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[bpt/emacs.git] / man / programs.texi
1 @c This is part of the Emacs manual.
2 @c Copyright (C) 1985,86,87,93,94,95,97,99,2000 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
3 @c See file emacs.texi for copying conditions.
4 @node Programs, Building, Text, Top
5 @chapter Editing Programs
6 @cindex Lisp editing
7 @cindex C editing
8 @cindex program editing
9
10 Emacs has many commands designed to understand the syntax of programming
11 languages such as Lisp and C. These commands can
12
13 @itemize @bullet
14 @item
15 Move over or kill balanced expressions or @dfn{sexps} (@pxref{Lists}).
16 @item
17 Move over or mark top-level expressions---@dfn{defuns}, in Lisp;
18 functions, in C (@pxref{Defuns}).
19 @item
20 Show how parentheses balance (@pxref{Matching}).
21 @item
22 Insert, kill or align comments (@pxref{Comments}).
23 @item
24 Follow the usual indentation conventions of the language
25 (@pxref{Program Indent}).
26 @end itemize
27
28 The commands for words, sentences and paragraphs are very useful in
29 editing code even though their canonical application is for editing
30 human language text. Most symbols contain words (@pxref{Words});
31 sentences can be found in strings and comments (@pxref{Sentences}).
32 Paragraphs per se don't exist in code, but the paragraph commands are
33 useful anyway, because programming language major modes define
34 paragraphs to begin and end at blank lines (@pxref{Paragraphs}).
35 Judicious use of blank lines to make the program clearer will also
36 provide useful chunks of text for the paragraph commands to work
37 on.
38
39 @cindex selective display
40 @cindex outline
41 @cindex folding
42 @findex outline-minor-mode
43 @cindex outlines
44 The selective display feature is useful for looking at the overall
45 structure of a function (@pxref{Selective Display}). This feature
46 causes only the lines that are indented less than a specified amount to
47 appear on the screen. Programming modes often support Outline minor
48 mode (@pxref{Outline Mode}). The Foldout package (@pxref{Foldout}) can
49 provide convenient folding-editor features on top of the minor mode.
50 The Hideshow package (@pxref{Hideshow}) can also be used to display
51 bocks of code selectively.
52
53 The `automatic typing' features may be useful when writing programs.
54 @xref{Top, Autotyping, autotype, Features for Automatic Typing}.
55
56 @menu
57 * Program Modes:: Major modes for editing programs.
58 * Lists:: Expressions with balanced parentheses.
59 * List Commands:: The commands for working with list and sexps.
60 * Defuns:: Each program is made up of separate functions.
61 There are editing commands to operate on them.
62 * Program Indent:: Adjusting indentation to show the nesting.
63 * Matching:: Insertion of a close-delimiter flashes matching open.
64 * Comments:: Inserting, killing, and aligning comments.
65 * Balanced Editing:: Inserting two matching parentheses at once, etc.
66 * Symbol Completion:: Completion on symbol names of your program or language.
67 * Which Function:: Which Function mode shows which function you are in.
68 * Hideshow:: Displaying blocks selectively.
69 * Documentation:: Getting documentation of functions you plan to call.
70 * Change Log:: Maintaining a change history for your program.
71 * Tags:: Go direct to any function in your program in one
72 command. Tags remembers which file it is in.
73 * Imenu:: Making buffer indexes as menus.
74 * Emerge:: A convenient way of merging two versions of a program.
75 * C Modes:: Special commands of C, C++, Objective-C,
76 Java, and Pike modes.
77 * Fortran:: Fortran mode and its special features.
78 * Asm Mode:: Asm mode and its special features.
79 @end menu
80
81 @node Program Modes
82 @section Major Modes for Programming Languages
83
84 @cindex modes for programming languages
85 @cindex Perl mode
86 @cindex Icon mode
87 @cindex Awk mode
88 @cindex Makefile mode
89 @cindex Tcl mode
90 @cindex CPerl mode
91 @cindex DSSSL mode
92 @cindex Octave mode
93 @cindex Metafont mode
94 @cindex Modula2 mode
95 @cindex Prolog mode
96 @cindex Simula mode
97 @cindex VHDL mode
98 @cindex M4 mode
99 @cindex Shell-script mode
100 Emacs also has major modes for the programming languages Lisp, Scheme
101 (a variant of Lisp) and the Scheme-based DSSSL expression language, Ada,
102 Awk, C, C++, Fortran (free and fixed format), Icon, IDLWAVE,
103 Java, Metafont (@TeX{}'s companion for font creation), Modula2,
104 Objective-C, Octave, Pascal, Perl, Pike, Prolog, Simula, VHDL, CORBA
105 IDL, and Tcl. There is also a major mode for makefiles, called Makefile
106 mode. An alternative mode for Perl is called CPerl mode. Modes
107 are available for scripts for the common Unix shells, VMS DCL and
108 MS-DOS/MS-Windows `BAT' files. In a similar fashion to programming
109 languages, modes are provided for editing various sorts of configuration
110 files.
111
112 Separate manuals are available for th modes for Ada (@pxref{Top, , Ada Mode,
113 ada-mode, Ada Mode}), C/C++/Objective C/Java/Corba IDL (@pxref{Top, , CC Mode,
114 ccmode, CC Mode}) and the IDLWAVE modes (@pxref{Top, , IDLWAVE,
115 idlwave, IDLWAVE User Manual}).
116
117 Ideally, a major mode should be implemented for each programming
118 language that you might want to edit with Emacs; but often the mode for
119 one language can serve for other syntactically similar languages. The
120 language modes that exist are those that someone decided to take the
121 trouble to write.
122
123 There are several forms of Lisp mode, which differ in the way they
124 interface to Lisp execution. @xref{Executing Lisp}.
125
126 Each of the programming language major modes defines the @key{TAB} key
127 to run an indentation function that knows the indentation conventions of
128 that language and updates the current line's indentation accordingly.
129 For example, in C mode @key{TAB} is bound to @code{c-indent-line}.
130 @kbd{C-j} is normally defined to do @key{RET} followed by @key{TAB};
131 thus, it too indents in a mode-specific fashion.
132
133 @kindex DEL @r{(programming modes)}
134 @findex backward-delete-char-untabify
135 In most programming languages, indentation is likely to vary from line to
136 line. So the major modes for those languages rebind @key{DEL} to treat a
137 tab as if it were the equivalent number of spaces (using the command
138 @code{backward-delete-char-untabify}). This makes it possible to rub out
139 indentation one column at a time without worrying whether it is made up of
140 spaces or tabs. Use @kbd{C-b C-d} to delete a tab character before point,
141 in these modes.
142
143 Programming language modes define paragraphs to be separated only by
144 blank lines, so that the paragraph commands remain useful. Auto Fill mode,
145 if enabled in a programming language major mode, indents the new lines
146 which it creates.
147
148 @cindex mode hook
149 @vindex c-mode-hook
150 @vindex lisp-mode-hook
151 @vindex emacs-lisp-mode-hook
152 @vindex lisp-interaction-mode-hook
153 @vindex scheme-mode-hook
154 Turning on a major mode runs a normal hook called the @dfn{mode hook},
155 which is the value of a Lisp variable. Each major mode has a mode hook,
156 and the hook's name is always made from the mode command's name by
157 adding @samp{-hook}. For example, turning on C mode runs the hook
158 @code{c-mode-hook}, while turning on Lisp mode runs the hook
159 @code{lisp-mode-hook}. @xref{Hooks}.
160
161 @node Lists
162 @section Lists and Sexps
163
164 @cindex Control-Meta
165 By convention, Emacs keys for dealing with balanced expressions are
166 usually Control-Meta characters. They tend to be analogous in
167 function to their Control and Meta equivalents. These commands are
168 usually thought of as pertaining to expressions in programming
169 languages, but can be useful with any language in which some sort of
170 parentheses exist (including human languages).
171
172 @cindex list
173 @cindex sexp
174 @cindex expression
175 @cindex parentheses, moving across
176 @cindex matching parenthesis, moving to
177 These commands fall into two classes. Some deal only with @dfn{lists}
178 (parenthetical groupings). They see nothing except parentheses, brackets,
179 braces (whichever ones must balance in the language you are working with),
180 and escape characters that might be used to quote those.
181
182 The other commands deal with expressions or @dfn{sexps}. The word `sexp'
183 is derived from @dfn{s-expression}, the ancient term for an expression in
184 Lisp. But in Emacs, the notion of `sexp' is not limited to Lisp. It
185 refers to an expression in whatever language your program is written in.
186 Each programming language has its own major mode, which customizes the
187 syntax tables so that expressions in that language count as sexps.
188
189 Sexps typically include symbols, numbers, and string constants, as well
190 as anything contained in parentheses, brackets or braces.
191
192 In languages that use prefix and infix operators, such as C, it is not
193 possible for all expressions to be sexps. For example, C mode does not
194 recognize @samp{foo + bar} as a sexp, even though it @emph{is} a C expression;
195 it recognizes @samp{foo} as one sexp and @samp{bar} as another, with the
196 @samp{+} as punctuation between them. This is a fundamental ambiguity:
197 both @samp{foo + bar} and @samp{foo} are legitimate choices for the sexp to
198 move over if point is at the @samp{f}. Note that @samp{(foo + bar)} is a
199 single sexp in C mode.
200
201 Some languages have obscure forms of expression syntax that nobody
202 has bothered to make Emacs understand properly.
203
204 @node List Commands
205 @section List And Sexp Commands
206
207 @c doublewidecommands
208 @table @kbd
209 @item C-M-f
210 Move forward over a sexp (@code{forward-sexp}).
211 @item C-M-b
212 Move backward over a sexp (@code{backward-sexp}).
213 @item C-M-k
214 Kill sexp forward (@code{kill-sexp}).
215 @item C-M-@key{DEL}
216 Kill sexp backward (@code{backward-kill-sexp}).
217 @item C-M-u
218 Move up and backward in list structure (@code{backward-up-list}).
219 @item C-M-d
220 Move down and forward in list structure (@code{down-list}).
221 @item C-M-n
222 Move forward over a list (@code{forward-list}).
223 @item C-M-p
224 Move backward over a list (@code{backward-list}).
225 @item C-M-t
226 Transpose expressions (@code{transpose-sexps}).
227 @item C-M-@@
228 Put mark after following expression (@code{mark-sexp}).
229 @end table
230
231 @kindex C-M-f
232 @kindex C-M-b
233 @findex forward-sexp
234 @findex backward-sexp
235 To move forward over a sexp, use @kbd{C-M-f} (@code{forward-sexp}). If
236 the first significant character after point is an opening delimiter
237 (@samp{(} in Lisp; @samp{(}, @samp{[} or @samp{@{} in C), @kbd{C-M-f}
238 moves past the matching closing delimiter. If the character begins a
239 symbol, string, or number, @kbd{C-M-f} moves over that.
240
241 The command @kbd{C-M-b} (@code{backward-sexp}) moves backward over a
242 sexp. The detailed rules are like those above for @kbd{C-M-f}, but with
243 directions reversed. If there are any prefix characters (single-quote,
244 backquote and comma, in Lisp) preceding the sexp, @kbd{C-M-b} moves back
245 over them as well. The sexp commands move across comments as if they
246 were whitespace in most modes.
247
248 @kbd{C-M-f} or @kbd{C-M-b} with an argument repeats that operation the
249 specified number of times; with a negative argument, it moves in the
250 opposite direction.
251
252 @kindex C-M-k
253 @findex kill-sexp
254 @kindex C-M-DEL
255 @findex backward-kill-sexp
256 Killing a whole sexp can be done with @kbd{C-M-k} (@code{kill-sexp})
257 or @kbd{C-M-@key{DEL}} (@code{backward-kill-sexp}). @kbd{C-M-k} kills
258 the characters that @kbd{C-M-f} would move over, and @kbd{C-M-@key{DEL}}
259 kills the characters that @kbd{C-M-b} would move over.
260
261 @kindex C-M-n
262 @kindex C-M-p
263 @findex forward-list
264 @findex backward-list
265 The @dfn{list commands} move over lists, as the sexp commands do, but skip
266 blithely over any number of other kinds of sexps (symbols, strings, etc.).
267 They are @kbd{C-M-n} (@code{forward-list}) and @kbd{C-M-p}
268 (@code{backward-list}). The main reason they are useful is that they
269 usually ignore comments (since the comments usually do not contain any
270 lists).@refill
271
272 @kindex C-M-u
273 @kindex C-M-d
274 @findex backward-up-list
275 @findex down-list
276 @kbd{C-M-n} and @kbd{C-M-p} stay at the same level in parentheses, when
277 that's possible. To move @emph{up} one (or @var{n}) levels, use @kbd{C-M-u}
278 (@code{backward-up-list}).
279 @kbd{C-M-u} moves backward up past one unmatched opening delimiter. A
280 positive argument serves as a repeat count; a negative argument reverses
281 direction of motion and also requests repetition, so it moves forward and
282 up one or more levels.@refill
283
284 To move @emph{down} in list structure, use @kbd{C-M-d}
285 (@code{down-list}). In Lisp mode, where @samp{(} is the only opening
286 delimiter, this is nearly the same as searching for a @samp{(}. An
287 argument specifies the number of levels of parentheses to go down.
288
289 @cindex transposition
290 @kindex C-M-t
291 @findex transpose-sexps
292 A somewhat random-sounding command which is nevertheless handy is
293 @kbd{C-M-t} (@code{transpose-sexps}), which drags the previous sexp
294 across the next one. An argument serves as a repeat count, and a
295 negative argument drags backwards (thus canceling out the effect of
296 @kbd{C-M-t} with a positive argument). An argument of zero, rather than
297 doing nothing, transposes the sexps ending after point and the mark.
298
299 @kindex C-M-@@
300 @findex mark-sexp
301 To set the region around the next sexp in the buffer, use @kbd{C-M-@@}
302 (@code{mark-sexp}), which sets mark at the same place that @kbd{C-M-f}
303 would move to. @kbd{C-M-@@} takes arguments like @kbd{C-M-f}. In
304 particular, a negative argument is useful for putting the mark at the
305 beginning of the previous sexp.
306
307 The list and sexp commands' understanding of syntax is completely
308 controlled by the syntax table. Any character can, for example, be
309 declared to be an opening delimiter and act like an open parenthesis.
310 @xref{Syntax}.
311
312 @node Defuns
313 @section Defuns
314 @cindex defuns
315
316 In Emacs, a parenthetical grouping at the top level in the buffer is
317 called a @dfn{defun}. The name derives from the fact that most top-level
318 lists in a Lisp file are instances of the special form @code{defun}, but
319 any top-level parenthetical grouping counts as a defun in Emacs parlance
320 regardless of what its contents are, and regardless of the programming
321 language in use. For example, in C, the body of a function definition is a
322 defun.
323
324 @c doublewidecommands
325 @table @kbd
326 @item C-M-a
327 Move to beginning of current or preceding defun
328 (@code{beginning-of-defun}).
329 @item C-M-e
330 Move to end of current or following defun (@code{end-of-defun}).
331 @item C-M-h
332 Put region around whole current or following defun (@code{mark-defun}).
333 @end table
334
335 @kindex C-M-a
336 @kindex C-M-e
337 @kindex C-M-h
338 @findex beginning-of-defun
339 @findex end-of-defun
340 @findex mark-defun
341 The commands to move to the beginning and end of the current defun are
342 @kbd{C-M-a} (@code{beginning-of-defun}) and @kbd{C-M-e} (@code{end-of-defun}).
343
344 @findex c-mark-function
345 If you wish to operate on the current defun, use @kbd{C-M-h}
346 (@code{mark-defun}) which puts point at the beginning and mark at the end
347 of the current or next defun. For example, this is the easiest way to get
348 ready to move the defun to a different place in the text. In C mode,
349 @kbd{C-M-h} runs the function @code{c-mark-function}, which is almost the
350 same as @code{mark-defun}; the difference is that it backs up over the
351 argument declarations, function name and returned data type so that the
352 entire C function is inside the region. @xref{Marking Objects}.
353
354 @cindex open-parenthesis in leftmost column
355 @cindex ( in leftmost column
356 Emacs assumes that any open-parenthesis found in the leftmost column
357 is the start of a defun. Therefore, @strong{never put an
358 open-parenthesis at the left margin in a Lisp file unless it is the
359 start of a top-level list. Never put an open-brace or other opening
360 delimiter at the beginning of a line of C code unless it starts the body
361 of a function.} The most likely problem case is when you want an
362 opening delimiter at the start of a line inside a string. To avoid
363 trouble, put an escape character (@samp{\}, in C and Emacs Lisp,
364 @samp{/} in some other Lisp dialects) before the opening delimiter. It
365 will not affect the contents of the string.
366
367 In the remotest past, the original Emacs found defuns by moving upward a
368 level of parentheses until there were no more levels to go up. This always
369 required scanning all the way back to the beginning of the buffer, even for
370 a small function. To speed up the operation, Emacs was changed to assume
371 that any @samp{(} (or other character assigned the syntactic class of
372 opening-delimiter) at the left margin is the start of a defun. This
373 heuristic is nearly always right and avoids the costly scan; however,
374 it mandates the convention described above.
375
376 @node Program Indent
377 @section Indentation for Programs
378 @cindex indentation for programs
379
380 The best way to keep a program properly indented is to use Emacs to
381 reindent it as you change it. Emacs has commands to indent properly
382 either a single line, a specified number of lines, or all of the lines
383 inside a single parenthetical grouping.
384
385 @menu
386 * Basic Indent:: Indenting a single line.
387 * Multi-line Indent:: Commands to reindent many lines at once.
388 * Lisp Indent:: Specifying how each Lisp function should be indented.
389 * C Indent:: Extra features for indenting C and related modes.
390 * Custom C Indent:: Controlling indentation style for C and related modes.
391 @end menu
392
393 Emacs also provides a Lisp pretty-printer in the library @code{pp}.
394 This program reformats a Lisp object with indentation chosen to look nice.
395
396 @node Basic Indent
397 @subsection Basic Program Indentation Commands
398
399 @c WideCommands
400 @table @kbd
401 @item @key{TAB}
402 Adjust indentation of current line.
403 @item C-j
404 Equivalent to @key{RET} followed by @key{TAB} (@code{newline-and-indent}).
405 @end table
406
407 @kindex TAB @r{(programming modes)}
408 @findex c-indent-line
409 @findex lisp-indent-line
410 The basic indentation command is @key{TAB}, which gives the current line
411 the correct indentation as determined from the previous lines. The
412 function that @key{TAB} runs depends on the major mode; it is @code{lisp-indent-line}
413 in Lisp mode, @code{c-indent-line} in C mode, etc. These functions
414 understand different syntaxes for different languages, but they all do
415 about the same thing. @key{TAB} in any programming-language major mode
416 inserts or deletes whitespace at the beginning of the current line,
417 independent of where point is in the line. If point is inside the
418 whitespace at the beginning of the line, @key{TAB} leaves it at the end of
419 that whitespace; otherwise, @key{TAB} leaves point fixed with respect to
420 the characters around it.
