2 @c This is part of the XEmacs Lisp Reference Manual.
3 @c Copyright (C) 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
4 @c Copyright (C) 1995, 1996 Ben Wing.
5 @c See the file lispref.texi for copying conditions.
6 @setfilename ../../info/frames.info
7 @node Frames, Consoles and Devices, Windows, Top
11 A @var{frame} is a rectangle on the screen that contains one or more
12 XEmacs windows (@pxref{Windows}). A frame initially contains a single
13 main window (plus perhaps an echo area), which you can subdivide
14 vertically or horizontally into smaller windows. Each window is
15 associated with a modeline (@pxref{Modeline Format}), and optionally two
16 scrollbars (@pxref{Scrollbars}). By default the vertical scrollbar is
17 on, the horizontal scrollbar is off.
19 The frame may also contain menubars (@pxref{Menubar}), toolbars
20 (@pxref{Toolbar Intro}), and gutters (@pxref{Gutter Intro}). By default
21 there is one of each at the top of the frame, with menubar topmost,
22 toolbar next, and gutter lowest, immediately above the windows.
23 (Warning: the gutter is a new, experimental, and unstable feature of
26 @cindex terminal frame
27 @cindex X window frame
28 When XEmacs runs on a text-only terminal, it starts with one
29 @dfn{TTY frame}. If you create additional ones, XEmacs displays
30 one and only one at any given time---on the terminal screen, of course.
32 When XEmacs communicates directly with an X server, it does not have a
33 TTY frame; instead, it starts with a single @dfn{X window frame}.
34 It can display multiple X window frames at the same time, each in its
38 This predicate returns @code{t} if @var{object} is a frame, and
43 * Creating Frames:: Creating additional frames.
44 * Frame Properties:: Controlling frame size, position, font, etc.
45 * Frame Titles:: Automatic updating of frame titles.
46 * Deleting Frames:: Frames last until explicitly deleted.
47 * Finding All Frames:: How to examine all existing frames.
48 * Frames and Windows:: A frame contains windows;
49 display of text always works through windows.
50 * Minibuffers and Frames:: How a frame finds the minibuffer to use.
51 * Input Focus:: Specifying the selected frame.
52 * Visibility of Frames:: Frames may be visible or invisible, or icons.
53 * Raising and Lowering:: Raising a frame makes it hide other X windows;
54 lowering it makes the others hide them.
55 * Frame Configurations:: Saving the state of all frames.
56 * Frame Hooks:: Hooks for customizing frame behavior.
59 @xref{Display}, for related information.
62 @section Creating Frames
64 To create a new frame, call the function @code{make-frame}.
66 @deffn Command make-frame &optional props device
67 This function creates a new frame on @var{device}, if @var{device}
68 permits creation of frames. (An X server does; an ordinary terminal
69 does not (yet).) @var{device} defaults to the selected device if omitted.
70 @xref{Consoles and Devices}.
72 The argument @var{props} is a property list (a list of alternating
73 keyword-value specifications) of properties for the new frame. (An alist
74 is accepted for backward compatibility but should not be passed in.) Any
75 properties not mentioned in @var{props} default according to the value
76 of the variable @code{default-frame-plist}. For X devices, properties
77 not specified in @code{default-frame-plist} default in turn from
78 @code{default-x-frame-plist} and, if not specified there, from the X
79 resources. For TTY devices, @code{default-tty-frame-plist} is consulted
80 as well as @code{default-frame-plist}.
82 The set of possible properties depends in principle on what kind of
83 window system XEmacs uses to display its frames. @xref{X Frame
84 Properties}, for documentation of individual properties you can specify
85 when creating an X window frame.
88 @node Frame Properties
89 @section Frame Properties
91 A frame has many properties that control its appearance and behavior.
92 Just what properties a frame has depends on which display mechanism it
95 Frame properties exist for the sake of window systems. A terminal frame
96 has few properties, mostly for compatibility's sake; only the height,
97 width and @code{buffer-predicate} properties really do something.
100 * Property Access:: How to change a frame's properties.
101 * Initial Properties:: Specifying frame properties when you make a frame.
102 * X Frame Properties:: List of frame properties.
103 * Size and Position:: Changing the size and position of a frame.
104 * Frame Name:: The name of a frame (as opposed to its title).
107 @node Property Access
108 @subsection Access to Frame Properties
110 These functions let you read and change the properties of a frame.
112 @defun frame-properties &optional frame
113 This function returns a plist listing all the properties of @var{frame}
117 @defun frame-property frame property &optional default
118 This function returns @var{frame}'s value for the property
119 @var{property}, or @var{default} if there is no such property.
