]> code.delx.au - gnu-emacs/blob - man/widget.texi
(mouse-avoidance-point-position): Use posn-at-point instead of compute-motion.
[gnu-emacs] / man / widget.texi
1 \input texinfo.tex
2
3 @c %**start of header
4 @setfilename ../info/widget
5 @settitle The Emacs Widget Library
6 @syncodeindex fn cp
7 @syncodeindex vr cp
8 @syncodeindex ky cp
9 @afourpaper
10 @c %**end of header
11
12 @copying
13 Copyright @copyright{} 2000, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005,
14 2006 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
15
16 @quotation
17 Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this document
18 under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1.2 or
19 any later version published by the Free Software Foundation; with the
20 Invariant Sections being ``The GNU Manifesto'', ``Distribution'' and
21 ``GNU GENERAL PUBLIC LICENSE'', with the Front-Cover texts being ``A GNU
22 Manual'', and with the Back-Cover Texts as in (a) below. A copy of the
23 license is included in the section entitled ``GNU Free Documentation
24 License'' in the Emacs manual.
25
26 This document is part of a collection distributed under the GNU Free
27 Documentation License. If you want to distribute this document
28 separately from the collection, you can do so by adding a copy of the
29 license to the document, as described in section 6 of the license.
30
31 (a) The FSF's Back-Cover Text is: ``You have freedom to copy and modify
32 this GNU Manual, like GNU software. Copies published by the Free
33 Software Foundation raise funds for GNU development.''
34 @end quotation
35 @end copying
36
37 @dircategory Emacs
38 @direntry
39 * Widget: (widget). The "widget" package used by the Emacs Customization
40 facility.
41 @end direntry
42
43 @node Top, Introduction, (dir), (dir)
44 @comment node-name, next, previous, up
45 @top The Emacs Widget Library
46
47 @menu
48 * Introduction::
49 * User Interface::
50 * Programming Example::
51 * Setting Up the Buffer::
52 * Basic Types::
53 * Sexp Types::
54 * Widget Properties::
55 * Defining New Widgets::
56 * Widget Browser::
57 * Widget Minor Mode::
58 * Utilities::
59 * Widget Wishlist::
60 * Index::
61 @end menu
62
63 @node Introduction, User Interface, Top, Top
64 @comment node-name, next, previous, up
65 @section Introduction
66
67 Most graphical user interface toolkits provide a number of standard
68 user interface controls (sometimes known as `widgets' or `gadgets').
69 Emacs doesn't really support anything like this, except for an
70 incredibly powerful text ``widget.'' On the other hand, Emacs does
71 provide the necessary primitives to implement many other widgets
72 within a text buffer. The @code{widget} package simplifies this task.
73
74 @cindex basic widgets
75 @cindex widgets, basic types
76 The basic widgets are:
77
78 @table @code
79 @item link
80 Areas of text with an associated action. Intended for hypertext links
81 embedded in text.
82 @item push-button
83 Like link, but intended for stand-alone buttons.
84 @item editable-field
85 An editable text field. It can be either variable or fixed length.
86 @item menu-choice
87 Allows the user to choose one of multiple options from a menu, each
88 option is itself a widget. Only the selected option will be visible in
89 the buffer.
90 @item radio-button-choice
91 Allows the user to choose one of multiple options by activating radio
92 buttons. The options are implemented as widgets. All options will be
93 visible in the buffer.
94 @item item
95 A simple constant widget intended to be used in the @code{menu-choice} and
96 @code{radio-button-choice} widgets.
97 @item choice-item
98 A button item only intended for use in choices. When invoked, the user
99 will be asked to select another option from the choice widget.
100 @item toggle
101 A simple @samp{on}/@samp{off} switch.
102 @item checkbox
103 A checkbox (@samp{[ ]}/@samp{[X]}).
104 @item editable-list
105 Create an editable list. The user can insert or delete items in the
106 list. Each list item is itself a widget.
107 @end table
108
109 Now, of what possible use can support for widgets be in a text editor?
110 I'm glad you asked. The answer is that widgets are useful for
111 implementing forms. A @dfn{form} in Emacs is a buffer where the user is
112 supposed to fill out a number of fields, each of which has a specific
113 meaning. The user is not supposed to change or delete any of the text
114 between the fields. Examples of forms in Emacs are the @file{forms}
115 package (of course), the customize buffers, the mail and news compose
116 modes, and the @acronym{HTML} form support in the @file{w3} browser.
117
118 @cindex widget library, why use it
119 The advantages for a programmer of using the @code{widget} package to
120 implement forms are:
121
122 @enumerate
123 @item
124 More complex fields than just editable text are supported.
125 @item
126 You can give the users immediate feedback if they enter invalid data in a
127 text field, and sometimes prevent entering invalid data.
128 @item
129 You can have fixed sized fields, thus allowing multiple fields to be
130 lined up in columns.
131 @item
132 It is simple to query or set the value of a field.
133 @item
134 Editing happens in the buffer, not in the mini-buffer.
135 @item
136 Packages using the library get a uniform look, making them easier for
137 the user to learn.
138 @item
139 As support for embedded graphics improve, the widget library will be
140 extended to use the GUI features. This means that your code using the
141 widget library will also use the new graphic features automatically.
142 @end enumerate
143
144 In order to minimize the code that is loaded by users who do not
145 create any widgets, the code has been split in two files:
146
147 @cindex widget library, files
148 @table @file
149 @item widget.el
150 This will declare the user variables, define the function
151 @code{define-widget}, and autoload the function @code{widget-create}.
152 @item wid-edit.el
153 Everything else is here, there is no reason to load it explicitly, as
154 it will be autoloaded when needed.
155 @end table
156
157 @node User Interface, Programming Example, Introduction, Top
158 @comment node-name, next, previous, up
159 @section User Interface
160
161 A form consist of read only text for documentation and some fields,
162 where each field contains two parts, a tag and a value. The tags are
163 used to identify the fields, so the documentation can refer to the
164 @samp{foo field}, meaning the field tagged with @samp{Foo}. Here is an
165 example form:
166
167 @example
168 Here is some documentation.
169
170 Name: @i{My Name} @strong{Choose}: This option
171 Address: @i{Some Place
172 In some City
173 Some country.}
174
175 See also @b{_other work_} for more information.
176
177 Numbers: count to three below
178 @b{[INS]} @b{[DEL]} @i{One}
179 @b{[INS]} @b{[DEL]} @i{Eh, two?}
180 @b{[INS]} @b{[DEL]} @i{Five!}
181 @b{[INS]}
182
183 Select multiple:
184
185 @b{[X]} This
186 @b{[ ]} That
187 @b{[X]} Thus
188
189 Select one:
190
191 @b{(*)} One
192 @b{( )} Another One.
193 @b{( )} A Final One.
194
195 @b{[Apply Form]} @b{[Reset Form]}
196 @end example
197
198 The top level widgets in is example are tagged @samp{Name},
199 @samp{Choose}, @samp{Address}, @samp{_other work_}, @samp{Numbers},
200 @samp{Select multiple}, @samp{Select one}, @samp{[Apply Form]}, and
201 @samp{[Reset Form]}. There are basically two things the user can do
202 within a form, namely editing the editable text fields and activating
203 the buttons.
204
205 @subsection Editable Text Fields
206
207 In the example, the value for the @samp{Name} is most likely displayed
208 in an editable text field, and so are values for each of the members of
209 the @samp{Numbers} list. All the normal Emacs editing operations are
210 available for editing these fields. The only restriction is that each
211 change you make must be contained within a single editable text field.
212 For example, capitalizing all text from the middle of one field to the
213 middle of another field is prohibited.
214
215 Editable text fields are created by the @code{editable-field} widget.
216
217 @strong{Warning:} In an @code{editable-field} widget, the editable
218 field must not be adjacent to another widget---that won't work.
