(Programming Example): Put constant strings in :format.
[bpt/emacs.git] / man / widget.texi
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1\input texinfo.tex
2
3@c %**start of header
4@setfilename ../info/widget
5@settitle The Emacs Widget Library
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6@syncodeindex fn cp
7@syncodeindex vr cp
8@syncodeindex ky cp
9@afourpaper
10@c %**end of header
11
12@copying
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13Copyright @copyright{} 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005,
142006, 2007 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
a159375d 15
18f952d5 16@quotation
a159375d 17Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this document
678e7c71 18under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1.2 or
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19any later version published by the Free Software Foundation; with the
20Invariant Sections being ``The GNU Manifesto'', ``Distribution'' and
21``GNU GENERAL PUBLIC LICENSE'', with the Front-Cover texts being ``A GNU
22Manual'', and with the Back-Cover Texts as in (a) below. A copy of the
23license is included in the section entitled ``GNU Free Documentation
24License'' in the Emacs manual.
25
26This document is part of a collection distributed under the GNU Free
27Documentation License. If you want to distribute this document
28separately from the collection, you can do so by adding a copy of the
29license to the document, as described in section 6 of the license.
30
31(a) The FSF's Back-Cover Text is: ``You have freedom to copy and modify
32this GNU Manual, like GNU software. Copies published by the Free
33Software Foundation raise funds for GNU development.''
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34@end quotation
35@end copying
6f7f063d 36
4c2ca4f3 37@dircategory Emacs
6bf7aab6 38@direntry
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39* Widget: (widget). The "widget" package used by the Emacs Customization
40 facility.
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41@end direntry
42
43@node Top, Introduction, (dir), (dir)
44@comment node-name, next, previous, up
45@top The Emacs Widget Library
46
6bf7aab6 47@menu
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48* Introduction::
49* User Interface::
50* Programming Example::
51* Setting Up the Buffer::
52* Basic Types::
53* Sexp Types::
54* Widget Properties::
55* Defining New Widgets::
56* Widget Browser::
57* Widget Minor Mode::
58* Utilities::
59* Widget Wishlist::
6f7f063d 60* Index::
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61@end menu
62
63@node Introduction, User Interface, Top, Top
64@comment node-name, next, previous, up
65@section Introduction
66
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67Most graphical user interface toolkits provide a number of standard
68user interface controls (sometimes known as `widgets' or `gadgets').
69Emacs doesn't really support anything like this, except for an
70incredibly powerful text ``widget.'' On the other hand, Emacs does
71provide the necessary primitives to implement many other widgets
72within a text buffer. The @code{widget} package simplifies this task.
6bf7aab6 73
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74@cindex basic widgets
75@cindex widgets, basic types
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76The basic widgets are:
77
78@table @code
79@item link
80Areas of text with an associated action. Intended for hypertext links
81embedded in text.
177c0ea7 82@item push-button
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83Like link, but intended for stand-alone buttons.
84@item editable-field
85An editable text field. It can be either variable or fixed length.
86@item menu-choice
87Allows the user to choose one of multiple options from a menu, each
88option is itself a widget. Only the selected option will be visible in
89the buffer.
90@item radio-button-choice
91Allows the user to choose one of multiple options by activating radio
92buttons. The options are implemented as widgets. All options will be
93visible in the buffer.
94@item item
95A simple constant widget intended to be used in the @code{menu-choice} and
177c0ea7 96@code{radio-button-choice} widgets.
6bf7aab6 97@item choice-item
6f7f063d 98A button item only intended for use in choices. When invoked, the user
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99will be asked to select another option from the choice widget.
100@item toggle
101A simple @samp{on}/@samp{off} switch.
102@item checkbox
177c0ea7 103A checkbox (@samp{[ ]}/@samp{[X]}).
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104@item editable-list
105Create an editable list. The user can insert or delete items in the
106list. Each list item is itself a widget.
107@end table
108
6f7f063d 109Now, of what possible use can support for widgets be in a text editor?
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110I'm glad you asked. The answer is that widgets are useful for
111implementing forms. A @dfn{form} in Emacs is a buffer where the user is
112supposed to fill out a number of fields, each of which has a specific
113meaning. The user is not supposed to change or delete any of the text
114between the fields. Examples of forms in Emacs are the @file{forms}
115package (of course), the customize buffers, the mail and news compose
76dd3692 116modes, and the @acronym{HTML} form support in the @file{w3} browser.
6bf7aab6 117
6f7f063d 118@cindex widget library, why use it
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119The advantages for a programmer of using the @code{widget} package to
120implement forms are:
121
122@enumerate
123@item
177c0ea7 124More complex fields than just editable text are supported.
6bf7aab6 125@item
6f7f063d 126You can give the users immediate feedback if they enter invalid data in a
6bf7aab6 127text field, and sometimes prevent entering invalid data.
177c0ea7 128@item
6f7f063d 129You can have fixed sized fields, thus allowing multiple fields to be
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130lined up in columns.
131@item
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132It is simple to query or set the value of a field.
133@item
6f7f063d 134Editing happens in the buffer, not in the mini-buffer.
177c0ea7 135@item
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136Packages using the library get a uniform look, making them easier for
137the user to learn.
177c0ea7 138@item
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139As support for embedded graphics improve, the widget library will be
140extended to use the GUI features. This means that your code using the
141widget library will also use the new graphic features automatically.
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142@end enumerate
143
d1deeeda 144In order to minimize the code that is loaded by users who do not
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145create any widgets, the code has been split in two files:
146
6f7f063d 147@cindex widget library, files
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148@table @file
149@item widget.el
150This will declare the user variables, define the function
177c0ea7 151@code{define-widget}, and autoload the function @code{widget-create}.
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152@item wid-edit.el
153Everything else is here, there is no reason to load it explicitly, as
154it will be autoloaded when needed.
155@end table
156
157@node User Interface, Programming Example, Introduction, Top
158@comment node-name, next, previous, up
159@section User Interface
160
db71197e 161A form consists of read only text for documentation and some fields,
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162where each field contains two parts, a tag and a value. The tags are
163used to identify the fields, so the documentation can refer to the
164@samp{foo field}, meaning the field tagged with @samp{Foo}. Here is an
165example form:
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166
167@example
168Here is some documentation.
169
170Name: @i{My Name} @strong{Choose}: This option
171Address: @i{Some Place
172In some City
173Some country.}
174
175See also @b{_other work_} for more information.
176
177Numbers: count to three below
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178@b{[INS]} @b{[DEL]} @i{One}
179@b{[INS]} @b{[DEL]} @i{Eh, two?}
180@b{[INS]} @b{[DEL]} @i{Five!}
177c0ea7 181@b{[INS]}
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182
183Select multiple:
184
185@b{[X]} This
186@b{[ ]} That
187@b{[X]} Thus
188
189Select one:
190
191@b{(*)} One
192@b{( )} Another One.
193@b{( )} A Final One.
194
195@b{[Apply Form]} @b{[Reset Form]}
196@end example
197
db71197e 198The top level widgets in this example are tagged @samp{Name},
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199@samp{Choose}, @samp{Address}, @samp{_other work_}, @samp{Numbers},
200@samp{Select multiple}, @samp{Select one}, @samp{[Apply Form]}, and
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201@samp{[Reset Form]}. There are basically two things the user can do
202within a form, namely editing the editable text fields and activating
203the buttons.
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204
205@subsection Editable Text Fields
206
207In the example, the value for the @samp{Name} is most likely displayed
208in an editable text field, and so are values for each of the members of
209the @samp{Numbers} list. All the normal Emacs editing operations are
210available for editing these fields. The only restriction is that each
211change you make must be contained within a single editable text field.
212For example, capitalizing all text from the middle of one field to the
213middle of another field is prohibited.
214
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215Editable text fields are created by the @code{editable-field} widget.
216
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217@strong{Warning:} In an @code{editable-field} widget, the editable
218field must not be adjacent to another widget---that won't work.
219You must put some text in between. Either make this text part of
220the @code{editable-field} widget itself, or insert it with
221@code{widget-insert}.
222
223The @code{:format} keyword is useful for generating the necessary
224text; for instance, if you give it a value of @code{"Name: %v "},
225the @samp{Name: } part will provide the necessary separating text
226before the field and the trailing space will provide the
227separating text after the field. If you don't include the
228@code{:size} keyword, the field will extend to the end of the
229line, and the terminating newline will provide separation after.
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230
231The editing text fields are highlighted with the
232@code{widget-field-face} face, making them easy to find.
233
234@deffn Face widget-field-face
235Face used for other editing fields.
