Mercurial > emacs
changeset 32674:4cbd3d907ee5
First Edition.
author | Eric M. Ludlam <zappo@gnu.org> |
---|---|
date | Fri, 20 Oct 2000 01:53:35 +0000 |
parents | 7c929610d127 |
children | 4761f4751766 |
files | man/speedbar.texi |
diffstat | 1 files changed, 1176 insertions(+), 0 deletions(-) [+] |
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--- /dev/null Thu Jan 01 00:00:00 1970 +0000 +++ b/man/speedbar.texi Fri Oct 20 01:53:35 2000 +0000 @@ -0,0 +1,1176 @@ +\input texinfo @c -*-texinfo-*- +@c +@c $Id$ +@c + +@c This file is part of GNU Emacs + +@c GNU Emacs is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify it +@c under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by the +@c Free Software Foundation; either version 2 of the License, or (at +@c your option) any later version. + +@c GNU Emacs is distributed in the hope that it will be useful, but +@c WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warraonty of +@c MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. See the GNU +@c General Public License for more details. + +@c You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License +@c along with Eshell; see the file COPYING. If not, write to the Free +@c Software Foundation, 675 Mass Ave, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA. + +@setfilename ../info/speedbar +@settitle Speedbar: File/Tag summarizing utility + +@ifinfo +@format +START-INFO-DIR-ENTRY +* Speedbar: (speedbar). File/Tag summarizing utility. +END-INFO-DIR-ENTRY +@end format +@end ifinfo + +@titlepage +@sp 10 +@center @titlefont{speedbar} +@vskip 0pt plus 1 fill +Copyright @copyright{} 1999, 2000 Eric M. Ludlam +@end titlepage + +@node Top, , , (dir)Top +@comment node-name, next, previous, up + +Copyright @copyright{} 1999 Eric M. Ludlam + +Speedbar is a program for Emacs which can be used to summarize +information related to the current buffer. Its original inspiration +is the "explorer" often used in modern development environments, office +packages, and web browsers. + +Speedbar displays a narrow frame in which a tree view is shown. This +tree view defaults to containing a list of files and directories. Files +can be "expanded" to list tags inside. Directories can be expanded to +list the files within itself. Each file or tag can be jumped to +immediately. + +Speedbar expands upon "explorer" windows by maintaining context with the +user. For example, when using the file view, the current buffer's file +is highlighted. Speedbar also mimics the explorer windows by providing +multiple display modes. These modes come in two flavors. Major display +modes remain consistent across buffers, and minor display modes appear +only when a buffer of the applicable type is shown. This provides +authors of other packages to provide speedbar summaries customized to +the needs of that mode. + +Throughout this manual, activities are defined as "clicking on", or +"expanding" items. Clicking means using using @kbd{mouse-2} on a +button. Expanding refers to clicking on an expansion button to display +an expanded summary of the entry the exapansion button is +on. @xref{Basic Navigation}. + +@menu +* Introduction:: Basics of speedbar. +* Basic Navigation:: Basics of speedbar common between all modes. +* File Mode:: Summerizing files. +* Buffer Mode:: Summerizing buffers. +* Minor Modes:: Additional minor modes such as Info and RMAIL. +* Customizing:: Changing speedbar behaviors. +* Extending:: Extend speedbar for your own project. +* Index:: +@end menu + +@node Introduction, Basic Navigation, , Top +@comment node-name, next, previous, up +@chapter Introduction +@cindex introduction + +To start using speedbar use the command @kbd{M-x speedbar RET} or select +it from the Tools menu in versions of Emacs with speedbar installed by +default. This command will open a new frame to summarize the local +files. On X windows, or under Windows NT, speedbar's frame is twenty +characters wide, and will mimic the height of the frame from which it +was started. It positions itself to the left or right of the frame you +started it from. + +To use speedbar effectivly, it is important to understand its +relationship with the frame you started it from. This frame is the +"attached frame" which speedbar will use as a reference point. Once +started speedbar will watch the contents of this frame, and attempts to +make it's contents relevant to the buffer loaded into the attached +frame. In addition, all requests made in speedbar that require the +display of another buffer will display in the attached frame. + +When used in terminal mode, the new frame appears the same size as the +terminal. Since it is not visible while working in the attached frame, +speedbar will save time by using "slowbar" mode, where no tracking is +done until speedbar is requested to show itself. + +The function to use when switching between frames using the keyboard is +@code{speedbar-get-focus}. This function will toggle between frames, and +useful to bind to a key in terminal mode @xref{Customizing}. + +@node Basic Navigation, File Mode, Introduction, Top +@comment node-name, next, previous, up +@chapter Basic Navigation + +Speedbar can display different types of data, and has several display +and behavior modes. These modes all have a common behavior, menu +system, and look. If one mode is learned, then the other modes are easy +to use. + +@menu +* Basic Keybindings:: +* Basic Visuals:: +* Mouse Bindings:: +* Displays Submenu:: +@end menu + +@node Basic Keybindings, Basic Visuals, Basic Navigation, Basic Navigation +@comment node-name, next, previous, up +@section Basic Keybindings +@cindex keybindings + +These keybindings are common across all modes: +@table @kbd +@item delete, SPC +@cindex scrolling +Scroll