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1 @c -*-texinfo-*-
2 @c This is part of the GNU Emacs Lisp Reference Manual.
3 @c Copyright (C) 1990-1995, 1998-1999, 2001-2014 Free Software
4 @c Foundation, Inc.
5 @c See the file elisp.texi for copying conditions.
6 @node Frames
7 @chapter Frames
8 @cindex frame
9
10 A @dfn{frame} is a screen object that contains one or more Emacs
11 windows (@pxref{Windows}). It is the kind of object called a
12 ``window'' in the terminology of graphical environments; but we can't
13 call it a ``window'' here, because Emacs uses that word in a different
14 way. In Emacs Lisp, a @dfn{frame object} is a Lisp object that
15 represents a frame on the screen. @xref{Frame Type}.
16
17 A frame initially contains a single main window and/or a minibuffer
18 window; you can subdivide the main window vertically or horizontally
19 into smaller windows. @xref{Splitting Windows}.
20
21 @cindex terminal
22 A @dfn{terminal} is a display device capable of displaying one or
23 more Emacs frames. In Emacs Lisp, a @dfn{terminal object} is a Lisp
24 object that represents a terminal. @xref{Terminal Type}.
25
26 @cindex text terminal
27 @cindex graphical terminal
28 @cindex graphical display
29 There are two classes of terminals: @dfn{text terminals} and
30 @dfn{graphical terminals}. Text terminals are non-graphics-capable
31 displays, including @command{xterm} and other terminal emulators. On
32 a text terminal, each Emacs frame occupies the terminal's entire
33 screen; although you can create additional frames and switch between
34 them, the terminal only shows one frame at a time. Graphical
35 terminals, on the other hand, are managed by graphical display systems
36 such as the X Window System, which allow Emacs to show multiple frames
37 simultaneously on the same display.
38
39 On GNU and Unix systems, you can create additional frames on any
40 available terminal, within a single Emacs session, regardless of
41 whether Emacs was started on a text or graphical terminal. Emacs can
42 display on both graphical and text terminals simultaneously. This
43 comes in handy, for instance, when you connect to the same session
44 from several remote locations. @xref{Multiple Terminals}.
45
46 @defun framep object
47 This predicate returns a non-@code{nil} value if @var{object} is a
48 frame, and @code{nil} otherwise. For a frame, the value indicates which
49 kind of display the frame uses:
50
51 @table @code
52 @item t
53 The frame is displayed on a text terminal.
54 @item x
55 The frame is displayed on an X graphical terminal.
56 @item w32
57 The frame is displayed on a MS-Windows graphical terminal.
58 @item ns
59 The frame is displayed on a GNUstep or Macintosh Cocoa graphical
60 terminal.
61 @item pc
62 The frame is displayed on an MS-DOS terminal.
63 @end table
64 @end defun
65
66 @defun frame-terminal &optional frame
67 This function returns the terminal object that displays @var{frame}.
68 If @var{frame} is @code{nil} or unspecified, it defaults to the
69 selected frame.
70 @end defun
71
72 @defun terminal-live-p object
73 This predicate returns a non-@code{nil} value if @var{object} is a
74 terminal that is live (i.e., not deleted), and @code{nil} otherwise.
75 For live terminals, the return value indicates what kind of frames are
76 displayed on that terminal; the list of possible values is the same as
77 for @code{framep} above.
78 @end defun
79
80 @menu
81 * Creating Frames:: Creating additional frames.
82 * Multiple Terminals:: Displaying on several different devices.
83 * Frame Parameters:: Controlling frame size, position, font, etc.
84 * Terminal Parameters:: Parameters common for all frames on terminal.
85 * Frame Titles:: Automatic updating of frame titles.
86 * Deleting Frames:: Frames last until explicitly deleted.
87 * Finding All Frames:: How to examine all existing frames.
88 * Minibuffers and Frames:: How a frame finds the minibuffer to use.
89 * Input Focus:: Specifying the selected frame.
90 * Visibility of Frames:: Frames may be visible or invisible, or icons.
91 * Raising and Lowering:: Raising a frame makes it hide other windows;
92 lowering it makes the others hide it.
93 * Frame Configurations:: Saving the state of all frames.
94 * Mouse Tracking:: Getting events that say when the mouse moves.
95 * Mouse Position:: Asking where the mouse is, or moving it.
96 * Pop-Up Menus:: Displaying a menu for the user to select from.
97 * Dialog Boxes:: Displaying a box to ask yes or no.
98 * Pointer Shape:: Specifying the shape of the mouse pointer.
99 * Window System Selections:: Transferring text to and from other X clients.
100 * Drag and Drop:: Internals of Drag-and-Drop implementation.
101 * Color Names:: Getting the definitions of color names.
102 * Text Terminal Colors:: Defining colors for text terminals.
103 * Resources:: Getting resource values from the server.
104 * Display Feature Testing:: Determining the features of a terminal.
105 @end menu
106
107 @node Creating Frames
108 @section Creating Frames
109 @cindex frame creation
110
111 To create a new frame, call the function @code{make-frame}.
112
113 @deffn Command make-frame &optional alist
114 This function creates and returns a new frame, displaying the current
115 buffer.
116
117 The @var{alist} argument is an alist that specifies frame parameters
118 for the new frame. @xref{Frame Parameters}. If you specify the
119 @code{terminal} parameter in @var{alist}, the new frame is created on
120 that terminal. Otherwise, if you specify the @code{window-system}
121 frame parameter in @var{alist}, that determines whether the frame
122 should be displayed on a text terminal or a graphical terminal.
123 @xref{Window Systems}. If neither is specified, the new frame is
124 created in the same terminal as the selected frame.
125
126 Any parameters not mentioned in @var{alist} default to the values in
127 the alist @code{default-frame-alist} (@pxref{Initial Parameters});
128 parameters not specified there default from the X resources or its
129 equivalent on your operating system (@pxref{X Resources,, X Resources,
130 emacs, The GNU Emacs Manual}). After the frame is created, Emacs
131 applies any parameters listed in @code{frame-inherited-parameters}
132 (see below) and not present in the argument, taking the values from
133 the frame that was selected when @code{make-frame} was called.
134
135 Note that on multi-monitor displays (@pxref{Multiple Terminals}), the
136 window manager might position the frame differently than specified by
137 the positional parameters in @var{alist} (@pxref{Position
138 Parameters}). For example, some window managers have a policy of
139 displaying the frame on the monitor that contains the largest part of
140 the window (a.k.a.@: the @dfn{dominating} monitor).
141
142 This function itself does not make the new frame the selected frame.
143 @xref{Input Focus}. The previously selected frame remains selected.
144 On graphical terminals, however, the windowing system may select the
145 new frame for its own reasons.
146 @end deffn
147
148 @defvar before-make-frame-hook
149 A normal hook run by @code{make-frame} before it creates the frame.
150 @end defvar
151
152 @defvar after-make-frame-functions
153 An abnormal hook run by @code{make-frame} after it creates the frame.
154 Each function in @code{after-make-frame-functions} receives one argument, the
155 frame just created.
156 @end defvar
157
158 @defvar frame-inherited-parameters
159 This variable specifies the list of frame parameters that a newly
160 created frame inherits from the currently selected frame. For each
161 parameter (a symbol) that is an element in the list and is not present
162 in the argument to @code{make-frame}, the function sets the value of
163 that parameter in the created frame to its value in the selected
164 frame.
165 @end defvar
166
167 @node Multiple Terminals
168 @section Multiple Terminals
169 @cindex multiple terminals
170 @cindex multi-tty
171 @cindex multiple X displays
172 @cindex displays, multiple
173
174 Emacs represents each terminal as a @dfn{terminal object} data type
175 (@pxref{Terminal Type}). On GNU and Unix systems, Emacs can use
176 multiple terminals simultaneously in each session. On other systems,
177 it can only use a single terminal. Each terminal object has the
178 following attributes:
179
180 @itemize @bullet
181 @item
182 The name of the device used by the terminal (e.g., @samp{:0.0} or
183 @file{/dev/tty}).
184
185 @item
186 The terminal and keyboard coding systems used on the terminal.
187 @xref{Terminal I/O Encoding}.
188
189 @item
190 The kind of display associated with the terminal. This is the symbol
191 returned by the function @code{terminal-live-p} (i.e., @code{x},
192 @code{t}, @code{w32}, @code{ns}, or @code{pc}). @xref{Frames}.
193
194 @item
195 A list of terminal parameters. @xref{Terminal Parameters}.
196 @end itemize
197
198 There is no primitive for creating terminal objects. Emacs creates
199 them as needed, such as when you call @code{make-frame-on-display}
200 (described below).
201
202 @defun terminal-name &optional terminal
203 This function returns the file name of the device used by
204 @var{terminal}. If @var{terminal} is omitted or @code{nil}, it
205 defaults to the selected frame's terminal. @var{terminal} can also be
206 a frame, meaning that frame's terminal.
207 @end defun
208
209 @defun terminal-list
210 This function returns a list of all live terminal objects.
211 @end defun
212
213 @defun get-device-terminal device
214 This function returns a terminal whose device name is given by
215 @var{device}. If @var{device} is a string, it can be either the file
216 name of a terminal device, or the name of an X display of the form
217 @samp{@var{host}:@var{server}.@var{screen}}. If @var{device} is a
218 frame, this function returns that frame's terminal; @code{nil} means
219 the selected frame. Finally, if @var{device} is a terminal object
220 that represents a live terminal, that terminal is returned. The
221 function signals an error if its argument is none of the above.
222 @end defun
223
224 @defun delete-terminal &optional terminal force
225 This function deletes all frames on @var{terminal} and frees the
226 resources used by it. It runs the abnormal hook
227 @code{delete-terminal-functions}, passing @var{terminal} as the
228 argument to each function.
229
230 If @var{terminal} is omitted or @code{nil}, it defaults to the
231 selected frame's terminal. @var{terminal} can also be a frame,
232 meaning that frame's terminal.
233
234 Normally, this function signals an error if you attempt to delete the
235 sole active terminal, but if @var{force} is non-@code{nil}, you are
236 allowed to do so. Emacs automatically calls this function when the
237 last frame on a terminal is deleted (@pxref{Deleting Frames}).
238 @end defun
239
240 @defvar delete-terminal-functions
241 An abnormal hook run by @code{delete-terminal}. Each function
242 receives one argument, the @var{terminal} argument passed to
243 @code{delete-terminal}. Due to technical details, the functions may
244 be called either just before the terminal is deleted, or just
245 afterwards.
246 @end defvar
247
248 @cindex terminal-local variables
249 A few Lisp variables are @dfn{terminal-local}; that is, they have a
250 separate binding for each terminal. The binding in effect at any time
251 is the one for the terminal that the currently selected frame belongs
252 to. These variables include @code{default-minibuffer-frame},
253 @code{defining-kbd-macro}, @code{last-kbd-macro}, and
254 @code{system-key-alist}. They are always terminal-local, and can
255 never be buffer-local (@pxref{Buffer-Local Variables}).
256
257 On GNU and Unix systems, each X display is a separate graphical
258 terminal. When Emacs is started from within the X window system, it
259 uses the X display specified by the @env{DISPLAY} environment
260 variable, or by the @samp{--display} option (@pxref{Initial Options,,,
261 emacs, The GNU Emacs Manual}). Emacs can connect to other X displays
262 via the command @code{make-frame-on-display}. Each X display has its
263 own selected frame and its own minibuffer windows; however, only one
264 of those frames is ``@emph{the} selected frame'' at any given moment
265 (@pxref{Input Focus}). Emacs can even connect to other text
266 terminals, by interacting with the @command{emacsclient} program.
267 @xref{Emacs Server,,, emacs, The GNU Emacs Manual}.
268
269 @cindex X display names
270 @cindex display name on X
271 A single X server can handle more than one display. Each X display
272 has a three-part name,
273 @samp{@var{hostname}:@var{displaynumber}.@var{screennumber}}. The
274 first part, @var{hostname}, specifies the name of the machine to which
275 the display is physically connected. The second part,
276 @var{displaynumber}, is a zero-based number that identifies one or
277 more monitors connected to that machine that share a common keyboard
278 and pointing device (mouse, tablet, etc.). The third part,
279 @var{screennumber}, identifies a zero-based screen number (a separate
280 monitor) that is part of a single monitor collection on that X server.
281 When you use two or more screens belonging to one server, Emacs knows
282 by the similarity in their names that they share a single keyboard.
283
284 Systems that don't use the X window system, such as MS-Windows,
285 don't support the notion of X displays, and have only one display on
286 each host. The display name on these systems doesn't follow the above
287 3-part format; for example, the display name on MS-Windows systems is
288 a constant string @samp{w32}, and exists for compatibility, so that
289 you could pass it to functions that expect a display name.
290
291 @deffn Command make-frame-on-display display &optional parameters
292 This function creates and returns a new frame on @var{display}, taking
293 the other frame parameters from the alist @var{parameters}.
294 @var{display} should be the name of an X display (a string).
295
296 Before creating the frame, this function ensures that Emacs is ``set
297 up'' to display graphics. For instance, if Emacs has not processed X
298 resources (e.g., if it was started on a text terminal), it does so at
299 this time. In all other respects, this function behaves like
300 @code{make-frame} (@pxref{Creating Frames}).
301 @end deffn
302
303 @defun x-display-list
304 This function returns a list that indicates which X displays Emacs has
305 a connection to. The elements of the list are strings, and each one
306 is a display name.
307 @end defun
308
309 @defun x-open-connection display &optional xrm-string must-succeed
310 This function opens a connection to the X display @var{display},
311 without creating a frame on that display. Normally, Emacs Lisp
312 programs need not call this function, as @code{make-frame-on-display}
313 calls it automatically. The only reason for calling it is to check
314 whether communication can be established with a given X display.
315
316 The optional argument @var{xrm-string}, if not @code{nil}, is a string
317 of resource names and values, in the same format used in the
318 @file{.Xresources} file. @xref{X Resources,, X Resources, emacs, The
319 GNU Emacs Manual}. These values apply to all Emacs frames created on
320 this display, overriding the resource values recorded in the X server.
321 Here's an example of what this string might look like:
322
323 @example
324 "*BorderWidth: 3\n*InternalBorder: 2\n"
325 @end example
326
327 If @var{must-succeed} is non-@code{nil}, failure to open the connection
328 terminates Emacs. Otherwise, it is an ordinary Lisp error.
329 @end defun
330
331 @defun x-close-connection display
332 This function closes the connection to display @var{display}. Before
333 you can do this, you must first delete all the frames that were open
334 on that display (@pxref{Deleting Frames}).
335 @end defun
336
337 @cindex multi-monitor
338 On some ``multi-monitor'' setups, a single X display outputs to more
339 than one physical monitor. You can use the functions
340 @code{display-monitor-attributes-list} and @code{frame-monitor-attributes}
341 to obtain information about such setups.
