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@c -*-texinfo-*-
@c This is part of the GNU Emacs Lisp Reference Manual.
@c Copyright (C) 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1998, 1999, 2001
@c   Free Software Foundation, Inc.
@c See the file elisp.texi for copying conditions.
@setfilename ../info/minibuf
@node Minibuffers, Command Loop, Read and Print, Top
@chapter Minibuffers
@cindex arguments, reading
@cindex complex arguments
@cindex minibuffer

  A @dfn{minibuffer} is a special buffer that Emacs commands use to read
arguments more complicated than the single numeric prefix argument.
These arguments include file names, buffer names, and command names (as
in @kbd{M-x}).  The minibuffer is displayed on the bottom line of the
frame, in the same place as the echo area, but only while it is in use
for reading an argument.

@menu
* Intro to Minibuffers::      Basic information about minibuffers.
* Text from Minibuffer::      How to read a straight text string.
* Object from Minibuffer::    How to read a Lisp object or expression.
* Minibuffer History::	      Recording previous minibuffer inputs
				so the user can reuse them.
* Completion::                How to invoke and customize completion.
* Yes-or-No Queries::         Asking a question with a simple answer.
* Multiple Queries::	      Asking a series of similar questions.
* Reading a Password::	      Reading a password from the terminal.
* Minibuffer Misc::           Various customization hooks and variables.
@end menu

@node Intro to Minibuffers
@section Introduction to Minibuffers

resize it permanently by using the window sizing commands in the frame's
other window, when the minibuffer is not active.  If the frame contains
just a minibuffer, you can change the minibuffer's size by changing the
frame's size.

  If a command uses a minibuffer while there is an active minibuffer,
this is called a @dfn{recursive minibuffer}.  The first minibuffer is
named @w{@samp{ *Minibuf-0*}}.  Recursive minibuffers are named by
incrementing the number at the end of the name.  (The names begin with a
space so that they won't show up in normal buffer lists.)  Of several
recursive minibuffers, the innermost (or most recently entered) is the
active minibuffer.  We usually call this ``the'' minibuffer.  You can
permit or forbid recursive minibuffers by setting the variable
@code{enable-recursive-minibuffers} or by putting properties of that
name on command symbols (@pxref{Minibuffer Misc}).

  Like other buffers, a minibuffer may use any of several local keymaps
(@pxref{Keymaps}); these contain various exit commands and in some cases
completion commands (@pxref{Completion}).

@itemize @bullet
@item
@code{minibuffer-local-map} is for ordinary input (no completion).

@item
@code{minibuffer-local-ns-map} is similar, except that @key{SPC} exits
just like @key{RET}.  This is used mainly for Mocklisp compatibility.

@item
@code{minibuffer-local-completion-map} is for permissive completion.

@item
@code{minibuffer-local-must-match-map} is for strict completion and
for cautious completion.
@end itemize

  When Emacs is running in batch mode, any request to read from the
minibuffer actually reads a line from the standard input descriptor that
was supplied when Emacs was started.

@section Reading Text Strings with the Minibuffer

  Most often, the minibuffer is used to read text as a string.  It can
also be used to read a Lisp object in textual form.  The most basic
primitive for minibuffer input is @code{read-from-minibuffer}; it can do
either one.

  In most cases, you should not call minibuffer input functions in the
middle of a Lisp function.  Instead, do all minibuffer input as part of
reading the arguments for a command, in the @code{interactive}
specification.  @xref{Defining Commands}.

@defun read-from-minibuffer prompt-string &optional initial-contents keymap read hist default inherit-input-method
This function is the most general way to get input through the
minibuffer.  By default, it accepts arbitrary text and returns it as a
string; however, if @var{read} is non-@code{nil}, then it uses
@code{read} to convert the text into a Lisp object (@pxref{Input
Functions}).

However, if @var{read} is non-@code{nil}, @code{read-from-minibuffer}
reads the text and returns the resulting Lisp object, unevaluated.
(@xref{Input Functions}, for information about reading.)

The argument @var{default} specifies a default value to make available
through the history commands.  It should be a string, or @code{nil}.  If
@var{read} is non-@code{nil}, then @var{default} is also used as the
input to @code{read}, if the user enters empty input.  However, in the
usual case (where @var{read} is @code{nil}), @code{read-from-minibuffer}
does not return @var{default} when the user enters empty input; it
returns an empty string, @code{""}.  In this respect, it is different
from all the other minibuffer input functions in this chapter.

If @var{keymap} is non-@code{nil}, that keymap is the local keymap to
use in the minibuffer.  If @var{keymap} is omitted or @code{nil}, the
value of @code{minibuffer-local-map} is used as the keymap.  Specifying
a keymap is the most important way to customize the minibuffer for

minibuffer inherits the current input method (@pxref{Input Methods}) and
the setting of @code{enable-multibyte-characters} (@pxref{Text
Representations}) from whichever buffer was current before entering the
minibuffer.

If @var{initial-contents} is a string, @code{read-from-minibuffer}
inserts it into the minibuffer, leaving point at the end, before the
user starts to edit the text.  The minibuffer appears with this text as
its initial contents.

Alternatively, @var{initial-contents} can be a cons cell of the form
@code{(@var{string} . @var{position})}.  This means to insert
@var{string} in the minibuffer but put point @var{position} characters
from the beginning, rather than at the end.

@strong{Usage note:} The @var{initial-contents} argument and the
@var{default} argument are two alternative features for more or less the
same job.  It does not make sense to use both features in a single call
to @code{read-from-minibuffer}.  In general, we recommend using
@var{default}, since this permits the user to insert the default value
when it is wanted, but does not burden the user with deleting it from
the minibuffer on other occasions.
@end defun

@defun read-string prompt &optional initial history default inherit-input-method
This function reads a string from the minibuffer and returns it.  The
arguments @var{prompt} and @var{initial} are used as in
@code{read-from-minibuffer}.  The keymap used is
@code{minibuffer-local-map}.

The optional argument @var{history}, if non-nil, specifies a history
list and optionally the initial position in the list.  The optional
argument @var{default} specifies a default value to return if the user
enters null input; it should be a string.  The optional argument
@var{inherit-input-method} specifies whether to inherit the current
buffer's input method.

This function is a simplified interface to the
@code{read-from-minibuffer} function:

@smallexample

(read-string @var{prompt} @var{initial} @var{history} @var{default} @var{inherit})
@equiv{}
(let ((value
       (read-from-minibuffer @var{prompt} @var{initial} nil nil
                             @var{history} @var{default} @var{inherit})))
  (if (equal value "")
      @var{default}
    value))
@end group
@end smallexample
@end defun

@defvar minibuffer-allow-text-properties
If this variable is @code{nil}, then @code{read-from-minibuffer} strips
all text properties from the minibuffer input before returning it.
Since all minibuffer input uses @code{read-from-minibuffer}, this
variable applies to all minibuffer input.

Note that the completion functions discard text properties unconditionally,
regardless of the value of this variable.
@end defvar

@defvar minibuffer-local-map
This is the default local keymap for reading from the minibuffer.  By
default, it makes the following bindings:

@table @asis
@item @kbd{C-j}

@item @kbd{C-g}
@code{abort-recursive-edit}

@item @kbd{M-n}
@code{next-history-element}

@item @kbd{M-p}
@code{previous-history-element}

@item @kbd{M-r}
@code{next-matching-history-element}

@item @kbd{M-s}
@code{previous-matching-history-element}
@end table
@end defvar

@c In version 18, initial is required

function, and passes the value of the @code{minibuffer-local-ns-map}
keymap as the @var{keymap} argument for that function.  Since the keymap
@code{minibuffer-local-ns-map} does not rebind @kbd{C-q}, it @emph{is}
possible to put a space into the string, by quoting it.

@smallexample
@group
(read-no-blanks-input @var{prompt} @var{initial})
@equiv{}
(read-from-minibuffer @var{prompt} @var{initial} minibuffer-local-ns-map)
@end group
@end smallexample
@end defun

@defvar minibuffer-local-ns-map

@smallexample
@group
(read-minibuffer @var{prompt} @var{initial})
@equiv{}
(read-from-minibuffer @var{prompt} @var{initial} nil t)
@end group
@end smallexample

Here is an example in which we supply the string @code{"(testing)"} as
initial input:

  There are many separate history lists, used for different kinds of
inputs.  It's the Lisp programmer's job to specify the right history
list for each use of the minibuffer.

  The basic minibuffer input functions @code{read-from-minibuffer} and
@code{completing-read} both accept an optional argument named @var{hist}
which is how you specify the history list.  Here are the possible
values:

@table @asis
@item @var{variable}
Use @var{variable} (a symbol) as the history list.

@item (@var{variable} . @var{startpos})
Use @var{variable} (a symbol) as the history list, and assume that the
initial history position is @var{startpos} (an integer, counting from
zero which specifies the most recent element of the history).

