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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, 2001,
4 @c 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 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}, except that the
903 @samp{%c} and @samp{%l} constructs are ignored. @xref{Mode Line
904 Data}.
905 @end defvar
906
907 @defvar icon-title-format
908 This variable specifies how to compute the name for an iconified frame,
909 when you have not explicitly specified the frame title. This title
910 appears in the icon itself.
911 @end defvar
912
913 @defvar multiple-frames
914 This variable is set automatically by Emacs. Its value is @code{t} when
915 there are two or more frames (not counting minibuffer-only frames or
916 invisible frames). The default value of @code{frame-title-format} uses
917 @code{multiple-frames} so as to put the buffer name in the frame title
918 only when there is more than one frame.
919
920 The value of this variable is not guaranteed to be accurate except
921 while processing @code{frame-title-format} or
922 @code{icon-title-format}.
923 @end defvar
924
925 @node Deleting Frames
926 @section Deleting Frames
927 @cindex deletion of frames
928
929 Frames remain potentially visible until you explicitly @dfn{delete}
930 them. A deleted frame cannot appear on the screen, but continues to
931 exist as a Lisp object until there are no references to it.
932
933 @deffn Command delete-frame &optional frame force
934 @vindex delete-frame-functions
935 This function deletes the frame @var{frame}. Unless @var{frame} is a
936 tooltip, it first runs the hook @code{delete-frame-functions} (each
937 function gets one argument, @var{frame}). By default, @var{frame} is
938 the selected frame.
939
940 A frame cannot be deleted if its minibuffer is used by other frames.
941 Normally, you cannot delete a frame if all other frames are invisible,
942 but if the @var{force} is non-@code{nil}, then you are allowed to do so.
943 @end deffn
944
945 @defun frame-live-p frame
946 The function @code{frame-live-p} returns non-@code{nil} if the frame
947 @var{frame} has not been deleted. The possible non-@code{nil} return
948 values are like those of @code{framep}. @xref{Frames}.
949 @end defun
950
951 Some window managers provide a command to delete a window. These work
952 by sending a special message to the program that operates the window.
953 When Emacs gets one of these commands, it generates a
954 @code{delete-frame} event, whose normal definition is a command that
955 calls the function @code{delete-frame}. @xref{Misc Events}.
956
957 @node Finding All Frames
958 @section Finding All Frames
959
960 @defun frame-list
961 The function @code{frame-list} returns a list of all the frames that
962 have not been deleted. It is analogous to @code{buffer-list} for
963 buffers, and includes frames on all terminals. The list that you get is
964 newly created, so modifying the list doesn't have any effect on the
965 internals of Emacs.
966 @end defun
967
968 @defun visible-frame-list
969 This function returns a list of just the currently visible frames.
970 @xref{Visibility of Frames}. (Terminal frames always count as
971 ``visible,'' even though only the selected one is actually displayed.)
972 @end defun
973
974 @defun next-frame &optional frame minibuf
975 The function @code{next-frame} lets you cycle conveniently through all
976 the frames on the current display from an arbitrary starting point. It
977 returns the ``next'' frame after @var{frame} in the cycle. If
978 @var{frame} is omitted or @code{nil}, it defaults to the selected frame
979 (@pxref{Input Focus}).
980
981 The second argument, @var{minibuf}, says which frames to consider:
982
983 @table @asis
984 @item @code{nil}
985 Exclude minibuffer-only frames.
986 @item @code{visible}
987 Consider all visible frames.
988 @item 0
989 Consider all visible or iconified frames.
990 @item a window
991 Consider only the frames using that particular window as their
992 minibuffer.
993 @item anything else
994 Consider all frames.
995 @end table
996 @end defun
997
998 @defun previous-frame &optional frame minibuf
999 Like @code{next-frame}, but cycles through all frames in the opposite
1000 direction.
1001 @end defun
1002
1003 See also @code{next-window} and @code{previous-window}, in @ref{Cyclic
1004 Window Ordering}.
1005
1006 @node Frames and Windows
1007 @section Frames and Windows
1008
1009 Each window is part of one and only one frame; you can get the frame
1010 with @code{window-frame}.
1011
1012 @defun window-frame window
1013 This function returns the frame that @var{window} is on.
1014 @end defun
1015
1016 All the non-minibuffer windows in a frame are arranged in a cyclic
1017 order. The order runs from the frame's top window, which is at the
1018 upper left corner, down and to the right, until it reaches the window at
1019 the lower right corner (always the minibuffer window, if the frame has
1020 one), and then it moves back to the top. @xref{Cyclic Window Ordering}.
1021
1022 @defun frame-first-window &optional frame
1023 This returns the topmost, leftmost window of frame @var{frame}.
1024 If omitted or @code{nil}, @var{frame} defaults to the selected frame.
1025 @end defun
1026
1027 At any time, exactly one window on any frame is @dfn{selected within the
1028 frame}. The significance of this designation is that selecting the
1029 frame also selects this window. You can get the frame's current
1030 selected window with @code{frame-selected-window}.
1031
1032 @defun frame-selected-window &optional frame
1033 This function returns the window on @var{frame} that is selected
1034 within @var{frame}. If omitted or @code{nil}, @var{frame} defaults to
1035 the selected frame.
1036 @end defun
1037
1038 @defun set-frame-selected-window frame window
1039 This sets the selected window of frame @var{frame} to @var{window}.
1040 If @var{frame} is @code{nil}, it operates on the selected frame. If
1041 @var{frame} is the selected frame, this makes @var{window} the
1042 selected window. This function returns @var{window}.
1043 @end defun
1044
1045 Conversely, selecting a window for Emacs with @code{select-window} also
1046 makes that window selected within its frame. @xref{Selecting Windows}.
1047
1048 Another function that (usually) returns one of the windows in a given
1049 frame is @code{minibuffer-window}. @xref{Definition of minibuffer-window}.
1050
1051 @node Minibuffers and Frames
1052 @section Minibuffers and Frames
1053
1054 Normally, each frame has its own minibuffer window at the bottom, which
1055 is used whenever that frame is selected. If the frame has a minibuffer,
1056 you can get it with @code{minibuffer-window} (@pxref{Definition of
1057 minibuffer-window}).
1058
1059 However, you can also create a frame with no minibuffer. Such a frame
1060 must use the minibuffer window of some other frame. When you create the
1061 frame, you can specify explicitly the minibuffer window to use (in some
1062 other frame). If you don't, then the minibuffer is found in the frame
1063 which is the value of the variable @code{default-minibuffer-frame}. Its
1064 value should be a frame that does have a minibuffer.
1065
1066 If you use a minibuffer-only frame, you might want that frame to raise
1067 when you enter the minibuffer. If so, set the variable
1068 @code{minibuffer-auto-raise} to @code{t}. @xref{Raising and Lowering}.
