Mercurial > emacs
changeset 84294:acb87a4be931
Move here from ../../man
author | Glenn Morris <rgm@gnu.org> |
---|---|
date | Thu, 06 Sep 2007 04:59:45 +0000 |
parents | fce6d7e79f63 |
children | 948be7999464 |
files | doc/misc/eshell.texi |
diffstat | 1 files changed, 948 insertions(+), 0 deletions(-) [+] |
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--- /dev/null Thu Jan 01 00:00:00 1970 +0000 +++ b/doc/misc/eshell.texi Thu Sep 06 04:59:45 2007 +0000 @@ -0,0 +1,948 @@ +\input texinfo @c -*-texinfo-*- +@c %**start of header +@setfilename ../info/eshell +@settitle Eshell: The Emacs Shell +@synindex vr fn +@c %**end of header + +@copying +This manual is for Eshell, the Emacs shell. + +Copyright @copyright{} 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, +2005, 2006, 2007 Free Software Foundation, Inc. + +@quotation +Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this document +under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1.2 or +any later version published by the Free Software Foundation; with no +Invariant Sections, with the Front-Cover texts being ``A GNU +Manual'', and with the Back-Cover Texts as in (a) below. A copy of the +license is included in the section entitled ``GNU Free Documentation +License'' in the Emacs manual. + +(a) The FSF's Back-Cover Text is: ``You have freedom to copy and modify +this GNU Manual, like GNU software. Copies published by the Free +Software Foundation raise funds for GNU development.'' + +This document is part of a collection distributed under the GNU Free +Documentation License. If you want to distribute this document +separately from the collection, you can do so by adding a copy of the +license to the document, as described in section 6 of the license. +@end quotation +@end copying + +@dircategory Emacs +@direntry +* Eshell: (eshell). A command shell implemented in Emacs Lisp. +@end direntry + +@setchapternewpage on + +@titlepage +@sp 4 +@c The title is printed in a large font. +@center @titlefont{User's Guide} +@sp +@center @titlefont{to} +@sp +@center @titlefont{Eshell: The Emacs Shell} +@ignore +@sp 2 +@center release 2.4 +@c -release- +@end ignore +@sp 3 +@center John Wiegley +@c -date- + +@page +@vskip 0pt plus 1filll +@insertcopying +@end titlepage + +@contents + +@c ================================================================ +@c The real text starts here +@c ================================================================ + +@ifnottex +@node Top, What is Eshell?, (dir), (dir) +@top Eshell + +This manual documents Eshell, a shell-like command interpretor +implemented in Emacs Lisp. It invokes no external processes except for +those requested by the user. It is intended to be a functional +replacement for command shells such as @command{bash}, @command{zsh}, +@command{rc}, or @command{4dos}; since Emacs itself is capable of +handling the sort of tasks accomplished by those tools. +@c This manual is updated to release 2.4 of Eshell. +@end ifnottex + +@menu +* What is Eshell?:: A brief introduction to the Emacs Shell. +* Command basics:: The basics of command usage. +* Commands:: +* Arguments:: +* Input/Output:: +* Process control:: +* Extension modules:: +* Extras and Goodies:: +* Bugs and ideas:: Known problems, and future ideas. +* GNU Free Documentation License:: The license for this documentation. +* Concept Index:: +* Function and Variable Index:: +* Key Index:: +@end menu + +@node What is Eshell? +@chapter What is Eshell? +@cindex what is Eshell? +@cindex Eshell, what it is + +Eshell is a @dfn{command shell} written in Emacs Lisp. Everything it +does, it uses Emacs' facilities to do. This means that Eshell is as +portable as Emacs itself. It also means that cooperation with Lisp code +is natural and seamless. + +What is a command shell? To properly understand the role of a shell, +it's necessary to visualize what a computer does for you. Basically, a +computer is a tool; in order to use that tool, you must tell it what to +do---or give it ``commands.'' These commands take many forms, such as +clicking with a mouse on certain parts of the screen. But that is only +one form of command input. + +By far the most versatile way to express what you want the computer to +do is by using an abbreviated language called @dfn{script}. In +script, instead of telling the computer, ``list my files, please'', +one writes a standard abbreviated command word---@samp{ls}. Typing +@samp{ls} in a command shell is a script way of telling the computer +to list your files.@footnote{This is comparable to viewing the +contents of a folder using a graphical display.