8
11
@comment %**end of header
9
@comment $Id: info.texi,v 1.22 2002/02/09 00:54:34 karl Exp $
14
This file describes how to use Info, the on-line, menu-driven GNU
17
Copyright (C) 1989, 1992, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004
18
Free Software Foundation, Inc.
21
Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this document
22
under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1.1 or
23
any later version published by the Free Software Foundation; with no
24
Invariant Sections, with the Front-Cover texts being ``A GNU
25
Manual'', and with the Back-Cover Texts as in (a) below. A copy of the
26
license is included in the section entitled ``GNU Free Documentation
27
License'' in the Emacs manual.
29
(a) The FSF's Back-Cover Text is: ``You have freedom to copy and modify
30
this GNU Manual, like GNU software. Copies published by the Free
31
Software Foundation raise funds for GNU development.''
33
This document is part of a collection distributed under the GNU Free
34
Documentation License. If you want to distribute this document
35
separately from the collection, you can do so by adding a copy of the
36
license to the document, as described in section 6 of the license.
11
40
@dircategory Texinfo documentation system
13
* Info: (info). Documentation browsing system.
42
* Info: (info). How to use the documentation browsing system.
17
This file describes how to use Info, the on-line, menu-driven GNU
20
Copyright (C) 1989, 92, 96, 97, 98, 99, 2000, 2001
21
Free Software Foundation, Inc.
24
Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this document
25
under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1.1 or
26
any later version published by the Free Software Foundation; with no
27
Invariant Sections, with the Front-Cover texts being ``A GNU
28
Manual'', and with the Back-Cover Texts as in (a) below. A copy of the
29
license is included in the section entitled ``GNU Free Documentation
30
License'' in the Emacs manual.
32
(a) The FSF's Back-Cover Text is: ``You have freedom to copy and modify
33
this GNU Manual, like GNU software. Copies published by the Free
34
Software Foundation raise funds for GNU development.''
36
This document is part of a collection distributed under the GNU Free
37
Documentation License. If you want to distribute this document
38
separately from the collection, you can do so by adding a copy of the
39
license to the document, as described in section 6 of the license.
44
47
@subtitle The online, hyper-text GNU documentation system
46
49
@author and the GNU Texinfo community
48
51
@vskip 0pt plus 1filll
49
Copyright @copyright{} 1989, 92, 93, 96, 97, 98, 99, 2000, 2001
50
Free Software Foundation, Inc.
52
Published by the Free Software Foundation @*
53
59 Temple Place - Suite 330 @*
54
Boston, MA 02111-1307, USA.
56
Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this document
57
under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1.1 or
58
any later version published by the Free Software Foundation; with no
59
Invariant Sections, with the Front-Cover texts being ``A GNU
60
Manual'', and with the Back-Cover Texts as in (a) below. A copy of the
61
license is included in the section entitled ``GNU Free Documentation
62
License'' in the Emacs manual.
64
(a) The FSF's Back-Cover Text is: ``You have freedom to copy and modify
65
this GNU Manual, like GNU software. Copies published by the Free
66
Software Foundation raise funds for GNU development.''
68
This document is part of a collection distributed under the GNU Free
69
Documentation License. If you want to distribute this document
70
separately from the collection, you can do so by adding a copy of the
71
license to the document, as described in section 6 of the license.
76
59
@top Info: An Introduction
78
Info is a program, which you are using now, for reading documentation of
79
computer programs. The GNU Project distributes most of its on-line
80
manuals in the Info format, so you need a program called @dfn{Info
81
reader} to read the manuals. One of such programs you are using now.
61
The GNU Project distributes most of its on-line manuals in the
62
@dfn{Info format}, which you read using an @dfn{Info reader}. You are
63
probably using an Info reader to read this now.
65
There are two primary Info readers: @code{info}, a stand-alone program
66
designed just to read Info files, and the @code{info} package in GNU
67
Emacs, a general-purpose editor. At present, only the Emacs reader
68
supports using a mouse.
84
If you are new to Info and want to learn how to use it, type the
85
command @kbd{h} now. It brings you to a programmed instruction
71
If you are new to the Info reader and want to learn how to use it,
72
type the command @kbd{h} now. It brings you to a programmed
88
To learn advanced Info commands, type @kbd{n} twice. This brings you to
89
@cite{Info for Experts}, skipping over the `Getting Started' chapter.
