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1 @c -*-texinfo-*-
2 @c This is part of the GNU Emacs Lisp Reference Manual.
3 @c Copyright (C) 1990-1995, 1998-1999, 2001-2012
4 @c Free Software Foundation, Inc.
5 @c See the file elisp.texi for copying conditions.
6 @node Windows
7 @chapter Windows
8
9 This chapter describes the functions and variables related to Emacs
10 windows. @xref{Frames}, for how windows are assigned an area of screen
11 available for Emacs to use. @xref{Display}, for information on how text
12 is displayed in windows.
13
14 @menu
15 * Basic Windows:: Basic information on using windows.
16 * Windows and Frames:: Relating windows to the frame they appear on.
17 * Window Sizes:: Accessing a window's size.
18 * Resizing Windows:: Changing the sizes of windows.
19 * Splitting Windows:: Creating a new window.
20 * Deleting Windows:: Removing a window from its frame.
21 * Recombining Windows:: Preserving the frame layout when splitting and
22 deleting windows.
23 * Selecting Windows:: The selected window is the one that you edit in.
24 * Cyclic Window Ordering:: Moving around the existing windows.
25 * Buffers and Windows:: Each window displays the contents of a buffer.
26 * Switching Buffers:: Higher-level functions for switching to a buffer.
27 * Choosing Window:: How to choose a window for displaying a buffer.
28 * Display Action Functions:: Subroutines for @code{display-buffer}.
29 * Choosing Window Options:: Extra options affecting how buffers are displayed.
30 * Window History:: Each window remembers the buffers displayed in it.
31 * Dedicated Windows:: How to avoid displaying another buffer in
32 a specific window.
33 * Quitting Windows:: How to restore the state prior to displaying a
34 buffer.
35 * Window Point:: Each window has its own location of point.
36 * Window Start and End:: Buffer positions indicating which text is
37 on-screen in a window.
38 * Textual Scrolling:: Moving text up and down through the window.
39 * Vertical Scrolling:: Moving the contents up and down on the window.
40 * Horizontal Scrolling:: Moving the contents sideways on the window.
41 * Coordinates and Windows:: Converting coordinates to windows.
42 * Window Configurations:: Saving and restoring the state of the screen.
43 * Window Parameters:: Associating additional information with windows.
44 * Window Hooks:: Hooks for scrolling, window size changes,
45 redisplay going past a certain point,
46 or window configuration changes.
47 @end menu
48
49
50 @node Basic Windows
51 @section Basic Concepts of Emacs Windows
52 @cindex window
53
54 A @dfn{window} is an area of the screen that is used to display a buffer
55 (@pxref{Buffers}). In Emacs Lisp, windows are represented by a special
56 Lisp object type.
57
58 @cindex multiple windows
59 Windows are grouped into frames (@pxref{Frames}). Each frame
60 contains at least one window; the user can subdivide it into multiple,
61 non-overlapping windows to view several buffers at once. Lisp
62 programs can use multiple windows for a variety of purposes. In
63 Rmail, for example, you can view a summary of message titles in one
64 window, and the contents of the selected message in another window.
65
66 @cindex terminal screen
67 @cindex screen of terminal
68 Emacs uses the word ``window'' with a different meaning than in
69 graphical desktop environments and window systems, such as the X
70 Window System. When Emacs is run on X, each of its graphical X
71 windows is an Emacs frame (containing one or more Emacs windows).
72 When Emacs is run on a text terminal, the frame fills the entire
73 terminal screen.
74
75 @cindex tiled windows
76 Unlike X windows, Emacs windows are @dfn{tiled}; they never overlap
77 within the area of the frame. When a window is created, resized, or
78 deleted, the change in window space is taken from or given to the
79 adjacent windows, so that the total area of the frame is unchanged.
80
81 @defun windowp object
82 This function returns @code{t} if @var{object} is a window (whether or
83 not it displays a buffer). Otherwise, it returns @code{nil}.
84 @end defun
85
86 @cindex live windows
87 A @dfn{live window} is one that is actually displaying a buffer in a
88 frame.
89
90 @defun window-live-p object
91 This function returns @code{t} if @var{object} is a live window and
92 @code{nil} otherwise. A live window is one that displays a buffer.
93 @end defun
94
95 @cindex internal windows
96 The windows in each frame are organized into a @dfn{window tree}.
97 @xref{Windows and Frames}. The leaf nodes of each window tree are live
98 windows---the ones actually displaying buffers. The internal nodes of
99 the window tree are @dfn{internal windows}, which are not live.
100
101 @cindex valid windows
102 A @dfn{valid window} is one that is either live or internal. A valid
103 window can be @dfn{deleted}, i.e., removed from its frame
104 (@pxref{Deleting Windows}); then it is no longer valid, but the Lisp
105 object representing it might be still referenced from other Lisp
106 objects. A deleted window may be made valid again by restoring a saved
107 window configuration (@pxref{Window Configurations}).
108
109 You can distinguish valid windows from deleted windows with
110 @code{window-valid-p}.
111
112 @defun window-valid-p object
113 This function returns @code{t} if @var{object} is a live window, or an
114 internal window in a window tree. Otherwise, it returns @code{nil},
115 including for the case where @var{object} is a deleted window.
116 @end defun
117
118 @cindex selected window
119 @cindex window selected within a frame
120 In each frame, at any time, exactly one Emacs window is designated
121 as @dfn{selected within the frame}. For the selected frame, that
122 window is called the @dfn{selected window}---the one in which most
123 editing takes place, and in which the cursor for selected windows
124 appears (@pxref{Cursor Parameters}). The selected window's buffer is
125 usually also the current buffer, except when @code{set-buffer} has
126 been used (@pxref{Current Buffer}). As for non-selected frames, the
127 window selected within the frame becomes the selected window if the
128 frame is ever selected. @xref{Selecting Windows}.
129
130 @defun selected-window
131 This function returns the selected window (which is always a live
132 window).
133 @end defun
134
135 @node Windows and Frames
136 @section Windows and Frames
137
138 Each window belongs to exactly one frame (@pxref{Frames}).
139
140 @defun window-frame window
141 This function returns the frame that the window @var{window} belongs
142 to. If @var{window} is @code{nil}, it defaults to the selected
143 window.
144 @end defun
145
146 @defun window-list &optional frame minibuffer window
147 This function returns a list of live windows belonging to the frame
148 @var{frame}. If @var{frame} is omitted or @code{nil}, it defaults to
149 the selected frame.
150
151 The optional argument @var{minibuffer} specifies whether to include
152 the minibuffer window in the returned list. If @var{minibuffer} is
153 @code{t}, the minibuffer window is included. If @var{minibuffer} is
154 @code{nil} or omitted, the minibuffer window is included only if it is
155 active. If @var{minibuffer} is neither @code{nil} nor @code{t}, the
156 minibuffer window is never included.
157
158 The optional argument @var{window}, if non-@code{nil}, should be a live
159 window on the specified frame; then @var{window} will be the first
160 element in the returned list. If @var{window} is omitted or @code{nil},
161 the window selected within the frame is the first element.
162 @end defun
163
164 @cindex window tree
165 @cindex root window
166 Windows in the same frame are organized into a @dfn{window tree},
167 whose leaf nodes are the live windows. The internal nodes of a window
168 tree are not live; they exist for the purpose of organizing the
169 relationships between live windows. The root node of a window tree is
170 called the @dfn{root window}. It can be either a live window (if the
171 frame has just one window), or an internal window.
172
173 A minibuffer window (@pxref{Minibuffer Windows}) is not part of its
174 frame's window tree unless the frame is a minibuffer-only frame.
175 Nonetheless, most of the functions in this section accept the
176 minibuffer window as an argument. Also, the function
177 @code{window-tree} described at the end of this section lists the
178 minibuffer window alongside the actual window tree.
179
180 @defun frame-root-window &optional frame-or-window
181 This function returns the root window for @var{frame-or-window}. The
182 argument @var{frame-or-window} should be either a window or a frame;
183 if omitted or @code{nil}, it defaults to the selected frame. If
184 @var{frame-or-window} is a window, the return value is the root window
185 of that window's frame.
186 @end defun
187
188 @cindex parent window
189 @cindex child window
190 @cindex sibling window
191 When a window is split, there are two live windows where previously
192 there was one. One of these is represented by the same Lisp window
193 object as the original window, and the other is represented by a
194 newly-created Lisp window object. Both of these live windows become
195 leaf nodes of the window tree, as @dfn{child windows} of a single
196 internal window. If necessary, Emacs automatically creates this
197 internal window, which is also called the @dfn{parent window}, and
198 assigns it to the appropriate position in the window tree. A set of
199 windows that share the same parent are called @dfn{siblings}.
200
201 @cindex parent window
202 @defun window-parent &optional window
203 This function returns the parent window of @var{window}. If
204 @var{window} is omitted or @code{nil}, it defaults to the selected
205 window. The return value is @code{nil} if @var{window} has no parent
206 (i.e., it is a minibuffer window or the root window of its frame).
207 @end defun
208
209 Each internal window always has at least two child windows. If this
210 number falls to one as a result of window deletion, Emacs
211 automatically deletes the internal window, and its sole remaining
212 child window takes its place in the window tree.
213
214 Each child window can be either a live window, or an internal window
215 (which in turn would have its own child windows). Therefore, each
216 internal window can be thought of as occupying a certain rectangular
217 @dfn{screen area}---the union of the areas occupied by the live
218 windows that are ultimately descended from it.
219
220 @cindex window combination
221 @cindex vertical combination
222 @cindex horizontal combination
223 For each internal window, the screen areas of the immediate children
224 are arranged either vertically or horizontally (never both). If the
225 child windows are arranged one above the other, they are said to form
226 a @dfn{vertical combination}; if they are arranged side by side, they
227 are said to form a @dfn{horizontal combination}. Consider the
228 following example:
229
230 @smallexample
231 @group
232 ______________________________________
233 | ______ ____________________________ |
234 || || __________________________ ||
235 || ||| |||
236 || ||| |||
237 || ||| |||
238 || |||____________W4____________|||
239 || || __________________________ ||
240 || ||| |||
241 || ||| |||
242 || |||____________W5____________|||
243 ||__W2__||_____________W3_____________ |
244 |__________________W1__________________|
245
246 @end group
247 @end smallexample
248
249 @noindent
250 The root window of this frame is an internal window, @var{W1}. Its
251 child windows form a horizontal combination, consisting of the live
252 window @var{W2} and the internal window @var{W3}. The child windows
253 of @var{W3} form a vertical combination, consisting of the live
254 windows @var{W4} and @var{W5}. Hence, the live windows in this
255 window tree are @var{W2} @var{W4}, and @var{W5}.
256
257 The following functions can be used to retrieve a child window of an
258 internal window, and the siblings of a child window.
259
260 @defun window-top-child window
261 This function returns the topmost child window of @var{window}, if
262 @var{window} is an internal window whose children form a vertical
263 combination. For any other type of window, the return value is
264 @code{nil}.
265 @end defun
266
267 @defun window-left-child window
268 This function returns the leftmost child window of @var{window}, if
269 @var{window} is an internal window whose children form a horizontal
270 combination. For any other type of window, the return value is
271 @code{nil}.
272 @end defun
273
274 @defun window-child window
275 This function returns the first child window of the internal window
276 @var{window}---the topmost child window for a vertical combination, or
277 the leftmost child window for a horizontal combination. If
278 @var{window} is a live window, the return value is @code{nil}.
279 @end defun
280
281 @defun window-combined-p &optional window horizontal
282 This function returns a non-@code{nil} value if and only if
283 @var{window} is part of a vertical combination. If @var{window} is
284 omitted or @code{nil}, it defaults to the selected one.
285
286 If the optional argument @var{horizontal} is non-@code{nil}, this
287 means to return non-@code{nil} if and only if @var{window} is part of
288 a horizontal combination.
289 @end defun
290
291 @defun window-next-sibling &optional window
292 This function returns the next sibling of the window @var{window}. If
293 omitted or @code{nil}, @var{window} defaults to the selected window.
294 The return value is @code{nil} if @var{window} is the last child of
295 its parent.
296 @end defun
297
298 @defun window-prev-sibling &optional window
299 This function returns the previous sibling of the window @var{window}.
300 If omitted or @code{nil}, @var{window} defaults to the selected
301 window. The return value is @code{nil} if @var{window} is the first
302 child of its parent.
303 @end defun
304
305 The functions @code{window-next-sibling} and
306 @code{window-prev-sibling} should not be confused with the functions
307 @code{next-window} and @code{previous-window}, which return the next
308 and previous window, respectively, in the cyclic ordering of windows
309 (@pxref{Cyclic Window Ordering}).
310
311 You can use the following functions to find the first live window on a
312 frame and the window nearest to a given window.
313
314 @defun frame-first-window &optional frame-or-window
315 This function returns the live window at the upper left corner of the
316 frame specified by @var{frame-or-window}. The argument
317 @var{frame-or-window} must denote a window or a live frame and defaults
318 to the selected frame. If @var{frame-or-window} specifies a window,
319 this function returns the first window on that window's frame. Under
320 the assumption that the frame from our canonical example is selected
321 @code{(frame-first-window)} returns @var{W2}.
322 @end defun
323
324 @cindex window in direction
325 @defun window-in-direction direction &optional window ignore
326 This function returns the nearest live window in direction
327 @var{direction} as seen from the position of @code{window-point} in
328 window @var{window}. The argument @var{direction} must be one of
329 @code{above}, @code{below}, @code{left} or @code{right}. The optional
330 argument @var{window} must denote a live window and defaults to the
331 selected one.
332
333 This function does not return a window whose @code{no-other-window}
334 parameter is non-@code{nil} (@pxref{Window Parameters}). If the nearest
335 window's @code{no-other-window} parameter is non-@code{nil}, this
336 function tries to find another window in the indicated direction whose
337 @code{no-other-window} parameter is @code{nil}. If the optional
338 argument @var{ignore} is non-@code{nil}, a window may be returned even
339 if its @code{no-other-window} parameter is non-@code{nil}.
340
341 If it doesn't find a suitable window, this function returns @code{nil}.
342 @end defun
343
344 The following function allows to retrieve the entire window tree of a
345 frame:
346
347 @defun window-tree &optional frame
348 This function returns a list representing the window tree for frame
349 @var{frame}. If @var{frame} is omitted or @code{nil}, it defaults to
350 the selected frame.
351
352 The return value is a list of the form @code{(@var{root} @var{mini})},
353 where @var{root} represents the window tree of the frame's root
354 window, and @var{mini} is the frame's minibuffer window.
355
356 If the root window is live, @var{root} is that window itself.
357 Otherwise, @var{root} is a list @code{(@var{dir} @var{edges} @var{w1}
358 @var{w2} ...)} where @var{dir} is @code{nil} for a horizontal
359 combination and @code{t} for a vertical combination, @var{edges} gives
360 the size and position of the combination, and the remaining elements
361 are the child windows. Each child window may again be a window object
362 (for a live window) or a list with the same format as above (for an
363 internal window). The @var{edges} element is a list @code{(@var{left}
364 @var{top} @var{right} @var{bottom})}, similar to the value returned by
365 @code{window-edges} (@pxref{Coordinates and Windows}).
366 @end defun
367
368 @node Window Sizes
369 @section Window Sizes
370 @cindex window size
371 @cindex size of window
372
373 The following schematic shows the structure of a live window:
374
375 @smallexample
376 @group
377 _________________________________________
378 ^ |______________ Header Line_______________|
379 | |LS|LF|LM| |RM|RF|RS| ^
380 | | | | | | | | | |
381 Window | | | | Text Area | | | | Window
382 Total | | | | (Window Body) | | | | Body
383 Height | | | | | | | | Height
384 | | | | |<- Window Body Width ->| | | | |
385 | |__|__|__|_______________________|__|__|__| v
386 v |_______________ Mode Line _______________|
387
388 <----------- Window Total Width -------->
389
390 @end group
391 @end smallexample
392
393 @cindex window body
394 @cindex text area of a window
395 @cindex body of a window
396 At the center of the window is the @dfn{text area}, or @dfn{body},
397 where the buffer text is displayed. On each side of the text area is
398 a series of vertical areas; from innermost to outermost, these are the
399 left and right margins, denoted by LM and RM in the schematic
400 (@pxref{Display Margins}); the left and right fringes, denoted by LF
401 and RF (@pxref{Fringes}); and the left or right scroll bar, only one of
402 which is present at any time, denoted by LS and RS (@pxref{Scroll
403 Bars}). At the top of the window is an optional header line
404 (@pxref{Header Lines}), and at the bottom of the window is the mode
405 line (@pxref{Mode Line Format}).
406
407 Emacs provides several functions for finding the height and width of
408 a window. Except where noted, Emacs reports window heights and widths
409 as integer numbers of lines and columns, respectively. On a graphical
410 display, each ``line'' and ``column'' actually corresponds to the
411 height and width of a ``default'' character specified by the frame's
412 default font. Thus, if a window is displaying text with a different
413 font or size, the reported height and width for that window may differ
414 from the actual number of text lines or columns displayed within it.
415
416 @cindex window height
417 @cindex height of a window
418 @cindex total height of a window
419 @cindex window width
420 @cindex width of a window
421 @cindex total width of a window
422 The @dfn{total height} of a window is the distance between the top
423 and bottom of the window, including the header line (if one exists)
424 and the mode line. The @dfn{total width} of a window is the distance
425 between the left and right edges of the mode line. Note that the
426 height of a frame is not the same as the height of its windows, since
427 a frame may also contain an echo area, menu bar, and tool bar
428 (@pxref{Size and Position}).
429
430 @defun window-total-height &optional window
431 This function returns the total height, in lines, of the window
432 @var{window}. If @var{window} is omitted or @code{nil}, it defaults
433 to the selected window. If @var{window} is an internal window, the
434 return value is the total height occupied by its descendant windows.
435 @end defun
436
437 @defun window-total-width &optional window
438 This function returns the total width, in columns, of the window
439 @var{window}. If @var{window} is omitted or @code{nil}, it defaults
440 to the selected window. If @var{window} is internal, the return value
441 is the total width occupied by its descendant windows.
442 @end defun
443
444 @defun window-total-size &optional window horizontal
445 This function returns either the total height or width of the window
446 @var{window}. If @var{horizontal} is omitted or @code{nil}, this is
447 equivalent to calling @code{window-total-height} for @var{window};
448 otherwise it is equivalent to calling @code{window-total-width} for
449 @var{window}.
450 @end defun
451
452 @cindex full-width window
453 @cindex full-height window
454 The following functions can be used to determine whether a given
455 window has any adjacent windows.
456
457 @defun window-full-height-p &optional window
458 This function returns non-@code{nil} if @var{window} has no other
459 window above or below it in its frame, i.e., its total height equals
460 the total height of the root window on that frame. If @var{window} is
461 omitted or @code{nil}, it defaults to the selected window.
462 @end defun
463
464 @defun window-full-width-p &optional window
465 This function returns non-@code{nil} if @var{window} has no other
466 window to the left or right in its frame, i.e., its total width equals
467 that of the root window on that frame. If @var{window} is omitted or
468 @code{nil}, it defaults to the selected window.
