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

@c Copyright (C) 2000 - 2009 Jesper Nordenberg,
@c                           Klaus Berndl,
@c                           Kevin A. Burton,
@c                           Free Software Foundation, Inc.

@c Author: Klaus Berndl <klaus.berndl@sdm.de>
@c Maintainer: Klaus Berndl <klaus.berndl@sdm.de>
@c Keywords: browser, code, programming, tools
@c Created: 2001

@c This program is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify it under
@c the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by the Free Software
@c Foundation; either version 2, or (at your option) any later version.

@c This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful, but WITHOUT
@c ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS
@c FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the GNU General Public License for more
@c details.

@c You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License along with
@c GNU Emacs; see the file COPYING.  If not, write to the Free Software
@c Foundation, Inc., 59 Temple Place - Suite 330, Boston, MA 02111-1307, USA.

@c $Id$

@setfilename ecb.info

@settitle ECB - the Emacs Code Browser

@c If we want only one index for concepts, functions and variables
@c @syncodeindex vr cp
@c @syncodeindex fn cp

@c in info we do not want paragraph indenting
@ifinfo
@paragraphindent 0
@end ifinfo

@exampleindent   3

@footnotestyle end

@c The version number is auto-frobbed from the Makefile, so you should
@c edit the Makefile to change the version number. mechanism stolen
@c from Tramp
@macro ecbver{}
2.40
@end macro


@dircategory GNU Emacs Lisp
@direntry
* ECB: (ecb).           Emacs Code Browser
@end direntry

@titlepage
@sp 10
@center @titlefont{ECB version @ecbver{} - User manual}
@vskip 0pt plus 1 fill
Copyright @copyright{} 2000 - 2009 Jesper Nordenberg, Klaus Berndl
@end titlepage

@node Top, Install and first steps, (dir), (dir)
@comment  node-name,  next,  previous,  up

@ifnottex
This is the user manual for ECB version @ecbver{}.
@end ifnottex

ECB stands for "Emacs Code Browser". While (X)Emacs already has good
@strong{editing} support for many modes, its @strong{browsing} support
is somewhat lacking. That's where ECB comes in: it displays a number
of informational windows that allow for easy source code navigation
and overview.

The informational windows can contain:

@itemize @bullet
@item A directory tree,
@item a list of source files in the current directory
(with full support and display of the VC-state),
@item a list of functions/classes/methods/... in the current file,
(ECB uses the CEDET-Semantic, or Imenu, or etags, for getting this
list so all languages supported by any of these tools are
automatically supported by ECB too)
@item a history of recently visited files
(groupable by several criterias),
@item helpful informations and possible completions according to the current
context which is computed by the semantic-analyzer for some sort of
intellisense,
@item the Speedbar and
@item output from compilation (the "*compilation*" window) and other
modes like help, grep etc. or whatever a user defines to be displayed
in this window.
@end itemize

As an added bonus, ECB makes sure to keep these informational windows
visible, even when you use @kbd{C-x 1} and similar commands.

It goes without saying that you can configure the layout, ie which
informational windows should be displayed where. ECB comes with a
number of ready-made window layouts to choose from.

@iftex
@sp 1
@end iftex

@strong{Please note}: Experienced ECB users find a complete
alphabetical list of all commands and user-options in @ref{Interactive
ECB commands} and @ref{Customizable options}.

@c In the following two paragraphs we distinct between HTML-, info-,
@c and tex-format concerning the display of the URLs.
@ifinfo
The latest version of ECB can always be found at the URL
@url{http://ecb.sourceforge.net}.

To send bug reports, or participate in discussions about ECB, use the
mailing list @email{ecb-list@@lists.sourceforge.net} via the URL
@url{http://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/ecb-list}.

@end ifinfo

@iftex
@sp 1

The latest version of ECB can always be found at the URL @*
@url{http://ecb.sourceforge.net}.

@sp 1

To send bug reports, or participate in discussions about ECB, use the
mailing list @*@email{ecb-list@@lists.sourceforge.net} via the URL @*
@url{http://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/ecb-list}.
@end iftex

@ifhtml
The latest version of ECB can always be found at 
@uref{http://ecb.sourceforge.net}

To send bug reports, or participate in discussions about ECB, use the
mailing list @email{ecb-list@@lists.sourceforge.net} via 
@uref{http://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/ecb-list}
@end ifhtml

@strong{IMPORTANT}: Cause of extra appearance of SPAM in the
mailing-lists, SourceForge has changed its policy: Now it is only
possible to post to the mailing-list for users who have subscribed
this mailing-list. So please be aware you will not be able to send
comments, bug reports and improvement suggestions before you have
subscribed the ECB-mailing-list. See the section "Mailing-list" at the
ECB-website at
@ifhtml
@uref{http://ecb.sourceforge.net}
@end ifhtml
@ifnothtml
@url{http://ecb.sourceforge.net}
@end ifnothtml
how to do this.

@menu
* Install and first steps::     Installing ECB and first steps
* Overview::                    Compact introducing of basic concepts
* Manual usage::                How to use this manual
* ECB-windows::                 Description of all ECB-windows of ECB
* Activation and Deactivation:: How to start and end ECB
* Usage of ECB::                How to use ECB
* Customizing::                 How to customize ECB
* Submitting problem report::   What to do when problems occur
* Upgrading::                   Upgrading and downloading packages
* Common use-cases::             Useful hints and tips
* Elisp programming::           Entry points for Elisp programmers
* Conflicts and bugs::          Known Conflicts with other packages and bugs
* FAQ::                         Frequently asked questions
* Command Index::               Index for interactive commands
* Option Index::                Index for user options
* Concept Index::               Index for concepts and terms
@comment * Index::

@detailmenu
 --- The Detailed Node Listing ---

Installation and first steps of ECB

* Installation::                Installation of ECB
* Setting up Emacs::            How to set up Emacs for file parsing with ECB
* First steps::                 First steps after activating ECB first time

Installation of ECB

* Requirements::                Requirements for ECB
* ECB as XEmacs-package::       Installation of ECB as a XEmacs-package
* Standard ECB-Installation::   Standard installation of ECB for (X)Emacs

How to set up Emacs for file parsing with ECB

* General hints::               General hints for a correct setup
* Setting up CEDET/semantic::   How to setup semantic correctly
* Non-semantic files::          Setup for file types not supported by semantic

All ECB-windows of ECB

* Basic ECB-windows::           Description of the basic ECB-windows
* Add-on ECB-windows::          Description of additional ECB-windows

The basic ECB-windows of ECB

* Tree-buffer basics::          General introduction into tree-buffers
* Tree-buffer styles::          Displaying the trees with different styles
* ECB Directories-window::      Contents of the ECB Directories-window
* ECB Sources-window::          Contents of the ECB Sources-window
* ECB Methods-window::          Contents of the ECB Methods-window
* ECB History-window::          Contents of the ECB History-window

Displaying the trees with different styles

* Style basics::                Basic knowledge about the styles
* Ascii-based styles::          How to customize the ascii-styles
* Tree-buffers with images::    Which images are used for the tree
* Images for Methods-buffer::   Images for the tags in the Methods-buffer

Add-on ECB-windows of ECB

* Semantic analyser::           Analyses and displays semantic context
* Symboldefinition::            Displays definition of current symbol

Activation and Deactivation

* Standard activation::         How to manually (de)activate ECB
* Automatic activation::        Automatically (de)activating ECB

Usage of ECB

* Using the mouse::             Working with the mouse
* Using the keyboard::          Working with the keyboard
* The edit-area::               How to use the edit-area
* Temp- and compile-buffers::   Displaying temp- and compilation-buffers
* The other window::            How the ``other window'' is determined
* The Methods window::          Using and customizing the Methods-window
* Filtering the tree-buffers::  Applying filters to the ECB-tree-buffers 
* The ECB-layout::              Changing, customizing, redrawing, creating
* Hiding the ECB windows::      Hiding/Showing the ECB-windows
* Maximizing the ECB windows::  Maximizing the ECB-windows
* Back/forward navigation::     Back- and forward navigation like a browser
* ECB-window synchronizing::    Auto./manual synchronizing the ECB-windows
* Stealthy background tasks::   Stealthy background-tasks of ECB
* Interactive ECB commands::    All interactive user-commands of ECB

Working with the keyboard in the ECB-windows

* Navigation/Selection::        Keyboard navigation/selection in a tree-buffer
* Incremental search::          Find nodes as fast as possible
* Personal tree-keybindings::   Adding personal keybindings to a tree-buffer
* Using popup-menus::           Using the popup-menus from keyboard.

Using and customizing the ECB-Methods window

* Visiting tags::               Possible actions after visiting a tag
* Expanding::                   Explicit and automatic expanding
* Customizing the display::     How to customize the Methods-buffer display
* Updating Methods-window::     Updating Methods with contents of current buffer
* Updating for ind. buffers::   Updating Methods for indirect buffers
* Jumping to external tags::    Jumping to the definition of external types

Applying filters to the special ECB-tree-buffers

* Filtering Directories::       Applying filters to the Directories-buffer
* Filtering Sources::           Applying filters to the Sources--buffer
* Filtering History::           Applying filters to the History-buffer
* Filtering Methods::           Applying filters to the Methods-buffer

Changing, customizing, redrawing and creating layouts

* Changing the ECB-layout::     How to change and customize the layout
* Redrawing the ECB-layout::    How and when redrawing the layout
* Changing window sizes::       Changing sizes of the ECB-windows
* Fixing window sizes::         Fixing sizes of the ECB-windows
* Creating a new ECB-layout::   Interactively creating new layouts

Synchronization of the ECB-windows

* General synchronization aspects::       General synchronization aspects
* Synchronization of basic ECB-windows::  Synchronization of basic ECB-windows
* Add-on synchronization::                Synchronization of add-on ECB-windows

Customizing ECB

* General aspects::             General aspects for customizing ECB
* Most important options::      Which option you must know
* Customizable options::        All customizable options of ECB

General aspects for customizing ECB

* setq or customize::           Should i use setq or customize?
* Site-wide customizing::       Site-wide customizing of ECB

All customizable options of ECB

* ecb-general::                 General customizing ECB
* ecb-tree-buffer::             Customizing the general tree layout
* ecb-directories::             Customizing the ECB-directories-tree
* ecb-sources::                 Customizing the ECB-sources-window
* ecb-methods::                 Customizing the ECB-methods-window
* ecb-history::                 Customizing the ECB-history-window
* ecb-analyse::                 Customizing the ECB-analyse-window
* ecb-symboldef::               Customizing the ECB-symboldef-window
* ecb-layout::                  Customizing the ECB-layout
* ecb-compilation::             Customizing the compile-window
* ecb-create-layout::           Customizing options for creating layouts
* ecb-face-options::            Customizing options for faces
* ecb-faces::                   Customizing the faces
* ecb-help::                    Customizing the online help of ECB
* ecb-eshell::                  Customizing the eshell-integration
* ecb-speedbar::                Customizing the speedbar-integration
* ecb-non-semantic::            Customizing parsing non-semantic sources
* ecb-winman::                  Customizing window-manager support
* ecb-mode-line::               Customizing the tree-buffer-modelines
* ecb-version-control::         Customizing the version-control-support

Upgrading and downloading packages

* Downloading new versions::    How to download newer versions of packages
* Auto. option-upgrading::      ECB can auto. upgrade your options

Automatic upgrading of options

* User interface::              Options and commands you should know
* Background information::      Maybe some interesting informations

Handling of common use-cases

* Changing faces::              Changing faces in the ECB tree-buffers
* Small screens::               Working with small screens
* Big screens::                 Working with big screens
* Simulating speedbar::         Simulating speedbar without an extra frame
* Integrating speedbar::        Integrating speedbar in the ECB-frame
* Large directories::           Working with large directories
* Remote directories::          Working with remote directories
* Version-control support::     Supporting Version control systems
* Using eshell::                Optimal using of eshell in ECB
* Grepping directories::        Grepping directories with ECB
* Working with JDEE::           Working best with ECB and JDEE
* Compile-window on demand::    Displaying the compile-window on demand
* Non-semantic sources::        Parsing and displaying non-semantic sources
* Hide-show::                   Using hide-show from the methods-buffer-menu
* Window-managers and ECB::     Support of several Emacs-window-managers
* Virtual folders in History::  Simulating something like virtual folders

Supporting Version control systems

* Identifying backends::        How ECB identifies the VC-backend of a dir
* Checking the state::          How ECB checks the VC-state of a file
* Remote repositories::         What you should know about this
* Refreshing the VC-state::     How to refresh when state changed outside
* Adding new backends::         Necessary steps for adding new backends
* Known VC-problems::           Currently known problems of the VC-support

Entry points for Elisp programmers

* List of variables::           Which variables an Elisp-program can use
* List of hooks::               All available hooks
* tree-buffer::                 Full description of the tree-buffer-library
* Adviced functions::           How to deal with the adviced functions
* The layout-engine::           Programming new layouts and special windows

The library tree-buffer.el

* Introduction::                General description of tree-buffers
* A new tree-buffer::           How to create a new tree-buffer
* A new tree-node::             How to add new tree-nodes to a tree-buffer
* Updating a tree-buffer::      How to update a tree-buffer after changes
* Tree-buffer keybindings::     Default and customizable keybindings
* The tree-buffer-API::         All functions for tree-buffers and -nodes
* Do not with tree-buffer::     Things which are strictly forbidden
* Tree-buffer How to::          Dealing with special situations

How to program new layouts and new special windows

* Programming a new layout::    How to program a new layout
* Programming special windows:: Aspects of programming special windows
* Possible layout-outlines::    The wide range of possible layouts
* The layout-engine API::       The complete layout-engine API

Conflicts and bugs of ECB

* Conflicts::                   Conflicts with other packages
* Bugs::                        Known bugs

@end detailmenu
@end menu

@node Install and first steps, Overview, Top, Top
@chapter Installation and first steps of ECB

This chapter describes how to install ECB and setup (X)Emacs correctly
and what are the first steps after activation of ECB.

@menu
* Installation::                Installation of ECB
* Setting up Emacs::            How to set up Emacs for file parsing with ECB
* First steps::                 First steps after activating ECB first time
@end menu

@node Installation, Setting up Emacs, Install and first steps, Install and first steps
@section Installation of ECB

This section describes how to install ECB.

@menu
* Requirements::                Requirements for ECB
* ECB as XEmacs-package::       Installation of ECB as a XEmacs-package
* Standard ECB-Installation::   Standard installation of ECB for (X)Emacs
@end menu

@node Requirements, ECB as XEmacs-package, Installation, Installation
@subsection Requirements

This section describes the requirements of ECB. Just ensure that these
requirements of ECB are fulfilled.

The short story: With Emacs >= 23.2 there is nothing to do. With XEmacs or
Emacs < 23.2 you have to install the CEDET-suite.

The long story:

@enumerate

@item Emacs-version:
ECB works only with (X)Emacs >= 21! If you have an older one, please upgrade.

@item CEDET-suite:
If Emacs >= 23.2 is used then CEDET is already integrated into Emacs and there
is nothing to do.

For users of any XEmacs-version, any Emacs-version < 23.2 or the latest author
CEDET version: Get it from @url{http://cedet.sourceforge.net}, read the
setup-instructions in @url{http://cedet.sourceforge.net/setup.shtml} and read
also the shipped file @file{INSTALL}.

@strong{Please note}: If ECB detects an author version of CEDET (as available
at @url{http://cedet.sourceforge.net}) then ECB will ALWAYS try to use that
one even if you use Emacs >= 23.2! This is for users who want to use latest
Emacs >= 23.2 but still prefer using the latest author version of CEDET
instead of the Emacs-integrated one.

So if you want to use the Emacs-integrated CEDET-suite of Emacs >= 23.2 you
have to ensure that no author-version of CEDET is in the @code{load-path}!
This means that the library cedet.el of the author-version MUST NOT be loaded
into Emacs (as described in the file INSTALL of CEDET)! This is a valid check:
(locate-library "semantic-ctxt") must return nil!

@item Only for XEmacs-users:
If you use XEmacs you must have installed the
package c-support (contains hideshow.el). If you want to read the online-help
of ECB in HTML-format you must have the library browse-url (part of the
mail-lib XEmacs package) installed; this package is also needed for submitting
problem-reports to the ECB-maintainers!

@item Optional for Java-coding:
ECB works very well with the JDEE package (
@url{http://jdee.sourceforge.net}) but JDEE is not required by ECB.

@end enumerate

Do not install ECB before you have successfully installed the requirements!

@node ECB as XEmacs-package, Standard ECB-Installation, Requirements, Installation
@subsection Installation of ECB as a XEmacs-package

This section is only relevant for XEmacs-users!

In previous versions of ECB XEmacs-users could use the
package-management-system of XEmacs for first-time downloading/installing ECB
or for upgrading to a newer version of ECB.

Beginning with version 2.33 ECB does no longer support the old versions of
semantic, eieio and speedbar not part of the CEDET-suite. ECB >= 2.33 requires
fully installed CEDET-suite with version >= 1.0pre6. This one is not available as
XEmacs-package. Therefore ECB can also not be run as XEmacs-package. If cedet
will become a XEmacs-package then probably ECB will come back as
XEmacs-package. But in the meanwhile you have to install ECB ``by hand'' as
described in the next section (@pxref{Standard ECB-Installation}).

@c @strong{Recommendation}: If you are able to manually install ECB and its
@c requirements as described in @ref{Standard ECB-Installation} then go on and
@c proceed with that (you will see, it's easy). You will get a much more powerful
@c ECB and also CEDET/semantic.
@c  
@c If you are desperate to use the package-management-system of ECB for
@c installing ECB, then here is a short guide (for details about the
@c package-manager of XEmacs see the related info-manual):
@c  
@c @strong{Caution}: If ECB is already installed and you just want
@c upgrading to a newer version then it is recommended to deactivate ECB
@c before proceeding with the steps below!
@c  
@c @enumerate
@c @item Choose a download-site
@c  
@c This can be done via the menu ``Tools --> Packages --> Add Download
@c Site'': Choose one of the listed sites. Or you can customize the
@c option @code{package-get-remote} by hand and save it for future
@c sessions.
@c  
@c @item Activate the packages list
@c  
@c This can be done either by the menu ``Tools --> Packages --> List and
@c Install'' or via the command @code{pui-list-packages}. After that a
@c special packages-buffer is displayed where you can interactively
@c install or upgrade packages. At the end of this buffer there is a
@c short description how to use this buffer.
@c  
@c @item Install ECB and all required packages
@c  
@c Mark the package named ``ecb'' for install. Do this also for the
@c required packages ``semantic'', ``eieio'' and ``speedbar''. The
@c package ``mail-lib'' is needed for easy submitting of problem-reports
@c to the ECB-maintainers and the package ``c-support'' is needed for
@c easy using hideshow within the Methods-buffer of ECB@footnote{All
@c required packages can simply autom. marked by hitting @kbd{r} in the
@c packages buffer. But this installs a lot of packages more (e.g. the
@c Newsreader Gnus) which are really not essential for ECB. Therefore it
@c is recommended to mark the required packages by hand.}.
@c  
@c After marking all needed packages for installation hit @kbd{x} to
@c install them.
@c  
@c If you have already installed ECB and you want just upgrading to the
@c latest available version then proceed as described above - same if you
@c want to upgrade one of the required packages.
@c  
@c @item Start ECB
@c  
@c Now you can immediately start ECB via the command @code{ecb-activate};
@c there is no need to restart XEmacs! As an alternative you can first
@c read the online-help via @code{ecb-show-help}.
@c  
@c @end enumerate
@c  
@c If you do not like the package-manager of XEmacs but you want
@c installing ECB ``by hand'' direct from the ECB-website then you have
@c to follow the instructions in @ref{Standard ECB-Installation}.

@node Standard ECB-Installation,  , ECB as XEmacs-package, Installation
@subsection Standard installation of ECB for (X)Emacs

Follow exatly these steps to install ECB:

@enumerate

@item
Fulfill all requirements ECB needs (@pxref{Requirements})

ECB performs two autom checks:

@itemize @minus
@item At load-time:
It checks if cedet is at least installed so ECB can be loaded. If not it
reports an error.

@item At start-time:
It checks if the correct versions of cedet and semantic are installed and
gives you proper feedback.
@end itemize

So if you are not sure if you have installed the required packages at
all or if you have installed the correct versions of these packages
then do not worry about this, just go on with the following
installation steps: If ECB is missing something it will give you
proper feedback and support not later than at load-time or start-time!

@item
Download and unpack the ECB archive (probably you have already done
this :-)

@item
Add the new ECB-directory to your @code{load-path} variable.

You @strong{MUST} add the ECB-install-directory to the @code{load-path} either
by changing the @code{load-path} variable directly in your @file{.emacs} or
@file{site-lisp/site-start.el} or by working with a file
@file{subdirs.el}@footnote{This works at least for Emacs but XEmacs may have
slightly different mechanisms; see the XEmacs documentation}.

So for example the needed entry for your @file{.emacs}-file could be:

@example
(add-to-list 'load-path
             "/path/to/your/ecb/installation/directory")
@end example

@strong{ATTENTION}:
ECB is NOT properly installed if it's directory is not added to
@code{load-path} and for example just loaded by

@example
(load-file "/path/to/ecb/ecb.el")
@end example

Do not do this! It will not work!

@item
Load ECB by adding code to your @file{.emacs}:

If you want to load the complete ECB at (X)Emacs-loadtime (Advantage:
All ECB-options available after loading ECB. Disadvantage: Increasing
loadtime@footnote{Cause of full loading of ECB itself and also the
packages semantic, eieio and speedbar regardless if ECB is started.}):

@example
(require 'ecb)
@end example

If you want to load the ECB first after starting it by
@code{ecb-activate} (Advantage: Fast loading@footnote{ECB, semantic,
eieio and speedbar are first loaded after starting ECB or with other
words: ECB and semantic are not loaded if you do not use/need them}.
Disadvantage: ECB- and semantic-options first available after starting
ECB):

@example
(require 'ecb-autoloads)
@end example

This loads all available autoloads of ECB, e.g. @code{ecb-activate},
@code{ecb-minor-mode}, @code{ecb-byte-compile} and
@code{ecb-show-help}.

Regardless which method you prefer: In both cases the used statement
must be placed @strong{after} the statement of step 3!

Only for users of a manually installed author version of the CEDET-suite (not
that one integrated into Emacs >= 23.2): Instructions for loading CEDET into
Emacs must be placed somewhere before the statements needed for loading ECB
(s.a.)!

@item Restart (X)Emacs.
@end enumerate

ECB is now ready for use and can be activated by calling @code{M-x
ecb-activate} or @code{ecb-minor-mode}. Now you can either starting
using ECB or you can do these optional installation steps:

@enumerate 6

@item Reading the online help with @code{ecb-show-help}

Maybe you are interested to read the online-help of ECB before first
start.

@item Bytecompiling ECB with @code{ecb-byte-compile}

This byte compiles ECB. You can safely ignore all messages if there
are any. (You can also bytecompile ECB from the command-line either by
using the @file{Makefile} or by using the batch-file @file{make.bat};
just read the comments in that file you choose.)

@item Installing the Info-help of ECB

The ECB distribution contains a subdirectory @file{info-help} which
contains the online-help of ECB in Info-format. You can install this
online help so it's available in the Top-directory of Info. There are
two ways to do this:

@itemize @minus
@item Use ``install-info'' (recommended):

@enumerate
@item
Copy the files of the subdirectory @file{info-help} into the
info-directory of Emacs

@item
Install the file @file{info-help/ecb.info} with the command
``install-info'' (if available on your system) in the @file{dir}-file.
@end enumerate

The supplied @file{Makefile} offers a target @code{install-help} which
does both of these steps. You have just to call @code{make
install-help} with the correct EMACSINFOPATH set (see the comment in
@file{Makefile}). Here is an example:

@example
make EMACSINFOPATH=/path/to/emacs/info install-help
@end example

@item Manual Installation:

Copy the files of the subdirectory @file{info-help} into the
info-directory of Emacs and modify the file @file{dir} manually.
@end itemize

But it doesn't matter if you do not execute this step (8.) because the
online help of ECB is always available though, see
@code{ecb-show-help} (@pxref{Interactive ECB commands}).

@end enumerate

@node Setting up Emacs, First steps, Installation, Install and first steps
@section How to set up Emacs for file parsing with ECB

@strong{Please note}: Normally it should not necessary for you to
bother with the following stuff unless you have problems getting ECB
working correctly for you.

@menu
* General hints::               General hints for a correct setup
* Setting up CEDET/semantic::   How to setup semantic correctly
* Non-semantic files::          Setup for file types not supported by semantic
@end menu

@node General hints, Setting up CEDET/semantic, Setting up Emacs, Setting up Emacs
@subsection General hints for a correct setup

ECB is for browsing files and therefore you have to setup your
Emacs-configuration properly so the file-parsing engines like semantic, imenu
or etags can be activated automatically for parsing your Emacs-Lisp, C, C++ or
Java buffers@footnote{semantic supports some more ``languages'' like Phython,
Makefiles and some more. But these are the most important ones.}. For this
Emacs must activate the correct @code{major-mode} for the source-files and
Emacs can only do this if the option @code{auto-mode-alist} is setup
correctly. The correct major-modes and possible
file-extensions@footnote{Especially for C++ and C you can use any extension
you want but these are the most common ones!} are:

@multitable @columnfractions 0.20 0.50 0.30

@item
@ifnotinfo
@strong{Language}
@end ifnotinfo
@ifinfo
LANGUAGE
@end ifinfo
@tab
@ifnotinfo
@strong{Major-mode}
@end ifnotinfo
@ifinfo
MAJOR-MODE
@end ifinfo
@tab
@ifnotinfo
@strong{Extension(s)}
@end ifnotinfo
@ifinfo
EXTENSION(S)
@end ifinfo

@item Emacs Lisp @tab @code{emacs-lisp-mode} @tab .el

@item C @tab @code{c-mode} @tab .h, .c

@item C++ @tab @code{c++-mode} @tab .h, .hxx, .hh, .HH, .cxx, .cpp,
.cc, .CC

@item Java @tab @code{java-mode} or @code{jde-mode} (if you use JDEE)
@tab .java
@end multitable

Example: If you want files with extension ``.cpp'' being c++-parsed by
semantic and ECB, your @code{auto-mode-alist} must contain an entry
like:

@example
("\\.cpp\\'" . c++-mode)
@end example

After this ECB will correctly parse your ``.cpp''-sources and display
all the parsing information in the ECB-methods buffer.

@node Setting up CEDET/semantic, Non-semantic files, General hints, Setting up Emacs
@subsection Setting up CEDET/semantic

To ensure ECB and semantic are working correctly for all by semantic
supported languages you have to pay attention to the following aspects
concerning your Emacs-setup:

@enumerate
@item Setting up CEDET/semantic itself

This section implies that you either use Emacs >= 23.2 or that you have
already successfully installed the CEDET-suite.

For all semantic-supported file-types parsing files is done completely
by semantic. ECB just displays the parsing results.

@itemize
@item Users of Emacs >= 23.2:
You just have to enable semantic by activating the semantic-mode. This can be
done by adding code to your initialization-file (e.g. .emacs) like
this:

@lisp
(semantic-mode 1)
@end lisp

This should be placed BEFORE the statements which activate ECB.

As an alternative you can use the @code{ecb-before-activate-hook} like
follows:

@lisp
(add-hook 'ecb-before-activate-hook
          (lambda () (semantic-mode 1)))
@end lisp

This is a smarter way when you need semantic only if ECB is active.

@item Users of XEmacs or Emacs < 23.2:
You should read carefully the file @file{INSTALL} shipped with the
cedet-suite. In addition the CEDET-website offers a link to a ``Gentle
introduction to Cedet''. It's worth to read it! You find it here:
@ifhtml
@uref{http://xtalk.msk.su/~ott/en/writings/emacs-devenv/EmacsCedet.html}
@end ifhtml
@ifnothtml
@url{http://xtalk.msk.su/~ott/en/writings/emacs-devenv/EmacsCedet.html}
@end ifnothtml
If CEDET is not correctly installed then ECB can not setup semantic for its
needs.

@end itemize

@strong{Minimum setup recommendation}: It is very useful to enable the
@code{global-semantic-idle-scheduler-mode} and
@code{global-semanticdb-minor-mode}. Read the manual of Emacs 23.2 or the
manual of cedet/semantic how to do this. With CEDET-versions >= 1.0pre6 this
can be done by adding @code{semantic-load-enable-minimum-features} to your
startup-file. Please read also the subsection ``Jumping to the definition of
external types'' in @ref{ECB Methods-window}.

@anchor{Checking your hooks}
@item Checking your hooks (Only for XEmacs and Emacs < 23.2!)

If you use Emacs > 23.2 you can ignore the following paragraphs.

