This is texinfo, produced by makeinfo version 4.0 from texinfo.txi.

INFO-DIR-SECTION Texinfo documentation system
START-INFO-DIR-ENTRY
* Texinfo: (texinfo).           The GNU documentation format.
* install-info: (texinfo)Invoking install-info. Update info/dir entries.
* texi2dvi: (texinfo)Format with texi2dvi.      Print Texinfo documents.
* texindex: (texinfo)Format with tex/texindex.  Sort Texinfo index files.
* makeinfo: (texinfo)makeinfo Preferred.        Translate Texinfo source.
END-INFO-DIR-ENTRY

  This file documents Texinfo, a documentation system that can produce
both online information and a printed manual from a single source file.

  Copyright (C) 1988, 90, 91, 92, 93, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99 Free Software
Foundation, Inc.

  This edition is for Texinfo version 4.0, 28 September 1999.

  Permission is granted to make and distribute verbatim copies of this
manual provided the copyright notice and this permission notice are
preserved on all copies.

  Permission is granted to copy and distribute modified versions of this
manual under the conditions for verbatim copying, provided that the
entire resulting derived work is distributed under the terms of a
permission notice identical to this one.

  Permission is granted to copy and distribute translations of this
manual into another language, under the above conditions for modified
versions, except that this permission notice may be stated in a
translation approved by the Free Software Foundation.


File: texinfo,  Node: Minimum,  Next: Six Parts,  Prev: Comments,  Up: Overview

What a Texinfo File Must Have
=============================

  By convention, the names of Texinfo files end with one of the
extensions `.texinfo', `.texi', `.txi', or `.tex'.  The longer
extension is preferred since it describes more clearly to a human
reader the nature of the file.  The shorter extensions are for
operating systems that cannot handle long file names.

  In order to be made into a printed manual and an Info file, a Texinfo
file *must* begin with lines like this:

     \input texinfo
     @setfilename INFO-FILE-NAME
     @settitle NAME-OF-MANUAL

The contents of the file follow this beginning, and then you *must* end
a Texinfo file with a line like this:

     @bye

The `\input texinfo' line tells TeX to use the `texinfo.tex' file,
which tells TeX how to translate the Texinfo @-commands into TeX
typesetting commands.  (Note the use of the backslash, `\'; this is
correct for TeX.)  The `@setfilename' line provides a name for the Info
file and tells TeX to open auxiliary files.  The `@settitle' line
specifies a title for the page headers (or footers) of the printed
manual.

  The `@bye' line at the end of the file on a line of its own tells the
formatters that the file is ended and to stop formatting.

  Usually, you will not use quite such a spare format, but will include
mode setting and start-of-header and end-of-header lines at the
beginning of a Texinfo file, like this:

     \input texinfo   @c -*-texinfo-*-
     @c %**start of header
     @setfilename INFO-FILE-NAME
     @settitle NAME-OF-MANUAL
     @c %**end of header

In the first line, `-*-texinfo-*-' causes Emacs to switch into Texinfo
mode when you edit the file.

  The `@c' lines which surround the `@setfilename' and `@settitle'
lines are optional, but you need them in order to run TeX or Info on
just part of the file.  (*Note Start of Header::, for more information.)

  Furthermore, you will usually provide a Texinfo file with a title
page, indices, and the like.  But the minimum, which can be useful for
short documents, is just the three lines at the beginning and the one
line at the end.


File: texinfo,  Node: Six Parts,  Next: Short Sample,  Prev: Minimum,  Up: Overview

Six Parts of a Texinfo File
===========================

  Generally, a Texinfo file contains more than the minimal beginning
and end--it usually contains six parts:

1. Header
     The "Header" names the file, tells TeX which definitions' file to
     use, and performs other "housekeeping" tasks.

2. Summary Description and Copyright
     The "Summary Description and Copyright" segment describes the
     document and contains the copyright notice and copying permissions
     for the Info file.  The segment must be enclosed between `@ifinfo'
     and `@end ifinfo' commands so that the formatters place it only in
     the Info file.

3. Title and Copyright
     The "Title and Copyright" segment contains the title and copyright
     pages and copying permissions for the printed manual.  The segment
     must be enclosed between `@titlepage' and `@end titlepage'
     commands.  The title and copyright page appear only in the printed
     manual.

4. `Top' Node and Master Menu
     The "Master Menu" contains a complete menu of all the nodes in the
     whole Info file.  It appears only in the Info file, in the `Top'
     node.

5. Body
     The "Body" of the document may be structured like a traditional
     book or encyclopedia or it may be free form.

6. End
     The "End" contains commands for printing indices and generating
     the table of contents, and the `@bye' command on a line of its own.


File: texinfo,  Node: Short Sample,  Next: Acknowledgements and History,  Prev: Six Parts,  Up: Overview

A Short Sample Texinfo File
===========================

  Here is a complete but very short Texinfo file, in six parts.  The
first three parts of the file, from `\input texinfo' through to `@end
titlepage', look more intimidating than they are.  Most of the material
is standard boilerplate; when you write a manual, simply insert the
names for your own manual in this segment. (*Note Beginning a File::.)

  In the following, the sample text is _indented_; comments on it are
not.  The complete file, without any comments, is shown in *Note Sample
Texinfo File::.

Part 1: Header
--------------

The header does not appear in either the Info file or the printed
output.  It sets various parameters, including the name of the Info
file and the title used in the header.

     \input texinfo   @c -*-texinfo-*-
     @c %**start of header
     @setfilename sample.info
     @settitle Sample Document
     @setchapternewpage odd
     @c %**end of header

Part 2: Summary Description and Copyright
-----------------------------------------

The summary description and copyright segment does not appear in the
printed document.