469 @end defun
470
471 @cindex window body height
472 @cindex body height of a window
473 @cindex window body width
474 @cindex body width of a window
475 @cindex body size of a window
476 @cindex window body size
477 The @dfn{body height} of a window is the height of its text area,
478 which does not include the mode or header line. Similarly, the
479 @dfn{body width} is the width of the text area, which does not include
480 the scroll bar, fringes, or margins.
481
482 @defun window-body-height &optional window
483 This function returns the body height, in lines, of the window
484 @var{window}. If @var{window} is omitted or @code{nil}, it defaults
485 to the selected window; otherwise it must be a live window.
486
487 If there is a partially-visible line at the bottom of the text area,
488 that counts as a whole line; to exclude such a partially-visible line,
489 use @code{window-text-height}, below.
490 @end defun
491
492 @defun window-body-width &optional window
493 This function returns the body width, in columns, of the window
494 @var{window}. If @var{window} is omitted or @code{nil}, it defaults
495 to the selected window; otherwise it must be a live window.
496 @end defun
497
498 @defun window-body-size &optional window horizontal
499 This function returns the body height or body width of @var{window}.
500 If @var{horizontal} is omitted or @code{nil}, it is equivalent to
501 calling @code{window-body-height} for @var{window}; otherwise it is
502 equivalent to calling @code{window-body-width}.
503 @end defun
504
505 @defun window-text-height &optional window
506 This function is like @code{window-body-height}, except that any
507 partially-visible line at the bottom of the text area is not counted.
508 @end defun
509
510 For compatibility with previous versions of Emacs,
511 @code{window-height} is an alias for @code{window-total-height}, and
512 @code{window-width} is an alias for @code{window-body-width}. These
513 aliases are considered obsolete and will be removed in the future.
514
515 @cindex fixed-size window
516 @vindex window-min-height
517 @vindex window-min-width
518 Commands that change the size of windows (@pxref{Resizing Windows}),
519 or split them (@pxref{Splitting Windows}), obey the variables
520 @code{window-min-height} and @code{window-min-width}, which specify
521 the smallest allowable window height and width. @xref{Change
522 Window,,Deleting and Rearranging Windows, emacs, The GNU Emacs
523 Manual}. They also obey the variable @code{window-size-fixed}, with
524 which a window can be @dfn{fixed} in size:
525
526 @defvar window-size-fixed
527 If this buffer-local variable is non-@code{nil}, the size of any
528 window displaying the buffer cannot normally be changed. Deleting a
529 window or changing the frame's size may still change its size, if
530 there is no choice.
531
532 If the value is @code{height}, then only the window's height is fixed;
533 if the value is @code{width}, then only the window's width is fixed.
534 Any other non-@code{nil} value fixes both the width and the height.
535 @end defvar
536
537 @defun window-size-fixed-p &optional window horizontal
538 This function returns a non-@code{nil} value if @var{window}'s height
539 is fixed. If @var{window} is omitted or @code{nil}, it defaults to
540 the selected window. If the optional argument @var{horizontal} is
541 non-@code{nil}, the return value is non-@code{nil} if @var{window}'s
542 width is fixed.
543
544 A @code{nil} return value does not necessarily mean that @var{window}
545 can be resized in the desired direction. To determine that, use the
546 function @code{window-resizable}. @xref{Resizing Windows}.
547 @end defun
548
549 @xref{Coordinates and Windows}, for more functions that report the
550 positions of various parts of a window relative to the frame, from
551 which you can calculate its size. In particular, you can use the
552 functions @code{window-pixel-edges} and
553 @code{window-inside-pixel-edges} to find the size in pixels, for
554 graphical displays.
555
556 @node Resizing Windows
557 @section Resizing Windows
558 @cindex window resizing
559 @cindex resize window
560 @cindex changing window size
561 @cindex window size, changing
562
563 This section describes functions for resizing a window without
564 changing the size of its frame. Because live windows do not overlap,
565 these functions are meaningful only on frames that contain two or more
566 windows: resizing a window also changes the size of a neighboring
567 window. If there is just one window on a frame, its size cannot be
568 changed except by resizing the frame (@pxref{Size and Position}).
569
570 Except where noted, these functions also accept internal windows as
571 arguments. Resizing an internal window causes its child windows to be
572 resized to fit the same space.
573
574 @defun window-resizable window delta &optional horizontal ignore
575 This function returns @var{delta} if the size of @var{window} can be
576 changed vertically by @var{delta} lines. If the optional argument
577 @var{horizontal} is non-@code{nil}, it instead returns @var{delta} if
578 @var{window} can be resized horizontally by @var{delta} columns. It
579 does not actually change the window size.
580
581 If @var{window} is @code{nil}, it defaults to the selected window.
582
583 A positive value of @var{delta} means to check whether the window can be
584 enlarged by that number of lines or columns; a negative value of
585 @var{delta} means to check whether the window can be shrunk by that many
586 lines or columns. If @var{delta} is non-zero, a return value of 0 means
587 that the window cannot be resized.
588
589 Normally, the variables @code{window-min-height} and
590 @code{window-min-width} specify the smallest allowable window size.
591 @xref{Change Window,, Deleting and Rearranging Windows, emacs, The GNU
592 Emacs Manual}. However, if the optional argument @var{ignore} is
593 non-@code{nil}, this function ignores @code{window-min-height} and
594 @code{window-min-width}, as well as @code{window-size-fixed}.
595 Instead, it considers the minimum-height window to be one consisting
596 of a header (if any), a mode line, plus a text area one line tall; and
597 a minimum-width window as one consisting of fringes, margins, and
598 scroll bar (if any), plus a text area two columns wide.
599 @end defun
600
601 @defun window-resize window delta &optional horizontal ignore
602 This function resizes @var{window} by @var{delta} increments. If
603 @var{horizontal} is @code{nil}, it changes the height by @var{delta}
604 lines; otherwise, it changes the width by @var{delta} columns. A
605 positive @var{delta} means to enlarge the window, and a negative
606 @var{delta} means to shrink it.
607
608 If @var{window} is @code{nil}, it defaults to the selected window. If
609 the window cannot be resized as demanded, an error is signaled.
610
611 The optional argument @var{ignore} has the same meaning as for the
612 function @code{window-resizable} above.
613
614 The choice of which window edges this function alters depends on the
615 values of the option @code{window-combination-resize} and the
616 combination limits of the involved windows; in some cases, it may alter
617 both edges. @xref{Recombining Windows}. To resize by moving only the
618 bottom or right edge of a window, use the function
619 @code{adjust-window-trailing-edge}, below.
620 @end defun
621
622 @c The commands enlarge-window, enlarge-window-horizontally,
623 @c shrink-window, and shrink-window-horizontally are documented in the
624 @c Emacs manual. They are not preferred for calling from Lisp.
625
626 @defun adjust-window-trailing-edge window delta &optional horizontal
627 This function moves @var{window}'s bottom edge by @var{delta} lines.
628 If optional argument @var{horizontal} is non-@code{nil}, it instead
629 moves the right edge by @var{delta} columns. If @var{window} is
630 @code{nil}, it defaults to the selected window.
631
632 A positive @var{delta} moves the edge downwards or to the right; a
633 negative @var{delta} moves it upwards or to the left. If the edge
634 cannot be moved as far as specified by @var{delta}, this function
635 moves it as far as possible but does not signal a error.
636
637 This function tries to resize windows adjacent to the edge that is
638 moved. If this is not possible for some reason (e.g., if that adjacent
639 window is fixed-size), it may resize other windows.
640 @end defun
641
642 The following commands resize windows in more specific ways. When
643 called interactively, they act on the selected window.
644
645 @deffn Command fit-window-to-buffer &optional window max-height min-height override
646 This command adjusts the height of @var{window} to fit the text in it.
647 It returns non-@code{nil} if it was able to resize @var{window}, and
648 @code{nil} otherwise. If @var{window} is omitted or @code{nil}, it
649 defaults to the selected window. Otherwise, it should be a live
650 window.
651
652 The optional argument @var{max-height}, if non-@code{nil}, specifies
653 the maximum total height that this function can give @var{window}.
654 The optional argument @var{min-height}, if non-@code{nil}, specifies
655 the minimum total height that it can give, which overrides the
656 variable @code{window-min-height}.
657
658 If the optional argument @var{override} is non-@code{nil}, this
659 function ignores any size restrictions imposed by
660 @code{window-min-height} and @code{window-min-width}.
661
662 @vindex fit-frame-to-buffer
663 If the option @code{fit-frame-to-buffer} is non-@code{nil}, this
664 command may resize the frame to fit its contents.
665 @end deffn
666
667 @deffn Command shrink-window-if-larger-than-buffer &optional window
668 This command attempts to reduce @var{window}'s height as much as
669 possible while still showing its full buffer, but no less than
670 @code{window-min-height} lines. The return value is non-@code{nil} if
671 the window was resized, and @code{nil} otherwise. If @var{window} is
672 omitted or @code{nil}, it defaults to the selected window. Otherwise,
673 it should be a live window.
674
675 This command does nothing if the window is already too short to
676 display all of its buffer, or if any of the buffer is scrolled
677 off-screen, or if the window is the only live window in its frame.
678 @end deffn
679
680 @cindex balancing window sizes
681 @deffn Command balance-windows &optional window-or-frame
682 This function balances windows in a way that gives more space to
683 full-width and/or full-height windows. If @var{window-or-frame}
684 specifies a frame, it balances all windows on that frame. If
685 @var{window-or-frame} specifies a window, it balances only that window
686 and its siblings (@pxref{Windows and Frames}).
687 @end deffn
688
689 @deffn Command balance-windows-area
690 This function attempts to give all windows on the selected frame
691 approximately the same share of the screen area. Full-width or
692 full-height windows are not given more space than other windows.
693 @end deffn
694
695 @cindex maximizing windows
696 @deffn Command maximize-window &optional window
697 This function attempts to make @var{window} as large as possible, in
698 both dimensions, without resizing its frame or deleting other windows.
699 If @var{window} is omitted or @code{nil}, it defaults to the selected
700 window.
701 @end deffn
702
703 @cindex minimizing windows
704 @deffn Command minimize-window &optional window
705 This function attempts to make @var{window} as small as possible, in
706 both dimensions, without deleting it or resizing its frame. If
707 @var{window} is omitted or @code{nil}, it defaults to the selected
708 window.
709 @end deffn
710
711
712 @node Splitting Windows
713 @section Splitting Windows
714 @cindex splitting windows
715 @cindex window splitting
716
717 This section describes functions for creating a new window by
718 @dfn{splitting} an existing one.
719
720 @deffn Command split-window &optional window size side
721 This function creates a new live window next to the window
722 @var{window}. If @var{window} is omitted or @code{nil}, it defaults
723 to the selected window. That window is ``split'', and reduced in
724 size. The space is taken up by the new window, which is returned.
725
726 The optional second argument @var{size} determines the sizes of
727 @var{window} and/or the new window. If it is omitted or @code{nil},
728 both windows are given equal sizes; if there is an odd line, it is
729 allocated to the new window. If @var{size} is a positive number,
730 @var{window} is given @var{size} lines (or columns, depending on the
731 value of @var{side}). If @var{size} is a negative number, the new
732 window is given @minus{}@var{size} lines (or columns).
733
734 If @var{size} is @code{nil}, this function obeys the variables
735 @code{window-min-height} and @code{window-min-width}. @xref{Change
736 Window,,Deleting and Rearranging Windows, emacs, The GNU Emacs
737 Manual}. Thus, it signals an error if splitting would result in
738 making a window smaller than those variables specify. However, a
739 non-@code{nil} value for @var{size} causes those variables to be
740 ignored; in that case, the smallest allowable window is considered to
741 be one that has space for a text area one line tall and/or two columns
742 wide.
743
744 The optional third argument @var{side} determines the position of the
745 new window relative to @var{window}. If it is @code{nil} or
746 @code{below}, the new window is placed below @var{window}. If it is
747 @code{above}, the new window is placed above @var{window}. In both
748 these cases, @var{size} specifies a total window height, in lines.
749
750 If @var{side} is @code{t} or @code{right}, the new window is placed on
751 the right of @var{window}. If @var{side} is @code{left}, the new
752 window is placed on the left of @var{window}. In both these cases,
753 @var{size} specifies a total window width, in columns.
754
755 If @var{window} is a live window, the new window inherits various
756 properties from it, including margins and scroll bars. If
757 @var{window} is an internal window, the new window inherits the
758 properties of the window selected within @var{window}'s frame.
759
760 The behavior of this function may be altered by the window parameters
761 of @var{window}, so long as the variable
762 @code{ignore-window-parameters} is @code{nil}. If the value of
763 the @code{split-window} window parameter is @code{t}, this function
764 ignores all other window parameters. Otherwise, if the value of the
765 @code{split-window} window parameter is a function, that function is
766 called with the arguments @var{window}, @var{size}, and @var{side}, in
767 lieu of the usual action of @code{split-window}. Otherwise, this
768 function obeys the @code{window-atom} or @code{window-side} window
769 parameter, if any. @xref{Window Parameters}.
770 @end deffn
771
772 As an example, here is a sequence of @code{split-window} calls that
773 yields the window configuration discussed in @ref{Windows and Frames}.
774 This example demonstrates splitting a live window as well as splitting
775 an internal window. We begin with a frame containing a single window
776 (a live root window), which we denote by @var{W4}. Calling
777 @code{(split-window W4)} yields this window configuration:
778
779 @smallexample
780 @group
781 ______________________________________
782 | ____________________________________ |
783 || ||
784 || ||
785 || ||
786 ||_________________W4_________________||
787 | ____________________________________ |
788 || ||
789 || ||
790 || ||
791 ||_________________W5_________________||
792 |__________________W3__________________|
793
794 @end group
795 @end smallexample
796
797 @noindent
798 The @code{split-window} call has created a new live window, denoted by
799 @var{W5}. It has also created a new internal window, denoted by
800 @var{W3}, which becomes the root window and the parent of both
801 @var{W4} and @var{W5}.
802
803 Next, we call @code{(split-window W3 nil 'left)}, passing the
804 internal window @var{W3} as the argument. The result:
805
806 @smallexample
807 @group
808 ______________________________________
809 | ______ ____________________________ |
810 || || __________________________ ||
811 || ||| |||
812 || ||| |||
813 || ||| |||
814 || |||____________W4____________|||
815 || || __________________________ ||
816 || ||| |||
817 || ||| |||
818 || |||____________W5____________|||
819 ||__W2__||_____________W3_____________ |
820 |__________________W1__________________|
821 @end group
822 @end smallexample
823
824 @noindent
825 A new live window @var{W2} is created, to the left of the internal
826 window @var{W3}. A new internal window @var{W1} is created, becoming
827 the new root window.
828
829 For interactive use, Emacs provides two commands which always split
830 the selected window. These call @code{split-window} internally.
831
832 @deffn Command split-window-right &optional size
833 This function splits the selected window into two side-by-side
834 windows, putting the selected window on the left. If @var{size} is
835 positive, the left window gets @var{size} columns; if @var{size} is
836 negative, the right window gets @minus{}@var{size} columns.
837 @end deffn
838
839 @deffn Command split-window-below &optional size
840 This function splits the selected window into two windows, one above
841 the other, leaving the upper window selected. If @var{size} is
842 positive, the upper window gets @var{size} lines; if @var{size} is
843 negative, the lower window gets @minus{}@var{size} lines.
844 @end deffn
845
846 @defopt split-window-keep-point
847 If the value of this variable is non-@code{nil} (the default),
848 @code{split-window-below} behaves as described above.
849
850 If it is @code{nil}, @code{split-window-below} adjusts point in each
851 of the two windows to minimize redisplay. (This is useful on slow
852 terminals.) It selects whichever window contains the screen line that
853 point was previously on. Note that this only affects
854 @code{split-window-below}, not the lower-level @code{split-window}
855 function.
856 @end defopt
857
858 @node Deleting Windows
859 @section Deleting Windows
860 @cindex deleting windows
861
862 @dfn{Deleting} a window removes it from the frame's window tree. If
863 the window is a live window, it disappears from the screen. If the
864 window is an internal window, its child windows are deleted too.
865
866 Even after a window is deleted, it continues to exist as a Lisp
867 object, until there are no more references to it. Window deletion can
868 be reversed, by restoring a saved window configuration (@pxref{Window
869 Configurations}).
870
871 @deffn Command delete-window &optional window
872 This function removes @var{window} from display and returns
873 @code{nil}. If @var{window} is omitted or @code{nil}, it defaults to
874 the selected window. If deleting the window would leave no more
875 windows in the window tree (e.g., if it is the only live window in the
876 frame), an error is signaled.
877
878 By default, the space taken up by @var{window} is given to one of its
879 adjacent sibling windows, if any. However, if the variable
880 @code{window-combination-resize} is non-@code{nil}, the space is
881 proportionally distributed among any remaining windows in the window
882 combination. @xref{Recombining Windows}.
883
884 The behavior of this function may be altered by the window parameters
885 of @var{window}, so long as the variable
886 @code{ignore-window-parameters} is @code{nil}. If the value of
887 the @code{delete-window} window parameter is @code{t}, this function
888 ignores all other window parameters. Otherwise, if the value of the
889 @code{delete-window} window parameter is a function, that function is
890 called with the argument @var{window}, in lieu of the usual action of
891 @code{delete-window}. Otherwise, this function obeys the
892 @code{window-atom} or @code{window-side} window parameter, if any.
893 @xref{Window Parameters}.
894 @end deffn
895
896 @deffn Command delete-other-windows &optional window
897 This function makes @var{window} fill its frame, by deleting other
898 windows as necessary. If @var{window} is omitted or @code{nil}, it
899 defaults to the selected window. The return value is @code{nil}.
900
901 The behavior of this function may be altered by the window parameters
902 of @var{window}, so long as the variable
903 @code{ignore-window-parameters} is @code{nil}. If the value of
904 the @code{delete-other-windows} window parameter is @code{t}, this
905 function ignores all other window parameters. Otherwise, if the value
906 of the @code{delete-other-windows} window parameter is a function,
907 that function is called with the argument @var{window}, in lieu of the
908 usual action of @code{delete-other-windows}. Otherwise, this function
909 obeys the @code{window-atom} or @code{window-side} window parameter,
910 if any. @xref{Window Parameters}.
911 @end deffn
912
913 @deffn Command delete-windows-on &optional buffer-or-name frame
914 This function deletes all windows showing @var{buffer-or-name}, by
915 calling @code{delete-window} on those windows. @var{buffer-or-name}
916 should be a buffer, or the name of a buffer; if omitted or @code{nil},
917 it defaults to the current buffer. If there are no windows showing
918 the specified buffer, this function does nothing. If the specified
919 buffer is a minibuffer, an error is signaled.
920
921 If there is a dedicated window showing the buffer, and that window is
922 the only one on its frame, this function also deletes that frame if it
923 is not the only frame on the terminal.
