comparison man/lispref/os.texi @ 0:376386a54a3c r19-14

Import from CVS: tag r19-14
author cvs
date Mon, 13 Aug 2007 08:45:50 +0200
parents
children 7df0dd720c89
comparison
equal deleted inserted replaced
-1:000000000000 0:376386a54a3c
1 @c -*-texinfo-*-
2 @c This is part of the XEmacs Lisp Reference Manual.
3 @c Copyright (C) 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
4 @c See the file lispref.texi for copying conditions.
5 @setfilename ../../info/os.info
6 @node System Interface, X-Windows, Processes, Top
7 @chapter Operating System Interface
8
9 This chapter is about starting and getting out of Emacs, access to
10 values in the operating system environment, and terminal input, output,
11 and flow control.
12
13 @xref{Building XEmacs}, for related information. See also
14 @ref{Display}, for additional operating system status information
15 pertaining to the terminal and the screen.
16
17 @menu
18 * Starting Up:: Customizing XEmacs start-up processing.
19 * Getting Out:: How exiting works (permanent or temporary).
20 * System Environment:: Distinguish the name and kind of system.
21 * User Identification:: Finding the name and user id of the user.
22 * Time of Day:: Getting the current time.
23 * Time Conversion:: Converting a time from numeric form to a string, or
24 to calendrical data (or vice versa).
25 * Timers:: Setting a timer to call a function at a certain time.
26 * Terminal Input:: Recording terminal input for debugging.
27 * Terminal Output:: Recording terminal output for debugging.
28 * Flow Control:: How to turn output flow control on or off.
29 * Batch Mode:: Running XEmacs without terminal interaction.
30 @end menu
31 @ignore
32 * Special Keysyms:: Defining system-specific key symbols for X windows.
33 @end ignore
34
35 @node Starting Up
36 @section Starting Up XEmacs
37
38 This section describes what XEmacs does when it is started, and how you
39 can customize these actions.
40
41 @menu
42 * Start-up Summary:: Sequence of actions XEmacs performs at start-up.
43 * Init File:: Details on reading the init file (@file{.emacs}).
44 * Terminal-Specific:: How the terminal-specific Lisp file is read.
45 * Command Line Arguments:: How command line arguments are processed,
46 and how you can customize them.
47 @end menu
48
49 @node Start-up Summary
50 @subsection Summary: Sequence of Actions at Start Up
51 @cindex initialization
52 @cindex start up of XEmacs
53 @cindex @file{startup.el}
54
55 The order of operations performed (in @file{startup.el}) by XEmacs when
56 it is started up is as follows:
57
58 @enumerate
59 @item
60 It loads the initialization library for the window system, if you are
61 using a window system. This library's name is
62 @file{term/@var{windowsystem}-win.el}.
63
64 @item
65 It processes the initial options. (Some of them are handled
66 even earlier than this.)
67
68 @item
69 It initializes the X window frame and faces, if appropriate.
70
71 @item
72 It runs the normal hook @code{before-init-hook}.
73
74 @item
75 It loads the library @file{site-start}, unless the option
76 @samp{-no-site-file} was specified. The library's file name is usually
77 @file{site-start.el}.
78 @cindex @file{site-start.el}
79
80 @item
81 It loads the file @file{~/.emacs} unless @samp{-q} was specified on
82 the command line. (This is not done in @samp{-batch} mode.) The @samp{-u}
83 option can specify the user name whose home directory should be used
84 instead of @file{~}.
85
86 @item
87 It loads the library @file{default} unless @code{inhibit-default-init}
88 is non-@code{nil}. (This is not done in @samp{-batch} mode or if
89 @samp{-q} was specified on the command line.) The library's file name
90 is usually @file{default.el}.
91 @cindex @file{default.el}
92
93 @item
94 It runs the normal hook @code{after-init-hook}.
95
96 @item
97 It sets the major mode according to @code{initial-major-mode}, provided
98 the buffer @samp{*scratch*} is still current and still in Fundamental
99 mode.
100
101 @item
102 It loads the terminal-specific Lisp file, if any, except when in batch
103 mode or using a window system.
104
105 @item
106 It displays the initial echo area message, unless you have suppressed
107 that with @code{inhibit-startup-echo-area-message}.
108
109 @item
110 It processes the action arguments from the command line.
111
112 @item
113 It runs @code{term-setup-hook}.
114
115 @item
116 It calls @code{frame-notice-user-settings}, which modifies the
117 parameters of the selected frame according to whatever the init files
118 specify.
119
120 @item
121 It runs @code{window-setup-hook}. @xref{Terminal-Specific}.
122
123 @item
124 It displays copyleft, nonwarranty, and basic use information, provided
125 there were no remaining command line arguments (a few steps above) and
126 the value of @code{inhibit-startup-message} is @code{nil}.
127 @end enumerate
128
129 @defopt inhibit-startup-message
130 This variable inhibits the initial startup messages (the nonwarranty,
131 etc.). If it is non-@code{nil}, then the messages are not printed.
132
133 This variable exists so you can set it in your personal init file, once
134 you are familiar with the contents of the startup message. Do not set
135 this variable in the init file of a new user, or in a way that affects
136 more than one user, because that would prevent new users from receiving
137 the information they are supposed to see.
138 @end defopt
139
140 @defopt inhibit-startup-echo-area-message
141 This variable controls the display of the startup echo area message.
142 You can suppress the startup echo area message by adding text with this
143 form to your @file{.emacs} file:
144
145 @example
146 (setq inhibit-startup-echo-area-message
147 "@var{your-login-name}")
148 @end example
149
150 Simply setting @code{inhibit-startup-echo-area-message} to your login
151 name is not sufficient to inhibit the message; Emacs explicitly checks
152 whether @file{.emacs} contains an expression as shown above. Your login
153 name must appear in the expression as a Lisp string constant.
154
155 This way, you can easily inhibit the message for yourself if you wish,
156 but thoughtless copying of your @file{.emacs} file will not inhibit the
157 message for someone else.
158 @end defopt
159
160 @node Init File
161 @subsection The Init File: @file{.emacs}
162 @cindex init file
163 @cindex @file{.emacs}
164
165 When you start XEmacs, it normally attempts to load the file
166 @file{.emacs} from your home directory. This file, if it exists, must
167 contain Lisp code. It is called your @dfn{init file}. The command line
168 switches @samp{-q} and @samp{-u} affect the use of the init file;
169 @samp{-q} says not to load an init file, and @samp{-u} says to load a
170 specified user's init file instead of yours. @xref{Entering XEmacs,,,
171 emacs, The XEmacs Reference Manual}.
172
173 @cindex default init file
174 A site may have a @dfn{default init file}, which is the library named
175 @file{default.el}. XEmacs finds the @file{default.el} file through the
176 standard search path for libraries (@pxref{How Programs Do Loading}).
177 The XEmacs distribution does not come with this file; sites may provide
178 one for local customizations. If the default init file exists, it is
179 loaded whenever you start Emacs, except in batch mode or if @samp{-q} is
180 specified. But your own personal init file, if any, is loaded first; if
181 it sets @code{inhibit-default-init} to a non-@code{nil} value, then
182 XEmacs does not subsequently load the @file{default.el} file.
183
184 Another file for site-customization is @file{site-start.el}. Emacs
185 loads this @emph{before} the user's init file. You can inhibit the
186 loading of this file with the option @samp{-no-site-file}.
187
188 @defvar site-run-file
189 This variable specifies the site-customization file to load
190 before the user's init file. Its normal value is @code{"site-start"}.
191 @end defvar
192
193 If there is a great deal of code in your @file{.emacs} file, you
194 should move it into another file named @file{@var{something}.el},
195 byte-compile it (@pxref{Byte Compilation}), and make your @file{.emacs}
196 file load the other file using @code{load} (@pxref{Loading}).
