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8cf51b2c | 1 | @c This is part of the Emacs manual. |
ba318903 | 2 | @c Copyright (C) 1985-1987, 1993-1995, 1997, 2001-2014 Free Software |
ab422c4d | 3 | @c Foundation, Inc. |
8cf51b2c | 4 | @c See file emacs.texi for copying conditions. |
abb9615e | 5 | @node Glossary |
8cf51b2c | 6 | @unnumbered Glossary |
0f91f03c | 7 | @cindex glossary |
8cf51b2c GM |
8 | |
9 | @table @asis | |
f99f1641 | 10 | @anchor{Glossary---Abbrev} |
8cf51b2c | 11 | @item Abbrev |
8bf27c8a | 12 | An abbrev is a text string that expands into a different text string |
8cf51b2c GM |
13 | when present in the buffer. For example, you might define a few letters |
14 | as an abbrev for a long phrase that you want to insert frequently. | |
15 | @xref{Abbrevs}. | |
16 | ||
17 | @item Aborting | |
1df7defd | 18 | Aborting means getting out of a recursive edit (q.v.). The |
8cf51b2c GM |
19 | commands @kbd{C-]} and @kbd{M-x top-level} are used for this. |
20 | @xref{Quitting}. | |
21 | ||
0f91f03c | 22 | @item Active Region |
0a760e10 | 23 | Setting the mark (q.v.@:) at a position in the text also activates it. |
0f91f03c XF |
24 | When the mark is active, we call the region an active region. |
25 | @xref{Mark}. | |
a0706406 | 26 | |
8cf51b2c | 27 | @item Alt |
07ee224d | 28 | Alt is the name of a modifier bit that a keyboard input character may |
d7e9a7f8 EZ |
29 | have. To make a character Alt, type it while holding down the @key{Alt} |
30 | key. Such characters are given names that start with @kbd{@key{Alt}-} | |
8cf51b2c | 31 | (usually written @kbd{A-} for short). (Note that many terminals have a |
d7e9a7f8 | 32 | key labeled @key{Alt} that is really a @key{META} key.) @xref{User |
8cf51b2c GM |
33 | Input, Alt}. |
34 | ||
35 | @item Argument | |
f99f1641 | 36 | @xref{Glossary---Numeric Argument}. |
8cf51b2c GM |
37 | |
38 | @item @acronym{ASCII} character | |
07ee224d GM |
39 | An @acronym{ASCII} character is either an @acronym{ASCII} control |
40 | character or an @acronym{ASCII} printing character. @xref{User Input}. | |
8cf51b2c GM |
41 | |
42 | @item @acronym{ASCII} control character | |
43 | An @acronym{ASCII} control character is the Control version of an upper-case | |
44 | letter, or the Control version of one of the characters @samp{@@[\]^_?}. | |
45 | ||
46 | @item @acronym{ASCII} printing character | |
166bc0c8 CY |
47 | @acronym{ASCII} letters, digits, space, and the following punctuation |
48 | characters: @samp{!@@#$%^&*()_-+=|\~`@{@}[]:;"'<>,.?/}. | |
8cf51b2c GM |
49 | |
50 | @item Auto Fill Mode | |
07ee224d | 51 | Auto Fill mode is a minor mode (q.v.@:) in which text that you insert is |
8cf51b2c GM |
52 | automatically broken into lines of a given maximum width. |
53 | @xref{Filling}. | |
54 | ||
55 | @item Auto Saving | |
07ee224d GM |
56 | Auto saving is the practice of periodically saving the contents of an |
57 | Emacs buffer in a specially-named file, so that the information will | |
58 | be preserved if the buffer is lost due to a system error or user error. | |
59 | @xref{Auto Save}. | |
8cf51b2c GM |
60 | |
61 | @item Autoloading | |
07ee224d | 62 | Emacs can automatically load Lisp libraries when a Lisp program requests a |
8bf27c8a | 63 | function from those libraries. This is called `autoloading'. |
07ee224d | 64 | @xref{Lisp Libraries}. |
8cf51b2c GM |
65 | |
66 | @item Backtrace | |
67 | A backtrace is a trace of a series of function calls showing how a | |
07ee224d | 68 | program arrived at a certain point. It is used mainly for finding and |
1df7defd | 69 | correcting bugs (q.v.). Emacs can display a backtrace when it signals |
f99f1641 | 70 | an error or when you type @kbd{C-g} (@pxref{Glossary---Quitting}). |
8980d0b9 | 71 | @xref{Checklist}. |
8cf51b2c GM |
72 | |
73 | @item Backup File | |
74 | A backup file records the contents that a file had before the current | |
75 | editing session. Emacs makes backup files automatically to help you | |
76 | track down or cancel changes you later regret making. @xref{Backup}. | |
77 | ||
78 | @item Balancing Parentheses | |
79 | Emacs can balance parentheses (or other matching delimiters) either | |
80 | manually or automatically. You do manual balancing with the commands | |
81 | to move over parenthetical groupings (@pxref{Moving by Parens}). | |
82 | Automatic balancing works by blinking or highlighting the delimiter | |
8bf27c8a GM |
83 | that matches the one you just inserted, or inserting the matching |
84 | delimiter for you (@pxref{Matching,,Matching Parens}). | |
8cf51b2c | 85 | |
f99f1641 | 86 | @anchor{Glossary---Balanced Expression} |
8cf51b2c GM |
87 | @item Balanced Expressions |
88 | A balanced expression is a syntactically recognizable expression, such | |
89 | as a symbol, number, string constant, block, or parenthesized expression | |
1df7defd | 90 | in C@. @xref{Expressions,Balanced Expressions}. |
8cf51b2c GM |
91 | |
92 | @item Balloon Help | |
f99f1641 | 93 | @xref{Glossary---Tooltips}. |
8cf51b2c GM |
94 | |
95 | @item Base Buffer | |
96 | A base buffer is a buffer whose text is shared by an indirect buffer | |
1df7defd | 97 | (q.v.). |
8cf51b2c | 98 | |
a0706406 GM |
99 | @item Bidirectional Text |
100 | Some human languages, such as English, are written from left to right. | |
101 | Others, such as Arabic, are written from right to left. Emacs | |
102 | supports both of these forms, as well as any mixture of them---this | |
103 | is `bidirectional text'. @xref{Bidirectional Editing}. | |
104 | ||
8cf51b2c | 105 | @item Bind |
1df7defd | 106 | To bind a key sequence means to give it a binding (q.v.). |
8cf51b2c GM |
107 | @xref{Rebinding}. |
108 | ||
f99f1641 | 109 | @anchor{Glossary---Binding} |
8cf51b2c GM |
110 | @item Binding |
111 | A key sequence gets its meaning in Emacs by having a binding, which is a | |
1df7defd | 112 | command (q.v.), a Lisp function that is run when you type that |
8cf51b2c GM |
113 | sequence. @xref{Commands,Binding}. Customization often involves |
114 | rebinding a character to a different command function. The bindings of | |
1df7defd | 115 | all key sequences are recorded in the keymaps (q.v.). @xref{Keymaps}. |
8cf51b2c GM |
116 | |
117 | @item Blank Lines | |
118 | Blank lines are lines that contain only whitespace. Emacs has several | |
8bf27c8a | 119 | commands for operating on the blank lines in the buffer. @xref{Blank Lines}. |
8cf51b2c GM |
120 | |
121 | @item Bookmark | |
122 | Bookmarks are akin to registers (q.v.@:) in that they record positions | |
123 | in buffers to which you can return later. Unlike registers, bookmarks | |
8bf27c8a | 124 | persist between Emacs sessions. @xref{Bookmarks}. |
8cf51b2c GM |
125 | |
126 | @item Border | |
127 | A border is a thin space along the edge of the frame, used just for | |
128 | spacing, not for displaying anything. An Emacs frame has an ordinary | |
129 | external border, outside of everything including the menu bar, plus an | |
07ee224d GM |
130 | internal border that surrounds the text windows, their scroll bars |
131 | and fringes, and separates them from the menu bar and tool bar. You | |
132 | can customize both borders with options and resources (@pxref{Borders | |
1df7defd | 133 | X}). Borders are not the same as fringes (q.v.). |
8cf51b2c GM |
134 | |
135 | @item Buffer | |
136 | The buffer is the basic editing unit; one buffer corresponds to one text | |
8bf27c8a GM |
137 | being edited. You normally have several buffers, but at any time you are |
138 | editing only one, the `current buffer', though several can be visible | |
1df7defd | 139 | when you are using multiple windows or frames (q.v.). Most buffers |
07ee224d | 140 | are visiting (q.v.@:) some file. @xref{Buffers}. |
8cf51b2c GM |
141 | |
142 | @item Buffer Selection History | |
8bf27c8a | 143 | Emacs keeps a buffer selection history that records how recently each |
8cf51b2c GM |
144 | Emacs buffer has been selected. This is used for choosing a buffer to |
145 | select. @xref{Buffers}. | |
146 | ||
147 | @item Bug | |
148 | A bug is an incorrect or unreasonable behavior of a program, or | |
149 | inaccurate or confusing documentation. Emacs developers treat bug | |
150 | reports, both in Emacs code and its documentation, very seriously and | |
151 | ask you to report any bugs you find. @xref{Bugs}. | |
152 | ||
153 | @item Button Down Event | |
07ee224d GM |
154 | A button down event is the kind of input event (q.v.@:) generated |
155 | right away when you press down on a mouse button. @xref{Mouse Buttons}. | |
8cf51b2c GM |
156 | |
157 | @item By Default | |
f99f1641 | 158 | @xref{Glossary---Default}. |
8cf51b2c GM |
159 | |
160 | @item Byte Compilation | |
f99f1641 | 161 | @xref{Glossary---Compilation}. |
8cf51b2c | 162 | |
f99f1641 | 163 | @anchor{Glossary---C-} |
8cf51b2c GM |
164 | @item @kbd{C-} |
165 | @kbd{C-} in the name of a character is an abbreviation for Control. | |
166 | @xref{User Input,C-}. | |
167 | ||
168 | @item @kbd{C-M-} | |
169 | @kbd{C-M-} in the name of a character is an abbreviation for | |
07ee224d GM |
170 | Control-Meta. If your terminal lacks a real @key{META} key, you type |
171 | a Control-Meta character by typing @key{ESC} and then typing the | |
172 | corresponding Control character. @xref{User Input,C-M-}. | |
8cf51b2c GM |
173 | |
174 | @item Case Conversion | |
175 | Case conversion means changing text from upper case to lower case or | |
8bf27c8a | 176 | vice versa. @xref{Case}. |
8cf51b2c GM |
177 | |
178 | @item Character | |
71f675e5 CY |
179 | Characters form the contents of an Emacs buffer. Also, key sequences |
180 | (q.v.@:) are usually made up of characters (though they may include | |
181 | other input events as well). @xref{User Input}. | |
8cf51b2c GM |
182 | |
183 | @item Character Set | |
