Re: Absolutely naïve question about line numbering and lisp code

["B. T. Raven" <nihil@nihilo.net>]

Armando Martins wrote:
> Hello!
> 
> I am trying to numer the lines of a text (not the buffer, although
> this solution could work around). I google and I find files in lisp
> code, say: num.el, setnu.el, line.el...
> How can I make it work on a text file I have. Do I download (wherever)
> and open it and click "evaluate lisp" and then it will work for all
> the session?
> I am using Windows Vista.
> Thanks for your help
> 

Yes. Just copy that file (say, setnu.el) into say, site-lisp directory 
and then M-x load-library setnu. Now M-x setnu-mode should  toggle line 
numbers on and off. If you just want to add line numbers permanently you 
could run this, of unknown provenance:

(defun insert-line-numbers ()
     "Insert a line number on all lines of the current buffer."
   (interactive)
   (save-excursion
     (save-restriction
       (widen)
       (let ((fmt (format "%%0%dd "
                          (1+ (truncate
                               (log (count-lines (point-min) (point-max))
                                    10)))))
             (i 0))
         (goto-char (point-min))
         (while (< (point) (point-max))
           (setq i (1+ i))
           (insert (format fmt i))
           (forward-line)))))
   );;insert-line-numbers

Of course if you add or delete a line then you would have to delete the 
rectangle in the the line number "region" and re-run M-x 
insert-line-numbers. Not very flexible.


Ed