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1 @c -*-texinfo-*-
2 @c This is part of the GNU Emacs Lisp Reference Manual.
3 @c Copyright (C) 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1998, 1999, 2002, 2003,
4 @c 2004, 2005, 2006 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
5 @c See the file elisp.texi for copying conditions.
6 @setfilename ../info/windows
7 @node Windows, Frames, Buffers, Top
8 @chapter Windows
9
10 This chapter describes most of the functions and variables related to
11 Emacs windows. See @ref{Display}, for information on how text is
12 displayed in windows.
13
14 @menu
15 * Basic Windows:: Basic information on using windows.
16 * Splitting Windows:: Splitting one window into two windows.
17 * Deleting Windows:: Deleting a window gives its space to other windows.
18 * Selecting Windows:: The selected window is the one that you edit in.
19 * Cyclic Window Ordering:: Moving around the existing windows.
20 * Buffers and Windows:: Each window displays the contents of a buffer.
21 * Displaying Buffers:: Higher-level functions for displaying a buffer
22 and choosing a window for it.
23 * Choosing Window:: How to choose a window for displaying a buffer.
24 * Window Point:: Each window has its own location of point.
25 * Window Start:: The display-start position controls which text
26 is on-screen in the window.
27 * Textual Scrolling:: Moving text up and down through the window.
28 * Vertical Scrolling:: Moving the contents up and down on the window.
29 * Horizontal Scrolling:: Moving the contents sideways on the window.
30 * Size of Window:: Accessing the size of a window.
31 * Resizing Windows:: Changing the size of a window.
32 * Coordinates and Windows:: Converting coordinates to windows.
33 * Window Tree:: The layout and sizes of all windows in a frame.
34 * Window Configurations:: Saving and restoring the state of the screen.
35 * Window Hooks:: Hooks for scrolling, window size changes,
36 redisplay going past a certain point,
37 or window configuration changes.
38 @end menu
39
40 @node Basic Windows
41 @section Basic Concepts of Emacs Windows
42 @cindex window
43 @cindex selected window
44
45 A @dfn{window} in Emacs is the physical area of the screen in which a
46 buffer is displayed. The term is also used to refer to a Lisp object that
47 represents that screen area in Emacs Lisp. It should be
48 clear from the context which is meant.
49
50 Emacs groups windows into frames. A frame represents an area of
51 screen available for Emacs to use. Each frame always contains at least
52 one window, but you can subdivide it vertically or horizontally into
53 multiple nonoverlapping Emacs windows.
54
55 In each frame, at any time, one and only one window is designated as
56 @dfn{selected within the frame}. The frame's cursor appears in that
57 window, but the other windows have ``non-selected'' cursors, normally
58 less visible. At any time, one frame is the selected frame; and the
59 window selected within that frame is @dfn{the selected window}. The
60 selected window's buffer is usually the current buffer (except when
61 @code{set-buffer} has been used). @xref{Current Buffer}.
62
63 @defvar cursor-in-non-selected-windows
64 If this variable is @code{nil}, Emacs displays only one cursor,
65 in the selected window. Other windows have no cursor at all.
66 @end defvar
67
68 For practical purposes, a window exists only while it is displayed in
69 a frame. Once removed from the frame, the window is effectively deleted
70 and should not be used, @emph{even though there may still be references
71 to it} from other Lisp objects. Restoring a saved window configuration
72 is the only way for a window no longer on the screen to come back to
73 life. (@xref{Deleting Windows}.)
74
75 Each window has the following attributes:
76
77 @itemize @bullet
78 @item
79 containing frame
80
81 @item
82 window height
83
84 @item
85 window width
86
87 @item
88 window edges with respect to the screen or frame
89
90 @item
91 the buffer it displays
92
93 @item
94 position within the buffer at the upper left of the window
95
96 @item
97 amount of horizontal scrolling, in columns
98
99 @item
100 point
101
102 @item
103 the mark
104
105 @item
106 how recently the window was selected
107
108 @item
109 fringe settings
110
111 @item
112 display margins
113
114 @item
115 scroll-bar settings
116 @end itemize
117
118 @cindex multiple windows
119 Users create multiple windows so they can look at several buffers at
120 once. Lisp libraries use multiple windows for a variety of reasons, but
121 most often to display related information. In Rmail, for example, you
122 can move through a summary buffer in one window while the other window
123 shows messages one at a time as they are reached.
124
125 The meaning of ``window'' in Emacs is similar to what it means in the
126 context of general-purpose window systems such as X, but not identical.
127 The X Window System places X windows on the screen; Emacs uses one or
128 more X windows as frames, and subdivides them into
129 Emacs windows. When you use Emacs on a character-only terminal, Emacs
130 treats the whole terminal screen as one frame.
131
132 @cindex terminal screen
133 @cindex screen of terminal
134 @cindex tiled windows
135 Most window systems support arbitrarily located overlapping windows.
136 In contrast, Emacs windows are @dfn{tiled}; they never overlap, and
137 together they fill the whole screen or frame. Because of the way in
138 which Emacs creates new windows and resizes them, not all conceivable
139 tilings of windows on an Emacs frame are actually possible.
140 @xref{Splitting Windows}, and @ref{Size of Window}.
141
142 @xref{Display}, for information on how the contents of the
143 window's buffer are displayed in the window.
144
145 @defun windowp object
146 This function returns @code{t} if @var{object} is a window.
147 @end defun
148
149 @node Splitting Windows
150 @section Splitting Windows
151 @cindex splitting windows
152 @cindex window splitting
153
154 The functions described here are the primitives used to split a window
155 into two windows. Two higher level functions sometimes split a window,
156 but not always: @code{pop-to-buffer} and @code{display-buffer}
157 (@pxref{Displaying Buffers}).
158
159 The functions described here do not accept a buffer as an argument.
160 The two ``halves'' of the split window initially display the same buffer
161 previously visible in the window that was split.
162
163 @deffn Command split-window &optional window size horizontal
164 This function splits a new window out of @var{window}'s screen area.
165 It returns the new window.
166
167 If @var{horizontal} is non-@code{nil}, then @var{window} splits into
168 two side by side windows. The original window @var{window} keeps the
169 leftmost @var{size} columns, and gives the rest of the columns to the
170 new window. Otherwise, it splits into windows one above the other, and
171 @var{window} keeps the upper @var{size} lines and gives the rest of the
172 lines to the new window. The original window is therefore the
173 left-hand or upper of the two, and the new window is the right-hand or
174 lower.
175
176 If @var{window} is omitted or @code{nil}, that stands for the selected
177 window. When you split the selected window, it remains selected.
178
179 If @var{size} is omitted or @code{nil}, then @var{window} is divided
180 evenly into two parts. (If there is an odd line, it is allocated to
181 the new window.) When @code{split-window} is called interactively,
182 all its arguments are @code{nil}.
183
184 If splitting would result in making a window that is smaller than
185 @code{window-min-height} or @code{window-min-width}, the function
186 signals an error and does not split the window at all.
187
188 The following example starts with one window on a screen that is 50
189 lines high by 80 columns wide; then it splits the window.
190
191 @smallexample
192 @group
193 (setq w (selected-window))
194 @result{} #<window 8 on windows.texi>
195 (window-edges) ; @r{Edges in order:}
196 @result{} (0 0 80 50) ; @r{left--top--right--bottom}
197 @end group
198
199 @group
200 ;; @r{Returns window created}
201 (setq w2 (split-window w 15))
202 @result{} #<window 28 on windows.texi>
203 @end group
204 @group
205 (window-edges w2)
206 @result{} (0 15 80 50) ; @r{Bottom window;}
207 ; @r{top is line 15}
208 @end group
209 @group
210 (window-edges w)
211 @result{} (0 0 80 15) ; @r{Top window}
212 @end group
213 @end smallexample
214
215 The screen looks like this:
216
217 @smallexample
218 @group
219 __________
220 | | line 0
221 | w |
222 |__________|
223 | | line 15
224 | w2 |
225 |__________|
226 line 50
227 column 0 column 80
228 @end group
229 @end smallexample
230
231 Next, split the top window horizontally:
232
233 @smallexample
234 @group
235 (setq w3 (split-window w 35 t))
236 @result{} #<window 32 on windows.texi>
237 @end group
238 @group
239 (window-edges w3)
240 @result{} (35 0 80 15) ; @r{Left edge at column 35}
241 @end group
242 @group
243 (window-edges w)
244 @result{} (0 0 35 15) ; @r{Right edge at column 35}
245 @end group
246 @group
247 (window-edges w2)
248 @result{} (0 15 80 50) ; @r{Bottom window unchanged}
249 @end group
250 @end smallexample
251
252 @need 3000
253 Now the screen looks like this:
254
255 @smallexample
256 @group
257 column 35
258 __________
259 | | | line 0
260 | w | w3 |
261 |___|______|
262 | | line 15
263 | w2 |
264 |__________|
265 line 50
266 column 0 column 80
267 @end group
268 @end smallexample
269
270 Normally, Emacs indicates the border between two side-by-side windows
271 with a scroll bar (@pxref{Layout Parameters,Scroll Bars}) or @samp{|}
272 characters. The display table can specify alternative border
273 characters; see @ref{Display Tables}.
274 @end deffn
275
276 @deffn Command split-window-vertically &optional size
277 This function splits the selected window into two windows, one above the
278 other, leaving the upper of the two windows selected, with @var{size}
279 lines. (If @var{size} is negative, then the lower of the two windows
280 gets @minus{} @var{size} lines and the upper window gets the rest, but
281 the upper window is still the one selected.) However, if
282 @code{split-window-keep-point} (see below) is @code{nil}, then either
283 window can be selected.
284
285 In other respects, this function is similar to @code{split-window}.
286 In particular, the upper window is the original one and the return
287 value is the new, lower window.
288 @end deffn
289
290 @defopt split-window-keep-point
291 If this variable is non-@code{nil} (the default), then
292 @code{split-window-vertically} behaves as described above.
293
294 If it is @code{nil}, then @code{split-window-vertically} adjusts point
295 in each of the two windows to avoid scrolling. (This is useful on
296 slow terminals.) It selects whichever window contains the screen line
297 that point was previously on.
298
299 This variable only affects the behavior of @code{split-window-vertically}.
300 It has no effect on the other functions described here.
301 @end defopt
302
303 @deffn Command split-window-horizontally &optional size
304 This function splits the selected window into two windows
305 side-by-side, leaving the selected window on the left with @var{size}
306 columns. If @var{size} is negative, the rightmost window gets
307 @minus{} @var{size} columns, but the leftmost window still remains
308 selected.
309
310 This function is basically an interface to @code{split-window}.
311 You could define a simplified version of the function like this:
312
313 @smallexample
314 @group
315 (defun split-window-horizontally (&optional arg)
316 "Split selected window into two windows, side by side..."
317 (interactive "P")
318 @end group
319 @group
320 (let ((size (and arg (prefix-numeric-value arg))))
321 (and size (< size 0)
322 (setq size (+ (window-width) size)))
323 (split-window nil size t)))
324 @end group
325 @end smallexample
326 @end deffn
327
328 @defun one-window-p &optional no-mini all-frames
329 This function returns non-@code{nil} if there is only one window. The
330 argument @var{no-mini}, if non-@code{nil}, means don't count the
331 minibuffer even if it is active; otherwise, the minibuffer window is
332 counted when it is active.
333
334 The argument @var{all-frames} specifies which frames to consider. Here
335 are the possible values and their meanings:
336
337 @table @asis
338 @item @code{nil}
339 Count the windows in the selected frame, plus the minibuffer used
340 by that frame even if it lies in some other frame.
