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1 | @c -*-texinfo-*- |
2 | @c This is part of the GNU Emacs Lisp Reference Manual. | |
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3 | @c Copyright (C) 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1998, 1999, |
4 | @c 2003, 2004 | |
177c0ea7 | 5 | @c Free Software Foundation, Inc. |
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6 | @c See the file elisp.texi for copying conditions. |
7 | @setfilename ../info/lists | |
8 | @node Lists, Sequences Arrays Vectors, Strings and Characters, Top | |
9 | @chapter Lists | |
10 | @cindex list | |
11 | @cindex element (of list) | |
12 | ||
13 | A @dfn{list} represents a sequence of zero or more elements (which may | |
14 | be any Lisp objects). The important difference between lists and | |
15 | vectors is that two or more lists can share part of their structure; in | |
16 | addition, you can insert or delete elements in a list without copying | |
17 | the whole list. | |
18 | ||
19 | @menu | |
20 | * Cons Cells:: How lists are made out of cons cells. | |
21 | * Lists as Boxes:: Graphical notation to explain lists. | |
22 | * List-related Predicates:: Is this object a list? Comparing two lists. | |
23 | * List Elements:: Extracting the pieces of a list. | |
24 | * Building Lists:: Creating list structure. | |
25 | * Modifying Lists:: Storing new pieces into an existing list. | |
26 | * Sets And Lists:: A list can represent a finite mathematical set. | |
27 | * Association Lists:: A list can represent a finite relation or mapping. | |
28 | @end menu | |
29 | ||
30 | @node Cons Cells | |
31 | @section Lists and Cons Cells | |
32 | @cindex lists and cons cells | |
33 | @cindex @code{nil} and lists | |
34 | ||
35 | Lists in Lisp are not a primitive data type; they are built up from | |
2b3fc6c3 | 36 | @dfn{cons cells}. A cons cell is a data object that represents an |
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37 | ordered pair. That is, it has two slots, and each slot @dfn{holds}, or |
38 | @dfn{refers to}, some Lisp object. One slot is known as the @sc{car}, | |
39 | and the other is known as the @sc{cdr}. (These names are traditional; | |
40 | see @ref{Cons Cell Type}.) @sc{cdr} is pronounced ``could-er.'' | |
73804d4b | 41 | |
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42 | We say that ``the @sc{car} of this cons cell is'' whatever object |
43 | its @sc{car} slot currently holds, and likewise for the @sc{cdr}. | |
44 | ||
45 | A list is a series of cons cells ``chained together,'' so that each | |
05aea714 | 46 | cell refers to the next one. There is one cons cell for each element of |
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47 | the list. By convention, the @sc{car}s of the cons cells hold the |
48 | elements of the list, and the @sc{cdr}s are used to chain the list: the | |
49 | @sc{cdr} slot of each cons cell refers to the following cons cell. The | |
50 | @sc{cdr} of the last cons cell is @code{nil}. This asymmetry between | |
51 | the @sc{car} and the @sc{cdr} is entirely a matter of convention; at the | |
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52 | level of cons cells, the @sc{car} and @sc{cdr} slots have the same |
53 | characteristics. | |
54 | ||
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55 | @cindex true list |
56 | Since @code{nil} is the conventional value to put in the @sc{cdr} of | |
57 | the last cons cell in the list, we call that case a @dfn{true list}. | |
58 | ||
59 | In Lisp, we consider the symbol @code{nil} a list as well as a | |
60 | symbol; it is the list with no elements. For convenience, the symbol | |
61 | @code{nil} is considered to have @code{nil} as its @sc{cdr} (and also | |
62 | as its @sc{car}). Therefore, the @sc{cdr} of a true list is always a | |
63 | true list. | |
64 | ||
65 | @cindex dotted list | |
66 | @cindex circular list | |
67 | If the @sc{cdr} of a list's last cons cell is some other value, | |
68 | neither @code{nil} nor another cons cell, we call the structure a | |
69 | @dfn{dotted list}, since its printed representation would use | |
70 | @samp{.}. There is one other possibility: some cons cell's @sc{cdr} | |
71 | could point to one of the previous cons cells in the list. We call | |
72 | that structure a @dfn{circular list}. | |
73 | ||
74 | For some purposes, it does not matter whether a list is true, | |
75 | circular or dotted. If the program doesn't look far enough down the | |
76 | list to see the @sc{cdr} of the final cons cell, it won't care. | |
77 | However, some functions that operate on lists demand true lists and | |
78 | signal errors if given a dotted list. Most functions that try to find | |
79 | the end of a list enter infinite loops if given a circular list. | |
80 | ||
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81 | @cindex list structure |
82 | Because most cons cells are used as part of lists, the phrase | |
83 | @dfn{list structure} has come to mean any structure made out of cons | |
84 | cells. | |
85 | ||
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86 | The @sc{cdr} of any nonempty list @var{l} is a list containing all the |
87 | elements of @var{l} except the first. | |
88 | ||
89 | @node Lists as Boxes | |
90 | @comment node-name, next, previous, up | |
91 | @section Lists as Linked Pairs of Boxes | |
92 | @cindex box representation for lists | |
93 | @cindex lists represented as boxes | |
94 | @cindex cons cell as box | |
95 | ||
96 | A cons cell can be illustrated as a pair of boxes. The first box | |
97 | represents the @sc{car} and the second box represents the @sc{cdr}. | |
98 | Here is an illustration of the two-element list, @code{(tulip lily)}, | |
99 | made from two cons cells: | |
100 | ||
101 | @example | |
102 | @group | |
103 | --------------- --------------- | |
104 | | car | cdr | | car | cdr | | |
105 | | tulip | o---------->| lily | nil | | |
106 | | | | | | | | |
107 | --------------- --------------- | |
108 | @end group | |
109 | @end example | |
110 | ||
111 | Each pair of boxes represents a cons cell. Each box ``refers to'', | |
b6954afd | 112 | ``points to'' or ``holds'' a Lisp object. (These terms are |
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113 | synonymous.) The first box, which describes the @sc{car} of the first |
114 | cons cell, contains the symbol @code{tulip}. The arrow from the | |
115 | @sc{cdr} box of the first cons cell to the second cons cell indicates | |
116 | that the @sc{cdr} of the first cons cell is the second cons cell. | |
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117 | |
118 | The same list can be illustrated in a different sort of box notation | |
119 | like this: | |
120 | ||
121 | @example | |
122 | @group | |
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123 | --- --- --- --- |
124 | | | |--> | | |--> nil | |
125 | --- --- --- --- | |
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126 | | | |
127 | | | | |
128 | --> tulip --> lily | |
129 | @end group | |
130 | @end example | |
131 | ||
132 | Here is a more complex illustration, showing the three-element list, | |
133 | @code{((pine needles) oak maple)}, the first element of which is a | |
134 | two-element list: | |
135 | ||
136 | @example | |
137 | @group | |
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138 | --- --- --- --- --- --- |
139 | | | |--> | | |--> | | |--> nil | |
140 | --- --- --- --- --- --- | |
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141 | | | | |
142 | | | | | |
143 | | --> oak --> maple | |
144 | | | |
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145 | | --- --- --- --- |
146 | --> | | |--> | | |--> nil | |
147 | --- --- --- --- | |
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148 | | | |
149 | | | | |
150 | --> pine --> needles | |
151 | @end group | |
152 | @end example | |
153 | ||
154 | The same list represented in the first box notation looks like this: | |
155 | ||
156 | @example | |
157 | @group | |
158 | -------------- -------------- -------------- | |
159 | | car | cdr | | car | cdr | | car | cdr | | |
160 | | o | o------->| oak | o------->| maple | nil | | |
161 | | | | | | | | | | | | |
162 | -- | --------- -------------- -------------- | |
163 | | | |
164 | | | |
165 | | -------------- ---------------- | |
166 | | | car | cdr | | car | cdr | | |
167 | ------>| pine | o------->| needles | nil | | |
168 | | | | | | | | |
169 | -------------- ---------------- | |
170 | @end group | |
171 | @end example | |
172 | ||
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173 | @xref{Cons Cell Type}, for the read and print syntax of cons cells and |
174 | lists, and for more ``box and arrow'' illustrations of lists. | |
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175 | |
176 | @node List-related Predicates | |
177 | @section Predicates on Lists | |
178 | ||
179 | The following predicates test whether a Lisp object is an atom, is a | |
180 | cons cell or is a list, or whether it is the distinguished object | |
181 | @code{nil}. (Many of these predicates can be defined in terms of the | |