421
422 Use @kbd{C-q @key{TAB}} to insert a tab at point.
423
424 @kindex C-j
425 @findex newline-and-indent
426 When entering lines of new code, use @kbd{C-j} (@code{newline-and-indent}),
427 which is equivalent to a @key{RET} followed by a @key{TAB}. @kbd{C-j} creates
428 a blank line and then gives it the appropriate indentation.
429
430 @key{TAB} indents the second and following lines of the body of a
431 parenthetical grouping each under the preceding one; therefore, if you
432 alter one line's indentation to be nonstandard, the lines below will
433 tend to follow it. This behavior is convenient in cases where you have
434 overridden the standard result of @key{TAB} because you find it
435 unaesthetic for a particular line.
436
437 Remember that an open-parenthesis, open-brace or other opening delimiter
438 at the left margin is assumed by Emacs (including the indentation routines)
439 to be the start of a function. Therefore, you must never have an opening
440 delimiter in column zero that is not the beginning of a function, not even
441 inside a string. This restriction is vital for making the indentation
442 commands fast; you must simply accept it. @xref{Defuns}, for more
443 information on this.
444
445 @node Multi-line Indent
446 @subsection Indenting Several Lines
447
448 When you wish to reindent several lines of code which have been altered
449 or moved to a different level in the list structure, you have several
450 commands available.
451
452 @table @kbd
453 @item C-M-q
454 Reindent all the lines within one list (@code{indent-sexp}).
455 @item C-u @key{TAB}
456 Shift an entire list rigidly sideways so that its first line
457 is properly indented.
458 @item C-M-\
459 Reindent all lines in the region (@code{indent-region}).
460 @end table
461
462 @kindex C-M-q
463 @findex indent-sexp
464 You can reindent the contents of a single list by positioning point
465 before the beginning of it and typing @kbd{C-M-q} (@code{indent-sexp} in
466 Lisp mode, @code{c-indent-exp} in C mode; also bound to other suitable
467 commands in other modes). The indentation of the line the sexp starts on
468 is not changed; therefore, only the relative indentation within the list,
469 and not its position, is changed. To correct the position as well, type a
470 @key{TAB} before the @kbd{C-M-q}.
471
472 @kindex C-u TAB
473 If the relative indentation within a list is correct but the
474 indentation of its first line is not, go to that line and type @kbd{C-u
475 @key{TAB}}. @key{TAB} with a numeric argument reindents the current
476 line as usual, then reindents by the same amount all the lines in the
477 grouping starting on the current line. In other words, it reindents the
478 whole grouping rigidly as a unit. It is clever, though, and does not
479 alter lines that start inside strings, or C preprocessor lines when in C
480 mode.
481
482 Another way to specify the range to be reindented is with the region.
483 The command @kbd{C-M-\} (@code{indent-region}) applies @key{TAB} to
484 every line whose first character is between point and mark.
485
486 @node Lisp Indent
487 @subsection Customizing Lisp Indentation
488 @cindex customizing Lisp indentation
489
490 The indentation pattern for a Lisp expression can depend on the function
491 called by the expression. For each Lisp function, you can choose among
492 several predefined patterns of indentation, or define an arbitrary one with
493 a Lisp program.
494
495 The standard pattern of indentation is as follows: the second line of the
496 expression is indented under the first argument, if that is on the same
497 line as the beginning of the expression; otherwise, the second line is
498 indented underneath the function name. Each following line is indented
499 under the previous line whose nesting depth is the same.
500
501 @vindex lisp-indent-offset
502 If the variable @code{lisp-indent-offset} is non-@code{nil}, it overrides
503 the usual indentation pattern for the second line of an expression, so that
504 such lines are always indented @code{lisp-indent-offset} more columns than
505 the containing list.
506
507 @vindex lisp-body-indent
508 The standard pattern is overridden for certain functions. Functions
509 whose names start with @code{def} always indent the second line by
510 @code{lisp-body-indent} extra columns beyond the open-parenthesis
511 starting the expression.
512
513 The standard pattern can be overridden in various ways for individual
514 functions, according to the @code{lisp-indent-function} property of the
515 function name. There are four possibilities for this property:
516
517 @table @asis
518 @item @code{nil}
519 This is the same as no property; the standard indentation pattern is used.
520 @item @code{defun}
521 The pattern used for function names that start with @code{def} is used for
522 this function also.
523 @item a number, @var{number}
524 The first @var{number} arguments of the function are
525 @dfn{distinguished} arguments; the rest are considered the @dfn{body}
526 of the expression. A line in the expression is indented according to
527 whether the first argument on it is distinguished or not. If the
528 argument is part of the body, the line is indented @code{lisp-body-indent}
529 more columns than the open-parenthesis starting the containing
530 expression. If the argument is distinguished and is either the first
531 or second argument, it is indented @emph{twice} that many extra columns.
532 If the argument is distinguished and not the first or second argument,
533 the standard pattern is followed for that line.
534 @item a symbol, @var{symbol}
535 @var{symbol} should be a function name; that function is called to
536 calculate the indentation of a line within this expression. The
537 function receives two arguments:
538 @table @asis
539 @item @var{state}
540 The value returned by @code{parse-partial-sexp} (a Lisp primitive for
541 indentation and nesting computation) when it parses up to the
542 beginning of this line.
543 @item @var{pos}
544 The position at which the line being indented begins.
545 @end table
546 @noindent
547 It should return either a number, which is the number of columns of
548 indentation for that line, or a list whose car is such a number. The
549 difference between returning a number and returning a list is that a
550 number says that all following lines at the same nesting level should
551 be indented just like this one; a list says that following lines might
552 call for different indentations. This makes a difference when the
553 indentation is being computed by @kbd{C-M-q}; if the value is a
554 number, @kbd{C-M-q} need not recalculate indentation for the following
555 lines until the end of the list.
556 @end table
557
558 @node C Indent
559 @subsection Commands for C Indentation
560
561 Here are the commands for indentation in C mode and related modes:
562
563 @table @code
564 @item C-c C-q
565 @kindex C-c C-q @r{(C mode)}
566 @findex c-indent-defun
567 Reindent the current top-level function definition or aggregate type
568 declaration (@code{c-indent-defun}).
569
570 @item C-M-q
571 @kindex C-M-q @r{(C mode)}
572 @findex c-indent-exp
573 Reindent each line in the balanced expression that follows point
574 (@code{c-indent-exp}). A prefix argument inhibits error checking and
575 warning messages about invalid syntax.
576
577 @item @key{TAB}
578 @findex c-indent-command
579 Reindent the current line, and/or in some cases insert a tab character
580 (@code{c-indent-command}).
581
582 If @code{c-tab-always-indent} is @code{t}, this command always reindents
583 the current line and does nothing else. This is the default.
584
585 If that variable is @code{nil}, this command reindents the current line
586 only if point is at the left margin or in the line's indentation;
587 otherwise, it inserts a tab (or the equivalent number of spaces,
588 if @code{indent-tabs-mode} is @code{nil}).
589
590 Any other value (not @code{nil} or @code{t}) means always reindent the
591 line, and also insert a tab if within a comment, a string, or a
592 preprocessor directive.
593
594 @item C-u @key{TAB}
595 Reindent the current line according to its syntax; also rigidly reindent
596 any other lines of the expression that starts on the current line.
597 @xref{Multi-line Indent}.
598 @end table
599
600 To reindent the whole current buffer, type @kbd{C-x h C-M-\}. This
601 first selects the whole buffer as the region, then reindents that
602 region.
603
604 To reindent the current block, use @kbd{C-M-u C-M-q}. This moves
605 to the front of the block and then reindents it all.
606
607 @node Custom C Indent
608 @subsection Customizing C Indentation
609
610 C mode and related modes use a simple yet flexible mechanism for
611 customizing indentation. The mechanism works in two steps: first it
612 classifies the line syntactically according to its contents and context;
613 second, it associates each kind of syntactic construct with an
614 indentation offset which you can customize.
615
616 @menu
617 * Syntactic Analysis::
618 * Indentation Calculation::
619 * Changing Indent Style::
620 * Syntactic Symbols::
621 * Variables for C Indent::
622 * C Indent Styles::
623 @end menu
624
625 @node Syntactic Analysis
626 @subsubsection Step 1---Syntactic Analysis
627 @cindex syntactic analysis
628
629 In the first step, the C indentation mechanism looks at the line
630 before the one you are currently indenting and determines the syntactic
631 components of the construct on that line. It builds a list of these
632 syntactic components, each of which contains a @dfn{syntactic symbol}
633 and sometimes also a buffer position. Some syntactic symbols describe
634 grammatical elements, for example @code{statement} and
635 @code{substatement}; others describe locations amidst grammatical
636 elements, for example @code{class-open} and @code{knr-argdecl}.
637
638 Conceptually, a line of C code is always indented relative to the
639 indentation of some line higher up in the buffer. This is represented
640 by the buffer positions in the syntactic component list.
641
642 Here is an example. Suppose we have the following code in a C++ mode
643 buffer (the line numbers don't actually appear in the buffer):
644
645 @example
646 1: void swap (int& a, int& b)
647 2: @{
648 3: int tmp = a;
649 4: a = b;
650 5: b = tmp;
651 6: @}
652 @end example
653
654 If you type @kbd{C-c C-s} (which runs the command
655 @code{c-show-syntactic-information}) on line 4, it shows the result of
656 the indentation mechanism for that line:
657
658 @example
659 ((statement . 32))
660 @end example
661
662 This indicates that the line is a statement and it is indented
663 relative to buffer position 32, which happens to be the @samp{i} in
664 @code{int} on line 3. If you move the cursor to line 3 and type
665 @kbd{C-c C-s}, it displays this:
666
667 @example
668 ((defun-block-intro . 28))
669 @end example
670
671 This indicates that the @code{int} line is the first statement in a
672 block, and is indented relative to buffer position 28, which is the
673 brace just after the function header.
674
675 @noindent
676 Here is another example:
677
678 @example
679 1: int add (int val, int incr, int doit)
680 2: @{
681 3: if (doit)
682 4: @{
683 5: return (val + incr);
684 6: @}
685 7: return (val);
686 8: @}
687 @end example
688
689 @noindent
690 Typing @kbd{C-c C-s} on line 4 displays this:
691
692 @example
693 ((substatement-open . 43))
694 @end example
695
696 This says that the brace @emph{opens} a substatement block. By the
697 way, a @dfn{substatement} indicates the line after an @code{if},
698 @code{else}, @code{while}, @code{do}, @code{switch}, @code{for},
699 @code{try}, @code{catch}, @code{finally}, or @code{synchronized}
700 statement.
701
702 @cindex syntactic component
703 @cindex syntactic symbol
704 @vindex c-syntactic-context
705 Within the C indentation commands, after a line has been analyzed
706 syntactically for indentation, the variable @code{c-syntactic-context}
707 contains a list that describes the results. Each element in this list
708 is a @dfn{syntactic component}: a cons cell containing a syntactic
709 symbol and (optionally) its corresponding buffer position. There may be
710 several elements in a component list; typically only one element has a
711 buffer position.
712
713 @node Indentation Calculation
714 @subsubsection Step 2---Indentation Calculation
715 @cindex Indentation Calculation
716
717 The C indentation mechanism calculates the indentation for the current
718 line using the list of syntactic components, @code{c-syntactic-context},
719 derived from syntactic analysis. Each component is a cons cell that
720 contains a syntactic symbol and may also contain a buffer position.
721
722 Each component contributes to the final total indentation of the line
723 in two ways. First, the syntactic symbol identifies an element of
724 @code{c-offsets-alist}, which is an association list mapping syntactic
725 symbols into indentation offsets. Each syntactic symbol's offset adds
726 to the total indentation. Second, if the component includes a buffer
727 position, the column number of that position adds to the indentation.
728 All these offsets and column numbers, added together, give the total
729 indentation.
730
731 The following examples demonstrate the workings of the C indentation
732 mechanism:
733
734 @example
735 1: void swap (int& a, int& b)
736 2: @{
737 3: int tmp = a;
738 4: a = b;
739 5: b = tmp;
740 6: @}
741 @end example
742
743 Suppose that point is on line 3 and you type @key{TAB} to reindent the
744 line. As explained above (@pxref{Syntactic Analysis}), the syntactic
745 component list for that line is:
746
747 @example
748 ((defun-block-intro . 28))
749 @end example
750
751 In this case, the indentation calculation first looks up
752 @code{defun-block-intro} in the @code{c-offsets-alist} alist. Suppose
753 that it finds the integer 2; it adds this to the running total
754 (initialized to zero), yielding a updated total indentation of 2 spaces.
755
756 The next step is to find the column number of buffer position 28.
757 Since the brace at buffer position 28 is in column zero, this adds 0 to
758 the running total. Since this line has only one syntactic component,
759 the total indentation for the line is 2 spaces.
760
761 @example
762 1: int add (int val, int incr, int doit)
763 2: @{
764 3: if (doit)
765 4: @{
766 5: return(val + incr);
767 6: @}
768 7: return(val);
769 8: @}
770 @end example
771
772 If you type @key{TAB} on line 4, the same process is performed, but
773 with different data. The syntactic component list for this line is:
774
775 @example
776 ((substatement-open . 43))
777 @end example
778
779 Here, the indentation calculation's first job is to look up the
780 symbol @code{substatement-open} in @code{c-offsets-alist}. Let's assume
781 that the offset for this symbol is 2. At this point the running total
782 is 2 (0 + 2 = 2). Then it adds the column number of buffer position 43,
783 which is the @samp{i} in @code{if} on line 3. This character is in
784 column 2 on that line. Adding this yields a total indentation of 4
785 spaces.
786
787 @vindex c-strict-syntax-p
788 If a syntactic symbol in the analysis of a line does not appear in
789 @code{c-offsets-alist}, it is ignored; if in addition the variable
790 @code{c-strict-syntax-p} is non-@code{nil}, it is an error.
791
792 @node Changing Indent Style
793 @subsubsection Changing Indentation Style
794
795 There are two ways to customize the indentation style for the C-like
796 modes. First, you can select one of several predefined styles, each of
797 which specifies offsets for all the syntactic symbols. For more
798 flexibility, you can customize the handling of individual syntactic
799 symbols. @xref{Syntactic Symbols}, for a list of all defined syntactic
800 symbols.
801
802 @table @kbd
803 @item M-x c-set-style @key{RET} @var{style} @key{RET}
804 Select predefined indentation style @var{style}. Type @kbd{?} when
805 entering @var{style} to see a list of supported styles; to find out what
806 a style looks like, select it and reindent some C code.
807
808 @item C-c C-o @var{symbol} @key{RET} @var{offset} @key{RET}
809 Set the indentation offset for syntactic symbol @var{symbol}
810 (@code{c-set-offset}). The second argument @var{offset} specifies the
811 new indentation offset.
812 @end table
813
814 The @code{c-offsets-alist} variable controls the amount of
815 indentation to give to each syntactic symbol. Its value is an
816 association list, and each element of the list has the form
817 @code{(@var{syntactic-symbol} . @var{offset})}. By changing the offsets
818 for various syntactic symbols, you can customize indentation in fine
819 detail. To change this alist, use @code{c-set-offset} (see below).
820
821 Each offset value in @code{c-offsets-alist} can be an integer, a
822 function or variable name, a list, or one of the following symbols: @code{+},
823 @code{-}, @code{++}, @code{--}, @code{*}, or @code{/}, indicating positive or negative
824 multiples of the variable @code{c-basic-offset}. Thus, if you want to
825 change the levels of indentation to be 3 spaces instead of 2 spaces, set
826 @code{c-basic-offset} to 3.
827
828 Using a function as the offset value provides the ultimate flexibility
829 in customizing indentation. The function is called with a single
830 argument containing the @code{cons} of the syntactic symbol and
831 the buffer position, if any. The function should return an integer
832 offset.
833
834 If the offset value is a list, its elements are processed according
835 to the rules above until a non-@code{nil} value is found. That value is
836 then added to the total indentation in the normal manner. The primary
837 use for this is to combine the results of several functions.
838
839 @kindex C-c C-o @r{(C mode)}
840 @findex c-set-offset
841 The command @kbd{C-c C-o} (@code{c-set-offset}) is the easiest way to
842 set offsets, both interactively or in your @file{~/.emacs} file. First
843 specify the syntactic symbol, then the offset you want. @xref{Syntactic
844 Symbols}, for a list of valid syntactic symbols and their meanings.
845
846 @node Syntactic Symbols
847 @subsubsection Syntactic Symbols
848
849 Here is a table of valid syntactic symbols for indentation in C and
850 related modes, with their syntactic meanings. Normally, most of these
851 symbols are assigned offsets in @code{c-offsets-alist}.
852
853 @table @code
854 @item string
855 Inside a multi-line string.
856
857 @item c
858 Inside a multi-line C style block comment.
859
860 @item defun-open
861 On a brace that opens a function definition.
862
863 @item defun-close
864 On a brace that closes a function definition.
865
866 @item defun-block-intro
867 In the first line in a top-level defun.
868
869 @item class-open
870 On a brace that opens a class definition.
871
872 @item class-close
873 On a brace that closes a class definition.
874
875 @item inline-open
876 On a brace that opens an in-class inline method.
877
878 @item inline-close
879 On a brace that closes an in-class inline method.
880
881 @item extern-lang-open
882 On a brace that opens an external language block.
883
884 @item extern-lang-close
885 On a brace that closes an external language block.
886
887 @item func-decl-cont
888 The region between a function definition's argument list and the defun
889 opening brace (excluding K&R function definitions). In C, you cannot
890 put anything but whitespace and comments between them; in C++ and Java,
891 @code{throws} declarations and other things can appear in this context.
892
893 @item knr-argdecl-intro
894 On the first line of a K&R C argument declaration.
895
896 @item knr-argdecl
897 In one of the subsequent lines in a K&R C argument declaration.
898
899 @item topmost-intro
900 On the first line in a topmost construct definition.
901
902 @item topmost-intro-cont
903 On the topmost definition continuation lines.
904
905 @item member-init-intro
906 On the first line in a member initialization list.
907
908 @item member-init-cont
909 On one of the subsequent member initialization list lines.
910
911 @item inher-intro
912 On the first line of a multiple inheritance list.
913
914 @item inher-cont
915 On one of the subsequent multiple inheritance lines.
916
917 @item block-open
918 On a statement block open brace.
919
920 @item block-close
921 On a statement block close brace.
922
923 @item brace-list-open
924 On the opening brace of an @code{enum} or @code{static} array list.
925
926 @item brace-list-close
927 On the closing brace of an @code{enum} or @code{static} array list.
928
929 @item brace-list-intro
930 On the first line in an @code{enum} or @code{static} array list.
931
932 @item brace-list-entry
933 On one of the subsequent lines in an @code{enum} or @code{static} array
934 list.
