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1 \input texinfo.tex
2
3 @c %**start of header
4 @setfilename ../info/widget
5 @settitle The Emacs Widget Library
6 @syncodeindex fn cp
7 @syncodeindex vr cp
8 @syncodeindex ky cp
9 @afourpaper
10 @c %**end of header
11
12 @copying
13 Copyright @copyright{} 2000, 2002, 2003 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
14
15 @quotation
16 Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this document
17 under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1.1 or
18 any later version published by the Free Software Foundation; with the
19 Invariant Sections being ``The GNU Manifesto'', ``Distribution'' and
20 ``GNU GENERAL PUBLIC LICENSE'', with the Front-Cover texts being ``A GNU
21 Manual'', and with the Back-Cover Texts as in (a) below. A copy of the
22 license is included in the section entitled ``GNU Free Documentation
23 License'' in the Emacs manual.
24
25 This document is part of a collection distributed under the GNU Free
26 Documentation License. If you want to distribute this document
27 separately from the collection, you can do so by adding a copy of the
28 license to the document, as described in section 6 of the license.
29
30 (a) The FSF's Back-Cover Text is: ``You have freedom to copy and modify
31 this GNU Manual, like GNU software. Copies published by the Free
32 Software Foundation raise funds for GNU development.''
33 @end quotation
34 @end copying
35
36 @dircategory Emacs
37 @direntry
38 * Widget: (widget). The "widget" package used by the Emacs Customization
39 facility.
40 @end direntry
41
42 @node Top, Introduction, (dir), (dir)
43 @comment node-name, next, previous, up
44 @top The Emacs Widget Library
45
46 @menu
47 * Introduction::
48 * User Interface::
49 * Programming Example::
50 * Setting Up the Buffer::
51 * Basic Types::
52 * Sexp Types::
53 * Widget Properties::
54 * Defining New Widgets::
55 * Widget Browser::
56 * Widget Minor Mode::
57 * Utilities::
58 * Widget Wishlist::
59 * Index::
60 @end menu
61
62 @node Introduction, User Interface, Top, Top
63 @comment node-name, next, previous, up
64 @section Introduction
65
66 Most graphical user interface toolkits provide a number of standard
67 user interface controls (sometimes known as `widgets' or `gadgets').
68 Emacs doesn't really support anything like this, except for an
69 incredibly powerful text ``widget.'' On the other hand, Emacs does
70 provide the necessary primitives to implement many other widgets
71 within a text buffer. The @code{widget} package simplifies this task.
72
73 @cindex basic widgets
74 @cindex widgets, basic types
75 The basic widgets are:
76
77 @table @code
78 @item link
79 Areas of text with an associated action. Intended for hypertext links
80 embedded in text.
81 @item push-button
82 Like link, but intended for stand-alone buttons.
83 @item editable-field
84 An editable text field. It can be either variable or fixed length.
85 @item menu-choice
86 Allows the user to choose one of multiple options from a menu, each
87 option is itself a widget. Only the selected option will be visible in
88 the buffer.
89 @item radio-button-choice
90 Allows the user to choose one of multiple options by activating radio
91 buttons. The options are implemented as widgets. All options will be
92 visible in the buffer.
93 @item item
94 A simple constant widget intended to be used in the @code{menu-choice} and
95 @code{radio-button-choice} widgets.
96 @item choice-item
97 A button item only intended for use in choices. When invoked, the user
98 will be asked to select another option from the choice widget.
99 @item toggle
100 A simple @samp{on}/@samp{off} switch.
101 @item checkbox
102 A checkbox (@samp{[ ]}/@samp{[X]}).
103 @item editable-list
104 Create an editable list. The user can insert or delete items in the
105 list. Each list item is itself a widget.
106 @end table
107
108 Now, of what possible use can support for widgets be in a text editor?
109 I'm glad you asked. The answer is that widgets are useful for
110 implementing forms. A @dfn{form} in Emacs is a buffer where the user is
111 supposed to fill out a number of fields, each of which has a specific
112 meaning. The user is not supposed to change or delete any of the text
113 between the fields. Examples of forms in Emacs are the @file{forms}
114 package (of course), the customize buffers, the mail and news compose
115 modes, and the @acronym{HTML} form support in the @file{w3} browser.
116
117 @cindex widget library, why use it
118 The advantages for a programmer of using the @code{widget} package to
119 implement forms are:
120
121 @enumerate
122 @item
123 More complex fields than just editable text are supported.
124 @item
125 You can give the users immediate feedback if they enter invalid data in a
126 text field, and sometimes prevent entering invalid data.
127 @item
128 You can have fixed sized fields, thus allowing multiple fields to be
129 lined up in columns.
130 @item
131 It is simple to query or set the value of a field.
132 @item
133 Editing happens in the buffer, not in the mini-buffer.
134 @item
135 Packages using the library get a uniform look, making them easier for
136 the user to learn.
137 @item
138 As support for embedded graphics improve, the widget library will be
139 extended to use the GUI features. This means that your code using the
140 widget library will also use the new graphic features automatically.
141 @end enumerate
142
143 In order to minimize the code that is loaded by users who does not
144 create any widgets, the code has been split in two files:
145
146 @cindex widget library, files
147 @table @file
148 @item widget.el
149 This will declare the user variables, define the function
150 @code{define-widget}, and autoload the function @code{widget-create}.
151 @item wid-edit.el
152 Everything else is here, there is no reason to load it explicitly, as
153 it will be autoloaded when needed.
154 @end table
155
156 @node User Interface, Programming Example, Introduction, Top
157 @comment node-name, next, previous, up
158 @section User Interface
159
160 A form consist of read only text for documentation and some fields,
161 where each field contains two parts, a tag and a value. The tags are
162 used to identify the fields, so the documentation can refer to the
163 @samp{foo field}, meaning the field tagged with @samp{Foo}. Here is an
164 example form:
165
166 @example
167 Here is some documentation.
168
169 Name: @i{My Name} @strong{Choose}: This option
170 Address: @i{Some Place
171 In some City
172 Some country.}
173
174 See also @b{_other work_} for more information.
175
176 Numbers: count to three below
177 @b{[INS]} @b{[DEL]} @i{One}
178 @b{[INS]} @b{[DEL]} @i{Eh, two?}
179 @b{[INS]} @b{[DEL]} @i{Five!}
180 @b{[INS]}
181
182 Select multiple:
183
184 @b{[X]} This
185 @b{[ ]} That
186 @b{[X]} Thus
187
188 Select one:
189
190 @b{(*)} One
191 @b{( )} Another One.
192 @b{( )} A Final One.
193
194 @b{[Apply Form]} @b{[Reset Form]}
195 @end example
196
197 The top level widgets in is example are tagged @samp{Name},
198 @samp{Choose}, @samp{Address}, @samp{_other work_}, @samp{Numbers},
199 @samp{Select multiple}, @samp{Select one}, @samp{[Apply Form]}, and
200 @samp{[Reset Form]}. There are basically two things the user can do
201 within a form, namely editing the editable text fields and activating
202 the buttons.
203
204 @subsection Editable Text Fields
205
206 In the example, the value for the @samp{Name} is most likely displayed
207 in an editable text field, and so are values for each of the members of
208 the @samp{Numbers} list. All the normal Emacs editing operations are
209 available for editing these fields. The only restriction is that each
210 change you make must be contained within a single editable text field.
211 For example, capitalizing all text from the middle of one field to the
212 middle of another field is prohibited.
213
214 Editable text fields are created by the @code{editable-field} widget.
215
216 An editable field must be surrounded by static text on both sides, that
217 is, text that does not change in the lifetime of the widget. If the
218 field extends to the end of the line, the terminating line-feed character
219 will count as the necessary static text on that end, but you will have
220 to provide the static text before the field yourself. The
221 @code{:format} keyword is useful for generating the static text; for
222 instance, if you give it a value of @code{"Name: %v"}, the "Name: " part
223 will count as the static text.
