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authorRichard M. Stallman2006-01-29 16:53:27 +0000
committerRichard M. Stallman2006-01-29 16:53:27 +0000
commita85cdd1f74d0f448563ed6600db53e59145a4858 (patch)
tree461307b5b2baf38ec68c66979f988ea5b1aaef24
parent0939d23bcd8a465dc81bd7ca1ea945277930aa59 (diff)
downloademacs-a85cdd1f74d0f448563ed6600db53e59145a4858.tar.gz
emacs-a85cdd1f74d0f448563ed6600db53e59145a4858.zip
Minor cleanups. Refer to "graphical" terminals, rather than X.
-rw-r--r--man/commands.texi85
1 files changed, 40 insertions, 45 deletions
diff --git a/man/commands.texi b/man/commands.texi
index facc3d6f3a9..7830433676c 100644
--- a/man/commands.texi
+++ b/man/commands.texi
@@ -39,8 +39,7 @@ holding down the @key{CTRL} key while pressing @kbd{a}.
39have special keys you can type them with: for example, @key{RET}, 39have special keys you can type them with: for example, @key{RET},
40@key{TAB}, @key{DEL} and @key{ESC}. The space character is usually 40@key{TAB}, @key{DEL} and @key{ESC}. The space character is usually
41referred to below as @key{SPC}, even though strictly speaking it is a 41referred to below as @key{SPC}, even though strictly speaking it is a
42graphic character whose graphic happens to be blank. Some keyboards 42graphic character whose graphic happens to be blank.
43have a key labeled ``linefeed'' which is an alias for @kbd{C-j}.
44 43
45 Emacs extends the @acronym{ASCII} character set with thousands more printing 44 Emacs extends the @acronym{ASCII} character set with thousands more printing
46characters (@pxref{International}), additional control characters, and a 45characters (@pxref{International}), additional control characters, and a
@@ -54,31 +53,28 @@ distinguish them.
54 53
55 But the Emacs character set has room for control variants of all 54 But the Emacs character set has room for control variants of all
56printing characters, and for distinguishing between @kbd{C-a} and 55printing characters, and for distinguishing between @kbd{C-a} and
57@kbd{C-A}. The X Window System makes it possible to enter all these 56@kbd{C-A}. Graphical terminals make it possible to enter all these
58characters. For example, @kbd{C--} (that's Control-Minus) and @kbd{C-5} 57characters. For example, @kbd{C--} (that's Control-Minus) and
59are meaningful Emacs commands under X. 58@kbd{C-5} are meaningful Emacs commands on a graphical terminal.
60 59
61 Another Emacs character-set extension is additional modifier bits. 60 Another Emacs character-set extension is additional modifier bits.
62Only one modifier bit is commonly used; it is called Meta. Every 61Only one modifier bit is commonly used; it is called Meta. Every
63character has a Meta variant; examples include @kbd{Meta-a} (normally 62character has a Meta variant; examples include @kbd{Meta-a} (normally
64written @kbd{M-a}, for short), @kbd{M-A} (not the same character as 63written @kbd{M-a}, for short), @kbd{M-A} (different from @kbd{M-a},
65@kbd{M-a}, but those two characters normally have the same meaning in 64but they are normally equivalent in Emacs), @kbd{M-@key{RET}}, and
66Emacs), @kbd{M-@key{RET}}, and @kbd{M-C-a}. For reasons of tradition, 65@kbd{M-C-a}. That last means @kbd{a} with both the @key{CTRL} and
67we usually write @kbd{C-M-a} rather than @kbd{M-C-a}; logically 66@key{META} modifiers. We usually write it as @kbd{C-M-a} rather than
68speaking, the order in which the modifier keys @key{CTRL} and @key{META} 67@kbd{M-C-a}, for reasons of tradition.
69are mentioned does not matter.
