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 See the file lispref.texi for copying conditions.
5 @setfilename ../../info/windows.info
6 @node Windows, Frames, Buffers, Top
9 This chapter describes most of the functions and variables related to
10 Emacs windows. See @ref{Display}, for information on how text is
14 * Basic Windows:: Basic information on using windows.
15 * Splitting Windows:: Splitting one window into two windows.
16 * Deleting Windows:: Deleting a window gives its space to other windows.
17 * Selecting Windows:: The selected window is the one that you edit in.
18 * Cyclic Window Ordering:: Moving around the existing windows.
19 * Buffers and Windows:: Each window displays the contents of a buffer.
20 * Displaying Buffers:: Higher-lever functions for displaying a buffer
21 and choosing a window for it.
22 * Choosing Window:: How to choose a window for displaying a buffer.
23 * Window Point:: Each window has its own location of point.
24 * Window Start:: The display-start position controls which text
25 is on-screen in the window.
26 * Vertical Scrolling:: Moving text up and down in the window.
27 * Horizontal Scrolling:: Moving text sideways on the window.
28 * Size of Window:: Accessing the size of a window.
29 * Position of Window:: Accessing the position of a window.
30 * Resizing Windows:: Changing the size of a window.
31 * Window Configurations:: Saving and restoring the state of the screen.
35 @section Basic Concepts of Emacs Windows
37 @cindex selected window
39 A @dfn{window} in XEmacs is the physical area of the screen in which a
40 buffer is displayed. The term is also used to refer to a Lisp object that
41 represents that screen area in XEmacs Lisp. It should be
42 clear from the context which is meant.
44 XEmacs groups windows into frames. A frame represents an area of
45 screen available for XEmacs to use. Each frame always contains at least
46 one window, but you can subdivide it vertically or horizontally into
47 multiple nonoverlapping Emacs windows.
49 In each frame, at any time, one and only one window is designated as
50 @dfn{selected within the frame}. The frame's cursor appears in that
51 window. At any time, one frame is the selected frame; and the window
52 selected within that frame is @dfn{the selected window}. The selected
53 window's buffer is usually the current buffer (except when
54 @code{set-buffer} has been used). @xref{Current Buffer}.
56 For practical purposes, a window exists only while it is displayed in
57 a frame. Once removed from the frame, the window is effectively deleted
58 and should not be used, @emph{even though there may still be references
59 to it} from other Lisp objects. Restoring a saved window configuration
60 is the only way for a window no longer on the screen to come back to
61 life. (@xref{Deleting Windows}.)
63 Each window has the following attributes:
76 window edges with respect to the frame or screen
79 the buffer it displays
82 position within the buffer at the upper left of the window
85 amount of horizontal scrolling, in columns
94 how recently the window was selected
97 @cindex multiple windows
98 Users create multiple windows so they can look at several buffers at
99 once. Lisp libraries use multiple windows for a variety of reasons, but
100 most often to display related information. In Rmail, for example, you
101 can move through a summary buffer in one window while the other window
102 shows messages one at a time as they are reached.
104 The meaning of ``window'' in XEmacs is similar to what it means in the
105 context of general-purpose window systems such as X, but not identical.
106 The X Window System places X windows on the screen; XEmacs uses one or
107 more X windows as frames, and subdivides them into
108 Emacs windows. When you use XEmacs on a character-only terminal, XEmacs
109 treats the whole terminal screen as one frame.
111 @cindex terminal frame
112 @cindex frame of terminal
113 @cindex tiled windows
114 Most window systems support arbitrarily located overlapping windows.
115 In contrast, Emacs windows are @dfn{tiled}; they never overlap, and
116 together they fill the whole screen or frame. Because of the way
117 in which XEmacs creates new windows and resizes them, you can't create
118 every conceivable tiling of windows on an Emacs frame. @xref{Splitting
119 Windows}, and @ref{Size of Window}.
121 @xref{Display}, for information on how the contents of the
122 window's buffer are displayed in the window.
124 @defun windowp object
125 This function returns @code{t} if @var{object} is a window.
128 @node Splitting Windows
129 @section Splitting Windows
130 @cindex splitting windows
131 @cindex window splitting
133 The functions described here are the primitives used to split a window
134 into two windows. Two higher level functions sometimes split a window,
135 but not always: @code{pop-to-buffer} and @code{display-buffer}
136 (@pxref{Displaying Buffers}).
138 The functions described here do not accept a buffer as an argument.
139 The two ``halves'' of the split window initially display the same buffer
140 previously visible in the window that was split.
142 @defun one-window-p &optional nomini which-frames which-devices
143 This function returns non-@code{nil} if there is only one window. The
144 argument @var{nomini}, if non-@code{nil}, means don't count the
145 minibuffer even if it is active; otherwise, the minibuffer window is
146 included, if active, in the total number of windows which is compared
149 The remaining arguments controls which set of windows are counted, as
150 with @code{next-window}.
153 @deffn Command split-window &optional window size horizontal
154 This function splits @var{window} into two windows. The original
155 window @var{window} remains the selected window, but occupies only
156 part of its former screen area. The rest is occupied by a newly created
157 window which is returned as the value of this function.
159 If @var{horizontal} is non-@code{nil}, then @var{window} splits into
160 two side by side windows. The original window @var{window} keeps the
161 leftmost @var{size} columns, and gives the rest of the columns to the
162 new window. Otherwise, it splits into windows one above the other, and
163 @var{window} keeps the upper @var{size} lines and gives the rest of the
164 lines to the new window. The original window is therefore the
165 left-hand or upper of the two, and the new window is the right-hand or
168 If @var{window} is omitted or @code{nil}, then the selected window is
169 split. If @var{size} is omitted or @code{nil}, then @var{window} is
170 divided evenly into two parts. (If there is an odd line, it is
171 allocated to the new window.) When @code{split-window} is called
172 interactively, all its arguments are @code{nil}.
174 The following example starts with one window on a frame that is 50
175 lines high by 80 columns wide; then the window is split.
179 (setq w (selected-window))
180 @result{} #<window 8 on windows.texi>
181 (window-edges) ; @r{Edges in order:}
182 @result{} (0 0 80 50) ; @r{left--top--right--bottom}
186 ;; @r{Returns window created}
187 (setq w2 (split-window w 15))
188 @result{} #<window 28 on windows.texi>
192 @result{} (0 15 80 50) ; @r{Bottom window;}
197 @result{} (0 0 80 15) ; @r{Top window}
201 The frame looks like this:
217 Next, the top window is split horizontally:
221 (setq w3 (split-window w 35 t))
222 @result{} #<window 32 on windows.texi>
226 @result{} (35 0 80 15) ; @r{Left edge at column 35}
230 @result{} (0 0 35 15) ; @r{Right edge at column 35}
234 @result{} (0 15 80 50) ; @r{Bottom window unchanged}
239 Now, the screen looks like this:
256 Normally, Emacs indicates the border between two side-by-side windows
257 with a scroll bar (@pxref{X Frame Properties,Scroll Bars}) or @samp{|}
258 characters. The display table can specify alternative border
259 characters; see @ref{Display Tables}.
262 @deffn Command split-window-vertically &optional size
263 This function splits the selected window into two windows, one above
264 the other, leaving the selected window with @var{size} lines.
266 This function is simply an interface to @code{split-window}.
267 Here is the complete function definition for it:
271 (defun split-window-vertically (&optional arg)
272 "Split current window into two windows, one above the other."