197
198 @xref{Init File Examples,,, emacs, The XEmacs Reference Manual}, for
199 examples of how to make various commonly desired customizations in your
200 @file{.emacs} file.
201
202 @defopt inhibit-default-init
203 This variable prevents XEmacs from loading the default initialization
204 library file for your session of XEmacs. If its value is non-@code{nil},
205 then the default library is not loaded. The default value is
206 @code{nil}.
207 @end defopt
208
209 @defvar before-init-hook
210 @defvarx after-init-hook
211 These two normal hooks are run just before, and just after, loading of
212 the user's init file, @file{default.el}, and/or @file{site-start.el}.
213 @end defvar
214
215 @node Terminal-Specific
216 @subsection Terminal-Specific Initialization
217 @cindex terminal-specific initialization
218
219 Each terminal type can have its own Lisp library that XEmacs loads when
220 run on that type of terminal. For a terminal type named @var{termtype},
221 the library is called @file{term/@var{termtype}}. XEmacs finds the file
222 by searching the @code{load-path} directories as it does for other
223 files, and trying the @samp{.elc} and @samp{.el} suffixes. Normally,
224 terminal-specific Lisp library is located in @file{emacs/lisp/term}, a
225 subdirectory of the @file{emacs/lisp} directory in which most XEmacs Lisp
226 libraries are kept.@refill
227
228 The library's name is constructed by concatenating the value of the
229 variable @code{term-file-prefix} and the terminal type. Normally,
230 @code{term-file-prefix} has the value @code{"term/"}; changing this
231 is not recommended.
232
233 The usual function of a terminal-specific library is to enable special
234 keys to send sequences that XEmacs can recognize. It may also need to
235 set or add to @code{function-key-map} if the Termcap entry does not
236 specify all the terminal's function keys. @xref{Terminal Input}.
237
238 @cindex Termcap
239 When the name of the terminal type contains a hyphen, only the part of
240 the name before the first hyphen is significant in choosing the library
241 name. Thus, terminal types @samp{aaa-48} and @samp{aaa-30-rv} both use
242 the @file{term/aaa} library. If necessary, the library can evaluate
243 @code{(getenv "TERM")} to find the full name of the terminal
244 type.@refill
245
246 Your @file{.emacs} file can prevent the loading of the
247 terminal-specific library by setting the variable
248 @code{term-file-prefix} to @code{nil}. This feature is useful when
249 experimenting with your own peculiar customizations.
250
251 You can also arrange to override some of the actions of the
252 terminal-specific library by setting the variable
253 @code{term-setup-hook}. This is a normal hook which XEmacs runs using
254 @code{run-hooks} at the end of XEmacs initialization, after loading both
255 your @file{.emacs} file and any terminal-specific libraries. You can
256 use this variable to define initializations for terminals that do not
257 have their own libraries. @xref{Hooks}.
258
259 @defvar term-file-prefix
260 @cindex @code{TERM} environment variable
261 If the @code{term-file-prefix} variable is non-@code{nil}, XEmacs loads
262 a terminal-specific initialization file as follows:
263
264 @example
265 (load (concat term-file-prefix (getenv "TERM")))
266 @end example
267
268 @noindent
269 You may set the @code{term-file-prefix} variable to @code{nil} in your
270 @file{.emacs} file if you do not wish to load the
271 terminal-initialization file. To do this, put the following in
272 your @file{.emacs} file: @code{(setq term-file-prefix nil)}.
273 @end defvar
274
275 @defvar term-setup-hook
276 This variable is a normal hook that XEmacs runs after loading your
277 @file{.emacs} file, the default initialization file (if any) and the
278 terminal-specific Lisp file.
279
280 You can use @code{term-setup-hook} to override the definitions made by a
281 terminal-specific file.
282 @end defvar
283
284 @defvar window-setup-hook
285 This variable is a normal hook which XEmacs runs after loading your
286 @file{.emacs} file and the default initialization file (if any), after
287 loading terminal-specific Lisp code, and after running the hook
288 @code{term-setup-hook}.
289 @end defvar
290
291 @node Command Line Arguments
292 @subsection Command Line Arguments
293 @cindex command line arguments
294
295 You can use command line arguments to request various actions when you
296 start XEmacs. Since you do not need to start XEmacs more than once per
297 day, and will often leave your XEmacs session running longer than that,
298 command line arguments are hardly ever used. As a practical matter, it
299 is best to avoid making the habit of using them, since this habit would
300 encourage you to kill and restart XEmacs unnecessarily often. These
301 options exist for two reasons: to be compatible with other editors (for
302 invocation by other programs) and to enable shell scripts to run
303 specific Lisp programs.
304
305 This section describes how Emacs processes command line arguments,
306 and how you can customize them.
307
308 @ignore
309 (Note that some other editors require you to start afresh each time
310 you want to edit a file. With this kind of editor, you will probably
311 specify the file as a command line argument. The recommended way to
312 use XEmacs is to start it only once, just after you log in, and do
313 all your editing in the same XEmacs process. Each time you want to edit
314 a different file, you visit it with the existing XEmacs, which eventually
315 comes to have many files in it ready for editing. Usually you do not
316 kill the XEmacs until you are about to log out.)
317 @end ignore
318
319 @defun command-line
320 This function parses the command line that XEmacs was called with,
321 processes it, loads the user's @file{.emacs} file and displays the
322 startup messages.
323 @end defun
324
325 @defvar command-line-processed
326 The value of this variable is @code{t} once the command line has been
327 processed.
328
329 If you redump XEmacs by calling @code{dump-emacs}, you may wish to set
330 this variable to @code{nil} first in order to cause the new dumped XEmacs
331 to process its new command line arguments.
332 @end defvar
333
334 @defvar command-switch-alist
335 @cindex switches on command line
336 @cindex options on command line
337 @cindex command line options
338 The value of this variable is an alist of user-defined command-line
339 options and associated handler functions. This variable exists so you
340 can add elements to it.
341
342 A @dfn{command line option} is an argument on the command line of the
343 form:
344
345 @example
346 -@var{option}
347 @end example
348
349 The elements of the @code{command-switch-alist} look like this:
350
351 @example
352 (@var{option} . @var{handler-function})
353 @end example
354
355 The @var{handler-function} is called to handle @var{option} and receives
356 the option name as its sole argument.
357
358 In some cases, the option is followed in the command line by an
359 argument. In these cases, the @var{handler-function} can find all the
360 remaining command-line arguments in the variable
361 @code{command-line-args-left}. (The entire list of command-line
362 arguments is in @code{command-line-args}.)
363
364 The command line arguments are parsed by the @code{command-line-1}
365 function in the @file{startup.el} file. See also @ref{Command
366 Switches, , Command Line Switches and Arguments, emacs, The XEmacs
367 Reference Manual}.
368 @end defvar
369
370 @defvar command-line-args
371 The value of this variable is the list of command line arguments passed
372 to XEmacs.
373 @end defvar
374
375 @defvar command-line-functions
376 This variable's value is a list of functions for handling an
377 unrecognized command-line argument. Each time the next argument to be
378 processed has no special meaning, the functions in this list are called,
379 in order of appearance, until one of them returns a non-@code{nil}
380 value.
381
382 These functions are called with no arguments. They can access the
383 command-line argument under consideration through the variable
384 @code{argi}. The remaining arguments (not including the current one)
385 are in the variable @code{command-line-args-left}.
386
387 When a function recognizes and processes the argument in @code{argi}, it
388 should return a non-@code{nil} value to say it has dealt with that
389 argument. If it has also dealt with some of the following arguments, it
390 can indicate that by deleting them from @code{command-line-args-left}.
391
392 If all of these functions return @code{nil}, then the argument is used
393 as a file name to visit.