341
342 @item @code{t}
343 Count all windows in all existing frames.
344
345 @item @code{visible}
346 Count all windows in all visible frames.
347
348 @item 0
349 Count all windows in all visible or iconified frames.
350
351 @item anything else
352 Count precisely the windows in the selected frame, and no others.
353 @end table
354 @end defun
355
356 @node Deleting Windows
357 @section Deleting Windows
358 @cindex deleting windows
359
360 A window remains visible on its frame unless you @dfn{delete} it by
361 calling certain functions that delete windows. A deleted window cannot
362 appear on the screen, but continues to exist as a Lisp object until
363 there are no references to it. There is no way to cancel the deletion
364 of a window aside from restoring a saved window configuration
365 (@pxref{Window Configurations}). Restoring a window configuration also
366 deletes any windows that aren't part of that configuration.
367
368 When you delete a window, the space it took up is given to one
369 adjacent sibling.
370
371 @c Emacs 19 feature
372 @defun window-live-p window
373 This function returns @code{nil} if @var{window} is deleted, and
374 @code{t} otherwise.
375
376 @strong{Warning:} Erroneous information or fatal errors may result from
377 using a deleted window as if it were live.
378 @end defun
379
380 @deffn Command delete-window &optional window
381 This function removes @var{window} from display, and returns @code{nil}.
382 If @var{window} is omitted, then the selected window is deleted. An
383 error is signaled if there is only one window when @code{delete-window}
384 is called.
385 @end deffn
386
387 @deffn Command delete-other-windows &optional window
388 This function makes @var{window} the only window on its frame, by
389 deleting the other windows in that frame. If @var{window} is omitted or
390 @code{nil}, then the selected window is used by default.
391
392 The return value is @code{nil}.
393 @end deffn
394
395 @deffn Command delete-windows-on buffer-or-name &optional frame
396 This function deletes all windows showing @var{buffer-or-name}. If
397 there are no windows showing @var{buffer-or-name}, it does nothing.
398 @var{buffer-or-name} must be a buffer or the name of an existing
399 buffer.
400
401 @code{delete-windows-on} operates frame by frame. If a frame has
402 several windows showing different buffers, then those showing
403 @var{buffer-or-name} are removed, and the others expand to fill the
404 space. If all windows in some frame are showing @var{buffer-or-name}
405 (including the case where there is only one window), then the frame
406 winds up with a single window showing another buffer chosen with
407 @code{other-buffer}. @xref{The Buffer List}.
408
409 The argument @var{frame} controls which frames to operate on. This
410 function does not use it in quite the same way as the other functions
411 which scan all windows; specifically, the values @code{t} and @code{nil}
412 have the opposite of their meanings in other functions. Here are the
413 full details:
414
415 @itemize @bullet
416 @item
417 If it is @code{nil}, operate on all frames.
418 @item
419 If it is @code{t}, operate on the selected frame.
420 @item
421 If it is @code{visible}, operate on all visible frames.
422 @item
423 If it is 0, operate on all visible or iconified frames.
424 @item
425 If it is a frame, operate on that frame.
426 @end itemize
427
428 This function always returns @code{nil}.
429 @end deffn
430
431 @node Selecting Windows
432 @section Selecting Windows
433 @cindex selecting windows
434
435 When a window is selected, the buffer in the window becomes the current
436 buffer, and the cursor will appear in it.
437
438 @defun selected-window
439 This function returns the selected window. This is the window in
440 which the cursor appears and to which many commands apply.
441 @end defun
442
443 @defun select-window window &optional norecord
444 This function makes @var{window} the selected window. The cursor then
445 appears in @var{window} (on redisplay). Unless @var{window} was
446 already selected, @code{select-window} makes @var{window}'s buffer the
447 current buffer.
448
449 Normally @var{window}'s selected buffer is moved to the front of the
450 buffer list, but if @var{norecord} is non-@code{nil}, the buffer list
451 order is unchanged.
452
453 The return value is @var{window}.
454
455 @example
456 @group
457 (setq w (next-window))
458 (select-window w)
459 @result{} #<window 65 on windows.texi>
460 @end group
461 @end example
462 @end defun
463
464 @defmac save-selected-window forms@dots{}
465 This macro records the selected frame, as well as the selected window
466 of each frame, executes @var{forms} in sequence, then restores the
467 earlier selected frame and windows. It also saves and restores the
468 current buffer. It returns the value of the last form in @var{forms}.
469
470 This macro does not save or restore anything about the sizes,
471 arrangement or contents of windows; therefore, if the @var{forms}
472 change them, the change persists. If the previously selected window
473 of some frame is no longer live at the time of exit from @var{forms},
474 that frame's selected window is left alone. If the previously
475 selected window is no longer live, then whatever window is selected at
476 the end of @var{forms} remains selected.
477 @end defmac
478
479 @defmac with-selected-window window forms@dots{}
480 This macro selects @var{window} (without changing the buffer list),
481 executes @var{forms} in sequence, then restores the previously
482 selected window and current buffer. It is just like
483 @code{save-selected-window}, except that it explicitly selects
484 @var{window}, also without altering the buffer list sequence.
485 @end defmac
486
487 @cindex finding windows
488 The following functions choose one of the windows on the screen,
489 offering various criteria for the choice.
490
491 @defun get-lru-window &optional frame dedicated
492 This function returns the window least recently ``used'' (that is,
493 selected). If any full-width windows are present, it only considers
494 these. The selected window is always the most recently used window.
495
496 The selected window can be the least recently used window if it is the
497 only window. A newly created window becomes the least recently used
498 window until it is selected. A minibuffer window is never a
499 candidate. Dedicated windows are never candidates unless the
500 @var{dedicated} argument is non-@code{nil}, so if all
501 existing windows are dedicated, the value is @code{nil}.
502
503 The argument @var{frame} controls which windows are considered.
504
505 @itemize @bullet
506 @item
507 If it is @code{nil}, consider windows on the selected frame.
508 @item
509 If it is @code{t}, consider windows on all frames.
510 @item
511 If it is @code{visible}, consider windows on all visible frames.
512 @item
513 If it is 0, consider windows on all visible or iconified frames.
514 @item
515 If it is a frame, consider windows on that frame.
516 @end itemize
517 @end defun
518
519 @defun get-largest-window &optional frame dedicated
520 This function returns the window with the largest area (height times
521 width). If there are no side-by-side windows, then this is the window
522 with the most lines. A minibuffer window is never a candidate.
523 Dedicated windows are never candidates unless the
524 @var{dedicated} argument is non-@code{nil}, so if all existing windows
525 are dedicated, the value is @code{nil}.
526
527 If there are two candidate windows of the same size, this function
528 prefers the one that comes first in the cyclic ordering of windows
529 (see following section), starting from the selected window.
530
531 The argument @var{frame} controls which set of windows to
532 consider. See @code{get-lru-window}, above.
533 @end defun
534
535 @cindex window that satisfies a predicate
536 @cindex conditional selection of windows
537 @defun get-window-with-predicate predicate &optional minibuf all-frames default
538 This function returns a window satisfying @var{predicate}. It cycles
539 through all visible windows using @code{walk-windows} (@pxref{Cyclic
540 Window Ordering}), calling @var{predicate} on each one of them
541 with that window as its argument. The function returns the first
542 window for which @var{predicate} returns a non-@code{nil} value; if
543 that never happens, it returns @var{default}.
544
545 The optional arguments @var{minibuf} and @var{all-frames} specify the
546 set of windows to include in the scan. See the description of
547 @code{next-window} in @ref{Cyclic Window Ordering}, for details.
548 @end defun
549
550 @node Cyclic Window Ordering
551 @comment node-name, next, previous, up
552 @section Cyclic Ordering of Windows
553 @cindex cyclic ordering of windows
554 @cindex ordering of windows, cyclic
555 @cindex window ordering, cyclic
556
557 When you use the command @kbd{C-x o} (@code{other-window}) to select
558 the next window, it moves through all the windows on the screen in a
559 specific cyclic order. For any given configuration of windows, this
560 order never varies. It is called the @dfn{cyclic ordering of windows}.
561
562 This ordering generally goes from top to bottom, and from left to
563 right. But it may go down first or go right first, depending on the
564 order in which the windows were split.
565
566 If the first split was vertical (into windows one above each other),
567 and then the subwindows were split horizontally, then the ordering is
568 left to right in the top of the frame, and then left to right in the
569 next lower part of the frame, and so on. If the first split was
570 horizontal, the ordering is top to bottom in the left part, and so on.
571 In general, within each set of siblings at any level in the window tree,
572 the order is left to right, or top to bottom.
573
574 @defun next-window &optional window minibuf all-frames
575 @cindex minibuffer window
576 This function returns the window following @var{window} in the cyclic
577 ordering of windows. This is the window that @kbd{C-x o} would select
578 if typed when @var{window} is selected. If @var{window} is the only
579 window visible, then this function returns @var{window}. If omitted,
580 @var{window} defaults to the selected window.
581
582 The value of the argument @var{minibuf} determines whether the
583 minibuffer is included in the window order. Normally, when
584 @var{minibuf} is @code{nil}, the minibuffer is included if it is
585 currently active; this is the behavior of @kbd{C-x o}. (The minibuffer
586 window is active while the minibuffer is in use. @xref{Minibuffers}.)
587
588 If @var{minibuf} is @code{t}, then the cyclic ordering includes the
589 minibuffer window even if it is not active.
590
591 If @var{minibuf} is neither @code{t} nor @code{nil}, then the minibuffer
592 window is not included even if it is active.
593
594 The argument @var{all-frames} specifies which frames to consider. Here
595 are the possible values and their meanings:
596
597 @table @asis
598 @item @code{nil}
599 Consider all the windows in @var{window}'s frame, plus the minibuffer
600 used by that frame even if it lies in some other frame. If the
601 minibuffer counts (as determined by @var{minibuf}), then all windows on
602 all frames that share that minibuffer count too.
603
604 @item @code{t}
605 Consider all windows in all existing frames.
606
607 @item @code{visible}
608 Consider all windows in all visible frames. (To get useful results, you
609 must ensure @var{window} is in a visible frame.)
610
611 @item 0
612 Consider all windows in all visible or iconified frames.
613
614 @item a frame
615 Consider all windows on that frame.
616
617 @item anything else
618 Consider precisely the windows in @var{window}'s frame, and no others.
619 @end table
620
621 This example assumes there are two windows, both displaying the
622 buffer @samp{windows.texi}:
623
624 @example
625 @group
626 (selected-window)
627 @result{} #<window 56 on windows.texi>
628 @end group
629 @group
630 (next-window (selected-window))
631 @result{} #<window 52 on windows.texi>
632 @end group
633 @group
634 (next-window (next-window (selected-window)))
635 @result{} #<window 56 on windows.texi>
636 @end group
637 @end example
638 @end defun
639
640 @defun previous-window &optional window minibuf all-frames
641 This function returns the window preceding @var{window} in the cyclic
642 ordering of windows. The other arguments specify which windows to
643 include in the cycle, as in @code{next-window}.
644 @end defun
645
646 @deffn Command other-window count &optional all-frames
647 This function selects the @var{count}th following window in the cyclic
648 order. If count is negative, then it moves back @minus{}@var{count}
649 windows in the cycle, rather than forward. It returns @code{nil}.
650
651 The argument @var{all-frames} has the same meaning as in
652 @code{next-window}, but the @var{minibuf} argument of @code{next-window}
653 is always effectively @code{nil}.
