Elisp Snippets

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1 Elisp Snippets

1.1 Overview

This section provides Elisp snippets and examples about Emacs API to help developers find what they need quickly.

1.2 Strings

1.2.1 Concatenate strings

> (concat "hello" " world")
"hello world"

> (concat "hello" " world" " elisp ")
"hello world elisp "

> (apply #'concat '("hello" " world " " elisp "))
"hello world  elisp "

1.2.2 Join Strings by Separator

(defun join (sep lst)
   (mapconcat 'identity lst sep))

ELISP> (join "," '("1.232" "300"  "500"))
"1.232,300,500"

ELISP> (join ", " '("1.232" "300"  "500"))
"1.232, 300, 500"

1.2.3 Split String

> (split-string  "100,200,300,400" ",")
("100" "200" "300" "400")

> (split-string (getenv "PATH") ":")
("/usr/local/sbin" "/usr/local/bin" "/usr/bin" ...)

1.2.4 Split String with quotes

> (split-string-and-unquote "/bin/app -x -y -z   \"/home/user/some name with space/etc\" -k cmd ")

("/bin/app" "-x" "-y" "-z" "/home/user/some name with space/etc" "-k" "cmd")

1.2.5 Replace Strings

1.2.6 Regex

1.3 Text Manipulation

1.3.1 Text alignment

Source: Init file - www.svjatoslav.eu

(defun align-to-colon (begin end)
  "Align region to colon (:) signs"
  (interactive "r")

  (align-regexp begin end
                (rx (group (zero-or-more (syntax whitespace))) ":") 1 1 ))

(defun align-to-comma (begin end)
  "Align region to comma signs"
  (interactive "r")
  (align-regexp begin end
                (rx "," (group (zero-or-more (syntax whitespace))) ) 1 1 ))


(defun align-to-equals (begin end)
  "Align region to equal signs"
  (interactive "r")
  (align-regexp begin end
                (rx (group (zero-or-more (syntax whitespace))) "=") 1 1 ))

(defun align-to-hash (begin end)
  "Align region to hash ( => ) signs"
  (interactive "r")
  (align-regexp begin end
                (rx (group (zero-or-more (syntax whitespace))) "=>") 1 1 ))

;; work with this
(defun align-to-comma-before (begin end)
  "Align region to equal signs"
  (interactive "r")
  (align-regexp begin end
                (rx (group (zero-or-more (syntax whitespace))) ",") 1 1 ))

1.3.2 Join Multiple Lines

From: jidaikobo-shibata/join-multi-lines-to-one.el

(defun join-multi-lines-to-one ()
  "Join multi lines."
  (interactive)
  (let ((beg (region-beginning))
        (end (region-end))
        strings)
    (goto-char beg)
    (back-to-indentation)
    (setq beg (point))
    (goto-char end)
    (goto-char (- (point) 1))
    (end-of-line)
    (setq end (point))
    (setq strings (buffer-substring-no-properties beg end))
    (setq strings (replace-regexp-in-string "\n\\|^>+ *\\|^[\t  ]+" " " strings))
    (setq strings (replace-regexp-in-string " +" " " strings))
    (delete-region beg end)
    (insert strings)
(goto-char beg)))

1.4 S-expressions

1.4.1 Parse s-expressions

;; Exaluate with M-x eval-print-last-sexp

> (read   "(mapc (lambda (p) (insert p) (insert \"\n\"))
               (buffer-list))
        ")

(mapc (lambda (p) (insert p) (insert "
")) (buffer-list))


> (read "(+ 1 2 3 4)")
(+ 1 2 3 4)

1.4.2 Evaluate s-expressions

> (eval (read "(+ 1 2 3 4)" ))
10

> (eval '(+ 1 2 3 4))
10

1.5 Clipboard (Kill-ring)   elisp clipboard kill ring

1.5.1 Copy string to clipboard

(defun clipboard/set (astring)
  "Copy a string to clipboard"
   (with-temp-buffer
    (insert astring)
    (clipboard-kill-region (point-min) (point-max))))

1.5.2 Paste string from clipboard

(defun clipboard/get ()
    "Return the content of clipboard as string"
    (interactive)
    (with-temp-buffer
      (clipboard-yank)
      (buffer-substring-no-properties (point-min) (point-max))))

1.5.3 Copy buffer file name to clibpoard

(defun buffer/copy-file-name ()
  (interactive)
  (clipboard/set (buffer-file-name)))

;; Eval using M-x eval-print-last-sexp
;;
> (buffer/copy-file-name)
nil

> (insert (clipboard/get))
/home/arch/projects/emacs/Emacs_Snippets.org

1.5.4 Copy buffer directory to clibpoard

(defun buffer/copy-path ()
  (interactive)
  (clipboard/set (file-name-directory (buffer-file-name)))
  (message "Copied file path to clipboard"))

;; Eval using M-x eval-print-last-sexp
;;
> (buffer/copy-path)
"Copied file path to clipboard"


> (clipboard/get)
"/home/arch/projects/emacs/"

1.5.5 Copy buffer content to clipboard

(defun buffer/copy-content ()
  "Copy buffer content to clibpoard
Usage: M-x buffer/copy-content"
  (interactive)
  (clipboard/set
   (buffer-substring-no-properties
    (point-min)
    (point-max)
    )))

1.6 Elisp

1.6.1 Load an Elisp file

Load an elisp source file *.el.

(load-file "~/.emacs.d/tools.el")

Load an byte-compiled (*.elc) elisp file.

(load-file "~/.emacs.d/tools.elc")

1.6.2 Load all elisp files of a directory

(defun load-dir (path)
  "
  Load all elisp files (*.el) of a directory

  Usage: (load-dir <path>)

  Example: (load-dir \"~/.emacs.d/custom\")

  "
  (mapc #'load (directory-files path t "\\.el$")))

1.6.3 Add directory to load path

It adds a directory containing Emacs packages (<package name>.el) to the load path. The user can load packages by adding the code (require '<package>) to the file init.el.

(add-to-list 'load-path "~/.emacs.d/custom")

;; package -> ~/.emacs.d/custom/package.el
;;
(require 'package)

1.6.4 Switch and Create the Scratch Buffer

This function switches and crates the scratch buffer if it doesn't exist or was deleted. Usage: M-x scratch.

(defun scratch ()
  "
   Switches to scratch buffer and creates
   it if it doesn't exist.

   Usage: M-x scratch

   This function is useful to Elisp developers.

   Suggestion:
        Add (defalias 's #'scratch) to the init file.
        You can switch to the scratch buffer with > M-x s
   "

  (interactive)

  (let ((buf (get-buffer-create "*scratch*")))

    (switch-to-buffer buf)
    (lisp-interaction-mode)
    ))

(defalias 's #'scratch)

1.6.5 Eval String in Clipboard

It only works on Linux and requires Xclip to be installed, but with a few changes can be tweaked to work in another Os.

ELISP> (defun eval-string (str) (eval (read str)))
eval-string

ELISP> (defun eval-xclip () (eval-string (shell-command-to-string "xclip -o")))
eval-xclip

;;
;;  Copy the following line in this comment block
;;
;;      (message "Loading my copypaste file...")

ELISP> (eval-xclip)
"Loading my copypaste file..."
ELISP>

1.6.6 Extract Function Documentation   elisp

Source: Generate emacs-lisp documentation Primitives:

ELISP>
ELISP> (defun sample-function (a b c)
           "Function Docstring"
         (+ a (* 5 b) (* 3 c)))


;; Extract Documentation
;;
ELISP> (documentation 'sample-function)
"Function Docstring"

;; Extract Code
;;
ELISP> (symbol-function 'sample-function)
(lambda
  (a b c)
  "Function Docstring"
  (+ a
     (* 5 b)
     (* 3 c)))

;; Extract Arguments
ELISP> (help-function-arglist 'sample-function)
(a b c)

Final Code

(fun2org 'sample-function)
    "** sample-function (a b c)\nFunction Docstring\n\n#+BEGIN_SRC emacs-lisp\n(lambda (a b c) \"Function Docstring\" (+ a (* 5 b) (* 3 c)))\n#+END_SRC\n"
    ELISP>
    ELISP> (defun fun2org (function-symbol)
      (let ((args (help-function-arglist function-symbol))
            (doc  (documentation function-symbol))
            (code (symbol-function function-symbol)))
        (print (format "** %s %s
    %s

    #+BEGIN_SRC emacs-lisp
    %S

    " function-symbol args doc code)))) ;; End of fun2org
ELISP> (fun2org 'sample-function)

"** sample-function (a b c)
Function Docstring

 (lambda (a b c) \"Function Docstring\" (+ a (* 5 b) (* 3 c)))
"

1.6.7 Describe function

(describe-function 'find-file-noselect)

1.7 Common Lisp Emulation Library

1.7.1 Reduce (fold left) function

  1. Build a number from a list of digits
    (require 'cl)
    
    ELISP> (cl-reduce (lambda (acc x) (+ (* 10 acc) x)) '(1 2 3 4 5 6) :initial-value 0)
    123456 (#o361100, #x1e240)
    
  2. Test if all values of a list are true
    (require 'cl)
    
    ELISP> (cl-reduce (lambda (acc x) (and acc x)) '(t nil t t t f) :initial-value t)
    nil
    ELISP> (cl-reduce (lambda (acc x) (and acc x)) '(t t t t t f) :initial-value t)
    f
    ELISP> (cl-reduce (lambda (acc x) (and acc x)) '(t t t t t t) :initial-value t)
    t
    
    (defun all-p (bool-list)
       "Tests if all values of bool-list are true (not nil)"
       (cl-reduce (lambda (acc x) (and acc x)) bool-list :initial-value t))
    
    
    ELISP> (all-p '(t t t))
    t
    ELISP> (all-p '(t nil t))
    nil
    
  3. Test if at least one value of a list is true
    ELISP> (cl-reduce (lambda (acc x) (and acc x)) '(t t t t t t) :initial-value t)
    t
    ELISP> (cl-reduce (lambda (acc x) (or acc x)) '(t t t t t t) :initial-value nil)
    t
    ELISP> (cl-reduce (lambda (acc x) (or acc x)) '(nil nil nil t t nil) :initial-value nil)
    t
    ELISP> (cl-reduce (lambda (acc x) (or acc x)) '(nil nil nil nil nil nil) :initial-value nil)
    nil
    ELISP> ()
    
    (defun some-p (bool-list)
       "Tests if at least one value bool-list is true (not nil)"
       (cl-reduce (lambda (acc x) (or acc x)) bool-list :initial-value nil))
    
    ELISP> (some-p '(t t t t))
    t
    ELISP> (some-p '(nil t nil nil))
    t
    ELISP> (some-p '(nil nil nil nil))
    nil
    

1.8 Buffer and regions

1.8.1 Save buffer

(save-buffer)

1.8.2 Kill / delete buffer

(kill-buffer <buffer-object or buffer-name>)

Example: Delete buffer named Elisp_Snippets.org

(kill-buffer "Elisp_Snippets.org")

Example: Delete all buffers:

(mapc #'kill-buffer (buffer-list))

1.8.3 Get buffer content as string

Returns the content of a buffer referencend by its name or the buffer object.

