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[bpt/emacs.git] / doc / emacs / misc.texi
1 @c This is part of the Emacs manual.
2 @c Copyright (C) 1985, 1986, 1987, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1997, 2000, 2001,
3 @c 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
4 @c See file emacs.texi for copying conditions.
5 @iftex
6 @chapter Miscellaneous Commands
7
8 This chapter contains several brief topics that do not fit anywhere
9 else: viewing ``document files'', reading netnews, running shell
10 commands and shell subprocesses, using a single shared Emacs for
11 utilities that expect to run an editor as a subprocess, printing
12 hardcopy, sorting text, narrowing display to part of the buffer,
13 editing double-column files and binary files, saving an Emacs session
14 for later resumption, following hyperlinks, browsing images, emulating
15 other editors, and various diversions and amusements.
16
17 @end iftex
18
19 @ifnottex
20 @raisesections
21 @end ifnottex
22
23 @node Document View, Gnus, Calendar/Diary, Top
24 @section Document Viewing
25 @cindex DVI file
26 @cindex PDF file
27 @cindex PS file
28 @cindex Postscript file
29 @cindex DocView mode
30 @cindex mode, DocView
31 @cindex document viewer (DocView)
32 @findex doc-view-mode
33
34 DocView mode (@code{doc-view-mode}) is a viewer for DVI, Postscript
35 (PS), and PDF documents. It provides features such as slicing,
36 zooming, and searching inside documents. It works by converting the
37 document to a set of images using the @command{gs} (GhostScript)
38 command, and displaying those images.
39
40 @findex doc-view-toggle-display
41 @findex doc-view-toggle-display
42 @cindex doc-view-minor-mode
43 When you visit a PDF or DVI file, Emacs automatically switches to
44 DocView mode. When you visit a Postscript file, Emacs switches to PS
45 mode, a major mode for editing Postscript files as text; however, it
46 also enables DocView minor mode, so you can type @kbd{C-c C-c} to view
47 the document with DocView. (PDF and DVI files, unlike Postscript
48 files, are not usually human-editable.) In either case, repeating
49 @kbd{C-c C-c} (@code{doc-view-toggle-display}) toggles between DocView
50 and the file text.
51
52 You can explicitly toggle DocView mode with the command @code{M-x
53 doc-view-mode}, and DocView minor mode with the command @code{M-x
54 doc-view-minor-mode}.
55
56 When DocView mode starts, it displays a welcome screen and begins
57 formatting the file, page by page. It displays the first page once
58 that has been formatted.
59
60 @findex doc-view-enlarge
61 @findex doc-view-shrink
62 @vindex doc-view-resolution
63 When in DocView mode, you can enlarge or shrink the document with
64 @kbd{+} (@code{doc-view-enlarge}) and @kbd{-}
65 (@code{doc-view-shrink}). To specify the default size for DocView,
66 set or customize the variable @code{doc-view-resolution}.
67
68 To kill the DocView buffer, type @kbd{k}
69 (@code{doc-view-kill-proc-and-buffer}). To bury it, type @kbd{q}
70 (@code{quit-window}).
71
72 @menu
73 * Navigation:: Navigation inside DocView buffers.
74 * Searching:: Searching inside documents.
75 * Slicing:: Specifing which part of pages should be displayed.
76 * Conversion:: Influencing and triggering converison.
77 @end menu
78
79 @node Navigation
80 @subsection Navigation
81
82 When in DocView mode, you can scroll the current page using the usual
83 Emacs movement keys: @kbd{C-p}, @kbd{C-n}, @kbd{C-b}, @kbd{C-f}, and
84 the arrow keys.
85
86 @findex doc-view-next-page
87 @findex doc-view-previous-page
88 To display the next page, type @kbd{n}, @key{next} or @kbd{C-x ]}
89 (@code{doc-view-next-page}). To display the previous page, type
90 @kbd{p}, @key{prior} or @kbd{C-x [} (@code{doc-view-previous-page}).
91
92 @findex doc-view-scroll-up-or-next-page
93 @findex doc-view-scroll-down-or-previous-page
94 The @key{SPC} (@code{doc-view-scroll-up-or-next-page}) key is a
95 convenient way to advance through the document. It scrolls within the
96 current page or advances to the next. @key{DEL} moves backwards in a
97 similar way (@code{doc-view-scroll-down-or-previous-page}).
98
99 @findex doc-view-first-page
100 @findex doc-view-last-page
101 @findex doc-view-goto-page
102 To go to the first page, type @kbd{M-<}
103 (@code{doc-view-first-page}); to go to the last one, type @kbd{M->}
104 (@code{doc-view-last-page}). To jump to a page by its number, type
105 @kbd{M-g M-g} or @kbd{M-g g} (@code{doc-view-goto-page}).
106
107 @node Searching
108 @subsection Searching
109
110 While in DocView mode, you can search the file's text for a regular
111 expression (@pxref{Regexps}). The interface for searching is inspired
112 by @code{isearch} (@pxref{Incremental Search}).
113
114 @findex doc-view-search
115 @findex doc-view-search-backward
116 @findex doc-view-show-tooltip
117 To begin a search, type @kbd{C-s} (@code{doc-view-search}) or
118 @kbd{C-r} (@code{doc-view-search-backward}). This reads a regular
119 expression using a minibuffer, then echoes the number of matches found
120 within the document. You can move forward and back among the matches
121 by typing @kbd{C-s} and @kbd{C-r}. DocView mode has no way to show
122 the match inside the page image; instead, it displays a tooltip (at
123 the mouse position) listing all matching lines in the current page.
124 To force display of this tooltip, type @kbd{C-t}
125 (@code{doc-view-show-tooltip}).
126
127 To start a new search, use the search command with a prefix
128 argument; i.e., @kbd{C-u C-s} for a forward search or @kbd{C-u C-r}
129 for a backward search.
130
131 @node Slicing
132 @subsection Slicing
133
134 Documents often have wide margins for printing. They are annoying
135 when reading the document on the screen, because they use up screen
136 space and can cause inconvenient scrolling.
137
138 @findex doc-view-set-slice
139 @findex doc-view-set-slice-using-mouse
140 With DocView you can hide these margins by selecting a @dfn{slice}
141 of pages to display. A slice is a rectangle within the page area;
142 once you specify a slice in DocView, it applies to whichever page you
143 look at.
144
145 To specify the slice numerically, type @kbd{s s}
146 (@code{doc-view-set-slice}); then enter the top left pixel position
147 and the slice's width and height.
148 @c ??? how does this work?
149
150 A more convenient graphical way to specify the slice is with @kbd{s
151 m} (@code{doc-view-set-slice-using-mouse}), where you use the mouse to
152 select the slice.
153 @c ??? How does this work?
154
155 @findex doc-view-reset-slice
156 To cancel the selected slice, type @kbd{s r}
157 (@code{doc-view-reset-slice}). Then DocView shows the entire page
158 including its entire margins.
159
160 @node Conversion
161 @subsection Conversion
162
163 @vindex doc-view-cache-directory
164 @findex doc-view-clear-cache
165 For efficiency, DocView caches the images produced by @command{gs}.
166 The name of this directory is given by the variable
167 @code{doc-view-cache-directory}. You can clear the cache directory by
168 typing @code{M-x doc-view-clear-cache}.
169
170 @findex doc-view-kill-proc
171 @findex doc-view-kill-proc-and-buffer
172 To force a reconversion of the currently viewed document, type
173 @kbd{r} or @kbd{g} (@code{revert-buffer}). To kill the converter
174 process associated with the current buffer, type @kbd{K}
175 (@code{doc-view-kill-proc}). The command @kbd{k}
176 (@code{doc-view-kill-proc-and-buffer}) kills the converter process and
177 the DocView buffer.
178
179 The zoom commands @kbd{+} (@code{doc-view-enlarge}) and @kbd{-}
180 (@code{doc-view-shrink}) need to reconvert the document at the new
181 size. The current page is converted first.
182
183 @node Gnus, Shell, Document View, Top
184 @section Gnus
185 @cindex Gnus
186 @cindex reading netnews
187
188 Gnus is an Emacs package primarily designed for reading and posting
189 Usenet news. It can also be used to read and respond to messages from a
190 number of other sources---mail, remote directories, digests, and so on.
191
192 Here we introduce Gnus and describe several basic features.
193 @ifnottex
194 For full details, see @ref{Top, Gnus,, gnus, The Gnus Manual}.
195 @end ifnottex
196 @iftex
197 For full details on Gnus, type @kbd{M-x info} and then select the Gnus
198 manual.
199 @end iftex
200
201 @findex gnus
202 To start Gnus, type @kbd{M-x gnus @key{RET}}.
203
204 @menu
205 * Buffers of Gnus:: The group, summary, and article buffers.
206 * Gnus Startup:: What you should know about starting Gnus.
207 * Summary of Gnus:: A short description of the basic Gnus commands.
208 @end menu
209
210 @node Buffers of Gnus
211 @subsection Gnus Buffers
212
213 Unlike most Emacs packages, Gnus uses several buffers to display
214 information and to receive commands. The three Gnus buffers users use
215 most are the @dfn{group buffer}, the @dfn{summary buffer} and the
216 @dfn{article buffer}.
217
218 The @dfn{group buffer} contains a list of newsgroups. This is the
219 first buffer Gnus displays when it starts up. It normally displays
220 only the groups to which you subscribe and that contain unread
221 articles. Use this buffer to select a specific group.
222
223 The @dfn{summary buffer} lists one line for each article in a single
224 group. By default, the author, the subject and the line number are
225 displayed for each article, but this is customizable, like most aspects
226 of Gnus display. The summary buffer is created when you select a group
227 in the group buffer, and is killed when you exit the group. Use this
228 buffer to select an article.
229
230 The @dfn{article buffer} displays the article. In normal Gnus usage,
231 you see this buffer but you don't select it---all useful
232 article-oriented commands work in the summary buffer. But you can
233 select the article buffer, and execute all Gnus commands from that
234 buffer, if you want to.
235
236 @node Gnus Startup
237 @subsection When Gnus Starts Up
238
239 At startup, Gnus reads your @file{.newsrc} news initialization file
240 and attempts to communicate with the local news server, which is a
241 repository of news articles. The news server need not be the same
242 computer you are logged in on.
243
244 If you start Gnus and connect to the server, but do not see any
245 newsgroups listed in the group buffer, type @kbd{L} or @kbd{A k} to get
246 a listing of all the groups. Then type @kbd{u} to toggle
247 subscription to groups.
248
249 The first time you start Gnus, Gnus subscribes you to a few selected
250 groups. All other groups start out as @dfn{killed groups} for you; you
251 can list them with @kbd{A k}. All new groups that subsequently come to
252 exist at the news server become @dfn{zombie groups} for you; type @kbd{A
253 z} to list them. You can subscribe to a group shown in these lists
254 using the @kbd{u} command.
255
256 When you quit Gnus with @kbd{q}, it automatically records in your
257 @file{.newsrc} and @file{.newsrc.eld} initialization files the
258 subscribed or unsubscribed status of all groups. You should normally
259 not edit these files manually, but you may if you know how.
260
261 @node Summary of Gnus
262 @subsection Summary of Gnus Commands
263
264 Reading news is a two-step process:
265
266 @enumerate
267 @item
268 Choose a group in the group buffer.
269
270 @item
271 Select articles from the summary buffer. Each article selected is
272 displayed in the article buffer in a large window, below the summary
273 buffer in its small window.
274 @end enumerate
275
276 Each Gnus buffer has its own special commands; the meanings of any
277 given key in the various Gnus buffers are usually analogous, even if
278 not identical. Here are commands for the group and summary buffers:
279
280 @table @kbd
281 @kindex q @r{(Gnus Group mode)}
282 @findex gnus-group-exit
283 @item q
284 In the group buffer, update your @file{.newsrc} initialization file
285 and quit Gnus.
286
287 In the summary buffer, exit the current group and return to the
288 group buffer. Thus, typing @kbd{q} twice quits Gnus.
289
290 @kindex L @r{(Gnus Group mode)}
291 @findex gnus-group-list-all-groups
292 @item L
293 In the group buffer, list all the groups available on your news
294 server (except those you have killed). This may be a long list!
295
296 @kindex l @r{(Gnus Group mode)}
297 @findex gnus-group-list-groups
298 @item l
299 In the group buffer, list only the groups to which you subscribe and
300 which contain unread articles.
301
302 @kindex u @r{(Gnus Group mode)}
303 @findex gnus-group-unsubscribe-current-group
304 @cindex subscribe groups
305 @cindex unsubscribe groups
306 @item u
307 In the group buffer, unsubscribe from (or subscribe to) the group listed
308 in the line that point is on. When you quit Gnus by typing @kbd{q},
309 Gnus lists in your @file{.newsrc} file which groups you have subscribed
310 to. The next time you start Gnus, you won't see this group,
311 because Gnus normally displays only subscribed-to groups.
312
313 @kindex C-k @r{(Gnus)}
314 @findex gnus-group-kill-group
315 @item C-k
316 In the group buffer, ``kill'' the current line's group---don't
317 even list it in @file{.newsrc} from now on. This affects future
318 Gnus sessions as well as the present session.
319
320 When you quit Gnus by typing @kbd{q}, Gnus writes information
321 in the file @file{.newsrc} describing all newsgroups except those you
322 have ``killed.''
323
324 @kindex SPC @r{(Gnus)}
325 @findex gnus-group-read-group
326 @item @key{SPC}
327 In the group buffer, select the group on the line under the cursor
328 and display the first unread article in that group.
329
330 @need 1000
331 In the summary buffer,
332
333 @itemize @bullet
334 @item
335 Select the article on the line under the cursor if none is selected.
336
337 @item
338 Scroll the text of the selected article (if there is one).
339
340 @item
341 Select the next unread article if at the end of the current article.
342 @end itemize
343
344 Thus, you can move through all the articles by repeatedly typing @key{SPC}.
345
346 @kindex DEL @r{(Gnus)}
347 @item @key{DEL}
348 In the group buffer, move point to the previous group containing
349 unread articles.
350
351 @findex gnus-summary-prev-page
352 In the summary buffer, scroll the text of the article backwards.
353
354 @kindex n @r{(Gnus)}
355 @findex gnus-group-next-unread-group
356 @findex gnus-summary-next-unread-article
357 @item n
358 Move point to the next unread group, or select the next unread article.
359
360 @kindex p @r{(Gnus)}
361 @findex gnus-group-prev-unread-group
362 @findex gnus-summary-prev-unread-article
363 @item p
364 Move point to the previous unread group, or select the previous
365 unread article.
366
367 @kindex C-n @r{(Gnus Group mode)}
368 @findex gnus-group-next-group
369 @kindex C-p @r{(Gnus Group mode)}
370 @findex gnus-group-prev-group
371 @kindex C-n @r{(Gnus Summary mode)}
372 @findex gnus-summary-next-subject
373 @kindex C-p @r{(Gnus Summary mode)}
374 @findex gnus-summary-prev-subject
375 @item C-n
376 @itemx C-p
377 Move point to the next or previous item, even if it is marked as read.
378 This does not select the article or group on that line.
379
380 @kindex s @r{(Gnus Summary mode)}
381 @findex gnus-summary-isearch-article
382 @item s
383 In the summary buffer, do an incremental search of the current text in
384 the article buffer, just as if you switched to the article buffer and
385 typed @kbd{C-s}.
386
387 @kindex M-s @r{(Gnus Summary mode)}
388 @findex gnus-summary-search-article-forward
389 @item M-s @var{regexp} @key{RET}
390 In the summary buffer, search forward for articles containing a match
391 for @var{regexp}.