184 | Emacs supports a number of character sets, each of which represents a | |
185 | particular alphabet or script. @xref{International}. | |
186 | ||
187 | @item Character Terminal | |
f99f1641 | 188 | @xref{Glossary---Text Terminal}. |
8cf51b2c GM |
189 | |
190 | @item Click Event | |
07ee224d GM |
191 | A click event is the kind of input event (q.v.@:) generated when you |
192 | press a mouse button and release it without moving the mouse. | |
193 | @xref{Mouse Buttons}. | |
8cf51b2c | 194 | |
a0706406 | 195 | @item Client |
f99f1641 | 196 | @xref{Glossary---Server}. |
a0706406 | 197 | |
8cf51b2c GM |
198 | @item Clipboard |
199 | A clipboard is a buffer provided by the window system for transferring | |
870e8fb8 | 200 | text between applications. On the X Window System, the clipboard is |
1df7defd | 201 | provided in addition to the primary selection (q.v.); on MS-Windows and Mac, |
8cf51b2c GM |
202 | the clipboard is used @emph{instead} of the primary selection. |
203 | @xref{Clipboard}. | |
204 | ||
205 | @item Coding System | |
206 | A coding system is an encoding for representing text characters in a | |
207 | file or in a stream of information. Emacs has the ability to convert | |
208 | text to or from a variety of coding systems when reading or writing it. | |
209 | @xref{Coding Systems}. | |
210 | ||
211 | @item Command | |
212 | A command is a Lisp function specially defined to be able to serve as a | |
1df7defd | 213 | key binding in Emacs. When you type a key sequence (q.v.), its |
8cf51b2c GM |
214 | binding (q.v.@:) is looked up in the relevant keymaps (q.v.@:) to find |
215 | the command to run. @xref{Commands}. | |
216 | ||
217 | @item Command History | |
f99f1641 | 218 | @xref{Glossary---Minibuffer History}. |
8cf51b2c GM |
219 | |
220 | @item Command Name | |
8bf27c8a | 221 | A command name is the name of a Lisp symbol that is a command |
8cf51b2c GM |
222 | (@pxref{Commands}). You can invoke any command by its name using |
223 | @kbd{M-x} (@pxref{M-x,M-x,Running Commands by Name}). | |
224 | ||
225 | @item Comment | |
226 | A comment is text in a program which is intended only for humans reading | |
07ee224d | 227 | the program, and which is specially marked so that it will be ignored |
8cf51b2c GM |
228 | when the program is loaded or compiled. Emacs offers special commands |
229 | for creating, aligning and killing comments. @xref{Comments}. | |
230 | ||
231 | @item Common Lisp | |
232 | Common Lisp is a dialect of Lisp (q.v.@:) much larger and more powerful | |
233 | than Emacs Lisp. Emacs provides a subset of Common Lisp in the CL | |
234 | package. @xref{Top, Common Lisp, Overview, cl, Common Lisp Extensions}. | |
235 | ||
f99f1641 | 236 | @anchor{Glossary---Compilation} |
8cf51b2c GM |
237 | @item Compilation |
238 | Compilation is the process of creating an executable program from source | |
239 | code. Emacs has commands for compiling files of Emacs Lisp code | |
240 | (@pxref{Byte Compilation,,, elisp, the Emacs Lisp | |
241 | Reference Manual}) and programs in C and other languages | |
242 | (@pxref{Compilation}). | |
243 | ||
244 | @item Complete Key | |
8bf27c8a | 245 | A complete key is a key sequence that fully specifies one action to be |
8cf51b2c GM |
246 | performed by Emacs. For example, @kbd{X} and @kbd{C-f} and @kbd{C-x m} |
247 | are complete keys. Complete keys derive their meanings from being bound | |
1df7defd | 248 | (q.v.@:) to commands (q.v.). Thus, @kbd{X} is conventionally bound to |
8cf51b2c GM |
249 | a command to insert @samp{X} in the buffer; @kbd{C-x m} is |
250 | conventionally bound to a command to begin composing a mail message. | |
251 | @xref{Keys}. | |
252 | ||
253 | @item Completion | |
07ee224d | 254 | Completion is what Emacs does when it automatically expands an |
8cf51b2c GM |
255 | abbreviation for a name into the entire name. Completion is done for |
256 | minibuffer (q.v.@:) arguments when the set of possible valid inputs | |
257 | is known; for example, on command names, buffer names, and | |
07ee224d | 258 | file names. Completion usually occurs when @key{TAB}, @key{SPC} or |
76f1a3c3 | 259 | @key{RET} is typed. @xref{Completion}. |
8cf51b2c | 260 | |
f99f1641 | 261 | @anchor{Glossary---Continuation Line} |
8cf51b2c GM |
262 | @item Continuation Line |
263 | When a line of text is longer than the width of the window, it | |
f99f1641 | 264 | normally (but see @ref{Glossary---Truncation}) takes up more than one |
6cac07d8 | 265 | screen line when displayed. We say that the text line is continued, and all |
07ee224d GM |
266 | screen lines used for it after the first are called continuation |
267 | lines. @xref{Continuation Lines}. A related Emacs feature is | |
1df7defd | 268 | `filling' (q.v.). |
8cf51b2c GM |
269 | |
270 | @item Control Character | |
271 | A control character is a character that you type by holding down the | |
d7e9a7f8 EZ |
272 | @key{Ctrl} key. Some control characters also have their own keys, so |
273 | that you can type them without using @key{Ctrl}. For example, | |
8cf51b2c GM |
274 | @key{RET}, @key{TAB}, @key{ESC} and @key{DEL} are all control |
275 | characters. @xref{User Input}. | |
276 | ||
277 | @item Copyleft | |
278 | A copyleft is a notice giving the public legal permission to | |
279 | redistribute and modify a program or other work of art, but requiring | |
280 | modified versions to carry similar permission. Copyright is normally | |
281 | used to keep users divided and helpless; with copyleft we turn that | |
282 | around to empower users and encourage them to cooperate. | |
283 | ||
284 | The particular form of copyleft used by the GNU project is called the | |
285 | GNU General Public License. @xref{Copying}. | |
286 | ||
d7e9a7f8 EZ |
287 | @item @key{Ctrl} |
288 | The @key{Ctrl} or ``control'' key is what you hold down | |
f99f1641 | 289 | in order to enter a control character (q.v.). @xref{Glossary---C-}. |
8cf51b2c GM |
290 | |
291 | @item Current Buffer | |
292 | The current buffer in Emacs is the Emacs buffer on which most editing | |
293 | commands operate. You can select any Emacs buffer as the current one. | |
294 | @xref{Buffers}. | |
295 | ||
296 | @item Current Line | |
297 | The current line is the line that point is on (@pxref{Point}). | |
298 | ||
299 | @item Current Paragraph | |
300 | The current paragraph is the paragraph that point is in. If point is | |
301 | between two paragraphs, the current paragraph is the one that follows | |
302 | point. @xref{Paragraphs}. | |
303 | ||
304 | @item Current Defun | |
305 | The current defun is the defun (q.v.@:) that point is in. If point is | |
306 | between defuns, the current defun is the one that follows point. | |
307 | @xref{Defuns}. | |
308 | ||
309 | @item Cursor | |
310 | The cursor is the rectangle on the screen which indicates the position | |
07ee224d | 311 | (called point; q.v.@:) at which insertion and deletion takes place. |
8cf51b2c GM |
312 | The cursor is on or under the character that follows point. Often |
313 | people speak of `the cursor' when, strictly speaking, they mean | |
8bf27c8a | 314 | `point'. @xref{Point,Cursor}. |
8cf51b2c GM |
315 | |
316 | @item Customization | |
07ee224d GM |
317 | Customization is making minor changes in the way Emacs works, to |
318 | reflect your preferences or needs. It is often done by setting | |
319 | variables (@pxref{Variables}) or faces (@pxref{Face Customization}), | |
320 | or by rebinding key sequences (@pxref{Keymaps}). | |
8cf51b2c GM |
321 | |
322 | @cindex cut and paste | |
323 | @item Cut and Paste | |
f99f1641 | 324 | @xref{Glossary---Killing}, and @ref{Glossary---Yanking}. |
8cf51b2c | 325 | |
f99f1641 | 326 | @anchor{Glossary---Daemon} |
07ee224d | 327 | @item Daemon |
bd8aaa36 | 328 | A daemon is a standard term for a system-level process that runs in the |
07ee224d GM |
329 | background. Daemons are often started when the system first starts up. |
330 | When Emacs runs in daemon-mode, it runs in the background and does not | |
331 | open a display. You can then connect to it with the | |
332 | @command{emacsclient} program. @xref{Emacs Server}. | |
333 | ||
8cf51b2c GM |
334 | @item Default Argument |
335 | The default for an argument is the value that will be assumed if you | |
336 | do not specify one. When the minibuffer is used to read an argument, | |
337 | the default argument is used if you just type @key{RET}. | |
338 | @xref{Minibuffer}. | |
339 | ||
f99f1641 | 340 | @anchor{Glossary---Default} |
8cf51b2c | 341 | @item Default |
8bf27c8a GM |
342 | A default is the value that is used for a certain purpose when |
343 | you do not explicitly specify a value to use. | |
8cf51b2c GM |
344 | |
345 | @item Default Directory | |
346 | When you specify a file name that does not start with @samp{/} or @samp{~}, | |
347 | it is interpreted relative to the current buffer's default directory. | |
8bf27c8a | 348 | (On MS systems, file names that start with a drive letter |
8cf51b2c GM |
349 | @samp{@var{x}:} are treated as absolute, not relative.) |
350 | @xref{Minibuffer File,Default Directory}. | |
351 | ||
352 | @item Defun | |
353 | A defun is a major definition at the top level in a program. The name | |
354 | `defun' comes from Lisp, where most such definitions use the construct | |
355 | @code{defun}. @xref{Defuns}. | |
356 | ||
357 | @item @key{DEL} | |
358 | @key{DEL} is a character that runs the command to delete one character | |
d7e9a7f8 | 359 | of text before the cursor. It is typically either the @key{Delete} |
f828c69d | 360 | key or the @key{BACKSPACE} key, whichever one is easy to type. |
8cf51b2c GM |
361 | @xref{Erasing,DEL}. |
362 | ||
363 | @item Deletion | |
364 | Deletion means erasing text without copying it into the kill ring | |
1df7defd | 365 | (q.v.). The alternative is killing (q.v.). @xref{Killing,Deletion}. |
