@c This is part of the Emacs manual.
-@c Copyright (C) 1985-1987, 1993-1995, 1997, 2000-2011
-@c Free Software Foundation, Inc.
+@c Copyright (C) 1985-1987, 1993-1995, 1997, 2000-2013 Free Software
+@c Foundation, Inc.
@c See file emacs.texi for copying conditions.
-@node Help, Mark, M-x, Top
+@node Help
@chapter Help
@kindex Help
@cindex help
@kindex C-h
@kindex F1
- Emacs provides extensive help features, all accessible through the
-@dfn{help character}, @kbd{C-h}. This is a prefix key that is used
-for commands that display documentation; the next character you type
-should be a @dfn{help option}, to ask for a particular kind of help.
-You can cancel the @kbd{C-h} command with @kbd{C-g}. The function key
-@key{F1} is equivalent to @kbd{C-h}.
-
@kindex C-h C-h
@findex help-for-help
- @kbd{C-h} itself is one of the help options; @kbd{C-h C-h} displays
-a list of help options, with a brief description of each one
-(@code{help-for-help}). You can scroll the list with @key{SPC} and
-@key{DEL}, then type the help option you want. To cancel, type
-@kbd{C-g}.
-
- @kbd{C-h} or @key{F1} means ``help'' in various other contexts as
-well. For instance, you can type them after a prefix key to display
-a list of the keys that can follow the prefix key. (A few prefix keys
-don't support @kbd{C-h} in this way, because they define other
-meanings for it, but they all support @key{F1} for help.)
-
- Most help buffers use a special major mode, Help mode, which lets
-you scroll conveniently with @key{SPC} and @key{DEL}. You can also
-follow hyperlinks to URLs, and to other facilities including Info
-nodes and customization buffers. @xref{Help Mode}.
+ Emacs provides a wide variety of help commands, all accessible
+through the prefix key @kbd{C-h} (or, equivalently, the function key
+@key{F1}). These help commands are described in the following
+sections. You can also type @kbd{C-h C-h} to view a list of help
+commands (@code{help-for-help}). You can scroll the list with
+@key{SPC} and @key{DEL}, then type the help command you want. To
+cancel, type @kbd{C-g}.
+
+ Many help commands display their information in a special @dfn{help
+buffer}. In this buffer, you can type @key{SPC} and @key{DEL} to
+scroll and type @key{RET} to follow hyperlinks. @xref{Help Mode}.
@cindex searching documentation efficiently
@cindex looking for a subject in documentation
regular expression (@pxref{Regexps}). @xref{Apropos}.
@item C-h i d m emacs @key{RET} i @var{topic} @key{RET}
-This searches for @var{topic} in the indices of the on-line Emacs
-manual, and displays the first match found. Press @kbd{,} to see
-subsequent matches. You can use a regular expression as @var{topic}.
+This searches for @var{topic} in the indices of the Emacs Info manual,
+displaying the first match found. Press @kbd{,} to see subsequent
+matches. You can use a regular expression as @var{topic}.
@item C-h i d m emacs @key{RET} s @var{topic} @key{RET}
Similar, but searches the @emph{text} of the manual rather than the
indices.
@item C-h C-f
-This displays the Emacs FAQ. You can use the Info commands
-to browse it.
+This displays the Emacs FAQ, using Info.
@item C-h p
This displays the available Emacs packages based on keywords.
-@xref{Library Keywords}.
+@xref{Package Keywords}.
@end table
+ @kbd{C-h} or @key{F1} means ``help'' in various other contexts as
+well. For instance, you can type them after a prefix key to view a
+list of the keys that can follow the prefix key. (A few prefix keys
+don't support @kbd{C-h} in this way, because they define other
+meanings for it, but they all support @key{F1} for help.)
+
@menu
* Help Summary:: Brief list of all Help commands.
* Key Help:: Asking what a key does in Emacs.
* Name Help:: Asking about a command, variable or function name.
* Apropos:: Asking what pertains to a given topic.
* Help Mode:: Special features of Help mode and Help buffers.
-* Library Keywords:: Finding Lisp libraries by keywords (topics).