} + +The real flexibility of this approach is apparent only when you realize +that there are many, many different ways to list files. Perhaps you +want them sorted by name, sorted by date, in reverse order, or grouped +by type. Most graphical browsers have simple ways to express this. But +what about showing only a few files, or only files that meet a certain +criteria? In very complex and specific situations, the request becomes +too difficult to express using a mouse or pointing device. It is just +these kinds of requests that are easily solved using a command shell. + +For example, what if you want to list every Word file on your hard +drive, larger than 100 kilobytes in size, and which hasn't been looked +at in over six months? That is a good candidate list for deletion, when +you go to clean up your hard drive. But have you ever tried asking your +computer for such a list? There is no way to do it! At least, not +without using a command shell. + +The role of a command shell is to give you more control over what your +computer does for you. Not everyone needs this amount of control, and +it does come at a cost: Learning the necessary script commands to +express what you want done. A complicated query, such as the example +above, takes time to learn. But if you find yourself using your +computer frequently enough, it is more than worthwhile in the long run. +Any tool you use often deserves the time spent learning to master it. +@footnote{For the understandably curious, here is what that command +looks like: But don't let it fool you; once you know what's going on, +it's easier than it looks: @code{ls -lt **/*.doc(Lk+50aM+5)}.} + +@menu +* Contributors to Eshell:: People who have helped out! +@end menu + +@node Contributors to Eshell +@section Contributors to Eshell +@cindex contributors +@cindex authors + +Contributions to Eshell are welcome. I have limited time to work on +this project, but I will gladly add any code you contribute to me to +this package. + +The following persons have made contributions to Eshell. + +@itemize @bullet +@item +Eli Zaretskii made it possible for Eshell to run without requiring +asynchronous subprocess support. This is important for MS-DOS, which +does not have such support.@refill + +@item +Miles Bader contributed many fixes during the port to Emacs 21.@refill + +@item +Stefan Monnier fixed the things which bothered him, which of course made +things better for all.@refill + +@item +Gerd Moellmann also helped to contribute bug fixes during the initial +integration with Emacs 21.@refill + +@item +Alex Schroeder contributed code for interactively querying the user +before overwriting files.@refill + +@item +Sudish Joseph helped with some XEmacs compatibility issues.@refill +@end itemize + +Apart from these, a lot of people have sent suggestions, ideas, +requests, bug reports and encouragement. Thanks a lot! Without you +there would be no new releases of Eshell. + +@node Command basics +@chapter Basic overview + +A command shell is a means of entering verbally-formed commands. This +is really all that it does, and every feature described in this manual +is a means to that end. Therefore, it's important to take firm hold on +exactly what a command is, and how it fits in the overall picture of +things. + +@menu +* Commands verbs:: Commands always begin with a verb. +* Command arguments:: Some verbs require arguments. +@end menu + +@node Commands verbs +@section Commands verbs + +Commands are expressed using @dfn{script}, a special shorthand language +computers can understand with no trouble. Script is an extremely simple +language; oddly enough, this is what makes it look so complicated! +Whereas normal languages use a variety of embellishments, the form of a +script command is always: + +@example +@var{verb} [@var{arguments}] +@end example + +The verb expresses what you want your computer to do. There are a fixed +number of verbs, although this number is usually quite large. On the +author's computer, it reaches almost 1400 in number. But of course, +only a handful of these are really necessary. + +Sometimes, the verb is all that's written. A verb is always a single +word, usually related to the task it performs. @command{reboot} is a +good example. Entering that on GNU/Linux will reboot the +computer---assuming you have sufficient privileges. + +Other verbs require more information. These are usually very capable +verbs, and must be told specifically what to do. The extra information +is given in the form of @dfn{arguments}. For example, the +@command{echo} verb prints back whatever