236@end deffn
237
238@subsection Buttons
239
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240@cindex widget buttons
241@cindex button widgets
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242Some portions of the buffer have an associated @dfn{action}, which can
243be @dfn{invoked} by a standard key or mouse command. These portions
244are called @dfn{buttons}. The default commands for activating a button
245are:
246
247@table @kbd
248@item @key{RET}
249@deffn Command widget-button-press @var{pos} &optional @var{event}
250Invoke the button at @var{pos}, defaulting to point.
251If point is not located on a button, invoke the binding in
252@code{widget-global-map} (by default the global map).
253@end deffn
254
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255@kindex Mouse-2 @r{(on button widgets})
256@item Mouse-2
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257@deffn Command widget-button-click @var{event}
258Invoke the button at the location of the mouse pointer. If the mouse
259pointer is located in an editable text field, invoke the binding in
260@code{widget-global-map} (by default the global map).
261@end deffn
262@end table
263
264There are several different kind of buttons, all of which are present in
265the example:
266
267@table @emph
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268@cindex option field tag
269@item The Option Field Tags
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270When you invoke one of these buttons, you will be asked to choose
271between a number of different options. This is how you edit an option
272field. Option fields are created by the @code{menu-choice} widget. In
273the example, @samp{@b{Choose}} is an option field tag.
976e00f1 274@item The @samp{@b{[INS]}} and @samp{@b{[DEL]}} buttons
6f7f063d 275Activating these will insert or delete elements from an editable list.
177c0ea7 276The list is created by the @code{editable-list} widget.
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277@cindex embedded buttons
278@item Embedded Buttons
6bf7aab6 279The @samp{@b{_other work_}} is an example of an embedded
db71197e 280button. Embedded buttons are not associated with any fields, but can serve
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281any purpose, such as implementing hypertext references. They are
282usually created by the @code{link} widget.
6f7f063d 283@item The @samp{@b{[ ]}} and @samp{@b{[X]}} buttons
6bf7aab6 284Activating one of these will convert it to the other. This is useful
db71197e 285for implementing multiple-choice fields. You can create them with the
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286@code{checkbox} widget.
287@item The @samp{@b{( )}} and @samp{@b{(*)}} buttons
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288Only one radio button in a @code{radio-button-choice} widget can be
289selected at any time. When you invoke one of the unselected radio
290buttons, it will be selected and the previous selected radio button will
291become unselected.
db71197e 292@item The @samp{@b{[Apply Form]}} and @samp{@b{[Reset Form]}} buttons
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293These are explicit buttons made with the @code{push-button} widget. The
294main difference from the @code{link} widget is that the buttons will be
6bf7aab6 295displayed as GUI buttons when possible.
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296@end table
297
177c0ea7 298To make them easier to locate, buttons are emphasized in the buffer.
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299
300@deffn Face widget-button-face
301Face used for buttons.
302@end deffn
303
304@defopt widget-mouse-face
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305Face used for highlighting a button when the mouse pointer moves across
306it.
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307@end defopt
308
309@subsection Navigation
310
311You can use all the normal Emacs commands to move around in a form
312buffer, plus you will have these additional commands:
313
314@table @kbd
315@item @key{TAB}
316@deffn Command widget-forward &optional count
317Move point @var{count} buttons or editing fields forward.
318@end deffn
ee6c21a7 319@item @kbd{M-@key{TAB}}
feced874 320@itemx @kbd{S-@key{TAB}}
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321@deffn Command widget-backward &optional count
322Move point @var{count} buttons or editing fields backward.
323@end deffn
324@end table
325
326@node Programming Example, Setting Up the Buffer, User Interface, Top
327@comment node-name, next, previous, up
328@section Programming Example
329
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330@cindex widgets, programming example
331@cindex example of using widgets
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332Here is the code to implement the user interface example (@pxref{User
333Interface}).
334
335@lisp
336(require 'widget)
337
338(eval-when-compile
339 (require 'wid-edit))
340
341(defvar widget-example-repeat)
342
343(defun widget-example ()
344 "Create the widgets from the Widget manual."
345 (interactive)
346 (switch-to-buffer "*Widget Example*")
347 (kill-all-local-variables)
348 (make-local-variable 'widget-example-repeat)
349 (let ((inhibit-read-only t))
350 (erase-buffer))
f24485f1 351 (remove-overlays)
d9f114a3 352 (widget-insert "Here is some documentation.\n\n")
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353 (widget-create 'editable-field
354 :size 13
d9f114a3 355 :format "Name: %v " ; Text after the field!
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356 "My Name")
357 (widget-create 'menu-choice
358 :tag "Choose"
359 :value "This"
360 :help-echo "Choose me, please!"
361 :notify (lambda (widget &rest ignore)
362 (message "%s is a good choice!"
363 (widget-value widget)))
364 '(item :tag "This option" :value "This")
365 '(choice-item "That option")
366 '(editable-field :menu-tag "No option" "Thus option"))
6bf7aab6 367 (widget-create 'editable-field
d9f114a3 368 :format "Address: %v"
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369 "Some Place\nIn some City\nSome country.")
370 (widget-insert "\nSee also ")
371 (widget-create 'link
372 :notify (lambda (&rest ignore)
177c0ea7 373 (widget-value-set widget-example-repeat
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374 '("En" "To" "Tre"))
375 (widget-setup))
376 "other work")
177c0ea7 377 (widget-insert
ec45fa10 378 " for more information.\n\nNumbers: count to three below\n")
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379 (setq widget-example-repeat
380 (widget-create 'editable-list
381 :entry-format "%i %d %v"
382 :notify (lambda (widget &rest ignore)
383 (let ((old (widget-get widget
384 ':example-length))
385 (new (length (widget-value widget))))
386 (unless (eq old new)
387 (widget-put widget ':example-length new)
388 (message "You can count to %d." new))))
389 :value '("One" "Eh, two?" "Five!")
390 '(editable-field :value "three")))
391 (widget-insert "\n\nSelect multiple:\n\n")
392 (widget-create 'checkbox t)
393 (widget-insert " This\n")
394 (widget-create 'checkbox nil)
395 (widget-insert " That\n")
396 (widget-create 'checkbox
397 :notify (lambda (&rest ignore) (message "Tickle"))
398 t)
399 (widget-insert " Thus\n\nSelect one:\n\n")
400 (widget-create 'radio-button-choice
401 :value "One"
402 :notify (lambda (widget &rest ignore)
403 (message "You selected %s"
404 (widget-value widget)))
405 '(item "One") '(item "Another One.") '(item "A Final One."))
406 (widget-insert "\n")
407 (widget-create 'push-button
177c0ea7 408 :notify (lambda (&rest ignore)
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409 (if (= (length (widget-value widget-example-repeat))
410 3)
411 (message "Congratulation!")
412 (error "Three was the count!")))
413 "Apply Form")
414 (widget-insert " ")
415 (widget-create 'push-button
416 :notify (lambda (&rest ignore)
417 (widget-example))
418 "Reset Form")
419 (widget-insert "\n")
420 (use-local-map widget-keymap)
421 (widget-setup))
422@end lisp
423
424@node Setting Up the Buffer, Basic Types, Programming Example, Top
425@comment node-name, next, previous, up
426@section Setting Up the Buffer
427
428Widgets are created with @code{widget-create}, which returns a
429@dfn{widget} object. This object can be queried and manipulated by
430other widget functions, until it is deleted with @code{widget-delete}.
431After the widgets have been created, @code{widget-setup} must be called
432to enable them.
433
434@defun widget-create type [ keyword argument ]@dots{}
435Create and return a widget of type @var{type}.
436The syntax for the @var{type} argument is described in @ref{Basic Types}.
437
438The keyword arguments can be used to overwrite the keyword arguments
439that are part of @var{type}.
440@end defun
441
442@defun widget-delete widget
443Delete @var{widget} and remove it from the buffer.
444@end defun
445
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446@defun widget-setup
447Set up a buffer to support widgets.
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448
449This should be called after creating all the widgets and before allowing
450the user to edit them.
451@refill
452@end defun
453
454If you want to insert text outside the widgets in the form, the
455recommended way to do that is with @code{widget-insert}.
456
177c0ea7 457@defun widget-insert
6bf7aab6 458Insert the arguments, either strings or characters, at point.
6f7f063d 459The inserted text will be read-only.
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460@end defun
461
462There is a standard widget keymap which you might find useful.