     @ifinfo
     This is a short example of a complete Texinfo file.
     
     Copyright @copyright{} 1990 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
     @end ifinfo

Part 3: Titlepage and Copyright
-------------------------------

The titlepage segment does not appear in the Info file.

     @titlepage
     @sp 10
     @comment The title is printed in a large font.
     @center @titlefont{Sample Title}
     
     @c The following two commands start the copyright page.
     @page
     @vskip 0pt plus 1filll
     Copyright @copyright{} 1990 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
     @end titlepage

Part 4: `Top' Node and Master Menu
----------------------------------

The `Top' node contains the master menu for the Info file.  Since a
printed manual uses a table of contents rather than a menu, the master
menu appears only in the Info file.

     @node    Top,       First Chapter, ,         (dir)
     @comment node-name, next,          previous, up

     @menu
     * First Chapter::    The first chapter is the
                          only chapter in this sample.
     * Concept Index::    This index has two entries.
     @end menu

Part 5:  The Body of the Document
---------------------------------

The body segment contains all the text of the document, but not the
indices or table of contents.  This example illustrates a node and a
chapter containing an enumerated list.

     @node    First Chapter, Concept Index, Top,      Top
     @comment node-name,     next,          previous, up
     @chapter First Chapter
     @cindex Sample index entry
     
     This is the contents of the first chapter.
     @cindex Another sample index entry
     
     Here is a numbered list.
     
     @enumerate
     @item
     This is the first item.
     
     @item
     This is the second item.
     @end enumerate
     
     The @code{makeinfo} and @code{texinfo-format-buffer}
     commands transform a Texinfo file such as this into
     an Info file; and @TeX{} typesets it for a printed
     manual.

Part 6: The End of the Document
-------------------------------

The end segment contains commands for generating an index in a node and
unnumbered chapter of its own, (usually) for generating the table of
contents, and the `@bye' command that marks the end of the document.

     @node    Concept Index,    ,  First Chapter, Top
     @unnumbered Concept Index
     
     @printindex cp
     
     @contents
     @bye

The Results
-----------

  Here is what the contents of the first chapter of the sample look
like:


     This is the contents of the first chapter.

     Here is a numbered list.

       1. This is the first item.

       2. This is the second item.

     The `makeinfo' and `texinfo-format-buffer' commands transform a
     Texinfo file such as this into an Info file; and TeX typesets it
     for a printed manual.


File: texinfo,  Node: Acknowledgements and History,  Prev: Short Sample,  Up: Overview

Acknowledgements and History
============================

  Richard M. Stallman invented the Texinfo format, wrote the initial
processors, and created Edition 1.0 of this manual.  Robert J. Chassell
greatly revised and extended the manual, starting with Edition 1.1.
Brian Fox was responsible for the standalone Texinfo distribution until
version 3.8, and wrote the standalone `makeinfo' and `info'.  Karl
Berry has made the updates since Texinfo 3.8 and subsequent releases,
starting with Edition 2.22 of the manual.

  Our thanks go out to all who helped improve this work, particularly to
Franc,ois Pinard and David D. Zuhn, who tirelessly recorded and
reported mistakes and obscurities; our special thanks go to Melissa
Weisshaus for her frequent and often tedious reviews of nearly similar
editions.  The indefatigable Eli Zaretskii and Andreas Schwab have
provided patches beyond counting.  Zack Weinberg did the impossible by
implementing the macro syntax in `texinfo.tex'.  Dozens of others have
contributed patches and suggestions, they are gratefully acknowledged
in the `ChangeLog' file.  Our mistakes are our own.

  A bit of history: in the 1970's at CMU, Brian Reid developed a program
and format named Scribe to mark up documents for printing.  It used the
`@' character to introduce commands as Texinfo does and strived to
describe document contents rather than formatting.

  Meanwhile, people at MIT developed another, not too dissimilar format
called Bolio.  This then was converted to using TeX as its typesetting
language: BoTeX.

  BoTeX could only be used as a markup language for documents to be
printed, not for online documents.  Richard Stallman (RMS) worked on
both Bolio and BoTeX.  He also developed a nifty on-line help format
called Info, and then combined BoTeX and Info to create Texinfo, a mark
up language for text that is intended to be read both on line and as
printed hard copy.


File: texinfo,  Node: Texinfo Mode,  Next: Beginning a File,  Prev: Overview,  Up: Top

Using Texinfo Mode
******************

  You may edit a Texinfo file with any text editor you choose.  A
Texinfo file is no different from any other ASCII file.  However, GNU
Emacs comes with a special mode, called Texinfo mode, that provides
Emacs commands and tools to help ease your work.

  This chapter describes features of GNU Emacs' Texinfo mode but not any
features of the Texinfo formatting language.  If you are reading this
manual straight through from the beginning, you may want to skim through
this chapter briefly and come back to it after reading succeeding
chapters which describe the Texinfo formatting language in detail.

* Menu:

* Texinfo Mode Overview::       How Texinfo mode can help you.
* Emacs Editing::               Texinfo mode adds to GNU Emacs' general
                                  purpose editing features.
* Inserting::                   How to insert frequently used @-commands.
* Showing the Structure::       How to show the structure of a file.
* Updating Nodes and Menus::    How to update or create new nodes and menus.
* Info Formatting::             How to format for Info.
* Printing::                    How to format and print part or all of a file.
* Texinfo Mode Summary::        Summary of all the Texinfo mode commands.


File: texinfo,  Node: Texinfo Mode Overview,  Next: Emacs Editing,  Prev: Texinfo Mode,  Up: Texinfo Mode

Texinfo Mode Overview
=====================

  Texinfo mode provides special features for working with Texinfo files.
You can:

   * Insert frequently used @-commands.