122 @defun set-frame-properties frame plist
123 This function alters the properties of frame @var{frame} based on the
124 elements of property list @var{plist}. If you don't mention a property
125 in @var{plist}, its value doesn't change.
128 @defun set-frame-property frame property value
129 This function sets the property @var{property} of frame @var{frame} to the
133 @node Initial Properties
134 @subsection Initial Frame Properties
136 You can specify the properties for the initial startup frame by setting
137 @code{initial-frame-plist} in your @file{.emacs} file.
139 @defvar initial-frame-plist
140 This variable's value is a plist of alternating property-value pairs
141 used when creating the initial X window frame.
143 XEmacs creates the initial frame before it reads your @file{~/.emacs}
144 file. After reading that file, XEmacs checks @code{initial-frame-plist},
145 and applies the property settings in the altered value to the already
146 created initial frame.
148 If these settings affect the frame geometry and appearance, you'll see
149 the frame appear with the wrong ones and then change to the specified
150 ones. If that bothers you, you can specify the same geometry and
151 appearance with X resources; those do take affect before the frame is
152 created. @xref{Resources X,, X Resources, xemacs, The XEmacs User's Manual}.
154 X resource settings typically apply to all frames. If you want to
155 specify some X resources solely for the sake of the initial frame, and
156 you don't want them to apply to subsequent frames, here's how to achieve
157 this: specify properties in @code{default-frame-plist} to override the X
158 resources for subsequent frames; then, to prevent these from affecting
159 the initial frame, specify the same properties in
160 @code{initial-frame-plist} with values that match the X resources.
163 If these properties specify a separate minibuffer-only frame via a
164 @code{minibuffer} property of @code{nil}, and you have not yet created
165 one, XEmacs creates one for you.
167 @defvar minibuffer-frame-plist
168 This variable's value is a plist of properties used when creating an
169 initial minibuffer-only frame---if such a frame is needed, according to
170 the properties for the main initial frame.
173 @defvar default-frame-plist
174 This is a plist specifying default values of frame properties for
175 subsequent XEmacs frames (not the initial ones).
178 See also @code{special-display-frame-plist}, in @ref{Choosing Window}.
180 If you use options that specify window appearance when you invoke XEmacs,
181 they take effect by adding elements to @code{default-frame-plist}. One
182 exception is @samp{-geometry}, which adds the specified position to
183 @code{initial-frame-plist} instead. @xref{Command Arguments,,, xemacs,
184 The XEmacs User's Manual}.
186 @node X Frame Properties
187 @subsection X Window Frame Properties
189 Just what properties a frame has depends on what display mechanism it
190 uses. Here is a table of the properties of an X window frame; of these,
191 @code{name}, @code{height}, @code{width}, and @code{buffer-predicate}
192 provide meaningful information in non-X frames.
196 The name of the frame. Most window managers display the frame's name in
197 the frame's border, at the top of the frame. If you don't specify a
198 name, and you have more than one frame, XEmacs sets the frame name based
199 on the buffer displayed in the frame's selected window.
201 If you specify the frame name explicitly when you create the frame, the
202 name is also used (instead of the name of the XEmacs executable) when
203 looking up X resources for the frame.
206 The display on which to open this frame. It should be a string of the
207 form @code{"@var{host}:@var{dpy}.@var{screen}"}, just like the
208 @code{DISPLAY} environment variable.
211 The screen position of the left edge, in pixels, with respect to the
212 left edge of the screen. The value may be a positive number @var{pos},
213 or a list of the form @code{(+ @var{pos})} which permits specifying a
214 negative @var{pos} value.
216 A negative number @minus{}@var{pos}, or a list of the form @code{(-
217 @var{pos})}, actually specifies the position of the right edge of the
218 window with respect to the right edge of the screen. A positive value
219 of @var{pos} counts toward the left. If the property is a negative
220 integer @minus{}@var{pos} then @var{pos} is positive!
223 The screen position of the top edge, in pixels, with respect to the
224 top edge of the screen. The value may be a positive number @var{pos},
225 or a list of the form @code{(+ @var{pos})} which permits specifying a
226 negative @var{pos} value.
228 A negative number @minus{}@var{pos}, or a list of the form @code{(-
229 @var{pos})}, actually specifies the position of the bottom edge of the
230 window with respect to the bottom edge of the screen. A positive value
231 of @var{pos} counts toward the top. If the property is a negative
232 integer @minus{}@var{pos} then @var{pos} is positive!