arguments you type. It +requires these arguments to know what to echo. A proper use of +@command{echo} looks like this: + +@example +echo This is an example of using echo! +@end example + +This script command causes the computer to echo back: ``This is an +example of using echo!'' + +Although command verbs are always simple words, like @command{reboot} or +@command{echo}, arguments may have a wide variety of forms. There are +textual arguments, numerical arguments---even Lisp arguments. +Distinguishing these different types of arguments requires special +typing, for the computer to know exactly what you mean. + +@node Command arguments +@section Command arguments + +Eshell recognizes several different kinds of command arguments: + +@enumerate +@item Strings (also called textual arguments) +@item Numbers (floating point or integer) +@item Lisp lists +@item Lisp symbols +@item Emacs buffers +@item Emacs process handles +@end enumerate + +Most users need to worry only about the first two. The third, Lisp lists, +occur very frequently, but almost always behind the scenes. + +Strings are the most common type of argument, and consist of nearly any +character. Special characters---those used by Eshell +specifically---must be preceded by a backslash (@samp{\}). When in doubt, it +is safe to add backslashes anywhere and everywhere. + +Here is a more complicated @command{echo} example: + +@example +echo A\ Multi-word\ Argument\ With\ A\ \$\ dollar +@end example + +Beyond this, things get a bit more complicated. While not beyond the +reach of someone wishing to learn, it is definitely beyond the scope of +this manual to present it all in a simplistic manner. Get comfortable +with Eshell as a basic command invocation tool, and learn more about the +commands on your system; then come back when it all sits more familiarly +on your mind. Have fun! + +@node Commands +@chapter Commands + +@menu +* Invocation:: +* Completion:: +* Aliases:: +* History:: +* Scripts:: +* Built-ins:: +@end menu + +Essentially, a command shell is all about invoking commands---and +everything that entails. So understanding how Eshell invokes commands +is the key to comprehending how it all works. + +@node Invocation +@section Invocation + +Unlike regular system shells, Eshell never invokes kernel functions +directly, such as @code{exec(3)}. Instead, it uses the Lisp functions +available in the Emacs Lisp library. It does this by transforming the +command you specify into a callable Lisp form.@footnote{To see the Lisp +form that will be invoked, type: @samp{eshell-parse-command "echo +hello"}} + +This transformation, from the string of text typed at the command +prompt, to the ultimate invocation of either a Lisp function or external +command, follows these steps: + +@enumerate +@item Parse the command string into separate arguments. +@item +@end enumerate + +@node Completion +@section Completion + +@node Aliases +@section Aliases + +@node History +@section History + +Eshell knows a few built-in variables: + +@table @code + +@item $+ +@vindex $+ +This variable always contains the current working directory. + +@item $- +@vindex $- +This variable always contains the previous working directory (the +current working directory from before the last @code{cd} command). + +@end table + +@node Scripts +@section Scripts + + +@node Built-ins +@section Built-in commands + +Here is a list of built-in commands that Eshell knows about: + +@table @code + +@item cd +@findex cd +This command changes the current working directory. Usually, it is +invoked as @samp{cd foo} where @file{foo} is the new working +directory. But @code{cd} knows about a few special arguments: + +When it receives no argument at all, it changes to the home directory. + +Giving the command @samp{cd -} changes back to the previous working +directory (this is the same as @samp{cd $-}). + +The command @samp{cd =} shows the directory stack. Each line is +numbered. + +With @samp{cd =foo}, Eshell searches the directory stack for a +directory matching the regular expression @samp{foo} and changes to +that directory. + +With @samp{cd -42}, you can access the directory stack by number. + +@end table + + +@node Arguments +@chapter Arguments + +@menu +* The Parser:: +* Variables:: +* Substitution:: +* Globbing:: +* Predicates:: +@end menu + +@node The Parser +@section The Parser + +@node Variables +@section Variables + +@node Substitution +@section Substitution + +@node Globbing +@section Globbing + +@node Predicates +@section Predicates + + +@node Input/Output +@chapter Input/Output + +@node Process control +@chapter