219 You must put some text in between. Either make this text part of
220 the @code{editable-field} widget itself, or insert it with
221 @code{widget-insert}.
222
223 The @code{:format} keyword is useful for generating the necessary
224 text; for instance, if you give it a value of @code{"Name: %v "},
225 the @samp{Name: } part will provide the necessary separating text
226 before the field and the trailing space will provide the
227 separating text after the field. If you don't include the
228 @code{:size} keyword, the field will extend to the end of the
229 line, and the terminating newline will provide separation after.
230
231 The editing text fields are highlighted with the
232 @code{widget-field-face} face, making them easy to find.
233
234 @deffn Face widget-field-face
235 Face used for other editing fields.
236 @end deffn
237
238 @subsection Buttons
239
240 @cindex widget buttons
241 @cindex button widgets
242 Some portions of the buffer have an associated @dfn{action}, which can
243 be @dfn{invoked} by a standard key or mouse command. These portions
244 are called @dfn{buttons}. The default commands for activating a button
245 are:
246
247 @table @kbd
248 @item @key{RET}
249 @deffn Command widget-button-press @var{pos} &optional @var{event}
250 Invoke the button at @var{pos}, defaulting to point.
251 If point is not located on a button, invoke the binding in
252 @code{widget-global-map} (by default the global map).
253 @end deffn
254
255 @kindex Mouse-2 @r{(on button widgets})
256 @item Mouse-2
257 @deffn Command widget-button-click @var{event}
258 Invoke the button at the location of the mouse pointer. If the mouse
259 pointer is located in an editable text field, invoke the binding in
260 @code{widget-global-map} (by default the global map).
261 @end deffn
262 @end table
263
264 There are several different kind of buttons, all of which are present in
265 the example:
266
267 @table @emph
268 @cindex option field tag
269 @item The Option Field Tags
270 When you invoke one of these buttons, you will be asked to choose
271 between a number of different options. This is how you edit an option
272 field. Option fields are created by the @code{menu-choice} widget. In
273 the example, @samp{@b{Choose}} is an option field tag.
274 @item The @samp{@b{[INS]}} and @samp{@b{[DEL]}} buttons
275 Activating these will insert or delete elements from an editable list.
276 The list is created by the @code{editable-list} widget.
277 @cindex embedded buttons
278 @item Embedded Buttons
279 The @samp{@b{_other work_}} is an example of an embedded
280 button. Embedded buttons are not associated with a fields, but can serve
281 any purpose, such as implementing hypertext references. They are
282 usually created by the @code{link} widget.
283 @item The @samp{@b{[ ]}} and @samp{@b{[X]}} buttons
284 Activating one of these will convert it to the other. This is useful
285 for implementing multiple-choice fields. You can create it with the
286 @code{checkbox} widget.
287 @item The @samp{@b{( )}} and @samp{@b{(*)}} buttons
288 Only one radio button in a @code{radio-button-choice} widget can be
289 selected at any time. When you invoke one of the unselected radio
290 buttons, it will be selected and the previous selected radio button will
291 become unselected.
292 @item The @samp{@b{[Apply Form]}} @samp{@b{[Reset Form]}} buttons
293 These are explicit buttons made with the @code{push-button} widget. The
294 main difference from the @code{link} widget is that the buttons will be
295 displayed as GUI buttons when possible.
296 @end table
297
298 To make them easier to locate, buttons are emphasized in the buffer.
299
300 @deffn Face widget-button-face
301 Face used for buttons.
302 @end deffn
303
304 @defopt widget-mouse-face
305 Face used for highlighting a button when the mouse pointer moves across
306 it.
307 @end defopt
308
309 @subsection Navigation
310
311 You can use all the normal Emacs commands to move around in a form
312 buffer, plus you will have these additional commands:
313
314 @table @kbd
315 @item @key{TAB}
316 @deffn Command widget-forward &optional count
317 Move point @var{count} buttons or editing fields forward.
318 @end deffn
319 @item @kbd{M-@key{TAB}}
320 @itemx @kbd{S-@key{TAB}}
321 @deffn Command widget-backward &optional count
322 Move point @var{count} buttons or editing fields backward.
323 @end deffn
324 @end table
325
326 @node Programming Example, Setting Up the Buffer, User Interface, Top
327 @comment node-name, next, previous, up
328 @section Programming Example
329
330 @cindex widgets, programming example
331 @cindex example of using widgets
332 Here is the code to implement the user interface example (@pxref{User
333 Interface}).
334
335 @lisp
336 (require 'widget)
337
338 (eval-when-compile
339 (require 'wid-edit))
340
341 (defvar widget-example-repeat)
342
343 (defun widget-example ()
344 "Create the widgets from the Widget manual."
345 (interactive)
346 (switch-to-buffer "*Widget Example*")
347 (kill-all-local-variables)
348 (make-local-variable 'widget-example-repeat)
349 (let ((inhibit-read-only t))
350 (erase-buffer))
351 (remove-overlays)
352 (widget-insert "Here is some documentation.\n\nName: ")
353 (widget-create 'editable-field
354 :size 13
355 :format "%v " ; Text after the field!
356 "My Name")
357 (widget-create 'menu-choice
358 :tag "Choose"
359 :value "This"
360 :help-echo "Choose me, please!"
361 :notify (lambda (widget &rest ignore)
362 (message "%s is a good choice!"
363 (widget-value widget)))
364 '(item :tag "This option" :value "This")
365 '(choice-item "That option")
366 '(editable-field :menu-tag "No option" "Thus option"))
367 (widget-insert "Address: ")
368 (widget-create 'editable-field
369 "Some Place\nIn some City\nSome country.")
370 (widget-insert "\nSee also ")
371 (widget-create 'link
372 :notify (lambda (&rest ignore)
373 (widget-value-set widget-example-repeat
374 '("En" "To" "Tre"))
375 (widget-setup))
376 "other work")
377 (widget-insert
378 " for more information.\n\nNumbers: count to three below\n")
379 (setq widget-example-repeat
380 (widget-create 'editable-list
381 :entry-format "%i %d %v"
382 :notify (lambda (widget &rest ignore)
383 (let ((old (widget-get widget
384 ':example-length))
385 (new (length (widget-value widget))))
386 (unless (eq old new)
387 (widget-put widget ':example-length new)
388 (message "You can count to %d." new))))
389 :value '("One" "Eh, two?" "Five!")
390 '(editable-field :value "three")))
391 (widget-insert "\n\nSelect multiple:\n\n")
392 (widget-create 'checkbox t)
393 (widget-insert " This\n")
394 (widget-create 'checkbox nil)
395 (widget-insert " That\n")
396 (widget-create 'checkbox
397 :notify (lambda (&rest ignore) (message "Tickle"))
398 t)
399 (widget-insert " Thus\n\nSelect one:\n\n")
400 (widget-create 'radio-button-choice
401 :value "One"
402 :notify (lambda (widget &rest ignore)
403 (message "You selected %s"
404 (widget-value widget)))
405 '(item "One") '(item "Another One.") '(item "A Final One."))
406 (widget-insert "\n")
407 (widget-create 'push-button
408 :notify (lambda (&rest ignore)
409 (if (= (length (widget-value widget-example-repeat))
410 3)
411 (message "Congratulation!")
412 (error "Three was the count!")))
413 "Apply Form")
414 (widget-insert " ")
415 (widget-create 'push-button
416 :notify (lambda (&rest ignore)
417 (widget-example))
418 "Reset Form")
419 (widget-insert "\n")
420 (use-local-map widget-keymap)
421 (widget-setup))
422 @end lisp
423
424 @node Setting Up the Buffer, Basic Types, Programming Example, Top
425 @comment node-name, next, previous, up
426 @section Setting Up the Buffer
427
428 Widgets are created with @code{widget-create}, which returns a
429 @dfn{widget} object. This object can be queried and manipulated by
430 other widget functions, until it is deleted with @code{widget-delete}.