924
925 The optional argument @var{frame} specifies which frames to operate
926 on:
927
928 @itemize @bullet
929 @item @code{nil}
930 means operate on all frames.
931 @item @code{t}
932 means operate on the selected frame.
933 @item @code{visible}
934 means operate on all visible frames.
935 @item @code{0}
936 means operate on all visible or iconified frames.
937 @item A frame
938 means operate on that frame.
939 @end itemize
940
941 Note that this argument does not have the same meaning as in other
942 functions which scan all live windows (@pxref{Cyclic Window
943 Ordering}). Specifically, the meanings of @code{t} and @code{nil} here
944 are the opposite of what they are in those other functions.
945 @end deffn
946
947
948 @node Recombining Windows
949 @section Recombining Windows
950
951 When deleting the last sibling of a window @var{W}, its parent window
952 is deleted too, with @var{W} replacing it in the window tree. This
953 means that @var{W} must be recombined with its parent's siblings to
954 form a new window combination (@pxref{Windows and Frames}). In some
955 occasions, deleting a live window may even entail the deletion of two
956 internal windows.
957
958 @smallexample
959 @group
960 ______________________________________
961 | ______ ____________________________ |
962 || || __________________________ ||
963 || ||| ___________ ___________ |||
964 || |||| || ||||
965 || ||||____W6_____||_____W7____||||
966 || |||____________W4____________|||
967 || || __________________________ ||
968 || ||| |||
969 || ||| |||
970 || |||____________W5____________|||
971 ||__W2__||_____________W3_____________ |
972 |__________________W1__________________|
973
974 @end group
975 @end smallexample
976
977 @noindent
978 Deleting @var{W5} in this configuration normally causes the deletion of
979 @var{W3} and @var{W4}. The remaining live windows @var{W2},
980 @var{W6} and @var{W7} are recombined to form a new horizontal
981 combination with parent @var{W1}.
982
983 Sometimes, however, it makes sense to not delete a parent window like
984 @var{W4}. In particular, a parent window should not be removed when it
985 was used to preserve a combination embedded in a combination of the same
986 type. Such embeddings make sense to assure that when you split a window
987 and subsequently delete the new window, Emacs reestablishes the layout
988 of the associated frame as it existed before the splitting.
989
990 Consider a scenario starting with two live windows @var{W2} and
991 @var{W3} and their parent @var{W1}.
992
993 @smallexample
994 @group
995 ______________________________________
996 | ____________________________________ |
997 || ||
998 || ||
999 || ||
1000 || ||
1001 || ||
1002 || ||
1003 ||_________________W2_________________||
1004 | ____________________________________ |
1005 || ||
1006 || ||
1007 ||_________________W3_________________||
1008 |__________________W1__________________|
1009
1010 @end group
1011 @end smallexample
1012
1013 @noindent
1014 Split @var{W2} to make a new window @var{W4} as follows.
1015
1016 @smallexample
1017 @group
1018 ______________________________________
1019 | ____________________________________ |
1020 || ||
1021 || ||
1022 ||_________________W2_________________||
1023 | ____________________________________ |
1024 || ||
1025 || ||
1026 ||_________________W4_________________||
1027 | ____________________________________ |
1028 || ||
1029 || ||
1030 ||_________________W3_________________||
1031 |__________________W1__________________|
1032
1033 @end group
1034 @end smallexample
1035
1036 @noindent
1037 Now, when enlarging a window vertically, Emacs tries to obtain the
1038 corresponding space from its lower sibling, provided such a window
1039 exists. In our scenario, enlarging @var{W4} will steal space from
1040 @var{W3}.
1041
1042 @smallexample
1043 @group
1044 ______________________________________
1045 | ____________________________________ |
1046 || ||
1047 || ||
1048 ||_________________W2_________________||
1049 | ____________________________________ |
1050 || ||
1051 || ||
1052 || ||
1053 || ||
1054 ||_________________W4_________________||
1055 | ____________________________________ |
1056 ||_________________W3_________________||
1057 |__________________W1__________________|
1058
1059 @end group
1060 @end smallexample
1061
1062 @noindent
1063 Deleting @var{W4} will now give its entire space to @var{W2},
1064 including the space earlier stolen from @var{W3}.
1065
1066 @smallexample
1067 @group
1068 ______________________________________
1069 | ____________________________________ |
1070 || ||
1071 || ||
1072 || ||
1073 || ||
1074 || ||
1075 || ||
1076 || ||
1077 || ||
1078 ||_________________W2_________________||
1079 | ____________________________________ |
1080 ||_________________W3_________________||
1081 |__________________W1__________________|
1082
1083 @end group
1084 @end smallexample
1085
1086 @noindent
1087 This can be counterintuitive, in particular if @var{W4} were used for
1088 displaying a buffer only temporarily (@pxref{Temporary Displays}), and
1089 you want to continue working with the initial layout.
1090
1091 The behavior can be fixed by making a new parent window when splitting
1092 @var{W2}. The variable described next allows to do that.
1093
1094 @defopt window-combination-limit
1095 This variable controls whether splitting a window shall make a new
1096 parent window. The following values are recognized:
1097
1098 @table @code
1099 @item nil
1100 This means that the new live window is allowed to share the existing
1101 parent window, if one exists, provided the split occurs in the same
1102 direction as the existing window combination (otherwise, a new internal
1103 window is created anyway).
1104
1105 @item window-size
1106 In this case @code{display-buffer} makes a new parent window if it is
1107 passed a @code{window-height} or @code{window-width} entry in the
1108 @var{alist} argument (@pxref{Display Action Functions}).
1109
1110 @item temp-buffer
1111 This value causes the creation of a new parent window when a window is
1112 split for showing a temporary buffer (@pxref{Temporary Displays}) only.
1113
1114 @item display-buffer
1115 This means that when @code{display-buffer} (@pxref{Choosing Window})
1116 splits a window it always makes a new parent window.
1117
1118 @item t
1119 In this case a new parent window is always created when splitting a
1120 window. Thus, if the value of this variable is at all times @code{t},
1121 then at all times every window tree is a binary tree (a tree where each
1122 window except the root window has exactly one sibling).
1123 @end table
1124
1125 The default is @code{nil}. Other values are reserved for future use.
1126
1127 If, as a consequence of this variable's setting, @code{split-window}
1128 makes a new parent window, it also calls
1129 @code{set-window-combination-limit} (see below) on the newly-created
1130 internal window. This affects how the window tree is rearranged when
1131 the child windows are deleted (see below).
1132 @end defopt
1133
1134 If @code{window-combination-limit} is @code{t}, splitting @var{W2} in
1135 the initial configuration of our scenario would have produced this:
1136
1137 @smallexample
1138 @group
1139 ______________________________________
1140 | ____________________________________ |
1141 || __________________________________ ||
1142 ||| |||
1143 |||________________W2________________|||
1144 || __________________________________ ||
1145 ||| |||
1146 |||________________W4________________|||
1147 ||_________________W5_________________||
1148 | ____________________________________ |
1149 || ||
1150 || ||
1151 ||_________________W3_________________||
1152 |__________________W1__________________|
1153
1154 @end group
1155 @end smallexample
1156
1157 @noindent
1158 A new internal window @var{W5} has been created; its children are
1159 @var{W2} and the new live window @var{W4}. Now, @var{W2} is the only
1160 sibling of @var{W4}, so enlarging @var{W4} will try to shrink
1161 @var{W2}, leaving @var{W3} unaffected. Observe that @var{W5}
1162 represents a vertical combination of two windows embedded in the
1163 vertical combination @var{W1}.
1164
1165 @cindex window combination limit
1166 @defun set-window-combination-limit window limit
1167 This functions sets the @dfn{combination limit} of the window
1168 @var{window} to @var{limit}. This value can be retrieved via the
1169 function @code{window-combination-limit}. See below for its effects;
1170 note that it is only meaningful for internal windows. The
1171 @code{split-window} function automatically calls this function, passing
1172 it @code{t} as @var{limit}, provided the value of the variable
1173 @code{window-combination-limit} is @code{t} when it is called.
1174 @end defun
1175
1176 @defun window-combination-limit window
1177 This function returns the combination limit for @var{window}.
1178
1179 The combination limit is meaningful only for an internal window. If it
1180 is @code{nil}, then Emacs is allowed to automatically delete
1181 @var{window}, in response to a window deletion, in order to group the
1182 child windows of @var{window} with its sibling windows to form a new
1183 window combination. If the combination limit is @code{t}, the child
1184 windows of @var{window} are never automatically recombined with its
1185 siblings.
1186
1187 If, in the configuration shown at the beginning of this section, the
1188 combination limit of @var{W4} (the parent window of @var{W6} and
1189 @var{W7}) is @code{t}, deleting @var{W5} will not implicitly delete
1190 @var{W4} too.
1191 @end defun
1192
1193 Alternatively, the problems sketched above can be avoided by always
1194 resizing all windows in the same combination whenever one of its windows
1195 is split or deleted. This also permits to split windows that would be
1196 otherwise too small for such an operation.
1197
1198 @defopt window-combination-resize
1199 If this variable is @code{nil}, @code{split-window} can only split a
1200 window (denoted by @var{window}) if @var{window}'s screen area is large
1201 enough to accommodate both itself and the new window.
1202
1203 If this variable is @code{t}, @code{split-window} tries to resize all
1204 windows that are part of the same combination as @var{window}, in order
1205 to accommodate the new window. In particular, this may allow
1206 @code{split-window} to succeed even if @var{window} is a fixed-size
1207 window or too small to ordinarily split. Furthermore, subsequently
1208 resizing or deleting @var{window} may resize all other windows in its
1209 combination.
1210
1211 The default is @code{nil}. Other values are reserved for future use.
1212 The value of this variable is ignored when
1213 @code{window-combination-limit} is non-@code{nil}.
1214 @end defopt
1215
1216 To illustrate the effect of @code{window-combination-resize}, consider
1217 the following frame layout.
1218
1219 @smallexample
1220 @group
1221 ______________________________________
1222 | ____________________________________ |
1223 || ||
1224 || ||
1225 || ||
1226 || ||
1227 ||_________________W2_________________||
1228 | ____________________________________ |
1229 || ||
1230 || ||
1231 || ||
1232 || ||
1233 ||_________________W3_________________||
1234 |__________________W1__________________|
1235
1236 @end group
1237 @end smallexample
1238
1239 @noindent
1240 If @code{window-combination-resize} is @code{nil}, splitting window
1241 @var{W3} leaves the size of @var{W2} unchanged:
1242
1243 @smallexample
1244 @group
1245 ______________________________________
1246 | ____________________________________ |
1247 || ||
1248 || ||
1249 || ||
1250 || ||
1251 ||_________________W2_________________||
1252 | ____________________________________ |
1253 || ||
1254 ||_________________W3_________________||
1255 | ____________________________________ |
1256 || ||
1257 ||_________________W4_________________||
1258 |__________________W1__________________|
1259
1260 @end group
1261 @end smallexample
1262
1263 @noindent
1264 If @code{window-combination-resize} is @code{t}, splitting @var{W3}
1265 instead leaves all three live windows with approximately the same
1266 height:
1267
1268 @smallexample
1269 @group
1270 ______________________________________
1271 | ____________________________________ |
1272 || ||
1273 || ||
1274 ||_________________W2_________________||
1275 | ____________________________________ |
1276 || ||
1277 || ||
1278 ||_________________W3_________________||
1279 | ____________________________________ |
1280 || ||
1281 || ||
1282 ||_________________W4_________________||
1283 |__________________W1__________________|
1284
1285 @end group
1286 @end smallexample
1287
1288 @noindent
1289 Deleting any of the live windows @var{W2}, @var{W3} or @var{W4} will
1290 distribute its space proportionally among the two remaining live
1291 windows.
1292
1293
1294 @node Selecting Windows
1295 @section Selecting Windows
1296 @cindex selecting a window
1297
1298 @defun select-window window &optional norecord
1299 This function makes @var{window} the selected window, as well as the
1300 window selected within its frame (@pxref{Basic Windows}). @var{window}
1301 must be a live window. This function makes also @var{window}'s buffer
1302 current (@pxref{Buffers and Windows}). The return value is
1303 @var{window}.
1304
1305 By default, this function also moves @var{window}'s buffer to the front
1306 of the buffer list (@pxref{The Buffer List}), and makes @var{window} the
1307 most recently selected window. However, if the optional argument
1308 @var{norecord} is non-@code{nil}, these additional actions are omitted.
1309 @end defun
1310
1311 @cindex most recently selected windows
1312 The sequence of calls to @code{select-window} with a non-@code{nil}
1313 @var{norecord} argument determines an ordering of windows by their
1314 selection time. The function @code{get-lru-window} can be used to
1315 retrieve the least recently selected live window (@pxref{Cyclic Window
1316 Ordering}).
1317
1318 @defmac save-selected-window forms@dots{}
1319 This macro records the selected frame, as well as the selected window
1320 of each frame, executes @var{forms} in sequence, then restores the
1321 earlier selected frame and windows. It also saves and restores the
1322 current buffer. It returns the value of the last form in @var{forms}.
1323
1324 This macro does not save or restore anything about the sizes,
1325 arrangement or contents of windows; therefore, if @var{forms} change
1326 them, the change persists. If the previously selected window of some
1327 frame is no longer live at the time of exit from @var{forms}, that
1328 frame's selected window is left alone. If the previously selected
1329 window is no longer live, then whatever window is selected at the end of
1330 @var{forms} remains selected. The current buffer is restored if and
1331 only if it is still live when exiting @var{forms}.
1332
1333 This macro changes neither the ordering of recently selected windows nor
1334 the buffer list.
1335 @end defmac
1336
1337 @defmac with-selected-window window forms@dots{}
1338 This macro selects @var{window}, executes @var{forms} in sequence, then
1339 restores the previously selected window and current buffer. The ordering
1340 of recently selected windows and the buffer list remain unchanged unless
1341 you deliberately change them within @var{forms}; for example, by calling
1342 @code{select-window} with argument @var{norecord} @code{nil}.
1343
1344 This macro does not change the order of recently selected windows or
1345 the buffer list.
1346 @end defmac
1347
1348 @defun frame-selected-window &optional frame
1349 This function returns the window on @var{frame} that is selected
1350 within that frame. @var{frame} should be a live frame; if omitted or
1351 @code{nil}, it defaults to the selected frame.
1352 @end defun
1353
1354 @defun set-frame-selected-window frame window &optional norecord
1355 This function makes @var{window} the window selected within the frame
1356 @var{frame}. @var{frame} should be a live frame; if omitted or
1357 @code{nil}, it defaults to the selected frame. @var{window} should be
1358 a live window; if omitted or @code{nil}, it defaults to the selected
1359 window.
1360
1361 If @var{frame} is the selected frame, this makes @var{window} the
1362 selected window.
1363
1364 If the optional argument @var{norecord} is non-@code{nil}, this
1365 function does not alter the list of most recently selected windows,
1366 nor the buffer list.
1367 @end defun
1368
1369 @node Cyclic Window Ordering
1370 @section Cyclic Ordering of Windows
1371 @cindex cyclic ordering of windows
1372 @cindex ordering of windows, cyclic
1373 @cindex window ordering, cyclic
1374
1375 When you use the command @kbd{C-x o} (@code{other-window}) to select
1376 some other window, it moves through live windows in a specific order.
1377 For any given configuration of windows, this order never varies. It
1378 is called the @dfn{cyclic ordering of windows}.
1379
1380 The ordering is determined by a depth-first traversal of the frame's
1381 window tree, retrieving the live windows which are the leaf nodes of
1382 the tree (@pxref{Windows and Frames}). If the minibuffer is active,
1383 the minibuffer window is included too. The ordering is cyclic, so the
1384 last window in the sequence is followed by the first one.
1385
1386 @defun next-window &optional window minibuf all-frames
1387 @cindex minibuffer window, and @code{next-window}
1388 This function returns a live window, the one following @var{window} in
1389 the cyclic ordering of windows. @var{window} should be a live window;
1390 if omitted or @code{nil}, it defaults to the selected window.
1391
1392 The optional argument @var{minibuf} specifies whether minibuffer windows
1393 should be included in the cyclic ordering. Normally, when @var{minibuf}
1394 is @code{nil}, a minibuffer window is included only if it is currently
1395 ``active''; this matches the behavior of @kbd{C-x o}. (Note that a
1396 minibuffer window is active as long as its minibuffer is in use; see
1397 @ref{Minibuffers}).
1398
1399 If @var{minibuf} is @code{t}, the cyclic ordering includes all
1400 minibuffer windows. If @var{minibuf} is neither @code{t} nor
1401 @code{nil}, minibuffer windows are not included even if they are active.
1402
1403 The optional argument @var{all-frames} specifies which frames to
1404 consider:
1405
1406 @itemize @bullet
1407 @item @code{nil}
1408 means to consider windows on @var{window}'s frame. If the minibuffer
1409 window is considered (as specified by the @var{minibuf} argument),
1410 then frames that share the minibuffer window are considered too.
1411
1412 @item @code{t}
1413 means to consider windows on all existing frames.
1414
1415 @item @code{visible}
1416 means to consider windows on all visible frames.
1417
1418 @item 0
1419 means to consider windows on all visible or iconified frames.
1420
1421 @item A frame
1422 means to consider windows on that specific frame.
1423
1424 @item Anything else
1425 means to consider windows on @var{window}'s frame, and no others.
1426 @end itemize
1427
1428 If more than one frame is considered, the cyclic ordering is obtained
1429 by appending the orderings for those frames, in the same order as the
1430 list of all live frames (@pxref{Finding All Frames}).
1431 @end defun
1432
1433 @defun previous-window &optional window minibuf all-frames
1434 This function returns a live window, the one preceding @var{window} in
1435 the cyclic ordering of windows. The other arguments are handled like
1436 in @code{next-window}.
1437 @end defun
1438
1439 @deffn Command other-window count &optional all-frames
1440 This function selects a live window, one @var{count} places from the
1441 selected window in the cyclic ordering of windows. If @var{count} is
1442 a positive number, it skips @var{count} windows forwards; if
1443 @var{count} is negative, it skips @minus{}@var{count} windows
1444 backwards; if @var{count} is zero, that simply re-selects the selected
1445 window. When called interactively, @var{count} is the numeric prefix
1446 argument.
1447
1448 The optional argument @var{all-frames} has the same meaning as in
1449 @code{next-window}, like a @code{nil} @var{minibuf} argument to
1450 @code{next-window}.
1451
1452 This function does not select a window that has a non-@code{nil}
1453 @code{no-other-window} window parameter (@pxref{Window Parameters}).
1454 @end deffn
1455
1456 @defun walk-windows fun &optional minibuf all-frames
1457 This function calls the function @var{fun} once for each live window,
1458 with the window as the argument.
1459
1460 It follows the cyclic ordering of windows. The optional arguments
1461 @var{minibuf} and @var{all-frames} specify the set of windows
1462 included; these have the same arguments as in @code{next-window}. If
1463 @var{all-frames} specifies a frame, the first window walked is the
1464 first window on that frame (the one returned by
1465 @code{frame-first-window}), not necessarily the selected window.