274 (split-window nil (and arg (prefix-numeric-value arg))))
279 @deffn Command split-window-horizontally &optional size
280 This function splits the selected window into two windows
281 side-by-side, leaving the selected window with @var{size} columns.
283 This function is simply an interface to @code{split-window}. Here is
284 the complete definition for @code{split-window-horizontally} (except for
285 part of the documentation string):
289 (defun split-window-horizontally (&optional arg)
290 "Split selected window into two windows, side by side..."
292 (split-window nil (and arg (prefix-numeric-value arg)) t))
297 @node Deleting Windows
298 @section Deleting Windows
299 @cindex deleting windows
301 A window remains visible on its frame unless you @dfn{delete} it by
302 calling certain functions that delete windows. A deleted window cannot
303 appear on the screen, but continues to exist as a Lisp object until
304 there are no references to it. There is no way to cancel the deletion
305 of a window aside from restoring a saved window configuration
306 (@pxref{Window Configurations}). Restoring a window configuration also
307 deletes any windows that aren't part of that configuration.
309 When you delete a window, the space it took up is given to one
310 adjacent sibling. (In Emacs version 18, the space was divided evenly
311 among all the siblings.)
314 @defun window-live-p window
315 This function returns @code{nil} if @var{window} is deleted, and
318 @strong{Warning:} Erroneous information or fatal errors may result from
319 using a deleted window as if it were live.
322 @deffn Command delete-window &optional window force
323 This function removes @var{window} from the display. If @var{window} is
324 omitted, then the selected window is deleted. If window is the only one
325 on its frame, the frame is deleted as well.
327 Normally, you cannot delete the last non-minibuffer-only frame (you must
328 use @code{save-buffers-kill-emacs} or @code{kill-emacs}); an error is
329 signaled instead. However, if optional second argument @var{force} is
330 non-@code{nil}, you can delete the last frame. (This will automatically
331 call @code{save-buffers-kill-emacs}.)
333 This function returns @code{nil}.
335 When @code{delete-window} is called interactively, the selected window
339 @deffn Command delete-other-windows &optional window
340 This function makes @var{window} the only window on its frame, by
341 deleting the other windows in that frame. If @var{window} is omitted or
342 @code{nil}, then the selected window is used by default.
344 The result is @code{nil}.
347 @deffn Command delete-windows-on buffer &optional which-frames which-devices
348 This function deletes all windows showing @var{buffer}. If there are
349 no windows showing @var{buffer}, it does nothing.
351 @code{delete-windows-on} operates frame by frame. If a frame has
352 several windows showing different buffers, then those showing
353 @var{buffer} are removed, and the others expand to fill the space. If
354 all windows in some frame are showing @var{buffer} (including the case
355 where there is only one window), then the frame reverts to having a
356 single window showing another buffer chosen with @code{other-buffer}.
357 @xref{The Buffer List}.
359 The argument @var{which-frames} controls which frames to operate on:
363 Delete all windows showing @var{buffer} in any frame.
366 Delete only windows showing @var{buffer} in the selected frame.
369 Delete all windows showing @var{buffer} in any visible frame.
372 Delete all windows showing @var{buffer} in any visible frame.
375 If it is a frame, delete all windows showing @var{buffer} in that frame.
378 @strong{Warning:} This is similar to, but not identical to, the meaning
379 of the @var{which-frames} argument to @code{next-window}; the meanings
380 of @code{nil} and @code{t} are reversed.
382 The optional argument @var{which-devices} further clarifies on which
383 devices to search for frames as specified by @var{which-frames}.
384 This value is only meaningful if @var{which-frames} is not @code{t}.
388 Consider all devices on the selected console.
391 Consider only the one device @var{device}.
394 Consider all devices on @var{console}.
396 @item @var{device-type}
397 Consider all devices with device type @var{device-type}.
399 @item @code{window-system}
400 Consider all devices on window system consoles.
403 Consider all devices without restriction.
406 This function always returns @code{nil}.
409 @node Selecting Windows
410 @section Selecting Windows
411 @cindex selecting windows
413 When a window is selected, the buffer in the window becomes the current
414 buffer, and the cursor will appear in it.
416 @defun selected-window &optional device
417 This function returns the selected window. This is the window in
418 which the cursor appears and to which many commands apply. Each
419 separate device can have its own selected window, which is remembered
420 as focus changes from device to device. Optional argument @var{device}
421 specifies which device to return the selected window for, and defaults
422 to the selected device.
425 @defun select-window window &optional norecord
426 This function makes @var{window} the selected window. The cursor then
427 appears in @var{window} (on redisplay). The buffer being displayed in
428 @var{window} is immediately designated the current buffer.
430 If optional argument @var{norecord} is non-@code{nil} then the global
431 and per-frame buffer orderings are not modified, as by the function
432 @code{record-buffer}.
434 The return value is @var{window}.
438 (setq w (next-window))
440 @result{} #<window 65 on windows.texi>
445 @defspec save-selected-window forms@dots{}
446 This special form records the selected window, executes @var{forms} in
447 sequence, then restores the earlier selected window. It does not save
448 or restore anything about the sizes, arrangement or contents of windows;
449 therefore, if the @var{forms} change them, the changes are permanent.
452 @cindex finding windows
453 The following functions choose one of the windows on the screen,
454 offering various criteria for the choice.
456 @defun get-lru-window &optional which-frames which-devices
457 This function returns the window least recently ``used'' (that is,
458 selected). The selected window is always the most recently used window.
460 The selected window can be the least recently used window if it is the
461 only window. A newly created window becomes the least recently used
462 window until it is selected. A minibuffer window is never a candidate.
464 By default, only the windows in the selected frame are considered.
465 The optional argument @var{which-frames} changes this behavior.
466 Here are the possible values and their meanings:
470 Consider all the windows in the selected windows's frame, plus the
471 minibuffer used by that frame even if it lies in some other frame.
474 Consider all windows in all existing frames.
477 Consider all windows in all visible frames. (To get useful results, you
478 must ensure @var{window} is in a visible frame.)
481 Consider all windows in all visible or iconified frames.
484 Consider all windows on frame @var{frame}.
487 Consider precisely the windows in the selected window's frame, and no others.
490 The optional argument @var{which-devices} further clarifies on which
491 devices to search for frames as specified by @var{which-frames}.
492 This value is only meaningful if @var{which-frames} is non-@code{nil}.
496 Consider all devices on the selected console.
499 Consider only the one device @var{device}.
502 Consider all devices on @var{console}.
504 @item @var{device-type}
505 Consider all devices with device type @var{device-type}.
507 @item @code{window-system}
508 Consider all devices on window system consoles.
511 Consider all devices without restriction.
516 @defun get-largest-window &optional which-frames which-devices
517 This function returns the window with the largest area (height times
518 width). If there are no side-by-side windows, then this is the window
519 with the most lines. A minibuffer window is never a candidate.
521 If there are two windows of the same size, then the function returns
522 the window that is first in the cyclic ordering of windows (see
523 following section), starting from the selected window.
525 The remaining arguments control which set of windows are considered.
526 See @code{next-window}, above.
529 @node Cyclic Window Ordering
530 @section Cyclic Ordering of Windows
531 @cindex cyclic ordering of windows
532 @cindex ordering of windows, cyclic
533 @cindex window ordering, cyclic
535 When you use the command @kbd{C-x o} (@code{other-window}) to select
536 the next window, it moves through all the windows on the screen in a
537 specific cyclic order. For any given configuration of windows, this
538 order never varies. It is called the @dfn{cyclic ordering of windows}.
