* Emacs book
@ 2025-01-30 4:58 Xavier Maillard
2025-01-30 8:11 ` Michael Albinus
2025-02-01 21:12 ` tpeplt
0 siblings, 2 replies; 9+ messages in thread
From: Xavier Maillard @ 2025-01-30 4:58 UTC (permalink / raw)
To: hemacs
Hello,
Upon default manuals integrated with GNU emacs distribution, what are
good books you would recommend for newcoming users ?
Thx
- xavier.
^ permalink raw reply [flat|nested] 9+ messages in thread
* Re: Emacs book
2025-01-30 4:58 Emacs book Xavier Maillard
@ 2025-01-30 8:11 ` Michael Albinus
2025-02-01 21:12 ` tpeplt
1 sibling, 0 replies; 9+ messages in thread
From: Michael Albinus @ 2025-01-30 8:11 UTC (permalink / raw)
To: Xavier Maillard; +Cc: hemacs
Xavier Maillard <x@maillard.im> writes:
> Hello,
Hi Xavier,
> Upon default manuals integrated with GNU emacs distribution, what are
> good books you would recommend for newcoming users ?
Mickey Petersen, "Mastering Emacs"
<https://www.masteringemacs.org/book>
> Thx
>
> - xavier.
Best regards, Michael.
^ permalink raw reply [flat|nested] 9+ messages in thread
* Re: Emacs book
2025-01-30 4:58 Emacs book Xavier Maillard
2025-01-30 8:11 ` Michael Albinus
@ 2025-02-01 21:12 ` tpeplt
2025-02-01 22:07 ` Daniel Harris via Users list for the GNU Emacs text editor
1 sibling, 1 reply; 9+ messages in thread
From: tpeplt @ 2025-02-01 21:12 UTC (permalink / raw)
To: Xavier Maillard; +Cc: hemacs
Xavier Maillard <x@maillard.im> writes:
> Hello,
>
> Upon default manuals integrated with GNU emacs distribution, what are
> good books you would recommend for newcoming users ?
>
> Thx
>
> - xavier.
If you start Emacs from a shell prompt with the command ‘emacs -q’, then
Emacs will display what is called the "splash" screen. This screen
provides three hypertext links (and some others) that are intended to
help new users get started with using Emacs. It was not clear to me
from your question whether you had followed (clicked on) those links.
1. If you click on the link titled "Emacs Tutorial", then Emacs will
display a tutorial to help you get started learning how to use Emacs.
This tutorial is intended to be interactive and can be stopped and
started from where you left off by typing ‘C-h t’ (Control-key plus the
‘h’ key, followed by the ‘t’ key), or you can restart the tutorial from
the beginning as many times as you want.
2. If you click on the link titled "Emacs Guided Tour", then Emacs will
use its built-in web browser to display the web page
"https://www.gnu.org/software/emacs/tour/". You should read this web
page to get introduced to many of the capabilities that Emacs provides
to its users. (Of course, this assumes that your computer is connected
to the internet in order to access this web page.)
3. If you click on the link titled "View Emacs Manual", then Emacs will
display its internal user manual, which you will want to be able to
refer to in order to learn many editing capabilities in detail. This
manual is kept in a format referred to as an Info manual. There are
many such manuals for many (mostly GNU) software packages. When you
first view the Emacs user manual, there is the following message about
Info:
"If you are reading this in Emacs, type ‘h’ to read a basic
introduction to the Info documentation system."
If you then type ‘h’, you will be put into Info’s user manual (also in
the Info format), where it will explain how to use the Info mode.
The Emacs user manual is large and so you will need to refer back to it
many times to learn or re-learn various details. The key combination
‘C-h r’ will open the manual at any time while using Emacs.
A common problem that new users have is to begin customizing Emacs
shortly after starting to learn how to use it. This often leads to
users making mistakes and getting frustrated with the process of
customization. Unless you have an experienced Emacs user that you can
consult with, you can avoid this problem by using Emacs as it is until
you become knowledgeable with how to use its default behavior.
