Mercurial > emacs
changeset 83997:efcc225bf63c
Move to ../doc/lispref
author | Glenn Morris <rgm@gnu.org> |
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date | Thu, 06 Sep 2007 04:11:24 +0000 |
parents | b47efe8bdfec |
children | 6b812ccc5fb4 |
files | lispref/functions.texi |
diffstat | 1 files changed, 0 insertions(+), 1374 deletions(-) [+] |
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--- a/lispref/functions.texi Thu Sep 06 04:11:19 2007 +0000 +++ /dev/null Thu Jan 01 00:00:00 1970 +0000 @@ -1,1374 +0,0 @@ -@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 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 Free Software Foundation, Inc. -@c See the file elisp.texi for copying conditions. -@setfilename ../info/functions -@node Functions, Macros, Variables, Top -@chapter Functions - - A Lisp program is composed mainly of Lisp functions. This chapter -explains what functions are, how they accept arguments, and how to -define them. - -@menu -* What Is a Function:: Lisp functions vs. primitives; terminology. -* Lambda Expressions:: How functions are expressed as Lisp objects. -* Function Names:: A symbol can serve as the name of a function. -* Defining Functions:: Lisp expressions for defining functions. -* Calling Functions:: How to use an existing function. -* Mapping Functions:: Applying a function to each element of a list, etc. -* Anonymous Functions:: Lambda expressions are functions with no names. -* Function Cells:: Accessing or setting the function definition - of a symbol. -* Obsolete Functions:: Declaring functions obsolete. -* Inline Functions:: Defining functions that the compiler will open code. -* Function Safety:: Determining whether a function is safe to call. -* Related Topics:: Cross-references to specific Lisp primitives - that have a special bearing on how functions work. -@end menu - -@node What Is a Function -@section What Is a Function? - - In a general sense, a function is a rule for carrying on a computation -given several values called @dfn{arguments}. The result of the -computation is called the value of the function. The computation can -also have side effects: lasting changes in the values of variables or -the contents of data structures. - - Here are important terms for functions in Emacs Lisp and for other -function-like objects. - -@table @dfn -@item function -@cindex function -In Emacs Lisp, a @dfn{function} is anything that can be applied to -arguments in a Lisp program. In some cases, we use it more -specifically to mean a function written in Lisp. Special forms and -macros are not functions. - -@item primitive -@cindex primitive -@cindex subr -@cindex built-in function -A @dfn{primitive} is a function callable from Lisp that is written in C, -such as @code{car} or @code{append}. These functions are also called -@dfn{built-in functions}, or @dfn{subrs}. (Special forms are also -considered primitives.) - -Usually the reason we implement a function as a primitive is either -because it is fundamental, because it provides a low-level interface -to operating system services, or because it needs to run fast. -Primitives can be modified or added only by changing the C sources and -recompiling the editor. See @ref{Writing Emacs Primitives}. - -@item lambda expression -A @dfn{lambda expression} is a function written in Lisp. -These are described in the following section. -@ifnottex -@xref{Lambda Expressions}. -@end ifnottex - -@item special form -A @dfn{special form} is a primitive that is like a function but does not -evaluate all of its arguments in the usual way. It may evaluate only -some of the arguments, or may evaluate them in an unusual order, or -several times. Many special forms are described in @ref{Control -Structures}. - -@item macro -@cindex macro -A @dfn{macro} is a construct defined in Lisp by the programmer. It -differs from a function in that it translates a Lisp expression that you -write into an equivalent expression to be evaluated instead of the -original expression. Macros enable Lisp programmers to do the sorts of -things that special forms can do. @xref{Macros}, for how to define and -use macros. - -@item command -@cindex command -A @dfn{command} is an object that @code{command-execute} can invoke; it -is a possible definition for a key sequence. Some functions are -commands; a function written in Lisp is a command if it contains an -interactive declaration (@pxref{Defining Commands}). Such a function -can be called from Lisp expressions like other functions; in this case, -the fact that the function is a command makes no difference. - -Keyboard macros (strings and vectors) are commands also, even though -they are not functions. A symbol is a command if its function -definition is a command; such symbols can be invoked with @kbd{M-x}. -The symbol is a function as well if the definition is a function. -@xref{Interactive Call}. - -@item keystroke command -@cindex keystroke command -A @dfn{keystroke command} is a command that is bound to a key sequence -(typically one to three keystrokes). The distinction is made here -merely to avoid confusion with the meaning of ``command'' in non-Emacs -editors; for Lisp programs, the distinction is normally unimportant. - -@item byte-code function -A @dfn{byte-code function} is a function that has been compiled by the -byte compiler. @xref{Byte-Code Type}. -@end table - -@defun functionp object -This function returns @code{t} if @var{object} is any kind of -function, or a special form, or, recursively, a symbol whose function -definition is a function or special form. (This does not include -macros.) -@end defun - -Unlike @code{functionp}, the next three functions do @emph{not} -treat a symbol as its function definition. - -@defun subrp object -This function returns @code{t} if @var{object} is a built-in function -(i.e., a Lisp primitive). - -@example -@group -(subrp 'message) ; @r{@code{message} is a symbol,} - @result{} nil ; @r{not a subr object.