182 | others, but they are used so often that it is worth having all of them.) | |
183 | ||
184 | @defun consp object | |
185 | This function returns @code{t} if @var{object} is a cons cell, @code{nil} | |
186 | otherwise. @code{nil} is not a cons cell, although it @emph{is} a list. | |
187 | @end defun | |
188 | ||
189 | @defun atom object | |
190 | @cindex atoms | |
191 | This function returns @code{t} if @var{object} is an atom, @code{nil} | |
192 | otherwise. All objects except cons cells are atoms. The symbol | |
193 | @code{nil} is an atom and is also a list; it is the only Lisp object | |
2b3fc6c3 | 194 | that is both. |
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195 | |
196 | @example | |
197 | (atom @var{object}) @equiv{} (not (consp @var{object})) | |
198 | @end example | |
199 | @end defun | |
200 | ||
201 | @defun listp object | |
202 | This function returns @code{t} if @var{object} is a cons cell or | |
203 | @code{nil}. Otherwise, it returns @code{nil}. | |
204 | ||
205 | @example | |
206 | @group | |
207 | (listp '(1)) | |
208 | @result{} t | |
209 | @end group | |
210 | @group | |
211 | (listp '()) | |
212 | @result{} t | |
213 | @end group | |
214 | @end example | |
215 | @end defun | |
216 | ||
217 | @defun nlistp object | |
218 | This function is the opposite of @code{listp}: it returns @code{t} if | |
219 | @var{object} is not a list. Otherwise, it returns @code{nil}. | |
220 | ||
221 | @example | |
222 | (listp @var{object}) @equiv{} (not (nlistp @var{object})) | |
223 | @end example | |
224 | @end defun | |
225 | ||
226 | @defun null object | |
227 | This function returns @code{t} if @var{object} is @code{nil}, and | |
228 | returns @code{nil} otherwise. This function is identical to @code{not}, | |
229 | but as a matter of clarity we use @code{null} when @var{object} is | |
230 | considered a list and @code{not} when it is considered a truth value | |
231 | (see @code{not} in @ref{Combining Conditions}). | |
232 | ||
233 | @example | |
234 | @group | |
235 | (null '(1)) | |
236 | @result{} nil | |
237 | @end group | |
238 | @group | |
239 | (null '()) | |
240 | @result{} t | |
241 | @end group | |
242 | @end example | |
243 | @end defun | |
244 | ||
ec221d13 | 245 | @need 2000 |
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246 | |
247 | @node List Elements | |
248 | @section Accessing Elements of Lists | |
249 | @cindex list elements | |
250 | ||
251 | @defun car cons-cell | |
b6954afd | 252 | This function returns the value referred to by the first slot of the |
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253 | cons cell @var{cons-cell}. Expressed another way, this function |
254 | returns the @sc{car} of @var{cons-cell}. | |
255 | ||
256 | As a special case, if @var{cons-cell} is @code{nil}, then @code{car} | |
257 | is defined to return @code{nil}; therefore, any list is a valid argument | |
258 | for @code{car}. An error is signaled if the argument is not a cons cell | |
259 | or @code{nil}. | |
260 | ||
261 | @example | |
262 | @group | |
263 | (car '(a b c)) | |
264 | @result{} a | |
265 | @end group | |
266 | @group | |
267 | (car '()) | |
268 | @result{} nil | |
269 | @end group | |
270 | @end example | |
271 | @end defun | |
272 | ||
273 | @defun cdr cons-cell | |
b6954afd | 274 | This function returns the value referred to by the second slot of |
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275 | the cons cell @var{cons-cell}. Expressed another way, this function |
276 | returns the @sc{cdr} of @var{cons-cell}. | |
277 | ||
278 | As a special case, if @var{cons-cell} is @code{nil}, then @code{cdr} | |
279 | is defined to return @code{nil}; therefore, any list is a valid argument | |
280 | for @code{cdr}. An error is signaled if the argument is not a cons cell | |
281 | or @code{nil}. | |
282 | ||
283 | @example | |
284 | @group | |
285 | (cdr '(a b c)) | |
286 | @result{} (b c) | |
287 | @end group | |
288 | @group | |
289 | (cdr '()) | |
290 | @result{} nil | |
291 | @end group | |
292 | @end example | |
293 | @end defun | |
294 | ||
295 | @defun car-safe object | |
296 | This function lets you take the @sc{car} of a cons cell while avoiding | |
297 | errors for other data types. It returns the @sc{car} of @var{object} if | |
298 | @var{object} is a cons cell, @code{nil} otherwise. This is in contrast | |
299 | to @code{car}, which signals an error if @var{object} is not a list. | |
300 | ||
301 | @example | |
302 | @group | |
303 | (car-safe @var{object}) | |
304 | @equiv{} | |
305 | (let ((x @var{object})) | |
306 | (if (consp x) | |
307 | (car x) | |
308 | nil)) | |
309 | @end group | |
310 | @end example | |
311 | @end defun | |
312 | ||
313 | @defun cdr-safe object | |
314 | This function lets you take the @sc{cdr} of a cons cell while | |
315 | avoiding errors for other data types. It returns the @sc{cdr} of | |
316 | @var{object} if @var{object} is a cons cell, @code{nil} otherwise. | |
317 | This is in contrast to @code{cdr}, which signals an error if | |
318 | @var{object} is not a list. | |
319 | ||
320 | @example | |
321 | @group | |
322 | (cdr-safe @var{object}) | |
323 | @equiv{} | |
324 | (let ((x @var{object})) | |
325 | (if (consp x) | |
326 | (cdr x) | |
327 | nil)) | |
328 | @end group | |
329 | @end example | |
330 | @end defun | |
331 | ||
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332 | @tindex pop |
333 | @defmac pop listname | |
334 | This macro is a way of examining the @sc{car} of a list, | |
335 | and taking it off the list, all at once. It is new in Emacs 21. | |
336 | ||
337 | It operates on the list which is stored in the symbol @var{listname}. | |
338 | It removes this element from the list by setting @var{listname} | |
339 | to the @sc{cdr} of its old value---but it also returns the @sc{car} | |
340 | of that list, which is the element being removed. | |
341 | ||
342 | @example | |
343 | x | |
344 | @result{} (a b c) | |
345 | (pop x) | |
346 | @result{} a | |
347 | x | |
348 | @result{} (b c) | |
349 | @end example | |
350 | @end defmac | |
351 | ||
73804d4b | 352 | @defun nth n list |
7baeca0c | 353 | @anchor{Definition of nth} |
73804d4b RS |
354 | This function returns the @var{n}th element of @var{list}. Elements |
355 | are numbered starting with zero, so the @sc{car} of @var{list} is | |
356 | element number zero. If the length of @var{list} is @var{n} or less, | |
357 | the value is @code{nil}. | |
358 | ||
359 | If @var{n} is negative, @code{nth} returns the first element of | |
360 | @var{list}. | |
361 | ||
362 | @example | |
363 | @group | |
364 | (nth 2 '(1 2 3 4)) | |
365 | @result{} 3 | |
366 | @end group | |
367 | @group | |
368 | (nth 10 '(1 2 3 4)) | |
369 | @result{} nil | |
370 | @end group | |
371 | @group | |
372 | (nth -3 '(1 2 3 4)) | |
373 | @result{} 1 | |
374 | ||
375 | (nth n x) @equiv{} (car (nthcdr n x)) | |
376 | @end group | |
377 | @end example | |
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378 | |
379 | The function @code{elt} is similar, but applies to any kind of sequence. | |
380 | For historical reasons, it takes its arguments in the opposite order. | |
381 | @xref{Sequence Functions}. | |
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382 | @end defun |
383 | ||
384 | @defun nthcdr n list | |
385 | This function returns the @var{n}th @sc{cdr} of @var{list}. In other | |
f9f59935 | 386 | words, it skips past the first @var{n} links of @var{list} and returns |
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387 | what follows. |
388 | ||
389 | If @var{n} is zero or negative, @code{nthcdr} returns all of | |
390 | @var{list}. If the length of @var{list} is @var{n} or less, | |
391 | @code{nthcdr} returns @code{nil}. | |
392 | ||
393 | @example | |
394 | @group | |
395 | (nthcdr 1 '(1 2 3 4)) | |
396 | @result{} (2 3 4) | |
397 | @end group | |
398 | @group | |
399 | (nthcdr 10 '(1 2 3 4)) | |
400 | @result{} nil | |
401 | @end group | |
402 | @group | |
403 | (nthcdr -3 '(1 2 3 4)) | |
404 | @result{} (1 2 3 4) | |
405 | @end group | |
406 | @end example | |
407 | @end defun | |
408 | ||
dbda27d1 | 409 | @defun last list &optional n |
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410 | This function returns the last link of @var{list}. The @code{car} of |
411 | this link is the list's last element. If @var{list} is null, | |
412 | @code{nil} is returned. If @var{n} is non-@code{nil}, the | |
413 | @var{n}th-to-last link is returned instead, or the whole of @var{list} | |
414 | if @var{n} is bigger than @var{list}'s length. | |
dbda27d1 DL |
415 | @end defun |
416 | ||
969fe9b5 | 417 | @defun safe-length list |
7baeca0c | 418 | @anchor{Definition of safe-length} |
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419 | This function returns the length of @var{list}, with no risk of either |
420 | an error or an infinite loop. It generally returns the number of | |
421 | distinct cons cells in the list. However, for circular lists, | |
422 | the value is just an upper bound; it is often too large. | |
f9f59935 | 423 | |
