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[bpt/emacs.git] / doc / misc / widget.texi
1 \input texinfo.tex
2
3 @c %**start of header
4 @setfilename ../../info/widget
5 @settitle The Emacs Widget Library
6 @syncodeindex fn cp
7 @syncodeindex vr cp
8 @syncodeindex ky cp
9 @afourpaper
10 @c %**end of header
11
12 @copying
13 Copyright @copyright{} 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005,
14 2006, 2007 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
15
16 @quotation
17 Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this document
18 under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1.2 or
19 any later version published by the Free Software Foundation; with the
20 Invariant Sections being ``The GNU Manifesto'', ``Distribution'' and
21 ``GNU GENERAL PUBLIC LICENSE'', with the Front-Cover texts being ``A GNU
22 Manual'', and with the Back-Cover Texts as in (a) below. A copy of the
23 license is included in the section entitled ``GNU Free Documentation
24 License'' in the Emacs manual.
25
26 This document is part of a collection distributed under the GNU Free
27 Documentation License. If you want to distribute this document
28 separately from the collection, you can do so by adding a copy of the
29 license to the document, as described in section 6 of the license.
30
31 (a) The FSF's Back-Cover Text is: ``You have freedom to copy and modify
32 this GNU Manual, like GNU software. Copies published by the Free
33 Software Foundation raise funds for GNU development.''
34 @end quotation
35 @end copying
36
37 @dircategory Emacs
38 @direntry
39 * Widget: (widget). The "widget" package used by the Emacs Customization
40 facility.
41 @end direntry
42
43 @node Top, Introduction, (dir), (dir)
44 @comment node-name, next, previous, up
45 @top The Emacs Widget Library
46
47 @menu
48 * Introduction::
49 * User Interface::
50 * Programming Example::
51 * Setting Up the Buffer::
52 * Basic Types::
53 * Sexp Types::
54 * Widget Properties::
55 * Defining New Widgets::
56 * Widget Browser::
57 * Widget Minor Mode::
58 * Utilities::
59 * Widget Wishlist::
60 * GNU Free Documentation License::
61 * Index::
62 @end menu
63
64 @node Introduction, User Interface, Top, Top
65 @comment node-name, next, previous, up
66 @section Introduction
67
68 Most graphical user interface toolkits provide a number of standard
69 user interface controls (sometimes known as `widgets' or `gadgets').
70 Emacs doesn't really support anything like this, except for an
71 incredibly powerful text ``widget.'' On the other hand, Emacs does
72 provide the necessary primitives to implement many other widgets
73 within a text buffer. The @code{widget} package simplifies this task.
74
75 @cindex basic widgets
76 @cindex widgets, basic types
77 The basic widgets are:
78
79 @table @code
80 @item link
81 Areas of text with an associated action. Intended for hypertext links
82 embedded in text.
83 @item push-button
84 Like link, but intended for stand-alone buttons.
85 @item editable-field
86 An editable text field. It can be either variable or fixed length.
87 @item menu-choice
88 Allows the user to choose one of multiple options from a menu, each
89 option is itself a widget. Only the selected option will be visible in
90 the buffer.
91 @item radio-button-choice
92 Allows the user to choose one of multiple options by activating radio
93 buttons. The options are implemented as widgets. All options will be
94 visible in the buffer.
95 @item item
96 A simple constant widget intended to be used in the @code{menu-choice} and
97 @code{radio-button-choice} widgets.
98 @item choice-item
99 A button item only intended for use in choices. When invoked, the user
100 will be asked to select another option from the choice widget.
101 @item toggle
102 A simple @samp{on}/@samp{off} switch.
103 @item checkbox
104 A checkbox (@samp{[ ]}/@samp{[X]}).
105 @item editable-list
106 Create an editable list. The user can insert or delete items in the
107 list. Each list item is itself a widget.
108 @end table
109
110 Now, of what possible use can support for widgets be in a text editor?
111 I'm glad you asked. The answer is that widgets are useful for
112 implementing forms. A @dfn{form} in Emacs is a buffer where the user is
113 supposed to fill out a number of fields, each of which has a specific
114 meaning. The user is not supposed to change or delete any of the text
115 between the fields. Examples of forms in Emacs are the @file{forms}
116 package (of course), the customize buffers, the mail and news compose
117 modes, and the @acronym{HTML} form support in the @file{w3} browser.
118
119 @cindex widget library, why use it
120 The advantages for a programmer of using the @code{widget} package to
121 implement forms are:
122
123 @enumerate
124 @item
125 More complex fields than just editable text are supported.
126 @item
127 You can give the users immediate feedback if they enter invalid data in a
128 text field, and sometimes prevent entering invalid data.
129 @item
130 You can have fixed sized fields, thus allowing multiple fields to be
131 lined up in columns.
132 @item
133 It is simple to query or set the value of a field.
134 @item
135 Editing happens in the buffer, not in the mini-buffer.
136 @item
137 Packages using the library get a uniform look, making them easier for
138 the user to learn.
139 @item
140 As support for embedded graphics improve, the widget library will be
141 extended to use the GUI features. This means that your code using the
142 widget library will also use the new graphic features automatically.
143 @end enumerate
144
145 In order to minimize the code that is loaded by users who do not
146 create any widgets, the code has been split in two files:
147
148 @cindex widget library, files
149 @table @file
150 @item widget.el
151 This will declare the user variables, define the function
152 @code{define-widget}, and autoload the function @code{widget-create}.
153 @item wid-edit.el
154 Everything else is here, there is no reason to load it explicitly, as
155 it will be autoloaded when needed.
156 @end table
157
158 @node User Interface, Programming Example, Introduction, Top
159 @comment node-name, next, previous, up
160 @section User Interface
161
162 A form consists of read only text for documentation and some fields,
163 where each field contains two parts, a tag and a value. The tags are
164 used to identify the fields, so the documentation can refer to the
165 @samp{foo field}, meaning the field tagged with @samp{Foo}. Here is an
166 example form:
167
168 @example
169 Here is some documentation.
170
171 Name: @i{My Name} @strong{Choose}: This option
172 Address: @i{Some Place
173 In some City
174 Some country.}
175
176 See also @b{_other work_} for more information.
177
178 Numbers: count to three below
179 @b{[INS]} @b{[DEL]} @i{One}
180 @b{[INS]} @b{[DEL]} @i{Eh, two?}
181 @b{[INS]} @b{[DEL]} @i{Five!}
182 @b{[INS]}
183
184 Select multiple:
185
186 @b{[X]} This
187 @b{[ ]} That
188 @b{[X]} Thus
189
190 Select one:
191
192 @b{(*)} One
193 @b{( )} Another One.
194 @b{( )} A Final One.
195
196 @b{[Apply Form]} @b{[Reset Form]}
197 @end example
198
199 The top level widgets in this example are tagged @samp{Name},
200 @samp{Choose}, @samp{Address}, @samp{_other work_}, @samp{Numbers},
201 @samp{Select multiple}, @samp{Select one}, @samp{[Apply Form]}, and
202 @samp{[Reset Form]}. There are basically two things the user can do
203 within a form, namely editing the editable text fields and activating
204 the buttons.
205
206 @subsection Editable Text Fields
207
208 In the example, the value for the @samp{Name} is most likely displayed
209 in an editable text field, and so are values for each of the members of
210 the @samp{Numbers} list. All the normal Emacs editing operations are
211 available for editing these fields. The only restriction is that each
212 change you make must be contained within a single editable text field.
213 For example, capitalizing all text from the middle of one field to the
214 middle of another field is prohibited.
215
216 Editable text fields are created by the @code{editable-field} widget.
217
218 @strong{Warning:} In an @code{editable-field} widget, the editable
219 field must not be adjacent to another widget---that won't work.
220 You must put some text in between. Either make this text part of
221 the @code{editable-field} widget itself, or insert it with
222 @code{widget-insert}.