224
225 The editing text fields are highlighted with the
226 @code{widget-field-face} face, making them easy to find.
227
228 @deffn Face widget-field-face
229 Face used for other editing fields.
230 @end deffn
231
232 @subsection Buttons
233
234 @cindex widget buttons
235 @cindex button widgets
236 Some portions of the buffer have an associated @dfn{action}, which can
237 be @dfn{invoked} by a standard key or mouse command. These portions
238 are called @dfn{buttons}. The default commands for activating a button
239 are:
240
241 @table @kbd
242 @item @key{RET}
243 @deffn Command widget-button-press @var{pos} &optional @var{event}
244 Invoke the button at @var{pos}, defaulting to point.
245 If point is not located on a button, invoke the binding in
246 @code{widget-global-map} (by default the global map).
247 @end deffn
248
249 @kindex Mouse-2 @r{(on button widgets})
250 @item Mouse-2
251 @deffn Command widget-button-click @var{event}
252 Invoke the button at the location of the mouse pointer. If the mouse
253 pointer is located in an editable text field, invoke the binding in
254 @code{widget-global-map} (by default the global map).
255 @end deffn
256 @end table
257
258 There are several different kind of buttons, all of which are present in
259 the example:
260
261 @table @emph
262 @cindex option field tag
263 @item The Option Field Tags
264 When you invoke one of these buttons, you will be asked to choose
265 between a number of different options. This is how you edit an option
266 field. Option fields are created by the @code{menu-choice} widget. In
267 the example, @samp{@b{Choose}} is an option field tag.
268 @item The @samp{@b{[INS]}} and @samp{@b{[DEL]}} buttons
269 Activating these will insert or delete elements from an editable list.
270 The list is created by the @code{editable-list} widget.
271 @cindex embedded buttons
272 @item Embedded Buttons
273 The @samp{@b{_other work_}} is an example of an embedded
274 button. Embedded buttons are not associated with a fields, but can serve
275 any purpose, such as implementing hypertext references. They are
276 usually created by the @code{link} widget.
277 @item The @samp{@b{[ ]}} and @samp{@b{[X]}} buttons
278 Activating one of these will convert it to the other. This is useful
279 for implementing multiple-choice fields. You can create it with the
280 @code{checkbox} widget.
281 @item The @samp{@b{( )}} and @samp{@b{(*)}} buttons
282 Only one radio button in a @code{radio-button-choice} widget can be
283 selected at any time. When you invoke one of the unselected radio
284 buttons, it will be selected and the previous selected radio button will
285 become unselected.
286 @item The @samp{@b{[Apply Form]}} @samp{@b{[Reset Form]}} buttons
287 These are explicit buttons made with the @code{push-button} widget. The
288 main difference from the @code{link} widget is that the buttons will be
289 displayed as GUI buttons when possible.
290 @end table
291
292 To make them easier to locate, buttons are emphasized in the buffer.
293
294 @deffn Face widget-button-face
295 Face used for buttons.
296 @end deffn
297
298 @defopt widget-mouse-face
299 Face used for highlighting a button when the mouse pointer moves across
300 it.
301 @end defopt
302
303 @subsection Navigation
304
305 You can use all the normal Emacs commands to move around in a form
306 buffer, plus you will have these additional commands:
307
308 @table @kbd
309 @item @key{TAB}
310 @deffn Command widget-forward &optional count
311 Move point @var{count} buttons or editing fields forward.
312 @end deffn
313 @item @key{M-TAB}
314 @deffn Command widget-backward &optional count
315 Move point @var{count} buttons or editing fields backward.
316 @end deffn
317 @end table
318
319 @node Programming Example, Setting Up the Buffer, User Interface, Top
320 @comment node-name, next, previous, up
321 @section Programming Example
322
323 @cindex widgets, programming example
324 @cindex example of using widgets
325 Here is the code to implement the user interface example (@pxref{User
326 Interface}).
327
328 @lisp
329 (require 'widget)
330
331 (eval-when-compile
332 (require 'wid-edit))
333
334 (defvar widget-example-repeat)
335
336 (defun widget-example ()
337 "Create the widgets from the Widget manual."
338 (interactive)
339 (switch-to-buffer "*Widget Example*")
340 (kill-all-local-variables)
341 (make-local-variable 'widget-example-repeat)
342 (let ((inhibit-read-only t))
343 (erase-buffer))
344 (widget-insert "Here is some documentation.\n\nName: ")
345 (widget-create 'editable-field
346 :size 13
347 "My Name")
348 (widget-create 'menu-choice
349 :tag "Choose"
350 :value "This"
351 :help-echo "Choose me, please!"
352 :notify (lambda (widget &rest ignore)
353 (message "%s is a good choice!"
354 (widget-value widget)))
355 '(item :tag "This option" :value "This")
356 '(choice-item "That option")
357 '(editable-field :menu-tag "No option" "Thus option"))
358 (widget-insert "Address: ")
359 (widget-create 'editable-field
360 "Some Place\nIn some City\nSome country.")
361 (widget-insert "\nSee also ")
362 (widget-create 'link
363 :notify (lambda (&rest ignore)
364 (widget-value-set widget-example-repeat
365 '("En" "To" "Tre"))
366 (widget-setup))
367 "other work")
368 (widget-insert
369 " for more information.\n\nNumbers: count to three below\n")
370 (setq widget-example-repeat
371 (widget-create 'editable-list
372 :entry-format "%i %d %v"
373 :notify (lambda (widget &rest ignore)
374 (let ((old (widget-get widget
375 ':example-length))
376 (new (length (widget-value widget))))
377 (unless (eq old new)
378 (widget-put widget ':example-length new)
379 (message "You can count to %d." new))))
380 :value '("One" "Eh, two?" "Five!")
381 '(editable-field :value "three")))
382 (widget-insert "\n\nSelect multiple:\n\n")
383 (widget-create 'checkbox t)
384 (widget-insert " This\n")
385 (widget-create 'checkbox nil)
386 (widget-insert " That\n")
387 (widget-create 'checkbox
388 :notify (lambda (&rest ignore) (message "Tickle"))
389 t)
390 (widget-insert " Thus\n\nSelect one:\n\n")
391 (widget-create 'radio-button-choice
392 :value "One"
393 :notify (lambda (widget &rest ignore)
394 (message "You selected %s"
395 (widget-value widget)))
396 '(item "One") '(item "Another One.") '(item "A Final One."))
397 (widget-insert "\n")
398 (widget-create 'push-button
399 :notify (lambda (&rest ignore)
400 (if (= (length (widget-value widget-example-repeat))
401 3)
402 (message "Congratulation!")
403 (error "Three was the count!")))
404 "Apply Form")
405 (widget-insert " ")
406 (widget-create 'push-button
407 :notify (lambda (&rest ignore)
408 (widget-example))
409 "Reset Form")
410 (widget-insert "\n")
411 (use-local-map widget-keymap)
412 (widget-setup))
413 @end lisp
414
415 @node Setting Up the Buffer, Basic Types, Programming Example, Top
416 @comment node-name, next, previous, up
417 @section Setting Up the Buffer
418
419 Widgets are created with @code{widget-create}, which returns a
420 @dfn{widget} object. This object can be queried and manipulated by
421 other widget functions, until it is deleted with @code{widget-delete}.
422 After the widgets have been created, @code{widget-setup} must be called
423 to enable them.
424
425 @defun widget-create type [ keyword argument ]@dots{}
426 Create and return a widget of type @var{type}.
427 The syntax for the @var{type} argument is described in @ref{Basic Types}.
428
429 The keyword arguments can be used to overwrite the keyword arguments
430 that are part of @var{type}.
