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6bf7aab6 | 1 | @c This is part of the Emacs manual. |
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2 | @c Copyright (C) 1985, 86, 87, 93, 94, 95, 97, 2000 |
3 | @c Free Software Foundation, Inc. | |
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4 | @c See file emacs.texi for copying conditions. |
5 | @node Help, Mark, M-x, Top | |
6 | @chapter Help | |
7 | @kindex Help | |
8 | @cindex help | |
9 | @cindex self-documentation | |
10 | @findex help-command | |
11 | @kindex C-h | |
12 | @kindex F1 | |
13 | ||
14 | Emacs provides extensive help features accessible through a single | |
15 | character, @kbd{C-h}. @kbd{C-h} is a prefix key that is used only for | |
16 | documentation-printing commands. The characters that you can type after | |
17 | @kbd{C-h} are called @dfn{help options}. One help option is @kbd{C-h}; | |
18 | that is how you ask for help about using @kbd{C-h}. To cancel, type | |
19 | @kbd{C-g}. The function key @key{F1} is equivalent to @kbd{C-h}. | |
20 | ||
21 | @kindex C-h C-h | |
22 | @findex help-for-help | |
23 | @kbd{C-h C-h} (@code{help-for-help}) displays a list of the possible | |
24 | help options, each with a brief description. Before you type a help | |
25 | option, you can use @key{SPC} or @key{DEL} to scroll through the list. | |
26 | ||
27 | @kbd{C-h} or @key{F1} means ``help'' in various other contexts as | |
28 | well. For example, in the middle of @code{query-replace}, it describes | |
29 | the options available for how to operate on the current match. After a | |
30 | prefix key, it displays a list of the alternatives that can follow the | |
31 | prefix key. (A few prefix keys don't support @kbd{C-h}, because they | |
32 | define other meanings for it, but they all support @key{F1}.) | |
33 | ||
34 | Most help buffers use a special major mode, Help mode, which lets you | |
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35 | scroll conveniently with @key{SPC} and @key{DEL}. It also offers |
36 | hyperlinks to more help on cross-referenced names, Info nodes, | |
37 | customization buffers and the like. @xref{Help Mode}. | |
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38 | |
39 | @menu | |
40 | * Help Summary:: Brief list of all Help commands. | |
41 | * Key Help:: Asking what a key does in Emacs. | |
42 | * Name Help:: Asking about a command, variable or function name. | |
43 | * Apropos:: Asking what pertains to a given topic. | |
44 | * Library Keywords:: Finding Lisp libraries by keywords (topics). | |
45 | * Language Help:: Help relating to international language support. | |
46 | * Help Mode:: Special features of Help mode and Help buffers. | |
47 | * Misc Help:: Other help commands. | |
7d291226 | 48 | * Help Echo:: Help on active text and tooltips (`balloon help') |
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49 | @end menu |
50 | ||
51 | @iftex | |
52 | @node Help Summary | |
53 | @end iftex | |
54 | @ifinfo | |
55 | @node Help Summary | |
56 | @section Help Summary | |
57 | @end ifinfo | |
58 | ||
59 | Here is a summary of the defined help commands. | |
60 | ||
61 | @table @kbd | |
62 | @item C-h a @var{regexp} @key{RET} | |
63 | Display a list of commands whose names match @var{regexp} | |
64 | (@code{apropos-command}). | |
65 | @item C-h b | |
66 | Display a table of all key bindings in effect now, in this order: minor | |
67 | mode bindings, major mode bindings, and global bindings | |
68 | (@code{describe-bindings}). | |
69 | @item C-h c @var{key} | |
70 | Print the name of the command that @var{key} runs | |
71 | (@code{describe-key-briefly}). Here @kbd{c} stands for `character'. For more | |
72 | extensive information on @var{key}, use @kbd{C-h k}. | |
73 | @item C-h f @var{function} @key{RET} | |
74 | Display documentation on the Lisp function named @var{function} | |
75 | (@code{describe-function}). Since commands are Lisp functions, | |
76 | a command name may be used. | |
77 | @item C-h h | |
78 | Display the @file{hello} file, which shows examples of various character | |
79 | sets. | |
80 | @item C-h i | |
81 | Run Info, the program for browsing documentation files (@code{info}). | |
82 | The complete Emacs manual is available on-line in Info. | |
83 | @item C-h k @var{key} | |
84 | Display the name and documentation of the command that @var{key} runs | |
85 | (@code{describe-key}). | |
86 | @item C-h l | |
87 | Display a description of the last 100 characters you typed | |