540 This ordering generally goes from top to bottom, and from left to
541 right. But it may go down first or go right first, depending on the
542 order in which the windows were split.
544 If the first split was vertical (into windows one above each other),
545 and then the subwindows were split horizontally, then the ordering is
546 left to right in the top of the frame, and then left to right in the
547 next lower part of the frame, and so on. If the first split was
548 horizontal, the ordering is top to bottom in the left part, and so on.
549 In general, within each set of siblings at any level in the window tree,
550 the order is left to right, or top to bottom.
552 @defun next-window &optional window minibuf which-frames which-devices
553 @cindex minibuffer window
554 This function returns the window following @var{window} in the cyclic
555 ordering of windows. This is the window that @kbd{C-x o} would select
556 if typed when @var{window} is selected. If @var{window} is the only
557 window visible, then this function returns @var{window}. If omitted,
558 @var{window} defaults to the selected window.
560 The value of the argument @var{minibuf} determines whether the
561 minibuffer is included in the window order. Normally, when
562 @var{minibuf} is @code{nil}, the minibuffer is included if it is
563 currently active; this is the behavior of @kbd{C-x o}. (The minibuffer
564 window is active while the minibuffer is in use. @xref{Minibuffers}.)
566 If @var{minibuf} is @code{t}, then the cyclic ordering includes the
567 minibuffer window even if it is not active.
569 If @var{minibuf} is neither @code{t} nor @code{nil}, then the minibuffer
570 window is not included even if it is active.
572 By default, only the windows in the selected frame are considered.
573 The optional argument @var{which-frames} changes this behavior.
574 Here are the possible values and their meanings:
578 Consider all the windows in @var{window}'s frame, plus the minibuffer
579 used by that frame even if it lies in some other frame.
582 Consider all windows in all existing frames.
585 Consider all windows in all visible frames. (To get useful results, you
586 must ensure @var{window} is in a visible frame.)
589 Consider all windows in all visible or iconified frames.
592 Consider all windows on frame @var{frame}.
595 Consider precisely the windows in @var{window}'s frame, and no others.
598 The optional argument @var{which-devices} further clarifies on which
599 devices to search for frames as specified by @var{which-frames}.
600 This value is only meaningful if @var{which-frames} is non-@code{nil}.
604 Consider all devices on the selected console.
607 Consider only the one device @var{device}.
610 Consider all devices on @var{console}.
612 @item @var{device-type}
613 Consider all devices with device type @var{device-type}.
615 @item @code{window-system}
616 Consider all devices on window system consoles.
619 Consider all devices without restriction.
622 If you use consistent values for @var{minibuf}, @var{which-frames}, and
623 @var{which-devices}, you can use @code{next-window} to iterate through the
624 entire cycle of acceptable windows, eventually ending up back at the
625 window you started with. @code{previous-window} traverses the same
626 cycle, in the reverse order.
628 This example assumes there are two windows, both displaying the
629 buffer @samp{windows.texi}:
634 @result{} #<window 56 on windows.texi>
637 (next-window (selected-window))
638 @result{} #<window 52 on windows.texi>
641 (next-window (next-window (selected-window)))
642 @result{} #<window 56 on windows.texi>
647 @defun previous-window &optional window minibuf which-frames which-devices
648 This function returns the window preceding @var{window} in the cyclic
649 ordering of windows. The other arguments specify which windows to
650 include in the cycle, as in @code{next-window}.
653 @deffn Command other-window count &optional which-frames which-devices
654 This function selects the @var{count}th following window in the cyclic order.
655 If @var{count} is negative, then it selects the @minus{}@var{count}th
656 preceding window. It returns @code{nil}.
658 In an interactive call, @var{count} is the numeric prefix argument.
660 The other arguments specify which windows to include in the cycle, as in
664 @defun walk-windows function &optional minibuf which-frames which-devices
665 This function cycles through all windows, calling @code{function}
666 once for each window with the window as its sole argument.
668 The other arguments specify which windows to cycle through, as in
672 @node Buffers and Windows
673 @section Buffers and Windows
674 @cindex examining windows
675 @cindex windows, controlling precisely
676 @cindex buffers, controlled in windows
678 This section describes low-level functions to examine windows or to
679 display buffers in windows in a precisely controlled fashion.
681 See the following section for
684 @xref{Displaying Buffers}, for
686 related functions that find a window to use and specify a buffer for it.
687 The functions described there are easier to use than these, but they
688 employ heuristics in choosing or creating a window; use these functions
689 when you need complete control.
691 @defun set-window-buffer window buffer-or-name &optional norecord
692 This function makes @var{window} display @var{buffer-or-name} as its
693 contents. @var{buffer-or-name} can be a buffer or a buffer name.
695 With non-@code{nil} optional argument @var{norecord}, do not modify the
696 global or per-frame buffer ordering.
698 This function returns @code{nil}.
702 (set-window-buffer (selected-window) "foo")
708 @defun window-buffer &optional window
709 This function returns the buffer that @var{window} is displaying. If
710 @var{window} is omitted, this function returns the buffer for the
716 @result{} #<buffer windows.texi>
721 @defun get-buffer-window buffer-or-name &optional which-frames which-devices
722 This function returns a window currently displaying
723 @var{buffer-or-name}, or @code{nil} if there is none. If there are
724 several such windows, then the function returns the first one in the
725 cyclic ordering of windows, starting from the selected window.
726 @xref{Cyclic Window Ordering}.
728 The remaining arguments control which windows to consider. They have
729 the same meaning as for @code{next-window}.
732 @node Displaying Buffers
733 @section Displaying Buffers in Windows
734 @cindex switching to a buffer
735 @cindex displaying a buffer
737 In this section we describe convenient functions that choose a window
738 automatically and use it to display a specified buffer. These functions
739 can also split an existing window in certain circumstances. We also
740 describe variables that parameterize the heuristics used for choosing a
743 See the preceding section for
746 @xref{Buffers and Windows}, for
748 low-level functions that give you more precise control.
750 Do not use the functions in this section in order to make a buffer
751 current so that a Lisp program can access or modify it; they are too
752 drastic for that purpose, since they change the display of buffers in
753 windows, which is gratuitous and will surprise the user. Instead, use
754 @code{set-buffer} (@pxref{Current Buffer}) and @code{save-excursion}
755 (@pxref{Excursions}), which designate buffers as current for programmed
756 access without affecting the display of buffers in windows.
758 @deffn Command switch-to-buffer buffer-or-name &optional norecord
759 This function makes @var{buffer-or-name} the current buffer, and also
760 displays the buffer in the selected window. This means that a human can
761 see the buffer and subsequent keyboard commands will apply to it.
762 Contrast this with @code{set-buffer}, which makes @var{buffer-or-name}
763 the current buffer but does not display it in the selected window.
764 @xref{Current Buffer}.
766 If @var{buffer-or-name} does not identify an existing buffer, then a new
767 buffer by that name is created. The major mode for the new buffer is
768 set according to the variable @code{default-major-mode}. @xref{Auto
771 Normally the specified buffer is put at the front of the buffer list.
772 This affects the operation of @code{other-buffer}. However, if
773 @var{norecord} is non-@code{nil}, this is not done. @xref{The Buffer
776 The @code{switch-to-buffer} function is often used interactively, as
777 the binding of @kbd{C-x b}. It is also used frequently in programs. It
778 always returns @code{nil}.
781 @deffn Command switch-to-buffer-other-window buffer-or-name
782 This function makes @var{buffer-or-name} the current buffer and
783 displays it in a window not currently selected. It then selects that
784 window. The handling of the buffer is the same as in
785 @code{switch-to-buffer}.