431 After the widgets have been created, @code{widget-setup} must be called
432 to enable them.
433
434 @defun widget-create type [ keyword argument ]@dots{}
435 Create and return a widget of type @var{type}.
436 The syntax for the @var{type} argument is described in @ref{Basic Types}.
437
438 The keyword arguments can be used to overwrite the keyword arguments
439 that are part of @var{type}.
440 @end defun
441
442 @defun widget-delete widget
443 Delete @var{widget} and remove it from the buffer.
444 @end defun
445
446 @defun widget-setup
447 Set up a buffer to support widgets.
448
449 This should be called after creating all the widgets and before allowing
450 the user to edit them.
451 @refill
452 @end defun
453
454 If you want to insert text outside the widgets in the form, the
455 recommended way to do that is with @code{widget-insert}.
456
457 @defun widget-insert
458 Insert the arguments, either strings or characters, at point.
459 The inserted text will be read-only.
460 @end defun
461
462 There is a standard widget keymap which you might find useful.
463
464 @findex widget-button-press
465 @findex widget-button-click
466 @defvr Const widget-keymap
467 A keymap with the global keymap as its parent.@*
468 @key{TAB} and @kbd{C-@key{TAB}} are bound to @code{widget-forward} and
469 @code{widget-backward}, respectively. @key{RET} and @kbd{Mouse-2}
470 are bound to @code{widget-button-press} and
471 @code{widget-button-click}.@refill
472 @end defvr
473
474 @defvar widget-global-map
475 Keymap used by @code{widget-button-press} and @code{widget-button-click}
476 when not on a button. By default this is @code{global-map}.
477 @end defvar
478
479 @node Basic Types, Sexp Types, Setting Up the Buffer, Top
480 @comment node-name, next, previous, up
481 @section Basic Types
482
483 The syntax of a type specification is given below:
484
485 @example
486 NAME ::= (NAME [KEYWORD ARGUMENT]... ARGS)
487 | NAME
488 @end example
489
490 Where, @var{name} is a widget name, @var{keyword} is the name of a
491 property, @var{argument} is the value of the property, and @var{args}
492 are interpreted in a widget specific way.
493
494 @cindex keyword arguments
495 The following keyword arguments that apply to all widgets:
496
497 @table @code
498 @vindex value@r{ keyword}
499 @item :value
500 The initial value for widgets of this type.
501
502 @vindex format@r{ keyword}
503 @item :format
504 This string will be inserted in the buffer when you create a widget.
505 The following @samp{%} escapes are available:
506
507 @table @samp
508 @item %[
509 @itemx %]
510 The text inside will be marked as a button.
511
512 By default, the text will be shown in @code{widget-button-face}, and
513 surrounded by brackets.
514
515 @defopt widget-button-prefix
516 String to prefix buttons.
517 @end defopt
518
519 @defopt widget-button-suffix
520 String to suffix buttons.
521 @end defopt
522
523 @item %@{
524 @itemx %@}
525 The text inside will be displayed with the face specified by
526 @code{:sample-face}.
527
528 @item %v
529 This will be replaced with the buffer representation of the widget's
530 value. What this is depends on the widget type.
531
532 @item %d
533 Insert the string specified by @code{:doc} here.
534
535 @item %h
536 Like @samp{%d}, with the following modifications: If the documentation
537 string is more than one line, it will add a button which will toggle
538 between showing only the first line, and showing the full text.
539 Furthermore, if there is no @code{:doc} property in the widget, it will
540 instead examine the @code{:documentation-property} property. If it is a
541 lambda expression, it will be called with the widget's value as an
542 argument, and the result will be used as the documentation text.
543
544 @item %t
545 Insert the string specified by @code{:tag} here, or the @code{princ}
546 representation of the value if there is no tag.
547
548 @item %%
549 Insert a literal @samp{%}.
550 @end table
551
552 @vindex button-face@r{ keyword}
553 @item :button-face
554 Face used to highlight text inside %[ %] in the format.
555
556 @vindex button-prefix@r{ keyword}
557 @vindex button-suffix@r{ keyword}
558 @item :button-prefix
559 @itemx :button-suffix
560 Text around %[ %] in the format.
561
562 These can be
563 @table @emph
564 @item nil
565 No text is inserted.
566
567 @item a string
568 The string is inserted literally.
569
570 @item a symbol
571 The value of the symbol is expanded according to this table.
572 @end table
573
574 @vindex doc@r{ keyword}
575 @item :doc
576 The string inserted by the @samp{%d} escape in the format
577 string.
578
579 @vindex tag@r{ keyword}
580 @item :tag
581 The string inserted by the @samp{%t} escape in the format
582 string.
583
584 @vindex tag-glyph@r{ keyword}
585 @item :tag-glyph
586 Name of image to use instead of the string specified by @code{:tag} on
587 Emacsen that supports it.
588
589 @vindex help-echo@r{ keyword}
590 @item :help-echo
591 Specifies how to display a message whenever you move to the widget with
592 either @code{widget-forward} or @code{widget-backward} or move the mouse
593 over it (using the standard @code{help-echo} mechanism). The argument
594 is either a string to display, a function of one argument, the widget,
595 which should return a string to display, or a form that evaluates to
596 such a string.
597
598 @vindex follow-link@r{ keyword}
599 @item :follow-link
600 Specifies how to interpret a @key{mouse-1} click on the widget.
601 @xref{Links and Mouse-1,,, elisp, the Emacs Lisp Reference Manual}.
602
603 @vindex indent@r{ keyword}
604 @item :indent
605 An integer indicating the absolute number of spaces to indent children
606 of this widget.
607
608 @vindex offset@r{ keyword}
609 @item :offset
610 An integer indicating how many extra spaces to add to the widget's
611 grandchildren compared to this widget.
612
613 @vindex extra-offset@r{ keyword}
614 @item :extra-offset
615 An integer indicating how many extra spaces to add to the widget's
616 children compared to this widget.
617
618 @vindex notify@r{ keyword}
619 @item :notify
620 A function called each time the widget or a nested widget is changed.
621 The function is called with two or three arguments. The first argument
622 is the widget itself, the second argument is the widget that was
623 changed, and the third argument is the event leading to the change, if
624 any.
625
626 @vindex menu-tag@r{ keyword}
627 @item :menu-tag
628 Tag used in the menu when the widget is used as an option in a
629 @code{menu-choice} widget.
630
631 @vindex menu-tag-get@r{ keyword}
632 @item :menu-tag-get
633 Function used for finding the tag when the widget is used as an option
634 in a @code{menu-choice} widget. By default, the tag used will be either the
635 @code{:menu-tag} or @code{:tag} property if present, or the @code{princ}
636 representation of the @code{:value} property if not.
637
638 @vindex match@r{ keyword}
639 @item :match
640 Should be a function called with two arguments, the widget and a value,
641 and returning non-@code{nil} if the widget can represent the specified value.
642
643 @vindex validate@r{ keyword}
644 @item :validate
645 A function which takes a widget as an argument, and returns @code{nil}
646 if the widget's current value is valid for the widget. Otherwise it
647 should return the widget containing the invalid data, and set that
648 widget's @code{:error} property to a string explaining the error.
649
650 The following predefined function can be used:
651
652 @defun widget-children-validate widget
653 All the @code{:children} of @var{widget} must be valid.
654 @end defun
655
656 @vindex tab-order@r{ keyword}
657 @item :tab-order
658 Specify the order in which widgets are traversed with
659 @code{widget-forward} or @code{widget-backward}. This is only partially
660 implemented.
661
662 @enumerate a
663 @item
664 Widgets with tabbing order @code{-1} are ignored.
665
666 @item
667 (Unimplemented) When on a widget with tabbing order @var{n}, go to the
668 next widget in the buffer with tabbing order @var{n+1} or @code{nil},
669 whichever comes first.
