(tags-compression-info-list): Fix docstring
[bpt/emacs.git] / man / widget.texi
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1\input texinfo.tex
2
3@c %**start of header
4@setfilename ../info/widget
5@settitle The Emacs Widget Library
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6@ifnottex
7Copyright @copyright{} 2000 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
8
9Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this document
10under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1.1 or
11any later version published by the Free Software Foundation; with the
12Invariant Sections being ``The GNU Manifesto'', ``Distribution'' and
13``GNU GENERAL PUBLIC LICENSE'', with the Front-Cover texts being ``A GNU
14Manual'', and with the Back-Cover Texts as in (a) below. A copy of the
15license is included in the section entitled ``GNU Free Documentation
16License'' in the Emacs manual.
17
18This document is part of a collection distributed under the GNU Free
19Documentation License. If you want to distribute this document
20separately from the collection, you can do so by adding a copy of the
21license to the document, as described in section 6 of the license.
22
23(a) The FSF's Back-Cover Text is: ``You have freedom to copy and modify
24this GNU Manual, like GNU software. Copies published by the Free
25Software Foundation raise funds for GNU development.''
26@end ifnottex
27
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28@iftex
29@afourpaper
30@headings double
31@end iftex
32@c %**end of header
33
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34@syncodeindex fn cp
35@syncodeindex vr cp
36@syncodeindex ky cp
37
4c2ca4f3 38@dircategory Emacs
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39@direntry
40* Widget: (widget). Documenting the "widget" package used by the
41 Emacs Custom facility.
42@end direntry
43
44@node Top, Introduction, (dir), (dir)
45@comment node-name, next, previous, up
46@top The Emacs Widget Library
47
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48@menu
49* Introduction::
50* User Interface::
51* Programming Example::
52* Setting Up the Buffer::
53* Basic Types::
54* Sexp Types::
55* Widget Properties::
56* Defining New Widgets::
57* Widget Browser::
58* Widget Minor Mode::
59* Utilities::
60* Widget Wishlist::
6f7f063d 61* Index::
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62@end menu
63
64@node Introduction, User Interface, Top, Top
65@comment node-name, next, previous, up
66@section Introduction
67
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68Most graphical user interface toolkits provide a number of standard
69user interface controls (sometimes known as `widgets' or `gadgets').
70Emacs doesn't really support anything like this, except for an
71incredibly powerful text ``widget.'' On the other hand, Emacs does
72provide the necessary primitives to implement many other widgets
73within a text buffer. The @code{widget} package simplifies this task.
6bf7aab6 74
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75@cindex basic widgets
76@cindex widgets, basic types
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77The basic widgets are:
78
79@table @code
80@item link
81Areas of text with an associated action. Intended for hypertext links
82embedded in text.
83@item push-button
84Like link, but intended for stand-alone buttons.
85@item editable-field
86An editable text field. It can be either variable or fixed length.
87@item menu-choice
88Allows the user to choose one of multiple options from a menu, each
89option is itself a widget. Only the selected option will be visible in
90the buffer.
91@item radio-button-choice
92Allows the user to choose one of multiple options by activating radio
93buttons. The options are implemented as widgets. All options will be
94visible in the buffer.
95@item item
96A simple constant widget intended to be used in the @code{menu-choice} and
97@code{radio-button-choice} widgets.
98@item choice-item
6f7f063d 99A button item only intended for use in choices. When invoked, the user
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100will be asked to select another option from the choice widget.
101@item toggle
102A simple @samp{on}/@samp{off} switch.
103@item checkbox
104A checkbox (@samp{[ ]}/@samp{[X]}).
105@item editable-list
106Create an editable list. The user can insert or delete items in the
107list. Each list item is itself a widget.
108@end table
109
6f7f063d 110Now, of what possible use can support for widgets be in a text editor?
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111I'm glad you asked. The answer is that widgets are useful for
112implementing forms. A @dfn{form} in Emacs is a buffer where the user is
113supposed to fill out a number of fields, each of which has a specific
114meaning. The user is not supposed to change or delete any of the text
115between the fields. Examples of forms in Emacs are the @file{forms}
116package (of course), the customize buffers, the mail and news compose
117modes, and the @sc{html} form support in the @file{w3} browser.
118
6f7f063d 119@cindex widget library, why use it
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120The advantages for a programmer of using the @code{widget} package to
121implement forms are:
122
123@enumerate
124@item
6f7f063d 125More complex fields than just editable text are supported.
6bf7aab6 126@item
6f7f063d 127You can give the users immediate feedback if they enter invalid data in a
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128text field, and sometimes prevent entering invalid data.
129@item
6f7f063d 130You can have fixed sized fields, thus allowing multiple fields to be
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131lined up in columns.
132@item
133It is simple to query or set the value of a field.
134@item
6f7f063d 135Editing happens in the buffer, not in the mini-buffer.
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136@item
137Packages using the library get a uniform look, making them easier for
138the user to learn.
139@item
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140As support for embedded graphics improve, the widget library will be
141extended to use the GUI features. This means that your code using the
142widget library will also use the new graphic features automatically.
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143@end enumerate
144
145In order to minimize the code that is loaded by users who does not
146create any widgets, the code has been split in two files:
147
6f7f063d 148@cindex widget library, files
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149@table @file
150@item widget.el
151This will declare the user variables, define the function
75ba82a9 152@code{define-widget}, and autoload the function @code{widget-create}.
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153@item wid-edit.el
154Everything else is here, there is no reason to load it explicitly, as
155it will be autoloaded when needed.
156@end table
157
158@node User Interface, Programming Example, Introduction, Top
159@comment node-name, next, previous, up
160@section User Interface
161
162A form consist of read only text for documentation and some fields,
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163where each field contains two parts, a tag and a value. The tags are
164used to identify the fields, so the documentation can refer to the
165@samp{foo field}, meaning the field tagged with @samp{Foo}. Here is an
166example form:
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167
168@example
169Here is some documentation.
170
171Name: @i{My Name} @strong{Choose}: This option
172Address: @i{Some Place
173In some City
174Some country.}
175
176See also @b{_other work_} for more information.
177
178Numbers: count to three below
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179@b{[INS]} @b{[DEL]} @i{One}
180@b{[INS]} @b{[DEL]} @i{Eh, two?}
181@b{[INS]} @b{[DEL]} @i{Five!}
182@b{[INS]}
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183
184Select multiple:
185
186@b{[X]} This
187@b{[ ]} That
188@b{[X]} Thus
189
190Select one:
191
192@b{(*)} One
193@b{( )} Another One.
194@b{( )} A Final One.
195
196@b{[Apply Form]} @b{[Reset Form]}
197@end example
198
199The top level widgets in is example are tagged @samp{Name},
200@samp{Choose}, @samp{Address}, @samp{_other work_}, @samp{Numbers},
201@samp{Select multiple}, @samp{Select one}, @samp{[Apply Form]}, and
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202@samp{[Reset Form]}. There are basically two things the user can do
203within a form, namely editing the editable text fields and activating
204the buttons.
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205
206@subsection Editable Text Fields
207
208In the example, the value for the @samp{Name} is most likely displayed
209in an editable text field, and so are values for each of the members of
210the @samp{Numbers} list. All the normal Emacs editing operations are
211available for editing these fields. The only restriction is that each
212change you make must be contained within a single editable text field.
213For example, capitalizing all text from the middle of one field to the
214middle of another field is prohibited.
215
216Editing text fields are created by the @code{editable-field} widget.
217
218The editing text fields are highlighted with the
219@code{widget-field-face} face, making them easy to find.
220
221@deffn Face widget-field-face
222Face used for other editing fields.
