\input texinfo @c -*-texinfo-*-
-
-@c "@(#)$Name: $:$Id: $"
-
-@c Documentation for Eshell: The Emacs Shell.
-@c Copyright (C) 1999-2000 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
-
-@c This file is part of GNU Emacs
-
-@c GNU Emacs is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify it
-@c under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by the
-@c Free Software Foundation; either version 2 of the License, or (at
-@c your option) any later version.
-
-@c GNU Emacs is distributed in the hope that it will be useful, but
-@c WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warraonty of
-@c MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. See the GNU
-@c General Public License for more details.
-
-@c You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
-@c along with Eshell; see the file COPYING. If not, write to the Free
-@c Software Foundation, 675 Mass Ave, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA.
-
@c %**start of header
@setfilename ../info/eshell
@settitle Eshell: The Emacs Shell
+@synindex vr fn
@c %**end of header
-@c @dircategory Emacs
-@direntry
-* Eshell: (eshell). A command shell implemented in Emacs Lisp.
-@end direntry
-@setchapternewpage on
-
-@ifinfo
-Copyright @copyright{} 1999-2000 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
+@copying
+This manual is for Eshell, the Emacs shell.
-Permission is granted to make and distribute verbatim copies of this
-manual provided the copyright notice and this permission notice are
-preserved on all copies.
+Copyright @copyright{} 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
-@ignore
-Permission is granted to process this file through TeX and print the
-results, provided the printed document carries copying permission notice
-identical to this one except for the removal of this paragraph (this
-paragraph not being relevant to the printed manual).
-@end ignore
+@quotation
+Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this document
+under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1.1 or
+any later version published by the Free Software Foundation; with no
+Invariant Sections, with the Front-Cover texts being ``A GNU
+Manual'', and with the Back-Cover Texts as in (a) below. A copy of the
+license is included in the section entitled ``GNU Free Documentation
+License'' in the Emacs manual.
-Permission is granted to copy and distribute modified versions of this
-manual under the conditions for verbatim copying, provided also that the
-section entitled ``GNU General Public License'' is included exactly as
-in the original, and provided that the entire resulting derived work is
-distributed under the terms of a permission notice identical to this
-one.
+(a) The FSF's Back-Cover Text is: ``You have freedom to copy and modify
+this GNU Manual, like GNU software. Copies published by the Free
+Software Foundation raise funds for GNU development.''
-Permission is granted to copy and distribute translations of this manual
-into another language, under the above conditions for modified versions,
-except that the section entitled ``GNU General Public License'' and this
-permission notice may be included in translations approved by the Free
-Software Foundation instead of in the original English.
-@end ifinfo
+This document is part of a collection distributed under the GNU Free
+Documentation License. If you want to distribute this document
+separately from the collection, you can do so by adding a copy of the
+license to the document, as described in section 6 of the license.
+@end quotation
+@end copying
+
+@dircategory Emacs
+@direntry
+* Eshell: (eshell). A command shell implemented in Emacs Lisp.
+@end direntry
+
+@setchapternewpage on
-@synindex vr fn
-@c The titlepage section does not appear in the Info file.
@titlepage
@sp 4
@c The title is printed in a large font.
@center @titlefont{Eshell: The Emacs Shell}
@ignore
@sp 2
-@center release 2.3.2
+@center release 2.4
@c -release-
@end ignore
@sp 3
@center John Wiegley
@c -date-
-@c The following two commands start the copyright page for the printed
-@c manual. This will not appear in the Info file.
@page
@vskip 0pt plus 1filll
-Copyright @copyright{} 1999-2000 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
-
-Permission is granted to make and distribute verbatim copies of this
-manual provided the copyright notice and this permission notice are
-preserved on all copies.
-
-Permission is granted to copy and distribute modified versions of this
-manual under the conditions for verbatim copying, provided also that the
-section entitled ``GNU General Public License'' is included exactly as
-in the original, and provided that the entire resulting derived work is
-distributed under the terms of a permission notice identical to this
-one.
-
-Permission is granted to copy and distribute translations of this manual
-into another language, under the above conditions for modified versions,
-except that the section entitled ``GNU General Public License'' and this
-permission notice may be included in translations approved by the Free
-Software Foundation instead of in the original English.
+@insertcopying
@end titlepage
+@contents
+
@c ================================================================
@c The real text starts here
@c ================================================================
+@ifnottex
@node Top, What is Eshell?, (dir), (dir)
-@ifinfo
@top Eshell
This manual documents Eshell, a shell-like command interpretor
-implemented entirely in Emacs Lisp. It invokes no external processes
-beyond those requested by the user. It is intended to be a functional
+implemented in Emacs Lisp. It invokes no external processes except for
+those requested by the user. It is intended to be a functional
replacement for command shells such as @command{bash}, @command{zsh},
-@command{rc}, @command{4dos}; since Emacs itself is capable of handling
-most of the tasks accomplished by such tools.
-@c This manual is updated to release 2.3.2 of Eshell.
-@end ifinfo
+@command{rc}, or @command{4dos}; since Emacs itself is capable of
+handling the sort of tasks accomplished by those tools.
+@c This manual is updated to release 2.4 of Eshell.
+@end ifnottex
@menu
* What is Eshell?:: A brief introduction to the Emacs Shell.
-* Bugs and ideas::
+* Installation:: For users of Emacs 20 and XEmacs.
+* Command basics:: The basics of command usage.
+* Commands::
+* Arguments::
+* Input/Output::
+* Process control::
+* Extension modules::
+* Extras and Goodies::
+* Bugs and ideas:: Known problems, and future ideas.
+* Concept Index::
+* Function and Variable Index::
+* Key Index::
@end menu
-@node What is Eshell?, Bugs and ideas, Top, Top
+@node What is Eshell?
@chapter What is Eshell?
-@cindex What is Eshell?
+@cindex what is Eshell?
+@cindex Eshell, what it is
-Eshell is a command shell written using Emacs Lisp. All of what it does
-it uses Emacs' facilities to do. This means Eshell is as portable as
-Emacs itself. It also means that cooperation with other Lisp code is
-natural and seamless.
+Eshell is a @dfn{command shell} written in Emacs Lisp. Everything it
+does, it uses Emacs' facilities to do. This means that Eshell is as
+portable as Emacs itself. It also means that cooperation with Lisp code
+is natural and seamless.
-So what is a command shell? To properly understand the role of a shell,
+What is a command shell? To properly understand the role of a shell,
it's necessary to visualize what a computer does for you. Basically, a
computer is a tool; in order to use that tool, you must tell it what to
-do---or give it ``commands''. These commands take many forms, such as
+do---or give it ``commands.'' These commands take many forms, such as
clicking with a mouse on certain parts of the screen. But that is only
one form of command input.
By far the most versatile way to express what you want the computer to
-do is using an abbreviated language, called script. In script, instead
-of telling the computer, ``list my files, please'', we write just
-``list''. In fact, this command is so commonly used that we abbreviate
-it to ``ls''. Typing @code{ls} in a command shell is a script way of
-telling the computer to list your files. This is comparable to viewing
-the contents of a folder using a graphical display.
