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1 GNU Emacs FAQ: Introduction 1 GNU Emacs FAQ: Introduction
2 2
3This is the introduction to a list of frequently asked questions (FAQ) 3This is the introduction to a list of frequently asked questions (FAQ)
4about GNU Emacs with answers. 4about GNU Emacs 20 with answers. Some of the answers are not valid for GNU
5Emacs 18 or 19.
5 6
6The FAQ is posted to reduce the noise level in the `gnu.emacs.help' 7[This version has been somewhat edited from the last-posted version
7newsgroup (which is also the `help-gnu-emacs' mailing list) which results 8(as of early December 1998) for inclusion in the Emacs distribution.]
8from the repetition of frequently asked questions, wrong answers to these 9
9questions, corrections to the wrong answers, corrections to the 10The FAQ is posted (in five parts) to reduce the noise level in the
10corrections, debate, name calling, etc. Also, it serves as a repository of 11gnu.emacs.help newsgroup (which is also the help-gnu-emacs mailing list)
11the canonical "best" answers to these questions. However, if you know a 12which results from the repetition of frequently asked questions, wrong
12better answer or even a slight change that improves an answer, please tell 13answers to these questions, corrections to the wrong answers, corrections
13us! 14to the corrections, debate, name calling, and generally unproductive use of
15the mailing list. Also, it serves as a repository of the canonical "best"
16answers to these questions. However, if you know a better answer or even a
17slight change that improves an answer, please tell us!
14 18
15If you know the answer to a question in the FAQ list, please reply to the 19If you know the answer to a question in the FAQ list, please reply to the
16question by e-mail instead of posting. Help reduce noise! 20question by e-mail instead of posting. Help reduce noise!
17 21
18The FAQ is crossposted to `comp.emacs' because some sites do not receive 22The FAQ is crossposted to comp.emacs because some sites do not receive the
19the `gnu.*' newsgroups. The FAQ is also crossposted to `news.answers'. 23gnu.* newsgroups. The FAQ is also crossposted to news.answers.
20 24
21Full instructions for getting the latest FAQ are in question 22. 25Full instructions for getting the latest FAQ are in question 22.
22 26
23It has been so long since the FAQ was last edited and released that the 27A diff file between the last version of the FAQ and this one should have
24maintainers decided to take a two-step approach. This edition corrects 28been posted along with the FAQ. If you did not receive the diff file, you
25many basic inaccuracies in the old FAQ, most of them having to do with ftp 29can get it at
26sites and version numbers. In addition, we have deleted a number of
27questions that are no longer relevant with the release of GNU Emacs 19.
28
29Many questions specific to recent releases of GNU Emacs 19 remain
30unanswered in this version of the FAQ; the maintainers will spend time over
31the next month or two adding new questions (and answers), based in no small
32part on the questions that have come across help-gnu-emacs in recent
33months.
34 30
35There is no diff file for this version of the FAQ, as many things have 31 ftp://the-tech.mit.edu/pub/GNU-Emacs/faq-diffs
36changed since it was last updated.
37 32
38Please suggest new questions, answers, wording changes, deletions, etc. 33Please suggest new questions, answers, wording changes, and deletions by
39The most helpful form for suggestions is a context diff (i.e., the output 34sending mail to emacs-faq@lerner.co.il. The most helpful form for
40of `diff -c'). Include `FAQ' in the subject of messages sent to us about 35suggestions is a context diff (i.e., the output of `diff -c'). Include
41the FAQ list. 36"FAQ" in the subject of messages about the FAQ list.
42 37
43Please do not send questions to us just because you do not want to disturb 38Please do not send questions to us just because you do not want to disturb
44a lot of people and you think we would know the answer. We do not have 39a lot of people and you think we would know the answer. We do not have
45time to answer questions individually. :-( 40time to answer questions individually. :-(
46 41
47-- 42--
48Reuven M. Lerner <reuven@the-tech.mit.edu> and the FAQ team (a full list is 43Reuven M. Lerner <reuven@lerner.co.il> and the FAQ team (a full list is
49at the bottom of the FAQ). 44at the bottom of the FAQ).
50 45
51---------------------------------------------------------------------- 46----------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -65,188 +60,202 @@ General Questions
658: What are appropriate messages for gnu.emacs.help, gnu.emacs.bug, 608: What are appropriate messages for gnu.emacs.help, gnu.emacs.bug,
66 comp.emacs, etc.? 61 comp.emacs, etc.?
679: Where can I get old postings to gnu.emacs.help and other GNU groups? 629: Where can I get old postings to gnu.emacs.help and other GNU groups?
6810: Where should I report bugs and other problems with GNU Emacs? 6310: Where should I report bugs and other problems with Emacs?
6911: How do I unsubscribe to this mailing list? 6411: How do I unsubscribe from this mailing list?
7012: What is the current address of the FSF? 6512: What is the current address of the FSF?
71 66
72On-line Help, Printed Manuals, Other Sources of Help 67On-line Help, Printed Manuals, Other Sources of Help
73 68
7413: I'm just starting GNU Emacs; how do I do basic editing? 6913: I'm just starting Emacs; how do I do basic editing?
7514: How do I find out how to do something in GNU Emacs? 7014: How do I find out how to do something in Emacs?
7615: How do I get a printed copy of the GNU Emacs manual? 7115: How do I get a printed copy of the Emacs manual?
7716: Where can I get documentation on GNU Emacs Lisp? 7216: Where can I get documentation on Emacs Lisp?
7817: How do I install a piece of Texinfo documentation? 7317: How do I install a piece of Texinfo documentation?
7918: How do I print a Texinfo file? 7418: How do I print a Texinfo file?
8019: Can I view Info files without using GNU Emacs? 7519: Can I view Info files without using Emacs?
8120: What informational files are available for GNU Emacs? 7620: What informational files are available for Emacs?
8221: Where can I get help in installing GNU Emacs? 7721: Where can I get help in installing Emacs?
8322: Where can I get the latest version of this document (the FAQ list)? 7822: Where can I get the latest version of this document (the FAQ list)?
84 79
85Status of Emacs 80Status of Emacs
86 81
8723: Where does the name "Emacs" come from? 8223: Where does the name "Emacs" come from?
8824: What is the latest version of GNU Emacs? 8324: What is the latest version of Emacs?
8925: What is different about GNU Emacs 19? 8425: What is different about Emacs 20?
90 85
91Common Things People Want To Do 86Common Things People Want To Do
92 87
9326: How do I set up a .emacs file properly? 8826: How do I set up a .emacs file properly?
9427: How do I debug a .emacs file? 8927: How do I debug a .emacs file?
9528: How do I make Emacs display the current line (or column) number? 9028: How do I make Emacs display the current line (or column) number?
9629: How do I turn on abbrevs by default just in mode XXX? 9129: How can I modify the titlebar to contain the current filename?
9730: How do I turn on auto-fill mode by default? 9230: How do I turn on abbrevs by default just in mode XXX?
9831: How do I make Emacs use a certain major mode for certain files? 9331: How do I turn on auto-fill mode by default?
9932: How do I search for, delete, or replace unprintable (8-bit or control) 9432: How do I make Emacs use a certain major mode for certain files?
9533: How do I search for, delete, or replace unprintable (8-bit or control)
100 characters? 96 characters?
10133: How can I highlight a region of text in Emacs? 9734: How can I highlight a region of text in Emacs?
10234: How do I control Emacs's case-sensitivity when searching/replacing? 9835: How do I control Emacs's case-sensitivity when searching/replacing?
10335: How do I make Emacs wrap words for me? 9936: How do I make Emacs wrap words for me?
10436: Where can I get a better spelling checker for Emacs? 10037: Where can I get a better spelling checker for Emacs?
10537: How can I spell-check TeX or *roff documents? 10138: How can I spell-check TeX or *roff documents?
10638: How do I change load-path? 10239: How do I change load-path?
10739: How do I use an already running Emacs from another window? 10340: How do I use an already running Emacs from another window?
10840: How do I make Emacs recognize my compiler's funny error messages? 10441: How do I make Emacs recognize my compiler's funny error messages?
10941: How do I indent switch statements like this? 10542: How do I indent switch statements like this?
11042: How can I make Emacs automatically scroll horizontally? 10643: How can I make Emacs automatically scroll horizontally?
11143: How do I make Emacs "typeover" or "overwrite" instead of inserting? 10744: How do I make Emacs "typeover" or "overwrite" instead of inserting?
11244: How do I stop Emacs from beeping on a terminal? 10845: How do I stop Emacs from beeping on a terminal?
11345: How do I turn down the bell volume in Emacs running under X Windows? 10946: How do I turn down the bell volume in Emacs running under X Windows?
11446: How do I tell Emacs to automatically indent a new line to the 11047: How do I tell Emacs to automatically indent a new line to the
115 indentation of the previous line? 111 indentation of the previous line?
11647: How do I show which parenthesis matches the one I'm looking at? 11248: How do I show which parenthesis matches the one I'm looking at?
11748: In C mode, can I show just the lines that will be left after #ifdef 11349: In C mode, can I show just the lines that will be left after #ifdef
118 commands are handled by the compiler? 114 commands are handled by the compiler?
11949: Is there an equivalent to the `.' (dot) command of vi? 11550: Is there an equivalent to the `.' (dot) command of vi?
12050: What are the valid X resource settings (i.e., stuff in .Xdefaults)? 11651: What are the valid X resource settings (i.e., stuff in .Xdefaults)?
12151: How do I execute a piece of Emacs Lisp code? 11752: How do I execute ("evaluate") a piece of Emacs Lisp code?
12252: How do I change Emacs's idea of the tab character's length? 11853: How do I change Emacs's idea of the tab character's length?
12353: How do I insert `>' at the beginning of every line? 11954: How do I insert `>' at the beginning of every line?
12454: How do I insert `_^H' before each character in a paragraph to get an 12055: How do I insert "_^H" before each character in a region to get an
125 underlined paragraph? 121 underlined paragraph?
12655: How do I repeat a command as many times as possible? 12256: How do I repeat a command as many times as possible?
12756: How do I make Emacs behave like this: when I go up or down, the cursor 12357: How do I make Emacs behave like this: when I go up or down, the cursor
128 should stay in the same column even if the line is too short? 124 should stay in the same column even if the line is too short?
12957: How do I tell Emacs to iconify itself? 12558: How do I tell Emacs to iconify itself?
13058: How do I use regexps (regular expressions) in Emacs? 12659: How do I use regexps (regular expressions) in Emacs?
13159: How do I perform a replace operation across more than one file? 12760: How do I perform a replace operation across more than one file?
13260: Where is the documentation for `etags'? 12861: Where is the documentation for "etags"?
12962: How do I disable backup files?
13063: How do I disable auto-save-mode?
13164: How can I create or modify new pull-down menu options?
13265: How do I delete menus and menu options?
13366: How do I turn on syntax highlighting?
13467: How can I force Emacs to scroll only one line when I move past the
135 bottom of the screen?
13668: How can I replace highlighted text with what I type?
13769: How can I edit MS-DOS files using Emacs?
13870: How can I tell Emacs to fill paragraphs with a single space after
139 each period?
133 140
134Bugs/Problems 141Bugs/Problems
135 142
13661: Does Emacs have problems with files larger than 8 megabytes? 14371: Does Emacs have problems with files larger than 8 megabytes?
13762: How do I get rid of the ^M junk in my shell buffer? 14472: How do I get rid of ^M or echoed commands in my shell buffer?
13863: Why do I get `Process shell exited abnormally with code 1'? 14573: Why do I get "Process shell exited abnormally with code 1"?
13964: Where is the termcap/terminfo entry for terminal type `emacs'? 14674: Where is the termcap/terminfo entry for terminal type "emacs"?
14065: Why does Emacs spontaneously start displaying `I-search:' and beeping? 14775: Why does Emacs spontaneously start displaying "I-search:" and beeping?
14166: Why can't Emacs talk to certain hosts (or certain hostnames)? 14876: Why can't Emacs talk to certain hosts (or certain hostnames)?
14267: Why does Emacs say `Error in init file'? 14977: Why does Emacs say "Error in init file"?
14368: Why does Emacs ignore my X resources (my .Xdefaults file)? 15078: Why does Emacs ignore my X resources (my .Xdefaults file)?
14469: Why does Emacs take 20 seconds to visit a file? 15179: Why does Emacs take 20 seconds to visit a file?
14570: How do I edit a file with a `$' in its name? 15280: How do I edit a file with a `$' in its name?
14671: Why does shell mode lose track of the shell's current directory? 15381: Why does shell mode lose track of the shell's current directory?
14772: Are there any security risks in GNU Emacs? 15482: Are there any security risks in Emacs?
15583: Dired says, "no file on this line" when I try to do something.
148 156
149Difficulties Building/Installing/Porting Emacs 157Difficulties Building/Installing/Porting Emacs
150 158
15173: What should I do if I have trouble building Emacs? 15984: How do I install Emacs?
15274: How do I stop Emacs from failing when the executable is stripped? 16085: How do I update Emacs to the latest version?
15375: Why does linking Emacs with -lX11 fail? 16186: What should I do if I have trouble building Emacs?
16287: Why does linking Emacs with -lX11 fail?
154 163
155Finding/Getting Emacs and Related Packages 164Finding/Getting Emacs and Related Packages
156 165
15776: Where can I get GNU Emacs on the net (or by snail mail)? 16688: Where can I get Emacs on the net (or by snail mail)?
15877: How do I find a GNU Emacs Lisp package that does XXX? 16789: How do I find a Emacs Lisp package that does XXX?
15978: Where can I get GNU Emacs Lisp packages that don't come with Emacs? 16890: Where can I get Emacs Lisp packages that don't come with Emacs?
16079: How do I submit code to the Emacs Lisp Archive? 16991: How do I submit code to the Emacs Lisp Archive?
16180: Where can I get other up-to-date GNU stuff? 17092: Where can I get other up-to-date GNU stuff?
16281: What is the difference between GNU Emacs and Epoch? 17193: What is the difference between Emacs and XEmacs (formerly "Lucid
16382: What is the difference between GNU Emacs and XEmacs (formerly "Lucid 172 Emacs")?
164 Emacs")? 17394: Where can I get Emacs for my PC running MS-DOS?
16583: Where can I get Emacs for my PC running MS-DOS? 17495: Where can I get Emacs for Microsoft Windows, Windows '95, or Windows
16684: Where can I get Emacs for my PC running Microsoft Windows? 175 NT?
16785: Where can I get Emacs for my PC running OS/2? 17696: Where can I get Emacs for my PC running OS/2?
16886: Where can I get Emacs for my Atari ST? 17797: Where can I get Emacs for my Atari ST?
16987: Where can I get Emacs for my Amiga? 17898: Where can I get Emacs for my Amiga?
17088: Where can I get Emacs for my Apple computer? 17999: Where can I get Emacs for NeXTSTEP?
17189: Where do I get Emacs that runs on VMS under DECwindows? 180100: Where can I get Emacs for my Apple computer?
17290: Where can I get modes for Lex, Yacc/Bison, Bourne shell, Csh, C++, 181101: Where do I get Emacs that runs on VMS under DECwindows?
173 Objective C, Pascal, and Awk? 182102: Where can I get modes for Lex, Yacc/Bison, Bourne shell, Csh, C++,
17491: What is the IP address of XXX.YYY.ZZZ? 183 Objective-C, Pascal, Java, and Awk?
184103: What is the IP address of XXX.YYY.ZZZ?
175 185
176Major Emacs Lisp Packages, Emacs Extensions, and Related Programs 186Major Emacs Lisp Packages, Emacs Extensions, and Related Programs
177 187
17892: VM (View Mail) -- another mail reader within Emacs 188104: VM (View Mail) -- another mail reader within Emacs, with MIME support
17993: Supercite -- mail and news citation package within Emacs 189105: SuperCite -- mail and news citation package within Emacs
18094: Gnus -- news reader within Emacs 190106: Calc -- poor man's Mathematica within Emacs
18195: Calc -- poor man's Mathematica within Emacs 191107: VIPER -- vi emulation for Emacs
18296: Ange-FTP -- transparent FTP access for Emacs's file access routines 192108: AUC TeX -- enhanced LaTeX mode with debugging facilities
18397: VIP -- vi emulation for Emacs 193109: BBDB -- personal Info Rolodex integrated with mail/news readers
18498: AUC TeX -- enhanced LaTeX mode with debugging facilities 194110: Ispell -- spell checker in C with interface for Emacs
18599: Hyperbole -- extensible hypertext management system within Emacs 195111: W3-mode -- A World Wide Web browser inside of Emacs
186100: BBDB -- personal Info Rolodex integrated with mail/news readers 196112: EDB -- Database program for Emacs; replaces forms editing modes
187101: Ispell -- spell checker in C with interface for Emacs 197113: Mailcrypt -- PGP interface within Emacs mail and news
188102: XEmacs -- alternative Emacs 19 with better X interface; formerly 198114: Patch -- program to apply "diffs" for updating files
189 known as Lucid Emacs or lemacs.
190103: Patch -- program to apply "diffs" for updating files
191 199
192Changing Key Bindings and Handling Key Binding Problems 200Changing Key Bindings and Handling Key Binding Problems
193 201
194104: How do I bind keys (including function keys) to commands? 202115: How do I bind keys (including function keys) to commands?
195105: Why does Emacs say `Key sequence XXX uses invalid prefix characters'? 203116: Why does Emacs say "Key sequence XXX uses invalid prefix characters"?
196106: Why doesn't this [terminal or window-system setup] code work in my 204117: Why doesn't this [terminal or window-system setup] code work in my
197 .emacs file, but it works just fine after Emacs starts up? 205 .emacs file, but it works just fine after Emacs starts up?
198107: How do I use function keys under X Windows? 206118: How do I use function keys under X Windows?
199108: How do I tell what characters or symbols my function or arrow keys 207119: How do I tell what characters or symbols my function or arrow keys
200 emit? 208 emit?
201109: How do I set the X key "translations" for Emacs? 209120: How do I set the X key "translations" for Emacs?
202110: How do I handle C-s and C-q being used for flow control? 210121: How do I handle C-s and C-q being used for flow control?
203111: How do I bind `C-s' and `C-q' (or any key) if these keys are filtered 211122: How do I bind `C-s' and `C-q' (or any key) if these keys are filtered
204 out? 212 out?
205112: Why does the `Backspace' key invoke help? 213123: Why does the "Backspace" key invoke help?
206113: Why doesn't Emacs look at the stty settings for Backspace vs. Delete? 214124: Why doesn't Emacs look at the stty settings for Backspace vs. Delete?
207114: How do I "swap" two keys? 215125: How do I "swap" two keys?
208115: How do I produce C-XXX with my keyboard? 216126: How do I produce C-XXX with my keyboard?
209116: What if I don't have a Meta key? 217127: What if I don't have a Meta key?
210117: What if I don't have an Escape key? 218128: What if I don't have an Escape key?
211118: Can I make my `Compose Character' key behave like a Meta key? 219129: Can I make my "Compose Character" key behave like a Meta key?
212119: How do I bind a combination of modifier key and function key? 220130: How do I bind a combination of modifier key and function key?
213120: Why doesn't my Meta key work in an xterm window? 221131: Why doesn't my Meta key work in an xterm window?
214121: Why doesn't my ExtendChar key work as a Meta key under HP-UX 8.0? 222132: Why doesn't my ExtendChar key work as a Meta key under HP-UX 8.0
215122: Where can I get key bindings to make Emacs emulate WordStar? 223 and 9.x?
216123: Where can I get an XEDIT emulator for Emacs?
217 224
218Using Emacs with Alternate Character Sets 225Using Emacs with Alternate Character Sets
219 226
220124: How do I make Emacs display 8-bit characters? 227133: How do I make Emacs display 8-bit characters?
221125: How do I input 8-bit characters? 228134: How do I input 8-bit characters?
222126: Where can I get an Emacs that can handle kanji characters? 229135: Where can I get an Emacs that handles kanji, Chinese, or other
223127: Where can I get an Emacs that can handle Chinese? 230 character sets?
224128: Where is an Emacs that can handle Semitic (right-to-left) alphabets? 231136: Where is an Emacs that can handle Semitic (right-to-left) alphabets?
225 232
226Mail and News 233Mail and News
227 234
228129: How do I change the included text prefix in mail/news followups? 235137: How do I change the included text prefix in mail/news followups?
229130: How do I save a copy of outgoing mail? 236138: How do I save a copy of outgoing mail?
230131: Why doesn't Emacs expand my aliases when sending mail? 237139: Why doesn't Emacs expand my aliases when sending mail?
231132: Why does Rmail think all my saved messages are one big message? 238140: Why does Rmail think all my saved messages are one big message?
232133: How can I sort the messages in my Rmail folder? 239141: How can I sort the messages in my Rmail folder?
233134: Why does Rmail need to write to /usr/spool/mail? 240142: Why does Rmail need to write to /usr/spool/mail?
234135: How do I recover my mail files after Rmail munges their format? 241143: How do I recover my mail files after Rmail munges their format?
235136: How do I make Emacs automatically start my mail/news reader? 242144: How can I force Rmail to reply to the sender of a message, but not the
236137: How do I read news under Emacs? 243 other recipients?
237138: Why doesn't Gnus work via NNTP? 244145: How can I get my favorite Emacs mail package to support MIME?
238139: How do I view text with embedded underlining (e.g., ClariNews)? 245146: How do I make Emacs automatically start my mail/news reader?
239140: How do I save all the items of a multi-part posting in Gnus? 246147: How do I read news under Emacs?
240141: Why does Gnus put the subjects in replies beyond the 80th column? 247148: Why doesn't Gnus work via NNTP?
241142: How do I make Gnus start up faster? 248149: How do I view news articles with embedded underlining (e.g.,
242143: How do I catch up all newsgroups in Gnus? 249 ClariNews)?
243144: Why can't I kill in Gnus on the Newsgroups/Keywords/Control line? 250150: How do I save all the items of a multi-part posting in Gnus?
244145: How do I get rid of flashing messages in Gnus for slow connections? 251151: How do I make Gnus start up faster?
245146: Why is catch up slow in Gnus? 252152: How do I catch up all newsgroups in Gnus?
246147: Why does Gnus hang for a long time when posting? 253153: Why can't I kill in Gnus based on the Newsgroups/Keywords/Control
247148: Why don't my news postings in Gnus get past the local machine? 254 headers?
248149: Why doesn't Gnus generate the `Lines:' header? 255154: How do I get rid of flashing messages in Gnus for slow connections?
249150: How do I kill all articles in Gnus but those matching a pattern? 256155: Why is catch up slow in Gnus?
257156: Why does Gnus hang for a long time when posting?
258157: Where can I find out more about Gnus?
250 259
251------------------------------------------------------------ 260------------------------------------------------------------
252 261
@@ -255,10 +264,18 @@ $" to get an overview of just the questions. Then, when you want to look
255at the text of the answers, just type "C-x $". 264at the text of the answers, just type "C-x $".
256 265
257To search for a question numbered XXX, type "M-C-s ^XXX:", followed by a 266To search for a question numbered XXX, type "M-C-s ^XXX:", followed by a
258C-r if that doesn't work, then type ESC to end the search. 267C-r if that doesn't work. Type RET to end the search.
268
269If you have a web browser and the browse-url package configured for
270it, you can visit ftp and HTTP uniform resource locators (URLs) by
271placing the cursor on the URL and typing M-x browse-url-at-point.
272
273The FAQ is posted in five parts; if you are missing a section or would
274prefer to read the FAQ in a single file, see question 22.
275
276------------------------------------------------------------
277 Time-stamp: <1998-09-18 14:41:10 reuven>
259 278
260Full instructions for getting the latest FAQ are in question 22, or use
261anonymous FTP to the-tech.mit.edu.
262 279
263Notation Used in FAQ 280Notation Used in FAQ
264 281
@@ -267,13 +284,21 @@ Notation Used in FAQ
267 284
2681: What do these mean: C-h, M-C-a, RET, "ESC a", etc.? 2851: What do these mean: C-h, M-C-a, RET, "ESC a", etc.?
269 286
270 C-x means press the `x' key while holding down the Control key. M-x 287 C-x: press the `x' key while holding down the Control key
271 means press the `x' key while holding down the Meta key. M-C-x means 288
272 press the `x' key while holding down both the Control key and the Meta 289 M-x: press the `x' key while holding down the Meta key (if your computer
273 key. C-M-a is a synonym for M-C-a. RET, LFD, DEL, ESC, and TAB 290 doesn't have a Meta key, see question 127)
274 respectively refer to pressing the Return, Linefeed (aka Newline), 291
275 Delete, Escape, and Tab keys and are equivalent to C-m, C-j, C-?, C-[, 292 M-C-x: press the `x' key while holding down both Control and Meta
276 and C-i. SPC means press the Space bar. 293 C-M-x: a synonym for the above
294
295 LFD: Linefeed or Newline; same as C-j
296 RET: Return, sometimes marked Enter; same as C-m
297 DEL: Delete, usually not the same as Backspace; same as C-? (See
298 question 123 if deleting invokes Emacs help)
299 ESC: Escape; same as C-[
300 TAB: Tab; same as C-i
301 SPC: Space bar
277 302
278 Key sequences longer than one key (and some single-key sequences) are 303 Key sequences longer than one key (and some single-key sequences) are
279 inside double quotes or on lines by themselves. Any real spaces in such 304 inside double quotes or on lines by themselves. Any real spaces in such
@@ -286,22 +311,22 @@ Notation Used in FAQ
286 code that would be sent by pressing just the `x' key. Essentially, the 311 code that would be sent by pressing just the `x' key. Essentially, the
287 Control key turns off bits 5 and 6 and the Meta key turns on bit 7. 312 Control key turns off bits 5 and 6 and the Meta key turns on bit 7.
288 313
289 For further information, see `Characters' and `Keys' in the on-line
290 manual.
291
292 NOTE: C-? (aka DEL) is ASCII code 127. It is a misnomer to call C-? a 314 NOTE: C-? (aka DEL) is ASCII code 127. It is a misnomer to call C-? a
293 "control" key, since 127 has both bits 5 and 6 turned ON. Also, on very 315 "control" key, since 127 has both bits 5 and 6 turned ON. Also, on very
294 few keyboards does Control-? generate ASCII code 127. 316 few keyboards does C-? generate ASCII code 127.
317
318 For further information, see "Characters" and "Keys" in the on-line
319 manual. (See question 3 if you don't know how.)
295 320
2962: What does "M-x command" mean? 3212: What does "M-x command" mean?
297 322
298 "M-x command" means type M-x, then type the name of the command, then 323 "M-x command" means type M-x, then type the name of the command, then
299 type RET. 324 type RET. (See question 1 if you're not sure what "M-x" and "RET" mean.)
300 325
301 M-x (by default) invokes the command `execute-extended-command'. This 326 M-x (by default) invokes the command "execute-extended-command". This
302 command allows you to run any Emacs command if you can remember the 327 command allows you to run any Emacs command if you can remember the
303 command's name. If you can't remember the command's name, you can type 328 command's name. If you can't remember the command's name, you can type
304 TAB and SPC for completion, "?" for a list of possibilities, and M-p and 329 TAB and SPC for completion, `?' for a list of possibilities, and M-p and
305 M-n to see previous commands entered. An Emacs "command" is any 330 M-n to see previous commands entered. An Emacs "command" is any
306 "interactive" Emacs function. 331 "interactive" Emacs function.
307 332
@@ -309,7 +334,7 @@ Notation Used in FAQ
309 invoke execute-extended-command. A function key labeled `Do' is a good 334 invoke execute-extended-command. A function key labeled `Do' is a good
310 candidate for this. 335 candidate for this.
311 336
312 To run non-interactive Emacs functions, see question 51. 337 To run non-interactive Emacs functions, see question 52.
313 338
3143: How do I read topic XXX in the on-line manual? 3393: How do I read topic XXX in the on-line manual?
315 340
@@ -319,7 +344,7 @@ Notation Used in FAQ
319 C-h i m emacs RET m XXX RET 344 C-h i m emacs RET m XXX RET
320 345
321 This invokes Info, the GNU hypertext documentation browser. If you don't 346 This invokes Info, the GNU hypertext documentation browser. If you don't
322 already know how to use Info, type "?" from within Info. 347 already know how to use Info, type `?' from within Info.
323 348
324 If we refer to topic XXX:YYY, type this: 349 If we refer to topic XXX:YYY, type this:
325 350
@@ -328,19 +353,29 @@ Notation Used in FAQ
328 WARNING: Your system administrator may not have installed the Info files, 353 WARNING: Your system administrator may not have installed the Info files,
329 or may have installed them improperly. In this case you should complain. 354 or may have installed them improperly. In this case you should complain.
330 355
356 See question 15 if you would like a paper copy of the Emacs manual.
357
3314: What do these mean: etc/SERVICE, src/config.h, lisp/default.el? 3584: What do these mean: etc/SERVICE, src/config.h, lisp/default.el?
332 359
333 These are files that come with GNU Emacs. The GNU Emacs distribution is 360 These are files that come with Emacs. The Emacs distribution is divided
334 divided into subdirectories; the important ones are `etc', `lisp', and 361 into subdirectories; the important ones are "etc", "lisp", and "src".
335 `src'.
336 362
337 If you use GNU Emacs, but don't know where it is kept on your system, 363 If you use Emacs, but don't know where it is kept on your system, start
338 start Emacs, then type "C-h v data-directory RET". The directory name 364 Emacs, then type "C-h v data-directory RET". The directory name
339 displayed by this will be the full pathname of the installed `etc' 365 displayed by this will be the full pathname of the installed "etc"
340 directory. 366 directory.
341 367
368 The location of your Info directory (i.e., where on-line documentation is
369 stored) is kept in the variable Info-default-directory-list. Use "C-h v
370 Info-default-directory-list RET" to see the contents of this variable,
371 which will be a list of directory names. The last directory in that list
372 is probably where most Info files are stored. By default, Info
373 documentation is placed in /usr/local/info.
374
342 Some of these files are available individually via FTP or e-mail; see 375 Some of these files are available individually via FTP or e-mail; see
343 question 20. All are available in the source distribution. 376 question 20. All are available in the source distribution. Many of the
377 files in the "etc" directory are also available via the Emacs "help"
378 menu, or by typing "C-h ?" (M-x help-for-help).
344 379
345 WARNING: Your system administrator may have removed the src directory and 380 WARNING: Your system administrator may have removed the src directory and
346 many files from the etc directory. 381 many files from the etc directory.
@@ -353,7 +388,7 @@ Notation Used in FAQ
353 GNU == GNU's Not Unix 388 GNU == GNU's Not Unix
354 RMS == Richard Matthew Stallman 389 RMS == Richard Matthew Stallman
355 FTP == File Transfer Protocol 390 FTP == File Transfer Protocol
356 GPL == GNU General Public Licence 391 GPL == GNU General Public License
357 392
358 NOTE: Avoid confusing the FSF, the LPF, and the OSF. The LPF opposes 393 NOTE: Avoid confusing the FSF, the LPF, and the OSF. The LPF opposes
359 look-and-feel copyrights and software patents. The FSF aims to make high 394 look-and-feel copyrights and software patents. The FSF aims to make high
@@ -381,15 +416,11 @@ General Questions
381 papers describing the LPF's views are available on the Internet and also 416 papers describing the LPF's views are available on the Internet and also
382 from the LPF: 417 from the LPF:
383 418
384 Anonymous FTP: 419 http://lpf.ai.mit.edu/
385 /prep.ai.mit.edu:pub/lpf/
386 /archive.cis.ohio-state.edu:pub/lpf/
387 Anonymous UUCP:
388 osu-cis!~/lpf/*
389 420
3907: What is the real legal meaning of the GNU copyleft? 4217: What is the real legal meaning of the GNU copyleft?
391 422
392 The real legal meaning of the GNU General Public Licence (copyleft) will 423 The real legal meaning of the GNU General Public License (copyleft) will
393 only be known if and when a judge rules on its validity and scope. There 424 only be known if and when a judge rules on its validity and scope. There
394 has never been a copyright infringement case involving the GPL to set any 425 has never been a copyright infringement case involving the GPL to set any
395 precedents. Please take any discussion regarding this issue to the 426 precedents. Please take any discussion regarding this issue to the
@@ -410,25 +441,25 @@ General Questions
410 comp.emacs, etc.? 441 comp.emacs, etc.?