431 @end defun
432
433 @defun widget-delete widget
434 Delete @var{widget} and remove it from the buffer.
435 @end defun
436
437 @defun widget-setup
438 Set up a buffer to support widgets.
439
440 This should be called after creating all the widgets and before allowing
441 the user to edit them.
442 @refill
443 @end defun
444
445 If you want to insert text outside the widgets in the form, the
446 recommended way to do that is with @code{widget-insert}.
447
448 @defun widget-insert
449 Insert the arguments, either strings or characters, at point.
450 The inserted text will be read-only.
451 @end defun
452
453 There is a standard widget keymap which you might find useful.
454
455 @findex widget-button-press
456 @findex widget-button-click
457 @defvr Const widget-keymap
458 A keymap with the global keymap as its parent.@*
459 @key{TAB} and @kbd{C-@key{TAB}} are bound to @code{widget-forward} and
460 @code{widget-backward}, respectively. @key{RET} and @kbd{Mouse-2}
461 are bound to @code{widget-button-press} and
462 @code{widget-button-click}.@refill
463 @end defvr
464
465 @defvar widget-global-map
466 Keymap used by @code{widget-button-press} and @code{widget-button-click}
467 when not on a button. By default this is @code{global-map}.
468 @end defvar
469
470 @node Basic Types, Sexp Types, Setting Up the Buffer, Top
471 @comment node-name, next, previous, up
472 @section Basic Types
473
474 The syntax of a type specification is given below:
475
476 @example
477 NAME ::= (NAME [KEYWORD ARGUMENT]... ARGS)
478 | NAME
479 @end example
480
481 Where, @var{name} is a widget name, @var{keyword} is the name of a
482 property, @var{argument} is the value of the property, and @var{args}
483 are interpreted in a widget specific way.
484
485 @cindex keyword arguments
486 The following keyword arguments that apply to all widgets:
487
488 @table @code
489 @vindex value@r{ keyword}
490 @item :value
491 The initial value for widgets of this type.
492
493 @vindex format@r{ keyword}
494 @item :format
495 This string will be inserted in the buffer when you create a widget.
496 The following @samp{%} escapes are available:
497
498 @table @samp
499 @item %[
500 @itemx %]
501 The text inside will be marked as a button.
502
503 By default, the text will be shown in @code{widget-button-face}, and
504 surrounded by brackets.
505
506 @defopt widget-button-prefix
507 String to prefix buttons.
508 @end defopt
509
510 @defopt widget-button-suffix
511 String to suffix buttons.
512 @end defopt
513
514 @item %@{
515 @itemx %@}
516 The text inside will be displayed with the face specified by
517 @code{:sample-face}.
518
519 @item %v
520 This will be replaced with the buffer representation of the widget's
521 value. What this is depends on the widget type.
522
523 @item %d
524 Insert the string specified by @code{:doc} here.
525
526 @item %h
527 Like @samp{%d}, with the following modifications: If the documentation
528 string is more than one line, it will add a button which will toggle
529 between showing only the first line, and showing the full text.
530 Furthermore, if there is no @code{:doc} property in the widget, it will
531 instead examine the @code{:documentation-property} property. If it is a
532 lambda expression, it will be called with the widget's value as an
533 argument, and the result will be used as the documentation text.
534
535 @item %t
536 Insert the string specified by @code{:tag} here, or the @code{princ}
537 representation of the value if there is no tag.
538
539 @item %%
540 Insert a literal @samp{%}.
541 @end table
542
543 @vindex button-face@r{ keyword}
544 @item :button-face
545 Face used to highlight text inside %[ %] in the format.
546
547 @vindex button-prefix@r{ keyword}
548 @vindex button-suffix@r{ keyword}
549 @item :button-prefix
550 @itemx :button-suffix
551 Text around %[ %] in the format.
552
553 These can be
554 @table @emph
555 @item nil
556 No text is inserted.
557
558 @item a string
559 The string is inserted literally.
560
561 @item a symbol
562 The value of the symbol is expanded according to this table.
563 @end table
564
565 @vindex doc@r{ keyword}
566 @item :doc
567 The string inserted by the @samp{%d} escape in the format
568 string.
569
570 @vindex tag@r{ keyword}
571 @item :tag
572 The string inserted by the @samp{%t} escape in the format
573 string.
574
575 @vindex tag-glyph@r{ keyword}
576 @item :tag-glyph
577 Name of image to use instead of the string specified by @code{:tag} on
578 Emacsen that supports it.
579
580 @vindex help-echo@r{ keyword}
581 @item :help-echo
582 Specifies how to display a message whenever you move to the widget with
583 either @code{widget-forward} or @code{widget-backward} or move the mouse
584 over it (using the standard @code{help-echo} mechanism). The argument
585 is either a string to display, a function of one argument, the widget,
586 which should return a string to display, or a form that evaluates to
587 such a string.
588
589 @vindex indent@r{ keyword}
590 @item :indent
591 An integer indicating the absolute number of spaces to indent children
592 of this widget.
593
594 @vindex offset@r{ keyword}
595 @item :offset
596 An integer indicating how many extra spaces to add to the widget's
597 grandchildren compared to this widget.
598
599 @vindex extra-offset@r{ keyword}
600 @item :extra-offset
601 An integer indicating how many extra spaces to add to the widget's
602 children compared to this widget.
603
604 @vindex notify@r{ keyword}
605 @item :notify
606 A function called each time the widget or a nested widget is changed.
607 The function is called with two or three arguments. The first argument
608 is the widget itself, the second argument is the widget that was
609 changed, and the third argument is the event leading to the change, if
610 any.
611
612 @vindex menu-tag@r{ keyword}
613 @item :menu-tag
614 Tag used in the menu when the widget is used as an option in a
615 @code{menu-choice} widget.
616
617 @vindex menu-tag-get@r{ keyword}
618 @item :menu-tag-get
619 Function used for finding the tag when the widget is used as an option
620 in a @code{menu-choice} widget. By default, the tag used will be either the
621 @code{:menu-tag} or @code{:tag} property if present, or the @code{princ}
622 representation of the @code{:value} property if not.
623
624 @vindex match@r{ keyword}
625 @item :match
626 Should be a function called with two arguments, the widget and a value,
627 and returning non-@code{nil} if the widget can represent the specified value.
628
629 @vindex validate@r{ keyword}
630 @item :validate
631 A function which takes a widget as an argument, and returns @code{nil}
632 if the widget's current value is valid for the widget. Otherwise it
633 should return the widget containing the invalid data, and set that
634 widget's @code{:error} property to a string explaining the error.
635
636 The following predefined function can be used:
637
638 @defun widget-children-validate widget
639 All the @code{:children} of @var{widget} must be valid.
640 @end defun
641
642 @vindex tab-order@r{ keyword}
643 @item :tab-order
644 Specify the order in which widgets are traversed with
645 @code{widget-forward} or @code{widget-backward}. This is only partially
646 implemented.
647
648 @enumerate a
649 @item
650 Widgets with tabbing order @code{-1} are ignored.
651
652 @item
653 (Unimplemented) When on a widget with tabbing order @var{n}, go to the
654 next widget in the buffer with tabbing order @var{n+1} or @code{nil},
655 whichever comes first.
656
657 @item
658 When on a widget with no tabbing order specified, go to the next widget
659 in the buffer with a positive tabbing order, or @code{nil}
660 @end enumerate
661
662 @vindex parent@r{ keyword}
663 @item :parent
664 The parent of a nested widget (e.g.@: a @code{menu-choice} item or an
665 element of a @code{editable-list} widget).
