Replace Lisp calls to delete-backward-char by delete-char.

* bs.el, expand.el, ido.el, image-dired.el, lpr.el, pcomplete.el,
skeleton.el, term.el, time.el, wid-edit.el, woman.el,
calc/calc-graph.el, calc/calc-help.el, calc/calc-incom.el,
calc/calc.el, emacs-cl-extra.el, emacs-cl-loaddefs.el,
emulation/cua-rect.el, emulation/viper-ex.el, eshell/esh-test.el,
eshell/eshell.el, gnus/gnus-uu.el, gnus/nndoc.el, gnus/nnrss.el,
gnus/rfc2047.el, gnus/utf7.el, international/utf-7.el,
language/ethio-util.el, mh-e/mh-alias.el, mh-e/mh-search.el,
net/imap.el, net/rcirc.el, obsolete/complete.el, play/decipher.el,
progmodes/ada-mode.el, progmodes/cc-awk.el, progmodes/dcl-mode.el,
progmodes/ps-mode.el, progmodes/verilog-mode.el,
progmodes/vhdl-mode.el, textmodes/bibtex.el, textmodes/fill.el,
textmodes/reftex-auc.el, textmodes/rst.el, textmodes/sgml-mode.el,
textmodes/table.el, textmodes/texinfmt.el: Replace Lisp calls to
delete-backward-char by calls to delete-char.

48 files changed, 134 insertions, 117 deletions

diff --git a/lisp/ChangeLog b/lisp/ChangeLog
index 6bbcc1262b0..cc191632b67 100644
--- a/lisp/ChangeLog
+++ b/lisp/ChangeLog
@@ -1,3 +1,22 @@
+2010-05-25  Stefan Monnier  <monnier@iro.umontreal.ca>
+
+        Replace Lisp calls to delete-backward-char by delete-char.
+        * bs.el, expand.el, ido.el, image-dired.el, lpr.el, pcomplete.el,
+        skeleton.el, term.el, time.el, wid-edit.el, woman.el,
+        calc/calc-graph.el, calc/calc-help.el, calc/calc-incom.el,
+        calc/calc.el, emacs-cl-extra.el, emacs-cl-loaddefs.el,
+        emulation/cua-rect.el, emulation/viper-ex.el, eshell/esh-test.el,
+        eshell/eshell.el, gnus/gnus-uu.el, gnus/nndoc.el, gnus/nnrss.el,
+        gnus/rfc2047.el, gnus/utf7.el, international/utf-7.el,
+        language/ethio-util.el, mh-e/mh-alias.el, mh-e/mh-search.el,
+        net/imap.el, net/rcirc.el, obsolete/complete.el, play/decipher.el,
+        progmodes/ada-mode.el, progmodes/cc-awk.el, progmodes/dcl-mode.el,
+        progmodes/ps-mode.el, progmodes/verilog-mode.el,
+        progmodes/vhdl-mode.el, textmodes/bibtex.el, textmodes/fill.el,
+        textmodes/reftex-auc.el, textmodes/rst.el, textmodes/sgml-mode.el,
+        textmodes/table.el, textmodes/texinfmt.el: Replace Lisp calls to
+        delete-backward-char by calls to delete-char.
+
 2010-05-25  Kenichi Handa  <handa@m17n.org>
 
         * language/hebrew.el (hebrew-shape-gstring): New function.
diff --git a/lisp/bs.el b/lisp/bs.el
index 307b3c4ae9a..3fa91b49178 100644
--- a/lisp/bs.el
+++ b/lisp/bs.el
@@ -1152,7 +1152,7 @@ and move point to current buffer."
     (dolist (buffer list)
       (bs--insert-one-entry buffer)
       (insert "\n"))
-    (delete-backward-char 1)
+    (delete-char -1)
     (bs--set-window-height)
     (bs--goto-current-buffer)
     (font-lock-fontify-buffer)
diff --git a/lisp/calc/calc-graph.el b/lisp/calc/calc-graph.el
index 9af89ab6c3a..9fefaa73d79 100644
--- a/lisp/calc/calc-graph.el
+++ b/lisp/calc/calc-graph.el
@@ -433,7 +433,7 @@
            (while (memq (preceding-char) '(?\s ?\t))
              (forward-char -1))
            (if (eq (preceding-char) ?\,)
-               (delete-backward-char 1))))
+               (delete-char -1))))
        (with-current-buffer calcbuf
          (setq cache-env (list calc-angle-mode
                                calc-complex-mode
diff --git a/lisp/calc/calc-help.el b/lisp/calc/calc-help.el
index baae194561a..47c95130641 100644
--- a/lisp/calc/calc-help.el
+++ b/lisp/calc/calc-help.el
@@ -128,7 +128,7 @@ C-w  Describe how there is no warranty for Calc."
               (dig2 (char-after (match-beginning 3))))
           (delete-region (match-end 1) (match-end 0))
           (goto-char (match-beginning 1))
-          (delete-backward-char 1)
+          (delete-char -1)
           (delete-char 5)
           (insert (format "%c .. %c" (min dig1 dig2) (max dig1 dig2)))))
       (goto-char (point-min)))))
diff --git a/lisp/calc/calc-incom.el b/lisp/calc/calc-incom.el
index 6244c0d97e1..43811721146 100644
--- a/lisp/calc/calc-incom.el
+++ b/lisp/calc/calc-incom.el
@@ -176,9 +176,9 @@
 (defun calc-digit-dots ()
   (if (eq calc-prev-char ?.)
       (progn
-        (delete-backward-char 1)
+        (delete-char -1)
         (if (calc-minibuffer-contains ".*\\.\\'")
-            (delete-backward-char 1))
+            (delete-char -1))
         (setq calc-prev-char 'dots
               last-command-event 32)
         (if calc-prev-prev-char
@@ -188,7 +188,7 @@
             (erase-buffer))
           (exit-minibuffer)))
     ;; just ignore extra decimal point, anticipating ".."
-    (delete-backward-char 1)))
+    (delete-char -1)))
 
