2.5 Executing commands

2.5.1 Keys -- Ctrl and

Editor commands are initiated by one or more key sequences. A single key sequence usually involves holding down one of two specially defined keys, while at the same time pressing another key which is usually a character key.

The two special keys referred to are the Control (Ctrl) key and the Meta key . As some keyboards do not have an key, the Escape (ESC) key can be used instead. Note thatEsc must be typed before pressing the required character key, and not held down.

An example of a single key sequence command isCtrl+A which moves the current point to the start of the line. This command is issued by holding down the Control key while at the same time pressingA.

Some key sequences may require more than one key sequence. For example, the key sequence to save the current buffer to a file isCtrl+X Ctrl+S. Another multi-key sequence isCtrl+X S which saves all buffers to their relevant files. Note that in this case no Control character is required to be held down while pressingS.

A few commands require both the Ctrl and key to be held down while pressing the character key. The command +Ctrl+L, used to select the previous buffer displayed, is one such command. If the Escape key is being used in place of the key, then this key should be pressed before the Ctrl+Lpart of the key sequence.

There is a command for which you cannot use Escape instead of . This is the command that breaks a process: +Ctrl+C to break the current process. As there are so many different types of keyboard, if it is not possible to assert which is the Meta key on your keyboard, it may be marked with a special character, such as a diamond, or it may be one of the function keys -- tryF11. From this point on we refer exclusively to the key in this manual.