75
To read about expert-level Info commands, type @kbd{n} twice. This
76
brings you to @cite{Info for Experts}, skipping over the `Getting
94
82
* Getting Started:: Getting started using an Info reader.
95
* Advanced Info:: Advanced commands within Info.
83
* Expert Info:: Info commands for experts.
96
84
* Creating an Info File:: How to make your own Info file.
97
85
* Index:: An index of topics, commands, and variables.
100
@node Getting Started, Advanced Info, Top, Top
88
@node Getting Started, Expert Info, Top, Top
101
89
@comment node-name, next, previous, up
102
90
@chapter Getting Started
104
This first part of the Info manual describes how to get around inside
92
This first part of this Info manual describes how to get around inside
105
93
of Info. The second part of the manual describes various advanced
106
94
Info commands, and how to write an Info as distinct from a Texinfo
107
95
file. The third part briefly explains how to generate Info files from
241
234
line says that this is node @samp{Help} in the file @file{info}.
243
236
@cindex header of Info node
244
The top line of a node is its @dfn{header}. This node's header (look at
245
it now) says that the @samp{Next} node after this one is the node
246
called @samp{Help-P}. An advanced Info command lets you go to any node
247
whose name you know. In the stand-alone Info reader program, the
248
header line shows the names of this node and the info file as well.
249
In Emacs, the header line is displayed in a special typeface, and it
250
doesn't scroll off the screen when you scroll the display. The names
251
of this node and of its Info file are omitted by Emacs from the header
237
The top line of a node is its @dfn{header}. This node's header
238
(look at it now) says that the @samp{Next} node after this one is the
239
node called @samp{Help-P}. An advanced Info command lets you go to
240
any node whose name you know. In the stand-alone Info reader program,
241
the header line shows the names of this node and the info file as
242
well. In Emacs, the header line is duplicated in a special typeface,
243
and the duplicate remains at the top of the window all the time even
244
if you scroll through the node.
254
Besides a @samp{Next}, a node can have a @samp{Previous} or an
255
@samp{Up} links, or both. As you can see, this node has all of these
246
Besides a @samp{Next}, a node can have a @samp{Previous} link, or an
247
@samp{Up} link, or both. As you can see, this node has all of these
258
250
@kindex n @r{(Info mode)}
280
272
This node is called @samp{Help-P}. The @samp{Previous} node, as you see,
281
273
is @samp{Help}, which is the one you just came from using the @kbd{n}
282
274
command. Another @kbd{n} command now would take you to the next
283
node, @samp{Help-^L}. In Emacs, @kbd{n} runs the Emacs command
284
@code{Info-next}, and @kbd{p} runs @code{Info-prev}.
275
node, @samp{Help-^L}.
287
>> But do not type @kbd{n} yet. First, try the @kbd{p} command,
288
or click the mouse on the @samp{Prev} link, which takes you to the
289
@samp{Previous} node. When you get there, you can do an @kbd{n}
290
again to return here.
278
>> But do not type @kbd{n} yet. First, try the @kbd{p} command, or
279
(in Emacs) click the middle mouse button on the @samp{Prev} link.
280
That takes you to the @samp{Previous} node. Then use @kbd{n} to
293
284
If you read this in Emacs, you will see an @samp{Info} item in the
294
menu bar, close to its right edge. Clicking your mouse on the
285
menu bar, close to its right edge. Clicking the mouse on the
295
286
@samp{Info} menu-bar item opens a menu of commands which include
296
287
@samp{Next} and @samp{Prev} (and also some others which you didn't yet
299
This all probably seems insultingly simple so far, but @emph{do not} be
300
led into skimming. Things will get more complicated soon. Also,
301
do not try a new command until you are told it is time to. Otherwise,
302
you may make Info skip past an important warning that was coming up.
290
This all probably seems insultingly simple so far, but @emph{please
291
don't} start skimming. Things will get complicated soon enough!
292
Also, please do not try a new command until you are told it is time
293
to. You could make Info skip past an important warning that was
305
>> Now do an @kbd{n}, or click the mouse on the @samp{Next} link, to
306
get to the node @samp{Help-^L} and learn more.
297
>> Now do an @kbd{n}, or (in Emacs) click the middle mouse button on
298
the @samp{Next} link, to get to the node @samp{Help-^L} and learn more.
