bug#55257: master f2d2fe6fc8: server-execute: Initialize the *scratch* buffer

bug#55257: master f2d2fe6fc8: server-execute: Initialize the *scratch* buffer

[Sean Whitton]

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Hello,

On Thu 05 May 2022 at 03:07PM -07, Sean Whitton wrote:

> Hello,
>
> On Wed 04 May 2022 at 12:26PM -04, Stefan Monnier wrote:
>
>>> It looks like Fother_window is called only from Fcall_interactively and
>>> Fkill_buffer, so there probably isn't a bootstrapping issue if I make
>>> those Ffuncall my new `get-initial-buffer-create'.  It looks like
>>> bootstrapping C code just makes an empty *scratch* and leaves it to
>>> startup.el to initialise it.
>>
>> Even better,
>
> Here's my fix.  Haven't quite finished testing each and every call site
> but seemed worth posting it for comments.

Here's an updated patch.

-- 
Sean Whitton

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From 4b80914abeb67065b22eb0a491cf684a5b1eff71 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Sean Whitton <spwhitton@spwhitton.name>
Date: Thu, 5 May 2022 13:03:06 -0700
Subject: [PATCH v2] Factor out *scratch* initialization

* lisp/simple.el (get-initial-buffer-create): New function, factored
out of scratch-buffer, and additionally clearing the modification flag
and calling substitute-command-keys (bug#55257).
(scratch-buffer):
* lisp/server.el (server-execute):
* lisp/startup.el (normal-no-mouse-startup-screen, command-line-1):
* lisp/window.el (last-buffer, window-normalize-buffer-to-switch-to):
* src/buffer.c (Fother_buffer, other_buffer_safely): Use it.
(syms_of_buffer): Add Qget_initial_buffer_create.
* lisp/startup.el (startup--get-buffer-create-scratch): Delete
now-unused function.
* doc/lispref/os.texi (Summary: Sequence of Actions at Startup):
* NEWS (Incompatible changes in Emacs 29.1): Document the change.
---
 doc/lispref/os.texi |  8 ++++----
 etc/NEWS            |  8 ++++++++
 lisp/server.el      |  2 +-
 lisp/simple.el      | 20 ++++++++++++++------
 lisp/startup.el     | 12 +++---------
 lisp/window.el      | 18 ++++++++----------
 src/buffer.c        | 22 +++-------------------
 7 files changed, 41 insertions(+), 49 deletions(-)

diff --git a/doc/lispref/os.texi b/doc/lispref/os.texi
index 9df708532d..f4dd2e7072 100644
--- a/doc/lispref/os.texi
+++ b/doc/lispref/os.texi
@@ -329,10 +329,10 @@ Startup Summary
 @end defopt
 
 @defopt initial-scratch-message
-This variable, if non-@code{nil}, should be a string, which is
-treated as documentation to be
-inserted into the @file{*scratch*} buffer when Emacs starts up.  If it
-is @code{nil}, the @file{*scratch*} buffer is empty.
+This variable, if non-@code{nil}, should be a string, which is treated
+as documentation to be inserted into the @file{*scratch*} buffer when
+Emacs starts up or when that buffer is recreated.  If it is
+@code{nil}, the @file{*scratch*} buffer is empty.
 @end defopt
 
 @noindent
diff --git a/etc/NEWS b/etc/NEWS
index 6637eda00c..20ef8f7b52 100644
--- a/etc/NEWS
+++ b/etc/NEWS
@@ -238,6 +238,14 @@ encouraged to test timestamp-related code with this variable set to
 nil, as it will default to nil in a future Emacs version and will be
 removed some time after that.
 
