# HG changeset patch
# User Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
# Date 899957007 0
# Node ID ef426e5873e3de32890ffcf6d4bc274cf1732148
# Parent  d023df160219683feb7f0d864c2d1d203a31498d
Explain "prefix arg".  Explain how it can be a flag.

diff -r d023df160219 -r ef426e5873e3 etc/TUTORIAL
--- a/etc/TUTORIAL	Thu Jul 09 03:47:06 1998 +0000
+++ b/etc/TUTORIAL	Thu Jul 09 04:03:27 1998 +0000
@@ -191,18 +191,23 @@
 you have a META (or EDIT or ALT) key, there is another alternative way
 to enter a numeric argument: type the digits while holding down the
 META key.  We recommend learning the C-u method because it works on
-any terminal.
+any terminal.  The numeric argument is also called a "prefix argument",
+because you type the argument before the command it applies to.
 
 For instance, C-u 8 C-f moves forward eight characters.
 	
 >> Try using C-n or C-p with a numeric argument, to move the cursor
    to a line near this one with just one command.
 
-Most commands use the numeric argument as a repeat count.  Certain
-exceptional commands use it differently.  C-v and M-v are among the
-exceptions.  When given an argument, they scroll the screen up or down
-by that many lines, rather than by a screenfuls.  For example, C-u 4
-C-v scrolls the screen by 4 lines.
+Most commands use the numeric argument as a repeat count, but some
+commands use it in some other way.  Several commands (but none of
+those you have learned so far) use it as a flag--the presence of a
+prefix argument, regardless of its value, makes the command do
+something different.
+
+C-v and M-v are another kind of exception.  When given an argument,
+they scroll the screen up or down by that many lines, rather than by a
+screenful.  For example, C-u 8 C-v scrolls the screen by 8 lines.
 
 >> Try typing C-u 8 C-v now.