1452 >+ if (socket_alarm)
1453 >+ sigsetmask(mask);
1454 >+ #endif
1455 >+
1456 > #else /* not USG */
1457 > you lose
1458 > #endif /* not USG */
1459
1460 >*** x11term.h~ Fri Sep 15 15:20:26 1989
1461 >--- x11term.h Thu Apr 26 14:03:25 1990
1462 >***************
1463 >*** 11,17 ****
1464 >--- 11,22 ----
1465 > #define sigmask(no) (1L << ((no) - 1))
1466 > #endif
1467 >
1468 >+ #ifdef HPUX
1469 > #define BLOCK_INPUT_DECLARE() int BLOCK_INPUT_mask
1470 >+ #define BLOCK_INPUT() BLOCK_INPUT_mask = sigblock (sigmask (SIGALRM))
1471 >+ #define UNBLOCK_INPUT() sigsetmask (BLOCK_INPUT_mask)
1472 >+ #else /* not HPUX */
1473 >+ #define BLOCK_INPUT_DECLARE() int BLOCK_INPUT_mask
1474 > #ifdef SIGIO
1475 > #define BLOCK_INPUT() BLOCK_INPUT_mask = sigblock (sigmask (SIGIO))
1476 > #define UNBLOCK_INPUT() sigsetmask (BLOCK_INPUT_mask)
1477 >***************
1478 >*** 19,23 ****
1479 >--- 24,29 ----
1480 > #define BLOCK_INPUT()
1481 > #define UNBLOCK_INPUT()
1482 > #endif /* SIGIO */
1483 >+ #endif /* HPUX */
1484 >
1485 > #define CLASS "emacs" /* class id for GNU Emacs, used in .Xdefaults, etc. */
1486
1487 >*** process.c.orig Fri Sep 15 16:28:36 1989
1488 >--- process.c Fri Apr 20 13:17:06 1990
1489 >***************
1490 >*** 1057,1062 ****
1491 >--- 1057,1079 ----
1492 > signal (SIGHUP, SIG_DFL);
1493 > #endif
1494 > #endif /* HAVE_PTYS */
1495 >+
1496 >+ /* Give child clean slate for signals */
1497 >+ #ifdef SIGCHLD
1498 >+ #ifdef BSD4_1
1499 >+ sigrelse (SIGCHLD);
1500 >+ #else /* not BSD4_1 */
1501 >+ #ifdef HPUX
1502 >+ sigsetmask (0);
1503 >+ #endif /* HPUX */
1504 >+ #if defined (BSD) || defined (UNIPLUS)
1505 >+ sigsetmask (0);
1506 >+ #else /* ordinary USG */
1507 >+ signal (SIGCHLD, sigchld);
1508 >+ #endif /* ordinary USG */
1509 >+ #endif /* not BSD4_1 */
1510 >+ #endif /* SIGCHLD */
1511 >+
1512 > child_setup_tty (xforkout);
1513 > child_setup (xforkin, xforkout, xforkout, new_argv, env);
1514 > }
1515 >***************
1516 >*** 1413,1427 ****
1517 > if (read_kbd && kbd_count)
1518 > nfds = 0;
1519 > else
1520 >! #ifdef IBMRTAIX
1521 > nfds = select (MAXDESC, &Available, 0, 0, &timeout);
1522 > #else
1523 >- #ifdef HPUX
1524 >- nfds = select (MAXDESC, &Available, 0, 0, &timeout);
1525 >- #else
1526 > nfds = select (MAXDESC, &Available, 0, &Exception, &timeout);
1527 > #endif
1528 >- #endif
1529 > xerrno = errno;
1530 >
1531 > if (fix_screen_hook)
1532 >--- 1430,1440 ----
1533 > if (read_kbd && kbd_count)
1534 > nfds = 0;
1535 > else
1536 >! #if defined (IBMRTAIX) || defined (HPUX)
1537 > nfds = select (MAXDESC, &Available, 0, 0, &timeout);
1538 > #else
1539 > nfds = select (MAXDESC, &Available, 0, &Exception, &timeout);
1540 > #endif
1541 > xerrno = errno;
1542 >
1543 > if (fix_screen_hook)
1544 >***************
1545 >*** 1771,1776 ****
1546 >--- 1784,1790 ----
1547 > error ("Process %s is not active",
1548 > XSTRING (p->name)->data);
1549 >
1550 >+ #ifndef HPUX /* Can't get gid of tty's controlling session */
1551 > #ifdef TIOCGPGRP /* Not sure about this! (fnf) */
1552 > /* If we are using pgrps, get a pgrp number and make it negative. */
1553 > if (!NULL (current_group))
1554 >***************
1555 >*** 1785,1790 ****
1556 >--- 1799,1805 ----
1557 > the child itself heads the pgrp. */
1558 > gid = - XFASTINT (p->pid);
1559 > #endif /* not using pgrps */
1560 >+ #endif /* not HPUX */
1561 >
1562 > switch (signo)
1563 > {
1564 >***************
1565 >*** 1800,1805 ****
1566 >--- 1815,1827 ----
1567 > flush_pending_output (XFASTINT (p->infd));
1568 > break;
1569 > }
1570 >+
1571 >+ #ifdef HPUX
1572 >+ if (!NULL (current_group))
1573 >+ ioctl (XFASTINT (p->infd), TIOCSIGSEND, signo);
1574 >+ else
1575 >+ kill (XFASTINT (p->pid), signo);
1576 >+ #else /* not HPUX */
1577 > /* gid may be a pid, or minus a pgrp's number */
1578 > #ifdef BSD
1579 > /* On bsd, [man says] kill does not accept a negative number to kill a pgrp.
1580 >***************
1581 >*** 1808,1813 ****
1582 >--- 1830,1836 ----
1583 > #else /* Not BSD. */
1584 > kill (gid, signo);
1585 > #endif /* Not BSD. */
1586 >+ #endif /* Not HPUX */
1587 >
1588 > /* Put notices in buffers now, since it is safe now.
1589 > Because of this, we know that a process we have just killed
1590 >%
1591
1592 This is a separate patch to process.c, distinct from the immediately
1593 preceding one. Both should be applied.
1594
1595 >*** process.c.~1~ Fri Apr 20 13:17:06 1990
1596 >--- process.c Wed Oct 24 16:38:15 1990
1597 >***************
1598 >*** 1085,1095 ****
1599 > /* If the subfork execv fails, and it exits,
1600 > this close hangs. I don't know why.
1601 > So have an interrupt jar it loose. */
1602 >! signal (SIGALRM, create_process_1);
1603 >! alarm (1);
1604 >! if (forkin >= 0)
1605 >! close (forkin);
1606 >! alarm (0);
1607 > if (forkin != forkout && forkout >= 0)
1608 > close (forkout);
1609 >
1610 >--- 1085,1100 ----
1611 > /* If the subfork execv fails, and it exits,
1612 > this close hangs. I don't know why.
1613 > So have an interrupt jar it loose. */
1614 >!
1615 >! { int old_trap = signal (SIGALRM, create_process_1);
1616 >! int old_alarm = alarm (1);
1617 >! if (forkin >= 0)
1618 >! close (forkin);
1619 >! alarm (0);
1620 >! signal (SIGALRM, old_trap);
1621 >! /* don't bother with possible 1 sec loss */
1622 >! if (old_alarm) alarm (old_alarm);
1623 >! }
1624 > if (forkin != forkout && forkout >= 0)
1625 > close (forkout);
1626
1627 52: What should I do if I have trouble building Emacs?
1628
1629 RMS writes:
1630
1631 If you try to build Emacs and it does not run, the first thing to do is
1632 look in the file called PROBLEMS to see if a solution is given there.
1633
1634 If none is given, then please send a report by mail to
1635 bug-gnu-emacs@prep.ai.mit.edu. Please do not send it to
1636 help-gnu-emacs@prep.ai.mit.edu.
1637
1638 Sending to help-gnu-emacs (which has the effect of posting on
1639 gnu.emacs.help) is undesirable because it takes the time of an
1640 unnecessarily large group of people, most of whom are just users and
1641 have no idea how to fix these problem. bug-gnu-emacs reaches a much
1642 smaller group of people who are more likely to know what to do and have
1643 expressed a wish to receive more messages about Emacs than the others.
1644
1645 Weird/Confusing Problems:
1646
1647 53: Does Emacs have problems with files larger than 8 Megs?
1648
1649 Most installed versions of GNU Emacs will use 24 bit signed integers
1650 (and 24 bit pointers!) internally. This limits the file size that Emacs
1651 can handle to 8388608 bytes.
1652
1653 Leonard N. Zubkoff <lnz@lucid.com> writes:
1654
1655 Putting the following two lines in src/config.h before compiling Emacs
1656 allows for 26 bit integers and pointers:
1657 2428
1658 #define VALBITS 26 2429 #define VALBITS 26
1659 #define GCTYPEBITS 5 2430 #define GCTYPEBITS 5
1660 2431
1661 See question 54 for an explanation. 2432 WARNING: This method may result in `ILLEGAL DATATYPE' errors on some +
1662 2433 machines. +
1663 54: Why does Emacs use 24 bit integers and pointers? 2434
1664 2435 David Gillespie <daveg@csvax.cs.caltech.edu> gives an explanation of why
1665 David Gillespie <daveg@csvax.cs.caltech.edu> writes: 2436 Emacs uses 24 bit integers and pointers:
1666 2437
1667 Emacs is largely written in a dialect of Lisp; Lisp is a freely-typed 2438 Emacs is largely written in a dialect of Lisp; Lisp is a freely-typed
1668 language in the sense that you can put any value of any type into any 2439 language in the sense that you can put any value of any type into any
1669 variable, or return it from a function, and so on. So each value must 2440 variable, or return it from a function, and so on. So each value must
1670 carry a "tag" along with it identifying what kind of thing it is, e.g., 2441 carry a "tag" along with it identifying what kind of thing it is, e.g.,
1671 integer, pointer to a list, pointer to an editing buffer, and so on. 2442 integer, pointer to a list, pointer to an editing buffer, and so on.