666
667 @vindex sibling-args@r{ keyword}
668 @item :sibling-args
669 This keyword is only used for members of a @code{radio-button-choice} or
670 @code{checklist}. The value should be a list of extra keyword
671 arguments, which will be used when creating the @code{radio-button} or
672 @code{checkbox} associated with this item.
673
674 @end table
675
676 @deffn {User Option} widget-glyph-directory
677 Directory where glyphs are found.
678 Widget will look here for a file with the same name as specified for the
679 image, with either a @file{.xpm} (if supported) or @file{.xbm} extension.
680 @end deffn
681
682 @deffn{User Option} widget-glyph-enable
683 If non-nil, allow glyphs to appear on displays where they are supported.
684 @end deffn
685
686
687 @menu
688 * link::
689 * url-link::
690 * info-link::
691 * push-button::
692 * editable-field::
693 * text::
694 * menu-choice::
695 * radio-button-choice::
696 * item::
697 * choice-item::
698 * toggle::
699 * checkbox::
700 * checklist::
701 * editable-list::
702 * group::
703 @end menu
704
705 @node link, url-link, Basic Types, Basic Types
706 @comment node-name, next, previous, up
707 @subsection The @code{link} Widget
708 @findex link@r{ widget}
709
710 Syntax:
711
712 @example
713 TYPE ::= (link [KEYWORD ARGUMENT]... [ VALUE ])
714 @end example
715
716 The @var{value}, if present, is used to initialize the @code{:value}
717 property. The value should be a string, which will be inserted in the
718 buffer.
719
720 By default the link will be shown in brackets.
721
722 @defopt widget-link-prefix
723 String to prefix links.
724 @end defopt
725
726 @defopt widget-link-suffix
727 String to suffix links.
728 @end defopt
729
730 @node url-link, info-link, link, Basic Types
731 @comment node-name, next, previous, up
732 @subsection The @code{url-link} Widget
733 @findex url-link@r{ widget}
734
735 Syntax:
736
737 @example
738 TYPE ::= (url-link [KEYWORD ARGUMENT]... URL)
739 @end example
740
741 @findex browse-url-browser-function@r{, and @code{url-link} widget}
742 When this link is invoked, the @acronym{WWW} browser specified by
743 @code{browse-url-browser-function} will be called with @var{url}.
744
745 @node info-link, push-button, url-link, Basic Types
746 @comment node-name, next, previous, up
747 @subsection The @code{info-link} Widget
748 @findex info-link@r{ widget}
749
750 Syntax:
751
752 @example
753 TYPE ::= (info-link [KEYWORD ARGUMENT]... ADDRESS)
754 @end example
755
756 When this link is invoked, the built-in Info reader is started on
757 @var{address}.
758
759 @node push-button, editable-field, info-link, Basic Types
760 @comment node-name, next, previous, up
761 @subsection The @code{push-button} Widget
762 @findex push-button@r{ widget}
763
764 Syntax:
765
766 @example
767 TYPE ::= (push-button [KEYWORD ARGUMENT]... [ VALUE ])
768 @end example
769
770 The @var{value}, if present, is used to initialize the @code{:value}
771 property. The value should be a string, which will be inserted in the
772 buffer.
773
774 By default the tag will be shown in brackets.
775
776 @defopt widget-push-button-prefix
777 String to prefix push buttons.
778 @end defopt
779
780 @defopt widget-push-button-suffix
781 String to suffix push buttons.
782 @end defopt
783
784 @node editable-field, text, push-button, Basic Types
785 @comment node-name, next, previous, up
786 @subsection The @code{editable-field} Widget
787 @findex editable-field@r{ widget}
788
789 Syntax:
790
791 @example
792 TYPE ::= (editable-field [KEYWORD ARGUMENT]... [ VALUE ])
793 @end example
794
795 The @var{value}, if present, is used to initialize the @code{:value}
796 property. The value should be a string, which will be inserted in
797 field. This widget will match all string values.
798
799 The following extra properties are recognized:
800
801 @table @code
802 @vindex size@r{ keyword}
803 @item :size
804 The width of the editable field.@*
805 By default the field will reach to the end of the line.
806
807 @vindex value-face@r{ keyword}
808 @item :value-face
809 Face used for highlighting the editable field. Default is
810 @code{widget-field-face}, see @ref{User Interface}.
811
812 @vindex secret@r{ keyword}
813 @item :secret
814 Character used to display the value. You can set this to e.g.@: @code{?*}
815 if the field contains a password or other secret information. By
816 default, this is nil, and the value is not secret.
817
818 @vindex valid-regexp@r{ keyword}
819 @item :valid-regexp
820 By default the @code{:validate} function will match the content of the
821 field with the value of this attribute. The default value is @code{""}
822 which matches everything.
823
824 @vindex keymap@r{ keyword}
825 @vindex widget-field-keymap
826 @item :keymap
827 Keymap used in the editable field. The default value is
828 @code{widget-field-keymap}, which allows you to use all the normal
829 editing commands, even if the buffer's major mode suppresses some of
830 them. Pressing @key{RET} invokes the function specified by
831 @code{:action}.
832 @end table
833
834 @node text, menu-choice, editable-field, Basic Types
835 @comment node-name, next, previous, up
836 @subsection The @code{text} Widget
837 @findex text@r{ widget}
838
839 @vindex widget-text-keymap
840 This is just like @code{editable-field}, but intended for multiline text
841 fields. The default @code{:keymap} is @code{widget-text-keymap}, which
842 does not rebind the @key{RET} key.
843
844 @node menu-choice, radio-button-choice, text, Basic Types
845 @comment node-name, next, previous, up
846 @subsection The @code{menu-choice} Widget
847 @findex menu-choice@r{ widget}
848
849 Syntax:
850
851 @example
852 TYPE ::= (menu-choice [KEYWORD ARGUMENT]... TYPE ... )
853 @end example
854
855 The @var{type} argument represents each possible choice. The widget's
856 value will be that of the chosen @var{type} argument. This widget will
857 match any value matching at least one of the specified @var{type}
858 arguments.
859
860 @table @code
861 @vindex void@r{ keyword}
862 @item :void
863 Widget type used as a fallback when the value does not match any of the
864 specified @var{type} arguments.
865
866 @vindex case-fold@r{ keyword}
867 @item :case-fold
868 Set this to nil if you don't want to ignore case when prompting for a
869 choice through the minibuffer.
870
871 @vindex children@r{ keyword}
872 @item :children
873 A list whose @code{car} is the widget representing the currently chosen
874 type in the buffer.
875
876 @vindex choice@r{ keyword}
877 @item :choice
878 The current chosen type.
879
880 @vindex args@r{ keyword}
881 @item :args
882 The list of types.
883 @end table
884
885 @node radio-button-choice, item, menu-choice, Basic Types
886 @comment node-name, next, previous, up
887 @subsection The @code{radio-button-choice} Widget
888 @findex radio-button-choice@r{ widget}
889
890 Syntax:
891
892 @example
893 TYPE ::= (radio-button-choice [KEYWORD ARGUMENT]... TYPE ... )
894 @end example
895
896 The @var{type} argument represents each possible choice. The widget's
897 value will be that of the chosen @var{type} argument. This widget will
898 match any value matching at least one of the specified @var{type}
899 arguments.
900
901 The following extra properties are recognized.
902
903 @table @code
904 @vindex entry-format@r{ keyword}
905 @item :entry-format
906 This string will be inserted for each entry in the list.
907 The following @samp{%} escapes are available:
908 @table @samp
909 @item %v
910 Replace with the buffer representation of the @var{type} widget.
911 @item %b
912 Replace with the radio button.
913 @item %%
914 Insert a literal @samp{%}.
915 @end table
916
917 @vindex button-args@r{ keyword}
918 @item :button-args
919 A list of keywords to pass to the radio buttons. Useful for setting
920 e.g.@: the @samp{:help-echo} for each button.