If you specify @var{startpos}, then you should also specify that element
of the history as the initial minibuffer contents, for consistency.
@end table

  If you don't specify @var{hist}, then the default history list
@code{minibuffer-history} is used.  For other standard history lists,
see below.  You can also create your own history list variable; just

  Emacs functions that add a new element to a history list can also
delete old elements if the list gets too long.  The variable
@code{history-length} specifies the maximum length for most history
lists.  To specify a different maximum length for a particular history
list, put the length in the @code{history-length} property of the
history list symbol.

@defvar history-length
The value of this variable specifies the maximum length for all
history lists that don't specify their own maximum lengths.  If the
value is @code{t}, that means there no maximum (don't delete old
elements).
@end defvar

  Here are some of the standard minibuffer history list variables:

@defvar minibuffer-history
The default history list for minibuffer history input.
@end defvar

@end defvar

@defvar read-expression-history
A history list for arguments that are Lisp expressions to evaluate.
@end defvar

@node Completion
@section Completion
@cindex completion

* Minibuffer Completion::  Invoking the minibuffer with completion.
* Completion Commands::    Minibuffer commands that do completion.
* High-Level Completion::  Convenient special cases of completion
                             (reading buffer name, file name, etc.)
* Reading File Names::     Using completion to read file names.
* Programmed Completion::  Finding the completions for a given file name.
@end menu

@node Basic Completion
@subsection Basic Completion Functions

  The two functions @code{try-completion} and @code{all-completions}
have nothing in themselves to do with minibuffers.  We describe them in
this chapter so as to keep them near the higher-level completion
features that do use the minibuffer.

@defun try-completion string collection &optional predicate
This function returns the longest common substring of all possible
completions of @var{string} in @var{collection}.  The value of
@var{collection} must be an alist, an obarray, or a function that
implements a virtual set of strings (see below).

Completion compares @var{string} against each of the permissible
completions specified by @var{collection}; if the beginning of the
permissible completion equals @var{string}, it matches.  If no permissible
completions match, @code{try-completion} returns @code{nil}.  If only

@code{try-completion} returns @code{t}.  Otherwise, the value is the
longest initial sequence common to all the permissible completions that
match.

If @var{collection} is an alist (@pxref{Association Lists}), the
@sc{car}s of the alist elements form the set of permissible completions.

@cindex obarray in completion
If @var{collection} is an obarray (@pxref{Creating Symbols}), the names
of all symbols in the obarray form the set of permissible completions.  The
global variable @code{obarray} holds an obarray containing the names of

Note that the only valid way to make a new obarray is to create it
empty and then add symbols to it one by one using @code{intern}.
Also, you cannot intern a given symbol in more than one obarray.

If the argument @var{predicate} is non-@code{nil}, then it must be a
function of one argument.  It is used to test each possible match, and
the match is accepted only if @var{predicate} returns non-@code{nil}.
The argument given to @var{predicate} is either a cons cell from the alist
(the @sc{car} of which is a string) or else it is a symbol (@emph{not} a
symbol name) from the obarray.

You can also use a symbol that is a function as @var{collection}.  Then
the function is solely responsible for performing completion;
@code{try-completion} returns whatever this function returns.  The
function is called with three arguments: @var{string}, @var{predicate}
and @code{nil}.  (The reason for the third argument is so that the same
function can be used in @code{all-completions} and do the appropriate
thing in either case.)  @xref{Programmed Completion}.

In the first of the following examples, the string @samp{foo} is
matched by three of the alist @sc{car}s.  All of the matches begin with
the characters @samp{fooba}, so that is the result.  In the second
example, there is only one possible match, and it is exact, so the value
is @code{t}.

@end smallexample
@end defun

@defun all-completions string collection &optional predicate nospace
This function returns a list of all possible completions of
@var{string}.  The arguments to this function (aside from @var{nospace})
are the same as those of @code{try-completion}.  If @var{nospace} is
non-@code{nil}, completions that start with a space are ignored unless
@var{string} also starts with a space.

If @var{collection} is a function, it is called with three arguments:
@var{string}, @var{predicate} and @code{t}; then @code{all-completions}
returns whatever the function returns.  @xref{Programmed Completion}.

     @result{} ("foobar1" "foobar2")
@end group
@end smallexample
@end defun

@defvar completion-ignore-case
If the value of this variable is
non-@code{nil}, Emacs does not consider case significant in completion.
@end defvar

@node Minibuffer Completion
@subsection Completion and the Minibuffer

  This section describes the basic interface for reading from the

This function reads a string in the minibuffer, assisting the user by
providing completion.  It activates the minibuffer with prompt
@var{prompt}, which must be a string.

The actual completion is done by passing @var{collection} and
@var{predicate} to the function @code{try-completion}.  This happens in
certain commands bound in the local keymaps used for completion.

If @var{require-match} is @code{nil}, the exit commands work regardless
of the input in the minibuffer.  If @var{require-match} is @code{t}, the
usual minibuffer exit commands won't exit unless the input completes to
an element of @var{collection}.  If @var{require-match} is neither
@code{nil} nor @code{t}, then the exit commands won't exit unless the
input already in the buffer matches an element of @var{collection}.

However, empty input is always permitted, regardless of the value of
@var{require-match}; in that case, @code{completing-read} returns
@var{default}.  The value of @var{default} (if non-@code{nil}) is also
available to the user through the history commands.

The user can exit with null input by typing @key{RET} with an empty
minibuffer.  Then @code{completing-read} returns @code{""}.  This is how
the user requests whatever default the command uses for the value being
read.  The user can return using @key{RET} in this way regardless of the
value of @var{require-match}, and regardless of whether the empty string
is included in @var{collection}.

The function @code{completing-read} works by calling
@code{read-minibuffer}.  It uses @code{minibuffer-local-completion-map}
as the keymap if @var{require-match} is @code{nil}, and uses
@code{minibuffer-local-must-match-map} if @var{require-match} is
non-@code{nil}.  @xref{Completion Commands}.

The argument @var{hist} specifies which history list variable to use for
saving the input and for minibuffer history commands.  It defaults to
@code{minibuffer-history}.  @xref{Minibuffer History}.

If @var{initial} is non-@code{nil}, @code{completing-read} inserts it
into the minibuffer as part of the input.  Then it allows the user to
edit the input, providing several commands to attempt completion.
In most cases, we recommend using @var{default}, and not @var{initial}.

@strong{We discourage use of a non-@code{nil} value for
@var{initial}}, because it is an intrusive interface.  The history
list feature (which did not exist when we introduced @var{initial})
offers a far more convenient and general way for the user to get the
default and edit it, and it is always available.

If the argument @var{inherit-input-method} is non-@code{nil}, then the
minibuffer inherits the current input method (@pxref{Input
Methods}) and the setting of @code{enable-multibyte-characters}
(@pxref{Text Representations}) from whichever buffer was current before
entering the minibuffer.

Completion ignores case when comparing the input against the possible
matches, if the built-in variable @code{completion-ignore-case} is
non-@code{nil}.  @xref{Basic Completion}.

Here's an example of using @code{completing-read}:

@smallexample
@group

@noindent
If the user then types @kbd{@key{DEL} @key{DEL} b @key{RET}},
@code{completing-read} returns @code{barfoo}.

The @code{completing-read} function binds three variables to pass
information to the commands that actually do completion.  These
variables are @code{minibuffer-completion-table},
@code{minibuffer-completion-predicate} and
@code{minibuffer-completion-confirm}.  For more information about them,
see @ref{Completion Commands}.
@end defun

@node Completion Commands
@subsection Minibuffer Commands that Do Completion

  This section describes the keymaps, commands and user options used in
the minibuffer to do completion.