1672 Emacs uses standard 32-bit integers for data objects, taking the top 8 2443 Emacs uses standard 32-bit integers for data objects, taking the top 8
1673 bits for the tag and the bottom 24 bits for the value. So integers (and 2444 bits for the tag and the bottom 24 bits for the value. So integers (and
1674 pointers) are somewhat restricted compared to true C integers and 2445 pointers) are somewhat restricted compared to true C integers and
1675 pointers. 2446 pointers.
1676 2447
1677 Emacs uses 8-bit tags because that's a little faster on byte-oriented 2448 Emacs uses 8-bit tags because that's a little faster on byte-oriented
1678 machines, but there are only really enough tags to require 6 bits. See 2449 machines, but there are only really enough tags to require 6 bits. -
1679 question 53 to find how to recompile Emacs with 6-bit tags and 2450
1680 26-bit integers and pointers if space is at a premium for you. 2451 76: Why does Emacs start up using the wrong directory?
1681
1682 55: Why does Emacs start up using the wrong directory?
1683 2452
1684 Most likely, you have an environment variable named PWD that is set to a 2453 Most likely, you have an environment variable named PWD that is set to a
1685 value other than the name of your current directory. This is most 2454 value other than the name of your current directory. This is most
1686 likely caused by using two different shell programs. "ksh" and (some 2455 likely caused by using two different shell programs. "ksh" and (some
1687 versions of) "csh" set and maintain the value of the PWD environment 2456 versions of) "csh" set and maintain the value of the PWD environment
1688 variable, but "sh" doesn't. If you start sh from ksh, change your 2457 variable, but "sh" doesn't. If you start sh from ksh, change your
1689 current directory inside sh, and then start Emacs from inside sh, PWD 2458 current directory inside sh, and then start Emacs from inside sh, PWD
1690 will have the wrong value but Emacs will use this value. See question 2459 will have the wrong value but Emacs will use this value. See the
1691 72. 2460 etc/OPTIONS file for more details.
1692 2461
1693 56: How do I edit a file with a "$" in its name? 2462 Perhaps an easier solution is not to use two shells. The "chsh" program
2463 can often be used to change one's default login shell.
2464
2465 77: How do I edit a file with a "$" in its name?
1694 2466
1695 When entering a filename in the minibuffer, Emacs will attempt to expand 2467 When entering a filename in the minibuffer, Emacs will attempt to expand
1696 a "$" followed by a word as an environment variable. To suppress this 2468 a "$" followed by a word as an environment variable. To suppress this
1697 behavior, type "$$" instead. 2469 behavior, type "$$" instead.
1698 2470
1699 57: Why does Shell Mode lose track of the shell's current directory? 2471 78: Why does Shell mode lose track of the shell's current directory?
1700 2472
1701 Emacs has no way of knowing when the shell actually changes its 2473 Emacs has no way of knowing when the shell actually changes its directory.
1702 directory. So it tries to guess by recognizing cd commands. A number 2474 This is an intrinsic limitation of Unix. So it tries to guess by
1703 of fixes and enhancements to Shell Mode have been written, check the 2475 recognizing "cd" commands. If you type "cd" followed by a directory name
1704 Emacs Lisp Archive (question 14). 2476 with a variable reference ("cd $HOME/bin") or with a shell metacharacter
1705 2477 ("cd ../lib*"), Emacs will fail to correctly guess the shell's new current
1706 58: Why doesn't Emacs expand my aliases when sending mail? 2478 directory. A huge variety of fixes and enhancements to Shell mode for !
1707 2479 this problem have been written to handle this problem. Check the Lisp
1708 First, you must separate multiple addresses with commas. 2480 Code Directory (see question 17).
1709 2481
1710 Emacs normally only reads the ".mailrc" file once per session, when you 2482 79: Why doesn't Emacs expand my aliases when sending mail?
1711 start to compose your first mail message. If you edit .mailrc, you can 2483
1712 type "M-ESC (build-mail-aliases) RET" to make Emacs reread .mailrc. 2484 * You must separate multiple addresses in the headers of the mail buffer +
1713 2485 with commas. This is because Emacs supports RFC822 standard addresses
1714 59: Why doesn't setting default-directory always work? 2486 like this one:
1715 2487
1716 There is a separate value of default-directory for each Emacs buffer. 2488 To: Willy Smith <wks@xpnsv.lwyrs.com> +
1717 The value in the current buffer is the one that is used. 2489
1718 2490 However, you do not need to separate addresses with commas in your +
1719 60: Why does my change to load-path not work? 2491 .mailrc file. +
1720 2492 +
1721 If you added file names with tildes (~) in them to your load-path, 2493 WARNING: Emacs breaks up aliases in the .mailrc file into multiple +
1722 you'll need to do something like this: 2494 addresses both on commas and on whitespace, regardless of any use of +
1723 2495 quotes. This is probably a bug. You can get around this by directly +
1724 (setq-default load-path (mapcar 'expand-file-name load-path)) 2496 setting the value of mail-aliases. +
1725 2497
1726 61: Why does the cursor always go to the wrong column when I move up or 2498 * Emacs normally only reads the ".mailrc" file once per session, when you
2499 start to compose your first mail message. If you edit .mailrc, you can
2500 type "M-ESC (build-mail-aliases) RET" to make Emacs reread .mailrc.
2501 (You have to include the parentheses where they are shown!)
2502
2503 * Emacs does not interpret vendor-specific additions to the format of the
2504 .mailrc file such as the `source' command. It also ignores any `set' +
2505 commands. The only commands it looks at are `alias' and `group' +
2506 commands. +
2507
2508 80: Why doesn't my change to load-path work?
2509
2510 If you added a directory name containing a tilde (~) to your load-path,
2511 expecting the tilde to be interpreted as your home directory, then you
2512 need to do something like this:
2513
2514 (setq load-path (mapcar 'expand-file-name load-path))
2515
2516 81: Why does the cursor always go to the wrong column when I move up or
1727 down one line? 2517 down one line?
1728 2518
1729 You have inadvertently typed "C-x C-n" (set-goal-column) which sets the 2519 You have inadvertently typed "C-x C-n" (set-goal-column) which sets the
1730 "goal-column" to the column where the cursor was. To undo this type 2520 "goal-column" to the column where the cursor was. To undo this type
1731 "C-u C-x C-n". 2521 "C-u C-x C-n".
1732 2522
1733 If you make this mistake frequently, you might want to unbind this 2523 If you make this mistake frequently, you might want to unbind or disable
1734 command by doing (define-key ctl-x-map "\C-n" nil). 2524 this command by doing one of these two:
1735 2525
1736 62: Why don't the command line switches documented in the man page work? 2526 (define-key ctl-x-map "\C-n" nil)
1737 2527 (put 'set-goal-column 'disabled t)
1738 The "man page", ie. the file etc/emacs.1, hasn't been updated in a 2528
1739 while. The command line switches that it says work with X Windows are 2529 82: Why does Emacs hang with message "Unknown XMenu error" with X11R4? +
1740 for X10. See question 72 for details on what switches are
1741 available using X11. {Would someone like to rewrite the man page? RMS
1742 asked me and I haven't had time yet.}
1743
1744 63: Why does gnus-Subject-mail-reply chop off the last character of the
1745 article headers?
1746
1747 There is a bug in some rnews functions that GNUS uses. Here is a patch:
1748
1749 (Patch supplied by Karl Kleinpaste <karl_kleinpaste@cis.ohio-state.edu>.)
1750
1751 >*** rnewspost.el.orig Thu Oct 5 10:32:47 1989
1752 >--- rnewspost.el Thu Oct 5 10:32:47 1989
1753 >***************
1754 >*** 252,258 ****
1755 > (save-restriction
1756 > (narrow-to-region (point-min) (progn (goto-line (point-min))
1757 > (search-forward "\n\n")
1758 >! (- (point) 2)))
1759 > (setq from (mail-fetch-field "from")
1760 > subject (mail-fetch-field "subject")
1761 > reply-to (mail-fetch-field "reply-to")
1762 >--- 252,258 ----
1763 > (save-restriction
1764 > (narrow-to-region (point-min) (progn (goto-line (point-min))
1765 > (search-forward "\n\n")
1766 >! (- (point) 1)))
1767 > (setq from (mail-fetch-field "from")
1768 > subject (mail-fetch-field "subject")
1769 > reply-to (mail-fetch-field "reply-to")
1770 >***************
1771 >*** 289,295 ****
1772 > ;@@ but rnews.el lacks support
1773 > (narrow-to-region (point-min) (progn (goto-char (point-min))
1774 > (search-forward "\n\n")
1775 >! (- (point) 2)))))
1776 > (setq from (mail-fetch-field "from")
1777 > news-reply-yank-from from
1778 > ;; @@ not handling old Title: field
1779 >--- 289,295 ----
1780 > ;@@ but rnews.el lacks support
1781 > (narrow-to-region (point-min) (progn (goto-char (point-min))
1782 > (search-forward "\n\n")
1783 >! (- (point) 1)))))
1784 > (setq from (mail-fetch-field "from")
1785 > news-reply-yank-from from
1786 > ;; @@ not handling old Title: field
1787 >***************
1788 >*** 365,371 ****
1789 > ;@@ but rnews.el lacks support
1790 > (narrow-to-region (point-min) (progn (goto-char (point-min))
1791 > (search-forward "\n\n")
1792 >! (- (point) 2)))))
1793 > (setq news-reply-yank-from (mail-fetch-field "from")
1794 > ;; @@ not handling old Article-I.D.: field
1795 > news-reply-yank-message-id (mail-fetch-field "message-id")))
1796 >--- 365,371 ----
1797 > ;@@ but rnews.el lacks support
1798 > (narrow-to-region (point-min) (progn (goto-char (point-min))
1799 > (search-forward "\n\n")
1800 >! (- (point) 1)))))
1801 > (setq news-reply-yank-from (mail-fetch-field "from")
1802 > ;; @@ not handling old Article-I.D.: field
1803 > news-reply-yank-message-id (mail-fetch-field "message-id")))
1804
1805 64: Why does Emacs hang with message "Unknown XMenu" with X11R4?