+* Package Keywords:: Finding Lisp libraries by keywords (topics).
* Language Help:: Help relating to international language support.
* Misc Help:: Other help commands.
-* Help Files:: Commands to display pre-written help files.
-* Help Echo:: Help on active text and tooltips (`balloon help').
+* Help Files:: Commands to display auxiliary help files.
+* Help Echo:: Help on active text and tooltips ("balloon help").
@end menu
@iftex
@section Help Summary
@end ifnottex
- Here is a summary of the Emacs interactive help commands. (The
-character that follows @kbd{C-h} is the ``help option.'') See
-@ref{Help Files}, for other help commands that display fixed files
-of information.
+ Here is a summary of help commands for accessing the built-in
+documentation. Most of these are described in more detail in the
+following sections.
@table @kbd
@item C-h a @var{topics} @key{RET}
Display a list of commands whose names match @var{topics}
-(@code{apropos-command}; @pxref{Apropos}).
+(@code{apropos-command}).
@item C-h b
Display all active key bindings; minor mode bindings first, then those
of the major mode, then global bindings (@code{describe-bindings}).
@item C-h c @var{key}
-Given a key sequence @var{key}, show the name of the command that it
-runs (@code{describe-key-briefly}). Here @kbd{c} stands for
-``character.'' For more extensive information on @var{key}, use
+Show the name of the command that the key sequence @var{key} is bound
+to (@code{describe-key-briefly}). Here @kbd{c} stands for
+``character''. For more extensive information on @var{key}, use
@kbd{C-h k}.
@item C-h d @var{topics} @key{RET}
Display the commands and variables whose documentation matches
@var{topics} (@code{apropos-documentation}).
@item C-h e
-Display the @code{*Messages*} buffer
+Display the @file{*Messages*} buffer
(@code{view-echo-area-messages}).
@item C-h f @var{function} @key{RET}
Display documentation on the Lisp function named @var{function}
Display the @file{HELLO} file, which shows examples of various character
sets.
@item C-h i
-Run Info, the GNU documentation browser (@code{info}).
-The complete Emacs manual is available on-line in Info.
+Run Info, the GNU documentation browser (@code{info}). The Emacs
+manual is available in Info.
@item C-h k @var{key}
Display the name and documentation of the command that @var{key} runs
(@code{describe-key}).
@item C-h l
-Display a description of your last 300 keystrokes
+Display a description of your last 300 keystrokes
(@code{view-lossage}).
@item C-h m
Display documentation of the current major mode (@code{describe-mode}).
@item C-h n
Display news of recent Emacs changes (@code{view-emacs-news}).
@item C-h p
-Find packages by topic keyword (@code{finder-by-keyword}). For an
-alternative interface to the same information, try the @code{info-finder}
-command.
+Find packages by topic keyword (@code{finder-by-keyword}). This lists
+packages using a package menu buffer. @xref{Packages}.
+@item C-h P @var{package} @key{RET}
+Display documentation about the package named @var{package}
+(@code{describe-package}).
@item C-h r
Display the Emacs manual in Info (@code{info-emacs-manual}).
@item C-h s
-Display the current contents of the @dfn{syntax table}, with an
-explanation of what they mean (@code{describe-syntax}). The syntax
-table says which characters are opening delimiters, which are parts of
-words, which are string quotes, and so on. @xref{Syntax Tables,,
-Syntax Tables, elisp, The Emacs Lisp Reference Manual}, for details.
+Display the contents of the current @dfn{syntax table}
+(@code{describe-syntax}). The syntax table says which characters are
+opening delimiters, which are parts of words, and so on. @xref{Syntax
+Tables,, Syntax Tables, elisp, The Emacs Lisp Reference Manual}, for
+details.
@item C-h t
Enter the Emacs interactive tutorial (@code{help-with-tutorial}).
@item C-h v @var{var} @key{RET}
@item C-h .
Display the help message for a special text area, if point is in one
(@code{display-local-help}). (These include, for example, links in
-@samp{*Help*} buffers.)
+@file{*Help*} buffers.)