670
671 @item
672 When on a widget with no tabbing order specified, go to the next widget
673 in the buffer with a positive tabbing order, or @code{nil}
674 @end enumerate
675
676 @vindex parent@r{ keyword}
677 @item :parent
678 The parent of a nested widget (e.g.@: a @code{menu-choice} item or an
679 element of a @code{editable-list} widget).
680
681 @vindex sibling-args@r{ keyword}
682 @item :sibling-args
683 This keyword is only used for members of a @code{radio-button-choice} or
684 @code{checklist}. The value should be a list of extra keyword
685 arguments, which will be used when creating the @code{radio-button} or
686 @code{checkbox} associated with this item.
687
688 @end table
689
690 @deffn {User Option} widget-glyph-directory
691 Directory where glyphs are found.
692 Widget will look here for a file with the same name as specified for the
693 image, with either a @file{.xpm} (if supported) or @file{.xbm} extension.
694 @end deffn
695
696 @deffn{User Option} widget-glyph-enable
697 If non-@code{nil}, allow glyphs to appear on displays where they are supported.
698 @end deffn
699
700
701 @menu
702 * link::
703 * url-link::
704 * info-link::
705 * push-button::
706 * editable-field::
707 * text::
708 * menu-choice::
709 * radio-button-choice::
710 * item::
711 * choice-item::
712 * toggle::
713 * checkbox::
714 * checklist::
715 * editable-list::
716 * group::
717 @end menu
718
719 @node link, url-link, Basic Types, Basic Types
720 @comment node-name, next, previous, up
721 @subsection The @code{link} Widget
722 @findex link@r{ widget}
723
724 Syntax:
725
726 @example
727 TYPE ::= (link [KEYWORD ARGUMENT]... [ VALUE ])
728 @end example
729
730 The @var{value}, if present, is used to initialize the @code{:value}
731 property. The value should be a string, which will be inserted in the
732 buffer.
733
734 By default the link will be shown in brackets.
735
736 @defopt widget-link-prefix
737 String to prefix links.
738 @end defopt
739
740 @defopt widget-link-suffix
741 String to suffix links.
742 @end defopt
743
744 @node url-link, info-link, link, Basic Types
745 @comment node-name, next, previous, up
746 @subsection The @code{url-link} Widget
747 @findex url-link@r{ widget}
748
749 Syntax:
750
751 @example
752 TYPE ::= (url-link [KEYWORD ARGUMENT]... URL)
753 @end example
754
755 @findex browse-url-browser-function@r{, and @code{url-link} widget}
756 When this link is invoked, the @acronym{WWW} browser specified by
757 @code{browse-url-browser-function} will be called with @var{url}.
758
759 @node info-link, push-button, url-link, Basic Types
760 @comment node-name, next, previous, up
761 @subsection The @code{info-link} Widget
762 @findex info-link@r{ widget}
763
764 Syntax:
765
766 @example
767 TYPE ::= (info-link [KEYWORD ARGUMENT]... ADDRESS)
768 @end example
769
770 When this link is invoked, the built-in Info reader is started on
771 @var{address}.
772
773 @node push-button, editable-field, info-link, Basic Types
774 @comment node-name, next, previous, up
775 @subsection The @code{push-button} Widget
776 @findex push-button@r{ widget}
777
778 Syntax:
779
780 @example
781 TYPE ::= (push-button [KEYWORD ARGUMENT]... [ VALUE ])
782 @end example
783
784 The @var{value}, if present, is used to initialize the @code{:value}
785 property. The value should be a string, which will be inserted in the
786 buffer.
787
788 By default the tag will be shown in brackets.
789
790 @defopt widget-push-button-prefix
791 String to prefix push buttons.
792 @end defopt
793
794 @defopt widget-push-button-suffix
795 String to suffix push buttons.
796 @end defopt
797
798 @node editable-field, text, push-button, Basic Types
799 @comment node-name, next, previous, up
800 @subsection The @code{editable-field} Widget
801 @findex editable-field@r{ widget}
802
803 Syntax:
804
805 @example
806 TYPE ::= (editable-field [KEYWORD ARGUMENT]... [ VALUE ])
807 @end example
808
809 The @var{value}, if present, is used to initialize the @code{:value}
810 property. The value should be a string, which will be inserted in
811 field. This widget will match all string values.
812
813 The following extra properties are recognized:
814
815 @table @code
816 @vindex size@r{ keyword}
817 @item :size
818 The width of the editable field.@*
819 By default the field will reach to the end of the line.
820
821 @vindex value-face@r{ keyword}
822 @item :value-face
823 Face used for highlighting the editable field. Default is
824 @code{widget-field-face}, see @ref{User Interface}.
825
826 @vindex secret@r{ keyword}
827 @item :secret
828 Character used to display the value. You can set this to e.g.@: @code{?*}
829 if the field contains a password or other secret information. By
830 default, this is @code{nil}, and the value is not secret.
831
832 @vindex valid-regexp@r{ keyword}
833 @item :valid-regexp
834 By default the @code{:validate} function will match the content of the
835 field with the value of this attribute. The default value is @code{""}
836 which matches everything.
837
838 @vindex keymap@r{ keyword}
839 @vindex widget-field-keymap
840 @item :keymap
841 Keymap used in the editable field. The default value is
842 @code{widget-field-keymap}, which allows you to use all the normal
843 editing commands, even if the buffer's major mode suppresses some of
844 them. Pressing @key{RET} invokes the function specified by
845 @code{:action}.
846 @end table
847
848 @node text, menu-choice, editable-field, Basic Types
849 @comment node-name, next, previous, up
850 @subsection The @code{text} Widget
851 @findex text@r{ widget}
852
853 @vindex widget-text-keymap
854 This is just like @code{editable-field}, but intended for multiline text
855 fields. The default @code{:keymap} is @code{widget-text-keymap}, which
856 does not rebind the @key{RET} key.
857
858 @node menu-choice, radio-button-choice, text, Basic Types
859 @comment node-name, next, previous, up
860 @subsection The @code{menu-choice} Widget
861 @findex menu-choice@r{ widget}
862
863 Syntax:
864
865 @example
866 TYPE ::= (menu-choice [KEYWORD ARGUMENT]... TYPE ... )
867 @end example
868
869 The @var{type} argument represents each possible choice. The widget's
870 value will be that of the chosen @var{type} argument. This widget will
871 match any value matching at least one of the specified @var{type}
872 arguments.
873
874 @table @code
875 @vindex void@r{ keyword}
876 @item :void
877 Widget type used as a fallback when the value does not match any of the
878 specified @var{type} arguments.
879
880 @vindex case-fold@r{ keyword}
881 @item :case-fold
882 Set this to @code{nil} if you don't want to ignore case when prompting for a
883 choice through the minibuffer.
884
885 @vindex children@r{ keyword}
886 @item :children
887 A list whose @sc{car} is the widget representing the currently chosen
888 type in the buffer.
889
890 @vindex choice@r{ keyword}
891 @item :choice
892 The current chosen type.
893
894 @vindex args@r{ keyword}
895 @item :args
896 The list of types.
897 @end table
898
899 @node radio-button-choice, item, menu-choice, Basic Types
900 @comment node-name, next, previous, up
901 @subsection The @code{radio-button-choice} Widget
902 @findex radio-button-choice@r{ widget}
903
904 Syntax:
905
906 @example
907 TYPE ::= (radio-button-choice [KEYWORD ARGUMENT]... TYPE ... )
908 @end example
909
910 The @var{type} argument represents each possible choice. The widget's
911 value will be that of the chosen @var{type} argument. This widget will
912 match any value matching at least one of the specified @var{type}
913 arguments.