935
936 @item brace-entry-open
937 On one of the subsequent lines in an @code{enum} or @code{static} array
938 list, when the line begins with an open brace.
939
940 @item statement
941 On an ordinary statement.
942
943 @item statement-cont
944 On a continuation line of a statement.
945
946 @item statement-block-intro
947 On the first line in a new statement block.
948
949 @item statement-case-intro
950 On the first line in a @code{case} ``block.''
951
952 @item statement-case-open
953 On the first line in a @code{case} block starting with brace.
954
955 @item inexpr-statement
956 On a statement block inside an expression. This is used for a GNU
957 extension to the C language, and for Pike special functions that take a
958 statement block as an argument.
959
960 @item inexpr-class
961 On a class definition inside an expression. This is used for anonymous
962 classes and anonymous array initializers in Java.
963
964 @item substatement
965 On the first line after an @code{if}, @code{while}, @code{for},
966 @code{do}, or @code{else}.
967
968 @item substatement-open
969 On the brace that opens a substatement block.
970
971 @item case-label
972 On a @code{case} or @code{default} label.
973
974 @item access-label
975 On a C++ @code{private}, @code{protected}, or @code{public} access label.
976
977 @item label
978 On any ordinary label.
979
980 @item do-while-closure
981 On the @code{while} that ends a @code{do}-@code{while} construct.
982
983 @item else-clause
984 On the @code{else} of an @code{if}-@code{else} construct.
985
986 @item catch-clause
987 On the @code{catch} and @code{finally} lines in
988 @code{try}@dots{}@code{catch} constructs in C++ and Java.
989
990 @item comment-intro
991 On a line containing only a comment introduction.
992
993 @item arglist-intro
994 On the first line in an argument list.
995
996 @item arglist-cont
997 On one of the subsequent argument list lines when no arguments follow on
998 the same line as the arglist opening parenthesis.
999
1000 @item arglist-cont-nonempty
1001 On one of the subsequent argument list lines when at least one argument
1002 follows on the same line as the arglist opening parenthesis.
1003
1004 @item arglist-close
1005 On the closing parenthesis of an argument list.
1006
1007 @item stream-op
1008 On one of the lines continuing a stream operator construct.
1009
1010 @item inclass
1011 On a construct that is nested inside a class definition. The
1012 indentation is relative to the open brace of the class definition.
1013
1014 @item inextern-lang
1015 On a construct that is nested inside an external language block.
1016
1017 @item inexpr-statement
1018 On the first line of statement block inside an expression. This is used
1019 for the GCC extension to C that uses the syntax @code{(@{ @dots{} @})}.
1020 It is also used for the special functions that takes a statement block
1021 as an argument in Pike.
1022
1023 @item inexpr-class
1024 On the first line of a class definition inside an expression. This is
1025 used for anonymous classes and anonymous array initializers in Java.
1026
1027 @item cpp-macro
1028 On the start of a cpp macro.
1029
1030 @item friend
1031 On a C++ @code{friend} declaration.
1032
1033 @item objc-method-intro
1034 On the first line of an Objective-C method definition.
1035
1036 @item objc-method-args-cont
1037 On one of the lines continuing an Objective-C method definition.
1038
1039 @item objc-method-call-cont
1040 On one of the lines continuing an Objective-C method call.
1041
1042 @item inlambda
1043 Like @code{inclass}, but used inside lambda (i.e. anonymous) functions. Only
1044 used in Pike.
1045
1046 @item lambda-intro-cont
1047 On a line continuing the header of a lambda function, between the
1048 @code{lambda} keyword and the function body. Only used in Pike.
1049 @end table
1050
1051 @node Variables for C Indent
1052 @subsubsection Variables for C Indentation
1053
1054 This section describes additional variables which control the
1055 indentation behavior of C mode and related mode.
1056
1057 @table @code
1058 @item c-offsets-alist
1059 @vindex c-offsets-alist
1060 Association list of syntactic symbols and their indentation offsets.
1061 You should not set this directly, only with @code{c-set-offset}.
1062 @xref{Changing Indent Style}, for details.
1063
1064 @item c-style-alist
1065 @vindex c-style-alist
1066 Variable for defining indentation styles; see below.
1067
1068 @item c-basic-offset
1069 @vindex c-basic-offset
1070 Amount of basic offset used by @code{+} and @code{-} symbols in
1071 @code{c-offsets-alist}.@refill
1072
1073 @item c-special-indent-hook
1074 @vindex c-special-indent-hook
1075 Hook for user-defined special indentation adjustments. This hook is
1076 called after a line is indented by C mode and related modes.
1077 @end table
1078
1079 The variable @code{c-style-alist} specifies the predefined indentation
1080 styles. Each element has form @code{(@var{name}
1081 @var{variable-setting}@dots{})}, where @var{name} is the name of the
1082 style. Each @var{variable-setting} has the form @code{(@var{variable}
1083 . @var{value})}; @var{variable} is one of the customization variables
1084 used by C mode, and @var{value} is the value for that variable when
1085 using the selected style.
1086
1087 When @var{variable} is @code{c-offsets-alist}, that is a special case:
1088 @var{value} is appended to the front of the value of @code{c-offsets-alist}
1089 instead of replacing that value outright. Therefore, it is not necessary
1090 for @var{value} to specify each and every syntactic symbol---only those
1091 for which the style differs from the default.
1092
1093 The indentation of lines containing only comments is also affected by
1094 the variable @code{c-comment-only-line-offset} (@pxref{Comments in C}).
1095
1096 @node C Indent Styles
1097 @subsubsection C Indentation Styles
1098 @cindex c indentation styles
1099
1100 A @dfn{C style} is a collection of indentation style customizations.
1101 Emacs comes with several predefined indentation styles for C and related
1102 modes, including @code{gnu}, @code{k&r}, @code{bsd}, @code{stroustrup},
1103 @code{linux}, @code{python}, @code{java}, @code{whitesmith},
1104 @code{ellemtel}, @code{cc-mode}, and @code{user}.
1105
1106 @findex c-set-style
1107 @vindex c-default-style
1108 To choose the style you want, use the command @kbd{M-x c-set-style}.
1109 Specify a style name as an argument (case is not significant in C style
1110 names). The chosen style only affects newly visited buffers, not those
1111 you are already editing. You can also set the variable
1112 @code{c-default-style} to specify the style for various major modes.
1113 Its value should be an alist, in which each element specifies one major
1114 mode and which indentation style to use for it. For example,
1115
1116 @example
1117 (setq c-default-style
1118 '((java-mode . "java") (other . "gnu")))
1119 @end example
1120
1121 @noindent
1122 specifies an explicit choice for Java mode, and the default @samp{gnu}
1123 style for the other C-like modes.
1124
1125 The style @code{gnu} defines the formatting recommend by the GNU
1126 Project; it is the default, so as to encourage the indentation we
1127 recommend. The style @code{user} is the same as @code{gnu} but
1128 incorporates any changes made in variables such as @code{c-basic-offset}
1129 and @code{c-offsets-alist} by your @file{~/.emacs} file. To make them
1130 take effect, you should select the style @code{user} with
1131 @code{c-set-style} or @code{c-default-style}.
1132
1133 @findex c-add-style
1134 To define a new C indentation style, call the function
1135 @code{c-add-style}:
1136
1137 @example
1138 (c-add-style @var{name} @var{values} @var{use-now})
1139 @end example
1140
1141 @noindent
1142 Here @var{name} is the name of the new style (a string), and
1143 @var{values} is an alist whose elements have the form
1144 @code{(@var{variable} . @var{value})}. The variables you specify should
1145 be among those documented in @ref{Variables for C Indent}.
1146
1147 If @var{use-now} is non-@code{nil}, @code{c-add-style} selects the new
1148 style after defining it.
1149
1150 @node Matching
1151 @section Automatic Display Of Matching Parentheses
1152 @cindex matching parentheses
1153 @cindex parentheses, displaying matches
1154
1155 The Emacs parenthesis-matching feature is designed to show
1156 automatically how parentheses match in the text. Whenever you type a
1157 self-inserting character that is a closing delimiter, the cursor moves
1158 momentarily to the location of the matching opening delimiter, provided
1159 that is on the screen. If it is not on the screen, some text near it is
1160 displayed in the echo area. Either way, you can tell what grouping is
1161 being closed off.
1162
1163 In Lisp, automatic matching applies only to parentheses. In C, it
1164 applies to braces and brackets too. Emacs knows which characters to regard
1165 as matching delimiters based on the syntax table, which is set by the major
1166 mode. @xref{Syntax}.
1167
1168 If the opening delimiter and closing delimiter are mismatched---such as
1169 in @samp{[x)}---a warning message is displayed in the echo area. The
1170 correct matches are specified in the syntax table.
1171
1172 @vindex blink-matching-paren
1173 @vindex blink-matching-paren-distance
1174 @vindex blink-matching-delay
1175 Three variables control parenthesis match display.
1176 @code{blink-matching-paren} turns the feature on or off; @code{nil}
1177 turns it off, but the default is @code{t} to turn match display on.
1178 @code{blink-matching-delay} says how many seconds to wait; the default
1179 is 1, but on some systems it is useful to specify a fraction of a
1180 second. @code{blink-matching-paren-distance} specifies how many
1181 characters back to search to find the matching opening delimiter. If
1182 the match is not found in that far, scanning stops, and nothing is
1183 displayed. This is to prevent scanning for the matching delimiter from
1184 wasting lots of time when there is no match. The default is 12,000.
1185
1186 @cindex Show Paren mode
1187 @findex show-paren-mode
1188 When using X Windows, you can request a more powerful alternative kind
1189 of automatic parenthesis matching by enabling Show Paren mode. This
1190 mode turns off the usual kind of matching parenthesis display and
1191 instead uses highlighting to show what matches. Whenever point is after
1192 a close parenthesis, the close parenthesis and its matching open
1193 parenthesis are both highlighted; otherwise, if point is before an open
1194 parenthesis, the matching close parenthesis is highlighted. (There is
1195 no need to highlight the open parenthesis after point because the cursor
1196 appears on top of that character.) Use the command @kbd{M-x
1197 show-paren-mode} to enable or disable this mode.
1198
1199 @node Comments
1200 @section Manipulating Comments
1201 @cindex comments
1202
1203 Because comments are such an important part of programming, Emacs
1204 provides special commands for editing and inserting comments.
1205
1206 @menu
1207 * Comment Commands::
1208 * Multi-Line Comments::
1209 * Options for Comments::
1210 @end menu
1211
1212 @node Comment Commands
1213 @subsection Comment Commands
1214
1215 @kindex M-;
1216 @cindex indentation for comments
1217 @findex indent-for-comment
1218
1219 The comment commands insert, kill and align comments.
1220
1221 @c WideCommands
1222 @table @kbd
1223 @item M-;
1224 Insert or align comment (@code{indent-for-comment}).
1225 @item C-x ;
1226 Set comment column (@code{set-comment-column}).
1227 @item C-u - C-x ;
1228 Kill comment on current line (@code{kill-comment}).
1229 @item C-M-j
1230 Like @key{RET} followed by inserting and aligning a comment
1231 (@code{indent-new-comment-line}).
1232 @item M-x comment-region
1233 Add or remove comment delimiters on all the lines in the region.
1234 @end table
1235
1236 The command that creates a comment is @kbd{M-;} (@code{indent-for-comment}).
1237 If there is no comment already on the line, a new comment is created,
1238 aligned at a specific column called the @dfn{comment column}. The comment
1239 is created by inserting the string Emacs thinks comments should start with
1240 (the value of @code{comment-start}; see below). Point is left after that
1241 string. If the text of the line extends past the comment column, then the
1242 indentation is done to a suitable boundary (usually, at least one space is
1243 inserted). If the major mode has specified a string to terminate comments,
1244 that is inserted after point, to keep the syntax valid.
1245
1246 @kbd{M-;} can also be used to align an existing comment. If a line
1247 already contains the string that starts comments, then @kbd{M-;} just moves
1248 point after it and reindents it to the conventional place. Exception:
1249 comments starting in column 0 are not moved.
1250
1251 Some major modes have special rules for indenting certain kinds of
1252 comments in certain contexts. For example, in Lisp code, comments which
1253 start with two semicolons are indented as if they were lines of code,
1254 instead of at the comment column. Comments which start with three
1255 semicolons are supposed to start at the left margin. Emacs understands
1256 these conventions by indenting a double-semicolon comment using @key{TAB},
1257 and by not changing the indentation of a triple-semicolon comment at all.
1258
1259 @example
1260 ;; This function is just an example
1261 ;;; Here either two or three semicolons are appropriate.
1262 (defun foo (x)
1263 ;;; And now, the first part of the function:
1264 ;; The following line adds one.
1265 (1+ x)) ; This line adds one.
1266 @end example
1267
1268 In C code, a comment preceded on its line by nothing but whitespace
1269 is indented like a line of code.
1270
1271 Even when an existing comment is properly aligned, @kbd{M-;} is still
1272 useful for moving directly to the start of the comment.
1273
1274 @kindex C-u - C-x ;
1275 @findex kill-comment
1276 @kbd{C-u - C-x ;} (@code{kill-comment}) kills the comment on the current line,
1277 if there is one. The indentation before the start of the comment is killed
1278 as well. If there does not appear to be a comment in the line, nothing is
1279 done. To reinsert the comment on another line, move to the end of that
1280 line, do @kbd{C-y}, and then do @kbd{M-;} to realign it. Note that
1281 @kbd{C-u - C-x ;} is not a distinct key; it is @kbd{C-x ;} (@code{set-comment-column})
1282 with a negative argument. That command is programmed so that when it
1283 receives a negative argument it calls @code{kill-comment}. However,
1284 @code{kill-comment} is a valid command which you could bind directly to a
1285 key if you wanted to.
1286
1287 @node Multi-Line Comments
1288 @subsection Multiple Lines of Comments
1289
1290 @kindex C-M-j
1291 @cindex blank lines in programs
1292 @findex indent-new-comment-line
1293 If you are typing a comment and wish to continue it on another line,
1294 you can use the command @kbd{C-M-j} (@code{indent-new-comment-line}).
1295 This terminates the comment you are typing, creates a new blank line
1296 afterward, and begins a new comment indented under the old one. When
1297 Auto Fill mode is on, going past the fill column while typing a comment
1298 causes the comment to be continued in just this fashion. If point is
1299 not at the end of the line when @kbd{C-M-j} is typed, the text on
1300 the rest of the line becomes part of the new comment line.
1301
1302 @findex comment-region
1303 To turn existing lines into comment lines, use the @kbd{M-x
1304 comment-region} command. It adds comment delimiters to the lines that start
1305 in the region, thus commenting them out. With a negative argument, it
1306 does the opposite---it deletes comment delimiters from the lines in the
1307 region.
1308
1309 With a positive argument, @code{comment-region} duplicates the last
1310 character of the comment start sequence it adds; the argument specifies
1311 how many copies of the character to insert. Thus, in Lisp mode,
1312 @kbd{C-u 2 M-x comment-region} adds @samp{;;} to each line. Duplicating
1313 the comment delimiter is a way of calling attention to the comment. It
1314 can also affect how the comment is indented. In Lisp, for proper
1315 indentation, you should use an argument of two, if between defuns, and
1316 three, if within a defun.
1317
1318 @vindex comment-padding
1319 The variable @code{comment-padding} specifies how many spaces
1320 @code{comment-region} should insert on each line between the
1321 comment delimiter and the line's original text. The default is 1.
1322
1323 @node Options for Comments
1324 @subsection Options Controlling Comments
1325
1326 @vindex comment-column
1327 @kindex C-x ;
1328 @findex set-comment-column
1329 The comment column is stored in the variable @code{comment-column}. You
1330 can set it to a number explicitly. Alternatively, the command @kbd{C-x ;}
1331 (@code{set-comment-column}) sets the comment column to the column point is
1332 at. @kbd{C-u C-x ;} sets the comment column to match the last comment
1333 before point in the buffer, and then does a @kbd{M-;} to align the
1334 current line's comment under the previous one. Note that @kbd{C-u - C-x ;}
1335 runs the function @code{kill-comment} as described above.
1336
1337 The variable @code{comment-column} is per-buffer: setting the variable
1338 in the normal fashion affects only the current buffer, but there is a
1339 default value which you can change with @code{setq-default}.
1340 @xref{Locals}. Many major modes initialize this variable for the
1341 current buffer.
1342
1343 @vindex comment-start-skip
1344 The comment commands recognize comments based on the regular
1345 expression that is the value of the variable @code{comment-start-skip}.
1346 Make sure this regexp does not match the null string. It may match more
1347 than the comment starting delimiter in the strictest sense of the word;
1348 for example, in C mode the value of the variable is @code{@t{"/\\*+
1349 *"}}, which matches extra stars and spaces after the @samp{/*} itself.
1350 (Note that @samp{\\} is needed in Lisp syntax to include a @samp{\} in
1351 the string, which is needed to deny the first star its special meaning
1352 in regexp syntax. @xref{Regexps}.)
1353
1354 @vindex comment-start
1355 @vindex comment-end
1356 When a comment command makes a new comment, it inserts the value of
1357 @code{comment-start} to begin it. The value of @code{comment-end} is
1358 inserted after point, so that it will follow the text that you will insert
1359 into the comment. In C mode, @code{comment-start} has the value
1360 @w{@code{"/* "}} and @code{comment-end} has the value @w{@code{" */"}}.
1361
1362 @vindex comment-multi-line
1363 The variable @code{comment-multi-line} controls how @kbd{C-M-j}
1364 (@code{indent-new-comment-line}) behaves when used inside a comment. If
1365 @code{comment-multi-line} is @code{nil}, as it normally is, then the
1366 comment on the starting line is terminated and a new comment is started
1367 on the new following line. If @code{comment-multi-line} is not
1368 @code{nil}, then the new following line is set up as part of the same
1369 comment that was found on the starting line. This is done by not
1370 inserting a terminator on the old line, and not inserting a starter on
1371 the new line. In languages where multi-line comments work, the choice
1372 of value for this variable is a matter of taste.
1373
1374 @vindex comment-indent-function
1375 The variable @code{comment-indent-function} should contain a function
1376 that will be called to compute the indentation for a newly inserted
1377 comment or for aligning an existing comment. It is set differently by
1378 various major modes. The function is called with no arguments, but with
1379 point at the beginning of the comment, or at the end of a line if a new
1380 comment is to be inserted. It should return the column in which the
1381 comment ought to start. For example, in Lisp mode, the indent hook
1382 function bases its decision on how many semicolons begin an existing
1383 comment, and on the code in the preceding lines.
1384
1385 @node Balanced Editing
1386 @section Editing Without Unbalanced Parentheses
1387
1388 @table @kbd
1389 @item M-(
1390 Put parentheses around next sexp(s) (@code{insert-parentheses}).
1391 @item M-)
1392 Move past next close parenthesis and reindent
1393 (@code{move-past-close-and-reindent}).