@end table
@node Key Help
@section Documentation for a Key
-@kindex C-h c
@findex describe-key-briefly
+@findex describe-key
The help commands to get information about a key sequence are
-@kbd{C-h c} and @w{@kbd{C-h k}}. @kbd{C-h c @var{key}} displays in
-the echo area the name of the command that @var{key} is bound to. For
-example, @kbd{C-h c C-f} displays @samp{forward-char}. Since command
-names are chosen to describe what the commands do, this gives you a
-very brief description of what @var{key} does.
+@kbd{C-h c} (@code{describe-key-briefly}) and @kbd{C-h k}
+(@code{describe-key}).
+@kindex C-h c
+ @kbd{C-h c @var{key}} displays in the echo area the name of the
+command that @var{key} is bound to. For example, @kbd{C-h c C-f}
+displays @samp{forward-char}.
+
+@cindex documentation string
@kindex C-h k
-@findex describe-key
@kbd{C-h k @var{key}} is similar but gives more information: it
-displays the documentation string of the command as well as its name.
-It displays this information in a window, since it may not fit in the
-echo area.
+displays a help buffer containing the command's @dfn{documentation
+string}, which describes exactly what the command does.
@kindex C-h K
@findex Info-goto-emacs-key-command-node
- To find the documentation of a key sequence @var{key}, type @kbd{C-h
-K @var{key}}. This displays the appropriate manual section which
-contains the documentation of @var{key}.
+ @kbd{C-h K @var{key}} displays the section of the Emacs manual that
+describes the command corresponding to @var{key}.
@kbd{C-h c}, @kbd{C-h k} and @kbd{C-h K} work for any sort of key
sequences, including function keys, menus, and mouse events. For
(That name appears as the default while you enter the argument.) For
example, if point is located following the text @samp{(make-vector
(car x)}, the innermost list containing point is the one that starts
-with @samp{(make-vector}, so @kbd{C-h f @key{RET}} will describe the
+with @samp{(make-vector}, so @kbd{C-h f @key{RET}} describes the
function @code{make-vector}.
@kbd{C-h f} is also useful just to verify that you spelled a
defined Lisp variable. @xref{Variables}.
Help buffers that describe Emacs variables and functions normally
-have hyperlinks to the corresponding source definition, if you have
-the source files installed. (@xref{Hyperlinking}.) If you know Lisp
-(or C), this provides the ultimate documentation. If you don't know
-Lisp, you should learn it. (The Introduction to Emacs Lisp
-Programming, available from the FSF through fsf.org, is a good way to
-get started.) If Emacs feels you are just @emph{using} it, treating
-it as an object program, its feelings may be hurt. For real intimacy,
-read the Emacs source code.
+have hyperlinks to the corresponding source code, if you have the
+source files installed (@pxref{Hyperlinking}).
@kindex C-h F
@findex Info-goto-emacs-command-node
@node Apropos
@section Apropos
+@cindex apropos
The @dfn{apropos} commands answer questions like, ``What are the
commands for working with files?'' More precisely, you specify an
@dfn{apropos pattern}, which means either a word, a list of words, or
-a regular expression. Each apropos command displays a list of items
-that match the pattern, in a separate buffer.
+a regular expression.
+
+ Each of the following apropos commands reads an apropos pattern in
+the minibuffer, searches for items that match the pattern, and
+displays the results in a different window.
@table @kbd
-@item C-h a @var{pattern} @key{RET}
-Search for commands whose names match @var{pattern}.
+@item C-h a
+@kindex C-h a
+@findex apropos-command
+Search for commands (@code{apropos-command}). With a prefix argument,
+search for noninteractive functions too.
-@item M-x apropos @key{RET} @var{pattern} @key{RET}
-Search for functions and variables whose names match @var{pattern}.
-Both interactive functions (commands) and noninteractive functions can
-be found by this command.
+@item M-x apropos
+@findex apropos
+Search for functions and variables. Both interactive functions
+(commands) and noninteractive functions can be found by this.
-@item M-x apropos-variable @key{RET} @var{pattern} @key{RET}
-Search for user-option variables whose names match @var{pattern}.