70 68
71@cindex Meta 69@cindex Meta
72@cindex M- 70@cindex M-
73@cindex @key{ESC} replacing @key{META} key 71@cindex @key{ESC} replacing @key{META} key
74 Some terminals have a @key{META} key, and allow you to type Meta 72 Some terminals have a @key{META} key, and allow you to type Meta
75characters by holding this key down. Thus, @kbd{Meta-a} is typed by 73characters by holding this key down. Thus, you can type @kbd{Meta-a}
76holding down @key{META} and pressing @kbd{a}. The @key{META} key 74by holding down @key{META} and pressing @kbd{a}. The @key{META} key
77works much like the @key{SHIFT} key. Such a key is not always labeled 75works much like the @key{SHIFT} key. In fact, this key is more often
78@key{META}, however, as this function is often a special option for a 76labeled @key{ALT} or @key{EDIT}, instead of @key{META}; on a Sun
79key with some other primary purpose. Sometimes it is labeled 77keyboard, it may have a diamond on it.
80@key{ALT} or @key{EDIT}; on a Sun keyboard, it may have a diamond on
81it.
82 78
83 If there is no @key{META} key, you can still type Meta characters 79 If there is no @key{META} key, you can still type Meta characters
84using two-character sequences starting with @key{ESC}. Thus, you can 80using two-character sequences starting with @key{ESC}. Thus, you can
@@ -90,16 +86,16 @@ you press it and release it, then you enter the next character.
90@key{ESC} is allowed on terminals with @key{META} keys, too, in case 86@key{ESC} is allowed on terminals with @key{META} keys, too, in case
91you have formed a habit of using it. 87you have formed a habit of using it.
92 88
93 The X Window System provides several other modifier keys that can be 89 Emacs defines several other modifier keys that can be applied to any
94applied to any input character. These are called @key{SUPER}, 90input character. These are called @key{SUPER}, @key{HYPER} and
95@key{HYPER} and @key{ALT}. We write @samp{s-}, @samp{H-} and @samp{A-} 91@key{ALT}. We write @samp{s-}, @samp{H-} and @samp{A-} to say that a
96to say that a character uses these modifiers. Thus, @kbd{s-H-C-x} is 92character uses these modifiers. Thus, @kbd{s-H-C-x} is short for
97short for @kbd{Super-Hyper-Control-x}. Not all X terminals actually 93@kbd{Super-Hyper-Control-x}. Not all graphical terminals actually
98provide keys for these modifier flags---in fact, many terminals have a 94provide keys for these modifier flags---in fact, many terminals have a
99key labeled @key{ALT} which is really a @key{META} key. The standard 95key labeled @key{ALT} which is really a @key{META} key. The standard
100key bindings of Emacs do not include any characters with these 96key bindings of Emacs do not include any characters with these
101modifiers. But you can assign them meanings of your own by customizing 97modifiers. But you can assign them meanings of your own by
102Emacs. 98customizing Emacs.
103 99
104 If your keyboard lacks one of these modifier keys, you can enter it 100 If your keyboard lacks one of these modifier keys, you can enter it
105using @kbd{C-x @@}: @kbd{C-x @@ h} adds the ``hyper'' flag to the next 101using @kbd{C-x @@}: @kbd{C-x @@ h} adds the ``hyper'' flag to the next
@@ -109,18 +105,18 @@ enter @kbd{Hyper-Control-a}. (Unfortunately there is no way to add
109two modifiers by using @kbd{C-x @@} twice for the same character, 105two modifiers by using @kbd{C-x @@} twice for the same character,
110because the first one goes to work on the @kbd{C-x}.) 106because the first one goes to work on the @kbd{C-x}.)
111 107
112 Keyboard input includes keyboard keys that are not characters at all: 108 Keyboard input includes keyboard keys that are not characters at
113for example function keys and arrow keys. Mouse buttons are also 109all: for example function keys and arrow keys. Mouse buttons are also
114outside the gamut of characters. You can modify these events with the 110outside the gamut of characters. However, you can modify these events
115modifier keys @key{CTRL}, @key{META}, @key{SUPER}, @key{HYPER} and 111with the modifier keys @key{CTRL}, @key{META}, @key{SUPER},
116@key{ALT}, just like keyboard characters. 112@key{HYPER} and @key{ALT}, just as you can modify keyboard characters.