342
343 @defun display-monitor-attributes-list &optional display
344 This function returns a list of physical monitor attributes on
345 @var{display}, which can be a display name (a string), a terminal, or
346 a frame; if omitted or @code{nil}, it defaults to the selected frame's
347 display. Each element of the list is an association list,
348 representing the attributes of a physical monitor. The first element
349 corresponds to the primary monitor. The attribute keys and values
350 are:
351
352 @table @samp
353 @item geometry
354 Position of the top-left corner of the monitor's screen and its size,
355 in pixels, as @samp{(@var{x} @var{y} @var{width} @var{height})}. Note
356 that, if the monitor is not the primary monitor, some of the
357 coordinates might be negative.
358
359 @item workarea
360 Position of the top-left corner and size of the work area (``usable''
361 space) in pixels as @samp{(@var{x} @var{y} @var{width} @var{height})}.
362 This may be different from @samp{geometry} in that space occupied by
363 various window manager features (docks, taskbars, etc.) may be
364 excluded from the work area. Whether or not such features actually
365 subtract from the work area depends on the platform and environment.
366 Again, if the monitor is not the primary monitor, some of the
367 coordinates might be negative.
368
369 @item mm-size
370 Width and height in millimeters as @samp{(@var{width} @var{height})}
371
372 @item frames
373 List of frames that this physical monitor dominates (see below).
374
375 @item name
376 Name of the physical monitor as @var{string}.
377
378 @item source
379 Source of the multi-monitor information as @var{string};
380 e.g., @samp{XRandr} or @samp{Xinerama}.
381 @end table
382
383 @var{x}, @var{y}, @var{width}, and @var{height} are integers.
384 @samp{name} and @samp{source} may be absent.
385
386 A frame is @dfn{dominated} by a physical monitor when either the
387 largest area of the frame resides in that monitor, or (if the frame
388 does not intersect any physical monitors) that monitor is the closest
389 to the frame. Every (non-tooltip) frame (whether visible or not) in a
390 graphical display is dominated by exactly one physical monitor at a
391 time, though the frame can span multiple (or no) physical monitors.
392
393 Here's an example of the data produced by this function on a 2-monitor
394 display:
395
396 @lisp
397 (display-monitor-attributes-list)
398 @result{}
399 (((geometry 0 0 1920 1080) ;; @r{Left-hand, primary monitor}
400 (workarea 0 0 1920 1050) ;; @r{A taskbar occupies some of the height}
401 (mm-size 677 381)
402 (name . "DISPLAY1")
403 (frames #<frame emacs@@host *Messages* 0x11578c0>
404 #<frame emacs@@host *scratch* 0x114b838>))
405 ((geometry 1920 0 1680 1050) ;; @r{Right-hand monitor}
406 (workarea 1920 0 1680 1050) ;; @r{Whole screen can be used}
407 (mm-size 593 370)
408 (name . "DISPLAY2")
409 (frames)))
410 @end lisp
411
412 @end defun
413
414 @defun frame-monitor-attributes &optional frame
415 This function returns the attributes of the physical monitor
416 dominating (see above) @var{frame}, which defaults to the selected frame.
417 @end defun
418
419 @node Frame Parameters
420 @section Frame Parameters
421 @cindex frame parameters
422
423 A frame has many parameters that control its appearance and behavior.
424 Just what parameters a frame has depends on what display mechanism it
425 uses.
426
427 Frame parameters exist mostly for the sake of graphical displays.
428 Most frame parameters have no effect when applied to a frame on a text
429 terminal; only the @code{height}, @code{width}, @code{name},
430 @code{title}, @code{menu-bar-lines}, @code{buffer-list} and
431 @code{buffer-predicate} parameters do something special. If the
432 terminal supports colors, the parameters @code{foreground-color},
433 @code{background-color}, @code{background-mode} and
434 @code{display-type} are also meaningful. If the terminal supports
435 frame transparency, the parameter @code{alpha} is also meaningful.
436
437 @menu
438 * Parameter Access:: How to change a frame's parameters.
439 * Initial Parameters:: Specifying frame parameters when you make a frame.
440 * Window Frame Parameters:: List of frame parameters for window systems.
441 * Size and Position:: Changing the size and position of a frame.
442 * Geometry:: Parsing geometry specifications.
443 @end menu
444
445 @node Parameter Access
446 @subsection Access to Frame Parameters
447
448 These functions let you read and change the parameter values of a
449 frame.
450
451 @defun frame-parameter frame parameter
452 This function returns the value of the parameter @var{parameter} (a
453 symbol) of @var{frame}. If @var{frame} is @code{nil}, it returns the
454 selected frame's parameter. If @var{frame} has no setting for
455 @var{parameter}, this function returns @code{nil}.
456 @end defun
457
458 @defun frame-parameters &optional frame
459 The function @code{frame-parameters} returns an alist listing all the
460 parameters of @var{frame} and their values. If @var{frame} is
461 @code{nil} or omitted, this returns the selected frame's parameters
462 @end defun
463
464 @defun modify-frame-parameters frame alist
465 This function alters the parameters of frame @var{frame} based on the
466 elements of @var{alist}. Each element of @var{alist} has the form
467 @code{(@var{parm} . @var{value})}, where @var{parm} is a symbol naming a
468 parameter. If you don't mention a parameter in @var{alist}, its value
469 doesn't change. If @var{frame} is @code{nil}, it defaults to the selected
470 frame.
471 @end defun
472
473 @defun set-frame-parameter frame parm value
474 This function sets the frame parameter @var{parm} to the specified
475 @var{value}. If @var{frame} is @code{nil}, it defaults to the
476 selected frame.
477 @end defun
478
479 @defun modify-all-frames-parameters alist
480 This function alters the frame parameters of all existing frames
481 according to @var{alist}, then modifies @code{default-frame-alist}
482 (and, if necessary, @code{initial-frame-alist}) to apply the same
483 parameter values to frames that will be created henceforth.
484 @end defun
485
486 @node Initial Parameters
487 @subsection Initial Frame Parameters
488 @cindex parameters of initial frame
489
490 You can specify the parameters for the initial startup frame by
491 setting @code{initial-frame-alist} in your init file (@pxref{Init
492 File}).
493
494 @defopt initial-frame-alist
495 This variable's value is an alist of parameter values used when
496 creating the initial frame. You can set this variable to specify the
497 appearance of the initial frame without altering subsequent frames.
498 Each element has the form:
499
500 @example
501 (@var{parameter} . @var{value})
502 @end example
503
504 Emacs creates the initial frame before it reads your init
505 file. After reading that file, Emacs checks @code{initial-frame-alist},
506 and applies the parameter settings in the altered value to the already
507 created initial frame.
508
509 If these settings affect the frame geometry and appearance, you'll see
510 the frame appear with the wrong ones and then change to the specified
511 ones. If that bothers you, you can specify the same geometry and
512 appearance with X resources; those do take effect before the frame is
513 created. @xref{X Resources,, X Resources, emacs, The GNU Emacs Manual}.
514
515 X resource settings typically apply to all frames. If you want to
516 specify some X resources solely for the sake of the initial frame, and
517 you don't want them to apply to subsequent frames, here's how to achieve
518 this. Specify parameters in @code{default-frame-alist} to override the
519 X resources for subsequent frames; then, to prevent these from affecting
520 the initial frame, specify the same parameters in
521 @code{initial-frame-alist} with values that match the X resources.
522 @end defopt
523
524 @cindex minibuffer-only frame
525 If these parameters include @code{(minibuffer . nil)}, that indicates
526 that the initial frame should have no minibuffer. In this case, Emacs
527 creates a separate @dfn{minibuffer-only frame} as well.
528
529 @defopt minibuffer-frame-alist
530 This variable's value is an alist of parameter values used when
531 creating an initial minibuffer-only frame (i.e., the minibuffer-only
532 frame that Emacs creates if @code{initial-frame-alist} specifies a
533 frame with no minibuffer).
534 @end defopt
535
536 @defopt default-frame-alist
537 This is an alist specifying default values of frame parameters for all
538 Emacs frames---the first frame, and subsequent frames. When using the X
539 Window System, you can get the same results by means of X resources
540 in many cases.
541
542 Setting this variable does not affect existing frames. Furthermore,
543 functions that display a buffer in a separate frame may override the
544 default parameters by supplying their own parameters.
545 @end defopt
546
547 If you invoke Emacs with command-line options that specify frame
548 appearance, those options take effect by adding elements to either
549 @code{initial-frame-alist} or @code{default-frame-alist}. Options
550 which affect just the initial frame, such as @samp{--geometry} and
551 @samp{--maximized}, add to @code{initial-frame-alist}; the others add
552 to @code{default-frame-alist}. @pxref{Emacs Invocation,, Command Line
553 Arguments for Emacs Invocation, emacs, The GNU Emacs Manual}.
554
555 @node Window Frame Parameters
556 @subsection Window Frame Parameters
557 @cindex frame parameters for windowed displays
558
559 Just what parameters a frame has depends on what display mechanism
560 it uses. This section describes the parameters that have special
561 meanings on some or all kinds of terminals. Of these, @code{name},
562 @code{title}, @code{height}, @code{width}, @code{buffer-list} and
563 @code{buffer-predicate} provide meaningful information in terminal
564 frames, and @code{tty-color-mode} is meaningful only for frames on
565 text terminals.
566
567 @menu
568 * Basic Parameters:: Parameters that are fundamental.
569 * Position Parameters:: The position of the frame on the screen.
570 * Size Parameters:: Frame's size.
571 * Layout Parameters:: Size of parts of the frame, and
572 enabling or disabling some parts.
573 * Buffer Parameters:: Which buffers have been or should be shown.
574 * Management Parameters:: Communicating with the window manager.
575 * Cursor Parameters:: Controlling the cursor appearance.
576 * Font and Color Parameters:: Fonts and colors for the frame text.
577 @end menu
578
579 @node Basic Parameters
580 @subsubsection Basic Parameters
581
582 These frame parameters give the most basic information about the
583 frame. @code{title} and @code{name} are meaningful on all terminals.
584
585 @table @code
586 @vindex display, a frame parameter
587 @item display
588 The display on which to open this frame. It should be a string of the
589 form @samp{@var{host}:@var{dpy}.@var{screen}}, just like the
590 @env{DISPLAY} environment variable. @xref{Multiple Terminals}, for
591 more details about display names.
592
593 @vindex display-type, a frame parameter
594 @item display-type
595 This parameter describes the range of possible colors that can be used
596 in this frame. Its value is @code{color}, @code{grayscale} or
597 @code{mono}.
598
599 @vindex title, a frame parameter
600 @item title
601 If a frame has a non-@code{nil} title, it appears in the window
602 system's title bar at the top of the frame, and also in the mode line
603 of windows in that frame if @code{mode-line-frame-identification} uses
604 @samp{%F} (@pxref{%-Constructs}). This is normally the case when
605 Emacs is not using a window system, and can only display one frame at
606 a time. @xref{Frame Titles}.
607
608 @vindex name, a frame parameter
609 @item name
610 The name of the frame. The frame name serves as a default for the frame
611 title, if the @code{title} parameter is unspecified or @code{nil}. If
612 you don't specify a name, Emacs sets the frame name automatically
613 (@pxref{Frame Titles}).
614
615 If you specify the frame name explicitly when you create the frame, the
616 name is also used (instead of the name of the Emacs executable) when
617 looking up X resources for the frame.
618
619 @item explicit-name
620 If the frame name was specified explicitly when the frame was created,
621 this parameter will be that name. If the frame wasn't explicitly
622 named, this parameter will be @code{nil}.
623 @end table
624
625 @node Position Parameters
626 @subsubsection Position Parameters
627 @cindex window position on display
628 @cindex frame position
629
630 Position parameters' values are normally measured in pixels, but on
631 text terminals they count characters or lines instead.
632
633 @table @code
634 @vindex left, a frame parameter
635 @item left
636 The position, in pixels, of the left (or right) edge of the frame with
637 respect to the left (or right) edge of the screen. The value may be:
638
639 @table @asis
640 @item an integer
641 A positive integer relates the left edge of the frame to the left edge
642 of the screen. A negative integer relates the right frame edge to the
643 right screen edge.
644
645 @item @code{(+ @var{pos})}
646 This specifies the position of the left frame edge relative to the left
647 screen edge. The integer @var{pos} may be positive or negative; a
648 negative value specifies a position outside the screen or on a monitor
649 other than the primary one (for multi-monitor displays).
650
651 @item @code{(- @var{pos})}
652 This specifies the position of the right frame edge relative to the right
653 screen edge. The integer @var{pos} may be positive or negative; a
654 negative value specifies a position outside the screen or on a monitor
655 other than the primary one (for multi-monitor displays).
656 @end table
657
658 Some window managers ignore program-specified positions. If you want to
659 be sure the position you specify is not ignored, specify a
660 non-@code{nil} value for the @code{user-position} parameter as well.
661
662 @vindex top, a frame parameter
663 @item top
664 The screen position of the top (or bottom) edge, in pixels, with respect
665 to the top (or bottom) edge of the screen. It works just like
666 @code{left}, except vertically instead of horizontally.
667
668 @vindex icon-left, a frame parameter
669 @item icon-left
670 The screen position of the left edge of the frame's icon, in pixels,
671 counting from the left edge of the screen. This takes effect when the
672 frame is iconified, if the window manager supports this feature. If
673 you specify a value for this parameter, then you must also specify a
674 value for @code{icon-top} and vice versa.
675
676 @vindex icon-top, a frame parameter
677 @item icon-top
678 The screen position of the top edge of the frame's icon, in pixels,
679 counting from the top edge of the screen. This takes effect when the
680 frame is iconified, if the window manager supports this feature.
681
682 @vindex user-position, a frame parameter
683 @item user-position
684 When you create a frame and specify its screen position with the
685 @code{left} and @code{top} parameters, use this parameter to say whether
686 the specified position was user-specified (explicitly requested in some
687 way by a human user) or merely program-specified (chosen by a program).
688 A non-@code{nil} value says the position was user-specified.
689
690 @cindex window positions and window managers
691 Window managers generally heed user-specified positions, and some heed
692 program-specified positions too. But many ignore program-specified
693 positions, placing the window in a default fashion or letting the user
694 place it with the mouse. Some window managers, including @code{twm},
695 let the user specify whether to obey program-specified positions or
696 ignore them.
697
698 When you call @code{make-frame}, you should specify a non-@code{nil}
699 value for this parameter if the values of the @code{left} and @code{top}
700 parameters represent the user's stated preference; otherwise, use
701 @code{nil}.
702 @end table
703
704 @node Size Parameters
705 @subsubsection Size Parameters
706 @cindex window size on display
707
708 Frame parameters specify frame sizes in character units. On
709 graphical displays, the @code{default} face determines the actual
710 pixel sizes of these character units (@pxref{Face Attributes}).