235 The screen position of the left edge @emph{of the frame's icon}, in
236 pixels, counting from the left edge of the screen. This takes effect if
237 and when the frame is iconified.
240 The screen position of the top edge @emph{of the frame's icon}, in
241 pixels, counting from the top edge of the screen. This takes effect if
242 and when the frame is iconified.
245 Non-@code{nil} if the screen position of the frame was explicitly
246 requested by the user (for example, with the @samp{-geometry} option).
247 Nothing automatically makes this property non-@code{nil}; it is up to
248 Lisp programs that call @code{make-frame} to specify this property as
249 well as specifying the @code{left} and @code{top} properties.
252 The height of the frame contents, in characters. (To get the height in
253 pixels, call @code{frame-pixel-height}; see @ref{Size and Position}.)
256 The width of the frame contents, in characters. (To get the height in
257 pixels, call @code{frame-pixel-width}; see @ref{Size and Position}.)
260 The number of the X window for the frame.
263 Whether this frame has its own minibuffer. The value @code{t} means
264 yes, @code{nil} means no, @code{only} means this frame is just a
265 minibuffer. If the value is a minibuffer window (in some other frame),
266 the new frame uses that minibuffer. (Minibuffer-only and minibuffer-less
267 frames are not yet implemented in XEmacs.)
269 @item buffer-predicate
270 The buffer-predicate function for this frame. The function
271 @code{other-buffer} uses this predicate (from the selected frame) to
272 decide which buffers it should consider, if the predicate is not
273 @code{nil}. It calls the predicate with one arg, a buffer, once for
274 each buffer; if the predicate returns a non-@code{nil} value, it
275 considers that buffer.
277 @item scroll-bar-width
278 The width of the vertical scroll bar, in pixels.
280 @ignore Not in XEmacs
282 The type of icon to use for this frame when it is iconified. If the
283 value is a string, that specifies a file containing a bitmap to use.
284 Any other non-@code{nil} value specifies the default bitmap icon (a
285 picture of a gnu); @code{nil} specifies a text icon.
288 The name to use in the icon for this frame, when and if the icon
289 appears. If this is @code{nil}, the frame's title is used.
293 The color for the cursor that shows point.
296 The color for the border of the frame.
298 @ignore Not in XEmacs
300 The way to display the cursor. The legitimate values are @code{bar},
301 @code{box}, and @code{(bar . @var{width})}. The symbol @code{box}
302 specifies an ordinary black box overlaying the character after point;
303 that is the default. The symbol @code{bar} specifies a vertical bar
304 between characters as the cursor. @code{(bar . @var{width})} specifies
305 a bar @var{width} pixels wide.
309 The width in pixels of the window border.
311 @item internal-border-width
312 The distance in pixels between text and border.
315 If non-@code{nil}, this frame's window is never split automatically.
317 @item inter-line-space
318 The space in pixels between adjacent lines of text. (Not currently
322 Whether the frame has a modeline.
325 @node Size and Position
326 @subsection Frame Size And Position
327 @cindex size of frame
329 @cindex display lines
330 @cindex display columns
331 @cindex resize redisplay
332 @cindex frame position
333 @cindex position of frame
335 You can read or change the size and position of a frame using the
336 frame properties @code{left}, @code{top}, @code{height}, and
337 @code{width}. Whatever geometry properties you don't specify are chosen
338 by the window manager in its usual fashion.
340 Here are some special features for working with sizes and positions:
342 @defun set-frame-position frame left top
343 This function sets the position of the top left corner of @var{frame} to
344 @var{left} and @var{top}. These arguments are measured in pixels, and
345 count from the top left corner of the screen. Negative property values
346 count up or rightward from the top left corner of the screen.
349 @defun frame-height &optional frame
350 @defunx frame-width &optional frame
351 These functions return the height and width of @var{frame}, measured in
352 lines and columns. If you don't supply @var{frame}, they use the selected
356 @defun frame-pixel-height &optional frame
357 @defunx frame-pixel-width &optional frame
358 These functions return the height and width of @var{frame}, measured in
359 pixels. If you don't supply @var{frame}, they use the selected frame.
362 @defun set-frame-size frame cols rows &optional pretend
363 This function sets the size of @var{frame}, measured in characters;
364 @var{cols} and @var{rows} specify the new width and height. (If
365 @var{pretend} is non-@code{nil}, it means that redisplay should act as if
366 the frame's size is @var{cols} by @var{rows}, but the actual size
367 of the frame should not be changed. You should not normally use
371 You can also use the functions @code{set-frame-height} and
372 @code{set-frame-width} to set the height and width individually.