--
The lyf so short, the craft so long to lerne.
- Geoffrey Chaucer, The Parliament of Birds.
^ permalink raw reply [flat|nested] 9+ messages in thread
* Re: Emacs book
2025-02-01 21:12 ` tpeplt
@ 2025-02-01 22:07 ` Daniel Harris via Users list for the GNU Emacs text editor
2025-02-02 1:21 ` tpeplt
0 siblings, 1 reply; 9+ messages in thread
From: Daniel Harris via Users list for the GNU Emacs text editor @ 2025-02-01 22:07 UTC (permalink / raw)
To: tpeplt; +Cc: Xavier Maillard, hemacs
[-- Attachment #1: Type: text/plain, Size: 3225 bytes --]
I like to have the reference card open in one window all the time just as a
quick reference. I will try and attach the one i use just in case it is
useful. Its just a copy of the bog standard ref card but in an org format
Dan
On Sat, Feb 1, 2025 at 9:12 PM tpeplt <tpeplt@gmail.com> wrote:
> Xavier Maillard <x@maillard.im> writes:
>
> > Hello,
> >
> > Upon default manuals integrated with GNU emacs distribution, what are
> > good books you would recommend for newcoming users ?
> >
> > Thx
> >
> > - xavier.
>
> If you start Emacs from a shell prompt with the command ‘emacs -q’, then
> Emacs will display what is called the "splash" screen. This screen
> provides three hypertext links (and some others) that are intended to
> help new users get started with using Emacs. It was not clear to me
> from your question whether you had followed (clicked on) those links.
>
> 1. If you click on the link titled "Emacs Tutorial", then Emacs will
> display a tutorial to help you get started learning how to use Emacs.
> This tutorial is intended to be interactive and can be stopped and
> started from where you left off by typing ‘C-h t’ (Control-key plus the
> ‘h’ key, followed by the ‘t’ key), or you can restart the tutorial from
> the beginning as many times as you want.
>
> 2. If you click on the link titled "Emacs Guided Tour", then Emacs will
> use its built-in web browser to display the web page
> "https://www.gnu.org/software/emacs/tour/". You should read this web
> page to get introduced to many of the capabilities that Emacs provides
> to its users. (Of course, this assumes that your computer is connected
> to the internet in order to access this web page.)
>
> 3. If you click on the link titled "View Emacs Manual", then Emacs will
> display its internal user manual, which you will want to be able to
> refer to in order to learn many editing capabilities in detail. This
> manual is kept in a format referred to as an Info manual. There are
> many such manuals for many (mostly GNU) software packages. When you
> first view the Emacs user manual, there is the following message about
> Info:
>
> "If you are reading this in Emacs, type ‘h’ to read a basic
> introduction to the Info documentation system."
>
> If you then type ‘h’, you will be put into Info’s user manual (also in
> the Info format), where it will explain how to use the Info mode.
>
> The Emacs user manual is large and so you will need to refer back to it
> many times to learn or re-learn various details. The key combination
> ‘C-h r’ will open the manual at any time while using Emacs.
>
> A common problem that new users have is to begin customizing Emacs
> shortly after starting to learn how to use it. This often leads to
> users making mistakes and getting frustrated with the process of
> customization. Unless you have an experienced Emacs user that you can
> consult with, you can avoid this problem by using Emacs as it is until
> you become knowledgeable with how to use its default behavior.
>
> --
> The lyf so short, the craft so long to lerne.
> - Geoffrey Chaucer, The Parliament of Birds.