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424 | If @var{list} is not @code{nil} or a cons cell, @code{safe-length} |
425 | returns 0. | |
f9f59935 RS |
426 | @end defun |
427 | ||
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428 | The most common way to compute the length of a list, when you are not |
429 | worried that it may be circular, is with @code{length}. @xref{Sequence | |
430 | Functions}. | |
431 | ||
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432 | @defun caar cons-cell |
433 | This is the same as @code{(car (car @var{cons-cell}))}. | |
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434 | @end defun |
435 | ||
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436 | @defun cadr cons-cell |
437 | This is the same as @code{(car (cdr @var{cons-cell}))} | |
438 | or @code{(nth 1 @var{cons-cell})}. | |
f9f59935 RS |
439 | @end defun |
440 | ||
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441 | @defun cdar cons-cell |
442 | This is the same as @code{(cdr (car @var{cons-cell}))}. | |
f9f59935 RS |
443 | @end defun |
444 | ||
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445 | @defun cddr cons-cell |
446 | This is the same as @code{(cdr (cdr @var{cons-cell}))} | |
447 | or @code{(nthcdr 2 @var{cons-cell})}. | |
f9f59935 RS |
448 | @end defun |
449 | ||
023045d6 DL |
450 | @defun butlast x &optional n |
451 | This function returns the list @var{x} with the last element, | |
452 | or the last @var{n} elements, removed. If @var{n} is greater | |
453 | than zero it makes a copy of the list so as not to damage the | |
454 | original list. In general, @code{(append (butlast @var{x} @var{n}) | |
455 | (last @var{x} @var{n}))} will return a list equal to @var{x}. | |
456 | @end defun | |
457 | ||
458 | @defun nbutlast x &optional n | |
459 | This is a version of @code{butlast} that works by destructively | |
460 | modifying the @code{cdr} of the appropriate element, rather than | |
461 | making a copy of the list. | |
462 | @end defun | |
463 | ||
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464 | @node Building Lists |
465 | @comment node-name, next, previous, up | |
466 | @section Building Cons Cells and Lists | |
467 | @cindex cons cells | |
468 | @cindex building lists | |
469 | ||
470 | Many functions build lists, as lists reside at the very heart of Lisp. | |
471 | @code{cons} is the fundamental list-building function; however, it is | |
472 | interesting to note that @code{list} is used more times in the source | |
473 | code for Emacs than @code{cons}. | |
474 | ||
475 | @defun cons object1 object2 | |
a2fdaa28 | 476 | This function is the most basic function for building new list |
73804d4b | 477 | structure. It creates a new cons cell, making @var{object1} the |
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478 | @sc{car}, and @var{object2} the @sc{cdr}. It then returns the new |
479 | cons cell. The arguments @var{object1} and @var{object2} may be any | |
480 | Lisp objects, but most often @var{object2} is a list. | |
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481 | |
482 | @example | |
483 | @group | |
484 | (cons 1 '(2)) | |
485 | @result{} (1 2) | |
486 | @end group | |
487 | @group | |
488 | (cons 1 '()) | |
489 | @result{} (1) | |
490 | @end group | |
491 | @group | |
492 | (cons 1 2) | |
493 | @result{} (1 . 2) | |
494 | @end group | |
495 | @end example | |
496 | ||
497 | @cindex consing | |
498 | @code{cons} is often used to add a single element to the front of a | |
1e344ee2 SM |
499 | list. This is called @dfn{consing the element onto the list}. |
500 | @footnote{There is no strictly equivalent way to add an element to | |
501 | the end of a list. You can use @code{(append @var{listname} (list | |
502 | @var{newelt}))}, which creates a whole new list by copying @var{listname} | |
503 | and adding @var{newelt} to its end. Or you can use @code{(nconc | |
504 | @var{listname} (list @var{newelt}))}, which modifies @var{listname} | |
505 | by following all the @sc{cdr}s and then replacing the terminating | |
506 | @code{nil}. Compare this to adding an element to the beginning of a | |
507 | list with @code{cons}, which neither copies nor modifies the list.} | |
508 | For example: | |
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509 | |
510 | @example | |
511 | (setq list (cons newelt list)) | |
512 | @end example | |
513 | ||
514 | Note that there is no conflict between the variable named @code{list} | |
515 | used in this example and the function named @code{list} described below; | |
516 | any symbol can serve both purposes. | |
517 | @end defun | |
518 | ||
8241495d RS |
519 | @tindex push |
520 | @defmac push newelt listname | |
521 | This macro provides an alternative way to write | |
522 | @code{(setq @var{listname} (cons @var{newelt} @var{listname}))}. | |
523 | It is new in Emacs 21. | |
a9749dab RS |
524 | |
525 | @example | |
177c0ea7 | 526 | (setq l '(a b)) |
a9749dab RS |
527 | @result{} (a b) |
528 | (push 'c l) | |
529 | @result{} (c a b) | |
530 | l | |
531 | @result{} (c a b) | |
532 | @end example | |
8241495d RS |
533 | @end defmac |
534 | ||
73804d4b RS |
535 | @defun list &rest objects |
536 | This function creates a list with @var{objects} as its elements. The | |
537 | resulting list is always @code{nil}-terminated. If no @var{objects} | |
538 | are given, the empty list is returned. | |
539 | ||
540 | @example | |
541 | @group | |
542 | (list 1 2 3 4 5) | |
543 | @result{} (1 2 3 4 5) | |
544 | @end group | |
545 | @group | |
546 | (list 1 2 '(3 4 5) 'foo) | |
547 | @result{} (1 2 (3 4 5) foo) | |
548 | @end group | |
549 | @group | |
550 | (list) | |
551 | @result{} nil | |
552 | @end group | |
553 | @end example | |
554 | @end defun | |
555 | ||
556 | @defun make-list length object | |
a9749dab RS |
557 | This function creates a list of @var{length} elements, in which each |
558 | element is @var{object}. Compare @code{make-list} with | |
559 | @code{make-string} (@pxref{Creating Strings}). | |
73804d4b RS |
560 | |
561 | @example | |
562 | @group | |
563 | (make-list 3 'pigs) | |
564 | @result{} (pigs pigs pigs) | |
565 | @end group | |
566 | @group | |
567 | (make-list 0 'pigs) | |
568 | @result{} nil | |
569 | @end group | |
a9749dab RS |
570 | @group |
571 | (setq l (make-list 3 '(a b)) | |
572 | @result{} ((a b) (a b) (a b)) | |
573 | (eq (car l) (cadr l)) | |
574 | @result{} t | |
575 | @end group | |
73804d4b RS |
576 | @end example |
577 | @end defun | |
578 | ||
579 | @defun append &rest sequences | |
580 | @cindex copying lists | |
581 | This function returns a list containing all the elements of | |
969fe9b5 RS |
582 | @var{sequences}. The @var{sequences} may be lists, vectors, |
583 | bool-vectors, or strings, but the last one should usually be a list. | |
584 | All arguments except the last one are copied, so none of the arguments | |
585 | is altered. (See @code{nconc} in @ref{Rearrangement}, for a way to join | |
586 | lists with no copying.) | |
2b3fc6c3 RS |
587 | |
588 | More generally, the final argument to @code{append} may be any Lisp | |
589 | object. The final argument is not copied or converted; it becomes the | |
590 | @sc{cdr} of the last cons cell in the new list. If the final argument | |
591 | is itself a list, then its elements become in effect elements of the | |
592 | result list. If the final element is not a list, the result is a | |
948caddf | 593 | dotted list since its final @sc{cdr} is not @code{nil} as required |
2b3fc6c3 | 594 | in a true list. |
73804d4b | 595 | |
19017752 LT |
596 | In Emacs 20 and before, the @code{append} function also allowed |
597 | integers as (non last) arguments. It converted them to strings of | |
598 | digits, making up the decimal print representation of the integer, and | |
599 | then used the strings instead of the original integers. This obsolete | |
600 | usage no longer works. The proper way to convert an integer to a | |
601 | decimal number in this way is with @code{format} (@pxref{Formatting | |
602 | Strings}) or @code{number-to-string} (@pxref{String Conversion}). | |
7dd3d99f RS |
603 | @end defun |
604 | ||
605 | Here is an example of using @code{append}: | |
73804d4b RS |
606 | |
607 | @example | |
608 | @group | |
609 | (setq trees '(pine oak)) | |
610 | @result{} (pine oak) | |
611 | (setq more-trees (append '(maple birch) trees)) | |
612 | @result{} (maple birch pine oak) | |
613 | @end group | |
614 | ||
615 | @group | |
616 | trees | |
617 | @result{} (pine oak) | |
618 | more-trees | |
619 | @result{} (maple birch pine oak) | |
620 | @end group | |
621 | @group | |
622 | (eq trees (cdr (cdr more-trees))) | |
623 | @result{} t | |
624 | @end group | |
625 | @end example | |
626 | ||
7dd3d99f | 627 | You can see how @code{append} works by looking at a box diagram. The |
2b3fc6c3 RS |
628 | variable @code{trees} is set to the list @code{(pine oak)} and then the |
629 | variable @code{more-trees} is set to the list @code{(maple birch pine | |
630 | oak)}. However, the variable @code{trees} continues to refer to the | |
631 | original list: | |
