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<TITLE>mh-e - Conventions</TITLE>
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<H2><A NAME="SEC3" HREF="mh-e_toc.html#TOC3">GNU Emacs Terms and Conventions</A></H2>
<P>
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</P>
<P>
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<P>
If you're an experienced Emacs user, you can skip the following
conventions and definition of terms and go directly to section <A HREF="mh-e_4.html#SEC4">Getting Started</A> below. The conventions are as follows:
</P>
<DL COMPACT>
<DT><KBD>C-x</KBD>
<DD>
Hold down the <KBD>CTRL</KBD> (Control) key and press the <KBD>x</KBD> key.
<DT><KBD>M-x</KBD>
<DD>
Hold down the <KBD>META</KBD> or <KBD>ALT</KBD> key and press the <KBD>x</KBD> key.
Since some keyboards don't have a <KBD>META</KBD> key, you can generate
<KBD>M-x</KBD>, for example, by pressing <KBD>ESC</KBD> (Escape), <EM>releasing
it</EM>, <A NAME="DOCF3" HREF="mh-e_foot.html#FOOT3">(3)</A>
and then pressing the <KBD>x</KBD> key.
<DT><KBD>RET</KBD>
<DD>
Press the <KBD>RETURN</KBD> or <KBD>ENTER</KBD> key. This is normally used to
complete a command.
<DT><KBD>SPC</KBD>
<DD>
Press the space bar.
<DT><KBD>TAB</KBD>
<DD>
Press the <KBD>TAB</KBD> key.
<DT><KBD>DEL</KBD>
<DD>
Press the <KBD>DELETE</KBD> key. This may also be a Backspace key, depending
on your keyboard or Emacs configuration.
</DL>
<P>
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</P>
<P>
A <STRONG>prefix argument</STRONG> allows you to pass an argument to any Emacs
function. To pass an argument, type <KBD>C-u</KBD> before the Emacs command
or keystroke. Numeric arguments can be passed as well. For example, to
insert five f's, use <KBD>C-u 5 f</KBD>. There is a default of four when
using <KBD>C-u</KBD>, and you can use multiple prefix arguments to provide
arguments of powers of four. To continue our example, you could insert
four f's with <KBD>C-u f</KBD>, 16 f's with <KBD>C-u C-u f</KBD>, 64 f's with
<KBD>C-u C-u C-u f</KBD>, and so on. Numeric and valueless negative
arguments can also be inserted with the <KBD>META</KBD> key. Examples
include <KBD>M-5</KBD> to specify an argument of 5, or <KBD>M--</KBD> which
specifies a negative argument with no particular value.
</P>
<P>
<STRONG>NOTE</STRONG>
</P>
<BLOCKQUOTE>
<P>
The prefix <KBD>C-u</KBD> or <KBD>M-</KBD> is not necessary in mh-e's MH-Folder
modes (see section <A HREF="mh-e_6.html#SEC6">Receiving Mail</A>). In these modes, simply enter the
numerical argument before entering the command.
</BLOCKQUOTE>
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<P>
There are several other terms that are used in Emacs that you should
know. The <STRONG>point</STRONG> is where the cursor currently is. You can save
your current place in the file by setting a <STRONG>mark</STRONG>. This operation
is useful in several ways. The mark can be later used when defining a
<STRONG>region</STRONG>, which is the text between the point and mark. Many
commands operate on regions, such as those for deleting text or filling
paragraphs. A mark can be set with <KBD>C-@</KBD> (or <KBD>C-SPC</KBD>).
</P>
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</P>
<P>
The <STRONG>minibuffer</STRONG> is the bottom line of the Emacs window, where all
prompting and multiple-character input is directed. If you are prompted
for information in the minibuffer, such as a filename, Emacs can help
you complete your answer if you type <KBD>SPC</KBD> or <KBD>TAB</KBD>. A second
<KBD>SPC</KBD> or <KBD>TAB</KBD> will list all possibilities at that point. The
minibuffer is also where you enter Emacs function names after typing
<KBD>M-x</KBD>. For example, in the first paragraph, I mentioned that you
could obtain help with <KBD>C-h t</KBD> (<CODE>help-with-tutorial</CODE>). What
this means is that you can get a tutorial by typing either <KBD>C-h t</KBD>
or <KBD>M-x help-with-tutorial</KBD>. In the latter case, you are prompted
for <SAMP>`help-with-tutorial'</SAMP> in the minibuffer after typing <KBD>M-x</KBD>.
</P>
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</P>
<P>
<I>In case of trouble:</I> Emacs can be interrupted at any time with
<KBD>C-g</KBD>. For example, if you've started a command that requests that
you enter something in the minibuffer, but then you change your mind,
type <KBD>C-g</KBD> and you'll be back where you started. If you want to
exit Emacs entirely, use <KBD>C-x C-c</KBD>.
</P>
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