921
922 @vindex buttons@r{ keyword}
923 @item :buttons
924 The widgets representing the radio buttons.
925
926 @vindex children@r{ keyword}
927 @item :children
928 The widgets representing each type.
929
930 @vindex choice@r{ keyword}
931 @item :choice
932 The current chosen type
933
934 @vindex args@r{ keyword}
935 @item :args
936 The list of types.
937 @end table
938
939 You can add extra radio button items to a @code{radio-button-choice}
940 widget after it has been created with the function
941 @code{widget-radio-add-item}.
942
943 @defun widget-radio-add-item widget type
944 Add to @code{radio-button-choice} widget @var{widget} a new radio button
945 item of type @var{type}.
946 @end defun
947
948 Please note that such items added after the @code{radio-button-choice}
949 widget has been created will @strong{not} be properly destructed when
950 you call @code{widget-delete}.
951
952 @node item, choice-item, radio-button-choice, Basic Types
953 @comment node-name, next, previous, up
954 @subsection The @code{item} Widget
955 @findex item@r{ widget}
956
957 Syntax:
958
959 @example
960 ITEM ::= (item [KEYWORD ARGUMENT]... VALUE)
961 @end example
962
963 The @var{value}, if present, is used to initialize the @code{:value}
964 property. The value should be a string, which will be inserted in the
965 buffer. This widget will only match the specified value.
966
967 @node choice-item, toggle, item, Basic Types
968 @comment node-name, next, previous, up
969 @subsection The @code{choice-item} Widget
970 @findex choice-item@r{ widget}
971
972 Syntax:
973
974 @example
975 ITEM ::= (choice-item [KEYWORD ARGUMENT]... VALUE)
976 @end example
977
978 The @var{value}, if present, is used to initialize the @code{:value}
979 property. The value should be a string, which will be inserted in the
980 buffer as a button. Activating the button of a @code{choice-item} is
981 equivalent to activating the parent widget. This widget will only match
982 the specified value.
983
984 @node toggle, checkbox, choice-item, Basic Types
985 @comment node-name, next, previous, up
986 @subsection The @code{toggle} Widget
987 @findex toggle@r{ widget}
988
989 Syntax:
990
991 @example
992 TYPE ::= (toggle [KEYWORD ARGUMENT]...)
993 @end example
994
995 The widget has two possible states, @samp{on} and @samp{off}, which
996 correspond to a @code{t} or @code{nil} value, respectively.
997
998 The following extra properties are recognized:
999
1000 @table @code
1001 @item :on
1002 A string representing the @samp{on} state. By default the string
1003 @samp{on}.
1004 @item :off
1005 A string representing the @samp{off} state. By default the string
1006 @samp{off}.
1007 @vindex on-glyph@r{ keyword}
1008 @item :on-glyph
1009 Name of a glyph to be used instead of the @samp{:on} text string, on
1010 emacsen that supports this.
1011 @vindex off-glyph@r{ keyword}
1012 @item :off-glyph
1013 Name of a glyph to be used instead of the @samp{:off} text string, on
1014 emacsen that supports this.
1015 @end table
1016
1017 @node checkbox, checklist, toggle, Basic Types
1018 @comment node-name, next, previous, up
1019 @subsection The @code{checkbox} Widget
1020 @findex checkbox@r{ widget}
1021
1022 This widget has two possible states, @samp{selected} and
1023 @samp{unselected}, which corresponds to a @code{t} or @code{nil} value.
1024
1025 Syntax:
1026
1027 @example
1028 TYPE ::= (checkbox [KEYWORD ARGUMENT]...)
1029 @end example
1030
1031 @node checklist, editable-list, checkbox, Basic Types
1032 @comment node-name, next, previous, up
1033 @subsection The @code{checklist} Widget
1034 @findex checklist@r{ widget}
1035
1036 Syntax:
1037
1038 @example
1039 TYPE ::= (checklist [KEYWORD ARGUMENT]... TYPE ... )
1040 @end example
1041
1042 The @var{type} arguments represent each checklist item. The widget's
1043 value will be a list containing the values of all checked @var{type}
1044 arguments. The checklist widget will match a list whose elements all
1045 match at least one of the specified @var{type} arguments.
1046
1047 The following extra properties are recognized:
1048
1049 @table @code
1050 @vindex entry-format@r{ keyword}
1051 @item :entry-format
1052 This string will be inserted for each entry in the list.
1053 The following @samp{%} escapes are available:
1054 @table @samp
1055 @item %v
1056 Replaced with the buffer representation of the @var{type} widget.
1057 @item %b
1058 Replace with the checkbox.
1059 @item %%
1060 Insert a literal @samp{%}.
1061 @end table
1062
1063 @vindex greedy@r{ keyword}
1064 @item :greedy
1065 Usually a checklist will only match if the items are in the exact
1066 sequence given in the specification. By setting @code{:greedy} to
1067 non-nil, it will allow the items to come in any sequence. However, if
1068 you extract the value they will be in the sequence given in the
1069 checklist, i.e.@: the original sequence is forgotten.
1070
1071 @vindex button-args@r{ keyword}
1072 @item :button-args
1073 A list of keywords to pass to the checkboxes. Useful for setting
1074 e.g.@: the @samp{:help-echo} for each checkbox.
1075
1076 @vindex buttons@r{ keyword}
1077 @item :buttons
1078 The widgets representing the checkboxes.
1079
1080 @vindex children@r{ keyword}
1081 @item :children
1082 The widgets representing each type.
1083
1084 @vindex args@r{ keyword}
1085 @item :args
1086 The list of types.
1087 @end table
1088
1089 @node editable-list, group, checklist, Basic Types
1090 @comment node-name, next, previous, up
1091 @subsection The @code{editable-list} Widget
1092 @findex editable-list@r{ widget}
1093
1094 Syntax:
1095
1096 @example
1097 TYPE ::= (editable-list [KEYWORD ARGUMENT]... TYPE)
1098 @end example
1099
1100 The value is a list, where each member represents one widget of type
1101 @var{type}.
1102
1103 The following extra properties are recognized:
1104
1105 @table @code
1106 @vindex entry-format@r{ keyword}
1107 @item :entry-format
1108 This string will be inserted for each entry in the list.
1109 The following @samp{%} escapes are available:
1110 @table @samp
1111 @item %v
1112 This will be replaced with the buffer representation of the @var{type}
1113 widget.
1114 @item %i
1115 Insert the @b{[INS]} button.
1116 @item %d
1117 Insert the @b{[DEL]} button.
1118 @item %%
1119 Insert a literal @samp{%}.
1120 @end table
1121
1122 @vindex insert-button-args@r{ keyword}
1123 @item :insert-button-args
1124 A list of keyword arguments to pass to the insert buttons.
1125
1126 @vindex delete-button-args@r{ keyword}
1127 @item :delete-button-args
1128 A list of keyword arguments to pass to the delete buttons.
1129
1130 @vindex append-button-args@r{ keyword}
1131 @item :append-button-args
1132 A list of keyword arguments to pass to the trailing insert button.
1133
1134 @vindex buttons@r{ keyword}
1135 @item :buttons
1136 The widgets representing the insert and delete buttons.
1137
1138 @vindex children@r{ keyword}
1139 @item :children
1140 The widgets representing the elements of the list.
1141
1142 @vindex args@r{ keyword}
1143 @item :args
1144 List whose @code{car} is the type of the list elements.
1145 @end table
1146
1147 @node group, , editable-list, Basic Types
1148 @comment node-name, next, previous, up
1149 @subsection The @code{group} Widget
1150 @findex group@r{ widget}
1151
1152 This widget simply group other widgets together.
1153
1154 Syntax:
1155
1156 @example
1157 TYPE ::= (group [KEYWORD ARGUMENT]... TYPE...)
1158 @end example
1159
1160 The value is a list, with one member for each @var{type}.
1161
1162 @node Sexp Types, Widget Properties, Basic Types, Top
1163 @comment
1164 @section Sexp Types
1165 @cindex sexp types
1166
1167 A number of widgets for editing @dfn{s-expressions} (lisp types), sexp
1168 for short, are also available. These basically fall in several
1169 categories described in this section.