711
712 @table @code
713 @vindex height, a frame parameter
714 @item height
715 The height of the frame's text area (@pxref{Size and Position}), in
716 characters.
717
718 @vindex width, a frame parameter
719 @item width
720 The width of the frame's text area (@pxref{Size and Position}), in
721 characters.
722
723 @vindex user-size, a frame parameter
724 @item user-size
725 This does for the size parameters @code{height} and @code{width} what
726 the @code{user-position} parameter (@pxref{Position Parameters,
727 user-position}) does for the position parameters @code{top} and
728 @code{left}.
729
730 @cindex full-screen frames
731 @vindex fullscreen, a frame parameter
732 @item fullscreen
733 Specify that width, height or both shall be maximized. The value
734 @code{fullwidth} specifies that width shall be as wide as possible.
735 The value @code{fullheight} specifies that height shall be as tall as
736 possible. The value @code{fullboth} specifies that both the width and
737 the height shall be set to the size of the screen. The value
738 @code{maximized} specifies that the frame shall be maximized. The
739 difference between @code{maximized} and @code{fullboth} is that the
740 former can still be resized by dragging window manager decorations
741 with the mouse, while the latter really covers the whole screen and
742 does not allow resizing by mouse dragging.
743
744 With some window managers you may have to customize the variable
745 @code{frame-resize-pixelwise} (@pxref{Size and Position}) to a
746 non-@code{nil} value in order to make a frame appear ``maximized'' or
747 ``fullscreen''.
748 @end table
749
750 @node Layout Parameters
751 @subsubsection Layout Parameters
752 @cindex layout parameters of frames
753 @cindex frame layout parameters
754
755 These frame parameters enable or disable various parts of the
756 frame, or control their sizes.
757
758 @table @code
759 @vindex border-width, a frame parameter
760 @item border-width
761 The width in pixels of the frame's border.
762
763 @vindex internal-border-width, a frame parameter
764 @item internal-border-width
765 The distance in pixels between text (or fringe) and the frame's border.
766
767 @vindex vertical-scroll-bars, a frame parameter
768 @item vertical-scroll-bars
769 Whether the frame has scroll bars for vertical scrolling, and which side
770 of the frame they should be on. The possible values are @code{left},
771 @code{right}, and @code{nil} for no scroll bars.
772
773 @vindex horizontal-scroll-bars, a frame parameter
774 @item horizontal-scroll-bars
775 Whether the frame has scroll bars for horizontal scrolling (@code{t} and
776 @code{bottom} mean yes, @code{nil} means no).
777
778 @vindex scroll-bar-width, a frame parameter
779 @item scroll-bar-width
780 The width of vertical scroll bars, in pixels, or @code{nil} meaning to
781 use the default width.
782
783 @vindex scroll-bar-height, a frame parameter
784 @item scroll-bar-height
785 The height of horizontal scroll bars, in pixels, or @code{nil} meaning
786 to use the default height.
787
788 @vindex left-fringe, a frame parameter
789 @vindex right-fringe, a frame parameter
790 @item left-fringe
791 @itemx right-fringe
792 The default width of the left and right fringes of windows in this
793 frame (@pxref{Fringes}). If either of these is zero, that effectively
794 removes the corresponding fringe.
795
796 When you use @code{frame-parameter} to query the value of either of
797 these two frame parameters, the return value is always an integer.
798 When using @code{set-frame-parameter}, passing a @code{nil} value
799 imposes an actual default value of 8 pixels.
800
801 @vindex right-divider-width, a frame parameter
802 @item right-divider-width
803 The width (thickness) reserved for the right divider (@pxref{Window
804 Dividers}) of any window on the frame, in pixels. A value of zero means
805 to not draw right dividers.
806
807 @vindex bottom-divider-width, a frame parameter
808 @item bottom-divider-width
809 The width (thickness) reserved for the bottom divider (@pxref{Window
810 Dividers}) of any window on the frame, in pixels. A value of zero means
811 to not draw bottom dividers.
812
813 @vindex menu-bar-lines frame parameter
814 @item menu-bar-lines
815 The number of lines to allocate at the top of the frame for a menu
816 bar. The default is 1 if Menu Bar mode is enabled, and 0 otherwise.
817 @xref{Menu Bars,,,emacs, The GNU Emacs Manual}.
818
819 @vindex tool-bar-lines frame parameter
820 @item tool-bar-lines
821 The number of lines to use for the tool bar. The default is 1 if Tool
822 Bar mode is enabled, and 0 otherwise. @xref{Tool Bars,,,emacs, The
823 GNU Emacs Manual}.
824
825 @vindex tool-bar-position frame parameter
826 @item tool-bar-position
827 The position of the tool bar. Currently only for the GTK tool bar.
828 Value can be one of @code{top}, @code{bottom} @code{left}, @code{right}.
829 The default is @code{top}.
830
831 @vindex line-spacing, a frame parameter
832 @item line-spacing
833 Additional space to leave below each text line, in pixels (a positive
834 integer). @xref{Line Height}, for more information.
835 @end table
836
837 @node Buffer Parameters
838 @subsubsection Buffer Parameters
839 @cindex frame, which buffers to display
840 @cindex buffers to display on frame
841
842 These frame parameters, meaningful on all kinds of terminals, deal
843 with which buffers have been, or should, be displayed in the frame.
844
845 @table @code
846 @vindex minibuffer, a frame parameter
847 @item minibuffer
848 Whether this frame has its own minibuffer. The value @code{t} means
849 yes, @code{nil} means no, @code{only} means this frame is just a
850 minibuffer. If the value is a minibuffer window (in some other
851 frame), the frame uses that minibuffer.
852
853 This frame parameter takes effect when the frame is created, and can
854 not be changed afterwards.
855
856 @vindex buffer-predicate, a frame parameter
857 @item buffer-predicate
858 The buffer-predicate function for this frame. The function
859 @code{other-buffer} uses this predicate (from the selected frame) to
860 decide which buffers it should consider, if the predicate is not
861 @code{nil}. It calls the predicate with one argument, a buffer, once for
862 each buffer; if the predicate returns a non-@code{nil} value, it
863 considers that buffer.
864
865 @vindex buffer-list, a frame parameter
866 @item buffer-list
867 A list of buffers that have been selected in this frame, ordered
868 most-recently-selected first.
869
870 @vindex unsplittable, a frame parameter
871 @item unsplittable
872 If non-@code{nil}, this frame's window is never split automatically.
873 @end table
874
875 @node Management Parameters
876 @subsubsection Window Management Parameters
877 @cindex window manager interaction, and frame parameters
878
879 The following frame parameters control various aspects of the
880 frame's interaction with the window manager. They have no effect on
881 text terminals.
882
883 @table @code
884 @vindex visibility, a frame parameter
885 @item visibility
886 The state of visibility of the frame. There are three possibilities:
887 @code{nil} for invisible, @code{t} for visible, and @code{icon} for
888 iconified. @xref{Visibility of Frames}.
889
890 @vindex auto-raise, a frame parameter
891 @item auto-raise
892 If non-@code{nil}, Emacs automatically raises the frame when it is
893 selected. Some window managers do not allow this.
894
895 @vindex auto-lower, a frame parameter
896 @item auto-lower
897 If non-@code{nil}, Emacs automatically lowers the frame when it is
898 deselected. Some window managers do not allow this.
899
900 @vindex icon-type, a frame parameter
901 @item icon-type
902 The type of icon to use for this frame. If the value is a string,
903 that specifies a file containing a bitmap to use; @code{nil} specifies
904 no icon (in which case the window manager decides what to show); any
905 other non-@code{nil} value specifies the default Emacs icon.
906
907 @vindex icon-name, a frame parameter
908 @item icon-name
909 The name to use in the icon for this frame, when and if the icon
910 appears. If this is @code{nil}, the frame's title is used.
911
912 @vindex window-id, a frame parameter
913 @item window-id
914 The ID number which the graphical display uses for this frame. Emacs
915 assigns this parameter when the frame is created; changing the
916 parameter has no effect on the actual ID number.
917
918 @vindex outer-window-id, a frame parameter
919 @item outer-window-id
920 The ID number of the outermost window-system window in which the frame
921 exists. As with @code{window-id}, changing this parameter has no
922 actual effect.
923
924 @vindex wait-for-wm, a frame parameter
925 @item wait-for-wm
926 If non-@code{nil}, tell Xt to wait for the window manager to confirm
927 geometry changes. Some window managers, including versions of Fvwm2
928 and KDE, fail to confirm, so Xt hangs. Set this to @code{nil} to
929 prevent hanging with those window managers.
930
931 @vindex sticky, a frame parameter
932 @item sticky
933 If non-@code{nil}, the frame is visible on all virtual desktops on systems
934 with virtual desktops.
935
936 @ignore
937 @vindex parent-id, a frame parameter
938 @item parent-id
939 @c ??? Not yet working.
940 The X window number of the window that should be the parent of this one.
941 Specifying this lets you create an Emacs window inside some other
942 application's window. (It is not certain this will be implemented; try
943 it and see if it works.)
944 @end ignore
945 @end table
946
947 @node Cursor Parameters
948 @subsubsection Cursor Parameters
949 @cindex cursor, and frame parameters
950
951 This frame parameter controls the way the cursor looks.
952
953 @table @code
954 @vindex cursor-type, a frame parameter
955 @item cursor-type
956 How to display the cursor. Legitimate values are:
957
958 @table @code
959 @item box
960 Display a filled box. (This is the default.)
961 @item hollow
962 Display a hollow box.
963 @item nil
964 Don't display a cursor.
965 @item bar
966 Display a vertical bar between characters.
967 @item (bar . @var{width})
968 Display a vertical bar @var{width} pixels wide between characters.
969 @item hbar
970 Display a horizontal bar.
971 @item (hbar . @var{height})
972 Display a horizontal bar @var{height} pixels high.
973 @end table
974 @end table
975
976 @vindex cursor-type
977 The @code{cursor-type} frame parameter may be overridden by the
978 variables @code{cursor-type} and
979 @code{cursor-in-non-selected-windows}:
980
981 @defvar cursor-type
982 This buffer-local variable controls how the cursor looks in a selected
983 window showing the buffer. If its value is @code{t}, that means to
984 use the cursor specified by the @code{cursor-type} frame parameter.
985 Otherwise, the value should be one of the cursor types listed above,
986 and it overrides the @code{cursor-type} frame parameter.
987 @end defvar
988
989 @defopt cursor-in-non-selected-windows
990 This buffer-local variable controls how the cursor looks in a window
991 that is not selected. It supports the same values as the
992 @code{cursor-type} frame parameter; also, @code{nil} means don't
993 display a cursor in nonselected windows, and @code{t} (the default)
994 means use a standard modification of the usual cursor type (solid box
995 becomes hollow box, and bar becomes a narrower bar).
996 @end defopt
997
998 @defopt blink-cursor-alist
999 This variable specifies how to blink the cursor. Each element has the
1000 form @code{(@var{on-state} . @var{off-state})}. Whenever the cursor
1001 type equals @var{on-state} (comparing using @code{equal}), the
1002 corresponding @var{off-state} specifies what the cursor looks like
1003 when it blinks ``off''. Both @var{on-state} and @var{off-state}
1004 should be suitable values for the @code{cursor-type} frame parameter.
1005
1006 There are various defaults for how to blink each type of cursor, if
1007 the type is not mentioned as an @var{on-state} here. Changes in this
1008 variable do not take effect immediately, only when you specify the
1009 @code{cursor-type} frame parameter.
1010 @end defopt
1011
1012 @node Font and Color Parameters
1013 @subsubsection Font and Color Parameters
1014 @cindex font and color, frame parameters
1015
1016 These frame parameters control the use of fonts and colors.
1017
1018 @table @code
1019 @vindex font-backend, a frame parameter
1020 @item font-backend
1021 A list of symbols, specifying the @dfn{font backends} to use for
1022 drawing fonts in the frame, in order of priority. On X, there are
1023 currently two available font backends: @code{x} (the X core font
1024 driver) and @code{xft} (the Xft font driver). On MS-Windows, there are
1025 currently two available font backends: @code{gdi} and
1026 @code{uniscribe} (@pxref{Windows Fonts,,, emacs, The GNU Emacs
1027 Manual}). On other systems, there is only one available font backend,
1028 so it does not make sense to modify this frame parameter.
1029
1030 @vindex background-mode, a frame parameter
1031 @item background-mode
1032 This parameter is either @code{dark} or @code{light}, according
1033 to whether the background color is a light one or a dark one.
1034
1035 @vindex tty-color-mode, a frame parameter
1036 @item tty-color-mode
1037 @cindex standard colors for character terminals
1038 This parameter overrides the terminal's color support as given by the
1039 system's terminal capabilities database in that this parameter's value
1040 specifies the color mode to use on a text terminal. The value can be
1041 either a symbol or a number. A number specifies the number of colors
1042 to use (and, indirectly, what commands to issue to produce each
1043 color). For example, @code{(tty-color-mode . 8)} specifies use of the
1044 ANSI escape sequences for 8 standard text colors. A value of -1 turns
1045 off color support.
1046
1047 If the parameter's value is a symbol, it specifies a number through
1048 the value of @code{tty-color-mode-alist}, and the associated number is
1049 used instead.
1050
1051 @vindex screen-gamma, a frame parameter
1052 @item screen-gamma
1053 @cindex gamma correction
1054 If this is a number, Emacs performs ``gamma correction'' which adjusts
1055 the brightness of all colors. The value should be the screen gamma of
1056 your display.
1057
1058 Usual PC monitors have a screen gamma of 2.2, so color values in
1059 Emacs, and in X windows generally, are calibrated to display properly
1060 on a monitor with that gamma value. If you specify 2.2 for
1061 @code{screen-gamma}, that means no correction is needed. Other values
1062 request correction, designed to make the corrected colors appear on
1063 your screen the way they would have appeared without correction on an
1064 ordinary monitor with a gamma value of 2.2.
1065
1066 If your monitor displays colors too light, you should specify a
1067 @code{screen-gamma} value smaller than 2.2. This requests correction
1068 that makes colors darker. A screen gamma value of 1.5 may give good
1069 results for LCD color displays.
1070
1071 @vindex alpha, a frame parameter
1072 @item alpha
1073 @cindex opacity, frame
1074 @cindex transparency, frame
1075 @vindex frame-alpha-lower-limit
1076 This parameter specifies the opacity of the frame, on graphical
1077 displays that support variable opacity. It should be an integer
1078 between 0 and 100, where 0 means completely transparent and 100 means
1079 completely opaque. It can also have a @code{nil} value, which tells
1080 Emacs not to set the frame opacity (leaving it to the window manager).
1081
1082 To prevent the frame from disappearing completely from view, the
1083 variable @code{frame-alpha-lower-limit} defines a lower opacity limit.
1084 If the value of the frame parameter is less than the value of this
1085 variable, Emacs uses the latter. By default,
1086 @code{frame-alpha-lower-limit} is 20.
