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