1466
1467 If @var{fun} changes the window configuration by splitting or deleting
1468 windows, that does not alter the set of windows walked, which is
1469 determined prior to calling @var{fun} for the first time.
1470 @end defun
1471
1472 @defun one-window-p &optional no-mini all-frames
1473 This function returns @code{t} if the selected window is the only live
1474 window, and @code{nil} otherwise.
1475
1476 If the minibuffer window is active, it is normally considered (so that
1477 this function returns @code{nil}). However, if the optional argument
1478 @var{no-mini} is non-@code{nil}, the minibuffer window is ignored even
1479 if active. The optional argument @var{all-frames} has the same
1480 meaning as for @code{next-window}.
1481 @end defun
1482
1483 @cindex finding windows
1484 The following functions return a window which satisfies some
1485 criterion, without selecting it:
1486
1487 @cindex least recently used window
1488 @defun get-lru-window &optional all-frames dedicated not-selected
1489 This function returns a live window which is heuristically the ``least
1490 recently used'' window. The optional argument @var{all-frames} has
1491 the same meaning as in @code{next-window}.
1492
1493 If any full-width windows are present, only those windows are
1494 considered. A minibuffer window is never a candidate. A dedicated
1495 window (@pxref{Dedicated Windows}) is never a candidate unless the
1496 optional argument @var{dedicated} is non-@code{nil}. The selected
1497 window is never returned, unless it is the only candidate. However, if
1498 the optional argument @var{not-selected} is non-@code{nil}, this
1499 function returns @code{nil} in that case.
1500 @end defun
1501
1502 @cindex largest window
1503 @defun get-largest-window &optional all-frames dedicated not-selected
1504 This function returns the window with the largest area (height times
1505 width). The optional argument @var{all-frames} specifies the windows to
1506 search, and has the same meaning as in @code{next-window}.
1507
1508 A minibuffer window is never a candidate. A dedicated window
1509 (@pxref{Dedicated Windows}) is never a candidate unless the optional
1510 argument @var{dedicated} is non-@code{nil}. The selected window is not
1511 a candidate if the optional argument @var{not-selected} is
1512 non-@code{nil}. If the optional argument @var{not-selected} is
1513 non-@code{nil} and the selected window is the only candidate, this
1514 function returns @code{nil}.
1515
1516 If there are two candidate windows of the same size, this function
1517 prefers the one that comes first in the cyclic ordering of windows,
1518 starting from the selected window.
1519 @end defun
1520
1521 @cindex window that satisfies a predicate
1522 @cindex conditional selection of windows
1523 @defun get-window-with-predicate predicate &optional minibuf all-frames default
1524 This function calls the function @var{predicate} for each of the
1525 windows in the cyclic order of windows in turn, passing it the window
1526 as an argument. If the predicate returns non-@code{nil} for any
1527 window, this function stops and returns that window. If no such
1528 window is found, the return value is @var{default} (which defaults to
1529 @code{nil}).
1530
1531 The optional arguments @var{minibuf} and @var{all-frames} specify the
1532 windows to search, and have the same meanings as in
1533 @code{next-window}.
1534 @end defun
1535
1536
1537 @node Buffers and Windows
1538 @section Buffers and Windows
1539 @cindex examining windows
1540 @cindex windows, controlling precisely
1541 @cindex buffers, controlled in windows
1542
1543 This section describes low-level functions for examining and setting
1544 the contents of windows. @xref{Switching Buffers}, for higher-level
1545 functions for displaying a specific buffer in a window.
1546
1547 @defun window-buffer &optional window
1548 This function returns the buffer that @var{window} is displaying. If
1549 @var{window} is omitted or @code{nil} it defaults to the selected
1550 window. If @var{window} is an internal window, this function returns
1551 @code{nil}.
1552 @end defun
1553
1554 @defun set-window-buffer window buffer-or-name &optional keep-margins
1555 This function makes @var{window} display @var{buffer-or-name}.
1556 @var{window} should be a live window; if @code{nil}, it defaults to
1557 the selected window. @var{buffer-or-name} should be a buffer, or the
1558 name of an existing buffer. This function does not change which
1559 window is selected, nor does it directly change which buffer is
1560 current (@pxref{Current Buffer}). Its return value is @code{nil}.
1561
1562 If @var{window} is @dfn{strongly dedicated} to a buffer and
1563 @var{buffer-or-name} does not specify that buffer, this function
1564 signals an error. @xref{Dedicated Windows}.
1565
1566 By default, this function resets @var{window}'s position, display
1567 margins, fringe widths, and scroll bar settings, based on the local
1568 variables in the specified buffer. However, if the optional argument
1569 @var{keep-margins} is non-@code{nil}, it leaves the display margins
1570 and fringe widths unchanged.
1571
1572 When writing an application, you should normally use the higher-level
1573 functions described in @ref{Switching Buffers}, instead of calling
1574 @code{set-window-buffer} directly.
1575
1576 This runs @code{window-scroll-functions}, followed by
1577 @code{window-configuration-change-hook}. @xref{Window Hooks}.
1578 @end defun
1579
1580 @defvar buffer-display-count
1581 This buffer-local variable records the number of times a buffer has been
1582 displayed in a window. It is incremented each time
1583 @code{set-window-buffer} is called for the buffer.
1584 @end defvar
1585
1586 @defvar buffer-display-time
1587 This buffer-local variable records the time at which a buffer was last
1588 displayed in a window. The value is @code{nil} if the buffer has
1589 never been displayed. It is updated each time
1590 @code{set-window-buffer} is called for the buffer, with the value
1591 returned by @code{current-time} (@pxref{Time of Day}).
1592 @end defvar
1593
1594 @defun get-buffer-window &optional buffer-or-name all-frames
1595 This function returns the first window displaying @var{buffer-or-name}
1596 in the cyclic ordering of windows, starting from the selected window
1597 (@pxref{Cyclic Window Ordering}). If no such window exists, the
1598 return value is @code{nil}.
1599
1600 @var{buffer-or-name} should be a buffer or the name of a buffer; if
1601 omitted or @code{nil}, it defaults to the current buffer. The
1602 optional argument @var{all-frames} specifies which windows to
1603 consider:
1604
1605 @itemize @bullet
1606 @item
1607 @code{t} means consider windows on all existing frames.
1608 @item
1609 @code{visible} means consider windows on all visible frames.
1610 @item
1611 0 means consider windows on all visible or iconified frames.
1612 @item
1613 A frame means consider windows on that frame only.
1614 @item
1615 Any other value means consider windows on the selected frame.
1616 @end itemize
1617
1618 Note that these meanings differ slightly from those of the
1619 @var{all-frames} argument to @code{next-window} (@pxref{Cyclic Window
1620 Ordering}). This function may be changed in a future version of Emacs
1621 to eliminate this discrepancy.
1622 @end defun
1623
1624 @defun get-buffer-window-list &optional buffer-or-name minibuf all-frames
1625 This function returns a list of all windows currently displaying
1626 @var{buffer-or-name}. @var{buffer-or-name} should be a buffer or the
1627 name of an existing buffer. If omitted or @code{nil}, it defaults to
1628 the current buffer.
1629
1630 The arguments @var{minibuf} and @var{all-frames} have the same
1631 meanings as in the function @code{next-window} (@pxref{Cyclic Window
1632 Ordering}). Note that the @var{all-frames} argument does @emph{not}
1633 behave exactly like in @code{get-buffer-window}.
1634 @end defun
1635
1636 @deffn Command replace-buffer-in-windows &optional buffer-or-name
1637 This command replaces @var{buffer-or-name} with some other buffer, in
1638 all windows displaying it. @var{buffer-or-name} should be a buffer, or
1639 the name of an existing buffer; if omitted or @code{nil}, it defaults to
1640 the current buffer.
1641
1642 The replacement buffer in each window is chosen via
1643 @code{switch-to-prev-buffer} (@pxref{Window History}). Any dedicated
1644 window displaying @var{buffer-or-name} is deleted if possible
1645 (@pxref{Dedicated Windows}). If such a window is the only window on its
1646 frame and there are other frames on the same terminal, the frame is
1647 deleted as well. If the dedicated window is the only window on the only
1648 frame on its terminal, the buffer is replaced anyway.
1649 @end deffn
1650
1651
1652 @node Switching Buffers
1653 @section Switching to a Buffer in a Window
1654 @cindex switching to a buffer
1655 @cindex displaying a buffer
1656
1657 This section describes high-level functions for switching to a specified
1658 buffer in some window. In general, ``switching to a buffer'' means to
1659 (1) show the buffer in some window, (2) make that window the selected
1660 window (and its frame the selected frame), and (3) make the buffer the
1661 current buffer.
1662
1663 Do @emph{not} use these functions to make a buffer temporarily
1664 current just so a Lisp program can access or modify it. They have
1665 side-effects, such as changing window histories (@pxref{Window
1666 History}), which will surprise the user if used that way. If you want
1667 to make a buffer current to modify it in Lisp, use
1668 @code{with-current-buffer}, @code{save-current-buffer}, or
1669 @code{set-buffer}. @xref{Current Buffer}.
1670
1671 @deffn Command switch-to-buffer buffer-or-name &optional norecord force-same-window
1672 This command attempts to display @var{buffer-or-name} in the selected
1673 window and make it the current buffer. It is often used interactively
1674 (as the binding of @kbd{C-x b}), as well as in Lisp programs. The
1675 return value is the buffer switched to.
1676
1677 If @var{buffer-or-name} is @code{nil}, it defaults to the buffer
1678 returned by @code{other-buffer} (@pxref{The Buffer List}). If
1679 @var{buffer-or-name} is a string that is not the name of any existing
1680 buffer, this function creates a new buffer with that name; the new
1681 buffer's major mode is determined by the variable @code{major-mode}
1682 (@pxref{Major Modes}).
1683
1684 Normally, the specified buffer is put at the front of the buffer
1685 list---both the global buffer list and the selected frame's buffer
1686 list (@pxref{The Buffer List}). However, this is not done if the
1687 optional argument @var{norecord} is non-@code{nil}.
1688
1689 Sometimes, @code{switch-to-buffer} may be unable to display the buffer
1690 in the selected window. This happens if the selected window is a
1691 minibuffer window, or if the selected window is strongly dedicated to
1692 its buffer (@pxref{Dedicated Windows}). In that case, the command
1693 normally tries to display the buffer in some other window, by invoking
1694 @code{pop-to-buffer} (see below). However, if the optional argument
1695 @var{force-same-window} is non-@code{nil}, it signals an error
1696 instead.
1697 @end deffn
1698
1699 By default, @code{switch-to-buffer} shows the buffer at its position of
1700 @code{point}. This behavior can be tuned using the following option.
1701
1702 @defopt switch-to-buffer-preserve-window-point
1703 If this variable is @code{nil}, @code{switch-to-buffer} displays the
1704 buffer specified by @var{buffer-or-name} at the position of that
1705 buffer's @code{point}. If this variable is @code{already-displayed}, it
1706 tries to display the buffer at its previous position in the selected
1707 window, provided the buffer is currently displayed in some other window
1708 on any visible or iconified frame. If this variable is @code{t},
1709 @code{switch-to-buffer} unconditionally tries to display the buffer at
1710 its previous position in the selected window.
1711
1712 This variable is ignored if the buffer is already displayed in the
1713 selected window or never appeared in it before, or if
1714 @code{switch-to-buffer} calls @code{pop-to-buffer} to display the
1715 buffer.
1716 @end defopt
1717
1718 The next two commands are similar to @code{switch-to-buffer}, except for
1719 the described features.
1720
1721 @deffn Command switch-to-buffer-other-window buffer-or-name &optional norecord
1722 This function displays the buffer specified by @var{buffer-or-name} in
1723 some window other than the selected window. It uses the function
1724 @code{pop-to-buffer} internally (see below).
1725
1726 If the selected window already displays the specified buffer, it
1727 continues to do so, but another window is nonetheless found to display
1728 it as well.
1729
1730 The @var{buffer-or-name} and @var{norecord} arguments have the same
1731 meanings as in @code{switch-to-buffer}.
1732 @end deffn
1733
1734 @deffn Command switch-to-buffer-other-frame buffer-or-name &optional norecord
1735 This function displays the buffer specified by @var{buffer-or-name} in a
1736 new frame. It uses the function @code{pop-to-buffer} internally (see
1737 below).
1738
1739 If the specified buffer is already displayed in another window, in any
1740 frame on the current terminal, this switches to that window instead of
1741 creating a new frame. However, the selected window is never used for
1742 this.
1743
1744 The @var{buffer-or-name} and @var{norecord} arguments have the same
1745 meanings as in @code{switch-to-buffer}.
1746 @end deffn
1747
1748 The above commands use the function @code{pop-to-buffer}, which
1749 flexibly displays a buffer in some window and selects that window for
1750 editing. In turn, @code{pop-to-buffer} uses @code{display-buffer} for
1751 displaying the buffer. Hence, all the variables affecting
1752 @code{display-buffer} will affect it as well. @xref{Choosing Window},
1753 for the documentation of @code{display-buffer}.
1754
1755 @deffn Command pop-to-buffer buffer-or-name &optional action norecord
1756 This function makes @var{buffer-or-name} the current buffer and
1757 displays it in some window, preferably not the window previously
1758 selected. It then selects the displaying window. If that window is
1759 on a different graphical frame, that frame is given input focus if
1760 possible (@pxref{Input Focus}). The return value is the buffer that
1761 was switched to.
1762
1763 If @var{buffer-or-name} is @code{nil}, it defaults to the buffer
1764 returned by @code{other-buffer} (@pxref{The Buffer List}). If
1765 @var{buffer-or-name} is a string that is not the name of any existing
1766 buffer, this function creates a new buffer with that name; the new
1767 buffer's major mode is determined by the variable @code{major-mode}
1768 (@pxref{Major Modes}).
1769
1770 If @var{action} is non-@code{nil}, it should be a display action to
1771 pass to @code{display-buffer} (@pxref{Choosing Window}).
1772 Alternatively, a non-@code{nil}, non-list value means to pop to a
1773 window other than the selected one---even if the buffer is already
1774 displayed in the selected window.
1775
1776 Like @code{switch-to-buffer}, this function updates the buffer list
1777 unless @var{norecord} is non-@code{nil}.
1778 @end deffn
1779
1780
1781 @node Choosing Window
1782 @section Choosing a Window for Display
1783
1784 The command @code{display-buffer} flexibly chooses a window for
1785 display, and displays a specified buffer in that window. It can be
1786 called interactively, via the key binding @kbd{C-x 4 C-o}. It is also
1787 used as a subroutine by many functions and commands, including
1788 @code{switch-to-buffer} and @code{pop-to-buffer} (@pxref{Switching
1789 Buffers}).
1790
1791 @cindex display action
1792 @cindex action function, for @code{display-buffer}
1793 @cindex action alist, for @code{display-buffer}
1794 This command performs several complex steps to find a window to
1795 display in. These steps are described by means of @dfn{display
1796 actions}, which have the form @code{(@var{function} . @var{alist})}.
1797 Here, @var{function} is either a function or a list of functions,
1798 which we refer to as @dfn{action functions}; @var{alist} is an
1799 association list, which we refer to as @dfn{action alists}.
1800
1801 An action function accepts two arguments: the buffer to display and
1802 an action alist. It attempts to display the buffer in some window,
1803 picking or creating a window according to its own criteria. If
1804 successful, it returns the window; otherwise, it returns @code{nil}.
1805 @xref{Display Action Functions}, for a list of predefined action
1806 functions.
1807
1808 @code{display-buffer} works by combining display actions from
1809 several sources, and calling the action functions in turn, until one
1810 of them manages to display the buffer and returns a non-@code{nil}
1811 value.
1812
1813 @deffn Command display-buffer buffer-or-name &optional action frame
1814 This command makes @var{buffer-or-name} appear in some window, without
1815 selecting the window or making the buffer current. The argument
1816 @var{buffer-or-name} must be a buffer or the name of an existing
1817 buffer. The return value is the window chosen to display the buffer.
1818
1819 The optional argument @var{action}, if non-@code{nil}, should normally
1820 be a display action (described above). @code{display-buffer} builds a
1821 list of action functions and an action alist, by consolidating display
1822 actions from the following sources (in order):
1823
1824 @itemize
1825 @item
1826 The variable @code{display-buffer-overriding-action}.
1827
1828 @item
1829 The user option @code{display-buffer-alist}.
1830
1831 @item
1832 The @var{action} argument.
1833
1834 @item
1835 The user option @code{display-buffer-base-action}.
1836
1837 @item
1838 The constant @code{display-buffer-fallback-action}.
1839 @end itemize
1840
1841 @noindent
1842 Each action function is called in turn, passing the buffer as the
1843 first argument and the combined action alist as the second argument,
1844 until one of the functions returns non-@code{nil}.
1845
1846 The argument @var{action} can also have a non-@code{nil}, non-list
1847 value. This has the special meaning that the buffer should be
1848 displayed in a window other than the selected one, even if the
1849 selected window is already displaying it. If called interactively
1850 with a prefix argument, @var{action} is @code{t}.
1851
1852 The optional argument @var{frame}, if non-@code{nil}, specifies which
1853 frames to check when deciding whether the buffer is already displayed.
1854 It is equivalent to adding an element @code{(reusable-frames
1855 . @var{frame})} to the action alist of @var{action}. @xref{Display
1856 Action Functions}.
1857 @end deffn
1858
1859 @defvar display-buffer-overriding-action
1860 The value of this variable should be a display action, which is
1861 treated with the highest priority by @code{display-buffer}. The
1862 default value is empty, i.e., @code{(nil . nil)}.
1863 @end defvar
1864
1865 @defopt display-buffer-alist
1866 The value of this option is an alist mapping conditions to display
1867 actions. Each condition may be either a regular expression matching a
1868 buffer name or a function that takes two arguments - a buffer name and
1869 the @var{action} argument passed to @code{display-buffer}. If the name
1870 of the buffer passed to @code{display-buffer} either matches a regular
1871 expression in this alist or the function specified by a condition
1872 returns non-@code{nil}, then @code{display-buffer} uses the
1873 corresponding display action to display the buffer.
1874 @end defopt
1875
1876 @defopt display-buffer-base-action
1877 The value of this option should be a display action. This option can
1878 be used to define a ``standard'' display action for calls to
1879 @code{display-buffer}.
1880 @end defopt
1881
1882 @defvr Constant display-buffer-fallback-action
1883 This display action specifies the fallback behavior for
1884 @code{display-buffer} if no other display actions are given.
1885 @end defvr
1886
1887
1888 @node Display Action Functions
1889 @section Action Functions for @code{display-buffer}
1890
1891 The following basic action functions are defined in Emacs. Each of
1892 these functions takes two arguments: @var{buffer}, the buffer to
1893 display, and @var{alist}, an action alist. Each action function
1894 returns the window if it succeeds, and @code{nil} if it fails.
1895
1896 @defun display-buffer-same-window buffer alist
1897 This function tries to display @var{buffer} in the selected window.
1898 It fails if the selected window is a minibuffer window or is dedicated
1899 to another buffer (@pxref{Dedicated Windows}). It also fails if
1900 @var{alist} has a non-@code{nil} @code{inhibit-same-window} entry.