 (defun calc-dots ()
   (interactive)
diff --git a/lisp/calc/calc.el b/lisp/calc/calc.el
index 73a865cab1a..587e376245b 100644
--- a/lisp/calc/calc.el
+++ b/lisp/calc/calc.el
@@ -2386,7 +2386,7 @@ See calc-keypad for details."
             (progn
               (require 'calc-ext)
               (calc-digit-dots))
-          (delete-backward-char 1)
+          (delete-char -1)
           (beep)
           (calc-temp-minibuffer-message " [Bad format]"))))))
   (setq calc-prev-prev-char calc-prev-char
diff --git a/lisp/emacs-lisp/cl-extra.el b/lisp/emacs-lisp/cl-extra.el
index 3211f79c9e9..c6aae373589 100644
--- a/lisp/emacs-lisp/cl-extra.el
+++ b/lisp/emacs-lisp/cl-extra.el
@@ -685,7 +685,7 @@ PROPLIST is a list of the sort returned by `symbol-plist'.
     (setq last (point))
     (goto-char (1+ pt))
     (while (search-forward "(quote " last t)
-      (delete-backward-char 7)
+      (delete-char -7)
       (insert "'")
       (forward-sexp)
       (delete-char 1))
diff --git a/lisp/emacs-lisp/cl-loaddefs.el b/lisp/emacs-lisp/cl-loaddefs.el
index 1bffcde03d2..325c7b1479f 100644
--- a/lisp/emacs-lisp/cl-loaddefs.el
+++ b/lisp/emacs-lisp/cl-loaddefs.el
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@
 ;;;;;;  ceiling* floor* isqrt lcm gcd cl-progv-before cl-set-frame-visible-p
 ;;;;;;  cl-map-overlays cl-map-intervals cl-map-keymap-recursively
 ;;;;;;  notevery notany every some mapcon mapcan mapl maplist map
-;;;;;;  cl-mapcar-many equalp coerce) "cl-extra" "cl-extra.el" "d93072a26c59f663a92b10df8bc28187")
+;;;;;;  cl-mapcar-many equalp coerce) "cl-extra" "cl-extra.el" "deb3495d75c36a222e5238eadb8e347c")
 ;;; Generated autoloads from cl-extra.el
 
 (autoload 'coerce "cl-extra" "\
diff --git a/lisp/emulation/cua-rect.el b/lisp/emulation/cua-rect.el
index 2b41f6435ee..ed3f2d97985 100644
--- a/lisp/emulation/cua-rect.el
+++ b/lisp/emulation/cua-rect.el
@@ -1344,7 +1344,7 @@ With prefix arg, indent to that column."
          pad)
         (if (bolp)
             nil
-          (delete-backward-char 1)
+          (delete-char -1)
           (if (cua--rectangle-right-side t)
               (cua--rectangle-insert-col (current-column))
             (setq indent (- l (current-column))))))
diff --git a/lisp/emulation/viper-ex.el b/lisp/emulation/viper-ex.el
index 5f5c7e86d63..80853fd5680 100644
--- a/lisp/emulation/viper-ex.el
+++ b/lisp/emulation/viper-ex.el
@@ -750,7 +750,7 @@ reversed."
                           (format "[^\\\\]\\(\\\\\\\\\\)*\\\\%c" c)))
                     (setq cont nil)
                   ;; we are at an escaped delimiter: unescape it and continue
-                  (delete-backward-char 2)
+                  (delete-char -2)
                   (insert c)
                   (if (eolp)
                       ;; if at eol, exit loop and go to next line
diff --git a/lisp/eshell/esh-test.el b/lisp/eshell/esh-test.el
index eb448e9704f..5bce6072f0a 100644
--- a/lisp/eshell/esh-test.el
+++ b/lisp/eshell/esh-test.el
@@ -101,7 +101,7 @@
       (eshell-redisplay))
     (let ((truth (eval command)))
       (with-current-buffer test-buffer
-        (delete-backward-char 6)
+        (delete-char -6)
         (insert-before-markers
          "[" (let (str)
                (if truth
diff --git a/lisp/eshell/eshell.el b/lisp/eshell/eshell.el
index 74f65d2fe55..89ec3ab9c60 100644
--- a/lisp/eshell/eshell.el
+++ b/lisp/eshell/eshell.el
@@ -404,7 +404,7 @@ With prefix ARG, insert output into the current buffer at point."
           (assert (not (eshell-interactive-process)))
           (goto-char (point-max))
           (while (and (bolp) (not (bobp)))
-            (delete-backward-char 1)))
+            (delete-char -1)))
         (assert (and buf (buffer-live-p buf)))
         (unless arg
           (let ((len (if (not intr) 2
diff --git a/lisp/expand.el b/lisp/expand.el
index 23fde5f21de..14bc210232c 100644
--- a/lisp/expand.el
+++ b/lisp/expand.el
@@ -368,7 +368,7 @@ See `expand-add-abbrevs'.  Value is non-nil if expansion was done."
     nil))
 
 (defun expand-do-expansion ()
-  (delete-backward-char (length last-abbrev-text))
+  (delete-char (- (length last-abbrev-text)))
   (let* ((vect (symbol-value last-abbrev))
          (text (aref vect 0))
          (position (aref vect 1))
diff --git a/lisp/gnus/gnus-uu.el b/lisp/gnus/gnus-uu.el
index 3cce1e6973a..86cd78cefa3 100644
--- a/lisp/gnus/gnus-uu.el
+++ b/lisp/gnus/gnus-uu.el
@@ -1488,7 +1488,7 @@ When called interactively, prompt for REGEXP."
       (when gnus-uu-kill-carriage-return
         (save-excursion
           (while (search-forward "\r" nil t)
-            (delete-backward-char 1))))
+            (delete-char -1))))
 
       (while (or (re-search-forward gnus-uu-begin-string nil t)
                  (re-search-forward gnus-uu-body-line nil t))
diff --git a/lisp/gnus/nndoc.el b/lisp/gnus/nndoc.el
index 981570cc83f..375e300a1eb 100644
--- a/lisp/gnus/nndoc.el
+++ b/lisp/gnus/nndoc.el
@@ -741,7 +741,7 @@ from the document.")
         (setq p (1+ (nth 3 blk)))))
     (goto-char begin)
     (while (re-search-forward "\r$" nil t)
-      (delete-backward-char 1))
+      (delete-char -1))
     (when head
       (goto-char begin)
       (when (search-forward "\n\n" nil t)
diff --git a/lisp/gnus/nnrss.el b/lisp/gnus/nnrss.el
index 08b621919eb..db1df33757c 100644
--- a/lisp/gnus/nnrss.el
+++ b/lisp/gnus/nnrss.el
@@ -682,7 +682,7 @@ which RSS 2.0 allows."
       (rfc2047-encode-region (point-min) (point-max)))
     (goto-char (point-min))
     (while (search-forward "\n" nil t)
-      (delete-backward-char 1))
+      (delete-char -1))
     (buffer-string)))
 