787 The currently selected window is absolutely never used to do the job.
788 If it is the only window, then it is split to make a distinct window for
789 this purpose. If the selected window is already displaying the buffer,
790 then it continues to do so, but another window is nonetheless found to
791 display it in as well.
794 @defun pop-to-buffer buffer-or-name &optional other-window on-frame
795 This function makes @var{buffer-or-name} the current buffer and
796 switches to it in some window, preferably not the window previously
797 selected. The ``popped-to'' window becomes the selected window within
800 If the variable @code{pop-up-frames} is non-@code{nil},
801 @code{pop-to-buffer} looks for a window in any visible frame already
802 displaying the buffer; if there is one, it returns that window and makes
803 it be selected within its frame. If there is none, it creates a new
804 frame and displays the buffer in it.
806 If @code{pop-up-frames} is @code{nil}, then @code{pop-to-buffer}
807 operates entirely within the selected frame. (If the selected frame has
808 just a minibuffer, @code{pop-to-buffer} operates within the most
809 recently selected frame that was not just a minibuffer.)
811 If the variable @code{pop-up-windows} is non-@code{nil}, windows may
812 be split to create a new window that is different from the original
813 window. For details, see @ref{Choosing Window}.
815 If @var{other-window} is non-@code{nil}, @code{pop-to-buffer} finds or
816 creates another window even if @var{buffer-or-name} is already visible
817 in the selected window. Thus @var{buffer-or-name} could end up
818 displayed in two windows. On the other hand, if @var{buffer-or-name} is
819 already displayed in the selected window and @var{other-window} is
820 @code{nil}, then the selected window is considered sufficient display
821 for @var{buffer-or-name}, so that nothing needs to be done.
823 All the variables that affect @code{display-buffer} affect
824 @code{pop-to-buffer} as well. @xref{Choosing Window}.
826 If @var{buffer-or-name} is a string that does not name an existing
827 buffer, a buffer by that name is created. The major mode for the new
828 buffer is set according to the variable @code{default-major-mode}.
829 @xref{Auto Major Mode}.
831 If @var{on-frame} is non-@code{nil}, it is the frame to pop to this
834 An example use of this function is found at the end of @ref{Filter
838 @deffn Command replace-buffer-in-windows buffer &optional which-frames which-devices
839 This function replaces @var{buffer} with some other buffer in all
840 windows displaying it. The other buffer used is chosen with
841 @code{other-buffer}. In the usual applications of this function, you
842 don't care which other buffer is used; you just want to make sure that
843 @var{buffer} is no longer displayed.
845 The optional arguments @var{which-frames} and @var{which-devices} have
846 the same meaning as with @code{delete-windows-on}.
848 This function returns @code{nil}.
851 @node Choosing Window
852 @section Choosing a Window for Display
854 This section describes the basic facility that chooses a window to
855 display a buffer in---@code{display-buffer}. All the higher-level
856 functions and commands use this subroutine. Here we describe how to use
857 @code{display-buffer} and how to customize it.
859 @deffn Command display-buffer buffer-or-name &optional not-this-window override-frame
860 This command makes @var{buffer-or-name} appear in some window, like
861 @code{pop-to-buffer}, but it does not select that window and does not
862 make the buffer current. The identity of the selected window is
863 unaltered by this function.
865 @var{buffer-or-name} can be a buffer or the name of one.
867 If @var{not-this-window} is non-@code{nil}, it means to display the
868 specified buffer in a window other than the selected one, even if it is
869 already on display in the selected window. This can cause the buffer to
870 appear in two windows at once. Otherwise, if @var{buffer-or-name} is
871 already being displayed in any window, that is good enough, so this
872 function does nothing.
874 If @var{override-frame} is non-@code{nil}, display on that frame instead
875 of the current frame (or the dedicated frame).
877 @code{display-buffer} returns the window chosen to display @var{buffer-or-name}.
879 Precisely how @code{display-buffer} finds or creates a window depends on
880 the variables described below.
884 @cindex dedicated window
885 A window can be marked as ``dedicated'' to a particular buffer.
886 Then XEmacs will not automatically change which buffer appears in the
887 window, such as @code{display-buffer} might normally do.
889 @defun window-dedicated-p window
890 This function returns @var{window}'s dedicated object, usually @code{t}
894 @defun set-window-buffer-dedicated window buffer
895 This function makes @var{window} display @var{buffer} and be dedicated
896 to that buffer. Then XEmacs will not automatically change which buffer
897 appears in @var{window}. If @var{buffer} is @code{nil}, this function makes
898 @var{window} not be dedicated (but doesn't change which buffer appears
902 @defopt pop-up-windows
903 This variable controls whether @code{display-buffer} makes new windows.
904 If it is non-@code{nil} and there is only one window, then that window
905 is split. If it is @code{nil}, then @code{display-buffer} does not
906 split the single window, but uses it whole.
909 @defopt split-height-threshold
910 This variable determines when @code{display-buffer} may split a window,
911 if there are multiple windows. @code{display-buffer} always splits the
912 largest window if it has at least this many lines. If the largest
913 window is not this tall, it is split only if it is the sole window and
914 @code{pop-up-windows} is non-@code{nil}.
918 @defopt pop-up-frames
919 This variable controls whether @code{display-buffer} makes new frames.
920 If it is non-@code{nil}, @code{display-buffer} looks for an existing
921 window already displaying the desired buffer, on any visible frame. If
922 it finds one, it returns that window. Otherwise it makes a new frame.
923 The variables @code{pop-up-windows} and @code{split-height-threshold} do
924 not matter if @code{pop-up-frames} is non-@code{nil}.
926 If @code{pop-up-frames} is @code{nil}, then @code{display-buffer} either
927 splits a window or reuses one.
929 @xref{Frames}, for more information.
933 @defvar pop-up-frame-function
934 This variable specifies how to make a new frame if @code{pop-up-frames}
937 Its value should be a function of no arguments. When
938 @code{display-buffer} makes a new frame, it does so by calling that
939 function, which should return a frame. The default value of the
940 variable is a function that creates a frame using properties from
941 @code{pop-up-frame-plist}.
944 @defvar pop-up-frame-plist
945 This variable holds a plist specifying frame properties used when
946 @code{display-buffer} makes a new frame. @xref{Frame Properties}, for
947 more information about frame properties.
950 @defvar special-display-buffer-names
951 A list of buffer names for buffers that should be displayed specially.
952 If the buffer's name is in this list, @code{display-buffer} handles the
955 By default, special display means to give the buffer a dedicated frame.
957 If an element is a list, instead of a string, then the @sc{car} of the
958 list is the buffer name, and the rest of the list says how to create the
959 frame. There are two possibilities for the rest of the list. It can be
960 a plist, specifying frame properties, or it can contain a function and
961 arguments to give to it. (The function's first argument is always the
962 buffer to be displayed; the arguments from the list come after that.)
965 @defvar special-display-regexps
966 A list of regular expressions that specify buffers that should be
967 displayed specially. If the buffer's name matches any of the regular
968 expressions in this list, @code{display-buffer} handles the buffer
971 By default, special display means to give the buffer a dedicated frame.
973 If an element is a list, instead of a string, then the @sc{car} of the
974 list is the regular expression, and the rest of the list says how to
975 create the frame. See above, under @code{special-display-buffer-names}.
978 @defvar special-display-function
979 This variable holds the function to call to display a buffer specially.
980 It receives the buffer as an argument, and should return the window in
981 which it is displayed.
983 The default value of this variable is
984 @code{special-display-popup-frame}.