(defun buffer-content (&optional buffer-or-name)
    (with-current-buffer (if buffer-or-name buffer-or-name (current-buffer))
      (buffer-substring-no-properties (point-min) (point-max)  )))

1.8.4 Get selected text as string

Returns the selected text of the current buffer.

(defun get-selection ()
  "Get the text selected in current buffer as string"
  (interactive)
  (buffer-substring-no-properties (region-beginning) (region-end)))

1.8.5 Create a scratch buffer for Programming Languages

This function creates a Python scratch buffer like elisp *scratch* which allows the user to play with Python without creating any file. It is possible to run

It can be easily changed to work with other languages like ruby by replacing python-mode to ruby-mode.

Python Scratch buffer

Usage: M-x python/scratch

(defun python/scratch ()
  (interactive)
    (let (
          ;; Creates a new buffer object.
         (buf (get-buffer-create "*python-scratch*"))
         )
      ;; Executes functions that would change the current buffer at
      ;; buffer buf
     (with-current-buffer buf
       ;;; Set the new buffer to scratch mode
       (python-mode)
       ;;; Pop to scratch buffer
       (pop-to-buffer buf)
       )))

Shell (bash, sh) scratch buffer

Usage: M-x sh/scratch

(defun sh/scratch ()
  (interactive)
    (let (
          ;; Creates a new buffer object.
         (buf (get-buffer-create "*sh-scratch*"))
         )
      ;; Executes functions that would change the current buffer at
      ;; buffer buf
     (with-current-buffer buf
       ;;; Set the new buffer to scratch mode
       (sh-mode)
       ;;; Pop to scratch buffer
       (pop-to-buffer buf)
       )))

1.8.6 Get all buffer's local variables

Get all current buffer's local variables

(buffer-local-variables) ;; Evalute with M-x eval-print-last-sexp

Output:

((cursor-type . bar)
(buffer-display-time 22711 20278 987330 737000)
(buffer-display-count . 4)
(buffer-invisibility-spec
(org-babel-hide-hash . t)
(org-babel-hide-hash . t)
(org-babel-hide-hash . t)
(org-babel-hide-hash . t)
(org-babel-hide-result . t)
(org-hide-block . t)
(org-cwidth) (org-link) (outline . t) t)
(buffer-file-truename . "~/Documents/projects/emacs/Elisp_Snippets.org") (point-before-scroll)

(buffer-auto-save-file-format . t)
(buffer-file-format) (buffer-file-coding-system . utf-8-unix)
(enable-multibyte-characters . t)
(mark-active)
(overwrite-mode) ...)

Get all local variables of a buffer.

(buffer-local-variables <buffer-name>)

1.8.7 Get a specific buffer local variable

(buffer-local-value VARIABLE BUFFER)

Get current buffer major-mode:

>  (buffer-local-value 'major-mode (current-buffer))
org-mode

1.8.8 Append buffer content to file

Function append to file: Append buffer's region content to file.

(append-to-file <point-min> <point-max> <file-name>)

Append current buffer content to file. If the file doesn't exist, it will be created. Otherwise the buffer content will be appended to the end of the file.

(append-to-file (point-min) (point-max) "/tmp/afile.txt")

Append a specific buffer content to file.

(with-current-buffer "my-buffer-name"
  (append-to-file (point-min) (point-max) "/tmp/afile.txt"))

1.8.9 Write file with buffer content (overwrite file it exists)

;; Delete file if exists in order to overwrite it.
(if (file-exists-p filename)
    (delete-file file))

;; Append buffer content to file.
(append-to-file (point-min) (point-max) filename))

1.8.10 Revert / update buffer without asking to confirm

(revert-buffer t t t)

1.9 IO - Input and Output

1.9.1 Input - Read User Input

  1. Prompt functions
    Function Description
    read-string Read input as string
    read-file-name Read input as file name
    read-directory-name Read input as path to directory
    read-regexp Read input as regular expression
    read-passwd Read password
    read-shell-command Read a shell command.
    read-command Read an M-x elisp command returning a symbol.
    read-envvar-name Read environment variable
    read-key Read a key from the keyboard.
    read-key-sequence Read a sequence of keystrokes and return as a string or vector.
    read-number Read a numeric value
    read-regexp Read regular expression returning it as string.
       
  2. Read string
    > (read-string "prompt > ") ;; M-x eval-print-last-sexp
    "user enter some string in minibuffer"
    

    Ask the user for a string and insert in the buffer

    > (insert (concat "\n" (read-string " prompt > " ))) ;; M-x eval-last-sexp
    user enter a message in the minibuffer
    
  3. Read file name

    Reads a file name from the user and gives auto completion. Enter tab to autocomplete the file name.

    > (read-file-name "Enter a file name: ") ;; M-x eval-print-last-sexp
    "/etc/fstab"
    
  4. Read file name and insert at point

    Opens a prompt that asks for the path in the minibuffer with completion and inserts the path at the current point.

    • Usage: M-x insert-path
    (defun insert-path ()
      "
       Opens a prompt that asks for the path
       in the minibuffer with completion
       and inserts the path at the current
       point.
    
       Usage: M-x insert-path
    
       "
      (interactive)
      (insert  (read-file-name "file > ")))
    
  5. Read a directory path
    > (read-directory-name "Enter a directory: ") ;; M-x eval-print-last-sexp
    "/var/log"
    

1.9.2 Output

  1. Message

    Display a message at the bottom of the screen.

    (message "A message to the user")
    

    emacs_message.png

  2. Print
  3. Princ
  4. Message box

    Display a message, in a dialog box if possible. If a dialog box is not available, use the echo area.

    (message-box "Emacs Alert. Time to drink a coffee!")
    

    emacs_messagebox.png

  5. Tooltip

    Show a tooltip

    (tooltip-show "An Emacs tooltip")
    

    emacs_show_tooltip.png

1.10 Interacting with Operating System and External Applications

1.10.1 Related Documentation

[C-h-f] <name of function>

  • shell-command
  • async-shell-command
  • start-process
  • call-process
  • shell-command-to-string
  • shell-command-on-region
  • getenv
  • setenv

1.10.2 Add application path to the PATH variable - Solving command not found

  1. Overview

    In order to Emacs find where applications such as ruby shell, scala compiler and tools are installed it is necessary to the PATH environment variable contain the path to the directories which contains those applications.

  2. Checking PATH variable

    Copy this command below to the scratch buffer and enter M-x eval-print-last-last-sexp.

    (getenv "PATH")
    "/home/archbox/opt/scala/bin:/usr/bin:/bin: ..."
    
  3. Command to display path variable
    (defun show-path-variable ()
      (interactive)
      ;; Create a new buffer to display results to user
      (switch-to-buffer (get-buffer-create "*path-variable*"))
      ;; Clear buffer 
      (delete-region (point-min) (point-max))
      ;; save cursor position 
      (save-excursion 
       (mapc (lambda (p) (insert (concat  p "\n")))
             (split-string (getenv "PATH")
                           ;; Get path separator (;) for Windows
                           ;; and (:) for Unix-like systems.
                           (if (equal system-type 'windows/nt)
                               ";"
                               ":"
                             )))))
    

    By running this command M-x show-path-varible it will print all paths in the $PATH variable in a new buffer a easy way to read:

    /home/archbox/opt/scala-2.11.8/bin
    /home/archbox/opt/jdk1.8.0_74/bin/
    /usr/local/sbin
    /usr/local/bin
    /usr/bin
    /usr/lib/jvm/default/bin
    /usr/bin/site_perl
    /usr/bin/vendor_perl
    /usr/bin/core_perl
    /home/archbox/opt/java/bin
    /home/archbox/opt/scala-2.11.8/bin/
    
  4. Add a directories to PATH variable

    It will add the directory: ~/opt/scala/bin to the $PATH variable. Before run the code below when the user runs M-x async-shell-command scala it will shows an error message like this:

    /bin/bash: scala: command not found
    

    Note: The character ':' is the separator for Unix-like OS (Linux/ BSD and OSX) and ';' is the separator for Windows.

    ;; Add single directory 
    (setenv "PATH"
            (concat
             (expand-file-name "~/opt/scala/bin") ":"
             (getenv "PATH")))
    
    ;; Add multiple directories 
    (setenv "PATH"
            (concat
             (expand-file-name "~/opt/scala/bin")        ":"
             (expand-file-name "~/opt/jdk1.8.0_20/bin/") ":"
             "/Applications/haste-compiler/bin/"         ":"
             (getenv "PATH")))
    

    After it is done the Scala REPL will look like the picture below:

    scala-shellx1.png

    Figure 4: Scala in PATH variable.

  5. Function to add multiple directories in PATH variable
    (defun add-to-path-var (&rest pathlist)
      (let* ((path-sep (if (equal system-type 'windows/nt)
                           ";"  ;; Windows separator 
                           ":"  ;; Unix separator 
                          )))
        (setenv "PATH" (concat (apply #'concat
                                      (mapcar
                                       (lambda (path)
                                         (concat (expand-file-name path)
                                                 path-sep))
                                       pathlist))
                               (getenv "PATH")))))
    

    Usage example:

    (add-to-path-var "~/opt/scala/bin" "~/opt/jdk1.8.0_20/bin/")
    

    Alternative way:

    Use the function locally without pollute the namespace.

    (require 'cl)
    
    (cl-flet
        ((add-to-path-var
          (&rest pathlist)
          (let* ((path-sep (if (equal system-type 'windows/nt)
                               ";" ;; Windows separator 
                               ":" ;; Unix separator 
                               )))
            (setenv "PATH"
                    (concat (apply #'concat
                                   (mapcar
                                    (lambda (path)
                                      (concat (expand-file-name path)
                                              path-sep))
                                              pathlist))
                            (getenv "PATH"))))))
      ;; Add paths to be added to PATH variable here,
      (add-to-path-var
       "~/opt/scala/bin"
       "~/opt/jdk1.8.0_20/bin/"
       ))
    

1.10.3 Synchronous Shell Commands

  1. Display output of shell command
    (shell-command "uname -a") ;; M-x eval-last-sexp
    

    emacs_shell_command_output.png

  2. Display output of shell command in another frame   shell command frame

    Display PCI cards in another frame.

    (with-selected-frame (make-frame)
      (shell-command "lspci"))
    
  3. Shell Command To String   shell string
    > (shell-command-to-string "uname -a")  ;; M-x eval-print-last-sexp
    "Linux localhost 4.7.0-1-ARCH #1 SMP PREEMPT Mon Aug 8 22:05:58 CEST 2016 x86_64 GNU/Linux
    "
    
    > (insert (format "\nKernel version %s " (shell-command-to-string "uname -r"))) ;; M-x eval-last-sexp
    
    Kernel version 4.7.0-1-ARCH
     nil
    
    (defun insert-debug-info ()
      (interactive)
    
      (insert (concat "Kernel version : ") (shell-command-to-string "uname -r"))
      (insert (concat "Linux distribution : ") (shell-command-to-string "cat /etc/issue"))
      (insert (concat "Gcc version :") (shell-command-to-string "gcc --version | grep GCC"))
      )
    ;; M-x insert-debug-info
    
    Kernel version : 4.7.0-1-ARCH
    Linux distribution : Arch Linux \r (\l)
    
    Gcc version :gcc (GCC) 6.1.1 20160802
    
  4. Shell Command Wrappers

    The function shell-command-to-lines runs a shell command and returns the output lines. This function is useful to create shell command wrappers over Unix shell commands like find.

