]> code.delx.au - gnu-emacs/blob - lispref/frames.texi
Patch from rms.
[gnu-emacs] / lispref / frames.texi
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 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
4 @c See the file elisp.texi for copying conditions.
5 @setfilename ../info/frames
6 @node Frames, Positions, Windows, Top
7 @chapter Frames
8 @cindex frame
9
10 A @dfn{frame} is a rectangle on the screen that contains one or more
11 Emacs windows. A frame initially contains a single main window (plus
12 perhaps a minibuffer window), which you can subdivide vertically or
13 horizontally into smaller windows.
14
15 @cindex terminal frame
16 When Emacs runs on a text-only terminal, it starts with one
17 @dfn{terminal frame}. If you create additional ones, Emacs displays
18 one and only one at any given time---on the terminal screen, of course.
19
20 @cindex window frame
21 When Emacs communicates directly with a supported window system, such
22 as X Windows, it does not have a terminal frame; instead, it starts with
23 a single @dfn{window frame}, but you can create more, and Emacs can
24 display several such frames at once as is usual for window systems.
25
26 @defun framep object
27 This predicate returns a non-@code{nil} value if @var{object} is a
28 frame, and @code{nil} otherwise. For a frame, the value indicates which
29 kind of display the frame uses:
30
31 @table @code
32 @item x
33 The frame is displayed in an X window.
34 @item t
35 A terminal frame on a character display.
36 @item mac
37 The frame is displayed on a Macintosh.
38 @item w32
39 The frame is displayed on MS-Windows 9X/NT.
40 @item pc
41 The frame is displayed on an MS-DOS terminal.
42 @end table
43 @end defun
44
45 @menu
46 * Creating Frames:: Creating additional frames.
47 * Multiple Displays:: Creating frames on other displays.
48 * Frame Parameters:: Controlling frame size, position, font, etc.
49 * Frame Titles:: Automatic updating of frame titles.
50 * Deleting Frames:: Frames last until explicitly deleted.
51 * Finding All Frames:: How to examine all existing frames.
52 * Frames and Windows:: A frame contains windows;
53 display of text always works through windows.
54 * Minibuffers and Frames:: How a frame finds the minibuffer to use.
55 * Input Focus:: Specifying the selected frame.
56 * Visibility of Frames:: Frames may be visible or invisible, or icons.
57 * Raising and Lowering:: Raising a frame makes it hide other windows;
58 lowering it makes the others hide them.
59 * Frame Configurations:: Saving the state of all frames.
60 * Mouse Tracking:: Getting events that say when the mouse moves.
61 * Mouse Position:: Asking where the mouse is, or moving it.
62 * Pop-Up Menus:: Displaying a menu for the user to select from.
63 * Dialog Boxes:: Displaying a box to ask yes or no.
64 * Pointer Shapes:: Specifying the shape of the mouse pointer.
65 * Window System Selections:: Transferring text to and from other X clients.
66 * Color Names:: Getting the definitions of color names.
67 * Text Terminal Colors:: Defining colors for text-only terminals.
68 * Resources:: Getting resource values from the server.
69 * Server Data:: Getting info about the X server.
70 @end menu
71
72 @xref{Display}, for information about the related topic of
73 controlling Emacs redisplay.
74
75 @node Creating Frames
76 @section Creating Frames
77
78 To create a new frame, call the function @code{make-frame}.
79
80 @defun make-frame &optional alist
81 This function creates a new frame. If you are using a supported window
82 system, it makes a window frame; otherwise, it makes a terminal frame.
83
84 The argument is an alist specifying frame parameters. Any parameters
85 not mentioned in @var{alist} default according to the value of the
86 variable @code{default-frame-alist}; parameters not specified even there
87 default from the standard X resources or whatever is used instead on
88 your system.
89
90 The set of possible parameters depends in principle on what kind of
91 window system Emacs uses to display its frames. @xref{Window Frame
92 Parameters}, for documentation of individual parameters you can specify.
93 @end defun
94
95 @defvar before-make-frame-hook
96 @tindex before-make-frame-hook
97 A normal hook run by @code{make-frame} before it actually creates the
98 frame.
99 @end defvar
100
101 @defvar after-make-frame-functions
102 @tindex after-make-frame-functions
103 An abnormal hook run by @code{make-frame} after it creates the frame.
104 Each function in @code{after-make-frame-hook} receives one argument, the
105 frame just created.
106 @end defvar
107
108 @node Multiple Displays
109 @section Multiple Displays
110 @cindex multiple X displays
111 @cindex displays, multiple
112
113 A single Emacs can talk to more than one X display.
114 Initially, Emacs uses just one display---the one chosen with the
115 @code{DISPLAY} environment variable or with the @samp{--display} option
116 (@pxref{Initial Options,,, emacs, The GNU Emacs Manual}). To connect to
117 another display, use the command @code{make-frame-on-display} or specify
118 the @code{display} frame parameter when you create the frame.
119
120 Emacs treats each X server as a separate terminal, giving each one its
121 own selected frame and its own minibuffer windows.
122
123 A few Lisp variables are @dfn{terminal-local}; that is, they have a
124 separate binding for each terminal. The binding in effect at any time
125 is the one for the terminal that the currently selected frame belongs
126 to. These variables include @code{default-minibuffer-frame},
127 @code{defining-kbd-macro}, @code{last-kbd-macro}, and
128 @code{system-key-alist}. They are always terminal-local, and can never
129 be buffer-local (@pxref{Buffer-Local Variables}) or frame-local.
130
131 A single X server can handle more than one screen. A display name
132 @samp{@var{host}:@var{server}.@var{screen}} has three parts; the last
133 part specifies the screen number for a given server. When you use two
134 screens belonging to one server, Emacs knows by the similarity in their
135 names that they share a single keyboard, and it treats them as a single
136 terminal.
137
138 @deffn Command make-frame-on-display display &optional parameters
139 This creates a new frame on display @var{display}, taking the other
140 frame parameters from @var{parameters}. Aside from the @var{display}
141 argument, it is like @code{make-frame} (@pxref{Creating Frames}).
142 @end deffn
143
144 @defun x-display-list
145 This returns a list that indicates which X displays Emacs has a
146 connection to. The elements of the list are strings, and each one is
147 a display name.
148 @end defun
149
150 @defun x-open-connection display &optional xrm-string must-succeed
151 This function opens a connection to the X display @var{display}. It
152 does not create a frame on that display, but it permits you to check
153 that communication can be established with that display.
154
155 The optional argument @var{xrm-string}, if not @code{nil}, is a
156 string of resource names and values, in the same format used in the
157 @file{.Xresources} file. The values you specify override the resource
158 values recorded in the X server itself; they apply to all Emacs frames
159 created on this display. Here's an example of what this string might
160 look like:
161
162 @example
163 "*BorderWidth: 3\n*InternalBorder: 2\n"
164 @end example
165
166 @xref{Resources}.
167
168 If @var{must-succeed} is non-@code{nil}, failure to open the connection
169 terminates Emacs. Otherwise, it is an ordinary Lisp error.
170 @end defun
171
172 @defun x-close-connection display
173 This function closes the connection to display @var{display}. Before
174 you can do this, you must first delete all the frames that were open on
175 that display (@pxref{Deleting Frames}).
176 @end defun
177
178 @node Frame Parameters
179 @section Frame Parameters
180
181 A frame has many parameters that control its appearance and behavior.
182 Just what parameters a frame has depends on what display mechanism it
183 uses.
184
185 Frame parameters exist mostly for the sake of window systems. A
186 terminal frame has a few parameters, mostly for compatibility's sake;
187 only the @code{height}, @code{width}, @code{name}, @code{title},
188 @code{menu-bar-lines}, @code{buffer-list} and @code{buffer-predicate}
189 parameters do something special. If the terminal supports colors, the
190 parameters @code{foreground-color}, @code{background-color},
191 @code{background-mode} and @code{display-type} are also meaningful.
192
193 @menu
194 * Parameter Access:: How to change a frame's parameters.
195 * Initial Parameters:: Specifying frame parameters when you make a frame.
196 * Window Frame Parameters:: List of frame parameters for window systems.
197 * Size and Position:: Changing the size and position of a frame.