-
-The real flexibility is apparent only when you realize that there are
-many, many ways to list your files. Perhaps you want them sorted by
-name, or sorted by date, or in reverse order, or grouped by type. Most
-graphical browsers have simple ways to express this. But what about
-showing only a few files, or only files that meet a certain criteria?
-In very complex and specific situations, the request becomes too
-difficult to express with a mouse. It is just these kinds of requests
-that are solvable using a command shell.
+do is by using an abbreviated language called @dfn{script}. In
+script, instead of telling the computer, ``list my files, please'',
+one writes a standard abbreviated command word---@samp{ls}. Typing
+@samp{ls} in a command shell is a script way of telling the computer
+to list your files.@footnote{This is comparable to viewing the
+contents of a folder using a graphical display.}
+
+The real flexibility of this approach is apparent only when you realize
+that there are many, many different ways to list files. Perhaps you
+want them sorted by name, sorted by date, in reverse order, or grouped
+by type. Most graphical browsers have simple ways to express this. But
+what about showing only a few files, or only files that meet a certain
+criteria? In very complex and specific situations, the request becomes
+too difficult to express using a mouse or pointing device. It is just
+these kinds of requests that are easily solved using a command shell.
For example, what if you want to list every Word file on your hard
drive, larger than 100 kilobytes in size, and which hasn't been looked
computer for such a list? There is no way to do it! At least, not
without using a command shell.
-So the role of a command shell is to give you more control over what
-your computer does for you. Not everyone needs this amount of control,
-and it does come at a cost: Learning the necessary script commands to
+The role of a command shell is to give you more control over what your
+computer does for you. Not everyone needs this amount of control, and
+it does come at a cost: Learning the necessary script commands to
express what you want done. A complicated query, such as the example
above, takes time to learn. But if you find yourself using your
computer frequently enough, it is more than worthwhile in the long run.
-Any tool you use often deserves your time in learning to master it.
+Any tool you use often deserves the time spent learning to master it.
@footnote{For the understandably curious, here is what that command
looks like: But don't let it fool you; once you know what's going on,
it's easier than it looks: @code{ls -lt **/*.doc(Lk+50aM+5)}.}
As of Emacs 21, Eshell is part of the standard Emacs distribution.
@menu
-* Contributors to Eshell::
-* Installation::
+* Contributors to Eshell:: People who have helped out!
@end menu
-@node Contributors to Eshell, Installation, What is Eshell?, What is Eshell?
+@node Contributors to Eshell
@section Contributors to Eshell
-@cindex Contributors
-@cindex Authors
+@cindex contributors
+@cindex authors
Contributions to Eshell are welcome. I have limited time to work on
this project, but I will gladly add any code you contribute to me to
@item
Sudish Joseph helped with some XEmacs compatibility issues.@refill
-
@end itemize
Apart from these, a lot of people have sent suggestions, ideas,
requests, bug reports and encouragement. Thanks a lot! Without you
there would be no new releases of Eshell.
-@node Installation, , Contributors to Eshell, What is Eshell?
-@section Installation
-@cindex Installation
+@node Installation
+@chapter Installation
+@cindex installation
-As mentioned above, Eshell comes preinstalled since Emacs 21. If you're
+As mentioned above, Eshell comes preinstalled as of Emacs 21. If you're
using Emacs 20.4 or later, or XEmacs 21, you can download the most
recent version of Eshell from
-@url{http://www.emacs.org/~johnw/Emacs/eshell.tar.gz}.
+@url{http://www.gci-net.com/users/j/johnw/Emacs/packages/eshell.tar.gz}.
-If you are using Emacs 21, please skip this section.
+However, if you are using Emacs 21, you may skip this section.
-@subsection Short Form
+@section Short Form
Here's exactly what to do, with no explanation why:
@enumerate
-@item @samp{M-x load-file RET eshell-auto.el RET}
-@item @samp{ESC : (add-to-list 'load-path "<path where Eshell resides>") RET}
-@item @samp{ESC : (add-to-list 'load-path "<path where Pcomplete resides>") RET}
-@item @samp{M-x eshell RET}
+@item
+@samp{M-x load-file RET eshell-auto.el RET}.
+
+@item
+@samp{ESC : (add-to-list 'load-path "<path where Eshell resides>") RET}.
+
+@item
+@samp{ESC : (add-to-list 'load-path "<path where Pcomplete resides>") RET}.
+
+@item
+@samp{M-x eshell RET}.
You should see a version banner displayed.
-@item @samp{ls RET}
+@item
+@samp{ls RET}.
Confirm that you see a file listing.
-@item @samp{eshell-test RET}
+@item
+@samp{eshell-test RET}.
-Confirm that everything runs correctly. Use `M-x eshell-report-bug' if
+Confirm that everything runs correctly. Use @kbd{M-x eshell-report-bug} if
not.
-@item @samp{cd $@{dirname (locate-library "eshell-auto")@} RET}
-@item @samp{find-file Makefile RET}
-@item Edit the Makefile to reflect your site.
-@item @samp{M-x eshell RET}
-@item @samp{make install RET}
-@item @samp{find-file $user-init-file RET}
-@item Add the following lines to your @file{.emacs} file:
+@item
+@samp{cd $@{dirname (locate-library "eshell-auto")@} RET}.
+
+@item
+@samp{find-file Makefile RET}.
+
+@item
+Edit the Makefile to reflect your site.
+
+@item
+@samp{M-x eshell RET}.
+
+@item
+@samp{make install RET}.
+
+@item
+@samp{find-file $user-init-file RET}.
+
+@item
+Add the following lines to your @file{.emacs} file:
@example
(add-to-list 'load-path "<directory where you install Eshell>")
(load "eshell-auto")
@end example
-@item @samp{M-x eshell RET}
-@item @samp{customize-option #'eshell-modules-list RET}
-@item Select the extension modules you prefer.
-@item Restart Emacs!
-@item @samp{M-x info RET m Eshell RET}
+@item
+@samp{M-x eshell RET}.
+
+@item
+@samp{customize-option #'eshell-modules-list RET}.
+
+@item
+Select the extension modules you prefer.
+
+@item
+Restart Emacs!
+
+@item
+@samp{M-x info RET m Eshell RET}.
Read the manual and enjoy!
@end enumerate
-@subsection Long Form
+@section Long Form
@enumerate
@item
Before building and installing Eshell, it is important to test that it
-will work properly on your system. To do this, first load
+will work properly on your system. To do this, first load the file
@file{eshell-auto}, which will define certain autoloads required to run
Eshell. This can be done using the command @kbd{M-x load-file}, and
then selecting the file @file{eshell-auto.el}.
@item
Verify that Eshell is functional by typing @command{ls} followed by
-@kbd{RET}. You should have already seen a version banner announcing the
+@key{RET}. You should have already seen a version banner announcing the
version number of this release, followed by a prompt.
