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1 @c -*-texinfo-*-
2 @c This is part of the GNU Emacs Lisp Reference Manual.
3 @c Copyright (C) 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1998, 1999, 2002, 2003,
4 @c 2004, 2005, 2006 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
5 @c See the file elisp.texi for copying conditions.
6 @setfilename ../info/frames
7 @node Frames, Positions, Windows, Top
8 @chapter Frames
9 @cindex frame
10
11 In Emacs editing, A @dfn{frame} is a screen object that contains one
12 or more Emacs windows. It's the kind of object that is called a
13 ``window'' in the terminology of graphical environments; but we can't
14 call it a ``window'' here, because Emacs uses that word in a different
15 way.
16
17 A frame initially contains a single main window and/or a minibuffer
18 window; you can subdivide the main window vertically or horizontally
19 into smaller windows. In Emacs Lisp, a @dfn{frame object} is a Lisp
20 object that represents a frame on the screen.
21
22 @cindex terminal frame
23 When Emacs runs on a text-only terminal, it starts with one
24 @dfn{terminal frame}. If you create additional ones, Emacs displays
25 one and only one at any given time---on the terminal screen, of course.
26
27 @cindex window frame
28 When Emacs communicates directly with a supported window system, such
29 as X, it does not have a terminal frame; instead, it starts with
30 a single @dfn{window frame}, but you can create more, and Emacs can
31 display several such frames at once as is usual for window systems.
32
33 @defun framep object
34 This predicate returns a non-@code{nil} value if @var{object} is a
35 frame, and @code{nil} otherwise. For a frame, the value indicates which
36 kind of display the frame uses:
37
38 @table @code
39 @item x
40 The frame is displayed in an X window.
41 @item t
42 A terminal frame on a character display.
43 @item mac
44 The frame is displayed on a Macintosh.
45 @item w32
46 The frame is displayed on MS-Windows 9X/NT.
47 @item pc
48 The frame is displayed on an MS-DOS terminal.
49 @end table
50 @end defun
51
52 @menu
53 * Creating Frames:: Creating additional frames.
54 * Multiple Displays:: Creating frames on other displays.
55 * Frame Parameters:: Controlling frame size, position, font, etc.
56 * Frame Titles:: Automatic updating of frame titles.
57 * Deleting Frames:: Frames last until explicitly deleted.
58 * Finding All Frames:: How to examine all existing frames.
59 * Frames and Windows:: A frame contains windows;
60 display of text always works through windows.
61 * Minibuffers and Frames:: How a frame finds the minibuffer to use.
62 * Input Focus:: Specifying the selected frame.
63 * Visibility of Frames:: Frames may be visible or invisible, or icons.
64 * Raising and Lowering:: Raising a frame makes it hide other windows;
65 lowering it makes the others hide it.
66 * Frame Configurations:: Saving the state of all frames.
67 * Mouse Tracking:: Getting events that say when the mouse moves.
68 * Mouse Position:: Asking where the mouse is, or moving it.
69 * Pop-Up Menus:: Displaying a menu for the user to select from.
70 * Dialog Boxes:: Displaying a box to ask yes or no.
71 * Pointer Shape:: Specifying the shape of the mouse pointer.
72 * Window System Selections:: Transferring text to and from other X clients.
73 * Drag and Drop:: Internals of Drag-and-Drop implementation.
74 * Color Names:: Getting the definitions of color names.
75 * Text Terminal Colors:: Defining colors for text-only terminals.
76 * Resources:: Getting resource values from the server.
77 * Display Feature Testing:: Determining the features of a terminal.
78 @end menu
79
80 @xref{Display}, for information about the related topic of
81 controlling Emacs redisplay.
82
83 @node Creating Frames
84 @section Creating Frames
85
86 To create a new frame, call the function @code{make-frame}.
87
88 @defun make-frame &optional alist
89 This function creates and returns a new frame, displaying the current
90 buffer. If you are using a supported window system, it makes a window
91 frame; otherwise, it makes a terminal frame.
92
93 The argument is an alist specifying frame parameters. Any parameters
94 not mentioned in @var{alist} default according to the value of the
95 variable @code{default-frame-alist}; parameters not specified even there
96 default from the standard X resources or whatever is used instead on
97 your system.
98
99 The set of possible parameters depends in principle on what kind of
100 window system Emacs uses to display its frames. @xref{Window Frame
101 Parameters}, for documentation of individual parameters you can specify.
102
103 This function itself does not make the new frame the selected frame.
104 @xref{Input Focus}. The previously selected frame remains selected.
105 However, the window system may select the new frame for its own reasons,
106 for instance if the frame appears under the mouse pointer and your
107 setup is for focus to follow the pointer.
108 @end defun
109
110 @defvar before-make-frame-hook
111 A normal hook run by @code{make-frame} before it actually creates the
112 frame.
113 @end defvar
114
115 @defvar after-make-frame-functions
116 An abnormal hook run by @code{make-frame} after it creates the frame.
117 Each function in @code{after-make-frame-functions} receives one argument, the
118 frame just created.
119 @end defvar
120
121 @node Multiple Displays
122 @section Multiple Displays
123 @cindex multiple X displays
124 @cindex displays, multiple
125
126 A single Emacs can talk to more than one X display.
127 Initially, Emacs uses just one display---the one chosen with the
128 @code{DISPLAY} environment variable or with the @samp{--display} option
129 (@pxref{Initial Options,,, emacs, The GNU Emacs Manual}). To connect to
130 another display, use the command @code{make-frame-on-display} or specify
131 the @code{display} frame parameter when you create the frame.
132
133 Emacs treats each X server as a separate terminal, giving each one its
134 own selected frame and its own minibuffer windows. However, only one of
135 those frames is ``@emph{the} selected frame'' at any given moment, see
136 @ref{Input Focus}.
137
138 A few Lisp variables are @dfn{terminal-local}; that is, they have a
139 separate binding for each terminal. The binding in effect at any time
140 is the one for the terminal that the currently selected frame belongs
141 to. These variables include @code{default-minibuffer-frame},
142 @code{defining-kbd-macro}, @code{last-kbd-macro}, and
143 @code{system-key-alist}. They are always terminal-local, and can never
144 be buffer-local (@pxref{Buffer-Local Variables}) or frame-local.
145
146 A single X server can handle more than one screen. A display name
147 @samp{@var{host}:@var{server}.@var{screen}} has three parts; the last
148 part specifies the screen number for a given server. When you use two
149 screens belonging to one server, Emacs knows by the similarity in their
150 names that they share a single keyboard, and it treats them as a single
151 terminal.
152
153 @deffn Command make-frame-on-display display &optional parameters
154 This creates and returns a new frame on display @var{display}, taking
155 the other frame parameters from @var{parameters}. Aside from the
156 @var{display} argument, it is like @code{make-frame} (@pxref{Creating
157 Frames}).
158 @end deffn
159
160 @defun x-display-list
161 This returns a list that indicates which X displays Emacs has a
162 connection to. The elements of the list are strings, and each one is
163 a display name.
164 @end defun
165
166 @defun x-open-connection display &optional xrm-string must-succeed
167 This function opens a connection to the X display @var{display}. It
168 does not create a frame on that display, but it permits you to check
169 that communication can be established with that display.
170
171 The optional argument @var{xrm-string}, if not @code{nil}, is a
172 string of resource names and values, in the same format used in the
173 @file{.Xresources} file. The values you specify override the resource
174 values recorded in the X server itself; they apply to all Emacs frames
175 created on this display. Here's an example of what this string might
176 look like:
177
178 @example
179 "*BorderWidth: 3\n*InternalBorder: 2\n"
180 @end example
181
182 @xref{X Resources,, X Resources, emacs, The GNU Emacs Manual}.
183
184 If @var{must-succeed} is non-@code{nil}, failure to open the connection
185 terminates Emacs. Otherwise, it is an ordinary Lisp error.
186 @end defun
187
188 @defun x-close-connection display
189 This function closes the connection to display @var{display}. Before
190 you can do this, you must first delete all the frames that were open on
191 that display (@pxref{Deleting Frames}).
192 @end defun
193
194 @node Frame Parameters
195 @section Frame Parameters
196
197 A frame has many parameters that control its appearance and behavior.
198 Just what parameters a frame has depends on what display mechanism it
199 uses.
200
201 Frame parameters exist mostly for the sake of window systems. A
202 terminal frame has a few parameters, mostly for compatibility's sake;
203 only the @code{height}, @code{width}, @code{name}, @code{title},
204 @code{menu-bar-lines}, @code{buffer-list} and @code{buffer-predicate}
205 parameters do something special. If the terminal supports colors, the
206 parameters @code{foreground-color}, @code{background-color},
207 @code{background-mode} and @code{display-type} are also meaningful.
208
209 @menu
210 * Parameter Access:: How to change a frame's parameters.
211 * Initial Parameters:: Specifying frame parameters when you make a frame.
212 * Window Frame Parameters:: List of frame parameters for window systems.
213 * Size and Position:: Changing the size and position of a frame.
214 * Geometry:: Parsing geometry specifications.
215 @end menu
216
217 @node Parameter Access
218 @subsection Access to Frame Parameters
219
220 These functions let you read and change the parameter values of a
221 frame.
222
223 @defun frame-parameter frame parameter
224 This function returns the value of the parameter @var{parameter} (a
225 symbol) of @var{frame}. If @var{frame} is @code{nil}, it returns the
226 selected frame's parameter. If @var{frame} has no setting for
227 @var{parameter}, this function returns @code{nil}.
228 @end defun
229
230 @defun frame-parameters &optional frame
231 The function @code{frame-parameters} returns an alist listing all the
232 parameters of @var{frame} and their values. If @var{frame} is
233 @code{nil} or omitted, this returns the selected frame's parameters
234 @end defun
235
236 @defun modify-frame-parameters frame alist
237 This function alters the parameters of frame @var{frame} based on the
238 elements of @var{alist}. Each element of @var{alist} has the form
239 @code{(@var{parm} . @var{value})}, where @var{parm} is a symbol naming a
240 parameter. If you don't mention a parameter in @var{alist}, its value
241 doesn't change. If @var{frame} is @code{nil}, it defaults to the selected
242 frame.
243 @end defun
244
245 @defun modify-all-frames-parameters alist
246 This function alters the frame parameters of all existing frames
247 according to @var{alist}, then modifies @code{default-frame-alist}
248 (and, if necessary, @code{initial-frame-alist}) to apply the same
249 parameter values to frames that will be created henceforth.
250 @end defun
251
252 @node Initial Parameters
253 @subsection Initial Frame Parameters
254
255 You can specify the parameters for the initial startup frame
256 by setting @code{initial-frame-alist} in your init file (@pxref{Init File}).
257
258 @defvar initial-frame-alist
259 This variable's value is an alist of parameter values used when creating
260 the initial window frame. You can set this variable to specify the
261 appearance of the initial frame without altering subsequent frames.
262 Each element has the form:
263
264 @example
265 (@var{parameter} . @var{value})
266 @end example
267
268 Emacs creates the initial frame before it reads your init
269 file. After reading that file, Emacs checks @code{initial-frame-alist},
270 and applies the parameter settings in the altered value to the already
271 created initial frame.