    (defun shell-command-to-lines (command)
      (remove-if-not  (lambda (s) (/= (length s) 0))
                      (split-string
                       (shell-command-to-string command) "\n")))
    
    
    ELISP> (mapc #'princ (shell-command-to-lines "ls /var/log"))
    btmpfailloghttpdjournallastlogoldpacman.logsambaspeech-dispatcherwtmpXorg.0.logXorg.0.log.old
    ("btmp" "faillog" "httpd" "journal" "lastlog" "old" "pacman.log" "samba" "speech-dispatcher" "wtmp" "Xorg.0.log" "Xorg.0.log.old")
    
    ELISP> (mapc (lambda (p) (princ p) (princ "\n")) (shell-command-to-lines "ls /var/log"))
    btmp
    faillog
    httpd
    journal
    lastlog
    old
    pacman.log
    samba
    speech-dispatcher
    wtmp
    Xorg.0.log
    Xorg.0.log.old
    

    Example: Shell command wrapper find

    ELISP> (mapc (lambda (p) (princ p) (princ "\n"))  (shell-command-to-lines "find ~/.local/share/ -name \"*.desktop\""))
    /home/arch/.local/share/xfce4/helpers/custom-WebBrowser.desktop
    /home/arch/.local/share/applications/userapp-mono-IAJQMY.desktop
    /home/arch/.local/share/applications/userapp-sh-9VFBMY.desktop
    /home/arch/.local/share/applications/userapp-em-FLD8LY.desktop
    /home/arch/.local/share/applications/userapp-mpv-FLQ9LY.desktop
    /home/arch/.local/share/applications/userapp-Firefox-SOBHMY.desktop
    
    (defun search-files (directory pattern)
      (shell-command-to-lines
       (format "find %s -name '%s'"
               directory
               pattern)))
    
    ELISP> (search-files "~/.local" "*.desktop") ;; Output changed to fit in the screen
    ("/home/arch/.local/share/xfce4/helpers/custom-WebBrowser.desktop"
    "/home/arch/.local/share/applications/userapp-mono-IAJQMY.desktop"
    "/home/arch/.local/share/applications/userapp-sh-9VFBMY.desktop"
    "/home/arch/.local/share/applications/userapp-em-FLD8LY.desktop"
    ...
    )
    
    
    ELISP> (mapc (lambda (p) (princ p) (princ "\n")) (search-files "~/.local" "*.desktop"))
    
    /home/arch/.local/share/xfce4/helpers/custom-WebBrowser.desktop
    /home/arch/.local/share/applications/userapp-mono-IAJQMY.desktop
    /home/arch/.local/share/applications/userapp-sh-9VFBMY.desktop
    /home/arch/.local/share/applications/userapp-em-FLD8LY.desktop
    /home/arch/.local/share/applications/userapp-mpv-FLQ9LY.desktop
    /home/arch/.local/share/applications/userapp-Firefox-SOBHMY.desktop
    

1.10.4 Pipe a region to external command   terminal shell command pipe interface

  1. Pipe buffer or region to external command

    Pipes the buffer content to external command and print the output in the buffer *Shell Command Output*. The command $ wc -l counts the number of line of the current file.

    > (shell-command-on-region (point-min) (point-max) "wc -l") ;; M-x eval-last-sexp
    

    Pipes the buffer content to external command $wc -l and get the output as a string.

    > (with-output-to-string  ;; M-x eval-print-last-sexp
          (shell-command-on-region (point-min) (point-max) "wc -l"))
    ""
    
    (defun pipe-region-to-command (pmin pmax command)
      (interactive)
      (shell-command-on-region
       pmin
       pmax
       command
       "*shell-output*")
      (let ((output
             (with-current-buffer "*shell-output*"
               (buffer-substring-no-properties
                (point-min)
                (point-max)))))
        (kill-buffer "*shell-output*")
        output
        ))
    
    > (pipe-region-to-command (point-min) (point-max) "wc -l") ;; M-x eval-print-last-sexp
    "1515
    "
    
  2. Apply an external command to buffer

    The command below will pipe the buffer *scratch* to the command =$ sed 's/foo.*/bar/g'= which replaces all values of foo for bar.

    (with-current-buffer "*scratch*"
      (shell-command-on-region
       (point-min)
       (point-max) "sed 's/foo.*/bar/g'" "*shell-output*" t )) ;; M-x eval-last-sexp
    

    Before the form evaluation

    shell-on-region-before.png

    After the form evaluation.

    shell-on-region-after.png

  3. Function to apply an external command to buffer

    Usage: M-x shell-command-on-buffer Enter: sed 's/defun/defn/g' eplaces all defun words by defn.

    (defun shell-command-on-buffer (&optional command)
      "Apply a shell command in the current buffer and replace it by the command output.
    Example:
    - Interactive usage:  M-x shell-command-on-buffer Enter: sed 's/defun/defn/g'.
                          replaces all defun words by defn.
    
    - (shell-command-on-buffer \"sed 's/defun/defn/g'\")"
      (interactive)
      (shell-command-on-region (point-min)
                               (point-max)
                               (if command command (read-string "Cmd on buffer: "))
                               "*shell-output*"
                               t
                               ))
    
  4. Insert line number in all lines of a buffer using ruby

    Enter M-x shell-command-on-buffer and then $ ruby -ne 'printf("-%6s%s", $., $_)'

    ruby -ne 'printf("-%6s%s", $., $_)'
    

    Before running the command:

    shell-ruby-on-buffer-before.png

    After running the command:

    shell-ruby-on-buffer-after.png

  5. Ruby command on buffer

    This function applies a ruby batch command on the buffer.

    See also: Ruby One-Liners

    (defun ruby-on-buffer (&optional command)
      "Applies a ruby command on buffer
    Example: The command will number each line of the current buffer.
    1. M-x ruby-on-buffer
    2. type: 'printf(\"%6s%s\", $., $_)' without quotes."
      (interactive)
      (shell-command-on-buffer
       (format "ruby -ne '%s'"
               (if command
                   command
                 (read-string "ruby cmd >")))))
    

    ruby-command-on-buffer.png

  6. Ruby regex on buffer

    Emacs regexp islimited and doesn't have lookahead like perl or ruby regex. This command can extend the functionality of Emacs regex using ruby. This function applies a ruby regex on the buffer.

    Usage: M-x ruby-gsub-on-buffer

    See also: Ruby One-Liners

    (defun ruby-gsub-on-buffer (&optional regexp)
       "Applies ruby regex, the command $ ruby -pe 'gsub(regexp)' on the current buffer.
    Usage M-x ruby-gsub-on-buffer
          (ruby-gsub-on-buffer <regexp>)
    Example: The Command replace all occurrences  of 'defun' by 'defn'.
    1. M-x ruby-gsub-on-buffer
    2. Type /defun/,\"defn\""
       (interactive)
       (shell-regexp-on-buffer
        (format "ruby -pe 'gsub(%s)'"
               (if regexp
                   regexp
                 (read-string "ruby regex: ")))))
    

    Refactoring to a self-contained-code, removing all dependencies.

    Example: To remove all numbers in at beggining of line run:

    M-x replace-regex-ruby /^\d\d?/,""
    
    (defun replace-regexp-ruby (&optional regexp)
       "Replace ruby-gsub on buffer same as replace-regexp, but with ruby regex.
    Usage M-x ruby-gsub-on-buffer
          (ruby-gsub-on-buffer <regexp>)
    Example: The Command replace all occurrences of 'defun' by 'defn'.
    1. M-x ruby-gsub-on-buffer
    2. Type /defun/,\"defn\""
       (interactive)
       (shell-command-on-region (point-min)
                                (point-max)
                                (format "ruby -pe 'gsub(%s)'"
                                        (if regexp
                                            regexp
                                          (read-string "ruby regex: ")))
                                "*shell-output*"
                                t
                                ))
    

1.10.5 Launch apps in Asynchronous mode

1.10.6 Run asynchronous commands piping the output to a buffer

  1. Ping a host
    • (start-process NAME BUFFER PROGRAM &rest PROGRAM-ARGS

    Usage: M-x ping-host or (ping-host <hostname>)

    (defun ping-host (&optional hostname)
      "Ping a hostname.  
    Usage:
    - Interactive: M-x ping-host
    - Command:     (ping-host <hostname>)
    Examples: 
     (ping-host \"www.google.com\")
     (ping-host \"192.168.0.1\")"
      (interactive)
      (let ((hostname-
             (if hostname
                 hostname
               (read-string "host to ping: "))))
        (start-process "ping" "*ping*" "ping" hostname-)
        (switch-to-buffer-other-frame "*ping*")))
    

    emacs_shell_ping_hostname.png

  2. Tracerote a host
    (defun traceroute-host (&optional hostname)
      "Run traceroute command to test connection.
    Usage:
    - Interactive: M-x traceroute-host [Enter the hostname]
    - Command:     (traceroute-host <hostname>)
    Example: (traceroute-host \"www.yahoo.co.uk\")."
      (interactive)
      (let ((hostname- (if hostname
                           hostname
                         (read-string "host to traceroute: "))))
        (start-process "traceroute" "*traceroute*" "traceroute" hostname-)
        (switch-to-buffer-other-frame "*traceroute*")))
    

1.10.7 Run a ncurses / terminal app inside Emacs

Run linux htop (task manager) inside Emacs:

(term "htop") ;; C-x C-e or M-x eval-last-sexp

emacs_ncurses_term.png

1.10.8 Run apps in external terminal emulator   terminal shell os command

Some Linux ncurses-based applications like Htop, Top, Nmtui (Network Manager's terminal UI) doesn't work well running in Emacs terminal emulator M-x term or M-x ansi-term. The solution is run the command from Emacs and send to an external terminal emulator.

Read a command in launch in terminal

This command uses xfce4-terminal but it can be changed to any other terminal emulator.

(defun run-terminal ()
  "Launch application in a terminal emulator."
  (interactive)
  (start-process
   "termx"
   nil
   ;; Change this for your terminal.
   "xfce4-terminal" "-e" (read-shell-command "Shell: ")))

Launch specific commands

(defun shell-command-in-terminal (command)
  (start-process
   "termx"
   nil
   ;; Change this for your terminal.
   "xfce4-terminal" "-e" command))

To launch htop:

(shell-command-in-terminal "htop")

To launch nmtui:

(shell-command-in-terminal "nmtui")

Command M-x htop to launch htop.

(defun htop ()
  "Launch htop task manager."
  (interactive)
  (shell-command-in-terminal "htop"))

1.10.9 Launch applicatiosn from Emacs

This command asks the user a shell command providing tab completion and launches an asynchronous process (it doesn't freeze Emacs). Unlike asynchronous-shell-command this command doesn't create a new buffer. It is useful to launch desktop GUI applications from Emacs like Firefox, terminal emulator, file mangers and so on.

Note: In order to this command find the app the directory of the app must be in the $PATH variable.

