* doc/lispref/windows.texi (Display Action Functions): Mention next-window.
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1 @c -*-texinfo-*-
2 @c This is part of the GNU Emacs Lisp Reference Manual.
3 @c Copyright (C) 1990-1995, 1998-1999, 2001-2013 Free Software
4 @c Foundation, Inc.
5 @c See the file elisp.texi for copying conditions.
6 @node Windows
7 @chapter Windows
8
9 This chapter describes the functions and variables related to Emacs
10 windows. @xref{Frames}, for how windows are assigned an area of screen
11 available for Emacs to use. @xref{Display}, for information on how text
12 is displayed in windows.
13
14 @menu
15 * Basic Windows:: Basic information on using windows.
16 * Windows and Frames:: Relating windows to the frame they appear on.
17 * Window Sizes:: Accessing a window's size.
18 * Resizing Windows:: Changing the sizes of windows.
19 * Splitting Windows:: Creating a new window.
20 * Deleting Windows:: Removing a window from its frame.
21 * Recombining Windows:: Preserving the frame layout when splitting and
22 deleting windows.
23 * Selecting Windows:: The selected window is the one that you edit in.
24 * Cyclic Window Ordering:: Moving around the existing windows.
25 * Buffers and Windows:: Each window displays the contents of a buffer.
26 * Switching Buffers:: Higher-level functions for switching to a buffer.
27 * Choosing Window:: How to choose a window for displaying a buffer.
28 * Display Action Functions:: Subroutines for @code{display-buffer}.
29 * Choosing Window Options:: Extra options affecting how buffers are displayed.
30 * Window History:: Each window remembers the buffers displayed in it.
31 * Dedicated Windows:: How to avoid displaying another buffer in
32 a specific window.
33 * Quitting Windows:: How to restore the state prior to displaying a
34 buffer.
35 * Window Point:: Each window has its own location of point.
36 * Window Start and End:: Buffer positions indicating which text is
37 on-screen in a window.
38 * Textual Scrolling:: Moving text up and down through the window.
39 * Vertical Scrolling:: Moving the contents up and down on the window.
40 * Horizontal Scrolling:: Moving the contents sideways on the window.
41 * Coordinates and Windows:: Converting coordinates to windows.
42 * Window Configurations:: Saving and restoring the state of the screen.
43 * Window Parameters:: Associating additional information with windows.
44 * Window Hooks:: Hooks for scrolling, window size changes,
45 redisplay going past a certain point,
46 or window configuration changes.
47 @end menu
48
49
50 @node Basic Windows
51 @section Basic Concepts of Emacs Windows
52 @cindex window
53
54 A @dfn{window} is an area of the screen that is used to display a buffer
55 (@pxref{Buffers}). In Emacs Lisp, windows are represented by a special
56 Lisp object type.
57
58 @cindex multiple windows
59 Windows are grouped into frames (@pxref{Frames}). Each frame
60 contains at least one window; the user can subdivide it into multiple,
61 non-overlapping windows to view several buffers at once. Lisp
62 programs can use multiple windows for a variety of purposes. In
63 Rmail, for example, you can view a summary of message titles in one
64 window, and the contents of the selected message in another window.
65
66 @cindex terminal screen
67 @cindex screen of terminal
68 Emacs uses the word ``window'' with a different meaning than in
69 graphical desktop environments and window systems, such as the X
70 Window System. When Emacs is run on X, each of its graphical X
71 windows is an Emacs frame (containing one or more Emacs windows).
72 When Emacs is run on a text terminal, the frame fills the entire
73 terminal screen.
74
75 @cindex tiled windows
76 Unlike X windows, Emacs windows are @dfn{tiled}; they never overlap
77 within the area of the frame. When a window is created, resized, or
78 deleted, the change in window space is taken from or given to the
79 adjacent windows, so that the total area of the frame is unchanged.
80
81 @defun windowp object
82 This function returns @code{t} if @var{object} is a window (whether or
83 not it displays a buffer). Otherwise, it returns @code{nil}.
84 @end defun
85
86 @cindex live windows
87 A @dfn{live window} is one that is actually displaying a buffer in a
88 frame.
89
90 @defun window-live-p object
91 This function returns @code{t} if @var{object} is a live window and
92 @code{nil} otherwise. A live window is one that displays a buffer.
93 @end defun
94
95 @cindex internal windows
96 The windows in each frame are organized into a @dfn{window tree}.
97 @xref{Windows and Frames}. The leaf nodes of each window tree are live
98 windows---the ones actually displaying buffers. The internal nodes of
99 the window tree are @dfn{internal windows}, which are not live.
100
101 @cindex valid windows
102 A @dfn{valid window} is one that is either live or internal. A valid
103 window can be @dfn{deleted}, i.e., removed from its frame
104 (@pxref{Deleting Windows}); then it is no longer valid, but the Lisp
105 object representing it might be still referenced from other Lisp
106 objects. A deleted window may be made valid again by restoring a saved
107 window configuration (@pxref{Window Configurations}).
108
109 You can distinguish valid windows from deleted windows with
110 @code{window-valid-p}.
111
112 @defun window-valid-p object
113 This function returns @code{t} if @var{object} is a live window, or an
114 internal window in a window tree. Otherwise, it returns @code{nil},
115 including for the case where @var{object} is a deleted window.
116 @end defun
117
118 @cindex selected window
119 @cindex window selected within a frame
120 In each frame, at any time, exactly one Emacs window is designated
121 as @dfn{selected within the frame}. For the selected frame, that
122 window is called the @dfn{selected window}---the one in which most
123 editing takes place, and in which the cursor for selected windows
124 appears (@pxref{Cursor Parameters}). The selected window's buffer is
125 usually also the current buffer, except when @code{set-buffer} has
126 been used (@pxref{Current Buffer}). As for non-selected frames, the
127 window selected within the frame becomes the selected window if the
128 frame is ever selected. @xref{Selecting Windows}.
129
130 @defun selected-window
131 This function returns the selected window (which is always a live
132 window).
133 @end defun
134
135 @node Windows and Frames
136 @section Windows and Frames
137
138 Each window belongs to exactly one frame (@pxref{Frames}).
139
140 @defun window-frame window
141 This function returns the frame that the window @var{window} belongs
142 to. If @var{window} is @code{nil}, it defaults to the selected
143 window.
144 @end defun
145
146 @defun window-list &optional frame minibuffer window
147 This function returns a list of live windows belonging to the frame
148 @var{frame}. If @var{frame} is omitted or @code{nil}, it defaults to
149 the selected frame.
150
151 The optional argument @var{minibuffer} specifies whether to include
152 the minibuffer window in the returned list. If @var{minibuffer} is
153 @code{t}, the minibuffer window is included. If @var{minibuffer} is
154 @code{nil} or omitted, the minibuffer window is included only if it is
155 active. If @var{minibuffer} is neither @code{nil} nor @code{t}, the
156 minibuffer window is never included.
157
158 The optional argument @var{window}, if non-@code{nil}, should be a live
159 window on the specified frame; then @var{window} will be the first
160 element in the returned list. If @var{window} is omitted or @code{nil},
161 the window selected within the frame is the first element.
162 @end defun
163
164 @cindex window tree
165 @cindex root window
166 Windows in the same frame are organized into a @dfn{window tree},
167 whose leaf nodes are the live windows. The internal nodes of a window
168 tree are not live; they exist for the purpose of organizing the
169 relationships between live windows. The root node of a window tree is
170 called the @dfn{root window}. It can be either a live window (if the
171 frame has just one window), or an internal window.
172
173 A minibuffer window (@pxref{Minibuffer Windows}) is not part of its
174 frame's window tree unless the frame is a minibuffer-only frame.
175 Nonetheless, most of the functions in this section accept the
176 minibuffer window as an argument. Also, the function
177 @code{window-tree} described at the end of this section lists the
178 minibuffer window alongside the actual window tree.
179
180 @defun frame-root-window &optional frame-or-window
181 This function returns the root window for @var{frame-or-window}. The
182 argument @var{frame-or-window} should be either a window or a frame;
183 if omitted or @code{nil}, it defaults to the selected frame. If
184 @var{frame-or-window} is a window, the return value is the root window
185 of that window's frame.
186 @end defun
187
188 @cindex parent window
189 @cindex child window
190 @cindex sibling window
191 When a window is split, there are two live windows where previously
192 there was one. One of these is represented by the same Lisp window
193 object as the original window, and the other is represented by a
194 newly-created Lisp window object. Both of these live windows become
195 leaf nodes of the window tree, as @dfn{child windows} of a single
196 internal window. If necessary, Emacs automatically creates this
197 internal window, which is also called the @dfn{parent window}, and
198 assigns it to the appropriate position in the window tree. A set of
199 windows that share the same parent are called @dfn{siblings}.
200
201 @cindex parent window
202 @defun window-parent &optional window
203 This function returns the parent window of @var{window}. If
204 @var{window} is omitted or @code{nil}, it defaults to the selected
205 window. The return value is @code{nil} if @var{window} has no parent
206 (i.e., it is a minibuffer window or the root window of its frame).
207 @end defun
208
209 Each internal window always has at least two child windows. If this
210 number falls to one as a result of window deletion, Emacs
211 automatically deletes the internal window, and its sole remaining
212 child window takes its place in the window tree.
213
214 Each child window can be either a live window, or an internal window
215 (which in turn would have its own child windows). Therefore, each
216 internal window can be thought of as occupying a certain rectangular
217 @dfn{screen area}---the union of the areas occupied by the live
218 windows that are ultimately descended from it.
219
220 @cindex window combination
221 @cindex vertical combination
222 @cindex horizontal combination
223 For each internal window, the screen areas of the immediate children
224 are arranged either vertically or horizontally (never both). If the
225 child windows are arranged one above the other, they are said to form
226 a @dfn{vertical combination}; if they are arranged side by side, they
227 are said to form a @dfn{horizontal combination}. Consider the
228 following example:
229
230 @smallexample
231 @group
232 ______________________________________
233 | ______ ____________________________ |
234 || || __________________________ ||
235 || ||| |||
236 || ||| |||
237 || ||| |||
238 || |||____________W4____________|||
239 || || __________________________ ||
240 || ||| |||
241 || ||| |||
242 || |||____________W5____________|||
243 ||__W2__||_____________W3_____________ |
244 |__________________W1__________________|
245
246 @end group
247 @end smallexample
248
249 @noindent
250 The root window of this frame is an internal window, @var{W1}. Its
251 child windows form a horizontal combination, consisting of the live
252 window @var{W2} and the internal window @var{W3}. The child windows
253 of @var{W3} form a vertical combination, consisting of the live
254 windows @var{W4} and @var{W5}. Hence, the live windows in this
255 window tree are @var{W2} @var{W4}, and @var{W5}.
256
257 The following functions can be used to retrieve a child window of an
258 internal window, and the siblings of a child window.
259
260 @defun window-top-child window
261 This function returns the topmost child window of @var{window}, if
262 @var{window} is an internal window whose children form a vertical
263 combination. For any other type of window, the return value is
264 @code{nil}.
265 @end defun
266
267 @defun window-left-child window
268 This function returns the leftmost child window of @var{window}, if
269 @var{window} is an internal window whose children form a horizontal
270 combination. For any other type of window, the return value is
271 @code{nil}.
272 @end defun
273
274 @defun window-child window
275 This function returns the first child window of the internal window
276 @var{window}---the topmost child window for a vertical combination, or
277 the leftmost child window for a horizontal combination. If
278 @var{window} is a live window, the return value is @code{nil}.
279 @end defun
280
281 @defun window-combined-p &optional window horizontal
282 This function returns a non-@code{nil} value if and only if
283 @var{window} is part of a vertical combination. If @var{window} is
284 omitted or @code{nil}, it defaults to the selected one.
285
286 If the optional argument @var{horizontal} is non-@code{nil}, this
287 means to return non-@code{nil} if and only if @var{window} is part of
288 a horizontal combination.
289 @end defun
290
291 @defun window-next-sibling &optional window
292 This function returns the next sibling of the window @var{window}. If
293 omitted or @code{nil}, @var{window} defaults to the selected window.
294 The return value is @code{nil} if @var{window} is the last child of
295 its parent.
296 @end defun
297
298 @defun window-prev-sibling &optional window
299 This function returns the previous sibling of the window @var{window}.
300 If omitted or @code{nil}, @var{window} defaults to the selected
301 window. The return value is @code{nil} if @var{window} is the first
302 child of its parent.
303 @end defun
304
305 The functions @code{window-next-sibling} and
306 @code{window-prev-sibling} should not be confused with the functions
307 @code{next-window} and @code{previous-window}, which return the next
308 and previous window, respectively, in the cyclic ordering of windows
309 (@pxref{Cyclic Window Ordering}).
310
311 You can use the following functions to find the first live window on a
312 frame and the window nearest to a given window.
313
314 @defun frame-first-window &optional frame-or-window
315 This function returns the live window at the upper left corner of the
316 frame specified by @var{frame-or-window}. The argument
317 @var{frame-or-window} must denote a window or a live frame and defaults
318 to the selected frame. If @var{frame-or-window} specifies a window,
319 this function returns the first window on that window's frame. Under
320 the assumption that the frame from our canonical example is selected
321 @code{(frame-first-window)} returns @var{W2}.
322 @end defun
323
324 @cindex window in direction
325 @defun window-in-direction direction &optional window ignore
326 This function returns the nearest live window in direction
327 @var{direction} as seen from the position of @code{window-point} in
328 window @var{window}. The argument @var{direction} must be one of
329 @code{above}, @code{below}, @code{left} or @code{right}. The optional
330 argument @var{window} must denote a live window and defaults to the
331 selected one.
332
333 This function does not return a window whose @code{no-other-window}
334 parameter is non-@code{nil} (@pxref{Window Parameters}). If the nearest
335 window's @code{no-other-window} parameter is non-@code{nil}, this
336 function tries to find another window in the indicated direction whose
337 @code{no-other-window} parameter is @code{nil}. If the optional
338 argument @var{ignore} is non-@code{nil}, a window may be returned even
339 if its @code{no-other-window} parameter is non-@code{nil}.
340
341 If it doesn't find a suitable window, this function returns @code{nil}.
342 @end defun
343
344 The following function allows to retrieve the entire window tree of a
345 frame:
346
347 @defun window-tree &optional frame
348 This function returns a list representing the window tree for frame
349 @var{frame}. If @var{frame} is omitted or @code{nil}, it defaults to
350 the selected frame.
351
352 The return value is a list of the form @code{(@var{root} @var{mini})},
353 where @var{root} represents the window tree of the frame's root
354 window, and @var{mini} is the frame's minibuffer window.
355
356 If the root window is live, @var{root} is that window itself.
357 Otherwise, @var{root} is a list @code{(@var{dir} @var{edges} @var{w1}
358 @var{w2} ...)} where @var{dir} is @code{nil} for a horizontal
359 combination and @code{t} for a vertical combination, @var{edges} gives
360 the size and position of the combination, and the remaining elements
361 are the child windows. Each child window may again be a window object
362 (for a live window) or a list with the same format as above (for an
363 internal window). The @var{edges} element is a list @code{(@var{left}
364 @var{top} @var{right} @var{bottom})}, similar to the value returned by
365 @code{window-edges} (@pxref{Coordinates and Windows}).
366 @end defun
367
368 @node Window Sizes
369 @section Window Sizes
370 @cindex window size
371 @cindex size of window
372
373 The following schematic shows the structure of a live window:
374
375 @smallexample
376 @group
377 _________________________________________
378 ^ |______________ Header Line_______________|
379 | |LS|LF|LM| |RM|RF|RS| ^
380 | | | | | | | | | |
381 Window | | | | Text Area | | | | Window
382 Total | | | | (Window Body) | | | | Body
383 Height | | | | | | | | Height
384 | | | | |<- Window Body Width ->| | | | |
385 | |__|__|__|_______________________|__|__|__| v
386 v |_______________ Mode Line _______________|
387
388 <----------- Window Total Width -------->
389
390 @end group
391 @end smallexample
392
393 @cindex window body
394 @cindex text area of a window
395 @cindex body of a window
396 At the center of the window is the @dfn{text area}, or @dfn{body},
397 where the buffer text is displayed. On each side of the text area is
398 a series of vertical areas; from innermost to outermost, these are the
399 left and right margins, denoted by LM and RM in the schematic
400 (@pxref{Display Margins}); the left and right fringes, denoted by LF
401 and RF (@pxref{Fringes}); and the left or right scroll bar, only one of
402 which is present at any time, denoted by LS and RS (@pxref{Scroll
403 Bars}). At the top of the window is an optional header line
404 (@pxref{Header Lines}), and at the bottom of the window is the mode
405 line (@pxref{Mode Line Format}).
406
407 Emacs provides several functions for finding the height and width of
408 a window. Except where noted, Emacs reports window heights and widths
409 as integer numbers of lines and columns, respectively. On a graphical
410 display, each ``line'' and ``column'' actually corresponds to the
411 height and width of a ``default'' character specified by the frame's
412 default font. Thus, if a window is displaying text with a different
413 font or size, the reported height and width for that window may differ
414 from the actual number of text lines or columns displayed within it.
415
416 @cindex window height
417 @cindex height of a window
418 @cindex total height of a window
419 @cindex window width
420 @cindex width of a window
421 @cindex total width of a window
422 The @dfn{total height} of a window is the distance between the top
423 and bottom of the window, including the header line (if one exists)
424 and the mode line. The @dfn{total width} of a window is the distance
425 between the left and right edges of the mode line. Note that the
426 height of a frame is not the same as the height of its windows, since
427 a frame may also contain an echo area, menu bar, and tool bar
428 (@pxref{Size and Position}).
429
430 @defun window-total-height &optional window
431 This function returns the total height, in lines, of the window
432 @var{window}. If @var{window} is omitted or @code{nil}, it defaults
433 to the selected window. If @var{window} is an internal window, the
434 return value is the total height occupied by its descendant windows.
435 @end defun
436
437 @defun window-total-width &optional window
438 This function returns the total width, in columns, of the window
439 @var{window}. If @var{window} is omitted or @code{nil}, it defaults
440 to the selected window. If @var{window} is internal, the return value
441 is the total width occupied by its descendant windows.
442 @end defun
443
444 @defun window-total-size &optional window horizontal
445 This function returns either the total height or width of the window
446 @var{window}. If @var{horizontal} is omitted or @code{nil}, this is
447 equivalent to calling @code{window-total-height} for @var{window};
448 otherwise it is equivalent to calling @code{window-total-width} for
449 @var{window}.
450 @end defun
451
452 @cindex full-width window
453 @cindex full-height window
454 The following functions can be used to determine whether a given
455 window has any adjacent windows.
456
457 @defun window-full-height-p &optional window
458 This function returns non-@code{nil} if @var{window} has no other
459 window above or below it in its frame, i.e., its total height equals
460 the total height of the root window on that frame. If @var{window} is
461 omitted or @code{nil}, it defaults to the selected window.
462 @end defun
463
464 @defun window-full-width-p &optional window
465 This function returns non-@code{nil} if @var{window} has no other
466 window to the left or right in its frame, i.e., its total width equals
467 that of the root window on that frame. If @var{window} is omitted or
468 @code{nil}, it defaults to the selected window.