654
655 In an interactive call, @var{count} is the numeric prefix argument.
656 @end deffn
657
658 @c Emacs 19 feature
659 @defun walk-windows proc &optional minibuf all-frames
660 This function cycles through all windows. It calls the function
661 @code{proc} once for each window, with the window as its sole
662 argument.
663
664 The optional arguments @var{minibuf} and @var{all-frames} specify the
665 set of windows to include in the scan. See @code{next-window}, above,
666 for details.
667 @end defun
668
669 @defun window-list &optional frame minibuf window
670 This function returns a list of the windows on @var{frame}, starting
671 with @var{window}. If @var{frame} is @code{nil} or omitted,
672 @code{window-list} uses the selected frame instead; if @var{window} is
673 @code{nil} or omitted, it uses the selected window.
674
675 The value of @var{minibuf} determines if the minibuffer window is
676 included in the result list. If @var{minibuf} is @code{t}, the result
677 always includes the minibuffer window. If @var{minibuf} is @code{nil}
678 or omitted, that includes the minibuffer window if it is active. If
679 @var{minibuf} is neither @code{nil} nor @code{t}, the result never
680 includes the minibuffer window.
681 @end defun
682
683 @node Buffers and Windows
684 @section Buffers and Windows
685 @cindex examining windows
686 @cindex windows, controlling precisely
687 @cindex buffers, controlled in windows
688
689 This section describes low-level functions to examine windows or to
690 display buffers in windows in a precisely controlled fashion.
691 @iftex
692 See the following section for
693 @end iftex
694 @ifnottex
695 @xref{Displaying Buffers}, for
696 @end ifnottex
697 related functions that find a window to use and specify a buffer for it.
698 The functions described there are easier to use than these, but they
699 employ heuristics in choosing or creating a window; use these functions
700 when you need complete control.
701
702 @defun set-window-buffer window buffer-or-name &optional keep-margins
703 This function makes @var{window} display @var{buffer-or-name} as its
704 contents. It returns @code{nil}. @var{buffer-or-name} must be a
705 buffer, or the name of an existing buffer. This is the fundamental
706 primitive for changing which buffer is displayed in a window, and all
707 ways of doing that call this function.
708
709 @example
710 @group
711 (set-window-buffer (selected-window) "foo")
712 @result{} nil
713 @end group
714 @end example
715
716 Normally, displaying @var{buffer} in @var{window} resets the window's
717 display margins, fringe widths, scroll bar settings, and position
718 based on the local variables of @var{buffer}. However, if
719 @var{keep-margins} is non-@code{nil}, the display margins and fringe
720 widths of @var{window} remain unchanged. @xref{Fringes}.
721 @end defun
722
723 @defvar buffer-display-count
724 This buffer-local variable records the number of times a buffer is
725 displayed in a window. It is incremented each time
726 @code{set-window-buffer} is called for the buffer.
727 @end defvar
728
729 @defun window-buffer &optional window
730 This function returns the buffer that @var{window} is displaying. If
731 @var{window} is omitted, this function returns the buffer for the
732 selected window.
733
734 @example
735 @group
736 (window-buffer)
737 @result{} #<buffer windows.texi>
738 @end group
739 @end example
740 @end defun
741
742 @defun get-buffer-window buffer-or-name &optional all-frames
743 This function returns a window currently displaying
744 @var{buffer-or-name}, or @code{nil} if there is none. If there are
745 several such windows, then the function returns the first one in the
746 cyclic ordering of windows, starting from the selected window.
747 @xref{Cyclic Window Ordering}.
748
749 The argument @var{all-frames} controls which windows to consider.
750
751 @itemize @bullet
752 @item
753 If it is @code{nil}, consider windows on the selected frame.
754 @item
755 If it is @code{t}, consider windows on all frames.
756 @item
757 If it is @code{visible}, consider windows on all visible frames.
758 @item
759 If it is 0, consider windows on all visible or iconified frames.
760 @item
761 If it is a frame, consider windows on that frame.
762 @end itemize
763 @end defun
764
765 @defun get-buffer-window-list buffer-or-name &optional minibuf all-frames
766 This function returns a list of all the windows currently displaying
767 @var{buffer-or-name}.
768
769 The two optional arguments work like the optional arguments of
770 @code{next-window} (@pxref{Cyclic Window Ordering}); they are @emph{not}
771 like the single optional argument of @code{get-buffer-window}. Perhaps
772 we should change @code{get-buffer-window} in the future to make it
773 compatible with the other functions.
774 @end defun
775
776 @defvar buffer-display-time
777 This variable records the time at which a buffer was last made visible
778 in a window. It is always local in each buffer; each time
779 @code{set-window-buffer} is called, it sets this variable to
780 @code{(current-time)} in the specified buffer (@pxref{Time of Day}).
781 When a buffer is first created, @code{buffer-display-time} starts out
782 with the value @code{nil}.
783 @end defvar
784
785 @node Displaying Buffers
786 @section Displaying Buffers in Windows
787 @cindex switching to a buffer
788 @cindex displaying a buffer
789
790 In this section we describe convenient functions that choose a window
791 automatically and use it to display a specified buffer. These functions
792 can also split an existing window in certain circumstances. We also
793 describe variables that parameterize the heuristics used for choosing a
794 window.
795 @iftex
796 See the preceding section for
797 @end iftex
798 @ifnottex
799 @xref{Buffers and Windows}, for
800 @end ifnottex
801 low-level functions that give you more precise control. All of these
802 functions work by calling @code{set-window-buffer}.
803
804 Do not use the functions in this section in order to make a buffer
805 current so that a Lisp program can access or modify it; they are too
806 drastic for that purpose, since they change the display of buffers in
807 windows, which would be gratuitous and surprise the user. Instead, use
808 @code{set-buffer} and @code{save-current-buffer} (@pxref{Current
809 Buffer}), which designate buffers as current for programmed access
810 without affecting the display of buffers in windows.
811
812 @deffn Command switch-to-buffer buffer-or-name &optional norecord
813 This function makes @var{buffer-or-name} the current buffer, and also
814 displays the buffer in the selected window. This means that a human can
815 see the buffer and subsequent keyboard commands will apply to it.
816 Contrast this with @code{set-buffer}, which makes @var{buffer-or-name}
817 the current buffer but does not display it in the selected window.
818 @xref{Current Buffer}.
819
820 If @var{buffer-or-name} does not identify an existing buffer, then a new
821 buffer by that name is created. The major mode for the new buffer is
822 set according to the variable @code{default-major-mode}. @xref{Auto
823 Major Mode}. If @var{buffer-or-name} is @code{nil},
824 @code{switch-to-buffer} chooses a buffer using @code{other-buffer}.
825
826 Normally the specified buffer is put at the front of the buffer list
827 (both the selected frame's buffer list and the frame-independent buffer
828 list). This affects the operation of @code{other-buffer}. However, if
829 @var{norecord} is non-@code{nil}, this is not done. @xref{The Buffer
830 List}.
831
832 The @code{switch-to-buffer} function is often used interactively, as
833 the binding of @kbd{C-x b}. It is also used frequently in programs. It
834 returns the buffer that it switched to.
835 @end deffn
836
837 The next two functions are similar to @code{switch-to-buffer}, except
838 for the described features.
839
840 @deffn Command switch-to-buffer-other-window buffer-or-name &optional norecord
841 This function makes @var{buffer-or-name} the current buffer and
842 displays it in a window not currently selected. It then selects that
843 window. The handling of the buffer is the same as in
844 @code{switch-to-buffer}.
845
846 The currently selected window is absolutely never used to do the job.
847 If it is the only window, then it is split to make a distinct window for
848 this purpose. If the selected window is already displaying the buffer,
849 then it continues to do so, but another window is nonetheless found to
850 display it in as well.
851
852 This function updates the buffer list just like @code{switch-to-buffer}
853 unless @var{norecord} is non-@code{nil}.
854 @end deffn
855
856 @defun pop-to-buffer buffer-or-name &optional other-window norecord
857 This function makes @var{buffer-or-name} the current buffer and
858 switches to it in some window, preferably not the window previously
859 selected. The ``popped-to'' window becomes the selected window within
860 its frame. The return value is the buffer that was switched to.
861 If @var{buffer-or-name} is @code{nil}, that means to choose some
862 other buffer, but you don't specify which.
863
864 If the variable @code{pop-up-frames} is non-@code{nil},
865 @code{pop-to-buffer} looks for a window in any visible frame already
866 displaying the buffer; if there is one, it returns that window and makes
867 it be selected within its frame. If there is none, it creates a new
868 frame and displays the buffer in it.
869
870 If @code{pop-up-frames} is @code{nil}, then @code{pop-to-buffer}
871 operates entirely within the selected frame. (If the selected frame has
872 just a minibuffer, @code{pop-to-buffer} operates within the most
873 recently selected frame that was not just a minibuffer.)
874
875 If the variable @code{pop-up-windows} is non-@code{nil}, windows may
876 be split to create a new window that is different from the original
877 window. For details, see @ref{Choosing Window}.
878
879 If @var{other-window} is non-@code{nil}, @code{pop-to-buffer} finds or
880 creates another window even if @var{buffer-or-name} is already visible
881 in the selected window. Thus @var{buffer-or-name} could end up
882 displayed in two windows. On the other hand, if @var{buffer-or-name} is
883 already displayed in the selected window and @var{other-window} is
884 @code{nil}, then the selected window is considered sufficient display
885 for @var{buffer-or-name}, so that nothing needs to be done.
886
887 All the variables that affect @code{display-buffer} affect
888 @code{pop-to-buffer} as well. @xref{Choosing Window}.
889
890 If @var{buffer-or-name} is a string that does not name an existing
891 buffer, a buffer by that name is created. The major mode for the new
892 buffer is set according to the variable @code{default-major-mode}.
893 @xref{Auto Major Mode}.
894
895 This function updates the buffer list just like @code{switch-to-buffer}
896 unless @var{norecord} is non-@code{nil}.
897 @end defun
898
899 @deffn Command replace-buffer-in-windows buffer-or-name
900 This function replaces @var{buffer-or-name} with some other buffer in all
901 windows displaying it. It chooses the other buffer with
902 @code{other-buffer}. In the usual applications of this function, you
903 don't care which other buffer is used; you just want to make sure that
904 @var{buffer-or-name} is no longer displayed.
905
906 This function returns @code{nil}.
907 @end deffn
908
909 @node Choosing Window
910 @section Choosing a Window for Display
911
912 This section describes the basic facility that chooses a window to
913 display a buffer in---@code{display-buffer}. All the higher-level
914 functions and commands use this subroutine. Here we describe how to use
915 @code{display-buffer} and how to customize it.
916
917 @deffn Command display-buffer buffer-or-name &optional not-this-window frame
918 This command makes @var{buffer-or-name} appear in some window, like
919 @code{pop-to-buffer}, but it does not select that window and does not
920 make the buffer current. The identity of the selected window is
921 unaltered by this function. @var{buffer-or-name} must be a buffer, or
922 the name of an existing buffer.
923
924 If @var{not-this-window} is non-@code{nil}, it means to display the
925 specified buffer in a window other than the selected one, even if it is
926 already on display in the selected window. This can cause the buffer to
927 appear in two windows at once. Otherwise, if @var{buffer-or-name} is
928 already being displayed in any window, that is good enough, so this
929 function does nothing.
930
931 @code{display-buffer} returns the window chosen to display
932 @var{buffer-or-name}.