309
@node Help-^L, Help-M, Help-P, Getting Started
301
@node Help-^L, Help-Inv, Help-P, Getting Started
310
302
@comment node-name, next, previous, up
311
@section The Space, DEL, B and ^L commands.
303
@section The Space, DEL, B and ^L commands
313
This node's mode line tells you that you are now at node @samp{Help-^L},
314
and the header line tells you that @kbd{p} would get you back to
315
@samp{Help-P}. The node's title is underlined; it says what the node
316
is about (most nodes have titles).
305
This node's mode line tells you that you are now at node
306
@samp{Help-^L}, and the header line tells you that @kbd{p} would get
307
you back to @samp{Help-P}. The node's title is highlighted and may be
308
underlined as well; it says what the node is about.
318
310
This is a big node and it does not all fit on your display screen.
319
311
You can tell that there is more that is not visible because you
354
344
If you are reading this in Emacs, note that the header line is
355
345
always visible, never scrolling off the display. That way, you can
356
346
always see the @samp{Next}, @samp{Prev}, and @samp{Up} links, and you
357
can conveniently go to one of these links from anywhere in the node by
358
clicking the mouse on one of these links.
347
can conveniently go to one of these links at any time by
348
clicking the middle mouse button on the link.
360
350
@cindex reading Info documents top to bottom
361
351
@cindex Info documents as tutorials
362
352
@key{SPC} and @key{DEL} not only move forward and backward through
363
the current node. When these keys hit the beginning or the end of the
364
current node, they move to preceding or subsequent nodes.
365
Specifically, they scroll through all the nodes in an Info file as a
366
single logical sequence. In this sequence, a node's subnodes appear
367
following their parent. If a node has a menu, @key{SPC} takes you
368
into the subnodes listed in the menu, one by one. Once you reach the
369
end of a node, and have seen all of its subnodes, @key{SPC} takes you
370
to the next node or to the parent's next node. This is so you could
371
read the entire manual top to bottom by just typing @key{SPC}.
353
the current node. They also move between nodes. @key{SPC} at the end
354
of a node moves to the next node; @key{DEL} (or @key{BACKSPACE}) at
355
the beginning of a node moves to the previous node. In effect, these
356
commands scroll through all the nodes in an Info file as a single
357
logical sequence. You can read an entire manual top to bottom by just
358
typing @key{SPC}, and move backward through the entire manual from
359
bottom to top by typing @key{DEL} (or @key{BACKSPACE}).
361
In this sequence, a node's subnodes appear following their parent.
362
If a node has a menu, @key{SPC} takes you into the subnodes listed in
363
the menu, one by one. Once you reach the end of a node, and have seen
364
all of its subnodes, @key{SPC} takes you to the next node or to the
373
367
@kindex PAGEUP @r{(Info mode)}
374
368
@kindex PAGEDOWN @r{(Info mode)}
375
369
Many keyboards nowadays have two scroll keys labeled @samp{PageUp}
376
370
and @samp{PageDown} (or maybe @samp{Prior} and @samp{Next}). If your
377
371
keyboard has these keys, you can use them to move forward and backward
378
through the text, like with @key{SPC} and @key{BACKSPACE}. However,
379
unlike @key{SPC} and @key{BACKSPACE}, @key{PAGEUP} and @key{PAGEDOWN}
380
keys will never scroll beyond the beginning or the end of the current
372
through the text of one node, like @key{SPC} and @key{BACKSPACE} (or
373
@key{DEL}). However, @key{PAGEUP} and @key{PAGEDOWN} keys never
374
scroll beyond the beginning or the end of the current node.
383
376
@kindex C-l @r{(Info mode)}
384
377
If your screen is ever garbaged, you can tell Info to display it
385
again by typing @kbd{C-l} (@kbd{Control-L}, that is---hold down
378
again by typing @kbd{C-l} (@kbd{Control-L}---that is, hold down
386
379
@key{CTRL} and type @kbd{L} or @kbd{l}).
429
423
the same size screen, it would be impossible to warn you anyway.
432
>> Now type @kbd{n}, or click the mouse on the @samp{Next} link, to
433
see the description of the @kbd{m} command.
426
>> Now type @kbd{n}, or click the middle mouse button on the @samp{Next} link,
427
to visit the next node.
