annotate modules/README @ 2393:2d4dd2ef74e7

[xemacs-hg @ 2004-11-16 07:37:29 by ben] internals update internals/internals.texi: Add sections on Basic Types and Low-Level Allocation. Move module docs here. Incorporate dynamic array and blocktype docs from source. Add info on beta releases up to present. Redo chapter on "Rules When Writing New C Code", grouping stuff together properly. Put "Major Textual Changes" under this chapter. Incorporate etc/CODING-STANDARDS. Add discussion sections on "Instantiators and Generic Property Accessors" and "Switching to C++". Fill out discussion on garbage collection. Incorporate backtraces showing crashes due to problems with redisplay-critical-section protection.
author ben
date Tue, 16 Nov 2004 07:37:31 +0000
parents 25e260cb7994
children da1365dd3f07
Ignore whitespace changes - Everywhere: Within whitespace: At end of lines:
rev   line source
996
25e260cb7994 [xemacs-hg @ 2002-09-10 15:27:02 by james]
james
parents: 388
diff changeset
1 This directory contains a number of XEmacs dynamic modules. These
25e260cb7994 [xemacs-hg @ 2002-09-10 15:27:02 by james]
james
parents: 388
diff changeset
2 modules can be loaded directly with the command 'M-x load-module'.
25e260cb7994 [xemacs-hg @ 2002-09-10 15:27:02 by james]
james
parents: 388
diff changeset
3 However, the preferred method of loading a module is to issue a
25e260cb7994 [xemacs-hg @ 2002-09-10 15:27:02 by james]
james
parents: 388
diff changeset
4 "(require 'module-name)" command to the Lisp interpreter. This will
25e260cb7994 [xemacs-hg @ 2002-09-10 15:27:02 by james]
james
parents: 388
diff changeset
5 store information so that a later "(unload-feature 'module-name)" can
25e260cb7994 [xemacs-hg @ 2002-09-10 15:27:02 by james]
james
parents: 388
diff changeset
6 succeed.
388
aabb7f5b1c81 Import from CVS: tag r21-2-9
cvs
parents:
diff changeset
7
996
25e260cb7994 [xemacs-hg @ 2002-09-10 15:27:02 by james]
james
parents: 388
diff changeset
8 To compile one of these modules, simply enter the desired directory,
25e260cb7994 [xemacs-hg @ 2002-09-10 15:27:02 by james]
james
parents: 388
diff changeset
9 type 'configure', and then 'make'. If you are building the module for
25e260cb7994 [xemacs-hg @ 2002-09-10 15:27:02 by james]
james
parents: 388
diff changeset
10 an installed XEmacs, then 'make install' will place the module in the
25e260cb7994 [xemacs-hg @ 2002-09-10 15:27:02 by james]
james
parents: 388
diff changeset
11 appropriate directory for XEmacs to find it later (assuming you have
25e260cb7994 [xemacs-hg @ 2002-09-10 15:27:02 by james]
james
parents: 388
diff changeset
12 permission to write to that directory). A subsequent 'load-module' or
25e260cb7994 [xemacs-hg @ 2002-09-10 15:27:02 by james]
james
parents: 388
diff changeset
13 'require' will then load the module, as described above.
388
aabb7f5b1c81 Import from CVS: tag r21-2-9
cvs
parents:
diff changeset
14
996
25e260cb7994 [xemacs-hg @ 2002-09-10 15:27:02 by james]
james
parents: 388
diff changeset
15 Each of these demonstrates different features and limitations of the
25e260cb7994 [xemacs-hg @ 2002-09-10 15:27:02 by james]
james
parents: 388
diff changeset
16 XEmacs module loading technology. For a complete discussion on XEmacs
25e260cb7994 [xemacs-hg @ 2002-09-10 15:27:02 by james]
james
parents: 388
diff changeset
17 dynamic modules, please consult the XEmacs Module Writers Guide, which
25e260cb7994 [xemacs-hg @ 2002-09-10 15:27:02 by james]
james
parents: 388
diff changeset
18 can be found in the ../info directory.
388
aabb7f5b1c81 Import from CVS: tag r21-2-9
cvs
parents:
diff changeset
19
996
25e260cb7994 [xemacs-hg @ 2002-09-10 15:27:02 by james]
james
parents: 388
diff changeset
20 For those wanting to get started with module writing, please see the
25e260cb7994 [xemacs-hg @ 2002-09-10 15:27:02 by james]
james
parents: 388
diff changeset
21 'sample' directory. It contains two subdirectories: internal and
25e260cb7994 [xemacs-hg @ 2002-09-10 15:27:02 by james]
james
parents: 388
diff changeset
22 external. The 'internal' subdirectory contains the framework needed to
25e260cb7994 [xemacs-hg @ 2002-09-10 15:27:02 by james]
james
parents: 388
diff changeset
23 migrate some core piece of XEmacs functionality into code that can
25e260cb7994 [xemacs-hg @ 2002-09-10 15:27:02 by james]
james
parents: 388
diff changeset
24 either be compiled into the core or built as a separate module. The
25e260cb7994 [xemacs-hg @ 2002-09-10 15:27:02 by james]
james
parents: 388
diff changeset
25 'external' subdirectory contains the somewhat simpler framework needed
25e260cb7994 [xemacs-hg @ 2002-09-10 15:27:02 by james]
james
parents: 388
diff changeset
26 to build a module separately from XEmacs. These should be considered
25e260cb7994 [xemacs-hg @ 2002-09-10 15:27:02 by james]
james
parents: 388
diff changeset
27 starting places for module writing.