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1 @c This is part of the Emacs manual.
2 @c Copyright (C) 1985, 86, 87, 93, 94, 95, 97, 2000, 2001
3 @c Free Software Foundation, Inc.
4 @c See file emacs.texi for copying conditions.
5 @iftex
6 @chapter Miscellaneous Commands
7
8 This chapter contains several brief topics that do not fit anywhere
9 else: reading netnews, running shell commands and shell subprocesses,
10 using a single shared Emacs for utilities that expect to run an editor
11 as a subprocess, printing hardcopy, sorting text, narrowing display to
12 part of the buffer, editing double-column files and binary files, saving
13 an Emacs session for later resumption, emulating other editors, and
14 various diversions and amusements.
15
16 @end iftex
17 @node Gnus, Shell, Calendar/Diary, Top
18 @section Gnus
19 @cindex Gnus
20 @cindex reading netnews
21
22 Gnus is an Emacs package primarily designed for reading and posting
23 Usenet news. It can also be used to read and respond to messages from a
24 number of other sources---mail, remote directories, digests, and so on.
25
26 Here we introduce Gnus and describe several basic features.
27 @ifinfo
28 For full details, see @ref{Top, Gnus,, gnus, The Gnus Manual}.
29 @end ifinfo
30 @iftex
31 For full details on Gnus, type @kbd{M-x info} and then select the Gnus
32 manual.
33 @end iftex
34
35 @findex gnus
36 To start Gnus, type @kbd{M-x gnus @key{RET}}.
37
38 @menu
39 * Buffers of Gnus:: The group, summary, and article buffers.
40 * Gnus Startup:: What you should know about starting Gnus.
41 * Summary of Gnus:: A short description of the basic Gnus commands.
42 @end menu
43
44 @node Buffers of Gnus
45 @subsection Gnus Buffers
46
47 As opposed to most normal Emacs packages, Gnus uses a number of
48 different buffers to display information and to receive commands. The
49 three buffers users spend most of their time in are the @dfn{group
50 buffer}, the @dfn{summary buffer} and the @dfn{article buffer}.
51
52 The @dfn{group buffer} contains a list of groups. This is the first
53 buffer Gnus displays when it starts up. It normally displays only the
54 groups to which you subscribe and that contain unread articles. Use
55 this buffer to select a specific group.
56
57 The @dfn{summary buffer} lists one line for each article in a single
58 group. By default, the author, the subject and the line number are
59 displayed for each article, but this is customizable, like most aspects
60 of Gnus display. The summary buffer is created when you select a group
61 in the group buffer, and is killed when you exit the group. Use this
62 buffer to select an article.
63
64 The @dfn{article buffer} displays the article. In normal Gnus usage,
65 you don't select this buffer---all useful article-oriented commands work
66 in the summary buffer. But you can select the article buffer, and
67 execute all Gnus commands from that buffer, if you want to.
68
69 @node Gnus Startup
70 @subsection When Gnus Starts Up
71
72 At startup, Gnus reads your @file{.newsrc} news initialization file
73 and attempts to communicate with the local news server, which is a
74 repository of news articles. The news server need not be the same
75 computer you are logged in on.
76
77 If you start Gnus and connect to the server, but do not see any
78 newsgroups listed in the group buffer, type @kbd{L} or @kbd{A k} to get
79 a listing of all the groups. Then type @kbd{u} to toggle
80 subscription to groups.
81
82 The first time you start Gnus, Gnus subscribes you to a few selected
83 groups. All other groups start out as @dfn{killed groups} for you; you
84 can list them with @kbd{A k}. All new groups that subsequently come to
85 exist at the news server become @dfn{zombie groups} for you; type @kbd{A
86 z} to list them. You can subscribe to a group shown in these lists
87 using the @kbd{u} command.
88
89 When you quit Gnus with @kbd{q}, it automatically records in your
90 @file{.newsrc} and @file{.newsrc.eld} initialization files the
91 subscribed or unsubscribed status of all groups. You should normally
92 not edit these files manually, but you may if you know how.
93
94 @node Summary of Gnus
95 @subsection Summary of Gnus Commands
96
97 Reading news is a two-step process:
98
99 @enumerate
100 @item
101 Choose a group in the group buffer.
102
103 @item
104 Select articles from the summary buffer. Each article selected is
105 displayed in the article buffer in a large window, below the summary
106 buffer in its small window.
107 @end enumerate
108
109 Each Gnus buffer has its own special commands; however, the meanings
110 of any given key in the various Gnus buffers are usually analogous, even
111 if not identical. Here are commands for the group and summary buffers:
112
113 @table @kbd
114 @kindex q @r{(Gnus Group mode)}
115 @findex gnus-group-exit
116 @item q
117 In the group buffer, update your @file{.newsrc} initialization file
118 and quit Gnus.
119
120 In the summary buffer, exit the current group and return to the
121 group buffer. Thus, typing @kbd{q} twice quits Gnus.
122
123 @kindex L @r{(Gnus Group mode)}
124 @findex gnus-group-list-all-groups
125 @item L
126 In the group buffer, list all the groups available on your news
127 server (except those you have killed). This may be a long list!
128
129 @kindex l @r{(Gnus Group mode)}
130 @findex gnus-group-list-groups
131 @item l
132 In the group buffer, list only the groups to which you subscribe and
133 which contain unread articles.
134
135 @kindex u @r{(Gnus Group mode)}
136 @findex gnus-group-unsubscribe-current-group
137 @cindex subscribe groups
138 @cindex unsubscribe groups
139 @item u
140 In the group buffer, unsubscribe from (or subscribe to) the group listed
141 in the line that point is on. When you quit Gnus by typing @kbd{q},
142 Gnus lists in your @file{.newsrc} file which groups you have subscribed
143 to. The next time you start Gnus, you won't see this group,
144 because Gnus normally displays only subscribed-to groups.
145
146 @kindex C-k @r{(Gnus)}
147 @findex gnus-group-kill-group
148 @item C-k
149 In the group buffer, ``kill'' the current line's group---don't
150 even list it in @file{.newsrc} from now on. This affects future
151 Gnus sessions as well as the present session.
152
153 When you quit Gnus by typing @kbd{q}, Gnus writes information
154 in the file @file{.newsrc} describing all newsgroups except those you
155 have ``killed.''
156
157 @kindex SPC @r{(Gnus)}
158 @findex gnus-group-read-group
159 @item @key{SPC}
160 In the group buffer, select the group on the line under the cursor
161 and display the first unread article in that group.
162
163 @need 1000
164 In the summary buffer,
165
166 @itemize @bullet
167 @item
168 Select the article on the line under the cursor if none is selected.
169
170 @item
171 Scroll the text of the selected article (if there is one).
172
173 @item
174 Select the next unread article if at the end of the current article.
175 @end itemize
176
177 Thus, you can move through all the articles by repeatedly typing @key{SPC}.
178
179 @kindex DEL @r{(Gnus)}
180 @item @key{DEL}
181 In the group buffer, move point to the previous group containing
182 unread articles.
183
184 @findex gnus-summary-prev-page
185 In the summary buffer, scroll the text of the article backwards.
186
187 @kindex n @r{(Gnus)}
188 @findex gnus-group-next-unread-group
189 @findex gnus-summary-next-unread-article
190 @item n
191 Move point to the next unread group, or select the next unread article.
192
193 @kindex p @r{(Gnus)}
194 @findex gnus-group-prev-unread-group
195 @findex gnus-summary-prev-unread-article
196 @item p
197 Move point to the previous unread group, or select the previous
198 unread article.
199
200 @kindex C-n @r{(Gnus Group mode)}
201 @findex gnus-group-next-group
202 @kindex C-p @r{(Gnus Group mode)}
203 @findex gnus-group-prev-group
204 @kindex C-n @r{(Gnus Summary mode)}
205 @findex gnus-summary-next-subject
206 @kindex C-p @r{(Gnus Summary mode)}
207 @findex gnus-summary-prev-subject
208 @item C-n
209 @itemx C-p
210 Move point to the next or previous item, even if it is marked as read.
211 This does not select the article or group on that line.
212
213 @kindex s @r{(Gnus Summary mode)}
214 @findex gnus-summary-isearch-article
215 @item s
216 In the summary buffer, do an incremental search of the current text in
217 the article buffer, just as if you switched to the article buffer and
218 typed @kbd{C-s}.
219
220 @kindex M-s @r{(Gnus Summary mode)}
221 @findex gnus-summary-search-article-forward
222 @item M-s @var{regexp} @key{RET}
223 In the summary buffer, search forward for articles containing a match
224 for @var{regexp}.
225
226 @end table
227
228 @ignore
229 @node Where to Look
230 @subsection Where to Look Further
231
232 @c Too many references to the name of the manual if done with xref in TeX!
233 Gnus is powerful and customizable. Here are references to a few
234 @ifinfo
235 additional topics:
236
237 @end ifinfo
238 @iftex
239 additional topics in @cite{The Gnus Manual}:
240
241 @itemize @bullet
242 @item
243 Follow discussions on specific topics.@*
244 See section ``Threading.''
245
246 @item
247 Read digests. See section ``Document Groups.''
248
249 @item
250 Refer to and jump to the parent of the current article.@*
251 See section ``Finding the Parent.''
252
253 @item
254 Refer to articles by using Message-IDs included in the messages.@*
255 See section ``Article Keymap.''
256
257 @item
258 Save articles. See section ``Saving Articles.''
259
260 @item
261 Have Gnus score articles according to various criteria, like author
262 name, subject, or string in the body of the articles.@*
263 See section ``Scoring.''
264
265 @item
266 Send an article to a newsgroup.@*
267 See section ``Composing Messages.''
268 @end itemize
269 @end iftex
270 @ifinfo
271 @itemize @bullet
272 @item
273 Follow discussions on specific topics.@*
274 @xref{Threading, , Reading Based on Conversation Threads,
275 gnus, The Gnus Manual}.
276
277 @item
278 Read digests. @xref{Document Groups, , , gnus, The Gnus Manual}.
279
280 @item
281 Refer to and jump to the parent of the current article.@*
282 @xref{Finding the Parent, , , gnus, The Gnus Manual}.
283
284 @item
285 Refer to articles by using Message-IDs included in the messages.@*
286 @xref{Article Keymap, , , gnus, The Gnus Manual}.
287
288 @item
289 Save articles. @xref{Saving Articles, , , gnus, The Gnus Manual}.
290
291 @item
292 Have Gnus score articles according to various criteria, like author
293 name, subject, or string in the body of the articles.@*
294 @xref{Scoring, , , gnus, The Gnus Manual}.
295
296 @item
297 Send an article to a newsgroup.@*
298 @xref{Composing Messages, , , gnus, The Gnus Manual}.
299 @end itemize
300 @end ifinfo
301 @end ignore
302
303 @node Shell, Emacs Server, Gnus, Top
304 @section Running Shell Commands from Emacs
305 @cindex subshell
306 @cindex shell commands
307
308 Emacs has commands for passing single command lines to inferior shell
309 processes; it can also run a shell interactively with input and output
310 to an Emacs buffer named @samp{*shell*} or run a shell inside a terminal
311 emulator window.
312
313 There is a shell implemented entirely in Emacs, documented in a separate
314 manual. @xref{Top,Eshell,Eshell, eshell, Eshell: The Emacs Shell}.
315
316 @table @kbd
317 @item M-! @var{cmd} @key{RET}
318 Run the shell command line @var{cmd} and display the output
319 (@code{shell-command}).
320 @item M-| @var{cmd} @key{RET}
321 Run the shell command line @var{cmd} with region contents as input;
322 optionally replace the region with the output
323 (@code{shell-command-on-region}).
324 @item M-x shell
325 Run a subshell with input and output through an Emacs buffer.
326 You can then give commands interactively.
327 @item M-x term
328 Run a subshell with input and output through an Emacs buffer.
329 You can then give commands interactively.
330 Full terminal emulation is available.
331 @item M-x eshell
332 @findex eshell
333 Start the Emacs shell.
334 @end table
335
336 @menu
337 * Single Shell:: How to run one shell command and return.
338 * Interactive Shell:: Permanent shell taking input via Emacs.
339 * Shell Mode:: Special Emacs commands used with permanent shell.
340 * History: Shell History. Repeating previous commands in a shell buffer.
341 * Directory Tracking:: Keeping track when the subshell changes directory.
342 * Options: Shell Options. Options for customizing Shell mode.
343 * Terminal emulator:: An Emacs window as a terminal emulator.
344 * Term Mode:: Special Emacs commands used in Term mode.
345 * Paging in Term:: Paging in the terminal emulator.
346 * Remote Host:: Connecting to another computer.
347 @end menu
348
349 @node Single Shell
350 @subsection Single Shell Commands
351
352 @kindex M-!
353 @findex shell-command
354 @kbd{M-!} (@code{shell-command}) reads a line of text using the
355 minibuffer and executes it as a shell command in a subshell made just
356 for that command. Standard input for the command comes from the null
357 device. If the shell command produces any output, the output appears
358 either in the echo area (if it is short), or in an Emacs buffer named
359 @samp{*Shell Command Output*}, which is displayed in another window
360 but not selected (if the output is long).