394 @end defvar
395
396 @node Getting Out
397 @section Getting out of XEmacs
398 @cindex exiting XEmacs
399
400 There are two ways to get out of XEmacs: you can kill the XEmacs job,
401 which exits permanently, or you can suspend it, which permits you to
402 reenter the XEmacs process later. As a practical matter, you seldom kill
403 XEmacs---only when you are about to log out. Suspending is much more
404 common.
405
406 @menu
407 * Killing XEmacs:: Exiting XEmacs irreversibly.
408 * Suspending XEmacs:: Exiting XEmacs reversibly.
409 @end menu
410
411 @node Killing XEmacs
412 @subsection Killing XEmacs
413 @cindex killing XEmacs
414
415 Killing XEmacs means ending the execution of the XEmacs process. The
416 parent process normally resumes control. The low-level primitive for
417 killing XEmacs is @code{kill-emacs}.
418
419 @defun kill-emacs &optional exit-data
420 This function exits the XEmacs process and kills it.
421
422 If @var{exit-data} is an integer, then it is used as the exit status
423 of the XEmacs process. (This is useful primarily in batch operation; see
424 @ref{Batch Mode}.)
425
426 If @var{exit-data} is a string, its contents are stuffed into the
427 terminal input buffer so that the shell (or whatever program next reads
428 input) can read them.
429 @end defun
430
431 All the information in the XEmacs process, aside from files that have
432 been saved, is lost when the XEmacs is killed. Because killing XEmacs
433 inadvertently can lose a lot of work, XEmacs queries for confirmation
434 before actually terminating if you have buffers that need saving or
435 subprocesses that are running. This is done in the function
436 @code{save-buffers-kill-emacs}.
437
438 @defvar kill-emacs-query-functions
439 After asking the standard questions, @code{save-buffers-kill-emacs}
440 calls the functions in the list @code{kill-buffer-query-functions}, in
441 order of appearance, with no arguments. These functions can ask for
442 additional confirmation from the user. If any of them returns
443 non-@code{nil}, XEmacs is not killed.
444 @end defvar
445
446 @defvar kill-emacs-hook
447 This variable is a normal hook; once @code{save-buffers-kill-emacs} is
448 finished with all file saving and confirmation, it runs the functions in
449 this hook.
450 @end defvar
451
452 @node Suspending XEmacs
453 @subsection Suspending XEmacs
454 @cindex suspending XEmacs
455
456 @dfn{Suspending XEmacs} means stopping XEmacs temporarily and returning
457 control to its superior process, which is usually the shell. This
458 allows you to resume editing later in the same XEmacs process, with the
459 same buffers, the same kill ring, the same undo history, and so on. To
460 resume XEmacs, use the appropriate command in the parent shell---most
461 likely @code{fg}.
462
463 Some operating systems do not support suspension of jobs; on these
464 systems, ``suspension'' actually creates a new shell temporarily as a
465 subprocess of XEmacs. Then you would exit the shell to return to XEmacs.
466
467 Suspension is not useful with window systems such as X, because the
468 XEmacs job may not have a parent that can resume it again, and in any
469 case you can give input to some other job such as a shell merely by
470 moving to a different window. Therefore, suspending is not allowed
471 when XEmacs is an X client.
472
473 @defun suspend-emacs string
474 This function stops XEmacs and returns control to the superior process.
475 If and when the superior process resumes XEmacs, @code{suspend-emacs}
476 returns @code{nil} to its caller in Lisp.
477
478 If @var{string} is non-@code{nil}, its characters are sent to be read
479 as terminal input by XEmacs's superior shell. The characters in
480 @var{string} are not echoed by the superior shell; only the results
481 appear.
482
483 Before suspending, @code{suspend-emacs} runs the normal hook
484 @code{suspend-hook}. In Emacs version 18, @code{suspend-hook} was not a
485 normal hook; its value was a single function, and if its value was
486 non-@code{nil}, then @code{suspend-emacs} returned immediately without
487 actually suspending anything.
488
489 After the user resumes XEmacs, @code{suspend-emacs} runs the normal hook
490 @code{suspend-resume-hook}. @xref{Hooks}.
491
492 The next redisplay after resumption will redraw the entire screen,
493 unless the variable @code{no-redraw-on-reenter} is non-@code{nil}
494 (@pxref{Refresh Screen}).
495
496 In the following example, note that @samp{pwd} is not echoed after
497 XEmacs is suspended. But it is read and executed by the shell.
498
499 @smallexample
500 @group
501 (suspend-emacs)
502 @result{} nil
503 @end group
504
505 @group
506 (add-hook 'suspend-hook
507 (function (lambda ()
508 (or (y-or-n-p
509 "Really suspend? ")
510 (error "Suspend cancelled")))))
511 @result{} (lambda nil
512 (or (y-or-n-p "Really suspend? ")
513 (error "Suspend cancelled")))
514 @end group
515 @group
516 (add-hook 'suspend-resume-hook
517 (function (lambda () (message "Resumed!"))))
518 @result{} (lambda nil (message "Resumed!"))
519 @end group
520 @group
521 (suspend-emacs "pwd")
522 @result{} nil
523 @end group
524 @group
525 ---------- Buffer: Minibuffer ----------
526 Really suspend? @kbd{y}
527 ---------- Buffer: Minibuffer ----------
528 @end group
529
530 @group
531 ---------- Parent Shell ----------
532 lewis@@slug[23] % /user/lewis/manual
533 lewis@@slug[24] % fg
534 @end group
535
536 @group
537 ---------- Echo Area ----------
538 Resumed!
539 @end group
540 @end smallexample
541 @end defun
542
543 @defvar suspend-hook
544 This variable is a normal hook run before suspending.
545 @end defvar
546
547 @defvar suspend-resume-hook
548 This variable is a normal hook run after suspending.
549 @end defvar
550
551 @node System Environment
552 @section Operating System Environment
553 @cindex operating system environment
554
555 XEmacs provides access to variables in the operating system environment
556 through various functions. These variables include the name of the
557 system, the user's @sc{uid}, and so on.
558
559 @defvar system-type
560 The value of this variable is a symbol indicating the type of operating
561 system XEmacs is operating on. Here is a table of the possible values:
562
563 @table @code
564 @item aix-v3
565 AIX.
566
567 @item berkeley-unix
568 Berkeley BSD.
569
570 @item dgux
571 Data General DGUX operating system.
572
573 @item gnu
574 A GNU system using the GNU HURD and Mach.
575
576 @item hpux
577 Hewlett-Packard HPUX operating system.
578
579 @item irix
580 Silicon Graphics Irix system.
581
582 @item linux
583 A GNU system using the Linux kernel.
584
585 @item ms-dos
586 Microsoft MS-DOS ``operating system.''
587
588 @item next-mach
589 NeXT Mach-based system.
590
591 @item rtu
592 Masscomp RTU, UCB universe.
593
594 @item unisoft-unix
595 UniSoft UniPlus.
596
597 @item usg-unix-v
598 AT&T System V.
599
600 @item vax-vms
601 VAX VMS.
602
603 @item windows-nt
604 Microsoft windows NT.
605
606 @item xenix
607 SCO Xenix 386.
608 @end table
609
610 We do not wish to add new symbols to make finer distinctions unless it
611 is absolutely necessary! In fact, we hope to eliminate some of these
612 alternatives in the future. We recommend using
613 @code{system-configuration} to distinguish between different operating
614 systems.
615 @end defvar
616
617 @defvar system-configuration
618 This variable holds the three-part configuration name for the
619 hardware/software configuration of your system, as a string. The
620 convenient way to test parts of this string is with @code{string-match}.
