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[bpt/emacs.git] / doc / misc / widget.texi
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1\input texinfo.tex
2
3@c %**start of header
db78a8cb 4@setfilename ../../info/widget
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5@settitle The Emacs Widget Library
6@syncodeindex fn cp
7@syncodeindex vr cp
8@syncodeindex ky cp
9@afourpaper
10@c %**end of header
11
12@copying
13Copyright @copyright{} 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005,
3f548a7c 142006, 2007, 2008 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
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15
16@quotation
17Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this document
18under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1.2 or
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
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26(a) The FSF's Back-Cover Text is: ``You have the freedom to copy and
27modify this GNU manual. Buying copies from the FSF supports it in
28developing GNU and promoting software freedom.''
29
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30This document is part of a collection distributed under the GNU Free
31Documentation License. If you want to distribute this document
32separately from the collection, you can do so by adding a copy of the
33license to the document, as described in section 6 of the license.
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34@end quotation
35@end copying
36
37@dircategory Emacs
38@direntry
39* Widget: (widget). The "widget" package used by the Emacs Customization
40 facility.
41@end direntry
42
43@node Top, Introduction, (dir), (dir)
44@comment node-name, next, previous, up
45@top The Emacs Widget Library
46
47@menu
48* Introduction::
49* User Interface::
50* Programming Example::
51* Setting Up the Buffer::
52* Basic Types::
53* Sexp Types::
54* Widget Properties::
55* Defining New Widgets::
56* Widget Browser::
57* Widget Minor Mode::
58* Utilities::
59* Widget Wishlist::
60* GNU Free Documentation License::
61* Index::
62@end menu
63
64@node Introduction, User Interface, Top, Top
65@comment node-name, next, previous, up
66@section Introduction
67
68Most graphical user interface toolkits provide a number of standard
69user interface controls (sometimes known as `widgets' or `gadgets').
70Emacs doesn't really support anything like this, except for an
71incredibly powerful text ``widget.'' On the other hand, Emacs does
72provide the necessary primitives to implement many other widgets
73within a text buffer. The @code{widget} package simplifies this task.
74
75@cindex basic widgets
76@cindex widgets, basic types
77The basic widgets are:
78
79@table @code
80@item link
81Areas of text with an associated action. Intended for hypertext links
82embedded in text.
83@item push-button
84Like link, but intended for stand-alone buttons.
85@item editable-field
86An editable text field. It can be either variable or fixed length.
87@item menu-choice
88Allows the user to choose one of multiple options from a menu, each
89option is itself a widget. Only the selected option will be visible in
90the buffer.
91@item radio-button-choice
92Allows the user to choose one of multiple options by activating radio
93buttons. The options are implemented as widgets. All options will be
94visible in the buffer.
95@item item
96A simple constant widget intended to be used in the @code{menu-choice} and
97@code{radio-button-choice} widgets.
98@item choice-item
99A button item only intended for use in choices. When invoked, the user
100will be asked to select another option from the choice widget.
101@item toggle
102A simple @samp{on}/@samp{off} switch.
103@item checkbox
104A checkbox (@samp{[ ]}/@samp{[X]}).
105@item editable-list
106Create an editable list. The user can insert or delete items in the
107list. Each list item is itself a widget.
108@end table
109
110Now, of what possible use can support for widgets be in a text editor?
111I'm glad you asked. The answer is that widgets are useful for
112implementing forms. A @dfn{form} in Emacs is a buffer where the user is
113supposed to fill out a number of fields, each of which has a specific
114meaning. The user is not supposed to change or delete any of the text
115between the fields. Examples of forms in Emacs are the @file{forms}
116package (of course), the customize buffers, the mail and news compose
117modes, and the @acronym{HTML} form support in the @file{w3} browser.
118
119@cindex widget library, why use it
120The advantages for a programmer of using the @code{widget} package to
121implement forms are:
122
123@enumerate
124@item
125More complex fields than just editable text are supported.
126@item
127You can give the users immediate feedback if they enter invalid data in a
128text field, and sometimes prevent entering invalid data.
129@item
130You can have fixed sized fields, thus allowing multiple fields to be
131lined up in columns.
132@item
133It is simple to query or set the value of a field.
134@item
135Editing happens in the buffer, not in the mini-buffer.
136@item
137Packages using the library get a uniform look, making them easier for
138the user to learn.
139@item
140As support for embedded graphics improve, the widget library will be
141extended to use the GUI features. This means that your code using the
142widget library will also use the new graphic features automatically.
143@end enumerate
144
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145@node User Interface, Programming Example, Introduction, Top
146@comment node-name, next, previous, up
147@section User Interface
148
149A form consists of read only text for documentation and some fields,
150where each field contains two parts, a tag and a value. The tags are
151used to identify the fields, so the documentation can refer to the
152@samp{foo field}, meaning the field tagged with @samp{Foo}. Here is an
153example form:
154
155@example
156Here is some documentation.
157
158Name: @i{My Name} @strong{Choose}: This option
159Address: @i{Some Place
160In some City
161Some country.}
162
163See also @b{_other work_} for more information.
164
165Numbers: count to three below
166@b{[INS]} @b{[DEL]} @i{One}
167@b{[INS]} @b{[DEL]} @i{Eh, two?}
168@b{[INS]} @b{[DEL]} @i{Five!}
169@b{[INS]}
170
171Select multiple:
172
173@b{[X]} This
174@b{[ ]} That
175@b{[X]} Thus
176
177Select one:
178
179@b{(*)} One
180@b{( )} Another One.
181@b{( )} A Final One.
182
183@b{[Apply Form]} @b{[Reset Form]}
184@end example
185
186The top level widgets in this example are tagged @samp{Name},
187@samp{Choose}, @samp{Address}, @samp{_other work_}, @samp{Numbers},
188@samp{Select multiple}, @samp{Select one}, @samp{[Apply Form]}, and
189@samp{[Reset Form]}. There are basically two things the user can do
190within a form, namely editing the editable text fields and activating
191the buttons.
192
193@subsection Editable Text Fields
194
195In the example, the value for the @samp{Name} is most likely displayed
196in an editable text field, and so are values for each of the members of
197the @samp{Numbers} list. All the normal Emacs editing operations are
198available for editing these fields. The only restriction is that each
199change you make must be contained within a single editable text field.
200For example, capitalizing all text from the middle of one field to the
201middle of another field is prohibited.
202
203Editable text fields are created by the @code{editable-field} widget.
204
205@strong{Warning:} In an @code{editable-field} widget, the editable
206field must not be adjacent to another widget---that won't work.
207You must put some text in between. Either make this text part of
208the @code{editable-field} widget itself, or insert it with
209@code{widget-insert}.
210
211The @code{:format} keyword is useful for generating the necessary
212text; for instance, if you give it a value of @code{"Name: %v "},
213the @samp{Name: } part will provide the necessary separating text
214before the field and the trailing space will provide the
215separating text after the field. If you don't include the
216@code{:size} keyword, the field will extend to the end of the
217line, and the terminating newline will provide separation after.
218
219@strong{Warning:} In an @code{editable-field} widget, the @samp{%v} escape
220must be preceded by some other text in the @code{:format} string
221(if specified).
222
223The editing text fields are highlighted with the
224@code{widget-field-face} face, making them easy to find.
225
226@deffn Face widget-field-face
227Face used for other editing fields.