@item
-Run the test suite by typing @command{eshell-test} followed by @kbd{RET}
+Run the test suite by typing @command{eshell-test} followed by @key{RET}
in the Eshell buffer. It is important that Emacs be left alone while
the tests are running, since extraneous command input may cause some of
the tests to fail (they were never intended to run in the background).
@item
Edit the file @file{Makefile} in the directory containing the Eshell
-sources to reflect the location of certain Emacs dircetories at your
+sources to reflect the location of certain Emacs directories at your
site. The only things you really have to change are the definitions of
@code{lispdir} and @code{infodir}. The elisp files will be copied to
@code{lispdir}, and the info file to @code{infodir}.
@item
-Type @code{make install} in the directory containing the Eshell sources.
-This will byte-compile all of the @file{.el} files and copy both the
+Type @kbd{make install} in the directory containing the Eshell sources.
+This will byte-compile all of the @file{*.el} files and copy both the
source and compiled versions to the directories specified in the
previous step. It will also copy the info file, and add a corresponding
-entry to your @file{dir} file----if @file{install-info} can be found.
+entry to your @file{dir} file----if the program @code{install-info} can
+be found on your system.
If you only want to create the compiled elisp files, but don't want to
-install them, you can type just @command{make} instead.
+install them, you can type just @kbd{make} instead.
@item
Add the directory into which Eshell was installed to your
@code{eshell-modules-list}. This variable selects which Eshell
extension modules you want to use. You will find documentation on each
of those modules in the Info manual.
-
@end enumerate
+@cindex documentation, printed version
+@cindex printed version of documentation
If you have @TeX{} installed at your site, you can make a typeset manual
from @file{eshell.texi}.
@enumerate
@item
-Run @TeX{} by typing @samp{texi2dvi eshell.texi}.
+Run @TeX{} by typing @kbd{texi2dvi eshell.texi}. (With Emacs 21.1 or
+later, typing @kbd{make eshell.dvi} in the @file{man/} subdirectory of
+the Emacs source distribution will do that.)
+
@item
Convert the resulting device independent file @file{eshell.dvi} to a
form which your printer can output and print it. If you have a
-postscript printer there is a program, @code{dvi2ps}, which does. There
+postscript printer, there is a program, @code{dvi2ps}, which does that; there
is also a program which comes together with @TeX{}, @code{dvips}, which
-you can use.
+you can use. For other printers, use a suitable DVI driver,
+e.g., @code{dvilj4} for LaserJet-compatible printers.
@end enumerate
-@c @node Forming commands, Known problems, What is Eshell?, Top
-@c @chapter Forming commands
+@node Command basics
+@chapter Basic overview
-@c A command shell is nothing more than a place to enter commands.
+A command shell is a means of entering verbally-formed commands. This
+is really all that it does, and every feature described in this manual
+is a means to that end. Therefore, it's important to take firm hold on
+exactly what a command is, and how it fits in the overall picture of
+things.
-@c What is a command?
+@menu
+* Commands verbs:: Commands always begin with a verb.
+* Command arguments:: Some verbs require arguments.
+@end menu
+
+@node Commands verbs
+@section Commands verbs
+
+Commands are expressed using @dfn{script}, a special shorthand language
+computers can understand with no trouble. Script is an extremely simple
+language; oddly enough, this is what makes it look so complicated!
+Whereas normal languages use a variety of embellishments, the form of a
+script command is always:
+
+@example
+@var{verb} [@var{arguments}]
+@end example
+
+The verb expresses what you want your computer to do. There are a fixed
+number of verbs, although this number is usually quite large. On the
+author's computer, it reaches almost 1400 in number. But of course,
+only a handful of these are really necessary.
+
+Sometimes, the verb is all that's written. A verb is always a single
+word, usually related to the task it performs. @command{reboot} is a
+good example. Entering that on GNU/Linux will reboot the
+computer---assuming you have sufficient privileges.
+
+Other verbs require more information. These are usually very capable
+verbs, and must be told specifically what to do. The extra information
+is given in the form of @dfn{arguments}. For example, the
+@command{echo} verb prints back whatever arguments you type. It
+requires these arguments to know what to echo. A proper use of
+@command{echo} looks like this:
-@c A command is piece of ``script''---or special shorthand
-@c language---that the computer can understand.
+@example
+echo This is an example of using echo!
+@end example
-@c What does script look like?
+This script command causes the computer to echo back: ``This is an
+example of using echo!''
-@c Script is an extremely simplified language. Oddly enough, this
-@c actually makes it look more complicated than it is. Whereas normal
-@c languages can use many different embellishments, the form of a script
-@c command is always: a command verb, following by its arguments.
+Although command verbs are always simple words, like @command{reboot} or
+@command{echo}, arguments may have a wide variety of forms. There are
+textual arguments, numerical arguments---even Lisp arguments.
+Distinguishing these different types of arguments requires special
+typing, for the computer to know exactly what you mean.
-@c A verb? Arguments?
+@node Command arguments
+@section Command arguments
-@c The verb is the thing you want your computer to do. There are a set
-@c number of verbs, although this number is quite large. On my
-@c computer, it reaches almost 1400 in number! But of course, only a
-@c handful of these are necessary most of the time.
+Eshell recognizes several different kinds of command arguments:
-@c Sometimes, the verb is all that's necessary. A verb is always a
-@c single word, usually related to the task it will perform.
-@c @command{reboot} is a good example. Entering that will cause your
-@c computer to reboot, assuming you have sufficient privileges.
+@enumerate
+@item Strings (also called textual arguments)
+@item Numbers (floating point or integer)
+@item Lisp lists
+@item Lisp symbols
+@item Emacs buffers
+@item Emacs process handles
+@end enumerate
-@c Other verbs need more information. These are usually very capable of
-@c verbs, but they must be told more specifically what to do. This
-@c extra information is given in the form of arguments. Arguments are
-@c also words, that appear after the verb. For example, @command{echo}
-@c is a command verb that will print back to you whatever you say.
-@c @command{echo} requires a set of arguments, to know what you want it
-@c to echo! So a proper use of echo might look like:
+Most users need to worry only about the first two. The third, Lisp lists,
+occur very frequently, but almost always behind the scenes.
-@c @example
-@c echo This is an example of using echo!
-@c @end example
+Strings are the most common type of argument, and consist of nearly any
+character. Special characters---those used by Eshell
+specifically---must be preceded by a backslash (@samp{\}). When in doubt, it
+is safe to add backslashes anywhere and everywhere.
-@c This command would result in the computer printing back to you,
-@c ``This is an example of using echo!''. Pretty easy, no?
+Here is a more complicated @command{echo} example:
-@c Although commands are always simple words, arguments can take
-@c different forms. There are textual arguments, numeric arguments,
-@c even Lisp arguments. Distinguishing among these different types of
-@c arguments requires some special typing, because the computer needs
-@c very specific directions to understand what you mean.
