* comint.el (comint-prompt-regexp): Double the backslashes in the
[bpt/emacs.git] / lisp / help.el
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1;;; help.el --- help commands for Emacs
2
b1fe9304 3;; Copyright (C) 1985, 1986, 1993 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
3a801d0c 4
e5167999 5;; Maintainer: FSF
fd7fa35a 6;; Keywords: help, internal
e5167999 7
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8;; This file is part of GNU Emacs.
9
10;; GNU Emacs is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify
11;; it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
e5167999 12;; the Free Software Foundation; either version 2, or (at your option)
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13;; any later version.
14
15;; GNU Emacs is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
16;; but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
17;; MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. See the
18;; GNU General Public License for more details.
19
20;; You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
21;; along with GNU Emacs; see the file COPYING. If not, write to
22;; the Free Software Foundation, 675 Mass Ave, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA.
23
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24;;; Commentary:
25
26;; This code implements GNU Emac's on-line help system, the one invoked by
27;;`M-x help-for-help'.
28
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29;;; Code:
30
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31;; Get the macro make-help-screen when this is compiled,
32;; or run interpreted, but not when the compiled code is loaded.
b1fe9304 33(eval-when-compile (require 'help-macro))
41b8542b 34
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35(defvar help-map (make-sparse-keymap)
36 "Keymap for characters following the Help key.")
37
e17d2fd1 38(define-key global-map (char-to-string help-char) 'help-command)
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39(fset 'help-command help-map)
40
e17d2fd1 41(define-key help-map (char-to-string help-char) 'help-for-help)
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42(define-key help-map "?" 'help-for-help)
43
44(define-key help-map "\C-c" 'describe-copying)
45(define-key help-map "\C-d" 'describe-distribution)
46(define-key help-map "\C-w" 'describe-no-warranty)
47(define-key help-map "a" 'command-apropos)
48
49(define-key help-map "b" 'describe-bindings)
50
51(define-key help-map "c" 'describe-key-briefly)
52(define-key help-map "k" 'describe-key)
53
54(define-key help-map "d" 'describe-function)
55(define-key help-map "f" 'describe-function)
56
57(define-key help-map "i" 'info)
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58(define-key help-map "\C-f" 'Info-goto-emacs-command-node)
59(define-key help-map "\C-k" 'Info-goto-emacs-key-command-node)
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60
61(define-key help-map "l" 'view-lossage)
62
63(define-key help-map "m" 'describe-mode)
64
65(define-key help-map "\C-n" 'view-emacs-news)
66(define-key help-map "n" 'view-emacs-news)
67
06b98c51 68(define-key help-map "p" 'finder-by-keyword)
abe85b1b 69(autoload 'finder-by-keyword "finder")
06b98c51 70
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71(define-key help-map "s" 'describe-syntax)
72
73(define-key help-map "t" 'help-with-tutorial)
74
75(define-key help-map "w" 'where-is)
76
77(define-key help-map "v" 'describe-variable)
78
79(defun help-with-tutorial ()
80 "Select the Emacs learn-by-doing tutorial."
81 (interactive)
82 (let ((file (expand-file-name "~/TUTORIAL")))
83 (delete-other-windows)
84 (if (get-file-buffer file)
85 (switch-to-buffer (get-file-buffer file))
86 (switch-to-buffer (create-file-buffer file))
87 (setq buffer-file-name file)
88 (setq default-directory (expand-file-name "~/"))
79058860 89 (setq buffer-auto-save-file-name nil)
1e6dacf6 90 (insert-file-contents (expand-file-name "TUTORIAL" data-directory))
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91 (goto-char (point-min))
92 (search-forward "\n<<")
93 (beginning-of-line)
94 (delete-region (point) (progn (end-of-line) (point)))
95 (newline (- (window-height (selected-window))
96 (count-lines (point-min) (point))
97 6))
98 (goto-char (point-min))
99 (set-buffer-modified-p nil))))
100
101(defun describe-key-briefly (key)
102 "Print the name of the function KEY invokes. KEY is a string."
103 (interactive "kDescribe key briefly: ")
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104 ;; If this key seq ends with a down event, discard the
105 ;; following click or drag event. Otherwise that would
106 ;; erase the message.