(defun shell-launch ()
  "Launch a process without creating a buffer. It is useful to launch apps from Emacs."
  (interactive)
  (let* ((cmd-raw  (read-shell-command "Launch command: "))
         (cmd-args (split-string-and-unquote cmd-raw))
         (cmd      (car cmd-args))       ;; program that will run
         (args     (cdr cmd-args)))     ;; command arguments
    (apply #'start-process `(,cmd
                             nil
                             ,cmd ,@args
                             ))))

This comamnd can be bound to a keybiding with the code bellow that bidns the key combination SUPER (Windows Key) + 8.

(global-set-key (kbd "s-8") #'shell-launch)

1.10.10 Send regions, commands and buffer to M-x shell repl.

  • M-x shell/buffer-repl This command deletes all other windows and splits the current frame into two windows one containing a M-x shell (bash) repl and the other a shell-script scratch buffer (sh-mode).
  • M-x shell/buffer-repl-frame Like the shell/buffer-repl, but shell and the scratch buffer are displayed in new frame.
(defun shell/buffer-repl ()
  "Create "
  (interactive)

  (delete-other-windows)

  ;; Split window vertically
  (split-window-right)

  ;;; Run shell (bash on Linux)
  (shell)

  ;;; Creates a scratch-shell buffer on other half of window
  (let ((buf (get-buffer-create "*shell-buffer*")))
    (with-current-buffer buf
      (sh-mode)
      (pop-to-buffer buf))))

(defun shell/buffer-repl-frame ()
  (interactive)
  (with-selected-frame (make-frame)
    (shell/buffer-repl)))

This functions are useful to send regions, lines and regions to M-x shell repl from a shell-buffer or shell scratch buffer to the repl.

(defun shell/send-region ()
  "Send selected text to M-x shell repl."
  (interactive)
  (comint-send-region (get-buffer-process "*shell*" )
                      (region-beginning) (region-end))
  (comint-send-string (get-buffer-process "*shell*" ) "\n"))

(defun shell/insert-region ()
  "Insert selected text into M-x shell repl and run it."
  (interactive)
  (let ((text (buffer-substring-no-properties (region-beginning)
                                              (region-end)
                                              )))
  (with-current-buffer "*shell*"
    (insert text)
    (comint-send-input)
    )))


(defun shell/send-line ()
  "Send current line to M-x shell repl."
  (interactive)
  (comint-send-region (get-buffer-process "*shell*")
                      (line-beginning-position)
                      (line-end-position)
                      )
  (comint-send-string (get-buffer-process "*shell*" ) "\n"))


(defun shell/insert-line ()
  "Insert current line to M-x shell repl."
  (interactive)
  (let ((line (buffer-substring-no-properties
               (line-beginning-position)
               (line-end-position)
               )))
  (with-current-buffer "*shell*"
    (insert line)
    (comint-send-input)
    )))


(defun shell/execute-line ()
  "Execute current line as shell command."
  (interactive)
  (shell-command
   (buffer-substring (line-beginning-position)
                     (line-end-position))))

(defun shell/execute-region ()
  "Execute current region as shell command."
  (interactive)
  (shell-command
   (buffer-substring (region-beginning)
                     (region-end))))

(defun shell/insert-buffer ()
  "Insert all buffer content into M-x shell repl and run it."
  (interactive)
  (let ((text (buffer-substring-no-properties (point-min)
                                              (point-max)
                                              )))
  (with-current-buffer "*shell*"
    (insert text)
    (comint-send-input)
    )))

Example:

  1. User runs M-x shell/buffer-repl-frame. It will open a frame like in the picture bellow.
  1. User select the region with some code and runs M-x shell/insert-region. It will send the current region to the shell repl and display the output, in this case the content of root directory.

faf2389f-7c67-43fb-af0a-125f1c1d28eb.png

Figure 13: Example of M-x shell/buffer-repl-frame.

shell-demo2.gif

Figure 14: Demonstration of M-x shell/buffer-repl-frame and shell/insert-region

1.11 Compilation   compile tool building shell process

1.11.1 Enhanced Compilation Command

This command is similar to emacs M-x compile, however it expands '%f' to the buffer file name, '%n' to buffer base name and '%d' to buffer directory.

Example: if the current buffer is associated to the file /home/arch/scripts/gui1.scala and the user types the command M-x compile2 followed by the command below.

  • $ scalac %f -d app-%n.jar && scala app-%n.jar

Emacs will run M-x compile with:

  • $ scalac gui1.scala -d app-gui1.jar && scala scala app-gui1.jar

The advantage of this command is that user doesn't need to type the file name to be compiled.

(setq compile2-command-history "")

(defun compile2 ()
  "Enhanced compilation command.
- %f - is expanded to current buffer file name. 
- %d - is expanded to current buffer current directory.
- %n - is expanded to current buffer base name.

Example: if the current buffer is associated to the file. 
 - /home/arch/scripts/gui1.scala 

If the user enter the command: 

 $ scalac %f -d app-%n.jar && scala app-%n.jar

It will run M-x compile with: 

 $ scalac gui1.scala -d app-gui1.jar && scala scala app-gui1.jar"
  (interactive)
  (let* ((file (buffer-file-name))
         (cmd  (read-shell-command "cmd> " compile2-command-history))
         (cmd1 (replace-regexp-in-string "%f" (file-name-nondirectory file) cmd))
         (cmd2 (replace-regexp-in-string "%n" (file-name-base file) cmd1))
         (cmd3 (replace-regexp-in-string "%d" (file-name-directory file) cmd2)))
    (setq compile2-command-history cmd)
    (save-buffer)
    (compile cmd3)))

1.11.2 Compile a single c++ file related to current buffer and run it.

Usage: When the user run the command M-x cpp/compile-run-buffer at the current buffer (file code1.cpp) it will compile and run this file running the command $ g++ code1.cpp -o code1.bin && ./code1.bin.

(defun cpp/compile-run-buffer ()
  "Compile and run current c++ buffer (single-file C++ code).
Usage: By running M-x cpp/compile-buffer-run at current buffer (file code1.cpp)
will run $ g++ code1.cpp -o code1.bin && ./code1.bin"
  (interactive)
  (let* ((file-name  (file-name-nondirectory (buffer-file-name)))
        ;; Change file name extension to .bin
         (output     (concat (file-name-base file-name) ".bin")))
    (save-buffer)
    (compile (format "g++ %s -o %s && ./%s"
                     file-name
                     output
                     output
                     ))))

1.11.3 Compile and run a single c++ file at point in dired mode

Usage: In dired mode mode, place the cursor at the file to be compiled and run M-x cpp/compile-run-dired.

(defun cpp/compile-run-dired ()
  "Compile single c++ file at point in dired mode.
Usage: Position the cursor at the file to be compiled and
run M-x cpp/compile-dired."
  (interactive)
  (let* ((file-name  (file-name-nondirectory (dired-file-name-at-point)))
        ;; Change file name extension to .bin
         (output     (concat (file-name-base file-name) ".bin")))
    (save-buffer)
    (compile (format "g++ %s -o %s && ./%s"
                     file-name
                     output
                     output
                     ))))

cpp_compile_dired.png

1.12 File

1.12.1 Test if file or directory exists

> (file-exists-p "/var/log/pacman.log") ;; M-x eval-print-last-sexp
t

> (file-exists-p "/var/log/pcaman.log.err")
nil
 ;;
> (file-exists-p "/var/log")
t
 ;;
> (file-exists-p "/var/log-dont-exists")
nil

1.12.2 Expand file name

ELISP> (expand-file-name "~")
"/home/arch"

ELISP> (expand-file-name "~/.emacs.d/init.el")
"/home/arch/.emacs.d/init.el"

ELISP> (expand-file-name ".")
"/home/arch/projects/emacs"

1.12.3 Read file to string

The Emacs API doesn't provide a straightforward way to read file directly to a string. The only way to perform this taks is using a temporary buffer.

(defun read-file (filename)
  (with-temp-buffer
    (insert-file-contents filename)
    (buffer-substring-no-properties (point-min) (point-max))))

ELISP> (read-file "/etc/host.conf")
"#\n# /etc/host.conf\n#\n\norder hosts,bind\nmulti on\n\n# End of file\n"

ELISP> (princ (read-file "/etc/host.conf"))
#
# /etc/host.conf
#

order hosts,bind
multi on

# End of file

1.12.4 Open file to edit

  1. Open file to edit in current window
    > (find-file "/etc/fstab")
    
  2. Open file to edit in anther window
    (find-file-other-window "/etc/fstab")
    
  3. Open file to edit in anther frame
    (find-file-other-frame "/etc/fstab")
    

1.12.5 Open file to edit silently   file buffer open

Function: find-file-nonselect

Emacs Documentation: Read file FILENAME into a buffer and return the buffer.If a buffer exists visiting FILENAME, return that one, but verify that the file has not changed since visited or saved. The buffer is not selected, just returned to the caller.

Open a file and returns a buffer:

> (setq b1 (find-file-noselect "~/.bashrc"))
#<buffer .bashrc>

> b1
#<buffer .bashrc>

1.12.6 Edit File as Root   utils edit

(defun open-as-root (filename)
  (interactive)
  (find-file (concat "/sudo:root@localhost:"  filename)))


;; Example:
;; ELISP> (open-as-root "/etc/host.conf")
;;


;;
;; Open an already opened buffer as root
;;
;; M-x open-buffer-as-root
;;
(defun open-buffer-as-root ()
 (interactive)
 (let
     (
      ;; Get the current buffer file name
      (filename (buffer-file-name (current-buffer)))
      ;; Get the current file name
      (bufname  (buffer-name (current-buffer)))
     )
   (progn
  (kill-buffer bufname)         ;; Kill current buffer
  (open-as-root filename))))    ;; Open File as root

1.13 File Name Manipulation

1.13.1 Get absolute path to current buffer's file.

ELISP> (buffer-file-name)
"/home/archbox/.emacs.d/init.el"
ELISP>

1.13.2 File name without path

ELISP> (file-name-nondirectory "/home/archbox/.emacs.d/init.el")
"init.el"
ELISP>

1.13.3 File name to base name

Transform file name to name without path and extension.

ELISP> (file-name-base "/home/archbox/.emacs.d/init.el")
"init"
ELISP>

1.13.4 Get file's path

Get the directory that contais a file.

ELISP> (file-name-directory "/home/archbox/.emacs.d/init.el")
"/home/archbox/.emacs.d/"
ELISP>

1.13.5 Expand file name

ELISP> (expand-file-name ".")
"/home/archbox/.emacs.d"

ELISP> (expand-file-name "./init.el")
"/home/archbox/.emacs.d/init.el"
ELISP>

ELISP> (expand-file-name "~")
"/home/archbox"

ELISP> (expand-file-name "~/.bashrc")
"/home/archbox/.bashrc"
ELISP>

1.13.6 Replace file extension

Example: It will replace the extension of file name init.el to init.py. Note: it will not modify the file.