411 442
412 The file etc/MAILINGLISTS discusses the purpose of each GNU mailing-list. 443 The file etc/MAILINGLISTS discusses the purpose of each GNU mailing-list.
413 (See question 20 on how to get a copy.) For those which are gatewayed 444 (See question 20 if you want a copy of the file.) For those lists which
414 with newsgroups, it lists both the newsgroup name and the mailing list 445 are gatewayed with newsgroups, it lists both the newsgroup name and the
415 address. 446 mailing list address.
416 447
417 comp.emacs is for discussion of Emacs programs in general. This includes 448 comp.emacs is for discussion of Emacs programs in general. This includes
418 GNU Emacs along with various other implementations like JOVE, MicroEmacs, 449 Emacs along with various other implementations, such as JOVE, MicroEmacs,
419 Freemacs, MG, Unipress, CCA, and Epsilon.. 450 Freemacs, MG, Unipress, CCA, and Epsilon.
420 451
421 Many people post GNU Emacs questions to comp.emacs because they don't 452 Many people post Emacs questions to comp.emacs because they don't receive
422 receive any of the gnu.* newsgroups. Arguments have been made both for 453 any of the gnu.* newsgroups. Arguments have been made both for and
423 and against posting GNU-Emacs-specific material to comp.emacs. You have 454 against posting GNU-Emacs-specific material to comp.emacs. You have to
424 to decide for yourself. 455 decide for yourself.
425 456
426 Messages advocating "non-free" software are considered unacceptable on 457 Messages advocating "non-free" software are considered unacceptable on
427 any of the gnu.* newsgroups except for gnu.misc.discuss, which was 458 any of the gnu.* newsgroups except for gnu.misc.discuss, which was
428 created to hold the extensive flame-wars on the subject. "non-free" 459 created to hold the extensive flame-wars on the subject. "Non-free"
429 software includes any software for which the end user can't freely modify 460 software includes any software for which the end user can't freely modify
430 the source code and exchange enhancements. Be careful to remove the 461 the source code and exchange enhancements. Be careful to remove the
431 gnu.* groups from the `Newsgroups:' line when posting a followup that 462 gnu.* groups from the "Newsgroups:" line when posting a followup that
432 recommends such software. 463 recommends such software.
433 464
434 gnu.emacs.bug is a place where bug reports appear, but avoid posting bug 465 gnu.emacs.bug is a place where bug reports appear, but avoid posting bug
@@ -439,20 +470,30 @@ General Questions
439 The FSF has maintained archives of all of the GNU mailing lists for many 470 The FSF has maintained archives of all of the GNU mailing lists for many
440 years, although there may be some unintentional gaps in coverage. The 471 years, although there may be some unintentional gaps in coverage. The
441 archive is not particularly well organized or easy to retrieve individual 472 archive is not particularly well organized or easy to retrieve individual
442 postings from, but pretty much everything is there. The archive is 473 postings from, but pretty much everything is there. The latest archives
443 available via anonymous ftp at 474 are available at
475
476 ftp://ftp.gnu.org/pub/gnu/MailingListArchives/current
477
478 Web-based Usenet search services, such as DejaNews, also archive the
479 gnu.* groups. You can reach DejaNews at
444 480
445 /prep.ai.mit.edu:pub/gnu/MailingListArchives/ 481 http://www.dejanews.com
446 482
44710: Where should I report bugs and other problems with GNU Emacs? 48310: Where should I report bugs and other problems with Emacs?
448 484
449 The correct way to report GNU Emacs bugs is by e-mail to 485 The correct way to report Emacs bugs is by e-mail to
450 bug-gnu-emacs@prep.ai.mit.edu. Anything sent here also appears in the 486 bug-gnu-emacs@gnu.org. Anything sent here also appears in the
451 newsgroup gnu.emacs.bug, but please use e-mail instead of news to submit 487 newsgroup gnu.emacs.bug, but please use e-mail instead of news to submit
452 the bug report. This way a reliable return address is available so you 488 the bug report. This ensures a reliable return address so you can be
453 can be contacted for further details. 489 contacted for further details.
454 490
455 RMS explains: 491 Be sure to read the "Bugs" section of the Emacs manual before reporting a
492 bug to bug-gnu-emacs! The manual describes in detail how to submit a
493 useful bug report. (See question 3 if you don't know how to read the
494 manual.)
495
496 RMS says:
456 497
457 Sending bug reports to help-gnu-emacs (which has the effect of posting 498 Sending bug reports to help-gnu-emacs (which has the effect of posting
458 on gnu.emacs.help) is undesirable because it takes the time of an 499 on gnu.emacs.help) is undesirable because it takes the time of an
@@ -468,45 +509,51 @@ General Questions
468 then after a suitable delay (such as a week) it is okay to post on 509 then after a suitable delay (such as a week) it is okay to post on
469 gnu.emacs.help asking if anyone can help you. 510 gnu.emacs.help asking if anyone can help you.
470 511
471 If you are unsure whether you have a bug, RMS describes how to tell: 512 If you are unsure whether you have found a bug, consider the following
513 non-exhaustive list, courtesy of RMS:
472 514
473 ... if Emacs crashes, that is a bug. If Emacs gets compilation errors 515 If Emacs crashes, that is a bug. If Emacs gets compilation errors
474 while building, that is a bug. If Emacs crashes while building, that 516 while building, that is a bug. If Emacs crashes while building, that
475 is a bug. If Lisp code does not do what the documentation says it 517 is a bug. If Lisp code does not do what the documentation says it
476 does, that is a bug. 518 does, that is a bug.
477 519
47811: How do I unsubscribe to this mailing list? 52011: How do I unsubscribe from this mailing list?
479 521
480 If you are receiving a GNU mailing list named `XXX', you might be able to 522 If you are receiving a GNU mailing list named "XXX", you might be able to
481 unsubscribe to it by sending a request to the address 523 unsubscribe from it by sending a request to the address
482 `XXX-request@prep.ai.mit.edu'. However, this will not work if you are 524 <XXX-request@gnu.org>. However, this will not work if you are
483 not listed on the main mailing list, but instead receive the mail from a 525 not listed on the main mailing list, but instead receive the mail from a
484 distribution point. In that case, you will have to track down at which 526 distribution point. In that case, you will have to track down at which
485 distribution point you are listed. Inspecting the `Received:' headers on 527 distribution point you are listed. Inspecting the "Received:" headers on
486 the mail messages may help, along with liberal use of the `EXPN' or 528 the mail messages may help, along with liberal use of the "EXPN" or
487 `VRFY' sendmail commands through `telnet <site-address> smtp'. Ask your 529 "VRFY" sendmail commands through "telnet <site-address> smtp". Ask your
488 postmaster for help. 530 postmaster for help.
489 531
49012: What is the current address of the FSF? 53212: What is the current address of the FSF?
491 533
492 E-mail address: gnu@prep.ai.mit.edu 534 E-mail: gnu@gnu.org
493 Phone number: (617) 542-5942 535 Telephone: +1-617-542-5942
536 Fax: +1-617-542-2652
537 World Wide Web: http://www.gnu.org/
538
494 Postal address: 539 Postal address:
495 Free Software Foundation, Inc. 540 Free Software Foundation
496 59 Temple Place - Suite 330 541 59 Temple Place - Suite 330
497 Boston, MA 02111-1307, USA. 542 Boston, MA 02111-1307
543 USA
498 544
499 For details on how to order, see the file etc/ORDERS. 545 For details on how to order items directly from the FSF, see the file
546 etc/ORDERS.
500 547
501 548
502On-line Help, Printed Manuals, Other Sources of Help 549On-line Help, Printed Manuals, Other Sources of Help
503 550
50413: I'm just starting GNU Emacs; how do I do basic editing? 55113: I'm just starting Emacs; how do I do basic editing?
505 552
506 Type "C-h t" to invoke the self-paced tutorial. Typing just C-h is how 553 Type "C-h t" to invoke the self-paced tutorial. Just typing `C-h' enters
507 to enter the help system. 554 the help system.
508 555
509 WARNING: Your system administrator may have changed C-h to act like DEL 556 WARNING: Your system administrator may have changed `C-h' to act like DEL
510 to deal with local keyboards. You can use M-x help-for-help instead to 557 to deal with local keyboards. You can use M-x help-for-help instead to
511 invoke help. To discover what key (if any) invokes help on your system, 558 invoke help. To discover what key (if any) invokes help on your system,
512 type "M-x where-is RET help-for-help RET". This will print a 559 type "M-x where-is RET help-for-help RET". This will print a
@@ -515,16 +562,20 @@ On-line Help, Printed Manuals, Other Sources of Help
515 sequences invokes help. 562 sequences invokes help.
516 563
517 NOTE: Emacs help works best if it is invoked by a single key whose value 564 NOTE: Emacs help works best if it is invoked by a single key whose value
518 should be stored in the variable help-char. Andrew Arensburger 565 should be stored in the variable help-char.
519 <arensb@kong.gsfc.nasa.gov> wrote a patch that allows the help facility
520 to work properly when invoked by multiple character sequences.
521 566
52214: How do I find out how to do something in GNU Emacs? 567 There is also a WWW-based tutorial for Emacs 18, much of which is also
568 relevant for Emacs 20, available at
569
570 http://kufacts.cc.ukans.edu/cwis/writeups/misc/emacsguide.html
571
57214: How do I find out how to do something in Emacs?
523 573
524 There are several methods for finding out how to do things in Emacs. 574 There are several methods for finding out how to do things in Emacs.
525 575
526 * The complete text of the Emacs manual is available on-line via the Info 576 * The complete text of the Emacs manual is available on-line via the Info
527 hypertext reader. Type "C-h i" to invoke Info. 577 hypertext reader. Type "C-h i" to invoke Info. Typing `h' immediately
578 after entering Info will provide a short tutorial on how to use it.
528 579
529 * You can order a hardcopy of the manual from the FSF. See question 15. 580 * You can order a hardcopy of the manual from the FSF. See question 15.
530 581
@@ -541,76 +592,65 @@ On-line Help, Printed Manuals, Other Sources of Help
541 certain word using M-x apropos. 592 certain word using M-x apropos.
542 593
543 * There are many other commands in Emacs for getting help and 594 * There are many other commands in Emacs for getting help and
544 information. To get a list of these commands, type "C-h C-h C-h". 595 information. To get a list of these commands, type `?' after `C-h'.
545 596
54615: How do I get a printed copy of the GNU Emacs manual? 59715: How do I get a printed copy of the Emacs manual?
547 598
548 You can order a printed copy of the GNU Emacs manual from the FSF. For 599 You can order a printed copy of the Emacs manual from the FSF. For
549 details see the file etc/ORDERS. 600 details see the file etc/ORDERS.
550 601
551 The full TeX source for the manual also comes in the `man' directory of 602 The full TeX source for the manual also comes in the "man" directory of
552 the Emacs distribution, if you're daring enough to try to print out this 603 the Emacs distribution, if you're daring enough to try to print out this
553 420 page manual yourself (see question 18). 604 440-page manual yourself (see question 18).
554 605
555 If you absolutely have to print your own copy, and you don't have TeX, 606 If you absolutely have to print your own copy, and you don't have TeX,
556 you can get a PostScript version via anonymous FTP: 607 you can get a PostScript version from
557
558 /ftp.cs.ubc.ca:pub/archive/gnu/manuals_ps/emacs-19.21.ps.gz
559 608
560 This site requests that you please CONFINE ANY MAJOR FTPING TO LATE 609 ftp://ftp.cs.ubc.ca/pub/archive/gnu/manuals_ps/emacs-19.21.ps.gz
561 EVENINGS OR EARLY MORNINGS OUR TIME (Pacific time zone, GMT-8). A DVI
562 version is also available via FTP:
563 610
564 /prep.ai.mit.edu:pub/gnu/emacs-manual-6.0.dvi.gz 611 Note that the above document is somewhat out of date, although most major
612 concepts are still relevant. This site requests that you please *confine
613 any major ftping to late evenings or early mornings, local time* (Pacific
614 time zone, GMT-8).
565 615
566 and all prep mirrors (See question 80 for a list). 616 A WWW version of the (somewhat outdated) Emacs 19.34 manual is at
567 617
568 A WWW version of the Emacs manual is available on the World-Wide Web at 618 http://www.cl.cam.ac.uk/texinfodoc/emacs_toc.html
569 URL
570
571 http://asis01.cern.ch/infohtml/emacs/emacs.html
572 619
573 See also question 14 for how to view the manual on-line. 620 See also question 14 for how to view the manual on-line.
574 621
57516: Where can I get documentation on GNU Emacs Lisp? 62216: Where can I get documentation on Emacs Lisp?
576 623
577 Within Emacs, you can type "C-h f" to get the documentation for a 624 Within Emacs, you can type "C-h f" to get the documentation for a
578 function, "C-h v" for a variable. 625 function, "C-h v" for a variable.
579 626
580 For more information, obtain the GNU Emacs Lisp Reference Manual. 627 For more information, obtain the Emacs Lisp Reference Manual. Details on
581 Details on ordering it from FSF are in file etc/ORDERS. 628 ordering it from FSF are in file etc/ORDERS.
582
583 For on-line use, a set of pregenerated Info files is available with the
584 Texinfo source for the Emacs Lisp manual via anonymous FTP at
585 629
586 /prep.ai.mit.edu:pub/gnu/elisp-manual-19-2.3.tar.gz 630 The Emacs Lisp Reference Manual is also available on-line, in Info
631 format. Texinfo source for the manual (along with pregenerated Info
632 files) is available at
587 633
588 and all prep mirrors (See question 80 for a list). 634 ftp://ftp.gnu.org/pub/gnu/elisp-manual-20-2.5.tar.gz
589 635
590 You can also create the Info files from the Texinfo source. See question 636 and all mirrors of ftp.gnu.org (See question 92 for a list). See
591 17 for details on how to install these files on-line. 637 question 17 if you want to install the Info files, or question 18 if you
638 want to use the Texinfo source to print the manual yourself.
592 639
593 A WWW version of the Emacs Lisp Reference Manual is available at 640 WWW versions of the Emacs Lisp Reference Manual are available at
594 641
642 http://www.cl.cam.ac.uk/texinfodoc/elisp_1.html
595 http://www.cs.indiana.edu/usr/local/www/elisp/lispref/elisp_toc.html 643 http://www.cs.indiana.edu/usr/local/www/elisp/lispref/elisp_toc.html
596 644
597 An introduction to Emacs Lisp is available at
598
599 http://www.cs.indiana.edu/usr/local/www/elisp/elisp-intro.html
600
601 Of course, you can also print this 760-page manual yourself. For
602 instructions on how to do this, see question 18.
603
60417: How do I install a piece of Texinfo documentation? 64517: How do I install a piece of Texinfo documentation?
605 646
606 First, you must turn the Texinfo files into Info files. You may do this 647 First, you must turn the Texinfo files into Info files. You may do this
607 within Emacs, using "M-x texinfo-format-buffer", or with the standalone 648 using the stand-alone "makeinfo" program, available as part of the latest
608 `makeinfo' program, available as part of the latest Texinfo package via 649 Texinfo package at
609 anonymous ftp from:
610 650
611 /prep.ai.mit.edu:pub/gnu/texinfo-3.1.tar.gz 651 ftp://ftp.gnu.org/pub/gnu/texinfo-3.12.tar.gz
612 652
613 and all prep mirrors (See question 80 for a list). 653 and all mirrors of ftp.gnu.org (see question 92 for a list).
614 654
615 For information about the Texinfo format, read the Texinfo manual which 655 For information about the Texinfo format, read the Texinfo manual which
616 comes with Emacs. This manual also comes installed in Info format, so 656 comes with Emacs. This manual also comes installed in Info format, so
@@ -619,7 +659,7 @@ On-line Help, Printed Manuals, Other Sources of Help
619 Neither texinfo-format-buffer nor makeinfo installs the resulting Info 659 Neither texinfo-format-buffer nor makeinfo installs the resulting Info
620 files in Emacs's Info tree. To install Info files: 660 files in Emacs's Info tree. To install Info files:
621 661
622 1. Move the files to the `info' directory in the installed Emacs 662 1. Move the files to the "info" directory in the installed Emacs
623 distribution. See question 4 if you don't know where that is. 663 distribution. See question 4 if you don't know where that is.
624 664
625 2. Edit the file info/dir in the installed Emacs distribution, and add a 665 2. Edit the file info/dir in the installed Emacs distribution, and add a
@@ -628,43 +668,50 @@ On-line Help, Printed Manuals, Other Sources of Help
628 668
629 * Topic: (relative-pathname). Short description of topic. 669 * Topic: (relative-pathname). Short description of topic.
630 670
671 If (as it should have done) the Texinfo file used the @direntry
672 command, you can run the "install-info" command from the current
673 Texinfo distribution to do this automatically -- see the example in
674 the top-level Makefile in the Emacs source.
675
631 If you want to install Info files and you don't have the necessary 676 If you want to install Info files and you don't have the necessary
632 privileges, you have several options: 677 privileges, you have several options:
633 678
634 * Info files don't actually need to be installed before being used. You 679 * Info files don't actually need to be installed before being used. You
635 can feed a file name to the Info-goto-node command (invoked by pressing 680 can feed a file name to the Info-goto-node command (invoked by pressing
636 "g" in Info mode) by typing the name of the file in parentheses. This 681 `g' in Info mode) by typing the name of the file in parentheses. This
637 goes to the node named `Top' in that file. For example, to view a Info 682 goes to the node named "Top" in that file. For example, to view a Info
638 file named `XXX' in your home directory, you can type this: 683 file named "XXX" in your home directory, you can type this:
639 684
640 C-h i g (~/XXX) RET 685 C-h i g (~/XXX) RET
641 686
642 * You can create your own Info directory. You can tell Emacs where the 687 * You can create your own Info directory. You can tell Emacs where the
643 Info directory is by adding its pathname to the value of the variable 688 Info directory is by adding its pathname to the value of the variable
644 Info-default-directory-list. For example, to use a private Info 689 Info-default-directory-list. For example, to use a private Info
645 directory which is a subdirectory of your home directory named `Info', 690 directory which is a subdirectory of your home directory named "Info",
646 you could put this in your .emacs file: 691 you could put this in your .emacs file:
647 692
648 (setq Info-default-directory-list 693 (setq Info-default-directory-list
649 (cons "~/Info" Info-default-directory-list)) 694 (cons "~/Info" Info-default-directory-list))
650 695
651 You will need a top-level Info file named `dir' in this directory which 696 You will need a top-level Info file named "dir" in this directory which
652 has everything the system dir file has in it, except it should list 697 has everything the system dir file has in it, except it should list
653 only entries for Info files in that directory. You might not need it 698 only entries for Info files in that directory. You might not need it
654 if all files in this directory were referenced by other `dir' files. 699 if all files in this directory were referenced by other "dir" files.
655 The node lists from all dir files in Info-default-directory-list are 700 The node lists from all dir files in Info-default-directory-list are
656 merged by the Info system. 701 merged by the Info system.
657 702
65818: How do I print a Texinfo file? 70318: How do I print a Texinfo file?
659 704
660 NOTE: You can't get nice printed output from Info files; you must still 705 NOTE: You can't get nicely printed output from Info files; you must still
661 have the original Texinfo source file for the manual you want to print. 706 have the original Texinfo source file for the manual you want to print.
662 707
708 Assuming you have TeX installed on your system, follow these steps:
709
663 1. Make sure the first line of the Texinfo file looks like this: 710 1. Make sure the first line of the Texinfo file looks like this:
664 711
665 \input texinfo 712 \input texinfo
666 713
667 You may need to alter `texinfo' to the full pathname of the 714 You may need to change "texinfo" to the full pathname of the
668 texinfo.tex file, which comes with Emacs as man/texinfo.tex (or copy 715 texinfo.tex file, which comes with Emacs as man/texinfo.tex (or copy
669 or link it into the current directory). 716 or link it into the current directory).
670 717
@@ -672,7 +719,7 @@ On-line Help, Printed Manuals, Other Sources of Help
672 719
673 3. texindex XXX.?? 720 3. texindex XXX.??
674 721
675 The `texindex' program comes with Emacs as man/texindex.c. 722 The texindex program comes with Emacs as man/texindex.c.
676 723
677 4. tex XXX.texinfo 724 4. tex XXX.texinfo
678 725
@@ -680,137 +727,90 @@ On-line Help, Printed Manuals, Other Sources of Help
680 your site. 727 your site.
681 728
682 To get more general instructions, retrieve the latest Texinfo package 729 To get more general instructions, retrieve the latest Texinfo package
683 mentioned in question 17. 730 mentioned in question 17. The "texi2dvi" command from it will perform
731 the above steps 1 to 4 for you.
732
73319: Can I view Info files without using Emacs?
684 734
68519: Can I view Info files without using GNU Emacs? 735 Yes. Here are some alternative programs:
686 736
687 Yes, the `info', `xinfo', `tkinfo', and `ivinfo' programs do this. Info 737 * Info, a stand-alone version of the Info program, comes as part of the
688 uses curses, xinfo uses standard X11 libraries, tkinfo uses Tk/Tcl and 738 Texinfo package. See question 17 for details.
689 ivinfo uses InterViews. You can get Info as part of the latest Texinfo
690 package (see question 17). xinfo is available separately:
691 739
692 /prep.ai.mit.edu:pub/gnu/xinfo-1.01.01.tar.gz 740 * Xinfo, a stand-alone version of the Info program that runs under X
741 Windows. You can get it at
693 742
694 and all prep mirrors (See question 80 for a list). 743 ftp://ftp.gnu.org/pub/gnu/xinfo-1.01.01.tar.gz
695 744
696 ivinfo is available in a comp.sources.misc archive or from Tom Horsley 745 and all mirrors of ftp.gnu.org (See question 92 for a list).
697 <tom@ssd.csd.harris.com>. tkinfo is available by anonymous ftp from:
698 746
699 /ptolemy.eecs.berkeley.edu:pub/misc/tkinfo-0.6.tar.Z 747 * Tkinfo, an Info viewer that runs under X Windows and uses Tcl/Tk. You
700 /ftp.aud.alcatel.com:tcl/code/tkinfo-0.6.tar.gz 748 can get Tkinfo at
701 749
702 For ivinfo, you need Stanford's InterViews C++ X library, available via 750 http://math-www.uni-paderborn.de/~axel/tkinfo/
703 anonymous ftp from interviews.stanford.edu. (A FAQ on InterViews is
704 available at that site in pub/FAQ.)
705 751
70620: What informational files are available for GNU Emacs? 75220: What informational files are available for Emacs?
707 753
708 This isn't a frequently asked question, but it should be! A variety of 754 This isn't a frequently asked question, but it should be! A variety of
709 informational files about GNU Emacs and relevant aspects of the GNU 755 informational files about Emacs and relevant aspects of the GNU project
710 project are available for you to read. 756 are available for you to read.
711 757
712 The following files are available in the `etc' directory of the GNU Emacs 758 The following files are available in the "etc" directory of the Emacs
713 distribution, and also the latest versions are available individually via 759 distribution (see question 4 if you're not sure where that is).
714 anonymous FTP (prep.ai.mit.edu:pub/gnu/GNUinfo/):
715 760
716 DISTRIB -- GNU Emacs Availability Information, 761 COPYING -- Emacs General Public License
717 including the popular "Free Software Foundation Order Form" 762 DISTRIB -- Emacs Availability Information, including the popular
763 "Free Software Foundation Order Form"
764 FAQ -- Emacs Frequently Asked Questions (You're reading it)
718 FTP -- How to get GNU Software by Internet FTP or by UUCP 765 FTP -- How to get GNU Software by Internet FTP or by UUCP
719 GNU -- The GNU Manifesto 766 GNU -- The GNU Manifesto
720 INTERVIEW -- Richard Stallman discusses his public-domain 767 INTERVIEW -- Richard Stallman discusses his public-domain
721 UNIX-compatible software system with BYTE editors 768 UNIX-compatible software system with BYTE editors
722 MACHINES -- Status of GNU Emacs on Various Machines and Systems 769 LPF -- Why you should join the League for Programming Freedom
770 MACHINES -- Status of Emacs on Various Machines and Systems
723 MAILINGLISTS -- GNU Project Electronic Mailing Lists 771 MAILINGLISTS -- GNU Project Electronic Mailing Lists
772 NEWS -- Emacs news, a history of user-visible changes
773 PROBLEMS -- Known problems with building and running Emacs in various
774 situations, often with workarounds.
724 SERVICE -- GNU Service Directory 775 SERVICE -- GNU Service Directory
725 SUN-SUPPORT -- including "Using Emacstool with GNU Emacs" 776 SUN-SUPPORT -- including "Using Emacstool with GNU Emacs"
726 777
727 These files are available in the `etc' directory of the GNU Emacs 778 Latest versions of some of the above files are also available at
728 distribution:
729 779
730 COPYING -- GNU Emacs General Public License 780 ftp://ftp.gnu.org/pub/gnu/GNUinfo/
731 NEWS -- GNU Emacs news, a history of user-visible changes
732 LPF -- Why you should join the League for Programming Freedom
733 FAQ -- GNU Emacs Frequently Asked Questions (You're reading it)
734
735 These files are available via anonymous FTP (prep.ai.mit.edu:pub/gnu/):
736
737 tasks -- GNU Task List
738 standards.text -- GNU Coding Standards
739
740 In addition, all of the above files are available directly from the FSF
741 via e-mail. Of course, please try to get them from a local source first
742 (See question 80 for a list).
743
744 These additional files are available from the FSF via e-mail:
745
746 * GNU's Bulletin, January 1994
747 GNU's Who
748 GNU's Bulletin
749 What Is the Free Software Foundation?
750 What Is Copyleft?
751 Donations Translate Into Free Software
752 Cygnus Matches Donations!
753 GNUs Flashes
754 What Is the LPF?
755 News from the LPF
756 Free Software Support
757 Project GNU Wish List
758 Towards a New Strategy of OS Design
759 Part 1: A More Usable Approach to OS Design
760 Part 2: A Look at Some of the Hurd's Beasts
761 Second Annual GNU Seminar in Japan
762 GNU and other Free Software in Japan
763 Freely Available Texts
764 OCEAN Integrated-Circuit Design System
765 Hundred Acre Consulting Expands
766 Project GNU Status Report
767 GNU Documentation
768 GNU Software Available Now
769 Source Code CD-ROM
770 Compiler Tools Binaries CD-ROM
771 Tape & CD-ROM Subscription Service
772 How to Get GNU Software
773 The Deluxe Distribution
774 MS-DOS Distribution
775 Free Software for Microcomputers
776 FSF T-shirt
777 Thank GNUs
778 Free Software Foundation Order Form
779 * Legal issues about contributing code to GNU
780 * GNU Project Status Report
781
782 A collection of past GNU's Bulletins is available via anonymous FTP from:
783
784 /ftp.funet.fi:pub/gnu/Bulletins/
785
786 The latest bulletin is available on the World-Wide Web at URL:
787 781
788 http://info.desy.de/gnu/www/gnu_bulletin_9401/gnu_bulletin_9401_toc.html 782 More GNU information, including back issues of the "GNU's Bulletin", are at
789 783
79021: Where can I get help in installing GNU Emacs? 784 http://www.gnu.org/bulletins/bulletins.html
785 http://www.cs.pdx.edu/~trent/gnu/gnu.html
791 786
792 Look in etc/SERVICE for names of companies and individuals who will sell 78721: Where can I get help in installing Emacs?
793 you this type of service. An up-to-date version of the SERVICE file is
794 available on prep.ai.mit.edu (also see question 20).
795 788
796 You might also try the help-gnu-emacs mailing list, which is also known 789 See question 84 for some basic installation hints, and question 83 if you
797 as the gnu.emacs.help newsgroup, although many installation questions can 790 have problems with the installation.
798 easily be answered by looking at the PROBLEMS file (in the top-level 791
799 directory when you unpack the Emacs source). 792 The file etc/SERVICE (see question 4 if you're not sure where that is)
793 lists companies and individuals willing to sell you help in installing or
794 using Emacs. An up-to-date version this file is available on ftp.gnu.org
795 (see question 20).
800 796
80122: Where can I get the latest version of this document (the FAQ list)? 79722: Where can I get the latest version of this document (the FAQ list)?
802 798
803 The GNU Emacs FAQ is available in several ways: 799 The Emacs FAQ is available in several ways:
800
801 * Inside of Emacs itself. You can get it from selecting the "Emacs FAQ"
802 option from the "Help" menu at the top of any Emacs frame, or by typing
803 C-h F (M-x view-emacs-FAQ).
804 804
805 * Via USENET. If you can read news, the FAQ should be available in your 805 * Via USENET. If you can read news, the FAQ should be available in your
806 news spool, in both the gnu.emacs.help and comp.emacs newsgroups. 806 news spool, in both the gnu.emacs.help and comp.emacs newsgroups.
807 Every news reader should allow you to read any news article that is 807 Every news reader should allow you to read any news article that is
808 still in the news spool, even if you have read the article before. You 808 still in the news spool, even if you have read the article before. You
809 may need to read the instructions for your news reader to discover how 809 may need to read the instructions for your news reader to discover how
810 to do this. In `rn', this command will do this for you at the article 810 to do this. In rn, this command will do this for you at the article
811 selection level: 811 selection level:
812 812
813 ?GNU Emacs FAQ?rc:m 813 ?GNU Emacs Frequently Asked Questions?rc:m
814 814
815 In Gnus, you should type "C-u c-x c-s" from the *Summary* buffer or 815 In Gnus, you should type "C-u c-x c-s" from the *Summary* buffer or
816 "C-u SPC" from the *Newsgroup* buffer to view all articles in a 816 "C-u SPC" from the *Newsgroup* buffer to view all articles in a
@@ -818,114 +818,191 @@ On-line Help, Printed Manuals, Other Sources of Help
818 818
819 If the FAQ articles have expired and been deleted from your news spool, 819 If the FAQ articles have expired and been deleted from your news spool,
820 it might (or might not) do some good to complain to your news 820 it might (or might not) do some good to complain to your news
821 administrator, because the most recent FAQ should not expire before for 821 administrator, because the most recent FAQ should not expire for a
822 a while. 822 while.
823 823
824 * Via anonymous FTP. You can fetch the FAQ articles via anonymous FTP 824 * Via anonymous FTP. You can always fetch the latest FAQ at
825 from the-tech.mit.edu, in ~ftp/pub/GNU-Emacs/.
826 825
827 * In the GNU Emacs distribution. Since GNU Emacs 18.56, the latest 826 ftp://ftp.lerner.co.il/pub/emacs/faq.txt
828 available version of the FAQ at the time of release has been part of 827 ftp://ftp.lerner.co.il/pub/emacs/faq.gz
829 the GNU Emacs distribution as file etc/FAQ.
830 828
831 * Via the World-Wide Web. Point your favorite Web browser (Mosaic, Lynx, 829 http://ftp.lerner.co.il/emacs/faq.txt
832 w3-mode) to one of the following URLs: 830 http://ftp.lerner.co.il/emacs/faq.gz
833 831
834 http://www.cis.ohio-state.edu/hypertext/faq/usenet/GNU-Emacs-FAQ/top.html 832 * In the Emacs distribution. Since Emacs 18.56, the FAQ at the time of
835 http://scwww.ucs.indiana.edu/FAQ/Emacs/ 833 release has been part of the Emacs distribution as etc/FAQ (see
834 question 4).
836 835
837 * If all goes well, this FAQ should also be available via anonymous ftp 836 * Via the World Wide Web. Point your favorite Web browser at:
838 and e-mail from rtfm.mit.edu, the main repository for FAQs and other
839 items posted to news.answers. However, we are omitting explicit
840 directions on how to retrieve the FAQ from rtfm.mit.edu, since it's
841 possible that it won't end up there right away. (We're new at this
842 FAQ-posting business.) Instructions on how to retrieve the FAQ from
843 rtfm.mit.edu should be in the next version of the FAQ.