621 @end defvar
622
623 @defun system-name
624 This function returns the name of the machine you are running on.
625 @example
626 (system-name)
627 @result{} "prep.ai.mit.edu"
628 @end example
629 @end defun
630
631 @vindex system-name
632 The symbol @code{system-name} is a variable as well as a function. In
633 fact, the function returns whatever value the variable
634 @code{system-name} currently holds. Thus, you can set the variable
635 @code{system-name} in case Emacs is confused about the name of your
636 system. The variable is also useful for constructing frame titles
637 (@pxref{Frame Titles}).
638
639 @defvar mail-host-address
640 If this variable is non-@code{nil}, it is used instead of
641 @code{system-name} for purposes of generating email addresses. For
642 example, it is used when constructing the default value of
643 @code{user-mail-address}. @xref{User Identification}. (Since this is
644 done when XEmacs starts up, the value actually used is the one saved when
645 XEmacs was dumped. @xref{Building XEmacs}.)
646 @end defvar
647
648 @defun getenv var
649 @cindex environment variable access
650 This function returns the value of the environment variable @var{var},
651 as a string. Within XEmacs, the environment variable values are kept in
652 the Lisp variable @code{process-environment}.
653
654 @example
655 @group
656 (getenv "USER")
657 @result{} "lewis"
658 @end group
659
660 @group
661 lewis@@slug[10] % printenv
662 PATH=.:/user/lewis/bin:/usr/bin:/usr/local/bin
663 USER=lewis
664 @end group
665 @group
666 TERM=ibmapa16
667 SHELL=/bin/csh
668 HOME=/user/lewis
669 @end group
670 @end example
671 @end defun
672
673 @c Emacs 19 feature
674 @deffn Command setenv variable value
675 This command sets the value of the environment variable named
676 @var{variable} to @var{value}. Both arguments should be strings. This
677 function works by modifying @code{process-environment}; binding that
678 variable with @code{let} is also reasonable practice.
679 @end deffn
680
681 @defvar process-environment
682 This variable is a list of strings, each describing one environment
683 variable. The functions @code{getenv} and @code{setenv} work by means
684 of this variable.
685
686 @smallexample
687 @group
688 process-environment
689 @result{} ("l=/usr/stanford/lib/gnuemacs/lisp"
690 "PATH=.:/user/lewis/bin:/usr/class:/nfsusr/local/bin"
691 "USER=lewis"
692 @end group
693 @group
694 "TERM=ibmapa16"
695 "SHELL=/bin/csh"
696 "HOME=/user/lewis")
697 @end group
698 @end smallexample
699 @end defvar
700
701 @defvar path-separator
702 This variable holds a string which says which character separates
703 directories in a search path (as found in an environment variable). Its
704 value is @code{":"} for Unix and GNU systems, and @code{";"} for MS-DOS
705 and Windows NT.
706 @end defvar
707
708 @defvar invocation-name
709 This variable holds the program name under which Emacs was invoked. The
710 value is a string, and does not include a directory name.
711 @end defvar
712
713 @defvar invocation-directory
714 This variable holds the directory from which the Emacs executable was
715 invoked, or perhaps @code{nil} if that directory cannot be determined.
716 @end defvar
717
718 @defvar installation-directory
719 If non-@code{nil}, this is a directory within which to look for the
720 @file{lib-src} and @file{etc} subdirectories. This is non-@code{nil}
721 when Emacs can't find those directories in their standard installed
722 locations, but can find them in a directory related somehow to the one
723 containing the Emacs executable.
724 @end defvar
725
726 @defun load-average
727 This function returns the current 1-minute, 5-minute and 15-minute
728 load averages in a list. The values are integers that are 100 times
729 the system load averages. (The load averages indicate the number of
730 processes trying to run.)
731
732 @example
733 @group
734 (load-average)
735 @result{} (169 48 36)
736 @end group
737
738 @group
739 lewis@@rocky[5] % uptime
740 11:55am up 1 day, 19:37, 3 users,
741 load average: 1.69, 0.48, 0.36
742 @end group
743 @end example
744 @end defun
745
746 @defun emacs-pid
747 This function returns the process @sc{id} of the Emacs process.
748 @end defun
749
750 @defun setprv privilege-name &optional setp getprv
751 This function sets or resets a VMS privilege. (It does not exist on
752 Unix.) The first arg is the privilege name, as a string. The second
753 argument, @var{setp}, is @code{t} or @code{nil}, indicating whether the
754 privilege is to be turned on or off. Its default is @code{nil}. The
755 function returns @code{t} if successful, @code{nil} otherwise.
756
757 If the third argument, @var{getprv}, is non-@code{nil}, @code{setprv}
758 does not change the privilege, but returns @code{t} or @code{nil}
759 indicating whether the privilege is currently enabled.
760 @end defun
761
762 @node User Identification
763 @section User Identification
764
765 @defvar user-mail-address
766 This holds the nominal email address of the user who is using Emacs.
767 When Emacs starts up, it computes a default value that is usually right,
768 but users often set this themselves when the default value is not right.
769 @end defvar
770
771 @defun user-login-name &optional uid
772 If you don't specify @var{uid}, this function returns the name under
773 which the user is logged in. If the environment variable @code{LOGNAME}
774 is set, that value is used. Otherwise, if the environment variable
775 @code{USER} is set, that value is used. Otherwise, the value is based
776 on the effective @sc{uid}, not the real @sc{uid}.
777
778 If you specify @var{uid}, the value is the user name that corresponds
779 to @var{uid} (which should be an integer).
780
781 @example
782 @group
783 (user-login-name)
784 @result{} "lewis"
785 @end group
786 @end example
787 @end defun
788
789 @defun user-real-login-name
790 This function returns the user name corresponding to Emacs's real
791 @sc{uid}. This ignores the effective @sc{uid} and ignores the
792 environment variables @code{LOGNAME} and @code{USER}.
793 @end defun
794
795 @defun user-full-name
796 This function returns the full name of the user.
797
798 @example
799 @group
800 (user-full-name)
801 @result{} "Bil Lewis"
802 @end group
803 @end example
804 @end defun
805
806 @vindex user-full-name
807 @vindex user-real-login-name
808 @vindex user-login-name
809 The symbols @code{user-login-name}, @code{user-real-login-name} and
810 @code{user-full-name} are variables as well as functions. The functions
811 return the same values that the variables hold. These variables allow
812 you to ``fake out'' Emacs by telling the functions what to return. The
813 variables are also useful for constructing frame titles (@pxref{Frame
814 Titles}).
815
816 @defun user-real-uid
817 This function returns the real @sc{uid} of the user.
818
819 @example
820 @group
821 (user-real-uid)
822 @result{} 19
823 @end group
824 @end example
825 @end defun
826
827 @defun user-uid
828 This function returns the effective @sc{uid} of the user.
829 @end defun
830
831 @node Time of Day
832 @section Time of Day
833
834 This section explains how to determine the current time and the time
835 zone.
836
837 @defun current-time-string &optional time-value
838 This function returns the current time and date as a humanly-readable
839 string. The format of the string is unvarying; the number of characters
840 used for each part is always the same, so you can reliably use
841 @code{substring} to extract pieces of it. It is wise to count the
842 characters from the beginning of the string rather than from the end, as
843 additional information may be added at the end.
844
845 @c Emacs 19 feature
846 The argument @var{time-value}, if given, specifies a time to format
847 instead of the current time. The argument should be a list whose first
848 two elements are integers. Thus, you can use times obtained from
849 @code{current-time} (see below) and from @code{file-attributes}
850 (@pxref{File Attributes}).
851
852 @example
853 @group
854 (current-time-string)
855 @result{} "Wed Oct 14 22:21:05 1987"
856 @end group
857 @end example
858 @end defun
859
860 @c Emacs 19 feature
861 @defun current-time
862 This function returns the system's time value as a list of three
863 integers: @code{(@var{high} @var{low} @var{microsec})}. The integers
864 @var{high} and @var{low} combine to give the number of seconds since
865 0:00 January 1, 1970, which is
866 @ifinfo
867 @var{high} * 2**16 + @var{low}.