   * Automatically create `@node' lines.

   * Show the structure of a Texinfo source file.

   * Automatically create or update the `Next', `Previous', and `Up'
     pointers of a node.

   * Automatically create or update menus.

   * Automatically create a master menu.

   * Format a part or all of a file for Info.

   * Typeset and print part or all of a file.

  Perhaps the two most helpful features are those for inserting
frequently used @-commands and for creating node pointers and menus.


File: texinfo,  Node: Emacs Editing,  Next: Inserting,  Prev: Texinfo Mode Overview,  Up: Texinfo Mode

The Usual GNU Emacs Editing Commands
====================================

  In most cases, the usual Text mode commands work the same in Texinfo
mode as they do in Text mode.  Texinfo mode adds new editing commands
and tools to GNU Emacs' general purpose editing features.  The major
difference concerns filling.  In Texinfo mode, the paragraph separation
variable and syntax table are redefined so that Texinfo commands that
should be on lines of their own are not inadvertently included in
paragraphs.  Thus, the `M-q' (`fill-paragraph') command will refill a
paragraph but not mix an indexing command on a line adjacent to it into
the paragraph.

  In addition, Texinfo mode sets the `page-delimiter' variable to the
value of `texinfo-chapter-level-regexp'; by default, this is a regular
expression matching the commands for chapters and their equivalents,
such as appendices.  With this value for the page delimiter, you can
jump from chapter title to chapter title with the `C-x ]'
(`forward-page') and `C-x [' (`backward-page') commands and narrow to a
chapter with the `C-x p' (`narrow-to-page') command.  (*Note Pages:
(emacs)Pages, for details about the page commands.)

  You may name a Texinfo file however you wish, but the convention is to
end a Texinfo file name with one of the extensions `.texinfo', `.texi',
`.txi', or `.tex'.  A longer extension is preferred, since it is
explicit, but a shorter extension may be necessary for operating
systems that limit the length of file names.  GNU Emacs automatically
enters Texinfo mode when you visit a file with a `.texinfo', `.texi' or
`.txi' extension.  Also, Emacs switches to Texinfo mode when you visit a
file that has `-*-texinfo-*-' in its first line.  If ever you are in
another mode and wish to switch to Texinfo mode, type `M-x
texinfo-mode'.

  Like all other Emacs features, you can customize or enhance Texinfo
mode as you wish.  In particular, the keybindings are very easy to
change.  The keybindings described here are the default or standard
ones.


File: texinfo,  Node: Inserting,  Next: Showing the Structure,  Prev: Emacs Editing,  Up: Texinfo Mode

Inserting Frequently Used Commands
==================================

  Texinfo mode provides commands to insert various frequently used
@-commands into the buffer.  You can use these commands to save
keystrokes.

  The insert commands are invoked by typing `C-c' twice and then the
first letter of the @-command:

`C-c C-c c'
`M-x texinfo-insert-@code'
     Insert `@code{}' and put the cursor between the braces.

`C-c C-c d'
`M-x texinfo-insert-@dfn'
     Insert `@dfn{}' and put the cursor between the braces.

`C-c C-c e'
`M-x texinfo-insert-@end'
     Insert `@end' and attempt to insert the correct following word,
     such as `example' or `table'.  (This command does not handle
     nested lists correctly, but inserts the word appropriate to the
     immediately preceding list.)

`C-c C-c i'
`M-x texinfo-insert-@item'
     Insert `@item' and put the cursor at the beginning of the next
     line.

`C-c C-c k'
`M-x texinfo-insert-@kbd'
     Insert `@kbd{}' and put the cursor between the braces.

`C-c C-c n'
`M-x texinfo-insert-@node'
     Insert `@node' and a comment line listing the sequence for the
     `Next', `Previous', and `Up' nodes.  Leave point after the `@node'.

`C-c C-c o'
`M-x texinfo-insert-@noindent'
     Insert `@noindent' and put the cursor at the beginning of the next
     line.

`C-c C-c s'
`M-x texinfo-insert-@samp'
     Insert `@samp{}' and put the cursor between the braces.

`C-c C-c t'
`M-x texinfo-insert-@table'
     Insert `@table' followed by a <SPC> and leave the cursor after the
     <SPC>.

`C-c C-c v'
`M-x texinfo-insert-@var'
     Insert `@var{}' and put the cursor between the braces.

`C-c C-c x'
`M-x texinfo-insert-@example'
     Insert `@example' and put the cursor at the beginning of the next
     line.

`C-c C-c {'
`M-x texinfo-insert-braces'
     Insert `{}' and put the cursor between the braces.

`C-c C-c }'
`C-c C-c ]'
`M-x up-list'
     Move from between a pair of braces forward past the closing brace.
     Typing `C-c C-c ]' is easier than typing `C-c C-c }', which is,
     however, more mnemonic; hence the two keybindings.  (Also, you can
     move out from between braces by typing `C-f'.)

  To put a command such as `@code{...}' around an _existing_ word,
position the cursor in front of the word and type `C-u 1 C-c C-c c'.
This makes it easy to edit existing plain text.  The value of the
prefix argument tells Emacs how many words following point to include
between braces--`1' for one word, `2' for two words, and so on.  Use a
negative argument to enclose the previous word or words.  If you do not
specify a prefix argument, Emacs inserts the @-command string and
positions the cursor between the braces.  This feature works only for
those @-commands that operate on a word or words within one line, such
as `@kbd' and `@var'.

