@c This is part of the Emacs manual.
@c Copyright (C) 1985, 1986, 1987, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1997, 1999, 2000,
-@c 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
+@c 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010
+@c Free Software Foundation, Inc.
@c See file emacs.texi for copying conditions.
@node Files, Buffers, Keyboard Macros, Top
@chapter File Handling
to reread it.
@vindex large-file-warning-threshold
+@cindex file, warning when size is large
+@cindex size of file, warning when visiting
@cindex maximum buffer size exceeded, error message
If you try to visit a file larger than
@code{large-file-warning-threshold} (the default is 10000000, which is
about 10 megabytes), Emacs asks you for confirmation first. You can
answer @kbd{y} to proceed with visiting the file. Note, however, that
Emacs cannot visit files that are larger than the maximum Emacs buffer
-size, which is around 256 megabytes on 32-bit machines
+size, which is around 512 megabytes on 32-bit machines
(@pxref{Buffers}). If you try, Emacs will display an error message
saying that the maximum buffer size has been exceeded.
another from the newly saved contents if you save again.
@menu
-* Names: Backup Names. How backup files are named.
-* Deletion: Backup Deletion. Emacs deletes excess numbered backups.
-* Copying: Backup Copying. Backups can be made by copying or renaming.
+* Names: Backup Names. How backup files are named.
+* Deletion: Backup Deletion. Emacs deletes excess numbered backups.
+* Copying: Backup Copying. Backups can be made by copying or renaming.
@end menu
@node Backup Names
* Files: Auto Save Files. The file where auto-saved changes are
actually made until you save the file.
* Control: Auto Save Control. Controlling when and how often to auto-save.
-* Recover:: Recovering text from auto-save files.
+* Recover:: Recovering text from auto-save files.
@end menu
@node Auto Save Files
@item M-x make-directory @key{RET} @var{dirname} @key{RET}
Create a new directory named @var{dirname}.
@item M-x delete-directory @key{RET} @var{dirname} @key{RET}
-Delete the directory named @var{dirname}. It must be empty,
-or you get an error.
+Delete the directory named @var{dirname}. If it isn't empty,
+you will be asked whether you want to delete it recursively.
@end table
@findex list-directory
The command @kbd{M-x delete-directory} prompts for a directory name
using the minibuffer, and deletes the directory if it is empty. If
-the directory is not empty, this signals an error. On systems that
-have a ``Trash'' or ``Recycle Bin'' feature, you can make this command
-move the specified directory to the Trash or Recycle Bin, instead of
-deleting it outright, by changing the variable
-@code{delete-by-moving-to-trash} to @code{t}. @xref{Misc File Ops},
-for more information about using the Trash.
+the directory is not empty, you will be asked whether you want to
+delete it recursively. On systems that have a ``Trash'' or ``Recycle
+Bin'' feature, you can make this command move the specified directory
+to the Trash or Recycle Bin, instead of deleting it outright, by
+changing the variable @code{delete-by-moving-to-trash} to @code{t}.
+@xref{Misc File Ops}, for more information about using the Trash.
@node Comparing Files
@section Comparing Files
file system. On MS-DOS, it works by copying the file.
@findex copy-file
+@findex copy-directory
@cindex copying files
@kbd{M-x copy-file} reads the file @var{old} and writes a new file
-named @var{new} with the same contents.
+named @var{new} with the same contents. @kbd{M-x copy-directory} does
+the same for directories, by recursive copying all files and
+subdirectories.
@findex make-symbolic-link
@cindex symbolic links (creation)