198 @end menu
199
200 @node Parameter Access
201 @subsection Access to Frame Parameters
202
203 These functions let you read and change the parameter values of a
204 frame.
205
206 @defun frame-parameter frame parameter
207 @tindex frame-parameter
208 This function returns the value of the parameter named @var{parameter}
209 of @var{frame}. If @var{frame} is @code{nil}, it returns the
210 selected frame's parameter.
211 @end defun
212
213 @defun frame-parameters frame
214 The function @code{frame-parameters} returns an alist listing all the
215 parameters of @var{frame} and their values.
216 @end defun
217
218 @defun modify-frame-parameters frame alist
219 This function alters the parameters of frame @var{frame} based on the
220 elements of @var{alist}. Each element of @var{alist} has the form
221 @code{(@var{parm} . @var{value})}, where @var{parm} is a symbol naming a
222 parameter. If you don't mention a parameter in @var{alist}, its value
223 doesn't change.
224 @end defun
225
226 @node Initial Parameters
227 @subsection Initial Frame Parameters
228
229 You can specify the parameters for the initial startup frame
230 by setting @code{initial-frame-alist} in your init file (@pxref{Init File}).
231
232 @defvar initial-frame-alist
233 This variable's value is an alist of parameter values used when creating
234 the initial window frame. You can set this variable to specify the
235 appearance of the initial frame without altering subsequent frames.
236 Each element has the form:
237
238 @example
239 (@var{parameter} . @var{value})
240 @end example
241
242 Emacs creates the initial frame before it reads your init
243 file. After reading that file, Emacs checks @code{initial-frame-alist},
244 and applies the parameter settings in the altered value to the already
245 created initial frame.
246
247 If these settings affect the frame geometry and appearance, you'll see
248 the frame appear with the wrong ones and then change to the specified
249 ones. If that bothers you, you can specify the same geometry and
250 appearance with X resources; those do take effect before the frame is
251 created. @xref{Resources X,, X Resources, emacs, The GNU Emacs Manual}.
252
253 X resource settings typically apply to all frames. If you want to
254 specify some X resources solely for the sake of the initial frame, and
255 you don't want them to apply to subsequent frames, here's how to achieve
256 this. Specify parameters in @code{default-frame-alist} to override the
257 X resources for subsequent frames; then, to prevent these from affecting
258 the initial frame, specify the same parameters in
259 @code{initial-frame-alist} with values that match the X resources.
260 @end defvar
261
262 If these parameters specify a separate minibuffer-only frame with
263 @code{(minibuffer . nil)}, and you have not created one, Emacs creates
264 one for you.
265
266 @defvar minibuffer-frame-alist
267 This variable's value is an alist of parameter values used when creating
268 an initial minibuffer-only frame---if such a frame is needed, according
269 to the parameters for the main initial frame.
270 @end defvar
271
272 @defvar default-frame-alist
273 This is an alist specifying default values of frame parameters for all
274 Emacs frames---the first frame, and subsequent frames. When using the X
275 Window System, you can get the same results by means of X resources
276 in many cases.
277 @end defvar
278
279 See also @code{special-display-frame-alist}, in @ref{Choosing Window}.
280
281 If you use options that specify window appearance when you invoke Emacs,
282 they take effect by adding elements to @code{default-frame-alist}. One
283 exception is @samp{-geometry}, which adds the specified position to
284 @code{initial-frame-alist} instead. @xref{Command Arguments,,, emacs,
285 The GNU Emacs Manual}.
286
287 @node Window Frame Parameters
288 @subsection Window Frame Parameters
289
290 Just what parameters a frame has depends on what display mechanism it
291 uses. Here is a table of the parameters that have special meanings in a
292 window frame; of these, @code{name}, @code{title}, @code{height},
293 @code{width}, @code{buffer-list} and @code{buffer-predicate} provide
294 meaningful information in terminal frames.
295
296 @table @code
297 @item display
298 The display on which to open this frame. It should be a string of the
299 form @code{"@var{host}:@var{dpy}.@var{screen}"}, just like the
300 @code{DISPLAY} environment variable.
301
302 @item title
303 If a frame has a non-@code{nil} title, it appears in the window system's
304 border for the frame, and also in the mode line of windows in that frame
305 if @code{mode-line-frame-identification} uses @samp{%F}
306 (@pxref{%-Constructs}). This is normally the case when Emacs is not
307 using a window system, and can only display one frame at a time.
308 @xref{Frame Titles}.
309
310 @item name
311 The name of the frame. The frame name serves as a default for the frame
312 title, if the @code{title} parameter is unspecified or @code{nil}. If
313 you don't specify a name, Emacs sets the frame name automatically
314 (@pxref{Frame Titles}).
315
316 If you specify the frame name explicitly when you create the frame, the
317 name is also used (instead of the name of the Emacs executable) when
318 looking up X resources for the frame.
319
320 @item left
321 The screen position of the left edge, in pixels, with respect to the
322 left edge of the screen. The value may be a positive number @var{pos},
323 or a list of the form @code{(+ @var{pos})} which permits specifying a
324 negative @var{pos} value.
325
326 A negative number @minus{}@var{pos}, or a list of the form @code{(-
327 @var{pos})}, actually specifies the position of the right edge of the
328 window with respect to the right edge of the screen. A positive value
329 of @var{pos} counts toward the left. @strong{Reminder:} if the
330 parameter is a negative integer @minus{}@var{pos}, then @var{pos} is
331 positive.
332
333 Some window managers ignore program-specified positions. If you want to
334 be sure the position you specify is not ignored, specify a
335 non-@code{nil} value for the @code{user-position} parameter as well.
336
337 @item top
338 The screen position of the top edge, in pixels, with respect to the
339 top edge of the screen. The value may be a positive number @var{pos},
340 or a list of the form @code{(+ @var{pos})} which permits specifying a
341 negative @var{pos} value.
342
343 A negative number @minus{}@var{pos}, or a list of the form @code{(-
344 @var{pos})}, actually specifies the position of the bottom edge of the
345 window with respect to the bottom edge of the screen. A positive value
346 of @var{pos} counts toward the top. @strong{Reminder:} if the
347 parameter is a negative integer @minus{}@var{pos}, then @var{pos} is
348 positive.
349
350 Some window managers ignore program-specified positions. If you want to
351 be sure the position you specify is not ignored, specify a
352 non-@code{nil} value for the @code{user-position} parameter as well.
353
354 @item icon-left
355 The screen position of the left edge @emph{of the frame's icon}, in
356 pixels, counting from the left edge of the screen. This takes effect if
357 and when the frame is iconified.
358
359 @item icon-top
360 The screen position of the top edge @emph{of the frame's icon}, in
361 pixels, counting from the top edge of the screen. This takes effect if
362 and when the frame is iconified.
363
364 @item user-position
365 When you create a frame and specify its screen position with the
366 @code{left} and @code{top} parameters, use this parameter to say whether
367 the specified position was user-specified (explicitly requested in some
368 way by a human user) or merely program-specified (chosen by a program).
369 A non-@code{nil} value says the position was user-specified.
370
371 Window managers generally heed user-specified positions, and some heed
372 program-specified positions too. But many ignore program-specified
373 positions, placing the window in a default fashion or letting the user
374 place it with the mouse. Some window managers, including @code{twm},
375 let the user specify whether to obey program-specified positions or
376 ignore them.
377
378 When you call @code{make-frame}, you should specify a non-@code{nil}
379 value for this parameter if the values of the @code{left} and @code{top}
380 parameters represent the user's stated preference; otherwise, use
381 @code{nil}.
382
383 @item height
384 The height of the frame contents, in characters. (To get the height in
385 pixels, call @code{frame-pixel-height}; see @ref{Size and Position}.)
386
387 @item width
388 The width of the frame contents, in characters. (To get the height in
389 pixels, call @code{frame-pixel-width}; see @ref{Size and Position}.)
390
391 @item window-id
392 The number of the window-system window used by the frame
393 to contain the actual Emacs windows.
394
395 @item outer-window-id
396 The number of the outermost window-system window used for the whole frame.
397
398 @item minibuffer
399 Whether this frame has its own minibuffer. The value @code{t} means
400 yes, @code{nil} means no, @code{only} means this frame is just a
401 minibuffer. If the value is a minibuffer window (in some other frame),
402 the new frame uses that minibuffer.