469 @end defun
470
471 @cindex window body height
472 @cindex body height of a window
473 @cindex window body width
474 @cindex body width of a window
475 @cindex body size of a window
476 @cindex window body size
477 The @dfn{body height} of a window is the height of its text area,
478 which does not include the mode or header line. Similarly, the
479 @dfn{body width} is the width of the text area, which does not include
480 the scroll bar, fringes, or margins.
481
482 @defun window-body-height &optional window
483 This function returns the body height, in lines, of the window
484 @var{window}. If @var{window} is omitted or @code{nil}, it defaults
485 to the selected window; otherwise it must be a live window.
486
487 If there is a partially-visible line at the bottom of the text area,
488 that counts as a whole line; to exclude such a partially-visible line,
489 use @code{window-text-height}, below.
490 @end defun
491
492 @defun window-body-width &optional window
493 This function returns the body width, in columns, of the window
494 @var{window}. If @var{window} is omitted or @code{nil}, it defaults
495 to the selected window; otherwise it must be a live window.
496 @end defun
497
498 @defun window-body-size &optional window horizontal
499 This function returns the body height or body width of @var{window}.
500 If @var{horizontal} is omitted or @code{nil}, it is equivalent to
501 calling @code{window-body-height} for @var{window}; otherwise it is
502 equivalent to calling @code{window-body-width}.
503 @end defun
504
505 @defun window-text-height &optional window
506 This function is like @code{window-body-height}, except that any
507 partially-visible line at the bottom of the text area is not counted.
508 @end defun
509
510 For compatibility with previous versions of Emacs,
511 @code{window-height} is an alias for @code{window-total-height}, and
512 @code{window-width} is an alias for @code{window-body-width}. These
513 aliases are considered obsolete and will be removed in the future.
514
515 @cindex fixed-size window
516 @vindex window-min-height
517 @vindex window-min-width
518 Commands that change the size of windows (@pxref{Resizing Windows}),
519 or split them (@pxref{Splitting Windows}), obey the variables
520 @code{window-min-height} and @code{window-min-width}, which specify
521 the smallest allowable window height and width. @xref{Change
522 Window,,Deleting and Rearranging Windows, emacs, The GNU Emacs
523 Manual}. They also obey the variable @code{window-size-fixed}, with
524 which a window can be @dfn{fixed} in size:
525
526 @defvar window-size-fixed
527 If this buffer-local variable is non-@code{nil}, the size of any
528 window displaying the buffer cannot normally be changed. Deleting a
529 window or changing the frame's size may still change its size, if
530 there is no choice.
531
532 If the value is @code{height}, then only the window's height is fixed;
533 if the value is @code{width}, then only the window's width is fixed.
534 Any other non-@code{nil} value fixes both the width and the height.
535 @end defvar
536
537 @defun window-size-fixed-p &optional window horizontal
538 This function returns a non-@code{nil} value if @var{window}'s height
539 is fixed. If @var{window} is omitted or @code{nil}, it defaults to
540 the selected window. If the optional argument @var{horizontal} is
541 non-@code{nil}, the return value is non-@code{nil} if @var{window}'s
542 width is fixed.
543
544 A @code{nil} return value does not necessarily mean that @var{window}
545 can be resized in the desired direction. To determine that, use the
546 function @code{window-resizable}. @xref{Resizing Windows}.
547 @end defun
548
549 @xref{Coordinates and Windows}, for more functions that report the
550 positions of various parts of a window relative to the frame, from
551 which you can calculate its size. In particular, you can use the
552 functions @code{window-pixel-edges} and
553 @code{window-inside-pixel-edges} to find the size in pixels, for
554 graphical displays.
555
556 @node Resizing Windows
557 @section Resizing Windows
558 @cindex window resizing
559 @cindex resize window
560 @cindex changing window size
561 @cindex window size, changing
562
563 This section describes functions for resizing a window without
564 changing the size of its frame. Because live windows do not overlap,
565 these functions are meaningful only on frames that contain two or more
566 windows: resizing a window also changes the size of a neighboring
567 window. If there is just one window on a frame, its size cannot be
568 changed except by resizing the frame (@pxref{Size and Position}).
569
570 Except where noted, these functions also accept internal windows as
571 arguments. Resizing an internal window causes its child windows to be
572 resized to fit the same space.
573
574 @defun window-resizable window delta &optional horizontal ignore
575 This function returns @var{delta} if the size of @var{window} can be
576 changed vertically by @var{delta} lines. If the optional argument
577 @var{horizontal} is non-@code{nil}, it instead returns @var{delta} if
578 @var{window} can be resized horizontally by @var{delta} columns. It
579 does not actually change the window size.
580
581 If @var{window} is @code{nil}, it defaults to the selected window.
582
583 A positive value of @var{delta} means to check whether the window can be
584 enlarged by that number of lines or columns; a negative value of
585 @var{delta} means to check whether the window can be shrunk by that many
586 lines or columns. If @var{delta} is non-zero, a return value of 0 means
587 that the window cannot be resized.
588
589 Normally, the variables @code{window-min-height} and
590 @code{window-min-width} specify the smallest allowable window size.
591 @xref{Change Window,, Deleting and Rearranging Windows, emacs, The GNU
592 Emacs Manual}. However, if the optional argument @var{ignore} is
593 non-@code{nil}, this function ignores @code{window-min-height} and
594 @code{window-min-width}, as well as @code{window-size-fixed}.
595 Instead, it considers the minimum-height window to be one consisting
596 of a header (if any), a mode line, plus a text area one line tall; and
597 a minimum-width window as one consisting of fringes, margins, and
598 scroll bar (if any), plus a text area two columns wide.
599 @end defun
600
601 @defun window-resize window delta &optional horizontal ignore
602 This function resizes @var{window} by @var{delta} increments. If
603 @var{horizontal} is @code{nil}, it changes the height by @var{delta}
604 lines; otherwise, it changes the width by @var{delta} columns. A
605 positive @var{delta} means to enlarge the window, and a negative
606 @var{delta} means to shrink it.
607
608 If @var{window} is @code{nil}, it defaults to the selected window. If
609 the window cannot be resized as demanded, an error is signaled.
610
611 The optional argument @var{ignore} has the same meaning as for the
612 function @code{window-resizable} above.
613
614 The choice of which window edges this function alters depends on the
615 values of the option @code{window-combination-resize} and the
616 combination limits of the involved windows; in some cases, it may alter
617 both edges. @xref{Recombining Windows}. To resize by moving only the
618 bottom or right edge of a window, use the function
619 @code{adjust-window-trailing-edge}, below.
620 @end defun
621
622 @c The commands enlarge-window, enlarge-window-horizontally,
623 @c shrink-window, and shrink-window-horizontally are documented in the
624 @c Emacs manual. They are not preferred for calling from Lisp.
625
626 @defun adjust-window-trailing-edge window delta &optional horizontal
627 This function moves @var{window}'s bottom edge by @var{delta} lines.
628 If optional argument @var{horizontal} is non-@code{nil}, it instead
629 moves the right edge by @var{delta} columns. If @var{window} is
630 @code{nil}, it defaults to the selected window.
631
632 A positive @var{delta} moves the edge downwards or to the right; a
633 negative @var{delta} moves it upwards or to the left. If the edge
634 cannot be moved as far as specified by @var{delta}, this function
635 moves it as far as possible but does not signal a error.
636
637 This function tries to resize windows adjacent to the edge that is
638 moved. If this is not possible for some reason (e.g., if that adjacent
639 window is fixed-size), it may resize other windows.
640 @end defun
641
642 The following commands resize windows in more specific ways. When
643 called interactively, they act on the selected window.
644
645 @deffn Command fit-window-to-buffer &optional window max-height min-height override
646 This command adjusts the height of @var{window} to fit the text in it.
647 It returns non-@code{nil} if it was able to resize @var{window}, and
648 @code{nil} otherwise. If @var{window} is omitted or @code{nil}, it
649 defaults to the selected window. Otherwise, it should be a live
650 window.
651
652 The optional argument @var{max-height}, if non-@code{nil}, specifies
653 the maximum total height that this function can give @var{window}.
654 The optional argument @var{min-height}, if non-@code{nil}, specifies
655 the minimum total height that it can give, which overrides the
656 variable @code{window-min-height}.
657
658 If the optional argument @var{override} is non-@code{nil}, this
659 function ignores any size restrictions imposed by
660 @code{window-min-height} and @code{window-min-width}.
661
662 @vindex fit-frame-to-buffer
663 If the option @code{fit-frame-to-buffer} is non-@code{nil}, this
664 command may resize the frame to fit its contents.
665 @end deffn
666
667 @deffn Command shrink-window-if-larger-than-buffer &optional window
668 This command attempts to reduce @var{window}'s height as much as
669 possible while still showing its full buffer, but no less than
670 @code{window-min-height} lines. The return value is non-@code{nil} if
671 the window was resized, and @code{nil} otherwise. If @var{window} is
672 omitted or @code{nil}, it defaults to the selected window. Otherwise,
673 it should be a live window.
674
675 This command does nothing if the window is already too short to
676 display all of its buffer, or if any of the buffer is scrolled
677 off-screen, or if the window is the only live window in its frame.
678 @end deffn
679
680 @cindex balancing window sizes
681 @deffn Command balance-windows &optional window-or-frame
682 This function balances windows in a way that gives more space to
683 full-width and/or full-height windows. If @var{window-or-frame}
684 specifies a frame, it balances all windows on that frame. If
685 @var{window-or-frame} specifies a window, it balances only that window
686 and its siblings (@pxref{Windows and Frames}).
687 @end deffn
688
689 @deffn Command balance-windows-area
690 This function attempts to give all windows on the selected frame
691 approximately the same share of the screen area. Full-width or
692 full-height windows are not given more space than other windows.
693 @end deffn
694
695 @cindex maximizing windows
696 @deffn Command maximize-window &optional window
697 This function attempts to make @var{window} as large as possible, in
698 both dimensions, without resizing its frame or deleting other windows.
699 If @var{window} is omitted or @code{nil}, it defaults to the selected
700 window.
701 @end deffn
702
703 @cindex minimizing windows
704 @deffn Command minimize-window &optional window
705 This function attempts to make @var{window} as small as possible, in
706 both dimensions, without deleting it or resizing its frame. If
707 @var{window} is omitted or @code{nil}, it defaults to the selected
708 window.
709 @end deffn
710
711
712 @node Splitting Windows
713 @section Splitting Windows
714 @cindex splitting windows
715 @cindex window splitting
716
717 This section describes functions for creating a new window by
718 @dfn{splitting} an existing one.
719
720 @defun split-window &optional window size side
721 This function creates a new live window next to the window
722 @var{window}. If @var{window} is omitted or @code{nil}, it defaults
723 to the selected window. That window is ``split'', and reduced in
724 size. The space is taken up by the new window, which is returned.
725
726 The optional second argument @var{size} determines the sizes of
727 @var{window} and/or the new window. If it is omitted or @code{nil},
728 both windows are given equal sizes; if there is an odd line, it is
729 allocated to the new window. If @var{size} is a positive number,
730 @var{window} is given @var{size} lines (or columns, depending on the
731 value of @var{side}). If @var{size} is a negative number, the new
732 window is given @minus{}@var{size} lines (or columns).
733
734 If @var{size} is @code{nil}, this function obeys the variables
735 @code{window-min-height} and @code{window-min-width}. @xref{Change
736 Window,,Deleting and Rearranging Windows, emacs, The GNU Emacs
737 Manual}. Thus, it signals an error if splitting would result in
738 making a window smaller than those variables specify. However, a
739 non-@code{nil} value for @var{size} causes those variables to be
740 ignored; in that case, the smallest allowable window is considered to
741 be one that has space for a text area one line tall and/or two columns
742 wide.
743
744 The optional third argument @var{side} determines the position of the
745 new window relative to @var{window}. If it is @code{nil} or
746 @code{below}, the new window is placed below @var{window}. If it is
747 @code{above}, the new window is placed above @var{window}. In both
748 these cases, @var{size} specifies a total window height, in lines.
749
750 If @var{side} is @code{t} or @code{right}, the new window is placed on
751 the right of @var{window}. If @var{side} is @code{left}, the new
752 window is placed on the left of @var{window}. In both these cases,
753 @var{size} specifies a total window width, in columns.
754
755 If @var{window} is a live window, the new window inherits various
756 properties from it, including margins and scroll bars. If
757 @var{window} is an internal window, the new window inherits the
758 properties of the window selected within @var{window}'s frame.
759
760 The behavior of this function may be altered by the window parameters
761 of @var{window}, so long as the variable
762 @code{ignore-window-parameters} is @code{nil}. If the value of
763 the @code{split-window} window parameter is @code{t}, this function
764 ignores all other window parameters. Otherwise, if the value of the
765 @code{split-window} window parameter is a function, that function is
766 called with the arguments @var{window}, @var{size}, and @var{side}, in
767 lieu of the usual action of @code{split-window}. Otherwise, this
768 function obeys the @code{window-atom} or @code{window-side} window
769 parameter, if any. @xref{Window Parameters}.
770 @end defun
771
772 As an example, here is a sequence of @code{split-window} calls that
773 yields the window configuration discussed in @ref{Windows and Frames}.
774 This example demonstrates splitting a live window as well as splitting
775 an internal window. We begin with a frame containing a single window
776 (a live root window), which we denote by @var{W4}. Calling
777 @code{(split-window W4)} yields this window configuration:
778
779 @smallexample
780 @group
781 ______________________________________
782 | ____________________________________ |
783 || ||
784 || ||
785 || ||
786 ||_________________W4_________________||
787 | ____________________________________ |
788 || ||
789 || ||
790 || ||
791 ||_________________W5_________________||
792 |__________________W3__________________|
793
794 @end group
795 @end smallexample
796
797 @noindent
798 The @code{split-window} call has created a new live window, denoted by
799 @var{W5}. It has also created a new internal window, denoted by
800 @var{W3}, which becomes the root window and the parent of both
801 @var{W4} and @var{W5}.
802
803 Next, we call @code{(split-window W3 nil 'left)}, passing the
804 internal window @var{W3} as the argument. The result:
805
806 @smallexample
807 @group
808 ______________________________________
809 | ______ ____________________________ |
810 || || __________________________ ||
811 || ||| |||
812 || ||| |||
813 || ||| |||
814 || |||____________W4____________|||
815 || || __________________________ ||
816 || ||| |||
817 || ||| |||
818 || |||____________W5____________|||
819 ||__W2__||_____________W3_____________ |
820 |__________________W1__________________|
821 @end group
822 @end smallexample
823
824 @noindent
825 A new live window @var{W2} is created, to the left of the internal
826 window @var{W3}. A new internal window @var{W1} is created, becoming
827 the new root window.
828
829 For interactive use, Emacs provides two commands which always split
830 the selected window. These call @code{split-window} internally.
831
832 @deffn Command split-window-right &optional size
833 This function splits the selected window into two side-by-side
834 windows, putting the selected window on the left. If @var{size} is
835 positive, the left window gets @var{size} columns; if @var{size} is
836 negative, the right window gets @minus{}@var{size} columns.
837 @end deffn
838
839 @deffn Command split-window-below &optional size
840 This function splits the selected window into two windows, one above
841 the other, leaving the upper window selected. If @var{size} is
842 positive, the upper window gets @var{size} lines; if @var{size} is
843 negative, the lower window gets @minus{}@var{size} lines.
844 @end deffn
845
846 @defopt split-window-keep-point
847 If the value of this variable is non-@code{nil} (the default),
848 @code{split-window-below} behaves as described above.
849
850 If it is @code{nil}, @code{split-window-below} adjusts point in each
851 of the two windows to minimize redisplay. (This is useful on slow
852 terminals.) It selects whichever window contains the screen line that
853 point was previously on. Note that this only affects
854 @code{split-window-below}, not the lower-level @code{split-window}
855 function.
856 @end defopt
857
858 @node Deleting Windows
859 @section Deleting Windows
860 @cindex deleting windows
861
862 @dfn{Deleting} a window removes it from the frame's window tree. If
863 the window is a live window, it disappears from the screen. If the
864 window is an internal window, its child windows are deleted too.
865
866 Even after a window is deleted, it continues to exist as a Lisp
867 object, until there are no more references to it. Window deletion can
868 be reversed, by restoring a saved window configuration (@pxref{Window
869 Configurations}).
870
871 @deffn Command delete-window &optional window
872 This function removes @var{window} from display and returns
873 @code{nil}. If @var{window} is omitted or @code{nil}, it defaults to
874 the selected window. If deleting the window would leave no more
875 windows in the window tree (e.g., if it is the only live window in the
876 frame), an error is signaled.
877
878 By default, the space taken up by @var{window} is given to one of its
879 adjacent sibling windows, if any. However, if the variable
880 @code{window-combination-resize} is non-@code{nil}, the space is
881 proportionally distributed among any remaining windows in the window
882 combination. @xref{Recombining Windows}.
883
884 The behavior of this function may be altered by the window parameters
885 of @var{window}, so long as the variable
886 @code{ignore-window-parameters} is @code{nil}. If the value of
887 the @code{delete-window} window parameter is @code{t}, this function
888 ignores all other window parameters. Otherwise, if the value of the
889 @code{delete-window} window parameter is a function, that function is
890 called with the argument @var{window}, in lieu of the usual action of
891 @code{delete-window}. Otherwise, this function obeys the
892 @code{window-atom} or @code{window-side} window parameter, if any.
893 @xref{Window Parameters}.
894 @end deffn
895
896 @deffn Command delete-other-windows &optional window
897 This function makes @var{window} fill its frame, by deleting other
898 windows as necessary. If @var{window} is omitted or @code{nil}, it
899 defaults to the selected window. The return value is @code{nil}.
900
901 The behavior of this function may be altered by the window parameters
902 of @var{window}, so long as the variable
903 @code{ignore-window-parameters} is @code{nil}. If the value of
904 the @code{delete-other-windows} window parameter is @code{t}, this
905 function ignores all other window parameters. Otherwise, if the value
906 of the @code{delete-other-windows} window parameter is a function,
907 that function is called with the argument @var{window}, in lieu of the
908 usual action of @code{delete-other-windows}. Otherwise, this function
909 obeys the @code{window-atom} or @code{window-side} window parameter,
910 if any. @xref{Window Parameters}.
911 @end deffn
912
913 @deffn Command delete-windows-on &optional buffer-or-name frame
914 This function deletes all windows showing @var{buffer-or-name}, by
915 calling @code{delete-window} on those windows. @var{buffer-or-name}
916 should be a buffer, or the name of a buffer; if omitted or @code{nil},
917 it defaults to the current buffer. If there are no windows showing
918 the specified buffer, this function does nothing. If the specified
919 buffer is a minibuffer, an error is signaled.
920
921 If there is a dedicated window showing the buffer, and that window is
922 the only one on its frame, this function also deletes that frame if it
923 is not the only frame on the terminal.
924
925 The optional argument @var{frame} specifies which frames to operate
926 on:
927
928 @itemize @bullet
929 @item @code{nil}
930 means operate on all frames.