361
362 For instance, one way to decompress a file @file{foo.gz} from Emacs
363 is to type @kbd{M-! gunzip foo.gz @key{RET}}. That shell command
364 normally creates the file @file{foo} and produces no terminal output.
365
366 A numeric argument, as in @kbd{M-1 M-!}, says to insert terminal
367 output into the current buffer instead of a separate buffer. It puts
368 point before the output, and sets the mark after the output. For
369 instance, @kbd{M-1 M-! gunzip < foo.gz @key{RET}} would insert the
370 uncompressed equivalent of @file{foo.gz} into the current buffer.
371
372 If the shell command line ends in @samp{&}, it runs asynchronously.
373 For a synchronous shell command, @code{shell-command} returns the
374 command's exit status (0 means success), when it is called from a Lisp
375 program. You do not get any status information for an asynchronous
376 command, since it hasn't finished yet.
377
378 @kindex M-|
379 @findex shell-command-on-region
380 @kbd{M-|} (@code{shell-command-on-region}) is like @kbd{M-!} but
381 passes the contents of the region as the standard input to the shell
382 command, instead of no input. If a numeric argument is used, meaning
383 insert the output in the current buffer, then the old region is deleted
384 first and the output replaces it as the contents of the region. It
385 returns the command's exit status when it is called from a Lisp program.
386
387 One use for @kbd{M-|} is to run @code{uudecode}. For instance, if
388 the buffer contains uuencoded text, type @kbd{C-x h M-| uudecode
389 @key{RET}} to feed the entire buffer contents to the @code{uudecode}
390 program. That program will ignore everything except the encoded text,
391 and will store the decoded output into the file whose name is
392 specified in the encoded text.
393
394 @vindex shell-file-name
395 Both @kbd{M-!} and @kbd{M-|} use @code{shell-file-name} to specify the
396 shell to use. This variable is initialized based on your @env{SHELL}
397 environment variable when Emacs is started. If the file name does not
398 specify a directory, the directories in the list @code{exec-path} are
399 searched; this list is initialized based on the environment variable
400 @env{PATH} when Emacs is started. Your @file{.emacs} file can override
401 either or both of these default initializations.@refill
402
403 Both @kbd{M-!} and @kbd{M-|} wait for the shell command to complete.
404 To stop waiting, type @kbd{C-g} to quit; that terminates the shell
405 command with the signal @code{SIGINT}---the same signal that @kbd{C-c}
406 normally generates in the shell. Emacs waits until the command actually
407 terminates. If the shell command doesn't stop (because it ignores the
408 @code{SIGINT} signal), type @kbd{C-g} again; this sends the command a
409 @code{SIGKILL} signal which is impossible to ignore.
410
411 To specify a coding system for @kbd{M-!} or @kbd{M-|}, use the command
412 @kbd{C-x @key{RET} c} immediately beforehand. @xref{Specify Coding}.
413
414 @vindex shell-command-default-error-buffer
415 Error output from the command is normally intermixed with the regular
416 output. If you set the variable
417 @code{shell-command-default-error-buffer} to a string, which is a buffer
418 name, error output is inserted before point in the buffer of that name.
419
420 @node Interactive Shell
421 @subsection Interactive Inferior Shell
422
423 @findex shell
424 To run a subshell interactively, putting its typescript in an Emacs
425 buffer, use @kbd{M-x shell}. This creates (or reuses) a buffer named
426 @samp{*shell*} and runs a subshell with input coming from and output going
427 to that buffer. That is to say, any ``terminal output'' from the subshell
428 goes into the buffer, advancing point, and any ``terminal input'' for
429 the subshell comes from text in the buffer. To give input to the subshell,
430 go to the end of the buffer and type the input, terminated by @key{RET}.
431
432 Emacs does not wait for the subshell to do anything. You can switch
433 windows or buffers and edit them while the shell is waiting, or while it is
434 running a command. Output from the subshell waits until Emacs has time to
435 process it; this happens whenever Emacs is waiting for keyboard input or
436 for time to elapse.
437
438 @cindex @code{comint-highlight-input} face
439 @cindex @code{comint-highlight-prompt} face
440 Input lines, once you submit them, are displayed using the face
441 @code{comint-highlight-input}, and prompts are displayed using the
442 face @code{comint-highlight-prompt}. This makes it easier to see
443 previous input lines in the buffer. @xref{Faces}.
444
445 To make multiple subshells, you can invoke @kbd{M-x shell} with a
446 prefix argument (e.g. @kbd{C-u M-x shell}), which will read a buffer
447 name and create (or reuse) a subshell in that buffer. You can also
448 rename the @samp{*shell*} buffer using @kbd{M-x rename-uniquely}, then
449 then create a new @samp{*shell*} buffer using plain @kbd{M-x shell}.
450 All the subshells in different buffers run independently and in
451 parallel.
452
453 @vindex explicit-shell-file-name
454 @cindex environment variables for subshells
455 @cindex @env{ESHELL} environment variable
456 @cindex @env{SHELL} environment variable
457 The file name used to load the subshell is the value of the variable
458 @code{explicit-shell-file-name}, if that is non-@code{nil}. Otherwise,
459 the environment variable @env{ESHELL} is used, or the environment
460 variable @env{SHELL} if there is no @env{ESHELL}. If the file name
461 specified is relative, the directories in the list @code{exec-path} are
462 searched; this list is initialized based on the environment variable
463 @env{PATH} when Emacs is started. Your @file{.emacs} file can override
464 either or both of these default initializations.
465
466 Emacs sends the new shell the contents of the file
467 @file{~/.emacs_@var{shellname}} as input, if it exists, where
468 @var{shellname} is the name of the file that the shell was loaded
469 from. For example, if you use bash, the file sent to it is
470 @file{~/.emacs_bash}.
471
472 To specify a coding system for the shell, you can use the command
473 @kbd{C-x @key{RET} c} immediately before @kbd{M-x shell}. You can also
474 specify a coding system after starting the shell by using @kbd{C-x
475 @key{RET} p} in the shell buffer. @xref{Specify Coding}.
476
477 @cindex @env{EMACS} environment variable
478 Unless the environment variable @env{EMACS} is already defined,
479 Emacs defines it in the subshell, with value @code{t}. A shell script
480 can check this variable to determine whether it has been run from an
481 Emacs subshell.
482
483 @node Shell Mode
484 @subsection Shell Mode
485 @cindex Shell mode
486 @cindex mode, Shell
487
488 Shell buffers use Shell mode, which defines several special keys
489 attached to the @kbd{C-c} prefix. They are chosen to resemble the usual
490 editing and job control characters present in shells that are not under
491 Emacs, except that you must type @kbd{C-c} first. Here is a complete list
492 of the special key bindings of Shell mode:
493
494 @table @kbd
495 @item @key{RET}
496 @kindex RET @r{(Shell mode)}
497 @findex comint-send-input
498 At end of buffer send line as input; otherwise, copy current line to
499 end of buffer and send it (@code{comint-send-input}). When a line is
500 copied, any prompt at the beginning of the line (text output by
501 programs preceding your input) is omitted. (See also the variable
502 @code{comint-use-prompt-regexp-instead-of-fields}.)
503
504 @item @key{TAB}
505 @kindex TAB @r{(Shell mode)}
506 @findex comint-dynamic-complete
507 Complete the command name or file name before point in the shell buffer
508 (@code{comint-dynamic-complete}). @key{TAB} also completes history
509 references (@pxref{History References}) and environment variable names.
510
511 @vindex shell-completion-fignore
512 @vindex comint-completion-fignore
513 The variable @code{shell-completion-fignore} specifies a list of file
514 name extensions to ignore in Shell mode completion. The default
515 setting is @code{nil}, but some users prefer @code{("~" "#" "%")} to
516 ignore file names ending in @samp{~}, @samp{#} or @samp{%}. Other
517 related Comint modes use the variable @code{comint-completion-fignore}
518 instead.
519
520 @item M-?
521 @kindex M-? @r{(Shell mode)}
522 @findex comint-dynamic-list-filename@dots{}
523 Display temporarily a list of the possible completions of the file name
524 before point in the shell buffer
525 (@code{comint-dynamic-list-filename-completions}).
526
527 @item C-d
528 @kindex C-d @r{(Shell mode)}
529 @findex comint-delchar-or-maybe-eof
530 Either delete a character or send @sc{eof}
531 (@code{comint-delchar-or-maybe-eof}). Typed at the end of the shell
532 buffer, @kbd{C-d} sends @sc{eof} to the subshell. Typed at any other
533 position in the buffer, @kbd{C-d} deletes a character as usual.
534
535 @item C-c C-a
536 @kindex C-c C-a @r{(Shell mode)}
537 @findex comint-bol-or-process-mark
538 Move to the beginning of the line, but after the prompt if any
539 (@code{comint-bol-or-process-mark}). If you repeat this command twice
540 in a row, the second time it moves back to the process mark, which is
541 the beginning of the input that you have not yet sent to the subshell.
542 (Normally that is the same place---the end of the prompt on this
543 line---but after @kbd{C-c @key{SPC}} the process mark may be in a
544 previous line.)
545
546 @item C-c @key{SPC}
547 Accumulate multiple lines of input, then send them together. This
548 command inserts a newline before point, but does not send the preceding
549 text as input to the subshell---at least, not yet. Both lines, the one
550 before this newline and the one after, will be sent together (along with
551 the newline that separates them), when you type @key{RET}.
552
553 @item C-c C-u
554 @kindex C-c C-u @r{(Shell mode)}
555 @findex comint-kill-input
556 Kill all text pending at end of buffer to be sent as input
557 (@code{comint-kill-input}).
558
559 @item C-c C-w
560 @kindex C-c C-w @r{(Shell mode)}
561 Kill a word before point (@code{backward-kill-word}).
562
563 @item C-c C-c
564 @kindex C-c C-c @r{(Shell mode)}
565 @findex comint-interrupt-subjob
566 Interrupt the shell or its current subjob if any
567 (@code{comint-interrupt-subjob}). This command also kills
568 any shell input pending in the shell buffer and not yet sent.
569
570 @item C-c C-z
571 @kindex C-c C-z @r{(Shell mode)}
572 @findex comint-stop-subjob
573 Stop the shell or its current subjob if any (@code{comint-stop-subjob}).
574 This command also kills any shell input pending in the shell buffer and
575 not yet sent.
576
577 @item C-c C-\
578 @findex comint-quit-subjob
579 @kindex C-c C-\ @r{(Shell mode)}
580 Send quit signal to the shell or its current subjob if any
581 (@code{comint-quit-subjob}). This command also kills any shell input
582 pending in the shell buffer and not yet sent.
583
584 @item C-c C-o
585 @kindex C-c C-o @r{(Shell mode)}
586 @findex comint-delete-output
587 Delete the last batch of output from a shell command
588 (@code{comint-delete-output}). This is useful if a shell command spews
589 out lots of output that just gets in the way. This command used to be
590 called @code{comint-kill-output}.
591
592 @item C-c C-s
593 @kindex C-c C-s @r{(Shell mode)}
594 @findex comint-write-output
595 Write the last batch of output from a shell command to a file
596 (@code{comint-write-output}). With a prefix argument, the file is
597 appended to instead. Any prompt at the end of the output is not
598 written.
599
600 @item C-c C-r
601 @itemx C-M-l
602 @kindex C-c C-r @r{(Shell mode)}
603 @kindex C-M-l @r{(Shell mode)}
604 @findex comint-show-output
605 Scroll to display the beginning of the last batch of output at the top
606 of the window; also move the cursor there (@code{comint-show-output}).
607
608 @item C-c C-e
609 @kindex C-c C-e @r{(Shell mode)}
610 @findex comint-show-maximum-output
611 Scroll to put the end of the buffer at the bottom of the window
612 (@code{comint-show-maximum-output}).
613
614 @item C-c C-f
615 @kindex C-c C-f @r{(Shell mode)}
616 @findex shell-forward-command
617 @vindex shell-command-regexp
618 Move forward across one shell command, but not beyond the current line
619 (@code{shell-forward-command}). The variable @code{shell-command-regexp}
620 specifies how to recognize the end of a command.
621
622 @item C-c C-b
623 @kindex C-c C-b @r{(Shell mode)}
624 @findex shell-backward-command
625 Move backward across one shell command, but not beyond the current line
626 (@code{shell-backward-command}).
627
628 @item C-c C-l
629 @kindex C-c C-l @r{(Shell mode)}
630 @findex comint-dynamic-list-input-ring
631 Display the buffer's history of shell commands in another window
632 (@code{comint-dynamic-list-input-ring}).
633
634 @item M-x dirs
635 Ask the shell what its current directory is, so that Emacs can agree
636 with the shell.
637
638 @item M-x send-invisible @key{RET} @var{text} @key{RET}
639 @findex send-invisible
640 Send @var{text} as input to the shell, after reading it without
641 echoing. This is useful when a shell command runs a program that asks
642 for a password.