>
>
[-- Attachment #2: refcard.org --]
[-- Type: text/org, Size: 10644 bytes --]
GNU Emacs Reference Card
(Move cursor key onto * and press TAB to reveal commands)
Meta key is ESC key in terminal
ESC ESC ESC to cancel
C-g to cancel
* Starting Emacs
To enter GNU Emacs, just type its name: emacs
* Leaving Emacs
Suspend Emacs (or iconify it under X) C-z
Exit Emacs permanently (no save) C-x C-c
* Menu Access
access the top menu bar F10
* Getting Help
The help system is simple. Type C-h (or F1) and follow
the directions. If you are a first-time user, type C-h t for a
tutorial.
remove help window C-x 1
scroll help window C-M-v
show commands matching a string C-h a
describe the function a key combination runs C-h k
describe a function C-h f
get mode-specific information C-h m
* Files
open a file in Emacs C-x C-f
open a file with sudo /sudo::/dir/to/file.txt
open a file in an other window C-x 4 f
save a file back to disk C-x C-s
save all files C-x s
save file as C-x C-w
insert contents of another file into this buffer C-x i
toggle read-only status of buffer C-x C-q
* Multiple Windows
When two commands are shown, the second is a
similar command for a frame instead of a window.
close all non active windows C-x 1 C-x 5 1
close active window C-x 0 C-x 5 0
split window, above and below C-x 2 C-x 5 2
split window, side by side C-x 3
scroll other window C-M-v
switch cursor to another window C-x o C-x 5 o
select buffer in other window C-x 4 b C-x 5 b
display buffer in other window C-x 4 C-o C-x 5 C-o
find file in other window C-x 4 f C-x 5 f
find file read-only in other window C-x 4 r C-x 5 r
run Dired in other window C-x 4 d C-x 5 d
find tag in other window C-x 4 . C-x 5 .
grow window taller C-x ^
shrink window narrower C-x \
grow window wider C-x \
* Killing and Deleting
backward forward
delete character DEL C-d
kill word M-DEL M-d
line (to end of) C-k
sentence M-k
sexp M-- C-M-k
Cut / kill region C-w
Copy region to kill ring M-w
Paste back last thing killed (yank) C-y
kill through next occurrence of char M-z char
replace last yank with previous kill M-y
undo C-/
* Document Navigation
Entity To Move over backward forward
character C-b C-f
word M-b M-f
line C-p C-n
go to line beginning (or end) C-a C-e
sentence M-a M-e
paragrapha M-{ M-}
page C-x [ C-x ]
sexp C-M-b C-M-f
function C-M-a C-M-e
go to buffer beginning (or end) M-< M->
scroll to next screen C-v
scroll to previous screen M-v
scroll left C-x <
scroll right C-x >
scroll current line to center, top, bottom C-l
goto line (from top of buffer) M-g g (number)
goto char (from start of buffer) M-g c (number)
back to indentation M-m
* Formatting
indent current line (mode-dependent) TAB
indent selected region C-x TAB
indent region (mode-dependent) C-M-\
indent sexp (mode-dependent) C-M-q
indent for comment M-;
insert newline after point C-o
move rest of line vertically down C-M-o
delete blank lines around point C-x C-o
join line with previous (with arg, next) M-^
delete all white space around point M-\
put exactly one space at point M-SPC
fill paragraph M-q
set fill column to arg C-x f
set prefix each line starts with C-x .
set font sytle/face M-o d(default) b(bold) etc
font size C-x C-+ or C-x C--
zoom in st Shift + Ctrl + PgUp
* Marking / Selecting
set mark / select start point C-@ or C-SPC
exchange point and mark C-x C-x
set mark arg words away M-@
mark / select paragraph M-h
mark / select page C-x C-p
mark / select sexp C-M-@
mark / select function C-M-h
mark / select entire buffer C-x h
* Error Recovery
escape / ESC C-g C-g
abort partially typed or executing command C-g
recover files lost by a system crash M-x recover-session
undo an unwanted change C-x u, C-_ or C-/
redo C-f then undo
restore a buffer to its original contents M-x revert-buffer
redraw garbaged screen C-l
* Incremental Search
search forward C-s
search backward C-r
regular expression search C-M-s
reverse regular expression search C-M-r
select previous search string M-p
select next later search string M-n
exit incremental search RET
undo effect of last character DEL
abort current search C-g
Use C-s or C-r again to repeat the search in either direction.
If Emacs is still searching, C-g cancels only the part not matched.