up and down one page. +@item Q +@cindex quitting +Quit speedbar, and kill the frame. +@item q +Quit speedbar, and hide the frame. This makes it faster to restore the +speedbar frame. +@item g +@cindex refresh +Refresh whatever contents are in speedbar. +@item t +@cindex slowbar +Toggle speedbar to and from slowbar mode. In slowbar mode, frame +tracking is not done. +@item n, p +@cindex navigation +Move to the next or previous item. A summary of that item will be +displayed in the attached frame's minibuffer. +@item M-n, M-p +Move to the next or previous item in a restricted fashion. If a list is +open, the cursor will skip over it. If the cursor is in an open list, +it will not leave it. +@item C-M-n, C-M-n +Move forwards and backwards across extended groups. This lets you +quickly skip over all files, or directories, or other common sub-item at +the same current depth. +@item C-x b +Switch buffers in the attached frame. +@end table + +Speedbar can handle multiple modes. Two are provided by default. +These modes are File mode, and Buffers mode. There are accelerators to +switch into these different modes. + +@cindex mode switching hotkeys +@table @kbd +@item b +Switch into Quick Buffers mode @xref{Buffer Mode}. After one use, the +previous display mode is restored. +@item f +Switch into Files mode. +@item r +Switch back to the previous mode. +@end table + +Some modes provide groups, lists and tags. @xref{Basic Visuals}. When +these are available some additional common bindings are available. + +@cindex common keys +@table @kbd +@item RET, e +Edit/Open the current group or tag. This behavior is dependent on the +mode. In general, files or buffers are opened in the attached frame, +and directories or group nodes are expanded locally. +@item +,= +Expand the current group, displaying sub items. +When used with a prefix argument, any data that may have been cached is +flushed. This is similar to a power click. @xref{Mouse Bindings}. +@item - +Contract the current group, hiding sub items. +@end table + +@node Basic Visuals, Mouse Bindings, Basic Keybindings, Basic Navigation +@comment node-name, next, previous, up +@section Basic Visuals +@cindex visuals + +Speedbar has visual cues for indicating different types of data. These +cues are used consistently across the different speedbar modes to make +them easier to understand. + +At a high level, in Files mode, there are directory buttons, sub +directory buttons, file buttons, tag buttons, and expansion buttons. +This makes it easy to use the mouse to navigate a directory tree, and +quickly view files, or a summary of those files. + +The most basic visual effect used to distinguis between these button +types is color and mouse highlighting. Anything the mouse highlights +can be clicked on and is called a button @xref{Mouse Bindings}. +Anything not highlighted by the mouse will not be clickable. + +Text in speedbar consists of four different types of data. Knowing how +to read these textual elements will make it easier to navigate by +identifying the types of data available. + +@subsubsection Groups +@cindex groups + +Groups summarize information in a single line, and provide a high level +view of more complex systems, like a directory tree, or manual chapters. + +Groups appear at different indentation levels, and are prefixed with a +@code{+} in some sort of "box". The group name will summarize the +information within it, and the expansion box will display that +information inline. In files mode, directories and files are "groups" +where the @code{+} is surrounded by brackets like this: + +@example +<+> include +<-> src + [+] foo.c +@end example + +In this example, we see both open and closed directories, in addition to +a file. The directories have a box consisting of angle brackets, and a +file uses square brackets. + +In all modes, a group can be "edited" by pressing @kbd{RET}, meaning a +file will be opened, or a directory explicitly opened in speedbar. A +group can be expanded or contracted using @kbd{+} or +@kbd{-}. @xref{Basic Keybindings}. + +Sometimes groups may have a @code{?} in it's indicator box. This means +that it is a group type, but there are no contents, or no known way of +extracting contents of that group. + +When a group has been expanded, the indicator button changes from +@code{+} to @code{-}. This indicates that the contents are being shown. +Click the @code{-} button to contract the group, or hide the contents +currently displayed. + +@subsubsection Tags +@cindex tags + +Tags are the leaf nodes of the tree system. Tags are generally prefixed +with a simple character, such as @code{>}. Tags can only be jumped to using +@kbd{RET} or @kbd{e}. + +@subsubsection Boolean Flags + +Sometimes a group or tag is given a boolean flag. These flags appear as +extra text characters at the end of the line. Files mode uses boolean +flags, such as a @code{*} to indicate that a file has been checked out +of a versioning system. + +For additional flags, +@c Note to self, update these to sub-nodes which are more relevant. +@xref{File Mode}, @xref{Version Control}. + +@subsubsection Unadorned Text + +Unadorned text generally starts in column 0, without any special symbols +prefixing them. In buffers mode different buffer groups are prefixed +with a description of what the following buffers are (Files, scratch +buffers, and invisible buffers.) + +Unadorned text will generally be colorless, and not be clickable. + +@subsubsection Color Cues + +Each type of Group, item indicator, and label is given a different +color. The colors chosen are dependent on a light or dark background. +Of important note is that the "current item", which may be a buffer or +file name, is highlighted red, and underlined. + +Colors can be customized