223@end deffn
224
225@subsection Buttons
226
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227@cindex widget buttons
228@cindex button widgets
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229Some portions of the buffer have an associated @dfn{action}, which can
230be @dfn{invoked} by a standard key or mouse command. These portions
231are called @dfn{buttons}. The default commands for activating a button
232are:
233
234@table @kbd
235@item @key{RET}
236@deffn Command widget-button-press @var{pos} &optional @var{event}
237Invoke the button at @var{pos}, defaulting to point.
238If point is not located on a button, invoke the binding in
239@code{widget-global-map} (by default the global map).
240@end deffn
241
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242@kindex Mouse-2 @r{(on button widgets})
243@item Mouse-2
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244@deffn Command widget-button-click @var{event}
245Invoke the button at the location of the mouse pointer. If the mouse
246pointer is located in an editable text field, invoke the binding in
247@code{widget-global-map} (by default the global map).
248@end deffn
249@end table
250
251There are several different kind of buttons, all of which are present in
252the example:
253
254@table @emph
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255@cindex option field tag
256@item The Option Field Tags
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257When you invoke one of these buttons, you will be asked to choose
258between a number of different options. This is how you edit an option
259field. Option fields are created by the @code{menu-choice} widget. In
260the example, @samp{@b{Choose}} is an option field tag.
976e00f1 261@item The @samp{@b{[INS]}} and @samp{@b{[DEL]}} buttons
6f7f063d 262Activating these will insert or delete elements from an editable list.
6bf7aab6 263The list is created by the @code{editable-list} widget.
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264@cindex embedded buttons
265@item Embedded Buttons
6bf7aab6 266The @samp{@b{_other work_}} is an example of an embedded
6f7f063d 267button. Embedded buttons are not associated with a fields, but can serve
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268any purpose, such as implementing hypertext references. They are
269usually created by the @code{link} widget.
6f7f063d 270@item The @samp{@b{[ ]}} and @samp{@b{[X]}} buttons
6bf7aab6 271Activating one of these will convert it to the other. This is useful
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272for implementing multiple-choice fields. You can create it with the
273@code{checkbox} widget.
274@item The @samp{@b{( )}} and @samp{@b{(*)}} buttons
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275Only one radio button in a @code{radio-button-choice} widget can be
276selected at any time. When you invoke one of the unselected radio
277buttons, it will be selected and the previous selected radio button will
278become unselected.
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279@item The @samp{@b{[Apply Form]}} @samp{@b{[Reset Form]}} buttons
280These are explicit buttons made with the @code{push-button} widget. The
281main difference from the @code{link} widget is that the buttons will be
6bf7aab6 282displayed as GUI buttons when possible.
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283@end table
284
285To make them easier to locate, buttons are emphasized in the buffer.
286
287@deffn Face widget-button-face
288Face used for buttons.
289@end deffn
290
291@defopt widget-mouse-face
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292Face used for highlighting a button when the mouse pointer moves across
293it.
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294@end defopt
295
296@subsection Navigation
297
298You can use all the normal Emacs commands to move around in a form
299buffer, plus you will have these additional commands:
300
301@table @kbd
302@item @key{TAB}
303@deffn Command widget-forward &optional count
304Move point @var{count} buttons or editing fields forward.
305@end deffn
306@item @key{M-TAB}
307@deffn Command widget-backward &optional count
308Move point @var{count} buttons or editing fields backward.
309@end deffn
310@end table
311
312@node Programming Example, Setting Up the Buffer, User Interface, Top
313@comment node-name, next, previous, up
314@section Programming Example
315
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316@cindex widgets, programming example
317@cindex example of using widgets
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318Here is the code to implement the user interface example (@pxref{User
319Interface}).
320
321@lisp
322(require 'widget)
323
324(eval-when-compile
325 (require 'wid-edit))
326
327(defvar widget-example-repeat)
328
329(defun widget-example ()
330 "Create the widgets from the Widget manual."
331 (interactive)
332 (switch-to-buffer "*Widget Example*")
333 (kill-all-local-variables)
334 (make-local-variable 'widget-example-repeat)
335 (let ((inhibit-read-only t))
336 (erase-buffer))
337 (widget-insert "Here is some documentation.\n\nName: ")
338 (widget-create 'editable-field
339 :size 13
340 "My Name")
341 (widget-create 'menu-choice
342 :tag "Choose"
343 :value "This"
344 :help-echo "Choose me, please!"
345 :notify (lambda (widget &rest ignore)
346 (message "%s is a good choice!"
347 (widget-value widget)))
348 '(item :tag "This option" :value "This")
349 '(choice-item "That option")
350 '(editable-field :menu-tag "No option" "Thus option"))
351 (widget-insert "Address: ")
352 (widget-create 'editable-field
353 "Some Place\nIn some City\nSome country.")
354 (widget-insert "\nSee also ")
355 (widget-create 'link
356 :notify (lambda (&rest ignore)
357 (widget-value-set widget-example-repeat
358 '("En" "To" "Tre"))
359 (widget-setup))
360 "other work")
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361 (widget-insert
362 " for more information.\n\nNumbers: count to three below\n")
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363 (setq widget-example-repeat
364 (widget-create 'editable-list
365 :entry-format "%i %d %v"
366 :notify (lambda (widget &rest ignore)
367 (let ((old (widget-get widget
368 ':example-length))
369 (new (length (widget-value widget))))
370 (unless (eq old new)
371 (widget-put widget ':example-length new)
372 (message "You can count to %d." new))))
373 :value '("One" "Eh, two?" "Five!")
374 '(editable-field :value "three")))
375 (widget-insert "\n\nSelect multiple:\n\n")
376 (widget-create 'checkbox t)
377 (widget-insert " This\n")
378 (widget-create 'checkbox nil)
379 (widget-insert " That\n")
380 (widget-create 'checkbox
381 :notify (lambda (&rest ignore) (message "Tickle"))
382 t)
383 (widget-insert " Thus\n\nSelect one:\n\n")
384 (widget-create 'radio-button-choice
385 :value "One"
386 :notify (lambda (widget &rest ignore)
387 (message "You selected %s"
388 (widget-value widget)))
389 '(item "One") '(item "Another One.") '(item "A Final One."))
390 (widget-insert "\n")
391 (widget-create 'push-button
392 :notify (lambda (&rest ignore)
393 (if (= (length (widget-value widget-example-repeat))
394 3)
395 (message "Congratulation!")
396 (error "Three was the count!")))
397 "Apply Form")
398 (widget-insert " ")
399 (widget-create 'push-button
400 :notify (lambda (&rest ignore)
401 (widget-example))
402 "Reset Form")
403 (widget-insert "\n")
404 (use-local-map widget-keymap)
405 (widget-setup))
406@end lisp
407
408@node Setting Up the Buffer, Basic Types, Programming Example, Top
409@comment node-name, next, previous, up
410@section Setting Up the Buffer
411
412Widgets are created with @code{widget-create}, which returns a
413@dfn{widget} object. This object can be queried and manipulated by
414other widget functions, until it is deleted with @code{widget-delete}.
415After the widgets have been created, @code{widget-setup} must be called
416to enable them.
417
418@defun widget-create type [ keyword argument ]@dots{}
419Create and return a widget of type @var{type}.
420The syntax for the @var{type} argument is described in @ref{Basic Types}.
421
422The keyword arguments can be used to overwrite the keyword arguments
423that are part of @var{type}.
424@end defun
425
426@defun widget-delete widget
427Delete @var{widget} and remove it from the buffer.
428@end defun
429
430@defun widget-setup
6f7f063d 431Set up a buffer to support widgets.
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432
433This should be called after creating all the widgets and before allowing
434the user to edit them.
435@refill
436@end defun
437
438If you want to insert text outside the widgets in the form, the
439recommended way to do that is with @code{widget-insert}.