8cf51b2c | 366 | |
f99f1641 | 367 | @anchor{Glossary---Deletion of Files} |
8cf51b2c GM |
368 | @item Deletion of Files |
369 | Deleting a file means erasing it from the file system. | |
07ee224d GM |
370 | (Note that some systems use the concept of a ``trash can'', or ``recycle |
371 | bin'', to allow you to ``undelete'' files.) | |
8cf51b2c GM |
372 | @xref{Misc File Ops,Misc File Ops,Miscellaneous File Operations}. |
373 | ||
374 | @item Deletion of Messages | |
07ee224d GM |
375 | Deleting a message (in Rmail, and other mail clients) means flagging |
376 | it to be eliminated from your mail file. Until you expunge (q.v.@:) | |
377 | the Rmail file, you can still undelete the messages you have deleted. | |
378 | @xref{Rmail Deletion}. | |
8cf51b2c GM |
379 | |
380 | @item Deletion of Windows | |
381 | Deleting a window means eliminating it from the screen. Other windows | |
07ee224d GM |
382 | expand to use up the space. The text that was in the window is not |
383 | lost, and you can create a new window with the same dimensions as the | |
384 | old if you wish. @xref{Windows}. | |
8cf51b2c GM |
385 | |
386 | @item Directory | |
387 | File directories are named collections in the file system, within which | |
07ee224d | 388 | you can place individual files or subdirectories. They are sometimes |
8bf27c8a | 389 | referred to as ``folders''. @xref{Directories}. |
8cf51b2c | 390 | |
f99f1641 | 391 | @anchor{Glossary---Directory Local Variable} |
a0706406 GM |
392 | @item Directory Local Variable |
393 | A directory local variable is a local variable (q.v.@:) that applies | |
394 | to all the files within a certain directory. @xref{Directory | |
395 | Variables}. | |
396 | ||
8cf51b2c GM |
397 | @item Dired |
398 | Dired is the Emacs facility that displays the contents of a file | |
8bf27c8a | 399 | directory and allows you to ``edit the directory'', performing |
8cf51b2c GM |
400 | operations on the files in the directory. @xref{Dired}. |
401 | ||
402 | @item Disabled Command | |
403 | A disabled command is one that you may not run without special | |
404 | confirmation. The usual reason for disabling a command is that it is | |
405 | confusing for beginning users. @xref{Disabling}. | |
406 | ||
407 | @item Down Event | |
1df7defd | 408 | Short for `button down event' (q.v.). |
8cf51b2c GM |
409 | |
410 | @item Drag Event | |
07ee224d GM |
411 | A drag event is the kind of input event (q.v.@:) generated when you |
412 | press a mouse button, move the mouse, and then release the button. | |
413 | @xref{Mouse Buttons}. | |
8cf51b2c GM |
414 | |
415 | @item Dribble File | |
416 | A dribble file is a file into which Emacs writes all the characters that | |
07ee224d | 417 | you type on the keyboard. Dribble files can be used to make a record |
8cf51b2c GM |
418 | for debugging Emacs bugs. Emacs does not make a dribble file unless you |
419 | tell it to. @xref{Bugs}. | |
420 | ||
a0706406 GM |
421 | @c TODO? Not really appropriate for the user manual I think. |
422 | @c Dynamic Binding | |
423 | ||
8cf51b2c GM |
424 | @item Echo Area |
425 | The echo area is the bottom line of the screen, used for echoing the | |
426 | arguments to commands, for asking questions, and showing brief messages | |
427 | (including error messages). The messages are stored in the buffer | |
1c64e6ed | 428 | @file{*Messages*} so you can review them later. @xref{Echo Area}. |
8cf51b2c GM |
429 | |
430 | @item Echoing | |
431 | Echoing is acknowledging the receipt of input events by displaying | |
432 | them (in the echo area). Emacs never echoes single-character key | |
433 | sequences; longer key sequences echo only if you pause while typing | |
434 | them. | |
435 | ||
436 | @item Electric | |
437 | We say that a character is electric if it is normally self-inserting | |
1df7defd | 438 | (q.v.), but the current major mode (q.v.@:) redefines it to do something |
8cf51b2c | 439 | else as well. For example, some programming language major modes define |
07ee224d | 440 | particular delimiter characters to reindent the line, or insert one or |
8cf51b2c GM |
441 | more newlines in addition to self-insertion. |
442 | ||
f99f1641 | 443 | @anchor{Glossary---End Of Line} |
8cf51b2c GM |
444 | @item End Of Line |
445 | End of line is a character or a sequence of characters that indicate | |
446 | the end of a text line. On GNU and Unix systems, this is a newline | |
1df7defd | 447 | (q.v.), but other systems have other conventions. @xref{Coding |
8cf51b2c GM |
448 | Systems,end-of-line}. Emacs can recognize several end-of-line |
449 | conventions in files and convert between them. | |
450 | ||
451 | @item Environment Variable | |
452 | An environment variable is one of a collection of variables stored by | |
453 | the operating system, each one having a name and a value. Emacs can | |
454 | access environment variables set by its parent shell, and it can set | |
455 | variables in the environment it passes to programs it invokes. | |
456 | @xref{Environment}. | |
457 | ||
458 | @item EOL | |
f99f1641 | 459 | @xref{Glossary---End Of Line}. |
8cf51b2c GM |
460 | |
461 | @item Error | |
462 | An error occurs when an Emacs command cannot execute in the current | |
463 | circumstances. When an error occurs, execution of the command stops | |
464 | (unless the command has been programmed to do otherwise) and Emacs | |
1df7defd | 465 | reports the error by displaying an error message (q.v.). |
07ee224d GM |
466 | @c Not helpful? |
467 | @c Type-ahead is discarded. Then Emacs is ready to read another | |
468 | @c editing command. | |
8cf51b2c GM |
469 | |
470 | @item Error Message | |
07ee224d GM |
471 | An error message is output displayed by Emacs when you ask it to do |
472 | something impossible (such as, killing text forward when point is at | |
473 | the end of the buffer), or when a command malfunctions in some way. | |
474 | Such messages appear in the echo area, accompanied by a beep. | |
8cf51b2c GM |
475 | |
476 | @item @key{ESC} | |
477 | @key{ESC} is a character used as a prefix for typing Meta characters on | |
478 | keyboards lacking a @key{META} key. Unlike the @key{META} key (which, | |
479 | like the @key{SHIFT} key, is held down while another character is | |
480 | typed), you press the @key{ESC} key as you would press a letter key, and | |
481 | it applies to the next character you type. | |
482 | ||
483 | @item Expression | |
f99f1641 | 484 | @xref{Glossary---Balanced Expression}. |
8cf51b2c GM |
485 | |
486 | @item Expunging | |
07ee224d GM |
487 | Expunging an Rmail, Gnus newsgroup, or Dired buffer is an operation |
488 | that truly discards the messages or files you have previously flagged | |
489 | for deletion. | |
8cf51b2c GM |
490 | |
491 | @item Face | |
492 | A face is a style of displaying characters. It specifies attributes | |
493 | such as font family and size, foreground and background colors, | |
494 | underline and strike-through, background stipple, etc. Emacs provides | |
495 | features to associate specific faces with portions of buffer text, in | |
496 | order to display that text as specified by the face attributes. | |
497 | @xref{Faces}. | |
498 | ||
a0706406 GM |
499 | @item File Local Variable |
500 | A file local variable is a local variable (q.v.@:) specified in a | |
f99f1641 | 501 | given file. @xref{File Variables}, and @ref{Glossary---Directory |
6cac07d8 | 502 | Local Variable}. |
a0706406 | 503 | |
f99f1641 | 504 | @anchor{Glossary---File Locking} |
8cf51b2c GM |
505 | @item File Locking |
506 | Emacs uses file locking to notice when two different users | |
507 | start to edit one file at the same time. @xref{Interlocking}. | |
508 | ||
509 | @item File Name | |
a0706406 | 510 | @c This is fairly tautological... |
8cf51b2c GM |
511 | A file name is a name that refers to a file. File names may be relative |
512 | or absolute; the meaning of a relative file name depends on the current | |
513 | directory, but an absolute file name refers to the same file regardless | |
514 | of which directory is current. On GNU and Unix systems, an absolute | |
515 | file name starts with a slash (the root directory) or with @samp{~/} or | |
516 | @samp{~@var{user}/} (a home directory). On MS-Windows/MS-DOS, an | |
1df7defd | 517 | absolute file name can also start with a drive letter and a colon, e.g., |
8cf51b2c GM |
518 | @samp{@var{d}:}. |
519 | ||
520 | Some people use the term ``pathname'' for file names, but we do not; | |
1df7defd | 521 | we use the word ``path'' only in the term ``search path'' (q.v.). |
8cf51b2c GM |
522 | |
523 | @item File-Name Component | |
524 | A file-name component names a file directly within a particular | |
525 | directory. On GNU and Unix systems, a file name is a sequence of | |
526 | file-name components, separated by slashes. For example, @file{foo/bar} | |
527 | is a file name containing two components, @samp{foo} and @samp{bar}; it | |
528 | refers to the file named @samp{bar} in the directory named @samp{foo} in | |
529 | the current directory. MS-DOS/MS-Windows file names can also use | |
530 | backslashes to separate components, as in @file{foo\bar}. | |
531 | ||
532 | @item Fill Prefix | |
533 | The fill prefix is a string that should be expected at the beginning | |
534 | of each line when filling is done. It is not regarded as part of the | |
535 | text to be filled. @xref{Filling}. | |
536 | ||
f99f1641 | 537 | @anchor{Glossary---Filling} |
8cf51b2c | 538 | @item Filling |
07ee224d GM |
539 | Filling text means adjusting the position of line-breaks to shift text |
540 | between consecutive lines, so that all the lines are approximately the | |
541 | same length. @xref{Filling}. Some other editors call this feature | |
a0706406 | 542 | ``line wrapping''. |
8cf51b2c | 543 | |
