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[ENTER] Picks a topic [PG UP] Last Screen Cursor keys [F10] Exit Help [PG DOWN] Next Screen are active [F6] Index [HOME] Main Menu < > [ENTER] Picks a topic [PG UP] Last Screen [F6] Index Cursor keys [F10] Exit Help [PG DOWN] Next Screen [HOME] Main Menu are active < > =>Main Menu NEXT[The Basics] PREV[Main Menu] < > The Basics < > Keystrokes < > Getting at Files < > Issuing Commands < > Searching and Replacing < > Customizing Command Keys < > Regions < > Using the Mouse < > Cutting and Pasting < > The Outside World < > Buffers < > Advanced Text Editing < > Windows < > Writing EMACS Macros < > Screens < > Reference Screens < > Credits & Registration Info =>Commands =Command List =>Macros =Creating New Commands =>Bindings =Customizing Command Keys =>Keyboard Macros =Repetitive Tasks =>Pages =Creating New Commands =>Credits =Credits & Registration Info =>Credits & Registration Info NEXT[History] PREV[Main Menu] Text Editor and Corrector written by Daniel M. Lawrence Major code contributions by: Dave Conroy, John Gamble, Dana Hoggatt, Pierre Perret Information about MicroEMACS can be obtained via: USMAIL: Daniel Lawrence BBS: The Programmer's Room 617 New York St (317) 742-5533 Lafayette, IN 47901 Fidonet 1:201/10 Internet: mdbs!dan@dynamo.ecn.purdue.edu American Online: bardor Phone (nights): (317) 742-5153 Register MicroEMACS for prefered phone support and information on new releases by sending $25 US to the address above. press [PG DOWN] for history info =>History NEXT[Main Menu] PREV[Credits & Registration Info] EMACS was originally a text editor written by Richard Stallman at MIT in the early 1970s for Digital Equipment computers. Various versions, rewrites and clones have made an appearance since. This version of MicroEMACS is derived from code written by Dave G. Conroy in 1985. In 1985, Daniel Lawrence picked up the then current source (version 2.0) and made extensive modifications and has rewritten it several times over the course of the next eight years. In 1992 Pierre Perret produced a very nice port of MicroEMACS for Windows and Windows NT. Updates and support for the current version are available. Commercial support and usage and resale licences are also available. Contact the author (at the addresses in the last help screen) for details. [PG DOWN] to return to Main Menu =>The Basics NEXT[Alternative Basic Keys] PREV[Main Menu] MicroEMACS is a very powerful tool to use for editing text files. It has MANY MANY commands, options and features to let you do just about anything you can imagine with text. But don't let this apparent complexity keep you from using it.... MicroEMACS can also be very simple. To start editing files, all the keys you really need to know are: [CSR UP] These keys let you move | around in the your file [CSR <-] <---> [CSR ->] | [CSR DOWN] [F9] This saves your file [F10] This leaves MicroEMACS [PG DOWN] for other basic keys =>Alternative Basic Keys NEXT[Glossary of Terms] PREV[The Basics] On systems that do not have special function and cursor keys, MicroEMACS works by using control keys. On such a system these keys perform basic functions: ^P Move upward ^B Move backward ^F Move forward ^N Move downward ^X^S Saves your file ^X^C Exits MicroEMACS An up arrow before the key means to hold the CTRL key down and press the next character. For example, to exit MicroEMACS, hold down the CTRL key and strike X and then C. Press [PG DOWN] to learn about the terms used within MicroEMACS =>Glossary of Terms NEXT[Glossary 2] PREV[Alternative Basic Keys] MicroEMACS uses a number of defined terms which will help you understand the rest of this help document. < > COMMANDS These are built in functions that represent basic things that MicroEMACS does. For example, the cursor up key activates the "previous-line" command which moves the cursor up to the line of text immediately before the current line. < > BINDINGS A binding is a link between a sequence of keys and a command. The command previous-line is bound to the cursor up key, and to the ^P key. Pressing a key sequence causes the command to which it is bound to execute. [PG DOWN] for more terms Select term for more info =>Glossary 2 NEXT[Glossary 3] PREV[Glossary of Terms] META KEY is the key used to start many commands. On most keyboards this is the [ESC] key, but many times it is rebound/changed to the key in the upper left corner of the keyboard. This is often the grave accent symbol. < > BUFFERS These are areas of memory set aside to hold text. Each buffer has a buffer name which is used to refer to it, and a file name from which it has been read or where it will be written. < > WINDOWS Sections of the current screen which display a portion of a buffer. More than one window