643
644 Alternatively, you can arrange for Emacs to notice password prompts
645 and turn off echoing for them, as follows:
646
647 @example
648 (add-hook 'comint-output-filter-functions
649 'comint-watch-for-password-prompt)
650 @end example
651
652 @item M-x comint-continue-subjob
653 @findex comint-continue-subjob
654 Continue the shell process. This is useful if you accidentally suspend
655 the shell process.@footnote{You should not suspend the shell process.
656 Suspending a subjob of the shell is a completely different matter---that
657 is normal practice, but you must use the shell to continue the subjob;
658 this command won't do it.}
659
660 @item M-x comint-strip-ctrl-m
661 @findex comint-strip-ctrl-m
662 Discard all control-M characters from the current group of shell output.
663 The most convenient way to use this command is to make it run
664 automatically when you get output from the subshell. To do that,
665 evaluate this Lisp expression:
666
667 @example
668 (add-hook 'comint-output-filter-functions
669 'comint-strip-ctrl-m)
670 @end example
671
672 @item M-x comint-truncate-buffer
673 @findex comint-truncate-buffer
674 This command truncates the shell buffer to a certain maximum number of
675 lines, specified by the variable @code{comint-buffer-maximum-size}.
676 Here's how to do this automatically each time you get output from the
677 subshell:
678
679 @example
680 (add-hook 'comint-output-filter-functions
681 'comint-truncate-buffer)
682 @end example
683 @end table
684
685 Shell mode also customizes the paragraph commands so that only shell
686 prompts start new paragraphs. Thus, a paragraph consists of an input
687 command plus the output that follows it in the buffer.
688
689 @cindex Comint mode
690 @cindex mode, Comint
691 Shell mode is a derivative of Comint mode, a general-purpose mode for
692 communicating with interactive subprocesses. Most of the features of
693 Shell mode actually come from Comint mode, as you can see from the
694 command names listed above. The special features of Shell mode include
695 the directory tracking feature, and a few user commands.
696
697 Other Emacs features that use variants of Comint mode include GUD
698 (@pxref{Debuggers}) and @kbd{M-x run-lisp} (@pxref{External Lisp}).
699
700 @findex comint-run
701 You can use @kbd{M-x comint-run} to execute any program of your choice
702 in a subprocess using unmodified Comint mode---without the
703 specializations of Shell mode.
704
705 @node Shell History
706 @subsection Shell Command History
707
708 Shell buffers support three ways of repeating earlier commands. You
709 can use the same keys used in the minibuffer; these work much as they do
710 in the minibuffer, inserting text from prior commands while point
711 remains always at the end of the buffer. You can move through the
712 buffer to previous inputs in their original place, then resubmit them or
713 copy them to the end. Or you can use a @samp{!}-style history
714 reference.
715
716 @menu
717 * Ring: Shell Ring. Fetching commands from the history list.
718 * Copy: Shell History Copying. Moving to a command and then copying it.
719 * History References:: Expanding @samp{!}-style history references.
720 @end menu
721
722 @node Shell Ring
723 @subsubsection Shell History Ring
724
725 @table @kbd
726 @findex comint-previous-input
727 @kindex M-p @r{(Shell mode)}
728 @item M-p
729 Fetch the next earlier old shell command.
730
731 @kindex M-n @r{(Shell mode)}
732 @findex comint-next-input
733 @item M-n
734 Fetch the next later old shell command.
735
736 @kindex M-r @r{(Shell mode)}
737 @kindex M-s @r{(Shell mode)}
738 @findex comint-previous-matching-input
739 @findex comint-next-matching-input
740 @item M-r @var{regexp} @key{RET}
741 @itemx M-s @var{regexp} @key{RET}
742 Search backwards or forwards for old shell commands that match @var{regexp}.
743
744 @item C-c C-x @r{(Shell mode)}
745 @findex comint-get-next-from-history
746 Fetch the next subsequent command from the history.
747 @end table
748
749 Shell buffers provide a history of previously entered shell commands. To
750 reuse shell commands from the history, use the editing commands @kbd{M-p},
751 @kbd{M-n}, @kbd{M-r} and @kbd{M-s}. These work just like the minibuffer
752 history commands except that they operate on the text at the end of the
753 shell buffer, where you would normally insert text to send to the shell.
754
755 @kbd{M-p} fetches an earlier shell command to the end of the shell buffer.
756 Successive use of @kbd{M-p} fetches successively earlier shell commands,
757 each replacing any text that was already present as potential shell input.
758 @kbd{M-n} does likewise except that it finds successively more recent shell
759 commands from the buffer.
760
761 The history search commands @kbd{M-r} and @kbd{M-s} read a regular
762 expression and search through the history for a matching command. Aside
763 from the choice of which command to fetch, they work just like @kbd{M-p}
764 and @kbd{M-n}. If you enter an empty regexp, these commands reuse the
765 same regexp used last time.
766
767 When you find the previous input you want, you can resubmit it by
768 typing @key{RET}, or you can edit it first and then resubmit it if you
769 wish.
770
771 Often it is useful to reexecute several successive shell commands that
772 were previously executed in sequence. To do this, first find and
773 reexecute the first command of the sequence. Then type @kbd{C-c C-x};
774 that will fetch the following command---the one that follows the command
775 you just repeated. Then type @key{RET} to reexecute this command. You
776 can reexecute several successive commands by typing @kbd{C-c C-x
777 @key{RET}} over and over.
778
779 These commands get the text of previous shell commands from a special
780 history list, not from the shell buffer itself. Thus, editing the shell
781 buffer, or even killing large parts of it, does not affect the history
782 that these commands access.
783
784 @vindex shell-input-ring-file-name
785 Some shells store their command histories in files so that you can
786 refer to previous commands from previous shell sessions. Emacs reads
787 the command history file for your chosen shell, to initialize its own
788 command history. The file name is @file{~/.bash_history} for bash,
789 @file{~/.sh_history} for ksh, and @file{~/.history} for other shells.
790
791 @node Shell History Copying
792 @subsubsection Shell History Copying
793
794 @table @kbd
795 @kindex C-c C-p @r{(Shell mode)}
796 @findex comint-previous-prompt
797 @item C-c C-p
798 Move point to the previous prompt (@code{comint-previous-prompt}).
799
800 @kindex C-c C-n @r{(Shell mode)}
801 @findex comint-next-prompt
802 @item C-c C-n
803 Move point to the following prompt (@code{comint-next-prompt}).
804
805 @kindex C-c RET @r{(Shell mode)}
806 @findex comint-copy-old-input
807 @item C-c @key{RET}
808 Copy the input command which point is in, inserting the copy at the end
809 of the buffer (@code{comint-copy-old-input}). This is useful if you
810 move point back to a previous command. After you copy the command, you
811 can submit the copy as input with @key{RET}. If you wish, you can
812 edit the copy before resubmitting it.
813 @end table
814
815 Moving to a previous input and then copying it with @kbd{C-c
816 @key{RET}} produces the same results---the same buffer contents---that
817 you would get by using @kbd{M-p} enough times to fetch that previous
818 input from the history list. However, @kbd{C-c @key{RET}} copies the
819 text from the buffer, which can be different from what is in the history
820 list if you edit the input text in the buffer after it has been sent.
821
822 @node History References
823 @subsubsection Shell History References
824 @cindex history reference
825
826 Various shells including csh and bash support @dfn{history
827 references} that begin with @samp{!} and @samp{^}. Shell mode
828 recognizes these constructs, and can perform the history substitution
829 for you.
830
831 If you insert a history reference and type @key{TAB}, this searches
832 the input history for a matching command, performs substitution if
833 necessary, and places the result in the buffer in place of the history
834 reference. For example, you can fetch the most recent command
835 beginning with @samp{mv} with @kbd{! m v @key{TAB}}. You can edit the
836 command if you wish, and then resubmit the command to the shell by
837 typing @key{RET}.
838
839 @vindex comint-input-autoexpand
840 @findex comint-magic-space
841 Shell mode can optionally expand history references in the buffer
842 when you send them to the shell. To request this, set the variable
843 @code{comint-input-autoexpand} to @code{input}. You can make
844 @key{SPC} perform history expansion by binding @key{SPC} to the
845 command @code{comint-magic-space}.
846
847 @vindex shell-prompt-pattern
848 @vindex comint-prompt-regexp
849 @vindex comint-use-prompt-regexp-instead-of-fields
850 @cindex prompt, shell
851 Shell mode recognizes history references when they follow a prompt.
852 Normally, any text output by a program at the beginning of an input
853 line is considered a prompt. However, if the variable
854 @code{comint-use-prompt-regexp-instead-of-fields} is non-@code{nil},
855 then Comint mode uses a regular expression to recognize prompts. In
856 general, the variable @code{comint-prompt-regexp} specifies the
857 regular expression; Shell mode uses the variable
858 @code{shell-prompt-pattern} to set up @code{comint-prompt-regexp} in
859 the shell buffer.
860
861 @node Directory Tracking
862 @subsection Directory Tracking
863 @cindex directory tracking
864
865 @vindex shell-pushd-regexp
866 @vindex shell-popd-regexp
867 @vindex shell-cd-regexp
868 Shell mode keeps track of @samp{cd}, @samp{pushd} and @samp{popd}
869 commands given to the inferior shell, so it can keep the
870 @samp{*shell*} buffer's default directory the same as the shell's
871 working directory. It recognizes these commands syntactically, by
872 examining lines of input that are sent.
873
874 If you use aliases for these commands, you can tell Emacs to
875 recognize them also. For example, if the value of the variable
876 @code{shell-pushd-regexp} matches the beginning of a shell command
877 line, that line is regarded as a @code{pushd} command. Change this
878 variable when you add aliases for @samp{pushd}. Likewise,
879 @code{shell-popd-regexp} and @code{shell-cd-regexp} are used to
880 recognize commands with the meaning of @samp{popd} and @samp{cd}.
881 These commands are recognized only at the beginning of a shell command
882 line.
883
884 @ignore @c This seems to have been deleted long ago.
885 @vindex shell-set-directory-error-hook
886 If Emacs gets an error while trying to handle what it believes is a
887 @samp{cd}, @samp{pushd} or @samp{popd} command, it runs the hook
888 @code{shell-set-directory-error-hook} (@pxref{Hooks}).
889 @end ignore
890
891 @findex dirs
892 If Emacs gets confused about changes in the current directory of the
893 subshell, use the command @kbd{M-x dirs} to ask the shell what its
894 current directory is. This command works for shells that support the
895 most common command syntax; it may not work for unusual shells.
896
897 @findex dirtrack-mode
898 You can also use @kbd{M-x dirtrack-mode} to enable (or disable) an
899 alternative and more aggressive method of tracking changes in the
900 current directory.
901
902 @node Shell Options
903 @subsection Shell Mode Options
904
905 @vindex comint-scroll-to-bottom-on-input
906 If the variable @code{comint-scroll-to-bottom-on-input} is
907 non-@code{nil}, insertion and yank commands scroll the selected window
908 to the bottom before inserting.
909
910 @vindex comint-scroll-show-maximum-output
911 If @code{comint-scroll-show-maximum-output} is non-@code{nil}, then
912 scrolling due to the arrival of output tries to place the last line of
913 text at the bottom line of the window, so as to show as much useful
914 text as possible. (This mimics the scrolling behavior of many
915 terminals.) The default is @code{nil}.
916
917 @vindex comint-scroll-to-bottom-on-output
918 By setting @code{comint-scroll-to-bottom-on-output}, you can opt for
919 having point jump to the end of the buffer whenever output arrives---no
920 matter where in the buffer point was before. If the value is
921 @code{this}, point jumps in the selected window. If the value is
922 @code{all}, point jumps in each window that shows the Comint buffer. If
923 the value is @code{other}, point jumps in all nonselected windows that
924 show the current buffer. The default value is @code{nil}, which means
925 point does not jump to the end.
926
927 @vindex comint-input-ignoredups
928 The variable @code{comint-input-ignoredups} controls whether successive
929 identical inputs are stored in the input history. A non-@code{nil}
930 value means to omit an input that is the same as the previous input.
931 The default is @code{nil}, which means to store each input even if it is
932 equal to the previous input.
933
934 @vindex comint-completion-addsuffix
935 @vindex comint-completion-recexact
936 @vindex comint-completion-autolist
937 Three variables customize file name completion. The variable
938 @code{comint-completion-addsuffix} controls whether completion inserts a
939 space or a slash to indicate a fully completed file or directory name
940 (non-@code{nil} means do insert a space or slash).
941 @code{comint-completion-recexact}, if non-@code{nil}, directs @key{TAB}
942 to choose the shortest possible completion if the usual Emacs completion
943 algorithm cannot add even a single character.
944 @code{comint-completion-autolist}, if non-@code{nil}, says to list all
945 the possible completions whenever completion is not exact.
946
947 @vindex shell-completion-execonly
948 Command completion normally considers only executable files.
949 If you set @code{shell-completion-execonly} to @code{nil},
950 it considers nonexecutable files as well.
951
952 @findex shell-pushd-tohome
953 @findex shell-pushd-dextract
954 @findex shell-pushd-dunique
955 You can configure the behavior of @samp{pushd}. Variables control
956 whether @samp{pushd} behaves like @samp{cd} if no argument is given
957 (@code{shell-pushd-tohome}), pop rather than rotate with a numeric
958 argument (@code{shell-pushd-dextract}), and only add directories to the
959 directory stack if they are not already on it
960 (@code{shell-pushd-dunique}). The values you choose should match the
961 underlying shell, of course.