88 | (@code{view-lossage}). | |
89 | @item C-h m | |
90 | Display documentation of the current major mode (@code{describe-mode}). | |
91 | @item C-h n | |
92 | Display documentation of Emacs changes, most recent first | |
93 | (@code{view-emacs-news}). | |
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94 | @item C-h P |
95 | Display info on known problems with Emacs and possible workarounds | |
96 | (@code{view-emacs-problems}). | |
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97 | @item C-h p |
98 | Find packages by topic keyword (@code{finder-by-keyword}). | |
99 | @item C-h s | |
100 | Display current contents of the syntax table, plus an explanation of | |
101 | what they mean (@code{describe-syntax}). @xref{Syntax}. | |
102 | @item C-h t | |
103 | Enter the Emacs interactive tutorial (@code{help-with-tutorial}). | |
104 | @item C-h v @var{var} @key{RET} | |
105 | Display the documentation of the Lisp variable @var{var} | |
106 | (@code{describe-variable}). | |
107 | @item C-h w @var{command} @key{RET} | |
108 | Print which keys run the command named @var{command} (@code{where-is}). | |
109 | @item C-h C @var{coding} @key{RET} | |
110 | Describe coding system @var{coding} | |
111 | (@code{describe-coding-system}). | |
112 | @item C-h C @key{RET} | |
113 | Describe the coding systems currently in use. | |
114 | @item C-h I @var{method} @key{RET} | |
115 | Describe an input method (@code{describe-input-method}). | |
116 | @item C-h L @var{language-env} @key{RET} | |
117 | Describe information on the character sets, coding systems and input | |
118 | methods used for language environment @var{language-env} | |
119 | (@code{describe-language-environment}). | |
120 | @item C-h C-c | |
121 | Display the copying conditions for GNU Emacs. | |
122 | @item C-h C-d | |
123 | Display information about getting new versions of GNU Emacs. | |
124 | @item C-h C-f @var{function} @key{RET} | |
125 | Enter Info and go to the node documenting the Emacs function @var{function} | |
126 | (@code{Info-goto-emacs-command-node}). | |
127 | @item C-h C-k @var{key} | |
128 | Enter Info and go to the node where the key sequence @var{key} is | |
129 | documented (@code{Info-goto-emacs-key-command-node}). | |
130 | @item C-h C-p | |
131 | Display information about the GNU Project. | |
132 | @item C-h @key{TAB} @var{symbol} @key{RET} | |
133 | Display the Info documentation on symbol @var{symbol} according to the | |
134 | programming language you are editing (@code{info-lookup-symbol}). | |
135 | @end table | |
136 | ||
137 | @node Key Help | |
138 | @section Documentation for a Key | |
139 | ||
140 | @kindex C-h c | |
141 | @findex describe-key-briefly | |
142 | The most basic @kbd{C-h} options are @kbd{C-h c} | |
143 | (@code{describe-key-briefly}) and @w{@kbd{C-h k}} (@code{describe-key}). | |
144 | @kbd{C-h c @var{key}} prints in the echo area the name of the command | |
145 | that @var{key} is bound to. For example, @kbd{C-h c C-f} prints | |
146 | @samp{forward-char}. Since command names are chosen to describe what | |
147 | the commands do, this is a good way to get a very brief description of | |
148 | what @var{key} does. | |
149 | ||
150 | @kindex C-h k | |
151 | @findex describe-key | |
152 | @kbd{C-h k @var{key}} is similar but gives more information: it | |
153 | displays the documentation string of the command as well as its name. | |
154 | This is too big for the echo area, so a window is used for the display. | |
155 | ||
156 | @kbd{C-h c} and @kbd{C-h k} work for any sort of key sequences, | |
157 | including function keys and mouse events. | |
158 | ||
159 | @node Name Help | |
160 | @section Help by Command or Variable Name | |
161 | ||
162 | @kindex C-h f | |
163 | @findex describe-function | |
164 | @kbd{C-h f} (@code{describe-function}) reads the name of a Lisp function | |
165 | using the minibuffer, then displays that function's documentation string | |
166 | in a window. Since commands are Lisp functions, you can use this to get | |
167 | the documentation of a command that you know by name. For example, | |
168 | ||
169 | @example | |
170 | C-h f auto-fill-mode @key{RET} | |
171 | @end example | |
172 | ||
173 | @noindent | |
174 | displays the documentation of @code{auto-fill-mode}. This is the only | |
175 | way to get the documentation of a command that is not bound to any key | |
176 | (one which you would normally run using @kbd{M-x}). | |
177 | ||
178 | @kbd{C-h f} is also useful for Lisp functions that you are planning to | |