392
393 @end table
394
395 @ignore
396 @node Where to Look
397 @subsection Where to Look Further
398
399 @c Too many references to the name of the manual if done with xref in TeX!
400 Gnus is powerful and customizable. Here are references to a few
401 @ifnottex
402 additional topics:
403
404 @end ifnottex
405 @iftex
406 additional topics in @cite{The Gnus Manual}:
407
408 @itemize @bullet
409 @item
410 Follow discussions on specific topics.@*
411 See section ``Threading.''
412
413 @item
414 Read digests. See section ``Document Groups.''
415
416 @item
417 Refer to and jump to the parent of the current article.@*
418 See section ``Finding the Parent.''
419
420 @item
421 Refer to articles by using Message-IDs included in the messages.@*
422 See section ``Article Keymap.''
423
424 @item
425 Save articles. See section ``Saving Articles.''
426
427 @item
428 Have Gnus score articles according to various criteria, like author
429 name, subject, or string in the body of the articles.@*
430 See section ``Scoring.''
431
432 @item
433 Send an article to a newsgroup.@*
434 See section ``Composing Messages.''
435 @end itemize
436 @end iftex
437 @ifnottex
438 @itemize @bullet
439 @item
440 Follow discussions on specific topics.@*
441 @xref{Threading, , Reading Based on Conversation Threads,
442 gnus, The Gnus Manual}.
443
444 @item
445 Read digests. @xref{Document Groups, , , gnus, The Gnus Manual}.
446
447 @item
448 Refer to and jump to the parent of the current article.@*
449 @xref{Finding the Parent, , , gnus, The Gnus Manual}.
450
451 @item
452 Refer to articles by using Message-IDs included in the messages.@*
453 @xref{Article Keymap, , , gnus, The Gnus Manual}.
454
455 @item
456 Save articles. @xref{Saving Articles, , , gnus, The Gnus Manual}.
457
458 @item
459 Have Gnus score articles according to various criteria, like author
460 name, subject, or string in the body of the articles.@*
461 @xref{Scoring, , , gnus, The Gnus Manual}.
462
463 @item
464 Send an article to a newsgroup.@*
465 @xref{Composing Messages, , , gnus, The Gnus Manual}.
466 @end itemize
467 @end ifnottex
468 @end ignore
469
470 @node Shell, Emacs Server, Gnus, Top
471 @section Running Shell Commands from Emacs
472 @cindex subshell
473 @cindex shell commands
474
475 Emacs has commands for passing single command lines to inferior shell
476 processes; it can also run a shell interactively with input and output
477 to an Emacs buffer named @samp{*shell*} or run a shell inside a terminal
478 emulator window.
479
480 @table @kbd
481 @item M-! @var{cmd} @key{RET}
482 Run the shell command line @var{cmd} and display the output
483 (@code{shell-command}).
484 @item M-| @var{cmd} @key{RET}
485 Run the shell command line @var{cmd} with region contents as input;
486 optionally replace the region with the output
487 (@code{shell-command-on-region}).
488 @item M-x shell
489 Run a subshell with input and output through an Emacs buffer.
490 You can then give commands interactively.
491 @item M-x term
492 Run a subshell with input and output through an Emacs buffer.
493 You can then give commands interactively.
494 Full terminal emulation is available.
495 @end table
496
497 @kbd{M-x eshell} invokes a shell implemented entirely in Emacs. It
498 is documented in a separate manual. @xref{Top,Eshell,Eshell, eshell,
499 Eshell: The Emacs Shell}.
500
501 @menu
502 * Single Shell:: How to run one shell command and return.
503 * Interactive Shell:: Permanent shell taking input via Emacs.
504 * Shell Mode:: Special Emacs commands used with permanent shell.
505 * Shell Prompts:: Two ways to recognize shell prompts.
506 * History: Shell History. Repeating previous commands in a shell buffer.
507 * Directory Tracking:: Keeping track when the subshell changes directory.
508 * Options: Shell Options. Options for customizing Shell mode.
509 * Terminal emulator:: An Emacs window as a terminal emulator.
510 * Term Mode:: Special Emacs commands used in Term mode.
511 * Paging in Term:: Paging in the terminal emulator.
512 * Remote Host:: Connecting to another computer.
513 * Serial Terminal:: Connecting to a serial port.
514 @end menu
515
516 @node Single Shell
517 @subsection Single Shell Commands
518
519 @kindex M-!
520 @findex shell-command
521 @kbd{M-!} (@code{shell-command}) reads a line of text using the
522 minibuffer and executes it as a shell command in a subshell made just
523 for that command. Standard input for the command comes from the null
524 device. If the shell command produces any output, the output appears
525 either in the echo area (if it is short), or in an Emacs buffer named
526 @samp{*Shell Command Output*}, which is displayed in another window
527 but not selected (if the output is long).
528
529 For instance, one way to decompress a file @file{foo.gz} from Emacs
530 is to type @kbd{M-! gunzip foo.gz @key{RET}}. That shell command
531 normally creates the file @file{foo} and produces no terminal output.
532
533 A numeric argument, as in @kbd{M-1 M-!}, says to insert terminal
534 output into the current buffer instead of a separate buffer. It puts
535 point before the output, and sets the mark after the output. For
536 instance, @kbd{M-1 M-! gunzip < foo.gz @key{RET}} would insert the
537 uncompressed equivalent of @file{foo.gz} into the current buffer.
538
539 If the shell command line ends in @samp{&}, it runs asynchronously.
540 For a synchronous shell command, @code{shell-command} returns the
541 command's exit status (0 means success), when it is called from a Lisp
542 program. You do not get any status information for an asynchronous
543 command, since it hasn't finished yet when @code{shell-command} returns.
544
545 @kindex M-|
546 @findex shell-command-on-region
547 @kbd{M-|} (@code{shell-command-on-region}) is like @kbd{M-!} but
548 passes the contents of the region as the standard input to the shell
549 command, instead of no input. With a numeric argument, meaning insert
550 the output in the current buffer, it deletes the old region and the
551 output replaces it as the contents of the region. It returns the
552 command's exit status, like @kbd{M-!}.
553
554 One use for @kbd{M-|} is to run @code{gpg} to see what keys are in
555 the buffer. For instance, if the buffer contains a GPG key, type
556 @kbd{C-x h M-| gpg @key{RET}} to feed the entire buffer contents to
557 the @code{gpg} program. That program will ignore everything except
558 the encoded keys, and will output a list of the keys the buffer
559 contains.
560
561 @vindex shell-file-name
562 Both @kbd{M-!} and @kbd{M-|} use @code{shell-file-name} to specify
563 the shell to use. This variable is initialized based on your
564 @env{SHELL} environment variable when Emacs is started. If the file
565 name is relative, Emacs searches the directories in the list
566 @code{exec-path}; this list is initialized based on the environment
567 variable @env{PATH} when Emacs is started. Your @file{.emacs} file
568 can override either or both of these default initializations.
569
570 Both @kbd{M-!} and @kbd{M-|} wait for the shell command to complete,
571 unless you end the command with @samp{&} to make it asynchronous. To
572 stop waiting, type @kbd{C-g} to quit; that terminates the shell
573 command with the signal @code{SIGINT}---the same signal that @kbd{C-c}
574 normally generates in the shell. Emacs then waits until the command
575 actually terminates. If the shell command doesn't stop (because it
576 ignores the @code{SIGINT} signal), type @kbd{C-g} again; this sends
577 the command a @code{SIGKILL} signal which is impossible to ignore.
578
579 Asynchronous commands ending in @samp{&} feed their output into
580 the buffer @samp{*Async Shell Command*}. Output arrives in that
581 buffer regardless of whether it is visible in a window.
582
583 To specify a coding system for @kbd{M-!} or @kbd{M-|}, use the command
584 @kbd{C-x @key{RET} c} immediately beforehand. @xref{Communication Coding}.
585
586 @vindex shell-command-default-error-buffer
587 Error output from these commands is normally intermixed with the
588 regular output. But if the variable
589 @code{shell-command-default-error-buffer} has a string as value, and
590 it's the name of a buffer, @kbd{M-!} and @kbd{M-|} insert error output
591 before point in that buffer.
592
593 @node Interactive Shell
594 @subsection Interactive Inferior Shell
595
596 @findex shell
597 To run a subshell interactively, putting its typescript in an Emacs
598 buffer, use @kbd{M-x shell}. This creates (or reuses) a buffer named
599 @samp{*shell*} and runs a subshell with input coming from and output going
600 to that buffer. That is to say, any ``terminal output'' from the subshell
601 goes into the buffer, advancing point, and any ``terminal input'' for
602 the subshell comes from text in the buffer. To give input to the subshell,
603 go to the end of the buffer and type the input, terminated by @key{RET}.
604
605 Emacs does not wait for the subshell to do anything. You can switch
606 windows or buffers and edit them while the shell is waiting, or while it is
607 running a command. Output from the subshell waits until Emacs has time to
608 process it; this happens whenever Emacs is waiting for keyboard input or
609 for time to elapse.
610
611 @cindex @code{comint-highlight-input} face
612 @cindex @code{comint-highlight-prompt} face
613 Input lines, once you submit them, are displayed using the face
614 @code{comint-highlight-input}, and prompts are displayed using the
615 face @code{comint-highlight-prompt}. This makes it easier to see
616 previous input lines in the buffer. @xref{Faces}.
617
618 To make multiple subshells, you can invoke @kbd{M-x shell} with a
619 prefix argument (e.g. @kbd{C-u M-x shell}), which will read a buffer
620 name and create (or reuse) a subshell in that buffer. You can also
621 rename the @samp{*shell*} buffer using @kbd{M-x rename-uniquely}, then
622 create a new @samp{*shell*} buffer using plain @kbd{M-x shell}.
623 Subshells in different buffers run independently and in parallel.
624
625 @vindex explicit-shell-file-name
626 @cindex environment variables for subshells
627 @cindex @env{ESHELL} environment variable
628 @cindex @env{SHELL} environment variable
629 The file name used to load the subshell is the value of the variable
630 @code{explicit-shell-file-name}, if that is non-@code{nil}. Otherwise,
631 the environment variable @env{ESHELL} is used, or the environment
632 variable @env{SHELL} if there is no @env{ESHELL}. If the file name
633 specified is relative, the directories in the list @code{exec-path} are
634 searched; this list is initialized based on the environment variable
635 @env{PATH} when Emacs is started. Your @file{.emacs} file can override
636 either or both of these default initializations.
637
638 Emacs sends the new shell the contents of the file
639 @file{~/.emacs_@var{shellname}} as input, if it exists, where
640 @var{shellname} is the name of the file that the shell was loaded
641 from. For example, if you use bash, the file sent to it is
642 @file{~/.emacs_bash}. If this file is not found, Emacs tries to fallback
643 on @file{~/.emacs.d/init_@var{shellname}.sh}.
644
645 To specify a coding system for the shell, you can use the command
646 @kbd{C-x @key{RET} c} immediately before @kbd{M-x shell}. You can
647 also change the coding system for a running subshell by typing
648 @kbd{C-x @key{RET} p} in the shell buffer. @xref{Communication
649 Coding}.
650
651 @cindex @env{INSIDE_EMACS} environment variable
652 Emacs sets the environment variable @env{INSIDE_EMACS} in the
653 subshell to a comma-separated list including the Emacs version.
654 Programs can check this variable to determine whether they are running
655 inside an Emacs subshell.
656
657 @cindex @env{EMACS} environment variable
658 Emacs also sets the @env{EMACS} environment variable (to @code{t}) if
659 it is not already defined. @strong{Warning:} This environment
660 variable is deprecated. Programs that check this variable should be
661 changed to check @env{INSIDE_EMACS} instead.
662
663 @node Shell Mode
664 @subsection Shell Mode
665 @cindex Shell mode
666 @cindex mode, Shell
667
668 Shell buffers use Shell mode, which defines several special keys
669 attached to the @kbd{C-c} prefix. They are chosen to resemble the usual
670 editing and job control characters present in shells that are not under
671 Emacs, except that you must type @kbd{C-c} first. Here is a complete list
672 of the special key bindings of Shell mode:
673
674 @table @kbd
675 @item @key{RET}
676 @kindex RET @r{(Shell mode)}
677 @findex comint-send-input
678 At end of buffer send line as input; otherwise, copy current line to
679 end of buffer and send it (@code{comint-send-input}). Copying a line
680 in this way omits any prompt at the beginning of the line (text output
681 by programs preceding your input). @xref{Shell Prompts}, for how
682 Shell mode recognizes prompts.
683
684 @item @key{TAB}
685 @kindex TAB @r{(Shell mode)}
686 @findex comint-dynamic-complete
687 Complete the command name or file name before point in the shell buffer
688 (@code{comint-dynamic-complete}). @key{TAB} also completes history
689 references (@pxref{History References}) and environment variable names.
690
691 @vindex shell-completion-fignore
692 @vindex comint-completion-fignore
693 The variable @code{shell-completion-fignore} specifies a list of file
694 name extensions to ignore in Shell mode completion. The default
695 setting is @code{nil}, but some users prefer @code{("~" "#" "%")} to
696 ignore file names ending in @samp{~}, @samp{#} or @samp{%}. Other
697 related Comint modes use the variable @code{comint-completion-fignore}
698 instead.
699
700 @item M-?
701 @kindex M-? @r{(Shell mode)}
702 @findex comint-dynamic-list-filename@dots{}
703 Display temporarily a list of the possible completions of the file name
704 before point in the shell buffer
705 (@code{comint-dynamic-list-filename-completions}).
706
707 @item C-d
708 @kindex C-d @r{(Shell mode)}
709 @findex comint-delchar-or-maybe-eof
710 Either delete a character or send @acronym{EOF}
711 (@code{comint-delchar-or-maybe-eof}). Typed at the end of the shell
712 buffer, @kbd{C-d} sends @acronym{EOF} to the subshell. Typed at any other
713 position in the buffer, @kbd{C-d} deletes a character as usual.
714
715 @item C-c C-a
716 @kindex C-c C-a @r{(Shell mode)}
717 @findex comint-bol-or-process-mark
718 Move to the beginning of the line, but after the prompt if any
719 (@code{comint-bol-or-process-mark}). If you repeat this command twice
720 in a row, the second time it moves back to the process mark, which is
721 the beginning of the input that you have not yet sent to the subshell.
722 (Normally that is the same place---the end of the prompt on this
723 line---but after @kbd{C-c @key{SPC}} the process mark may be in a
724 previous line.)
725
726 @item C-c @key{SPC}
727 Accumulate multiple lines of input, then send them together. This
728 command inserts a newline before point, but does not send the preceding
729 text as input to the subshell---at least, not yet. Both lines, the one
730 before this newline and the one after, will be sent together (along with
731 the newline that separates them), when you type @key{RET}.
732
733 @item C-c C-u
734 @kindex C-c C-u @r{(Shell mode)}
735 @findex comint-kill-input
736 Kill all text pending at end of buffer to be sent as input
737 (@code{comint-kill-input}). If point is not at end of buffer,
738 this only kills the part of this text that precedes point.
739
740 @item C-c C-w
741 @kindex C-c C-w @r{(Shell mode)}
742 Kill a word before point (@code{backward-kill-word}).
743
744 @item C-c C-c
745 @kindex C-c C-c @r{(Shell mode)}
746 @findex comint-interrupt-subjob
747 Interrupt the shell or its current subjob if any
748 (@code{comint-interrupt-subjob}). This command also kills
749 any shell input pending in the shell buffer and not yet sent.