1901 @end defun
1902
1903 @defun display-buffer-reuse-window buffer alist
1904 This function tries to ``display'' @var{buffer} by finding a window
1905 that is already displaying it.
1906
1907 If @var{alist} has a non-@code{nil} @code{inhibit-same-window} entry,
1908 the selected window is not eligible for reuse. If @var{alist}
1909 contains a @code{reusable-frames} entry, its value determines which
1910 frames to search for a reusable window:
1911
1912 @itemize @bullet
1913 @item
1914 @code{nil} means consider windows on the selected frame.
1915 (Actually, the last non-minibuffer frame.)
1916 @item
1917 @code{t} means consider windows on all frames.
1918 @item
1919 @code{visible} means consider windows on all visible frames.
1920 @item
1921 0 means consider windows on all visible or iconified frames.
1922 @item
1923 A frame means consider windows on that frame only.
1924 @end itemize
1925
1926 If @var{alist} contains no @code{reusable-frames} entry, this function
1927 normally searches just the selected frame; however, if the variable
1928 @code{pop-up-frames} is non-@code{nil}, it searches all frames on the
1929 current terminal. @xref{Choosing Window Options}.
1930
1931 If this function chooses a window on another frame, it makes that frame
1932 visible and, unless @var{alist} contains an @code{inhibit-switch-frame}
1933 entry (@pxref{Choosing Window Options}), raises that frame if necessary.
1934 @end defun
1935
1936 @defun display-buffer-pop-up-frame buffer alist
1937 This function creates a new frame, and displays the buffer in that
1938 frame's window. It actually performs the frame creation by calling
1939 the function specified in @code{pop-up-frame-function}
1940 (@pxref{Choosing Window Options}). If @var{alist} contains a
1941 @code{pop-up-frame-parameters} entry, the associated value
1942 is added to the newly created frame's parameters.
1943 @end defun
1944
1945 @defun display-buffer-pop-up-window buffer alist
1946 This function tries to display @var{buffer} by splitting the largest
1947 or least recently-used window (typically one on the selected frame).
1948 It actually performs the split by calling the function specified in
1949 @code{split-window-preferred-function} (@pxref{Choosing Window
1950 Options}).
1951
1952 The size of the new window can be adjusted by supplying
1953 @code{window-height} and @code{window-width} entries in @var{alist}. To
1954 adjust the window's height, use an entry whose @sc{car} is
1955 @code{window-height} and whose @sc{cdr} is one of:
1956
1957 @itemize @bullet
1958 @item
1959 @code{nil} means to leave the height of the new window alone.
1960
1961 @item
1962 A number specifies the desired height of the new window. An integer
1963 number specifies the number of lines of the window. A floating point
1964 number gives the fraction of the window's height with respect to the
1965 height of the frame's root window.
1966
1967 @item
1968 If the @sc{cdr} specifies a function, that function is called with one
1969 argument - the new window. The function is supposed to adjust the
1970 height of the window; its return value is ignored. Suitable functions
1971 are @code{shrink-window-if-larger-than-buffer} and
1972 @code{fit-window-to-buffer}, see @ref{Resizing Windows}.
1973 @end itemize
1974
1975 To adjust the window's width, use an entry whose @sc{car} is
1976 @code{window-width} and whose @sc{cdr} is one of:
1977
1978 @itemize @bullet
1979 @item
1980 @code{nil} means to leave the width of the new window alone.
1981
1982 @item
1983 A number specifies the desired width of the new window. An integer
1984 number specifies the number of columns of the window. A floating point
1985 number gives the fraction of the window's width with respect to the
1986 width of the frame's root window.
1987
1988 @item
1989 If the @sc{cdr} specifies a function, that function is called with one
1990 argument - the new window. The function is supposed to adjust the width
1991 of the window; its return value is ignored.
1992 @end itemize
1993
1994 This function can fail if no window splitting can be performed for some
1995 reason (e.g., if the selected frame has an @code{unsplittable} frame
1996 parameter; @pxref{Buffer Parameters}).
1997 @end defun
1998
1999 @defun display-buffer-below-selected buffer alist
2000 This function tries to display @var{buffer} in a window below the
2001 selected window. This means to either split the selected window or use
2002 the window below the selected one. If it does create a new window, it
2003 will also adjust its size provided @var{alist} contains a suitable
2004 @code{window-height} or @code{window-width} entry, see above.
2005 @end defun
2006
2007 @defun display-buffer-in-previous-window buffer alist
2008 This function tries to display @var{buffer} in a window previously
2009 showing it. If @var{alist} has a non-@code{nil}
2010 @code{inhibit-same-window} entry, the selected window is not eligible
2011 for reuse. If @var{alist} contains a @code{reusable-frames} entry, its
2012 value determines which frames to search for a suitable window as with
2013 @code{display-buffer-reuse-window}.
2014
2015 If @var{alist} has a @code{previous-window} entry, the window
2016 specified by that entry will override any other window found by the
2017 methods above, even if that window never showed @var{buffer} before.
2018 @end defun
2019
2020 @defun display-buffer-use-some-window buffer alist
2021 This function tries to display @var{buffer} by choosing an existing
2022 window and displaying the buffer in that window. It can fail if all
2023 windows are dedicated to another buffer (@pxref{Dedicated Windows}).
2024 @end defun
2025
2026 To illustrate the use of action functions, consider the following
2027 example.
2028
2029 @example
2030 @group
2031 (display-buffer
2032 (get-buffer-create "*foo*")
2033 '((display-buffer-reuse-window
2034 display-buffer-pop-up-window
2035 display-buffer-pop-up-frame)
2036 (reusable-frames . 0)
2037 (window-height . 10) (window-width . 40)))
2038 @end group
2039 @end example
2040
2041 @noindent
2042 Evaluating the form above will cause @code{display-buffer} to proceed as
2043 follows: If a buffer called *foo* already appears on a visible or
2044 iconified frame, it will reuse its window. Otherwise, it will try to
2045 pop up a new window or, if that is impossible, a new frame and show the
2046 buffer there. If all these steps fail, it will proceed using whatever
2047 @code{display-buffer-base-action} and
2048 @code{display-buffer-fallback-action} prescribe.
2049
2050 Furthermore, @code{display-buffer} will try to adjust a reused window
2051 (provided *foo* was put by @code{display-buffer} there before) or a
2052 popped-up window as follows: If the window is part of a vertical
2053 combination, it will set its height to ten lines. Note that if, instead
2054 of the number ``10'', we specified the function
2055 @code{fit-window-to-buffer}, @code{display-buffer} would come up with a
2056 one-line window to fit the empty buffer. If the window is part of a
2057 horizontal combination, it sets its width to 40 columns. Whether a new
2058 window is vertically or horizontally combined depends on the shape of
2059 the window split and the values of
2060 @code{split-window-preferred-function}, @code{split-height-threshold}
2061 and @code{split-width-threshold} (@pxref{Choosing Window Options}).
2062
2063 Now suppose we combine this call with a preexisting setup for
2064 `display-buffer-alist' as follows.
2065
2066 @example
2067 @group
2068 (let ((display-buffer-alist
2069 (cons
2070 '("\\*foo\\*"
2071 (display-buffer-reuse-window display-buffer-below-selected)
2072 (reusable-frames)
2073 (window-height . 5))
2074 display-buffer-alist)))
2075 (display-buffer
2076 (get-buffer-create "*foo*")
2077 '((display-buffer-reuse-window
2078 display-buffer-pop-up-window
2079 display-buffer-pop-up-frame)
2080 (reusable-frames . 0)
2081 (window-height . 10) (window-width . 40))))
2082 @end group
2083 @end example
2084
2085 @noindent
2086 This form will have @code{display-buffer} first try reusing a window
2087 that shows *foo* on the selected frame. If there's no such window, it
2088 will try to split the selected window or, if that is impossible, use the
2089 window below the selected window.
2090
2091 If there's no window below the selected one, or the window below the
2092 selected one is dedicated to its buffer, @code{display-buffer} will
2093 proceed as described in the previous example. Note, however, that when
2094 it tries to adjust the height of any reused or popped-up window, it will
2095 in any case try to set its number of lines to ``5'' since that value
2096 overrides the corresponding specification in the @var{action} argument
2097 of @code{display-buffer}.
2098
2099
2100 @node Choosing Window Options
2101 @section Additional Options for Displaying Buffers
2102
2103 The behavior of the standard display actions of @code{display-buffer}
2104 (@pxref{Choosing Window}) can be modified by a variety of user
2105 options.
2106
2107 @defopt pop-up-windows
2108 If the value of this variable is non-@code{nil}, @code{display-buffer}
2109 is allowed to split an existing window to make a new window for
2110 displaying in. This is the default.
2111
2112 This variable is provided mainly for backward compatibility. It is
2113 obeyed by @code{display-buffer} via a special mechanism in
2114 @code{display-buffer-fallback-action}, which only calls the action
2115 function @code{display-buffer-pop-up-window} (@pxref{Display Action
2116 Functions}) when the value is @code{nil}. It is not consulted by
2117 @code{display-buffer-pop-up-window} itself, which the user may specify
2118 directly in @code{display-buffer-alist} etc.
2119 @end defopt
2120
2121 @defopt split-window-preferred-function
2122 This variable specifies a function for splitting a window, in order to
2123 make a new window for displaying a buffer. It is used by the
2124 @code{display-buffer-pop-up-window} action function to actually split
2125 the window (@pxref{Display Action Functions}).
2126
2127 The default value is @code{split-window-sensibly}, which is documented
2128 below. The value must be a function that takes one argument, a window,
2129 and return either a new window (which will be used to display the
2130 desired buffer) or @code{nil} (which means the splitting failed).
2131 @end defopt
2132
2133 @defun split-window-sensibly window
2134 This function tries to split @var{window}, and return the newly
2135 created window. If @var{window} cannot be split, it returns
2136 @code{nil}.
2137
2138 This function obeys the usual rules that determine when a window may
2139 be split (@pxref{Splitting Windows}). It first tries to split by
2140 placing the new window below, subject to the restriction imposed by
2141 @code{split-height-threshold} (see below), in addition to any other
2142 restrictions. If that fails, it tries to split by placing the new
2143 window to the right, subject to @code{split-width-threshold} (see
2144 below). If that fails, and the window is the only window on its
2145 frame, this function again tries to split and place the new window
2146 below, disregarding @code{split-height-threshold}. If this fails as
2147 well, this function gives up and returns @code{nil}.
2148 @end defun
2149
2150 @defopt split-height-threshold
2151 This variable, used by @code{split-window-sensibly}, specifies whether
2152 to split the window placing the new window below. If it is an
2153 integer, that means to split only if the original window has at least
2154 that many lines. If it is @code{nil}, that means not to split this
2155 way.
2156 @end defopt
2157
2158 @defopt split-width-threshold
2159 This variable, used by @code{split-window-sensibly}, specifies whether
2160 to split the window placing the new window to the right. If the value
2161 is an integer, that means to split only if the original window has at
2162 least that many columns. If the value is @code{nil}, that means not
2163 to split this way.
2164 @end defopt
2165
2166 @defopt pop-up-frames
2167 If the value of this variable is non-@code{nil}, that means
2168 @code{display-buffer} may display buffers by making new frames. The
2169 default is @code{nil}.
2170
2171 A non-@code{nil} value also means that when @code{display-buffer} is
2172 looking for a window already displaying @var{buffer-or-name}, it can
2173 search any visible or iconified frame, not just the selected frame.
2174
2175 This variable is provided mainly for backward compatibility. It is
2176 obeyed by @code{display-buffer} via a special mechanism in
2177 @code{display-buffer-fallback-action}, which calls the action function
2178 @code{display-buffer-pop-up-frame} (@pxref{Display Action Functions})
2179 if the value is non-@code{nil}. (This is done before attempting to
2180 split a window.) This variable is not consulted by
2181 @code{display-buffer-pop-up-frame} itself, which the user may specify
2182 directly in @code{display-buffer-alist} etc.
2183 @end defopt
2184
2185 @defopt pop-up-frame-function
2186 This variable specifies a function for creating a new frame, in order
2187 to make a new window for displaying a buffer. It is used by the
2188 @code{display-buffer-pop-up-frame} action function (@pxref{Display
2189 Action Functions}).
2190
2191 The value should be a function that takes no arguments and returns a
2192 frame, or @code{nil} if no frame could be created. The default value
2193 is a function that creates a frame using the parameters specified by
2194 @code{pop-up-frame-alist} (see below).
2195 @end defopt
2196
2197 @defopt pop-up-frame-alist
2198 This variable holds an alist of frame parameters (@pxref{Frame
2199 Parameters}), which is used by the default function in
2200 @code{pop-up-frame-function} to make a new frame. The default is
2201 @code{nil}.
2202 @end defopt
2203
2204 @defopt same-window-buffer-names
2205 A list of buffer names for buffers that should be displayed in the
2206 selected window. If a buffer's name is in this list,
2207 @code{display-buffer} handles the buffer by showing it in the selected
2208 window.
2209 @end defopt
2210
2211 @defopt same-window-regexps
2212 A list of regular expressions that specify buffers that should be
2213 displayed in the selected window. If the buffer's name matches any of
2214 the regular expressions in this list, @code{display-buffer} handles the
2215 buffer by showing it in the selected window.
2216 @end defopt
2217
2218 @defun same-window-p buffer-name
2219 This function returns @code{t} if displaying a buffer
2220 named @var{buffer-name} with @code{display-buffer} would
2221 put it in the selected window.
2222 @end defun
2223
2224 @node Window History
2225 @section Window History
2226 @cindex window history
2227
2228 Each window remembers in a list the buffers it has previously displayed,
2229 and the order in which these buffers were removed from it. This history
2230 is used, for example, by @code{replace-buffer-in-windows}
2231 (@pxref{Buffers and Windows}). The list is automatically maintained by
2232 Emacs, but you can use the following functions to explicitly inspect or
2233 alter it:
2234
2235 @defun window-prev-buffers &optional window
2236 This function returns a list specifying the previous contents of
2237 @var{window}. The optional argument @var{window} should be a live
2238 window and defaults to the selected one.
2239
2240 Each list element has the form @code{(@var{buffer} @var{window-start}
2241 @var{window-pos})}, where @var{buffer} is a buffer previously shown in
2242 the window, @var{window-start} is the window start position when that
2243 buffer was last shown, and @var{window-pos} is the point position when
2244 that buffer was last shown in @var{window}.
2245
2246 The list is ordered so that earlier elements correspond to more
2247 recently-shown buffers, and the first element usually corresponds to the
2248 buffer most recently removed from the window.
2249 @end defun
2250
2251 @defun set-window-prev-buffers window prev-buffers
2252 This function sets @var{window}'s previous buffers to the value of
2253 @var{prev-buffers}. The argument @var{window} must be a live window
2254 and defaults to the selected one. The argument @var{prev-buffers}
2255 should be a list of the same form as that returned by
2256 @code{window-prev-buffers}.
2257 @end defun
2258
2259 In addition, each buffer maintains a list of @dfn{next buffers}, which
2260 is a list of buffers re-shown by @code{switch-to-prev-buffer} (see
2261 below). This list is mainly used by @code{switch-to-prev-buffer} and
2262 @code{switch-to-next-buffer} for choosing buffers to switch to.
2263
2264 @defun window-next-buffers &optional window
2265 This function returns the list of buffers recently re-shown in
2266 @var{window} via @code{switch-to-prev-buffer}. The @var{window}
2267 argument must denote a live window or @code{nil} (meaning the selected
2268 window).
2269 @end defun
2270
2271 @defun set-window-next-buffers window next-buffers
2272 This function sets the next buffer list of @var{window} to
2273 @var{next-buffers}. The @var{window} argument should be a live window
2274 or @code{nil} (meaning the selected window). The argument
2275 @var{next-buffers} should be a list of buffers.
2276 @end defun
2277
2278 The following commands can be used to cycle through the global buffer
2279 list, much like @code{bury-buffer} and @code{unbury-buffer}. However,
2280 they cycle according to the specified window's history list, rather
2281 than the global buffer list. In addition, they restore
2282 window-specific window start and point positions, and may show a
2283 buffer even if it is already shown in another window. The
2284 @code{switch-to-prev-buffer} command, in particular, is used by
2285 @code{replace-buffer-in-windows}, @code{bury-buffer} and
2286 @code{quit-window} to find a replacement buffer for a window.
2287
2288 @deffn Command switch-to-prev-buffer &optional window bury-or-kill
2289 This command displays the previous buffer in @var{window}. The
2290 argument @var{window} should be a live window or @code{nil} (meaning
2291 the selected window). If the optional argument @var{bury-or-kill} is
2292 non-@code{nil}, this means that the buffer currently shown in
2293 @var{window} is about to be buried or killed and consequently should
2294 not be switched to in future invocations of this command.
2295
2296 The previous buffer is usually the buffer shown before the buffer
2297 currently shown in @var{window}. However, a buffer that has been buried
2298 or killed, or has been already shown by a recent invocation of
2299 @code{switch-to-prev-buffer}, does not qualify as previous buffer.
2300
2301 If repeated invocations of this command have already shown all buffers
2302 previously shown in @var{window}, further invocations will show buffers
2303 from the buffer list of the frame @var{window} appears on (@pxref{The
2304 Buffer List}), trying to skip buffers that are already shown in another
2305 window on that frame.
2306 @end deffn
2307
2308 @deffn Command switch-to-next-buffer &optional window
2309 This command switches to the next buffer in @var{window}, thus undoing
2310 the effect of the last @code{switch-to-prev-buffer} command in
2311 @var{window}. The argument @var{window} must be a live window and
2312 defaults to the selected one.
2313
2314 If there is no recent invocation of @code{switch-to-prev-buffer} that
2315 can be undone, this function tries to show a buffer from the buffer list
2316 of the frame @var{window} appears on (@pxref{The Buffer List}).
2317 @end deffn
2318
2319 By default @code{switch-to-prev-buffer} and @code{switch-to-next-buffer}
2320 can switch to a buffer that is already shown in another window on the
2321 same frame. The following option can be used to override this behavior.
2322
2323 @defopt switch-to-visible-buffer
2324 If this variable is non-@code{nil}, @code{switch-to-prev-buffer} and
2325 @code{switch-to-next-buffer} may switch to a buffer that is already
2326 visible on the same frame, provided the buffer was shown in the relevant
2327 window before. If it is @code{nil}, @code{switch-to-prev-buffer} and
2328 @code{switch-to-next-buffer} always try to avoid switching to a buffer
2329 that is already visible in another window on the same frame.
2330 @end defopt
2331
2332
2333 @node Dedicated Windows
2334 @section Dedicated Windows
2335 @cindex dedicated window
2336
2337 Functions for displaying a buffer can be told to not use specific
2338 windows by marking these windows as @dfn{dedicated} to their buffers.