933
934 If the argument @var{frame} is non-@code{nil}, it specifies which frames
935 to check when deciding whether the buffer is already displayed. If the
936 buffer is already displayed in some window on one of these frames,
937 @code{display-buffer} simply returns that window. Here are the possible
938 values of @var{frame}:
939
940 @itemize @bullet
941 @item
942 If it is @code{nil}, consider windows on the selected frame.
943 (Actually, the last non-minibuffer frame.)
944 @item
945 If it is @code{t}, consider windows on all frames.
946 @item
947 If it is @code{visible}, consider windows on all visible frames.
948 @item
949 If it is 0, consider windows on all visible or iconified frames.
950 @item
951 If it is a frame, consider windows on that frame.
952 @end itemize
953
954 Precisely how @code{display-buffer} finds or creates a window depends on
955 the variables described below.
956 @end deffn
957
958 @defopt display-buffer-reuse-frames
959 If this variable is non-@code{nil}, @code{display-buffer} searches
960 existing frames for a window displaying the buffer. If the buffer is
961 already displayed in a window in some frame, @code{display-buffer} makes
962 the frame visible and raises it, to use that window. If the buffer is
963 not already displayed, or if @code{display-buffer-reuse-frames} is
964 @code{nil}, @code{display-buffer}'s behavior is determined by other
965 variables, described below.
966 @end defopt
967
968 @defopt pop-up-windows
969 This variable controls whether @code{display-buffer} makes new windows.
970 If it is non-@code{nil} and there is only one window, then that window
971 is split. If it is @code{nil}, then @code{display-buffer} does not
972 split the single window, but uses it whole.
973 @end defopt
974
975 @defopt split-height-threshold
976 This variable determines when @code{display-buffer} may split a window,
977 if there are multiple windows. @code{display-buffer} always splits the
978 largest window if it has at least this many lines. If the largest
979 window is not this tall, it is split only if it is the sole window and
980 @code{pop-up-windows} is non-@code{nil}.
981 @end defopt
982
983 @defopt even-window-heights
984 This variable determines if @code{display-buffer} should even out window
985 heights if the buffer gets displayed in an existing window, above or
986 beneath another existing window. If @code{even-window-heights} is
987 @code{t}, the default, window heights will be evened out. If
988 @code{even-window-heights} is @code{nil}, the original window heights
989 will be left alone.
990 @end defopt
991
992 @c Emacs 19 feature
993 @defopt pop-up-frames
994 This variable controls whether @code{display-buffer} makes new frames.
995 If it is non-@code{nil}, @code{display-buffer} looks for an existing
996 window already displaying the desired buffer, on any visible frame. If
997 it finds one, it returns that window. Otherwise it makes a new frame.
998 The variables @code{pop-up-windows} and @code{split-height-threshold} do
999 not matter if @code{pop-up-frames} is non-@code{nil}.
1000
1001 If @code{pop-up-frames} is @code{nil}, then @code{display-buffer} either
1002 splits a window or reuses one.
1003
1004 @xref{Frames}, for more information.
1005 @end defopt
1006
1007 @c Emacs 19 feature
1008 @defopt pop-up-frame-function
1009 This variable specifies how to make a new frame if @code{pop-up-frames}
1010 is non-@code{nil}.
1011
1012 Its value should be a function of no arguments. When
1013 @code{display-buffer} makes a new frame, it does so by calling that
1014 function, which should return a frame. The default value of the
1015 variable is a function that creates a frame using parameters from
1016 @code{pop-up-frame-alist}.
1017 @end defopt
1018
1019 @defopt pop-up-frame-alist
1020 This variable holds an alist specifying frame parameters used when
1021 @code{display-buffer} makes a new frame. @xref{Frame Parameters}, for
1022 more information about frame parameters.
1023 @end defopt
1024
1025 @defopt special-display-buffer-names
1026 A list of buffer names for buffers that should be displayed specially.
1027 If the buffer's name is in this list, @code{display-buffer} handles the
1028 buffer specially.
1029
1030 By default, special display means to give the buffer a dedicated frame.
1031
1032 If an element is a list, instead of a string, then the @sc{car} of the
1033 list is the buffer name, and the rest of the list says how to create
1034 the frame. There are two possibilities for the rest of the list (its
1035 @sc{cdr}). It can be an alist, specifying frame parameters, or it can
1036 contain a function and arguments to give to it. (The function's first
1037 argument is always the buffer to be displayed; the arguments from the
1038 list come after that.)
1039
1040 For example:
1041
1042 @example
1043 (("myfile" (minibuffer) (menu-bar-lines . 0)))
1044 @end example
1045
1046 @noindent
1047 specifies to display a buffer named @samp{myfile} in a dedicated frame
1048 with specified @code{minibuffer} and @code{menu-bar-lines} parameters.
1049
1050 The list of frame parameters can also use the phony frame parameters
1051 @code{same-frame} and @code{same-window}. If the specified frame
1052 parameters include @code{(same-window . @var{value})} and @var{value}
1053 is non-@code{nil}, that means to display the buffer in the current
1054 selected window. Otherwise, if they include @code{(same-frame .
1055 @var{value})} and @var{value} is non-@code{nil}, that means to display
1056 the buffer in a new window in the currently selected frame.
1057 @end defopt
1058
1059 @defopt special-display-regexps
1060 A list of regular expressions that specify buffers that should be
1061 displayed specially. If the buffer's name matches any of the regular
1062 expressions in this list, @code{display-buffer} handles the buffer
1063 specially.
1064
1065 By default, special display means to give the buffer a dedicated frame.
1066
1067 If an element is a list, instead of a string, then the @sc{car} of the
1068 list is the regular expression, and the rest of the list says how to
1069 create the frame. See above, under @code{special-display-buffer-names}.
1070 @end defopt
1071
1072 @defun special-display-p buffer-name
1073 This function returns non-@code{nil} if displaying a buffer
1074 named @var{buffer-name} with @code{display-buffer} would
1075 create a special frame. The value is @code{t} if it would
1076 use the default frame parameters, or else the specified list
1077 of frame parameters.
1078 @end defun
1079
1080 @defvar special-display-function
1081 This variable holds the function to call to display a buffer specially.
1082 It receives the buffer as an argument, and should return the window in
1083 which it is displayed.
1084
1085 The default value of this variable is
1086 @code{special-display-popup-frame}.
1087 @end defvar
1088
1089 @defun special-display-popup-frame buffer &optional args
1090 This function makes @var{buffer} visible in a frame of its own. If
1091 @var{buffer} is already displayed in a window in some frame, it makes
1092 the frame visible and raises it, to use that window. Otherwise, it
1093 creates a frame that will be dedicated to @var{buffer}. This
1094 function returns the window it used.
1095
1096 If @var{args} is an alist, it specifies frame parameters for the new
1097 frame.
1098
1099 If @var{args} is a list whose @sc{car} is a symbol, then @code{(car
1100 @var{args})} is called as a function to actually create and set up the
1101 frame; it is called with @var{buffer} as first argument, and @code{(cdr
1102 @var{args})} as additional arguments.
1103
1104 This function always uses an existing window displaying @var{buffer},
1105 whether or not it is in a frame of its own; but if you set up the above
1106 variables in your init file, before @var{buffer} was created, then
1107 presumably the window was previously made by this function.
1108 @end defun
1109
1110 @defopt special-display-frame-alist
1111 @anchor{Definition of special-display-frame-alist}
1112 This variable holds frame parameters for
1113 @code{special-display-popup-frame} to use when it creates a frame.
1114 @end defopt
1115
1116 @defopt same-window-buffer-names
1117 A list of buffer names for buffers that should be displayed in the
1118 selected window. If the buffer's name is in this list,
1119 @code{display-buffer} handles the buffer by switching to it in the
1120 selected window.
1121 @end defopt
1122
1123 @defopt same-window-regexps
1124 A list of regular expressions that specify buffers that should be
1125 displayed in the selected window. If the buffer's name matches any of
1126 the regular expressions in this list, @code{display-buffer} handles the
1127 buffer by switching to it in the selected window.
1128 @end defopt
1129
1130 @defun same-window-p buffer-name
1131 This function returns @code{t} if displaying a buffer
1132 named @var{buffer-name} with @code{display-buffer} would
1133 put it in the selected window.
1134 @end defun
1135
1136 @c Emacs 19 feature
1137 @defvar display-buffer-function
1138 This variable is the most flexible way to customize the behavior of
1139 @code{display-buffer}. If it is non-@code{nil}, it should be a function
1140 that @code{display-buffer} calls to do the work. The function should
1141 accept two arguments, the first two arguments that @code{display-buffer}
1142 received. It should choose or create a window, display the specified
1143 buffer in it, and then return the window.
1144
1145 This hook takes precedence over all the other options and hooks
1146 described above.
1147 @end defvar
1148
1149 @c Emacs 19 feature
1150 @cindex dedicated window
1151 A window can be marked as ``dedicated'' to its buffer. Then
1152 @code{display-buffer} will not try to use that window to display any
1153 other buffer.
1154
1155 @defun window-dedicated-p window
1156 This function returns non-@code{nil} if @var{window} is marked as
1157 dedicated; otherwise @code{nil}.
1158 @end defun
1159
1160 @defun set-window-dedicated-p window flag
1161 This function marks @var{window} as dedicated if @var{flag} is
1162 non-@code{nil}, and nondedicated otherwise.
1163 @end defun
1164
1165 @node Window Point
1166 @section Windows and Point
1167 @cindex window position
1168 @cindex window point
1169 @cindex position in window
1170 @cindex point in window
1171
1172 Each window has its own value of point, independent of the value of
1173 point in other windows displaying the same buffer. This makes it useful
1174 to have multiple windows showing one buffer.
1175
1176 @itemize @bullet
1177 @item
1178 The window point is established when a window is first created; it is
1179 initialized from the buffer's point, or from the window point of another
1180 window opened on the buffer if such a window exists.
1181
1182 @item
1183 Selecting a window sets the value of point in its buffer from the
1184 window's value of point. Conversely, deselecting a window sets the
1185 window's value of point from that of the buffer. Thus, when you switch
1186 between windows that display a given buffer, the point value for the
1187 selected window is in effect in the buffer, while the point values for
1188 the other windows are stored in those windows.
1189
1190 @item
1191 As long as the selected window displays the current buffer, the window's
1192 point and the buffer's point always move together; they remain equal.
1193 @end itemize
1194
1195 @noindent
1196 @xref{Positions}, for more details on buffer positions.
1197
1198 As far as the user is concerned, point is where the cursor is, and
1199 when the user switches to another buffer, the cursor jumps to the
1200 position of point in that buffer.
1201
1202 @defun window-point &optional window
1203 This function returns the current position of point in @var{window}.
1204 For a nonselected window, this is the value point would have (in that
1205 window's buffer) if that window were selected. If @var{window} is
1206 @code{nil}, the selected window is used.
1207
1208 When @var{window} is the selected window and its buffer is also the
1209 current buffer, the value returned is the same as point in that buffer.
1210
1211 Strictly speaking, it would be more correct to return the
1212 ``top-level'' value of point, outside of any @code{save-excursion}
1213 forms. But that value is hard to find.
1214 @end defun
1215
1216 @defun set-window-point window position
1217 This function positions point in @var{window} at position
1218 @var{position} in @var{window}'s buffer. It returns @var{position}.
1219
1220 If @var{window} is selected, and its buffer is current,
1221 this simply does @code{goto-char}.
1222 @end defun
1223
1224 @node Window Start
1225 @section The Window Start Position
1226
1227 Each window contains a marker used to keep track of a buffer position
1228 that specifies where in the buffer display should start. This position
1229 is called the @dfn{display-start} position of the window (or just the
1230 @dfn{start}). The character after this position is the one that appears
1231 at the upper left corner of the window. It is usually, but not
1232 inevitably, at the beginning of a text line.