1170
1171 @menu
1172 * constants::
1173 * generic::
1174 * atoms::
1175 * composite::
1176 @end menu
1177
1178 @node constants, generic, Sexp Types, Sexp Types
1179 @comment node-name, next, previous, up
1180 @subsection The Constant Widgets
1181 @cindex constant widgets
1182
1183 The @code{const} widget can contain any lisp expression, but the user is
1184 prohibited from editing it, which is mainly useful as a component of one
1185 of the composite widgets.
1186
1187 The syntax for the @code{const} widget is:
1188
1189 @example
1190 TYPE ::= (const [KEYWORD ARGUMENT]... [ VALUE ])
1191 @end example
1192
1193 The @var{value}, if present, is used to initialize the @code{:value}
1194 property and can be any s-expression.
1195
1196 @deffn Widget const
1197 This will display any valid s-expression in an immutable part of the
1198 buffer.
1199 @end deffn
1200
1201 There are two variations of the @code{const} widget, namely
1202 @code{variable-item} and @code{function-item}. These should contain a
1203 symbol with a variable or function binding. The major difference from
1204 the @code{const} widget is that they will allow the user to see the
1205 variable or function documentation for the symbol.
1206
1207 @deffn Widget variable-item
1208 An immutable symbol that is bound as a variable.
1209 @end deffn
1210
1211 @deffn Widget function-item
1212 An immutable symbol that is bound as a function.
1213 @end deffn
1214
1215 @node generic, atoms, constants, Sexp Types
1216 @comment node-name, next, previous, up
1217 @subsection Generic Sexp Widget
1218 @cindex generic sexp widget
1219
1220 The @code{sexp} widget can contain any lisp expression, and allows the
1221 user to edit it inline in the buffer.
1222
1223 The syntax for the @code{sexp} widget is:
1224
1225 @example
1226 TYPE ::= (sexp [KEYWORD ARGUMENT]... [ VALUE ])
1227 @end example
1228
1229 @deffn Widget sexp
1230 This will allow you to edit any valid s-expression in an editable buffer
1231 field.
1232
1233 The @code{sexp} widget takes the same keyword arguments as the
1234 @code{editable-field} widget. @xref{editable-field}.
1235 @end deffn
1236
1237 @node atoms, composite, generic, Sexp Types
1238 @comment node-name, next, previous, up
1239 @subsection Atomic Sexp Widgets
1240 @cindex atomic sexp widget
1241
1242 The atoms are s-expressions that do not consist of other s-expressions.
1243 For example, a string, a file name, or a symbol are atoms, while a list
1244 is a composite type. You can edit the value of an atom with the
1245 following widgets.
1246
1247 The syntax for all the atoms are:
1248
1249 @example
1250 TYPE ::= (NAME [KEYWORD ARGUMENT]... [ VALUE ])
1251 @end example
1252
1253 The @var{value}, if present, is used to initialize the @code{:value}
1254 property and must be an expression of the same type as the widget.
1255 That is, the string widget can only be initialized with a string.
1256
1257 All the atom widgets take the same keyword arguments as the
1258 @code{editable-field} widget. @xref{editable-field}.
1259
1260 @deffn Widget string
1261 Allows you to edit a string in an editable field.
1262 @end deffn
1263
1264 @deffn Widget regexp
1265 Allows you to edit a regular expression in an editable field.
1266 @end deffn
1267
1268 @deffn Widget character
1269 Allows you to enter a character in an editable field.
1270 @end deffn
1271
1272 @deffn Widget file
1273 Allows you to edit a file name in an editable field. If you invoke
1274 the tag button, you can edit the file name in the mini-buffer with
1275 completion.
1276
1277 Keywords:
1278 @table @code
1279 @vindex must-match@r{ keyword}
1280 @item :must-match
1281 If this is set to non-nil, only existing file names will be allowed in
1282 the minibuffer.
1283 @end table
1284 @end deffn
1285
1286 @deffn Widget directory
1287 Allows you to edit a directory name in an editable field.
1288 Similar to the @code{file} widget.
1289 @end deffn
1290
1291 @deffn Widget symbol
1292 Allows you to edit a lisp symbol in an editable field.
1293 @end deffn
1294
1295 @deffn Widget function
1296 Allows you to edit a lambda expression, or a function name with completion.
1297 @end deffn
1298
1299 @deffn Widget variable
1300 Allows you to edit a variable name, with completion.
1301 @end deffn
1302
1303 @deffn Widget integer
1304 Allows you to edit an integer in an editable field.
1305 @end deffn
1306
1307 @deffn Widget number
1308 Allows you to edit a number in an editable field.
1309 @end deffn
1310
1311 @deffn Widget boolean
1312 Allows you to edit a boolean. In lisp this means a variable which is
1313 either nil meaning false, or non-nil meaning true.
1314 @end deffn
1315
1316
1317 @node composite, , atoms, Sexp Types
1318 @comment node-name, next, previous, up
1319 @subsection Composite Sexp Widgets
1320 @cindex composite sexp widgets
1321
1322 The syntax for the composite widget is:
1323
1324 @example
1325 TYPE ::= (NAME [KEYWORD ARGUMENT]... COMPONENT...)
1326 @end example
1327
1328 @noindent
1329 where each @var{component} must be a widget type. Each component widget
1330 will be displayed in the buffer, and will be editable by the user.
1331
1332 @deffn Widget cons
1333 The value of a @code{cons} widget is a cons-cell where the @code{car} is
1334 the value of the first component and the @code{cdr} is the value of the
1335 second component. There must be exactly two components.
1336 @end deffn
1337
1338 @deffn Widget list
1339 The value of a @code{list} widget is a list containing the value of
1340 each of its component.
1341 @end deffn
1342
1343 @deffn Widget vector
1344 The value of a @code{vector} widget is a vector containing the value of
1345 each of its component.
1346 @end deffn
1347
1348 The above suffice for specifying fixed size lists and vectors. To get
1349 variable length lists and vectors, you can use a @code{choice},
1350 @code{set}, or @code{repeat} widgets together with the @code{:inline}
1351 keywords. If any component of a composite widget has the @code{:inline}
1352 keyword set, its value must be a list which will then be spliced into
1353 the composite. For example, to specify a list whose first element must
1354 be a file name, and whose remaining arguments should either by the
1355 symbol @code{t} or two files, you can use the following widget
1356 specification:
1357
1358 @example
1359 (list file
1360 (choice (const t)
1361 (list :inline t
1362 :value ("foo" "bar")
1363 string string)))
1364 @end example
1365
1366 The value of a widget of this type will either have the form
1367 @code{(file t)} or @code{(file string string)}.
1368
1369 This concept of inline is probably hard to understand. It was certainly
1370 hard to implement, so instead of confusing you more by trying to explain
1371 it here, I'll just suggest you meditate over it for a while.
1372
1373 @deffn Widget choice
1374 Allows you to edit a sexp which may have one of a fixed set of types.
1375 It is currently implemented with the @code{choice-menu} basic widget,
1376 and has a similar syntax.
1377 @end deffn
1378
1379 @deffn Widget set
1380 Allows you to specify a type which must be a list whose elements all
1381 belong to given set. The elements of the list are not significant.