 ;;; Snarf functions
diff --git a/lisp/gnus/rfc2047.el b/lisp/gnus/rfc2047.el
index e13dffccdac..840b02a26fd 100644
--- a/lisp/gnus/rfc2047.el
+++ b/lisp/gnus/rfc2047.el
@@ -427,7 +427,7 @@ Dynamically bind `rfc2047-encoding-type' to change that."
                       ;; since encoded words can't occur in quotes.
                       (progn
                         (goto-char end)
-                        (delete-backward-char 1)
+                        (delete-char -1)
                         (goto-char start)
                         (delete-char 1)
                         (when last-encoded
@@ -897,7 +897,7 @@ them.")
                   (goto-char beg)
                   (while (search-forward "\\" nil 'move)
                     (unless (memq (char-after) '(?\"))
-                      (delete-backward-char 1))
+                      (delete-char -1))
                     (forward-char)))
                 (forward-char))
             (error
diff --git a/lisp/gnus/utf7.el b/lisp/gnus/utf7.el
index ebf01d17b9c..ec8111fe33b 100644
--- a/lisp/gnus/utf7.el
+++ b/lisp/gnus/utf7.el
@@ -112,7 +112,7 @@ Use IMAP modification if FOR-IMAP is non-nil."
                  (skip-chars-forward not-direct-encoding-chars)))
             (if (and (= fc esc-char)
                      (= run-length 1))  ; Lone esc-char?
-                (delete-backward-char 1) ; Now there's one too many
+                (delete-char -1)        ; Now there's one too many
               (utf7-fragment-encode p (point) for-imap))
             (insert "-")))))))
 
@@ -153,7 +153,7 @@ Use IMAP modification if FOR-IMAP is non-nil."
               (save-excursion
                 (utf7-fragment-decode p (point) for-imap)
                 (goto-char p)
-                (delete-backward-char 1)))))))))
+                (delete-char -1)))))))))
 
 (defun utf7-fragment-decode (start end &optional for-imap)
   "Decode base64 encoded fragment from START to END of UTF-7 text in buffer.
diff --git a/lisp/ido.el b/lisp/ido.el
index f75f02969fd..d34893d708b 100644
--- a/lisp/ido.el
+++ b/lisp/ido.el
@@ -2815,7 +2815,7 @@ If no buffer or file exactly matching the prompt exists, maybe create a new one.
    ((eq this-original-command 'viper-del-backward-char-in-insert)
     (funcall this-original-command))
    (t
-    (delete-backward-char (prefix-numeric-value count)))))
+    (delete-char (- (prefix-numeric-value count))))))
 
 (defun ido-delete-backward-word-updir (count)
   "Delete all chars backwards, or at beginning of buffer, go up one level."
diff --git a/lisp/image-dired.el b/lisp/image-dired.el
index f006e2e9edd..ce0fc4edc6a 100644
--- a/lisp/image-dired.el
+++ b/lisp/image-dired.el
@@ -937,7 +937,7 @@ FILE-TAGS is an alist in the following form:
                ;; If on empty line at end of buffer
                (when (and (eobp)
                           (looking-at "^$"))
-                 (delete-backward-char 1))))))
+                 (delete-char -1))))))
        files)
       (save-buffer)
       (kill-buffer buf))))
diff --git a/lisp/international/utf-7.el b/lisp/international/utf-7.el
index 831ccd391cf..c2cd6346745 100644
--- a/lisp/international/utf-7.el
+++ b/lisp/international/utf-7.el
@@ -62,7 +62,7 @@ IMAP non-nil means use the IMAP version."
                 (decode-coding-region p (point) 'utf-16be)
                 (save-excursion
                   (goto-char p)
-                  (delete-backward-char 1)))))))
+                  (delete-char -1)))))))
       (- (point-max) (point-min)))))
 