+@item M-x apropos-user-option
+@findex apropos-user-option
+Search for user-customizable variables. With a prefix argument,
+search for non-customizable variables too.
-@item M-x apropos-value @key{RET} @var{pattern} @key{RET}
-Search for functions whose definitions match @var{pattern}, and
-variables whose values match @var{pattern}.
+@item M-x apropos-variable
+@findex apropos-variable
+Search for variables. With a prefix argument, search for
+customizable variables only.
+
+@item M-x apropos-value
+@findex apropos-value
+Search for variables whose values match the specified pattern. With a
+prefix argument, search also for functions with definitions matching
+the pattern, and Lisp symbols with properties matching the pattern.
-@item C-h d @var{pattern} @key{RET}
-Search for functions and variables whose @strong{documentation
-strings} match @var{pattern}.
+@item C-h d
+@kindex C-h d
+@findex apropos-documentation
+Search for functions and variables whose documentation strings match
+the specified pattern (@code{apropos-documentation}).
@end table
-@kindex C-h a
-@findex apropos-command
-@cindex apropos
- The simplest kind of apropos pattern is one word. Anything which
-contains that word matches the pattern. Thus, to find the commands
-that work on files, type @kbd{C-h a file @key{RET}}. This displays a
-list of all command names that contain @samp{file}, including
+ The simplest kind of apropos pattern is one word. Anything
+containing that word matches the pattern. Thus, to find commands that
+work on files, type @kbd{C-h a file @key{RET}}. This displays a list
+of all command names that contain @samp{file}, including
@code{copy-file}, @code{find-file}, and so on. Each command name
comes with a brief description and a list of keys you can currently
invoke it with. In our example, it would say that you can invoke
@code{find-file} by typing @kbd{C-x C-f}.
- The @kbd{a} in @kbd{C-h a} stands for ``Apropos''; @kbd{C-h a}
-runs the command @code{apropos-command}. This command normally checks
-only commands (interactive functions); if you specify a prefix
-argument, it checks noninteractive functions as well.
-
For more information about a function definition, variable or symbol
-property listed in the apropos buffer, you can click on it with
+property listed in an apropos buffer, you can click on it with
@kbd{Mouse-1} or @kbd{Mouse-2}, or move there and type @key{RET}.
When you specify more than one word in the apropos pattern, a name
view, describe, default.
@end quotation
-@findex apropos
- Use @kbd{M-x apropos} instead of @kbd{C-h a} to list all the Lisp
-symbols that match an apropos pattern, not just the symbols that are
-commands. This command does not list key bindings by default; specify
-a numeric argument if you want it to list them.
-
-@findex apropos-variable
- Use @kbd{M-x apropos-variable} to list user-customizable variables
-that match an apropos pattern. If you specify a prefix argument, it
-lists all matching variables.
-
-@kindex C-h d
-@findex apropos-documentation
- The @code{apropos-documentation} command is like @code{apropos}
-except that it searches documentation strings instead of symbol names
-for matches.
-
-@findex apropos-value
- The @code{apropos-value} command is like @code{apropos} except that
-it searches variables' values for matches for the apropos pattern.
-With a prefix argument, it also checks symbols' function definitions
-and property lists.
-
@vindex apropos-do-all
If the variable @code{apropos-do-all} is non-@code{nil}, the apropos
commands always behave as if they had been given a prefix argument.
@vindex apropos-sort-by-scores
@cindex apropos search results, order by score
- By default, apropos lists the search results in alphabetical order.
-If the variable @code{apropos-sort-by-scores} is non-@code{nil}, the
-apropos commands try to guess the relevance of each result, and
-display the most relevant ones first.
-
@vindex apropos-documentation-sort-by-scores
- By default, apropos lists the search results for
-@code{apropos-documentation} in order of relevance of the match. If
-the variable @code{apropos-documentation-sort-by-scores} is
-@code{nil}, apropos lists the symbols found in alphabetical order.