272
273 If these settings affect the frame geometry and appearance, you'll see
274 the frame appear with the wrong ones and then change to the specified
275 ones. If that bothers you, you can specify the same geometry and
276 appearance with X resources; those do take effect before the frame is
277 created. @xref{X Resources,, X Resources, emacs, The GNU Emacs Manual}.
278
279 X resource settings typically apply to all frames. If you want to
280 specify some X resources solely for the sake of the initial frame, and
281 you don't want them to apply to subsequent frames, here's how to achieve
282 this. Specify parameters in @code{default-frame-alist} to override the
283 X resources for subsequent frames; then, to prevent these from affecting
284 the initial frame, specify the same parameters in
285 @code{initial-frame-alist} with values that match the X resources.
286 @end defvar
287
288 If these parameters specify a separate minibuffer-only frame with
289 @code{(minibuffer . nil)}, and you have not created one, Emacs creates
290 one for you.
291
292 @defvar minibuffer-frame-alist
293 This variable's value is an alist of parameter values used when creating
294 an initial minibuffer-only frame---if such a frame is needed, according
295 to the parameters for the main initial frame.
296 @end defvar
297
298 @defvar default-frame-alist
299 This is an alist specifying default values of frame parameters for all
300 Emacs frames---the first frame, and subsequent frames. When using the X
301 Window System, you can get the same results by means of X resources
302 in many cases.
303
304 Setting this variable does not affect existing frames.
305 @end defvar
306
307 See also @code{special-display-frame-alist}. @xref{Definition of
308 special-display-frame-alist}.
309
310 If you use options that specify window appearance when you invoke Emacs,
311 they take effect by adding elements to @code{default-frame-alist}. One
312 exception is @samp{-geometry}, which adds the specified position to
313 @code{initial-frame-alist} instead. @xref{Emacs Invocation,, Command
314 Line Arguments for Emacs Invocation, emacs, The GNU Emacs Manual}.
315
316 @node Window Frame Parameters
317 @subsection Window Frame Parameters
318
319 Just what parameters a frame has depends on what display mechanism
320 it uses. This section describes the parameters that have special
321 meanings on some or all kinds of terminals. Of these, @code{name},
322 @code{title}, @code{height}, @code{width}, @code{buffer-list} and
323 @code{buffer-predicate} provide meaningful information in terminal
324 frames, and @code{tty-color-mode} is meaningful @emph{only} in
325 terminal frames.
326
327 @menu
328 * Basic Parameters:: Parameters that are fundamental.
329 * Position Parameters:: The position of the frame on the screen.
330 * Size Parameters:: Frame's size.
331 * Layout Parameters:: Size of parts of the frame, and
332 enabling or disabling some parts.
333 * Buffer Parameters:: Which buffers have been or should be shown.
334 * Management Parameters:: Communicating with the window manager.
335 * Cursor Parameters:: Controlling the cursor appearance.
336 * Color Parameters:: Colors of various parts of the frame.
337 @end menu
338
339 @node Basic Parameters
340 @subsubsection Basic Parameters
341
342 These frame parameters give the most basic information about the
343 frame. @code{title} and @code{name} are meaningful on all terminals.
344
345 @table @code
346 @item display
347 The display on which to open this frame. It should be a string of the
348 form @code{"@var{host}:@var{dpy}.@var{screen}"}, just like the
349 @code{DISPLAY} environment variable.
350
351 @item display-type
352 This parameter describes the range of possible colors that can be used
353 in this frame. Its value is @code{color}, @code{grayscale} or
354 @code{mono}.
355
356 @item title
357 If a frame has a non-@code{nil} title, it appears in the window system's
358 border for the frame, and also in the mode line of windows in that frame
359 if @code{mode-line-frame-identification} uses @samp{%F}
360 (@pxref{%-Constructs}). This is normally the case when Emacs is not
361 using a window system, and can only display one frame at a time.
362 @xref{Frame Titles}.
363
364 @item name
365 The name of the frame. The frame name serves as a default for the frame
366 title, if the @code{title} parameter is unspecified or @code{nil}. If
367 you don't specify a name, Emacs sets the frame name automatically
368 (@pxref{Frame Titles}).
369
370 If you specify the frame name explicitly when you create the frame, the
371 name is also used (instead of the name of the Emacs executable) when
372 looking up X resources for the frame.
373 @end table
374
375 @node Position Parameters
376 @subsubsection Position Parameters
377
378 Position parameters' values are normally measured in pixels, but on
379 text-only terminals they count characters or lines instead.
380
381 @table @code
382 @item left
383 The screen position of the left edge, in pixels, with respect to the
384 left edge of the screen. The value may be a positive number @var{pos},
385 or a list of the form @code{(+ @var{pos})} which permits specifying a
386 negative @var{pos} value.
387
388 A negative number @minus{}@var{pos}, or a list of the form @code{(-
389 @var{pos})}, actually specifies the position of the right edge of the
390 window with respect to the right edge of the screen. A positive value
391 of @var{pos} counts toward the left. @strong{Reminder:} if the
392 parameter is a negative integer @minus{}@var{pos}, then @var{pos} is
393 positive.
394
395 Some window managers ignore program-specified positions. If you want to
396 be sure the position you specify is not ignored, specify a
397 non-@code{nil} value for the @code{user-position} parameter as well.
398
399 @item top
400 The screen position of the top edge, in pixels, with respect to the
401 top edge of the screen. It works just like @code{left}, except vertically
402 instead of horizontally.
403
404 @item icon-left
405 The screen position of the left edge @emph{of the frame's icon}, in
406 pixels, counting from the left edge of the screen. This takes effect if
407 and when the frame is iconified.
408
409 If you specify a value for this parameter, then you must also specify
410 a value for @code{icon-top} and vice versa. The window manager may
411 ignore these two parameters.
412
413 @item icon-top
414 The screen position of the top edge @emph{of the frame's icon}, in
415 pixels, counting from the top edge of the screen. This takes effect if
416 and when the frame is iconified.
417
418 @item user-position
419 When you create a frame and specify its screen position with the
420 @code{left} and @code{top} parameters, use this parameter to say whether
421 the specified position was user-specified (explicitly requested in some
422 way by a human user) or merely program-specified (chosen by a program).
423 A non-@code{nil} value says the position was user-specified.
424
425 Window managers generally heed user-specified positions, and some heed
426 program-specified positions too. But many ignore program-specified
427 positions, placing the window in a default fashion or letting the user
428 place it with the mouse. Some window managers, including @code{twm},
429 let the user specify whether to obey program-specified positions or
430 ignore them.
431
432 When you call @code{make-frame}, you should specify a non-@code{nil}
433 value for this parameter if the values of the @code{left} and @code{top}
434 parameters represent the user's stated preference; otherwise, use
435 @code{nil}.
436 @end table
437
438 @node Size Parameters
439 @subsubsection Size Parameters
440
441 Size parameters' values are normally measured in pixels, but on
442 text-only terminals they count characters or lines instead.
443
444 @table @code
445 @item height
446 The height of the frame contents, in characters. (To get the height in
447 pixels, call @code{frame-pixel-height}; see @ref{Size and Position}.)
448
449 @item width
450 The width of the frame contents, in characters. (To get the height in
451 pixels, call @code{frame-pixel-width}; see @ref{Size and Position}.)
452
453 @item user-size
454 This does for the size parameters @code{height} and @code{width} what
455 the @code{user-position} parameter (see above) does for the position
456 parameters @code{top} and @code{left}.
457
458 @item fullscreen
459 Specify that width, height or both shall be set to the size of the screen.
460 The value @code{fullwidth} specifies that width shall be the size of the
461 screen. The value @code{fullheight} specifies that height shall be the
462 size of the screen. The value @code{fullboth} specifies that both the
463 width and the height shall be set to the size of the screen.
464 @end table
465
466 @node Layout Parameters
467 @subsubsection Layout Parameters
468
469 These frame parameters enable or disable various parts of the
470 frame, or control their sizes.
471
472 @table @code
473 @item border-width
474 The width in pixels of the frame's border.
475
476 @item internal-border-width
477 The distance in pixels between text (or fringe) and the frame's border.
478
479 @item vertical-scroll-bars
480 Whether the frame has scroll bars for vertical scrolling, and which side
481 of the frame they should be on. The possible values are @code{left},
482 @code{right}, and @code{nil} for no scroll bars.
483
484 @ignore
485 @item horizontal-scroll-bars
486 Whether the frame has scroll bars for horizontal scrolling
487 (non-@code{nil} means yes). Horizontal scroll bars are not currently
488 implemented.
489 @end ignore
490
491 @item scroll-bar-width
492 The width of vertical scroll bars, in pixels, or @code{nil} meaning to
493 use the default width.
494
495 @item left-fringe
496 @itemx right-fringe
497 The default width of the left and right fringes of windows in this
498 frame (@pxref{Fringes}). If either of these is zero, that effectively
499 removes the corresponding fringe. A value of @code{nil} stands for
500 the standard fringe width, which is the width needed to display the
501 fringe bitmaps.
502
503 The combined fringe widths must add up to an integral number of
504 columns, so the actual default fringe widths for the frame may be
505 larger than the specified values. The extra width needed to reach an
506 acceptable total is distributed evenly between the left and right
507 fringe. However, you can force one fringe or the other to a precise
508 width by specifying that width as a negative integer. If both widths are
509 negative, only the left fringe gets the specified width.
510
511 @item menu-bar-lines
512 The number of lines to allocate at the top of the frame for a menu
513 bar. The default is 1. A value of @code{nil} means don't display a
514 menu bar. @xref{Menu Bar}. (The X toolkit and GTK allow at most one
515 menu bar line; they treat larger values as 1.)
516
517 @item tool-bar-lines
518 The number of lines to use for the tool bar. A value of @code{nil}
519 means don't display a tool bar. (GTK allows at most one tool bar line;
520 it treats larger values as 1.)
521
522 @item line-spacing
523 Additional space to leave below each text line, in pixels (a positive
524 integer). @xref{Line Height}, for more information.
525 @end table
526
527 @node Buffer Parameters
528 @subsubsection Buffer Parameters
529
530 These frame parameters, meaningful on all kinds of terminals, deal
531 with which buffers have been, or should, be displayed in the frame.
532
533 @table @code
534 @item minibuffer
535 Whether this frame has its own minibuffer. The value @code{t} means
536 yes, @code{nil} means no, @code{only} means this frame is just a
537 minibuffer. If the value is a minibuffer window (in some other frame),
538 the new frame uses that minibuffer.
539
540 @item buffer-predicate
541 The buffer-predicate function for this frame. The function
542 @code{other-buffer} uses this predicate (from the selected frame) to
543 decide which buffers it should consider, if the predicate is not
544 @code{nil}. It calls the predicate with one argument, a buffer, once for
545 each buffer; if the predicate returns a non-@code{nil} value, it
546 considers that buffer.