914
915 The following extra properties are recognized.
916
917 @table @code
918 @vindex entry-format@r{ keyword}
919 @item :entry-format
920 This string will be inserted for each entry in the list.
921 The following @samp{%} escapes are available:
922 @table @samp
923 @item %v
924 Replace with the buffer representation of the @var{type} widget.
925 @item %b
926 Replace with the radio button.
927 @item %%
928 Insert a literal @samp{%}.
929 @end table
930
931 @vindex button-args@r{ keyword}
932 @item :button-args
933 A list of keywords to pass to the radio buttons. Useful for setting
934 e.g.@: the @samp{:help-echo} for each button.
935
936 @vindex buttons@r{ keyword}
937 @item :buttons
938 The widgets representing the radio buttons.
939
940 @vindex children@r{ keyword}
941 @item :children
942 The widgets representing each type.
943
944 @vindex choice@r{ keyword}
945 @item :choice
946 The current chosen type
947
948 @vindex args@r{ keyword}
949 @item :args
950 The list of types.
951 @end table
952
953 You can add extra radio button items to a @code{radio-button-choice}
954 widget after it has been created with the function
955 @code{widget-radio-add-item}.
956
957 @defun widget-radio-add-item widget type
958 Add to @code{radio-button-choice} widget @var{widget} a new radio button
959 item of type @var{type}.
960 @end defun
961
962 Please note that such items added after the @code{radio-button-choice}
963 widget has been created will @strong{not} be properly destructed when
964 you call @code{widget-delete}.
965
966 @node item, choice-item, radio-button-choice, Basic Types
967 @comment node-name, next, previous, up
968 @subsection The @code{item} Widget
969 @findex item@r{ widget}
970
971 Syntax:
972
973 @example
974 ITEM ::= (item [KEYWORD ARGUMENT]... VALUE)
975 @end example
976
977 The @var{value}, if present, is used to initialize the @code{:value}
978 property. The value should be a string, which will be inserted in the
979 buffer. This widget will only match the specified value.
980
981 @node choice-item, toggle, item, Basic Types
982 @comment node-name, next, previous, up
983 @subsection The @code{choice-item} Widget
984 @findex choice-item@r{ widget}
985
986 Syntax:
987
988 @example
989 ITEM ::= (choice-item [KEYWORD ARGUMENT]... VALUE)
990 @end example
991
992 The @var{value}, if present, is used to initialize the @code{:value}
993 property. The value should be a string, which will be inserted in the
994 buffer as a button. Activating the button of a @code{choice-item} is
995 equivalent to activating the parent widget. This widget will only match
996 the specified value.
997
998 @node toggle, checkbox, choice-item, Basic Types
999 @comment node-name, next, previous, up
1000 @subsection The @code{toggle} Widget
1001 @findex toggle@r{ widget}
1002
1003 Syntax:
1004
1005 @example
1006 TYPE ::= (toggle [KEYWORD ARGUMENT]...)
1007 @end example
1008
1009 The widget has two possible states, @samp{on} and @samp{off}, which
1010 correspond to a @code{t} or @code{nil} value, respectively.
1011
1012 The following extra properties are recognized:
1013
1014 @table @code
1015 @item :on
1016 A string representing the @samp{on} state. By default the string
1017 @samp{on}.
1018 @item :off
1019 A string representing the @samp{off} state. By default the string
1020 @samp{off}.
1021 @vindex on-glyph@r{ keyword}
1022 @item :on-glyph
1023 Name of a glyph to be used instead of the @samp{:on} text string, on
1024 emacsen that supports this.
1025 @vindex off-glyph@r{ keyword}
1026 @item :off-glyph
1027 Name of a glyph to be used instead of the @samp{:off} text string, on
1028 emacsen that supports this.
1029 @end table
1030
1031 @node checkbox, checklist, toggle, Basic Types
1032 @comment node-name, next, previous, up
1033 @subsection The @code{checkbox} Widget
1034 @findex checkbox@r{ widget}
1035
1036 This widget has two possible states, @samp{selected} and
1037 @samp{unselected}, which corresponds to a @code{t} or @code{nil} value.
1038
1039 Syntax:
1040
1041 @example
1042 TYPE ::= (checkbox [KEYWORD ARGUMENT]...)
1043 @end example
1044
1045 @node checklist, editable-list, checkbox, Basic Types
1046 @comment node-name, next, previous, up
1047 @subsection The @code{checklist} Widget
1048 @findex checklist@r{ widget}
1049
1050 Syntax:
1051
1052 @example
1053 TYPE ::= (checklist [KEYWORD ARGUMENT]... TYPE ... )
1054 @end example
1055
1056 The @var{type} arguments represent each checklist item. The widget's
1057 value will be a list containing the values of all checked @var{type}
1058 arguments. The checklist widget will match a list whose elements all
1059 match at least one of the specified @var{type} arguments.
1060
1061 The following extra properties are recognized:
1062
1063 @table @code
1064 @vindex entry-format@r{ keyword}
1065 @item :entry-format
1066 This string will be inserted for each entry in the list.
1067 The following @samp{%} escapes are available:
1068 @table @samp
1069 @item %v
1070 Replaced with the buffer representation of the @var{type} widget.
1071 @item %b
1072 Replace with the checkbox.
1073 @item %%
1074 Insert a literal @samp{%}.
1075 @end table
1076
1077 @vindex greedy@r{ keyword}
1078 @item :greedy
1079 Usually a checklist will only match if the items are in the exact
1080 sequence given in the specification. By setting @code{:greedy} to
1081 non-@code{nil}, it will allow the items to come in any sequence.
1082 However, if you extract the value they will be in the sequence given
1083 in the checklist, i.e.@: the original sequence is forgotten.
1084
1085 @vindex button-args@r{ keyword}
1086 @item :button-args
1087 A list of keywords to pass to the checkboxes. Useful for setting
1088 e.g.@: the @samp{:help-echo} for each checkbox.
1089
1090 @vindex buttons@r{ keyword}
1091 @item :buttons
1092 The widgets representing the checkboxes.
1093
1094 @vindex children@r{ keyword}
1095 @item :children
1096 The widgets representing each type.
1097
1098 @vindex args@r{ keyword}
1099 @item :args
1100 The list of types.
1101 @end table
1102
1103 @node editable-list, group, checklist, Basic Types
1104 @comment node-name, next, previous, up
1105 @subsection The @code{editable-list} Widget
1106 @findex editable-list@r{ widget}
1107
1108 Syntax:
1109
1110 @example
1111 TYPE ::= (editable-list [KEYWORD ARGUMENT]... TYPE)
1112 @end example
1113
1114 The value is a list, where each member represents one widget of type
1115 @var{type}.
1116
1117 The following extra properties are recognized:
1118
1119 @table @code
1120 @vindex entry-format@r{ keyword}
1121 @item :entry-format
1122 This string will be inserted for each entry in the list.
1123 The following @samp{%} escapes are available:
1124 @table @samp
1125 @item %v
1126 This will be replaced with the buffer representation of the @var{type}
1127 widget.