403
404 @item buffer-predicate
405 The buffer-predicate function for this frame. The function
406 @code{other-buffer} uses this predicate (from the selected frame) to
407 decide which buffers it should consider, if the predicate is not
408 @code{nil}. It calls the predicate with one argument, a buffer, once for
409 each buffer; if the predicate returns a non-@code{nil} value, it
410 considers that buffer.
411
412 @item buffer-list
413 A list of buffers that have been selected in this frame,
414 ordered most-recently-selected first.
415
416 @item font
417 The name of the font for displaying text in the frame. This is a
418 string, either a valid font name for your system or the name of an Emacs
419 fontset (@pxref{Fontsets}). Changing this frame parameter on a frame,
420 also changes the font-related attributes of the default face on that
421 frame.
422
423 @item auto-raise
424 Whether selecting the frame raises it (non-@code{nil} means yes).
425
426 @item auto-lower
427 Whether deselecting the frame lowers it (non-@code{nil} means yes).
428
429 @item vertical-scroll-bars
430 Whether the frame has scroll bars for vertical scrolling, and which side
431 of the frame they should be on. The possible values are @code{left},
432 @code{right}, and @code{nil} for no scroll bars.
433
434 @item horizontal-scroll-bars
435 Whether the frame has scroll bars for horizontal scrolling
436 (non-@code{nil} means yes). (Horizontal scroll bars are not currently
437 implemented.)
438
439 @item scroll-bar-width
440 The width of the vertical scroll bar, in pixels.
441
442 @item icon-type
443 The type of icon to use for this frame when it is iconified. If the
444 value is a string, that specifies a file containing a bitmap to use.
445 Any other non-@code{nil} value specifies the default bitmap icon (a
446 picture of a gnu); @code{nil} specifies a text icon.
447
448 @item icon-name
449 The name to use in the icon for this frame, when and if the icon
450 appears. If this is @code{nil}, the frame's title is used.
451
452 @item foreground-color
453 The color to use for the image of a character. This is a string; the
454 window system defines the meaningful color names. Changing this
455 parameter is equivalent to changing the foreground color of the face
456 @code{default} on the frame in question.
457
458 @item background-color
459 The color to use for the background of characters. Changing this
460 parameter is equivalent to changing the foreground color of the face
461 @code{default} on the frame in question.
462
463 @item background-mode
464 This parameter is either @code{dark} or @code{light}, according
465 to whether the background color is a light one or a dark one.
466
467 @item mouse-color
468 The color for the mouse pointer. Changing this parameter is equivalent
469 to changing the background color of face @code{mouse}.
470
471 @item cursor-color
472 The color for the cursor that shows point. Changing this parameter is
473 equivalent to changing the background color of face @code{cursor}.
474
475 @item border-color
476 The color for the border of the frame. Changing this parameter is
477 equivalent to changing the background color of face @code{border}.
478
479 @item scroll-bar-foreground
480 If non-@code{nil}, the color for the foreground of scroll bars.
481 Changing this parameter is equivalent to setting the foreground color of
482 face @code{scroll-bar}.
483
484 @item scroll-bar-background
485 If non-@code{nil}, the color for the background of scroll bars.
486 Changing this parameter is equivalent to setting the foreground color of
487 face @code{scroll-bar}.
488
489 @item display-type
490 This parameter describes the range of possible colors that can be used
491 in this frame. Its value is @code{color}, @code{grayscale} or
492 @code{mono}.
493
494 @item cursor-type
495 The way to display the cursor. The legitimate values are @code{bar},
496 @code{box}, and @code{(bar . @var{width})}. The symbol @code{box}
497 specifies an ordinary black box overlaying the character after point;
498 that is the default. The symbol @code{bar} specifies a vertical bar
499 between characters as the cursor. @code{(bar . @var{width})} specifies
500 a bar @var{width} pixels wide.
501
502 @item border-width
503 The width in pixels of the window border.
504
505 @item internal-border-width
506 The distance in pixels between text and border.
507
508 @item unsplittable
509 If non-@code{nil}, this frame's window is never split automatically.
510
511 @item visibility
512 The state of visibility of the frame. There are three possibilities:
513 @code{nil} for invisible, @code{t} for visible, and @code{icon} for
514 iconified. @xref{Visibility of Frames}.
515
516 @item menu-bar-lines
517 The number of lines to allocate at the top of the frame for a menu bar.
518 The default is 1. @xref{Menu Bar}. (In Emacs versions that use the X
519 toolkit, there is only one menu bar line; all that matters about the
520 number you specify is whether it is greater than zero.)
521
522 @item screen-gamma
523 If this is a number, Emacs performs ``gamma correction'' on colors. The
524 value should be the screen gamma of your display, a floating point
525 number. Usual PC monitors have a screen gamma of 2.2. Smaller values
526 result in darker colors; you might want to try a screen gamma of 1.5 for
527 LCD color displays. The viewing gamma Emacs uses is 0.4545 (1/2.2).
528
529 @item tool-bar-lines
530 The number of lines to use for the toolbar. A value of @code{nil} means
531 don't display a tool bar.
532
533 @ignore
534 @item parent-id
535 @c ??? Not yet working.
536 The X window number of the window that should be the parent of this one.
537 Specifying this lets you create an Emacs window inside some other
538 application's window. (It is not certain this will be implemented; try
539 it and see if it works.)
540 @end ignore
541 @end table
542
543 @node Size and Position
544 @subsection Frame Size And Position
545 @cindex size of frame
546 @cindex screen size
547 @cindex frame size
548 @cindex resize frame
549
550 You can read or change the size and position of a frame using the
551 frame parameters @code{left}, @code{top}, @code{height}, and
552 @code{width}. Whatever geometry parameters you don't specify are chosen
553 by the window manager in its usual fashion.
554
555 Here are some special features for working with sizes and positions:
556
557 @defun set-frame-position frame left top
558 This function sets the position of the top left corner of @var{frame} to
559 @var{left} and @var{top}. These arguments are measured in pixels, and
560 normally count from the top left corner of the screen.
561
562 Negative parameter values position the bottom edge of the window up from
563 the bottom edge of the screen, or the right window edge to the left of
564 the right edge of the screen. It would probably be better if the values
565 were always counted from the left and top, so that negative arguments
566 would position the frame partly off the top or left edge of the screen,
567 but it seems inadvisable to change that now.
568 @end defun
569
570 @defun frame-height &optional frame
571 @defunx frame-width &optional frame
572 These functions return the height and width of @var{frame}, measured in
573 lines and columns. If you don't supply @var{frame}, they use the
574 selected frame.
575 @end defun
576
577 @defun screen-height
578 @defunx screen-width
579 These functions are old aliases for @code{frame-height} and
580 @code{frame-width}. When you are using a non-window terminal, the size
581 of the frame is normally the same as the size of the terminal screen.
582 @end defun
583
584 @defun frame-pixel-height &optional frame
585 @defunx frame-pixel-width &optional frame
586 These functions return the height and width of @var{frame}, measured in
587 pixels. If you don't supply @var{frame}, they use the selected frame.
588 @end defun
589
590 @defun frame-char-height &optional frame
591 @defunx frame-char-width &optional frame
592 These functions return the height and width of a character in
593 @var{frame}, measured in pixels. The values depend on the choice of
594 font. If you don't supply @var{frame}, these functions use the selected
595 frame.
596 @end defun
597
598 @defun set-frame-size frame cols rows
599 This function sets the size of @var{frame}, measured in characters;
600 @var{cols} and @var{rows} specify the new width and height.
601
602 To set the size based on values measured in pixels, use
603 @code{frame-char-height} and @code{frame-char-width} to convert
604 them to units of characters.
605 @end defun
606
607 @defun set-frame-height frame lines &optional pretend
608 This function resizes @var{frame} to a height of @var{lines} lines. The
609 sizes of existing windows in @var{frame} are altered proportionally to
610 fit.
611
612 If @var{pretend} is non-@code{nil}, then Emacs displays @var{lines}
613 lines of output in @var{frame}, but does not change its value for the
614 actual height of the frame. This is only useful for a terminal frame.