547
548 @item buffer-list
549 A list of buffers that have been selected in this frame,
550 ordered most-recently-selected first.
551
552 @item unsplittable
553 If non-@code{nil}, this frame's window is never split automatically.
554 @end table
555
556 @node Management Parameters
557 @subsubsection Window Management Parameters
558
559 These frame parameters, meaningful only on window system displays,
560 interact with the window manager.
561
562 @table @code
563 @item visibility
564 The state of visibility of the frame. There are three possibilities:
565 @code{nil} for invisible, @code{t} for visible, and @code{icon} for
566 iconified. @xref{Visibility of Frames}.
567
568 @item auto-raise
569 Whether selecting the frame raises it (non-@code{nil} means yes).
570
571 @item auto-lower
572 Whether deselecting the frame lowers it (non-@code{nil} means yes).
573
574 @item icon-type
575 The type of icon to use for this frame when it is iconified. If the
576 value is a string, that specifies a file containing a bitmap to use.
577 Any other non-@code{nil} value specifies the default bitmap icon (a
578 picture of a gnu); @code{nil} specifies a text icon.
579
580 @item icon-name
581 The name to use in the icon for this frame, when and if the icon
582 appears. If this is @code{nil}, the frame's title is used.
583
584 @item window-id
585 The number of the window-system window used by the frame
586 to contain the actual Emacs windows.
587
588 @item outer-window-id
589 The number of the outermost window-system window used for the whole frame.
590
591 @item wait-for-wm
592 If non-@code{nil}, tell Xt to wait for the window manager to confirm
593 geometry changes. Some window managers, including versions of Fvwm2
594 and KDE, fail to confirm, so Xt hangs. Set this to @code{nil} to
595 prevent hanging with those window managers.
596
597 @ignore
598 @item parent-id
599 @c ??? Not yet working.
600 The X window number of the window that should be the parent of this one.
601 Specifying this lets you create an Emacs window inside some other
602 application's window. (It is not certain this will be implemented; try
603 it and see if it works.)
604 @end ignore
605 @end table
606
607 @node Cursor Parameters
608 @subsubsection Cursor Parameters
609
610 This frame parameter controls the way the cursor looks.
611
612 @table @code
613 @item cursor-type
614 How to display the cursor. Legitimate values are:
615
616 @table @code
617 @item box
618 Display a filled box. (This is the default.)
619 @item hollow
620 Display a hollow box.
621 @item nil
622 Don't display a cursor.
623 @item bar
624 Display a vertical bar between characters.
625 @item (bar . @var{width})
626 Display a vertical bar @var{width} pixels wide between characters.
627 @item hbar
628 Display a horizontal bar.
629 @item (hbar . @var{height})
630 Display a horizontal bar @var{height} pixels high.
631 @end table
632 @end table
633
634 @vindex cursor-type
635 The buffer-local variable @code{cursor-type} overrides the value of
636 the @code{cursor-type} frame parameter, but if it is @code{t}, that
637 means to use the cursor specified for the frame.
638
639 @defvar blink-cursor-alist
640 This variable specifies how to blink the cursor. Each element has the
641 form @code{(@var{on-state} . @var{off-state})}. Whenever the cursor
642 type equals @var{on-state} (comparing using @code{equal}), the
643 corresponding @var{off-state} specifies what the cursor looks like
644 when it blinks ``off.'' Both @var{on-state} and @var{off-state}
645 should be suitable values for the @code{cursor-type} frame parameter.
646
647 There are various defaults for how to blink each type of cursor, if
648 the type is not mentioned as an @var{on-state} here. Changes in this
649 variable do not take effect immediately, because the variable is
650 examined only when you specify the @code{cursor-type} parameter.
651 @end defvar
652
653 @node Color Parameters
654 @subsubsection Color Parameters
655
656 These frame parameters control the use of colors.
657
658 @table @code
659 @item background-mode
660 This parameter is either @code{dark} or @code{light}, according
661 to whether the background color is a light one or a dark one.
662
663 @item tty-color-mode
664 @cindex standard colors for character terminals
665 This parameter overrides the terminal's color support as given by the
666 system's terminal capabilities database in that this parameter's value
667 specifies the color mode to use in terminal frames. The value can be
668 either a symbol or a number. A number specifies the number of colors
669 to use (and, indirectly, what commands to issue to produce each
670 color). For example, @code{(tty-color-mode . 8)} specifies use of the
671 ANSI escape sequences for 8 standard text colors. A value of -1 turns
672 off color support.
673
674 If the parameter's value is a symbol, it specifies a number through
675 the value of @code{tty-color-mode-alist}, and the associated number is
676 used instead.
677
678 @item screen-gamma
679 @cindex gamma correction
680 If this is a number, Emacs performs ``gamma correction'' which adjusts
681 the brightness of all colors. The value should be the screen gamma of
682 your display, a floating point number.
683
684 Usual PC monitors have a screen gamma of 2.2, so color values in
685 Emacs, and in X windows generally, are calibrated to display properly
686 on a monitor with that gamma value. If you specify 2.2 for
687 @code{screen-gamma}, that means no correction is needed. Other values
688 request correction, designed to make the corrected colors appear on
689 your screen the way they would have appeared without correction on an
690 ordinary monitor with a gamma value of 2.2.
691
692 If your monitor displays colors too light, you should specify a
693 @code{screen-gamma} value smaller than 2.2. This requests correction
694 that makes colors darker. A screen gamma value of 1.5 may give good
695 results for LCD color displays.
696 @end table
697
698 These frame parameters are semi-obsolete in that they are automatically
699 equivalent to particular face attributes of particular faces.
700
701 @table @code
702 @item font
703 The name of the font for displaying text in the frame. This is a
704 string, either a valid font name for your system or the name of an Emacs
705 fontset (@pxref{Fontsets}). It is equivalent to the @code{font}
706 attribute of the @code{default} face.
707
708 @item foreground-color
709 The color to use for the image of a character. It is equivalent to
710 the @code{:foreground} attribute of the @code{default} face.
711
712 @item background-color
713 The color to use for the background of characters. It is equivalent to
714 the @code{:background} attribute of the @code{default} face.
715
716 @item mouse-color
717 The color for the mouse pointer. It is equivalent to the @code{:background}
718 attribute of the @code{mouse} face.
719
720 @item cursor-color
721 The color for the cursor that shows point. It is equivalent to the
722 @code{:background} attribute of the @code{cursor} face.
723
724 @item border-color
725 The color for the border of the frame. It is equivalent to the
726 @code{:background} attribute of the @code{border} face.
727
728 @item scroll-bar-foreground
729 If non-@code{nil}, the color for the foreground of scroll bars. It is
730 equivalent to the @code{:foreground} attribute of the
731 @code{scroll-bar} face.
732
733 @item scroll-bar-background
734 If non-@code{nil}, the color for the background of scroll bars. It is
735 equivalent to the @code{:background} attribute of the
736 @code{scroll-bar} face.
737 @end table
738
739 @node Size and Position
740 @subsection Frame Size And Position
741 @cindex size of frame
742 @cindex screen size
743 @cindex frame size
744 @cindex resize frame
745
746 You can read or change the size and position of a frame using the
747 frame parameters @code{left}, @code{top}, @code{height}, and
748 @code{width}. Whatever geometry parameters you don't specify are chosen
749 by the window manager in its usual fashion.
750
751 Here are some special features for working with sizes and positions.
752 (For the precise meaning of ``selected frame'' used by these functions,
753 see @ref{Input Focus}.)
754
755 @defun set-frame-position frame left top
756 This function sets the position of the top left corner of @var{frame} to
757 @var{left} and @var{top}. These arguments are measured in pixels, and
758 normally count from the top left corner of the screen.
759
760 Negative parameter values position the bottom edge of the window up from
761 the bottom edge of the screen, or the right window edge to the left of
762 the right edge of the screen. It would probably be better if the values
763 were always counted from the left and top, so that negative arguments
764 would position the frame partly off the top or left edge of the screen,
765 but it seems inadvisable to change that now.
766 @end defun
767
768 @defun frame-height &optional frame
769 @defunx frame-width &optional frame
770 These functions return the height and width of @var{frame}, measured in
771 lines and columns. If you don't supply @var{frame}, they use the
772 selected frame.
773 @end defun
774
775 @defun screen-height
776 @defunx screen-width
777 These functions are old aliases for @code{frame-height} and
778 @code{frame-width}. When you are using a non-window terminal, the size
779 of the frame is normally the same as the size of the terminal screen.
780 @end defun
781
782 @defun frame-pixel-height &optional frame
783 @defunx frame-pixel-width &optional frame
784 These functions return the height and width of @var{frame}, measured in
785 pixels. If you don't supply @var{frame}, they use the selected frame.
786 @end defun
787
788 @defun frame-char-height &optional frame
789 @defunx frame-char-width &optional frame
790 These functions return the height and width of a character in
791 @var{frame}, measured in pixels. The values depend on the choice of
792 font. If you don't supply @var{frame}, these functions use the selected
793 frame.
794 @end defun
795
796 @defun set-frame-size frame cols rows
797 This function sets the size of @var{frame}, measured in characters;
798 @var{cols} and @var{rows} specify the new width and height.
799
800 To set the size based on values measured in pixels, use
801 @code{frame-char-height} and @code{frame-char-width} to convert
802 them to units of characters.
803 @end defun
804
805 @defun set-frame-height frame lines &optional pretend
806 This function resizes @var{frame} to a height of @var{lines} lines. The
807 sizes of existing windows in @var{frame} are altered proportionally to
808 fit.
809
810 If @var{pretend} is non-@code{nil}, then Emacs displays @var{lines}
811 lines of output in @var{frame}, but does not change its value for the
812 actual height of the frame. This is only useful for a terminal frame.
813 Using a smaller height than the terminal actually implements may be
814 useful to reproduce behavior observed on a smaller screen, or if the
815 terminal malfunctions when using its whole screen. Setting the frame
816 height ``for real'' does not always work, because knowing the correct
817 actual size may be necessary for correct cursor positioning on a
818 terminal frame.
819 @end defun
820
821 @defun set-frame-width frame width &optional pretend
822 This function sets the width of @var{frame}, measured in characters.
823 The argument @var{pretend} has the same meaning as in
824 @code{set-frame-height}.
825 @end defun
826
827 @findex set-screen-height
828 @findex set-screen-width
829 The older functions @code{set-screen-height} and
830 @code{set-screen-width} were used to specify the height and width of the
831 screen, in Emacs versions that did not support multiple frames. They
832 are semi-obsolete, but still work; they apply to the selected frame.
833
834 @node Geometry
835 @subsection Geometry
836
837 Here's how to examine the data in an X-style window geometry
838 specification:
839
840 @defun x-parse-geometry geom
841 @cindex geometry specification
842 The function @code{x-parse-geometry} converts a standard X window
843 geometry string to an alist that you can use as part of the argument to
844 @code{make-frame}.
845
846 The alist describes which parameters were specified in @var{geom}, and
847 gives the values specified for them. Each element looks like
848 @code{(@var{parameter} . @var{value})}. The possible @var{parameter}
849 values are @code{left}, @code{top}, @code{width}, and @code{height}.
