MultBuf Buf/Modes

Major and Minor Modes

Emacs has many different major modes, each of which customizes Emacs for editing text of a particular sort. Major modes are mutually exclusive---each buffer can have only one major mode at a time. Usually Emacs determines which mode to use based on the file name or some text in the file. To explicitly select a new mode type META-x modename-mode. The following is a listing of most of the major modes:

• Fundamental - default mode for editing normal text.
• Lisp - modes for editing Lisp code (there are four of them).
• Fortran - mode for editing Fortran code.
• C - mode for editing C code.
• Texinfo - mode for editing TeX source code.

Minor modes are options which you may use to customize your editing environment. All minor modes are independent of each other and the selected major mode. As with the major modes, type META-x modename-mode to toggle a minor mode. The following is a list of minor modes:

• Auto-Fill - allows you to enter text without having to break lines explicitly. Emacs inserts newlines automatically as necessary to prevent lines from becoming too long.
• Overwrite - causes ordinary printing characters to replace existing text instead of shoving it over. For example, if the cursor is on the `b' in `foobar', typing a `g' will produce `foogar', instead of the usual `foogbar'.
• Abbrev - allows you to define abbreviations that automatically expand as you type them. See the GNU Emacs Manual for more detailed information.

The file `~/.emacs' is another customization file located in your home directory which allows you to tailor your working environment. In it you can set default modes, associate commands with preferred keys, and other features designed to make life easier. Again, refer to the GNU Emacs Manual for more detailed information.

MultBuf

Buf/Modes