[Emacs-diffs] Changes to buffers.texi

[Glenn Morris]

CVSROOT:        /sources/emacs
Module name:    emacs
Changes by:     Glenn Morris <gm>       07/09/06 04:44:18

Index: buffers.texi
===================================================================
RCS file: buffers.texi
diff -N buffers.texi
--- /dev/null   1 Jan 1970 00:00:00 -0000
+++ buffers.texi        6 Sep 2007 04:44:18 -0000       1.1
@@ -0,0 +1,665 @@
address@hidden This is part of the Emacs manual.
address@hidden Copyright (C) 1985, 1986, 1987, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1997, 2000, 
2001,
address@hidden   2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 Free Software Foundation, 
Inc.
address@hidden See file emacs.texi for copying conditions.
address@hidden Buffers, Windows, Files, Top
address@hidden Using Multiple Buffers
+
address@hidden buffers
+  The text you are editing in Emacs resides in an object called a
address@hidden  Each time you visit a file, a buffer is created to hold the
+file's text.  Each time you invoke Dired, a buffer is created to hold the
+directory listing.  If you send a message with @kbd{C-x m}, a buffer named
address@hidden is used to hold the text of the message.  When you ask for a
+command's documentation, that appears in a buffer called @samp{*Help*}.
+
address@hidden selected buffer
address@hidden current buffer
+  At any time, one and only one buffer is @dfn{current}.  It is also
+called the @dfn{selected buffer}.  Often we say that a command operates on
+``the buffer'' as if there were only one; but really this means that the
+command operates on the current buffer (most commands do).
+
+  When Emacs has multiple windows, each window has its own chosen
+buffer and displays it; at any time, only one of the windows is
+selected, and its chosen buffer is the current buffer.  Each window's
+mode line normally displays the name of the window's chosen buffer
+(@pxref{Windows}).
+
+  Each buffer has a name, which can be of any length, and you can select
+any buffer by giving its name.  Most buffers are made by visiting files,
+and their names are derived from the files' names.  But you can also create
+an empty buffer with any name you want.  A newly started Emacs has a buffer
+named @samp{*scratch*} which can be used for evaluating Lisp expressions in
+Emacs.  The distinction between upper and lower case matters in buffer
+names.
+
+  Each buffer records individually what file it is visiting, whether it is
+modified, and what major mode and minor modes are in effect in it
+(@pxref{Major Modes}).  Any Emacs variable can be made @dfn{local to} a
+particular buffer, meaning its value in that buffer can be different from
+the value in other buffers.  @xref{Locals}.
+
address@hidden buffer size, maximum
+  A buffer's size cannot be larger than some maximum, which is defined
+by the largest buffer position representable by the @dfn{Emacs integer}
+data type.  This is because Emacs tracks buffer positions using that
+data type.  For 32-bit machines, the largest buffer size is 256
+megabytes.
+
address@hidden
+* Select Buffer::       Creating a new buffer or reselecting an old one.
+* List Buffers::        Getting a list of buffers that exist.
+* Misc Buffer::                Renaming; changing read-onlyness; copying text.
+* Kill Buffer::                Killing buffers you no longer need.
+* Several Buffers::     How to go through the list of all buffers
+                         and operate variously on several of them.
+* Indirect Buffers::    An indirect buffer shares the text of another buffer.
+* Buffer Convenience::  Convenience and customization features for
+                          buffer handling.
address@hidden menu
+
address@hidden Select Buffer
address@hidden Creating and Selecting Buffers
address@hidden change buffers
address@hidden switch buffers
+
address@hidden @kbd
address@hidden C-x b @var{buffer} @key{RET}
+Select or create a buffer named @var{buffer} (@code{switch-to-buffer}).
address@hidden C-x 4 b @var{buffer} @key{RET}
+Similar, but select @var{buffer} in another window
+(@code{switch-to-buffer-other-window}).
address@hidden C-x 5 b @var{buffer} @key{RET}
+Similar, but select @var{buffer} in a separate frame
+(@code{switch-to-buffer-other-frame}).
address@hidden C-x @key{LEFT}
+Select the previous buffer in the list of existing buffers.
address@hidden C-x @key{RIGHT}
+Select the next buffer in the list of existing buffers.
address@hidden C-u M-g M-g
address@hidden C-u M-g g
+Read a number @var{n} and move to line @var{n} in the most recently
+selected buffer other than the current buffer.
address@hidden table
+
address@hidden C-x b
address@hidden switch-to-buffer
+  To select the buffer named @var{bufname}, type @kbd{C-x b @var{bufname}
address@hidden  This runs the command @code{switch-to-buffer} with argument
address@hidden  You can use completion to enter the buffer
+name (@pxref{Completion}).  An empty argument to @kbd{C-x b}
+specifies the buffer that was current most recently among those not
+now displayed in any window.
