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What I would really like is an Emacs macro that would just insert the appropriate keybinding code for use in an .emacs file -- there doesn't seem to be one but

• silentbicycle 16y ago
  The simplest way I've found to format the keyboard shortcuts is to type "C-h k [your keyboard combination]" (which is C-h for help, k for keybinding), and then when it says e.g. "C-x M-. is undefined", plug the key description into the following: (global-set-key (kbd "keybinding") 'function-you-want-it-to-call) The article goes into the significance of global-set-key vs. local-set-key; until you have more specific intentions, global-set-key is probably what you want. I've done a couple sessions teaching developers in using Emacs, and one point I always stress is that the Emacs help system is exhaustive, but you have to learn how it's organized. (It uses funny terminology sometimes.)
• funptr 16y ago
  This one prompts you to type a literal key sequence (exactly like with `describe-key', C-h k) and inserts it at the point in a representation that the *-set-key functions can use. As written it's bound to to C-c k, and only in the scope of elisp buffers. (defun insert-key-sequence (key-repr) "Reads a literal key sequence from the user and inserts a representation of it at point, suitable for `global-set-key' or `local-set-key'." (interactive "KKey sequence? ") (prin1 key-repr (current-buffer)) (insert " ")) (add-hook 'emacs-lisp-mode-hook #'(lambda () (local-set-key "\C-ck" #'insert-key-sequence))) (run-hooks 'emacs-lisp-mode-hook) Unfortunately it doesn't seem to work for mouse chords.
  • silentbicycle 16y ago
    Nice. I tried to write a quick version of this for my response, but wasn't aware of insert-key-sequence. Edit: insert-key-sequence doesn't exist on Emacs 22.3.1, is that a more recent addition? Also, while not crucial, I prefer to add a my-X-mode-hook function and add things to that, rather than adding several lambdas to the mode hook - it's easier to modify them all after binding that way.
    • deleted 16y ago
      [deleted]
    • funptr 16y ago
      It's not part of emacs, I just wrote it as an example.
      • silentbicycle 16y ago
        Oh, right. Sorry, hadn't had my coffee yet. I tried doing exactly that, but used (interactive "kKey: "), with lowercase k, and it didn't work.
        • funptr 16y ago
          That seems to work also, what's the problem?
          • silentbicycle 16y ago
            Didn't work correctly with a few slightly-more elaborate key combinations I tried. IIRC C-x M-. was one of them. I much prefer formatting the keybindings like kbd uses, anyway - do you know offhand how to convert a keypress to that format w/out using C-h k?
            • funptr 16y ago
              Not offhand, but I looked it up and I think what you want is `key-description'. It prints key sequences, so e.g. (key-description "\370") evals to "M-x".
              • silentbicycle 16y ago
                Bingo. Thanks. This should do what the original commenter wanted: (defun insert-keybinding (k) "Insert code for a keybinding." (interactive "kKey sequence: ") (insert (concat "(global-set-key (kbd \"" (key-description k) "\") 'function-name)")))
  • deleted 16y ago
    [deleted]