440
441@defun widget-insert
442Insert the arguments, either strings or characters, at point.
6f7f063d 443The inserted text will be read-only.
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444@end defun
445
446There is a standard widget keymap which you might find useful.
447
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448@findex widget-button-press
449@findex widget-button-click
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450@defvr Const widget-keymap
451A keymap with the global keymap as its parent.@*
452@key{TAB} and @kbd{C-@key{TAB}} are bound to @code{widget-forward} and
ce8abc78 453@code{widget-backward}, respectively. @key{RET} and @kbd{Mouse-2}
6bf7aab6 454are bound to @code{widget-button-press} and
6f7f063d 455@code{widget-button-click}.@refill
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456@end defvr
457
458@defvar widget-global-map
459Keymap used by @code{widget-button-press} and @code{widget-button-click}
460when not on a button. By default this is @code{global-map}.
461@end defvar
462
463@node Basic Types, Sexp Types, Setting Up the Buffer, Top
464@comment node-name, next, previous, up
465@section Basic Types
466
467The syntax of a type specification is given below:
468
469@example
470NAME ::= (NAME [KEYWORD ARGUMENT]... ARGS)
471 | NAME
472@end example
473
474Where, @var{name} is a widget name, @var{keyword} is the name of a
475property, @var{argument} is the value of the property, and @var{args}
476are interpreted in a widget specific way.
477
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478@cindex keyword arguments
479The following keyword arguments that apply to all widgets:
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480
481@table @code
6f7f063d 482@vindex value@r{ keyword}
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483@item :value
484The initial value for widgets of this type.
485
6f7f063d 486@vindex format@r{ keyword}
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487@item :format
488This string will be inserted in the buffer when you create a widget.
489The following @samp{%} escapes are available:
490
491@table @samp
492@item %[
493@itemx %]
494The text inside will be marked as a button.
495
496By default, the text will be shown in @code{widget-button-face}, and
497surrounded by brackets.
498
499@defopt widget-button-prefix
500String to prefix buttons.
501@end defopt
502
503@defopt widget-button-suffix
504String to suffix buttons.
505@end defopt
506
507@item %@{
508@itemx %@}
509The text inside will be displayed with the face specified by
510@code{:sample-face}.
511
512@item %v
54438eb5 513This will be replaced with the buffer representation of the widget's
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514value. What this is depends on the widget type.
515
516@item %d
517Insert the string specified by @code{:doc} here.
518
519@item %h
520Like @samp{%d}, with the following modifications: If the documentation
521string is more than one line, it will add a button which will toggle
522between showing only the first line, and showing the full text.
523Furthermore, if there is no @code{:doc} property in the widget, it will
524instead examine the @code{:documentation-property} property. If it is a
525lambda expression, it will be called with the widget's value as an
526argument, and the result will be used as the documentation text.
527
528@item %t
529Insert the string specified by @code{:tag} here, or the @code{princ}
530representation of the value if there is no tag.
531
532@item %%
533Insert a literal @samp{%}.
534@end table
535
6f7f063d 536@vindex button-face@r{ keyword}
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537@item :button-face
538Face used to highlight text inside %[ %] in the format.
539
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540@vindex button-prefix@r{ keyword}
541@vindex button-suffix@r{ keyword}
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542@item :button-prefix
543@itemx :button-suffix
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544Text around %[ %] in the format.
545
546These can be
547@table @emph
548@item nil
549No text is inserted.
550
551@item a string
552The string is inserted literally.
553
554@item a symbol
555The value of the symbol is expanded according to this table.
556@end table
557
6f7f063d 558@vindex doc@r{ keyword}
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559@item :doc
560The string inserted by the @samp{%d} escape in the format
561string.
562
6f7f063d 563@vindex tag@r{ keyword}
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564@item :tag
565The string inserted by the @samp{%t} escape in the format
566string.
567
6f7f063d 568@vindex tag-glyph@r{ keyword}
6bf7aab6 569@item :tag-glyph
6f7f063d 570Name of image to use instead of the string specified by @code{:tag} on
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571Emacsen that supports it.
572
6f7f063d 573@vindex help-echo@r{ keyword}
6bf7aab6 574@item :help-echo
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575Specifies how to display a message whenever you move to the widget with
576either @code{widget-forward} or @code{widget-backward} or move the mouse
56600dfa 577over it (using the standard @code{help-echo} mechanism). The argument
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578is either a string to display or a function of one argument, the widget,
579which should return a string to display.
6bf7aab6 580
6f7f063d 581@vindex indent@r{ keyword}
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582@item :indent
583An integer indicating the absolute number of spaces to indent children
584of this widget.
585
6f7f063d 586@vindex offset@r{ keyword}
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587@item :offset
588An integer indicating how many extra spaces to add to the widget's
589grandchildren compared to this widget.
590
6f7f063d 591@vindex extra-offset@r{ keyword}
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592@item :extra-offset
593An integer indicating how many extra spaces to add to the widget's
594children compared to this widget.
595
6f7f063d 596@vindex notify@r{ keyword}
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597@item :notify
598A function called each time the widget or a nested widget is changed.
599The function is called with two or three arguments. The first argument
600is the widget itself, the second argument is the widget that was
601changed, and the third argument is the event leading to the change, if
602any.
603
6f7f063d 604@vindex menu-tag@r{ keyword}
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605@item :menu-tag
606Tag used in the menu when the widget is used as an option in a
607@code{menu-choice} widget.
608
6f7f063d 609@vindex menu-tag-get@r{ keyword}
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610@item :menu-tag-get
611Function used for finding the tag when the widget is used as an option
612in a @code{menu-choice} widget. By default, the tag used will be either the
613@code{:menu-tag} or @code{:tag} property if present, or the @code{princ}
614representation of the @code{:value} property if not.
615
6f7f063d 616@vindex match@r{ keyword}
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617@item :match
618Should be a function called with two arguments, the widget and a value,
619and returning non-nil if the widget can represent the specified value.
620
6f7f063d 621@vindex validate@r{ keyword}
6bf7aab6 622@item :validate
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623A function which takes a widget as an argument, and returns @code{nil}
624if the widget's current value is valid for the widget. Otherwise it
625should return the widget containing the invalid data, and set that
626widget's @code{:error} property to a string explaining the error.
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627
628The following predefined function can be used:
629
630@defun widget-children-validate widget
631All the @code{:children} of @var{widget} must be valid.
632@end defun
633
6f7f063d 634@vindex tab-order@r{ keyword}
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635@item :tab-order
636Specify the order in which widgets are traversed with
637@code{widget-forward} or @code{widget-backward}. This is only partially
638implemented.
639
640@enumerate a
641@item
642Widgets with tabbing order @code{-1} are ignored.
643
644@item
645(Unimplemented) When on a widget with tabbing order @var{n}, go to the
646next widget in the buffer with tabbing order @var{n+1} or @code{nil},
647whichever comes first.
648
649@item
650When on a widget with no tabbing order specified, go to the next widget
651in the buffer with a positive tabbing order, or @code{nil}
652@end enumerate
653
6f7f063d 654@vindex parent@r{ keyword}
6bf7aab6 655@item :parent
a159375d 656The parent of a nested widget (e.g.@: a @code{menu-choice} item or an
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657element of a @code{editable-list} widget).
658
6f7f063d 659@vindex sibling-args@r{ keyword}
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660@item :sibling-args
661This keyword is only used for members of a @code{radio-button-choice} or
662@code{checklist}. The value should be a list of extra keyword
663arguments, which will be used when creating the @code{radio-button} or
664@code{checkbox} associated with this item.
665
666@end table
667
668@deffn {User Option} widget-glyph-directory
669Directory where glyphs are found.
