compilation-goto-locus, pop-up-windows, same-window-regexps

[Alex Schroeder <alex@gnu.org>]

I propose to change the end of compilation-goto-locus from this:

  ;; Show compilation buffer in other window, scrolled to this error.
  (let* ((pop-up-windows t)
	 ;; Use an existing window if it is in a visible frame.
	 (w (or (get-buffer-window (marker-buffer (car next-error)) 'visible)
		;; Pop up a window.
		(display-buffer (marker-buffer (car next-error))))))
    (set-window-point w (car next-error))
    (set-window-start w (car next-error))
    (compilation-set-window-height w)))

to this:

  ;; Show compilation buffer in other window, scrolled to this error.
  (when pop-up-windows
    ;; Use an existing window if it is in a visible frame.
    (let ((w (or (get-buffer-window (marker-buffer (car next-error)) 'visible)
		 ;; Pop up a window.
		 (display-buffer (marker-buffer (car next-error))))))
      (set-window-point w (car next-error))
      (set-window-start w (car next-error))
      (compilation-set-window-height w))))

What I am trying to achieve is this:

I want Emacs to use one window for each task, ie. when I read mail, in
one window, and write code in a second window, I don't Emacs to change
my window configurations.  I don't want Emacs to split my windows, and
I don't want Emacs to delete other windows.

This is why I started using the following settings.  Try it in emacs
-q.

(setq pop-up-windows nil
      same-window-regexps '("."))

Now run a grep command:

(grep "grep -n setq ~/.emacs")

The *grep* buffer should be the only visible window, now.  Hit RET on
one of the matches.  The window continues to show the grep buffer!

I am not very happy with this solution, however.  I think the best
solution would be to eliminate all occurences of binding
pop-up-windows.  We should look at these situations and decide what
the best way to handle them is -- without making new windows.

Alex.