+ By default, all apropos commands except @code{apropos-documentation}
+list their results in alphabetical order. If the variable
+@code{apropos-sort-by-scores} is non-@code{nil}, these commands
+instead try to guess the relevance of each result, and display the
+most relevant ones first. The @code{apropos-documentation} command
+lists its results in order of relevance by default; to list them in
+alphabetical order, change the variable
+@code{apropos-documentation-sort-by-scores} to @code{nil}.
@node Help Mode
@section Help Mode Commands
- Help buffers provide the same commands as View mode (@pxref{Misc File
-Ops}), plus a few special commands of their own.
+ Help buffers provide the same commands as View mode (@pxref{View
+Mode}); for instance, @key{SPC} scrolls forward, and @key{DEL} scrolls
+backward. A few special commands are also provided:
@table @kbd
-@item @key{SPC}
-Scroll forward.
-@item @key{DEL}
-Scroll backward.
@item @key{RET}
-Follow a cross reference at point.
+Follow a cross reference at point (@code{help-follow}).
@item @key{TAB}
-Move point forward to the next cross reference.
+Move point forward to the next hyperlink (@code{forward-button}).
@item S-@key{TAB}
-Move point back to the previous cross reference.
+Move point back to the previous hyperlink (@code{backward-button}).
@item Mouse-1
@itemx Mouse-2
-Follow a cross reference that you click on.
+Follow a hyperlink that you click on.
@item C-c C-c
-Show all documentation about the symbol at point.
+Show all documentation about the symbol at point
+(@code{help-follow-symbol}).
+@item C-c C-b
+Go back to the previous help topic (@code{help-go-back}).
@end table
- When a function name (@pxref{M-x,, Running Commands by Name}),
-variable name (@pxref{Variables}), or face name (@pxref{Faces})
-appears in the documentation, it normally appears inside paired
-single-quotes. To view the documentation of that command, variable or
-face, you can click on the name with @kbd{Mouse-1} or @kbd{Mouse-2},
-or move point there and type @key{RET}. Use @kbd{C-c C-b} to retrace
-your steps.
+@cindex hyperlink
+@findex help-follow
+@findex help-go-back
+@kindex RET @r{(Help mode)}
+@kindex C-c C-b @r{(Help mode)}
+ When a function name, variable name, or face name (@pxref{Faces})
+appears in the documentation in the help buffer, it is normally an
+underlined @dfn{hyperlink}. To view the associated documentation,
+move point there and type @key{RET} (@code{help-follow}), or click on
+the hyperlink with @kbd{Mouse-1} or @kbd{Mouse-2}. Doing so replaces
+the contents of the help buffer; to retrace your steps, type @kbd{C-c
+C-b} (@code{help-go-back}).
@cindex URL, viewing in help
@cindex help, viewing web pages
@cindex viewing web pages in help
@cindex web pages, viewing in help
@findex browse-url
- You can follow cross references to URLs (web pages) also. This uses
-the @code{browse-url} command to view the page in the browser you
-choose. @xref{Browse-URL}.
-
-@kindex @key{TAB} @r{(Help mode)}
-@findex help-next-ref
-@kindex S-@key{TAB} @r{(Help mode)}
-@findex help-previous-ref
- There are convenient commands to move point to cross references in
-the help text. @key{TAB} (@code{help-next-ref}) moves point down to
-the next cross reference. @kbd{S-@key{TAB}} moves up to the previous
-cross reference (@code{help-previous-ref}).
-
- To view all documentation about any symbol name that appears in the
-text, move point to the symbol name and type @kbd{C-c C-c}
-(@code{help-follow-symbol}). This shows all available documentation
-about the symbol as a variable, function and/or face. As above, use
-@kbd{C-c C-b} to retrace your steps.
-
-@node Library Keywords
-@section Keyword Search for Lisp Libraries
+ A help buffer can also contain hyperlinks to Info manuals, source
+code definitions, and URLs (web pages). The first two are opened in
+Emacs, and the third using a web browser via the @code{browse-url}
+command (@pxref{Browse-URL}).
+
+@kindex TAB @r{(Help mode)}
+@findex forward-button
+@kindex S-TAB @r{(Help mode)}
+@findex backward-button
+ In a help buffer, @key{TAB} (@code{forward-button}) moves point
+forward to the next hyperlink, while @kbd{S-@key{TAB}}
+(@code{backward-button}) point back to the previous hyperlink. These
+commands act cyclically; for instance, typing @key{TAB} at the last
+hyperlink moves back to the first hyperlink.