@defvar minibuffer-local-completion-map
@code{completing-read} uses this value as the local keymap when an
exact match of one of the completions is not required.  By default, this
keymap makes the following bindings:

@table @asis
@item @kbd{?}
@code{minibuffer-completion-help}

@item @key{SPC}
@code{minibuffer-complete-word}

@item @key{TAB}
@code{minibuffer-complete}
@end table

@noindent
with other characters bound as in @code{minibuffer-local-map}
(@pxref{Text from Minibuffer}).
@end defvar

@defvar minibuffer-local-must-match-map
@code{completing-read} uses this value as the local keymap when an
exact match of one of the completions is required.  Therefore, no keys
are bound to @code{exit-minibuffer}, the command that exits the
minibuffer unconditionally.  By default, this keymap makes the following
bindings:

@table @asis
@item @kbd{?}
@code{minibuffer-completion-help}

@item @key{SPC}
@code{minibuffer-complete-word}

@item @key{TAB}
@code{minibuffer-complete}

@item @kbd{C-j}
@code{minibuffer-complete-and-exit}

@item @key{RET}
@code{minibuffer-complete-and-exit}
@end table

@noindent
with other characters bound as in @code{minibuffer-local-map}.
@end defvar

@defvar minibuffer-completion-table
The value of this variable is the alist or obarray used for completion
in the minibuffer.  This is the global variable that contains what
@code{completing-read} passes to @code{try-completion}.  It is used by
minibuffer completion commands such as @code{minibuffer-complete-word}.
@end defvar

@defvar minibuffer-completion-predicate
This variable's value is the predicate that @code{completing-read}
passes to @code{try-completion}.  The variable is also used by the other
minibuffer completion functions.
@end defvar

@deffn Command minibuffer-complete-word
This function completes the minibuffer contents by at most a single
word.  Even if the minibuffer contents have only one completion,

@code{minibuffer-completion-confirm} is @code{nil}.  If confirmation
@emph{is} required, it is given by repeating this command
immediately---the command is programmed to work without confirmation
when run twice in succession.
@end deffn

@defvar minibuffer-completion-confirm
When the value of this variable is non-@code{nil}, Emacs asks for
confirmation of a completion before exiting the minibuffer.  The
function @code{minibuffer-complete-and-exit} checks the value of this
variable before it exits.
@end defvar

@deffn Command minibuffer-completion-help
This function creates a list of the possible completions of the
current minibuffer contents.  It works by calling @code{all-completions}
using the value of the variable @code{minibuffer-completion-table} as

@code{minibuffer-completion-predicate} as the @var{predicate} argument.
The list of completions is displayed as text in a buffer named
@samp{*Completions*}.
@end deffn

@defun display-completion-list completions
This function displays @var{completions} to the stream in
@code{standard-output}, usually a buffer.  (@xref{Read and Print}, for more
information about streams.)  The argument @var{completions} is normally
a list of completions just returned by @code{all-completions}, but it
does not have to be.  Each element may be a symbol or a string, either
of which is simply printed, or a list of two strings, which is printed
as if the strings were concatenated.

This function is called by @code{minibuffer-completion-help}.  The
most common way to use it is together with
@code{with-output-to-temp-buffer}, like this:

@example
(with-output-to-temp-buffer "*Completions*"
  (display-completion-list
    (all-completions (buffer-string) my-alist)))
@end example
@end defun

@defopt completion-auto-help
If this variable is non-@code{nil}, the completion commands
automatically display a list of possible completions whenever nothing
can be completed because the next character is not uniquely determined.
@end defopt

@node High-Level Completion
@subsection High-Level Completion  Functions

  This section describes the higher-level convenient functions for

The argument @var{default} is the default name to use, the value to
return if the user exits with an empty minibuffer.  If non-@code{nil},
it should be a string or a buffer.  It is mentioned in the prompt, but
is not inserted in the minibuffer as initial input.

If @var{existing} is non-@code{nil}, then the name specified must be
that of an existing buffer.  The usual commands to exit the minibuffer
do not exit if the text is not valid, and @key{RET} does completion to
attempt to find a valid name.  (However, @var{default} is not checked
for validity; it is returned, whatever it is, if the user exits with the
minibuffer empty.)

In the following example, the user enters @samp{minibuffer.t}, and
then types @key{RET}.  The argument @var{existing} is @code{t}, and the
only buffer name starting with the given input is
@samp{minibuffer.texi}, so that name is the value.

@example
(read-buffer "Buffer name? " "foo" t)
@group
;; @r{After evaluation of the preceding expression,}
;;   @r{the following prompt appears,}
;;   @r{with an empty minibuffer:}
@end group

@group
---------- Buffer: Minibuffer ----------
Buffer name? (default foo) @point{}
---------- Buffer: Minibuffer ----------
@end group

@group
;; @r{The user types @kbd{minibuffer.t @key{RET}}.}

The argument @var{default} specifies what to return if the user enters
null input.  It can be a symbol or a string; if it is a string,
@code{read-command} interns it before returning it.  If @var{default} is
@code{nil}, that means no default has been specified; then if the user
enters null input, the return value is @code{nil}.

@example
(read-command "Command name? ")

@group

@end group
@end example
@end defun

@defun read-variable prompt &optional default
This function reads the name of a user variable and returns it as a
symbol.

The argument @var{default} specifies what to return if the user enters
null input.  It can be a symbol or a string; if it is a string,
@code{read-variable} interns it before returning it.  If @var{default}
is @code{nil}, that means no default has been specified; then if the
user enters null input, the return value is @code{nil}.

@example
@group
(read-variable "Variable name? ")

  Here is another high-level completion function, designed for reading a
file name.  It provides special features including automatic insertion
of the default directory.

@defun read-file-name prompt &optional directory default existing initial
This function reads a file name in the minibuffer, prompting with
@var{prompt} and providing completion.  If @var{default} is
non-@code{nil}, then the function returns @var{default} if the user just
types @key{RET}.  @var{default} is not checked for validity; it is
returned, whatever it is, if the user exits with the minibuffer empty.

If @var{existing} is non-@code{nil}, then the user must specify the name
of an existing file; @key{RET} performs completion to make the name
valid if possible, and then refuses to exit if it is not valid.  If the
value of @var{existing} is neither @code{nil} nor @code{t}, then
@key{RET} also requires confirmation after completion.  If
@var{existing} is @code{nil}, then the name of a nonexistent file is
acceptable.

The argument @var{directory} specifies the directory to use for
completion of relative file names.  If @code{insert-default-directory}
is non-@code{nil}, @var{directory} is also inserted in the minibuffer as
initial input.  It defaults to the current buffer's value of
@code{default-directory}.

@c Emacs 19 feature
If you specify @var{initial}, that is an initial file name to insert in
the buffer (after @var{directory}, if that is inserted).  In this
case, point goes at the beginning of @var{initial}.  The default for
@var{initial} is @code{nil}---don't insert any file name.  To see what
@var{initial} does, try the command @kbd{C-x C-v}.  @strong{Note:} we
recommend using @var{default} rather than @var{initial} in most cases.

Here is an example:

@example
@group

@noindent
If the user types @key{RET}, @code{read-file-name} returns the file name
as the string @code{"/gp/gnu/elisp/manual.texi"}.
@end defun

@defopt insert-default-directory
This variable is used by @code{read-file-name}.  Its value controls
whether @code{read-file-name} starts by placing the name of the default
directory in the minibuffer, plus the initial file name if any.  If the
value of this variable is @code{nil}, then @code{read-file-name} does
not place any initial input in the minibuffer (unless you specify
initial input with the @var{initial} argument).  In that case, the
default directory is still used for completion of relative file names,
but is not displayed.

For example:

@example
@group

@code{t} specifies @code{all-completions}.  The completion function
should return a list of all possible completions of the specified
string.

@item
@code{lambda} specifies a test for an exact match.  The completion
function should return @code{t} if the specified string is an exact
match for some possibility; @code{nil} otherwise.
@end itemize

  It would be consistent and clean for completion functions to allow
lambda expressions (lists that are functions) as well as function
symbols as @var{collection}, but this is impossible.  Lists as
completion tables are already assigned another meaning---as alists.  It
would be unreliable to fail to handle an alist normally because it is
also a possible function.  So you must arrange for any function you wish
to use for completion to be encapsulated in a symbol.

  Emacs uses programmed completion when completing file names.
@xref{File Name Completion}.

@node Yes-or-No Queries
@section Yes-or-No Queries
@cindex asking the user questions
@cindex querying the user

The optional argument @var{default} specifies the default password to
return if the user enters empty input.  If @var{default} is @code{nil},
then @code{read-passwd} returns the null string in that case.
@end defun

@node Minibuffer Misc
@section Minibuffer Miscellany

  This section describes some basic functions and variables related to
minibuffers.