If you have already checked point (1.) and if you have still problems
getting ECB/semantic working properly for your sources you should
check the related major-mode hook. Every major-mode X has a hook with
name ``X-hook'' which is evaluated after activating the major-mode
(see above, 2.), e.g. the hook for the major-mode @code{c++-mode} is
@code{c++-mode-hook}.

Semantic adds automatically during load-time a special
``semantic-setup'' to these major-mode hooks@footnote{Of course only
for major-modes supported by semantic!} in form of a
``setup-function''. Example: For c and c++ modes semantic adds
@code{semantic-default-c-setup} to @code{c-mode-hook} and
@code{c++-mode-hook}.

If your own Emacs-setup (e.g. in @file{.emacs} or
@file{site-lisp/site-start.el}) overwrites such a major-mode-hook then
semantic can not be activated for this major-mode and in consequence
ECB can not work properly too!

Check if your Emacs-setup uses somewhere @code{setq} for adding code
to a major-mode-hook. @strong{IMPORTANT}: Use @code{add-hook} instead of
@code{setq}@footnote{@code{setq} replaces/overwrites the current
value of a hook with the new value whereas @code{add-hook}
@strong{adds} the new value to the old-value of the hook!}!

@end enumerate

If your source-files are ``running'' with correct @code{major-mode} and - in
case of XEmacs or Emacs < 23.2 - correct major-mode hooks ECB and semantic
will do what you expect them doing!

@node Non-semantic files, , Setting up CEDET/semantic, Setting up Emacs
@subsection Setup for file types not supported by semantic

From version 1.94 on ECB supports also parsing and displaying
file-contents for file-types not supported by semantic (i.e. there is
no semantic-grammar available for such file-types).

Such non-semantic file-types can often be parsed by imenu and/or
etags. Both of these parsing methods are now supported: ECB can
display the results of imenu and/or etags in its Method-buffer. ECB
uses for this speedbar-logic. Therefore the following speedbar options
takes effect for this feature:

@itemize @minus
@item @code{speedbar-dynamic-tags-function-list}
@item @code{speedbar-tag-split-minimum-length}
@item @code{speedbar-tag-regroup-maximum-length}
@item @code{speedbar-tag-hierarchy-method}
@end itemize

Normally there should be no need for you to bother with these options,
because the default values are suitable for most situations! But if
you are not satisfied with the parsing/display results then you can
change some of these options.

@node First steps, , Setting up Emacs, Install and first steps
@section First steps after activating ECB first time

This section of the ECB online-help is displayed automatically by ECB
after activating ECB first time and describes what are the first basic
steps:

@enumerate

@item Configure where ECB can find your sources:

Call @code{M-x customize-option RET ecb-source-path RET}@footnote{This
means first hitting the keys @kbd{M} (Meta- or Alt-key) and @kbd{x}
simultaneously, inserting ``customize-option'' in the minibuffer,
hitting RETURN, inserting ``ecb-source-path'' in the minibuffer and
finally hitting RETURN again}. This lets you customize the option
@code{ecb-source-path} with the customize-feature of Emacs. This opens
a customize-buffer where you can insert all the directories where ECB
can find your source-files. Save your changes with the button ``Save
for future sessions'' and then throw away this customize-buffer either
by killing it with @code{M-x kill-buffer} or clicking at the button
``Finish''.

@item Take a look at the most important options of ECB
Call @code{M-x ecb-customize-most-important RET} and see a list of
options which you should at least know that these options exist.

@item Read the online-help of ECB:

The online-help of ECB is available via

@itemize @minus
@item calling @code{M-x ecb-show-help},
@item pressing @kbd{C-c . h} or
@item using the menu ``ECB''.
@end itemize

(The section you are currently reading is part of the online-help of
ECB)

The chapter ``Common use-cases'' is also very interesting!

@item Start working with ECB.
@end enumerate

@node Overview, Manual usage, Install and first steps, Top
@chapter Overview

@cindex tree-buffer
@cindex ECB-windows
ECB is a global minor-mode which offers a couple of @dfn{ECB-windows}
for browsing your sources comfortable with the mouse and the keyboard.

ECB offers some basic ECB-windows to browse your sources:
@itemize @minus
@item ECB-Directories for browsing directories
@item ECB-Sources for browsing source-files
@item ECB-Methods for browsing the contents of a source
@item ECB-History for a history for open or recently opened files
@end itemize

See @ref{Basic ECB-windows} for a detailled description what these
basic ECB-windows offer. See @ref{ECB-windows} for a general
introduction in the ECB-window-concept of ECB.

In addition ECB offers some add-on ECB-window for special purposes:
@itemize @minus
@item ECB-Analyse for some intellisense stuff like possible completions or
local variables
@item ECB-Symboldef for displaying the documentation of current symbol under
point
@end itemize

See @ref{Add-on ECB-windows} for a detailled description what these
add-on ECB-windows offer.

In addition to these ``special'' ECB-windows you have always an
@dfn{edit-area} where you can edit your source-files. The edit-area can be
divided into several @dfn{edit-windows} - as many as you need (@pxref{The
edit-area}). And at the bottom of the ECB-frame a persistent
@dfn{compilation-window} (also called @dfn{compile-window}) can be displayed
(optional), where all the output of Emacs-compilation (compile, grep etc.) and
Emacs temp-buffers (help etc.) is shown (@pxref{Temp- and compile-buffers}).

The following ``screenshot'' illustrates the typical layout of the
ECB-frame@footnote{This is only one example of the layouts ECB offers,
see @ref{Changing the ECB-layout}}:

@example
@group
------------------------------------------------------------------
|              |                                                 |
|  Directories |                                                 |
|              |                                                 |
|--------------|                                                 |
|              |                                                 |
|  Sources     |                                                 |
|              |                                                 |
|--------------|                   Edit-area                     |
|              |   (can be splitted in several edit-windows)     |
|  Methods     |                                                 |
|              |                                                 |
|--------------|                                                 |
|              |                                                 |
|  History     |                                                 |
|              |                                                 |
------------------------------------------------------------------
|                                                                |
|            Persistent Compilation-window (optional)            |
|                                                                |
------------------------------------------------------------------
@end group
@end example

@node Manual usage, ECB-windows, Overview, Top
@chapter How to use this manual

@strong{IMPORTANT}: You should have read the chapter @ref{Overview}
before going on reading the current chapter.

This chapter describes shortly the contents of the following chapters
of this manual so maybe you can find faster what you are searching
for.

@table @asis

@item All ECB-windows of ECB (@pxref{ECB-windows})
Gives an introduction into the concept of ECB-windows of ECB, what
they are, which different types exist, how they look, how they can be
used and last but not least what they do in detail, i.e. explains
every ECB-window of ECB in detail.

@item Activation and Deactivation (@pxref{Activation and Deactivation})
Describes how to activate and deactivate ECB and which different types
of activation are possible.

@item Usage of ECB (@pxref{Usage of ECB})
Describes in detail how to use ECB with mouse and keyboard, explains
the concept of the edit-area and the persistent compile-window,
describe how to change the window-layout and hide and show special
windows, which stealthy background-tasks ECB performs and so on...

@item Customizing ECB (@pxref{Customizing})
Gives an overview of the most important options of ECB and tell you
something about do's and don'ts concerning customization of ECB. Lists
all options of ECB and describe exactly the purpose of them.

@item Submitting a problem report (@pxref{Submitting problem report})
Instructions what to do if you encounters problems with ECB.

@item Upgrading and downloading ECB (@pxref{Upgrading})
Gives an introduction into the automatic option-upgrading-feature of
ECB.

@item Common use-cases (@pxref{Common use-cases})
How to deal with common (and also some special) situations and circumstances,
so e.g. working with big and small screens, working with large directories,
using the builtin version-control-support of ECB, parsing
non-semantic-supported sources like perl, using hide-show, working best with
eshell and JDEE and some window-managers of Emacs (like escreen or winring)
and many more...

@item Entry points for Elisp programmers (@pxref{Elisp programming})
All informations needed by programmers when using some ECB-concepts
from within other elisp-libraries. This includes a full description
how to use the ECB-independent library tree-buffer.el. Lists also all
available hooks and describes with full working example how to program
own layouts.

@item Conflicts and bugs of ECB (@pxref{Conflicts and bugs})
Lists all currently known bugs and problems and gives well working
work-arounds.

@item Frequently asked Questions (@pxref{FAQ})
Take a look...

@item Command Index (@pxref{Command Index})
List of all interactive commands of ECB

@item Option Index (@pxref{Option Index})
List of all user-customizable options of ECB

@item Concept Index (@pxref{Concept Index})
List of all concepts introduced by ECB

@end table



@node ECB-windows, Activation and Deactivation, Manual usage, Top
@chapter All ECB-windows of ECB

ECB displays a number of informational windows that allow for easy
source code navigation and overview. These informational windows are
called @dfn{ECB-windows}. Each ECB-window is displayed in its own
special window/buffer which is dedicated and read-only.

There are some ``basic'' ECB-windows (e.g. for browsing directories
and sources) and some ``add-on'' ECB-windows for special purposes like
displaying the definition of the current symbol under point. This
chapter describes all ECB-windows of ECB in detail.

@menu
* Basic ECB-windows::           Description of the basic ECB-windows
* Add-on ECB-windows::          Description of additional ECB-windows
@end menu

@node Basic ECB-windows, Add-on ECB-windows, ECB-windows, ECB-windows
@section The basic ECB-windows of ECB

ECB offers basic ECB-windows for browsing directory-structures, files
of a directory and contents of source-files (e.g. methods and
variables). These basic ECB-windows are build from a special class of
ECB-windows, called @dfn{tree-buffer}. See @ref{Tree-buffer basics}
for more details about the functionality of tree-buffers. See
@ref{Tree-buffer styles} to get an impression about the look&feel of
these tree-buffers.

In the following subsections these basic ECB-windows of ECB will be
explained in detail.

@menu
* Tree-buffer basics::          General introduction into tree-buffers
* Tree-buffer styles::          Displaying the trees with different styles
* ECB Directories-window::      Contents of the ECB Directories-window
* ECB Sources-window::          Contents of the ECB Sources-window
* ECB Methods-window::          Contents of the ECB Methods-window
* ECB History-window::          Contents of the ECB History-window
@end menu

@node Tree-buffer basics, Tree-buffer styles, Basic ECB-windows, Basic ECB-windows
@subsection General introduction into tree-buffers


@subsubsection Content and structure of a tree-buffer

ECB displays most of its informations (e.g. about directory-structures
or file-contents) in so called @dfn{tree-buffers} which means the
display of such a tree-buffer is structured in a tree consisting of
@dfn{tree-nodes}. Every line in a tree-buffer displays exactly one
tree-node. Each node can have any arbitrary number of
@dfn{children}-nodes. If a tree-node has no children then it is called
a @dfn{leaf}.

Each tree-buffer of ECB is displayed in an own special
ECB-window/buffer which is read-only ie. not editable.

The difference between a natural tree like a fir and an ECB-tree is
that the root(-node) of a tree-buffer is not visible but only its
children. In the example below the nodes parent-node-1 and
parent-node-2 are the children of the invisible root-node.

If a tree-node contains at least one child it is displayed with a
special expand/collapse-symbol (see the example below). This symbol
allows expanding (rsp. collapsing) the tree-node wheras expanding
means to display the children-nodes and collapsing means to hide the
childrens of a tree-node.

Here is an example of a tree-buffer:

@example
@group
[+] parent-node-1  -------.
[-] parent-node-2  -------|
    [-] expanded  --------|
        leaf-node-1  -----|
        leaf-node-2  -----|-----[tree-nodes]
        leaf-node-3  -----|
        leaf-node-4  -----|
    [+] collapsed  -------´
     |
     `-----------------[expand/collapse-symbol]
@end group
@end example

@subsubsection Possible actions for a tree-node

In most cases an action is triggered when clicking with the mouse onto
a tree-node@footnote{Of course using the keyboard is also possible,
see @ref{Using the keyboard}.} (e.g. clicking onto ``leaf-node-1'' or
``parent-node-1'' in the example above). Which actions depends on the
type of the tree-buffer. For example clicking on a tree-node in the
ECB-sources-buffer (which is the name of a source-file) opens the
relelated file in the edit-area of ECB (@pxref{ECB Sources-window})
whereas clicking onto a node in the ECB-methods-buffer (which is the
name of a tag in the current source-file displayed in the edit-area)
``jumps'' to the location of this tag in the source-buffer in the
edit-area (@pxref{ECB Methods-window}).

Almost every ECB-window of ECB offers a special popup-menu when
clicking with the right mouse-button (of course also possible via
keyboard, see @ref{Using the keyboard}) onto a tree-node (e.g. some
senseful actions possible for directory-nodes like grepping this
directory or performing version-control actions for this directory or
something else).

See @ref{ECB Directories-window}, @ref{ECB Sources-window}, @ref{ECB
Methods-window} and @ref{Add-on ECB-windows} for a detailed description which
actions are triggered and which popup-menus are offered in all the ECB-windows
of ECB.

@subsubsection Sticky parent-node for tree-buffers

In the header-line (only for GNU Emacs) of a tree-buffer always the
current-parent node of the first visible node is displayed (if there is a
parent node). So a user always has a good overview to which parent a node
belongs. This sticky node is exactly in the same manner clickable as all other
nodes (see above).

There is a option @code{ecb-tree-make-parent-node-sticky} which
enabales/disables this feature (default is enabled).

There is also an option @code{ecb-tree-stickynode-indent-string}. Normally
there is no need to bother with this option but if you encounter
alignment-problems with the sticky node in the headerline then take a look at
this option, because it allows to fix the problem.

This feature is only available for GNU Emacs >= 21.

@node Tree-buffer styles, ECB Directories-window, Tree-buffer basics, Basic ECB-windows
@subsection Displaying the trees with different styles

ECB offers three different styles for the tree-buffers in the
ECB-windows. Two of the styles are ascii-based and one style uses
images for drawing the tree-structure.

@menu
* Style basics::                Basic knowledge about the styles
* Ascii-based styles::          How to customize the ascii-styles
* Tree-buffers with images::    Which images are used for the tree
* Images for Methods-buffer::   Images for the tags in the Methods-buffer
@end menu

@node Style basics, Ascii-based styles, Tree-buffer styles, Tree-buffer styles
@subsubsection Basic knowledge about the styles

There are nine image-names which define the control- and guide-symbols
to draw the tree. Here is the list of the allowed image-names and the
related corresponding ascii-symbols:

@itemize @minus
@item open (``[-]''):
The control-symbol displayed for an opened tree-node which has several
subnodes. Clicking onto this control closes the node.

@item close (``[+]''):
The control-symbol displayed for a closed tree-node, i.e. an
expandable node with subnodes but all subnodes are hidden. Clicking
onto this control opened the node and displays its subnodes - if
there are any. If it has no subnodes the empty-symbol will be
displayed.

@item empty (``[x]''):
The symbol displayed for an empty node. An empty node is a
node which could have subnodes but has currently none.

@item leaf (``*''):
The symbol displayed for a node which can not have any subnodes so it
is a ``leaf'' in the tree.

@item guide (`` |''):
The symbol used for drawing vertical ``guide-lines'' for opened nodes.
See the example below.

@item no-guide (``  ''):
Sometimes invisible guide-lines are needed to draw the tree.

@item end-guide (`` `''):
The symbol used for the guide-line of the last subnode of an opened
node.

@item handle (``-''):
The symbol displayed before every subnode. Each handle is connected to
a guide-line - either a normal guide or an end-guide.

@item no-handle (`` ''):
An invisible handle.
@end itemize

A tree will be build-up with these elements like follows:

@example
@group
[-] node-with-subnodes      (open)
 |-[+] not-empty-subnode1   (guide+handle+close)
 |-[x] empty-subnode        (guide+handle+empty)
 `-[-] not-empty-subnode2   (end-guide+handle+open)
    |-* leaf-1              (no-guide+no-handle+guide+handle+leaf)
    `-* leaf-2              (no-guide+no-handle+end-guide+handle+leaf)
@end group
@end example

@node Ascii-based styles, Tree-buffers with images, Style basics, Tree-buffer styles
@subsubsection How to customize the ascii-styles

The ECB-option @code{ecb-tree-buffer-style} offers two different
styles completely drawn with ascii-controls and -guides.

Ascii-style with guide-lines (value @code{ascii-guides})@footnote{For
a better look&feel of such a tree-buffer ECB displays only the last
subnode of an opened node with a handle!}:

@example
@group
[-] ECB
 |  [+] code-save
 `- [-] ecb-images
     |  [-] directories
     |   |  [-] height-15
     |   |   |  * close.xpm
     |   |   |  * empty.xpm
     |   |   |  * leaf.xpm
     |   |   `- * open.xpm
     |   |  [+] height-17
     |   |  [+] height-19
     |   `- [+] height-21
     |  [x] history
     |  [x] methods
     `- [x] sources
@end group
@end example

Ascii-style without guide-lines (value @code{ascii-no-guides}) - this
is the style used by ECB <= 1.96:

@example
@group
[-] ECB
    [+] code-save
    [-] ecb-images
        [-] directories
            [-] height-15
                * close.xpm
                * empty.xpm
                * leaf.xpm
                * open.xpm
            [+] height-17
            [+] height-19
            [+] height-21
        [x] history
        [x] methods
        [x] sources
@end group
@end example

The tree-layout of both ascii-styles can be affected with the options
@code{ecb-tree-indent} and @code{ecb-tree-expand-symbol-before} (the
examples above have set 4 for the former and true for the latter one).
For the guide-style the face and color of the guide- and
handle-symbols can be customized with the option
@code{ecb-tree-guide-line-face} (default is the equal-named face).

@node Tree-buffers with images, Images for Methods-buffer, Ascii-based styles, Tree-buffer styles
@subsubsection Which images are used for the tree

Depending on the value of @code{ecb-tree-buffer-style} and the
image-support of (X)Emacs, the tree-buffer try to use images instead
of strings to draw a nice-looking tree.

If images can and should be used then the option
@code{ecb-tree-image-icons-directories} tells ECB where to search for
suitable image-icons for each of the nine image-names (see above). An
image is used for displaying a control with name ``XXX'' if one of the
directories of @code{ecb-tree-image-icons-directories} contains an
image-file with basename ``ecb-XXX'' and an extension which is
supported by (X)Emacs. Currently supported extensions are ``.xpm'',
``.png'', ``.gif'', ``.jpeg'', .''jpg'' and ``.xbm''.

Example: To display the control with name ``open'' with a suitable
image then one of the directories of
@code{ecb-tree-image-icons-directories} must contain a file with name
``ecb-open.xpm'' or ``ecb-open.png'' etc. See the description of this
option to get all important details how and in which sequence ECB
searches the directories of @code{ecb-tree-image-icons-directories}.

ECB comes with predefined default-images usable for every tree-buffer
and special images for the Directories- and the Methods-tree-buffer.
They are defined in several different heights - so for the most
senseful font-heights of a tree-buffer a fitting image-size should be
available. The shipped images reside either in the subdirectory
"ecb-images" of the ECB-installation or - if ECB is installed as
regular XEmacs-package - in the ECB-etc data-directory (the directory
returned by evaluating (locate-data-directory "ecb"). If you do not
want to change the images then you normally have nothing to do because
the default value of @code{ecb-tree-image-icons-directories} points
already to the correct image-directories.

A special remark for XEmacs:

At least XEmacs 21.14 (but probably previous versions too) has a bug
in its display-engine which prevents adjacent images to be displayed
correctly. The effect is, that in a row of two or more adjacent images
(e.g. end-guide+handle+open - see the tree-example above) always all
images are masked by the last one, means only the last one is visible.
If at least one normal character (e.g. a space) is placed between two
images then the images are displayed correctly. Therefore ECB has
implemented the following work-around to get best possible results
with XEmacs: open-, close-, empty-, leaf-, guide-, end-guide- and
no-guide-images are displayed with images and the handle- and the
no-handle-images are displayed with the corresponding ascii-symbols
(which is ``-'' rsp. `` ''). The face (the color) of the handle-symbol
is customizable via the option @code{ecb-tree-guide-line-face}.

This bug is already reported to the XEmacs-team. If your XEmacs has
fixed this bug then add the following to your @file{.emacs}-file (or
whereever your emacs-setup is located):

@lisp
(setq tree-buffer-enable-xemacs-image-bug-hack nil)
@end lisp

Then ECB uses images without any special work-around with XEmacs too.
Just try it - if the tree-buffers look ugly then the XEmacs-bug is
probably not fixed correctly.

@node Images for Methods-buffer, ,Tree-buffers with images, Tree-buffer styles
@subsubsection Special images for the Methods-buffer

ECB can display all the semantic-tags in the Method-buffer with
special icons for methods, variables and classes - each of them with a
different icon dependend of the protection of the tag. This feature
can be disabled/enabled via the option
@code{ecb-display-image-icons-for-semantic-tags}. All the special
images are located in that directory where the option
@code{ecb-tree-image-icons-directories} point to for methods.

@node ECB Directories-window, ECB Sources-window, Tree-buffer styles, Basic ECB-windows
@subsection ECB Directories-window

@cindex Directories
The ECB directories interactor is for browsing directories. The direct
children of the invisible root-node are called @dfn{source-path} and
can be defined with the option @code{ecb-source-path}. Each
source-path is the starting-node of the complete directory-structure
below this path and can be browsed with the directories-interactor.

When a sources ECB-window is contained in the current layout then per
default only directories and subdirectories are displayed in the
directories tree-buffer (the source-files are displayed in the sources
tree-buffer - see @ref{ECB Sources-window}) but this can be changed
with the option @code{ecb-show-sources-in-directories-buffer}.

@subsubsection Usage of the directories ECB-window

@itemize @bullet
@item
Select directories (and - if enabled - source files) in the
@dfn{ECB-Directories} buffer by clicking a mouse button on the directory
name or by hitting RETURN when the cursor is placed on the item line,
see @ref{Usage of ECB}.

IMPORTANT: If you use the POWER-click (i.e. hold down the SHIFT-key
while clicking with the primary mouse button (@pxref{Using the mouse})
or RETURN (@pxref{Using the keyboard})) on a directory node in the
this buffer then the directory-contents-cache for this directory will
be refreshed and actualized.

@item
Directory names with a ``[+]'' symbol after (or before) them can be
expanded/collapsed by clicking on the symbol, pressing the TAB key
(@pxref{Using the keyboard}) when the cursor is placed on the package
line or clicking a mouse button on the item, see @ref{Using the mouse}.

@item
Right clicking on an item will open a popup menu where different
operations on the item under the mouse cursor can be performed. This
popup-menu offers operations for version-control, dired, grep, some
file-operations like creating a directory and commands to make a
directory a source-path in the sense of @code{ecb-source-path}.

@item
Pressing F2 will open the ECB customization group
(@pxref{Customizing}) in the edit window. F3 shows the online help in
the edit-window. Pressing F4 in the ECB-directories buffer will offer
adding a new source-path.
@end itemize

When source-files-nodes are displayed in the directories-buffer (see
@code{ecb-show-sources-in-directories-buffer}) then for these nodes
all descriptions of section @ref{ECB Sources-window} are valid.

@subsubsection Activating/Displaying the directories ECB-window

Either use one of the predefined layouts which contain the directories
ECB-window (@pxref{Changing the ECB-layout}) (e.g. via @kbd{C-c . l
c}) or create a new ecb-layout via the command
@code{ecb-create-new-layout} and add a buffer of type ``directories''
into this new layout (@pxref{Creating a new ECB-layout}).

@subsubsection Customizing the directories ECB-window

See @ref{ecb-directories} for a list of all options currently
available for customizing this ECB-windows to your needs.

@node ECB Sources-window, ECB Methods-window, ECB Directories-window, Basic ECB-windows
@subsection ECB Sources-window

@cindex Sources
ECB offers a ECB-windows for displaying source-file-names of a certain
directory: The sources-window. It displays all source-file names of the
currently selected directory of the directories-ECB-window (@pxref{ECB
Directories-window}).

The history-tree-buffer is a ``flat'' tree-buffers means all nodes are direct
children of the invisible root-node and can not be expanded.

@subsubsection Usage of the ECB-Sources-window

@itemize @bullet
@item
Source files can be selected by clicking with the primary mouse button
(@pxref{Using the mouse}) or hitting RETURN (@pxref{Using the keyboard}) on
the source row in the @dfn{ECB-Sources}-window. The buffer of the selected
source-file will be displayed in an edit-window - which one depends on the
setting in @code{ecb-mouse-click-destination}.

IMPORTANT: If you use the POWER-click (i.e. hold down the SHIFT-key while
clicking with the primary mouse button (@pxref{Using the mouse}) or RETURN
(@pxref{Using the keyboard})) on a source row in the ECB-Sources-windows then
the source will not be displayed in an edit-window but it will be scanned in
the background and all its contents (e.g. methods and variables) are listed in
the @dfn{ECB Methods}-window (@pxref{ECB Methods-window}. So you can get an
overlook over the source without changing the buffer in the edit-window.

@item
Clicking on the source file with the secondary mouse button or
C-RETURN (@pxref{Usage of ECB}) will open the source file in
another edit window - which one depends on the setting in
@code{ecb-mouse-click-destination}. 

@item
Right clicking on a source file (mouse-button 3) will open a popup menu where
different operation on the item under the mouse cursor can be performed. This
popup-menu offers operations for version-control, dired, grep, filtering the
file-names and some file-operations like deleting the related file from disk.
In addition the ECB-Sources-window can be maximized via the popup-menu

@end itemize

@subsubsection Activating/Displaying the ECB-Sources-window

Either use one of the predefined layouts which contain the sources ECB-window
(@pxref{Changing the ECB-layout}) (e.g. via @kbd{C-c . l c}) or create a new
ecb-layout via the command @code{ecb-create-new-layout} and add a buffer of
type ``sources'' into this new layout (@pxref{Creating a new ECB-layout}).

@subsubsection Customizing the ECB-Sources-window

See @ref{ecb-sources} for a list of all options currently available for
customizing this ECB-window to your needs.

@node ECB Methods-window, ECB History-window, ECB Sources-window, Basic ECB-windows
@subsection The ECB Methods-window

@cindex Methods
The @dfn{ECB-Methods} ECB-window contains all parsed and recognized tags
of the current source-buffer. It is called ``Method-buffer'' because
ECB is mostly designed for browsing sourcecode files and for
programming-languages these tags are often methods (and variables
etc.) To simplify explanations we talk in the following only about
methods and variables - but in general the method-buffer can contain
any kind of tags (e.g. sections and subsections for texinfo
buffers).

Per default the content of the methods-ECB-window is automatically
synchronized and updated with current point of the current source-buffer in
the edit-area (@pxref{ECB-window synchronizing}). This and other important
informations about usage of the powerful Methods-window of ECB can be found in
@ref{The Methods window}.

@subsubsection Usage of the methods ECB-window

@itemize @bullet
@item
When a node (e.g. method or variable) is selected with the primary mouse
button (@pxref{Using the mouse}) or RETURN (@pxref{Using the keyboard}) the
buffer in the edit-window (which one depends on the setting in
@code{ecb-mouse-click-destination}) will jump to the method/variable.

IMPORTANT: If you use the POWER-click (i.e. hold down the SHIFT-key
while clicking with the primary mouse button (@pxref{Using the mouse})
or RETURN (@pxref{Using the keyboard})) on a node in this buffer then
the edit-buffer will be narrowed to the selected tag (see also
option @code{ecb-tag-visit-post-actions}). But this works only for
sources parsed by semantic, not by imenu or etags!

@item
Clicking on a node with the secondary mouse button or C-RETURN
(@pxref{Usage of ECB}) will jump to the method in another edit window
- which one depends on the setting in
@code{ecb-mouse-click-destination}.

@item
Right clicking on a node will open a popup menu where
different operation on the item under the mouse cursor can be
performed. The popup-menu offers commands for filtering the displayed
tree-nodes, hiding/narrowing the related tags in the source-buffer and
expanding/collapsing one/all tree-nodes according to a certain
expansion-level.

@end itemize

@subsubsection Activating/Displaying the methods ECB-window

Either use one of the predefined layouts which contain the methods
ECB-window (@pxref{Changing the ECB-layout}) (e.g. via @kbd{C-c . l
c}) or create a new ecb-layout via the command
@code{ecb-create-new-layout} and add a buffer of type ``methods'' into
this new layout (@pxref{Creating a new ECB-layout}).


@subsubsection Customizing the methods ECB-window

See @ref{ecb-methods} for a list of all options currently available
for customizing this ECB-window to your needs.

@node ECB History-window, , ECB Methods-window, Basic ECB-windows
@subsection The ECB History-window

@cindex History
ECB offers a ECB-windows for displaying a history of currently open or
recently closed source-buffers, regardless of the directory the related file
belongs to.