228@end deffn
229
230@subsection Buttons
231
232@cindex widget buttons
233@cindex button widgets
234Some portions of the buffer have an associated @dfn{action}, which can
235be @dfn{invoked} by a standard key or mouse command. These portions
236are called @dfn{buttons}. The default commands for activating a button
237are:
238
239@table @kbd
240@item @key{RET}
241@deffn Command widget-button-press @var{pos} &optional @var{event}
242Invoke the button at @var{pos}, defaulting to point.
243If point is not located on a button, invoke the binding in
244@code{widget-global-map} (by default the global map).
245@end deffn
246
247@kindex Mouse-2 @r{(on button widgets})
248@item Mouse-2
249@deffn Command widget-button-click @var{event}
250Invoke the button at the location of the mouse pointer. If the mouse
251pointer is located in an editable text field, invoke the binding in
252@code{widget-global-map} (by default the global map).
253@end deffn
254@end table
255
256There are several different kind of buttons, all of which are present in
257the example:
258
259@table @emph
260@cindex option field tag
261@item The Option Field Tags
262When you invoke one of these buttons, you will be asked to choose
263between a number of different options. This is how you edit an option
264field. Option fields are created by the @code{menu-choice} widget. In
265the example, @samp{@b{Choose}} is an option field tag.
266@item The @samp{@b{[INS]}} and @samp{@b{[DEL]}} buttons
267Activating these will insert or delete elements from an editable list.
268The list is created by the @code{editable-list} widget.
269@cindex embedded buttons
270@item Embedded Buttons
271The @samp{@b{_other work_}} is an example of an embedded
272button. Embedded buttons are not associated with any fields, but can serve
273any purpose, such as implementing hypertext references. They are
274usually created by the @code{link} widget.
275@item The @samp{@b{[ ]}} and @samp{@b{[X]}} buttons
276Activating one of these will convert it to the other. This is useful
277for implementing multiple-choice fields. You can create them with the
278@code{checkbox} widget.
279@item The @samp{@b{( )}} and @samp{@b{(*)}} buttons
280Only one radio button in a @code{radio-button-choice} widget can be
281selected at any time. When you invoke one of the unselected radio
282buttons, it will be selected and the previous selected radio button will
283become unselected.
284@item The @samp{@b{[Apply Form]}} and @samp{@b{[Reset Form]}} buttons
285These are explicit buttons made with the @code{push-button} widget. The
286main difference from the @code{link} widget is that the buttons will be
287displayed as GUI buttons when possible.
288@end table
289
290To make them easier to locate, buttons are emphasized in the buffer.
291
292@deffn Face widget-button-face
293Face used for buttons.
294@end deffn
295
296@defopt widget-mouse-face
297Face used for highlighting a button when the mouse pointer moves across
298it.
299@end defopt
300
301@subsection Navigation
302
303You can use all the normal Emacs commands to move around in a form
304buffer, plus you will have these additional commands:
305
306@table @kbd
307@item @key{TAB}
308@deffn Command widget-forward &optional count
309Move point @var{count} buttons or editing fields forward.
310@end deffn
311@item @kbd{M-@key{TAB}}
312@itemx @kbd{S-@key{TAB}}
313@deffn Command widget-backward &optional count
314Move point @var{count} buttons or editing fields backward.
315@end deffn
316@end table
317
318@node Programming Example, Setting Up the Buffer, User Interface, Top
319@comment node-name, next, previous, up
320@section Programming Example
321
322@cindex widgets, programming example
323@cindex example of using widgets
324Here is the code to implement the user interface example (@pxref{User
325Interface}).
326
327@lisp
328(require 'widget)
329
330(eval-when-compile
331 (require 'wid-edit))
332
333(defvar widget-example-repeat)
334
335(defun widget-example ()
336 "Create the widgets from the Widget manual."
337 (interactive)
338 (switch-to-buffer "*Widget Example*")
339 (kill-all-local-variables)
340 (make-local-variable 'widget-example-repeat)
341 (let ((inhibit-read-only t))
342 (erase-buffer))
343 (remove-overlays)
344 (widget-insert "Here is some documentation.\n\n")
345 (widget-create 'editable-field
346 :size 13
347 :format "Name: %v " ; Text after the field!
348 "My Name")
349 (widget-create 'menu-choice
350 :tag "Choose"
351 :value "This"
352 :help-echo "Choose me, please!"
353 :notify (lambda (widget &rest ignore)
354 (message "%s is a good choice!"
355 (widget-value widget)))
356 '(item :tag "This option" :value "This")
357 '(choice-item "That option")
358 '(editable-field :menu-tag "No option" "Thus option"))
359 (widget-create 'editable-field
360 :format "Address: %v"
361 "Some Place\nIn some City\nSome country.")
362 (widget-insert "\nSee also ")
363 (widget-create 'link
364 :notify (lambda (&rest ignore)
365 (widget-value-set widget-example-repeat
366 '("En" "To" "Tre"))
367 (widget-setup))
368 "other work")
369 (widget-insert
370 " for more information.\n\nNumbers: count to three below\n")
371 (setq widget-example-repeat
372 (widget-create 'editable-list
373 :entry-format "%i %d %v"
374 :notify (lambda (widget &rest ignore)
375 (let ((old (widget-get widget
376 ':example-length))
377 (new (length (widget-value widget))))
378 (unless (eq old new)
379 (widget-put widget ':example-length new)
380 (message "You can count to %d." new))))
381 :value '("One" "Eh, two?" "Five!")
382 '(editable-field :value "three")))
383 (widget-insert "\n\nSelect multiple:\n\n")
384 (widget-create 'checkbox t)
385 (widget-insert " This\n")
386 (widget-create 'checkbox nil)
387 (widget-insert " That\n")
388 (widget-create 'checkbox
389 :notify (lambda (&rest ignore) (message "Tickle"))
390 t)
391 (widget-insert " Thus\n\nSelect one:\n\n")
392 (widget-create 'radio-button-choice
393 :value "One"
394 :notify (lambda (widget &rest ignore)
395 (message "You selected %s"
396 (widget-value widget)))
397 '(item "One") '(item "Another One.") '(item "A Final One."))
398 (widget-insert "\n")
399 (widget-create 'push-button
400 :notify (lambda (&rest ignore)
401 (if (= (length (widget-value widget-example-repeat))
402 3)
403 (message "Congratulation!")
404 (error "Three was the count!")))
405 "Apply Form")
406 (widget-insert " ")
407 (widget-create 'push-button
408 :notify (lambda (&rest ignore)
409 (widget-example))
410 "Reset Form")
411 (widget-insert "\n")
412 (use-local-map widget-keymap)
413 (widget-setup))
414@end lisp
415
416@node Setting Up the Buffer, Basic Types, Programming Example, Top
417@comment node-name, next, previous, up
418@section Setting Up the Buffer
419
420Widgets are created with @code{widget-create}, which returns a
421@dfn{widget} object. This object can be queried and manipulated by
422other widget functions, until it is deleted with @code{widget-delete}.
423After the widgets have been created, @code{widget-setup} must be called
424to enable them.
425
426@defun widget-create type [ keyword argument ]@dots{}
427Create and return a widget of type @var{type}.
428The syntax for the @var{type} argument is described in @ref{Basic Types}.
429
430The keyword arguments can be used to overwrite the keyword arguments
431that are part of @var{type}.
432@end defun
433
434@defun widget-delete widget
435Delete @var{widget} and remove it from the buffer.
436@end defun
437
438@defun widget-setup
439Set up a buffer to support widgets.
440
441This should be called after creating all the widgets and before allowing
442the user to edit them.