  This set of insert commands was created after analyzing the frequency
with which different @-commands are used in the `GNU Emacs Manual' and
the `GDB Manual'.  If you wish to add your own insert commands, you can
bind a keyboard macro to a key, use abbreviations, or extend the code
in `texinfo.el'.

  `C-c C-c C-d' (`texinfo-start-menu-description') is an insert command
that works differently from the other insert commands.  It inserts a
node's section or chapter title in the space for the description in a
menu entry line.  (A menu entry has three parts, the entry name, the
node name, and the description.  Only the node name is required, but a
description helps explain what the node is about.  *Note The Parts of a
Menu: Menu Parts.)

  To use `texinfo-start-menu-description', position point in a menu
entry line and type `C-c C-c C-d'.  The command looks for and copies
the title that goes with the node name, and inserts the title as a
description; it positions point at beginning of the inserted text so you
can edit it.  The function does not insert the title if the menu entry
line already contains a description.

  This command is only an aid to writing descriptions; it does not do
the whole job.  You must edit the inserted text since a title tends to
use the same words as a node name but a useful description uses
different words.


File: texinfo,  Node: Showing the Structure,  Next: Updating Nodes and Menus,  Prev: Inserting,  Up: Texinfo Mode

Showing the Section Structure of a File
=======================================

  You can show the section structure of a Texinfo file by using the
`C-c C-s' command (`texinfo-show-structure').  This command shows the
section structure of a Texinfo file by listing the lines that begin
with the @-commands for `@chapter', `@section', and the like.  It
constructs what amounts to a table of contents.  These lines are
displayed in another buffer called the `*Occur*' buffer.  In that
buffer, you can position the cursor over one of the lines and use the
`C-c C-c' command (`occur-mode-goto-occurrence'), to jump to the
corresponding spot in the Texinfo file.

`C-c C-s'
`M-x texinfo-show-structure'
     Show the `@chapter', `@section', and such lines of a Texinfo file.

`C-c C-c'
`M-x occur-mode-goto-occurrence'
     Go to the line in the Texinfo file corresponding to the line under
     the cursor in the `*Occur*' buffer.

  If you call `texinfo-show-structure' with a prefix argument by typing
`C-u C-c C-s', it will list not only those lines with the @-commands
for `@chapter', `@section', and the like, but also the `@node' lines.
You can use `texinfo-show-structure' with a prefix argument to check
whether the `Next', `Previous', and `Up' pointers of an `@node' line
are correct.

  Often, when you are working on a manual, you will be interested only
in the structure of the current chapter.  In this case, you can mark
off the region of the buffer that you are interested in by using the
`C-x n n' (`narrow-to-region') command and `texinfo-show-structure'
will work on only that region.  To see the whole buffer again, use
`C-x n w' (`widen').  (*Note Narrowing: (emacs)Narrowing, for more
information about the narrowing commands.)

  In addition to providing the `texinfo-show-structure' command,
Texinfo mode sets the value of the page delimiter variable to match the
chapter-level @-commands.  This enables you to use the `C-x ]'
(`forward-page') and `C-x [' (`backward-page') commands to move forward
and backward by chapter, and to use the `C-x p' (`narrow-to-page')
command to narrow to a chapter.  *Note Pages: (emacs)Pages, for more
information about the page commands.


File: texinfo,  Node: Updating Nodes and Menus,  Next: Info Formatting,  Prev: Showing the Structure,  Up: Texinfo Mode

Updating Nodes and Menus
========================

  Texinfo mode provides commands for automatically creating or updating
menus and node pointers.  The commands are called "update" commands
because their most frequent use is for updating a Texinfo file after
you have worked on it; but you can use them to insert the `Next',
`Previous', and `Up' pointers into an `@node' line that has none and to
create menus in a file that has none.

  If you do not use the updating commands, you need to write menus and
node pointers by hand, which is a tedious task.

* Menu:

* Updating Commands::           Five major updating commands.
* Updating Requirements::       How to structure a Texinfo file for
                                  using the updating command.
* Other Updating Commands::     How to indent descriptions, insert
                                  missing nodes lines, and update
                                  nodes in sequence.


File: texinfo,  Node: Updating Commands,  Next: Updating Requirements,  Prev: Updating Nodes and Menus,  Up: Updating Nodes and Menus

The Updating Commands
---------------------

  You can use the updating commands to:

   * insert or update the `Next', `Previous', and `Up' pointers of a
     node,

   * insert or update the menu for a section, and

   * create a master menu for a Texinfo source file.

  You can also use the commands to update all the nodes and menus in a
region or in a whole Texinfo file.

  The updating commands work only with conventional Texinfo files, which
are structured hierarchically like books.  In such files, a structuring
command line must follow closely after each `@node' line, except for
the `Top' `@node' line.  (A "structuring command line" is a line
beginning with `@chapter', `@section', or other similar command.)

  You can write the structuring command line on the line that follows
immediately after an `@node' line or else on the line that follows
after a single `@comment' line or a single `@ifinfo' line.  You cannot
interpose more than one line between the `@node' line and the
structuring command line; and you may interpose only an `@comment' line
or an `@ifinfo' line.

  Commands which work on a whole buffer require that the `Top' node be
followed by a node with an `@chapter' or equivalent-level command.  The
menu updating commands will not create a main or master menu for a
Texinfo file that has only `@chapter'-level nodes!  The menu updating
commands only create menus _within_ nodes for lower level nodes.  To
create a menu of chapters, you must provide a `Top' node.

  The menu updating commands remove menu entries that refer to other
Info files since they do not refer to nodes within the current buffer.
This is a deficiency.  Rather than use menu entries, you can use cross
references to refer to other Info files.  None of the updating commands
affect cross references.