750
751 @item C-c C-z
752 @kindex C-c C-z @r{(Shell mode)}
753 @findex comint-stop-subjob
754 Stop the shell or its current subjob if any (@code{comint-stop-subjob}).
755 This command also kills any shell input pending in the shell buffer and
756 not yet sent.
757
758 @item C-c C-\
759 @findex comint-quit-subjob
760 @kindex C-c C-\ @r{(Shell mode)}
761 Send quit signal to the shell or its current subjob if any
762 (@code{comint-quit-subjob}). This command also kills any shell input
763 pending in the shell buffer and not yet sent.
764
765 @item C-c C-o
766 @kindex C-c C-o @r{(Shell mode)}
767 @findex comint-delete-output
768 Delete the last batch of output from a shell command
769 (@code{comint-delete-output}). This is useful if a shell command spews
770 out lots of output that just gets in the way. This command used to be
771 called @code{comint-kill-output}.
772
773 @item C-c C-s
774 @kindex C-c C-s @r{(Shell mode)}
775 @findex comint-write-output
776 Write the last batch of output from a shell command to a file
777 (@code{comint-write-output}). With a prefix argument, the file is
778 appended to instead. Any prompt at the end of the output is not
779 written.
780
781 @item C-c C-r
782 @itemx C-M-l
783 @kindex C-c C-r @r{(Shell mode)}
784 @kindex C-M-l @r{(Shell mode)}
785 @findex comint-show-output
786 Scroll to display the beginning of the last batch of output at the top
787 of the window; also move the cursor there (@code{comint-show-output}).
788
789 @item C-c C-e
790 @kindex C-c C-e @r{(Shell mode)}
791 @findex comint-show-maximum-output
792 Scroll to put the end of the buffer at the bottom of the window
793 (@code{comint-show-maximum-output}).
794
795 @item C-c C-f
796 @kindex C-c C-f @r{(Shell mode)}
797 @findex shell-forward-command
798 @vindex shell-command-regexp
799 Move forward across one shell command, but not beyond the current line
800 (@code{shell-forward-command}). The variable @code{shell-command-regexp}
801 specifies how to recognize the end of a command.
802
803 @item C-c C-b
804 @kindex C-c C-b @r{(Shell mode)}
805 @findex shell-backward-command
806 Move backward across one shell command, but not beyond the current line
807 (@code{shell-backward-command}).
808
809 @item M-x dirs
810 Ask the shell what its current directory is, so that Emacs can agree
811 with the shell.
812
813 @item M-x send-invisible @key{RET} @var{text} @key{RET}
814 @findex send-invisible
815 Send @var{text} as input to the shell, after reading it without
816 echoing. This is useful when a shell command runs a program that asks
817 for a password.
818
819 Please note that Emacs will not echo passwords by default. If you
820 really want them to be echoed, evaluate the following Lisp
821 expression:
822
823 @example
824 (remove-hook 'comint-output-filter-functions
825 'comint-watch-for-password-prompt)
826 @end example
827
828 @item M-x comint-continue-subjob
829 @findex comint-continue-subjob
830 Continue the shell process. This is useful if you accidentally suspend
831 the shell process.@footnote{You should not suspend the shell process.
832 Suspending a subjob of the shell is a completely different matter---that
833 is normal practice, but you must use the shell to continue the subjob;
834 this command won't do it.}
835
836 @item M-x comint-strip-ctrl-m
837 @findex comint-strip-ctrl-m
838 Discard all control-M characters from the current group of shell output.
839 The most convenient way to use this command is to make it run
840 automatically when you get output from the subshell. To do that,
841 evaluate this Lisp expression:
842
843 @example
844 (add-hook 'comint-output-filter-functions
845 'comint-strip-ctrl-m)
846 @end example
847
848 @item M-x comint-truncate-buffer
849 @findex comint-truncate-buffer
850 This command truncates the shell buffer to a certain maximum number of
851 lines, specified by the variable @code{comint-buffer-maximum-size}.
852 Here's how to do this automatically each time you get output from the
853 subshell:
854
855 @example
856 (add-hook 'comint-output-filter-functions
857 'comint-truncate-buffer)
858 @end example
859 @end table
860
861 @cindex Comint mode
862 @cindex mode, Comint
863 Shell mode is a derivative of Comint mode, a general-purpose mode for
864 communicating with interactive subprocesses. Most of the features of
865 Shell mode actually come from Comint mode, as you can see from the
866 command names listed above. The special features of Shell mode include
867 the directory tracking feature, and a few user commands.
868
869 Other Emacs features that use variants of Comint mode include GUD
870 (@pxref{Debuggers}) and @kbd{M-x run-lisp} (@pxref{External Lisp}).
871
872 @findex comint-run
873 You can use @kbd{M-x comint-run} to execute any program of your choice
874 in a subprocess using unmodified Comint mode---without the
875 specializations of Shell mode.
876
877 @node Shell Prompts
878 @subsection Shell Prompts
879
880 @vindex shell-prompt-pattern
881 @vindex comint-prompt-regexp
882 @vindex comint-use-prompt-regexp
883 @cindex prompt, shell
884 A prompt is text output by a program to show that it is ready to
885 accept new user input. Normally, Comint mode (and thus Shell mode)
886 considers the prompt to be any text output by a program at the
887 beginning of an input line. However, if the variable
888 @code{comint-use-prompt-regexp} is non-@code{nil}, then Comint mode
889 uses a regular expression to recognize prompts. In Shell mode,
890 @code{shell-prompt-pattern} specifies the regular expression.
891
892 The value of @code{comint-use-prompt-regexp} also affects many
893 motion and paragraph commands. If the value is non-@code{nil}, the
894 general Emacs motion commands behave as they normally do in buffers
895 without special text properties. However, if the value is @code{nil},
896 the default, then Comint mode divides the buffer into two types of
897 ``fields'' (ranges of consecutive characters having the same
898 @code{field} text property): input and output. Prompts are part of
899 the output. Most Emacs motion commands do not cross field boundaries,
900 unless they move over multiple lines. For instance, when point is in
901 input on the same line as a prompt, @kbd{C-a} puts point at the
902 beginning of the input if @code{comint-use-prompt-regexp} is
903 @code{nil} and at the beginning of the line otherwise.
904
905 In Shell mode, only shell prompts start new paragraphs. Thus, a
906 paragraph consists of a prompt and the input and output that follow
907 it. However, if @code{comint-use-prompt-regexp} is @code{nil}, the
908 default, most paragraph commands do not cross field boundaries. This
909 means that prompts, ranges of input, and ranges of non-prompt output
910 behave mostly like separate paragraphs; with this setting, numeric
911 arguments to most paragraph commands yield essentially undefined
912 behavior. For the purpose of finding paragraph boundaries, Shell mode
913 uses @code{shell-prompt-pattern}, regardless of
914 @code{comint-use-prompt-regexp}.
915
916 @node Shell History
917 @subsection Shell Command History
918
919 Shell buffers support three ways of repeating earlier commands. You
920 can use keys like those used for the minibuffer history; these work
921 much as they do in the minibuffer, inserting text from prior commands
922 while point remains always at the end of the buffer. You can move
923 through the buffer to previous inputs in their original place, then
924 resubmit them or copy them to the end. Or you can use a
925 @samp{!}-style history reference.
926
927 @menu
928 * Ring: Shell Ring. Fetching commands from the history list.
929 * Copy: Shell History Copying. Moving to a command and then copying it.
930 * History References:: Expanding @samp{!}-style history references.
931 @end menu
932
933 @node Shell Ring
934 @subsubsection Shell History Ring
935
936 @table @kbd
937 @findex comint-previous-input
938 @kindex M-p @r{(Shell mode)}
939 @item M-p
940 @itemx C-@key{UP}
941 Fetch the next earlier old shell command.
942
943 @kindex M-n @r{(Shell mode)}
944 @findex comint-next-input
945 @item M-n
946 @itemx C-@key{DOWN}
947 Fetch the next later old shell command.
948
949 @kindex M-r @r{(Shell mode)}
950 @kindex M-s @r{(Shell mode)}
951 @findex comint-previous-matching-input
952 @findex comint-next-matching-input
953 @item M-r @var{regexp} @key{RET}
954 @itemx M-s @var{regexp} @key{RET}
955 Search backwards or forwards for old shell commands that match @var{regexp}.
956
957 @item C-c C-x
958 @kindex C-c C-x @r{(Shell mode)}
959 @findex comint-get-next-from-history
960 Fetch the next subsequent command from the history.
961
962 @item C-c .
963 @kindex C-c . @r{(Shell mode)}
964 @findex comint-input-previous-argument
965 Fetch one argument from an old shell command.
966
967 @item C-c C-l
968 @kindex C-c C-l @r{(Shell mode)}
969 @findex comint-dynamic-list-input-ring
970 Display the buffer's history of shell commands in another window
971 (@code{comint-dynamic-list-input-ring}).
972 @end table
973
974 Shell buffers provide a history of previously entered shell commands. To
975 reuse shell commands from the history, use the editing commands @kbd{M-p},
976 @kbd{M-n}, @kbd{M-r} and @kbd{M-s}. These work just like the minibuffer
977 history commands except that they operate on the text at the end of the
978 shell buffer, where you would normally insert text to send to the shell.
979
980 @kbd{M-p} fetches an earlier shell command to the end of the shell
981 buffer. Successive use of @kbd{M-p} fetches successively earlier
982 shell commands, each replacing any text that was already present as
983 potential shell input. @kbd{M-n} does likewise except that it finds
984 successively more recent shell commands from the buffer.
985 @kbd{C-@key{UP}} works like @kbd{M-p}, and @kbd{C-@key{DOWN}} like
986 @kbd{M-n}.
987
988 The history search commands @kbd{M-r} and @kbd{M-s} read a regular
989 expression and search through the history for a matching command. Aside
990 from the choice of which command to fetch, they work just like @kbd{M-p}
991 and @kbd{M-n}. If you enter an empty regexp, these commands reuse the
992 same regexp used last time.
993
994 When you find the previous input you want, you can resubmit it by
995 typing @key{RET}, or you can edit it first and then resubmit it if you
996 wish. Any partial input you were composing before navigating the
997 history list is restored when you go to the beginning or end of the
998 history ring.
999
1000 Often it is useful to reexecute several successive shell commands that
1001 were previously executed in sequence. To do this, first find and
1002 reexecute the first command of the sequence. Then type @kbd{C-c C-x};
1003 that will fetch the following command---the one that follows the command
1004 you just repeated. Then type @key{RET} to reexecute this command. You
1005 can reexecute several successive commands by typing @kbd{C-c C-x
1006 @key{RET}} over and over.
1007
1008 The command @kbd{C-c .}@: (@code{comint-input-previous-argument})
1009 copies an individual argument from a previous command, like @kbd{ESC
1010 .} in Bash. The simplest use copies the last argument from the
1011 previous shell command. With a prefix argument @var{n}, it copies the
1012 @var{n}th argument instead. Repeating @kbd{C-c .} copies from an
1013 earlier shell command instead, always using the same value of @var{n}
1014 (don't give a prefix argument when you repeat the @kbd{C-c .}
1015 command).
1016
1017 These commands get the text of previous shell commands from a special
1018 history list, not from the shell buffer itself. Thus, editing the shell
1019 buffer, or even killing large parts of it, does not affect the history
1020 that these commands access.
1021
1022 @vindex shell-input-ring-file-name
1023 Some shells store their command histories in files so that you can
1024 refer to commands from previous shell sessions. Emacs reads
1025 the command history file for your chosen shell, to initialize its own
1026 command history. The file name is @file{~/.bash_history} for bash,
1027 @file{~/.sh_history} for ksh, and @file{~/.history} for other shells.
1028
1029 @node Shell History Copying
1030 @subsubsection Shell History Copying
1031
1032 @table @kbd
1033 @kindex C-c C-p @r{(Shell mode)}
1034 @findex comint-previous-prompt
1035 @item C-c C-p
1036 Move point to the previous prompt (@code{comint-previous-prompt}).
1037
1038 @kindex C-c C-n @r{(Shell mode)}
1039 @findex comint-next-prompt
1040 @item C-c C-n
1041 Move point to the following prompt (@code{comint-next-prompt}).
1042
1043 @kindex C-c RET @r{(Shell mode)}
1044 @findex comint-copy-old-input
1045 @item C-c @key{RET}
1046 Copy the input command which point is in, inserting the copy at the end
1047 of the buffer (@code{comint-copy-old-input}). This is useful if you
1048 move point back to a previous command. After you copy the command, you
1049 can submit the copy as input with @key{RET}. If you wish, you can
1050 edit the copy before resubmitting it. If you use this command on an
1051 output line, it copies that line to the end of the buffer.
1052
1053 @item Mouse-2
1054 If @code{comint-use-prompt-regexp} is @code{nil} (the default), copy
1055 the old input command that you click on, inserting the copy at the end
1056 of the buffer (@code{comint-insert-input}). If
1057 @code{comint-use-prompt-regexp} is non-@code{nil}, or if the click is
1058 not over old input, just yank as usual.
1059 @end table
1060
1061 Moving to a previous input and then copying it with @kbd{C-c
1062 @key{RET}} or @kbd{Mouse-2} produces the same results---the same
1063 buffer contents---that you would get by using @kbd{M-p} enough times
1064 to fetch that previous input from the history list. However, @kbd{C-c
1065 @key{RET}} copies the text from the buffer, which can be different
1066 from what is in the history list if you edit the input text in the
1067 buffer after it has been sent.
1068
1069 @node History References
1070 @subsubsection Shell History References
1071 @cindex history reference
1072
1073 Various shells including csh and bash support @dfn{history
1074 references} that begin with @samp{!} and @samp{^}. Shell mode
1075 recognizes these constructs, and can perform the history substitution
1076 for you.
1077
1078 If you insert a history reference and type @key{TAB}, this searches
1079 the input history for a matching command, performs substitution if
1080 necessary, and places the result in the buffer in place of the history
1081 reference. For example, you can fetch the most recent command
1082 beginning with @samp{mv} with @kbd{! m v @key{TAB}}. You can edit the
1083 command if you wish, and then resubmit the command to the shell by
1084 typing @key{RET}.
1085
1086 @vindex comint-input-autoexpand
1087 @findex comint-magic-space
1088 Shell mode can optionally expand history references in the buffer
1089 when you send them to the shell. To request this, set the variable
1090 @code{comint-input-autoexpand} to @code{input}. You can make
1091 @key{SPC} perform history expansion by binding @key{SPC} to the
1092 command @code{comint-magic-space}.
1093
1094 Shell mode recognizes history references when they follow a prompt.
1095 @xref{Shell Prompts}, for how Shell mode recognizes prompts.
1096
1097 @node Directory Tracking
1098 @subsection Directory Tracking
1099 @cindex directory tracking
1100
1101 @vindex shell-pushd-regexp
1102 @vindex shell-popd-regexp
1103 @vindex shell-cd-regexp
1104 Shell mode keeps track of @samp{cd}, @samp{pushd} and @samp{popd}
1105 commands given to the inferior shell, so it can keep the
1106 @samp{*shell*} buffer's default directory the same as the shell's
1107 working directory. It recognizes these commands syntactically, by
1108 examining lines of input that are sent.