+
address@hidden C-x @key{LEFT}
address@hidden C-x @key{RIGHT}
address@hidden next-buffer
address@hidden previous-buffer
+  For conveniently switching between a few buffers, use the commands
address@hidden @key{LEFT}} and @kbd{C-x @key{RIGHT}}.  @kbd{C-x @key{RIGHT}}
+(@code{previous-buffer}) selects the previous buffer (following the order
+of most recent selection in the current frame), while @kbd{C-x @key{LEFT}}
+(@code{next-buffer}) moves through buffers in the reverse direction.
+
address@hidden C-x 4 b
address@hidden switch-to-buffer-other-window
address@hidden even-window-heights
+  To select a buffer in a window other than the current one, type
address@hidden 4 b @var{bufname} @key{RET}}.  This runs the command
address@hidden which displays the buffer
address@hidden in another window.  By default, if displaying the buffer
+causes two vertically adjacent windows to be displayed, the heights of
+those windows are evened out; to countermand that and preserve the
+window configuration, set the variable @code{even-window-heights} to
address@hidden
+
address@hidden C-x 5 b
address@hidden switch-to-buffer-other-frame
+  Similarly, @kbd{C-x 5 b @var{buffer} @key{RET}} runs the command
address@hidden which selects a buffer in another
+frame.
+
address@hidden display-buffer-reuse-frames
+  You can control how certain buffers are handled by these commands by
+customizing the variables @code{special-display-buffer-names},
address@hidden, @code{same-window-buffer-names}, and
address@hidden  See @ref{Force Same Window}, and
address@hidden Buffer Frames}, for more about these variables.  In
+addition, if the value of @code{display-buffer-reuse-frames} is
address@hidden, and the buffer you want to switch to is already
+displayed in some frame, Emacs will just raise that frame.
+
+  Most buffers are created by visiting files, or by Emacs commands that
+want to display some text, but you can also create a buffer explicitly
+by typing @kbd{C-x b @var{bufname} @key{RET}}.  This makes a new, empty
+buffer that is not visiting any file, and selects it for editing.  Such
+buffers are used for making notes to yourself.  If you try to save one,
+you are asked for the file name to use.  The new buffer's major mode is
+determined by the value of @code{default-major-mode} (@pxref{Major
+Modes}).
+
+  Note that @kbd{C-x C-f}, and any other command for visiting a file,
+can also be used to switch to an existing file-visiting buffer.
address@hidden
+
+  @kbd{C-u M-g M-g}, that is @code{goto-line} with a prefix argument
+of just @kbd{C-u}, reads a number @var{n} using the minibuffer,
+selects the most recently selected buffer other than the current
+buffer in another window, and then moves point to the beginning of
+line number @var{n} in that buffer.  This is mainly useful in a buffer
+that refers to line numbers in another buffer: if point is on or just
+after a number, @code{goto-line} uses that number as the default for
address@hidden  Note that prefix arguments other than just @kbd{C-u} behave
+differently.  @kbd{C-u 4 M-g M-g} goes to line 4 in the @emph{current}
+buffer, without reading a number from the minibuffer.  (Remember that
address@hidden M-g} without prefix argument reads a number @var{n} and then
+moves to line number @var{n} in the current buffer.)
+
+  Emacs uses buffer names that start with a space for internal purposes.
+It treats these buffers specially in minor ways---for example, by
+default they do not record undo information.  It is best to avoid using
+such buffer names yourself.
+
address@hidden List Buffers
address@hidden Listing Existing Buffers
+
address@hidden @kbd
address@hidden C-x C-b
+List the existing buffers (@code{list-buffers}).
address@hidden table
+
address@hidden listing current buffers
address@hidden C-x C-b
address@hidden list-buffers
+  To display a list of existing buffers, type @kbd{C-x C-b}.  Each
+line in the list shows one buffer's name, major mode and visited file.