} -@end group -@group -(subrp (symbol-function 'message)) - @result{} t -@end group -@end example -@end defun - -@defun byte-code-function-p object -This function returns @code{t} if @var{object} is a byte-code -function. For example: - -@example -@group -(byte-code-function-p (symbol-function 'next-line)) - @result{} t -@end group -@end example -@end defun - -@defun subr-arity subr -This function provides information about the argument list of a -primitive, @var{subr}. The returned value is a pair -@code{(@var{min} . @var{max})}. @var{min} is the minimum number of -args. @var{max} is the maximum number or the symbol @code{many}, for a -function with @code{&rest} arguments, or the symbol @code{unevalled} if -@var{subr} is a special form. -@end defun - -@node Lambda Expressions -@section Lambda Expressions -@cindex lambda expression - - A function written in Lisp is a list that looks like this: - -@example -(lambda (@var{arg-variables}@dots{}) - @r{[}@var{documentation-string}@r{]} - @r{[}@var{interactive-declaration}@r{]} - @var{body-forms}@dots{}) -@end example - -@noindent -Such a list is called a @dfn{lambda expression}. In Emacs Lisp, it -actually is valid as an expression---it evaluates to itself. In some -other Lisp dialects, a lambda expression is not a valid expression at -all. In either case, its main use is not to be evaluated as an -expression, but to be called as a function. - -@menu -* Lambda Components:: The parts of a lambda expression. -* Simple Lambda:: A simple example. -* Argument List:: Details and special features of argument lists. -* Function Documentation:: How to put documentation in a function. -@end menu - -@node Lambda Components -@subsection Components of a Lambda Expression - -@ifnottex - - A function written in Lisp (a ``lambda expression'') is a list that -looks like this: - -@example -(lambda (@var{arg-variables}@dots{}) - [@var{documentation-string}] - [@var{interactive-declaration}] - @var{body-forms}@dots{}) -@end example -@end ifnottex - -@cindex lambda list - The first element of a lambda expression is always the symbol -@code{lambda}. This indicates that the list represents a function. The -reason functions are defined to start with @code{lambda} is so that -other lists, intended for other uses, will not accidentally be valid as -functions. - - The second element is a list of symbols---the argument variable names. -This is called the @dfn{lambda list}. When a Lisp function is called, -the argument values are matched up against the variables in the lambda -list, which are given local bindings with the values provided. -@xref{Local Variables}. - - The documentation string is a Lisp string object placed within the -function definition to describe the function for the Emacs help -facilities. @xref{Function Documentation}. - - The interactive declaration is a list of the form @code{(interactive -@var{code-string})}. This declares how to provide arguments if the -function is used interactively. Functions with this declaration are called -@dfn{commands}; they can be called using @kbd{M-x} or bound to a key. -Functions not intended to be called in this way should not have interactive -declarations. @xref{Defining Commands}, for how to write an interactive -declaration. - -@cindex body of function - The rest of the elements are the @dfn{body} of the function: the Lisp -code to do the work of the function (or, as a Lisp programmer would say, -``a list of Lisp forms to evaluate''). The value returned by the -function is the value returned by the last element of the body. - -@node Simple Lambda -@subsection A Simple Lambda-Expression Example - - Consider for example the following function: - -@example -(lambda (a b c) (+ a b c)) -@end example - -@noindent -We can call this function by writing it as the @sc{car} of an -expression, like this: - -@example -@group -((lambda (a b c) (+ a b c)) - 1 2 3) -@end group -@end example - -@noindent -This call evaluates the body of the lambda expression with the variable -@code{a} bound to 1, @code{b} bound to 2, and @code{c} bound to 3. -Evaluation of the body adds these three numbers, producing the result 6; -therefore, this call to the function returns the value 6. - - Note that the arguments can be the results of other function calls, as in -this example: - -@example -@group -((lambda (a b c) (+ a b c)) - 1 (* 2 3) (- 5 4)) -@end group -@end example - -@noindent -This evaluates the arguments @code{1}, @code{(* 2 3)}, and @code{(- 5 -4)} from left to right. Then it applies the lambda expression to the -argument values 1, 6 and 1 to produce the value 8. - - It is not often useful to write a lambda expression as the @sc{car} of -a form in this way. You can get the same result, of making local -variables and giving them values, using the special form @code{let} -(@pxref{Local Variables}). And @code{let} is clearer and easier to use. -In practice, lambda expressions are either stored as the function -definitions of symbols, to produce named functions, or passed as -arguments to other functions (@pxref{Anonymous Functions}). - - However, calls to explicit lambda expressions were very useful in the -old days of Lisp, before the special form @code{let} was invented. At -that time, they were the only way to bind and initialize local -variables. - -@node Argument List -@subsection Other Features of Argument Lists -@kindex wrong-number-of-arguments -@cindex argument binding -@cindex binding arguments -@cindex argument lists, features - - Our simple sample function, @code{(lambda (a b c) (+ a b c))}, -specifies three argument variables, so it must be called with three -arguments: if you try to call it with only two arguments or four -arguments, you get a @code{wrong-number-of-arguments} error. - - It is often convenient to write a function that allows certain -arguments to be omitted. For example, the function @code{substring} -accepts three arguments---a string, the start index and the end -index---but the third argument defaults to the @var{length} of the -string if you omit it. It is also convenient for certain functions to -accept an indefinite number of arguments, as the functions @code{list} -and @code{+} do. - -@cindex optional arguments -@cindex rest arguments -@kindex &optional -@kindex &rest - To specify optional arguments that may be omitted when a function -is called, simply include the keyword @code{&optional} before the optional -arguments. To specify a list of zero or more extra arguments, include the -keyword @code{&rest} before one final argument. - - Thus, the