@code{mode-line-format} is changed to use them. However, various parts
of Emacs set these variables on the understanding that they will control
parts of the mode line; therefore, practically speaking, it is essential
-for the mode line to use them.
+for the mode line to use them. Also see
+@ref{Optional Mode Line,,, emacs, The GNU Emacs Manual}.
@defvar mode-line-mule-info
This variable holds the value of the mode line construct that displays
The Font Lock functionality is based on several basic functions.
Each of these calls the function specified by the corresponding
-variable. This indirection allows major modes to modify the way
-fontification works in the buffers of that mode, and even use the Font
-Lock mechanisms for features that have nothing to do with
+variable. This indirection allows major and minor modes to modify the
+way fontification works in the buffers of that mode, and even use the
+Font Lock mechanisms for features that have nothing to do with
fontification. (This is why the description below says ``should''
-when it describes what the functions do: the major mode can customize
-the values of the corresponding variables to do something entirely
+when it describes what the functions do: the mode can customize the
+values of the corresponding variables to do something entirely
different.) The variables mentioned below are described in @ref{Other
Font Lock Variables}.
Lock mode is enabled, to set all the other variables.
@defvar font-lock-defaults
-This variable is set by major modes to specify how to fontify text in
-that mode. It automatically becomes buffer-local when set. If its
-value is @code{nil}, Font Lock mode does no highlighting, and you can
-use the @samp{Faces} menu (under @samp{Edit} and then @samp{Text
+This variable is set by modes to specify how to fontify text in that
+mode. It automatically becomes buffer-local when set. If its value
+is @code{nil}, Font Lock mode does no highlighting, and you can use
+the @samp{Faces} menu (under @samp{Edit} and then @samp{Text
Properties} in the menu bar) to assign faces explicitly to text in the
buffer.