436
@node Help-M, Help-Xref, Help-^L, Getting Started
430
@node Help-Inv, Help-M, Help-^L, Getting Started
431
@comment node-name, next, previous, up
432
@section Invisible text in Emacs Info
434
Before discussing menus, we need to make some remarks that are only
435
relevant to users reading Info using Emacs. Users of the stand-alone
436
version can skip this node by typing @kbd{]} now.
438
@cindex invisible text in Emacs
439
In Emacs, certain text that appears in the stand-alone version is
440
normally hidden, technically because it has the @samp{invisibility}
441
property. Invisible text is really a part of the text. It becomes
442
visible (by default) after killing and yanking, it appears in printed
443
output, it gets saved to file just like any other text, and so on.
444
Thus it is useful to know it is there.
447
You can make invisible text visible by using the command @kbd{M-x
448
visible-mode}. Visible mode is a minor mode, so using the command a
449
second time will make the text invisible again. Watch the effects of
450
the command on the ``menu'' below and the top line of this node.
452
If you prefer to @emph{always} see the invisible text, you can set
453
@code{Info-hide-note-references} to @code{nil}. Enabling Visible mode
454
permanently is not a real alternative, because Emacs Info also uses
455
(although less extensively) another text property that can change the
456
text being displayed, the @samp{display} property. Only the
457
invisibility property is affected by Visible mode. When, in this
458
tutorial, we refer to the @samp{Emacs} behavior, we mean the
459
@emph{default} Emacs behavior.
461
Now type @kbd{]}, to learn about the @kbd{]} and @kbd{[} commands.
464
* ]: Help-]. Node telling about ].
465
* stuff: Help-]. Same node.
466
* Help-]:: Yet again, same node.
469
@node Help-], , , Help-Inv
470
@subsection The @kbd{]} and @kbd{[} commands
472
If you type @kbd{n} now, you get an error message saying that this
473
node has no next node. Similarly, if you type @kbd{p}, the error
474
message tells you that there is no previous node. (The exact message
475
depends on the Info reader you use.) This is because @kbd{n} and
476
@kbd{p} carry you to the next and previous node @emph{at the same
477
level}. The present node is contained in a menu (see next) of the
478
node you came from, and hence is considered to be at a lower level.
479
It is the only node in the previous node's menu (even though it was
480
listed three times). Hence it has no next or previous node that
481
@kbd{n} or @kbd{p} could move to.
483
If you systematically move through a manual by typing @kbd{n}, you run
484
the risk of skipping many nodes. You do not run this risk if you
485
systematically use @kbd{@key{SPC}}, because, when you scroll to the
486
bottom of a node and type another @kbd{@key{SPC}}, then this carries
487
you to the following node in the manual @emph{regardless of level}.
488
If you immediately want to go to that node, without having to scroll
489
to the bottom of the screen first, you can type @kbd{]}.
491
Similarly, @kbd{@key{BACKSPACE}} carries you to the preceding node
492
regardless of level, after you scrolled to the beginning of the
493
present node. If you want to go to the preceding node immediately,
494
you can type @kbd{[}.
496
For instance, typing this sequence will come back here in three steps:
497
@kbd{[ n [}. To do the same backward, type @kbd{] p ]}.
499
Now type @kbd{]} to go to the next node and learn about menus.
501
@node Help-M, Help-Xref, Help-Inv, Getting Started
437
502
@comment node-name, next, previous, up
438
503
@section Menus and the @kbd{m} command
440
505
@cindex menus in an Info document
441
506
@cindex Info menus
442
With only the @kbd{n} (next) and @kbd{p} (previous) commands for
443
moving between nodes, nodes are restricted to a linear sequence.
444
Menus allow a branching structure. A menu is a list of other nodes
445
you can move to. It is actually just part of the text of the node
446
formatted specially so that Info can interpret it. The beginning of a
447
menu is always identified by a line which starts with @samp{* Menu:}.
448
A node contains a menu if and only if it has a line in it which starts
449
that way. The only menu you can use at any moment is the one in the
450
node you are in. To use a menu in any other node, you must move to
507
With only the @kbd{n} (next), @kbd{p} (previous), @kbd{@key{SPC}},
508
@kbd{@key{BACKSPACE}}, @kbd{]} and @kbd{[} commands for moving between
509
nodes, nodes are restricted to a linear sequence. Menus allow a
510
branching structure. A menu is a list of other nodes you can move to.