+The buffers are listed in the order that they were current; the
+buffers that were current most recently come first.
+
+  @samp{*} in the first field of a line indicates the buffer is
+``modified.''  If several buffers are modified, it may be time to save
+some with @kbd{C-x s} (@pxref{Save Commands}).  @samp{%} indicates a
+read-only buffer.  @samp{.} marks the current buffer.  Here is an
+example of a buffer list:@refill
+
address@hidden
+CRM Buffer                Size  Mode              File
+. * .emacs                3294  Emacs-Lisp        ~/.emacs
+ %  *Help*                 101  Help
+    search.c             86055  C                 ~/cvs/emacs/src/search.c
+ %  src                  20959  Dired by name     ~/cvs/emacs/src/
+  * *mail*                  42  Mail
+ %  HELLO                 1607  Fundamental       ~/cvs/emacs/etc/HELLO
+ %  NEWS                481184  Outline           ~/cvs/emacs/etc/NEWS
+    *scratch*              191  Lisp Interaction
+  * *Messages*            1554  Fundamental
address@hidden smallexample
+
address@hidden
+Note that the buffer @samp{*Help*} was made by a help request; it is
+not visiting any file.  The buffer @code{src} was made by Dired on the
+directory @file{~/cvs/emacs/src/}.  You can list only buffers that are
+visiting files by giving the command a prefix argument, as in
address@hidden C-x C-b}.
+
+  @code{list-buffers} omits buffers whose names begin with a space,
+unless they visit files: such buffers are used internally by Emacs.
+
address@hidden 2000
address@hidden Misc Buffer
address@hidden Miscellaneous Buffer Operations
+
address@hidden @kbd
address@hidden C-x C-q
+Toggle read-only status of buffer (@code{toggle-read-only}).
address@hidden M-x rename-buffer @key{RET} @var{name} @key{RET}
+Change the name of the current buffer.
address@hidden M-x rename-uniquely
+Rename the current buffer by adding @samp{<@var{number}>} to the end.
address@hidden M-x view-buffer @key{RET} @var{buffer} @key{RET}
+Scroll through buffer @var{buffer}.
address@hidden table
+
address@hidden C-x C-q
address@hidden buffer-read-only
address@hidden read-only buffer
+  A buffer can be @dfn{read-only}, which means that commands to change
+its contents are not allowed.  The mode line indicates read-only
+buffers with @samp{%%} or @samp{%*} near the left margin.  Read-only
+buffers are usually made by subsystems such as Dired and Rmail that
+have special commands to operate on the text; also by visiting a file
+whose access control says you cannot write it.
+
address@hidden toggle-read-only
+  If you wish to make changes in a read-only buffer, use the command
address@hidden C-q} (@code{toggle-read-only}).  It makes a read-only buffer
+writable, and makes a writable buffer read-only.  This
+works by setting the variable @code{buffer-read-only}, which has a local
+value in each buffer and makes the buffer read-only if its value is
address@hidden  If you have files under version control, you may find
+it convenient to bind @kbd{C-x C-q} to @code{vc-toggle-read-only}
+instead.  Then, typing @kbd{C-x C-q} not only changes the read-only
+flag, but it also checks the file in or out.  @xref{Version
+Control}.
+
address@hidden rename-buffer
+  @kbd{M-x rename-buffer} changes the name of the current buffer.  You
+specify the new name as a minibuffer argument; there is no default.
+If you specify a name that is in use for some other buffer, an error
+happens and no renaming is done.
+
address@hidden rename-uniquely
+  @kbd{M-x rename-uniquely} renames the current buffer to a similar
+name with a numeric suffix added to make it both different and unique.
+This command does not need an argument.  It is useful for creating
+multiple shell buffers: if you rename the @samp{*shell*} buffer, then
+do @kbd{M-x shell} again, it makes a new shell buffer named
address@hidden; meanwhile, the old shell buffer continues to exist
+under its new name.  This method is also good for mail buffers,
+compilation buffers, and most Emacs features that create special
+buffers with particular names.  (With some of these features, such as
address@hidden compile}, @kbd{M-x grep} an @kbd{M-x info}, you need to
+switch to some other buffer before using the command, in order for it
+to make a different buffer.)