+@example
+echo A\ Multi-word\ Argument\ With\ A\ \$\ dollar
+@end example
+
+Beyond this, things get a bit more complicated. While not beyond the
+reach of someone wishing to learn, it is definitely beyond the scope of
+this manual to present it all in a simplistic manner. Get comfortable
+with Eshell as a basic command invocation tool, and learn more about the
+commands on your system; then come back when it all sits more familiarly
+on your mind. Have fun!
-@node Bugs and ideas, , What is Eshell?, Top
+@node Commands
+@chapter Commands
+
+@menu
+* Invocation::
+* Completion::
+* Aliases::
+* History::
+* Scripts::
+* Built-ins::
+@end menu
+
+Essentially, a command shell is all about invoking commands---and
+everything that entails. So understanding how Eshell invokes commands
+is the key to comprehending how it all works.
+
+@node Invocation
+@section Invocation
+
+Unlike regular system shells, Eshell never invokes kernel functions
+directly, such as @code{exec(3)}. Instead, it uses the Lisp functions
+available in the Emacs Lisp library. It does this by transforming the
+command you specify into a callable Lisp form.@footnote{To see the Lisp
+form that will be invoked, type: @samp{eshell-parse-command "echo
+hello"}}
+
+This transformation, from the string of text typed at the command
+prompt, to the ultimate invocation of either a Lisp function or external
+command, follows these steps:
+
+@enumerate
+@item Parse the command string into separate arguments.
+@item
+@end enumerate
+
+@node Completion
+@section Completion
+
+@node Aliases
+@section Aliases
+
+@node History
+@section History
+
+Eshell knows a few built-in variables:
+
+@table @code
+
+@item $+
+@vindex $+
+This variable always contains the current working directory.
+
+@item $-
+@vindex $-
+This variable always contains the previous working directory (the
+current working directory from before the last @code{cd} command).
+
+@end table
+
+@node Scripts
+@section Scripts
+
+
+@node Built-ins
+@section Built-in commands
+
+Here is a list of built-in commands that Eshell knows about:
+
+@table @code
+
+@item cd
+@findex cd
+This command changes the current working directory. Usually, it is
+invoked as @samp{cd foo} where @file{foo} is the new working
+directory. But @code{cd} knows about a few special arguments:
+
+When it receives no argument at all, it changes to the home directory.
+
+Giving the command @samp{cd -} changes back to the previous working
+directory (this is the same as @samp{cd $-}).
+
+The command @samp{cd =} shows the directory stack. Each line is
+numbered.
+
+With @samp{cd =foo}, Eshell searches the directory stack for a
+directory matching the regular expression @samp{foo} and changes to
+that directory.
+
+With @samp{cd -42}, you can access the directory stack by number.
+
+@end table
+
+
+@node Arguments
+@chapter Arguments
+
+@menu
+* The Parser::
+* Variables::
+* Substitution::
+* Globbing::
+* Predicates::
+@end menu
+
+@node The Parser
+@section The Parser
+
+@node Variables
+@section Variables
+
+@node Substitution
+@section Substitution
+
+@node Globbing
+@section Globbing
+
+@node Predicates
+@section Predicates
+
+
+@node Input/Output
+@chapter Input/Output
+
+@node Process control
+@chapter Process control
+
+
+@node Extension modules
+@chapter Extension modules
+
+@menu
+* Writing a module::
+* Module testing::
+* Directory handling::
+* Key rebinding::
+* Smart scrolling::
+* Terminal emulation::
+* Built-in UNIX commands::
+@end menu
+
+@node Writing a module
+@section Writing a module
+
+@node Module testing
+@section Module testing
+
+@node Directory handling
+@section Directory handling
+
+@node Key rebinding
+@section Key rebinding
+
+@node Smart scrolling
+@section Smart scrolling
+
+@node Terminal emulation
+@section Terminal emulation
+
+@node Built-in UNIX commands
+@section Built-in UNIX commands
+
+
+@node Extras and Goodies
+@chapter Extras and Goodies
+
+@node Bugs and ideas
@chapter Bugs and ideas
-@cindex Reporting bugs and ideas
-@cindex Bugs, how to report them
-@cindex Author, how to reach
-@cindex Email to the author
-@cindex Known bugs
-@cindex Bugs, known
+@cindex reporting bugs and ideas
+@cindex bugs, how to report them
+@cindex author, how to reach
+@cindex email to the author
@cindex FAQ
-@cindex Problems, list of common
+@cindex problems, list of common
If you find a bug or misfeature, don't hesitate to let me know! Send
-email to @samp{johnw@@gnu.org}. Feature requests should also be sent
+email to @email{johnw@@gnu.org}. Feature requests should also be sent
there. I prefer discussing one thing at a time. If you find several
unrelated bugs, please report them separately.
find this package useful!
@menu
-* Known problems::
+* Known problems::
@end menu
-@node Known problems, , Bugs and ideas, Bugs and ideas
+@node Known problems
@section Known problems
+@cindex known bugs
+@cindex bugs, known
-Below is a partial list of currently known problems with Eshell version
-2.3.2, which is the version distribution with Emacs 21.1.
+Below is complete list of known problems with Eshell version 2.4.1,
+which is the version included with Emacs 21.1.
@table @asis
-@item @samp{for i in 1 2 3 @{ grep -q a b && *echo has it @} | wc -l} fails
+@item Documentation incomplete
+
+@item Differentiate between aliases and functions
+
+Allow for a bash-compatible syntax, such as:
+
+@example
+alias arg=blah
+function arg () @{ blah $* @}
+@end example
+
+@item @samp{for i in 1 2 3 @{ grep -q a b && *echo has it @} | wc -l} outputs result after prompt
In fact, piping to a process from a looping construct doesn't work in
general. If I change the call to @code{eshell-copy-handles} in
@item Error with @command{bc} in @code{eshell-test}
On some XEmacs system, the subprocess interaction test fails
-inexplicably, since @command{bc} works fine at the command prompt.
-
-@item @command{ls} in remote directories sometimes fails
-
-For XEmacs users, using @command{ls} in a remote directory sometimes
-fails. The reason why has not yet been found.
+inexplicably, although @command{bc} works fine at the command prompt.
@item Eshell does not delete @file{*Help*} buffers in XEmacs 21.1.8+
@item Pcomplete sometimes gets stuck
-When @kbd{TAB}, no completions appear, even though the directory has
-them. This behavior is rare.
+You press @key{TAB}, but no completions appear, even though the
+directory has matching files. This behavior is rare.
@item @samp{grep python $<rpm -qa>} doesn't work, but using @samp{*grep} does
@item Using C-p and C-n with rebind gets into a locked state
-This happened a few times in Emacs 21, but has been unreproducable
+This happened a few times in Emacs 21, but has been unreproducible
since.