868 @end ifinfo
869 @tex
870 $high*2^{16}+low$.
871 @end tex
872
873 The third element, @var{microsec}, gives the microseconds since the
874 start of the current second (or 0 for systems that return time only on
875 the resolution of a second).
876
877 The first two elements can be compared with file time values such as you
878 get with the function @code{file-attributes}. @xref{File Attributes}.
879 @end defun
880
881 @c Emacs 19 feature
882 @defun current-time-zone &optional time-value
883 This function returns a list describing the time zone that the user is
884 in.
885
886 The value has the form @code{(@var{offset} @var{name})}. Here
887 @var{offset} is an integer giving the number of seconds ahead of UTC
888 (east of Greenwich). A negative value means west of Greenwich. The
889 second element, @var{name} is a string giving the name of the time
890 zone. Both elements change when daylight savings time begins or ends;
891 if the user has specified a time zone that does not use a seasonal time
892 adjustment, then the value is constant through time.
893
894 If the operating system doesn't supply all the information necessary to
895 compute the value, both elements of the list are @code{nil}.
896
897 The argument @var{time-value}, if given, specifies a time to analyze
898 instead of the current time. The argument should be a cons cell
899 containing two integers, or a list whose first two elements are
900 integers. Thus, you can use times obtained from @code{current-time}
901 (see above) and from @code{file-attributes} (@pxref{File Attributes}).
902 @end defun
903
904 @node Time Conversion
905 @section Time Conversion
906
907 These functions convert time values (lists of two or three integers)
908 to strings or to calendrical information. There is also a function to
909 convert calendrical information to a time value. You can get time
910 values from the functions @code{current-time} (@pxref{Time of Day}) and
911 @code{file-attributes} (@pxref{File Attributes}).
912
913 @defun format-time-string format-string time
914 This function converts @var{time} to a string according to
915 @var{format-string}. The argument @var{format-string} may contain
916 @samp{%}-sequences which say to substitute parts of the time. Here is a
917 table of what the @samp{%}-sequences mean:
918
919 @table @samp
920 @item %a
921 This stands for the abbreviated name of the day of week.
922 @item %A
923 This stands for the full name of the day of week.
924 @item %b
925 This stands for the abbreviated name of the month.
926 @item %B
927 This stands for the full name of the month.
928 @item %c
929 This is a synonym for @samp{%x %X}.
930 @item %C
931 This has a locale-specific meaning. In the default locale (named C), it
932 is equivalent to @samp{%A, %B %e, %Y}.
933 @item %d
934 This stands for the day of month, zero-padded.
935 @item %D
936 This is a synonym for @samp{%m/%d/%y}.
937 @item %e
938 This stands for the day of month, blank-padded.
939 @item %h
940 This is a synonym for @samp{%b}.
941 @item %H
942 This stands for the hour (00-23).
943 @item %I
944 This stands for the hour (00-12).
945 @item %j
946 This stands for the day of the year (001-366).
947 @item %k
948 This stands for the hour (0-23), blank padded.
949 @item %l
950 This stands for the hour (1-12), blank padded.
951 @item %m
952 This stands for the month (01-12).
953 @item %M
954 This stands for the minute (00-59).
955 @item %n
956 This stands for a newline.
957 @item %p
958 This stands for @samp{AM} or @samp{PM}, as appropriate.
959 @item %r
960 This is a synonym for @samp{%I:%M:%S %p}.
961 @item %R
962 This is a synonym for @samp{%H:%M}.
963 @item %S
964 This stands for the seconds (00-60).
965 @item %t
966 This stands for a tab character.
967 @item %T
968 This is a synonym for @samp{%H:%M:%S}.
969 @item %U
970 This stands for the week of the year (01-52), assuming that weeks
971 start on Sunday.
972 @item %w
973 This stands for the numeric day of week (0-6). Sunday is day 0.
974 @item %W
975 This stands for the week of the year (01-52), assuming that weeks
976 start on Monday.
977 @item %x
978 This has a locale-specific meaning. In the default locale (named C), it
979 is equivalent to @samp{%D}.
980 @item %X
981 This has a locale-specific meaning. In the default locale (named C), it
982 is equivalent to @samp{%T}.
983 @item %y
984 This stands for the year without century (00-99).
985 @item %Y
986 This stands for the year with century.
987 @item %Z
988 This stands for the time zone abbreviation.
989 @end table
990 @end defun
991
992 @defun decode-time time
993 This function converts a time value into calendrical information. The
994 return value is a list of nine elements, as follows:
995
996 @example
997 (@var{seconds} @var{minutes} @var{hour} @var{day} @var{month} @var{year} @var{dow} @var{dst} @var{zone})
998 @end example
999
1000 Here is what the elements mean:
1001
1002 @table @var
1003 @item sec
1004 The number of seconds past the minute, as an integer between 0 and 59.
1005 @item minute
1006 The number of minutes past the hour, as an integer between 0 and 59.
1007 @item hour
1008 The hour of the day, as an integer between 0 and 23.
1009 @item day
1010 The day of the month, as an integer between 1 and 31.
1011 @item month
1012 The month of the year, as an integer between 1 and 12.
1013 @item year
1014 The year, an integer typically greater than 1900.
1015 @item dow
1016 The day of week, as an integer between 0 and 6, where 0 stands for
1017 Sunday.
1018 @item dst
1019 @code{t} if daylight savings time is effect, otherwise @code{nil}.
1020 @item zone
1021 An integer indicating the time zone, as the number of seconds east of
1022 Greenwich.
1023 @end table
1024
1025 Note that Common Lisp has different meanings for @var{dow} and
1026 @var{zone}.
1027 @end defun
1028
1029 @defun encode-time seconds minutes hour day month year &optional zone
1030 This function is the inverse of @code{decode-time}. It converts seven
1031 items of calendrical data into a time value. For the meanings of the
1032 arguments, see the table above under @code{decode-time}.
1033
1034 Year numbers less than 100 are treated just like other year numbers. If
1035 you want them to stand for years above 1900, you must alter them yourself
1036 before you call @code{encode-time}.
1037
1038 The optional argument @var{zone} defaults to the current time zone and
1039 its daylight savings time rules. If specified, it can be either a list
1040 (as you would get from @code{current-time-zone}) or an integer (as you
1041 would get from @code{decode-time}). The specified zone is used without
1042 any further alteration for daylight savings time.
1043 @end defun
1044
1045 @node Timers
1046 @section Timers for Delayed Execution
1047
1048 You can set up a timer to call a function at a specified future time.
1049
1050 @c All different in FSF 19
1051 @defun add-timeout secs function object &optional resignal
1052 This function adds a timeout, to be signaled after the timeout period
1053 has elapsed. @var{secs} is a number of seconds, expressed as an integer
1054 or a float. @var{function} will be called after that many seconds have
1055 elapsed, with one argument, the given @var{object}. If the optional
1056 @var{resignal} argument is provided, then after this timeout expires,
1057 `add-timeout' will automatically be called again with @var{resignal} as the
1058 first argument.
1059
1060 This function returns an object which is the @dfn{id} of this particular
1061 timeout. You can pass that object to @code{disable-timeout} to turn off
1062 the timeout before it has been signalled.
1063
1064 The number of seconds may be expressed as a floating-point number, in which
1065 case some fractional part of a second will be used. Caveat: the usable
1066 timeout granularity will vary from system to system.
1067
1068 Adding a timeout causes a timeout event to be returned by
1069 @code{next-event}, and the function will be invoked by
1070 @code{dispatch-event}, so if XEmacs is in a tight loop, the function will
1071 not be invoked until the next call to sit-for or until the return to
1072 top-level (the same is true of process filters).