615 Using a smaller height than the terminal actually implements may be
616 useful to reproduce behavior observed on a smaller screen, or if the
617 terminal malfunctions when using its whole screen. Setting the frame
618 height ``for real'' does not always work, because knowing the correct
619 actual size may be necessary for correct cursor positioning on a
620 terminal frame.
621 @end defun
622
623 @defun set-frame-width frame width &optional pretend
624 This function sets the width of @var{frame}, measured in characters.
625 The argument @var{pretend} has the same meaning as in
626 @code{set-frame-height}.
627 @end defun
628
629 @findex set-screen-height
630 @findex set-screen-width
631 The older functions @code{set-screen-height} and
632 @code{set-screen-width} were used to specify the height and width of the
633 screen, in Emacs versions that did not support multiple frames. They
634 are semi-obsolete, but still work; they apply to the selected frame.
635
636 @defun x-parse-geometry geom
637 @cindex geometry specification
638 The function @code{x-parse-geometry} converts a standard X window
639 geometry string to an alist that you can use as part of the argument to
640 @code{make-frame}.
641
642 The alist describes which parameters were specified in @var{geom}, and
643 gives the values specified for them. Each element looks like
644 @code{(@var{parameter} . @var{value})}. The possible @var{parameter}
645 values are @code{left}, @code{top}, @code{width}, and @code{height}.
646
647 For the size parameters, the value must be an integer. The position
648 parameter names @code{left} and @code{top} are not totally accurate,
649 because some values indicate the position of the right or bottom edges
650 instead. These are the @var{value} possibilities for the position
651 parameters:
652
653 @table @asis
654 @item an integer
655 A positive integer relates the left edge or top edge of the window to
656 the left or top edge of the screen. A negative integer relates the
657 right or bottom edge of the window to the right or bottom edge of the
658 screen.
659
660 @item @code{(+ @var{position})}
661 This specifies the position of the left or top edge of the window
662 relative to the left or top edge of the screen. The integer
663 @var{position} may be positive or negative; a negative value specifies a
664 position outside the screen.
665
666 @item @code{(- @var{position})}
667 This specifies the position of the right or bottom edge of the window
668 relative to the right or bottom edge of the screen. The integer
669 @var{position} may be positive or negative; a negative value specifies a
670 position outside the screen.
671 @end table
672
673 Here is an example:
674
675 @example
676 (x-parse-geometry "35x70+0-0")
677 @result{} ((height . 70) (width . 35)
678 (top - 0) (left . 0))
679 @end example
680 @end defun
681
682 @node Frame Titles
683 @section Frame Titles
684
685 Every frame has a @code{name} parameter; this serves as the default
686 for the frame title which window systems typically display at the top of
687 the frame. You can specify a name explicitly by setting the @code{name}
688 frame property.
689
690 Normally you don't specify the name explicitly, and Emacs computes the
691 frame name automatically based on a template stored in the variable
692 @code{frame-title-format}. Emacs recomputes the name each time the
693 frame is redisplayed.
694
695 @defvar frame-title-format
696 This variable specifies how to compute a name for a frame when you have
697 not explicitly specified one. The variable's value is actually a mode
698 line construct, just like @code{mode-line-format}. @xref{Mode Line
699 Data}.
700 @end defvar
701
702 @defvar icon-title-format
703 This variable specifies how to compute the name for an iconified frame,
704 when you have not explicitly specified the frame title. This title
705 appears in the icon itself.
706 @end defvar
707
708 @defvar multiple-frames
709 This variable is set automatically by Emacs. Its value is @code{t} when
710 there are two or more frames (not counting minibuffer-only frames or
711 invisible frames). The default value of @code{frame-title-format} uses
712 @code{multiple-frames} so as to put the buffer name in the frame title
713 only when there is more than one frame.
714 @end defvar
715
716 @node Deleting Frames
717 @section Deleting Frames
718 @cindex deletion of frames
719
720 Frames remain potentially visible until you explicitly @dfn{delete}
721 them. A deleted frame cannot appear on the screen, but continues to
722 exist as a Lisp object until there are no references to it. There is no
723 way to cancel the deletion of a frame aside from restoring a saved frame
724 configuration (@pxref{Frame Configurations}); this is similar to the
725 way windows behave.
726
727 @deffn Command delete-frame &optional frame force
728 This function deletes the frame @var{frame}. By default, @var{frame} is
729 the selected frame.
730
731 A frame cannot be deleted if its minibuffer is used by other frames.
732 Normally, you cannot delete a frame if all other frames are invisible,
733 but if the @var{force} is non-@code{nil}, then you are allowed to do so.
734 @end deffn
735
736 @defun frame-live-p frame
737 The function @code{frame-live-p} returns non-@code{nil} if the frame
738 @var{frame} has not been deleted.
739 @end defun
740
741 Some window managers provide a command to delete a window. These work
742 by sending a special message to the program that operates the window.
743 When Emacs gets one of these commands, it generates a
744 @code{delete-frame} event, whose normal definition is a command that
745 calls the function @code{delete-frame}. @xref{Misc Events}.
746
747 @node Finding All Frames
748 @section Finding All Frames
749
750 @defun frame-list
751 The function @code{frame-list} returns a list of all the frames that
752 have not been deleted. It is analogous to @code{buffer-list} for
753 buffers. The list that you get is newly created, so modifying the list
754 doesn't have any effect on the internals of Emacs.
755 @end defun
756
757 @defun visible-frame-list
758 This function returns a list of just the currently visible frames.
759 @xref{Visibility of Frames}. (Terminal frames always count as
760 ``visible'', even though only the selected one is actually displayed.)
761 @end defun
762
763 @defun next-frame &optional frame minibuf
764 The function @code{next-frame} lets you cycle conveniently through all
765 the frames from an arbitrary starting point. It returns the ``next''
766 frame after @var{frame} in the cycle. If @var{frame} is omitted or
767 @code{nil}, it defaults to the selected frame.
768
769 The second argument, @var{minibuf}, says which frames to consider:
770
771 @table @asis
772 @item @code{nil}
773 Exclude minibuffer-only frames.
774 @item @code{visible}
775 Consider all visible frames.
776 @item 0
777 Consider all visible or iconified frames.
778 @item a window
779 Consider only the frames using that particular window as their
780 minibuffer.
781 @item anything else
782 Consider all frames.
783 @end table
784 @end defun
785
786 @defun previous-frame &optional frame minibuf
787 Like @code{next-frame}, but cycles through all frames in the opposite
788 direction.
789 @end defun
790
791 See also @code{next-window} and @code{previous-window}, in @ref{Cyclic
792 Window Ordering}.
793
794 @node Frames and Windows
795 @section Frames and Windows
796
797 Each window is part of one and only one frame; you can get the frame
798 with @code{window-frame}.
799
800 @defun window-frame window
801 This function returns the frame that @var{window} is on.
802 @end defun
803
804 All the non-minibuffer windows in a frame are arranged in a cyclic
805 order. The order runs from the frame's top window, which is at the
806 upper left corner, down and to the right, until it reaches the window at
807 the lower right corner (always the minibuffer window, if the frame has
808 one), and then it moves back to the top. @xref{Cyclic Window Ordering}.
809
810 @defun frame-first-window frame
811 This returns the topmost, leftmost window of frame @var{frame}.
812 @end defun
813
814 At any time, exactly one window on any frame is @dfn{selected within the
815 frame}. The significance of this designation is that selecting the
816 frame also selects this window. You can get the frame's current
817 selected window with @code{frame-selected-window}.
818
819 @defun frame-selected-window frame
820 This function returns the window on @var{frame} that is selected within
821 @var{frame}.
822 @end defun
823
824 Conversely, selecting a window for Emacs with @code{select-window} also
825 makes that window selected within its frame. @xref{Selecting Windows}.
826
827 Another function that (usually) returns one of the windows in a given
828 frame is @code{minibuffer-window}. @xref{Minibuffer Misc}.
829
830 @node Minibuffers and Frames
831 @section Minibuffers and Frames
832
833 Normally, each frame has its own minibuffer window at the bottom, which
834 is used whenever that frame is selected. If the frame has a minibuffer,
835 you can get it with @code{minibuffer-window} (@pxref{Minibuffer Misc}).