1128 @item %i
1129 Insert the @b{[INS]} button.
1130 @item %d
1131 Insert the @b{[DEL]} button.
1132 @item %%
1133 Insert a literal @samp{%}.
1134 @end table
1135
1136 @vindex insert-button-args@r{ keyword}
1137 @item :insert-button-args
1138 A list of keyword arguments to pass to the insert buttons.
1139
1140 @vindex delete-button-args@r{ keyword}
1141 @item :delete-button-args
1142 A list of keyword arguments to pass to the delete buttons.
1143
1144 @vindex append-button-args@r{ keyword}
1145 @item :append-button-args
1146 A list of keyword arguments to pass to the trailing insert button.
1147
1148 @vindex buttons@r{ keyword}
1149 @item :buttons
1150 The widgets representing the insert and delete buttons.
1151
1152 @vindex children@r{ keyword}
1153 @item :children
1154 The widgets representing the elements of the list.
1155
1156 @vindex args@r{ keyword}
1157 @item :args
1158 List whose @sc{car} is the type of the list elements.
1159 @end table
1160
1161 @node group, , editable-list, Basic Types
1162 @comment node-name, next, previous, up
1163 @subsection The @code{group} Widget
1164 @findex group@r{ widget}
1165
1166 This widget simply group other widgets together.
1167
1168 Syntax:
1169
1170 @example
1171 TYPE ::= (group [KEYWORD ARGUMENT]... TYPE...)
1172 @end example
1173
1174 The value is a list, with one member for each @var{type}.
1175
1176 @node Sexp Types, Widget Properties, Basic Types, Top
1177 @comment
1178 @section Sexp Types
1179 @cindex sexp types
1180
1181 A number of widgets for editing @dfn{s-expressions} (Lisp types), sexp
1182 for short, are also available. These basically fall in several
1183 categories described in this section.
1184
1185 @menu
1186 * constants::
1187 * generic::
1188 * atoms::
1189 * composite::
1190 @end menu
1191
1192 @node constants, generic, Sexp Types, Sexp Types
1193 @comment node-name, next, previous, up
1194 @subsection The Constant Widgets
1195 @cindex constant widgets
1196
1197 The @code{const} widget can contain any Lisp expression, but the user is
1198 prohibited from editing it, which is mainly useful as a component of one
1199 of the composite widgets.
1200
1201 The syntax for the @code{const} widget is:
1202
1203 @example
1204 TYPE ::= (const [KEYWORD ARGUMENT]... [ VALUE ])
1205 @end example
1206
1207 The @var{value}, if present, is used to initialize the @code{:value}
1208 property and can be any s-expression.
1209
1210 @deffn Widget const
1211 This will display any valid s-expression in an immutable part of the
1212 buffer.
1213 @end deffn
1214
1215 There are two variations of the @code{const} widget, namely
1216 @code{variable-item} and @code{function-item}. These should contain a
1217 symbol with a variable or function binding. The major difference from
1218 the @code{const} widget is that they will allow the user to see the
1219 variable or function documentation for the symbol.
1220
1221 @deffn Widget variable-item
1222 An immutable symbol that is bound as a variable.
1223 @end deffn
1224
1225 @deffn Widget function-item
1226 An immutable symbol that is bound as a function.
1227 @end deffn
1228
1229 @node generic, atoms, constants, Sexp Types
1230 @comment node-name, next, previous, up
1231 @subsection Generic Sexp Widget
1232 @cindex generic sexp widget
1233
1234 The @code{sexp} widget can contain any Lisp expression, and allows the
1235 user to edit it inline in the buffer.
1236
1237 The syntax for the @code{sexp} widget is:
1238
1239 @example
1240 TYPE ::= (sexp [KEYWORD ARGUMENT]... [ VALUE ])
1241 @end example
1242
1243 @deffn Widget sexp
1244 This will allow you to edit any valid s-expression in an editable buffer
1245 field.
1246
1247 The @code{sexp} widget takes the same keyword arguments as the
1248 @code{editable-field} widget. @xref{editable-field}.
1249 @end deffn
1250
1251 @node atoms, composite, generic, Sexp Types
1252 @comment node-name, next, previous, up
1253 @subsection Atomic Sexp Widgets
1254 @cindex atomic sexp widget
1255
1256 The atoms are s-expressions that do not consist of other s-expressions.
1257 For example, a string, a file name, or a symbol are atoms, while a list
1258 is a composite type. You can edit the value of an atom with the
1259 following widgets.
1260
1261 The syntax for all the atoms are:
1262
1263 @example
1264 TYPE ::= (NAME [KEYWORD ARGUMENT]... [ VALUE ])
1265 @end example
1266
1267 The @var{value}, if present, is used to initialize the @code{:value}
1268 property and must be an expression of the same type as the widget.
1269 That is, the string widget can only be initialized with a string.
1270
1271 All the atom widgets take the same keyword arguments as the
1272 @code{editable-field} widget. @xref{editable-field}.
1273
1274 @deffn Widget string
1275 Allows you to edit a string in an editable field.
1276 @end deffn
1277
1278 @deffn Widget regexp
1279 Allows you to edit a regular expression in an editable field.
1280 @end deffn
1281
1282 @deffn Widget character
1283 Allows you to enter a character in an editable field.
1284 @end deffn
1285
1286 @deffn Widget file
1287 Allows you to edit a file name in an editable field.
1288
1289 Keywords:
1290 @table @code
1291 @vindex must-match@r{ keyword}
1292 @item :must-match
1293 If this is set to non-@code{nil}, only existing file names will be
1294 allowed in the minibuffer.
1295 @end table
1296 @end deffn
1297
1298 @deffn Widget directory
1299 Allows you to edit a directory name in an editable field.
1300 Similar to the @code{file} widget.
1301 @end deffn
1302
1303 @deffn Widget symbol
1304 Allows you to edit a Lisp symbol in an editable field.
1305 @end deffn
1306
1307 @deffn Widget function
1308 Allows you to edit a lambda expression, or a function name with completion.
1309 @end deffn
1310
1311 @deffn Widget variable
1312 Allows you to edit a variable name, with completion.
1313 @end deffn
1314
1315 @deffn Widget integer
1316 Allows you to edit an integer in an editable field.
1317 @end deffn
1318
1319 @deffn Widget number
1320 Allows you to edit a number in an editable field.
1321 @end deffn
1322
1323 @deffn Widget boolean
1324 Allows you to edit a boolean. In Lisp this means a variable which is
1325 either @code{nil} meaning false, or non-@code{nil} meaning true.
1326 @end deffn
1327
1328
1329 @node composite, , atoms, Sexp Types
1330 @comment node-name, next, previous, up
1331 @subsection Composite Sexp Widgets
1332 @cindex composite sexp widgets
1333
1334 The syntax for the composite widget is:
1335
1336 @example
1337 TYPE ::= (NAME [KEYWORD ARGUMENT]... COMPONENT...)
1338 @end example
1339
1340 @noindent
1341 where each @var{component} must be a widget type. Each component widget
1342 will be displayed in the buffer, and will be editable by the user.
1343
1344 @deffn Widget cons
1345 The value of a @code{cons} widget is a cons-cell where the @sc{car} is
1346 the value of the first component and the @sc{cdr} is the value of the
1347 second component. There must be exactly two components.
1348 @end deffn
1349
1350 @deffn Widget list
1351 The value of a @code{list} widget is a list containing the value of
1352 each of its component.
1353 @end deffn
1354
1355 @deffn Widget vector
1356 The value of a @code{vector} widget is a vector containing the value of
1357 each of its component.
1358 @end deffn
1359
1360 The above suffice for specifying fixed size lists and vectors. To get
1361 variable length lists and vectors, you can use a @code{choice},
1362 @code{set}, or @code{repeat} widgets together with the @code{:inline}
1363 keywords. If any component of a composite widget has the @code{:inline}
1364 keyword set, its value must be a list which will then be spliced into
1365 the composite. For example, to specify a list whose first element must
1366 be a file name, and whose remaining arguments should either by the
1367 symbol @code{t} or two files, you can use the following widget
1368 specification:
1369
1370 @example
1371 (list file
1372 (choice (const t)
1373 (list :inline t
1374 :value ("foo" "bar")
1375 string string)))
1376 @end example
1377
1378 The value of a widget of this type will either have the form
1379 @code{(file t)} or @code{(file string string)}.
1380
1381 This concept of inline is probably hard to understand. It was certainly
1382 hard to implement, so instead of confusing you more by trying to explain
1383 it here, I'll just suggest you meditate over it for a while.
1384
1385 @deffn Widget choice
1386 Allows you to edit a sexp which may have one of a fixed set of types.
1387 It is currently implemented with the @code{choice-menu} basic widget,
1388 and has a similar syntax.