73804d4b RS |
632 | |
633 | @smallexample | |
634 | @group | |
635 | more-trees trees | |
636 | | | | |
969fe9b5 RS |
637 | | --- --- --- --- -> --- --- --- --- |
638 | --> | | |--> | | |--> | | |--> | | |--> nil | |
639 | --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- | |
73804d4b RS |
640 | | | | | |
641 | | | | | | |
642 | --> maple -->birch --> pine --> oak | |
643 | @end group | |
644 | @end smallexample | |
645 | ||
7dd3d99f | 646 | An empty sequence contributes nothing to the value returned by |
73804d4b | 647 | @code{append}. As a consequence of this, a final @code{nil} argument |
7dd3d99f | 648 | forces a copy of the previous argument: |
73804d4b RS |
649 | |
650 | @example | |
651 | @group | |
652 | trees | |
653 | @result{} (pine oak) | |
654 | @end group | |
655 | @group | |
969fe9b5 | 656 | (setq wood (append trees nil)) |
73804d4b RS |
657 | @result{} (pine oak) |
658 | @end group | |
659 | @group | |
660 | wood | |
661 | @result{} (pine oak) | |
662 | @end group | |
663 | @group | |
664 | (eq wood trees) | |
665 | @result{} nil | |
666 | @end group | |
667 | @end example | |
668 | ||
669 | @noindent | |
670 | This once was the usual way to copy a list, before the function | |
671 | @code{copy-sequence} was invented. @xref{Sequences Arrays Vectors}. | |
672 | ||
7dd3d99f | 673 | Here we show the use of vectors and strings as arguments to @code{append}: |
969fe9b5 RS |
674 | |
675 | @example | |
676 | @group | |
677 | (append [a b] "cd" nil) | |
678 | @result{} (a b 99 100) | |
679 | @end group | |
680 | @end example | |
681 | ||
7dd3d99f | 682 | With the help of @code{apply} (@pxref{Calling Functions}), we can append |
a9f0a989 | 683 | all the lists in a list of lists: |
73804d4b RS |
684 | |
685 | @example | |
686 | @group | |
687 | (apply 'append '((a b c) nil (x y z) nil)) | |
688 | @result{} (a b c x y z) | |
689 | @end group | |
690 | @end example | |
691 | ||
7dd3d99f | 692 | If no @var{sequences} are given, @code{nil} is returned: |
73804d4b RS |
693 | |
694 | @example | |
695 | @group | |
696 | (append) | |
697 | @result{} nil | |
698 | @end group | |
699 | @end example | |
700 | ||
7dd3d99f | 701 | Here are some examples where the final argument is not a list: |
2b3fc6c3 RS |
702 | |
703 | @example | |
704 | (append '(x y) 'z) | |
bfe721d1 | 705 | @result{} (x y . z) |
2b3fc6c3 | 706 | (append '(x y) [z]) |
bfe721d1 | 707 | @result{} (x y . [z]) |
2b3fc6c3 RS |
708 | @end example |
709 | ||
710 | @noindent | |
711 | The second example shows that when the final argument is a sequence but | |
712 | not a list, the sequence's elements do not become elements of the | |
713 | resulting list. Instead, the sequence becomes the final @sc{cdr}, like | |
714 | any other non-list final argument. | |
73804d4b | 715 | |
73804d4b RS |
716 | @defun reverse list |
717 | This function creates a new list whose elements are the elements of | |
718 | @var{list}, but in reverse order. The original argument @var{list} is | |
719 | @emph{not} altered. | |
720 | ||
721 | @example | |
722 | @group | |
723 | (setq x '(1 2 3 4)) | |
724 | @result{} (1 2 3 4) | |
725 | @end group | |
726 | @group | |
727 | (reverse x) | |
728 | @result{} (4 3 2 1) | |
729 | x | |
730 | @result{} (1 2 3 4) | |
731 | @end group | |
732 | @end example | |
733 | @end defun | |
734 | ||
84c3f248 | 735 | @defun copy-tree tree &optional vecp |
948caddf | 736 | This function returns a copy of the tree @code{tree}. If @var{tree} is a |
84c3f248 RS |
737 | cons cell, this makes a new cons cell with the same @sc{car} and |
738 | @sc{cdr}, then recursively copies the @sc{car} and @sc{cdr} in the | |
739 | same way. | |
740 | ||
741 | Normally, when @var{tree} is anything other than a cons cell, | |
742 | @code{copy-tree} simply returns @var{tree}. However, if @var{vecp} is | |
743 | non-@code{nil}, it copies vectors too (and operates recursively on | |
744 | their elements). | |
745 | @end defun | |
746 | ||
19017752 LT |
747 | @defun number-sequence from &optional to separation |
748 | This returns a list of numbers starting with @var{from} and | |
749 | incrementing by @var{separation}, and ending at or just before | |
750 | @var{to}. @var{separation} can be positive or negative and defaults | |
751 | to 1. If @var{to} is @code{nil} or numerically equal to @var{from}, | |
752 | the one element list @code{(from)} is returned. If @var{separation} | |
753 | is 0 and @var{to} is neither @code{nil} nor numerically equal to | |
754 | @var{from}, an error is signaled. | |
755 | ||
756 | All arguments can be integers or floating point numbers. However, | |
757 | floating point arguments can be tricky, because floating point | |
758 | arithmetic is inexact. For instance, depending on the machine, it may | |
759 | quite well happen that @code{(number-sequence 0.4 0.6 0.2)} returns | |
948caddf | 760 | the one element list @code{(0.4)}, whereas |
19017752 LT |
761 | @code{(number-sequence 0.4 0.8 0.2)} returns a list with three |
762 | elements. The @var{n}th element of the list is computed by the exact | |
763 | formula @code{(+ @var{from} (* @var{n} @var{separation}))}. Thus, if | |
764 | one wants to make sure that @var{to} is included in the list, one can | |
765 | pass an expression of this exact type for @var{to}. Alternatively, | |
766 | one can replace @var{to} with a slightly larger value (or a slightly | |
767 | more negative value if @var{separation} is negative). | |
768 | ||
769 | Some examples: | |
1006f206 RS |
770 | |
771 | @example | |
772 | (number-sequence 4 9) | |
773 | @result{} (4 5 6 7 8 9) | |
19017752 LT |
774 | (number-sequence 9 4 -1) |
775 | @result{} (9 8 7 6 5 4) | |
776 | (number-sequence 9 4 -2) | |
777 | @result{} (9 7 5) | |
778 | (number-sequence 8) | |
779 | @result{} (8) | |
780 | (number-sequence 8 5) | |
781 | @result{} nil | |
782 | (number-sequence 5 8 -1) | |
783 | @result{} nil | |
1006f206 RS |
784 | (number-sequence 1.5 6 2) |
785 | @result{} (1.5 3.5 5.5) | |
786 | @end example | |
787 | @end defun | |
788 | ||
73804d4b RS |
789 | @node Modifying Lists |
790 | @section Modifying Existing List Structure | |
f1e2c45e | 791 | @cindex destructive list operations |
73804d4b RS |
792 | |
793 | You can modify the @sc{car} and @sc{cdr} contents of a cons cell with the | |
177c0ea7 | 794 | primitives @code{setcar} and @code{setcdr}. We call these ``destructive'' |
f1e2c45e | 795 | operations because they change existing list structure. |
73804d4b RS |
796 | |
797 | @cindex CL note---@code{rplaca} vrs @code{setcar} | |
798 | @quotation | |
799 | @findex rplaca | |
800 | @findex rplacd | |
801 | @b{Common Lisp note:} Common Lisp uses functions @code{rplaca} and | |
802 | @code{rplacd} to alter list structure; they change structure the same | |
803 | way as @code{setcar} and @code{setcdr}, but the Common Lisp functions | |
804 | return the cons cell while @code{setcar} and @code{setcdr} return the | |
805 | new @sc{car} or @sc{cdr}. | |
806 | @end quotation | |
807 | ||
808 | @menu | |
809 | * Setcar:: Replacing an element in a list. | |
810 | * Setcdr:: Replacing part of the list backbone. | |
811 | This can be used to remove or add elements. | |
812 | * Rearrangement:: Reordering the elements in a list; combining lists. | |
813 | @end menu | |
814 | ||
815 | @node Setcar | |
816 | @subsection Altering List Elements with @code{setcar} | |
817 | ||
2b3fc6c3 RS |
818 | Changing the @sc{car} of a cons cell is done with @code{setcar}. When |
819 | used on a list, @code{setcar} replaces one element of a list with a | |
820 | different element. | |
73804d4b RS |
821 | |
822 | @defun setcar cons object | |
823 | This function stores @var{object} as the new @sc{car} of @var{cons}, | |
74490e55 | 824 | replacing its previous @sc{car}. In other words, it changes the |
b6954afd | 825 | @sc{car} slot of @var{cons} to refer to @var{object}. It returns the |
74490e55 | 826 | value @var{object}. For example: |
73804d4b RS |
827 | |
828 | @example | |
829 | @group | |
830 | (setq x '(1 2)) | |
831 | @result{} (1 2) | |
832 | @end group | |
833 | @group | |
834 | (setcar x 4) | |
835 | @result{} 4 | |
836 | @end group | |
837 | @group | |
838 | x | |
839 | @result{} (4 2) | |
840 | @end group | |
841 | @end example | |
842 | @end defun | |
843 | ||
844 | When a cons cell is part of the shared structure of several lists, | |
845 | storing a new @sc{car} into the cons changes one element of each of | |
846 | these lists. Here is an example: | |
847 | ||
848 | @example | |
849 | @group | |
850 | ;; @r{Create two lists that are partly shared.} | |
851 | (setq x1 '(a b c)) | |
852 | @result{} (a b c) | |
853 | (setq x2 (cons 'z (cdr x1))) | |
854 | @result{} (z b c) | |
855 | @end group | |
856 | ||
857 | @group | |
858 | ;; @r{Replace the @sc{car} of a shared link.} | |
859 | (setcar (cdr x1) 'foo) | |
860 | @result{} foo | |
861 | x1 ; @r{Both lists are changed.} | |
862 | @result{} (a foo c) | |
863 | x2 | |
864 | @result{} (z foo c) | |
865 | @end group | |
866 | ||
867 | @group | |
868 | ;; @r{Replace the @sc{car} of a link that is not shared.} | |