836
837 However, you can also create a frame with no minibuffer. Such a frame
838 must use the minibuffer window of some other frame. When you create the
839 frame, you can specify explicitly the minibuffer window to use (in some
840 other frame). If you don't, then the minibuffer is found in the frame
841 which is the value of the variable @code{default-minibuffer-frame}. Its
842 value should be a frame that does have a minibuffer.
843
844 If you use a minibuffer-only frame, you might want that frame to raise
845 when you enter the minibuffer. If so, set the variable
846 @code{minibuffer-auto-raise} to @code{t}. @xref{Raising and Lowering}.
847
848 @defvar default-minibuffer-frame
849 This variable specifies the frame to use for the minibuffer window, by
850 default. It is always local to the current terminal and cannot be
851 buffer-local. @xref{Multiple Displays}.
852 @end defvar
853
854 @node Input Focus
855 @section Input Focus
856 @cindex input focus
857 @cindex selected frame
858
859 At any time, one frame in Emacs is the @dfn{selected frame}. The selected
860 window always resides on the selected frame.
861
862 @defun selected-frame
863 This function returns the selected frame.
864 @end defun
865
866 Some window systems and window managers direct keyboard input to the
867 window object that the mouse is in; others require explicit clicks or
868 commands to @dfn{shift the focus} to various window objects. Either
869 way, Emacs automatically keeps track of which frame has the focus.
870
871 Lisp programs can also switch frames ``temporarily'' by calling the
872 function @code{select-frame}. This does not alter the window system's
873 concept of focus; rather, it escapes from the window manager's control
874 until that control is somehow reasserted.
875
876 When using a text-only terminal, only the selected terminal frame is
877 actually displayed on the terminal. @code{switch-frame} is the only way
878 to switch frames, and the change lasts until overridden by a subsequent
879 call to @code{switch-frame}. Each terminal screen except for the
880 initial one has a number, and the number of the selected frame appears
881 in the mode line before the buffer name (@pxref{Mode Line Variables}).
882
883 @c ??? This is not yet implemented properly.
884 @defun select-frame frame
885 This function selects frame @var{frame}, temporarily disregarding the
886 focus of the X server if any. The selection of @var{frame} lasts until
887 the next time the user does something to select a different frame, or
888 until the next time this function is called.
889 @end defun
890
891 Emacs cooperates with the window system by arranging to select frames as
892 the server and window manager request. It does so by generating a
893 special kind of input event, called a @dfn{focus} event, when
894 appropriate. The command loop handles a focus event by calling
895 @code{handle-switch-frame}. @xref{Focus Events}.
896
897 @deffn Command handle-switch-frame frame
898 This function handles a focus event by selecting frame @var{frame}.
899
900 Focus events normally do their job by invoking this command.
901 Don't call it for any other reason.
902 @end deffn
903
904 @defun redirect-frame-focus frame focus-frame
905 This function redirects focus from @var{frame} to @var{focus-frame}.
906 This means that @var{focus-frame} will receive subsequent keystrokes and
907 events intended for @var{frame}. After such an event, the value of
908 @code{last-event-frame} will be @var{focus-frame}. Also, switch-frame
909 events specifying @var{frame} will instead select @var{focus-frame}.
910
911 If @var{focus-frame} is @code{nil}, that cancels any existing
912 redirection for @var{frame}, which therefore once again receives its own
913 events.
914
915 One use of focus redirection is for frames that don't have minibuffers.
916 These frames use minibuffers on other frames. Activating a minibuffer
917 on another frame redirects focus to that frame. This puts the focus on
918 the minibuffer's frame, where it belongs, even though the mouse remains
919 in the frame that activated the minibuffer.
920
921 Selecting a frame can also change focus redirections. Selecting frame
922 @code{bar}, when @code{foo} had been selected, changes any redirections
923 pointing to @code{foo} so that they point to @code{bar} instead. This
924 allows focus redirection to work properly when the user switches from
925 one frame to another using @code{select-window}.
926
927 This means that a frame whose focus is redirected to itself is treated
928 differently from a frame whose focus is not redirected.
929 @code{select-frame} affects the former but not the latter.
930
931 The redirection lasts until @code{redirect-frame-focus} is called to
932 change it.
933 @end defun
934
935 @defopt focus-follows-mouse
936 @tindex focus-follows-mouse
937 This option is how you inform Emacs whether the window manager transfers
938 focus when the user moves the mouse. Non-@code{nil} says that it does.
939 When this is so, the command @code{other-frame} moves the mouse to a
940 position consistent with the new selected frame.
941 @end defopt
942
943 @node Visibility of Frames
944 @section Visibility of Frames
945 @cindex visible frame
946 @cindex invisible frame
947 @cindex iconified frame
948 @cindex frame visibility
949
950 A window frame may be @dfn{visible}, @dfn{invisible}, or
951 @dfn{iconified}. If it is visible, you can see its contents. If it is
952 iconified, the frame's contents do not appear on the screen, but an icon
953 does. If the frame is invisible, it doesn't show on the screen, not
954 even as an icon.
955
956 Visibility is meaningless for terminal frames, since only the selected
957 one is actually displayed in any case.
958
959 @deffn Command make-frame-visible &optional frame
960 This function makes frame @var{frame} visible. If you omit @var{frame},
961 it makes the selected frame visible.
962 @end deffn
963
964 @deffn Command make-frame-invisible &optional frame
965 This function makes frame @var{frame} invisible. If you omit
966 @var{frame}, it makes the selected frame invisible.
967 @end deffn
968
969 @deffn Command iconify-frame &optional frame
970 This function iconifies frame @var{frame}. If you omit @var{frame}, it
971 iconifies the selected frame.
972 @end deffn
973
974 @defun frame-visible-p frame
975 This returns the visibility status of frame @var{frame}. The value is
976 @code{t} if @var{frame} is visible, @code{nil} if it is invisible, and
977 @code{icon} if it is iconified.
978 @end defun
979
980 The visibility status of a frame is also available as a frame
981 parameter. You can read or change it as such. @xref{Window Frame
982 Parameters}.
983
984 The user can iconify and deiconify frames with the window manager.
985 This happens below the level at which Emacs can exert any control, but
986 Emacs does provide events that you can use to keep track of such
987 changes. @xref{Misc Events}.
988
989 @node Raising and Lowering
990 @section Raising and Lowering Frames
991
992 Most window systems use a desktop metaphor. Part of this metaphor is
993 the idea that windows are stacked in a notional third dimension
994 perpendicular to the screen surface, and thus ordered from ``highest''
995 to ``lowest''. Where two windows overlap, the one higher up covers
996 the one underneath. Even a window at the bottom of the stack can be
997 seen if no other window overlaps it.
998
999 @cindex raising a frame
1000 @cindex lowering a frame
1001 A window's place in this ordering is not fixed; in fact, users tend
1002 to change the order frequently. @dfn{Raising} a window means moving
1003 it ``up'', to the top of the stack. @dfn{Lowering} a window means
1004 moving it to the bottom of the stack. This motion is in the notional
1005 third dimension only, and does not change the position of the window
1006 on the screen.
1007
1008 You can raise and lower Emacs frame Windows with these functions:
1009
1010 @deffn Command raise-frame &optional frame
1011 This function raises frame @var{frame} (default, the selected frame).
1012 @end deffn
1013
1014 @deffn Command lower-frame &optional frame
1015 This function lowers frame @var{frame} (default, the selected frame).
1016 @end deffn
1017
1018 @defopt minibuffer-auto-raise
1019 If this is non-@code{nil}, activation of the minibuffer raises the frame
1020 that the minibuffer window is in.
1021 @end defopt
1022
1023 You can also enable auto-raise (raising automatically when a frame is
1024 selected) or auto-lower (lowering automatically when it is deselected)
1025 for any frame using frame parameters. @xref{Window Frame Parameters}.
1026
1027 @node Frame Configurations
1028 @section Frame Configurations
1029 @cindex frame configuration
1030
1031 A @dfn{frame configuration} records the current arrangement of frames,
1032 all their properties, and the window configuration of each one.
1033 (@xref{Window Configurations}.)