1087
1088 The @code{alpha} frame parameter can also be a cons cell
1089 @code{(@samp{active} . @samp{inactive})}, where @samp{active} is the
1090 opacity of the frame when it is selected, and @samp{inactive} is the
1091 opacity when it is not selected.
1092 @end table
1093
1094 The following frame parameters are semi-obsolete in that they are
1095 automatically equivalent to particular face attributes of particular
1096 faces (@pxref{Standard Faces,,, emacs, The Emacs Manual}):
1097
1098 @table @code
1099 @vindex font, a frame parameter
1100 @item font
1101 The name of the font for displaying text in the frame. This is a
1102 string, either a valid font name for your system or the name of an Emacs
1103 fontset (@pxref{Fontsets}). It is equivalent to the @code{font}
1104 attribute of the @code{default} face.
1105
1106 @vindex foreground-color, a frame parameter
1107 @item foreground-color
1108 The color to use for the image of a character. It is equivalent to
1109 the @code{:foreground} attribute of the @code{default} face.
1110
1111 @vindex background-color, a frame parameter
1112 @item background-color
1113 The color to use for the background of characters. It is equivalent to
1114 the @code{:background} attribute of the @code{default} face.
1115
1116 @vindex mouse-color, a frame parameter
1117 @item mouse-color
1118 The color for the mouse pointer. It is equivalent to the @code{:background}
1119 attribute of the @code{mouse} face.
1120
1121 @vindex cursor-color, a frame parameter
1122 @item cursor-color
1123 The color for the cursor that shows point. It is equivalent to the
1124 @code{:background} attribute of the @code{cursor} face.
1125
1126 @vindex border-color, a frame parameter
1127 @item border-color
1128 The color for the border of the frame. It is equivalent to the
1129 @code{:background} attribute of the @code{border} face.
1130
1131 @vindex scroll-bar-foreground, a frame parameter
1132 @item scroll-bar-foreground
1133 If non-@code{nil}, the color for the foreground of scroll bars. It is
1134 equivalent to the @code{:foreground} attribute of the
1135 @code{scroll-bar} face.
1136
1137 @vindex scroll-bar-background, a frame parameter
1138 @item scroll-bar-background
1139 If non-@code{nil}, the color for the background of scroll bars. It is
1140 equivalent to the @code{:background} attribute of the
1141 @code{scroll-bar} face.
1142 @end table
1143
1144
1145 @node Size and Position
1146 @subsection Frame Size and Position
1147 @cindex size of frame
1148 @cindex screen size
1149 @cindex frame size
1150 @cindex resize frame
1151
1152 You can read or change the size and position of a frame using the frame
1153 parameters @code{left}, @code{top}, @code{height}, and @code{width}.
1154 Whatever geometry parameters you don't specify are chosen by the window
1155 manager in its usual fashion.
1156
1157 Here are some special features for working with sizes and positions.
1158 Most of the functions described below use a @var{frame} argument which
1159 has to specify a live frame. If omitted or @code{nil}, it specifies the
1160 selected frame, see @ref{Input Focus}.
1161
1162 @defun set-frame-position frame left top
1163 This function sets the position of the top left corner of @var{frame} to
1164 @var{left} and @var{top}. These arguments are measured in pixels, and
1165 normally count from the top left corner of the screen to the top left
1166 corner of the rectangle allotted to the frame by the window manager.
1167
1168 Negative parameter values position the bottom edge of that rectangle up
1169 from the bottom edge of the screen, or the right rectangle edge to the
1170 left of the right edge of the screen. It would probably be better if
1171 the values were always counted from the left and top, so that negative
1172 arguments would position the frame partly off the top or left edge of
1173 the screen, but it seems inadvisable to change that now.
1174 @end defun
1175
1176 @cindex frame default font
1177 @cindex default font of a frame
1178 Each frame has a @dfn{default font} which specifies the canonical height
1179 and width of a character on that frame. The default font is used when
1180 retrieving or changing the size of a frame in terms of columns or lines.
1181 It is also used when resizing (@pxref{Window Sizes}) or splitting
1182 (@pxref{Splitting Windows}) windows.
1183
1184 @defun frame-char-height &optional frame
1185 @defunx frame-char-width &optional frame
1186 These functions return the canonical height and width of a character in
1187 @var{frame}, measured in pixels. Together, these values establish the
1188 size of the default font on @var{frame}. The values depend on the
1189 choice of font for @var{frame}, see @ref{Font and Color Parameters}.
1190 @end defun
1191
1192 The default font can be also set directly with the following function:
1193
1194 @deffn Command set-frame-font font &optional keep-size frames
1195 This sets the default font to @var{font}. When called interactively, it
1196 prompts for the name of a font, and uses that font on the selected
1197 frame. When called from Lisp, @var{font} should be a font name (a
1198 string), a font object, font entity, or a font spec.
1199
1200 If the optional argument @var{keep-size} is @code{nil}, this keeps the
1201 number of frame lines and columns fixed. (If non-@code{nil}, the option
1202 @code{frame-inhibit-implied-resize} described below will override this.)
1203 If @var{keep-size} is non-@code{nil} (or with a prefix argument), it
1204 tries to keep the size of the display area of the current frame fixed by
1205 adjusting the number of lines and columns.
1206
1207 If the optional argument @var{frames} is @code{nil}, this applies the
1208 font to the selected frame only. If @var{frames} is non-@code{nil}, it
1209 should be a list of frames to act upon, or @code{t} meaning all existing
1210 graphical frames.
1211 @end deffn
1212
1213 @cindex frame display area
1214 @cindex display area of a frame
1215 The @dfn{display area} of a frame is a rectangular area within the area
1216 allotted to the frame by the window manager. The display area neither
1217 includes the title bar (@pxref{Frame Titles}) nor any other decorations
1218 provided by the window manager (like an external border used for
1219 resizing frames via mouse dragging).
1220
1221 The actual height of the display area depends on the window-system
1222 and toolkit in use. With GTK+, the display area does not include any
1223 tool bar or menu bar. With the Motif or Lucid toolkits and with
1224 Windows, the display area includes the tool bar but not the menu bar.
1225 In a graphical version with no toolkit, it includes both the tool bar
1226 and menu bar. On a text terminal, the display area includes the menu
1227 bar.
1228
1229 @defun frame-pixel-height &optional frame
1230 @defunx frame-pixel-width &optional frame
1231 These functions return the height and width of the display area of
1232 @var{frame}, measured in pixels. For a text terminal, the results are
1233 in characters rather than pixels.
1234 @end defun
1235
1236 @cindex frame text area
1237 @cindex text area of a frame
1238 The @dfn{text area} of a frame is a concept implicitly used by all
1239 functions that change a frame's height or width. It is a rectangle
1240 located within the display area. Its size is obtained from that of the
1241 display area by subtracting the sizes of any tool or menu bars that are
1242 part of the display area, any internal borders, one vertical and one
1243 horizontal scroll bar, and one left and one right fringe as specified
1244 for this frame, see @ref{Layout Parameters}.
1245
1246 @defun frame-text-height &optional frame
1247 @defunx frame-text-width &optional frame
1248 These functions return the height and width of the text area of
1249 @var{frame}, measured in pixels. For a text terminal, the results are
1250 in characters rather than pixels.
1251
1252 The value returned by @code{frame-text-height} differs from that
1253 returned by @code{frame-pixel-height} by not including the heights of
1254 any tool bar or menu bar, the height of one horizontal scroll bar and
1255 the widths of the internal border.
1256
1257 The value returned by @code{frame-text-width} differs from that returned
1258 by @code{frame-pixel-width} by not including the width of one vertical
1259 scroll bar, the widths of one left and one right fringe and the widths
1260 of the internal border.
1261 @end defun
1262
1263 @defun frame-height &optional frame
1264 @defunx frame-width &optional frame
1265 These functions return the height and width of the text area of
1266 @var{frame}, measured in units of the default font height and width of
1267 @var{frame}. These functions are plain shorthands for writing
1268 @code{(frame-parameter frame 'height)} and @code{(frame-parameter frame
1269 'width)}.
1270
1271 If the text area of @var{frame} measured in pixles is not a multiple of
1272 its default font size, the values returned by this functions are rounded
1273 down to the number of characters of the default font that fully fit into
1274 the text area.
1275 @end defun
1276
1277 @defopt frame-resize-pixelwise
1278 If this option is @code{nil}, a frame's size is usually rounded to a
1279 multiple of the current values of that frame's @code{frame-char-height}
1280 and @code{frame-char-width}. If this is non-@code{nil}, no rounding
1281 occurs, hence frame sizes can increase/decrease by one pixel.
1282
1283 Setting this causes the next resize operation to pass the corresponding
1284 size hints to the window manager. This means that this variable should
1285 be set only in a user's initial file; applications should never bind it
1286 temporarily.
1287
1288 The precise meaning of a value of @code{nil} for this option depends
1289 on the toolkit used. Dragging the frame border with the mouse is usually
1290 done character-wise. Calling @code{set-frame-size} (see below)
1291 with arguments that do not specify the frame size as an integer multiple
1292 of its character size, however, may: be ignored, cause a
1293 rounding (GTK+), or be accepted (Lucid, Motif, MS-Windows).
1294
1295 With some window managers you may have to set this to non-@code{nil} in
1296 order to make a frame appear truly ``maximized'' or ``fullscreen''.
1297 @end defopt
1298
1299 @defun set-frame-size frame width height pixelwise
1300 This function sets the size of the text area of @var{frame}, measured in
1301 characters; @var{width} and @var{height} specify the new width in
1302 columns and the new height in lines.
1303
1304 The optional argument @var{pixelwise} non-@code{nil} means to measure
1305 the new width and height in units of pixels instead. Note that if
1306 @code{frame-resize-pixelwise} is @code{nil}, some toolkits may refuse to
1307 fully honor the request if it does not increase/decrease the frame size
1308 to a multiple of its character size.
1309 @end defun
1310
1311 @defun set-frame-height frame height &optional pretend pixelwise
1312 This function resizes the text area of @var{frame} to a height of
1313 @var{height} lines. The sizes of existing windows in @var{frame} are
1314 altered proportionally to fit.
1315
1316 If @var{pretend} is non-@code{nil}, then Emacs displays @var{height}
1317 lines of output in @var{frame}, but does not change its value for the
1318 actual height of the frame. This is only useful on text terminals.
1319 Using a smaller height than the terminal actually implements may be
1320 useful to reproduce behavior observed on a smaller screen, or if the
1321 terminal malfunctions when using its whole screen. Setting the frame
1322 height ``for real'' does not always work, because knowing the correct
1323 actual size may be necessary for correct cursor positioning on
1324 text terminals.
1325
1326 The optional fourth argument @var{pixelwise} non-@code{nil} means that
1327 @var{frame} should be @var{height} pixels high. Note that if
1328 @code{frame-resize-pixelwise} is @code{nil}, some toolkits may refuse to
1329 fully honor the request if it does not increase/decrease the frame
1330 height to a multiple of its character height.
1331 @end defun
1332
1333 @defun set-frame-width frame width &optional pretend pixelwise
1334 This function sets the width of the text area of @var{frame}, measured
1335 in characters. The argument @var{pretend} has the same meaning as in
1336 @code{set-frame-height}.
1337
1338 The optional fourth argument @var{pixelwise} non-@code{nil} means that
1339 @var{frame} should be @var{width} pixels wide. Note that if
1340 @code{frame-resize-pixelwise} is @code{nil}, some toolkits may refuse to
1341 fully honor the request if it does not increase/decrease the frame width
1342 to a multiple of its character width.
1343 @end defun
1344
1345 None of these three functions will make a frame smaller than needed to
1346 display all of its windows together with their scroll bars, fringes,
1347 margins, dividers, mode and header lines. This contrasts with requests
1348 by the window manager triggered, for example, by dragging the external
1349 border of a frame with the mouse. Such requests are always honored by
1350 clipping, if necessary, portions that cannot be displayed at the right,
1351 bottom corner of the frame.
1352
1353 By default, Emacs tries to keep the number of lines and columns of a
1354 frame's text area unaltered when, for example, adding or removing a menu
1355 bar, changing the default font or setting the width of the frame's
1356 scroll bars. This means, however, that in such case Emacs must ask the
1357 window manager to resize the display area of the frame in order to
1358 accommodate the size change. Note that wrapping a menu or tool bar
1359 usually does not resize the frame's display area, hence this will alter
1360 the number of displayed lines.
1361
1362 Occasionally, such implied resizing of the display area may be
1363 unwanted, for example, when the frame is maximized or made fullscreen
1364 where it's turned off by default. In other cases you can disable
1365 implied resizing with the following option:
1366
1367 @defopt frame-inhibit-implied-resize
1368 If this option is @code{nil}, changing font, menu bar, tool bar,
1369 internal borders, fringes or scroll bars of a specific frame may
1370 implicitly resize the frame's display area in order to preserve the
1371 number of columns or lines the frame displays. If this option is
1372 non-@code{nil}, no implied resizing is done.
1373
1374 The value of this option can be also be a list of frame parameters. In
1375 that case, implied resizing is inhibited when changing a parameter that
1376 appears in this list. The frame parameters currently handled by this
1377 option are: @code{font}, @code{font-backend},
1378 @code{internal-border-width}, @code{menu-bar-lines} and
1379 @code{tool-bar-lines}.
1380
1381 Changing any of the @code{scroll-bar-width}, @code{scroll-bar-height},
1382 @code{vertical-scroll-bars}, @code{horizontal-scroll-bars},
1383 @code{left-fringe} and @code{right-fringe} frame parameters is handled
1384 as if the frame contained just one live window. This means, for
1385 example, that removing vertical scroll bars on a frame containing
1386 several side by side windows will shrink the frame width by the width of
1387 one scroll bar provided this option is @code{nil} and keep it unchanged
1388 if this option is either @code{t} or a list containing
1389 @code{vertical-scroll-bars}.
1390
1391 The default value is @code{'(tool-bar-lines)} for Lucid, Motif and
1392 Windows (which means that adding/removing a tool bar there does not
1393 change the frame height), @code{nil} on all other window systems
1394 including GTK+ (which means that changing any of the parameters listed
1395 above may change the size of the frame), and @code{t} otherwise (which
1396 means the frame size never changes implicitly when there's no window
1397 system support).
1398
1399 Note that when a frame is not large enough to accommodate a change of
1400 any of the parameters listed above, Emacs may try to enlarge the frame
1401 even if this option is non-@code{nil}.
1402 @end defopt
1403
1404 @c FIXME? Belongs more in Emacs manual than here?
1405 @c But, e.g., fit-window-to-buffer is in this manual.
1406 If you have a frame that displays only one window, you can fit that
1407 frame to its buffer using the command @code{fit-frame-to-buffer}.