443@refill
444@end defun
445
446If you want to insert text outside the widgets in the form, the
447recommended way to do that is with @code{widget-insert}.
448
449@defun widget-insert
450Insert the arguments, either strings or characters, at point.
451The inserted text will be read-only.
452@end defun
453
454There is a standard widget keymap which you might find useful.
455
456@findex widget-button-press
457@findex widget-button-click
458@defvr Const widget-keymap
459A keymap with the global keymap as its parent.@*
460@key{TAB} and @kbd{C-@key{TAB}} are bound to @code{widget-forward} and
461@code{widget-backward}, respectively. @key{RET} and @kbd{Mouse-2}
462are bound to @code{widget-button-press} and
463@code{widget-button-click}.@refill
464@end defvr
465
466@defvar widget-global-map
467Keymap used by @code{widget-button-press} and @code{widget-button-click}
468when not on a button. By default this is @code{global-map}.
469@end defvar
470
471@node Basic Types, Sexp Types, Setting Up the Buffer, Top
472@comment node-name, next, previous, up
473@section Basic Types
474
475This is the general syntax of a type specification:
476
477@example
478@var{name} ::= (@var{name} [@var{keyword} @var{argument}]... @var{args})
479 | @var{name}
480@end example
481
482Where, @var{name} is a widget name, @var{keyword} is the name of a
483property, @var{argument} is the value of the property, and @var{args}
484are interpreted in a widget specific way.
485
486@cindex keyword arguments
487The following keyword arguments apply to all widgets:
488
489@table @code
490@vindex value@r{ keyword}
491@item :value
492The initial value for widgets of this type.
493
494@vindex format@r{ keyword}
495@item :format
496This string will be inserted in the buffer when you create a widget.
497The following @samp{%} escapes are available:
498
499@table @samp
500@item %[
501@itemx %]
502The text inside will be marked as a button.
503
504By default, the text will be shown in @code{widget-button-face}, and
505surrounded by brackets.
506
507@defopt widget-button-prefix
508String to prefix buttons.
509@end defopt
510
511@defopt widget-button-suffix
512String to suffix buttons.
513@end defopt
514
515@item %@{
516@itemx %@}
517The text inside will be displayed with the face specified by
518@code{:sample-face}.
519
520@item %v
521This will be replaced with the buffer representation of the widget's
522value. What this is depends on the widget type.
523
524@strong{Warning:} In an @code{editable-field} widget, the @samp{%v} escape
525must be preceded by some other text in the format string (if specified).
526
527@item %d
528Insert the string specified by @code{:doc} here.
529
530@item %h
531Like @samp{%d}, with the following modifications: If the documentation
532string is more than one line, it will add a button which will toggle
533between showing only the first line, and showing the full text.
534Furthermore, if there is no @code{:doc} property in the widget, it will
535instead examine the @code{:documentation-property} property. If it is a
536lambda expression, it will be called with the widget's value as an
537argument, and the result will be used as the documentation text.
538
539@item %t
540Insert the string specified by @code{:tag} here, or the @code{princ}
541representation of the value if there is no tag.
542
543@item %%
544Insert a literal @samp{%}.
545@end table
546
547@vindex button-face@r{ keyword}
548@item :button-face
549Face used to highlight text inside %[ %] in the format.
550
551@vindex button-prefix@r{ keyword}
552@vindex button-suffix@r{ keyword}
553@item :button-prefix
554@itemx :button-suffix
555Text around %[ %] in the format.
556
557These can be
558@table @emph
559@item nil
560No text is inserted.
561
562@item a string
563The string is inserted literally.
564
565@item a symbol
566The value of the symbol is expanded according to this table.
567@end table
568
569@vindex doc@r{ keyword}
570@item :doc
571The string inserted by the @samp{%d} escape in the format
572string.
573
574@vindex tag@r{ keyword}
575@item :tag
576The string inserted by the @samp{%t} escape in the format
577string.
578
579@vindex tag-glyph@r{ keyword}
580@item :tag-glyph
581Name of image to use instead of the string specified by @code{:tag} on
582Emacsen that supports it.
583
584@vindex help-echo@r{ keyword}
585@item :help-echo
586Specifies how to display a message whenever you move to the widget with
587either @code{widget-forward} or @code{widget-backward} or move the mouse
588over it (using the standard @code{help-echo} mechanism). The argument
589is either a string to display, a function of one argument, the widget,
590which should return a string to display, or a form that evaluates to
591such a string.
592
593@vindex follow-link@r{ keyword}
594@item :follow-link
595Specifies how to interpret a @key{mouse-1} click on the widget.
596@xref{Links and Mouse-1,,, elisp, the Emacs Lisp Reference Manual}.
597
598@vindex indent@r{ keyword}
599@item :indent
600An integer indicating the absolute number of spaces to indent children
601of this widget.
602
603@vindex offset@r{ keyword}
604@item :offset
605An integer indicating how many extra spaces to add to the widget's
606grandchildren compared to this widget.
607
608@vindex extra-offset@r{ keyword}
609@item :extra-offset
610An integer indicating how many extra spaces to add to the widget's
611children compared to this widget.
612
613@vindex notify@r{ keyword}
614@item :notify
615A function called each time the widget or a nested widget is changed.
616The function is called with two or three arguments. The first argument
617is the widget itself, the second argument is the widget that was
618changed, and the third argument is the event leading to the change, if
619any.
620
621@vindex menu-tag@r{ keyword}
622@item :menu-tag
623Tag used in the menu when the widget is used as an option in a
624@code{menu-choice} widget.
625
626@vindex menu-tag-get@r{ keyword}
627@item :menu-tag-get
628Function used for finding the tag when the widget is used as an option
629in a @code{menu-choice} widget. By default, the tag used will be either the
630@code{:menu-tag} or @code{:tag} property if present, or the @code{princ}
631representation of the @code{:value} property if not.
632
633@vindex match@r{ keyword}
634@item :match
635Should be a function called with two arguments, the widget and a value,
636and returning non-@code{nil} if the widget can represent the specified value.
637
638@vindex validate@r{ keyword}
639@item :validate
640A function which takes a widget as an argument, and returns @code{nil}
641if the widget's current value is valid for the widget. Otherwise it
642should return the widget containing the invalid data, and set that
643widget's @code{:error} property to a string explaining the error.
644
645The following predefined function can be used:
646
647@defun widget-children-validate widget
648All the @code{:children} of @var{widget} must be valid.
649@end defun
650
651@vindex tab-order@r{ keyword}
652@item :tab-order
653Specify the order in which widgets are traversed with
654@code{widget-forward} or @code{widget-backward}. This is only partially
655implemented.
656
657@enumerate a
658@item
659Widgets with tabbing order @code{-1} are ignored.
660
661@item
662(Unimplemented) When on a widget with tabbing order @var{n}, go to the
663next widget in the buffer with tabbing order @var{n+1} or @code{nil},
664whichever comes first.
665
666@item
667When on a widget with no tabbing order specified, go to the next widget
668in the buffer with a positive tabbing order, or @code{nil}
669@end enumerate
670
671@vindex parent@r{ keyword}
672@item :parent
673The parent of a nested widget (e.g.@: a @code{menu-choice} item or an
674element of a @code{editable-list} widget).
675
676@vindex sibling-args@r{ keyword}
677@item :sibling-args
678This keyword is only used for members of a @code{radio-button-choice} or
679@code{checklist}. The value should be a list of extra keyword
680arguments, which will be used when creating the @code{radio-button} or
681@code{checkbox} associated with this item.