670Widget will look here for a file with the same name as specified for the
6f7f063d 671image, with either a @file{.xpm} (if supported) or @file{.xbm} extension.
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672@end deffn
673
674@deffn{User Option} widget-glyph-enable
675If non-nil, allow glyphs to appear on displays where they are supported.
676@end deffn
677
678
679@menu
680* link::
681* url-link::
682* info-link::
683* push-button::
684* editable-field::
685* text::
686* menu-choice::
687* radio-button-choice::
688* item::
689* choice-item::
690* toggle::
691* checkbox::
692* checklist::
693* editable-list::
694* group::
695@end menu
696
697@node link, url-link, Basic Types, Basic Types
698@comment node-name, next, previous, up
699@subsection The @code{link} Widget
6f7f063d 700@findex link@r{ widget}
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701
702Syntax:
703
704@example
705TYPE ::= (link [KEYWORD ARGUMENT]... [ VALUE ])
706@end example
707
708The @var{value}, if present, is used to initialize the @code{:value}
709property. The value should be a string, which will be inserted in the
710buffer.
711
712By default the link will be shown in brackets.
713
714@defopt widget-link-prefix
715String to prefix links.
716@end defopt
717
718@defopt widget-link-suffix
719String to suffix links.
720@end defopt
721
722@node url-link, info-link, link, Basic Types
723@comment node-name, next, previous, up
724@subsection The @code{url-link} Widget
6f7f063d 725@findex url-link@r{ widget}
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726
727Syntax:
728
729@example
730TYPE ::= (url-link [KEYWORD ARGUMENT]... URL)
731@end example
732
6f7f063d 733@findex browse-url-browser-function@r{, and @code{url-link} widget}
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734When this link is invoked, the @sc{www} browser specified by
735@code{browse-url-browser-function} will be called with @var{url}.
736
737@node info-link, push-button, url-link, Basic Types
738@comment node-name, next, previous, up
739@subsection The @code{info-link} Widget
6f7f063d 740@findex info-link@r{ widget}
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741
742Syntax:
743
744@example
745TYPE ::= (info-link [KEYWORD ARGUMENT]... ADDRESS)
746@end example
747
6f7f063d 748When this link is invoked, the built-in Info reader is started on
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749@var{address}.
750
751@node push-button, editable-field, info-link, Basic Types
752@comment node-name, next, previous, up
753@subsection The @code{push-button} Widget
6f7f063d 754@findex push-button@r{ widget}
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755
756Syntax:
757
758@example
759TYPE ::= (push-button [KEYWORD ARGUMENT]... [ VALUE ])
760@end example
761
762The @var{value}, if present, is used to initialize the @code{:value}
6f7f063d 763property. The value should be a string, which will be inserted in the
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764buffer.
765
766By default the tag will be shown in brackets.
767
768@defopt widget-push-button-prefix
769String to prefix push buttons.
770@end defopt
771
772@defopt widget-push-button-suffix
773String to suffix push buttons.
774@end defopt
775
776@node editable-field, text, push-button, Basic Types
777@comment node-name, next, previous, up
778@subsection The @code{editable-field} Widget
6f7f063d 779@findex editable-field@r{ widget}
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780
781Syntax:
782
783@example
784TYPE ::= (editable-field [KEYWORD ARGUMENT]... [ VALUE ])
785@end example
786
787The @var{value}, if present, is used to initialize the @code{:value}
788property. The value should be a string, which will be inserted in
789field. This widget will match all string values.
790
6f7f063d 791The following extra properties are recognized:
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792
793@table @code
6f7f063d 794@vindex size@r{ keyword}
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795@item :size
796The width of the editable field.@*
797By default the field will reach to the end of the line.
798
6f7f063d 799@vindex value-face@r{ keyword}
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800@item :value-face
801Face used for highlighting the editable field. Default is
6f7f063d 802@code{widget-field-face}, see @ref{User Interface}.
6bf7aab6 803
6f7f063d 804@vindex secret@r{ keyword}
6bf7aab6 805@item :secret
a159375d 806Character used to display the value. You can set this to e.g.@: @code{?*}
6bf7aab6 807if the field contains a password or other secret information. By
6f7f063d 808default, this is nil, and the value is not secret.
6bf7aab6 809
6f7f063d 810@vindex valid-regexp@r{ keyword}
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811@item :valid-regexp
812By default the @code{:validate} function will match the content of the
813field with the value of this attribute. The default value is @code{""}
814which matches everything.
815
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816@vindex keymap@r{ keyword}
817@vindex widget-field-keymap
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818@item :keymap
819Keymap used in the editable field. The default value is
820@code{widget-field-keymap}, which allows you to use all the normal
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821editing commands, even if the buffer's major mode suppresses some of
822them. Pressing @key{RET} invokes the function specified by
823@code{:action}.
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824@end table
825
826@node text, menu-choice, editable-field, Basic Types
827@comment node-name, next, previous, up
828@subsection The @code{text} Widget
6f7f063d 829@findex text@r{ widget}
6bf7aab6 830
6f7f063d 831@vindex widget-text-keymap
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832This is just like @code{editable-field}, but intended for multiline text
833fields. The default @code{:keymap} is @code{widget-text-keymap}, which
6f7f063d 834does not rebind the @key{RET} key.
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835
836@node menu-choice, radio-button-choice, text, Basic Types
837@comment node-name, next, previous, up
838@subsection The @code{menu-choice} Widget
6f7f063d 839@findex menu-choice@r{ widget}
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840
841Syntax:
842
843@example
844TYPE ::= (menu-choice [KEYWORD ARGUMENT]... TYPE ... )
845@end example
846
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847The @var{type} argument represents each possible choice. The widget's
848value will be that of the chosen @var{type} argument. This widget will
849match any value matching at least one of the specified @var{type}
850arguments.
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851
852@table @code
6f7f063d 853@vindex void@r{ keyword}
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854@item :void
855Widget type used as a fallback when the value does not match any of the
856specified @var{type} arguments.
857
6f7f063d 858@vindex case-fold@r{ keyword}
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859@item :case-fold
860Set this to nil if you don't want to ignore case when prompting for a
861choice through the minibuffer.
862
6f7f063d 863@vindex children@r{ keyword}
6bf7aab6 864@item :children
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EZ
865A list whose @code{car} is the widget representing the currently chosen
866type in the buffer.
6bf7aab6 867
6f7f063d 868@vindex choice@r{ keyword}
6bf7aab6 869@item :choice
6f7f063d 870The current chosen type.
6bf7aab6 871
6f7f063d 872@vindex args@r{ keyword}
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873@item :args
874The list of types.
875@end table
876
877@node radio-button-choice, item, menu-choice, Basic Types
878@comment node-name, next, previous, up
879@subsection The @code{radio-button-choice} Widget
6f7f063d 880@findex radio-button-choice@r{ widget}
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881
882Syntax:
883
884@example
885TYPE ::= (radio-button-choice [KEYWORD ARGUMENT]... TYPE ... )
886@end example
887
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888The @var{type} argument represents each possible choice. The widget's
889value will be that of the chosen @var{type} argument. This widget will
890match any value matching at least one of the specified @var{type}
891arguments.
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892
893The following extra properties are recognized.
894
895@table @code
6f7f063d 896@vindex entry-format@r{ keyword}
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897@item :entry-format
898This string will be inserted for each entry in the list.
899The following @samp{%} escapes are available:
900@table @samp
901@item %v
6f7f063d 902Replace with the buffer representation of the @var{type} widget.
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903@item %b
904Replace with the radio button.
905@item %%
906Insert a literal @samp{%}.