1806 2530
1807 Many different X errors can produce this message. Here is the solution 2531 Many different X errors can produce this message. Here is the solution
1808 to one problem: 2532 to one problem:
1809 2533
1810 X11 Release 4 now enforces some conditions in the X protocol that were 2534 X11 Release 4 (and later, including OpenWindows) enforces some conditions !
1811 previously allowed to pass unnoticed. You need to put the X11R4 server 2535 in the X protocol that were previously allowed to pass unnoticed. You
1812 into X11R3 bug compatibility mode for Emacs's Xmenu code to work. You 2536 need to put the X11R4 server into X11R3 bug compatibility mode for Emacs's
1813 can do this with the command "xset bc". 2537 Xmenu code to work. You can do this with the command "xset bc".
1814 2538
1815 65: Why isn't the load average displayed by display-time? 2539 83: Why doesn't display-time show the load average in the mode line
2540 anymore?
2541
2542 In GNU Emacs 18.56, a change was made in the display-time code.
2543 Formerly, in version 18.55, Emacs used a program named "loadst" to
2544 notify Emacs of the change in time every minute. loadst also sent Emacs
2545 the system load average if it was installed with sufficient privilege to
2546 get that information (or was on a system where no such privilege was
2547 needed). Emacs then displayed this information in the mode line.
2548
2549 In version 18.56, this code was changed to use a program named "wakeup".
2550 wakeup doesn't send Emacs any information, it's only purpose is to send
2551 Emacs *something* every minute, thus invoking the filter function in
2552 Emacs once a minute. The filter function in Emacs does all the work of
2553 finding the time, date, and load average. However, getting the load
2554 average requires the privilege to read kernel memory on most systems.
2555 Since giving Emacs this privilege would destroy any security a system
2556 might have, for almost everyone this is not an option. In addition,
2557 Emacs does not have the code built into it to get this information on
2558 the systems which have special system calls for this purpose, even
2559 though loadst had code for this.
2560
2561 The solution I use is to get the files lisp/display-time.el and
2562 etc/loadst.c from version 18.55 and use those with 18.58. (I have heard !
2563 a rumor that loadst disappeared because of the legal action Unipress
2564 threatened against IBM.)
2565
2566 WARNING: Do not install Emacs setgid kmem unless you wish to destroy
2567 any security your system might have!!!!!!!!!!
2568
2569 If you are using Emacs 18.55 or earlier, or already using the solution I
2570 describe above, read further:
1816 2571
1817 The most likely cause of the problem is that "loadst" can't read the 2572 The most likely cause of the problem is that "loadst" can't read the
1818 special file /dev/kmem. To properly install loadst, it should be either 2573 special file /dev/kmem. To properly install loadst, it should be either
1819 setuid to the owner of /dev/kmem, or is should be setgid to the group to 2574 setuid to the owner of /dev/kmem, or is should be setgid to the group to
1820 which /dev/kmem belongs. In either case, /dev/kmem should be readable by 2575 which /dev/kmem belongs. In either case, /dev/kmem should be readable by
1821 its owner or its group, respectively. 2576 its owner or its group, respectively.
1822 2577
1823 Another possibility is that your version of Unix doesn't have the load 2578 Another possibility is that your version of Unix doesn't have the load
1824 average data available in /dev/kmem. Your version of Unix might have a 2579 average data available in /dev/kmem. Your version of Unix might have a
1825 special system call to retrieve this information (eg., inq_stats under 2580 special system call to retrieve this information (eg., inq_stats under
1826 UMAX). 2581 UMAX), and loadst might not have been enhanced to cope with this.
1827 2582
1828 66: Why doesn't GNUS work anymore via NNTP? 2583 84: Why doesn't GNUS work anymore via NNTP?
1829 2584
1830 There is a bug in NNTP version 1.5.10, such that when multiple requests 2585 There is a bug in NNTP version 1.5.10, such that when multiple requests
1831 are sent to the NNTP server, the server only handles the first one before 2586 are sent to the NNTP server, the server only handles the first one before
1832 blocking waiting for more input which never comes. 2587 blocking waiting for more input which never comes. NNTP version 1.5.11
2588 claims to fix this.
1833 2589
1834 You can work around the bug inside Emacs like this: 2590 You can work around the bug inside Emacs like this:
1835 2591
1836 (setq nntp-maximum-request 1) 2592 (setq nntp-maximum-request 1)
1837 (setq nntp-buggy-select t) 2593
1838 2594 I also have a patch for NNTP 1.5.10 by Mike Pelletier
1839 Or you could fix the NNTP server in one of these ways: 2595 <stealth@engin.umich.edu> that is based on the timeout code that was in
1840 2596 1.5.9. However, please try to upgrade to 1.5.11 first.
1841 1. Test whether there is data in stdin's stdio buffer before calling 2597
1842 "select" using something like "((fileptr)->_cnt > 0)". Best choice. 2598 You can find out what version of NNTP your news server is running by
1843 2. Remove call to select by not defining "TIMEOUT" in "common/conf.h". 2599 telnetting to the NNTP port (usually 119) on the news server machine (ie.,
1844 3. Put "setbuf (stdin, NULL)" in the NNTP server in the right spot. 2600 `telnet server-machine 119'). The server should give its version number
1845 This would be very inefficient. 2601 in the welcome message. Type `quit' to get out.
1846 4. Rewrite the server to use an alarm instead of "select". 2602
1847 2603 85: Why does ispell sometimes ignore the local dictionary?
1848 67: Why can't I paste a selection I made in Emacs into my xterm window? 2604
1849 2605 You need to update the version of ispell to 2.0.02. (Or you can switch to
1850 A person whose name I lost writes: 2606 version 3.0 which is still in beta-testing.) A patch is available via
1851 2607 anonymous FTP (archive.cis.ohio-state.edu: /pub/gnu/ispell/patch2.Z).
1852 The strange interaction between Emacs, xterm, and the cut buffers is
1853 because most xterm clients use selections instead of (well, superceding)
1854 cut buffers. If there is a selection around, xterms will use that
1855 instead of the cut buffer. Emacs doesn't know about selections, but you
1856 can convince xterm to always use the cut buffer instead of selections by
1857 adding this to your .Xdefaults:
1858
1859 ! Solution by Thomas Narten, should work under X11R3 and later
1860 ! GNU Emacs only copies to CUT_BUFFER0. xterm by default wants to paste
1861 ! from the PRIMARY selection.
1862 XTerm*VT100.Translations: #override \
1863 ~Meta <Btn2Up>: insert-selection(CUT_BUFFER0)
1864
1865
1866 68: Why does ispell sometimes ignore the local dictionary?
1867
1868 You need to update the version of ispell to 2.0.02. A patch is
1869 available via:
1870
1871 Anonymous FTP:
1872 site: tut.cis.ohio-state.edu
1873 file: /pub/gnu/ispell/patch2.Z
1874 2608
1875 You also need to change a line in ispell.el from: 2609 You also need to change a line in ispell.el from:
1876 2610
1877 (defconst ispell-version "2.0.01") ;; Check against output of "ispell -v". 2611 (defconst ispell-version "2.0.01") ; Check against output of "ispell -v".
1878 2612
1879 to: 2613 to:
1880 2614
1881 (defconst ispell-version "2.0.02") ;; Check against output of "ispell -v". 2615 (defconst ispell-version "2.0.02") ; Check against output of "ispell -v".
1882 2616
1883 2617 86: How do I get rid of the ^M junk in my Shell buffer?
1884 2618
1885 Configuring Emacs for yourself: 2619 For tcsh, put this in your ".cshrc" (or ".tcshrc") file:
1886 2620
1887 69: How do I set up a .emacs file properly? 2621 if ($?EMACS) then
1888 2622 if ("$EMACS" == t) then
1889 I'm going to be sending out a sample .emacs file in a separate message 2623 if ($?tcsh) unset edit
1890 later this month. It will be based largely on AT&T's sample .emacs 2624 stty nl
1891 file, which was sent to me by Dan Jacobson. In fact it might be 2625 endif
1892 identical. 2626 endif
1893 2627
1894 70: How do you debug a .emacs file? 2628 Or put this in your .emacs_tcsh file:
2629
2630 unset edit
2631 stty nl
2632
2633 Alternatively, use csh in your Shell buffers instead of tcsh. One way
2634 is:
2635
2636 (setq explicit-shell-file-name "/bin/csh")
2637
2638 and another is to do this in your .cshrc (or .tcshrc) file:
2639
2640 setenv ESHELL /bin/csh
2641
2642 (You must start Emacs over again with the environment variable properly
2643 set for this to take effect.)