+
address@hidden view-buffer
+  @kbd{M-x view-buffer} is much like @kbd{M-x view-file} (@pxref{Misc
+File Ops}) except that it examines an already existing Emacs buffer.
+View mode provides commands for scrolling through the buffer
+conveniently but not for changing it.  When you exit View mode with
address@hidden, that switches back to the buffer (and the position) which was
+previously displayed in the window.  Alternatively, if you exit View
+mode with @kbd{e}, the buffer and the value of point that resulted from
+your perusal remain in effect.
+
+  The commands @kbd{M-x append-to-buffer} and @kbd{M-x insert-buffer}
+can be used to copy text from one buffer to another.  @xref{Accumulating
+Text}.
+
address@hidden Kill Buffer
address@hidden Killing Buffers
+
address@hidden killing buffers
+  If you continue an Emacs session for a while, you may accumulate a
+large number of buffers.  You may then find it convenient to @dfn{kill}
+the buffers you no longer need.  On most operating systems, killing a
+buffer releases its space back to the operating system so that other
+programs can use it.  Here are some commands for killing buffers:
+
address@hidden @kbd
address@hidden C-x k @var{bufname} @key{RET}
+Kill buffer @var{bufname} (@code{kill-buffer}).
address@hidden M-x kill-some-buffers
+Offer to kill each buffer, one by one.
address@hidden table
+
address@hidden kill-buffer
address@hidden kill-some-buffers
address@hidden C-x k
+
+  @kbd{C-x k} (@code{kill-buffer}) kills one buffer, whose name you
+specify in the minibuffer.  The default, used if you type just
address@hidden in the minibuffer, is to kill the current buffer.  If you
+kill the current buffer, another buffer becomes current: one that was
+current in the recent past but is not displayed in any window now.  If
+you ask to kill a file-visiting buffer that is modified (has unsaved
+editing), then you must confirm with @kbd{yes} before the buffer is
+killed.
+
+  The command @kbd{M-x kill-some-buffers} asks about each buffer, one by
+one.  An answer of @kbd{y} means to kill the buffer.  Killing the current
+buffer or a buffer containing unsaved changes selects a new buffer or asks
+for confirmation just like @code{kill-buffer}.
+
+  The buffer menu feature (@pxref{Several Buffers}) is also convenient
+for killing various buffers.
+
address@hidden kill-buffer-hook
+  If you want to do something special every time a buffer is killed, you
+can add hook functions to the hook @code{kill-buffer-hook} (@pxref{Hooks}).
+
address@hidden clean-buffer-list
+  If you run one Emacs session for a period of days, as many people do,
+it can fill up with buffers that you used several days ago.  The command
address@hidden clean-buffer-list} is a convenient way to purge them; it kills
+all the unmodified buffers that you have not used for a long time.  An
+ordinary buffer is killed if it has not been displayed for three days;
+however, you can specify certain buffers that should never be killed
+automatically, and others that should be killed if they have been unused
+for a mere hour.
+
address@hidden Midnight mode
address@hidden midnight-mode
address@hidden midnight-hook
+  You can also have this buffer purging done for you, every day at
+midnight, by enabling Midnight mode.  Midnight mode operates each day at
+midnight; at that time, it runs @code{clean-buffer-list}, or whichever
+functions you have placed in the normal hook @code{midnight-hook}
+(@pxref{Hooks}).
+
+  To enable Midnight mode, use the Customization buffer to set the
+variable @code{midnight-mode} to @code{t}.  @xref{Easy Customization}.
+
address@hidden Several Buffers
address@hidden Operating on Several Buffers
address@hidden buffer menu
+
+  The @dfn{buffer-menu} facility is like a ``Dired for buffers''; it allows
+you to request operations on various Emacs buffers by editing an Emacs
+buffer containing a list of them.  You can save buffers, kill them
+(here called @dfn{deleting} them, for consistency with Dired), or display
+them.
+
address@hidden @kbd
address@hidden M-x buffer-menu
+Begin editing a buffer listing all Emacs buffers.
address@hidden M-x buffer-menu-other-window.
+Similar, but do it in another window.
address@hidden table
+
address@hidden buffer-menu
address@hidden buffer-menu-other-window
+  The command @code{buffer-menu} writes a list of all Emacs
address@hidden which don't visit files and whose names begin
+with a space are omitted: these are used internally by Emacs.} into the
+buffer @samp{*Buffer List*}, and selects that buffer in Buffer Menu
+mode.