ELISP>
(let ((file  "/home/archbox/.emacs.d/init.el"))
  (concat (file-name-directory file)
          (file-name-base file)
          ".py"
          ))

"/home/archbox/.emacs.d/init.py"
ELISP>

or

(defun file-replace-extension (ext file)
    (concat (file-name-directory file)
            (file-name-base file)
            ext
            ))

ELISP> (file-replace-extension ".py" "/home/archbox/.emacs.d/init.el")
"/home/archbox/.emacs.d/init.py"
ELISP>

1.14 Directory   directory

1.14.1 Open directory

  1. Open directory in current window
    (dired "/var/log")
    
  2. Open directory in another window
    (dired-other-window "/var/log")
    
  3. Open directory in another frame
    (dired-other-frame "/var/log")
    

    emacs_dired_frame_open_dir.png

1.14.2 Create directory

1.14.3 List directory

Get directory content

ELISP> (directory-files "/var/log")

("." ".." "Xorg.0.log" "Xorg.0.log.old" ... )

Print the directory content in elisp shell IEML.

ELISP> (mapc #'(lambda (p) (princ (concat "\n" p)))
               (directory-files "/var/log") )

.
..
Xorg.0.log
Xorg.0.log.old
btmp
faillog
httpd
journal
lastlog
old
pacman.log
samba
speech-dispatcher
wtmp

Get directory content with absolute file name.

ELISP> (directory-files "/var/log" t)
("/var/log/." "/var/log/.." "/var/log/Xorg.0.log" "/var/log/Xorg.0.log.old" ... )

ELISP> (mapc #'(lambda (p) (princ (concat "\n" p)))
               (directory-files "/var/log" t ))

/var/log/.
/var/log/..
/var/log/Xorg.0.log
/var/log/Xorg.0.log.old
/var/log/btmp
...

List files of a specific extension:

;; Files ending with *.conf

ELISP> (directory-files "/etc/" nil "\\.conf")
("asound.conf" "dhcpcd.conf" "fuse.conf" "gai.conf" ...)

ELISP> (directory-files "/etc/" t "\\.conf")
("/etc/asound.conf" "/etc/dhcpcd.conf" "/etc/fuse.conf"  ...)

ELISP> (directory-files "/etc/" t "\\.cfg")
("/etc/rc_maps.cfg" "/etc/vdpau_wrapper.cfg")

ELISP> (directory-files "/etc/" nil "\\.cfg")
("rc_maps.cfg" "vdpau_wrapper.cfg")

1.15 Dired mode snippets   directory dired

1.15.1 Overview

The dired mode is the mode used by Emacs to browser directories.

See also: How do you customize dired?

Source: hiroina/.emacs

1.15.2 Copy path of file at point

  • Copy path of file at point.
(defun dired-copy-path ()
  "In dired, copy file path to kill-buffer.  
At 2nd time it copy current directory to kill-buffer."
  (interactive)
  (let (path)
    (setq path (dired-file-name-at-point))
    (if (string= path (current-kill 0 1)) (setq path (dired-current-directory)))
    (message path)
    (kill-new path)))

1.15.3 Paste a file from clibpboard

This command pastes a file which path is stored in clibpoard.

Usage:

  1. Copy file from clibpoard with Emacs or from system's default file manager.
  2. M-x dired-paste-file-from-clipboard
(defun dired-paste-file-from-clipboard ()
  "Paste a file from clpboard to current directory."
  (interactive)
  (flet ((clipboard-get ()
                        (with-temp-buffer
                           (clipboard-yank)
                           (buffer-substring-no-properties
                            (point-min)
                            (point-max)))))
    (copy-file (clipboard-get) ".")
    (revert-buffer)))

1.15.4 Create empty file (touch)

  • Create empty file at current directory opened in dired mode.
(defun dired-touch ()
  "Creates empty file at current directory."
  (interactive)
  (append-to-file "" nil (read-string "New file: "))
  (if (equal major-mode 'dired-mode)
      (revert-buffer)))

1.15.5 Open multiple marked files

(defun dired-open-files (files)
  "Open all marked files in dired mode with m.
Usage:
1. Mark the files with m
2. M-x dired-open-files"
  (interactive
   (list (dired-get-marked-files)) )
  (mapc #'find-file files))

1.15.6 Close multiple marked files

(setq lexical-binding t)

(defun compose (fn1 fn2)
  (let ((lexical-binding t))
    (lambda (x)
       (funcall fn2 (funcall fn1 x)))))


(defun dired-close-files (files)
  (interactive  (list (dired-get-marked-files)) )
  (mapc (compose #'get-file-buffer #'kill-buffer) files))

1.15.7 Open a file with default system application   dired file open system

Usage. Select a file in dired mode and enter M-x dired-xdg

Function: xdg-open. Open any file with system's default application.

(defun xdg-open (filename)
    "Open a file FILENAME with default system application.
  This function is operating system independent."
    (cl-case system-type

      ;;; Linux
      (gnu/linux      (let ((process-connection-type  nil))
                        (start-process
                            "proc"
                            nil
                            ;; Command
                            "xdg-open" (expand-file-name filename))))

      ;;; Free BSD OS
      (gnu/kfreebsd    (let ((process-connection-type  nil))
                        (start-process
                            "proc"
                            nil
                            ;; Command
                            "xdg-open" (expand-file-name filename))))

      ;; Mac OSX - (Not tested )
      (darwing        (start-process
                       "proc"
                       nil
                       ;; Command
                       "open" (concat  (expand-file-name filename))))

      ;; Windows 7, 8, 10 - Kernel NT
      (windows-nt   (start-process
                     "proc"
                     nil
                     ;; Command
                     "cmd"  "/C"  "start" "" (expand-file-name filename)
                      ))))

Function: dired-xdg

(defun dired-xdg ()
  "Open file at point with systems' default app.
Usage: In the dired mode select a file and type M-x dired-xdg
to execute the file with the system default app.
    "
    (interactive)
    (with-current-buffer
        (xdg-open (dired-get-filename))))

1.15.8 Close all dired buffers

(defun dired-close-all ()
  "Close all dired buffers."
  (interactive)
  (mapc (lambda (buf)
          (if (equal (buffer-local-value 'major-mode buf)
                     'dired-mode)
          (kill-buffer buf)))

        (buffer-list)))

1.15.9 Browse bookmarked directories   dired directory helm browse

The function M-x dired-bookmarks opens a helm menu where the user can select its favorites directories. It provides quick directory navigation.

(defvar dired-bookmarks-path-list
  '("~"
    "~/Desktop"
    "~/Downloads"
    "~/Documents"
    "~/Documents/projects"
    "~/Documents/wiki"
    "/tmp"
    ;"/mnt/transfer"
    "/var/log"
    "/etc"
    "/etc/init.d"
    "~/.config"
    "~/.local"
    "~/.local/share"
    "~/.emacs.d"
    ))

(defun dired-bookmarks ()
  "Open a directory by selecting it in Helm menu."
  (interactive)
  (helm
   :prompt "Bookmarks: "
   :sources  `((
                (name       . "Bookmark: ")
                (candidates . dired-bookmarks-path-list)
                (action     . dired)
                ))))

1.15.10 Filter dired buffer by file extensions

Usage:

  1. M-x dired/filter-extension
  2. Enter the extensions to filter separated by space like: 'html js ccp'
  3. It will only show files matching this extensions. To view all files type g.
  (defun dired/filter-extension ()
    "Filter dired buffer by file extensions.
  Usage:
1. M-x dired/filter-extension
2. Enter the file extensions separated by space like: exe dll

It will only show files ending with extensions *.exe and *.dll.
To show all files of dired buffer again type 'g'."
    (interactive)
    (dired-mark-files-regexp
     (mapconcat 'identity
                (mapcar (lambda (ext) (format "\\.%s$" ext))
                        (split-string (read-string "Extension:  ")))
                "\\\|"
                ))
    (dired-toggle-marks)
    (dired-do-kill-lines))

The key (') quote can be used to invoke this command:

;; Filter files by extension
(define-key dired-mode-map "'" #'dired/filter-extension)

1.15.11 Filter dired buffer by regex

This command only displays files matching the given regex (Emacs' regex).

Example: By entering M-x dired/filter '\.pdf$' without quotes it will only show file names ending with .pdf. To display all files again type 'g'.

(defun dired/filter ()
  "Show only files which name matches a regex."
  (interactive)
  (dired-mark-files-regexp (read-regexp "Regex: "))
  (dired-toggle-marks)
  (dired-do-kill-lines))

1.15.12 Open directory at point with Microsoft Explorer in Windows OS.

(defun dired-exec-explorer ()
  "In dired, execute Explorer"
  (interactive)
  (let (path)
    (setq path (dired-file-name-at-point))
    (setq path (replace-regexp-in-string "~" "c:/home" path))
    (setq path (replace-regexp-in-string "/" "\\\\" path))
    (message path)
    ;(kill-new path)
    (start-process "explorer" nil "explorer" (concat "/select," path))))

1.16 Date Time

1.16.2 Function format-time-string

Format date and time:

ELISP> (format-time-string "%Y-%m-%d")
"2017-07-15"

ELISP> (format-time-string "%Y%m%d")
"20170715"
ELISP>

Unix time stamp (Number of seconds or microseconds since January first of 1970):

ELISP> (format-time-string "%s")
"1500103484"
ELISP>

1.16.3 Function current-time

ELISP> (current-time)
(22889 50074 486018 948000)

1.16.4 Function current-time-string

ELISP> (current-time-string)
"Sat Jul 15 04:26:27 2017"
ELISP>

1.16.5 Function float-time

ELISP> (float-time)
1500103652.678849
ELISP>

1.16.6 Function current-time-zone

ELISP> (current-time-zone)
(-10800 "-03")

ELISP>

1.17 Emacs Introspection

1.17.1 User init file

ELISP> user-init-file
"/home/arch/.emacs.d/init.el"

ELISP> (expand-file-name user-init-file)
"/home/arch/.emacs.d/init.el"

1.17.2 User Emacs Directory

ELISP> user-emacs-directory
"~/.emacs.d/"

ELISP> (expand-file-name user-emacs-directory)
"/home/arch/.emacs.d/"

1.17.3 Enviroment Variables

1.17.4 Get current Operating System

1.17.5 Test if Emacs is running in terminal or in window system

The variable window-system is the name of window system through which the selected frame is displayed.