 ;;;###autoload
diff --git a/lisp/language/ethio-util.el b/lisp/language/ethio-util.el
index 8d9b2d9f0cd..ee5073d308f 100644
--- a/lisp/language/ethio-util.el
+++ b/lisp/language/ethio-util.el
@@ -869,7 +869,7 @@ Otherwise, [0-9A-F]."
     (goto-char (point-min))
     (while (re-search-forward "[ሀ-፼]" nil t)
       (setq ucode (preceding-char))
-      (delete-backward-char 1)
+      (delete-char -1)
       (insert
        (format (if ethio-java-save-lowercase "\\u%4x" "\\u%4X")
                ucode)))))
diff --git a/lisp/lpr.el b/lisp/lpr.el
index 51b68c1ab48..559dc5513ae 100644
--- a/lisp/lpr.el
+++ b/lisp/lpr.el
@@ -291,7 +291,7 @@ The characters tab, linefeed, space, return and formfeed are not affected."
       (let (c)
         (while (re-search-forward "[\^@-\^h\^k\^n-\^_\177-\377]" nil t)
           (setq c (preceding-char))
-          (delete-backward-char 1)
+          (delete-char -1)
           (insert (if (< c ?\s)
                       (format "\\^%c" (+ c ?@))
                     (format "\\%02x" c))))))))
diff --git a/lisp/mh-e/mh-alias.el b/lisp/mh-e/mh-alias.el
index 5f472322ff9..2856c630fd0 100644
--- a/lisp/mh-e/mh-alias.el
+++ b/lisp/mh-e/mh-alias.el
@@ -234,7 +234,7 @@ returns the string unchanged if not defined. The same is done here."
         (let ((user-arg (if user "-user" "-nouser")))
           (mh-exec-cmd-quiet t "ali" user-arg "-nolist" alias))
         (goto-char (point-max))
-        (if (looking-at "^$") (delete-backward-char 1))
+        (if (looking-at "^$") (delete-char -1))
         (buffer-substring (point-min)(point-max)))
     (error (progn
              (message "%s" (error-message-string err))
diff --git a/lisp/mh-e/mh-search.el b/lisp/mh-e/mh-search.el
index f361e049efb..7a1f41bf932 100644
--- a/lisp/mh-e/mh-search.el
+++ b/lisp/mh-e/mh-search.el
@@ -1511,7 +1511,7 @@ construct the base name."
       (delete-char 1))
     (goto-char (point-max))
     (while (and (not (bobp)) (memq (char-before) '(?  ?\t ?\n ?\r ?_)))
-      (delete-backward-char 1))
+      (delete-char -1))
     (subst-char-in-region (point-min) (point-max) ?  ?_ t)
     (subst-char-in-region (point-min) (point-max) ?\t ?_ t)
     (subst-char-in-region (point-min) (point-max) ?\n ?_ t)
diff --git a/lisp/net/imap.el b/lisp/net/imap.el
index 9f1afc53ada..f9c89cd8162 100644
--- a/lisp/net/imap.el
+++ b/lisp/net/imap.el
@@ -2095,7 +2095,7 @@ Return nil if no complete line has arrived."
         (while (setq end (imap-find-next-line))
           (save-restriction
             (narrow-to-region (point-min) end)
-            (delete-backward-char (length imap-server-eol))
+            (delete-char (- (length imap-server-eol)))
             (goto-char (point-min))
             (unwind-protect
                 (cond ((eq imap-state 'initial)
diff --git a/lisp/net/rcirc.el b/lisp/net/rcirc.el
index 8d70415148f..28ce219fade 100644
--- a/lisp/net/rcirc.el
+++ b/lisp/net/rcirc.el
@@ -1067,8 +1067,8 @@ Create the buffer if it doesn't exist."
     (goto-char (point-max))
     (when (not (equal 0 (- (point) rcirc-prompt-end-marker)))
       ;; delete a trailing newline
-      (when (eq (point) (point-at-bol))
-        (delete-backward-char 1))
+      (when (bolp)
+        (delete-char -1))
       (let ((input (buffer-substring-no-properties
                     rcirc-prompt-end-marker (point))))
         (dolist (line (split-string input "\n"))
diff --git a/lisp/obsolete/complete.el b/lisp/obsolete/complete.el
index 99109015875..b7e94743802 100644
--- a/lisp/obsolete/complete.el
+++ b/lisp/obsolete/complete.el
@@ -699,7 +699,7 @@ GOTO-END is non-nil, however, it instead replaces up to END."
         (if (and (eq mode 'word)
                  (not PC-word-failed-flag))
             (let ((PC-word-failed-flag t))
-              (delete-backward-char 1)
+              (delete-char -1)
               (PC-do-completion 'word))
                (when abbreviated
                  (delete-region beg end)
diff --git a/lisp/pcomplete.el b/lisp/pcomplete.el
index cf199e69a33..cd216ad8d36 100644
--- a/lisp/pcomplete.el
+++ b/lisp/pcomplete.el
@@ -553,7 +553,7 @@ completion functions list (it should occur fairly early in the list)."
                                 pcomplete-expand-and-complete
                                 pcomplete-reverse)))
       (progn
-        (delete-backward-char pcomplete-last-completion-length)
+        (delete-char (- pcomplete-last-completion-length))
         (if (eq this-command 'pcomplete-reverse)
             (progn
               (push (car (last pcomplete-current-completions))
@@ -616,7 +616,7 @@ This will modify the current buffer."
     (pcomplete)
     (when (and pcomplete-current-completions
                (> (length pcomplete-current-completions) 0)) ;??
-      (delete-backward-char pcomplete-last-completion-length)
+      (delete-char (- pcomplete-last-completion-length))
       (while pcomplete-current-completions
         (unless (pcomplete-insert-entry
                  "" (car pcomplete-current-completions) t
@@ -639,7 +639,7 @@ This will modify the current buffer."
   (when (and pcomplete-cycle-completions
              pcomplete-current-completions
              (eq last-command 'pcomplete-argument))
-    (delete-backward-char pcomplete-last-completion-length)
+    (delete-char (- pcomplete-last-completion-length))
     (setq pcomplete-current-completions nil
           pcomplete-last-completion-raw nil))
   (let ((pcomplete-show-list t))
@@ -1207,7 +1207,7 @@ Returns non-nil if a space was appended at the end."
       ;; FIXME: Here we presume that quoting `stub' gives us the exact
       ;; text in the buffer before point, which is not guaranteed;
       ;; e.g. it is not the case in eshell when completing ${FOO}tm[TAB].
-      (delete-backward-char (length (pcomplete-quote-argument stub)))
+      (delete-char (- (length (pcomplete-quote-argument stub))))
       ;; if there is already a backslash present to handle the first
       ;; character, don't bother quoting it
       (when (eq (char-before) ?\\)
diff --git a/lisp/play/decipher.el b/lisp/play/decipher.el
index 897832d2195..83186c42442 100644
--- a/lisp/play/decipher.el
+++ b/lisp/play/decipher.el
@@ -1060,7 +1060,7 @@ if it can't, it signals an error."
 ;;          (insert ?\()
 ;;          (while (setq undo-map (pop undo-rec))
 ;;            (insert (cdr undo-map) (car undo-map) ?\ ))
-;;          (delete-backward-char 1)
+;;          (delete-char -1)
 ;;          (insert ")\n"))))))
 
 ;; arch-tag: 8f094d88-ffe1-4f99-afe3-a5e81dd939d9
diff --git a/lisp/progmodes/ada-mode.el b/lisp/progmodes/ada-mode.el
index 95f9f6babf3..227f202fef0 100644
--- a/lisp/progmodes/ada-mode.el
+++ b/lisp/progmodes/ada-mode.el
@@ -1645,7 +1645,7 @@ ARG is the prefix the user entered with \\[universal-argument]."
                      (insert " ")
                      (ada-adjust-case)
                      ;; horrible dekludge
-                     (delete-backward-char 1)
+                     (delete-char -1)
                      ;; some special keys and their bindings
                      (cond
                       ((eq lastk ?\n)
diff --git a/lisp/progmodes/cc-awk.el b/lisp/progmodes/cc-awk.el
index 25dc27a08ea..be7d2a0fd3e 100644
--- a/lisp/progmodes/cc-awk.el
+++ b/lisp/progmodes/cc-awk.el
@@ -244,7 +244,7 @@
 