@deffn Command exit-minibuffer
This command exits the active minibuffer.  It is normally bound to
keys in minibuffer local keymaps.
@end deffn

This command replaces the minibuffer contents with the value of the
@var{n}th next (newer) history element that matches @var{pattern} (a
regular expression).
@end deffn

@defun minibuffer-prompt
This function returns the prompt string of the currently active
minibuffer.  If no minibuffer is active, it returns @code{nil}.
@end defun

@defun minibuffer-prompt-end
@tindex minibuffer-prompt-end
This function, available starting in Emacs 21, returns the current
position of the end of the minibuffer prompt, if a minibuffer is
current.  Otherwise, it returns the minimum valid buffer position.
@end defun

@defun minibuffer-contents
@tindex minibuffer-contents
This function, available starting in Emacs 21, returns the editable
contents of the minibuffer (that is, everything except the prompt) as
a string, if a minibuffer is current.  Otherwise, it returns the
entire contents of the current buffer.
@end defun

@defun minibuffer-contents-no-properties
@tindex minibuffer-contents-no-properties
This is like @code{minibuffer-contents}, except that it does not copy text
properties, just the characters themselves.  @xref{Text Properties}.
@end defun

@defun delete-minibuffer-contents
@tindex delete-minibuffer-contents
This function, available starting in Emacs 21, erases the editable
contents of the minibuffer (that is, everything except the prompt), if
a minibuffer is current.  Otherwise, it erases the entire buffer.
@end defun

@defun minibuffer-prompt-width
This function returns the current display-width of the minibuffer
prompt, if a minibuffer is current.  Otherwise, it returns zero.
@end defun

@defvar minibuffer-setup-hook
This is a normal hook that is run whenever the minibuffer is entered.
@xref{Hooks}.
@end defvar

@defvar minibuffer-exit-hook
This is a normal hook that is run whenever the minibuffer is exited.
@xref{Hooks}.
@end defvar

@defvar minibuffer-help-form
The current value of this variable is used to rebind @code{help-form}
locally inside the minibuffer (@pxref{Help Functions}).
@end defvar

@defun active-minibuffer-window
This function returns the currently active minibuffer window, or
@code{nil} if none is currently active.
@end defun

@defun minibuffer-window &optional frame
This function returns the minibuffer window used for frame @var{frame}.
If @var{frame} is @code{nil}, that stands for the current frame.  Note
that the minibuffer window used by a frame need not be part of that
frame---a frame that has no minibuffer of its own necessarily uses some
other frame's minibuffer window.
@end defun

@c Emacs 19 feature
@defun window-minibuffer-p window
This function returns non-@code{nil} if @var{window} is a minibuffer window.
@end defun

It is not correct to determine whether a given window is a minibuffer by
comparing it with the result of @code{(minibuffer-window)}, because
there can be more than one minibuffer window if there is more than one

@defun minibuffer-window-active-p window
This function returns non-@code{nil} if @var{window}, assumed to be
a minibuffer window, is currently active.
@end defun

@defvar minibuffer-scroll-window
If the value of this variable is non-@code{nil}, it should be a window
object.  When the function @code{scroll-other-window} is called in the
minibuffer, it scrolls this window.
@end defvar

Finally, some functions and variables deal with recursive minibuffers
(@pxref{Recursive Editing}):

@defun minibuffer-depth
This function returns the current depth of activations of the
minibuffer, a nonnegative integer.  If no minibuffers are active, it

@end defopt

@c Emacs 19 feature
If a command name has a property @code{enable-recursive-minibuffers}
that is non-@code{nil}, then the command can use the minibuffer to read
arguments even if it is invoked from the minibuffer.  The minibuffer
command @code{next-matching-history-element} (normally @kbd{M-s} in the
minibuffer) uses this feature.

88155:d7ddb3e565de

@c -*-texinfo-*-
@c This is part of the GNU Emacs Lisp Reference Manual.
@c Copyright (C) 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1998, 1999, 2001, 2002,
@c   2003, 2004, 2005 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
@c See the file elisp.texi for copying conditions.
@setfilename ../info/minibuf
@node Minibuffers, Command Loop, Read and Print, Top
@chapter Minibuffers
@cindex arguments, reading
@cindex complex arguments
@cindex minibuffer

  A @dfn{minibuffer} is a special buffer that Emacs commands use to
read arguments more complicated than the single numeric prefix
argument.  These arguments include file names, buffer names, and
command names (as in @kbd{M-x}).  The minibuffer is displayed on the
bottom line of the frame, in the same place as the echo area
(@pxref{The Echo Area}), but only while it is in use for reading an
argument.

@menu
* Intro to Minibuffers::      Basic information about minibuffers.
* Text from Minibuffer::      How to read a straight text string.
* Object from Minibuffer::    How to read a Lisp object or expression.
* Minibuffer History::	      Recording previous minibuffer inputs
				so the user can reuse them.
* Initial Input::             Specifying initial contents for the minibuffer.
* Completion::                How to invoke and customize completion.
* Yes-or-No Queries::         Asking a question with a simple answer.
* Multiple Queries::	      Asking a series of similar questions.
* Reading a Password::	      Reading a password from the terminal.
* Minibuffer Commands::       Commands used as key bindings in minibuffers.
* Minibuffer Contents::       How such commands access the minibuffer text.
* Minibuffer Windows::        Operating on the special minibuffer windows.
* Recursive Mini::            Whether recursive entry to minibuffer is allowed.
* Minibuffer Misc::           Various customization hooks and variables.
@end menu

@node Intro to Minibuffers
@section Introduction to Minibuffers

resize it permanently by using the window sizing commands in the frame's
other window, when the minibuffer is not active.  If the frame contains
just a minibuffer, you can change the minibuffer's size by changing the
frame's size.

  Use of the minibuffer reads input events, and that alters the values
of variables such as @code{this-command} and @code{last-command}
(@pxref{Command Loop Info}).  Your program should bind them around the
code that uses the minibuffer, if you do not want that to change them.

  If a command uses a minibuffer while there is an active minibuffer,
this is called a @dfn{recursive minibuffer}.  The first minibuffer is
named @w{@samp{ *Minibuf-0*}}.  Recursive minibuffers are named by
incrementing the number at the end of the name.  (The names begin with a
space so that they won't show up in normal buffer lists.)  Of several
recursive minibuffers, the innermost (or most recently entered) is the
active minibuffer.  We usually call this ``the'' minibuffer.  You can
permit or forbid recursive minibuffers by setting the variable
@code{enable-recursive-minibuffers} or by putting properties of that
name on command symbols (@pxref{Recursive Mini}).

  Like other buffers, a minibuffer uses a local keymap
(@pxref{Keymaps}) to specify special key bindings.  The function that
invokes the minibuffer also sets up its local map according to the job
to be done.  @xref{Text from Minibuffer}, for the non-completion
minibuffer local maps.  @xref{Completion Commands}, for the minibuffer
local maps for completion.

  When Emacs is running in batch mode, any request to read from the
minibuffer actually reads a line from the standard input descriptor that
was supplied when Emacs was started.

@section Reading Text Strings with the Minibuffer

  Most often, the minibuffer is used to read text as a string.  It can
also be used to read a Lisp object in textual form.  The most basic
primitive for minibuffer input is @code{read-from-minibuffer}; it can do
either one.  There are also specialized commands for reading
commands, variables, file names, etc. (@pxref{Completion}).

  In most cases, you should not call minibuffer input functions in the
middle of a Lisp function.  Instead, do all minibuffer input as part of
reading the arguments for a command, in the @code{interactive}
specification.  @xref{Defining Commands}.

@defun read-from-minibuffer prompt-string &optional initial-contents keymap read hist default inherit-input-method keep-all
This function is the most general way to get input through the
minibuffer.  By default, it accepts arbitrary text and returns it as a
string; however, if @var{read} is non-@code{nil}, then it uses
@code{read} to convert the text into a Lisp object (@pxref{Input
Functions}).

However, if @var{read} is non-@code{nil}, @code{read-from-minibuffer}
reads the text and returns the resulting Lisp object, unevaluated.
(@xref{Input Functions}, for information about reading.)

The argument @var{default} specifies a default value to make available
through the history commands.  It should be a string, or @code{nil}.
If non-@code{nil}, the user can access it using
@code{next-history-element}, usually bound in the minibuffer to
@kbd{M-n}.  If @var{read} is non-@code{nil}, then @var{default} is
also used as the input to @code{read}, if the user enters empty input.
(If @var{read} is non-@code{nil} and @var{default} is @code{nil}, empty
input results in an @code{end-of-file} error.)  However, in the usual
case (where @var{read} is @code{nil}), @code{read-from-minibuffer}
ignores @var{default} when the user enters empty input and returns an
empty string, @code{""}.  In this respect, it is different from all
the other minibuffer input functions in this chapter.

If @var{keymap} is non-@code{nil}, that keymap is the local keymap to
use in the minibuffer.  If @var{keymap} is omitted or @code{nil}, the
value of @code{minibuffer-local-map} is used as the keymap.  Specifying
a keymap is the most important way to customize the minibuffer for

minibuffer inherits the current input method (@pxref{Input Methods}) and
the setting of @code{enable-multibyte-characters} (@pxref{Text
Representations}) from whichever buffer was current before entering the
minibuffer.

If @var{keep-all} is non-@code{nil}, even empty and duplicate inputs
are added to the history list.

Use of @var{initial-contents} is mostly deprecated; we recommend using
a non-@code{nil} value only in conjunction with specifying a cons cell
for @var{hist}.  @xref{Initial Input}.
@end defun

@defun read-string prompt &optional initial history default inherit-input-method
This function reads a string from the minibuffer and returns it.  The
arguments @var{prompt}, @var{initial}, @var{history} and
@var{inherit-input-method} are used as in @code{read-from-minibuffer}.
The keymap used is @code{minibuffer-local-map}.