107 (let ((type (aref key (1- (length key)))))
108 (if (listp type) (setq type (car type)))
109 (and (symbolp type)
110 (memq 'down (event-modifiers type))
111 (setq foo (read-event))))
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112 (let ((defn (key-binding key)))
113 (if (or (null defn) (integerp defn))
114 (message "%s is undefined" (key-description key))
115 (message "%s runs the command %s"
116 (key-description key)
117 (if (symbolp defn) defn (prin1-to-string defn))))))
118
119(defun print-help-return-message (&optional function)
120 "Display or return message saying how to restore windows after help command.
121Computes a message and applies the optional argument FUNCTION to it.
122If FUNCTION is nil, applies `message' to it, thus printing it."
123 (and (not (get-buffer-window standard-output))
124 (funcall (or function 'message)
125 (concat
126 (substitute-command-keys
127 (if (one-window-p t)
128 (if pop-up-windows
129 "Type \\[delete-other-windows] to remove help window."
130 "Type \\[switch-to-buffer] RET to remove help window.")
131 "Type \\[switch-to-buffer-other-window] RET to restore the other window."))
132 (substitute-command-keys
133 " \\[scroll-other-window] to scroll the help.")))))
134
135(defun describe-key (key)
136 "Display documentation of the function invoked by KEY. KEY is a string."
137 (interactive "kDescribe key: ")
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138 ;; If this key seq ends with a down event, discard the
139 ;; following click or drag event. Otherwise that would
140 ;; erase the message.
141 (let ((type (aref key (1- (length key)))))
142 (if (listp type) (setq type (car type)))
143 (and (symbolp type)
144 (memq 'down (event-modifiers type))
145 (read-event)))
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146 (let ((defn (key-binding key)))
147 (if (or (null defn) (integerp defn))
148 (message "%s is undefined" (key-description key))
149 (with-output-to-temp-buffer "*Help*"
150 (prin1 defn)
151 (princ ":\n")
152 (if (documentation defn)
153 (princ (documentation defn))
154 (princ "not documented"))
155 (print-help-return-message)))))
156
157(defun describe-mode (&optional minor)
158 "Display documentation of current major mode.
159If optional MINOR is non-nil (or prefix argument is given if interactive),
160display documentation of active minor modes as well.
161For this to work correctly for a minor mode, the mode's indicator variable
61c6b658 162\(listed in `minor-mode-alist') must also be a function whose documentation
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163describes the minor mode."
164 (interactive)
165 (with-output-to-temp-buffer "*Help*"
166 (princ mode-name)
167 (princ " Mode:\n")
168 (princ (documentation major-mode))
169 (let ((minor-modes minor-mode-alist)
170 (locals (buffer-local-variables)))
171 (while minor-modes
172 (let* ((minor-mode (car (car minor-modes)))
173 (indicator (car (cdr (car minor-modes))))
174 (local-binding (assq minor-mode locals)))
175 ;; Document a minor mode if it is listed in minor-mode-alist,
176 ;; bound locally in this buffer, non-nil, and has a function
177 ;; definition.
178 (if (and local-binding
179 (cdr local-binding)
180 (fboundp minor-mode))
181 (progn
182 (princ (format "\n\n\n%s minor mode (indicator%s):\n"
183 minor-mode indicator))
184 (princ (documentation minor-mode)))))
185 (setq minor-modes (cdr minor-modes))))
186 (print-help-return-message)))
187
188;; So keyboard macro definitions are documented correctly
189(fset 'defining-kbd-macro (symbol-function 'start-kbd-macro))
190
191(defun describe-distribution ()
192 "Display info on how to obtain the latest version of GNU Emacs."
193 (interactive)
194 (find-file-read-only
1e6dacf6 195 (expand-file-name "DISTRIB" data-directory)))
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196
197(defun describe-copying ()
198 "Display info on how you may redistribute copies of GNU Emacs."
199 (interactive)
200 (find-file-read-only
1e6dacf6 201 (expand-file-name "COPYING" data-directory))
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202 (goto-char (point-min)))
203
204(defun describe-no-warranty ()
205 "Display info on all the kinds of warranty Emacs does NOT have."
206 (interactive)
207 (describe-copying)
208 (let (case-fold-search)
209 (search-forward "NO WARRANTY")
210 (recenter 0)))
211
61c6b658 212(defun describe-prefix-bindings ()
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213 "Describe the bindings of the prefix used to reach this command.
214The prefix described consists of all but the last event
215of the key sequence that ran this command."