1069
1070 @defvar default-minibuffer-frame
1071 This variable specifies the frame to use for the minibuffer window, by
1072 default. It does not affect existing frames. It is always local to
1073 the current terminal and cannot be buffer-local. @xref{Multiple
1074 Displays}.
1075 @end defvar
1076
1077 @node Input Focus
1078 @section Input Focus
1079 @cindex input focus
1080 @cindex selected frame
1081
1082 At any time, one frame in Emacs is the @dfn{selected frame}. The selected
1083 window always resides on the selected frame.
1084
1085 When Emacs displays its frames on several terminals (@pxref{Multiple
1086 Displays}), each terminal has its own selected frame. But only one of
1087 these is ``@emph{the} selected frame'': it's the frame that belongs to
1088 the terminal from which the most recent input came. That is, when Emacs
1089 runs a command that came from a certain terminal, the selected frame is
1090 the one of that terminal. Since Emacs runs only a single command at any
1091 given time, it needs to consider only one selected frame at a time; this
1092 frame is what we call @dfn{the selected frame} in this manual. The
1093 display on which the selected frame is displayed is the @dfn{selected
1094 frame's display}.
1095
1096 @defun selected-frame
1097 This function returns the selected frame.
1098 @end defun
1099
1100 Some window systems and window managers direct keyboard input to the
1101 window object that the mouse is in; others require explicit clicks or
1102 commands to @dfn{shift the focus} to various window objects. Either
1103 way, Emacs automatically keeps track of which frame has the focus. To
1104 switch to a different frame from a Lisp function, call
1105 @code{select-frame-set-input-focus}.
1106
1107 Lisp programs can also switch frames ``temporarily'' by calling the
1108 function @code{select-frame}. This does not alter the window system's
1109 concept of focus; rather, it escapes from the window manager's control
1110 until that control is somehow reasserted.
1111
1112 When using a text-only terminal, only one frame can be displayed at a
1113 time on the terminal, so after a call to @code{select-frame}, the next
1114 redisplay actually displays the newly selected frame. This frame
1115 remains selected until a subsequent call to @code{select-frame} or
1116 @code{select-frame-set-input-focus}. Each terminal frame has a number
1117 which appears in the mode line before the buffer name (@pxref{Mode
1118 Line Variables}).
1119
1120 @defun select-frame-set-input-focus frame
1121 This function makes @var{frame} the selected frame, raises it (should
1122 it happen to be obscured by other frames) and tries to give it the X
1123 server's focus. On a text-only terminal, the next redisplay displays
1124 the new frame on the entire terminal screen. The return value of this
1125 function is not significant.
1126 @end defun
1127
1128 @c ??? This is not yet implemented properly.
1129 @defun select-frame frame
1130 This function selects frame @var{frame}, temporarily disregarding the
1131 focus of the X server if any. The selection of @var{frame} lasts until
1132 the next time the user does something to select a different frame, or
1133 until the next time this function is called. (If you are using a
1134 window system, the previously selected frame may be restored as the
1135 selected frame after return to the command loop, because it still may
1136 have the window system's input focus.) The specified @var{frame}
1137 becomes the selected frame, as explained above, and the terminal that
1138 @var{frame} is on becomes the selected terminal. This function
1139 returns @var{frame}, or @code{nil} if @var{frame} has been deleted.
1140
1141 In general, you should never use @code{select-frame} in a way that could
1142 switch to a different terminal without switching back when you're done.
1143 @end defun
1144
1145 Emacs cooperates with the window system by arranging to select frames as
1146 the server and window manager request. It does so by generating a
1147 special kind of input event, called a @dfn{focus} event, when
1148 appropriate. The command loop handles a focus event by calling
1149 @code{handle-switch-frame}. @xref{Focus Events}.
1150
1151 @deffn Command handle-switch-frame frame
1152 This function handles a focus event by selecting frame @var{frame}.
1153
1154 Focus events normally do their job by invoking this command.
1155 Don't call it for any other reason.
1156 @end deffn
1157
1158 @defun redirect-frame-focus frame &optional focus-frame
1159 This function redirects focus from @var{frame} to @var{focus-frame}.
1160 This means that @var{focus-frame} will receive subsequent keystrokes and
1161 events intended for @var{frame}. After such an event, the value of
1162 @code{last-event-frame} will be @var{focus-frame}. Also, switch-frame
1163 events specifying @var{frame} will instead select @var{focus-frame}.
1164
1165 If @var{focus-frame} is omitted or @code{nil}, that cancels any existing
1166 redirection for @var{frame}, which therefore once again receives its own
1167 events.
1168
1169 One use of focus redirection is for frames that don't have minibuffers.
1170 These frames use minibuffers on other frames. Activating a minibuffer
1171 on another frame redirects focus to that frame. This puts the focus on
1172 the minibuffer's frame, where it belongs, even though the mouse remains
1173 in the frame that activated the minibuffer.
1174
1175 Selecting a frame can also change focus redirections. Selecting frame
1176 @code{bar}, when @code{foo} had been selected, changes any redirections
1177 pointing to @code{foo} so that they point to @code{bar} instead. This
1178 allows focus redirection to work properly when the user switches from
1179 one frame to another using @code{select-window}.
1180
1181 This means that a frame whose focus is redirected to itself is treated
1182 differently from a frame whose focus is not redirected.
1183 @code{select-frame} affects the former but not the latter.
1184
1185 The redirection lasts until @code{redirect-frame-focus} is called to
1186 change it.
1187 @end defun
1188
1189 @defopt focus-follows-mouse
1190 This option is how you inform Emacs whether the window manager transfers
1191 focus when the user moves the mouse. Non-@code{nil} says that it does.
1192 When this is so, the command @code{other-frame} moves the mouse to a
1193 position consistent with the new selected frame. (This option has no
1194 effect on MS-Windows, where the mouse pointer is always automatically
1195 moved by the OS to the selected frame.)
1196 @end defopt
1197
1198 @node Visibility of Frames
1199 @section Visibility of Frames
1200 @cindex visible frame
1201 @cindex invisible frame
1202 @cindex iconified frame
1203 @cindex frame visibility
1204
1205 A window frame may be @dfn{visible}, @dfn{invisible}, or
1206 @dfn{iconified}. If it is visible, you can see its contents, unless
1207 other windows cover it. If it is iconified, the frame's contents do
1208 not appear on the screen, but an icon does. If the frame is
1209 invisible, it doesn't show on the screen, not even as an icon.
1210
1211 Visibility is meaningless for terminal frames, since only the selected
1212 one is actually displayed in any case.
1213
1214 @deffn Command make-frame-visible &optional frame
1215 This function makes frame @var{frame} visible. If you omit
1216 @var{frame}, it makes the selected frame visible. This does not raise
1217 the frame, but you can do that with @code{raise-frame} if you wish
1218 (@pxref{Raising and Lowering}).