from the group @code{speedbar-faces}. Some +modes, such as for Info, will use the Info colors instead of default +speedbar colors as an indication of what is currently being displayed. + +The face naming convention mirrors the File display mode. Modes which +do not use files will attempt to use the same colors on analogous +entries. + +@node Mouse Bindings, Displays Submenu, Basic Visuals, Basic Navigation +@comment node-name, next, previous, up +@section Mouse Bindings +@cindex mouse bindings + +The mouse has become a common information navigation tool. Speedbar +will use the mouse to navigate file systems, buffer lists, and other +data. The different textual cues provide buttons which can be clicked +on @xref{Basic Visuals}. Anything that highlights can be clicked on +with the mouse, or effected by the menu. + +The mouse bindings are: +@table @kbd +@item mouse-1 +Move cursor to that location +@item mouse-2, double-mouse-1 +Activate the current button. @kbd{double-mouse-1} is called a "double +click" on other platforms, and is useful for windows users with two +button mice. +@item SHIFT-mouse-2, SHIFT-double-mouse-1 +@cindex power click +This has the same effect as @kbd{mouse-2}, except it is called a power +click. This means that if a group with an expansion button @code{+} is +clicked, any caches are flushed, and subitems re-read. If it is a name, +it will be opened in a new frame. +@item mouse-3 +Activate the speedbar menu. The item selected effects the line clicked, +not the line where the cursor was. +@item mode-line mouse-1 +Activate the menu. This effects the item the cursor is on before the +click, since the mouse was not clicked on anything. +@item C-mouse-1 +Buffers sub-menu. The buffer in the attached frame is switched. +@end table + +When the mouse moves over buttons in speedbar, details of that item +should be displayed in the minibuffer of the attached frame. Sometimes +this can contain extra information such as file permissions, or tag +location. + +@node Displays Submenu, , Mouse Bindings, Basic Navigation +@comment node-name, next, previous, up +@section Displays Submenu +@cindex displays submenu + +You can display different data by using different display modes. These +specialized modes make it easier to navigate the relevent pieces of +information, such as files and directories, or buffers. + +In the main menu, found by clicking @kbd{mouse-3}, there is a submenu +labeled "Displays". This submenu lets you easily choose between +different display modes. + +The contents are modes currently loaded into emacs. By default, this +would include Files, Quick Buffers, and Buffers. Other major display +modes such as Info are loaded separately. + +@node File Mode, Buffer Mode, Basic Navigation, Top +@comment node-name, next, previous, up +@chapter File Mode +@cindex file mode + +File mode displays a summary of your current directory. You can display +files in the attached frame, or summarize the tags found in files. You +can even see if a file is checked out of a version control system, or +has some associated object file. + +Advanced behaviors, like copying and renaming files is also provided. + +@menu +* Directory Display:: What the display means. +* Hidden Files:: How to display hidden files. +* File Keybindings:: Performing file operations. +@end menu + +@node Directory Display, Hidden Files, File Mode, File Mode +@comment node-name, next, previous, up +@section Directory Display +@cindex directory display + +There are three major sections in the display. The first line or two is +the root directory speedbar is currently viewing. You can jump to one +of the parent directories by clicking on the name of the directory you +wish to jump to. + +Next, directories are listed. A directory starts with the group +indicator button @code{<+>}. Clicking the directory name makes speedbar +load that directory as the root directory for its display. Clicking the +@code{<+>} button will list all directories and files beneath. + +Next, files are listed. Files start with the group indicator @code{[+]} +or @code{[?]}. You can jump to a file in the attached frame by clicking +on the file name. You can expand a file and look at it's tags by +clicking on the @code{[+]} symbol near the file name. + +A typical session might look like this: +@example +~/lisp/ +<+> checkdoc +<+> eieio +<-> speedbar + [+] Makefile + [+] rpm.el # + [+] sb-gud.el # + [+] sb-info.el # + [+] sb-rmail.el # + [+] sb-w3.el + [-] speedbar.el *! + @{+@} Types + @{+@} Variables + @{+@} def (group) + @{+@} speedbar- + [+] speedbar.texi * +<+> testme +[+] align.el +[+] autoconf.el +@end example + +In this example, you can see several directories. The directory +@file{speedbar} has been opened inline. Inside the directory +@file{speedbar}, the file @file{speedbar.el} has it's tags exposed. +These tags are extensive, and they are summarized into tag groups. + +Files get additional boolean flags associated with them. Valid flags are: +@cindex file flags +@table @code +@item * +This file has been checked out of a version control +system. @xref{Version Control}. +@item # +This file has an up to date object file associated with it. The +variable @code{speedbar-obj-alist} defines how speedbar determines this +value. +@item ! +This file has an out of date object file associated with it. +@end table + +A Tag group is prefixed with the symbol @samp{@{+@}}. Clicking this +symbol will show all symbols that have been organized into that group. +Different types of files have unique tagging methods as defined by their +major mode. Tags are generated with either the @file{imenu} package, or +through an @file{etags} interface. + +Tag groups are defined in multiple ways which make it easier to find the +tag you are looking