179 | use in a Lisp program. For example, if you have just written the | |
180 | expression @code{(make-vector len)} and want to check that you are using | |
181 | @code{make-vector} properly, type @kbd{C-h f make-vector @key{RET}}. | |
182 | Because @kbd{C-h f} allows all function names, not just command names, | |
183 | you may find that some of your favorite abbreviations that work in | |
184 | @kbd{M-x} don't work in @kbd{C-h f}. An abbreviation may be unique | |
185 | among command names yet fail to be unique when other function names are | |
186 | allowed. | |
187 | ||
188 | The function name for @kbd{C-h f} to describe has a default which is | |
189 | used if you type @key{RET} leaving the minibuffer empty. The default is | |
190 | the function called by the innermost Lisp expression in the buffer around | |
191 | point, @emph{provided} that is a valid, defined Lisp function name. For | |
192 | example, if point is located following the text @samp{(make-vector (car | |
193 | x)}, the innermost list containing point is the one that starts with | |
194 | @samp{(make-vector}, so the default is to describe the function | |
195 | @code{make-vector}. | |
196 | ||
197 | @kbd{C-h f} is often useful just to verify that you have the right | |
198 | spelling for the function name. If @kbd{C-h f} mentions a name from the | |
199 | buffer as the default, that name must be defined as a Lisp function. If | |
200 | that is all you want to know, just type @kbd{C-g} to cancel the @kbd{C-h | |
201 | f} command, then go on editing. | |
202 | ||
203 | @kindex C-h w | |
204 | @findex where-is | |
205 | @kbd{C-h w @var{command} @key{RET}} tells you what keys are bound to | |
206 | @var{command}. It prints a list of the keys in the echo area. If it | |
207 | says the command is not on any key, you must use @kbd{M-x} to run it. | |
208 | @kbd{C-h w} runs the command @code{where-is}. | |
209 | ||
210 | @kbd{C-h v} (@code{describe-variable}) is like @kbd{C-h f} but describes | |
211 | Lisp variables instead of Lisp functions. Its default is the Lisp symbol | |
212 | around or before point, but only if that is the name of a known Lisp | |
213 | variable. @xref{Variables}.@refill | |
214 | ||
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215 | Help buffers describing variables or functions defined in Lisp |
216 | normally have hyperlinks to their definitions using the @code{find-func} | |
217 | package if you have the Lisp source files installed. If you can read | |
218 | Lisp, this provides the ultimate documentation. | |
219 | ||
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220 | @node Apropos |
221 | @section Apropos | |
222 | ||
223 | @kindex C-h a | |
224 | @findex apropos-command | |
225 | @cindex apropos | |
226 | A more sophisticated sort of question to ask is, ``What are the | |
227 | commands for working with files?'' To ask this question, type @kbd{C-h | |
228 | a file @key{RET}}, which displays a list of all command names that | |
229 | contain @samp{file}, including @code{copy-file}, @code{find-file}, and | |
230 | so on. With each command name appears a brief description of how to use | |
231 | the command, and what keys you can currently invoke it with. For | |
232 | example, it would say that you can invoke @code{find-file} by typing | |
233 | @kbd{C-x C-f}. The @kbd{a} in @kbd{C-h a} stands for `Apropos'; | |
234 | @kbd{C-h a} runs the command @code{apropos-command}. This command | |
235 | normally checks only commands (interactive functions); if you specify a | |
236 | prefix argument, it checks noninteractive functions as well. | |
237 | ||
238 | Because @kbd{C-h a} looks only for functions whose names contain the | |
239 | string you specify, you must use ingenuity in choosing the | |
240 | string. If you are looking for commands for killing backwards and | |
241 | @kbd{C-h a kill-backwards @key{RET}} doesn't reveal any, don't give up. | |
242 | Try just @kbd{kill}, or just @kbd{backwards}, or just @kbd{back}. Be | |
243 | persistent. Also note that you can use a regular expression as the | |
244 | argument, for more flexibility (@pxref{Regexps}). | |
245 | ||
246 | Here is a set of arguments to give to @kbd{C-h a} that covers many | |
247 | classes of Emacs commands, since there are strong conventions for naming | |
248 | the standard Emacs commands. By giving you a feel for the naming | |
249 | conventions, this set should also serve to aid you in developing a | |
250 | technique for picking @code{apropos} strings. | |