223
224 The @code{:format} keyword is useful for generating the necessary
225 text; for instance, if you give it a value of @code{"Name: %v "},
226 the @samp{Name: } part will provide the necessary separating text
227 before the field and the trailing space will provide the
228 separating text after the field. If you don't include the
229 @code{:size} keyword, the field will extend to the end of the
230 line, and the terminating newline will provide separation after.
231
232 @strong{Warning:} In an @code{editable-field} widget, the @samp{%v} escape
233 must be preceded by some other text in the @code{:format} string
234 (if specified).
235
236 The editing text fields are highlighted with the
237 @code{widget-field-face} face, making them easy to find.
238
239 @deffn Face widget-field-face
240 Face used for other editing fields.
241 @end deffn
242
243 @subsection Buttons
244
245 @cindex widget buttons
246 @cindex button widgets
247 Some portions of the buffer have an associated @dfn{action}, which can
248 be @dfn{invoked} by a standard key or mouse command. These portions
249 are called @dfn{buttons}. The default commands for activating a button
250 are:
251
252 @table @kbd
253 @item @key{RET}
254 @deffn Command widget-button-press @var{pos} &optional @var{event}
255 Invoke the button at @var{pos}, defaulting to point.
256 If point is not located on a button, invoke the binding in
257 @code{widget-global-map} (by default the global map).
258 @end deffn
259
260 @kindex Mouse-2 @r{(on button widgets})
261 @item Mouse-2
262 @deffn Command widget-button-click @var{event}
263 Invoke the button at the location of the mouse pointer. If the mouse
264 pointer is located in an editable text field, invoke the binding in
265 @code{widget-global-map} (by default the global map).
266 @end deffn
267 @end table
268
269 There are several different kind of buttons, all of which are present in
270 the example:
271
272 @table @emph
273 @cindex option field tag
274 @item The Option Field Tags
275 When you invoke one of these buttons, you will be asked to choose
276 between a number of different options. This is how you edit an option
277 field. Option fields are created by the @code{menu-choice} widget. In
278 the example, @samp{@b{Choose}} is an option field tag.
279 @item The @samp{@b{[INS]}} and @samp{@b{[DEL]}} buttons
280 Activating these will insert or delete elements from an editable list.
281 The list is created by the @code{editable-list} widget.
282 @cindex embedded buttons
283 @item Embedded Buttons
284 The @samp{@b{_other work_}} is an example of an embedded
285 button. Embedded buttons are not associated with any fields, but can serve
286 any purpose, such as implementing hypertext references. They are
287 usually created by the @code{link} widget.
288 @item The @samp{@b{[ ]}} and @samp{@b{[X]}} buttons
289 Activating one of these will convert it to the other. This is useful
290 for implementing multiple-choice fields. You can create them with the
291 @code{checkbox} widget.
292 @item The @samp{@b{( )}} and @samp{@b{(*)}} buttons
293 Only one radio button in a @code{radio-button-choice} widget can be
294 selected at any time. When you invoke one of the unselected radio
295 buttons, it will be selected and the previous selected radio button will
296 become unselected.
297 @item The @samp{@b{[Apply Form]}} and @samp{@b{[Reset Form]}} buttons
298 These are explicit buttons made with the @code{push-button} widget. The
299 main difference from the @code{link} widget is that the buttons will be
300 displayed as GUI buttons when possible.
301 @end table
302
303 To make them easier to locate, buttons are emphasized in the buffer.
304
305 @deffn Face widget-button-face
306 Face used for buttons.
307 @end deffn
308
309 @defopt widget-mouse-face
310 Face used for highlighting a button when the mouse pointer moves across
311 it.
312 @end defopt
313
314 @subsection Navigation
315
316 You can use all the normal Emacs commands to move around in a form
317 buffer, plus you will have these additional commands:
318
319 @table @kbd
320 @item @key{TAB}
321 @deffn Command widget-forward &optional count
322 Move point @var{count} buttons or editing fields forward.
323 @end deffn
324 @item @kbd{M-@key{TAB}}
325 @itemx @kbd{S-@key{TAB}}
326 @deffn Command widget-backward &optional count
327 Move point @var{count} buttons or editing fields backward.
328 @end deffn
329 @end table
330
331 @node Programming Example, Setting Up the Buffer, User Interface, Top
332 @comment node-name, next, previous, up
333 @section Programming Example
334
335 @cindex widgets, programming example
336 @cindex example of using widgets
337 Here is the code to implement the user interface example (@pxref{User
338 Interface}).
339
340 @lisp
341 (require 'widget)
342
343 (eval-when-compile
344 (require 'wid-edit))
345
346 (defvar widget-example-repeat)
347
348 (defun widget-example ()
349 "Create the widgets from the Widget manual."
350 (interactive)
351 (switch-to-buffer "*Widget Example*")
352 (kill-all-local-variables)
353 (make-local-variable 'widget-example-repeat)
354 (let ((inhibit-read-only t))
355 (erase-buffer))
356 (remove-overlays)
357 (widget-insert "Here is some documentation.\n\n")
358 (widget-create 'editable-field
359 :size 13
360 :format "Name: %v " ; Text after the field!
361 "My Name")
362 (widget-create 'menu-choice
363 :tag "Choose"
364 :value "This"
365 :help-echo "Choose me, please!"
366 :notify (lambda (widget &rest ignore)
367 (message "%s is a good choice!"
368 (widget-value widget)))
369 '(item :tag "This option" :value "This")
370 '(choice-item "That option")
371 '(editable-field :menu-tag "No option" "Thus option"))
372 (widget-create 'editable-field
373 :format "Address: %v"
374 "Some Place\nIn some City\nSome country.")
375 (widget-insert "\nSee also ")
376 (widget-create 'link
377 :notify (lambda (&rest ignore)
378 (widget-value-set widget-example-repeat
379 '("En" "To" "Tre"))
380 (widget-setup))
381 "other work")
382 (widget-insert
383 " for more information.\n\nNumbers: count to three below\n")
384 (setq widget-example-repeat
385 (widget-create 'editable-list
386 :entry-format "%i %d %v"
387 :notify (lambda (widget &rest ignore)
388 (let ((old (widget-get widget
389 ':example-length))
390 (new (length (widget-value widget))))
391 (unless (eq old new)
392 (widget-put widget ':example-length new)
393 (message "You can count to %d." new))))
394 :value '("One" "Eh, two?" "Five!")
395 '(editable-field :value "three")))
396 (widget-insert "\n\nSelect multiple:\n\n")
397 (widget-create 'checkbox t)
398 (widget-insert " This\n")
399 (widget-create 'checkbox nil)
400 (widget-insert " That\n")
401 (widget-create 'checkbox
402 :notify (lambda (&rest ignore) (message "Tickle"))
403 t)
404 (widget-insert " Thus\n\nSelect one:\n\n")
405 (widget-create 'radio-button-choice
406 :value "One"
407 :notify (lambda (widget &rest ignore)
408 (message "You selected %s"
409 (widget-value widget)))
410 '(item "One") '(item "Another One.") '(item "A Final One."))
411 (widget-insert "\n")
412 (widget-create 'push-button
413 :notify (lambda (&rest ignore)
414 (if (= (length (widget-value widget-example-repeat))
415 3)
416 (message "Congratulation!")
417 (error "Three was the count!")))
418 "Apply Form")
419 (widget-insert " ")
420 (widget-create 'push-button
421 :notify (lambda (&rest ignore)
422 (widget-example))
423 "Reset Form")
424 (widget-insert "\n")
425 (use-local-map widget-keymap)
426 (widget-setup))
427 @end lisp
428
429 @node Setting Up the Buffer, Basic Types, Programming Example, Top
430 @comment node-name, next, previous, up
431 @section Setting Up the Buffer
432
433 Widgets are created with @code{widget-create}, which returns a
434 @dfn{widget} object. This object can be queried and manipulated by
435 other widget functions, until it is deleted with @code{widget-delete}.
436 After the widgets have been created, @code{widget-setup} must be called
437 to enable them.