962
963 @node Terminal emulator
964 @subsection Emacs Terminal Emulator
965 @findex term
966
967 To run a subshell in a terminal emulator, putting its typescript in
968 an Emacs buffer, use @kbd{M-x term}. This creates (or reuses) a
969 buffer named @samp{*terminal*}, and runs a subshell with input coming
970 from your keyboard, and output going to that buffer.
971
972 The terminal emulator uses Term mode, which has two input modes. In
973 line mode, Term basically acts like Shell mode; see @ref{Shell Mode}.
974
975 In char mode, each character is sent directly to the inferior
976 subshell, as ``terminal input.'' Any ``echoing'' of your input is the
977 responsibility of the subshell. The sole exception is the terminal
978 escape character, which by default is @kbd{C-c} (@pxref{Term Mode}).
979 Any ``terminal output'' from the subshell goes into the buffer,
980 advancing point.
981
982 Some programs (such as Emacs itself) need to control the appearance
983 on the terminal screen in detail. They do this by sending special
984 control codes. The exact control codes needed vary from terminal to
985 terminal, but nowadays most terminals and terminal emulators
986 (including @code{xterm}) understand the ANSI-standard (VT100-style)
987 escape sequences. Term mode recognizes these escape sequences, and
988 handles each one appropriately, changing the buffer so that the
989 appearance of the window matches what it would be on a real terminal.
990 You can actually run Emacs inside an Emacs Term window.
991
992 The file name used to load the subshell is determined the same way
993 as for Shell mode. To make multiple terminal emulators, rename the
994 buffer @samp{*terminal*} to something different using @kbd{M-x
995 rename-uniquely}, just as with Shell mode.
996
997 Unlike Shell mode, Term mode does not track the current directory by
998 examining your input. But some shells can tell Term what the current
999 directory is. This is done automatically by @code{bash} version 1.15
1000 and later.
1001
1002 @node Term Mode
1003 @subsection Term Mode
1004 @cindex Term mode
1005 @cindex mode, Term
1006
1007 The terminal emulator uses Term mode, which has two input modes. In
1008 line mode, Term basically acts like Shell mode; see @ref{Shell Mode}.
1009 In char mode, each character is sent directly to the inferior
1010 subshell, except for the Term escape character, normally @kbd{C-c}.
1011
1012 To switch between line and char mode, use these commands:
1013
1014 @table @kbd
1015 @kindex C-c C-k @r{(Term mode)}
1016 @findex term-char-mode
1017 @item C-c C-k
1018 Switch to line mode. Do nothing if already in line mode.
1019
1020 @kindex C-c C-j @r{(Term mode)}
1021 @findex term-line-mode
1022 @item C-c C-j
1023 Switch to char mode. Do nothing if already in char mode.
1024 @end table
1025
1026 The following commands are only available in char mode:
1027
1028 @table @kbd
1029 @item C-c C-c
1030 Send a literal @key{C-c} to the sub-shell.
1031
1032 @item C-c C-x
1033 A prefix command to access the global @key{C-x} commands conveniently.
1034 For example, @kbd{C-c C-x o} invokes the global binding of
1035 @kbd{C-x o}, which is normally @samp{other-window}.
1036 @end table
1037
1038 @node Paging in Term
1039 @subsection Page-At-A-Time Output
1040 @cindex page-at-a-time
1041
1042 Term mode has a page-at-a-time feature. When enabled it makes
1043 output pause at the end of each screenful.
1044
1045 @table @kbd
1046 @kindex C-c C-q @r{(Term mode)}
1047 @findex term-pager-toggle
1048 @item C-c C-q
1049 Toggle the page-at-a-time feature. This command works in both line
1050 and char modes. When page-at-a-time is enabled, the mode-line
1051 displays the word @samp{page}.
1052 @end table
1053
1054 With page-at-a-time enabled, whenever Term receives more than a
1055 screenful of output since your last input, it pauses, displaying
1056 @samp{**MORE**} in the mode-line. Type @key{SPC} to display the next
1057 screenful of output. Type @kbd{?} to see your other options. The
1058 interface is similar to the Unix @code{more} program.
1059
1060 @node Remote Host
1061 @subsection Remote Host Shell
1062 @cindex remote host
1063 @cindex connecting to remote host
1064 @cindex Telnet
1065 @cindex Rlogin
1066
1067 You can login to a remote computer, using whatever commands you
1068 would from a regular terminal (e.g.@: using the @code{telnet} or
1069 @code{rlogin} commands), from a Term window.
1070
1071 A program that asks you for a password will normally suppress
1072 echoing of the password, so the password will not show up in the
1073 buffer. This will happen just as if you were using a real terminal,
1074 if the buffer is in char mode. If it is in line mode, the password is
1075 temporarily visible, but will be erased when you hit return. (This
1076 happens automatically; there is no special password processing.)
1077
1078 When you log in to a different machine, you need to specify the type
1079 of terminal you're using. Terminal types @samp{ansi} or @samp{vt100}
1080 will work on most systems.
1081
1082 @c If you are talking to a Bourne-compatible
1083 @c shell, and your system understands the @env{TERMCAP} variable,
1084 @c you can use the command @kbd{M-x shell-send-termcap}, which
1085 @c sends a string specifying the terminal type and size.
1086 @c (This command is also useful after the window has changed size.)
1087
1088 @c You can of course run @samp{gdb} on that remote computer. One useful
1089 @c trick: If you invoke gdb with the @code{--fullname} option,
1090 @c it will send special commands to Emacs that will cause Emacs to
1091 @c pop up the source files you're debugging. This will work
1092 @c whether or not gdb is running on a different computer than Emacs,
1093 @c as long as Emacs can access the source files specified by gdb.
1094
1095 @ignore
1096 You cannot log in to a remote computer using the Shell mode.
1097 @c (This will change when Shell is re-written to use Term.)
1098 Instead, Emacs provides two commands for logging in to another computer
1099 and communicating with it through an Emacs buffer using Comint mode:
1100
1101 @table @kbd
1102 @item M-x telnet @key{RET} @var{hostname} @key{RET}
1103 Set up a Telnet connection to the computer named @var{hostname}.
1104 @item M-x rlogin @key{RET} @var{hostname} @key{RET}
1105 Set up an Rlogin connection to the computer named @var{hostname}.
1106 @end table
1107
1108 @findex telnet
1109 Use @kbd{M-x telnet} to set up a Telnet connection to another
1110 computer. (Telnet is the standard Internet protocol for remote login.)
1111 It reads the host name of the other computer as an argument with the
1112 minibuffer. Once the connection is established, talking to the other
1113 computer works like talking to a subshell: you can edit input with the
1114 usual Emacs commands, and send it a line at a time by typing @key{RET}.
1115 The output is inserted in the Telnet buffer interspersed with the input.
1116
1117 @findex rlogin
1118 @vindex rlogin-explicit-args
1119 Use @kbd{M-x rlogin} to set up an Rlogin connection. Rlogin is
1120 another remote login communication protocol, essentially much like the
1121 Telnet protocol but incompatible with it, and supported only by certain
1122 systems. Rlogin's advantages are that you can arrange not to have to
1123 give your user name and password when communicating between two machines
1124 you frequently use, and that you can make an 8-bit-clean connection.
1125 (To do that in Emacs, set @code{rlogin-explicit-args} to @code{("-8")}
1126 before you run Rlogin.)
1127
1128 @kbd{M-x rlogin} sets up the default file directory of the Emacs
1129 buffer to access the remote host via FTP (@pxref{File Names}), and it
1130 tracks the shell commands that change the current directory, just like
1131 Shell mode.
1132
1133 @findex rlogin-directory-tracking-mode
1134 There are two ways of doing directory tracking in an Rlogin
1135 buffer---either with remote directory names
1136 @file{/@var{host}:@var{dir}/} or with local names (that works if the
1137 ``remote'' machine shares file systems with your machine of origin).
1138 You can use the command @code{rlogin-directory-tracking-mode} to switch
1139 modes. No argument means use remote directory names, a positive
1140 argument means use local names, and a negative argument means turn
1141 off directory tracking.
1142
1143 @end ignore
1144
1145 @node Emacs Server, Hardcopy, Shell, Top
1146 @section Using Emacs as a Server
1147 @pindex emacsclient
1148 @cindex Emacs as a server
1149 @cindex server, using Emacs as
1150 @cindex @env{EDITOR} environment variable
1151
1152 Various programs such as @code{mail} can invoke your choice of editor
1153 to edit a particular piece of text, such as a message that you are
1154 sending. By convention, most of these programs use the environment
1155 variable @env{EDITOR} to specify which editor to run. If you set
1156 @env{EDITOR} to @samp{emacs}, they invoke Emacs---but in an
1157 inconvenient fashion, by starting a new, separate Emacs process. This
1158 is inconvenient because it takes time and because the new Emacs process
1159 doesn't share the buffers in any existing Emacs process.
1160
1161 You can arrange to use your existing Emacs process as the editor for
1162 programs like @code{mail} by using the Emacs client and Emacs server
1163 programs. Here is how.
1164
1165 @cindex @env{TEXEDIT} environment variable
1166 First, the preparation. Within Emacs, call the function
1167 @code{server-start}. (Your @file{.emacs} file can do this automatically
1168 if you add the expression @code{(server-start)} to it.) Then, outside
1169 Emacs, set the @env{EDITOR} environment variable to @samp{emacsclient}.
1170 (Note that some programs use a different environment variable; for
1171 example, to make @TeX{} use @samp{emacsclient}, you should set the
1172 @env{TEXEDIT} environment variable to @samp{emacsclient +%d %s}.)
1173
1174 @kindex C-x #
1175 @findex server-edit
1176 Then, whenever any program invokes your specified @env{EDITOR}
1177 program, the effect is to send a message to your principal Emacs telling
1178 it to visit a file. (That's what the program @code{emacsclient} does.)
1179 Emacs displays the buffer immediately and you can immediately begin
1180 editing it.
1181
1182 When you've finished editing that buffer, type @kbd{C-x #}
1183 (@code{server-edit}). This saves the file and sends a message back to
1184 the @code{emacsclient} program telling it to exit. The programs that
1185 use @env{EDITOR} wait for the ``editor'' (actually, @code{emacsclient})
1186 to exit. @kbd{C-x #} also checks for other pending external requests
1187 to edit various files, and selects the next such file.
1188
1189 You can switch to a server buffer manually if you wish; you don't
1190 have to arrive at it with @kbd{C-x #}. But @kbd{C-x #} is the way to
1191 say that you are finished with one.
1192
1193 @vindex server-kill-new-buffers
1194 @vindex server-temp-file-regexp
1195 Finishing with a server buffer also kills the buffer, unless it
1196 already existed in the Emacs session before the server asked to create
1197 it. However, if you set @code{server-kill-new-buffers} to @code{nil},
1198 then a different criterion is used: finishing with a server buffer
1199 kills it if the file name matches the regular expression
1200 @code{server-temp-file-regexp}. This is set up to distinguish certain
1201 ``temporary'' files.
1202
1203 @vindex server-window
1204 If you set the variable @code{server-window} to a window or a frame,
1205 @kbd{C-x #} displays the server buffer in that window or in that frame.
1206
1207 While @code{mail} or another application is waiting for
1208 @code{emacsclient} to finish, @code{emacsclient} does not read terminal
1209 input. So the terminal that @code{mail} was using is effectively
1210 blocked for the duration. In order to edit with your principal Emacs,
1211 you need to be able to use it without using that terminal. There are
1212 three ways to do this:
1213
1214 @itemize @bullet
1215 @item
1216 Using a window system, run @code{mail} and the principal Emacs in two
1217 separate windows. While @code{mail} is waiting for @code{emacsclient},
1218 the window where it was running is blocked, but you can use Emacs by
1219 switching windows.
1220
1221 @item
1222 Using virtual terminals, run @code{mail} in one virtual terminal
1223 and run Emacs in another.
1224
1225 @item
1226 Use Shell mode or Term mode in Emacs to run the other program such as
1227 @code{mail}; then, @code{emacsclient} blocks only the subshell under
1228 Emacs, and you can still use Emacs to edit the file.
1229 @end itemize
1230
1231 If you run @code{emacsclient} with the option @samp{--no-wait}, it
1232 returns immediately without waiting for you to ``finish'' the buffer
1233 in Emacs. Note that server buffers created in this way are not killed
1234 automatically when you finish with them.
1235
1236 @menu
1237 * Invoking emacsclient::
1238 @end menu
1239
1240 @node Invoking emacsclient,, Emacs Server, Emacs Server
1241 @section Invoking @code{emacsclient}
1242
1243 To run the @code{emacsclient} program, specify file names as arguments,
1244 and optionally line numbers as well. Do it like this:
1245
1246 @example
1247 emacsclient @r{@{}@r{[}+@var{line}@r{[}@var{column}@r{]}@r{]} @var{filename}@r{@}}@dots{}
1248 @end example
1249
1250 @noindent
1251 This tells Emacs to visit each of the specified files; if you specify a
1252 line number for a certain file, Emacs moves to that line in the file.