+
+ To view all documentation about any symbol in the text, move point
+to there and type @kbd{C-c C-c} (@code{help-follow-symbol}). This
+shows all available documentation about the symbol---as a variable,
+function and/or face.
+
+@node Package Keywords
+@section Keyword Search for Packages
+@cindex finder
+
+Most optional features in Emacs are grouped into @dfn{packages}.
+Emacs contains several hundred built-in packages, and more can be
+installed over the network (@pxref{Packages}).
@kindex C-h p
@findex finder-by-keyword
-The @kbd{C-h p} command lets you search the standard Emacs Lisp
-libraries by topic keywords. Here is a partial list of keywords you can
-use:
-
-@multitable {convenience} {aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa}
-@item abbrev@tab abbreviation handling, typing shortcuts, macros.
-@item bib@tab code related to the @code{bib} bibliography processor.
-@item c@tab support for the C language and related languages.
-@item calendar@tab calendar and time management support.
-@item comm@tab communications, networking, remote access to files.
-@item convenience@tab convenience features for faster editing.
-@item data@tab support for editing files of data.
-@item docs@tab support for Emacs documentation.
-@item emulations@tab emulations of other editors.
-@item extensions@tab Emacs Lisp language extensions.
-@item faces@tab support for multiple fonts.
-@item files@tab support for editing and manipulating files.
-@item frames@tab support for Emacs frames and window systems.
-@item games@tab games, jokes and amusements.
-@item hardware@tab support for interfacing with exotic hardware.
-@item help@tab support for on-line help systems.
-@item hypermedia@tab support for links between text or other media types.
-@item i18n@tab internationalization and alternate character-set support.
-@item internal@tab code for Emacs internals, build process, defaults.
-@item languages@tab specialized modes for editing programming languages.
-@item lisp@tab Lisp support, including Emacs Lisp.
-@item local@tab code local to your site.
-@item maint@tab maintenance aids for the Emacs development group.
-@item mail@tab modes for electronic-mail handling.
-@item matching@tab various sorts of searching and matching.
-@item mouse@tab mouse support.
-@item multimedia@tab images and sound support.
-@item news@tab support for netnews reading and posting.
-@item oop@tab support for object-oriented programming.
-@item outlines@tab support for hierarchical outlining.
-@item processes@tab process, subshell, compilation, and job control support.
-@item terminals@tab support for terminal types.
-@item tex@tab supporting code for the @TeX{} formatter.
-@item tools@tab programming tools.
-@item unix@tab front-ends/assistants for, or emulators of, UNIX-like features.
-@item wp@tab word processing.
-@end multitable
+ To make it easier to find packages related to a topic, most packages
+are associated with one or more @dfn{keywords} based on what they do.
+Type @kbd{C-h p} (@code{finder-by-keyword}) to bring up a list of
+package keywords, together with a description of what the keywords
+mean. To view a list of packages for a given keyword, type @key{RET}
+on that line; this displays the list of packages in a Package Menu
+buffer (@pxref{Package Menu}).
+
+@findex describe-package
+@kindex C-h P
+ @kbd{C-h P} (@code{describe-package}) prompts for the name of a
+package, and displays a help buffer describing the attributes of the
+package and the features that it implements.
@node Language Help
@section Help for International Language Support
- You can use the command @kbd{C-h L}
-(@code{describe-language-environment}) to get information about a
-specific language environment. @xref{Language Environments}. This
-tells you which languages this language environment supports. It also
-lists the character sets, coding systems, and input methods that work
-with this language environment, and finally shows some sample text to
-illustrate scripts.
+ For information on a specific language environment (@pxref{Language
+Environments}), type @kbd{C-h L}
+(@code{describe-language-environment}). This displays a help buffer
+describing the languages supported by the language environment, and
+listing the associated character sets, coding systems, and input
+methods, as well as some sample text for that language environment.