850
851 For the size parameters, the value must be an integer. The position
852 parameter names @code{left} and @code{top} are not totally accurate,
853 because some values indicate the position of the right or bottom edges
854 instead. These are the @var{value} possibilities for the position
855 parameters:
856
857 @table @asis
858 @item an integer
859 A positive integer relates the left edge or top edge of the window to
860 the left or top edge of the screen. A negative integer relates the
861 right or bottom edge of the window to the right or bottom edge of the
862 screen.
863
864 @item @code{(+ @var{position})}
865 This specifies the position of the left or top edge of the window
866 relative to the left or top edge of the screen. The integer
867 @var{position} may be positive or negative; a negative value specifies a
868 position outside the screen.
869
870 @item @code{(- @var{position})}
871 This specifies the position of the right or bottom edge of the window
872 relative to the right or bottom edge of the screen. The integer
873 @var{position} may be positive or negative; a negative value specifies a
874 position outside the screen.
875 @end table
876
877 Here is an example:
878
879 @example
880 (x-parse-geometry "35x70+0-0")
881 @result{} ((height . 70) (width . 35)
882 (top - 0) (left . 0))
883 @end example
884 @end defun
885
886 @node Frame Titles
887 @section Frame Titles
888
889 Every frame has a @code{name} parameter; this serves as the default
890 for the frame title which window systems typically display at the top of
891 the frame. You can specify a name explicitly by setting the @code{name}
892 frame property.
893
894 Normally you don't specify the name explicitly, and Emacs computes the
895 frame name automatically based on a template stored in the variable
896 @code{frame-title-format}. Emacs recomputes the name each time the
897 frame is redisplayed.
898
899 @defvar frame-title-format
900 This variable specifies how to compute a name for a frame when you have
901 not explicitly specified one. The variable's value is actually a mode
902 line construct, just like @code{mode-line-format}. @xref{Mode Line
903 Data}.
904 @end defvar
905
906 @defvar icon-title-format
907 This variable specifies how to compute the name for an iconified frame,
908 when you have not explicitly specified the frame title. This title
909 appears in the icon itself.
910 @end defvar
911
912 @defvar multiple-frames
913 This variable is set automatically by Emacs. Its value is @code{t} when
914 there are two or more frames (not counting minibuffer-only frames or
915 invisible frames). The default value of @code{frame-title-format} uses
916 @code{multiple-frames} so as to put the buffer name in the frame title
917 only when there is more than one frame.
918
919 The value of this variable is not guaranteed to be accurate except
920 while processing @code{frame-title-format} or
921 @code{icon-title-format}.
922 @end defvar
923
924 @node Deleting Frames
925 @section Deleting Frames
926 @cindex deletion of frames
927
928 Frames remain potentially visible until you explicitly @dfn{delete}
929 them. A deleted frame cannot appear on the screen, but continues to
930 exist as a Lisp object until there are no references to it.
931
932 @deffn Command delete-frame &optional frame force
933 @vindex delete-frame-functions
934 This function deletes the frame @var{frame}. Unless @var{frame} is a
935 tooltip, it first runs the hook @code{delete-frame-functions} (each
936 function gets one argument, @var{frame}). By default, @var{frame} is
937 the selected frame.
938
939 A frame cannot be deleted if its minibuffer is used by other frames.
940 Normally, you cannot delete a frame if all other frames are invisible,
941 but if the @var{force} is non-@code{nil}, then you are allowed to do so.
942 @end deffn
943
944 @defun frame-live-p frame
945 The function @code{frame-live-p} returns non-@code{nil} if the frame
946 @var{frame} has not been deleted. The possible non-@code{nil} return
947 values are like those of @code{framep}. @xref{Frames}.
948 @end defun
949
950 Some window managers provide a command to delete a window. These work
951 by sending a special message to the program that operates the window.
952 When Emacs gets one of these commands, it generates a
953 @code{delete-frame} event, whose normal definition is a command that
954 calls the function @code{delete-frame}. @xref{Misc Events}.
955
956 @node Finding All Frames
957 @section Finding All Frames
958
959 @defun frame-list
960 The function @code{frame-list} returns a list of all the frames that
961 have not been deleted. It is analogous to @code{buffer-list} for
962 buffers, and includes frames on all terminals. The list that you get is
963 newly created, so modifying the list doesn't have any effect on the
964 internals of Emacs.
965 @end defun
966
967 @defun visible-frame-list
968 This function returns a list of just the currently visible frames.
969 @xref{Visibility of Frames}. (Terminal frames always count as
970 ``visible,'' even though only the selected one is actually displayed.)
971 @end defun
972
973 @defun next-frame &optional frame minibuf
974 The function @code{next-frame} lets you cycle conveniently through all
975 the frames on the current display from an arbitrary starting point. It
976 returns the ``next'' frame after @var{frame} in the cycle. If
977 @var{frame} is omitted or @code{nil}, it defaults to the selected frame
978 (@pxref{Input Focus}).
979
980 The second argument, @var{minibuf}, says which frames to consider:
981
982 @table @asis
983 @item @code{nil}
984 Exclude minibuffer-only frames.
985 @item @code{visible}
986 Consider all visible frames.
987 @item 0
988 Consider all visible or iconified frames.
989 @item a window
990 Consider only the frames using that particular window as their
991 minibuffer.
992 @item anything else
993 Consider all frames.
994 @end table
995 @end defun
996
997 @defun previous-frame &optional frame minibuf
998 Like @code{next-frame}, but cycles through all frames in the opposite
999 direction.
1000 @end defun
1001
1002 See also @code{next-window} and @code{previous-window}, in @ref{Cyclic
1003 Window Ordering}.
1004
1005 @node Frames and Windows
1006 @section Frames and Windows
1007
1008 Each window is part of one and only one frame; you can get the frame
1009 with @code{window-frame}.
1010
1011 @defun window-frame window
1012 This function returns the frame that @var{window} is on.
1013 @end defun
1014
1015 All the non-minibuffer windows in a frame are arranged in a cyclic
1016 order. The order runs from the frame's top window, which is at the
1017 upper left corner, down and to the right, until it reaches the window at
1018 the lower right corner (always the minibuffer window, if the frame has
1019 one), and then it moves back to the top. @xref{Cyclic Window Ordering}.
1020
1021 @defun frame-first-window &optional frame
1022 This returns the topmost, leftmost window of frame @var{frame}.
1023 If omitted or @code{nil}, @var{frame} defaults to the selected frame.
1024 @end defun
1025
1026 At any time, exactly one window on any frame is @dfn{selected within the
1027 frame}. The significance of this designation is that selecting the
1028 frame also selects this window. You can get the frame's current
1029 selected window with @code{frame-selected-window}.
1030
1031 @defun frame-selected-window &optional frame
1032 This function returns the window on @var{frame} that is selected
1033 within @var{frame}. If omitted or @code{nil}, @var{frame} defaults to
1034 the selected frame.
1035 @end defun
1036
1037 @defun set-frame-selected-window frame window
1038 This sets the selected window of frame @var{frame} to @var{window}.
1039 If @var{frame} is @code{nil}, it operates on the selected frame. If
1040 @var{frame} is the selected frame, this makes @var{window} the
1041 selected window. This function returns @var{window}.
1042 @end defun
1043
1044 Conversely, selecting a window for Emacs with @code{select-window} also
1045 makes that window selected within its frame. @xref{Selecting Windows}.
1046
1047 Another function that (usually) returns one of the windows in a given
1048 frame is @code{minibuffer-window}. @xref{Definition of minibuffer-window}.
1049
1050 @node Minibuffers and Frames
1051 @section Minibuffers and Frames
1052
1053 Normally, each frame has its own minibuffer window at the bottom, which
1054 is used whenever that frame is selected. If the frame has a minibuffer,
1055 you can get it with @code{minibuffer-window} (@pxref{Definition of
1056 minibuffer-window}).
1057
1058 However, you can also create a frame with no minibuffer. Such a frame
1059 must use the minibuffer window of some other frame. When you create the
1060 frame, you can specify explicitly the minibuffer window to use (in some
1061 other frame). If you don't, then the minibuffer is found in the frame
1062 which is the value of the variable @code{default-minibuffer-frame}. Its
1063 value should be a frame that does have a minibuffer.
1064
1065 If you use a minibuffer-only frame, you might want that frame to raise
1066 when you enter the minibuffer. If so, set the variable
1067 @code{minibuffer-auto-raise} to @code{t}. @xref{Raising and Lowering}.
1068
1069 @defvar default-minibuffer-frame
1070 This variable specifies the frame to use for the minibuffer window, by
1071 default. It does not affect existing frames. It is always local to
1072 the current terminal and cannot be buffer-local. @xref{Multiple
1073 Displays}.
1074 @end defvar
1075
1076 @node Input Focus
1077 @section Input Focus
1078 @cindex input focus
1079 @cindex selected frame
1080
1081 At any time, one frame in Emacs is the @dfn{selected frame}. The selected
1082 window always resides on the selected frame.
1083
1084 When Emacs displays its frames on several terminals (@pxref{Multiple
1085 Displays}), each terminal has its own selected frame. But only one of
1086 these is ``@emph{the} selected frame'': it's the frame that belongs to
1087 the terminal from which the most recent input came. That is, when Emacs
1088 runs a command that came from a certain terminal, the selected frame is
1089 the one of that terminal. Since Emacs runs only a single command at any
1090 given time, it needs to consider only one selected frame at a time; this
1091 frame is what we call @dfn{the selected frame} in this manual. The
1092 display on which the selected frame is displayed is the @dfn{selected
1093 frame's display}.
1094
1095 @defun selected-frame
1096 This function returns the selected frame.
1097 @end defun
1098
1099 Some window systems and window managers direct keyboard input to the
1100 window object that the mouse is in; others require explicit clicks or
1101 commands to @dfn{shift the focus} to various window objects. Either
1102 way, Emacs automatically keeps track of which frame has the focus. To
1103 switch to a different frame from a Lisp function, call
1104 @code{select-frame-set-input-focus}.
1105
1106 Lisp programs can also switch frames ``temporarily'' by calling the
1107 function @code{select-frame}. This does not alter the window system's
1108 concept of focus; rather, it escapes from the window manager's control
1109 until that control is somehow reasserted.
1110
1111 When using a text-only terminal, only one frame can be displayed at a
1112 time on the terminal, so after a call to @code{select-frame}, the next
1113 redisplay actually displays the newly selected frame. This frame
1114 remains selected until a subsequent call to @code{select-frame} or
1115 @code{select-frame-set-input-focus}. Each terminal frame has a number
1116 which appears in the mode line before the buffer name (@pxref{Mode
1117 Line Variables}).
1118
1119 @defun select-frame-set-input-focus frame
1120 This function makes @var{frame} the selected frame, raises it (should
1121 it happen to be obscured by other frames) and tries to give it the X
1122 server's focus. On a text-only terminal, the next redisplay displays
1123 the new frame on the entire terminal screen. The return value of this
1124 function is not significant.