f99f1641 | 544 | @anchor{Glossary---Font Lock} |
8cf51b2c | 545 | @item Font Lock |
07ee224d | 546 | Font Lock is a mode that highlights parts of buffer text in different |
a0706406 GM |
547 | faces, according to the syntax. Some other editors refer to this as |
548 | ``syntax highlighting''. For example, all comments (q.v.@:) | |
07ee224d | 549 | might be colored red. @xref{Font Lock}. |
8cf51b2c GM |
550 | |
551 | @item Fontset | |
552 | A fontset is a named collection of fonts. A fontset specification lists | |
553 | character sets and which font to use to display each of them. Fontsets | |
554 | make it easy to change several fonts at once by specifying the name of a | |
555 | fontset, rather than changing each font separately. @xref{Fontsets}. | |
556 | ||
8cf51b2c | 557 | @item Formfeed Character |
f99f1641 | 558 | @xref{Glossary---Page}. |
8cf51b2c GM |
559 | |
560 | @item Frame | |
561 | A frame is a rectangular cluster of Emacs windows. Emacs starts out | |
562 | with one frame, but you can create more. You can subdivide each frame | |
1df7defd PE |
563 | into Emacs windows (q.v.). When you are using a window system |
564 | (q.v.), more than one frame can be visible at the same time. | |
8cf51b2c GM |
565 | @xref{Frames}. Some other editors use the term ``window'' for this, |
566 | but in Emacs a window means something else. | |
567 | ||
07ee224d GM |
568 | @item Free Software |
569 | Free software is software that gives you the freedom to share, study | |
570 | and modify it. Emacs is free software, part of the GNU project | |
1df7defd | 571 | (q.v.), and distributed under a copyleft (q.v.@:) license called the |
07ee224d GM |
572 | GNU General Public License. @xref{Copying}. |
573 | ||
f99f1641 | 574 | @anchor{Glossary---Free Software Foundation} |
07ee224d GM |
575 | @item Free Software Foundation |
576 | The Free Software Foundation (FSF) is a charitable foundation | |
1df7defd | 577 | dedicated to promoting the development of free software (q.v.). |
07ee224d GM |
578 | For more information, see @uref{http://fsf.org/, the FSF website}. |
579 | ||
8cf51b2c | 580 | @item Fringe |
1df7defd | 581 | On a graphical display (q.v.), there's a narrow portion of the frame |
07ee224d | 582 | (q.v.@:) between the text area and the window's border. These |
a0706406 | 583 | ``fringes'' are used to display symbols that provide information about |
07ee224d GM |
584 | the buffer text (@pxref{Fringes}). Emacs displays the fringe using a |
585 | special face (q.v.@:) called @code{fringe}. @xref{Faces,fringe}. | |
586 | ||
587 | @item FSF | |
f99f1641 | 588 | @xref{Glossary---Free Software Foundation}. |
8cf51b2c GM |
589 | |
590 | @item FTP | |
07ee224d | 591 | FTP is an acronym for File Transfer Protocol. This is one standard |
1df7defd | 592 | method for retrieving remote files (q.v.). |
8cf51b2c GM |
593 | |
594 | @item Function Key | |
595 | A function key is a key on the keyboard that sends input but does not | |
596 | correspond to any character. @xref{Function Keys}. | |
597 | ||
598 | @item Global | |
599 | Global means ``independent of the current environment; in effect | |
1df7defd | 600 | throughout Emacs''. It is the opposite of local (q.v.). Particular |
8cf51b2c GM |
601 | examples of the use of `global' appear below. |
602 | ||
603 | @item Global Abbrev | |
604 | A global definition of an abbrev (q.v.@:) is effective in all major | |
605 | modes that do not have local (q.v.@:) definitions for the same abbrev. | |
606 | @xref{Abbrevs}. | |
607 | ||
608 | @item Global Keymap | |
609 | The global keymap (q.v.@:) contains key bindings that are in effect | |
07ee224d | 610 | everywhere, except when overridden by local key bindings in a major |
1df7defd | 611 | mode's local keymap (q.v.). @xref{Keymaps}. |
8cf51b2c GM |
612 | |
613 | @item Global Mark Ring | |
614 | The global mark ring records the series of buffers you have recently | |
615 | set a mark (q.v.@:) in. In many cases you can use this to backtrack | |
07ee224d | 616 | through buffers you have been editing, or in which you have found |
f99f1641 | 617 | tags (@pxref{Glossary---Tags Table}). @xref{Global Mark Ring}. |
8cf51b2c | 618 | |
f99f1641 | 619 | @anchor{Glossary---Global Substitution} |
8cf51b2c GM |
620 | @item Global Substitution |
621 | Global substitution means replacing each occurrence of one string by | |
622 | another string throughout a large amount of text. @xref{Replace}. | |
623 | ||
624 | @item Global Variable | |
625 | The global value of a variable (q.v.@:) takes effect in all buffers | |
626 | that do not have their own local (q.v.@:) values for the variable. | |
627 | @xref{Variables}. | |
628 | ||
07ee224d | 629 | @item GNU |
bd8aaa36 | 630 | GNU is a recursive acronym for GNU's Not Unix, and it refers to a |
1df7defd | 631 | Unix-compatible operating system which is free software (q.v.). |
bd8aaa36 RS |
632 | @xref{Manifesto}. GNU is normally used with Linux as the kernel since |
633 | Linux works better than the GNU kernel. For more information, see | |
07ee224d GM |
634 | @uref{http://www.gnu.org/, the GNU website}. |
635 | ||
8cf51b2c GM |
636 | @item Graphic Character |
637 | Graphic characters are those assigned pictorial images rather than | |
638 | just names. All the non-Meta (q.v.@:) characters except for the | |
639 | Control (q.v.@:) characters are graphic characters. These include | |
640 | letters, digits, punctuation, and spaces; they do not include | |
641 | @key{RET} or @key{ESC}. In Emacs, typing a graphic character inserts | |
642 | that character (in ordinary editing modes). @xref{Inserting Text}. | |
643 | ||
644 | @item Graphical Display | |
645 | A graphical display is one that can display images and multiple fonts. | |
1df7defd | 646 | Usually it also has a window system (q.v.). |
8cf51b2c GM |
647 | |
648 | @item Highlighting | |
649 | Highlighting text means displaying it with a different foreground and/or | |
650 | background color to make it stand out from the rest of the text in the | |
651 | buffer. | |
652 | ||
c8388862 CY |
653 | Emacs uses highlighting in several ways. It highlights the region |
654 | whenever it is active (@pxref{Mark}). Incremental search also | |
f99f1641 | 655 | highlights matches (@pxref{Incremental Search}). @xref{Glossary---Font Lock}. |
8cf51b2c GM |
656 | |
657 | @item Hardcopy | |
07ee224d GM |
658 | Hardcopy means printed output. Emacs has various commands for |
659 | printing the contents of Emacs buffers. @xref{Printing}. | |
8cf51b2c GM |
660 | |
661 | @item @key{HELP} | |
662 | @key{HELP} is the Emacs name for @kbd{C-h} or @key{F1}. You can type | |
a0706406 | 663 | @key{HELP} at any time to ask what options you have, or to ask what a |
8cf51b2c GM |
664 | command does. @xref{Help}. |
665 | ||
666 | @item Help Echo | |
07ee224d GM |
667 | Help echo is a short message displayed in the echo area (q.v.@:) when |
668 | the mouse pointer is located on portions of display that require some | |
8cf51b2c | 669 | explanations. Emacs displays help echo for menu items, parts of the |
a0706406 | 670 | mode line, tool-bar buttons, etc. On graphical displays, the messages |
1df7defd | 671 | can be displayed as tooltips (q.v.). @xref{Tooltips}. |
8cf51b2c | 672 | |
07ee224d GM |
673 | @item Home Directory |
674 | Your home directory contains your personal files. On a multi-user GNU | |
675 | or Unix system, each user has his or her own home directory. When you | |
676 | start a new login session, your home directory is the default | |
677 | directory in which to start. A standard shorthand for your home | |
678 | directory is @samp{~}. Similarly, @samp{~@var{user}} represents the | |
679 | home directory of some other user. | |
680 | ||
8cf51b2c GM |
681 | @item Hook |
682 | A hook is a list of functions to be called on specific occasions, such | |
683 | as saving a buffer in a file, major mode activation, etc. By | |
684 | customizing the various hooks, you can modify Emacs's behavior without | |
685 | changing any of its code. @xref{Hooks}. | |
686 | ||
687 | @item Hyper | |
07ee224d | 688 | Hyper is the name of a modifier bit that a keyboard input character may |
8cf51b2c | 689 | have. To make a character Hyper, type it while holding down the |
d7e9a7f8 | 690 | @key{Hyper} key. Such characters are given names that start with |
07ee224d | 691 | @kbd{Hyper-} (usually written @kbd{H-} for short). @xref{User Input}. |
8cf51b2c GM |
692 | |
693 | @item Iff | |
8bf27c8a | 694 | ``Iff'' means ``if and only if''. This terminology comes from |
8cf51b2c GM |
695 | mathematics. Try to avoid using this term in documentation, since |
696 | many are unfamiliar with it and mistake it for a typo. | |
697 | ||
698 | @item Inbox | |
699 | An inbox is a file in which mail is delivered by the operating system. | |
a0706406 | 700 | Rmail transfers mail from inboxes to Rmail files in which the |
8cf51b2c GM |
701 | mail is then stored permanently or until explicitly deleted. |
702 | @xref{Rmail Inbox}. | |
703 | ||
f99f1641 | 704 | @anchor{Glossary---Incremental Search} |
8cf51b2c | 705 | @item Incremental Search |
07ee224d GM |
706 | Emacs provides an incremental search facility, whereby Emacs begins |
707 | searching for a string as soon as you type the first character. | |
708 | As you type more characters, it refines the search. @xref{Incremental Search}. | |
8cf51b2c GM |
709 | |
710 | @item Indentation | |
711 | Indentation means blank space at the beginning of a line. Most | |
712 | programming languages have conventions for using indentation to | |
713 | illuminate the structure of the program, and Emacs has special | |
714 | commands to adjust indentation. | |
715 | @xref{Indentation}. | |
716 | ||
717 | @item Indirect Buffer | |
718 | An indirect buffer is a buffer that shares the text of another buffer, | |
