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authorRichard M. Stallman2001-04-26 00:26:05 +0000
committerRichard M. Stallman2001-04-26 00:26:05 +0000
commit8e7692a98a927fc62a7e34c8013f12b9edc94c50 (patch)
tree80cf5ea7ec66486b350406652bcf2fc76d7074d6
parent74b1aac110182e2851df79f46bb07eecb911c0ec (diff)
downloademacs-8e7692a98a927fc62a7e34c8013f12b9edc94c50.tar.gz
emacs-8e7692a98a927fc62a7e34c8013f12b9edc94c50.zip
Explain how META may be labeled.
Use "key" or "event" instead of "character" where appropriate. Minor clarifications.
-rw-r--r--man/commands.texi41
1 files changed, 22 insertions, 19 deletions
diff --git a/man/commands.texi b/man/commands.texi
index 9363392603f..23b383c565b 100644
--- a/man/commands.texi
+++ b/man/commands.texi
@@ -68,15 +68,17 @@ are mentioned does not matter.
68@cindex @key{ESC} replacing @key{META} key 68@cindex @key{ESC} replacing @key{META} key
69 Some terminals have a @key{META} key, and allow you to type Meta 69 Some terminals have a @key{META} key, and allow you to type Meta
70characters by holding this key down. Thus, @kbd{Meta-a} is typed by 70characters by holding this key down. Thus, @kbd{Meta-a} is typed by
71holding down @key{META} and pressing @kbd{a}. The @key{META} key works 71holding down @key{META} and pressing @kbd{a}. The @key{META} key
72much like the @key{SHIFT} key. Such a key is not always labeled 72works much like the @key{SHIFT} key. Such a key is not always labeled
73@key{META}, however, as this function is often a special option for a key 73@key{META}, however, as this function is often a special option for a
74with some other primary purpose.@refill 74key with some other primary purpose. Sometimes it is labeled
75@key{ALT} or @key{EDIT}; on a Sun keyboard, it may have a diamond on
76it.
75 77
76 If there is no @key{META} key, you can still type Meta characters 78 If there is no @key{META} key, you can still type Meta characters
77using two-character sequences starting with @key{ESC}. Thus, to enter 79using two-character sequences starting with @key{ESC}. Thus, you can enter
78@kbd{M-a}, you could type @kbd{@key{ESC} a}. To enter @kbd{C-M-a}, you 80@kbd{M-a} by typing @kbd{@key{ESC} a}. You can enter @kbd{C-M-a} by
79would type @kbd{@key{ESC} C-a}. @key{ESC} is allowed on terminals with 81typing @kbd{@key{ESC} C-a}. @key{ESC} is allowed on terminals with
80@key{META} keys, too, in case you have formed a habit of using it. 82@key{META} keys, too, in case you have formed a habit of using it.
81 83
82 The X Window System provides several other modifier keys that can be 84 The X Window System provides several other modifier keys that can be
@@ -116,10 +118,11 @@ gets to see them.
116@cindex key sequence 118@cindex key sequence
117@cindex key 119@cindex key
118 A @dfn{key sequence} (@dfn{key}, for short) is a sequence of input 120 A @dfn{key sequence} (@dfn{key}, for short) is a sequence of input
119events that are meaningful as a unit---as ``a single command.'' 121events that are meaningful as a unit---as ``a single command.'' Some
120Some Emacs command sequences are just one character or one event; for 122Emacs command sequences are just one character or one event; for
121example, just @kbd{C-f} is enough to move forward one character. But 123example, just @kbd{C-f} is enough to move forward one character in the
122Emacs also has commands that take two or more events to invoke. 124buffer. But Emacs also has commands that take two or more events to
125invoke.
123 126
124@cindex complete key 127@cindex complete key
125@cindex prefix key 128@cindex prefix key
@@ -135,23 +138,23 @@ a complete key or a prefix key.
