For completeness, I'll present the yasnippet solution here, it should be
saved under the "fundamental-mode" subdir of the snippets folder.  This
expansion key works in any buffer, including the minibuffer:

# -*- mode: snippet -*-
# name: buffer-file-name-nondir
# key: %
# --
`(let ((fname (file-name-nondirectory
                (or (buffer-file-name (window-buffer
(minibuffer-selected-window)))
                    ""))))
   (if (zerop (length fname))
       "%"
     fname))`$0


On Tue, Jan 18, 2011 at 12:05 PM, rusi <rustompmody@gmail.com> wrote:

> On Jan 18, 8:42 am, rusi <rustompm...@gmail.com> wrote:
> > On Jan 18, 12:07 am, duke <sidney.reilley...@gmail.com> wrote:
> : snipped
> >
> > > You are too kind! Much obliged for the snippet, but especially the
> > > courtesy. Can't wait to hack my .emacs and try it out :)
> >
> > I should attribute this to someone (who helped me write this) -- but
> > cant remember who :-)
>
>
> Found the original thread
> http://lists.gnu.org/archive/html/help-gnu-emacs/2008-08/msg00433.html
>



-- 
Le