+
+  The buffer is read-only, and can be
+changed only through the special commands described in this section.
+The usual Emacs cursor motion commands can be used in the @samp{*Buffer
+List*} buffer.  The following commands apply to the buffer described on
+the current line.
+
address@hidden @kbd
address@hidden d
+Request to delete (kill) the buffer, then move down.  The request
+shows as a @samp{D} on the line, before the buffer name.  Requested
+deletions take place when you type the @kbd{x} command.
address@hidden C-d
+Like @kbd{d} but move up afterwards instead of down.
address@hidden s
+Request to save the buffer.  The request shows as an @samp{S} on the
+line.  Requested saves take place when you type the @kbd{x} command.
+You may request both saving and deletion for the same buffer.
address@hidden x
+Perform previously requested deletions and saves.
address@hidden u
+Remove any request made for the current line, and move down.
address@hidden @key{DEL}
+Move to previous line and remove any request made for that line.
address@hidden table
+
+  The @kbd{d}, @kbd{C-d}, @kbd{s} and @kbd{u} commands to add or remove
+flags also move down (or up) one line.  They accept a numeric argument
+as a repeat count.
+
+  These commands operate immediately on the buffer listed on the current
+line:
+
address@hidden @kbd
address@hidden ~
+Mark the buffer ``unmodified.''  The command @kbd{~} does this
+immediately when you type it.
address@hidden %
+Toggle the buffer's read-only flag.  The command @kbd{%} does
+this immediately when you type it.
address@hidden t
+Visit the buffer as a tags table.  @xref{Select Tags Table}.
address@hidden table
+
+  There are also commands to select another buffer or buffers:
+
address@hidden @kbd
address@hidden q
+Quit the buffer menu---immediately display the most recent formerly
+visible buffer in its place.
address@hidden @key{RET}
address@hidden f
+Immediately select this line's buffer in place of the @samp{*Buffer
+List*} buffer.
address@hidden o
+Immediately select this line's buffer in another window as if by
address@hidden 4 b}, leaving @samp{*Buffer List*} visible.
address@hidden C-o
+Immediately display this line's buffer in another window, but don't
+select the window.
address@hidden 1
+Immediately select this line's buffer in a full-screen window.
address@hidden 2
+Immediately set up two windows, with this line's buffer selected in
+one, and the previously current buffer (aside from the buffer
address@hidden List*}) displayed in the other.
address@hidden b
+Bury the buffer listed on this line.
address@hidden m
+Mark this line's buffer to be displayed in another window if you exit
+with the @kbd{v} command.  The request shows as a @samp{>} at the
+beginning of the line.  (A single buffer may not have both a delete
+request and a display request.)
address@hidden v
+Immediately select this line's buffer, and also display in other windows
+any buffers previously marked with the @kbd{m} command.  If you have not
+marked any buffers, this command is equivalent to @kbd{1}.
address@hidden table
+
+  There is also a command that affects the entire buffer list:
+
address@hidden @kbd
address@hidden T
+Delete, or reinsert, lines for non-file buffers.  This command toggles
+the inclusion of such buffers in the buffer list.
address@hidden table
+
+  What @code{buffer-menu} actually does is create and switch to a
+suitable buffer, and turn on Buffer Menu mode in it.  Everything else
+described above is implemented by the special commands provided in
+Buffer Menu mode.  One consequence of this is that you can switch from
+the @samp{*Buffer List*} buffer to another Emacs buffer, and edit
+there.  You can reselect the @samp{*Buffer List*} buffer later, to
+perform the operations already requested, or you can kill it, or pay
+no further attention to it.
+
+  The list in the @samp{*Buffer List*} buffer looks exactly like the
+buffer list described in @ref{List Buffers}, because they really are
+the same.  The only difference between @code{buffer-menu} and
address@hidden is that @code{buffer-menu} switches to the
address@hidden List*} buffer in the selected window;
address@hidden displays the same buffer in another window.  If
+you run @code{list-buffers} (that is, type @kbd{C-x C-b}) and select
+the buffer list manually, you can use all of the commands described
+here.