  Texinfo mode has five updating commands that are used most often: two
are for updating the node pointers or menu of a single node (or a
region); two are for updating every node pointer and menu in a file;
and one, the `texinfo-master-menu' command, is for creating a master
menu for a complete file, and optionally, for updating every node and
menu in the whole Texinfo file.

  The `texinfo-master-menu' command is the primary command:

`C-c C-u m'
`M-x texinfo-master-menu'
     Create or update a master menu that includes all the other menus
     (incorporating the descriptions from pre-existing menus, if any).

     With an argument (prefix argument, `C-u,' if interactive), first
     create or update all the nodes and all the regular menus in the
     buffer before constructing the master menu.  (*Note The Top Node
     and Master Menu: The Top Node, for more about a master menu.)

     For `texinfo-master-menu' to work, the Texinfo file must have a
     `Top' node and at least one subsequent node.

     After extensively editing a Texinfo file, you can type the
     following:

          C-u M-x texinfo-master-menu
     or
          C-u C-c C-u m

     This updates all the nodes and menus completely and all at once.

  The other major updating commands do smaller jobs and are designed for
the person who updates nodes and menus as he or she writes a Texinfo
file.

  The commands are:

`C-c C-u C-n'
`M-x texinfo-update-node'
     Insert the `Next', `Previous', and `Up' pointers for the node that
     point is within (i.e., for the `@node' line preceding point).  If
     the `@node' line has pre-existing `Next', `Previous', or `Up'
     pointers in it, the old pointers are removed and new ones inserted.
     With an argument (prefix argument, `C-u', if interactive), this
     command updates all `@node' lines in the region (which is the text
     between point and mark).

`C-c C-u C-m'
`M-x texinfo-make-menu'
     Create or update the menu in the node that point is within.  With
     an argument (`C-u' as prefix argument, if interactive), the
     command makes or updates menus for the nodes which are either
     within or a part of the region.

     Whenever `texinfo-make-menu' updates an existing menu, the
     descriptions from that menu are incorporated into the new menu.
     This is done by copying descriptions from the existing menu to the
     entries in the new menu that have the same node names.  If the
     node names are different, the descriptions are not copied to the
     new menu.

`C-c C-u C-e'
`M-x texinfo-every-node-update'
     Insert or update the `Next', `Previous', and `Up' pointers for
     every node in the buffer.

`C-c C-u C-a'
`M-x texinfo-all-menus-update'
     Create or update all the menus in the buffer.  With an argument
     (`C-u' as prefix argument, if interactive), first insert or update
     all the node pointers before working on the menus.

     If a master menu exists, the `texinfo-all-menus-update' command
     updates it; but the command does not create a new master menu if
     none already exists.  (Use the `texinfo-master-menu' command for
     that.)

     When working on a document that does not merit a master menu, you
     can type the following:

          C-u C-c C-u C-a
     or
          C-u M-x texinfo-all-menus-update

     This updates all the nodes and menus.

  The `texinfo-column-for-description' variable specifies the column to
which menu descriptions are indented.  By default, the value is 32
although it is often useful to reduce it to as low as 24.  You can set
the variable with the `M-x edit-options' command (*note Editing
Variable Values: (emacs)Edit Options.) or with the `M-x set-variable'
command (*note Examining and Setting Variables: (emacs)Examining.).

  Also, the `texinfo-indent-menu-description' command may be used to
indent existing menu descriptions to a specified column.  Finally, if
you wish, you can use the `texinfo-insert-node-lines' command to insert
missing `@node' lines into a file.  (*Note Other Updating Commands::,
for more information.)


File: texinfo,  Node: Updating Requirements,  Next: Other Updating Commands,  Prev: Updating Commands,  Up: Updating Nodes and Menus

Updating Requirements
---------------------

  To use the updating commands, you must organize the Texinfo file
hierarchically with chapters, sections, subsections, and the like.
When you construct the hierarchy of the manual, do not `jump down' more
than one level at a time: you can follow the `Top' node with a chapter,
but not with a section; you can follow a chapter with a section, but
not with a subsection.  However, you may `jump up' any number of levels
at one time--for example, from a subsection to a chapter.

  Each `@node' line, with the exception of the line for the `Top' node,
must be followed by a line with a structuring command such as
`@chapter', `@section', or `@unnumberedsubsec'.

  Each `@node' line/structuring-command line combination must look
either like this:

     @node     Comments,  Minimum, Conventions, Overview
     @comment  node-name, next,    previous,    up
     @section Comments

  or like this (without the `@comment' line):

     @node Comments, Minimum, Conventions, Overview
     @section Comments

In this example, `Comments' is the name of both the node and the
section.  The next node is called `Minimum' and the previous node is
called `Conventions'.  The `Comments' section is within the `Overview'
node, which is specified by the `Up' pointer.  (Instead of an
`@comment' line, you may also write an `@ifinfo' line.)

  If a file has a `Top' node, it must be called `top' or `Top' and be
the first node in the file.

  The menu updating commands create a menu of sections within a chapter,
a menu of subsections within a section, and so on.  This means that you
must have a `Top' node if you want a menu of chapters.

  Incidentally, the `makeinfo' command will create an Info file for a
hierarchically organized Texinfo file that lacks `Next', `Previous' and
`Up' pointers.  Thus, if you can be sure that your Texinfo file will be
formatted with `makeinfo', you have no need for the update node
commands.  (*Note Creating an Info File::, for more information about
`makeinfo'.)  However, both `makeinfo' and the `texinfo-format-...'
commands require that you insert menus in the file.