373 The frame is the first argument and the size (in rows or columns)
374 is the second. (There is an optional third argument, @var{pretend},
375 which has the same purpose as the corresponding argument in
376 @code{set-frame-size}.)
378 @ignore @c Not in XEmacs
379 @defun x-parse-geometry geom
380 @cindex geometry specification
381 The function @code{x-parse-geometry} converts a standard X windows
382 geometry string to a plist that you can use as part of the argument to
385 The plist describes which properties were specified in @var{geom}, and
386 gives the values specified for them. Each element looks like
387 @code{(@var{property} . @var{value})}. The possible @var{property}
388 values are @code{left}, @code{top}, @code{width}, and @code{height}.
390 For the size properties, the value must be an integer. The position
391 property names @code{left} and @code{top} are not totally accurate,
392 because some values indicate the position of the right or bottom edges
393 instead. These are the @var{value} possibilities for the position
398 A positive integer relates the left edge or top edge of the window to
399 the left or top edge of the screen. A negative integer relates the
400 right or bottom edge of the window to the right or bottom edge of the
403 @item @code{(+ @var{position})}
404 This specifies the position of the left or top edge of the window
405 relative to the left or top edge of the screen. The integer
406 @var{position} may be positive or negative; a negative value specifies a
407 position outside the screen.
409 @item @code{(- @var{position})}
410 This specifies the position of the right or bottom edge of the window
411 relative to the right or bottom edge of the screen. The integer
412 @var{position} may be positive or negative; a negative value specifies a
413 position outside the screen.
419 (x-parse-geometry "35x70+0-0")
420 @result{} ((width . 35) (height . 70)
421 (left . 0) (top - 0))
427 @subsection The Name of a Frame (As Opposed to Its Title)
430 Under X, every frame has a name, which is not the same as the title of
431 the frame. A frame's name is used to look up its resources and does
432 not normally change over the lifetime of a frame. It is perfectly
433 allowable, and quite common, for multiple frames to have the same
436 @defun frame-name &optional frame
437 This function returns the name of @var{frame}, which defaults to the
438 selected frame if not specified. The name of a frame can also be
439 obtained from the frame's properties. @xref{Frame Properties}.
442 @defvar default-frame-name
443 This variable holds the default name to assign to newly-created frames.
444 This can be overridden by arguments to @code{make-frame}. This
449 @section Frame Titles
451 Every frame has a title; most window managers display the frame title at
452 the top of the frame. You can specify an explicit title with the
453 @code{name} frame property. But normally you don't specify this
454 explicitly, and XEmacs computes the title automatically.
456 XEmacs computes the frame title based on a template stored in the
457 variable @code{frame-title-format}.
459 @defvar frame-title-format
460 This variable specifies how to compute a title for a frame
461 when you have not explicitly specified one.
463 The variable's value is actually a modeline construct, just like
464 @code{modeline-format}. @xref{Modeline Data}.
467 @defvar frame-icon-title-format
468 This variable specifies how to compute the title for an iconified frame,
469 when you have not explicitly specified the frame title. This title
470 appears in the icon itself.
473 @defun x-set-frame-icon-pixmap frame pixmap &optional mask
474 This function sets the icon of the given frame to the given image
475 instance, which should be an image instance object (as returned by
476 @code{make-image-instance}), a glyph object (as returned by
477 @code{make-glyph}), or @code{nil}. If a glyph object is given, the
478 glyph will be instantiated on the frame to produce an image instance
481 If the given image instance has a mask, that will be used as the icon mask;
482 however, not all window managers support this.
484 The window manager is also not required to support color pixmaps,
485 only bitmaps (one plane deep).
487 If the image instance does not have a mask, then the optional
488 third argument may be the image instance to use as the mask (it must be
493 @node Deleting Frames
494 @section Deleting Frames
495 @cindex deletion of frames
497 Frames remain potentially visible until you explicitly @dfn{delete}
498 them. A deleted frame cannot appear on the screen, but continues to
499 exist as a Lisp object until there are no references to it.
501 @deffn Command delete-frame &optional frame force
502 This function deletes the frame @var{frame}. By default, @var{frame} is
505 A frame may not be deleted if its minibuffer is used by other frames.
506 Normally, you cannot delete the last non-minibuffer-only frame (you must
507 use @code{save-buffers-kill-emacs} or @code{kill-emacs}). However, if
508 optional second argument @var{force} is non-@code{nil}, you can delete
509 the last frame. (This will automatically call
510 @code{save-buffers-kill-emacs}.)