869 | (setcar x1 'baz) | |
870 | @result{} baz | |
871 | x1 ; @r{Only one list is changed.} | |
872 | @result{} (baz foo c) | |
873 | x2 | |
874 | @result{} (z foo c) | |
875 | @end group | |
876 | @end example | |
877 | ||
878 | Here is a graphical depiction of the shared structure of the two lists | |
879 | in the variables @code{x1} and @code{x2}, showing why replacing @code{b} | |
880 | changes them both: | |
881 | ||
882 | @example | |
883 | @group | |
969fe9b5 RS |
884 | --- --- --- --- --- --- |
885 | x1---> | | |----> | | |--> | | |--> nil | |
886 | --- --- --- --- --- --- | |
73804d4b RS |
887 | | --> | | |
888 | | | | | | |
889 | --> a | --> b --> c | |
890 | | | |
969fe9b5 RS |
891 | --- --- | |
892 | x2--> | | |-- | |
893 | --- --- | |
73804d4b RS |
894 | | |
895 | | | |
896 | --> z | |
897 | @end group | |
898 | @end example | |
899 | ||
900 | Here is an alternative form of box diagram, showing the same relationship: | |
901 | ||
902 | @example | |
903 | @group | |
904 | x1: | |
905 | -------------- -------------- -------------- | |
906 | | car | cdr | | car | cdr | | car | cdr | | |
907 | | a | o------->| b | o------->| c | nil | | |
908 | | | | -->| | | | | | | |
909 | -------------- | -------------- -------------- | |
910 | | | |
911 | x2: | | |
912 | -------------- | | |
913 | | car | cdr | | | |
914 | | z | o---- | |
915 | | | | | |
916 | -------------- | |
917 | @end group | |
918 | @end example | |
919 | ||
920 | @node Setcdr | |
921 | @subsection Altering the CDR of a List | |
922 | ||
923 | The lowest-level primitive for modifying a @sc{cdr} is @code{setcdr}: | |
924 | ||
925 | @defun setcdr cons object | |
2b3fc6c3 | 926 | This function stores @var{object} as the new @sc{cdr} of @var{cons}, |
74490e55 | 927 | replacing its previous @sc{cdr}. In other words, it changes the |
b6954afd | 928 | @sc{cdr} slot of @var{cons} to refer to @var{object}. It returns the |
74490e55 | 929 | value @var{object}. |
73804d4b RS |
930 | @end defun |
931 | ||
932 | Here is an example of replacing the @sc{cdr} of a list with a | |
933 | different list. All but the first element of the list are removed in | |
934 | favor of a different sequence of elements. The first element is | |
935 | unchanged, because it resides in the @sc{car} of the list, and is not | |
936 | reached via the @sc{cdr}. | |
937 | ||
938 | @example | |
939 | @group | |
940 | (setq x '(1 2 3)) | |
941 | @result{} (1 2 3) | |
942 | @end group | |
943 | @group | |
944 | (setcdr x '(4)) | |
945 | @result{} (4) | |
946 | @end group | |
947 | @group | |
948 | x | |
949 | @result{} (1 4) | |
950 | @end group | |
951 | @end example | |
952 | ||
953 | You can delete elements from the middle of a list by altering the | |
954 | @sc{cdr}s of the cons cells in the list. For example, here we delete | |
955 | the second element, @code{b}, from the list @code{(a b c)}, by changing | |
74490e55 | 956 | the @sc{cdr} of the first cons cell: |
73804d4b RS |
957 | |
958 | @example | |
959 | @group | |
960 | (setq x1 '(a b c)) | |
961 | @result{} (a b c) | |
962 | (setcdr x1 (cdr (cdr x1))) | |
963 | @result{} (c) | |
964 | x1 | |
965 | @result{} (a c) | |
966 | @end group | |
967 | @end example | |
968 | ||
bda144f4 | 969 | @need 4000 |
73804d4b RS |
970 | Here is the result in box notation: |
971 | ||
972 | @example | |
973 | @group | |
974 | -------------------- | |
975 | | | | |
976 | -------------- | -------------- | -------------- | |
977 | | car | cdr | | | car | cdr | -->| car | cdr | | |
978 | | a | o----- | b | o-------->| c | nil | | |
979 | | | | | | | | | | | |
980 | -------------- -------------- -------------- | |
981 | @end group | |
982 | @end example | |
983 | ||
984 | @noindent | |
985 | The second cons cell, which previously held the element @code{b}, still | |
986 | exists and its @sc{car} is still @code{b}, but it no longer forms part | |
987 | of this list. | |
988 | ||
989 | It is equally easy to insert a new element by changing @sc{cdr}s: | |
990 | ||
991 | @example | |
992 | @group | |
993 | (setq x1 '(a b c)) | |
994 | @result{} (a b c) | |
995 | (setcdr x1 (cons 'd (cdr x1))) | |
996 | @result{} (d b c) | |
997 | x1 | |
998 | @result{} (a d b c) | |
999 | @end group | |
1000 | @end example | |
1001 | ||
1002 | Here is this result in box notation: | |
1003 | ||
1004 | @smallexample | |
1005 | @group | |
1006 | -------------- ------------- ------------- | |
1007 | | car | cdr | | car | cdr | | car | cdr | | |
1008 | | a | o | -->| b | o------->| c | nil | | |
1009 | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
1010 | --------- | -- | ------------- ------------- | |
1011 | | | | |
1012 | ----- -------- | |
1013 | | | | |
1014 | | --------------- | | |
1015 | | | car | cdr | | | |
1016 | -->| d | o------ | |
1017 | | | | | |
1018 | --------------- | |
1019 | @end group | |
1020 | @end smallexample | |
1021 | ||
1022 | @node Rearrangement | |
1023 | @subsection Functions that Rearrange Lists | |
1024 | @cindex rearrangement of lists | |
1025 | @cindex modification of lists | |
1026 | ||
1027 | Here are some functions that rearrange lists ``destructively'' by | |
1028 | modifying the @sc{cdr}s of their component cons cells. We call these | |
1029 | functions ``destructive'' because they chew up the original lists passed | |
f1e2c45e RS |
1030 | to them as arguments, relinking their cons cells to form a new list that |
1031 | is the returned value. | |
73804d4b | 1032 | |
37680279 | 1033 | @ifnottex |
2b3fc6c3 RS |
1034 | See @code{delq}, in @ref{Sets And Lists}, for another function |
1035 | that modifies cons cells. | |
37680279 | 1036 | @end ifnottex |
2b3fc6c3 RS |
1037 | @iftex |
1038 | The function @code{delq} in the following section is another example | |
1039 | of destructive list manipulation. | |
1040 | @end iftex | |
1041 | ||
73804d4b RS |
1042 | @defun nconc &rest lists |
1043 | @cindex concatenating lists | |
1044 | @cindex joining lists | |
1045 | This function returns a list containing all the elements of @var{lists}. | |
1046 | Unlike @code{append} (@pxref{Building Lists}), the @var{lists} are | |
1047 | @emph{not} copied. Instead, the last @sc{cdr} of each of the | |
1048 | @var{lists} is changed to refer to the following list. The last of the | |
1049 | @var{lists} is not altered. For example: | |
1050 | ||
1051 | @example | |
1052 | @group | |
1053 | (setq x '(1 2 3)) | |
1054 | @result{} (1 2 3) | |
1055 | @end group | |
1056 | @group | |
1057 | (nconc x '(4 5)) | |
1058 | @result{} (1 2 3 4 5) | |
1059 | @end group | |
1060 | @group | |
1061 | x | |
1062 | @result{} (1 2 3 4 5) | |
1063 | @end group | |
1064 | @end example | |
1065 | ||
1066 | Since the last argument of @code{nconc} is not itself modified, it is | |
1067 | reasonable to use a constant list, such as @code{'(4 5)}, as in the | |
1068 | above example. For the same reason, the last argument need not be a | |
1069 | list: | |
1070 | ||
1071 | @example | |
1072 | @group | |
1073 | (setq x '(1 2 3)) | |
1074 | @result{} (1 2 3) | |
1075 | @end group | |
1076 | @group | |
1077 | (nconc x 'z) | |
1078 | @result{} (1 2 3 . z) | |
1079 | @end group | |
1080 | @group | |
1081 | x | |
1082 | @result{} (1 2 3 . z) | |
1083 | @end group | |
1084 | @end example | |
1085 | ||
969fe9b5 RS |
1086 | However, the other arguments (all but the last) must be lists. |
1087 | ||
73804d4b RS |
1088 | A common pitfall is to use a quoted constant list as a non-last |
1089 | argument to @code{nconc}. If you do this, your program will change | |
1090 | each time you run it! Here is what happens: | |
1091 | ||
1092 | @smallexample | |
1093 | @group | |
1094 | (defun add-foo (x) ; @r{We want this function to add} | |
1095 | (nconc '(foo) x)) ; @r{@code{foo} to the front of its arg.} | |
1096 | @end group | |
1097 | ||
1098 | @group | |
1099 | (symbol-function 'add-foo) | |
1100 | @result{} (lambda (x) (nconc (quote (foo)) x)) | |
1101 | @end group | |
1102 | ||
1103 | @group | |
1104 | (setq xx (add-foo '(1 2))) ; @r{It seems to work.} | |
1105 | @result{} (foo 1 2) | |
1106 | @end group | |
1107 | @group | |
1108 | (setq xy (add-foo '(3 4))) ; @r{What happened?} | |
1109 | @result{} (foo 1 2 3 4) | |
1110 | @end group | |
1111 | @group | |
1112 | (eq xx xy) | |
1113 | @result{} t | |
1114 | @end group | |
1115 | ||
1116 | @group | |
1117 | (symbol-function 'add-foo) | |
1118 | @result{} (lambda (x) (nconc (quote (foo 1 2 3 4) x))) | |
1119 | @end group | |
1120 | @end smallexample | |
1121 | @end defun | |
1122 | ||
1123 | @defun nreverse list | |
1124 | @cindex reversing a list | |
1125 | This function reverses the order of the elements of @var{list}. | |
2b3fc6c3 RS |
1126 | Unlike @code{reverse}, @code{nreverse} alters its argument by reversing |
1127 | the @sc{cdr}s in the cons cells forming the list. The cons cell that | |
74490e55 | 1128 | used to be the last one in @var{list} becomes the first cons cell of the |
2b3fc6c3 | 1129 | value. |
73804d4b RS |
1130 | |
1131 | For example: | |
1132 | ||
1133 | @example | |
1134 | @group | |
a9749dab RS |
1135 | (setq x '(a b c)) |
1136 | @result{} (a b c) | |