* Query Replace
interactively replace a text string M-%
using regular expressions M-x query-replace-regexp
Valid responses in query-replace mode are
replace this one, go on to next SPC or y
replace this one, don't move ,
skip to next without replacing DEL or n
replace all remaining matches !
back up to the previous match ^
exit query-replace RET
enter recursive edit (C-M-c to exit) C-r
* Case Change
uppercase word M-u
lowercase word M-l
capitalize word M-c
uppercase region C-x C-u
lowercase region C-x C-l
* The Minibuffer
The following keys are defined in the minibuffer.
Edit / Enter Minibuffer window C-x ESC ESC
complete as much as possible TAB
complete up to one word SPC
complete and execute RET
show possible completions ?
fetch previous minibuffer input M-p
fetch later minibuffer input or default M-n
regexp search backward through history M-r
regexp search forward through history M-s
abort command C-g
* Buffers
select another open buffer C-x b
list all open buffers C-x C-b
kill / close a buffer C-x k
Cycle C-x left or right
New buffer C-x b buffername RET
* Spelling Check
check spelling of current word M-$
check spelling of all words in region M-x ispell-region
check spelling of entire buffer M-x ispell-buffer
toggle on-the-fly spell checking M-x flyspell-mode
* Transposing
transpose characters C-t
transpose words M-t
transpose lines C-x C-t
transpose sexps C-M-t
* Rectangles
select rectangle C-x space
copy rectangle C-x r r
kill rectangle C-x r k
yank rectangle C-x r y
open rectangle, shifting text right C-x r o
blank out rectangle C-x r c
prefix each line with a string C-x r t
* Tags
find a tag (a definition) M-.
find next occurrence of tag C-u M-.
specify a new tags file M-x visit-tags-table
regexp search on all files in tags table M-x tags-search
run query-replace on all the files M-x tags-query-replace
continue last tags search or query-replace M-,
* Shells
execute a shell command M-!
execute a shell command asynchronously M-&
run a shell command on the region M-|
filter region through a shell command C-u M-|
start a shell in window *shell* M-x shell
bash history M-p or M-n
* Abbrevs
add global abbrev C-x a g
add mode-local abbrev C-x a l
add global expansion for this abbrev C-x a i g
add mode-local expansion for this abbrev C-x a i l
explicitly expand abbrev C-x a e
expand previous word dynamically M-/
* Miscellaneous
numeric argument C-u num
negative argument M--
quoted insert C-q char
* Regular Expressions
any single character except a newline . (dot)
zero or more repeats *
one or more repeats +
zero or one repeat ?
quote special characters \
quote regular expression special character c \ c
alternative (``or'') \|
grouping \( ... \)
shy grouping \(:? ... \)
explicit numbered grouping \(:NUM ... \)
same text as n'th group \n
at word break \b
not at word break \B
entity match start match end
line ^ $
word \< \>
symbol \_< \_>
buffer \` \'
class of characters match these match others
explicit set [ ... ] [^ ... ]
word-syntax character \w \W
character with syntax char \s char \S char
character with category char \c char \C char
* International Character Sets
specify principal language C-x RET l
show all input methods M-x list-input-methods
enable or disable input method C-\
set coding system for next command C-x RET c
show all coding systems M-x list-coding-systems
choose preferred coding system M-x prefer-coding-system
* Info
enter the Info documentation reader C-h i
find specified function or variable in Info C-h S
Moving within a node:
scroll forward SPC
scroll reverse DEL
beginning of node b
Moving between nodes:
next node n
previous node p
move up u
select menu item by name m
select menu item by number (1--9) n
follow cross reference (return with l) f
return to last node you saw l
return to directory node d
go to top node of Info file t
go to any node by name g
Other:
run Info tutorial h
look up a subject in the indices i
search nodes for regexp s
quit Info q
* Registers
save region in register C-x r s
insert register contents into buffer C-x r i
save value of point in register C-x r SPC
jump to point saved in register C-x r j
* Keyboard Macros
start defining a keyboard macro C-x (
end keyboard macro definition C-x )
execute last-defined keyboard macro C-x e
append to last keyboard macro C-u C-x (
name last keyboard macro M-x name-last-kbd-macro
insert Lisp definition in buffer M-x insert-kbd-macro
* Commands Dealing with Emacs Lisp
eval sexp before point C-x C-e
eval current defun C-M-x
eval region M-x eval-region
read and eval minibuffer M-:
load a Lisp library from load-path M-x load-library
* Simple Customization
customize variables and faces M-x customize
% The intended audience here is the person who wants to make simple
% customizations and knows Lisp syntax.
