How to Use Emacs

Emacs For the Dummies

To run emacs, just type

   emacs filename

where filename is the file you want to edit.

The simplest commands:

Use the arrow keys to move the cursor

C-x C-f         open a new file
C-x C-s         save the current file
C-x C-c         exit the emacs (but save files first)

Here, the prefix C- refers to the CONTROL key. For example, C-x means to simultaneously press the CONTROL key and the "x" key.

Key Bindings (that I use)

In the following, the prefix C- refers to the CONTROL key, the prefix ESC- refers to the ESCAPE key. For example, C-n means to simultaneously press the CONTROL key and the key "n".

C-h b 			list key bindings

Text:
C-k             kill the current line
C-space         set a region mark
C-w             kill-region (between cursor and mark)
ESC-w           memorize the contents of the region (without kill)
C-y             yank (i.e., insert text last killed or memorize)
C-_             undo

Search:
C-s 			isearch-forward 
C-r 			isearch-backward 

Files:
C-x C-f 		find-file 
C-x C-r 		find-file-read-only     
C-x C-s 		save-current-file

Windows:
C-x 1 			delete-other-windows 
C-x 2 			split-window-vertically 

Misc:
C-x o			move the cursor to the other window
C-x b			switch to a different buffer    
C-x C-c 		save-buffers-kill-emacs

Running Macaulay 2 (M2)

ssh <your_account>@galois.math.uic.edu

To be able to run M2 in emacs add the following line to .emacs (in your home directory):

(load "/usr/local/Macaulay2-0.9.2/lib/Macaulay2-0.9.2/emacs/M2-init.el")

To run M2 in emacs push F12.

To execute the current line or selection in the M2 window push F11.