73804d4b RS |
1137 | @end group |
1138 | @group | |
1139 | x | |
a9749dab | 1140 | @result{} (a b c) |
73804d4b | 1141 | (nreverse x) |
a9749dab | 1142 | @result{} (c b a) |
73804d4b RS |
1143 | @end group |
1144 | @group | |
74490e55 | 1145 | ;; @r{The cons cell that was first is now last.} |
73804d4b | 1146 | x |
a9749dab | 1147 | @result{} (a) |
73804d4b RS |
1148 | @end group |
1149 | @end example | |
1150 | ||
1151 | To avoid confusion, we usually store the result of @code{nreverse} | |
1152 | back in the same variable which held the original list: | |
1153 | ||
1154 | @example | |
1155 | (setq x (nreverse x)) | |
1156 | @end example | |
1157 | ||
1158 | Here is the @code{nreverse} of our favorite example, @code{(a b c)}, | |
1159 | presented graphically: | |
1160 | ||
1161 | @smallexample | |
1162 | @group | |
1163 | @r{Original list head:} @r{Reversed list:} | |
1164 | ------------- ------------- ------------ | |
1165 | | car | cdr | | car | cdr | | car | cdr | | |
1166 | | a | nil |<-- | b | o |<-- | c | o | | |
1167 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
1168 | ------------- | --------- | - | -------- | - | |
1169 | | | | | | |
1170 | ------------- ------------ | |
1171 | @end group | |
1172 | @end smallexample | |
1173 | @end defun | |
1174 | ||
1175 | @defun sort list predicate | |
1176 | @cindex stable sort | |
1177 | @cindex sorting lists | |
1178 | This function sorts @var{list} stably, though destructively, and | |
1179 | returns the sorted list. It compares elements using @var{predicate}. A | |
1180 | stable sort is one in which elements with equal sort keys maintain their | |
1181 | relative order before and after the sort. Stability is important when | |
1182 | successive sorts are used to order elements according to different | |
1183 | criteria. | |
1184 | ||
1185 | The argument @var{predicate} must be a function that accepts two | |
1186 | arguments. It is called with two elements of @var{list}. To get an | |
1187 | increasing order sort, the @var{predicate} should return @code{t} if the | |
1188 | first element is ``less than'' the second, or @code{nil} if not. | |
1189 | ||
a9f0a989 RS |
1190 | The comparison function @var{predicate} must give reliable results for |
1191 | any given pair of arguments, at least within a single call to | |
1192 | @code{sort}. It must be @dfn{antisymmetric}; that is, if @var{a} is | |
1193 | less than @var{b}, @var{b} must not be less than @var{a}. It must be | |
1194 | @dfn{transitive}---that is, if @var{a} is less than @var{b}, and @var{b} | |
1195 | is less than @var{c}, then @var{a} must be less than @var{c}. If you | |
1196 | use a comparison function which does not meet these requirements, the | |
1197 | result of @code{sort} is unpredictable. | |
1198 | ||
73804d4b RS |
1199 | The destructive aspect of @code{sort} is that it rearranges the cons |
1200 | cells forming @var{list} by changing @sc{cdr}s. A nondestructive sort | |
1201 | function would create new cons cells to store the elements in their | |
1202 | sorted order. If you wish to make a sorted copy without destroying the | |
1203 | original, copy it first with @code{copy-sequence} and then sort. | |
1204 | ||
1205 | Sorting does not change the @sc{car}s of the cons cells in @var{list}; | |
1206 | the cons cell that originally contained the element @code{a} in | |
1207 | @var{list} still has @code{a} in its @sc{car} after sorting, but it now | |
1208 | appears in a different position in the list due to the change of | |
1209 | @sc{cdr}s. For example: | |
1210 | ||
1211 | @example | |
1212 | @group | |
1213 | (setq nums '(1 3 2 6 5 4 0)) | |
1214 | @result{} (1 3 2 6 5 4 0) | |
1215 | @end group | |
1216 | @group | |
1217 | (sort nums '<) | |
1218 | @result{} (0 1 2 3 4 5 6) | |
1219 | @end group | |
1220 | @group | |
1221 | nums | |
1222 | @result{} (1 2 3 4 5 6) | |
1223 | @end group | |
1224 | @end example | |
1225 | ||
1226 | @noindent | |
f9f59935 RS |
1227 | @strong{Warning}: Note that the list in @code{nums} no longer contains |
1228 | 0; this is the same cons cell that it was before, but it is no longer | |
1229 | the first one in the list. Don't assume a variable that formerly held | |
1230 | the argument now holds the entire sorted list! Instead, save the result | |
1231 | of @code{sort} and use that. Most often we store the result back into | |
1232 | the variable that held the original list: | |
73804d4b RS |
1233 | |
1234 | @example | |
1235 | (setq nums (sort nums '<)) | |
1236 | @end example | |
1237 | ||
1238 | @xref{Sorting}, for more functions that perform sorting. | |
1239 | See @code{documentation} in @ref{Accessing Documentation}, for a | |
1240 | useful example of @code{sort}. | |
1241 | @end defun | |
1242 | ||
73804d4b RS |
1243 | @node Sets And Lists |
1244 | @section Using Lists as Sets | |
1245 | @cindex lists as sets | |
1246 | @cindex sets | |
1247 | ||
1248 | A list can represent an unordered mathematical set---simply consider a | |
1249 | value an element of a set if it appears in the list, and ignore the | |
1250 | order of the list. To form the union of two sets, use @code{append} (as | |
42101e87 LT |
1251 | long as you don't mind having duplicate elements). You can remove |
1252 | @code{equal} duplicates using @code{delete-dups}. Other useful | |
73804d4b RS |
1253 | functions for sets include @code{memq} and @code{delq}, and their |
1254 | @code{equal} versions, @code{member} and @code{delete}. | |
1255 | ||
b5ef0e92 | 1256 | @cindex CL note---lack @code{union}, @code{intersection} |
73804d4b RS |
1257 | @quotation |
1258 | @b{Common Lisp note:} Common Lisp has functions @code{union} (which | |
1259 | avoids duplicate elements) and @code{intersection} for set operations, | |
1260 | but GNU Emacs Lisp does not have them. You can write them in Lisp if | |
1261 | you wish. | |
1262 | @end quotation | |
1263 | ||
1264 | @defun memq object list | |
1265 | @cindex membership in a list | |
1266 | This function tests to see whether @var{object} is a member of | |
1267 | @var{list}. If it is, @code{memq} returns a list starting with the | |
1268 | first occurrence of @var{object}. Otherwise, it returns @code{nil}. | |
1269 | The letter @samp{q} in @code{memq} says that it uses @code{eq} to | |
1270 | compare @var{object} against the elements of the list. For example: | |
1271 | ||
1272 | @example | |
1273 | @group | |
2b3fc6c3 RS |
1274 | (memq 'b '(a b c b a)) |
1275 | @result{} (b c b a) | |
73804d4b RS |
1276 | @end group |
1277 | @group | |
1278 | (memq '(2) '((1) (2))) ; @r{@code{(2)} and @code{(2)} are not @code{eq}.} | |
1279 | @result{} nil | |
1280 | @end group | |
1281 | @end example | |
1282 | @end defun | |
1283 | ||
1284 | @defun delq object list | |
1285 | @cindex deletion of elements | |
1286 | This function destructively removes all elements @code{eq} to | |
1287 | @var{object} from @var{list}. The letter @samp{q} in @code{delq} says | |
1288 | that it uses @code{eq} to compare @var{object} against the elements of | |
f68446ef | 1289 | the list, like @code{memq} and @code{remq}. |
73804d4b RS |
1290 | @end defun |
1291 | ||
1292 | When @code{delq} deletes elements from the front of the list, it does so | |
1293 | simply by advancing down the list and returning a sublist that starts | |
1294 | after those elements: | |
1295 | ||
1296 | @example | |
1297 | @group | |
1298 | (delq 'a '(a b c)) @equiv{} (cdr '(a b c)) | |
1299 | @end group | |
1300 | @end example | |
1301 | ||
1302 | When an element to be deleted appears in the middle of the list, | |
1303 | removing it involves changing the @sc{cdr}s (@pxref{Setcdr}). | |
1304 | ||
1305 | @example | |
1306 | @group | |
2b3fc6c3 RS |
1307 | (setq sample-list '(a b c (4))) |
1308 | @result{} (a b c (4)) | |
73804d4b RS |
1309 | @end group |
1310 | @group | |
2b3fc6c3 RS |
1311 | (delq 'a sample-list) |
1312 | @result{} (b c (4)) | |
73804d4b RS |
1313 | @end group |
1314 | @group | |
1315 | sample-list | |
2b3fc6c3 | 1316 | @result{} (a b c (4)) |
73804d4b RS |
1317 | @end group |
1318 | @group | |
2b3fc6c3 | 1319 | (delq 'c sample-list) |
34e1af81 | 1320 | @result{} (a b (4)) |
73804d4b RS |
1321 | @end group |
1322 | @group | |
1323 | sample-list | |
34e1af81 | 1324 | @result{} (a b (4)) |
73804d4b RS |
1325 | @end group |
1326 | @end example | |
1327 | ||
bfe721d1 KH |
1328 | Note that @code{(delq 'c sample-list)} modifies @code{sample-list} to |
1329 | splice out the third element, but @code{(delq 'a sample-list)} does not | |
73804d4b RS |
1330 | splice anything---it just returns a shorter list. Don't assume that a |
1331 | variable which formerly held the argument @var{list} now has fewer | |
1332 | elements, or that it still holds the original list! Instead, save the | |
1333 | result of @code{delq} and use that. Most often we store the result back | |
1334 | into the variable that held the original list: | |
1335 | ||
1336 | @example | |
1337 | (setq flowers (delq 'rose flowers)) | |
1338 | @end example | |
1339 | ||
1340 | In the following example, the @code{(4)} that @code{delq} attempts to match | |