may be visible at a time. Multiple windows split the screen horizontally. [PG DOWN] for more terms Select term for more info =>Glossary 3 NEXT[Glossary 4] PREV[Glossary 2] < > SCREENS are collection of windows. On a older text style system, one screen is displayed at a time. On a newer window based system, like OS/2, the Macintosh or MicroSoft Windows, each operating system window can display a different MicroEMACS screen. MODE LINE is the line at the bottom of each window naming the buffer being displayed, along with its file name. Also the active modes of the window are shown. COMMAND LINE is the line at the bottom of the each screen where you give more information to some commands. [PG DOWN] for more terms Select term for more info =>Glossary 4 NEXT[Glossary 5] PREV[Glossary 3] < > MACROS are programs written in the MicroEMACS language which let you automate repetitive editing tasks. These help pages are being run by a relatively simple, but powerful MicroEMACS macro. < > KEYBOARD MACROS These are remembered sequences of keystrokes which can be used to greatly speed quick and dirty repetitive editing. < > PAGES These are groups of macros which have been written to handle a particular editing task, and which have been packaged to be available from the MicroEMACS startup file. These macros are bound to shifted function keys. [PG DOWN] for more terms Select term for more info =>Glossary 5 NEXT[Main Menu] PREV[Glossary 4] < > POINT The position in the text of the current window of the cursor. The point is considered between the character the cursor rests on and the one immediately behind it. < > MARK Position in the current buffer which delimits the beginning of a region. Various commands operate on text from the MARK to the POINT, or move the current point to the MARK. [PG DOWN] to return to Main Menu Select term for more info =>Modes of Operation NEXT[Advanced Text Editing] PREV[Advanced Text Editing] Modes determine how MicroEMACS will treat text. Modes effect the contents of a buffer. Global modes determine the modes of newly created buffers. ^X-M (add-mode) Adds a mode to the current buffer ^X-^M (delete-mode) Removes a mode from the current buffer M-M (add-global-mode) Adds a global mode M-^M (delete-global-mode) Removes a global mode These are some of MicroEMACS's modes: < > ASAVE mode < > EXACT mode < > REP mode < > CMODE mode < > MAGIC Mode < > VIEW mode < > CRYPT mode < > OVER mode < > WRAP mode =>ASAVE Mode NEXT[Modes of Operation] PREV[Modes of Operation] ASAVE mode Automatically Save When this mode is on, MicroEMACS automatically saves the contents of your current buffer to disk every time you have typed 256 characters. The buffer is saved to the file named on the mode line of the buffer. This mode assures you that you will loose very little text should your computer crash while you are editing. Be sure you are willing to have your original file replaced automatically before you add this mode. The frequency of saving can be altered by changing the contents of the $asave environment variable. Use the set command like this: ^X-A $asave 2048 to change MicroEMACS to automatically save the current buffer after every 2048 characters are typed. =>CMODE Mode NEXT[Modes of Operation] PREV[Modes of Operation] CMODE mode Editing C programs This mode is specifically for editing programs written in the C language. When CMODE is active, MicroEMACS will try to anticipate what indentation is needed when the <NL> key is used. It will always bring a pound sign (#) with only leading white space back to the left margin. It will attempt to flash the proper character matching any close symbol as the close symbol is typed. The standard startup files for MicroEMACS will install a macro which checks any file being read into MicroEMACS and sets CMODE if the file ends with a .c or .h extension. M-^F (goto-matching-fence) Place the point on any brace, bracket, or parenthesis and use this command, MicroEMACS will jump to the matching character. If there is none, a beep will sound. =>CRYPT Mode NEXT[Modes of Operation] PREV[Modes of Operation] CRYPT mode Encryption For files of a sensitive nature, MicroEMACS can encrypt text as it is written or read. When you write out text, if CRYPT mode is active and there is no encryption key, emacs will ask: Encryption String: Type in a word or phrase of at least five characters or more for the encryption to use. If you look at the file which is then written out, all the printing characters have been scrambled. To read such a file back in, call up MicroEMACS like this: emacs -k <filename> and you will be asked the encryption key before the file is read. The encryption algorithm is a Beaufort Cipher with a variant key. This is reasonably difficult to decrypt. =>EXACT Mode