1408
1409 @deffn Command fit-frame-to-buffer &optional frame max-height min-height max-width min-width only
1410 This command adjusts the size of @var{frame} to display the contents of
1411 its buffer exactly. @var{frame} can be any live frame and defaults to
1412 the selected one. Fitting is done only if @var{frame}'s root window is
1413 live. The arguments @var{max-height}, @var{min-height}, @var{max-width}
1414 and @var{min-width} specify bounds on the new total size of
1415 @var{frame}'s root window. @var{min-height} and @var{min-width} default
1416 to the values of @code{window-min-height} and @code{window-min-width}
1417 respectively.
1418
1419 If the optional argument @var{only} is @code{vertically}, this function
1420 may resize the frame vertically only. If @var{only} is
1421 @code{horizontally}, it may resize the frame horizontally only.
1422 @end deffn
1423
1424 The behavior of @code{fit-frame-to-buffer} can be controlled with the
1425 help of the two options listed next.
1426
1427 @defopt fit-frame-to-buffer-margins
1428 This option can be used to specify margins around frames to be fit by
1429 @code{fit-frame-to-buffer}. Such margins can be useful to avoid, for
1430 example, that such frames overlap the taskbar.
1431
1432 It specifies the numbers of pixels to be left free on the left, above,
1433 the right, and below a frame that shall be fit. The default specifies
1434 @code{nil} for each which means to use no margins. The value specified
1435 here can be overridden for a specific frame by that frame's
1436 @code{fit-frame-to-buffer-margins} parameter, if present.
1437 @end defopt
1438
1439 @defopt fit-frame-to-buffer-sizes
1440 This option specifies size boundaries for @code{fit-frame-to-buffer}.
1441 It specifies the total maximum and minimum lines and maximum and minimum
1442 columns of the root window of any frame that shall be fit to its buffer.
1443 If any of these values is non-@code{nil}, it overrides the corresponding
1444 argument of @code{fit-frame-to-buffer}.
1445 @end defopt
1446
1447
1448 @node Geometry
1449 @subsection Geometry
1450
1451 Here's how to examine the data in an X-style window geometry
1452 specification:
1453
1454 @defun x-parse-geometry geom
1455 @cindex geometry specification
1456 The function @code{x-parse-geometry} converts a standard X window
1457 geometry string to an alist that you can use as part of the argument to
1458 @code{make-frame}.
1459
1460 The alist describes which parameters were specified in @var{geom}, and
1461 gives the values specified for them. Each element looks like
1462 @code{(@var{parameter} . @var{value})}. The possible @var{parameter}
1463 values are @code{left}, @code{top}, @code{width}, and @code{height}.
1464
1465 For the size parameters, the value must be an integer. The position
1466 parameter names @code{left} and @code{top} are not totally accurate,
1467 because some values indicate the position of the right or bottom edges
1468 instead. The @var{value} possibilities for the position parameters are:
1469 an integer, a list @code{(+ @var{pos})}, or a list @code{(- @var{pos})};
1470 as previously described (@pxref{Position Parameters}).
1471
1472 Here is an example:
1473
1474 @example
1475 (x-parse-geometry "35x70+0-0")
1476 @result{} ((height . 70) (width . 35)
1477 (top - 0) (left . 0))
1478 @end example
1479 @end defun
1480
1481 @node Terminal Parameters
1482 @section Terminal Parameters
1483 @cindex terminal parameters
1484
1485 Each terminal has a list of associated parameters. These
1486 @dfn{terminal parameters} are mostly a convenient way of storage for
1487 terminal-local variables, but some terminal parameters have a special
1488 meaning.
1489
1490 This section describes functions to read and change the parameter values
1491 of a terminal. They all accept as their argument either a terminal or
1492 a frame; the latter means use that frame's terminal. An argument of
1493 @code{nil} means the selected frame's terminal.
1494
1495 @defun terminal-parameters &optional terminal
1496 This function returns an alist listing all the parameters of
1497 @var{terminal} and their values.
1498 @end defun
1499
1500 @defun terminal-parameter terminal parameter
1501 This function returns the value of the parameter @var{parameter} (a
1502 symbol) of @var{terminal}. If @var{terminal} has no setting for
1503 @var{parameter}, this function returns @code{nil}.
1504 @end defun
1505
1506 @defun set-terminal-parameter terminal parameter value
1507 This function sets the parameter @var{parm} of @var{terminal} to the
1508 specified @var{value}, and returns the previous value of that
1509 parameter.
1510 @end defun
1511
1512 Here's a list of a few terminal parameters that have a special
1513 meaning:
1514
1515 @table @code
1516 @item background-mode
1517 The classification of the terminal's background color, either
1518 @code{light} or @code{dark}.
1519 @item normal-erase-is-backspace
1520 Value is either 1 or 0, depending on whether
1521 @code{normal-erase-is-backspace-mode} is turned on or off on this
1522 terminal. @xref{DEL Does Not Delete,,, emacs, The Emacs Manual}.
1523 @item terminal-initted
1524 After the terminal is initialized, this is set to the
1525 terminal-specific initialization function.
1526 @item tty-mode-set-strings
1527 When present, a list of strings containing escape sequences that Emacs
1528 will output while configuring a tty for rendering. Emacs emits these
1529 strings only when configuring a terminal: if you want to enable a mode
1530 on a terminal that is already active (for example, while in
1531 @code{tty-setup-hook}), explicitly output the necessary escape
1532 sequence using @code{send-string-to-terminal} in addition to adding
1533 the sequence to @code{tty-mode-set-strings}.
1534 @item tty-mode-reset-strings
1535 When present, a list of strings that undo the effects of the strings
1536 in @code{tty-mode-set-strings}. Emacs emits these strings when
1537 exiting, deleting a terminal, or suspending itself.
1538 @end table
1539
1540 @node Frame Titles
1541 @section Frame Titles
1542 @cindex frame title
1543
1544 Every frame has a @code{name} parameter; this serves as the default
1545 for the frame title which window systems typically display at the top of
1546 the frame. You can specify a name explicitly by setting the @code{name}
1547 frame property.
1548
1549 Normally you don't specify the name explicitly, and Emacs computes the
1550 frame name automatically based on a template stored in the variable
1551 @code{frame-title-format}. Emacs recomputes the name each time the
1552 frame is redisplayed.
1553
1554 @defvar frame-title-format
1555 This variable specifies how to compute a name for a frame when you have
1556 not explicitly specified one. The variable's value is actually a mode
1557 line construct, just like @code{mode-line-format}, except that the
1558 @samp{%c} and @samp{%l} constructs are ignored. @xref{Mode Line
1559 Data}.
1560 @end defvar
1561
1562 @defvar icon-title-format
1563 This variable specifies how to compute the name for an iconified frame,
1564 when you have not explicitly specified the frame title. This title
1565 appears in the icon itself.
1566 @end defvar
1567
1568 @defvar multiple-frames
1569 This variable is set automatically by Emacs. Its value is @code{t} when
1570 there are two or more frames (not counting minibuffer-only frames or
1571 invisible frames). The default value of @code{frame-title-format} uses
1572 @code{multiple-frames} so as to put the buffer name in the frame title
1573 only when there is more than one frame.
1574
1575 The value of this variable is not guaranteed to be accurate except
1576 while processing @code{frame-title-format} or
1577 @code{icon-title-format}.
1578 @end defvar
1579
1580 @node Deleting Frames
1581 @section Deleting Frames
1582 @cindex deleting frames
1583
1584 A @dfn{live frame} is one that has not been deleted. When a frame
1585 is deleted, it is removed from its terminal display, although it may
1586 continue to exist as a Lisp object until there are no more references
1587 to it.
1588
1589 @deffn Command delete-frame &optional frame force
1590 @vindex delete-frame-functions
1591 This function deletes the frame @var{frame}. Unless @var{frame} is a
1592 tooltip, it first runs the hook @code{delete-frame-functions} (each
1593 function gets one argument, @var{frame}). By default, @var{frame} is
1594 the selected frame.
1595
1596 A frame cannot be deleted if its minibuffer is used by other frames.
1597 Normally, you cannot delete a frame if all other frames are invisible,
1598 but if @var{force} is non-@code{nil}, then you are allowed to do so.
1599 @end deffn
1600
1601 @defun frame-live-p frame
1602 The function @code{frame-live-p} returns non-@code{nil} if the frame
1603 @var{frame} has not been deleted. The possible non-@code{nil} return
1604 values are like those of @code{framep}. @xref{Frames}.
1605 @end defun
1606
1607 Some window managers provide a command to delete a window. These work
1608 by sending a special message to the program that operates the window.
1609 When Emacs gets one of these commands, it generates a
1610 @code{delete-frame} event, whose normal definition is a command that
1611 calls the function @code{delete-frame}. @xref{Misc Events}.
1612
1613 @node Finding All Frames
1614 @section Finding All Frames
1615 @cindex frames, scanning all
1616
1617 @defun frame-list
1618 This function returns a list of all the live frames, i.e., those that
1619 have not been deleted. It is analogous to @code{buffer-list} for
1620 buffers, and includes frames on all terminals. The list that you get
1621 is newly created, so modifying the list doesn't have any effect on the
1622 internals of Emacs.
1623 @end defun
1624
1625 @defun visible-frame-list
1626 This function returns a list of just the currently visible frames.
1627 @xref{Visibility of Frames}. Frames on text terminals always count as
1628 ``visible'', even though only the selected one is actually displayed.
1629 @end defun
1630
1631 @defun next-frame &optional frame minibuf
1632 This function lets you cycle conveniently through all the frames on
1633 the current display from an arbitrary starting point. It returns the
1634 ``next'' frame after @var{frame} in the cycle. If @var{frame} is
1635 omitted or @code{nil}, it defaults to the selected frame (@pxref{Input
1636 Focus}).
1637
1638 The second argument, @var{minibuf}, says which frames to consider:
1639
1640 @table @asis
1641 @item @code{nil}
1642 Exclude minibuffer-only frames.
1643 @item @code{visible}
1644 Consider all visible frames.
1645 @item 0
1646 Consider all visible or iconified frames.
1647 @item a window
1648 Consider only the frames using that particular window as their
1649 minibuffer.
1650 @item anything else
1651 Consider all frames.
1652 @end table
1653 @end defun
1654
1655 @defun previous-frame &optional frame minibuf
1656 Like @code{next-frame}, but cycles through all frames in the opposite
1657 direction.
1658 @end defun
1659
1660 See also @code{next-window} and @code{previous-window}, in @ref{Cyclic
1661 Window Ordering}.
1662
1663 @node Minibuffers and Frames
1664 @section Minibuffers and Frames
1665
1666 Normally, each frame has its own minibuffer window at the bottom, which
1667 is used whenever that frame is selected. If the frame has a minibuffer,
1668 you can get it with @code{minibuffer-window} (@pxref{Definition of
1669 minibuffer-window}).
1670
1671 @cindex frame without a minibuffer
1672 However, you can also create a frame with no minibuffer. Such a frame
1673 must use the minibuffer window of some other frame. When you create the
1674 frame, you can explicitly specify the minibuffer window to use (in some
1675 other frame). If you don't, then the minibuffer is found in the frame
1676 which is the value of the variable @code{default-minibuffer-frame}. Its
1677 value should be a frame that does have a minibuffer.
1678
1679 If you use a minibuffer-only frame, you might want that frame to raise
1680 when you enter the minibuffer. If so, set the variable
1681 @code{minibuffer-auto-raise} to @code{t}. @xref{Raising and Lowering}.
1682
1683 @defvar default-minibuffer-frame
1684 This variable specifies the frame to use for the minibuffer window, by
1685 default. It does not affect existing frames. It is always local to
1686 the current terminal and cannot be buffer-local. @xref{Multiple
1687 Terminals}.
1688 @end defvar
1689
1690 @node Input Focus
1691 @section Input Focus
1692 @cindex input focus
1693 @c @cindex selected frame Duplicates selected-frame, same for selected-window.
1694
1695 At any time, one frame in Emacs is the @dfn{selected frame}. The selected
1696 window always resides on the selected frame.
1697
1698 When Emacs displays its frames on several terminals (@pxref{Multiple
1699 Terminals}), each terminal has its own selected frame. But only one
1700 of these is ``@emph{the} selected frame'': it's the frame that belongs
1701 to the terminal from which the most recent input came. That is, when
1702 Emacs runs a command that came from a certain terminal, the selected
1703 frame is the one of that terminal. Since Emacs runs only a single
1704 command at any given time, it needs to consider only one selected
1705 frame at a time; this frame is what we call @dfn{the selected frame}
1706 in this manual. The display on which the selected frame is shown is
1707 the @dfn{selected frame's display}.
1708
1709 @defun selected-frame
1710 This function returns the selected frame.
1711 @end defun
1712
1713 Some window systems and window managers direct keyboard input to the
1714 window object that the mouse is in; others require explicit clicks or
1715 commands to @dfn{shift the focus} to various window objects. Either
1716 way, Emacs automatically keeps track of which frame has the focus. To
1717 explicitly switch to a different frame from a Lisp function, call
1718 @code{select-frame-set-input-focus}.
1719
1720 Lisp programs can also switch frames ``temporarily'' by calling the
1721 function @code{select-frame}. This does not alter the window system's
1722 concept of focus; rather, it escapes from the window manager's control
1723 until that control is somehow reasserted.
1724
1725 When using a text terminal, only one frame can be displayed at a time
1726 on the terminal, so after a call to @code{select-frame}, the next
1727 redisplay actually displays the newly selected frame. This frame
1728 remains selected until a subsequent call to @code{select-frame}. Each
1729 frame on a text terminal has a number which appears in the mode line
1730 before the buffer name (@pxref{Mode Line Variables}).
1731
1732 @defun select-frame-set-input-focus frame &optional norecord
1733 This function selects @var{frame}, raises it (should it happen to be
1734 obscured by other frames) and tries to give it the X server's focus.
1735 On a text terminal, the next redisplay displays the new frame on the
1736 entire terminal screen. The optional argument @var{norecord} has the
1737 same meaning as for @code{select-frame} (see below). The return value
1738 of this function is not significant.
1739 @end defun
1740
1741 @deffn Command select-frame frame &optional norecord
1742 This function selects frame @var{frame}, temporarily disregarding the
1743 focus of the X server if any. The selection of @var{frame} lasts until
1744 the next time the user does something to select a different frame, or
1745 until the next time this function is called. (If you are using a
1746 window system, the previously selected frame may be restored as the
1747 selected frame after return to the command loop, because it still may
1748 have the window system's input focus.)
1749
1750 The specified @var{frame} becomes the selected frame, and its terminal
1751 becomes the selected terminal. This function then calls
1752 @code{select-window} as a subroutine, passing the window selected
1753 within @var{frame} as its first argument and @var{norecord} as its
1754 second argument (hence, if @var{norecord} is non-@code{nil}, this
1755 avoids changing the order of recently selected windows nor the buffer
1756 list). @xref{Selecting Windows}.