511
It is actually just part of the text of the node formatted specially
512
so that Info can interpret it. The beginning of a menu is always
513
identified by a line which starts with @w{@samp{* Menu:}}. A node
514
contains a menu if and only if it has a line in it which starts that
515
way. The only menu you can use at any moment is the one in the node
516
you are in. To use a menu in any other node, you must move to that
453
519
After the start of the menu, each line that starts with a @samp{*}
454
identifies one subtopic. The line usually contains a brief name
455
for the subtopic (followed by a @samp{:}), the name of the node that talks
456
about that subtopic, and optionally some further description of the
520
identifies one subtopic. The line usually contains a brief name for
521
the subtopic (followed by a @samp{:}, normally hidden in Emacs), the
522
name of the node that talks about that subtopic (again, normally
523
hidden in Emacs), and optionally some further description of the
457
524
subtopic. Lines in the menu that do not start with a @samp{*} have no
458
525
special meaning---they are only for the human reader's benefit and do
459
526
not define additional subtopics. Here is an example:
462
* Foo: Node about FOO This tells about FOO
529
* Foo: Node about FOO. This tells about FOO.
465
532
The subtopic name is Foo, and the node describing it is @samp{Node
466
533
about FOO}. The rest of the line is just for the reader's
467
534
Information. [[ But this line is not a real menu item, simply because
468
there is no line above it which starts with @samp{* Menu:}.]]
535
there is no line above it which starts with @w{@samp{* Menu:}}. Also,
536
in a real menu item, the @samp{*} would appear at the very start of
537
the line. This is why the ``normally hidden'' text in Emacs, namely
538
@samp{: Node about FOO.}, is actually visible in this example, even
539
when Visible mode is off.]]
470
541
When you use a menu to go to another node (in a way that will be
471
542
described soon), what you specify is the subtopic name, the first
494
565
@kbd{m} command is not available.
568
If you keep typing @key{SPC} once the menu appears on the screen, it
569
will move to another node (the first one in the menu). If that
570
happens, type @key{BACKSPACE} to come back.
497
572
@kindex m @r{(Info mode)}
498
The command to go to one of the subnodes is @kbd{m}---but @emph{do
499
not do it yet!} Before you use @kbd{m}, you need to learn about
500
commands which prompt you for more input. So far, you have learned
501
several commands that do not need additional input; when you typed
502
one, Info processed it and was instantly ready for another command.
503
The @kbd{m} command is different: it is incomplete without the
504
@dfn{name of the subtopic}. Once you have typed @kbd{m}, Info tries
505
to read the subtopic name.
507
Now look for the line containing many dashes near the bottom of the
508
screen. There is one more line beneath that one, but usually it is
509
blank. If it is empty, Info is ready for a command, such as @kbd{n}
510
or @kbd{b} or @key{SPC} or @kbd{m}. If that line contains text ending
511
in a colon, it means Info is trying to read more input for the last
512
command. At such times, commands do not work, because Info tries to
513
use them as the input it needs. You must either type your response and
514
finish the command you started, or type @kbd{Control-g} to cancel the
515
command. When you have done one of those things, the line becomes
573
The command to go to one of the subnodes is @kbd{m}. This is very
574
different from the commands you have used: it is a command that
575
prompts you for more input.
577
The Info commands you know do not need additional input; when you
578
type one of them, Info processes it instantly and then is ready for
579
another command. The @kbd{m} command is different: it needs to know
580
the @dfn{name of the subtopic}. Once you have typed @kbd{m}, Info
581
tries to read the subtopic name.
583
Now, in the stand-alone Info, look for the line containing many
584
dashes near the bottom of the screen. (This is the stand-alone
585
equivalent for the mode line in Emacs.) There is one more line
586
beneath that one, but usually it is blank. (In Emacs, this is the
587
echo area.) When it is blank, Info is ready for a command, such as
588
@kbd{n} or @kbd{b} or @key{SPC} or @kbd{m}. If that line contains
589
text ending in a colon, it means Info is reading more input for the
590
last command. You can't type an Info command then, because Info is
591
trying to read input, not commands. You must either give the input
592
and finish the command you started, or type @kbd{Control-g} to cancel
593
the command. When you have done one of those things, the input entry
594
line becomes blank again. Then you can type Info commands again.