438
439 @defun widget-create type [ keyword argument ]@dots{}
440 Create and return a widget of type @var{type}.
441 The syntax for the @var{type} argument is described in @ref{Basic Types}.
442
443 The keyword arguments can be used to overwrite the keyword arguments
444 that are part of @var{type}.
445 @end defun
446
447 @defun widget-delete widget
448 Delete @var{widget} and remove it from the buffer.
449 @end defun
450
451 @defun widget-setup
452 Set up a buffer to support widgets.
453
454 This should be called after creating all the widgets and before allowing
455 the user to edit them.
456 @refill
457 @end defun
458
459 If you want to insert text outside the widgets in the form, the
460 recommended way to do that is with @code{widget-insert}.
461
462 @defun widget-insert
463 Insert the arguments, either strings or characters, at point.
464 The inserted text will be read-only.
465 @end defun
466
467 There is a standard widget keymap which you might find useful.
468
469 @findex widget-button-press
470 @findex widget-button-click
471 @defvr Const widget-keymap
472 A keymap with the global keymap as its parent.@*
473 @key{TAB} and @kbd{C-@key{TAB}} are bound to @code{widget-forward} and
474 @code{widget-backward}, respectively. @key{RET} and @kbd{Mouse-2}
475 are bound to @code{widget-button-press} and
476 @code{widget-button-click}.@refill
477 @end defvr
478
479 @defvar widget-global-map
480 Keymap used by @code{widget-button-press} and @code{widget-button-click}
481 when not on a button. By default this is @code{global-map}.
482 @end defvar
483
484 @node Basic Types, Sexp Types, Setting Up the Buffer, Top
485 @comment node-name, next, previous, up
486 @section Basic Types
487
488 This is the general syntax of a type specification:
489
490 @example
491 @var{name} ::= (@var{name} [@var{keyword} @var{argument}]... @var{args})
492 | @var{name}
493 @end example
494
495 Where, @var{name} is a widget name, @var{keyword} is the name of a
496 property, @var{argument} is the value of the property, and @var{args}
497 are interpreted in a widget specific way.
498
499 @cindex keyword arguments
500 The following keyword arguments apply to all widgets:
501
502 @table @code
503 @vindex value@r{ keyword}
504 @item :value
505 The initial value for widgets of this type.
506
507 @vindex format@r{ keyword}
508 @item :format
509 This string will be inserted in the buffer when you create a widget.
510 The following @samp{%} escapes are available:
511
512 @table @samp
513 @item %[
514 @itemx %]
515 The text inside will be marked as a button.
516
517 By default, the text will be shown in @code{widget-button-face}, and
518 surrounded by brackets.
519
520 @defopt widget-button-prefix
521 String to prefix buttons.
522 @end defopt
523
524 @defopt widget-button-suffix
525 String to suffix buttons.
526 @end defopt
527
528 @item %@{
529 @itemx %@}
530 The text inside will be displayed with the face specified by
531 @code{:sample-face}.
532
533 @item %v
534 This will be replaced with the buffer representation of the widget's
535 value. What this is depends on the widget type.
536
537 @strong{Warning:} In an @code{editable-field} widget, the @samp{%v} escape
538 must be preceded by some other text in the format string (if specified).
539
540 @item %d
541 Insert the string specified by @code{:doc} here.
542
543 @item %h
544 Like @samp{%d}, with the following modifications: If the documentation
545 string is more than one line, it will add a button which will toggle
546 between showing only the first line, and showing the full text.
547 Furthermore, if there is no @code{:doc} property in the widget, it will
548 instead examine the @code{:documentation-property} property. If it is a
549 lambda expression, it will be called with the widget's value as an
550 argument, and the result will be used as the documentation text.
551
552 @item %t
553 Insert the string specified by @code{:tag} here, or the @code{princ}
554 representation of the value if there is no tag.
555
556 @item %%
557 Insert a literal @samp{%}.
558 @end table
559
560 @vindex button-face@r{ keyword}
561 @item :button-face
562 Face used to highlight text inside %[ %] in the format.
563
564 @vindex button-prefix@r{ keyword}
565 @vindex button-suffix@r{ keyword}
566 @item :button-prefix
567 @itemx :button-suffix
568 Text around %[ %] in the format.
569
570 These can be
571 @table @emph
572 @item nil
573 No text is inserted.
574
575 @item a string
576 The string is inserted literally.
577
578 @item a symbol
579 The value of the symbol is expanded according to this table.
580 @end table
581
582 @vindex doc@r{ keyword}
583 @item :doc
584 The string inserted by the @samp{%d} escape in the format
585 string.
586
587 @vindex tag@r{ keyword}
588 @item :tag
589 The string inserted by the @samp{%t} escape in the format
590 string.
591
592 @vindex tag-glyph@r{ keyword}
593 @item :tag-glyph
594 Name of image to use instead of the string specified by @code{:tag} on
595 Emacsen that supports it.
596
597 @vindex help-echo@r{ keyword}
598 @item :help-echo
599 Specifies how to display a message whenever you move to the widget with
600 either @code{widget-forward} or @code{widget-backward} or move the mouse
601 over it (using the standard @code{help-echo} mechanism). The argument
602 is either a string to display, a function of one argument, the widget,
603 which should return a string to display, or a form that evaluates to
604 such a string.
605
606 @vindex follow-link@r{ keyword}
607 @item :follow-link
608 Specifies how to interpret a @key{mouse-1} click on the widget.
609 @xref{Links and Mouse-1,,, elisp, the Emacs Lisp Reference Manual}.
610
611 @vindex indent@r{ keyword}
612 @item :indent
613 An integer indicating the absolute number of spaces to indent children
614 of this widget.
615
616 @vindex offset@r{ keyword}
617 @item :offset
618 An integer indicating how many extra spaces to add to the widget's
619 grandchildren compared to this widget.
620
621 @vindex extra-offset@r{ keyword}
622 @item :extra-offset
623 An integer indicating how many extra spaces to add to the widget's
624 children compared to this widget.
625
626 @vindex notify@r{ keyword}
627 @item :notify
628 A function called each time the widget or a nested widget is changed.
629 The function is called with two or three arguments. The first argument
630 is the widget itself, the second argument is the widget that was
631 changed, and the third argument is the event leading to the change, if
632 any.
633
634 @vindex menu-tag@r{ keyword}
635 @item :menu-tag
636 Tag used in the menu when the widget is used as an option in a
637 @code{menu-choice} widget.
638
639 @vindex menu-tag-get@r{ keyword}
640 @item :menu-tag-get
641 Function used for finding the tag when the widget is used as an option
642 in a @code{menu-choice} widget. By default, the tag used will be either the
643 @code{:menu-tag} or @code{:tag} property if present, or the @code{princ}
644 representation of the @code{:value} property if not.
645
646 @vindex match@r{ keyword}
647 @item :match
648 Should be a function called with two arguments, the widget and a value,
649 and returning non-@code{nil} if the widget can represent the specified value.
650
651 @vindex validate@r{ keyword}
652 @item :validate
653 A function which takes a widget as an argument, and returns @code{nil}
654 if the widget's current value is valid for the widget. Otherwise it
655 should return the widget containing the invalid data, and set that
656 widget's @code{:error} property to a string explaining the error.
657
658 The following predefined function can be used:
659
660 @defun widget-children-validate widget
661 All the @code{:children} of @var{widget} must be valid.
662 @end defun
663
664 @vindex tab-order@r{ keyword}
665 @item :tab-order
666 Specify the order in which widgets are traversed with
667 @code{widget-forward} or @code{widget-backward}. This is only partially
668 implemented.
669
670 @enumerate a
671 @item
672 Widgets with tabbing order @code{-1} are ignored.
673
674 @item
675 (Unimplemented) When on a widget with tabbing order @var{n}, go to the
676 next widget in the buffer with tabbing order @var{n+1} or @code{nil},
677 whichever comes first.
678
679 @item
680 When on a widget with no tabbing order specified, go to the next widget
681 in the buffer with a positive tabbing order, or @code{nil}
682 @end enumerate
683
684 @vindex parent@r{ keyword}
685 @item :parent
686 The parent of a nested widget (e.g.@: a @code{menu-choice} item or an
687 element of a @code{editable-list} widget).