* Making global key bindings in Emacs Lisp (example):
(global-set-key (kbd "C-c g") 'search-forward)
(global-set-key (kbd "M-\#") 'query-replace-regexp)
* Writing Commands
(defun \<command-name> (\<args>)
"\<documentation>" (interactive "\<template>")
\<body>)
An example:
(defun this-line-to-top-of-window (line)
"Reposition current line to top of window.
With prefix argument LINE, put point on LINE."
(interactive "P")
(recenter (if (null line)
0
(prefix-numeric-value line))))
The interactive spec says how to read arguments interactively.
Type C-h f interactive RET for more details.
^ permalink raw reply [flat|nested] 9+ messages in thread
* Re: Emacs book
2025-02-01 22:07 ` Daniel Harris via Users list for the GNU Emacs text editor
@ 2025-02-02 1:21 ` tpeplt
2025-02-02 11:51 ` Gottfried
0 siblings, 1 reply; 9+ messages in thread
From: tpeplt @ 2025-02-02 1:21 UTC (permalink / raw)
To: Daniel Harris; +Cc: Xavier Maillard, hemacs
Daniel Harris <mail.dharris@googlemail.com> writes:
> I like to have the reference card open in one window all the time just
> as a quick reference. I will try and attach the one i use just in
> case it is useful. Its just a copy of the bog standard ref card but
> in an org format
Also, Emacs’s distribution includes the reference card as a PDF file,
which has been translated into several languages besides English.
Another, shorter version of the reference card, called "survival.pdf",
is also available, which could be more useful for new Emacs users
because it provides a smaller list of essential commands.
And there are a number of PDF files for some of the packages: dired,
gnus, org, viper, ...
--
The lyf so short, the craft so long to lerne.
- Geoffrey Chaucer, The Parliament of Birds.
^ permalink raw reply [flat|nested] 9+ messages in thread
* Re: Emacs book
2025-02-02 1:21 ` tpeplt
@ 2025-02-02 11:51 ` Gottfried
2025-02-04 0:08 ` Michael Heerdegen
0 siblings, 1 reply; 9+ messages in thread
From: Gottfried @ 2025-02-02 11:51 UTC (permalink / raw)
To: help-gnu-emacs
[-- Attachment #1.1.1: Type: text/plain, Size: 1176 bytes --]
Hi all,
thanks for your help.
Next problem.
This "survival.pdf" card is in US letter format.
If I print that I print it in the US letter format.
How can I change this to the European A4 format
because the US letter format leaves always much space at the bottom of
the page resulting in smaller letters, which is more difficult to read.
thanks
Gottfried
Am 02.02.25 um 02:21 schrieb tpeplt:
> Daniel Harris <mail.dharris@googlemail.com> writes:
>
>> I like to have the reference card open in one window all the time just
>> as a quick reference. I will try and attach the one i use just in
>> case it is useful. Its just a copy of the bog standard ref card but
>> in an org format
>
> Also, Emacs’s distribution includes the reference card as a PDF file,
> which has been translated into several languages besides English.
>
> Another, shorter version of the reference card, called "survival.pdf",
> is also available, which could be more useful for new Emacs users
> because it provides a smaller list of essential commands.
>
> And there are a number of PDF files for some of the packages: dired,
> gnus, org, viper, ...