931 @item @code{t}
932 means operate on the selected frame.
933 @item @code{visible}
934 means operate on all visible frames.
935 @item @code{0}
936 means operate on all visible or iconified frames.
937 @item A frame
938 means operate on that frame.
939 @end itemize
940
941 Note that this argument does not have the same meaning as in other
942 functions which scan all live windows (@pxref{Cyclic Window
943 Ordering}). Specifically, the meanings of @code{t} and @code{nil} here
944 are the opposite of what they are in those other functions.
945 @end deffn
946
947
948 @node Recombining Windows
949 @section Recombining Windows
950
951 When deleting the last sibling of a window @var{W}, its parent window
952 is deleted too, with @var{W} replacing it in the window tree. This
953 means that @var{W} must be recombined with its parent's siblings to
954 form a new window combination (@pxref{Windows and Frames}). In some
955 occasions, deleting a live window may even entail the deletion of two
956 internal windows.
957
958 @smallexample
959 @group
960 ______________________________________
961 | ______ ____________________________ |
962 || || __________________________ ||
963 || ||| ___________ ___________ |||
964 || |||| || ||||
965 || ||||____W6_____||_____W7____||||
966 || |||____________W4____________|||
967 || || __________________________ ||
968 || ||| |||
969 || ||| |||
970 || |||____________W5____________|||
971 ||__W2__||_____________W3_____________ |
972 |__________________W1__________________|
973
974 @end group
975 @end smallexample
976
977 @noindent
978 Deleting @var{W5} in this configuration normally causes the deletion of
979 @var{W3} and @var{W4}. The remaining live windows @var{W2},
980 @var{W6} and @var{W7} are recombined to form a new horizontal
981 combination with parent @var{W1}.
982
983 Sometimes, however, it makes sense to not delete a parent window like
984 @var{W4}. In particular, a parent window should not be removed when it
985 was used to preserve a combination embedded in a combination of the same
986 type. Such embeddings make sense to assure that when you split a window
987 and subsequently delete the new window, Emacs reestablishes the layout
988 of the associated frame as it existed before the splitting.
989
990 Consider a scenario starting with two live windows @var{W2} and
991 @var{W3} and their parent @var{W1}.
992
993 @smallexample
994 @group
995 ______________________________________
996 | ____________________________________ |
997 || ||
998 || ||
999 || ||
1000 || ||
1001 || ||
1002 || ||
1003 ||_________________W2_________________||
1004 | ____________________________________ |
1005 || ||
1006 || ||
1007 ||_________________W3_________________||
1008 |__________________W1__________________|
1009
1010 @end group
1011 @end smallexample
1012
1013 @noindent
1014 Split @var{W2} to make a new window @var{W4} as follows.
1015
1016 @smallexample
1017 @group
1018 ______________________________________
1019 | ____________________________________ |
1020 || ||
1021 || ||
1022 ||_________________W2_________________||
1023 | ____________________________________ |
1024 || ||
1025 || ||
1026 ||_________________W4_________________||
1027 | ____________________________________ |
1028 || ||
1029 || ||
1030 ||_________________W3_________________||
1031 |__________________W1__________________|
1032
1033 @end group
1034 @end smallexample
1035
1036 @noindent
1037 Now, when enlarging a window vertically, Emacs tries to obtain the
1038 corresponding space from its lower sibling, provided such a window
1039 exists. In our scenario, enlarging @var{W4} will steal space from
1040 @var{W3}.
1041
1042 @smallexample
1043 @group
1044 ______________________________________
1045 | ____________________________________ |
1046 || ||
1047 || ||
1048 ||_________________W2_________________||
1049 | ____________________________________ |
1050 || ||
1051 || ||
1052 || ||
1053 || ||
1054 ||_________________W4_________________||
1055 | ____________________________________ |
1056 ||_________________W3_________________||
1057 |__________________W1__________________|
1058
1059 @end group
1060 @end smallexample
1061
1062 @noindent
1063 Deleting @var{W4} will now give its entire space to @var{W2},
1064 including the space earlier stolen from @var{W3}.
1065
1066 @smallexample
1067 @group
1068 ______________________________________
1069 | ____________________________________ |
1070 || ||
1071 || ||
1072 || ||
1073 || ||
1074 || ||
1075 || ||
1076 || ||
1077 || ||
1078 ||_________________W2_________________||
1079 | ____________________________________ |
1080 ||_________________W3_________________||
1081 |__________________W1__________________|
1082
1083 @end group
1084 @end smallexample
1085
1086 @noindent
1087 This can be counterintuitive, in particular if @var{W4} were used for
1088 displaying a buffer only temporarily (@pxref{Temporary Displays}), and
1089 you want to continue working with the initial layout.
1090
1091 The behavior can be fixed by making a new parent window when splitting
1092 @var{W2}. The variable described next allows to do that.
1093
1094 @defopt window-combination-limit
1095 This variable controls whether splitting a window shall make a new
1096 parent window. The following values are recognized:
1097
1098 @table @code
1099 @item nil
1100 This means that the new live window is allowed to share the existing
1101 parent window, if one exists, provided the split occurs in the same
1102 direction as the existing window combination (otherwise, a new internal
1103 window is created anyway).
1104
1105 @item window-size
1106 In this case @code{display-buffer} makes a new parent window if it is
1107 passed a @code{window-height} or @code{window-width} entry in the
1108 @var{alist} argument (@pxref{Display Action Functions}).
1109
1110 @item temp-buffer
1111 This value causes the creation of a new parent window when a window is
1112 split for showing a temporary buffer (@pxref{Temporary Displays}) only.
1113
1114 @item display-buffer
1115 This means that when @code{display-buffer} (@pxref{Choosing Window})
1116 splits a window it always makes a new parent window.
1117
1118 @item t
1119 In this case a new parent window is always created when splitting a
1120 window. Thus, if the value of this variable is at all times @code{t},
1121 then at all times every window tree is a binary tree (a tree where each
1122 window except the root window has exactly one sibling).
1123 @end table
1124
1125 The default is @code{nil}. Other values are reserved for future use.
1126
1127 If, as a consequence of this variable's setting, @code{split-window}
1128 makes a new parent window, it also calls
1129 @code{set-window-combination-limit} (see below) on the newly-created
1130 internal window. This affects how the window tree is rearranged when
1131 the child windows are deleted (see below).
1132 @end defopt
1133
1134 If @code{window-combination-limit} is @code{t}, splitting @var{W2} in
1135 the initial configuration of our scenario would have produced this:
1136
1137 @smallexample
1138 @group
1139 ______________________________________
1140 | ____________________________________ |
1141 || __________________________________ ||
1142 ||| |||
1143 |||________________W2________________|||
1144 || __________________________________ ||
1145 ||| |||
1146 |||________________W4________________|||
1147 ||_________________W5_________________||
1148 | ____________________________________ |
1149 || ||
1150 || ||
1151 ||_________________W3_________________||
1152 |__________________W1__________________|
1153
1154 @end group
1155 @end smallexample
1156
1157 @noindent
1158 A new internal window @var{W5} has been created; its children are
1159 @var{W2} and the new live window @var{W4}. Now, @var{W2} is the only
1160 sibling of @var{W4}, so enlarging @var{W4} will try to shrink
1161 @var{W2}, leaving @var{W3} unaffected. Observe that @var{W5}
1162 represents a vertical combination of two windows embedded in the
1163 vertical combination @var{W1}.
1164
1165 @cindex window combination limit
1166 @defun set-window-combination-limit window limit
1167 This functions sets the @dfn{combination limit} of the window
1168 @var{window} to @var{limit}. This value can be retrieved via the
1169 function @code{window-combination-limit}. See below for its effects;
1170 note that it is only meaningful for internal windows. The
1171 @code{split-window} function automatically calls this function, passing
1172 it @code{t} as @var{limit}, provided the value of the variable
1173 @code{window-combination-limit} is @code{t} when it is called.
1174 @end defun
1175
1176 @defun window-combination-limit window
1177 This function returns the combination limit for @var{window}.
1178
1179 The combination limit is meaningful only for an internal window. If it
1180 is @code{nil}, then Emacs is allowed to automatically delete
1181 @var{window}, in response to a window deletion, in order to group the
1182 child windows of @var{window} with its sibling windows to form a new
1183 window combination. If the combination limit is @code{t}, the child
1184 windows of @var{window} are never automatically recombined with its
1185 siblings.
1186
1187 If, in the configuration shown at the beginning of this section, the
1188 combination limit of @var{W4} (the parent window of @var{W6} and
1189 @var{W7}) is @code{t}, deleting @var{W5} will not implicitly delete
1190 @var{W4} too.
1191 @end defun
1192
1193 Alternatively, the problems sketched above can be avoided by always
1194 resizing all windows in the same combination whenever one of its windows
1195 is split or deleted. This also permits to split windows that would be
1196 otherwise too small for such an operation.
1197
1198 @defopt window-combination-resize
1199 If this variable is @code{nil}, @code{split-window} can only split a
1200 window (denoted by @var{window}) if @var{window}'s screen area is large
1201 enough to accommodate both itself and the new window.
1202
1203 If this variable is @code{t}, @code{split-window} tries to resize all
1204 windows that are part of the same combination as @var{window}, in order
1205 to accommodate the new window. In particular, this may allow
1206 @code{split-window} to succeed even if @var{window} is a fixed-size
1207 window or too small to ordinarily split. Furthermore, subsequently
1208 resizing or deleting @var{window} may resize all other windows in its
1209 combination.
1210
1211 The default is @code{nil}. Other values are reserved for future use.
1212 The value of this variable is ignored when
1213 @code{window-combination-limit} is non-@code{nil}.
1214 @end defopt
1215
1216 To illustrate the effect of @code{window-combination-resize}, consider
1217 the following frame layout.
1218
1219 @smallexample
1220 @group
1221 ______________________________________
1222 | ____________________________________ |
1223 || ||
1224 || ||
1225 || ||
1226 || ||
1227 ||_________________W2_________________||
1228 | ____________________________________ |
1229 || ||
1230 || ||
1231 || ||
1232 || ||
1233 ||_________________W3_________________||
1234 |__________________W1__________________|
1235
1236 @end group
1237 @end smallexample
1238
1239 @noindent
1240 If @code{window-combination-resize} is @code{nil}, splitting window
1241 @var{W3} leaves the size of @var{W2} unchanged:
1242
1243 @smallexample
1244 @group
1245 ______________________________________
1246 | ____________________________________ |
1247 || ||
1248 || ||
1249 || ||
1250 || ||
1251 ||_________________W2_________________||
1252 | ____________________________________ |
1253 || ||
1254 ||_________________W3_________________||
1255 | ____________________________________ |
1256 || ||
1257 ||_________________W4_________________||
1258 |__________________W1__________________|
1259
1260 @end group
1261 @end smallexample
1262
1263 @noindent
1264 If @code{window-combination-resize} is @code{t}, splitting @var{W3}
1265 instead leaves all three live windows with approximately the same
1266 height:
1267
1268 @smallexample
1269 @group
1270 ______________________________________
1271 | ____________________________________ |
1272 || ||
1273 || ||
1274 ||_________________W2_________________||
1275 | ____________________________________ |
1276 || ||
1277 || ||
1278 ||_________________W3_________________||
1279 | ____________________________________ |
1280 || ||
1281 || ||
1282 ||_________________W4_________________||
1283 |__________________W1__________________|
1284
1285 @end group
1286 @end smallexample
1287
1288 @noindent
1289 Deleting any of the live windows @var{W2}, @var{W3} or @var{W4} will
1290 distribute its space proportionally among the two remaining live
1291 windows.
1292
1293
1294 @node Selecting Windows
1295 @section Selecting Windows
1296 @cindex selecting a window
1297
1298 @defun select-window window &optional norecord
1299 This function makes @var{window} the selected window and the window
1300 selected within its frame (@pxref{Basic Windows}) and selects that
1301 frame. @var{window} must be a live window. This function also makes
1302 @var{window}'s buffer (@pxref{Buffers and Windows}) current and sets
1303 that buffer's value of @code{point} to the value of @code{window-point}
1304 (@pxref{Window Point}) in @var{window}. The return value is
1305 @var{window}.
1306
1307 By default, this function also moves @var{window}'s buffer to the front
1308 of the buffer list (@pxref{The Buffer List}), and makes @var{window} the
1309 most recently selected window. However, if the optional argument
1310 @var{norecord} is non-@code{nil}, these additional actions are omitted.
1311 @end defun
1312
1313 @cindex most recently selected windows
1314 The sequence of calls to @code{select-window} with a non-@code{nil}
1315 @var{norecord} argument determines an ordering of windows by their
1316 selection time. The function @code{get-lru-window} can be used to
1317 retrieve the least recently selected live window (@pxref{Cyclic Window
1318 Ordering}).
1319
1320 @defmac save-selected-window forms@dots{}
1321 This macro records the selected frame, as well as the selected window
1322 of each frame, executes @var{forms} in sequence, then restores the
1323 earlier selected frame and windows. It also saves and restores the
1324 current buffer. It returns the value of the last form in @var{forms}.
1325
1326 This macro does not save or restore anything about the sizes,
1327 arrangement or contents of windows; therefore, if @var{forms} change
1328 them, the change persists. If the previously selected window of some
1329 frame is no longer live at the time of exit from @var{forms}, that
1330 frame's selected window is left alone. If the previously selected
1331 window is no longer live, then whatever window is selected at the end of
1332 @var{forms} remains selected. The current buffer is restored if and
1333 only if it is still live when exiting @var{forms}.
1334
1335 This macro changes neither the ordering of recently selected windows nor
1336 the buffer list.
1337 @end defmac
1338
1339 @defmac with-selected-window window forms@dots{}
1340 This macro selects @var{window}, executes @var{forms} in sequence, then
1341 restores the previously selected window and current buffer. The ordering
1342 of recently selected windows and the buffer list remain unchanged unless
1343 you deliberately change them within @var{forms}; for example, by calling
1344 @code{select-window} with argument @var{norecord} @code{nil}.
1345
1346 This macro does not change the order of recently selected windows or
1347 the buffer list.
1348 @end defmac
1349
1350 @defun frame-selected-window &optional frame
1351 This function returns the window on @var{frame} that is selected
1352 within that frame. @var{frame} should be a live frame; if omitted or
1353 @code{nil}, it defaults to the selected frame.
1354 @end defun
1355
1356 @defun set-frame-selected-window frame window &optional norecord
1357 This function makes @var{window} the window selected within the frame
1358 @var{frame}. @var{frame} should be a live frame; if @code{nil}, it
1359 defaults to the selected frame. @var{window} should be a live window;
1360 if @code{nil}, it defaults to the selected window.
1361
1362 If @var{frame} is the selected frame, this makes @var{window} the
1363 selected window.
1364
1365 If the optional argument @var{norecord} is non-@code{nil}, this
1366 function does not alter the list of most recently selected windows,
1367 nor the buffer list.
1368 @end defun
1369
1370 @node Cyclic Window Ordering
1371 @section Cyclic Ordering of Windows
1372 @cindex cyclic ordering of windows
1373 @cindex ordering of windows, cyclic
1374 @cindex window ordering, cyclic
1375
1376 When you use the command @kbd{C-x o} (@code{other-window}) to select
1377 some other window, it moves through live windows in a specific order.
1378 For any given configuration of windows, this order never varies. It
1379 is called the @dfn{cyclic ordering of windows}.
1380
1381 The ordering is determined by a depth-first traversal of the frame's
1382 window tree, retrieving the live windows which are the leaf nodes of
1383 the tree (@pxref{Windows and Frames}). If the minibuffer is active,
1384 the minibuffer window is included too. The ordering is cyclic, so the
1385 last window in the sequence is followed by the first one.
1386
1387 @defun next-window &optional window minibuf all-frames
1388 @cindex minibuffer window, and @code{next-window}
1389 This function returns a live window, the one following @var{window} in
1390 the cyclic ordering of windows. @var{window} should be a live window;
1391 if omitted or @code{nil}, it defaults to the selected window.
1392
1393 The optional argument @var{minibuf} specifies whether minibuffer windows
1394 should be included in the cyclic ordering. Normally, when @var{minibuf}
1395 is @code{nil}, a minibuffer window is included only if it is currently
1396 ``active''; this matches the behavior of @kbd{C-x o}. (Note that a
1397 minibuffer window is active as long as its minibuffer is in use; see
1398 @ref{Minibuffers}).
1399
1400 If @var{minibuf} is @code{t}, the cyclic ordering includes all
1401 minibuffer windows. If @var{minibuf} is neither @code{t} nor
1402 @code{nil}, minibuffer windows are not included even if they are active.
1403
1404 The optional argument @var{all-frames} specifies which frames to
1405 consider:
1406
1407 @itemize @bullet
1408 @item @code{nil}
1409 means to consider windows on @var{window}'s frame. If the minibuffer
1410 window is considered (as specified by the @var{minibuf} argument),
1411 then frames that share the minibuffer window are considered too.
1412
1413 @item @code{t}
1414 means to consider windows on all existing frames.
1415
1416 @item @code{visible}
1417 means to consider windows on all visible frames.
1418
1419 @item 0
1420 means to consider windows on all visible or iconified frames.
1421
1422 @item A frame
1423 means to consider windows on that specific frame.
1424
1425 @item Anything else
1426 means to consider windows on @var{window}'s frame, and no others.
1427 @end itemize
1428
1429 If more than one frame is considered, the cyclic ordering is obtained
1430 by appending the orderings for those frames, in the same order as the
1431 list of all live frames (@pxref{Finding All Frames}).
1432 @end defun
1433
1434 @defun previous-window &optional window minibuf all-frames
1435 This function returns a live window, the one preceding @var{window} in
1436 the cyclic ordering of windows. The other arguments are handled like
1437 in @code{next-window}.
1438 @end defun
1439
1440 @deffn Command other-window count &optional all-frames
1441 This function selects a live window, one @var{count} places from the
1442 selected window in the cyclic ordering of windows. If @var{count} is
1443 a positive number, it skips @var{count} windows forwards; if
1444 @var{count} is negative, it skips @minus{}@var{count} windows
1445 backwards; if @var{count} is zero, that simply re-selects the selected
1446 window. When called interactively, @var{count} is the numeric prefix
1447 argument.
1448
1449 The optional argument @var{all-frames} has the same meaning as in
1450 @code{next-window}, like a @code{nil} @var{minibuf} argument to
1451 @code{next-window}.
1452
1453 This function does not select a window that has a non-@code{nil}
1454 @code{no-other-window} window parameter (@pxref{Window Parameters}).
1455 @end deffn
1456
1457 @defun walk-windows fun &optional minibuf all-frames
1458 This function calls the function @var{fun} once for each live window,
1459 with the window as the argument.
1460
1461 It follows the cyclic ordering of windows. The optional arguments
1462 @var{minibuf} and @var{all-frames} specify the set of windows
1463 included; these have the same arguments as in @code{next-window}. If
1464 @var{all-frames} specifies a frame, the first window walked is the
1465 first window on that frame (the one returned by
1466 @code{frame-first-window}), not necessarily the selected window.