251 | ||
252 | @quotation | |
253 | char, line, word, sentence, paragraph, region, page, sexp, list, defun, | |
254 | rect, buffer, frame, window, face, file, dir, register, mode, beginning, end, | |
255 | forward, backward, next, previous, up, down, search, goto, kill, delete, | |
256 | mark, insert, yank, fill, indent, case, change, set, what, list, find, | |
257 | view, describe, default. | |
258 | @end quotation | |
259 | ||
260 | @findex apropos-variable | |
261 | To list all user variables that match a regexp, use the command | |
262 | @kbd{M-x apropos-variable}. This command shows only user variables and | |
263 | customization options by default; if you specify a prefix argument, it | |
264 | checks all variables. | |
265 | ||
266 | @findex apropos | |
267 | To list all Lisp symbols that contain a match for a regexp, not just | |
268 | the ones that are defined as commands, use the command @kbd{M-x apropos} | |
269 | instead of @kbd{C-h a}. This command does not check key bindings by | |
270 | default; specify a numeric argument if you want it to check them. | |
271 | ||
272 | @findex apropos-documentation | |
273 | The @code{apropos-documentation} command is like @code{apropos} except | |
274 | that it searches documentation strings as well as symbol names for | |
275 | matches for the specified regular expression. | |
276 | ||
277 | @findex apropos-value | |
278 | The @code{apropos-value} command is like @code{apropos} except that it | |
279 | searches symbols' values for matches for the specified regular | |
280 | expression. This command does not check function definitions or | |
281 | property lists by default; specify a numeric argument if you want it to | |
282 | check them. | |
283 | ||
284 | @vindex apropos-do-all | |
285 | If the variable @code{apropos-do-all} is non-@code{nil}, the commands | |
286 | above all behave as if they had been given a prefix argument. | |
287 | ||
288 | If you want more information about a function definition, variable or | |
289 | symbol property listed in the Apropos buffer, you can click on it with | |
290 | @kbd{Mouse-2} or move there and type @key{RET}. | |
291 | ||
292 | @node Library Keywords | |
293 | @section Keyword Search for Lisp Libraries | |
294 | ||
295 | @kindex C-h p | |
296 | @findex finder-by-keyword | |
297 | The @kbd{C-h p} command lets you search the standard Emacs Lisp | |
298 | libraries by topic keywords. Here is a partial list of keywords you can | |
299 | use: | |
300 | ||
301 | @display | |
302 | abbrev --- abbreviation handling, typing shortcuts, macros. | |
303 | bib --- support for the bibliography processor @code{bib}. | |
304 | c --- C and C++ language support. | |
305 | calendar --- calendar and time management support. | |
306 | comm --- communications, networking, remote access to files. | |
307 | data --- support for editing files of data. | |
308 | docs --- support for Emacs documentation. | |
309 | emulations --- emulations of other editors. | |
310 | extensions --- Emacs Lisp language extensions. | |
311 | faces --- support for using faces (fonts and colors; @pxref{Faces}). | |
312 | frames --- support for Emacs frames and window systems. | |
313 | games --- games, jokes and amusements. | |
314 | hardware --- support for interfacing with exotic hardware. | |
315 | help --- support for on-line help systems. | |
316 | hypermedia --- support for links within text, or other media types. | |
317 | i18n --- internationalization and alternate character-set support. | |
318 | internal --- code for Emacs internals, build process, defaults. | |
319 | languages --- specialized modes for editing programming languages. | |
320 | lisp --- support for using Lisp (including Emacs Lisp). | |
321 | local --- libraries local to your site. | |
322 | maint --- maintenance aids for the Emacs development group. | |
323 | mail --- modes for electronic-mail handling. | |
324 | matching --- searching and matching. | |
325 | news --- support for netnews reading and posting. | |
326 | non-text --- support for editing files that are not ordinary text. | |
327 | oop --- support for object-oriented programming. | |
328 | outlines --- hierarchical outlining. | |
329 | processes --- process, subshell, compilation, and job control support. | |
330 | terminals --- support for terminal types. | |
331 | tex --- support for the @TeX{} formatter. | |
332 | tools --- programming tools. | |
333 | unix --- front-ends/assistants for, or emulators of, Unix features. | |