1219 @end deffn
1220
1221 @deffn Command make-frame-invisible &optional frame force
1222 This function makes frame @var{frame} invisible. If you omit
1223 @var{frame}, it makes the selected frame invisible.
1224
1225 Unless @var{force} is non-@code{nil}, this function refuses to make
1226 @var{frame} invisible if all other frames are invisible..
1227 @end deffn
1228
1229 @deffn Command iconify-frame &optional frame
1230 This function iconifies frame @var{frame}. If you omit @var{frame}, it
1231 iconifies the selected frame.
1232 @end deffn
1233
1234 @defun frame-visible-p frame
1235 This returns the visibility status of frame @var{frame}. The value is
1236 @code{t} if @var{frame} is visible, @code{nil} if it is invisible, and
1237 @code{icon} if it is iconified.
1238
1239 On a text-only terminal, all frames are considered visible, whether
1240 they are currently being displayed or not, and this function returns
1241 @code{t} for all frames.
1242 @end defun
1243
1244 The visibility status of a frame is also available as a frame
1245 parameter. You can read or change it as such. @xref{Management
1246 Parameters}.
1247
1248 The user can iconify and deiconify frames with the window manager.
1249 This happens below the level at which Emacs can exert any control, but
1250 Emacs does provide events that you can use to keep track of such
1251 changes. @xref{Misc Events}.
1252
1253 @node Raising and Lowering
1254 @section Raising and Lowering Frames
1255
1256 Most window systems use a desktop metaphor. Part of this metaphor is
1257 the idea that windows are stacked in a notional third dimension
1258 perpendicular to the screen surface, and thus ordered from ``highest''
1259 to ``lowest.'' Where two windows overlap, the one higher up covers
1260 the one underneath. Even a window at the bottom of the stack can be
1261 seen if no other window overlaps it.
1262
1263 @cindex raising a frame
1264 @cindex lowering a frame
1265 A window's place in this ordering is not fixed; in fact, users tend
1266 to change the order frequently. @dfn{Raising} a window means moving
1267 it ``up,'' to the top of the stack. @dfn{Lowering} a window means
1268 moving it to the bottom of the stack. This motion is in the notional
1269 third dimension only, and does not change the position of the window
1270 on the screen.
1271
1272 You can raise and lower Emacs frame Windows with these functions:
1273
1274 @deffn Command raise-frame &optional frame
1275 This function raises frame @var{frame} (default, the selected frame).
1276 If @var{frame} is invisible or iconified, this makes it visible.
1277 @end deffn
1278
1279 @deffn Command lower-frame &optional frame
1280 This function lowers frame @var{frame} (default, the selected frame).
1281 @end deffn
1282
1283 @defopt minibuffer-auto-raise
1284 If this is non-@code{nil}, activation of the minibuffer raises the frame
1285 that the minibuffer window is in.
1286 @end defopt
1287
1288 You can also enable auto-raise (raising automatically when a frame is
1289 selected) or auto-lower (lowering automatically when it is deselected)
1290 for any frame using frame parameters. @xref{Management Parameters}.
1291
1292 @node Frame Configurations
1293 @section Frame Configurations
1294 @cindex frame configuration
1295
1296 A @dfn{frame configuration} records the current arrangement of frames,
1297 all their properties, and the window configuration of each one.
1298 (@xref{Window Configurations}.)
1299
1300 @defun current-frame-configuration
1301 This function returns a frame configuration list that describes
1302 the current arrangement of frames and their contents.
1303 @end defun
1304
1305 @defun set-frame-configuration configuration &optional nodelete
1306 This function restores the state of frames described in
1307 @var{configuration}. However, this function does not restore deleted
1308 frames.
1309
1310 Ordinarily, this function deletes all existing frames not listed in
1311 @var{configuration}. But if @var{nodelete} is non-@code{nil}, the
1312 unwanted frames are iconified instead.
1313 @end defun
1314
1315 @node Mouse Tracking
1316 @section Mouse Tracking
1317 @cindex mouse tracking
1318 @cindex tracking the mouse
1319
1320 Sometimes it is useful to @dfn{track} the mouse, which means to display
1321 something to indicate where the mouse is and move the indicator as the
1322 mouse moves. For efficient mouse tracking, you need a way to wait until
1323 the mouse actually moves.
1324
1325 The convenient way to track the mouse is to ask for events to represent
1326 mouse motion. Then you can wait for motion by waiting for an event. In
1327 addition, you can easily handle any other sorts of events that may
1328 occur. That is useful, because normally you don't want to track the
1329 mouse forever---only until some other event, such as the release of a
1330 button.
1331
1332 @defspec track-mouse body@dots{}
1333 This special form executes @var{body}, with generation of mouse motion
1334 events enabled. Typically @var{body} would use @code{read-event} to
1335 read the motion events and modify the display accordingly. @xref{Motion
1336 Events}, for the format of mouse motion events.
1337
1338 The value of @code{track-mouse} is that of the last form in @var{body}.
1339 You should design @var{body} to return when it sees the up-event that
1340 indicates the release of the button, or whatever kind of event means
1341 it is time to stop tracking.
1342 @end defspec
1343
1344 The usual purpose of tracking mouse motion is to indicate on the screen
1345 the consequences of pushing or releasing a button at the current
1346 position.
1347
1348 In many cases, you can avoid the need to track the mouse by using
1349 the @code{mouse-face} text property (@pxref{Special Properties}).
1350 That works at a much lower level and runs more smoothly than
1351 Lisp-level mouse tracking.
1352
1353 @ignore
1354 @c These are not implemented yet.
1355
1356 These functions change the screen appearance instantaneously. The
1357 effect is transient, only until the next ordinary Emacs redisplay. That
1358 is OK for mouse tracking, since it doesn't make sense for mouse tracking
1359 to change the text, and the body of @code{track-mouse} normally reads
1360 the events itself and does not do redisplay.
1361
1362 @defun x-contour-region window beg end
1363 This function draws lines to make a box around the text from @var{beg}
1364 to @var{end}, in window @var{window}.
1365 @end defun
1366
1367 @defun x-uncontour-region window beg end
1368 This function erases the lines that would make a box around the text
1369 from @var{beg} to @var{end}, in window @var{window}. Use it to remove
1370 a contour that you previously made by calling @code{x-contour-region}.
1371 @end defun
1372
1373 @defun x-draw-rectangle frame left top right bottom
1374 This function draws a hollow rectangle on frame @var{frame} with the
1375 specified edge coordinates, all measured in pixels from the inside top
1376 left corner. It uses the cursor color, the one used for indicating the
1377 location of point.