844 837
838 http://www.geek-girl.com/emacs/faq/index.html
839
840 This is an old version, but it works.
841
842 * Via anonymous ftp and e-mail from rtfm.mit.edu (and its mirror in
843 Europe), the main repository for FAQs and other items posted to
844 news.answers. The Emacs FAQs are available at
845
846 ftp://rtfm.mit.edu/pub/usenet/comp.emacs/
847 ftp://ftp.uni-paderborn.de/pub/doc/FAQ/comp/emacs/
848
849 If you do not have access to anonymous FTP, you can access the archives
850 using the rtfm.mit.edu mail server. The Emacs FAQ can be retrieved by
851 sending mail to mail-server@rtfm.mit.edu with a blank subject and
852 containing
853
854 send usenet/news.answers/GNU-Emacs-FAQ/diffs
855 send usenet/news.answers/GNU-Emacs-FAQ/part1
856 send usenet/news.answers/GNU-Emacs-FAQ/part2
857 send usenet/news.answers/GNU-Emacs-FAQ/part3
858 send usenet/news.answers/GNU-Emacs-FAQ/part4
859 send usenet/news.answers/GNU-Emacs-FAQ/part5
860
861 For more information, send email to mail-server@rtfm.mit.edu with
862 "help" and "index" in the body on separate lines.
863
845 * As the very last resort, you can e-mail a request to 864 * As the very last resort, you can e-mail a request to
846 gnu-emacs-faq-maintainers@bigbird.bu.edu. Don't do this unless you 865 emacs-faq@lerner.co.il. Don't do this unless you have made a serious
847 have made a serious effort to obtain the FAQ list via one of the 866 effort to obtain the FAQ list via one of the methods listed above.
848 methods listed above. 867
849 868
850Status of Emacs 869Status of Emacs
851 870
85223: Where does the name "Emacs" come from? 87123: Where does the name "Emacs" come from?
853 872
854 Emacs originally was an acronym for Editor MACroS. RMS says he "picked 873 Emacs originally was an acronym for Editor MACroS. RMS says he "picked
855 the name `Emacs' because `E' was not in use as an abbreviation on ITS at 874 the name Emacs because `E' was not in use as an abbreviation on ITS at
856 the time." The first Emacs was a set of macros written in 1976 at MIT by 875 the time." The first Emacs was a set of macros written in 1976 at MIT by
857 RMS for the editor TECO (Text Editor and COrrector (originally Tape 876 RMS for the editor TECO (Text Editor and COrrector, originally Tape
858 Editor and COrrector)) under ITS on a PDP-10. RMS had already extended 877 Editor and COrrector) under ITS on a PDP-10. RMS had already extended
859 TECO with a "real-time" full screen mode with active keys. Emacs was 878 TECO with a "real-time" full screen mode with reprogrammable keys. Emacs
860 started by Guy Steele <gls@think.com> as a project to unify the many 879 was started by Guy Steele <gls@east.sun.com> as a project to unify the
861 divergent TECO command sets and key bindings at MIT. 880 many divergent TECO command sets and key bindings at MIT, and completed
881 by RMS.
862 882
863 Many people have said that TECO code looks a lot like line noise. See 883 Many people have said that TECO code looks a lot like line noise. See
864 alt.lang.teco if you are interested. Someone has written a TECO 884 alt.lang.teco if you are interested. Someone has written a TECO
865 implementation in Emacs Lisp; it would be an interesting project to run 885 implementation in Emacs Lisp (to find it, see question 90); it would be
866 the original TECO Emacs inside of GNU Emacs. 886 an interesting project to run the original TECO Emacs inside of Emacs.
867 887
86824: What is the latest version of GNU Emacs? 888 For some not-so-serious alternative reasons for Emacs to have that name,
889 check out etc/JOKES (see question 4).
869 890
870 GNU Emacs 19.27 is the current version as of 6 September, 1994. 89124: What is the latest version of Emacs?
871 892
87225: What is different about GNU Emacs 19? 893 Emacs 20.4 is the current version as of this writing.
894
89525: What is different about Emacs 20?
873 896
874 To find out what has changed in recent versions, type C-h n (M-x 897 To find out what has changed in recent versions, type C-h n (M-x
875 view-emacs-news). The oldest changes are at the bottom of the file, so 898 view-emacs-news). The oldest changes are at the bottom of the file, so
876 you might want to read it starting there, rather than at the top. 899 you might want to read it starting there, rather than at the top.
877 900
878 The most obvious changes have to do with the user interface -- GNU Emacs 901 The differences between Emacs versions 18 and 19 was rather dramatic; the
879 19 is fully X-aware, and provides pull-down menus and scroll bars. Emacs 902 introduction of frames, faces, and colors on windowing systems was
880 19 also supports fonts and colors, including context-specific 903 obvious to even the most casual user.
881 highlighting of source code and other types of buffers.
882 904
883 Other changes include a line number mode, which displays the current line 905 There are differences between Emacs versions 19 and 20 as well, but many
884 number in the mode line, and default bindings for arrow and paging keys 906 are more subtle or harder to find. Among the changes are the inclusion
885 that work. 907 of MULE code for languages that use non-Latin characters, the "customize"
908 facility for modifying variables without having to use Lisp, and
909 automatic conversion of files from Macintosh, Microsoft, and Unix
910 platforms.
886 911
887 Lower-level changes include a smarter memory allocation scheme (Emacs now 912 Many Lisp packages have been updated and enhanced for Emacs 20.
888 returns memory to the operating system when you kill buffers), a better
889 byte-compiler, and a source-level Emacs Lisp debugger.
890 913
891 There are also a number of new Lisp packages, ranging from dunnet (an
892 Adventure-like program) to mldrag (allows you to drag the mode line up
893 and down with the mouse buttons) to gud (Grand Unified Debugger mode, for
894 many flavors of debuggers). A number of popular Lisp packages, such as
895 SuperCite and the calendar/diary, are also included.
896 914
897Common Things People Want To Do 915Common Things People Want To Do
898 916
89926: How do I set up a .emacs file properly? 91726: How do I set up a .emacs file properly?
900 918
901 See `Init File' in the on-line manual. 919 See "Init File" in the on-line manual.
902 920
903 WARNING: In general, new Emacs users should not have .emacs files, 921 WARNING: In general, new Emacs users should not have .emacs files,
904 because it causes confusing non-standard behavior. Then they send 922 because it causes confusing non-standard behavior. Then they send
905 questions to help-gnu-emacs asking why Emacs isn't behaving as 923 questions to help-gnu-emacs asking why Emacs isn't behaving as
906 documented. :-) 924 documented. :-)
907 925
926 Emacs 20 includes the new "customize" facility, which can be invoked
927 using M-x customize RET or via the Help menu. This allows users who are
928 unfamiliar with Emacs Lisp to modify their .emacs files in a relatively
929 straightforward way, using menus rather than Lisp code. While all the
930 packages included with Emacs (are meant to) support Customize now,
931 packages from other sources may not.
932
933 While Customize might indeed make it easier to configure Emacs, consider
934 taking a bit of time to learn Emacs Lisp and modifying your .emacs
935 directly. Simple configuration options are described rather completely in
936 the "Init File" section of the on-line manual, for users interested in
937 performing frequently requested, basic tasks.
938
90827: How do I debug a .emacs file? 93927: How do I debug a .emacs file?
909 940
910 First start Emacs with the `-debug-init' command-line option. This 941 Start Emacs with the "-debug-init" command-line option. This enables the
911 option enables the Emacs Lisp debugger before evaluating your .emacs 942 Emacs Lisp debugger before evaluating your .emacs file, and places you in
912 file, and places you in the debugger if something goes wrong. The top 943 the debugger if something goes wrong. The top line in the trace-back
913 line in the trace-back buffer will be the error message, and the second 944 buffer will be the error message, and the second or third line of that
914 or third line of that buffer will display the Lisp code from your .emacs 945 buffer will display the Lisp code from your .emacs file that caused the
915 that caused the problem. 946 problem.
916 947
917 You can also evaluate an individual function or argument to a function in 948 You can also evaluate an individual function or argument to a function in
918 your .emacs file by moving the cursor to the end of the function or 949 your .emacs file by moving the cursor to the end of the function or
919 argument and typing "C-x C-e" (M-x eval-last-sexp). 950 argument and typing "C-x C-e" (M-x eval-last-sexp). "C-M-x" (M-x
951 eval-defun) is particularly useful for re-evaluating "defvar" and
952 "customize" forms.
920 953
921 Use "C-h v" (M-x describe-variable) to check the value of variables which 954 Use "C-h v" (M-x describe-variable) to check the value of variables which
922 you are trying to set or use. 955 you are trying to set or use.
923 956
92428: How do I make Emacs display the current column number? 95728: How do I make Emacs display the current line (or column) number?
958
959 To toggle having Emacs automatically display the current line number of the
960 point in the mode line, do "M-x line-number-mode". (This option is on by
961 default.) Note that Emacs will not display the line number if the buffer is
962 larger than the value of the variable line-number-display-limit.
963
964 As of Emacs 20, you can similarly display the current column with "M-x
965 column-number-mode", by putting the form
966
967 (setq column-number-mode t)
968
969 in your .emacs file or by using Customize.
970
971 The "%c" format specifier in the variable mode-line-format will insert
972 the current column's value into the mode line. See the documentation for
973 mode-line-format (using "C-h v mode-line-format RET") for more
974 information on how to set and use this variable.
975
976 Users of all Emacs versions can display the current column using Per
977 Abrahamsen's <abraham@iesd.auc.dk> "column" package. See question 90 for
978 instructions on how to get it.
979
980 None of the vi emulation modes provide the "set number" capability of vi
981 (as far as we know) but Kyle Jones's setnu.el package implements such a
982 feature.
983
98429: How can I modify the titlebar to contain the current filename?
985
986 The contains of an Emacs frame's titlebar is controlled by the variable
987 frame-title-format, which has the same structure as the variable
988 mode-line-format. (Use "C-h v" or "M-x describe-variable" to get
989 information about one or both of these variables.)
990
991 By default, the titlebar for a frame does contain the name of the buffer
992 currently being visited, except if there is a single frame. In such a
993 case, the titlebar contains the name of the user and the machine at which
994 Emacs was invoked. This is done by setting frame-title-format to the
995 default value of
925 996
926 Do M-x column-number-mode. 997 (multiple-frames "%b" ("" invocation-name "@" system-name))
927 998
92829: How do I turn on abbrevs by default just in mode XXX? 999 To modify the behavior such that frame titlebars contain the buffer's
1000 name regardless of the number of existing frames, include the following
1001 in your .emacs:
1002
1003 (setq frame-title-format "%b")
1004
100530: How do I turn on abbrevs by default just in mode XXX?
929 1006
930 Put this in your .emacs file: 1007 Put this in your .emacs file:
931 1008
@@ -934,56 +1011,61 @@ Common Things People Want To Do
934 (file-error nil)) 1011 (file-error nil))
935 1012
936 (add-hook 'XXX-mode-hook 1013 (add-hook 'XXX-mode-hook
937 (function 1014 (lambda ()
938 (lambda () 1015 (setq abbrev-mode t)))
939 (setq abbrev-mode t))))
940 1016
94130: How do I turn on auto-fill mode by default? 101731: How do I turn on auto-fill mode by default?
942 1018
943 To turn on auto-fill mode just once for one buffer, use "M-x 1019 To turn on auto-fill mode just once for one buffer, use "M-x
944 auto-fill-mode". To turn it on for every buffer in, for example, Text 1020 auto-fill-mode".
945 mode, do this: 1021
1022 To turn it on for every buffer in a certain mode, you must use the hook
1023 for that mode. For example, to turn on auto-fill mode for all text
1024 buffers, including the following in your .emacs file:
946 1025
947 (add-hook 'text-mode-hook 'turn-on-auto-fill) 1026 (add-hook 'text-mode-hook 'turn-on-auto-fill)
948 1027
1028 You can also do this via the Help -> Options menu, which runs the command
1029 toggle-text-mode-auto-fill.
1030
949 If you want auto-fill mode on in all major modes, do this: 1031 If you want auto-fill mode on in all major modes, do this:
950 1032
951 (setq-default auto-fill-function 'do-auto-fill) 1033 (setq-default auto-fill-function 'do-auto-fill)
952 1034
95331: How do I make Emacs use a certain major mode for certain files? 103532: How do I make Emacs use a certain major mode for certain files?
954 1036
955 If you want to use XXX mode for all files which end with the extension 1037 If you want to use XXX mode for all files which end with the extension
956 `.YYY', this will do it for you: 1038 ".YYY", this will do it for you:
957 1039
958 (setq auto-mode-alist (cons '("\\.YYY\\'" . XXX-mode) auto-mode-alist)) 1040 (add-to-list 'auto-mode-alist '("\\.YYY\\'" . XXX-mode))
959 1041
960 Otherwise put this somewhere in the first line of any file you want to 1042 Otherwise put this somewhere in the first line of any file you want to
961 edit in XXX mode: 1043 edit in XXX mode (in the second line, if the first line begins with
1044 "#!"):
962 1045
963 -*-XXX-*- 1046 -*-XXX-*-
964 1047
965 Emacs 19 also includes a new variable, interpreter-mode-alist, that 1048 Beginning with Emacs 19, the variable interpreter-mode-alist specifies
966 specifies which mode to use when loading a shell script. (Emacs 1049 which mode to use when loading a shell script. (Emacs determines which
967 determines which interpreter you're using by examining the first line of 1050 interpreter you're using by examining the first line of the file.) This
968 the file.) This feature only applies when the file name doesn't indicate 1051 feature only applies when the file name doesn't indicate which mode to
969 which mode to use. Use "C-h v" (or M-x describe-variable) to learn more 1052 use. Use "C-h v" (or M-x describe-variable) on interpreter-mode-alist to
970 about this variable. 1053 learn more.
971 1054
97232: How do I search for, delete, or replace unprintable (8-bit or control) 105533: How do I search for, delete, or replace unprintable (8-bit or control)
973 characters? 1056 characters?
974 1057
975 To search for a single character that appears in the buffer as, for 1058 To search for a single character that appears in the buffer as, for
976 example, `\237', you can type "C-s C-q 2 3 7". (This assumes the value 1059 example, "\237", you can type "C-s C-q 2 3 7". (This assumes the value
977 of search-quote-char is 17 (i.e., C-q).) Searching for ALL unprintable 1060 of search-quote-char is 17 (i.e., `C-q').) Searching for ALL unprintable
978 characters is best done with a "regexp" search. The easiest regexp to 1061 characters is best done with a regular expression ("regexp") search. The
979 use for the unprintable chars is the complement of the regexp for the 1062 easiest regexp to use for the unprintable chars is the complement of the
980 printable chars. 1063 regexp for the printable chars.
981
982 Regexp for the printable chars: [\t\n\r\f -~]
983 1064
984 Regexp for the unprintable chars: [^\t\n\r\f -~] 1065 Regexp for the printable chars: [\t\n\r\f -~]
1066 Regexp for the unprintable chars: [^\t\n\r\f -~]
985 1067
986 To type some of these special characters in an interactive argument to 1068 To type these special characters in an interactive argument to
987 isearch-forward-regexp or re-search-forward, you need to use C-q. (`\t', 1069 isearch-forward-regexp or re-search-forward, you need to use C-q. (`\t',
988 `\n', `\r', and `\f' stand respectively for TAB, LFD, RET, and C-l.) So, 1070 `\n', `\r', and `\f' stand respectively for TAB, LFD, RET, and C-l.) So,
989 to search for unprintable characters using re-search-forward: 1071 to search for unprintable characters using re-search-forward:
@@ -1003,23 +1085,20 @@ Common Things People Want To Do
1003 1085
1004 M-x replace-regexp RET [^ TAB C-q LFD C-q RET C-q C-l SPC -~] RET : RET 1086 M-x replace-regexp RET [^ TAB C-q LFD C-q RET C-q C-l SPC -~] RET : RET
1005 1087
1006 NOTE: * You don't need to quote TAB with either isearch or typing 1088 NOTE: * You don't need to quote TAB with either isearch or typing
1007 something in the minibuffer. 1089 something in the minibuffer.
1008 1090
100933: How can I highlight a region of text in Emacs? 109134: How can I highlight a region of text in Emacs?
1010 1092
1011 If you are using a windowing system such as X, you can cause the region 1093 If you are using a windowing system such as X, you can cause the region
1012 to be highlighted when the mark is active by including 1094 to be highlighted when the mark is active by including
1013 1095
1014 (transient-mark-mode t) 1096 (transient-mark-mode t)
1015 1097
1016 in your .emacs. There are also the following packages for content- based 1098 in your .emacs file, using Customize or via the Help->Options menu.
1017 highlighting: 1099 (Also see question 66.)
1018 1100
1019 hilit19.el 110135: How do I control Emacs's case-sensitivity when searching/replacing?
1020 font-lock.el
1021
102234: How do I control Emacs's case-sensitivity when searching/replacing?
1023 1102
1024 For searching, the value of the variable case-fold-search determines 1103 For searching, the value of the variable case-fold-search determines
1025 whether they are case sensitive: 1104 whether they are case sensitive:
@@ -1027,33 +1106,35 @@ Common Things People Want To Do
1027 (setq case-fold-search nil) ; make searches case sensitive 1106 (setq case-fold-search nil) ; make searches case sensitive
1028 (setq case-fold-search t) ; make searches case insensitive 1107 (setq case-fold-search t) ; make searches case insensitive
1029 1108
1030 Similarly, for replacing the variable case-replace determines whether 1109 To change this or similar variables during an Emacs session, use
1110 M-x set-variable.
1111
1112 Similarly, for replacing, the variable case-replace determines whether
1031 replacements preserve case. 1113 replacements preserve case.
1032 1114
1033 To change the case sensitivity just for one major mode, use the major 1115 To change the case sensitivity just for one major mode, use the major
1034 mode's hook. For example: 1116 mode's hook. For example:
1035 1117
1036 (add-hook 'XXX-mode-hook 1118 (add-hook 'XXX-mode-hook
1037 (function 1119 (lambda ()
1038 (lambda () 1120 (setq case-fold-search nil)))
1039 (setq case-fold-search nil))))
1040 1121
104135: How do I make Emacs wrap words for me? 112236: How do I make Emacs wrap words for me?
1042 1123
1043 Use auto-fill mode, activated by typing "M-x auto-fill-mode". The 1124 Use auto-fill mode, activated by typing "M-x auto-fill-mode". The
1044 default maximum line width is 70, determined by the variable fill-column. 1125 default maximum line width is 70, determined by the variable fill-column.
1045 To learn how to turn this on automatically, see question 30. 1126 To learn how to turn this on automatically, see question 31.
1046 1127
104736: Where can I get a better spelling checker for Emacs? 112837: Where can I get a better spelling checker for Emacs?
1048 1129
1049 Use Ispell. See question 101. 1130 Use Ispell. See question 110.
1050 1131
105137: How can I spell-check TeX or *roff documents? 113238: How can I spell-check TeX or *roff documents?
1052 1133
1053 Use Ispell. See question 101. Ispell can handle TeX and *roff 1134 Use Ispell. See question 110. Ispell can handle TeX and *roff
1054 documents. 1135 documents.
1055 1136
105638: How do I change load-path? 113739: How do I change load-path?
1057 1138
1058 In general, you should only *add* to the load-path. You can add 1139 In general, you should only *add* to the load-path. You can add
1059 directory /XXX/YYY to the load path like this: 1140 directory /XXX/YYY to the load path like this:
@@ -1064,16 +1145,16 @@ Common Things People Want To Do
1064 1145
1065 (setq load-path (cons "~/YYY/" load-path) 1146 (setq load-path (cons "~/YYY/" load-path)
1066 1147
106739: How do I use an already running Emacs from another window? 114840: How do I use an already running Emacs from another window?
1068 1149
1069 The `emacsclient' program is for editing a file using an already running 1150 Emacsclient, which comes with Emacs, is for editing a file using an
1070 Emacs rather than starting up a new Emacs. It does this by sending a 1151 already running Emacs rather than starting up a new Emacs. It does this
1071 request to the already running Emacs, which must be expecting the 1152 by sending a request to the already running Emacs, which must be
1072 request. 1153 expecting the request.
1073 1154
1074 * Setup 1155 * Setup
1075 1156
1076 Emacs must have executed the `server-start' function for emacsclient to 1157 Emacs must have executed the "server-start" function for emacsclient to
1077 work. This can be done either by a command line option: 1158 work. This can be done either by a command line option:
1078 1159
1079 emacs -f server-start 1160 emacs -f server-start
@@ -1083,12 +1164,12 @@ Common Things People Want To Do
1083 (if (some conditions are met) (server-start)) 1164 (if (some conditions are met) (server-start))
1084 1165
1085 When this is done, Emacs starts a subprocess running a program called 1166 When this is done, Emacs starts a subprocess running a program called
1086 `server'. `server' creates a Unix domain socket in the user's home 1167 "server". "server" creates a Unix domain socket in the user's home
1087 directory named `.emacs_server'. 1168 directory named .emacs_server.
1088 1169
1089 To get your news reader, mail reader, etc., to invoke emacsclient, try 1170 To get your news reader, mail reader, etc., to invoke emacsclient, try
1090 setting the environment variable EDITOR (or sometimes VISUAL) to the 1171 setting the environment variable EDITOR (or sometimes VISUAL) to the
1091 value `emacsclient'. You may have to specify the full pathname of the 1172 value "emacsclient". You may have to specify the full pathname of the
1092 emacsclient program instead. Examples: 1173 emacsclient program instead. Examples:
1093 1174
1094 # csh commands: 1175 # csh commands:
@@ -1100,8 +1181,8 @@ Common Things People Want To Do
1100 1181
1101 * Normal use 1182 * Normal use
1102 1183
1103 When emacsclient is run, it connects to the `.emacs_server' socket and 1184 When emacsclient is run, it connects to the ".emacs_server" socket and
1104 passes its command line options to `server'. When `server' receives 1185 passes its command line options to "server". When "server" receives
1105 these requests, it sends this information on the the Emacs process, 1186 these requests, it sends this information on the the Emacs process,
1106 which at the next opportunity will visit the files specified. (Line 1187 which at the next opportunity will visit the files specified. (Line
1107 numbers can be specified just like with Emacs.) The user will have to 1188 numbers can be specified just like with Emacs.) The user will have to
@@ -1111,22 +1192,25 @@ Common Things People Want To Do
1111 to it; otherwise emacsclient will exit, signaling the calling program 1192 to it; otherwise emacsclient will exit, signaling the calling program
1112 to continue. 1193 to continue.
1113 1194
1114 NOTE: `emacsclient' and `server' must be running on machines which 1195 NOTE: "emacsclient" and "server" must be running on machines which
1115 share the same filesystem for this to work. The pathnames that 1196 share the same filesystem for this to work. The pathnames that
1116 emacsclient specifies should be correct for the filesystem that the 1197 emacsclient specifies should be correct for the filesystem that the
1117 Emacs process sees. The Emacs process should not be suspended at the 1198 Emacs process sees. The Emacs process should not be suspended at the
1118 time emacsclient is invoked. emacsclient should either be invoked from 1199 time emacsclient is invoked. emacsclient should either be invoked from
1119 another X window or from a shell window inside Emacs itself. 1200 another X window or from a shell window inside Emacs itself.
1120 1201
1121 There is an enhanced version of emacsclient/server called `gnuserv' by 1202 There is an enhanced version of emacsclient/server called "gnuserv" by
1122 Andy Norman <ange@hplb.hpl.hp.com> which is available in the Emacs Lisp 1203 Andy Norman <ange@hplb.hpl.hp.com> which is available in the Emacs Lisp
1123 Archive. gnuserv uses Internet domain sockets, so it can work across 1204 Archive (see question 90). Gnuserv uses Internet domain sockets, so it
1124 most network connections. It also supports the execution of arbitrary 1205 can work across most network connections. It also supports the
1125 Emacs Lisp forms and also does not require the client program to wait 1206 execution of arbitrary Emacs Lisp forms and does not require the client
1126 for completion. It is available via anonymous FTP (Emacs Lisp Archive: 1207 program to wait for completion.
1127 packages/gnuserv.shar). 1208
1209 The alpha version of an enhanced version of gnuserv is available at
1128 1210
112940: How do I make Emacs recognize my compiler's funny error messages? 1211 ftp://ftp.splode.com/pub/users/friedman/packages/fgnuserv-1.0.tar.gz
1212
121341: How do I make Emacs recognize my compiler's funny error messages?
1130 1214
1131 The variable compilation-error-regexp-alist helps control how Emacs 1215 The variable compilation-error-regexp-alist helps control how Emacs
1132 parses your compiler output. It is a list of triples of the form: 1216 parses your compiler output. It is a list of triples of the form:
@@ -1144,11 +1228,10 @@ Common Things People Want To Do
1144 already provided. Once you have determined the proper regexps, use the 1228 already provided. Once you have determined the proper regexps, use the
1145 following to inform Emacs of your changes: 1229 following to inform Emacs of your changes:
1146 1230
1147 (setq compilation-error-regexp-alist 1231 (add-to-list 'compilation-error-regexp-alist
1148 (cons '(REGEXP FILE-IDX LINE-IDX) 1232 '(REGEXP FILE-IDX LINE-IDX))
1149 compilation-error-regexp-alist))
1150 1233
115141: How do I indent switch statements like this? 123442: How do I indent C switch statements like this?
1152 1235
1153 Many people want to indent their switch statements like this: 1236 Many people want to indent their switch statements like this:
1154 1237
@@ -1170,81 +1253,119 @@ Common Things People Want To Do
1170 c-label-offset to -2. However, this will give you an indentation spacing 1253 c-label-offset to -2. However, this will give you an indentation spacing
1171 of four instead of two. 1254 of four instead of two.
1172 1255
1173 The solution is to use cc-mode (available from the Emacs Lisp Archive) 1256 The solution is to use cc-mode (the default mode for C programming in
1174 and add the following line: 1257 Emacs 20) and add the following line:
1175 1258
1176 (c-set-offset 'case-label '+) 1259 (c-set-offset 'case-label '+)
1177 1260
1178 There appears to be no way to do this with the old c-mode. 1261 There appears to be no way to do this with the old c-mode.
1262
126343: How can I make Emacs automatically scroll horizontally?
1264
1265 Use hscroll-mode, included in Emacs 20. Here is some information from
1266 the documentation, available by typing C-h f hscroll-mode RET:
1179 1267
118042: How can I make Emacs automatically scroll horizontally? 1268 Automatically scroll horizontally when the point moves off the
1269 left or right edge of the window.
1181 1270
1182 Use hscroll.el by Wayne Mesard <wmesard@esd.sgi.com>. 1271 - Type "M-x hscroll-mode" to enable it in the current buffer.
1272 - Type "M-x hscroll-global-mode" to enable it in every buffer.
1273 - "turn-on-hscroll" is useful in mode hooks as in:
1274 (add-hook 'text-mode-hook 'turn-on-hscroll)
1183 1275
118443: How do I make Emacs "typeover" or "overwrite" instead of inserting? 1276 - hscroll-margin controls how close the cursor can get to the edge
1277 of the window.
1278 - hscroll-step-percent controls how far to jump once we decide to do so.
1185 1279
1186 M-x overwrite-mode (a minor mode). 128044: How do I make Emacs "typeover" or "overwrite" instead of inserting?
1187 1281
1188 On some workstations, the "Insert" key toggles insert and overwrite 1282 M-x overwrite-mode (a minor mode). This toggles overwrite-mode on and
1189 modes. 1283 off, so exiting from overwrite-mode is as easy as another M-x
1284 overwrite-mode.
1190 1285
119144: How do I stop Emacs from beeping on a terminal? 1286 On some systems the "Insert" key toggles overwrite-mode on and off.
1287
128845: How do I stop Emacs from beeping on a terminal?
1192 1289
1193 Martin R. Frank <martin@cc.gatech.edu> writes: 1290 Martin R. Frank <martin@cc.gatech.edu> writes:
1194 1291
1195 Tell Emacs to use the `visible bell' instead of the audible bell, and 1292 Tell Emacs to use the "visible bell" instead of the audible bell, and
1196 set the visible bell to nothing. 1293 set the visible bell to nothing.
1197 1294
1198 Put this in your TERMCAP environment variable: 1295 That is, put the following in your TERMCAP environment variable
1296 (assuming you have one):
1199 1297
1200 ... :vb=: ... 1298 ... :vb=: ...
1201 1299
1202 And evaluate this: 1300 And evaluate the following Lisp form:
1203 1301
1204 (setq visible-bell t) 1302 (setq visible-bell t)
1205 1303
120645: How do I turn down the bell volume in Emacs running under X Windows? 130446: How do I turn down the bell volume in Emacs running under X Windows?
1207 1305
1208 You can adjust the bell volume and duration for all programs with the 1306 You can adjust the bell volume and duration for all programs with the
1209 shell command xset. 1307 shell command xset.
1210 1308
1211 Invoking xset without any arguments produces some basic information, 1309 Invoking xset without any arguments produces some basic information,
1212 including the following: 1310 including the following:
1213 1311
1214 usage: xset [-display host:dpy] option ... 1312 usage: xset [-display host:dpy] option ...
1215 To turn bell off: 1313 To turn bell off:
1216 -b b off b 0 1314 -b b off b 0
1217 To set bell volume, pitch and duration: 1315 To set bell volume, pitch and duration:
1218 b [vol [pitch [dur]]] b on 1316 b [vol [pitch [dur]]] b on
1219 1317
122046: How do I tell Emacs to automatically indent a new line to the 131847: How do I tell Emacs to automatically indent a new line to the
1221 indentation of the previous line? 1319 indentation of the previous line?
1222 1320
1223 One solution is Indented Text Mode (M-x indented-text-mode). 1321 Such behavior is automatic in text mode in Emacs 20. From the NEWS file
1322 for Emacs 20.2:
1323
1324 ** In Text mode, now only blank lines separate paragraphs. This makes
1325 it possible to get the full benefit of Adaptive Fill mode in Text mode,
1326 and other modes derived from it (such as Mail mode). TAB in Text mode
1327 now runs the command indent-relative; this makes a practical difference
1328 only when you use indented paragraphs.
1329
1330 As a result, the old Indented Text mode is now identical to Text mode,
1331 and is an alias for it.
1224 1332
1225 If you have auto-fill mode on (a minor mode, see question 30), you can 1333 If you want spaces at the beginning of a line to start a paragraph, use
1226 tell Emacs to prefix every line with a certain character sequence, the 1334 the new mode, Paragraph Indent Text mode.
1227 "fill prefix." Type the prefix at the beginning of a line, position 1335
1228 point after it, and then type "C-x ." (set-fill-prefix) to set the fill 1336 If you have auto-fill mode on (see question 31), you can tell Emacs to
1229 prefix. Thereafter, auto-filling will automatically put the fill prefix 1337 prefix every line with a certain character sequence, the "fill prefix."
1230 at the beginning of new lines, and M-q (fill-paragraph) will maintain any 1338 Type the prefix at the beginning of a line, position point after it, and
1231 fill prefix when refilling the paragraph. 1339 then type "C-x ." (set-fill-prefix) to set the fill prefix. Thereafter,
1340 auto-filling will automatically put the fill prefix at the beginning of
1341 new lines, and M-q (fill-paragraph) will maintain any fill prefix when
1342 refilling the paragraph.
1232 1343
1233 NOTE: If you have paragraphs with different levels of indentation, you 1344 NOTE: If you have paragraphs with different levels of indentation, you
1234 will have to set the fill prefix to the correct value each time you move 1345 will have to set the fill prefix to the correct value each time you move
1235 to a new paragraph. To avoid this hassle, try one of the many packages 1346 to a new paragraph. To avoid this hassle, try one of the many packages
1236 available from the Emacs Lisp Archive. Look up `fill' and `indent' in 1347 available from the Emacs Lisp Archive (see question 90.) Look up "fill"
1237 the Lisp Code Directory for guidance. 1348 and "indent" in the Lisp Code Directory for guidance.
1238 1349
123947: How do I show which parenthesis matches the one I'm looking at? 135048: How do I show which parenthesis matches the one I'm looking at?
1240 1351
1241 GNU Emacs 19 comes with paren.el, which (when loaded) will automatically 1352 As of version 19, Emacs comes with paren.el, which (when loaded) will
1242 highlight matching parentheses whenever point (i.e., the cursor) is 1353 automatically highlight matching parentheses whenever point (i.e., the
1243 located over one. To load paren automatically, include the line 1354 cursor) is located over one. To load paren automatically, include the
1355 line
1244 1356
1245 (require 'paren) 1357 (require 'paren)
1246 1358
1247 in your .emacs file. 1359 in your .emacs file. As of version 20.1, you must instead call
1360 show-paren-mode in your .emacs file:
1361
1362 (show-paren-mode 1)
1363
1364 and the "require" is redundant.