1394 @end table
1395
1396 @kindex M-(
1397 @kindex M-)
1398 @findex insert-parentheses
1399 @findex move-past-close-and-reindent
1400 The commands @kbd{M-(} (@code{insert-parentheses}) and @kbd{M-)}
1401 (@code{move-past-close-and-reindent}) are designed to facilitate a style
1402 of editing which keeps parentheses balanced at all times. @kbd{M-(}
1403 inserts a pair of parentheses, either together as in @samp{()}, or, if
1404 given an argument, around the next several sexps. It leaves point after
1405 the open parenthesis. The command @kbd{M-)} moves past the close
1406 parenthesis, deleting any indentation preceding it, and indenting with
1407 @kbd{C-j} after it.
1408
1409 For example, instead of typing @kbd{( F O O )}, you can type @kbd{M-(
1410 F O O}, which has the same effect except for leaving the cursor before
1411 the close parenthesis.
1412
1413 @vindex parens-require-spaces
1414 @kbd{M-(} may insert a space before the open parenthesis, depending on
1415 the syntax class of the preceding character. Set
1416 @code{parens-require-spaces} to @code{nil} value if you wish to inhibit
1417 this.
1418
1419 @findex check-parens
1420 You can use @kbd{M-x check-parens} to find any unbalanced parentheses in
1421 a buffer.
1422
1423 @node Symbol Completion
1424 @section Completion for Symbol Names
1425 @cindex completion (symbol names)
1426
1427 Usually completion happens in the minibuffer. But one kind of completion
1428 is available in all buffers: completion for symbol names.
1429
1430 @kindex M-TAB
1431 The character @kbd{M-@key{TAB}} runs a command to complete the partial
1432 symbol before point against the set of meaningful symbol names. Any
1433 additional characters determined by the partial name are inserted at
1434 point.
1435
1436 If the partial name in the buffer has more than one possible completion
1437 and they have no additional characters in common, a list of all possible
1438 completions is displayed in another window.
1439
1440 @cindex completion using tags
1441 @cindex tags completion
1442 @cindex Info index completion
1443 @findex complete-symbol
1444 In most programming language major modes, @kbd{M-@key{TAB}} runs the
1445 command @code{complete-symbol}, which provides two kinds of completion.
1446 Normally it does completion based on a tags table (@pxref{Tags}); with a
1447 numeric argument (regardless of the value), it does completion based on
1448 the names listed in the Info file indexes for your language. Thus, to
1449 complete the name of a symbol defined in your own program, use
1450 @kbd{M-@key{TAB}} with no argument; to complete the name of a standard
1451 library function, use @kbd{C-u M-@key{TAB}}. Of course, Info-based
1452 completion works only if there is an Info file for the standard library
1453 functions of your language, and only if it is installed at your site.
1454
1455 @cindex Lisp symbol completion
1456 @cindex completion in Lisp
1457 @findex lisp-complete-symbol
1458 In Emacs-Lisp mode, the name space for completion normally consists of
1459 nontrivial symbols present in Emacs---those that have function
1460 definitions, values or properties. However, if there is an
1461 open-parenthesis immediately before the beginning of the partial symbol,
1462 only symbols with function definitions are considered as completions.
1463 The command which implements this is @code{lisp-complete-symbol}.
1464
1465 In Text mode and related modes, @kbd{M-@key{TAB}} completes words
1466 based on the spell-checker's dictionary. @xref{Spelling}.
1467
1468 @node Which Function
1469 @section Which Function Mode
1470
1471 Which Function mode is a minor mode that displays the current function
1472 name in the mode line, as you move around in a buffer.
1473
1474 @findex which-function-mode
1475 @vindex which-func-modes
1476 To enable (or disable) Which Function mode, use the command @kbd{M-x
1477 which-function-mode}. This command is global; it applies to all
1478 buffers, both existing ones and those yet to be created. However, this
1479 only affects certain major modes, those listed in the value of
1480 @code{which-func-modes}. (If the value is @code{t}, then Which Function
1481 mode applies to all major modes that know how to support it---which are
1482 the major modes that support Imenu.)
1483
1484 @node Hideshow
1485 @section Hideshow minor mode
1486
1487 @findex hs-minor-mode
1488 Hideshow minor mode provides selective display of blocks. Use @kbd{M-x
1489 hs-minor-mode} to toggle the mode or add @code{hs-minor-mode} to the
1490 hook for major modes with which you want to use it and which support it.
1491
1492 Blocks are defined dependent on the mode. In C mode or C++ mode, they
1493 are delimited by braces, while in Lisp-ish modes they are delimited by
1494 parens. Multi-line comments can also be hidden.
1495
1496 @findex hs-hide-all
1497 @findex hs-hide-block
1498 @findex hs-show-all
1499 @findex hs-show-block
1500 @findex hs-show-region
1501 @findex hs-hide-level
1502 @findex hs-minor-mode
1503 @kindex C-c h
1504 @kindex C-c s
1505 @kindex C-c H
1506 @kindex C-c S
1507 @kindex C-c R
1508 @kindex C-c L
1509 @kindex S-mouse-2
1510 The mode provides the commands @kbd{C-c h} (@kbd{M-x hs-hide-all}),
1511 @kbd{C-c s} (@kbd{M-x hs-hide-block}), @kbd{C-c H} (@kbd{M-x
1512 hs-show-all}), @kbd{C-c S} (@kbd{M-x hs-show-block}), @kbd{C-c R}
1513 (@kbd{M-x hs-show-region}) and @kbd{C-c L} (@kbd{M-x hs-hide-level})
1514 with obvious functions and @kbd{S-mouse-2} toggles hiding of a block
1515 with the mouse.
1516
1517 @vindex hs-hide-comments-when-hiding-all
1518 @vindex hs-show-hidden-short-form
1519 @vindex hs-isearch-open
1520 @vindex hs-special-modes-alist
1521 Hideshow is customized by the variables
1522 @table @code
1523 @item hs-hide-comments-when-hiding-all
1524 Specifies whether @kbd{hs-hide-all} should hide comments too.
1525 @item hs-show-hidden-short-form
1526 Specifies whether or not the last line in a form is omitted (saving
1527 screen space).
1528 @item hs-isearch-open
1529 Specifies what kind of hidden blocks to open in Isearch mode.
1530 @item hs-special-modes-alist
1531 Initializes Hideshow variables for different modes.
1532 @end table
1533
1534 @node Documentation, Change Log, Hideshow, Programs
1535 @section Documentation Commands
1536
1537 As you edit Lisp code to be run in Emacs, the commands @kbd{C-h f}
1538 (@code{describe-function}) and @kbd{C-h v} (@code{describe-variable}) can
1539 be used to print documentation of functions and variables that you want to
1540 call. These commands use the minibuffer to read the name of a function or
1541 variable to document, and display the documentation in a window.
1542
1543 For extra convenience, these commands provide default arguments based on
1544 the code in the neighborhood of point. @kbd{C-h f} sets the default to the
1545 function called in the innermost list containing point. @kbd{C-h v} uses
1546 the symbol name around or adjacent to point as its default.
1547
1548 @cindex Eldoc mode
1549 @findex eldoc-mode
1550 For Emacs Lisp code, you can also use Eldoc mode. This minor mode
1551 constantly displays in the echo area the argument list for the function
1552 being called at point. (In other words, it finds the function call that
1553 point is contained in, and displays the argument list of that function.)
1554 Eldoc mode applies in Emacs Lisp and Lisp Interaction modes only. Use
1555 the command @kbd{M-x eldoc-mode} to enable or disable this feature.
1556
1557 @findex info-lookup-symbol
1558 @findex info-lookup-file
1559 @kindex C-h C-i
1560 For C, Lisp, and other languages, you can use @kbd{C-h C-i}
1561 (@code{info-lookup-symbol}) to view the Info documentation for a symbol.
1562 You specify the symbol with the minibuffer; by default, it uses the
1563 symbol that appears in the buffer at point. The major mode determines
1564 where to look for documentation for the symbol---which Info files and
1565 which indices. You can also use @kbd{M-x info-lookup-file} to look for
1566 documentation for a file name. Currently the modes supported by
1567 Info-lookup are: Awk, Autoconf, Bison, C, Emacs Lisp, LaTeX, M4,
1568 Makefile, Octave, Perl, Scheme and Texinfo. The relevant Info files
1569 mostly must be obtained separately, typically from the appropriate GNU
1570 package.
1571
1572 @findex manual-entry
1573 You can read the ``man page'' for an operating system command, library
1574 function, or system call, with the @kbd{M-x manual-entry} command. It
1575 runs the @code{man} program to format the man page, and runs it
1576 asynchronously if your system permits, so that you can keep on editing
1577 while the page is being formatted. (MS-DOS and MS-Windows 3 do not
1578 permit asynchronous subprocesses, so on these systems you cannot edit
1579 while Emacs waits for @code{man} to exit.) The result goes in a buffer
1580 named @samp{*Man @var{topic}*}. These buffers use a special major mode,
1581 Man mode, that facilitates scrolling and examining other manual pages.
1582 For details, type @kbd{C-h m} while in a man page buffer.
1583
1584 @vindex Man-fontify-manpage-flag
1585 For a long man page, setting the faces properly can take substantial
1586 time. By default, Emacs uses faces in man pages if Emacs can display
1587 different fonts or colors. You can turn off use of faces in man pages
1588 by setting the variable @code{Man-fontify-manpage-flag} to @code{nil}.
1589
1590 @findex Man-fontify-manpage
1591 If you insert the text of a man page into an Emacs buffer in some
1592 other fashion, you can use the command @kbd{M-x Man-fontify-manpage} to
1593 perform the same conversions that @kbd{M-x manual-entry} does.
1594
1595 Eventually the GNU project hopes to replace most man pages with
1596 better-organized manuals that you can browse with Info. @xref{Misc
1597 Help}. Since this process is only partially completed, it is still
1598 useful to read manual pages.
1599
1600 @node Change Log
1601 @section Change Logs
1602
1603 @cindex change log
1604 @kindex C-x 4 a
1605 @findex add-change-log-entry-other-window
1606 The Emacs command @kbd{C-x 4 a} adds a new entry to the change log
1607 file for the file you are editing
1608 (@code{add-change-log-entry-other-window}).
1609
1610 A change log file contains a chronological record of when and why you
1611 have changed a program, consisting of a sequence of entries describing
1612 individual changes. Normally it is kept in a file called
1613 @file{ChangeLog} in the same directory as the file you are editing, or
1614 one of its parent directories. A single @file{ChangeLog} file can
1615 record changes for all the files in its directory and all its
1616 subdirectories.
1617
1618 A change log entry starts with a header line that contains your name,
1619 your email address (taken from the variable @code{user-mail-address}),
1620 and the current date and time. Aside from these header lines, every
1621 line in the change log starts with a space or a tab. The bulk of the
1622 entry consists of @dfn{items}, each of which starts with a line starting
1623 with whitespace and a star. Here are two entries, both dated in May
1624 1993, each with two items:
1625
1626 @iftex
1627 @medbreak
1628 @end iftex
1629 @smallexample
1630 1993-05-25 Richard Stallman <rms@@gnu.org>
1631
1632 * man.el: Rename symbols `man-*' to `Man-*'.
1633 (manual-entry): Make prompt string clearer.
1634
1635 * simple.el (blink-matching-paren-distance):
1636 Change default to 12,000.
1637
1638 1993-05-24 Richard Stallman <rms@@gnu.org>
1639
1640 * vc.el (minor-mode-map-alist): Don't use it if it's void.
1641 (vc-cancel-version): Doc fix.
1642 @end smallexample
1643
1644 @noindent
1645 (Previous Emacs versions used a different format for the date.)
1646
1647 One entry can describe several changes; each change should have its
1648 own item. Normally there should be a blank line between items. When
1649 items are related (parts of the same change, in different places), group
1650 them by leaving no blank line between them. The second entry above
1651 contains two items grouped in this way.
1652
1653 @vindex add-log-keep-changes-together
1654 @kbd{C-x 4 a} visits the change log file and creates a new entry
1655 unless the most recent entry is for today's date and your name. It also
1656 creates a new item for the current file. For many languages, it can
1657 even guess the name of the function or other object that was changed.
1658 When the option @code{add-log-keep-changes-together} is set, @kbd{C-x 4
1659 a} adds to any existing entry for the file rather than starting a new
1660 entry.
1661
1662 @cindex Change Log mode
1663 @findex change-log-mode
1664 The change log file is visited in Change Log mode. In this major
1665 mode, each bunch of grouped items counts as one paragraph, and each
1666 entry is considered a page. This facilitates editing the entries.
1667 @kbd{C-j} and auto-fill indent each new line like the previous line;
1668 this is convenient for entering the contents of an entry.
1669
1670 @findex change-log-merge
1671 The command @kbd{M-x change-log-merge} can be used to merge other log
1672 files into a buffer in Change Log Mode, preserving the date ordering
1673 of entries with either the current or old-style date formats.
1674
1675 Version control systems are another way to keep track of changes in your
1676 program and keep a change log. @xref{Log Buffer}.
1677
1678 @node Tags
1679 @section Tags Tables
1680 @cindex tags table
1681
1682 A @dfn{tags table} is a description of how a multi-file program is
1683 broken up into files. It lists the names of the component files and the
1684 names and positions of the functions (or other named subunits) in each
1685 file. Grouping the related files makes it possible to search or replace
1686 through all the files with one command. Recording the function names
1687 and positions makes possible the @kbd{M-.} command which finds the
1688 definition of a function by looking up which of the files it is in.
1689
1690 Tags tables are stored in files called @dfn{tags table files}. The
1691 conventional name for a tags table file is @file{TAGS}.
1692
1693 Each entry in the tags table records the name of one tag, the name of the
1694 file that the tag is defined in (implicitly), and the position in that file
1695 of the tag's definition.
1696
1697 Just what names from the described files are recorded in the tags table
1698 depends on the programming language of the described file. They
1699 normally include all functions and subroutines, and may also include
1700 global variables, data types, and anything else convenient. Each name
1701 recorded is called a @dfn{tag}.
1702
1703 @menu
1704 * Tag Syntax:: Tag syntax for various types of code and text files.
1705 * Create Tags Table:: Creating a tags table with @code{etags}.
1706 * Etags Regexps:: Create arbitrary tags using regular expressions.
1707 * Select Tags Table:: How to visit a tags table.
1708 * Find Tag:: Commands to find the definition of a specific tag.
1709 * Tags Search:: Using a tags table for searching and replacing.
1710 * List Tags:: Listing and finding tags defined in a file.
1711 @end menu
1712
1713 @node Tag Syntax
1714 @subsection Source File Tag Syntax
1715
1716 Here is how tag syntax is defined for the most popular languages:
1717
1718 @itemize @bullet
1719 @item
1720 In C code, any C function or typedef is a tag, and so are definitions of
1721 @code{struct}, @code{union} and @code{enum}. You can tag function
1722 declarations and external variables in addition to function definitions
1723 by giving the @samp{--declarations} option to @code{etags}.
1724 @code{#define} macro definitions and @code{enum} constants are also
1725 tags, unless you specify @samp{--no-defines} when making the tags table.
1726 Similarly, global variables are tags, unless you specify
1727 @samp{--no-globals}. Use of @samp{--no-globals} and @samp{--no-defines}
1728 can make the tags table file much smaller.
1729
1730 @item
1731 In C++ code, in addition to all the tag constructs of C code, member
1732 functions are also recognized, and optionally member variables if you
1733 use the @samp{--members} option. Tags for variables and functions in
1734 classes are named @samp{@var{class}::@var{variable}} and
1735 @samp{@var{class}::@var{function}}. @code{operator} functions tags are
1736 named, for example @samp{operator+}.
1737
1738 @item
1739 In Java code, tags include all the constructs recognized in C++, plus
1740 the @code{interface}, @code{extends} and @code{implements} constructs.
1741 Tags for variables and functions in classes are named
1742 @samp{@var{class}.@var{variable}} and @samp{@var{class}.@var{function}}.
1743
1744 @item
1745 In La@TeX{} text, the argument of any of the commands @code{\chapter},
1746 @code{\section}, @code{\subsection}, @code{\subsubsection},
1747 @code{\eqno}, @code{\label}, @code{\ref}, @code{\cite}, @code{\bibitem},
1748 @code{\part}, @code{\appendix}, @code{\entry}, or @code{\index}, is a
1749 tag.@refill
1750
1751 Other commands can make tags as well, if you specify them in the
1752 environment variable @code{TEXTAGS} before invoking @code{etags}. The
1753 value of this environment variable should be a colon-separated list of
1754 command names. For example,
1755
1756 @example
1757 TEXTAGS="def:newcommand:newenvironment"
1758 export TEXTAGS
1759 @end example
1760
1761 @noindent
1762 specifies (using Bourne shell syntax) that the commands @samp{\def},
1763 @samp{\newcommand} and @samp{\newenvironment} also define tags.
1764
1765 @item
1766 In Lisp code, any function defined with @code{defun}, any variable
1767 defined with @code{defvar} or @code{defconst}, and in general the first
1768 argument of any expression that starts with @samp{(def} in column zero, is
1769 a tag.
1770
1771 @item
1772 In Scheme code, tags include anything defined with @code{def} or with a
1773 construct whose name starts with @samp{def}. They also include variables
1774 set with @code{set!} at top level in the file.
1775 @end itemize
1776
1777 Several other languages are also supported:
1778
1779 @itemize @bullet
1780
1781 @item
1782 In Ada code, functions, procedures, packages, tasks, and types are
1783 tags. Use the @samp{--packages-only} option to create tags for packages
1784 only.
1785
1786 @item
1787 In assembler code, labels appearing at the beginning of a line,
1788 followed by a colon, are tags.
1789
1790 @item
1791 In Bison or Yacc input files, each rule defines as a tag the nonterminal
1792 it constructs. The portions of the file that contain C code are parsed
1793 as C code.
1794
1795 @item
1796 In Cobol code, tags are paragraph names; that is, any word starting in
1797 column 8 and followed by a period.
1798
1799 @item
1800 In Erlang code, the tags are the functions, records, and macros defined
1801 in the file.
1802
1803 @item
1804 In Fortran code, functions, subroutines and blockdata are tags.
1805
1806 @item
1807 In Objective C code, tags include Objective C definitions for classes,
1808 class categories, methods, and protocols.
1809
1810 @item
1811 In Pascal code, the tags are the functions and procedures defined in
1812 the file.
1813
1814 @item
1815 In Perl code, the tags are the procedures defined by the @code{sub},
1816 @code{my} and @code{local} keywords. Use @samp{--globals} if you want
1817 to tag global variables.
