3.5 File handling

3.5.3 Auto-saving files

The auto-save feature allows for periodic backups of the file associated with the current buffer. These backups are only made if auto-save is switched on.

This feature is useful if the LispWorks editor is killed in some way (for example, in the case of a system crash or accidental killing of the editor process) before a file is explicitly saved. If automatic backups are being made, the state of a file when it was last auto-saved can subsequently be recovered.

By default, automatic backups are made both after a predefined number of key strokes, and also after a predefined amount of time has elapsed.

By default, auto-saved files are in the same directory as the original file, with the name of the backup being the name of the original file enclosed within# characters.

Auto Save Toggle

Editor Command

: Arguments: None
Key sequence: None
: Switches auto-save on if it is currently off, and off if it is currently on.
: With a positive prefix argument, auto-save is switched on. With a negative or zero prefix argument, auto-save is switched off. Using prefix arguments withAuto Save Toggle disregards the current state of auto-save.

Auto-Save-Filename-Pattern

Editor Variable

: Default value: "~A#~A#"
: This control string is used withthe Common Lispformat function to create the filename of the auto-save file.Format is called with two arguments, the first being the directory namestring and the second being the file namestring of the pathname associated with the buffer.
: By default the auto-save file is created in the same directory as the file for which it is a backup, and it has the same name with surrounding# characters.

Auto-Save-Key-Count-Threshold

Editor Variable

: Default value: 256
: Determines the number of destructive/modifying keystrokes that automatically trigger an auto-save of a buffer. If the value isnil, this feature is turned off.

Auto-Save-Checkpoint-Frequency

Editor Variable

: Default value: 300
: Determines the time interval (in seconds) after which all modified buffers are auto-saved. If the value is zero or negative, this feature is turned off.