1389 @end deffn
1390
1391 @deffn Widget set
1392 Allows you to specify a type which must be a list whose elements all
1393 belong to given set. The elements of the list are not significant.
1394 This is implemented on top of the @code{checklist} basic widget, and has
1395 a similar syntax.
1396 @end deffn
1397
1398 @deffn Widget repeat
1399 Allows you to specify a variable length list whose members are all of
1400 the same type. Implemented on top of the @code{editable-list} basic
1401 widget, and has a similar syntax.
1402 @end deffn
1403
1404 @node Widget Properties, Defining New Widgets, Sexp Types, Top
1405 @comment node-name, next, previous, up
1406 @section Properties
1407 @cindex properties of widgets
1408 @cindex widget properties
1409
1410 You can examine or set the value of a widget by using the widget object
1411 that was returned by @code{widget-create}.
1412
1413 @defun widget-value widget
1414 Return the current value contained in @var{widget}.
1415 It is an error to call this function on an uninitialized widget.
1416 @end defun
1417
1418 @defun widget-value-set widget value
1419 Set the value contained in @var{widget} to @var{value}.
1420 It is an error to call this function with an invalid @var{value}.
1421 @end defun
1422
1423 @strong{Important:} You @emph{must} call @code{widget-setup} after
1424 modifying the value of a widget before the user is allowed to edit the
1425 widget again. It is enough to call @code{widget-setup} once if you
1426 modify multiple widgets. This is currently only necessary if the widget
1427 contains an editing field, but may be necessary for other widgets in the
1428 future.
1429
1430 If your application needs to associate some information with the widget
1431 objects, for example a reference to the item being edited, it can be
1432 done with @code{widget-put} and @code{widget-get}. The property names
1433 must begin with a @samp{:}.
1434
1435 @defun widget-put widget property value
1436 In @var{widget} set @var{property} to @var{value}.
1437 @var{property} should be a symbol, while @var{value} can be anything.
1438 @end defun
1439
1440 @defun widget-get widget property
1441 In @var{widget} return the value for @var{property}.
1442 @var{property} should be a symbol, the value is what was last set by
1443 @code{widget-put} for @var{property}.
1444 @end defun
1445
1446 @defun widget-member widget property
1447 Non-@code{nil} if @var{widget} has a value (even @code{nil}) for
1448 property @var{property}.
1449 @end defun
1450
1451 Occasionally it can be useful to know which kind of widget you have,
1452 i.e.@: the name of the widget type you gave when the widget was created.
1453
1454 @defun widget-type widget
1455 Return the name of @var{widget}, a symbol.
1456 @end defun
1457
1458 @cindex active widget
1459 @cindex inactive widget
1460 @cindex activate a widget
1461 @cindex deactivate a widget
1462 Widgets can be in two states: active, which means they are modifiable by
1463 the user, or inactive, which means they cannot be modified by the user.
1464 You can query or set the state with the following code:
1465
1466 @lisp
1467 ;; Examine if @var{widget} is active or not.
1468 (if (widget-apply @var{widget} :active)
1469 (message "Widget is active.")
1470 (message "Widget is inactive.")
1471
1472 ;; Make @var{widget} inactive.
1473 (widget-apply @var{widget} :deactivate)
1474
1475 ;; Make @var{widget} active.
1476 (widget-apply @var{widget} :activate)
1477 @end lisp
1478
1479 A widget is inactive if it, or any of its ancestors (found by
1480 following the @code{:parent} link), have been deactivated. To make sure
1481 a widget is really active, you must therefore activate both it and
1482 all its ancestors.
1483
1484 @lisp
1485 (while widget
1486 (widget-apply widget :activate)
1487 (setq widget (widget-get widget :parent)))
1488 @end lisp
1489
1490 You can check if a widget has been made inactive by examining the value
1491 of the @code{:inactive} keyword. If this is non-@code{nil}, the widget itself
1492 has been deactivated. This is different from using the @code{:active}
1493 keyword, in that the latter tells you if the widget @strong{or} any of
1494 its ancestors have been deactivated. Do not attempt to set the
1495 @code{:inactive} keyword directly. Use the @code{:activate}
1496 @code{:deactivate} keywords instead.
1497
1498
1499 @node Defining New Widgets, Widget Browser, Widget Properties, Top
1500 @comment node-name, next, previous, up
1501 @section Defining New Widgets
1502 @cindex new widgets
1503 @cindex defining new widgets
1504
1505 You can define specialized widgets with @code{define-widget}. It allows
1506 you to create a shorthand for more complex widgets, including specifying
1507 component widgets and new default values for the keyword
1508 arguments.
1509
1510 @defun define-widget name class doc &rest args
1511 Define a new widget type named @var{name} from @code{class}.
1512
1513 @var{name} and class should both be symbols, @code{class} should be one
1514 of the existing widget types.
1515
1516 The third argument @var{doc} is a documentation string for the widget.
1517
1518 After the new widget has been defined, the following two calls will
1519 create identical widgets:
1520
1521 @itemize @bullet
1522 @item
1523 @lisp
1524 (widget-create @var{name})
1525 @end lisp
1526
1527 @item
1528 @lisp
1529 (apply widget-create @var{class} @var{args})
1530 @end lisp
1531 @end itemize
1532
1533 @end defun
1534
1535 Using @code{define-widget} just stores the definition of the widget type
1536 in the @code{widget-type} property of @var{name}, which is what
1537 @code{widget-create} uses.
1538
1539 If you only want to specify defaults for keywords with no complex
1540 conversions, you can use @code{identity} as your conversion function.
1541
1542 The following additional keyword arguments are useful when defining new
1543 widgets:
1544 @table @code
1545 @vindex convert-widget@r{ keyword}
1546 @item :convert-widget
1547 Function to convert a widget type before creating a widget of that
1548 type. It takes a widget type as an argument, and returns the converted
1549 widget type. When a widget is created, this function is called for the
1550 widget type and all the widget's parent types, most derived first.
1551
1552 The following predefined functions can be used here:
1553
1554 @defun widget-types-convert-widget widget
1555 Convert @code{:args} as widget types in @var{widget}.
1556 @end defun
1557
1558 @defun widget-value-convert-widget widget
1559 Initialize @code{:value} from @code{:args} in @var{widget}.
1560 @end defun
1561
1562 @vindex copy@r{ keyword}
1563 @item :copy
1564 Function to deep copy a widget type. It takes a shallow copy of the
1565 widget type as an argument (made by @code{copy-sequence}), and returns a
1566 deep copy. The purpose of this is to avoid having different instances
1567 of combined widgets share nested attributes.
1568
1569 The following predefined functions can be used here:
1570
1571 @defun widget-types-copy widget
1572 Copy @code{:args} as widget types in @var{widget}.
1573 @end defun
1574
1575 @vindex value-to-internal@r{ keyword}
1576 @item :value-to-internal
1577 Function to convert the value to the internal format. The function
1578 takes two arguments, a widget and an external value, and returns the
1579 internal value. The function is called on the present @code{:value}
1580 when the widget is created, and on any value set later with
1581 @code{widget-value-set}.
1582
1583 @vindex value-to-external@r{ keyword}
1584 @item :value-to-external
1585 Function to convert the value to the external format. The function
1586 takes two arguments, a widget and an internal value, and returns the
1587 external value. The function is called on the present @code{:value}
1588 when the widget is created, and on any value set later with
1589 @code{widget-value-set}.
1590
1591 @vindex create@r{ keyword}
1592 @item :create
1593 Function to create a widget from scratch. The function takes one
1594 argument, a widget type, and creates a widget of that type, inserts it
1595 in the buffer, and returns a widget object.
1596
1597 @vindex delete@r{ keyword}
1598 @item :delete
1599 Function to delete a widget. The function takes one argument, a widget,
1600 and should remove all traces of the widget from the buffer.