682
683@end table
684
685@deffn {User Option} widget-glyph-directory
686Directory where glyphs are found.
687Widget will look here for a file with the same name as specified for the
688image, with either a @file{.xpm} (if supported) or @file{.xbm} extension.
689@end deffn
690
691@deffn{User Option} widget-glyph-enable
692If non-@code{nil}, allow glyphs to appear on displays where they are supported.
693@end deffn
694
695
696@menu
697* link::
698* url-link::
699* info-link::
700* push-button::
701* editable-field::
702* text::
703* menu-choice::
704* radio-button-choice::
705* item::
706* choice-item::
707* toggle::
708* checkbox::
709* checklist::
710* editable-list::
711* group::
712@end menu
713
714@node link, url-link, Basic Types, Basic Types
715@comment node-name, next, previous, up
716@subsection The @code{link} Widget
717@findex link@r{ widget}
718
719Syntax:
720
721@example
722@var{type} ::= (link [@var{keyword} @var{argument}]... [ @var{value} ])
723@end example
724
725The @var{value}, if present, is used to initialize the @code{:value}
726property. The value should be a string, which will be inserted in the
727buffer.
728
729By default the link will be shown in brackets.
730
731@defopt widget-link-prefix
732String to prefix links.
733@end defopt
734
735@defopt widget-link-suffix
736String to suffix links.
737@end defopt
738
739@node url-link, info-link, link, Basic Types
740@comment node-name, next, previous, up
741@subsection The @code{url-link} Widget
742@findex url-link@r{ widget}
743
744Syntax:
745
746@example
747@var{type} ::= (url-link [@var{keyword} @var{argument}]... @var{url})
748@end example
749
750@findex browse-url-browser-function@r{, and @code{url-link} widget}
751When this link is invoked, the @acronym{WWW} browser specified by
752@code{browse-url-browser-function} will be called with @var{url}.
753
754@node info-link, push-button, url-link, Basic Types
755@comment node-name, next, previous, up
756@subsection The @code{info-link} Widget
757@findex info-link@r{ widget}
758
759Syntax:
760
761@example
762@var{type} ::= (info-link [@var{keyword} @var{argument}]... @var{address})
763@end example
764
765When this link is invoked, the built-in Info reader is started on
766@var{address}.
767
768@node push-button, editable-field, info-link, Basic Types
769@comment node-name, next, previous, up
770@subsection The @code{push-button} Widget
771@findex push-button@r{ widget}
772
773Syntax:
774
775@example
776@var{type} ::= (push-button [@var{keyword} @var{argument}]... [ @var{value} ])
777@end example
778
779The @var{value}, if present, is used to initialize the @code{:value}
780property. The value should be a string, which will be inserted in the
781buffer.
782
783By default the tag will be shown in brackets.
784
785@defopt widget-push-button-prefix
786String to prefix push buttons.
787@end defopt
788
789@defopt widget-push-button-suffix
790String to suffix push buttons.
791@end defopt
792
793@node editable-field, text, push-button, Basic Types
794@comment node-name, next, previous, up
795@subsection The @code{editable-field} Widget
796@findex editable-field@r{ widget}
797
798Syntax:
799
800@example
801@var{type} ::= (editable-field [@var{keyword} @var{argument}]... [ @var{value} ])
802@end example
803
804The @var{value}, if present, is used to initialize the @code{:value}
805property. The value should be a string, which will be inserted in the
806field. This widget will match all string values.
807
808The following extra properties are recognized:
809
810@table @code
811@vindex size@r{ keyword}
812@item :size
813The width of the editable field.@*
814By default the field will reach to the end of the line.
815
816@vindex value-face@r{ keyword}
817@item :value-face
818Face used for highlighting the editable field. Default is
819@code{widget-field-face}, see @ref{User Interface}.
820
821@vindex secret@r{ keyword}
822@item :secret
823Character used to display the value. You can set this to e.g.@: @code{?*}
824if the field contains a password or other secret information. By
825default, this is @code{nil}, and the value is not secret.
826
827@vindex valid-regexp@r{ keyword}
828@item :valid-regexp
829By default the @code{:validate} function will match the content of the
830field with the value of this attribute. The default value is @code{""}
831which matches everything.
832
833@vindex keymap@r{ keyword}
834@vindex widget-field-keymap
835@item :keymap
836Keymap used in the editable field. The default value is
837@code{widget-field-keymap}, which allows you to use all the normal
838editing commands, even if the buffer's major mode suppresses some of
839them. Pressing @key{RET} invokes the function specified by
840@code{:action}.
841@end table
842
843@node text, menu-choice, editable-field, Basic Types
844@comment node-name, next, previous, up
845@subsection The @code{text} Widget
846@findex text@r{ widget}
847
848@vindex widget-text-keymap
849This is just like @code{editable-field}, but intended for multiline text
850fields. The default @code{:keymap} is @code{widget-text-keymap}, which
851does not rebind the @key{RET} key.
852
853@node menu-choice, radio-button-choice, text, Basic Types
854@comment node-name, next, previous, up
855@subsection The @code{menu-choice} Widget
856@findex menu-choice@r{ widget}
857
858Syntax:
859
860@example
861@var{type} ::= (menu-choice [@var{keyword} @var{argument}]... @var{type} ... )
862@end example
863
864The @var{type} argument represents each possible choice. The widget's
865value will be that of the chosen @var{type} argument. This widget will
866match any value matching at least one of the specified @var{type}
867arguments.
868
869@table @code
870@vindex void@r{ keyword}
871@item :void
872Widget type used as a fallback when the value does not match any of the
873specified @var{type} arguments.
874
875@vindex case-fold@r{ keyword}
876@item :case-fold
877Set this to @code{nil} if you don't want to ignore case when prompting for a
878choice through the minibuffer.
879
880@vindex children@r{ keyword}
881@item :children
882A list whose @sc{car} is the widget representing the currently chosen
883type in the buffer.
884
885@vindex choice@r{ keyword}
886@item :choice
887The current chosen type.
888
889@vindex args@r{ keyword}
890@item :args
891The list of types.
892@end table
893
894@node radio-button-choice, item, menu-choice, Basic Types
895@comment node-name, next, previous, up
896@subsection The @code{radio-button-choice} Widget
897@findex radio-button-choice@r{ widget}
898
899Syntax:
900
901@example
902@var{type} ::= (radio-button-choice [@var{keyword} @var{argument}]... @var{type} ... )
903@end example
904
905The component types specify the choices, with one radio button for
906each. The widget's value will be that of the chosen @var{type}
907argument. This widget matches any value that matches at least one of
908the specified @var{type} arguments.
909
910The following extra properties are recognized.
911
912@table @code
913@vindex entry-format@r{ keyword}
914@item :entry-format
915This string will be inserted for each entry in the list.
916The following @samp{%} escapes are available:
917@table @samp
918@item %v
919Replace with the buffer representation of the @var{type} widget.
920@item %b
921Replace with the radio button.
922@item %%
923Insert a literal @samp{%}.
924@end table
925
926@vindex button-args@r{ keyword}
927@item :button-args
928A list of keywords to pass to the radio buttons. Useful for setting
929e.g.@: the @samp{:help-echo} for each button.
930
931@vindex buttons@r{ keyword}
932@item :buttons
933The widgets representing the radio buttons.
934
935@vindex children@r{ keyword}
936@item :children
937The widgets representing each type.
938
939@vindex choice@r{ keyword}
940@item :choice
941The current chosen type
942
943@vindex args@r{ keyword}
944@item :args
945The list of types.