1034
1035 @defun current-frame-configuration
1036 This function returns a frame configuration list that describes
1037 the current arrangement of frames and their contents.
1038 @end defun
1039
1040 @defun set-frame-configuration configuration &optional nodelete
1041 This function restores the state of frames described in
1042 @var{configuration}.
1043
1044 Ordinarily, this function deletes all existing frames not listed in
1045 @var{configuration}. But if @var{nodelete} is non-@code{nil}, the
1046 unwanted frames are iconified instead.
1047 @end defun
1048
1049 @node Mouse Tracking
1050 @section Mouse Tracking
1051 @cindex mouse tracking
1052 @cindex tracking the mouse
1053
1054 Sometimes it is useful to @dfn{track} the mouse, which means to display
1055 something to indicate where the mouse is and move the indicator as the
1056 mouse moves. For efficient mouse tracking, you need a way to wait until
1057 the mouse actually moves.
1058
1059 The convenient way to track the mouse is to ask for events to represent
1060 mouse motion. Then you can wait for motion by waiting for an event. In
1061 addition, you can easily handle any other sorts of events that may
1062 occur. That is useful, because normally you don't want to track the
1063 mouse forever---only until some other event, such as the release of a
1064 button.
1065
1066 @defspec track-mouse body@dots{}
1067 This special form executes @var{body}, with generation of mouse motion
1068 events enabled. Typically @var{body} would use @code{read-event} to
1069 read the motion events and modify the display accordingly. @xref{Motion
1070 Events}, for the format of mouse motion events.
1071
1072 The value of @code{track-mouse} is that of the last form in @var{body}.
1073 You should design @var{body} to return when it sees the up-event that
1074 indicates the release of the button, or whatever kind of event means
1075 it is time to stop tracking.
1076 @end defspec
1077
1078 The usual purpose of tracking mouse motion is to indicate on the screen
1079 the consequences of pushing or releasing a button at the current
1080 position.
1081
1082 In many cases, you can avoid the need to track the mouse by using
1083 the @code{mouse-face} text property (@pxref{Special Properties}).
1084 That works at a much lower level and runs more smoothly than
1085 Lisp-level mouse tracking.
1086
1087 @ignore
1088 @c These are not implemented yet.
1089
1090 These functions change the screen appearance instantaneously. The
1091 effect is transient, only until the next ordinary Emacs redisplay. That
1092 is OK for mouse tracking, since it doesn't make sense for mouse tracking
1093 to change the text, and the body of @code{track-mouse} normally reads
1094 the events itself and does not do redisplay.
1095
1096 @defun x-contour-region window beg end
1097 This function draws lines to make a box around the text from @var{beg}
1098 to @var{end}, in window @var{window}.
1099 @end defun
1100
1101 @defun x-uncontour-region window beg end
1102 This function erases the lines that would make a box around the text
1103 from @var{beg} to @var{end}, in window @var{window}. Use it to remove
1104 a contour that you previously made by calling @code{x-contour-region}.
1105 @end defun
1106
1107 @defun x-draw-rectangle frame left top right bottom
1108 This function draws a hollow rectangle on frame @var{frame} with the
1109 specified edge coordinates, all measured in pixels from the inside top
1110 left corner. It uses the cursor color, the one used for indicating the
1111 location of point.
1112 @end defun
1113
1114 @defun x-erase-rectangle frame left top right bottom
1115 This function erases a hollow rectangle on frame @var{frame} with the
1116 specified edge coordinates, all measured in pixels from the inside top
1117 left corner. Erasure means redrawing the text and background that
1118 normally belong in the specified rectangle.
1119 @end defun
1120 @end ignore
1121
1122 @node Mouse Position
1123 @section Mouse Position
1124 @cindex mouse position
1125 @cindex position of mouse
1126
1127 The functions @code{mouse-position} and @code{set-mouse-position}
1128 give access to the current position of the mouse.
1129
1130 @defun mouse-position
1131 This function returns a description of the position of the mouse. The
1132 value looks like @code{(@var{frame} @var{x} . @var{y})}, where @var{x}
1133 and @var{y} are integers giving the position in characters relative to
1134 the top left corner of the inside of @var{frame}.
1135 @end defun
1136
1137 @defun set-mouse-position frame x y
1138 This function @dfn{warps the mouse} to position @var{x}, @var{y} in
1139 frame @var{frame}. The arguments @var{x} and @var{y} are integers,
1140 giving the position in characters relative to the top left corner of the
1141 inside of @var{frame}. If @var{frame} is not visible, this function
1142 does nothing. The return value is not significant.
1143 @end defun
1144
1145 @defun mouse-pixel-position
1146 This function is like @code{mouse-position} except that it returns
1147 coordinates in units of pixels rather than units of characters.
1148 @end defun
1149
1150 @defun set-mouse-pixel-position frame x y
1151 This function warps the mouse like @code{set-mouse-position} except that
1152 @var{x} and @var{y} are in units of pixels rather than units of
1153 characters. These coordinates are not required to be within the frame.
1154
1155 If @var{frame} is not visible, this function does nothing. The return
1156 value is not significant.
1157 @end defun
1158
1159 @need 3000
1160
1161 @node Pop-Up Menus
1162 @section Pop-Up Menus
1163
1164 When using a window system, a Lisp program can pop up a menu so that
1165 the user can choose an alternative with the mouse.
1166
1167 @defun x-popup-menu position menu
1168 This function displays a pop-up menu and returns an indication of
1169 what selection the user makes.
1170
1171 The argument @var{position} specifies where on the screen to put the
1172 menu. It can be either a mouse button event (which says to put the menu
1173 where the user actuated the button) or a list of this form:
1174
1175 @example
1176 ((@var{xoffset} @var{yoffset}) @var{window})
1177 @end example
1178
1179 @noindent
1180 where @var{xoffset} and @var{yoffset} are coordinates, measured in
1181 pixels, counting from the top left corner of @var{window}'s frame.
1182
1183 If @var{position} is @code{t}, it means to use the current mouse
1184 position. If @var{position} is @code{nil}, it means to precompute the
1185 key binding equivalents for the keymaps specified in @var{menu},
1186 without actually displaying or popping up the menu.
1187
1188 The argument @var{menu} says what to display in the menu. It can be a
1189 keymap or a list of keymaps (@pxref{Menu Keymaps}). Alternatively, it
1190 can have the following form:
1191
1192 @example
1193 (@var{title} @var{pane1} @var{pane2}...)
1194 @end example
1195
1196 @noindent
1197 where each pane is a list of form
1198
1199 @example
1200 (@var{title} (@var{line} . @var{item})...)
1201 @end example
1202
1203 Each @var{line} should be a string, and each @var{item} should be the
1204 value to return if that @var{line} is chosen.
1205 @end defun
1206
1207 @strong{Usage note:} Don't use @code{x-popup-menu} to display a menu
1208 if you could do the job with a prefix key defined with a menu keymap.
1209 If you use a menu keymap to implement a menu, @kbd{C-h c} and @kbd{C-h
1210 a} can see the individual items in that menu and provide help for them.
1211 If instead you implement the menu by defining a command that calls
1212 @code{x-popup-menu}, the help facilities cannot know what happens inside
1213 that command, so they cannot give any help for the menu's items.
1214
1215 The menu bar mechanism, which lets you switch between submenus by
1216 moving the mouse, cannot look within the definition of a command to see
1217 that it calls @code{x-popup-menu}. Therefore, if you try to implement a
1218 submenu using @code{x-popup-menu}, it cannot work with the menu bar in
1219 an integrated fashion. This is why all menu bar submenus are
1220 implemented with menu keymaps within the parent menu, and never with
1221 @code{x-popup-menu}. @xref{Menu Bar},
1222
1223 If you want a menu bar submenu to have contents that vary, you should
1224 still use a menu keymap to implement it. To make the contents vary, add
1225 a hook function to @code{menu-bar-update-hook} to update the contents of
1226 the menu keymap as necessary.
1227
1228 @node Dialog Boxes
1229 @section Dialog Boxes
1230 @cindex dialog boxes
1231
1232 A dialog box is a variant of a pop-up menu---it looks a little
1233 different, it always appears in the center of a frame, and it has just
1234 one level and one pane. The main use of dialog boxes is for asking
1235 questions that the user can answer with ``yes'', ``no'', and a few other
1236 alternatives. The functions @code{y-or-n-p} and @code{yes-or-no-p} use
1237 dialog boxes instead of the keyboard, when called from commands invoked
1238 by mouse clicks.