1125 @end defun
1126
1127 @c ??? This is not yet implemented properly.
1128 @defun select-frame frame
1129 This function selects frame @var{frame}, temporarily disregarding the
1130 focus of the X server if any. The selection of @var{frame} lasts until
1131 the next time the user does something to select a different frame, or
1132 until the next time this function is called. (If you are using a
1133 window system, the previously selected frame may be restored as the
1134 selected frame after return to the command loop, because it still may
1135 have the window system's input focus.) The specified @var{frame}
1136 becomes the selected frame, as explained above, and the terminal that
1137 @var{frame} is on becomes the selected terminal. This function
1138 returns @var{frame}, or @code{nil} if @var{frame} has been deleted.
1139
1140 In general, you should never use @code{select-frame} in a way that could
1141 switch to a different terminal without switching back when you're done.
1142 @end defun
1143
1144 Emacs cooperates with the window system by arranging to select frames as
1145 the server and window manager request. It does so by generating a
1146 special kind of input event, called a @dfn{focus} event, when
1147 appropriate. The command loop handles a focus event by calling
1148 @code{handle-switch-frame}. @xref{Focus Events}.
1149
1150 @deffn Command handle-switch-frame frame
1151 This function handles a focus event by selecting frame @var{frame}.
1152
1153 Focus events normally do their job by invoking this command.
1154 Don't call it for any other reason.
1155 @end deffn
1156
1157 @defun redirect-frame-focus frame &optional focus-frame
1158 This function redirects focus from @var{frame} to @var{focus-frame}.
1159 This means that @var{focus-frame} will receive subsequent keystrokes and
1160 events intended for @var{frame}. After such an event, the value of
1161 @code{last-event-frame} will be @var{focus-frame}. Also, switch-frame
1162 events specifying @var{frame} will instead select @var{focus-frame}.
1163
1164 If @var{focus-frame} is omitted or @code{nil}, that cancels any existing
1165 redirection for @var{frame}, which therefore once again receives its own
1166 events.
1167
1168 One use of focus redirection is for frames that don't have minibuffers.
1169 These frames use minibuffers on other frames. Activating a minibuffer
1170 on another frame redirects focus to that frame. This puts the focus on
1171 the minibuffer's frame, where it belongs, even though the mouse remains
1172 in the frame that activated the minibuffer.
1173
1174 Selecting a frame can also change focus redirections. Selecting frame
1175 @code{bar}, when @code{foo} had been selected, changes any redirections
1176 pointing to @code{foo} so that they point to @code{bar} instead. This
1177 allows focus redirection to work properly when the user switches from
1178 one frame to another using @code{select-window}.
1179
1180 This means that a frame whose focus is redirected to itself is treated
1181 differently from a frame whose focus is not redirected.
1182 @code{select-frame} affects the former but not the latter.
1183
1184 The redirection lasts until @code{redirect-frame-focus} is called to
1185 change it.
1186 @end defun
1187
1188 @defopt focus-follows-mouse
1189 This option is how you inform Emacs whether the window manager transfers
1190 focus when the user moves the mouse. Non-@code{nil} says that it does.
1191 When this is so, the command @code{other-frame} moves the mouse to a
1192 position consistent with the new selected frame.
1193 @end defopt
1194
1195 @node Visibility of Frames
1196 @section Visibility of Frames
1197 @cindex visible frame
1198 @cindex invisible frame
1199 @cindex iconified frame
1200 @cindex frame visibility
1201
1202 A window frame may be @dfn{visible}, @dfn{invisible}, or
1203 @dfn{iconified}. If it is visible, you can see its contents. If it is
1204 iconified, the frame's contents do not appear on the screen, but an icon
1205 does. If the frame is invisible, it doesn't show on the screen, not
1206 even as an icon.
1207
1208 Visibility is meaningless for terminal frames, since only the selected
1209 one is actually displayed in any case.
1210
1211 @deffn Command make-frame-visible &optional frame
1212 This function makes frame @var{frame} visible. If you omit @var{frame},
1213 it makes the selected frame visible.
1214 @end deffn
1215
1216 @deffn Command make-frame-invisible &optional frame force
1217 This function makes frame @var{frame} invisible. If you omit
1218 @var{frame}, it makes the selected frame invisible.
1219
1220 Unless @var{force} is non-@code{nil}, this function refuses to make
1221 @var{frame} invisible if all other frames are invisible..
1222 @end deffn
1223
1224 @deffn Command iconify-frame &optional frame
1225 This function iconifies frame @var{frame}. If you omit @var{frame}, it
1226 iconifies the selected frame.
1227 @end deffn
1228
1229 @defun frame-visible-p frame
1230 This returns the visibility status of frame @var{frame}. The value is
1231 @code{t} if @var{frame} is visible, @code{nil} if it is invisible, and
1232 @code{icon} if it is iconified.
1233
1234 On a text-only terminal, all frames are considered visible, whether
1235 they are currently being displayed or not, and this function returns
1236 @code{t} for all frames.
1237 @end defun
1238
1239 The visibility status of a frame is also available as a frame
1240 parameter. You can read or change it as such. @xref{Management
1241 Parameters}.
1242
1243 The user can iconify and deiconify frames with the window manager.
1244 This happens below the level at which Emacs can exert any control, but
1245 Emacs does provide events that you can use to keep track of such
1246 changes. @xref{Misc Events}.
1247
1248 @node Raising and Lowering
1249 @section Raising and Lowering Frames
1250
1251 Most window systems use a desktop metaphor. Part of this metaphor is
1252 the idea that windows are stacked in a notional third dimension
1253 perpendicular to the screen surface, and thus ordered from ``highest''
1254 to ``lowest.'' Where two windows overlap, the one higher up covers
1255 the one underneath. Even a window at the bottom of the stack can be
1256 seen if no other window overlaps it.
1257
1258 @cindex raising a frame
1259 @cindex lowering a frame
1260 A window's place in this ordering is not fixed; in fact, users tend
1261 to change the order frequently. @dfn{Raising} a window means moving
1262 it ``up,'' to the top of the stack. @dfn{Lowering} a window means
1263 moving it to the bottom of the stack. This motion is in the notional
1264 third dimension only, and does not change the position of the window
1265 on the screen.
1266
1267 You can raise and lower Emacs frame Windows with these functions:
1268
1269 @deffn Command raise-frame &optional frame
1270 This function raises frame @var{frame} (default, the selected frame).
1271 If @var{frame} is invisible or iconified, this makes it visible.
1272 @end deffn
1273
1274 @deffn Command lower-frame &optional frame
1275 This function lowers frame @var{frame} (default, the selected frame).
1276 @end deffn
1277
1278 @defopt minibuffer-auto-raise
1279 If this is non-@code{nil}, activation of the minibuffer raises the frame
1280 that the minibuffer window is in.
1281 @end defopt
1282
1283 You can also enable auto-raise (raising automatically when a frame is
1284 selected) or auto-lower (lowering automatically when it is deselected)
1285 for any frame using frame parameters. @xref{Management Parameters}.
1286
1287 @node Frame Configurations
1288 @section Frame Configurations
1289 @cindex frame configuration
1290
1291 A @dfn{frame configuration} records the current arrangement of frames,
1292 all their properties, and the window configuration of each one.
1293 (@xref{Window Configurations}.)
1294
1295 @defun current-frame-configuration
1296 This function returns a frame configuration list that describes
1297 the current arrangement of frames and their contents.
1298 @end defun
1299
1300 @defun set-frame-configuration configuration &optional nodelete
1301 This function restores the state of frames described in
1302 @var{configuration}. However, this function does not restore deleted
1303 frames.
1304
1305 Ordinarily, this function deletes all existing frames not listed in
1306 @var{configuration}. But if @var{nodelete} is non-@code{nil}, the
1307 unwanted frames are iconified instead.
1308 @end defun
1309
1310 @node Mouse Tracking
1311 @section Mouse Tracking
1312 @cindex mouse tracking
1313 @cindex tracking the mouse
1314
1315 Sometimes it is useful to @dfn{track} the mouse, which means to display
1316 something to indicate where the mouse is and move the indicator as the
1317 mouse moves. For efficient mouse tracking, you need a way to wait until
1318 the mouse actually moves.
1319
1320 The convenient way to track the mouse is to ask for events to represent
1321 mouse motion. Then you can wait for motion by waiting for an event. In
1322 addition, you can easily handle any other sorts of events that may
1323 occur. That is useful, because normally you don't want to track the
1324 mouse forever---only until some other event, such as the release of a
1325 button.
1326
1327 @defspec track-mouse body@dots{}
1328 This special form executes @var{body}, with generation of mouse motion
1329 events enabled. Typically @var{body} would use @code{read-event} to
1330 read the motion events and modify the display accordingly. @xref{Motion
1331 Events}, for the format of mouse motion events.
1332
1333 The value of @code{track-mouse} is that of the last form in @var{body}.
1334 You should design @var{body} to return when it sees the up-event that
1335 indicates the release of the button, or whatever kind of event means
1336 it is time to stop tracking.
1337 @end defspec
1338
1339 The usual purpose of tracking mouse motion is to indicate on the screen
1340 the consequences of pushing or releasing a button at the current
1341 position.
1342
1343 In many cases, you can avoid the need to track the mouse by using
1344 the @code{mouse-face} text property (@pxref{Special Properties}).
1345 That works at a much lower level and runs more smoothly than
1346 Lisp-level mouse tracking.
1347
1348 @ignore
1349 @c These are not implemented yet.
1350
1351 These functions change the screen appearance instantaneously. The
1352 effect is transient, only until the next ordinary Emacs redisplay. That
1353 is OK for mouse tracking, since it doesn't make sense for mouse tracking
1354 to change the text, and the body of @code{track-mouse} normally reads
1355 the events itself and does not do redisplay.
1356
1357 @defun x-contour-region window beg end
1358 This function draws lines to make a box around the text from @var{beg}
1359 to @var{end}, in window @var{window}.
1360 @end defun
1361
1362 @defun x-uncontour-region window beg end
1363 This function erases the lines that would make a box around the text
1364 from @var{beg} to @var{end}, in window @var{window}. Use it to remove
1365 a contour that you previously made by calling @code{x-contour-region}.
1366 @end defun
1367
1368 @defun x-draw-rectangle frame left top right bottom
1369 This function draws a hollow rectangle on frame @var{frame} with the
1370 specified edge coordinates, all measured in pixels from the inside top
1371 left corner. It uses the cursor color, the one used for indicating the
1372 location of point.
1373 @end defun
1374
1375 @defun x-erase-rectangle frame left top right bottom
1376 This function erases a hollow rectangle on frame @var{frame} with the
1377 specified edge coordinates, all measured in pixels from the inside top
1378 left corner. Erasure means redrawing the text and background that
1379 normally belong in the specified rectangle.
1380 @end defun
1381 @end ignore
1382
1383 @node Mouse Position
1384 @section Mouse Position
1385 @cindex mouse position
1386 @cindex position of mouse
1387
1388 The functions @code{mouse-position} and @code{set-mouse-position}
1389 give access to the current position of the mouse.