1365
1366 The "customize" facility will let you turn on show-paren-mode. Use M-x
1367 customize-group RET paren-showing RET. From within customize, you can
1368 also go directly to the "paren-showing" group.
1248 1369
1249 Alternatives to paren include: 1370 Alternatives to paren include:
1250 1371
@@ -1259,7 +1380,9 @@ Common Things People Want To Do
1259 1380
1260 * Here is some Emacs Lisp that will make the % key show the matching 1381 * Here is some Emacs Lisp that will make the % key show the matching
1261 parenthesis, like in vi. In addition, if the cursor isn't over a 1382 parenthesis, like in vi. In addition, if the cursor isn't over a
1262 parenthesis, it simply inserts a % like normal. 1383 parenthesis, it simply inserts a % like normal. (`Parenthesis' actually
1384 includes and character with `open' or `close' syntax, which usually means
1385 "()[]{}".)
1263 1386
1264 ;; By an unknown contributor 1387 ;; By an unknown contributor
1265 1388
@@ -1272,40 +1395,46 @@ Common Things People Want To Do
1272 ((looking-at "\\s\)") (forward-char 1) (backward-list 1)) 1395 ((looking-at "\\s\)") (forward-char 1) (backward-list 1))
1273 (t (self-insert-command (or arg 1))))) 1396 (t (self-insert-command (or arg 1)))))
1274 1397
127548: In C mode, can I show just the lines that will be left after #ifdef 139849: In C mode, can I show just the lines that will be left after #ifdef
1276 commands are handled by the compiler? 1399 commands are handled by the compiler?
1277 1400
1278 M-x hide-ifdef-mode. (This is a minor mode.) 1401 M-x hide-ifdef-mode. (This is a minor mode.) You might also want to try
1402 cpp.el, available at the Emacs Lisp Archive (see question 90).
1279 1403
128049: Is there an equivalent to the `.' (dot) command of vi? 140450: Is there an equivalent to the `.' (dot) command of vi?
1281 1405
1282 (`.' is the redo command in vi. It redoes the last insertion/deletion.) 1406 (`.' is the redo command in vi. It redoes the last insertion/deletion.)
1283 1407
1284 No, not really. 1408 In Emacs 20.3 and later, use the C-x z ("repeat") command to repeat `simple
1409 commands'.
1410
1411 Otherwise you can type "C-x ESC ESC" (repeat-complex-command) to reinvoke
1412 commands that used the minibuffer to get arguments. In
1413 repeat-complex-command you can type M-p and M-n to scan through all the
1414 different complex commands you've typed.
1285 1415
1286 You can type "C-x ESC ESC" (repeat-complex-command) to reinvoke commands 1416 To repeat a set of commands, use keyboard macros. (See "Keyboard Macros"
1287 that used the minibuffer to get arguments. In repeat-complex-command you 1417 in the on-line manual.)
1288 can type M-p and M-n to scan through all the different complex commands
1289 you've typed.
1290 1418
1291 To repeat something on each line, use keyboard macros. (See `Keyboard 1419 VIPER, which comes with Emacs, emulates vi, including `.'. (See question
1292 Macros' in the on-line manual.) 1420 107.)
1293 1421
129450: What are the valid X resource settings (i.e., stuff in .Xdefaults)? 142251: What are the valid X resource settings (i.e., stuff in .Xdefaults)?
1295 1423
1296 See Emacs man page, or "Resources X" in the on-line manual. 1424 See Emacs man page, or "Resources X" in the on-line manual.
1297 1425
1298 You can also use a resource editor, such as editres (for X11R5 and 1426 You can also use a resource editor, such as editres (for X11R5 and
1299 onwards), to look at the resource names for the menu bar, assuming Emacs 1427 onwards), to look at the resource names for the menu bar, assuming Emacs
1300 was compiled with the X toolkit. 1428 was compiled with the X toolkit.
1301 1429
130251: How do I execute a piece of Emacs Lisp code? 143052: How do I execute ("evaluate") a piece of Emacs Lisp code?
1303 1431
1304 There are a number of ways to execute (called "evaluate") an Emacs Lisp 1432 There are a number of ways to execute ("evaluate," in Lisp lingo) an
1305 "form": 1433 Emacs Lisp "form":
1306 1434
1307 * If you want it evaluated every time you run Emacs, put it in a file 1435 * If you want it evaluated every time you run Emacs, put it in a file
1308 named `.emacs' in your home directory. 1436 named ".emacs" in your home directory. This is known as your ".emacs
1437 file," and contains all of your personal customizations.
1309 1438
1310 * You can type the form in the *scratch* buffer, and then type LFD (or 1439 * You can type the form in the *scratch* buffer, and then type LFD (or
1311 C-j) after it. The result of evaluating the form will be inserted in 1440 C-j) after it. The result of evaluating the form will be inserted in
@@ -1317,39 +1446,52 @@ Common Things People Want To Do
1317 * Typing "C-x C-e" in any buffer evaluates the Lisp form immediately 1446 * Typing "C-x C-e" in any buffer evaluates the Lisp form immediately
1318 before point and prints its value in the echo area. 1447 before point and prints its value in the echo area.
1319 1448
1320 * Typing M-: or M-x eval-expression allows you to type a Lisp form in 1449 * Typing M-: or M-x eval-expression allows you to type a Lisp form
1321 the minibuffer which will be evaluated. 1450 in the minibuffer which will be evaluated.
1322 1451
1323 * You can use M-x load-file to have Emacs evaluate all the Lisp forms in 1452 * You can use M-x load-file to have Emacs evaluate all the Lisp forms in
1324 a file. (To do this from Lisp use the function `load' instead.) 1453 a file. (To do this from Lisp use the function "load" instead.)
1325 1454
1326 These functions are also used for evaluating Lisp forms: 1455 These functions are also useful (see question 16 if you want to learn
1456 more about them):
1327 1457
1328 load-library, eval-region, eval-current-buffer, require, autoload 1458 load-library, eval-region, eval-current-buffer, require, autoload
1329 1459
133052: How do I change Emacs's idea of the tab character's length? 146053: How do I change Emacs's idea of the tab character's length?
1331 1461
1332 Set the variable default-tab-width. For example, to set tab stops every 1462 Set the variable default-tab-width. For example, to set tab stops every
1333 10 characters, insert the following in your .emacs file: 1463 10 characters, insert the following in your .emacs file:
1334 1464
1335 (setq default-tab-width 10) 1465 (setq default-tab-width 10)
1336 1466
133753: How do I insert `>' at the beginning of every line? 1467 Do not confuse variable tab-width with variable tab-stop-list. The
1468 former is used for the display of literal tab characters. The latter
1469 controls what characters are inserted when you press the TAB character in
1470 certain modes.
1338 1471
1339 Type "M-x replace-regexp RET ^ RET > RET". 147254: How do I insert `>' at the beginning of every line?
1340 1473
1341 To do this only in the region, type "C-x n n M-x replace-regexp RET ^ RET 1474 To do this to an entire buffer, type "M-< M-x replace-regexp RET ^ RET >
1342 > RET C-x w". 1475 RET".
1343 1476
1344 WARNING: The command narrow-to-region (C-x n n) is disabled by default 1477 To do this to a region, use "string-rectangle" ("C-x r t"). Set the mark
1345 because it can be very confusing (i.e., "Oh no! Where did my file go?"). 1478 (`C-SPC') at the beginning of the first line you want to prefix, move the
1479 cursor to last line to be prefixed, and type "C-x r t > RET". To do this
1480 for the whole buffer, type "C-x h C-x r t > RET". In Emacs 20.3 and
1481 later, this will affect only the current region if Transient Mark mode is
1482 on (see NEWS via C-h N).
1346 1483
134754: How do I insert `_^H' before each character in a paragraph to get an 1484 If you are trying to prefix a yanked mail message with '>', you might
1485 want to set the variable mail-yank-prefix. Better yet, get the SuperCite
1486 package (see question 105), which provides flexible citation for yanked
1487 mail and news messages.
1488
148955: How do I insert "_^H" before each character in a region to get an
1348 underlined paragraph? 1490 underlined paragraph?
1349 1491
1350 M-x underline-region. 1492 M-x underline-region.
1351 1493
135255: How do I repeat a command as many times as possible? 149456: How do I repeat a command as many times as possible?
1353 1495
1354 Use "C-x (" and "C-x )" to make a keyboard macro that invokes the command 1496 Use "C-x (" and "C-x )" to make a keyboard macro that invokes the command
1355 and then type "M-0 C-x e". 1497 and then type "M-0 C-x e".
@@ -1357,81 +1499,333 @@ Common Things People Want To Do
1357 WARNING: any messages your command prints in the echo area will be 1499 WARNING: any messages your command prints in the echo area will be
1358 suppressed. 1500 suppressed.
1359 1501
136056: How do I make Emacs behave like this: when I go up or down, the cursor 150257: How do I make Emacs behave like this: when I go up or down, the cursor
1361 should stay in the same column even if the line is too short? 1503 should stay in the same column even if the line is too short?
1362 1504
1363 M-x picture-mode. (This is a minor mode, in theory anyway ...) 1505 M-x picture-mode.
1364 1506
136557: How do I tell Emacs to iconify itself? 150758: How do I tell Emacs to iconify itself?
1366 1508
1367 "C-z" iconifies Emacs when running in X and suspends Emacs otherwise. 1509 "C-z" iconifies Emacs when running under X Windows and suspends Emacs
1368 See `Misc X' in the on-line manual. 1510 otherwise. See "Misc X" in the on-line manual.
1369 1511
137058: How do I use regexps (regular expressions) in Emacs? 151259: How do I use regexps (regular expressions) in Emacs?
1371 1513
1372 See `Regexps' in the on-line manual. 1514 See "Regexps" in the on-line manual.
1373 1515
1374 WARNING: The "or" operator is `\|', not `|', and the grouping operators 1516 WARNING: The "or" operator is `\|', not `|', and the grouping operators
1375 are `\(' and `\)'. Also, the string syntax for a backslash is "\\". 1517 are `\(' and `\)'. Also, the string syntax for a backslash is `\\'. To
1376 Thus, the string syntax for a regular expression like xxx\(foo\|bar\) is 1518 specify a regular expression like xxx\(foo\|bar\) in a Lisp string, use
1377 "xxx\\(foo\\|bar\\)". Notice the duplicated backslashes! 1519
1520 "xxx\\(foo\\|bar\\)"
1521
1522 Notice the doubled backslashes!
1378 1523
1379 WARNING: Unlike in Unix grep, sed, etc., a complement character set 1524 WARNING: Unlike in Unix grep, sed, etc., a complement character set
1380 ([^...]) can match a newline character (LFD aka C-j aka \n), unless 1525 ([^...]) can match a newline character (LFD aka C-j aka \n), unless
1381 newline is mentioned as one of the characters not to match. 1526 newline is mentioned as one of the characters not to match.
1382 1527
1383 WARNING: The character syntax regexps (e.g., `\sw') are not meaningful 1528 WARNING: The character syntax regexps (e.g., "\sw") are not meaningful
1384 inside character set regexps (e.g., `[aeiou]'). (This is actually 1529 inside character set regexps (e.g., "[aeiou]"). (This is actually
1385 typical for regexp syntax.) 1530 typical for regexp syntax.)
1386 1531
138759: How do I perform a replace operation across more than one file? 153260: How do I perform a replace operation across more than one file?
1388 1533
1389 The "tags" feature of Emacs includes the command tags-query-replace which 1534 The "tags" feature of Emacs includes the command tags-query-replace which
1390 performs a query-replace across all the files mentioned in the TAGS file. 1535 performs a query-replace across all the files mentioned in the TAGS file.
1391 See `Tags:Tags Search' in the on-line manual. 1536 See "Tags Search" in the on-line manual.
1392 1537
1393 In addition, Martin Boyer has written a package named global-replace 1538 As of Emacs 19.29, Dired mode ("M-x dired RET", or C-x d) supports the
1394 which will perform a query-replace across all the files mentioned in the 1539 command dired-do-query-replace, which allows users to replace regular
1395 *compilation* buffer (usually done after a `grep'), which is available 1540 expressions in multiple files.
1396 via anonymous FTP:
1397 1541
1398 /ireq-robot.hydro.qc.ca:pub/emacs/lisp/compile.el.z 154261: Where is the documentation for "etags"?
1399 /ireq-robot.hydro.qc.ca:pub/emacs/lisp/global-replace.el.z
1400 /ireq-robot.hydro.qc.ca:pub/emacs/lisp/query.el.z
1401 1543
1402 NOTE: These files are compressed using GNU zip ("gzip"); you can get a 1544 "etags" is documented in the Tags node of the Emacs manual. The "etags"
1403 copy from gzip from prep and its mirrors (see question 80). 1545 man page should be in the same place as the "emacs" man page.
1404 1546
140560: Where is the documentation for `etags'? 1547 Quick command-line switch descriptions are also available. For example,
1548 "etags -H".
1406 1549
1407 The `etags' man page should be in the same place as the `emacs' man page. 155062: How do I disable backup files?
1408 1551
1409 Quick command-line switch descriptions are also available. For example, 1552 You probably don't want to do this, since backups are useful.
1410 `etags -H'. 1553
1554 To avoid seeing backup files (and other "uninteresting" files) in Dired,
1555 load dired-x by adding the following to your .emacs file:
1556
1557 (add-hook 'dired-load-hook
1558 (function (lambda ()
1559 (load "dired-x"))))
1560
1561 With dired-x loaded, `M-o' toggles omitting in each dired buffer. You
1562 can make omitting the default for new dired buffers by putting the
1563 following in your .emacs:
1564
1565 (setq initial-dired-omit-files-p t)
1566
1567 If you're tired of seeing backup files whenever you do an "ls" at the
1568 Unix shell, try GNU ls with the "-B" option. GNU ls is part of the GNU
1569 fileutils package, available at mirrors of ftp.gnu.org (see question 92).
1570
1571 To disable or change how backups are made, see "Backup Names" in the
1572 on-line manual.
1573
157463: How do I disable auto-save-mode?
1575
1576 You probably don't want to do this, since auto-saving is useful,
1577 especially when Emacs or your computer crashes while you are editing a
1578 document.
1579
1580 Instead, you might want to change the variable auto-save-interval, which
1581 specifies how many keystrokes Emacs waits before auto-saving. Increasing
1582 this value forces Emacs to wait longer between auto-saves, which might
1583 annoy you less.
1584
1585 You might also want to look into Sebastian Kremer's auto-save package,
1586 available from the Lisp Code Archive (see question 90). This package
1587 also allows you to place all auto-save files in one directory, such as
1588 /tmp.
1589
1590 To disable or change how auto-save-mode works, see "Auto Save" in the
1591 on-line manual.
1592
159364: How can I create or modify new pull-down menu options?
1594
1595 Each menu title (e.g., Buffers, File, Edit) represents a local or global
1596 keymap. Selecting a menu title with the mouse displays that keymap's
1597 non-nil contents in the form of a menu.
1598
1599 So to add a menu option to an existing menu, all you have to do is add a
1600 new definition to the appropriate keymap. Adding a "forward word"
1601 command to the "Edit" menu thus requires the following Lisp code:
1602
1603 (define-key global-map
1604 [menu-bar edit forward]
1605 '("Forward word" . forward-word))
1606
1607 The first line adds the entry to the global keymap, which includes global
1608 menu bar entries. Replacing the reference to "global-map" with a local
1609 keymap would add this menu option only within a particular mode.
1610
1611 The second line describes the path from the menu-bar to the new entry.
1612 Placing this menu entry underneath the "File" menu would mean changing
1613 the word "edit" in the second line to "file."
1614
1615 The third line is a cons cell whose first element is the title that will
1616 be displayed, and whose second element is the function that will be
1617 called when that menu option is invoked.
1618
1619 To add a new menu, rather than a new option to an existing menu, we must
1620 define an entirely new keymap:
1621
1622 (define-key global-map [menu-bar words]
1623 (cons "Words" (make-sparse-keymap "Words")))
1624
1625 The above code creates a new sparse keymap, gives it the name "Words",
1626 and attaches it to the global menu bar. Adding the "forward word"
1627 command to this new menu would thus require the following code:
1628
1629 (define-key global-map
1630 [menu-bar words forward]
1631 '("Forward word" . forward-word))
1632
1633 Note that because of the way keymaps work, menu options are displayed
1634 with the more recently defined items at the top. Thus if you were to
1635 define menu options "foo", "bar", and "baz" (in that order), menu option
1636 "baz" would appear at the top, and "foo" would be at the bottom.
1637
1638 One way to avoid this problem is to use the function define-key-after,
1639 which works the same as define-key, but lets you modify where items
1640 appear. The following Lisp code would insert the "forward word" function
1641 in the "edit" menu immediately following the "undo" option:
1642
1643 (define-key-after
1644 (lookup-key global-map [menu-bar edit])
1645 [forward]
1646 '("Forward word" . forward-word)
1647 'undo)
1648
1649 Note how the second and third arguments to define-key-after are different
1650 from those of define-key, and that we have added a new (final) argument,
1651 the function after which our new key should be defined.
1652
1653 To move a menu option from one position to another, simply evaluate
1654 define-key-after with the appropriate final argument.
1655
1656 More detailed information -- and more examples of how to create and
1657 modify menu options -- are in the Emacs Lisp Reference Manual, under
1658 "Menu Keymaps." (See question 16 for information on this manual.)
1659
1660 Note that Emacs 20.3 introduced a better (`extended') format for menu
1661 items, described in the NEWS file and the Lisp Manual. The "easymenu"
1662 package provides support for defining menus conveniently with some
1663 portability amongst Emacs versions.
1664
166565: How do I delete menus and menu options?
1666
1667 The simplest way to remove a menu is to set its keymap to nil. For
1668 example, to delete the "Words" menu (from question 64), use:
1669
1670 (define-key global-map [menu-bar words] nil)
1671
1672 Similarly, removing a menu option requires redefining a keymap entry to
1673 nil. For example, to delete the "Forward word" menu option from the
1674 "Edit" menu (we added it in question 64), use:
1675
1676 (define-key global-map [menu-bar edit forward] nil)
1677
167866: How do I turn on syntax highlighting?
1679
1680 Font-lock mode is the standard way to have Emacs perform syntax
1681 highlighting. With font-lock mode invoked, different types of text will
1682 appear in different colors. For instance, if you turn on font-lock in a
1683 programming mode, variables will appear in one face, keywords in a
1684 second, and comments in a third.
1685
1686 Earlier versions of Emacs supported hilit19, a similar package. Use of
1687 hilit19 is now considered non-standard, although hilit19.el comes with
1688 the stock Emacs distribution. It is no longer maintained.
1689
1690 To turn font-lock mode on within an existing buffer, use "M-x
1691 font-lock-mode RET".
1692
1693 To automatically invoke font-lock mode when a particular major mode is
1694 invoked, set the major mode's hook or define font-lock-global-modes as a
1695 list with the mode name as an element. For example, to fontify all
1696 c-mode buffers, add the following to your .emacs file:
1697
1698 (add-hook 'c-mode-hook 'turn-on-font-lock)
1699
1700 To automatically invoke font-lock mode for all major modes, you can turn
1701 on global-font-lock mode by including the following line in your .emacs
1702 file (or use Custom):
1703
1704 (global-font-lock-mode 1)
1705
1706 This instructs Emacs to turn on font-lock mode in those buffers for which
1707 a font-lock mode definition has been provided (in the variable
1708 font-lock-global-modes or via the variable font-lock-defaults-alist). If
1709 you edit a file in pie-ala-mode, and no font-lock definitions have been
1710 provided for pie-ala files, then the above setting will have no effect on
1711 that particular buffer.
1712
1713 Highlighting with font-lock mode can take quite a while, and thus
1714 different levels of decoration are available, from slight to gaudy. To
1715 control how decorated your buffers should become, set the value of
1716 font-lock-maximum-decoration in your .emacs file, with a nil value
1717 indicating default (usually minimum) decoration, and a t value indicating
1718 the maximum decoration. For the gaudiest possible look, then, include
1719 the line
1720
1721 (setq font-lock-maximum-decoration t)
1722
1723 in your .emacs file. You can also set this variable such that different
1724 modes are highlighted in a different ways; for more information, see the
1725 documentation for font-lock-maximum-decoration with "C-h v" (or "M-x
1726 describe-variable RET").
1727
1728 You might also want to investigate fast-lock-mode and lazy-lock-mode,
1729 versions of font-lock-mode that speed up highlighting. The advantage of
1730 lazy-lock-mode is that it only fontifies buffers when certain conditions
1731 are met, such as after a certain amount of idle time, or after you have
1732 finished scrolling through text. See the documentation for
1733 lazy-lock-mode by typing C-h f lazy-lock-mode ("M-x describe-function RET
1734 lazy-lock-mode RET").
1735
1736 Also see the documentation for the function font-lock-mode, available by
1737 typing C-h f font-lock-mode ("M-x describe-function RET font-lock-mode
1738 RET").
1739
1740 For more information on font-lock mode, particularly adding new patterns,
1741 see the Lisp Reference Manual and the commentary in the source
1742 font-lock.el, which you can find in Emacs 20 (if it is installed) using,
1743 say, M-x find-function font-lock-mode.
1744
1745 To print buffers with the faces (i.e., colors and fonts) intact, use
1746 "M-x ps-print-buffer-with-faces" or "M-x ps-print-region-with-faces".
1747
174867: How can I force Emacs to scroll only one line when I move past the
1749 bottom of the screen?
1750
1751 Place the following Lisp form in your .emacs file:
1752
1753 (setq scroll-step 1)
1754
1755 Also see "Scrolling" in the on-line manual.
1756
175768: How can I replace highlighted text with what I type?
1758
1759 Use delete-selection mode, which you can start automatically by placing
1760 the following Lisp form in your .emacs file:
1761
1762 (delete-selection-mode t)
1763
1764 According to the documentation string for delete-selection mode (which
1765 you can read using M-x describe-function RET delete-selection-mode RET):
1766
1767 When ON, typed text replaces the selection if the selection is active.
1768 When OFF, typed text is just inserted at point.
1769
1770 This mode also allows you to delete (not kill) the highlighted region by
1771 pressing DEL.
1772
177369: How can I edit MS-DOS files using Emacs?
1774
1775 As of Emacs 20, detection and handling of MS-DOS (and Windows) files is
1776 performed transparently. You can open an MS-DOS file on a Unix system
1777 (and vice versa), edit it, and save it without having to worry about the
1778 file format. To save it with a different end-of-line convention use
1779 C-x RET c to specify a new coding system such as undecided-unix.
1780
1781 When editing an MS-DOS style file, a backslash (\) will appear in the
1782 mode line.
1783
1784 You can avoid translation of the end-of-line conventions either by
1785 visiting a file using M-x find-file-literally or by setting the variable
1786 inhibit-eol-conversion to t.
1787
1788 If you are running an earlier version of Emacs, get crypt++ from
1789 ftp://ftp.cs.umb.edu/pub/misc/crypt++.el. Among other things, crypt++
1790 transparently modifies MS-DOS files as they are loaded and saved,
1791 allowing you to ignore the different conventions that Unix and MS-DOS
1792 have for delineating the end of a line.
1793
179470: How can I tell Emacs to fill paragraphs with a single space after
1795 each period?
1796
1797 Ulrich Mueller <ulm@vsnhd1.cern.ch> suggests adding the following two
1798 lines to your .emacs file:
1799
1800 (setq sentence-end "[.?!][]\"')}]*\\($\\|[ \t]\\)[ \t\n]*")
1801 (setq sentence-end-double-space nil)
1802
1803 See "Sentences" in the online manual.
1411 1804
1412 1805
1413Bugs/Problems 1806Bugs/Problems
1414 1807
141561: Does Emacs have problems with files larger than 8 megabytes? 180871: Does Emacs have problems with files larger than 8 megabytes?
1416[This problem has been solved better in Emacs 19.29 because the buffer
1417size limit is now 16 times as large.]
1418 1809
1419 Most installed versions of GNU Emacs will use 24-bit signed integers (and 1810 Old versions (i.e., anything before 19.29) of Emacs had problems editing
1420 24-bit pointers) internally. This limits the file size that Emacs can 1811 files larger than 8 megabytes. As of version 19.29, the maximum buffer
1421 handle to 8,388,607 bytes (2^23 - 1). 1812 size is at least 2^27-1, or 134,217,727 bytes.
1422 1813
1423 Leonard N. Zubkoff <lnz@lucid.com> suggests putting the following two 1814 If you are using an older version of Emacs and cannot upgrade, you will
1424 lines in src/config.h before compiling Emacs to allow for 26-bit integers 1815 have to recompile. Leonard N. Zubkoff <lnz@lucid.com> suggests putting
1425 and pointers (and thus filesizes of up to 33,554,431 bytes): 1816 the following two lines in src/config.h before compiling Emacs to allow
1817 for 26-bit integers and pointers (and thus file sizes of up to 33,554,431
1818 bytes):
1426 1819
1427 #define VALBITS 26 1820 #define VALBITS 26
1428 #define GCTYPEBITS 5 1821 #define GCTYPEBITS 5
1429 1822
1430 WARNING: This method may result in `ILLEGAL DATATYPE' and other random 1823 WARNING: This method may result in "ILLEGAL DATATYPE" and other random
1431 errors on some machines. 1824 errors on some machines.
1432 1825
1433 David Gillespie <daveg@csvax.cs.caltech.edu> gives an explanation of why 1826 David Gillespie <daveg@csvax.cs.caltech.edu> explains how this problems
1434 Emacs uses 24 bit integers and pointers: 1827 crops up; while his numbers are true only for pre-19.29 versions of
1828 Emacs, the theory remains the same with current versions.
1435 1829
1436 Emacs is largely written in a dialect of Lisp; Lisp is a freely-typed 1830 Emacs is largely written in a dialect of Lisp; Lisp is a freely-typed
1437 language in the sense that you can put any value of any type into any 1831 language in the sense that you can put any value of any type into any
@@ -1443,15 +1837,16 @@ size limit is now 16 times as large.]
1443 (and pointers) are somewhat restricted compared to true C integers and 1837 (and pointers) are somewhat restricted compared to true C integers and
1444 pointers. 1838 pointers.
1445 1839
1446 Emacs uses 8-bit tags because that's a little faster on byte-oriented 184072: How do I get rid of ^M or echoed commands in my shell buffer?
1447 machines, but there are only really enough tags to require 6 bits.
1448
144962: How do I get rid of the ^M junk in my shell buffer?
1450 1841
1451 Try typing "M-x shell-strip-ctrl-m RET" while in shell-mode to make them 1842 Try typing "M-x shell-strip-ctrl-m RET" while in shell-mode to make them
1452 go away. If that doesn't work, you have several options: 1843 go away. You might add this function to comint-output-filter-functions:
1844
1845 (add-hook 'comint-output-filter-functions 'shell-strip-ctrl-m)
1846
1847 If that doesn't work, you have several options:
1453 1848
1454 For tcsh, put this in your `.cshrc' (or `.tcshrc') file: 1849 For tcsh, put this in your .cshrc (or .tcshrc) file:
1455 1850
1456 if ($?EMACS) then 1851 if ($?EMACS) then
1457 if ("$EMACS" == t) then 1852 if ("$EMACS" == t) then
@@ -1468,7 +1863,7 @@ size limit is now 16 times as large.]
1468 Alternatively, use csh in your shell buffers instead of tcsh. One way 1863 Alternatively, use csh in your shell buffers instead of tcsh. One way
1469 is: 1864 is:
1470 1865
1471 (setq explicit-shell-file-name "/bin/csh") 1866 (setq explicit-shell-file-name "/bin/csh")
1472 1867
1473 and another is to do this in your .cshrc (or .tcshrc) file: 1868 and another is to do this in your .cshrc (or .tcshrc) file:
1474 1869
@@ -1477,41 +1872,48 @@ size limit is now 16 times as large.]
1477 (You must start Emacs over again with the environment variable properly 1872 (You must start Emacs over again with the environment variable properly
1478 set for this to take effect.) 1873 set for this to take effect.)
1479 1874
148063: Why do I get `Process shell exited abnormally with code 1'? 1875 You can also set the ESHELL environment variable in Emacs Lisp with
1876 the following Lisp form,
1877
1878 (setenv "ESHELL" "/bin/csh")
1879
1880 On a related note: If your shell is echoing your input line in the shell
1881 buffer, you might want to try the following command in your shell
1882 start-up file:
1481 1883
1482 The most likely reason for this message is that the `env' program is not 1884 stty -icrnl -onlcr -echo susp ^Z
1885
188673: Why do I get "Process shell exited abnormally with code 1"?
1887
1888 The most likely reason for this message is that the "env" program is not
1483 properly installed. Compile this program for your architecture, and 1889 properly installed. Compile this program for your architecture, and
1484 install it with a+x permission in the architecture-dependent Emacs 1890 install it with a+x permission in the architecture-dependent Emacs
1485 program directory. (You can find what this directory is at your site by 1891 program directory. (You can find what this directory is at your site by
1486 inspecting the value of the variable exec-directory by typing "C-h v 1892 inspecting the value of the variable exec-directory by typing "C-h v
1487 exec-directory RET".) 1893 exec-directory RET".)
1488 1894
1489 You should also check for other programs named `env' in your path (e.g., 1895 You should also check for other programs named "env" in your path (e.g.,
1490 SunOS has a program named /usr/bin/env). We don't understand why this 1896 SunOS has a program named /usr/bin/env). We don't understand why this
1491 can cause a failure and don't know a general solution for working around 1897 can cause a failure and don't know a general solution for working around
1492 the problem in this case. 1898 the problem in this case.
1493 1899
1494 The `make clean' command will remove `env' and other vital programs, so
1495 be careful when using it.
1496
1497 It has been reported that this sometimes happened when Emacs was started 1900 It has been reported that this sometimes happened when Emacs was started
1498 as an X client from an xterm window (i.e., had a controlling tty) but the 1901 as an X client from an xterm window (i.e., had a controlling tty) but the
1499 xterm was later terminated. 1902 xterm was later terminated.
1500 1903
1501 See also PROBLEMS (in the top-level directory when you unpack the Emacs 1904 See also etc/PROBLEMS for other possible causes of this message.
1502 source) for other possible causes of this message.
1503 1905
150464: Where is the termcap/terminfo entry for terminal type `emacs'? 190674: Where is the termcap/terminfo entry for terminal type "emacs"?
1505 1907
1506 The termcap entry for terminal type `emacs' is ordinarily put in the 1908 The termcap entry for terminal type "emacs" is ordinarily put in the
1507 TERMCAP environment variable of subshells. It may help in certain 1909 TERMCAP environment variable of subshells. It may help in certain
1508 situations (e.g., using rlogin from shell buffer) to add an entry for 1910 situations (e.g., using rlogin from shell buffer) to add an entry for
1509 `emacs' to the system-wide termcap file. Here is a correct termcap entry 1911 "emacs" to the system-wide termcap file. Here is a correct termcap entry
1510 for `emacs': 1912 for "emacs":
1511 1913
1512 emacs:tc=unknown: 1914 emacs:tc=unknown:
1513 1915
1514 To make a terminfo entry for `emacs', use `tic' or `captoinfo'. You need 1916 To make a terminfo entry for "emacs", use "tic" or "captoinfo." You need
1515 to generate /usr/lib/terminfo/e/emacs. It may work to simply copy 1917 to generate /usr/lib/terminfo/e/emacs. It may work to simply copy
1516 /usr/lib/terminfo/d/dumb to /usr/lib/terminfo/e/emacs. 1918 /usr/lib/terminfo/d/dumb to /usr/lib/terminfo/e/emacs.
1517 1919
@@ -1519,25 +1921,25 @@ size limit is now 16 times as large.]
1519 programs in shell buffers. Use M-x terminal-emulator for that instead. 1921 programs in shell buffers. Use M-x terminal-emulator for that instead.