1239
1240 @defun x-popup-dialog position contents
1241 This function displays a pop-up dialog box and returns an indication of
1242 what selection the user makes. The argument @var{contents} specifies
1243 the alternatives to offer; it has this format:
1244
1245 @example
1246 (@var{title} (@var{string} . @var{value})@dots{})
1247 @end example
1248
1249 @noindent
1250 which looks like the list that specifies a single pane for
1251 @code{x-popup-menu}.
1252
1253 The return value is @var{value} from the chosen alternative.
1254
1255 An element of the list may be just a string instead of a cons cell
1256 @code{(@var{string} . @var{value})}. That makes a box that cannot
1257 be selected.
1258
1259 If @code{nil} appears in the list, it separates the left-hand items from
1260 the right-hand items; items that precede the @code{nil} appear on the
1261 left, and items that follow the @code{nil} appear on the right. If you
1262 don't include a @code{nil} in the list, then approximately half the
1263 items appear on each side.
1264
1265 Dialog boxes always appear in the center of a frame; the argument
1266 @var{position} specifies which frame. The possible values are as in
1267 @code{x-popup-menu}, but the precise coordinates don't matter; only the
1268 frame matters.
1269
1270 In some configurations, Emacs cannot display a real dialog box; so
1271 instead it displays the same items in a pop-up menu in the center of the
1272 frame.
1273 @end defun
1274
1275 @node Pointer Shapes
1276 @section Pointer Shapes
1277 @cindex pointer shape
1278 @cindex mouse pointer shape
1279
1280 These variables specify which shape to use for the mouse pointer in
1281 various situations, when using the X Window System:
1282
1283 @table @code
1284 @item x-pointer-shape
1285 @vindex x-pointer-shape
1286 This variable specifies the pointer shape to use ordinarily in the Emacs
1287 frame.
1288
1289 @item x-sensitive-text-pointer-shape
1290 @vindex x-sensitive-text-pointer-shape
1291 This variable specifies the pointer shape to use when the mouse
1292 is over mouse-sensitive text.
1293 @end table
1294
1295 These variables affect newly created frames. They do not normally
1296 affect existing frames; however, if you set the mouse color of a frame,
1297 that also updates its pointer shapes based on the current values of
1298 these variables. @xref{Window Frame Parameters}.
1299
1300 The values you can use, to specify either of these pointer shapes, are
1301 defined in the file @file{lisp/term/x-win.el}. Use @kbd{M-x apropos
1302 @key{RET} x-pointer @key{RET}} to see a list of them.
1303
1304 @node Window System Selections
1305 @section Window System Selections
1306 @cindex selection (for X windows)
1307
1308 The X server records a set of @dfn{selections} which permit transfer of
1309 data between application programs. The various selections are
1310 distinguished by @dfn{selection types}, represented in Emacs by
1311 symbols. X clients including Emacs can read or set the selection for
1312 any given type.
1313
1314 @defun x-set-selection type data
1315 This function sets a ``selection'' in the X server. It takes two
1316 arguments: a selection type @var{type}, and the value to assign to it,
1317 @var{data}. If @var{data} is @code{nil}, it means to clear out the
1318 selection. Otherwise, @var{data} may be a string, a symbol, an integer
1319 (or a cons of two integers or list of two integers), an overlay, or a
1320 cons of two markers pointing to the same buffer. An overlay or a pair
1321 of markers stands for text in the overlay or between the markers.
1322
1323 The argument @var{data} may also be a vector of valid non-vector
1324 selection values.
1325
1326 Each possible @var{type} has its own selection value, which changes
1327 independently. The usual values of @var{type} are @code{PRIMARY} and
1328 @code{SECONDARY}; these are symbols with upper-case names, in accord
1329 with X Window System conventions. The default is @code{PRIMARY}.
1330 @end defun
1331
1332 @defun x-get-selection &optional type data-type
1333 This function accesses selections set up by Emacs or by other X
1334 clients. It takes two optional arguments, @var{type} and
1335 @var{data-type}. The default for @var{type}, the selection type, is
1336 @code{PRIMARY}.
1337
1338 The @var{data-type} argument specifies the form of data conversion to
1339 use, to convert the raw data obtained from another X client into Lisp
1340 data. Meaningful values include @code{TEXT}, @code{STRING},
1341 @code{TARGETS}, @code{LENGTH}, @code{DELETE}, @code{FILE_NAME},
1342 @code{CHARACTER_POSITION}, @code{LINE_NUMBER}, @code{COLUMN_NUMBER},
1343 @code{OWNER_OS}, @code{HOST_NAME}, @code{USER}, @code{CLASS},
1344 @code{NAME}, @code{ATOM}, and @code{INTEGER}. (These are symbols with
1345 upper-case names in accord with X conventions.) The default for
1346 @var{data-type} is @code{STRING}.
1347 @end defun
1348
1349 @cindex cut buffer
1350 The X server also has a set of numbered @dfn{cut buffers} which can
1351 store text or other data being moved between applications. Cut buffers
1352 are considered obsolete, but Emacs supports them for the sake of X
1353 clients that still use them.
1354
1355 @defun x-get-cut-buffer n
1356 This function returns the contents of cut buffer number @var{n}.
1357 @end defun
1358
1359 @defun x-set-cut-buffer string &optional push
1360 This function stores @var{string} into the first cut buffer (cut buffer
1361 0). If @var{push} is @code{nil}, only the first cut buffer is changed.
1362 If @var{push} is non-@code{nil}, that says to move the values down
1363 through the series of cut buffers, much like the way successive kills in
1364 Emacs move down the kill ring. In other words, the previous value of
1365 the first cut buffer moves into the second cut buffer, and the second to
1366 the third, and so on through all eight cut buffers.
1367 @end defun
1368
1369 @defvar selection-coding-system
1370 @tindex selection-coding-system
1371 This variable specifies the coding system to use when reading and
1372 writing selections, the clipboard, or a cut buffer. @xref{Coding
1373 Systems}. The default is @code{compound-text}, which converts to
1374 the text representation that X11 normally uses.
1375 @end defvar
1376
1377 @cindex clipboard support (for MS-Windows)
1378 When Emacs runs on MS-Windows, it does not implement X selections in
1379 general, but it it does support the clipboard. @code{x-get-selection}
1380 and @code{x-set-selection} on MS-Windows support the text data type
1381 only; if the clipboard holds other types of data, Emacs treats the
1382 clipboard as empty.
1383
1384 @defopt x-select-enable-clipboard
1385 If this is non-@code{nil}, the Emacs yank functions consult the
1386 clipboard before the primary selection, and the kill functions store in
1387 the clipboard as well as the primary selection. Otherwise they do not
1388 access the clipboard at all. The default is @code{nil} on most systems,
1389 but @code{t} on MS-Windows.
1390 @end defopt
1391
1392 @node Color Names
1393 @section Color Names
1394
1395 These functions provide a way to determine which color names are
1396 valid, and what they look like.
1397
1398 @defun color-defined-p color &optional frame
1399 @tindex color-defined-p
1400 This function reports whether a color name is meaningful. It returns
1401 @code{t} if so; otherwise, @code{nil}. The argument @var{frame} says
1402 which frame's display to ask about; if @var{frame} is omitted or
1403 @code{nil}, the selected frame is used.
1404
1405 Note that this does not tell you whether the display you are using
1406 really supports that color. When using X, you can ask for any defined
1407 color on any kind of display, and you will get some result---typically,
1408 the best it knows how to do. Here's an approximate way to test whether
1409 your display supports the color @var{color}:
1410
1411 @example
1412 (defun x-color-supported-p (color &optional frame)
1413 (and (color-defined-p color frame)
1414 (or (x-display-color-p frame)
1415 (member color '("black" "white"))
1416 (and (> (x-display-planes frame) 1)
1417 (equal color "gray")))))
1418 @end example
1419
1420 This function used to be called @code{x-color-defined-p},
1421 and that name is still supported as an alias.