1818
1819 @item
1820 In PostScript code, the tags are the functions.
1821
1822 @item
1823 In Prolog code, a tag name appears at the left margin.
1824
1825 @item
1826 In Python code, @code{def} or @code{class} at the beginning of a line
1827 generate a tag.
1828 @end itemize
1829
1830 You can also generate tags based on regexp matching (@pxref{Etags
1831 Regexps}) to handle other formats and languages.
1832
1833 @node Create Tags Table
1834 @subsection Creating Tags Tables
1835 @cindex @code{etags} program
1836
1837 The @code{etags} program is used to create a tags table file. It knows
1838 the syntax of several languages, as described in
1839 @iftex
1840 the previous section.
1841 @end iftex
1842 @ifinfo
1843 @ref{Tag Syntax}.
1844 @end ifinfo
1845 Here is how to run @code{etags}:
1846
1847 @example
1848 etags @var{inputfiles}@dots{}
1849 @end example
1850
1851 @noindent
1852 The @code{etags} program reads the specified files, and writes a tags
1853 table named @file{TAGS} in the current working directory. You can
1854 intermix compressed and plain text source file names. @code{etags}
1855 knows about the most common compression formats, and does the right
1856 thing. So you can compress all your source files and have @code{etags}
1857 look for compressed versions of its file name arguments, if it does not
1858 find uncompressed versions. Under MS-DOS, @code{etags} also looks for
1859 file names like @samp{mycode.cgz} if it is given @samp{mycode.c} on the
1860 command line and @samp{mycode.c} does not exist.
1861
1862 @code{etags} recognizes the language used in an input file based on
1863 its file name and contents. You can specify the language with the
1864 @samp{--language=@var{name}} option, described below.
1865
1866 If the tags table data become outdated due to changes in the files
1867 described in the table, the way to update the tags table is the same way it
1868 was made in the first place. It is not necessary to do this often.
1869
1870 If the tags table fails to record a tag, or records it for the wrong
1871 file, then Emacs cannot possibly find its definition. However, if the
1872 position recorded in the tags table becomes a little bit wrong (due to
1873 some editing in the file that the tag definition is in), the only
1874 consequence is a slight delay in finding the tag. Even if the stored
1875 position is very wrong, Emacs will still find the tag, but it must
1876 search the entire file for it.
1877
1878 So you should update a tags table when you define new tags that you want
1879 to have listed, or when you move tag definitions from one file to another,
1880 or when changes become substantial. Normally there is no need to update
1881 the tags table after each edit, or even every day.
1882
1883 One tags table can effectively include another. Specify the included
1884 tags file name with the @samp{--include=@var{file}} option when creating
1885 the file that is to include it. The latter file then acts as if it
1886 contained all the files specified in the included file, as well as the
1887 files it directly contains.
1888
1889 If you specify the source files with relative file names when you run
1890 @code{etags}, the tags file will contain file names relative to the
1891 directory where the tags file was initially written. This way, you can
1892 move an entire directory tree containing both the tags file and the
1893 source files, and the tags file will still refer correctly to the source
1894 files.
1895
1896 If you specify absolute file names as arguments to @code{etags}, then
1897 the tags file will contain absolute file names. This way, the tags file
1898 will still refer to the same files even if you move it, as long as the
1899 source files remain in the same place. Absolute file names start with
1900 @samp{/}, or with @samp{@var{device}:/} on MS-DOS and MS-Windows.
1901
1902 When you want to make a tags table from a great number of files, you
1903 may have problems listing them on the command line, because some systems
1904 have a limit on its length. The simplest way to circumvent this limit
1905 is to tell @code{etags} to read the file names from its standard input,
1906 by typing a dash in place of the file names, like this:
1907
1908 @smallexample
1909 find . -name "*.[chCH]" -print | etags -
1910 @end smallexample
1911
1912 Use the option @samp{--language=@var{name}} to specify the language
1913 explicitly. You can intermix these options with file names; each one
1914 applies to the file names that follow it. Specify
1915 @samp{--language=auto} to tell @code{etags} to resume guessing the
1916 language from the file names and file contents. Specify
1917 @samp{--language=none} to turn off language-specific processing
1918 entirely; then @code{etags} recognizes tags by regexp matching alone
1919 (@pxref{Etags Regexps}).
1920
1921 @samp{etags --help} prints the list of the languages @code{etags}
1922 knows, and the file name rules for guessing the language. It also prints
1923 a list of all the available @code{etags} options, together with a short
1924 explanation.
1925
1926 @node Etags Regexps
1927 @subsection Etags Regexps
1928
1929 The @samp{--regex} option provides a general way of recognizing tags
1930 based on regexp matching. You can freely intermix it with file names.
1931 Each @samp{--regex} option adds to the preceding ones, and applies only
1932 to the following files. The syntax is:
1933
1934 @smallexample
1935 --regex=/@var{tagregexp}[/@var{nameregexp}]/
1936 @end smallexample
1937
1938 @noindent
1939 where @var{tagregexp} is used to match the lines to tag. It is always
1940 anchored, that is, it behaves as if preceded by @samp{^}. If you want
1941 to account for indentation, just match any initial number of blanks by
1942 beginning your regular expression with @samp{[ \t]*}. In the regular
1943 expressions, @samp{\} quotes the next character, and @samp{\t} stands
1944 for the tab character. Note that @code{etags} does not handle the other
1945 C escape sequences for special characters.
1946
1947 @cindex interval operator (in regexps)
1948 The syntax of regular expressions in @code{etags} is the same as in
1949 Emacs, augmented with the @dfn{interval operator}, which works as in
1950 @code{grep} and @code{ed}. The syntax of an interval operator is
1951 @samp{\@{@var{m},@var{n}\@}}, and its meaning is to match the preceding
1952 expression at least @var{m} times and up to @var{n} times.
1953
1954 You should not match more characters with @var{tagregexp} than that
1955 needed to recognize what you want to tag. If the match is such that
1956 more characters than needed are unavoidably matched by @var{tagregexp}
1957 (as will usually be the case), you should add a @var{nameregexp}, to
1958 pick out just the tag. This will enable Emacs to find tags more
1959 accurately and to do completion on tag names more reliably. You can
1960 find some examples below.
1961
1962 The option @samp{--ignore-case-regex} (or @samp{-c}) is like
1963 @samp{--regex}, except that the regular expression provided will be
1964 matched without regard to case, which is appropriate for various
1965 programming languages.
1966
1967 The @samp{-R} option deletes all the regexps defined with
1968 @samp{--regex} options. It applies to the file names following it, as
1969 you can see from the following example:
1970
1971 @smallexample
1972 etags --regex=/@var{reg1}/ voo.doo --regex=/@var{reg2}/ \
1973 bar.ber -R --lang=lisp los.er
1974 @end smallexample
1975
1976 @noindent
1977 Here @code{etags} chooses the parsing language for @file{voo.doo} and
1978 @file{bar.ber} according to their contents. @code{etags} also uses
1979 @var{reg1} to recognize additional tags in @file{voo.doo}, and both
1980 @var{reg1} and @var{reg2} to recognize additional tags in
1981 @file{bar.ber}. @code{etags} uses the Lisp tags rules, and no regexp
1982 matching, to recognize tags in @file{los.er}.
1983
1984 A regular expression can be bound to a given language, by prepending
1985 it with @samp{@{lang@}}. When you do this, @code{etags} will use the
1986 regular expression only for files of that language. @samp{etags --help}
1987 prints the list of languages recognised by @code{etags}. The following
1988 example tags the @code{DEFVAR} macros in the Emacs source files.
1989 @code{etags} applies this regular expression to C files only:
1990
1991 @smallexample
1992 --regex='@{c@}/[ \t]*DEFVAR_[A-Z_ \t(]+"\([^"]+\)"/'
1993 @end smallexample
1994
1995 @noindent
1996 This feature is particularly useful when storing a list of regular
1997 expressions in a file. The following option syntax instructs
1998 @code{etags} to read two files of regular expressions. The regular
1999 expressions contained in the second file are matched without regard to
2000 case.
2001
2002 @smallexample
2003 --regex=@@first-file --ignore-case-regex=@@second-file
2004 @end smallexample
2005
2006 @noindent
2007 A regex file contains one regular expressions per line. Empty lines,
2008 and lines beginning with space or tab are ignored. When the first
2009 character in a line is @samp{@@}, @code{etags} assumes that the rest of
2010 the line is the name of a file of regular expressions. This means that
2011 such files can be nested. All the other lines are taken to be regular
2012 expressions. For example, one can create a file called
2013 @samp{emacs.tags} with the following contents (the first line in the
2014 file is a comment):
2015
2016 @smallexample
2017 -- This is for GNU Emacs source files
2018 @{c@}/[ \t]*DEFVAR_[A-Z_ \t(]+"\([^"]+\)"/\1/
2019 @end smallexample
2020
2021 @noindent
2022 and then use it like this:
2023
2024 @smallexample
2025 etags --regex=@@emacs.tags *.[ch] */*.[ch]
2026 @end smallexample
2027
2028 Here are some more examples. The regexps are quoted to protect them
2029 from shell interpretation.
2030
2031 @itemize @bullet
2032
2033 @item
2034 Tag Octave files:
2035
2036 @smallexample
2037 etags --language=none \
2038 --regex='/[ \t]*function.*=[ \t]*\([^ \t]*\)[ \t]*(/\1/' \
2039 --regex='/###key \(.*\)/\1/' \
2040 --regex='/[ \t]*global[ \t].*/' \
2041 *.m
2042 @end smallexample
2043
2044 @noindent
2045 Note that tags are not generated for scripts so that you have to add a
2046 line by yourself of the form `###key <script-name>' if you want to jump
2047 to it.
2048
2049 @item
2050 Tag Tcl files:
2051
2052 @smallexample
2053 etags --language=none --regex='/proc[ \t]+\([^ \t]+\)/\1/' *.tcl
2054 @end smallexample
2055
2056 @item
2057 Tag VHDL files:
2058
2059 @smallexample
2060 --language=none \
2061 --regex='/[ \t]*\(ARCHITECTURE\|CONFIGURATION\) +[^ ]* +OF/' \
2062 --regex='/[ \t]*\(ATTRIBUTE\|ENTITY\|FUNCTION\|PACKAGE\
2063 \( BODY\)?\|PROCEDURE\|PROCESS\|TYPE\)[ \t]+\([^ \t(]+\)/\3/'
2064 @end smallexample
2065 @end itemize
2066
2067 @node Select Tags Table
2068 @subsection Selecting a Tags Table
2069
2070 @vindex tags-file-name
2071 @findex visit-tags-table
2072 Emacs has at any time one @dfn{selected} tags table, and all the commands
2073 for working with tags tables use the selected one. To select a tags table,
2074 type @kbd{M-x visit-tags-table}, which reads the tags table file name as an
2075 argument. The name @file{TAGS} in the default directory is used as the
2076 default file name.
2077
2078 All this command does is store the file name in the variable
2079 @code{tags-file-name}. Emacs does not actually read in the tags table
2080 contents until you try to use them. Setting this variable yourself is just
2081 as good as using @code{visit-tags-table}. The variable's initial value is
2082 @code{nil}; that value tells all the commands for working with tags tables
2083 that they must ask for a tags table file name to use.
2084
2085 Using @code{visit-tags-table} when a tags table is already loaded
2086 gives you a choice: you can add the new tags table to the current list
2087 of tags tables, or start a new list. The tags commands use all the tags
2088 tables in the current list. If you start a new list, the new tags table
2089 is used @emph{instead} of others. If you add the new table to the
2090 current list, it is used @emph{as well as} the others. When the tags
2091 commands scan the list of tags tables, they don't always start at the
2092 beginning of the list; they start with the first tags table (if any)
2093 that describes the current file, proceed from there to the end of the
2094 list, and then scan from the beginning of the list until they have
2095 covered all the tables in the list.
2096
2097 @vindex tags-table-list
2098 You can specify a precise list of tags tables by setting the variable
2099 @code{tags-table-list} to a list of strings, like this:
2100
2101 @c keep this on two lines for formatting in smallbook
2102 @example
2103 @group
2104 (setq tags-table-list
2105 '("~/emacs" "/usr/local/lib/emacs/src"))
2106 @end group
2107 @end example
2108
2109 @noindent
2110 This tells the tags commands to look at the @file{TAGS} files in your
2111 @file{~/emacs} directory and in the @file{/usr/local/lib/emacs/src}
2112 directory. The order depends on which file you are in and which tags
2113 table mentions that file, as explained above.
2114
2115 Do not set both @code{tags-file-name} and @code{tags-table-list}.
2116
2117 @node Find Tag
2118 @subsection Finding a Tag
2119
2120 The most important thing that a tags table enables you to do is to find
2121 the definition of a specific tag.
2122
2123 @table @kbd
2124 @item M-.@: @var{tag} @key{RET}
2125 Find first definition of @var{tag} (@code{find-tag}).
2126 @item C-u M-.
2127 Find next alternate definition of last tag specified.
2128 @item C-u - M-.
2129 Go back to previous tag found.
2130 @item C-M-. @var{pattern} @key{RET}
2131 Find a tag whose name matches @var{pattern} (@code{find-tag-regexp}).
2132 @item C-u C-M-.
2133 Find the next tag whose name matches the last pattern used.
2134 @item C-x 4 .@: @var{tag} @key{RET}
2135 Find first definition of @var{tag}, but display it in another window
2136 (@code{find-tag-other-window}).
2137 @item C-x 5 .@: @var{tag} @key{RET}
2138 Find first definition of @var{tag}, and create a new frame to select the
2139 buffer (@code{find-tag-other-frame}).
2140 @item M-*
2141 Pop back to where you previously invoked @kbd{M-.} and friends.
2142 @end table
2143
2144 @kindex M-.
2145 @findex find-tag
2146 @kbd{M-.}@: (@code{find-tag}) is the command to find the definition of
2147 a specified tag. It searches through the tags table for that tag, as a
2148 string, and then uses the tags table info to determine the file that the
2149 definition is in and the approximate character position in the file of
2150 the definition. Then @code{find-tag} visits that file, moves point to
2151 the approximate character position, and searches ever-increasing
2152 distances away to find the tag definition.
2153
2154 If an empty argument is given (just type @key{RET}), the sexp in the
2155 buffer before or around point is used as the @var{tag} argument.
2156 @xref{Lists}, for info on sexps.
2157
2158 You don't need to give @kbd{M-.} the full name of the tag; a part
2159 will do. This is because @kbd{M-.} finds tags in the table which
2160 contain @var{tag} as a substring. However, it prefers an exact match
2161 to a substring match. To find other tags that match the same
2162 substring, give @code{find-tag} a numeric argument, as in @kbd{C-u
2163 M-.}; this does not read a tag name, but continues searching the tags
2164 table's text for another tag containing the same substring last used.
2165 If you have a real @key{META} key, @kbd{M-0 M-.}@: is an easier
2166 alternative to @kbd{C-u M-.}.
2167
2168 @kindex C-x 4 .
2169 @findex find-tag-other-window
2170 @kindex C-x 5 .
2171 @findex find-tag-other-frame
2172 Like most commands that can switch buffers, @code{find-tag} has a
2173 variant that displays the new buffer in another window, and one that
2174 makes a new frame for it. The former is @kbd{C-x 4 .}, which invokes
2175 the command @code{find-tag-other-window}. The latter is @kbd{C-x 5 .},
2176 which invokes @code{find-tag-other-frame}.
2177
2178 To move back to places you've found tags recently, use @kbd{C-u -
2179 M-.}; more generally, @kbd{M-.} with a negative numeric argument. This
2180 command can take you to another buffer. @kbd{C-x 4 .} with a negative
2181 argument finds the previous tag location in another window.
2182
2183 @kindex M-*
2184 @findex pop-tag-mark
2185 @vindex find-tag-marker-ring-length
2186 As well as going back to places you've found tags recently, you can go
2187 back to places @emph{from where} you found them. Use @kbd{M-*}, which
2188 invokes the command @code{pop-tag-mark}, for this. Typically you would
2189 find and study the definition of something with @kbd{M-.} and then
2190 return to where you were with @kbd{M-*}.
2191
2192 Both @kbd{C-u - M-.} and @kbd{M-*} allow you to retrace your steps to
2193 a depth determined by the variable @code{find-tag-marker-ring-length}.
2194
2195 @findex find-tag-regexp
2196 @kindex C-M-.
2197 The command @kbd{C-M-.} (@code{find-tag-regexp}) visits the tags that
2198 match a specified regular expression. It is just like @kbd{M-.} except
2199 that it does regexp matching instead of substring matching.
2200
2201 @node Tags Search
2202 @subsection Searching and Replacing with Tags Tables
2203
2204 The commands in this section visit and search all the files listed in the
2205 selected tags table, one by one. For these commands, the tags table serves
2206 only to specify a sequence of files to search.
2207
2208 @table @kbd
2209 @item M-x tags-search @key{RET} @var{regexp} @key{RET}
2210 Search for @var{regexp} through the files in the selected tags
2211 table.
2212 @item M-x tags-query-replace @key{RET} @var{regexp} @key{RET} @var{replacement} @key{RET}
2213 Perform a @code{query-replace-regexp} on each file in the selected tags table.
2214 @item M-,
2215 Restart one of the commands above, from the current location of point
2216 (@code{tags-loop-continue}).
2217 @end table
2218
2219 @findex tags-search
2220 @kbd{M-x tags-search} reads a regexp using the minibuffer, then
2221 searches for matches in all the files in the selected tags table, one
2222 file at a time. It displays the name of the file being searched so you
2223 can follow its progress. As soon as it finds an occurrence,
2224 @code{tags-search} returns.
2225
2226 @kindex M-,
2227 @findex tags-loop-continue
2228 Having found one match, you probably want to find all the rest. To find
2229 one more match, type @kbd{M-,} (@code{tags-loop-continue}) to resume the
2230 @code{tags-search}. This searches the rest of the current buffer, followed
2231 by the remaining files of the tags table.@refill
2232
2233 @findex tags-query-replace
2234 @kbd{M-x tags-query-replace} performs a single
2235 @code{query-replace-regexp} through all the files in the tags table. It
2236 reads a regexp to search for and a string to replace with, just like
2237 ordinary @kbd{M-x query-replace-regexp}. It searches much like @kbd{M-x
2238 tags-search}, but repeatedly, processing matches according to your
2239 input. @xref{Replace}, for more information on query replace.
2240
2241 It is possible to get through all the files in the tags table with a
2242 single invocation of @kbd{M-x tags-query-replace}. But often it is
2243 useful to exit temporarily, which you can do with any input event that
2244 has no special query replace meaning. You can resume the query replace
2245 subsequently by typing @kbd{M-,}; this command resumes the last tags
2246 search or replace command that you did.
2247
2248 The commands in this section carry out much broader searches than the
2249 @code{find-tag} family. The @code{find-tag} commands search only for
2250 definitions of tags that match your substring or regexp. The commands
2251 @code{tags-search} and @code{tags-query-replace} find every occurrence
2252 of the regexp, as ordinary search commands and replace commands do in
2253 the current buffer.