1520 1922
1521 A workaround to the problem of missing termcap/terminfo entries is to 1923 A workaround to the problem of missing termcap/terminfo entries is to
1522 change terminal type `emacs' to type `dumb' or `unknown' in your shell 1924 change terminal type "emacs" to type "dumb" or "unknown" in your shell
1523 start up file. `csh' users could put this in their .cshrc files: 1925 start up file. "csh" users could put this in their .cshrc files:
1524 1926
1525 if ("$term" == emacs) set term=dumb 1927 if ("$term" == emacs) set term=dumb
1526 1928
152765: Why does Emacs spontaneously start displaying `I-search:' and beeping? 192975: Why does Emacs spontaneously start displaying "I-search:" and beeping?
1528 1930
1529 Your terminal (or something between your terminal and the computer) is 1931 Your terminal (or something between your terminal and the computer) is
1530 sending C-s and C-q for flow control, and Emacs is receiving these 1932 sending C-s and C-q for flow control, and Emacs is receiving these
1531 characters and interpreting them as commands. (The C-s character 1933 characters and interpreting them as commands. (The C-s character
1532 normally invokes the isearch-forward command.) For possible solutions, 1934 normally invokes the isearch-forward command.) For possible solutions,
1533 see question 110. 1935 see question 121.
1534 1936
153566: Why can't Emacs talk to certain hosts (or certain hostnames)? 193776: Why can't Emacs talk to certain hosts (or certain hostnames)?
1536 1938
1537 The problem may be that Emacs is linked with a wimpier version of 1939 The problem may be that Emacs is linked with a wimpier version of
1538 gethostbyname than the rest of the programs on the machine. This is 1940 gethostbyname than the rest of the programs on the machine. This is
1539 often manifested as a message on startup of `X server not responding. 1941 often manifested as a message on startup of "X server not responding.
1540 Check your DISPLAY environment variable.' or a message of `Unknown host' 1942 Check your DISPLAY environment variable." or a message of "Unknown host"
1541 from open-network-stream. 1943 from open-network-stream.
1542 1944
1543 On a Sun, this may be because Emacs had to be linked with the static C 1945 On a Sun, this may be because Emacs had to be linked with the static C
@@ -1560,26 +1962,20 @@ size limit is now 16 times as large.]
1560 * Replace gethostbyname and friends in libc.a with more useful versions 1962 * Replace gethostbyname and friends in libc.a with more useful versions
1561 such as the ones in libresolv.a. Then relink Emacs. 1963 such as the ones in libresolv.a. Then relink Emacs.
1562 1964
1563 * If you are actually running NIS, make sure that `ypbind' is properly 1965 * If you are actually running NIS, make sure that "ypbind" is properly
1564 told to do DNS lookups with the correct command line switch. 1966 told to do DNS lookups with the correct command line switch.
1565 1967
1566 * Use tcp.el and tcp.c from Gnus. This has the additional advantage that 196877: Why does Emacs say "Error in init file"?
1567 you can use numeric IP addresses instead of names. open-network-stream
1568 currently can't handle numeric addresses. Brian Thomson
1569 <thomson@hub.toronto.edu> has a enhancement to open-network-stream to
1570 allow it to handle numeric addresses.
1571
157267: Why does Emacs say `Error in init file'?
1573 1969
1574 An error occurred while loading either your .emacs file or the 1970 An error occurred while loading either your .emacs file or the
1575 system-wide lisp/default.el file. For information on how to debug your 1971 system-wide lisp/default.el file. For information on how to debug your
1576 .emacs file, see question 27. 1972 .emacs file, see question 27.
1577 1973
1578 It may be the case that you may need to load some package first, or use a 1974 It may be the case that you need to load some package first, or use a
1579 hook that will be evaluated after the package is loaded. A common case 1975 hook that will be evaluated after the package is loaded. A common case
1580 of this is explained in question 106. 1976 of this is explained in question 117.
1581 1977
158268: Why does Emacs ignore my X resources (my .Xdefaults file)? 197878: Why does Emacs ignore my X resources (my .Xdefaults file)?
1583 1979
1584 As of version 19, Emacs searches for X resources in the files specified 1980 As of version 19, Emacs searches for X resources in the files specified
1585 by the XFILESEARCHPATH, XUSERFILESEARCHPATH, and XAPPLRESDIR environment 1981 by the XFILESEARCHPATH, XUSERFILESEARCHPATH, and XAPPLRESDIR environment
@@ -1591,8 +1987,8 @@ size limit is now 16 times as large.]
1591 separated by colons. 1987 separated by colons.
1592 1988
1593 Emacs searches for X resources 1989 Emacs searches for X resources
1594 1990
1595 + specified on the command line, with the `-xrm RESOURCESTRING' 1991 + specified on the command line, with the "-xrm RESOURCESTRING"
1596 option, 1992 option,
1597 + then in the value of the XENVIRONMENT environment variable, 1993 + then in the value of the XENVIRONMENT environment variable,
1598 - or if that is unset, in the file named ~/.Xdefaults-HOSTNAME if it 1994 - or if that is unset, in the file named ~/.Xdefaults-HOSTNAME if it
@@ -1611,52 +2007,56 @@ size limit is now 16 times as large.]
1611 - or in ~/Emacs, 2007 - or in ~/Emacs,
1612 + then in the files listed in XFILESEARCHPATH. 2008 + then in the files listed in XFILESEARCHPATH.
1613 2009
161469: Why does Emacs take 20 seconds to visit a file? 201079: Why does Emacs take 20 seconds to visit a file?
1615 2011
1616 The usual cause is that the master lock file, `!!!SuperLock!!!' has been 2012 Old versions of Emacs (i.e., versions before Emacs 20.x) often
2013 encountered this when the master lock file, "!!!SuperLock!!!" has been
1617 left in the lock directory somehow. Delete it. 2014 left in the lock directory somehow. Delete it.
1618 2015
1619 Mark Meuer <meuer@geom.umn.edu> says that NeXT NFS has a bug where an 2016 Mark Meuer <meuer@geom.umn.edu> says that NeXT NFS has a bug where an
1620 exclusive create succeeds but returns an error status. This can cause the 2017 exclusive create succeeds but returns an error status. This can cause
1621 same problem. Since Emacs's file locking doesn't work over NFS anyway, 2018 the same problem. Since Emacs's file locking doesn't work over NFS
1622 the best solution is to recompile Emacs with CLASH_DETECTION undefined. 2019 anyway, the best solution is to recompile Emacs with CLASH_DETECTION
2020 undefined.
1623 2021
162470: How do I edit a file with a `$' in its name? 202280: How do I edit a file with a `$' in its name?
1625 2023
1626 When entering a filename in the minibuffer, Emacs will attempt to expand 2024 When entering a filename in the minibuffer, Emacs will attempt to expand
1627 a `$' followed by a word as an environment variable. To suppress this 2025 a `$' followed by a word as an environment variable. To suppress this
1628 behavior, type "$$" instead. 2026 behavior, type "$$" instead.
1629 2027
163071: Why does shell mode lose track of the shell's current directory? 202881: Why does shell mode lose track of the shell's current directory?
1631 2029
1632 Emacs has no way of knowing when the shell actually changes its 2030 Emacs has no way of knowing when the shell actually changes its
1633 directory. This is an intrinsic limitation of Unix. So it tries to 2031 directory. This is an intrinsic limitation of Unix. So it tries to
1634 guess by recognizing `cd' commands. If you type `cd' followed by a 2032 guess by recognizing "cd" commands. If you type "cd" followed by a
1635 directory name with a variable reference (`cd $HOME/bin') or with a shell 2033 directory name with a variable reference ("cd $HOME/bin") or with a shell
1636 metacharacter (`cd ../lib*'), Emacs will fail to correctly guess the 2034 metacharacter ("cd ../lib*"), Emacs will fail to correctly guess the
1637 shell's new current directory. A huge variety of fixes and enhancements 2035 shell's new current directory. A huge variety of fixes and enhancements
1638 to shell mode for this problem have been written to handle this problem. 2036 to shell mode for this problem have been written to handle this problem.
1639 Check the Lisp Code Directory (see question 77). 2037 Check the Lisp Code Directory (see question 89).
1640 2038
1641 You can tell Emacs the shell's current directory with the command "M-x 2039 You can tell Emacs the shell's current directory with the command "M-x
1642 dirs". 2040 dirs".
1643 2041
164472: Are there any security risks in GNU Emacs? 204282: Are there any security risks in Emacs?
1645 2043
1646 * the `movemail' incident (No, this is not a risk.) 2044 * the "movemail" incident (No, this is not a risk.)
1647 2045
1648 In his book "The Cuckoo's Egg," Cliff Stoll describes this in chapter 2046 In his book "The Cuckoo's Egg," Cliff Stoll describes this in chapter
1649 4. The site at LBL had installed the `etc/movemail' program setuid 2047 4. The site at LBL had installed the "etc/movemail" program setuid
1650 root. (As of version 19, movemail is in your architecture-specific 2048 root. (As of version 19, movemail is in your architecture-specific
1651 directory; type "C-h v directory RET" to see what it is.) Since 2049 directory; type "C-h v exec-directory RET" to see what it is.) Since
1652 `movemail' had not been designed for this situation, a security hole 2050 "movemail" had not been designed for this situation, a security hole
1653 was created and users could get root privileges. 2051 was created and users could get root privileges.
1654 2052
1655 `movemail' has since been changed so that even if it is installed 2053 "movemail" has since been changed so that this security hole will not
1656 setuid root this security hole will not be a result. 2054 exist, even if it is installed setuid root. However, movemail no
2055 longer needs to be installed setuid root, which should eliminate this
2056 particular risk.
1657 2057
1658 We have heard unverified reports that the Internet worm took advantage 2058 We have heard unverified reports that the 1988 Internet worm took
1659 of this configuration problem. 2059 advantage of this configuration problem.
1660 2060
1661 * the file-local-variable feature (Yes, a risk, but easy to change.) 2061 * the file-local-variable feature (Yes, a risk, but easy to change.)
1662 2062
@@ -1667,27 +2067,18 @@ size limit is now 16 times as large.]
1667 Obviously, there is a potential for Trojan horses to exploit this 2067 Obviously, there is a potential for Trojan horses to exploit this
1668 feature. 2068 feature.
1669 2069
1670 If you set the variable inhibit-local-variables to a non-nil value, 2070 Emacs 18 allowed this feature by default; users could disable it by
1671 Emacs will display the special local variable settings of a file that 2071 setting the variable inhibit-local-variables to a non-nil value.
1672 you visit and ask you if you really want them. This variable is not
1673 mentioned in the manual.
1674
1675 It is wise to do this in lisp/site-init.el before building Emacs:
1676
1677 (setq inhibit-local-variables t)
1678 2072
1679 If Emacs has already been built, the expression can be put in 2073 As of Emacs 19, Emacs has a list of local variables that create a
1680 lisp/default.el instead, or an individual can put it in their own 2074 security risk. If a file tries to set one of them, it asks the user to
1681 .emacs file. 2075 confirm whether the variables should be set. You can also tell Emacs
2076 whether to allow the evaluation of Emacs Lisp code found at the bottom
2077 of files by setting the variable enable-local-eval.
1682 2078
1683 The ability to exploit this feature by sending e-mail to an Rmail user 2079 For more information, see "File Variables" in the on-line manual.
1684 was fixed sometime after Emacs 18.52. However, any new package that
1685 uses find-file or find-file-noselect has to be careful about this.
1686 2080
1687 For more information, see `File Variables' in the on-line manual 2081 * synthetic X events (Yes, a risk; use MIT-MAGIC-COOKIE-1 or better.)
1688 (which, incidentally, does not describe how to disable the feature).
1689
1690 * synthetic X events (Yes, a risk, use MIT-MAGIC-COOKIE-1 or better.)
1691 2082
1692 Emacs accepts synthetic X events generated by the SendEvent request as 2083 Emacs accepts synthetic X events generated by the SendEvent request as
1693 though they were regular events. As a result, if you are using the 2084 though they were regular events. As a result, if you are using the
@@ -1698,7 +2089,7 @@ size limit is now 16 times as large.]
1698 The only fix for this is to prevent other users from being able to open 2089 The only fix for this is to prevent other users from being able to open
1699 X connections. The standard way to prevent this is to use a real 2090 X connections. The standard way to prevent this is to use a real
1700 authentication mechanism, such as MIT-MAGIC-COOKIE-1. If using the 2091 authentication mechanism, such as MIT-MAGIC-COOKIE-1. If using the
1701 `xauth' program has any effect, then you are probably using 2092 "xauth" program has any effect, then you are probably using
1702 MIT-MAGIC-COOKIE-1. Your site may be using a superior authentication 2093 MIT-MAGIC-COOKIE-1. Your site may be using a superior authentication
1703 method; ask your system administrator. 2094 method; ask your system administrator.
1704 2095
@@ -1708,43 +2099,177 @@ size limit is now 16 times as large.]
1708 narrowing the time window when hostile users would have access, but 2099 narrowing the time window when hostile users would have access, but
1709 DOES NOT ELIMINATE THE RISK. 2100 DOES NOT ELIMINATE THE RISK.
1710 2101
2102 On most computers running Unix and X Windows, you enable and disable
2103 access using the "xhost" command. To allow all hosts access to your X
2104 server, use
2105
2106 xhost +
2107
2108 at the shell prompt, which (on an HP machine, at least) produces the
2109 following message:
2110
2111 access control disabled, clients can connect from any host
2112
2113 To deny all hosts access to your X server (except those explicitly
2114 allowed by name), use
2115
2116 xhost -
2117
2118 On the test HP computer, this command generated the following message:
2119
2120 access control enabled, only authorized clients can connect
2121
212283: Dired says, "no file on this line" when I try to do something.
2123
2124 Chances are you're using a localized version of Unix that doesn't
2125 use US date format in dired listings. You can check this by looking
2126 at dired listings or by typing `ls -l' to a shell and looking at the
2127 dates that come out.
2128
2129 Dired uses a regular expression to find the beginning of a file
2130 name. In a long Unix-style directory listing ("ls -l"), the file
2131 name starts after the date. The regexp has thus been written to
2132 look for the date, the format of which can vary on non-US systems.
2133
2134 There are two approaches to solving this. The first one involves
2135 setting things up so that "ls -l" outputs US date format. This can
2136 be done by setting the locale. See your OS manual for more
2137 information.
2138
2139 The second approach involves changing the regular expression used by
2140 dired, dired-move-to-filename-regexp.
2141
1711 2142
1712Difficulties Building/Installing/Porting Emacs 2143Difficulties Building/Installing/Porting Emacs
1713 2144
171473: What should I do if I have trouble building Emacs? 214584: How do I install Emacs?
2146
2147 This answer is meant for users of Unix and Unix-like systems. Users of
2148 other operating systems should see the series of questions beginning with
2149 question 94, which describe where to get non-Unix source and binaries.
2150 These packages should come with installation instructions.
2151
2152 For Unix and Unix-like systems, the easiest way is often to compile it
2153 from scratch. You will need:
2154
2155 * Emacs sources. See question 92 for a list of ftp sites that make them
2156 available. On ftp.gnu.org, the main GNU distribution site, sources are
2157 available at
2158
2159 ftp://ftp.gnu.org/pub/gnu/emacs-20.4.tar.gz
2160
2161 The above will obviously change as new versions of Emacs come out. For
2162 instance, when Emacs 20.5 is released, it will most probably be
2163 available at
2164
2165 ftp://ftp.gnu.org/pub/gnu/emacs-20.5.tar.gz
2166
2167 Again, you should use one of the mirror sites in question 92 (and
2168 adjust the URL accordingly) so as to reduce load on ftp.gnu.org.
2169
2170 * Gzip, the GNU compression utility. You can get gzip via anonymous ftp
2171 at mirrors of ftp.gnu.org sites; it should compile and install without
2172 much trouble on most systems. Once you have retrieved the Emacs
2173 sources, you will probably be able to uncompress them with the command
2174
2175 gunzip --verbose emacs-20.4.tar.gz
2176
2177 changing the Emacs version (20.4), as necessary. Once gunzip has
2178 finished doing its job, a file by the name of "emacs-20.4.tar" should
2179 be in your build directory.
2180
2181 * Tar, the "tape archiving" program, which moves multiple files into and
2182 out of archive files, or "tarfiles." All of the files comprising the
2183 Emacs source come in a single tarfile, and must be extracted using tar
2184 before you can build Emacs. Typically, the extraction command would
2185 look like
2186
2187 tar -xvvf emacs-20.4.tar
2188
2189 The `x' indicates that we want to extract files from this tarfile, the
2190 two `v's force verbose output, and the `f' tells tar to use a disk
2191 file, rather than one on tape.
2192
2193 If you're using GNU tar (available at mirrors of ftp.gnu.org), you can
2194 combine this step and the previous one by using the command
2195
2196 tar -zxvvf emacs-20.4.tar.gz
2197
2198 The additional `z' at the beginning of the options list tells GNU tar
2199 to uncompress the file with gunzip before extracting the tarfile's
2200 components.
2201
2202 At this point, the Emacs sources (all 25+ megabytes of them) should be
2203 sitting in a directory called "emacs-20.4". On most common Unix and
2204 Unix-like systems, you should be able to compile Emacs (with X Windows
2205 support) with the following commands:
2206
2207 cd emacs-20.4 [ change directory to emacs-20.4 ]
2208 ./configure [ configure Emacs for your particular system ]
2209 make [ use Makefile to build components, then Emacs ]
2210
2211 If the "make" completes successfully, the odds are fairly good that the
2212 build has gone well. (See question 86 if you weren't successful.)
2213
2214 To install Emacs in its default directories of /usr/local/bin (binaries),
2215 /usr/local/share/emacs/20.xx (Lisp code and support files),
2216 /usr/local/libexec/CONFIGURATION/emacs/VERSION (executable files to be
2217 run by Emacs rather than users), /usr/local/man/man1 (man pages) and
2218 /usr/local/info (Info documentation), become the super-user and type
2219
2220 make install
2221
2222 Note that "make install" will overwrite /usr/local/bin/emacs and any
2223 Emacs Info files that might be in /usr/local/info.
2224
2225 Much more verbose instructions (with many more hints and suggestions)
2226 come with the Emacs sources, in the file "INSTALL".
2227
222885: How do I update Emacs to the latest version?
2229
2230 Follow the instructions in question 84.
2231
2232 Emacs places nearly everything in version-specific directories (e.g.,
2233 /usr/local/share/emacs/20.4), so the only files that can be overwritten
2234 when installing a new release are /usr/local/bin/emacs and the Emacs Info
2235 documentation in /usr/local/info. Back up these files before you install
2236 a new release, and you shouldn't have too much trouble.
2237
223886: What should I do if I have trouble building Emacs?
1715 2239
1716 First look in the file PROBLEMS (in the top-level directory when you 2240 First look in the file PROBLEMS (in the top-level directory when you
1717 unpack the Emacs source) to see if there is already a solution for your 2241 unpack the Emacs source) to see if there is already a solution for your
1718 problem. Next check the FAQ (you're reading it). If you don't find a 2242 problem. Next, look for other questions in this FAQ that have to do with
1719 solution, then report your problem via e-mail to 2243 Emacs installation and compilation problems.
1720 bug-gnu-emacs@prep.ai.mit.edu. Please do not post it to gnu.emacs.help
1721 or e-mail it to help-gnu-emacs@prep.ai.mit.edu. For further guidelines,
1722 see question 8.
1723
172474: How do I stop Emacs from failing when the executable is stripped?
1725 2244
1726 Don't do that. 2245 If you'd like to have someone look at your problem and help solve it, see
2246 question 21.
1727 2247
1728 This problem has been reported on SGI Indigo machines running Irix 4.0.* 2248 If you don't find a solution, then report your problem via e-mail to
1729 and RS/6000 machines. Scott Henry <scotth@hoshi.corp.SGi.COM> posted a 2249 bug-gnu-emacs@gnu.org. Please do not post it to gnu.emacs.help
1730 patch that fixes the problem for Irix. 2250 or e-mail it to help-gnu-emacs@gnu.org. For further guidelines,
2251 see question 8 and question 10.
1731 2252
173275: Why does linking Emacs with -lX11 fail? 225387: Why does linking Emacs with -lX11 fail?
1733 2254
1734 Emacs needs to be linked with the static version of the X11 library, 2255 Emacs needs to be linked with the static version of the X11 library,
1735 libX11.a. This may be missing. 2256 libX11.a. This may be missing.
1736 2257
1737 Under OpenWindows, you may need to use `add_services' to add the 2258 Under OpenWindows, you may need to use "add_services" to add the
1738 `OpenWindows Programmers' optional software category from the CD-ROM. 2259 "OpenWindows Programmers" optional software category from the CD-ROM.
1739 2260
1740 Under HP-UX 8.0, you may need to run `update' again to load the X11-PRG 2261 Under HP-UX 8.0, you may need to run "update" again to load the X11-PRG
1741 `fileset'. This may be missing even if you specified `all filesets' the 2262 "fileset". This may be missing even if you specified "all filesets" the
1742 first time. If libcurses.a is missing, you may need to load the 2263 first time. If libcurses.a is missing, you may need to load the
1743 `Berkeley Development Option' {???}. 2264 "Berkeley Development Option."
1744 2265
1745 If you are building the MIT X11 sources, you may need to modify your 2266 David Zuhn <zoo@armadillo.com> says that MIT X builds shared libraries by
1746 `site.cf' file to get static versions of the libraries. (Info from David 2267 default, and only shared libraries, on those platforms that support them.
1747 Zuhn <zoo@cygnus.com>.) 2268 These shared libraries can't be used when undumping temacs (the last
2269 stage of the Emacs build process). To get regular libraries in addition
2270 to shared libraries, add this to site.cf:
2271
2272 #define ForceNormalLib YES
1748 2273
1749 Other systems may have similar problems. You can always define 2274 Other systems may have similar problems. You can always define
1750 CANNOT_DUMP and link with the shared libraries instead. 2275 CANNOT_DUMP and link with the shared libraries instead.
@@ -1755,35 +2280,44 @@ Difficulties Building/Installing/Porting Emacs
1755 2280
1756Finding/Getting Emacs and Related Packages 2281Finding/Getting Emacs and Related Packages
1757 2282
175876: Where can I get GNU Emacs on the net (or by snail mail)? 228388: Where can I get Emacs on the net (or by snail mail)?
1759 2284
1760 Look in the files etc/DISTRIB and etc/FTP for information on nearby 2285 Look in the files etc/DISTRIB and etc/FTP for information on nearby
1761 archive sites and etc/ORDERS for mail orders. If you don't already have 2286 archive sites and etc/ORDERS for mail orders. If you don't already have
1762 GNU Emacs, see question 20 for how to get these files. 2287 Emacs, see question 20 for how to get these files.
1763 2288
1764 The latest version is always available via anonymous FTP at MIT: 2289 See question 84 for information on how to obtain and build the latest
1765 2290 version of Emacs, and question 92 for a list of archive sites that make
1766 /prep.ai.mit.edu:pub/gnu/emacs-19.27.tar.gz 2291 GNU software available.
1767 2292
1768 See question 80 for information on where to get other GNU software. 229389: How do I find a Emacs Lisp package that does XXX?
1769 2294
177077: How do I find a GNU Emacs Lisp package that does XXX? 2295 First of all, you should check to make sure that the package isn't
1771 2296 already available. For example, typing "M-x apropos RET wordstar RET"
1772 A listing of Emacs Lisp packages, called the Lisp Code Directory, is 2297 lists all functions and variables containing the string "wordstar".
1773 being maintained by Dave Brennan <brennan@hal.com>. You can search 2298
1774 through this list to learn if someone has written something that fits 2299 It is also possible that the package is on your system, but has not been
1775 your needs. 2300 loaded. To see which packages are available for loading, look through your
1776 2301 computer's lisp directory (see question 4) or use the Finder (C-h p) to
1777 This list is file LCD-datafile.Z in the Emacs Lisp Archive (see the next 2302 search under keywords. The Lisp source to most most packages contains a
1778 question for retrieval instructions). The files lispdir.el.Z and 2303 short description of how they should be loaded, invoked, and configured --
1779 lispdir.doc in the archive contain Lisp code and information to help you 2304 so before you use or modify a Lisp package, see if the author has provided
1780 use the list. Once you have installed lispdir.el and LCD-datafile, then 2305 any hints in the source code.
1781 you can use the `M-x lisp-dir-apropos' command to search the listing. 2306
1782 For example, the command `M-x lisp-dir-apropos RET ange-ftp RET' produces 2307 If a package does not come with Emacs, check the Lisp Code Directory,
1783 this output: 2308 maintained by Dave Brennan <brennan@hal.com>. The directory is contained
2309 in the file LCD-datafile.Z, available from the Emacs Lisp Archive (see
2310 question 90), and is accessed using the "lispdir" package, available from
2311 the same site. Note that lispdir.el requires crypt++, which you can grab
2312 from the Emacs Lisp Archive's "misc" subdirectory when you get
2313 lispdir.el.
2314
2315 Once you have installed lispdir.el and LCD-datafile, you can use "M-x
2316 lisp-dir-apropos" to search the listing. For example, "M-x
2317 lisp-dir-apropos RET ange-ftp RET" produces this output:
1784 2318
1785 GNU Emacs Lisp Code Directory Apropos -- "ange-ftp" 2319 GNU Emacs Lisp Code Directory Apropos -- "ange-ftp"
1786 "~/" refers to archive.cis.ohio-state.edu:pub/gnu/emacs/elisp-archive/ 2320 "~/" refers to ftp.cs.ohio-state.edu:pub/gnu/emacs/elisp-archive/
1787 2321
1788 ange-ftp (4.18) 15-Jul-1992 2322 ange-ftp (4.18) 15-Jul-1992
1789 Andy Norman, <ange@hplb.hpl.hp.com> 2323 Andy Norman, <ange@hplb.hpl.hp.com>
@@ -1798,27 +2332,40 @@ Finding/Getting Emacs and Related Packages
1798 ~/modes/ftp-quik.el.Z 2332 ~/modes/ftp-quik.el.Z
1799 Quik access to dired'ing of ange-ftp and normal paths 2333 Quik access to dired'ing of ange-ftp and normal paths
1800 2334
180178: Where can I get GNU Emacs Lisp packages that don't come with Emacs? 2335 You actually don't need the directory file LCD-datafile if your computer
2336 is on the Internet, since the latest version is retrieved automatically
2337 the first time you type "M-x lisp-dir-apropos" in a particular Emacs
2338 session. If you would prefer to use a local copy of LCD-datafile, be
2339 sure to set the variable lisp-code-directory at the top of the lispdir.el
2340 source code.
2341
2342 A searchable version of the LCD is also available at
2343
2344 http://www.cs.indiana.edu/LCD/cover.html
2345
234690: Where can I get Emacs Lisp packages that don't come with Emacs?
1802 2347
1803 First, check the Lisp Code Directory to find the name of the package you 2348 First, check the Lisp Code Directory to find the name of the package you
1804 are looking for (see question 77). Next, check local archives and the 2349 are looking for (see question 89). Next, check local archives and the
1805 Emacs Lisp Archive to find a copy of the relevant files. If you still 2350 Emacs Lisp Archive to find a copy of the relevant files. If you still
1806 haven't found it, you can send e-mail to the author asking for a copy. 2351 haven't found it, you can send e-mail to the author asking for a copy.
1807 2352 If you find Emacs Lisp code that doesn't appear in the LCD, please submit
1808 You can access the Emacs Lisp Archive via anonymous FTP: 2353 a copy to the LCD (see question 91).
1809 2354
1810 /archive.cis.ohio-state.edu:pub/gnu/emacs/elisp-archive/ 2355 You can access the Emacs Lisp Archive at the following sites:
1811 /ftp.cs.umn.edu:pub/elisp-archive/ 2356
1812 /calypso-2.oit.unc.edu:pub/gnu/elisp-archive/ 2357 ftp://ftp.cs.ohio-state.edu/pub/gnu/emacs/elisp-archive/
1813 /ftp.uu.net:packages/gnu/emacs-lisp/ 2358 ftp://calypso-2.oit.unc.edu/pub/gnu/elisp-archive/
1814 /gatekeeper.dec.com:pub/GNU/elisp-archive/ 2359 ftp://faui43.informatik.uni-erlangen.de/pub/gnu/elisp-archive/
1815 /nic.switch.ch:mirror/elisp-archive/ 2360 ftp://ftp.cs.umn.edu/pub/elisp-archive/
1816 /ftp.diku.dk:pub/elisp-archive/ 2361 ftp://ftp.diku.dk/pub/elisp-archive/
1817 /quepasa.cs.tu-berlin.de:pub/gnu/elisp/ 2362 ftp://ftp.uni-mainz.de/pub/gnu/elisp-archive/
1818 /faui43.informatik.uni-erlangen.de:pub/gnu/elisp-archive/ 2363 ftp://ftp.uu.net/packages/gnu/emacs-lisp/
1819 /ftp.uni-mainz.de:pub/gnu/elisp-archive/ 2364 ftp://gatekeeper.dec.com/pub/GNU/elisp-archive/
1820 /nic.funet.fi:pub/gnu/emacs/elisp-archive/ 2365 ftp://nic.funet.fi/pub/gnu/emacs/elisp-archive/
1821 /src.doc.ic.ac.uk:gnu/EmacsBits/elisp-archive/ 2366 ftp://nic.switch.ch/mirror/elisp-archive/
2367 ftp://quepasa.cs.tu-berlin.de/pub/gnu/elisp/
2368 ftp://src.doc.ic.ac.uk/gnu/EmacsBits/elisp-archive/
1822 2369
1823 Retrieve and read the file README first. 2370 Retrieve and read the file README first.
1824 2371
@@ -1827,163 +2374,182 @@ Finding/Getting Emacs and Related Packages
1827 you cannot use FTP or UUCP to access the archive yourself, try to 2374 you cannot use FTP or UUCP to access the archive yourself, try to
1828 find a friend who can, but please don't ask the maintainers. 2375 find a friend who can, but please don't ask the maintainers.
1829 2376
1830 * Any files with names ending in `.Z', `.z', or `.gz' are 2377 * Any files with names ending in ".Z", ".z", or ".gz" are
1831 compressed, so you should use `binary' mode in FTP to retrieve 2378 compressed, so you should use "binary" mode in FTP to retrieve
1832 them. You should also use binary mode whenever you retrieve any 2379 them. You should also use binary mode whenever you retrieve any
1833 files with names ending in `.elc'. 2380 files with names ending in ".elc".
2381
2382 Note that the archive is apparently not being maintained at the time of
2383 writing; a volunteer to take on the task would be welcome.
2384
2385 Packages which have been posted to gnu.emacs.sources should be locatable
2386 via a service like Dejanews.
1834 2387
183579: How do I submit code to the Emacs Lisp Archive? 238891: How do I submit code to the Emacs Lisp Archive?
1836 2389
1837 Guidelines and procedures for submission to the archive can be found in 2390 Guidelines and procedures for submission to the archive can be found in
1838 the file GUIDELINES in the archive directory (see question 78). It 2391 the file GUIDELINES in the archive directory (see question 90). It
1839 covers documentation, copyrights, packaging, submission, and the Lisp 2392 covers documentation, copyrights, packaging, submission, and the Lisp
1840 Code Directory Record. Anonymous FTP uploads are not permitted. 2393 Code Directory Record. Anonymous FTP uploads are not permitted.
1841 Instead, all submissions are mailed to elisp-archive@cis.ohio-state.edu. 2394 Instead, all submissions are mailed to elisp-archive@cis.ohio-state.edu.
1842 The lispdir.el package has a function named submit-lcd-entry which will 2395 The lispdir.el package has a function named submit-lcd-entry which will
1843 help you with this. 2396 help you with this.
1844 2397
184580: Where can I get other up-to-date GNU stuff? 2398 See question 90 regarding non-maintenance of the archive.
1846
1847 The most up-to-date official GNU stuff is normally kept on
1848 prep.ai.mit.edu and is available for anonymous FTP in the pub/gnu
1849 directory. Read the files etc/DISTRIB and etc/FTP for more information
1850 (see question 20 for retrieval instructions).