++++
+** Functions which recreate the *scratch* buffer now also initialize it.
+When functions like 'other-buffer' and 'server-execute' recreate
+*scratch*, they now also insert 'initial-scratch-message' and change
+the major mode according to 'initial-major-mode', like at Emacs
+startup.  Previously, these functions ignored
+'initial-scratch-message' and left *scratch* in 'fundamental-mode'.
+
 \f
 * Changes in Emacs 29.1
 
diff --git a/lisp/server.el b/lisp/server.el
index 763cf27f7a..042962b8e9 100644
--- a/lisp/server.el
+++ b/lisp/server.el
@@ -1367,7 +1367,7 @@ server-execute
 			 ((functionp initial-buffer-choice)
 			  (funcall initial-buffer-choice)))))
 	      (switch-to-buffer
-	       (if (buffer-live-p buf) buf (get-buffer-create "*scratch*"))
+	       (if (buffer-live-p buf) buf (get-initial-buffer-create))
 	       'norecord)))
 
           ;; Delete the client if necessary.
diff --git a/lisp/simple.el b/lisp/simple.el
index 861d9eefde..1ed82b0a48 100644
--- a/lisp/simple.el
+++ b/lisp/simple.el
@@ -10213,16 +10213,24 @@ capitalize-dwim
 the number of seconds east of Greenwich.")
   )
 
+(defun get-initial-buffer-create ()
+  "Return the \*scratch\* buffer, creating a new one if needed."
+  (or (get-buffer "*scratch*")
+      (let ((scratch (get-buffer-create "*scratch*")))
+        ;; Don't touch the buffer contents or mode unless we know that
+        ;; we just created it.
+        (with-current-buffer scratch
+          (when initial-scratch-message
+            (insert (substitute-command-keys initial-scratch-message))
+            (set-buffer-modified-p nil))
+          (funcall initial-major-mode))
+        scratch)))
+
 (defun scratch-buffer ()
   "Switch to the \*scratch\* buffer.
 If the buffer doesn't exist, create it first."
   (interactive)
-  (if (get-buffer "*scratch*")
-      (pop-to-buffer-same-window "*scratch*")
-    (pop-to-buffer-same-window (get-buffer-create "*scratch*"))
-    (when initial-scratch-message
-      (insert initial-scratch-message))
-    (funcall initial-major-mode)))
+  (pop-to-buffer-same-window (get-initial-buffer-create)))
 
 \f
 
diff --git a/lisp/startup.el b/lisp/startup.el
index c7cf86a01e..3fa25ddee9 100644
--- a/lisp/startup.el
+++ b/lisp/startup.el
@@ -2355,7 +2355,7 @@ normal-no-mouse-startup-screen
   (insert "\t\t")
   (insert-button "Open *scratch* buffer"
 		 'action (lambda (_button) (switch-to-buffer
-                                       (startup--get-buffer-create-scratch)))
+                                       (get-initial-buffer-create)))
 		 'follow-link t)
   (insert "\n")
   (save-restriction
@@ -2487,12 +2487,6 @@ display-about-screen
 (defalias 'about-emacs 'display-about-screen)
 (defalias 'display-splash-screen 'display-startup-screen)
 
-(defun startup--get-buffer-create-scratch ()
-  (or (get-buffer "*scratch*")
-      (with-current-buffer (get-buffer-create "*scratch*")
-        (set-buffer-major-mode (current-buffer))
-        (current-buffer))))
-
 ;; This avoids byte-compiler warning in the unexec build.
 (declare-function pdumper-stats "pdumper.c" ())
 
@@ -2784,7 +2778,7 @@ command-line-1
     (when (eq initial-buffer-choice t)
       ;; When `initial-buffer-choice' equals t make sure that *scratch*
       ;; exists.
-      (startup--get-buffer-create-scratch))
+      (get-initial-buffer-create))
 
     ;; If *scratch* exists and is empty, insert initial-scratch-message.
     ;; Do this before switching to *scratch* below to handle bug#9605.
@@ -2808,7 +2802,7 @@ command-line-1
 		   ((functionp initial-buffer-choice)
 		    (funcall initial-buffer-choice))
                    ((eq initial-buffer-choice t)
-                    (startup--get-buffer-create-scratch))
+                    (get-initial-buffer-create))
                    (t
                     (error "`initial-buffer-choice' must be a string, a function, or t")))))
         (unless (buffer-live-p buf)
diff --git a/lisp/window.el b/lisp/window.el
index 9f78784612..615c5c078a 100644
--- a/lisp/window.el
+++ b/lisp/window.el
@@ -4886,10 +4886,7 @@ last-buffer
   (setq frame (or frame (selected-frame)))
   (or (get-next-valid-buffer (nreverse (buffer-list frame))
  			     buffer visible-ok frame)
-      (get-buffer "*scratch*")
-      (let ((scratch (get-buffer-create "*scratch*")))
-	(set-buffer-major-mode scratch)
-	scratch)))
+      (get-initial-buffer-create)))
 