2644
2645 87: Are there any security risks in GNU Emacs?
2646
2647 1. the `movemail' incident (No, this is not a risk.)
2648
2649 Cliff Stoll in his book "The Cuckoo's Egg" describes this in chapter 4.
2650 The site at LBL had installed the `etc/movemail' program setuid root.
2651 Since `movemail' had not been designed for this situation, a security
2652 hole was created and users could get root priveleges.
2653
2654 `movemail' has since been changed so that even if it is installed
2655 setuid root this security hole will not be a result.
2656
2657 I have heard reports that the Internet worm took advantage of this
2658 configuration problem.
2659
2660 2. the file-local-variable feature (Yes, a risk, but easy to change.)
2661
2662 There is an Emacs feature that allows the setting of local values for
2663 variables when editing a file by including specially formatted text
2664 near the end of the file. This feature also includes the ability to
2665 have arbitrary Emacs Lisp code evaluated when the file is visited.
2666 Obviously, there is a potential for Trojan horses to exploit this
2667 feature.
2668
2669 However, if you set the variable inhibit-local-variables to a non-nil
2670 value, Emacs will display the special local variable settings of a file
2671 that you visit and ask you if you really want them. It is reasonable
2672 to do this in lisp/site-init.el before building Emacs:
2673
2674 (setq inhibit-local-variables t)
2675
2676 If Emacs has already been built, the expression can be put in
2677 lisp/default.el instead, or an individual can put it in their own
2678 .emacs file.
2679
2680 The ability to exploit this feature by sending e-mail to an RMAIL user
2681 was fixed sometime after Emacs 18.52. However, any new package that
2682 uses find-file or find-file-noselect has to be careful about this.
2683
2684 88: How do I recover my mail files after RMAIL munges their format?
2685
2686 Users who just want to try RMAIL out to see how it works end up trapped
2687 using it because saved mail in their `mbox' file has been converted into !
2688 an incompatible format (BABYL) that only RMAIL understands. RMAIL
2689 provides no obvious way to reverse this transformation. To convert a mail
2690 file back to standard Unix format, there are several methods:
2691
2692 * Use the rmail-output ("C-o") command within RMAIL on each message in the
2693 file. First use M-x rmail or M-x rmail-input to visit the RMAIL file in
2694 Rmail mode. Type "1 j" to go to the first message. Use the C-o command
2695 to output the message to a Unix format file. Type "n" to go to the next
2696 message. Repeat.
2697
2698 * If the file contains hundreds of messages, you may not want to repeat
2699 this for all of them. Instead of the above, after getting to the first
2700 message type this (where "mbox" is the file you want to put the messages
2701 in):
2702
2703 C-x ( C-o mbox RET M-s ^From: RET M-0 C-x )
2704
2705 (The rmail-search command ("M-s") is used instead of just "n" because it
2706 is the only command which will cause an error when it reaches the last
2707 message in the file, which is necessary to terminate the keyboard macro.
2708 This will fail if there are messages in the file that don't have a
2709 `From:' header. This assumes rmail-delete-after-output is nil.)
2710
2711 It is wise to save a copy of the RMAIL file first, in case you make a
2712 mistake.
2713
2714 * There are software packages available for converting files or even
2715 entire directories of BABYL files to standard Unix format. These are
2716 helpful in this situation, but are intended mainly for people who have
2717 used RMAIL for a long time and are converting to some other mail reader.
2718 Lookup `rmail', `vm', and `babyl' in the Emacs Lisp Archive (see
2719 question 18).
2720
2721 You may wish to disable RMAIL to avoid accidentally destroying your mbox
2722 file (I have this in my .emacs):
2723
2724 (put 'rmail 'disabled t) ; avoid mbox destruction
2725
2726 89: Why do I get "Process shell exited abnormally with code 1"?
2727
2728 The most likely reason for this message is that the "env" program is not
2729 properly installed. This program should be compiled and installed with
2730 execute permission for everyone in Emacs's program directory, which is
2731 normally /usr/local/emacs/etc. You can find what this directory is at
2732 your site by inspecting the value of the variable exec-directory by typing
2733 "C-h v exec-directory RET".
2734
2735 See also etc/PROBLEMS for other possible causes of this message. +
2736
2737
2738
2739 Configuring Emacs for Yourself -
2740
2741 90: How do I set up a .emacs file properly?
2742
2743 See the section of the manual on the .emacs file, inside the section on
2744 customization. To reach this section of the online Info manual, type
2745 this:
2746
2747 C-h i m emacs RET g init SPC file RET
2748
2749 WARNING: In general, new Emacs users should not have .emacs files,
2750 because it causes confusing non-standard behavior. Then they send
2751 questions to help-gnu-emacs asking why Emacs isn't behaving as
2752 documented. :-)
2753
2754 91: How do you debug a .emacs file?
1895 2755
1896 First start Emacs with the "-q" command line option. Then, in the 2756 First start Emacs with the "-q" command line option. Then, in the
1897 *scratch* buffer, type the following: 2757 *scratch* buffer, type the following:
1898 2758
1899 (setq debug-on-error t) C-j 2759 (setq debug-on-error t) LFD
1900 (load-file "~/.emacs") C-j 2760 (load-file "~/.emacs") LFD
1901 2761
1902 (C-j stands for Control-J, ie., hold the control key and press J.) 2762 (Type LFD by pressing C-j.)
1903 2763
1904 If you have an error in your .emacs file, this will invoke the debugger 2764 If you have an error in your .emacs file, this will invoke the debugger
1905 when the error occurs. If you don't know how to use the debugger do 2765 when the error occurs. If you don't know how to use the debugger do
1906 (setq stack-trace-on-error t) instead. 2766 (setq stack-trace-on-error t) instead.
1907 2767
1908 WARNING: this will not discover errors caused by trying to do something 2768 WARNING: this will not discover errors caused by trying to do something
1909 that requires the terminal/window-system initialization code to have 2769 that requires the terminal/window-system initialization code to have
1910 been loaded. See question 34. 2770 been loaded. See question 50.
1911 2771
1912 71: How do I turn on abbrevs by default just in mode XXX? 2772 92: How do I turn on abbrevs by default just in mode XXX?
1913 2773
1914 Put this in your .emacs file: 2774 Put this in your .emacs file:
1915 2775
1916 (condition-case () 2776 (condition-case ()
1917 (read-abbrev-file nil t) 2777 (read-abbrev-file nil t)
1920 (setq XXX-mode-hook 2780 (setq XXX-mode-hook
1921 (function 2781 (function
1922 (lambda () 2782 (lambda ()
1923 (setq abbrev-mode t)))) 2783 (setq abbrev-mode t))))
1924 2784
1925 72: What does Emacs do every time it starts up? 2785 93: How do I turn on Auto-Fill mode by default?
1926 2786
1927 This question is not itself frequently asked, but helps to answer other 2787 To turn on Auto-Fill mode just once for one buffer, you type "M-x
1928 questions. 2788 auto-fill-mode". To turn it on for every buffer in, for example, Text
1929 2789 mode, do this:
1930 Here is a complete explanation of the order in which things are done 2790
1931 during startup. 2791 (setq text-mode-hook 'turn-on-auto-fill)
1932 2792
1933 1. These command line switches are handled, only if they appear before 2793 If you want Auto-Fill mode on in all major modes, do this:
1934 all other command line arguments, and only if they appear in this 2794
1935 order: 2795 (setq-default auto-fill-hook 'do-auto-fill)
1936 2796
1937 "-map". Only under VMS. Instead of "undumping", under VMS the 2797 94: How do I make Emacs use a certain major mode for certain files?
1938 contents of a dump file are mapped over a section of memory (very 2798
1939 quickly initializing lots of variables). 2799 If you want to use XXX mode for all files which end with the extension
1940 2800 ".YYY", this will do it for you:
1941 "-t". The next argument is treated as the name of a terminal to use 2801
1942 instead of whatever is connected to the stdin, stdout, and stderr 2802 (setq auto-mode-alist (cons '("\\.YYY\\'" . XXX-mode) auto-mode-alist))
1943 FILE pointers. 2803
1944 2804 Otherwise put this somewhere in the first line of any file you want to
1945 "-display" (synonym: "-d"). The next argument is treated as the 2805 edit in XXX mode:
1946 name of an X Window System server with which to connect. This 2806
1947 overrides the DISPLAY environment variable. 2807 -*-XXX-*-
1948 2808
1949 "-nw". This means don't connect to an X Window server even if the 2809 95: What are the valid X resource settings (ie., stuff in .Xdefaults file)?
1950 DISPLAY environment variable was set or the "-display" switch was 2810
1951 specified. Instead, Emacs talks to a regular dumb terminal. 2811 See the Emacs man page, or the etc/OPTIONS file. Ignore the information
1952 2812 in etc/XDOC which is way out of date.
1953 "-batch". Emacs is noninteractive. The variable "noninteractive" 2813
1954 is t. This disables any full screen interaction either with a 2814 96: How do I stop Emacs from beeping on a terminal?
1955 dumb terminal or with a window system. In addition, Emacs will 2815
1956 die after processing all command line arguments. 2816 Martin R. Frank <martin@cc.gatech.edu> writes:
1957 2817
1958 All of Emacs's internal data structures are initialized between steps 2 2818 Tell Emacs to use the 'visible bell' instead of the audible bell, and
1959 and 5. 2819 set the visible bell to nothing.
1960 2820
1961 2. The "*scratch*" buffer is created and its value of default-directory 2821 Put this in your TERMCAP environment variable:
1962 is set from the result of calling the "getwd" library routine. 2822
1963 (getwd does what the "pwd" program does.) 2823 ... :vb=: ...