1467
1468 If @var{fun} changes the window configuration by splitting or deleting
1469 windows, that does not alter the set of windows walked, which is
1470 determined prior to calling @var{fun} for the first time.
1471 @end defun
1472
1473 @defun one-window-p &optional no-mini all-frames
1474 This function returns @code{t} if the selected window is the only live
1475 window, and @code{nil} otherwise.
1476
1477 If the minibuffer window is active, it is normally considered (so that
1478 this function returns @code{nil}). However, if the optional argument
1479 @var{no-mini} is non-@code{nil}, the minibuffer window is ignored even
1480 if active. The optional argument @var{all-frames} has the same
1481 meaning as for @code{next-window}.
1482 @end defun
1483
1484 @cindex finding windows
1485 The following functions return a window which satisfies some
1486 criterion, without selecting it:
1487
1488 @cindex least recently used window
1489 @defun get-lru-window &optional all-frames dedicated not-selected
1490 This function returns a live window which is heuristically the ``least
1491 recently used'' window. The optional argument @var{all-frames} has
1492 the same meaning as in @code{next-window}.
1493
1494 If any full-width windows are present, only those windows are
1495 considered. A minibuffer window is never a candidate. A dedicated
1496 window (@pxref{Dedicated Windows}) is never a candidate unless the
1497 optional argument @var{dedicated} is non-@code{nil}. The selected
1498 window is never returned, unless it is the only candidate. However, if
1499 the optional argument @var{not-selected} is non-@code{nil}, this
1500 function returns @code{nil} in that case.
1501 @end defun
1502
1503 @cindex largest window
1504 @defun get-largest-window &optional all-frames dedicated not-selected
1505 This function returns the window with the largest area (height times
1506 width). The optional argument @var{all-frames} specifies the windows to
1507 search, and has the same meaning as in @code{next-window}.
1508
1509 A minibuffer window is never a candidate. A dedicated window
1510 (@pxref{Dedicated Windows}) is never a candidate unless the optional
1511 argument @var{dedicated} is non-@code{nil}. The selected window is not
1512 a candidate if the optional argument @var{not-selected} is
1513 non-@code{nil}. If the optional argument @var{not-selected} is
1514 non-@code{nil} and the selected window is the only candidate, this
1515 function returns @code{nil}.
1516
1517 If there are two candidate windows of the same size, this function
1518 prefers the one that comes first in the cyclic ordering of windows,
1519 starting from the selected window.
1520 @end defun
1521
1522 @cindex window that satisfies a predicate
1523 @cindex conditional selection of windows
1524 @defun get-window-with-predicate predicate &optional minibuf all-frames default
1525 This function calls the function @var{predicate} for each of the
1526 windows in the cyclic order of windows in turn, passing it the window
1527 as an argument. If the predicate returns non-@code{nil} for any
1528 window, this function stops and returns that window. If no such
1529 window is found, the return value is @var{default} (which defaults to
1530 @code{nil}).
1531
1532 The optional arguments @var{minibuf} and @var{all-frames} specify the
1533 windows to search, and have the same meanings as in
1534 @code{next-window}.
1535 @end defun
1536
1537
1538 @node Buffers and Windows
1539 @section Buffers and Windows
1540 @cindex examining windows
1541 @cindex windows, controlling precisely
1542 @cindex buffers, controlled in windows
1543
1544 This section describes low-level functions for examining and setting
1545 the contents of windows. @xref{Switching Buffers}, for higher-level
1546 functions for displaying a specific buffer in a window.
1547
1548 @defun window-buffer &optional window
1549 This function returns the buffer that @var{window} is displaying. If
1550 @var{window} is omitted or @code{nil} it defaults to the selected
1551 window. If @var{window} is an internal window, this function returns
1552 @code{nil}.
1553 @end defun
1554
1555 @defun set-window-buffer window buffer-or-name &optional keep-margins
1556 This function makes @var{window} display @var{buffer-or-name}.
1557 @var{window} should be a live window; if @code{nil}, it defaults to
1558 the selected window. @var{buffer-or-name} should be a buffer, or the
1559 name of an existing buffer. This function does not change which
1560 window is selected, nor does it directly change which buffer is
1561 current (@pxref{Current Buffer}). Its return value is @code{nil}.
1562
1563 If @var{window} is @dfn{strongly dedicated} to a buffer and
1564 @var{buffer-or-name} does not specify that buffer, this function
1565 signals an error. @xref{Dedicated Windows}.
1566
1567 By default, this function resets @var{window}'s position, display
1568 margins, fringe widths, and scroll bar settings, based on the local
1569 variables in the specified buffer. However, if the optional argument
1570 @var{keep-margins} is non-@code{nil}, it leaves the display margins
1571 and fringe widths unchanged.
1572
1573 When writing an application, you should normally use the higher-level
1574 functions described in @ref{Switching Buffers}, instead of calling
1575 @code{set-window-buffer} directly.
1576
1577 This runs @code{window-scroll-functions}, followed by
1578 @code{window-configuration-change-hook}. @xref{Window Hooks}.
1579 @end defun
1580
1581 @defvar buffer-display-count
1582 This buffer-local variable records the number of times a buffer has been
1583 displayed in a window. It is incremented each time
1584 @code{set-window-buffer} is called for the buffer.
1585 @end defvar
1586
1587 @defvar buffer-display-time
1588 This buffer-local variable records the time at which a buffer was last
1589 displayed in a window. The value is @code{nil} if the buffer has
1590 never been displayed. It is updated each time
1591 @code{set-window-buffer} is called for the buffer, with the value
1592 returned by @code{current-time} (@pxref{Time of Day}).
1593 @end defvar
1594
1595 @defun get-buffer-window &optional buffer-or-name all-frames
1596 This function returns the first window displaying @var{buffer-or-name}
1597 in the cyclic ordering of windows, starting from the selected window
1598 (@pxref{Cyclic Window Ordering}). If no such window exists, the
1599 return value is @code{nil}.
1600
1601 @var{buffer-or-name} should be a buffer or the name of a buffer; if
1602 omitted or @code{nil}, it defaults to the current buffer. The
1603 optional argument @var{all-frames} specifies which windows to
1604 consider:
1605
1606 @itemize @bullet
1607 @item
1608 @code{t} means consider windows on all existing frames.
1609 @item
1610 @code{visible} means consider windows on all visible frames.
1611 @item
1612 0 means consider windows on all visible or iconified frames.
1613 @item
1614 A frame means consider windows on that frame only.
1615 @item
1616 Any other value means consider windows on the selected frame.
1617 @end itemize
1618
1619 Note that these meanings differ slightly from those of the
1620 @var{all-frames} argument to @code{next-window} (@pxref{Cyclic Window
1621 Ordering}). This function may be changed in a future version of Emacs
1622 to eliminate this discrepancy.
1623 @end defun
1624
1625 @defun get-buffer-window-list &optional buffer-or-name minibuf all-frames
1626 This function returns a list of all windows currently displaying
1627 @var{buffer-or-name}. @var{buffer-or-name} should be a buffer or the
1628 name of an existing buffer. If omitted or @code{nil}, it defaults to
1629 the current buffer.
1630
1631 The arguments @var{minibuf} and @var{all-frames} have the same
1632 meanings as in the function @code{next-window} (@pxref{Cyclic Window
1633 Ordering}). Note that the @var{all-frames} argument does @emph{not}
1634 behave exactly like in @code{get-buffer-window}.
1635 @end defun
1636
1637 @deffn Command replace-buffer-in-windows &optional buffer-or-name
1638 This command replaces @var{buffer-or-name} with some other buffer, in
1639 all windows displaying it. @var{buffer-or-name} should be a buffer, or
1640 the name of an existing buffer; if omitted or @code{nil}, it defaults to
1641 the current buffer.
1642
1643 The replacement buffer in each window is chosen via
1644 @code{switch-to-prev-buffer} (@pxref{Window History}). Any dedicated
1645 window displaying @var{buffer-or-name} is deleted if possible
1646 (@pxref{Dedicated Windows}). If such a window is the only window on its
1647 frame and there are other frames on the same terminal, the frame is
1648 deleted as well. If the dedicated window is the only window on the only
1649 frame on its terminal, the buffer is replaced anyway.
1650 @end deffn
1651
1652
1653 @node Switching Buffers
1654 @section Switching to a Buffer in a Window
1655 @cindex switching to a buffer
1656 @cindex displaying a buffer
1657
1658 This section describes high-level functions for switching to a specified
1659 buffer in some window. In general, ``switching to a buffer'' means to
1660 (1) show the buffer in some window, (2) make that window the selected
1661 window (and its frame the selected frame), and (3) make the buffer the
1662 current buffer.
1663
1664 Do @emph{not} use these functions to make a buffer temporarily
1665 current just so a Lisp program can access or modify it. They have
1666 side-effects, such as changing window histories (@pxref{Window
1667 History}), which will surprise the user if used that way. If you want
1668 to make a buffer current to modify it in Lisp, use
1669 @code{with-current-buffer}, @code{save-current-buffer}, or
1670 @code{set-buffer}. @xref{Current Buffer}.
1671
1672 @deffn Command switch-to-buffer buffer-or-name &optional norecord force-same-window
1673 This command attempts to display @var{buffer-or-name} in the selected
1674 window and make it the current buffer. It is often used interactively
1675 (as the binding of @kbd{C-x b}), as well as in Lisp programs. The
1676 return value is the buffer switched to.
1677
1678 If @var{buffer-or-name} is @code{nil}, it defaults to the buffer
1679 returned by @code{other-buffer} (@pxref{The Buffer List}). If
1680 @var{buffer-or-name} is a string that is not the name of any existing
1681 buffer, this function creates a new buffer with that name; the new
1682 buffer's major mode is determined by the variable @code{major-mode}
1683 (@pxref{Major Modes}).
1684
1685 Normally, the specified buffer is put at the front of the buffer
1686 list---both the global buffer list and the selected frame's buffer
1687 list (@pxref{The Buffer List}). However, this is not done if the
1688 optional argument @var{norecord} is non-@code{nil}.
1689
1690 Sometimes, @code{switch-to-buffer} may be unable to display the buffer
1691 in the selected window. This happens if the selected window is a
1692 minibuffer window, or if the selected window is strongly dedicated to
1693 its buffer (@pxref{Dedicated Windows}). In that case, the command
1694 normally tries to display the buffer in some other window, by invoking
1695 @code{pop-to-buffer} (see below). However, if the optional argument
1696 @var{force-same-window} is non-@code{nil}, it signals an error
1697 instead.
1698 @end deffn
1699
1700 By default, @code{switch-to-buffer} shows the buffer at its position of
1701 @code{point}. This behavior can be tuned using the following option.
1702
1703 @defopt switch-to-buffer-preserve-window-point
1704 If this variable is @code{nil}, @code{switch-to-buffer} displays the
1705 buffer specified by @var{buffer-or-name} at the position of that
1706 buffer's @code{point}. If this variable is @code{already-displayed}, it
1707 tries to display the buffer at its previous position in the selected
1708 window, provided the buffer is currently displayed in some other window
1709 on any visible or iconified frame. If this variable is @code{t},
1710 @code{switch-to-buffer} unconditionally tries to display the buffer at
1711 its previous position in the selected window.
1712
1713 This variable is ignored if the buffer is already displayed in the
1714 selected window or never appeared in it before, or if
1715 @code{switch-to-buffer} calls @code{pop-to-buffer} to display the
1716 buffer.
1717 @end defopt
1718
1719 The next two commands are similar to @code{switch-to-buffer}, except for
1720 the described features.
1721
1722 @deffn Command switch-to-buffer-other-window buffer-or-name &optional norecord
1723 This function displays the buffer specified by @var{buffer-or-name} in
1724 some window other than the selected window. It uses the function
1725 @code{pop-to-buffer} internally (see below).
1726
1727 If the selected window already displays the specified buffer, it
1728 continues to do so, but another window is nonetheless found to display
1729 it as well.
1730
1731 The @var{buffer-or-name} and @var{norecord} arguments have the same
1732 meanings as in @code{switch-to-buffer}.
1733 @end deffn
1734
1735 @deffn Command switch-to-buffer-other-frame buffer-or-name &optional norecord
1736 This function displays the buffer specified by @var{buffer-or-name} in a
1737 new frame. It uses the function @code{pop-to-buffer} internally (see
1738 below).
1739
1740 If the specified buffer is already displayed in another window, in any
1741 frame on the current terminal, this switches to that window instead of
1742 creating a new frame. However, the selected window is never used for
1743 this.
1744
1745 The @var{buffer-or-name} and @var{norecord} arguments have the same
1746 meanings as in @code{switch-to-buffer}.
1747 @end deffn
1748
1749 The above commands use the function @code{pop-to-buffer}, which
1750 flexibly displays a buffer in some window and selects that window for
1751 editing. In turn, @code{pop-to-buffer} uses @code{display-buffer} for
1752 displaying the buffer. Hence, all the variables affecting
1753 @code{display-buffer} will affect it as well. @xref{Choosing Window},
1754 for the documentation of @code{display-buffer}.
1755
1756 @deffn Command pop-to-buffer buffer-or-name &optional action norecord
1757 This function makes @var{buffer-or-name} the current buffer and
1758 displays it in some window, preferably not the window previously
1759 selected. It then selects the displaying window. If that window is
1760 on a different graphical frame, that frame is given input focus if
1761 possible (@pxref{Input Focus}). The return value is the buffer that
1762 was switched to.
1763
1764 If @var{buffer-or-name} is @code{nil}, it defaults to the buffer
1765 returned by @code{other-buffer} (@pxref{The Buffer List}). If
1766 @var{buffer-or-name} is a string that is not the name of any existing
1767 buffer, this function creates a new buffer with that name; the new
1768 buffer's major mode is determined by the variable @code{major-mode}
1769 (@pxref{Major Modes}).
1770
1771 If @var{action} is non-@code{nil}, it should be a display action to
1772 pass to @code{display-buffer} (@pxref{Choosing Window}).
1773 Alternatively, a non-@code{nil}, non-list value means to pop to a
1774 window other than the selected one---even if the buffer is already
1775 displayed in the selected window.
1776
1777 Like @code{switch-to-buffer}, this function updates the buffer list
1778 unless @var{norecord} is non-@code{nil}.
1779 @end deffn
1780
1781
1782 @node Choosing Window
1783 @section Choosing a Window for Display
1784
1785 The command @code{display-buffer} flexibly chooses a window for
1786 display, and displays a specified buffer in that window. It can be
1787 called interactively, via the key binding @kbd{C-x 4 C-o}. It is also
1788 used as a subroutine by many functions and commands, including
1789 @code{switch-to-buffer} and @code{pop-to-buffer} (@pxref{Switching
1790 Buffers}).
1791
1792 @cindex display action
1793 @cindex action function, for @code{display-buffer}
1794 @cindex action alist, for @code{display-buffer}
1795 This command performs several complex steps to find a window to
1796 display in. These steps are described by means of @dfn{display
1797 actions}, which have the form @code{(@var{function} . @var{alist})}.
1798 Here, @var{function} is either a function or a list of functions,
1799 which we refer to as @dfn{action functions}; @var{alist} is an
1800 association list, which we refer to as @dfn{action alists}.
1801
1802 An action function accepts two arguments: the buffer to display and
1803 an action alist. It attempts to display the buffer in some window,
1804 picking or creating a window according to its own criteria. If
1805 successful, it returns the window; otherwise, it returns @code{nil}.
1806 @xref{Display Action Functions}, for a list of predefined action
1807 functions.
1808
1809 @code{display-buffer} works by combining display actions from
1810 several sources, and calling the action functions in turn, until one
1811 of them manages to display the buffer and returns a non-@code{nil}
1812 value.
1813
1814 @deffn Command display-buffer buffer-or-name &optional action frame
1815 This command makes @var{buffer-or-name} appear in some window, without
1816 selecting the window or making the buffer current. The argument
1817 @var{buffer-or-name} must be a buffer or the name of an existing
1818 buffer. The return value is the window chosen to display the buffer.
1819
1820 The optional argument @var{action}, if non-@code{nil}, should normally
1821 be a display action (described above). @code{display-buffer} builds a
1822 list of action functions and an action alist, by consolidating display
1823 actions from the following sources (in order):
1824
1825 @itemize
1826 @item
1827 The variable @code{display-buffer-overriding-action}.
1828
1829 @item
1830 The user option @code{display-buffer-alist}.
1831
1832 @item
1833 The @var{action} argument.
1834
1835 @item
1836 The user option @code{display-buffer-base-action}.
1837
1838 @item
1839 The constant @code{display-buffer-fallback-action}.
1840 @end itemize
1841
1842 @noindent
1843 Each action function is called in turn, passing the buffer as the
1844 first argument and the combined action alist as the second argument,
1845 until one of the functions returns non-@code{nil}.
1846
1847 The argument @var{action} can also have a non-@code{nil}, non-list
1848 value. This has the special meaning that the buffer should be
1849 displayed in a window other than the selected one, even if the
1850 selected window is already displaying it. If called interactively
1851 with a prefix argument, @var{action} is @code{t}.
1852
1853 The optional argument @var{frame}, if non-@code{nil}, specifies which
1854 frames to check when deciding whether the buffer is already displayed.
1855 It is equivalent to adding an element @code{(reusable-frames
1856 . @var{frame})} to the action alist of @var{action}. @xref{Display
1857 Action Functions}.
1858 @end deffn
1859
1860 @defvar display-buffer-overriding-action
1861 The value of this variable should be a display action, which is
1862 treated with the highest priority by @code{display-buffer}. The
1863 default value is empty, i.e., @code{(nil . nil)}.
1864 @end defvar
1865
1866 @defopt display-buffer-alist
1867 The value of this option is an alist mapping conditions to display
1868 actions. Each condition may be either a regular expression matching a
1869 buffer name or a function that takes two arguments: a buffer name and
1870 the @var{action} argument passed to @code{display-buffer}. If the name
1871 of the buffer passed to @code{display-buffer} either matches a regular
1872 expression in this alist or the function specified by a condition
1873 returns non-@code{nil}, then @code{display-buffer} uses the
1874 corresponding display action to display the buffer.
1875 @end defopt
1876
1877 @defopt display-buffer-base-action
1878 The value of this option should be a display action. This option can
1879 be used to define a ``standard'' display action for calls to
1880 @code{display-buffer}.
1881 @end defopt
1882
1883 @defvr Constant display-buffer-fallback-action
1884 This display action specifies the fallback behavior for
1885 @code{display-buffer} if no other display actions are given.
1886 @end defvr
1887
1888
1889 @node Display Action Functions
1890 @section Action Functions for @code{display-buffer}
1891
1892 The following basic action functions are defined in Emacs. Each of
1893 these functions takes two arguments: @var{buffer}, the buffer to
1894 display, and @var{alist}, an action alist. Each action function
1895 returns the window if it succeeds, and @code{nil} if it fails.
1896
1897 @defun display-buffer-same-window buffer alist
1898 This function tries to display @var{buffer} in the selected window.
1899 It fails if the selected window is a minibuffer window or is dedicated
1900 to another buffer (@pxref{Dedicated Windows}). It also fails if
1901 @var{alist} has a non-@code{nil} @code{inhibit-same-window} entry.