513 @defun frame-live-p frame
514 The function @code{frame-live-p} returns non-@code{nil} if the frame
515 @var{frame} has not been deleted.
518 @ignore Not in XEmacs currently
519 Some window managers provide a command to delete a window. These work
520 by sending a special message to the program that operates the window.
521 When XEmacs gets one of these commands, it generates a
522 @code{delete-frame} event, whose normal definition is a command that
523 calls the function @code{delete-frame}. @xref{Misc Events}.
526 @node Finding All Frames
527 @section Finding All Frames
530 The function @code{frame-list} returns a list of all the frames that
531 have not been deleted. It is analogous to @code{buffer-list} for
532 buffers. The list that you get is newly created, so modifying the list
533 doesn't have any effect on the internals of XEmacs.
536 @defun device-frame-list &optional device
537 This function returns a list of all frames on @var{device}. If
538 @var{device} is @code{nil}, the selected device will be used.
541 @defun visible-frame-list &optional device
542 This function returns a list of just the currently visible frames.
543 If @var{device} is specified only frames on that device will be returned.
544 @xref{Visibility of Frames}. (TTY frames always count as
545 ``visible'', even though only the selected one is actually displayed.)
548 @defun next-frame &optional frame which-frames which-devices
549 The function @code{next-frame} lets you cycle conveniently through all
550 the frames from an arbitrary starting point. It returns the ``next''
551 frame after @var{frame} in the cycle. If @var{frame} defaults to the
554 The second argument, @var{which-frames}, says which frames to consider:
558 Consider only frames that are visible.
561 Consider only frames that are iconic.
563 @item @code{invisible}
564 Consider only frames that are invisible (this is different from iconic).
566 @item @code{visible-iconic}
567 Consider frames that are visible or iconic.
569 @item @code{invisible-iconic}
570 Consider frames that are invisible or iconic.
573 Consider all frames except minibuffer-only ones.
575 @item @code{visible-nomini}
576 Like @code{visible} but omits minibuffer-only frames.
578 @item @code{iconic-nomini}
579 Like @code{iconic} but omits minibuffer-only frames.
581 @item @code{invisible-nomini}
582 Like @code{invisible} but omits minibuffer-only frames.
584 @item @code{visible-iconic-nomini}
585 Like @code{visible-iconic} but omits minibuffer-only frames.
587 @item @code{invisible-iconic-nomini}
588 Like @code{invisible-iconic} but omits minibuffer-only frames.
591 Identical to @code{nomini}.
594 Consider only the window @var{window}'s frame and any frame now using
595 @var{window} as the minibuffer.
597 @item any other value
601 The optional argument @var{which-devices} further clarifies on which
602 devices to search for frames as specified by @var{which-frames}.
606 Consider all devices on the selected console.
609 Consider only the one device @var{device}.
612 Consider all devices on @var{console}.
614 @item @var{device-type}
615 Consider all devices with device type @var{device-type}.
617 @item @code{window-system}
618 Consider all devices on window system consoles.
621 Consider all devices without restriction.
625 @defun previous-frame &optional frame which-frames which-devices
626 Like @code{next-frame}, but cycles through all frames in the opposite
630 See also @code{next-window} and @code{previous-window}, in @ref{Cyclic
633 @node Frames and Windows
634 @section Frames and Windows
636 Each window is part of one and only one frame; you can get the frame
637 with @code{window-frame}.
639 @defun frame-root-window &optional frame
640 This returns the root window of frame @var{frame}. @var{frame}
641 defaults to the selected frame if not specified.
644 @defun window-frame &optional window
645 This function returns the frame that @var{window} is on. @var{window}
646 defaults to the selected window if omitted.
649 All the non-minibuffer windows in a frame are arranged in a cyclic
650 order. The order runs from the frame's top window, which is at the
651 upper left corner, down and to the right, until it reaches the window at
652 the lower right corner (always the minibuffer window, if the frame has
653 one), and then it moves back to the top.
655 @defun frame-highest-window &optional frame position
656 This function returns the topmost, leftmost window of frame @var{frame}
657 at position @var{position}.
659 If omitted, @var{frame} defaults to the currently selected frame.
661 @var{position} is used to distinguish between multiple windows that abut
662 the top of the frame: 0 means the leftmost window abutting the top of
663 the frame, 1 the next-leftmost, etc. @var{position} can also be less
664 than zero: -1 means the rightmost window abutting the top of the frame,
665 -2 the next-rightmost, etc. If omitted, @var{position} defaults to 0,
666 i.e. the leftmost highest window. If there is no window at the given
667 @var{position}, @code{nil} is returned.