1253 If you specify a column number as well, Emacs puts point on that column
1254 in the line.
1255
1256 Ordinarily, @code{emacsclient} does not return until you use the
1257 @kbd{C-x #} command on each of these buffers. When that happens,
1258 Emacs sends a message to the @code{emacsclient} program telling it to
1259 return.
1260
1261 But if you use the option @samp{-n} or @samp{--no-wait} when running
1262 @code{emacsclient}, then it returns immediately. (You can take as
1263 long as you like to edit the files in Emacs.)
1264
1265 The option @samp{--alternate-editor=@var{command}} is useful when
1266 running @code{emacsclient} in a script. It specifies a command to run
1267 if @code{emacsclient} fails to contact Emacs. For example, the
1268 following setting for the @var{EDITOR} environment variable will
1269 always give an editor, even if Emacs is not running:
1270
1271 @example
1272 EDITOR="emacsclient --alternate-editor vi +%d %s"
1273 @end example
1274
1275 @noindent
1276 The environment variable @var{ALTERNATE_EDITOR} has the same effect, but
1277 the value of the @samp{--alternate-editor} takes precedence.
1278
1279 @pindex emacs.bash
1280 Alternatively, the file @file{etc/emacs.bash} defines a bash
1281 function which will communicate with a running Emacs server, or start
1282 one if none exists.
1283
1284 @node Hardcopy, PostScript, Emacs Server, Top
1285 @section Hardcopy Output
1286 @cindex hardcopy
1287
1288 The Emacs commands for making hardcopy let you print either an entire
1289 buffer or just part of one, either with or without page headers.
1290 See also the hardcopy commands of Dired (@pxref{Misc File Ops})
1291 and the diary (@pxref{Diary Commands}).
1292
1293 @table @kbd
1294 @item M-x print-buffer
1295 Print hardcopy of current buffer with page headings containing the file
1296 name and page number.
1297 @item M-x lpr-buffer
1298 Print hardcopy of current buffer without page headings.
1299 @item M-x print-region
1300 Like @code{print-buffer} but print only the current region.
1301 @item M-x lpr-region
1302 Like @code{lpr-buffer} but print only the current region.
1303 @end table
1304
1305 @findex print-buffer
1306 @findex print-region
1307 @findex lpr-buffer
1308 @findex lpr-region
1309 @vindex lpr-switches
1310 The hardcopy commands (aside from the Postscript commands) pass extra
1311 switches to the @code{lpr} program based on the value of the variable
1312 @code{lpr-switches}. Its value should be a list of strings, each string
1313 an option starting with @samp{-}. For example, to specify a line width
1314 of 80 columns for all the printing you do in Emacs, set
1315 @code{lpr-switches} like this:
1316
1317 @example
1318 (setq lpr-switches '("-w80"))
1319 @end example
1320
1321 @vindex printer-name
1322 You can specify the printer to use by setting the variable
1323 @code{printer-name}.
1324
1325 @vindex lpr-headers-switches
1326 @vindex lpr-commands
1327 @vindex lpr-add-switches
1328 The variable @code{lpr-command} specifies the name of the printer
1329 program to run; the default value depends on your operating system type.
1330 On most systems, the default is @code{"lpr"}. The variable
1331 @code{lpr-headers-switches} similarly specifies the extra switches to
1332 use to make page headers. The variable @code{lpr-add-switches} controls
1333 whether to supply @samp{-T} and @samp{-J} options (suitable for
1334 @code{lpr}) to the printer program: @code{nil} means don't add them.
1335 @code{lpr-add-switches} should be @code{nil} if your printer program is
1336 not compatible with @code{lpr}.
1337
1338 @node PostScript, PostScript Variables, Hardcopy, Top
1339 @section PostScript Hardcopy
1340
1341 These commands convert buffer contents to PostScript,
1342 either printing it or leaving it in another Emacs buffer.
1343
1344 @table @kbd
1345 @item M-x ps-print-buffer
1346 Print hardcopy of the current buffer in PostScript form.
1347 @item M-x ps-print-region
1348 Print hardcopy of the current region in PostScript form.
1349 @item M-x ps-print-buffer-with-faces
1350 Print hardcopy of the current buffer in PostScript form, showing the
1351 faces used in the text by means of PostScript features.
1352 @item M-x ps-print-region-with-faces
1353 Print hardcopy of the current region in PostScript form, showing the
1354 faces used in the text.
1355 @item M-x ps-spool-buffer
1356 Generate PostScript for the current buffer text.
1357 @item M-x ps-spool-region
1358 Generate PostScript for the current region.
1359 @item M-x ps-spool-buffer-with-faces
1360 Generate PostScript for the current buffer, showing the faces used.
1361 @item M-x ps-spool-region-with-faces
1362 Generate PostScript for the current region, showing the faces used.
1363 @item M-x handwrite
1364 Generates/prints PostScript for the current buffer as if handwritten.
1365 @end table
1366
1367 @findex ps-print-region
1368 @findex ps-print-buffer
1369 @findex ps-print-region-with-faces
1370 @findex ps-print-buffer-with-faces
1371 The PostScript commands, @code{ps-print-buffer} and
1372 @code{ps-print-region}, print buffer contents in PostScript form. One
1373 command prints the entire buffer; the other, just the region. The
1374 corresponding @samp{-with-faces} commands,
1375 @code{ps-print-buffer-with-faces} and @code{ps-print-region-with-faces},
1376 use PostScript features to show the faces (fonts and colors) in the text
1377 properties of the text being printed.
1378
1379 If you are using a color display, you can print a buffer of program
1380 code with color highlighting by turning on Font-Lock mode in that
1381 buffer, and using @code{ps-print-buffer-with-faces}.
1382
1383 @findex ps-spool-region
1384 @findex ps-spool-buffer
1385 @findex ps-spool-region-with-faces
1386 @findex ps-spool-buffer-with-faces
1387 The commands whose names have @samp{spool} instead of @samp{print}
1388 generate the PostScript output in an Emacs buffer instead of sending
1389 it to the printer.
1390
1391 @findex handwrite
1392 @cindex handwriting
1393 @kbd{M-x handwrite} is more frivolous. It generates a PostScript
1394 rendition of the current buffer as a cursive handwritten document. It
1395 can be customized in group @code{handwrite}. This function only
1396 supports ISO 8859-1 characters.
1397
1398 @ifinfo
1399 The following section describes variables for customizing these commands.
1400 @end ifinfo
1401
1402 @node PostScript Variables, Sorting, PostScript, Top
1403 @section Variables for PostScript Hardcopy
1404
1405 @vindex ps-lpr-command
1406 @vindex ps-lpr-switches
1407 @vindex ps-printer-name
1408 All the PostScript hardcopy commands use the variables
1409 @code{ps-lpr-command} and @code{ps-lpr-switches} to specify how to print
1410 the output. @code{ps-lpr-command} specifies the command name to run,
1411 @code{ps-lpr-switches} specifies command line options to use, and
1412 @code{ps-printer-name} specifies the printer. If you don't set the
1413 first two variables yourself, they take their initial values from
1414 @code{lpr-command} and @code{lpr-switches}. If @code{ps-printer-name}
1415 is @code{nil}, @code{printer-name} is used.
1416
1417 @vindex ps-print-header
1418 The variable @code{ps-print-header} controls whether these commands
1419 add header lines to each page---set it to @code{nil} to turn headers
1420 off.
1421
1422 @cindex color emulation on black-and-white printers
1423 @vindex ps-print-color-p
1424 If your printer doesn't support colors, you should turn off color
1425 processing by setting @code{ps-print-color-p} to @code{nil}. By
1426 default, if the display supports colors, Emacs produces hardcopy output
1427 with color information; on black-and-white printers, colors are emulated
1428 with shades of gray. This might produce illegible output, even if your
1429 screen colors only use shades of gray.
1430
1431 @vindex ps-use-face-background
1432 By default, PostScript printing ignores the background colors of the
1433 faces, unless the variable @code{ps-use-face-background} is
1434 non-@code{nil}. This is to avoid unwanted interference with the zebra
1435 stripes and background image/text.
1436
1437 @vindex ps-paper-type
1438 @vindex ps-page-dimensions-database
1439 The variable @code{ps-paper-type} specifies which size of paper to
1440 format for; legitimate values include @code{a4}, @code{a3},
1441 @code{a4small}, @code{b4}, @code{b5}, @code{executive}, @code{ledger},
1442 @code{legal}, @code{letter}, @code{letter-small}, @code{statement},
1443 @code{tabloid}. The default is @code{letter}. You can define
1444 additional paper sizes by changing the variable
1445 @code{ps-page-dimensions-database}.
1446
1447 @vindex ps-landscape-mode
1448 The variable @code{ps-landscape-mode} specifies the orientation of
1449 printing on the page. The default is @code{nil}, which stands for
1450 ``portrait'' mode. Any non-@code{nil} value specifies ``landscape''
1451 mode.
1452
1453 @vindex ps-number-of-columns
1454 The variable @code{ps-number-of-columns} specifies the number of
1455 columns; it takes effect in both landscape and portrait mode. The
1456 default is 1.
1457
1458 @vindex ps-font-family
1459 @vindex ps-font-size
1460 @vindex ps-font-info-database
1461 The variable @code{ps-font-family} specifies which font family to use
1462 for printing ordinary text. Legitimate values include @code{Courier},
1463 @code{Helvetica}, @code{NewCenturySchlbk}, @code{Palatino} and
1464 @code{Times}. The variable @code{ps-font-size} specifies the size of
1465 the font for ordinary text. It defaults to 8.5 points.
1466
1467 @vindex ps-multibyte-buffer
1468 @cindex Intlfonts for PostScript printing
1469 @cindex fonts for PostScript printing
1470 Emacs supports more scripts and characters than a typical PostScript
1471 printer. Thus, some of the characters in your buffer might not be
1472 printable using the fonts built into your printer. You can augment
1473 the fonts supplied with the printer with those from the GNU Intlfonts
1474 package, or you can instruct Emacs to use Intlfonts exclusively. The
1475 variable @code{ps-multibyte-buffer} controls this: the default value,
1476 @code{nil}, is appropriate for printing @sc{ascii} and Latin-1
1477 characters; a value of @code{non-latin-printer} is for printers which
1478 have the fonts for @sc{ascii}, Latin-1, Japanese, and Korean
1479 characters built into them. A value of @code{bdf-font} arranges for
1480 the BDF fonts from the Intlfonts package to be used for @emph{all}
1481 characters. Finally, a value of @code{bdf-font-except-latin}
1482 instructs the printer to use built-in fonts for @sc{ascii} and Latin-1
1483 characters, and Intlfonts BDF fonts for the rest.
1484
1485 @vindex bdf-directory-list
1486 To be able to use the BDF fonts, Emacs needs to know where to find
1487 them. The variable @code{bdf-directory-list} holds the list of
1488 directories where Emacs should look for the fonts; the default value
1489 includes a single directory @file{/usr/local/share/emacs/fonts/bdf}.
1490
1491 Many other customization variables for these commands are defined and
1492 described in the Lisp files @file{ps-print.el} and @file{ps-mule.el}.
1493
1494 @node Sorting, Narrowing, PostScript Variables, Top
1495 @section Sorting Text
1496 @cindex sorting
1497
1498 Emacs provides several commands for sorting text in the buffer. All
1499 operate on the contents of the region (the text between point and the
1500 mark). They divide the text of the region into many @dfn{sort records},
1501 identify a @dfn{sort key} for each record, and then reorder the records
1502 into the order determined by the sort keys. The records are ordered so
1503 that their keys are in alphabetical order, or, for numeric sorting, in
1504 numeric order. In alphabetic sorting, all upper-case letters `A' through
1505 `Z' come before lower-case `a', in accord with the ASCII character
1506 sequence.
1507
1508 The various sort commands differ in how they divide the text into sort
1509 records and in which part of each record is used as the sort key. Most of
1510 the commands make each line a separate sort record, but some commands use
1511 paragraphs or pages as sort records. Most of the sort commands use each
1512 entire sort record as its own sort key, but some use only a portion of the
1513 record as the sort key.
1514
1515 @findex sort-lines
1516 @findex sort-paragraphs
1517 @findex sort-pages
1518 @findex sort-fields
1519 @findex sort-numeric-fields
1520 @vindex sort-numeric-base
1521 @table @kbd
1522 @item M-x sort-lines
1523 Divide the region into lines, and sort by comparing the entire
1524 text of a line. A numeric argument means sort into descending order.
1525
1526 @item M-x sort-paragraphs
1527 Divide the region into paragraphs, and sort by comparing the entire
1528 text of a paragraph (except for leading blank lines). A numeric
1529 argument means sort into descending order.
1530
1531 @item M-x sort-pages
1532 Divide the region into pages, and sort by comparing the entire
1533 text of a page (except for leading blank lines). A numeric
1534 argument means sort into descending order.
1535
1536 @item M-x sort-fields
1537 Divide the region into lines, and sort by comparing the contents of
1538 one field in each line. Fields are defined as separated by
1539 whitespace, so the first run of consecutive non-whitespace characters
1540 in a line constitutes field 1, the second such run constitutes field
1541 2, etc.