1df7defd | 719 | called its base buffer (q.v.). @xref{Indirect Buffers}. |
8cf51b2c GM |
720 | |
721 | @item Info | |
722 | Info is the hypertext format used by the GNU project for writing | |
723 | documentation. | |
724 | ||
725 | @item Input Event | |
726 | An input event represents, within Emacs, one action taken by the user on | |
727 | the terminal. Input events include typing characters, typing function | |
728 | keys, pressing or releasing mouse buttons, and switching between Emacs | |
729 | frames. @xref{User Input}. | |
730 | ||
731 | @item Input Method | |
732 | An input method is a system for entering non-@acronym{ASCII} text characters by | |
1df7defd | 733 | typing sequences of @acronym{ASCII} characters (q.v.). @xref{Input Methods}. |
8cf51b2c GM |
734 | |
735 | @item Insertion | |
07ee224d | 736 | Insertion means adding text into the buffer, either from the keyboard |
8cf51b2c GM |
737 | or from some other place in Emacs. |
738 | ||
739 | @item Interlocking | |
f99f1641 | 740 | @xref{Glossary---File Locking}. |
8cf51b2c GM |
741 | |
742 | @item Isearch | |
f99f1641 | 743 | @xref{Glossary---Incremental Search}. |
8cf51b2c GM |
744 | |
745 | @item Justification | |
8863a584 CY |
746 | Justification means adding extra spaces within lines of text in order |
747 | to adjust the position of the text edges. @xref{Fill Commands}. | |
8cf51b2c | 748 | |
5a331f34 | 749 | @item Key Binding |
f99f1641 | 750 | @xref{Glossary---Binding}. |
8cf51b2c GM |
751 | |
752 | @item Keyboard Macro | |
753 | Keyboard macros are a way of defining new Emacs commands from | |
754 | sequences of existing ones, with no need to write a Lisp program. | |
07ee224d GM |
755 | You can use a macro to record a sequence of commands, then |
756 | play them back as many times as you like. | |
8cf51b2c GM |
757 | @xref{Keyboard Macros}. |
758 | ||
759 | @cindex keyboard shortcuts | |
760 | @item Keyboard Shortcut | |
a0706406 | 761 | A keyboard shortcut is a key sequence (q.v.@:) that invokes a |
8bf27c8a | 762 | command. What some programs call ``assigning a keyboard shortcut'', |
f99f1641 | 763 | Emacs calls ``binding a key sequence''. @xref{Glossary---Binding}. |
8cf51b2c GM |
764 | |
765 | @item Key Sequence | |
766 | A key sequence (key, for short) is a sequence of input events (q.v.@:) | |
767 | that are meaningful as a single unit. If the key sequence is enough to | |
1df7defd PE |
768 | specify one action, it is a complete key (q.v.); if it is not enough, |
769 | it is a prefix key (q.v.). @xref{Keys}. | |
8cf51b2c GM |
770 | |
771 | @item Keymap | |
772 | The keymap is the data structure that records the bindings (q.v.@:) of | |
773 | key sequences to the commands that they run. For example, the global | |
774 | keymap binds the character @kbd{C-n} to the command function | |
775 | @code{next-line}. @xref{Keymaps}. | |
776 | ||
777 | @item Keyboard Translation Table | |
778 | The keyboard translation table is an array that translates the character | |
779 | codes that come from the terminal into the character codes that make up | |
780 | key sequences. | |
781 | ||
782 | @item Kill Ring | |
f99f1641 | 783 | The kill ring is where all text you have killed (@pxref{Glossary---Killing}) |
a0706406 | 784 | recently is saved. You can reinsert any of the killed text still in |
1df7defd | 785 | the ring; this is called yanking (q.v.). @xref{Yanking}. |
8cf51b2c | 786 | |
f99f1641 | 787 | @anchor{Glossary---Killing} |
8cf51b2c GM |
788 | @item Killing |
789 | Killing means erasing text and saving it on the kill ring so it can be | |
8bf27c8a | 790 | yanked (q.v.@:) later. Some other systems call this ``cutting''. |
8cf51b2c | 791 | Most Emacs commands that erase text perform killing, as opposed to |
1df7defd | 792 | deletion (q.v.). @xref{Killing}. |
8cf51b2c GM |
793 | |
794 | @item Killing a Job | |
795 | Killing a job (such as, an invocation of Emacs) means making it cease | |
796 | to exist. Any data within it, if not saved in a file, is lost. | |
797 | @xref{Exiting}. | |
798 | ||
799 | @item Language Environment | |
800 | Your choice of language environment specifies defaults for the input | |
1df7defd | 801 | method (q.v.@:) and coding system (q.v.). @xref{Language |
07ee224d GM |
802 | Environments}. These defaults are relevant if you edit |
803 | non-@acronym{ASCII} text (@pxref{International}). | |
8cf51b2c | 804 | |
a0706406 GM |
805 | @c TODO? Not really appropriate for the user manual I think. |
806 | @c Lexical Binding | |
807 | ||
8cf51b2c | 808 | @item Line Wrapping |
f99f1641 | 809 | @xref{Glossary---Filling}. |
8cf51b2c GM |
810 | |
811 | @item Lisp | |
812 | Lisp is a programming language. Most of Emacs is written in a dialect | |
07ee224d | 813 | of Lisp, called Emacs Lisp, which is extended with special features that |
8cf51b2c GM |
814 | make it especially suitable for text editing tasks. |
815 | ||
816 | @item List | |
817 | A list is, approximately, a text string beginning with an open | |
818 | parenthesis and ending with the matching close parenthesis. In C mode | |
819 | and other non-Lisp modes, groupings surrounded by other kinds of matched | |
820 | delimiters appropriate to the language, such as braces, are also | |
821 | considered lists. Emacs has special commands for many operations on | |
822 | lists. @xref{Moving by Parens}. | |
823 | ||
824 | @item Local | |
825 | Local means ``in effect only in a particular context''; the relevant | |
826 | kind of context is a particular function execution, a particular | |
827 | buffer, or a particular major mode. It is the opposite of `global' | |
1df7defd | 828 | (q.v.). Specific uses of `local' in Emacs terminology appear below. |
8cf51b2c GM |
829 | |
830 | @item Local Abbrev | |
831 | A local abbrev definition is effective only if a particular major mode | |
832 | is selected. In that major mode, it overrides any global definition | |
833 | for the same abbrev. @xref{Abbrevs}. | |
834 | ||
835 | @item Local Keymap | |
836 | A local keymap is used in a particular major mode; the key bindings | |
837 | (q.v.@:) in the current local keymap override global bindings of the | |
838 | same key sequences. @xref{Keymaps}. | |
839 | ||
840 | @item Local Variable | |
841 | A local value of a variable (q.v.@:) applies to only one buffer. | |
842 | @xref{Locals}. | |
843 | ||
844 | @item @kbd{M-} | |
d7e9a7f8 | 845 | @kbd{M-} in the name of a character is an abbreviation for @key{Meta}, |
8cf51b2c GM |
846 | one of the modifier keys that can accompany any character. |
847 | @xref{User Input,M-}. | |
848 | ||
849 | @item @kbd{M-C-} | |
850 | @kbd{M-C-} in the name of a character is an abbreviation for | |
1df7defd | 851 | Control-Meta; it means the same thing as `@kbd{C-M-}' (q.v.). |
8cf51b2c GM |
852 | |
853 | @item @kbd{M-x} | |
07ee224d | 854 | @kbd{M-x} is the key sequence that is used to call an Emacs command by |
8cf51b2c GM |
855 | name. This is how you run commands that are not bound to key sequences. |
856 | @xref{M-x,M-x,Running Commands by Name}. | |
857 | ||
f99f1641 | 858 | @anchor{Glossary---Mail} |
8cf51b2c GM |
859 | @item Mail |
860 | Mail means messages sent from one user to another through the computer | |
861 | system, to be read at the recipient's convenience. Emacs has commands for | |
862 | composing and sending mail, and for reading and editing the mail you have | |
07ee224d GM |
863 | received. @xref{Sending Mail}. @xref{Rmail}, for one way to read |
864 | mail with Emacs. | |
8cf51b2c GM |
865 | |
866 | @item Mail Composition Method | |
867 | A mail composition method is a program runnable within Emacs for editing | |
868 | and sending a mail message. Emacs lets you select from several | |
869 | alternative mail composition methods. @xref{Mail Methods}. | |
870 | ||
871 | @item Major Mode | |
872 | The Emacs major modes are a mutually exclusive set of options, each of | |
873 | which configures Emacs for editing a certain sort of text. Ideally, | |
874 | each programming language has its own major mode. @xref{Major Modes}. | |
875 | ||
d3110177 | 876 | @c FIXME: Mention margins for filling? |
8cf51b2c GM |
877 | @item Margin |
878 | The space between the usable part of a window (including the | |
879 | fringe) and the window edge. | |
880 | ||
881 | @item Mark | |
882 | The mark points to a position in the text. It specifies one end of the | |
1df7defd | 883 | region (q.v.), point being the other end. Many commands operate on |
8cf51b2c GM |
884 | all the text from point to the mark. Each buffer has its own mark. |
885 | @xref{Mark}. | |
886 | ||
887 | @item Mark Ring | |
888 | The mark ring is used to hold several recent previous locations of the | |
a0706406 | 889 | mark, in case you want to move back to them. Each buffer has its |
1df7defd | 890 | own mark ring; in addition, there is a single global mark ring (q.v.). |
8cf51b2c GM |
891 | @xref{Mark Ring}. |
892 | ||
893 | @item Menu Bar | |
07ee224d | 894 | The menu bar is a line at the top of an Emacs frame. It contains |
8cf51b2c GM |
895 | words you can click on with the mouse to bring up menus, or you can use |
896 | a keyboard interface to navigate it. @xref{Menu Bars}. | |
897 | ||
898 | @item Message | |
f99f1641 | 899 | @xref{Glossary---Mail}. |
8cf51b2c GM |
900 | |
901 | @item Meta | |
902 | Meta is the name of a modifier bit which you can use in a command | |
d7e9a7f8 | 903 | character. To enter a meta character, you hold down the @key{Meta} |
8cf51b2c GM |
904 | key while typing the character. We refer to such characters with |
905 | names that start with @kbd{Meta-} (usually written @kbd{M-} for | |
d7e9a7f8 | 906 | short). For example, @kbd{M-<} is typed by holding down @key{Meta} |
8cf51b2c GM |
907 | and at the same time typing @kbd{<} (which itself is done, on most |
908 | terminals, by holding down @key{SHIFT} and typing @kbd{,}). | |