1422 @end defun
1423
1424 @defun defined-colors &optional frame
1425 @tindex defined-colors
1426 This function returns a list of the color names that are defined
1427 and supported on frame @var{frame} (default, the selected frame).
1428
1429 This function used to be called @code{x-defined-colors},
1430 and that name is still supported as an alias.
1431 @end defun
1432
1433 @defun color-values color &optional frame
1434 @tindex color-values
1435 This function returns a value that describes what @var{color} should
1436 ideally look like. If @var{color} is defined, the value is a list of
1437 three integers, which give the amount of red, the amount of green, and
1438 the amount of blue. Each integer ranges in principle from 0 to 65535,
1439 but in practice no value seems to be above 65280. This kind
1440 of three-element list is called an @dfn{rgb value}.
1441
1442 If @var{color} is not defined, the value is @code{nil}.
1443
1444 @example
1445 (color-values "black")
1446 @result{} (0 0 0)
1447 (color-values "white")
1448 @result{} (65280 65280 65280)
1449 (color-values "red")
1450 @result{} (65280 0 0)
1451 (color-values "pink")
1452 @result{} (65280 49152 51968)
1453 (color-values "hungry")
1454 @result{} nil
1455 @end example
1456
1457 The color values are returned for @var{frame}'s display. If @var{frame}
1458 is omitted or @code{nil}, the information is returned for the selected
1459 frame's display.
1460
1461 This function used to be called @code{x-color-values},
1462 and that name is still supported as an alias.
1463 @end defun
1464
1465 @node Text Terminal Colors
1466 @section Text Terminal Colors
1467 @cindex colors on text-only terminals
1468
1469 Emacs can display color on text-only terminals, starting with version
1470 21. These terminals support only a small number of colors, and the
1471 computer uses small integers to select colors on the terminal. This
1472 means that the computer cannot reliably tell what the selected color
1473 looks like; instead, you have to inform your application which small
1474 integers correspond to which colors. However, Emacs does know the
1475 standard set of colors and will try to use them automatically.
1476
1477 @cindex rgb value
1478 Several of these functions use or return @dfn{rgb values}. An rgb
1479 value is a list of three integers, which give the amount of red, the
1480 amount of green, and the amount of blue. Each integer ranges in
1481 principle from 0 to 65535, but in practice the largest value used is
1482 65280.
1483
1484 @defun tty-define-color name number &optional rgb
1485 @tindex tty-define-color
1486 This function associates the color name @var{name} with
1487 color number @var{number} on the terminal.
1488
1489 The optional argument @var{rgb}, if specified, is an rgb value; it says
1490 what the color actually looks like. If you do not specify @var{rgb},
1491 then this color cannot be used by @code{tty-color-approximate} to
1492 approximate other colors, because Emacs does not know what it looks
1493 like.
1494 @end defun
1495
1496 @defun tty-clear-colors
1497 @tindex tty-clear-colors
1498 This function clears the table of defined colors for a text-only terminal.
1499 @end defun
1500
1501 @defvar tty-color-alist
1502 @tindex tty-color-alist
1503 This variable holds an alist recording the colors supported by the
1504 terminal.
1505
1506 Each element has the form @code{(@var{name} @var{number} . @var{rgb})}
1507 or @code{(@var{name} @var{number})}. Here, @var{name} is the color
1508 name, @var{number} is the number used to specify it to the terminal.
1509 If present, @var{rgb} is an rgb value that says what the color
1510 actually looks like.
1511 @end defvar
1512
1513 @defun tty-color-approximate rgb
1514 @tindex tty-color-approximate
1515 This function finds the closest available color, among those in
1516 @code{tty-color-alist}, to that described by the rgb value @var{rgb}.
1517 @end defun
1518
1519 @defun tty-color-translate color
1520 @tindex tty-color-translate
1521 This function finds the closest available color, among those in
1522 @code{tty-color-alist}, to the name @var{color}. If that name
1523 is not defined, the value is @code{nil}.
1524
1525 @var{color} can be an X-style @code{#@var{xxxyyyzzz}} specification
1526 instead of an actual name.
1527 @end defun
1528
1529 @node Resources
1530 @section X Resources
1531
1532 @defun x-get-resource attribute class &optional component subclass
1533 The function @code{x-get-resource} retrieves a resource value from the X
1534 Windows defaults database.
1535
1536 Resources are indexed by a combination of a @dfn{key} and a @dfn{class}.
1537 This function searches using a key of the form
1538 @samp{@var{instance}.@var{attribute}} (where @var{instance} is the name
1539 under which Emacs was invoked), and using @samp{Emacs.@var{class}} as
1540 the class.
1541
1542 The optional arguments @var{component} and @var{subclass} add to the key
1543 and the class, respectively. You must specify both of them or neither.
1544 If you specify them, the key is
1545 @samp{@var{instance}.@var{component}.@var{attribute}}, and the class is
1546 @samp{Emacs.@var{class}.@var{subclass}}.
1547 @end defun
1548
1549 @defvar x-resource-class
1550 This variable specifies the application name that @code{x-get-resource}
1551 should look up. The default value is @code{"Emacs"}. You can examine X
1552 resources for application names other than ``Emacs'' by binding this
1553 variable to some other string, around a call to @code{x-get-resource}.
1554 @end defvar
1555
1556 @xref{Resources X,, X Resources, emacs, The GNU Emacs Manual}.
1557
1558 @node Server Data
1559 @section Data about the X Server
1560
1561 This section describes functions you can use to get information about
1562 the capabilities and origin of an X display that Emacs is using. Each
1563 of these functions lets you specify the display you are interested in:
1564 the @var{display} argument can be either a display name, or a frame
1565 (meaning use the display that frame is on). If you omit the
1566 @var{display} argument, or specify @code{nil}, that means to use the
1567 selected frame's display.
1568
1569 @defun x-display-screens &optional display
1570 This function returns the number of screens associated with the display.
1571 @end defun
1572
1573 @defun x-server-version &optional display
1574 This function returns the list of version numbers of the X server
1575 running the display.
1576 @end defun
1577
1578 @defun x-server-vendor &optional display
1579 This function returns the vendor that provided the X server software.
1580 @end defun
1581
1582 @defun x-display-pixel-height &optional display
1583 This function returns the height of the screen in pixels.
1584 @end defun
1585
1586 @defun x-display-mm-height &optional display
1587 This function returns the height of the screen in millimeters.
1588 @end defun
1589
1590 @defun x-display-pixel-width &optional display
1591 This function returns the width of the screen in pixels.
1592 @end defun
1593
1594 @defun x-display-mm-width &optional display
1595 This function returns the width of the screen in millimeters.
1596 @end defun
1597
1598 @defun x-display-backing-store &optional display
1599 This function returns the backing store capability of the screen.
1600 Values can be the symbols @code{always}, @code{when-mapped}, or
1601 @code{not-useful}.
1602 @end defun
1603
1604 @defun x-display-save-under &optional display
1605 This function returns non-@code{nil} if the display supports the
1606 SaveUnder feature.
1607 @end defun
1608
1609 @defun x-display-planes &optional display
1610 This function returns the number of planes the display supports.
1611 @end defun
1612
1613 @defun x-display-visual-class &optional display
1614 This function returns the visual class for the screen. The value is one
1615 of the symbols @code{static-gray}, @code{gray-scale},
1616 @code{static-color}, @code{pseudo-color}, @code{true-color}, and
1617 @code{direct-color}.
1618 @end defun
1619
1620 @defun x-display-grayscale-p &optional display
1621 This function returns @code{t} if the screen can display shades of gray.
1622 @end defun
1623
1624 @defun x-display-color-p &optional display
1625 This function returns @code{t} if the screen is a color screen.
1626 @end defun
1627
1628 @defun x-display-color-cells &optional display
1629 This function returns the number of color cells the screen supports.
1630 @end defun
1631
1632 @ignore
1633 @defvar x-no-window-manager
1634 This variable's value is @code{t} if no X window manager is in use.
1635 @end defvar
1636 @end ignore
1637
1638 @ignore
1639 @item
1640 The functions @code{x-pixel-width} and @code{x-pixel-height} return the
1641 width and height of an X Window frame, measured in pixels.
1642 @end ignore