1601
1602 The default value is:
1603
1604 @defun widget-default-delete widget
1605 Remove @var{widget} from the buffer.
1606 Delete all @code{:children} and @code{:buttons} in @var{widget}.
1607 @end defun
1608
1609 In most cases you should not change this value, but instead use
1610 @code{:value-delete} to make any additional cleanup.
1611
1612 @vindex value-create@r{ keyword}
1613 @item :value-create
1614 Function to expand the @samp{%v} escape in the format string. It will
1615 be called with the widget as its argument and should insert a
1616 representation of the widget's value in the buffer.
1617
1618 Nested widgets should be listed in @code{:children} or @code{:buttons}
1619 to make sure they are automatically deleted.
1620
1621 @vindex value-delete@r{ keyword}
1622 @item :value-delete
1623 Should remove the representation of the widget's value from the buffer.
1624 It will be called with the widget as its argument. It doesn't have to
1625 remove the text, but it should release markers and delete nested widgets
1626 if these are not listed in @code{:children} or @code{:buttons}.
1627
1628 @vindex value-get@r{ keyword}
1629 @item :value-get
1630 Function to extract the value of a widget, as it is displayed in the
1631 buffer.
1632
1633 The following predefined function can be used here:
1634
1635 @defun widget-value-value-get widget
1636 Return the @code{:value} property of @var{widget}.
1637 @end defun
1638
1639 @vindex format-handler@r{ keyword}
1640 @item :format-handler
1641 Function to handle unknown @samp{%} escapes in the format string. It
1642 will be called with the widget and the character that follows the
1643 @samp{%} as arguments. You can set this to allow your widget to handle
1644 non-standard escapes.
1645
1646 @findex widget-default-format-handler
1647 You should end up calling @code{widget-default-format-handler} to handle
1648 unknown escape sequences, which will handle the @samp{%h} and any future
1649 escape sequences, as well as give an error for unknown escapes.
1650
1651 @vindex action@r{ keyword}
1652 @item :action
1653 Function to handle user initiated events. By default, @code{:notify}
1654 the parent.
1655
1656 The following predefined function can be used here:
1657
1658 @defun widget-parent-action widget &optional event
1659 Tell @code{:parent} of @var{widget} to handle the @code{:action}.
1660 Optional @var{event} is the event that triggered the action.
1661 @end defun
1662
1663 @vindex prompt-value@r{ keyword}
1664 @item :prompt-value
1665 Function to prompt for a value in the minibuffer. The function should
1666 take four arguments, @var{widget}, @var{prompt}, @var{value}, and
1667 @var{unbound} and should return a value for widget entered by the user.
1668 @var{prompt} is the prompt to use. @var{value} is the default value to
1669 use, unless @var{unbound} is non-@code{nil}, in which case there is no default
1670 value. The function should read the value using the method most natural
1671 for this widget, and does not have to check that it matches.
1672 @end table
1673
1674 If you want to define a new widget from scratch, use the @code{default}
1675 widget as its base.
1676
1677 @deffn Widget default
1678 Widget used as a base for other widgets.
1679
1680 It provides most of the functionality that is referred to as ``by
1681 default'' in this text.
1682 @end deffn
1683
1684 @node Widget Browser, Widget Minor Mode, Defining New Widgets, Top
1685 @comment node-name, next, previous, up
1686 @section Widget Browser
1687 @cindex widget browser
1688
1689 There is a separate package to browse widgets. This is intended to help
1690 programmers who want to examine the content of a widget. The browser
1691 shows the value of each keyword, but uses links for certain keywords
1692 such as @samp{:parent}, which avoids printing cyclic structures.
1693
1694 @deffn Command widget-browse @var{widget}
1695 Create a widget browser for @var{widget}.
1696 When called interactively, prompt for @var{widget}.
1697 @end deffn
1698
1699 @deffn Command widget-browse-other-window @var{widget}
1700 Create a widget browser for @var{widget} and show it in another window.
1701 When called interactively, prompt for @var{widget}.
1702 @end deffn
1703
1704 @deffn Command widget-browse-at @var{pos}
1705 Create a widget browser for the widget at @var{pos}.
1706 When called interactively, use the position of point.
1707 @end deffn
1708
1709 @node Widget Minor Mode, Utilities, Widget Browser, Top
1710 @comment node-name, next, previous, up
1711 @section Widget Minor Mode
1712 @cindex widget minor mode
1713
1714 There is a minor mode for manipulating widgets in major modes that
1715 don't provide any support for widgets themselves. This is mostly
1716 intended to be useful for programmers doing experiments.
1717
1718 @deffn Command widget-minor-mode
1719 Toggle minor mode for traversing widgets.
1720 With arg, turn widget mode on if and only if arg is positive.
1721 @end deffn
1722
1723 @defvar widget-minor-mode-keymap
1724 Keymap used in @code{widget-minor-mode}.
1725 @end defvar
1726
1727 @node Utilities, Widget Wishlist, Widget Minor Mode, Top
1728 @comment node-name, next, previous, up
1729 @section Utilities.
1730 @cindex utility functions for widgets
1731
1732 @defun widget-prompt-value widget prompt [ value unbound ]
1733 Prompt for a value matching @var{widget}, using @var{prompt}.
1734 The current value is assumed to be @var{value}, unless @var{unbound} is
1735 non-@code{nil}.@refill
1736 @end defun
1737
1738 @defun widget-get-sibling widget
1739 Get the item which @var{widget} is assumed to toggle.
1740 This is only meaningful for radio buttons or checkboxes in a list.
1741 @end defun
1742
1743 @node Widget Wishlist, Index, Utilities, Top
1744 @comment node-name, next, previous, up
1745 @section Wishlist
1746 @cindex todo
1747
1748 @itemize @bullet
1749 @item
1750 It should be possible to add or remove items from a list with @kbd{C-k}
1751 and @kbd{C-o} (suggested by @sc{rms}).
1752
1753 @item
1754 The @samp{[INS]} and @samp{[DEL]} buttons should be replaced by a single
1755 dash (@samp{-}). The dash should be a button that, when invoked, asks
1756 whether you want to add or delete an item (@sc{rms} wanted to git rid of
1757 the ugly buttons, the dash is my idea).
1758
1759 @item
1760 The @code{menu-choice} tag should be prettier, something like the abbreviated
1761 menus in Open Look.
1762
1763 @item
1764 Finish @code{:tab-order}.
1765
1766 @item
1767 Make indentation work with glyphs and proportional fonts.
1768
1769 @item
1770 Add commands to show overview of object and class hierarchies to the
1771 browser.
1772
1773 @item
1774 Find a way to disable mouse highlight for inactive widgets.
1775
1776 @item
1777 Find a way to make glyphs look inactive.
1778
1779 @item
1780 Add @code{property-list} widget.
1781
1782 @item
1783 Add @code{association-list} widget.
1784
1785 @item
1786 Add @code{key-binding} widget.
1787
1788 @item
1789 Add @code{widget} widget for editing widget specifications.
1790
1791 @item
1792 Find clean way to implement variable length list.
1793 See @code{TeX-printer-list} for an explanation.
1794
1795 @item
1796 @kbd{C-h} in @code{widget-prompt-value} should give type specific help.
1797
1798 @item
1799 Add a @code{mailto} widget.
1800 @end itemize
1801
1802 @node Index, , Widget Wishlist, Top
1803 @comment node-name, next, previous, up
1804 @unnumbered Index
1805
1806 This is an alphabetical listing of all concepts, functions, commands,
1807 variables, and widgets described in this manual.
1808 @printindex cp
1809
1810 @setchapternewpage odd
1811 @contents
1812 @bye
1813
1814 @ignore
1815 arch-tag: 2b427731-4c61-4e72-85de-5ccec9c623f0
1816 @end ignore