for. Imenu keywords explicitly create groups, and +speedbar will automatically create groups if tag lists are too long. + +In our example, Imenu created the groups @samp{Types} and +@samp{Variables}. All remaining top-level symbols are then regrouped +based on the variable @code{speedbar-tag-hierarchy-method}. The +subgroups @samp{def} and @samp{speedbar-} are groupings where the first +few characters of the given symbols are specified in the group name. +Some group names may say something like @samp{speedbar-t to speedbar-v}, +indicating that all symbols which alphabetically fall between those +catagories are included in that sub-group. @xref{Tag Hierarchy Methods}. + +@node Hidden Files, File Keybindings, Directory Display, File Mode +@comment node-name, next, previous, up +@section Hidden Files +@cindex hidden files + +On unix, a hidden file is a file whose name starts with a period. They +are hidden from a regular directory listing because the user is not +generally interested in them. + +In speedbar, a hidden file is a file which isn't very interesting and +might prove distracting to the user. Any uninteresting files are +removed from the File display. There are two levels of interest in +speedbar. The first level of uninterest are files which have no +expansion method, or way of extracting tags. The second level is any +file that matches the same pattern used for completion in +@code{find-file}. This is derived from the variable +@code{completion-ignored-extensions}. + +You can toggle the display of uninteresting files from the toggle menu +item "Show All Files". This will display all level one hidden files. +These files will be shown with a @code{?} indicator. Level 2 hidden +files will still not be shown. + +Object files fall into the catagory of level 2 hidden files. You can +determine their presense by the @code{#} and @code{!} file indicators +@xref{Directory Display}. + +@node File Keybindings, , Hidden Files, File Mode +@comment node-name, next, previous, up +@section File Keybindings +@cindex file keybindings + +Files mode has keybindings permitting different file system operations +such as copy or rename. These commands all operate on "the current +file." In this case, the current file is the file at point, or clicked +on when pulling up the menu. + +@table @kbd +@item U +Move the entire speedbar display up one directory. +@item I +Display information in the minibuffer about this line. This is the same +information shown when navigating with @kbd{n} and @kbd{p}, or moving +the mouse over an item. +@item B +Byte compile the Emacs Lisp file on this line. +@item L +Load the Emacs Lisp file on this line. If an elc file exists, optionally load +that. +@item C +Copy the current file to some other location. +@item R +Rename the current file, possibly moving it to some other location. +@item D +Delete the current file. +@item O +Delete the current file's object file. Use the symbols @samp{#} and +@samp{!} to determine if there is an object file available. +@end table + +One menu item toggles the display of all available files. By default, +only files which Emacs understands, and knows how to convert into a tag +list. By showing all files, additional files such as text files are +also displayed, but they are prefixed with the @samp{[?]} symbol. This +means that it is a file, but that Emacs doesn't know how to expand it. + +@node Buffer Mode, Minor Modes, File Mode, Top +@comment node-name, next, previous, up +@chapter Buffer Mode +@cindex buffer mode + +Buffer mode is very similar to file mode, except that instead of +tracking the current directory and all files available there, the +current list of buffers already loaded into Emacs is shown. + +These buffers can have their tags expanded in the same way as files +and uses the same unknown file indicator @xref{File Mode}. + +Buffers mode does not have file operation bindings, but the following +buffer specific keybindings are available: +@table @kbd +@item k +Kill this buffer. Do not touch it's file. +@item r +Revert this buffer, reloading from disk. +@end table + +In addition to buffers mode, there is also Quick Buffers mode. In fact, +Quick Buffers is bound to the @kbd{b} key. The only difference between +Buffers and Quick Buffers is that after one operation is is performed +which effects the attached frame, the display is immediately reverted to +the last displayed mode. + +Thus, if you are in Files mode, and you need quick access to a buffer, +press @kbd{b}, click on the buffer you want, and speedbar will revert +back to Files mode. + +@node Minor Modes, Customizing, Buffer Mode, Top +@comment node-name, next, previous, up +@chapter Minor Display Modes +@cindex minor display modes + +For some buffers, a list of files and tags makes no sense. This could +be because files are not currently in reference (such as web pages), or +that the files you might be interested have special properties (such as +email folders.) + +In these cases, a minor display mode is needed. A minor display mode +will override any major display mode currently being displayed for the +duration of the specialized buffer's use. Minor display modes +will follow the general rules of their major counterparts in terms of +keybindings and visuals, but will have specialized behaviors. + +@menu +* RMAIL:: Managing folders in speedbar +* Info:: Browsing topics in speedbar +* GDB:: Managing the current stack trace in speedbar +@end menu + +@node RMAIL, Info, Minor Modes, Minor Modes +@comment node-name, next, previous, up +@section RMAIL +@cindex RMAIL + +When using RMAIL, speedbar will display two sections. The first is a +layer one reply button. Clicking here will initialize a reply buffer +showing only this email address in the @samp{To:} field. + +The second section lists all RMAIL folders in the same directory as your +main RMAIL folder. The general rule is that RMAIL folders always appear +in all caps, or numbers. It is possible to save mail in folders with +lower case letters, but there is no clean way detecting RMAIL folders +without opening them all. + +Each folder can be visited by clicking the name. You can move mail from +the current RMAIL folder into a different folder by clicking the +@samp{<M>} button. The M stands for Move. + +In this way you can manage your existing RMAIL folders fairly easily +using the mouse. + +@node Info, GDB, RMAIL, Minor Modes +@comment node-name, next, previous, up +@section Info +@cindex Info + +When browsing Info files, all local relevant information is displayed in +the info buffer and a topical high-level view is provided in speedbar. +All top-level info nodes are shown in the speedbar frame, and can be +jumped to by clicking the name. + +You can open these nodes with the @samp{[+]} button to see what sub-topics +are available. Since these sub-topics are not examined until you click +the @samp{[+]} button, sometimes a @samp{[?]} will appear when you click on +a @samp{[+]}, indicating that there are no sub-topics. + +@node GDB, , Info, Minor Modes +@comment node-name, next, previous, up +@section GDB +@cindex gdb +@cindex gud + +If you are debugging an application with GDB in emacs, speedbar can show +you the current stack when the current buffer is the @file{*gdb*} +buffer. Usually, it will just report that there is no stack, but when +the application is stopped, the current stack will be shown. + +You can click on any stack element and gdb will move to that stack +level. You can then check variables local to that level at the GDB +prompt. + +This mode has the unfortunate side-effect of breaking GDB's repeat +feature when you hit @kbd{RET} since your previous command is overridden +with a stack fetching command. + +@node Customizing, Extending, Minor Modes, Top +@comment node-name, next, previous, up +@chapter Customizing +@cindex customizing + +Speedbar is highly customizable, with a plethora of control elements. +Since speedbar is so visual and reduces so much information, this is an +important aspect of it's behavior. + +In general, there are three custom groups you can use to quickly modify +speedbar's behavior. + +@table @code +@item speedbar +Basic speedbar behaviors. +@item speedbar-vc +Customizations regarding version control handling. +@item speedbar-faces +Customize speedbar's many colors and fonts. +@end table + +@menu +* Frames and Faces:: Visible behaviors. +* Tag Hierarchy Methods:: Customizing how tags are displayed. +* Version Control:: Adding new VC detection modes. +* Hooks:: The many hooks you can use. +@end menu + +@node Frames and Faces, Tag Hierarchy Methods, Customizing, Customizing +@comment node-name, next, previous, up +@section Frames and Faces +@cindex faces +@cindex frame parameters + +There are several faces speedbar generates to provide a consistent +colorscheme across display types. You can customize these faces using +your favorite method. They are: + +@table @asis +@item speedbar-button-face +Faced used on expand/contract buttons. +@item speedbar-file-face +Face used on Files. Should also be used on non-directory like nodes. +@item speedbar-directory-face +Face used for directories, or nodes which consist of groups of other nodes. +@item speedbar-tag-face +Face used for tags in a file, or leaf items. +@item speedbar-selected-face +Face used to highlight the "selected" item. This would be the current +file being edited. +@item speedbar-highlight-face +Face used when the mouse passes over a button. +@end table + +You can also customize speedbar's initial frame parameters. How this is +accomplished is dependent on your platform being Emacs or XEmacs. + +In Emacs, change the alist @code{speedbar-frame-parameters}. This +variable is used to set up initial details. Height is also +automatically added when speedbar is created, though you can override +it. + +In XEmacs, change the plist @code{speedbar-frame-plist}. This is the +XEmacs way of doing the same thing. + +@node Tag Hierarchy Methods, Version Control, Frames and Faces, Customizing +@comment node-name, next, previous, up +@section Tag Hierarchy Methods +@cindex tag hierarchy +@cindex tag groups +@cindex tag sorting + +When listing tags within a file, it is possible to get an annoyingly +long list of entries. Imenu (which generates the tag list in Emacs) +will group some classes of items automatically. Even here, however, +some tag groups can be quite large. + +To solve this problem, tags can be grouped into logical units through a +hierarchy processor. The specific variable to use is +@code{speedbar-tag-hierarchy-method}. There are several methods that +can be applied in any order. they are: + +@table @code +@item speedbar-trim-words-tag-hierarchy +Find a common prefix for all elements of a group, and trim it off. +@item speedbar-prefix-group-tag-hierarchy +If a group is too large, place sets of tags into bins based on common +prefixes. +@item speedbar-simple-group-tag-hierarchy +Take all items in the top level list not in a group, and stick them into +a `Tags' group. +@item speedbar-sort-tag-hierarchy +Sort all items, leaving groups on top. +@end table + +You can also add your own functions to reorganize tags as you see fit. + +Some other control variables are: + +@table @code +@item speedbar-tag-group-name-minimum-length +Default Value: 4. + +The minimum length of a prefix group name before expanding. Thus, if +the @code{speedbar-tag-hierarchy-method} includes +@code{speedbar-prefix-group-tag-hierarchy} and one such group's common +characters is less than this number of