Its value is a symbol:

  • nil for a termcap frame (a character-only terminal)
  • 'x' for an Emacs frame that is really an X window
  • 'w32' for an Emacs frame that is a window on MS-Windows display
  • 'ns' for an Emacs frame on a GNUstep or Macintosh Cocoa display
  • 'pc' for a direct-write MS-DOS frame.
(defun test-window-system ()
  (interactive)

  (if window-system
       (message  "Running in Window System / GUI")
       (message "Running in terminal ")
       ))

;; In GUI
;;-----------------------------
> (test-window-system)  ;; M-x eval-print-last-sexp
"Running in Window System / GUI"

;; In Terminal
;;------------------------------
> (test-window-system)  ;; M-x eval-print-last-sexp
"Running in terminal "

1.18 Web Browser   http web browser

1.18.1 Browse Url

Open http://www.yandex.com in the web browser

> (browse-url "http://www.yandex.com")

Function to open Yandex.com. Usage M-x open-yandex

(defun open-yandex ()
  "Open the web site http://www.yandex.com."
  (interactive)
  (browse-url "http://www.yandex.com"))

1.18.2 Browser Url setting the web browser

Open url with firefox

(let ((browse-url-browser-function 'browse-url-firefox))
  (browse-url "http://www.yandex.com"))

;; Or

;; Set browser permanently
(setq browse-url-browser-function 'browse-url-firefox)

Open url with chromium browser or chrome

(let ((browse-url-browser-function 'browse-url-chromium))
  (browse-url "http://www.yandex.com"))

;;; Or

;; Set browser permanently
(setq browse-url-browser-function 'browse-url-chromium)

Open url with Emacs eww browser

(let ((browse-url-browser-function 'eww-browse-url))
  (browse-url "http://www.yandex.com")

;;; Or

;; Set browser permanently
(setq browse-url-browser-function 'eww-browse-url)

1.18.3 Search Web sites with Emacs   web search url browser

  1. Search google

    Usage: M-x search-google

    (require 'url-util)
    
    (defun search-google ()
       (interactive)
       "Search www.google.ca."
       (browse-url
        (format "http://www.google.ca?gws_rd=ssl#q=%s"
                (url-encode-url
                 (read-string "Google: ")))))
    
  2. Search a specific url site with google

    Usage:

    • M-x search-hackernews-with-google
    • M-x search-reddit-with-google
    • M-x search-stackoverflow-with-gooogle
    Usage: M-x search-google
    
    (require 'url-util)
    
    (defun search-google-url (url params)
       (let ((google-url  (format "site:%s %s" url params)))
         (browse-url (format "http://www.google.ca?gws_rd=ssl#q=%s" (url-encode-url google-url)))))
    
    (search-google-url "https://news.ycombinator.com" "haskell production")
    
    (defun search-hackernews-with-google ()
       (interactive)
       (search-google-url "https://news.ycombinator.com" (read-string "Hnews: ")))
    
    (defun search-reddit-with-google ()
       (interactive)
       (search-google-url "https://www.reddit.com" (read-string "Reddit: ")))
    
    (defun search-stackoverflow-with-google ()
       (interactive)
       (search-google-url "http://stackoverflow.com" (read-string "S.O Search: ")))
    
  3. Search github
    (require 'url-util)
    
    (defun search-github ()
       (interactive)
       "Search www.google.ca"
       (browse-url
        (format "https://github.com/search?q=%s"
                (url-encode-url
                 (read-string "Github Search: ")))))
    
  4. Search gisthub
    (require 'url-util)
    
    (defun search-gisthub ()
       "Search gisthub : http://gist.github.com.
    Usage: M-x search-gisthub"
       (interactive)
       (browse-url
        (format "https://gist.github.com/search?p=50&q=%s&ref=searchresults"
                (url-encode-url
                 (read-string "Gisthub Search: ")))))
    
  5. Open Emacs Web Manual
      (defun open-emacs-manual ()
        "Open Emacs online Manual.
    Usage: M-x open-emacs-manual.
    It opens the web site: https://www.gnu.org/software/emacs/manual"
        (interactive)
        (browse-url "https://www.gnu.org/software/emacs/manual/"))
    
  6. Search words in Merrian Webster dictionary
    (defun search/dictionary ()
      "Search Merrian Webster Dictionary·"
      (interactive)
      (browse-url
        (format "https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/%s"
                (url-encode-url
                 (read-string "Dictionary: ")))))
    

1.18.4 Browser Inside Emacs

Emacs Provides a built-in lightweight web browser eww browser that can be used to quick access web sites in terminal or Emacs GUI.

Open a Url with eww-browser:

  • M-x eww <url>
(eww-browse-url "http://m.reddit.com/r/emacs")

Open a html file with eww-browser

  • M-x eww-open-file <file-name>

It is useful to view html documentation inside Emacs.

(eww-open-file "/some/html/file.html")

Key Bindings

Key Binding Description
C-h m Show all keybindings of eww-mode
q Quit eww browser
Return/Enter Open url at point
Tab Jump to next hyperlink
C-A i Jump to previous hyperlink
Space Scrow Down
Esc Scrow Up
w Copy page Url
l Go to previous page
n Got to next page
g Update/ Refresh

To load web sites faster use mobile url. Some suggestions:

Reddit

Google Search

  • http://www.google.com/m?q=<query> - Country/Culture sensitive search
  • http://www.google.ca/m?q=<query> - Country/Culture insensitive search, always English.

Google News:

Arch Linux Wiki

Wikipedia

Hackernews

See the browser http request:

1.19 Http Requests   http request url network

1.19.1 Download File   http web download

(url-copy-file <url> <filename>)
(url-copy-file "http://www.httpbin.org/get" "/tmp/output")
(find-file "/tmp/output")

1.19.2 url-retrieve-synchronously   http web download sync

(url-retrieve-synchronously URL &optional SILENT INHIBIT-COOKIES)

Example:

(with-current-buffer  (url-retrieve-synchronously "http://www.httpbin.org/get")
   (buffer-substring-no-properties (point-min) (point-max)))

Output:

HTTP/1.1 200 OK
Server: nginx
Date: Fri, 23 Sep 2016 23:44:21 GMT
Content-Type: application/json
Content-Length: 304
Connection: keep-alive
Access-Control-Allow-Origin: *
Access-Control-Allow-Credentials: true

{
  "args": {},
  "headers": {
    "Accept": "*/*",
    "Accept-Encoding": "gzip",
    "Extension": "Security/Digest Security/SSL",
    "Host": "www.httpbin.org",
    "Mime-Version": "1.0",
    "User-Agent": "URL/Emacs"
  },
  "origin": "179.176.152.199",
  "url": "http://www.httpbin.org/get"
}

1.19.3 Download a file interactively   http web download file

This function downloads a file from the url copied to clipboard and then asks the user to which file the data will be downloaded suggesting the file name extracted from the url.

This function updates the current buffer (revert buffer) if executed in a dired buffer (directory).

Testing the function:

Usage: M-x download-url-to-file

(defun download-url-to-file ()
  "Download a file from a URL in the clibpoard.
This command asks the user for the url suggesting the url
stored in the clipboard and then asks the user for the file name
to be downloaded suggesting the file name extracted from the url.
"
  (interactive)
  (let*
      ;; Get the URL suggestion from clibpoard
      ((text (with-temp-buffer
                  (clipboard-yank)
                  (buffer-substring-no-properties (point-min)
                                                  (point-max))))
       ;; Ask the user to confirm the url
       (url (read-string "Url: " text)))

    (url-copy-file
     url
     ;; Get file name.
     (read-file-name "File name: "
                     (car  (last (split-string url "/")))))

    (when (equal major-mode 'dired-mode)
      (revert-buffer))))

1.19.4 Download a file and display it on a buffer   http web buffer clipboard

This command reads an url from the user and download the file content and displays it on a buffer without write a file to disk.

Example:

  1. User copies the url: (file: iterator-theory.cs) http://patterns.cs.up.ac.za/examples/ch9/iterator-theory.cs
  2. User enters the command M-x download-code-view
  3. It will suggest in a prompt the former url. User hit return.
  4. It download the code and displays it on a buffer iterator-theory.cs
  5. User enter the command. M-x csharp-mode that turns on the syntax hightlight.
(defun download-code-view ()
    "Download a source code from url and displays it on a buffer."
    (interactive)
    (let* (
           ;; Get url from clipboard
           (clipboard (with-temp-buffer
                        (clipboard-yank)
                        (buffer-substring-no-properties (point-min)
                                                        (point-max))))
           ;; Read url and suggesting clipboard
           (url      (read-string "Url: " clipboard))
           (buf      (url-retrieve-synchronously url))
           ;; Tries to extract the file name from url
           (filename (car  (last (split-string url "/"))))
           (bufname  (concat "*" filename "*"))
           )
      (switch-to-buffer buf)
      ;; Remove http header
      (goto-char (point-min))
      (re-search-forward "^$")
      (delete-region (point) (point-min))
      (kill-whole-line)
      ;; Remove \r characters or ^M
      (replace-string (char-to-string 13) "")
      ;; Rename buffer to a better name
      (with-current-buffer buf
        (rename-buffer bufname))))

1.19.5 Http and Post Request   utils connections http

Source

(defun url-http-post (url args)
  "Send ARGS to URL as a POST request."
  (let (
        (response-string nil)
        (url-request-method "POST")
        (url-request-extra-headers
         '(("Content-Type" . "application/x-www-form-urlencoded")))
        (url-request-data
         (mapconcat (lambda (arg)
                      (concat (url-hexify-string (car arg))
                              "="
                              (url-hexify-string (cdr arg))))
                    args
                    "&")))
    (switch-to-buffer
     (url-retrieve-synchronously url))
    (goto-char (point-min))
    (re-search-forward "\n\n")
    (setq response-string
          (buffer-substring-no-properties (point) (point-max)))
    (kill-buffer (current-buffer))
    response-string))

(defun url-http-get (url args)
  "Send ARGS to URL as a GET request."
  (let (
        (response-string nil)
        (url-request-method "GET")
        (url-request-data
         (mapconcat (lambda (arg)
                      (concat (url-hexify-string (car arg))
                              "="
                              (url-hexify-string (cdr arg))))
                    args
                    "&")))
    (switch-to-buffer
     (url-retrieve-synchronously
      (concat url "?" url-request-data)))
    (goto-char (point-min))
    (re-search-forward "\n\n")
    (setq response-string
          (buffer-substring-no-properties
           (point) (point-max)))
    (kill-buffer (current-buffer))
    response-string))


ELISP> (princ (url-http-get "http://httpbin.org/get" nil))
{
  "args": {},
  "headers": {
    "Accept": "*/*",
    "Accept-Encoding": "gzip",
    "Content-Length": "0",
    "Extension": "Security/Digest Security/SSL",
    "Host": "httpbin.org",
    "Mime-Version": "1.0",
    "User-Agent": "URL/Emacs"
  },
  "origin": "167.103.159.147",
  "url": "http://httpbin.org/get"
}


ELISP> (princ (url-http-post "http://httpbin.org/post" '(("use" . "dummy")  ("pass" . "something else") ("code" . "pxyz0011213"))))
{
  "args": {},
  "data": "",
  "files": {},
  "form": {
    "code": "pxyz0011213",
    "pass": "something else",
    "use": "dummy"
  },
  "headers": {
    "Accept": "*/*",
    "Accept-Encoding": "gzip",
    "Content-Length": "48",
    "Content-Type": "application/x-www-form-urlencoded",
    "Extension": "Security/Digest Security/SSL",
    "Host": "httpbin.org",
    "Mime-Version": "1.0",
    "User-Agent": "URL/Emacs"
  },
  "json": null,
  "origin": "167.103.159.147",
  "url": "http://httpbin.org/post"
}

1.20 Packages   package install library

1.20.1 Test if package is installed

If the package is installed returns t (true) and nil otherwise.

  • (package-installed-p PACKAGE &optional MIN-VERSION)
> (package-installed-p 'helm-core)
t

1.20.2 Install a package if it is not installed

1.20.3 Install a single-file package from URL

This command install a single-file elisp package from a given URL to source file.