907@end table
908
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909@vindex button-args@r{ keyword}
910@item :button-args
6bf7aab6 911A list of keywords to pass to the radio buttons. Useful for setting
a159375d 912e.g.@: the @samp{:help-echo} for each button.
6bf7aab6 913
6f7f063d 914@vindex buttons@r{ keyword}
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915@item :buttons
916The widgets representing the radio buttons.
917
6f7f063d 918@vindex children@r{ keyword}
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919@item :children
920The widgets representing each type.
921
6f7f063d 922@vindex choice@r{ keyword}
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923@item :choice
924The current chosen type
925
6f7f063d 926@vindex args@r{ keyword}
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927@item :args
928The list of types.
929@end table
930
931You can add extra radio button items to a @code{radio-button-choice}
932widget after it has been created with the function
933@code{widget-radio-add-item}.
934
935@defun widget-radio-add-item widget type
6f7f063d
EZ
936Add to @code{radio-button-choice} widget @var{widget} a new radio button
937item of type @var{type}.
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DL
938@end defun
939
940Please note that such items added after the @code{radio-button-choice}
941widget has been created will @strong{not} be properly destructed when
942you call @code{widget-delete}.
943
944@node item, choice-item, radio-button-choice, Basic Types
945@comment node-name, next, previous, up
946@subsection The @code{item} Widget
6f7f063d 947@findex item@r{ widget}
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DL
948
949Syntax:
950
951@example
952ITEM ::= (item [KEYWORD ARGUMENT]... VALUE)
953@end example
954
955The @var{value}, if present, is used to initialize the @code{:value}
956property. The value should be a string, which will be inserted in the
957buffer. This widget will only match the specified value.
958
959@node choice-item, toggle, item, Basic Types
960@comment node-name, next, previous, up
961@subsection The @code{choice-item} Widget
6f7f063d 962@findex choice-item@r{ widget}
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963
964Syntax:
965
966@example
967ITEM ::= (choice-item [KEYWORD ARGUMENT]... VALUE)
968@end example
969
970The @var{value}, if present, is used to initialize the @code{:value}
971property. The value should be a string, which will be inserted in the
972buffer as a button. Activating the button of a @code{choice-item} is
973equivalent to activating the parent widget. This widget will only match
974the specified value.
975
976@node toggle, checkbox, choice-item, Basic Types
977@comment node-name, next, previous, up
978@subsection The @code{toggle} Widget
6f7f063d 979@findex toggle@r{ widget}
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980
981Syntax:
982
983@example
984TYPE ::= (toggle [KEYWORD ARGUMENT]...)
985@end example
986
6f7f063d
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987The widget has two possible states, @samp{on} and @samp{off}, which
988correspond to a @code{t} or @code{nil} value, respectively.
6bf7aab6 989
6f7f063d 990The following extra properties are recognized:
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DL
991
992@table @code
993@item :on
6f7f063d
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994A string representing the @samp{on} state. By default the string
995@samp{on}.
6bf7aab6 996@item :off
6f7f063d
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997A string representing the @samp{off} state. By default the string
998@samp{off}.
999@vindex on-glyph@r{ keyword}
6bf7aab6 1000@item :on-glyph
6f7f063d
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1001Name of a glyph to be used instead of the @samp{:on} text string, on
1002emacsen that supports this.
1003@vindex off-glyph@r{ keyword}
6bf7aab6 1004@item :off-glyph
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EZ
1005Name of a glyph to be used instead of the @samp{:off} text string, on
1006emacsen that supports this.
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DL
1007@end table
1008
1009@node checkbox, checklist, toggle, Basic Types
1010@comment node-name, next, previous, up
1011@subsection The @code{checkbox} Widget
6f7f063d 1012@findex checkbox@r{ widget}
6bf7aab6 1013
6f7f063d
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1014This widget has two possible states, @samp{selected} and
1015@samp{unselected}, which corresponds to a @code{t} or @code{nil} value.
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1016
1017Syntax:
1018
1019@example
1020TYPE ::= (checkbox [KEYWORD ARGUMENT]...)
1021@end example
1022
1023@node checklist, editable-list, checkbox, Basic Types
1024@comment node-name, next, previous, up
1025@subsection The @code{checklist} Widget
6f7f063d 1026@findex checklist@r{ widget}
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1027
1028Syntax:
1029
1030@example
1031TYPE ::= (checklist [KEYWORD ARGUMENT]... TYPE ... )
1032@end example
1033
6f7f063d
EZ
1034The @var{type} arguments represent each checklist item. The widget's
1035value will be a list containing the values of all checked @var{type}
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DL
1036arguments. The checklist widget will match a list whose elements all
1037match at least one of the specified @var{type} arguments.
6bf7aab6 1038
6f7f063d 1039The following extra properties are recognized:
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DL
1040
1041@table @code
6f7f063d 1042@vindex entry-format@r{ keyword}
6bf7aab6
DL
1043@item :entry-format
1044This string will be inserted for each entry in the list.
1045The following @samp{%} escapes are available:
1046@table @samp
1047@item %v
1048Replaced with the buffer representation of the @var{type} widget.
1049@item %b
1050Replace with the checkbox.
1051@item %%
1052Insert a literal @samp{%}.
1053@end table
1054
6f7f063d 1055@vindex greedy@r{ keyword}
6bf7aab6 1056@item :greedy
54438eb5 1057Usually a checklist will only match if the items are in the exact
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DL
1058sequence given in the specification. By setting @code{:greedy} to
1059non-nil, it will allow the items to come in any sequence. However, if
1060you extract the value they will be in the sequence given in the
a159375d 1061checklist, i.e.@: the original sequence is forgotten.
6bf7aab6 1062
6f7f063d 1063@vindex button-args@r{ keyword}
a159375d 1064@item :button-args
6bf7aab6 1065A list of keywords to pass to the checkboxes. Useful for setting
a159375d 1066e.g.@: the @samp{:help-echo} for each checkbox.
6bf7aab6 1067
6f7f063d 1068@vindex buttons@r{ keyword}
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1069@item :buttons
1070The widgets representing the checkboxes.
1071
6f7f063d 1072@vindex children@r{ keyword}
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DL
1073@item :children
1074The widgets representing each type.
1075
6f7f063d 1076@vindex args@r{ keyword}
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1077@item :args
1078The list of types.
1079@end table
1080
1081@node editable-list, group, checklist, Basic Types
1082@comment node-name, next, previous, up
1083@subsection The @code{editable-list} Widget
6f7f063d 1084@findex editable-list@r{ widget}
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1085
1086Syntax:
1087
1088@example
1089TYPE ::= (editable-list [KEYWORD ARGUMENT]... TYPE)
1090@end example
1091
1092The value is a list, where each member represents one widget of type
1093@var{type}.
1094
6f7f063d 1095The following extra properties are recognized:
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1096
1097@table @code
6f7f063d 1098@vindex entry-format@r{ keyword}
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1099@item :entry-format
1100This string will be inserted for each entry in the list.
1101The following @samp{%} escapes are available:
1102@table @samp
1103@item %v
1104This will be replaced with the buffer representation of the @var{type}
1105widget.
1106@item %i
976e00f1 1107Insert the @b{[INS]} button.
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1108@item %d
1109Insert the @b{[DEL]} button.
1110@item %%
1111Insert a literal @samp{%}.
1112@end table
1113
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DL
1114@vindex insert-button-args@r{ keyword}
1115@item :insert-button-args
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1116A list of keyword arguments to pass to the insert buttons.
1117
6f7f063d 1118@vindex delete-button-args@r{ keyword}
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1119@item :delete-button-args
1120A list of keyword arguments to pass to the delete buttons.
1121
6f7f063d 1122@vindex append-button-args@r{ keyword}
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DL
1123@item :append-button-args
1124A list of keyword arguments to pass to the trailing insert button.