987 @defun special-display-popup-frame buffer
988 This function makes @var{buffer} visible in a frame of its own. If
989 @var{buffer} is already displayed in a window in some frame, it makes
990 the frame visible and raises it, to use that window. Otherwise, it
991 creates a frame that will be dedicated to @var{buffer}.
993 This function uses an existing window displaying @var{buffer} whether or
994 not it is in a frame of its own; but if you set up the above variables
995 in your init file, before @var{buffer} was created, then presumably the
996 window was previously made by this function.
999 @defopt special-display-frame-plist
1000 This variable holds frame properties for
1001 @code{special-display-popup-frame} to use when it creates a frame.
1004 @defvar same-window-buffer-names
1005 A list of buffer names for buffers that should be displayed in the
1006 selected window. If the buffer's name is in this list,
1007 @code{display-buffer} handles the buffer by switching to it in the
1011 @defvar same-window-regexps
1012 A list of regular expressions that specify buffers that should be
1013 displayed in the selected window. If the buffer's name matches any of
1014 the regular expressions in this list, @code{display-buffer} handles the
1015 buffer by switching to it in the selected window.
1019 @defvar display-buffer-function
1020 This variable is the most flexible way to customize the behavior of
1021 @code{display-buffer}. If it is non-@code{nil}, it should be a function
1022 that @code{display-buffer} calls to do the work. The function should
1023 accept two arguments, the same two arguments that @code{display-buffer}
1024 received. It should choose or create a window, display the specified
1025 buffer, and then return the window.
1027 This hook takes precedence over all the other options and hooks
1032 @cindex dedicated window
1033 A window can be marked as ``dedicated'' to its buffer. Then
1034 @code{display-buffer} does not try to use that window.
1036 @defun window-dedicated-p window
1037 This function returns @code{t} if @var{window} is marked as dedicated;
1038 otherwise @code{nil}.
1041 @defun set-window-dedicated-p window flag
1042 This function marks @var{window} as dedicated if @var{flag} is
1043 non-@code{nil}, and nondedicated otherwise.
1047 @section Windows and Point
1048 @cindex window position
1049 @cindex window point
1050 @cindex position in window
1051 @cindex point in window
1053 Each window has its own value of point, independent of the value of
1054 point in other windows displaying the same buffer. This makes it useful
1055 to have multiple windows showing one buffer.
1059 The window point is established when a window is first created; it is
1060 initialized from the buffer's point, or from the window point of another
1061 window opened on the buffer if such a window exists.
1064 Selecting a window sets the value of point in its buffer to the window's
1065 value of point. Conversely, deselecting a window sets the window's
1066 value of point from that of the buffer. Thus, when you switch between
1067 windows that display a given buffer, the point value for the selected
1068 window is in effect in the buffer, while the point values for the other
1069 windows are stored in those windows.
1072 As long as the selected window displays the current buffer, the window's
1073 point and the buffer's point always move together; they remain equal.
1076 @xref{Positions}, for more details on buffer positions.
1079 As far as the user is concerned, point is where the cursor is, and
1080 when the user switches to another buffer, the cursor jumps to the
1081 position of point in that buffer.
1083 @defun window-point &optional window
1084 This function returns the current position of point in @var{window}.
1085 For a non-selected window, this is the value point would have (in that
1086 window's buffer) if that window were selected.
1088 When @var{window} is the selected window and its buffer is also the
1089 current buffer, the value returned is the same as the value of point in
1092 Strictly speaking, it would be more correct to return the
1093 ``top-level'' value of point, outside of any @code{save-excursion}
1094 forms. But that value is hard to find.
1097 @defun set-window-point window position
1098 This function positions point in @var{window} at position
1099 @var{position} in @var{window}'s buffer.
1103 @section The Window Start Position
1105 Each window contains a marker used to keep track of a buffer position
1106 that specifies where in the buffer display should start. This position
1107 is called the @dfn{display-start} position of the window (or just the
1108 @dfn{start}). The character after this position is the one that appears
1109 at the upper left corner of the window. It is usually, but not
1110 inevitably, at the beginning of a text line.
1112 @defun window-start &optional window
1113 @cindex window top line
1114 This function returns the display-start position of window
1115 @var{window}. If @var{window} is @code{nil}, the selected window is
1125 When you create a window, or display a different buffer in it, the
1126 display-start position is set to a display-start position recently used
1127 for the same buffer, or 1 if the buffer doesn't have any.
1129 For a realistic example, see the description of @code{count-lines} in
1133 @defun window-end &optional window guarantee
1134 This function returns the position of the end of the display in window
1135 @var{window}. If @var{window} is @code{nil}, the selected window is
1138 Simply changing the buffer text or setting @code{window-start} does not
1139 update the value that @code{window-end} returns. The value is updated
1140 only when Emacs redisplays and redisplay actually finishes.
1142 If the last redisplay of @var{window} was preempted, and did not finish,
1143 Emacs does not know the position of the end of display in that window.
1144 In that case, this function returns a value that is not correct. In a
1145 future version, @code{window-end} will return @code{nil} in that case.
1147 If optional arg @var{guarantee} is non-@code{nil}, the return value is
1148 guaranteed to be the same as @code{window-end} would return at the end
1149 of the next full redisplay assuming nothing else changes in the
1150 meantime. This function is potentially much slower with this flag set.
1153 in that case, this function returns @code{nil}. You can compute where
1154 the end of the window @emph{would} have been, if redisplay had finished,
1159 (goto-char (window-start window))
1160 (vertical-motion (1- (window-height window))
1167 @defun set-window-start window position &optional noforce
1168 This function sets the display-start position of @var{window} to
1169 @var{position} in @var{window}'s buffer. It returns @var{position}.
1171 The display routines insist that the position of point be visible when a
1172 buffer is displayed. Normally, they change the display-start position
1173 (that is, scroll the window) whenever necessary to make point visible.
1174 However, if you specify the start position with this function using
1175 @code{nil} for @var{noforce}, it means you want display to start at
1176 @var{position} even if that would put the location of point off the
1177 screen. If this does place point off screen, the display routines move
1178 point to the left margin on the middle line in the window.
1180 For example, if point @w{is 1} and you set the start of the window @w{to
1181 2}, then point would be ``above'' the top of the window. The display
1182 routines will automatically move point if it is still 1 when redisplay
1183 occurs. Here is an example:
1187 ;; @r{Here is what @samp{foo} looks like before executing}
1188 ;; @r{the @code{set-window-start} expression.}
1192 ---------- Buffer: foo ----------
1193 @point{}This is the contents of buffer foo.
1199 ---------- Buffer: foo ----------
1205 (1+ (window-start)))
1210 ;; @r{Here is what @samp{foo} looks like after executing}
1211 ;; @r{the @code{set-window-start} expression.}
1212 ---------- Buffer: foo ----------
1213 his is the contents of buffer foo.
1219 ---------- Buffer: foo ----------
1223 If @var{noforce} is non-@code{nil}, and @var{position} would place point
1224 off screen at the next redisplay, then redisplay computes a new window-start
1225 position that works well with point, and thus @var{position} is not used.
1228 @defun pos-visible-in-window-p &optional position window
1229 This function returns @code{t} if @var{position} is within the range
1230 of text currently visible on the screen in @var{window}. It returns
1231 @code{nil} if @var{position} is scrolled vertically out of view. The
1232 argument @var{position} defaults to the current position of point;
1233 @var{window}, to the selected window. Here is an example:
1237 (or (pos-visible-in-window-p
1238 (point) (selected-window))
1243 The @code{pos-visible-in-window-p} function considers only vertical
1244 scrolling. If @var{position} is out of view only because @var{window}
1245 has been scrolled horizontally, @code{pos-visible-in-window-p} returns
1246 @code{t}. @xref{Horizontal Scrolling}.
