comparison lispref/markers.texi @ 7729:a1c07008521d

*** empty log message ***

7728:23f5b77e3773

can be used to represent a position in the functions that require one,
just as an integer could be used.  @xref{Positions}, for a complete
description of positions.

  A marker has two attributes: the marker position, and the marker
buffer.  The marker position is an integer which is equivalent (at a
given time) to the marker as a position in that buffer.  But the
marker's position value can change often during the life of the marker.
Insertion and deletion of text in the buffer relocate the marker.  The
idea is that a marker positioned between two characters remains between
those two characters despite insertion and deletion elsewhere in the

to the present position of point, or to the beginning or end of the
accessible portion of the buffer, or to the same place as another given
marker.

@defun make-marker
This functions returns a newly allocated marker that does not point
anywhere.

@example
@group
(make-marker)

This function moves @var{marker} to @var{position}
in @var{buffer}.  If @var{buffer} is not provided, it defaults to
the current buffer.

If @var{position} is less than 1, @code{set-marker} moves @var{marker}
to the beginning of the buffer.  If the value of @var{position} is
greater than the size of the buffer, @code{set-marker} moves marker to
the end of the buffer.  If @var{position} is @code{nil} or a marker that
points nowhere, then @var{marker} is set to point nowhere.

The value returned is @var{marker}.

@example
@group

explicitly.  @xref{Interactive Codes}.

  Each buffer has its own value of the mark that is independent of the
value of the mark in other buffers.  When a buffer is created, the mark
exists but does not point anywhere.  We consider this state as ``the
absence of a mark in that buffer''.

  Once the mark ``exists'' in a buffer, it normally never ceases to
exist.  However, it may become @dfn{inactive}, if Transient Mark mode is
enabled.  The variable @code{mark-active}, which is always local in all
buffers, indicates whether the mark is active: non-@code{nil} means
yes.  A command can request deactivation of the mark upon return to the
editor command loop by setting @code{deactivate-mark} to a
non-@code{nil} value (but this deactivation only follows if Transient
Mark mode is enabled).

  The main motivation for using Transient Mark mode is that this mode
also enables highlighting of the region when the mark is active.
@xref{Display}.

this buffer.
@end defun

@defun mark-marker
This function returns the current buffer's mark.  This is the very marker
which records the mark location inside Emacs, not a copy.  Therefore,
changing this marker's position will directly affect the position of the mark.
Don't do it unless that is the effect you want.

@example
@group

inactive.
@end defopt

@defvar deactivate-mark
If an editor command sets this variable non-@code{nil}, then the editor
command loop deactivates the mark after the command returns.
@end defvar

@defvar mark-active
The mark is active when this variable is non-@code{nil}.  This variable
is always local in each buffer.
@end defvar

7729:a1c07008521d

can be used to represent a position in the functions that require one,
just as an integer could be used.  @xref{Positions}, for a complete
description of positions.

  A marker has two attributes: the marker position, and the marker
buffer.  The marker position is an integer that is equivalent (at a
given time) to the marker as a position in that buffer.  But the
marker's position value can change often during the life of the marker.
Insertion and deletion of text in the buffer relocate the marker.  The
idea is that a marker positioned between two characters remains between
those two characters despite insertion and deletion elsewhere in the

to the present position of point, or to the beginning or end of the
accessible portion of the buffer, or to the same place as another given
marker.

@defun make-marker
This functions returns a newly created marker that does not point
anywhere.

@example
@group
(make-marker)

This function moves @var{marker} to @var{position}
in @var{buffer}.  If @var{buffer} is not provided, it defaults to
the current buffer.

If @var{position} is less than 1, @code{set-marker} moves @var{marker}
to the beginning of the buffer.  If @var{position} is greater than the
size of the buffer, @code{set-marker} moves marker to the end of the
buffer.  If @var{position} is @code{nil} or a marker that points
nowhere, then @var{marker} is set to point nowhere.

The value returned is @var{marker}.

@example
@group

explicitly.  @xref{Interactive Codes}.

  Each buffer has its own value of the mark that is independent of the
value of the mark in other buffers.  When a buffer is created, the mark
exists but does not point anywhere.  We consider this state as ``the
absence of a mark in that buffer.''

  Once the mark ``exists'' in a buffer, it normally never ceases to
exist.  However, it may become @dfn{inactive}, if Transient Mark mode is
enabled.  The variable @code{mark-active}, which is always local in all
buffers, indicates whether the mark is active: non-@code{nil} means yes.
A command can request deactivation of the mark upon return to the editor
command loop by setting @code{deactivate-mark} to a non-@code{nil} value
(but this causes deactivation only if Transient Mark mode is enabled).

  The main motivation for using Transient Mark mode is that this mode
also enables highlighting of the region when the mark is active.
@xref{Display}.

this buffer.
@end defun

@defun mark-marker
This function returns the current buffer's mark.  This is the very marker
that records the mark location inside Emacs, not a copy.  Therefore,
changing this marker's position will directly affect the position of the mark.
Don't do it unless that is the effect you want.

@example
@group

inactive.
@end defopt

@defvar deactivate-mark
If an editor command sets this variable non-@code{nil}, then the editor
command loop deactivates the mark after the command returns, but only if
Transient Mark mode is enabled.
@end defvar

@defun deactivate-mark
This function deactivates the mark, but only if Transient Mark mode
is enabled.
@end defun

@defvar mark-active
The mark is active when this variable is non-@code{nil}.  This variable
is always local in each buffer.
@end defvar