NEXT[Modes of Operation] PREV[Modes of Operation] EXACT mode Character Case during Searches Normally, when using search or replace commands, MicroEMACS ignores the case of letters for comparisons. With EXACT mode set, the case of the characters must be the same for a match to occur. =>MAGIC Mode NEXT[More MAGIC] PREV[Modes of Operation] MAGIC mode Regular Expression Pattern Matching Normally, MicroEMACS uses the string you type in response to a search or replace command as the string to find. When magic mode is enabled, MicroEMACS considers the string you type as a pattern or template to use in finding a string to match. Many characters in this template have special meaning: . any single character, except newline. [<set>] any single character from the bracketed set. ^ beginning of a line. $ end of a line. \ the next character has no special meaning, take the next character literally (unless it is a parenthesis) Press [PG DOWN] for more magic =>More MAGIC NEXT[Modes of Operation] PREV[MAGIC Mode] Here are some more special characters in MAGIC mode: ? the preceding character (or . or [<set>]) is optional. * the preceding character (or . or [<set>]) matches zero to many times. + the preceding character (or . or [<set>]) matches one to many times. $<group>$ define a group for the replacement string, or for the &GROUP function. Some characters in the replacement string can have special meanings: & insert all of the text matched by the search. \ the next character has no special meaning (but see groups...) \1 to \9 insert the text defined by the nth group in the search string. =>OVER Mode NEXT[Modes of Operation] PREV[Modes of Operation] OVER mode Overstrike Mode MicroEMACS is normally in what many other editors consider "insert" mode. This means when you strike a character, MicroEMACS makes room for that character in the current line, inserting it between the existing characters. In OVER mode, MicroEMACS instead overwrites characters, replacing the existing character under the point with the character you type. OVER mode will maintain the position of text lined up using tabs while replacing existing text. Be wary editing Japanese KANJI characters while in this mode, it is possible to overwrite the first byte of the character, leaving the second byte meaningless and alone. =>WRAP Mode NEXT[Modes of Operation] PREV[Modes of Operation] WRAP mode Wrap entered text This mode causes the point and the previous word to jump down to the next line when you type a space and are beyond the current fill column. This is normally set to column 72, allowing you to enter text non-stop on a standard screen without bothering to use the return key. To change the column that text is wrapped past, use the set command to change the value of the $fillcol environment variable, like this: ^X-A $fillcol <new value> MicroEMACS will then wrap words past column <new value>. =>VIEW Mode NEXT[Modes of Operation] PREV[Modes of Operation] VIEW mode No Changes Permitted When in VIEW mode, no command which would change the text is allowed. If you attempt any such command, or try to type in any text, MicroEMACS responds with: [Key Illegal in View Mode] This mode is very useful when you want to just look at some existing text, as it will prevent you from changing that text. Also MicroEMACS will not attempt a file lock if a file is read in VIEW mode, allowing you to view files which you don't have write access to, or other people have locked. To read a file in view mode from the command line, type: emacs -v <filename> =>REP Mode NEXT[Modes of Operation] PREV[Modes of Operation] REP mode Replace Mode MicroEMACS is normally in what many other editors consider "insert" mode. This means when you strike a character, MicroEMACS makes room for that character in the current line, inserting it between the existing characters. In REP mode, MicroEMACS instead replaces the existing character under the point with the character you type. REP mode will not maintain the position of text which takes up multiple columns using tabs since it will replace a single tab character with the typed character which will not take up the same space on screen. However, Japanese KANJI characters will correctly replace and be replaced in this mode as the two bytes will be considered together when either style character is used. =>Keystrokes NEXT[Main Menu] PREV[Main Menu] All the MicroEMACS documentation talks about commands and the keystrokes needed to use them. Each MicroEMACS command has a name, and most of them are bound to a sequence of keys. Whenever we refer to a command we will display it's binding (the keys needed to activate the command) and the name of the command in parenthesis. Keystrokes for commands include one of several prefixes, and a command