Contrary to the ECB-sources-window the ECB-History-window can be flat but
needn't. Another difference to the ECB-sources window is that the History
displays not filenames but buffer-names for buffers which are either directly
related to a file or which are indirect-buffers with a base-buffer which is
related to a file. For a description of the indirect-buffer concept see the
Emacs manual (see command @code{clone-indirect-buffer} or
@code{make-indirect-buffer} for XEmacs).

@strong{Please note}: The History of ECB is not meant to be a full replacement
for the Buffers-menu of (X)Emacs! It only displays buffers which are related
to a file (either directly or via indirect-buffer). All non-file-related
buffers (e.g. *Help*, *grep* etc.) will never be displayed in the
ECB-History-window!

@subsubsection Usage of the ECB-History-window

@itemize @bullet
@item
Buffers in the history can be selected by clicking with the primary mouse button
(@pxref{Using the mouse}) or hitting RETURN (@pxref{Using the keyboard}) on
the buffername-node in the @dfn{ECB-History}-window. The buffer of the selected
buffer-name will be displayed in an edit-window - which one depends on the
setting in @code{ecb-mouse-click-destination}.

IMPORTANT: If you use the POWER-click (i.e. hold down the SHIFT-key while
clicking with the primary mouse button (@pxref{Using the mouse}) or RETURN
(@pxref{Using the keyboard})) on a node in the ECB-History-window then the
related buffer will not be displayed in an edit-window but it will be scanned
in the background and all its contents (e.g. methods and variables) are listed
in the @dfn{ECB Methods}-window (@pxref{ECB Methods-window}. So you can get an
overlook over the buffer-contents without changing the buffer in the
edit-window.

@item
Clicking on a buffername-node with the secondary mouse button or
C-RETURN (@pxref{Usage of ECB}) will open the buffer in
another edit window - which one depends on the setting in
@code{ecb-mouse-click-destination}. 

@item
Right clicking on a buffername-node (mouse-button 3) will open a popup menu
where different operation on the item under the mouse cursor can be performed.
This popup-menu offers operations for version-control, dired, grep, filtering
the buffernames and some file-operations like deleting the related file from
disk. In addition the ECB-History-window can be maximized or the bucketizing
type (s.b. ``Bucketizing the history'') can be changed on the fly via
popup-menu.

@end itemize

@subsubsection Activating/Displaying the ECB-History-window

Either use one of the predefined layouts which contain the ECB-History-window
(@pxref{Changing the ECB-layout}) (e.g. via @kbd{C-c . l c}) or create a new
ecb-layout via the command @code{ecb-create-new-layout} and add a buffer of
type ``history'' into this new layout (@pxref{Creating a new ECB-layout}).

@subsubsection Dead buffers in the history

You can customize if ECB should remove the related buffername-node from the
history-window after killing a buffer. This is done with the option
@code{ecb-kill-buffer-clears-history}. See the documentation of this option
for the possible choices. If you decide that ECB should @strong{not} remove
the related buffername-node then this is named a ``dead'' buffer in the
history-window. It is displayed with a special face (see
@code{ecb-history-dead-buffer-face}), default is a kind of grey.

You can use such a dead-buffer-node in the history as all other
buffername-nodes: ECB will reopen the related file in a buffer and perform the
action you have choosen (see above section ``Usage of the
ECB-History-window'').

@subsubsection Indirect buffers in the history

You can work with indirect buffers as well with direct buffers. See the
(X)Emacs manual for an introduction for indirect buffers (e.g. see the command
@code{clone-indirect-buffer} for GNU Emacs).

Indirect buffers are displayed with the face
@code{ecb-history-indirect-buffer-face}, default is an italic outline.

There is an option @code{ecb-history-stick-indirect-buffers-to-basebuffer}
which allows to customize how ECB displays indirect buffers in the
history-window:

If this option is @code{nil} then indirect-buffers are treated as
non-indirect-buffers and sorted into the history-buffer-sequence according to
the setting of @code{ecb-history-sort-method}. Then the history contains
something like this:

@example
<base-buffer BB>
<indirect-buffer 1 of BB>
<indirect-buffer 2 of BB>
<indirect-buffer 3 of BB>
@end example

If not nil then indirect-buffers are always sticked to their base-buffer, ie.
the base-buffer is displayed as expandable node with all its indirect-buffers
as children-nodes, so the history contains something like:

@example
[-] <base-buffer BB>
 |  <indirect-buffer 1 of BB>
 |  <indirect-buffer 2 of BB>
 `- <indirect-buffer 3 of BB>
@end example

Here the buffer with name ``<base-buffer BB>'' has three indirect-buffers
which are display as childrens of their base-buffer.

@subsubsection Bucketizing the history

ECB can display the history-contents ``flat'' or it can display buckets to
bucketize the contens according to certain criterias. This is done with the
option @code{ecb-history-make-buckets}. It allows bucketizing according to the
directory, the file-extension, the major-mode or a list of regular expression
- see the documentation of this option for details.

Here is an example for a history-window bucketized according to the major-mode
of the related buffers:

@example
[-] [c++-mode]
 |  headerfile-1.h
 |  headerfile-2.h
 |  codefile-1.cc
 `- codefile-2.cc
[-] [emacs-lisp-mode]
 |  elisp-buffer-1.el
 |  elisp-buffer-1.el
 `- elisp-buffer-1.el
[-] [makefile-mode]
 `- Makefile
[-] [java-mode]
 |  java-buffer-1.java
 `- java-buffer-2.java
@end example

@strong{Please note}: If @code{ecb-history-make-buckets} is nil then this is
interpreted as an empty list of regular-expressions and the history is display
with exactly one bucket. Use the value 'never if you want the? contents of the
history-window to be displayed ``flat''!

You can change the bucketizing type on the fly via the popup-menu of the
history-window.


@subsubsection Customizing the ECB-History-window

See @ref{ecb-history} for a list of all options currently available for
customizing this ECB-windows to your needs.


@node Add-on ECB-windows, , Basic ECB-windows, ECB-windows
@section Add-on ECB-windows of ECB

This chapter gives detailled informations about available add-on
ECB-windows. This includes basic desciptions what they do as well as
how to use them.

@menu
* Semantic analyser::           Analyses and displays semantic context
* Symboldefinition::            Displays definition of current symbol
@end menu

@node Semantic analyser, Symboldefinition, Add-on ECB-windows, Add-on ECB-windows
@subsection Displaying the current semantic context via analyser

@cindex Analyse
@cindex Analyze
The CEDET-suite contains the @dfn{semantic analyzer}@footnote{Note that ECB
uses analyser (with s) whereas semantic uses analyzer (with z).} which is a
library tool that performs context analysis and can derive useful
information.

Please see the related node in the info-manual of cedet/semantic for more
detailed informations about this tool and how to setup it for best performance
for your project needs.

The semantic-analyzer output can be used through a special ECB-window. This
interface lists details about the analysis, such as the current function,
local arguments and variables, details on the prefix (the symbol the cursor is
on), and a list of all possible completions (see
@code{semantic-analyze-possible-completions} for more details about
completions available via the semantic-analyser).

The analyser-ECB-window is of type tree-buffer. See @ref{Tree-buffer
basics} for basic informations how to use such a tree-buffer.

@subsubsection Usage of the analyser-ECB-window

@itemize @bullet
@item
When a node-name in the ``Context''-bucket is selected with the
primary mouse button (@pxref{Using the mouse}) or RETURN (@pxref{Using
the keyboard}) the buffer in the edit-window (which one depends on the
setting in @code{ecb-mouse-click-destination}) will jump to the
related entry. For strongly typed languages, this means you will jump
to the definition of the variable, slot, or type definition.

@item
Clicking on a node-name in the ``Context''-bucket with the secondary
mouse button or C-RETURN (@pxref{Usage of ECB}) will jump to the
related entry in another edit window - which one depends on the
setting in @code{ecb-mouse-click-destination}.

@item
If you click on a node-name in the "Completions"-bucket, then the text
that was recently analyzed will be replaced with the name of the tag
that was clicked on in the analyser-ECB-window.

@item
Right clicking with the mouse (or with the keyboard, see @ref{Using
popup-menus}) onto a tree-node opens a popup-menu which allows to
display additional (if available) informations to the current node.
@end itemize

@subsubsection Synchronizing the analyse-window

Per default the content of the analyser-ECB-window is automatically
synchronized and updated with current point of the current source-buffer in
the edit-area (see @code{ecb-analyse-buffer-sync} and most notably
@code{ecb-analyse-buffer-sync-delay}) and @ref{ECB-window synchronizing}).

In contrary to the sync-options of the basic ECB-windows@footnote{see
@ref{Basic ECB-windows} and the options @code{ecb-basic-buffer-sync} and
@code{ecb-basic-buffer-sync-delay}.} the default synchronisation delay of the
ECB-analyse-window is quite high: 2 seconds (see
@code{ecb-analyse-buffer-sync}).

What is the reason for this: a small value like 0.25 as for the basic windows
would make the analyse-window quite unusable because then more or less after
each type (depends on how fast you are typing) the analyse window would be
synchronized with current point, which can be really annoying when there would
be hundreds of completions for the current point.

Imagine the following scenario: programming in emacs-lisp, typing
@example
(e
@end example
and then you make a short break, just a moment, but immediately ECB would call
the semantic-analyzer to analyse the current context for possible completions
(a.o.). You can imagine that there are even thousands of possible function
completions in emacs-lisp which beginns with ``e''. Getting all these and
displaying them in the analyse-window can take some time! Of course the whole
stuff is interruptable by any key-press so ECB will not be blocked but
nevertheless the will be a noticeable break in your typing.

Therefore it is strongly recommended to choose one of the following
possibilities:

@itemize
@item Automatic synchronizing with long delay

Set @code{ecb-analyse-buffer-sync-delay} to a value which is suitable for your
programing and typing style, default is already to seconds.

@item Manually synchronizing on demand

@enumerate

@item Switch off the automatic synchronizing for the ECB-analyse-window by setting
the option @code{ecb-analyse-buffer-sync} to nil. Use always customize for
this, never setq!
@item Bind the command @code{ecb-analyse-buffer-sync} to a conveniant shortcut
@item Synchronize the analyse-window exactly then when you need the
context informations for current point (e.g. possible local variables or
completions).

But note that semantic already offers some intellisense commands which can
help you on demand too! See the documentation of the semantic analyzer.
@end enumerate

@end itemize

@subsubsection Interactive commands of the analyser-ECB-window

ECB offers the following commands for the analyser-ECB-window:

@itemize @minus
@item @code{ecb-analyse-buffer-sync}
@item @code{ecb-goto-window-analyse}
@item @code{ecb-maximize-window-analyse}
@end itemize

See @ref{Interactive ECB commands} for details about these commands.

@subsubsection Activating/Displaying the analyser-ECB-window

Either use one of the predefined layouts "left-analyse" or
``leftright-analyse'' (e.g. via @kbd{C-c . l c}) or create a new
ecb-layout via the command @code{ecb-create-new-layout} and add a
buffer of type ``other'' and name ``analyse'' into this new layout
(@pxref{Creating a new ECB-layout}).

@subsubsection Customizing the analyser ECB-window

See @ref{ecb-analyse} for a list of all options currently available
for customizing this ECB-window to your needs.

@node Symboldefinition, ,Semantic analyser, Add-on ECB-windows
@subsection Displaying the definition of the current symbol under point

@c TODO

@node Activation and Deactivation, Usage of ECB, ECB-windows, Top
@chapter Activation and Deactivation

@noindent
This chapter describes all aspects of activating and deactivating ECB.

@menu
* Standard activation::         How to manually (de)activate ECB
* Automatic activation::        Automatically (de)activating ECB
@end menu

@strong{IMPORTANT}: Regardless of the activation-type (standard or
automatic) the activation-process of ECB is always completely
failure-save. This means any error during any step of the
activation-process forces a complete cleanup (e.g. removing hooks,
disabling advices etc.) of all settings ECB did (e.g. adding hooks,
activating advices etc.) until the failure. Therefore if
ECB-activation stops cause of a failure then you can be sure that your
Emacs has the same state as before the ECB-activation-start!

@node Standard activation, Automatic activation, Activation and Deactivation, Activation and Deactivation
@section Standard activation and deactivation

Call @kbd{M-x ecb-activate} and @kbd{M-x ecb-deactivate} to activate
or deactivate ECB@footnote{Activation is also possible via the menu
``Tools --> Start Code Browser (ECB)''.}. If you want ECB started in a
new frame see the option @code{ecb-new-ecb-frame} (default is nil).
@code{ecb-activate} always raises and selects the ECB-frame even if
ECB is already started.

@cindex minor mode
Because ECB is a global minor-mode it can also be
(de)activated/toggled by @kbd{M-x ecb-minor-mode}.

@cindex Activation hook-sequence
@anchor{Activation hook-sequence}
The following sequence of hooks is evaluated during activation of ECB:
@enumerate
@item @code{ecb-before-activate-hook}
@item <All actions for activation but no layout drawing>
@item @code{ecb-activate-before-layout-draw-hook}
@item @code{ecb-redraw-layout-before-hook}
@item <Drawing the layout>
@item @code{ecb-redraw-layout-after-hook}
@item @code{ecb-activate-hook}
@end enumerate

@anchor{Deactivation hook-sequence}
@cindex Deactivation hook-sequence
The following sequence of hooks is evaluated during deactivation of
ECB:
@enumerate
@item @code{ecb-before-deactivate-hook}
@item <All actions for deactivation of ECB>
@item @code{ecb-deactivate-hook}
@end enumerate

@node Automatic activation, , Standard activation, Activation and Deactivation
@section Automatic activation and deactivation

@cindex Automatic activation
@cindex Automatic deactivation
There are two ways for auto. (de)activation ECB after Emacs-start and
for different window-configurations.

@table @code
@item ecb-auto-activate
This option is for auto. activating ECB after Emacs-startup. Set this
to not nil and ECB will automatically be started after Emacs comes up.

@item window-manager support
The window-manager support of ECB deactivates ECB when going to
another window-configuration and reactivates ECB when coming back to
the ECB-window-configuration. For all details about this see
@ref{Window-managers and ECB}.
@end table

@node Usage of ECB, Customizing, Activation and Deactivation, Top
@chapter Usage of ECB

This chapter describes in a detailed manner all aspects of using the
Emacs Code Browser.

@menu
* Using the mouse::             Working with the mouse
* Using the keyboard::          Working with the keyboard
* The edit-area::               How to use the edit-area
* Temp- and compile-buffers::   Displaying temp- and compilation-buffers
* The other window::            How the ``other window'' is determined
* The Methods window::          Using and customizing the Methods-window
* Filtering the tree-buffers::  Applying filters to the ECB-tree-buffers 
* The ECB-layout::              Changing, customizing, redrawing, creating
* Hiding the ECB windows::      Hiding/Showing the ECB-windows
* Maximizing the ECB windows::  Maximizing the ECB-windows
* Back/forward navigation::     Back- and forward navigation like a browser
* ECB-window synchronizing::    Auto./manual synchronizing the ECB-windows
* Stealthy background tasks::   Stealthy background-tasks of ECB
* Interactive ECB commands::    All interactive user-commands of ECB
@end menu

@node Using the mouse, Using the keyboard, Usage of ECB, Usage of ECB
@section Working with the mouse in the ECB-windows

@cindex primary button
@cindex secondary button
@cindex mouse button
Normally you get best usage if you use ECB with a mouse. ECB
distinguishes between a @dfn{primary} and a @dfn{secondary}
mouse-button.

With the option @code{ecb-primary-secondary-mouse-buttons} the following
combinations of primary and secondary mouse-buttons are possible:

@itemize @minus
@item
primary: mouse-2, secondary: C-mouse-2@footnote{means mouse-2 while CTRL-key
is pressed.}. This is the default.

@item
primary: mouse-1, secondary: C-mouse-1

@item
primary: mouse-1, secondary: mouse-2
@end itemize

If you change this during ECB is activated you must deactivate and activate
ECB again to take effect.

@subsection The primary mouse-button

A click with the primary button causes the main effect in each ECB-buffer:

@itemize @minus
@item ECB Directories:
Expanding/collapsing nodes and displaying files in the ECB-Sources
buffer.

@item ECB sources/history:
Opening the file in that edit-window specified by the option
@code{ecb-mouse-click-destination}.

@item ECB Methods:
Jumping to the method in that edit-window specified by the option
@code{ecb-mouse-click-destination}.
@end itemize

@subsection The POWER- or SHIFT-click

@cindex SHIFT-click
@cindex POWER-click
A click with the primary mouse-button while the SHIFT-key is pressed
is called the POWER-click and does the following (depending on the
ECB-buffer where the POWER-click occurs):

@itemize @minus
@item ECB Directory:
Refreshing the directory-contents-cache (see
@code{ecb-cache-directory-contents}).

@item ECB sources/history:
Only displaying the source-contents in the method-buffer but not
displaying the source-file in an edit-window. This means it opens the
clicked source only in the background and shows all its
methods/variables in ECB-Methods; the buffer of the edit-window is not
changed! This is very useful to get only an overlook for a certain
source.

@item ECB Methods:
Narrowing to the clicked method/variable/ect... (see
@code{ecb-tag-visit-post-actions}). But this works only for sources
parsed by semantic, not by imenu or etags!
@end itemize

Per default the complete node-name of an item in a tree-buffer is displayed in
the echo-area if the mouse moves over it, regardless if the related window is
the active one or not. You get the same effect always after a POWER-click. In
general: For each tree-buffer there is an option @code{ecb-*-show-node-info}
(replace ``*'' with directories, sources, methods, history or analyse, e.g.
@code{ecb-directories-show-node-info} is the option for the
ECB-directories-window.): you can specify in a detailed manner for the named
ECB tree-buffer when and which node-info should be displayed in the
minibuffer.

@subsection The secondary mouse-button

The secondary mouse-button is for opening (jumping to) the file in
another edit-window (see the documentation of the option
@code{ecb-mouse-click-destination}).

@subsection The right mouse-button

In each ECB-buffer mouse-3 (= right button) opens a special context
popup-menu for the clicked item where you can choose several senseful
actions.

With the options @code{ecb-directories-menu-user-extension},
@code{ecb-sources-menu-user-extension},
@code{ecb-methods-menu-user-extension} and
@code{ecb-history-menu-user-extension} you can add statically new
commands to the popup-menus. See the docstring of
@code{ecb-directories-menu-user-extension} for more details.

With the options @code{ecb-directories-menu-user-extension-function},
@code{ecb-sources-menu-user-extension-function},
@code{ecb-methods-menu-user-extension-function} and
@code{ecb-history-menu-user-extension-function} you can add new
commands to the popup-menus in a dynamic manner. See the docstring of
@code{ecb-directories-menu-user-extension-function} for more details.

With the options @code{ecb-directories-menu-sorter},
@code{ecb-sources-menu-sorter}, @code{ecb-methods-menu-sorter} and
@code{ecb-history-menu-sorter} you can even re-arrange all the entries
of the popup-menus.

@subsection Horizontal scrolling with the mouse

In each tree-buffer of ECB you can easily scroll left and right with
the mouse if the option @code{ecb-tree-easy-hor-scroll} is not
@code{nil}.

The reason for this is: XEmacs has horizontal scroll-bars so invisible
parts beyond the right window-border of a tree-buffer can always made
visible very easy.

GNU Emacs does not have hor. scroll-bars so especially with the mouse
it is quite impossible to scroll smoothly right and left. The
functions @code{scroll-left} and @code{scroll-right} can be annoying
and are also not bound to mouse-buttons.

ECB offers three ways for smoothly hor. scrolling with GNU Emacs if
@code{ecb-tree-easy-hor-scroll} is a positive integer-value S:

@itemize @bullet
@item
In all ECB-tree-buffers the keys @kbd{M-mouse-1} and @kbd{M-mouse-3}
are bound to scrolling left rsp. right with scroll-step S.

@item
Clicking with mouse-1 or mouse-2 onto the edge of the modeline has the
same effect, i.e. if you click with mouse-1 onto the left \(resp
right) edge of the modeline you will scroll left \(resp. right) with
scroll-step S.

@item
Additionally @kbd{C-M-mouse-1} and @code{C-M-mouse-3} are bound to
scrolling left rsp. right with scroll-step @code{window-width} - 2.
@end itemize

This is NOT done for XEmacs cause of its horizontal scrollbars. If you
want scrolling left and right with the mouse in XEmacs then activate
the horizontal scrollbars.


@node Using the keyboard, The edit-area, Using the mouse, Usage of ECB
@section Working with the keyboard in the ECB-windows

ECB offers the @code{ecb-mode-map} which binds the most important
functions of ECB to keys so you can easily use ECB in every
window@footnote{Regardless if a tree-window or an edit-window} without
a mouse.

IMPORTANT: Do not modify @code{ecb-mode-map} directly! The option
@code{ecb-key-map} defines all ECB keybindings, including a common
prefix-key (This is by default @kbd{C-c .}). If there are conflicts
with other minor-modes or packages you can define very easy another
prefix. Please read carefully the description of @code{ecb-key-map}
(@pxref{ecb-general}).!

The following sections describe special topics about using the
keyboard in the ECB-tree-buffers:

@menu
* Navigation/Selection::        Keyboard navigation/selection in a tree-buffer
* Incremental search::          Find nodes as fast as possible
* Personal tree-keybindings::   Adding personal keybindings to a tree-buffer
* Using popup-menus::           Using the popup-menus from keyboard.
@end menu

@node Navigation/Selection, Incremental search, Using the keyboard, Using the keyboard
@subsection Navigation and Selection in a tree-buffer

@cindex RETURN key
@cindex TAB key
@cindex expanding
@cindex collapsing
In the ECB-buffers RETURN and TAB are the most important keys:

@itemize @bullet
@item
RETURN does the same as the primary button and C-RETURN does the same
as the secondary button. S-RETURN is the same as the SHIFT-click or
POWER-click. The terms ``primary'', ``secondary'', ``SHIFT-'' and
``POWER-click'' are explained in @ref{Using the mouse}. See also the
option @code{ecb-tree-do-not-leave-window-after-select} and the
function @code{ecb-toggle-do-not-leave-window-after-select} which is
bound to @kbd{C-t} in each tree-buffer of ECB!

For all RETURN (and S-RETURN and C-RETURN) hits the position of the
point within the current node-line is irrelevant! This is for
conveniance.

@item
TAB always expands or collapses expandable nodes.
@end itemize

The RETURN and TAB keys can not be (re)defined with @code{ecb-key-map}!

If you set @code{ecb-tree-navigation-by-arrow} to not nil then the
arrow keys work in the ECB tree-window in the following smart way:

@itemize @bullet
@item
Left-arrow: If node is expanded then it will be collapsed otherwise
(i.e. current node is either not expandable or not expanded) point
jumps to the next ``higher'' node in the hierarchical tree (higher
means the next higher level or - if no higher level available
- the next higher node on the same level).

@item
Right-arrow: If node is expandable but not expanded then it will be
expanded. Otherwise (i.e. current node is either not expandable or
already expanded) point jumps to the next following node (which is the
first subnode in case of an already expanded node or simply the next
node in the following line).

@item
Up- and down-arrow: Point jumps to the first character of the previous
(up) rsp. next node (down). ``First'' character means either the first
character of the expand-symbol (in case
@code{ecb-tree-expand-symbol-before} is not nil) or of the displayed
node-name. Or with other words: The first non-indentation and
non-guide-line (see @code{ecb-tree-buffer-style}) character of a node
(@pxref{Tree-buffer styles}).
@end itemize


@node Incremental search, Personal tree-keybindings, Navigation/Selection, Using the keyboard
@subsection Incremental search for a node in current tree-buffer

@cindex Incremental search
Each display-able key (e.g. all keys normally bound to @code{self-insert-command})
is appended to the current search-pattern. The tree-buffer tries to jump to the
first node which matching the current search-pattern either as substring or as
prefix (see below). If no match is found then nothing is done. There are some
special keys:

@itemize @bullet
@item @kbd{backspace} and @kbd{delete}:
Delete the last character from the search-pattern.

@item @kbd{home}:
Delete the complete search-pattern

@item @kbd{end}:
Expand either to a complete node if current search-pattern is already
unique or expands to the greatest common substring or prefix of the
nodes. If there are at least two nodes with the same greatest
common-prefix than every hit of @kbd{end} jumps to the next node with this
common prefix.
@end itemize

For better overlooking the current search-pattern is shown in the echo area.
After selecting a node with RET the search-pattern is cleared out. With
@code{ecb-tree-incremental-search} you can specify if the current search-pattern
must be a real prefix of the node (default) or if any substring is matched.

For faster and easier finding the right node in a ecb-window the incremental
search ignores the following non interesting stuff:

@itemize @minus
@item any leading spaces
@item expand/collapse-buttons: [+] rsp. [-]
@item protection-signs (+, -, #) in the method-window if uml-notation is used
@item variables types or return-types in front of variable- or method-names.
@item const specifier for variables
@end itemize

This means: Just type in the prefix (rsp. a substring) of a class-,
variable-, method-, directory- or filename and ECB will bring you as
fast as possible to the node you want. Incremental node-search uses
the value of @code{case-fold-search}.

Tip: The @code{ecb-minor-mode} offers you in the @code{ecb-mode-map}
(customizable via @code{ecb-key-map}) some keys for selecting every window
of the ecb-frame. This makes window-selection a child´s play. For
example you can jump into the method-window by hitting @kbd{C-c . gm}.

@node Personal tree-keybindings, Using popup-menus, Incremental search, Using the keyboard
@subsection Adding personal keybindings for the tree-buffers

There are five hooks which can be used for adding personal keybindings
to the ECB tree-buffers:

@itemize @minus
@item @code{ecb-common-tree-buffer-after-create-hook}
@item @code{ecb-directories-buffer-after-create-hook}
@item @code{ecb-sources-buffer-after-create-hook}
@item @code{ecb-methods-buffer-after-create-hook}
@item @code{ecb-history-buffer-after-create-hook}
@end itemize

These hooks are called directly after tree-buffer creation so they can
be used to add personal local keybindings@footnote{To be more general:
They can be used to run any arbitrary lisp code after a tree-buffer
creation!} either to all tree-buffers
(@code{ecb-common-tree-buffer-after-create-hook}) or just to a certain
tree-buffer. Here is a list which keys MUST NOT be rebound:

@itemize @bullet
@item @kbd{RET} and all combinations with @kbd{Shift} and @kbd{Ctrl}:
Used for selecting nodes in all tree-buffers.
@item @kbd{TAB}:
Used for expanding/collapsing nodes in all tree-buffers.
@item @kbd{C-t}:
Used for toggling ``do not leave window after selection'' in all
tree-buffers, see command
@code{ecb-toggle-do-not-leave-window-after-select}.
@item All self-inserting characters:
Used for easy and fast navigation in all tree-buffers,
@xref{Incremental search}.
@item @kbd{F2}, @kbd{F3}, @kbd{F4}:
Used for customizing ECB, adding source-path in the directories buffer.
@end itemize

The following example binds @kbd{C-a} to some useful code in ALL
tree-buffers and @kbd{C-d} to even more useful code ONLY in the
directories buffer:

@example
@group
(add-hook 'ecb-common-tree-buffer-after-create-hook
          (lambda ()
             (local-set-key (kbd "C-a")
                            (lambda ()
                               (interactive)
                               (message "ECB is great!")))))

(add-hook 'ecb-directories-buffer-after-create-hook
          (lambda ()
             (local-set-key (kbd "C-d")
                            (lambda ()
                               (interactive)
                               (message "ECB is wonderful!")))))
@end group
@end example

@node Using popup-menus, ,Personal tree-keybindings, Using the keyboard
@subsection Using the popup-menu of a tree-buffer from keyboard.

@cindex tmm
A popup-menu of a tree-buffer can be activated from keyboard with the
command @code{tree-buffer-show-menu-keyboard} which is bound to
@kbd{M-m} in every tree-buffer. How the popup-menu is displayed
depends if this command is called with a prefix-argument or not:

If called without a prefix-arg then the popup-menu is displayed
graphically as if it would be activated via mouse (for GNU Emacs this
works perfectly but for XEmacs there is a bug which results in a wrong
menu-position - but the menu itself works also with XEmacs).

If called with a prefix-arg (@kbd{C-u M-m}) then the popup-menu is
displayed with the tmm-mechanism (like the Emacs-[menu-bar] is
displayed when `tmm-menubar' is called). This tmm-display is only
available for GNU Emacs.


@node The edit-area, Temp- and compile-buffers, Using the keyboard, Usage of ECB
@section Working with the edit-window(s) of the edit-area

@cindex edit-window
ECB offers you all what you need to work with the edit-area as if the
edit-windows of the edit-area would be the only windows of the
ECB-frame.