670 The following three functions work similarly.
672 @defun frame-lowest-window &optional frame position
673 This function returns the lowest window on @var{frame} which is at
677 @defun frame-leftmost-window &optional frame position
678 This function returns the leftmost window on @var{frame} which is at
682 @defun frame-rightmost-window &optional frame position
683 This function returns the rightmost window on @var{frame} which is at
688 At any time, exactly one window on any frame is @dfn{selected within the
689 frame}. The significance of this designation is that selecting the
690 frame also selects this window. You can get the frame's current
691 selected window with @code{frame-selected-window}.
693 @defun frame-selected-window &optional frame
694 This function returns the window on @var{frame} that is selected within
695 @var{frame}. @var{frame} defaults to the selected frame if not
699 Conversely, selecting a window for XEmacs with @code{select-window} also
700 makes that window selected within its frame. @xref{Selecting Windows}.
702 Another function that (usually) returns one of the windows in a frame is
703 @code{minibuffer-window}. @xref{Minibuffer Misc}.
705 @node Minibuffers and Frames
706 @section Minibuffers and Frames
708 Normally, each frame has its own minibuffer window at the bottom, which
709 is used whenever that frame is selected. If the frame has a minibuffer,
710 you can get it with @code{minibuffer-window} (@pxref{Minibuffer Misc}).
712 However, you can also create a frame with no minibuffer. Such a frame
713 must use the minibuffer window of some other frame. When you create the
714 frame, you can specify explicitly the minibuffer window to use (in some
715 other frame). If you don't, then the minibuffer is found in the frame
716 which is the value of the variable @code{default-minibuffer-frame}. Its
717 value should be a frame which does have a minibuffer.
719 @ignore Not yet in XEmacs
720 If you use a minibuffer-only frame, you might want that frame to raise
721 when you enter the minibuffer. If so, set the variable
722 @code{minibuffer-auto-raise} to @code{t}. @xref{Raising and Lowering}.
725 @defvar default-minibuffer-frame
726 This variable specifies the frame to use for the minibuffer window, by
733 @cindex selected frame
735 At any time, one frame in XEmacs is the @dfn{selected frame}. The selected
736 window always resides on the selected frame. As the focus moves from
737 device to device, the selected frame on each device is remembered and
738 restored when the focus moves back to that device.
740 @defun selected-frame &optional device
741 This function returns the selected frame on @var{device}. If
742 @var{device} is not specified, the selected device will be used. If no
743 frames exist on the device, @code{nil} is returned.
746 The X server normally directs keyboard input to the X window that the
747 mouse is in. Some window managers use mouse clicks or keyboard events
748 to @dfn{shift the focus} to various X windows, overriding the normal
749 behavior of the server.
751 Lisp programs can switch frames ``temporarily'' by calling
752 the function @code{select-frame}. This does not override the window
753 manager; rather, it escapes from the window manager's control until
754 that control is somehow reasserted.
756 When using a text-only terminal, there is no window manager; therefore,
757 @code{select-frame} is the only way to switch frames, and the effect
758 lasts until overridden by a subsequent call to @code{select-frame}.
759 Only the selected terminal frame is actually displayed on the terminal.
760 Each terminal screen except for the initial one has a number, and the
761 number of the selected frame appears in the mode line after the word
762 @samp{XEmacs} (@pxref{Modeline Variables}).
764 @defun select-frame frame
765 This function selects frame @var{frame}, temporarily disregarding the
766 focus of the X server if any. The selection of @var{frame} lasts until
767 the next time the user does something to select a different frame, or
768 until the next time this function is called.
770 Note that @code{select-frame} does not actually cause the window-system
771 focus to be set to this frame, or the @code{select-frame-hook} or
772 @code{deselect-frame-hook} to be run, until the next time that XEmacs is
773 waiting for an event.
775 Also note that when the variable @code{focus-follows-mouse} is
776 non-@code{nil}, the frame selection is temporary and is reverted when
777 the current command terminates, much like the buffer selected by
778 @code{set-buffer}. In order to effect a permanent focus change use
782 @defun focus-frame frame
783 This function selects @var{frame} and gives it the window system focus.
784 The operation of @code{focus-frame} is not affected by the value of
785 @code{focus-follows-mouse}.
788 @defspec save-selected-frame forms@dots{}
789 This special form records the selected frame, executes @var{forms} in
790 sequence, then restores the earlier selected frame. The value returned
791 is the value of the last form.