Usage:

  1. Copy the url of the package file to be installed like http://mumble.net/~campbell/emacs/paredit-beta.el from EmacsWiki:Par Edit.
  2. Type M-x package-install-url It will ask to confirm the URL. Then type return and the package will be installed.

To find where the package was intalled type M-x find-library <library-name>.

(defun package-install-url ()
  "Install a single-file package *.el file from Url."
  (interactive)
  (let* (
         ;; Suggest the URL stored in the clipboard
         (clipboard (with-temp-buffer
                      (clipboard-yank)
                      (buffer-substring-no-properties (point-min) (point-max))))
         ;; Ask the user to confirm the url
         (url (read-string "Url: " clipboard))
         )

     (with-current-buffer (url-retrieve-synchronously url)
       (goto-char (point-min))
       (re-search-forward "^$")
       (delete-region (point) (point-min))
       (kill-whole-line)
      (package-install-from-buffer))))

1.21 Helm Snippets   framework library helm

1.21.1 Switch between buffers in same directory

Usage: M-x buffer/switch-in-directory

This command switches between buffer with files that are in current directory.

(defun buffer/with-file-in-directory-p (directory buf)
  "Check if a buffer has file associated and is is in DIRECTORY.
Parameters:
- directory  string         - root directory
- buf        buffer object  - buffer object"
  (and (buffer-file-name buf) ;; check if buffer has a file associated
       (string-prefix-p (expand-file-name directory)
                        (expand-file-name (buffer-file-name buf)
                                            ))))


(defun buffer/switch-in-directory ()
  "Switch between buffers in same directory."
  (interactive)
  (helm
   :prompt "Buffer switch: "
   :sources  `((
                (name       . "Dir: ")
                (candidates . ,(mapcar
                                (lambda (b) (cons (buffer-name b) b))
                                ;; filter buffers not in this directory (code bellow)
                                (remove-if-not  (lambda (b)
                                                  (buffer/with-file-in-directory-p
                                                   (or (file-name-directory (buffer-file-name))
                                                       default-directory
                                                       )
                                                   b
                                                   ))
                                                (buffer-list)
                                                )))
                (action     . switch-to-buffer)
                ))))

1.21.2 Browser Recent files

Usage: M-x helm-recent-files

(require 'helm)

(defun helm-recent-files ()
  (interactive)
  (helm
   :prompt "File: "
   :sources  `((
                (name       . "File: ")
                (candidates . ,recentf-list)
                (action     . find-file)
                ))))

helm-recent-files.png

1.21.3 Browser Recent directories

Usage M-x helm-recent-dirs

(require 'helm)

(defun unique (xs)
  "Remove repeated elements from list xs
Example:
> (unique '(x y a b 21 21 10 21 x y a ))
(x y a b 21 10)."
  (let ((result nil))
    (dolist (x xs)
      (if (not (member x result))
          (push x result)))
    (reverse result)))


(defun helm-recent-dirs ()
  (interactive)
  (helm
   :prompt "Dir: "
   :sources  `((
                (name       . "Dir: ")
                (candidates . (lambda ()
                                (unique
                                 (map #'file-name-directory recentf-list))))
                (action     . dired)))))

1.21.4 Launch ansync shell command with helm

This piece of code gets all executables in the $PATH variable and searche for one that matches the user input and then launches it. It is useful to launch applications without block Emacs.

Usage: M-x helm-laucher

(defun get-executables ()
  "Returns a list of all files available in the directories of the $PATH variable."
  (apply #'append
   (mapcar  (lambda (p) (directory-files p t))
            (remove-if-not #'file-exists-p
                        (split-string (getenv "PATH") ":")))))


(defun run-async  (&optional command)
  "Run a shell command in asynchronous mode.
It doesn't block Emacs while the command is running.
Usage:  (run-async \"python -m http.server\")
M-x run-async  -> User enters a command."
  (interactive)
  (apply #'start-process
         `(
           "proc-any"          ;; We don't care about the application name
           nil                 ;; Don't name the buffer
           ,@(split-string-and-unquote
              (if  command
                   command
                   (read-string "Command: "  )
                  )))))


(defun run-async-lst (&rest commands)
  "Run a shell command in asynchronus mode, not blocking Emacs.
Usage:    > (run-async-lst <program> <argument 1> <agurment2> ...)
Example:  > (run-async \"thunar\" \"/usr/share/applications\")"
  (apply #'start-process
         `(
           "dontcare"          ;; We don't care about the application name
           nil                 ;; Don't name the buffer
           ,@commands
           )))


(defun helm-launcher ()
  "Launches apps available in $PATH without blocking Emacs.
Usage M-x heml-launcher"
  (interactive)
  (let ((data  (mapcar (lambda (p)
                         (cons (file-name-nondirectory p)
                               p
                               ))
                       (get-executables)
                       )))
   (helm
   :prompt "Shell: "
   :sources  `((
                (name       . "Shell: ")
                (candidates . ,data)
                (action     . run-async)
                )))))

helm-app-launcher.png

1.21.5 Switch between buffers associated with files

Switch between buffers associated with files.

(defun switch-file ()
  "Switch between buffers that are associated with files.
Usage: M-x switch file."
  (interactive)
  (let ((data
         (mapcar (lambda (b)
                   (cons (buffer-file-name b) b ))
                 (remove-if-not #'buffer-file-name (buffer-list)))))
    (helm
     :prompt "Buffer: "
     :sources  `((
                  (name       . "File Buffers")
                  (candidates . ,data)
                  (action     . switch-to-buffer)
                  )))))

1.21.6 Switch between Emacs major modes

(defun helm-switch-mode ()
  "Switch between all major programming modes available in Emacs.
Usage: M-x helm-switch-mode."
  (interactive)
  (cl-flet ((unique (xs)
                    (let
                        ((result nil))
                      (dolist (x xs)
                        (if (not (member x result))
                            (push x result)))
                      (reverse result))))
    (helm
     :prompt "Mode: "
     :sources  `((
                  (name       . "Emacs Major Modes")
                  (candidates . ,(unique (mapcar #'symbol-name
                                                 (remove-if-not #'symbolp
                                                   (mapcar #'cdr auto-mode-alist)))))
                  (action     . ,(lambda (m) (funcall (intern-soft m)))))))))

1.21.7 Open a list of web sites

(setq helm-url-default-url-list
      '(
        ("google" . "http://www.google.ca")
        ("yandex"  . "http://www.yandex.com")
        ("reddit" . "http://www.reddit.com")
        ("/r/haskell". "http://www.reddit.com/r/haskell")
        ("/r/emacs" . "http://www.reddit.com/r/emacs")
        ("/r/csharp" . "http://www.reddit.com/r/csharp")
        ))

(defun helm-web ()
  (interactive)
  (helm
     :prompt "Web Site: "
     :sources  `((
                  (name       . "Bookmarks")
                  (candidates . helm-url-default-url-list)
                  (action     . (lambda (c) (browse-url (cdr c))) )
                  ))))

1.21.8 Interface Makefile

This command extracts the build tasks from a Makefile and shows it as a helm menu where the user can select the task to be executed. It will be run as a asynchronous process.

Usage: M-x helm-make

Version1:

;; Taken from: http://emacs.stackexchange.com/questions/7148/get-all-regexp-matches-in-buffer-as-a-list
(defun re-seq (regexp string)
  "Get a list of all regexp matches in a string"
  (save-match-data
    (let ((pos 0)
          matches)
      (while (string-match regexp string pos)
        (push (match-string 0 string) matches)
        (setq pos (match-end 0)))
      matches)))


(defun helm-make ()
  (interactive)
  (let ((tasks
         (re-seq "^\\w+"
                 (with-temp-buffer
                   (insert-file "Makefile")
                   (buffer-substring-no-properties
                    (point-min)
                    (point-max))))))
    (helm
     :prompt "Makefile task: "
     :sources  `((
                  (name       . "Task")
                  (candidates . ,tasks)
                  (action     . (lambda (task)
                                  (start-process  "make"
                                                  "*make*"
                                                  "make" task
                                                  ))))))
    (switch-to-buffer "*make*")))

Version2: Remove dependency re-seq.

(defun helm-make2 ()
  (interactive)
  (flet ((re-seq2 (regexp string) (save-match-data
                                    (let ((pos 0)
                                          matches)
                                      (while (string-match regexp string pos)
                                        (push (match-string 0 string) matches)
                                        (setq pos (match-end 0)))
                                      matches))))
    (let ((tasks    (re-seq2 "^\\w+"
                            (with-temp-buffer
                              (insert-file "Makefile")
                              (buffer-substring-no-properties
                               (point-min)
                               (point-max)
                               )))))
      (helm
       :prompt "Makefile task: "
       :sources  `((
                    (name       . "Task")
                    (candidates . ,tasks)
                    (action     . (lambda (task)
                                    (start-process  "make"
                                                    "*make*"
                                                    "make" task
                                                    ))))))
      (switch-to-buffer "*make*"))))

Example: Assuming that the current directory has the Makefile with content. The command M-x helm-make will show the tasks all, html, browse and clean.

all: html

html:
        mkdir -p dist
        emacs --batch -q -l build.el --kill
        mv dist/README.html dist/index.html
        cp -r -v images dist/images
        cp -r *.org  dist/

browse:
        firefox dist/index.html

clean:
        rm -rf dist/*.html dist/*.html~

1.22 Persistence

1.22.1 Save and Reload Current Session

Interactive Developement

ELISP> (defun file-contents (filename)
  (interactive "fFind file: ")
  (with-temp-buffer
    (insert-file-contents filename)
    (buffer-substring-no-properties (point-min) (point-max))))
file-contents
ELISP>

ELISP> (defun write-file (filename content)
         (append-to-file content nil filename))
write-file
ELISP>

ELISP> (remove-if 'null (mapcar 'buffer-file-name  (buffer-list)))
("/home/tux/.emacs.d/init.el" "/sudo:root@localhost:/etc/host.conf")

ELISP> (setq session-file  "~/.emacs.d/lastsession.el")
"~/.emacs.d/lastsession.el"
ELISP>

ELISP>
ELISP> (format "(setq last-session-files '%S)" (remove-if 'null (mapcar 'buffer-file-name  (buffer-list))))
"(setq last-session-files '(\"/home/tux/.emacs.d/init.el\" \"/sudo:root@localhost:/etc/host.conf\"))"


ELISP> (setq code  (format "(setq last-session-files '%S)" (remove-if 'null (mapcar 'buffer-file-name  (buffer-list)))))
"(setq last-session-files '(\"/home/tux/.emacs.d/init.el\" \"/sudo:root@localhost:/etc/host.conf\"))"
ELISP>

ELISP> (setq session-file "~/.emacs.d/lastsession.el")

ELISP> (delete-file session-file)
nil

ELISP> (write-file session-file code)
nil
ELISP>

ELISP> (file-contents session-file)
"(setq last-session-files '(\"/home/tux/.emacs.d/init.el\" \"/sudo:root@localhost:/etc/host.conf\"))"
ELISP>

ELISP> (load-file session-file)
t
ELISP> last-session-files
("/home/tux/.emacs.d/init.el" "/sudo:root@localhost:/etc/host.conf")

;;; Open All files defined in Last Session
ELISP>
ELISP> (mapcar 'find-file last-session-files)
(#<buffer init.el> #<buffer host.conf>)

ELISP>

Joining Everything

File: sessions.el

(setq session-file "~/.emacs.d/lastsession.el")

(defun write-file (filename content)
  (append-to-file content nil filename))


(defun make-session-code ()
     (interactive)
     (format "(setq last-session-files '%S)" (remove-if 'null (mapcar 'buffer-file-name  (buffer-list)))))


(defun save-session ()
    "Save Current Session"
    (interactive)
    (when (file-exists-p session-file) (delete-file session-file))
    (write-file session-file (make-session-code)))


(defun load-session ()
  (interactive)
  (load-file session-file)
  (mapcar 'find-file last-session-files)
)

(message "Reloaded")

To save all bufffers with files:

M-x load-file ;; Enter session.el
M-x save-session

To reload the files save in the seesion enter:

M-x load-file    ;; Enter session.el
M-x load-session ;; All previous files in the session
                 ;; saved will be opened

1.22.2 Save and Restore Current Window Configuration

Press <F7> to save the curren window configuration and <F8> to restore. The functions can also be executed with A-x save-view or A-x restore-view.