1964 2824
1965 3. If X11 is being used, Emacs determines the name under which it looks 2825 And evaluate this:
1966 for X resource values. (I haven't checked how it does this under 2826
1967 X10.) 2827 (setq visible-bell t)
1968 2828
1969 1. If there is a "-rn" command line switch, it is handled now, no 2829 97: How do I turn down the bell volume in Emacs running under X Windows?
1970 matter where it is on the command line. (Later it will be
1971 processed again and ignored.) The next argument is used as
1972 Emacs's resource name.
1973
1974 2. If the "-rn" switch was missing, Emacs looks for the WM_RES_NAME
1975 environment variable.
1976
1977 3. If neither of the previous two steps succeed, Emacs uses the
1978 filename with which it was invoked as its resource name.
1979
1980 4. If X11 is being used, these command line switches are handled now,
1981 no matter where they appear in the command line. (Under X10, they
1982 are not handled until step 13.) WARNING: this can cause strange
1983 interactions with the processing of the remaining command line
1984 arguments in step 13.
1985
1986 In addition, under both X11 and X10, X resources (ie. the stuff in
1987 an .Xdefaults file) are handled now. Command line switches take
1988 precedence over resources.
1989
1990 After each command line switch are given the equivalent resource
1991 names in this format: (X10 name / X11 instance name / X11 class name).
1992
1993 "-r". Reverse video. (ReverseVideo/reverseVideo/ReverseVideo)
1994 "-font" (synonym: "-fn"). Font. (BodyFont/font/Font)
1995 "-wn". Window name (X11 only). (/title/Title)
1996 "-in". Icon name (X11 only). (/iconName/Title)
1997 "-i". Use built-in icon bitmap. (BitMapIcon//)
1998
1999 "-b". Border width (in pixels).
2000 (BorderWidth/borderWidth/BorderWidth)
2001
2002 "-ib". Internal border width (in pixels) (default: 1).
2003 (/internalBorder/BorderWidth)
2004
2005 "-geometry" (synonym: "-w"). Window shape and size. "-geometry" is
2006 X11 only, but its synonym "-w" was available under X10.
2007 (/geometry/Geometry)
2008
2009 Color options only:
2010
2011 "-fg". Foreground color. (Foreground/foreground/Foreground)
2012 "-bg". Background color. (Background/background/Background)
2013 "-bd". Border color. (Border/borderColor/BorderColor)
2014 "-cr". Cursor color. (Cursor/cursorColor/Foreground)
2015 "-ms". Mouse pointer color. (Mouse/pointerColor/Foreground)
2016
2017 In addition, under X10, the resource "Keymap" was handled now.
2018
2019 5. If your Emacs isn't "dumped", the default Lisp libraries are
2020 "loaded" now.
2021
2022 6. Emacs enters a "recursive edit". The first time Emacs does a
2023 recursive edit, steps 7 through 15 are followed, and then Emacs
2024 enters its normal editing mode.
2025
2026 7. If the environment variable PWD exists, the value of
2027 default-directory in the *scratch* buffer is set to the value of
2028 PWD. This often causes problems and confusion when the value of PWD
2029 doesn't actually contain the pathname of the current directory.
2030
2031 8. Now the "-no-init-file" (synonym: "-q") and "-user" (synonym: "-u")
2032 command line switches are handled. They must follow the switches
2033 mentioned in step 1, and must precede any other command line
2034 arguments. Actually, both of these options can be specified;
2035 whichever is last on the command line wins.
2036
2037 9. The user's ".emacs" file is loaded now, if the -no-init-file option
2038 was not specified. If the -user option was specified, that user's
2039 .emacs file is loaded instead. A user's .emacs file is a file named
2040 ".emacs" in the user's "home" directory. If no such file exists,
2041 this step has no effect.
2042
2043 10. The system wide "default" file is loaded now, if the variable
2044 inhibit-default-init is nil. The user can set this variable in the
2045 .emacs file to skip this step.
2046
2047 11. If the *scratch* buffer still exists now, the value of
2048 initial-major-mode is called as a function in this buffer.
2049 Normally, this puts this buffer in Lisp Interaction mode.
2050
2051 12. Now the terminal/window-system setup file is loaded. The name of
2052 this file is determined as follows:
2053
2054 1. It starts with the value of term-file-prefix. Normally this is
2055 "term/", but the user can set it to another value. If this
2056 variable is nil, this entire step is skipped.
2057
2058 2. For a window system, the prefix is followed by the name of the
2059 value of the variable window-system, followed by "-win". For X
2060 Windows, this means the name is "term/x-win".
2061
2062 3. For a terminal, the prefix is followed by the value of the
2063 environment variable TERM, for example, "term/vt200". If Emacs
2064 cannot find such a file to load, it retries by stripping off
2065 suffixes that begin with a hyphen. For example, if TERM is
2066 "vt200-40", first Emacs will try "term/vt200-40", and if that
2067 fails it will try "term/vt200".
2068
2069 13. The rest of the command line arguments are handled at this point, in
2070 the order they appear:
2071
2072 "-funcall" (synonyms: "-f", "-e"). The next argument is treated as
2073 the name of a function, which is called with no arguments.
2074
2075 "-load" (synonym: "-l"). The next argument is treated as the name
2076 of a file to load. NOTE: the value of the variable load-path
2077 will be restored after this file is done loading. Thus, trying
2078 to change load-path in such a file will fail!!
2079
2080 "-kill". When this argument is handled, Emacs kills itself.
2081
2082 "+DDD", where D is a digit. DDD is used as a line number to go to.
2083 When the next ordinary file argument on the command line is
2084 handled, Emacs positions point in that file on line DDD.
2085
2086 An ordinary filename. Emacs edits this file using the function
2087 find-file. If the filename is not an "absolute" filename, it is
2088 expanded relative to the value that default-directory in the
2089 *scratch* buffer had at the beginning of step 11. The buffer
2090 visiting this file becomes the current buffer.
2091
2092 "-insert" (synonym: "-i"). The next argument is treated as the name
2093 of a file. This file is inserted in the current buffer.
2094 Initially, this is the *scratch* buffer. Otherwise it is the
2095 buffer visiting the file most recently specified on the command
2096 line. WARNING: the synonym "-i" doesn't work under X11.
2097
2098 Other command line switches may have been created by modifying the
2099 value of the variable command-switch-alist. If X Windows is being
2100 used, all X-specific switches mentioned above in steps 3 and 4 will
2101 be processed. Under X11, they will have already been handled, and
2102 will be ignored now. Under X10, they are being handled for the
2103 first time.
2104
2105 14. The values of the variables term-setup-hook and window-setup-hook
2106 are called as functions with no arguments, in the order listed.
2107
2108 15. If the user did not specify any of the command line options handled
2109 in step 13, and the variable inhibit-startup-message is still nil,
2110 the familiar Emacs startup message is displayed.
2111
2112 73: What are the valid X resource settings (ie., stuff in .Xdefaults file)?
2113
2114 See question 72.
2115
2116 WARNING: Don't pay any attention to the documentation in etc/XDOC or
2117 etc/emacs.1. It's way out of date. {Would someone like to rewrite it?
2118 RMS asked me and I haven't had time yet.}
2119
2120 74: How do I turn down the bell volume in Emacs running under X Windows?
2121 2830
2122 Under Epoch you can do: 2831 Under Epoch you can do:
2123 2832
2124 (setq epoch::bell-volume 20) 2833 (setq epoch::bell-volume 20)
2125 2834
2126 Under normal GNU Emacs you must modify the XTfeep function in 2835 Under normal GNU Emacs you must modify the XTfeep function in
2127 src/x11term.c, and change the number 50 to some other number: 2836 src/x11term.c. This simplest fix is to change the number 50 to -50 in the !
2128 2837 call the XBell. Then "xset b 0" will turn off Emacs's beeping. !
2129 XTfeep () 2838
2130 { 2839 Explanation: After "xset b BASE": +
2131 BLOCK_INPUT_DECLARE (); 2840
2132 #ifdef XDEBUG 2841 XBell (disp, VAL) beeps with volume BASE - (BASE*VAL)/100 + VAL,
2133 fprintf (stderr, "XTfeep\n"); 2842 XBell (disp, -VAL) beeps with volume BASE - (BASE*VAL)/100.
2134 #endif 2843
2135 BLOCK_INPUT (); 2844 Stu Grossman <grossman@sunburn.stanford.edu> wrote a patch that allows the +
2136 XBell (XXdisplay,50); /* change this 50 */ 2845 bell volume to be adjusted from inside Emacs. +
2137 UNBLOCK_INPUT (); 2846
2138 } 2847 98: How do I change load-path?
2139 2848
2140 75: How do I make Emacs send 8-bit characters to my terminal? 2849 In general, you should only *add* to the load-path. You can add
2141 2850 directory /XXX/YYY to the load path like this:
2142 Johan Widen <jw@sics.se> writes: 2851
2143 2852 (setq load-path (append load-path '("/XXX/YYY/")))
2144 A patch for emacs-18.55 is available by ftp and mail-server from 2853
2145 sics.se. 2854 To do this relative to your home directory:
2146 2855
2147 Anonymous FTP: 2856 (setq load-path (append load-path (list (expand-file-name "~/YYY/"))))
2148 site: sics.se [192.16.123.90] 2857
2149 file: archive/emacs-18.55-8bit-diff 2858 99: How do I change the included text prefix in mail/news followups?
2150 2859
2151 E-mail: 2860 Many people want Emacs to prefix included text with something like " > " !
2152 To: mail-server@sics.se 2861 instead of with three spaces. One way is to change the code of the !
2153 body: send emacs-18.55-8bit-diff 2862 function `mail-yank-original' in lisp/sendmail.el that prefixes with !