463
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464@findex widget-button-press
465@findex widget-button-click
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466@defvr Const widget-keymap
467A keymap with the global keymap as its parent.@*
468@key{TAB} and @kbd{C-@key{TAB}} are bound to @code{widget-forward} and
ce8abc78 469@code{widget-backward}, respectively. @key{RET} and @kbd{Mouse-2}
6bf7aab6 470are bound to @code{widget-button-press} and
6f7f063d 471@code{widget-button-click}.@refill
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472@end defvr
473
474@defvar widget-global-map
475Keymap used by @code{widget-button-press} and @code{widget-button-click}
476when not on a button. By default this is @code{global-map}.
477@end defvar
478
479@node Basic Types, Sexp Types, Setting Up the Buffer, Top
480@comment node-name, next, previous, up
481@section Basic Types
482
87171118 483This is the general syntax of a type specification:
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484
485@example
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486@var{name} ::= (@var{name} [@var{keyword} @var{argument}]... @var{args})
487 | @var{name}
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488@end example
489
490Where, @var{name} is a widget name, @var{keyword} is the name of a
491property, @var{argument} is the value of the property, and @var{args}
492are interpreted in a widget specific way.
493
6f7f063d 494@cindex keyword arguments
db71197e 495The following keyword arguments apply to all widgets:
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496
497@table @code
6f7f063d 498@vindex value@r{ keyword}
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499@item :value
500The initial value for widgets of this type.
501
6f7f063d 502@vindex format@r{ keyword}
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503@item :format
504This string will be inserted in the buffer when you create a widget.
505The following @samp{%} escapes are available:
506
507@table @samp
508@item %[
509@itemx %]
510The text inside will be marked as a button.
511
512By default, the text will be shown in @code{widget-button-face}, and
177c0ea7 513surrounded by brackets.
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514
515@defopt widget-button-prefix
516String to prefix buttons.
517@end defopt
518
519@defopt widget-button-suffix
520String to suffix buttons.
521@end defopt
522
523@item %@{
524@itemx %@}
525The text inside will be displayed with the face specified by
177c0ea7 526@code{:sample-face}.
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527
528@item %v
54438eb5 529This will be replaced with the buffer representation of the widget's
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530value. What this is depends on the widget type.
531
532@item %d
533Insert the string specified by @code{:doc} here.
534
535@item %h
536Like @samp{%d}, with the following modifications: If the documentation
537string is more than one line, it will add a button which will toggle
538between showing only the first line, and showing the full text.
539Furthermore, if there is no @code{:doc} property in the widget, it will
540instead examine the @code{:documentation-property} property. If it is a
541lambda expression, it will be called with the widget's value as an
542argument, and the result will be used as the documentation text.
543
544@item %t
545Insert the string specified by @code{:tag} here, or the @code{princ}
546representation of the value if there is no tag.
547
548@item %%
177c0ea7 549Insert a literal @samp{%}.
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550@end table
551
6f7f063d 552@vindex button-face@r{ keyword}
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553@item :button-face
554Face used to highlight text inside %[ %] in the format.
555
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556@vindex button-prefix@r{ keyword}
557@vindex button-suffix@r{ keyword}
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558@item :button-prefix
559@itemx :button-suffix
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560Text around %[ %] in the format.
561
562These can be
563@table @emph
564@item nil
565No text is inserted.
566
567@item a string
568The string is inserted literally.
569
570@item a symbol
571The value of the symbol is expanded according to this table.
572@end table
573
6f7f063d 574@vindex doc@r{ keyword}
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575@item :doc
576The string inserted by the @samp{%d} escape in the format
177c0ea7 577string.
6bf7aab6 578
6f7f063d 579@vindex tag@r{ keyword}
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580@item :tag
581The string inserted by the @samp{%t} escape in the format
177c0ea7 582string.
6bf7aab6 583
6f7f063d 584@vindex tag-glyph@r{ keyword}
6bf7aab6 585@item :tag-glyph
6f7f063d 586Name of image to use instead of the string specified by @code{:tag} on
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587Emacsen that supports it.
588
6f7f063d 589@vindex help-echo@r{ keyword}
6bf7aab6 590@item :help-echo
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591Specifies how to display a message whenever you move to the widget with
592either @code{widget-forward} or @code{widget-backward} or move the mouse
56600dfa 593over it (using the standard @code{help-echo} mechanism). The argument
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594is either a string to display, a function of one argument, the widget,
595which should return a string to display, or a form that evaluates to
596such a string.
6bf7aab6 597
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598@vindex follow-link@r{ keyword}
599@item :follow-link
600Specifies how to interpret a @key{mouse-1} click on the widget.
1fd0f7a6 601@xref{Links and Mouse-1,,, elisp, the Emacs Lisp Reference Manual}.
d3ceff91 602
6f7f063d 603@vindex indent@r{ keyword}
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604@item :indent
605An integer indicating the absolute number of spaces to indent children
606of this widget.
607
6f7f063d 608@vindex offset@r{ keyword}
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609@item :offset
610An integer indicating how many extra spaces to add to the widget's
611grandchildren compared to this widget.
612
6f7f063d 613@vindex extra-offset@r{ keyword}
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614@item :extra-offset
615An integer indicating how many extra spaces to add to the widget's
616children compared to this widget.
617
6f7f063d 618@vindex notify@r{ keyword}
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619@item :notify
620A function called each time the widget or a nested widget is changed.
621The function is called with two or three arguments. The first argument
622is the widget itself, the second argument is the widget that was
623changed, and the third argument is the event leading to the change, if
177c0ea7 624any.
6bf7aab6 625
6f7f063d 626@vindex menu-tag@r{ keyword}
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627@item :menu-tag
628Tag used in the menu when the widget is used as an option in a
629@code{menu-choice} widget.
630
6f7f063d 631@vindex menu-tag-get@r{ keyword}
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632@item :menu-tag-get
633Function used for finding the tag when the widget is used as an option
634in a @code{menu-choice} widget. By default, the tag used will be either the
635@code{:menu-tag} or @code{:tag} property if present, or the @code{princ}
636representation of the @code{:value} property if not.
637
6f7f063d 638@vindex match@r{ keyword}
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639@item :match
640Should be a function called with two arguments, the widget and a value,
65247564 641and returning non-@code{nil} if the widget can represent the specified value.
6bf7aab6 642
6f7f063d 643@vindex validate@r{ keyword}
6bf7aab6 644@item :validate
6f7f063d
EZ
645A function which takes a widget as an argument, and returns @code{nil}
646if the widget's current value is valid for the widget. Otherwise it
647should return the widget containing the invalid data, and set that
648widget's @code{:error} property to a string explaining the error.
6bf7aab6
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649
650The following predefined function can be used:
651
652@defun widget-children-validate widget
653All the @code{:children} of @var{widget} must be valid.
654@end defun
655
6f7f063d 656@vindex tab-order@r{ keyword}
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657@item :tab-order
658Specify the order in which widgets are traversed with
659@code{widget-forward} or @code{widget-backward}. This is only partially
660implemented.
661
662@enumerate a
663@item
664Widgets with tabbing order @code{-1} are ignored.
665
177c0ea7 666@item
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667(Unimplemented) When on a widget with tabbing order @var{n}, go to the
668next widget in the buffer with tabbing order @var{n+1} or @code{nil},
669whichever comes first.
670
671@item
672When on a widget with no tabbing order specified, go to the next widget
673in the buffer with a positive tabbing order, or @code{nil}
674@end enumerate
675
6f7f063d 676@vindex parent@r{ keyword}
6bf7aab6 677@item :parent
a159375d 678The parent of a nested widget (e.g.@: a @code{menu-choice} item or an
6bf7aab6
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679element of a @code{editable-list} widget).
680
6f7f063d 681@vindex sibling-args@r{ keyword}
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682@item :sibling-args
683This keyword is only used for members of a @code{radio-button-choice} or
684@code{checklist}. The value should be a list of extra keyword
685arguments, which will be used when creating the @code{radio-button} or
686@code{checkbox} associated with this item.
687
688@end table
689
690@deffn {User Option} widget-glyph-directory
177c0ea7 691Directory where glyphs are found.
6bf7aab6 692Widget will look here for a file with the same name as specified for the
6f7f063d 693image, with either a @file{.xpm} (if supported) or @file{.xbm} extension.
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694@end deffn
695
696@deffn{User Option} widget-glyph-enable
9995b954 697If non-@code{nil}, allow glyphs to appear on displays where they are supported.