@cindex Adviced functions
ECB advices the following user-commands so they work best with ECB:

@itemize @minus
@item @code{balance-windows}
@item @code{delete-other-windows}
@item @code{delete-window}
@item @code{delete-windows-on}
@item @code{display-buffer}
@item @code{shrink-window-if-larger-than-buffer}
@item @code{split-window}
@item @code{split-window-horizontally}
@item @code{split-window-vertically}
@item @code{switch-to-buffer}
@item @code{switch-to-buffer-other-window}
@item @code{other-window}
@item @code{other-window-for-scrolling}
@end itemize

The behavior of the adviced functions is (slightly simplified):

@itemize @bullet
@item
All these adviced functions behaves exactly like their corresponding
original functions but they always act as if the edit-window(s) of ECB
would be the only window(s) of the ECB-frame. So the edit-window(s) of
ECB seems to be a normal Emacs-frame to the user. This means that you
can split and delete edit-windows without any restriction - ECB
ensures that neither the special ECB-windows nor the compile-window
will be damaged.

@item
If there is a persistent compile-window (@pxref{Temp- and
compile-buffers}) then all compilation-buffers in the sense of
@code{ecb-compilation-buffer-p} will be displayed in the
compile-window.

@item
If called in another frame than the ECB-frame these functions behave
exactly like the not adviced original versions!
@end itemize

@strong{Please note}: All these advices are only enabled when ECB is
enabled.

Another interesting option in the context of the edit-window and these
adviced functions is @code{ecb-layout-always-operate-in-edit-window}!

@subsection Documentation of the adviced window functions

This section describes for every adviced window function (s.a.) how it
differs from the original version. Only the differences are mentioned,
so if you want the full documentation of such a function call
@code{describe-function} or @kbd{C-h f}.

@deffn Command other-window ARG &optional ALL-FRAMES
Around-advice @code{ecb}: The ECB-version of @code{other-window}.
Works exactly like the original function with the following
ECB-adjustment: The behavior depends on
@code{ecb-other-window-behavior}.
@end deffn

@deffn Command delete-window &optional WINDOW
Around-advice @code{ecb}: The ECB-version of @code{delete-window}.
Works exactly like the original function with the following
ECB-adjustment:

If optional argument WINDOW is nil (i.e. probably called
interactively): If called in a splitted edit-window then it works like
as if all the edit-windows would be the only windows in the frame.
This means the current edit-window which contains the point will be
destroyed and its place will be occupied from another one. If called
in an unsplitted edit-window then nothing is done. If called in the
compile-window of ECB then the compile-window will be hidden (like
with @code{ecb-toggle-compile-window}). If called in an ecb-window
of the current ECB-layout there are two alternatives:

@itemize
@item If the function is contained in
@code{ecb-layout-always-operate-in-edit-window} the right edit-window
is selected (depends on the value of the option
@code{ecb-mouse-click-destination}) and does then it´s job.

@item Otherwise the behavior depends on the value of the option
@code{ecb-advice-window-functions-signal-error}.
@end itemize

If optional argument WINDOW is a living window (i.e. called from
program): If WINDOW is an edit-window then this window is deleted, if
WINDOW is the compile-window then it will be hidden and otherwise the
behavior depends on @code{ecb-advice-window-functions-signal-error}.
@end deffn

@deffn Command delete-other-windows &optional WINDOW
Around-advice @code{ecb}: The ECB-version of
@code{delete-other-windows}. Works exactly like the original function
with the following ECB-adjustment:

If optional argument WINDOW is nil (i.e. probably called
interactively): If called in a splitted edit-window then it works like
as if all the edit-windows would be the only windows in the frame.
This means all other edit-windows besides the current edit-window
which contains the point will be destroyed and the current edit-window
fills the whole edit-area. Neither the special ecb-windows nor the
compile-window will be destroyed!

@itemize

@item
If called in an unsplitted edit-window then either the compile-window
will be hidden (if there is one) otherwise nothing is done.

@item
If called in one of the ecb-windows then the current one is maximized,
i.e. the other ecb-windows (not the edit-windows!) are deleted.

@item
If called in the compile window there are two alternatives:

@itemize @minus
@item
If the function is contained in
@code{ecb-layout-always-operate-in-edit-window} the right edit-window
is selected (depends on the value of the option
@code{ecb-mouse-click-destination}) and then it does it´s job.

@item
Otherwise the behavior depends on the value of the option
@code{ecb-advice-window-functions-signal-error}.
@end itemize
@end itemize

If optional argument WINDOW is a living window (i.e. called from
program): If WINDOW is an edit-window then this window is maximized
(i.e. the other edit-window is deleted) if there are more at least 2
edit-windows otherwise the compile-window is deleted (if there is
one). If WINDOW is an ecb-window then only the other ecb-windows are
deleted and in all other cases the behavior depends on
@code{ecb-advice-window-functions-signal-error}.
@end deffn


@deffn Command delete-windows-on BUFFER &optional FRAME
Around-advice @code{ecb}: The ECB-version of @code{delete-windows-on}.
Works exactly like the original function with the following
ECB-adjustment:

An error is reported if @var{BUFFER} is an ECB-tree-buffer. These
windows are not allowed to be deleted.
@end deffn

@deffn Command split-window &optional WINDOW SIZE HORFLAG
Around-advice @code{ecb}: The ECB-version of @code{split-window}.
Works exactly like the original function with the following
ECB-adjustment:

If called for a not-edit-window in the @code{ecb-frame} it stops with
an error if @code{split-window} is not contained in the option
@code{ecb-layout-always-operate-in-edit-window}! Besides this (e.g.
called for a window in another frame than the @code{ecb-frame}) it
behaves like the original version.
@end deffn


@deffn Command split-window-horizontally
Around-advice @code{ecb}: The ECB-version of
@code{split-window-horizontally}. Works exactly like the original
function with the following ECB-adjustment:

If called in any other window of the current ECB-layout it stops with
an error if this @code{split-window-horizontally} is not contained in
the option @code{ecb-layout-always-operate-in-edit-window}!
@end deffn

@deffn Command split-window-vertically
Around-advice @code{ecb}: The ECB-version of
@code{split-window-vertically}. Works exactly like the original
function with the following ECB-adjustment:

If called in any other window of the current ECB-layout it stops with
an error if this @code{split-window-vertically} is not contained in
the option @code{ecb-layout-always-operate-in-edit-window}!
@end deffn


@deffn Command display-buffer BUFFER &optional NOT-THIS-WINDOW FRAME
Around-advice @code{ecb}: Makes this function compatible with ECB if
called in or for the ecb-frame. It displays all buffers which are
``compilation-buffers'' in the sense of
@code{ecb-compilation-buffer-p} in the compile-window of ECB. If the
compile-window is temporally hidden then it will be displayed first.

If there is no compile-window (@code{ecb-compile-window-height} is
nil) then it splits the edit-window if unsplitted and displays BUFFER
in another edit-window but only if @code{pop-up-windows} is not nil
(otherwise the edit-window will not be splitted).

All buffers which are not ``compilation-buffers'' in the sense of
@code{ecb-compilation-buffer-p} will be displayed in one of the
edit-area and @code{display-buffer} behaves as if the edit-windows
would be the only windows in the frame.

If BUFFER is contained in @code{special-display-buffer-names} or
matches @code{special-display-regexps} then
@code{special-display-function} will be called (if not nil). But this
behavior depends on the value of the option
@code{ecb-ignore-special-display}. The values of
@code{same-window-buffer-names} and @code{same-window-regexps} are
supported as well.

See the option @code{ecb-ignore-display-buffer-function}!

If called for other frames it works like the original version.
@end deffn

@deffn Command switch-to-buffer BUFFER &optional NORECORD
Around-advice @code{ecb}: The ECB-version of @code{switch-to-buffer}.
Works exactly like the original but with the following enhancements
for ECB:

``compilation-buffers'' in the sense of
@code{ecb-compilation-buffer-p} will be displayed always in the
compile-window of ECB (if @code{ecb-compile-window-height} is not nil)
- if the compile-window is temporally hidden then it will be displayed
first. If you do not want this you have to modify the options
@code{ecb-compilation-buffer-names},
@code{ecb-compilation-major-modes} or
@code{ecb-compilation-predicates}.

If called for non ``compilation-buffers'' (s.a.) from outside the
edit-area of ECB it behaves as if called from an edit-window if
@code{switch-to-buffer} is contained in the option
@code{ecb-layout-always-operate-in-edit-window}. Otherwise an error is
reported.
@end deffn

@deffn Command switch-to-buffer-other-window BUFFER &optional FRAME
Around-advice @code{ecb}: The ECB-version of
@code{switch-to-buffer-other-window}. Works exactly like the original
but with some adaptions for ECB so this function works in a
``natural'' way:

If called in any special ecb-window of the current ECB-layout then it
goes always to an edit-window (which one depends on the setting in
@code{ecb-mouse-click-destination}) and then goes on as if called from
this edit-window.

If a compile-window is used (i.e. @code{ecb-compile-window-height} is
not nil) then ``compilation-buffers'' in the sense of
@code{ecb-compilation-buffer-p} are always displayed in the
compile-window. If the compile-window is temporally hidden then it
will be displayed first. If no compile-window is used it behaves like
the original.

If called from within the compile-window then ``compilation-buffers''
will be displayed still there and all other buffers are displayed in
one of the edit-windows - if the destination-buffer is already
displayed in one of the edit-windows then this one is used otherwise
it behaves like the original.

If called within an edit-window it behaves like the original function
except for compilation-buffers (if a compile-window is used, see
above).
@end deffn


@deffn Function other-window-for-scrolling
Around-advice @code{ecb}: This function determines the window which is
scrolled if any of the ``other-window-scrolling-functions'' is called
(e.g. @code{scroll-other-window}):

If the option @code{ecb-scroll-other-window-scrolls-compile-window} is
not nil (maybe set by
@code{ecb-toggle-scroll-other-window-scrolls-compile}) and a
compile-window is visible then always the current buffer in the
compile-window is scrolled!

Otherwise it depends completely on the setting in
@code{ecb-other-window-behavior}.
@end deffn

@deffn Command balance-windows
Around-advice @code{ecb}: When called in the @code{ecb-frame} then
only the edit-windows are balanced.
@end deffn

@node Temp- and compile-buffers, The other window, The edit-area, Usage of ECB
@section Temp- and compile-buffers display in ECB

@cindex temporary buffers
@cindex help buffers
@cindex compilation buffers
@cindex grep buffers
If you call any help in Emacs, e.g. by calling @code{describe-function}, or
if you do a completion in the minibuffer, then Emacs displays the
result-buffer in another window. This behavior you have also in ECB.

@subsection Standard Emacs behavior

@subsubsection Gnu Emacs 21.x, 22.x and XEmacs 21.4:

If the edit-area is already splitted into at least two edit-windows then the
temp-buffer is displayed in another edit-window otherwise the edit-area will
be splitted first vertically into two edit-windows, one above the other. The
variables @code{temp-buffer-max-height} and @code{temp-buffer-resize-mode}
(for GNU Emacs) and @code{temp-buffer-shrink-to-fit} (for XEmacs) work also
correctly with ECB.

Same for all completion-buffer and ``compile''-like output-buffers (e.g. after
a @code{compile} or @code{grep}) and the variable
@code{compilation-window-height}@footnote{It goes without saying that is is
also true for @code{grep-window-height} and all other ``compile''-modes.}.

@subsubsection Gnu Emacs 23.x

Gnu Emacs 23 has a much smarter window-manager for displaying temporary
buffers (like help-buffers) and ``compile''-buffers (like real compilation
outputs but also grep-outputs, completions etc.). Therefore ECB uses
completely the logic of Emacs 23 and does exactly what Emacs 23 would do
without activated ECB: This means mainly that the split-behavior depends on
the settings of the options @code{split-width-threshold} and
@code{split-height-threshold}.

@strong{Please note}: If you are wondering why displaying temporary-buffers
(like help, compile, grep, completion etc.) shows different behavior compared
to deactivated ECB, then you probably have to adjust the values of the options
@code{split-width-threshold} and @code{split-height-threshold} to the sizes of
the edit-area of ECB (at least nearly).


This is default behavior of ECB. But there is also another way to
display such buffers: Using a persistent extra window at the bottom of
the ECB-frame, named the ``compile-window'':

@subsection Using a persistent compile window

With the option @code{ecb-compile-window-height} you can define if the
ECB layout should contain per default a compile-window at the
bottom (just specify the number of lines which should be used for the
compile-window at the bottom of the frame). If ``yes'' ECB displays
all buffers for which the function @code{ecb-compilation-buffer-p}
returns not nil (e.g. all output of compilation-mode (compile, grep
etc.) or all temp-buffers like *Help*-buffers) in this special
window.

In general: With the options @code{ecb-compilation-buffer-names},
@code{ecb-compilation-major-modes} and
@code{ecb-compilation-predicates} you can define which buffers should
be displayed in the compile-window of ECB (for example if you call
@code{switch-to-buffer} or @code{display-buffer} or if you run
@code{compile} or if you display *Help*-buffers). Per default these
are all temp-buffers like *Help*-buffers, all compile- and grep
buffers, *Occur*-buffers etc. See the default values of these options.

With the command @code{ecb-toggle-compile-window} (bound to @kbd{C-c .
\}) you can toggle the visibility of the compile-window
(@pxref{Interactive ECB commands}).

There are some more useful options and commands related to the
compile-window of ECB (to see all options for the compile-window see
the customization group @ref{ecb-compilation}):

@itemize @bullet
@item
With the option @code{ecb-compile-window-temporally-enlarge} you can
allow Emacs to enlarge temporally the ECB-compile-window in some
situations. Please read the comment of this option. See also the
description of the command
@code{ecb-toggle-compile-window-height}.

@item
With the option @code{ecb-enlarged-compilation-window-max-height} you
specify how @code{ecb-toggle-compile-window-height} should
enlarge the compile-window.

@item
With the command @code{ecb-cycle-through-compilation-buffers}
(@pxref{Interactive ECB commands}) you can cycle through all current
open compilation-buffers (in the sense of
@code{ecb-compilation-buffer-p}) very fast.
@end itemize

ECB offers the same compile-window functionality regardless if the
ECB-window are hidden or not. The state of the compile-window will be
preserved when toggling the ecb-windows or when maximizing one
ecb-windows! So you have the advantage of one special window for all
help-, grep or compile-output (see above) also when the ecb-windows
are hidden - a window which will not be deleted if you call
@code{delete-other-windows} (bound to @kbd{C-x 1}) for one of the
edit-windows. In general: All features of the compile-window work with
hidden ecb-windows exactly as when the ecb-windows are visible.


@anchor{Problems with the compile window}
@subsection What to do if there are problems with the compile-window

Normally displaying temp- and compilation-buffers (or more general:
displaying buffer for which @code{ecb-compilation-buffer-p} is not
nil) should work reliable. But if there are problems which you can not
handle with the options @code{ecb-compilation-buffer-names},
@code{ecb-compilation-major-modes} or
@code{ecb-compilation-predicates} then please go on like follows:

@enumerate
@item
Set the option @code{ecb-layout-debug-mode} to not nil.

@item
Reproduce the wrong behavior exactly by repeating all the operations
which lead to the problem. If possible then restart Emacs before
reproducing the problem so you can begin from the beginning!

@item
Now send immediately a bug report with
@code{ecb-submit-problem-report}.

@item
Set @code{ecb-layout-debug-mode} back to nil if you do not want
further debugging output in the *Messages* buffer"
@end enumerate

@anchor{Using special-display with ECB}
@cindex special-display
@subsection Handling special-display-buffers

Emacs offers three options for a special-display-handling of certain
buffers: @code{special-display-function},
@code{special-display-buffer-names} and
@code{special-display-regexps} (see the Emacs manual for a description
of these options). ECB offers an option
@code{ecb-ignore-special-display} for specification in which
situations ECB should take account for the values of these
special-display-options.

Default-behavior of ECB is to ignore these special-display-options
when a persistent compile-window is active (i.e.
@code{ecb-compile-window-height} is not nil). But with
@code{ecb-ignore-special-display} you can tell ECB, that either always
the special-display-options should be ignored as long as ECB is active
or that they should be never igored regardless if a persistent
compile-window is set or not. In the latter case using
@code{display-buffer} or @code{pop-to-buffer} takes always account for
the values of these options - like the original behavior of Emacs.

@node The other window, The Methods window, Temp- and compile-buffers, Usage of ECB
@section How the ``other window'' is determined by ECB

@cindex other window
Normally all windows in an Emacs-frame are arranged in a cyclic order
and window-selecting-commands like @code{other-window} or
window-scrolling-commands like @code{scroll-other-window} choose
simply the next@footnote{@code{other-window} allows to select ARG'th
different window, i.e. the window ARG steps away from current window
in the cyclic order of the windows} window after the current window as
``other window''.

@subsection ``Other window''-basics in ECB

With a typical window-layout of ECB such a cyclic order of
@strong{all} windows in the ECB-frame does not make sense because it
would be not very intuitive and against that what the user wants to
``say'' when calling @code{other-window} or
@code{scroll-other-window}.

Therefore ECB divides the whole set of windows of the ECB-frame in
several subsets:

@itemize @bullet
@item The edit-windows of the edit-area
@item The special tree-windows for browsing-tasks
@item The compile-window at the bottom (if there is one)
@item The minibuffer-window of the ECB-frame (if active)
@end itemize

Each of these subsets will be treated as a cyclic ordered subset, i.e.
all windows in each of these subsets are ordered as the function
@code{walk-windows} would visit the windows when the windows of a
subset would be the only windows of a
frame@footnote{@code{other-window} uses the same window-ordering as
@code{walk-windows}}.

@subsection Builtin ``other window'' behaviors of ECB

ECB now offers to specify the behavior of commands like
@code{other-window} or @code{scroll-other-window} within the
ECB-frame. This can be done with the option
@code{ecb-other-window-behavior}. This option offers several builtin
behaviors:

@itemize @bullet
@item All windows of the ECB-frame are considered

ECB will cycle through all windows of the ECB-frame or scroll simply
the next window in the ECB-frame, means it behaves like the original
@code{other-window} rsp. the original
@code{other-window-for-scrolling}.

@item Only the windows of the edit-area are considered

ECB will only cycle through the edit-windows of ECB or only scroll
another edit-window. If the selected window is not an edit-window then
all windows are taken into account.

@item The edit-windows and the compile-window are considered

Like above but the compile-window will be added to the subset of the
edit-windows.

@item Behave as smart and intuitive as possible

This is the default behavior of ECB. ECB tries to choose the
@code{other-window}-destination or the ``other window'' to scroll in a
smart and intuitive way: If point is in one of the edit-windows and if
the edit-area is splitted then always the ``next'' edit-window is
choosen (whereas the next edit-window of the last edit-window is the
first edit-window)- if the edit-area is unsplitted then the
compile-window is used if there is one. In the context of an
@code{other-window}-call the @var{ARG} of @code{other-window} will be
taken into account.

If one of the special ecb-windows is selected then always the ``next''
ecb-window is choosen (whereas the next ecb-window of the last
ecb-window is the first ecb-window). In the context of an
@code{other-window}-call the @var{ARG} of @code{other-window} will be
taken into account. If there is only one ecb-window then ECB considers
also the edit-windows.

If the compile-window is selected then always the last edit-window
which had the point will be used unless @code{other-window} has been
called with a prefix-argument unequal 1.
@end itemize

Regardless of the different behaviors above ECB handles the situation
of an active minibuffer during a call to @code{other-window} or
@code{scroll-other-window} like follows:

If the minibuffer-window is selected then ECB always chooses the
window @code{minibuffer-scroll-window} points to (when this variable
is set, otherwise the compile-window or the last selected edit-window
is choosen) when the called command is called to choose the 1. next
window (always true for scrolling another window or true when
@code{other-window} called without prefix-arg or with prefix-arg equal
1). Otherwise the window ARG steps away is choosen (in case of
@code{other-window}).

If there is an active minibuffer but the minibuffer-window is not
selected then @code{other-window} and @code{scroll-other-window}
behave like the original version.

@subsection User-defined ``other window'' behavior

In addition to the builtin ``other window'' behaviors ECB offers a
user to completely define for himself how ECB should choose another
window for scrolling it or selecting it. This can be done with the
option @code{ecb-other-window-behavior} too because this option can
also have a function-symbol as value:

Such a function gets seven arguments:
@enumerate
@item
A canonical list of all currently visible windows of the
@code{ecb-frame}
@item
A canonical list of all currently visible edit-windows
@item
A canonical list of all currently visible ecb-windows
@item
The window-object of the compile-window if there is any.
@item
The minibuffer-window of the ECB-frame if there is an active
minibuffer.
@item
The result of the function @code{ecb-where-is-point} - see the
documentation of this function for details.
@item
An integer which indicates how many steps away from the current
selected window the ``other-window'' is. Is nil when this function is
called in another context than for @code{other-window}.
@end enumerate

The function has to return a window-object which is then used as
``other window'' for the command @code{other-window} or for scrolling
another window (e.g. with @code{scroll-other-window}). Such a function
has to handle properly all situation for itself.

Here is an example for such a function:

@example
@group
(defun ecb-get-other-window-smart (win-list
                                   edit-win-list
                                   ecb-win-list
                                   comp-win
                                   minibuf-win
                                   point-loc
                                   nth-window)
  "Implements the smart-setting of `ecb-other-window-behavior'."
  (if minibuf-win
      ;; if we have an active mini-buffer we delegate this to
      ;; `ecb-get-other-window-minibuf-active'
      (ecb-get-other-window-minibuf-active win-list
                                           edit-win-list
                                           ecb-win-list
                                           comp-win
                                           minibuf-win
                                           point-loc
                                           nth-window)
    ;; here we have no active minibuffer!
    (let ((nth-win (or nth-window 1)))
      (cond ((equal point-loc 'ecb)
             (ecb-next-listelem ecb-win-list (selected-window) nth-win))
            ((equal point-loc 'compile)
             (if (= nth-win 1)
                 (or (and ecb-last-edit-window-with-point
                          (window-live-p ecb-last-edit-window-with-point)
                          ecb-last-edit-window-with-point)
                     (car edit-win-list))
               (ecb-next-listelem (append edit-win-list
                                          (list (selected-window)))
                                  (selected-window)
                                  nth-win)))
            (t ;; must be an edit-window
             (ecb-next-listelem (append edit-win-list
                                        (if (and comp-win
                                                 (= (length edit-win-list)
                                                    1))
                                            (list comp-win)))
                                (selected-window)
                                nth-win))))))
@end group
@end example

This example implements the builtin smart behavior described above.

@node The Methods window, Filtering the tree-buffers, The other window, Usage of ECB
@section Using and customizing the ECB-Methods window

ECB is mostly designed to display parsing information for files
supported by semantic. But beginning with version 1.94 it also
supports other parsing engines like imenu and etags, so also files not
supported by semantic but by imenu/etags can be displayed in the
Method-buffer of ECB. Therefore we have to introduce some terminology:

@cindex semantic-sources
@anchor{Definition of semantic- and non-semantic-sources}
@itemize @minus
@item @dfn{semantic-sources}:
These are file-types for which a semantic grammar is available, so the
files are parse-able by semantic. These sources are supported best by
ECB and most of the following options and descriptions are related to
these file-types. Examples are programming-sources like C++, C, Java,
Emacs-Lisp and Texinfo-file and some more.

@cindex non-semantic-sources
@item @dfn{non-semantic-sources}:
For these files there is no semantic-grammar available so they can not
be parsed by semantic. Examples are Perl-, LaTeX- and TeX-files. But
for many of these files imenu and/or etags parsers exist. ECB supports
now parsing and displaying these file-types too and it uses for this
some speedbar-logic.
@end itemize

This chapter describes how to use and customize the Methods-buffer of
ECB.

@menu
* Visiting tags::               Possible actions after visiting a tag
* Expanding::                   Explicit and automatic expanding
* Customizing the display::     How to customize the Methods-buffer display
* Updating Methods-window::     Updating Methods with contents of current buffer
* Updating for ind. buffers::   Updating Methods for indirect buffers
* Jumping to external tags::    Jumping to the definition of external types
@end menu

@node Visiting tags, Expanding, The Methods window, The Methods window
@subsection Possible actions after visiting a tag

You visit a tag by clicking with either the primary oder secondary
mouse-button (or by hitting @kbd{RET} or @kbd{C-RET} if using the
keyboard) onto a node in the Methods-tree-buffer of ECB. This simply
selects the ``right'' edit-window (depends if clicked with the primary
or secondary button, in how many windows the edit-area is splitted and
the value of @code{ecb-mouse-click-destination}) and puts the point
onto the first line of the clicked tag.

But you can define if after this ``basic'' tag-visit-action more
additional actions should be performed by ECB. You can either use some
of the predefined actions (e.g. highlighting the header-line of the
tag) or define own actions. You can set different actions for
different major-modes. All this is done via the option
@code{ecb-tag-visit-post-actions}.

The following actions are currently predefined:
@itemize @minus
@item @code{ecb-tag-visit-highlight-tag-header}
@item @code{ecb-tag-visit-smart-tag-start}
@item @code{ecb-tag-visit-recenter}
@item @code{ecb-tag-visit-recenter-top}
@item @code{ecb-tag-visit-goto-doc-start}
@item @code{ecb-tag-visit-narrow-tag}
@end itemize

See the documentation of these function for details what they do.

Per default ECB performs the actions
@code{ecb-tag-visit-smart-tag-start} and
@code{ecb-tag-visit-highlight-tag-header} for all major-modes.


@node Expanding, Customizing the display, Visiting tags, The Methods window
@subsection Explicit and automatic expanding of the ECB-methods-buffer

@subsubsection Explicit expanding all nodes to a certain expansion level

With the command @code{ecb-expand-methods-nodes} (bound to @kbd{C-c .
x}) you can get a fast overlook of the contents of the source-buffer,
because this command allows precisely expanding all tags with a
certain indentation-level. So you can either expand no tags (or with
other words collapse all tags) or expand all tags so see the contents
of a buffer at one glance. Or you can expand exactly that tags of a
certain indentation level.

Which node-types are expanded (rsp. collapsed) by this command
depends for semantic-sources on the options
@code{ecb-methods-nodes-expand-spec} and
@code{ecb-methods-nodes-collapse-spec}! For non-semantic-sources always
all node-types are expanded/collapsed, i.e. the two options above
takes no effect for these files.

@subsubsection Explicit expanding of the current node to a certain level

With the popup-menu of the methods-buffer an even more precise
expansion is possible because it allows not only expanding all tags
(see above) but offers in addition expanding only the current-node
(for which the menu was activated) to an exact level of expansion:

All menu-entries are label with an expansion-``level'' whereas level
specifies precisely which level of nodes should be expanded. level
means the indentation-level of the NODE itself and its (recursive)
subnodes relative to the NODE itself.

So a level value X means that all (sub)nodes with an indentation-level
<= X relative to NODE are expanded and all other are collapsed.

Examples:

@itemize @minus
@item Expand this node to level 0:
Expand only the NODE itself because it is the only node which has
indentation 0 to itself. All deeper indented nodes will be collapsed.
This is also the important difference between using this menu compared
to clicking onto the expand-symbol of the node: The latter one expands
the NODE to that expansion-state it has before the last collapsing (so
when deeper nodes has been expanded they will be expanded now to). The
former one expands exactly(!) to level 0, means expand only the node
itself and collapse all(!) its subnodes recursively(!).

@item Expand this node to level 1:
Expand the NODE itself and all of its direct subnodes - because only
the direct subnodes of NODE have indentation-level 1 relativ to NODE.
All deeper nodes will be collapsed.

@item Collapse this node completely:
Collapses the current node recursively, means collapse not only the
node itself but also its subnodes, the subnodes of the subnodes and so
on! This is very differnt from clicking onto the collapse symbol
because this action only collapses the node itself but preserves the
expansion-state of all its subnodes!

@end itemize

Expanding the current node with the popup-menu ignores the settings in
the options @code{ecb-methods-nodes-expand-spec} and
@code{ecb-methods-nodes-collapse-spec}!

@subsubsection Automatic expansion ot tags after buffer-parsing

With the option @code{ecb-show-tags} you tell ECB how to display tags
of a certain tag-class (@pxref{Customizing the display}). Among other
things you can tell ECB that a certain tag-class should be combined
under an expanded or collapsed bucket-node. But such a setting defines
the expansion-state of such a bucket-node only direct afterwards the
buffer has been (re)parsed, which can occur after opening a file,
after autom. reparsing the buffer via semantic or after manually
rebuilding the methods-buffer of ECB.

The tag-class @code{type} (classes, interfaces, enumerations etc.) is
divided into several subtypes by semantic. The subtypes are strings
which names exactly if the tag with tag-class @code{type} is a class,
an interface, an enumeration, a typedef etc. With the option
@code{ecb-type-tag-expansion} you can tell ECB if these type-tags
should be autom. expanded after (reparsing) a buffer (see above) or if
they should be displayed collapsed - so all its members (methods,
variables etc.) are hidden.