1341 | and the @code{(4)} in the @code{sample-list} are not @code{eq}: | |
1342 | ||
1343 | @example | |
1344 | @group | |
1345 | (delq '(4) sample-list) | |
2b3fc6c3 | 1346 | @result{} (a c (4)) |
73804d4b RS |
1347 | @end group |
1348 | @end example | |
1349 | ||
9f081286 RS |
1350 | @defun remq object list |
1351 | This function returns a copy of @var{list}, with all elements removed | |
1352 | which are @code{eq} to @var{object}. The letter @samp{q} in @code{remq} | |
1353 | says that it uses @code{eq} to compare @var{object} against the elements | |
1354 | of @code{list}. | |
1355 | ||
1356 | @example | |
1357 | @group | |
1358 | (setq sample-list '(a b c a b c)) | |
1359 | @result{} (a b c a b c) | |
1360 | @end group | |
1361 | @group | |
1362 | (remq 'a sample-list) | |
1363 | @result{} (b c b c) | |
1364 | @end group | |
1365 | @group | |
1366 | sample-list | |
1367 | @result{} (a b c a b c) | |
1368 | @end group | |
1369 | @end example | |
1370 | @noindent | |
1371 | The function @code{delq} offers a way to perform this operation | |
1372 | destructively. See @ref{Sets And Lists}. | |
1373 | @end defun | |
1374 | ||
1375 | The following three functions are like @code{memq}, @code{delq} and | |
1376 | @code{remq}, but use @code{equal} rather than @code{eq} to compare | |
1377 | elements. @xref{Equality Predicates}. | |
73804d4b RS |
1378 | |
1379 | @defun member object list | |
1380 | The function @code{member} tests to see whether @var{object} is a member | |
1381 | of @var{list}, comparing members with @var{object} using @code{equal}. | |
1382 | If @var{object} is a member, @code{member} returns a list starting with | |
1383 | its first occurrence in @var{list}. Otherwise, it returns @code{nil}. | |
1384 | ||
1385 | Compare this with @code{memq}: | |
1386 | ||
1387 | @example | |
1388 | @group | |
1389 | (member '(2) '((1) (2))) ; @r{@code{(2)} and @code{(2)} are @code{equal}.} | |
1390 | @result{} ((2)) | |
1391 | @end group | |
1392 | @group | |
1393 | (memq '(2) '((1) (2))) ; @r{@code{(2)} and @code{(2)} are not @code{eq}.} | |
1394 | @result{} nil | |
1395 | @end group | |
1396 | @group | |
1397 | ;; @r{Two strings with the same contents are @code{equal}.} | |
1398 | (member "foo" '("foo" "bar")) | |
1399 | @result{} ("foo" "bar") | |
1400 | @end group | |
1401 | @end example | |
1402 | @end defun | |
1403 | ||
f68446ef GM |
1404 | @defun delete object sequence |
1405 | If @code{sequence} is a list, this function destructively removes all | |
1406 | elements @code{equal} to @var{object} from @var{sequence}. For lists, | |
1407 | @code{delete} is to @code{delq} as @code{member} is to @code{memq}: it | |
1408 | uses @code{equal} to compare elements with @var{object}, like | |
1409 | @code{member}; when it finds an element that matches, it removes the | |
1410 | element just as @code{delq} would. | |
1411 | ||
1412 | If @code{sequence} is a vector or string, @code{delete} returns a copy | |
1413 | of @code{sequence} with all elements @code{equal} to @code{object} | |
1414 | removed. | |
1415 | ||
1416 | For example: | |
73804d4b RS |
1417 | |
1418 | @example | |
1419 | @group | |
1420 | (delete '(2) '((2) (1) (2))) | |
b5ef0e92 | 1421 | @result{} ((1)) |
73804d4b | 1422 | @end group |
f68446ef GM |
1423 | @group |
1424 | (delete '(2) [(2) (1) (2)]) | |
1425 | @result{} [(1)] | |
1426 | @end group | |
1427 | @end example | |
1428 | @end defun | |
1429 | ||
1430 | @defun remove object sequence | |
1431 | This function is the non-destructive counterpart of @code{delete}. If | |
1432 | returns a copy of @code{sequence}, a list, vector, or string, with | |
1433 | elements @code{equal} to @code{object} removed. For example: | |
1434 | ||
1435 | @example | |
1436 | @group | |
1437 | (remove '(2) '((2) (1) (2))) | |
1438 | @result{} ((1)) | |
1439 | @end group | |
1440 | @group | |
1441 | (remove '(2) [(2) (1) (2)]) | |
1442 | @result{} [(1)] | |
1443 | @end group | |
73804d4b RS |
1444 | @end example |
1445 | @end defun | |
1446 | ||
1447 | @quotation | |
f68446ef GM |
1448 | @b{Common Lisp note:} The functions @code{member}, @code{delete} and |
1449 | @code{remove} in GNU Emacs Lisp are derived from Maclisp, not Common | |
1450 | Lisp. The Common Lisp versions do not use @code{equal} to compare | |
1451 | elements. | |
73804d4b RS |
1452 | @end quotation |
1453 | ||
19017752 LT |
1454 | @defun member-ignore-case object list |
1455 | This function is like @code{member}, except that @var{object} should | |
1456 | be a string and that it ignores differences in letter-case and text | |
1457 | representation: upper-case and lower-case letters are treated as | |
1458 | equal, and unibyte strings are converted to multibyte prior to | |
1459 | comparison. | |
42101e87 LT |
1460 | @end defun |
1461 | ||
1462 | @defun delete-dups list | |
1463 | This function destructively removes all @code{equal} duplicates from | |
efb47843 LT |
1464 | @var{list}, stores the result in @var{list} and returns it. Of |
1465 | several @code{equal} occurrences of an element in @var{list}, | |
1466 | @code{delete-dups} keeps the first one. | |
19017752 LT |
1467 | @end defun |
1468 | ||
bfe721d1 KH |
1469 | See also the function @code{add-to-list}, in @ref{Setting Variables}, |
1470 | for another way to add an element to a list stored in a variable. | |
1471 | ||
73804d4b RS |
1472 | @node Association Lists |
1473 | @section Association Lists | |
1474 | @cindex association list | |
1475 | @cindex alist | |
1476 | ||
1477 | An @dfn{association list}, or @dfn{alist} for short, records a mapping | |
1478 | from keys to values. It is a list of cons cells called | |
74490e55 | 1479 | @dfn{associations}: the @sc{car} of each cons cell is the @dfn{key}, and the |
73804d4b RS |
1480 | @sc{cdr} is the @dfn{associated value}.@footnote{This usage of ``key'' |
1481 | is not related to the term ``key sequence''; it means a value used to | |
1482 | look up an item in a table. In this case, the table is the alist, and | |
1483 | the alist associations are the items.} | |
1484 | ||
1485 | Here is an example of an alist. The key @code{pine} is associated with | |
1486 | the value @code{cones}; the key @code{oak} is associated with | |
1487 | @code{acorns}; and the key @code{maple} is associated with @code{seeds}. | |
1488 | ||
1489 | @example | |
1490 | @group | |
a9749dab RS |
1491 | ((pine . cones) |
1492 | (oak . acorns) | |
1493 | (maple . seeds)) | |
73804d4b RS |
1494 | @end group |
1495 | @end example | |
1496 | ||
1497 | The associated values in an alist may be any Lisp objects; so may the | |
1498 | keys. For example, in the following alist, the symbol @code{a} is | |
1499 | associated with the number @code{1}, and the string @code{"b"} is | |
1500 | associated with the @emph{list} @code{(2 3)}, which is the @sc{cdr} of | |
1501 | the alist element: | |
1502 | ||
1503 | @example | |
1504 | ((a . 1) ("b" 2 3)) | |
1505 | @end example | |
1506 | ||
1507 | Sometimes it is better to design an alist to store the associated | |
1508 | value in the @sc{car} of the @sc{cdr} of the element. Here is an | |
a9749dab | 1509 | example of such an alist: |
73804d4b RS |
1510 | |
1511 | @example | |
a9749dab | 1512 | ((rose red) (lily white) (buttercup yellow)) |
73804d4b RS |
1513 | @end example |
1514 | ||
1515 | @noindent | |
1516 | Here we regard @code{red} as the value associated with @code{rose}. One | |
f9f59935 | 1517 | advantage of this kind of alist is that you can store other related |
73804d4b RS |
1518 | information---even a list of other items---in the @sc{cdr} of the |
1519 | @sc{cdr}. One disadvantage is that you cannot use @code{rassq} (see | |
1520 | below) to find the element containing a given value. When neither of | |
1521 | these considerations is important, the choice is a matter of taste, as | |
1522 | long as you are consistent about it for any given alist. | |
1523 | ||
1524 | Note that the same alist shown above could be regarded as having the | |
1525 | associated value in the @sc{cdr} of the element; the value associated | |
1526 | with @code{rose} would be the list @code{(red)}. | |
1527 | ||
1528 | Association lists are often used to record information that you might | |
1529 | otherwise keep on a stack, since new associations may be added easily to | |
1530 | the front of the list. When searching an association list for an | |
1531 | association with a given key, the first one found is returned, if there | |
1532 | is more than one. | |
1533 | ||
1534 | In Emacs Lisp, it is @emph{not} an error if an element of an | |
1535 | association list is not a cons cell. The alist search functions simply | |
1536 | ignore such elements. Many other versions of Lisp signal errors in such | |
1537 | cases. | |
1538 | ||
1539 | Note that property lists are similar to association lists in several | |
1540 | respects. A property list behaves like an association list in which | |
1541 | each key can occur only once. @xref{Property Lists}, for a comparison | |
1542 | of property lists and association lists. | |
1543 | ||
1544 | @defun assoc key alist | |