1073
1074 WARNING: if you are thinking of calling add-timeout from inside of a
1075 callback function as a way of resignalling a timeout, think again. There
1076 is a race condition. That's why the @var{resignal} argument exists.
1077
1078 (NOTE: In FSF Emacs, this function is called @code{run-at-time} and
1079 has different semantics.)
1080 @end defun
1081
1082 @defun disable-timeout id
1083 Cancel the requested action for @var{id}, which should be a value
1084 previously returned by @code{add-timeout}. This cancels the effect of
1085 that call to @code{add-timeout}; the arrival of the specified time will
1086 not cause anything special to happen.
1087 (NOTE: In FSF Emacs, this function is called @code{cancel-timer}.)
1088 @end defun
1089
1090 @node Terminal Input
1091 @section Terminal Input
1092 @cindex terminal input
1093
1094 This section describes functions and variables for recording or
1095 manipulating terminal input. See @ref{Display}, for related
1096 functions.
1097
1098 @menu
1099 * Input Modes:: Options for how input is processed.
1100 * Translating Input:: Low level conversion of some characters or events
1101 into others.
1102 * Recording Input:: Saving histories of recent or all input events.
1103 @end menu
1104
1105 @node Input Modes
1106 @subsection Input Modes
1107 @cindex input modes
1108 @cindex terminal input modes
1109
1110 @defun set-input-mode interrupt flow meta quit-char
1111 This function sets the mode for reading keyboard input. If
1112 @var{interrupt} is non-null, then XEmacs uses input interrupts. If it is
1113 @code{nil}, then it uses @sc{cbreak} mode. When XEmacs communicates
1114 directly with X, it ignores this argument and uses interrupts if that is
1115 the way it knows how to communicate.
1116
1117 If @var{flow} is non-@code{nil}, then XEmacs uses @sc{xon/xoff} (@kbd{C-q},
1118 @kbd{C-s}) flow control for output to the terminal. This has no effect except
1119 in @sc{cbreak} mode. @xref{Flow Control}.
1120
1121 The default setting is system dependent. Some systems always use
1122 @sc{cbreak} mode regardless of what is specified.
1123
1124 @c Emacs 19 feature
1125 The argument @var{meta} controls support for input character codes
1126 above 127. If @var{meta} is @code{t}, XEmacs converts characters with
1127 the 8th bit set into Meta characters. If @var{meta} is @code{nil},
1128 XEmacs disregards the 8th bit; this is necessary when the terminal uses
1129 it as a parity bit. If @var{meta} is neither @code{t} nor @code{nil},
1130 XEmacs uses all 8 bits of input unchanged. This is good for terminals
1131 using European 8-bit character sets.
1132
1133 @c Emacs 19 feature
1134 If @var{quit-char} is non-@code{nil}, it specifies the character to
1135 use for quitting. Normally this character is @kbd{C-g}.
1136 @xref{Quitting}.
1137 @end defun
1138
1139 The @code{current-input-mode} function returns the input mode settings
1140 XEmacs is currently using.
1141
1142 @c Emacs 19 feature
1143 @defun current-input-mode
1144 This function returns current mode for reading keyboard input. It
1145 returns a list, corresponding to the arguments of @code{set-input-mode},
1146 of the form @code{(@var{interrupt} @var{flow} @var{meta} @var{quit})} in
1147 which:
1148 @table @var
1149 @item interrupt
1150 is non-@code{nil} when XEmacs is using interrupt-driven input. If
1151 @code{nil}, Emacs is using @sc{cbreak} mode.
1152 @item flow
1153 is non-@code{nil} if XEmacs uses @sc{xon/xoff} (@kbd{C-q}, @kbd{C-s})
1154 flow control for output to the terminal. This value has no effect
1155 unless @var{interrupt} is non-@code{nil}.
1156 @item meta
1157 is @code{t} if XEmacs treats the eighth bit of input characters as
1158 the meta bit; @code{nil} means XEmacs clears the eighth bit of every
1159 input character; any other value means XEmacs uses all eight bits as the
1160 basic character code.
1161 @item quit
1162 is the character XEmacs currently uses for quitting, usually @kbd{C-g}.
1163 @end table
1164 @end defun
1165
1166 @node Translating Input
1167 @subsection Translating Input Events
1168 @cindex translating input events
1169
1170 This section describes features for translating input events into other
1171 input events before they become part of key sequences.
1172
1173 @ignore Not in XEmacs yet.
1174 @c Emacs 19 feature
1175 @defvar extra-keyboard-modifiers
1176 This variable lets Lisp programs ``press'' the modifier keys on the
1177 keyboard. The value is a bit mask:
1178
1179 @table @asis
1180 @item 1
1181 The @key{SHIFT} key.
1182 @item 2
1183 The @key{LOCK} key.
1184 @item 4
1185 The @key{CTL} key.
1186 @item 8
1187 The @key{META} key.
1188 @end table
1189
1190 Each time the user types a keyboard key, it is altered as if the
1191 modifier keys specified in the bit mask were held down.
1192
1193 When using X windows, the program can ``press'' any of the modifier
1194 keys in this way. Otherwise, only the @key{CTL} and @key{META} keys can
1195 be virtually pressed.
1196 @end defvar
1197
1198 @defvar keyboard-translate-table
1199 This variable is the translate table for keyboard characters. It lets
1200 you reshuffle the keys on the keyboard without changing any command
1201 bindings. Its value must be a string or @code{nil}.
1202
1203 If @code{keyboard-translate-table} is a string, then each character read
1204 from the keyboard is looked up in this string and the character in the
1205 string is used instead. If the string is of length @var{n}, character codes
1206 @var{n} and up are untranslated.
1207
1208 In the example below, we set @code{keyboard-translate-table} to a
1209 string of 128 characters. Then we fill it in to swap the characters
1210 @kbd{C-s} and @kbd{C-\} and the characters @kbd{C-q} and @kbd{C-^}.
1211 Subsequently, typing @kbd{C-\} has all the usual effects of typing
1212 @kbd{C-s}, and vice versa. (@xref{Flow Control} for more information on
1213 this subject.)
1214
1215 @cindex flow control example
1216 @example
1217 @group
1218 (defun evade-flow-control ()
1219 "Replace C-s with C-\ and C-q with C-^."
1220 (interactive)
1221 @end group
1222 @group
1223 (let ((the-table (make-string 128 0)))
1224 (let ((i 0))
1225 (while (< i 128)
1226 (aset the-table i i)
1227 (setq i (1+ i))))
1228 @end group
1229 ;; @r{Swap @kbd{C-s} and @kbd{C-\}.}
1230 (aset the-table ?\034 ?\^s)
1231 (aset the-table ?\^s ?\034)
1232 @group
1233 ;; @r{Swap @kbd{C-q} and @kbd{C-^}.}
1234 (aset the-table ?\036 ?\^q)
1235 (aset the-table ?\^q ?\036)
1236 (setq keyboard-translate-table the-table)))
1237 @end group
1238 @end example
1239
1240 Note that this translation is the first thing that happens to a
1241 character after it is read from the terminal. Record-keeping features
1242 such as @code{recent-keys} and dribble files record the characters after
1243 translation.
1244 @end defvar
1245
1246 @defun keyboard-translate from to
1247 This function modifies @code{keyboard-translate-table} to translate
1248 character code @var{from} into character code @var{to}. It creates
1249 or enlarges the translate table if necessary.
1250 @end defun
1251 @end ignore
1252
1253 @defvar function-key-map
1254 This variable holds a keymap that describes the character sequences
1255 sent by function keys on an ordinary character terminal. This keymap
1256 uses the same data structure as other keymaps, but is used differently: it
1257 specifies translations to make while reading events.
1258
1259 If @code{function-key-map} ``binds'' a key sequence @var{k} to a vector
1260 @var{v}, then when @var{k} appears as a subsequence @emph{anywhere} in a
1261 key sequence, it is replaced with the events in @var{v}.