1109
1110 If you use aliases for these commands, you can tell Emacs to
1111 recognize them also. For example, if the value of the variable
1112 @code{shell-pushd-regexp} matches the beginning of a shell command
1113 line, that line is regarded as a @code{pushd} command. Change this
1114 variable when you add aliases for @samp{pushd}. Likewise,
1115 @code{shell-popd-regexp} and @code{shell-cd-regexp} are used to
1116 recognize commands with the meaning of @samp{popd} and @samp{cd}.
1117 These commands are recognized only at the beginning of a shell command
1118 line.
1119
1120 @ignore @c This seems to have been deleted long ago.
1121 @vindex shell-set-directory-error-hook
1122 If Emacs gets an error while trying to handle what it believes is a
1123 @samp{cd}, @samp{pushd} or @samp{popd} command, it runs the hook
1124 @code{shell-set-directory-error-hook} (@pxref{Hooks}).
1125 @end ignore
1126
1127 @findex dirs
1128 If Emacs gets confused about changes in the current directory of the
1129 subshell, use the command @kbd{M-x dirs} to ask the shell what its
1130 current directory is. This command works for shells that support the
1131 most common command syntax; it may not work for unusual shells.
1132
1133 @findex dirtrack-mode
1134 You can also use @kbd{M-x dirtrack-mode} to enable (or disable) an
1135 alternative method of tracking changes in the current directory. This
1136 method relies on your shell prompt containing the full current working
1137 directory at all times.
1138
1139 @node Shell Options
1140 @subsection Shell Mode Options
1141
1142 @vindex comint-scroll-to-bottom-on-input
1143 If the variable @code{comint-scroll-to-bottom-on-input} is
1144 non-@code{nil}, insertion and yank commands scroll the selected window
1145 to the bottom before inserting. The default is @code{nil}.
1146
1147 @vindex comint-scroll-show-maximum-output
1148 If @code{comint-scroll-show-maximum-output} is non-@code{nil}, then
1149 arrival of output when point is at the end tries to scroll the last
1150 line of text to the bottom line of the window, showing as much useful
1151 text as possible. (This mimics the scrolling behavior of most
1152 terminals.) The default is @code{t}.
1153
1154 @vindex comint-move-point-for-output
1155 By setting @code{comint-move-point-for-output}, you can opt for
1156 having point jump to the end of the buffer whenever output arrives---no
1157 matter where in the buffer point was before. If the value is
1158 @code{this}, point jumps in the selected window. If the value is
1159 @code{all}, point jumps in each window that shows the Comint buffer. If
1160 the value is @code{other}, point jumps in all nonselected windows that
1161 show the current buffer. The default value is @code{nil}, which means
1162 point does not jump to the end.
1163
1164 @vindex comint-prompt-read-only
1165 If you set @code{comint-prompt-read-only}, the prompts in the Comint
1166 buffer are read-only.
1167
1168 @vindex comint-input-ignoredups
1169 The variable @code{comint-input-ignoredups} controls whether successive
1170 identical inputs are stored in the input history. A non-@code{nil}
1171 value means to omit an input that is the same as the previous input.
1172 The default is @code{nil}, which means to store each input even if it is
1173 equal to the previous input.
1174
1175 @vindex comint-completion-addsuffix
1176 @vindex comint-completion-recexact
1177 @vindex comint-completion-autolist
1178 Three variables customize file name completion. The variable
1179 @code{comint-completion-addsuffix} controls whether completion inserts a
1180 space or a slash to indicate a fully completed file or directory name
1181 (non-@code{nil} means do insert a space or slash).
1182 @code{comint-completion-recexact}, if non-@code{nil}, directs @key{TAB}
1183 to choose the shortest possible completion if the usual Emacs completion
1184 algorithm cannot add even a single character.
1185 @code{comint-completion-autolist}, if non-@code{nil}, says to list all
1186 the possible completions whenever completion is not exact.
1187
1188 @vindex shell-completion-execonly
1189 Command completion normally considers only executable files.
1190 If you set @code{shell-completion-execonly} to @code{nil},
1191 it considers nonexecutable files as well.
1192
1193 @findex shell-pushd-tohome
1194 @findex shell-pushd-dextract
1195 @findex shell-pushd-dunique
1196 You can configure the behavior of @samp{pushd}. Variables control
1197 whether @samp{pushd} behaves like @samp{cd} if no argument is given
1198 (@code{shell-pushd-tohome}), pop rather than rotate with a numeric
1199 argument (@code{shell-pushd-dextract}), and only add directories to the
1200 directory stack if they are not already on it
1201 (@code{shell-pushd-dunique}). The values you choose should match the
1202 underlying shell, of course.
1203
1204 If you want Shell mode to handle color output from shell commands,
1205 you can enable ANSI Color mode. Here is how to do this:
1206
1207 @example
1208 (add-hook 'shell-mode-hook 'ansi-color-for-comint-mode-on)
1209 @end example
1210
1211 @node Terminal emulator
1212 @subsection Emacs Terminal Emulator
1213 @findex term
1214
1215 To run a subshell in a terminal emulator, putting its typescript in
1216 an Emacs buffer, use @kbd{M-x term}. This creates (or reuses) a
1217 buffer named @samp{*terminal*}, and runs a subshell with input coming
1218 from your keyboard, and output going to that buffer.
1219
1220 The terminal emulator uses Term mode, which has two input modes. In
1221 line mode, Term basically acts like Shell mode; see @ref{Shell Mode}.
1222
1223 In char mode, each character is sent directly to the inferior
1224 subshell, as ``terminal input.'' Any ``echoing'' of your input is the
1225 responsibility of the subshell. The sole exception is the terminal
1226 escape character, which by default is @kbd{C-c} (@pxref{Term Mode}).
1227 Any ``terminal output'' from the subshell goes into the buffer,
1228 advancing point.
1229
1230 Some programs (such as Emacs itself) need to control the appearance
1231 on the terminal screen in detail. They do this by sending special
1232 control codes. The exact control codes needed vary from terminal to
1233 terminal, but nowadays most terminals and terminal emulators
1234 (including @code{xterm}) understand the ANSI-standard (VT100-style)
1235 escape sequences. Term mode recognizes these escape sequences, and
1236 handles each one appropriately, changing the buffer so that the
1237 appearance of the window matches what it would be on a real terminal.
1238 You can actually run Emacs inside an Emacs Term window.
1239
1240 You can use Term mode to communicate with a device connected to a
1241 serial port of your computer, see @ref{Serial Terminal}.
1242
1243 The file name used to load the subshell is determined the same way
1244 as for Shell mode. To make multiple terminal emulators, rename the
1245 buffer @samp{*terminal*} to something different using @kbd{M-x
1246 rename-uniquely}, just as with Shell mode.
1247
1248 Unlike Shell mode, Term mode does not track the current directory by
1249 examining your input. But some shells can tell Term what the current
1250 directory is. This is done automatically by @code{bash} version 1.15
1251 and later.
1252
1253 @node Term Mode
1254 @subsection Term Mode
1255 @cindex Term mode
1256 @cindex mode, Term
1257
1258 The terminal emulator uses Term mode, which has two input modes. In
1259 line mode, Term basically acts like Shell mode; see @ref{Shell Mode}.
1260 In char mode, each character is sent directly to the inferior
1261 subshell, except for the Term escape character, normally @kbd{C-c}.
1262
1263 To switch between line and char mode, use these commands:
1264
1265 @table @kbd
1266 @kindex C-c C-j @r{(Term mode)}
1267 @findex term-char-mode
1268 @item C-c C-j
1269 Switch to line mode. Do nothing if already in line mode.
1270
1271 @kindex C-c C-k @r{(Term mode)}
1272 @findex term-line-mode
1273 @item C-c C-k
1274 Switch to char mode. Do nothing if already in char mode.
1275 @end table
1276
1277 The following commands are only available in char mode:
1278
1279 @table @kbd
1280 @item C-c C-c
1281 Send a literal @key{C-c} to the sub-shell.
1282
1283 @item C-c @var{char}
1284 This is equivalent to @kbd{C-x @var{char}} in normal Emacs. For
1285 example, @kbd{C-c o} invokes the global binding of @kbd{C-x o}, which
1286 is normally @samp{other-window}.
1287 @end table
1288
1289 @node Paging in Term
1290 @subsection Page-At-A-Time Output
1291 @cindex page-at-a-time
1292
1293 Term mode has a page-at-a-time feature. When enabled it makes
1294 output pause at the end of each screenful.
1295
1296 @table @kbd
1297 @kindex C-c C-q @r{(Term mode)}
1298 @findex term-pager-toggle
1299 @item C-c C-q
1300 Toggle the page-at-a-time feature. This command works in both line
1301 and char modes. When page-at-a-time is enabled, the mode-line
1302 displays the word @samp{page}.
1303 @end table
1304
1305 With page-at-a-time enabled, whenever Term receives more than a
1306 screenful of output since your last input, it pauses, displaying
1307 @samp{**MORE**} in the mode-line. Type @key{SPC} to display the next
1308 screenful of output. Type @kbd{?} to see your other options. The
1309 interface is similar to the @code{more} program.
1310
1311 @node Remote Host
1312 @subsection Remote Host Shell
1313 @cindex remote host
1314 @cindex connecting to remote host
1315 @cindex Telnet
1316 @cindex Rlogin
1317
1318 You can login to a remote computer, using whatever commands you
1319 would from a regular terminal (e.g.@: using the @code{telnet} or
1320 @code{rlogin} commands), from a Term window.
1321
1322 A program that asks you for a password will normally suppress
1323 echoing of the password, so the password will not show up in the
1324 buffer. This will happen just as if you were using a real terminal,
1325 if the buffer is in char mode. If it is in line mode, the password is
1326 temporarily visible, but will be erased when you hit return. (This
1327 happens automatically; there is no special password processing.)
1328
1329 When you log in to a different machine, you need to specify the type
1330 of terminal you're using, by setting the @env{TERM} environment
1331 variable in the environment for the remote login command. (If you use
1332 bash, you do that by writing the variable assignment before the remote
1333 login command, without separating comma.) Terminal types @samp{ansi}
1334 or @samp{vt100} will work on most systems.
1335
1336 @c If you are talking to a Bourne-compatible
1337 @c shell, and your system understands the @env{TERMCAP} variable,
1338 @c you can use the command @kbd{M-x shell-send-termcap}, which
1339 @c sends a string specifying the terminal type and size.
1340 @c (This command is also useful after the window has changed size.)
1341
1342 @c You can of course run @samp{gdb} on that remote computer. One useful
1343 @c trick: If you invoke gdb with the @code{--fullname} option,
1344 @c it will send special commands to Emacs that will cause Emacs to
1345 @c pop up the source files you're debugging. This will work
1346 @c whether or not gdb is running on a different computer than Emacs,
1347 @c as long as Emacs can access the source files specified by gdb.
1348
1349 @ignore
1350 You cannot log in to a remote computer using the Shell mode.
1351 @c (This will change when Shell is re-written to use Term.)
1352 Instead, Emacs provides two commands for logging in to another computer
1353 and communicating with it through an Emacs buffer using Comint mode:
1354
1355 @table @kbd
1356 @item M-x telnet @key{RET} @var{hostname} @key{RET}
1357 Set up a Telnet connection to the computer named @var{hostname}.
1358 @item M-x rlogin @key{RET} @var{hostname} @key{RET}
1359 Set up an Rlogin connection to the computer named @var{hostname}.
1360 @end table
1361
1362 @findex telnet
1363 Use @kbd{M-x telnet} to set up a Telnet connection to another
1364 computer. (Telnet is the standard Internet protocol for remote login.)
1365 It reads the host name of the other computer as an argument with the
1366 minibuffer. Once the connection is established, talking to the other
1367 computer works like talking to a subshell: you can edit input with the
1368 usual Emacs commands, and send it a line at a time by typing @key{RET}.
1369 The output is inserted in the Telnet buffer interspersed with the input.
1370
1371 @findex rlogin
1372 @vindex rlogin-explicit-args
1373 Use @kbd{M-x rlogin} to set up an Rlogin connection. Rlogin is
1374 another remote login communication protocol, essentially much like the
1375 Telnet protocol but incompatible with it, and supported only by certain
1376 systems. Rlogin's advantages are that you can arrange not to have to
1377 give your user name and password when communicating between two machines
1378 you frequently use, and that you can make an 8-bit-clean connection.
1379 (To do that in Emacs, set @code{rlogin-explicit-args} to @code{("-8")}
1380 before you run Rlogin.)
1381
1382 @kbd{M-x rlogin} sets up the default file directory of the Emacs
1383 buffer to access the remote host via FTP (@pxref{File Names}), and it
1384 tracks the shell commands that change the current directory, just like
1385 Shell mode.
1386
1387 @findex rlogin-directory-tracking-mode
1388 There are two ways of doing directory tracking in an Rlogin
1389 buffer---either with remote directory names
1390 @file{/@var{host}:@var{dir}/} or with local names (that works if the
1391 ``remote'' machine shares file systems with your machine of origin).
1392 You can use the command @code{rlogin-directory-tracking-mode} to switch
1393 modes. No argument means use remote directory names, a positive
1394 argument means use local names, and a negative argument means turn
1395 off directory tracking.
1396
1397 @end ignore
1398
1399 @node Serial Terminal
1400 @subsection Serial Terminal
1401 @cindex terminal, serial
1402 @findex serial-term
1403
1404 If you have a device connected to a serial port of your computer,
1405 you can use Emacs to communicate with it. @kbd{M-x serial-term} will
1406 ask you for a serial port name and speed and will then open a new
1407 window in @ref{Term Mode}.
1408
1409 The speed of the serial port is measured in bits per second. The
1410 most common speed is 9600 bits per second. You can change the speed
1411 interactively by clicking on the mode line.
1412
1413 A serial port can be configured even more by clicking on ``8N1'' in
1414 the mode line. By default, a serial port is configured as ``8N1'',
1415 which means that each byte consists of 8 data bits, No parity check
1416 bit, and 1 stopbit.
1417
1418 When you have opened the serial port connection, you will see output
1419 from the device in the window. Also, what you type in the window is
1420 sent to the device.
1421
1422 If the speed or the configuration is wrong, you cannot communicate
1423 with your device and will probably only see garbage output in the
1424 window.
1425
1426 @node Emacs Server, Printing, Shell, Top
1427 @section Using Emacs as a Server
1428 @pindex emacsclient
1429 @cindex Emacs as a server
1430 @cindex server, using Emacs as
1431 @cindex @env{EDITOR} environment variable
1432
1433 Various programs such as @command{mail} can invoke your choice of
1434 editor to edit a particular piece of text, such as a message that you
1435 are sending. By convention, most of these programs use the
1436 environment variable @env{EDITOR} to specify which editor to run. If
1437 you set @env{EDITOR} to @samp{emacs}, they invoke Emacs---but in an
1438 inconvenient way, by starting a new Emacs process. This is
1439 inconvenient because the new Emacs process doesn't share buffers, a
1440 command history, or other kinds of information with any existing Emacs
1441 process.
1442
1443 You can solve this problem by setting up Emacs as an @dfn{edit
1444 server}, so that it ``listens'' for external edit requests and acts
1445 accordingly. There are two ways to start an Emacs server:
1446
1447 @findex server-start
1448 The first is to run the command @code{server-start} in an existing
1449 Emacs process: either type @kbd{M-x server-start}, or put the
1450 expression @code{(server-start)} in your initialization file
1451 (@pxref{Init File}). The existing Emacs process is the server; when
1452 you exit Emacs, the server dies with the Emacs process.
1453
1454 @cindex daemon, Emacs
1455 The second way to start an Emacs server is to run Emacs as a
1456 @dfn{daemon}, using the @samp{--daemon} command-line option.