complete syntax for an argument list is as follows: - -@example -@group -(@var{required-vars}@dots{} - @r{[}&optional @var{optional-vars}@dots{}@r{]} - @r{[}&rest @var{rest-var}@r{]}) -@end group -@end example - -@noindent -The square brackets indicate that the @code{&optional} and @code{&rest} -clauses, and the variables that follow them, are optional. - - A call to the function requires one actual argument for each of the -@var{required-vars}. There may be actual arguments for zero or more of -the @var{optional-vars}, and there cannot be any actual arguments beyond -that unless the lambda list uses @code{&rest}. In that case, there may -be any number of extra actual arguments. - - If actual arguments for the optional and rest variables are omitted, -then they always default to @code{nil}. There is no way for the -function to distinguish between an explicit argument of @code{nil} and -an omitted argument. However, the body of the function is free to -consider @code{nil} an abbreviation for some other meaningful value. -This is what @code{substring} does; @code{nil} as the third argument to -@code{substring} means to use the length of the string supplied. - -@cindex CL note---default optional arg -@quotation -@b{Common Lisp note:} Common Lisp allows the function to specify what -default value to use when an optional argument is omitted; Emacs Lisp -always uses @code{nil}. Emacs Lisp does not support ``supplied-p'' -variables that tell you whether an argument was explicitly passed. -@end quotation - - For example, an argument list that looks like this: - -@example -(a b &optional c d &rest e) -@end example - -@noindent -binds @code{a} and @code{b} to the first two actual arguments, which are -required. If one or two more arguments are provided, @code{c} and -@code{d} are bound to them respectively; any arguments after the first -four are collected into a list and @code{e} is bound to that list. If -there are only two arguments, @code{c} is @code{nil}; if two or three -arguments, @code{d} is @code{nil}; if four arguments or fewer, @code{e} -is @code{nil}. - - There is no way to have required arguments following optional -ones---it would not make sense. To see why this must be so, suppose -that @code{c} in the example were optional and @code{d} were required. -Suppose three actual arguments are given; which variable would the -third argument be for? Would it be used for the @var{c}, or for -@var{d}? One can argue for both possibilities. Similarly, it makes -no sense to have any more arguments (either required or optional) -after a @code{&rest} argument. - - Here are some examples of argument lists and proper calls: - -@smallexample -((lambda (n) (1+ n)) ; @r{One required:} - 1) ; @r{requires exactly one argument.} - @result{} 2 -((lambda (n &optional n1) ; @r{One required and one optional:} - (if n1 (+ n n1) (1+ n))) ; @r{1 or 2 arguments.} - 1 2) - @result{} 3 -((lambda (n &rest ns) ; @r{One required and one rest:} - (+ n (apply '+ ns))) ; @r{1 or more arguments.} - 1 2 3 4 5) - @result{} 15 -@end smallexample - -@node Function Documentation -@subsection Documentation Strings of Functions -@cindex documentation of function - - A lambda expression may optionally have a @dfn{documentation string} just -after the lambda list. This string does not affect execution of the -function; it is a kind of comment, but a systematized comment which -actually appears inside the Lisp world and can be used by the Emacs help -facilities. @xref{Documentation}, for how the @var{documentation-string} is -accessed. - - It is a good idea to provide documentation strings for all the -functions in your program, even those that are called only from within -your program. Documentation strings are like comments, except that they -are easier to access. - - The first line of the documentation string should stand on its own, -because @code{apropos} displays just this first line. It should consist -of one or two complete sentences that summarize the function's purpose. - - The start of the documentation string is usually indented in the -source file, but since these spaces come before the starting -double-quote, they are not part of the string. Some people make a -practice of indenting any additional lines of the string so that the -text lines up in the program source. @emph{That is a mistake.} The -indentation of the following lines is inside the string; what looks -nice in the source code will look ugly when displayed by the help -commands. - - You may wonder how the documentation string could be optional, since -there are required components of the function that follow it (the body). -Since evaluation of a string returns that string, without any side effects, -it has no effect if it is not the last form in the body. Thus, in -practice, there is no confusion between the first form of the body and the -documentation string; if the only body form is a string then it serves both -as the return value and as the documentation. - - The last line of the documentation string can specify calling -conventions different from the actual function arguments. Write -text like this: - -@example -\(fn @var{arglist}) -@end example - -@noindent -following a blank line, at the beginning of the line, with no newline -following it inside the documentation string. (The @samp{\} is used -to avoid confusing the Emacs motion commands.) The calling convention -specified in this way appears in help messages in place of the one -derived from the actual arguments of the function. - - This feature is particularly useful for macro definitions, since the -arguments written in a macro definition often do not correspond to the -way users think of the parts of the macro call. - -@node Function Names -@section Naming a Function -@cindex function definition -@cindex named function -@cindex function name - - In most computer languages, every function has a name; the idea of a -function without a name is nonsensical. In Lisp, a function in the -strictest sense has no name. It is simply a list whose first element is -@code{lambda}, a byte-code function object, or a primitive subr-object. - - However, a symbol can serve as the name of a function. This happens -when you put the function in the symbol's @dfn{function