Process control + + +@node Extension modules +@chapter Extension modules + +@menu +* Writing a module:: +* Module testing:: +* Directory handling:: +* Key rebinding:: +* Smart scrolling:: +* Terminal emulation:: +* Built-in UNIX commands:: +@end menu + +@node Writing a module +@section Writing a module + +@node Module testing +@section Module testing + +@node Directory handling +@section Directory handling + +@node Key rebinding +@section Key rebinding + +@node Smart scrolling +@section Smart scrolling + +@node Terminal emulation +@section Terminal emulation + +@node Built-in UNIX commands +@section Built-in UNIX commands + + +@node Extras and Goodies +@chapter Extras and Goodies + +@node Bugs and ideas +@chapter Bugs and ideas +@cindex reporting bugs and ideas +@cindex bugs, how to report them +@cindex author, how to reach +@cindex email to the author +@cindex FAQ +@cindex problems, list of common + +If you find a bug or misfeature, don't hesitate to let me know! Send +email to @email{johnw@@gnu.org}. Feature requests should also be sent +there. I prefer discussing one thing at a time. If you find several +unrelated bugs, please report them separately. + +If you have ideas for improvements, or if you have written some +extensions to this package, I would like to hear from you. I hope you +find this package useful! + +@menu +* Known problems:: +@end menu + +@node Known problems +@section Known problems +@cindex known bugs +@cindex bugs, known + +Below is complete list of known problems with Eshell version 2.4.2, +which is the version included with Emacs 22. + +@table @asis +@item Documentation incomplete + +@item Differentiate between aliases and functions + +Allow for a bash-compatible syntax, such as: + +@example +alias arg=blah +function arg () @{ blah $* @} +@end example + +@item @samp{for i in 1 2 3 @{ grep -q a b && *echo has it @} | wc -l} outputs result after prompt + +In fact, piping to a process from a looping construct doesn't work in +general. If I change the call to @code{eshell-copy-handles} in +@code{eshell-rewrite-for-command} to use @code{eshell-protect}, it seems +to work, but the output occurs after the prompt is displayed. The whole +structured command thing is too complicated at present. + +@item Error with @command{bc} in @code{eshell-test} + +On some XEmacs system, the subprocess interaction test fails +inexplicably, although @command{bc} works fine at the command prompt. + +@item Eshell does not delete @file{*Help*} buffers in XEmacs 21.1.8+ + +In XEmacs 21.1.8, the @file{*Help*} buffer has been renamed such that +multiple instances of the @file{*Help*} buffer can exist. + +@item Pcomplete sometimes gets stuck + +You press @key{TAB}, but no completions appear, even though the +directory has matching files. This behavior is rare. + +@item @samp{grep python $<rpm -qa>} doesn't work, but using @samp{*grep} does + +This happens because the @code{grep} Lisp function returns immediately, +and then the asynchronous @command{grep} process expects to examine the +temporary file, which has since been deleted. + +@item Problem with C-r repeating text + +If the text @emph{before point} reads "./run", and you type @kbd{C-r r u +n}, it will repeat the line for every character typed. + +@item Backspace doesn't scroll back after continuing (in smart mode) + +Hitting space during a process invocation, such as @command{make}, will +cause it to track the bottom of the output; but backspace no longer +scrolls back. + +@item It's not possible to fully @code{unload-feature} Eshell + +@item Menu support was removed, but never put back + +@item Using C-p and C-n with rebind gets into a locked state + +This happened a few times in Emacs 21, but has been unreproducible +since. + +@item If an interactive process is currently running, @kbd{M-!} doesn't work + +@item Use a timer instead of @code{sleep-for} when killing child processes + +@item Piping to a Lisp function is not supported + +Make it so that the Lisp command on the right of the pipe is repeatedly +called with the input strings as arguments. This will require changing +@code{eshell-do-pipeline} to handle non-process targets. + +@item Input redirection is not supported + +See the above entry. + +@item Problem running @command{less} without arguments on Windows + +The result in the Eshell buffer is: + +@example +Spawning child process: invalid argument +@end example + +Also a new @command{less} buffer was created with nothing in it@dots{} +(presumably this holds the output of @command{less}). + +If @command{less.exe} is invoked from the Eshell command line, the +expected output is written to the buffer. + +Note that this happens on NT-Emacs 20.6.1 on Windows 2000. The term.el +package and the supplied shell both use the @command{cmdproxy} program +for running shells. + +@item Implement @samp{-r}, @samp{-n} and @samp{-s} switches for @command{cp} + +@item Make @kbd{M-5 M-x eshell} switch to ``*eshell<5>*'', creating if need be + +@item @samp{mv @var{dir} @var{file}.tar} does not remove directories + +This is because the tar option --remove-files doesn't do so. Should it +be Eshell's job? + +@item Bind @code{standard-output} and @code{standard-error} + +This would be so that if a Lisp function calls @code{print}, everything +will happen as it should (albeit slowly). + +@item When an extension module fails to load, @samp{cd /} gives a Lisp error + +@item If a globbing pattern returns one match, should it be a list? + +@item Make sure syntax table is correct in Eshell mode + +So that @kbd{M-DEL} acts in a predictable manner, etc. + +@item Allow all Eshell buffers to share the same history and list-dir + +@item There is a problem with script commands that output to @file{/dev/null} + +If a script file, somewhere in the middle, uses @samp{> /dev/null}, +output from all subsequent commands is swallowed. + +@item Split up parsing of text after @samp{$} in @file{esh-var.el} + +Make it similar to the way that @file{esh-arg.el} is structured. +Then add parsing of @samp{$[?\n]}. + +@item After pressing @kbd{M-RET}, redisplay before running the next command + +@item Argument predicates and modifiers should work anywhere in a path + +@example +/usr/local/src/editors/vim $ vi **/CVS(/)/Root(.) +Invalid regexp: "Unmatched ( or \\(" +@end example + +With @command{zsh}, the glob above expands to all files named +@file{Root} in directories named @file{CVS}. + +@item Typing @samp{echo $@{locate locate@}/bin<TAB>} results in a Lisp error + +Perhaps it should interpolate all permutations, and make that the +globbing result, since otherwise hitting return here will result in +``(list of filenames)/bin'', which is never valuable. Thus, one could +@command{cat} only C backup files by using @samp{ls $@{identity *.c@}~}. +In that case, having an alias command name @command{glob} for +@command{identity} would be useful. + +@item Once symbolic mode is supported for @command{umask}, implement @command{chmod} in Lisp + +@item Create @code{eshell-expand-file-name} + +This would use a data table to transform things such as @samp{~+}, +@samp{...}, etc. + +@item Abstract @file{em-smart.el} into @file{smart-scroll.el} + +It only really needs: to be hooked onto the output filter and the +pre-command hook, and to have the input-end and input-start markers. +And to know whether the last output group was ``successful.'' + +@item Allow for fully persisting the state of Eshell + +This would include: variables, history, buffer, input, dir stack, etc. + +@item Implement D as an argument predicate + +It means that files beginning with a dot should be included in the +glob match. + +@item A comma in a predicate list should mean OR + +At the moment, this is not supported. + +@item Error if a glob doesn't expand due to a predicate + +An error should be generated only if @code{eshell-error-if-no-glob} is +non-@code{nil}. + +@item @samp{(+ RET SPC TAB} does not cause @code{indent-according-to-mode} to occur + +@item Create @code{eshell-auto-accumulate-list} + +This is a list of commands for which, if the user presses @kbd{RET}, the +text is staged as the next Eshell command, rather than being sent to the +current interactive process. + +@item Display file and line number if an error occurs in a script + +@item @command{wait} doesn't work with process ids at the moment + +@item Enable the direct-to-process input code in @file{em-term.el} + +@item Problem with repeating @samp{echo $@{find /tmp@}} + +With smart display active, if @kbd{RET} is held down, after a while it +can't keep up anymore and starts outputting blank lines. It only +happens if an asynchronous process is involved@dots{} + +I think the problem is that @code{eshell-send-input} is resetting the +input target location, so that if the asynchronous process is not done +by the time the next @kbd{RET} is received, the input processor thinks +that the input is meant for the process; which, when smart display is +enabled, will be the text of the last command line! That is a bug in +itself. + +In holding down @kbd{RET} while an asynchronous process is running, +there will be a point in between termination of the process, and the +running of @code{eshell-post-command-hook}, which