1390
1391 @defun mouse-position
1392 This function returns a description of the position of the mouse. The
1393 value looks like @code{(@var{frame} @var{x} . @var{y})}, where @var{x}
1394 and @var{y} are integers giving the position in characters relative to
1395 the top left corner of the inside of @var{frame}.
1396 @end defun
1397
1398 @defvar mouse-position-function
1399 If non-@code{nil}, the value of this variable is a function for
1400 @code{mouse-position} to call. @code{mouse-position} calls this
1401 function just before returning, with its normal return value as the
1402 sole argument, and it returns whatever this function returns to it.
1403
1404 This abnormal hook exists for the benefit of packages like
1405 @file{xt-mouse.el} that need to do mouse handling at the Lisp level.
1406 @end defvar
1407
1408 @defun set-mouse-position frame x y
1409 This function @dfn{warps the mouse} to position @var{x}, @var{y} in
1410 frame @var{frame}. The arguments @var{x} and @var{y} are integers,
1411 giving the position in characters relative to the top left corner of the
1412 inside of @var{frame}. If @var{frame} is not visible, this function
1413 does nothing. The return value is not significant.
1414 @end defun
1415
1416 @defun mouse-pixel-position
1417 This function is like @code{mouse-position} except that it returns
1418 coordinates in units of pixels rather than units of characters.
1419 @end defun
1420
1421 @defun set-mouse-pixel-position frame x y
1422 This function warps the mouse like @code{set-mouse-position} except that
1423 @var{x} and @var{y} are in units of pixels rather than units of
1424 characters. These coordinates are not required to be within the frame.
1425
1426 If @var{frame} is not visible, this function does nothing. The return
1427 value is not significant.
1428 @end defun
1429
1430 @need 3000
1431
1432 @node Pop-Up Menus
1433 @section Pop-Up Menus
1434
1435 When using a window system, a Lisp program can pop up a menu so that
1436 the user can choose an alternative with the mouse.
1437
1438 @defun x-popup-menu position menu
1439 This function displays a pop-up menu and returns an indication of
1440 what selection the user makes.
1441
1442 The argument @var{position} specifies where on the screen to put the
1443 top left corner of the menu. It can be either a mouse button event
1444 (which says to put the menu where the user actuated the button) or a
1445 list of this form:
1446
1447 @example
1448 ((@var{xoffset} @var{yoffset}) @var{window})
1449 @end example
1450
1451 @noindent
1452 where @var{xoffset} and @var{yoffset} are coordinates, measured in
1453 pixels, counting from the top left corner of @var{window}. @var{window}
1454 may be a window or a frame.
1455
1456 If @var{position} is @code{t}, it means to use the current mouse
1457 position. If @var{position} is @code{nil}, it means to precompute the
1458 key binding equivalents for the keymaps specified in @var{menu},
1459 without actually displaying or popping up the menu.
1460
1461 The argument @var{menu} says what to display in the menu. It can be a
1462 keymap or a list of keymaps (@pxref{Menu Keymaps}). In this case, the
1463 return value is the list of events corresponding to the user's choice.
1464 (This list has more than one element if the choice occurred in a
1465 submenu.) Note that @code{x-popup-menu} does not actually execute the
1466 command bound to that sequence of events.
1467
1468 Alternatively, @var{menu} can have the following form:
1469
1470 @example
1471 (@var{title} @var{pane1} @var{pane2}...)
1472 @end example
1473
1474 @noindent
1475 where each pane is a list of form
1476
1477 @example
1478 (@var{title} @var{item1} @var{item2}...)
1479 @end example
1480
1481 Each item should normally be a cons cell @code{(@var{line} . @var{value})},
1482 where @var{line} is a string, and @var{value} is the value to return if
1483 that @var{line} is chosen. An item can also be a string; this makes a
1484 non-selectable line in the menu.
1485
1486 If the user gets rid of the menu without making a valid choice, for
1487 instance by clicking the mouse away from a valid choice or by typing
1488 keyboard input, then this normally results in a quit and
1489 @code{x-popup-menu} does not return. But if @var{position} is a mouse
1490 button event (indicating that the user invoked the menu with the
1491 mouse) then no quit occurs and @code{x-popup-menu} returns @code{nil}.
1492 @end defun
1493
1494 @strong{Usage note:} Don't use @code{x-popup-menu} to display a menu
1495 if you could do the job with a prefix key defined with a menu keymap.
1496 If you use a menu keymap to implement a menu, @kbd{C-h c} and @kbd{C-h
1497 a} can see the individual items in that menu and provide help for them.
1498 If instead you implement the menu by defining a command that calls
1499 @code{x-popup-menu}, the help facilities cannot know what happens inside
1500 that command, so they cannot give any help for the menu's items.
1501
1502 The menu bar mechanism, which lets you switch between submenus by
1503 moving the mouse, cannot look within the definition of a command to see
1504 that it calls @code{x-popup-menu}. Therefore, if you try to implement a
1505 submenu using @code{x-popup-menu}, it cannot work with the menu bar in
1506 an integrated fashion. This is why all menu bar submenus are
1507 implemented with menu keymaps within the parent menu, and never with
1508 @code{x-popup-menu}. @xref{Menu Bar}.
1509
1510 If you want a menu bar submenu to have contents that vary, you should
1511 still use a menu keymap to implement it. To make the contents vary, add
1512 a hook function to @code{menu-bar-update-hook} to update the contents of
1513 the menu keymap as necessary.
1514
1515 @node Dialog Boxes
1516 @section Dialog Boxes
1517 @cindex dialog boxes
1518
1519 A dialog box is a variant of a pop-up menu---it looks a little
1520 different, it always appears in the center of a frame, and it has just
1521 one level and one or more buttons. The main use of dialog boxes is
1522 for asking questions that the user can answer with ``yes,'' ``no,''
1523 and a few other alternatives. With a single button, they can also
1524 force the user to acknowledge important information. The functions
1525 @code{y-or-n-p} and @code{yes-or-no-p} use dialog boxes instead of the
1526 keyboard, when called from commands invoked by mouse clicks.
1527
1528 @defun x-popup-dialog position contents &optional header
1529 This function displays a pop-up dialog box and returns an indication of
1530 what selection the user makes. The argument @var{contents} specifies
1531 the alternatives to offer; it has this format:
1532
1533 @example
1534 (@var{title} (@var{string} . @var{value})@dots{})
1535 @end example
1536
1537 @noindent
1538 which looks like the list that specifies a single pane for
1539 @code{x-popup-menu}.
1540
1541 The return value is @var{value} from the chosen alternative.
1542
1543 As for @code{x-popup-menu}, an element of the list may be just a
1544 string instead of a cons cell @code{(@var{string} . @var{value})}.
1545 That makes a box that cannot be selected.
1546
1547 If @code{nil} appears in the list, it separates the left-hand items from
1548 the right-hand items; items that precede the @code{nil} appear on the
1549 left, and items that follow the @code{nil} appear on the right. If you
1550 don't include a @code{nil} in the list, then approximately half the
1551 items appear on each side.
1552
1553 Dialog boxes always appear in the center of a frame; the argument
1554 @var{position} specifies which frame. The possible values are as in
1555 @code{x-popup-menu}, but the precise coordinates or the individual
1556 window don't matter; only the frame matters.
1557
1558 If @var{header} is non-@code{nil}, the frame title for the box is
1559 @samp{Information}, otherwise it is @samp{Question}. The former is used
1560 for @code{message-box} (@pxref{message-box}).
1561
1562 In some configurations, Emacs cannot display a real dialog box; so
1563 instead it displays the same items in a pop-up menu in the center of the
1564 frame.
1565
1566 If the user gets rid of the dialog box without making a valid choice,
1567 for instance using the window manager, then this produces a quit and
1568 @code{x-popup-dialog} does not return.
1569 @end defun
1570
1571 @node Pointer Shape
1572 @section Pointer Shape
1573 @cindex pointer shape
1574 @cindex mouse pointer shape
1575
1576 You can specify the mouse pointer style for particular text or
1577 images using the @code{pointer} text property, and for images with the
1578 @code{:pointer} and @code{:map} image properties. The values you can
1579 use in these properties are @code{text} (or @code{nil}), @code{arrow},
1580 @code{hand}, @code{vdrag}, @code{hdrag}, @code{modeline}, and
1581 @code{hourglass}. @code{text} stands for the usual mouse pointer
1582 style used over text.
1583
1584 Over void parts of the window (parts that do not correspond to any
1585 of the buffer contents), the mouse pointer usually uses the
1586 @code{arrow} style, but you can specify a different style (one of
1587 those above) by setting @code{void-text-area-pointer}.
1588
1589 @defvar void-text-area-pointer
1590 This variable specifies the mouse pointer style for void text areas.
1591 These include the areas after the end of a line or below the last line
1592 in the buffer. The default is to use the @code{arrow} (non-text)
1593 pointer style.
1594 @end defvar
1595
1596 You can specify what the @code{text} pointer style really looks like
1597 by setting the variable @code{x-pointer-shape}.
1598
1599 @defvar x-pointer-shape
1600 This variable specifies the pointer shape to use ordinarily in the
1601 Emacs frame, for the @code{text} pointer style.
1602 @end defvar
1603
1604 @defvar x-sensitive-text-pointer-shape
1605 This variable specifies the pointer shape to use when the mouse
1606 is over mouse-sensitive text.
1607 @end defvar
1608
1609 These variables affect newly created frames. They do not normally
1610 affect existing frames; however, if you set the mouse color of a
1611 frame, that also installs the current value of those two variables.
1612 @xref{Color Parameters}.
1613
1614 The values you can use, to specify either of these pointer shapes, are
1615 defined in the file @file{lisp/term/x-win.el}. Use @kbd{M-x apropos
1616 @key{RET} x-pointer @key{RET}} to see a list of them.
1617
1618 @node Window System Selections
1619 @section Window System Selections
1620 @cindex selection (for window systems)
1621
1622 The X server records a set of @dfn{selections} which permit transfer of
1623 data between application programs. The various selections are
1624 distinguished by @dfn{selection types}, represented in Emacs by
1625 symbols. X clients including Emacs can read or set the selection for
1626 any given type.
1627
1628 @deffn Command x-set-selection type data
1629 This function sets a ``selection'' in the X server. It takes two
1630 arguments: a selection type @var{type}, and the value to assign to it,
1631 @var{data}. If @var{data} is @code{nil}, it means to clear out the
1632 selection. Otherwise, @var{data} may be a string, a symbol, an integer
1633 (or a cons of two integers or list of two integers), an overlay, or a
1634 cons of two markers pointing to the same buffer. An overlay or a pair
1635 of markers stands for text in the overlay or between the markers.
1636
1637 The argument @var{data} may also be a vector of valid non-vector
1638 selection values.
1639
1640 Each possible @var{type} has its own selection value, which changes
1641 independently. The usual values of @var{type} are @code{PRIMARY},
1642 @code{SECONDARY} and @code{CLIPBOARD}; these are symbols with upper-case
1643 names, in accord with X Window System conventions. If @var{type} is
1644 @code{nil}, that stands for @code{PRIMARY}.