cell} -(@pxref{Symbol Components}). Then the symbol itself becomes a valid, -callable function, equivalent to the list or subr-object that its -function cell refers to. The contents of the function cell are also -called the symbol's @dfn{function definition}. The procedure of using a -symbol's function definition in place of the symbol is called -@dfn{symbol function indirection}; see @ref{Function Indirection}. - - In practice, nearly all functions are given names in this way and -referred to through their names. For example, the symbol @code{car} works -as a function and does what it does because the primitive subr-object -@code{#<subr car>} is stored in its function cell. - - We give functions names because it is convenient to refer to them by -their names in Lisp expressions. For primitive subr-objects such as -@code{#<subr car>}, names are the only way you can refer to them: there -is no read syntax for such objects. For functions written in Lisp, the -name is more convenient to use in a call than an explicit lambda -expression. Also, a function with a name can refer to itself---it can -be recursive. Writing the function's name in its own definition is much -more convenient than making the function definition point to itself -(something that is not impossible but that has various disadvantages in -practice). - - We often identify functions with the symbols used to name them. For -example, we often speak of ``the function @code{car},'' not -distinguishing between the symbol @code{car} and the primitive -subr-object that is its function definition. For most purposes, the -distinction is not important. - - Even so, keep in mind that a function need not have a unique name. While -a given function object @emph{usually} appears in the function cell of only -one symbol, this is just a matter of convenience. It is easy to store -it in several symbols using @code{fset}; then each of the symbols is -equally well a name for the same function. - - A symbol used as a function name may also be used as a variable; these -two uses of a symbol are independent and do not conflict. (Some Lisp -dialects, such as Scheme, do not distinguish between a symbol's value -and its function definition; a symbol's value as a variable is also its -function definition.) If you have not given a symbol a function -definition, you cannot use it as a function; whether the symbol has a -value as a variable makes no difference to this. - -@node Defining Functions -@section Defining Functions -@cindex defining a function - - We usually give a name to a function when it is first created. This -is called @dfn{defining a function}, and it is done with the -@code{defun} special form. - -@defspec defun name argument-list body-forms -@code{defun} is the usual way to define new Lisp functions. It -defines the symbol @var{name} as a function that looks like this: - -@example -(lambda @var{argument-list} . @var{body-forms}) -@end example - -@code{defun} stores this lambda expression in the function cell of -@var{name}. It returns the value @var{name}, but usually we ignore this -value. - -As described previously, @var{argument-list} is a list of argument -names and may include the keywords @code{&optional} and @code{&rest} -(@pxref{Lambda Expressions}). Also, the first two of the -@var{body-forms} may be a documentation string and an interactive -declaration. - -There is no conflict if the same symbol @var{name} is also used as a -variable, since the symbol's value cell is independent of the function -cell. @xref{Symbol Components}. - -Here are some examples: - -@example -@group -(defun foo () 5) - @result{} foo -@end group -@group -(foo) - @result{} 5 -@end group - -@group -(defun bar (a &optional b &rest c) - (list a b c)) - @result{} bar -@end group -@group -(bar 1 2 3 4 5) - @result{} (1 2 (3 4 5)) -@end group -@group -(bar 1) - @result{} (1 nil nil) -@end group -@group -(bar) -@error{} Wrong number of arguments. -@end group - -@group -(defun capitalize-backwards () - "Upcase the last letter of a word." - (interactive) - (backward-word 1) - (forward-word 1) - (backward-char 1) - (capitalize-word 1)) - @result{} capitalize-backwards -@end group -@end example - -Be careful not to redefine existing functions unintentionally. -@code{defun} redefines even primitive functions such as @code{car} -without any hesitation or notification. Redefining a function already -defined is often done deliberately, and there is no way to distinguish -deliberate redefinition from unintentional redefinition. -@end defspec - -@cindex function aliases -@defun defalias name definition &optional docstring -@anchor{Definition of defalias} -This special form defines the symbol @var{name} as a function, with -definition @var{definition} (which can be any valid Lisp function). -It returns @var{definition}. - -If @var{docstring} is non-@code{nil}, it becomes the function -documentation of @var{name}. Otherwise, any documentation provided by -@var{definition} is used. - -The proper place to use @code{defalias} is where a specific function -name is being defined---especially where that name appears explicitly in -the source file being loaded. This is because @code{defalias} records -which file defined the function, just like @code{defun} -(@pxref{Unloading}). - -By contrast, in programs that manipulate function definitions for other -purposes, it is better to use @code{fset}, which does not keep such -records. @xref{Function Cells}. -@end defun - - You cannot create a new primitive function with @code{defun} or -@code{defalias}, but you can use them to change the function definition of -any symbol, even one such as @code{car} or @code{x-popup-menu} whose -normal definition is a primitive. However, this is risky: for -instance, it is next to impossible to redefine @code{car} without -breaking Lisp completely. Redefining an obscure function such as -@code{x-popup-menu} is less dangerous, but it still may not work as -you expect. If there are calls to the primitive from C code, they -call the primitive's C definition directly, so changing the symbol's -definition will have no effect on them. - - See also @code{defsubst}, which defines a function like @code{defun} -and tells the Lisp compiler to open-code it. @xref{Inline