1233
1234 @defun window-start &optional window
1235 @cindex window top line
1236 This function returns the display-start position of window
1237 @var{window}. If @var{window} is @code{nil}, the selected window is
1238 used. For example,
1239
1240 @example
1241 @group
1242 (window-start)
1243 @result{} 7058
1244 @end group
1245 @end example
1246
1247 When you create a window, or display a different buffer in it, the
1248 display-start position is set to a display-start position recently used
1249 for the same buffer, or 1 if the buffer doesn't have any.
1250
1251 Redisplay updates the window-start position (if you have not specified
1252 it explicitly since the previous redisplay)---for example, to make sure
1253 point appears on the screen. Nothing except redisplay automatically
1254 changes the window-start position; if you move point, do not expect the
1255 window-start position to change in response until after the next
1256 redisplay.
1257
1258 For a realistic example of using @code{window-start}, see the
1259 description of @code{count-lines}. @xref{Definition of count-lines}.
1260 @end defun
1261
1262 @defun window-end &optional window update
1263 This function returns the position of the end of the display in window
1264 @var{window}. If @var{window} is @code{nil}, the selected window is
1265 used.
1266
1267 Simply changing the buffer text or moving point does not update the
1268 value that @code{window-end} returns. The value is updated only when
1269 Emacs redisplays and redisplay completes without being preempted.
1270
1271 If the last redisplay of @var{window} was preempted, and did not finish,
1272 Emacs does not know the position of the end of display in that window.
1273 In that case, this function returns @code{nil}.
1274
1275 If @var{update} is non-@code{nil}, @code{window-end} always returns an
1276 up-to-date value for where the window ends, based on the current
1277 @code{window-start} value. If the saved value is valid,
1278 @code{window-end} returns that; otherwise it computes the correct
1279 value by scanning the buffer text.
1280
1281 Even if @var{update} is non-@code{nil}, @code{window-end} does not
1282 attempt to scroll the display if point has moved off the screen, the
1283 way real redisplay would do. It does not alter the
1284 @code{window-start} value. In effect, it reports where the displayed
1285 text will end if scrolling is not required.
1286 @end defun
1287
1288 @defun set-window-start window position &optional noforce
1289 This function sets the display-start position of @var{window} to
1290 @var{position} in @var{window}'s buffer. It returns @var{position}.
1291
1292 The display routines insist that the position of point be visible when a
1293 buffer is displayed. Normally, they change the display-start position
1294 (that is, scroll the window) whenever necessary to make point visible.
1295 However, if you specify the start position with this function using
1296 @code{nil} for @var{noforce}, it means you want display to start at
1297 @var{position} even if that would put the location of point off the
1298 screen. If this does place point off screen, the display routines move
1299 point to the left margin on the middle line in the window.
1300
1301 For example, if point @w{is 1} and you set the start of the window @w{to
1302 2}, then point would be ``above'' the top of the window. The display
1303 routines will automatically move point if it is still 1 when redisplay
1304 occurs. Here is an example:
1305
1306 @example
1307 @group
1308 ;; @r{Here is what @samp{foo} looks like before executing}
1309 ;; @r{the @code{set-window-start} expression.}
1310 @end group
1311
1312 @group
1313 ---------- Buffer: foo ----------
1314 @point{}This is the contents of buffer foo.
1315 2
1316 3
1317 4
1318 5
1319 6
1320 ---------- Buffer: foo ----------
1321 @end group
1322
1323 @group
1324 (set-window-start
1325 (selected-window)
1326 (1+ (window-start)))
1327 @result{} 2
1328 @end group
1329
1330 @group
1331 ;; @r{Here is what @samp{foo} looks like after executing}
1332 ;; @r{the @code{set-window-start} expression.}
1333 ---------- Buffer: foo ----------
1334 his is the contents of buffer foo.
1335 2
1336 3
1337 @point{}4
1338 5
1339 6
1340 ---------- Buffer: foo ----------
1341 @end group
1342 @end example
1343
1344 If @var{noforce} is non-@code{nil}, and @var{position} would place point
1345 off screen at the next redisplay, then redisplay computes a new window-start
1346 position that works well with point, and thus @var{position} is not used.
1347 @end defun
1348
1349 @defun pos-visible-in-window-p &optional position window partially
1350 This function returns non-@code{nil} if @var{position} is within the
1351 range of text currently visible on the screen in @var{window}. It
1352 returns @code{nil} if @var{position} is scrolled vertically out of
1353 view. Locations that are partially obscured are not considered
1354 visible unless @var{partially} is non-@code{nil}. The argument
1355 @var{position} defaults to the current position of point in
1356 @var{window}; @var{window}, to the selected window.
1357
1358 The @code{pos-visible-in-window-p} function considers only vertical
1359 scrolling. If @var{position} is out of view only because @var{window}
1360 has been scrolled horizontally, @code{pos-visible-in-window-p} returns
1361 non-@code{nil} anyway. @xref{Horizontal Scrolling}.
1362
1363 If @var{position} is visible, @code{pos-visible-in-window-p} returns
1364 @code{t} if @var{partially} is @code{nil}; if @var{partially} is
1365 non-@code{nil}, it returns a list of the form @code{(@var{x} @var{y}
1366 @var{partial})}, where @var{x} and @var{y} are the pixel coordinates
1367 relative to the top left corner of the window, and @var{partial} is
1368 @code{nil} if the character after @var{position} is fully visible;
1369 otherwise it is a cons @code{(@var{rtop} . @var{rbot})} where the
1370 @var{rtop} and @var{rbot} specify the number of invisible pixels at
1371 the top and bottom of the row at @var{position}.
1372
1373 Here is an example:
1374
1375 @example
1376 @group
1377 ;; @r{If point is off the screen now, recenter it now.}
1378 (or (pos-visible-in-window-p
1379 (point) (selected-window))
1380 (recenter 0))
1381 @end group
1382 @end example
1383 @end defun
1384
1385 @node Textual Scrolling
1386 @section Textual Scrolling
1387 @cindex textual scrolling
1388 @cindex scrolling textually
1389
1390 @dfn{Textual scrolling} means moving the text up or down through a
1391 window. It works by changing the value of the window's display-start
1392 location. It may also change the value of @code{window-point} to keep
1393 point on the screen.
1394
1395 Textual scrolling was formerly called ``vertical scrolling,'' but we
1396 changed its name to distinguish it from the new vertical fractional
1397 scrolling feature (@pxref{Vertical Scrolling}).
1398
1399 In the commands @code{scroll-up} and @code{scroll-down}, the directions
1400 ``up'' and ``down'' refer to the motion of the text in the buffer at which
1401 you are looking through the window. Imagine that the text is
1402 written on a long roll of paper and that the scrolling commands move the
1403 paper up and down. Thus, if you are looking at text in the middle of a
1404 buffer and repeatedly call @code{scroll-down}, you will eventually see
1405 the beginning of the buffer.
1406
1407 Some people have urged that the opposite convention be used: they
1408 imagine that the window moves over text that remains in place. Then
1409 ``down'' commands would take you to the end of the buffer. This view is
1410 more consistent with the actual relationship between windows and the
1411 text in the buffer, but it is less like what the user sees. The
1412 position of a window on the terminal does not move, and short scrolling
1413 commands clearly move the text up or down on the screen. We have chosen
1414 names that fit the user's point of view.
1415
1416 The textual scrolling functions (aside from
1417 @code{scroll-other-window}) have unpredictable results if the current
1418 buffer is different from the buffer that is displayed in the selected
1419 window. @xref{Current Buffer}.
1420
1421 If the window contains a row which is taller than the height of the
1422 window (for example in the presence of a large image), the scroll
1423 functions will adjust the window vscroll to scroll the partially
1424 visible row. To disable this feature, Lisp code may bind the variable
1425 `auto-window-vscroll' to @code{nil} (@pxref{Vertical Scrolling}).
1426
1427 @deffn Command scroll-up &optional count
1428 This function scrolls the text in the selected window upward
1429 @var{count} lines. If @var{count} is negative, scrolling is actually
1430 downward.
1431
1432 If @var{count} is @code{nil} (or omitted), then the length of scroll
1433 is @code{next-screen-context-lines} lines less than the usable height of
1434 the window (not counting its mode line).
1435
1436 @code{scroll-up} returns @code{nil}, unless it gets an error
1437 because it can't scroll any further.
1438 @end deffn
1439
1440 @deffn Command scroll-down &optional count
1441 This function scrolls the text in the selected window downward
1442 @var{count} lines. If @var{count} is negative, scrolling is actually
1443 upward.
1444
1445 If @var{count} is omitted or @code{nil}, then the length of the scroll
1446 is @code{next-screen-context-lines} lines less than the usable height of
1447 the window (not counting its mode line).
1448
1449 @code{scroll-down} returns @code{nil}, unless it gets an error because
1450 it can't scroll any further.
1451 @end deffn
1452
1453 @deffn Command scroll-other-window &optional count
1454 This function scrolls the text in another window upward @var{count}
1455 lines. Negative values of @var{count}, or @code{nil}, are handled
1456 as in @code{scroll-up}.
1457
1458 You can specify which buffer to scroll by setting the variable
1459 @code{other-window-scroll-buffer} to a buffer. If that buffer isn't
1460 already displayed, @code{scroll-other-window} displays it in some
1461 window.
1462
1463 When the selected window is the minibuffer, the next window is normally
1464 the one at the top left corner. You can specify a different window to
1465 scroll, when the minibuffer is selected, by setting the variable
1466 @code{minibuffer-scroll-window}. This variable has no effect when any
1467 other window is selected. When it is non-@code{nil} and the
1468 minibuffer is selected, it takes precedence over
1469 @code{other-window-scroll-buffer}. @xref{Definition of
1470 minibuffer-scroll-window}.
1471
1472 When the minibuffer is active, it is the next window if the selected
1473 window is the one at the bottom right corner. In this case,
1474 @code{scroll-other-window} attempts to scroll the minibuffer. If the
1475 minibuffer contains just one line, it has nowhere to scroll to, so the
1476 line reappears after the echo area momentarily displays the message
1477 ``Beginning of buffer''.
1478 @end deffn
1479
1480 @c Emacs 19 feature
1481 @defvar other-window-scroll-buffer
1482 If this variable is non-@code{nil}, it tells @code{scroll-other-window}
1483 which buffer to scroll.
1484 @end defvar
1485
1486 @defopt scroll-margin
1487 This option specifies the size of the scroll margin---a minimum number
1488 of lines between point and the top or bottom of a window. Whenever
1489 point gets within this many lines of the top or bottom of the window,
1490 redisplay scrolls the text automatically (if possible) to move point
1491 out of the margin, closer to the center of the window.
1492 @end defopt
1493
1494 @defopt scroll-conservatively
1495 This variable controls how scrolling is done automatically when point
1496 moves off the screen (or into the scroll margin). If the value is a
1497 positive integer @var{n}, then redisplay scrolls the text up to
1498 @var{n} lines in either direction, if that will bring point back into
1499 proper view. This action is called @dfn{conservative scrolling}.
1500 Otherwise, scrolling happens in the usual way, under the control of
1501 other variables such as @code{scroll-up-aggressively} and
1502 @code{scroll-down-aggressively}.
1503
1504 The default value is zero, which means that conservative scrolling
1505 never happens.