1125
6f7f063d 1126@vindex buttons@r{ keyword}
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1127@item :buttons
1128The widgets representing the insert and delete buttons.
1129
6f7f063d 1130@vindex children@r{ keyword}
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1131@item :children
1132The widgets representing the elements of the list.
1133
6f7f063d 1134@vindex args@r{ keyword}
6bf7aab6 1135@item :args
6f7f063d 1136List whose @code{car} is the type of the list elements.
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1137@end table
1138
1139@node group, , editable-list, Basic Types
1140@comment node-name, next, previous, up
1141@subsection The @code{group} Widget
6f7f063d 1142@findex group@r{ widget}
6bf7aab6 1143
6f7f063d 1144This widget simply group other widgets together.
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1145
1146Syntax:
1147
1148@example
1149TYPE ::= (group [KEYWORD ARGUMENT]... TYPE...)
1150@end example
1151
1152The value is a list, with one member for each @var{type}.
1153
1154@node Sexp Types, Widget Properties, Basic Types, Top
1155@comment
1156@section Sexp Types
6f7f063d 1157@cindex sexp types
6bf7aab6 1158
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EZ
1159A number of widgets for editing @dfn{s-expressions} (lisp types), sexp
1160for short, are also available. These basically fall in several
1161categories described in this section.
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DL
1162
1163@menu
1164* constants::
1165* generic::
1166* atoms::
1167* composite::
1168@end menu
1169
1170@node constants, generic, Sexp Types, Sexp Types
1171@comment node-name, next, previous, up
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1172@subsection The Constant Widgets
1173@cindex constant widgets
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DL
1174
1175The @code{const} widget can contain any lisp expression, but the user is
6f7f063d
EZ
1176prohibited from editing it, which is mainly useful as a component of one
1177of the composite widgets.
6bf7aab6 1178
6f7f063d 1179The syntax for the @code{const} widget is:
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1180
1181@example
1182TYPE ::= (const [KEYWORD ARGUMENT]... [ VALUE ])
1183@end example
1184
1185The @var{value}, if present, is used to initialize the @code{:value}
1186property and can be any s-expression.
1187
1188@deffn Widget const
1189This will display any valid s-expression in an immutable part of the
1190buffer.
1191@end deffn
1192
1193There are two variations of the @code{const} widget, namely
1194@code{variable-item} and @code{function-item}. These should contain a
1195symbol with a variable or function binding. The major difference from
1196the @code{const} widget is that they will allow the user to see the
1197variable or function documentation for the symbol.
1198
1199@deffn Widget variable-item
1200An immutable symbol that is bound as a variable.
1201@end deffn
1202
1203@deffn Widget function-item
1204An immutable symbol that is bound as a function.
1205@end deffn
1206
1207@node generic, atoms, constants, Sexp Types
1208@comment node-name, next, previous, up
6f7f063d
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1209@subsection Generic Sexp Widget
1210@cindex generic sexp widget
6bf7aab6
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1211
1212The @code{sexp} widget can contain any lisp expression, and allows the
1213user to edit it inline in the buffer.
1214
6f7f063d 1215The syntax for the @code{sexp} widget is:
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1216
1217@example
1218TYPE ::= (sexp [KEYWORD ARGUMENT]... [ VALUE ])
1219@end example
1220
1221@deffn Widget sexp
1222This will allow you to edit any valid s-expression in an editable buffer
1223field.
1224
1225The @code{sexp} widget takes the same keyword arguments as the
6f7f063d 1226@code{editable-field} widget. @xref{editable-field}.
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1227@end deffn
1228
1229@node atoms, composite, generic, Sexp Types
1230@comment node-name, next, previous, up
6f7f063d
EZ
1231@subsection Atomic Sexp Widgets
1232@cindex atomic sexp widget
6bf7aab6 1233
6f7f063d
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1234The atoms are s-expressions that do not consist of other s-expressions.
1235For example, a string, a file name, or a symbol are atoms, while a list
1236is a composite type. You can edit the value of an atom with the
1237following widgets.
6bf7aab6 1238
6f7f063d 1239The syntax for all the atoms are:
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1240
1241@example
1242TYPE ::= (NAME [KEYWORD ARGUMENT]... [ VALUE ])
1243@end example
1244
1245The @var{value}, if present, is used to initialize the @code{:value}
1246property and must be an expression of the same type as the widget.
6f7f063d 1247That is, the string widget can only be initialized with a string.
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1248
1249All the atom widgets take the same keyword arguments as the
6f7f063d 1250@code{editable-field} widget. @xref{editable-field}.
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1251
1252@deffn Widget string
1253Allows you to edit a string in an editable field.
1254@end deffn
1255
1256@deffn Widget regexp
1257Allows you to edit a regular expression in an editable field.
1258@end deffn
1259
1260@deffn Widget character
1261Allows you to enter a character in an editable field.
1262@end deffn
1263
1264@deffn Widget file
1265Allows you to edit a file name in an editable field. If you invoke
1266the tag button, you can edit the file name in the mini-buffer with
1267completion.
1268
1269Keywords:
1270@table @code
6f7f063d 1271@vindex must-match@r{ keyword}
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1272@item :must-match
1273If this is set to non-nil, only existing file names will be allowed in
1274the minibuffer.
1275@end table
1276@end deffn
1277
1278@deffn Widget directory
1279Allows you to edit a directory name in an editable field.
1280Similar to the @code{file} widget.
1281@end deffn
1282
1283@deffn Widget symbol
1284Allows you to edit a lisp symbol in an editable field.
1285@end deffn
1286
1287@deffn Widget function
1288Allows you to edit a lambda expression, or a function name with completion.
1289@end deffn
1290
1291@deffn Widget variable
1292Allows you to edit a variable name, with completion.
1293@end deffn
1294
1295@deffn Widget integer
1296Allows you to edit an integer in an editable field.
1297@end deffn
1298
1299@deffn Widget number
1300Allows you to edit a number in an editable field.
1301@end deffn
1302
1303@deffn Widget boolean
1304Allows you to edit a boolean. In lisp this means a variable which is
1305either nil meaning false, or non-nil meaning true.
1306@end deffn
1307
1308
1309@node composite, , atoms, Sexp Types
1310@comment node-name, next, previous, up
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1311@subsection Composite Sexp Widgets
1312@cindex composite sexp widgets
6bf7aab6 1313
6f7f063d 1314The syntax for the composite widget is:
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1315
1316@example
1317TYPE ::= (NAME [KEYWORD ARGUMENT]... COMPONENT...)
1318@end example
1319
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1320@noindent
1321where each @var{component} must be a widget type. Each component widget
1322will be displayed in the buffer, and will be editable by the user.
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1323
1324@deffn Widget cons
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1325The value of a @code{cons} widget is a cons-cell where the @code{car} is
1326the value of the first component and the @code{cdr} is the value of the
1327second component. There must be exactly two components.
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1328@end deffn
1329
1330@deffn Widget list
1331The value of a @code{list} widget is a list containing the value of
1332each of its component.
1333@end deffn
1334
1335@deffn Widget vector
1336The value of a @code{vector} widget is a vector containing the value of
1337each of its component.
1338@end deffn
1339
1340The above suffice for specifying fixed size lists and vectors. To get
1341variable length lists and vectors, you can use a @code{choice},
6f7f063d 1342@code{set}, or @code{repeat} widgets together with the @code{:inline}
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1343keywords. If any component of a composite widget has the @code{:inline}
1344keyword set, its value must be a list which will then be spliced into
1345the composite. For example, to specify a list whose first element must
1346be a file name, and whose remaining arguments should either by the
1347symbol @code{t} or two files, you can use the following widget
1348specification:
1349
1350@example
1351(list file
1352 (choice (const t)
1353 (list :inline t
1354 :value ("foo" "bar")
1355 string string)))
1356@end example
1357
1358The value of a widget of this type will either have the form
6f7f063d 1359@code{(file t)} or @code{(file string string)}.