characters, then the group name +will be changed to the form of: + +@example +worda to wordb +@end example + +instead of just + +@example +word +@end example + +This way we won't get silly looking listings. + +@item speedbar-tag-split-minimum-length +Default value: 20 + +Minimum length before we stop trying to create sub-lists in tags. +This is used by all tag-hierarchy methods that break large lists into +sub-lists. + +@item speedbar-tag-regroup-maximum-length +Default value: 10 + +Maximum length of submenus that are regrouped. +If the regrouping option is used, then if two or more short subgroups +are next to each other, then they are combined until this number of +items is reached. + +@end table + +@node Version Control, Hooks, Tag Hierarchy Methods, Customizing +@comment node-name, next, previous, up +@section Version Control +@cindex version control +@cindex vc extensions + +When using the Files mode in speedbar, information regarding a version +control system adds small details to the display. If a file is in a +version control system, and is "checked out", or "locked" locally, an +asterisk @asis{*} is placed at the end of the file name. In addition, +the directory name for Version Control systems are left out of the +speedbar display. + +You can easily add new version control systems into speedbar's detection +scheme. To make a directory "disappear" from the list, use the variable +@code{speedbar-directory-unshown-regexp}. + +Next, you need to write entries for two hooks. The first is +@code{speedbar-vc-path-enable-hook} which will enable a VC check in the +current directory for the group of files being checked. Your hook +function should take one parameter (the directory to check) and return +@code{t} if your VC method is in control here. + +The second function is @code{speedbar-vc-in-control-hook}. This hook +takes two parameters. The @var{PATH} of the file to check, plus the +@var{FILE} name. Return @code{t} if you want to have the asterisk +placed near this file. + +Lastly, you can change the VC indicator using the variable +@code{speedbar-vc-indicator}, and specify a single character string. + +@node Hooks, , Version Control, Customizing +@comment node-name, next, previous, up +@section Hooks + +There are several hooks in speedbar allowing custom behaviors to be +added. Available hooks are: + +@table @code +@item speedbar-visiting-file-hook +Hooks run when speedbar visits a file in the selected frame. +@item speedbar-visiting-tag-hook +Hooks run when speedbar visits a tag in the selected frame. +@item speedbar-load-hook +Hooks run when speedbar is loaded. +@item speedbar-reconfigure-keymaps-hook +Hooks run when the keymaps are regenerated. Keymaps are reconfigured +whenever modes change. This will let you add custom keybindings. +@item speedbar-before-popup-hook +Hooks called before popping up the speedbar frame. +New frames are often popped up when "power clicking" on an item to view +it. +@item speedbar-before-delete-hook +Hooks called before deleting or hiding the speedbar frame. +@item speedbar-mode-hook +Hooks called after creating a speedbar buffer. +@item speedbar-timer-hook +Hooks called after running the speedbar timer function. +@item speedbar-scanner-reset-hook +Hook called whenever generic scanners are reset. +Set this to implement your own scanning / rescan safe functions with +state data. +@end table + +@node Extending, Index, Customizing, Top +@comment node-name, next, previous, up +@chapter Extending +@cindex extending + +Speedbar can run different types of Major display modes such as Files +@xref{File Mode}, and Buffers @xref{Buffer Mode}. It can also manage +different minor display modes for use with buffers handling specialized +data. + +These major and minor display modes are handled through an extension +system which permits specialized keymaps and menu extensions, in +addition to a unique rendering function. You can also specify a wide +range of tagging functions. The default uses @file{imenu}, but new +tagginging methods can be easilly added. In this chapter, you will +learn how to write your own major or minor display modes, and how to +create specialized tagging functions. + +@menu +* Minor Display Modes:: How to create a minor display mode. +* Major Display Modes:: How to create a major display mode. +* Tagging Extentions:: How to create your own tagging methods. +* Creating a display:: How to insert buttons and hierarchies. +@end menu + +@node Minor Display Modes, Major Display Modes, Extending, Extending +@section Minor Display Modes +@cindex create minor display mode + +A minor display mode is a mode useful when using a specific type of +buffer. This mode might not be useful for any other kind of data or +mode, or may just be more useful that a files or buffers based mode when +working with a specialized mode. + +Examples that already exist for speedbar include RMAIL, Info, and gdb. +These modes display information specific to the major mode shown in the +attached frame. + +To enable a minor display mode in your favorite Major mode, follow these +steps. The string @samp{<name>} is the name of the major mode being +augmented with speedbar. + +@enumerate +@item +Create the keymap variable @code{<name>-speedbar-key-map}. +@item +Create a function named whatever you like which assigns values into your +keymap. Use this command to create the keymap before assigning +bindings: +@example + (setq <name>-speedbar-key-map (speedbar-make-specialized-keymap)) +@end example +This function creates a special keymap for use in speedbar. +@item +Call your install function, or assign it to a hook like this: +@example +(if (featurep 'speedbar) + (<name>-install-speedbar-variables) + (add-hook 'speedbar-load-hook '<name>-install-speedbar-variables)) +@end