@item If an interactive process is currently running, @kbd{M-!} doesn't work
Make it so that the Lisp command on the right of the pipe is repeatedly
called with the input strings as arguments. This will require changing
-eshell-do-pipeline to handle non-process targets.
+@code{eshell-do-pipeline} to handle non-process targets.
@item Input redirection is not supported
-See the entry above.
-
-@c @item problem running "less" without argument on Windows
-@c Before running telnet, I noticed that 'less' (for example) was already
-@c configured as a visual command. So I invoked it from eshell to see what
-@c would happen.
-@c
-@c Here's the result in the eshell buffer:
-@c
-@c Spawning child process: invalid argument
-@c
-@c Also a new 'less' buffer was created with nothing in it .. (presumably this
-@c holds the output of less)
-@c
-@c If I run 'less.exe' from the eshell command line, I get the output I expect
-@c simply written to the buffer.
-@c
-@c Note that I'm using FSF NT-Emacs 20.6.1 on Win2000. The term.el package and
-@c the supplied shell both seem to use the 'cmdproxy' program to run things
-@c like shells.
-@c @item implement -r, -n and -s switches for cp
-@c @item Make M-5 eshell -> switch to *eshell<5>*, creating it if need be
-@c @item mv DIR FILE.tar does not remove directories
-@c This is because the tar option --remove-files doesn't do so. Should
-@c it be Eshell's job?
-@c @item Write an article about Eshell for the LinuxWorld journal.
-@c @item bind standard-output and standard-error, so that if a Lisp function
-@c calls `print', everything will happen as it should (albeit slowly)
-@c @item when the extension modules fail to load, cd / gives a Lisp error
-@c @item if a globbing patterns returns only one match, should it still be a
-@c list?
-@c @item make sure that the syntax table correctly in eshell mode
-@c So that M-DEL acts in a predictable manner, etc.
-@c @item allow all Eshell buffers to share the same history and list-dir
-@c @item error with script commands and outputting to /dev/null
-@c If a script file, somewhere in the middle, does a "> /dev/null",
-@c output from all subsequent commands will be swallowed
-@c @item split up parsing of the text after a $ in eshell-var
-@c Similar to way that eshell-arg is structured. Then add parsing of
-@c $[?\n]
-@c @item after pressing M-RET, redisplay before running the next command
-@c @item argument predicates and modifiers should work anywhere in a path
-@c /usr/local/src/editors/vim $ vi **/CVS(/)/Root(.)
-@c Invalid regexp: "Unmatched ( or \\("
-@c
-@c with zsh, the glob above expands to all files named Root in
-@c directories named CVS.
-@c @item typing "echo ${locate locate}/bin<tab>" results in a Lisp error
-@c Perhaps it should interpolate all permutations, and make that the
-@c globbing result, since otherwise hitting return here will result in
-@c "(list of filenames)/bin", which is never very valuable. Thus, one
-@c could cat only c backup files by using "ls ${identity *.c}~". In that
-@c case, having an alias command name `glob' for `identity' would be
-@c useful
-@c @item for XEmacs on Win32, fix `file-name-all-completions'
-@c Make sure it returns directory names terminated by
-@c `directory-sep-char' (which is initialized to be ?/), rather than
-@c backslash
-@c @item once symbolic mode is supported for umask, implement chmod in Lisp
-@c @item create `eshell-expand-file-name'
-@c Which uses a data table to transform things like "~+", "...", etc
-@c @item abstract `eshell-smart.el' into `smart-scroll.el'
-@c It only really needs: to be hooked onto the output filter and the
-@c pre-command hook, and to have the input-end and input-start markers.
-@c And to know whether the last output group was "successful".
-@c @item allow for fully persisting the state of Eshell
-@c vars, history, buffer, input, dir stack, etc.
-@c @item implement D in the predicate list
-@c It means that files beginning with a dot should be included in the
-@c glob match
-@c @item a comma in a predicate list means OR
-@c @item error if a glob doesn't expand due to a predicate
-@c An error should be generated only if `eshell-error-if-no-glob' is
-@c non-nil
-@c @item the following doesn't cause an indent-according-to-mode to occur
-@c (+ RET SPC TAB
-@c @item create `eshell-auto-accumulate-list'
-@c It is a list of commands for which, if the user presses RET, the text
-@c gets staged as the next Eshell command, rather than being sent to the
-@c current interactive
-@c @item display file and line number if an error occurs in a script
-@c @item wait doesn't work with process ids at the moment
-@c @item enable the direct-to-process input code in eshell-term.el
-@c @item problem with repeating "echo ${find /tmp}"
-@c With smart display active, if I hold down RET, after a while it can't
-@c keep up anymore and starts outputting blank lines. It only happens if
-@c an asynchronous process is involved...
-@c
-@c I think the problem is that `eshell-send-input' is resetting the input
-@c target location, so that if the asynchronous process is not done by
-@c the time the next RET is received, the input processor thinks that the
-@c input is meant for the process; which, because smart display is
-@c enabled, will be the text of the last command line! That is a bug in
-@c itself.
-@c
-@c In holding down RET while an asynchronous process is running, there
-@c will be a point in between termination of the process, and the running
-@c of eshell-post-command-hook, which would cause `eshell-send-input' to
-@c call `eshell-copy-old-input', and then process that text as a command
-@c to be run after the process. Perhaps there should be a way of killing
-@c pending input between the death of the process, and the
-@c post-command-hook.
-@c @item allow for a more aggressive smart display mode
-@c Perhaps toggled by a command, that makes each output block a smart
-@c display block
-@c @item create more meta variables
-@c $! -- the reason for the failure of the last disk command, or the text
-@c of the last Lisp error
-@c
-@c $= -- a special associate array, which can take references of the form
-@c $=[REGEXP]. It also indexes into the directory ring
-@c @item eshell scripts can't execute in the background
-@c @item support zsh's "Parameter Expansion" syntax, i.e. ${NAME:-VAL}
-@c @item write an `info' alias that can take arguments
-@c So that the user can enter "info chmod"
-@c @item split off more generic code from Eshell
-@c parse-args.el --- parse a list of arguments
-@c interpolate.el --- interpolate $variable $(lisp)... references
-@c interp.el --- find which interpretor to run a script with
-@c sh-ring.el --- extend ring.el for persistant, searchable history
-@c zsh-glob.el --- zsh-style globbing and predicate/modifiers
-@c smartdisp.el --- smart scrolling in input buffers
-@c egetopt.el --- `eshell-eval-using-options'
-@c prompt.el --- code for outputting and navigating prompts
-@c cmd-rebind.el --- rebind certain keys in the input text
-@c unix.el --- provides Lispish UNIX command, such as unix-rm, etc.