File: texinfo,  Node: Other Updating Commands,  Prev: Updating Requirements,  Up: Updating Nodes and Menus

Other Updating Commands
-----------------------

  In addition to the five major updating commands, Texinfo mode
possesses several less frequently used updating commands:

`M-x texinfo-insert-node-lines'
     Insert `@node' lines before the `@chapter', `@section', and other
     sectioning commands wherever they are missing throughout a region
     in a Texinfo file.

     With an argument (`C-u' as prefix argument, if interactive), the
     `texinfo-insert-node-lines' command not only inserts `@node' lines
     but also inserts the chapter or section titles as the names of the
     corresponding nodes.  In addition, it inserts the titles as node
     names in pre-existing `@node' lines that lack names.  Since node
     names should be more concise than section or chapter titles, you
     must manually edit node names so inserted.

     For example, the following marks a whole buffer as a region and
     inserts `@node' lines and titles throughout:

          C-x h C-u M-x texinfo-insert-node-lines

     This command inserts titles as node names in `@node' lines; the
     `texinfo-start-menu-description' command (*note Inserting
     Frequently Used Commands: Inserting.) inserts titles as
     descriptions in menu entries, a different action.  However, in
     both cases, you need to edit the inserted text.

`M-x texinfo-multiple-files-update'
     Update nodes and menus in a document built from several separate
     files.  With `C-u' as a prefix argument, create and insert a
     master menu in the outer file.  With a numeric prefix argument,
     such as `C-u 2', first update all the menus and all the `Next',
     `Previous', and `Up' pointers of all the included files before
     creating and inserting a master menu in the outer file.  The
     `texinfo-multiple-files-update' command is described in the
     appendix on `@include' files.  *Note
     texinfo-multiple-files-update::.

`M-x texinfo-indent-menu-description'
     Indent every description in the menu following point to the
     specified column.  You can use this command to give yourself more
     space for descriptions.  With an argument (`C-u' as prefix
     argument, if interactive), the `texinfo-indent-menu-description'
     command indents every description in every menu in the region.
     However, this command does not indent the second and subsequent
     lines of a multi-line description.

`M-x texinfo-sequential-node-update'
     Insert the names of the nodes immediately following and preceding
     the current node as the `Next' or `Previous' pointers regardless
     of those nodes' hierarchical level.  This means that the `Next'
     node of a subsection may well be the next chapter.  Sequentially
     ordered nodes are useful for novels and other documents that you
     read through sequentially.  (However, in Info, the `g *' command
     lets you look through the file sequentially, so sequentially
     ordered nodes are not strictly necessary.)  With an argument
     (prefix argument, if interactive), the
     `texinfo-sequential-node-update' command sequentially updates all
     the nodes in the region.


File: texinfo,  Node: Info Formatting,  Next: Printing,  Prev: Updating Nodes and Menus,  Up: Texinfo Mode

Formatting for Info
===================

  Texinfo mode provides several commands for formatting part or all of a
Texinfo file for Info.  Often, when you are writing a document, you
want to format only part of a file--that is, a region.

  You can use either the `texinfo-format-region' or the
`makeinfo-region' command to format a region:

`C-c C-e C-r'
`M-x texinfo-format-region'
`C-c C-m C-r'
`M-x makeinfo-region'
     Format the current region for Info.

  You can use either the `texinfo-format-buffer' or the
`makeinfo-buffer' command to format a whole buffer:

`C-c C-e C-b'
`M-x texinfo-format-buffer'
`C-c C-m C-b'
`M-x makeinfo-buffer'
     Format the current buffer for Info.

  For example, after writing a Texinfo file, you can type the following:

     C-u C-c C-u m
or
     C-u M-x texinfo-master-menu

This updates all the nodes and menus.  Then type the following to create
an Info file:

     C-c C-m C-b
or
     M-x makeinfo-buffer

  For TeX or the Info formatting commands to work, the file _must_
include a line that has `@setfilename' in its header.

  *Note Creating an Info File::, for details about Info formatting.


File: texinfo,  Node: Printing,  Next: Texinfo Mode Summary,  Prev: Info Formatting,  Up: Texinfo Mode

Formatting and Printing
=======================

  Typesetting and printing a Texinfo file is a multi-step process in
which you first create a file for printing (called a DVI file), and then
print the file.  Optionally, you may also create indices.  To do this,
you must run the `texindex' command after first running the `tex'
typesetting command; and then you must run the `tex' command again.  Or
else run the `texi2dvi' command which automatically creates indices as
needed (*note Format with texi2dvi::).

  Often, when you are writing a document, you want to typeset and print
only part of a file to see what it will look like.  You can use the
`texinfo-tex-region' and related commands for this purpose.  Use the
`texinfo-tex-buffer' command to format all of a buffer.

`C-c C-t C-b'
`M-x texinfo-tex-buffer'
     Run `texi2dvi' on the buffer.  In addition to running TeX on the
     buffer, this command automatically creates or updates indices as
     needed.

`C-c C-t C-r'
`M-x texinfo-tex-region'
     Run TeX on the region.

`C-c C-t C-i'
`M-x texinfo-texindex'
     Run `texindex' to sort the indices of a Texinfo file formatted with
     `texinfo-tex-region'.  The `texinfo-tex-region' command does not
     run `texindex' automatically; it only runs the `tex' typesetting
     command.  You must run the `texinfo-tex-region' command a second
     time after sorting the raw index files with the `texindex'
     command.  (Usually, you do not format an index when you format a
     region, only when you format a buffer.  Now that the `texi2dvi'
     command exists, there is little or no need for this command.)

`C-c C-t C-p'
`M-x texinfo-tex-print'
     Print the file (or the part of the file) previously formatted with
     `texinfo-tex-buffer' or `texinfo-tex-region'.