 (defcustom frame-auto-hide-function #'iconify-frame
   "Function called to automatically hide frames.
@@ -8621,12 +8618,13 @@ window-normalize-buffer-to-switch-to
 `other-buffer'.  Else, if a buffer specified by BUFFER-OR-NAME
 exists, return that buffer.  If no such buffer exists, create a
 buffer with the name BUFFER-OR-NAME and return that buffer."
-  (if buffer-or-name
-      (or (get-buffer buffer-or-name)
-	  (let ((buffer (get-buffer-create buffer-or-name)))
-	    (set-buffer-major-mode buffer)
-	    buffer))
-    (other-buffer)))
+  (pcase buffer-or-name
+    ('nil (other-buffer))
+    ("*scratch*" (get-initial-buffer-create))
+    (_ (or (get-buffer buffer-or-name)
+	   (let ((buffer (get-buffer-create buffer-or-name)))
+	     (set-buffer-major-mode buffer)
+	     buffer)))))
 
 (defcustom switch-to-buffer-preserve-window-point t
   "If non-nil, `switch-to-buffer' tries to preserve `window-point'.
diff --git a/src/buffer.c b/src/buffer.c
index f8a7a4f510..a153ffe78c 100644
--- a/src/buffer.c
+++ b/src/buffer.c
@@ -1634,16 +1634,7 @@ DEFUN ("other-buffer", Fother_buffer, Sother_buffer, 0, 3, 0,
   if (!NILP (notsogood))
     return notsogood;
   else
-    {
-      AUTO_STRING (scratch, "*scratch*");
-      buf = Fget_buffer (scratch);
-      if (NILP (buf))
-	{
-	  buf = Fget_buffer_create (scratch, Qnil);
-	  Fset_buffer_major_mode (buf);
-	}
-      return buf;
-    }
+    return safe_call (1, Qget_initial_buffer_create);
 }
 
 /* The following function is a safe variant of Fother_buffer: It doesn't
@@ -1659,15 +1650,7 @@ other_buffer_safely (Lisp_Object buffer)
     if (candidate_buffer (buf, buffer))
       return buf;
 
-  AUTO_STRING (scratch, "*scratch*");
-  buf = Fget_buffer (scratch);
-  if (NILP (buf))
-    {
-      buf = Fget_buffer_create (scratch, Qnil);
-      Fset_buffer_major_mode (buf);
-    }
-
-  return buf;
+  return safe_call (1, Qget_initial_buffer_create);
 }
 \f
 DEFUN ("buffer-enable-undo", Fbuffer_enable_undo, Sbuffer_enable_undo,
@@ -5552,6 +5535,7 @@ syms_of_buffer (void)
   DEFSYM (Qbefore_change_functions, "before-change-functions");
   DEFSYM (Qafter_change_functions, "after-change-functions");
   DEFSYM (Qkill_buffer_query_functions, "kill-buffer-query-functions");
+  DEFSYM (Qget_initial_buffer_create, "get-initial-buffer-create");
 
   DEFSYM (Qvertical_scroll_bar, "vertical-scroll-bar");
   Fput (Qvertical_scroll_bar, Qchoice, list4 (Qnil, Qt, Qleft, Qright));
-- 
2.30.2

bug#55257: master f2d2fe6fc8: server-execute: Initialize the *scratch* buffer

[Stefan Monnier via Bug reports for GNU Emacs, the Swiss army knife of text editors]

> Here's an updated patch.

LGTM, thank you (feel free to push, as far as I'm concerned).
See further comments below.