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216 (interactive)
217 (let* ((key (this-command-keys))
218 (prefix (make-vector (1- (length key)) nil))
219 i)
220 (setq i 0)
221 (while (< i (length prefix))
222 (aset prefix i (aref key i))
223 (setq i (1+ i)))
224 (describe-bindings prefix)))
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225;; Make C-h after a prefix, when not specifically bound,
226;; run describe-prefix-bindings.
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227(setq prefix-help-command 'describe-prefix-bindings)
228
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229(defun view-emacs-news ()
230 "Display info on recent changes to Emacs."
231 (interactive)
1e6dacf6 232 (find-file-read-only (expand-file-name "NEWS" data-directory)))
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233
234(defun view-lossage ()
235 "Display last 100 input keystrokes."
236 (interactive)
237 (with-output-to-temp-buffer "*Help*"
238 (princ (key-description (recent-keys)))
239 (save-excursion
240 (set-buffer standard-output)
241 (goto-char (point-min))
242 (while (progn (move-to-column 50) (not (eobp)))
243 (search-forward " " nil t)
244 (insert "\n")))
245 (print-help-return-message)))
246
41b8542b 247(make-help-screen help-for-help
af6a9de9 248 "a b c f i k l m n p s t v w C-c C-d C-n C-w. Type \\[help-for-help] again for more help: "
c3aef019 249 "You have typed \\[help-for-help], the help character. Type a Help option:
433ae6f6 250
af6a9de9 251a command-apropos. Give a substring, and see a list of commands
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252 (functions interactively callable) that contain
253 that substring. See also the apropos command.
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254b describe-bindings. Display table of all key bindings.
255c describe-key-briefly. Type a command key sequence;
433ae6f6 256 it prints the function name that sequence runs.
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257f describe-function. Type a function name and get documentation of it.
258i info. The info documentation reader.
259k describe-key. Type a command key sequence;
433ae6f6 260 it displays the full documentation.
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261l view-lossage. Shows last 100 characters you typed.
262m describe-mode. Print documentation of current major mode,
433ae6f6 263 which describes the commands peculiar to it.
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264n view-emacs-news. Shows emacs news file.
265p finder-by-keyword. Find packages matching a given topic keyword.
266s describe-syntax. Display contents of syntax table, plus explanations
267t help-with-tutorial. Select the Emacs learn-by-doing tutorial.
268v describe-variable. Type name of a variable;
433ae6f6 269 it displays the variable's documentation and value.
af6a9de9 270w where-is. Type command name; it prints which keystrokes
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271 invoke that command.
272C-c print Emacs copying permission (General Public License).
273C-d print Emacs ordering information.
274C-n print news of recent Emacs changes.
275C-w print information on absence of warranty for GNU Emacs."
41b8542b 276 help-map)
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277
278;; Return a function which is called by the list containing point.
279;; If that gives no function, return a function whose name is around point.
280;; If that doesn't give a function, return nil.
281(defun function-called-at-point ()
282 (or (condition-case ()
283 (save-excursion
284 (save-restriction
285 (narrow-to-region (max (point-min) (- (point) 1000)) (point-max))
286 (backward-up-list 1)
287 (forward-char 1)
288 (let (obj)
289 (setq obj (read (current-buffer)))
290 (and (symbolp obj) (fboundp obj) obj))))
291 (error nil))
292 (condition-case ()
293 (save-excursion
294 (forward-sexp -1)
295 (skip-chars-forward "'")
296 (let ((obj (read (current-buffer))))
297 (and (symbolp obj) (fboundp obj) obj)))
298 (error nil))))
299
300(defun describe-function (function)
301 "Display the full documentation of FUNCTION (a symbol)."
302 (interactive
303 (let ((fn (function-called-at-point))
304 (enable-recursive-minibuffers t)
305 val)
306 (setq val (completing-read (if fn
307 (format "Describe function (default %s): " fn)
308 "Describe function: ")
309 obarray 'fboundp t))
310 (list (if (equal val "")
311 fn (intern val)))))
312 (with-output-to-temp-buffer "*Help*"
313 (prin1 function)
314 (princ ": ")
315 (let* ((def (symbol-function function))
316 (beg (if (commandp def) "an interactive " "a ")))
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317 (princ (cond ((or (stringp def)
318 (vectorp def))
319 "a keyboard macro.")
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320 ((subrp def)
321 (concat beg "built-in function."))
dbc4e1c1 322 ((byte-code-function-p def)
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323 (concat beg "compiled Lisp function."))