1542
1543 Specify which field to sort by with a numeric argument: 1 to sort by
1544 field 1, etc. A negative argument means count fields from the right
1545 instead of from the left; thus, minus 1 means sort by the last field.
1546 If several lines have identical contents in the field being sorted, they
1547 keep the same relative order that they had in the original buffer.
1548
1549 @item M-x sort-numeric-fields
1550 Like @kbd{M-x sort-fields} except the specified field is converted
1551 to an integer for each line, and the numbers are compared. @samp{10}
1552 comes before @samp{2} when considered as text, but after it when
1553 considered as a number. By default, numbers are interpreted according
1554 to @code{sort-numeric-base}, but numbers beginning with @samp{0x} or
1555 @samp{0} are interpreted as hexadecimal and octal, respectively.
1556
1557 @item M-x sort-columns
1558 Like @kbd{M-x sort-fields} except that the text within each line
1559 used for comparison comes from a fixed range of columns. See below
1560 for an explanation.
1561
1562 @item M-x reverse-region
1563 Reverse the order of the lines in the region. This is useful for
1564 sorting into descending order by fields or columns, since those sort
1565 commands do not have a feature for doing that.
1566 @end table
1567
1568 For example, if the buffer contains this:
1569
1570 @smallexample
1571 On systems where clash detection (locking of files being edited) is
1572 implemented, Emacs also checks the first time you modify a buffer
1573 whether the file has changed on disk since it was last visited or
1574 saved. If it has, you are asked to confirm that you want to change
1575 the buffer.
1576 @end smallexample
1577
1578 @noindent
1579 applying @kbd{M-x sort-lines} to the entire buffer produces this:
1580
1581 @smallexample
1582 On systems where clash detection (locking of files being edited) is
1583 implemented, Emacs also checks the first time you modify a buffer
1584 saved. If it has, you are asked to confirm that you want to change
1585 the buffer.
1586 whether the file has changed on disk since it was last visited or
1587 @end smallexample
1588
1589 @noindent
1590 where the upper-case @samp{O} sorts before all lower-case letters. If
1591 you use @kbd{C-u 2 M-x sort-fields} instead, you get this:
1592
1593 @smallexample
1594 implemented, Emacs also checks the first time you modify a buffer
1595 saved. If it has, you are asked to confirm that you want to change
1596 the buffer.
1597 On systems where clash detection (locking of files being edited) is
1598 whether the file has changed on disk since it was last visited or
1599 @end smallexample
1600
1601 @noindent
1602 where the sort keys were @samp{Emacs}, @samp{If}, @samp{buffer},
1603 @samp{systems} and @samp{the}.
1604
1605 @findex sort-columns
1606 @kbd{M-x sort-columns} requires more explanation. You specify the
1607 columns by putting point at one of the columns and the mark at the other
1608 column. Because this means you cannot put point or the mark at the
1609 beginning of the first line of the text you want to sort, this command
1610 uses an unusual definition of ``region'': all of the line point is in is
1611 considered part of the region, and so is all of the line the mark is in,
1612 as well as all the lines in between.
1613
1614 For example, to sort a table by information found in columns 10 to 15,
1615 you could put the mark on column 10 in the first line of the table, and
1616 point on column 15 in the last line of the table, and then run
1617 @code{sort-columns}. Equivalently, you could run it with the mark on
1618 column 15 in the first line and point on column 10 in the last line.
1619
1620 This can be thought of as sorting the rectangle specified by point and
1621 the mark, except that the text on each line to the left or right of the
1622 rectangle moves along with the text inside the rectangle.
1623 @xref{Rectangles}.
1624
1625 @vindex sort-fold-case
1626 Many of the sort commands ignore case differences when comparing, if
1627 @code{sort-fold-case} is non-@code{nil}.
1628
1629 @node Narrowing, Two-Column, Sorting, Top
1630 @section Narrowing
1631 @cindex widening
1632 @cindex restriction
1633 @cindex narrowing
1634 @cindex accessible portion
1635
1636 @dfn{Narrowing} means focusing in on some portion of the buffer,
1637 making the rest temporarily inaccessible. The portion which you can
1638 still get to is called the @dfn{accessible portion}. Canceling the
1639 narrowing, which makes the entire buffer once again accessible, is
1640 called @dfn{widening}. The amount of narrowing in effect in a buffer at
1641 any time is called the buffer's @dfn{restriction}.
1642
1643 Narrowing can make it easier to concentrate on a single subroutine or
1644 paragraph by eliminating clutter. It can also be used to restrict the
1645 range of operation of a replace command or repeating keyboard macro.
1646
1647 @c WideCommands
1648 @table @kbd
1649 @item C-x n n
1650 Narrow down to between point and mark (@code{narrow-to-region}).
1651 @item C-x n w
1652 Widen to make the entire buffer accessible again (@code{widen}).
1653 @item C-x n p
1654 Narrow down to the current page (@code{narrow-to-page}).
1655 @item C-x n d
1656 Narrow down to the current defun (@code{narrow-to-defun}).
1657 @end table
1658
1659 When you have narrowed down to a part of the buffer, that part appears
1660 to be all there is. You can't see the rest, you can't move into it
1661 (motion commands won't go outside the accessible part), you can't change
1662 it in any way. However, it is not gone, and if you save the file all
1663 the inaccessible text will be saved. The word @samp{Narrow} appears in
1664 the mode line whenever narrowing is in effect.
1665
1666 @kindex C-x n n
1667 @findex narrow-to-region
1668 The primary narrowing command is @kbd{C-x n n} (@code{narrow-to-region}).
1669 It sets the current buffer's restrictions so that the text in the current
1670 region remains accessible, but all text before the region or after the
1671 region is inaccessible. Point and mark do not change.
1672
1673 @kindex C-x n p
1674 @findex narrow-to-page
1675 @kindex C-x n d
1676 @findex narrow-to-defun
1677 Alternatively, use @kbd{C-x n p} (@code{narrow-to-page}) to narrow
1678 down to the current page. @xref{Pages}, for the definition of a page.
1679 @kbd{C-x n d} (@code{narrow-to-defun}) narrows down to the defun
1680 containing point (@pxref{Defuns}).
1681
1682 @kindex C-x n w
1683 @findex widen
1684 The way to cancel narrowing is to widen with @kbd{C-x n w}
1685 (@code{widen}). This makes all text in the buffer accessible again.
1686
1687 You can get information on what part of the buffer you are narrowed down
1688 to using the @kbd{C-x =} command. @xref{Position Info}.
1689
1690 Because narrowing can easily confuse users who do not understand it,
1691 @code{narrow-to-region} is normally a disabled command. Attempting to use
1692 this command asks for confirmation and gives you the option of enabling it;
1693 if you enable the command, confirmation will no longer be required for
1694 it. @xref{Disabling}.
1695
1696 @node Two-Column, Editing Binary Files, Narrowing, Top
1697 @section Two-Column Editing
1698 @cindex two-column editing
1699 @cindex splitting columns
1700 @cindex columns, splitting
1701
1702 Two-column mode lets you conveniently edit two side-by-side columns of
1703 text. It uses two side-by-side windows, each showing its own
1704 buffer.
1705
1706 There are three ways to enter two-column mode:
1707
1708 @table @asis
1709 @item @kbd{@key{F2} 2} or @kbd{C-x 6 2}
1710 @kindex F2 2
1711 @kindex C-x 6 2
1712 @findex 2C-two-columns
1713 Enter two-column mode with the current buffer on the left, and on the
1714 right, a buffer whose name is based on the current buffer's name
1715 (@code{2C-two-columns}). If the right-hand buffer doesn't already
1716 exist, it starts out empty; the current buffer's contents are not
1717 changed.
1718
1719 This command is appropriate when the current buffer is empty or contains
1720 just one column and you want to add another column.
1721
1722 @item @kbd{@key{F2} s} or @kbd{C-x 6 s}
1723 @kindex F2 s
1724 @kindex C-x 6 s
1725 @findex 2C-split
1726 Split the current buffer, which contains two-column text, into two
1727 buffers, and display them side by side (@code{2C-split}). The current
1728 buffer becomes the left-hand buffer, but the text in the right-hand
1729 column is moved into the right-hand buffer. The current column
1730 specifies the split point. Splitting starts with the current line and
1731 continues to the end of the buffer.
1732
1733 This command is appropriate when you have a buffer that already contains
1734 two-column text, and you wish to separate the columns temporarily.
1735
1736 @item @kbd{@key{F2} b @var{buffer} @key{RET}}
1737 @itemx @kbd{C-x 6 b @var{buffer} @key{RET}}
1738 @kindex F2 b
1739 @kindex C-x 6 b
1740 @findex 2C-associate-buffer
1741 Enter two-column mode using the current buffer as the left-hand buffer,
1742 and using buffer @var{buffer} as the right-hand buffer
1743 (@code{2C-associate-buffer}).
1744 @end table
1745
1746 @kbd{@key{F2} s} or @kbd{C-x 6 s} looks for a column separator, which
1747 is a string that appears on each line between the two columns. You can
1748 specify the width of the separator with a numeric argument to
1749 @kbd{@key{F2} s}; that many characters, before point, constitute the
1750 separator string. By default, the width is 1, so the column separator
1751 is the character before point.
1752
1753 When a line has the separator at the proper place, @kbd{@key{F2} s}
1754 puts the text after the separator into the right-hand buffer, and
1755 deletes the separator. Lines that don't have the column separator at
1756 the proper place remain unsplit; they stay in the left-hand buffer, and
1757 the right-hand buffer gets an empty line to correspond. (This is the
1758 way to write a line that ``spans both columns while in two-column
1759 mode'': write it in the left-hand buffer, and put an empty line in the
1760 right-hand buffer.)
1761
1762 @kindex F2 RET
1763 @kindex C-x 6 RET
1764 @findex 2C-newline
1765 The command @kbd{C-x 6 @key{RET}} or @kbd{@key{F2} @key{RET}}
1766 (@code{2C-newline}) inserts a newline in each of the two buffers at
1767 corresponding positions. This is the easiest way to add a new line to
1768 the two-column text while editing it in split buffers.
1769
1770 @kindex F2 1
1771 @kindex C-x 6 1
1772 @findex 2C-merge
1773 When you have edited both buffers as you wish, merge them with
1774 @kbd{@key{F2} 1} or @kbd{C-x 6 1} (@code{2C-merge}). This copies the
1775 text from the right-hand buffer as a second column in the other buffer.
1776 To go back to two-column editing, use @kbd{@key{F2} s}.
1777
1778 @kindex F2 d
1779 @kindex C-x 6 d
1780 @findex 2C-dissociate
1781 Use @kbd{@key{F2} d} or @kbd{C-x 6 d} to dissociate the two buffers,
1782 leaving each as it stands (@code{2C-dissociate}). If the other buffer,
1783 the one not current when you type @kbd{@key{F2} d}, is empty,
1784 @kbd{@key{F2} d} kills it.
1785
1786 @node Editing Binary Files, Saving Emacs Sessions, Two-Column, Top
1787 @section Editing Binary Files
1788
1789 @cindex Hexl mode
1790 @cindex mode, Hexl
1791 @cindex editing binary files
1792 @cindex hex editing
1793 There is a special major mode for editing binary files: Hexl mode. To
1794 use it, use @kbd{M-x hexl-find-file} instead of @kbd{C-x C-f} to visit
1795 the file. This command converts the file's contents to hexadecimal and
1796 lets you edit the translation. When you save the file, it is converted
1797 automatically back to binary.
1798
1799 You can also use @kbd{M-x hexl-mode} to translate an existing buffer
1800 into hex. This is useful if you visit a file normally and then discover
1801 it is a binary file.
1802
1803 Ordinary text characters overwrite in Hexl mode. This is to reduce
1804 the risk of accidentally spoiling the alignment of data in the file.
1805 There are special commands for insertion. Here is a list of the
1806 commands of Hexl mode:
1807
1808 @c I don't think individual index entries for these commands are useful--RMS.
1809 @table @kbd
1810 @item C-M-d
1811 Insert a byte with a code typed in decimal.
1812
1813 @item C-M-o
1814 Insert a byte with a code typed in octal.
1815
1816 @item C-M-x
1817 Insert a byte with a code typed in hex.
1818
1819 @item C-x [
1820 Move to the beginning of a 1k-byte ``page.''
1821
1822 @item C-x ]
1823 Move to the end of a 1k-byte ``page.''
1824
1825 @item M-g
1826 Move to an address specified in hex.
1827
1828 @item M-j
1829 Move to an address specified in decimal.
1830
1831 @item C-c C-c
1832 Leave Hexl mode, going back to the major mode this buffer had before you
1833 invoked @code{hexl-mode}.
1834 @end table
1835
1836 @noindent
1837 Other Hexl commands let you insert strings (sequences) of binary
1838 bytes, move by @code{short}s or @code{int}s, etc.; type @kbd{C-h a
1839 hexl-@key{RET}} for details.