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698@end deffn
699
700
701@menu
177c0ea7
JB
702* link::
703* url-link::
704* info-link::
705* push-button::
706* editable-field::
707* text::
708* menu-choice::
709* radio-button-choice::
710* item::
711* choice-item::
712* toggle::
713* checkbox::
714* checklist::
715* editable-list::
716* group::
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717@end menu
718
719@node link, url-link, Basic Types, Basic Types
720@comment node-name, next, previous, up
721@subsection The @code{link} Widget
6f7f063d 722@findex link@r{ widget}
6bf7aab6
DL
723
724Syntax:
725
726@example
87171118 727@var{type} ::= (link [@var{keyword} @var{argument}]... [ @var{value} ])
6bf7aab6
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728@end example
729
730The @var{value}, if present, is used to initialize the @code{:value}
731property. The value should be a string, which will be inserted in the
177c0ea7 732buffer.
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733
734By default the link will be shown in brackets.
735
736@defopt widget-link-prefix
737String to prefix links.
738@end defopt
739
740@defopt widget-link-suffix
741String to suffix links.
742@end defopt
743
744@node url-link, info-link, link, Basic Types
745@comment node-name, next, previous, up
746@subsection The @code{url-link} Widget
6f7f063d 747@findex url-link@r{ widget}
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748
749Syntax:
750
751@example
87171118 752@var{type} ::= (url-link [@var{keyword} @var{argument}]... @var{url})
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DL
753@end example
754
6f7f063d 755@findex browse-url-browser-function@r{, and @code{url-link} widget}
76dd3692 756When this link is invoked, the @acronym{WWW} browser specified by
177c0ea7 757@code{browse-url-browser-function} will be called with @var{url}.
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758
759@node info-link, push-button, url-link, Basic Types
760@comment node-name, next, previous, up
761@subsection The @code{info-link} Widget
6f7f063d 762@findex info-link@r{ widget}
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763
764Syntax:
765
766@example
87171118 767@var{type} ::= (info-link [@var{keyword} @var{argument}]... @var{address})
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768@end example
769
6f7f063d 770When this link is invoked, the built-in Info reader is started on
177c0ea7 771@var{address}.
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772
773@node push-button, editable-field, info-link, Basic Types
774@comment node-name, next, previous, up
775@subsection The @code{push-button} Widget
6f7f063d 776@findex push-button@r{ widget}
6bf7aab6
DL
777
778Syntax:
779
780@example
87171118 781@var{type} ::= (push-button [@var{keyword} @var{argument}]... [ @var{value} ])
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782@end example
783
784The @var{value}, if present, is used to initialize the @code{:value}
6f7f063d 785property. The value should be a string, which will be inserted in the
177c0ea7 786buffer.
6bf7aab6
DL
787
788By default the tag will be shown in brackets.
789
790@defopt widget-push-button-prefix
791String to prefix push buttons.
792@end defopt
793
794@defopt widget-push-button-suffix
795String to suffix push buttons.
796@end defopt
797
798@node editable-field, text, push-button, Basic Types
799@comment node-name, next, previous, up
800@subsection The @code{editable-field} Widget
6f7f063d 801@findex editable-field@r{ widget}
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802
803Syntax:
804
805@example
87171118 806@var{type} ::= (editable-field [@var{keyword} @var{argument}]... [ @var{value} ])
6bf7aab6
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807@end example
808
809The @var{value}, if present, is used to initialize the @code{:value}
db71197e 810property. The value should be a string, which will be inserted in the
6bf7aab6
DL
811field. This widget will match all string values.
812
6f7f063d 813The following extra properties are recognized:
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814
815@table @code
6f7f063d 816@vindex size@r{ keyword}
6bf7aab6
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817@item :size
818The width of the editable field.@*
819By default the field will reach to the end of the line.
820
6f7f063d 821@vindex value-face@r{ keyword}
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DL
822@item :value-face
823Face used for highlighting the editable field. Default is
177c0ea7 824@code{widget-field-face}, see @ref{User Interface}.
6bf7aab6 825
6f7f063d 826@vindex secret@r{ keyword}
6bf7aab6 827@item :secret
a159375d 828Character used to display the value. You can set this to e.g.@: @code{?*}
6bf7aab6 829if the field contains a password or other secret information. By
9995b954 830default, this is @code{nil}, and the value is not secret.
6bf7aab6 831
6f7f063d 832@vindex valid-regexp@r{ keyword}
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DL
833@item :valid-regexp
834By default the @code{:validate} function will match the content of the
835field with the value of this attribute. The default value is @code{""}
836which matches everything.
837
6f7f063d
EZ
838@vindex keymap@r{ keyword}
839@vindex widget-field-keymap
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DL
840@item :keymap
841Keymap used in the editable field. The default value is
842@code{widget-field-keymap}, which allows you to use all the normal
6f7f063d
EZ
843editing commands, even if the buffer's major mode suppresses some of
844them. Pressing @key{RET} invokes the function specified by
845@code{:action}.
6bf7aab6
DL
846@end table
847
848@node text, menu-choice, editable-field, Basic Types
849@comment node-name, next, previous, up
850@subsection The @code{text} Widget
6f7f063d 851@findex text@r{ widget}
6bf7aab6 852
6f7f063d 853@vindex widget-text-keymap
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DL
854This is just like @code{editable-field}, but intended for multiline text
855fields. The default @code{:keymap} is @code{widget-text-keymap}, which
6f7f063d 856does not rebind the @key{RET} key.
6bf7aab6
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857
858@node menu-choice, radio-button-choice, text, Basic Types
859@comment node-name, next, previous, up
860@subsection The @code{menu-choice} Widget
6f7f063d 861@findex menu-choice@r{ widget}
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DL
862
863Syntax:
864
865@example
87171118 866@var{type} ::= (menu-choice [@var{keyword} @var{argument}]... @var{type} ... )
6bf7aab6
DL
867@end example
868
54438eb5
DL
869The @var{type} argument represents each possible choice. The widget's
870value will be that of the chosen @var{type} argument. This widget will
871match any value matching at least one of the specified @var{type}
872arguments.
6bf7aab6
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873
874@table @code
6f7f063d 875@vindex void@r{ keyword}
177c0ea7 876@item :void
6bf7aab6
DL
877Widget type used as a fallback when the value does not match any of the
878specified @var{type} arguments.
879
6f7f063d 880@vindex case-fold@r{ keyword}
6bf7aab6 881@item :case-fold
9995b954 882Set this to @code{nil} if you don't want to ignore case when prompting for a
6bf7aab6
DL
883choice through the minibuffer.
884
6f7f063d 885@vindex children@r{ keyword}
6bf7aab6 886@item :children
9995b954 887A list whose @sc{car} is the widget representing the currently chosen
6f7f063d 888type in the buffer.
6bf7aab6 889
6f7f063d 890@vindex choice@r{ keyword}
6bf7aab6 891@item :choice
6f7f063d 892The current chosen type.
6bf7aab6 893
6f7f063d 894@vindex args@r{ keyword}
177c0ea7
JB
895@item :args
896The list of types.
6bf7aab6
DL
897@end table
898
899@node radio-button-choice, item, menu-choice, Basic Types
900@comment node-name, next, previous, up
901@subsection The @code{radio-button-choice} Widget
6f7f063d 902@findex radio-button-choice@r{ widget}
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903
904Syntax:
905
906@example
87171118 907@var{type} ::= (radio-button-choice [@var{keyword} @var{argument}]... @var{type} ... )
6bf7aab6
DL
908@end example
909
87171118
RS
910The component types specify the choices, with one radio button for
911each. The widget's value will be that of the chosen @var{type}
7da31552 912argument. This widget matches any value that matches at least one of
87171118 913the specified @var{type} arguments.
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914
915The following extra properties are recognized.
916
917@table @code
6f7f063d 918@vindex entry-format@r{ keyword}
6bf7aab6
DL
919@item :entry-format
920This string will be inserted for each entry in the list.
921The following @samp{%} escapes are available:
922@table @samp
923@item %v
6f7f063d 924Replace with the buffer representation of the @var{type} widget.
6bf7aab6
DL
925@item %b
926Replace with the radio button.
927@item %%
177c0ea7 928Insert a literal @samp{%}.
6bf7aab6
DL
929@end table
930
6f7f063d
EZ
931@vindex button-args@r{ keyword}
932@item :button-args
6bf7aab6 933A list of keywords to pass to the radio buttons. Useful for setting
a159375d 934e.g.@: the @samp{:help-echo} for each button.
6bf7aab6 935
6f7f063d 936@vindex buttons@r{ keyword}
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DL
937@item :buttons
938The widgets representing the radio buttons.
939
6f7f063d 940@vindex children@r{ keyword}
6bf7aab6
DL
941@item :children
942The widgets representing each type.