+
+  Normally, the buffer @samp{*Buffer List*} is not updated
+automatically when buffers are created and killed; its contents are
+just text.  If you have created, deleted or renamed buffers, the way
+to update @samp{*Buffer List*} to show what you have done is to type
address@hidden (@code{revert-buffer}).  You can make this happen regularly
+every @code{auto-revert-interval} seconds if you enable Auto Revert
+mode in this buffer, as long as it is not marked modified.  Global
+Auto Revert mode applies to the @samp{*Buffer List*} buffer only if
address@hidden is address@hidden
address@hidden
address@hidden,, emacs-xtra}, for details.
address@hidden iftex
address@hidden
address@hidden, global-auto-revert-non-file-buffers}, for details.
address@hidden ifnottex
+
+
+  The command @code{buffer-menu-other-window} works the same as
address@hidden, except that it displays the buffers list in
+another window.
+
address@hidden Indirect Buffers
address@hidden Indirect Buffers
address@hidden indirect buffer
address@hidden base buffer
+
+  An @dfn{indirect buffer} shares the text of some other buffer, which
+is called the @dfn{base buffer} of the indirect buffer.  In some ways it
+is the analogue, for buffers, of a symbolic link between files.
+
address@hidden @kbd
address@hidden make-indirect-buffer
address@hidden M-x make-indirect-buffer @key{RET} @var{base-buffer} @key{RET} 
@var{indirect-name} @key{RET}
+Create an indirect buffer named @var{indirect-name} whose base buffer
+is @var{base-buffer}.
address@hidden clone-indirect-buffer
address@hidden M-x clone-indirect-buffer @key{RET}
+Create an indirect buffer that is a twin copy of the current buffer.
address@hidden C-x 4 c
address@hidden C-x 4 c
address@hidden clone-indirect-buffer-other-window
+Create an indirect buffer that is a twin copy of the current buffer, and
+select it in another window (@code{clone-indirect-buffer-other-window}).
address@hidden table
+
+  The text of the indirect buffer is always identical to the text of its
+base buffer; changes made by editing either one are visible immediately
+in the other.  But in all other respects, the indirect buffer and its
+base buffer are completely separate.  They have different names,
+different values of point, different narrowing, different markers,
+different major modes, and different local variables.
+
+  An indirect buffer cannot visit a file, but its base buffer can.  If
+you try to save the indirect buffer, that actually works by saving the
+base buffer.  Killing the base buffer effectively kills the indirect
+buffer, but killing an indirect buffer has no effect on its base buffer.
+
+  One way to use indirect buffers is to display multiple views of an
+outline.  @xref{Outline Views}.
+
+  A quick and handy way to make an indirect buffer is with the command
address@hidden clone-indirect-buffer}.  It creates and selects an indirect
+buffer whose base buffer is the current buffer.  With a numeric
+argument, it prompts for the name of the indirect buffer; otherwise it
+uses the name of the current buffer, with a @samp{<@var{n}>} suffix
+added.  @kbd{C-x 4 c} (@code{clone-indirect-buffer-other-window})
+works like @kbd{M-x clone-indirect-buffer}, but it selects the new
+buffer in another window.
+
+  The more general way to make an indirect buffer is with the command
address@hidden make-indirect-buffer}.  It creates an indirect buffer from
+buffer @var{base-buffer}, under the name @var{indirect-name}.  It
+prompts for both @var{base-buffer} and @var{indirect-name} using the
+minibuffer.
+
address@hidden Buffer Convenience
address@hidden Convenience Features and Customization of Buffer Handling
+
+   This section describes several modes and features that make it more
+convenient to switch between buffers.
+
address@hidden
+* Uniquify::               Making buffer names unique with directory parts.
+* Iswitchb::               Switching between buffers with substrings.
+* Buffer Menus::           Configurable buffer menu.
address@hidden menu
+
address@hidden Uniquify
address@hidden Making Buffer Names Unique
+
address@hidden unique buffer names
address@hidden directories in buffer names
+  When several buffers visit identically-named files, Emacs must give
+the buffers distinct names.  The usual method for making buffer names
+unique adds @samp{<2>}, @samp{<3>}, etc. to the end of the buffer
+names (all but one of them).
+
address@hidden uniquify-buffer-name-style
+  Other methods work by adding parts of each file's directory to the
+buffer name.  To select one, customize the variable
address@hidden (@pxref{Easy Customization}).