1457 @xref{Initial Options}. When Emacs is started this way, it calls
1458 @code{server-start} after initialization, and returns control to the
1459 calling terminal instead of opening an initial frame; it then waits in
1460 the background, listening for edit requests.
1461
1462 @cindex @env{TEXEDIT} environment variable
1463 Once an Emacs server is set up, you can use a shell command called
1464 @command{emacsclient} to connect to the existing Emacs process and
1465 tell it to visit a file. If you set the @env{EDITOR} environment
1466 variable to @samp{emacsclient}, programs such as @command{mail} will
1467 use the existing Emacs process for editing.@footnote{Some programs use
1468 a different environment variable; for example, to make @TeX{} use
1469 @samp{emacsclient}, set the @env{TEXEDIT} environment variable to
1470 @samp{emacsclient +%d %s}.}
1471
1472 @vindex server-name
1473 You can run multiple Emacs servers on the same machine by giving
1474 each one a unique ``server name'', using the variable
1475 @code{server-name}. For example, @kbd{M-x set-variable @key{RET}
1476 server-name @key{RET} foo @key{RET}} sets the server name to
1477 @samp{foo}. The @code{emacsclient} program can specify a server by
1478 name, using the @samp{-s} option (@pxref{emacsclient Options}).
1479
1480 @menu
1481 * Invoking emacsclient:: Connecting to the Emacs server.
1482 * emacsclient Options:: Emacs client startup options.
1483 @end menu
1484
1485 @node Invoking emacsclient
1486 @subsection Invoking @code{emacsclient}
1487 @cindex @code{emacsclient} invocation
1488
1489 The simplest way to use the @command{emacsclient} program is to run
1490 the shell command @samp{emacsclient @var{file}}, where @var{file} is a
1491 file name. This connects to an Emacs server, and tells that Emacs
1492 process to visit @var{file} in one of its existing frames---either a
1493 graphical frame, or one in a text-only terminal (@pxref{Frames}). You
1494 can then select that frame to begin editing.
1495
1496 If there is no Emacs server, the @command{emacsclient} program halts
1497 with an error message. If the Emacs process has no existing
1498 frame---which can happen if it was started as a daemon (@pxref{Emacs
1499 Server})---then Emacs opens a frame on the terminal in which you
1500 called @command{emacsclient}, as though you had used the @samp{-t}
1501 option (@pxref{emacsclient Options}).
1502
1503 On a graphical display, switching to the Emacs server is
1504 straightforward---just select its (system-level) window. If you are
1505 using a text-only terminal, there are two ways to switch between
1506 @command{emacsclient}'s shell and the Emacs server: (i) run the Emacs
1507 server and @command{emacsclient} on different virtual terminals, and
1508 switch to the Emacs server's virtual terminal after calling
1509 @command{emacsclient}; or (ii) call @command{emacsclient} from within
1510 the Emacs server itself, using Shell mode (@pxref{Interactive Shell})
1511 or Term mode (@pxref{Term Mode}); @code{emacsclient} blocks only the
1512 subshell under Emacs, and you can still use Emacs to edit the file.
1513
1514 @kindex C-x #
1515 @findex server-edit
1516 When you finish editing @var{file} in the Emacs server, type
1517 @kbd{C-x #} (@code{server-edit}) in its buffer. This saves the file
1518 and sends a message back to the @command{emacsclient} program, telling
1519 it to exit. Programs that use @env{EDITOR} usually wait for the
1520 ``editor''---in the case @command{emacsclient}---to exit before doing
1521 something else.
1522
1523 You can also call @command{emacsclient} with multiple file name
1524 arguments: @samp{emacsclient @var{file1} @var{file2} ...} tells the
1525 Emacs server to visit @var{file1}, @var{file2}, and so forth. Emacs
1526 selects the buffer visiting @var{file1}, and buries the other buffers
1527 at the bottom of the buffer list (@pxref{Buffers}). The
1528 @command{emacsclient} program exits once all the specified files are
1529 finished (i.e., once you have typed @kbd{C-x #} in each server
1530 buffer).
1531
1532 @vindex server-kill-new-buffers
1533 @vindex server-temp-file-regexp
1534 Finishing with a server buffer also kills the buffer, unless it
1535 already existed in the Emacs session before the server was asked to
1536 create it. However, if you set @code{server-kill-new-buffers} to
1537 @code{nil}, then a different criterion is used: finishing with a
1538 server buffer kills it if the file name matches the regular expression
1539 @code{server-temp-file-regexp}. This is set up to distinguish certain
1540 ``temporary'' files.
1541
1542 Each @kbd{C-x #} checks for other pending external requests to edit
1543 various files, and selects the next such file. You can switch to a
1544 server buffer manually if you wish; you don't have to arrive at it
1545 with @kbd{C-x #}. But @kbd{C-x #} is the way to tell
1546 @command{emacsclient} that you are finished.
1547
1548 @vindex server-window
1549 If you set the variable @code{server-window} to a window or a frame,
1550 @kbd{C-x #} always displays the next server buffer in that window or
1551 in that frame.
1552
1553 @node emacsclient Options
1554 @subsection @code{emacsclient} Options
1555 @cindex @code{emacsclient} options
1556
1557 You can pass some optional arguments to the @command{emacsclient}
1558 program, such as:
1559
1560 @example
1561 emacsclient -c +12 @var{file1} +4:3 @var{file2}
1562 @end example
1563
1564 @noindent
1565 The @samp{+@var{line}} or @samp{+@var{line}:@var{column}} arguments
1566 specify line numbers, or line and column numbers, for the next file
1567 argument. These behave like the command line arguments for Emacs
1568 itself. @xref{Action Arguments}.
1569
1570 The other optional arguments recognized by @command{emacsclient} are
1571 listed below:
1572
1573 @table @samp
1574 @item -a @var{command}
1575 @itemx --alternate-editor=@var{command}
1576 Specify a command to run if @code{emacsclient} fails to contact Emacs.
1577 This is useful when running @code{emacsclient} in a script. For
1578 example, the following setting for the @env{EDITOR} environment
1579 variable will always give you an editor, even if no Emacs server is
1580 running:
1581
1582 @example
1583 EDITOR="emacsclient --alternate-editor emacs +%d %s"
1584 @end example
1585
1586 @noindent
1587 @cindex @env{ALTERNATE_EDITOR} environment variable
1588 The environment variable @env{ALTERNATE_EDITOR} has the same effect,
1589 with the value of the @samp{--alternate-editor} option taking
1590 precedence.
1591
1592 @item -c
1593 Create a new graphical frame, instead of using an existing Emacs
1594 frame. Emacs 23 can create a graphical frame even if it was started
1595 in a text-only terminal, provided it is able to connect to a graphical
1596 display. If no graphical display is available, Emacs creates a new
1597 text-only terminal frame (@pxref{Frames}). If you omit a filename
1598 argument while supplying the @samp{-c} option, the new frame displays
1599 the @samp{*scratch*} buffer (@pxref{Buffers}).
1600
1601 @item -d @var{display}
1602 @itemx --display=@var{display}
1603 Tell Emacs to open the given files on the X display @var{display}
1604 (assuming there is more than one X display available).
1605
1606 @item -e
1607 @itemx --eval
1608 Tell Emacs to evaluate some Emacs Lisp code, instead of visiting some
1609 files. When this option is given, the arguments to
1610 @command{emacsclient} are interpreted as a list of expressions to
1611 evaluate, @emph{not} as a list of files to visit.
1612
1613 @item -f @var{server-file}
1614 @itemx --server-file=@var{server-file}
1615 @cindex @env{EMACS_SERVER_FILE} environment variable
1616 @cindex server file
1617 @vindex server-use-tcp
1618 @vindex server-host
1619 Specify a @dfn{server file} for connecting to an Emacs server via TCP.
1620
1621 An Emacs server usually uses an operating system feature called a
1622 ``local socket'' to listen for connections. Some operating systems,
1623 such as Microsoft Windows, do not support local sockets; in that case,
1624 Emacs uses TCP instead. When you start the Emacs server, Emacs
1625 creates a server file containing some TCP information that
1626 @command{emacsclient} needs for making the connection. By default,
1627 the server file is in @file{~/.emacs.d/server/}. On Microsoft
1628 Windows, if @command{emacsclient} does not find the server file there,
1629 it looks in the @file{.emacs.d/server/} subdirectory of the directory
1630 pointed to by the @env{APPDATA} environment variable. You can tell
1631 @command{emacsclient} to use a specific server file with the @samp{-f}
1632 or @samp{--server-file} option, or by setting the
1633 @env{EMACS_SERVER_FILE} environment variable.
1634
1635 Even if local sockets are available, you can tell Emacs to use TCP by
1636 setting the variable @code{server-use-tcp} to @code{t}. One advantage
1637 of TCP is that the server can accept connections from remote machines.
1638 For this to work, you must (i) set the variable @code{server-host} to
1639 the hostname or IP address of the machine on which the Emacs server
1640 runs, and (ii) provide @command{emacsclient} with the server file.
1641 (One convenient way to do the latter is to put the server file on a
1642 networked file system such as NFS.)
1643
1644 @item -n
1645 @itemx --no-wait
1646 Let @command{emacsclient} exit immediately, instead of waiting until
1647 all server buffers are finished. You can take as long as you like to
1648 edit the server buffers within Emacs, and they are @emph{not} killed
1649 when you type @kbd{C-x #} in them.
1650
1651 @item -s @var{server-name}
1652 @itemx --socket-name=@var{server-name}
1653 Connect to the Emacs server named @var{server-name}. The server name
1654 is given by the variable @code{server-name} on the Emacs server. If
1655 this option is omitted, @command{emacsclient} connects to the first
1656 server it finds. (This option is not supported on MS-Windows.)
1657
1658 @item -t
1659 @itemx --tty
1660 @itemx -nw
1661 Create a new Emacs frame on the current text-only terminal, instead of
1662 using an existing Emacs frame. Emacs 23 can open a text-only terminal
1663 even if it was started in another text-only terminal, or on a
1664 graphical display. If you omit a filename argument while supplying
1665 this option, the new frame displays the @samp{*scratch*} buffer.
1666 @xref{Buffers}.
1667 @end table
1668
1669 If you type @kbd{C-x C-c} (@code{save-buffers-kill-terminal}) in an
1670 Emacs frame created with @command{emacsclient}, via the @samp{-c} or
1671 @samp{-t} options, Emacs deletes the frame instead of killing the
1672 Emacs process itself. On a text-only terminal frame created with the
1673 @samp{-t} option, this returns control to the terminal. Emacs also
1674 marks all the server buffers for the client as finished, as though you
1675 had typed @kbd{C-x #} in all of them.
1676
1677 When Emacs is started as a daemon, all frames are considered client
1678 frames, so @kbd{C-x C-c} will never kill Emacs. To kill the Emacs
1679 process, type @kbd{M-x kill-emacs}.
1680
1681 @node Printing, Sorting, Emacs Server, Top
1682 @section Printing Hard Copies
1683 @cindex hardcopy
1684 @cindex printing
1685
1686 Emacs provides commands for printing hard copies of either an entire
1687 buffer or just part of one, with or without page headers. You can
1688 invoke the printing commands directly, as detailed in the following
1689 section, or using the @samp{File} menu on the menu bar. See also the
1690 hardcopy commands of Dired (@pxref{Misc File Ops}) and the diary
1691 (@pxref{Displaying the Diary}).
1692
1693 @table @kbd
1694 @item M-x print-buffer
1695 Print hardcopy of current buffer with page headings containing the file
1696 name and page number.
1697 @item M-x lpr-buffer
1698 Print hardcopy of current buffer without page headings.
1699 @item M-x print-region
1700 Like @code{print-buffer} but print only the current region.
1701 @item M-x lpr-region
1702 Like @code{lpr-buffer} but print only the current region.
1703 @end table
1704
1705 @findex print-buffer
1706 @findex print-region
1707 @findex lpr-buffer
1708 @findex lpr-region
1709 @vindex lpr-switches
1710 The hardcopy commands (aside from the PostScript commands) pass extra
1711 switches to the @code{lpr} program based on the value of the variable
1712 @code{lpr-switches}. Its value should be a list of strings, each string
1713 an option starting with @samp{-}. For example, to specify a line width
1714 of 80 columns for all the printing you do in Emacs, set
1715 @code{lpr-switches} like this:
1716
1717 @example
1718 (setq lpr-switches '("-w80"))
1719 @end example
1720
1721 @vindex printer-name
1722 You can specify the printer to use by setting the variable
1723 @code{printer-name}.
1724
1725 @vindex lpr-headers-switches
1726 @vindex lpr-commands
1727 @vindex lpr-add-switches
1728 The variable @code{lpr-command} specifies the name of the printer
1729 program to run; the default value depends on your operating system type.
1730 On most systems, the default is @code{"lpr"}. The variable
1731 @code{lpr-headers-switches} similarly specifies the extra switches to
1732 use to make page headers. The variable @code{lpr-add-switches} controls
1733 whether to supply @samp{-T} and @samp{-J} options (suitable for
1734 @code{lpr}) to the printer program: @code{nil} means don't add them.
1735 @code{lpr-add-switches} should be @code{nil} if your printer program is
1736 not compatible with @code{lpr}.
1737
1738 @menu
1739 * PostScript:: Printing buffers or regions as PostScript.
1740 * PostScript Variables:: Customizing the PostScript printing commands.
1741 * Printing Package:: An optional advanced printing interface.
1742 @end menu
1743
1744 @node PostScript, PostScript Variables,, Printing
1745 @section PostScript Hardcopy
1746
1747 These commands convert buffer contents to PostScript,
1748 either printing it or leaving it in another Emacs buffer.
1749
1750 @table @kbd
1751 @item M-x ps-print-buffer
1752 Print hardcopy of the current buffer in PostScript form.
1753 @item M-x ps-print-region
1754 Print hardcopy of the current region in PostScript form.
1755 @item M-x ps-print-buffer-with-faces
1756 Print hardcopy of the current buffer in PostScript form, showing the
1757 faces used in the text by means of PostScript features.
1758 @item M-x ps-print-region-with-faces
1759 Print hardcopy of the current region in PostScript form, showing the
1760 faces used in the text.
1761 @item M-x ps-spool-buffer
1762 Generate PostScript for the current buffer text.
1763 @item M-x ps-spool-region
1764 Generate PostScript for the current region.
1765 @item M-x ps-spool-buffer-with-faces
1766 Generate PostScript for the current buffer, showing the faces used.
1767 @item M-x ps-spool-region-with-faces
1768 Generate PostScript for the current region, showing the faces used.
1769 @item M-x handwrite
1770 Generates/prints PostScript for the current buffer as if handwritten.
1771 @end table
1772
1773 @findex ps-print-region
1774 @findex ps-print-buffer
1775 @findex ps-print-region-with-faces
1776 @findex ps-print-buffer-with-faces
1777 The PostScript commands, @code{ps-print-buffer} and
1778 @code{ps-print-region}, print buffer contents in PostScript form. One
1779 command prints the entire buffer; the other, just the region. The
1780 corresponding @samp{-with-faces} commands,
1781 @code{ps-print-buffer-with-faces} and @code{ps-print-region-with-faces},
1782 use PostScript features to show the faces (fonts and colors) in the text
1783 properties of the text being printed.
1784
1785 If you are using a color display, you can print a buffer of program
1786 code with color highlighting by turning on Font-Lock mode in that
1787 buffer, and using @code{ps-print-buffer-with-faces}.