2254
2255 These commands create buffers only temporarily for the files that they
2256 have to search (those which are not already visited in Emacs buffers).
2257 Buffers in which no match is found are quickly killed; the others
2258 continue to exist.
2259
2260 It may have struck you that @code{tags-search} is a lot like
2261 @code{grep}. You can also run @code{grep} itself as an inferior of
2262 Emacs and have Emacs show you the matching lines one by one. This works
2263 much like running a compilation; finding the source locations of the
2264 @code{grep} matches works like finding the compilation errors.
2265 @xref{Compilation}.
2266
2267 @node List Tags
2268 @subsection Tags Table Inquiries
2269
2270 @table @kbd
2271 @item M-x list-tags @key{RET} @var{file} @key{RET}
2272 Display a list of the tags defined in the program file @var{file}.
2273 @item M-x tags-apropos @key{RET} @var{regexp} @key{RET}
2274 Display a list of all tags matching @var{regexp}.
2275 @end table
2276
2277 @findex list-tags
2278 @kbd{M-x list-tags} reads the name of one of the files described by
2279 the selected tags table, and displays a list of all the tags defined in
2280 that file. The ``file name'' argument is really just a string to
2281 compare against the file names recorded in the tags table; it is read as
2282 a string rather than as a file name. Therefore, completion and
2283 defaulting are not available, and you must enter the file name the same
2284 way it appears in the tags table. Do not include a directory as part of
2285 the file name unless the file name recorded in the tags table includes a
2286 directory.
2287
2288 @findex tags-apropos
2289 @kbd{M-x tags-apropos} is like @code{apropos} for tags
2290 (@pxref{Apropos}). It reads a regexp, then finds all the tags in the
2291 selected tags table whose entries match that regexp, and displays the
2292 tag names found.
2293 @vindex tags-apropos-additional-actions
2294 You can display additional output with @kbd{M-x tags-apropos} by customizing
2295 the variable @code{tags-apropos-additional-actions}. See its
2296 documentation for details.
2297
2298 You can also perform completion in the buffer on the name space of tag
2299 names in the current tags tables. @xref{Symbol Completion}.
2300
2301 @node Imenu
2302 @section Imenu
2303 @cindex indexes of buffer contents
2304 @cindex buffer content indexes
2305 @cindex tags
2306
2307 The Imenu package provides mode-specific indexes of the contents of
2308 single buffers and provides selection from a menu. Selecting a menu
2309 item takes you to the indexed point in the buffer, in a similar way to
2310 the Tags facility. Indexing is typically by names of program routines
2311 and variables but in Texinfo mode, for instance, node names are indexed.
2312 Most major modes for which it is appropriate have Imenu support.
2313
2314 @findex imenu
2315 @findex imenu-add-menu-bar-index
2316 @kbd{M-x imenu} builds the index if necessary and presents you with an
2317 electric buffer menu from which to select an entry (with completion).
2318 You can add an index menubar on the menubar with
2319 @kbd{imenu-add-menu-bar-index}.
2320
2321 Some major modes provide facilities for invoking Imenu; otherwise you
2322 could add @code{imenu-add-menu-bar-index} to a major mode's hook to
2323 generate an index for each buffer created in that mode. (If you do
2324 that, it takes sime time to generate the index when finding a file,
2325 depending on the file's size and the complexity of the indexing function
2326 for that mode.)
2327
2328 @vindex imenu-auto-rescan
2329 The index should be regenerated (via the @samp{*Rescan*} menu item) when
2330 indexable items are added to or deleted from the buffer. Rescanning is
2331 done when a menu selction is requested if the option
2332 @code{imenu-auto-rescan} is set. By default buffer positions are in
2333 terms of markers, so that changing non-indexable text doesn't require
2334 rescanning.
2335
2336 @vindex imenu-sort-function
2337 The way the menus are sorted can be customized via the option
2338 @code{imenu-sort-function}. By default names are ordered as they occur
2339 in the buffer; alphabetic sorting is provided as an alternative.
2340
2341 Imenu provides the information used by Which Function mode (@pxref{Which
2342 Function}). It may also be used by Speedbar (@pxref{Speedbar}).
2343
2344 @node Emerge, C Modes, Imenu, Programs
2345 @section Merging Files with Emerge
2346 @cindex Emerge
2347 @cindex merging files
2348
2349 It's not unusual for programmers to get their signals crossed and modify
2350 the same program in two different directions. To recover from this
2351 confusion, you need to merge the two versions. Emerge makes this
2352 easier. See also @ref{Comparing Files}, for commands to compare
2353 in a more manual fashion, and @ref{Emerge,,, ediff, The Ediff Manual}.
2354
2355 @menu
2356 * Overview of Emerge:: How to start Emerge. Basic concepts.
2357 * Submodes of Emerge:: Fast mode vs. Edit mode.
2358 Skip Prefers mode and Auto Advance mode.
2359 * State of Difference:: You do the merge by specifying state A or B
2360 for each difference.
2361 * Merge Commands:: Commands for selecting a difference,
2362 changing states of differences, etc.
2363 * Exiting Emerge:: What to do when you've finished the merge.
2364 * Combining in Emerge:: How to keep both alternatives for a difference.
2365 * Fine Points of Emerge:: Misc.
2366 @end menu
2367
2368 @node Overview of Emerge
2369 @subsection Overview of Emerge
2370
2371 To start Emerge, run one of these four commands:
2372
2373 @table @kbd
2374 @item M-x emerge-files
2375 @findex emerge-files
2376 Merge two specified files.
2377
2378 @item M-x emerge-files-with-ancestor
2379 @findex emerge-files-with-ancestor
2380 Merge two specified files, with reference to a common ancestor.
2381
2382 @item M-x emerge-buffers
2383 @findex emerge-buffers
2384 Merge two buffers.
2385
2386 @item M-x emerge-buffers-with-ancestor
2387 @findex emerge-buffers-with-ancestor
2388 Merge two buffers with reference to a common ancestor in a third
2389 buffer.
2390 @end table
2391
2392 @cindex merge buffer (Emerge)
2393 @cindex A and B buffers (Emerge)
2394 The Emerge commands compare two files or buffers, and display the
2395 comparison in three buffers: one for each input text (the @dfn{A buffer}
2396 and the @dfn{B buffer}), and one (the @dfn{merge buffer}) where merging
2397 takes place. The merge buffer shows the full merged text, not just the
2398 differences. Wherever the two input texts differ, you can choose which
2399 one of them to include in the merge buffer.
2400
2401 The Emerge commands that take input from existing buffers use only the
2402 accessible portions of those buffers, if they are narrowed
2403 (@pxref{Narrowing}).
2404
2405 If a common ancestor version is available, from which the two texts to
2406 be merged were both derived, Emerge can use it to guess which
2407 alternative is right. Wherever one current version agrees with the
2408 ancestor, Emerge presumes that the other current version is a deliberate
2409 change which should be kept in the merged version. Use the
2410 @samp{with-ancestor} commands if you want to specify a common ancestor
2411 text. These commands read three file or buffer names---variant A,
2412 variant B, and the common ancestor.
2413
2414 After the comparison is done and the buffers are prepared, the
2415 interactive merging starts. You control the merging by typing special
2416 @dfn{merge commands} in the merge buffer. The merge buffer shows you a
2417 full merged text, not just differences. For each run of differences
2418 between the input texts, you can choose which one of them to keep, or
2419 edit them both together.
2420
2421 The merge buffer uses a special major mode, Emerge mode, with commands
2422 for making these choices. But you can also edit the buffer with
2423 ordinary Emacs commands.
2424
2425 At any given time, the attention of Emerge is focused on one
2426 particular difference, called the @dfn{selected} difference. This
2427 difference is marked off in the three buffers like this:
2428
2429 @example
2430 vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv
2431 @var{text that differs}
2432 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
2433 @end example
2434
2435 @noindent
2436 Emerge numbers all the differences sequentially and the mode
2437 line always shows the number of the selected difference.
2438
2439 Normally, the merge buffer starts out with the A version of the text.
2440 But when the A version of a difference agrees with the common ancestor,
2441 then the B version is initially preferred for that difference.
2442
2443 Emerge leaves the merged text in the merge buffer when you exit. At
2444 that point, you can save it in a file with @kbd{C-x C-w}. If you give a
2445 numeric argument to @code{emerge-files} or
2446 @code{emerge-files-with-ancestor}, it reads the name of the output file
2447 using the minibuffer. (This is the last file name those commands read.)
2448 Then exiting from Emerge saves the merged text in the output file.
2449
2450 Normally, Emerge commands save the output buffer in its file when you
2451 exit. If you abort Emerge with @kbd{C-]}, the Emerge command does not
2452 save the output buffer, but you can save it yourself if you wish.
2453
2454 @node Submodes of Emerge
2455 @subsection Submodes of Emerge
2456
2457 You can choose between two modes for giving merge commands: Fast mode
2458 and Edit mode. In Fast mode, basic merge commands are single
2459 characters, but ordinary Emacs commands are disabled. This is
2460 convenient if you use only merge commands. In Edit mode, all merge
2461 commands start with the prefix key @kbd{C-c C-c}, and the normal Emacs
2462 commands are also available. This allows editing the merge buffer, but
2463 slows down Emerge operations.
2464
2465 Use @kbd{e} to switch to Edit mode, and @kbd{C-c C-c f} to switch to
2466 Fast mode. The mode line indicates Edit and Fast modes with @samp{E}
2467 and @samp{F}.
2468
2469 Emerge has two additional submodes that affect how particular merge
2470 commands work: Auto Advance mode and Skip Prefers mode.
2471
2472 If Auto Advance mode is in effect, the @kbd{a} and @kbd{b} commands
2473 advance to the next difference. This lets you go through the merge
2474 faster as long as you simply choose one of the alternatives from the
2475 input. The mode line indicates Auto Advance mode with @samp{A}.
2476
2477 If Skip Prefers mode is in effect, the @kbd{n} and @kbd{p} commands
2478 skip over differences in states prefer-A and prefer-B (@pxref{State of
2479 Difference}). Thus you see only differences for which neither version
2480 is presumed ``correct.'' The mode line indicates Skip Prefers mode with
2481 @samp{S}.
2482
2483 @findex emerge-auto-advance-mode
2484 @findex emerge-skip-prefers-mode
2485 Use the command @kbd{s a} (@code{emerge-auto-advance-mode}) to set or
2486 clear Auto Advance mode. Use @kbd{s s}
2487 (@code{emerge-skip-prefers-mode}) to set or clear Skip Prefers mode.
2488 These commands turn on the mode with a positive argument, turns it off
2489 with a negative or zero argument, and toggle the mode with no argument.
2490
2491 @node State of Difference
2492 @subsection State of a Difference
2493
2494 In the merge buffer, a difference is marked with lines of @samp{v} and
2495 @samp{^} characters. Each difference has one of these seven states:
2496
2497 @table @asis
2498 @item A
2499 The difference is showing the A version. The @kbd{a} command always
2500 produces this state; the mode line indicates it with @samp{A}.
2501
2502 @item B
2503 The difference is showing the B version. The @kbd{b} command always
2504 produces this state; the mode line indicates it with @samp{B}.
2505
2506 @item default-A
2507 @itemx default-B
2508 The difference is showing the A or the B state by default, because you
2509 haven't made a choice. All differences start in the default-A state
2510 (and thus the merge buffer is a copy of the A buffer), except those for
2511 which one alternative is ``preferred'' (see below).
2512
2513 When you select a difference, its state changes from default-A or
2514 default-B to plain A or B. Thus, the selected difference never has
2515 state default-A or default-B, and these states are never displayed in
2516 the mode line.
2517
2518 The command @kbd{d a} chooses default-A as the default state, and @kbd{d
2519 b} chooses default-B. This chosen default applies to all differences
2520 which you haven't ever selected and for which no alternative is preferred.
2521 If you are moving through the merge sequentially, the differences you
2522 haven't selected are those following the selected one. Thus, while
2523 moving sequentially, you can effectively make the A version the default
2524 for some sections of the merge buffer and the B version the default for
2525 others by using @kbd{d a} and @kbd{d b} between sections.
2526
2527 @item prefer-A
2528 @itemx prefer-B
2529 The difference is showing the A or B state because it is
2530 @dfn{preferred}. This means that you haven't made an explicit choice,
2531 but one alternative seems likely to be right because the other
2532 alternative agrees with the common ancestor. Thus, where the A buffer
2533 agrees with the common ancestor, the B version is preferred, because
2534 chances are it is the one that was actually changed.
2535
2536 These two states are displayed in the mode line as @samp{A*} and @samp{B*}.
2537
2538 @item combined
2539 The difference is showing a combination of the A and B states, as a
2540 result of the @kbd{x c} or @kbd{x C} commands.
2541
2542 Once a difference is in this state, the @kbd{a} and @kbd{b} commands
2543 don't do anything to it unless you give them a numeric argument.
2544
2545 The mode line displays this state as @samp{comb}.
2546 @end table
2547
2548 @node Merge Commands
2549 @subsection Merge Commands
2550
2551 Here are the Merge commands for Fast mode; in Edit mode, precede them
2552 with @kbd{C-c C-c}:
2553
2554 @table @kbd
2555 @item p
2556 Select the previous difference.
2557
2558 @item n
2559 Select the next difference.
2560
2561 @item a
2562 Choose the A version of this difference.
2563
2564 @item b
2565 Choose the B version of this difference.
2566
2567 @item C-u @var{n} j
2568 Select difference number @var{n}.
2569
2570 @item .
2571 Select the difference containing point. You can use this command in the
2572 merge buffer or in the A or B buffer.
2573
2574 @item q
2575 Quit---finish the merge.
2576
2577 @item C-]
2578 Abort---exit merging and do not save the output.
2579
2580 @item f
2581 Go into Fast mode. (In Edit mode, this is actually @kbd{C-c C-c f}.)
2582
2583 @item e
2584 Go into Edit mode.
2585
2586 @item l
2587 Recenter (like @kbd{C-l}) all three windows.
2588
2589 @item -
2590 Specify part of a prefix numeric argument.
2591
2592 @item @var{digit}
2593 Also specify part of a prefix numeric argument.
2594
2595 @item d a
2596 Choose the A version as the default from here down in
2597 the merge buffer.
2598
2599 @item d b
2600 Choose the B version as the default from here down in
2601 the merge buffer.
2602
2603 @item c a
2604 Copy the A version of this difference into the kill ring.
2605
2606 @item c b
2607 Copy the B version of this difference into the kill ring.
2608
2609 @item i a
2610 Insert the A version of this difference at point.
2611
2612 @item i b
2613 Insert the B version of this difference at point.
2614
2615 @item m
2616 Put point and mark around the difference.
2617
2618 @item ^
2619 Scroll all three windows down (like @kbd{M-v}).
2620
2621 @item v
2622 Scroll all three windows up (like @kbd{C-v}).
2623
2624 @item <
2625 Scroll all three windows left (like @kbd{C-x <}).
2626
2627 @item >
2628 Scroll all three windows right (like @kbd{C-x >}).
2629
2630 @item |
2631 Reset horizontal scroll on all three windows.
2632
2633 @item x 1
2634 Shrink the merge window to one line. (Use @kbd{C-u l} to restore it
2635 to full size.)
2636
2637 @item x c
2638 Combine the two versions of this difference (@pxref{Combining in
2639 Emerge}).
2640
2641 @item x f
2642 Show the names of the files/buffers Emerge is operating on, in a Help
2643 window. (Use @kbd{C-u l} to restore windows.)
2644
2645 @item x j
2646 Join this difference with the following one.
2647 (@kbd{C-u x j} joins this difference with the previous one.)
2648
2649 @item x s
2650 Split this difference into two differences. Before you use this
2651 command, position point in each of the three buffers at the place where
2652 you want to split the difference.
2653
2654 @item x t
2655 Trim identical lines off the top and bottom of the difference.
2656 Such lines occur when the A and B versions are
2657 identical but differ from the ancestor version.
2658 @end table
2659
2660 @node Exiting Emerge
2661 @subsection Exiting Emerge
2662
2663 The @kbd{q} command (@code{emerge-quit}) finishes the merge, storing
2664 the results into the output file if you specified one. It restores the
2665 A and B buffers to their proper contents, or kills them if they were
2666 created by Emerge and you haven't changed them. It also disables the
2667 Emerge commands in the merge buffer, since executing them later could
2668 damage the contents of the various buffers.
2669
2670 @kbd{C-]} aborts the merge. This means exiting without writing the
2671 output file. If you didn't specify an output file, then there is no
2672 real difference between aborting and finishing the merge.
2673
2674 If the Emerge command was called from another Lisp program, then its
2675 return value is @code{t} for successful completion, or @code{nil} if you
2676 abort.
2677
2678 @node Combining in Emerge
2679 @subsection Combining the Two Versions
2680
2681 Sometimes you want to keep @emph{both} alternatives for a particular
2682 difference. To do this, use @kbd{x c}, which edits the merge buffer
2683 like this:
2684
2685 @example
2686 @group
2687 #ifdef NEW
2688 @var{version from A buffer}
2689 #else /* not NEW */
2690 @var{version from B buffer}
2691 #endif /* not NEW */
2692 @end group
2693 @end example
2694
2695 @noindent
2696 @vindex emerge-combine-versions-template
2697 While this example shows C preprocessor conditionals delimiting the two
2698 alternative versions, you can specify the strings to use by setting
2699 the variable @code{emerge-combine-versions-template} to a string of your
2700 choice. In the string, @samp{%a} says where to put version A, and
2701 @samp{%b} says where to put version B. The default setting, which
2702 produces the results shown above, looks like this:
2703
2704 @example
2705 @group
2706 "#ifdef NEW\n%a#else /* not NEW */\n%b#endif /* not NEW */\n"
2707 @end group
2708 @end example
2709
2710 @node Fine Points of Emerge
2711 @subsection Fine Points of Emerge
2712
2713 During the merge, you mustn't try to edit the A and B buffers yourself.
2714 Emerge modifies them temporarily, but ultimately puts them back the way
2715 they were.
2716
2717 You can have any number of merges going at once---just don't use any one
2718 buffer as input to more than one merge at once, since the temporary
2719 changes made in these buffers would get in each other's way.
2720
2721 Starting Emerge can take a long time because it needs to compare the
2722 files fully. Emacs can't do anything else until @code{diff} finishes.
2723 Perhaps in the future someone will change Emerge to do the comparison in
2724 the background when the input files are large---then you could keep on
2725 doing other things with Emacs until Emerge is ready to accept
2726 commands.
2727
2728 @vindex emerge-startup-hook
2729 After setting up the merge, Emerge runs the hook
2730 @code{emerge-startup-hook} (@pxref{Hooks}).