688
689 @vindex sibling-args@r{ keyword}
690 @item :sibling-args
691 This keyword is only used for members of a @code{radio-button-choice} or
692 @code{checklist}. The value should be a list of extra keyword
693 arguments, which will be used when creating the @code{radio-button} or
694 @code{checkbox} associated with this item.
695
696 @end table
697
698 @deffn {User Option} widget-glyph-directory
699 Directory where glyphs are found.
700 Widget will look here for a file with the same name as specified for the
701 image, with either a @file{.xpm} (if supported) or @file{.xbm} extension.
702 @end deffn
703
704 @deffn{User Option} widget-glyph-enable
705 If non-@code{nil}, allow glyphs to appear on displays where they are supported.
706 @end deffn
707
708
709 @menu
710 * link::
711 * url-link::
712 * info-link::
713 * push-button::
714 * editable-field::
715 * text::
716 * menu-choice::
717 * radio-button-choice::
718 * item::
719 * choice-item::
720 * toggle::
721 * checkbox::
722 * checklist::
723 * editable-list::
724 * group::
725 @end menu
726
727 @node link, url-link, Basic Types, Basic Types
728 @comment node-name, next, previous, up
729 @subsection The @code{link} Widget
730 @findex link@r{ widget}
731
732 Syntax:
733
734 @example
735 @var{type} ::= (link [@var{keyword} @var{argument}]... [ @var{value} ])
736 @end example
737
738 The @var{value}, if present, is used to initialize the @code{:value}
739 property. The value should be a string, which will be inserted in the
740 buffer.
741
742 By default the link will be shown in brackets.
743
744 @defopt widget-link-prefix
745 String to prefix links.
746 @end defopt
747
748 @defopt widget-link-suffix
749 String to suffix links.
750 @end defopt
751
752 @node url-link, info-link, link, Basic Types
753 @comment node-name, next, previous, up
754 @subsection The @code{url-link} Widget
755 @findex url-link@r{ widget}
756
757 Syntax:
758
759 @example
760 @var{type} ::= (url-link [@var{keyword} @var{argument}]... @var{url})
761 @end example
762
763 @findex browse-url-browser-function@r{, and @code{url-link} widget}
764 When this link is invoked, the @acronym{WWW} browser specified by
765 @code{browse-url-browser-function} will be called with @var{url}.
766
767 @node info-link, push-button, url-link, Basic Types
768 @comment node-name, next, previous, up
769 @subsection The @code{info-link} Widget
770 @findex info-link@r{ widget}
771
772 Syntax:
773
774 @example
775 @var{type} ::= (info-link [@var{keyword} @var{argument}]... @var{address})
776 @end example
777
778 When this link is invoked, the built-in Info reader is started on
779 @var{address}.
780
781 @node push-button, editable-field, info-link, Basic Types
782 @comment node-name, next, previous, up
783 @subsection The @code{push-button} Widget
784 @findex push-button@r{ widget}
785
786 Syntax:
787
788 @example
789 @var{type} ::= (push-button [@var{keyword} @var{argument}]... [ @var{value} ])
790 @end example
791
792 The @var{value}, if present, is used to initialize the @code{:value}
793 property. The value should be a string, which will be inserted in the
794 buffer.
795
796 By default the tag will be shown in brackets.
797
798 @defopt widget-push-button-prefix
799 String to prefix push buttons.
800 @end defopt
801
802 @defopt widget-push-button-suffix
803 String to suffix push buttons.
804 @end defopt
805
806 @node editable-field, text, push-button, Basic Types
807 @comment node-name, next, previous, up
808 @subsection The @code{editable-field} Widget
809 @findex editable-field@r{ widget}
810
811 Syntax:
812
813 @example
814 @var{type} ::= (editable-field [@var{keyword} @var{argument}]... [ @var{value} ])
815 @end example
816
817 The @var{value}, if present, is used to initialize the @code{:value}
818 property. The value should be a string, which will be inserted in the
819 field. This widget will match all string values.
820
821 The following extra properties are recognized:
822
823 @table @code
824 @vindex size@r{ keyword}
825 @item :size
826 The width of the editable field.@*
827 By default the field will reach to the end of the line.
828
829 @vindex value-face@r{ keyword}
830 @item :value-face
831 Face used for highlighting the editable field. Default is
832 @code{widget-field-face}, see @ref{User Interface}.
833
834 @vindex secret@r{ keyword}
835 @item :secret
836 Character used to display the value. You can set this to e.g.@: @code{?*}
837 if the field contains a password or other secret information. By
838 default, this is @code{nil}, and the value is not secret.
839
840 @vindex valid-regexp@r{ keyword}
841 @item :valid-regexp
842 By default the @code{:validate} function will match the content of the
843 field with the value of this attribute. The default value is @code{""}
844 which matches everything.
845
846 @vindex keymap@r{ keyword}
847 @vindex widget-field-keymap
848 @item :keymap
849 Keymap used in the editable field. The default value is
850 @code{widget-field-keymap}, which allows you to use all the normal
851 editing commands, even if the buffer's major mode suppresses some of
852 them. Pressing @key{RET} invokes the function specified by
853 @code{:action}.
854 @end table
855
856 @node text, menu-choice, editable-field, Basic Types
857 @comment node-name, next, previous, up
858 @subsection The @code{text} Widget
859 @findex text@r{ widget}
860
861 @vindex widget-text-keymap
862 This is just like @code{editable-field}, but intended for multiline text
863 fields. The default @code{:keymap} is @code{widget-text-keymap}, which
864 does not rebind the @key{RET} key.
865
866 @node menu-choice, radio-button-choice, text, Basic Types
867 @comment node-name, next, previous, up
868 @subsection The @code{menu-choice} Widget
869 @findex menu-choice@r{ widget}
870
871 Syntax:
872
873 @example
874 @var{type} ::= (menu-choice [@var{keyword} @var{argument}]... @var{type} ... )
875 @end example
876
877 The @var{type} argument represents each possible choice. The widget's
878 value will be that of the chosen @var{type} argument. This widget will
879 match any value matching at least one of the specified @var{type}
880 arguments.
881
882 @table @code
883 @vindex void@r{ keyword}
884 @item :void
885 Widget type used as a fallback when the value does not match any of the
886 specified @var{type} arguments.
887
888 @vindex case-fold@r{ keyword}
889 @item :case-fold
890 Set this to @code{nil} if you don't want to ignore case when prompting for a
891 choice through the minibuffer.
892
893 @vindex children@r{ keyword}
894 @item :children
895 A list whose @sc{car} is the widget representing the currently chosen
896 type in the buffer.
897
898 @vindex choice@r{ keyword}
899 @item :choice
900 The current chosen type.
901
902 @vindex args@r{ keyword}
903 @item :args
904 The list of types.
905 @end table
906
907 @node radio-button-choice, item, menu-choice, Basic Types
908 @comment node-name, next, previous, up
909 @subsection The @code{radio-button-choice} Widget
910 @findex radio-button-choice@r{ widget}
911
912 Syntax:
913
914 @example
915 @var{type} ::= (radio-button-choice [@var{keyword} @var{argument}]... @var{type} ... )
916 @end example
917
918 The component types specify the choices, with one radio button for
919 each. The widget's value will be that of the chosen @var{type}
920 argument. This widget matches any value that matches at least one of
921 the specified @var{type} arguments.
922
923 The following extra properties are recognized.
924
925 @table @code
926 @vindex entry-format@r{ keyword}
927 @item :entry-format
928 This string will be inserted for each entry in the list.
929 The following @samp{%} escapes are available:
930 @table @samp
931 @item %v
932 Replace with the buffer representation of the @var{type} widget.
933 @item %b
934 Replace with the radio button.
935 @item %%
936 Insert a literal @samp{%}.
937 @end table
938
939 @vindex button-args@r{ keyword}
940 @item :button-args
941 A list of keywords to pass to the radio buttons. Useful for setting
942 e.g.@: the @samp{:help-echo} for each button.