518
596
@findex Info-menu
519
597
The command to go to a subnode via a menu is @kbd{m}. After you type
606
687
ends the subtopic's brief name. You will see the subtopic's name
607
688
change its appearance (usually, its background color will change), and
608
689
the shape of the mouse pointer will change if your platform supports
609
that. After a while, if you leave the mouse on that spot, a tooltip
610
will pop up saying ``Mouse-2: go to that node''. (If the tooltips are
611
turned off or unavailable, this message is displayed in the @dfn{echo
612
area}, the bottom screen line where you typed the menu subtopics in
613
response to the prompt.) @kbd{Mouse-2} is the second button of your
614
mouse counting from the left---the rightmost button for two-button
615
mice, the middle button for 3-button mice. So pressing @kbd{Mouse-2}
616
while the mouse pointer is on a menu subtopic goes to that subtopic.
690
that. After a while, if you leave the mouse on that spot, a small
691
window will pop up, saying ``Mouse-2: go to that node'', or the same
692
message may appear at the bottom of the screen.
694
@kbd{Mouse-2} is the second button of your mouse counting from the
695
left---the middle button on a 3-button mouse. (On a 2-button mouse,
696
you may have to press both buttons together to ``press the middle
697
button''.) The message tells you pressing @kbd{Mouse-2} with the
698
current position of the mouse pointer (on subtopic in the menu) will
618
701
@findex Info-mouse-follow-nearest-node
619
More generally, @kbd{Mouse-2} in an Info buffer runs the Emacs
620
command @code{Info-mouse-follow-nearest-node}, which finds the nearest
702
More generally, @kbd{Mouse-2} in an Info buffer finds the nearest
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link to another node and goes there. For example, near a cross
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reference it acts like @kbd{f}, in a menu it acts like @kbd{m}, on the
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node's header line it acts like @kbd{n}, @kbd{p}, or @kbd{u}, etc. At
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end of the node's text @kbd{Mouse-2} moves to the next node, or up if
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there's no next node.
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Here is another way to get to Help-FOO, a menu. You can ignore this
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if you want, or else try it by typing @key{TAB} and then @key{RET}, or
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clicking @kbd{Mouse-2} on it (but then please come back to here).
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>> Type @kbd{n} to see more commands.
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The @key{TAB} and @kbd{M-@key{TAB}} key, which move between menu
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items in a menu, also move between cross references outside of menus.
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Sometimes a cross reference (or a node) can lead to another file (in
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other words another ``manual''), or, on occasion, even a file on a
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remote machine (although Info files distributed with Emacs or the
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stand-alone Info avoid using remote links). Such a cross reference
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looks like this: @xref{Top,, Overview of Texinfo, texinfo, Texinfo:
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The GNU Documentation Format}. (After following this link, type
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@kbd{l} to get back to this node.) Here the name @samp{texinfo}
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between parentheses (shown in the stand-alone version) refers to the
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file name. This file name appears in cross references and node names
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if it differs from the current file. In Emacs, the file name is
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hidden (along with other text). (Use @kbd{M-x visible-mode} to show
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The remainder of this node applies only to the Emacs version. If
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you use the stand-alone version, you can type @kbd{n} immediately.
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To some users, switching manuals is a much bigger switch than
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switching sections. These users like to know that they are going to
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be switching to another manual (and which one) before actually doing
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so, especially given that, if one does not notice, Info commands like
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@kbd{t} (see the next node) can have confusing results.
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If you put your mouse over the cross reference and if the cross
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reference leads to a different manual, then the information appearing
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in a separate box (tool tip) or in the echo area, will mention the
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file the cross reference will carry you to (between parentheses).
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This is also true for menu subtopic names. If you have a mouse, just
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leave it over the @samp{Overview} cross reference above and watch what
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If you always like to have that information available without having
822
to move your mouse over the cross reference, set
823
@code{Info-hide-note-references} to a value other than t (@pxref{Emacs
824
Info Variables}). You might also want to do that if you have a lot of
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cross references to files on remote machines and have non-permanent or
826
slow access, since otherwise you might not be able to distinguish
827
between local and remote links.
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>> Now type @kbd{n} to learn more commands.
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@node Help-Int, Help-Q, Help-Xref, Getting Started
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834
@comment node-name, next, previous, up
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835
@section Some intermediate Info commands
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>> Now type @kbd{n} to see the last node of the course.