 ;; REGEXPS USED FOR FINDING THE POSITION OF A "virtual semicolon"
 (defconst c-awk-_-harmless-nonws-char-re "[^#/\"\\\\\n\r \t]")
-;;;; NEW VERSION!  (which will be restricted to the current line)
+;; NEW VERSION!  (which will be restricted to the current line)
 (defconst c-awk-one-line-non-syn-ws*-re
   (concat "\\([ \t]*"
               "\\(" c-awk-_-harmless-nonws-char-re "\\|"
@@ -503,7 +503,7 @@
         (insert-char ?\n 1) ; ...artificial eol is needed for comment detection.
         (setq extra-nl t))
       (prog1 (c-awk-get-NL-prop-prev-line do-lim)
-        (if extra-nl (delete-backward-char 1))))))
+        (if extra-nl (delete-char -1))))))
 
 (defsubst c-awk-prev-line-incomplete-p (&optional do-lim)
   ;; Is there an incomplete statement at the end of the previous line?
@@ -519,14 +519,14 @@
   ;; This function might do hidden buffer changes.
   (memq (c-awk-get-NL-prop-cur-line do-lim) '(?\\ ?\{)))
 
-;;;; NOTES ON "VIRTUAL SEMICOLONS"
-;;;;
-;;;; A "virtual semicolon" is what terminates a statement when there is no ;
-;;;; or } to do the job.  Like point, it is considered to lie _between_ two
-;;;; characters.  As from mid-March 2004, it is considered to lie just after
-;;;; the last non-syntactic-whitespace character on the line; (previously, it
-;;;; was considered an attribute of the EOL on the line).  A real semicolon
-;;;; never counts as a virtual one.
+;; NOTES ON "VIRTUAL SEMICOLONS"
+;;
+;; A "virtual semicolon" is what terminates a statement when there is no ;
+;; or } to do the job.  Like point, it is considered to lie _between_ two
+;; characters.  As from mid-March 2004, it is considered to lie just after
+;; the last non-syntactic-whitespace character on the line; (previously, it
+;; was considered an attribute of the EOL on the line).  A real semicolon
+;; never counts as a virtual one.
 
 (defun c-awk-at-vsemi-p (&optional pos)
   ;; Is there a virtual semicolon at POS (or POINT)?
diff --git a/lisp/progmodes/dcl-mode.el b/lisp/progmodes/dcl-mode.el
index 04a04184ed2..ead8b5db38f 100644
--- a/lisp/progmodes/dcl-mode.el
+++ b/lisp/progmodes/dcl-mode.el
@@ -1549,13 +1549,11 @@ Also remove the continuation mark if easily detected."
   (interactive "*P")
   (delete-indentation arg)
   (let ((type (dcl-get-line-type)))
-    (if (and (or (equal type '$)
-                 (equal type '-)
-                 (equal type 'empty-$))
+    (if (and (member type '($ - empty-$))
              (not (bobp))
-             (= (char-after (1- (point))) ?-))
+             (= (char-before) ?-))
         (progn
-          (delete-backward-char 1)
+          (delete-char -1)
           (fixup-whitespace)))))
 
 
diff --git a/lisp/progmodes/ps-mode.el b/lisp/progmodes/ps-mode.el
index 93a559258fa..7b235bc3b68 100644
--- a/lisp/progmodes/ps-mode.el
+++ b/lisp/progmodes/ps-mode.el
@@ -681,7 +681,7 @@ defines the beginning of a group. These tokens are:  {  [  <<"
     (if (or (not ps-mode-auto-indent)
             (< ps-mode-tab 1)
             (not (re-search-backward "^[ \t]+\\=" nil t)))
-        (delete-backward-char 1)
+        (call-interactively 'delete-backward-char)
       (setq target (ps-mode-target-column))
       (while (> column target)
         (setq target (+ target ps-mode-tab)))
diff --git a/lisp/progmodes/verilog-mode.el b/lisp/progmodes/verilog-mode.el
index 1ec5ab90ac7..bf9d4b8da47 100644
--- a/lisp/progmodes/verilog-mode.el
+++ b/lisp/progmodes/verilog-mode.el
@@ -9305,11 +9305,11 @@ For more information see the \\[verilog-faq] and forums at URL
                  (delete-char 1)
                  (insert ");")
                  (search-forward "\n")  ;; Added by inst-port
-                 (delete-backward-char 1)
+                 (delete-char -1)
                  (if (search-forward ")" nil t) ;; From user, moved up a line
-                     (delete-backward-char 1))
+                     (delete-char -1))
                  (if (search-forward ";" nil t) ;; Don't error if user had syntax error and forgot it
-                     (delete-backward-char 1)))))))))
+                     (delete-char -1)))))))))
 
 (defun verilog-auto-inst-param ()
   "Expand AUTOINSTPARAM statements, as part of \\[verilog-auto].
@@ -9412,9 +9412,9 @@ Templates:
                  (delete-char 1)
                  (insert ")")
                  (search-forward "\n")  ;; Added by inst-port
-                 (delete-backward-char 1)
+                 (delete-char -1)
                  (if (search-forward ")" nil t) ;; From user, moved up a line
-                     (delete-backward-char 1)))))))))
+                     (delete-char -1)))))))))
 
 (defun verilog-auto-reg ()
   "Expand AUTOREG statements, as part of \\[verilog-auto].
diff --git a/lisp/progmodes/vhdl-mode.el b/lisp/progmodes/vhdl-mode.el
index e0c8ee404a6..4ff9cf92b8d 100644
--- a/lisp/progmodes/vhdl-mode.el
+++ b/lisp/progmodes/vhdl-mode.el
@@ -7994,7 +7994,7 @@ buffer."
                        (condition-case () (forward-sexp)
                          (error (goto-char (point-max))))
                        (< (point) end))
-           (delete-backward-char 1))
+           (delete-char -1))
          ;; add closing parenthesis
          (when (> (point) end)
            (goto-char end)
@@ -8105,7 +8105,7 @@ Turn on if ARG positive, turn off if ARG negative, toggle if ARG zero or nil."
   (interactive "p")
   (if (and vhdl-stutter-mode (= count 1) (not (vhdl-in-literal)))
       (if (= (preceding-char) last-input-event)
-          (progn (delete-backward-char 1) (insert-char ?\" 1))
+          (progn (delete-char -1) (insert-char ?\" 1))
         (insert-char ?\' 1))
     (self-insert-command count)))
 