1378 @end defun
1379
1380 @defun x-erase-rectangle frame left top right bottom
1381 This function erases a hollow rectangle on frame @var{frame} with the
1382 specified edge coordinates, all measured in pixels from the inside top
1383 left corner. Erasure means redrawing the text and background that
1384 normally belong in the specified rectangle.
1385 @end defun
1386 @end ignore
1387
1388 @node Mouse Position
1389 @section Mouse Position
1390 @cindex mouse position
1391 @cindex position of mouse
1392
1393 The functions @code{mouse-position} and @code{set-mouse-position}
1394 give access to the current position of the mouse.
1395
1396 @defun mouse-position
1397 This function returns a description of the position of the mouse. The
1398 value looks like @code{(@var{frame} @var{x} . @var{y})}, where @var{x}
1399 and @var{y} are integers giving the position in characters relative to
1400 the top left corner of the inside of @var{frame}.
1401 @end defun
1402
1403 @defvar mouse-position-function
1404 If non-@code{nil}, the value of this variable is a function for
1405 @code{mouse-position} to call. @code{mouse-position} calls this
1406 function just before returning, with its normal return value as the
1407 sole argument, and it returns whatever this function returns to it.
1408
1409 This abnormal hook exists for the benefit of packages like
1410 @file{xt-mouse.el} that need to do mouse handling at the Lisp level.
1411 @end defvar
1412
1413 @defun set-mouse-position frame x y
1414 This function @dfn{warps the mouse} to position @var{x}, @var{y} in
1415 frame @var{frame}. The arguments @var{x} and @var{y} are integers,
1416 giving the position in characters relative to the top left corner of the
1417 inside of @var{frame}. If @var{frame} is not visible, this function
1418 does nothing. The return value is not significant.
1419 @end defun
1420
1421 @defun mouse-pixel-position
1422 This function is like @code{mouse-position} except that it returns
1423 coordinates in units of pixels rather than units of characters.
1424 @end defun
1425
1426 @defun set-mouse-pixel-position frame x y
1427 This function warps the mouse like @code{set-mouse-position} except that
1428 @var{x} and @var{y} are in units of pixels rather than units of
1429 characters. These coordinates are not required to be within the frame.
1430
1431 If @var{frame} is not visible, this function does nothing. The return
1432 value is not significant.
1433 @end defun
1434
1435 @need 3000
1436
1437 @node Pop-Up Menus
1438 @section Pop-Up Menus
1439
1440 When using a window system, a Lisp program can pop up a menu so that
1441 the user can choose an alternative with the mouse.
1442
1443 @defun x-popup-menu position menu
1444 This function displays a pop-up menu and returns an indication of
1445 what selection the user makes.
1446
1447 The argument @var{position} specifies where on the screen to put the
1448 top left corner of the menu. It can be either a mouse button event
1449 (which says to put the menu where the user actuated the button) or a
1450 list of this form:
1451
1452 @example
1453 ((@var{xoffset} @var{yoffset}) @var{window})
1454 @end example
1455
1456 @noindent
1457 where @var{xoffset} and @var{yoffset} are coordinates, measured in
1458 pixels, counting from the top left corner of @var{window}. @var{window}
1459 may be a window or a frame.
1460
1461 If @var{position} is @code{t}, it means to use the current mouse
1462 position. If @var{position} is @code{nil}, it means to precompute the
1463 key binding equivalents for the keymaps specified in @var{menu},
1464 without actually displaying or popping up the menu.
1465
1466 The argument @var{menu} says what to display in the menu. It can be a
1467 keymap or a list of keymaps (@pxref{Menu Keymaps}). In this case, the
1468 return value is the list of events corresponding to the user's choice.
1469 (This list has more than one element if the choice occurred in a
1470 submenu.) Note that @code{x-popup-menu} does not actually execute the
1471 command bound to that sequence of events.
1472
1473 Alternatively, @var{menu} can have the following form:
1474
1475 @example
1476 (@var{title} @var{pane1} @var{pane2}...)
1477 @end example
1478
1479 @noindent
1480 where each pane is a list of form
1481
1482 @example
1483 (@var{title} @var{item1} @var{item2}...)
1484 @end example
1485
1486 Each item should normally be a cons cell @code{(@var{line} . @var{value})},
1487 where @var{line} is a string, and @var{value} is the value to return if
1488 that @var{line} is chosen. An item can also be a string; this makes a
1489 non-selectable line in the menu.
1490
1491 If the user gets rid of the menu without making a valid choice, for
1492 instance by clicking the mouse away from a valid choice or by typing
1493 keyboard input, then this normally results in a quit and
1494 @code{x-popup-menu} does not return. But if @var{position} is a mouse
1495 button event (indicating that the user invoked the menu with the
1496 mouse) then no quit occurs and @code{x-popup-menu} returns @code{nil}.
1497 @end defun
1498
1499 @strong{Usage note:} Don't use @code{x-popup-menu} to display a menu
1500 if you could do the job with a prefix key defined with a menu keymap.
1501 If you use a menu keymap to implement a menu, @kbd{C-h c} and @kbd{C-h
1502 a} can see the individual items in that menu and provide help for them.
1503 If instead you implement the menu by defining a command that calls
1504 @code{x-popup-menu}, the help facilities cannot know what happens inside
1505 that command, so they cannot give any help for the menu's items.
1506
1507 The menu bar mechanism, which lets you switch between submenus by
1508 moving the mouse, cannot look within the definition of a command to see
1509 that it calls @code{x-popup-menu}. Therefore, if you try to implement a
1510 submenu using @code{x-popup-menu}, it cannot work with the menu bar in
1511 an integrated fashion. This is why all menu bar submenus are
1512 implemented with menu keymaps within the parent menu, and never with
1513 @code{x-popup-menu}. @xref{Menu Bar}.
1514
1515 If you want a menu bar submenu to have contents that vary, you should
1516 still use a menu keymap to implement it. To make the contents vary, add
1517 a hook function to @code{menu-bar-update-hook} to update the contents of
1518 the menu keymap as necessary.
1519
1520 @node Dialog Boxes
1521 @section Dialog Boxes
1522 @cindex dialog boxes
1523
1524 A dialog box is a variant of a pop-up menu---it looks a little
1525 different, it always appears in the center of a frame, and it has just
1526 one level and one or more buttons. The main use of dialog boxes is
1527 for asking questions that the user can answer with ``yes,'' ``no,''
1528 and a few other alternatives. With a single button, they can also
1529 force the user to acknowledge important information. The functions
1530 @code{y-or-n-p} and @code{yes-or-no-p} use dialog boxes instead of the
1531 keyboard, when called from commands invoked by mouse clicks.
1532
1533 @defun x-popup-dialog position contents &optional header
1534 This function displays a pop-up dialog box and returns an indication of
1535 what selection the user makes. The argument @var{contents} specifies
1536 the alternatives to offer; it has this format:
1537
1538 @example
1539 (@var{title} (@var{string} . @var{value})@dots{})
1540 @end example
1541
1542 @noindent
1543 which looks like the list that specifies a single pane for
1544 @code{x-popup-menu}.