1757
1758 This function returns @var{frame}, or @code{nil} if @var{frame} has
1759 been deleted.
1760
1761 In general, you should never use @code{select-frame} in a way that
1762 could switch to a different terminal without switching back when
1763 you're done.
1764 @end deffn
1765
1766 Emacs cooperates with the window system by arranging to select frames as
1767 the server and window manager request. It does so by generating a
1768 special kind of input event, called a @dfn{focus} event, when
1769 appropriate. The command loop handles a focus event by calling
1770 @code{handle-switch-frame}. @xref{Focus Events}.
1771
1772 @deffn Command handle-switch-frame frame
1773 This function handles a focus event by selecting frame @var{frame}.
1774
1775 Focus events normally do their job by invoking this command.
1776 Don't call it for any other reason.
1777 @end deffn
1778
1779 @defun redirect-frame-focus frame &optional focus-frame
1780 This function redirects focus from @var{frame} to @var{focus-frame}.
1781 This means that @var{focus-frame} will receive subsequent keystrokes and
1782 events intended for @var{frame}. After such an event, the value of
1783 @code{last-event-frame} will be @var{focus-frame}. Also, switch-frame
1784 events specifying @var{frame} will instead select @var{focus-frame}.
1785
1786 If @var{focus-frame} is omitted or @code{nil}, that cancels any existing
1787 redirection for @var{frame}, which therefore once again receives its own
1788 events.
1789
1790 One use of focus redirection is for frames that don't have minibuffers.
1791 These frames use minibuffers on other frames. Activating a minibuffer
1792 on another frame redirects focus to that frame. This puts the focus on
1793 the minibuffer's frame, where it belongs, even though the mouse remains
1794 in the frame that activated the minibuffer.
1795
1796 Selecting a frame can also change focus redirections. Selecting frame
1797 @code{bar}, when @code{foo} had been selected, changes any redirections
1798 pointing to @code{foo} so that they point to @code{bar} instead. This
1799 allows focus redirection to work properly when the user switches from
1800 one frame to another using @code{select-window}.
1801
1802 This means that a frame whose focus is redirected to itself is treated
1803 differently from a frame whose focus is not redirected.
1804 @code{select-frame} affects the former but not the latter.
1805
1806 The redirection lasts until @code{redirect-frame-focus} is called to
1807 change it.
1808 @end defun
1809
1810 @defvar focus-in-hook
1811 This is a normal hook run when an Emacs frame gains input focus.
1812 @end defvar
1813
1814 @defvar focus-out-hook
1815 This is a normal hook run when an Emacs frame loses input focus.
1816 @end defvar
1817
1818 @defopt focus-follows-mouse
1819 This option is how you inform Emacs whether the window manager transfers
1820 focus when the user moves the mouse. Non-@code{nil} says that it does.
1821 When this is so, the command @code{other-frame} moves the mouse to a
1822 position consistent with the new selected frame.
1823 @end defopt
1824
1825 @node Visibility of Frames
1826 @section Visibility of Frames
1827 @cindex visible frame
1828 @cindex invisible frame
1829 @cindex iconified frame
1830 @cindex minimized frame
1831 @cindex frame visibility
1832
1833 A frame on a graphical display may be @dfn{visible}, @dfn{invisible},
1834 or @dfn{iconified}. If it is visible, its contents are displayed in
1835 the usual manner. If it is iconified, its contents are not displayed,
1836 but there is a little icon somewhere to bring the frame back into view
1837 (some window managers refer to this state as @dfn{minimized} rather
1838 than @dfn{iconified}, but from Emacs' point of view they are the same
1839 thing). If a frame is invisible, it is not displayed at all.
1840
1841 Visibility is meaningless on text terminals, since only the selected
1842 one is actually displayed in any case.
1843
1844 @defun frame-visible-p frame
1845 This function returns the visibility status of frame @var{frame}. The
1846 value is @code{t} if @var{frame} is visible, @code{nil} if it is
1847 invisible, and @code{icon} if it is iconified.
1848
1849 On a text terminal, all frames are considered ``visible'' for the
1850 purposes of this function, even though only one frame is displayed.
1851 @xref{Raising and Lowering}.
1852 @end defun
1853
1854 @deffn Command iconify-frame &optional frame
1855 This function iconifies frame @var{frame}. If you omit @var{frame}, it
1856 iconifies the selected frame.
1857 @end deffn
1858
1859 @deffn Command make-frame-visible &optional frame
1860 This function makes frame @var{frame} visible. If you omit
1861 @var{frame}, it makes the selected frame visible. This does not raise
1862 the frame, but you can do that with @code{raise-frame} if you wish
1863 (@pxref{Raising and Lowering}).
1864 @end deffn
1865
1866 @deffn Command make-frame-invisible &optional frame force
1867 This function makes frame @var{frame} invisible. If you omit
1868 @var{frame}, it makes the selected frame invisible.
1869
1870 Unless @var{force} is non-@code{nil}, this function refuses to make
1871 @var{frame} invisible if all other frames are invisible..
1872 @end deffn
1873
1874 The visibility status of a frame is also available as a frame
1875 parameter. You can read or change it as such. @xref{Management
1876 Parameters}. The user can also iconify and deiconify frames with the
1877 window manager. This happens below the level at which Emacs can exert
1878 any control, but Emacs does provide events that you can use to keep
1879 track of such changes. @xref{Misc Events}.
1880
1881 @node Raising and Lowering
1882 @section Raising and Lowering Frames
1883
1884 @cindex raising a frame
1885 @cindex lowering a frame
1886 Most window systems use a desktop metaphor. Part of this metaphor
1887 is the idea that system-level windows (e.g., Emacs frames) are
1888 stacked in a notional third dimension perpendicular to the screen
1889 surface. Where two overlap, the one higher up covers the one
1890 underneath. You can @dfn{raise} or @dfn{lower} a frame using the
1891 functions @code{raise-frame} and @code{lower-frame}.
1892
1893 @deffn Command raise-frame &optional frame
1894 This function raises frame @var{frame} (default, the selected frame).
1895 If @var{frame} is invisible or iconified, this makes it visible.
1896 @end deffn
1897
1898 @deffn Command lower-frame &optional frame
1899 This function lowers frame @var{frame} (default, the selected frame).
1900 @end deffn
1901
1902 @defopt minibuffer-auto-raise
1903 If this is non-@code{nil}, activation of the minibuffer raises the frame
1904 that the minibuffer window is in.
1905 @end defopt
1906
1907 On window systems, you can also enable auto-raising (on frame
1908 selection) or auto-lowering (on frame deselection) using frame
1909 parameters. @xref{Management Parameters}.
1910
1911 @cindex top frame
1912 The concept of raising and lowering frames also applies to text
1913 terminal frames. On each text terminal, only the top frame is
1914 displayed at any one time.
1915
1916 @defun tty-top-frame terminal
1917 This function returns the top frame on @var{terminal}. @var{terminal}
1918 should be a terminal object, a frame (meaning that frame's terminal),
1919 or @code{nil} (meaning the selected frame's terminal). If it does not
1920 refer to a text terminal, the return value is @code{nil}.
1921 @end defun
1922
1923 @node Frame Configurations
1924 @section Frame Configurations
1925 @cindex frame configuration
1926
1927 A @dfn{frame configuration} records the current arrangement of frames,
1928 all their properties, and the window configuration of each one.
1929 (@xref{Window Configurations}.)
1930
1931 @defun current-frame-configuration
1932 This function returns a frame configuration list that describes
1933 the current arrangement of frames and their contents.
1934 @end defun
1935
1936 @defun set-frame-configuration configuration &optional nodelete
1937 This function restores the state of frames described in
1938 @var{configuration}. However, this function does not restore deleted
1939 frames.
1940
1941 Ordinarily, this function deletes all existing frames not listed in
1942 @var{configuration}. But if @var{nodelete} is non-@code{nil}, the
1943 unwanted frames are iconified instead.
1944 @end defun
1945
1946 @node Mouse Tracking
1947 @section Mouse Tracking
1948 @cindex mouse tracking
1949 @c @cindex tracking the mouse Duplicates track-mouse
1950
1951 Sometimes it is useful to @dfn{track} the mouse, which means to display
1952 something to indicate where the mouse is and move the indicator as the
1953 mouse moves. For efficient mouse tracking, you need a way to wait until
1954 the mouse actually moves.
1955
1956 The convenient way to track the mouse is to ask for events to represent
1957 mouse motion. Then you can wait for motion by waiting for an event. In
1958 addition, you can easily handle any other sorts of events that may
1959 occur. That is useful, because normally you don't want to track the
1960 mouse forever---only until some other event, such as the release of a
1961 button.
1962
1963 @defspec track-mouse body@dots{}
1964 This special form executes @var{body}, with generation of mouse motion
1965 events enabled. Typically, @var{body} would use @code{read-event} to
1966 read the motion events and modify the display accordingly. @xref{Motion
1967 Events}, for the format of mouse motion events.
1968
1969 The value of @code{track-mouse} is that of the last form in @var{body}.
1970 You should design @var{body} to return when it sees the up-event that
1971 indicates the release of the button, or whatever kind of event means
1972 it is time to stop tracking.
1973 @end defspec
1974
1975 The usual purpose of tracking mouse motion is to indicate on the screen
1976 the consequences of pushing or releasing a button at the current
1977 position.
1978
1979 In many cases, you can avoid the need to track the mouse by using
1980 the @code{mouse-face} text property (@pxref{Special Properties}).
1981 That works at a much lower level and runs more smoothly than
1982 Lisp-level mouse tracking.
1983
1984 @ignore
1985 @c These are not implemented yet.
1986
1987 These functions change the screen appearance instantaneously. The
1988 effect is transient, only until the next ordinary Emacs redisplay. That
1989 is OK for mouse tracking, since it doesn't make sense for mouse tracking
1990 to change the text, and the body of @code{track-mouse} normally reads
1991 the events itself and does not do redisplay.
1992
1993 @defun x-contour-region window beg end
1994 This function draws lines to make a box around the text from @var{beg}
1995 to @var{end}, in window @var{window}.
1996 @end defun
1997
1998 @defun x-uncontour-region window beg end
1999 This function erases the lines that would make a box around the text
2000 from @var{beg} to @var{end}, in window @var{window}. Use it to remove
2001 a contour that you previously made by calling @code{x-contour-region}.
2002 @end defun
2003
2004 @defun x-draw-rectangle frame left top right bottom
2005 This function draws a hollow rectangle on frame @var{frame} with the
2006 specified edge coordinates, all measured in pixels from the inside top
2007 left corner. It uses the cursor color, the one used for indicating the
2008 location of point.
2009 @end defun
2010
2011 @defun x-erase-rectangle frame left top right bottom
2012 This function erases a hollow rectangle on frame @var{frame} with the
2013 specified edge coordinates, all measured in pixels from the inside top
2014 left corner. Erasure means redrawing the text and background that
2015 normally belong in the specified rectangle.
2016 @end defun
2017 @end ignore
2018
2019 @node Mouse Position
2020 @section Mouse Position
2021 @cindex mouse position
2022 @cindex position of mouse
2023
2024 The functions @code{mouse-position} and @code{set-mouse-position}
2025 give access to the current position of the mouse.
2026
2027 @defun mouse-position
2028 This function returns a description of the position of the mouse. The
2029 value looks like @code{(@var{frame} @var{x} . @var{y})}, where @var{x}
2030 and @var{y} are integers giving the position in characters relative to
2031 the top left corner of the inside of @var{frame}.
2032 @end defun
2033
2034 @defvar mouse-position-function
2035 If non-@code{nil}, the value of this variable is a function for
2036 @code{mouse-position} to call. @code{mouse-position} calls this
2037 function just before returning, with its normal return value as the
2038 sole argument, and it returns whatever this function returns to it.
2039
2040 This abnormal hook exists for the benefit of packages like
2041 @file{xt-mouse.el} that need to do mouse handling at the Lisp level.
2042 @end defvar
2043
2044 @defun set-mouse-position frame x y
2045 This function @dfn{warps the mouse} to position @var{x}, @var{y} in
2046 frame @var{frame}. The arguments @var{x} and @var{y} are integers,
2047 giving the position in characters relative to the top left corner of the
2048 inside of @var{frame}. If @var{frame} is not visible, this function
2049 does nothing. The return value is not significant.
2050 @end defun
2051
2052 @defun mouse-pixel-position
2053 This function is like @code{mouse-position} except that it returns
2054 coordinates in units of pixels rather than units of characters.
2055 @end defun
2056
2057 @defun set-mouse-pixel-position frame x y
2058 This function warps the mouse like @code{set-mouse-position} except that
2059 @var{x} and @var{y} are in units of pixels rather than units of
2060 characters. These coordinates are not required to be within the frame.
2061
2062 If @var{frame} is not visible, this function does nothing. The return
2063 value is not significant.
2064 @end defun
2065
2066 @defun frame-pointer-visible-p &optional frame
2067 This predicate function returns non-@code{nil} if the mouse pointer
2068 displayed on @var{frame} is visible; otherwise it returns @code{nil}.
2069 @var{frame} omitted or @code{nil} means the selected frame. This is
2070 useful when @code{make-pointer-invisible} is set to @code{t}: it
2071 allows to know if the pointer has been hidden.
2072 @xref{Mouse Avoidance,,,emacs, The Emacs Manual}.
2073 @end defun
2074
2075 @need 3000
2076
2077 @node Pop-Up Menus
2078 @section Pop-Up Menus
2079 @cindex menus, popup
2080
2081 A Lisp program can pop up a menu so that the user can choose an
2082 alternative with the mouse. On a text terminal, if the mouse is not
2083 available, the user can choose an alternative using the keyboard
2084 motion keys---@kbd{C-n}, @kbd{C-p}, or up- and down-arrow keys.
2085
2086 @defun x-popup-menu position menu
2087 This function displays a pop-up menu and returns an indication of
2088 what selection the user makes.
2089
2090 The argument @var{position} specifies where on the screen to put the
2091 top left corner of the menu. It can be either a mouse button event
2092 (which says to put the menu where the user actuated the button) or a
2093 list of this form:
2094
2095 @example
2096 ((@var{xoffset} @var{yoffset}) @var{window})
2097 @end example
2098
2099 @noindent
2100 where @var{xoffset} and @var{yoffset} are coordinates, measured in
2101 pixels, counting from the top left corner of @var{window}. @var{window}
2102 may be a window or a frame.
2103
2104 If @var{position} is @code{t}, it means to use the current mouse
2105 position (or the top-left corner of the frame if the mouse is not
2106 available on a text terminal). If @var{position} is @code{nil}, it
2107 means to precompute the key binding equivalents for the keymaps
2108 specified in @var{menu}, without actually displaying or popping up the
2109 menu.