943
944 @vindex buttons@r{ keyword}
945 @item :buttons
946 The widgets representing the radio buttons.
947
948 @vindex children@r{ keyword}
949 @item :children
950 The widgets representing each type.
951
952 @vindex choice@r{ keyword}
953 @item :choice
954 The current chosen type
955
956 @vindex args@r{ keyword}
957 @item :args
958 The list of types.
959 @end table
960
961 You can add extra radio button items to a @code{radio-button-choice}
962 widget after it has been created with the function
963 @code{widget-radio-add-item}.
964
965 @defun widget-radio-add-item widget type
966 Add to @code{radio-button-choice} widget @var{widget} a new radio button
967 item of type @var{type}.
968 @end defun
969
970 Please note that such items added after the @code{radio-button-choice}
971 widget has been created will @strong{not} be properly destructed when
972 you call @code{widget-delete}.
973
974 @node item, choice-item, radio-button-choice, Basic Types
975 @comment node-name, next, previous, up
976 @subsection The @code{item} Widget
977 @findex item@r{ widget}
978
979 Syntax:
980
981 @example
982 @var{item} ::= (item [@var{keyword} @var{argument}]... @var{value})
983 @end example
984
985 The @var{value}, if present, is used to initialize the @code{:value}
986 property. The value should be a string, which will be inserted in the
987 buffer. This widget will only match the specified value.
988
989 @node choice-item, toggle, item, Basic Types
990 @comment node-name, next, previous, up
991 @subsection The @code{choice-item} Widget
992 @findex choice-item@r{ widget}
993
994 Syntax:
995
996 @example
997 @var{item} ::= (choice-item [@var{keyword} @var{argument}]... @var{value})
998 @end example
999
1000 The @var{value}, if present, is used to initialize the @code{:value}
1001 property. The value should be a string, which will be inserted in the
1002 buffer as a button. Activating the button of a @code{choice-item} is
1003 equivalent to activating the parent widget. This widget will only match
1004 the specified value.
1005
1006 @node toggle, checkbox, choice-item, Basic Types
1007 @comment node-name, next, previous, up
1008 @subsection The @code{toggle} Widget
1009 @findex toggle@r{ widget}
1010
1011 Syntax:
1012
1013 @example
1014 @var{type} ::= (toggle [@var{keyword} @var{argument}]...)
1015 @end example
1016
1017 The widget has two possible states, @samp{on} and @samp{off}, which
1018 correspond to a @code{t} or @code{nil} value, respectively.
1019
1020 The following extra properties are recognized:
1021
1022 @table @code
1023 @item :on
1024 A string representing the @samp{on} state. By default the string
1025 @samp{on}.
1026 @item :off
1027 A string representing the @samp{off} state. By default the string
1028 @samp{off}.
1029 @vindex on-glyph@r{ keyword}
1030 @item :on-glyph
1031 Name of a glyph to be used instead of the @samp{:on} text string, on
1032 emacsen that supports this.
1033 @vindex off-glyph@r{ keyword}
1034 @item :off-glyph
1035 Name of a glyph to be used instead of the @samp{:off} text string, on
1036 emacsen that supports this.
1037 @end table
1038
1039 @node checkbox, checklist, toggle, Basic Types
1040 @comment node-name, next, previous, up
1041 @subsection The @code{checkbox} Widget
1042 @findex checkbox@r{ widget}
1043
1044 This widget has two possible states, @samp{selected} and
1045 @samp{unselected}, which corresponds to a @code{t} or @code{nil} value.
1046
1047 Syntax:
1048
1049 @example
1050 @var{type} ::= (checkbox [@var{keyword} @var{argument}]...)
1051 @end example
1052
1053 @node checklist, editable-list, checkbox, Basic Types
1054 @comment node-name, next, previous, up
1055 @subsection The @code{checklist} Widget
1056 @findex checklist@r{ widget}
1057
1058 Syntax:
1059
1060 @example
1061 @var{type} ::= (checklist [@var{keyword} @var{argument}]... @var{type} ... )
1062 @end example
1063
1064 The @var{type} arguments represent each checklist item. The widget's
1065 value will be a list containing the values of all checked @var{type}
1066 arguments. The checklist widget will match a list whose elements all
1067 match at least one of the specified @var{type} arguments.
1068
1069 The following extra properties are recognized:
1070
1071 @table @code
1072 @vindex entry-format@r{ keyword}
1073 @item :entry-format
1074 This string will be inserted for each entry in the list.
1075 The following @samp{%} escapes are available:
1076 @table @samp
1077 @item %v
1078 Replaced with the buffer representation of the @var{type} widget.
1079 @item %b
1080 Replace with the checkbox.
1081 @item %%
1082 Insert a literal @samp{%}.
1083 @end table
1084
1085 @vindex greedy@r{ keyword}
1086 @item :greedy
1087 Usually a checklist will only match if the items are in the exact
1088 sequence given in the specification. By setting @code{:greedy} to
1089 non-@code{nil}, it will allow the items to come in any sequence.
1090 However, if you extract the value they will be in the sequence given
1091 in the checklist, i.e.@: the original sequence is forgotten.
1092
1093 @vindex button-args@r{ keyword}
1094 @item :button-args
1095 A list of keywords to pass to the checkboxes. Useful for setting
1096 e.g.@: the @samp{:help-echo} for each checkbox.
1097
1098 @vindex buttons@r{ keyword}
1099 @item :buttons
1100 The widgets representing the checkboxes.
1101
1102 @vindex children@r{ keyword}
1103 @item :children
1104 The widgets representing each type.
1105
1106 @vindex args@r{ keyword}
1107 @item :args
1108 The list of types.
1109 @end table
1110
1111 @node editable-list, group, checklist, Basic Types
1112 @comment node-name, next, previous, up
1113 @subsection The @code{editable-list} Widget
1114 @findex editable-list@r{ widget}
1115
1116 Syntax:
1117
1118 @example
1119 @var{type} ::= (editable-list [@var{keyword} @var{argument}]... @var{type})
1120 @end example
1121
1122 The value is a list, where each member represents one widget of type
1123 @var{type}.
1124
1125 The following extra properties are recognized:
1126
1127 @table @code
1128 @vindex entry-format@r{ keyword}
1129 @item :entry-format
1130 This string will be inserted for each entry in the list.
1131 The following @samp{%} escapes are available:
1132 @table @samp
1133 @item %v
1134 This will be replaced with the buffer representation of the @var{type}
1135 widget.
1136 @item %i
1137 Insert the @b{[INS]} button.
1138 @item %d
1139 Insert the @b{[DEL]} button.
1140 @item %%
1141 Insert a literal @samp{%}.
1142 @end table
1143
1144 @vindex insert-button-args@r{ keyword}
1145 @item :insert-button-args
1146 A list of keyword arguments to pass to the insert buttons.
1147
1148 @vindex delete-button-args@r{ keyword}
1149 @item :delete-button-args
1150 A list of keyword arguments to pass to the delete buttons.
1151
1152 @vindex append-button-args@r{ keyword}
1153 @item :append-button-args
1154 A list of keyword arguments to pass to the trailing insert button.
1155
1156 @vindex buttons@r{ keyword}
1157 @item :buttons
1158 The widgets representing the insert and delete buttons.
1159
1160 @vindex children@r{ keyword}
1161 @item :children
1162 The widgets representing the elements of the list.
1163
1164 @vindex args@r{ keyword}
1165 @item :args
1166 List whose @sc{car} is the type of the list elements.
1167 @end table
1168
1169 @node group, , editable-list, Basic Types
1170 @comment node-name, next, previous, up
1171 @subsection The @code{group} Widget
1172 @findex group@r{ widget}
1173
1174 This widget simply group other widgets together.
1175
1176 Syntax:
1177
1178 @example
1179 @var{type} ::= (group [@var{keyword} @var{argument}]... @var{type}...)