1545 | This function returns the first association for @var{key} in | |
1546 | @var{alist}. It compares @var{key} against the alist elements using | |
1547 | @code{equal} (@pxref{Equality Predicates}). It returns @code{nil} if no | |
1548 | association in @var{alist} has a @sc{car} @code{equal} to @var{key}. | |
1549 | For example: | |
1550 | ||
1551 | @smallexample | |
1552 | (setq trees '((pine . cones) (oak . acorns) (maple . seeds))) | |
1553 | @result{} ((pine . cones) (oak . acorns) (maple . seeds)) | |
1554 | (assoc 'oak trees) | |
1555 | @result{} (oak . acorns) | |
1556 | (cdr (assoc 'oak trees)) | |
1557 | @result{} acorns | |
1558 | (assoc 'birch trees) | |
1559 | @result{} nil | |
1560 | @end smallexample | |
1561 | ||
2b3fc6c3 | 1562 | Here is another example, in which the keys and values are not symbols: |
73804d4b RS |
1563 | |
1564 | @smallexample | |
1565 | (setq needles-per-cluster | |
1566 | '((2 "Austrian Pine" "Red Pine") | |
1567 | (3 "Pitch Pine") | |
1568 | (5 "White Pine"))) | |
1569 | ||
1570 | (cdr (assoc 3 needles-per-cluster)) | |
1571 | @result{} ("Pitch Pine") | |
1572 | (cdr (assoc 2 needles-per-cluster)) | |
1573 | @result{} ("Austrian Pine" "Red Pine") | |
1574 | @end smallexample | |
1575 | @end defun | |
1576 | ||
9f081286 RS |
1577 | The function @code{assoc-string} is much like @code{assoc} except |
1578 | that it ignores certain differences between strings. @xref{Text | |
1579 | Comparison}. | |
a9f0a989 | 1580 | |
22697dac KH |
1581 | @defun rassoc value alist |
1582 | This function returns the first association with value @var{value} in | |
1583 | @var{alist}. It returns @code{nil} if no association in @var{alist} has | |
1584 | a @sc{cdr} @code{equal} to @var{value}. | |
1585 | ||
1586 | @code{rassoc} is like @code{assoc} except that it compares the @sc{cdr} of | |
1587 | each @var{alist} association instead of the @sc{car}. You can think of | |
1588 | this as ``reverse @code{assoc}'', finding the key for a given value. | |
1589 | @end defun | |
1590 | ||
73804d4b RS |
1591 | @defun assq key alist |
1592 | This function is like @code{assoc} in that it returns the first | |
1593 | association for @var{key} in @var{alist}, but it makes the comparison | |
1594 | using @code{eq} instead of @code{equal}. @code{assq} returns @code{nil} | |
1595 | if no association in @var{alist} has a @sc{car} @code{eq} to @var{key}. | |
1596 | This function is used more often than @code{assoc}, since @code{eq} is | |
1597 | faster than @code{equal} and most alists use symbols as keys. | |
1598 | @xref{Equality Predicates}. | |
1599 | ||
1600 | @smallexample | |
1601 | (setq trees '((pine . cones) (oak . acorns) (maple . seeds))) | |
1602 | @result{} ((pine . cones) (oak . acorns) (maple . seeds)) | |
1603 | (assq 'pine trees) | |
1604 | @result{} (pine . cones) | |
1605 | @end smallexample | |
1606 | ||
1607 | On the other hand, @code{assq} is not usually useful in alists where the | |
1608 | keys may not be symbols: | |
1609 | ||
1610 | @smallexample | |
1611 | (setq leaves | |
1612 | '(("simple leaves" . oak) | |
1613 | ("compound leaves" . horsechestnut))) | |
1614 | ||
1615 | (assq "simple leaves" leaves) | |
1616 | @result{} nil | |
1617 | (assoc "simple leaves" leaves) | |
1618 | @result{} ("simple leaves" . oak) | |
1619 | @end smallexample | |
1620 | @end defun | |
1621 | ||
1622 | @defun rassq value alist | |
1623 | This function returns the first association with value @var{value} in | |
1624 | @var{alist}. It returns @code{nil} if no association in @var{alist} has | |
1625 | a @sc{cdr} @code{eq} to @var{value}. | |
1626 | ||
1627 | @code{rassq} is like @code{assq} except that it compares the @sc{cdr} of | |
1628 | each @var{alist} association instead of the @sc{car}. You can think of | |
1629 | this as ``reverse @code{assq}'', finding the key for a given value. | |
1630 | ||
1631 | For example: | |
1632 | ||
1633 | @smallexample | |
1634 | (setq trees '((pine . cones) (oak . acorns) (maple . seeds))) | |
1635 | ||
1636 | (rassq 'acorns trees) | |
1637 | @result{} (oak . acorns) | |
1638 | (rassq 'spores trees) | |
1639 | @result{} nil | |
1640 | @end smallexample | |
1641 | ||
1642 | Note that @code{rassq} cannot search for a value stored in the @sc{car} | |
1643 | of the @sc{cdr} of an element: | |
1644 | ||
1645 | @smallexample | |
1646 | (setq colors '((rose red) (lily white) (buttercup yellow))) | |
1647 | ||
1648 | (rassq 'white colors) | |
1649 | @result{} nil | |
1650 | @end smallexample | |
1651 | ||
1652 | In this case, the @sc{cdr} of the association @code{(lily white)} is not | |
1653 | the symbol @code{white}, but rather the list @code{(white)}. This | |
1654 | becomes clearer if the association is written in dotted pair notation: | |
1655 | ||
1656 | @smallexample | |
1657 | (lily white) @equiv{} (lily . (white)) | |
1658 | @end smallexample | |
1659 | @end defun | |
1660 | ||
a9749dab | 1661 | @defun assoc-default key alist &optional test default |
a46dba07 RS |
1662 | This function searches @var{alist} for a match for @var{key}. For each |
1663 | element of @var{alist}, it compares the element (if it is an atom) or | |
1664 | the element's @sc{car} (if it is a cons) against @var{key}, by calling | |
1665 | @var{test} with two arguments: the element or its @sc{car}, and | |
1666 | @var{key}. The arguments are passed in that order so that you can get | |
1667 | useful results using @code{string-match} with an alist that contains | |
1668 | regular expressions (@pxref{Regexp Search}). If @var{test} is omitted | |
1669 | or @code{nil}, @code{equal} is used for comparison. | |
1670 | ||
1671 | If an alist element matches @var{key} by this criterion, | |
1672 | then @code{assoc-default} returns a value based on this element. | |
1673 | If the element is a cons, then the value is the element's @sc{cdr}. | |
1674 | Otherwise, the return value is @var{default}. | |
1675 | ||
1676 | If no alist element matches @var{key}, @code{assoc-default} returns | |
1677 | @code{nil}. | |
1678 | @end defun | |
1679 | ||
73804d4b RS |
1680 | @defun copy-alist alist |
1681 | @cindex copying alists | |
1682 | This function returns a two-level deep copy of @var{alist}: it creates a | |
1683 | new copy of each association, so that you can alter the associations of | |
1684 | the new alist without changing the old one. | |
1685 | ||
1686 | @smallexample | |
1687 | @group | |
1688 | (setq needles-per-cluster | |
1689 | '((2 . ("Austrian Pine" "Red Pine")) | |
2b3fc6c3 | 1690 | (3 . ("Pitch Pine")) |
ec221d13 | 1691 | @end group |
2b3fc6c3 | 1692 | (5 . ("White Pine")))) |
73804d4b RS |
1693 | @result{} |
1694 | ((2 "Austrian Pine" "Red Pine") | |
2b3fc6c3 RS |
1695 | (3 "Pitch Pine") |
1696 | (5 "White Pine")) | |
73804d4b RS |
1697 | |
1698 | (setq copy (copy-alist needles-per-cluster)) | |
1699 | @result{} | |
1700 | ((2 "Austrian Pine" "Red Pine") | |
2b3fc6c3 RS |
1701 | (3 "Pitch Pine") |
1702 | (5 "White Pine")) | |
73804d4b RS |
1703 | |
1704 | (eq needles-per-cluster copy) | |
1705 | @result{} nil | |
1706 | (equal needles-per-cluster copy) | |
1707 | @result{} t | |
1708 | (eq (car needles-per-cluster) (car copy)) | |
1709 | @result{} nil | |
1710 | (cdr (car (cdr needles-per-cluster))) | |
2b3fc6c3 | 1711 | @result{} ("Pitch Pine") |
ec221d13 | 1712 | @group |
73804d4b RS |
1713 | (eq (cdr (car (cdr needles-per-cluster))) |
1714 | (cdr (car (cdr copy)))) | |
1715 | @result{} t | |
1716 | @end group | |
3e099569 | 1717 | @end smallexample |
2b3fc6c3 RS |
1718 | |
1719 | This example shows how @code{copy-alist} makes it possible to change | |
1720 | the associations of one copy without affecting the other: | |
1721 | ||
3e099569 | 1722 | @smallexample |
2b3fc6c3 | 1723 | @group |
c74c521d | 1724 | (setcdr (assq 3 copy) '("Martian Vacuum Pine")) |
2b3fc6c3 RS |
1725 | (cdr (assq 3 needles-per-cluster)) |
1726 | @result{} ("Pitch Pine") | |
1727 | @end group | |
73804d4b RS |
1728 | @end smallexample |
1729 | @end defun | |
1730 | ||
61b23410 DL |
1731 | @defun assq-delete-all key alist |
1732 | @tindex assq-delete-all | |
8241495d | 1733 | This function deletes from @var{alist} all the elements whose @sc{car} |
66fd2c72 | 1734 | is @code{eq} to @var{key}, much as if you used @code{delq} to delete |
19017752 | 1735 | each such element one by one. It returns the shortened alist, and |
66fd2c72 RS |
1736 | often modifies the original list structure of @var{alist}. For |
1737 | correct results, use the return value of @code{assq-delete-all} rather | |
1738 | than looking at the saved value of @var{alist}. | |
73804d4b | 1739 | |
8241495d | 1740 | @example |
66fd2c72 RS |
1741 | (setq alist '((foo 1) (bar 2) (foo 3) (lose 4))) |
1742 | @result{} ((foo 1) (bar 2) (foo 3) (lose 4)) | |
1743 | (assq-delete-all 'foo alist) | |
8241495d | 1744 | @result{} ((bar 2) (lose 4)) |
66fd2c72 RS |
1745 | alist |
1746 | @result{} ((foo 1) (bar 2) (lose 4)) | |
8241495d RS |
1747 | @end example |
1748 | @end defun | |
ab5796a9 MB |
1749 | |
1750 | @ignore | |
1751 | arch-tag: 31fb8a4e-4aa8-4a74-a206-aa00451394d4 | |
1752 | @end ignore |