@@ -8172,7 +8172,7 @@ Turn on if ARG positive, turn off if ARG negative, toggle if ARG zero or nil."
       (unless (vhdl-template-field
                (concat "[type" (and (vhdl-standard-p 'ams) " or nature") "]")
                nil t)
-        (delete-backward-char 3))
+        (delete-char -3))
       (vhdl-insert-keyword " IS ")
       (vhdl-template-field "name" ";")
       (vhdl-comment-insert-inline))))
@@ -8536,7 +8536,7 @@ a configuration declaration if not within a design unit."
                (vhdl-template-field "library name" "." nil nil nil nil
                                     (vhdl-work-library))
                (vhdl-template-field "configuration name" ";"))
-              (t (delete-backward-char 1) (insert ";") t))))))
+              (t (delete-char -1) (insert ";") t))))))
 
 
 (defun vhdl-template-configuration-decl ()
@@ -8703,7 +8703,7 @@ a configuration declaration if not within a design unit."
         (vhdl-insert-keyword " OPEN ")
         (unless (vhdl-template-field "[READ_MODE | WRITE_MODE | APPEND_MODE]"
                                      nil t)
-          (delete-backward-char 6)))
+          (delete-char -6)))
       (vhdl-insert-keyword " IS ")
       (when (vhdl-standard-p '87)
         (vhdl-template-field "[IN | OUT]" " " t))
@@ -9031,7 +9031,7 @@ otherwise."
               (insert "\n")
               (indent-to margin))
             (delete-region end-pos (point))
-            (delete-backward-char 1)
+            (delete-char -1)
             (insert ")")
             (when vhdl-auto-align (vhdl-align-region-groups start (point) 1))
             t)
@@ -9405,7 +9405,7 @@ otherwise."
     (vhdl-insert-keyword "REPORT ")
     (if (equal "\"\"" (vhdl-template-field
                        "string expression" nil t start (point) t))
-        (delete-backward-char 2)
+        (delete-char -2)
       (setq start (point))
       (vhdl-insert-keyword " SEVERITY ")
       (unless (vhdl-template-field "[NOTE | WARNING | ERROR | FAILURE]" nil t)
@@ -9553,7 +9553,7 @@ otherwise."
                     "[scalar type | ARRAY | RECORD | ACCESS | FILE]" nil t)
                    ""))))
         (cond ((equal definition "")
-               (delete-backward-char 4)
+               (delete-char -4)
                (insert ";"))
               ((equal definition "ARRAY")
                (delete-region (point) (progn (forward-word -1) (point)))
@@ -10053,13 +10053,13 @@ If starting after end-comment-column, start a new line."
       (if (not (or (and string (progn (insert string) t))
                    (vhdl-template-field "[comment]" nil t)))
           (delete-region position (point))
-        (while (= (preceding-char) ? ) (delete-backward-char 1))
-;       (when (> (current-column) end-comment-column)
-;         (setq position (point-marker))
-;         (re-search-backward "-- ")
-;         (insert "\n")
-;         (indent-to comment-column)
-;         (goto-char position))
+        (while (= (preceding-char) ?\ ) (delete-char -1))
+        ;; (when (> (current-column) end-comment-column)
+        ;;   (setq position (point-marker))
+        ;;   (re-search-backward "-- ")
+        ;;   (insert "\n")
+        ;;   (indent-to comment-column)
+        ;;   (goto-char position))
         ))))
 
 (defun vhdl-comment-block ()
@@ -10192,7 +10192,7 @@ Point is left between them."
     (when semicolon-pos (goto-char semicolon-pos))
     (if not-empty
         (progn (delete-char 1) (insert ")"))
-      (delete-backward-char 2))))
+      (delete-char -2))))
 
 (defun vhdl-template-generic-list (optional &optional no-value)
   "Read from user a generic spec argument list."
diff --git a/lisp/skeleton.el b/lisp/skeleton.el
index b228b5031b2..28798b1a3b2 100644
--- a/lisp/skeleton.el
+++ b/lisp/skeleton.el
@@ -358,7 +358,7 @@ automatically, and you are prompted to fill in the variable parts.")))
              (< element 0))
         (if skeleton-untabify
             (backward-delete-char-untabify (- element))
-          (delete-backward-char (- element)))
+          (delete-char element))
       (insert (if (not literal)
                   (funcall skeleton-transformation-function element)
                 element))))
diff --git a/lisp/term.el b/lisp/term.el
index 7cb364af622..ea6c48a2b2a 100644
--- a/lisp/term.el
+++ b/lisp/term.el
@@ -1170,7 +1170,7 @@ Entry to this mode runs the hooks on `term-mode-hook'."
             (let* ((str (car cur)) (len (length str)) (start (- (point) len)))
               (if (and (>= start (point-min))
                        (string= str (buffer-substring start (point))))
-                  (progn (delete-backward-char len)
+                  (progn (delete-char (- len))
                          (setq term-kill-echo-list (cdr cur))
                          (setq term-current-column nil)
                          (setq term-current-row nil)
diff --git a/lisp/textmodes/bibtex.el b/lisp/textmodes/bibtex.el
index ac7a2e48a15..e17cd9e5b28 100644
--- a/lisp/textmodes/bibtex.el
+++ b/lisp/textmodes/bibtex.el
@@ -2094,7 +2094,7 @@ Formats current entry according to variable `bibtex-entry-format'."
                                 ;; if match not at left subfield boundary...
                                 (if (< (1+ (nth 1 bounds)) (match-beginning 0))
                                     (insert (bibtex-field-right-delimiter) " # ")
-                                  (delete-backward-char 1))))))))
+                                  (delete-char -1))))))))
 