2110
2111 The argument @var{menu} says what to display in the menu. It can be a
2112 keymap or a list of keymaps (@pxref{Menu Keymaps}). In this case, the
2113 return value is the list of events corresponding to the user's choice.
2114 This list has more than one element if the choice occurred in a
2115 submenu. (Note that @code{x-popup-menu} does not actually execute the
2116 command bound to that sequence of events.) On text terminals and
2117 toolkits that support menu titles, the title is taken from the prompt
2118 string of @var{menu} if @var{menu} is a keymap, or from the prompt
2119 string of the first keymap in @var{menu} if it is a list of keymaps
2120 (@pxref{Defining Menus}).
2121
2122 Alternatively, @var{menu} can have the following form:
2123
2124 @example
2125 (@var{title} @var{pane1} @var{pane2}...)
2126 @end example
2127
2128 @noindent
2129 where each pane is a list of form
2130
2131 @example
2132 (@var{title} @var{item1} @var{item2}...)
2133 @end example
2134
2135 Each @var{item} should be a cons cell, @code{(@var{line} . @var{value})},
2136 where @var{line} is a string and @var{value} is the value to return if
2137 that @var{line} is chosen. Unlike in a menu keymap, a @code{nil}
2138 @var{value} does not make the menu item non-selectable.
2139 Alternatively, each @var{item} can be a string rather than a cons
2140 cell; this makes a non-selectable menu item.
2141
2142 If the user gets rid of the menu without making a valid choice, for
2143 instance by clicking the mouse away from a valid choice or by typing
2144 @kbd{C-g}, then this normally results in a quit and
2145 @code{x-popup-menu} does not return. But if @var{position} is a mouse
2146 button event (indicating that the user invoked the menu with the
2147 mouse) then no quit occurs and @code{x-popup-menu} returns @code{nil}.
2148 @end defun
2149
2150 @strong{Usage note:} Don't use @code{x-popup-menu} to display a menu
2151 if you could do the job with a prefix key defined with a menu keymap.
2152 If you use a menu keymap to implement a menu, @kbd{C-h c} and @kbd{C-h
2153 a} can see the individual items in that menu and provide help for them.
2154 If instead you implement the menu by defining a command that calls
2155 @code{x-popup-menu}, the help facilities cannot know what happens inside
2156 that command, so they cannot give any help for the menu's items.
2157
2158 The menu bar mechanism, which lets you switch between submenus by
2159 moving the mouse, cannot look within the definition of a command to see
2160 that it calls @code{x-popup-menu}. Therefore, if you try to implement a
2161 submenu using @code{x-popup-menu}, it cannot work with the menu bar in
2162 an integrated fashion. This is why all menu bar submenus are
2163 implemented with menu keymaps within the parent menu, and never with
2164 @code{x-popup-menu}. @xref{Menu Bar}.
2165
2166 If you want a menu bar submenu to have contents that vary, you should
2167 still use a menu keymap to implement it. To make the contents vary, add
2168 a hook function to @code{menu-bar-update-hook} to update the contents of
2169 the menu keymap as necessary.
2170
2171 @node Dialog Boxes
2172 @section Dialog Boxes
2173 @cindex dialog boxes
2174
2175 A dialog box is a variant of a pop-up menu---it looks a little
2176 different, it always appears in the center of a frame, and it has just
2177 one level and one or more buttons. The main use of dialog boxes is
2178 for asking questions that the user can answer with ``yes'', ``no'',
2179 and a few other alternatives. With a single button, they can also
2180 force the user to acknowledge important information. The functions
2181 @code{y-or-n-p} and @code{yes-or-no-p} use dialog boxes instead of the
2182 keyboard, when called from commands invoked by mouse clicks.
2183
2184 @defun x-popup-dialog position contents &optional header
2185 This function displays a pop-up dialog box and returns an indication of
2186 what selection the user makes. The argument @var{contents} specifies
2187 the alternatives to offer; it has this format:
2188
2189 @example
2190 (@var{title} (@var{string} . @var{value})@dots{})
2191 @end example
2192
2193 @noindent
2194 which looks like the list that specifies a single pane for
2195 @code{x-popup-menu}.
2196
2197 The return value is @var{value} from the chosen alternative.
2198
2199 As for @code{x-popup-menu}, an element of the list may be just a
2200 string instead of a cons cell @code{(@var{string} . @var{value})}.
2201 That makes a box that cannot be selected.
2202
2203 If @code{nil} appears in the list, it separates the left-hand items from
2204 the right-hand items; items that precede the @code{nil} appear on the
2205 left, and items that follow the @code{nil} appear on the right. If you
2206 don't include a @code{nil} in the list, then approximately half the
2207 items appear on each side.
2208
2209 Dialog boxes always appear in the center of a frame; the argument
2210 @var{position} specifies which frame. The possible values are as in
2211 @code{x-popup-menu}, but the precise coordinates or the individual
2212 window don't matter; only the frame matters.
2213
2214 If @var{header} is non-@code{nil}, the frame title for the box is
2215 @samp{Information}, otherwise it is @samp{Question}. The former is used
2216 for @code{message-box} (@pxref{message-box}). (On text terminals, the
2217 box title is not displayed.)
2218
2219 In some configurations, Emacs cannot display a real dialog box; so
2220 instead it displays the same items in a pop-up menu in the center of the
2221 frame.
2222
2223 If the user gets rid of the dialog box without making a valid choice,
2224 for instance using the window manager, then this produces a quit and
2225 @code{x-popup-dialog} does not return.
2226 @end defun
2227
2228 @node Pointer Shape
2229 @section Pointer Shape
2230 @cindex pointer shape
2231 @cindex mouse pointer shape
2232
2233 You can specify the mouse pointer style for particular text or
2234 images using the @code{pointer} text property, and for images with the
2235 @code{:pointer} and @code{:map} image properties. The values you can
2236 use in these properties are @code{text} (or @code{nil}), @code{arrow},
2237 @code{hand}, @code{vdrag}, @code{hdrag}, @code{modeline}, and
2238 @code{hourglass}. @code{text} stands for the usual mouse pointer
2239 style used over text.
2240
2241 Over void parts of the window (parts that do not correspond to any
2242 of the buffer contents), the mouse pointer usually uses the
2243 @code{arrow} style, but you can specify a different style (one of
2244 those above) by setting @code{void-text-area-pointer}.
2245
2246 @defopt void-text-area-pointer
2247 This variable specifies the mouse pointer style for void text areas.
2248 These include the areas after the end of a line or below the last line
2249 in the buffer. The default is to use the @code{arrow} (non-text)
2250 pointer style.
2251 @end defopt
2252
2253 When using X, you can specify what the @code{text} pointer style
2254 really looks like by setting the variable @code{x-pointer-shape}.
2255
2256 @defvar x-pointer-shape
2257 This variable specifies the pointer shape to use ordinarily in the
2258 Emacs frame, for the @code{text} pointer style.
2259 @end defvar
2260
2261 @defvar x-sensitive-text-pointer-shape
2262 This variable specifies the pointer shape to use when the mouse
2263 is over mouse-sensitive text.
2264 @end defvar
2265
2266 These variables affect newly created frames. They do not normally
2267 affect existing frames; however, if you set the mouse color of a
2268 frame, that also installs the current value of those two variables.
2269 @xref{Font and Color Parameters}.
2270
2271 The values you can use, to specify either of these pointer shapes, are
2272 defined in the file @file{lisp/term/x-win.el}. Use @kbd{M-x apropos
2273 @key{RET} x-pointer @key{RET}} to see a list of them.
2274
2275 @node Window System Selections
2276 @section Window System Selections
2277 @cindex selection (for window systems)
2278 @cindex clipboard
2279 @cindex primary selection
2280 @cindex secondary selection
2281
2282 In the X window system, data can be transferred between different
2283 applications by means of @dfn{selections}. X defines an arbitrary
2284 number of @dfn{selection types}, each of which can store its own data;
2285 however, only three are commonly used: the @dfn{clipboard},
2286 @dfn{primary selection}, and @dfn{secondary selection}. @xref{Cut and
2287 Paste,, Cut and Paste, emacs, The GNU Emacs Manual}, for Emacs
2288 commands that make use of these selections. This section documents
2289 the low-level functions for reading and setting X selections.
2290
2291 @deffn Command x-set-selection type data
2292 This function sets an X selection. It takes two arguments: a
2293 selection type @var{type}, and the value to assign to it, @var{data}.
2294
2295 @var{type} should be a symbol; it is usually one of @code{PRIMARY},
2296 @code{SECONDARY} or @code{CLIPBOARD}. These are symbols with
2297 upper-case names, in accord with X Window System conventions. If
2298 @var{type} is @code{nil}, that stands for @code{PRIMARY}.
2299
2300 If @var{data} is @code{nil}, it means to clear out the selection.
2301 Otherwise, @var{data} may be a string, a symbol, an integer (or a cons
2302 of two integers or list of two integers), an overlay, or a cons of two
2303 markers pointing to the same buffer. An overlay or a pair of markers
2304 stands for text in the overlay or between the markers. The argument
2305 @var{data} may also be a vector of valid non-vector selection values.
2306
2307 This function returns @var{data}.
2308 @end deffn
2309
2310 @defun x-get-selection &optional type data-type
2311 This function accesses selections set up by Emacs or by other X
2312 clients. It takes two optional arguments, @var{type} and
2313 @var{data-type}. The default for @var{type}, the selection type, is
2314 @code{PRIMARY}.
2315
2316 The @var{data-type} argument specifies the form of data conversion to
2317 use, to convert the raw data obtained from another X client into Lisp
2318 data. Meaningful values include @code{TEXT}, @code{STRING},
2319 @code{UTF8_STRING}, @code{TARGETS}, @code{LENGTH}, @code{DELETE},
2320 @code{FILE_NAME}, @code{CHARACTER_POSITION}, @code{NAME},
2321 @code{LINE_NUMBER}, @code{COLUMN_NUMBER}, @code{OWNER_OS},
2322 @code{HOST_NAME}, @code{USER}, @code{CLASS}, @code{ATOM}, and
2323 @code{INTEGER}. (These are symbols with upper-case names in accord
2324 with X conventions.) The default for @var{data-type} is
2325 @code{STRING}.
2326 @end defun
2327
2328 @defopt selection-coding-system
2329 This variable specifies the coding system to use when reading and
2330 writing selections or the clipboard. @xref{Coding
2331 Systems}. The default is @code{compound-text-with-extensions}, which
2332 converts to the text representation that X11 normally uses.
2333 @end defopt
2334
2335 @cindex clipboard support (for MS-Windows)
2336 When Emacs runs on MS-Windows, it does not implement X selections in
2337 general, but it does support the clipboard. @code{x-get-selection}
2338 and @code{x-set-selection} on MS-Windows support the text data type
2339 only; if the clipboard holds other types of data, Emacs treats the
2340 clipboard as empty.
2341
2342 @node Drag and Drop
2343 @section Drag and Drop
2344 @cindex drag and drop
2345
2346 @vindex x-dnd-test-function
2347 @vindex x-dnd-known-types
2348 When a user drags something from another application over Emacs, that other
2349 application expects Emacs to tell it if Emacs can handle the data that is
2350 dragged. The variable @code{x-dnd-test-function} is used by Emacs to determine
2351 what to reply. The default value is @code{x-dnd-default-test-function}
2352 which accepts drops if the type of the data to be dropped is present in
2353 @code{x-dnd-known-types}. You can customize @code{x-dnd-test-function} and/or
2354 @code{x-dnd-known-types} if you want Emacs to accept or reject drops based
2355 on some other criteria.
2356
2357 @vindex x-dnd-types-alist
2358 If you want to change the way Emacs handles drop of different types
2359 or add a new type, customize @code{x-dnd-types-alist}. This requires
2360 detailed knowledge of what types other applications use for drag and
2361 drop.
2362
2363 @vindex dnd-protocol-alist
2364 When an URL is dropped on Emacs it may be a file, but it may also be
2365 another URL type (ftp, http, etc.). Emacs first checks
2366 @code{dnd-protocol-alist} to determine what to do with the URL@. If
2367 there is no match there and if @code{browse-url-browser-function} is
2368 an alist, Emacs looks for a match there. If no match is found the
2369 text for the URL is inserted. If you want to alter Emacs behavior,
2370 you can customize these variables.
2371
2372 @node Color Names
2373 @section Color Names
2374
2375 @cindex color names
2376 @cindex specify color
2377 @cindex numerical RGB color specification
2378 A color name is text (usually in a string) that specifies a color.
2379 Symbolic names such as @samp{black}, @samp{white}, @samp{red}, etc.,
2380 are allowed; use @kbd{M-x list-colors-display} to see a list of
2381 defined names. You can also specify colors numerically in forms such
2382 as @samp{#@var{rgb}} and @samp{RGB:@var{r}/@var{g}/@var{b}}, where
2383 @var{r} specifies the red level, @var{g} specifies the green level,
2384 and @var{b} specifies the blue level. You can use either one, two,
2385 three, or four hex digits for @var{r}; then you must use the same
2386 number of hex digits for all @var{g} and @var{b} as well, making
2387 either 3, 6, 9 or 12 hex digits in all. (See the documentation of the
2388 X Window System for more details about numerical RGB specification of
2389 colors.)
2390
2391 These functions provide a way to determine which color names are
2392 valid, and what they look like. In some cases, the value depends on the
2393 @dfn{selected frame}, as described below; see @ref{Input Focus}, for the
2394 meaning of the term ``selected frame''.
2395
2396 To read user input of color names with completion, use
2397 @code{read-color} (@pxref{High-Level Completion, read-color}).
2398
2399 @defun color-defined-p color &optional frame
2400 This function reports whether a color name is meaningful. It returns
2401 @code{t} if so; otherwise, @code{nil}. The argument @var{frame} says
2402 which frame's display to ask about; if @var{frame} is omitted or
2403 @code{nil}, the selected frame is used.
2404
2405 Note that this does not tell you whether the display you are using
2406 really supports that color. When using X, you can ask for any defined
2407 color on any kind of display, and you will get some result---typically,
2408 the closest it can do. To determine whether a frame can really display
2409 a certain color, use @code{color-supported-p} (see below).
2410
2411 @findex x-color-defined-p
2412 This function used to be called @code{x-color-defined-p},
2413 and that name is still supported as an alias.
2414 @end defun
2415
2416 @defun defined-colors &optional frame
2417 This function returns a list of the color names that are defined
2418 and supported on frame @var{frame} (default, the selected frame).
2419 If @var{frame} does not support colors, the value is @code{nil}.
2420
2421 @findex x-defined-colors
2422 This function used to be called @code{x-defined-colors},
2423 and that name is still supported as an alias.
2424 @end defun
2425
2426 @defun color-supported-p color &optional frame background-p
2427 This returns @code{t} if @var{frame} can really display the color
2428 @var{color} (or at least something close to it). If @var{frame} is
2429 omitted or @code{nil}, the question applies to the selected frame.