        Stefan


> +** Functions which recreate the *scratch* buffer now also initialize it.
> +When functions like 'other-buffer' and 'server-execute' recreate
> +*scratch*, they now also insert 'initial-scratch-message' and change
> +the major mode according to 'initial-major-mode', like at Emacs
> +startup.  Previously, these functions ignored
> +'initial-scratch-message' and left *scratch* in 'fundamental-mode'.

I'd say "set the major mode" rather than "change the major mode".

> +(defun get-initial-buffer-create ()

I know you didn't like my `scratch-buffer--create` suggestion because of
the double dash, but I think at least "scratch" would be very welcome in it.

> +  "Return the \*scratch\* buffer, creating a new one if needed."
> +  (or (get-buffer "*scratch*")
> +      (let ((scratch (get-buffer-create "*scratch*")))
> +        ;; Don't touch the buffer contents or mode unless we know that
> +        ;; we just created it.
> +        (with-current-buffer scratch
> +          (when initial-scratch-message
> +            (insert (substitute-command-keys initial-scratch-message))
> +            (set-buffer-modified-p nil))
> +          (funcall initial-major-mode))
> +        scratch)))
> +
>  (defun scratch-buffer ()
>    "Switch to the \*scratch\* buffer.
>  If the buffer doesn't exist, create it first."
>    (interactive)
> -  (if (get-buffer "*scratch*")
> -      (pop-to-buffer-same-window "*scratch*")
> -    (pop-to-buffer-same-window (get-buffer-create "*scratch*"))
> -    (when initial-scratch-message
> -      (insert initial-scratch-message))
> -    (funcall initial-major-mode)))
> +  (pop-to-buffer-same-window (get-initial-buffer-create)))

Now that I look at it again, it occurs to me that maybe we should do
something like:

    (defun scratch-buffer (&optional display)
      "Create the \*scratch\* buffer.
    If the buffer doesn't exist, create it first.
    If DISPLAY (or when used interactively), switch to it."
      (interactive (list t))
      (let ((buf (get-buffer "*scratch*")))
        (unless buf
          ;; Don't touch the buffer contents or mode unless we know that
          ;; we just created it.
          (with-current-buffer (setq buf (get-buffer-create "*scratch*"))
            (when initial-scratch-message
              (insert (substitute-command-keys initial-scratch-message))
              (set-buffer-modified-p nil))
            (funcall initial-major-mode)))
        (when display (pop-to-buffer-same-window buf))
        buf))

i.e. combine the new function with the existing command, so we don't
need to come up with a new name.

bug#55257: master f2d2fe6fc8: server-execute: Initialize the *scratch* buffer

[Sean Whitton]

Hello,

On Mon 09 May 2022 at 02:11pm -04, Stefan Monnier wrote:

> I know you didn't like my `scratch-buffer--create` suggestion because of
> the double dash, but I think at least "scratch" would be very welcome in it.

I've done s/initial/scratch/ which is better because this function
always uses *scratch* rather than, say, looking at initial-buffer-choice.

> Now that I look at it again, it occurs to me that maybe we should do
> something like:
>
>     (defun scratch-buffer (&optional display)
>       "Create the \*scratch\* buffer.
>     If the buffer doesn't exist, create it first.
>     If DISPLAY (or when used interactively), switch to it."
>       (interactive (list t))
>       (let ((buf (get-buffer "*scratch*")))
>         (unless buf
>           ;; Don't touch the buffer contents or mode unless we know that
>           ;; we just created it.
>           (with-current-buffer (setq buf (get-buffer-create "*scratch*"))
>             (when initial-scratch-message
>               (insert (substitute-command-keys initial-scratch-message))
>               (set-buffer-modified-p nil))
>             (funcall initial-major-mode)))
>         (when display (pop-to-buffer-same-window buf))
>         buf))
>
> i.e. combine the new function with the existing command, so we don't
> need to come up with a new name.

Nice idea, but I'd argue for keeping them separate.  I find it more
natural to distinguish functions called for their return values and
commands.

-- 
Sean Whitton