1180 @end example
1181
1182 The value is a list, with one member for each @var{type}.
1183
1184 @node Sexp Types, Widget Properties, Basic Types, Top
1185 @comment
1186 @section Sexp Types
1187 @cindex sexp types
1188
1189 A number of widgets for editing @dfn{s-expressions} (Lisp types), sexp
1190 for short, are also available. These basically fall in several
1191 categories described in this section.
1192
1193 @menu
1194 * constants::
1195 * generic::
1196 * atoms::
1197 * composite::
1198 @end menu
1199
1200 @node constants, generic, Sexp Types, Sexp Types
1201 @comment node-name, next, previous, up
1202 @subsection The Constant Widgets
1203 @cindex constant widgets
1204
1205 The @code{const} widget can contain any Lisp expression, but the user is
1206 prohibited from editing it, which is mainly useful as a component of one
1207 of the composite widgets.
1208
1209 The syntax for the @code{const} widget is:
1210
1211 @example
1212 @var{type} ::= (const [@var{keyword} @var{argument}]... [ @var{value} ])
1213 @end example
1214
1215 The @var{value}, if present, is used to initialize the @code{:value}
1216 property and can be any s-expression.
1217
1218 @deffn Widget const
1219 This will display any valid s-expression in an immutable part of the
1220 buffer.
1221 @end deffn
1222
1223 There are two variations of the @code{const} widget, namely
1224 @code{variable-item} and @code{function-item}. These should contain a
1225 symbol with a variable or function binding. The major difference from
1226 the @code{const} widget is that they will allow the user to see the
1227 variable or function documentation for the symbol.
1228
1229 @deffn Widget variable-item
1230 An immutable symbol that is bound as a variable.
1231 @end deffn
1232
1233 @deffn Widget function-item
1234 An immutable symbol that is bound as a function.
1235 @end deffn
1236
1237 @node generic, atoms, constants, Sexp Types
1238 @comment node-name, next, previous, up
1239 @subsection Generic Sexp Widget
1240 @cindex generic sexp widget
1241
1242 The @code{sexp} widget can contain any Lisp expression, and allows the
1243 user to edit it inline in the buffer.
1244
1245 The syntax for the @code{sexp} widget is:
1246
1247 @example
1248 @var{type} ::= (sexp [@var{keyword} @var{argument}]... [ @var{value} ])
1249 @end example
1250
1251 @deffn Widget sexp
1252 This will allow you to edit any valid s-expression in an editable buffer
1253 field.
1254
1255 The @code{sexp} widget takes the same keyword arguments as the
1256 @code{editable-field} widget. @xref{editable-field}.
1257 @end deffn
1258
1259 @node atoms, composite, generic, Sexp Types
1260 @comment node-name, next, previous, up
1261 @subsection Atomic Sexp Widgets
1262 @cindex atomic sexp widget
1263
1264 The atoms are s-expressions that do not consist of other s-expressions.
1265 For example, a string, a file name, or a symbol are atoms, while a list
1266 is a composite type. You can edit the value of an atom with the
1267 following widgets.
1268
1269 The syntax for all the atoms are:
1270
1271 @example
1272 @var{type} ::= (@var{construct} [@var{keyword} @var{argument}]... [ @var{value} ])
1273 @end example
1274
1275 The @var{value}, if present, is used to initialize the @code{:value}
1276 property and must be an expression of the same type as the widget.
1277 That is, the string widget can only be initialized with a string.
1278
1279 All the atom widgets take the same keyword arguments as the
1280 @code{editable-field} widget. @xref{editable-field}.
1281
1282 @deffn Widget string
1283 Allows you to edit a string in an editable field.
1284 @end deffn
1285
1286 @deffn Widget regexp
1287 Allows you to edit a regular expression in an editable field.
1288 @end deffn
1289
1290 @deffn Widget character
1291 Allows you to enter a character in an editable field.
1292 @end deffn
1293
1294 @deffn Widget file
1295 Allows you to edit a file name in an editable field.
1296
1297 Keywords:
1298 @table @code
1299 @vindex must-match@r{ keyword}
1300 @item :must-match
1301 If this is set to non-@code{nil}, only existing file names will be
1302 allowed in the minibuffer.
1303 @end table
1304 @end deffn
1305
1306 @deffn Widget directory
1307 Allows you to edit a directory name in an editable field.
1308 Similar to the @code{file} widget.
1309 @end deffn
1310
1311 @deffn Widget symbol
1312 Allows you to edit a Lisp symbol in an editable field.
1313 @end deffn
1314
1315 @deffn Widget function
1316 Allows you to edit a lambda expression, or a function name with completion.
1317 @end deffn
1318
1319 @deffn Widget variable
1320 Allows you to edit a variable name, with completion.
1321 @end deffn
1322
1323 @deffn Widget integer
1324 Allows you to edit an integer in an editable field.
1325 @end deffn
1326
1327 @deffn Widget number
1328 Allows you to edit a number in an editable field.
1329 @end deffn
1330
1331 @deffn Widget boolean
1332 Allows you to edit a boolean. In Lisp this means a variable which is
1333 either @code{nil} meaning false, or non-@code{nil} meaning true.
1334 @end deffn
1335
1336
1337 @node composite, , atoms, Sexp Types
1338 @comment node-name, next, previous, up
1339 @subsection Composite Sexp Widgets
1340 @cindex composite sexp widgets
1341
1342 The syntax for the composite widget construct is:
1343
1344 @example
1345 @var{type} ::= (@var{construct} [@var{keyword} @var{argument}]... @var{component}...)
1346 @end example
1347
1348 @noindent
1349 where each @var{component} must be a widget type. Each component widget
1350 will be displayed in the buffer, and will be editable by the user.
1351
1352 @deffn Widget cons
1353 The value of a @code{cons} widget must be a cons-cell whose @sc{car}
1354 and @sc{cdr} have two specified types. It uses this syntax:
1355
1356 @example
1357 @var{type} ::= (cons [@var{keyword} @var{argument}]... @var{car-type} @var{cdr-type})
1358 @end example
1359 @end deffn
1360
1361 @deffn Widget choice
1362 The value matched by a @code{choice} widget must have one of a fixed
1363 set of types. The widget's syntax is as follows:
1364
1365 @example
1366 @var{type} ::= (choice [@var{keyword} @var{argument}]... @var{type} ... )
1367 @end example
1368
1369 The value of a @code{choice} widget can be anything that matches any of the
1370 @var{types}.
1371 @end deffn
1372
1373 @deffn Widget list
1374 The value of a @code{list} widget must be a list whose element types
1375 match the specified component types:
1376
1377 @example
1378 @var{type} ::= (list [@var{keyword} @var{argument}]... @var{component-type}...)
1379 @end example
1380
1381 Thus, @code{(list string number)} matches lists of two elements,
1382 the first being a string and the second being a number.
1383 @end deffn
1384
1385 @deffn Widget vector
1386 The @code{vector} widget is like the @code{list} widget but matches
1387 vectors instead of lists. Thus, @code{(vector string number)} matches
1388 vectors of two elements, the first being a string and the second being
1389 a number.
1390 @end deffn
1391
1392 The above suffice for specifying fixed size lists and vectors. To get
1393 variable length lists and vectors, you can use a @code{choice},
1394 @code{set}, or @code{repeat} widget together with the @code{:inline}
1395 keyword. If any component of a composite widget has the
1396 @code{:inline} keyword set, its value must be a list which will then
1397 be spliced into the composite. For example, to specify a list whose
1398 first element must be a file name, and whose remaining elements should
1399 either be the symbol @code{t} or two strings (file names), you can use
1400 the following widget specification:
1401
1402 @example
1403 (list file
1404 (choice (const t)
1405 (list :inline t
1406 :value ("foo" "bar")
1407 string string)))
1408 @end example
1409
1410 The value of a widget of this type will either have the form
1411 @code{(file t)} or @code{(file @var{string} @var{string})}.
1412
1413 This concept of @code{:inline} may be hard to understand. It was
1414 certainly hard to implement, so instead of confusing you more by
1415 trying to explain it here, I'll just suggest you meditate over it for
1416 a while.