334 | vms --- support code for VMS. | |
335 | wp --- word processing. | |
336 | @end display | |
337 | ||
338 | @node Language Help | |
339 | @section Help for International Language Support | |
340 | ||
341 | You can use the command @kbd{C-h L} | |
342 | (@code{describe-language-environment}) to find out the support for a | |
343 | specific language environment. @xref{Language Environments}. This | |
344 | tells you which languages this language environment is useful for, and | |
345 | lists the character sets, coding systems, and input methods that go with | |
346 | it. It also shows some sample text to illustrate scripts. | |
347 | ||
348 | The command @kbd{C-h h} (@code{view-hello-file}) displays the file | |
349 | @file{etc/HELLO}, which shows how to say ``hello'' in many languages. | |
350 | ||
351 | The command @kbd{C-h I} (@code{describe-input-method}) describes | |
352 | information about input methods---either a specified input method, or by | |
353 | default the input method in use. @xref{Input Methods}. | |
354 | ||
355 | The command @kbd{C-h C} (@code{describe-coding-system}) describes | |
356 | information about coding systems---either a specified coding system, or | |
357 | the ones currently in use. @xref{Coding Systems}. | |
358 | ||
359 | @node Help Mode | |
360 | @section Help Mode Commands | |
361 | ||
362 | Help buffers provide the commands of View mode (@pxref{Misc File | |
363 | Ops}), plus a few special commands of their own. | |
364 | ||
365 | @table @kbd | |
366 | @item @key{SPC} | |
367 | Scroll forward. | |
368 | @item @key{DEL} | |
369 | Scroll backward. | |
370 | @item @key{RET} | |
371 | Follow a cross reference at point. | |
372 | @item @key{TAB} | |
373 | Move point forward to the next cross reference. | |
374 | @item S-@key{TAB} | |
375 | Move point back to the previous cross reference. | |
376 | @item Mouse-2 | |
377 | Follow a cross reference that you click on. | |
378 | @end table | |
379 | ||
380 | When a command name (@pxref{M-x,, Running Commands by Name}) or | |
381 | variable name (@pxref{Variables}) appears in the documentation, it | |
382 | normally appears inside paired single-quotes. You can click on the name | |
383 | with @kbd{Mouse-2}, or move point there and type @key{RET}, to view the | |
384 | documentation of that command or variable. Use @kbd{C-c C-b} to retrace | |
385 | your steps. | |
386 | ||
387 | @kindex @key{TAB} @r{(Help mode)} | |
388 | @findex help-next-ref | |
389 | @kindex S-@key{TAB} @r{(Help mode)} | |
390 | @findex help-previous-ref | |
391 | There are convenient commands for moving point to cross references in | |
392 | the help text. @key{TAB} (@code{help-next-ref}) moves point down to the | |
393 | next cross reference. Use @kbd{S-@key{TAB}} to move point up to the | |
394 | previous cross reference (@code{help-previous-ref}). | |
395 | ||
396 | @node Misc Help | |
397 | @section Other Help Commands | |
398 | ||
399 | @kindex C-h i | |
400 | @findex info | |
401 | @cindex Info | |
402 | @cindex manuals, on-line | |
403 | @cindex on-line manuals | |
404 | @kbd{C-h i} (@code{info}) runs the Info program, which is used for | |
405 | browsing through structured documentation files. The entire Emacs manual | |
406 | is available within Info. Eventually all the documentation of the GNU | |
407 | system will be available. Type @kbd{h} after entering Info to run | |
408 | a tutorial on using Info. | |
409 | ||
410 | If you specify a numeric argument, @kbd{C-h i} prompts for the name of | |
411 | a documentation file. This way, you can browse a file which doesn't | |
412 | have an entry in the top-level Info menu. It is also handy when you | |
413 | need to get to the documentation quickly, and you know the exact name of | |
414 | the file. | |
415 | ||
416 | @kindex C-h C-f | |
417 | @kindex C-h C-k | |
418 | @findex Info-goto-emacs-key-command-node | |
419 | @findex Info-goto-emacs-command-node | |
420 | There are two special help commands for accessing Emacs documentation | |
421 | through Info. @kbd{C-h C-f @var{function} @key{RET}} enters Info and | |
422 | goes straight to the documentation of the Emacs function | |
423 | @var{function}. @kbd{C-h C-k @var{key}} enters Info and goes straight | |
424 | to the documentation of the key @var{key}. These two keys run the | |
425 | commands @code{Info-goto-emacs-command-node} and | |
426 | @code{Info-goto-emacs-key-command-node}. | |
427 | ||
428 | When editing a program, if you have an Info version of the manual for | |