                     ;; use book title of crossref'd entry
                     (if (and (memq 'inherit-booktitle format)
diff --git a/lisp/textmodes/fill.el b/lisp/textmodes/fill.el
index da6e02bfa2f..605f3f8c101 100644
--- a/lisp/textmodes/fill.el
+++ b/lisp/textmodes/fill.el
@@ -657,7 +657,7 @@ space does not end a sentence, so don't break a line there."
       (if (and oneleft
                (not (and use-hard-newlines
                          (get-text-property (1- (point)) 'hard))))
-          (delete-backward-char 1)
+          (delete-char -1)
         (backward-char 1)
         (setq oneleft t)))
     (setq to (copy-marker (point) t))
diff --git a/lisp/textmodes/reftex-auc.el b/lisp/textmodes/reftex-auc.el
index 498148f0de4..374ac990cc6 100644
--- a/lisp/textmodes/reftex-auc.el
+++ b/lisp/textmodes/reftex-auc.el
@@ -58,7 +58,7 @@ What is being used depends upon `reftex-plug-into-AUCTeX'."
       ;; Create a new label, with a temporary brace for `reftex-what-macro'
       (unwind-protect
           (progn (insert "{") (setq label (or (reftex-label nil t) "")))
-        (delete-backward-char 1)))
+        (delete-char -1)))
      ((and (not definition) (reftex-plug-flag 2))
       ;; Reference a label with RefTeX
       (setq label (reftex-reference nil t)))
diff --git a/lisp/textmodes/rst.el b/lisp/textmodes/rst.el
index b9a5098b05c..fd3148d3f12 100644
--- a/lisp/textmodes/rst.el
+++ b/lisp/textmodes/rst.el
@@ -1787,7 +1787,7 @@ The TOC is inserted indented at the current column."
       (delete-region init-point (+ init-point (length initial-indent)))
 
       ;; Delete the last newline added.
-      (delete-backward-char 1)
+      (delete-char -1)
     )))
 
 (defun rst-toc-insert-node (node level indent pfx)
diff --git a/lisp/textmodes/sgml-mode.el b/lisp/textmodes/sgml-mode.el
index 6cd4121bd10..87ffecd5d5a 100644
--- a/lisp/textmodes/sgml-mode.el
+++ b/lisp/textmodes/sgml-mode.el
@@ -526,7 +526,7 @@ Behaves electrically if `sgml-quick-keys' is non-nil."
     (insert-char ?/ 1)
     (indent-according-to-mode))
    ((eq sgml-quick-keys 'close)
-    (delete-backward-char 1)
+    (delete-char -1)
     (sgml-close-tag))
    (t
     (sgml-slash-matching arg))))
@@ -583,7 +583,7 @@ encoded keyboard operation."
   (insert ?&)
   (or char
       (setq char (read-quoted-char "Enter char or octal number")))
-  (delete-backward-char 1)
+  (delete-char -1)
   (insert char)
   (undo-boundary)
   (sgml-namify-char))
@@ -601,7 +601,7 @@ Uses `sgml-char-names'."
            ((encode-char char 'ucs)))))
     (if (not name)
         (error "Don't know the name of `%c'" char)
-      (delete-backward-char 1)
+      (delete-char -1)
       (insert (format (if (numberp name) "&#%d;" "&%s;") name)))))
 
 (defun sgml-name-self ()
@@ -707,7 +707,7 @@ If QUIET, do not print a message when there are no attributes for TAG."
               (sgml-value (assoc (downcase attribute) alist))
               (setq i (1- i))))
           (if (eq (preceding-char) ?\s)
-              (delete-backward-char 1)))
+              (delete-char -1)))
         car)))
 
 (defun sgml-auto-attributes (arg)
@@ -1117,7 +1117,7 @@ See `sgml-tag-alist' for info about attribute rules."
           (setq alist (skeleton-read '(completing-read "Value: " (cdr alist))))
           (if (string< "" alist)
               (insert alist ?\")
-            (delete-backward-char 2)))
+            (delete-char -2)))
       (insert "=\"")
       (if (cdr alist)
           (insert (skeleton-read '(completing-read "Value: " alist)))
diff --git a/lisp/textmodes/table.el b/lisp/textmodes/table.el
index 3e092374207..8b423ef8802 100644
--- a/lisp/textmodes/table.el
+++ b/lisp/textmodes/table.el
@@ -919,12 +919,12 @@ This is always set to nil at the entry to `table-with-cache-buffer' before execu
 (defvar table-source-info-plist nil
   "General storage for temporary information used while generating source.")
 
-;;; The following history containers not only keep the history of user
-;;; entries but also serve as the default value providers.  When an
-;;; interactive command is invoked it offers a user the latest entry
-;;; of the history as a default selection.  Therefore the values below
-;;; are the first default value when a command is invoked for the very
-;;; first time when there is no real history existing yet.
+;; The following history containers not only keep the history of user
+;; entries but also serve as the default value providers.  When an
+;; interactive command is invoked it offers a user the latest entry
+;; of the history as a default selection.  Therefore the values below
+;; are the first default value when a command is invoked for the very
+;; first time when there is no real history existing yet.
 (defvar table-cell-span-direction-history '("right"))
 (defvar table-cell-split-orientation-history '("horizontally"))
 (defvar table-cell-split-contents-to-history '("split"))
@@ -948,19 +948,19 @@ This is always set to nil at the entry to `table-with-cache-buffer' before execu
 (defvar table-capture-columns-history '(""))
 (defvar table-target-history '("cell"))
 