943
6f7f063d 944@vindex choice@r{ keyword}
6bf7aab6
DL
945@item :choice
946The current chosen type
947
6f7f063d 948@vindex args@r{ keyword}
177c0ea7
JB
949@item :args
950The list of types.
6bf7aab6
DL
951@end table
952
953You can add extra radio button items to a @code{radio-button-choice}
954widget after it has been created with the function
177c0ea7 955@code{widget-radio-add-item}.
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DL
956
957@defun widget-radio-add-item widget type
6f7f063d
EZ
958Add to @code{radio-button-choice} widget @var{widget} a new radio button
959item of type @var{type}.
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DL
960@end defun
961
962Please note that such items added after the @code{radio-button-choice}
963widget has been created will @strong{not} be properly destructed when
964you call @code{widget-delete}.
965
966@node item, choice-item, radio-button-choice, Basic Types
967@comment node-name, next, previous, up
968@subsection The @code{item} Widget
6f7f063d 969@findex item@r{ widget}
6bf7aab6
DL
970
971Syntax:
972
973@example
87171118 974@var{item} ::= (item [@var{keyword} @var{argument}]... @var{value})
6bf7aab6
DL
975@end example
976
977The @var{value}, if present, is used to initialize the @code{:value}
978property. The value should be a string, which will be inserted in the
979buffer. This widget will only match the specified value.
980
981@node choice-item, toggle, item, Basic Types
982@comment node-name, next, previous, up
983@subsection The @code{choice-item} Widget
6f7f063d 984@findex choice-item@r{ widget}
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DL
985
986Syntax:
987
988@example
87171118 989@var{item} ::= (choice-item [@var{keyword} @var{argument}]... @var{value})
6bf7aab6
DL
990@end example
991
992The @var{value}, if present, is used to initialize the @code{:value}
993property. The value should be a string, which will be inserted in the
994buffer as a button. Activating the button of a @code{choice-item} is
995equivalent to activating the parent widget. This widget will only match
177c0ea7 996the specified value.
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997
998@node toggle, checkbox, choice-item, Basic Types
999@comment node-name, next, previous, up
1000@subsection The @code{toggle} Widget
6f7f063d 1001@findex toggle@r{ widget}
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DL
1002
1003Syntax:
1004
1005@example
87171118 1006@var{type} ::= (toggle [@var{keyword} @var{argument}]...)
6bf7aab6
DL
1007@end example
1008
6f7f063d
EZ
1009The widget has two possible states, @samp{on} and @samp{off}, which
1010correspond to a @code{t} or @code{nil} value, respectively.
6bf7aab6 1011
6f7f063d 1012The following extra properties are recognized:
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DL
1013
1014@table @code
1015@item :on
6f7f063d
EZ
1016A string representing the @samp{on} state. By default the string
1017@samp{on}.
177c0ea7 1018@item :off
6f7f063d
EZ
1019A string representing the @samp{off} state. By default the string
1020@samp{off}.
1021@vindex on-glyph@r{ keyword}
6bf7aab6 1022@item :on-glyph
6f7f063d
EZ
1023Name of a glyph to be used instead of the @samp{:on} text string, on
1024emacsen that supports this.
1025@vindex off-glyph@r{ keyword}
6bf7aab6 1026@item :off-glyph
6f7f063d
EZ
1027Name of a glyph to be used instead of the @samp{:off} text string, on
1028emacsen that supports this.
6bf7aab6
DL
1029@end table
1030
1031@node checkbox, checklist, toggle, Basic Types
1032@comment node-name, next, previous, up
1033@subsection The @code{checkbox} Widget
6f7f063d 1034@findex checkbox@r{ widget}
6bf7aab6 1035
6f7f063d
EZ
1036This widget has two possible states, @samp{selected} and
1037@samp{unselected}, which corresponds to a @code{t} or @code{nil} value.
6bf7aab6
DL
1038
1039Syntax:
1040
1041@example
87171118 1042@var{type} ::= (checkbox [@var{keyword} @var{argument}]...)
6bf7aab6
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1043@end example
1044
1045@node checklist, editable-list, checkbox, Basic Types
1046@comment node-name, next, previous, up
1047@subsection The @code{checklist} Widget
6f7f063d 1048@findex checklist@r{ widget}
6bf7aab6
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1049
1050Syntax:
1051
1052@example
87171118 1053@var{type} ::= (checklist [@var{keyword} @var{argument}]... @var{type} ... )
6bf7aab6
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1054@end example
1055
6f7f063d
EZ
1056The @var{type} arguments represent each checklist item. The widget's
1057value will be a list containing the values of all checked @var{type}
54438eb5
DL
1058arguments. The checklist widget will match a list whose elements all
1059match at least one of the specified @var{type} arguments.
6bf7aab6 1060
6f7f063d 1061The following extra properties are recognized:
6bf7aab6
DL
1062
1063@table @code
6f7f063d 1064@vindex entry-format@r{ keyword}
6bf7aab6
DL
1065@item :entry-format
1066This string will be inserted for each entry in the list.
1067The following @samp{%} escapes are available:
1068@table @samp
1069@item %v
1070Replaced with the buffer representation of the @var{type} widget.
1071@item %b
1072Replace with the checkbox.
1073@item %%
177c0ea7 1074Insert a literal @samp{%}.
6bf7aab6
DL
1075@end table
1076
6f7f063d 1077@vindex greedy@r{ keyword}
6bf7aab6 1078@item :greedy
54438eb5 1079Usually a checklist will only match if the items are in the exact
6bf7aab6 1080sequence given in the specification. By setting @code{:greedy} to
9995b954
JH
1081non-@code{nil}, it will allow the items to come in any sequence.
1082However, if you extract the value they will be in the sequence given
1083in the checklist, i.e.@: the original sequence is forgotten.
6bf7aab6 1084
6f7f063d 1085@vindex button-args@r{ keyword}
a159375d 1086@item :button-args
6bf7aab6 1087A list of keywords to pass to the checkboxes. Useful for setting
a159375d 1088e.g.@: the @samp{:help-echo} for each checkbox.
6bf7aab6 1089
6f7f063d 1090@vindex buttons@r{ keyword}
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DL
1091@item :buttons
1092The widgets representing the checkboxes.
1093
6f7f063d 1094@vindex children@r{ keyword}
6bf7aab6
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1095@item :children
1096The widgets representing each type.
1097
6f7f063d 1098@vindex args@r{ keyword}
177c0ea7
JB
1099@item :args
1100The list of types.
6bf7aab6
DL
1101@end table
1102
1103@node editable-list, group, checklist, Basic Types
1104@comment node-name, next, previous, up
1105@subsection The @code{editable-list} Widget
6f7f063d 1106@findex editable-list@r{ widget}
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1107
1108Syntax:
1109
1110@example
87171118 1111@var{type} ::= (editable-list [@var{keyword} @var{argument}]... @var{type})
6bf7aab6
DL
1112@end example
1113
1114The value is a list, where each member represents one widget of type
177c0ea7 1115@var{type}.
6bf7aab6 1116
6f7f063d 1117The following extra properties are recognized:
6bf7aab6
DL
1118
1119@table @code
6f7f063d 1120@vindex entry-format@r{ keyword}
6bf7aab6
DL
1121@item :entry-format
1122This string will be inserted for each entry in the list.
1123The following @samp{%} escapes are available:
1124@table @samp
1125@item %v
1126This will be replaced with the buffer representation of the @var{type}
1127widget.
1128@item %i
976e00f1 1129Insert the @b{[INS]} button.
6bf7aab6
DL
1130@item %d
1131Insert the @b{[DEL]} button.
1132@item %%
177c0ea7 1133Insert a literal @samp{%}.
6bf7aab6
DL
1134@end table
1135
976e00f1
DL
1136@vindex insert-button-args@r{ keyword}
1137@item :insert-button-args
6bf7aab6
DL
1138A list of keyword arguments to pass to the insert buttons.
1139
6f7f063d 1140@vindex delete-button-args@r{ keyword}
6bf7aab6
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1141@item :delete-button-args
1142A list of keyword arguments to pass to the delete buttons.
1143
6f7f063d 1144@vindex append-button-args@r{ keyword}
6bf7aab6
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1145@item :append-button-args
1146A list of keyword arguments to pass to the trailing insert button.
1147
6f7f063d 1148@vindex buttons@r{ keyword}
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1149@item :buttons
1150The widgets representing the insert and delete buttons.
1151
6f7f063d 1152@vindex children@r{ keyword}
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1153@item :children
1154The widgets representing the elements of the list.