1902 @end defun
1903
1904 @defun display-buffer-reuse-window buffer alist
1905 This function tries to ``display'' @var{buffer} by finding a window
1906 that is already displaying it.
1907
1908 If @var{alist} has a non-@code{nil} @code{inhibit-same-window} entry,
1909 the selected window is not eligible for reuse. If @var{alist}
1910 contains a @code{reusable-frames} entry, its value determines which
1911 frames to search for a reusable window:
1912
1913 @itemize @bullet
1914 @item
1915 @code{nil} means consider windows on the selected frame.
1916 (Actually, the last non-minibuffer frame.)
1917 @item
1918 @code{t} means consider windows on all frames.
1919 @item
1920 @code{visible} means consider windows on all visible frames.
1921 @item
1922 0 means consider windows on all visible or iconified frames.
1923 @item
1924 A frame means consider windows on that frame only.
1925 @end itemize
1926
1927 Note that these meanings differ slightly from those of the
1928 @var{all-frames} argument to @code{next-window} (@pxref{Cyclic Window
1929 Ordering}).
1930
1931 If @var{alist} contains no @code{reusable-frames} entry, this function
1932 normally searches just the selected frame; however, if the variable
1933 @code{pop-up-frames} is non-@code{nil}, it searches all frames on the
1934 current terminal. @xref{Choosing Window Options}.
1935
1936 If this function chooses a window on another frame, it makes that frame
1937 visible and, unless @var{alist} contains an @code{inhibit-switch-frame}
1938 entry (@pxref{Choosing Window Options}), raises that frame if necessary.
1939 @end defun
1940
1941 @defun display-buffer-pop-up-frame buffer alist
1942 This function creates a new frame, and displays the buffer in that
1943 frame's window. It actually performs the frame creation by calling
1944 the function specified in @code{pop-up-frame-function}
1945 (@pxref{Choosing Window Options}). If @var{alist} contains a
1946 @code{pop-up-frame-parameters} entry, the associated value
1947 is added to the newly created frame's parameters.
1948 @end defun
1949
1950 @defun display-buffer-pop-up-window buffer alist
1951 This function tries to display @var{buffer} by splitting the largest
1952 or least recently-used window (typically one on the selected frame).
1953 It actually performs the split by calling the function specified in
1954 @code{split-window-preferred-function} (@pxref{Choosing Window
1955 Options}).
1956
1957 The size of the new window can be adjusted by supplying
1958 @code{window-height} and @code{window-width} entries in @var{alist}. To
1959 adjust the window's height, use an entry whose @sc{car} is
1960 @code{window-height} and whose @sc{cdr} is one of:
1961
1962 @itemize @bullet
1963 @item
1964 @code{nil} means to leave the height of the new window alone.
1965
1966 @item
1967 A number specifies the desired height of the new window. An integer
1968 number specifies the number of lines of the window. A floating point
1969 number gives the fraction of the window's height with respect to the
1970 height of the frame's root window.
1971
1972 @item
1973 If the @sc{cdr} specifies a function, that function is called with one
1974 argument: the new window. The function is supposed to adjust the
1975 height of the window; its return value is ignored. Suitable functions
1976 are @code{shrink-window-if-larger-than-buffer} and
1977 @code{fit-window-to-buffer}, see @ref{Resizing Windows}.
1978 @end itemize
1979
1980 To adjust the window's width, use an entry whose @sc{car} is
1981 @code{window-width} and whose @sc{cdr} is one of:
1982
1983 @itemize @bullet
1984 @item
1985 @code{nil} means to leave the width of the new window alone.
1986
1987 @item
1988 A number specifies the desired width of the new window. An integer
1989 number specifies the number of columns of the window. A floating point
1990 number gives the fraction of the window's width with respect to the
1991 width of the frame's root window.
1992
1993 @item
1994 If the @sc{cdr} specifies a function, that function is called with one
1995 argument: the new window. The function is supposed to adjust the width
1996 of the window; its return value is ignored.
1997 @end itemize
1998
1999 This function can fail if no window splitting can be performed for some
2000 reason (e.g., if the selected frame has an @code{unsplittable} frame
2001 parameter; @pxref{Buffer Parameters}).
2002 @end defun
2003
2004 @defun display-buffer-below-selected buffer alist
2005 This function tries to display @var{buffer} in a window below the
2006 selected window. This means to either split the selected window or use
2007 the window below the selected one. If it does create a new window, it
2008 will also adjust its size provided @var{alist} contains a suitable
2009 @code{window-height} or @code{window-width} entry, see above.
2010 @end defun
2011
2012 @defun display-buffer-in-previous-window buffer alist
2013 This function tries to display @var{buffer} in a window previously
2014 showing it. If @var{alist} has a non-@code{nil}
2015 @code{inhibit-same-window} entry, the selected window is not eligible
2016 for reuse. If @var{alist} contains a @code{reusable-frames} entry, its
2017 value determines which frames to search for a suitable window as with
2018 @code{display-buffer-reuse-window}.
2019
2020 If @var{alist} has a @code{previous-window} entry, the window
2021 specified by that entry will override any other window found by the
2022 methods above, even if that window never showed @var{buffer} before.
2023 @end defun
2024
2025 @defun display-buffer-use-some-window buffer alist
2026 This function tries to display @var{buffer} by choosing an existing
2027 window and displaying the buffer in that window. It can fail if all
2028 windows are dedicated to another buffer (@pxref{Dedicated Windows}).
2029 @end defun
2030
2031 To illustrate the use of action functions, consider the following
2032 example.
2033
2034 @example
2035 @group
2036 (display-buffer
2037 (get-buffer-create "*foo*")
2038 '((display-buffer-reuse-window
2039 display-buffer-pop-up-window
2040 display-buffer-pop-up-frame)
2041 (reusable-frames . 0)
2042 (window-height . 10) (window-width . 40)))
2043 @end group
2044 @end example
2045
2046 @noindent
2047 Evaluating the form above will cause @code{display-buffer} to proceed as
2048 follows: If a buffer called *foo* already appears on a visible or
2049 iconified frame, it will reuse its window. Otherwise, it will try to
2050 pop up a new window or, if that is impossible, a new frame and show the
2051 buffer there. If all these steps fail, it will proceed using whatever
2052 @code{display-buffer-base-action} and
2053 @code{display-buffer-fallback-action} prescribe.
2054
2055 Furthermore, @code{display-buffer} will try to adjust a reused window
2056 (provided *foo* was put by @code{display-buffer} there before) or a
2057 popped-up window as follows: If the window is part of a vertical
2058 combination, it will set its height to ten lines. Note that if, instead
2059 of the number ``10'', we specified the function
2060 @code{fit-window-to-buffer}, @code{display-buffer} would come up with a
2061 one-line window to fit the empty buffer. If the window is part of a
2062 horizontal combination, it sets its width to 40 columns. Whether a new
2063 window is vertically or horizontally combined depends on the shape of
2064 the window split and the values of
2065 @code{split-window-preferred-function}, @code{split-height-threshold}
2066 and @code{split-width-threshold} (@pxref{Choosing Window Options}).
2067
2068 Now suppose we combine this call with a preexisting setup for
2069 `display-buffer-alist' as follows.
2070
2071 @example
2072 @group
2073 (let ((display-buffer-alist
2074 (cons
2075 '("\\*foo\\*"
2076 (display-buffer-reuse-window display-buffer-below-selected)
2077 (reusable-frames)
2078 (window-height . 5))
2079 display-buffer-alist)))
2080 (display-buffer
2081 (get-buffer-create "*foo*")
2082 '((display-buffer-reuse-window
2083 display-buffer-pop-up-window
2084 display-buffer-pop-up-frame)
2085 (reusable-frames . 0)
2086 (window-height . 10) (window-width . 40))))
2087 @end group
2088 @end example
2089
2090 @noindent
2091 This form will have @code{display-buffer} first try reusing a window
2092 that shows *foo* on the selected frame. If there's no such window, it
2093 will try to split the selected window or, if that is impossible, use the
2094 window below the selected window.
2095
2096 If there's no window below the selected one, or the window below the
2097 selected one is dedicated to its buffer, @code{display-buffer} will
2098 proceed as described in the previous example. Note, however, that when
2099 it tries to adjust the height of any reused or popped-up window, it will
2100 in any case try to set its number of lines to ``5'' since that value
2101 overrides the corresponding specification in the @var{action} argument
2102 of @code{display-buffer}.
2103
2104
2105 @node Choosing Window Options
2106 @section Additional Options for Displaying Buffers
2107
2108 The behavior of the standard display actions of @code{display-buffer}
2109 (@pxref{Choosing Window}) can be modified by a variety of user
2110 options.
2111
2112 @defopt pop-up-windows
2113 If the value of this variable is non-@code{nil}, @code{display-buffer}
2114 is allowed to split an existing window to make a new window for
2115 displaying in. This is the default.
2116
2117 This variable is provided mainly for backward compatibility. It is
2118 obeyed by @code{display-buffer} via a special mechanism in
2119 @code{display-buffer-fallback-action}, which only calls the action
2120 function @code{display-buffer-pop-up-window} (@pxref{Display Action
2121 Functions}) when the value is @code{nil}. It is not consulted by
2122 @code{display-buffer-pop-up-window} itself, which the user may specify
2123 directly in @code{display-buffer-alist} etc.
2124 @end defopt
2125
2126 @defopt split-window-preferred-function
2127 This variable specifies a function for splitting a window, in order to
2128 make a new window for displaying a buffer. It is used by the
2129 @code{display-buffer-pop-up-window} action function to actually split
2130 the window (@pxref{Display Action Functions}).
2131
2132 The default value is @code{split-window-sensibly}, which is documented
2133 below. The value must be a function that takes one argument, a window,
2134 and return either a new window (which will be used to display the
2135 desired buffer) or @code{nil} (which means the splitting failed).
2136 @end defopt
2137
2138 @defun split-window-sensibly window
2139 This function tries to split @var{window}, and return the newly
2140 created window. If @var{window} cannot be split, it returns
2141 @code{nil}.
2142
2143 This function obeys the usual rules that determine when a window may
2144 be split (@pxref{Splitting Windows}). It first tries to split by
2145 placing the new window below, subject to the restriction imposed by
2146 @code{split-height-threshold} (see below), in addition to any other
2147 restrictions. If that fails, it tries to split by placing the new
2148 window to the right, subject to @code{split-width-threshold} (see
2149 below). If that fails, and the window is the only window on its
2150 frame, this function again tries to split and place the new window
2151 below, disregarding @code{split-height-threshold}. If this fails as
2152 well, this function gives up and returns @code{nil}.
2153 @end defun
2154
2155 @defopt split-height-threshold
2156 This variable, used by @code{split-window-sensibly}, specifies whether
2157 to split the window placing the new window below. If it is an
2158 integer, that means to split only if the original window has at least
2159 that many lines. If it is @code{nil}, that means not to split this
2160 way.
2161 @end defopt
2162
2163 @defopt split-width-threshold
2164 This variable, used by @code{split-window-sensibly}, specifies whether
2165 to split the window placing the new window to the right. If the value
2166 is an integer, that means to split only if the original window has at
2167 least that many columns. If the value is @code{nil}, that means not
2168 to split this way.
2169 @end defopt
2170
2171 @defopt pop-up-frames
2172 If the value of this variable is non-@code{nil}, that means
2173 @code{display-buffer} may display buffers by making new frames. The
2174 default is @code{nil}.
2175
2176 A non-@code{nil} value also means that when @code{display-buffer} is
2177 looking for a window already displaying @var{buffer-or-name}, it can
2178 search any visible or iconified frame, not just the selected frame.
2179
2180 This variable is provided mainly for backward compatibility. It is
2181 obeyed by @code{display-buffer} via a special mechanism in
2182 @code{display-buffer-fallback-action}, which calls the action function
2183 @code{display-buffer-pop-up-frame} (@pxref{Display Action Functions})
2184 if the value is non-@code{nil}. (This is done before attempting to
2185 split a window.) This variable is not consulted by
2186 @code{display-buffer-pop-up-frame} itself, which the user may specify
2187 directly in @code{display-buffer-alist} etc.
2188 @end defopt
2189
2190 @defopt pop-up-frame-function
2191 This variable specifies a function for creating a new frame, in order
2192 to make a new window for displaying a buffer. It is used by the
2193 @code{display-buffer-pop-up-frame} action function (@pxref{Display
2194 Action Functions}).
2195
2196 The value should be a function that takes no arguments and returns a
2197 frame, or @code{nil} if no frame could be created. The default value
2198 is a function that creates a frame using the parameters specified by
2199 @code{pop-up-frame-alist} (see below).
2200 @end defopt
2201
2202 @defopt pop-up-frame-alist
2203 This variable holds an alist of frame parameters (@pxref{Frame
2204 Parameters}), which is used by the default function in
2205 @code{pop-up-frame-function} to make a new frame. The default is
2206 @code{nil}.
2207 @end defopt
2208
2209 @defopt same-window-buffer-names
2210 A list of buffer names for buffers that should be displayed in the
2211 selected window. If a buffer's name is in this list,
2212 @code{display-buffer} handles the buffer by showing it in the selected
2213 window.
2214 @end defopt
2215
2216 @defopt same-window-regexps
2217 A list of regular expressions that specify buffers that should be
2218 displayed in the selected window. If the buffer's name matches any of
2219 the regular expressions in this list, @code{display-buffer} handles the
2220 buffer by showing it in the selected window.
2221 @end defopt
2222
2223 @defun same-window-p buffer-name
2224 This function returns @code{t} if displaying a buffer
2225 named @var{buffer-name} with @code{display-buffer} would
2226 put it in the selected window.
2227 @end defun
2228
2229 @node Window History
2230 @section Window History
2231 @cindex window history
2232
2233 Each window remembers in a list the buffers it has previously displayed,
2234 and the order in which these buffers were removed from it. This history
2235 is used, for example, by @code{replace-buffer-in-windows}
2236 (@pxref{Buffers and Windows}). The list is automatically maintained by
2237 Emacs, but you can use the following functions to explicitly inspect or
2238 alter it:
2239
2240 @defun window-prev-buffers &optional window
2241 This function returns a list specifying the previous contents of
2242 @var{window}. The optional argument @var{window} should be a live
2243 window and defaults to the selected one.
2244
2245 Each list element has the form @code{(@var{buffer} @var{window-start}
2246 @var{window-pos})}, where @var{buffer} is a buffer previously shown in
2247 the window, @var{window-start} is the window start position when that
2248 buffer was last shown, and @var{window-pos} is the point position when
2249 that buffer was last shown in @var{window}.
2250
2251 The list is ordered so that earlier elements correspond to more
2252 recently-shown buffers, and the first element usually corresponds to the
2253 buffer most recently removed from the window.
2254 @end defun
2255
2256 @defun set-window-prev-buffers window prev-buffers
2257 This function sets @var{window}'s previous buffers to the value of
2258 @var{prev-buffers}. The argument @var{window} must be a live window
2259 and defaults to the selected one. The argument @var{prev-buffers}
2260 should be a list of the same form as that returned by
2261 @code{window-prev-buffers}.
2262 @end defun
2263
2264 In addition, each buffer maintains a list of @dfn{next buffers}, which
2265 is a list of buffers re-shown by @code{switch-to-prev-buffer} (see
2266 below). This list is mainly used by @code{switch-to-prev-buffer} and
2267 @code{switch-to-next-buffer} for choosing buffers to switch to.
2268
2269 @defun window-next-buffers &optional window
2270 This function returns the list of buffers recently re-shown in
2271 @var{window} via @code{switch-to-prev-buffer}. The @var{window}
2272 argument must denote a live window or @code{nil} (meaning the selected
2273 window).
2274 @end defun
2275
2276 @defun set-window-next-buffers window next-buffers
2277 This function sets the next buffer list of @var{window} to
2278 @var{next-buffers}. The @var{window} argument should be a live window
2279 or @code{nil} (meaning the selected window). The argument
2280 @var{next-buffers} should be a list of buffers.
2281 @end defun
2282
2283 The following commands can be used to cycle through the global buffer
2284 list, much like @code{bury-buffer} and @code{unbury-buffer}. However,
2285 they cycle according to the specified window's history list, rather
2286 than the global buffer list. In addition, they restore
2287 window-specific window start and point positions, and may show a
2288 buffer even if it is already shown in another window. The
2289 @code{switch-to-prev-buffer} command, in particular, is used by
2290 @code{replace-buffer-in-windows}, @code{bury-buffer} and
2291 @code{quit-window} to find a replacement buffer for a window.
2292
2293 @deffn Command switch-to-prev-buffer &optional window bury-or-kill
2294 This command displays the previous buffer in @var{window}. The
2295 argument @var{window} should be a live window or @code{nil} (meaning
2296 the selected window). If the optional argument @var{bury-or-kill} is
2297 non-@code{nil}, this means that the buffer currently shown in
2298 @var{window} is about to be buried or killed and consequently should
2299 not be switched to in future invocations of this command.
2300
2301 The previous buffer is usually the buffer shown before the buffer
2302 currently shown in @var{window}. However, a buffer that has been buried
2303 or killed, or has been already shown by a recent invocation of
2304 @code{switch-to-prev-buffer}, does not qualify as previous buffer.
2305
2306 If repeated invocations of this command have already shown all buffers
2307 previously shown in @var{window}, further invocations will show buffers
2308 from the buffer list of the frame @var{window} appears on (@pxref{The
2309 Buffer List}), trying to skip buffers that are already shown in another
2310 window on that frame.
2311 @end deffn
2312
2313 @deffn Command switch-to-next-buffer &optional window
2314 This command switches to the next buffer in @var{window}, thus undoing
2315 the effect of the last @code{switch-to-prev-buffer} command in
2316 @var{window}. The argument @var{window} must be a live window and
2317 defaults to the selected one.
2318
2319 If there is no recent invocation of @code{switch-to-prev-buffer} that
2320 can be undone, this function tries to show a buffer from the buffer list
2321 of the frame @var{window} appears on (@pxref{The Buffer List}).
2322 @end deffn
2323
2324 By default @code{switch-to-prev-buffer} and @code{switch-to-next-buffer}
2325 can switch to a buffer that is already shown in another window on the
2326 same frame. The following option can be used to override this behavior.
2327
2328 @defopt switch-to-visible-buffer
2329 If this variable is non-@code{nil}, @code{switch-to-prev-buffer} and
2330 @code{switch-to-next-buffer} may switch to a buffer that is already
2331 visible on the same frame, provided the buffer was shown in the relevant
2332 window before. If it is @code{nil}, @code{switch-to-prev-buffer} and
2333 @code{switch-to-next-buffer} always try to avoid switching to a buffer
2334 that is already visible in another window on the same frame.
2335 @end defopt
2336
2337
2338 @node Dedicated Windows
2339 @section Dedicated Windows
2340 @cindex dedicated window
2341
2342 Functions for displaying a buffer can be told to not use specific
2343 windows by marking these windows as @dfn{dedicated} to their buffers.