2154 2863 spaces. A more flexible solution is to use SuperCite, which provides wide !
2155 2864 configurability in how you format included text in replies. See question
2156 2865 21. Both of these solutions work for Rmail and GNUS. !
2157 Emacs Lisp programming: 2866 !
2158 2867 A related problem is how to prevent Emacs from including various headers !
2159 76: What dialect of Lisp is Emacs Lisp? 2868 of the replied-to message. For this, you should set the value of !
2160 2869 mail-yank-ignored-headers, which takes a regexp value. !
2161 It's the dialect of Lisp called Emacs Lisp. (No joke!) People also 2870
2162 call it elisp or e-lisp. (NOTE: The term "Elisp" is trademarked by 2871
2163 someone else.) 2872
2164 2873 Emacs Lisp Programming -
2165 77: How close is Emacs Lisp to Common Lisp? 2874
2166 2875 100: What dialect of Lisp is Emacs Lisp?
2167 Pretty far. GNU Emacs Lisp is case-sensitive, uses dynamic scoping, 2876
2168 doesn't have packages, doesn't have multiple return values, doesn't have 2877 Quite simply, it is the dialect of Lisp called GNU Emacs Lisp. People !
2169 reader macros, etc. For people used to Common Lisp, some of the 2878 also call it elisp or e-lisp. (NOTE: The term "Elisp" is trademarked by
2879 someone else. {I believe it is by Uniworks Inc., the sellers of CCA !
2880 Emacs.}) !
2881
2882 101: How close is Emacs Lisp to Common Lisp?
2883
2884 They are not close. GNU Emacs Lisp is case-sensitive, uses dynamic
2885 scoping, doesn't have packages, doesn't have multiple return values,
2886 doesn't have reader macros, doesn't have rational, floating point, or
2887 arbitrary size numbers, etc. For people used to Common Lisp, some of the
2170 functions in Common Lisp that are not in Emacs Lisp by default are 2888 functions in Common Lisp that are not in Emacs Lisp by default are
2171 provided in the file lisp/cl.el. There is a Texinfo manual describing 2889 provided in the file lisp/cl.el. There is a Texinfo manual describing
2172 these functions in man/cl.texinfo. 2890 these functions in man/cl.texinfo.
2173 2891
2174 78: How do I execute a piece of Emacs Lisp code? 2892 102: How do I execute a piece of Emacs Lisp code?
2175 2893
2176 There are a number of ways to execute (called "evaluate") an Emacs Lisp 2894 There are a number of ways to execute (called "evaluate") an Emacs Lisp
2177 "form": 2895 "form":
2178 2896
2179 * If you want it evaluated every time you run Emacs, put it in a file 2897 * If you want it evaluated every time you run Emacs, put it in a file
2180 named ".emacs" in your home directory. 2898 named ".emacs" in your home directory.
2181 2899
2182 * You can type the form in the "*scratch*" buffer, and then type C-j 2900 * You can type the form in the "*scratch*" buffer, and then type LFD (or
2183 after it. The result of evaluating the form will be inserted in the 2901 C-j) after it. The result of evaluating the form will be inserted in
2184 buffer. 2902 the buffer.
2185 2903
2186 * In in Emacs-Lisp mode, typing M-C-x evaluates a top-level form before 2904 * In in Emacs-Lisp mode, typing M-C-x evaluates a top-level form before
2187 or around point. 2905 or around point.
2188 2906
2189 * Typing "C-x C-e" in any buffer evaluates the Lisp form immediately 2907 * Typing "C-x C-e" in any buffer evaluates the Lisp form immediately
2193 the minibuffer which will be evaluated. 2911 the minibuffer which will be evaluated.
2194 2912
2195 * You can use M-x load-file to have Emacs evaluate all the Lisp forms in 2913 * You can use M-x load-file to have Emacs evaluate all the Lisp forms in
2196 a file. (To do this from Lisp use the function "load" instead.) 2914 a file. (To do this from Lisp use the function "load" instead.)
2197 2915
2198 79: How do I make a set of operations fully local to a region? 2916 These functions are also used for evaluating Lisp forms:
2917
2918 load-library, eval-region, eval-current-buffer, require, autoload
2919
2920 103: How do I make a set of operations work only within a region? !
2199 2921
2200 Use narrow-to-region inside of save-restriction. 2922 Use narrow-to-region inside of save-restriction.
2201 2923
2202 80: How can I highlight a region? 2924 104: How can I highlight text in Emacs?
2203 2925
2204 There are ways to get highlighting in GNU Emacs 18.55, but they all 2926 There are ways to get highlighting (reverse video) in GNU Emacs 18.58, but !
2205 require patching the C code of Emacs and rebuilding. They are also slow 2927 either they require patching the C code of Emacs and rebuilding, or they
2206 and the highlighting disappears if you scroll or redraw the screen. One 2928 are slow and the highlighting disappears if you scroll or redraw the
2207 patch is by Kenichi Handa <handa@etl.go.jp>. 2929 screen and it can not follow the point. Howard Gayle's patches for 8-bit !
2208 2930 output appear to allow highlighting (see question 43). Another !
2209 You can hightlight regions in a variety of ways in Epoch. GNU Emacs 19 2931 patch for highlighting is by Kenichi Handa <handa@etl.go.jp>. There is a !
2932 patch for use with X by Andy Norman <ange@hplb.hpl.hp.com> (and modified +
2933 for 18.57 by Matthieu Herrb <matthieu@laas.fr>), which is available for +
2934 FTP (laas.laas.fr:pub/emacs/patch-X11-18.5{5,7}). +
2935
2936 You can highlight regions in a variety of ways in Epoch. GNU Emacs 19
2210 will have everything you need, but won't be out soon. 2937 will have everything you need, but won't be out soon.
2211 2938
2212 81: How do I change Emacs's idea of the tab character's length? 2939 Similar comments apply to displaying text in different fonts, except that +
2940 it is even harder. +
2941
2942 105: How do I change Emacs's idea of the tab character's length?
2213 2943
2214 Example: (setq default-tab-width 10). 2944 Example: (setq default-tab-width 10).
2215 2945
2216 82: What is the difference between (interactive "P") and (interactive "p")? 2946
2217 2947
2218 The value that is a result of "P" can be a list, a symbol, or an 2948 Carrying Out Common Tasks -
2219 integer; the value that is a result of "p" is always an integer: 2949
2220 2950 106: How do I insert ">"'s in the beginning of every line in a buffer?
2221 Prefix keys typed result of: "P" "p"
2222 nothing nil 1
2223 "M-1" 1 1
2224 "C-u 1" 1 1
2225 "M--" '- -1
2226 "C-u -" '- -1
2227 "C-u" (4) 4
2228 "C-u C-u" (16) 16
2229
2230
2231
2232 Carrying Out Common Tasks:
2233
2234 83: How do I insert ">"'s in the beginning of every line in a buffer?
2235 2951
2236 Type "M-x replace-regexp RET ^ RET > RET". ("replace-regexp" can be 2952 Type "M-x replace-regexp RET ^ RET > RET". ("replace-regexp" can be
2237 shortened to "repl TAB r".) 2953 shortened to "repl TAB r".)
2238 2954
2239 To do this only in the region, type "C-x n M-x replace-regexp RET ^ RET 2955 To do this only in the region, type "C-x n M-x replace-regexp RET ^ RET
2240 > RET C-x w". (You're going to remember that, right?) 2956 > RET C-x w". -
2241 2957
2242 84: How do I insert "_^H" characters before each character in a 2958 WARNING: The command narrow-to-region (C-x n) is disabled by default
2243 paragraph to get an underlined paragraph? 2959 because it can be very confusing (ie., "Oh no! Where did my file go?").
2960
2961 107: How do I insert "_^H" characters before each character in a paragraph
2962 to get an underlined paragraph?
2244 2963
2245 M-x underline-region. 2964 M-x underline-region.
2246 2965
2247 85: How do I repeat a command as many times as possible? 2966 108: How do I repeat a command as many times as possible?
2248 2967
2249 Make a keyboard macro that invokes the command and then type "M-0 C-x 2968 Use "C-x (" and "C-x )" to make a keyboard macro that invokes the command
2250 e". WARNING: any messages your command prints in the echo area will be 2969 and then type "M-0 C-x e".
2970
2971 WARNING: any messages your command prints in the echo area will be
2251 suppressed. 2972 suppressed.
2252 2973
2253 86: How do I search for an unprintable (8-bit) character that appears 2974 109: How do I search for or delete unprintable (8-bit or control)
2254 in a buffer as \237? 2975 characters?
2255 2976
2256 C-s C-q 2 3 7 2977 To search for a single character that appears in the buffer as, for
2257 2978 example, \237, you can type "C-s C-q 2 3 7". (This assumes the value of
2258 (This assumes the value of search-quote-char is 17 (C-q).) 2979 search-quote-char is 17 (C-q).)
2259 2980
2260 87: How do I tell Emacs to automatically indent a new line to the 2981 Searching for ALL unprintable characters is best done with a "regexp"
2982 search. The easiest regexp to use for the unprintable chars is the
2983 complement of the regexp for the printable chars.
2984
2985 Regexp for the printable chars: [\t\n\r\f -~]
2986
2987 Regexp for the unprintable chars: [^\t\n\r\f -~]
2988
2989 To type some of these special characters (\t, \n, \r, \f) as an
2990 interactive argument to isearch-forward-regexp or re-search-forward, you
2991 need to use C-q.