Functions}. - -@node Calling Functions -@section Calling Functions -@cindex function invocation -@cindex calling a function - - Defining functions is only half the battle. Functions don't do -anything until you @dfn{call} them, i.e., tell them to run. Calling a -function is also known as @dfn{invocation}. - - The most common way of invoking a function is by evaluating a list. -For example, evaluating the list @code{(concat "a" "b")} calls the -function @code{concat} with arguments @code{"a"} and @code{"b"}. -@xref{Evaluation}, for a description of evaluation. - - When you write a list as an expression in your program, you specify -which function to call, and how many arguments to give it, in the text -of the program. Usually that's just what you want. Occasionally you -need to compute at run time which function to call. To do that, use -the function @code{funcall}. When you also need to determine at run -time how many arguments to pass, use @code{apply}. - -@defun funcall function &rest arguments -@code{funcall} calls @var{function} with @var{arguments}, and returns -whatever @var{function} returns. - -Since @code{funcall} is a function, all of its arguments, including -@var{function}, are evaluated before @code{funcall} is called. This -means that you can use any expression to obtain the function to be -called. It also means that @code{funcall} does not see the -expressions you write for the @var{arguments}, only their values. -These values are @emph{not} evaluated a second time in the act of -calling @var{function}; the operation of @code{funcall} is like the -normal procedure for calling a function, once its arguments have -already been evaluated. - -The argument @var{function} must be either a Lisp function or a -primitive function. Special forms and macros are not allowed, because -they make sense only when given the ``unevaluated'' argument -expressions. @code{funcall} cannot provide these because, as we saw -above, it never knows them in the first place. - -@example -@group -(setq f 'list) - @result{} list -@end group -@group -(funcall f 'x 'y 'z) - @result{} (x y z) -@end group -@group -(funcall f 'x 'y '(z)) - @result{} (x y (z)) -@end group -@group -(funcall 'and t nil) -@error{} Invalid function: #<subr and> -@end group -@end example - -Compare these examples with the examples of @code{apply}. -@end defun - -@defun apply function &rest arguments -@code{apply} calls @var{function} with @var{arguments}, just like -@code{funcall} but with one difference: the last of @var{arguments} is a -list of objects, which are passed to @var{function} as separate -arguments, rather than a single list. We say that @code{apply} -@dfn{spreads} this list so that each individual element becomes an -argument. - -@code{apply} returns the result of calling @var{function}. As with -@code{funcall}, @var{function} must either be a Lisp function or a -primitive function; special forms and macros do not make sense in -@code{apply}. - -@example -@group -(setq f 'list) - @result{} list -@end group -@group -(apply f 'x 'y 'z) -@error{} Wrong type argument: listp, z -@end group -@group -(apply '+ 1 2 '(3 4)) - @result{} 10 -@end group -@group -(apply '+ '(1 2 3 4)) - @result{} 10 -@end group - -@group -(apply 'append '((a b c) nil (x y z) nil)) - @result{} (a b c x y z) -@end group -@end example - -For an interesting example of using @code{apply}, see @ref{Definition -of mapcar}. -@end defun - -@cindex functionals - It is common for Lisp functions to accept functions as arguments or -find them in data structures (especially in hook variables and property -lists) and call them using @code{funcall} or @code{apply}. Functions -that accept function arguments are often called @dfn{functionals}. - - Sometimes, when you call a functional, it is useful to supply a no-op -function as the argument. Here are two different kinds of no-op -function: - -@defun identity arg -This function returns @var{arg} and has no side effects. -@end defun - -@defun ignore &rest args -This function ignores any arguments and returns @code{nil}. -@end defun - -@node Mapping Functions -@section Mapping Functions -@cindex mapping functions - - A @dfn{mapping function} applies a given function (@emph{not} a -special form or macro) to each element of a list or other collection. -Emacs Lisp has several such functions; @code{mapcar} and -@code{mapconcat}, which scan a list, are described here. -@xref{Definition of mapatoms}, for the function @code{mapatoms} which -maps over the symbols in an obarray. @xref{Definition of maphash}, -for the function @code{maphash} which maps over key/value associations -in a hash table. - - These mapping functions do not allow char-tables because a char-table -is a sparse array whose nominal range of indices is very large. To map -over a char-table in a way that deals properly with its sparse nature, -use the function @code{map-char-table} (@pxref{Char-Tables}). - -@defun mapcar function sequence -@anchor{Definition of mapcar} -@code{mapcar} applies @var{function} to each element of @var{sequence} -in turn, and returns a list of the results. - -The argument @var{sequence} can be any kind of sequence except a -char-table; that is, a list, a vector, a bool-vector, or a string. The -result is always a list. The length of the result is the same as the -length of @var{sequence}. For example: - -@smallexample -@group -(mapcar 'car '((a b) (c d) (e f))) - @result{} (a c e) -(mapcar '1+ [1 2 3]) - @result{} (2 3 4) -(mapcar 'char-to-string "abc") - @result{} ("a" "b" "c") -@end group - -@group -;; @r{Call each function in @code{my-hooks}.} -(mapcar 'funcall my-hooks) -@end group - -@group -(defun mapcar* (function &rest args) - "Apply FUNCTION to successive cars of all ARGS. -Return the list of results." - ;; @r{If no list is exhausted,} - (if (not (memq nil args)) - ;; @r{apply function to @sc{car}s.} - (cons (apply function (mapcar 'car args)) - (apply 'mapcar* function - ;; @r{Recurse for rest of elements.} - (mapcar 'cdr args))))) -@end group - -@group -(mapcar* 'cons '(a b c) '(1 2 3 4)) - @result{} ((a . 1) (b . 2) (c . 