1262
1263 For example, VT100 terminals send @kbd{@key{ESC} O P} when the
1264 keypad PF1 key is pressed. Therefore, we want XEmacs to translate
1265 that sequence of events into the single event @code{pf1}. We accomplish
1266 this by ``binding'' @kbd{@key{ESC} O P} to @code{[pf1]} in
1267 @code{function-key-map}, when using a VT100.
1268
1269 Thus, typing @kbd{C-c @key{PF1}} sends the character sequence @kbd{C-c
1270 @key{ESC} O P}; later the function @code{read-key-sequence} translates
1271 this back into @kbd{C-c @key{PF1}}, which it returns as the vector
1272 @code{[?\C-c pf1]}.
1273
1274 Entries in @code{function-key-map} are ignored if they conflict with
1275 bindings made in the minor mode, local, or global keymaps. The intent
1276 is that the character sequences that function keys send should not have
1277 command bindings in their own right.
1278
1279 The value of @code{function-key-map} is usually set up automatically
1280 according to the terminal's Terminfo or Termcap entry, but sometimes
1281 those need help from terminal-specific Lisp files. XEmacs comes with
1282 terminal-specific files for many common terminals; their main purpose is
1283 to make entries in @code{function-key-map} beyond those that can be
1284 deduced from Termcap and Terminfo. @xref{Terminal-Specific}.
1285
1286 Emacs versions 18 and earlier used totally different means of detecting
1287 the character sequences that represent function keys.
1288 @end defvar
1289
1290 @defvar key-translation-map
1291 This variable is another keymap used just like @code{function-key-map}
1292 to translate input events into other events. It differs from
1293 @code{function-key-map} in two ways:
1294
1295 @itemize @bullet
1296 @item
1297 @code{key-translation-map} goes to work after @code{function-key-map} is
1298 finished; it receives the results of translation by
1299 @code{function-key-map}.
1300
1301 @item
1302 @code{key-translation-map} overrides actual key bindings.
1303 @end itemize
1304
1305 The intent of @code{key-translation-map} is for users to map one
1306 character set to another, including ordinary characters normally bound
1307 to @code{self-insert-command}.
1308 @end defvar
1309
1310 @cindex key translation function
1311 You can use @code{function-key-map} or @code{key-translation-map} for
1312 more than simple aliases, by using a function, instead of a key
1313 sequence, as the ``translation'' of a key. Then this function is called
1314 to compute the translation of that key.
1315
1316 The key translation function receives one argument, which is the prompt
1317 that was specified in @code{read-key-sequence}---or @code{nil} if the
1318 key sequence is being read by the editor command loop. In most cases
1319 you can ignore the prompt value.
1320
1321 If the function reads input itself, it can have the effect of altering
1322 the event that follows. For example, here's how to define @kbd{C-c h}
1323 to turn the character that follows into a Hyper character:
1324
1325 @example
1326 @group
1327 (defun hyperify (prompt)
1328 (let ((e (read-event)))
1329 (vector (if (numberp e)
1330 (logior (lsh 1 20) e)
1331 (if (memq 'hyper (event-modifiers e))
1332 e
1333 (add-event-modifier "H-" e))))))
1334
1335 (defun add-event-modifier (string e)
1336 (let ((symbol (if (symbolp e) e (car e))))
1337 (setq symbol (intern (concat string
1338 (symbol-name symbol))))
1339 @end group
1340 @group
1341 (if (symbolp e)
1342 symbol
1343 (cons symbol (cdr e)))))
1344
1345 (define-key function-key-map "\C-ch" 'hyperify)
1346 @end group
1347 @end example
1348
1349 @pindex iso-transl
1350 @cindex Latin-1 character set (input)
1351 @cindex ISO Latin-1 characters (input)
1352 The @file{iso-transl} library uses this feature to provide a way of
1353 inputting non-ASCII Latin-1 characters.
1354
1355 @node Recording Input
1356 @subsection Recording Input
1357
1358 @defun recent-keys
1359 This function returns a vector containing the last 100 input events
1360 from the keyboard or mouse. All input events are included, whether or
1361 not they were used as parts of key sequences. Thus, you always get the
1362 last 100 inputs, not counting keyboard macros. (Events from keyboard
1363 macros are excluded because they are less interesting for debugging; it
1364 should be enough to see the events that invoked the macros.)
1365 @end defun
1366
1367 @deffn Command open-dribble-file filename
1368 @cindex dribble file
1369 This function opens a @dfn{dribble file} named @var{filename}. When a
1370 dribble file is open, each input event from the keyboard or mouse (but
1371 not those from keyboard macros) is written in that file. A
1372 non-character event is expressed using its printed representation
1373 surrounded by @samp{<@dots{}>}.
1374
1375 You close the dribble file by calling this function with an argument
1376 of @code{nil}.
1377
1378 This function is normally used to record the input necessary to
1379 trigger an XEmacs bug, for the sake of a bug report.
1380
1381 @example
1382 @group
1383 (open-dribble-file "~/dribble")
1384 @result{} nil
1385 @end group
1386 @end example
1387 @end deffn
1388
1389 See also the @code{open-termscript} function (@pxref{Terminal Output}).
1390
1391 @node Terminal Output
1392 @section Terminal Output
1393 @cindex terminal output
1394
1395 The terminal output functions send output to the terminal or keep
1396 track of output sent to the terminal. The function
1397 @code{device-baud-rate} tells you what XEmacs thinks is the output speed
1398 of the terminal.
1399
1400 @defun device-baud-rate &optional device
1401 This function's value is the output speed of the terminal associated
1402 with @var{device}, as far as XEmacs knows. @var{device} defaults to the
1403 selected device (usually the only device) if omitted. Changing this
1404 value does not change the speed of actual data transmission, but the
1405 value is used for calculations such as padding. This value has no
1406 effect for window-system devices. (This is different in FSF Emacs, where
1407 the baud rate also affects decisions about whether to scroll part of the
1408 screen or repaint, even when using a window system.)
1409
1410 The value is measured in bits per second.
1411 @end defun
1412
1413 XEmacs attempts to automatically initialize the baud rate by querying
1414 the terminal. If you are running across a network, however, and
1415 different parts of the network work are at different baud rates, the
1416 value returned by XEmacs may be different from the value used by your
1417 local terminal. Some network protocols communicate the local terminal
1418 speed to the remote machine, so that XEmacs and other programs can get
1419 the proper value, but others do not. If XEmacs has the wrong value, it
1420 makes decisions that are less than optimal. To fix the problem, use
1421 @code{set-device-baud-rate}.
1422
1423 @defun set-device-baud-rate &optional device
1424 This function sets the output speed of @var{device}. See
1425 @code{device-baud-rate}. @var{device} defaults to the selected device
1426 (usually the only device) if omitted.
1427 @end defun
1428
1429 @defun send-string-to-terminal char-or-string &optional stdout-p device
1430 This function sends @var{char-or-string} to the terminal without
1431 alteration. Control characters in @var{char-or-string} have
1432 terminal-dependent effects.
1433
1434 If @var{device} is @code{nil}, this function writes to XEmacs's
1435 stderr, or to stdout if @var{stdout-p} is non-@code{nil}. Otherwise,
1436 @var{device} should be a tty or stream device, and the function writes
1437 to the device's normal or error output, according to @var{stdout-p}.