946@end table
947
948You can add extra radio button items to a @code{radio-button-choice}
949widget after it has been created with the function
950@code{widget-radio-add-item}.
951
952@defun widget-radio-add-item widget type
953Add to @code{radio-button-choice} widget @var{widget} a new radio button
954item of type @var{type}.
955@end defun
956
957Please note that such items added after the @code{radio-button-choice}
958widget has been created will @strong{not} be properly destructed when
959you call @code{widget-delete}.
960
961@node item, choice-item, radio-button-choice, Basic Types
962@comment node-name, next, previous, up
963@subsection The @code{item} Widget
964@findex item@r{ widget}
965
966Syntax:
967
968@example
969@var{item} ::= (item [@var{keyword} @var{argument}]... @var{value})
970@end example
971
972The @var{value}, if present, is used to initialize the @code{:value}
973property. The value should be a string, which will be inserted in the
974buffer. This widget will only match the specified value.
975
976@node choice-item, toggle, item, Basic Types
977@comment node-name, next, previous, up
978@subsection The @code{choice-item} Widget
979@findex choice-item@r{ widget}
980
981Syntax:
982
983@example
984@var{item} ::= (choice-item [@var{keyword} @var{argument}]... @var{value})
985@end example
986
987The @var{value}, if present, is used to initialize the @code{:value}
988property. The value should be a string, which will be inserted in the
989buffer as a button. Activating the button of a @code{choice-item} is
990equivalent to activating the parent widget. This widget will only match
991the specified value.
992
993@node toggle, checkbox, choice-item, Basic Types
994@comment node-name, next, previous, up
995@subsection The @code{toggle} Widget
996@findex toggle@r{ widget}
997
998Syntax:
999
1000@example
1001@var{type} ::= (toggle [@var{keyword} @var{argument}]...)
1002@end example
1003
1004The widget has two possible states, @samp{on} and @samp{off}, which
1005correspond to a @code{t} or @code{nil} value, respectively.
1006
1007The following extra properties are recognized:
1008
1009@table @code
1010@item :on
1011A string representing the @samp{on} state. By default the string
1012@samp{on}.
1013@item :off
1014A string representing the @samp{off} state. By default the string
1015@samp{off}.
1016@vindex on-glyph@r{ keyword}
1017@item :on-glyph
1018Name of a glyph to be used instead of the @samp{:on} text string, on
1019emacsen that supports this.
1020@vindex off-glyph@r{ keyword}
1021@item :off-glyph
1022Name of a glyph to be used instead of the @samp{:off} text string, on
1023emacsen that supports this.
1024@end table
1025
1026@node checkbox, checklist, toggle, Basic Types
1027@comment node-name, next, previous, up
1028@subsection The @code{checkbox} Widget
1029@findex checkbox@r{ widget}
1030
1031This widget has two possible states, @samp{selected} and
1032@samp{unselected}, which corresponds to a @code{t} or @code{nil} value.
1033
1034Syntax:
1035
1036@example
1037@var{type} ::= (checkbox [@var{keyword} @var{argument}]...)
1038@end example
1039
1040@node checklist, editable-list, checkbox, Basic Types
1041@comment node-name, next, previous, up
1042@subsection The @code{checklist} Widget
1043@findex checklist@r{ widget}
1044
1045Syntax:
1046
1047@example
1048@var{type} ::= (checklist [@var{keyword} @var{argument}]... @var{type} ... )
1049@end example
1050
1051The @var{type} arguments represent each checklist item. The widget's
1052value will be a list containing the values of all checked @var{type}
1053arguments. The checklist widget will match a list whose elements all
1054match at least one of the specified @var{type} arguments.
1055
1056The following extra properties are recognized:
1057
1058@table @code
1059@vindex entry-format@r{ keyword}
1060@item :entry-format
1061This string will be inserted for each entry in the list.
1062The following @samp{%} escapes are available:
1063@table @samp
1064@item %v
1065Replaced with the buffer representation of the @var{type} widget.
1066@item %b
1067Replace with the checkbox.
1068@item %%
1069Insert a literal @samp{%}.
1070@end table
1071
1072@vindex greedy@r{ keyword}
1073@item :greedy
1074Usually a checklist will only match if the items are in the exact
1075sequence given in the specification. By setting @code{:greedy} to
1076non-@code{nil}, it will allow the items to come in any sequence.
1077However, if you extract the value they will be in the sequence given
1078in the checklist, i.e.@: the original sequence is forgotten.
1079
1080@vindex button-args@r{ keyword}
1081@item :button-args
1082A list of keywords to pass to the checkboxes. Useful for setting
1083e.g.@: the @samp{:help-echo} for each checkbox.
1084
1085@vindex buttons@r{ keyword}
1086@item :buttons
1087The widgets representing the checkboxes.
1088
1089@vindex children@r{ keyword}
1090@item :children
1091The widgets representing each type.
1092
1093@vindex args@r{ keyword}
1094@item :args
1095The list of types.
1096@end table
1097
1098@node editable-list, group, checklist, Basic Types
1099@comment node-name, next, previous, up
1100@subsection The @code{editable-list} Widget
1101@findex editable-list@r{ widget}
1102
1103Syntax:
1104
1105@example
1106@var{type} ::= (editable-list [@var{keyword} @var{argument}]... @var{type})
1107@end example
1108
1109The value is a list, where each member represents one widget of type
1110@var{type}.
1111
1112The following extra properties are recognized:
1113
1114@table @code
1115@vindex entry-format@r{ keyword}
1116@item :entry-format
1117This string will be inserted for each entry in the list.
1118The following @samp{%} escapes are available:
1119@table @samp
1120@item %v
1121This will be replaced with the buffer representation of the @var{type}
1122widget.
1123@item %i
1124Insert the @b{[INS]} button.
1125@item %d
1126Insert the @b{[DEL]} button.
1127@item %%
1128Insert a literal @samp{%}.
1129@end table
1130
1131@vindex insert-button-args@r{ keyword}
1132@item :insert-button-args
1133A list of keyword arguments to pass to the insert buttons.
1134
1135@vindex delete-button-args@r{ keyword}
1136@item :delete-button-args
1137A list of keyword arguments to pass to the delete buttons.
1138
1139@vindex append-button-args@r{ keyword}
1140@item :append-button-args
1141A list of keyword arguments to pass to the trailing insert button.
1142
1143@vindex buttons@r{ keyword}
1144@item :buttons
1145The widgets representing the insert and delete buttons.
1146
1147@vindex children@r{ keyword}
1148@item :children
1149The widgets representing the elements of the list.
1150
1151@vindex args@r{ keyword}
1152@item :args
1153List whose @sc{car} is the type of the list elements.
1154@end table
1155
1156@node group, , editable-list, Basic Types
1157@comment node-name, next, previous, up
1158@subsection The @code{group} Widget
1159@findex group@r{ widget}
1160
1161This widget simply group other widgets together.
1162
1163Syntax:
1164
1165@example
1166@var{type} ::= (group [@var{keyword} @var{argument}]... @var{type}...)
1167@end example
1168
1169The value is a list, with one member for each @var{type}.
1170
1171@node Sexp Types, Widget Properties, Basic Types, Top
1172@comment
1173@section Sexp Types
1174@cindex sexp types
1175
1176A number of widgets for editing @dfn{s-expressions} (Lisp types), sexp
1177for short, are also available. These basically fall in several
1178categories described in this section.
