On Feb 22, 2011, at 8:13 AM, Drew Adams wrote:
- How do I pass arguments to a function call? i.e. if I do "M-x
some-function" and "some-function" takes optional arguments,
how do I pass those arguments to the function call?
There are two types of functions. I may be mistaken but I think
"functions". In any case, some functions are "interactive" and
some are not. For example:
isearch-forward is an interactive compiled Lisp function in
`isearch.el'.
verses
replace-match is a built-in function in `C source code'.
An interactive function uses optional arguments and prefix argument.
An interactive function is a super-set in the sense that you can call
an interactive function just like a function. e.g. I could call:
(isearch-forward "pattern")
To get a complete gist of interactive functions, do a help on
"interactive" and it will describe how an interactive function
takes it arguments. There are many options.
If a function is not interactive, then you can not call it via M-x. You
can do M-: (Meta-colon) in which case you can type in a lisp
s expressions and hit return and have it evaluated.
If you are writing the function, then you do this using an `interactive' spec.
`C-h i m elisp m using interactive'.
If you are not writing the function yourself, and it has no `interactive' spec,
and it does not use the universal argument (`C-u') in any conditional way, then
you're (almost) out of luck. In that case, you can use `M-: (function arg 1
arg2...)' or define your own command (function with an interactive spec) that
takes care of the arguments and then calls the ready-made function.
- Also, why is it that "C-h f function-name" will document
some functions, but when I type "M-x function-name" it says
[no match]?
`M-x' is for commands, that is, interactive functions, that is, functions that
have an `interactive' spec. `[no match]' tells you that the function is not a
command.
You will help yourself if you take a look at the doc. Start with the Emacs
manual, but the Elisp manual is helpful for writing your own functions
(including commands). See also the `Emacs Lisp Intro' manual.