1545
1546 The return value is @var{value} from the chosen alternative.
1547
1548 As for @code{x-popup-menu}, an element of the list may be just a
1549 string instead of a cons cell @code{(@var{string} . @var{value})}.
1550 That makes a box that cannot be selected.
1551
1552 If @code{nil} appears in the list, it separates the left-hand items from
1553 the right-hand items; items that precede the @code{nil} appear on the
1554 left, and items that follow the @code{nil} appear on the right. If you
1555 don't include a @code{nil} in the list, then approximately half the
1556 items appear on each side.
1557
1558 Dialog boxes always appear in the center of a frame; the argument
1559 @var{position} specifies which frame. The possible values are as in
1560 @code{x-popup-menu}, but the precise coordinates or the individual
1561 window don't matter; only the frame matters.
1562
1563 If @var{header} is non-@code{nil}, the frame title for the box is
1564 @samp{Information}, otherwise it is @samp{Question}. The former is used
1565 for @code{message-box} (@pxref{message-box}).
1566
1567 In some configurations, Emacs cannot display a real dialog box; so
1568 instead it displays the same items in a pop-up menu in the center of the
1569 frame.
1570
1571 If the user gets rid of the dialog box without making a valid choice,
1572 for instance using the window manager, then this produces a quit and
1573 @code{x-popup-dialog} does not return.
1574 @end defun
1575
1576 @node Pointer Shape
1577 @section Pointer Shape
1578 @cindex pointer shape
1579 @cindex mouse pointer shape
1580
1581 You can specify the mouse pointer style for particular text or
1582 images using the @code{pointer} text property, and for images with the
1583 @code{:pointer} and @code{:map} image properties. The values you can
1584 use in these properties are @code{text} (or @code{nil}), @code{arrow},
1585 @code{hand}, @code{vdrag}, @code{hdrag}, @code{modeline}, and
1586 @code{hourglass}. @code{text} stands for the usual mouse pointer
1587 style used over text.
1588
1589 Over void parts of the window (parts that do not correspond to any
1590 of the buffer contents), the mouse pointer usually uses the
1591 @code{arrow} style, but you can specify a different style (one of
1592 those above) by setting @code{void-text-area-pointer}.
1593
1594 @defvar void-text-area-pointer
1595 This variable specifies the mouse pointer style for void text areas.
1596 These include the areas after the end of a line or below the last line
1597 in the buffer. The default is to use the @code{arrow} (non-text)
1598 pointer style.
1599 @end defvar
1600
1601 You can specify what the @code{text} pointer style really looks like
1602 by setting the variable @code{x-pointer-shape}.
1603
1604 @defvar x-pointer-shape
1605 This variable specifies the pointer shape to use ordinarily in the
1606 Emacs frame, for the @code{text} pointer style.
1607 @end defvar
1608
1609 @defvar x-sensitive-text-pointer-shape
1610 This variable specifies the pointer shape to use when the mouse
1611 is over mouse-sensitive text.
1612 @end defvar
1613
1614 These variables affect newly created frames. They do not normally
1615 affect existing frames; however, if you set the mouse color of a
1616 frame, that also installs the current value of those two variables.
1617 @xref{Color Parameters}.
1618
1619 The values you can use, to specify either of these pointer shapes, are
1620 defined in the file @file{lisp/term/x-win.el}. Use @kbd{M-x apropos
1621 @key{RET} x-pointer @key{RET}} to see a list of them.
1622
1623 @node Window System Selections
1624 @section Window System Selections
1625 @cindex selection (for window systems)
1626
1627 The X server records a set of @dfn{selections} which permit transfer of
1628 data between application programs. The various selections are
1629 distinguished by @dfn{selection types}, represented in Emacs by
1630 symbols. X clients including Emacs can read or set the selection for
1631 any given type.
1632
1633 @deffn Command x-set-selection type data
1634 This function sets a ``selection'' in the X server. It takes two
1635 arguments: a selection type @var{type}, and the value to assign to it,
1636 @var{data}. If @var{data} is @code{nil}, it means to clear out the
1637 selection. Otherwise, @var{data} may be a string, a symbol, an integer
1638 (or a cons of two integers or list of two integers), an overlay, or a
1639 cons of two markers pointing to the same buffer. An overlay or a pair
1640 of markers stands for text in the overlay or between the markers.
1641
1642 The argument @var{data} may also be a vector of valid non-vector
1643 selection values.
1644
1645 Each possible @var{type} has its own selection value, which changes
1646 independently. The usual values of @var{type} are @code{PRIMARY},
1647 @code{SECONDARY} and @code{CLIPBOARD}; these are symbols with upper-case
1648 names, in accord with X Window System conventions. If @var{type} is
1649 @code{nil}, that stands for @code{PRIMARY}.
1650
1651 This function returns @var{data}.
1652 @end deffn
1653
1654 @defun x-get-selection &optional type data-type
1655 This function accesses selections set up by Emacs or by other X
1656 clients. It takes two optional arguments, @var{type} and
1657 @var{data-type}. The default for @var{type}, the selection type, is
1658 @code{PRIMARY}.
1659
1660 The @var{data-type} argument specifies the form of data conversion to
1661 use, to convert the raw data obtained from another X client into Lisp
1662 data. Meaningful values include @code{TEXT}, @code{STRING},
1663 @code{UTF8_STRING}, @code{TARGETS}, @code{LENGTH}, @code{DELETE},
1664 @code{FILE_NAME}, @code{CHARACTER_POSITION}, @code{NAME},
1665 @code{LINE_NUMBER}, @code{COLUMN_NUMBER}, @code{OWNER_OS},
1666 @code{HOST_NAME}, @code{USER}, @code{CLASS}, @code{ATOM}, and
1667 @code{INTEGER}. (These are symbols with upper-case names in accord
1668 with X conventions.) The default for @var{data-type} is
1669 @code{STRING}.
1670 @end defun
1671
1672 @cindex cut buffer
1673 The X server also has a set of eight numbered @dfn{cut buffers} which can
1674 store text or other data being moved between applications. Cut buffers
1675 are considered obsolete, but Emacs supports them for the sake of X
1676 clients that still use them. Cut buffers are numbered from 0 to 7.
1677
1678 @defun x-get-cut-buffer &optional n
1679 This function returns the contents of cut buffer number @var{n}.
1680 If omitted @var{n} defaults to 0.
1681 @end defun
1682
1683 @defun x-set-cut-buffer string &optional push
1684 @anchor{Definition of x-set-cut-buffer}
1685 This function stores @var{string} into the first cut buffer (cut buffer
1686 0). If @var{push} is @code{nil}, only the first cut buffer is changed.