2731
2732 @node C Modes
2733 @section C and Related Modes
2734 @cindex C mode
2735 @cindex Java mode
2736 @cindex Pike mode
2737 @cindex IDL mode
2738 @cindex CORBA IDL mode
2739 @cindex Objective C mode
2740 @cindex C++ mode
2741 @cindex mode, Java
2742 @cindex mode, C
2743 @cindex mode, Objective C
2744 @cindex mode, CORBA IDL
2745 @cindex mode, Pike
2746
2747 This section describes special features available in C, C++,
2748 Objective-C, Java, CORBA IDL, and Pike modes. When we say ``C mode and
2749 related modes,'' those are the modes we mean.
2750
2751 Additional information is available in the separate manual for these
2752 modes. @xref{Top, CC Mode, ccmode, , CC Mode}.
2753
2754 @menu
2755 * Motion in C::
2756 * Electric C::
2757 * Hungry Delete::
2758 * Other C Commands::
2759 * Comments in C::
2760 @end menu
2761
2762 @node Motion in C
2763 @subsection C Mode Motion Commands
2764
2765 This section describes commands for moving point, in C mode and
2766 related modes.
2767
2768 @table @code
2769 @item C-c C-u
2770 @kindex C-c C-u @r{(C mode)}
2771 @findex c-up-conditional
2772 Move point back to the containing preprocessor conditional, leaving the
2773 mark behind. A prefix argument acts as a repeat count. With a negative
2774 argument, move point forward to the end of the containing
2775 preprocessor conditional. When going backwards, @code{#elif} is treated
2776 like @code{#else} followed by @code{#if}. When going forwards,
2777 @code{#elif} is ignored.@refill
2778
2779 @item C-c C-p
2780 @kindex C-c C-p @r{(C mode)}
2781 @findex c-backward-conditional
2782 Move point back over a preprocessor conditional, leaving the mark
2783 behind. A prefix argument acts as a repeat count. With a negative
2784 argument, move forward.
2785
2786 @item C-c C-n
2787 @kindex C-c C-n @r{(C mode)}
2788 @findex c-forward-conditional
2789 Move point forward across a preprocessor conditional, leaving the mark
2790 behind. A prefix argument acts as a repeat count. With a negative
2791 argument, move backward.
2792
2793 @item M-a
2794 @kindex ESC a
2795 @findex c-beginning-of-statement
2796 Move point to the beginning of the innermost C statement
2797 (@code{c-beginning-of-statement}). If point is already at the beginning
2798 of a statement, move to the beginning of the preceding statement. With
2799 prefix argument @var{n}, move back @var{n} @minus{} 1 statements.
2800
2801 If point is within a string or comment, or next to a comment (only
2802 whitespace between them), this command moves by sentences instead of
2803 statements.
2804
2805 When called from a program, this function takes three optional
2806 arguments: the numeric prefix argument, a buffer position limit
2807 (don't move back before that place), and a flag that controls whether
2808 to do sentence motion when inside of a comment.
2809
2810 @item M-e
2811 @kindex ESC e
2812 @findex c-end-of-statement
2813 Move point to the end of the innermost C statement; like @kbd{M-a}
2814 except that it moves in the other direction (@code{c-end-of-statement}).
2815
2816 @item M-x c-backward-into-nomenclature
2817 @findex c-backward-into-nomenclature
2818 Move point backward to beginning of a C++ nomenclature section or word.
2819 With prefix argument @var{n}, move @var{n} times. If @var{n} is
2820 negative, move forward. C++ nomenclature means a symbol name in the
2821 style of NamingSymbolsWithMixedCaseAndNoUnderlines; each capital letter
2822 begins a section or word.
2823
2824 In the GNU project, we recommend using underscores to separate words
2825 within an identifier in C or C++, rather than using case distinctions.
2826
2827 @item M-x c-forward-into-nomenclature
2828 @findex c-forward-into-nomenclature
2829 Move point forward to end of a C++ nomenclature section or word.
2830 With prefix argument @var{n}, move @var{n} times.
2831 @end table
2832
2833 @node Electric C
2834 @subsection Electric C Characters
2835
2836 In C mode and related modes, certain printing characters are
2837 ``electric''---in addition to inserting themselves, they also reindent
2838 the current line and may insert newlines. This feature is controlled by
2839 the variable @code{c-auto-newline}. The ``electric'' characters are
2840 @kbd{@{}, @kbd{@}}, @kbd{:}, @kbd{#}, @kbd{;}, @kbd{,}, @kbd{<},
2841 @kbd{>}, @kbd{/}, @kbd{*}, @kbd{(}, and @kbd{)}.
2842
2843 Electric characters insert newlines only when the @dfn{auto-newline}
2844 feature is enabled (indicated by @samp{/a} in the mode line after the
2845 mode name). This feature is controlled by the variable
2846 @code{c-auto-newline}. You can turn this feature on or off with the
2847 command @kbd{C-c C-a}:
2848
2849 @table @kbd
2850 @item C-c C-a
2851 @kindex C-c C-a @r{(C mode)}
2852 @findex c-toggle-auto-state
2853 Toggle the auto-newline feature (@code{c-toggle-auto-state}). With a
2854 prefix argument, this command turns the auto-newline feature on if the
2855 argument is positive, and off if it is negative.
2856 @end table
2857
2858 The colon character is electric because that is appropriate for a
2859 single colon. But when you want to insert a double colon in C++, the
2860 electric behavior of colon is inconvenient. You can insert a double
2861 colon with no reindentation or newlines by typing @kbd{C-c :}:
2862
2863 @table @kbd
2864 @item C-c :
2865 @kindex C-c : @r{(C mode)}
2866 @findex c-scope-operator
2867 Insert a double colon scope operator at point, without reindenting the
2868 line or adding any newlines (@code{c-scope-operator}).
2869 @end table
2870
2871 The electric @kbd{#} key reindents the line if it appears to be the
2872 beginning of a preprocessor directive. This happens when the value of
2873 @code{c-electric-pound-behavior} is @code{(alignleft)}. You can turn
2874 this feature off by setting @code{c-electric-pound-behavior} to
2875 @code{nil}.
2876
2877 The variable @code{c-hanging-braces-alist} controls the insertion of
2878 newlines before and after inserted braces. It is an association list
2879 with elements of the following form: @code{(@var{syntactic-symbol}
2880 . @var{nl-list})}. Most of the syntactic symbols that appear in
2881 @code{c-offsets-alist} are meaningful here as well.
2882
2883 The list @var{nl-list} may contain either of the symbols
2884 @code{before} or @code{after}, or both; or it may be @code{nil}. When a
2885 brace is inserted, the syntactic context it defines is looked up in
2886 @code{c-hanging-braces-alist}; if it is found, the @var{nl-list} is used
2887 to determine where newlines are inserted: either before the brace,
2888 after, or both. If not found, the default is to insert a newline both
2889 before and after braces.
2890
2891 The variable @code{c-hanging-colons-alist} controls the insertion of
2892 newlines before and after inserted colons. It is an association list
2893 with elements of the following form: @code{(@var{syntactic-symbol}
2894 . @var{nl-list})}. The list @var{nl-list} may contain either of the
2895 symbols @code{before} or @code{after}, or both; or it may be @code{nil}.
2896
2897 When a colon is inserted, the syntactic symbol it defines is looked
2898 up in this list, and if found, the @var{nl-list} is used to determine
2899 where newlines are inserted: either before the brace, after, or both.
2900 If the syntactic symbol is not found in this list, no newlines are
2901 inserted.
2902
2903 Electric characters can also delete newlines automatically when the
2904 auto-newline feature is enabled. This feature makes auto-newline more
2905 acceptable, by deleting the newlines in the most common cases where you
2906 do not want them. Emacs can recognize several cases in which deleting a
2907 newline might be desirable; by setting the variable
2908 @code{c-cleanup-list}, you can specify @emph{which} of these cases that
2909 should happen. The variable's value is a list of symbols, each
2910 describing one case for possible deletion of a newline. Here are the
2911 meaningful symbols, and their meanings:
2912
2913 @table @code
2914 @item brace-catch-brace
2915 Clean up @samp{@} catch (@var{condition}) @{} constructs by placing the
2916 entire construct on a single line. The clean-up occurs when you type
2917 the @samp{@{}, if there is nothing between the braces aside from
2918 @code{catch} and @var{condition}.
2919
2920 @item brace-else-brace
2921 Clean up @samp{@} else @{} constructs by placing the entire construct on
2922 a single line. The clean-up occurs when you type the @samp{@{} after
2923 the @code{else}, but only if there is nothing but white space between
2924 the braces and the @code{else}.
2925
2926 @item brace-elseif-brace
2927 Clean up @samp{@} else if (@dots{}) @{} constructs by placing the entire
2928 construct on a single line. The clean-up occurs when you type the
2929 @samp{@{}, if there is nothing but white space between the @samp{@}} and
2930 @samp{@{} aside from the keywords and the @code{if}-condition.
2931
2932 @item empty-defun-braces
2933 Clean up empty defun braces by placing the braces on the same
2934 line. Clean-up occurs when you type the closing brace.
2935
2936 @item defun-close-semi
2937 Clean up the semicolon after a @code{struct} or similar type
2938 declaration, by placing the semicolon on the same line as the closing
2939 brace. Clean-up occurs when you type the semicolon.
2940
2941 @item list-close-comma
2942 Clean up commas following braces in array and aggregate
2943 initializers. Clean-up occurs when you type the comma.
2944
2945 @item scope-operator
2946 Clean up double colons which may designate a C++ scope operator, by
2947 placing the colons together. Clean-up occurs when you type the second
2948 colon, but only when the two colons are separated by nothing but
2949 whitespace.
2950 @end table
2951
2952 @node Hungry Delete
2953 @subsection Hungry Delete Feature in C
2954
2955 When the @dfn{hungry-delete} feature is enabled (indicated by
2956 @samp{/h} or @samp{/ah} in the mode line after the mode name), a single
2957 @key{DEL} command deletes all preceding whitespace, not just one space.
2958 To turn this feature on or off, use @kbd{C-c C-d}:
2959
2960 @table @kbd
2961 @item C-c C-d
2962 @kindex C-c C-d @r{(C mode)}
2963 @findex c-toggle-hungry-state
2964 Toggle the hungry-delete feature (@code{c-toggle-hungry-state}). With a
2965 prefix argument, this command turns the hungry-delete feature on if the
2966 argument is positive, and off if it is negative.
2967
2968 @item C-c C-t
2969 @kindex C-c C-t @r{(C mode)}
2970 @findex c-toggle-auto-hungry-state
2971 Toggle the auto-newline and hungry-delete features, both at once
2972 (@code{c-toggle-auto-hungry-state}).
2973 @end table
2974
2975 @vindex c-hungry-delete-key
2976 The variable @code{c-hungry-delete-key} controls whether the
2977 hungry-delete feature is enabled.
2978
2979 @node Other C Commands
2980 @subsection Other Commands for C Mode
2981
2982 @table @kbd
2983 @item C-M-h
2984 @findex c-mark-function
2985 @kindex C-M-h @r{(C mode)}
2986 Put mark at the end of a function definition, and put point at the
2987 beginning (@code{c-mark-function}).
2988
2989 @item M-q
2990 @kindex M-q @r{(C mode)}
2991 @findex c-fill-paragraph
2992 Fill a paragraph, handling C and C++ comments (@code{c-fill-paragraph}).
2993 If any part of the current line is a comment or within a comment, this
2994 command fills the comment or the paragraph of it that point is in,
2995 preserving the comment indentation and comment delimiters.
2996
2997 @item C-c C-e
2998 @cindex macro expansion in C
2999 @cindex expansion of C macros
3000 @findex c-macro-expand
3001 @kindex C-c C-e @r{(C mode)}
3002 Run the C preprocessor on the text in the region, and show the result,
3003 which includes the expansion of all the macro calls
3004 (@code{c-macro-expand}). The buffer text before the region is also
3005 included in preprocessing, for the sake of macros defined there, but the
3006 output from this part isn't shown.
3007
3008 When you are debugging C code that uses macros, sometimes it is hard to
3009 figure out precisely how the macros expand. With this command, you
3010 don't have to figure it out; you can see the expansions.
3011
3012 @item C-c C-\
3013 @findex c-backslash-region
3014 @kindex C-c C-\ @r{(C mode)}
3015 Insert or align @samp{\} characters at the ends of the lines of the
3016 region (@code{c-backslash-region}). This is useful after writing or
3017 editing a C macro definition.
3018
3019 If a line already ends in @samp{\}, this command adjusts the amount of
3020 whitespace before it. Otherwise, it inserts a new @samp{\}. However,
3021 the last line in the region is treated specially; no @samp{\} is
3022 inserted on that line, and any @samp{\} there is deleted.
3023
3024 @item M-x cpp-highlight-buffer
3025 @cindex preprocessor highlighting
3026 @findex cpp-highlight-buffer
3027 Highlight parts of the text according to its preprocessor conditionals.
3028 This command displays another buffer named @samp{*CPP Edit*}, which
3029 serves as a graphic menu for selecting how to display particular kinds
3030 of conditionals and their contents. After changing various settings,
3031 click on @samp{[A]pply these settings} (or go to that buffer and type
3032 @kbd{a}) to rehighlight the C mode buffer accordingly.
3033
3034 @item C-c C-s
3035 @findex c-show-syntactic-information
3036 @kindex C-c C-s @r{(C mode)}
3037 Display the syntactic information about the current source line
3038 (@code{c-show-syntactic-information}). This is the information that
3039 directs how the line is indented.
3040 @end table
3041
3042 @node Comments in C
3043 @subsection Comments in C Modes
3044
3045 C mode and related modes use a number of variables for controlling
3046 comment format.
3047
3048 @table @code
3049 @item c-comment-only-line-offset
3050 @vindex c-comment-only-line-offset
3051 Extra offset for line which contains only the start of a comment. It
3052 can be either an integer or a cons cell of the form
3053 @code{(@var{non-anchored-offset} . @var{anchored-offset})}, where
3054 @var{non-anchored-offset} is the amount of offset given to
3055 non-column-zero anchored comment-only lines, and @var{anchored-offset}
3056 is the amount of offset to give column-zero anchored comment-only lines.
3057 Just an integer as value is equivalent to @code{(@var{val} . 0)}.
3058
3059 @item c-comment-start-regexp
3060 @vindex c-comment-start-regexp
3061 This buffer-local variable specifies how to recognize the start of a comment.
3062
3063 @item c-hanging-comment-ender-p
3064 @vindex c-hanging-comment-ender-p
3065 If this variable is @code{nil}, @code{c-fill-paragraph} leaves the
3066 comment terminator of a block comment on a line by itself. The default
3067 value is @code{t}, which puts the comment-end delimiter @samp{*/} at the
3068 end of the last line of the comment text.
3069
3070 @item c-hanging-comment-starter-p
3071 @vindex c-hanging-comment-starter-p
3072 If this variable is @code{nil}, @code{c-fill-paragraph} leaves the
3073 starting delimiter of a block comment on a line by itself. The default
3074 value is @code{t}, which puts the comment-start delimiter @samp{/*} at
3075 the beginning of the first line of the comment text.
3076 @end table
3077
3078 @node Fortran
3079 @section Fortran Mode
3080 @cindex Fortran mode
3081 @cindex mode, Fortran
3082
3083 Fortran mode provides special motion commands for Fortran statements and
3084 subprograms, and indentation commands that understand Fortran conventions
3085 of nesting, line numbers and continuation statements. Fortran mode has
3086 its own Auto Fill mode that breaks long lines into proper Fortran
3087 continuation lines.
3088
3089 Special commands for comments are provided because Fortran comments
3090 are unlike those of other languages. Built-in abbrevs optionally save
3091 typing when you insert Fortran keywords.
3092
3093 @findex fortran-mode
3094 Use @kbd{M-x fortran-mode} to switch to this major mode. This command
3095 runs the hook @code{fortran-mode-hook} (@pxref{Hooks}).
3096
3097 @cindex Fortran77
3098 @cindex Fortran90
3099 @findex f90-mode
3100 @findex fortran-mode
3101 Note that Fortan mode described here (obtained with the
3102 @code{fortran-mode} command) is for editing the old Fortran77
3103 idiosyncratic `fixed format' source form. For editing the modern
3104 Fortran90 `free format' source form (which is supported by the GNU
3105 Fortran compiler) use @code{f90-mode}.
3106
3107 By default @code{fortran-mode} is invoked on files with extension
3108 @samp{.f}, @samp{.F} or @samp{.for} and @code{f90-mode} is invoked for
3109 the extension @samp{.f90}.
3110
3111 @menu
3112 * Motion: Fortran Motion. Moving point by statements or subprograms.
3113 * Indent: Fortran Indent. Indentation commands for Fortran.
3114 * Comments: Fortran Comments. Inserting and aligning comments.
3115 * Autofill: Fortran Autofill. Auto fill minor mode for Fortran.
3116 * Columns: Fortran Columns. Measuring columns for valid Fortran.
3117 * Abbrev: Fortran Abbrev. Built-in abbrevs for Fortran keywords.
3118 * Misc: Fortran Misc. Other Fortran mode features.
3119 @end menu
3120
3121 @node Fortran Motion
3122 @subsection Motion Commands
3123
3124 In addition to the normal commands for moving by and operating on
3125 `defuns' (Fortran subprograms---functions
3126 and subroutines) Fortran mode provides special commands to move by statements.
3127
3128 @kindex C-c C-p @r{(Fortran mode)}
3129 @kindex C-c C-n @r{(Fortran mode)}
3130 @findex fortran-previous-statement
3131 @findex fortran-next-statement
3132
3133 @table @kbd
3134 @item C-c C-n
3135 Move to beginning of current or next statement
3136 (@code{fortran-next-statement}).
3137 @item C-c C-p
3138 Move to beginning of current or previous statement
3139 (@code{fortran-previous-statement}).
3140 @end table
3141
3142 @node Fortran Indent
3143 @subsection Fortran Indentation
3144
3145 Special commands and features are needed for indenting Fortran code in
3146 order to make sure various syntactic entities (line numbers, comment line
3147 indicators and continuation line flags) appear in the columns that are
3148 required for standard Fortran.
3149
3150 @menu
3151 * Commands: ForIndent Commands. Commands for indenting and filling Fortran.
3152 * Contline: ForIndent Cont. How continuation lines indent.
3153 * Numbers: ForIndent Num. How line numbers auto-indent.
3154 * Conv: ForIndent Conv. Conventions you must obey to avoid trouble.
3155 * Vars: ForIndent Vars. Variables controlling Fortran indent style.
3156 @end menu
3157
3158 @node ForIndent Commands
3159 @subsubsection Fortran-Specific Indentation and Filling Commands
3160
3161 @table @kbd
3162 @item C-M-j
3163 Break the current line and set up a continuation line
3164 (@code{fortran-split-line}).
