zkk / Emacs from scratch - System Crafters

Emacs from scratch - System Crafters

1. The Basics of Emacs Configuration

1.1 emacs configuration file

~/.emacs or ~/.emacs.el, old schema;
~/.emacs.d/init.el, main configuration schema;
~/.config/emacs/init.el, linux schema configuration.

2. basic configurations

Emacs configuration file is written in Elisp programming language. E(macs)lisp language belongs to the lisp programming language category.

Emacs configuration file is all about:

configure features by setting variables;
enable or disable features by calling functions.

2.1 setting variable value

(setq inhibit-startup-message t)

setq, is a function;
inhibit-startup-message, is a variable name;
t, means true as at the contrary nil means false.

To evaluate a function:

put the cursor inside of it and type C-M-x;
put the cursor next to the last bracket and type C-x C-e.

2.2 Tunrinig mode on or off

Setting mode on or off is all about set the variable with a positive or negative value, conventionally is to set -1 to disable or 1 to enable.

(tool-bar-mode -1)
(scroll-bar-mode -1)
(menu-bar-mode -1)

2.3 Load themes

(load-theme 'deeper-blue t)

Basically setting true the variable related to said theme. The symbol ' before the variable tell Emacs Please do not evalute the following.

2.4 Some key-bindings

C-g, quit current undefined command;
C-x C-f, open a file (also a new one);
C-x C-s, save current file;
C-M-x, evaluate function where cursor is inside;
C-M-i, completion inside buffer;
q, from inside a window (ususally) close the window.

2.5 Copy/cut and paste

C-SPC, start mark at point;
<arrow-key>, to select a region;
C-w, cut;
M-w, copy;
C-y, paste.

2.6 Getting help

C-h v, M-x describe-variable, show documentation for variable;
C-h f, M-x describe-functions, show documentation for function;
C-h o, M-x describe-symbol, start typing for search variables and functions.

Pressing C-h v or C-h f with coursor over a function or variable the default action is to show description of said variable/function.