1506 @end defopt
1507
1508 @defopt scroll-down-aggressively
1509 The value of this variable should be either @code{nil} or a fraction
1510 @var{f} between 0 and 1. If it is a fraction, that specifies where on
1511 the screen to put point when scrolling down. More precisely, when a
1512 window scrolls down because point is above the window start, the new
1513 start position is chosen to put point @var{f} part of the window
1514 height from the top. The larger @var{f}, the more aggressive the
1515 scrolling.
1516
1517 A value of @code{nil} is equivalent to .5, since its effect is to center
1518 point. This variable automatically becomes buffer-local when set in any
1519 fashion.
1520 @end defopt
1521
1522 @defopt scroll-up-aggressively
1523 Likewise, for scrolling up. The value, @var{f}, specifies how far
1524 point should be placed from the bottom of the window; thus, as with
1525 @code{scroll-up-aggressively}, a larger value scrolls more aggressively.
1526 @end defopt
1527
1528 @defopt scroll-step
1529 This variable is an older variant of @code{scroll-conservatively}. The
1530 difference is that it if its value is @var{n}, that permits scrolling
1531 only by precisely @var{n} lines, not a smaller number. This feature
1532 does not work with @code{scroll-margin}. The default value is zero.
1533 @end defopt
1534
1535 @defopt scroll-preserve-screen-position
1536 If this option is @code{t}, scrolling which would move the current
1537 point position out of the window chooses the new position of point
1538 so that the vertical position of the cursor is unchanged, if possible.
1539
1540 If it is non-@code{nil} and not @code{t}, then the scrolling functions
1541 always preserve the vertical position of point, if possible.
1542 @end defopt
1543
1544 @defopt next-screen-context-lines
1545 The value of this variable is the number of lines of continuity to
1546 retain when scrolling by full screens. For example, @code{scroll-up}
1547 with an argument of @code{nil} scrolls so that this many lines at the
1548 bottom of the window appear instead at the top. The default value is
1549 @code{2}.
1550 @end defopt
1551
1552 @deffn Command recenter &optional count
1553 @cindex centering point
1554 This function scrolls the text in the selected window so that point is
1555 displayed at a specified vertical position within the window. It does
1556 not ``move point'' with respect to the text.
1557
1558 If @var{count} is a nonnegative number, that puts the line containing
1559 point @var{count} lines down from the top of the window. If
1560 @var{count} is a negative number, then it counts upward from the
1561 bottom of the window, so that @minus{}1 stands for the last usable
1562 line in the window. If @var{count} is a non-@code{nil} list, then it
1563 stands for the line in the middle of the window.
1564
1565 If @var{count} is @code{nil}, @code{recenter} puts the line containing
1566 point in the middle of the window, then clears and redisplays the entire
1567 selected frame.
1568
1569 When @code{recenter} is called interactively, @var{count} is the raw
1570 prefix argument. Thus, typing @kbd{C-u} as the prefix sets the
1571 @var{count} to a non-@code{nil} list, while typing @kbd{C-u 4} sets
1572 @var{count} to 4, which positions the current line four lines from the
1573 top.
1574
1575 With an argument of zero, @code{recenter} positions the current line at
1576 the top of the window. This action is so handy that some people make a
1577 separate key binding to do this. For example,
1578
1579 @example
1580 @group
1581 (defun line-to-top-of-window ()
1582 "Scroll current line to top of window.
1583 Replaces three keystroke sequence C-u 0 C-l."
1584 (interactive)
1585 (recenter 0))
1586
1587 (global-set-key [kp-multiply] 'line-to-top-of-window)
1588 @end group
1589 @end example
1590 @end deffn
1591
1592 @node Vertical Scrolling
1593 @section Vertical Fractional Scrolling
1594 @cindex Vertical Fractional Scrolling
1595
1596 @dfn{Vertical fractional scrolling} means shifting the image in the
1597 window up or down by a specified multiple or fraction of a line.
1598 Each window has a @dfn{vertical scroll position},
1599 which is a number, never less than zero. It specifies how far to raise
1600 the contents of the window. Raising the window contents generally makes
1601 all or part of some lines disappear off the top, and all or part of some
1602 other lines appear at the bottom. The usual value is zero.
1603
1604 The vertical scroll position is measured in units of the normal line
1605 height, which is the height of the default font. Thus, if the value is
1606 .5, that means the window contents are scrolled up half the normal line
1607 height. If it is 3.3, that means the window contents are scrolled up
1608 somewhat over three times the normal line height.
1609
1610 What fraction of a line the vertical scrolling covers, or how many
1611 lines, depends on what the lines contain. A value of .5 could scroll a
1612 line whose height is very short off the screen, while a value of 3.3
1613 could scroll just part of the way through a tall line or an image.
1614
1615 @defun window-vscroll &optional window pixels-p
1616 This function returns the current vertical scroll position of
1617 @var{window}. If @var{window} is @code{nil}, the selected window is
1618 used. If @var{pixels-p} is non-@code{nil}, the return value is
1619 measured in pixels, rather than in units of the normal line height.
1620
1621 @example
1622 @group
1623 (window-vscroll)
1624 @result{} 0
1625 @end group
1626 @end example
1627 @end defun
1628
1629 @defun set-window-vscroll window lines &optional pixels-p
1630 This function sets @var{window}'s vertical scroll position to
1631 @var{lines}. The argument @var{lines} should be zero or positive; if
1632 not, it is taken as zero.
1633
1634 If @var{window} is @code{nil}, the selected window is used.
1635
1636 The actual vertical scroll position must always correspond
1637 to an integral number of pixels, so the value you specify
1638 is rounded accordingly.
1639
1640 The return value is the result of this rounding.
1641
1642 @example
1643 @group
1644 (set-window-vscroll (selected-window) 1.2)
1645 @result{} 1.13
1646 @end group
1647 @end example
1648
1649 If @var{pixels-p} is non-@code{nil}, @var{lines} specifies a number of
1650 pixels. In this case, the return value is @var{lines}.
1651 @end defun
1652
1653 @defvar auto-window-vscroll
1654 If this variable is non-@code{nil}, the line-move, scroll-up, and
1655 scroll-down functions will automatically modify the window vscroll to
1656 scroll through display rows that are taller that the height of the
1657 window, for example in the presence of large images.
1658 @end defvar
1659
1660 @node Horizontal Scrolling
1661 @section Horizontal Scrolling
1662 @cindex horizontal scrolling
1663
1664 @dfn{Horizontal scrolling} means shifting the image in the window left
1665 or right by a specified multiple of the normal character width. Each
1666 window has a @dfn{horizontal scroll position}, which is a number, never
1667 less than zero. It specifies how far to shift the contents left.
1668 Shifting the window contents left generally makes all or part of some
1669 characters disappear off the left, and all or part of some other
1670 characters appear at the right. The usual value is zero.
1671
1672 The horizontal scroll position is measured in units of the normal
1673 character width, which is the width of space in the default font. Thus,
1674 if the value is 5, that means the window contents are scrolled left by 5
1675 times the normal character width. How many characters actually
1676 disappear off to the left depends on their width, and could vary from
1677 line to line.
1678
1679 Because we read from side to side in the ``inner loop'', and from top
1680 to bottom in the ``outer loop'', the effect of horizontal scrolling is
1681 not like that of textual or vertical scrolling. Textual scrolling
1682 involves selection of a portion of text to display, and vertical
1683 scrolling moves the window contents contiguously; but horizontal
1684 scrolling causes part of @emph{each line} to go off screen.
1685
1686 Usually, no horizontal scrolling is in effect; then the leftmost
1687 column is at the left edge of the window. In this state, scrolling to
1688 the right is meaningless, since there is no data to the left of the edge
1689 to be revealed by it; so this is not allowed. Scrolling to the left is
1690 allowed; it scrolls the first columns of text off the edge of the window
1691 and can reveal additional columns on the right that were truncated
1692 before. Once a window has a nonzero amount of leftward horizontal
1693 scrolling, you can scroll it back to the right, but only so far as to
1694 reduce the net horizontal scroll to zero. There is no limit to how far
1695 left you can scroll, but eventually all the text will disappear off the
1696 left edge.
1697
1698 @vindex auto-hscroll-mode
1699 If @code{auto-hscroll-mode} is set, redisplay automatically alters
1700 the horizontal scrolling of a window as necessary to ensure that point
1701 is always visible. However, you can still set the horizontal
1702 scrolling value explicitly. The value you specify serves as a lower
1703 bound for automatic scrolling, i.e. automatic scrolling will not
1704 scroll a window to a column less than the specified one.
1705
1706 @deffn Command scroll-left &optional count set-minimum
1707 This function scrolls the selected window @var{count} columns to the
1708 left (or to the right if @var{count} is negative). The default
1709 for @var{count} is the window width, minus 2.
1710
1711 The return value is the total amount of leftward horizontal scrolling in
1712 effect after the change---just like the value returned by
1713 @code{window-hscroll} (below).
1714
1715 Once you scroll a window as far right as it can go, back to its normal
1716 position where the total leftward scrolling is zero, attempts to scroll
1717 any farther right have no effect.
1718
1719 If @var{set-minimum} is non-@code{nil}, the new scroll amount becomes
1720 the lower bound for automatic scrolling; that is, automatic scrolling
1721 will not scroll a window to a column less than the value returned by
1722 this function. Interactive calls pass non-@code{nil} for
1723 @var{set-minimum}.
1724 @end deffn
1725
1726 @deffn Command scroll-right &optional count set-minimum
1727 This function scrolls the selected window @var{count} columns to the
1728 right (or to the left if @var{count} is negative). The default
1729 for @var{count} is the window width, minus 2. Aside from the direction
1730 of scrolling, this works just like @code{scroll-left}.
1731 @end deffn
1732
1733 @defun window-hscroll &optional window
1734 This function returns the total leftward horizontal scrolling of
1735 @var{window}---the number of columns by which the text in @var{window}
1736 is scrolled left past the left margin.
1737
1738 The value is never negative. It is zero when no horizontal scrolling
1739 has been done in @var{window} (which is usually the case).
1740
1741 If @var{window} is @code{nil}, the selected window is used.
1742
1743 @example
1744 @group
1745 (window-hscroll)
1746 @result{} 0
1747 @end group
1748 @group
1749 (scroll-left 5)
1750 @result{} 5
1751 @end group
1752 @group
1753 (window-hscroll)
1754 @result{} 5
1755 @end group
1756 @end example
1757 @end defun
1758
1759 @defun set-window-hscroll window columns
1760 This function sets horizontal scrolling of @var{window}. The value of
1761 @var{columns} specifies the amount of scrolling, in terms of columns
1762 from the left margin. The argument @var{columns} should be zero or
1763 positive; if not, it is taken as zero. Fractional values of
1764 @var{columns} are not supported at present.
1765
1766 Note that @code{set-window-hscroll} may appear not to work if you test
1767 it by evaluating a call with @kbd{M-:} in a simple way. What happens
1768 is that the function sets the horizontal scroll value and returns, but
1769 then redisplay adjusts the horizontal scrolling to make point visible,
1770 and this overrides what the function did. You can observe the
1771 function's effect if you call it while point is sufficiently far from
1772 the left margin that it will remain visible.