1382 This is implemented on top of the @code{checklist} basic widget, and has
1383 a similar syntax.
1384 @end deffn
1385
1386 @deffn Widget repeat
1387 Allows you to specify a variable length list whose members are all of
1388 the same type. Implemented on top of the @code{editable-list} basic
1389 widget, and has a similar syntax.
1390 @end deffn
1391
1392 @node Widget Properties, Defining New Widgets, Sexp Types, Top
1393 @comment node-name, next, previous, up
1394 @section Properties
1395 @cindex properties of widgets
1396 @cindex widget properties
1397
1398 You can examine or set the value of a widget by using the widget object
1399 that was returned by @code{widget-create}.
1400
1401 @defun widget-value widget
1402 Return the current value contained in @var{widget}.
1403 It is an error to call this function on an uninitialized widget.
1404 @end defun
1405
1406 @defun widget-value-set widget value
1407 Set the value contained in @var{widget} to @var{value}.
1408 It is an error to call this function with an invalid @var{value}.
1409 @end defun
1410
1411 @strong{Important:} You @emph{must} call @code{widget-setup} after
1412 modifying the value of a widget before the user is allowed to edit the
1413 widget again. It is enough to call @code{widget-setup} once if you
1414 modify multiple widgets. This is currently only necessary if the widget
1415 contains an editing field, but may be necessary for other widgets in the
1416 future.
1417
1418 If your application needs to associate some information with the widget
1419 objects, for example a reference to the item being edited, it can be
1420 done with @code{widget-put} and @code{widget-get}. The property names
1421 must begin with a @samp{:}.
1422
1423 @defun widget-put widget property value
1424 In @var{widget} set @var{property} to @var{value}.
1425 @var{property} should be a symbol, while @var{value} can be anything.
1426 @end defun
1427
1428 @defun widget-get widget property
1429 In @var{widget} return the value for @var{property}.
1430 @var{property} should be a symbol, the value is what was last set by
1431 @code{widget-put} for @var{property}.
1432 @end defun
1433
1434 @defun widget-member widget property
1435 Non-nil if @var{widget} has a value (even nil) for property @var{property}.
1436 @end defun
1437
1438 Occasionally it can be useful to know which kind of widget you have,
1439 i.e.@: the name of the widget type you gave when the widget was created.
1440
1441 @defun widget-type widget
1442 Return the name of @var{widget}, a symbol.
1443 @end defun
1444
1445 @cindex active widget
1446 @cindex inactive widget
1447 @cindex activate a widget
1448 @cindex deactivate a widget
1449 Widgets can be in two states: active, which means they are modifiable by
1450 the user, or inactive, which means they cannot be modified by the user.
1451 You can query or set the state with the following code:
1452
1453 @lisp
1454 ;; Examine if @var{widget} is active or not.
1455 (if (widget-apply @var{widget} :active)
1456 (message "Widget is active.")
1457 (message "Widget is inactive.")
1458
1459 ;; Make @var{widget} inactive.
1460 (widget-apply @var{widget} :deactivate)
1461
1462 ;; Make @var{widget} active.
1463 (widget-apply @var{widget} :activate)
1464 @end lisp
1465
1466 A widget is inactive if it, or any of its ancestors (found by
1467 following the @code{:parent} link), have been deactivated. To make sure
1468 a widget is really active, you must therefore activate both it and
1469 all its ancestors.
1470
1471 @lisp
1472 (while widget
1473 (widget-apply widget :activate)
1474 (setq widget (widget-get widget :parent)))
1475 @end lisp
1476
1477 You can check if a widget has been made inactive by examining the value
1478 of the @code{:inactive} keyword. If this is non-nil, the widget itself
1479 has been deactivated. This is different from using the @code{:active}
1480 keyword, in that the latter tells you if the widget @strong{or} any of
1481 its ancestors have been deactivated. Do not attempt to set the
1482 @code{:inactive} keyword directly. Use the @code{:activate}
1483 @code{:deactivate} keywords instead.
1484
1485
1486 @node Defining New Widgets, Widget Browser, Widget Properties, Top
1487 @comment node-name, next, previous, up
1488 @section Defining New Widgets
1489 @cindex new widgets
1490 @cindex defining new widgets
1491
1492 You can define specialized widgets with @code{define-widget}. It allows
1493 you to create a shorthand for more complex widgets, including specifying
1494 component widgets and new default values for the keyword
1495 arguments.
1496
1497 @defun define-widget name class doc &rest args
1498 Define a new widget type named @var{name} from @code{class}.
1499
1500 @var{name} and class should both be symbols, @code{class} should be one
1501 of the existing widget types.
1502
1503 The third argument @var{DOC} is a documentation string for the widget.
1504
1505 After the new widget has been defined, the following two calls will
1506 create identical widgets:
1507
1508 @itemize @bullet
1509 @item
1510 @lisp
1511 (widget-create @var{name})
1512 @end lisp
1513
1514 @item
1515 @lisp
1516 (apply widget-create @var{class} @var{args})
1517 @end lisp
1518 @end itemize
1519
1520 @end defun
1521
1522 Using @code{define-widget} just stores the definition of the widget type
1523 in the @code{widget-type} property of @var{name}, which is what
1524 @code{widget-create} uses.
1525
1526 If you only want to specify defaults for keywords with no complex
1527 conversions, you can use @code{identity} as your conversion function.
1528
1529 The following additional keyword arguments are useful when defining new
1530 widgets:
1531 @table @code
1532 @vindex convert-widget@r{ keyword}
1533 @item :convert-widget
1534 Function to convert a widget type before creating a widget of that
1535 type. It takes a widget type as an argument, and returns the converted
1536 widget type. When a widget is created, this function is called for the
1537 widget type and all the widget's parent types, most derived first.
1538
1539 The following predefined functions can be used here:
1540
1541 @defun widget-types-convert-widget widget
1542 Convert @code{:args} as widget types in @var{widget}.
1543 @end defun
1544
1545 @defun widget-value-convert-widget widget
1546 Initialize @code{:value} from @code{:args} in @var{widget}.
1547 @end defun
1548
1549 @vindex copy@r{ keyword}
1550 @item :copy
1551 Function to deep copy a widget type. It takes a shallow copy of the
1552 widget type as an argument (made by @code{copy-sequence}), and returns a
1553 deep copy. The purpose of this is to avoid having different instances
1554 of combined widgets share nested attributes.
1555
1556 The following predefined functions can be used here:
1557
1558 @defun widget-types-copy widget
1559 Copy @code{:args} as widget types in @var{widget}.
1560 @end defun
1561
1562 @vindex value-to-internal@r{ keyword}
1563 @item :value-to-internal
1564 Function to convert the value to the internal format. The function
1565 takes two arguments, a widget and an external value, and returns the
1566 internal value. The function is called on the present @code{:value}
1567 when the widget is created, and on any value set later with
1568 @code{widget-value-set}.
1569
1570 @vindex value-to-external@r{ keyword}
1571 @item :value-to-external
1572 Function to convert the value to the external format. The function
1573 takes two arguments, a widget and an internal value, and returns the
1574 external value. The function is called on the present @code{:value}
1575 when the widget is created, and on any value set later with
1576 @code{widget-value-set}.
1577
1578 @vindex create@r{ keyword}
1579 @item :create
1580 Function to create a widget from scratch. The function takes one
1581 argument, a widget type, and creates a widget of that type, inserts it
1582 in the buffer, and returns a widget object.
1583
1584 @vindex delete@r{ keyword}
1585 @item :delete
1586 Function to delete a widget. The function takes one argument, a widget,
1587 and should remove all traces of the widget from the buffer.