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1360
1361This concept of inline is probably hard to understand. It was certainly
6f7f063d 1362hard to implement, so instead of confusing you more by trying to explain
54438eb5 1363it here, I'll just suggest you meditate over it for a while.
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1364
1365@deffn Widget choice
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1366Allows you to edit a sexp which may have one of a fixed set of types.
1367It is currently implemented with the @code{choice-menu} basic widget,
1368and has a similar syntax.
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1369@end deffn
1370
1371@deffn Widget set
1372Allows you to specify a type which must be a list whose elements all
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1373belong to given set. The elements of the list are not significant.
1374This is implemented on top of the @code{checklist} basic widget, and has
1375a similar syntax.
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1376@end deffn
1377
1378@deffn Widget repeat
1379Allows you to specify a variable length list whose members are all of
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1380the same type. Implemented on top of the @code{editable-list} basic
1381widget, and has a similar syntax.
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1382@end deffn
1383
1384@node Widget Properties, Defining New Widgets, Sexp Types, Top
1385@comment node-name, next, previous, up
1386@section Properties
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1387@cindex properties of widgets
1388@cindex widget properties
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1389
1390You can examine or set the value of a widget by using the widget object
1391that was returned by @code{widget-create}.
1392
1393@defun widget-value widget
1394Return the current value contained in @var{widget}.
1395It is an error to call this function on an uninitialized widget.
1396@end defun
1397
1398@defun widget-value-set widget value
1399Set the value contained in @var{widget} to @var{value}.
1400It is an error to call this function with an invalid @var{value}.
1401@end defun
1402
1403@strong{Important:} You @emph{must} call @code{widget-setup} after
1404modifying the value of a widget before the user is allowed to edit the
1405widget again. It is enough to call @code{widget-setup} once if you
1406modify multiple widgets. This is currently only necessary if the widget
1407contains an editing field, but may be necessary for other widgets in the
1408future.
1409
1410If your application needs to associate some information with the widget
1411objects, for example a reference to the item being edited, it can be
1412done with @code{widget-put} and @code{widget-get}. The property names
1413must begin with a @samp{:}.
1414
1415@defun widget-put widget property value
1416In @var{widget} set @var{property} to @var{value}.
1417@var{property} should be a symbol, while @var{value} can be anything.
1418@end defun
1419
1420@defun widget-get widget property
1421In @var{widget} return the value for @var{property}.
1422@var{property} should be a symbol, the value is what was last set by
1423@code{widget-put} for @var{property}.
1424@end defun
1425
1426@defun widget-member widget property
1427Non-nil if @var{widget} has a value (even nil) for property @var{property}.
1428@end defun
1429
1430Occasionally it can be useful to know which kind of widget you have,
a159375d 1431i.e.@: the name of the widget type you gave when the widget was created.
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1432
1433@defun widget-type widget
1434Return the name of @var{widget}, a symbol.
1435@end defun
1436
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1437@cindex active widget
1438@cindex inactive widget
1439@cindex activate a widget
1440@cindex deactivate a widget
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1441Widgets can be in two states: active, which means they are modifiable by
1442the user, or inactive, which means they cannot be modified by the user.
1443You can query or set the state with the following code:
1444
1445@lisp
1446;; Examine if @var{widget} is active or not.
1447(if (widget-apply @var{widget} :active)
1448 (message "Widget is active.")
1449 (message "Widget is inactive.")
1450
1451;; Make @var{widget} inactive.
1452(widget-apply @var{widget} :deactivate)
1453
1454;; Make @var{widget} active.
1455(widget-apply @var{widget} :activate)
1456@end lisp
1457
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1458A widget is inactive if it, or any of its ancestors (found by
1459following the @code{:parent} link), have been deactivated. To make sure
1460a widget is really active, you must therefore activate both it and
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1461all its ancestors.
1462
1463@lisp
1464(while widget
1465 (widget-apply widget :activate)
1466 (setq widget (widget-get widget :parent)))
1467@end lisp
1468
1469You can check if a widget has been made inactive by examining the value
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1470of the @code{:inactive} keyword. If this is non-nil, the widget itself
1471has been deactivated. This is different from using the @code{:active}
1472keyword, in that the latter tells you if the widget @strong{or} any of
1473its ancestors have been deactivated. Do not attempt to set the
6bf7aab6 1474@code{:inactive} keyword directly. Use the @code{:activate}
54438eb5 1475@code{:deactivate} keywords instead.
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1476
1477
1478@node Defining New Widgets, Widget Browser, Widget Properties, Top
1479@comment node-name, next, previous, up
1480@section Defining New Widgets
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1481@cindex new widgets
1482@cindex defining new widgets
6bf7aab6 1483
75ba82a9 1484You can define specialized widgets with @code{define-widget}. It allows
6bf7aab6 1485you to create a shorthand for more complex widgets, including specifying
54438eb5 1486component widgets and new default values for the keyword
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1487arguments.
1488
75ba82a9 1489@defun define-widget name class doc &rest args
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1490Define a new widget type named @var{name} from @code{class}.
1491
1492@var{name} and class should both be symbols, @code{class} should be one
1493of the existing widget types.
1494
1495The third argument @var{DOC} is a documentation string for the widget.
1496
1497After the new widget has been defined, the following two calls will
1498create identical widgets:
1499
1500@itemize @bullet
1501@item
1502@lisp
1503(widget-create @var{name})
1504@end lisp
1505
1506@item
1507@lisp
1508(apply widget-create @var{class} @var{args})
1509@end lisp
1510@end itemize
1511
1512@end defun
1513
75ba82a9 1514Using @code{define-widget} just stores the definition of the widget type
54438eb5 1515in the @code{widget-type} property of @var{name}, which is what
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1516@code{widget-create} uses.
1517
6f7f063d 1518If you only want to specify defaults for keywords with no complex
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1519conversions, you can use @code{identity} as your conversion function.
1520
1521The following additional keyword arguments are useful when defining new
1522widgets:
1523@table @code
6f7f063d 1524@vindex convert-widget@r{ keyword}
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1525@item :convert-widget
1526Function to convert a widget type before creating a widget of that
1527type. It takes a widget type as an argument, and returns the converted
1528widget type. When a widget is created, this function is called for the
54438eb5 1529widget type and all the widget's parent types, most derived first.
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1530
1531The following predefined functions can be used here:
1532
1533@defun widget-types-convert-widget widget
1534Convert @code{:args} as widget types in @var{widget}.
1535@end defun
1536
1537@defun widget-value-convert-widget widget
1538Initialize @code{:value} from @code{:args} in @var{widget}.
1539@end defun
1540
6f7f063d 1541@vindex value-to-internal@r{ keyword}
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1542@item :value-to-internal
1543Function to convert the value to the internal format. The function
1544takes two arguments, a widget and an external value, and returns the
1545internal value. The function is called on the present @code{:value}
1546when the widget is created, and on any value set later with
1547@code{widget-value-set}.
1548
6f7f063d 1549@vindex value-to-external@r{ keyword}
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1550@item :value-to-external
1551Function to convert the value to the external format. The function
1552takes two arguments, a widget and an internal value, and returns the
6f7f063d 1553external value. The function is called on the present @code{:value}
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1554when the widget is created, and on any value set later with
1555@code{widget-value-set}.