1773
1774 The value returned is @var{columns}.
1775
1776 @example
1777 @group
1778 (set-window-hscroll (selected-window) 10)
1779 @result{} 10
1780 @end group
1781 @end example
1782 @end defun
1783
1784 Here is how you can determine whether a given position @var{position}
1785 is off the screen due to horizontal scrolling:
1786
1787 @example
1788 @group
1789 (defun hscroll-on-screen (window position)
1790 (save-excursion
1791 (goto-char position)
1792 (and
1793 (>= (- (current-column) (window-hscroll window)) 0)
1794 (< (- (current-column) (window-hscroll window))
1795 (window-width window)))))
1796 @end group
1797 @end example
1798
1799 @node Size of Window
1800 @section The Size of a Window
1801 @cindex window size
1802 @cindex size of window
1803
1804 An Emacs window is rectangular, and its size information consists of
1805 the height (the number of lines) and the width (the number of character
1806 positions in each line). The mode line is included in the height. But
1807 the width does not count the scroll bar or the column of @samp{|}
1808 characters that separates side-by-side windows.
1809
1810 The following three functions return size information about a window:
1811
1812 @defun window-height &optional window
1813 This function returns the number of lines in @var{window}, including
1814 its mode line and header line, if any. If @var{window} fills its
1815 entire frame except for the echo area, this is typically one less than
1816 the value of @code{frame-height} on that frame.
1817
1818 If @var{window} is @code{nil}, the function uses the selected window.
1819
1820 @example
1821 @group
1822 (window-height)
1823 @result{} 23
1824 @end group
1825 @group
1826 (split-window-vertically)
1827 @result{} #<window 4 on windows.texi>
1828 @end group
1829 @group
1830 (window-height)
1831 @result{} 11
1832 @end group
1833 @end example
1834 @end defun
1835
1836 @defun window-body-height &optional window
1837 Like @code{window-height} but the value does not include the
1838 mode line (if any) or the header line (if any).
1839 @end defun
1840
1841 @defun window-width &optional window
1842 This function returns the number of columns in @var{window}. If
1843 @var{window} fills its entire frame, this is the same as the value of
1844 @code{frame-width} on that frame. The width does not include the
1845 window's scroll bar or the column of @samp{|} characters that separates
1846 side-by-side windows.
1847
1848 If @var{window} is @code{nil}, the function uses the selected window.
1849
1850 @example
1851 @group
1852 (window-width)
1853 @result{} 80
1854 @end group
1855 @end example
1856 @end defun
1857
1858 @defun window-edges &optional window
1859 This function returns a list of the edge coordinates of @var{window}.
1860 If @var{window} is @code{nil}, the selected window is used.
1861
1862 The order of the list is @code{(@var{left} @var{top} @var{right}
1863 @var{bottom})}, all elements relative to 0, 0 at the top left corner of
1864 the frame. The element @var{right} of the value is one more than the
1865 rightmost column used by @var{window}, and @var{bottom} is one more than
1866 the bottommost row used by @var{window} and its mode-line.
1867
1868 The edges include the space used by the window's scroll bar, display
1869 margins, fringes, header line, and mode line, if it has them. Also,
1870 if the window has a neighbor on the right, its right edge value
1871 includes the width of the separator line between the window and that
1872 neighbor. Since the width of the window does not include this
1873 separator, the width does not usually equal the difference between the
1874 right and left edges.
1875 @end defun
1876
1877 @defun window-inside-edges &optional window
1878 This is similar to @code{window-edges}, but the edge values
1879 it returns include only the text area of the window. They
1880 do not include the header line, mode line, scroll bar or
1881 vertical separator, fringes, or display margins.
1882 @end defun
1883
1884 Here are the results obtained on a typical 24-line terminal with just
1885 one window, with menu bar enabled:
1886
1887 @example
1888 @group
1889 (window-edges (selected-window))
1890 @result{} (0 1 80 23)
1891 @end group
1892 @group
1893 (window-inside-edges (selected-window))
1894 @result{} (0 1 80 22)
1895 @end group
1896 @end example
1897
1898 @noindent
1899 The bottom edge is at line 23 because the last line is the echo area.
1900 The bottom inside edge is at line 22, which is the window's mode line.
1901
1902 If @var{window} is at the upper left corner of its frame, and there is
1903 no menu bar, then @var{bottom} returned by @code{window-edges} is the
1904 same as the value of @code{(window-height)}, @var{right} is almost the
1905 same as the value of @code{(window-width)}, and @var{top} and
1906 @var{left} are zero. For example, the edges of the following window
1907 are @w{@samp{0 0 8 5}}. Assuming that the frame has more than 8
1908 columns, the last column of the window (column 7) holds a border
1909 rather than text. The last row (row 4) holds the mode line, shown
1910 here with @samp{xxxxxxxxx}.
1911
1912 @example
1913 @group
1914 0
1915 _______
1916 0 | |
1917 | |
1918 | |
1919 | |
1920 xxxxxxxxx 4
1921
1922 7
1923 @end group
1924 @end example
1925
1926 In the following example, let's suppose that the frame is 7
1927 columns wide. Then the edges of the left window are @w{@samp{0 0 4 3}}
1928 and the edges of the right window are @w{@samp{4 0 7 3}}.
1929 The inside edges of the left window are @w{@samp{0 0 3 2}},
1930 and the inside edges of the right window are @w{@samp{4 0 7 2}},
1931
1932 @example
1933 @group
1934 ___ ___
1935 | | |
1936 | | |
1937 xxxxxxxxx
1938
1939 0 34 7
1940 @end group
1941 @end example
1942
1943 @defun window-pixel-edges &optional window
1944 This function is like @code{window-edges} except that, on a graphical
1945 display, the edge values are measured in pixels instead of in
1946 character lines and columns.
1947 @end defun
1948
1949 @defun window-inside-pixel-edges &optional window
1950 This function is like @code{window-inside-edges} except that, on a
1951 graphical display, the edge values are measured in pixels instead of
1952 in character lines and columns.
1953 @end defun
1954
1955 @node Resizing Windows
1956 @section Changing the Size of a Window
1957 @cindex window resizing
1958 @cindex changing window size
1959 @cindex window size, changing
1960
1961 The window size functions fall into two classes: high-level commands
1962 that change the size of windows and low-level functions that access
1963 window size. Emacs does not permit overlapping windows or gaps between
1964 windows, so resizing one window affects other windows.
1965
1966 @deffn Command enlarge-window size &optional horizontal
1967 This function makes the selected window @var{size} lines taller,
1968 stealing lines from neighboring windows. It takes the lines from one
1969 window at a time until that window is used up, then takes from another.
1970 If a window from which lines are stolen shrinks below
1971 @code{window-min-height} lines, that window disappears.
1972
1973 If @var{horizontal} is non-@code{nil}, this function makes
1974 @var{window} wider by @var{size} columns, stealing columns instead of
1975 lines. If a window from which columns are stolen shrinks below
1976 @code{window-min-width} columns, that window disappears.
1977
1978 If the requested size would exceed that of the window's frame, then the
1979 function makes the window occupy the entire height (or width) of the
1980 frame.
1981
1982 If there are various other windows from which lines or columns can be
1983 stolen, and some of them specify fixed size (using
1984 @code{window-size-fixed}, see below), they are left untouched while
1985 other windows are ``robbed.'' If it would be necessary to alter the
1986 size of a fixed-size window, @code{enlarge-window} gets an error
1987 instead.
1988
1989 If @var{size} is negative, this function shrinks the window by
1990 @minus{}@var{size} lines or columns. If that makes the window smaller
1991 than the minimum size (@code{window-min-height} and
1992 @code{window-min-width}), @code{enlarge-window} deletes the window.
1993
1994 @code{enlarge-window} returns @code{nil}.
1995 @end deffn
1996
1997 @deffn Command enlarge-window-horizontally columns
1998 This function makes the selected window @var{columns} wider.
1999 It could be defined as follows:
2000
2001 @example
2002 @group
2003 (defun enlarge-window-horizontally (columns)
2004 (interactive "p")
2005 (enlarge-window columns t))
2006 @end group
2007 @end example
2008 @end deffn
2009
2010 @deffn Command shrink-window size &optional horizontal
2011 This function is like @code{enlarge-window} but negates the argument
2012 @var{size}, making the selected window smaller by giving lines (or
2013 columns) to the other windows. If the window shrinks below
2014 @code{window-min-height} or @code{window-min-width}, then it disappears.
2015
2016 If @var{size} is negative, the window is enlarged by @minus{}@var{size}
2017 lines or columns.
2018 @end deffn
2019
2020 @deffn Command shrink-window-horizontally columns
2021 This function makes the selected window @var{columns} narrower.
2022 It could be defined as follows:
2023
2024 @example
2025 @group
2026 (defun shrink-window-horizontally (columns)
2027 (interactive "p")
2028 (shrink-window columns t))
2029 @end group
2030 @end example
2031 @end deffn
2032
2033 @defun adjust-window-trailing-edge window delta horizontal
2034 This function makes the selected window @var{delta} lines taller or
2035 @var{delta} columns wider, by moving the bottom or right edge. This
2036 function does not delete other windows; if it cannot make the
2037 requested size adjustment, it signals an error. On success, this
2038 function returns @code{nil}.
2039 @end defun
2040
2041 @defun fit-window-to-buffer &optional window max-height min-height
2042 This function makes @var{window} the right height to display its
2043 contents exactly. If @var{window} is omitted or @code{nil}, it uses
2044 the selected window.
2045
2046 The argument @var{max-height} specifies the maximum height the window
2047 is allowed to be; @code{nil} means use the frame height. The argument
2048 @var{min-height} specifies the minimum height for the window;
2049 @code{nil} means use @code{window-min-height}. All these height
2050 values include the mode-line and/or header-line.
2051 @end defun
2052
2053 @deffn Command shrink-window-if-larger-than-buffer &optional window
2054 This command shrinks @var{window} vertically to be as small as
2055 possible while still showing the full contents of its buffer---but not
2056 less than @code{window-min-height} lines. If @var{window} is not
2057 given, it defaults to the selected window.
2058
2059 However, the command does nothing if the window is already too small to
2060 display the whole text of the buffer, or if part of the contents are
2061 currently scrolled off screen, or if the window is not the full width of
2062 its frame, or if the window is the only window in its frame.
2063
2064 This command returns non-@code{nil} if it actually shrank the window
2065 and @code{nil} otherwise.
2066 @end deffn
2067
2068 @defvar window-size-fixed
2069 If this variable is non-@code{nil}, in any given buffer,
2070 then the size of any window displaying the buffer remains fixed
2071 unless you explicitly change it or Emacs has no other choice.
2072
2073 If the value is @code{height}, then only the window's height is fixed;
2074 if the value is @code{width}, then only the window's width is fixed.
2075 Any other non-@code{nil} value fixes both the width and the height.
2076
2077 This variable automatically becomes buffer-local when set.
2078
2079 Explicit size-change functions such as @code{enlarge-window}
2080 get an error if they would have to change a window size which is fixed.
2081 Therefore, when you want to change the size of such a window,
2082 you should bind @code{window-size-fixed} to @code{nil}, like this:
2083
2084 @example
2085 (let ((window-size-fixed nil))
2086 (enlarge-window 10))
2087 @end example
2088
2089 Note that changing the frame size will change the size of a
2090 fixed-size window, if there is no other alternative.
2091 @end defvar
2092
2093 @cindex minimum window size
2094 The following two variables constrain the window-structure-changing
2095 functions to a minimum height and width.
2096
2097 @defopt window-min-height
2098 The value of this variable determines how short a window may become
2099 before it is automatically deleted. Making a window smaller than
2100 @code{window-min-height} automatically deletes it, and no window may
2101 be created shorter than this. The default value is 4.
2102
2103 The absolute minimum window height is one; actions that change window
2104 sizes reset this variable to one if it is less than one.