794 @defspec with-selected-frame frame forms@dots{}
795 This special form records the selected frame, then selects @var{frame}
796 and executes @var{forms} in sequence. After the last form is finished,
797 the earlier selected frame is restored. The value returned is the value
801 @ignore (FSF Emacs, continued from defun select-frame)
802 XEmacs cooperates with the X server and the window managers by arranging
803 to select frames according to what the server and window manager ask
804 for. It does so by generating a special kind of input event, called a
805 @dfn{focus} event. The command loop handles a focus event by calling
806 @code{handle-select-frame}. @xref{Focus Events}.
808 @deffn Command handle-switch-frame frame
809 This function handles a focus event by selecting frame @var{frame}.
811 Focus events normally do their job by invoking this command.
812 Don't call it for any other reason.
815 @defun redirect-frame-focus frame focus-frame
816 This function redirects focus from @var{frame} to @var{focus-frame}.
817 This means that @var{focus-frame} will receive subsequent keystrokes
818 intended for @var{frame}. After such an event, the value of
819 @code{last-event-frame} will be @var{focus-frame}. Also, switch-frame
820 events specifying @var{frame} will instead select @var{focus-frame}.
822 If @var{focus-frame} is @code{nil}, that cancels any existing
823 redirection for @var{frame}, which therefore once again receives its own
826 One use of focus redirection is for frames that don't have minibuffers.
827 These frames use minibuffers on other frames. Activating a minibuffer
828 on another frame redirects focus to that frame. This puts the focus on
829 the minibuffer's frame, where it belongs, even though the mouse remains
830 in the frame that activated the minibuffer.
832 Selecting a frame can also change focus redirections. Selecting frame
833 @code{bar}, when @code{foo} had been selected, changes any redirections
834 pointing to @code{foo} so that they point to @code{bar} instead. This
835 allows focus redirection to work properly when the user switches from
836 one frame to another using @code{select-window}.
838 This means that a frame whose focus is redirected to itself is treated
839 differently from a frame whose focus is not redirected.
840 @code{select-frame} affects the former but not the latter.
842 The redirection lasts until @code{redirect-frame-focus} is called to
847 @node Visibility of Frames
848 @section Visibility of Frames
849 @cindex visible frame
850 @cindex invisible frame
851 @cindex iconified frame
852 @cindex frame visibility
854 An frame on a window system may be @dfn{visible}, @dfn{invisible}, or
855 @dfn{iconified}. If it is visible, you can see its contents. If it is
856 iconified, the frame's contents do not appear on the screen, but an icon
857 does. If the frame is invisible, it doesn't show on the screen, not
860 Visibility is meaningless for TTY frames, since only the selected
861 one is actually displayed in any case.
863 @defun make-frame-visible &optional frame
864 This function makes frame @var{frame} visible. If you omit @var{frame},
865 it makes the selected frame visible.
868 @defun make-frame-invisible &optional frame force
869 This function makes frame @var{frame} invisible.
872 @deffn Command iconify-frame &optional frame
873 This function iconifies frame @var{frame}.
876 @defun Command deiconify-frame &optional frame
877 This function de-iconifies frame @var{frame}. Under a window system,
878 this is equivalent to @code{make-frame-visible}.
881 @defun frame-visible-p &optional frame
882 This returns whether @var{frame} is currently ``visible'' (actually in
883 use for display). A frame that is not visible is not updated, and, if
884 it works through a window system, may not show at all.
887 @defun frame-iconified-p &optional frame
888 This returns whether @var{frame} is iconified. Not all window managers
889 use icons; some merely unmap the window, so this function is not the
890 inverse of @code{frame-visible-p}. It is possible for a frame to not
891 be visible and not be iconified either. However, if the frame is
892 iconified, it will not be visible. (Under FSF Emacs, the functionality
893 of this function is obtained through @code{frame-visible-p}.)
896 @defun frame-totally-visible-p &optional frame
897 This returns whether @var{frame} is not obscured by any other X
898 windows. On TTY frames, this is the same as @code{frame-visible-p}.
901 @ignore @c Not in XEmacs.
902 The visibility status of a frame is also available as a frame
903 property. You can read or change it as such. @xref{X Frame
906 The user can iconify and deiconify frames with the window manager. This
907 happens below the level at which XEmacs can exert any control, but XEmacs
908 does provide events that you can use to keep track of such changes.
912 @node Raising and Lowering
913 @section Raising and Lowering Frames
915 The X Window System uses a desktop metaphor. Part of this metaphor is
916 the idea that windows are stacked in a notional third dimension
917 perpendicular to the screen surface, and thus ordered from ``highest''
918 to ``lowest''. Where two windows overlap, the one higher up covers the
919 one underneath. Even a window at the bottom of the stack can be seen if
920 no other window overlaps it.