character. Command keystrokes look like these: ^A hold down <Ctrl>, press 'A' M-A press the META key, release it and press 'A' ^X-A Hold <Ctrl>, press 'X', release, press 'A' ^X-^A hold <Ctrl>, press 'X', release, hold <Ctrl>, press 'A' S-FN1 hold down <SHIFT>, press function key 1 A-A hold down <Alt>, press 'a' FN^1 hold down <Ctrl>, press function key 1 =>Searching and Replacing NEXT[Other Searches] PREV[Main Menu] Commands for searching for and replacing strings come in a number of different flavors. The simplest commands is: ^S (search-forward) Typing this command results in a prompt like this: Search []<META>: Any text shown in the square brackets will be searched for if you don't type in any string. This is called the default search string. The key shown in the angle brackets is the key you type to end the search string, which is called the search terminator key. Normally, it is the META, or ESCape key. This lets you to use the return key (<NL>) in a search string. So if you want to find the string "mystic", you would type the word, and then ESCape key. The point would jump to the end of the next occurrence of "mystic", or, if there are none, MicroEMACS displays "not found". =>Other Searches NEXT[Replacements] PREV[Searching and Replacing] ^R (search-reverse) This works like ^S except that it searches backwards through the text for the last occurrence of the string. It leaves the point at beginning of the string found. A-S (hunt-forward) This command searches for the next occurrence of the last search string entered, without prompting for another string. To use this command, hold down the ALT key and type 's'. This keystroke may not be available on all keyboards. A-R (hunt-backwards) This searches backwards for the last occurrence of the last search string entered. This also is only available on some keyboards. =>Replacements NEXT[Main Menu] PREV[Other Searches] M-R (replace-string) This will prompt for two strings. The first string is replaced with the second from the current position to the end. Both strings may have defaults. If you want to replace a string with nothing, and there is a default on the replacement string, striking ^K will override the default and enter a blank string. M-^R (query-replace-string) Otherwise like replace-string, this command prompts at each string. Typing 'Y' replaces the current string, 'N' skips the current string, '!' replaces the current and all following strings without asking, 'U' skips to the previous replacement and undoes it, '^G' aborts the command, leaving the point at the current word, '.' aborts and moves the point back to where the command was originally given, '?' lists the available options. =>Regions NEXT[Main Menu] PREV[Main Menu] Regions are used in MicroEMACS to specify what text is acted on by many commands. A region is defined as all the text between the point, and the last placed MARKed. To define a region: 1) Move the point to the beginning of the text you want to effect 2) Use the M-<space> (set-mark) command to position the MARK at the current point 3) Move the point to the end of the text you want to effect At this time, the text between the MARK and the POINT is the current region which will be effected by many commands. Regions can be defined backwards as well as forwards, and can include the entire text, or as little as one character. =>Cutting and Pasting NEXT[Copying Text] PREV[Main Menu] To move text from one place to another: 1) Move to the beginning of the text you want to move. 2) Set the mark here with the M-<space> (set-mark) command. 3) Move the point to the end of the text. 4) Use the ^W (kill-region) command to delete the region you just defined. The text will be saved in the "kill buffer". 5) Move the point to the place you want the text to appear. 6) Use the ^Y (yank) command to copy the text from the kill buffer to the current point. Repeat steps 5 and 6 to place more copies of the same text. [PG DOWN] for more info =>Copying Text NEXT[Main Menu] PREV[Cutting and Pasting] Copying text, without deleting the original is just like cutting and pasting it, except that in place of the ^W (kill-region) command, you use the M-W (copy-region) command which copies the current region into the kill buffer without deleting it. The kill buffer accumulates and text which is deleted by ^W, M-W or a number of other delete commands. If more than one delete command is used in a row, all the text from all the commands will be in the kill buffer. Using any command between deletes causes the kill buffer to discard earlier deletes and just hold the most recent deletions. Since there is only one kill buffer, you can switch between windows, screens and files to copy text from one file to another. There is no limit to the amount of text that can