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@xref{Advanced Info}, for more advanced Info features.
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@xref{Expert Info}, for more advanced Info features.
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912
@c If a menu appears at the end of this node, remove it.
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913
@c It is an accident of the menu updating command.
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916
@chapter Info for Experts
803
This chapter describes various advanced Info commands. (If you are
804
using a stand-alone Info reader, there are additional commands
918
This chapter describes various Info commands for experts. (If you
919
are using a stand-alone Info reader, there are additional commands
805
920
specific to it, which are documented in several chapters of @ref{Top,,
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921
GNU Info, info-stnd, GNU Info}.)
808
923
This chapter also explains how to write an Info as distinct from a
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Texinfo file. (However, in most cases, writing a Texinfo file is
810
better, since you can use it @emph{both} to generate an Info file and
811
to make a printed manual. @xref{Top,, Overview of Texinfo, texinfo,
812
Texinfo: The GNU Documentation Format}.)
925
better, since you can use it to make a printed manual or produce other
926
formats, such as HTML and DocBook, as well as for generating Info
927
files.) @xref{Top,, Overview of Texinfo, texinfo, Texinfo: The GNU
928
Documentation Format}.
815
* Expert:: Advanced Info commands: g, s, e, and 1 - 5.
931
* Advanced:: Advanced Info commands: g, e, and 1 - 9.
816
932
* Info Search:: How to search Info documents for specific subjects.
817
933
* Add:: Describes how to add new nodes to the hierarchy.
818
934
Also tells what nodes look like.
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this is so you need not count how many entries are there. In Emacs,
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986
the digit keys run the command @code{Info-nth-menu-item}.
872
If your display supports multiple fonts, and you are using Emacs'
873
Info mode to read Info files, the @samp{*} for the fifth menu item
874
stands out, either in color or in some other attribute, such as
875
underline, and so is the @samp{*} for the ninth item; this makes it
876
easy to see at a glance which number to use for an item.
878
Some terminals don't support colors or underlining. If you need to
879
actually count items, it is better to use @kbd{m} instead, and specify
880
the name, or use @key{TAB} to quickly move between menu items.
882
@unnumberedsubsec @kbd{e} makes Info document editable
988
If your display supports multiple fonts, colors or underlining, and
989
you are using Emacs' Info mode to read Info files, the third, sixth
990
and ninth menu items have a @samp{*} that stands out, either in color
991
or in some other attribute, such as underline; this makes it easy to
992
see at a glance which number to use for an item.
994
Some terminals don't support either multiple fonts, colors or
995
underlining. If you need to actually count items, it is better to use
996
@kbd{m} instead, and specify the name, or use @key{TAB} to quickly
997
move between menu items.
999
@subheading @kbd{e} makes Info document editable
884
1001
@kindex e @r{(Info mode)}
885
1002
@findex Info-edit
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1202
reads from the terminal.
1062
1204
@cindex menu and menu entry format
1063
A menu begins with a line starting with @samp{* Menu:}. The rest of the
1064
line is a comment. After the starting line, every line that begins
1065
with a @samp{* } lists a single topic. The name of the topic--what
1066
the user must type at the @kbd{m}'s command prompt to select this
1067
topic---comes right after the star and space, and is followed by a
1068
colon, spaces and tabs, and the name of the node which discusses that
1069
topic. The node name, like node names following @samp{Next}, @samp{Previous}
1070
and @samp{Up}, may be terminated with a tab, comma, or newline; it may also
1071
be terminated with a period.
1205
A menu begins with a line starting with @w{@samp{* Menu:}}. The
1206
rest of the line is a comment. After the starting line, every line
1207
that begins with a @samp{* } lists a single topic. The name of the
1208
topic---what the user must type at the @kbd{m}'s command prompt to
1209
select this topic---comes right after the star and space, and is
1210
followed by a colon, spaces and tabs, and the name of the node which
1211
discusses that topic. The node name, like node names following
1212
@samp{Next}, @samp{Previous} and @samp{Up}, may be terminated with a
1213
tab, comma, or newline; it may also be terminated with a period.
1073
1215
If the node name and topic name are the same, then rather than
1074
1216
giving the name twice, the abbreviation @samp{* @var{name}::} may be