>
[-- Attachment #1.1.2: OpenPGP public key --]
[-- Type: application/pgp-keys, Size: 3191 bytes --]
[-- Attachment #2: OpenPGP digital signature --]
[-- Type: application/pgp-signature, Size: 840 bytes --]
^ permalink raw reply [flat|nested] 9+ messages in thread
* Re: Emacs book
2025-02-02 11:51 ` Gottfried
@ 2025-02-04 0:08 ` Michael Heerdegen
2025-02-04 0:41 ` Michael Heerdegen via Users list for the GNU Emacs text editor
0 siblings, 1 reply; 9+ messages in thread
From: Michael Heerdegen @ 2025-02-04 0:08 UTC (permalink / raw)
To: Gottfried; +Cc: help-gnu-emacs
Gottfried <gottfried@posteo.de> writes:
> Hi all,
> thanks for your help.
>
> Next problem.
> This "survival.pdf" card is in US letter format.
> If I print that I print it in the US letter format.
Do you have the .tex source? Just edit the .tex. You will find what
you have to change, it's easy and explained in the file.
Then you have to call tex and... ok, not that trivial, let me do it for
you, I'll send you the result privately.
Michael.
^ permalink raw reply [flat|nested] 9+ messages in thread
* Re: Emacs book
2025-02-04 0:08 ` Michael Heerdegen
@ 2025-02-04 0:41 ` Michael Heerdegen via Users list for the GNU Emacs text editor
2025-02-04 1:29 ` Michael Heerdegen via Users list for the GNU Emacs text editor
0 siblings, 1 reply; 9+ messages in thread
From: Michael Heerdegen via Users list for the GNU Emacs text editor @ 2025-02-04 0:41 UTC (permalink / raw)
To: help-gnu-emacs
Michael Heerdegen <michael_heerdegen@web.de> writes:
> > This "survival.pdf" card is in US letter format.
> > If I print that I print it in the US letter format.
>
> Do you have the .tex source? Just edit the .tex. You will find what
> you have to change, it's easy and explained in the file.
>
> Then you have to call tex and... ok, not that trivial, let me do it for
> you, I'll send you the result privately.
I failed! Anybody with tex experience here? Not LaTeX - TeX!
Changing \pdflayout=(1) to \pdflayout=(0) is not enough if I do
tex + dvipdf because the .sty file ignores the layout setting because
it seems \ifpdf is not fulfilled. pdftex just fails so I gave up.
Michael.
^ permalink raw reply [flat|nested] 9+ messages in thread
* Re: Emacs book
2025-02-04 0:41 ` Michael Heerdegen via Users list for the GNU Emacs text editor
@ 2025-02-04 1:29 ` Michael Heerdegen via Users list for the GNU Emacs text editor
0 siblings, 0 replies; 9+ messages in thread
From: Michael Heerdegen via Users list for the GNU Emacs text editor @ 2025-02-04 1:29 UTC (permalink / raw)
To: help-gnu-emacs
Michael Heerdegen via Users list for the GNU Emacs text editor
<help-gnu-emacs@gnu.org> writes:
> I failed! Anybody with tex experience here? Not LaTeX - TeX!
I just rushed it, no problem after retrying. All good, I'll send the
pdf to Gottfried...
Michael.
^ permalink raw reply [flat|nested] 9+ messages in thread
end of thread, other threads:[~2025-02-04 1:29 UTC | newest]
Thread overview: 9+ messages (download: mbox.gz follow: Atom feed
-- links below jump to the message on this page --
2025-01-30 4:58 Emacs book Xavier Maillard
2025-01-30 8:11 ` Michael Albinus
2025-02-01 21:12 ` tpeplt
2025-02-01 22:07 ` Daniel Harris via Users list for the GNU Emacs text editor
2025-02-02 1:21 ` tpeplt
2025-02-02 11:51 ` Gottfried
2025-02-04 0:08 ` Michael Heerdegen
2025-02-04 0:41 ` Michael Heerdegen via Users list for the GNU Emacs text editor
2025-02-04 1:29 ` Michael Heerdegen via Users list for the GNU Emacs text editor
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