be stored in the kill buffer except that of the memory of the computer running MicroEMACS. Extremely large kills will take a few seconds. =>Buffers NEXT[Buffer Commands] PREV[Main Menu] A buffer is where MicroEMACS stores text. Normally that text is read from a file, and is visible in a editing window. But text stored in buffers can also be MicroEMACS macros, temporary storage for macros, or lists of screens, files, buffers, variables, functions or bindings created by MicroEMACS commands. Buffer commands include: ^X-B (select-buffer) This prompt for a buffer name, and then makes that buffer the one visible in the active window. If the buffer does not yet exist, it will create it. ^X-K (delete-buffer) MicroEMACS attempts to discard the named buffer, reclaiming the memory it occupied. It will not allow the destruction of a buffer which is currently visible through any window on any screen. [PG DOWN] for more buffer commands =>Buffer Commands NEXT[Memory Usage] PREV[Buffers] ^X-^B (list-buffers) This pops up a list of all the buffer names, the file the buffer was read from, the size, and the active modes for each buffer. Using a numeric argument (M-<n>) with the command will list hidden buffers used by MicroEMACS and its macros. A '@' in column one shows that a file has already been read into a buffer. A '*' in column two means that the buffer has been changed since the last time it was written to disk. A '#' in column three indicates the file was to large to read into memory and was truncated. ^X-X (next-buffer) This command causes MicroEMACS to switch the active window to display the next buffer in the buffer list. This can be used to easily step through all the buffers. [PG DOWN] for info on buffers memory usage =>Memory Usage NEXT[Main Menu] PREV[Buffer Commands] The only limit to the number of buffers is the memory of your computer. All the buffers, text, screens and windows use memory for storage. On UNIX and other machines with virtual memory there is no limit to the number and size of files you edit. Under MSDOS, the AMIGA, the Atari ST, the HP150 and other microcomputers you can estimate the memory used by adding up the size of all the files you want to edit simultaneously, multiply by 1.4, and add 170K for the size of MicroEMACS. This results in the amount of free memory needed to edit these files. Under a MSDOS machine with 574K free from dos, you can edit files totaling 288K in size. =>Windows NEXT[Window Commands] PREV[Main Menu] MicroEMACS uses windows to display and allow you to edit the contents of buffers. A single screen will show one or more windows, separated by a modeline which describes the contents of the window above it. Here are some window commands: ^X-2 (split-current-window) This command splits the current window into two windows. Both windows view the current buffer at the current POINT. ^X-O (next-window) ^X-P (previous-window) These commands make the next window down, or the previous window upward the current window. MicroEMACS highlights the mode line of the currently active window, and places the machine's cursor at the POINT. [PG DOWN] for more window commands =>Window Commands NEXT[More Window Commands] PREV[Windows] ^X-1 (delete-other-windows) This command deletes all other windows but the active window. ^X-0 (delete-window) This removes the active window from the screen, giving its space to one of the adjacent windows. It does not discard or destroy any text, just stops looking at that buffer. You can not delete the last window on the screen. ^X-^N (move-window-down) ^X-^P (move-window-up) These commands moves the windows view into it's buffer up or down by one line. Preceding the command with M-<n> will move the window's view up or down by <n> lines. [PG DOWN] for even more window commands =>More Window Commands NEXT[Main Menu] PREV[Window Commands] M-<n> ^X-W (resize-window) Type META, followed by a number, and then the resize-window command, ^X-W. This attempts to change the length of the current window (and it's mode line) to the number of lines you typed. This may not always be possible depending on the size of the other windows. ^X-^ (grow-window) ^X-^Z (shrink window) These commands attempt to change the size of the active window by one line. =>Screens NEXT[Screen Commands] PREV[Main Menu] A Screen is a collection of windows and a command line which are displayed together. On some non-graphically oriented systems, such as UNIX, only one screen is displayed at one time. Under other graphical oriented operating systems like WINDOWS 3, X-WINDOWS, the Macintosh or the Amiga, each screen is displayed in an operating system "window". Notice that the MicroEMACS usage of the word window is different from the meaning used in these graphical systems. MicroEMACS