The optional argument @var{default} is used as in
@code{read-from-minibuffer}, except that, if non-@code{nil}, it also
specifies a default value to return if the user enters null input.  As
in @code{read-from-minibuffer} it should be a string, or @code{nil},
which is equivalent to an empty string.

This function is a simplified interface to the
@code{read-from-minibuffer} function:

@smallexample

(read-string @var{prompt} @var{initial} @var{history} @var{default} @var{inherit})
@equiv{}
(let ((value
       (read-from-minibuffer @var{prompt} @var{initial} nil nil
                             @var{history} @var{default} @var{inherit})))
  (if (and (equal value "") @var{default})
      @var{default}
    value))
@end group
@end smallexample
@end defun

@defvar minibuffer-allow-text-properties
If this variable is @code{nil}, then @code{read-from-minibuffer} strips
all text properties from the minibuffer input before returning it.
This variable also affects @code{read-string}.  However,
@code{read-no-blanks-input} (see below), as well as
@code{read-minibuffer} and related functions (@pxref{Object from
Minibuffer,, Reading Lisp Objects With the Minibuffer}), and all
functions that do minibuffer input with completion, discard text
properties unconditionally, regardless of the value of this variable.
@end defvar

@defvar minibuffer-local-map
@anchor{Definition of minibuffer-local-map}
This is the default local keymap for reading from the minibuffer.  By
default, it makes the following bindings:

@table @asis
@item @kbd{C-j}

@item @kbd{C-g}
@code{abort-recursive-edit}

@item @kbd{M-n}
@itemx @key{DOWN}
@code{next-history-element}

@item @kbd{M-p}
@itemx @key{UP}
@code{previous-history-element}

@item @kbd{M-s}
@code{next-matching-history-element}

@item @kbd{M-r}
@code{previous-matching-history-element}
@end table
@end defvar

@c In version 18, initial is required

function, and passes the value of the @code{minibuffer-local-ns-map}
keymap as the @var{keymap} argument for that function.  Since the keymap
@code{minibuffer-local-ns-map} does not rebind @kbd{C-q}, it @emph{is}
possible to put a space into the string, by quoting it.

This function discards text properties, regardless of the value of
@code{minibuffer-allow-text-properties}.

@smallexample
@group
(read-no-blanks-input @var{prompt} @var{initial})
@equiv{}
(let (minibuffer-allow-text-properties)
  (read-from-minibuffer @var{prompt} @var{initial} minibuffer-local-ns-map))
@end group
@end smallexample
@end defun

@defvar minibuffer-local-ns-map

@smallexample
@group
(read-minibuffer @var{prompt} @var{initial})
@equiv{}
(let (minibuffer-allow-text-properties)
  (read-from-minibuffer @var{prompt} @var{initial} nil t))
@end group
@end smallexample

Here is an example in which we supply the string @code{"(testing)"} as
initial input:

  There are many separate history lists, used for different kinds of
inputs.  It's the Lisp programmer's job to specify the right history
list for each use of the minibuffer.

  You specify the history list with the optional @var{hist} argument
to either @code{read-from-minibuffer} or @code{completing-read}.  Here
are the possible values for it:

@table @asis
@item @var{variable}
Use @var{variable} (a symbol) as the history list.

@item (@var{variable} . @var{startpos})
Use @var{variable} (a symbol) as the history list, and assume that the
initial history position is @var{startpos} (a nonnegative integer).

Specifying 0 for @var{startpos} is equivalent to just specifying the
symbol @var{variable}.  @code{previous-history-element} will display
the most recent element of the history list in the minibuffer.  If you
specify a positive @var{startpos}, the minibuffer history functions
behave as if @code{(elt @var{variable} (1- @var{STARTPOS}))} were the
history element currently shown in the minibuffer.

For consistency, you should also specify that element of the history
as the initial minibuffer contents, using the @var{initial} argument
to the minibuffer input function (@pxref{Initial Input}).
@end table

  If you don't specify @var{hist}, then the default history list
@code{minibuffer-history} is used.  For other standard history lists,
see below.  You can also create your own history list variable; just

  Emacs functions that add a new element to a history list can also
delete old elements if the list gets too long.  The variable
@code{history-length} specifies the maximum length for most history
lists.  To specify a different maximum length for a particular history
list, put the length in the @code{history-length} property of the
history list symbol.  The variable @code{history-delete-duplicates}
specifies whether to delete duplicates in history.

@defvar history-length
The value of this variable specifies the maximum length for all
history lists that don't specify their own maximum lengths.  If the
value is @code{t}, that means there no maximum (don't delete old
elements).
@end defvar

@defvar history-delete-duplicates
If the value of this variable is @code{t}, that means when adding a
new history element, all previous identical elements are deleted.
@end defvar

  Here are some of the standard minibuffer history list variables:

@defvar minibuffer-history
The default history list for minibuffer history input.
@end defvar

@end defvar

@defvar read-expression-history
A history list for arguments that are Lisp expressions to evaluate.
@end defvar

@node Initial Input
@section Initial Input

Several of the functions for minibuffer input have an argument called
@var{initial} or @var{initial-contents}.  This is a mostly-deprecated
feature for specifiying that the minibuffer should start out with
certain text, instead of empty as usual.

If @var{initial} is a string, the minibuffer starts out containing the
text of the string, with point at the end, when the user starts to
edit the text.  If the user simply types @key{RET} to exit the
minibuffer, it will use the initial input string to determine the
value to return.

@strong{We discourage use of a non-@code{nil} value for
@var{initial}}, because initial input is an intrusive interface.
History lists and default values provide a much more convenient method
to offer useful default inputs to the user.

There is just one situation where you should specify a string for an
@var{initial} argument.  This is when you specify a cons cell for the
@var{hist} or @var{history} argument.  @xref{Minibuffer History}.

@var{initial} can also be a cons cell of the form @code{(@var{string}
. @var{position})}.  This means to insert @var{string} in the
minibuffer but put point at @var{position} within the string's text.

As a historical accident, @var{position} was implemented
inconsistently in different functions.  In @code{completing-read},
@var{position}'s value is interpreted as origin-zero; that is, a value
of 0 means the beginning of the string, 1 means after the first
character, etc.  In @code{read-minibuffer}, and the other
non-completion minibuffer input functions that support this argument,
1 means the beginning of the string 2 means after the first character,
etc.

Use of a cons cell as the value for @var{initial} arguments is
deprecated in user code.

@node Completion
@section Completion
@cindex completion

* Minibuffer Completion::  Invoking the minibuffer with completion.
* Completion Commands::    Minibuffer commands that do completion.
* High-Level Completion::  Convenient special cases of completion
                             (reading buffer name, file name, etc.)
* Reading File Names::     Using completion to read file names.
* Programmed Completion::  Writing your own completion-function.
@end menu

@node Basic Completion
@subsection Basic Completion Functions

  The completion functions @code{try-completion},
@code{all-completions} and @code{test-completion} have nothing in
themselves to do with minibuffers.  We describe them in this chapter
so as to keep them near the higher-level completion features that do
use the minibuffer.

@defun try-completion string collection &optional predicate
This function returns the longest common substring of all possible
completions of @var{string} in @var{collection}.  The value of
@var{collection} must be a list of strings or symbols, an alist, an
obarray, a hash table, or a function that implements a virtual set of
strings (see below).

Completion compares @var{string} against each of the permissible
completions specified by @var{collection}; if the beginning of the
permissible completion equals @var{string}, it matches.  If no permissible
completions match, @code{try-completion} returns @code{nil}.  If only

@code{try-completion} returns @code{t}.  Otherwise, the value is the
longest initial sequence common to all the permissible completions that
match.

If @var{collection} is an alist (@pxref{Association Lists}), the
permissible completions are the elements of the alist that are either
strings, symbols, or conses whose @sc{car} is a string or symbol.
Symbols are converted to strings using @code{symbol-name}.
Other elements of the alist are ignored. (Remember that in Emacs Lisp,
the elements of alists do not @emph{have} to be conses.)  As all
elements of the alist can be strings, this case actually includes
lists of strings or symbols, even though we usually do not think of
such lists as alists.

@cindex obarray in completion
If @var{collection} is an obarray (@pxref{Creating Symbols}), the names
of all symbols in the obarray form the set of permissible completions.  The
global variable @code{obarray} holds an obarray containing the names of

Note that the only valid way to make a new obarray is to create it
empty and then add symbols to it one by one using @code{intern}.
Also, you cannot intern a given symbol in more than one obarray.

If @var{collection} is a hash table, then the keys that are strings
are the possible completions.  Other keys are ignored.