1788
1789 @findex ps-spool-region
1790 @findex ps-spool-buffer
1791 @findex ps-spool-region-with-faces
1792 @findex ps-spool-buffer-with-faces
1793 The commands whose names have @samp{spool} instead of @samp{print}
1794 generate the PostScript output in an Emacs buffer instead of sending
1795 it to the printer.
1796
1797 @findex handwrite
1798 @cindex handwriting
1799 @kbd{M-x handwrite} is more frivolous. It generates a PostScript
1800 rendition of the current buffer as a cursive handwritten document. It
1801 can be customized in group @code{handwrite}. This function only
1802 supports ISO 8859-1 characters.
1803
1804 @ifnottex
1805 The following section describes variables for customizing these commands.
1806 @end ifnottex
1807
1808 @node PostScript Variables, Printing Package, PostScript, Printing
1809 @section Variables for PostScript Hardcopy
1810
1811 @vindex ps-lpr-command
1812 @vindex ps-lpr-switches
1813 @vindex ps-printer-name
1814 All the PostScript hardcopy commands use the variables
1815 @code{ps-lpr-command} and @code{ps-lpr-switches} to specify how to print
1816 the output. @code{ps-lpr-command} specifies the command name to run,
1817 @code{ps-lpr-switches} specifies command line options to use, and
1818 @code{ps-printer-name} specifies the printer. If you don't set the
1819 first two variables yourself, they take their initial values from
1820 @code{lpr-command} and @code{lpr-switches}. If @code{ps-printer-name}
1821 is @code{nil}, @code{printer-name} is used.
1822
1823 @vindex ps-print-header
1824 The variable @code{ps-print-header} controls whether these commands
1825 add header lines to each page---set it to @code{nil} to turn headers
1826 off.
1827
1828 @cindex color emulation on black-and-white printers
1829 @vindex ps-print-color-p
1830 If your printer doesn't support colors, you should turn off color
1831 processing by setting @code{ps-print-color-p} to @code{nil}. By
1832 default, if the display supports colors, Emacs produces hardcopy output
1833 with color information; on black-and-white printers, colors are emulated
1834 with shades of gray. This might produce illegible output, even if your
1835 screen colors only use shades of gray.
1836
1837 @vindex ps-use-face-background
1838 By default, PostScript printing ignores the background colors of the
1839 faces, unless the variable @code{ps-use-face-background} is
1840 non-@code{nil}. This is to avoid unwanted interference with the zebra
1841 stripes and background image/text.
1842
1843 @vindex ps-paper-type
1844 @vindex ps-page-dimensions-database
1845 The variable @code{ps-paper-type} specifies which size of paper to
1846 format for; legitimate values include @code{a4}, @code{a3},
1847 @code{a4small}, @code{b4}, @code{b5}, @code{executive}, @code{ledger},
1848 @code{legal}, @code{letter}, @code{letter-small}, @code{statement},
1849 @code{tabloid}. The default is @code{letter}. You can define
1850 additional paper sizes by changing the variable
1851 @code{ps-page-dimensions-database}.
1852
1853 @vindex ps-landscape-mode
1854 The variable @code{ps-landscape-mode} specifies the orientation of
1855 printing on the page. The default is @code{nil}, which stands for
1856 ``portrait'' mode. Any non-@code{nil} value specifies ``landscape''
1857 mode.
1858
1859 @vindex ps-number-of-columns
1860 The variable @code{ps-number-of-columns} specifies the number of
1861 columns; it takes effect in both landscape and portrait mode. The
1862 default is 1.
1863
1864 @vindex ps-font-family
1865 @vindex ps-font-size
1866 @vindex ps-font-info-database
1867 The variable @code{ps-font-family} specifies which font family to use
1868 for printing ordinary text. Legitimate values include @code{Courier},
1869 @code{Helvetica}, @code{NewCenturySchlbk}, @code{Palatino} and
1870 @code{Times}. The variable @code{ps-font-size} specifies the size of
1871 the font for ordinary text. It defaults to 8.5 points.
1872
1873 @vindex ps-multibyte-buffer
1874 @cindex Intlfonts for PostScript printing
1875 @cindex fonts for PostScript printing
1876 Emacs supports more scripts and characters than a typical PostScript
1877 printer. Thus, some of the characters in your buffer might not be
1878 printable using the fonts built into your printer. You can augment
1879 the fonts supplied with the printer with those from the GNU Intlfonts
1880 package, or you can instruct Emacs to use Intlfonts exclusively. The
1881 variable @code{ps-multibyte-buffer} controls this: the default value,
1882 @code{nil}, is appropriate for printing @acronym{ASCII} and Latin-1
1883 characters; a value of @code{non-latin-printer} is for printers which
1884 have the fonts for @acronym{ASCII}, Latin-1, Japanese, and Korean
1885 characters built into them. A value of @code{bdf-font} arranges for
1886 the BDF fonts from the Intlfonts package to be used for @emph{all}
1887 characters. Finally, a value of @code{bdf-font-except-latin}
1888 instructs the printer to use built-in fonts for @acronym{ASCII} and Latin-1
1889 characters, and Intlfonts BDF fonts for the rest.
1890
1891 @vindex bdf-directory-list
1892 To be able to use the BDF fonts, Emacs needs to know where to find
1893 them. The variable @code{bdf-directory-list} holds the list of
1894 directories where Emacs should look for the fonts; the default value
1895 includes a single directory @file{/usr/local/share/emacs/fonts/bdf}.
1896
1897 Many other customization variables for these commands are defined and
1898 described in the Lisp files @file{ps-print.el} and @file{ps-mule.el}.
1899
1900 @node Printing Package,, PostScript Variables, Printing
1901 @section Printing Package
1902 @cindex Printing package
1903
1904 The basic Emacs facilities for printing hardcopy can be extended
1905 using the Printing package. This provides an easy-to-use interface
1906 for choosing what to print, previewing PostScript files before
1907 printing, and setting various printing options such as print headers,
1908 landscape or portrait modes, duplex modes, and so forth. On GNU/Linux
1909 or Unix systems, the Printing package relies on the @file{gs} and
1910 @file{gv} utilities, which are distributed as part of the GhostScript
1911 program. On MS-Windows, the @file{gstools} port of Ghostscript can be
1912 used.
1913
1914 @findex pr-interface
1915 To use the Printing package, add @code{(require 'printing)} to your
1916 init file (@pxref{Init File}), followed by @code{(pr-update-menus)}.
1917 This function replaces the usual printing commands in the menu bar
1918 with a @samp{Printing} submenu that contains various printing options.
1919 You can also type @kbd{M-x pr-interface RET}; this creates a
1920 @samp{*Printing Interface*} buffer, similar to a customization buffer,
1921 where you can set the printing options. After selecting what and how
1922 to print, you start the print job using the @samp{Print} button (click
1923 @kbd{mouse-2} on it, or move point over it and type @kbd{RET}). For
1924 further information on the various options, use the @samp{Interface
1925 Help} button.
1926
1927 @node Sorting, Narrowing, Printing, Top
1928 @section Sorting Text
1929 @cindex sorting
1930
1931 Emacs provides several commands for sorting text in the buffer. All
1932 operate on the contents of the region.
1933 They divide the text of the region into many @dfn{sort records},
1934 identify a @dfn{sort key} for each record, and then reorder the records
1935 into the order determined by the sort keys. The records are ordered so
1936 that their keys are in alphabetical order, or, for numeric sorting, in
1937 numeric order. In alphabetic sorting, all upper-case letters `A' through
1938 `Z' come before lower-case `a', in accord with the @acronym{ASCII} character
1939 sequence.
1940
1941 The various sort commands differ in how they divide the text into sort
1942 records and in which part of each record is used as the sort key. Most of
1943 the commands make each line a separate sort record, but some commands use
1944 paragraphs or pages as sort records. Most of the sort commands use each
1945 entire sort record as its own sort key, but some use only a portion of the
1946 record as the sort key.
1947
1948 @findex sort-lines
1949 @findex sort-paragraphs
1950 @findex sort-pages
1951 @findex sort-fields
1952 @findex sort-numeric-fields
1953 @vindex sort-numeric-base
1954 @table @kbd
1955 @item M-x sort-lines
1956 Divide the region into lines, and sort by comparing the entire
1957 text of a line. A numeric argument means sort into descending order.
1958
1959 @item M-x sort-paragraphs
1960 Divide the region into paragraphs, and sort by comparing the entire
1961 text of a paragraph (except for leading blank lines). A numeric
1962 argument means sort into descending order.
1963
1964 @item M-x sort-pages
1965 Divide the region into pages, and sort by comparing the entire
1966 text of a page (except for leading blank lines). A numeric
1967 argument means sort into descending order.
1968
1969 @item M-x sort-fields
1970 Divide the region into lines, and sort by comparing the contents of
1971 one field in each line. Fields are defined as separated by
1972 whitespace, so the first run of consecutive non-whitespace characters
1973 in a line constitutes field 1, the second such run constitutes field
1974 2, etc.
1975
1976 Specify which field to sort by with a numeric argument: 1 to sort by
1977 field 1, etc. A negative argument means count fields from the right
1978 instead of from the left; thus, minus 1 means sort by the last field.
1979 If several lines have identical contents in the field being sorted, they
1980 keep the same relative order that they had in the original buffer.
1981
1982 @item M-x sort-numeric-fields
1983 Like @kbd{M-x sort-fields} except the specified field is converted
1984 to an integer for each line, and the numbers are compared. @samp{10}
1985 comes before @samp{2} when considered as text, but after it when
1986 considered as a number. By default, numbers are interpreted according
1987 to @code{sort-numeric-base}, but numbers beginning with @samp{0x} or
1988 @samp{0} are interpreted as hexadecimal and octal, respectively.
1989
1990 @item M-x sort-columns
1991 Like @kbd{M-x sort-fields} except that the text within each line
1992 used for comparison comes from a fixed range of columns. See below
1993 for an explanation.
1994
1995 @item M-x reverse-region
1996 Reverse the order of the lines in the region. This is useful for
1997 sorting into descending order by fields or columns, since those sort
1998 commands do not have a feature for doing that.
1999 @end table
2000
2001 For example, if the buffer contains this:
2002
2003 @smallexample
2004 On systems where clash detection (locking of files being edited) is
2005 implemented, Emacs also checks the first time you modify a buffer
2006 whether the file has changed on disk since it was last visited or
2007 saved. If it has, you are asked to confirm that you want to change
2008 the buffer.
2009 @end smallexample
2010
2011 @noindent
2012 applying @kbd{M-x sort-lines} to the entire buffer produces this:
2013
2014 @smallexample
2015 On systems where clash detection (locking of files being edited) is
2016 implemented, Emacs also checks the first time you modify a buffer
2017 saved. If it has, you are asked to confirm that you want to change
2018 the buffer.
2019 whether the file has changed on disk since it was last visited or
2020 @end smallexample
2021
2022 @noindent
2023 where the upper-case @samp{O} sorts before all lower-case letters. If
2024 you use @kbd{C-u 2 M-x sort-fields} instead, you get this:
2025
2026 @smallexample
2027 implemented, Emacs also checks the first time you modify a buffer
2028 saved. If it has, you are asked to confirm that you want to change
2029 the buffer.
2030 On systems where clash detection (locking of files being edited) is
2031 whether the file has changed on disk since it was last visited or
2032 @end smallexample
2033
2034 @noindent
2035 where the sort keys were @samp{Emacs}, @samp{If}, @samp{buffer},
2036 @samp{systems} and @samp{the}.
2037
2038 @findex sort-columns
2039 @kbd{M-x sort-columns} requires more explanation. You specify the
2040 columns by putting point at one of the columns and the mark at the other
2041 column. Because this means you cannot put point or the mark at the
2042 beginning of the first line of the text you want to sort, this command
2043 uses an unusual definition of ``region'': all of the line point is in is
2044 considered part of the region, and so is all of the line the mark is in,
2045 as well as all the lines in between.
2046
2047 For example, to sort a table by information found in columns 10 to 15,
2048 you could put the mark on column 10 in the first line of the table, and
2049 point on column 15 in the last line of the table, and then run
2050 @code{sort-columns}. Equivalently, you could run it with the mark on
2051 column 15 in the first line and point on column 10 in the last line.
2052
2053 This can be thought of as sorting the rectangle specified by point and
2054 the mark, except that the text on each line to the left or right of the
2055 rectangle moves along with the text inside the rectangle.
2056 @xref{Rectangles}.
2057
2058 @vindex sort-fold-case
2059 Many of the sort commands ignore case differences when comparing, if
2060 @code{sort-fold-case} is non-@code{nil}.
2061
2062 @node Narrowing, Two-Column, Sorting, Top
2063 @section Narrowing
2064 @cindex widening
2065 @cindex restriction
2066 @cindex narrowing
2067 @cindex accessible portion
2068
2069 @dfn{Narrowing} means focusing in on some portion of the buffer,
2070 making the rest temporarily inaccessible. The portion which you can
2071 still get to is called the @dfn{accessible portion}. Canceling the
2072 narrowing, which makes the entire buffer once again accessible, is
2073 called @dfn{widening}. The bounds of narrowing in effect in a buffer
2074 are called the buffer's @dfn{restriction}.
2075
2076 Narrowing can make it easier to concentrate on a single subroutine or
2077 paragraph by eliminating clutter. It can also be used to limit the
2078 range of operation of a replace command or repeating keyboard macro.
2079
2080 @table @kbd
2081 @item C-x n n
2082 Narrow down to between point and mark (@code{narrow-to-region}).
2083 @item C-x n w
2084 Widen to make the entire buffer accessible again (@code{widen}).
2085 @item C-x n p
2086 Narrow down to the current page (@code{narrow-to-page}).
2087 @item C-x n d
2088 Narrow down to the current defun (@code{narrow-to-defun}).
2089 @end table
2090
2091 When you have narrowed down to a part of the buffer, that part appears
2092 to be all there is. You can't see the rest, you can't move into it
2093 (motion commands won't go outside the accessible part), you can't change
2094 it in any way. However, it is not gone, and if you save the file all
2095 the inaccessible text will be saved. The word @samp{Narrow} appears in
2096 the mode line whenever narrowing is in effect.
2097
2098 @kindex C-x n n
2099 @findex narrow-to-region
2100 The primary narrowing command is @kbd{C-x n n} (@code{narrow-to-region}).
2101 It sets the current buffer's restrictions so that the text in the current
2102 region remains accessible, but all text before the region or after the
2103 region is inaccessible. Point and mark do not change.
2104
2105 @kindex C-x n p
2106 @findex narrow-to-page
2107 @kindex C-x n d
2108 @findex narrow-to-defun
2109 Alternatively, use @kbd{C-x n p} (@code{narrow-to-page}) to narrow
2110 down to the current page. @xref{Pages}, for the definition of a page.
2111 @kbd{C-x n d} (@code{narrow-to-defun}) narrows down to the defun
2112 containing point (@pxref{Defuns}).
2113
2114 @kindex C-x n w
2115 @findex widen
2116 The way to cancel narrowing is to widen with @kbd{C-x n w}
2117 (@code{widen}). This makes all text in the buffer accessible again.
2118
2119 You can get information on what part of the buffer you are narrowed down
2120 to using the @kbd{C-x =} command. @xref{Position Info}.
2121
2122 Because narrowing can easily confuse users who do not understand it,
2123 @code{narrow-to-region} is normally a disabled command. Attempting to use
2124 this command asks for confirmation and gives you the option of enabling it;
2125 if you enable the command, confirmation will no longer be required for
2126 it. @xref{Disabling}.