909 | @xref{User Input,Meta}. | |
910 | ||
d7e9a7f8 EZ |
911 | On some terminals, the @key{Meta} key is actually labeled @key{Alt} |
912 | or @key{Edit}. | |
8cf51b2c GM |
913 | |
914 | @item Meta Character | |
915 | A Meta character is one whose character code includes the Meta bit. | |
916 | ||
917 | @item Minibuffer | |
918 | The minibuffer is the window that appears when necessary inside the | |
1df7defd | 919 | echo area (q.v.), used for reading arguments to commands. |
8cf51b2c GM |
920 | @xref{Minibuffer}. |
921 | ||
f99f1641 | 922 | @anchor{Glossary---Minibuffer History} |
8cf51b2c GM |
923 | @item Minibuffer History |
924 | The minibuffer history records the text you have specified in the past | |
925 | for minibuffer arguments, so you can conveniently use the same text | |
926 | again. @xref{Minibuffer History}. | |
927 | ||
928 | @item Minor Mode | |
a0706406 | 929 | A minor mode is an optional feature of Emacs, which can be switched on |
8cf51b2c | 930 | or off independently of all other features. Each minor mode has a |
1df7defd PE |
931 | command to turn it on or off. Some minor modes are global (q.v.), |
932 | and some are local (q.v.). @xref{Minor Modes}. | |
8cf51b2c GM |
933 | |
934 | @item Minor Mode Keymap | |
935 | A minor mode keymap is a keymap that belongs to a minor mode and is | |
936 | active when that mode is enabled. Minor mode keymaps take precedence | |
937 | over the buffer's local keymap, just as the local keymap takes | |
938 | precedence over the global keymap. @xref{Keymaps}. | |
939 | ||
940 | @item Mode Line | |
1df7defd | 941 | The mode line is the line at the bottom of each window (q.v.), giving |
8cf51b2c GM |
942 | status information on the buffer displayed in that window. @xref{Mode |
943 | Line}. | |
944 | ||
945 | @item Modified Buffer | |
946 | A buffer (q.v.@:) is modified if its text has been changed since the | |
07ee224d | 947 | last time the buffer was saved (or since it was created, if it |
8cf51b2c GM |
948 | has never been saved). @xref{Saving}. |
949 | ||
950 | @item Moving Text | |
951 | Moving text means erasing it from one place and inserting it in | |
952 | another. The usual way to move text is by killing (q.v.@:) it and then | |
953 | yanking (q.v.@:) it. @xref{Killing}. | |
954 | ||
955 | @item MULE | |
c9352587 CY |
956 | @cindex MULE |
957 | Prior to Emacs 23, @acronym{MULE} was the name of a software package | |
958 | which provided a @dfn{MULtilingual Enhancement} to Emacs, by adding | |
959 | support for multiple character sets (q.v.). @acronym{MULE} was later | |
960 | integrated into Emacs, and much of it was replaced when Emacs gained | |
961 | internal Unicode support in version 23. | |
962 | ||
963 | Some parts of Emacs that deal with character set support still use the | |
964 | @acronym{MULE} name. @xref{International}. | |
8cf51b2c GM |
965 | |
966 | @item Multibyte Character | |
967 | A multibyte character is a character that takes up several bytes in a | |
968 | buffer. Emacs uses multibyte characters to represent non-@acronym{ASCII} text, | |
969 | since the number of non-@acronym{ASCII} characters is much more than 256. | |
970 | @xref{International Chars, International Characters}. | |
971 | ||
972 | @item Named Mark | |
1df7defd | 973 | A named mark is a register (q.v.), in its role of recording a |
8cf51b2c GM |
974 | location in text so that you can move point to that location. |
975 | @xref{Registers}. | |
976 | ||
977 | @item Narrowing | |
978 | Narrowing means creating a restriction (q.v.@:) that limits editing in | |
07ee224d GM |
979 | the current buffer to only a part of the text. Text outside that part |
980 | is inaccessible for editing (or viewing) until the boundaries are | |
8cf51b2c GM |
981 | widened again, but it is still there, and saving the file saves it |
982 | all. @xref{Narrowing}. | |
983 | ||
984 | @item Newline | |
985 | Control-J characters in the buffer terminate lines of text and are | |
f99f1641 | 986 | therefore also called newlines. @xref{Glossary---End Of Line}. |
8cf51b2c GM |
987 | |
988 | @cindex nil | |
989 | @cindex t | |
990 | @item @code{nil} | |
8bf27c8a GM |
991 | @code{nil} is a value usually interpreted as a logical ``false''. Its |
992 | opposite is @code{t}, interpreted as ``true''. | |
8cf51b2c | 993 | |
f99f1641 | 994 | @anchor{Glossary---Numeric Argument} |
8cf51b2c GM |
995 | @item Numeric Argument |
996 | A numeric argument is a number, specified before a command, to change | |
997 | the effect of the command. Often the numeric argument serves as a | |
998 | repeat count. @xref{Arguments}. | |
999 | ||
1000 | @item Overwrite Mode | |
1001 | Overwrite mode is a minor mode. When it is enabled, ordinary text | |
1002 | characters replace the existing text after point rather than pushing | |
a0706406 GM |
1003 | it to one side. @xref{Minor Modes}. |
1004 | ||
1005 | @item Package | |
1006 | A package is a collection of Lisp code that you download and | |
1007 | automatically install from within Emacs. Packages provide a | |
1008 | convenient way to add new features. @xref{Packages}. | |
8cf51b2c | 1009 | |
f99f1641 | 1010 | @anchor{Glossary---Page} |
8cf51b2c GM |
1011 | @item Page |
1012 | A page is a unit of text, delimited by formfeed characters (@acronym{ASCII} | |
a0706406 | 1013 | control-L, code 014) at the beginning of a line. Some Emacs |
8cf51b2c GM |
1014 | commands are provided for moving over and operating on pages. |
1015 | @xref{Pages}. | |
1016 | ||
1017 | @item Paragraph | |
1018 | Paragraphs are the medium-size unit of human-language text. There are | |
1019 | special Emacs commands for moving over and operating on paragraphs. | |
1020 | @xref{Paragraphs}. | |
1021 | ||
1022 | @item Parsing | |
1023 | We say that certain Emacs commands parse words or expressions in the | |
1024 | text being edited. Really, all they know how to do is find the other | |
6cfd0fa2 | 1025 | end of a word or expression. |
8cf51b2c GM |
1026 | |
1027 | @item Point | |
1028 | Point is the place in the buffer at which insertion and deletion | |
1029 | occur. Point is considered to be between two characters, not at one | |
1030 | character. The terminal's cursor (q.v.@:) indicates the location of | |
1031 | point. @xref{Point}. | |
1032 | ||
1033 | @item Prefix Argument | |
f99f1641 | 1034 | @xref{Glossary---Numeric Argument}. |
8cf51b2c GM |
1035 | |
1036 | @item Prefix Key | |
1037 | A prefix key is a key sequence (q.v.@:) whose sole function is to | |
1038 | introduce a set of longer key sequences. @kbd{C-x} is an example of | |
1039 | prefix key; any two-character sequence starting with @kbd{C-x} is | |
1040 | therefore a legitimate key sequence. @xref{Keys}. | |
1041 | ||
8bf27c8a GM |
1042 | @c I don't think this kind of thing needs to be here. |
1043 | @ignore | |
8cf51b2c GM |
1044 | @item Primary Rmail File |
1045 | Your primary Rmail file is the file named @samp{RMAIL} in your home | |
1046 | directory. That's where Rmail stores your incoming mail, unless you | |
1047 | specify a different file name. @xref{Rmail}. | |
8bf27c8a | 1048 | @end ignore |
8cf51b2c GM |
1049 | |
1050 | @item Primary Selection | |
1df7defd | 1051 | The primary selection is one particular X selection (q.v.); it is the |
8cf51b2c GM |
1052 | selection that most X applications use for transferring text to and from |
1053 | other applications. | |
1054 | ||
1055 | The Emacs kill commands set the primary selection and the yank command | |
1056 | uses the primary selection when appropriate. @xref{Killing}. | |
1057 | ||
1058 | @item Prompt | |
07ee224d | 1059 | A prompt is text used to ask you for input. Displaying a prompt |
8cf51b2c | 1060 | is called prompting. Emacs prompts always appear in the echo area |
1df7defd | 1061 | (q.v.). One kind of prompting happens when the minibuffer is used to |
07ee224d | 1062 | read an argument (@pxref{Minibuffer}); the echoing that happens when |
8cf51b2c GM |
1063 | you pause in the middle of typing a multi-character key sequence is also |
1064 | a kind of prompting (@pxref{Echo Area}). | |
1065 | ||
1066 | @item Query-Replace | |
1067 | Query-replace is an interactive string replacement feature provided by | |
1068 | Emacs. @xref{Query Replace}. | |
1069 | ||
f99f1641 | 1070 | @anchor{Glossary---Quitting} |
8cf51b2c GM |
1071 | @item Quitting |
1072 | Quitting means canceling a partially typed command or a running | |
1073 | command, using @kbd{C-g} (or @kbd{C-@key{BREAK}} on MS-DOS). @xref{Quitting}. | |
1074 | ||
1075 | @item Quoting | |
1076 | Quoting means depriving a character of its usual special significance. | |
1077 | The most common kind of quoting in Emacs is with @kbd{C-q}. What | |
1078 | constitutes special significance depends on the context and on | |
1079 | convention. For example, an ``ordinary'' character as an Emacs command | |
1080 | inserts itself; so in this context, a special character is any character | |
1081 | that does not normally insert itself (such as @key{DEL}, for example), | |
1082 | and quoting it makes it insert itself as if it were not special. Not | |
1083 | all contexts allow quoting. @xref{Inserting Text,Quoting}. | |
1084 | ||
1085 | @item Quoting File Names | |
1086 | Quoting a file name turns off the special significance of constructs | |
1087 | such as @samp{$}, @samp{~} and @samp{:}. @xref{Quoted File Names}. | |
1088 | ||
1089 | @item Read-Only Buffer | |
1090 | A read-only buffer is one whose text you are not allowed to change. | |
1091 | Normally Emacs makes buffers read-only when they contain text which | |
1092 | has a special significance to Emacs; for example, Dired buffers. | |
1093 | Visiting a file that is write-protected also makes a read-only buffer. | |
1094 | @xref{Buffers}. | |
1095 | ||
1096 | @item Rectangle | |