1417
1418 @deffn Widget set
1419 Specifies a type whose values are the lists whose elements all belong
1420 to a given set. The order of elements of the list is not significant.
1421 Here's the syntax:
1422
1423 @example
1424 @var{type} ::= (set [@var{keyword} @var{argument}]... @var{permitted-element} ... )
1425 @end example
1426
1427 Use @code{const} to specify each permitted element, like this:
1428 @code{(set (const a) (const b))}.
1429 @end deffn
1430
1431 @deffn Widget repeat
1432 Specifies a list of any number of elements that fit a certain type.
1433
1434 @example
1435 @var{type} ::= (repeat [@var{keyword} @var{argument}]... @var{type})
1436 @end example
1437 @end deffn
1438
1439 @node Widget Properties, Defining New Widgets, Sexp Types, Top
1440 @comment node-name, next, previous, up
1441 @section Properties
1442 @cindex properties of widgets
1443 @cindex widget properties
1444
1445 You can examine or set the value of a widget by using the widget object
1446 that was returned by @code{widget-create}.
1447
1448 @defun widget-value widget
1449 Return the current value contained in @var{widget}.
1450 It is an error to call this function on an uninitialized widget.
1451 @end defun
1452
1453 @defun widget-value-set widget value
1454 Set the value contained in @var{widget} to @var{value}.
1455 It is an error to call this function with an invalid @var{value}.
1456 @end defun
1457
1458 @strong{Important:} You @emph{must} call @code{widget-setup} after
1459 modifying the value of a widget before the user is allowed to edit the
1460 widget again. It is enough to call @code{widget-setup} once if you
1461 modify multiple widgets. This is currently only necessary if the widget
1462 contains an editing field, but may be necessary for other widgets in the
1463 future.
1464
1465 If your application needs to associate some information with the widget
1466 objects, for example a reference to the item being edited, it can be
1467 done with @code{widget-put} and @code{widget-get}. The property names
1468 must begin with a @samp{:}.
1469
1470 @defun widget-put widget property value
1471 In @var{widget} set @var{property} to @var{value}.
1472 @var{property} should be a symbol, while @var{value} can be anything.
1473 @end defun
1474
1475 @defun widget-get widget property
1476 In @var{widget} return the value for @var{property}.
1477 @var{property} should be a symbol, the value is what was last set by
1478 @code{widget-put} for @var{property}.
1479 @end defun
1480
1481 @defun widget-member widget property
1482 Non-@code{nil} if @var{widget} has a value (even @code{nil}) for
1483 property @var{property}.
1484 @end defun
1485
1486 Occasionally it can be useful to know which kind of widget you have,
1487 i.e.@: the name of the widget type you gave when the widget was created.
1488
1489 @defun widget-type widget
1490 Return the name of @var{widget}, a symbol.
1491 @end defun
1492
1493 @cindex active widget
1494 @cindex inactive widget
1495 @cindex activate a widget
1496 @cindex deactivate a widget
1497 Widgets can be in two states: active, which means they are modifiable by
1498 the user, or inactive, which means they cannot be modified by the user.
1499 You can query or set the state with the following code:
1500
1501 @lisp
1502 ;; Examine if @var{widget} is active or not.
1503 (if (widget-apply @var{widget} :active)
1504 (message "Widget is active.")
1505 (message "Widget is inactive.")
1506
1507 ;; Make @var{widget} inactive.
1508 (widget-apply @var{widget} :deactivate)
1509
1510 ;; Make @var{widget} active.
1511 (widget-apply @var{widget} :activate)
1512 @end lisp
1513
1514 A widget is inactive if it, or any of its ancestors (found by
1515 following the @code{:parent} link), have been deactivated. To make sure
1516 a widget is really active, you must therefore activate both it and
1517 all its ancestors.
1518
1519 @lisp
1520 (while widget
1521 (widget-apply widget :activate)
1522 (setq widget (widget-get widget :parent)))
1523 @end lisp
1524
1525 You can check if a widget has been made inactive by examining the value
1526 of the @code{:inactive} keyword. If this is non-@code{nil}, the widget itself
1527 has been deactivated. This is different from using the @code{:active}
1528 keyword, in that the latter tells you if the widget @strong{or} any of
1529 its ancestors have been deactivated. Do not attempt to set the
1530 @code{:inactive} keyword directly. Use the @code{:activate}
1531 @code{:deactivate} keywords instead.
1532
1533
1534 @node Defining New Widgets, Widget Browser, Widget Properties, Top
1535 @comment node-name, next, previous, up
1536 @section Defining New Widgets
1537 @cindex new widgets
1538 @cindex defining new widgets
1539
1540 You can define specialized widgets with @code{define-widget}. It allows
1541 you to create a shorthand for more complex widgets, including specifying
1542 component widgets and new default values for the keyword
1543 arguments.
1544
1545 @defun define-widget name class doc &rest args
1546 Define a new widget type named @var{name} from @code{class}.
1547
1548 @var{name} and class should both be symbols, @code{class} should be one
1549 of the existing widget types.
1550
1551 The third argument @var{doc} is a documentation string for the widget.
1552
1553 After the new widget has been defined, the following two calls will
1554 create identical widgets:
1555
1556 @itemize @bullet
1557 @item
1558 @lisp
1559 (widget-create @var{name})
1560 @end lisp
1561
1562 @item
1563 @lisp
1564 (apply widget-create @var{class} @var{args})
1565 @end lisp
1566 @end itemize
1567
1568 @end defun
1569
1570 Using @code{define-widget} just stores the definition of the widget type
1571 in the @code{widget-type} property of @var{name}, which is what
1572 @code{widget-create} uses.
1573
1574 If you only want to specify defaults for keywords with no complex
1575 conversions, you can use @code{identity} as your conversion function.
1576
1577 The following additional keyword arguments are useful when defining new
1578 widgets:
1579 @table @code
1580 @vindex convert-widget@r{ keyword}
1581 @item :convert-widget
1582 Function to convert a widget type before creating a widget of that
1583 type. It takes a widget type as an argument, and returns the converted
1584 widget type. When a widget is created, this function is called for the
1585 widget type and all the widget's parent types, most derived first.
1586
1587 The following predefined functions can be used here:
1588
1589 @defun widget-types-convert-widget widget
1590 Convert @code{:args} as widget types in @var{widget}.
1591 @end defun
1592
1593 @defun widget-value-convert-widget widget
1594 Initialize @code{:value} from @code{:args} in @var{widget}.
1595 @end defun
1596
1597 @vindex copy@r{ keyword}
1598 @item :copy
1599 Function to deep copy a widget type. It takes a shallow copy of the
1600 widget type as an argument (made by @code{copy-sequence}), and returns a
1601 deep copy. The purpose of this is to avoid having different instances
1602 of combined widgets share nested attributes.
1603
1604 The following predefined functions can be used here:
1605
1606 @defun widget-types-copy widget
1607 Copy @code{:args} as widget types in @var{widget}.
1608 @end defun
1609
1610 @vindex value-to-internal@r{ keyword}
1611 @item :value-to-internal
1612 Function to convert the value to the internal format. The function
1613 takes two arguments, a widget and an external value, and returns the
1614 internal value. The function is called on the present @code{:value}
1615 when the widget is created, and on any value set later with
1616 @code{widget-value-set}.
1617
1618 @vindex value-to-external@r{ keyword}
1619 @item :value-to-external
1620 Function to convert the value to the external format. The function
1621 takes two arguments, a widget and an internal value, and returns the
1622 external value. The function is called on the present @code{:value}
1623 when the widget is created, and on any value set later with
1624 @code{widget-value-set}.
1625
1626 @vindex create@r{ keyword}
1627 @item :create
1628 Function to create a widget from scratch. The function takes one
1629 argument, a widget type, and creates a widget of that type, inserts it
1630 in the buffer, and returns a widget object.
1631
1632 @vindex delete@r{ keyword}
1633 @item :delete
1634 Function to delete a widget. The function takes one argument, a widget,
1635 and should remove all traces of the widget from the buffer.