You can also use a symbol that is a function as @var{collection}.  Then
the function is solely responsible for performing completion;
@code{try-completion} returns whatever this function returns.  The
function is called with three arguments: @var{string}, @var{predicate}
and @code{nil}.  (The reason for the third argument is so that the same
function can be used in @code{all-completions} and do the appropriate
thing in either case.)  @xref{Programmed Completion}.

If the argument @var{predicate} is non-@code{nil}, then it must be a
function of one argument, unless @var{collection} is a hash table, in
which case it should be a function of two arguments.  It is used to
test each possible match, and the match is accepted only if
@var{predicate} returns non-@code{nil}.  The argument given to
@var{predicate} is either a string or a cons cell (the @sc{car} of
which is a string) from the alist, or a symbol (@emph{not} a symbol
name) from the obarray.  If @var{collection} is a hash table,
@var{predicate} is called with two arguments, the string key and the
associated value.

In addition, to be acceptable, a completion must also match all the
regular expressions in @code{completion-regexp-list}.  (Unless
@var{collection} is a function, in which case that function has to
handle @code{completion-regexp-list} itself.)

In the first of the following examples, the string @samp{foo} is
matched by three of the alist @sc{car}s.  All of the matches begin with
the characters @samp{fooba}, so that is the result.  In the second
example, there is only one possible match, and it is exact, so the value
is @code{t}.

@end smallexample
@end defun

@defun all-completions string collection &optional predicate nospace
This function returns a list of all possible completions of
@var{string}.  The arguments to this function (aside from
@var{nospace}) are the same as those of @code{try-completion}.  Also,
this function uses @code{completion-regexp-list} in the same way that
@code{try-completion} does.  The optional argument @var{nospace} only
matters if @var{string} is the empty string.  In that case, if
@var{nospace} is non-@code{nil}, completions that start with a space
are ignored.

If @var{collection} is a function, it is called with three arguments:
@var{string}, @var{predicate} and @code{t}; then @code{all-completions}
returns whatever the function returns.  @xref{Programmed Completion}.

     @result{} ("foobar1" "foobar2")
@end group
@end smallexample
@end defun

@defun test-completion string collection &optional predicate
@anchor{Definition of test-completion}
This function returns non-@code{nil} if @var{string} is a valid
completion possibility specified by @var{collection} and
@var{predicate}.  The arguments are the same as in
@code{try-completion}.  For instance, if @var{collection} is a list of
strings, this is true if @var{string} appears in the list and
@var{predicate} is satisfied.

@code{test-completion} uses @code{completion-regexp-list} in the same
way that @code{try-completion} does.

If @var{predicate} is non-@code{nil} and if @var{collection} contains
several strings that are equal to each other, as determined by
@code{compare-strings} according to @code{completion-ignore-case},
then @var{predicate} should accept either all or none of them.
Otherwise, the return value of @code{test-completion} is essentially
unpredictable.

If @var{collection} is a function, it is called with three arguments,
the values @var{string}, @var{predicate} and @code{lambda}; whatever
it returns, @code{test-completion} returns in turn.
@end defun

@defvar completion-ignore-case
If the value of this variable is non-@code{nil}, Emacs does not
consider case significant in completion.
@end defvar

@defvar completion-regexp-list
This is a list of regular expressions.  The completion functions only
consider a completion acceptable if it matches all regular expressions
in this list, with @code{case-fold-search} (@pxref{Searching and Case})
bound to the value of @code{completion-ignore-case}.
@end defvar

@defmac lazy-completion-table var fun
This macro provides a way to initialize the variable @var{var} as a
collection for completion in a lazy way, not computing its actual
contents until they are first needed.  You use this macro to produce a
value that you store in @var{var}.  The actual computation of the
proper value is done the first time you do completion using @var{var}.
It is done by calling @var{fun} with no arguments.  The
value @var{fun} returns becomes the permanent value of @var{var}.

Here is an example of use:

@smallexample
(defvar foo (lazy-completion-table foo make-my-alist))
@end smallexample
@end defmac

@node Minibuffer Completion
@subsection Completion and the Minibuffer

  This section describes the basic interface for reading from the

This function reads a string in the minibuffer, assisting the user by
providing completion.  It activates the minibuffer with prompt
@var{prompt}, which must be a string.

The actual completion is done by passing @var{collection} and
@var{predicate} to the function @code{try-completion}.  This happens
in certain commands bound in the local keymaps used for completion.
Some of these commands also call @code{test-completion}.  Thus, if
@var{predicate} is non-@code{nil}, it should be compatible with
@var{collection} and @code{completion-ignore-case}.  @xref{Definition
of test-completion}.

If @var{require-match} is @code{nil}, the exit commands work regardless
of the input in the minibuffer.  If @var{require-match} is @code{t}, the
usual minibuffer exit commands won't exit unless the input completes to
an element of @var{collection}.  If @var{require-match} is neither
@code{nil} nor @code{t}, then the exit commands won't exit unless the
input already in the buffer matches an element of @var{collection}.

However, empty input is always permitted, regardless of the value of
@var{require-match}; in that case, @code{completing-read} returns
@var{default}, or @code{""}, if @var{default} is @code{nil}.  The
value of @var{default} (if non-@code{nil}) is also available to the
user through the history commands.

The function @code{completing-read} uses
@code{minibuffer-local-completion-map} as the keymap if
@var{require-match} is @code{nil}, and uses
@code{minibuffer-local-must-match-map} if @var{require-match} is
non-@code{nil}.  @xref{Completion Commands}.

The argument @var{hist} specifies which history list variable to use for
saving the input and for minibuffer history commands.  It defaults to
@code{minibuffer-history}.  @xref{Minibuffer History}.

The argument @var{initial} is mostly deprecated; we recommend using a
non-@code{nil} value only in conjunction with specifying a cons cell
for @var{hist}.  @xref{Initial Input}.  For default input, use
@var{default} instead.

If the argument @var{inherit-input-method} is non-@code{nil}, then the
minibuffer inherits the current input method (@pxref{Input
Methods}) and the setting of @code{enable-multibyte-characters}
(@pxref{Text Representations}) from whichever buffer was current before
entering the minibuffer.

If the built-in variable @code{completion-ignore-case} is
non-@code{nil}, completion ignores case when comparing the input
against the possible matches.  @xref{Basic Completion}.  In this mode
of operation, @var{predicate} must also ignore case, or you will get
surprising results.

Here's an example of using @code{completing-read}:

@smallexample
@group

@noindent
If the user then types @kbd{@key{DEL} @key{DEL} b @key{RET}},
@code{completing-read} returns @code{barfoo}.

The @code{completing-read} function binds variables to pass
information to the commands that actually do completion.
They are described in the following section.
@end defun

@node Completion Commands
@subsection Minibuffer Commands that Do Completion

  This section describes the keymaps, commands and user options used
in the minibuffer to do completion.  The description refers to the
situation when Partial Completion mode is disabled (as it is by
default).  When enabled, this minor mode uses its own alternatives to
some of the commands described below.  @xref{Completion Options,,,
emacs, The GNU Emacs Manual}, for a short description of Partial
Completion mode.

@defvar minibuffer-completion-table
The value of this variable is the collection used for completion in
the minibuffer.  This is the global variable that contains what
@code{completing-read} passes to @code{try-completion}.  It is used by
minibuffer completion commands such as @code{minibuffer-complete-word}.
@end defvar

@defvar minibuffer-completion-predicate
This variable's value is the predicate that @code{completing-read}
passes to @code{try-completion}.  The variable is also used by the other
minibuffer completion functions.
@end defvar

@defvar minibuffer-completion-confirm
When the value of this variable is non-@code{nil}, Emacs asks for
confirmation of a completion before exiting the minibuffer.
@code{completing-read} binds this variable, and the function
@code{minibuffer-complete-and-exit} checks the value before exiting.
@end defvar

@deffn Command minibuffer-complete-word
This function completes the minibuffer contents by at most a single
word.  Even if the minibuffer contents have only one completion,

@code{minibuffer-completion-confirm} is @code{nil}.  If confirmation
@emph{is} required, it is given by repeating this command
immediately---the command is programmed to work without confirmation
when run twice in succession.
@end deffn

@deffn Command minibuffer-completion-help
This function creates a list of the possible completions of the
current minibuffer contents.  It works by calling @code{all-completions}
using the value of the variable @code{minibuffer-completion-table} as

@code{minibuffer-completion-predicate} as the @var{predicate} argument.
The list of completions is displayed as text in a buffer named
@samp{*Completions*}.
@end deffn

@defun display-completion-list completions &optional common-substring
This function displays @var{completions} to the stream in
@code{standard-output}, usually a buffer.  (@xref{Read and Print}, for more
information about streams.)  The argument @var{completions} is normally
a list of completions just returned by @code{all-completions}, but it
does not have to be.  Each element may be a symbol or a string, either
of which is simply printed.  It can also be a list of two strings,
which is printed as if the strings were concatenated.  The first of
the two strings is the actual completion, the second string serves as
annotation.