1155
6f7f063d 1156@vindex args@r{ keyword}
6bf7aab6 1157@item :args
9995b954 1158List whose @sc{car} is the type of the list elements.
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1159@end table
1160
1161@node group, , editable-list, Basic Types
1162@comment node-name, next, previous, up
1163@subsection The @code{group} Widget
6f7f063d 1164@findex group@r{ widget}
6bf7aab6 1165
6f7f063d 1166This widget simply group other widgets together.
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1167
1168Syntax:
1169
1170@example
87171118 1171@var{type} ::= (group [@var{keyword} @var{argument}]... @var{type}...)
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1172@end example
1173
177c0ea7 1174The value is a list, with one member for each @var{type}.
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1175
1176@node Sexp Types, Widget Properties, Basic Types, Top
1177@comment
1178@section Sexp Types
6f7f063d 1179@cindex sexp types
6bf7aab6 1180
9995b954 1181A number of widgets for editing @dfn{s-expressions} (Lisp types), sexp
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1182for short, are also available. These basically fall in several
1183categories described in this section.
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1184
1185@menu
177c0ea7
JB
1186* constants::
1187* generic::
1188* atoms::
1189* composite::
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1190@end menu
1191
1192@node constants, generic, Sexp Types, Sexp Types
1193@comment node-name, next, previous, up
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1194@subsection The Constant Widgets
1195@cindex constant widgets
6bf7aab6 1196
9995b954 1197The @code{const} widget can contain any Lisp expression, but the user is
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1198prohibited from editing it, which is mainly useful as a component of one
1199of the composite widgets.
6bf7aab6 1200
6f7f063d 1201The syntax for the @code{const} widget is:
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1202
1203@example
87171118 1204@var{type} ::= (const [@var{keyword} @var{argument}]... [ @var{value} ])
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1205@end example
1206
1207The @var{value}, if present, is used to initialize the @code{:value}
1208property and can be any s-expression.
1209
1210@deffn Widget const
1211This will display any valid s-expression in an immutable part of the
177c0ea7 1212buffer.
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1213@end deffn
1214
1215There are two variations of the @code{const} widget, namely
1216@code{variable-item} and @code{function-item}. These should contain a
1217symbol with a variable or function binding. The major difference from
1218the @code{const} widget is that they will allow the user to see the
1219variable or function documentation for the symbol.
1220
1221@deffn Widget variable-item
1222An immutable symbol that is bound as a variable.
1223@end deffn
1224
1225@deffn Widget function-item
1226An immutable symbol that is bound as a function.
1227@end deffn
1228
1229@node generic, atoms, constants, Sexp Types
1230@comment node-name, next, previous, up
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1231@subsection Generic Sexp Widget
1232@cindex generic sexp widget
6bf7aab6 1233
9995b954 1234The @code{sexp} widget can contain any Lisp expression, and allows the
6bf7aab6
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1235user to edit it inline in the buffer.
1236
6f7f063d 1237The syntax for the @code{sexp} widget is:
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1238
1239@example
87171118 1240@var{type} ::= (sexp [@var{keyword} @var{argument}]... [ @var{value} ])
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1241@end example
1242
1243@deffn Widget sexp
1244This will allow you to edit any valid s-expression in an editable buffer
177c0ea7 1245field.
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1246
1247The @code{sexp} widget takes the same keyword arguments as the
6f7f063d 1248@code{editable-field} widget. @xref{editable-field}.
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1249@end deffn
1250
1251@node atoms, composite, generic, Sexp Types
1252@comment node-name, next, previous, up
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1253@subsection Atomic Sexp Widgets
1254@cindex atomic sexp widget
6bf7aab6 1255
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1256The atoms are s-expressions that do not consist of other s-expressions.
1257For example, a string, a file name, or a symbol are atoms, while a list
1258is a composite type. You can edit the value of an atom with the
1259following widgets.
6bf7aab6 1260
6f7f063d 1261The syntax for all the atoms are:
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1262
1263@example
87171118 1264@var{type} ::= (@var{construct} [@var{keyword} @var{argument}]... [ @var{value} ])
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1265@end example
1266
1267The @var{value}, if present, is used to initialize the @code{:value}
1268property and must be an expression of the same type as the widget.
6f7f063d 1269That is, the string widget can only be initialized with a string.
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1270
1271All the atom widgets take the same keyword arguments as the
6f7f063d 1272@code{editable-field} widget. @xref{editable-field}.
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1273
1274@deffn Widget string
1275Allows you to edit a string in an editable field.
1276@end deffn
1277
1278@deffn Widget regexp
1279Allows you to edit a regular expression in an editable field.
1280@end deffn
1281
1282@deffn Widget character
1283Allows you to enter a character in an editable field.
1284@end deffn
1285
1286@deffn Widget file
2f04a835 1287Allows you to edit a file name in an editable field.
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1288
1289Keywords:
1290@table @code
6f7f063d 1291@vindex must-match@r{ keyword}
6bf7aab6 1292@item :must-match
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JH
1293If this is set to non-@code{nil}, only existing file names will be
1294allowed in the minibuffer.
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1295@end table
1296@end deffn
1297
1298@deffn Widget directory
1299Allows you to edit a directory name in an editable field.
1300Similar to the @code{file} widget.
1301@end deffn
1302
1303@deffn Widget symbol
9995b954 1304Allows you to edit a Lisp symbol in an editable field.
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1305@end deffn
1306
1307@deffn Widget function
1308Allows you to edit a lambda expression, or a function name with completion.
1309@end deffn
1310
1311@deffn Widget variable
1312Allows you to edit a variable name, with completion.
1313@end deffn
1314
1315@deffn Widget integer
1316Allows you to edit an integer in an editable field.
1317@end deffn
1318
1319@deffn Widget number
1320Allows you to edit a number in an editable field.
1321@end deffn
1322
1323@deffn Widget boolean
9995b954
JH
1324Allows you to edit a boolean. In Lisp this means a variable which is
1325either @code{nil} meaning false, or non-@code{nil} meaning true.
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1326@end deffn
1327
1328
1329@node composite, , atoms, Sexp Types
1330@comment node-name, next, previous, up
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1331@subsection Composite Sexp Widgets
1332@cindex composite sexp widgets
6bf7aab6 1333
87171118 1334The syntax for the composite widget construct is:
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1335
1336@example
87171118 1337@var{type} ::= (@var{construct} [@var{keyword} @var{argument}]... @var{component}...)
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1338@end example
1339
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EZ
1340@noindent
1341where each @var{component} must be a widget type. Each component widget
1342will be displayed in the buffer, and will be editable by the user.
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1343
1344@deffn Widget cons
87171118
RS
1345The value of a @code{cons} widget must be a cons-cell whose @sc{car}
1346and @sc{cdr} have two specified types. It uses this syntax:
1347
1348@example
1349@var{type} ::= (cons [@var{keyword} @var{argument}]... @var{car-type} @var{cdr-type})
1350@end example
1351@end deffn
1352
1353@deffn Widget choice
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RS
1354The value matched by a @code{choice} widget must have one of a fixed
1355set of types. The widget's syntax is as follows:
87171118
RS
1356
1357@example
1358@var{type} ::= (choice [@var{keyword} @var{argument}]... @var{type} ... )
1359@end example
1360
1361The value of a @code{choice} widget can be anything that matches any of the
1362@var{types}.
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1363@end deffn
1364
1365@deffn Widget list
87171118
RS
1366The value of a @code{list} widget must be a list whose element types
1367match the specified component types:
1368
1369@example
1370@var{type} ::= (list [@var{keyword} @var{argument}]... @var{component-type}...)
1371@end example
1372
1373Thus, @code{(list string number)} matches lists of two elements,
1374the first being a string and the second being a number.
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1375@end deffn
1376
1377@deffn Widget vector
87171118
RS
1378The @code{vector} widget is like the @code{list} widget but matches
1379vectors instead of lists. Thus, @code{(vector string number)} matches
1380vectors of two elements, the first being a string and the second being
1381a number.
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1382@end deffn
1383
1384The above suffice for specifying fixed size lists and vectors. To get
1385variable length lists and vectors, you can use a @code{choice},
db71197e 1386@code{set}, or @code{repeat} widget together with the @code{:inline}
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RS
1387keyword. If any component of a composite widget has the
1388@code{:inline} keyword set, its value must be a list which will then
1389be spliced into the composite. For example, to specify a list whose
1390first element must be a file name, and whose remaining elements should
1391either be the symbol @code{t} or two strings (file names), you can use
1392the following widget specification:
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1393
1394@example
1395(list file
1396 (choice (const t)
1397 (list :inline t
1398 :value ("foo" "bar")
1399 string string)))
1400@end example
1401
177c0ea7 1402The value of a widget of this type will either have the form
87171118 1403@code{(file t)} or @code{(file @var{string} @var{string})}.