2430
2431 Some terminals support a different set of colors for foreground and
2432 background. If @var{background-p} is non-@code{nil}, that means you are
2433 asking whether @var{color} can be used as a background; otherwise you
2434 are asking whether it can be used as a foreground.
2435
2436 The argument @var{color} must be a valid color name.
2437 @end defun
2438
2439 @defun color-gray-p color &optional frame
2440 This returns @code{t} if @var{color} is a shade of gray, as defined on
2441 @var{frame}'s display. If @var{frame} is omitted or @code{nil}, the
2442 question applies to the selected frame. If @var{color} is not a valid
2443 color name, this function returns @code{nil}.
2444 @end defun
2445
2446 @defun color-values color &optional frame
2447 @cindex rgb value
2448 This function returns a value that describes what @var{color} should
2449 ideally look like on @var{frame}. If @var{color} is defined, the
2450 value is a list of three integers, which give the amount of red, the
2451 amount of green, and the amount of blue. Each integer ranges in
2452 principle from 0 to 65535, but some displays may not use the full
2453 range. This three-element list is called the @dfn{rgb values} of the
2454 color.
2455
2456 If @var{color} is not defined, the value is @code{nil}.
2457
2458 @example
2459 (color-values "black")
2460 @result{} (0 0 0)
2461 (color-values "white")
2462 @result{} (65280 65280 65280)
2463 (color-values "red")
2464 @result{} (65280 0 0)
2465 (color-values "pink")
2466 @result{} (65280 49152 51968)
2467 (color-values "hungry")
2468 @result{} nil
2469 @end example
2470
2471 The color values are returned for @var{frame}'s display. If
2472 @var{frame} is omitted or @code{nil}, the information is returned for
2473 the selected frame's display. If the frame cannot display colors, the
2474 value is @code{nil}.
2475
2476 @findex x-color-values
2477 This function used to be called @code{x-color-values},
2478 and that name is still supported as an alias.
2479 @end defun
2480
2481 @node Text Terminal Colors
2482 @section Text Terminal Colors
2483 @cindex colors on text terminals
2484
2485 Text terminals usually support only a small number of colors, and
2486 the computer uses small integers to select colors on the terminal.
2487 This means that the computer cannot reliably tell what the selected
2488 color looks like; instead, you have to inform your application which
2489 small integers correspond to which colors. However, Emacs does know
2490 the standard set of colors and will try to use them automatically.
2491
2492 The functions described in this section control how terminal colors
2493 are used by Emacs.
2494
2495 Several of these functions use or return @dfn{rgb values}, described
2496 in @ref{Color Names}.
2497
2498 These functions accept a display (either a frame or the name of a
2499 terminal) as an optional argument. We hope in the future to make
2500 Emacs support different colors on different text terminals; then this
2501 argument will specify which terminal to operate on (the default being
2502 the selected frame's terminal; @pxref{Input Focus}). At present,
2503 though, the @var{frame} argument has no effect.
2504
2505 @defun tty-color-define name number &optional rgb frame
2506 This function associates the color name @var{name} with
2507 color number @var{number} on the terminal.
2508
2509 The optional argument @var{rgb}, if specified, is an rgb value, a list
2510 of three numbers that specify what the color actually looks like.
2511 If you do not specify @var{rgb}, then this color cannot be used by
2512 @code{tty-color-approximate} to approximate other colors, because
2513 Emacs will not know what it looks like.
2514 @end defun
2515
2516 @defun tty-color-clear &optional frame
2517 This function clears the table of defined colors for a text terminal.
2518 @end defun
2519
2520 @defun tty-color-alist &optional frame
2521 This function returns an alist recording the known colors supported by
2522 a text terminal.
2523
2524 Each element has the form @code{(@var{name} @var{number} . @var{rgb})}
2525 or @code{(@var{name} @var{number})}. Here, @var{name} is the color
2526 name, @var{number} is the number used to specify it to the terminal.
2527 If present, @var{rgb} is a list of three color values (for red, green,
2528 and blue) that says what the color actually looks like.
2529 @end defun
2530
2531 @defun tty-color-approximate rgb &optional frame
2532 This function finds the closest color, among the known colors
2533 supported for @var{display}, to that described by the rgb value
2534 @var{rgb} (a list of color values). The return value is an element of
2535 @code{tty-color-alist}.
2536 @end defun
2537
2538 @defun tty-color-translate color &optional frame
2539 This function finds the closest color to @var{color} among the known
2540 colors supported for @var{display} and returns its index (an integer).
2541 If the name @var{color} is not defined, the value is @code{nil}.
2542 @end defun
2543
2544 @node Resources
2545 @section X Resources
2546
2547 This section describes some of the functions and variables for
2548 querying and using X resources, or their equivalent on your operating
2549 system. @xref{X Resources,, X Resources, emacs, The GNU Emacs
2550 Manual}, for more information about X resources.
2551
2552 @defun x-get-resource attribute class &optional component subclass
2553 The function @code{x-get-resource} retrieves a resource value from the X
2554 Window defaults database.
2555
2556 Resources are indexed by a combination of a @dfn{key} and a @dfn{class}.
2557 This function searches using a key of the form
2558 @samp{@var{instance}.@var{attribute}} (where @var{instance} is the name
2559 under which Emacs was invoked), and using @samp{Emacs.@var{class}} as
2560 the class.
2561
2562 The optional arguments @var{component} and @var{subclass} add to the key
2563 and the class, respectively. You must specify both of them or neither.
2564 If you specify them, the key is
2565 @samp{@var{instance}.@var{component}.@var{attribute}}, and the class is
2566 @samp{Emacs.@var{class}.@var{subclass}}.
2567 @end defun
2568
2569 @defvar x-resource-class
2570 This variable specifies the application name that @code{x-get-resource}
2571 should look up. The default value is @code{"Emacs"}. You can examine X
2572 resources for application names other than ``Emacs'' by binding this
2573 variable to some other string, around a call to @code{x-get-resource}.
2574 @end defvar
2575
2576 @defvar x-resource-name
2577 This variable specifies the instance name that @code{x-get-resource}
2578 should look up. The default value is the name Emacs was invoked with,
2579 or the value specified with the @samp{-name} or @samp{-rn} switches.
2580 @end defvar
2581
2582 To illustrate some of the above, suppose that you have the line:
2583
2584 @example
2585 xterm.vt100.background: yellow
2586 @end example
2587
2588 @noindent
2589 in your X resources file (whose name is usually @file{~/.Xdefaults}
2590 or @file{~/.Xresources}). Then:
2591
2592 @example
2593 @group
2594 (let ((x-resource-class "XTerm") (x-resource-name "xterm"))
2595 (x-get-resource "vt100.background" "VT100.Background"))
2596 @result{} "yellow"
2597 @end group
2598 @group
2599 (let ((x-resource-class "XTerm") (x-resource-name "xterm"))
2600 (x-get-resource "background" "VT100" "vt100" "Background"))
2601 @result{} "yellow"
2602 @end group
2603 @end example
2604
2605 @defvar inhibit-x-resources
2606 If this variable is non-@code{nil}, Emacs does not look up X
2607 resources, and X resources do not have any effect when creating new
2608 frames.
2609 @end defvar
2610
2611 @node Display Feature Testing
2612 @section Display Feature Testing
2613 @cindex display feature testing
2614
2615 The functions in this section describe the basic capabilities of a
2616 particular display. Lisp programs can use them to adapt their behavior
2617 to what the display can do. For example, a program that ordinarily uses
2618 a popup menu could use the minibuffer if popup menus are not supported.
2619
2620 The optional argument @var{display} in these functions specifies which
2621 display to ask the question about. It can be a display name, a frame
2622 (which designates the display that frame is on), or @code{nil} (which
2623 refers to the selected frame's display, @pxref{Input Focus}).
2624
2625 @xref{Color Names}, @ref{Text Terminal Colors}, for other functions to
2626 obtain information about displays.
2627
2628 @defun display-popup-menus-p &optional display
2629 This function returns @code{t} if popup menus are supported on
2630 @var{display}, @code{nil} if not. Support for popup menus requires
2631 that the mouse be available, since the menu is popped up by clicking
2632 the mouse on some portion of the Emacs display.
2633 @end defun
2634
2635 @defun display-graphic-p &optional display
2636 This function returns @code{t} if @var{display} is a graphic display
2637 capable of displaying several frames and several different fonts at
2638 once. This is true for displays that use a window system such as X,
2639 and false for text terminals.
2640 @end defun
2641
2642 @defun display-mouse-p &optional display
2643 @cindex mouse, availability
2644 This function returns @code{t} if @var{display} has a mouse available,
2645 @code{nil} if not.
2646 @end defun
2647
2648 @defun display-color-p &optional display
2649 @findex x-display-color-p
2650 This function returns @code{t} if the screen is a color screen.
2651 It used to be called @code{x-display-color-p}, and that name
2652 is still supported as an alias.
2653 @end defun
2654
2655 @defun display-grayscale-p &optional display
2656 This function returns @code{t} if the screen can display shades of gray.
2657 (All color displays can do this.)
2658 @end defun
2659
2660 @defun display-supports-face-attributes-p attributes &optional display
2661 @anchor{Display Face Attribute Testing}
2662 This function returns non-@code{nil} if all the face attributes in
2663 @var{attributes} are supported (@pxref{Face Attributes}).
2664
2665 The definition of `supported' is somewhat heuristic, but basically
2666 means that a face containing all the attributes in @var{attributes},
2667 when merged with the default face for display, can be represented in a
2668 way that's
2669
2670 @enumerate
2671 @item
2672 different in appearance than the default face, and
2673
2674 @item
2675 `close in spirit' to what the attributes specify, if not exact.
2676 @end enumerate
2677
2678 Point (2) implies that a @code{:weight black} attribute will be
2679 satisfied by any display that can display bold, as will
2680 @code{:foreground "yellow"} as long as some yellowish color can be
2681 displayed, but @code{:slant italic} will @emph{not} be satisfied by
2682 the tty display code's automatic substitution of a `dim' face for
2683 italic.
2684 @end defun
2685
2686 @defun display-selections-p &optional display
2687 This function returns @code{t} if @var{display} supports selections.
2688 Windowed displays normally support selections, but they may also be
2689 supported in some other cases.
2690 @end defun
2691
2692 @defun display-images-p &optional display
2693 This function returns @code{t} if @var{display} can display images.
2694 Windowed displays ought in principle to handle images, but some
2695 systems lack the support for that. On a display that does not support
2696 images, Emacs cannot display a tool bar.
2697 @end defun
2698
2699 @defun display-screens &optional display
2700 This function returns the number of screens associated with the display.
2701 @end defun
2702
2703 @defun display-pixel-height &optional display
2704 This function returns the height of the screen in pixels.
2705 On a character terminal, it gives the height in characters.
2706
2707 For graphical terminals, note that on ``multi-monitor'' setups this
2708 refers to the pixel height for all physical monitors associated with
2709 @var{display}. @xref{Multiple Terminals}.
2710 @end defun
2711
2712 @defun display-pixel-width &optional display
2713 This function returns the width of the screen in pixels.
2714 On a character terminal, it gives the width in characters.
2715
2716 For graphical terminals, note that on ``multi-monitor'' setups this
2717 refers to the pixel width for all physical monitors associated with
2718 @var{display}. @xref{Multiple Terminals}.
2719 @end defun
2720
2721 @defun display-mm-height &optional display
2722 This function returns the height of the screen in millimeters,
2723 or @code{nil} if Emacs cannot get that information.
2724
2725 For graphical terminals, note that on ``multi-monitor'' setups this
2726 refers to the height for all physical monitors associated with
2727 @var{display}. @xref{Multiple Terminals}.
2728 @end defun
2729
2730 @defun display-mm-width &optional display
2731 This function returns the width of the screen in millimeters,
2732 or @code{nil} if Emacs cannot get that information.
2733
2734 For graphical terminals, note that on ``multi-monitor'' setups this
2735 refers to the width for all physical monitors associated with
2736 @var{display}. @xref{Multiple Terminals}.
2737 @end defun
2738
2739 @defopt display-mm-dimensions-alist
2740 This variable allows the user to specify the dimensions of graphical
2741 displays returned by @code{display-mm-height} and
2742 @code{display-mm-width} in case the system provides incorrect values.
2743 @end defopt
2744
2745 @cindex backing store
2746 @defun display-backing-store &optional display
2747 This function returns the backing store capability of the display.
2748 Backing store means recording the pixels of windows (and parts of
2749 windows) that are not exposed, so that when exposed they can be
2750 displayed very quickly.
2751
2752 Values can be the symbols @code{always}, @code{when-mapped}, or
2753 @code{not-useful}. The function can also return @code{nil}
2754 when the question is inapplicable to a certain kind of display.
2755 @end defun
2756
2757 @cindex SaveUnder feature
2758 @defun display-save-under &optional display
2759 This function returns non-@code{nil} if the display supports the
2760 SaveUnder feature. That feature is used by pop-up windows
2761 to save the pixels they obscure, so that they can pop down
2762 quickly.
2763 @end defun
2764
2765 @defun display-planes &optional display
2766 This function returns the number of planes the display supports.
2767 This is typically the number of bits per pixel.
2768 For a tty display, it is log to base two of the number of colors supported.
2769 @end defun
2770
2771 @defun display-visual-class &optional display
2772 This function returns the visual class for the screen. The value is
2773 one of the symbols @code{static-gray} (a limited, unchangeable number
2774 of grays), @code{gray-scale} (a full range of grays),
2775 @code{static-color} (a limited, unchangeable number of colors),
2776 @code{pseudo-color} (a limited number of colors), @code{true-color} (a
2777 full range of colors), and @code{direct-color} (a full range of
2778 colors).
2779 @end defun
2780
2781 @defun display-color-cells &optional display
2782 This function returns the number of color cells the screen supports.
2783 @end defun
2784
2785 These functions obtain additional information specifically
2786 about X displays.
2787
2788 @defun x-server-version &optional display
2789 This function returns the list of version numbers of the X server
2790 running the display. The value is a list of three integers: the major
2791 and minor version numbers of the X protocol, and the
2792 distributor-specific release number of the X server software itself.
2793 @end defun
2794
2795 @defun x-server-vendor &optional display
2796 This function returns the ``vendor'' that provided the X server
2797 software (as a string). Really this means whoever distributes the X
2798 server.
2799
2800 When the developers of X labeled software distributors as
2801 ``vendors'', they showed their false assumption that no system could
2802 ever be developed and distributed noncommercially.
2803 @end defun
2804
2805 @ignore
2806 @defvar x-no-window-manager
2807 This variable's value is @code{t} if no X window manager is in use.
2808 @end defvar
2809 @end ignore
2810
2811 @ignore
2812 @item
2813 The functions @code{x-pixel-width} and @code{x-pixel-height} return the
2814 width and height of an X Window frame, measured in pixels.
2815 @end ignore