term OS term Window == Pane Screen == Window Each screen has its own set of windows and its own command line. Switching from one screen to another will preserve the window setup, the colors and the buffers being displayed. [PG DOWN] for screen commands =>Screen Commands NEXT[More Screen Commands] PREV[Screens] Under MSDOS, MicroEMACS uses a simple windowing system which can display more than one screen at once. Look at the section on using the mouse to learn how these screens can be manipulated. A-F (find-screen) This prompts you for a screen name. If it does not exist, it is created. On text systems, this screen is displayed. On graphic systems, the OS window containing this screen is brought to front. Clicking on an existing window will also switch to that screen. A-C (cycle-screen) This command takes the rearmost screen, the last screen in the screen list, and moves it to the front. [PG DOWN] for more screen commands =>More Screen Commands NEXT[Main Menu] PREV[Screen Commands] A-D (delete-screen) This command deletes any screen which is not the active screen. Buffers being displayed on that screen are not discarded. On graphic systems, the screen's OS window is closed. Clicking on a close gadget will activate this command. A-B (list-screens) A pop up buffer containing a list of all current named screens and the names of the buffers visible in the windows on that screen [PG DOWN] to return to Main Menu =>Getting at Files NEXT[More File Commands] PREV[Main Menu] ^X-^F (find-file) This command causes MicroEMACS to prompt you for the name of a file you want to edit. If that file is already somewhere in the editor, it brings it up in the current window. If it is not, it searches for it on disk. If it exists, it creates a new buffer and reads the contents of the file into it. If it does not yet exist, it simply creates a new buffer. In any case the buffer is brought up in the current window. If you press a space or ESC while typing in the filename, MicroEMACS will attempt to complete the name for you. ^X-^S (save-file) [also F9 on some systems] If the text in the current buffer has been changed since it has been read, MicroEMACS will write the changed text back to the disk file it came from. [PG DOWN] for more file commands =>More File Commands NEXT[Yet More File Commands] PREV[Getting at Files] ^X-^R (read-file) Use this command to read a file into the current buffer, replacing its original text with that from the file. MicroEMACS' concept of the current file name will not change, so make sure that replacing the text in the original file with that from the read one is what you are intending when you use this command. ^X-^W (write-file) This writes the text in the current buffer to a file with a name different from what MicroEMACS thought it was originally. This does change MicroEMACS concept of the current buffer's file name. M-Z (quick-exit) This special exit command leaves MicroEMACS, but only after writing out all changed buffers. [PG DOWN] for yet more =>Yet More File Commands NEXT[Main Menu] PREV[More File Commands] ^X-^I (insert-file) This will ask you for the name of a file to insert into the current buffer, at the point. ^X-^A (append-file) Similar to write-file, this command writes out the current buffer to the named file. But rather than replacing its contents, it appends it to the end of the existing text in the file. This does not change the filename of the current buffer. This is handy for building log files. ^X-N (change-file-name) This command lets you directly change the filename associated with the current buffer. [PG DOWN] to return to main menu =>Issuing Commands NEXT[Numeric Arguments] PREV[Main Menu] Commands within MicroEMACS have descriptive names which you can use to invoke them, or bind them to a keystroke. To execute one of these commands, use the execute-named-command (M-X) command. A colon (:) will appear on the command line. Type in the name of the command and strike <enter>. The command will execute. If you type a <space> or the META key while typing, MicroEMACS will attempt to complete the name for you. To get a list of ALL the commands in your current MicroEMACS, type: M-X describe-bindings This will display a paged list of all legal commands and the keystrokes to use to invoke them. [PG DOWN] for more info on commands =>Numeric Arguments NEXT[Command Lines] PREV[Issuing Commands] Some commands take a number as an argument. For example, to move to a particular line within a file, you use the goto-line (M-G) command. To go to a particular line, precede the command with a number by striking the META key, typing a number, and then the keys bound to the command. To go to the 123rd line of a file: <META>123<META>g If a command does not need a numeric argument, it is