3)) -@end group -@end smallexample -@end defun - -@defun mapc function sequence -@code{mapc} is like @code{mapcar} except that @var{function} is used for -side-effects only---the values it returns are ignored, not collected -into a list. @code{mapc} always returns @var{sequence}. -@end defun - -@defun mapconcat function sequence separator -@code{mapconcat} applies @var{function} to each element of -@var{sequence}: the results, which must be strings, are concatenated. -Between each pair of result strings, @code{mapconcat} inserts the string -@var{separator}. Usually @var{separator} contains a space or comma or -other suitable punctuation. - -The argument @var{function} must be a function that can take one -argument and return a string. The argument @var{sequence} can be any -kind of sequence except a char-table; that is, a list, a vector, a -bool-vector, or a string. - -@smallexample -@group -(mapconcat 'symbol-name - '(The cat in the hat) - " ") - @result{} "The cat in the hat" -@end group - -@group -(mapconcat (function (lambda (x) (format "%c" (1+ x)))) - "HAL-8000" - "") - @result{} "IBM.9111" -@end group -@end smallexample -@end defun - -@node Anonymous Functions -@section Anonymous Functions -@cindex anonymous function - - In Lisp, a function is a list that starts with @code{lambda}, a -byte-code function compiled from such a list, or alternatively a -primitive subr-object; names are ``extra.'' Although usually functions -are defined with @code{defun} and given names at the same time, it is -occasionally more concise to use an explicit lambda expression---an -anonymous function. Such a list is valid wherever a function name is. - - Any method of creating such a list makes a valid function. Even this: - -@smallexample -@group -(setq silly (append '(lambda (x)) (list (list '+ (* 3 4) 'x)))) -@result{} (lambda (x) (+ 12 x)) -@end group -@end smallexample - -@noindent -This computes a list that looks like @code{(lambda (x) (+ 12 x))} and -makes it the value (@emph{not} the function definition!) of -@code{silly}. - - Here is how we might call this function: - -@example -@group -(funcall silly 1) -@result{} 13 -@end group -@end example - -@noindent -(It does @emph{not} work to write @code{(silly 1)}, because this function -is not the @emph{function definition} of @code{silly}. We have not given -@code{silly} any function definition, just a value as a variable.) - - Most of the time, anonymous functions are constants that appear in -your program. For example, you might want to pass one as an argument to -the function @code{mapcar}, which applies any given function to each -element of a list. - - Here we define a function @code{change-property} which -uses a function as its third argument: - -@example -@group -(defun change-property (symbol prop function) - (let ((value (get symbol prop))) - (put symbol prop (funcall function value)))) -@end group -@end example - -@noindent -Here we define a function that uses @code{change-property}, -passing it a function to double a number: - -@example -@group -(defun double-property (symbol prop) - (change-property symbol prop '(lambda (x) (* 2 x)))) -@end group -@end example - -@noindent -In such cases, we usually use the special form @code{function} instead -of simple quotation to quote the anonymous function, like this: - -@example -@group -(defun double-property (symbol prop) - (change-property symbol prop - (function (lambda (x) (* 2 x))))) -@end group -@end example - -Using @code{function} instead of @code{quote} makes a difference if you -compile the function @code{double-property}. For example, if you -compile the second definition of @code{double-property}, the anonymous -function is compiled as well. By contrast, if you compile the first -definition which uses ordinary @code{quote}, the argument passed to -@code{change-property} is the precise list shown: - -@example -(lambda (x) (* x 2)) -@end example - -@noindent -The Lisp compiler cannot assume this list is a function, even though it -looks like one, since it does not know what @code{change-property} will -do with the list. Perhaps it will check whether the @sc{car} of the third -element is the symbol @code{*}! Using @code{function} tells the -compiler it is safe to go ahead and compile the constant function. - - Nowadays it is possible to omit @code{function} entirely, like this: - -@example -@group -(defun double-property (symbol prop) - (change-property symbol prop (lambda (x) (* 2 x)))) -@end group -@end example - -@noindent -This is because @code{lambda} itself implies @code{function}. - - We sometimes write @code{function} instead of @code{quote} when -quoting the name of a function, but this usage is just a sort of -comment: - -@example -(function @var{symbol}) @equiv{} (quote @var{symbol}) @equiv{} '@var{symbol} -@end example - -@cindex @samp{#'} syntax - The read syntax @code{#'} is a short-hand for using @code{function}. -For example, - -@example -#'(lambda (x) (* x x)) -@end example - -@noindent -is equivalent to - -@example -(function (lambda (x) (* x x))) -@end example - -@defspec function function-object -@cindex function quoting -This special form returns @var{function-object} without evaluating it. -In this, it is equivalent to @code{quote}. However, it serves as a -note to the Emacs Lisp compiler that @var{function-object} is intended -to be used only as a function, and therefore can safely be compiled. -Contrast this with @code{quote}, in @ref{Quoting}. -@end defspec - - @xref{describe-symbols example}, for a realistic example using -@code{function} and an anonymous function. - -@node Function Cells -@section Accessing Function Cell Contents - - The @dfn{function definition} of a symbol is the object stored in the -function cell of the symbol. The functions described here access, test, -and set the function cell of symbols. - - See also the function @code{indirect-function}. @xref{Definition of -indirect-function}. - -@defun symbol-function symbol -@kindex void-function -This returns the object in the function cell of @var{symbol}. If the -symbol's function cell is void, a @code{void-function} error is -signaled. - -This function does not check that the returned object is a legitimate -function. - -@example -@group -(defun bar (n) (+ n 2)) - @result{} bar -@end group -@group -(symbol-function 'bar) - @result{} (lambda (n) (+ n 2)) -@end group -@group -(fset 'baz 'bar) - @result{} bar -@end group -@group -(symbol-function 'baz) - @result{} bar -@end group -@end example -@end defun - -@cindex void function cell - If you have never given a symbol any function definition, we say that -that symbol's function cell is @dfn{void}. In other words, the function -cell does not have any Lisp object in it. If you try to call such a symbol -as a function, it signals a @code{void-function} error. - - Note that void is not the same as @code{nil} or the symbol -@code{void}. The symbols @code{nil} and @code{void} are Lisp objects, -and can be stored into a function cell just as any other object can be -(and they can be valid functions if you define them in turn with -@code{defun}). A void function cell contains no object whatsoever. - - You can test the voidness of a symbol's function definition with -@code{fboundp}. After you have given a symbol a function definition, you -can make it void once more using @code{fmakunbound}. - -@defun fboundp symbol -This function returns @code{t} if the symbol has an object in its -function cell, @code{nil} otherwise. It does not check that the object -is a legitimate function. -@end defun - -@defun fmakunbound symbol -This function makes @var{symbol}'s function cell void, so that a -subsequent attempt to access this cell will cause a -@code{void-function} error. It returns @var{symbol}. (See also -@code{makunbound}, in @ref{Void Variables}.) - -@example -@group -(defun foo (x) x) - @result{} foo -@end group -@group -(foo 1) - @result{}1 -@end group -@group -(fmakunbound 'foo) - @result{} foo -@end group -@group -(foo 1) -@error{} Symbol's function definition is void: foo -@end group -@end example -@end defun - -@defun fset symbol definition -This function stores @var{definition} in the function cell of -@var{symbol}. The result is @var{definition}. Normally -@var{definition} should be a function or the name of a function, but -this is not checked. The argument @var{symbol} is an ordinary evaluated -argument. - -There are three normal uses of this function: - -@itemize @bullet -@item -Copying one symbol's function definition to another---in other words, -making an alternate name for a function. (If you think of this as the -definition of the new name, you should use @code{defalias} instead of -@code{fset}; see @ref{Definition of defalias}.) - -@item -Giving a symbol a function definition that is not a list and therefore -cannot be made with @code{defun}. For example, you can use @code{fset} -to give a symbol @code{s1} a function definition which is another symbol -@code{s2}; then @code{s1} serves as an alias for whatever definition -@code{s2} presently has. (Once again use @code{defalias} instead of -@code{fset} if you think of this as the definition of @code{s1}.) - -@item -In constructs for defining or altering functions. If @code{defun} -were not a primitive, it could be written in Lisp (as a macro) using -@code{fset}. -@end itemize - -Here are examples of these uses: - -@example -@group -;; @r{Save @code{foo}'s definition in @code{old-foo}.} -(fset 'old-foo (symbol-function 'foo)) -@end group - -@group -;; @r{Make the symbol @code{car} the function definition of @code{xfirst}.} -;; @r{(Most likely, @code{defalias} would be better than @code{fset} here.)} -(fset 'xfirst 'car) - @result{} car -@end group -@group -(xfirst '(1 2 3)) - @result{} 1 -@end group -@group -(symbol-function 'xfirst) - @result{} car -@end group -@group -(symbol-function (symbol-function 'xfirst)) - @result{} #<subr car> -@end group - -@group -;; @r{Define a named keyboard macro.} -(fset 'kill-two-lines "\^u2\^k") - @result{} "\^u2\^k" -@end group - -@group -;; @r{Here is a function that alters other functions.} -(defun copy-function-definition (new old) - "Define NEW with the same function definition as OLD." - (fset new (symbol-function old))) -@end group -@end example -@end defun - - @code{fset} is sometimes used to save the old definition of a -function before redefining it. That permits the new definition to -invoke the old definition. But it is unmodular and unclean for a Lisp -file to redefine a function defined elsewhere. If you want to modify -a function defined by another package, it is cleaner to use -@code{defadvice} (@pxref{Advising Functions}). - -@node Obsolete Functions -@section Declaring Functions Obsolete - -You can use @code{make-obsolete} to declare a function obsolete. This -indicates that the function may be removed at some stage in the future. - -@defun make-obsolete obsolete-name current-name &optional when -This function makes the byte compiler warn that the function -@var{obsolete-name} is obsolete. If @var{current-name} is a symbol, the -warning message says to use @var{current-name} instead of -@var{obsolete-name}. @var{current-name} does not need to be an alias for -@var{obsolete-name}; it can be a different function with similar -functionality. If @var{current-name} is a string, it is the warning -message. - -If provided, @var{when} should be a string indicating when the function -was first made obsolete---for example, a date or a release number. -@end defun - -You can define a function as an alias and declare it obsolete at the -same time using the macro @code{define-obsolete-function-alias}. - -@defmac define-obsolete-function-alias obsolete-name current-name &optional when docstring -This macro marks the function @var{obsolete-name} obsolete and also -defines it as an alias for the function @var{current-name}. It is -equivalent to the following: - -@example -(defalias @var{obsolete-name} @var{current-name} @var{docstring}) -(make-obsolete @var{obsolete-name} @var{current-name} @var{when}) -@end example -@end defmac - -@node Inline Functions -@section Inline Functions -@cindex inline functions - -@findex defsubst -You can define an @dfn{inline function} by using @code{defsubst} instead -of @code{defun}. An inline function works just like an ordinary -function except for one thing: when you compile a call to the function, -the function's definition is open-coded into the caller. - -Making a function inline makes explicit calls run faster. But it also -has disadvantages. For one thing, it reduces flexibility; if you -change the definition of the function, calls already inlined still use -the old