would cause +@code{eshell-send-input} to call @code{eshell-copy-old-input}, and then +process that text as a command to be run after the process. Perhaps +there should be a way of killing pending input between the death of the +process, and the @code{post-command-hook}. + +@item Allow for a more aggressive smart display mode + +Perhaps toggled by a command, that makes each output block a smart +display block. + +@item Create more meta variables + +@table @samp +@item $! +The reason for the failure of the last disk command, or the text of the +last Lisp error. + +@item $= +A special associate array, which can take references of the form +@samp{$=[REGEXP]}. It indexes into the directory ring. +@end table + +@item Eshell scripts can't execute in the background + +@item Support zsh's ``Parameter Expansion'' syntax, i.e. @samp{$@{@var{name}:-@var{val}@}} + +@item Write an @command{info} alias that can take arguments + +So that the user can enter @samp{info chmod}, for example. + +@item Create a mode @code{eshell-browse} + +It would treat the Eshell buffer as a outline. Collapsing the outline +hides all of the output text. Collapsing again would show only the +first command run in each directory + +@item Allow other revisions of a file to be referenced using @samp{file@{rev@}} + +This would be expanded by @code{eshell-expand-file-name} (see above). + +@item Print ``You have new mail'' when the ``Mail'' icon is turned on + +@item Implement @kbd{M-|} for Eshell + +@item Implement input redirection + +If it's a Lisp function, input redirection implies @command{xargs} (in a +way@dots{}). If input redirection is added, also update the +@code{file-name-quote-list}, and the delimiter list. + +@item Allow @samp{#<@var{word} @var{arg}>} as a generic syntax + +With the handling of @emph{word} specified by an +@code{eshell-special-alist}. + +@item In @code{eshell-veal-using-options}, allow a @code{:complete} tag + +It would be used to provide completion rules for that command. Then the +macro will automagically define the completion function. + +@item For @code{eshell-command-on-region}, apply redirections to the result + +So that @samp{+ > 'blah} would cause the result of the @code{+} (using +input from the current region) to be inserting into the symbol +@code{blah}. + +If an external command is being invoked, the input is sent as standard +input, as if a @samp{cat <region> |} had been invoked. + +If a Lisp command, or an alias, is invoked, then if the line has no +newline characters, it is divided by whitespace and passed as arguments +to the Lisp function. Otherwise, it is divided at the newline +characters. Thus, invoking @code{+} on a series of numbers will add +them; @code{min} would display the smallest figure, etc. + +@item Write @code{eshell-script-mode} as a minor mode + +It would provide syntax, abbrev, highlighting and indenting support like +@code{emacs-lisp-mode} and @code{shell-mode}. + +@item In the history mechanism, finish the @command{bash}-style support + +This means @samp{!n}, @samp{!#}, @samp{!:%}, and @samp{!:1-} as separate +from @samp{!:1*}. + +@item Support the -n command line option for @command{history} + +@item Implement @command{fc} in Lisp + +@item Specifying a frame as a redirection target should imply the currently active window's buffer + +@item Implement @samp{>@var{func-or-func-list}} + +This would allow for an ``output translators'', that take a function to +modify output with, and a target. Devise a syntax that works well with +pipes, and can accommodate multiple functions (i.e., @samp{>'(upcase +regexp-quote)} or @samp{>'upcase}). + +@item Allow Eshell to read/write to/from standard input and output + +This would be optional, rather than always using the Eshell buffer. +This would allow it to be run from the command line (perhaps). + +@item Write a @command{help} command + +It would call subcommands with @option{--help}, or @option{-h} or +@option{/?