+
+  To begin with, the @code{forward} naming method includes part of the
+file's directory name at the beginning of the buffer name; using this
+method, buffers visiting the files @file{/u/rms/tmp/Makefile} and
address@hidden/usr/projects/zaphod/Makefile} would be named
address@hidden/Makefile} and @samp{zaphod/Makefile}, respectively (instead
+of @samp{Makefile} and @samp{Makefile<2>}).
+
+  In contrast, the @code{post-forward} naming method would call the
+buffers @samp{Makefile|tmp} and @samp{Makefile|zaphod}, and the
address@hidden naming method would call them @samp{Makefile\tmp} and
address@hidden  The nontrivial difference between
address@hidden and @code{reverse} occurs when just one directory
+name is not enough to distinguish two files; then @code{reverse} puts
+the directory names in reverse order, so that @file{/top/middle/file}
+becomes @samp{file\middle\top}, while @code{post-forward} puts them in
+forward order after the file name, as in @samp{file|top/middle}.
+
+  Which rule to follow for putting the directory names in the buffer
+name is not very important if you are going to @emph{look} at the
+buffer names before you type one.  But as an experienced user, if you
+know the rule, you won't have to look.  And then you may find that one
+rule or another is easier for you to remember and apply quickly.
+
address@hidden Iswitchb
address@hidden Switching Between Buffers using Substrings
+
address@hidden iswitchb-mode
address@hidden Iswitchb mode
address@hidden mode, Iswitchb
address@hidden C-x b @r{(Iswitchb mode)}
address@hidden C-x 4 b @r{(Iswitchb mode)}
address@hidden C-x 5 b @r{(Iswitchb mode)}
address@hidden C-x 4 C-o @r{(Iswitchb mode)}
+
+  Iswitchb global minor mode provides convenient switching between
+buffers using substrings of their names.  It replaces the normal
+definitions of @kbd{C-x b}, @kbd{C-x 4 b}, @kbd{C-x 5 b}, and @kbd{C-x
+4 C-o} with alternative commands that are somewhat ``smarter.''
+
+  When one of these commands prompts you for a buffer name, you can
+type in just a substring of the name you want to choose.  As you enter
+the substring, Iswitchb mode continuously displays a list of buffers
+that match the substring you have typed.
+
+  At any time, you can type @key{RET} to select the first buffer in
+the list.  So the way to select a particular buffer is to make it the
+first in the list.  There are two ways to do this.  You can type more
+of the buffer name and thus narrow down the list, excluding unwanted
+buffers above the desired one.  Alternatively, you can use @kbd{C-s}
+and @kbd{C-r} to rotate the list until the desired buffer is first.
+
+  @key{TAB} while entering the buffer name performs completion on the
+string you have entered, based on the displayed list of buffers.
+
+  To enable Iswitchb mode, type @kbd{M-x iswitchb-mode}, or customize
+the variable @code{iswitchb-mode} to @code{t} (@pxref{Easy
+Customization}).
+
address@hidden Buffer Menus
address@hidden Customizing Buffer Menus
+
address@hidden bs-show
address@hidden buffer list, customizable
address@hidden @kbd
address@hidden M-x bs-show
+Make a list of buffers similarly to @kbd{M-x list-buffers} but
+customizable.
address@hidden table
+
+  @kbd{M-x bs-show} pops up a buffer list similar to the one normally
+displayed by @kbd{C-x C-b} but which you can customize.  If you prefer
+this to the usual buffer list, you can bind this command to @kbd{C-x
+C-b}.  To customize this buffer list, use the @code{bs} Custom group
+(@pxref{Easy Customization}).
+
address@hidden msb-mode
address@hidden mode, MSB
address@hidden MSB mode
address@hidden buffer menu
address@hidden mouse-buffer-menu
address@hidden C-Down-Mouse-1
+  MSB global minor mode (``MSB'' stands for ``mouse select buffer'')
+provides a different and customizable mouse buffer menu which you may
+prefer.  It replaces the bindings of @code{mouse-buffer-menu},
+normally on @kbd{C-Down-Mouse-1}, and the menu bar buffer menu.  You
+can customize the menu in the @code{msb} Custom group.
+
address@hidden
+   arch-tag: 08c43460-f4f4-4b43-9cb5-1ea9ad991695
address@hidden ignore