324 ((symbolp def)
325 (format "alias for `%s'." def))
326 ((eq (car-safe def) 'lambda)
327 (concat beg "Lisp function."))
328 ((eq (car-safe def) 'macro)
329 "a Lisp macro.")
330 ((eq (car-safe def) 'mocklisp)
331 "a mocklisp function.")
332 ((eq (car-safe def) 'autoload)
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333 (format "%s autoloaded Lisp %s."
334 (if (commandp def) "an interactive" "an")
433ae6f6 335 (if (nth 4 def) "macro" "function")
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336;;; Including the file name made this line too long.
337;;; (nth 1 def)
338 ))
433ae6f6 339 (t "")))
4591cb90 340 (terpri)
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341 (let ((arglist (cond ((byte-code-function-p def)
342 (car (append def nil)))
343 ((eq (car-safe def) 'lambda)
344 (nth 1 def))
345 (t t))))
346 (if (listp arglist)
347 (progn
348 (princ (cons function
349 (mapcar (lambda (arg)
350 (if (memq arg '(&optional &rest))
351 arg
352 (intern (upcase (symbol-name arg)))))
353 arglist)))
354 (terpri))))
4591cb90 355 (if (documentation function)
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356 (progn (terpri)
357 (princ (documentation function)))
4591cb90 358 (princ "not documented"))
7f26b180 359 )
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360 (print-help-return-message)
361 ;; Return the text we displayed.
362 (save-excursion (set-buffer standard-output) (buffer-string))))
363
364(defun variable-at-point ()
365 (condition-case ()
366 (save-excursion
367 (forward-sexp -1)
368 (skip-chars-forward "'")
369 (let ((obj (read (current-buffer))))
370 (and (symbolp obj) (boundp obj) obj)))
371 (error nil)))
372
373(defun describe-variable (variable)
374 "Display the full documentation of VARIABLE (a symbol).
375Returns the documentation as a string, also."
376 (interactive
377 (let ((v (variable-at-point))
378 (enable-recursive-minibuffers t)
379 val)
380 (setq val (completing-read (if v
381 (format "Describe variable (default %s): " v)
382 "Describe variable: ")
383 obarray 'boundp t))
384 (list (if (equal val "")
385 v (intern val)))))
386 (with-output-to-temp-buffer "*Help*"
387 (prin1 variable)
388 (princ "'s value is ")
389 (if (not (boundp variable))
390 (princ "void.")
391 (prin1 (symbol-value variable)))
392 (terpri) (terpri)
393 (princ "Documentation:")
394 (terpri)
395 (let ((doc (documentation-property variable 'variable-documentation)))
396 (if doc
397 (princ (substitute-command-keys doc))
398 (princ "not documented as a variable.")))
399 (print-help-return-message)
400 ;; Return the text we displayed.
401 (save-excursion (set-buffer standard-output) (buffer-string))))
402
403(defun command-apropos (string)
404 "Like apropos but lists only symbols that are names of commands
405\(interactively callable functions). Argument REGEXP is a regular expression
406that is matched against command symbol names. Returns list of symbols and
407documentation found."
408 (interactive "sCommand apropos (regexp): ")
409 (let ((message
410 (let ((standard-output (get-buffer-create "*Help*")))
411 (print-help-return-message 'identity))))
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412 (if (apropos string t 'commandp)
413 (and message (message message)))))
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414
415(defun locate-library (library &optional nosuffix)
416 "Show the full path name of Emacs library LIBRARY.
417This command searches the directories in `load-path' like `M-x load-library'
418to find the file that `M-x load-library RET LIBRARY RET' would load.
419Optional second arg NOSUFFIX non-nil means don't add suffixes `.elc' or `.el'
420to the specified name LIBRARY (a la calling `load' instead of `load-library')."
421 (interactive "sLocate library: ")
422 (catch 'answer
423 (mapcar
424 '(lambda (dir)
425 (mapcar
426 '(lambda (suf)
427 (let ((try (expand-file-name (concat library suf) dir)))
428 (and (file-readable-p try)
429 (null (file-directory-p try))
430 (progn
431 (message "Library is file %s" try)
432 (throw 'answer try)))))
433 (if nosuffix '("") '(".elc" ".el" ""))))
434 load-path)
435 (message "No library %s in search path" library)
436 nil))
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437
438;;; help.el ends here