1840
1841
1842 @node Saving Emacs Sessions, Recursive Edit, Editing Binary Files, Top
1843 @section Saving Emacs Sessions
1844 @cindex saving sessions
1845 @cindex restore session
1846 @cindex remember editing session
1847 @cindex reload files
1848 @cindex desktop
1849
1850 You can use the Desktop library to save the state of Emacs from one
1851 session to another. Saving the state means that Emacs starts up with
1852 the same set of buffers, major modes, buffer positions, and so on that
1853 the previous Emacs session had.
1854
1855 @vindex desktop-enable
1856 To use Desktop, you should use the Customization buffer (@pxref{Easy
1857 Customization}) to set @code{desktop-enable} to a non-@code{nil} value,
1858 or add these lines at the end of your @file{.emacs} file:
1859
1860 @example
1861 (desktop-load-default)
1862 (desktop-read)
1863 @end example
1864
1865 @noindent
1866 @findex desktop-save
1867 The first time you save the state of the Emacs session, you must do it
1868 manually, with the command @kbd{M-x desktop-save}. Once you have done
1869 that, exiting Emacs will save the state again---not only the present
1870 Emacs session, but also subsequent sessions. You can also save the
1871 state at any time, without exiting Emacs, by typing @kbd{M-x
1872 desktop-save} again.
1873
1874 In order for Emacs to recover the state from a previous session, you
1875 must start it with the same current directory as you used when you
1876 started the previous session. This is because @code{desktop-read} looks
1877 in the current directory for the file to read. This means that you can
1878 have separate saved sessions in different directories; the directory in
1879 which you start Emacs will control which saved session to use.
1880
1881 @vindex desktop-files-not-to-save
1882 The variable @code{desktop-files-not-to-save} controls which files are
1883 excluded from state saving. Its value is a regular expression that
1884 matches the files to exclude. By default, remote (ftp-accessed) files
1885 are excluded; this is because visiting them again in the subsequent
1886 session would be slow. If you want to include these files in state
1887 saving, set @code{desktop-files-not-to-save} to @code{"^$"}.
1888 @xref{Remote Files}.
1889
1890 @vindex save-place
1891 @cindex Saveplace
1892 @findex toggle-save-place
1893 The Saveplace library provides a simpler feature that records your
1894 position in each file when you kill its buffer (or kill Emacs), and
1895 jumps to the same position when you visit the file again (even in
1896 another Emacs session). Use @kbd{M-x toggle-save-place} to turn on
1897 place-saving in a given file. Customize the option @code{save-place}
1898 to turn it on for all files in each session.
1899
1900 @node Recursive Edit, Emulation, Saving Emacs Sessions, Top
1901 @section Recursive Editing Levels
1902 @cindex recursive editing level
1903 @cindex editing level, recursive
1904
1905 A @dfn{recursive edit} is a situation in which you are using Emacs
1906 commands to perform arbitrary editing while in the middle of another
1907 Emacs command. For example, when you type @kbd{C-r} inside of a
1908 @code{query-replace}, you enter a recursive edit in which you can change
1909 the current buffer. On exiting from the recursive edit, you go back to
1910 the @code{query-replace}.
1911
1912 @kindex C-M-c
1913 @findex exit-recursive-edit
1914 @cindex exiting recursive edit
1915 @dfn{Exiting} the recursive edit means returning to the unfinished
1916 command, which continues execution. The command to exit is @kbd{C-M-c}
1917 (@code{exit-recursive-edit}).
1918
1919 You can also @dfn{abort} the recursive edit. This is like exiting,
1920 but also quits the unfinished command immediately. Use the command
1921 @kbd{C-]} (@code{abort-recursive-edit}) to do this. @xref{Quitting}.
1922
1923 The mode line shows you when you are in a recursive edit by displaying
1924 square brackets around the parentheses that always surround the major and
1925 minor mode names. Every window's mode line shows this in the same way,
1926 since being in a recursive edit is true of Emacs as a whole rather than
1927 any particular window or buffer.
1928
1929 It is possible to be in recursive edits within recursive edits. For
1930 example, after typing @kbd{C-r} in a @code{query-replace}, you may type a
1931 command that enters the debugger. This begins a recursive editing level
1932 for the debugger, within the recursive editing level for @kbd{C-r}.
1933 Mode lines display a pair of square brackets for each recursive editing
1934 level currently in progress.
1935
1936 Exiting the inner recursive edit (such as, with the debugger @kbd{c}
1937 command) resumes the command running in the next level up. When that
1938 command finishes, you can then use @kbd{C-M-c} to exit another recursive
1939 editing level, and so on. Exiting applies to the innermost level only.
1940 Aborting also gets out of only one level of recursive edit; it returns
1941 immediately to the command level of the previous recursive edit. If you
1942 wish, you can then abort the next recursive editing level.
1943
1944 Alternatively, the command @kbd{M-x top-level} aborts all levels of
1945 recursive edits, returning immediately to the top-level command reader.
1946
1947 The text being edited inside the recursive edit need not be the same text
1948 that you were editing at top level. It depends on what the recursive edit
1949 is for. If the command that invokes the recursive edit selects a different
1950 buffer first, that is the buffer you will edit recursively. In any case,
1951 you can switch buffers within the recursive edit in the normal manner (as
1952 long as the buffer-switching keys have not been rebound). You could
1953 probably do all the rest of your editing inside the recursive edit,
1954 visiting files and all. But this could have surprising effects (such as
1955 stack overflow) from time to time. So remember to exit or abort the
1956 recursive edit when you no longer need it.
1957
1958 In general, we try to minimize the use of recursive editing levels in
1959 GNU Emacs. This is because they constrain you to ``go back'' in a
1960 particular order---from the innermost level toward the top level. When
1961 possible, we present different activities in separate buffers so that
1962 you can switch between them as you please. Some commands switch to a
1963 new major mode which provides a command to switch back. These
1964 approaches give you more flexibility to go back to unfinished tasks in
1965 the order you choose.
1966
1967 @node Emulation, Hyperlinking, Recursive Edit, Top
1968 @section Emulation
1969 @cindex emulating other editors
1970 @cindex other editors
1971 @cindex EDT
1972 @cindex vi
1973 @cindex PC keybindings
1974 @cindex scrolling all windows
1975 @cindex PC selecion
1976 @cindex Motif keybindings
1977 @cindex Macintosh keybindings
1978 @cindex WordStar
1979
1980 GNU Emacs can be programmed to emulate (more or less) most other
1981 editors. Standard facilities can emulate these:
1982
1983 @table @asis
1984 @item CRiSP/Brief (PC editor)
1985 @findex crisp-mode
1986 @vindex crisp-override-meta-x
1987 @findex scroll-all-mode
1988 @cindex CRiSP mode
1989 @cindex Brief emulation
1990 @cindex emulation of Brief
1991 @cindex mode, CRiSP
1992 You can turn on keybindings to emulate the CRiSP/Brief editor with
1993 @kbd{M-x crisp-mode}. Note that this rebinds @kbd{M-x} to exit Emacs
1994 unless you change the user option @code{crisp-override-meta-x}. You can
1995 also use the command @kbd{M-x scroll-all-mode} or set the user option
1996 @code{crisp-load-scroll-all} to emulate CRiSP's scroll-all feature
1997 (scrolling all windows together).
1998
1999 @item EDT (DEC VMS editor)
2000 @findex edt-emulation-on
2001 @findex edt-emulation-off
2002 Turn on EDT emulation with @kbd{M-x edt-emulation-on}. @kbd{M-x
2003 edt-emulation-off} restores normal Emacs command bindings.
2004
2005 Most of the EDT emulation commands are keypad keys, and most standard
2006 Emacs key bindings are still available. The EDT emulation rebindings
2007 are done in the global keymap, so there is no problem switching
2008 buffers or major modes while in EDT emulation.
2009
2010 @item ``PC'' bindings
2011 @findex pc-bindings-mode
2012 @cindex ``PC'' key bindings
2013 The command @kbd{M-x pc-bindings-mode} sets up certain key bindings
2014 for ``PC compatibility''---what people are often used to on PCs---as
2015 follows: @kbd{Delete} and its variants delete forward instead of
2016 backward, @kbd{C-Backspace} kills backward a word (as @kbd{C-Delete}
2017 normally would), @kbd{M-Backspace} does undo, @kbd{Home} and @kbd{End}
2018 move to beginning and end of line, @kbd{C-Home} and @kbd{C-End} move
2019 to beginning and end of buffer and @kbd{C-Escape} does
2020 @code{list-buffers}.
2021
2022 @item PC Selection mode
2023 @findex pc-selection-mode
2024 @cindex PC Selection minor mode
2025 @cindex mode, PC selection
2026 @cindex selection, PC
2027 The command @kbd{M-x pc-selection-mode} enables a global minor mode
2028 that emulates the mark, copy, cut and paste commands of various other
2029 systems---an interface known as CUA. It establishes the keybindings
2030 of PC mode, and also modifies the bindings of the cursor keys and the
2031 @kbd{next}, @kbd{prior}, @kbd{home} and @kbd{end} keys. It does not
2032 provide the full set of CUA keybindings---the fundamental Emacs keys
2033 @kbd{C-c}, @kbd{C-v} and @kbd{C-x} are not changed.
2034
2035 The standard keys for moving around (@kbd{right}, @kbd{left},
2036 @kbd{up}, @kbd{down}, @kbd{home}, @kbd{end}, @kbd{prior}, @kbd{next},
2037 called ``move-keys'') deactivate the mark in PC selection mode.
2038 However, using @kbd{Shift} together with the ``move keys'' activates
2039 the region over which they move. The copy, cut and paste functions
2040 are available on @kbd{C-insert}, @kbd{S-delete} and @kbd{S-insert}
2041 respectively.
2042
2043 @cindex s-region package
2044 The @code{s-region} package provides similar, but less complete,
2045 facilities.
2046
2047 @item TPU (DEC VMS editor)
2048 @findex tpu-edt-on
2049 @cindex TPU
2050 @kbd{M-x tpu-edt-on} turns on emulation of the TPU editor emulating EDT.
2051
2052 @item vi (Berkeley editor)
2053 @findex viper-mode
2054 Viper is the newest emulator for vi. It implements several levels of
2055 emulation; level 1 is closest to vi itself, while level 5 departs
2056 somewhat from strict emulation to take advantage of the capabilities of
2057 Emacs. To invoke Viper, type @kbd{M-x viper-mode}; it will guide you
2058 the rest of the way and ask for the emulation level. @inforef{Top,
2059 Viper, viper}.
2060
2061 @item vi (another emulator)
2062 @findex vi-mode
2063 @kbd{M-x vi-mode} enters a major mode that replaces the previously
2064 established major mode. All of the vi commands that, in real vi, enter
2065 ``input'' mode are programmed instead to return to the previous major
2066 mode. Thus, ordinary Emacs serves as vi's ``input'' mode.
2067
2068 Because vi emulation works through major modes, it does not work
2069 to switch buffers during emulation. Return to normal Emacs first.
2070
2071 If you plan to use vi emulation much, you probably want to bind a key
2072 to the @code{vi-mode} command.
2073
2074 @item vi (alternate emulator)
2075 @findex vip-mode
2076 @kbd{M-x vip-mode} invokes another vi emulator, said to resemble real vi
2077 more thoroughly than @kbd{M-x vi-mode}. ``Input'' mode in this emulator
2078 is changed from ordinary Emacs so you can use @key{ESC} to go back to
2079 emulated vi command mode. To get from emulated vi command mode back to
2080 ordinary Emacs, type @kbd{C-z}.
2081
2082 This emulation does not work through major modes, and it is possible
2083 to switch buffers in various ways within the emulator. It is not
2084 so necessary to assign a key to the command @code{vip-mode} as
2085 it is with @code{vi-mode} because terminating insert mode does
2086 not use it.
2087
2088 @inforef{Top, VIP, vip}, for full information.
2089
2090 @item WordStar (old wordprocessor)
2091 @findex wordstar-mode
2092 @kbd{M-x wordstar-mode} provides a major mode with WordStar-like
2093 keybindings.
2094 @end table
2095
2096 @node Hyperlinking, Dissociated Press, Emulation, Top
2097 @section Hyperlinking and Navigation Features
2098
2099 @cindex hyperlinking
2100 @cindex navigation
2101 Various modes documented elsewhere have hypertext features so that
2102 you can follow links, usually by clicking @kbd{Mouse-2} on the link or
2103 typing @key{RET} while point is on the link. Info mode, Help mode and
2104 the Dired-like modes are examples. The Tags facility links between
2105 uses and definitions in source files, see @ref{Tags}. Imenu provides
2106 navigation amongst items indexed in the current buffer, see
2107 @ref{Imenu}. Info-lookup provides mode-specific lookup of definitions
2108 in Info indexes, see @ref{Documentation}. Speedbar maintains a frame
2109 in which links to files, and locations in files are displayed, see
2110 @ref{Speedbar}.
2111
2112 Other non-mode-specific facilities described in this section enable
2113 following links from the current buffer in a context-sensitive
2114 fashion.
2115
2116 @menu
2117 * Browse-URL:: Following URLs.
2118 * Goto-address:: Activating URLs.
2119 * FFAP:: Finding files etc. at point.
2120 * Find-func:: Finding function and variable definitions.