-;;; Some entries in `table-cell-bindings' are duplicated in
-;;; `table-command-remap-alist'.  There is a good reason for
-;;; this.  Common key like return key may be taken by some other
-;;; function than normal `newline' function.  Thus binding return key
-;;; directly for `*table--cell-newline' ensures that the correct enter
-;;; operation in a table cell.  However
-;;; `table-command-remap-alist' has an additional role than
-;;; replacing commands.  It is also used to construct a table command
-;;; list.  This list is very important because it is used to check if
-;;; the previous command was one of them in this list or not.  If the
-;;; previous command is found in the list the current command will not
-;;; refill the table cache.  If the command were not listed fast
-;;; typing can cause unwanted cache refill.
+;; Some entries in `table-cell-bindings' are duplicated in
+;; `table-command-remap-alist'.  There is a good reason for
+;; this.  Common key like return key may be taken by some other
+;; function than normal `newline' function.  Thus binding return key
+;; directly for `*table--cell-newline' ensures that the correct enter
+;; operation in a table cell.  However
+;; `table-command-remap-alist' has an additional role than
+;; replacing commands.  It is also used to construct a table command
+;; list.  This list is very important because it is used to check if
+;; the previous command was one of them in this list or not.  If the
+;; previous command is found in the list the current command will not
+;; refill the table cache.  If the command were not listed fast
+;; typing can cause unwanted cache refill.
 (defconst table-cell-bindings
   '(([(control i)]      . table-forward-cell)
     ([(control I)]      . table-backward-cell)
diff --git a/lisp/textmodes/texinfmt.el b/lisp/textmodes/texinfmt.el
index da33df7113d..b735b446b81 100644
--- a/lisp/textmodes/texinfmt.el
+++ b/lisp/textmodes/texinfmt.el
@@ -2507,7 +2507,7 @@ For example, @verb\{|@|\} results in @ and
       (error "Not found: @verb start brace"))
     (delete-region texinfo-command-start (+ 2 texinfo-command-end))
     (search-forward  delimiter))
-  (delete-backward-char 1)
+  (delete-char -1)
   (unless (looking-at "}")
     (error "Not found: @verb end brace"))
   (delete-char 1))
diff --git a/lisp/time.el b/lisp/time.el
index 5c3456e9c59..c11f399ae71 100644
--- a/lisp/time.el
+++ b/lisp/time.el
@@ -524,7 +524,7 @@ See `display-time-world'."
         (insert (pop result)
                 (make-string (1+ (- max-width (pop result))) ?\s)
                 (pop result) "\n")))
-    (delete-backward-char 1)))
+    (delete-char -1)))
 
 ;;;###autoload
 (defun display-time-world ()
diff --git a/lisp/wid-edit.el b/lisp/wid-edit.el
index f68c668f742..5e67c07957e 100644
--- a/lisp/wid-edit.el
+++ b/lisp/wid-edit.el
@@ -1334,7 +1334,7 @@ Unlike (get-char-property POS 'field), this works with empty fields too."
                      (goto-char end)
                      (while (and (eq (preceding-char) ?\s)
                                  (> (point) begin))
-                       (delete-backward-char 1)))))))
+                       (delete-char -1)))))))
         (widget-specify-secret field))
       (widget-apply field :notify field))))
 
@@ -1477,7 +1477,7 @@ If that does not exist, call the value of `widget-complete-field'."
      ;; Parse escapes in format.
      (while (re-search-forward "%\\(.\\)" nil t)
        (let ((escape (char-after (match-beginning 1))))
-         (delete-backward-char 2)
+         (delete-char -2)
          (cond ((eq escape ?%)
                 (insert ?%))
                ((eq escape ?\[)
@@ -1510,7 +1510,7 @@ If that does not exist, call the value of `widget-complete-field'."
                     (setq doc-begin (point))
                     (insert doc)
                     (while (eq (preceding-char) ?\n)
-                      (delete-backward-char 1))
+                      (delete-char -1))
                     (insert ?\n)
                     (setq doc-end (point)))))
                ((eq escape ?h)
@@ -2258,7 +2258,7 @@ If the item is checked, CHOSEN is a cons whose cdr is the value."
      ;; Parse % escapes in format.
      (while (re-search-forward "%\\([bv%]\\)" nil t)
        (let ((escape (char-after (match-beginning 1))))
-         (delete-backward-char 2)
+         (delete-char -2)
          (cond ((eq escape ?%)
                 (insert ?%))
                ((eq escape ?b)
@@ -2441,7 +2441,7 @@ Return an alist of (TYPE MATCH)."
      ;; Parse % escapes in format.
      (while (re-search-forward "%\\([bv%]\\)" nil t)
        (let ((escape (char-after (match-beginning 1))))
-         (delete-backward-char 2)
+         (delete-char -2)
          (cond ((eq escape ?%)
                 (insert ?%))
                ((eq escape ?b)
@@ -2720,7 +2720,7 @@ Return an alist of (TYPE MATCH)."
      ;; Parse % escapes in format.
      (while (re-search-forward "%\\(.\\)" nil t)
        (let ((escape (char-after (match-beginning 1))))
-         (delete-backward-char 2)
+         (delete-char -2)
          (cond ((eq escape ?%)
                 (insert ?%))
                ((eq escape ?i)
diff --git a/lisp/woman.el b/lisp/woman.el
index fa7ea1836ae..3efe15d5f7d 100644
--- a/lisp/woman.el
+++ b/lisp/woman.el
@@ -2443,7 +2443,7 @@ Preserves location of `point'."
             (while (and
                     (<= (setq N (1+ N)) 0)
                     (cond ((memq (preceding-char) '(?\  ?\t))
-                           (delete-backward-char 1) t)
+                           (delete-char -1) t)
                           ((memq (following-char) '(?\  ?\t))
                            (delete-char 1) t)
                           (t nil))))
@@ -3121,7 +3121,7 @@ If optional arg CONCAT is non-nil then join arguments."
           (if unquote (delete-char 1) (forward-char))
           (re-search-forward "\"\\|$"))
         (if (eq (preceding-char) ?\")
-            (if unquote (delete-backward-char 1))
+            (if unquote (delete-char -1))
           (WoMan-warn "Unpaired \" in .%s arguments." request)))
     ;; (re-search-forward "[^\\\n] \\|$")       ; inconsistent
     (skip-syntax-forward "^ "))
@@ -4346,7 +4346,7 @@ The variable `tab-stop-list' is a list whose elements are either left
 tab stop columns or pairs (COLUMN . TYPE) where TYPE is R or C."
   ;; Based on tab-to-tab-stop in indent.el.
   ;; R & C tabs probably not quite right!
-  (delete-backward-char 1)
+  (delete-char -1)
   (let ((tabs tab-stop-list))
     (while (and tabs (>= (current-column)
                          (woman-get-tab-stop (car tabs))))
@@ -4400,7 +4400,7 @@ Needs doing properly!"
           (delete-char 1)
           (insert woman-unpadded-space-char)
           (goto-char (match-end 0))
-          (delete-backward-char 1)
+          (delete-char -1)
           (insert-before-markers woman-unpadded-space-char)
           (subst-char-in-region
            (match-beginning 0) (match-end 0)