@subsubsection Automatic expanding the ECB-methods-buffer for current tag

If the option @code{ecb-highlight-tag-with-point} is switched on, then
always that node in the method-buffer is highlighted which belongs to
the current semantic-tag under point in the current active
edit-window. But if this node is invisible (probably because its
parent node is collapsed) then no node is highlighted if the auto.
expanding feature is switched off.

You can either switch on this feature with the option
@code{ecb-auto-expand-tag-tree} or even easier with the command
@code{ecb-toggle-auto-expand-tag-tree}.

There is another option
@code{ecb-expand-methods-switch-off-auto-expand} which makes both
explicit and auto. expanding best working together. See the
documentation of this option to get the details.

The autom. expanding feature is only available for semantic-sources!

Previous versions of ECB have always fully expanded the whole tree in
the Methods-buffer if the current tag in the source-buffer was not
visible in the current tree - e.g. because the variables-bucket was
collapsed or the containing type of a tag (e.g. the class of a method)
was collapsed. So in most cases much more was expanded as needed to
make the current tag visible.

The mechanism of ECB 2.22 and higher only expands the needed parts of
the tree-buffer to make the related node visible: First we try to
highlight the current tag with current expansion-state of the
Methods-buffer. If the node is not visible so the tag can not be
highlighted then we go upstairs the ladder of type-tags the current
tag belongs to (e.g. we expand successive the nodes of the whole
class-hierachy of the current method-tag until the related node
becomes visible). If there is no containing type for the current tag
then the node of the tag is probably contained in a toplevel-bucket
which is currently collapsed; in this case we expand only this
bucket-node and try highlighting again. Only if this has still no
success then we expand the full tree-buffer and try to highlight the
current tag.

There is another option
@code{ecb-auto-expand-tag-tree-collapse-other}: If this option is set
then auto. expanding the tag-tree collapses all not related nodes.
This means that all nodes which have no relevance for the currently
highlighted node will be collapsed, because they are not necessary to
make the highlighted node visible. This feature is switched off by
default because if always collapses the complete Methods-tree before
the following highlighting of the node for the current tag expands the
needed parts of the tree-buffer.


@node Customizing the display, Updating Methods-window, Expanding, The Methods window
@subsection Customizing the display of the Methods-buffer

@cindex semantic tag
@cindex tag
The ECB-Methods buffer is probably the most important browsing window
offered by ECB. It displays all parsing informations of the current
source-buffer (the buffer displayed in the current active
edit-window).

Normally ECB gets all informations displayed in this Methods-buffer from the
semantic-library - at least for semantic-sources. This library parses auto.
the current source-buffer in the edit-window of ECB and returns all
information in form of @dfn{tags} to ECB which displays them in a browse-able
form in its Method-buffer. See @ref{ECB Methods-window} for information how to
use the Methods-buffer.

There are several options to customize which tags ECB should display
in general, if the tags should be collapsed or expanded, how to
fontify them (i.e. syntax-highlighting) and something more.

@table @code
@item ecb-show-tags
With the option @code{ecb-show-tags} you specify how ECB should
display the tags returned by the semantic parser. Semantic divides its
tags in several so called @dfn{tag classes}. A tag-class is always a
symbol and can be for example @code{type} (tags which represent a
class@footnote{Do not confuse the term ``class'' in the context of a
tag, which means the class of the tag and which is a semantic-term and
a ``class'' in the context of an object oriented language like Java or
C++! Normally the surrounding context sould be sufficient to
understand which type of ``class'' is meant whenever the term
``class'' is used in this manual.}, a interface, an enumeration etc.),
@code{function} (tags which represent function or methods),
@code{variable} (variables and attributes), @code{include}
(import-statements) etc. There is no predefined superset of allowed
tag-class-symbols because each language-parser can define its own
tag-classes. But to get an overview of the most common tag-classes see
the default value of the option @code{ecb-show-tags}.

With the option @code{ecb-show-tags} you can now specify how ECB
should display tags of a certain tag-class in a certain major-mode.
You can tell ECB that all tags of a tag-class @code{X} should be
displayed in an expanded bucket and all tags of a tag-class @code{Y}
should be displayed in a collapsed bucket and all tags of a tag-class
@code{Z} should be displayed flattened (means not contained in a
expandable/collapsable bucket-node). These settings can be made
separately for each major-mode but you can also define a
default-display which takes effect when for a major-mode no special
setting can be found in @code{ecb-show-tags}.

For every tag-class you can tell ECB how the tags should be sorted.

@item ecb-font-lock-tags
@itemx ecb-type-tag-display
How to fontify the tags in the Method-buffer

@item ecb-tag-display-function
ECB and semantic offer several predefined functions for displaying the
tags. Here you can customize, what informations tags should
contain (only the method-name or the whole signature or something
else) and what notation should be used, e.g. UML or not.

@end table

These are the most important options for this topic but it is
recommended to have a look into the customize-group @code{ecb-methods}
(@pxref{ecb-methods}) and check all the options offered there!

All these options are only relevant for semantic-sources and take no
effect for non-semantic-sources!

XXXXX

@node Updating Methods-window, Updating for ind. buffers, Customizing the display, The Methods window
@subsection Updating the Methods-window with contents of current source-buffer

First a preliminary remark: Do not confuse this chapter with that
synchronizing described in @ref{ECB-window synchronizing}. The latter one
describes the mechanism for synchronizing the ECB-windows when the
current-buffer in the edit-area has been changed. This chapter describes how
to update the ECB-methods-window with the contents of the current-buffer
if the buffer has been modified!

@subsubsection The short version

In almost all cases there is @strong{NO} need to manually rebuild the
method-buffer, because it is always done automatically if necessary;
the mechanism depends on the sources:

@itemize @minus
@item semantic-sources:
The command @code{global-semantic-idle-scheduler-mode} switches on autom.
reparsing of semantic-sources. All the rest will be done by semantic and ECB
automatically. ECB and semantic always try to reparse and update as less as
possible of the sourcecode-buffer.

@item non-semantic-sources (imenu supported):
You can switch on autom. rescanning/reparsing with the option
@code{imenu-auto-rescan}. But nevertheless you have to manually
rebuild the Method-buffer (with the autom. updated imenu-tags) via the
command @code{ecb-rebuild-methods-buffer} (bound to @kbd{C-c . r}).

@item non-semantic-sources (etags supported):
For these sources there is no built-in auto-rescan mechanism, because
etags is an external tool it can only operate on the saved
file-contents. So rescanning the buffer contents would need to save
the buffer before. Therefore there is no built-in auto-rescan mechanism
because this would always result in saving the buffer and running an
external tool. But of course you can program such a an
etags-auto-rescan mechanism for yourself!
@end itemize

@subsubsection The full and long story

Generally ECB calls semantic to get the list of tags for current source-file
of current edit-window. Per default ECB does never automatically force a
reparse of the source-file after this has been changed - this is only done on
demand by calling the command @code{ecb-rebuild-methods-buffer}. So per
default the idle-scheduler of semantic is responsible for reparsing the
source-file when this is necessary (see `semantic-idle-scheduler-mode' for
further details). So this scheduler is also responsible when
updating/sychronizing the methods-window with current buffer-contents. This is
the most user-resonsible and therefore the recommended approach.

ECB is responsible to update the methods-window after the idle scheduler of
semantic has triggered either a full or partial reparse of the source-buffer.
Semantic always tries to reparse as less tags of the buffer as possible, often
just the edited section (if it has no sideeffect to tags outside the edited
parts). ECB handles this partial reparse output smoothly and updates only
these nodes which are releated to the reparsed tags.

The main effect a user will notice is that edit actions which trigger just a
partial reparse will just update the related node in the methods-window and
not the whole methods-window. One of the main advantages is that this
preserves the expand/collapse state of the methods-window.

Editing examples which trigger only a partial reparse:
@itemize
@item editing a function- or method-body
@item changing the name of a variable or function/method
@item modifying the return-type of a function/method
@item and some other...
@end itemize

In these cases only the related node in the methods-window will change
nothing else, ie. the expand/collapse-states of all other nodes in the
methods-window will not be changed.

@strong{Summary}: It's strongly recommended to enable
@code{semantic-idle-scheduler-mode} or
@code{global-semantic-idle-scheduler-mode} (@pxref{Setting up CEDET/semantic})
because then reparsing is always done during idle-time of Emacs and - maybe
even more important - it is also interruptable.

But if this idle-scheduler is switched off then ECB offers now two
possibilities (via @code{ecb-force-reparse-when-semantic-idle-scheduler-off}):

@itemize @bullet

@item

Not forcing itself a reparse when tags are needed by ECB: then a user declines
knowingly Emacs/semantic-driven parsing of code when he/she switches off the
idle-mode of semantic. This is the default behavior of ECB and the default
value of this option. But this has also the consequence that the
methods-buffer is only filed on demand via @code{ecb-rebuild-methods-buffer}
(bound to @key{C-c . r})!

This means also in consequence that the methods-buffer is not
automatically filled when a source-file is opened but first on demand
after calling the command @code{ecb-rebuild-methods-buffer}!

@item

Forcing a reparse when tags are needed: Then ECB forces semantic to parse
the source-file when ECB needs tags to display. For this behavior this
option has to be set to not nil.
@end itemize

The term ``forcing a reparse by semantic'' is a simplification: ECB uses then
the function @code{semantic-fetch-tags} which can decide that the cached tags
are up-to-date so no real reparsing is necessary - but it can also run a full
reparse and this reparse is not being done when Emacs is idle but immediatelly
and not interruptable (as with the idle-scheduler of semantic), which can be
quite annoying with big source-files.

To make a long story short: It is strongly recommended to enable the
@code{semantic-idle-scheduler-mode} or
@code{global-semantic-idle-scheduler-mode}! See @ref{Setting up
CEDET/semantic}. This will give you in all cases the behavior you would expect
of an IDE like ECB/semantic.

@node Updating for ind. buffers, Jumping to external tags, Updating Methods-window, The Methods window
@subsection Updating Methods for indirect buffers

ECB works out of the box with indirect buffers, especially with indirect
buffer clones created with the command @code{clone-indirect-buffer} (only
available with GNU Emacs >= 21). They will be handled as all other buffers and
you can work with them with no difference to ``normal'' buffers. With one
exception:

@strong{Please note}: Cause of a bug in Emacs 22 (and maybe also in Emacs 23)
the propagation of parsing informations from one buffer to all others which are
in an indirect-buffer relation to the same base-buffer does currently not
work.

What does this mean: If you modify a buffer then Emacs propagates this change
to all buffers with the same base-buffer. ECB/semantic recognize this change
and do all necessary to automatically reparse the changed buffer (at least if
you have customized semantic/ECB to do this). So far so good, but: If you
switch to another buffer with the same base-buffer then you will notice that
the methods-window of ECB still displays the contents before the change, ie.
the need for a reparse has not been propagated to these other buffers. This is
a bug in Emacs.

What can you do: As long as this bug is not fixed there is no chance that all
other affected ``indirect-related'' buffers will be reparsed automatically
after modifying one of them. So you have to do this reparse ``by hand'' after
switching to such an indirect-related buffer, but this is very simple: Just
call the command @code{ecb-rebuild-methods-buffer} with prefix arg or hit
@key{C-u C-c . r} (key this command is bound to).

Lets make an example:

@enumerate

@item

Suppose we have a sourcefile test.java loaded as a buffer into Emacs and
suppose further we have created two indirect-buffer clones test-clone1.java and
test-clone2.java - all of these buffers point to the same file: test.java.

@item

Now lets be the buffer test-clone1.java the current buffer and let us modify
it (e.g. adding a new method). If you have enabled the idle-reparse mechanism
of semantic (@pxref{Setting up CEDET/semantic}) then this buffer will be
reparsed automatically and ECBs methods-window will be updated in turn too.

@item

So far so good. But if you now switch to one of the two other buffers, lets
say to test.java, then you will notice that the change done in
test-clone1.java is also visible in the buffer test.java but the
ECB-methods-window for test.java will display the contents before the change.
This is cause of the Emacs-bug described above.

@item

To update the methods-window for test.java to the new contents you have to call
@code{ecb-rebuild-methods-buffer} with prefix argument (ie. clear-cache is
true) or hitting @key{C-u C-c . r}. Note: Calling this command without prefix
argument is not enough!

@end enumerate

@node Jumping to external tags, , Updating for ind. buffers, The Methods window
@subsection Jumping to the definition of external types

There are two common types of ``external'' tags displayed in the
method-window, mostly with object oriented programing-languages:

@enumerate

@item parent-types

Tags which represent the type of a parent-class (which can be defined in the
same file but which is more often defined in another file). All parents
(regardless if defined internaly or externaly) of a type will be displayed
under a bucket ``[Parents]'' in the methods-window of ECB.

@item ``virtual'' types

In OO-languages like CLOS, eieio and C++ there can be nodes with type-tags in
the method-buffer which are somehow virtual because there is no definition in
the current source-file. But such a virtual type collects all its outside
defined members like methods in C++ which are defined in the @file{*.cc} file
whereas the class-definition is defined in the associated header-file.

@end enumerate

In both cases the user wants to jump to the definition of the type if he clicks
onto the related node in the methods-window of ECB.

Here is a C++-example for ``virtual'' types (2) and parent types (1) which
explains this in detail:

Let's say this class is defined in a file @file{ParentClass.h}:

@example
@group
class ParentClass
@{
protected:
  int p;
@};  
@end group
@end example

Let's say this class is defined in a file @file{ClassWithExternals.h}

@example
@group
#include "ParentClass.h"

class ClassWithExternals : public ParentClass
@{
private:
  int i;

public:
  ClassWithExternals();
  ~ClassWithExternals();
@};
@end group
@end example

Both the constructor and the destructor of the class
``ClassWithExternals'' are implemented in a file
@file{ClassWithExternals.cc}:

@example
@group
#include "test.h"

ClassWithExternals::ClassWithExternals(int i,
                                       boolean b,
                                       char c)
@{
  return;
@}

void
ClassWithExternals::~ClassWithExternals()
@{
  return;
@}
@end group
@end example

ECB displays the contents of @file{ClassWithExternals.cc} in its methods-buffer like
follows:

@example
@group
[-] [Includes]
 `- test.h
[-] ClassWithExternals
 |  +ClassWithExternals (+i:int, +b:class boolean, +c:char):ClassWithExternals
 `- +~ClassWithExternals ():void
@end group
@end example

Both the constructor and the destructor of the class
``ClassWithExternals'' are grouped under their class-type. But this class-type
``ClassWithExternals'' is represented by a so called ``virtual'' or ``faux''
node-tag, i.e. there is no real tag in the current source-buffer for this tag.

If a user now clicks onto the node of ``ClassWithExternals'' then he wants to
jump to the right location in the right file where ``ClassWithExternals'' is
defined. ECB now uses now some smart mechanisms (see below) to do this. In
case of success (means ECB has found the definition) it opens the right file
and point will stay at beginning of the definition of the type
``ClassWithExternals''.

The contents of @file{ClassWithExternals.h} are then displayed like
follows:

@example
@group
[-] [Includes]
 `- ParentClass.h
[-] ClassWithExternals:class
 |  [-] [Parents]
 |   `- ParentClass
 |  [-] [Variables]
 |   `- -i:int
 |  +ClassWithExternals ():ClassWithExternals
 |  +~ClassWithExternals ():void
 `- [+] [Misc]
@end group
@end example

Now let's play it again: Now we want to go to the definition of the
parent-type ``ParentClass'' when we click onto the related node under the
bucket ``[Parents]''. Again ECB uses its smartness to jump to the definition
of the class ``ParentClass'' when you click onto the node ``ParentClass''.

Now lets explain the precondition which must be fulfilled so ECB can do its
job:

@itemize
@item Customizing the semantic analyzer for your needs

ECB itself is quite stupid concerning finding external tags. But it can use
the semantic-analyzer of the CEDET-suite (remember: The CEDET-suite is a
must-requirement of ECB, see @ref{Requirements}). But this in turn means that the
semantic-analyzer must be customized in the right way for the needs of your
programing projects. Mainly this means activating semanticdb and setting the
correct include-path etc...

@strong{Please note}: Read the related manuals of semantic and - strongly
recommended - read in addition the article ``Gentle introduction to Cedet''.
It's worth to read it! The website of CEDET contains a link, you find it here:
@ifhtml
@uref{http://xtalk.msk.su/~ott/en/writings/emacs-devenv/EmacsCedet.html}
@end ifhtml
@ifnothtml
@url{http://xtalk.msk.su/~ott/en/writings/emacs-devenv/EmacsCedet.html}
@end ifnothtml

@item Customize the related options of ECB:

There is exactly one option you have to take into account:
@code{ecb-find-external-tag-functions}. This defines the method ECB uses to
find these external tags.

Mostly there is nothing to do because the default values should do a good job.
But if things are running bad then maybe this is the right screw for you.

Finding such external types can be very complex and there are several roads to
success. ECB uses per default methods based on the semantic-analyzer. But this
option allows to define own find-functions and tell ECB to uses them.

This functionality is set on a major-mode base, i.e. for every major-mode a
different setting can be used. ECB first performs all find-functions defined
for current major-mode (if any) anf then all find-functions defined for the
special symbol 'default (if any).

ECB offers some predefined senseful finding-functions. Currently there are:

@itemize @minus
@item @code{ecb-search-type-tag-by-semantic-analyzer}: The most powerfil one, based
on the semantic-analyzer
@item @code{ecb-search-type-tag-by-semanticdb}: A backup for the first one
@item @code{ecb-jde-show-class-source}: For major-mode @code{jde-mode} when
coding in java, uses java-mechanisms - maybe for java the best choice.
@end itemize

See the documentation of the option and also of these function for details how
they work and how to write own finding-functions.

@end itemize

@node Filtering the tree-buffers, The ECB-layout, The Methods window, Usage of ECB
@section Applying filters to the special ECB-tree-buffers

@cindex Filter
To get a fast and good overlook of the contents of a tree-buffer ECB
offers a filter-mechanism for the Directories-, Sources-, the History-
and the Methods-buffer.

@menu
* Filtering Directories::       Applying filters to the Directories-buffer
* Filtering Sources::           Applying filters to the Sources--buffer
* Filtering History::           Applying filters to the History-buffer
* Filtering Methods::           Applying filters to the Methods-buffer
@end menu

@node Filtering Directories, Filtering Sources, Filtering the tree-buffers, Filtering the tree-buffers
@subsection Applying filters to the Directories-buffer

With the option @code{ecb-excluded-directories-regexps} certain
directories can be excluded from being displayed in the
directories-browser of ECB. This can be done by defining regular
expressions. If the name of a directory matches at least one of the
regexps of this option the directory is not displayed in the
directories-tree-buffer.

The option @code{ecb-sources-exclude-cvsignore} allows to exclude
source-files from the sources-tree-buffer if their name is listed in a
so called @file{.cvsignore}-file. This option is a list of regular
expressions and if a directory-name matches at least one of these
regexps then all files listed in the @file{.cvsignore}-file of this
directory are not displayed in the sources-tree-buffer.

@node Filtering Sources, Filtering History, Filtering Directories, Filtering the tree-buffers
@subsection Applying filters to the Sources-buffer

@subsubsection Interactive Sources-filters

The command @code{ecb-sources-filter} allows to filter these
tree-buffer either by a regular expression or by an extension (e.g.
java, cc, el for java-, c++- rsp elisp-sources). This functionality is
also available via the popup-menu of the Sources-tree-buffer.

The currently applied filter is indicated in the modeline of the
related tree-buffer. Applying a new filter replaces an eventually
already applied filter.

@subsubsection Default Sources-filters

The option @code{ecb-source-file-regexps} allow to specify which
source-files should be displayed and which not. This is done on a
directory-basis, ie. for each directory-regexp the files to display
can be specified. See the documentation of this option for all
details.

In addition to this option you should also know the option
@code{ecb-sources-exclude-cvsignore} (@pxref{Filtering Directories}).

@node Filtering History, Filtering Methods, Filtering Sources, Filtering the tree-buffers
@subsection Applying filters to the History-buffer

@subsubsection Interactive History-filters

The command @code{ecb-history-filter} allows to filter these
tree-buffer either by a regular expression or by an extension (e.g.
java, cc, el for java-, c++- rsp elisp-sources). This functionality is
also available via the popup-menu of the History-tree-buffer.

The currently applied filter is indicated in the modeline of the
related tree-buffer. Applying a new filter replaces an eventually
already applied filter.

@subsubsection Default History-filters

The option @code{ecb-history-exclude-file-regexps} allows to exclude
source-files from being historized (ie. displayed in the
History-buffer). Despite the fact that the History-buffer already
excludes all non-file-buffers there can be still buffers which name
you do not wat to be displayed in the history. These are file-buffer
like @file{TAGS} or @file{semantic.cache} which store
meta-informations used by Emacs and its tools (etags, semantic etc.).
These files can be excluded via
@code{ecb-history-exclude-file-regexps}.

@node Filtering Methods, , Filtering History, Filtering the tree-buffers
@subsection Applying filters to the Methods-buffer

The commands @code{ecb-methods-filter},
@code{ecb-methods-filter-regexp},
@code{ecb-methods-filter-protection},
@code{ecb-methods-filter-tagclass},
@code{ecb-methods-filter-function},
@code{ecb-methods-filter-delete-last},
@code{ecb-methods-filter-nofilter} allows to filter the tags/nodes of
the Methods-buffer by several criterias. As for the Sources- and the
History-buffer the same functionality is also available via the
popup-menu of the Methods-buffer.

@subsubsection Possible filter-criterias

@itemize @bullet
@item Filter by protection:
Just insert the protection you want the Methods-buffer being filtered:
private, protected or public! For sources not supported by semantic
the protection filter will not be offered because these informations
are not available for such sources.

@item Filter by regexp:
Insert the filter as regular expression.

@item Filter by tag-class:
You can filter by tag-classes. The popup-menu contains mode-dependend
tag-filter entries and the command @code{ecb-methods-filter} offers
only the tag-classes of the current mode. This means for sources not
supported by semantic the tag-class filter will not be offered. And
for semantic-supported sources exactly these tag-classes are offered
the semantic-parser for the current major-mode offers. For example
texi-sources can only be filtered by the tag-classes ``Definitions''
and ``Sections'' and java-sources can be filtered by ``Methods'',
``Variables'', ``Classes'' etc. In general the semantic-variable
@code{semantic-symbol->name-assoc-list} is used to get the right
tag-classes.

@item Filter by a filter-function:
Such a function gets two arguments: a tag and the source-buffer of
this tag. If the tag should be displayed (i.e. not being filtered out)
then the function has to return not nil otherwise nil.

@item No special filter:
This means to display all tags specified with the option
@code{ecb-show-tokens}. If currently some of the above filters are
applied they will be all removed.

@item Delete the last added:
This removes only the topmost filter-layer, means that filter added
last.
@end itemize

Be aware that the tag-list specified by the option
@code{ecb-show-tags} is the basis of all filters, i.e. tags which are
excluded by that option will never be shown regardless of the filter
type here!

All tags which match the applied filter(s) will be displayed in the
Methods-buffer. Such a filter is only applied to the current
source-buffer, i.e. each source-buffer can have its own tag-filters.

These tag-filters can also applied to sources which are not supported
by the semantic-parser but ``only'' by imenu or etags. But because for
these sources not all information are avaiable the protection- and
tag-class filter are not offered with such ``non-semantic''-sources.
See @ref{Non-semantic sources} for further details about working with
source-files not supported by the semantic-parser.


@subsubsection Inverse Filters

But if @code{ecb-methods-filter} is called with a prefix-argument then
an inverse filter is applied to the Methods-buffer, i.e. all tags
which do @strong{NOT} match the choosen filter will be displayed in
the Methods-buffer!

@subsubsection Layered filters

Per default the choosen filter will be applied on top of already
existing filters. This means that filters applied before are combined
with the new filter. This behavior can changed via the option
@code{ecb-methods-filter-replace-existing}.

@subsubsection Display of currently applied filters

The current active filter will be displayed in the modeline of the
Methods-buffer [regexp, prot (= protection), tag-class, function (=
filter-function)]. If an inverse filter has been applied then this is
signalized by a preceding caret ^. If currently more than 1 filter is
applied then always the top-most filter is displayed in the modeline
but the fact of more than 1 filter is visualized by the number of the
filters - included in parens. You can see all currently applied
filters by moving the mouse over the filter-string in modeline of the
Methods-buffer: They will displayed as help-echo.

@subsubsection Default filters for certain files.

The new option @code{ecb-default-tag-filter} allow to define default
tag-filters for certain files which are applied automatically after
loading such a file into a buffer. The possible filters are the same
as offered by the command @code{ecb-methods-filter} and they are
applied in the same manner - the only difference is they are applied
automatically. The files can be specified on a combined major-mode-
and filename-regexp-basis.

Usage-example: This can be used to display in outline-mode files (e.g.
@file{NEWS}) only the level-1-headings by defining a filter regexp
``^\* .*''.

@node The ECB-layout, Hiding the ECB windows, Filtering the tree-buffers, Usage of ECB
@section Changing, customizing, redrawing and creating layouts

@cindex layout
@cindex ECB-layout
The term @dfn{ECB-layout} means in which windows the ECB-frame is
divided. This chapter describes all aspects concerning this layout,
especially changing, customizing, redrawing and also creating new
layouts.

@menu
* Changing the ECB-layout::     How to change and customize the layout
* Redrawing the ECB-layout::    How and when redrawing the layout
* Changing window sizes::       Changing sizes of the ECB-windows
* Fixing window sizes::         Fixing sizes of the ECB-windows
* Creating a new ECB-layout::   Interactively creating new layouts
@end menu

@node Changing the ECB-layout, Redrawing the ECB-layout, The ECB-layout, The ECB-layout
@subsection Changing and customizing the ECB-layout

ECB offers several predefined layouts with different sets and also
different locations of ECB-windows. See below the ``ascii-screenshot''
of all currently built-in layouts@footnote{The command
@code{ecb-show-layout-help'} shows the outline-picture for all built-in
layouts.}.

In addition to these predefined layouts you can either interactively
create new layouts ``by example'' (@pxref{Creating a new ECB-layout})
or program new layouts with the macro @code{ecb-layout-define}
(@pxref{The layout-engine}). The former method is the recommended
one!

There are two ways to interactively change the layout:
@itemize @bullet
@item Changing permanently:
Customize the option @code{ecb-layout-name} and store it for future
Emacs sessions.

@item Switching between several layouts at runtime:
If you want to switch fast between a certain sequence of layouts see
the option @code{ecb-toggle-layout-sequence} and the command
@code{ecb-toggle-layout} (@pxref{Simulating speedbar}). For just
selecting another layout during current Emacs-session use the command
@code{ecb-change-layout}.
@end itemize

With the option @code{ecb-show-sources-in-directories-buffer} you can
define if sources are displayed in the directory-window of a layout
(@pxref{ECB Directories-window}).

In addition to the general layout you can specify if the layout should
contain a persistent compilation-window at the bottom of the frame, see
@code{ecb-compile-window-height} (@pxref{Temp- and compile-buffers}).

Maybe you want also change the look&feel of the tree-buffers. Then you
can change the general style of the tree-buffers with the option
@code{ecb-tree-buffer-style} and the location of the collapse- and
expand-symbols and the indentation of sub-nodes in a tree. See
@code{ecb-tree-indent} and @code{ecb-tree-expand-symbol-before}. More
details about the different tree-buffer-styles are described in
@ref{Tree-buffer styles}.