1588
1589 The default value is:
1590
1591 @defun widget-default-delete widget
1592 Remove @var{widget} from the buffer.
1593 Delete all @code{:children} and @code{:buttons} in @var{widget}.
1594 @end defun
1595
1596 In most cases you should not change this value, but instead use
1597 @code{:value-delete} to make any additional cleanup.
1598
1599 @vindex value-create@r{ keyword}
1600 @item :value-create
1601 Function to expand the @samp{%v} escape in the format string. It will
1602 be called with the widget as its argument and should insert a
1603 representation of the widget's value in the buffer.
1604
1605 Nested widgets should be listed in @code{:children} or @code{:buttons}
1606 to make sure they are automatically deleted.
1607
1608 @vindex value-delete@r{ keyword}
1609 @item :value-delete
1610 Should remove the representation of the widget's value from the buffer.
1611 It will be called with the widget as its argument. It doesn't have to
1612 remove the text, but it should release markers and delete nested widgets
1613 if these are not listed in @code{:children} or @code{:buttons}.
1614
1615 @vindex value-get@r{ keyword}
1616 @item :value-get
1617 Function to extract the value of a widget, as it is displayed in the
1618 buffer.
1619
1620 The following predefined function can be used here:
1621
1622 @defun widget-value-value-get widget
1623 Return the @code{:value} property of @var{widget}.
1624 @end defun
1625
1626 @vindex format-handler@r{ keyword}
1627 @item :format-handler
1628 Function to handle unknown @samp{%} escapes in the format string. It
1629 will be called with the widget and the character that follows the
1630 @samp{%} as arguments. You can set this to allow your widget to handle
1631 non-standard escapes.
1632
1633 @findex widget-default-format-handler
1634 You should end up calling @code{widget-default-format-handler} to handle
1635 unknown escape sequences, which will handle the @samp{%h} and any future
1636 escape sequences, as well as give an error for unknown escapes.
1637
1638 @vindex action@r{ keyword}
1639 @item :action
1640 Function to handle user initiated events. By default, @code{:notify}
1641 the parent.
1642
1643 The following predefined function can be used here:
1644
1645 @defun widget-parent-action widget &optional event
1646 Tell @code{:parent} of @var{widget} to handle the @code{:action}.
1647 Optional @var{event} is the event that triggered the action.
1648 @end defun
1649
1650 @vindex prompt-value@r{ keyword}
1651 @item :prompt-value
1652 Function to prompt for a value in the minibuffer. The function should
1653 take four arguments, @var{widget}, @var{prompt}, @var{value}, and
1654 @var{unbound} and should return a value for widget entered by the user.
1655 @var{prompt} is the prompt to use. @var{value} is the default value to
1656 use, unless @var{unbound} is non-nil, in which case there is no default
1657 value. The function should read the value using the method most natural
1658 for this widget, and does not have to check that it matches.
1659 @end table
1660
1661 If you want to define a new widget from scratch, use the @code{default}
1662 widget as its base.
1663
1664 @deffn Widget default
1665 Widget used as a base for other widgets.
1666
1667 It provides most of the functionality that is referred to as ``by
1668 default'' in this text.
1669 @end deffn
1670
1671 @node Widget Browser, Widget Minor Mode, Defining New Widgets, Top
1672 @comment node-name, next, previous, up
1673 @section Widget Browser
1674 @cindex widget browser
1675
1676 There is a separate package to browse widgets. This is intended to help
1677 programmers who want to examine the content of a widget. The browser
1678 shows the value of each keyword, but uses links for certain keywords
1679 such as @samp{:parent}, which avoids printing cyclic structures.
1680
1681 @deffn Command widget-browse @var{widget}
1682 Create a widget browser for @var{widget}.
1683 When called interactively, prompt for @var{widget}.
1684 @end deffn
1685
1686 @deffn Command widget-browse-other-window @var{widget}
1687 Create a widget browser for @var{widget} and show it in another window.
1688 When called interactively, prompt for @var{widget}.
1689 @end deffn
1690
1691 @deffn Command widget-browse-at @var{pos}
1692 Create a widget browser for the widget at @var{pos}.
1693 When called interactively, use the position of point.
1694 @end deffn
1695
1696 @node Widget Minor Mode, Utilities, Widget Browser, Top
1697 @comment node-name, next, previous, up
1698 @section Widget Minor Mode
1699 @cindex widget minor mode
1700
1701 There is a minor mode for manipulating widgets in major modes that
1702 don't provide any support for widgets themselves. This is mostly
1703 intended to be useful for programmers doing experiments.
1704
1705 @deffn Command widget-minor-mode
1706 Toggle minor mode for traversing widgets.
1707 With arg, turn widget mode on if and only if arg is positive.
1708 @end deffn
1709
1710 @defvar widget-minor-mode-keymap
1711 Keymap used in @code{widget-minor-mode}.
1712 @end defvar
1713
1714 @node Utilities, Widget Wishlist, Widget Minor Mode, Top
1715 @comment node-name, next, previous, up
1716 @section Utilities.
1717 @cindex utility functions for widgets
1718
1719 @defun widget-prompt-value widget prompt [ value unbound ]
1720 Prompt for a value matching @var{widget}, using @var{prompt}.
1721 The current value is assumed to be @var{value}, unless @var{unbound} is
1722 non-nil.@refill
1723 @end defun
1724
1725 @defun widget-get-sibling widget
1726 Get the item which @var{widget} is assumed to toggle.
1727 This is only meaningful for radio buttons or checkboxes in a list.
1728 @end defun
1729
1730 @node Widget Wishlist, Index, Utilities, Top
1731 @comment node-name, next, previous, up
1732 @section Wishlist
1733 @cindex todo
1734
1735 @itemize @bullet
1736 @item
1737 It should be possible to add or remove items from a list with @kbd{C-k}
1738 and @kbd{C-o} (suggested by @sc{rms}).
1739
1740 @item
1741 The @samp{[INS]} and @samp{[DEL]} buttons should be replaced by a single
1742 dash (@samp{-}). The dash should be a button that, when invoked, asks
1743 whether you want to add or delete an item (@sc{rms} wanted to git rid of
1744 the ugly buttons, the dash is my idea).
1745
1746 @item
1747 The @code{menu-choice} tag should be prettier, something like the abbreviated
1748 menus in Open Look.
1749
1750 @item
1751 Finish @code{:tab-order}.
1752
1753 @item
1754 Make indentation work with glyphs and proportional fonts.
1755
1756 @item
1757 Add commands to show overview of object and class hierarchies to the
1758 browser.
1759
1760 @item
1761 Find a way to disable mouse highlight for inactive widgets.
1762
1763 @item
1764 Find a way to make glyphs look inactive.
1765
1766 @item
1767 Add @code{property-list} widget.
1768
1769 @item
1770 Add @code{association-list} widget.
1771
1772 @item
1773 Add @code{key-binding} widget.
1774
1775 @item
1776 Add @code{widget} widget for editing widget specifications.
1777
1778 @item
1779 Find clean way to implement variable length list.
1780 See @code{TeX-printer-list} for an explanation.
1781
1782 @item
1783 @kbd{C-h} in @code{widget-prompt-value} should give type specific help.
1784
1785 @item
1786 Add a @code{mailto} widget.
1787 @end itemize
1788
1789 @node Index, , Widget Wishlist, Top
1790 @comment node-name, next, previous, up
1791 @unnumbered Index
1792
1793 This is an alphabetical listing of all concepts, functions, commands,
1794 variables, and widgets described in this manual.
1795 @printindex cp
1796
1797 @setchapternewpage odd
1798 @contents
1799 @bye
1800
1801 @ignore
1802 arch-tag: 2b427731-4c61-4e72-85de-5ccec9c623f0
1803 @end ignore