1687 If @var{push} is non-@code{nil}, that says to move the values down
1688 through the series of cut buffers, much like the way successive kills in
1689 Emacs move down the kill ring. In other words, the previous value of
1690 the first cut buffer moves into the second cut buffer, and the second to
1691 the third, and so on through all eight cut buffers.
1692 @end defun
1693
1694 @defvar selection-coding-system
1695 This variable specifies the coding system to use when reading and
1696 writing selections or the clipboard. @xref{Coding
1697 Systems}. The default is @code{compound-text-with-extensions}, which
1698 converts to the text representation that X11 normally uses.
1699 @end defvar
1700
1701 @cindex clipboard support (for MS-Windows)
1702 When Emacs runs on MS-Windows, it does not implement X selections in
1703 general, but it does support the clipboard. @code{x-get-selection}
1704 and @code{x-set-selection} on MS-Windows support the text data type
1705 only; if the clipboard holds other types of data, Emacs treats the
1706 clipboard as empty.
1707
1708 @cindex scrap support (for Mac OS)
1709 On Mac OS, selection-like data transfer between applications is
1710 performed through a mechanism called @dfn{scraps}. The clipboard is a
1711 particular scrap named @code{com.apple.scrap.clipboard}. Types of scrap
1712 data are called @dfn{scrap flavor types}, which are identified by
1713 four-char codes such as @code{TEXT}. Emacs associates a selection with
1714 a scrap, and a selection type with a scrap flavor type via
1715 @code{mac-scrap-name} and @code{mac-ostype} properties, respectively.
1716
1717 @example
1718 (get 'CLIPBOARD 'mac-scrap-name)
1719 @result{} "com.apple.scrap.clipboard"
1720 (get 'com.apple.traditional-mac-plain-text 'mac-ostype)
1721 @result{} "TEXT"
1722 @end example
1723
1724 Conventionally, selection types for scrap flavor types on Mac OS have
1725 the form of @acronym{UTI, Uniform Type Identifier} such as
1726 @code{com.apple.traditional-mac-plain-text},
1727 @code{public.utf16-plain-text}, and @code{public.file-url}.
1728
1729 @defopt x-select-enable-clipboard
1730 If this is non-@code{nil}, the Emacs yank functions consult the
1731 clipboard before the primary selection, and the kill functions store in
1732 the clipboard as well as the primary selection. Otherwise they do not
1733 access the clipboard at all. The default is @code{nil} on most systems,
1734 but @code{t} on MS-Windows and Mac.
1735 @end defopt
1736
1737 @node Drag and Drop
1738 @section Drag and Drop
1739
1740 @vindex x-dnd-test-function
1741 @vindex x-dnd-known-types
1742 When a user drags something from another application over Emacs, that other
1743 application expects Emacs to tell it if Emacs can handle the data that is
1744 dragged. The variable @code{x-dnd-test-function} is used by Emacs to determine
1745 what to reply. The default value is @code{x-dnd-default-test-function}
1746 which accepts drops if the type of the data to be dropped is present in
1747 @code{x-dnd-known-types}. You can customize @code{x-dnd-test-function} and/or
1748 @code{x-dnd-known-types} if you want Emacs to accept or reject drops based
1749 on some other criteria.
1750
1751 @vindex x-dnd-types-alist
1752 If you want to change the way Emacs handles drop of different types
1753 or add a new type, customize @code{x-dnd-types-alist}. This requires
1754 detailed knowledge of what types other applications use for drag and
1755 drop.
1756
1757 @vindex dnd-protocol-alist
1758 When an URL is dropped on Emacs it may be a file, but it may also be
1759 another URL type (ftp, http, etc.). Emacs first checks
1760 @code{dnd-protocol-alist} to determine what to do with the URL. If
1761 there is no match there and if @code{browse-url-browser-function} is
1762 an alist, Emacs looks for a match there. If no match is found the
1763 text for the URL is inserted. If you want to alter Emacs behavior,
1764 you can customize these variables.
1765
1766 @node Color Names
1767 @section Color Names
1768
1769 @cindex color names
1770 @cindex specify color
1771 @cindex numerical RGB color specification
1772 A color name is text (usually in a string) that specifies a color.
1773 Symbolic names such as @samp{black}, @samp{white}, @samp{red}, etc.,
1774 are allowed; use @kbd{M-x list-colors-display} to see a list of
1775 defined names. You can also specify colors numerically in forms such
1776 as @samp{#@var{rgb}} and @samp{RGB:@var{r}/@var{g}/@var{b}}, where
1777 @var{r} specifies the red level, @var{g} specifies the green level,
1778 and @var{b} specifies the blue level. You can use either one, two,
1779 three, or four hex digits for @var{r}; then you must use the same
1780 number of hex digits for all @var{g} and @var{b} as well, making
1781 either 3, 6, 9 or 12 hex digits in all. (See the documentation of the
1782 X Window System for more details about numerical RGB specification of
1783 colors.)
1784
1785 These functions provide a way to determine which color names are
1786 valid, and what they look like. In some cases, the value depends on the
1787 @dfn{selected frame}, as described below; see @ref{Input Focus}, for the
1788 meaning of the term ``selected frame.''
1789
1790 @defun color-defined-p color &optional frame
1791 This function reports whether a color name is meaningful. It returns
1792 @code{t} if so; otherwise, @code{nil}. The argument @var{frame} says
1793 which frame's display to ask about; if @var{frame} is omitted or
1794 @code{nil}, the selected frame is used.
1795
1796 Note that this does not tell you whether the display you are using
1797 really supports that color. When using X, you can ask for any defined
1798 color on any kind of display, and you will get some result---typically,
1799 the closest it can do. To determine whether a frame can really display
1800 a certain color, use @code{color-supported-p} (see below).
1801
1802 @findex x-color-defined-p
1803 This function used to be called @code{x-color-defined-p},
1804 and that name is still supported as an alias.
1805 @end defun
1806
1807 @defun defined-colors &optional frame
1808 This function returns a list of the color names that are defined
1809 and supported on frame @var{frame} (default, the selected frame).
1810 If @var{frame} does not support colors, the value is @code{nil}.
1811
1812 @findex x-defined-colors
1813 This function used to be called @code{x-defined-colors},
1814 and that name is still supported as an alias.
1815 @end defun
1816
1817 @defun color-supported-p color &optional frame background-p
1818 This returns @code{t} if @var{frame} can really display the color
1819 @var{color} (or at least something close to it). If @var{frame} is
1820 omitted or @code{nil}, the question applies to the selected frame.
1821
1822 Some terminals support a different set of colors for foreground and
1823 background. If @var{background-p} is non-@code{nil}, that means you are
1824 asking whether @var{color} can be used as a background; otherwise you
1825 are asking whether it can be used as a foreground.