definition until you recompile them. - -Another disadvantage is that making a large function inline can increase -the size of compiled code both in files and in memory. Since the speed -advantage of inline functions is greatest for small functions, you -generally should not make large functions inline. - -Also, inline functions do not behave well with respect to debugging, -tracing, and advising (@pxref{Advising Functions}). Since ease of -debugging and the flexibility of redefining functions are important -features of Emacs, you should not make a function inline, even if it's -small, unless its speed is really crucial, and you've timed the code -to verify that using @code{defun} actually has performance problems. - -It's possible to define a macro to expand into the same code that an -inline function would execute. (@xref{Macros}.) But the macro would be -limited to direct use in expressions---a macro cannot be called with -@code{apply}, @code{mapcar} and so on. Also, it takes some work to -convert an ordinary function into a macro. To convert it into an inline -function is very easy; simply replace @code{defun} with @code{defsubst}. -Since each argument of an inline function is evaluated exactly once, you -needn't worry about how many times the body uses the arguments, as you -do for macros. (@xref{Argument Evaluation}.) - -Inline functions can be used and open-coded later on in the same file, -following the definition, just like macros. - -@node Function Safety -@section Determining whether a Function is Safe to Call -@cindex function safety -@cindex safety of functions - -Some major modes such as SES call functions that are stored in user -files. (@inforef{Top, ,ses}, for more information on SES.) User -files sometimes have poor pedigrees---you can get a spreadsheet from -someone you've just met, or you can get one through email from someone -you've never met. So it is risky to call a function whose source code -is stored in a user file until you have determined that it is safe. - -@defun unsafep form &optional unsafep-vars -Returns @code{nil} if @var{form} is a @dfn{safe} Lisp expression, or -returns a list that describes why it might be unsafe. The argument -@var{unsafep-vars} is a list of symbols known to have temporary -bindings at this point; it is mainly used for internal recursive -calls. The current buffer is an implicit argument, which provides a -list of buffer-local bindings. -@end defun - -Being quick and simple, @code{unsafep} does a very light analysis and -rejects many Lisp expressions that are actually safe. There are no -known cases where @code{unsafep} returns @code{nil} for an unsafe -expression. However, a ``safe'' Lisp expression can return a string -with a @code{display} property, containing an associated Lisp -expression to be executed after the string is inserted into a buffer. -This associated expression can be a virus. In order to be safe, you -must delete properties from all strings calculated by user code before -inserting them into buffers. - -@ignore -What is a safe Lisp expression? Basically, it's an expression that -calls only built-in functions with no side effects (or only innocuous -ones). Innocuous side effects include displaying messages and -altering non-risky buffer-local variables (but not global variables). - -@table @dfn -@item Safe expression -@itemize -@item -An atom or quoted thing. -@item -A call to a safe function (see below), if all its arguments are -safe expressions. -@item -One of the special forms @code{and}, @code{catch}, @code{cond}, -@code{if}, @code{or}, @code{prog1}, @code{prog2}, @code{progn}, -@code{while}, and @code{unwind-protect}], if all its arguments are -safe. -@item -A form that creates temporary bindings (@code{condition-case}, -@code{dolist}, @code{dotimes}, @code{lambda}, @code{let}, or -@code{let*}), if all args are safe and the symbols to be bound are not -explicitly risky (see @pxref{File Local Variables}). -@item -An assignment using @code{add-to-list}, @code{setq}, @code{push}, or -@code{pop}, if all args are safe and the symbols to be assigned are -not explicitly risky and they already have temporary or buffer-local -bindings. -@item -One of [apply, mapc, mapcar, mapconcat] if the first argument is a -safe explicit lambda and the other args are safe expressions. -@end itemize - -@item Safe function -@itemize -@item -A lambda containing safe expressions. -@item -A symbol on the list @code{safe-functions}, so the user says it's safe. -@item -A symbol with a non-@code{nil} @code{side-effect-free} property. -@item -A symbol with a non-@code{nil} @code{safe-function} property. Value t -indicates a function that is safe but has innocuous side effects. -Other values will someday indicate functions with classes of side -effects that are not always safe. -@end itemize - -The @code{side-effect-free} and @code{safe-function} properties are -provided for built-in functions and for low-level functions and macros -defined in @file{subr.el}. You can assign these properties for the -functions you write. -@end table -@end ignore - -@node Related Topics -@section Other Topics Related to Functions - - Here is a table of several functions that do things related to -function calling and function definitions. They are documented -elsewhere, but we provide cross references here. - -@table @code -@item apply -See @ref{Calling Functions}. - -@item autoload -See @ref{Autoload}. - -@item call-interactively -See @ref{Interactive Call}. - -@item commandp -See @ref{Interactive Call}. - -@item documentation -See @ref{Accessing Documentation}. - -@item eval -See @ref{Eval}. - -@item funcall -See @ref{Calling Functions}. - -@item function -See @ref{Anonymous Functions}. - -@item ignore -See @ref{Calling Functions}. - -@item indirect-function -See @ref{Function Indirection}. - -@item interactive -See @ref{Using Interactive}. - -@item interactive-p -See @ref{Interactive Call}. - -@item mapatoms -See @ref{Creating Symbols}. - -@item mapcar -See @ref{Mapping Functions}. - -@item map-char-table -See @ref{Char-Tables}. - -@item mapconcat -See @ref{Mapping Functions}. - -@item undefined -See @ref{Functions for Key Lookup}. -@end table - -@ignore - arch-tag: 39100cdf-8a55-4898-acba-595db619e8e2 -@end ignore