2127
2128 @node Two-Column, Editing Binary Files, Narrowing, Top
2129 @section Two-Column Editing
2130 @cindex two-column editing
2131 @cindex splitting columns
2132 @cindex columns, splitting
2133
2134 Two-column mode lets you conveniently edit two side-by-side columns of
2135 text. It uses two side-by-side windows, each showing its own
2136 buffer.
2137
2138 There are three ways to enter two-column mode:
2139
2140 @table @asis
2141 @item @kbd{@key{F2} 2} or @kbd{C-x 6 2}
2142 @kindex F2 2
2143 @kindex C-x 6 2
2144 @findex 2C-two-columns
2145 Enter two-column mode with the current buffer on the left, and on the
2146 right, a buffer whose name is based on the current buffer's name
2147 (@code{2C-two-columns}). If the right-hand buffer doesn't already
2148 exist, it starts out empty; the current buffer's contents are not
2149 changed.
2150
2151 This command is appropriate when the current buffer is empty or contains
2152 just one column and you want to add another column.
2153
2154 @item @kbd{@key{F2} s} or @kbd{C-x 6 s}
2155 @kindex F2 s
2156 @kindex C-x 6 s
2157 @findex 2C-split
2158 Split the current buffer, which contains two-column text, into two
2159 buffers, and display them side by side (@code{2C-split}). The current
2160 buffer becomes the left-hand buffer, but the text in the right-hand
2161 column is moved into the right-hand buffer. The current column
2162 specifies the split point. Splitting starts with the current line and
2163 continues to the end of the buffer.
2164
2165 This command is appropriate when you have a buffer that already contains
2166 two-column text, and you wish to separate the columns temporarily.
2167
2168 @item @kbd{@key{F2} b @var{buffer} @key{RET}}
2169 @itemx @kbd{C-x 6 b @var{buffer} @key{RET}}
2170 @kindex F2 b
2171 @kindex C-x 6 b
2172 @findex 2C-associate-buffer
2173 Enter two-column mode using the current buffer as the left-hand buffer,
2174 and using buffer @var{buffer} as the right-hand buffer
2175 (@code{2C-associate-buffer}).
2176 @end table
2177
2178 @kbd{@key{F2} s} or @kbd{C-x 6 s} looks for a column separator, which
2179 is a string that appears on each line between the two columns. You can
2180 specify the width of the separator with a numeric argument to
2181 @kbd{@key{F2} s}; that many characters, before point, constitute the
2182 separator string. By default, the width is 1, so the column separator
2183 is the character before point.
2184
2185 When a line has the separator at the proper place, @kbd{@key{F2} s}
2186 puts the text after the separator into the right-hand buffer, and
2187 deletes the separator. Lines that don't have the column separator at
2188 the proper place remain unsplit; they stay in the left-hand buffer, and
2189 the right-hand buffer gets an empty line to correspond. (This is the
2190 way to write a line that ``spans both columns while in two-column
2191 mode'': write it in the left-hand buffer, and put an empty line in the
2192 right-hand buffer.)
2193
2194 @kindex F2 RET
2195 @kindex C-x 6 RET
2196 @findex 2C-newline
2197 The command @kbd{C-x 6 @key{RET}} or @kbd{@key{F2} @key{RET}}
2198 (@code{2C-newline}) inserts a newline in each of the two buffers at
2199 corresponding positions. This is the easiest way to add a new line to
2200 the two-column text while editing it in split buffers.
2201
2202 @kindex F2 1
2203 @kindex C-x 6 1
2204 @findex 2C-merge
2205 When you have edited both buffers as you wish, merge them with
2206 @kbd{@key{F2} 1} or @kbd{C-x 6 1} (@code{2C-merge}). This copies the
2207 text from the right-hand buffer as a second column in the other buffer.
2208 To go back to two-column editing, use @kbd{@key{F2} s}.
2209
2210 @kindex F2 d
2211 @kindex C-x 6 d
2212 @findex 2C-dissociate
2213 Use @kbd{@key{F2} d} or @kbd{C-x 6 d} to dissociate the two buffers,
2214 leaving each as it stands (@code{2C-dissociate}). If the other buffer,
2215 the one not current when you type @kbd{@key{F2} d}, is empty,
2216 @kbd{@key{F2} d} kills it.
2217
2218 @node Editing Binary Files, Saving Emacs Sessions, Two-Column, Top
2219 @section Editing Binary Files
2220
2221 @cindex Hexl mode
2222 @cindex mode, Hexl
2223 @cindex editing binary files
2224 @cindex hex editing
2225 There is a special major mode for editing binary files: Hexl mode. To
2226 use it, use @kbd{M-x hexl-find-file} instead of @kbd{C-x C-f} to visit
2227 the file. This command converts the file's contents to hexadecimal and
2228 lets you edit the translation. When you save the file, it is converted
2229 automatically back to binary.
2230
2231 You can also use @kbd{M-x hexl-mode} to translate an existing buffer
2232 into hex. This is useful if you visit a file normally and then discover
2233 it is a binary file.
2234
2235 Ordinary text characters overwrite in Hexl mode. This is to reduce
2236 the risk of accidentally spoiling the alignment of data in the file.
2237 There are special commands for insertion. Here is a list of the
2238 commands of Hexl mode:
2239
2240 @c I don't think individual index entries for these commands are useful--RMS.
2241 @table @kbd
2242 @item C-M-d
2243 Insert a byte with a code typed in decimal.
2244
2245 @item C-M-o
2246 Insert a byte with a code typed in octal.
2247
2248 @item C-M-x
2249 Insert a byte with a code typed in hex.
2250
2251 @item C-x [
2252 Move to the beginning of a 1k-byte ``page.''
2253
2254 @item C-x ]
2255 Move to the end of a 1k-byte ``page.''
2256
2257 @item M-g
2258 Move to an address specified in hex.
2259
2260 @item M-j
2261 Move to an address specified in decimal.
2262
2263 @item C-c C-c
2264 Leave Hexl mode, going back to the major mode this buffer had before you
2265 invoked @code{hexl-mode}.
2266 @end table
2267
2268 @noindent
2269 Other Hexl commands let you insert strings (sequences) of binary
2270 bytes, move by @code{short}s or @code{int}s, etc.; type @kbd{C-h a
2271 hexl-@key{RET}} for details.
2272
2273
2274 @node Saving Emacs Sessions, Recursive Edit, Editing Binary Files, Top
2275 @section Saving Emacs Sessions
2276 @cindex saving sessions
2277 @cindex restore session
2278 @cindex remember editing session
2279 @cindex reload files
2280 @cindex desktop
2281
2282 Use the desktop library to save the state of Emacs from one session
2283 to another. Once you save the Emacs @dfn{desktop}---the buffers,
2284 their file names, major modes, buffer positions, and so on---then
2285 subsequent Emacs sessions reload the saved desktop.
2286
2287 @findex desktop-save
2288 @vindex desktop-save-mode
2289 You can save the desktop manually with the command @kbd{M-x
2290 desktop-save}. You can also enable automatic saving of the desktop
2291 when you exit Emacs, and automatic restoration of the last saved
2292 desktop when Emacs starts: use the Customization buffer (@pxref{Easy
2293 Customization}) to set @code{desktop-save-mode} to @code{t} for future
2294 sessions, or add this line in your @file{~/.emacs} file:
2295
2296 @example
2297 (desktop-save-mode 1)
2298 @end example
2299
2300 @findex desktop-change-dir
2301 @findex desktop-revert
2302 If you turn on @code{desktop-save-mode} in your @file{~/.emacs},
2303 then when Emacs starts, it looks for a saved desktop in the current
2304 directory. Thus, you can have separate saved desktops in different
2305 directories, and the starting directory determines which one Emacs
2306 reloads. You can save the current desktop and reload one saved in
2307 another directory by typing @kbd{M-x desktop-change-dir}. Typing
2308 @kbd{M-x desktop-revert} reverts to the desktop previously reloaded.
2309
2310 Specify the option @samp{--no-desktop} on the command line when you
2311 don't want it to reload any saved desktop. This turns off
2312 @code{desktop-save-mode} for the current session. Starting Emacs with
2313 the @samp{--no-init-file} option also disables desktop reloading,
2314 since it bypasses the @file{.emacs} init file, where
2315 @code{desktop-save-mode} is usually turned on.
2316
2317 @vindex desktop-restore-eager
2318 By default, all the buffers in the desktop are restored at one go.
2319 However, this may be slow if there are a lot of buffers in the
2320 desktop. You can specify the maximum number of buffers to restore
2321 immediately with the variable @code{desktop-restore-eager}; the
2322 remaining buffers are restored ``lazily,'' when Emacs is idle.
2323
2324 @findex desktop-clear
2325 @vindex desktop-globals-to-clear
2326 @vindex desktop-clear-preserve-buffers-regexp
2327 Type @kbd{M-x desktop-clear} to empty the Emacs desktop. This kills
2328 all buffers except for internal ones, and clears the global variables
2329 listed in @code{desktop-globals-to-clear}. If you want this to
2330 preserve certain buffers, customize the variable
2331 @code{desktop-clear-preserve-buffers-regexp}, whose value is a regular
2332 expression matching the names of buffers not to kill.
2333
2334 If you want to save minibuffer history from one session to
2335 another, use the @code{savehist} library.
2336
2337 @node Recursive Edit, Emulation, Saving Emacs Sessions, Top
2338 @section Recursive Editing Levels
2339 @cindex recursive editing level
2340 @cindex editing level, recursive
2341
2342 A @dfn{recursive edit} is a situation in which you are using Emacs
2343 commands to perform arbitrary editing while in the middle of another
2344 Emacs command. For example, when you type @kbd{C-r} inside of a
2345 @code{query-replace}, you enter a recursive edit in which you can change
2346 the current buffer. On exiting from the recursive edit, you go back to
2347 the @code{query-replace}.
2348
2349 @kindex C-M-c
2350 @findex exit-recursive-edit
2351 @cindex exiting recursive edit
2352 @dfn{Exiting} the recursive edit means returning to the unfinished
2353 command, which continues execution. The command to exit is @kbd{C-M-c}
2354 (@code{exit-recursive-edit}).
2355
2356 You can also @dfn{abort} the recursive edit. This is like exiting,
2357 but also quits the unfinished command immediately. Use the command
2358 @kbd{C-]} (@code{abort-recursive-edit}) to do this. @xref{Quitting}.
2359
2360 The mode line shows you when you are in a recursive edit by displaying
2361 square brackets around the parentheses that always surround the major and
2362 minor mode names. Every window's mode line shows this in the same way,
2363 since being in a recursive edit is true of Emacs as a whole rather than
2364 any particular window or buffer.
2365
2366 It is possible to be in recursive edits within recursive edits. For
2367 example, after typing @kbd{C-r} in a @code{query-replace}, you may type a
2368 command that enters the debugger. This begins a recursive editing level
2369 for the debugger, within the recursive editing level for @kbd{C-r}.
2370 Mode lines display a pair of square brackets for each recursive editing
2371 level currently in progress.
2372
2373 Exiting the inner recursive edit (such as with the debugger @kbd{c}
2374 command) resumes the command running in the next level up. When that
2375 command finishes, you can then use @kbd{C-M-c} to exit another recursive
2376 editing level, and so on. Exiting applies to the innermost level only.
2377 Aborting also gets out of only one level of recursive edit; it returns
2378 immediately to the command level of the previous recursive edit. If you
2379 wish, you can then abort the next recursive editing level.
2380
2381 Alternatively, the command @kbd{M-x top-level} aborts all levels of
2382 recursive edits, returning immediately to the top-level command
2383 reader. It also exits the minibuffer, if it is active.
2384
2385 The text being edited inside the recursive edit need not be the same text
2386 that you were editing at top level. It depends on what the recursive edit
2387 is for. If the command that invokes the recursive edit selects a different
2388 buffer first, that is the buffer you will edit recursively. In any case,
2389 you can switch buffers within the recursive edit in the normal manner (as
2390 long as the buffer-switching keys have not been rebound). You could
2391 probably do all the rest of your editing inside the recursive edit,
2392 visiting files and all. But this could have surprising effects (such as
2393 stack overflow) from time to time. So remember to exit or abort the
2394 recursive edit when you no longer need it.
2395
2396 In general, we try to minimize the use of recursive editing levels in
2397 GNU Emacs. This is because they constrain you to ``go back'' in a
2398 particular order---from the innermost level toward the top level. When
2399 possible, we present different activities in separate buffers so that
2400 you can switch between them as you please. Some commands switch to a
2401 new major mode which provides a command to switch back. These
2402 approaches give you more flexibility to go back to unfinished tasks in
2403 the order you choose.
2404
2405 @node Emulation, Hyperlinking, Recursive Edit, Top
2406 @section Emulation
2407 @cindex emulating other editors
2408 @cindex other editors
2409 @cindex EDT
2410 @cindex vi
2411 @cindex PC key bindings
2412 @cindex scrolling all windows
2413 @cindex PC selection
2414 @cindex Motif key bindings
2415 @cindex Macintosh key bindings
2416 @cindex WordStar
2417
2418 GNU Emacs can be programmed to emulate (more or less) most other
2419 editors. Standard facilities can emulate these:
2420
2421 @table @asis
2422 @item CRiSP/Brief (PC editor)
2423 @findex crisp-mode
2424 @vindex crisp-override-meta-x
2425 @findex scroll-all-mode
2426 @cindex CRiSP mode
2427 @cindex Brief emulation
2428 @cindex emulation of Brief
2429 @cindex mode, CRiSP
2430 You can turn on key bindings to emulate the CRiSP/Brief editor with
2431 @kbd{M-x crisp-mode}. Note that this rebinds @kbd{M-x} to exit Emacs
2432 unless you set the variable @code{crisp-override-meta-x}. You can
2433 also use the command @kbd{M-x scroll-all-mode} or set the variable
2434 @code{crisp-load-scroll-all} to emulate CRiSP's scroll-all feature
2435 (scrolling all windows together).
2436
2437 @item EDT (DEC VMS editor)
2438 @findex edt-emulation-on
2439 @findex edt-emulation-off
2440 Turn on EDT emulation with the command @kbd{M-x edt-emulation-on},
2441 while @kbd{M-x edt-emulation-off} restores normal Emacs command
2442 bindings.
2443
2444 Most of the EDT emulation commands are keypad keys, and most standard
2445 Emacs key bindings are still available. The EDT emulation rebindings
2446 are done in the global keymap, so there is no problem switching
2447 buffers or major modes while in EDT emulation.
2448
2449 @item TPU (DEC VMS editor)
2450 @findex tpu-edt-on
2451 @cindex TPU
2452 @kbd{M-x tpu-edt-on} turns on emulation of the TPU editor emulating EDT.
2453
2454 @item vi (Berkeley editor)
2455 @findex viper-mode
2456 Viper is the newest emulator for vi. It implements several levels of
2457 emulation; level 1 is closest to vi itself, while level 5 departs
2458 somewhat from strict emulation to take advantage of the capabilities of
2459 Emacs. To invoke Viper, type @kbd{M-x viper-mode}; it will guide you
2460 the rest of the way and ask for the emulation level. @inforef{Top,
2461 Viper, viper}.
2462
2463 @item vi (another emulator)
2464 @findex vi-mode
2465 @kbd{M-x vi-mode} enters a major mode that replaces the previously
2466 established major mode. All of the vi commands that, in real vi, enter
2467 ``input'' mode are programmed instead to return to the previous major
2468 mode. Thus, ordinary Emacs serves as vi's ``input'' mode.