-@c emacs-ls.el --- implementation of ls in Emacs Lisp
-@c texidoc.el
-@c pushd.el --- implementation of pushd/popd in Lisp
-@c interface.el -- a mode for reading command-line input from the user
-@c @item create a mode `eshell-browse'
-@c It would treat the Eshell buffer as a outline. Collapsing the outline
-@c hides all of the output text. Collapsing again would show only the
-@c first command run in each directory
-@c @item look through the Korn Shell book for feature ideas
-@c @item allow other version of a file to be referenced by "file{rev}"
-@c This would be expanded by `eshell-expand-file-name'
-@c @item print "You have new mail" when the "Mail" icon gets turned on
-@c @item implement M-|
-@c @item implement input redirection
-@c If it's a lisp function, input redirection implies "xargs" (in a
-@c way..). And if input redirection is added, don't forget to update the
-@c file-name-quote-list, and the delimiter list.
-@c @item allow #<WORD ARG> to be a generic syntax
-@c With the handling of "word" specified by an `eshell-special-alist'.
-@c @item in `eval-using-options', have a :complete tag
-@c It would be used to provide completion rules for that command. Then
-@c the macro will automagically define the completion function
-@c @item for `eshell-command-on-region', redirections apply to the result
-@c So that "+ > 'blah" will cause the result of the `+' (using input from
-@c the current region) to be inserting in the symbol `blah'.
-@c
-@c If a disk command is being invoked, the input is sent as standard
-@c input, as if a "cat <region> |" were invoked.
-@c
-@c If a lisp command, or an alias, is invoked, then: if the line has no
-@c ^J characters, it is divided by whitespace and passed as arguments to
-@c the lisp function. Otherwise, it is divided at the ^J characters.
-@c Thus, invoking `+' on a series of numbers will add them; `min' would
-@c display the smallest figure.
-@c @item write `eshell-script-mode' as a minor mode
-@c It would provide syntax, abbrev, highlighting and indenting support
-@c like emacs-lisp-mode + shell-mode.
-@c @item in the history mechanism, finish bash-style support
-@c For !n, !#, !:%, and !:1- as separate from !:1*
-@c @item support the -n command line option for "history"
-@c @item implement `fc'
-@c @item specifying a frame as a redirection target implies point's buffer
-@c @item implement ">FUNC-OR-FUNC-LIST"
-@c This would allow for an "output translator", that takes a function to
-@c modify output with, and the target. Devise a syntax that words well
-@c with pipes, and can accomodate multiple functions (i.e.,">'(upcase
-@c regexp-quote)" or ">'upcase").
-@c @item allow Eshell to read/write to/from standard input and output
-@c This would be optional, rather than always using the Eshell buffer.
-@c This would allow it to be run from the command line.
-@c @item write a "help" command
-@c It could even call subcommands with "--help" (or "-h" or "/?").
-@c @item implement stty
-@c @item support rc's matching operator, "~ (list) regexp"
-@c @item implement "bg" and "fg" to edit `eshell-process-list'
-@c Using "bg" on a process that is already in the background does
-@c nothing. Specifying redirection targets replaces (or adds) to the
-@c list current being used.
-@c @item have "jobs" print only the processes for the current eshell
-@c @item how do I discover that a background process has requested input?
-@c @item support 2>&1 and >& and 2> and |&
-@c The syntax table for parsing these should be customizable, such that
-@c the user could change it to use rc syntax: >[2=1].
-@c @item allow $_[-1], which reads the last element of the array, etc.
-@c @item make $x[*] equal to listing out the full contents of x
-@c Return them as a list, so that $_[*] is all the arguments of the last
-@c command.
-@c @item move ANSI code handling from `term' into `eshell-term'
-@c And make it possible for the user to send char-by-char to the
-@c underlying process. Ultimately, I should be able to move away from
-@c using term.el altogether, since everything but the ANSI code handling
-@c is already part of Eshell. Then, things would work correctly on Win32
-@c as well (which doesn't have "/bin/sh", though term tries to use it)
-@c @item have other shell spawning commands be visual
-@c Make (su, bash, telnet, rlogin, rsh, etc.) be part of
-@c `eshell-visual-commands'. The only exception is if rsh/su/bash are
-@c simply being used to invoke a single command. Then, it should be
-@c based on what that command is.
-@c @item create an alias "open"
-@c This will search for some way to open its argument (similar to opening
-@c a file in the Windows Explorer). Perhaps using ffap...
-@c @item alias "read" to be the same as "open", except read-only
-@c @item write a "tail -f" alias which does a view-file
-@c I.e., it moves point to the end of the buffer, and then turns on
-@c auto-revert mode in that buffer at frequent intervals -- and a head
-@c alias which assums an upper limit of `eshell-maximum-line-length'
-@c characters per line.
-@c @item make dgrep load dired, mark everything, then execute the A binding
-@c @item write emsh.c
-@c It just runs Emacs with the appropriate arguments to invoke eshell.
-@c That way, it could be listed as a login shell.
-@c @item use an intangible PS2 string for multi-line input prompts
-@c @item auto-detect when a command is visual, by checking TERMCAP usage
-@c @item First keypress after M-x watson triggers `eshell-send-input'
-@c @item Emacs 20.3: Figure out why pcomplete won't make
-@c @item Make / electric
-@c So that it automatically expands and corrects pathnames. Or make
-@c pathname completion for pcomplete auto-expand "/u/i/std<TAB>" to
-@c "/usr/include/std<TAB>".
-@c @item Write pushd/popd out to disk along with last-dir-ring
-@c @item add options to eshell/cat which would cause it to sort and uniq
-@c @item implement in Lisp: wc. Also count sentences, paragraphs, pages.
-@c @item once piping is added, implement sort and uniq
-@c @item implement touch
-@c @item implement epatch
-@c Calls ediff-patch-file, or ediff-patch-buffer, depending on its
-@c argument.
-@c @item have an option for bringing up ls -l result in a dired buffer
-@c @item write a version of xargs that's based on command rewriting
-@c find X | xargs Y == Y ${find X}. Maybe I could change
-@c eshell-do-pipelines to perform this on-thy-fly rewriting.
-@c @item implement head and tail in Lisp
-@c @item write an alias for less and more that brings up a view buffer
-@c Such that they can press SPC and DEL, and then q to return to eshell.
-@c The more command would be equivalent to: X > #<buffer Y>; view-buffer
-@c #<buffer Y>
-@c @item differentiate between aliases and functions
-@c Allow for a bash-compatible syntax, such as:
-@c
-@c alias arg=blah
-@c function arg () { blah $* }
-@c @item find the various references to shell-mode within Emacs
-@c And add support for Eshell there, since now Eshell is going to be part
-@c of Emacs.
-@c @item permit umask to be set on a cp target during the cp command
-@c @item if the first thing that I do after I enter Emacs
-@c is to run eshell-command and invoke ls, and then I use M-x eshell, it
-@c doesn't show me anything.
-@c @item M-RET during a long command doesn't quite work
-@c Since it keeps the cursor up where the command was invoked.
+See the above entry.
+
+@item Problem running @command{less} without arguments on Windows
+
+The result in the Eshell buffer is:
+
+@example
+Spawning child process: invalid argument
+@end example
+
+Also a new @command{less} buffer was created with nothing in it@dots{}
+(presumably this holds the output of @command{less}).