taken as a repeat count. This also works when typing any character! To make a line of 50 dashes type: <META>50- -------------------------------------------------- [PG DOWN] for more info on using commands =>Command Lines NEXT[Macros] PREV[Numeric Arguments] Execute-command-line (M-^X) lets you type in a MicroEMACS command line. MicroEMACS macros are made from sequences of these command lines. A command line has three parts: <numeric argument> <command> <arguments> To insert the string <*><*><*> at the point, type M-^X and then: 3 insert-string "<*>" or to set the current fill column to 64, type M-^X and then: 64 set-fill-column [PG DOWN] to learn more about using macros =>Customizing Command Keys NEXT[Unbinding Keys] PREV[Main Menu] MicroEMACS lets you decide what keys activate what command! M-K (bind-to-key) prompts you for a command name, and a keystroke to bind to that command. A keystroke can be bound only to one command at a time, so when you bind it, its old definition is forgotten. This command can be used to permanently change your key bindings by placing it at the end of your emacs.rc (.emacsrc under UNIX) file. For example, if you have one of those nasty keyboards with a tilde (~) in the upper left corner, where ESC should be, and you want the tilde to become the META key, add this line to the end of emacs.rc: bind-to-key meta-prefix ~ You can use this command to make MicroEMACS feel similar to any other editor by changing what keys activate which commands. [PG DOWN] for more binding commands =>Unbinding Keys NEXT[Main Menu] PREV[Customizing Command Keys] M-^K (unbind-key) This prompts you for a key, and then disconnects if from executing any command. Useful if you have a function key you keep tripping over, or if you are trying to make MicroEMACS look like a much more minimalistic editor. (describe-bindings) Executed with the M-X command, this command pops up a list of all MicroEMACS commands, each with all the keys which are currently bound to it. [PG DOWN] to return to Main Menu =>Advanced Text Editing NEXT[Main Menu] PREV[Main Menu] Learn About < > Modes of Operation < > Paragraphs < > Words < > Case Control < > Controlling Tabs < > Repetitive Tasks < > Narrowing Your Scope [PG UP] to return to Main Menu =>Controlling Tabs NEXT[More Tab Commands] PREV[Advanced Text Editing] The TAB key can operate in many different ways from within MicroEMACS. These commands sequences change its behavior. M-<n> <TAB> (handle-tab) Using the TAB key with a non-zero numeric argument tells MicroEMACS to use soft-tabs, meaning to use spaces to simulate tab stops every <n> characters. M-0 <TAB> (handle-tab) This tells MicroEMACS to use real tab characters (^Is) when the TAB key is pressed. The tab stops are set every 8 characters by default. This can be changed be setting the $hardtab variable. [PG DOWN] for more commands about tabs =>More Tab Commands NEXT[Main Menu] PREV[Controlling Tabs] ^X-^E (entab-region) This command converts any eligable sequences of spaces in the currently defined region into tabs, honoring the current $hardtab value. This will reduce the size of most text files. ^X-^D (detab-region) Any tabs in the currently defined region are expanded to spaces. This preserves the current look of the file, and is usefull when a line is to be processed by a macro. ^X-^T (trim-region) While not a tab command, this one is often used in conjunction with the tab commands. All the lines in the currently defined region are stripped of any trailing whitespace. [PG DOWN] to return to the main menu =>The Outside World NEXT[More External Commands] PREV[Main Menu] These commands let you interact with the Operating System ^X-^C (exit-emacs) Most important of commands, you use this the exit MicroEMACS. If you have any buffers with text that has been changed, you will be asked if you are sure you want to leave. ^X-! (shell-command) Call up the operating system shell to execute a line which MicroEMACS will prompt you for. If this is used interactively, the editor will politely wait for you to press a key on the way back in so you can view the results of your command. [PG DOWN] for more external commands =>More External Commands NEXT[Main Menu] PREV[The Outside World] ^X-$ (execute-program) This attempts to call up an external program directly, not through an intervening shell. Without the shell, the call is faster and uses less memory, but it can not be used to execute internal shell commands. (You can not use it for the "DIR" command under MSDOS!) ^X-@ (pipe-command) This command uses the shell to execute a program, but rather than displaying what the program prints, it attempts to place it in a buffer to let you edit or save it. ^X-# (filter-buffer) The contents of the current window are fed to a filter