3165 @item M-^
3166 Join this line to the previous line (@code{fortran-join-line}).
3167 @item C-M-q
3168 Indent all the lines of the subprogram point is in
3169 (@code{fortran-indent-subprogram}).
3170 @item M-q
3171 Fill a comment block or statement.
3172 @end table
3173
3174 @kindex C-M-q @r{(Fortran mode)}
3175 @findex fortran-indent-subprogram
3176 The key @kbd{C-M-q} runs @code{fortran-indent-subprogram}, a command
3177 to reindent all the lines of the Fortran subprogram (function or
3178 subroutine) containing point.
3179
3180 @kindex C-M-j @r{(Fortran mode)}
3181 @findex fortran-split-line
3182 The key @kbd{C-M-j} runs @code{fortran-split-line}, which splits
3183 a line in the appropriate fashion for Fortran. In a non-comment line,
3184 the second half becomes a continuation line and is indented
3185 accordingly. In a comment line, both halves become separate comment
3186 lines.
3187
3188 @kindex M-^ @r{(Fortran mode)}
3189 @kindex C-c C-d @r{(Fortran mode)}
3190 @findex fortran-join-line
3191 @kbd{M-^} or @kbd{C-c C-d} runs the command @code{fortran-join-line},
3192 which joins a continuation line back to the previous line, roughly as
3193 the inverse of @code{fortran-split-line}. The point must be on a
3194 continuation line when this command is invoked.
3195
3196 @kindex M-q @r{(Fortran mode)}
3197 Fortran mode defines the function for filling paragraphs such that
3198 @kbd{M-q} fills the comment block or statement around point. Filling a
3199 statement removes excess statement continuations.
3200
3201 @node ForIndent Cont
3202 @subsubsection Continuation Lines
3203 @cindex Fortran continuation lines
3204
3205 @vindex fortran-continuation-string
3206 Most modern Fortran compilers allow two ways of writing continuation
3207 lines. If the first non-space character on a line is in column 5, then
3208 that line is a continuation of the previous line. We call this
3209 @dfn{fixed format}. (In GNU Emacs we always count columns from 0.) The
3210 variable @code{fortran-continuation-string} specifies what character to
3211 put on column 5. A line that starts with a tab character followed by
3212 any digit except @samp{0} is also a continuation line. We call this
3213 style of continuation @dfn{tab format}.
3214
3215 @vindex indent-tabs-mode @r{(Fortran mode)}
3216 Fortran mode can make either style of continuation line, but you
3217 must specify which one you prefer. The value of the variable
3218 @code{indent-tabs-mode} controls the choice: @code{nil} for fixed
3219 format, and non-@code{nil} for tab format. You can tell which style
3220 is presently in effect by the presence or absence of the string
3221 @samp{Tab} in the mode line.
3222
3223 If the text on a line starts with the conventional Fortran
3224 continuation marker @samp{$}, or if it begins with any non-whitespace
3225 character in column 5, Fortran mode treats it as a continuation line.
3226 When you indent a continuation line with @key{TAB}, it converts the line
3227 to the current continuation style. When you split a Fortran statement
3228 with @kbd{C-M-j}, the continuation marker on the newline is created
3229 according to the continuation style.
3230
3231 The setting of continuation style affects several other aspects of
3232 editing in Fortran mode. In fixed format mode, the minimum column
3233 number for the body of a statement is 6. Lines inside of Fortran
3234 blocks that are indented to larger column numbers always use only the
3235 space character for whitespace. In tab format mode, the minimum
3236 column number for the statement body is 8, and the whitespace before
3237 column 8 must always consist of one tab character.
3238
3239 @vindex fortran-tab-mode-default
3240 @vindex fortran-analyze-depth
3241 When you enter Fortran mode for an existing file, it tries to deduce the
3242 proper continuation style automatically from the file contents. The first
3243 line that begins with either a tab character or six spaces determines the
3244 choice. The variable @code{fortran-analyze-depth} specifies how many lines
3245 to consider (at the beginning of the file); if none of those lines
3246 indicates a style, then the variable @code{fortran-tab-mode-default}
3247 specifies the style. If it is @code{nil}, that specifies fixed format, and
3248 non-@code{nil} specifies tab format.
3249
3250 @node ForIndent Num
3251 @subsubsection Line Numbers
3252
3253 If a number is the first non-whitespace in the line, Fortran
3254 indentation assumes it is a line number and moves it to columns 0
3255 through 4. (Columns always count from 0 in GNU Emacs.)
3256
3257 @vindex fortran-line-number-indent
3258 Line numbers of four digits or less are normally indented one space.
3259 The variable @code{fortran-line-number-indent} controls this; it
3260 specifies the maximum indentation a line number can have. Line numbers
3261 are indented to right-justify them to end in column 4 unless that would
3262 require more than this maximum indentation. The default value of the
3263 variable is 1.
3264
3265 @vindex fortran-electric-line-number
3266 Simply inserting a line number is enough to indent it according to
3267 these rules. As each digit is inserted, the indentation is recomputed.
3268 To turn off this feature, set the variable
3269 @code{fortran-electric-line-number} to @code{nil}. Then inserting line
3270 numbers is like inserting anything else.
3271
3272 @node ForIndent Conv
3273 @subsubsection Syntactic Conventions
3274
3275 Fortran mode assumes that you follow certain conventions that simplify
3276 the task of understanding a Fortran program well enough to indent it
3277 properly:
3278
3279 @itemize @bullet
3280 @item
3281 Two nested @samp{do} loops never share a @samp{continue} statement.
3282
3283 @item
3284 Fortran keywords such as @samp{if}, @samp{else}, @samp{then}, @samp{do}
3285 and others are written without embedded whitespace or line breaks.
3286
3287 Fortran compilers generally ignore whitespace outside of string
3288 constants, but Fortran mode does not recognize these keywords if they
3289 are not contiguous. Constructs such as @samp{else if} or @samp{end do}
3290 are acceptable, but the second word should be on the same line as the
3291 first and not on a continuation line.
3292 @end itemize
3293
3294 @noindent
3295 If you fail to follow these conventions, the indentation commands may
3296 indent some lines unaesthetically. However, a correct Fortran program
3297 retains its meaning when reindented even if the conventions are not
3298 followed.
3299
3300 @node ForIndent Vars
3301 @subsubsection Variables for Fortran Indentation
3302
3303 @vindex fortran-do-indent
3304 @vindex fortran-if-indent
3305 @vindex fortran-structure-indent
3306 @vindex fortran-continuation-indent
3307 @vindex fortran-check-all-num@dots{}
3308 @vindex fortran-minimum-statement-indent@dots{}
3309 Several additional variables control how Fortran indentation works:
3310
3311 @table @code
3312 @item fortran-do-indent
3313 Extra indentation within each level of @samp{do} statement (default 3).
3314
3315 @item fortran-if-indent
3316 Extra indentation within each level of @samp{if} statement (default 3).
3317 This value is also used for extra indentation within each level of the
3318 Fortran 90 @samp{where} statement.
3319
3320 @item fortran-structure-indent
3321 Extra indentation within each level of @samp{structure}, @samp{union}, or
3322 @samp{map} statements (default 3).
3323
3324 @item fortran-continuation-indent
3325 Extra indentation for bodies of continuation lines (default 5).
3326
3327 @item fortran-check-all-num-for-matching-do
3328 If this is @code{nil}, indentation assumes that each @samp{do} statement
3329 ends on a @samp{continue} statement. Therefore, when computing
3330 indentation for a statement other than @samp{continue}, it can save time
3331 by not checking for a @samp{do} statement ending there. If this is
3332 non-@code{nil}, indenting any numbered statement must check for a
3333 @samp{do} that ends there. The default is @code{nil}.
3334
3335 @item fortran-blink-matching-if
3336 If this is @code{t}, indenting an @samp{endif} statement moves the
3337 cursor momentarily to the matching @samp{if} statement to show where it
3338 is. The default is @code{nil}.
3339
3340 @item fortran-minimum-statement-indent-fixed
3341 Minimum indentation for fortran statements when using fixed format
3342 continuation line style. Statement bodies are never indented less than
3343 this much. The default is 6.
3344
3345 @item fortran-minimum-statement-indent-tab
3346 Minimum indentation for fortran statements for tab format continuation line
3347 style. Statement bodies are never indented less than this much. The
3348 default is 8.
3349 @end table
3350
3351 @node Fortran Comments
3352 @subsection Fortran Comments
3353
3354 The usual Emacs comment commands assume that a comment can follow a line
3355 of code. In Fortran, the standard comment syntax requires an entire line
3356 to be just a comment. Therefore, Fortran mode replaces the standard Emacs
3357 comment commands and defines some new variables.
3358
3359 Fortran mode can also handle the Fortran90 comment syntax where comments
3360 start with @samp{!} and can follow other text. Because only some Fortran77
3361 compilers accept this syntax, Fortran mode will not insert such comments
3362 unless you have said in advance to do so. To do this, set the variable
3363 @code{comment-start} to @samp{"!"} (@pxref{Variables}).
3364
3365 @table @kbd
3366 @item M-;
3367 Align comment or insert new comment (@code{fortran-comment-indent}).
3368
3369 @item C-x ;
3370 Applies to nonstandard @samp{!} comments only.
3371
3372 @item C-c ;
3373 Turn all lines of the region into comments, or (with argument) turn them back
3374 into real code (@code{fortran-comment-region}).
3375 @end table
3376
3377 @kbd{M-;} in Fortran mode is redefined as the command
3378 @code{fortran-comment-indent}. Like the usual @kbd{M-;} command, this
3379 recognizes any kind of existing comment and aligns its text appropriately;
3380 if there is no existing comment, a comment is inserted and aligned. But
3381 inserting and aligning comments are not the same in Fortran mode as in
3382 other modes.
3383
3384 When a new comment must be inserted, if the current line is blank, a
3385 full-line comment is inserted. On a non-blank line, a nonstandard @samp{!}
3386 comment is inserted if you have said you want to use them. Otherwise a
3387 full-line comment is inserted on a new line before the current line.
3388
3389 Nonstandard @samp{!} comments are aligned like comments in other
3390 languages, but full-line comments are different. In a standard full-line
3391 comment, the comment delimiter itself must always appear in column zero.
3392 What can be aligned is the text within the comment. You can choose from
3393 three styles of alignment by setting the variable
3394 @code{fortran-comment-indent-style} to one of these values:
3395
3396 @vindex fortran-comment-indent-style
3397 @vindex fortran-comment-line-extra-indent
3398 @table @code
3399 @item fixed
3400 Align the text at a fixed column, which is the sum of
3401 @code{fortran-comment-line-extra-indent} and the minimum statement
3402 indentation. This is the default.
3403
3404 The minimum statement indentation is
3405 @code{fortran-minimum-statement-indent-fixed} for fixed format
3406 continuation line style and @code{fortran-minimum-statement-indent-tab}
3407 for tab format style.
3408
3409 @item relative
3410 Align the text as if it were a line of code, but with an additional
3411 @code{fortran-comment-line-extra-indent} columns of indentation.
3412
3413 @item nil
3414 Don't move text in full-line comments automatically at all.
3415 @end table
3416
3417 @vindex fortran-comment-indent-char
3418 In addition, you can specify the character to be used to indent within
3419 full-line comments by setting the variable
3420 @code{fortran-comment-indent-char} to the single-character string you want
3421 to use.
3422
3423 @vindex comment-line-start
3424 @vindex comment-line-start-skip
3425 Fortran mode introduces two variables @code{comment-line-start} and
3426 @code{comment-line-start-skip}, which play for full-line comments the same
3427 roles played by @code{comment-start} and @code{comment-start-skip} for
3428 ordinary text-following comments. Normally these are set properly by
3429 Fortran mode, so you do not need to change them.
3430
3431 The normal Emacs comment command @kbd{C-x ;} has not been redefined. If
3432 you use @samp{!} comments, this command can be used with them. Otherwise
3433 it is useless in Fortran mode.
3434
3435 @kindex C-c ; @r{(Fortran mode)}
3436 @findex fortran-comment-region
3437 @vindex fortran-comment-region
3438 The command @kbd{C-c ;} (@code{fortran-comment-region}) turns all the
3439 lines of the region into comments by inserting the string @samp{C$$$} at
3440 the front of each one. With a numeric argument, it turns the region
3441 back into live code by deleting @samp{C$$$} from the front of each line
3442 in it. The string used for these comments can be controlled by setting
3443 the variable @code{fortran-comment-region}. Note that here we have an
3444 example of a command and a variable with the same name; these two uses
3445 of the name never conflict because in Lisp and in Emacs it is always
3446 clear from the context which one is meant.
3447
3448 @node Fortran Autofill
3449 @subsection Fortran Auto Fill Mode
3450
3451 Fortran Auto Fill mode is a minor mode which automatically splits
3452 Fortran statements as you insert them when they become too wide.
3453 Splitting a statement involves making continuation lines using
3454 @code{fortran-continuation-string} (@pxref{ForIndent Cont}). This
3455 splitting happens when you type @key{SPC}, @key{RET}, or @key{TAB}, and
3456 also in the Fortran indentation commands.
3457
3458 @findex fortran-auto-fill-mode
3459 @kbd{M-x fortran-auto-fill-mode} turns Fortran Auto Fill mode on if it
3460 was off, or off if it was on. This command works the same as @kbd{M-x
3461 auto-fill-mode} does for normal Auto Fill mode (@pxref{Filling}). A
3462 positive numeric argument turns Fortran Auto Fill mode on, and a
3463 negative argument turns it off. You can see when Fortran Auto Fill mode
3464 is in effect by the presence of the word @samp{Fill} in the mode line,
3465 inside the parentheses. Fortran Auto Fill mode is a minor mode, turned
3466 on or off for each buffer individually. @xref{Minor Modes}.
3467
3468 @vindex fortran-break-before-delimiters
3469 Fortran Auto Fill mode breaks lines at spaces or delimiters when the
3470 lines get longer than the desired width (the value of @code{fill-column}).
3471 The delimiters that Fortran Auto Fill mode may break at are @samp{,},
3472 @samp{'}, @samp{+}, @samp{-}, @samp{/}, @samp{*}, @samp{=}, and @samp{)}.
3473 The line break comes after the delimiter if the variable
3474 @code{fortran-break-before-delimiters} is @code{nil}. Otherwise (and by
3475 default), the break comes before the delimiter.
3476
3477 By default, Fortran Auto Fill mode is not enabled. If you want this
3478 feature turned on permanently, add a hook function to
3479 @code{fortran-mode-hook} to execute @code{(fortran-auto-fill-mode 1)}.
3480 @xref{Hooks}.
3481
3482 @node Fortran Columns
3483 @subsection Checking Columns in Fortran
3484
3485 @table @kbd
3486 @item C-c C-r
3487 Display a ``column ruler'' momentarily above the current line
3488 (@code{fortran-column-ruler}).
3489 @item C-c C-w
3490 Split the current window horizontally temporarily so that it is 72
3491 columns wide. This may help you avoid making lines longer than the
3492 72-character limit that some Fortran compilers impose
3493 (@code{fortran-window-create-momentarily}).
3494 @end table
3495
3496 @kindex C-c C-r @r{(Fortran mode)}
3497 @findex fortran-column-ruler
3498 @vindex fortran-column-ruler
3499 The command @kbd{C-c C-r} (@code{fortran-column-ruler}) shows a column
3500 ruler momentarily above the current line. The comment ruler is two lines
3501 of text that show you the locations of columns with special significance in
3502 Fortran programs. Square brackets show the limits of the columns for line
3503 numbers, and curly brackets show the limits of the columns for the
3504 statement body. Column numbers appear above them.
3505
3506 Note that the column numbers count from zero, as always in GNU Emacs.
3507 As a result, the numbers may be one less than those you are familiar
3508 with; but the positions they indicate in the line are standard for
3509 Fortran.
3510
3511 The text used to display the column ruler depends on the value of
3512 the variable @code{indent-tabs-mode}. If @code{indent-tabs-mode} is
3513 @code{nil}, then the value of the variable
3514 @code{fortran-column-ruler-fixed} is used as the column ruler.
3515 Otherwise, the variable @code{fortran-column-ruler-tab} is displayed.
3516 By changing these variables, you can change the column ruler display.
3517
3518 @kindex C-u C-c C-w @r{(Fortran mode)}
3519 @findex fortran-window-create
3520 For even more help, use @kbd{M-x fortran-window-create}), a
3521 command which splits the current window horizontally, making a window 72
3522 columns wide. By editing in this window you can immediately see when you
3523 make a line too wide to be correct Fortran.
3524
3525 @kindex C-c C-w @r{(Fortran mode)}
3526 @findex fortran-window-create-momentarily
3527 Also, @kbd{C-c C-w} (@code{fortran-window-create-momentarily}) can be
3528 used temporarily to split the current window horizontally, making a
3529 window 72 columns wide to check column widths rather than to edit in
3530 this mode. The normal width is restored when you type a space.
3531
3532 @node Fortran Abbrev
3533 @subsection Fortran Keyword Abbrevs
3534
3535 Fortran mode provides many built-in abbrevs for common keywords and
3536 declarations. These are the same sort of abbrev that you can define
3537 yourself. To use them, you must turn on Abbrev mode. @xref{Abbrevs}.
3538
3539 The built-in abbrevs are unusual in one way: they all start with a
3540 semicolon. You cannot normally use semicolon in an abbrev, but Fortran
3541 mode makes this possible by changing the syntax of semicolon to ``word
3542 constituent.''
3543
3544 For example, one built-in Fortran abbrev is @samp{;c} for
3545 @samp{continue}. If you insert @samp{;c} and then insert a punctuation
3546 character such as a space or a newline, the @samp{;c} expands automatically
3547 to @samp{continue}, provided Abbrev mode is enabled.@refill
3548
3549 Type @samp{;?} or @samp{;C-h} to display a list of all the built-in
3550 Fortran abbrevs and what they stand for.
3551
3552 @node Fortran Misc
3553 @subsection Other Fortran Mode Commands
3554
3555 The command @kbd{fortran-strip-sqeuence-nos} can be used to remove text
3556 past Fortran column 72, which is typically old `sequence numbers'.
3557
3558 @node Asm Mode
3559 @section Asm Mode
3560
3561 @cindex Asm mode
3562 @cindex Assembler mode
3563 Asm mode is a major mode for editing files of assembler code. It
3564 defines these commands:
3565
3566 @table @kbd
3567 @item @key{TAB}
3568 @code{tab-to-tab-stop}.
3569 @item C-j
3570 Insert a newline and then indent using @code{tab-to-tab-stop}.
3571 @item :
3572 Insert a colon and then remove the indentation from before the label
3573 preceding colon. Then do @code{tab-to-tab-stop}.
3574 @item ;
3575 Insert or align a comment.
3576 @end table
3577
3578 The variable @code{asm-comment-char} specifies which character
3579 starts comments in assembler syntax.