1851
1852 The following sites are all mirror images of the GNU distribution area:
1853
1854 /col.hp.com:mirrors/gnu/
1855 /ftp.uu.net:packages/gnu/
1856 /ftp.win.tue.nl:pub/gnu/
1857 /gatekeeper.dec.com:pub/GNU/
1858 /nic.funet.fi:pub/gnu/
1859 /src.doc.ic.ac.uk:gnu/ (available via FTP, NIFTP, FTAM)
1860 /utsun.s.u-tokyo.ac.jp:ftpsync/prep/
1861 /wuarchive.wustl.edu:systems/gnu/
1862
1863 The directory at ftp.uu.net is a mirror of prep.ai.mit.edu:pub/gnu,
1864 except that files larger than one megabyte are split into multiple parts.
1865 If you have trouble transferring large files, you should try here. A
1866 file normally named `XXX' is split into files XXX-split/part[0-9][0-9],
1867 and there will be a file named XXX-split/README which contains the list
1868 of parts (especially helpful when FTP-ing by e-mail), their checksums,
1869 and reassembly instructions.
1870
187181: What is the difference between Emacs and Epoch?
1872
1873 Epoch was a modified version of GNU Emacs. It was merged
1874 into XEmacs (formerly "Lucid Emacs"), and the Epoch redisplay, now
1875 being totally rewritten, is slated to be merged into Emacs when the
1876 rewrite is done.
1877
187882: What is the difference between Emacs and XEmacs (formerly "Lucid
1879 Emacs")?
1880
1881 XEmacs is a modified version of GNU Emacs.
1882
1883 A comparison between the two versions, written by the XEmacs
1884 maintainers, had been included here. Richard Stallman removed it
1885 from this copy of the FAQ because it was unfair. It was (1)
1886 one-sided, listing only advantages of XEmacs and not advantages of
1887 the principal version of Emacs, (2) biased, stating the opinions
1888 of the XEmacs maintainers, and (3) out of date, listing as advantages of
1889 XEmacs features which in fact both versions have.
1890
189183: Where can I get Emacs for my PC running MS-DOS?
1892
1893 Recent releases of GNU Emacs 19 should compile right out of the box on
1894 PCs with a 386 or better, running MS-DOS 3.0 or later. You will need the
1895 following to compile it:
1896
1897 Compiler: djgpp version 1.12 maint 1 or later. Djgpp v2.0 or later is
1898 recommended, since v1.x is being phased out--if you'll have any
1899 djgpp-related problem for which there is no known solution, you
1900 are on your own when you use djgpp v1.x.
1901
1902 You can get the latest release of either v1.x or v2.0 by
1903 grabbing everything in the following directory (using anonymous
1904 ftp):
1905
1906 ftp.simtel.net:/pub/simtelnet/gnu/djgpp
1907
1908 There are a few directories under djgpp whose names begin with
1909 `v1' or `v2'; get the contents of `v2' and `v2gnu' (for djgpp
1910 v2) or `v1' and `v1gnu' (for djgpp v1).
1911 2399
1912 GUnZip and Tar: 240092: Where can I get other up-to-date GNU stuff?
1913 2401
1914 The easiest way is to use `djtar' which comes with DJGPP v2.x, 2402 The most up-to-date official GNU software is normally kept on
1915 because it can unzip .tar.gz archives on-the-fly (so you won't 2403 ftp.gnu.org and is available at
1916 need twice the required disk space while untarring the
1917 archive). You get `djtar' with the `v2/djdev201.zip' file from
1918 the above FTP server.
1919 2404
1920 Another (slower) version of Tar which unzips automatically is 2405 ftp://ftp.gnu.org/pub/gnu
1921 available by anonymous ftp on this site:
1922 2406
1923 ftp.kiae.su:msdos/arcers/tar320fp.zip 2407 Read the files etc/DISTRIB and etc/FTP for more information.
1924 2408
1925 Or you can unZip the archive with the DJGPP port of GZip (from 2409 The following sites are all mirror images of the GNU distribution area:
1926 the above directory at ftp.simtel.net look for v2/gzp124b.zip),
1927 then unTar it with any of the Tar ports floating around. A
1928 DOS version of GNU tar is available via anonymous ftp from
1929
1930 ftp.unipg.it:/pub/msdos/aspi/gtar-exe.zip
1931
1932 Note that DOS ports of GNU Tar usually cannot unzip compressed
1933 archives.
1934
1935 Another version of Tar for DOS can be found at
1936
1937 ftp.urc.tue.nl:pub/unixtools/dos
1938
1939 However, be warned that not all DOS versions of tar work
1940 equally well, so you might have to try others if this one gives
1941 you trouble.
1942
1943 Utilities: chmod, make, mv, sed, rm.
1944
1945 All of these utilities are available via anonymous ftp from
1946 the site
1947
1948 ftp.simtel.net:/pub/simtelnet/gnu/djgpp/v2gnu
1949 2410
1950 You should grab the file fil313b.zip (contains chmod.exe, 2411 ASIA: ftp://cair.kaist.ac.kr/pub/gnu,
1951 mv.exe, and rm.exe). 2412 ftp://ftp.nectec.or.th/pub/mirrors/gnu,
2413 ftp://utsun.s.u-tokyo.ac.jp/ftpsync/prep,
2414 ftp://ftp.cs.titech.ac.jp/pub/gnu
2415
2416 AUSTRALIA: ftp://archie.au/gnu (archie.oz or archie.oz.au for ACSnet)
2417
2418 AFRICA: ftp://ftp.sun.ac.za/pub/gnu
2419
2420 EUROPE: ftp://ftp.denet.dk/pub/gnu,
2421 ftp://ftp.funet.fi/pub/gnu,
2422 ftp://ftp.informatik.rwth-aachen.de/pub/gnu,
2423 ftp://ftp.informatik.tu-muenchen.de/pub/comp/gnu,
2424 ftp://ftp.luth.se/pub/unix/gnu,
2425 ftp://ftp.stacken.kth.se/pub/gnu,
2426 ftp://ftp.win.tue.nl/pub/gnu,
2427 ftp://isy.liu.se/pub/gnu,
2428 ftp://nic.switch.ch/mirror/gnu,
2429 ftp://archive.eu.net/pub/gnu,
2430 ftp://ftp.eunet.ch/software/gnu,
2431 ftp://ftp.ieunet.ie/pub/gnu,
2432 ftp://ftp.mcc.ac.uk/pub/gnu,
2433 ftp://ftp.sunet.se:/pub/gnu,
2434 ftp://ftp.univ-lyon1.fr/pub/gnu,
2435 ftp://irisa.irisa.fr/pub/gnu,
2436 ftp://src.doc.ic.ac.uk/gnu,
2437 ftp://unix.hensa.ac.uk/pub/uunet/systems/gnu
2438
2439 SOUTH AMERICA: ftp.unicamp.br:/pub/gnu
2440
2441 WESTERN CANADA: ftp.cs.ubc.ca:/mirror2/gnu
2442
2443 USA: ftp://col.hp.com/mirrors/gnu,
2444 ftp://f.ms.uky.edu/pub3/gnu,
2445 ftp://ftp.cs.columbia.edu/archives/gnu/prep,
2446 ftp://ftp.digex.net/pub/gnu,
2447 ftp://ftp.hawaii.edu/mirrors/gnu,
2448 ftp://ftp.kpc.com/pub/mirror/gnu,
2449 ftp://ftp.uu.net/systems/gnu,
2450 ftp://gatekeeper.dec.com/pub/GNU,
2451 ftp://jaguar.utah.edu/gnustuff,
2452 ftp://labrea.stanford.edu/pub/gnu,
2453 ftp://mrcnext.cso.uiuc.edu/pub/gnu,
2454 ftp://vixen.cso.uiuc.edu/gnu,
2455 ftp://wuarchive.wustl.edu/systems/gnu
2456
2457 The directory at ftp.uu.net is a mirror of ftp.gnu.org except that files
2458 larger than one megabyte are split into multiple parts. If you have
2459 trouble transferring large files, you should try that site. A file
2460 normally named "XXX" is split into files XXX-split/part[0-9][0-9], and
2461 there will be a file named XXX-split/README which contains the list of
2462 parts (especially helpful when FTP-ing by e-mail), their checksums, and
2463 reassembly instructions.
2464
246593: What is the difference between Emacs and XEmacs (formerly "Lucid
2466 Emacs")?
2467
2468 XEmacs is a modified version of GNU Emacs.
2469
2470 This FAQ refers to the latest version to be distributed by the FSF
2471 as "Emacs," partly because the XEmacs maintainers now refer to their
2472 product using the "XEmacs" name, and partly because there isn't any
2473 accurate way to differentiate between the two without getting mired
2474 in paragraphs of legalese and history.
2475
2476 XEmacs, which began life as Lucid Emacs, is based on an early version of
2477 Emacs 19 and Epoch, an X-aware version of Emacs 18.
2478
2479 Emacs (i.e., the version distributed by the FSF) has a larger installed
2480 base and now always contains the MULE multilingual facilities. XEmacs
2481 can do some clever tricks with X Windows, such as putting arbitrary
2482 graphics in a buffer; similar facilities have been implemented for Emacs,
2483 which will be integrated after version 20.4. Emacs and XEmacs each come
2484 with some Lisp packages that are lacking or more up-to-date in the other;
2485 RMS says that the FSF would include more packages that come with XEmacs,
2486 but that the XEmacs maintainers don't always keep track of the authors of
2487 contributed code, which makes it impossible for the FSF to have certain
2488 legal papers signed. (Without these legal papers, the FSF will not
2489 distribute Lisp packages with Emacs.) The two versions have some
2490 significant differences at the Lisp programming level.
2491
249294: Where can I get Emacs for my PC running MS-DOS?
2493
2494 A pre-built binary distribution of Emacs is available from the Simtel
2495 archives. This version works under MS-DOS and Windows (3.x, 95, and NT) and
2496 supports long file names under Windows 95. More information is available
2497 from:
2498
2499 ftp://ftp.simtel.net/pub/simtelnet/gnu/djgpp/v2gnu/emacs.README
2500
2501 And the binary itself is available in the files
2502
2503 ftp://ftp.simtel.net/pub/simtelnet/gnu/djgpp/v2gnu/em1934*.zip
2504
2505 where * indicates that you should retrieve all of the files beginning
2506 with "em1934" and ending with "zip".
2507
2508 If you prefer to compile Emacs for yourself, you will need a 386 (or
2509 better) processor, and are running MS-DOS 3.0 or later. According to Eli
2510 Zaretskii <eliz@is.elta.co.il> and Darrel Hankerson
2511 <hankedr@dms.auburn.edu>, you will need the following:
2512
2513 Compiler: djgpp version 1.12 maint 1 or later. Djgpp 2.0 or later is
2514 recommended, since 1.x is being phased out. Djgpp 2 supports
2515 long filenames under Windows 95.
2516
2517 You can get the latest release of djgpp by retrieving
2518 all of the files in
2519
2520 ftp://ftp.simtel.net/pub/simtelnet/gnu/djgpp
2521
2522 Gunzip and tar:
2523
2524 The easiest way is to use "djtar" which comes with djgpp v2.x,
2525 because it can open gzip'ed tarfiles (i.e., those ending with
2526 ".tar.gz") in one step. Djtar comes in "djdev201.zip", from
2527 the URL mentioned above.
1952 2528
1953 A port of GNU Sed is available in the djgpp archives in the 2529 Utilities: make, mv, sed, rm.
1954 above directory on ftp.coast.net. Look for a file named
1955 v2/sed118b.zip or v1/sed118bn.zip.
1956 2530
1957 The file etc/MSDOS contains some information on the differences between 2531 All of these utilities are available at
1958 the Unix and MS-DOS versions of GNU Emacs.
1959 2532
1960 MS-DOS systems are notorious in the problems they present when installing 2533 ftp://ftp.simtel.net/pub/simtelnet/gnu/djgpp/v2gnu
1961 programs, due to a great variability in both hardware and software. If
1962 you have any unusual problems compiling or using Emacs, please consult
1963 the latest version of the djgpp FAQ list, available as v2/faqNNNb.zip,
1964 where `NNN' is the version number. For v1, get the file v1/faq102.zip.
1965 2534
1966 If you would prefer not to compile Emacs by yourself, you can get 2535 16-bit utilities can be found in GNUish:
1967 binaries for Emacs via anonymous ftp from many sites; use your Archie
1968 client to search for them.
1969 2536
1970 You might also be interested in Demacs, which runs under MS-DOS (*not* 2537 ftp://ftp.simtel.net/pub/simtelnet/gnu/gnuish
1971 Microsoft Windows; see question 84) on 386- and 486-based PCs. Demacs is
1972 a port of Nemacs (see question 126), rather than a straight port of GNU
1973 Emacs 18 or 19.
1974 2538
1975 Demacs was developed using an MS-DOS version of gcc called djgpp by 2539 The files INSTALL and PROBLEMS in the top-level directory of the Emacs
1976 DJ Delorie <dj@delorie.com> which can compile and run large programs 2540 source contains some additional information regarding Emacs under MS-DOS.
1977 under MS-DOS and under MS Windows. Demacs was derived from Nemacs
1978 rather than straight from GNU Emacs. You can get the most recent version
1979 of Demacs via anonymous ftp from ftp.sigmath.osaka-u.ac.jp in
1980 pub/Msdos/Demacs/*.
1981 2541
1982 For a list of other MS-DOS implementations of Emacs (and Emacs 2542 For a list of other MS-DOS implementations of Emacs (and Emacs
1983 look-alikes), consult the list of "Emacs implementations and literature," 2543 look-alikes), consult the list of "Emacs implementations and literature,"
1984 available via anonymous ftp from rtfm.mit.edu in pub/usenet/comp.emacs. 2544 available at
2545
2546 ftp://rtfm.mit.edu/pub/usenet/comp.emacs/
2547
2548 Note that while many of these programs look similar to Emacs, they often
2549 lack certain features, particularly as the Emacs Lisp extension language.
1985 2550
198684: Where can I get Emacs for my PC running Microsoft Windows? 255195: Where can I get Emacs for Microsoft Windows, Windows '95, or Windows
2552 NT?
1987 2553
1988 GNU Emacs has been fully ported to Windows NT and Windows 95/98. 2554 GNU Emacs has been fully ported to Windows NT and Windows 95/98.
1989 If you have MSVC 4.0 or greater, then you can compile GNU Emacs 2555 If you have MSVC 4.0 or greater, then you can compile GNU Emacs
@@ -2010,35 +2576,39 @@ Finding/Getting Emacs and Related Packages
2010 with the tools listed in the previous question, it will run under 2576 with the tools listed in the previous question, it will run under
2011 Microsoft Windows in a DOS box. 2577 Microsoft Windows in a DOS box.
2012 2578
201385: Where can I get Emacs for my PC running OS/2? 257996: Where can I get Emacs for my PC running OS/2?
2014 2580
2015 Emacs 19.27 is ported for emx on OS/2 2.0 or 2.1. 2581 Emacs 19.33 is ported for emx on OS/2 2.0 or 2.1, and is available at:
2016 2582
2017 Anonymous FTP info: 2583 ftp://hobbes.nmsu.edu/os2/unix/apps/emacs/v.19.33/
2018 2584
2019 hobbes.nmsu.edu:os2/2_x/unix/emacs27 258597: Where can I get Emacs for my Atari ST?
2020 2586
202186: Where can I get Emacs for my Atari ST? 2587 Roland Schäuble reports that Emacs 18.58 running on plain TOS and MiNT
2588 is available at
2022 2589
2023 (does anyone know?) 2590 ftp://atari.archive.umich.edu/Editors/Emacs-18-58/1858b-d3.zoo
2024 2591
202587: Where can I get Emacs for my Amiga? 259298: Where can I get Emacs for my Amiga?
2026 2593
2027 Amiga software is available through Aminet, a set of interconnected FTP 2594 The files you need are available at
2028 sites and other file accessing services for Amiga software. The primary
2029 sites for Aminet are ftp.wustl.edu (128.252.135.4) and ftp.cdrom.com
2030 (192.153.46.2). In the directory pub/aminet/util/gnu, there are
2031 2595
2032 a1.26-emacs-bin.lha -- Amiga GNU Emacs V1.26, binaries 2596 ftp://ftp.wustl.edu/pub/aminet/util/gnu/
2033 a1.26-emacs-src.lha -- Amiga GNU Emacs V1.26, sources
2034 2597
2035 There are also quite a few Emacs related files/programs. Please search 2598 David Gilbert <dgilbert@gamiga.guelphnet.dweomer.org> has released a beta
2036 the index of Aminet. 2599 version of Emacs 19.25 for the Amiga. You can get the binary at
2037 2600
2038 We have no access to an Amiga, so please send in your experience and 2601 ftp://ftp.wustl.edu/pub/aminet/util/gnu/a2.0bEmacs-bin.lha
2039 comments on the implementation. 2602
260399: Where can I get Emacs for NeXTSTEP?
2604
2605 Emacs.app is a NeXTSTEP version of Emacs 19.34 which supports colors,
2606 menus, and multiple frames. You can get it from
2607
2608 ftp://next-ftp.peak.org/pub/next/apps/emacs/Emacs_for_NeXTstep.4.20a1.NIHS.b.tar.gz
2609
2610100: Where can I get Emacs for my Apple computer?
2040 2611
204188: Where can I get Emacs for my Apple computer?
2042 2612
2043 There used to be a boycott of Apple because of its "look and feel" 2613 There used to be a boycott of Apple because of its "look and feel"
2044 lawsuit. The lawsuit failed, and the boycott is over. 2614 lawsuit. The lawsuit failed, and the boycott is over.
@@ -2059,284 +2629,241 @@ Finding/Getting Emacs and Related Packages
2059 way these ports will make up for the effort that they took. (We still 2629 way these ports will make up for the effort that they took. (We still
2060 hope so, but it has not happened yet.) 2630 hope so, but it has not happened yet.)
2061 2631
206289: Where do I get Emacs that runs on VMS under DECwindows? 2632 An unofficial port of GNU Emacs 18.59 to the Macintosh is available at a
2633 number of ftp sites, the home being
2634
2635 ftp://ftp.cs.cornell.edu/pub/parmet/Emacs-1.17.sit.bin
2063 2636
2064 Version 19.27 has a VMS directory containing installation instructions, a 2637 To the best of our knowledge, Emacs 19 has not been ported to the
2065 makefile, and various .com files. But according to Richard Levitte 2638 Macintosh.
2066 <levitte@e.kth.se>, it does not run out of the box. Even if it does, the
2067 VMSNOTES indicates that the Emacs on VMS is going to have much more
2068 limited functionality. Richard Levitte has a patched 19.22 that
2069 supposedly has subprocess and networking functionality just as on Unix,
2070 with virtually the same lisp interface. The source is available via
2071 anonymous ftp at
2072 2639
2073 ftp.vms.stacken.kth.se:GNU-VMS/Beta/EMACS-19_22-********.TAR-GZ 2640 Apple's forthcoming "OS X" is based largely on NeXTSTEP and OpenStep.
2641 See question 99 for more details about that version.
2074 2642
2075 where ******** is the release date of the kit. You should also read 2643101: Where do I get Emacs that runs on VMS under DECwindows?
2076 http://www.e.kth.se/elev/levitte/gnu/emacs.html for more information.
2077 2644
207890: Where can I get modes for Lex, Yacc/Bison, Bourne shell, Csh, C++, 2645 Up-to-date information about GNU software (including Emacs) for VMS is
2079 Objective C, Pascal, and Awk? 2646 available at
2647
2648 http://vms.gnu.org/
2649
2650102: Where can I get modes for Lex, Yacc/Bison, Bourne shell, Csh, C++,
2651 Objective-C, Pascal, Java, and Awk?
2080 2652
2081 Most of these modes are now available in standard Emacs distribution. To 2653 Most of these modes are now available in standard Emacs distribution. To
2082 get additional modes, look in the Lisp Code Directory (see question 77). 2654 get additional modes, look in the Lisp Code Directory (see question 89).
2083 For C++, if you use lisp-dir-apropos, you must specify the pattern like 2655 For C++, if you use lisp-dir-apropos, you must specify the pattern like
2084 this: 2656 this:
2085 2657
2086 M-x lisp-dir-apropos RET c\+\+ RET 2658 M-x lisp-dir-apropos RET c\+\+ RET
2087 2659
2088 Note that Barry Warsaw's cc-mode now works for C, C++, and Objective-C 2660 Note that Barry Warsaw's cc-mode now works for C, C++, Objective-C, and
2089 code. You can get the latest version (4.85, as of this writing) from the 2661 Java code. You can get the latest version from the Emacs Lisp Archive;
2090 Emacs Lisp Archive. 2662 see question 90 for details. A FAQ for cc-mode is available at
2091 2663
209291: What is the IP address of XXX.YYY.ZZZ? 2664 http://www.python.org/ftp/emacs/cc-mode.html/Top.html
2093 2665
2094 If you are at a site with a deficient nameserver, you may need to know 2666103: What is the IP address of XXX.YYY.ZZZ?
2095 the IP address of a host to FTP files from it. You can get this
2096 information in two ways:
2097 2667
2098 * By telnet: 2668 If you are on a Unix machine, try using the "nslookup" command, included
2669 in the Berkeley BIND package. For example, to find the IP address of
2670 "ftp.gnu.org", you would type
2099 2671
2100 telnet nic.ddn.mil hostnames (or `telnet 192.112.36.5 101') 2672 nslookup ftp.gnu.org
2101 @ whois
2102 Whois: host XXX.YYY.ZZZ
2103 2673
2104 * By e-mail: 2674 Your computer should then provide the IP address of that computer.
2105 2675
2106 To: service@nic.ddn.mil 2676 If your site's nameserver is deficient, you can use IP addresses to FTP
2107 Subject: host XXX.YYY.ZZZ 2677 files. You can get this information by
2108 or: whois XXX.YYY.ZZZ
2109 or: help
2110 2678
2111 or: 2679 * E-mail:
2112 2680
2113 To: resolve@cs.widener.edu 2681 To: dns@[134.214.84.25] (to grasp.insa-lyon.fr)
2114 body: site XXX.YYY.ZZZ 2682 Body: ip XXX.YYY.ZZZ (or "help" for more information
2683 and options - no quotes)
2684 or:
2115 2685
2116 Information from Brendan Kehoe <brendan@cs.widener.edu>. 2686 To: resolve@[147.31.254.130] (to laverne.cs.widener.edu)
2687 Body: site XXX.YYY.ZZZ
2117 2688
2118 2689
2119Major Emacs Lisp Packages, Emacs Extensions, and Related Programs 2690Major Emacs Lisp Packages, Emacs Extensions, and Related Programs
2120 2691
2121 This section lists version numbers, FTP sites, mailing lists, newsgroups, 2692104: VM (View Mail) -- another mail reader within Emacs, with MIME support
2122 and other information for many important packages, extensions, and
2123 related programs. There is some overlap with the Lisp Code Directory,
2124 but these entries give more detailed information.
2125
2126 If you know of any other packages that are so substantial that they
2127 deserve to be mentioned here, please let us know. Having its own mailing
2128 list or newsgroup or more than half a megabyte of source code are good
2129 signs.
2130
213192: VM (View Mail) -- another mail reader within Emacs
2132 2693
2133 Author: Kyle Jones <kyle@uunet.uu.net> 2694 Author: Kyle Jones <kyle@uunet.uu.net>
2134 Latest version: 5.72 (beta) 2695 Latest version: 6.62
2135 Anonymous FTP: 2696 Anonymous FTP:
2136 /ftp.uu.net:networking/mail/vm-5.72beta.tar.gz 2697 ftp://ftp.uu.net/networking/mail/vm/vm.tar.gz
2137 Newsgroups and mailing lists: 2698 Newsgroups and mailing lists:
2138 Info-VM: 2699 Informational newsgroup/mailing list:
2139 gnu.emacs.vm.info (newsgroup) 2700 gnu.emacs.vm.info (newsgroup)
2140 info-vm-request@uunet.uu.net (for subscriptions) 2701 info-vm-request@uunet.uu.net (for subscriptions)
2141 info-vm@uunet.uu.net (for submissions) 2702 info-vm@uunet.uu.net (for submissions)
2142 Bug-VM: 2703 Bug reports newsgroup/mailing list:
2143 gnu.emacs.vm.bug (newsgroup) 2704 gnu.emacs.vm.bug (newsgroup)
2144 bug-vm-request@uunet.uu.net (for subscriptions) 2705 bug-vm-request@uunet.uu.net (for subscriptions)
2145 bug-vm@uunet.uu.net (for submissions) 2706 bug-vm@uunet.uu.net (for submissions)
2707 NOTE: VM 6 is not guaranteed to work under Emacs 20 (although many people
2708 seem to use it without too much trouble). Users of Emacs 20 might prefer
2709 to use VM 5.97, available from the same FTP site.
2146 2710
214793: Supercite -- mail and news citation package within Emacs 2711105: SuperCite -- mail and news citation package within Emacs
2148 2712
2149 Author: Barry Warsaw <bwarsaw@cen.com> 2713 Author: Barry Warsaw <bwarsaw@cen.com>
2150 Latest version: 3.54 (comes with GNU Emacs 19) 2714 Latest version: 3.1 (comes with Emacs 20)
2151 3.1 (available from the Emacs Lisp Archive)
2152 Anonymous FTP:
2153 /archive.cis.ohio-state.edu:pub/gnu/emacs/elisp-archive/packages/sc3.1.tar.Z
2154 Mailing list: supercite-request@anthem.nlm.nih.gov (for subscriptions)
2155 supercite@anthem.nlm.nih.gov (for submissions)
2156 NOTE: Superyank is an old version of Supercite.
2157
215894: Gnus -- news reader within Emacs
2159
2160 Author: Masanobu Umeda <umerin@mse.kyutech.ac.jp>
2161 Latest version: 4.1 (comes with GNU Emacs 19)
2162 Anonymous FTP: 2715 Anonymous FTP:
2163 /src.doc.ic.ac.uk:gnu/EmacsBits/elisp-archive/packages/gnus-4.1.tar.Z 2716 ftp://ftp.python.org/pub/emacs/sc3.1.tar.gz
2164 /archive.cis.ohio-state.edu:pub/gnu/emacs/elisp-archive/packages/gnus-4.1.tar.Z 2717 Mailing list:
2165 Newsgroups and mailing lists: 2718 supercite-request@merlin.cnri.reston.va.us (for subscriptions)
2166 English-only: 2719 supercite@merlin.cnri.reston.va.us (for submissions)
2167 gnu.emacs.gnus (newsgroup) 2720 NOTE: Superyank is an old version of SuperCite.
2168 info-gnus-english-request@cis.ohio-state.edu (for subscriptions)
2169 info-gnus-english@cis.ohio-state.edu (for submissions)
2170 Japanese (and some English):
2171 info-gnus-request@flab.fujitsu.co.jp (for subscriptions)
2172 info-gnus@flab.fujitsu.co.jp (for submissions)
2173 2721
217495: Calc -- poor man's Mathematica within Emacs 2722106: Calc -- poor man's Mathematica within Emacs
2175 2723
2176 Author: Dave Gillespie <daveg@csvax.cs.caltech.edu> 2724 Author: Dave Gillespie <daveg@csvax.cs.caltech.edu>
2177 Latest version: 2.02c 2725 Latest version: 2.02f
2178 Anonymous FTP: 2726 Anonymous FTP:
2179 /prep.ai.mit.edu:pub/gnu/calc-2.02c.tar.gz 2727 ftp://ftp.gnu.org/pub/gnu/calc-2.02f.tar.gz
2180 NOTE: Unlike Wolfram Research, Dave has never threatened to sue 2728 NOTE: Unlike Wolfram Research, Dave has never threatened to sue
2181 anyone for having a program with a similar command language to 2729 anyone for having a program with a similar command language to
2182 Calc. :-) 2730 Calc. :-)
2183 2731
218496: Ange-FTP -- transparent FTP access for Emacs's file access routines 2732107: VIPER -- vi emulation for Emacs
2185 2733
2186 Author: Andy Norman <ange@hplb.hpl.hp.com> 2734 Since Emacs 19.29, the preferred vi emulation in Emacs is VIPER (M-x
2187 Latest version: 1.56 (comes with GNU Emacs 19) 2735 viper-mode RET), which comes with Emacs. It extends and supersedes VIP
2188 Anonymous FTP: 2736 (including VIP 4.3) and provides vi emulation at several levels, from one
2189 /archive.cis.ohio-state.edu:pub/gnu/emacs/elisp-archive/packages/ange-ftp.tar.Z 2737 that closely follows vi to one that departs from vi in several
2190 Mailing lists: 2738 significant ways.
2191 Ange-FTP Lovers:
2192 ange-ftp-lovers-request@anorman.hpl.hp.com (for subscriptions)
2193 ange-ftp-lovers@anorman.hpl.hp.com (for submissions)
2194 /ftp.reed.edu:pub/mailing-lists/ange-ftp/ (archives)
2195 Ange-FTP Announcements:
2196 ange-ftp-lovers-announce@anorman.hpl.hp.com
2197 NOTE: now supports VMS, CMS, and MTS ftp servers
2198 2739
219997: VIP -- vi emulation for Emacs 2740 For Emacs 19.28 and earlier, the following version of VIP is generally
2741 better than the one distributed with Emacs:
2200 2742
2201 Author: Aamod Sane <sane@cs.uiuc.edu> 2743 Author: Aamod Sane <sane@cs.uiuc.edu>
2202 Latest version: 4.3 2744 Latest version: 4.3
2203 Anonymous FTP: 2745 Anonymous FTP:
2204 /cs.uiuc.edu:pub/vip4.3.tar.Z 2746 ftp://ftp.cs.ohio-state.edu/pub/gnu/emacs/elisp-archive/modes/vip-mode.tar.Z
2205 /archive.cis.ohio-state.edu:pub/gnu/emacs/elisp-archive/modes/vip-mode.tar.Z
2206 NOTE: This version much more closely emulates vi than the one
2207 distributed with Emacs.
2208 2747
220998: AUC TeX -- enhanced LaTeX mode with debugging facilities 2748108: AUC TeX -- enhanced LaTeX mode with debugging facilities
2210 2749
2211 Author: Kresten Krab Thorup <krab@iesd.auc.dk> 2750 Authors: Kresten Krab Thorup <krab@iesd.auc.dk>
2212 Latest version: 9.1i 2751 and Per Abrahamsen <abraham@iesd.auc.dk>
2752 Latest version: 9.8l
2213 Anonymous FTP: 2753 Anonymous FTP:
2214 /iesd.auc.dk:pub/emacs-lisp/auctex-9.1i.tar.gz 2754 ftp://sunsite.auc.dk/packages/auctex/auctex.tar.gz
2215 Mailing list: 2755 Mailing list:
2216 auc-tex-request@iesd.auc.dk (for subscriptions) 2756 auc-tex-request@iesd.auc.dk (for subscriptions)
2217 auc-tex@iesd.auc.dk (for submissions) 2757 auc-tex@iesd.auc.dk (for submissions)
2218 auc-tex_mgr@iesd.auc.dk (auc-tex development team) 2758 auc-tex_mgr@iesd.auc.dk (auc-tex development team)
2759 World Wide Web:
2760 http://www.iesd.auc.dk/~amanda/auctex/
2219 2761
222099: Hyperbole -- extensible hypertext management system within Emacs 2762109: BBDB -- personal Info Rolodex integrated with mail/news readers
2221 2763
2222 Author: Bob Weiner <rsw@cs.brown.edu> 2764 Maintainer: Matt Simmons <simmonmt@acm.org>
2223 Latest version: 3.15 2765 Latest released version: 2.00
2224 Anonymous FTP: 2766 Available from:
2225 /wilma.cs.brown.edu:pub/hyperbole/h3.15.tar.Z 2767 http://www.netcom.com/~simmonmt/bbdb/index.html
2226 Mailing lists:
2227 hyperbole-announce -- Hyperbole release announcements only.
2228 Subscriptions:
2229 To: hyperbole-request@cs.brown.edu
2230 Subject: Add <mailbox@domain.name> to hyperbole-announce
2231 hyperbole -- Hyperbole discussion.
2232 Subscriptions:
2233 To: hyperbole-request@cs.brown.edu
2234 Subject: Add <mailbox@domain.name> to hyperbole
2235 Submissions:
2236 hyperbole@cs.brown.edu
2237 NOTE: Any member of the hyperbole mailing list is automatically a
2238 member of the hyperbole-announce mailing list.