1826
1827 The argument @var{color} must be a valid color name.
1828 @end defun
1829
1830 @defun color-gray-p color &optional frame
1831 This returns @code{t} if @var{color} is a shade of gray, as defined on
1832 @var{frame}'s display. If @var{frame} is omitted or @code{nil}, the
1833 question applies to the selected frame. If @var{color} is not a valid
1834 color name, this function returns @code{nil}.
1835 @end defun
1836
1837 @defun color-values color &optional frame
1838 @cindex rgb value
1839 This function returns a value that describes what @var{color} should
1840 ideally look like on @var{frame}. If @var{color} is defined, the
1841 value is a list of three integers, which give the amount of red, the
1842 amount of green, and the amount of blue. Each integer ranges in
1843 principle from 0 to 65535, but some displays may not use the full
1844 range. This three-element list is called the @dfn{rgb values} of the
1845 color.
1846
1847 If @var{color} is not defined, the value is @code{nil}.
1848
1849 @example
1850 (color-values "black")
1851 @result{} (0 0 0)
1852 (color-values "white")
1853 @result{} (65280 65280 65280)
1854 (color-values "red")
1855 @result{} (65280 0 0)
1856 (color-values "pink")
1857 @result{} (65280 49152 51968)
1858 (color-values "hungry")
1859 @result{} nil
1860 @end example
1861
1862 The color values are returned for @var{frame}'s display. If
1863 @var{frame} is omitted or @code{nil}, the information is returned for
1864 the selected frame's display. If the frame cannot display colors, the
1865 value is @code{nil}.
1866
1867 @findex x-color-values
1868 This function used to be called @code{x-color-values},
1869 and that name is still supported as an alias.
1870 @end defun
1871
1872 @node Text Terminal Colors
1873 @section Text Terminal Colors
1874 @cindex colors on text-only terminals
1875
1876 Text-only terminals usually support only a small number of colors,
1877 and the computer uses small integers to select colors on the terminal.
1878 This means that the computer cannot reliably tell what the selected
1879 color looks like; instead, you have to inform your application which
1880 small integers correspond to which colors. However, Emacs does know
1881 the standard set of colors and will try to use them automatically.
1882
1883 The functions described in this section control how terminal colors
1884 are used by Emacs.
1885
1886 Several of these functions use or return @dfn{rgb values}, described
1887 in @ref{Color Names}.
1888
1889 These functions accept a display (either a frame or the name of a
1890 terminal) as an optional argument. We hope in the future to make Emacs
1891 support more than one text-only terminal at one time; then this argument
1892 will specify which terminal to operate on (the default being the
1893 selected frame's terminal; @pxref{Input Focus}). At present, though,
1894 the @var{frame} argument has no effect.
1895
1896 @defun tty-color-define name number &optional rgb frame
1897 This function associates the color name @var{name} with
1898 color number @var{number} on the terminal.
1899
1900 The optional argument @var{rgb}, if specified, is an rgb value, a list
1901 of three numbers that specify what the color actually looks like.
1902 If you do not specify @var{rgb}, then this color cannot be used by
1903 @code{tty-color-approximate} to approximate other colors, because
1904 Emacs will not know what it looks like.
1905 @end defun
1906
1907 @defun tty-color-clear &optional frame
1908 This function clears the table of defined colors for a text-only terminal.
1909 @end defun
1910
1911 @defun tty-color-alist &optional frame
1912 This function returns an alist recording the known colors supported by a
1913 text-only terminal.
1914
1915 Each element has the form @code{(@var{name} @var{number} . @var{rgb})}
1916 or @code{(@var{name} @var{number})}. Here, @var{name} is the color
1917 name, @var{number} is the number used to specify it to the terminal.
1918 If present, @var{rgb} is a list of three color values (for red, green,
1919 and blue) that says what the color actually looks like.
1920 @end defun
1921
1922 @defun tty-color-approximate rgb &optional frame
1923 This function finds the closest color, among the known colors
1924 supported for @var{display}, to that described by the rgb value
1925 @var{rgb} (a list of color values). The return value is an element of
1926 @code{tty-color-alist}.
1927 @end defun
1928
1929 @defun tty-color-translate color &optional frame
1930 This function finds the closest color to @var{color} among the known
1931 colors supported for @var{display} and returns its index (an integer).
1932 If the name @var{color} is not defined, the value is @code{nil}.
1933 @end defun
1934
1935 @node Resources
1936 @section X Resources
1937
1938 @defun x-get-resource attribute class &optional component subclass
1939 The function @code{x-get-resource} retrieves a resource value from the X
1940 Window defaults database.
1941
1942 Resources are indexed by a combination of a @dfn{key} and a @dfn{class}.
1943 This function searches using a key of the form
1944 @samp{@var{instance}.@var{attribute}} (where @var{instance} is the name
1945 under which Emacs was invoked), and using @samp{Emacs.@var{class}} as
1946 the class.
1947
1948 The optional arguments @var{component} and @var{subclass} add to the key
1949 and the class, respectively. You must specify both of them or neither.
1950 If you specify them, the key is
1951 @samp{@var{instance}.@var{component}.@var{attribute}}, and the class is
1952 @samp{Emacs.@var{class}.@var{subclass}}.
1953 @end defun
1954
1955 @defvar x-resource-class
1956 This variable specifies the application name that @code{x-get-resource}
1957 should look up. The default value is @code{"Emacs"}. You can examine X
1958 resources for application names other than ``Emacs'' by binding this
1959 variable to some other string, around a call to @code{x-get-resource}.
1960 @end defvar
1961
1962 @defvar x-resource-name
1963 This variable specifies the instance name that @code{x-get-resource}
1964 should look up. The default value is the name Emacs was invoked with,
1965 or the value specified with the @samp{-name} or @samp{-rn} switches.
1966 @end defvar
1967
1968 To illustrate some of the above, suppose that you have the line:
1969
1970 @example
1971 xterm.vt100.background: yellow
1972 @end example
1973
1974 @noindent
1975 in your X resources file (whose name is usually @file{~/.Xdefaults}
1976 or @file{~/.Xresources}). Then:
1977
1978 @example
1979 @group
1980 (let ((x-resource-class "XTerm") (x-resource-name "xterm"))
1981 (x-get-resource "vt100.background" "VT100.Background"))
1982 @result{} "yellow"
1983 @end group
1984 @group
1985 (let ((x-resource-class "XTerm") (x-resource-name "xterm"))
1986 (x-get-resource "background" "VT100" "vt100" "Background"))
1987 @result{} "yellow"
1988 @end group
1989 @end example
1990
1991 @xref{X Resources,, X Resources, emacs, The GNU Emacs Manual}.