1636
1637 The default value is:
1638
1639 @defun widget-default-delete widget
1640 Remove @var{widget} from the buffer.
1641 Delete all @code{:children} and @code{:buttons} in @var{widget}.
1642 @end defun
1643
1644 In most cases you should not change this value, but instead use
1645 @code{:value-delete} to make any additional cleanup.
1646
1647 @vindex value-create@r{ keyword}
1648 @item :value-create
1649 Function to expand the @samp{%v} escape in the format string. It will
1650 be called with the widget as its argument and should insert a
1651 representation of the widget's value in the buffer.
1652
1653 Nested widgets should be listed in @code{:children} or @code{:buttons}
1654 to make sure they are automatically deleted.
1655
1656 @vindex value-delete@r{ keyword}
1657 @item :value-delete
1658 Should remove the representation of the widget's value from the buffer.
1659 It will be called with the widget as its argument. It doesn't have to
1660 remove the text, but it should release markers and delete nested widgets
1661 if these are not listed in @code{:children} or @code{:buttons}.
1662
1663 @vindex value-get@r{ keyword}
1664 @item :value-get
1665 Function to extract the value of a widget, as it is displayed in the
1666 buffer.
1667
1668 The following predefined function can be used here:
1669
1670 @defun widget-value-value-get widget
1671 Return the @code{:value} property of @var{widget}.
1672 @end defun
1673
1674 @vindex format-handler@r{ keyword}
1675 @item :format-handler
1676 Function to handle unknown @samp{%} escapes in the format string. It
1677 will be called with the widget and the character that follows the
1678 @samp{%} as arguments. You can set this to allow your widget to handle
1679 non-standard escapes.
1680
1681 @findex widget-default-format-handler
1682 You should end up calling @code{widget-default-format-handler} to handle
1683 unknown escape sequences, which will handle the @samp{%h} and any future
1684 escape sequences, as well as give an error for unknown escapes.
1685
1686 @vindex action@r{ keyword}
1687 @item :action
1688 Function to handle user initiated events. By default, @code{:notify}
1689 the parent.
1690
1691 The following predefined function can be used here:
1692
1693 @defun widget-parent-action widget &optional event
1694 Tell @code{:parent} of @var{widget} to handle the @code{:action}.
1695 Optional @var{event} is the event that triggered the action.
1696 @end defun
1697
1698 @vindex prompt-value@r{ keyword}
1699 @item :prompt-value
1700 Function to prompt for a value in the minibuffer. The function should
1701 take four arguments, @var{widget}, @var{prompt}, @var{value}, and
1702 @var{unbound} and should return a value for widget entered by the user.
1703 @var{prompt} is the prompt to use. @var{value} is the default value to
1704 use, unless @var{unbound} is non-@code{nil}, in which case there is no default
1705 value. The function should read the value using the method most natural
1706 for this widget, and does not have to check that it matches.
1707 @end table
1708
1709 If you want to define a new widget from scratch, use the @code{default}
1710 widget as its base.
1711
1712 @deffn Widget default
1713 Widget used as a base for other widgets.
1714
1715 It provides most of the functionality that is referred to as ``by
1716 default'' in this text.
1717 @end deffn
1718
1719 @node Widget Browser, Widget Minor Mode, Defining New Widgets, Top
1720 @comment node-name, next, previous, up
1721 @section Widget Browser
1722 @cindex widget browser
1723
1724 There is a separate package to browse widgets. This is intended to help
1725 programmers who want to examine the content of a widget. The browser
1726 shows the value of each keyword, but uses links for certain keywords
1727 such as @samp{:parent}, which avoids printing cyclic structures.
1728
1729 @deffn Command widget-browse @var{widget}
1730 Create a widget browser for @var{widget}.
1731 When called interactively, prompt for @var{widget}.
1732 @end deffn
1733
1734 @deffn Command widget-browse-other-window @var{widget}
1735 Create a widget browser for @var{widget} and show it in another window.
1736 When called interactively, prompt for @var{widget}.
1737 @end deffn
1738
1739 @deffn Command widget-browse-at @var{pos}
1740 Create a widget browser for the widget at @var{pos}.
1741 When called interactively, use the position of point.
1742 @end deffn
1743
1744 @node Widget Minor Mode, Utilities, Widget Browser, Top
1745 @comment node-name, next, previous, up
1746 @section Widget Minor Mode
1747 @cindex widget minor mode
1748
1749 There is a minor mode for manipulating widgets in major modes that
1750 don't provide any support for widgets themselves. This is mostly
1751 intended to be useful for programmers doing experiments.
1752
1753 @deffn Command widget-minor-mode
1754 Toggle minor mode for traversing widgets.
1755 With arg, turn widget mode on if and only if arg is positive.
1756 @end deffn
1757
1758 @defvar widget-minor-mode-keymap
1759 Keymap used in @code{widget-minor-mode}.
1760 @end defvar
1761
1762 @node Utilities, Widget Wishlist, Widget Minor Mode, Top
1763 @comment node-name, next, previous, up
1764 @section Utilities.
1765 @cindex utility functions for widgets
1766
1767 @defun widget-prompt-value widget prompt [ value unbound ]
1768 Prompt for a value matching @var{widget}, using @var{prompt}.
1769 The current value is assumed to be @var{value}, unless @var{unbound} is
1770 non-@code{nil}.@refill
1771 @end defun
1772
1773 @defun widget-get-sibling widget
1774 Get the item which @var{widget} is assumed to toggle.
1775 This is only meaningful for radio buttons or checkboxes in a list.
1776 @end defun
1777
1778 @node Widget Wishlist, GNU Free Documentation License, Utilities, Top
1779 @comment node-name, next, previous, up
1780 @section Wishlist
1781 @cindex todo
1782
1783 @itemize @bullet
1784 @item
1785 It should be possible to add or remove items from a list with @kbd{C-k}
1786 and @kbd{C-o} (suggested by @sc{rms}).
1787
1788 @item
1789 The @samp{[INS]} and @samp{[DEL]} buttons should be replaced by a single
1790 dash (@samp{-}). The dash should be a button that, when invoked, asks
1791 whether you want to add or delete an item (@sc{rms} wanted to git rid of
1792 the ugly buttons, the dash is my idea).
1793
1794 @item
1795 The @code{menu-choice} tag should be prettier, something like the abbreviated
1796 menus in Open Look.
1797
1798 @item
1799 Finish @code{:tab-order}.
1800
1801 @item
1802 Make indentation work with glyphs and proportional fonts.
1803
1804 @item
1805 Add commands to show overview of object and class hierarchies to the
1806 browser.
1807
1808 @item
1809 Find a way to disable mouse highlight for inactive widgets.
1810
1811 @item
1812 Find a way to make glyphs look inactive.
1813
1814 @item
1815 Add @code{property-list} widget.
1816
1817 @item
1818 Add @code{association-list} widget.
1819
1820 @item
1821 Add @code{key-binding} widget.
1822
1823 @item
1824 Add @code{widget} widget for editing widget specifications.
1825
1826 @item
1827 Find clean way to implement variable length list.
1828 See @code{TeX-printer-list} for an explanation.
1829
1830 @item
1831 @kbd{C-h} in @code{widget-prompt-value} should give type specific help.
1832
1833 @item
1834 Add a @code{mailto} widget.
1835 @end itemize
1836
1837 @node GNU Free Documentation License, Index, Widget Wishlist, Top
1838 @appendix GNU Free Documentation License
1839 @include doclicense.texi
1840
1841 @node Index, , GNU Free Documentation License, Top
1842 @comment node-name, next, previous, up
1843 @unnumbered Index
1844
1845 This is an alphabetical listing of all concepts, functions, commands,
1846 variables, and widgets described in this manual.
1847 @printindex cp
1848
1849 @setchapternewpage odd
1850 @contents
1851 @bye
1852
1853 @ignore
1854 arch-tag: 2b427731-4c61-4e72-85de-5ccec9c623f0
1855 @end ignore