2344 @code{display-buffer} (@pxref{Choosing Window}) never uses a dedicated
2345 window for displaying another buffer in it. @code{get-lru-window} and
2346 @code{get-largest-window} (@pxref{Cyclic Window Ordering}) do not
2347 consider dedicated windows as candidates when their @var{dedicated}
2348 argument is non-@code{nil}. The behavior of @code{set-window-buffer}
2349 (@pxref{Buffers and Windows}) with respect to dedicated windows is
2350 slightly different, see below.
2351
2352 Functions supposed to remove a buffer from a window or a window from
2353 a frame can behave specially when a window they operate on is dedicated.
2354 We will distinguish three basic cases, namely where (1) the window is
2355 not the only window on its frame, (2) the window is the only window on
2356 its frame but there are other frames on the same terminal left, and (3)
2357 the window is the only window on the only frame on the same terminal.
2358
2359 In particular, @code{delete-windows-on} (@pxref{Deleting Windows})
2360 handles case (2) by deleting the associated frame and case (3) by
2361 showing another buffer in that frame's only window. The function
2362 @code{replace-buffer-in-windows} (@pxref{Buffers and Windows}) which is
2363 called when a buffer gets killed, deletes the window in case (1) and
2364 behaves like @code{delete-windows-on} otherwise.
2365
2366 When @code{bury-buffer} (@pxref{The Buffer List}) operates on the
2367 selected window (which shows the buffer that shall be buried), it
2368 handles case (2) by calling @code{frame-auto-hide-function}
2369 (@pxref{Quitting Windows}) to deal with the selected frame. The other
2370 two cases are handled as with @code{replace-buffer-in-windows}.
2371
2372 @defun window-dedicated-p &optional window
2373 This function returns non-@code{nil} if @var{window} is dedicated to its
2374 buffer and @code{nil} otherwise. More precisely, the return value is
2375 the value assigned by the last call of @code{set-window-dedicated-p} for
2376 @var{window}, or @code{nil} if that function was never called with
2377 @var{window} as its argument. The default for @var{window} is the
2378 selected window.
2379 @end defun
2380
2381 @defun set-window-dedicated-p window flag
2382 This function marks @var{window} as dedicated to its buffer if
2383 @var{flag} is non-@code{nil}, and non-dedicated otherwise.
2384
2385 As a special case, if @var{flag} is @code{t}, @var{window} becomes
2386 @dfn{strongly} dedicated to its buffer. @code{set-window-buffer}
2387 signals an error when the window it acts upon is strongly dedicated to
2388 its buffer and does not already display the buffer it is asked to
2389 display. Other functions do not treat @code{t} differently from any
2390 non-@code{nil} value.
2391 @end defun
2392
2393
2394 @node Quitting Windows
2395 @section Quitting Windows
2396
2397 When you want to get rid of a window used for displaying a buffer, you
2398 can call @code{delete-window} or @code{delete-windows-on}
2399 (@pxref{Deleting Windows}) to remove that window from its frame. If the
2400 buffer is shown on a separate frame, you might want to call
2401 @code{delete-frame} (@pxref{Deleting Frames}) instead. If, on the other
2402 hand, a window has been reused for displaying the buffer, you might
2403 prefer showing the buffer previously shown in that window, by calling the
2404 function @code{switch-to-prev-buffer} (@pxref{Window History}).
2405 Finally, you might want to either bury (@pxref{The Buffer List}) or kill
2406 (@pxref{Killing Buffers}) the window's buffer.
2407
2408 The following command uses information on how the window for
2409 displaying the buffer was obtained in the first place, thus attempting
2410 to automate the above decisions for you.
2411
2412 @deffn Command quit-window &optional kill window
2413 This command quits @var{window} and buries its buffer. The argument
2414 @var{window} must be a live window and defaults to the selected one.
2415 With prefix argument @var{kill} non-@code{nil}, it kills the buffer
2416 instead of burying it. It calls the function @code{quit-restore-window}
2417 described next to deal with the window and its buffer.
2418 @end deffn
2419
2420 @defun quit-restore-window &optional window bury-or-kill
2421 This function tries to restore the state of @var{window} that existed
2422 before its buffer was displayed in it. The optional argument
2423 @var{window} must be a live window and defaults to the selected one.
2424
2425 If @var{window} was created specially for displaying its buffer, this
2426 function deletes @var{window} provided its frame contains at least one
2427 other live window. If @var{window} is the only window on its frame and
2428 there are other frames on the frame's terminal, the value of the
2429 optional argument @var{bury-or-kill} determines how to proceed with the
2430 window. If @var{bury-or-kill} equals @code{kill}, the frame is deleted
2431 unconditionally. Otherwise, the fate of the frame is determined by
2432 calling @code{frame-auto-hide-function} (see below) with that frame as
2433 sole argument.
2434
2435 Otherwise, this function tries to redisplay the buffer previously shown
2436 in @var{window}. It also tries to restore the window start
2437 (@pxref{Window Start and End}) and point (@pxref{Window Point})
2438 positions of the previously shown buffer. If, in addition,
2439 @var{window}'s buffer was temporarily resized, this function will also
2440 try to restore the original height of @var{window}.
2441
2442 The cases described so far require that the buffer shown in @var{window}
2443 is still the buffer displayed by the last buffer display function for
2444 this window. If another buffer has been shown in the meantime, or the
2445 buffer previously shown no longer exists, this function calls
2446 @code{switch-to-prev-buffer} (@pxref{Window History}) to show some other
2447 buffer instead.
2448
2449 The optional argument @var{bury-or-kill} specifies how to deal with
2450 @var{window}'s buffer. The following values are handled:
2451
2452 @table @code
2453 @item nil
2454 This means to not deal with the buffer in any particular way. As a
2455 consequence, if @var{window} is not deleted, invoking
2456 @code{switch-to-prev-buffer} will usually show the buffer again.
2457
2458 @item append
2459 This means that if @var{window} is not deleted, its buffer is moved to
2460 the end of @var{window}'s list of previous buffers, so it's less likely
2461 that a future invocation of @code{switch-to-prev-buffer} will switch to
2462 it. Also, it moves the buffer to the end of the frame's buffer list.
2463
2464 @item bury
2465 This means that if @var{window} is not deleted, its buffer is removed
2466 from @var{window}'s list of previous buffers. Also, it moves the buffer
2467 to the end of the frame's buffer list. This value provides the most
2468 reliable remedy to not have @code{switch-to-prev-buffer} switch to this
2469 buffer again without killing the buffer.
2470
2471 @item kill
2472 This means to kill @var{window}'s buffer.
2473 @end table
2474
2475 @code{quit-restore-window} bases its decisions on information stored in
2476 @var{window}'s @code{quit-restore} window parameter (@pxref{Window
2477 Parameters}), and resets that parameter to @code{nil} after it's done.
2478 @end defun
2479
2480 The following option specifies how to deal with a frame containing just
2481 one window that should be either quit, or whose buffer should be buried.
2482
2483 @defopt frame-auto-hide-function
2484 The function specified by this option is called to automatically hide
2485 frames. This function is called with one argument---a frame.
2486
2487 The function specified here is called by @code{bury-buffer} (@pxref{The
2488 Buffer List}) when the selected window is dedicated and shows the buffer
2489 to bury. It is also called by @code{quit-restore-window} (see above)
2490 when the frame of the window to quit has been specially created for
2491 displaying that window's buffer and the buffer is not killed.
2492
2493 The default is to call @code{iconify-frame} (@pxref{Visibility of
2494 Frames}). Alternatively, you may specify either @code{delete-frame}
2495 (@pxref{Deleting Frames}) to remove the frame from its display,
2496 @code{ignore} to leave the frame unchanged, or any other function that
2497 can take a frame as its sole argument.
2498
2499 Note that the function specified by this option is called only if the
2500 specified frame contains just one live window and there is at least one
2501 other frame on the same terminal.
2502 @end defopt
2503
2504
2505 @node Window Point
2506 @section Windows and Point
2507 @cindex window position
2508 @cindex window point
2509 @cindex position in window
2510 @cindex point in window
2511
2512 Each window has its own value of point (@pxref{Point}), independent of
2513 the value of point in other windows displaying the same buffer. This
2514 makes it useful to have multiple windows showing one buffer.
2515
2516 @itemize @bullet
2517 @item
2518 The window point is established when a window is first created; it is
2519 initialized from the buffer's point, or from the window point of another
2520 window opened on the buffer if such a window exists.
2521
2522 @item
2523 Selecting a window sets the value of point in its buffer from the
2524 window's value of point. Conversely, deselecting a window sets the
2525 window's value of point from that of the buffer. Thus, when you switch
2526 between windows that display a given buffer, the point value for the
2527 selected window is in effect in the buffer, while the point values for
2528 the other windows are stored in those windows.
2529
2530 @item
2531 As long as the selected window displays the current buffer, the window's
2532 point and the buffer's point always move together; they remain equal.
2533 @end itemize
2534
2535 @cindex cursor
2536 As far as the user is concerned, point is where the cursor is, and
2537 when the user switches to another buffer, the cursor jumps to the
2538 position of point in that buffer.
2539
2540 @defun window-point &optional window
2541 This function returns the current position of point in @var{window}.
2542 For a nonselected window, this is the value point would have (in that
2543 window's buffer) if that window were selected. The default for
2544 @var{window} is the selected window.
2545
2546 When @var{window} is the selected window, the value returned is the
2547 value of point in that window's buffer. Strictly speaking, it would be
2548 more correct to return the ``top-level'' value of point, outside of any
2549 @code{save-excursion} forms. But that value is hard to find.
2550 @end defun
2551
2552 @defun set-window-point window position
2553 This function positions point in @var{window} at position
2554 @var{position} in @var{window}'s buffer. It returns @var{position}.
2555
2556 If @var{window} is selected, this simply does @code{goto-char} in
2557 @var{window}'s buffer.
2558 @end defun
2559
2560 @defvar window-point-insertion-type
2561 This variable specifies the marker insertion type (@pxref{Marker
2562 Insertion Types}) of @code{window-point}. The default is @code{nil},
2563 so @code{window-point} will stay behind text inserted there.
2564 @end defvar
2565
2566 @node Window Start and End
2567 @section The Window Start and End Positions
2568 @cindex window start position
2569
2570 Each window maintains a marker used to keep track of a buffer position
2571 that specifies where in the buffer display should start. This position
2572 is called the @dfn{display-start} position of the window (or just the
2573 @dfn{start}). The character after this position is the one that appears
2574 at the upper left corner of the window. It is usually, but not
2575 inevitably, at the beginning of a text line.
2576
2577 After switching windows or buffers, and in some other cases, if the
2578 window start is in the middle of a line, Emacs adjusts the window
2579 start to the start of a line. This prevents certain operations from
2580 leaving the window start at a meaningless point within a line. This
2581 feature may interfere with testing some Lisp code by executing it
2582 using the commands of Lisp mode, because they trigger this
2583 readjustment. To test such code, put it into a command and bind the
2584 command to a key.
2585
2586 @defun window-start &optional window
2587 @cindex window top line
2588 This function returns the display-start position of window
2589 @var{window}. If @var{window} is @code{nil}, the selected window is
2590 used.
2591
2592 When you create a window, or display a different buffer in it, the
2593 display-start position is set to a display-start position recently used
2594 for the same buffer, or to @code{point-min} if the buffer doesn't have
2595 any.
2596
2597 Redisplay updates the window-start position (if you have not specified
2598 it explicitly since the previous redisplay)---to make sure point appears
2599 on the screen. Nothing except redisplay automatically changes the
2600 window-start position; if you move point, do not expect the window-start
2601 position to change in response until after the next redisplay.
2602 @end defun
2603
2604 @cindex window end position
2605 @defun window-end &optional window update
2606 This function returns the position where display of its buffer ends in
2607 @var{window}. The default for @var{window} is the selected window.
2608
2609 Simply changing the buffer text or moving point does not update the
2610 value that @code{window-end} returns. The value is updated only when
2611 Emacs redisplays and redisplay completes without being preempted.
2612
2613 If the last redisplay of @var{window} was preempted, and did not finish,
2614 Emacs does not know the position of the end of display in that window.
2615 In that case, this function returns @code{nil}.
2616
2617 If @var{update} is non-@code{nil}, @code{window-end} always returns an
2618 up-to-date value for where display ends, based on the current
2619 @code{window-start} value. If a previously saved value of that position
2620 is still valid, @code{window-end} returns that value; otherwise it
2621 computes the correct value by scanning the buffer text.
2622
2623 Even if @var{update} is non-@code{nil}, @code{window-end} does not
2624 attempt to scroll the display if point has moved off the screen, the
2625 way real redisplay would do. It does not alter the
2626 @code{window-start} value. In effect, it reports where the displayed
2627 text will end if scrolling is not required.
2628 @end defun
2629
2630 @defun set-window-start window position &optional noforce
2631 This function sets the display-start position of @var{window} to
2632 @var{position} in @var{window}'s buffer. It returns @var{position}.
2633
2634 The display routines insist that the position of point be visible when a
2635 buffer is displayed. Normally, they change the display-start position
2636 (that is, scroll the window) whenever necessary to make point visible.
2637 However, if you specify the start position with this function using
2638 @code{nil} for @var{noforce}, it means you want display to start at
2639 @var{position} even if that would put the location of point off the
2640 screen. If this does place point off screen, the display routines move
2641 point to the left margin on the middle line in the window.
2642
2643 For example, if point @w{is 1} and you set the start of the window
2644 @w{to 37}, the start of the next line, point will be ``above'' the top
2645 of the window. The display routines will automatically move point if
2646 it is still 1 when redisplay occurs. Here is an example:
2647
2648 @example
2649 @group
2650 ;; @r{Here is what @samp{foo} looks like before executing}
2651 ;; @r{the @code{set-window-start} expression.}
2652 @end group
2653
2654 @group
2655 ---------- Buffer: foo ----------
2656 @point{}This is the contents of buffer foo.
2657 2
2658 3
2659 4
2660 5
2661 6
2662 ---------- Buffer: foo ----------
2663 @end group
2664
2665 @group
2666 (set-window-start
2667 (selected-window)
2668 (save-excursion
2669 (goto-char 1)
2670 (forward-line 1)
2671 (point)))
2672 @result{} 37
2673 @end group
2674
2675 @group
2676 ;; @r{Here is what @samp{foo} looks like after executing}
2677 ;; @r{the @code{set-window-start} expression.}
2678 ---------- Buffer: foo ----------
2679 2
2680 3
2681 @point{}4
2682 5
2683 6
2684 ---------- Buffer: foo ----------
2685 @end group
2686 @end example
2687
2688 If @var{noforce} is non-@code{nil}, and @var{position} would place point
2689 off screen at the next redisplay, then redisplay computes a new window-start
2690 position that works well with point, and thus @var{position} is not used.
2691 @end defun
2692
2693 @defun pos-visible-in-window-p &optional position window partially
2694 This function returns non-@code{nil} if @var{position} is within the
2695 range of text currently visible on the screen in @var{window}. It
2696 returns @code{nil} if @var{position} is scrolled vertically out of view.
2697 Locations that are partially obscured are not considered visible unless
2698 @var{partially} is non-@code{nil}. The argument @var{position} defaults
2699 to the current position of point in @var{window}; @var{window}, to the
2700 selected window. If @var{position} is @code{t}, that means to check the
2701 last visible position in @var{window}.
2702
2703 This function considers only vertical scrolling. If @var{position} is
2704 out of view only because @var{window} has been scrolled horizontally,
2705 @code{pos-visible-in-window-p} returns non-@code{nil} anyway.
2706 @xref{Horizontal Scrolling}.
2707
2708 If @var{position} is visible, @code{pos-visible-in-window-p} returns
2709 @code{t} if @var{partially} is @code{nil}; if @var{partially} is
2710 non-@code{nil}, and the character following @var{position} is fully
2711 visible, it returns a list of the form @code{(@var{x} @var{y})}, where
2712 @var{x} and @var{y} are the pixel coordinates relative to the top left
2713 corner of the window; otherwise it returns an extended list of the form
2714 @code{(@var{x} @var{y} @var{rtop} @var{rbot} @var{rowh} @var{vpos})},
2715 where @var{rtop} and @var{rbot} specify the number of off-window pixels
2716 at the top and bottom of the row at @var{position}, @var{rowh} specifies
2717 the visible height of that row, and @var{vpos} specifies the vertical
2718 position (zero-based row number) of that row.
2719
2720 Here is an example:
2721
2722 @example
2723 @group
2724 ;; @r{If point is off the screen now, recenter it now.}
2725 (or (pos-visible-in-window-p
2726 (point) (selected-window))
2727 (recenter 0))
2728 @end group
2729 @end example
2730 @end defun
2731
2732 @defun window-line-height &optional line window
2733 This function returns the height of text line @var{line} in
2734 @var{window}. If @var{line} is one of @code{header-line} or
2735 @code{mode-line}, @code{window-line-height} returns information about
2736 the corresponding line of the window. Otherwise, @var{line} is a text
2737 line number starting from 0. A negative number counts from the end of
2738 the window. The default for @var{line} is the current line in
2739 @var{window}; the default for @var{window} is the selected window.
2740
2741 If the display is not up to date, @code{window-line-height} returns
2742 @code{nil}. In that case, @code{pos-visible-in-window-p} may be used
2743 to obtain related information.
2744
2745 If there is no line corresponding to the specified @var{line},
2746 @code{window-line-height} returns @code{nil}. Otherwise, it returns
2747 a list @code{(@var{height} @var{vpos} @var{ypos} @var{offbot})},
2748 where @var{height} is the height in pixels of the visible part of the
2749 line, @var{vpos} and @var{ypos} are the vertical position in lines and
2750 pixels of the line relative to the top of the first text line, and
2751 @var{offbot} is the number of off-window pixels at the bottom of the
2752 text line. If there are off-window pixels at the top of the (first)
2753 text line, @var{ypos} is negative.
2754 @end defun
2755
2756 @node Textual Scrolling
2757 @section Textual Scrolling
2758 @cindex textual scrolling
2759 @cindex scrolling textually
2760
2761 @dfn{Textual scrolling} means moving the text up or down through a
2762 window. It works by changing the window's display-start location. It
2763 may also change the value of @code{window-point} to keep point on the
2764 screen (@pxref{Window Point}).
2765
2766 The basic textual scrolling functions are @code{scroll-up} (which
2767 scrolls forward) and @code{scroll-down} (which scrolls backward). In
2768 these function names, ``up'' and ``down'' refer to the direction of
2769 motion of the buffer text relative to the window. Imagine that the
2770 text is written on a long roll of paper and that the scrolling
2771 commands move the paper up and down. Thus, if you are looking at the
2772 middle of a buffer and repeatedly call @code{scroll-down}, you will
2773 eventually see the beginning of the buffer.
2774
2775 Unfortunately, this sometimes causes confusion, because some people
2776 tend to think in terms of the opposite convention: they
2777 imagine the window moving over text that remains in place, so that
2778 ``down'' commands take you to the end of the buffer. This convention
2779 is consistent with fact that such a command is bound to a key named
2780 @key{PageDown} on modern keyboards.