Here are all currently available layouts (for creating own new layouts
see @ref{Creating a new ECB-layout}); just customize the option
@code{ecb-layout-name} to the related name:

@table @asis
@item Layout ``left1''
@example
@group
-------------------------------------------------------
|              |                                      |
|  Directories |                                      |
|              |                                      |
|              |                                      |
|              |                                      |
|--------------|                                      |
|      |       |                                      |
| Sour | Hist  |                 Edit                 |
|      |       |                                      |
|      |       |                                      |
|--------------|                                      |
|              |                                      |
|  Methods     |                                      |
|              |                                      |
|              |                                      |
-------------------------------------------------------
|                                                     |
|                    Compilation                      |
|                                                     |
-------------------------------------------------------
@end group
@end example
   
@item Layout ``left2''
@example
@group
-------------------------------------------------------
|              |                                      |
|              |                                      |
|              |                                      |
|  Directories |                                      |
|              |                                      |
|              |                                      |
|              |                                      |
|--------------|                 Edit                 |
|              |                                      |
|              |                                      |
|              |                                      |
|  Sources     |                                      |
|              |                                      |
|              |                                      |
|              |                                      |
-------------------------------------------------------
|                                                     |
|                    Compilation                      |
|                                                     |
-------------------------------------------------------
@end group
@end example

@item Layout ``left3''
@example
@group
-------------------------------------------------------
|              |                                      |
|  Directories |                                      |
|              |                                      |
|              |                                      |
|              |                                      |
|--------------|                                      |
|              |                                      |
|  Sources     |                 Edit                 |
|              |                                      |
|              |                                      |
|--------------|                                      |
|              |                                      |
|  Methods     |                                      |
|              |                                      |
|              |                                      |
-------------------------------------------------------
|                                                     |
|                    Compilation                      |
|                                                     |
-------------------------------------------------------
@end group
@end example

@item Layout ``left4''
@example
@group
-------------------------------------------------------
|              |                                      |
|              |                                      |
|              |                                      |
|  Directories |                                      |
|              |                                      |
|              |                                      |
|              |                                      |
|--------------|                 Edit                 |
|      |       |                                      |
|      |       |                                      |
|      |       |                                      |
| Sour | Hist  |                                      |
|      |       |                                      |
|      |       |                                      |
|      |       |                                      |
-------------------------------------------------------
|                                                     |
|                    Compilation                      |
|                                                     |
-------------------------------------------------------
@end group
@end example

@item Layout ``left5''
@example
@group
-------------------------------------------------------
|              |                                      |
|  Directories |                                      |
|              |                                      |
|              |                                      |
|              |                                      |
|--------------|                                      |
|              |                                      |
|  Sources     |                 Edit                 |
|              |                                      |
|              |                                      |
|--------------|                                      |
|              |                                      |
|  History     |                                      |
|              |                                      |
|              |                                      |
-------------------------------------------------------
|                                                     |
|                    Compilation                      |
|                                                     |
-------------------------------------------------------
@end group
@end example

@item Layout ``right1''
@example
@group
-------------------------------------------------------
|                                      |              |
|                                      |  Directories |
|                                      |              |
|                                      |              |
|                                      |--------------|
|                                      |              |
|                                      |              |
|             Edit                     |  Sources     |
|                                      |              |
|                                      |              |
|                                      |--------------|
|                                      |              |
|                                      |  Methods     |
|                                      |              |
|                                      |              |
-------------------------------------------------------
|                                                     |
|                    Compilation                      |
|                                                     |
-------------------------------------------------------
@end group
@end example

@item Layout ``left6''
@example
@group
-------------------------------------------------------
|  Sources     |                                      | 
|--------------|                                      |
|              |                                      |
|              |                                      |
|              |                                      |
|  Methods     |                 Edit                 |
|              |                                      | 
|              |                                      |
|              |                                      |
|--------------|                                      |
|  History     |                                      |
-------------------------------------------------------
|                                                     |
|                    Compilation                      |
|                                                     |
-------------------------------------------------------
@end group
@end example

@item Layout ``top1''
@example
@group
-------------------------------------------------------
|                        |             |              |
|                        |             |              |
|      Directories       |  Sources    |  Methods     |
|                        |             |              |
|                        |             |              |
|-----------------------------------------------------|
|                                                     |
|                                                     |
|                                                     |
|                                                     |
|                    Edit                             |
|                                                     |
|                                                     |
|                                                     |
|                                                     |
-------------------------------------------------------
|                                                     |
|                    Compilation                      |
|                                                     |
-------------------------------------------------------
@end group
@end example

@item Layout ``left7''
@example
@group
-------------------------------------------------------
|              |                                      |
|  Directories |                                      |
|              |                                      |
|              |                                      |
|              |                                      |
|              |                                      |
|              |                                      |
|--------------|                 Edit                 |
|              |                                      |
|  History     |                                      |
|              |                                      |
|--------------|                                      |
|              |                                      |
|  Methods     |                                      |
|              |                                      |
-------------------------------------------------------
|                                                     |
|                    Compilation                      |
|                                                     |
-------------------------------------------------------
@end group
@end example

@item Layout ``left8''
@example
@group
-------------------------------------------------------
|              |                                      |
|  Directories |                                      |
|              |                                      |
|--------------|                                      |
|              |                                      |
|  Sources     |                                      |
|              |                                      |
|--------------|                 Edit                 |
|              |                                      |
|  Methods     |                                      |
|              |                                      |
|              |                                      |
|--------------|                                      |
|  History     |                                      |
|              |                                      |
-------------------------------------------------------
|                                                     |
|                    Compilation                      |
|                                                     |
-------------------------------------------------------
@end group
@end example

@item Layout ``top2''
@example
@group
-------------------------------------------------------
|                                                     |
|                                                     |
|                    Methods                          |
|                                                     |
|                                                     |
|-----------------------------------------------------|
|                                                     |
|                                                     |
|                                                     |
|                                                     |
|                    Edit                             |
|                                                     |
|                                                     |
|                                                     |
|                                                     |
-------------------------------------------------------
|                                                     |
|                    Compilation                      |
|                                                     |
-------------------------------------------------------
@end group
@end example

@item Layout ``left9''
@example
@group
-------------------------------------------------------
|              |                                      |
|              |                                      |
|              |                                      |
|              |                                      |
|              |                                      |
|              |                                      |
|              |                                      |
|   Methods    |                 Edit                 |
|              |                                      |
|              |                                      |
|              |                                      |
|              |                                      |
|              |                                      |
|              |                                      |
|              |                                      |
-------------------------------------------------------
|                                                     |
|                    Compilation                      |
|                                                     |
-------------------------------------------------------
@end group
@end example

@item Layout ``left10''
@example
@group
-------------------------------------------------------
|              |                                      |
|              |                                      |
|              |                                      |
|  Methods     |                 Edit                 |
|              |                                      |
|              |                                      |
|              |                                      |
|              |                                      |
|              |                                      |
|--------------|                                      |
|      |       |                                      |
| Sou  | Hist  |                                      |
|      |       |                                      |
-------------------------------------------------------
|                                                     |
|                    Compilation                      |
|                                                     |
-------------------------------------------------------
@end group
@end example

@item Layout ``left11''
@example
@group
-------------------------------------------------------
|              |                                      |
|              |                                      |
|              |                                      |
|  Methods     |                 Edit                 |
|              |                                      |
|              |                                      |
|              |                                      |
|              |                                      |
|              |                                      |
|--------------|                                      |
|              |                                      |
|  History     |                                      |
|              |                                      |
-------------------------------------------------------
|                                                     |
|                    Compilation                      |
|                                                     |
-------------------------------------------------------
@end group
@end example

@item Layout ``left12''
@example
@group
-------------------------------------------------------
|              |                                      |
|              |                                      |
|              |                                      |
|              |                                      |
|              |                                      |
|              |                                      |
|              |                                      |
|   History    |                 Edit                 |
|              |                                      |
|              |                                      |
|              |                                      |
|              |                                      |
|              |                                      |
|              |                                      |
|              |                                      |
-------------------------------------------------------
|                                                     |
|                    Compilation                      |
|                                                     |
-------------------------------------------------------
@end group
@end example

@item Layout ``left13''
@example
@group
-------------------------------------------------------
|              |                                      |
|              |                                      |
|              |                                      |
|              |                                      |
|              |                                      |
|              |                                      |
|              |                                      |
| Directories  |                 Edit                 |
|              |                                      |
|              |                                      |
|              |                                      |
|              |                                      |
|              |                                      |
|              |                                      |
|              |                                      |
-------------------------------------------------------
|                                                     |
|                    Compilation                      |
|                                                     |
-------------------------------------------------------
@end group
@end example

@item Layout ``left14''
@example
@group
-------------------------------------------------------
|              |                                      |
|              |                                      |
|              |                                      |
| Directories  |                 Edit                 |
|              |                                      |
|              |                                      |
|              |                                      |
|              |                                      |
|              |                                      |
|--------------|                                      |
|              |                                      |
|  History     |                                      |
|              |                                      |
-------------------------------------------------------
|                                                     |
|                    Compilation                      |
|                                                     |
-------------------------------------------------------
@end group
@end example

@item Layout ``left15''
@example
@group
-------------------------------------------------------
|              |                                      |
|  Directories |                                      |
|              |                                      |
|              |                                      |
|              |                                      |
|              |                                      |
|              |                                      |
|--------------|                 Edit                 |
|              |                                      |
|              |                                      |
|              |                                      |
|  Methods     |                                      |
|              |                                      |
|              |                                      |
|              |                                      |
-------------------------------------------------------
|                                                     |
|                    Compilation                      |
|                                                     |
-------------------------------------------------------
@end group
@end example

@item Layout ``leftright1''
@example
@group
-------------------------------------------------------
|             |                         |             |
| Directories |                         |  Methods    |
|             |                         |             |
|             |                         |             |
|             |                         |             |
|             |                         |             |
|             |                         |             |
|-------------|          Edit           |             |
|             |                         |             |
| Sources     |                         |             |
|             |                         |             |
|-------------|                         |             |
|             |                         |             |
| History     |                         |             |
|             |                         |             |
-------------------------------------------------------
|                                                     |
|                   Compilation                       |
|                                                     |
-------------------------------------------------------
@end group
@end example

@item Layout ``leftright2''
@example
@group
-------------------------------------------------------
|             |                         |             |
| Directories |                         |  Methods    |
|             |                         |             |
|             |                         |             |
|             |                         |             |
|             |                         |             |
|             |                         |             |
|             |          Edit           |             |
|-------------|                         |-------------|
|             |                         |             |
| Sources     |                         |  History    |
|             |                         |             |
|             |                         |             |
|             |                         |             |
|             |                         |             |
-------------------------------------------------------
|                                                     |
|                   Compilation                       |
|                                                     |
-------------------------------------------------------
@end group
@end example

@item Layout ``leftright3''
@example
@group
-------------------------------------------------------
|             |                         |             |
| Directories |                         |  Methods    |
|             |                         |             |
|             |                         |             |
|             |                         |             |
|             |                         |             |
|             |                         |             |
|             |          Edit           |             |
|             |                         |             |
|             |                         |             |
|             |                         |             |
|             |                         |             |
|             |                         |             |
|             |                         |             |
|             |                         |             |
-------------------------------------------------------
|                                                     |
|                    Compilation                      |
|                                                     |
-------------------------------------------------------
@end group
@end example

@item Layout ``left-dir-plus-speedbar''
@example
@group
-------------------------------------------------------
|             |                                       |
| Directories |                                       |
|             |                                       |
|             |                                       |
|             |                                       |
|             |                                       |
|             |                                       |
|-------------|                                       |
|             |                                       |
|             |                                       |
|             |                                       |
| Speedbar    |                                       |
|             |                                       |
|             |                                       |
|             |                                       |
-------------------------------------------------------
|                                                     |
|                    Compilation                      |
|                                                     |
-------------------------------------------------------
@end group
@end example


@item Layout ``left-analyse''
@example
@group
-------------------------------------------------------
|              |                                      |
|  Directories |                                      |
|              |                                      |
|--------------|                                      |
|              |                                      |
|  Sources     |                                      |
|              |                                      |
|--------------|                 Edit                 |
|              |                                      |
|  Methods     |                                      |
|              |                                      |
|--------------|                                      |
|              |                                      |
|  Analyse     |                                      |
|              |                                      |
-------------------------------------------------------
|                                                     |
|                    Compilation                      |
|                                                     |
-------------------------------------------------------
@end group
@end example


@item Layout ``left-symboldef''
@example
@group
-------------------------------------------------------
|              |                                      |
|  Directories |                                      |
|              |                                      |
|--------------|                                      |
|              |                                      |
|  Sources     |                                      |
|              |                                      |
|--------------|                 Edit                 |
|              |                                      |
|  Methods     |                                      |
|              |                                      |
|--------------|                                      |
|              |                                      |
|  Symbol-defs |                                      |
|              |                                      |
-------------------------------------------------------
|                                                     |
|                    Compilation                      |
|                                                     |
-------------------------------------------------------
@end group
@end example

@end table

@node Redrawing the ECB-layout, Changing window sizes, Changing the ECB-layout, The ECB-layout
@subsection Redrawing the ECB-layout

@cindex Redraw
If you have unintentionally destroyed the ECB-layout, you can always
restore the layout with calling @code{ecb-redraw-layout}. This is even
true, if you get messages like ``wrong-type-argument window-live-p
#<window 222>''.

If the variable @code{ecb-redraw-layout-quickly} is not nil then the redraw
is done by the @code{ecb-redraw-layout-quickly} function, otherwise by
@code{ecb-redraw-layout-full}. But it's strongly recommended to use the
quick redraw only if you have really slow machines where a full redraw
takes several seconds because the quick redraw is not really safe and
may have some drawbacks! On normal machines the full redraw should be
done in << 1s!

Please read the documentation of the command @code{ecb-redraw-layout}!

See also the hooks @code{ecb-redraw-layout-after-hook} and
@code{ecb-redraw-layout-before-hook}!

@node Changing window sizes, Fixing window sizes, Redrawing the ECB-layout, The ECB-layout
@subsection Changing the sizes of the special ECB-windows

The standard width and height of the special ECB-windows is defined
with the options @code{ecb-windows-width} and
@code{ecb-windows-height}. But changing these options always
influences all layouts which is not always desired.

ECB offers to re-adjust the width and height of the ECB-windows (e.g. by
dragging the windows-borders via the mouse) and then saving exactly
these current window-sizes for the current layout so after activating
this layout all windows have autom. the stored sizes.

This is done via the option @code{ecb-layout-window-sizes} and the
commands @code{ecb-store-window-sizes},
@code{ecb-restore-window-sizes} and
@code{ecb-restore-default-window-sizes}.

Here is an example how to resize and store the sizes of the
ECB-windows of layout ``left1'':

@enumerate
@item
Switch to layout ``left1'' via @code{ecb-change-layout} (@kbd{C-c . lc})
@item
Resize the ECB-windows by dragging the window-borders with the mouse
@item
Call @code{ecb-store-window-sizes}
@end enumerate

After this layout ``left1'' will be always drawn with the new sizes
until you call @code{ecb-restore-default-window-sizes} during layout
``left1'' is active.

@strong{Please note}: @code{ecb-store-window-sizes} stores the width
and height of the windows per default as fractions of the width (rsp.
height) of the ECB-frame, so the stored sizes are always correct
regardless of the current frame-size! But if called with a prefix
argument then fixed sizes are stored.

@node Fixing window sizes, Creating a new ECB-layout, Changing window sizes, The ECB-layout
@subsection Fixing the sizes of the special ECB-windows

GNU Emacs 21 introduced a new feature which can fix the sizes of a
window displaying a certain buffer even after resizing the frame. This
new feature is driven by the new buffer-local variable
@code{window-size-fixed}@footnote{Currently XEmacs does not support
this feature therefore @code{ecb-fix-window-size} has no effect with
XEmacs}.

ECB offers an option @code{ecb-fix-window-size} for fixing the sizes
of the special ECB-windows/buffers even after frame-resizing. The fix
type (valid values are @code{nil}, @code{t}, @code{width} and
@code{height}) can either be set on a layout-basis (means a different
value for each layout) or one value can be set for all layouts. In the
latter case there is an additional value @code{auto} which choose
autom. the senseful fix-type depending on the current layout-type: For
top-layouts the fix-type @code{height} and for all other layout-types
the fix-type @code{width}.

Probably the most senseful value is @code{auto} for all layouts
because it makes less sense to fix the height of the ecb-windows in a
left-, right- or leftright-layout. Same for fixing the width in a
top-layout.

Note: With Emacs < 22 there seems to be no distinction between
@code{width}, @code{height} and @code{t}. Therefore this option takes
no effect (means all ecb-windows have always unfixed sizes) with Emacs
< 22 if @code{ecb-compile-window-height} is not @code{nil}.

@node Creating a new ECB-layout, , Fixing window sizes, The ECB-layout
@subsection Interactively creating new layouts

@cindex New layouts
@cindex Creating new layouts

If you want to create your own ECB-layout then you can do this very
easy ``by example'' with the command @code{ecb-create-new-layout}.
This command creates a new empty frame and offers a small set of keys
to create the new layout by splitting windows.
@code{ecb-create-new-layout} and this couple of keys are your guide
during the layout-creation-process@footnote{During the creation
process you will be asked in the minibuffer for several options; here
you can use TAB-completion and an ``empty'' RET chooses always the
first option!}.

After calling @code{ecb-create-new-layout} you will be asked which
type of layout you want to create: ``left'', ``right'', ``top'' or
``left-right''. Here you specify where the ECB-tree-windows/buffers
should be located in the ECB-frame:

@itemize @minus
@item left: All ECB-tree-windows are located on the left side
@item right: All ECB-tree-windows are located on the right side
@item top: All ECB-tree-windows are located on the top side
@item left-right: All ECB-tree-windows are located on the left and
right side
@end itemize

Depending on the type you choose the window is splitted by the values
of the options @code{ecb-windows-width} (types ``left'', ``right'' and
``left-right'') or @code{ecb-windows-height} (type ``top'').

Afterwards you will see a frame like follows (here the layout-type is
``left-right''):

@example
@group
-----------------------------------------------------------------
|<point>       |                                   |            |
|              | ECB-layout creation mode          |            |
|              | ========================          |            |
|              |                                   |            |
|              | <This is a persistent help-screen>|            |
|              |                                   |            |
|              |                                   |            |
|              |                                   |            |
|              |                                   |            |
|              |                                   |            |
|              |                                   |            |
|              |                                   |            |
|              |                                   |            |
|              |                                   |            |
|              |                                   |            |
-----------------------------------------------------------------
               |
               |   ,---
               `---| Splitted by the value of @code{ecb-windows-width}.
                   `---
@end group
@end example

The big window (here the middle window) will be the edit-area of the
new layout and can not be selected, deleted or splitted during the
creation process. It displays the help-screen for the layout-creation
mode. Here all the available commands are displayed.

The small window(s) (here the left and right windows) can be splitted
by you wherever you want (@kbd{C-s}). The left one contains the point.
You must give every ECB-tree-window you create a type (@kbd{C-t})
which can be either

@itemize @bullet
@item One of the built-in types

This can be either ``directories'', ``sources'', ``methods'',
``history'' or ``speedbar''.

@item Any user-defined type:

In this case you insert ``other'' after hitting @kbd{C-t} and you will
then be asked for the name of the user-defined type. You can insert
any arbitrary type name X. But to get this layout working you have to
define a function with name @code{ecb-set-X-buffer} whereas X is the
name of the user-defined type you have specified during
layout-creation.

This function @code{ecb-set-X-buffer} must be defined with the macro
@code{defecb-window-dedicator-to-ecb-buffer} and has to switch to the buffer you
want to display in this window. This macro automatically ensures that
this window is dedicated to that buffer.

Here is an example: Suppose you have inserted as type name ``example''
then you have to define and load a function
@code{ecb-set-example-buffer} which could be defined like follows:

@example
(defecb-window-dedicator-to-ecb-buffer ecb-set-example-buffer " *ECB example-buf*"
  (switch-to-buffer (get-buffer-create " *ECB example-buf*")))
@end example

If you forget to define such a function for the user-defined type then
nevertheless ECB will draw this layout but it will use the
default-function @code{ecb-set-default-ecb-buffer} instead.
@end itemize

If you are satisfied with your new layout just hit @kbd{C-q}. You will
be asked for a new layout-name (TAB-completion is offered to get a
list of all names already in use) and after inserting a new(!) name
the new layout is saved in the file defined by the option
@code{ecb-create-layout-file}. The new layout is now available via the
option @code{ecb-layout-name}.

There is no need for you to load the file
@code{ecb-create-layout-file} manually into your Emacs because it's
automatically loaded by ECB!

@strong{Please note}: During the layout-creation process only the
commands displayed in the help-screen are available. ALL other
commands are temporally disabled (even the mouse-commands).

For programming new layouts with emacs-lisp see @ref{The layout-engine}.

With the command @code{ecb-delete-new-layout} you can delete
previously created layouts (TAB-completion is offered for all names of
user created layouts).

@node Hiding the ECB windows, Maximizing the ECB windows, The ECB-layout, Usage of ECB
@section Hiding/Showing the ECB windows

@cindex Hide windows
@cindex Show windows
With @code{ecb-toggle-ecb-windows}, @code{ecb-hide-ecb-windows} and
@code{ecb-show-ecb-windows} you can hide/show all the ECB windows
without changing the activation state of ECB and also without
deactivating the advices for @code{delete-other-windows} and/or
@code{delete-window}. This is most useful if you use a layout like
``top2'' (@pxref{Common use-cases}) or if you want to have maximum space
for editing and you don't need the browsing windows all the time.

The following sequence of hooks is evaluated during showing again the
hidden ECB-windows:
@enumerate
@item @code{ecb-show-ecb-windows-before-hook}
@item @code{ecb-redraw-layout-before-hook}
@item <Redrawing the layout to show the hidden ECB-windows>
@item @code{ecb-redraw-layout-after-hook}
@item @code{ecb-show-ecb-windows-after-hook}
@end enumerate

The following sequence of hooks is evaluated during hiding the
ECB-windows:
@enumerate
@item @code{ecb-hide-ecb-windows-before-hook}
@item @code{ecb-redraw-layout-before-hook}
@item <Hiding the ECB-windows>
@item @code{ecb-redraw-layout-after-hook}
@item @code{ecb-hide-ecb-windows-after-hook}
@end enumerate

If the special ECB-windows are hidden (e.g. by
`ecb-toggle-ecb-windows') all adviced functions behave as their
originals. So the frame can be used as if ECB would not be active but
ECB IS still active in the ``background'' and all ECB-commands and all
ECB-keybindings can be used. Of course some of them doesn't make much
sense but nevertheless they can be called. Toggling the visibility of
the ECB-windows preserves the splitting-state of the edit-area: If you
hide the ECB-windows then the frame will be divided in the same
window-layout the edit-area had before the hiding and if you show the
ECB-windows again the edit-area will be divided into all the
edit-windows the ECB-frame had before the showing.

Therefore it should be enough to hide the ECB-windows to run other
Emacs-applications which have their own window-layout-managing. There
should be no conflicts. But nevertheless the most recommended method
for running ECB and other applications (e.g. xrefactory, Gnus etc.) in
the same frame is to use a window-manager like winring.el or
escreen.el (@pxref{Window-managers and ECB}).


@node Maximizing the ECB windows, Back/forward navigation, Hiding the ECB windows, Usage of ECB
@section Maximizing the ECB windows

@subsection How to maximize and minimize special ecb-tree-windows

To get a better overlook about the contents of a certain ECB-window
every ECB-window can be ``maximized'', means all other ECB-windows are
deleted so only the edit-window(s) and this maximized ECB-window are
visible (and maybe a compile-window if active). There are several ways
to do this:

@itemize @bullet
@item
Via the node-popup-menus of the ECB-windows

@item
Via the main ``ECB''-menu and here ``Display window maximized''

@item
Via calling the adviced version of
@code{delete-other-windows}@footnote{This command is adviced per
default, see @ref{The edit-area}.} (bound to @kbd{C-x 1}) in one of
the ECB windows.

@item
Via one of the commands @code{ecb-maximize-window-directories},
@code{ecb-maximize-window-sources}, @code{ecb-maximize-window-methods},
@code{ecb-maximize-window-history} or
@code{ecb-maximize-window-speedbar} or the bound short-cuts for those
commands.

@item
Via the new command @code{ecb-cycle-maximized-ecb-buffers} which
cycles through all ecb-buffers of current layout by maximizing exactly
one of the ecb-windows after every cycle-step.

@item
Via the option @code{ecb-maximize-ecb-window-after-selection} and then
just by selecting an ECB-window. ``Deselecting'' an ECB-window brings
back all ECB-windows of current layout.

@item
Via the default modeline-mechanisms for deleting other windows. GNU
Emacs binds @kbd{mouse-2} in its modeline to
@code{delete-other-window}. XEmacs binds a popup-menu with some window
commands to @kbd{button-3} in its modeline.

ECB combines the best of both worlds by supporting both of these
mechanisms for both Xemacs and Emacs: ECB binds a toggle-command to
@kbd{mouse-2} in the modeline of each tree-buffer which maximizes the
current tree-window if all ECB-windows are visible and displays all
ECB-windows if current tree-window is maximized. In addition ECB binds
a popup-menu to @kbd{mouse-3} which offers exactly 2 commands:
Maximizing current tree-window and displaying all ECB-windows.
@end itemize

``Minimizing'' such a maximized ECB-window, i.e. bringing back to its
original size and displays all ecb-windows of current layout, can
simply be done by redrawing the layout via the command
@code{ecb-redraw-layout} (bound to @kbd{C-c . lr}).

@subsection Selecting a node in a maximized ecb-tree-window

When you select a node (either via mouse or RET) in a maximized
tree-window the default behavior of ECB is the following:

Maximized directories-window: When selecting a directory then first
automatically the maximized directories-window will be ``minimized''
(i.e. all ecb-windows of current layout are displayed) if the current
layout contains a sources-buffer and no sources are shown in the
directories-window - see @code{ecb-show-sources-in-directories-buffer}.
So the source-files can be displayed in the sources-window.
    
Maximized sources- or history-window: When selecting a source-file in
one of these buffers then first automatically the maximized window
will be ``minimized'' (i.e. all ecb-windows of current layout are
displayed) if the current layout contains a methods-buffer. So the
tag-contents of the selected source-file can be displayed in the
methods-window.

For a even smarter behavior ECB offers the option
@code{ecb-maximize-next-after-maximized-select} which automatically
maximizes the next logical tree-window after a node selection. The
definition of ``next logical is'': Directories --> sources,
sources/history --> methods. But if the current maximized tree-buffer
is also contained in the option
@code{ecb-tree-do-not-leave-window-after-select} (see also the
tree-buffer-command @code{ecb-toggle-do-not-leave-window-after-select}
which is bound to @key{C-t} in each tree-buffer) then ECB does *not*
maximize the next logical tree-window but point stays in the currently
maximized tree-buffer so for example the user can select more than one
source-file from the sources-buffer.

@node Back/forward navigation, ECB-window synchronizing, Maximizing the ECB windows, Usage of ECB
@section Back- and forward navigation like a browser

With ECB you can ``browse'' in your source-files like with a
web-browser. This means ECB stores the current buffer- and
window-position relative to the current tag@footnote{e.g. a method,
a variable or any other semantic tag} in the edit-window after

@itemize @minus
@item selecting a tag in the ECB-methods buffer or
@item selecting a source-file in the ECB-sources/history-buffer.
@end itemize

ECB offers two commands @code{ecb-nav-goto-next} (@kbd{C-c . n}) and
@code{ecb-nav-goto-previous} (@kbd{C-c . p}) to go forward and
backward within this navigation history-list. These commands are also
available via the menu ``ECB --> Navigate''.

Aside normal ``location-browsing'' this is useful for example in a
scenario where the buffer is narrowed to a tag (see
@code{ecb-tag-visit-post-actions}):

@enumerate
@item You edit a function
@item Goto another function above the current in the same file
@item Add a few lines
@item Call ecb-nav-goto-previous

Now you will edit at the same place in the function.
@end enumerate

@node ECB-window synchronizing, Stealthy background tasks, Back/forward navigation, Usage of ECB
@section Synchronization of the ECB-windows

Per default ECB synchronizes automatically the contents of the
ECB-windows (e.g. tree-buffers) with the current active edit-window
(rsp. the current buffer of the edit window).

ECB distinguishes between the so called ``basic'' ECB-windows (for a general
description see @ref{Basic ECB-windows}) and add-on
ECB-windows (@pxref{Add-on ECB-windows}). This distinction is also important
concerning synchronization:

The basic ECB-windows are always synchronized together whereas for each add-on
ECB-window a separate synchronization option is offered.

This section describes at beginning some general synchronization aspects
(common for all ECB-windows, basic ones as well as add-ons), then the
synchronization of the basic-ECB-windows and finally the synchronization of
the add-on ECB-windows.



@menu
* General synchronization aspects::       General synchronization aspects
* Synchronization of basic ECB-windows::  Synchronization of basic ECB-windows
* Add-on synchronization::                Synchronization of add-on ECB-windows
@end menu

@node General synchronization aspects, Synchronization of basic ECB-windows, ECB-window synchronizing, ECB-window synchronizing
@subsection General synchronization aspects

For each separate ECB-window-synchronization (remember: One common for the basic
ECB-windows, one for each add-on ECB-window) ECB offers the following
option-triple (demonstrated for the basic ECB-windows):

@itemize

@item @code{ecb-basic-buffer-sync}:

Enables or disables the synchronization in general.

If active then the synchronization for the related ECB-window-buffers/windows
takes place whenever a buffer changes in an edit window or if another
edit-window with another buffer will be selected, if deactivated then never.
But you can also set this option to a list of major-modes and then the sync.
will only be done if the major-mode of the current buffer does NOT belong to
this list.