}, as appropriate. + +@item Implement @command{stty} in Lisp + +@item Support @command{rc}'s matching operator, e.g. @samp{~ (@var{list}) @var{regexp}} + +@item Implement @command{bg} and @command{fg} as editors of @code{eshell-process-list} + +Using @command{bg} on a process that is already in the background does +nothing. Specifying redirection targets replaces (or adds) to the list +current being used. + +@item Have @command{jobs} print only the processes for the current shell + +@item How can Eshell learn if a background process has requested input? + +@item Support @samp{2>&1} and @samp{>&} and @samp{2>} and @samp{|&} + +The syntax table for parsing these should be customizable, such that the +user could change it to use rc syntax: @samp{>[2=1]}. + +@item Allow @samp{$_[-1]}, which would indicate the last element of the array + +@item Make @samp{$x[*]} equal to listing out the full contents of @samp{x} + +Return them as a list, so that @samp{$_[*]} is all the arguments of the +last command. + +@item Copy ANSI code handling from @file{term.el} into @file{em-term.el} + +Make it possible for the user to send char-by-char to the underlying +process. Ultimately, I should be able to move away from using term.el +altogether, since everything but the ANSI code handling is already part +of Eshell. Then, things would work correctly on MS-Windows as well +(which doesn't have @file{/bin/sh}, although @file{term.el} tries to use +it). + +@item Make the shell spawning commands be visual + +That is, make (@command{su}, @command{bash}, @command{telnet}, +@command{rlogin}, @command{rsh}, etc.) be part of +@code{eshell-visual-commands}. The only exception is if the shell is +being used to invoke a single command. Then, the behavior should be +based on what that command is. + +@item Create a smart viewing command named @command{open} + +This would search for some way to open its argument (similar to opening +a file in the Windows Explorer). + +@item Alias @command{read} to be the same as @command{open}, only read-only + +@item Write a @command{tail} command which uses @code{view-file} + +It would move point to the end of the buffer, and then turns on +auto-revert mode in that buffer at frequent intervals---and a +@command{head} alias which assumes an upper limit of +@code{eshell-maximum-line-length} characters per line. + +@item Make @command{dgrep} load @code{dired}, mark everything, then invoke @code{dired-do-search} + +@item Write mesh.c + +This would run Emacs with the appropriate arguments to invoke Eshell +only. That way, it could be listed as a login shell. + +@item Use an intangible @code{PS2} string for multi-line input prompts + +@item Auto-detect when a command is visual, by checking @code{TERMCAP} usage + +@item The first keypress after @kbd{M-x watson} triggers `eshell-send-input' + +@item Make @kbd{/} electric + +So that it automatically expands and corrects pathnames. Or make +pathname completion for Pcomplete auto-expand @samp{/u/i/std<TAB>} to +@samp{/usr/include/std<TAB>}. + +@item Write the @command{pushd} stack to disk along with @code{last-dir-ring} + +@item Add options to @code{eshell/cat} which would allow it to sort and uniq + +@item Implement @command{wc} in Lisp + +Add support for counting sentences, paragraphs, pages, etc. + +@item Once piping is added, implement @command{sort} and @command{uniq} in Lisp + +@item Implement @command{touch} in Lisp + +@item Implement @command{comm} in Lisp + +@item Implement an @command{epatch} command in Lisp + +This would call @code{ediff-patch-file}, or @code{ediff-patch-buffer}, +depending on its argument. + +@item Have an option such that @samp{ls -l} generates a dired buffer + +@item Write a version of @command{xargs} based on command rewriting + +That is, @samp{find X | xargs Y} would be indicated using @samp{Y +$@{find X@}}. Maybe @code{eshell-do-pipelines} could be changed to +perform this on-thy-fly rewriting. + +@item Write an alias for @command{less} that brings up a @code{view-mode} buffer + +Such that the user can press @key{SPC} and @key{DEL}, and then @key{q} +to return to Eshell. It would be equivalent to: +@samp{X > #<buffer Y>; view-buffer #<buffer Y>}. + +@item Make @code{eshell-mode} as much a full citizen as @code{shell-mode} + +Everywhere in Emacs where @code{shell-mode} is specially noticed, add +@code{eshell-mode} there. + +@item Permit the umask to be selectively set on a @command{cp} target + +@item Problem using @kbd{M-x eshell} after using @code{eshell-command} + +If the first thing that I do after entering Emacs is to run +@code{eshell-command} and invoke @command{ls}, and then use @kbd{M-x +eshell}, it doesn't display anything. + +@item @kbd{M-RET} during a long command (using smart display) doesn't work + +Since it keeps the cursor up where the command was invoked. + +@end table + +@node GNU Free Documentation License +@appendix GNU Free Documentation License +@include doclicense.texi + +@node Concept Index +@unnumbered Concept Index + +@printindex cp + +@node Function and Variable Index +@unnumbered Function and Variable Index + +@printindex fn + +@node Key Index +@unnumbered Key Index + +@printindex ky +@bye + +@ignore + arch-tag: 776409ba-cb15-42b9-b2b6-d2bdc7ebad01 +@end ignore