+
+If @command{less.exe} is invoked from the Eshell command line, the
+expected output is written to the buffer.
+
+Note that this happens on NT-Emacs 20.6.1 on Windows 2000. The term.el
+package and the supplied shell both use the @command{cmdproxy} program
+for running shells.
+
+@item Implement @samp{-r}, @samp{-n} and @samp{-s} switches for @command{cp}
+
+@item Make @kbd{M-5 M-x eshell} switch to ``*eshell<5>*'', creating if need be
+
+@item @samp{mv @var{dir} @var{file}.tar} does not remove directories
+
+This is because the tar option --remove-files doesn't do so. Should it
+be Eshell's job?
+
+@item Bind @code{standard-output} and @code{standard-error}
+
+This would be so that if a Lisp function calls @code{print}, everything
+will happen as it should (albeit slowly).
+
+@item When an extension module fails to load, @samp{cd /} gives a Lisp error
+
+@item If a globbing pattern returns one match, should it be a list?
+
+@item Make sure syntax table is correct in Eshell mode
+
+So that @kbd{M-DEL} acts in a predictable manner, etc.
+
+@item Allow all Eshell buffers to share the same history and list-dir
+
+@item There is a problem with script commands that output to @file{/dev/null}
+
+If a script file, somewhere in the middle, uses @samp{> /dev/null},
+output from all subsequent commands is swallowed.
+
+@item Split up parsing of text after @samp{$} in @file{esh-var.el}
+
+Make it similar to the way that @file{esh-arg.el} is structured.
+Then add parsing of @samp{$[?\n]}.
+
+@item After pressing @kbd{M-RET}, redisplay before running the next command
+
+@item Argument predicates and modifiers should work anywhere in a path
+
+@example
+/usr/local/src/editors/vim $ vi **/CVS(/)/Root(.)
+Invalid regexp: "Unmatched ( or \\("
+@end example
+
+With @command{zsh}, the glob above expands to all files named
+@file{Root} in directories named @file{CVS}.
+
+@item Typing @samp{echo $@{locate locate@}/bin<TAB>} results in a Lisp error
+
+Perhaps it should interpolate all permutations, and make that the
+globbing result, since otherwise hitting return here will result in
+``(list of filenames)/bin'', which is never valuable. Thus, one could
+@command{cat} only C backup files by using @samp{ls $@{identity *.c@}~}.
+In that case, having an alias command name @command{glob} for
+@command{identity} would be useful.
+
+@item Once symbolic mode is supported for @command{umask}, implement @command{chmod} in Lisp
+
+@item Create @code{eshell-expand-file-name}
+
+This would use a data table to transform things such as @samp{~+},
+@samp{...}, etc.
+
+@item Abstract @file{em-smart.el} into @file{smart-scroll.el}
+
+It only really needs: to be hooked onto the output filter and the
+pre-command hook, and to have the input-end and input-start markers.
+And to know whether the last output group was ``successful.''
+
+@item Allow for fully persisting the state of Eshell
+
+This would include: variables, history, buffer, input, dir stack, etc.
+
+@item Implement D as an argument predicate
+
+It means that files beginning with a dot should be included in the
+glob match.
+
+@item A comma in a predicate list should mean OR
+
+At the moment, this is not supported.
+
+@item Error if a glob doesn't expand due to a predicate
+
+An error should be generated only if @code{eshell-error-if-no-glob} is
+non-@code{nil}.
+
+@item @samp{(+ RET SPC TAB} does not cause @code{indent-according-to-mode} to occur
+
+@item Create @code{eshell-auto-accumulate-list}
+
+This is a list of commands for which, if the user presses @kbd{RET}, the
+text is staged as the next Eshell command, rather than being sent to the
+current interactive process.
+
+@item Display file and line number if an error occurs in a script
+
+@item @command{wait} doesn't work with process ids at the moment
+
+@item Enable the direct-to-process input code in @file{em-term.el}
+
+@item Problem with repeating @samp{echo $@{find /tmp@}}
+
+With smart display active, if @kbd{RET} is held down, after a while it
+can't keep up anymore and starts outputting blank lines. It only
+happens if an asynchronous process is involved@dots{}
+
+I think the problem is that @code{eshell-send-input} is resetting the
+input target location, so that if the asynchronous process is not done
+by the time the next @kbd{RET} is received, the input processor thinks
+that the input is meant for the process; which, when smart display is
+enabled, will be the text of the last command line! That is a bug in
+itself.
+
+In holding down @kbd{RET} while an asynchronous process is running,
+there will be a point in between termination of the process, and the
+running of @code{eshell-post-command-hook}, which would cause
+@code{eshell-send-input} to call @code{eshell-copy-old-input}, and then
+process that text as a command to be run after the process. Perhaps
+there should be a way of killing pending input between the death of the
+process, and the @code{post-command-hook}.
+
+@item Allow for a more aggressive smart display mode
+
+Perhaps toggled by a command, that makes each output block a smart
+display block.
+
+@item Create more meta variables
+
+@table @samp
+@item $!
+The reason for the failure of the last disk command, or the text of the
+last Lisp error.
+
+@item $=
+A special associate array, which can take references of the form
+@samp{$=[REGEXP]}. It indexes into the directory ring.
@end table
-@unnumbered Function and Variable Index
+@item Eshell scripts can't execute in the background
-@printindex fn
+@item Support zsh's ``Parameter Expansion'' syntax, i.e. @samp{$@{@var{name}:-@var{val}@}}
+
+@item Write an @command{info} alias that can take arguments
+
+So that the user can enter @samp{info chmod}, for example.
+
+@item Create a mode @code{eshell-browse}
+
+It would treat the Eshell buffer as a outline. Collapsing the outline
+hides all of the output text. Collapsing again would show only the
+first command run in each directory
+
+@item Allow other revisions of a file to be referenced using @samp{file@{rev@}}
+
+This would be expanded by @code{eshell-expand-file-name} (see above).
+
+@item Print ``You have new mail'' when the ``Mail'' icon is turned on
+
+@item Implement @kbd{M-|} for Eshell
+
+@item Implement input redirection
+
+If it's a Lisp function, input redirection implies @command{xargs} (in a
+way@dots{}). If input redirection is added, also update the
+@code{file-name-quote-list}, and the delimiter list.
+
+@item Allow @samp{#<@var{word} @var{arg}>} as a generic syntax
+
+With the handling of @emph{word} specified by an
+@code{eshell-special-alist}.
+
+@item In @code{eshell-veal-using-options}, allow a @code{:complete} tag
+
+It would be used to provide completion rules for that command. Then the
+macro will automagically define the completion function.
+
+@item For @code{eshell-command-on-region}, apply redirections to the result
+
+So that @samp{+ > 'blah} would cause the result of the @code{+} (using
+input from the current region) to be inserting into the symbol
+@code{blah}.