922 @cindex raising a frame
923 @cindex lowering a frame
924 A window's place in this ordering is not fixed; in fact, users tend to
925 change the order frequently. @dfn{Raising} a window means moving it
926 ``up'', to the top of the stack. @dfn{Lowering} a window means moving
927 it to the bottom of the stack. This motion is in the notional third
928 dimension only, and does not change the position of the window on the
931 You can raise and lower XEmacs's X windows with these functions:
933 @deffn Command raise-frame &optional frame
934 This function raises frame @var{frame}.
937 @deffn Command lower-frame &optional frame
938 This function lowers frame @var{frame}.
941 You can also specify auto-raise (raising automatically when a frame is
942 selected) or auto-lower (lowering automatically when it is deselected).
943 Under X, most ICCCM-compliant window managers will have an option to do
944 this for you, but the following variables are provided in case you're
945 using a broken WM. (Under FSF Emacs, the same functionality is
946 provided through the @code{auto-raise} and @code{auto-lower}
949 @defvar auto-raise-frame
950 This variable's value is @code{t} if frames will be raised to the top
954 @ignore Not in XEmacs
955 @defopt minibuffer-auto-raise
956 If this is non-@code{nil}, activation of the minibuffer raises the frame
957 that the minibuffer window is in.
961 @defvar auto-lower-frame
962 This variable's value is @code{t} if frames will be lowered to the bottom
963 when no longer selected.
966 Auto-raising and auto-lowering is implemented through functions attached
967 to @code{select-frame-hook} and @code{deselect-frame-hook}
968 (@pxref{Frame Hooks}). Under normal circumstances, you should not call
969 these functions directly.
971 @defun default-select-frame-hook
972 This hook function implements the @code{auto-raise-frame} variable; it is
973 for use as the value of @code{select-frame-hook}.
976 @defun default-deselect-frame-hook
977 This hook function implements the @code{auto-lower-frame} variable; it is
978 for use as the value of @code{deselect-frame-hook}.
981 @node Frame Configurations
982 @section Frame Configurations
983 @cindex frame configuration
985 A @dfn{frame configuration} records the current arrangement of frames,
986 all their properties, and the window configuration of each one.
988 @defun current-frame-configuration
989 This function returns a frame configuration list that describes
990 the current arrangement of frames and their contents.
993 @defun set-frame-configuration configuration &optional nodelete
994 This function restores the state of frames described by
995 @var{configuration}, which should be the return value from a previous
996 call to @code{current-frame-configuration}.
998 Each frame listed in @var{configuration} has its position, size, window
999 configuration, and other properties set as specified in
1000 @var{configuration}.
1002 Ordinarily, this function deletes all existing frames not listed in
1003 @var{configuration}. But if optional second argument @var{nodelete} is
1004 non-@code{nil}, the unwanted frames are iconified instead.
1008 @section Hooks for Customizing Frame Behavior
1011 XEmacs provides many hooks that are called at various times during a
1012 frame's lifetime. @xref{Hooks}.
1014 @defvar create-frame-hook
1015 This hook is called each time a frame is created. The functions are called
1016 with one argument, the newly-created frame.
1019 @defvar delete-frame-hook
1020 This hook is called each time a frame is deleted. The functions are called
1021 with one argument, the about-to-be-deleted frame.
1024 @defvar select-frame-hook
1025 This is a normal hook that is run just after a frame is selected. The
1026 function @code{default-select-frame-hook}, which implements auto-raising
1027 (@pxref{Raising and Lowering}), is normally attached to this hook.
1029 Note that calling @code{select-frame} does not necessarily set the
1030 focus: The actual window-system focus will not be changed until the next
1031 time that XEmacs is waiting for an event, and even then, the window
1032 manager may refuse the focus-change request.
1035 @defvar deselect-frame-hook
1036 This is a normal hook that is run just before a frame is deselected
1037 (and another frame is selected). The function
1038 @code{default-deselect-frame-hook}, which implements auto-lowering
1039 (@pxref{Raising and Lowering}), is normally attached to this hook.
1042 @defvar map-frame-hook
1043 This hook is called each time a frame is mapped (i.e. made visible).
1044 The functions are called with one argument, the newly mapped frame.
1047 @defvar unmap-frame-hook
1048 This hook is called each time a frame is unmapped (i.e. made invisible
1049 or iconified). The functions are called with one argument, the
1050 newly unmapped frame.