1179
1180@menu
1181* constants::
1182* generic::
1183* atoms::
1184* composite::
1185@end menu
1186
1187@node constants, generic, Sexp Types, Sexp Types
1188@comment node-name, next, previous, up
1189@subsection The Constant Widgets
1190@cindex constant widgets
1191
1192The @code{const} widget can contain any Lisp expression, but the user is
1193prohibited from editing it, which is mainly useful as a component of one
1194of the composite widgets.
1195
1196The syntax for the @code{const} widget is:
1197
1198@example
1199@var{type} ::= (const [@var{keyword} @var{argument}]... [ @var{value} ])
1200@end example
1201
1202The @var{value}, if present, is used to initialize the @code{:value}
1203property and can be any s-expression.
1204
1205@deffn Widget const
1206This will display any valid s-expression in an immutable part of the
1207buffer.
1208@end deffn
1209
1210There are two variations of the @code{const} widget, namely
1211@code{variable-item} and @code{function-item}. These should contain a
1212symbol with a variable or function binding. The major difference from
1213the @code{const} widget is that they will allow the user to see the
1214variable or function documentation for the symbol.
1215
1216@deffn Widget variable-item
1217An immutable symbol that is bound as a variable.
1218@end deffn
1219
1220@deffn Widget function-item
1221An immutable symbol that is bound as a function.
1222@end deffn
1223
1224@node generic, atoms, constants, Sexp Types
1225@comment node-name, next, previous, up
1226@subsection Generic Sexp Widget
1227@cindex generic sexp widget
1228
1229The @code{sexp} widget can contain any Lisp expression, and allows the
1230user to edit it inline in the buffer.
1231
1232The syntax for the @code{sexp} widget is:
1233
1234@example
1235@var{type} ::= (sexp [@var{keyword} @var{argument}]... [ @var{value} ])
1236@end example
1237
1238@deffn Widget sexp
1239This will allow you to edit any valid s-expression in an editable buffer
1240field.
1241
1242The @code{sexp} widget takes the same keyword arguments as the
1243@code{editable-field} widget. @xref{editable-field}.
1244@end deffn
1245
1246@node atoms, composite, generic, Sexp Types
1247@comment node-name, next, previous, up
1248@subsection Atomic Sexp Widgets
1249@cindex atomic sexp widget
1250
1251The atoms are s-expressions that do not consist of other s-expressions.
1252For example, a string, a file name, or a symbol are atoms, while a list
1253is a composite type. You can edit the value of an atom with the
1254following widgets.
1255
1256The syntax for all the atoms are:
1257
1258@example
1259@var{type} ::= (@var{construct} [@var{keyword} @var{argument}]... [ @var{value} ])
1260@end example
1261
1262The @var{value}, if present, is used to initialize the @code{:value}
1263property and must be an expression of the same type as the widget.
1264That is, the string widget can only be initialized with a string.
1265
1266All the atom widgets take the same keyword arguments as the
1267@code{editable-field} widget. @xref{editable-field}.
1268
1269@deffn Widget string
1270Allows you to edit a string in an editable field.
1271@end deffn
1272
1273@deffn Widget regexp
1274Allows you to edit a regular expression in an editable field.
1275@end deffn
1276
1277@deffn Widget character
1278Allows you to enter a character in an editable field.
1279@end deffn
1280
1281@deffn Widget file
1282Allows you to edit a file name in an editable field.
1283
1284Keywords:
1285@table @code
1286@vindex must-match@r{ keyword}
1287@item :must-match
1288If this is set to non-@code{nil}, only existing file names will be
1289allowed in the minibuffer.
1290@end table
1291@end deffn
1292
1293@deffn Widget directory
1294Allows you to edit a directory name in an editable field.
1295Similar to the @code{file} widget.
1296@end deffn
1297
1298@deffn Widget symbol
1299Allows you to edit a Lisp symbol in an editable field.
1300@end deffn
1301
1302@deffn Widget function
1303Allows you to edit a lambda expression, or a function name with completion.
1304@end deffn
1305
1306@deffn Widget variable
1307Allows you to edit a variable name, with completion.
1308@end deffn
1309
1310@deffn Widget integer
1311Allows you to edit an integer in an editable field.
1312@end deffn
1313
1314@deffn Widget number
1315Allows you to edit a number in an editable field.
1316@end deffn
1317
1318@deffn Widget boolean
1319Allows you to edit a boolean. In Lisp this means a variable which is
1320either @code{nil} meaning false, or non-@code{nil} meaning true.
1321@end deffn
1322
1323
1324@node composite, , atoms, Sexp Types
1325@comment node-name, next, previous, up
1326@subsection Composite Sexp Widgets
1327@cindex composite sexp widgets
1328
1329The syntax for the composite widget construct is:
1330
1331@example
1332@var{type} ::= (@var{construct} [@var{keyword} @var{argument}]... @var{component}...)
1333@end example
1334
1335@noindent
1336where each @var{component} must be a widget type. Each component widget
1337will be displayed in the buffer, and will be editable by the user.
1338
1339@deffn Widget cons
1340The value of a @code{cons} widget must be a cons-cell whose @sc{car}
1341and @sc{cdr} have two specified types. It uses this syntax:
1342
1343@example
1344@var{type} ::= (cons [@var{keyword} @var{argument}]... @var{car-type} @var{cdr-type})
1345@end example
1346@end deffn
1347
1348@deffn Widget choice
1349The value matched by a @code{choice} widget must have one of a fixed
1350set of types. The widget's syntax is as follows:
1351
1352@example
1353@var{type} ::= (choice [@var{keyword} @var{argument}]... @var{type} ... )
1354@end example
1355
1356The value of a @code{choice} widget can be anything that matches any of the
1357@var{types}.
1358@end deffn
1359
1360@deffn Widget list
1361The value of a @code{list} widget must be a list whose element types
1362match the specified component types:
1363
1364@example
1365@var{type} ::= (list [@var{keyword} @var{argument}]... @var{component-type}...)
1366@end example
1367
1368Thus, @code{(list string number)} matches lists of two elements,
1369the first being a string and the second being a number.
1370@end deffn
1371
1372@deffn Widget vector
1373The @code{vector} widget is like the @code{list} widget but matches
1374vectors instead of lists. Thus, @code{(vector string number)} matches
1375vectors of two elements, the first being a string and the second being
1376a number.
1377@end deffn
1378
1379The above suffice for specifying fixed size lists and vectors. To get
1380variable length lists and vectors, you can use a @code{choice},
1381@code{set}, or @code{repeat} widget together with the @code{:inline}
1382keyword. If any component of a composite widget has the
1383@code{:inline} keyword set, its value must be a list which will then
1384be spliced into the composite. For example, to specify a list whose
1385first element must be a file name, and whose remaining elements should
1386either be the symbol @code{t} or two strings (file names), you can use
1387the following widget specification:
1388
1389@example
1390(list file
1391 (choice (const t)
1392 (list :inline t
1393 :value ("foo" "bar")
1394 string string)))
1395@end example
1396
1397The value of a widget of this type will either have the form
1398@code{(file t)} or @code{(file @var{string} @var{string})}.
1399
1400This concept of @code{:inline} may be hard to understand. It was
1401certainly hard to implement, so instead of confusing you more by
1402trying to explain it here, I'll just suggest you meditate over it for
1403a while.
1404
1405@deffn Widget set
1406Specifies a type whose values are the lists whose elements all belong
1407to a given set. The order of elements of the list is not significant.