But in every case the synchronization only takes place if the
major-mode of the current-buffer in the current selected edit-window
has a relation to files or directories. Examples for the former one
are all programming-language-modes like @code{c++-mode} or
@code{java-mode}, @code{Info-mode} too, an example for the latter one
is @code{dired-mode}. For all major-modes related to
non-file/directory-buffers like @code{help-mode},
@code{customize-mode} and others a synchronization will never be done!

It's recommended to exclude at least @code{Info-mode} because it makes
no sense to synchronize the ECB-windows after calling the Info help.
Per default also @code{dired-mode} is excluded but it can also making
sense to synchronize the ECB-directories/sources windows with the
current directory of the dired-buffer in the edit-window.

@item @code{ecb-basic-buffer-sync-delay}:

This option takes only effect if the synchronization is switched on via
@code{ecb-basic-buffer-sync} and determines when ECB synchronizes.

This option sets the time in seconds (fractions allowed) Emacs must be idle
before the related ECB-window(s) are synchronized. If nil then there is no
delay, means synchronization takes place immediately. A small value of about
0.25 seconds saves CPU resources and you get even though almost the same
effect as if you set no delay.

Per default ECB always synchronizes on idle-basis and it is strongly
recommened not to change this (ie. not setting the delay-option to nil)
because this can be very performance consuming (e.g. at least the check if a
synchronization must be performed is done after @strong{every} key- or
mouse-button press!

Some fraction of a second is probably always the best choice, because it does
not cost cpu-power and nonetheless the synchronization takes place quite
immediately. So in most cases there is no need to bother with this option,
just use the default value.

@item @code{ecb-basic-buffer-sync-hook}:

For each separate synchronization a hook variable is offered where you can
hook in with some elisp code if you need some tasks performed afterwards the
synchronization has been finished.

In most cases no hook will be needed.

@end itemize

Analogous to the shown options for the basic ECB-windows each add-on
ECB-window has its own separate triple of these options, named congruent to
the name of the buffer-name of the add-on ECB-window (e.g. for the analyse
ECB-window with the buffer-name hold in @code{ecb-analyse-buffer-name} these
three options are named @code{ecb-analyse-buffer-sync},
@code{ecb-analyse-buffer-sync-delay} and @code{ecb-analyse-buffer-sync-hook}.
For some specialities see @ref{Add-on synchronization}.

@strong{Please note}: With the command @code{ecb-window-sync} you can
do a manual synchronization if the automatic one is switched off or
if you just want to do this! See the documantation of this command.

@node Synchronization of basic ECB-windows, Add-on synchronization, General synchronization aspects, ECB-window synchronizing
@subsection Synchronization of the basic ECB-windows

This section describes some special aspects of the synchronizing of the basic
ECB-windows:

@itemize @bullet

@item ECB-directories:

This windows is synchronized to display the directory where the
source-file which is displayed in the current active edit-window is
located. If the source-path (i.e. an element of the option
@code{ecb-source-path}) containing this directory is not expanded it
will be auto. expanded according to the value of the option
@code{ecb-auto-expand-directory-tree} (@pxref{ecb-directories}).

@item ECB-sources:

The ECB-sources-buffer contains after synchronizing all the sources of
the directory of the ``current'' source-file displayed in the
edit-window. The entry of the ``current'' source-file is highlighted.

@item ECB-methods:

Contains after synchronizing all the tags of the buffer in the current
selected edit-window, i.e. all methods, variables etc... depending on
the major-mode.

@item ECB-history:

Highlights the entry of the buffer displayed in the current active
edit-window if this buffer is a source-file.

@end itemize

The synchronization can be customized via the option triple
@code{ecb-basic-buffer-sync}, @code{ecb-basic-buffer-sync-delay} and
@code{ecb-basic-buffer-sync-hook}. The four basic ECB-windows of ECB are
always synchonized together, never separate!

@node Add-on synchronization, , Synchronization of basic ECB-windows, ECB-window synchronizing
@subsection Synchronization of add-on ECB-windows

Currently ECB has a separate synchronization for the add-on ECB-windows
ECB-analyse and ECB-symboldef and also for the eshell and
speedbar-integration. Customizing can be done via:

@itemize

@item ECB-analyse:
@code{ecb-analyse-buffer-sync}, @code{ecb-analyse-buffer-sync-delay} and
@code{ecb-analyse-buffer-sync-hook}

@item ECB-symboldef:
@code{ecb-symboldef-buffer-sync}, @code{ecb-symboldef-buffer-sync-delay} and
@code{ecb-symboldef-buffer-sync-hook}

@item ECB-eshell:
@code{ecb-eshell-buffer-sync}, @code{ecb-eshell-buffer-sync-delay} and
@code{ecb-eshell-buffer-sync-hook}

@item ECB-speedbar:
@code{ecb-speedbar-buffer-sync}, @code{ecb-speedbar-buffer-sync-delay} and
@code{ecb-speedbar-buffer-sync-hook}

@end itemize

Each enabling- and delay-option has an additonal special value 'basic which is
the default for all these options because it allows to use the current setting
of @code{ecb-basic-buffer-sync} rsp. @code{ecb-basic-buffer-sync-delay} for
the add-on synchronization too. Example: If @code{ecb-basic-buffer-sync} is
set to the value @code{(Info-mode dired-mode)} then a setting of 'basic for
@code{ecb-analyse-buffer-sync} means that synchronization is always done
unless the current major-mode is Info-mode or dired-mode. Per default all
add-on synchronization enabling- and delay-options are set to 'basic with one
exeption: @code{ecb-analyse-buffer-sync-delay}: See the documentation of this
option for a detailed description.

In general it is recommended to read the documentation of all these options.

@node Stealthy background tasks, Interactive ECB commands, ECB-window synchronizing, Usage of ECB
@section Stealthy background-tasks of ECB

ECB performs some tasks stealthily in the background and also
interruptable by the user because these tasks can be time-consuming
and could otherwise block ECB. Currently the following tasks are
performed stealthily and in the background by ECB:

@table @asis
@item Prescann directories for emptyness
Prescann directories and display them as empty or not-empty in the
directories-buffer. See the documentation of the option
@code{ecb-prescan-directories-for-emptyness} for a description.

@item File is read only
Check if sourcefile-items of the directories- or sources-buffer are
read-only or not. See documentation of the option
@code{ecb-sources-perform-read-only-check}.

@item Version-control-state
Checks the version-control-state of files in directories which are
managed by a VC-backend. See the option @code{ecb-vc-enable-support}.

@end table

All of these tasks (e.g. checking if a directory is empty or not)
perform a certain action for all directories or sources displayed in
the current visible tree-buffers of ECB. Normally there should be no
annoying delay for the user because each of these tasks will be only
performed when Emacs is idle and will be interrupted immediatelly when
a user hits a key or clicks the mouse but especially for
remote-directories one single action (e.g. checking if a certain
directory is empty or checking the VC-state of a sourcefile in such a
remote directory) can be very time-consuming and such a single action
is not interruptable (an interrupt can only occur between the
single-actions for two directories or sources) For a further
discussion how to deal best with remote directories see @ref{Remote
directories}.!

ECB offers for all stealthy tasks three steps of activation:
@itemize @bullet
@item @code{t}:
Switch on this feature.

@item @code{unless-remote}:
Switch on this feature but not for remote directories. The term
``remote'' means here directories which are used via tramp, ange-ftp
or efs. So mounted directories are counted not as remote directories
here even if such a directory is maybe hosted on a remote machine. But
normally only directories in a LAN are mounted so there should be no
performance-problems with such mounted directories.

@item @code{nil}:
Switch off this feature completely.
@end itemize

In combination with the option @code{ecb-stealthy-tasks-delay} these
three choices already allow adapting the stealthy tasks to most
needs. But to offer finest granularity for which directories a certain
stealthy task should be switched on and for which not ECB offers for
every stealthy task an additional option which allows a finer
adjustment:

@itemize @bullet
@item Prescanning directories for emptyness:
@code{ecb-prescan-directories-exclude-regexps}.

@item Checking the read-only-state of a sourcefile:
@code{ecb-read-only-check-exclude-regexps}

@item Checking the VC-state of sourcefiles:
@code{ecb-vc-directory-exclude-regexps}
@end itemize

These options take only effect when the related task is not completely
switched off. If this is the case they allow excluding certain
directories (or the sources of directories) from being processed by a
certain stealthy task.


@node Interactive ECB commands, ,Stealthy background tasks, Usage of ECB
@section Interactive ECB commands

@noindent
ECB offers a lot of interactive commands. Some of these commands
prompt the user in the minibuffer if called with a prefix argument.

Example: If @code{ecb-clear-history} is called with a prefix argument
then you will be prompted in the minibuffer with:

@example
Clear from history: [all, not-existing-buffers, existing-buffers]
@end example 

You can choose one of the options enclosed in brackets with
TAB-completion; hitting RET direct after the prompt chooses auto. the
first offered option (in the example above ``all'').

@strong{Please note}: The following interactive commands of ECB are
listed without the prefix ``ecb-'' (e.g. the command
@code{ecb-activate} is listed with name ``activate''). This has been
done for a better readable command index. @xref{Command Index}.

@deffn Command activate
Activates ECB and creates the special buffers for the choosen layout.
For the layout see @code{ecb-layout-name}. This function always raises
the ECB-frame if called from another frame. This is the same as
calling @code{ecb-minor-mode} with a positive argument.
@end deffn

@deffn Command add-all-buffers-to-history
Add all current file-buffers to the history-buffer of ECB.
Dependend on the values of @code{ecb-history-make-buckets} and
@code{ecb-history-sort-method} afterwards the history is bucketized or
not and sorted either by name or by extension (if bucketized
then the sorting is only within each bucket). If
@code{ecb-history-sort-method} is nil the most recently used buffers
are on the top of the history and the seldom used buffers at the
bottom (again: when bucketized then this holds only within each
bucket).
@end deffn

@deffn Command analyse-buffer-sync
Synchronize the analyse buffer with the current buffer and point. This
means in fact display the current analysis for current point.
@end deffn


@deffn Command change-layout &optional preselect-type
Select a layout-name from all current available layouts
(TAB-completion is offered) and change the layout to the selected
layout-name. If optional argument PRESELECT-TYPE is not nil then you
can preselect a layout-type \(TAB-completion is offered too) and then
you will be asked only for layouts of that preselected type. Note:
This function works by changing the option @code{ecb-layout-name} but
only for current Emacs-session.
@end deffn

@deffn Command clear-history
Clears the history-buffer.
@end deffn

@deffn Command customize
Open a customize-buffer for all customize-groups of ECB.
@end deffn

@deffn Command customize-most-important
Open a customize-buffer for the most important options of ECB.
@end deffn

@deffn Command create-new-layout
Start process for interactively creating a new ECB-layout
(@pxref{Creating a new ECB-layout}).
@end deffn

@deffn Command cycle-maximized-ecb-buffers
Cycles through all ecb-buffers of current layout by maximizing exactly
one of the ecb-windows after every cycle-step.
@end deffn

@deffn Command cycle-through-compilation-buffers &optional choose-buffer
Cycle through all compilation buffers currently open and display them
within the compilation window @code{ecb-compile-window}. If the
currently opened buffer within the compilation window is not a
compilation buffer, we jump to the first compilation buffer. If not we
try to loop through all compilation buffers. If we hit the end we go
back to the beginning.

If @var{CHOOSE-BUFFER} is not @code{nil} then the user will be
prompted for the compilation-buffer to switch to.
@end deffn

@deffn Command deactivate
Deactivates the ECB and kills all ECB buffers and windows.
@end deffn

@deffn Command delete-new-layout
Select a layout-name for a layout created by
@code{ecb-create-new-layout} and delete this layout. This means the
layout-definition is removed from the file
@code{ecb-create-layout-file} and the layout-function and associated
aliases are unbound.
@end deffn

@deffn Command display-news-for-upgrade &optional FULL-NEWS
Display the most important NEWS after an ECB-upgrade. If you call this
function but no ECB-upgrade has been performed before starting ECB
then nothing is display unless @var{FULL-NEWS} is not nil.

If @var{FULL-NEWS} is not nil then the NEWS-file is displayed in
another window.
@end deffn

@deffn Command display-upgraded-options
Display a information-buffer which options have been upgraded or
reset. Offers two buttons where the user can decide if the upgraded
options should also being saved by ECB for future settings or if the
buffer should be killed.

If saving is possible this command display where the options would be
saved. It is that file Emacs uses to save customize-settings. This
file is ``computed'' from the settings in @code{custom-file} and
@code{user-init-file} (see the documentation of these variables).

ECB automatically makes a backup-file of that file which will be
modified by storing the upgraded rsp. renamed ECB-options. This backup
file gets a unique name by adding a suffix ``.before_ecb_<version>''
to the name of the modified file. If such a file already exists ECB
adds a unique number to the end of the filename to make the filename
unique. This is a safety mechanism if something fails during storing
the upgraded options, so you never lose the contents of your
customization-file!
@end deffn

@deffn Command expand-methods-nodes &optional force-all
Set the expand level of the nodes in the ECB-methods-buffer.

This command asks in the minibuffer for an indentation level LEVEL. With this
LEVEL you can precisely specify which level of nodes should be expanded. LEVEL
means the indentation-level of the nodes.

A LEVEL value X means that all nodes with an indentation-level <= X are
expanded and all other are collapsed. A negative LEVEL value means all visible
nodes are collapsed.

Nodes which are not indented have indentation-level 0!

Which node-types are expanded (rsp. collapsed) by this command
depends on the options @code{ecb-methods-nodes-expand-spec} and
@code{ecb-methods-nodes-collapse-spec}! With optional argument
@var{FORCE-ALL} all tags will be expanded/collapsed regardless of
the values of these options.

Examples:
@itemize @minus
@item LEVEL = 0
expands only nodes which have no indentation itself.
@item LEVEL = 2
expands nodes which are either not indented or indented indented once
or twice
@item LEVEL ~ 10
should normally expand all nodes expect there are nodes which are
indented deeper than 10.
@end itemize

Note 1: This command switches off auto. expanding of the method-buffer
if @code{ecb-expand-methods-switch-off-auto-expand} is not nil. But it
can be switched on again quickly with
@code{ecb-toggle-auto-expand-tag-tree} or @kbd{[C-c . a]}.

Note 2: All this is only valid for file-types parsed by semantic. For
other file types which are parsed by imenu or etags (see
@code{ecb-process-non-semantic-files}) @var{FORCE-ALL} is always true!
@end deffn

@deffn Command dump-semantic-toplevel
Dump the current semantic-tags in special buffer and display them.
@end deffn


@deffn Command eshell-current-buffer-sync
Synchronize the eshell with the directory of current source-buffer.
This is only done if the eshell is currently visible in the
compile-window of ECB and if either this function is called
interactively or @code{ecb-eshell-buffer-sync} is not nil.
@end deffn

@deffn Command eshell-recenter
Recenter the eshell window so that the prompt is at the buffer-end.
@end deffn

@deffn Command expand-directory-nodes
Set the expand level of the nodes in the ECB-directories-buffer. For
argument LEVEL see @code{ecb-expand-methods-nodes}.

Be aware that for deep structured paths and a lot of source-paths this
command can last a long time - depending on machine- and
disk-performance.
@end deffn

@deffn Command goto-window-analyse
Make the ECB-analyse window the current window.
@end deffn

@deffn Command goto-window-compilation
Goto the ecb compilation window @code{ecb-compile-window}.
@end deffn

@deffn Command goto-window-directories
Make the ECB-directories window the current window. If
@code{ecb-use-speedbar-instead-native-tree-buffer} is @code{dir} then
goto to the speedbar-window.
@end deffn

@deffn Command goto-window-ecb-by-smart-selection
selects a special ecb-browsing-window by smart selection. The command offers a
list of all special ecb-windows by buffer-name. Selecting the buffer-name will
select the displaying window. Which special ecb-windows are offered depends on
the currently selected window: If not a special ecb-window is the currently
selected-window then all edit-windows are offered in canonical order (means
from top-left to button-right). If an ecb-window is the currently
selected-window then all other(!) special ecb-windows are offered, beginning
with the next special ecb-window to the current ecb-window (the following
special ecb-windows also in canonical order). If there is only one senseful
destination-ecb-window then this window is immediately selected, without
confirmation (e.g.: There are two special ecb-windows and point stays in one
of them. Or there is only one ecb-window and point stays either in one of the
edit-windows or in the compile-window).

If optional argument USE-IMMEDIATE-COMPLETION is nil then all possible
destination-windows are displayed in the message-area and only hitting TAB
offers completion. If USE-IMMEDIATE-COMPLETION is not nil then all possible
destinations are immediately shown in a completion-buffer.
@end deffn

@deffn Command goto-window-edit-by-smart-selection
Selects an edit-window by smart selection. The command offers a list of all
edit-windows by buffer-name. Selecting the buffer-name will select the
displaying window. Which edit-windows are offered depends on the currently
selected window: If not an edit-window is the currently selected-window then
all edit-windows are offered in canonical order (means from top-left to
button-right). If an edit-window is the currently selected-window then all
other(!) edit-windows are offered, beginning with the next edit-window to the
current edit-window (the following edit-windows also in canonical order). If
there is only one senseful destination-edit-window then this window is
immediately selected, without confirmation (e.g.: There are two edit-windows
and point stays in one of them. Or there is only one edit-window and point
stays either in one of the special ecb-windows or in the compile-window).

If optional argument USE-IMMEDIATE-COMPLETION is nil then all possible
destination-windows are displayed in the message-area and only hitting TAB
offers completion. If USE-IMMEDIATE-COMPLETION is not nil then all possible
destinations are immediately shown in a completion-buffer.
@end deffn

@deffn Command goto-window-edit1
Make the (first) edit-window window the current window.
@end deffn

@deffn Command goto-window-edit2
Make the second edit-window (if available) window the current window.
@end deffn

@deffn Command goto-window-edit-last
Make the last selected edit-window window the current window. This is
the same as if @code{ecb-mouse-click-destination} is set to
@code{last-point}.
@end deffn


@deffn Command goto-window-history
Make the ECB-history window the current window.
@end deffn

@deffn Command goto-window-methods
Make the ECB-methods window the current window. If
@code{ecb-use-speedbar-instead-native-tree-buffer} is @code{method}
then goto to the speedbar-window.
@end deffn

@deffn Command goto-window-sources
Make the ECB-sources window the current window. If
@code{ecb-use-speedbar-instead-native-tree-buffer} is @code{source}
then goto to the speedbar-window.
@end deffn

@deffn Command history-filter
Apply a filter to the history-buffer to reduce the number of entries.
So you get a better overlooking. There are three choices:

@itemize @minus
@item Filter by extension:
Just insert the extension you want the History-buffer being filtered.
Insert the extension without leading dot!

@item Filter by regexp:
Insert the filter as regular expression.

@item No filter:
This means to display an entry for all currently living file-buffers.
@end itemize
@end deffn

@deffn Command jde-display-class-at-point
Display in the ECB-methods-buffer the contents (methods, attributes
etc...) of the class which contains the definition of the ``thing''
under point (this can be a variable-name, class-name, method-name,
attribute-name). This function needs the same requirements to work as
the method-completion feature of JDEE (see
@code{jde-complete})!. The source-file is searched first in
@code{jde-sourcepath}, then in @code{jde-global-classpath}, then in
@var{$CLASSPATH}, then in current-directory.

Works only for classes where the source-code (i.e. the *.java-file) is
available.
@end deffn

@deffn Command maximize-window-analyse
Maximize the ECB-analyse-window. I.e. delete all other ECB-windows, so
only one ECB-window and the edit-window(s) are visible (and maybe a
compile-window). Works also if the ECB-analyse-window is not visible
in current layout.
@end deffn

@deffn Command maximize-window-directories
Maximize the ECB-directories-window, i.e. delete all other
ECB-windows, so only one ECB-window and the edit-window(s) are visible
(and maybe a compile-window). Works also if the ECB-directories-window
is not visible in current layout.
@end deffn

@deffn Command maximize-window-sources
Maximize the ECB-sources-window, i.e. delete all other ECB-windows, so
only one ECB-window and the edit-window(s) are visible (and maybe a
compile-window). Works also if the ECB-sources-window is not visible
in current layout.
@end deffn

@deffn Command maximize-window-methods
Maximize the ECB-methods-window, i.e. delete all other ECB-windows, so
only one ECB-window and the edit-window(s) are visible (and maybe a
compile-window). Works also if the ECB-methods-window is not visible
in current layout.
@end deffn

@deffn Command maximize-window-history
Maximize the ECB-history-window, i.e. delete all other ECB-windows, so
only one ECB-window and the edit-window(s) are visible (and maybe a
compile-window). Works also if the ECB-history-window is not visible
in current layout.
@end deffn

@deffn Command maximize-window-speedbar
Maximize the ECB-speedbar-window, i.e. delete all other ECB-windows,
so only one ECB-window and the edit-window(s) are visible (and maybe a
compile-window). Does nothing if the speedbar-window is not visible
within the ECB-frame.
@end deffn

@deffn Command methods-filter
Apply a filter to the Methods-buffer to reduce the number of entries.
So you get a better overlooking. There are six choices:

@itemize @bullet
@item Filter by protection:
Just insert the protection you want the Methods-buffer being filtered:
private, protected or public!

@item Filter by regexp:
Insert the filter as regular expression.

@item Filter by tag-class:
You can filter by the tag-classes of current major-mode. The available
tag-classes come from the variable
@code{semantic--symbol->name-assoc-list}. The are normally methods,
variables etc.

@item Filter by current type:
In languages which have types like Java or C++ this filter displays
only the current type and all its members (e.g. attributes and
methods). If ECB can not identify the current type in the
source-buffer or in the methods-window then nothing will be done.

@item Filter by a filter-function:   
Such a function gets two arguments: a tag and the source-buffer of
this tag. If the tag should be displayed (i.e. not being filtered out)
then the function has to return not nil otherwise nil.

@item No special filter:
This means to display all tags specified with the option
@code{ecb-show-tokens}. If currently some of the above filters are
applied they will be all removed.

@item Delete the last added:
This removes only the topmost filter-layer, means that filter added
last.
@end itemize

The protection-, current-type- and the tag-class-filter are only
available for semantic-supported sources.

Be aware that the tag-list specified by the option
@code{ecb-show-tags} is the basis of all filters, i.e. tags which are
excluded by that option will never be shown regardless of the filter
type here!

All tags which match the applied filter(s) will be displayed in the
Methods-buffer.

If called with a prefix-argument or when optional arg INVERSE is not
nil then an inverse filter is applied to the Methods-buffer, i.e. all
tags which do NOT match the choosen filter will be displayed in the
Methods-buffer!

Per default the choosen filter will be applied on top of already
existing filters. This means that filters applied before are combined
with the new filter. This behavior can changed via the option
@code{ecb-methods-filter-replace-existing}. But regardless of the
setting in @code{ecb-methods-filter-replace-existing} applying one of
the not-inverse filters protection, tag-class or current-type always
replaces exactly already existing filters of that type. On the other
hand applying more than one inverse tag-class- or protection-filter
can make sense.

Such a filter is only applied to the current source-buffer, i.e. each
source-buffer can have its own tag-filters.

The current active filter will be displayed in the modeline of the
Methods-buffer [regexp, prot (= protection), tag-class, function (=
filter-function)]. If an inverse filter has been applied then this is
signalized by a preceding caret ^. If currently more than 1 filter is
applied then always the top-most filter is displayed in the modeline
but the fact of more than 1 filter is visualized by the number of the
filters - included in parens. You can see all currently applied
filters by moving the mouse over the filter-string in modeline of the
Methods-buffer: They will displayed as help-echo.

See the option @code{ecb-default-tag-filter} if you search for
automatically applied default-tag-filters.
@end deffn

@deffn Command methods-filter-current-type
Display in the Methods-buffer only the current type and its members.
For further details see @code{ecb-methods-filter}.
@end deffn


@deffn Command methods-filter-delete-last
Remove the most recent filter from the Methods-buffer. For further details see
@code{ecb-methods-filter}.
@end deffn

@deffn Command methods-filter-function &optional inverse
Filter the methods-buffer by a function. If INVERSE is not nil (called
with a prefix arg) then an inverse filter is applied. For further details see
@code{ecb-methods-filter}.
@end deffn

@deffn Command methods-filter-nofilter
Remove any filter from the Methods-buffer. For further details see
@code{ecb-methods-filter}.
@end deffn

@deffn Command methods-filter-protection &optional inverse
Filter the methods-buffer by protection. If INVERSE is not nil (called
with a prefix arg) then an inverse filter is applied. For further details see
@code{ecb-methods-filter}.
@end deffn

@deffn Command methods-filter-regexp &optional inverse
Filter the methods-buffer by a regexp. If INVERSE is not nil (called
with a prefix arg) then an inverse filter is applied. For further details see
@code{ecb-methods-filter}.
@end deffn

@deffn Command methods-filter-tagclass &optional inverse
Filter the methods-buffer by tag-class. If INVERSE is not nil (called
with a prefix arg) then an inverse filter is applied. For further details see
@code{ecb-methods-filter}.
@end deffn

@deffn Command minor-mode &optional arg
Toggle ECB minor mode. With prefix argument @var{ARG}, turn on if
positive, otherwise off. Return non-@code{nil} if the minor mode is
enabled.
@end deffn

@deffn Command nav-goto-previous
Go backward in the navigation history-list, see @ref{Back/forward
navigation}.
@end deffn

@deffn Command nav-goto-next
Go forward in the navigation history-list, see @ref{Back/forward
navigation}.
@end deffn

@deffn Command rebuild-methods-buffer
Updates the methods buffer with the current buffer after deleting the
complete previous parser-information, means no semantic-cache is used!
Point must stay in an edit-window otherwise nothing is done. This
method is merely needed for semantic parsed buffers if semantic parses
not the whole buffer because it reaches a not parse-able code or for
buffers not supported by semantic but by imenu or etags.

Examples when a call to this function can be necessary:

@itemize
@item
If an Elisp-file is parsed which contains in the middle a defun X
where the closing ) is missing then semantic parses only until this
defun X is reached and you will get an incomplete ECB-method buffer.
In such a case you must complete the defun X and then call this
function to completely reparse the Elisp-file and rebuild the ECB
method buffer!

@item
For not semantic supported buffers which can be parsed by imenu or
etags (see @code{ecb-process-non-semantic-files}) because for these
buffers there is no built-in auto-rebuild mechanism. For these buffers
this command calls @code{ecb-rebuild-methods-buffer-for-non-semantic}.
@end itemize

For non-semantic-sources supported by etags the option
@code{ecb-auto-save-before-etags-methods-rebuild} is checked before
rescanning the source-buffer and rebuilding the methods-buffer.

If point is in one of the ecb-windows or in the compile-window then
this command rebuids the methods-buffer with the contents of the
source-buffer the last selected edit-window.
@end deffn

@deffn Command redraw-layout &optional ARG
Redraw the ECB screen.

Do not call this command from elisp-program but only interactively!

Called without a prefix-argument the state of the ECB-frame-layout
will preserved. This means:

@itemize @minus
@item
The state of compile-window (hidden or visible) will be preserved but
if visible then the height will be as specified in
@code{ecb-compile-window-height}.

@item
The state of the ECB-windows will be preserved (hidden or visible) but
if visible then the sizes will be as specified in the layout (and with
the options @code{ecb-windows-width} and @code{ecb-windows-height}) or
as stored with @code{ecb-store-window-sizes}.
@end itemize

If called with ONE prefix-argument (@kbd{[C-u]}) then the layout will
be drawn with all ECB-windows and also with a visible compile-window
(when @code{ecb-compile-window-height} is not nil). The
splitting-state of the edit-area will be preserved.

If called with TWO prefix-arguments (i.e. hitting @kbd{[C-u]} twice:
(@kbd{[C-u]} @kbd{[C-u]}) then an emergency-redraw will be performed.
This means the same as if called with one prefix-argument (s.a.) but
the splitting-state of the edit-area will NOT be preserved but all
edit-windows besides the current one will be deleted. Use this only if
there are some anomalies after standard redraws!

If the variable @code{ecb-redraw-layout-quickly} is not nil then the
redraw is done by the @code{ecb-redraw-layout-quickly} function,
otherwise by @code{ecb-redraw-layout-full}.

Please not: It's strongly recommended to use the quick redraw only if
you have really slow machines where a full redraw takes several
seconds because the quick redraw is not really safe and has some
annoying drawbacks! On normal machines the full redraw should be done
in << 1s so there should be no need for the quick version!
@end deffn


@deffn Command restore-default-window-sizes
Resets the sizes of the ECB windows to their default values.
@end deffn

@deffn Command restore-window-sizes
Sets the sizes of the ECB windows to their stored values. See option
@code{ecb-layout-window-sizes} and command
@code{ecb-store-window-sizes}.
@end deffn

@deffn Command select-ecb-frame
Selects the @code{ecb-frame} if ECB is activated - otherwise reports
an error.
@end deffn

@deffn Command show-help &optional format
Shows the online help of ECB either in Info or in HTML format
depending on the value of @code{ecb-show-help-format}. If called with
prefix argument, i.e. if @var{FORMAT} is not nil then the user is
prompted to choose the format of the help (Info or HTML). If an error
about not finding the needed help-file occurs please take a look at
the options @code{ecb-help-info-start-file} and
@code{ecb-help-html-start-file}!