1249 @node Vertical Scrolling
1250 @section Vertical Scrolling
1251 @cindex vertical scrolling
1252 @cindex scrolling vertically
1254 Vertical scrolling means moving the text up or down in a window. It
1255 works by changing the value of the window's display-start location. It
1256 may also change the value of @code{window-point} to keep it on the
1259 In the commands @code{scroll-up} and @code{scroll-down}, the directions
1260 ``up'' and ``down'' refer to the motion of the text in the buffer at which
1261 you are looking through the window. Imagine that the text is
1262 written on a long roll of paper and that the scrolling commands move the
1263 paper up and down. Thus, if you are looking at text in the middle of a
1264 buffer and repeatedly call @code{scroll-down}, you will eventually see
1265 the beginning of the buffer.
1267 Some people have urged that the opposite convention be used: they
1268 imagine that the window moves over text that remains in place. Then
1269 ``down'' commands would take you to the end of the buffer. This view is
1270 more consistent with the actual relationship between windows and the
1271 text in the buffer, but it is less like what the user sees. The
1272 position of a window on the terminal does not move, and short scrolling
1273 commands clearly move the text up or down on the screen. We have chosen
1274 names that fit the user's point of view.
1276 The scrolling functions (aside from @code{scroll-other-window}) have
1277 unpredictable results if the current buffer is different from the buffer
1278 that is displayed in the selected window. @xref{Current Buffer}.
1280 @deffn Command scroll-up &optional lines
1281 This function scrolls the text in the selected window upward
1282 @var{lines} lines. If @var{lines} is negative, scrolling is actually
1285 If @var{lines} is @code{nil} (or omitted), then the length of scroll
1286 is @code{next-screen-context-lines} lines less than the usable height of
1287 the window (not counting its modeline).
1289 @code{scroll-up} returns @code{nil}.
1292 @deffn Command scroll-down &optional lines
1293 This function scrolls the text in the selected window downward
1294 @var{lines} lines. If @var{lines} is negative, scrolling is actually
1297 If @var{lines} is omitted or @code{nil}, then the length of the scroll
1298 is @code{next-screen-context-lines} lines less than the usable height of
1299 the window (not counting its mode line).
1301 @code{scroll-down} returns @code{nil}.
1304 @deffn Command scroll-other-window &optional lines
1305 This function scrolls the text in another window upward @var{lines}
1306 lines. Negative values of @var{lines}, or @code{nil}, are handled
1307 as in @code{scroll-up}.
1309 You can specify a buffer to scroll with the variable
1310 @code{other-window-scroll-buffer}. When the selected window is the
1311 minibuffer, the next window is normally the one at the top left corner.
1312 You can specify a different window to scroll with the variable
1313 @code{minibuffer-scroll-window}. This variable has no effect when any
1314 other window is selected. @xref{Minibuffer Misc}.
1316 When the minibuffer is active, it is the next window if the selected
1317 window is the one at the bottom right corner. In this case,
1318 @code{scroll-other-window} attempts to scroll the minibuffer. If the
1319 minibuffer contains just one line, it has nowhere to scroll to, so the
1320 line reappears after the echo area momentarily displays the message
1321 ``Beginning of buffer''.
1325 @defvar other-window-scroll-buffer
1326 If this variable is non-@code{nil}, it tells @code{scroll-other-window}
1327 which buffer to scroll.
1331 This variable controls how scrolling is done automatically when point
1332 moves off the screen. If the value is zero, then redisplay scrolls the
1333 text to center point vertically in the window. If the value is a
1334 positive integer @var{n}, then redisplay brings point back on screen by
1335 scrolling @var{n} lines in either direction, if possible; otherwise, it
1336 centers point. The default value is zero.
1339 @defopt scroll-conservatively
1340 This variable controls how many lines Emacs tries to scroll before
1341 recentering. If you set it to a small number, then when you move point
1342 a short distance off the screen, XEmacs will scroll the screen just far
1343 enough to bring point back on screen, provided that does not exceed
1344 @code{scroll-conservatively} lines. This variable overrides the
1345 redisplay preemption.
1348 @defopt next-screen-context-lines
1349 The value of this variable is the number of lines of continuity to
1350 retain when scrolling by full screens. For example, @code{scroll-up}
1351 with an argument of @code{nil} scrolls so that this many lines at the
1352 bottom of the window appear instead at the top. The default value is
1356 @deffn Command recenter &optional location window
1357 @cindex centering point
1358 This function scrolls @var{window} (which defaults to the selected
1359 window) to put the text where point is located at a specified vertical
1360 position within the window.
1362 If @var{location} is a nonnegative number, it puts the line containing
1363 point @var{location} lines down from the top of the window. If @var{location}
1364 is a negative number, then it counts upward from the bottom of the
1365 window, so that @minus{}1 stands for the last usable line in the window.
1366 If @var{location} is a non-@code{nil} list, then it stands for the line in
1367 the middle of the window.
1369 If @var{location} is @code{nil}, @code{recenter} puts the line containing
1370 point in the middle of the window, then clears and redisplays the entire
1373 When @code{recenter} is called interactively, @var{location} is the raw
1374 prefix argument. Thus, typing @kbd{C-u} as the prefix sets the
1375 @var{location} to a non-@code{nil} list, while typing @kbd{C-u 4} sets
1376 @var{location} to 4, which positions the current line four lines from the
1379 With an argument of zero, @code{recenter} positions the current line at
1380 the top of the window. This action is so handy that some people make a
1381 separate key binding to do this. For example,
1385 (defun line-to-top-of-window ()
1386 "Scroll current line to top of window.
1387 Replaces three keystroke sequence C-u 0 C-l."
1391 (global-set-key [kp-multiply] 'line-to-top-of-window)
1396 @node Horizontal Scrolling
1397 @section Horizontal Scrolling
1398 @cindex horizontal scrolling
1400 Because we read English first from top to bottom and second from left
1401 to right, horizontal scrolling is not like vertical scrolling. Vertical
1402 scrolling involves selection of a contiguous portion of text to display.
1403 Horizontal scrolling causes part of each line to go off screen. The
1404 amount of horizontal scrolling is therefore specified as a number of
1405 columns rather than as a position in the buffer. It has nothing to do
1406 with the display-start position returned by @code{window-start}.
1408 Usually, no horizontal scrolling is in effect; then the leftmost
1409 column is at the left edge of the window. In this state, scrolling to
1410 the right is meaningless, since there is no data to the left of the
1411 screen to be revealed by it; so this is not allowed. Scrolling to the
1412 left is allowed; it scrolls the first columns of text off the edge of
1413 the window and can reveal additional columns on the right that were
1414 truncated before. Once a window has a nonzero amount of leftward
1415 horizontal scrolling, you can scroll it back to the right, but only so
1416 far as to reduce the net horizontal scroll to zero. There is no limit
1417 to how far left you can scroll, but eventually all the text will
1418 disappear off the left edge.
1420 @deffn Command scroll-left &optional count
1421 This function scrolls the selected window @var{count} columns to the
1422 left (or to the right if @var{count} is negative). The return value is
1423 the total amount of leftward horizontal scrolling in effect after the
1424 change---just like the value returned by @code{window-hscroll} (below).