1408Here's the syntax:
1409
1410@example
1411@var{type} ::= (set [@var{keyword} @var{argument}]... @var{permitted-element} ... )
1412@end example
1413
1414Use @code{const} to specify each permitted element, like this:
1415@code{(set (const a) (const b))}.
1416@end deffn
1417
1418@deffn Widget repeat
1419Specifies a list of any number of elements that fit a certain type.
1420
1421@example
1422@var{type} ::= (repeat [@var{keyword} @var{argument}]... @var{type})
1423@end example
1424@end deffn
1425
1426@node Widget Properties, Defining New Widgets, Sexp Types, Top
1427@comment node-name, next, previous, up
1428@section Properties
1429@cindex properties of widgets
1430@cindex widget properties
1431
1432You can examine or set the value of a widget by using the widget object
1433that was returned by @code{widget-create}.
1434
1435@defun widget-value widget
1436Return the current value contained in @var{widget}.
1437It is an error to call this function on an uninitialized widget.
1438@end defun
1439
1440@defun widget-value-set widget value
1441Set the value contained in @var{widget} to @var{value}.
1442It is an error to call this function with an invalid @var{value}.
1443@end defun
1444
1445@strong{Important:} You @emph{must} call @code{widget-setup} after
1446modifying the value of a widget before the user is allowed to edit the
1447widget again. It is enough to call @code{widget-setup} once if you
1448modify multiple widgets. This is currently only necessary if the widget
1449contains an editing field, but may be necessary for other widgets in the
1450future.
1451
1452If your application needs to associate some information with the widget
1453objects, for example a reference to the item being edited, it can be
1454done with @code{widget-put} and @code{widget-get}. The property names
1455must begin with a @samp{:}.
1456
1457@defun widget-put widget property value
1458In @var{widget} set @var{property} to @var{value}.
1459@var{property} should be a symbol, while @var{value} can be anything.
1460@end defun
1461
1462@defun widget-get widget property
1463In @var{widget} return the value for @var{property}.
1464@var{property} should be a symbol, the value is what was last set by
1465@code{widget-put} for @var{property}.
1466@end defun
1467
1468@defun widget-member widget property
1469Non-@code{nil} if @var{widget} has a value (even @code{nil}) for
1470property @var{property}.
1471@end defun
1472
1473Occasionally it can be useful to know which kind of widget you have,
1474i.e.@: the name of the widget type you gave when the widget was created.
1475
1476@defun widget-type widget
1477Return the name of @var{widget}, a symbol.
1478@end defun
1479
1480@cindex active widget
1481@cindex inactive widget
1482@cindex activate a widget
1483@cindex deactivate a widget
1484Widgets can be in two states: active, which means they are modifiable by
1485the user, or inactive, which means they cannot be modified by the user.
1486You can query or set the state with the following code:
1487
1488@lisp
1489;; Examine if @var{widget} is active or not.
1490(if (widget-apply @var{widget} :active)
1491 (message "Widget is active.")
1492 (message "Widget is inactive.")
1493
1494;; Make @var{widget} inactive.
1495(widget-apply @var{widget} :deactivate)
1496
1497;; Make @var{widget} active.
1498(widget-apply @var{widget} :activate)
1499@end lisp
1500
1501A widget is inactive if it, or any of its ancestors (found by
1502following the @code{:parent} link), have been deactivated. To make sure
1503a widget is really active, you must therefore activate both it and
1504all its ancestors.
1505
1506@lisp
1507(while widget
1508 (widget-apply widget :activate)
1509 (setq widget (widget-get widget :parent)))
1510@end lisp
1511
1512You can check if a widget has been made inactive by examining the value
1513of the @code{:inactive} keyword. If this is non-@code{nil}, the widget itself
1514has been deactivated. This is different from using the @code{:active}
1515keyword, in that the latter tells you if the widget @strong{or} any of
1516its ancestors have been deactivated. Do not attempt to set the
1517@code{:inactive} keyword directly. Use the @code{:activate}
1518@code{:deactivate} keywords instead.
1519
1520
1521@node Defining New Widgets, Widget Browser, Widget Properties, Top
1522@comment node-name, next, previous, up
1523@section Defining New Widgets
1524@cindex new widgets
1525@cindex defining new widgets
1526
1527You can define specialized widgets with @code{define-widget}. It allows
1528you to create a shorthand for more complex widgets, including specifying
1529component widgets and new default values for the keyword
1530arguments.
1531
1532@defun define-widget name class doc &rest args
1533Define a new widget type named @var{name} from @code{class}.
1534
1535@var{name} and class should both be symbols, @code{class} should be one
1536of the existing widget types.
1537
1538The third argument @var{doc} is a documentation string for the widget.
1539
1540After the new widget has been defined, the following two calls will
1541create identical widgets:
1542
1543@itemize @bullet
1544@item
1545@lisp
1546(widget-create @var{name})
1547@end lisp
1548
1549@item
1550@lisp
1551(apply widget-create @var{class} @var{args})
1552@end lisp
1553@end itemize
1554
1555@end defun
1556
1557Using @code{define-widget} just stores the definition of the widget type
1558in the @code{widget-type} property of @var{name}, which is what
1559@code{widget-create} uses.
1560
1561If you only want to specify defaults for keywords with no complex
1562conversions, you can use @code{identity} as your conversion function.
1563
1564The following additional keyword arguments are useful when defining new
1565widgets:
1566@table @code
1567@vindex convert-widget@r{ keyword}
1568@item :convert-widget
1569Function to convert a widget type before creating a widget of that
1570type. It takes a widget type as an argument, and returns the converted
1571widget type. When a widget is created, this function is called for the
1572widget type and all the widget's parent types, most derived first.
1573
1574The following predefined functions can be used here:
1575
1576@defun widget-types-convert-widget widget
1577Convert @code{:args} as widget types in @var{widget}.
1578@end defun
1579
1580@defun widget-value-convert-widget widget
1581Initialize @code{:value} from @code{:args} in @var{widget}.
1582@end defun
1583
1584@vindex copy@r{ keyword}
1585@item :copy
1586Function to deep copy a widget type. It takes a shallow copy of the
1587widget type as an argument (made by @code{copy-sequence}), and returns a
1588deep copy. The purpose of this is to avoid having different instances
1589of combined widgets share nested attributes.
1590
1591The following predefined functions can be used here:
1592
1593@defun widget-types-copy widget
1594Copy @code{:args} as widget types in @var{widget}.
1595@end defun
1596
1597@vindex value-to-internal@r{ keyword}
1598@item :value-to-internal
1599Function to convert the value to the internal format. The function
1600takes two arguments, a widget and an external value, and returns the
1601internal value. The function is called on the present @code{:value}
1602when the widget is created, and on any value set later with
1603@code{widget-value-set}.
1604
1605@vindex value-to-external@r{ keyword}
1606@item :value-to-external
1607Function to convert the value to the external format. The function
1608takes two arguments, a widget and an internal value, and returns the
1609external value. The function is called on the present @code{:value}
1610when the widget is created, and on any value set later with
1611@code{widget-value-set}.
1612
1613@vindex create@r{ keyword}
1614@item :create
1615Function to create a widget from scratch. The function takes one
1616argument, a widget type, and creates a widget of that type, inserts it
1617in the buffer, and returns a widget object.
1618
1619@vindex delete@r{ keyword}
1620@item :delete
1621Function to delete a widget. The function takes one argument, a widget,
1622and should remove all traces of the widget from the buffer.
1623
1624The default value is:
1625
1626@defun widget-default-delete widget
1627Remove @var{widget} from the buffer.