The command @kbd{C-h h} (@code{view-hello-file}) displays the file
-@file{etc/HELLO}, which shows how to say ``hello'' in many languages.
+@file{etc/HELLO}, which demonstrates various character sets by showing
+how to say ``hello'' in many languages.
The command @kbd{C-h I} (@code{describe-input-method}) describes an
input method---either a specified input method, or by default the
@findex view-echo-area-messages
To review recent echo area messages, use @kbd{C-h e}
(@code{view-echo-area-messages}). This displays the buffer
-@code{*Messages*}, where those messages are kept.
+@file{*Messages*}, where those messages are kept.
@kindex C-h m
@findex describe-mode
@node Help Files
@section Help Files
- The Emacs help commands described above display dynamic help based
-on the current state within Emacs, or refer to manuals. Other help
-commands display pre-written, static help files.
-
- Except for @kbd{C-h g}, these commands all have the form @kbd{C-h
-C-@var{char}}; that is, @kbd{C-h} followed by a control character.
+ Apart from the built-in documentation and manuals, Emacs contains
+several other files describing topics like copying conditions, release
+notes, instructions for debugging and reporting bugs, and so forth.
+You can use the following commands to view these files. Apart from
+@kbd{C-h g}, they all have the form @kbd{C-h C-@var{char}}.
@kindex C-h C-c
@findex describe-copying
@table @kbd
@item C-h C-c
-Display the Emacs copying conditions (@code{describe-copying}).
-These are the rules under which you can copy and redistribute Emacs.
+Display the rules under which you can copy and redistribute Emacs
+(@code{describe-copying}).
@item C-h C-d
Display help for debugging Emacs (@code{view-emacs-debugging}).
@item C-h C-e
-Display external packages and information about Emacs
+Display information about where to get external packages
(@code{view-external-packages}).
@item C-h C-f
Display the Emacs frequently-answered-questions list (@code{view-emacs-FAQ}).
@item C-h g
-Display general information about the GNU Project
-(@code{describe-gnu-project}).
+Display information about the GNU Project (@code{describe-gnu-project}).
@item C-h C-m
-Display how to order printed copies of Emacs manuals
+Display information about ordering printed copies of Emacs manuals
(@code{view-order-manuals}).
@item C-h C-n
-Display the Emacs ``news'' file, which lists new features in the most
-recent version of Emacs (@code{view-emacs-news}).
+Display the ``news'' file, which lists the new features in this
+version of Emacs (@code{view-emacs-news}).
@item C-h C-o
Display how to order or download the latest version of
Emacs and other GNU software (@code{describe-distribution}).
@cindex tooltips
@cindex balloon help
- When text on the screen is ``active'', so that it does something
-special in response to mouse clicks or @kbd{RET}, it often has associated
-help text. For instance, most parts of the mode line have help text. On
-terminals that support mouse tracking, Emacs displays the help text as a
-``tooltip'' (sometimes known as ``balloon help'') or in the echo area,
-whenever you leave the mouse stationary over the active text.
+ In Emacs, stretches of ``active text'' (text that does something
+special in response to mouse clicks or @key{RET}) often have
+associated help text. This includes hyperlinks in Emacs buffers, as
+well as parts of the mode line. On graphical displays, as well as
+some text terminals which support mouse tracking, moving the mouse
+over the active text displays the help text as a @dfn{tooltip}.
@xref{Tooltips}.
@kindex C-h .
@findex display-local-help
@vindex help-at-pt-display-when-idle
- If your terminal doesn't support mouse-tracking, you can display the
-help text for active buffer text using the keyboard. @kbd{C-h .}
-(@code{display-local-help}) displays any help text associated with the
-character after point, using the echo area. To display help text
-automatically whenever it is available on the character after point, set
-the variable @code{help-at-pt-display-when-idle} to @code{t}.
+ On terminals that don't support mouse-tracking, you can display the
+help text for active buffer text at point by typing @kbd{C-h .}
+(@code{display-local-help}). This shows the help text in the echo
+area. To display help text automatically whenever it is available at
+point, set the variable @code{help-at-pt-display-when-idle} to
+@code{t}.