1427 @deffn Command scroll-right &optional count
1428 This function scrolls the selected window @var{count} columns to the
1429 right (or to the left if @var{count} is negative). The return value is
1430 the total amount of leftward horizontal scrolling in effect after the
1431 change---just like the value returned by @code{window-hscroll} (below).
1433 Once you scroll a window as far right as it can go, back to its normal
1434 position where the total leftward scrolling is zero, attempts to scroll
1435 any farther right have no effect.
1438 @defun window-hscroll &optional window
1439 This function returns the total leftward horizontal scrolling of
1440 @var{window}---the number of columns by which the text in @var{window}
1441 is scrolled left past the left margin.
1443 The value is never negative. It is zero when no horizontal scrolling
1444 has been done in @var{window} (which is usually the case).
1446 If @var{window} is @code{nil}, the selected window is used.
1464 @defun set-window-hscroll window columns
1465 This function sets the number of columns from the left margin that
1466 @var{window} is scrolled to the value of @var{columns}. The argument
1467 @var{columns} should be zero or positive; if not, it is taken as zero.
1469 The value returned is @var{columns}.
1473 (set-window-hscroll (selected-window) 10)
1479 Here is how you can determine whether a given position @var{position}
1480 is off the screen due to horizontal scrolling:
1484 (defun hscroll-on-screen (window position)
1486 (goto-char position)
1488 (>= (- (current-column) (window-hscroll window)) 0)
1489 (< (- (current-column) (window-hscroll window))
1490 (window-width window)))))
1493 @node Size of Window
1494 @section The Size of a Window
1496 @cindex size of window
1498 An Emacs window is rectangular, and its size information consists of
1499 the height (in lines or pixels) and the width (in character positions
1500 or pixels). The modeline is included in the height. The pixel
1501 width and height values include scrollbars and margins, while the
1502 line/character-position values do not.
1504 Note that the height in lines, and the width in characters, are
1505 determined by dividing the corresponding pixel value by the height or
1506 width of the default font in that window (if this is a variable-width
1507 font, the average width is used). The resulting values may or may not
1508 represent the actual number of lines in the window, or the actual number
1509 of character positions in any particular line, esp. if there are pixmaps
1510 or various different fonts in the window.
1512 The following functions return size information about a window:
1514 @defun window-height &optional window
1515 This function returns the number of lines in @var{window}, including
1516 its modeline but not including the horizontal scrollbar, if any (this
1517 is different from @code{window-pixel-height}). If @var{window} is
1518 @code{nil}, the function uses the selected window.
1526 (split-window-vertically)
1527 @result{} #<window on "windows.texi" 0x679b>
1536 @defun window-width &optional window
1537 This function returns the number of columns in @var{window}, not
1538 including any left margin, right margin, or vertical scrollbar (this is
1539 different from @code{window-pixel-width}). If @var{window} is
1540 @code{nil}, the function uses the selected window.
1552 (split-window-horizontally)
1553 @result{} #<window on "windows.texi" 0x7538>
1562 Note that after splitting the window into two side-by-side windows,
1563 the width of each window is less the half the width of the original
1564 window because a vertical scrollbar appeared between the windows,
1565 occupying two columns worth of space. Also, the height shrunk by
1566 one because horizontal scrollbars appeared that weren't there
1567 before. (Horizontal scrollbars appear only when lines are
1568 truncated, not when they wrap. This is usually the case for
1569 horizontally split windows but not for full-frame windows. You
1570 can change this using the variables @code{truncate-lines} and
1571 @code{truncate-partial-width-windows}.)
1573 @defun window-pixel-height &optional window
1574 This function returns the height of @var{window} in pixels, including
1575 its modeline and horizontal scrollbar, if any. If @var{window} is
1576 @code{nil}, the function uses the selected window.
1580 (window-pixel-height)
1584 (split-window-vertically)
1585 @result{} #<window on "windows.texi" 0x68a6>
1588 (window-pixel-height)
1594 @defun window-pixel-width &optional window
1595 This function returns the width of @var{window} in pixels, including
1596 any left margin, right margin, or vertical scrollbar that may be
1597 displayed alongside it. If @var{window} is @code{nil}, the function
1598 uses the selected window.
1602 (window-pixel-width)
1606 (window-pixel-height)
1610 (split-window-horizontally)
1611 @result{} #<window on "windows.texi" 0x7538>
1614 (window-pixel-width)
1618 (window-pixel-height)
1624 @defun window-text-area-pixel-height &optional window
1625 This function returns the height in pixels of the text displaying
1626 portion of @var{window}, which defaults to the selected window. Unlike
1627 @code{window-pixel-height}, the space occupied by the modeline and
1628 horizontal scrollbar, if any, is not counted.
1631 @defun window-text-area-pixel-width &optional window
1632 This function returns the width in pixels of the text displaying
1633 portion of @var{window}, which defaults to the selected window. Unlike
1634 @code{window-pixel-width}, the space occupied by the vertical scrollbar
1635 and divider, if any, is not counted.
1638 @defun window-displayed-text-pixel-height &optional window noclipped
1639 This function returns the height in pixels of the text displayed in
1640 @var{window}, which defaults to the selected window. Unlike
1641 @code{window-text-area-pixel-height}, any blank space below the
1642 end of the buffer is not included. If optional argument @var{noclipped}
1643 is non-@code{nil}, any space occupied by clipped lines will not be
1647 @node Position of Window
1648 @section The Position of a Window
1649 @cindex window position
1650 @cindex position of window
1652 XEmacs provides functions to determine the absolute location of windows
1653 within a frame, and the relative location of a window in comparison to
1654 other windows in the same frame.
1656 @defun window-pixel-edges &optional window
1657 This function returns a list of the pixel edge coordinates of
1658 @var{window}. If @var{window} is @code{nil}, the selected window is
1661 The order of the list is @code{(@var{left} @var{top} @var{right}
1662 @var{bottom})}, all elements relative to 0, 0 at the top left corner of
1663 @var{window}'s frame. The element @var{right} of the value is one more
1664 than the rightmost pixel used by @var{window} (including any left
1665 margin, right margin, or vertical scrollbar displayed alongside it), and
1666 @var{bottom} is one more than the bottommost pixel used by @var{window}
1667 (including any modeline or horizontal scrollbar displayed above or below
1668 it). The frame area does not include any frame menubars, toolbars, or
1669 gutters that may be displayed; thus, for example, if there is only one
1670 window on the frame, the values for @var{left} and @var{top} will always
1673 If @var{window} is at the upper left corner of its frame, @var{right}
1674 and @var{bottom} are the same as the values returned by
1675 @code{(window-pixel-width)} and @code{(window-pixel-height)}
1676 respectively, and @var{left} and @var{top} are zero.
1679 There is no longer a function @code{window-edges} because it does not
1680 make sense in a world with variable-width and variable-height lines,
1681 as are allowed in XEmacs.
1683 @defun window-highest-p window
1684 This function returns non-@code{nil} if @var{window} is along the
1688 @defun window-lowest-p window
1689 This function returns non-@code{nil} if @var{window} is along the
1690 bottom of its frame.
1693 @defun window-text-area-pixel-edges &optional window
1694 This function allows one to determine the location of the
1695 text-displaying portion of @var{window}, which defaults to the selected
1696 window, with respect to the top left corner of the window. It returns
1697 a list of integer pixel positions @code{(left top right bottom)}, all
1698 relative to @code{(0,0)} at the top left corner of the window.