2339 @code{display-buffer} (@pxref{Choosing Window}) never uses a dedicated
2340 window for displaying another buffer in it. @code{get-lru-window} and
2341 @code{get-largest-window} (@pxref{Cyclic Window Ordering}) do not
2342 consider dedicated windows as candidates when their @var{dedicated}
2343 argument is non-@code{nil}. The behavior of @code{set-window-buffer}
2344 (@pxref{Buffers and Windows}) with respect to dedicated windows is
2345 slightly different, see below.
2346
2347 Functions supposed to remove a buffer from a window or a window from
2348 a frame can behave specially when a window they operate on is dedicated.
2349 We will distinguish three basic cases, namely where (1) the window is
2350 not the only window on its frame, (2) the window is the only window on
2351 its frame but there are other frames on the same terminal left, and (3)
2352 the window is the only window on the only frame on the same terminal.
2353
2354 In particular, @code{delete-windows-on} (@pxref{Deleting Windows})
2355 handles case (2) by deleting the associated frame and case (3) by
2356 showing another buffer in that frame's only window. The function
2357 @code{replace-buffer-in-windows} (@pxref{Buffers and Windows}) which is
2358 called when a buffer gets killed, deletes the window in case (1) and
2359 behaves like @code{delete-windows-on} otherwise.
2360
2361 When @code{bury-buffer} (@pxref{The Buffer List}) operates on the
2362 selected window (which shows the buffer that shall be buried), it
2363 handles case (2) by calling @code{frame-auto-hide-function}
2364 (@pxref{Quitting Windows}) to deal with the selected frame. The other
2365 two cases are handled as with @code{replace-buffer-in-windows}.
2366
2367 @defun window-dedicated-p &optional window
2368 This function returns non-@code{nil} if @var{window} is dedicated to its
2369 buffer and @code{nil} otherwise. More precisely, the return value is
2370 the value assigned by the last call of @code{set-window-dedicated-p} for
2371 @var{window}, or @code{nil} if that function was never called with
2372 @var{window} as its argument. The default for @var{window} is the
2373 selected window.
2374 @end defun
2375
2376 @defun set-window-dedicated-p window flag
2377 This function marks @var{window} as dedicated to its buffer if
2378 @var{flag} is non-@code{nil}, and non-dedicated otherwise.
2379
2380 As a special case, if @var{flag} is @code{t}, @var{window} becomes
2381 @dfn{strongly} dedicated to its buffer. @code{set-window-buffer}
2382 signals an error when the window it acts upon is strongly dedicated to
2383 its buffer and does not already display the buffer it is asked to
2384 display. Other functions do not treat @code{t} differently from any
2385 non-@code{nil} value.
2386 @end defun
2387
2388
2389 @node Quitting Windows
2390 @section Quitting Windows
2391
2392 When you want to get rid of a window used for displaying a buffer, you
2393 can call @code{delete-window} or @code{delete-windows-on}
2394 (@pxref{Deleting Windows}) to remove that window from its frame. If the
2395 buffer is shown on a separate frame, you might want to call
2396 @code{delete-frame} (@pxref{Deleting Frames}) instead. If, on the other
2397 hand, a window has been reused for displaying the buffer, you might
2398 prefer showing the buffer previously shown in that window, by calling the
2399 function @code{switch-to-prev-buffer} (@pxref{Window History}).
2400 Finally, you might want to either bury (@pxref{The Buffer List}) or kill
2401 (@pxref{Killing Buffers}) the window's buffer.
2402
2403 The following command uses information on how the window for
2404 displaying the buffer was obtained in the first place, thus attempting
2405 to automate the above decisions for you.
2406
2407 @deffn Command quit-window &optional kill window
2408 This command quits @var{window} and buries its buffer. The argument
2409 @var{window} must be a live window and defaults to the selected one.
2410 With prefix argument @var{kill} non-@code{nil}, it kills the buffer
2411 instead of burying it. It calls the function @code{quit-restore-window}
2412 described next to deal with the window and its buffer.
2413 @end deffn
2414
2415 @defun quit-restore-window &optional window bury-or-kill
2416 This function tries to restore the state of @var{window} that existed
2417 before its buffer was displayed in it. The optional argument
2418 @var{window} must be a live window and defaults to the selected one.
2419
2420 If @var{window} was created specially for displaying its buffer, this
2421 function deletes @var{window} provided its frame contains at least one
2422 other live window. If @var{window} is the only window on its frame and
2423 there are other frames on the frame's terminal, the value of the
2424 optional argument @var{bury-or-kill} determines how to proceed with the
2425 window. If @var{bury-or-kill} equals @code{kill}, the frame is deleted
2426 unconditionally. Otherwise, the fate of the frame is determined by
2427 calling @code{frame-auto-hide-function} (see below) with that frame as
2428 sole argument.
2429
2430 Otherwise, this function tries to redisplay the buffer previously shown
2431 in @var{window}. It also tries to restore the window start
2432 (@pxref{Window Start and End}) and point (@pxref{Window Point})
2433 positions of the previously shown buffer. If, in addition,
2434 @var{window}'s buffer was temporarily resized, this function will also
2435 try to restore the original height of @var{window}.
2436
2437 The cases described so far require that the buffer shown in @var{window}
2438 is still the buffer displayed by the last buffer display function for
2439 this window. If another buffer has been shown in the meantime, or the
2440 buffer previously shown no longer exists, this function calls
2441 @code{switch-to-prev-buffer} (@pxref{Window History}) to show some other
2442 buffer instead.
2443
2444 The optional argument @var{bury-or-kill} specifies how to deal with
2445 @var{window}'s buffer. The following values are handled:
2446
2447 @table @code
2448 @item nil
2449 This means to not deal with the buffer in any particular way. As a
2450 consequence, if @var{window} is not deleted, invoking
2451 @code{switch-to-prev-buffer} will usually show the buffer again.
2452
2453 @item append
2454 This means that if @var{window} is not deleted, its buffer is moved to
2455 the end of @var{window}'s list of previous buffers, so it's less likely
2456 that a future invocation of @code{switch-to-prev-buffer} will switch to
2457 it. Also, it moves the buffer to the end of the frame's buffer list.
2458
2459 @item bury
2460 This means that if @var{window} is not deleted, its buffer is removed
2461 from @var{window}'s list of previous buffers. Also, it moves the buffer
2462 to the end of the frame's buffer list. This value provides the most
2463 reliable remedy to not have @code{switch-to-prev-buffer} switch to this
2464 buffer again without killing the buffer.
2465
2466 @item kill
2467 This means to kill @var{window}'s buffer.
2468 @end table
2469
2470 @code{quit-restore-window} bases its decisions on information stored in
2471 @var{window}'s @code{quit-restore} window parameter (@pxref{Window
2472 Parameters}), and resets that parameter to @code{nil} after it's done.
2473 @end defun
2474
2475 The following option specifies how to deal with a frame containing just
2476 one window that should be either quit, or whose buffer should be buried.
2477
2478 @defopt frame-auto-hide-function
2479 The function specified by this option is called to automatically hide
2480 frames. This function is called with one argument---a frame.
2481
2482 The function specified here is called by @code{bury-buffer} (@pxref{The
2483 Buffer List}) when the selected window is dedicated and shows the buffer
2484 to bury. It is also called by @code{quit-restore-window} (see above)
2485 when the frame of the window to quit has been specially created for
2486 displaying that window's buffer and the buffer is not killed.
2487
2488 The default is to call @code{iconify-frame} (@pxref{Visibility of
2489 Frames}). Alternatively, you may specify either @code{delete-frame}
2490 (@pxref{Deleting Frames}) to remove the frame from its display,
2491 @code{ignore} to leave the frame unchanged, or any other function that
2492 can take a frame as its sole argument.
2493
2494 Note that the function specified by this option is called only if the
2495 specified frame contains just one live window and there is at least one
2496 other frame on the same terminal.
2497 @end defopt
2498
2499
2500 @node Window Point
2501 @section Windows and Point
2502 @cindex window position
2503 @cindex window point
2504 @cindex position in window
2505 @cindex point in window
2506
2507 Each window has its own value of point (@pxref{Point}), independent of
2508 the value of point in other windows displaying the same buffer. This
2509 makes it useful to have multiple windows showing one buffer.
2510
2511 @itemize @bullet
2512 @item
2513 The window point is established when a window is first created; it is
2514 initialized from the buffer's point, or from the window point of another
2515 window opened on the buffer if such a window exists.
2516
2517 @item
2518 Selecting a window sets the value of point in its buffer from the
2519 window's value of point. Conversely, deselecting a window sets the
2520 window's value of point from that of the buffer. Thus, when you switch
2521 between windows that display a given buffer, the point value for the
2522 selected window is in effect in the buffer, while the point values for
2523 the other windows are stored in those windows.
2524
2525 @item
2526 As long as the selected window displays the current buffer, the window's
2527 point and the buffer's point always move together; they remain equal.
2528 @end itemize
2529
2530 @cindex cursor
2531 As far as the user is concerned, point is where the cursor is, and
2532 when the user switches to another buffer, the cursor jumps to the
2533 position of point in that buffer.
2534
2535 @defun window-point &optional window
2536 This function returns the current position of point in @var{window}.
2537 For a nonselected window, this is the value point would have (in that
2538 window's buffer) if that window were selected. The default for
2539 @var{window} is the selected window.
2540
2541 When @var{window} is the selected window, the value returned is the
2542 value of point in that window's buffer. Strictly speaking, it would be
2543 more correct to return the ``top-level'' value of point, outside of any
2544 @code{save-excursion} forms. But that value is hard to find.
2545 @end defun
2546
2547 @defun set-window-point window position
2548 This function positions point in @var{window} at position
2549 @var{position} in @var{window}'s buffer. It returns @var{position}.
2550
2551 If @var{window} is selected, this simply does @code{goto-char} in
2552 @var{window}'s buffer.
2553 @end defun
2554
2555 @defvar window-point-insertion-type
2556 This variable specifies the marker insertion type (@pxref{Marker
2557 Insertion Types}) of @code{window-point}. The default is @code{nil},
2558 so @code{window-point} will stay behind text inserted there.
2559 @end defvar
2560
2561 @node Window Start and End
2562 @section The Window Start and End Positions
2563 @cindex window start position
2564
2565 Each window maintains a marker used to keep track of a buffer position
2566 that specifies where in the buffer display should start. This position
2567 is called the @dfn{display-start} position of the window (or just the
2568 @dfn{start}). The character after this position is the one that appears
2569 at the upper left corner of the window. It is usually, but not
2570 inevitably, at the beginning of a text line.
2571
2572 After switching windows or buffers, and in some other cases, if the
2573 window start is in the middle of a line, Emacs adjusts the window
2574 start to the start of a line. This prevents certain operations from
2575 leaving the window start at a meaningless point within a line. This
2576 feature may interfere with testing some Lisp code by executing it
2577 using the commands of Lisp mode, because they trigger this
2578 readjustment. To test such code, put it into a command and bind the
2579 command to a key.
2580
2581 @defun window-start &optional window
2582 @cindex window top line
2583 This function returns the display-start position of window
2584 @var{window}. If @var{window} is @code{nil}, the selected window is
2585 used.
2586
2587 When you create a window, or display a different buffer in it, the
2588 display-start position is set to a display-start position recently used
2589 for the same buffer, or to @code{point-min} if the buffer doesn't have
2590 any.
2591
2592 Redisplay updates the window-start position (if you have not specified
2593 it explicitly since the previous redisplay)---to make sure point appears
2594 on the screen. Nothing except redisplay automatically changes the
2595 window-start position; if you move point, do not expect the window-start
2596 position to change in response until after the next redisplay.
2597 @end defun
2598
2599 @cindex window end position
2600 @defun window-end &optional window update
2601 This function returns the position where display of its buffer ends in
2602 @var{window}. The default for @var{window} is the selected window.
2603
2604 Simply changing the buffer text or moving point does not update the
2605 value that @code{window-end} returns. The value is updated only when
2606 Emacs redisplays and redisplay completes without being preempted.
2607
2608 If the last redisplay of @var{window} was preempted, and did not finish,
2609 Emacs does not know the position of the end of display in that window.
2610 In that case, this function returns @code{nil}.
2611
2612 If @var{update} is non-@code{nil}, @code{window-end} always returns an
2613 up-to-date value for where display ends, based on the current
2614 @code{window-start} value. If a previously saved value of that position
2615 is still valid, @code{window-end} returns that value; otherwise it
2616 computes the correct value by scanning the buffer text.
2617
2618 Even if @var{update} is non-@code{nil}, @code{window-end} does not
2619 attempt to scroll the display if point has moved off the screen, the
2620 way real redisplay would do. It does not alter the
2621 @code{window-start} value. In effect, it reports where the displayed
2622 text will end if scrolling is not required.
2623 @end defun
2624
2625 @defun set-window-start window position &optional noforce
2626 This function sets the display-start position of @var{window} to
2627 @var{position} in @var{window}'s buffer. It returns @var{position}.
2628
2629 The display routines insist that the position of point be visible when a
2630 buffer is displayed. Normally, they change the display-start position
2631 (that is, scroll the window) whenever necessary to make point visible.
2632 However, if you specify the start position with this function using
2633 @code{nil} for @var{noforce}, it means you want display to start at
2634 @var{position} even if that would put the location of point off the
2635 screen. If this does place point off screen, the display routines move
2636 point to the left margin on the middle line in the window.
2637
2638 For example, if point @w{is 1} and you set the start of the window
2639 @w{to 37}, the start of the next line, point will be ``above'' the top
2640 of the window. The display routines will automatically move point if
2641 it is still 1 when redisplay occurs. Here is an example:
2642
2643 @example
2644 @group
2645 ;; @r{Here is what @samp{foo} looks like before executing}
2646 ;; @r{the @code{set-window-start} expression.}
2647 @end group
2648
2649 @group
2650 ---------- Buffer: foo ----------
2651 @point{}This is the contents of buffer foo.
2652 2
2653 3
2654 4
2655 5
2656 6
2657 ---------- Buffer: foo ----------
2658 @end group
2659
2660 @group
2661 (set-window-start
2662 (selected-window)
2663 (save-excursion
2664 (goto-char 1)
2665 (forward-line 1)
2666 (point)))
2667 @result{} 37
2668 @end group
2669
2670 @group
2671 ;; @r{Here is what @samp{foo} looks like after executing}
2672 ;; @r{the @code{set-window-start} expression.}
2673 ---------- Buffer: foo ----------
2674 2
2675 3
2676 @point{}4
2677 5
2678 6
2679 ---------- Buffer: foo ----------
2680 @end group
2681 @end example
2682
2683 If @var{noforce} is non-@code{nil}, and @var{position} would place point
2684 off screen at the next redisplay, then redisplay computes a new window-start
2685 position that works well with point, and thus @var{position} is not used.
2686 @end defun
2687
2688 @defun pos-visible-in-window-p &optional position window partially
2689 This function returns non-@code{nil} if @var{position} is within the
2690 range of text currently visible on the screen in @var{window}. It
2691 returns @code{nil} if @var{position} is scrolled vertically out of view.
2692 Locations that are partially obscured are not considered visible unless
2693 @var{partially} is non-@code{nil}. The argument @var{position} defaults
2694 to the current position of point in @var{window}; @var{window}, to the
2695 selected window. If @var{position} is @code{t}, that means to check the
2696 last visible position in @var{window}.
2697
2698 This function considers only vertical scrolling. If @var{position} is
2699 out of view only because @var{window} has been scrolled horizontally,
2700 @code{pos-visible-in-window-p} returns non-@code{nil} anyway.
2701 @xref{Horizontal Scrolling}.
2702
2703 If @var{position} is visible, @code{pos-visible-in-window-p} returns
2704 @code{t} if @var{partially} is @code{nil}; if @var{partially} is
2705 non-@code{nil}, and the character following @var{position} is fully
2706 visible, it returns a list of the form @code{(@var{x} @var{y})}, where
2707 @var{x} and @var{y} are the pixel coordinates relative to the top left
2708 corner of the window; otherwise it returns an extended list of the form
2709 @code{(@var{x} @var{y} @var{rtop} @var{rbot} @var{rowh} @var{vpos})},
2710 where @var{rtop} and @var{rbot} specify the number of off-window pixels
2711 at the top and bottom of the row at @var{position}, @var{rowh} specifies
2712 the visible height of that row, and @var{vpos} specifies the vertical
2713 position (zero-based row number) of that row.
2714
2715 Here is an example:
2716
2717 @example
2718 @group
2719 ;; @r{If point is off the screen now, recenter it now.}
2720 (or (pos-visible-in-window-p
2721 (point) (selected-window))
2722 (recenter 0))
2723 @end group
2724 @end example
2725 @end defun
2726
2727 @defun window-line-height &optional line window
2728 This function returns the height of text line @var{line} in
2729 @var{window}. If @var{line} is one of @code{header-line} or
2730 @code{mode-line}, @code{window-line-height} returns information about
2731 the corresponding line of the window. Otherwise, @var{line} is a text
2732 line number starting from 0. A negative number counts from the end of
2733 the window. The default for @var{line} is the current line in
2734 @var{window}; the default for @var{window} is the selected window.
2735
2736 If the display is not up to date, @code{window-line-height} returns
2737 @code{nil}. In that case, @code{pos-visible-in-window-p} may be used
2738 to obtain related information.
2739
2740 If there is no line corresponding to the specified @var{line},
2741 @code{window-line-height} returns @code{nil}. Otherwise, it returns
2742 a list @code{(@var{height} @var{vpos} @var{ypos} @var{offbot})},
2743 where @var{height} is the height in pixels of the visible part of the
2744 line, @var{vpos} and @var{ypos} are the vertical position in lines and
2745 pixels of the line relative to the top of the first text line, and
2746 @var{offbot} is the number of off-window pixels at the bottom of the
2747 text line. If there are off-window pixels at the top of the (first)
2748 text line, @var{ypos} is negative.
2749 @end defun
2750
2751 @node Textual Scrolling
2752 @section Textual Scrolling
2753 @cindex textual scrolling
2754 @cindex scrolling textually
2755
2756 @dfn{Textual scrolling} means moving the text up or down through a
2757 window. It works by changing the window's display-start location. It
2758 may also change the value of @code{window-point} to keep point on the
2759 screen (@pxref{Window Point}).
2760
2761 The basic textual scrolling functions are @code{scroll-up} (which
2762 scrolls forward) and @code{scroll-down} (which scrolls backward). In
2763 these function names, ``up'' and ``down'' refer to the direction of
2764 motion of the buffer text relative to the window. Imagine that the
2765 text is written on a long roll of paper and that the scrolling
2766 commands move the paper up and down. Thus, if you are looking at the
2767 middle of a buffer and repeatedly call @code{scroll-down}, you will
2768 eventually see the beginning of the buffer.
2769
2770 Unfortunately, this sometimes causes confusion, because some people
2771 tend to think in terms of the opposite convention: they
2772 imagine the window moving over text that remains in place, so that
2773 ``down'' commands take you to the end of the buffer. This convention
2774 is consistent with fact that such a command is bound to a key named
2775 @key{PageDown} on modern keyboards.
2776 @ignore
2777 We have not switched to this convention as that is likely to break
2778 existing Emacs Lisp code.