2781 @ignore
2782 We have not switched to this convention as that is likely to break
2783 existing Emacs Lisp code.
2784 @end ignore
2785
2786 Textual scrolling functions (aside from @code{scroll-other-window})
2787 have unpredictable results if the current buffer is not the one
2788 displayed in the selected window. @xref{Current Buffer}.
2789
2790 If the window contains a row taller than the height of the window
2791 (for example in the presence of a large image), the scroll functions
2792 will adjust the window's vertical scroll position to scroll the
2793 partially visible row. Lisp callers can disable this feature by
2794 binding the variable @code{auto-window-vscroll} to @code{nil}
2795 (@pxref{Vertical Scrolling}).
2796
2797 @deffn Command scroll-up &optional count
2798 This function scrolls forward by @var{count} lines in the selected
2799 window.
2800
2801 If @var{count} is negative, it scrolls backward instead. If
2802 @var{count} is @code{nil} (or omitted), the distance scrolled is
2803 @code{next-screen-context-lines} lines less than the height of the
2804 window's text area.
2805
2806 If the selected window cannot be scrolled any further, this function
2807 signals an error. Otherwise, it returns @code{nil}.
2808 @end deffn
2809
2810 @deffn Command scroll-down &optional count
2811 This function scrolls backward by @var{count} lines in the selected
2812 window.
2813
2814 If @var{count} is negative, it scrolls forward instead. In other
2815 respects, it behaves the same way as @code{scroll-up} does.
2816 @end deffn
2817
2818 @deffn Command scroll-up-command &optional count
2819 This behaves like @code{scroll-up}, except that if the selected window
2820 cannot be scrolled any further and the value of the variable
2821 @code{scroll-error-top-bottom} is @code{t}, it tries to move to the
2822 end of the buffer instead. If point is already there, it signals an
2823 error.
2824 @end deffn
2825
2826 @deffn Command scroll-down-command &optional count
2827 This behaves like @code{scroll-down}, except that if the selected
2828 window cannot be scrolled any further and the value of the variable
2829 @code{scroll-error-top-bottom} is @code{t}, it tries to move to the
2830 beginning of the buffer instead. If point is already there, it
2831 signals an error.
2832 @end deffn
2833
2834 @deffn Command scroll-other-window &optional count
2835 This function scrolls the text in another window upward @var{count}
2836 lines. Negative values of @var{count}, or @code{nil}, are handled
2837 as in @code{scroll-up}.
2838
2839 You can specify which buffer to scroll by setting the variable
2840 @code{other-window-scroll-buffer} to a buffer. If that buffer isn't
2841 already displayed, @code{scroll-other-window} displays it in some
2842 window.
2843
2844 When the selected window is the minibuffer, the next window is normally
2845 the leftmost one immediately above it. You can specify a different
2846 window to scroll, when the minibuffer is selected, by setting the variable
2847 @code{minibuffer-scroll-window}. This variable has no effect when any
2848 other window is selected. When it is non-@code{nil} and the
2849 minibuffer is selected, it takes precedence over
2850 @code{other-window-scroll-buffer}. @xref{Definition of
2851 minibuffer-scroll-window}.
2852
2853 When the minibuffer is active, it is the next window if the selected
2854 window is the one at the bottom right corner. In this case,
2855 @code{scroll-other-window} attempts to scroll the minibuffer. If the
2856 minibuffer contains just one line, it has nowhere to scroll to, so the
2857 line reappears after the echo area momentarily displays the message
2858 @samp{End of buffer}.
2859 @end deffn
2860
2861 @defvar other-window-scroll-buffer
2862 If this variable is non-@code{nil}, it tells @code{scroll-other-window}
2863 which buffer's window to scroll.
2864 @end defvar
2865
2866 @defopt scroll-margin
2867 This option specifies the size of the scroll margin---a minimum number
2868 of lines between point and the top or bottom of a window. Whenever
2869 point gets within this many lines of the top or bottom of the window,
2870 redisplay scrolls the text automatically (if possible) to move point
2871 out of the margin, closer to the center of the window.
2872 @end defopt
2873
2874 @defopt scroll-conservatively
2875 This variable controls how scrolling is done automatically when point
2876 moves off the screen (or into the scroll margin). If the value is a
2877 positive integer @var{n}, then redisplay scrolls the text up to
2878 @var{n} lines in either direction, if that will bring point back into
2879 proper view. This behavior is called @dfn{conservative scrolling}.
2880 Otherwise, scrolling happens in the usual way, under the control of
2881 other variables such as @code{scroll-up-aggressively} and
2882 @code{scroll-down-aggressively}.
2883
2884 The default value is zero, which means that conservative scrolling
2885 never happens.
2886 @end defopt
2887
2888 @defopt scroll-down-aggressively
2889 The value of this variable should be either @code{nil} or a fraction
2890 @var{f} between 0 and 1. If it is a fraction, that specifies where on
2891 the screen to put point when scrolling down. More precisely, when a
2892 window scrolls down because point is above the window start, the new
2893 start position is chosen to put point @var{f} part of the window
2894 height from the top. The larger @var{f}, the more aggressive the
2895 scrolling.
2896
2897 A value of @code{nil} is equivalent to .5, since its effect is to center
2898 point. This variable automatically becomes buffer-local when set in any
2899 fashion.
2900 @end defopt
2901
2902 @defopt scroll-up-aggressively
2903 Likewise, for scrolling up. The value, @var{f}, specifies how far
2904 point should be placed from the bottom of the window; thus, as with
2905 @code{scroll-up-aggressively}, a larger value scrolls more aggressively.
2906 @end defopt
2907
2908 @defopt scroll-step
2909 This variable is an older variant of @code{scroll-conservatively}.
2910 The difference is that if its value is @var{n}, that permits scrolling
2911 only by precisely @var{n} lines, not a smaller number. This feature
2912 does not work with @code{scroll-margin}. The default value is zero.
2913 @end defopt
2914
2915 @cindex @code{scroll-command} property
2916 @defopt scroll-preserve-screen-position
2917 If this option is @code{t}, whenever a scrolling command moves point
2918 off-window, Emacs tries to adjust point to keep the cursor at its old
2919 vertical position in the window, rather than the window edge.
2920
2921 If the value is non-@code{nil} and not @code{t}, Emacs adjusts point
2922 to keep the cursor at the same vertical position, even if the
2923 scrolling command didn't move point off-window.
2924
2925 This option affects all scroll commands that have a non-@code{nil}
2926 @code{scroll-command} symbol property.
2927 @end defopt
2928
2929 @defopt next-screen-context-lines
2930 The value of this variable is the number of lines of continuity to
2931 retain when scrolling by full screens. For example, @code{scroll-up}
2932 with an argument of @code{nil} scrolls so that this many lines at the
2933 bottom of the window appear instead at the top. The default value is
2934 @code{2}.
2935 @end defopt
2936
2937 @defopt scroll-error-top-bottom
2938 If this option is @code{nil} (the default), @code{scroll-up-command}
2939 and @code{scroll-down-command} simply signal an error when no more
2940 scrolling is possible.
2941
2942 If the value is @code{t}, these commands instead move point to the
2943 beginning or end of the buffer (depending on scrolling direction);
2944 only if point is already on that position do they signal an error.
2945 @end defopt
2946
2947 @deffn Command recenter &optional count
2948 @cindex centering point
2949 This function scrolls the text in the selected window so that point is
2950 displayed at a specified vertical position within the window. It does
2951 not ``move point'' with respect to the text.
2952
2953 If @var{count} is a non-negative number, that puts the line containing
2954 point @var{count} lines down from the top of the window. If
2955 @var{count} is a negative number, then it counts upward from the
2956 bottom of the window, so that @minus{}1 stands for the last usable
2957 line in the window.
2958
2959 If @var{count} is @code{nil} (or a non-@code{nil} list),
2960 @code{recenter} puts the line containing point in the middle of the
2961 window. If @var{count} is @code{nil}, this function may redraw the
2962 frame, according to the value of @code{recenter-redisplay}.
2963
2964 When @code{recenter} is called interactively, @var{count} is the raw
2965 prefix argument. Thus, typing @kbd{C-u} as the prefix sets the
2966 @var{count} to a non-@code{nil} list, while typing @kbd{C-u 4} sets
2967 @var{count} to 4, which positions the current line four lines from the
2968 top.
2969
2970 With an argument of zero, @code{recenter} positions the current line at
2971 the top of the window. The command @code{recenter-top-bottom} offers
2972 a more convenient way to achieve this.
2973 @end deffn
2974
2975 @defopt recenter-redisplay
2976 If this variable is non-@code{nil}, calling @code{recenter} with a
2977 @code{nil} argument redraws the frame. The default value is
2978 @code{tty}, which means only redraw the frame if it is a tty frame.
2979 @end defopt
2980
2981 @deffn Command recenter-top-bottom &optional count
2982 This command, which is the default binding for @kbd{C-l}, acts like
2983 @code{recenter}, except if called with no argument. In that case,
2984 successive calls place point according to the cycling order defined
2985 by the variable @code{recenter-positions}.
2986 @end deffn
2987
2988 @defopt recenter-positions
2989 This variable controls how @code{recenter-top-bottom} behaves when
2990 called with no argument. The default value is @code{(middle top
2991 bottom)}, which means that successive calls of
2992 @code{recenter-top-bottom} with no argument cycle between placing
2993 point at the middle, top, and bottom of the window.
2994 @end defopt
2995
2996
2997 @node Vertical Scrolling
2998 @section Vertical Fractional Scrolling
2999 @cindex vertical fractional scrolling
3000 @cindex vertical scroll position
3001
3002 @dfn{Vertical fractional scrolling} means shifting text in a window
3003 up or down by a specified multiple or fraction of a line. Each window
3004 has a @dfn{vertical scroll position}, which is a number, never less than
3005 zero. It specifies how far to raise the contents of the window.
3006 Raising the window contents generally makes all or part of some lines
3007 disappear off the top, and all or part of some other lines appear at the
3008 bottom. The usual value is zero.
3009
3010 The vertical scroll position is measured in units of the normal line
3011 height, which is the height of the default font. Thus, if the value is
3012 .5, that means the window contents are scrolled up half the normal line
3013 height. If it is 3.3, that means the window contents are scrolled up
3014 somewhat over three times the normal line height.
3015
3016 What fraction of a line the vertical scrolling covers, or how many
3017 lines, depends on what the lines contain. A value of .5 could scroll a
3018 line whose height is very short off the screen, while a value of 3.3
3019 could scroll just part of the way through a tall line or an image.
3020
3021 @defun window-vscroll &optional window pixels-p
3022 This function returns the current vertical scroll position of
3023 @var{window}. The default for @var{window} is the selected window.
3024 If @var{pixels-p} is non-@code{nil}, the return value is measured in
3025 pixels, rather than in units of the normal line height.
3026
3027 @example
3028 @group
3029 (window-vscroll)
3030 @result{} 0
3031 @end group
3032 @end example
3033 @end defun
3034
3035 @defun set-window-vscroll window lines &optional pixels-p
3036 This function sets @var{window}'s vertical scroll position to
3037 @var{lines}. If @var{window} is @code{nil}, the selected window is
3038 used. The argument @var{lines} should be zero or positive; if not, it
3039 is taken as zero.
3040
3041
3042 The actual vertical scroll position must always correspond
3043 to an integral number of pixels, so the value you specify
3044 is rounded accordingly.
3045
3046 The return value is the result of this rounding.
3047
3048 @example
3049 @group
3050 (set-window-vscroll (selected-window) 1.2)
3051 @result{} 1.13
3052 @end group
3053 @end example
3054
3055 If @var{pixels-p} is non-@code{nil}, @var{lines} specifies a number of
3056 pixels. In this case, the return value is @var{lines}.
3057 @end defun
3058
3059 @defvar auto-window-vscroll
3060 If this variable is non-@code{nil}, the @code{line-move},
3061 @code{scroll-up}, and @code{scroll-down} functions will automatically
3062 modify the vertical scroll position to scroll through display rows
3063 that are taller than the height of the window, for example in the
3064 presence of large images.
3065 @end defvar
3066
3067 @node Horizontal Scrolling
3068 @section Horizontal Scrolling
3069 @cindex horizontal scrolling
3070
3071 @dfn{Horizontal scrolling} means shifting the image in the window left
3072 or right by a specified multiple of the normal character width. Each
3073 window has a @dfn{horizontal scroll position}, which is a number, never
3074 less than zero. It specifies how far to shift the contents left.
3075 Shifting the window contents left generally makes all or part of some
3076 characters disappear off the left, and all or part of some other
3077 characters appear at the right. The usual value is zero.
3078
3079 The horizontal scroll position is measured in units of the normal
3080 character width, which is the width of space in the default font. Thus,
3081 if the value is 5, that means the window contents are scrolled left by 5
3082 times the normal character width. How many characters actually
3083 disappear off to the left depends on their width, and could vary from
3084 line to line.
3085
3086 Because we read from side to side in the ``inner loop'', and from top
3087 to bottom in the ``outer loop'', the effect of horizontal scrolling is
3088 not like that of textual or vertical scrolling. Textual scrolling
3089 involves selection of a portion of text to display, and vertical
3090 scrolling moves the window contents contiguously; but horizontal
3091 scrolling causes part of @emph{each line} to go off screen.
3092
3093 Usually, no horizontal scrolling is in effect; then the leftmost
3094 column is at the left edge of the window. In this state, scrolling to
3095 the right is meaningless, since there is no data to the left of the edge
3096 to be revealed by it; so this is not allowed. Scrolling to the left is
3097 allowed; it scrolls the first columns of text off the edge of the window
3098 and can reveal additional columns on the right that were truncated
3099 before. Once a window has a nonzero amount of leftward horizontal
3100 scrolling, you can scroll it back to the right, but only so far as to
3101 reduce the net horizontal scroll to zero. There is no limit to how far
3102 left you can scroll, but eventually all the text will disappear off the
3103 left edge.
3104
3105 @vindex auto-hscroll-mode
3106 If @code{auto-hscroll-mode} is set, redisplay automatically alters
3107 the horizontal scrolling of a window as necessary to ensure that point
3108 is always visible. However, you can still set the horizontal
3109 scrolling value explicitly. The value you specify serves as a lower
3110 bound for automatic scrolling, i.e., automatic scrolling will not
3111 scroll a window to a column less than the specified one.
3112
3113 @deffn Command scroll-left &optional count set-minimum
3114 This function scrolls the selected window @var{count} columns to the
3115 left (or to the right if @var{count} is negative). The default
3116 for @var{count} is the window width, minus 2.
3117
3118 The return value is the total amount of leftward horizontal scrolling in
3119 effect after the change---just like the value returned by
3120 @code{window-hscroll} (below).
3121
3122 Once you scroll a window as far right as it can go, back to its normal
3123 position where the total leftward scrolling is zero, attempts to scroll
3124 any farther right have no effect.
3125
3126 If @var{set-minimum} is non-@code{nil}, the new scroll amount becomes
3127 the lower bound for automatic scrolling; that is, automatic scrolling
3128 will not scroll a window to a column less than the value returned by
3129 this function. Interactive calls pass non-@code{nil} for
3130 @var{set-minimum}.
3131 @end deffn
3132
3133 @deffn Command scroll-right &optional count set-minimum
3134 This function scrolls the selected window @var{count} columns to the
3135 right (or to the left if @var{count} is negative). The default
3136 for @var{count} is the window width, minus 2. Aside from the direction
3137 of scrolling, this works just like @code{scroll-left}.
3138 @end deffn
3139
3140 @defun window-hscroll &optional window
3141 This function returns the total leftward horizontal scrolling of
3142 @var{window}---the number of columns by which the text in @var{window}
3143 is scrolled left past the left margin. The default for
3144 @var{window} is the selected window.
3145
3146 The return value is never negative. It is zero when no horizontal
3147 scrolling has been done in @var{window} (which is usually the case).
3148
3149
3150 @example
3151 @group
3152 (window-hscroll)
3153 @result{} 0
3154 @end group
3155 @group
3156 (scroll-left 5)
3157 @result{} 5
3158 @end group
3159 @group
3160 (window-hscroll)
3161 @result{} 5
3162 @end group
3163 @end example
3164 @end defun
3165
3166 @defun set-window-hscroll window columns
3167 This function sets horizontal scrolling of @var{window}. The value of
3168 @var{columns} specifies the amount of scrolling, in terms of columns
3169 from the left margin. The argument @var{columns} should be zero or
3170 positive; if not, it is taken as zero. Fractional values of
3171 @var{columns} are not supported at present.
3172
3173 Note that @code{set-window-hscroll} may appear not to work if you test
3174 it by evaluating a call with @kbd{M-:} in a simple way. What happens
3175 is that the function sets the horizontal scroll value and returns, but
3176 then redisplay adjusts the horizontal scrolling to make point visible,
3177 and this overrides what the function did. You can observe the
3178 function's effect if you call it while point is sufficiently far from
3179 the left margin that it will remain visible.
3180
3181 The value returned is @var{columns}.
3182
3183 @example
3184 @group
3185 (set-window-hscroll (selected-window) 10)
3186 @result{} 10
3187 @end group
3188 @end example
3189 @end defun
3190
3191 Here is how you can determine whether a given position @var{position}
3192 is off the screen due to horizontal scrolling:
3193
3194 @example
3195 @group
3196 (defun hscroll-on-screen (window position)
3197 (save-excursion
3198 (goto-char position)
3199 (and
3200 (>= (- (current-column) (window-hscroll window)) 0)
3201 (< (- (current-column) (window-hscroll window))
3202 (window-width window)))))
3203 @end group
3204 @end example
3205
3206 @node Coordinates and Windows
3207 @section Coordinates and Windows
3208 @cindex frame-relative coordinate
3209 @cindex coordinate, relative to frame
3210 @cindex window position
3211
3212 This section describes functions that report the position of a
3213 window. Most of these functions report positions relative to the
3214 window's frame. In this case, the coordinate origin @samp{(0,0)} lies
3215 near the upper left corner of the frame. For technical reasons, on
3216 graphical displays the origin is not located at the exact corner of
3217 the graphical window as it appears on the screen. If Emacs is built
3218 with the GTK+ toolkit, the origin is at the upper left corner of the
3219 frame area used for displaying Emacs windows, below the title-bar,
3220 GTK+ menu bar, and tool bar (since these are drawn by the window
3221 manager and/or GTK+, not by Emacs). But if Emacs is not built with
3222 GTK+, the origin is at the upper left corner of the tool bar (since in
3223 this case Emacs itself draws the tool bar). In both cases, the X and
3224 Y coordinates increase rightward and downward respectively.
3225
3226 Except where noted, X and Y coordinates are reported in integer
3227 character units, i.e., numbers of lines and columns respectively. On a
3228 graphical display, each ``line'' and ``column'' corresponds to the
3229 height and width of a default character specified by the frame's
3230 default font.
3231
3232 @defun window-edges &optional window
3233 This function returns a list of the edge coordinates of @var{window}.
3234 If @var{window} is omitted or @code{nil}, it defaults to the selected
3235 window.