  For `texinfo-tex-region' or `texinfo-tex-buffer' to work, the file
_must_ start with a `\input texinfo' line and must include an
`@settitle' line.  The file must end with `@bye' on a line by itself.
(When you use `texinfo-tex-region', you must surround the `@settitle'
line with start-of-header and end-of-header lines.)

  *Note Hardcopy::, for a description of the other TeX related
commands, such as `tex-show-print-queue'.


File: texinfo,  Node: Texinfo Mode Summary,  Prev: Printing,  Up: Texinfo Mode

Texinfo Mode Summary
====================

  In Texinfo mode, each set of commands has default keybindings that
begin with the same keys.  All the commands that are custom-created for
Texinfo mode begin with `C-c'.  The keys are somewhat mnemonic.

Insert Commands
---------------

  The insert commands are invoked by typing `C-c' twice and then the
first letter of the @-command to be inserted.  (It might make more
sense mnemonically to use `C-c C-i', for `custom insert', but `C-c C-c'
is quick to type.)

     C-c C-c c       Insert `@code'.
     C-c C-c d       Insert `@dfn'.
     C-c C-c e       Insert `@end'.
     C-c C-c i       Insert `@item'.
     C-c C-c n       Insert `@node'.
     C-c C-c s       Insert `@samp'.
     C-c C-c v       Insert `@var'.
     C-c C-c {       Insert braces.
     C-c C-c ]
     C-c C-c }       Move out of enclosing braces.
     
     C-c C-c C-d     Insert a node's section title
                     in the space for the description
                     in a menu entry line.

Show Structure
--------------

  The `texinfo-show-structure' command is often used within a narrowed
region.

     C-c C-s         List all the headings.

The Master Update Command
-------------------------

  The `texinfo-master-menu' command creates a master menu; and can be
used to update every node and menu in a file as well.

     C-c C-u m
     M-x texinfo-master-menu
                     Create or update a master menu.
     
     C-u C-c C-u m   With `C-u' as a prefix argument, first
                     create or update all nodes and regular
                     menus, and then create a master menu.

Update Pointers
---------------

  The update pointer commands are invoked by typing `C-c C-u' and then
either `C-n' for `texinfo-update-node' or `C-e' for
`texinfo-every-node-update'.

     C-c C-u C-n     Update a node.
     C-c C-u C-e     Update every node in the buffer.

Update Menus
------------

  Invoke the  update menu commands by typing `C-c C-u' and then either
`C-m' for `texinfo-make-menu' or `C-a' for `texinfo-all-menus-update'.
To update both nodes and menus at the same time, precede `C-c C-u C-a'
with `C-u'.

     C-c C-u C-m     Make or update a menu.
     
     C-c C-u C-a     Make or update all
                     menus in a buffer.
     
     C-u C-c C-u C-a With `C-u' as a prefix argument,
                     first create or update all nodes and
                     then create or update all menus.

Format for Info
---------------

  The Info formatting commands that are written in Emacs Lisp are
invoked by typing `C-c C-e' and then either `C-r' for a region or `C-b'
for the whole buffer.

  The Info formatting commands that are written in C and based on the
`makeinfo' program are invoked by typing `C-c C-m' and then either
`C-r' for a region or `C-b' for the whole buffer.

Use the `texinfo-format...' commands:

     C-c C-e C-r     Format the region.
     C-c C-e C-b     Format the buffer.

Use `makeinfo':

     C-c C-m C-r     Format the region.
     C-c C-m C-b     Format the buffer.
     C-c C-m C-l     Recenter the `makeinfo' output buffer.
     C-c C-m C-k     Kill the `makeinfo' formatting job.

Typeset and Print
-----------------

  The TeX typesetting and printing commands are invoked by typing `C-c
C-t' and then another control command: `C-r' for `texinfo-tex-region',
`C-b' for `texinfo-tex-buffer', and so on.

     C-c C-t C-r     Run TeX on the region.
     C-c C-t C-b     Run `texi2dvi' on the buffer.
     C-c C-t C-i     Run `texindex'.
     C-c C-t C-p     Print the DVI file.
     C-c C-t C-q     Show the print queue.
     C-c C-t C-d     Delete a job from the print queue.
     C-c C-t C-k     Kill the current TeX formatting job.
     C-c C-t C-x     Quit a currently stopped TeX formatting job.
     C-c C-t C-l     Recenter the output buffer.

Other Updating Commands
-----------------------

  The remaining updating commands do not have standard keybindings
because they are rarely used.

     M-x texinfo-insert-node-lines
                     Insert missing `@node' lines in region.
                     With `C-u' as a prefix argument,
                     use section titles as node names.
     
     M-x texinfo-multiple-files-update
                     Update a multi-file document.
                     With `C-u 2' as a prefix argument,
                     create or update all nodes and menus
                     in all included files first.
     
     M-x texinfo-indent-menu-description
                     Indent descriptions.
     
     M-x texinfo-sequential-node-update
                     Insert node pointers in strict sequence.


File: texinfo,  Node: Beginning a File,  Next: Ending a File,  Prev: Texinfo Mode,  Up: Top

Beginning a Texinfo File
************************

  Certain pieces of information must be provided at the beginning of a
Texinfo file, such as the name of the file and the title of the
document.

* Menu:

* Four Parts::                  Four parts begin a Texinfo file.
* Sample Beginning::            Here is a sample beginning for a Texinfo file.
* Header::                      The very beginning of a Texinfo file.
* Info Summary and Permissions::  Summary and copying permissions for Info.
* Titlepage & Copyright Page::  Creating the title and copyright pages.
* The Top Node::                Creating the `Top' node and master menu.
* Software Copying Permissions::  Ensure that you and others continue to
                                  have the right to use and share software.