1628Delete all @code{:children} and @code{:buttons} in @var{widget}.
1629@end defun
1630
1631In most cases you should not change this value, but instead use
1632@code{:value-delete} to make any additional cleanup.
1633
1634@vindex value-create@r{ keyword}
1635@item :value-create
1636Function to expand the @samp{%v} escape in the format string. It will
1637be called with the widget as its argument and should insert a
1638representation of the widget's value in the buffer.
1639
1640Nested widgets should be listed in @code{:children} or @code{:buttons}
1641to make sure they are automatically deleted.
1642
1643@vindex value-delete@r{ keyword}
1644@item :value-delete
1645Should remove the representation of the widget's value from the buffer.
1646It will be called with the widget as its argument. It doesn't have to
1647remove the text, but it should release markers and delete nested widgets
1648if these are not listed in @code{:children} or @code{:buttons}.
1649
1650@vindex value-get@r{ keyword}
1651@item :value-get
1652Function to extract the value of a widget, as it is displayed in the
1653buffer.
1654
1655The following predefined function can be used here:
1656
1657@defun widget-value-value-get widget
1658Return the @code{:value} property of @var{widget}.
1659@end defun
1660
1661@vindex format-handler@r{ keyword}
1662@item :format-handler
1663Function to handle unknown @samp{%} escapes in the format string. It
1664will be called with the widget and the character that follows the
1665@samp{%} as arguments. You can set this to allow your widget to handle
1666non-standard escapes.
1667
1668@findex widget-default-format-handler
1669You should end up calling @code{widget-default-format-handler} to handle
1670unknown escape sequences, which will handle the @samp{%h} and any future
1671escape sequences, as well as give an error for unknown escapes.
1672
1673@vindex action@r{ keyword}
1674@item :action
1675Function to handle user initiated events. By default, @code{:notify}
1676the parent.
1677
1678The following predefined function can be used here:
1679
1680@defun widget-parent-action widget &optional event
1681Tell @code{:parent} of @var{widget} to handle the @code{:action}.
1682Optional @var{event} is the event that triggered the action.
1683@end defun
1684
1685@vindex prompt-value@r{ keyword}
1686@item :prompt-value
1687Function to prompt for a value in the minibuffer. The function should
1688take four arguments, @var{widget}, @var{prompt}, @var{value}, and
1689@var{unbound} and should return a value for widget entered by the user.
1690@var{prompt} is the prompt to use. @var{value} is the default value to
1691use, unless @var{unbound} is non-@code{nil}, in which case there is no default
1692value. The function should read the value using the method most natural
1693for this widget, and does not have to check that it matches.
1694@end table
1695
1696If you want to define a new widget from scratch, use the @code{default}
1697widget as its base.
1698
1699@deffn Widget default
1700Widget used as a base for other widgets.
1701
1702It provides most of the functionality that is referred to as ``by
1703default'' in this text.
1704@end deffn
1705
1706@node Widget Browser, Widget Minor Mode, Defining New Widgets, Top
1707@comment node-name, next, previous, up
1708@section Widget Browser
1709@cindex widget browser
1710
1711There is a separate package to browse widgets. This is intended to help
1712programmers who want to examine the content of a widget. The browser
1713shows the value of each keyword, but uses links for certain keywords
1714such as @samp{:parent}, which avoids printing cyclic structures.
1715
1716@deffn Command widget-browse @var{widget}
1717Create a widget browser for @var{widget}.
1718When called interactively, prompt for @var{widget}.
1719@end deffn
1720
1721@deffn Command widget-browse-other-window @var{widget}
1722Create a widget browser for @var{widget} and show it in another window.
1723When called interactively, prompt for @var{widget}.
1724@end deffn
1725
1726@deffn Command widget-browse-at @var{pos}
1727Create a widget browser for the widget at @var{pos}.
1728When called interactively, use the position of point.
1729@end deffn
1730
1731@node Widget Minor Mode, Utilities, Widget Browser, Top
1732@comment node-name, next, previous, up
1733@section Widget Minor Mode
1734@cindex widget minor mode
1735
1736There is a minor mode for manipulating widgets in major modes that
1737don't provide any support for widgets themselves. This is mostly
1738intended to be useful for programmers doing experiments.
1739
1740@deffn Command widget-minor-mode
1741Toggle minor mode for traversing widgets.
1742With arg, turn widget mode on if and only if arg is positive.
1743@end deffn
1744
1745@defvar widget-minor-mode-keymap
1746Keymap used in @code{widget-minor-mode}.
1747@end defvar
1748
1749@node Utilities, Widget Wishlist, Widget Minor Mode, Top
1750@comment node-name, next, previous, up
1751@section Utilities.
1752@cindex utility functions for widgets
1753
1754@defun widget-prompt-value widget prompt [ value unbound ]
1755Prompt for a value matching @var{widget}, using @var{prompt}.
1756The current value is assumed to be @var{value}, unless @var{unbound} is
1757non-@code{nil}.@refill
1758@end defun
1759
1760@defun widget-get-sibling widget
1761Get the item which @var{widget} is assumed to toggle.
1762This is only meaningful for radio buttons or checkboxes in a list.
1763@end defun
1764
1765@node Widget Wishlist, GNU Free Documentation License, Utilities, Top
1766@comment node-name, next, previous, up
1767@section Wishlist
1768@cindex todo
1769
1770@itemize @bullet
1771@item
1772It should be possible to add or remove items from a list with @kbd{C-k}
1773and @kbd{C-o} (suggested by @sc{rms}).
1774
1775@item
1776The @samp{[INS]} and @samp{[DEL]} buttons should be replaced by a single
1777dash (@samp{-}). The dash should be a button that, when invoked, asks
1778whether you want to add or delete an item (@sc{rms} wanted to git rid of
1779the ugly buttons, the dash is my idea).
1780
1781@item
1782The @code{menu-choice} tag should be prettier, something like the abbreviated
1783menus in Open Look.
1784
1785@item
1786Finish @code{:tab-order}.
1787
1788@item
1789Make indentation work with glyphs and proportional fonts.
1790
1791@item
1792Add commands to show overview of object and class hierarchies to the
1793browser.
1794
1795@item
1796Find a way to disable mouse highlight for inactive widgets.
1797
1798@item
1799Find a way to make glyphs look inactive.
1800
1801@item
1802Add @code{property-list} widget.
1803
1804@item
1805Add @code{association-list} widget.
1806
1807@item
1808Add @code{key-binding} widget.
1809
1810@item
1811Add @code{widget} widget for editing widget specifications.
1812
1813@item
1814Find clean way to implement variable length list.
1815See @code{TeX-printer-list} for an explanation.
1816
1817@item
1818@kbd{C-h} in @code{widget-prompt-value} should give type specific help.
1819
1820@item
1821Add a @code{mailto} widget.
1822@end itemize
1823
1824@node GNU Free Documentation License, Index, Widget Wishlist, Top
1825@appendix GNU Free Documentation License
1826@include doclicense.texi
1827
1828@node Index, , GNU Free Documentation License, Top
1829@comment node-name, next, previous, up
1830@unnumbered Index
1831
1832This is an alphabetical listing of all concepts, functions, commands,
1833variables, and widgets described in this manual.
1834@printindex cp
1835
1836@setchapternewpage odd
1837@contents
1838@bye
1839
1840@ignore
1841 arch-tag: 2b427731-4c61-4e72-85de-5ccec9c623f0
1842@end ignore