1992
1993 @node Display Feature Testing
1994 @section Display Feature Testing
1995 @cindex display feature testing
1996
1997 The functions in this section describe the basic capabilities of a
1998 particular display. Lisp programs can use them to adapt their behavior
1999 to what the display can do. For example, a program that ordinarily uses
2000 a popup menu could use the minibuffer if popup menus are not supported.
2001
2002 The optional argument @var{display} in these functions specifies which
2003 display to ask the question about. It can be a display name, a frame
2004 (which designates the display that frame is on), or @code{nil} (which
2005 refers to the selected frame's display, @pxref{Input Focus}).
2006
2007 @xref{Color Names}, @ref{Text Terminal Colors}, for other functions to
2008 obtain information about displays.
2009
2010 @defun display-popup-menus-p &optional display
2011 This function returns @code{t} if popup menus are supported on
2012 @var{display}, @code{nil} if not. Support for popup menus requires that
2013 the mouse be available, since the user cannot choose menu items without
2014 a mouse.
2015 @end defun
2016
2017 @defun display-graphic-p &optional display
2018 @cindex frames, more than one on display
2019 @cindex fonts, more than one on display
2020 This function returns @code{t} if @var{display} is a graphic display
2021 capable of displaying several frames and several different fonts at
2022 once. This is true for displays that use a window system such as X, and
2023 false for text-only terminals.
2024 @end defun
2025
2026 @defun display-mouse-p &optional display
2027 @cindex mouse, availability
2028 This function returns @code{t} if @var{display} has a mouse available,
2029 @code{nil} if not.
2030 @end defun
2031
2032 @defun display-color-p &optional display
2033 @findex x-display-color-p
2034 This function returns @code{t} if the screen is a color screen.
2035 It used to be called @code{x-display-color-p}, and that name
2036 is still supported as an alias.
2037 @end defun
2038
2039 @defun display-grayscale-p &optional display
2040 This function returns @code{t} if the screen can display shades of gray.
2041 (All color displays can do this.)
2042 @end defun
2043
2044 @defun display-supports-face-attributes-p attributes &optional display
2045 @anchor{Display Face Attribute Testing}
2046 This function returns non-@code{nil} if all the face attributes in
2047 @var{attributes} are supported (@pxref{Face Attributes}).
2048
2049 The definition of `supported' is somewhat heuristic, but basically
2050 means that a face containing all the attributes in @var{attributes},
2051 when merged with the default face for display, can be represented in a
2052 way that's
2053
2054 @enumerate
2055 @item
2056 different in appearance than the default face, and
2057
2058 @item
2059 `close in spirit' to what the attributes specify, if not exact.
2060 @end enumerate
2061
2062 Point (2) implies that a @code{:weight black} attribute will be
2063 satisfied by any display that can display bold, as will
2064 @code{:foreground "yellow"} as long as some yellowish color can be
2065 displayed, but @code{:slant italic} will @emph{not} be satisfied by
2066 the tty display code's automatic substitution of a `dim' face for
2067 italic.
2068 @end defun
2069
2070 @defun display-selections-p &optional display
2071 This function returns @code{t} if @var{display} supports selections.
2072 Windowed displays normally support selections, but they may also be
2073 supported in some other cases.
2074 @end defun
2075
2076 @defun display-images-p &optional display
2077 This function returns @code{t} if @var{display} can display images.
2078 Windowed displays ought in principle to handle images, but some
2079 systems lack the support for that. On a display that does not support
2080 images, Emacs cannot display a tool bar.
2081 @end defun
2082
2083 @defun display-screens &optional display
2084 This function returns the number of screens associated with the display.
2085 @end defun
2086
2087 @defun display-pixel-height &optional display
2088 This function returns the height of the screen in pixels.
2089 On a character terminal, it gives the height in characters.
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-height &optional display
2098 This function returns the height of the screen in millimeters,
2099 or @code{nil} if Emacs cannot get that information.
2100 @end defun
2101
2102 @defun display-mm-width &optional display
2103 This function returns the width of the screen in millimeters,
2104 or @code{nil} if Emacs cannot get that information.
2105 @end defun
2106
2107 @defvar display-mm-dimensions-alist
2108 This variable allows the user to specify the dimensions of graphical
2109 displays returned by @code{display-mm-height} and
2110 @code{display-mm-width} in case the system provides incorrect values.
2111 @end defvar
2112
2113 @defun display-backing-store &optional display
2114 This function returns the backing store capability of the display.
2115 Backing store means recording the pixels of windows (and parts of
2116 windows) that are not exposed, so that when exposed they can be
2117 displayed very quickly.
2118
2119 Values can be the symbols @code{always}, @code{when-mapped}, or
2120 @code{not-useful}. The function can also return @code{nil}
2121 when the question is inapplicable to a certain kind of display.
2122 @end defun
2123
2124 @defun display-save-under &optional display
2125 This function returns non-@code{nil} if the display supports the
2126 SaveUnder feature. That feature is used by pop-up windows
2127 to save the pixels they obscure, so that they can pop down
2128 quickly.
2129 @end defun
2130
2131 @defun display-planes &optional display
2132 This function returns the number of planes the display supports.
2133 This is typically the number of bits per pixel.
2134 For a tty display, it is log to base two of the number of colors supported.
2135 @end defun
2136
2137 @defun display-visual-class &optional display
2138 This function returns the visual class for the screen. The value is one
2139 of the symbols @code{static-gray}, @code{gray-scale},
2140 @code{static-color}, @code{pseudo-color}, @code{true-color}, and
2141 @code{direct-color}.
2142 @end defun
2143
2144 @defun display-color-cells &optional display
2145 This function returns the number of color cells the screen supports.
2146 @end defun
2147
2148 These functions obtain additional information specifically
2149 about X displays.
2150
2151 @defun x-server-version &optional display
2152 This function returns the list of version numbers of the X server
2153 running the display. The value is a list of three integers: the major
2154 and minor version numbers of the X protocol, and the
2155 distributor-specific release number of the X server software itself.
2156 @end defun
2157
2158 @defun x-server-vendor &optional display
2159 This function returns the ``vendor'' that provided the X server
2160 software (as a string). Really this means whoever distributes the X
2161 server.
2162
2163 When the developers of X labelled software distributors as
2164 ``vendors,'' they showed their false assumption that no system could
2165 ever be developed and distributed noncommercially.
2166 @end defun
2167
2168 @ignore
2169 @defvar x-no-window-manager
2170 This variable's value is @code{t} if no X window manager is in use.
2171 @end defvar
2172 @end ignore
2173
2174 @ignore
2175 @item
2176 The functions @code{x-pixel-width} and @code{x-pixel-height} return the
2177 width and height of an X Window frame, measured in pixels.
2178 @end ignore
2179
2180 @ignore
2181 arch-tag: 94977df6-3dca-4730-b57b-c6329e9282ba
2182 @end ignore