(defun save-view ()
  "Save current window configuration"
  (interactive)
  (setq winconf  (current-window-configuration))
  (message "View Saved - Press to restore"))

(defun restore-view ()
  "Restore saved window configuration"
  (interactive)
  (set-window-configuration winconf)
  (message "View loaded"))

(global-set-key (kbd "<f7>")  #'save-view)
(global-set-key (kbd "<f8>")  #'restore-view)

1.23 Non categorized

1.23.1 Save the scratch buffer and reload every Emacs startup

Saves the scratch buffer to a file every times Emacs is closed.

Source: scratch.el

(setq scratch-buffer-file "~/.emacs.d/scratch.el")

(setq initial-scratch-message "")           ;initial message
(add-hook 'kill-emacs-hook 'scratch-save)   ;
(add-hook 'window-setup-hook 'scratch-resume);

;;  window-setup-hook
;;  @see info 38.1.1 Summary: Sequence of Actions at Startup
(add-hook 'kill-buffer-hook; *scratch*
          (lambda ()
            (if (equal (buffer-name) "*scratch*") (scratch-save))))

(add-hook 'after-save-hook
          (lambda ()
            (unless (get-buffer "*scratch*") (scratch-resume))))


(defun scratch-save ()
  (let ((buf (get-buffer "*scratch*")))
    (when buf
      (set-buffer buf)
      (write-file scratch-buffer-file)
      (ignore-errors (kill-buffer "scratch.el")))))

(defun scratch-resume ()
  "*scratch* "
  (interactive)
  (set-buffer (get-buffer-create "*scratch*"))
  (funcall initial-major-mode)
  (insert-file-contents scratch-buffer-file nil nil nil t)

  (ignore-errors (kill-buffer ".scratch")))

1.23.2 Code Navigation with Occur   edit

The function occur is useful for code navigation and scan code statements, this function is invoked by M-x occur.

Examples:

The function python/scan-functions will scan for all lines that starts with def statement in a Python code and show the matching lines in the right side.

(defun python/scan-functions ()
  (interactive)
  (split-window-horizontally)
  (occur "def"))

Example:

occur_statement_scan.png

It can also be useful to Scan code tags like: @FIXME, @TODO, @README, @NOTE. This fuction can be excuted by typing: M-x scan-code-tags

Example:

(defun scan-code-tags ()
     "Scan code tags: @TODO: , @FIXME:, @BUG:, @NOTE:."
     (interactive)
     (split-window-horizontally)
     (occur "@FIXME:\\|@TODO:\\|@BUG:\\|@NOTE:"))

scan_code_tags.png

1.23.3 Quick edit and reload Emacs Configuration File.   elisp customization

It is useful to quick edit and reload ~/emacs.d/init.el without restart emacs. Those functions can be put in the init.el file.

;; Usage: M-x reload-init-file
;;
(defun reload-init-file ()
  "Reload init.el file."
  (interactive)
  (load user-init-file)
  (message "Reloaded init.el OK."))

;; Usage: M-x open-init-file
;;
(defun open-init-file ()
    (interactive)
    (find-file user-init-file))

1.23.4 Refresh / Revert buffer without confirmation.

Source: http://www.emacswiki.org/emacs-en/download/misc-cmds.el

(defun refresh ()
    "Revert buffer without confirmation."
    (interactive)
    (revert-buffer t t))

Usage:

#+ENDSRC M-x refresh #+ENDSRC

1.23.5 Create a menu with all color themes available

colortheme_menu.png

Using Eval

Copy and paste the code below to the scratch buffer and enter M-x eval-buffer. This code can also be put in ~/emacs.d/init.el, in the config file.

(defun eval-string (str) (eval (read str)))

(defun make-menu-rows ()
 (mapcar
   (lambda (x)
      (format "[\"%s\" (load-theme '%s)]"  (symbol-name x) (symbol-name x) ))
   (custom-available-themes)))


(defun make-color-menu-code ()
  (format
   "
   (easy-menu-define djcb-menu global-map \"Color Themes\"
     '(\"Color Themes\"
        %s
      )
   )
   "
  (mapconcat 'identity (make-menu-rows) "\n"))) 



;;
;; "Eval is evil". It must be avoided, because, it is hard to refactor,
;; hard to debug and vulnerable to code injection on Web Apps, so a better
;; way to write it is to use Elisp macros.
;;
;; @DONE: Change eval-string to an Elisp macro.
;;
(eval-string (make-color-menu-code))

Using Macros

Developement:

ELISP> (custom-available-themes)
(cyberpunk adwaita deeper-blue dichromacy leuven light-blue manoj-dark misterioso tango-dark tango tsdh-dark tsdh-light wheatgrass whiteboard wombat)

ELISP> (mapcar
        (lambda (sym) `[,(symbol-name sym) (load-theme (quote ,sym))])
        (custom-available-themes)
    )
(["adwaita"
  (load-theme 'adwaita)]
 ["deeper-blue"
  (load-theme 'deeper-blue)]
 ["dichromacy"
  (load-theme 'dichromacy)]
 ["leuven"
  (load-theme 'leuven)]
 ["light-blue"
  (load-theme 'light-blue)]
 ["manoj-dark"
  (load-theme 'manoj-dark)]
 ["misterioso"
  (load-theme 'misterioso)]
 ["tango-dark"
  (load-theme 'tango-dark)]
  ...

ELISP>  (defun make-menu-rows ()
          (mapcar
        (lambda (sym) `[,(symbol-name sym) (load-theme (quote ,sym))])
        (custom-available-themes)))
make-menu-rows
ELISP>
ELISP> (make-menu-rows)
(["adwaita"
  (load-theme 'adwaita)]
 ["deeper-blue"
  (load-theme 'deeper-blue)]
 ["dichromacy"
  (load-theme 'dichromacy)]
 ["leuven"
  (load-theme 'leuven)]
  ...


ELISP> `(easy-menu-define djcb-menu global-map "Color Themes"
          '("Color Themes"
           ,@(make-menu-rows)))
(easy-menu-define djcb-menu global-map "Color Themes"
  '("Color Themes"
    ["adwaita"
     (load-theme 'adwaita)]
    ["deeper-blue"
     (load-theme 'deeper-blue)]
    ["dichromacy"
     (load-theme 'dichromacy)]
    ["leuven"
     (load-theme 'leuven)]
    ["light-blue"
     (load-theme 'light-blue)]
     ...

;;; Now execute the generated code, the menu will pop up.
;;;

ELISP> (eval `(easy-menu-define djcb-menu global-map "Color Themes"
          '("Color Themes"
           ,@(make-menu-rows))))
nil

Final code

(defun make-menu-rows ()
          (mapcar
        (lambda (sym) `[,(symbol-name sym) (load-theme (quote ,sym))])
        (custom-available-themes)))


(defmacro make-color-menu ()
  `(easy-menu-define djcb-menu global-map "Color Themes"
     '("Color Themes"
       ,@(make-menu-rows))))

(make-color-menu)

;;;;; Or copy and paste the following  block on IELM shell

(progn
    (defun make-menu-rows ()
              (mapcar
            (lambda (sym) `[,(symbol-name sym) (load-theme (quote ,sym))])
            (custom-available-themes)))


    (defmacro make-color-menu ()
      `(easy-menu-define djcb-menu global-map "Color Themes"
         '("Color Themes"
           ,@(make-menu-rows))))
    (make-color-menu))


;;;; Testing the macro expansion

ELISP> (macroexpand '(make-color-menu))
(progn
  (defvar djcb-menu nil "Color Themes")
  (easy-menu-do-define 'djcb-menu global-map "Color Themes"
               '("Color Themes"
             ["adwaita"
              (load-theme 'adwaita)]
             ["deeper-blue"
              (load-theme 'deeper-blue)]
             ["dichromacy"
              (load-theme 'dichromacy)]
             ["leuven"
              (load-theme 'leuven)]
             ["light-blue"
              (load-theme 'light-blue)]
            ...

2 IELM - Inferior Emacs Lisp Mode

2.1 Change Prompt

Change the default IELM prompt "ELISP> " to "> ".

(setq  ielm-prompt "> ")

2.2 Clear IELM shell

Clear IELM buffer. Usage: M-x ielm/clear

(defun ielm/clear ()
  "Clear IELM buffer."
  (interactive)
  (with-current-buffer "*ielm*"
      (let ((inhibit-read-only t))
        (erase-buffer))))

2.3 Send Region to IELM

Send selected text (region) to IELM and print the output.

(defun ielm/send-region ()
  (interactive)
  (let ((text (buffer-substring-no-properties (region-beginning)
                                              (region-end))))
    (with-current-buffer "*ielm*"
      (insert text)
      (ielm-send-input))))

2.4 Set other window's buffer as working buffer

Usage: M-x ielm-select-buffer-other-window

(defun ielm-select-buffer-other-window ()
  "Select other window' buffer as IELM's working buffer."
  (interactive)
  (let ((buf (save-window-excursion
               (other-window 1)
               (current-buffer))))
    (ielm-change-working-buffer buf)
    (ielm-print-working-buffer)))

2.5 Start IELM in other window setting the working buffer to current buffer

This command starts IELM in other window setting the working buffer to current buffer. It allows the user to manipulate the current buffer.

Usage: M-x ielm-this-buffer

(defun ielm-this-buffer ()
  "Start IELM in other window with current buffer set to current windows' buffer."
  (interactive)
  (let ((buf (current-buffer)))
    (ielm-other-window)
    (ielm-change-working-buffer buf)
    (ielm-print-working-buffer)))

2.6 Launch IELM in other frame

Usage: M-x ielm-other-frame

(defun ielm-other-frame ()
  "Launch IELM in other frame."
  (interactive)
  (with-selected-frame (make-frame)
    (ielm)))

3 Emacs Server and Client

4 Org-mode

Moved to: org-mode.html

5 Selected Gists and Source Codes

5.1 Gists

  • dvnmk/process - Play youtube playlist using Emacs + mpv player.

Created: 2018-07-26 Thu 07:42

Emacs 25.3.1 (Org mode 8.2.10)

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