File: texinfo,  Node: Four Parts,  Next: Sample Beginning,  Prev: Beginning a File,  Up: Beginning a File

Four Parts Begin a File
=======================

  Generally, the beginning of a Texinfo file has four parts:

  1. The header, delimited by special comment lines, that includes the
     commands for naming the Texinfo file and telling TeX what
     definitions file to use when processing the Texinfo file.

  2. A short statement of what the file is about, with a copyright
     notice and copying permissions.  This is enclosed in `@ifinfo' and
     `@end ifinfo' commands so that the formatters place it only in the
     Info file.

  3. A title page and copyright page, with a copyright notice and
     copying permissions.  This is enclosed between `@titlepage' and
     `@end titlepage' commands.  The title and copyright page appear
     only in the printed manual.

  4. The `Top' node that contains a menu for the whole Info file.  The
     contents of this node appear only in the Info file.

  Also, optionally, you may include the copying conditions for a program
and a warranty disclaimer.  The copying section will be followed by an
introduction or else by the first chapter of the manual.

  Since the copyright notice and copying permissions for the Texinfo
document (in contrast to the copying permissions for a program) are in
parts that appear only in the Info file or only in the printed manual,
this information must be given twice.


File: texinfo,  Node: Sample Beginning,  Next: Header,  Prev: Four Parts,  Up: Beginning a File

Sample Texinfo File Beginning
=============================

  The following sample shows what is needed.

     \input texinfo   @c -*-texinfo-*-
     @c %**start of header
     @setfilename NAME-OF-INFO-FILE
     @settitle NAME-OF-MANUAL
     @setchapternewpage odd
     @c %**end of header
     
     @ifinfo
     This file documents ...
     
     Copyright YEAR COPYRIGHT-OWNER
     
     Permission is granted to ...
     @end ifinfo
     
     @c  This title page illustrates only one of the
     @c  two methods of forming a title page.
     
     @titlepage
     @title NAME-OF-MANUAL-WHEN-PRINTED
     @subtitle SUBTITLE-IF-ANY
     @subtitle SECOND-SUBTITLE
     @author AUTHOR
     
     @c  The following two commands
     @c  start the copyright page.
     @page
     @vskip 0pt plus 1filll
     Copyright @copyright{} YEAR COPYRIGHT-OWNER
     
     Published by ...
     
     Permission is granted to ...
     @end titlepage
     
     @node Top, Overview, , (dir)
     
     @ifinfo
     This document describes ...
     
     This document applies to version ...
     of the program named ...
     @end ifinfo
     
     @menu
     * Copying::          Your rights and freedoms.
     * First Chapter::    Getting started ...
     * Second Chapter::              ...
       ...
       ...
     @end menu
     
     @node    First Chapter, Second Chapter, top,      top
     @comment node-name,     next,           previous, up
     @chapter First Chapter
     @cindex Index entry for First Chapter


File: texinfo,  Node: Header,  Next: Info Summary and Permissions,  Prev: Sample Beginning,  Up: Beginning a File

The Texinfo File Header
=======================

  Texinfo files start with at least three lines that provide Info and
TeX with necessary information.  These are the `\input texinfo' line,
the `@settitle' line, and the `@setfilename' line.  If you want to run
TeX on just a part of the Texinfo File, you must write the `@settitle'
and `@setfilename' lines between start-of-header and end-of-header
lines.

  Thus, the beginning of a Texinfo file looks like this:

     \input texinfo   @c -*-texinfo-*-
     @setfilename sample.info
     @settitle Sample Document

or else like this:

     \input texinfo   @c -*-texinfo-*-
     @c %**start of header
     @setfilename sample.info
     @settitle Sample Document
     @c %**end of header

* Menu:

* First Line::                  The first line of a Texinfo file.
* Start of Header::             Formatting a region requires this.
* setfilename::                 Tell Info the name of the Info file.
* settitle::                    Create a title for the printed work.
* setchapternewpage::           Start chapters on right-hand pages.
* paragraphindent::             Specify paragraph indentation.
* exampleindent::               Specify environment indentation.
* End of Header::               Formatting a region requires this.


File: texinfo,  Node: First Line,  Next: Start of Header,  Up: Header

The First Line of a Texinfo File
--------------------------------

  Every Texinfo file that is to be the top-level input to TeX must begin
with a line that looks like this:

     \input texinfo   @c -*-texinfo-*-

This line serves two functions:

  1. When the file is processed by TeX, the `\input texinfo' command
     tells TeX to load the macros needed for processing a Texinfo file.
     These are in a file called `texinfo.tex', which is usually located
     in the `/usr/lib/tex/macros' directory.  TeX uses the backslash,
     `\', to mark the beginning of a command, just as Texinfo uses `@'.
     The `texinfo.tex' file causes the switch from `\' to `@'; before
     the switch occurs, TeX requires `\', which is why it appears at
     the beginning of the file.

  2. When the file is edited in GNU Emacs, the `-*-texinfo-*-' mode
     specification tells Emacs to use Texinfo mode.


File: texinfo,  Node: Start of Header,  Next: setfilename,  Prev: First Line,  Up: Header

Start of Header
---------------

  Write a start-of-header line on the second line of a Texinfo file.
Follow the start-of-header line with `@setfilename' and `@settitle'
lines and, optionally, with other command lines, such as `@smallbook'
or `@footnotestyle'; and then by an end-of-header line (*note End of
Header::).

  With these lines, you can format part of a Texinfo file for Info or
typeset part for printing.

  A start-of-header line looks like this:

     @c %**start of header

  The odd string of characters, `%**', is to ensure that no other
comment is accidentally taken for a start-of-header line.