2992
2993 So, to search for unprintable characters using re-search-forward:
2994
2995 M-x re-search-forward RET [^ TAB C-q LFD C-q RET C-q C-l SPC -~] RET
2996
2997 Using isearch-forward-regexp:
2998
2999 M-C-s [^ TAB RET C-q RET C-q C-l SPC -~]
3000
3001 To delete all unprintable characters, simply use a replace-regexp:
3002
3003 M-x replace-regexp RET [^ TAB C-q LFD C-q RET C-q C-l SPC -~] RET RET
3004
3005 Notes:
3006
3007 * With isearch, you can type RET to get a quoted LFD (not a quoted RET).
3008
3009 * You don't need to quote TAB with either isearch or typing something in
3010 the minibuffer.
3011
3012 Here are the Emacs Lisp forms of the above regexps:
3013
3014 ;; regexp matching all printable characters:
3015 "[\t\n\r\f -~]"
3016
3017 ;; regexp matching all unprintable characters:
3018 "[^\t\n\r\f -~]"
3019
3020 ;; alternative regexps for all unprintable characters:
3021 "[\C-@-\C-h\C-k\C-n-\C-_\C-?-\377]"
3022 "[\000-\010\013\016-\037\177-\377]"
3023
3024 (To use "[\000-\010\013\016-\037\177-\377]" interactively, type:
3025
3026 [ C-q 000 - C-q 010 C-q 013 C-q 016 - C-q 037 C-q 177 - C-q 377 ]
3027
3028 )
3029
3030 110: How do I control Emacs's case-sensitivity when searching/replacing? +
3031
3032 For searching, the value of the variable case-fold-search determines
3033 whether they are case sensitive:
3034
3035 (setq case-fold-search nil) ; make searches case sensitive
3036 (setq case-fold-search t) ; make searches case insensitive
3037
3038 Similarly, for replacing the variable case-replace determines whether
3039 replacements preserve case.
3040
3041 To change the case sensitivity just for one major mode, use the major +
3042 mode's hook. For example: +
3043 +
3044 (setq XXX-mode-hook +
3045 (function +
3046 (lambda () +
3047 (setq case-fold-search nil)))) +
3048
3049 111: How do I tell Emacs to automatically indent a new line to the
2261 indentation of the previous line? 3050 indentation of the previous line?
2262 3051
2263 M-x indented-text-mode. (This is a major mode.) 3052 One solution is the major mode Indented Text Mode (M-x indented-tex-mode).
2264 3053
2265 If you have auto-fill mode on (minor mode), you can tell Emacs to prefix 3054 If you have Auto-Fill mode on (a minor mode, see question 93),
2266 every line with a certain character sequence, the "fill prefix". Type 3055 you can tell Emacs to prefix every line with a certain character
2267 the prefix at the beginning of a line, position point after it, and then 3056 sequence, the "fill prefix". Type the prefix at the beginning of a
2268 type "C-x ." (set-fill-prefix) to set the fill prefix. Thereafter, 3057 line, position point after it, and then type "C-x ." (set-fill-prefix)
2269 auto-filling will automatically put the fill prefix at the beginning of 3058 to set the fill prefix. Thereafter, auto-filling will automatically put
2270 new lines, and M-q (fill-paragraph) will maintain any fill prefix when 3059 the fill prefix at the beginning of new lines, and M-q (fill-paragraph)
2271 refilling the paragraph. 3060 will maintain any fill prefix when refilling the paragraph.
2272 3061
2273 88: How do I make Emacs "typeover" or "overwrite" when I type instead of 3062 NOTE: If you have paragraphs with different levels of indentation, you
2274 always inserting? 3063 will have to set the fill prefix to the correct value each time you move
2275 3064 to a new paragraph. To avoid this hassle, try one of the many packages
2276 M-x overwrite-mode (minor mode). 3065 available from the Emacs Lisp Archive. Look up "fill" and "indent" in the
2277 3066 Lisp Code Directory for guidance.
2278 WARNING: delete-backward-char (usually the delete key) doesn't work 3067
2279 properly in overwrite mode. It deletes the character to the left, 3068 112: How do I make Emacs "typeover" or "overwrite" instead of inserting? -
2280 rather than replacing it with a space. 3069
2281 3070 M-x overwrite-mode (a minor mode).
2282 89: How do I show which parenthesis matches the one I'm looking at? 3071
3072 113: How do I show which parenthesis matches the one I'm looking at?
2283 3073
2284 If you're looking at a right parenthesis (or brace or bracket) you can 3074 If you're looking at a right parenthesis (or brace or bracket) you can
2285 delete it and reinsert it. 3075 delete it and reinsert it. Emacs will blink the cursor on the matching
3076 parenthesis.
2286 3077
2287 M-C-f (forward-sexp) and M-C-b (backward-sexp) will skip over balanced 3078 M-C-f (forward-sexp) and M-C-b (backward-sexp) will skip over balanced
2288 parentheses, so you can see which parentheses match. (You can train it 3079 parentheses, so you can see which parentheses match. (You can train it
2289 to skip over balanced brackets and braces at the same time by modifying 3080 to skip over balanced brackets and braces at the same time by modifying
2290 the syntax table.) 3081 the syntax table.)
2291 3082
2292 Here is some Emacs Lisp that will make the % key show the matching 3083 Here is some Emacs Lisp that will make the % key show the matching
2293 parenthese, like in vi. In addition, if the cursor isn't over a 3084 parenthese, like in vi. In addition, if the cursor isn't over a
2294 parenthese, it simply inserts a % like normal. 3085 parenthese, it simply inserts a % like normal.
2295 3086
2296 (By an unknown contributor.) 3087 ;; By an unknown contributor !
2297 3088
2298 (global-set-key "%" 'match-paren) 3089 (global-set-key "%" 'match-paren)
2299 3090
2300 (defun match-paren (arg) 3091 (defun match-paren (arg)
2301 "Go to the matching parenthesis if on parenthesis otherwise insert %." 3092 "Go to the matching parenthesis if on parenthesis otherwise insert %."
2302 (interactive "p") 3093 (interactive "p")
2303 (cond ((looking-at "[([{]") (forward-sexp 1) (backward-char)) 3094 (cond ((looking-at "\\s\(") (forward-list 1) (backward-char 1))
2304 ((looking-at "[])}]") (forward-char) (backward-sexp 1)) 3095 ((looking-at "\\s\)") (forward-char 1) (backward-list 1))
2305 (t (self-insert-command (or arg 1))))) 3096 (t (self-insert-command (or arg 1)))))
2306 3097
2307 90: How do I make Emacs behave like this: when I go up or down, the cursor 3098 114: How do I make Emacs behave like this: when I go up or down, the cursor
2308 should stay in the same column even if the line is too short? 3099 should stay in the same column even if the line is too short?
2309 3100
2310 M-x picture-mode. (This is a minor mode, in theory anyway ...) 3101 M-x picture-mode. (This is a minor mode, in theory anyway ...)
2311 3102
2312 91: How do I read news under Emacs? 3103 115: How do I read news under Emacs?
2313 3104
2314 There are at least three news reading packages that operate inside 3105 There are at least three news reading packages that operate inside Emacs.
2315 Emacs. "rnews" comes with Emacs. "GNUS" and "Gnews" come separately. 3106 "rnews" comes with Emacs. "GNUS" and "Gnews" come separately. rnews will
2316 3107 be replaced by GNUS in Emacs 19.
2317 {I've never used rnews; could someone write a description? BTW, rnews 3108
2318 will be replaced with GNUS in Emacs 19.} 3109 rnews works only with a local news spool directory. Both GNUS and Gnews
2319 3110 handle reading news remotely via NNTP in addition to reading from a local
2320 Both GNUS and Gnews handle reading news over NNTP. I think both can 3111 news spool. GNUS supports reading mail stored in MH folders or articles
2321 also read from a local news spool. GNUS also supports reading mail 3112 saved by GNUS.
2322 stored in MH folders or articles saved by GNUS. 3113
2323 3114 Gnews is styled after `rn' and seems to work like Rmail. GNUS feels more
2324 GNUS is written (mostly) by Masanobu Umeda. His (?) latest e-mail 3115 like VM. People have complained that GNUS uses a lot of CPU time (it
2325 address was umerin@tc.nagasaki.go.jp, but I don't think he has an e-mail 3116 does). Some people have complained that Gnews is slower than GNUS.
2326 address right now. The latest version is GNUS 3.13. There is a 3117
2327 newsgroup for discussion of GNUS called gnu.emacs.gnus. This newsgroup 3118 For more information about GNUS, see question 21.
2328 is gatewayed with the mailing list info-gnus-english to subscribe send 3119
2329 mail to info-gnus-english-request@cis.ohio-state.edu. There is also a 3120 Gnews was written by Matthew P. Wiener <weemba@libra.wistar.upenn.edu>.
2330 mailing list called info-gnus, which includes discussion in Japanese. 3121 The latest version seems to be 2.0, posted October 3, 1988. Matthew
2331 3122 posted some fixes on October 26, 1988. Gnews does not appear to have been
2332 Gnews was written by Matthew Wiener <e-mail address?>. {Could someone 3123 supported after this date. In particular, it has been reported that Gnews
2333 tell me the # of the latest version, and how long it has been since 3124 does not work with Emacs 18.57. There is a newsgroup for Gnews called
2334 anyone has heard from Matthew?}. There is a newsgroup for Gnews called
2335 gnu.emacs.gnews. 3125 gnu.emacs.gnews.
2336 3126
2337 92: In C mode, can I show just the lines that will be left after #ifdef 3127 116: In C mode, can I show just the lines that will be left after #ifdef
2338 commands are handled by the compiler? 3128 commands are handled by the compiler?