3236
3237 The return value has the form @code{(@var{left} @var{top} @var{right}
3238 @var{bottom})}. These list elements are, respectively, the X
3239 coordinate of the leftmost column occupied by the window, the Y
3240 coordinate of the topmost row, the X coordinate one column to the
3241 right of the rightmost column, and the Y coordinate one row down from
3242 the bottommost row.
3243
3244 Note that these are the actual outer edges of the window, including
3245 any header line, mode line, scroll bar, fringes, and display margins.
3246 On a text terminal, if the window has a neighbor on its right, its
3247 right edge includes the separator line between the window and its
3248 neighbor.
3249 @end defun
3250
3251 @defun window-inside-edges &optional window
3252 This function is similar to @code{window-edges}, but the returned edge
3253 values are for the text area of the window. They exclude any header
3254 line, mode line, scroll bar, fringes, display margins, and vertical
3255 separator.
3256 @end defun
3257
3258 @defun window-top-line &optional window
3259 This function returns the Y coordinate of the topmost row of
3260 @var{window}, equivalent to the @var{top} entry in the list returned
3261 by @code{window-edges}.
3262 @end defun
3263
3264 @defun window-left-column &optional window
3265 This function returns the X coordinate of the leftmost column of
3266 @var{window}, equivalent to the @var{left} entry in the list returned
3267 by @code{window-edges}.
3268 @end defun
3269
3270 The following functions can be used to relate a set of
3271 frame-relative coordinates to a window:
3272
3273 @defun window-at x y &optional frame
3274 This function returns the live window at the frame-relative
3275 coordinates @var{x} and @var{y}, on frame @var{frame}. If there is no
3276 window at that position, the return value is @code{nil}. If
3277 @var{frame} is omitted or @code{nil}, it defaults to the selected
3278 frame.
3279 @end defun
3280
3281 @defun coordinates-in-window-p coordinates window
3282 This function checks whether a window @var{window} occupies the
3283 frame-relative coordinates @var{coordinates}, and if so, which part of
3284 the window that is. @var{window} should be a live window.
3285 @var{coordinates} should be a cons cell of the form @code{(@var{x}
3286 . @var{y})}, where @var{x} and @var{y} are frame-relative coordinates.
3287
3288 If there is no window at the specified position, the return value is
3289 @code{nil} . Otherwise, the return value is one of the following:
3290
3291 @table @code
3292 @item (@var{relx} . @var{rely})
3293 The coordinates are inside @var{window}. The numbers @var{relx} and
3294 @var{rely} are the equivalent window-relative coordinates for the
3295 specified position, counting from 0 at the top left corner of the
3296 window.
3297
3298 @item mode-line
3299 The coordinates are in the mode line of @var{window}.
3300
3301 @item header-line
3302 The coordinates are in the header line of @var{window}.
3303
3304 @item vertical-line
3305 The coordinates are in the vertical line between @var{window} and its
3306 neighbor to the right. This value occurs only if the window doesn't
3307 have a scroll bar; positions in a scroll bar are considered outside the
3308 window for these purposes.
3309
3310 @item left-fringe
3311 @itemx right-fringe
3312 The coordinates are in the left or right fringe of the window.
3313
3314 @item left-margin
3315 @itemx right-margin
3316 The coordinates are in the left or right margin of the window.
3317
3318 @item nil
3319 The coordinates are not in any part of @var{window}.
3320 @end table
3321
3322 The function @code{coordinates-in-window-p} does not require a frame as
3323 argument because it always uses the frame that @var{window} is on.
3324 @end defun
3325
3326 The following functions return window positions in pixels, rather
3327 than character units. Though mostly useful on graphical displays,
3328 they can also be called on text terminals, where the screen area of
3329 each text character is taken to be ``one pixel''.
3330
3331 @defun window-pixel-edges &optional window
3332 This function returns a list of pixel coordinates for the edges of
3333 @var{window}. If @var{window} is omitted or @code{nil}, it defaults
3334 to the selected window.
3335
3336 The return value has the form @code{(@var{left} @var{top} @var{right}
3337 @var{bottom})}. The list elements are, respectively, the X pixel
3338 coordinate of the left window edge, the Y pixel coordinate of the top
3339 edge, one more than the X pixel coordinate of the right edge, and one
3340 more than the Y pixel coordinate of the bottom edge.
3341 @end defun
3342
3343 @defun window-inside-pixel-edges &optional window
3344 This function is like @code{window-pixel-edges}, except that it
3345 returns the pixel coordinates for the edges of the window's text area,
3346 rather than the pixel coordinates for the edges of the window itself.
3347 @var{window} must specify a live window.
3348 @end defun
3349
3350 The following functions return window positions in pixels, relative
3351 to the display screen rather than the frame:
3352
3353 @defun window-absolute-pixel-edges &optional window
3354 This function is like @code{window-pixel-edges}, except that it
3355 returns the edge pixel coordinates relative to the top left corner of
3356 the display screen.
3357 @end defun
3358
3359 @defun window-inside-absolute-pixel-edges &optional window
3360 This function is like @code{window-inside-pixel-edges}, except that it
3361 returns the edge pixel coordinates relative to the top left corner of
3362 the display screen. @var{window} must specify a live window.
3363 @end defun
3364
3365 @node Window Configurations
3366 @section Window Configurations
3367 @cindex window configurations
3368 @cindex saving window information
3369
3370 A @dfn{window configuration} records the entire layout of one
3371 frame---all windows, their sizes, which buffers they contain, how those
3372 buffers are scrolled, and their values of point and the mark; also their
3373 fringes, margins, and scroll bar settings. It also includes the value
3374 of @code{minibuffer-scroll-window}. As a special exception, the window
3375 configuration does not record the value of point in the selected window
3376 for the current buffer.
3377
3378 You can bring back an entire frame layout by restoring a previously
3379 saved window configuration. If you want to record the layout of all
3380 frames instead of just one, use a frame configuration instead of a
3381 window configuration. @xref{Frame Configurations}.
3382
3383 @defun current-window-configuration &optional frame
3384 This function returns a new object representing @var{frame}'s current
3385 window configuration. The default for @var{frame} is the selected
3386 frame. The variable @code{window-persistent-parameters} specifies
3387 which window parameters (if any) are saved by this function.
3388 @xref{Window Parameters}.
3389 @end defun
3390
3391 @defun set-window-configuration configuration
3392 This function restores the configuration of windows and buffers as
3393 specified by @var{configuration}, for the frame that @var{configuration}
3394 was created for.
3395
3396 The argument @var{configuration} must be a value that was previously
3397 returned by @code{current-window-configuration}. The configuration is
3398 restored in the frame from which @var{configuration} was made, whether
3399 that frame is selected or not. This always counts as a window size
3400 change and triggers execution of the @code{window-size-change-functions}
3401 (@pxref{Window Hooks}), because @code{set-window-configuration} doesn't
3402 know how to tell whether the new configuration actually differs from the
3403 old one.
3404
3405 If the frame from which @var{configuration} was saved is dead, all this
3406 function does is restore the three variables @code{window-min-height},
3407 @code{window-min-width} and @code{minibuffer-scroll-window}. In this
3408 case, the function returns @code{nil}. Otherwise, it returns @code{t}.
3409
3410 Here is a way of using this function to get the same effect
3411 as @code{save-window-excursion}:
3412
3413 @example
3414 @group
3415 (let ((config (current-window-configuration)))
3416 (unwind-protect
3417 (progn (split-window-below nil)
3418 @dots{})
3419 (set-window-configuration config)))
3420 @end group
3421 @end example
3422 @end defun
3423
3424 @defmac save-window-excursion forms@dots{}
3425 This macro records the window configuration of the selected frame,
3426 executes @var{forms} in sequence, then restores the earlier window
3427 configuration. The return value is the value of the final form in
3428 @var{forms}.
3429
3430 Most Lisp code should not use this macro; @code{save-selected-window}
3431 is typically sufficient. In particular, this macro cannot reliably
3432 prevent the code in @var{forms} from opening new windows, because new
3433 windows might be opened in other frames (@pxref{Choosing Window}), and
3434 @code{save-window-excursion} only saves and restores the window
3435 configuration on the current frame.
3436
3437 Do not use this macro in @code{window-size-change-functions}; exiting
3438 the macro triggers execution of @code{window-size-change-functions},
3439 leading to an endless loop.
3440 @end defmac
3441
3442 @defun window-configuration-p object
3443 This function returns @code{t} if @var{object} is a window configuration.
3444 @end defun
3445
3446 @defun compare-window-configurations config1 config2
3447 This function compares two window configurations as regards the
3448 structure of windows, but ignores the values of point and mark and the
3449 saved scrolling positions---it can return @code{t} even if those
3450 aspects differ.
3451
3452 The function @code{equal} can also compare two window configurations; it
3453 regards configurations as unequal if they differ in any respect, even a
3454 saved point or mark.
3455 @end defun
3456
3457 @defun window-configuration-frame config
3458 This function returns the frame for which the window configuration
3459 @var{config} was made.
3460 @end defun
3461
3462 Other primitives to look inside of window configurations would make
3463 sense, but are not implemented because we did not need them. See the
3464 file @file{winner.el} for some more operations on windows
3465 configurations.
3466
3467 The objects returned by @code{current-window-configuration} die
3468 together with the Emacs process. In order to store a window
3469 configuration on disk and read it back in another Emacs session, you
3470 can use the functions described next. These functions are also useful
3471 to clone the state of a frame into an arbitrary live window
3472 (@code{set-window-configuration} effectively clones the windows of a
3473 frame into the root window of that very frame only).
3474
3475 @defun window-state-get &optional window writable
3476 This function returns the state of @var{window} as a Lisp object. The
3477 argument @var{window} must be a valid window and defaults to the root
3478 window of the selected frame.
3479
3480 If the optional argument @var{writable} is non-@code{nil}, this means to
3481 not use markers for sampling positions like @code{window-point} or
3482 @code{window-start}. This argument should be non-@code{nil} when the
3483 state will be written to disk and read back in another session.
3484
3485 Together, the argument @var{writable} and the variable
3486 @code{window-persistent-parameters} specify which window parameters are
3487 saved by this function. @xref{Window Parameters}.
3488 @end defun
3489
3490 The value returned by @code{window-state-get} can be used in the same
3491 session to make a clone of a window in another window. It can be also
3492 written to disk and read back in another session. In either case, use
3493 the following function to restore the state of the window.
3494
3495 @defun window-state-put state &optional window ignore
3496 This function puts the window state @var{state} into @var{window}. The
3497 argument @var{state} should be the state of a window returned by an
3498 earlier invocation of @code{window-state-get}, see above. The optional
3499 argument @var{window} must specify a live window and defaults to the
3500 selected one.
3501
3502 If the optional argument @var{ignore} is non-@code{nil}, it means to ignore
3503 minimum window sizes and fixed-size restrictions. If @var{ignore}
3504 is @code{safe}, this means windows can get as small as one line
3505 and/or two columns.
3506 @end defun
3507
3508
3509 @node Window Parameters
3510 @section Window Parameters
3511 @cindex window parameters
3512
3513 This section describes how window parameters can be used to associate
3514 additional information with windows.
3515
3516 @defun window-parameter window parameter
3517 This function returns @var{window}'s value for @var{parameter}. The
3518 default for @var{window} is the selected window. If @var{window} has no
3519 setting for @var{parameter}, this function returns @code{nil}.
3520 @end defun
3521
3522 @defun window-parameters &optional window
3523 This function returns all parameters of @var{window} and their values.
3524 The default for @var{window} is the selected window. The return value
3525 is either @code{nil}, or an association list whose elements have the form
3526 @code{(@var{parameter} . @var{value})}.
3527 @end defun
3528
3529 @defun set-window-parameter window parameter value
3530 This function sets @var{window}'s value of @var{parameter} to
3531 @var{value} and returns @var{value}. The default for @var{window}
3532 is the selected window.
3533 @end defun
3534
3535 By default, the functions that save and restore window configurations or the
3536 states of windows (@pxref{Window Configurations}) do not care about
3537 window parameters. This means that when you change the value of a
3538 parameter within the body of a @code{save-window-excursion}, the
3539 previous value is not restored when that macro exits. It also means
3540 that when you restore via @code{window-state-put} a window state saved
3541 earlier by @code{window-state-get}, all cloned windows have their
3542 parameters reset to @code{nil}. The following variable allows you to
3543 override the standard behavior:
3544
3545 @defvar window-persistent-parameters
3546 This variable is an alist specifying which parameters get saved by
3547 @code{current-window-configuration} and @code{window-state-get}, and
3548 subsequently restored by @code{set-window-configuration} and
3549 @code{window-state-put}. @xref{Window Configurations}.
3550
3551 The @sc{car} of each entry of this alist is a symbol specifying the
3552 parameter. The @sc{cdr} should be one of the following:
3553
3554 @table @asis
3555 @item @code{nil}
3556 This value means the parameter is saved neither by
3557 @code{window-state-get} nor by @code{current-window-configuration}.
3558
3559 @item @code{t}
3560 This value specifies that the parameter is saved by
3561 @code{current-window-configuration} and (provided its @var{writable}
3562 argument is @code{nil}) by @code{window-state-get}.
3563
3564 @item @code{writable}
3565 This means that the parameter is saved unconditionally by both
3566 @code{current-window-configuration} and @code{window-state-get}. This
3567 value should not be used for parameters whose values do not have a read
3568 syntax. Otherwise, invoking @code{window-state-put} in another session
3569 may fail with an @code{invalid-read-syntax} error.
3570 @end table
3571 @end defvar
3572
3573 Some functions (notably @code{delete-window},
3574 @code{delete-other-windows} and @code{split-window}), may behave specially
3575 when their @var{window} argument has a parameter set. You can override
3576 such special behavior by binding the following variable to a
3577 non-@code{nil} value:
3578
3579 @defvar ignore-window-parameters
3580 If this variable is non-@code{nil}, some standard functions do not
3581 process window parameters. The functions currently affected by this are
3582 @code{split-window}, @code{delete-window}, @code{delete-other-windows},
3583 and @code{other-window}.
3584
3585 An application can bind this variable to a non-@code{nil} value around
3586 calls to these functions. If it does so, the application is fully
3587 responsible for correctly assigning the parameters of all involved
3588 windows when exiting that function.
3589 @end defvar
3590
3591 The following parameters are currently used by the window management
3592 code:
3593
3594 @table @asis
3595 @item @code{delete-window}
3596 This parameter affects the execution of @code{delete-window}
3597 (@pxref{Deleting Windows}).
3598
3599 @item @code{delete-other-windows}
3600 This parameter affects the execution of @code{delete-other-windows}
3601 (@pxref{Deleting Windows}).
3602
3603 @item @code{split-window}
3604 This parameter affects the execution of @code{split-window}
3605 (@pxref{Splitting Windows}).
3606
3607 @item @code{other-window}
3608 This parameter affects the execution of @code{other-window}
3609 (@pxref{Cyclic Window Ordering}).
3610
3611 @item @code{no-other-window}
3612 This parameter marks the window as not selectable by @code{other-window}
3613 (@pxref{Cyclic Window Ordering}).
3614
3615 @item @code{clone-of}
3616 This parameter specifies the window that this one has been cloned
3617 from. It is installed by @code{window-state-get} (@pxref{Window
3618 Configurations}).
3619
3620 @item @code{quit-restore}
3621 This parameter is installed by the buffer display functions
3622 (@pxref{Choosing Window}) and consulted by @code{quit-restore-window}
3623 (@pxref{Quitting Windows}). It contains four elements:
3624
3625 The first element is one of the symbols @code{window}, meaning that the
3626 window has been specially created by @code{display-buffer}; @code{frame},
3627 a separate frame has been created; @code{same}, the window has
3628 displayed the same buffer before; or @code{other}, the window showed
3629 another buffer before.
3630
3631 The second element is either one of the symbols @code{window} or
3632 @code{frame}, or a list whose elements are the buffer shown in the
3633 window before, that buffer's window start and window point positions,
3634 and the window's height at that time.
3635
3636 The third element is the window selected at the time the parameter was
3637 created. The function @code{quit-restore-window} tries to reselect that
3638 window when it deletes the window passed to it as argument.
3639
3640 The fourth element is the buffer whose display caused the creation of
3641 this parameter. @code{quit-restore-window} deletes the specified window
3642 only if it still shows that buffer.
3643 @end table
3644
3645 There are additional parameters @code{window-atom} and @code{window-side};
3646 these are reserved and should not be used by applications.
3647
3648
3649 @node Window Hooks
3650 @section Hooks for Window Scrolling and Changes
3651 @cindex hooks for window operations
3652
3653 This section describes how a Lisp program can take action whenever a
3654 window displays a different part of its buffer or a different buffer.
3655 There are three actions that can change this: scrolling the window,
3656 switching buffers in the window, and changing the size of the window.
3657 The first two actions run @code{window-scroll-functions}; the last runs
3658 @code{window-size-change-functions}.
3659
3660 @defvar window-scroll-functions
3661 This variable holds a list of functions that Emacs should call before
3662 redisplaying a window with scrolling. Displaying a different buffer in
3663 the window also runs these functions.
3664
3665 This variable is not a normal hook, because each function is called with
3666 two arguments: the window, and its new display-start position.
3667
3668 These functions must take care when using @code{window-end}
3669 (@pxref{Window Start and End}); if you need an up-to-date value, you
3670 must use the @var{update} argument to ensure you get it.
3671
3672 @strong{Warning:} don't use this feature to alter the way the window
3673 is scrolled. It's not designed for that, and such use probably won't
3674 work.
3675 @end defvar
3676
3677 @defvar window-size-change-functions
3678 This variable holds a list of functions to be called if the size of any
3679 window changes for any reason. The functions are called just once per
3680 redisplay, and just once for each frame on which size changes have
3681 occurred.
3682
3683 Each function receives the frame as its sole argument. There is no
3684 direct way to find out which windows on that frame have changed size, or
3685 precisely how. However, if a size-change function records, at each
3686 call, the existing windows and their sizes, it can also compare the
3687 present sizes and the previous sizes.
3688
3689 Creating or deleting windows counts as a size change, and therefore
3690 causes these functions to be called. Changing the frame size also
3691 counts, because it changes the sizes of the existing windows.
3692
3693 You may use @code{save-selected-window} in these functions
3694 (@pxref{Selecting Windows}). However, do not use
3695 @code{save-window-excursion} (@pxref{Window Configurations}); exiting
3696 that macro counts as a size change, which would cause these functions
3697 to be called over and over.
3698 @end defvar
3699
3700 @defvar window-configuration-change-hook
3701 A normal hook that is run every time you change the window configuration
3702 of an existing frame. This includes splitting or deleting windows,
3703 changing the sizes of windows, or displaying a different buffer in a
3704 window.
3705
3706 The buffer-local part of this hook is run once for each window on the
3707 affected frame, with the relevant window selected and its buffer
3708 current. The global part is run once for the modified frame, with that
3709 frame selected.
3710 @end defvar
3711
3712 In addition, you can use @code{jit-lock-register} to register a Font
3713 Lock fontification function, which will be called whenever parts of a
3714 buffer are (re)fontified because a window was scrolled or its size
3715 changed. @xref{Other Font Lock Variables}.