program (like SORT) and the results replace the original. [PG DOWN] to return to the main menu =>Paragraphs NEXT[More Paragraph Commands] PREV[Advanced Text Editing] MicroEMACS defines a paragraph as any lines of text surrounded by blank lines. A line starting with a tab or one of the characters in the $fmtlead variable is considered the first line of a paragraph. If you are editing text destined for use by a text formatter, set $fmtlead to the command character for that formatter. That will prevent MicroEMACS from formatting what should be lines of commands meant for the formatter. If, for example, you are editing SCRIBE source, use the ^X-A (set) command to set $fmtlead to "@". Commands that manipulate paragraphs include: M-N (next-paragraph) This command moves the point just past the last character of the current paragraph. If already at the end, it will move to the end of the next paragraph. [PG DOWN] for more paragraph commands =>More Paragraph Commands NEXT[Advanced Text Editing] PREV[Paragraphs] M-P (previous-paragraph) The point is moved to the first character of the current paragraph. If already at the beginning, it will move back to the previous one. M-^W (kill-paragraph) This deletes the current paragraph, leaving a copy in the kill buffer. M-Q (fill-paragraph) This all important commands re-formats the current paragraph, causing all of its text to be filled out to the current fill column (Which is 72 by default and is set with $fillcol). [PG DOWN] to return to the Advanced Editing Menu =>Words NEXT[More Word Commands] PREV[Advanced Text Editing] Words are defined, by default, as a string of characters consisting of alphabetics, numbers and the underscore(_) character. You can change this be setting the $wchars variable to a list of all the characters you want considered as part of a word. Commands to manipulate words include: M-F (next-word) [<CTRL> -> on PC keyboards] This positions the point at the beginning of the next word. M-B (previous-word) [<CTRL> <- on PC keyboards] This positions the point at the beginning of the previous word. [PG DOWN] for more word commands] =>More Word Commands NEXT[Advanced Text Editing] PREV[Words] M-D (delete-next-word) Delete from the current position to the beginning of the next word. M-^H (delete-previous-word) Dete the word before the point. M-^C (count-words) Show the number of words in the current region, along with the number of characters, lines and the average number of characters per word. [PG DOWN] to return to Advanced Editing Menu =>Case Control NEXT[Advanced Text Editing] PREV[Advanced Text Editing] M-C (case-word-capitalize) M-L (case-word-lower) M-U (case-word-upper) These three commands let you change the case of the word at or following the point. ^X-^L (case-region-lower) ^X-^U (case-region-upper) Setting a mark (with M-<space>), moving to the other end of a region and using one of these commands will change the case of all the words in the selected region. [PG DOWN] to return to Advanced Editing Menu =>Narrowing Your Scope NEXT[Advanced Text Editing] PREV[Advanced Text Editing] Many times you will want to do something to a part of the text when the command works on all the text. Also it is helpful to see or edit just a portion of the text. ^X-< (narrow-to-region) All the text in current buffer disappears except what is in the currently defined region. The modeline displays "<>" to indicate the current window looks into a narrowed buffer. ^X-> (widen-from-region) All the invisible text is restored. [PG DOWN] to return to Advanced Editing Menu =>Repetitive Tasks NEXT[More Keyboard Macros] PREV[Advanced Text Editing] Computers excel at performing the same task multiple times. You should never have to perform the same edit more than once. These commands show how: ^X-( (begin-macro) This commands tells MicroEMACS to begin memorizing any keystrokes, commands or mouse clicks. ^X-) (end-macro) MicroEMACS stops recording when this command is given. ^X-E (execute-macro) This command replays everything recorded last. [PG DOWN] to learn more about keyboard macros =>More Keyboard Macros NEXT[Advanced Text Editing] PREV[Repetitive Tasks] To perform any repetitive task, where you have a list of things that need to be changed, one per line, follow these steps: 1) Position the point to the beginning of the line to change 2) Strike ^X-( to start recording 3) make the change, staying on that line 4) move to the beginning of the next line 5) Strike ^X-) to stop recording Now hit ^X-E once to test your change on the next line. Did it work? If so count how many lines need to yet be changed, strike the META key followed by that number and ^X-E. Voila! Your change has been made on all the lines. [PG DOWN] to return to Advanced Editing Menu =>ENDOFFILE < >