2339 3129
2340 M-x hide-ifdef-mode. (This is a minor mode.) 3130 M-x hide-ifdef-mode. (This is a minor mode.)
2341 3131
2342 You may have to (load "hideif") first. If you want to do this 3132 You may have to (load "hideif") first. If you want to do this
2343 regularly, put this in your .emacs file: 3133 regularly, put this in your .emacs file:
2344 3134
2345 (autoload 'hide-ifdef-mode "hideif" nil t) 3135 (autoload 'hide-ifdef-mode "hideif" nil t)
2346 3136
2347 93: Is there an equivalent to the "." (dot) command of vi? 3137 {Yes, I know, this should be in lisp/loaddefs.el already.}
3138
3139 117: Is there an equivalent to the "." (dot) command of vi?
2348 3140
2349 ("." is the redo command in vi. It redoes the last insertion/deletion.) 3141 ("." is the redo command in vi. It redoes the last insertion/deletion.)
2350 3142
2351 No, not really. 3143 No, not really.
2352 3144
2355 you can type M-p and M-n to scan through all the different complex 3147 you can type M-p and M-n to scan through all the different complex
2356 commands you've typed. 3148 commands you've typed.
2357 3149
2358 To repeat something on each line I recommend using keyboard macros. 3150 To repeat something on each line I recommend using keyboard macros.
2359 3151
2360 94: How do I use emacstool under SunView? 3152 118: How do I make Emacs display the current line (or column) number? !
2361
2362 The file etc/SUN-SUPPORT includes the document "Using Emacstool with GNU
2363 Emacs". Also read the man page for emacstool (etc/emacstool.1).
2364
2365 95: How do I get Emacs to display the current line number on the mode line?
2366
2367 There is no "correct" way to constantly display the current line number
2368 on the mode line in Emacs 18. Emacs is not a line-oriented editor, and
2369 really has no idea what "lines" of the buffer are displayed in the
2370 window. It would require a lot of work at the C code level to make
2371 Emacs keep track of this.
2372
2373 Emacs 19 will probably be able to do this, but probably not with great
2374 efficiency.
2375 3153
2376 To find out what line of the buffer you are on right now, do "M-x 3154 To find out what line of the buffer you are on right now, do "M-x
2377 what-line". Typing "C-x l" will also tell you what line you are on, 3155 what-line". Use "M-x goto-line" to go to a specific line. To find the +
2378 provided the buffer isn't separated into "pages" with C-l characters. 3156 current column number, type "M-ESC (current-column)". +
2379 In that case, it will only tell you what line of the current "page" you 3157
2380 are on. WARNING: "C-x l" gives the wrong value when point is at the 3158 Typing "C-x l" will also tell you what line you are on, provided the
2381 beginning of a line. 3159 buffer isn't separated into "pages" with C-l characters. In that case, it
2382 3160 will only tell you what line of the current "page" you are on. WARNING:
2383 People have written various kludges to display the current line number 3161 "C-x l" gives the wrong value when point is at the beginning of a line.
2384 on the mode line. Look in the Lisp Code Directory. (See question 13.) 3162
2385 3163 There is no "correct" way to constantly display the current line (or !
2386 96: How do I tell Emacs to iconify itself? 3164 column) number on the mode line in Emacs 18, or to display the line +
3165 numbers next to the lines. Emacs is not a line-oriented editor, and +
3166 really has no idea what "lines" of the buffer are displayed in the window. +
3167 It would require a lot of work at the C code level to make Emacs keep +
3168 track of this. It would not be that hard to get the column number, but it +
3169 would still require changes at the C code level. +
3170 +
3171 vi emulation mode does not emulate this capability of vi (as far as I +
3172 know). +
3173 +
3174 Emacs 19 will probably be able to show the line number on the mode-line, +
3175 but probably very inefficiently. +
3176 +
3177 People have written various kludges to display line numbers. Look in the +
3178 Lisp Code Directory. (See question 17.)
3179
3180 119: How do I tell Emacs to iconify itself?
2387 3181
2388 You need to modify C source and recompile. Either that or get Epoch 3182 You need to modify C source and recompile. Either that or get Epoch
2389 instead. For the interested I have a patch to allow Emacs to iconify 3183 instead. For the interested I have a patch by Robert Forsman
2390 itself. 3184 <thoth@reef.cis.ufl.edu> to allow Emacs to iconify itself and a patch by
2391 3185 Matt Wette <mwette@mr-ed.jpl.nasa.gov> to allow Emacs to start up
2392 97: How do I use regexps (regular expressions) in Emacs? 3186 iconified. I don't know whether these two patches work together.
3187
3188 {Are either of these two patches available via anonymous FTP anywhere?}
3189
3190 120: How do I use regexps (regular expressions) in Emacs?
2393 3191
2394 This is documented in the Emacs manual. To read the manual section 3192 This is documented in the Emacs manual. To read the manual section
2395 online, type "C-h i m emacs RET m regexps RET". 3193 online, type "C-h i m emacs RET m regexps RET".
2396 3194
3195 WARNING: The `or' operator is `\|', not `|', and the grouping operators
3196 are `\(' and `\)'. Also, the string syntax for a backslash is "\\".
3197 Thus, the string syntax for a regular expression like xxx\(foo\|bar\) is
3198 "xxx\\(foo\\|bar\\)". Notice the duplicated backslashes!
3199
2397 WARNING: Unlike in Unix grep, sed, etc., a complement character set 3200 WARNING: Unlike in Unix grep, sed, etc., a complement character set
2398 ([^...]) can match a Newline, unless Newline is mentioned as one of the 3201 ([^...]) can match a newline character (LFD aka C-j aka \n), unless
2399 characters not to match. 3202 newline is mentioned as one of the characters not to match.
2400 3203
3204 WARNING: The character syntax regexps (eg. `\sw') are not meaningful +
3205 inside character set regexps (eg. `[aeiou]'). (This is typical for regexp +
3206 syntax.) +
3207
3208 121: How do I perform a replace operation across more than one file?
3209
3210 The "tags" feature of Emacs includes the command tags-query-replace
3211 which performs a query-replace across all the files mentioned in the
3212 TAGS file. To read the relevant online manual section, type "C-h i m
3213 emacs RET m tags RET m tags search RET".
3214
3215 In addition, Martin Boyer has written a package named global-replace
3216 which will perform a query-replace across all the files mentioned in the
3217 *compilation* buffer (usually done after a "grep"), which is available
3218 via anonymous FTP (ireq-robot.hydro.qc.ca:
3219 /pub/emacs/lisp/{compile,global-replace,query}.el.Z).
3220
3221 122: How do I make Emacs wrap words for me?
3222
3223 M-x auto-fill-mode. The default maximum line width is 74, determined by
3224 the variable fill-column. To find how to turn this on automatically see
3225 question 93.
3226
3227 123: Where can I get a better spelling checker for Emacs?
3228
3229 Use Ispell. See question 21.
3230
3231 124: How can I spell-check TeX or *roff documents?
3232
3233 If you want to spell-check TeX or *roff documents with Ispell, you need to !
3234 arrange for a filter program that understands how to strip TeX or *roff !
3235 formatting commands to be run. In the TeX distribution, there are several !
3236 different programs named `detex', all with incompatible options, and a !
3237 very old pair of programs named `detex' and `delatex', which should !
3238 probably be avoided. The most useful one for Ispell is `detex' by Daniel !
3239 Trinkle. A more recent version is available via FTP +
3240 (arthur.cs.purdue.edu: pub/trinkle/detex-2.3.tar.Z). Raphael Cerf !
3241 <cerf@clipper.ens.fr> recently released a program named `xetal' !
3242 (spi.ens.fr:pub/unix/tex/???). There is a program that comes with Unix !
3243 named `deroff' for stripping formatting commands from *roff files. !
3244 !
3245 Here is an example of code you can put in a .emacs file to use these !
3246 programs: !
3247 !
3248 ;; Based on suggestions by David G. Grubbs <dgg@ksr.com> and Paul Palmer !
3249 ;; <palmerp@math.orst.edu>. !
3250 !
3251 ;; Assuming the use of detex 2.3 by Daniel Trinkle: !
3252 ;; -w means one word per line. !
3253 ;; -n means don't expand \input or \include commands. !
3254 ;; -l means force LaTeX mode. !
3255 !
3256 (require 'ispell) ; for the make-variable-buffer-local statements !
3257 (setq plain-TeX-mode-hook !
3258 (function !
3259 (lambda () !
3260 (setq ispell-filter-hook "detex") +
3261 (setq ispell-filter-hook-args '("-nw"))))) !
3262 (setq LaTeX-mode-hook !
3263 (function
3264 (lambda ()
3265 (setq ispell-filter-hook "detex") !
3266 (setq ispell-filter-hook-args '("-lnw"))))) !
3267 (setq nroff-mode-hook
3268 (function
3269 (lambda ()
3270 (setq ispell-filter-hook "deroff")
3271 (setq ispell-filter-hook-args '("-w"))))) +
3272 +
3273 You will have to adjust the arguments for programs other than Trinkle's +
3274 detex or for other versions of deroff. Experiment running the command +
3275 from the shell to find the correct options. If you don't have a filter +
3276 that knows how to output one word per line, you must pipe its output +
3277 through another filter to break up the output. +
3278
3279 125: How can I make Emacs automatically scroll horizontally?
3280
3281 Sorry, you can't. The best you can do is rewrite a large number of
3282 commands and make them check if the point is still on the screen after
3283 they are done. {Has someone done this already?}
3284