The argument @var{common-substring} is the prefix that is common to
all the completions.  With normal Emacs completion, it is usually the
same as the string that was completed.  @code{display-completion-list}
uses this to highlight text in the completion list for better visual
feedback.  This is not needed in the minibuffer; for minibuffer
completion, you can pass @code{nil}.

This function is called by @code{minibuffer-completion-help}.  The
most common way to use it is together with
@code{with-output-to-temp-buffer}, like this:

@example
(with-output-to-temp-buffer "*Completions*"
  (display-completion-list
    (all-completions (buffer-string) my-alist)
    (buffer-string)))
@end example
@end defun

@defopt completion-auto-help
If this variable is non-@code{nil}, the completion commands
automatically display a list of possible completions whenever nothing
can be completed because the next character is not uniquely determined.
@end defopt

@defvar minibuffer-local-completion-map
@code{completing-read} uses this value as the local keymap when an
exact match of one of the completions is not required.  By default, this
keymap makes the following bindings:

@table @asis
@item @kbd{?}
@code{minibuffer-completion-help}

@item @key{SPC}
@code{minibuffer-complete-word}

@item @key{TAB}
@code{minibuffer-complete}
@end table

@noindent
with other characters bound as in @code{minibuffer-local-map}
(@pxref{Definition of minibuffer-local-map}).
@end defvar

@defvar minibuffer-local-must-match-map
@code{completing-read} uses this value as the local keymap when an
exact match of one of the completions is required.  Therefore, no keys
are bound to @code{exit-minibuffer}, the command that exits the
minibuffer unconditionally.  By default, this keymap makes the following
bindings:

@table @asis
@item @kbd{?}
@code{minibuffer-completion-help}

@item @key{SPC}
@code{minibuffer-complete-word}

@item @key{TAB}
@code{minibuffer-complete}

@item @kbd{C-j}
@code{minibuffer-complete-and-exit}

@item @key{RET}
@code{minibuffer-complete-and-exit}
@end table

@noindent
with other characters bound as in @code{minibuffer-local-map}.
@end defvar

@defvar minibuffer-local-filename-completion-map
This is like @code{minibuffer-local-completion-map}
except that it does not bind @key{SPC}.  This keymap is used by the
function @code{read-file-name}.
@end defvar

@defvar minibuffer-local-must-match-filename-map
This is like @code{minibuffer-local-must-match-map}
except that it does not bind @key{SPC}.  This keymap is used by the
function @code{read-file-name}.
@end defvar

@node High-Level Completion
@subsection High-Level Completion  Functions

  This section describes the higher-level convenient functions for

The argument @var{default} is the default name to use, the value to
return if the user exits with an empty minibuffer.  If non-@code{nil},
it should be a string or a buffer.  It is mentioned in the prompt, but
is not inserted in the minibuffer as initial input.

The argument @var{prompt} should be a string ending with a colon and a
space.  If @var{default} is non-@code{nil}, the function inserts it in
@var{prompt} before the colon to follow the convention for reading from
the minibuffer with a default value (@pxref{Programming Tips}).

If @var{existing} is non-@code{nil}, then the name specified must be
that of an existing buffer.  The usual commands to exit the minibuffer
do not exit if the text is not valid, and @key{RET} does completion to
attempt to find a valid name.  If @var{existing} is neither @code{nil}
nor @code{t}, confirmation is required after completion.  (However,
@var{default} is not checked for validity; it is returned, whatever it
is, if the user exits with the minibuffer empty.)

In the following example, the user enters @samp{minibuffer.t}, and
then types @key{RET}.  The argument @var{existing} is @code{t}, and the
only buffer name starting with the given input is
@samp{minibuffer.texi}, so that name is the value.

@example
(read-buffer "Buffer name: " "foo" t)
@group
;; @r{After evaluation of the preceding expression,}
;;   @r{the following prompt appears,}
;;   @r{with an empty minibuffer:}
@end group

@group
---------- Buffer: Minibuffer ----------
Buffer name (default foo): @point{}
---------- Buffer: Minibuffer ----------
@end group

@group
;; @r{The user types @kbd{minibuffer.t @key{RET}}.}

The argument @var{default} specifies what to return if the user enters
null input.  It can be a symbol or a string; if it is a string,
@code{read-command} interns it before returning it.  If @var{default} is
@code{nil}, that means no default has been specified; then if the user
enters null input, the return value is @code{(intern "")}, that is, a
symbol whose name is an empty string.

@example
(read-command "Command name? ")

@group

@end group
@end example
@end defun

@defun read-variable prompt &optional default
@anchor{Definition of read-variable}
This function reads the name of a user variable and returns it as a
symbol.

The argument @var{default} specifies what to return if the user enters
null input.  It can be a symbol or a string; if it is a string,
@code{read-variable} interns it before returning it.  If @var{default}
is @code{nil}, that means no default has been specified; then if the
user enters null input, the return value is @code{(intern "")}.

@example
@group
(read-variable "Variable name? ")

  Here is another high-level completion function, designed for reading a
file name.  It provides special features including automatic insertion
of the default directory.

@defun read-file-name prompt &optional directory default existing initial predicate
This function reads a file name in the minibuffer, prompting with
@var{prompt} and providing completion.

If @var{existing} is non-@code{nil}, then the user must specify the name
of an existing file; @key{RET} performs completion to make the name
valid if possible, and then refuses to exit if it is not valid.  If the
value of @var{existing} is neither @code{nil} nor @code{t}, then
@key{RET} also requires confirmation after completion.  If
@var{existing} is @code{nil}, then the name of a nonexistent file is
acceptable.

The function @code{read-file-name} uses
@code{minibuffer-local-filename-completion-map} as the keymap if
@var{existing} is @code{nil}, and uses
@code{minibuffer-local-must-match-filename-map} if @var{existing} is
non-@code{nil}.  @xref{Completion Commands}.

The argument @var{directory} specifies the directory to use for
completion of relative file names.  It should be an absolute directory
name.  If @code{insert-default-directory} is non-@code{nil},
@var{directory} is also inserted in the minibuffer as initial input.
It defaults to the current buffer's value of @code{default-directory}.

@c Emacs 19 feature
If you specify @var{initial}, that is an initial file name to insert
in the buffer (after @var{directory}, if that is inserted).  In this
case, point goes at the beginning of @var{initial}.  The default for
@var{initial} is @code{nil}---don't insert any file name.  To see what
@var{initial} does, try the command @kbd{C-x C-v}.  @strong{Please
note:} we recommend using @var{default} rather than @var{initial} in
most cases.

If @var{default} is non-@code{nil}, then the function returns
@var{default} if the user exits the minibuffer with the same non-empty
contents that @code{read-file-name} inserted initially.  The initial
minibuffer contents are always non-empty if
@code{insert-default-directory} is non-@code{nil}, as it is by
default.  @var{default} is not checked for validity, regardless of the
value of @var{existing}.  However, if @var{existing} is
non-@code{nil}, the initial minibuffer contents should be a valid file
(or directory) name.  Otherwise @code{read-file-name} attempts
completion if the user exits without any editing, and does not return
@var{default}.  @var{default} is also available through the history
commands.

If @var{default} is @code{nil}, @code{read-file-name} tries to find a
substitute default to use in its place, which it treats in exactly the
same way as if it had been specified explicitly.  If @var{default} is
@code{nil}, but @var{initial} is non-@code{nil}, then the default is
the absolute file name obtained from @var{directory} and
@var{initial}.  If both @var{default} and @var{initial} are @code{nil}
and the buffer is visiting a file, @code{read-file-name} uses the
absolute file name of that file as default.  If the buffer is not
visiting a file, then there is no default.  In that case, if the user
types @key{RET} without any editing, @code{read-file-name} simply
returns the pre-inserted contents of the minibuffer.

If the user types @key{RET} in an empty minibuffer, this function
returns an empty string, regardless of the value of @var{existing}.
This is, for instance, how the user can make the current buffer visit
no file using @code{M-x set-visited-file-name}.

If @var{predicate} is non-@code{nil}, it specifies a function of one
argument that decides which file names are acceptable completion
possibilities.  A file name is an acceptable value if @var{predicate}
returns non-@code{nil} for it.

@code{read-file-name} does not automatically expand file names.  You
must call @code{expand-file-name} yourself if an absolute file name is
required.

Here is an example:

@example
@group

@noindent
If the user types @key{RET}, @code{read-file-name} returns the file name
as the string @code{"/gp/gnu/elisp/manual.texi"}.
@end defun

@defvar read-file-name-function
If non-@code{nil}, this should be a function that accepts the same
arguments as @code{read-file-name}.  When @code{read-file-name} is
called, it calls this function with the supplied arguments instead of
doing its usual work.
@end defvar

@defvar read-file-name-completion-ignore-case
If this variable is non-@code{nil}, @code{read-file-name} ignores case
when performing completion.
@end defvar

@defun read-directory-name prompt &optional directory default existing initial
This function is like @code{read-file-name} but allows only directory
names as completion possibilities.