example +@item +Create an easymenu compatible vector named @code{<name>-speedbar-menu-items}. +This will be spliced into speedbar's control menu. +@item +Create a function called @code{<name>-speedbar-buttons}. This function +should take one variable, which is the buffer for which it will create +buttons. At this time @code{(current-buffer)} will point to the +uncleared speedbar buffer. +@end enumerate + +When writing @code{<name>-speedbar-buttons}, the first thing you will +want to do is execute a check to see if you need to re-create your +display. If it needs to be cleared, you need to erase the speedbar +buffer yourself, and start drawing buttons. @xref{Creating a display}. + +@node Major Display Modes, Tagging Extentions, Minor Display Modes, Extending +@section Major Display Modes +@cindex create major display mode + +Creating a Major Display Mode for speedbar requires authoring a keymap, +an easy-menu segment, and writing several functions. These items can be +given any name, and are made the same way as in a minor display mode +@xref{Minor Display Modes}. Once this is done, these items need to be +registered. + +Because this setup activity may or may not have speedbar available when +it is being loaded, it is necessary to create an install function. This +function should create and initialize the keymap, and add your +expansions into the customization tables. + +When creating the keymap, use the function +@code{speedbar-make-specialized-keymap} instead of other keymap making +functions. This will provide you with the initial bindings needed. +Some common speedbar functions you might want to bind are: + +@table @code +@item speedbar-edit-line +Edit the item on the current line. +@item speedbar-expand-line +Expand the item under the cursor. +With universal argument @key{C-u}, flush cached data before expanding. +@item speedbar-contract-line +Contract the item under the cursor. +@end table + +These function require that function @code{speedbar-line-path} be +correctly overloaded to work. + +Next, register your extension like this; + +@example + (speedbar-add-expansion-list '("MyExtension" + MyExtension-speedbar-menu-items + MyExtension-speedbar-key-map + MyExtension-speedbar-buttons)) +@end example + +There are no limitations to the names you use. + +The first parameter is the string representing your display mode. +The second parameter is a variable name containing an easymenu compatible +menu definition. This will be stuck in the middle of speedbar's menu. +The third parameter is the variable name containing the keymap we +discussed earlier. +The last parameter is a function which draws buttons for your mode. +This function must take two parameters. The directory currently being +displayed, and the depth at which you should start rendering buttons. +The function will then draw (starting at the current cursor position) +any buttons deemed necessary based on the input parameters. +@xref{Creating a display}. + +Next, you need to register function overrides. This may look something +like this: + +@example +(speedbar-add-mode-functions-list + '("MYEXTENSION" + (speedbar-item-info . MyExtension-speedbar-item-info) + (speedbar-line-path . MyExtension-speedbar-line-path))) +@end example + +The first element in the list is the name of you extension. The second +is an alist of functions to overload. The function to overload is +first, followed by what you want called instead. + +For @code{speedbar-line-path} your function should take an optional DEPTH +parameter. This is the starting depth for heavily indented lines. If +it is not provided, you can derive it like this: + +@example +(save-match-data + (if (not depth) + (progn + (beginning-of-line) + (looking-at "^\\([0-9]+\\):") + (setq depth (string-to-int (match-string 1))))) +@end example + +where the depth is stored as invisible text at the beginning of each +line. + +The path returned should be the full path name of the file associated +with that line. If the cursor is on a tag, then the file containing +that tag should be returned. This is critical for built in file based +functions to work (meaning less code for you to write). If your display +does not deal in files, you do not need to overload this function. + +The function @code{speedbar-item-info}, however, is very likely to need +overloading. This function takes no parameters and must derive a text +summary to display in the minibuffer. + +There are several helper functions you can use if you are going to use +built in tagging. These functions can be @code{or}ed since each one +returns non-nil if it displays a message. They are: + +@table @code +@item speedbar-item-info-file-helper +This takes an optional FILENAME parameter. You can derive your own +filename, or it will derive it using a (possibly overloaded) function +@code{speedbar-line-file}. It shows details about a file. +@item speedbar-item-info-tag-helper +If the current line is a tag, then display information about that tag, +such as it's parent file, and location. +@end table + +Your custom function might look like this: + +(defun MyExtension-item-info () + "Display information about the current line." + (or (speedbar-item-info-tag-helper) + (message "Interesting detail."))) + +Once you have done all this, speedbar will show an entry in the +Displays menu declaring that your extension is available. + +@node Tagging Extentions, Creating a display, Major Display Modes, Extending +@section Tagging Extentions + +It is possible to create new methods for tagging files in speedbar. +To do this, you need two basic functions. One function will fetch the +tags from a buffer, and the second will insert them below the filename. + +@defun my-fetch-dynamic-tags file +Parse @var{file} for a list of