1701 @node Resizing Windows
1702 @section Changing the Size of a Window
1703 @cindex window resizing
1704 @cindex changing window size
1705 @cindex window size, changing
1707 The window size functions fall into two classes: high-level commands
1708 that change the size of windows and low-level functions that access
1709 window size. XEmacs does not permit overlapping windows or gaps between
1710 windows, so resizing one window affects other windows.
1712 @deffn Command enlarge-window count &optional horizontal window
1713 This function makes the selected window @var{count} lines taller,
1714 stealing lines from neighboring windows. It takes the lines from one
1715 window at a time until that window is used up, then takes from another.
1716 If a window from which lines are stolen shrinks below
1717 @code{window-min-height} lines, that window disappears.
1719 If @var{horizontal} is non-@code{nil}, this function makes
1720 @var{window} wider by @var{count} columns, stealing columns instead of
1721 lines. If a window from which columns are stolen shrinks below
1722 @code{window-min-width} columns, that window disappears.
1724 If the requested size would exceed that of the window's frame, then the
1725 function makes the window occupy the entire height (or width) of the
1728 If @var{count} is negative, this function shrinks the window by
1729 @minus{}@var{count} lines or columns. If that makes the window smaller
1730 than the minimum size (@code{window-min-height} and
1731 @code{window-min-width}), @code{enlarge-window} deletes the window.
1733 If @var{window} is non-@code{nil}, it specifies a window to change
1734 instead of the selected window.
1736 @code{enlarge-window} returns @code{nil}.
1739 @deffn Command enlarge-window-horizontally columns
1740 This function makes the selected window @var{columns} wider.
1741 It could be defined as follows:
1745 (defun enlarge-window-horizontally (columns)
1746 (enlarge-window columns t))
1751 @deffn Command enlarge-window-pixels count &optional side window
1752 This function makes the selected window @var{count} pixels larger.
1753 When called from Lisp, optional second argument @var{side}
1754 non-@code{nil} means to grow sideways @var{count} pixels, and optional
1755 third argument @var{window} specifies the window to change instead of
1756 the selected window.
1759 @deffn Command shrink-window count &optional horizontal window
1760 This function is like @code{enlarge-window} but negates the argument
1761 @var{count}, making the selected window smaller by giving lines (or
1762 columns) to the other windows. If the window shrinks below
1763 @code{window-min-height} or @code{window-min-width}, then it disappears.
1765 If @var{count} is negative, the window is enlarged by @minus{}@var{count}
1768 If @var{window} is non-@code{nil}, it specifies a window to change
1769 instead of the selected window.
1772 @deffn Command shrink-window-horizontally columns
1773 This function makes the selected window @var{columns} narrower.
1774 It could be defined as follows:
1778 (defun shrink-window-horizontally (columns)
1779 (shrink-window columns t))
1784 @deffn Command shrink-window-pixels count &optional side window
1785 This function makes the selected window @var{count} pixels smaller.
1786 When called from Lisp, optional second argument @var{side}
1787 non-@code{nil} means to shrink sideways @var{count} pixels, and optional
1788 third argument @var{window} specifies the window to change instead of
1789 the selected window.
1792 @cindex minimum window size
1793 The following two variables constrain the window-size-changing
1794 functions to a minimum height and width.
1796 @defopt window-min-height
1797 The value of this variable determines how short a window may become
1798 before it is automatically deleted. Making a window smaller than
1799 @code{window-min-height} automatically deletes it, and no window may be
1800 created shorter than this. The absolute minimum height is two (allowing
1801 one line for the mode line, and one line for the buffer display).
1802 Actions that change window sizes reset this variable to two if it is
1803 less than two. The default value is 4.
1806 @defopt window-min-width
1807 The value of this variable determines how narrow a window may become
1808 before it automatically deleted. Making a window smaller than
1809 @code{window-min-width} automatically deletes it, and no window may be
1810 created narrower than this. The absolute minimum width is one; any
1811 value below that is ignored. The default value is 10.
1814 @c This is not yet implemented. Why is it "documented"?
1815 @defvar window-size-change-functions
1816 This variable holds a list of functions to be called if the size of any
1817 window changes for any reason. The functions are called just once per
1818 redisplay, and just once for each frame on which size changes have
1821 Each function receives the frame as its sole argument. There is no
1822 direct way to find out which windows changed size, or precisely how;
1823 however, if your size-change function keeps track, after each change, of
1824 the windows that interest you, you can figure out what has changed by
1825 comparing the old size data with the new.
1827 Creating or deleting windows counts as a size change, and therefore
1828 causes these functions to be called. Changing the frame size also
1829 counts, because it changes the sizes of the existing windows.
1831 It is not a good idea to use @code{save-window-excursion} in these
1832 functions, because that always counts as a size change, and it would
1833 cause these functions to be called over and over. In most cases,
1834 @code{save-selected-window} is what you need here.
1837 @node Window Configurations
1838 @section Window Configurations
1839 @cindex window configurations
1840 @cindex saving window information
1842 A @dfn{window configuration} records the entire layout of a
1843 frame---all windows, their sizes, which buffers they contain, what part
1844 of each buffer is displayed, and the values of point and the mark. You
1845 can bring back an entire previous layout by restoring a window
1846 configuration previously saved.
1848 If you want to record all frames instead of just one, use a frame
1849 configuration instead of a window configuration. @xref{Frame
1852 @defun current-window-configuration &optional frame
1853 This function returns a new object representing the current window
1854 configuration of @var{frame}, namely the number of windows, their sizes
1855 and current buffers, which window is the selected window, and for each
1856 window the displayed buffer, the display-start position, and the
1857 positions of point and the mark. An exception is made for point in the
1858 current buffer, whose value is not saved.
1860 @var{frame} defaults to the selected frame.
1863 @defun set-window-configuration configuration
1864 This function restores the configuration of XEmacs's windows and
1865 buffers to the state specified by @var{configuration}. The argument
1866 @var{configuration} must be a value that was previously returned by
1867 @code{current-window-configuration}.
1869 This function always counts as a window size change and triggers
1870 execution of the @code{window-size-change-functions}. (It doesn't know
1871 how to tell whether the new configuration actually differs from the old
1874 Here is a way of using this function to get the same effect
1875 as @code{save-window-excursion}:
1879 (let ((config (current-window-configuration)))
1881 (progn (split-window-vertically nil)
1883 (set-window-configuration config)))
1888 @defspec save-window-excursion forms@dots{}
1889 This special form records the window configuration, executes @var{forms}
1890 in sequence, then restores the earlier window configuration. The window
1891 configuration includes the value of point and the portion of the buffer
1892 that is visible. It also includes the choice of selected window.
1893 However, it does not include the value of point in the current buffer;
1894 use @code{save-excursion} if you wish to preserve that.
1896 Don't use this construct when @code{save-selected-window} is all you need.
1898 Exit from @code{save-window-excursion} always triggers execution of the
1899 @code{window-size-change-functions}. (It doesn't know how to tell
1900 whether the restored configuration actually differs from the one in
1901 effect at the end of the @var{forms}.)
1903 The return value is the value of the final form in @var{forms}.
1909 @result{} #<window 25 on control.texi>
1912 (setq w (selected-window))
1913 @result{} #<window 19 on control.texi>
1916 (save-window-excursion
1917 (delete-other-windows w)
1918 (switch-to-buffer "foo")
1920 @result{} do-something
1921 ;; @r{The frame is now split again.}
1926 @defun window-configuration-p object
1927 This function returns @code{t} if @var{object} is a window configuration.
1930 Primitives to look inside of window configurations would make sense,
1931 but none are implemented. It is not clear they are useful enough to be