If @var{default} is @code{nil} and @var{initial} is non-@code{nil},
@code{read-directory-name} constructs a substitute default by
combining @var{directory} (or the current buffer's default directory
if @var{directory} is @code{nil}) and @var{initial}.  If both
@var{default} and @var{initial} are @code{nil}, this function uses
@var{directory} as substitute default, or the current buffer's default
directory if @var{directory} is @code{nil}.
@end defun

@defopt insert-default-directory
This variable is used by @code{read-file-name}, and thus, indirectly,
by most commands reading file names.  (This includes all commands that
use the code letters @samp{f} or @samp{F} in their interactive form.
@xref{Interactive Codes,, Code Characters for interactive}.)  Its
value controls whether @code{read-file-name} starts by placing the
name of the default directory in the minibuffer, plus the initial file
name if any.  If the value of this variable is @code{nil}, then
@code{read-file-name} does not place any initial input in the
minibuffer (unless you specify initial input with the @var{initial}
argument).  In that case, the default directory is still used for
completion of relative file names, but is not displayed.

If this variable is @code{nil} and the initial minibuffer contents are
empty, the user may have to explicitly fetch the next history element
to access a default value.  If the variable is non-@code{nil}, the
initial minibuffer contents are always non-empty and the user can
always request a default value by immediately typing @key{RET} in an
unedited minibuffer.  (See above.)

For example:

@example
@group

@code{t} specifies @code{all-completions}.  The completion function
should return a list of all possible completions of the specified
string.

@item
@code{lambda} specifies @code{test-completion}.  The completion
function should return @code{t} if the specified string is an exact
match for some possibility; @code{nil} otherwise.
@end itemize

  It would be consistent and clean for completion functions to allow
lambda expressions (lists that are functions) as well as function
symbols as @var{collection}, but this is impossible.  Lists as
completion tables already have other meanings, and it would be
unreliable to treat one differently just because it is also a possible
function.  So you must arrange for any function you wish to use for
completion to be encapsulated in a symbol.

  Emacs uses programmed completion when completing file names.
@xref{File Name Completion}.

@defmac dynamic-completion-table function
This macro is a convenient way to write a function that can act as
programmed completion function.  The argument @var{function} should be
a function that takes one argument, a string, and returns an alist of
possible completions of it.  You can think of
@code{dynamic-completion-table} as a transducer between that interface
and the interface for programmed completion functions.
@end defmac

@node Yes-or-No Queries
@section Yes-or-No Queries
@cindex asking the user questions
@cindex querying the user

The optional argument @var{default} specifies the default password to
return if the user enters empty input.  If @var{default} is @code{nil},
then @code{read-passwd} returns the null string in that case.
@end defun

@node Minibuffer Commands
@section Minibuffer Commands

  This section describes some commands meant for use in the
minibuffer.

@deffn Command exit-minibuffer
This command exits the active minibuffer.  It is normally bound to
keys in minibuffer local keymaps.
@end deffn

This command replaces the minibuffer contents with the value of the
@var{n}th next (newer) history element that matches @var{pattern} (a
regular expression).
@end deffn

@node Minibuffer Windows
@section Minibuffer Windows

  These functions access and select minibuffer windows
and test whether they are active.

@defun active-minibuffer-window
This function returns the currently active minibuffer window, or
@code{nil} if none is currently active.
@end defun

@defun minibuffer-window &optional frame
@anchor{Definition of minibuffer-window}
This function returns the minibuffer window used for frame @var{frame}.
If @var{frame} is @code{nil}, that stands for the current frame.  Note
that the minibuffer window used by a frame need not be part of that
frame---a frame that has no minibuffer of its own necessarily uses some
other frame's minibuffer window.
@end defun

@defun set-minibuffer-window window
This function specifies @var{window} as the minibuffer window to use.
This affects where the minibuffer is displayed if you put text in it
without invoking the usual minibuffer commands.  It has no effect on
the usual minibuffer input functions because they all start by
choosing the minibuffer window according to the current frame.
@end defun

@c Emacs 19 feature
@defun window-minibuffer-p &optional window
This function returns non-@code{nil} if @var{window} is a minibuffer
window.
@var{window} defaults to the selected window.
@end defun

It is not correct to determine whether a given window is a minibuffer by
comparing it with the result of @code{(minibuffer-window)}, because
there can be more than one minibuffer window if there is more than one

@defun minibuffer-window-active-p window
This function returns non-@code{nil} if @var{window}, assumed to be
a minibuffer window, is currently active.
@end defun

@node Minibuffer Contents
@section Minibuffer Contents

  These functions access the minibuffer prompt and contents.

@defun minibuffer-prompt
This function returns the prompt string of the currently active
minibuffer.  If no minibuffer is active, it returns @code{nil}.
@end defun

@defun minibuffer-prompt-end
@tindex minibuffer-prompt-end
This function returns the current
position of the end of the minibuffer prompt, if a minibuffer is
current.  Otherwise, it returns the minimum valid buffer position.
@end defun

@defun minibuffer-prompt-width
This function returns the current display-width of the minibuffer
prompt, if a minibuffer is current.  Otherwise, it returns zero.
@end defun

@defun minibuffer-contents
@tindex minibuffer-contents
This function returns the editable
contents of the minibuffer (that is, everything except the prompt) as
a string, if a minibuffer is current.  Otherwise, it returns the
entire contents of the current buffer.
@end defun

@defun minibuffer-contents-no-properties
@tindex minibuffer-contents-no-properties
This is like @code{minibuffer-contents}, except that it does not copy text
properties, just the characters themselves.  @xref{Text Properties}.
@end defun

@defun minibuffer-completion-contents
@tindex minibuffer-completion-contents
This is like @code{minibuffer-contents}, except that it returns only
the contents before point.  That is the part that completion commands
operate on.  @xref{Minibuffer Completion}.
@end defun

@defun delete-minibuffer-contents
@tindex delete-minibuffer-contents
This function erases the editable contents of the minibuffer (that is,
everything except the prompt), if a minibuffer is current.  Otherwise,
it erases the entire current buffer.
@end defun

@node Recursive Mini
@section Recursive Minibuffers

  These functions and variables deal with recursive minibuffers
(@pxref{Recursive Editing}):

@defun minibuffer-depth
This function returns the current depth of activations of the
minibuffer, a nonnegative integer.  If no minibuffers are active, it

@end defopt

@c Emacs 19 feature
If a command name has a property @code{enable-recursive-minibuffers}
that is non-@code{nil}, then the command can use the minibuffer to read
arguments even if it is invoked from the minibuffer.  A command can
also achieve this by binding @code{enable-recursive-minibuffers}
to @code{t} in the interactive declaration (@pxref{Using Interactive}).
The minibuffer command @code{next-matching-history-element} (normally
@kbd{M-s} in the minibuffer) does the latter.

@node Minibuffer Misc
@section Minibuffer Miscellany

@defun minibufferp &optional buffer-or-name
This function returns non-@code{nil} if @var{buffer-or-name} is a
minibuffer.  If @var{buffer-or-name} is omitted, it tests the current
buffer.
@end defun

@defvar minibuffer-setup-hook
This is a normal hook that is run whenever the minibuffer is entered.
@xref{Hooks}.
@end defvar

@defvar minibuffer-exit-hook
This is a normal hook that is run whenever the minibuffer is exited.
@xref{Hooks}.
@end defvar

@defvar minibuffer-help-form
@anchor{Definition of minibuffer-help-form}
The current value of this variable is used to rebind @code{help-form}
locally inside the minibuffer (@pxref{Help Functions}).
@end defvar

@defvar minibuffer-scroll-window
@anchor{Definition of minibuffer-scroll-window}
If the value of this variable is non-@code{nil}, it should be a window
object.  When the function @code{scroll-other-window} is called in the
minibuffer, it scrolls this window.
@end defvar

@defun minibuffer-selected-window
This function returns the window which was selected when the
minibuffer was entered.  If selected window is not a minibuffer
window, it returns @code{nil}.
@end defun

@defopt max-mini-window-height
This variable specifies the maximum height for resizing minibuffer
windows.  If a float, it specifies a fraction of the height of the
frame.  If an integer, it specifies a number of lines.
@end defopt

@defun minibuffer-message string
This function displays @var{string} temporarily at the end of the
minibuffer text, for two seconds, or until the next input event
arrives, whichever comes first.
@end defun

@ignore
   arch-tag: bba7f945-9078-477f-a2ce-18818a6e1218
@end ignore