135command bindings. A few of them are prefix keys. A prefix key combines 138command bindings. A few of them are prefix keys. A prefix key combines
136with the following input event to make a longer key sequence, which may 139with the following input event to make a longer key sequence, which may
137itself be complete or a prefix. For example, @kbd{C-x} is a prefix key, 140itself be complete or a prefix. For example, @kbd{C-x} is a prefix key,
138so @kbd{C-x} and the next input event combine to make a two-character 141so @kbd{C-x} and the next input event combine to make a two-event
139key sequence. Most of these key sequences are complete keys, including 142key sequence. Most of these key sequences are complete keys, including
140@kbd{C-x C-f} and @kbd{C-x b}. A few, such as @kbd{C-x 4} and @kbd{C-x 143@kbd{C-x C-f} and @kbd{C-x b}. A few, such as @kbd{C-x 4} and @kbd{C-x
141r}, are themselves prefix keys that lead to three-character key 144r}, are themselves prefix keys that lead to three-event key
142sequences. There's no limit to the length of a key sequence, but in 145sequences. There's no limit to the length of a key sequence, but in
143practice people rarely use sequences longer than four events. 146practice people rarely use sequences longer than four events.
144 147
145 By contrast, you can't add more events onto a complete key. For 148 By contrast, you can't add more events onto a complete key. For
146example, the two-character sequence @kbd{C-f C-k} is not a key, because 149example, the two-event sequence @kbd{C-f C-k} is not a key, because
147the @kbd{C-f} is a complete key in itself. It's impossible to give 150the @kbd{C-f} is a complete key in itself. It's impossible to give
148@kbd{C-f C-k} an independent meaning as a command. @kbd{C-f C-k} is two 151@kbd{C-f C-k} an independent meaning as a command. @kbd{C-f C-k} is two
149key sequences, not one.@refill 152key sequences, not one.@refill
150 153
151 All told, the prefix keys in Emacs are @kbd{C-c}, @kbd{C-h}, 154 All told, the prefix keys in Emacs are @kbd{C-c}, @kbd{C-h},
152@kbd{C-x}, @kbd{C-x @key{RET}}, @kbd{C-x @@}, @kbd{C-x a}, @kbd{C-x n}, @w{@kbd{C-x 155@kbd{C-x}, @kbd{C-x @key{RET}}, @kbd{C-x @@}, @kbd{C-x a}, @kbd{C-x n}, @w{@kbd{C-x
153r}}, @kbd{C-x v}, @kbd{C-x 4}, @kbd{C-x 5}, @kbd{C-x 6}, @key{ESC}, 156r}}, @kbd{C-x v}, @kbd{C-x 4}, @kbd{C-x 5}, @kbd{C-x 6}, @key{ESC}, and
154@kbd{M-g} and @kbd{M-j}. But this list is not cast in concrete; it is 157@kbd{M-g}. But this list is not cast in concrete; it is
155just a matter of Emacs's standard key bindings. If you customize Emacs, 158just a matter of Emacs's standard key bindings. If you customize Emacs,
156you can make new prefix keys, or eliminate these. @xref{Key Bindings}. 159you can make new prefix keys, or eliminate these. @xref{Key Bindings}.
157 160
@@ -163,11 +166,11 @@ definition of @kbd{C-x 4}, then @kbd{C-x 4 f} (or @kbd{C-x 4
163@var{anything}}) is no longer a key. 166@var{anything}}) is no longer a key.
164 167
165 Typing the help character (@kbd{C-h} or @key{F1}) after a prefix 168 Typing the help character (@kbd{C-h} or @key{F1}) after a prefix
166character displays a list of the commands starting with that prefix. 169key displays a list of the commands starting with that prefix.
167There are a few prefix characters for which @kbd{C-h} does not 170There are a few prefix keys for which @kbd{C-h} does not
168work---for historical reasons, they have other meanings for @kbd{C-h} 171work---for historical reasons, they have other meanings for @kbd{C-h}
169which are not easy to change. But @key{F1} should work for all prefix 172which are not easy to change. But @key{F1} should work for all prefix
170characters. 173keys.
171 174
172@node Commands, Text Characters, Keys, Top 175@node Commands, Text Characters, Keys, Top
173@section Keys and Commands 176@section Keys and Commands