1097 | A rectangle consists of the text in a given range of columns on a given | |
1098 | range of lines. Normally you specify a rectangle by putting point at | |
1099 | one corner and putting the mark at the diagonally opposite corner. | |
1100 | @xref{Rectangles}. | |
1101 | ||
1102 | @item Recursive Editing Level | |
1103 | A recursive editing level is a state in which part of the execution of | |
1104 | a command involves asking you to edit some text. This text may | |
1105 | or may not be the same as the text to which the command was applied. | |
1106 | The mode line indicates recursive editing levels with square brackets | |
1107 | (@samp{[} and @samp{]}). @xref{Recursive Edit}. | |
1108 | ||
1109 | @item Redisplay | |
1110 | Redisplay is the process of correcting the image on the screen to | |
1111 | correspond to changes that have been made in the text being edited. | |
1112 | @xref{Screen,Redisplay}. | |
1113 | ||
1114 | @item Regexp | |
f99f1641 | 1115 | @xref{Glossary---Regular Expression}. |
8cf51b2c GM |
1116 | |
1117 | @item Region | |
1df7defd | 1118 | The region is the text between point (q.v.@:) and the mark (q.v.). |
8cf51b2c GM |
1119 | Many commands operate on the text of the region. @xref{Mark,Region}. |
1120 | ||
1121 | @item Register | |
07ee224d | 1122 | Registers are named slots in which text, buffer positions, or |
8cf51b2c | 1123 | rectangles can be saved for later use. @xref{Registers}. A related |
1df7defd | 1124 | Emacs feature is `bookmarks' (q.v.). |
8cf51b2c | 1125 | |
f99f1641 | 1126 | @anchor{Glossary---Regular Expression} |
8cf51b2c GM |
1127 | @item Regular Expression |
1128 | A regular expression is a pattern that can match various text strings; | |
1129 | for example, @samp{a[0-9]+} matches @samp{a} followed by one or more | |
1130 | digits. @xref{Regexps}. | |
1131 | ||
1132 | @item Remote File | |
1133 | A remote file is a file that is stored on a system other than your own. | |
1134 | Emacs can access files on other computers provided that they are | |
1135 | connected to the same network as your machine, and (obviously) that | |
1136 | you have a supported method to gain access to those files. | |
1137 | @xref{Remote Files}. | |
1138 | ||
1139 | @item Repeat Count | |
f99f1641 | 1140 | @xref{Glossary---Numeric Argument}. |
8cf51b2c GM |
1141 | |
1142 | @item Replacement | |
f99f1641 | 1143 | @xref{Glossary---Global Substitution}. |
8cf51b2c GM |
1144 | |
1145 | @item Restriction | |
1146 | A buffer's restriction is the amount of text, at the beginning or the | |
1147 | end of the buffer, that is temporarily inaccessible. Giving a buffer a | |
1df7defd PE |
1148 | nonzero amount of restriction is called narrowing (q.v.); removing |
1149 | a restriction is called widening (q.v.). @xref{Narrowing}. | |
8cf51b2c GM |
1150 | |
1151 | @item @key{RET} | |
1152 | @key{RET} is a character that in Emacs runs the command to insert a | |
1153 | newline into the text. It is also used to terminate most arguments | |
1df7defd | 1154 | read in the minibuffer (q.v.). @xref{User Input,Return}. |
8cf51b2c GM |
1155 | |
1156 | @item Reverting | |
1157 | Reverting means returning to the original state. Emacs lets you | |
1158 | revert a buffer by re-reading its file from disk. @xref{Reverting}. | |
1159 | ||
8bf27c8a GM |
1160 | @c Seems too obvious, also there is nothing special about the format |
1161 | @c these days. | |
1162 | @ignore | |
8cf51b2c | 1163 | @item Rmail File |
07ee224d | 1164 | An Rmail file is a file containing text in the format used by |
8cf51b2c | 1165 | Rmail for storing mail. @xref{Rmail}. |
8bf27c8a | 1166 | @end ignore |
8cf51b2c GM |
1167 | |
1168 | @item Saving | |
1169 | Saving a buffer means copying its text into the file that was visited | |
1170 | (q.v.@:) in that buffer. This is the way text in files actually gets | |
1171 | changed by your Emacs editing. @xref{Saving}. | |
1172 | ||
1173 | @item Scroll Bar | |
1174 | A scroll bar is a tall thin hollow box that appears at the side of a | |
1175 | window. You can use mouse commands in the scroll bar to scroll the | |
1176 | window. The scroll bar feature is supported only under windowing | |
1177 | systems. @xref{Scroll Bars}. | |
1178 | ||
1179 | @item Scrolling | |
1180 | Scrolling means shifting the text in the Emacs window so as to see a | |
1181 | different part of the buffer. @xref{Scrolling}. | |
1182 | ||
1183 | @item Searching | |
1184 | Searching means moving point to the next occurrence of a specified | |
1185 | string or the next match for a specified regular expression. | |
1186 | @xref{Search}. | |
1187 | ||
1188 | @item Search Path | |
1189 | A search path is a list of directory names, to be used for searching for | |
1190 | files for certain purposes. For example, the variable @code{load-path} | |
1191 | holds a search path for finding Lisp library files. @xref{Lisp Libraries}. | |
1192 | ||
1193 | @item Secondary Selection | |
1df7defd | 1194 | The secondary selection is one particular X selection (q.v.); some X |
8cf51b2c GM |
1195 | applications can use it for transferring text to and from other |
1196 | applications. Emacs has special mouse commands for transferring text | |
1197 | using the secondary selection. @xref{Secondary Selection}. | |
1198 | ||
1199 | @item Selected Frame | |
1200 | The selected frame is the one your input currently operates on. | |
1201 | @xref{Frames}. | |
1202 | ||
1203 | @item Selected Window | |
8dc17977 | 1204 | The selected window is the one your input currently operates on. |
8cf51b2c GM |
1205 | @xref{Basic Window}. |
1206 | ||
1207 | @item Selecting a Buffer | |
1208 | Selecting a buffer means making it the current (q.v.@:) buffer. | |
1209 | @xref{Select Buffer}. | |
1210 | ||
1211 | @item Selection | |
1212 | Windowing systems allow an application program to specify | |
1213 | selections whose values are text. A program can also read the | |
1214 | selections that other programs have set up. This is the principal way | |
1215 | of transferring text between window applications. Emacs has commands to | |
1216 | work with the primary (q.v.@:) selection and the secondary (q.v.@:) | |
1df7defd | 1217 | selection, and also with the clipboard (q.v.). |
8cf51b2c GM |
1218 | |
1219 | @item Self-Documentation | |
07ee224d | 1220 | Self-documentation is the feature of Emacs that can tell you what any |
8cf51b2c GM |
1221 | command does, or give you a list of all commands related to a topic |
1222 | you specify. You ask for self-documentation with the help character, | |
1223 | @kbd{C-h}. @xref{Help}. | |
1224 | ||
1225 | @item Self-Inserting Character | |
1226 | A character is self-inserting if typing that character inserts that | |
1227 | character in the buffer. Ordinary printing and whitespace characters | |
1228 | are self-inserting in Emacs, except in certain special major modes. | |
1229 | ||
1230 | @item Sentences | |
1231 | Emacs has commands for moving by or killing by sentences. | |
1232 | @xref{Sentences}. | |
1233 | ||
f99f1641 | 1234 | @anchor{Glossary---Server} |
a0706406 GM |
1235 | @item Server |
1236 | Within Emacs, you can start a `server' process, which listens for | |
1237 | connections from `clients'. This offers a faster alternative to | |
6cac07d8 | 1238 | starting several Emacs instances. @xref{Emacs Server}, and |
f99f1641 | 1239 | @ref{Glossary---Daemon}. |
a0706406 GM |
1240 | |
1241 | @c This is only covered in the lispref, not the user manual. | |
1242 | @ignore | |
1243 | @item Session Manager | |
1244 | Some window systems (q.v.@:) provide a tool called a `session manager'. | |
1245 | This offers the ability to save your windows when you log off, | |
1246 | and restore them after you log in again. | |
1247 | @end ignore | |
1248 | ||
8cf51b2c GM |
1249 | @item Sexp |
1250 | A sexp (short for ``s-expression'') is the basic syntactic unit of | |
1251 | Lisp in its textual form: either a list, or Lisp atom. Sexps are also | |
1252 | the balanced expressions (q.v.@:) of the Lisp language; this is why | |
1253 | the commands for editing balanced expressions have `sexp' in their | |
1254 | name. @xref{Expressions,Sexps}. | |
1255 | ||
1256 | @item Simultaneous Editing | |
1257 | Simultaneous editing means two users modifying the same file at once. | |
1258 | Simultaneous editing, if not detected, can cause one user to lose his | |
1259 | or her work. Emacs detects all cases of simultaneous editing, and | |
1260 | warns one of the users to investigate. | |
1261 | @xref{Interlocking,Interlocking,Simultaneous Editing}. | |
1262 | ||
1263 | @item @key{SPC} | |
1264 | @key{SPC} is the space character, which you enter by pressing the | |
1265 | space bar. | |
1266 | ||
1267 | @item Speedbar | |
1268 | The speedbar is a special tall frame that provides fast access to Emacs | |
1269 | buffers, functions within those buffers, Info nodes, and other | |
1270 | interesting parts of text within Emacs. @xref{Speedbar}. | |
1271 | ||
1272 | @item Spell Checking | |
1273 | Spell checking means checking correctness of the written form of each | |
07ee224d GM |
1274 | one of the words in a text. Emacs can use various external |
1275 | spelling-checker programs to check the spelling of parts of a buffer | |
1276 | via a convenient user interface. @xref{Spelling}. | |
8cf51b2c GM |
1277 | |
1278 | @item String | |
a0706406 | 1279 | A string is a kind of Lisp data object that contains a sequence of |
8cf51b2c GM |
1280 | characters. Many Emacs variables are intended to have strings as |
1281 | values. The Lisp syntax for a string consists of the characters in the | |
1282 | string with a @samp{"} before and another @samp{"} after. A @samp{"} | |
1283 | that is part of the string must be written as @samp{\"} and a @samp{\} | |
1284 | that is part of the string must be written as @samp{\\}. All other | |