429 | the programming language, you can use the command @kbd{C-h C-i} to refer | |
430 | to the manual documentation for a symbol (keyword, function or | |
431 | variable). The details of how this command works depend on the major | |
432 | mode. | |
433 | ||
434 | @kindex C-h l | |
435 | @findex view-lossage | |
436 | If something surprising happens, and you are not sure what commands you | |
437 | typed, use @kbd{C-h l} (@code{view-lossage}). @kbd{C-h l} prints the last | |
438 | 100 command characters you typed in. If you see commands that you don't | |
439 | know, you can use @kbd{C-h c} to find out what they do. | |
440 | ||
441 | @kindex C-h m | |
442 | @findex describe-mode | |
443 | Emacs has numerous major modes, each of which redefines a few keys and | |
444 | makes a few other changes in how editing works. @kbd{C-h m} | |
445 | (@code{describe-mode}) prints documentation on the current major mode, | |
446 | which normally describes all the commands that are changed in this | |
447 | mode. | |
448 | ||
449 | @kindex C-h b | |
450 | @findex describe-bindings | |
451 | @kbd{C-h b} (@code{describe-bindings}) and @kbd{C-h s} | |
452 | (@code{describe-syntax}) present other information about the current | |
453 | Emacs mode. @kbd{C-h b} displays a list of all the key bindings now in | |
454 | effect; the local bindings defined by the current minor modes first, | |
455 | then the local bindings defined by the current major mode, and finally | |
456 | the global bindings (@pxref{Key Bindings}). @kbd{C-h s} displays the | |
457 | contents of the syntax table, with explanations of each character's | |
458 | syntax (@pxref{Syntax}). | |
459 | ||
460 | You can get a similar list for a particular prefix key by typing | |
461 | @kbd{C-h} after the prefix key. (There are a few prefix keys for which | |
462 | this does not work---those that provide their own bindings for | |
463 | @kbd{C-h}. One of these is @key{ESC}, because @kbd{@key{ESC} C-h} is | |
464 | actually @kbd{C-M-h}, which marks a defun.) | |
465 | ||
466 | @kindex C-h F | |
467 | @findex view-emacs-FAQ | |
468 | @kindex C-h n | |
469 | @findex view-emacs-news | |
470 | @kindex C-h C-c | |
471 | @findex describe-copying | |
472 | @kindex C-h C-d | |
473 | @findex describe-distribution | |
474 | @kindex C-h C-w | |
475 | @findex describe-no-warranty | |
476 | @kindex C-h C-p | |
477 | @findex describe-project | |
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478 | @kindex C-h P |
479 | @findex view-emacs-problems | |
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480 | The other @kbd{C-h} options display various files of useful |
481 | information. @kbd{C-h C-w} displays the full details on the complete | |
482 | absence of warranty for GNU Emacs. @kbd{C-h n} (@code{view-emacs-news}) | |
483 | displays the file @file{emacs/etc/NEWS}, which contains documentation on | |
484 | Emacs changes arranged chronologically. @kbd{C-h F} | |
485 | (@code{view-emacs-FAQ}) displays the Emacs frequently-answered-questions | |
486 | list. @kbd{C-h t} (@code{help-with-tutorial}) displays the | |
487 | learn-by-doing Emacs tutorial. @kbd{C-h C-c} (@code{describe-copying}) | |
488 | displays the file @file{emacs/etc/COPYING}, which tells you the | |
489 | conditions you must obey in distributing copies of Emacs. @kbd{C-h C-d} | |
490 | (@code{describe-distribution}) displays the file | |
491 | @file{emacs/etc/DISTRIB}, which tells you how you can order a copy of | |
492 | the latest version of Emacs. @kbd{C-h C-p} (@code{describe-project}) | |
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493 | displays general information about the GNU Project. @kbd{C-h P} |
494 | (@code{view-emacs-problems}) displays the file | |
495 | @file{emacs/etc/PROBLEMS}, which lists known problems with Emacs in | |
496 | various situations with solutions or workarounds in many cases. | |
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497 | |
498 | @node Help Echo | |
499 | @section Help on Active Text and Tooltips | |
500 | ||
501 | @cindex tooltips | |
502 | @cindex ballon help | |
503 | Often when a region of text is `active' so that you can select it with | |
504 | the mouse or a key like @kbd{RET}, it has associated help text. Areas | |
505 | of the mode line are examples. This help will normally be printed in | |
506 | the echo area when you move point into the active text. In a window | |
507 | system you can display the help text as `tooltips'. @xref{Tooltips}. |