+
+If an external command is being invoked, the input is sent as standard
+input, as if a @samp{cat <region> |} had been invoked.
+
+If a Lisp command, or an alias, is invoked, then if the line has no
+newline characters, it is divided by whitespace and passed as arguments
+to the Lisp function. Otherwise, it is divided at the newline
+characters. Thus, invoking @code{+} on a series of numbers will add
+them; @code{min} would display the smallest figure, etc.
+@item Write @code{eshell-script-mode} as a minor mode
+
+It would provide syntax, abbrev, highlighting and indenting support like
+@code{emacs-lisp-mode} and @code{shell-mode}.
+
+@item In the history mechanism, finish the @command{bash}-style support
+
+This means @samp{!n}, @samp{!#}, @samp{!:%}, and @samp{!:1-} as separate
+from @samp{!:1*}.
+
+@item Support the -n command line option for @command{history}
+
+@item Implement @command{fc} in Lisp
+
+@item Specifying a frame as a redirection target should imply the currently active window's buffer
+
+@item Implement @samp{>@var{func-or-func-list}}
+
+This would allow for an ``output translators'', that take a function to
+modify output with, and a target. Devise a syntax that works well with
+pipes, and can accommodate multiple functions (i.e., @samp{>'(upcase
+regexp-quote)} or @samp{>'upcase}).
+
+@item Allow Eshell to read/write to/from standard input and output
+
+This would be optional, rather than always using the Eshell buffer.
+This would allow it to be run from the command line (perhaps).
+
+@item Write a @command{help} command
+
+It would call subcommands with @option{--help}, or @option{-h} or
+@option{/?}, as appropriate.
+
+@item Implement @command{stty} in Lisp
+
+@item Support @command{rc}'s matching operator, e.g. @samp{~ (@var{list}) @var{regexp}}
+
+@item Implement @command{bg} and @command{fg} as editors of @code{eshell-process-list}
+
+Using @command{bg} on a process that is already in the background does
+nothing. Specifying redirection targets replaces (or adds) to the list
+current being used.
+
+@item Have @command{jobs} print only the processes for the current shell
+
+@item How can Eshell learn if a background process has requested input?
+
+@item Support @samp{2>&1} and @samp{>&} and @samp{2>} and @samp{|&}
+
+The syntax table for parsing these should be customizable, such that the
+user could change it to use rc syntax: @samp{>[2=1]}.
+
+@item Allow @samp{$_[-1]}, which would indicate the last element of the array
+
+@item Make @samp{$x[*]} equal to listing out the full contents of @samp{x}
+
+Return them as a list, so that @samp{$_[*]} is all the arguments of the
+last command.
+
+@item Copy ANSI code handling from @file{term.el} into @file{em-term.el}
+
+Make it possible for the user to send char-by-char to the underlying
+process. Ultimately, I should be able to move away from using term.el
+altogether, since everything but the ANSI code handling is already part
+of Eshell. Then, things would work correctly on MS-Windows as well
+(which doesn't have @file{/bin/sh}, although @file{term.el} tries to use
+it).
+
+@item Make the shell spawning commands be visual
+
+That is, make (@command{su}, @command{bash}, @command{telnet},
+@command{rlogin}, @command{rsh}, etc.) be part of
+@code{eshell-visual-commands}. The only exception is if the shell is
+being used to invoke a single command. Then, the behavior should be
+based on what that command is.
+
+@item Create a smart viewing command named @command{open}
+
+This would search for some way to open its argument (similar to opening
+a file in the Windows Explorer).
+
+@item Alias @command{read} to be the same as @command{open}, only read-only
+
+@item Write a @command{tail} command which uses @code{view-file}
+
+It would move point to the end of the buffer, and then turns on
+auto-revert mode in that buffer at frequent intervals---and a
+@command{head} alias which assums an upper limit of
+@code{eshell-maximum-line-length} characters per line.
+
+@item Make @command{dgrep} load @code{dired}, mark everything, then invoke @code{dired-do-search}
+
+@item Write mesh.c
+
+This would run Emacs with the appropriate arguments to invoke Eshell
+only. That way, it could be listed as a login shell.
+
+@item Use an intangible @code{PS2} string for multi-line input prompts
+
+@item Auto-detect when a command is visual, by checking @code{TERMCAP} usage
+
+@item The first keypress after @kbd{M-x watson} triggers `eshell-send-input'
+
+@item Make @kbd{/} electric
+
+So that it automatically expands and corrects pathnames. Or make
+pathname completion for Pcomplete auto-expand @samp{/u/i/std<TAB>} to
+@samp{/usr/include/std<TAB>}.
+
+@item Write the @command{pushd} stack to disk along with @code{last-dir-ring}
+
+@item Add options to @code{eshell/cat} which would allow it to sort and uniq
+
+@item Implement @command{wc} in Lisp
+
+Add support for counting sentences, paragraphs, pages, etc.
+
+@item Once piping is added, implement @command{sort} and @command{uniq} in Lisp
+
+@item Implement @command{touch} in Lisp
+
+@item Implement @command{comm} in Lisp
+
+@item Implement an @command{epatch} command in Lisp
+
+This would call @code{ediff-patch-file}, or @code{ediff-patch-buffer},
+depending on its argument.
+
+@item Have an option such that @samp{ls -l} generates a dired buffer
+
+@item Write a version of @command{xargs} based on command rewriting
+
+That is, @samp{find X | xargs Y} would be indicated using @samp{Y
+$@{find X@}}. Maybe @code{eshell-do-pipelines} could be changed to
+perform this on-thy-fly rewriting.
+
+@item Write an alias for @command{less} that brings up a @code{view-mode} buffer
+
+Such that the user can press @key{SPC} and @key{DEL}, and then @key{q}
+to return to Eshell. It would be equivalent to:
+@samp{X > #<buffer Y>; view-buffer #<buffer Y>}.
+
+@item Make @code{eshell-mode} as much a full citizen as @code{shell-mode}
+
+Everywhere in Emacs where @code{shell-mode} is specially noticed, add
+@code{eshell-mode} there.
+
+@item Permit the umask to be selectively set on a @command{cp} target
+
+@item Problem using @kbd{M-x eshell} after using @code{eshell-command}
+
+If the first thing that I do after entering Emacs is to run
+@code{eshell-command} and invoke @command{ls}, and then use @kbd{M-x
+eshell}, it doesn't display anything.
+
+@item @kbd{M-RET} during a long command (using smart display) doesn't work
+
+Since it keeps the cursor up where the command was invoked.
+
+@end table
+
+@node Concept Index
@unnumbered Concept Index
@printindex cp
+@node Function and Variable Index
+@unnumbered Function and Variable Index
+
+@printindex fn
+
+@node Key Index
@unnumbered Key Index
@printindex ky
-
-@setchapternewpage odd
-@summarycontents
-@contents
@bye
+
+@ignore
+ arch-tag: 776409ba-cb15-42b9-b2b6-d2bdc7ebad01
+@end ignore