1438
1439 One use of this function is to define function keys on terminals that
1440 have downloadable function key definitions. For example, this is how on
1441 certain terminals to define function key 4 to move forward four
1442 characters (by transmitting the characters @kbd{C-u C-f} to the
1443 computer):
1444
1445 @example
1446 @group
1447 (send-string-to-terminal "\eF4\^U\^F")
1448 @result{} nil
1449 @end group
1450 @end example
1451 @end defun
1452
1453 @deffn Command open-termscript filename
1454 @cindex termscript file
1455 This function is used to open a @dfn{termscript file} that will record
1456 all the characters sent by XEmacs to the terminal. (If there are
1457 multiple tty or stream devices, all characters sent to all such devices
1458 are recorded.) The funcion returns @code{nil}. Termscript files are
1459 useful for investigating problems where XEmacs garbles the screen,
1460 problems that are due to incorrect Termcap entries or to undesirable
1461 settings of terminal options more often than to actual XEmacs bugs.
1462 Once you are certain which characters were actually output, you can
1463 determine reliably whether they correspond to the Termcap specifications
1464 in use.
1465
1466 A @code{nil} value for @var{filename} stops recording terminal output.
1467
1468 See also @code{open-dribble-file} in @ref{Terminal Input}.
1469
1470 @example
1471 @group
1472 (open-termscript "../junk/termscript")
1473 @result{} nil
1474 @end group
1475 @end example
1476 @end deffn
1477
1478 @ignore Not in XEmacs
1479 @node Special Keysyms
1480 @section System-Specific X11 Keysyms
1481
1482 To define system-specific X11 keysyms, set the variable
1483 @code{system-key-alist}.
1484
1485 @defvar system-key-alist
1486 This variable's value should be an alist with one element for each
1487 system-specific keysym. An element has this form: @code{(@var{code}
1488 . @var{symbol})}, where @var{code} is the numeric keysym code (not
1489 including the ``vendor specific'' bit, 1 << 28), and @var{symbol} is the
1490 name for the function key.
1491
1492 For example @code{(168 . mute-acute)} defines a system-specific key used
1493 by HP X servers whose numeric code is (1 << 28) + 168.
1494
1495 It is not a problem if the alist defines keysyms for other X servers, as
1496 long as they don't conflict with the ones used by the X server actually
1497 in use.
1498
1499 The variable is always local to the current X terminal and cannot be
1500 buffer-local. @xref{Multiple Displays}.
1501 @end defvar
1502 @end ignore
1503
1504 @node Flow Control
1505 @section Flow Control
1506 @cindex flow control characters
1507
1508 This section attempts to answer the question ``Why does XEmacs choose
1509 to use flow-control characters in its command character set?'' For a
1510 second view on this issue, read the comments on flow control in the
1511 @file{emacs/INSTALL} file from the distribution; for help with Termcap
1512 entries and DEC terminal concentrators, see @file{emacs/etc/TERMS}.
1513
1514 @cindex @kbd{C-s}
1515 @cindex @kbd{C-q}
1516 At one time, most terminals did not need flow control, and none used
1517 @code{C-s} and @kbd{C-q} for flow control. Therefore, the choice of
1518 @kbd{C-s} and @kbd{C-q} as command characters was uncontroversial.
1519 XEmacs, for economy of keystrokes and portability, used nearly all the
1520 @sc{ASCII} control characters, with mnemonic meanings when possible;
1521 thus, @kbd{C-s} for search and @kbd{C-q} for quote.
1522
1523 Later, some terminals were introduced which required these characters
1524 for flow control. They were not very good terminals for full-screen
1525 editing, so XEmacs maintainers did not pay attention. In later years,
1526 flow control with @kbd{C-s} and @kbd{C-q} became widespread among
1527 terminals, but by this time it was usually an option. And the majority
1528 of users, who can turn flow control off, were unwilling to switch to
1529 less mnemonic key bindings for the sake of flow control.
1530
1531 So which usage is ``right'', XEmacs's or that of some terminal and
1532 concentrator manufacturers? This question has no simple answer.
1533
1534 One reason why we are reluctant to cater to the problems caused by
1535 @kbd{C-s} and @kbd{C-q} is that they are gratuitous. There are other
1536 techniques (albeit less common in practice) for flow control that
1537 preserve transparency of the character stream. Note also that their use
1538 for flow control is not an official standard. Interestingly, on the
1539 model 33 teletype with a paper tape punch (which is very old), @kbd{C-s}
1540 and @kbd{C-q} were sent by the computer to turn the punch on and off!
1541
1542 As X servers and other window systems replace character-only
1543 terminals, this problem is gradually being cured. For the mean time,
1544 XEmacs provides a convenient way of enabling flow control if you want it:
1545 call the function @code{enable-flow-control}.
1546
1547 @defun enable-flow-control
1548 This function enables use of @kbd{C-s} and @kbd{C-q} for output flow
1549 control, and provides the characters @kbd{C-\} and @kbd{C-^} as aliases
1550 for them using @code{keyboard-translate-table} (@pxref{Translating Input}).
1551 @end defun
1552
1553 You can use the function @code{enable-flow-control-on} in your
1554 @file{.emacs} file to enable flow control automatically on certain
1555 terminal types.
1556
1557 @defun enable-flow-control-on &rest termtypes
1558 This function enables flow control, and the aliases @kbd{C-\} and @kbd{C-^},
1559 if the terminal type is one of @var{termtypes}. For example:
1560
1561 @smallexample
1562 (enable-flow-control-on "vt200" "vt300" "vt101" "vt131")
1563 @end smallexample
1564 @end defun
1565
1566 Here is how @code{enable-flow-control} does its job:
1567
1568 @enumerate
1569 @item
1570 @cindex @sc{cbreak}
1571 It sets @sc{cbreak} mode for terminal input, and tells the operating
1572 system to handle flow control, with @code{(set-input-mode nil t)}.
1573
1574 @item
1575 It sets up @code{keyboard-translate-table} to translate @kbd{C-\} and
1576 @kbd{C-^} into @kbd{C-s} and @kbd{C-q}. Except at its very
1577 lowest level, XEmacs never knows that the characters typed were anything
1578 but @kbd{C-s} and @kbd{C-q}, so you can in effect type them as @kbd{C-\}
1579 and @kbd{C-^} even when they are input for other commands.
1580 @xref{Translating Input}.
1581 @end enumerate
1582
1583 If the terminal is the source of the flow control characters, then once
1584 you enable kernel flow control handling, you probably can make do with
1585 less padding than normal for that terminal. You can reduce the amount
1586 of padding by customizing the Termcap entry. You can also reduce it by
1587 setting @code{baud-rate} to a smaller value so that XEmacs uses a smaller
1588 speed when calculating the padding needed. @xref{Terminal Output}.
1589
1590 @node Batch Mode
1591 @section Batch Mode
1592 @cindex batch mode
1593 @cindex noninteractive use
1594
1595 The command line option @samp{-batch} causes XEmacs to run
1596 noninteractively. In this mode, XEmacs does not read commands from the
1597 terminal, it does not alter the terminal modes, and it does not expect
1598 to be outputting to an erasable screen. The idea is that you specify
1599 Lisp programs to run; when they are finished, XEmacs should exit. The
1600 way to specify the programs to run is with @samp{-l @var{file}}, which
1601 loads the library named @var{file}, and @samp{-f @var{function}}, which
1602 calls @var{function} with no arguments.
1603
1604 Any Lisp program output that would normally go to the echo area,
1605 either using @code{message} or using @code{prin1}, etc., with @code{t}
1606 as the stream, goes instead to XEmacs's standard error descriptor when
1607 in batch mode. Thus, XEmacs behaves much like a noninteractive
1608 application program. (The echo area output that XEmacs itself normally
1609 generates, such as command echoing, is suppressed entirely.)
1610
1611 @defun noninteractive
1612 This function returns non-@code{nil} when XEmacs is running in batch mode.
1613 @end defun
1614
1615 @defvar noninteractive
1616 This variable is non-@code{nil} when XEmacs is running in batch mode.
1617 Setting this variable to @code{nil}, however, will not change whether
1618 XEmacs is running in batch mode, and will not change the return value
1619 of the @code{noninteractive} function.
1620 @end defvar