2239 NOTE: No .UUCP or ! addresses are allowed on these mailing lists.
2240
2241100: BBDB -- personal Info Rolodex integrated with mail/news readers
2242
2243 Author: Jamie Zawinski <jwz@lucid.com>
2244 Latest released version: 1.50
2245 Anonymous FTP:
2246 /archive.cis.ohio-state.edu:pub/gnu/emacs/elisp-archive/packages/bbdb-1.50.tar.Z
2247 Mailing lists: 2768 Mailing lists:
2248 info-bbdb-request@cs.uiuc.edu (for subscriptions) 2769 info-bbdb-request@xemacs.org (for subscriptions)
2249 info-bbdb@cs.uiuc.edu (for submissions) 2770 info-bbdb@xemacs.org (for submissions)
2250 bbdb-announce-request@cs.uiuc.edu (to be informed of new releases) 2771 bbdb-announce-request@xemacs.org (to be informed of new releases)
2251 NOTE: BBDB does not work with VM 4. It does work with VM 5,
2252 Rmail, Gnus, and MH-E.
2253 2772
2254101: Ispell -- spell checker in C with interface for Emacs 2773110: Ispell -- spell checker in C with interface for Emacs
2255 2774
2256 Author: Geoff Kuenning <geoff@itcorp.com> 2775 Author: Geoff Kuenning <geoff@itcorp.com>
2257 Latest released version: 3.1.08 2776 Latest released version: 3.1.20
2258 Anonymous FTP: 2777 Anonymous FTP:
2259 Master Sites: 2778 Master Sites:
2260 /ftp.cs.ucla.edu:pub/ispell/ispell-3.1.08.tar.gz 2779 ftp://ftp.cs.ucla.edu/pub/ispell/ispell-3.1.20.tar.gz
2261 /ftp.math.orst.edu:pub/ispell/ispell-3.1.08.tar.gz 2780 Known Mirror Sites:
2262 Known Mirror Sites: (only directory names shown) 2781 ftp://ftp.th-darmstadt.de/pub/dicts/ispell/
2263 /ftp.th-darmstadt.de:pub/dicts/ispell/ 2782 ftp://ftp.nl.net/pub/textproc/ispell/
2264 /ftp.nl.net:pub/textproc/ispell/ 2783 World Wide Web:
2784 http://fmg-www.cs.ucla.edu/geoff/ispell.html
2265 2785
2266 NOTE: * Do not ask Geoff to send you the latest version of Ispell. 2786 NOTE: * Do not ask Geoff to send you the latest version of Ispell.
2267 He does not have free e-mail. 2787 He does not have free e-mail.
2268 2788
2269 * This Ispell program is distinct from GNU Ispell 4.0. GNU 2789 * This Ispell program is distinct from GNU Ispell 4.0. GNU
2270 Ispell 4.0 is no longer a supported product. 2790 Ispell 4.0 is no longer a supported product.
2271 2791
2272102: XEmacs -- alternative Emacs 19 with better X interface; formerly 2792111: W3-mode -- A World Wide Web browser inside of Emacs
2273 known as Lucid Emacs or lemacs.
2274 2793
2275 Primary Maintainer: Chuck Thompson <cthomp@cs.uiuc.edu> 2794 Author: Bill Perry <wmperry@spry.com>
2276 Other Developers: Ben Wing <wing@netcom.com> 2795 Latest version: 4.0pre.23
2277 Richard Mlynarik <mly@adoc.xerox.com>
2278 Jamie Zawinski <jwz@mcom.com>
2279 Latest released version: 19.11
2280 Anonymous FTP: 2796 Anonymous FTP:
2281 /ftp.cs.uiuc.edu:pub/xemacs/xemacs-19.11.tar.gz 2797 ftp://ftp.cs.indiana.edu/pub/elisp/w3/.betas/w3.tar.gz
2282 Newsgroup and mailing lists: 2798 Mailing lists:
2283 Bugs: 2799 w3-announce-request@indiana.edu (to get announcements of new versions)
2284 alt.lucid-emacs.bug 2800 w3-beta-request@indiana.edu (for beta-testers of new versions)
2285 bug-lucid-emacs-request@cs.uiuc.edu (for subscriptions) 2801 w3-dev@indiana.edu (for developers of W3)
2286 bug-lucid-emacs@cs.uiuc.edu (for submissions) 2802
2287 Help: 2803112: EDB -- Database program for Emacs; replaces forms editing modes
2288 alt.lucid-emacs.help 2804
2289 help-lucid-emacs-request@cs.uiuc.edu (for subscriptions) 2805 Author: Michael Ernst <mernst@theory.lcs.mit.edu>
2290 help-lucid-emacs@cs.uiuc.edu (for submissions) 2806 Latest version: 1.21
2291 NOTE: The XEmacs FAQ is available via the World-Wide Web at URL 2807 Anonymous FTP:
2292 http://xemacs.cs.uiuc.edu/. 2808 ftp://theory.lcs.mit.edu/pub/emacs/edb
2293 2809
2294103: Patch -- program to apply "diffs" for updating files 2810113: Mailcrypt -- PGP interface within Emacs mail and news
2295 2811
2296 Author: Larry Wall <lwall@netlabs.com> 2812 Authors: Patrick J. LoPresti <patl@lcs.mit.edu> and
2297 Latest version: 2.1 2813 Jin S. Choi <jin@atype.com>
2298 Anonymous FTP: 2814 Maintainer: Len Budney <lbudney@pobox.com>
2299 /prep.ai.mit.edu:pub/gnu/patch-2.1.tar.gz 2815 Latest version: 3.5b6
2300 /ftp.funet.fi:pub/gnu/patch-2.1.tar.gz 2816 Anonymous FTP:
2301 /ftp.uni-stuttgart.de:pub/unix/gnu/patch-2.1.tar.gz 2817 http://www.nb.net/~lbudney/linux/software/mailcrypt/mailcrypt-3.5b6.tar.gz
2302 NOTE: See question 80 for other GNU distribution sites. 2818 World Wide Web:
2819 http://www.nb.net/~lbudney/linux/software/mailcrypt.html
2820
2821114: Patch -- program to apply "diffs" for updating files
2822
2823 Author: Larry Wall <lwall@wall.org> (with GNU modifications)
2824 Latest version: 2.5
2825 Anonymous FTP: See question 92
2303 2826
2304 2827
2305Changing Key Bindings and Handling Key Binding Problems 2828Changing Key Bindings and Handling Key Binding Problems
2306 2829
2307104: How do I bind keys (including function keys) to commands? 2830115: How do I bind keys (including function keys) to commands?
2831
2832 Keys can be bound to commands either interactively or in your .emacs
2833 file. To interactively bind keys for all modes, type
2308 2834
2309 Keys can be bound to commands either interactively or by predefinition 2835 M-x global-set-key RET KEY CMD RET
2310 (e.g. in the .emacs file). To interactively bind keys for all modes,
2311 type `M-x global-set-key RET KEY CMD RET'; for the current major mode
2312 only, type `M-x local-set-key RET KEY CMD RET' (see the Emacs on-line
2313 documentation for further details).
2314 2836
2315 To bind keys on starting Emacs or on starting any given mode, you can use 2837 To bind a key just in the current major mode, type
2316 the following "trick." First bind the key interactively, then
2317 immediately afterwards type `C-x ESC ESC C-a C-k C-g'. Now, the command
2318 needed to bind the key is in the kill ring and can be yanked into the
2319 .emacs file. If the key binding is global, no changes to the command are
2320 required. For example,
2321 2838
2322 (global-set-key (quote [f1]) (quote help-for-help)) 2839 M-x local-set-key RET KEY CMD RET
2323 2840
2324 can be place directly into the .emacs file. If the key binding is local, 2841 See "Key Bindings" in the on-line manual for further details.
2325 the command is used in conjunction with the `add-hook' command. For
2326 example, in tex-mode, a local binding might be
2327 2842
2328 (add-hook 'tex-mode-hook 2843 To bind keys on starting Emacs or on starting any given mode, use the
2329 (function (lambda () 2844 following "trick": First bind the key interactively, then immediately
2330 (local-set-key (quote [f1]) (quote help-for-help)))) 2845 type "C-x ESC ESC C-a C-k C-g". Now, the command needed to bind the key
2846 is in the kill ring, and can be yanked into your .emacs file. If the key
2847 binding is global, no changes to the command are required. For example,
2331 2848
2332 NOTE: * Control characters in key sequence position of the form yanked 2849 (global-set-key [f1] 'help-for-help)
2333 from the kill ring are given in their graphic form - i.e. CTRL is
2334 shown as `^', TAB as a set of spaces (usually 8), etc. You may
2335 want to convert these into their vector or string forms.
2336 2850
2337 * If some prefix key of the character sequence to be bound is 2851 can be placed directly into the .emacs file. If the key binding is
2338 already bound as a complete key, then you must unbind it before 2852 local, the command is used in conjunction with the "add-hook" command.
2339 the new binding. For example, if `ESC {' is previously bound: 2853 For example, in tex-mode, a local binding might be
2854
2855 (add-hook 'tex-mode-hook
2856 (lambda ()
2857 (local-set-key [f1] 'help-for-help)))
2858
2859 NOTE: * Control characters in key sequences, in the form yanked from the
2860 kill ring are given in their graphic form -- i.e., CTRL is shown
2861 as `^', TAB as a set of spaces (usually 8), etc. You may want to
2862 convert these into their vector or string forms.
2863
2864 * If a prefix key of the character sequence to be bound is already
2865 bound as a complete key, then you must unbind it before the new
2866 binding. For example, if "ESC {" is previously bound:
2340 2867
2341 (global-unset-key [?\e ?{]) ;; or 2868 (global-unset-key [?\e ?{]) ;; or
2342 (local-unset-key [?\e ?{]) 2869 (local-unset-key [?\e ?{])
@@ -2347,23 +2874,29 @@ Changing Key Bindings and Handling Key Binding Problems
2347 (global-set-key [f10] [?\C-x?\e?\e?\C-a?\C-k?\C-g]) ;; or 2874 (global-set-key [f10] [?\C-x?\e?\e?\C-a?\C-k?\C-g]) ;; or
2348 (global-set-key [f10] "\C-x\e\e\C-a\C-k\C-g") 2875 (global-set-key [f10] "\C-x\e\e\C-a\C-k\C-g")
2349 2876
2350 See `Key Bindings' in the Emacs on-line documentation for further 2877 * The "kbd" macro is convenient for converting a key description in
2351 details. 2878 the form used in documentation or printed by C-h c (except that
2879 function key symbols must be enclosed in angle brackets). For
2880 example:
2881
2882 (global-set-key (kbd "<f1>") 'help-for-help)
2883 (global-set-key (kbd "C-h") 'help-for-help)
2884 (local-set-key (kbd "DEL") 'scroll-down)
2352 2885
2353105: Why does Emacs say `Key sequence XXX uses invalid prefix characters'? 2886116: Why does Emacs say "Key sequence XXX uses invalid prefix characters"?
2354 2887
2355 Usually one of two things has happened. In one case, the control 2888 Usually, one of two things has happened. In one case, the control
2356 character in the key sequence has been misspecified (e.g. `C-f' used 2889 character in the key sequence has been misspecified (e.g. "C-f" used
2357 instead of `\C-f' within a Lisp expression). In the other case, a 2890 instead of "\C-f" within a Lisp expression). In the other case, a
2358 "prefix key" in the keystroke sequence you were trying to bind was 2891 "prefix key" in the keystroke sequence you were trying to bind was
2359 already bound as a "complete key." Historically, the `ESC [' prefix was 2892 already bound as a "complete key." Historically, the "ESC [" prefix was
2360 usually the problem, in which case you should evaluate either of these 2893 usually the problem, in which case you should evaluate either of these
2361 forms before attempting to bind the key sequence: 2894 forms before attempting to bind the key sequence:
2362 2895
2363 (global-unset-key [?\e ?[]) ;; or 2896 (global-unset-key [?\e ?[]) ;; or
2364 (global-unset-key "\e[") 2897 (global-unset-key "\e[")
2365 2898
2366106: Why doesn't this [terminal or window-system setup] code work in my 2899117: Why doesn't this [terminal or window-system setup] code work in my
2367 .emacs file, but it works just fine after Emacs starts up? 2900 .emacs file, but it works just fine after Emacs starts up?
2368 2901
2369 During startup, Emacs initializes itself according to a given code/file 2902 During startup, Emacs initializes itself according to a given code/file
@@ -2374,7 +2907,7 @@ Changing Key Bindings and Handling Key Binding Problems
2374 2907
2375 To postpone the execution of Emacs Lisp code until after terminal or 2908 To postpone the execution of Emacs Lisp code until after terminal or
2376 window-system setup, treat the code as a "lambda list" and set the value 2909 window-system setup, treat the code as a "lambda list" and set the value
2377 of either the `term-setup-hook' or `window-setup-hook' variable to this 2910 of either the "term-setup-hook" or "window-setup-hook" variable to this
2378 "lambda function." For example, 2911 "lambda function." For example,
2379 2912
2380 (setq term-setup-hook 2913 (setq term-setup-hook
@@ -2385,56 +2918,42 @@ Changing Key Bindings and Handling Key Binding Problems
2385 (global-set-key [do] 'execute-extended-command)) 2918 (global-set-key [do] 'execute-extended-command))
2386 )))) 2919 ))))
2387 2920
2388 For information on what Emacs does every time it is started, see the 2921 For information on what Emacs does every time it is started, see
2389 lisp/startup.el file. 2922 "Starting Up Emacs" in the Lisp Reference Manual.
2390 2923
2391107: How do I use function keys under X Windows? 2924118: How do I use function keys under X Windows?
2392 2925
2393 With Emacs 19, functions keys under X are bound like any other key. See 2926 With Emacs 19, functions keys under X are bound like any other key. See
2394 question 104 for details. 2927 question 115 for details.
2395 2928
2396108: How do I tell what characters or symbols my function or arrow keys 2929119: How do I tell what characters or symbols my function or arrow keys
2397 emit? 2930 emit?
2398 2931
2399 Put the following in your .emacs file and type `M-x see-chars' to use: 2932 Type "C-h c" then the function or arrow keys. The command will return
2400 2933 either a function key symbol or character sequence (see the Emacs on-line
2401 (defun see-chars () 2934 documentation for an explanation). This works for other keys as well.
2402 "Display events received, terminated by a 3-second timeout." 2935
2403 (interactive) 2936120: How do I set the X key "translations" for Emacs?
2404 (let (chars 2937
2405 (inhibit-quit t)) 2938 Emacs is not written using the Xt library by default, so there are no
2406 (message "Enter characters or other events, terminated by a 3-second 2939 "translations" to be set. (We aren't sure how to set such translations
2407 timeout.") 2940 if you do build Emacs with Xt; please let us know if you've done this!)
2408 (while (not (sit-for 3)) 2941
2409 (setq chars (nconc chars (list (read-event))) 2942 The only way to affect the behavior of keys within Emacs is through
2410 quit-flag nil) ; quit-flag might be set by C-g. 2943 "xmodmap" (outside Emacs) or "define-key" (inside Emacs). The
2411 (if (not (input-pending-p)) 2944 "define-key" command should be used in conjunction with the
2412 (message "Events received until now: %s..." 2945 "function-key-map" map. For instance,
2413 (key-description chars))))
2414 (message "Events received: %s" (key-description chars))))
2415
2416 Alternatively, type "C-h c" then the function or arrow keys. The command
2417 will return either a function key symbol or character sequence (see the
2418 Emacs on-line documentation for an explanation). This works for other
2419 keys as well.
2420
2421109: How do I set the X key "translations" for Emacs?
2422
2423 Sorry, you can't; there are no "translations" to be set. Emacs is not
2424 written using the Xt library. The only way to affect the behavior of
2425 keys within Emacs is through `xmodmap' (outside Emacs) or `define-key'
2426 (inside Emacs). The `define-key' command should be used in conjunction
2427 with the `function-key-map' map. For instance,
2428 2946
2429 (define-key function-key-map [M-tab] [?\M-\t]) 2947 (define-key function-key-map [M-tab] [?\M-\t])
2430 2948
2431 defines the `META TAB' key sequence. 2949 defines the "M-TAB" key sequence.
2432 2950
2433110: How do I handle C-s and C-q being used for flow control? 2951121: How do I handle C-s and C-q being used for flow control?
2434 2952
2435 C-s and C-q are used in the XON/XOFF flow control protocol. This screws 2953 C-s and C-q are used in the XON/XOFF flow control protocol. This messes
2436 up Emacs because it binds these characters to commands. Also, by default 2954 things up when you're using Emacs, because Emacs binds these keys to
2437 Emacs will not honor them as flow control characters and may overwhelm 2955 commands by default. Because Emacs won't honor them as flow control
2956 characters, too many of these characters are not passed on and overwhelm
2438 output buffers. Sometimes, intermediate software using XON/XOFF flow 2957 output buffers. Sometimes, intermediate software using XON/XOFF flow
2439 control will prevent Emacs from ever seeing C-s and C-q. 2958 control will prevent Emacs from ever seeing C-s and C-q.
2440 2959
@@ -2449,7 +2968,7 @@ Changing Key Bindings and Handling Key Binding Problems
2449 Your terminal may use XON/XOFF flow control to have time to display 2968 Your terminal may use XON/XOFF flow control to have time to display
2450 all the characters it receives. For example, VT series terminals do 2969 all the characters it receives. For example, VT series terminals do
2451 this. It may be possible to turn this off from a setup menu. For 2970 this. It may be possible to turn this off from a setup menu. For
2452 example, on a VT220 you may select `No XOFF' in the setup menu. This 2971 example, on a VT220 you may select "No XOFF" in the setup menu. This
2453 is also true for some terminal emulation programs on PCs. 2972 is also true for some terminal emulation programs on PCs.
2454 2973
2455 When you turn off flow control at the terminal, you will also need to 2974 When you turn off flow control at the terminal, you will also need to
@@ -2458,7 +2977,7 @@ Changing Key Bindings and Handling Key Binding Problems
2458 2977
2459 If you turn off flow control, characters may be lost; using a printer 2978 If you turn off flow control, characters may be lost; using a printer
2460 connected to the terminal may fail. You may be able to get around 2979 connected to the terminal may fail. You may be able to get around
2461 this problem by modifying the `termcap' entry for your terminal to 2980 this problem by modifying the "termcap" entry for your terminal to
2462 include extra NUL padding characters. 2981 include extra NUL padding characters.
2463 2982
2464 * a modem 2983 * a modem
@@ -2481,22 +3000,22 @@ Changing Key Bindings and Handling Key Binding Problems
2481 3000
2482 Eirik Fuller <eirik@theory.tn.cornell.edu> writes: 3001 Eirik Fuller <eirik@theory.tn.cornell.edu> writes:
2483 3002
2484 Some versions of `rlogin' (and possibly telnet) do not pass flow 3003 Some versions of "rlogin" (and possibly telnet) do not pass flow
2485 control characters to the remote system to which they connect. On 3004 control characters to the remote system to which they connect. On
2486 such systems, Emacs on the remote system cannot disable flow 3005 such systems, Emacs on the remote system cannot disable flow
2487 control on the local system. Sometimes `rlogin -8' will avoid this 3006 control on the local system. Sometimes "rlogin -8" will avoid this
2488 problem. 3007 problem.
2489 3008
2490 One way to cure this is to disable flow control on the local host 3009 One way to cure this is to disable flow control on the local host
2491 (the one running rlogin, not the one running rlogind) using the 3010 (the one running rlogin, not the one running rlogind) using the
2492 stty command, before starting the rlogin process. On many systems, 3011 stty command, before starting the rlogin process. On many systems,
2493 `stty start u stop u' will do this. 3012 "stty start u stop u" will do this.
2494 3013
2495 Some versions of `tcsh' will prevent even this from working. One 3014 Some versions of "tcsh" will prevent even this from working. One
2496 way around this is to start another shell before starting rlogin, 3015 way around this is to start another shell before starting rlogin,
2497 and issue the stty command to disable flow control from that shell. 3016 and issue the stty command to disable flow control from that shell.
2498 3017
2499 Use `stty -ixon' instead of `stty start u stop u' on some systems. 3018 Use "stty -ixon" instead of "stty start u stop u" on some systems.
2500 3019
2501 * Make Emacs speak the XON/XOFF flow control protocol. 3020 * Make Emacs speak the XON/XOFF flow control protocol.
2502 3021
@@ -2512,7 +3031,7 @@ Changing Key Bindings and Handling Key Binding Problems
2512 (using your terminal names instead of "vt100" or "h19") to enable 3031 (using your terminal names instead of "vt100" or "h19") to enable
2513 selectively. These commands will automatically swap `C-s' and `C-q' to 3032 selectively. These commands will automatically swap `C-s' and `C-q' to
2514 `C-\' and `C-^'. Variables can be used to change the default swap keys 3033 `C-\' and `C-^'. Variables can be used to change the default swap keys
2515 (`flow-control-c-s-replacement' and `flow-control-c-q-replacement'). 3034 ("flow-control-c-s-replacement" and "flow-control-c-q-replacement").
2516 3035
2517 If you are fixing this for yourself, simply put the form in your .emacs 3036 If you are fixing this for yourself, simply put the form in your .emacs
2518 file. If you are fixing this for your entire site, the best place to 3037 file. If you are fixing this for your entire site, the best place to
@@ -2525,39 +3044,39 @@ Changing Key Bindings and Handling Key Binding Problems
2525 For further discussion of this issue, read the file PROBLEMS (in the 3044 For further discussion of this issue, read the file PROBLEMS (in the
2526 top-level directory when you unpack the Emacs source). 3045 top-level directory when you unpack the Emacs source).
2527 3046
2528111: How do I bind `C-s' and `C-q' (or any key) if these keys are filtered 3047122: How do I bind `C-s' and `C-q' (or any key) if these keys are filtered
2529 out? 3048 out?
2530 3049
2531 To bind `C-s' and `C-q', use either `enable-flow-control' or 3050 To bind `C-s' and `C-q', use either "enable-flow-control" or
2532 `enable-flow-control-on'. See question 110 for usage and implementation 3051 "enable-flow-control-on". See question 121 for usage and implementation
2533 details. 3052 details.
2534 3053
2535 To bind other keys, use `keyboard-translate'. See question 114 for usage 3054 To bind other keys, use "keyboard-translate". See question 125 for usage
2536 details. To do this for an entire site, you should swap the keys in 3055 details. To do this for an entire site, you should swap the keys in
2537 lisp/site-start.el. See question 110 for an explanation of why 3056 lisp/site-start.el. See question 121 for an explanation of why
2538 lisp/default.el should not be used. 3057 lisp/default.el should not be used.
2539 3058
2540 NOTE: * If you do this for an entire site, the users will be confused by 3059 NOTE: * If you do this for an entire site, the users will be confused by
2541 the disparity between what the documentation says and how Emacs 3060 the disparity between what the documentation says and how Emacs
2542 actually behaves. 3061 actually behaves.
2543 3062
2544112: Why does the `Backspace' key invoke help? 3063123: Why does the "Backspace" key invoke help?
2545 3064
2546 The `Backspace' key (on most keyboards) generates ASCII code 8. `C-h' 3065 The "Backspace" key (on most keyboards) generates ASCII code 8. `C-h'
2547 sends the same code. In Emacs by default `C-h' invokes help-command. 3066 sends the same code. In Emacs by default `C-h' invokes help-command.
2548 This is intended to be easy to remember since the first letter of "help" 3067 This is intended to be easy to remember since the first letter of "help"
2549 is "h." The easiest solution to this problem is to use `C-h' (and 3068 is `h'. The easiest solution to this problem is to use `C-h' (and
2550 Backspace) for help and DEL (the Delete key) for deleting the previous 3069 Backspace) for help and DEL (the Delete key) for deleting the previous
2551 character. 3070 character.
2552 3071
2553 For many people this solution may be problematic: 3072 For many people this solution may be problematic:
2554 3073
2555 * They normally use Backspace outside of Emacs for deleting the previous 3074 * They normally use Backspace outside of Emacs for deleting the previous
2556 character typed. This can be solved by making DEL be the command for 3075 character. This can be solved by making DEL the command for deleting
2557 deleting the previous character outside of Emacs. This command will do 3076 the previous character outside of Emacs. On many Unix systems, this
2558 this on many Unix systems: 3077 command will remap DEL:
2559 3078
2560 stty erase '^?' 3079 stty erase `^?'
2561 3080
2562 * The person may prefer using the Backspace key for deleting the previous 3081 * The person may prefer using the Backspace key for deleting the previous
2563 character because it is more conveniently located on their keyboard or 3082 character because it is more conveniently located on their keyboard or
@@ -2575,28 +3094,27 @@ Changing Key Bindings and Handling Key Binding Problems
2575 3094
2576 (keyboard-translate ?\C-h ?\C-?) 3095 (keyboard-translate ?\C-h ?\C-?)
2577 3096
2578 See question 114 for further details of `keyboard-translate'. 3097 See question 125 for further details of "keyboard-translate".
2579 3098
2580 * Another approach is to switch key bindings and put help on "C-x h" 3099 * Another approach is to switch key bindings and put help on "C-x h"
2581 instead: 3100 instead:
2582 3101
2583 (global-set-key [?\C-h] 'delete-backward-char) 3102 (global-set-key "\C-h" 'delete-backward-char)
2584 (global-set-key [?\C-x ?h] 'help-command) 3103 (global-set-key "\C-xh" 'help-command) ;; overrides mark-whole-buffer
2585 ;; overrides mark-whole-buffer
2586 3104
2587 Other popular key bindings for help are M-? and "C-x ?". 3105 Other popular key bindings for help are M-? and "C-x ?".
2588 3106
2589 NOTE: * Don't try to bind DEL to help-command, because there are many 3107 NOTE: * Don't try to bind DEL to help-command, because there are many
2590 modes that have local bindings of DEL that will interfere. 3108 modes that have local bindings of DEL that will interfere.
2591 3109
2592113: Why doesn't Emacs look at the stty settings for Backspace vs. Delete? 3110124: Why doesn't Emacs look at the stty settings for Backspace vs. Delete?
2593 3111
2594 Good question! 3112 Good question!
2595 3113
2596114: How do I "swap" two keys? 3114125: How do I "swap" two keys?
2597 3115
2598 In Emacs 19, you can swap two keys (or key sequences) by using the 3116 In Emacs 19, you can swap two keys (or key sequences) by using the
2599 `keyboard-translate' function. For example, to turn `C-h' into DEL and 3117 "keyboard-translate" function. For example, to turn `C-h' into DEL and
2600 DEL to `C-h', use 3118 DEL to `C-h', use
2601 3119
2602 (keyboard-translate ?\C-h ?\C-?) ; translate `C-h' to DEL 3120 (keyboard-translate ?\C-h ?\C-?) ; translate `C-h' to DEL
@@ -2613,89 +3131,93 @@ Changing Key Bindings and Handling Key Binding Problems
2613 up in keymaps contain the characters that result from keyboard 3131 up in keymaps contain the characters that result from keyboard
2614 translation. 3132 translation.
2615 3133
2616 Also see `Keyboard Translations' in the on-line manual. 3134 Also see "Keyboard Translations" in the on-line manual.
2617 3135
2618115: How do I produce C-XXX with my keyboard? 3136126: How do I produce C-XXX with my keyboard?
2619 3137
2620 On terminals (but not under X), some common "aliases" are: 3138 On terminals (but not under X), some common "aliases" are:
2621 3139
2622 CTRL-2 or CTRL-SPC for C-@ 3140 C-2 or C-SPC for C-@
2623 CTRL-6 for C-^ 3141 C-6 for C-^
2624 CTRL-7 or CTRL-SHIFT-- for C-_ 3142 C-7 or C-S-- for C-_
2625 CTRL-4 for C-\ 3143 C-4 for C-\
2626 CTRL-5 for C-] 3144 C-5 for C-]
2627 CTRL-/ for C-? 3145 C-/ for C-?
2628 3146
2629 Often other aliases exist; use the `C-h c' command and try `CTRL' with 3147 Often other aliases exist; use the "C-h c" command and try `CTRL' with
2630 all of the digits on your keyboard to see what gets generated. You can 3148 all of the digits on your keyboard to see what gets generated. You can
2631 also try the `C-h w' command if you know the name of the command. 3149 also try the "C-h w" command if you know the name of the command.
2632 3150
2633116: What if I don't have a Meta key? 3151127: What if I don't have a Meta key?
2634 3152
2635 Instead of typing "M-a", you can type "ESC a". In fact, Emacs converts 3153 Instead of typing "M-a", you can type "ESC a". In fact, Emacs converts
2636 M-a internally into "ESC a" anyway (depending on the value of 3154 M-a internally into "ESC a" anyway (depending on the value of
2637 meta-prefix-char). Note that you press "Meta" and "a" together, while 3155 meta-prefix-char). Note that you press "Meta" and `a' together, while
2638 you press "ESC", release it, and then press "a". 3156 you press `ESC', release it, and then press `a'.
2639 3157
2640117: What if I don't have an Escape key? 3158128: What if I don't have an Escape key?
2641 3159
2642 Type "C-[" instead. This should send ASCII code 27 just like an Escape 3160 Type `C-[' instead. This should send ASCII code 27 just like an Escape
2643 key would. "C-3" may also work on some terminal (but not under X). For 3161 key would. `C-3' may also work on some terminal (but not under X). For
2644 many terminals (notably DEC terminals) "F11" generates the "ESC" key. If 3162 many terminals (notably DEC terminals) `F11' generates ESC. If not, the
2645 not, the following form can be used bind it: 3163 following form can be used to bind it:
2646 3164
2647 (define-key function-key-map [f11] [?\e]) ; F11 is the documented ESC 3165 (define-key function-key-map [f11] [?\e]) ; F11 is the documented ESC
2648 ; replacement on DEC terminals. 3166 ; replacement on DEC terminals.
2649 3167
2650118: Can I make my `Compose Character' key behave like a Meta key? 3168129: Can I make my "Compose Character" key behave like a Meta key?
2651 3169
2652 On a dumb terminal such as a VT220, no. It is rumored that certain VT220 3170 On a dumb terminal such as a VT220, no. It is rumored that certain VT220
2653 clones could have their Compose key configured this way. If you're using 3171 clones could have their Compose key configured this way. If you're using
2654 X, you might be able to do this with the `xmodmap' program. 3172 X, you might be able to do this with the "xmodmap" program.
2655 3173
2656119: How do I bind a combination of modifier key and function key? 3174130: How do I bind a combination of modifier key and function key?
2657 3175
2658 With Emacs 19 you can indicate modified function keys in vector format 3176 With Emacs 19 you can represent modified function keys in vector format
2659 through multi-prefixing the function key symbol. For example (from the 3177 by adding prefixes to the function key symbol. For example (from the
2660 Emacs on-line documentation): 3178 on-line documentation):
2661 3179
2662 (global-set-key [?\C-x right] 'forward-page) 3180 (global-set-key [?\C-x right] 'forward-page)
2663 3181
2664 where "?\C-x" is the Lisp character constant for the character "C-x". 3182 where "?\C-x" is the Lisp character constant for the character "C-x".
2665 3183
2666 You can use the modifier keys CTRL, META, HYPER, SUPER, ALT and SHIFT 3184 You can use the modifier keys Control, Meta, Hyper, Super, Alt, and Shift
2667 with function keys. To represent these modifiers, prepend the strings 3185 with function keys. To represent these modifiers, prepend the strings
2668 "C-", "M-", "H-", "s-", "A-" and "S-" to the symbol name. Thus, here is 3186 "C-", "M-", "H-", "s-", "A-", and "S-" to the symbol name. Here is how
2669 how to make "Hyper-Meta-RIGHT" move forward a word: 3187 to make "Hyper-Meta-RIGHT" move forward a word:
2670 3188
2671 (global-set-key [H-M-right] 'forward-word) 3189 (global-set-key [H-M-right] 'forward-word)
2672 3190
2673 NOTE: * Not all modifiers are permitted in all situations. HYPER, SUPER, 3191 In recent Emacs versions this may also be written as:
2674 and ALT are available only under X (provided there are such 3192
3193 (global-set-key [(hyper meta right)] 'forward-word)
3194
3195 NOTE: * Not all modifiers are permitted in all situations. Hyper, Super,
3196 and Alt are available only under X (provided there are such
2675 keys). Non-ASCII keys and mouse events (e.g. "C-=" and 3197 keys). Non-ASCII keys and mouse events (e.g. "C-=" and
2676 "mouse-1") also fall under this category. 3198 "mouse-1") also fall under this category.