1285 | characters, including newline, can be included just by writing them | |
1286 | inside the string; however, backslash sequences as in C, such as | |
1287 | @samp{\n} for newline or @samp{\241} using an octal character code, are | |
1288 | allowed as well. | |
1289 | ||
1290 | @item String Substitution | |
f99f1641 | 1291 | @xref{Glossary---Global Substitution}. |
8cf51b2c GM |
1292 | |
1293 | @item Syntax Highlighting | |
f99f1641 | 1294 | @xref{Glossary---Font Lock}. |
8cf51b2c GM |
1295 | |
1296 | @item Syntax Table | |
1297 | The syntax table tells Emacs which characters are part of a word, | |
1298 | which characters balance each other like parentheses, etc. | |
6cfd0fa2 CY |
1299 | @xref{Syntax Tables,, Syntax Tables, elisp, The Emacs Lisp Reference |
1300 | Manual}. | |
8cf51b2c GM |
1301 | |
1302 | @item Super | |
07ee224d | 1303 | Super is the name of a modifier bit that a keyboard input character may |
8cf51b2c GM |
1304 | have. To make a character Super, type it while holding down the |
1305 | @key{SUPER} key. Such characters are given names that start with | |
07ee224d | 1306 | @kbd{Super-} (usually written @kbd{s-} for short). @xref{User Input}. |
8cf51b2c GM |
1307 | |
1308 | @item Suspending | |
1309 | Suspending Emacs means stopping it temporarily and returning control | |
1310 | to its parent process, which is usually a shell. Unlike killing a job | |
1df7defd | 1311 | (q.v.), you can later resume the suspended Emacs job without losing |
8cf51b2c GM |
1312 | your buffers, unsaved edits, undo history, etc. @xref{Exiting}. |
1313 | ||
1314 | @item @key{TAB} | |
1315 | @key{TAB} is the tab character. In Emacs it is typically used for | |
1316 | indentation or completion. | |
1317 | ||
f99f1641 | 1318 | @anchor{Glossary---Tags Table} |
8cf51b2c GM |
1319 | @item Tags Table |
1320 | A tags table is a file that serves as an index to the function | |
1321 | definitions in one or more other files. @xref{Tags}. | |
1322 | ||
1323 | @item Termscript File | |
1324 | A termscript file contains a record of all characters sent by Emacs to | |
1325 | the terminal. It is used for tracking down bugs in Emacs redisplay. | |
1326 | Emacs does not make a termscript file unless you tell it to. | |
1327 | @xref{Bugs}. | |
1328 | ||
1329 | @item Text | |
1330 | `Text' has two meanings (@pxref{Text}): | |
1331 | ||
1332 | @itemize @bullet | |
1333 | @item | |
1334 | Data consisting of a sequence of characters, as opposed to binary | |
1335 | numbers, executable programs, and the like. The basic contents of an | |
1336 | Emacs buffer (aside from the text properties, q.v.@:) are always text | |
1337 | in this sense. | |
1338 | @item | |
07ee224d | 1339 | Data consisting of written human language (as opposed to programs), |
8cf51b2c GM |
1340 | or following the stylistic conventions of human language. |
1341 | @end itemize | |
1342 | ||
f99f1641 | 1343 | @anchor{Glossary---Text Terminal} |
0be641c0 CY |
1344 | @item Text Terminal |
1345 | A text terminal, or character terminal, is a display that is limited | |
1346 | to displaying text in character units. Such a terminal cannot control | |
1347 | individual pixels it displays. Emacs supports a subset of display | |
1348 | features on text terminals. | |
8cf51b2c GM |
1349 | |
1350 | @item Text Properties | |
1351 | Text properties are annotations recorded for particular characters in | |
1352 | the buffer. Images in the buffer are recorded as text properties; | |
1353 | they also specify formatting information. @xref{Editing Format Info}. | |
1354 | ||
a0706406 GM |
1355 | @item Theme |
1356 | A theme is a set of customizations (q.v.@:) that give Emacs a | |
1357 | particular appearance or behavior. For example, you might use a theme | |
1df7defd | 1358 | for your favorite set of faces (q.v.). |
a0706406 | 1359 | |
8cf51b2c GM |
1360 | @item Tool Bar |
1361 | The tool bar is a line (sometimes multiple lines) of icons at the top | |
1362 | of an Emacs frame. Clicking on one of these icons executes a command. | |
1df7defd | 1363 | You can think of this as a graphical relative of the menu bar (q.v.). |
8cf51b2c GM |
1364 | @xref{Tool Bars}. |
1365 | ||
f99f1641 | 1366 | @anchor{Glossary---Tooltips} |
8cf51b2c | 1367 | @item Tooltips |
07ee224d | 1368 | Tooltips are small windows displaying a help echo (q.v.@:) text, which |
8cf51b2c GM |
1369 | explains parts of the display, lists useful options available via mouse |
1370 | clicks, etc. @xref{Tooltips}. | |
1371 | ||
1372 | @item Top Level | |
1373 | Top level is the normal state of Emacs, in which you are editing the | |
1374 | text of the file you have visited. You are at top level whenever you | |
1375 | are not in a recursive editing level (q.v.@:) or the minibuffer | |
1df7defd PE |
1376 | (q.v.), and not in the middle of a command. You can get back to top |
1377 | level by aborting (q.v.@:) and quitting (q.v.). @xref{Quitting}. | |
8cf51b2c | 1378 | |
0f91f03c | 1379 | @item Transient Mark Mode |
0a760e10 XF |
1380 | The default behavior of the mark (q.v.@:) and region (q.v.), in which |
1381 | setting the mark activates it and highlights the region, is called | |
1382 | Transient Mark mode. In GNU Emacs 23 and onwards, it is enabled by | |
1383 | default. @xref{Disabled Transient Mark}. | |
a0706406 | 1384 | |
8cf51b2c GM |
1385 | @item Transposition |
1386 | Transposing two units of text means putting each one into the place | |
1387 | formerly occupied by the other. There are Emacs commands to transpose | |
1388 | two adjacent characters, words, balanced expressions (q.v.@:) or lines | |
1389 | (@pxref{Transpose}). | |
1390 | ||
a0706406 | 1391 | @item Trash Can |
f99f1641 | 1392 | @xref{Glossary---Deletion of Files}. |
a0706406 | 1393 | |
f99f1641 | 1394 | @anchor{Glossary---Truncation} |
8cf51b2c GM |
1395 | @item Truncation |
1396 | Truncating text lines in the display means leaving out any text on a | |
1397 | line that does not fit within the right margin of the window | |
6cac07d8 | 1398 | displaying it. @xref{Continuation Lines,Truncation}, and |
f99f1641 | 1399 | @ref{Glossary---Continuation Line}. |
8cf51b2c GM |
1400 | |
1401 | @item TTY | |
f99f1641 | 1402 | @xref{Glossary---Text Terminal}. |
8cf51b2c GM |
1403 | |
1404 | @item Undoing | |
1405 | Undoing means making your previous editing go in reverse, bringing | |
1406 | back the text that existed earlier in the editing session. | |
1407 | @xref{Undo}. | |
1408 | ||
07ee224d GM |
1409 | @item Unix |
1410 | Unix is a class of multi-user computer operating systems with a long | |
1411 | history. There are several implementations today. The GNU project | |
1412 | (q.v.@:) aims to develop a complete Unix-like operating system that | |
1df7defd | 1413 | is free software (q.v.). |
07ee224d | 1414 | |
8cf51b2c GM |
1415 | @item User Option |
1416 | A user option is a face (q.v.@:) or a variable (q.v.@:) that exists so | |
1417 | that you can customize Emacs by setting it to a new value. | |
1418 | @xref{Easy Customization}. | |
1419 | ||
1420 | @item Variable | |
1421 | A variable is an object in Lisp that can store an arbitrary value. | |
1422 | Emacs uses some variables for internal purposes, and has others (known | |
07ee224d | 1423 | as `user options'; q.v.@:) just so that you can set their values to |
8cf51b2c GM |
1424 | control the behavior of Emacs. The variables used in Emacs that you |
1425 | are likely to be interested in are listed in the Variables Index in | |
1426 | this manual (@pxref{Variable Index}). @xref{Variables}, for | |
1427 | information on variables. | |
1428 | ||
1429 | @item Version Control | |
1430 | Version control systems keep track of multiple versions of a source file. | |
1df7defd | 1431 | They provide a more powerful alternative to keeping backup files (q.v.). |
8cf51b2c GM |
1432 | @xref{Version Control}. |
1433 | ||
1434 | @item Visiting | |
1435 | Visiting a file means loading its contents into a buffer (q.v.@:) | |
1436 | where they can be edited. @xref{Visiting}. | |
1437 | ||
1438 | @item Whitespace | |
1439 | Whitespace is any run of consecutive formatting characters (space, | |
1440 | tab, newline, and backspace). | |
1441 | ||
1442 | @item Widening | |
1443 | Widening is removing any restriction (q.v.@:) on the current buffer; | |
1df7defd | 1444 | it is the opposite of narrowing (q.v.). @xref{Narrowing}. |
8cf51b2c GM |
1445 | |
1446 | @item Window | |
1447 | Emacs divides a frame (q.v.@:) into one or more windows, each of which | |
1448 | can display the contents of one buffer (q.v.@:) at any time. | |
1449 | @xref{Screen}, for basic information on how Emacs uses the screen. | |
1450 | @xref{Windows}, for commands to control the use of windows. Some | |
1451 | other editors use the term ``window'' for what we call a `frame' | |
1452 | (q.v.@:) in Emacs. | |
1453 | ||
1454 | @item Window System | |
1455 | A window system is software that operates on a graphical display | |
1df7defd | 1456 | (q.v.), to subdivide the screen so that multiple applications can |
8cf51b2c GM |
1457 | have their] own windows at the same time. All modern operating systems |
1458 | include a window system. | |
1459 | ||
1460 | @item Word Abbrev | |
f99f1641 | 1461 | @xref{Glossary---Abbrev}. |
8cf51b2c GM |
1462 | |
1463 | @item Word Search | |
1464 | Word search is searching for a sequence of words, considering the | |
1465 | punctuation between them as insignificant. @xref{Word Search}. | |
1466 | ||
f99f1641 | 1467 | @anchor{Glossary---Yanking} |
8cf51b2c | 1468 | @item Yanking |
1df7defd | 1469 | Yanking means reinserting text previously killed (q.v.). It can be |
07ee224d | 1470 | used to undo a mistaken kill, or for copying or moving text. Some |
8bf27c8a | 1471 | other systems call this ``pasting''. @xref{Yanking}. |
8cf51b2c | 1472 | @end table |