1645
1646 This function returns @var{data}.
1647 @end deffn
1648
1649 @defun x-get-selection &optional type data-type
1650 This function accesses selections set up by Emacs or by other X
1651 clients. It takes two optional arguments, @var{type} and
1652 @var{data-type}. The default for @var{type}, the selection type, is
1653 @code{PRIMARY}.
1654
1655 The @var{data-type} argument specifies the form of data conversion to
1656 use, to convert the raw data obtained from another X client into Lisp
1657 data. Meaningful values include @code{TEXT}, @code{STRING},
1658 @code{UTF8_STRING}, @code{TARGETS}, @code{LENGTH}, @code{DELETE},
1659 @code{FILE_NAME}, @code{CHARACTER_POSITION}, @code{NAME},
1660 @code{LINE_NUMBER}, @code{COLUMN_NUMBER}, @code{OWNER_OS},
1661 @code{HOST_NAME}, @code{USER}, @code{CLASS}, @code{ATOM}, and
1662 @code{INTEGER}. (These are symbols with upper-case names in accord
1663 with X conventions.) The default for @var{data-type} is
1664 @code{STRING}.
1665 @end defun
1666
1667 @cindex cut buffer
1668 The X server also has a set of eight numbered @dfn{cut buffers} which can
1669 store text or other data being moved between applications. Cut buffers
1670 are considered obsolete, but Emacs supports them for the sake of X
1671 clients that still use them. Cut buffers are numbered from 0 to 7.
1672
1673 @defun x-get-cut-buffer &optional n
1674 This function returns the contents of cut buffer number @var{n}.
1675 If omitted @var{n} defaults to 0.
1676 @end defun
1677
1678 @defun x-set-cut-buffer string &optional push
1679 @anchor{Definition of x-set-cut-buffer}
1680 This function stores @var{string} into the first cut buffer (cut buffer
1681 0). If @var{push} is @code{nil}, only the first cut buffer is changed.
1682 If @var{push} is non-@code{nil}, that says to move the values down
1683 through the series of cut buffers, much like the way successive kills in
1684 Emacs move down the kill ring. In other words, the previous value of
1685 the first cut buffer moves into the second cut buffer, and the second to
1686 the third, and so on through all eight cut buffers.
1687 @end defun
1688
1689 @defvar selection-coding-system
1690 This variable specifies the coding system to use when reading and
1691 writing selections, the clipboard, or a cut buffer. @xref{Coding
1692 Systems}. The default is @code{compound-text-with-extensions}, which
1693 converts to the text representation that X11 normally uses.
1694 @end defvar
1695
1696 @cindex clipboard support (for MS-Windows)
1697 When Emacs runs on MS-Windows, it does not implement X selections in
1698 general, but it does support the clipboard. @code{x-get-selection}
1699 and @code{x-set-selection} on MS-Windows support the text data type
1700 only; if the clipboard holds other types of data, Emacs treats the
1701 clipboard as empty.
1702
1703 @cindex scrap support (for Mac OS)
1704 On Mac OS, selection-like data transfer between applications is
1705 performed through a mechanism called @dfn{scraps}. The clipboard is a
1706 particular scrap named @code{com.apple.scrap.clipboard}. Types of scrap
1707 data are called @dfn{scrap flavor types}, which are identified by
1708 four-char codes such as @code{TEXT}. Emacs associates a selection with
1709 a scrap, and a selection type with a scrap flavor type via
1710 @code{mac-scrap-name} and @code{mac-ostype} properties, respectively.
1711
1712 @example
1713 (get 'CLIPBOARD 'mac-scrap-name)
1714 @result{} "com.apple.scrap.clipboard"
1715 (get 'com.apple.traditional-mac-plain-text 'mac-ostype)
1716 @result{} "TEXT"
1717 @end example
1718
1719 Conventionally, selection types for scrap flavor types on Mac OS have
1720 the form of @acronym{UTI, Uniform Type Identifier} such as
1721 @code{com.apple.traditional-mac-plain-text},
1722 @code{public.utf16-plain-text}, and @code{public.file-url}.
1723
1724 @defopt x-select-enable-clipboard
1725 If this is non-@code{nil}, the Emacs yank functions consult the
1726 clipboard before the primary selection, and the kill functions store in
1727 the clipboard as well as the primary selection. Otherwise they do not
1728 access the clipboard at all. The default is @code{nil} on most systems,
1729 but @code{t} on MS-Windows and Mac.
1730 @end defopt
1731
1732 @node Drag and Drop
1733 @section Drag and Drop
1734
1735 @vindex x-dnd-test-function
1736 @vindex x-dnd-known-types
1737 When a user drags something from another application over Emacs, that other
1738 application expects Emacs to tell it if Emacs can handle the data that is
1739 dragged. The variable @code{x-dnd-test-function} is used by Emacs to determine
1740 what to reply. The default value is @code{x-dnd-default-test-function}
1741 which accepts drops if the type of the data to be dropped is present in
1742 @code{x-dnd-known-types}. You can customize @code{x-dnd-test-function} and/or
1743 @code{x-dnd-known-types} if you want Emacs to accept or reject drops based
1744 on some other criteria.
1745
1746 @vindex x-dnd-types-alist
1747 If you want to change the way Emacs handles drop of different types
1748 or add a new type, customize @code{x-dnd-types-alist}. This requires
1749 detailed knowledge of what types other applications use for drag and
1750 drop.
1751
1752 @vindex dnd-protocol-alist
1753 When an URL is dropped on Emacs it may be a file, but it may also be
1754 another URL type (ftp, http, etc.). Emacs first checks
1755 @code{dnd-protocol-alist} to determine what to do with the URL. If
1756 there is no match there and if @code{browse-url-browser-function} is
1757 an alist, Emacs looks for a match there. If no match is found the
1758 text for the URL is inserted. If you want to alter Emacs behavior,
1759 you can customize these variables.
1760
1761 @node Color Names
1762 @section Color Names
1763
1764 @cindex color names
1765 @cindex specify color
1766 @cindex numerical RGB color specification
1767 A color name is text (usually in a string) that specifies a color.
1768 Symbolic names such as @samp{black}, @samp{white}, @samp{red}, etc.,
1769 are allowed; use @kbd{M-x list-colors-display} to see a list of
1770 defined names. You can also specify colors numerically in forms such
1771 as @samp{#@var{rgb}} and @samp{RGB:@var{r}/@var{g}/@var{b}}, where
1772 @var{r} specifies the red level, @var{g} specifies the green level,
1773 and @var{b} specifies the blue level. You can use either one, two,
1774 three, or four hex digits for @var{r}; then you must use the same
1775 number of hex digits for all @var{g} and @var{b} as well, making
1776 either 3, 6, 9 or 12 hex digits in all. (See the documentation of the
1777 X Window System for more details about numerical RGB specification of
1778 colors.)
1779
1780 These functions provide a way to determine which color names are
1781 valid, and what they look like. In some cases, the value depends on the
1782 @dfn{selected frame}, as described below; see @ref{Input Focus}, for the
1783 meaning of the term ``selected frame.''
1784
1785 @defun color-defined-p color &optional frame
1786 This function reports whether a color name is meaningful. It returns
1787 @code{t} if so; otherwise, @code{nil}. The argument @var{frame} says
1788 which frame's display to ask about; if @var{frame} is omitted or
1789 @code{nil}, the selected frame is used.
1790
1791 Note that this does not tell you whether the display you are using
1792 really supports that color. When using X, you can ask for any defined
1793 color on any kind of display, and you will get some result---typically,
1794 the closest it can do. To determine whether a frame can really display
1795 a certain color, use @code{color-supported-p} (see below).
1796
1797 @findex x-color-defined-p
1798 This function used to be called @code{x-color-defined-p},
1799 and that name is still supported as an alias.
1800 @end defun
1801
1802 @defun defined-colors &optional frame
1803 This function returns a list of the color names that are defined
1804 and supported on frame @var{frame} (default, the selected frame).
1805 If @var{frame} does not support colors, the value is @code{nil}.
1806
1807 @findex x-defined-colors
1808 This function used to be called @code{x-defined-colors},
1809 and that name is still supported as an alias.
1810 @end defun
1811
1812 @defun color-supported-p color &optional frame background-p
1813 This returns @code{t} if @var{frame} can really display the color
1814 @var{color} (or at least something close to it). If @var{frame} is
1815 omitted or @code{nil}, the question applies to the selected frame.
1816
1817 Some terminals support a different set of colors for foreground and
1818 background. If @var{background-p} is non-@code{nil}, that means you are
1819 asking whether @var{color} can be used as a background; otherwise you
1820 are asking whether it can be used as a foreground.
1821
1822 The argument @var{color} must be a valid color name.
1823 @end defun
1824
1825 @defun color-gray-p color &optional frame
1826 This returns @code{t} if @var{color} is a shade of gray, as defined on
1827 @var{frame}'s display. If @var{frame} is omitted or @code{nil}, the
1828 question applies to the selected frame. If @var{color} is not a valid
1829 color name, this function returns @code{nil}.
1830 @end defun
1831
1832 @defun color-values color &optional frame
1833 @cindex rgb value
1834 This function returns a value that describes what @var{color} should
1835 ideally look like on @var{frame}. If @var{color} is defined, the
1836 value is a list of three integers, which give the amount of red, the
1837 amount of green, and the amount of blue. Each integer ranges in
1838 principle from 0 to 65535, but some displays may not use the full
1839 range. This three-element list is called the @dfn{rgb values} of the
1840 color.
1841
1842 If @var{color} is not defined, the value is @code{nil}.
1843
1844 @example
1845 (color-values "black")
1846 @result{} (0 0 0)
1847 (color-values "white")
1848 @result{} (65280 65280 65280)
1849 (color-values "red")
1850 @result{} (65280 0 0)
1851 (color-values "pink")
1852 @result{} (65280 49152 51968)
1853 (color-values "hungry")
1854 @result{} nil
1855 @end example
1856
1857 The color values are returned for @var{frame}'s display. If
1858 @var{frame} is omitted or @code{nil}, the information is returned for
1859 the selected frame's display. If the frame cannot display colors, the
1860 value is @code{nil}.
1861
1862 @findex x-color-values
1863 This function used to be called @code{x-color-values},
1864 and that name is still supported as an alias.
1865 @end defun
1866
1867 @node Text Terminal Colors
1868 @section Text Terminal Colors
1869 @cindex colors on text-only terminals
1870
1871 Text-only terminals usually support only a small number of colors,
1872 and the computer uses small integers to select colors on the terminal.
1873 This means that the computer cannot reliably tell what the selected
1874 color looks like; instead, you have to inform your application which
1875 small integers correspond to which colors. However, Emacs does know
1876 the standard set of colors and will try to use them automatically.
1877
1878 The functions described in this section control how terminal colors
1879 are used by Emacs.
1880
1881 Several of these functions use or return @dfn{rgb values}, described
1882 in @ref{Color Names}.