2779 @end ignore
2780
2781 Textual scrolling functions (aside from @code{scroll-other-window})
2782 have unpredictable results if the current buffer is not the one
2783 displayed in the selected window. @xref{Current Buffer}.
2784
2785 If the window contains a row taller than the height of the window
2786 (for example in the presence of a large image), the scroll functions
2787 will adjust the window's vertical scroll position to scroll the
2788 partially visible row. Lisp callers can disable this feature by
2789 binding the variable @code{auto-window-vscroll} to @code{nil}
2790 (@pxref{Vertical Scrolling}).
2791
2792 @deffn Command scroll-up &optional count
2793 This function scrolls forward by @var{count} lines in the selected
2794 window.
2795
2796 If @var{count} is negative, it scrolls backward instead. If
2797 @var{count} is @code{nil} (or omitted), the distance scrolled is
2798 @code{next-screen-context-lines} lines less than the height of the
2799 window's text area.
2800
2801 If the selected window cannot be scrolled any further, this function
2802 signals an error. Otherwise, it returns @code{nil}.
2803 @end deffn
2804
2805 @deffn Command scroll-down &optional count
2806 This function scrolls backward by @var{count} lines in the selected
2807 window.
2808
2809 If @var{count} is negative, it scrolls forward instead. In other
2810 respects, it behaves the same way as @code{scroll-up} does.
2811 @end deffn
2812
2813 @deffn Command scroll-up-command &optional count
2814 This behaves like @code{scroll-up}, except that if the selected window
2815 cannot be scrolled any further and the value of the variable
2816 @code{scroll-error-top-bottom} is @code{t}, it tries to move to the
2817 end of the buffer instead. If point is already there, it signals an
2818 error.
2819 @end deffn
2820
2821 @deffn Command scroll-down-command &optional count
2822 This behaves like @code{scroll-down}, except that if the selected
2823 window cannot be scrolled any further and the value of the variable
2824 @code{scroll-error-top-bottom} is @code{t}, it tries to move to the
2825 beginning of the buffer instead. If point is already there, it
2826 signals an error.
2827 @end deffn
2828
2829 @deffn Command scroll-other-window &optional count
2830 This function scrolls the text in another window upward @var{count}
2831 lines. Negative values of @var{count}, or @code{nil}, are handled
2832 as in @code{scroll-up}.
2833
2834 You can specify which buffer to scroll by setting the variable
2835 @code{other-window-scroll-buffer} to a buffer. If that buffer isn't
2836 already displayed, @code{scroll-other-window} displays it in some
2837 window.
2838
2839 When the selected window is the minibuffer, the next window is normally
2840 the leftmost one immediately above it. You can specify a different
2841 window to scroll, when the minibuffer is selected, by setting the variable
2842 @code{minibuffer-scroll-window}. This variable has no effect when any
2843 other window is selected. When it is non-@code{nil} and the
2844 minibuffer is selected, it takes precedence over
2845 @code{other-window-scroll-buffer}. @xref{Definition of
2846 minibuffer-scroll-window}.
2847
2848 When the minibuffer is active, it is the next window if the selected
2849 window is the one at the bottom right corner. In this case,
2850 @code{scroll-other-window} attempts to scroll the minibuffer. If the
2851 minibuffer contains just one line, it has nowhere to scroll to, so the
2852 line reappears after the echo area momentarily displays the message
2853 @samp{End of buffer}.
2854 @end deffn
2855
2856 @defvar other-window-scroll-buffer
2857 If this variable is non-@code{nil}, it tells @code{scroll-other-window}
2858 which buffer's window to scroll.
2859 @end defvar
2860
2861 @defopt scroll-margin
2862 This option specifies the size of the scroll margin---a minimum number
2863 of lines between point and the top or bottom of a window. Whenever
2864 point gets within this many lines of the top or bottom of the window,
2865 redisplay scrolls the text automatically (if possible) to move point
2866 out of the margin, closer to the center of the window.
2867 @end defopt
2868
2869 @defopt scroll-conservatively
2870 This variable controls how scrolling is done automatically when point
2871 moves off the screen (or into the scroll margin). If the value is a
2872 positive integer @var{n}, then redisplay scrolls the text up to
2873 @var{n} lines in either direction, if that will bring point back into
2874 proper view. This behavior is called @dfn{conservative scrolling}.
2875 Otherwise, scrolling happens in the usual way, under the control of
2876 other variables such as @code{scroll-up-aggressively} and
2877 @code{scroll-down-aggressively}.
2878
2879 The default value is zero, which means that conservative scrolling
2880 never happens.
2881 @end defopt
2882
2883 @defopt scroll-down-aggressively
2884 The value of this variable should be either @code{nil} or a fraction
2885 @var{f} between 0 and 1. If it is a fraction, that specifies where on
2886 the screen to put point when scrolling down. More precisely, when a
2887 window scrolls down because point is above the window start, the new
2888 start position is chosen to put point @var{f} part of the window
2889 height from the top. The larger @var{f}, the more aggressive the
2890 scrolling.
2891
2892 A value of @code{nil} is equivalent to .5, since its effect is to center
2893 point. This variable automatically becomes buffer-local when set in any
2894 fashion.
2895 @end defopt
2896
2897 @defopt scroll-up-aggressively
2898 Likewise, for scrolling up. The value, @var{f}, specifies how far
2899 point should be placed from the bottom of the window; thus, as with
2900 @code{scroll-up-aggressively}, a larger value scrolls more aggressively.
2901 @end defopt
2902
2903 @defopt scroll-step
2904 This variable is an older variant of @code{scroll-conservatively}.
2905 The difference is that if its value is @var{n}, that permits scrolling
2906 only by precisely @var{n} lines, not a smaller number. This feature
2907 does not work with @code{scroll-margin}. The default value is zero.
2908 @end defopt
2909
2910 @cindex @code{scroll-command} property
2911 @defopt scroll-preserve-screen-position
2912 If this option is @code{t}, whenever a scrolling command moves point
2913 off-window, Emacs tries to adjust point to keep the cursor at its old
2914 vertical position in the window, rather than the window edge.
2915
2916 If the value is non-@code{nil} and not @code{t}, Emacs adjusts point
2917 to keep the cursor at the same vertical position, even if the
2918 scrolling command didn't move point off-window.
2919
2920 This option affects all scroll commands that have a non-@code{nil}
2921 @code{scroll-command} symbol property.
2922 @end defopt
2923
2924 @defopt next-screen-context-lines
2925 The value of this variable is the number of lines of continuity to
2926 retain when scrolling by full screens. For example, @code{scroll-up}
2927 with an argument of @code{nil} scrolls so that this many lines at the
2928 bottom of the window appear instead at the top. The default value is
2929 @code{2}.
2930 @end defopt
2931
2932 @defopt scroll-error-top-bottom
2933 If this option is @code{nil} (the default), @code{scroll-up-command}
2934 and @code{scroll-down-command} simply signal an error when no more
2935 scrolling is possible.
2936
2937 If the value is @code{t}, these commands instead move point to the
2938 beginning or end of the buffer (depending on scrolling direction);
2939 only if point is already on that position do they signal an error.
2940 @end defopt
2941
2942 @deffn Command recenter &optional count
2943 @cindex centering point
2944 This function scrolls the text in the selected window so that point is
2945 displayed at a specified vertical position within the window. It does
2946 not ``move point'' with respect to the text.
2947
2948 If @var{count} is a non-negative number, that puts the line containing
2949 point @var{count} lines down from the top of the window. If
2950 @var{count} is a negative number, then it counts upward from the
2951 bottom of the window, so that @minus{}1 stands for the last usable
2952 line in the window.
2953
2954 If @var{count} is @code{nil} (or a non-@code{nil} list),
2955 @code{recenter} puts the line containing point in the middle of the
2956 window. If @var{count} is @code{nil}, this function may redraw the
2957 frame, according to the value of @code{recenter-redisplay}.
2958
2959 When @code{recenter} is called interactively, @var{count} is the raw
2960 prefix argument. Thus, typing @kbd{C-u} as the prefix sets the
2961 @var{count} to a non-@code{nil} list, while typing @kbd{C-u 4} sets
2962 @var{count} to 4, which positions the current line four lines from the
2963 top.
2964
2965 With an argument of zero, @code{recenter} positions the current line at
2966 the top of the window. The command @code{recenter-top-bottom} offers
2967 a more convenient way to achieve this.
2968 @end deffn
2969
2970 @defopt recenter-redisplay
2971 If this variable is non-@code{nil}, calling @code{recenter} with a
2972 @code{nil} argument redraws the frame. The default value is
2973 @code{tty}, which means only redraw the frame if it is a tty frame.
2974 @end defopt
2975
2976 @deffn Command recenter-top-bottom &optional count
2977 This command, which is the default binding for @kbd{C-l}, acts like
2978 @code{recenter}, except if called with no argument. In that case,
2979 successive calls place point according to the cycling order defined
2980 by the variable @code{recenter-positions}.
2981 @end deffn
2982
2983 @defopt recenter-positions
2984 This variable controls how @code{recenter-top-bottom} behaves when
2985 called with no argument. The default value is @code{(middle top
2986 bottom)}, which means that successive calls of
2987 @code{recenter-top-bottom} with no argument cycle between placing
2988 point at the middle, top, and bottom of the window.
2989 @end defopt
2990
2991
2992 @node Vertical Scrolling
2993 @section Vertical Fractional Scrolling
2994 @cindex vertical fractional scrolling
2995 @cindex vertical scroll position
2996
2997 @dfn{Vertical fractional scrolling} means shifting text in a window
2998 up or down by a specified multiple or fraction of a line. Each window
2999 has a @dfn{vertical scroll position}, which is a number, never less than
3000 zero. It specifies how far to raise the contents of the window.
3001 Raising the window contents generally makes all or part of some lines
3002 disappear off the top, and all or part of some other lines appear at the
3003 bottom. The usual value is zero.
3004
3005 The vertical scroll position is measured in units of the normal line
3006 height, which is the height of the default font. Thus, if the value is
3007 .5, that means the window contents are scrolled up half the normal line
3008 height. If it is 3.3, that means the window contents are scrolled up
3009 somewhat over three times the normal line height.
3010
3011 What fraction of a line the vertical scrolling covers, or how many
3012 lines, depends on what the lines contain. A value of .5 could scroll a
3013 line whose height is very short off the screen, while a value of 3.3
3014 could scroll just part of the way through a tall line or an image.
3015
3016 @defun window-vscroll &optional window pixels-p
3017 This function returns the current vertical scroll position of
3018 @var{window}. The default for @var{window} is the selected window.
3019 If @var{pixels-p} is non-@code{nil}, the return value is measured in
3020 pixels, rather than in units of the normal line height.
3021
3022 @example
3023 @group
3024 (window-vscroll)
3025 @result{} 0
3026 @end group
3027 @end example
3028 @end defun
3029
3030 @defun set-window-vscroll window lines &optional pixels-p
3031 This function sets @var{window}'s vertical scroll position to
3032 @var{lines}. If @var{window} is @code{nil}, the selected window is
3033 used. The argument @var{lines} should be zero or positive; if not, it
3034 is taken as zero.
3035
3036
3037 The actual vertical scroll position must always correspond
3038 to an integral number of pixels, so the value you specify
3039 is rounded accordingly.
3040
3041 The return value is the result of this rounding.
3042
3043 @example
3044 @group
3045 (set-window-vscroll (selected-window) 1.2)
3046 @result{} 1.13
3047 @end group
3048 @end example
3049
3050 If @var{pixels-p} is non-@code{nil}, @var{lines} specifies a number of
3051 pixels. In this case, the return value is @var{lines}.
3052 @end defun
3053
3054 @defvar auto-window-vscroll
3055 If this variable is non-@code{nil}, the line-move, scroll-up, and
3056 scroll-down functions will automatically modify the vertical scroll
3057 position to scroll through display rows that are taller than the height
3058 of the window, for example in the presence of large images.
3059 @end defvar
3060
3061 @node Horizontal Scrolling
3062 @section Horizontal Scrolling
3063 @cindex horizontal scrolling
3064
3065 @dfn{Horizontal scrolling} means shifting the image in the window left
3066 or right by a specified multiple of the normal character width. Each
3067 window has a @dfn{horizontal scroll position}, which is a number, never
3068 less than zero. It specifies how far to shift the contents left.
3069 Shifting the window contents left generally makes all or part of some
3070 characters disappear off the left, and all or part of some other
3071 characters appear at the right. The usual value is zero.
3072
3073 The horizontal scroll position is measured in units of the normal
3074 character width, which is the width of space in the default font. Thus,
3075 if the value is 5, that means the window contents are scrolled left by 5
3076 times the normal character width. How many characters actually
3077 disappear off to the left depends on their width, and could vary from
3078 line to line.
3079
3080 Because we read from side to side in the ``inner loop'', and from top
3081 to bottom in the ``outer loop'', the effect of horizontal scrolling is
3082 not like that of textual or vertical scrolling. Textual scrolling
3083 involves selection of a portion of text to display, and vertical
3084 scrolling moves the window contents contiguously; but horizontal
3085 scrolling causes part of @emph{each line} to go off screen.
3086
3087 Usually, no horizontal scrolling is in effect; then the leftmost
3088 column is at the left edge of the window. In this state, scrolling to
3089 the right is meaningless, since there is no data to the left of the edge
3090 to be revealed by it; so this is not allowed. Scrolling to the left is
3091 allowed; it scrolls the first columns of text off the edge of the window
3092 and can reveal additional columns on the right that were truncated
3093 before. Once a window has a nonzero amount of leftward horizontal
3094 scrolling, you can scroll it back to the right, but only so far as to
3095 reduce the net horizontal scroll to zero. There is no limit to how far
3096 left you can scroll, but eventually all the text will disappear off the
3097 left edge.
3098
3099 @vindex auto-hscroll-mode
3100 If @code{auto-hscroll-mode} is set, redisplay automatically alters
3101 the horizontal scrolling of a window as necessary to ensure that point
3102 is always visible. However, you can still set the horizontal
3103 scrolling value explicitly. The value you specify serves as a lower
3104 bound for automatic scrolling, i.e., automatic scrolling will not
3105 scroll a window to a column less than the specified one.
3106
3107 @deffn Command scroll-left &optional count set-minimum
3108 This function scrolls the selected window @var{count} columns to the
3109 left (or to the right if @var{count} is negative). The default
3110 for @var{count} is the window width, minus 2.
3111
3112 The return value is the total amount of leftward horizontal scrolling in
3113 effect after the change---just like the value returned by
3114 @code{window-hscroll} (below).
3115
3116 Once you scroll a window as far right as it can go, back to its normal
3117 position where the total leftward scrolling is zero, attempts to scroll
3118 any farther right have no effect.
3119
3120 If @var{set-minimum} is non-@code{nil}, the new scroll amount becomes
3121 the lower bound for automatic scrolling; that is, automatic scrolling
3122 will not scroll a window to a column less than the value returned by
3123 this function. Interactive calls pass non-@code{nil} for
3124 @var{set-minimum}.
3125 @end deffn
3126
3127 @deffn Command scroll-right &optional count set-minimum
3128 This function scrolls the selected window @var{count} columns to the
3129 right (or to the left if @var{count} is negative). The default
3130 for @var{count} is the window width, minus 2. Aside from the direction
3131 of scrolling, this works just like @code{scroll-left}.
3132 @end deffn
3133
3134 @defun window-hscroll &optional window
3135 This function returns the total leftward horizontal scrolling of
3136 @var{window}---the number of columns by which the text in @var{window}
3137 is scrolled left past the left margin. The default for
3138 @var{window} is the selected window.
3139
3140 The return value is never negative. It is zero when no horizontal
3141 scrolling has been done in @var{window} (which is usually the case).
3142
3143
3144 @example
3145 @group
3146 (window-hscroll)
3147 @result{} 0
3148 @end group
3149 @group
3150 (scroll-left 5)
3151 @result{} 5
3152 @end group
3153 @group
3154 (window-hscroll)
3155 @result{} 5
3156 @end group
3157 @end example
3158 @end defun
3159
3160 @defun set-window-hscroll window columns
3161 This function sets horizontal scrolling of @var{window}. The value of
3162 @var{columns} specifies the amount of scrolling, in terms of columns
3163 from the left margin. The argument @var{columns} should be zero or
3164 positive; if not, it is taken as zero. Fractional values of
3165 @var{columns} are not supported at present.
3166
3167 Note that @code{set-window-hscroll} may appear not to work if you test
3168 it by evaluating a call with @kbd{M-:} in a simple way. What happens
3169 is that the function sets the horizontal scroll value and returns, but
3170 then redisplay adjusts the horizontal scrolling to make point visible,
3171 and this overrides what the function did. You can observe the
3172 function's effect if you call it while point is sufficiently far from
3173 the left margin that it will remain visible.
3174
3175 The value returned is @var{columns}.
3176
3177 @example
3178 @group
3179 (set-window-hscroll (selected-window) 10)
3180 @result{} 10
3181 @end group
3182 @end example
3183 @end defun
3184
3185 Here is how you can determine whether a given position @var{position}
3186 is off the screen due to horizontal scrolling:
3187
3188 @example
3189 @group
3190 (defun hscroll-on-screen (window position)
3191 (save-excursion
3192 (goto-char position)
3193 (and
3194 (>= (- (current-column) (window-hscroll window)) 0)
3195 (< (- (current-column) (window-hscroll window))
3196 (window-width window)))))
3197 @end group
3198 @end example
3199
3200 @node Coordinates and Windows
3201 @section Coordinates and Windows
3202 @cindex frame-relative coordinate
3203 @cindex coordinate, relative to frame
3204 @cindex window position
3205
3206 This section describes functions that report the position of a
3207 window. Most of these functions report positions relative to the
3208 window's frame. In this case, the coordinate origin @samp{(0,0)} lies
3209 near the upper left corner of the frame. For technical reasons, on
3210 graphical displays the origin is not located at the exact corner of
3211 the graphical window as it appears on the screen. If Emacs is built
3212 with the GTK+ toolkit, the origin is at the upper left corner of the
3213 frame area used for displaying Emacs windows, below the title-bar,
3214 GTK+ menu bar, and tool bar (since these are drawn by the window
3215 manager and/or GTK+, not by Emacs). But if Emacs is not built with
3216 GTK+, the origin is at the upper left corner of the tool bar (since in
3217 this case Emacs itself draws the tool bar). In both cases, the X and
3218 Y coordinates increase rightward and downward respectively.
3219
3220 Except where noted, X and Y coordinates are reported in integer
3221 character units, i.e., numbers of lines and columns respectively. On a
3222 graphical display, each ``line'' and ``column'' corresponds to the
3223 height and width of a default character specified by the frame's
3224 default font.
3225
3226 @defun window-edges &optional window
3227 This function returns a list of the edge coordinates of @var{window}.
3228 If @var{window} is omitted or @code{nil}, it defaults to the selected
3229 window.