1556
6f7f063d 1557@vindex create@r{ keyword}
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1558@item :create
1559Function to create a widget from scratch. The function takes one
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1560argument, a widget type, and creates a widget of that type, inserts it
1561in the buffer, and returns a widget object.
6bf7aab6 1562
6f7f063d 1563@vindex delete@r{ keyword}
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1564@item :delete
1565Function to delete a widget. The function takes one argument, a widget,
1566and should remove all traces of the widget from the buffer.
1567
6f7f063d 1568@vindex value-create@r{ keyword}
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1569@item :value-create
1570Function to expand the @samp{%v} escape in the format string. It will
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1571be called with the widget as its argument and should insert a
1572representation of the widget's value in the buffer.
6bf7aab6 1573
6f7f063d 1574@vindex value-delete@r{ keyword}
6bf7aab6 1575@item :value-delete
54438eb5 1576Should remove the representation of the widget's value from the buffer.
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1577It will be called with the widget as its argument. It doesn't have to
1578remove the text, but it should release markers and delete nested widgets
54438eb5 1579if such have been used.
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1580
1581The following predefined function can be used here:
1582
1583@defun widget-children-value-delete widget
1584Delete all @code{:children} and @code{:buttons} in @var{widget}.
1585@end defun
1586
6f7f063d 1587@vindex value-get@r{ keyword}
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1588@item :value-get
1589Function to extract the value of a widget, as it is displayed in the
1590buffer.
1591
1592The following predefined function can be used here:
1593
1594@defun widget-value-value-get widget
1595Return the @code{:value} property of @var{widget}.
1596@end defun
1597
6f7f063d 1598@vindex format-handler@r{ keyword}
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1599@item :format-handler
1600Function to handle unknown @samp{%} escapes in the format string. It
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1601will be called with the widget and the character that follows the
1602@samp{%} as arguments. You can set this to allow your widget to handle
1603non-standard escapes.
6bf7aab6 1604
6f7f063d 1605@findex widget-default-format-handler
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1606You should end up calling @code{widget-default-format-handler} to handle
1607unknown escape sequences, which will handle the @samp{%h} and any future
1608escape sequences, as well as give an error for unknown escapes.
1609
6f7f063d 1610@vindex action@r{ keyword}
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1611@item :action
1612Function to handle user initiated events. By default, @code{:notify}
1613the parent.
1614
1615The following predefined function can be used here:
1616
1617@defun widget-parent-action widget &optional event
1618Tell @code{:parent} of @var{widget} to handle the @code{:action}.
1619Optional @var{event} is the event that triggered the action.
1620@end defun
1621
6f7f063d 1622@vindex prompt-value@r{ keyword}
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1623@item :prompt-value
1624Function to prompt for a value in the minibuffer. The function should
1625take four arguments, @var{widget}, @var{prompt}, @var{value}, and
1626@var{unbound} and should return a value for widget entered by the user.
1627@var{prompt} is the prompt to use. @var{value} is the default value to
54438eb5 1628use, unless @var{unbound} is non-nil, in which case there is no default
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1629value. The function should read the value using the method most natural
1630for this widget, and does not have to check that it matches.
1631@end table
1632
1633If you want to define a new widget from scratch, use the @code{default}
1634widget as its base.
1635
1636@deffn Widget default
1637Widget used as a base for other widgets.
1638
1639It provides most of the functionality that is referred to as ``by
1640default'' in this text.
1641@end deffn
1642
1643@node Widget Browser, Widget Minor Mode, Defining New Widgets, Top
1644@comment node-name, next, previous, up
1645@section Widget Browser
6f7f063d 1646@cindex widget browser
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1647
1648There is a separate package to browse widgets. This is intended to help
1649programmers who want to examine the content of a widget. The browser
1650shows the value of each keyword, but uses links for certain keywords
6f7f063d 1651such as @samp{:parent}, which avoids printing cyclic structures.
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1652
1653@deffn Command widget-browse WIDGET
1654Create a widget browser for WIDGET.
1655When called interactively, prompt for WIDGET.
1656@end deffn
1657
1658@deffn Command widget-browse-other-window WIDGET
1659Create a widget browser for WIDGET and show it in another window.
1660When called interactively, prompt for WIDGET.
1661@end deffn
1662
1663@deffn Command widget-browse-at POS
1664Create a widget browser for the widget at POS.
1665When called interactively, use the position of point.
1666@end deffn
1667
1668@node Widget Minor Mode, Utilities, Widget Browser, Top
1669@comment node-name, next, previous, up
1670@section Widget Minor Mode
6f7f063d 1671@cindex widget minor mode
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1672
1673There is a minor mode for manipulating widgets in major modes that
6f7f063d 1674don't provide any support for widgets themselves. This is mostly
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1675intended to be useful for programmers doing experiments.
1676
1677@deffn Command widget-minor-mode
1678Toggle minor mode for traversing widgets.
1679With arg, turn widget mode on if and only if arg is positive.
1680@end deffn
1681
1682@defvar widget-minor-mode-keymap
1683Keymap used in @code{widget-minor-mode}.
1684@end defvar
1685
1686@node Utilities, Widget Wishlist, Widget Minor Mode, Top
1687@comment node-name, next, previous, up
1688@section Utilities.
6f7f063d 1689@cindex utility functions for widgets
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1690
1691@defun widget-prompt-value widget prompt [ value unbound ]
1692Prompt for a value matching @var{widget}, using @var{prompt}.
1693The current value is assumed to be @var{value}, unless @var{unbound} is
1694non-nil.@refill
1695@end defun
1696
1697@defun widget-get-sibling widget
6f7f063d 1698Get the item which @var{widget} is assumed to toggle.
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1699This is only meaningful for radio buttons or checkboxes in a list.
1700@end defun
1701
6f7f063d 1702@node Widget Wishlist, Index, Utilities, Top
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1703@comment node-name, next, previous, up
1704@section Wishlist
6f7f063d 1705@cindex todo
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1706
1707@itemize @bullet
1708@item
1709It should be possible to add or remove items from a list with @kbd{C-k}
1710and @kbd{C-o} (suggested by @sc{rms}).
1711
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1712@item
1713The @samp{[INS]} and @samp{[DEL]} buttons should be replaced by a single
1714dash (@samp{-}). The dash should be a button that, when invoked, asks
1715whether you want to add or delete an item (@sc{rms} wanted to git rid of
1716the ugly buttons, the dash is my idea).
1717
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1718@item
1719The @code{menu-choice} tag should be prettier, something like the abbreviated
1720menus in Open Look.
1721
1722@item
1723Finish @code{:tab-order}.
1724
1725@item
1726Make indentation work with glyphs and proportional fonts.
1727
1728@item
1729Add commands to show overview of object and class hierarchies to the
1730browser.
1731
1732@item
1733Find a way to disable mouse highlight for inactive widgets.
1734
1735@item
1736Find a way to make glyphs look inactive.
1737
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1738@item
1739Add @code{property-list} widget.
1740
1741@item
1742Add @code{association-list} widget.
1743
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1744@item
1745Add @code{key-binding} widget.
1746
1747@item
1748Add @code{widget} widget for editing widget specifications.
1749
1750@item
1751Find clean way to implement variable length list.
1752See @code{TeX-printer-list} for an explanation.
1753
1754@item
1755@kbd{C-h} in @code{widget-prompt-value} should give type specific help.
1756
1757@item
6f7f063d 1758Add a @code{mailto} widget.
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1759@end itemize
1760
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1761@node Index, , Widget Wishlist, Top
1762@comment node-name, next, previous, up
1763@unnumbered Index
1764
1765This is an alphabetical listing of all concepts, functions, commands,
1766variables, and widgets described in this manual.
1767@printindex cp
1768
56f7c94a 1769@setchapternewpage odd
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1770@contents
1771@bye