2469
2470 Because vi emulation works through major modes, it does not work
2471 to switch buffers during emulation. Return to normal Emacs first.
2472
2473 If you plan to use vi emulation much, you probably want to bind a key
2474 to the @code{vi-mode} command.
2475
2476 @item vi (alternate emulator)
2477 @findex vip-mode
2478 @kbd{M-x vip-mode} invokes another vi emulator, said to resemble real vi
2479 more thoroughly than @kbd{M-x vi-mode}. ``Input'' mode in this emulator
2480 is changed from ordinary Emacs so you can use @key{ESC} to go back to
2481 emulated vi command mode. To get from emulated vi command mode back to
2482 ordinary Emacs, type @kbd{C-z}.
2483
2484 This emulation does not work through major modes, and it is possible
2485 to switch buffers in various ways within the emulator. It is not
2486 so necessary to assign a key to the command @code{vip-mode} as
2487 it is with @code{vi-mode} because terminating insert mode does
2488 not use it.
2489
2490 @inforef{Top, VIP, vip}, for full information.
2491
2492 @item WordStar (old wordprocessor)
2493 @findex wordstar-mode
2494 @kbd{M-x wordstar-mode} provides a major mode with WordStar-like
2495 key bindings.
2496 @end table
2497
2498 @node Hyperlinking, Dissociated Press, Emulation, Top
2499 @section Hyperlinking and Navigation Features
2500
2501 @cindex hyperlinking
2502 @cindex navigation
2503 Various modes documented elsewhere have hypertext features so that
2504 you can follow links, usually by clicking @kbd{Mouse-2} on the link or
2505 typing @key{RET} while point is on the link. Clicking @kbd{Mouse-1}
2506 quickly on the link also follows it. (Hold @kbd{Mouse-1} for longer
2507 if you want to set point instead.)
2508
2509 Info mode, Help mode and the Dired-like modes are examples of modes
2510 that have links in the buffer. The Tags facility links between uses
2511 and definitions in source files, see @ref{Tags}. Imenu provides
2512 navigation amongst items indexed in the current buffer, see
2513 @ref{Imenu}. Info-lookup provides mode-specific lookup of definitions
2514 in Info indexes, see @ref{Documentation}. Speedbar maintains a frame
2515 in which links to files, and locations in files are displayed, see
2516 @ref{Speedbar}.
2517
2518 Other non-mode-specific facilities described in this section enable
2519 following links from the current buffer in a context-sensitive
2520 fashion.
2521
2522 @menu
2523 * Browse-URL:: Following URLs.
2524 * Goto-address:: Activating URLs.
2525 * FFAP:: Finding files etc. at point.
2526 @end menu
2527
2528 @node Browse-URL
2529 @subsection Following URLs
2530 @cindex World Wide Web
2531 @cindex Web
2532 @findex browse-url
2533 @findex browse-url-at-point
2534 @findex browse-url-at-mouse
2535 @cindex Browse-URL
2536 @cindex URLs
2537
2538 @table @kbd
2539 @item M-x browse-url @key{RET} @var{url} @key{RET}
2540 Load a URL into a Web browser.
2541 @end table
2542
2543 The Browse-URL package provides facilities for following URLs specifying
2544 links on the World Wide Web. Usually this works by invoking a web
2545 browser, but you can, for instance, arrange to invoke @code{compose-mail}
2546 from @samp{mailto:} URLs.
2547
2548 The general way to use this feature is to type @kbd{M-x browse-url},
2549 which displays a specified URL. If point is located near a plausible
2550 URL, that URL is used as the default. Other commands are available
2551 which you might like to bind to keys, such as
2552 @code{browse-url-at-point} and @code{browse-url-at-mouse}.
2553
2554 @vindex browse-url-browser-function
2555 You can customize Browse-URL's behavior via various options in the
2556 @code{browse-url} Customize group, particularly
2557 @code{browse-url-browser-function}. You can invoke actions dependent
2558 on the type of URL by defining @code{browse-url-browser-function} as
2559 an association list. The package's commentary available via @kbd{C-h
2560 p} under the @samp{hypermedia} keyword provides more information.
2561 Packages with facilities for following URLs should always go through
2562 Browse-URL, so that the customization options for Browse-URL will
2563 affect all browsing in Emacs.
2564
2565 @node Goto-address
2566 @subsection Activating URLs
2567 @findex goto-address
2568 @cindex Goto-address
2569 @cindex URLs, activating
2570
2571 @table @kbd
2572 @item M-x goto-address
2573 Activate URLs and e-mail addresses in the current buffer.
2574 @end table
2575
2576 You can make URLs in the current buffer active with @kbd{M-x
2577 goto-address}. This finds all the URLs in the buffer, and establishes
2578 bindings for @kbd{Mouse-2} and @kbd{C-c @key{RET}} on them. After
2579 activation, if you click on a URL with @kbd{Mouse-2}, or move to a URL
2580 and type @kbd{C-c @key{RET}}, that will display the web page that the URL
2581 specifies. For a @samp{mailto} URL, it sends mail instead, using your
2582 selected mail-composition method (@pxref{Mail Methods}).
2583
2584 It can be useful to add @code{goto-address} to mode hooks and the
2585 hooks used to display an incoming message.
2586 @code{rmail-show-message-hook} is the appropriate hook for Rmail, and
2587 @code{mh-show-mode-hook} for MH-E. This is not needed for Gnus,
2588 which has a similar feature of its own.
2589
2590
2591 @node FFAP
2592 @subsection Finding Files and URLs at Point
2593 @findex find-file-at-point
2594 @findex ffap
2595 @findex dired-at-point
2596 @findex ffap-next
2597 @findex ffap-menu
2598 @cindex finding file at point
2599
2600 FFAP mode replaces certain key bindings for finding files, including
2601 @kbd{C-x C-f}, with commands that provide more sensitive defaults.
2602 These commands behave like the ordinary ones when given a prefix
2603 argument. Otherwise, they get the default file name or URL from the
2604 text around point. If what is found in the buffer has the form of a
2605 URL rather than a file name, the commands use @code{browse-url} to
2606 view it.
2607
2608 This feature is useful for following references in mail or news
2609 buffers, @file{README} files, @file{MANIFEST} files, and so on. The
2610 @samp{ffap} package's commentary available via @kbd{C-h p} under the
2611 @samp{files} keyword and the @code{ffap} Custom group provide details.
2612
2613 @cindex FFAP minor mode
2614 @findex ffap-mode
2615 You can turn on FFAP minor mode by calling @code{ffap-bindings} to
2616 make the following key bindings and to install hooks for using
2617 @code{ffap} in Rmail, Gnus and VM article buffers.
2618
2619 @table @kbd
2620 @item C-x C-f @var{filename} @key{RET}
2621 @kindex C-x C-f @r{(FFAP)}
2622 Find @var{filename}, guessing a default from text around point
2623 (@code{find-file-at-point}).
2624 @item C-x C-r
2625 @kindex C-x C-r @r{(FFAP)}
2626 @code{ffap-read-only}, analogous to @code{find-file-read-only}.
2627 @item C-x C-v
2628 @kindex C-x C-v @r{(FFAP)}
2629 @code{ffap-alternate-file}, analogous to @code{find-alternate-file}.
2630 @item C-x d @var{directory} @key{RET}
2631 @kindex C-x d @r{(FFAP)}
2632 Start Dired on @var{directory}, defaulting to the directory name at
2633 point (@code{dired-at-point}).
2634 @item C-x C-d
2635 @code{ffap-list-directory}, analogous to @code{list-directory}.
2636 @item C-x 4 f
2637 @kindex C-x 4 f @r{(FFAP)}
2638 @code{ffap-other-window}, analogous to @code{find-file-other-window}.
2639 @item C-x 4 r
2640 @code{ffap-read-only-other-window}, analogous to
2641 @code{find-file-read-only-other-window}.
2642 @item C-x 4 d
2643 @code{ffap-dired-other-window}, analogous to @code{dired-other-window}.
2644 @item C-x 5 f
2645 @kindex C-x 5 f @r{(FFAP)}
2646 @code{ffap-other-frame}, analogous to @code{find-file-other-frame}.
2647 @item C-x 5 r
2648 @code{ffap-read-only-other-frame}, analogous to
2649 @code{find-file-read-only-other-frame}.
2650 @item C-x 5 d
2651 @code{ffap-dired-other-frame}, analogous to @code{dired-other-frame}.
2652 @item M-x ffap-next
2653 Search buffer for next file name or URL, then find that file or URL.
2654 @item S-Mouse-3
2655 @kindex S-Mouse-3 @r{(FFAP)}
2656 @code{ffap-at-mouse} finds the file guessed from text around the position
2657 of a mouse click.
2658 @item C-S-Mouse-3
2659 @kindex C-S-Mouse-3 @r{(FFAP)}
2660 Display a menu of files and URLs mentioned in current buffer, then
2661 find the one you select (@code{ffap-menu}).
2662 @end table
2663
2664 @node Dissociated Press, Amusements, Hyperlinking, Top
2665 @section Dissociated Press
2666
2667 @findex dissociated-press
2668 @kbd{M-x dissociated-press} is a command for scrambling a file of text
2669 either word by word or character by character. Starting from a buffer of
2670 straight English, it produces extremely amusing output. The input comes
2671 from the current Emacs buffer. Dissociated Press writes its output in a
2672 buffer named @samp{*Dissociation*}, and redisplays that buffer after every
2673 couple of lines (approximately) so you can read the output as it comes out.
2674
2675 Dissociated Press asks every so often whether to continue generating
2676 output. Answer @kbd{n} to stop it. You can also stop at any time by
2677 typing @kbd{C-g}. The dissociation output remains in the
2678 @samp{*Dissociation*} buffer for you to copy elsewhere if you wish.
2679
2680 @cindex presidentagon
2681 Dissociated Press operates by jumping at random from one point in the
2682 buffer to another. In order to produce plausible output rather than
2683 gibberish, it insists on a certain amount of overlap between the end of
2684 one run of consecutive words or characters and the start of the next.
2685 That is, if it has just output `president' and then decides to jump
2686 to a different point in the buffer, it might spot the `ent' in `pentagon'
2687 and continue from there, producing `presidentagon'.@footnote{This
2688 dissociword actually appeared during the Vietnam War, when it was very
2689 appropriate. Bush has made it appropriate again.} Long sample texts
2690 produce the best results.
2691
2692 @cindex againformation
2693 A positive argument to @kbd{M-x dissociated-press} tells it to operate
2694 character by character, and specifies the number of overlap characters. A
2695 negative argument tells it to operate word by word, and specifies the number
2696 of overlap words. In this mode, whole words are treated as the elements to
2697 be permuted, rather than characters. No argument is equivalent to an
2698 argument of two. For your againformation, the output goes only into the
2699 buffer @samp{*Dissociation*}. The buffer you start with is not changed.
2700
2701 @cindex Markov chain
2702 @cindex ignoriginal
2703 @cindex techniquitous
2704 Dissociated Press produces results fairly like those of a Markov
2705 chain based on a frequency table constructed from the sample text. It
2706 is, however, an independent, ignoriginal invention. Dissociated Press
2707 techniquitously copies several consecutive characters from the sample
2708 text between random jumps, unlike a Markov chain which would jump
2709 randomly after each word or character. This makes for more plausible
2710 sounding results, and runs faster.
2711
2712 @cindex outragedy
2713 @cindex buggestion
2714 @cindex properbose
2715 @cindex mustatement
2716 @cindex developediment
2717 @cindex userenced
2718 It is a mustatement that too much use of Dissociated Press can be a
2719 developediment to your real work, sometimes to the point of outragedy.
2720 And keep dissociwords out of your documentation, if you want it to be well
2721 userenced and properbose. Have fun. Your buggestions are welcome.
2722
2723 @node Amusements, Customization, Dissociated Press, Top
2724 @section Other Amusements
2725 @cindex boredom
2726 @findex hanoi
2727 @findex yow
2728 @findex gomoku
2729 @cindex tower of Hanoi
2730
2731 If you are a little bit bored, you can try @kbd{M-x hanoi}. If you are
2732 considerably bored, give it a numeric argument. If you are very, very
2733 bored, try an argument of 9. Sit back and watch.
2734
2735 @cindex Go Moku
2736 If you want a little more personal involvement, try @kbd{M-x gomoku},
2737 which plays the game Go Moku with you.
2738
2739 @findex blackbox
2740 @findex mpuz
2741 @findex 5x5
2742 @cindex puzzles
2743 @kbd{M-x blackbox}, @kbd{M-x mpuz} and @kbd{M-x 5x5} are puzzles.
2744 @code{blackbox} challenges you to determine the location of objects
2745 inside a box by tomography. @code{mpuz} displays a multiplication
2746 puzzle with letters standing for digits in a code that you must
2747 guess---to guess a value, type a letter and then the digit you think it
2748 stands for. The aim of @code{5x5} is to fill in all the squares.
2749
2750 @findex decipher
2751 @cindex ciphers
2752 @cindex cryptanalysis
2753 @kbd{M-x decipher} helps you to cryptanalyze a buffer which is encrypted
2754 in a simple monoalphabetic substitution cipher.
2755
2756 @findex dunnet
2757 @kbd{M-x dunnet} runs an adventure-style exploration game, which is
2758 a bigger sort of puzzle.
2759
2760 @findex lm
2761 @cindex landmark game
2762 @kbd{M-x lm} runs a relatively non-participatory game in which a robot
2763 attempts to maneuver towards a tree at the center of the window based on
2764 unique olfactory cues from each of the four directions.
2765
2766 @findex life
2767 @cindex Life
2768 @kbd{M-x life} runs Conway's ``Life'' cellular automaton.
2769
2770 @findex morse-region
2771 @findex unmorse-region
2772 @cindex Morse code
2773 @cindex --/---/.-./.../.
2774 @kbd{M-x morse-region} converts text in a region to Morse code and
2775 @kbd{M-x unmorse-region} converts it back. No cause for remorse.
2776
2777 @findex pong
2778 @cindex Pong game
2779 @kbd{M-x pong} plays a Pong-like game, bouncing the ball off opposing
2780 bats.
2781
2782 @findex solitaire
2783 @cindex solitaire
2784 @kbd{M-x solitaire} plays a game of solitaire in which you jump pegs
2785 across other pegs.
2786
2787 @findex studlify-region
2788 @cindex StudlyCaps
2789 @kbd{M-x studlify-region} studlify-cases the region, producing
2790 text like this:
2791
2792 @example
2793 M-x stUdlIfY-RegioN stUdlIfY-CaSeS thE region.
2794 @end example
2795
2796 @findex tetris
2797 @cindex Tetris
2798 @findex snake
2799 @cindex Snake
2800 @kbd{M-x tetris} runs an implementation of the well-known Tetris game.
2801 Likewise, @kbd{M-x snake} provides an implementation of Snake.
2802
2803 When you are frustrated, try the famous Eliza program. Just do
2804 @kbd{M-x doctor}. End each input by typing @key{RET} twice.
2805
2806 @cindex Zippy
2807 When you are feeling strange, type @kbd{M-x yow}.
2808
2809 @findex zone
2810 The command @kbd{M-x zone} plays games with the display when Emacs is
2811 idle.
2812
2813 @ifnottex
2814 @lowersections
2815 @end ifnottex
2816
2817 @ignore
2818 arch-tag: 8f094220-c0d5-4e9e-af7d-3e0da8187474
2819 @end ignore