3230
3231 The return value has the form @code{(@var{left} @var{top} @var{right}
3232 @var{bottom})}. These list elements are, respectively, the X
3233 coordinate of the leftmost column occupied by the window, the Y
3234 coordinate of the topmost row, the X coordinate one column to the
3235 right of the rightmost column, and the Y coordinate one row down from
3236 the bottommost row.
3237
3238 Note that these are the actual outer edges of the window, including
3239 any header line, mode line, scroll bar, fringes, and display margins.
3240 On a text terminal, if the window has a neighbor on its right, its
3241 right edge includes the separator line between the window and its
3242 neighbor.
3243 @end defun
3244
3245 @defun window-inside-edges &optional window
3246 This function is similar to @code{window-edges}, but the returned edge
3247 values are for the text area of the window. They exclude any header
3248 line, mode line, scroll bar, fringes, display margins, and vertical
3249 separator.
3250 @end defun
3251
3252 @defun window-top-line &optional window
3253 This function returns the Y coordinate of the topmost row of
3254 @var{window}, equivalent to the @var{top} entry in the list returned
3255 by @code{window-edges}.
3256 @end defun
3257
3258 @defun window-left-column &optional window
3259 This function returns the X coordinate of the leftmost column of
3260 @var{window}, equivalent to the @var{left} entry in the list returned
3261 by @code{window-edges}.
3262 @end defun
3263
3264 The following functions can be used to relate a set of
3265 frame-relative coordinates to a window:
3266
3267 @defun window-at x y &optional frame
3268 This function returns the live window at the frame-relative
3269 coordinates @var{x} and @var{y}, on frame @var{frame}. If there is no
3270 window at that position, the return value is @code{nil}. If
3271 @var{frame} is omitted or @code{nil}, it defaults to the selected
3272 frame.
3273 @end defun
3274
3275 @defun coordinates-in-window-p coordinates window
3276 This function checks whether a window @var{window} occupies the
3277 frame-relative coordinates @var{coordinates}, and if so, which part of
3278 the window that is. @var{window} should be a live window.
3279 @var{coordinates} should be a cons cell of the form @code{(@var{x}
3280 . @var{y})}, where @var{x} and @var{y} are frame-relative coordinates.
3281
3282 If there is no window at the specified position, the return value is
3283 @code{nil} . Otherwise, the return value is one of the following:
3284
3285 @table @code
3286 @item (@var{relx} . @var{rely})
3287 The coordinates are inside @var{window}. The numbers @var{relx} and
3288 @var{rely} are the equivalent window-relative coordinates for the
3289 specified position, counting from 0 at the top left corner of the
3290 window.
3291
3292 @item mode-line
3293 The coordinates are in the mode line of @var{window}.
3294
3295 @item header-line
3296 The coordinates are in the header line of @var{window}.
3297
3298 @item vertical-line
3299 The coordinates are in the vertical line between @var{window} and its
3300 neighbor to the right. This value occurs only if the window doesn't
3301 have a scroll bar; positions in a scroll bar are considered outside the
3302 window for these purposes.
3303
3304 @item left-fringe
3305 @itemx right-fringe
3306 The coordinates are in the left or right fringe of the window.
3307
3308 @item left-margin
3309 @itemx right-margin
3310 The coordinates are in the left or right margin of the window.
3311
3312 @item nil
3313 The coordinates are not in any part of @var{window}.
3314 @end table
3315
3316 The function @code{coordinates-in-window-p} does not require a frame as
3317 argument because it always uses the frame that @var{window} is on.
3318 @end defun
3319
3320 The following functions return window positions in pixels, rather
3321 than character units. Though mostly useful on graphical displays,
3322 they can also be called on text terminals, where the screen area of
3323 each text character is taken to be ``one pixel''.
3324
3325 @defun window-pixel-edges &optional window
3326 This function returns a list of pixel coordinates for the edges of
3327 @var{window}. If @var{window} is omitted or @code{nil}, it defaults
3328 to the selected window.
3329
3330 The return value has the form @code{(@var{left} @var{top} @var{right}
3331 @var{bottom})}. The list elements are, respectively, the X pixel
3332 coordinate of the left window edge, the Y pixel coordinate of the top
3333 edge, one more than the X pixel coordinate of the right edge, and one
3334 more than the Y pixel coordinate of the bottom edge.
3335 @end defun
3336
3337 @defun window-inside-pixel-edges &optional window
3338 This function is like @code{window-pixel-edges}, except that it
3339 returns the pixel coordinates for the edges of the window's text area,
3340 rather than the pixel coordinates for the edges of the window itself.
3341 @var{window} must specify a live window.
3342 @end defun
3343
3344 The following functions return window positions in pixels, relative
3345 to the display screen rather than the frame:
3346
3347 @defun window-absolute-pixel-edges &optional window
3348 This function is like @code{window-pixel-edges}, except that it
3349 returns the edge pixel coordinates relative to the top left corner of
3350 the display screen.
3351 @end defun
3352
3353 @defun window-inside-absolute-pixel-edges &optional window
3354 This function is like @code{window-inside-pixel-edges}, except that it
3355 returns the edge pixel coordinates relative to the top left corner of
3356 the display screen. @var{window} must specify a live window.
3357 @end defun
3358
3359 @node Window Configurations
3360 @section Window Configurations
3361 @cindex window configurations
3362 @cindex saving window information
3363
3364 A @dfn{window configuration} records the entire layout of one
3365 frame---all windows, their sizes, which buffers they contain, how those
3366 buffers are scrolled, and their values of point and the mark; also their
3367 fringes, margins, and scroll bar settings. It also includes the value
3368 of @code{minibuffer-scroll-window}. As a special exception, the window
3369 configuration does not record the value of point in the selected window
3370 for the current buffer.
3371
3372 You can bring back an entire frame layout by restoring a previously
3373 saved window configuration. If you want to record the layout of all
3374 frames instead of just one, use a frame configuration instead of a
3375 window configuration. @xref{Frame Configurations}.
3376
3377 @defun current-window-configuration &optional frame
3378 This function returns a new object representing @var{frame}'s current
3379 window configuration. The default for @var{frame} is the selected
3380 frame. The variable @code{window-persistent-parameters} specifies
3381 which window parameters (if any) are saved by this function.
3382 @xref{Window Parameters}.
3383 @end defun
3384
3385 @defun set-window-configuration configuration
3386 This function restores the configuration of windows and buffers as
3387 specified by @var{configuration}, for the frame that @var{configuration}
3388 was created for.
3389
3390 The argument @var{configuration} must be a value that was previously
3391 returned by @code{current-window-configuration}. The configuration is
3392 restored in the frame from which @var{configuration} was made, whether
3393 that frame is selected or not. This always counts as a window size
3394 change and triggers execution of the @code{window-size-change-functions}
3395 (@pxref{Window Hooks}), because @code{set-window-configuration} doesn't
3396 know how to tell whether the new configuration actually differs from the
3397 old one.
3398
3399 If the frame from which @var{configuration} was saved is dead, all this
3400 function does is restore the three variables @code{window-min-height},
3401 @code{window-min-width} and @code{minibuffer-scroll-window}. In this
3402 case, the function returns @code{nil}. Otherwise, it returns @code{t}.
3403
3404 Here is a way of using this function to get the same effect
3405 as @code{save-window-excursion}:
3406
3407 @example
3408 @group
3409 (let ((config (current-window-configuration)))
3410 (unwind-protect
3411 (progn (split-window-below nil)
3412 @dots{})
3413 (set-window-configuration config)))
3414 @end group
3415 @end example
3416 @end defun
3417
3418 @defmac save-window-excursion forms@dots{}
3419 This macro records the window configuration of the selected frame,
3420 executes @var{forms} in sequence, then restores the earlier window
3421 configuration. The return value is the value of the final form in
3422 @var{forms}.
3423
3424 Most Lisp code should not use this macro; @code{save-selected-window}
3425 is typically sufficient. In particular, this macro cannot reliably
3426 prevent the code in @var{forms} from opening new windows, because new
3427 windows might be opened in other frames (@pxref{Choosing Window}), and
3428 @code{save-window-excursion} only saves and restores the window
3429 configuration on the current frame.
3430
3431 Do not use this macro in @code{window-size-change-functions}; exiting
3432 the macro triggers execution of @code{window-size-change-functions},
3433 leading to an endless loop.
3434 @end defmac
3435
3436 @defun window-configuration-p object
3437 This function returns @code{t} if @var{object} is a window configuration.
3438 @end defun
3439
3440 @defun compare-window-configurations config1 config2
3441 This function compares two window configurations as regards the
3442 structure of windows, but ignores the values of point and mark and the
3443 saved scrolling positions---it can return @code{t} even if those
3444 aspects differ.
3445
3446 The function @code{equal} can also compare two window configurations; it
3447 regards configurations as unequal if they differ in any respect, even a
3448 saved point or mark.
3449 @end defun
3450
3451 @defun window-configuration-frame config
3452 This function returns the frame for which the window configuration
3453 @var{config} was made.
3454 @end defun
3455
3456 Other primitives to look inside of window configurations would make
3457 sense, but are not implemented because we did not need them. See the
3458 file @file{winner.el} for some more operations on windows
3459 configurations.
3460
3461 The objects returned by @code{current-window-configuration} die
3462 together with the Emacs process. In order to store a window
3463 configuration on disk and read it back in another Emacs session, you
3464 can use the functions described next. These functions are also useful
3465 to clone the state of a frame into an arbitrary live window
3466 (@code{set-window-configuration} effectively clones the windows of a
3467 frame into the root window of that very frame only).
3468
3469 @defun window-state-get &optional window writable
3470 This function returns the state of @var{window} as a Lisp object. The
3471 argument @var{window} must be a valid window and defaults to the root
3472 window of the selected frame.
3473
3474 If the optional argument @var{writable} is non-@code{nil}, this means to
3475 not use markers for sampling positions like @code{window-point} or
3476 @code{window-start}. This argument should be non-@code{nil} when the
3477 state will be written to disk and read back in another session.
3478
3479 Together, the argument @var{writable} and the variable
3480 @code{window-persistent-parameters} specify which window parameters are
3481 saved by this function. @xref{Window Parameters}.
3482 @end defun
3483
3484 The value returned by @code{window-state-get} can be used in the same
3485 session to make a clone of a window in another window. It can be also
3486 written to disk and read back in another session. In either case, use
3487 the following function to restore the state of the window.
3488
3489 @defun window-state-put state &optional window ignore
3490 This function puts the window state @var{state} into @var{window}. The
3491 argument @var{state} should be the state of a window returned by an
3492 earlier invocation of @code{window-state-get}, see above. The optional
3493 argument @var{window} must specify a live window and defaults to the
3494 selected one.
3495
3496 If the optional argument @var{ignore} is non-@code{nil}, it means to ignore
3497 minimum window sizes and fixed-size restrictions. If @var{ignore}
3498 is @code{safe}, this means windows can get as small as one line
3499 and/or two columns.
3500 @end defun
3501
3502
3503 @node Window Parameters
3504 @section Window Parameters
3505 @cindex window parameters
3506
3507 This section describes how window parameters can be used to associate
3508 additional information with windows.
3509
3510 @defun window-parameter window parameter
3511 This function returns @var{window}'s value for @var{parameter}. The
3512 default for @var{window} is the selected window. If @var{window} has no
3513 setting for @var{parameter}, this function returns @code{nil}.
3514 @end defun
3515
3516 @defun window-parameters &optional window
3517 This function returns all parameters of @var{window} and their values.
3518 The default for @var{window} is the selected window. The return value
3519 is either @code{nil}, or an association list whose elements have the form
3520 @code{(@var{parameter} . @var{value})}.
3521 @end defun
3522
3523 @defun set-window-parameter window parameter value
3524 This function sets @var{window}'s value of @var{parameter} to
3525 @var{value} and returns @var{value}. The default for @var{window}
3526 is the selected window.
3527 @end defun
3528
3529 By default, the functions that save and restore window configurations or the
3530 states of windows (@pxref{Window Configurations}) do not care about
3531 window parameters. This means that when you change the value of a
3532 parameter within the body of a @code{save-window-excursion}, the
3533 previous value is not restored when that macro exits. It also means
3534 that when you restore via @code{window-state-put} a window state saved
3535 earlier by @code{window-state-get}, all cloned windows have their
3536 parameters reset to @code{nil}. The following variable allows you to
3537 override the standard behavior:
3538
3539 @defvar window-persistent-parameters
3540 This variable is an alist specifying which parameters get saved by
3541 @code{current-window-configuration} and @code{window-state-get}, and
3542 subsequently restored by @code{set-window-configuration} and
3543 @code{window-state-put}. @xref{Window Configurations}.
3544
3545 The @sc{car} of each entry of this alist is a symbol specifying the
3546 parameter. The @sc{cdr} should be one of the following:
3547
3548 @table @asis
3549 @item @code{nil}
3550 This value means the parameter is saved neither by
3551 @code{window-state-get} nor by @code{current-window-configuration}.
3552
3553 @item @code{t}
3554 This value specifies that the parameter is saved by
3555 @code{current-window-configuration} and (provided its @var{writable}
3556 argument is @code{nil}) by @code{window-state-get}.
3557
3558 @item @code{writable}
3559 This means that the parameter is saved unconditionally by both
3560 @code{current-window-configuration} and @code{window-state-get}. This
3561 value should not be used for parameters whose values do not have a read
3562 syntax. Otherwise, invoking @code{window-state-put} in another session
3563 may fail with an @code{invalid-read-syntax} error.
3564 @end table
3565 @end defvar
3566
3567 Some functions (notably @code{delete-window},
3568 @code{delete-other-windows} and @code{split-window}), may behave specially
3569 when their @var{window} argument has a parameter set. You can override
3570 such special behavior by binding the following variable to a
3571 non-@code{nil} value:
3572
3573 @defvar ignore-window-parameters
3574 If this variable is non-@code{nil}, some standard functions do not
3575 process window parameters. The functions currently affected by this are
3576 @code{split-window}, @code{delete-window}, @code{delete-other-windows},
3577 and @code{other-window}.
3578
3579 An application can bind this variable to a non-@code{nil} value around
3580 calls to these functions. If it does so, the application is fully
3581 responsible for correctly assigning the parameters of all involved
3582 windows when exiting that function.
3583 @end defvar
3584
3585 The following parameters are currently used by the window management
3586 code:
3587
3588 @table @asis
3589 @item @code{delete-window}
3590 This parameter affects the execution of @code{delete-window}
3591 (@pxref{Deleting Windows}).
3592
3593 @item @code{delete-other-windows}
3594 This parameter affects the execution of @code{delete-other-windows}
3595 (@pxref{Deleting Windows}).
3596
3597 @item @code{split-window}
3598 This parameter affects the execution of @code{split-window}
3599 (@pxref{Splitting Windows}).
3600
3601 @item @code{other-window}
3602 This parameter affects the execution of @code{other-window}
3603 (@pxref{Cyclic Window Ordering}).
3604
3605 @item @code{no-other-window}
3606 This parameter marks the window as not selectable by @code{other-window}
3607 (@pxref{Cyclic Window Ordering}).
3608
3609 @item @code{clone-of}
3610 This parameter specifies the window that this one has been cloned
3611 from. It is installed by @code{window-state-get} (@pxref{Window
3612 Configurations}).
3613
3614 @item @code{quit-restore}
3615 This parameter is installed by the buffer display functions
3616 (@pxref{Choosing Window}) and consulted by @code{quit-restore-window}
3617 (@pxref{Quitting Windows}). It contains four elements:
3618
3619 The first element is one of the symbols @code{window} - meaning that the
3620 window has been specially created by @code{display-buffer}, @code{frame}
3621 - a separate frame has been created, @code{same} - the window has
3622 displayed the same buffer before, or @code{other} - the window showed
3623 another buffer before.
3624
3625 The second element is either one of the symbols @code{window} or
3626 @code{frame}, or a list whose elements are the buffer shown in the
3627 window before, that buffer's window start and window point positions,
3628 and the window's height at that time.
3629
3630 The third element is the window selected at the time the parameter was
3631 created. The function @code{quit-restore-window} tries to reselect that
3632 window when it deletes the window passed to it as argument.
3633
3634 The fourth element is the buffer whose display caused the creation of
3635 this parameter. @code{quit-restore-window} deletes the specified window
3636 only if it still shows that buffer.
3637 @end table
3638
3639 There are additional parameters @code{window-atom} and @code{window-side};
3640 these are reserved and should not be used by applications.
3641
3642
3643 @node Window Hooks
3644 @section Hooks for Window Scrolling and Changes
3645 @cindex hooks for window operations
3646
3647 This section describes how a Lisp program can take action whenever a
3648 window displays a different part of its buffer or a different buffer.
3649 There are three actions that can change this: scrolling the window,
3650 switching buffers in the window, and changing the size of the window.
3651 The first two actions run @code{window-scroll-functions}; the last runs
3652 @code{window-size-change-functions}.
3653
3654 @defvar window-scroll-functions
3655 This variable holds a list of functions that Emacs should call before
3656 redisplaying a window with scrolling. Displaying a different buffer in
3657 the window also runs these functions.
3658
3659 This variable is not a normal hook, because each function is called with
3660 two arguments: the window, and its new display-start position.
3661
3662 These functions must take care when using @code{window-end}
3663 (@pxref{Window Start and End}); if you need an up-to-date value, you
3664 must use the @var{update} argument to ensure you get it.
3665
3666 @strong{Warning:} don't use this feature to alter the way the window
3667 is scrolled. It's not designed for that, and such use probably won't
3668 work.
3669 @end defvar
3670
3671 @defvar window-size-change-functions
3672 This variable holds a list of functions to be called if the size of any
3673 window changes for any reason. The functions are called just once per
3674 redisplay, and just once for each frame on which size changes have
3675 occurred.
3676
3677 Each function receives the frame as its sole argument. There is no
3678 direct way to find out which windows on that frame have changed size, or
3679 precisely how. However, if a size-change function records, at each
3680 call, the existing windows and their sizes, it can also compare the
3681 present sizes and the previous sizes.
3682
3683 Creating or deleting windows counts as a size change, and therefore
3684 causes these functions to be called. Changing the frame size also
3685 counts, because it changes the sizes of the existing windows.
3686
3687 You may use @code{save-selected-window} in these functions
3688 (@pxref{Selecting Windows}). However, do not use
3689 @code{save-window-excursion} (@pxref{Window Configurations}); exiting
3690 that macro counts as a size change, which would cause these functions
3691 to be called over and over.
3692 @end defvar
3693
3694 @defvar window-configuration-change-hook
3695 A normal hook that is run every time you change the window configuration
3696 of an existing frame. This includes splitting or deleting windows,
3697 changing the sizes of windows, or displaying a different buffer in a
3698 window.
3699
3700 The buffer-local part of this hook is run once for each window on the
3701 affected frame, with the relevant window selected and its buffer
3702 current. The global part is run once for the modified frame, with that
3703 frame selected.
3704 @end defvar
3705
3706 In addition, you can use @code{jit-lock-register} to register a Font
3707 Lock fontification function, which will be called whenever parts of a
3708 buffer are (re)fontified because a window was scrolled or its size
3709 changed. @xref{Other Font Lock Variables}.