2105 @end defopt
2106
2107 @defopt window-min-width
2108 The value of this variable determines how narrow a window may become
2109 before it is automatically deleted. Making a window smaller than
2110 @code{window-min-width} automatically deletes it, and no window may be
2111 created narrower than this. The default value is 10.
2112
2113 The absolute minimum window width is two; actions that change window
2114 sizes reset this variable to two if it is less than two.
2115 @end defopt
2116
2117 @node Coordinates and Windows
2118 @section Coordinates and Windows
2119
2120 This section describes how to relate screen coordinates to windows.
2121
2122 @defun window-at x y &optional frame
2123 This function returns the window containing the specified cursor
2124 position in the frame @var{frame}. The coordinates @var{x} and @var{y}
2125 are measured in characters and count from the top left corner of the
2126 frame. If they are out of range, @code{window-at} returns @code{nil}.
2127
2128 If you omit @var{frame}, the selected frame is used.
2129 @end defun
2130
2131 @defun coordinates-in-window-p coordinates window
2132 This function checks whether a particular frame position falls within
2133 the window @var{window}.
2134
2135 The argument @var{coordinates} is a cons cell of the form @code{(@var{x}
2136 . @var{y})}. The coordinates @var{x} and @var{y} are measured in
2137 characters, and count from the top left corner of the screen or frame.
2138
2139 The value returned by @code{coordinates-in-window-p} is non-@code{nil}
2140 if the coordinates are inside @var{window}. The value also indicates
2141 what part of the window the position is in, as follows:
2142
2143 @table @code
2144 @item (@var{relx} . @var{rely})
2145 The coordinates are inside @var{window}. The numbers @var{relx} and
2146 @var{rely} are the equivalent window-relative coordinates for the
2147 specified position, counting from 0 at the top left corner of the
2148 window.
2149
2150 @item mode-line
2151 The coordinates are in the mode line of @var{window}.
2152
2153 @item header-line
2154 The coordinates are in the header line of @var{window}.
2155
2156 @item vertical-line
2157 The coordinates are in the vertical line between @var{window} and its
2158 neighbor to the right. This value occurs only if the window doesn't
2159 have a scroll bar; positions in a scroll bar are considered outside the
2160 window for these purposes.
2161
2162 @item left-fringe
2163 @itemx right-fringe
2164 The coordinates are in the left or right fringe of the window.
2165
2166 @item left-margin
2167 @itemx right-margin
2168 The coordinates are in the left or right margin of the window.
2169
2170 @item nil
2171 The coordinates are not in any part of @var{window}.
2172 @end table
2173
2174 The function @code{coordinates-in-window-p} does not require a frame as
2175 argument because it always uses the frame that @var{window} is on.
2176 @end defun
2177
2178 @node Window Tree
2179 @section The Window Tree
2180 @cindex window tree
2181
2182 A @dfn{window tree} specifies the layout, size, and relationship
2183 between all windows in one frame.
2184
2185 @defun window-tree &optional frame
2186 This function returns the window tree for frame @var{frame}.
2187 If @var{frame} is omitted, the selected frame is used.
2188
2189 The return value is a list of the form @code{(@var{root} @var{mini})},
2190 where @var{root} represents the window tree of the frame's
2191 root window, and @var{mini} is the frame's minibuffer window.
2192
2193 If the root window is not split, @var{root} is the root window itself.
2194 Otherwise, @var{root} is a list @code{(@var{dir} @var{edges} @var{w1}
2195 @var{w2} ...)} where @var{dir} is @code{nil} for a horizontal split,
2196 and @code{t} for a vertical split, @var{edges} gives the combined size and
2197 position of the subwindows in the split, and the rest of the elements
2198 are the subwindows in the split. Each of the subwindows may again be
2199 a window or a list representing a window split, and so on. The
2200 @var{edges} element is a list @code{(@var{left}@var{ top}@var{ right}@var{ bottom})}
2201 similar to the value returned by @code{window-edges}.
2202 @end defun
2203
2204 @node Window Configurations
2205 @section Window Configurations
2206 @cindex window configurations
2207 @cindex saving window information
2208
2209 A @dfn{window configuration} records the entire layout of one
2210 frame---all windows, their sizes, which buffers they contain, what
2211 part of each buffer is displayed, and the values of point and the
2212 mark; also their fringes, margins, and scroll bar settings. It also
2213 includes the values of @code{window-min-height},
2214 @code{window-min-width} and @code{minibuffer-scroll-window}. An
2215 exception is made for point in the selected window for the current
2216 buffer; its value is not saved in the window configuration.
2217
2218 You can bring back an entire previous layout by restoring a window
2219 configuration previously saved. If you want to record all frames
2220 instead of just one, use a frame configuration instead of a window
2221 configuration. @xref{Frame Configurations}.
2222
2223 @defun current-window-configuration &optional frame
2224 This function returns a new object representing @var{frame}'s current
2225 window configuration. If @var{frame} is omitted, the selected frame
2226 is used.
2227 @end defun
2228
2229 @defun set-window-configuration configuration
2230 This function restores the configuration of windows and buffers as
2231 specified by @var{configuration}, for the frame that @var{configuration}
2232 was created for.
2233
2234 The argument @var{configuration} must be a value that was previously
2235 returned by @code{current-window-configuration}. This configuration is
2236 restored in the frame from which @var{configuration} was made, whether
2237 that frame is selected or not. This always counts as a window size
2238 change and triggers execution of the @code{window-size-change-functions}
2239 (@pxref{Window Hooks}), because @code{set-window-configuration} doesn't
2240 know how to tell whether the new configuration actually differs from the
2241 old one.
2242
2243 If the frame which @var{configuration} was saved from is dead, all this
2244 function does is restore the three variables @code{window-min-height},
2245 @code{window-min-width} and @code{minibuffer-scroll-window}. In this
2246 case, the function returns @code{nil}. Otherwise, it returns @code{t}.
2247
2248 Here is a way of using this function to get the same effect
2249 as @code{save-window-excursion}:
2250
2251 @example
2252 @group
2253 (let ((config (current-window-configuration)))
2254 (unwind-protect
2255 (progn (split-window-vertically nil)
2256 @dots{})
2257 (set-window-configuration config)))
2258 @end group
2259 @end example
2260 @end defun
2261
2262 @defspec save-window-excursion forms@dots{}
2263 This special form records the window configuration, executes @var{forms}
2264 in sequence, then restores the earlier window configuration. The window
2265 configuration includes, for each window, the value of point and the
2266 portion of the buffer that is visible. It also includes the choice of
2267 selected window. However, it does not include the value of point in
2268 the current buffer; use @code{save-excursion} also, if you wish to
2269 preserve that.
2270
2271 Don't use this construct when @code{save-selected-window} is sufficient.
2272
2273 Exit from @code{save-window-excursion} always triggers execution of the
2274 @code{window-size-change-functions}. (It doesn't know how to tell
2275 whether the restored configuration actually differs from the one in
2276 effect at the end of the @var{forms}.)
2277
2278 The return value is the value of the final form in @var{forms}.
2279 For example:
2280
2281 @example
2282 @group
2283 (split-window)
2284 @result{} #<window 25 on control.texi>
2285 @end group
2286 @group
2287 (setq w (selected-window))
2288 @result{} #<window 19 on control.texi>
2289 @end group
2290 @group
2291 (save-window-excursion
2292 (delete-other-windows w)
2293 (switch-to-buffer "foo")
2294 'do-something)
2295 @result{} do-something
2296 ;; @r{The screen is now split again.}
2297 @end group
2298 @end example
2299 @end defspec
2300
2301 @defun window-configuration-p object
2302 This function returns @code{t} if @var{object} is a window configuration.
2303 @end defun
2304
2305 @defun compare-window-configurations config1 config2
2306 This function compares two window configurations as regards the
2307 structure of windows, but ignores the values of point and mark and the
2308 saved scrolling positions---it can return @code{t} even if those
2309 aspects differ.
2310
2311 The function @code{equal} can also compare two window configurations; it
2312 regards configurations as unequal if they differ in any respect, even a
2313 saved point or mark.
2314 @end defun
2315
2316 @defun window-configuration-frame config
2317 This function returns the frame for which the window configuration
2318 @var{config} was made.
2319 @end defun
2320
2321 Other primitives to look inside of window configurations would make
2322 sense, but are not implemented because we did not need them. See the
2323 file @file{winner.el} for some more operations on windows
2324 configurations.
2325
2326 @node Window Hooks
2327 @section Hooks for Window Scrolling and Changes
2328
2329 This section describes how a Lisp program can take action whenever a
2330 window displays a different part of its buffer or a different buffer.
2331 There are three actions that can change this: scrolling the window,
2332 switching buffers in the window, and changing the size of the window.
2333 The first two actions run @code{window-scroll-functions}; the last runs
2334 @code{window-size-change-functions}.
2335
2336 @defvar window-scroll-functions
2337 This variable holds a list of functions that Emacs should call before
2338 redisplaying a window with scrolling. It is not a normal hook, because
2339 each function is called with two arguments: the window, and its new
2340 display-start position.
2341
2342 Displaying a different buffer in the window also runs these functions.
2343
2344 These functions must be careful in using @code{window-end}
2345 (@pxref{Window Start}); if you need an up-to-date value, you must use
2346 the @var{update} argument to ensure you get it.
2347 @end defvar
2348
2349 @defvar window-size-change-functions
2350 This variable holds a list of functions to be called if the size of any
2351 window changes for any reason. The functions are called just once per
2352 redisplay, and just once for each frame on which size changes have
2353 occurred.
2354
2355 Each function receives the frame as its sole argument. There is no
2356 direct way to find out which windows on that frame have changed size, or
2357 precisely how. However, if a size-change function records, at each
2358 call, the existing windows and their sizes, it can also compare the
2359 present sizes and the previous sizes.
2360
2361 Creating or deleting windows counts as a size change, and therefore
2362 causes these functions to be called. Changing the frame size also
2363 counts, because it changes the sizes of the existing windows.
2364
2365 It is not a good idea to use @code{save-window-excursion} (@pxref{Window
2366 Configurations}) in these functions, because that always counts as a
2367 size change, and it would cause these functions to be called over and
2368 over. In most cases, @code{save-selected-window} (@pxref{Selecting
2369 Windows}) is what you need here.
2370 @end defvar
2371
2372 @defvar redisplay-end-trigger-functions
2373 This abnormal hook is run whenever redisplay in a window uses text that
2374 extends past a specified end trigger position. You set the end trigger
2375 position with the function @code{set-window-redisplay-end-trigger}. The
2376 functions are called with two arguments: the window, and the end trigger
2377 position. Storing @code{nil} for the end trigger position turns off the
2378 feature, and the trigger value is automatically reset to @code{nil} just
2379 after the hook is run.
2380 @end defvar
2381
2382 @defun set-window-redisplay-end-trigger window position
2383 This function sets @var{window}'s end trigger position at
2384 @var{position}.
2385 @end defun
2386
2387 @defun window-redisplay-end-trigger &optional window
2388 This function returns @var{window}'s current end trigger position.
2389 If @var{window} is @code{nil} or omitted, it uses the selected window.
2390 @end defun
2391
2392 @defvar window-configuration-change-hook
2393 A normal hook that is run every time you change the window configuration
2394 of an existing frame. This includes splitting or deleting windows,
2395 changing the sizes of windows, or displaying a different buffer in a
2396 window. The frame whose window configuration has changed is the
2397 selected frame when this hook runs.
2398 @end defvar
2399
2400 @ignore
2401 arch-tag: 3f6c36e8-df49-4986-b757-417feed88be3
2402 @end ignore