6bf7aab6 1404
87171118
RS
1405This concept of @code{:inline} may be hard to understand. It was
1406certainly hard to implement, so instead of confusing you more by
1407trying to explain it here, I'll just suggest you meditate over it for
1408a while.
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1409
1410@deffn Widget set
87171118
RS
1411Specifies a type whose values are the lists whose elements all belong
1412to a given set. The order of elements of the list is not significant.
1413Here's the syntax:
1414
1415@example
1416@var{type} ::= (set [@var{keyword} @var{argument}]... @var{permitted-element} ... )
1417@end example
1418
1419Use @code{const} to specify each permitted element, like this:
1420@code{(set (const a) (const b))}.
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1421@end deffn
1422
1423@deffn Widget repeat
87171118
RS
1424Specifies a list of any number of elements that fit a certain type.
1425
1426@example
1427@var{type} ::= (repeat [@var{keyword} @var{argument}]... @var{type})
1428@end example
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DL
1429@end deffn
1430
1431@node Widget Properties, Defining New Widgets, Sexp Types, Top
1432@comment node-name, next, previous, up
1433@section Properties
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EZ
1434@cindex properties of widgets
1435@cindex widget properties
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DL
1436
1437You can examine or set the value of a widget by using the widget object
1438that was returned by @code{widget-create}.
1439
1440@defun widget-value widget
1441Return the current value contained in @var{widget}.
1442It is an error to call this function on an uninitialized widget.
1443@end defun
1444
1445@defun widget-value-set widget value
1446Set the value contained in @var{widget} to @var{value}.
1447It is an error to call this function with an invalid @var{value}.
1448@end defun
1449
1450@strong{Important:} You @emph{must} call @code{widget-setup} after
1451modifying the value of a widget before the user is allowed to edit the
1452widget again. It is enough to call @code{widget-setup} once if you
1453modify multiple widgets. This is currently only necessary if the widget
1454contains an editing field, but may be necessary for other widgets in the
177c0ea7 1455future.
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1456
1457If your application needs to associate some information with the widget
1458objects, for example a reference to the item being edited, it can be
1459done with @code{widget-put} and @code{widget-get}. The property names
1460must begin with a @samp{:}.
1461
1462@defun widget-put widget property value
1463In @var{widget} set @var{property} to @var{value}.
1464@var{property} should be a symbol, while @var{value} can be anything.
1465@end defun
1466
1467@defun widget-get widget property
1468In @var{widget} return the value for @var{property}.
1469@var{property} should be a symbol, the value is what was last set by
1470@code{widget-put} for @var{property}.
1471@end defun
1472
1473@defun widget-member widget property
9995b954
JH
1474Non-@code{nil} if @var{widget} has a value (even @code{nil}) for
1475property @var{property}.
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1476@end defun
1477
1478Occasionally it can be useful to know which kind of widget you have,
177c0ea7 1479i.e.@: the name of the widget type you gave when the widget was created.
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1480
1481@defun widget-type widget
1482Return the name of @var{widget}, a symbol.
1483@end defun
1484
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1485@cindex active widget
1486@cindex inactive widget
1487@cindex activate a widget
1488@cindex deactivate a widget
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1489Widgets can be in two states: active, which means they are modifiable by
1490the user, or inactive, which means they cannot be modified by the user.
1491You can query or set the state with the following code:
1492
1493@lisp
1494;; Examine if @var{widget} is active or not.
1495(if (widget-apply @var{widget} :active)
1496 (message "Widget is active.")
1497 (message "Widget is inactive.")
1498
1499;; Make @var{widget} inactive.
1500(widget-apply @var{widget} :deactivate)
1501
1502;; Make @var{widget} active.
1503(widget-apply @var{widget} :activate)
1504@end lisp
1505
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1506A widget is inactive if it, or any of its ancestors (found by
1507following the @code{:parent} link), have been deactivated. To make sure
1508a widget is really active, you must therefore activate both it and
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1509all its ancestors.
1510
1511@lisp
177c0ea7 1512(while widget
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DL
1513 (widget-apply widget :activate)
1514 (setq widget (widget-get widget :parent)))
1515@end lisp
1516
1517You can check if a widget has been made inactive by examining the value
9995b954 1518of the @code{:inactive} keyword. If this is non-@code{nil}, the widget itself
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DL
1519has been deactivated. This is different from using the @code{:active}
1520keyword, in that the latter tells you if the widget @strong{or} any of
1521its ancestors have been deactivated. Do not attempt to set the
6bf7aab6 1522@code{:inactive} keyword directly. Use the @code{:activate}
54438eb5 1523@code{:deactivate} keywords instead.
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1524
1525
1526@node Defining New Widgets, Widget Browser, Widget Properties, Top
1527@comment node-name, next, previous, up
1528@section Defining New Widgets
6f7f063d
EZ
1529@cindex new widgets
1530@cindex defining new widgets
6bf7aab6 1531
75ba82a9 1532You can define specialized widgets with @code{define-widget}. It allows
6bf7aab6 1533you to create a shorthand for more complex widgets, including specifying
54438eb5 1534component widgets and new default values for the keyword
177c0ea7 1535arguments.
6bf7aab6 1536
75ba82a9 1537@defun define-widget name class doc &rest args
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1538Define a new widget type named @var{name} from @code{class}.
1539
1540@var{name} and class should both be symbols, @code{class} should be one
177c0ea7 1541of the existing widget types.
6bf7aab6 1542
9995b954 1543The third argument @var{doc} is a documentation string for the widget.
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1544
1545After the new widget has been defined, the following two calls will
1546create identical widgets:
1547
1548@itemize @bullet
1549@item
1550@lisp
1551(widget-create @var{name})
1552@end lisp
1553
1554@item
1555@lisp
1556(apply widget-create @var{class} @var{args})
1557@end lisp
1558@end itemize
1559
1560@end defun
1561
75ba82a9 1562Using @code{define-widget} just stores the definition of the widget type
54438eb5 1563in the @code{widget-type} property of @var{name}, which is what
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1564@code{widget-create} uses.
1565
6f7f063d 1566If you only want to specify defaults for keywords with no complex
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1567conversions, you can use @code{identity} as your conversion function.
1568
1569The following additional keyword arguments are useful when defining new
177c0ea7 1570widgets:
6bf7aab6 1571@table @code
6f7f063d 1572@vindex convert-widget@r{ keyword}
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1573@item :convert-widget
1574Function to convert a widget type before creating a widget of that
1575type. It takes a widget type as an argument, and returns the converted
1576widget type. When a widget is created, this function is called for the
177c0ea7 1577widget type and all the widget's parent types, most derived first.
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1578
1579The following predefined functions can be used here:
1580
1581@defun widget-types-convert-widget widget
1582Convert @code{:args} as widget types in @var{widget}.
1583@end defun
1584
1585@defun widget-value-convert-widget widget
1586Initialize @code{:value} from @code{:args} in @var{widget}.
1587@end defun
1588
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PA
1589@vindex copy@r{ keyword}
1590@item :copy
1591Function to deep copy a widget type. It takes a shallow copy of the
1592widget type as an argument (made by @code{copy-sequence}), and returns a
1593deep copy. The purpose of this is to avoid having different instances
1594of combined widgets share nested attributes.
1595
1596The following predefined functions can be used here:
1597
1598@defun widget-types-copy widget
1599Copy @code{:args} as widget types in @var{widget}.
1600@end defun
1601
6f7f063d 1602@vindex value-to-internal@r{ keyword}
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1603@item :value-to-internal
1604Function to convert the value to the internal format. The function
1605takes two arguments, a widget and an external value, and returns the
1606internal value. The function is called on the present @code{:value}
1607when the widget is created, and on any value set later with
1608@code{widget-value-set}.
1609
6f7f063d 1610@vindex value-to-external@r{ keyword}
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1611@item :value-to-external
1612Function to convert the value to the external format. The function
1613takes two arguments, a widget and an internal value, and returns the
6f7f063d 1614external value. The function is called on the present @code{:value}
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1615when the widget is created, and on any value set later with
1616@code{widget-value-set}.
1617
6f7f063d 1618@vindex create@r{ keyword}
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1619@item :create
1620Function to create a widget from scratch. The function takes one
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1621argument, a widget type, and creates a widget of that type, inserts it
1622in the buffer, and returns a widget object.