117 113
118@cindex input event 114@cindex input event
119 Input characters and non-character inputs are collectively called 115 Input characters and non-character inputs are collectively called
120@dfn{input events}. @xref{Input Events,,, elisp, The Emacs Lisp 116@dfn{input events}. @xref{Input Events,,, elisp, The Emacs Lisp
121Reference Manual}, for more information. If you are not doing Lisp 117Reference Manual}, for the full Lisp-level details. If you are not
122programming, but simply want to redefine the meaning of some characters 118doing Lisp programming, but simply want to redefine the meaning of
123or non-character events, see @ref{Customization}. 119some characters or non-character events, see @ref{Customization}.
124 120
125 @acronym{ASCII} terminals cannot really send anything to the computer except 121 @acronym{ASCII} terminals cannot really send anything to the computer except
126@acronym{ASCII} characters. These terminals use a sequence of characters to 122@acronym{ASCII} characters. These terminals use a sequence of characters to
@@ -170,12 +166,12 @@ key sequences, not one.@refill
170 166
171 All told, the prefix keys in Emacs are @kbd{C-c}, @kbd{C-h}, 167 All told, the prefix keys in Emacs are @kbd{C-c}, @kbd{C-h},
172@kbd{C-x}, @kbd{C-x @key{RET}}, @kbd{C-x @@}, @kbd{C-x a}, @kbd{C-x 168@kbd{C-x}, @kbd{C-x @key{RET}}, @kbd{C-x @@}, @kbd{C-x a}, @kbd{C-x
173n}, @w{@kbd{C-x r}}, @kbd{C-x v}, @kbd{C-x 4}, @kbd{C-x 5}, @kbd{C-x 6}, 169n}, @w{@kbd{C-x r}}, @kbd{C-x v}, @kbd{C-x 4}, @kbd{C-x 5}, @kbd{C-x
174@key{ESC}, @kbd{M-o} and @kbd{M-g}. (@key{F1} and @key{F2} are aliases for 1706}, @key{ESC}, @kbd{M-g}, and @kbd{M-o}. (@key{F1} and @key{F2} are
175@kbd{C-h} and @kbd{C-x 6}.) But this list is not cast in concrete; it 171aliases for @kbd{C-h} and @kbd{C-x 6}.) But this list is not cast in
176is just a matter of Emacs's standard key bindings. If you customize 172concrete; it is just a matter of Emacs's standard key bindings. If
177Emacs, you can make new prefix keys, or eliminate these. @xref{Key 173you customize Emacs, you can make new prefix keys, or eliminate some
178Bindings}. 174of the standard ones. @xref{Key Bindings}.
179 175
180 If you do make or eliminate prefix keys, that changes the set of 176 If you do make or eliminate prefix keys, that changes the set of
181possible key sequences. For example, if you redefine @kbd{C-f} as a 177possible key sequences. For example, if you redefine @kbd{C-f} as a
@@ -184,12 +180,11 @@ define that too as a prefix). Conversely, if you remove the prefix
184definition of @kbd{C-x 4}, then @kbd{C-x 4 f} (or @kbd{C-x 4 180definition of @kbd{C-x 4}, then @kbd{C-x 4 f} (or @kbd{C-x 4
185@var{anything}}) is no longer a key. 181@var{anything}}) is no longer a key.
186 182
187 Typing the help character (@kbd{C-h} or @key{F1}) after a prefix 183 Typing the help character (@kbd{C-h} or @key{F1}) after a prefix key
188key displays a list of the commands starting with that prefix. 184displays a list of the commands starting with that prefix. There are
189There are a few prefix keys for which @kbd{C-h} does not 185a few prefix keys for which @kbd{C-h} does not work---for historical
190work---for historical reasons, they have other meanings for @kbd{C-h} 186reasons, they define other meanings for @kbd{C-h} which are painful to
191which are not easy to change. But @key{F1} should work for all prefix 187change. But @key{F1} should work for all prefix keys.
192keys.
193 188
194@node Commands, Text Characters, Keys, Top 189@node Commands, Text Characters, Keys, Top
195@section Keys and Commands 190@section Keys and Commands