1883
1884 These functions accept a display (either a frame or the name of a
1885 terminal) as an optional argument. We hope in the future to make Emacs
1886 support more than one text-only terminal at one time; then this argument
1887 will specify which terminal to operate on (the default being the
1888 selected frame's terminal; @pxref{Input Focus}). At present, though,
1889 the @var{frame} argument has no effect.
1890
1891 @defun tty-color-define name number &optional rgb frame
1892 This function associates the color name @var{name} with
1893 color number @var{number} on the terminal.
1894
1895 The optional argument @var{rgb}, if specified, is an rgb value, a list
1896 of three numbers that specify what the color actually looks like.
1897 If you do not specify @var{rgb}, then this color cannot be used by
1898 @code{tty-color-approximate} to approximate other colors, because
1899 Emacs will not know what it looks like.
1900 @end defun
1901
1902 @defun tty-color-clear &optional frame
1903 This function clears the table of defined colors for a text-only terminal.
1904 @end defun
1905
1906 @defun tty-color-alist &optional frame
1907 This function returns an alist recording the known colors supported by a
1908 text-only terminal.
1909
1910 Each element has the form @code{(@var{name} @var{number} . @var{rgb})}
1911 or @code{(@var{name} @var{number})}. Here, @var{name} is the color
1912 name, @var{number} is the number used to specify it to the terminal.
1913 If present, @var{rgb} is a list of three color values (for red, green,
1914 and blue) that says what the color actually looks like.
1915 @end defun
1916
1917 @defun tty-color-approximate rgb &optional frame
1918 This function finds the closest color, among the known colors
1919 supported for @var{display}, to that described by the rgb value
1920 @var{rgb} (a list of color values). The return value is an element of
1921 @code{tty-color-alist}.
1922 @end defun
1923
1924 @defun tty-color-translate color &optional frame
1925 This function finds the closest color to @var{color} among the known
1926 colors supported for @var{display} and returns its index (an integer).
1927 If the name @var{color} is not defined, the value is @code{nil}.
1928 @end defun
1929
1930 @node Resources
1931 @section X Resources
1932
1933 @defun x-get-resource attribute class &optional component subclass
1934 The function @code{x-get-resource} retrieves a resource value from the X
1935 Window defaults database.
1936
1937 Resources are indexed by a combination of a @dfn{key} and a @dfn{class}.
1938 This function searches using a key of the form
1939 @samp{@var{instance}.@var{attribute}} (where @var{instance} is the name
1940 under which Emacs was invoked), and using @samp{Emacs.@var{class}} as
1941 the class.
1942
1943 The optional arguments @var{component} and @var{subclass} add to the key
1944 and the class, respectively. You must specify both of them or neither.
1945 If you specify them, the key is
1946 @samp{@var{instance}.@var{component}.@var{attribute}}, and the class is
1947 @samp{Emacs.@var{class}.@var{subclass}}.
1948 @end defun
1949
1950 @defvar x-resource-class
1951 This variable specifies the application name that @code{x-get-resource}
1952 should look up. The default value is @code{"Emacs"}. You can examine X
1953 resources for application names other than ``Emacs'' by binding this
1954 variable to some other string, around a call to @code{x-get-resource}.
1955 @end defvar
1956
1957 @defvar x-resource-name
1958 This variable specifies the instance name that @code{x-get-resource}
1959 should look up. The default value is the name Emacs was invoked with,
1960 or the value specified with the @samp{-name} or @samp{-rn} switches.
1961 @end defvar
1962
1963 To illustrate some of the above, suppose that you have the line:
1964
1965 @example
1966 xterm.vt100.background: yellow
1967 @end example
1968
1969 @noindent
1970 in your X resources file (whose name is usually @file{~/.Xdefaults}
1971 or @file{~/.Xresources}). Then:
1972
1973 @example
1974 @group
1975 (let ((x-resource-class "XTerm") (x-resource-name "xterm"))
1976 (x-get-resource "vt100.background" "VT100.Background"))
1977 @result{} "yellow"
1978 @end group
1979 @group
1980 (let ((x-resource-class "XTerm") (x-resource-name "xterm"))
1981 (x-get-resource "background" "VT100" "vt100" "Background"))
1982 @result{} "yellow"
1983 @end group
1984 @end example
1985
1986 @xref{X Resources,, X Resources, emacs, The GNU Emacs Manual}.
1987
1988 @node Display Feature Testing
1989 @section Display Feature Testing
1990 @cindex display feature testing
1991
1992 The functions in this section describe the basic capabilities of a
1993 particular display. Lisp programs can use them to adapt their behavior
1994 to what the display can do. For example, a program that ordinarily uses
1995 a popup menu could use the minibuffer if popup menus are not supported.
1996
1997 The optional argument @var{display} in these functions specifies which
1998 display to ask the question about. It can be a display name, a frame
1999 (which designates the display that frame is on), or @code{nil} (which
2000 refers to the selected frame's display, @pxref{Input Focus}).
2001
2002 @xref{Color Names}, @ref{Text Terminal Colors}, for other functions to
2003 obtain information about displays.
2004
2005 @defun display-popup-menus-p &optional display
2006 This function returns @code{t} if popup menus are supported on
2007 @var{display}, @code{nil} if not. Support for popup menus requires that
2008 the mouse be available, since the user cannot choose menu items without
2009 a mouse.
2010 @end defun
2011
2012 @defun display-graphic-p &optional display
2013 @cindex frames, more than one on display
2014 @cindex fonts, more than one on display
2015 This function returns @code{t} if @var{display} is a graphic display
2016 capable of displaying several frames and several different fonts at
2017 once. This is true for displays that use a window system such as X, and
2018 false for text-only terminals.
2019 @end defun
2020
2021 @defun display-mouse-p &optional display
2022 @cindex mouse, availability
2023 This function returns @code{t} if @var{display} has a mouse available,
2024 @code{nil} if not.
2025 @end defun
2026
2027 @defun display-color-p &optional display
2028 @findex x-display-color-p
2029 This function returns @code{t} if the screen is a color screen.
2030 It used to be called @code{x-display-color-p}, and that name
2031 is still supported as an alias.
2032 @end defun
2033
2034 @defun display-grayscale-p &optional display
2035 This function returns @code{t} if the screen can display shades of gray.
2036 (All color displays can do this.)
2037 @end defun
2038
2039 @defun display-supports-face-attributes-p attributes &optional display
2040 @anchor{Display Face Attribute Testing}
2041 This function returns non-@code{nil} if all the face attributes in
2042 @var{attributes} are supported (@pxref{Face Attributes}).
2043
2044 The definition of `supported' is somewhat heuristic, but basically
2045 means that a face containing all the attributes in @var{attributes},
2046 when merged with the default face for display, can be represented in a
2047 way that's
2048
2049 @enumerate
2050 @item
2051 different in appearance than the default face, and
2052
2053 @item
2054 `close in spirit' to what the attributes specify, if not exact.
2055 @end enumerate
2056
2057 Point (2) implies that a @code{:weight black} attribute will be
2058 satisfied by any display that can display bold, as will
2059 @code{:foreground "yellow"} as long as some yellowish color can be
2060 displayed, but @code{:slant italic} will @emph{not} be satisfied by
2061 the tty display code's automatic substitution of a `dim' face for
2062 italic.
2063 @end defun
2064
2065 @defun display-selections-p &optional display
2066 This function returns @code{t} if @var{display} supports selections.
2067 Windowed displays normally support selections, but they may also be
2068 supported in some other cases.
2069 @end defun
2070
2071 @defun display-images-p &optional display
2072 This function returns @code{t} if @var{display} can display images.
2073 Windowed displays ought in principle to handle images, but some
2074 systems lack the support for that. On a display that does not support
2075 images, Emacs cannot display a tool bar.
2076 @end defun
2077
2078 @defun display-screens &optional display
2079 This function returns the number of screens associated with the display.
2080 @end defun
2081
2082 @defun display-pixel-height &optional display
2083 This function returns the height of the screen in pixels.
2084 On a character terminal, it gives the height in characters.
2085 @end defun
2086
2087 @defun display-mm-height &optional display
2088 This function returns the height of the screen in millimeters,
2089 or @code{nil} if Emacs cannot get that information.
2090 @end defun
2091
2092 @defun display-pixel-width &optional display
2093 This function returns the width of the screen in pixels.
2094 On a character terminal, it gives the width in characters.
2095 @end defun
2096
2097 @defun display-mm-width &optional display
2098 This function returns the width of the screen in millimeters,
2099 or @code{nil} if Emacs cannot get that information.
2100 @end defun
2101
2102 @defun display-backing-store &optional display
2103 This function returns the backing store capability of the display.
2104 Backing store means recording the pixels of windows (and parts of
2105 windows) that are not exposed, so that when exposed they can be
2106 displayed very quickly.
2107
2108 Values can be the symbols @code{always}, @code{when-mapped}, or
2109 @code{not-useful}. The function can also return @code{nil}
2110 when the question is inapplicable to a certain kind of display.
2111 @end defun
2112
2113 @defun display-save-under &optional display
2114 This function returns non-@code{nil} if the display supports the
2115 SaveUnder feature. That feature is used by pop-up windows
2116 to save the pixels they obscure, so that they can pop down
2117 quickly.
2118 @end defun
2119
2120 @defun display-planes &optional display
2121 This function returns the number of planes the display supports.
2122 This is typically the number of bits per pixel.
2123 For a tty display, it is log to base two of the number of colors supported.
2124 @end defun
2125
2126 @defun display-visual-class &optional display
2127 This function returns the visual class for the screen. The value is one
2128 of the symbols @code{static-gray}, @code{gray-scale},
2129 @code{static-color}, @code{pseudo-color}, @code{true-color}, and
2130 @code{direct-color}.
2131 @end defun
2132
2133 @defun display-color-cells &optional display
2134 This function returns the number of color cells the screen supports.
2135 @end defun
2136
2137 These functions obtain additional information specifically
2138 about X displays.
2139
2140 @defun x-server-version &optional display
2141 This function returns the list of version numbers of the X server
2142 running the display. The value is a list of three integers: the major
2143 and minor version numbers of the X protocol, and the
2144 distributor-specific release number of the X server software itself.
2145 @end defun
2146
2147 @defun x-server-vendor &optional display
2148 This function returns the ``vendor'' that provided the X server
2149 software (as a string). Really this means whoever distributes the X
2150 server.
2151
2152 When the developers of X labelled software distributors as
2153 ``vendors,'' they showed their false assumption that no system could
2154 ever be developed and distributed noncommercially.
2155 @end defun
2156
2157 @ignore
2158 @defvar x-no-window-manager
2159 This variable's value is @code{t} if no X window manager is in use.
2160 @end defvar
2161 @end ignore
2162
2163 @ignore
2164 @item
2165 The functions @code{x-pixel-width} and @code{x-pixel-height} return the
2166 width and height of an X Window frame, measured in pixels.
2167 @end ignore
2168
2169 @ignore
2170 arch-tag: 94977df6-3dca-4730-b57b-c6329e9282ba
2171 @end ignore