tags. Return the list, or t if there was +an error. +@end defun + +The non-error return value can be anything, as long as it can be +inserted by it's paired function: + +@defun my-insert-tag-list level lst +Insert a list of tags @var{lst} started at indentation level +@var{level}. Creates buttons for each tag, and provides any other +display information requried. +@end defun + +It is often useful to use @code{speedbar-create-tag-hierarchy} on your +token list. See that functions documentation for details on what it +requires. + +Once these two functions are written, modify the variable +@code{speedbar-dynamic-tags-function-list} to include your parser at the +beginning, like this: + +@example +(add-to-list 'speedbar-dynamic-tags-function-list + '(my-fetch-dynamic-tags . my-insert-tag-list)) +@end example + +If your parser is only good for a few types of files, make sure that it +is either a buffer local modification, or that the tag generator returns +t for non valid buffers. + +@node Creating a display, , Tagging Extentions, Extending +@section Creating a display +@cindex creating a display + +Rendering a display in speedbar is completely flexible. When your +button function is called, @xref{Minor Display Modes}, @xref{Major +Display Modes}, you have control to @code{insert} anything you want. + +The conventions allow almost anything to be inserted, but several helper +functions are provided to make it easy to create the standardized +buttons. + +To understand the built in functions, each "button" in speedbar consists +of four important pieces of data. The text to be displayed, token +data to be associated with the text, a function to call, and some face to +display it in. + +When a function is provided, then that text becomes mouse activated, +meaning the mouse will highlight the text. + +Additionally, for data which can form deep trees, each line is given a +depth which indicates how far down the tree it is. This information is +stored in invisible text at the beginning of each line, and is used by +the navigation commands. + +@defun speedbar-insert-button text face mouse function @@optional token prevline +This function inserts one button into the current location. +@var{text} is the text to insert. @var{face} is the face in which it +will be displayed. @var{mouse} is the face to display over the text +when the mouse passes over it. @var{function} is called whenever the +user clicks on the text. + +The optional argument @var{token} is extra data to associated with the +text. Lastly @var{prevline} should be non-nil if you want this line to +appear directly after the last button which was created instead of on +the next line. +@end defun + +@defun speedbar-make-tag-line exp-button-type exp-button-char exp-button-function exp-button-data tag-button tag-button-function tag-button-data tag-button-face depth + +Create a tag line with @var{exp-button-type} for the small expansion +button. This is the button that expands or contracts a node (if +applicable), and @var{exp-button-char} the character in it (+, -, ?, +etc). @var{exp-button-function} is the function to call if it's clicked +on. Button types are @code{'bracket}, @code{'angle}, @code{'curly}, +@code{'expandtag}, @code{'statictag}, or nil. @var{exp-button-data} is +extra data attached to the text forming the expansion button. + +Next, @var{tag-button} is the text of the tag. +@var{tag-button-function} is the function to call if clicked on, and +@var{tag-button-data} is the data to attach to the text field (such a +tag positioning, etc). @var{tag-button-face} is a face used for this +type of tag. + +Lastly, @var{depth} shows the depth of expansion. + +This function assumes that the cursor is in the speedbar window at the +position to insert a new item, and that the new item will end with a CR +@end defun + +@defun speedbar-insert-generic-list level list expand-fun find-fun + +At @var{LEVEL}, (the current indentation level desired) insert a generic +multi-level alist @var{list}. Associations with lists get @samp{@{+@}} +tags (to expand into more nodes) and those with positions or other data +just get a > as the indicator. @samp{@{+@}} buttons will have the +function @var{expand-fun} and the token is the @code{cdr} list. The +token name will have the function @var{find-fun} and not token. + +Each element of the list can have one of these forms: +@table @code +@item ("name" . marker-or-number) +one tag at this level +@item ("name" ("name" . marker-or-number) ("name" . marker-or-number) ... ) +One group of tags +@item ("name" marker-or-number ("name" . marker-or-number) ... ) +One Group of tags where the group has a starting position +@end table + +When you use @code{speedbar-insert-generic-list}, there are some +variables you can set buffer-locally to change the behavior. The most +obvious is @code{speedbar-tag-hierarchy-method}. +@xref{Tag Hierarchy Methods}. + +@defvar speedbar-generic-list-group-expand-button-type +This is the button type used for groups of tags, weather expanded, +or added in via a hierarchy method. Two good values are +@code{'curly} and @code{'expandtag}. Curly is the default button, and +@code{'expandtag} is useful if the groups also has a position. +@end defvar + +@defvar speedbar-generic-list-tag-button-type +This is the button type used for a single tag. +Two good values are @code{nil} and @code{'statictag}. +@code{nil} is the default, and @code{'statictag} has the same width as +@code{'expandtag}. +@end defvar + +@end defun + +@node Index, , Extending, Top +@comment node-name, next, previous, up +@unnumbered Concept Index +@printindex cp + +@unnumbered Function Index +@printindex fn + +@bye +@c LocalWords: speedbar's xref Keybindings slowbar kbd subsubsection +@c LocalWords: keybindings