2121 @end menu
2122
2123 @node Browse-URL
2124 @subsection Following URLs
2125 @cindex World Wide Web
2126 @cindex Web
2127 @findex browse-url
2128 @findex browse-url-at-point
2129 @findex browse-url-at-mouse
2130 @cindex Browse-URL
2131 @cindex URLs
2132
2133 @table @kbd
2134 @item M-x browse-url @key{RET} @var{url} @key{RET}
2135 Load a URL into a Web browser.
2136 @end table
2137
2138 The Browse-URL package provides facilities for following URLs specifying
2139 links on the World Wide Web. Usually this works by invoking a web
2140 browser, but you can, for instance, arrange to invoke @code{compose-mail}
2141 from @samp{mailto:} URLs.
2142
2143 The general way to use this feature is to type @kbd{M-x browse-url},
2144 which displays a specified URL. If point is located near a plausible
2145 URL, that URL is used as the default. Other commands are available
2146 which you might like to bind to keys, such as
2147 @code{browse-url-at-point} and @code{browse-url-at-mouse}.
2148
2149 @vindex browse-url-browser-function
2150 You can customize Browse-URL's behavior via various options in the
2151 @code{browse-url} Customize group, particularly
2152 @code{browse-url-browser-function}. You can invoke actions dependent
2153 on the type of URL by defining @code{browse-url-browser-function} as
2154 an association list. The package's commentary available via @kbd{C-h
2155 p} provides more information. Packages with facilities for following
2156 URLs should always go through Browse-URL, so that the customization
2157 options for Browse-URL will affect all browsing in Emacs.
2158
2159 @node Goto-address
2160 @subsection Activating URLs
2161 @findex goto-address
2162 @cindex Goto-address
2163 @cindex URLs, activating
2164
2165 @table @kbd
2166 @item M-x goto-address
2167 Activate URLs and e-mail addresses in the current buffer.
2168 @end table
2169
2170 You can make URLs in the current buffer active with @kbd{M-x
2171 goto-address}. This finds all the URLs in the buffer, and establishes
2172 bindings for @kbd{Mouse-2} and @kbd{C-c @key{RET}} on them. After
2173 activation, if you click on a URL with @kbd{Mouse-2}, or move to a URL
2174 and type @kbd{C-c @key{RET}}, that will display the web page that the URL
2175 specifies. For a @samp{mailto} URL, it sends mail instead, using your
2176 selected mail-composition method (@pxref{Mail Methods}).
2177
2178 It can be useful to add @code{goto-address} to mode hooks and the
2179 hooks used to display an incoming message.
2180 @code{rmail-show-message-hook} is the appropriate hook for Rmail, and
2181 @code{mh-show-mode-hook} for MH-E. This is not needed for Gnus,
2182 which has a similar feature of its own.
2183
2184
2185 @node FFAP
2186 @subsection Finding Files and URLs at Point
2187 @findex find-file-at-point
2188 @findex ffap
2189 @findex ffap-dired-at-point
2190 @findex ffap-next
2191 @findex ffap-menu
2192 @cindex finding file at point
2193
2194 FFAP mode replaces certain key bindings for finding files, including
2195 @kbd{C-x C-f}, with commands that provide more sensitive defaults.
2196 These commands behave like the ordinary ones when given a prefix
2197 argument. Otherwise, they get the default file name or URL from the
2198 text around point. If what is found in the buffer has the form of a
2199 URL rather than a file name, the commands use @code{browse-url} to
2200 view it.
2201
2202 This feature is useful for following references in mail or news
2203 buffers, @file{README} files, @file{MANIFEST} files, and so on. The
2204 @samp{ffap} package's commentary available via @kbd{C-h p} and the
2205 @code{ffap} Custom group provide details.
2206
2207 @cindex FFAP minor mode
2208 @findex ffap-mode
2209 You can turn on FFAP minor mode to make the following key bindings
2210 and to install hooks for using @code{ffap} in Rmail, Gnus and VM
2211 article buffers.
2212
2213 @table @kbd
2214 @item C-x C-f @var{filename} @key{RET}
2215 @kindex C-x C-f @r{(FFAP)}
2216 Find @var{filename}, guessing a default from text around point
2217 (@code{find-file-at-point}).
2218 @item C-x 4 f
2219 @kindex C-x 4 f @r{(FFAP)}
2220 @code{ffap-other-window}, analogous to @code{find-file-other-window}.
2221 @item C-x 5 f
2222 @kindex C-x 5 f @r{(FFAP)}
2223 @code{ffap-other-frame}, analogous to @code{find-file-other-frame}.
2224 @item M-x ffap-next
2225 Search buffer for next file name or URL, then find that file or URL.
2226 @item C-x d @var{directory} @key{RET}
2227 @kindex C-x d @r{(FFAP)}
2228 Start Dired on @var{directory}, defaulting to the directory name at
2229 point (@code{ffap-dired-at-point}).
2230 @item S-Mouse-3
2231 @kindex S-Mouse-3 @r{(FFAP)}
2232 @code{ffap-at-mouse} finds the file guessed from text around the position
2233 of a mouse click.
2234 @item C-S-Mouse-3
2235 @kindex C-S-Mouse-3 @r{(FFAP)}
2236 Display a menu of files and URLs mentioned in current buffer, then
2237 find the one you select (@code{ffap-menu}).
2238 @end table
2239
2240 @node Find-func
2241 @subsection Finding Function and Variable Definitions
2242 @cindex definitions, finding in Lisp sources
2243 @cindex Lisp definitions, finding in sources
2244
2245 @table @kbd
2246 @item M-x find-function @key{RET} @var{function} @key{RET}
2247 Find the definition of @var{function} in its source file.
2248 @item M-x find-variable @key{RET} @var{variable} @key{RET}
2249 Find the definition of @var{variable} in its source file.
2250 @item M-x find-function-on-key @key{RET} @var{key}
2251 Find the definition of the function that @var{key} invokes.
2252 @end table
2253
2254 These commands provide an easy way to find the definitions of Emacs
2255 Lisp functions and variables. They are similar in purpose to the Tags
2256 facility (@pxref{Tags}), but don't require a tags table; on the other
2257 hand, they only work for function and variable definitions that are
2258 already loaded in the Emacs session.
2259
2260 @findex find-function
2261 @findex find-function-on-key
2262 @findex find-variable
2263 To find the definition of a function, use @kbd{M-x find-function}.
2264 @kbd{M-x find-variable} finds the definition of a specified variable.
2265 @kbd{M-x find-function-on-key} finds the definition of the function
2266 bound to a specified key.
2267
2268 To use these commands, you must have the Lisp source (@samp{.el})
2269 files available along with the compiled (@samp{.elc}) files, in
2270 directories in @code{load-path}. You can use compressed source files
2271 if you enable Auto Compression mode. These commands only handle
2272 definitions written in Lisp, not primitive functions or variables
2273 defined in the C code of Emacs.
2274
2275 @node Dissociated Press, Amusements, Hyperlinking, Top
2276 @section Dissociated Press
2277
2278 @findex dissociated-press
2279 @kbd{M-x dissociated-press} is a command for scrambling a file of text
2280 either word by word or character by character. Starting from a buffer of
2281 straight English, it produces extremely amusing output. The input comes
2282 from the current Emacs buffer. Dissociated Press writes its output in a
2283 buffer named @samp{*Dissociation*}, and redisplays that buffer after every
2284 couple of lines (approximately) so you can read the output as it comes out.
2285
2286 Dissociated Press asks every so often whether to continue generating
2287 output. Answer @kbd{n} to stop it. You can also stop at any time by
2288 typing @kbd{C-g}. The dissociation output remains in the
2289 @samp{*Dissociation*} buffer for you to copy elsewhere if you wish.
2290
2291 @cindex presidentagon
2292 Dissociated Press operates by jumping at random from one point in the
2293 buffer to another. In order to produce plausible output rather than
2294 gibberish, it insists on a certain amount of overlap between the end of
2295 one run of consecutive words or characters and the start of the next.
2296 That is, if it has just printed out `president' and then decides to jump
2297 to a different point in the file, it might spot the `ent' in `pentagon'
2298 and continue from there, producing `presidentagon'.@footnote{This
2299 dissociword actually appeared during the Vietnam War, when it was very
2300 appropriate.} Long sample texts produce the best results.
2301
2302 @cindex againformation
2303 A positive argument to @kbd{M-x dissociated-press} tells it to operate
2304 character by character, and specifies the number of overlap characters. A
2305 negative argument tells it to operate word by word and specifies the number
2306 of overlap words. In this mode, whole words are treated as the elements to
2307 be permuted, rather than characters. No argument is equivalent to an
2308 argument of two. For your againformation, the output goes only into the
2309 buffer @samp{*Dissociation*}. The buffer you start with is not changed.
2310
2311 @cindex Markov chain
2312 @cindex ignoriginal
2313 @cindex techniquitous
2314 Dissociated Press produces nearly the same results as a Markov chain
2315 based on a frequency table constructed from the sample text. It is,
2316 however, an independent, ignoriginal invention. Dissociated Press
2317 techniquitously copies several consecutive characters from the sample
2318 between random choices, whereas a Markov chain would choose randomly for
2319 each word or character. This makes for more plausible sounding results,
2320 and runs faster.
2321
2322 @cindex outragedy
2323 @cindex buggestion
2324 @cindex properbose
2325 @cindex mustatement
2326 @cindex developediment
2327 @cindex userenced
2328 It is a mustatement that too much use of Dissociated Press can be a
2329 developediment to your real work. Sometimes to the point of outragedy.
2330 And keep dissociwords out of your documentation, if you want it to be well
2331 userenced and properbose. Have fun. Your buggestions are welcome.
2332
2333 @node Amusements, Customization, Dissociated Press, Top
2334 @section Other Amusements
2335 @cindex boredom
2336 @findex hanoi
2337 @findex yow
2338 @findex gomoku
2339 @cindex tower of Hanoi
2340
2341 If you are a little bit bored, you can try @kbd{M-x hanoi}. If you are
2342 considerably bored, give it a numeric argument. If you are very, very
2343 bored, try an argument of 9. Sit back and watch.
2344
2345 @cindex Go Moku
2346 If you want a little more personal involvement, try @kbd{M-x gomoku},
2347 which plays the game Go Moku with you.
2348
2349 @findex blackbox
2350 @findex mpuz
2351 @findex 5x5
2352 @cindex puzzles
2353 @kbd{M-x blackbox}, @kbd{M-x mpuz} and @kbd{M-x 5x5} are kinds of puzzles.
2354 @code{blackbox} challenges you to determine the location of objects
2355 inside a box by tomography. @code{mpuz} displays a multiplication
2356 puzzle with letters standing for digits in a code that you must
2357 guess---to guess a value, type a letter and then the digit you think it
2358 stands for. The aim of @code{5x5} is to fill in all the squares.
2359
2360 @findex decipher
2361 @cindex ciphers
2362 @cindex cryptanalysis
2363 @kbd{M-x decipher} helps you to cryptanalyze a buffer which is encrypted
2364 in a simple monoalphabetic substitution cipher.
2365
2366 @findex dunnet
2367 @kbd{M-x dunnet} runs an adventure-style exploration game, which is
2368 a bigger sort of puzzle.
2369
2370 @findex lm
2371 @cindex landmark game
2372 @kbd{M-x lm} runs a relatively non-participatory game in which a robot
2373 attempts to maneuver towards a tree at the center of the window based on
2374 unique olfactory cues from each of the four directions.
2375
2376 @findex life
2377 @cindex Life
2378 @kbd{M-x life} runs Conway's ``Life'' cellular automaton.
2379
2380 @findex morse-region
2381 @findex unmorse-region
2382 @cindex Morse code
2383 @cindex --/---/.-./.../.
2384 @kbd{M-x morse-region} converts text in a region to Morse code and
2385 @kbd{M-x unmorse-region} converts it back. No cause for remorse.
2386
2387 @findex pong
2388 @cindex Pong game
2389 @kbd{M-x pong} plays a Pong-like game, bouncing the ball off opposing
2390 bats.
2391
2392 @findex solitaire
2393 @cindex solitaire
2394 @kbd{M-x solitaire} plays a game of solitaire in which you jump pegs
2395 across other pegs.
2396
2397 @findex studlify-region
2398 @cindex StudlyCaps
2399 @kbd{M-x studlify-region} studlify-cases the region, producing
2400 text like this:
2401
2402 @example
2403 M-x stUdlIfY-RegioN stUdlIfY-CaSeS thE region.
2404 @end example
2405
2406 @findex tetris
2407 @cindex Tetris
2408 @findex snake
2409 @cindex Snake
2410 @kbd{M-x tetris} runs an implementation of the well-known Tetris game.
2411 Likewise, @kbd{M-x snake} provides an implementation of Snake.
2412
2413 When you are frustrated, try the famous Eliza program. Just do
2414 @kbd{M-x doctor}. End each input by typing @key{RET} twice.
2415
2416 @cindex Zippy
2417 When you are feeling strange, type @kbd{M-x yow}.
2418
2419 @findex zone
2420 The command @kbd{M-x zone} plays games with the display when Emacs is
2421 idle.