6bf7aab6 1623
6f7f063d 1624@vindex delete@r{ keyword}
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1625@item :delete
1626Function to delete a widget. The function takes one argument, a widget,
1627and should remove all traces of the widget from the buffer.
1628
1ded3d46
PA
1629The default value is:
1630
1631@defun widget-default-delete widget
1632Remove @var{widget} from the buffer.
1633Delete all @code{:children} and @code{:buttons} in @var{widget}.
1634@end defun
1635
1636In most cases you should not change this value, but instead use
1637@code{:value-delete} to make any additional cleanup.
1638
6f7f063d 1639@vindex value-create@r{ keyword}
6bf7aab6
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1640@item :value-create
1641Function to expand the @samp{%v} escape in the format string. It will
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1642be called with the widget as its argument and should insert a
1643representation of the widget's value in the buffer.
6bf7aab6 1644
1ded3d46
PA
1645Nested widgets should be listed in @code{:children} or @code{:buttons}
1646to make sure they are automatically deleted.
1647
6f7f063d 1648@vindex value-delete@r{ keyword}
6bf7aab6 1649@item :value-delete
54438eb5 1650Should remove the representation of the widget's value from the buffer.
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1651It will be called with the widget as its argument. It doesn't have to
1652remove the text, but it should release markers and delete nested widgets
1ded3d46 1653if these are not listed in @code{:children} or @code{:buttons}.
6bf7aab6 1654
6f7f063d 1655@vindex value-get@r{ keyword}
177c0ea7 1656@item :value-get
6bf7aab6 1657Function to extract the value of a widget, as it is displayed in the
177c0ea7 1658buffer.
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1659
1660The following predefined function can be used here:
1661
1662@defun widget-value-value-get widget
1663Return the @code{:value} property of @var{widget}.
1664@end defun
1665
6f7f063d 1666@vindex format-handler@r{ keyword}
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1667@item :format-handler
1668Function to handle unknown @samp{%} escapes in the format string. It
6f7f063d
EZ
1669will be called with the widget and the character that follows the
1670@samp{%} as arguments. You can set this to allow your widget to handle
1671non-standard escapes.
6bf7aab6 1672
6f7f063d 1673@findex widget-default-format-handler
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DL
1674You should end up calling @code{widget-default-format-handler} to handle
1675unknown escape sequences, which will handle the @samp{%h} and any future
1676escape sequences, as well as give an error for unknown escapes.
1677
6f7f063d 1678@vindex action@r{ keyword}
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1679@item :action
1680Function to handle user initiated events. By default, @code{:notify}
177c0ea7 1681the parent.
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1682
1683The following predefined function can be used here:
1684
1685@defun widget-parent-action widget &optional event
1686Tell @code{:parent} of @var{widget} to handle the @code{:action}.
1687Optional @var{event} is the event that triggered the action.
1688@end defun
1689
6f7f063d 1690@vindex prompt-value@r{ keyword}
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DL
1691@item :prompt-value
1692Function to prompt for a value in the minibuffer. The function should
1693take four arguments, @var{widget}, @var{prompt}, @var{value}, and
1694@var{unbound} and should return a value for widget entered by the user.
1695@var{prompt} is the prompt to use. @var{value} is the default value to
9995b954 1696use, unless @var{unbound} is non-@code{nil}, in which case there is no default
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1697value. The function should read the value using the method most natural
1698for this widget, and does not have to check that it matches.
1699@end table
1700
1701If you want to define a new widget from scratch, use the @code{default}
1702widget as its base.
1703
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1704@deffn Widget default
1705Widget used as a base for other widgets.
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1706
1707It provides most of the functionality that is referred to as ``by
177c0ea7 1708default'' in this text.
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1709@end deffn
1710
1711@node Widget Browser, Widget Minor Mode, Defining New Widgets, Top
1712@comment node-name, next, previous, up
1713@section Widget Browser
6f7f063d 1714@cindex widget browser
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1715
1716There is a separate package to browse widgets. This is intended to help
1717programmers who want to examine the content of a widget. The browser
1718shows the value of each keyword, but uses links for certain keywords
6f7f063d 1719such as @samp{:parent}, which avoids printing cyclic structures.
6bf7aab6 1720
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1721@deffn Command widget-browse @var{widget}
1722Create a widget browser for @var{widget}.
1723When called interactively, prompt for @var{widget}.
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1724@end deffn
1725
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1726@deffn Command widget-browse-other-window @var{widget}
1727Create a widget browser for @var{widget} and show it in another window.
1728When called interactively, prompt for @var{widget}.
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1729@end deffn
1730
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1731@deffn Command widget-browse-at @var{pos}
1732Create a widget browser for the widget at @var{pos}.
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1733When called interactively, use the position of point.
1734@end deffn
1735
1736@node Widget Minor Mode, Utilities, Widget Browser, Top
1737@comment node-name, next, previous, up
1738@section Widget Minor Mode
6f7f063d 1739@cindex widget minor mode
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1740
1741There is a minor mode for manipulating widgets in major modes that
6f7f063d 1742don't provide any support for widgets themselves. This is mostly
177c0ea7 1743intended to be useful for programmers doing experiments.
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1744
1745@deffn Command widget-minor-mode
1746Toggle minor mode for traversing widgets.
1747With arg, turn widget mode on if and only if arg is positive.
1748@end deffn
1749
1750@defvar widget-minor-mode-keymap
1751Keymap used in @code{widget-minor-mode}.
1752@end defvar
1753
1754@node Utilities, Widget Wishlist, Widget Minor Mode, Top
1755@comment node-name, next, previous, up
1756@section Utilities.
6f7f063d 1757@cindex utility functions for widgets
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1758
1759@defun widget-prompt-value widget prompt [ value unbound ]
1760Prompt for a value matching @var{widget}, using @var{prompt}.
1761The current value is assumed to be @var{value}, unless @var{unbound} is
9995b954 1762non-@code{nil}.@refill
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1763@end defun
1764
1765@defun widget-get-sibling widget
6f7f063d 1766Get the item which @var{widget} is assumed to toggle.
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1767This is only meaningful for radio buttons or checkboxes in a list.
1768@end defun
1769
6f7f063d 1770@node Widget Wishlist, Index, Utilities, Top
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1771@comment node-name, next, previous, up
1772@section Wishlist
6f7f063d 1773@cindex todo
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1774
1775@itemize @bullet
177c0ea7 1776@item
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1777It should be possible to add or remove items from a list with @kbd{C-k}
1778and @kbd{C-o} (suggested by @sc{rms}).
1779
177c0ea7 1780@item
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1781The @samp{[INS]} and @samp{[DEL]} buttons should be replaced by a single
1782dash (@samp{-}). The dash should be a button that, when invoked, asks
1783whether you want to add or delete an item (@sc{rms} wanted to git rid of
1784the ugly buttons, the dash is my idea).
1785
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1786@item
1787The @code{menu-choice} tag should be prettier, something like the abbreviated
1788menus in Open Look.
1789
1790@item
1791Finish @code{:tab-order}.
1792
1793@item
1794Make indentation work with glyphs and proportional fonts.
1795
1796@item
1797Add commands to show overview of object and class hierarchies to the
177c0ea7 1798browser.
6bf7aab6 1799
177c0ea7 1800@item
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1801Find a way to disable mouse highlight for inactive widgets.
1802
1803@item
1804Find a way to make glyphs look inactive.
1805
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1806@item
1807Add @code{property-list} widget.
1808
1809@item
1810Add @code{association-list} widget.
1811
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1812@item
1813Add @code{key-binding} widget.
1814
1815@item
1816Add @code{widget} widget for editing widget specifications.
1817
1818@item
1819Find clean way to implement variable length list.
1820See @code{TeX-printer-list} for an explanation.
1821
177c0ea7 1822@item
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1823@kbd{C-h} in @code{widget-prompt-value} should give type specific help.
1824
177c0ea7 1825@item
6f7f063d 1826Add a @code{mailto} widget.
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1827@end itemize
1828
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1829@node Index, , Widget Wishlist, Top
1830@comment node-name, next, previous, up
1831@unnumbered Index
1832
1833This is an alphabetical listing of all concepts, functions, commands,
1834variables, and widgets described in this manual.
1835@printindex cp
1836
56f7c94a 1837@setchapternewpage odd
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1838@contents
1839@bye
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1840
1841@ignore
1842 arch-tag: 2b427731-4c61-4e72-85de-5ccec9c623f0
1843@end ignore