2677 3199
2678 See question 104 for general key binding instructions. 3200 See question 115 for general key binding instructions.
2679 3201
2680120: Why doesn't my Meta key work in an xterm window? 3202131: Why doesn't my Meta key work in an xterm window?
2681 3203
2682 Try all of these methods before asking for further help: 3204 Try all of these methods before asking for further help:
2683 3205
2684 * You may have big problems using `mwm' as your window manager. {Does 3206 * You may have big problems using "mwm" as your window manager. {Does
2685 anyone know a good generic solution to allow the use of the Meta key in 3207 anyone know a good generic solution to allow the use of the Meta key in
2686 Emacs with mwm?} 3208 Emacs with mwm?}
2687 3209
2688 * For X11: Make sure it really is a Meta key. Use `xev' to find out what 3210 * For X11: Make sure it really is a Meta key. Use "xev" to find out what
2689 keysym your Meta key generates. It should be either Meta_L or Meta_R. 3211 keysym your Meta key generates. It should be either Meta_L or Meta_R.
2690 If it isn't, use xmodmap to fix the situation. 3212 If it isn't, use xmodmap to fix the situation.
2691 3213
2692 * Make sure the pty the xterm is using is passing 8 bit characters. 3214 * Make sure the pty the xterm is using is passing 8 bit characters.
2693 `stty -a' (or `stty everything') should show `cs8' somewhere. If it 3215 "stty -a" (or "stty everything") should show "cs8" somewhere. If it
2694 shows `cs7' instead, use `stty cs8 -istrip' (or `stty pass8') to fix 3216 shows "cs7" instead, use "stty cs8 -istrip" (or "stty pass8") to fix
2695 it. 3217 it.
2696 3218
2697 * If there is an rlogin connection between the xterm and the Emacs, the 3219 * If there is an rlogin connection between the xterm and the Emacs, the
2698 `-8' argument may need to be given to rlogin to make it pass all 8 bits 3220 "-8" argument may need to be given to rlogin to make it pass all 8 bits
2699 of every character. 3221 of every character.
2700 3222
2701 * If the Emacs is running under Ultrix, it is reported that evaluating 3223 * If the Emacs is running under Ultrix, it is reported that evaluating
@@ -2714,9 +3236,10 @@ Changing Key Bindings and Handling Key Binding Problems
2714 XTerm.VT100.Translations: #override \ 3236 XTerm.VT100.Translations: #override \
2715 Meta<KeyPress>: string(0x1b) insert() 3237 Meta<KeyPress>: string(0x1b) insert()
2716 3238
2717 You might have to replace `Meta' with `Alt'. 3239 You might have to replace "Meta" with "Alt".
2718 3240
2719121: Why doesn't my ExtendChar key work as a Meta key under HP-UX 8.0? 3241132: Why doesn't my ExtendChar key work as a Meta key under HP-UX 8.0
3242 and 9.x?
2720 3243
2721 This is a result of an internationalization extension in X11R4 and the 3244 This is a result of an internationalization extension in X11R4 and the
2722 fact that HP is now using this extension. Emacs assumes that 3245 fact that HP is now using this extension. Emacs assumes that
@@ -2727,174 +3250,91 @@ Changing Key Bindings and Handling Key Binding Problems
2727 3250
2728 xmodmap -e 'remove mod1 = Mode_switch' 3251 xmodmap -e 'remove mod1 = Mode_switch'
2729 3252
2730 NOTE: This will disable the use of the extra keysyms systemwide, which 3253 NOTE: This will disable the use of the extra keysyms systemwide, which
2731 may be undesirable if you actually intend to use them. 3254 may be undesirable if you actually intend to use them.
2732 3255
2733122: Where can I get key bindings to make Emacs emulate WordStar?
2734
2735 There is a package `wordstar' by Jim Frost <jimf@saber.com> located under
2736 the "misc" directory at the Emacs Lisp Archive.
2737
2738123: Where can I get an XEDIT emulator for Emacs?
2739
2740 This question comes up once every couple of months. Searing for "xedit"
2741 through most recent Lisp Code Directory fails to match any entries.
2742 3256
2743Using Emacs with Alternate Character Sets 3257Using Emacs with Alternate Character Sets
2744 3258
2745124: How do I make Emacs display 8-bit characters? 3259133: How do I make Emacs display 8-bit characters?
2746
2747 GNU Emacs 19 has built-in support for 8-bit characters. Here is an
2748 excerpt from the `European Display' page of the on-line manual:
2749
2750 Some European languages use accented letters and other special symbols.
2751 The ISO 8859 Latin-1 character set defines character codes for many
2752 European languages in the range 160 to 255.
2753
2754 Emacs can display those characters according to Latin-1, provided the
2755 terminal or font in use supports them. The `M-x
2756 standard-display-european' command toggles European character display
2757 mode. With a numeric argument, `M-x standard-display-european' enables
2758 European character display if and only if the argument is positive.
2759
2760 Some operating systems let you specify the language you are using by
2761 setting a locale. Emacs handles one common special case of this: if
2762 your locale name for character types contains the string `8859-1' or
2763 `88591', Emacs automatically enables European character display mode
2764 when it starts up.
2765
2766125: How do I input 8-bit characters?
2767
2768 Again, from the `European Display' page of the on-line manual:
2769
2770 If you enter non-ASCII ISO Latin-1 characters often, you might find ISO
2771 Accents mode convenient. When this minor mode is enabled, the
2772 characters ``', `'', `"', `^', `/' and `~' modify the following letter
2773 by adding the corresponding diacritical mark to it, if possible. To
2774 enable or disable ISO Accents mode, use the command `M-x
2775 iso-accents-mode'. This command affects only the current buffer.
2776
2777 To enter one of those six special characters, type the character,
2778 followed by a space. Some of those characters have a corresponding
2779 "dead key" accent character in the ISO Latin-1 character set; to enter
2780 that character, type the corresponding ASCII character twice. For
2781 example, `''' enters the Latin-1 character acute-accent (character code
2782 0264).
2783 3260
2784126: Where can I get an Emacs that can handle kanji characters? 3261 Emacs 19 introduced built-in support for 8-bit characters. Emacs 20 can
3262 operate similarly in Unibyte mode or else in Multibyte mode. See the
3263 "International" node in the online manual, specifically "Single-Byte
3264 European Support".
2785 3265
2786 Nemacs 3.3.2 (Nihongo GNU Emacs) is a modified version of GNU Emacs 18.55 3266134: How do I input 8-bit characters?
2787 that handles kanji characters. It is available via anonymous FTP:
2788 3267
2789 /crl.nmsu.edu:pub/misc/nemacs-3.3.2.tar.Z 3268 Again, see the "International" node of the on-line manual.
2790 /ftp.cs.titech.ac.jp:pub/gnu-rel/nemacs/nemacs-3.3.2.tar.gz
2791 3269
2792 You might also need files for "wnn," a kanji input method 3270135: Where can I get an Emacs that handles kanji, Chinese, or other
2793 (wnn-4.0.3{-README,.tar.Z} {on which machine?}). You need a terminal (or 3271 character sets?
2794 terminal emulator) that can display text encoded in JIS, Shift-JIS, or
2795 EUC (Extended Unix Code), or the ability to run Nemacs as a direct X
2796 Windows client.
2797 3272
2798127: Where can I get an Emacs that can handle Chinese? 3273 Emacs 20 now includes many of the features of MULE, the Multilingual
3274 Enhancement of Emacs. See question 84 for information on where to find
3275 and download Emacs.
2799 3276
2800 Cemacs by Stephen G. Simpson <simpson@math.psu.edu> is a patch to Emacs 3277 The original MULE is available at
2801 18.57 (the ctl-arrow patch) and some Emacs Lisp code that combined with
2802 Cxterm allows using Chinese characters. It is available via anonymous
2803 FTP:
2804 3278
2805 /cs.purdue.edu:pub/ygz/cemacs.tar.Z 3279 ftp://sh.wide.ad.jp/JAPAN/mule/mule-19.33-delta.tar.gz
2806 3280
2807 Cxterm, a patch to Emacs 18.57 that allows you to enter Chinese 3281136: Where is an Emacs that can handle Semitic (right-to-left) alphabets?
2808 characters, is available from the same place:
2809 3282
2810 /cs.purdue.edu:pub/ygz/cxterm-11.5.1.tar.Z 3283 Emacs 20 supports Hebrew characters (ISO 8859-8), but does not yet
3284 support right-to-left character entry.
2811 3285
2812128: Where is an Emacs that can handle Semitic (right-to-left) alphabets? 3286 Joel M. Hoffman <joel@exc.com> has written a Lisp package called
3287 hebrew.el that allows right-to-left editing of Hebrew. It reportedly
3288 works out of the box with Emacs 19, but requires patches for Emacs 18.
3289 Write to Joel if you want the patches or package.
2813 3290
2814 Joel M. Hoffman <joel@wam.umd.edu> writes: 3291 Hebrew.el requires a Hebrew screen font, but no other Hardware support.
3292 Joel has a screen font for PCs running MS-DOS and Linux.
2815 3293
2816 A couple of years ago a wrote a hebrew.el file that allows 3294 You might also try to query archie for files named with "hebrew"; several
2817 right-to-left editing of Hebrew. I relied on the hardware to display 3295 ftp sites in Israel may also have the necessary files.
2818 the Hebrew letters, given the right codes, but not for any
2819 right-to-left support; the hardware also doesn't have to send any
2820 specific char. codes. Emacs keeps track of when the user is typing
2821 Hebrew vs. English. (The VT-* terminals in Israel contain built-in
2822 support for Hebrew.)
2823
2824 To get it to work I had to modify only a few lines of GNU Emacs's
2825 source code --- just enough to make it 8-bit clean.
2826
2827 [and in a separate message:]
2828
2829 It doesn't produce time-order ["sefer" format] (I wouldn't recommend
2830 trying that with Emacs, because converting time-order to screen-order
2831 with arbitrarily long lines is a bit tricky), but I also concocted a
2832 quick filter to convert screen-order into time-order. I'll be happy to
2833 send you the requisite files if you want them. If you're using it for
2834 anything large, however, you'll want something that works better.
2835
2836 Joel Hoffman has also written a "bi-directional bi-lingual Emacs-like"
2837 editor for MS-DOS named Ibelbe (Itty Bitty Emacs-Like Bidirectional
2838 Editor). Ibelbe is written in Turbo Pascal and comes with source code.
2839 Here is the description:
2840
2841 Ibelbe looks like Emacs (it even has a minibuffer and filename
2842 completion), and fully supports both right-to-left and left-to-right
2843 editing. Other than an EGA monitor or better, no special hardware is
2844 required. You will need an EGA Hebrew font to use Ibelbe with Hebrew.
2845
2846 Anonymous FTP:
2847 /israel.nysernet.org:israel/computers/software/msdos/ibelbe.zip
2848 /israel.nysernet.org:israel/computers/software/msdos/hebfont.zip
2849
2850 Joseph Friedman <yossi@deshaw.com, yossi@Neon.Stanford.EDU> has written
2851 patches for Emacs 18.55 and 18.58 that provide Semitic language support
2852 under X Windows.
2853
2854 Warren Burstein <warren@itex.jct.ac.il> says he has mapped 7-bit keys by
2855 modifying self-insert-command "for Hebrew input on 7-bit keyboards."
2856
2857 A good suggestion is to query archie for files named with `hebrew'.
2858 3296
2859 3297
2860Mail and News 3298Mail and News
2861 3299
2862129: How do I change the included text prefix in mail/news followups? 3300137: How do I change the included text prefix in mail/news followups?
2863 3301
2864 If you read mail with Rmail or news with Gnus, set the variable 3302 If you read mail with Rmail or news with Gnus, set the variable
2865 mail-yank-prefix. For VM, set vm-included-text-prefix. For mh-e, set 3303 mail-yank-prefix. For VM, set vm-included-text-prefix. For mh-e, set
2866 mh-ins-buf-prefix. 3304 mh-ins-buf-prefix.
2867 3305
2868 For fancier control of citations, use Supercite. See question 93. 3306 For fancier control of citations, use SuperCite. See question 105.
2869 3307
2870 A related problem is how to prevent Emacs from including various headers 3308 To prevent Emacs from including various headers of the replied-to
2871 of the replied-to message. For this, you should set the value of 3309 message, set the value of mail-yank-ignored-headers to an appropriate
2872 mail-yank-ignored-headers, which takes a regexp value. 3310 regexp.
2873 3311
2874130: How do I save a copy of outgoing mail? 3312138: How do I save a copy of outgoing mail?
2875 3313
2876 You can either mail yourself a copy by including a `BCC:' header in the 3314 You can either mail yourself a copy by including a "BCC:" header in the
2877 mail message, or store a copy of the message directly to a file by 3315 mail message, or store a copy of the message directly to a file by
2878 including an `FCC:' header. 3316 including an "FCC:" header.
2879 3317
2880 If you use standard mail, you can automatically create a `BCC:' to 3318 If you use standard mail, you can automatically create a "BCC:" to
2881 yourself by putting 3319 yourself by putting
2882 3320
2883 (setq mail-self-blind t) 3321 (setq mail-self-blind t)
2884 3322
2885 in your .emacs. You can automatically include an `FCC:' field by putting 3323 in your .emacs file. You can automatically include an "FCC:" field by
2886 something like the following in your .emacs file: 3324 putting something like the following in your .emacs file:
2887 3325
2888 (setq mail-archive-file-name (expand-file-name "~/outgoing")) 3326 (setq mail-archive-file-name (expand-file-name "~/outgoing"))
2889 3327
2890 The output file will be in Unix mail format, which can be read directly 3328 The output file will be in Unix mail format, which can be read directly
2891 by VM, but not always by Rmail. See question 132. 3329 by VM, but not always by Rmail. See question 140.
3330
3331 For Gnus, see the `Archived Messages node of the Gnus manual.
2892 3332
2893 If you use mh-e add an FCC: or BCC: field to your components file. 3333 If you use mh-e, add an "FCC:" or "BCC:" field to your components file.
2894 3334
2895 It does not work to put `set record filename' in the .mailrc file. 3335 It does not work to put "set record filename" in the .mailrc file.
2896 3336
2897131: Why doesn't Emacs expand my aliases when sending mail? 3337139: Why doesn't Emacs expand my aliases when sending mail?
2898 3338
2899 * You must separate multiple addresses in the headers of the mail buffer 3339 * You must separate multiple addresses in the headers of the mail buffer
2900 with commas. This is because Emacs supports RFC822 standard addresses 3340 with commas. This is because Emacs supports RFC822 standard addresses
@@ -2902,46 +3342,42 @@ Mail and News
2902 3342
2903 To: Willy Smith <wks@xpnsv.lwyrs.com> 3343 To: Willy Smith <wks@xpnsv.lwyrs.com>
2904 3344
2905 However, you do not need to separate addresses with commas in your 3345 However, you do not need to -- and probably should not, unless your
2906 .mailrc file. 3346 system's version of /usr/ucb/mail (aka mailx) supports RFC822 --
3347 separate addresses with commas in your ~/.mailrc file.
2907 3348
2908 WARNING: Emacs breaks up aliases in the .mailrc file into multiple 3349 * Emacs normally only reads the ".mailrc" file once per session, when you
2909 addresses both on commas and on whitespace, regardless of any use of
2910 quotes. This is probably a bug. You can get around this by directly
2911 setting the value of mail-aliases.
2912
2913 * Emacs normally only reads the `.mailrc' file once per session, when you
2914 start to compose your first mail message. If you edit .mailrc, you can 3350 start to compose your first mail message. If you edit .mailrc, you can
2915 type "M-: (build-mail-aliases) RET" to make Emacs reread .mailrc. 3351 type "M-x rebuild-mail-abbrevs RET" to make Emacs reread your ~/.mailrc
2916 (You have to include the parentheses where they are shown!) 3352 file.
2917
2918 * Emacs does not interpret vendor-specific additions to the format of the
2919 .mailrc file such as the `source' command. It also ignores any `set'
2920 commands. The only commands it looks at are `alias' and `group'
2921 commands.
2922 3353
2923 * If you like, you can expand mail aliases as abbrevs, as soon as you 3354 * If you like, you can expand mail aliases as abbrevs, as soon as you
2924 type them in. To enable this feature, execute the following: 3355 type them in. To enable this feature, execute the following:
2925 3356
2926 (add-hook 'mail-setup-hook 'mail-abbrevs-setup) 3357 (add-hook 'mail-setup-hook 'mail-abbrevs-setup)
2927 3358
2928132: Why does Rmail think all my saved messages are one big message? 3359 Note that the aliases are expanded automatically only after you type
3360 RET or a punctuation character (e.g. `,'). You can force their
3361 expansion by moving point to the end of the alias and typing "C-x a e"
3362 (M-x expand-abbrev).
3363
3364140: Why does Rmail think all my saved messages are one big message?
2929 3365
2930 A file created through the FCC: field in a message is in Unix Mail 3366 A file created through the FCC: field in a message is in Unix mail
2931 format, not the format that Rmail uses (BABYL format). Rmail will try to 3367 format, not the format that Rmail uses (BABYL format). Rmail will try to
2932 convert a Unix mail file into BABYL format on input, but sometimes it 3368 convert a Unix mail file into BABYL format on input, but sometimes it
2933 makes errors. For guaranteed safety, you can make the saved- messages 3369 makes errors. For guaranteed safety, you can make the saved-messages
2934 file be an inbox for your Rmail file by using the function 3370 file be an inbox for your Rmail file by using the function
2935 set-rmail-inbox-list. 3371 set-rmail-inbox-list.
2936 3372
2937133: How can I sort the messages in my Rmail folder? 3373141: How can I sort the messages in my Rmail folder?
2938 3374
2939 In Rmail, type C-c C-s C-h to get a list of sorting functions and their 3375 In Rmail, type "C-c C-s C-h" to get a list of sorting functions and their
2940 key bindings. 3376 key bindings.
2941 3377
2942134: Why does Rmail need to write to /usr/spool/mail? 3378142: Why does Rmail need to write to /usr/spool/mail?
2943 3379
2944 This is the behavior of the `movemail' program which Rmail uses. This 3380 This is the behavior of the "movemail" program which Rmail uses. This
2945 indicates that movemail is configured to use lock files. 3381 indicates that movemail is configured to use lock files.
2946 3382
2947 RMS writes: 3383 RMS writes:
@@ -2953,7 +3389,7 @@ Mail and News
2953 Other systems use the flock system call to interlock access. On these 3389 Other systems use the flock system call to interlock access. On these
2954 systems, you should configure movemail to use flock. 3390 systems, you should configure movemail to use flock.
2955 3391
2956135: How do I recover my mail files after Rmail munges their format? 3392143: How do I recover my mail files after Rmail munges their format?
2957 3393
2958 If you have just done rmail-input on a file and you don't want to save it 3394 If you have just done rmail-input on a file and you don't want to save it
2959 in Rmail's format (called BABYL), just kill the buffer (with C-x k). 3395 in Rmail's format (called BABYL), just kill the buffer (with C-x k).
@@ -2965,7 +3401,39 @@ Mail and News
2965 format, use the command M-x unrmail: it will prompt you for the input and 3401 format, use the command M-x unrmail: it will prompt you for the input and
2966 output file names. 3402 output file names.
2967 3403
2968136: How do I make Emacs automatically start my mail/news reader? 3404144: How can I force Rmail to reply to the sender of a message, but not the
3405 other recipients?
3406
3407 Ron Isaacson <isaacson@seas.upenn.edu> says: When you hit "r" to reply in
3408 Rmail, by default it CCs all of the original recipients (everyone on the
3409 original "To" and "CC" lists). With a prefix argument (i.e., typing "C-u"
3410 before "r"), it replies only to the sender. However, going through the
3411 whole C-u business every time you want to reply is a pain. This is the
3412 best fix I've been able to come up with:
3413
3414 (defun rmail-reply-t ()
3415 "Reply only to the sender of the current message. (See rmail-reply.)"
3416 (interactive)
3417 (rmail-reply t))
3418
3419 (add-hook 'rmail-mode-hook
3420 '(lambda ()
3421 (define-key rmail-mode-map "r" 'rmail-reply-t)
3422 (define-key rmail-mode-map "R" 'rmail-reply)))
3423
3424145: How can I get my favorite Emacs mail package to support MIME?
3425
3426 Look at the Emacs MIME FAQ, maintained by MacDonald Hall Jackson
3427 <trey@cs.berkeley.edu> at
3428
3429 http://bmrc.berkeley.edu/~trey/emacs/mime.html
3430
3431 Version 6.x of VM supports MIME. See question 104.
3432
3433 MIME support has been added in the development version of Gnus which will
3434 be included with a future version of Emacs.
3435
3436146: How do I make Emacs automatically start my mail/news reader?
2969 3437
2970 To start Emacs in Gnus: 3438 To start Emacs in Gnus:
2971 3439
@@ -2985,11 +3453,11 @@ Mail and News
2985 two copies of Emacs at one time. Also, this would make it difficult for 3453 two copies of Emacs at one time. Also, this would make it difficult for
2986 you to start Emacs quickly when you needed to. 3454 you to start Emacs quickly when you needed to.
2987 3455
2988137: How do I read news under Emacs? 3456147: How do I read news under Emacs?
2989 3457
2990 Use M-x gnus. It is documented in Info (see question 14). 3458 Use M-x gnus. It is documented in Info (see question 14).
2991 3459
2992138: Why doesn't Gnus work via NNTP? 3460148: Why doesn't Gnus work via NNTP?
2993 3461
2994 There is a bug in NNTP version 1.5.10, such that when multiple requests 3462 There is a bug in NNTP version 1.5.10, such that when multiple requests
2995 are sent to the NNTP server, the server only handles the first one before 3463 are sent to the NNTP server, the server only handles the first one before
@@ -3002,60 +3470,69 @@ Mail and News
3002 3470
3003 You can find out what version of NNTP your news server is running by 3471 You can find out what version of NNTP your news server is running by
3004 telnetting to the NNTP port (usually 119) on the news server machine 3472 telnetting to the NNTP port (usually 119) on the news server machine
3005 (i.e., `telnet server-machine 119'). The server should give its version 3473 (i.e., "telnet server-machine 119"). The server should give its version
3006 number in the welcome message. Type `quit' to get out. 3474 number in the welcome message. Type "quit" to get out.
3475
3476 Also see question 75 in this FAQ for some additional ideas.
3007 3477
3008139: How do I view text with embedded underlining (e.g., ClariNews)? 3478149: How do I view news articles with embedded underlining (e.g.,
3479 ClariNews)?
3009 3480
3010 Underlining appears like this: 3481 Underlining appears like this:
3011 3482
3012 _^Hu_^Hn_^Hd_^He_^Hr_^Hl_^Hi_^Hn_^Hi_^Hn_^Hg 3483 _^Hu_^Hn_^Hd_^He_^Hr_^Hl_^Hi_^Hn_^Hi_^Hn_^Hg
3013 3484
3014 You can destructively remove underlining with M-x ununderline-region. 3485 Use Gnus' "Overstrike" function from the Article -> Washing menu (or type
3486 "W o"). You can do this for all articles with:
3487
3488 (add-hook 'gnus-article-prepare-hook 'gnus-article-treat-overstrike)
3489
3490 If you prefer to do away with underlining altogether, you can
3491 destructively remove it with M-x ununderline-region; do this
3492 automatically via
3015 3493
3016 For ClariNews articles, clari-clean.el by David N. Blank-Edelman 3494 (add-hook 'gnus-article-prepare-hook
3017 <dnb@meshugge.media.mit.edu> will remove both underlining and 3495 (lambda () (ununderline-region (point-min) (point-max))))
3018 overstriking automatically. It is available on the Lisp Code Directory
3019 (see question 77).
3020 3496
3021140: How do I save all the items of a multi-part posting in Gnus? 3497 See the Gnus manual for more information about this and similar methods
3498 for treating article contents.
3499
3500150: How do I save all the items of a multi-part posting in Gnus?
3022 3501
3023 Use gnus-uu. Type C-c C-v C-h in the Gnus summary buffer to see a list 3502 Use gnus-uu. Type C-c C-v C-h in the Gnus summary buffer to see a list
3024 of available commands. 3503 of available commands.
3025 3504
3026141: Why does Gnus put the subjects in replies beyond the 80th column? 3505151: How do I make Gnus start up faster?
3027
3028 This is a feature. If you set gnus-thread-hide-subject to non-nil, Gnus
3029 will only display the subject of the first posting in a thread, even if
3030 some of the replies use different subjects. It hides the subjects by
3031 putting them past the edge of the window and setting truncate lines to t.
3032 3506
3033 If your screen looks messed up, then for some reason truncate-lines in 3507 From the Gnus FAQ (see question 157):
3034 your `*Subject*' buffer has been set to nil. It should be set to t.
3035 3508
3036142: How do I make Gnus start up faster? 3509 Pranav Kumar Tiwari <pktiwari@eos.ncsu.edu> writes: I posted the same
3510 query recently and I got an answer to it. I am going to repeat the
3511 answer. What you need is a newer version of gnus, version 5.0.4+. I am
3512 using 5.0.12 and it works fine with me with the following settings:
3037 3513
3038 Remove all the newsgroups in which you have no interest from your .newsrc 3514 (setq gnus-check-new-newsgroups nil
3039 file by using Gnus's C-k or C-w commands in the `*Newsgroup*' buffer, 3515 gnus-read-active-file 'some
3040 perhaps after displaying all newsgroups with the L command. 3516 gnus-nov-is-evil nil
3041 Unsubscribing will not speed up Gnus. 3517 gnus-select-method '(nntp gnus-nntp-server))
3042 3518
3043143: How do I catch up all newsgroups in Gnus? 3519152: How do I catch up all newsgroups in Gnus?
3044 3520
3045 In the `*Newsgroup*' buffer, type the following magical incantation: 3521 In the "*Newsgroup*" buffer, type the following magical incantation:
3046 3522
3047 M-< C-x ( c y M-0 C-x ) 3523 M-< C-x ( c y C-x ) M-0 C-x e
3048 3524
3049 Leave off the "M-<" if you only want to catch up from point to the end of 3525 Leave off the "M-<" if you only want to catch up from point to the end of
3050 the `*Newsgroup' buffer. 3526 the "*Newsgroup" buffer.
3051 3527
3052144: Why can't I kill in Gnus on the Newsgroups/Keywords/Control line? 3528153: Why can't I kill in Gnus based on the Newsgroups/Keywords/Control
3529 headers?
3053 3530
3054 Gnus will complain that the `Newsgroups:', `Keywords:', and `Control:' 3531 Gnus will complain that the "Newsgroups:", "Keywords:", and "Control:"
3055 headers are `Unknown header field's. 3532 headers are "Unknown header" fields.
3056 3533
3057 For the `Newsgroups:' header, there is an easy workaround: kill on the 3534 For the "Newsgroups:" header, there is an easy workaround: kill on the
3058 `Xref' header instead, which will be present on any cross-posted article 3535 "Xref" header instead, which will be present on any cross-posted article
3059 (as long as your site carries the cross-post group). 3536 (as long as your site carries the cross-post group).
3060 3537
3061 If you really want to kill on one of these headers, you can do it like 3538 If you really want to kill on one of these headers, you can do it like
@@ -3063,16 +3540,16 @@ Mail and News
3063 3540
3064 (gnus-kill nil "^Newsgroups: .*\\(bad\\.group\\|worse\\.group\\)") 3541 (gnus-kill nil "^Newsgroups: .*\\(bad\\.group\\|worse\\.group\\)")
3065 3542
3066145: How do I get rid of flashing messages in Gnus for slow connections? 3543154: How do I get rid of flashing messages in Gnus for slow connections?
3067 3544
3068 Set nntp-debug-read to nil. 3545 Set nntp-debug-read to nil.
3069 3546
3070146: Why is catch up slow in Gnus? 3547155: Why is catch up slow in Gnus?
3071 3548
3072 Because Gnus is marking crosspostings read. You can control this with 3549 Because Gnus is marking crosspostings read. You can control this with
3073 the variable gnus-use-cross-reference. 3550 the variable gnus-use-cross-reference.
3074 3551
3075147: Why does Gnus hang for a long time when posting? 3552156: Why does Gnus hang for a long time when posting?
3076 3553
3077 David Lawrence <tale@uunet.uu.net> explains: 3554 David Lawrence <tale@uunet.uu.net> explains:
3078 3555
@@ -3091,46 +3568,17 @@ Mail and News
3091 on its own. The C News folks have sped up inews, too, so speed should 3568 on its own. The C News folks have sped up inews, too, so speed should
3092 look better to most folks as that update propagates around. 3569 look better to most folks as that update propagates around.
3093 3570
3094148: Why don't my news postings in Gnus get past the local machine? 3571157: Where can I find out more about Gnus?
3095
3096 It could be that your Distribution: field is "local" or a synonym, or
3097 your Path: field may be wrong. This piece of code may fix the latter
3098 problem:
3099
3100 (setq gnus-use-generic-path t)
3101
3102149: Why doesn't Gnus generate the `Lines:' header?
3103
3104 The posting software down the line from Gnus often generates a "Lines:"
3105 header so Gnus doesn't have to. If you want it to, just add Lines to the
3106 list in gnus-required-headers:
3107
3108 (add-hook 'gnus-startup-hook
3109 '(lambda ()
3110 (setq gnus-required-headers (cons 'Lines gnus-required-headers))))
3111
3112150: How do I kill all articles in Gnus but those matching a pattern?
3113
3114 Example kill file code:
3115
3116 ;; kill everything
3117 (gnus-kill "subject" "" nil nil)
3118 ;; then restore stuff by our favorite poster
3119 (gnus-kill "from" "good-guy"
3120 (function
3121 (lambda ()
3122 (if (eq ?X (char-after (save-excursion
3123 (beginning-of-line 1)
3124 (point))))
3125 (gnus-summary-clear-mark-forward 1))))
3126 t)
3127 3572
3573 Visit http://www.gnus.org/, which has a pointer to the current Gnus FAQ and
3574 more information. The relevant newsgroup is gnu.emacs.gnus.
3128 3575
3129------------------------------------------------------------ 3576------------------------------------------------------------
3130Slightly modified by Richard Stallman 3577Modified, with permission, for the Emacs 20.4 distribution by Dave Love.
3131Copyright 1994 Reuven M. Lerner 3578
3132Copyright 1992, 1993 Steven Byrnes 3579Copyright 1994-1998 Reuven M. Lerner
3133Copyright 1990, 1991, 1992 Joseph Brian Wells 3580Copyright 1992-1993 Steven Byrnes
3581Copyright 1990-1992 Joseph Brian Wells
3134 3582
3135This list of frequently asked questions about GNU Emacs with answers 3583This list of frequently asked questions about GNU Emacs with answers
3136("FAQ") may be translated into other languages, transformed into other 3584("FAQ") may be translated into other languages, transformed into other
@@ -3148,15 +3596,8 @@ itself allows free copying and redistribution.
3148 3596
3149------------------------------------------------------------ 3597------------------------------------------------------------
3150 3598
3151Special thanks to members of the FAQ team, who worked hard to ensure that 3599People who helped with this version of the FAQ:
3152answers were up-to-date:
3153
3154Ethan Bradford <ethanb@u.washington.edu>, Luis Fernandes
3155<elf@eccles.ee.ryerson.ca>, Denby Wong <3dw16@qlink.QueensU.CA>, Yair
3156Friedman <yair@cs.huji.ac.il>, Thi <ttn@netcom.com>, Richard Levitte
3157<levitte@e.kth.se>, "William G. Dubuque" <wgd@martigny.ai.mit.edu>,
3158and Guan-Hsong Hsu <ghsu@relay.nswc.navy.mil>.
3159
3160
3161
3162 3600
3601Ethan Bradford <ethanb@u.washington.edu>, William G. Dubuque
3602<wgd@martigny.ai.mit.edu>, Michael Ernst <mernst@theory.lcs.mit.edu>,
3603and Denby Wong <3dw16@qlink.QueensU.CA>.