Note: If you got ECB as a standard XEmacs-package maybe the
HTML-online-documentation is not included.
@end deffn

@deffn Command show-layout-help
Select a name of a layout and shows the documentation of the
associated layout-function. At least for the built-in layouts the
documentation contains a picture of the outline of the chosen layout.
@end deffn

@deffn Command show-tip-of-the-day
Show tip of the day if @code{ecb-tip-of-the-day} is not nil or if
called interactively.
@end deffn

@deffn Command sources-filter
Apply a filter to the sources-buffer to reduce the number of entries.
So you get a better overlooking. There are three choices:

@itemize @minus
@item Filter by extension:
Just insert the extension you want the Sources-buffer being filtered.
Insert the extension without leading dot!

@item Filter by regexp:
Insert the filter as regular expression.

@item No filter:
This means to display an entry for every file in the current selected
directory (all except these filter already filtered out by
@code{ecb-source-file-regexps} and
@code{ecb-sources-exclude-cvsignore}).
@end itemize

Such a filter is only applied to the current selected directory, i.e. each
directory has its own filtered sources-buffer.
@end deffn

@deffn Command store-window-sizes &optional FIX
Stores the sizes of the ECB windows for the current layout. The size
of the ECB windows will be set to their stored values when
@code{ecb-redraw-layout} or @code{ecb-restore-window-sizes} is called.
To reset the window sizes to their default values call
@code{ecb-restore-default-window-sizes}. Please read also the
documentation of @code{ecb-layout-window-sizes}!

The windows sizes are stored per default as fractions of current
frame-width and -height of the ecb-frame, so the stored values will
``work'' for other frame sizes too. If a permanent compile-window is
visible then ECB will tell you that window-sizes should be stored with
hidden compile-window and ask you if you want proceed; if you proceed
then the window-heights will be stored as fractions of current
(frame-height minus current visible compile-window-height) so you
should ensure that the current compile-window has its standard-height
as specified in @code{ecb-compile-window-height}!. If @var{FIX} is not
nil (means called with a prefix argument) then always the fixed values
of current width and height are stored!
@end deffn

@deffn Command submit-problem-report
Submit a problem report for the ECB to the ECB mailing-list. This
command generates in the edit-window a problem-report which contains
already the current values of all ECB options, the current
backtrace-buffer if there is any and the current message-buffer. You
will be asked for a problem-report subject and then you must insert a
description of the problem. Please describe the problem as detailed as
possible!
@end deffn

@deffn Command toggle-auto-expand-tag-tree &optional arg
Toggle auto expanding of the ECB-methods-buffer. With prefix argument
@var{ARG}, make switch on if positive, otherwise switch off. If the
effect is that auto-expanding is switched off then the current value
of @code{ecb-auto-expand-tag-tree} is saved so it can be used for
the next switch on by this command.
@end deffn

@deffn Command toggle-compile-window &optional arg
Toggle the visibility of the compile-window of ECB. With prefix
argument ARG, make visible if positive, otherwise invisible. The
height of the compile-window is always the current value of
@code{ecb-compile-window-height}! If called and
@code{ecb-compile-window-height} is nil then ECB asks for the height
of the compile-window, sets this height as new value of
@code{ecb-compile-window-height} and displays the compile-window (so
if you have called this command by mistake and you do not want a
compile-window you have to quit with @key{C-g}).
@end deffn


@deffn Command toggle-compile-window-height &optional arg
Toggle whether the @code{ecb-compile-window} is enlarged or not. If
@var{ARG} > 0 then shrink or enlarge the the compile-window according
to the value of @code{ecb-enlarged-compilation-window-max-height}. But
never shrink below the value of @code{ecb-compile-window-height}. If
@var{ARG} <= 0 then shrink @code{ecb-compile-window} to
@code{ecb-compile-window-height} and if @var{ARG} is nil then toggle
the enlarge-state.
@end deffn

@deffn Command toggle-ecb-windows &optional arg
Toggle visibility of the ECB-windows. With prefix argument @var{ARG},
make visible if positive, otherwise invisible. This has nothing to do
with (de)activating ECB but only affects the visibility of the ECB
windows. ECB minor mode remains active!
@end deffn

@deffn Command toggle-layout &optional last-one
Toggles between the layouts defined in
@code{ecb-toggle-layout-sequence} (See also option
@code{ecb-show-sources-in-directories-buffer}). Note: This function
works by changing the options @code{ecb-layout-name} but only for
current Emacs-session.

If optional argument @var{LAST-ONE} is not nil (e.g. called with a
prefix-arg) then always the last selected layout was choosen
regardless of the setting in @code{ecb-toggle-layout-sequence}. The
last selected layout is always that layout which was current direct
before the most recent layout-switch. So now a user can switch to
another layout via `ecb-change-layout' and always come back to his
previous layout via @kbd{[C-u]} @code{ecb-toggle-layout}.
@end deffn

@deffn Command toggle-scroll-other-window-scrolls-compile &optional ARG
Toggle the state of
@code{ecb-scroll-other-window-scrolls-compile-window}. With prefix
argument @var{ARG}, set it to @code{t}, otherwise to @code{nil}. For
all details about the scroll-behavior of @code{scroll-other-window}
see the advice documentation of @code{other-window-for-scrolling}.
@end deffn

@deffn Command update-directories-buffer
Updates the ECB directories buffer.
@end deffn

@deffn Command upgrade-options
Check for all ECB-options if their current value is compatible to the
defined type. If not upgrade it to the new type or reset it to the
default-value of current ECB. Try also to upgrade renamed options.
Displays all upgraded or reset options with their old (before the
upgrade/reset) and new values.
@end deffn

@deffn Command window-sync
ynchronizes all special ECB-buffers with current buffer.
Depending on the contents of current buffer this command performs different
synchronizing tasks but only if ECB is active and point stays in an
edit-window.

@itemize
@item
If current buffer is a file-buffer (or an indirect-buffer with a file-buffer
as base-buffer) then all basic ECB-windows (directories, sources, methods and
history) are synchronized with current buffer.

@item
If current buffer is a dired-buffer then the directory- and
the sources-tree-buffer are synchronized if visible
@end itemize

In addition to this the hooks in @code{ecb-basic-buffer-sync-hook} run.

If optional argument ONLY-BASIC-WINDOWS is not nil then only the basic
tree-buffer directories, sources, methods and history are synchronized.
Otherwise all registered special ecb-buffers are synchronized too.

See @ref{ECB-window synchronizing}.
@end deffn

Most of these functions are also available via the menu ``ECB'' and
also via the ECB key-map with prefix @kbd{C-c .} (see
@code{ecb-minor-mode} for a complete list of the keybindings).

@node Customizing, Submitting problem report, Usage of ECB, Top
@chapter Customizing ECB

This chapter describes how to customize ECB for your personal taste.
The first section introduces some general aspects (which you should
really know!), the second one gives an overview of the most important
options and the third one lists all options of ECB (divided into the
customize groups).

@menu
* General aspects::             General aspects for customizing ECB
* Most important options::      Which option you must know
* Customizable options::        All customizable options of ECB
@end menu

@node General aspects, Most important options, Customizing, Customizing
@section General aspects for customizing ECB

This chapter contains all important informations you should know about
customizing ECB. The first section gives an answer to the question
``@code{setq} or @code{customize}'' and the second section describes
what to do when you have to customize ECB for a lot of people.

@menu
* setq or customize::           Should i use setq or customize?
* Site-wide customizing::       Site-wide customizing of ECB
@end menu

@node setq or customize, Site-wide customizing, General aspects, General aspects
@subsection Setq or customize - what should i use?

The best way to customize all the options of ECB is via the
customize-feature of (X)Emacs, i.e. means calling the commands
@code{customize-option} or @code{customize-group} etc. This is also
the strongly recommended way!

But you can also use @code{setq} or some Elisp-code to change the values of
many but not all of the options. The values of the following options
@strong{MUST NOT} be changed via @code{setq} or Elisp-code but only with the
customize-feature!

@itemize @minus
@item @code{ecb-analyse-buffer-sync-delay}
@item @code{ecb-analyse-show-node-info}
@item @code{ecb-basic-buffer-sync-delay}
@item @code{ecb-bucket-node-display}
@item @code{ecb-compile-window-height}
@item @code{ecb-compile-window-temporally-enlarge}
@item @code{ecb-compile-window-width}
@item @code{ecb-directories-show-node-info}
@item @code{ecb-eshell-buffer-sync-delay}
@item @code{ecb-exclude-parents-regexp}
@item @code{ecb-fix-window-size}
@item @code{ecb-font-lock-tags}
@item @code{ecb-highlight-tag-with-point-delay}
@item @code{ecb-history-show-node-info}
@item @code{ecb-key-map}
@item @code{ecb-layout-name}
@item @code{ecb-layout-window-sizes}
@item @code{ecb-methods-show-node-info}
@item @code{ecb-mode-line-data}
@item @code{ecb-mode-line-display-window-number}
@item @code{ecb-mode-line-prefixes}
@item @code{ecb-show-tags}
@item @code{ecb-source-path}
@item @code{ecb-sources-show-node-info}
@item @code{ecb-speedbar-buffer-sync-delay}
@item @code{ecb-symboldef-buffer-sync-delay}
@item @code{ecb-toggle-layout-sequence}
@item @code{ecb-tag-display-function}
@item @code{ecb-tree-do-not-leave-window-after-select}
@item @code{ecb-type-tag-display}
@item @code{ecb-type-tag-expansion}
@item @code{ecb-use-speedbar-instead-native-tree-buffer}
@item @code{ecb-windows-height}
@item @code{ecb-windows-width}
@end itemize

@node Site-wide customizing, , setq or customize, General aspects
@subsection Site-wide customizing of ECB

If you are the administrator for an Emacs-site, means you are
responsible for the basic customization of a lot of Emacs users, then
you maybe need a way to customize Emacs and ECB without changing
everyones @file{.emacs}-file and normally you will do this with the
file @file{site-start.el}. You can customize all options of ECB in a
central @file{site-start.el} (even the options mentioned above!) but
you @strong{MUST NOT} do this via @code{setq} but you have to use a
mechanism like the following@footnote{At least for the options for
which @code{setq} is explicitly forbidden, but it is recommended to
use always such a mechanism}!

This section describes two methods how to pre-customize ECB site-wide.
The elisp-code contained in the following two subsections has to be
copied to the file @file{site-start.el} before it can be used.

But ensure for both methods that you customize the options with the
correct lisp format. Read carefully the docstrings of the options you
want to customize from within Elisp-code!

@subsubsection Storing all option-settings in the users custom-file

The mechanism described here defines all site-wide-settings in a file
@file{site-lisp.el} but stores the values in the users
@code{custom-file} which is probably @file{.emacs}!

First two helper functions are needed, namely
@code{customize-option-get-value} and
@code{customize-save-variable-save} whereas the latter one sets the
value for an option via the customize-mechanism (and is therefore
allowed for the setq-forbidden options!) but only if the option has no
saved value until now (i.e. the user has not saved this option for
future sessions until now)

@example
@group
(defun customize-option-get-value (option type)
  "Return the value of a customizable option OPTION with TYPE, where TYPE
can either be 'standard-value \(the default-value of the defcustom) or
'saved-value \(the value stored persistent by the user via customize)."
  (let ((val (car (get option type))))
    (cond ((not (listp val)) val)
          ((equal 'quote (car val)) (car (cdr val)))
          (t (car val)))))

(defun customize-save-variable-save (option value &optional override)
  "Calls `customize-save-variable' with OPTION and VALUE if OPTION is a
custom-type and if OPTION has no saved-value until now.
If OVERRIDE is a function or lambda-form then it is called with two arguments:
- OLD-SAVED-VAL: The saved value of OPTION
- NEW-VALUE: see argument VALUE.
OVERRIDE is only called if OPTION has already a saved-value. If OVERIDE
returns not nil then `customize-save-variable' is called for OPTION with VALUE
even if OPTION has no saved-value until now."
  (and (get option 'custom-type)
       (or (not (get option 'saved-value))
           (and (functionp override)
                (funcall override
                         (customize-option-get-value option 'saved-value)
                         value)))
       (progn
         (message "Overriding saved value for option %s with %s" option value)
         (customize-save-variable option value))))
@end group
@end example

With @code{customize-save-variable-save} all ECB-options can be
site-wide pre-customized like follows:

@example
@group
(customize-save-variable-save 'ecb-show-tags
                              '((include collapsed nil)
                                (parent collapsed nil)
                                (type flattened nil)
                                (variable collapsed name)
                                (function flattened name)
                                (rule flattened name)
                                (section flattened nil)
                                (def collapsed name)
                                (t collapsed name)))
(customize-save-variable-save 'ecb-font-lock-tags t)
;; add here more options of ECB it you want
@end group
@end example

@subsubsection Using a special setq for site-wide settings

The mechanism above saves the pre-customized values always in the
users @code{custom-file} (probably @file{.emacs}). If this is not
preferred, then you can use the following mechanism but of course the
offered @code{setq-save} is only allowed for options which are not
setq-forbidden (@pxref{setq or customize}).

The mechanism below does not change the users @code{custom-file}. This
mechanism is needed especially if ECB should be autoloaded and all
site-wide settings should first loaded when ECB is activated by the
user. This can be achieved for example via@footnote{The file
@file{site-ecb.el} contains all site-wide settings for ECB}:

@example
@group
(require 'ecb-autoloads))
(eval-after-load "ecb"
  '(require 'site-ecb))
@end group
@end example

In such a situation the whole @code{custom-file} of a user is mostly
loaded @strong{before} ECB is activated and therefore before the
site-wide-settings are loaded. So the users own customizations are
loaded before the site-wide ones.

The @code{setq-save}-mechanism described below prevents the users own
customisations contained in his @code{custom-file} from being
overridden by the site-wide setq-settings. If @code{setq} would be
used for the site-wide settings then in an autoload-situation the
site-wide settings would override the users-settings and this should
not be done!

First two helper-macros are needed:

@example
@group
(defmacro custom-saved-p (option)
  "Return only not nil if OPTION is a defcustom-option and has a
saved value. Option is a variable and is literal \(not evaluated)."
  `(and (get (quote ,option) 'custom-type)
        (get (quote ,option) 'saved-value)))

(defmacro setq-save (option value)
  "Sets OPTION to VALUE if and only if OPTION is not already saved
by customize. Option is a variable and is literal \(not evaluated)."
  `(and (not (custom-saved-p ,option))
        (set (quote ,option) ,value)))
@end group
@end example

With @code{setq-save} all ``not-setq-forbidden''-ECB-options can be
site-wide pre-customized like follows:

@example
@group
(setq-save ecb-tree-indent 4)
(setq-save ecb-tree-expand-symbol-before t)
(setq-save ecb-primary-secondary-mouse-buttons 'mouse-1--mouse-2)
@end group
@end example

@node Most important options, Customizable options, General aspects, Customizing
@section The most important options of ECB

Here are the most important options (it is recommended to check at
least the following options before working with ECB). You can
customize them via the customize-group ``ecb-most-important'' or via
the command @code{ecb-customize-most-important}.

@table @code
@item ecb-source-path
Where ECB can find your sources. You must set this option!
@item ecb-show-help-format
Should the online help of ECB be displayed in the standard Info format
or in HTML format in a web-browser.
@item ecb-auto-activate
@item ecb-major-modes-show-or-hide
Auto. activation of ECB after start (@pxref{Automatic activation}) or
major-mode-based showing or hiding the ecb-windows.
@item ecb-winman-escreen-number
@itemx ecb-winman-winring-name
Support of several window-managers (@pxref{Window-managers and ECB}).
@item ecb-key-map
All ECB-keybindings incl. a common prefix-key (@pxref{Using the
keyboard}).
@item ecb-new-ecb-frame
Should ECB create a new frame at activation time.
@item  ecb-primary-secondary-mouse-buttons
@itemx ecb-mouse-click-destination
Define how to use the mouse (@pxref{Using the mouse}).
@item ecb-tree-buffer-style
@itemx ecb-tree-expand-symbol-before
@itemx ecb-tree-indent
@itemx ecb-truncate-lines
The look&feel of the trees in the tree-buffers. The former option
defines the general style of the tree-buffers and the latter ones
allow to customize the ascii-style tree-buffers (maybe you like a
value of 4 for the latter one if you display the expand-symbol before
(@pxref{Tree-buffer styles}).
@item ecb-source-file-regexps
Which files will (not) be shown in ECB.
@item ecb-layout-name
@itemx ecb-compile-window-height
@itemx ecb-compile-window-width
@itemx ecb-other-window-behavior
The ECB layout, means which windows you want to be displayed in the
ECB-frame and also the location of these windows (@pxref{Changing the
ECB-layout}).
@item ecb-compilation-buffer-names
Which buffers should be treaten as ``compilation-buffers'' and
therefore displayed in the compile-window of ECB - if there is any.
@item  ecb-tag-display-function
@itemx ecb-type-tag-display
@itemx ecb-type-tag-expansion
@itemx ecb-show-tags
How to display the entries in the ECB-method window for semantic
supported sources (@pxref{Customizing the display}). These options
take only effect for semantic-sources (@pxref{Definition of semantic-
and non-semantic-sources}).
@item ecb-process-non-semantic-files
Displaying file-contents for not by semantic supported files too, e.g.
for LaTeX- and perl-sources (@pxref{Non-semantic sources}).
@end table

But to make ECB working best for you it is also recommended to have a
look at @ref{Customizable options}!

@node Customizable options, ,Most important options, Customizing
@section All customizable options of ECB

@noindent
All customization of ECB is divided into the following ``customize
groups''. You can highly customize all the ECB behavior/layout so just
go to these groups and you will see all well documented ECB-options.

@strong{Please note}: All options in the following subsections are
listed without the prefix ``ecb-'' (e.g. the option
@code{ecb-layout-name} is listed with name ``layout-name''). This has
been done for a better readable option index. @xref{Option Index}.

@menu
* ecb-general::                 General customizing ECB
* ecb-tree-buffer::             Customizing the general tree layout
* ecb-directories::             Customizing the ECB-directories-tree
* ecb-sources::                 Customizing the ECB-sources-window
* ecb-methods::                 Customizing the ECB-methods-window
* ecb-history::                 Customizing the ECB-history-window
* ecb-analyse::                 Customizing the ECB-analyse-window
* ecb-symboldef::               Customizing the ECB-symboldef-window
* ecb-layout::                  Customizing the ECB-layout
* ecb-compilation::             Customizing the compile-window
* ecb-create-layout::           Customizing options for creating layouts
* ecb-face-options::            Customizing options for faces
* ecb-faces::                   Customizing the faces
* ecb-help::                    Customizing the online help of ECB
* ecb-eshell::                  Customizing the eshell-integration
* ecb-speedbar::                Customizing the speedbar-integration
* ecb-non-semantic::            Customizing parsing non-semantic sources
* ecb-winman::                  Customizing window-manager support
* ecb-mode-line::               Customizing the tree-buffer-modelines
* ecb-version-control::         Customizing the version-control-support
@end menu

@node ecb-general, ecb-tree-buffer, Customizable options, Customizable options
@subsection Group ecb-general

@noindent
This group contains general settings for the Emacs code browser:

@defopt activate-before-layout-draw-hook
Normal hook run at the end of activating the ecb-package by running
@code{ecb-activate}. This hooks are run after all the internal setup
process but directly before(!) drawing the layout specified in
@code{ecb-layout} (means before dividing the frame into several
windows).

A senseful using of this hook can be maximizing the Emacs-frame for
example, because this should be done before the layout is drawn
because ECB computes the size of the ECB-windows with the current
frame size! If you need a hook-option for the real end of the
activating process (i.e. after the layout-drawing) look at
@code{ecb-activate-hook}.

IMPORTANT: The difference between this hook and
@code{ecb-redraw-layout-before-hook} is that the latter one is
evaluated always before the layout is redrawn (for example after
calling @code{ecb-redraw-layout}) whereas the former one (this hook)
is only evaluated exactly once during the activation-process of ECB.
So during the activation process there is the following sequence of
hooks:
@enumerate
@item @code{ecb-activate-before-layout-draw-hook} \(this one)
@item @code{ecb-redraw-layout-before-hook}
@item <Drawing the layout>
@item @code{ecb-redraw-layout-after-hook}
@item @code{ecb-activate-hook}
@end enumerate
@end defopt

@defopt activate-hook
Hook run at the end of activating ECB by @code{ecb-activate}. This
hooks are run at the real end of the activating process, means after
the layout has been drawn!. If you need hooks which are run direct
before the layout-drawing look at
@code{ecb-activate-before-layout-draw-hook}.
@end defopt

@defopt activation-selects-ecb-frame-if-already-active
Trying to activate an already activated ECB selects the ECB-frame. If
t then the ECB-frame is selected, if nil then it is not. If 'ask then
ECB asks if the ECB-frame should be selected if the current-frame is
not the @code{ecb-frame}.
@end defopt

@defopt auto-activate
Automatically startup ECB when Emacs starts up. This should only be
true if you always want to run @code{ecb-activate}.
@end defopt

@defopt auto-compatibility-check
Check at ECB-startup if all ECB-options have correct values. If not
nil then all ECB-options are checked if their current value have the
correct type. It the type is incorrect the option is either auto.
upgraded to the new type or reset to the default-value of current ECB
if no upgrade is possible. This feature can also upgrade options which
are renamed in current ECB and try to transform the old-value to the
new named option. After startup all upgraded or reset options are
displayed with their old (before upgrade/reset) and new values. See
also the commands @code{ecb-upgrade-options} and
@code{ecb-display-upgraded-options}. If this option is off then the
user can perform the check and reset manually with
@code{ecb-upgrade-options}.
@xref{Auto. option-upgrading}.
@end defopt

@defopt before-activate-hook
Normal hook run at the beginning of activating the ecb-package by
running @code{ecb-activate}. These hooks run before any other tasks of
the activating process are performed. If any of these hooks returns
nil then ECB will not be activated!

This can be used to check some conditions and then only start ECB if
all conditions are true. For example a function could be added which
returns only nil if Gnus is running. Then calling @code{ecb-activate}
or @code{ecb-minor-mode} will only start ECB if Gnus is not already
running.
@end defopt

@defopt before-deactivate-hook
Normal hook run at the beginning of deactivating ECB by running
@code{ecb-deactivate}. These hooks run before any other tasks of the
deactivating process are performed. If any of these hooks returns nil
then ECB will not be deactivated! See also
@code{ecb-before-activate-hook}.
@end defopt

@defopt bucket-node-display
How ECB displays bucket-nodes in a ECB tree-buffer. Bucket-nodes have
only one job: Nodes with similar properties will be dropped into one
bucket for such a common property and all these nodes will be added as
children to the bucket-node. Besides being expandable and collapsable
a bucket-node has no senseful action assigned. Examples for
bucket-nodes are ``[+] Variables, ``[+] Dependencies'' etc. in the
Methods-buffer or buckets which combine filenames with same extension
under a bucket-node with name this extension.

This option defines how bucket-node should be displayed. The name of
the bucket-node is computed by ECB but you can define a prefix, a
suffix and a special face for the bucket-node

The default are empty prefix/suffix-strings and
@code{ecb-bucket-node-face}. But an alternative can be for example
'(``['' ``]'' nil) which means no special face and a display like
``[+] [<bucket-name>]''.
@end defopt


@defopt clear-caches-before-activate
Clear all ECB internal caches before startup. If t then ECB clears all
its internal caches before starting up. Caches are used for files- and
subdirs (see @code{ecb-cache-directory-contents} and
@code{ecb-cache-directory-contents-not}) for semantic-tags and for
the history-filter.

This caches are completely clean at load-time of the ECB-library!

Default is nil, because is makes sense not to clear these caches at
start-time because ECB is often deacticated temporally especially in
combination with window-managers like escreen.el. In these situations
the internal state of ECB should be preserved for next activation.
@end defopt


@defopt deactivate-hook
Normal hook run at the end of deactivating (but before the ecb-layout
is cleared!) ECB by running @code{ecb-deactivate}.
@end defopt

@defopt debug-mode
If not nil ECB displays debug-information in the Messages-buffer. This
is done for some critical situations concerning semantic-tags and
their overlays (or extends for XEmacs). Normally you should not need
this switched on! But if you get errors like ``destroyed extend'' for
XEmacs or ``wrong-argument-type'' concerning overlays for GNU Emacs then
you should switch on this option and submitting a bug-report to the
ecb-mailing-list (@code{ecb-submit-problem-report}) after getting the
error again!
@end defopt

@defopt grep-function
Function used for performing a grep. The popup-menu of the
tree-buffers ``Directories'', ``Sources'' and ``History'' offer to
grep the ``current'' directory:
@itemize @minus
@item
Directory-buffer: The grep is performed in the current popup-directory
after clicking the right mouse-button onto a node.
@item
Sources-buffer: The grep is performed in the current selected directory.
@item
History-buffer: The grep is performed in the directory of the current
popup-source after clicking the right mouse-button onto a node.
@end itemize
@end defopt

@defopt grep-recursive-function
Function used for performing a recursive grep. For more Details see
option `ecb-grep-function' and replace ``grep'' with ``recursive
grep''.
@end defopt

@defopt key-map
Specifies all keybindings for the ECB minor-mode key-map. The value is
a cons-cell where the car is a common-prefix key for all the
keybindings. The cdr is a list of keybindings each of them a list
again. A key-binding has the following form:

@example
'(<common-prefix-flag> <keysequence> <function>) where
@end example

@table @code
@item <common-prefix-flag>
If t then the common-prefix-key defined as car of the value (see above)
is used.

@item <keysequence>
If the common prefix-key is used then the final key-binding is the
concatenation of the common-prefix-key (see above) and this
keysequence.

@item <function>:
The function to bind to the key. This can also be a lambda-expression
.
@end table

It is highly recommended to use one of the standard keys C-c or C-x as
first key of your common-prefix-key!

You MUST change this option via customize to take effect!

All keysequences must be inserted as a string and must follow the
syntax needed by @code{read-kbd-macro} or @code{kbd}. This means you
can insert the key in the same manner @kbd{C-h k} displays keysequences.
Here is the summary of the syntax:

Text is divided into ``words'' separated by whitespace. Except for the words
described below, the characters of each word go directly as characters of the
keysequence. The whitespace that separates words is ignored. Whitespace in the
macro must be written explicitly, as in @kbd{C-c SPC}.

@itemize @bullet
@item
The special words RET, SPC, TAB, DEL, LFD, ESC, and NUL represent
special control characters. The words must be written in uppercase.

@item
A word in angle brackets, e.g., <return>, <down>, <left> or <f1>,
represents a function key. (Note that in the standard configuration,
the function key <return> and the control key RET are synonymous.).
You can use angle brackets on the words RET, SPC, etc., but they are
not required there.

@item
Keys can be written by their ASCII code, using a backslash followed by
up to six octal digits. This is the only way to represent keys with
codes above ÿ.

@item
One or more prefixes M- (meta), C- (control), S- (shift), A- (alt), H-
(hyper), and s- (super) may precede a character or key notation. For
function keys, the prefixes may go inside or outside of the brackets:
C-<down> = <C-down>. The prefixes may be written in any order: M-C-x =
C-M-x. Prefixes are not allowed on multi-key words, e.g., C-abc,
except that the Meta prefix is allowed on a sequence of digits and
optional minus sign: M--123 = M-- M-1 M-2 M-3.

@item
The @code{^} notation for control characters also works: ^M = C-m.
@end itemize
@end defopt

@defopt major-modes-show-or-hide
List of major-modes which show or hide the ecb-windows. The value is a
cons-cell where the car contains all major-mode-symbols which should
show the special ecb-windows and the cdr contains all
major-mode-symbols which should hide the special ecb-windows. If the
symbol of a major-mode is neither contained in the car-``show-list''
nor in the cdr-``hide-list'' then the visibility-state of the
ecb-windows does not change.
@end defopt


@defopt minor-mode-text
String to display in the mode line when ECB minor mode is active.
(When the string is not empty, make sure that it has a leading space.)

Because for ECB it is quite obvious if it is active or not when the
ECB-windows are visible this text is only display in the modeline if
the ECB-windows are hidden.
@end defopt


@defopt run-ediff-in-ecb-frame
Run ediff-sessions in the same frame as ECB is running.
If not nil then ECB ensures that ediff runs in the same frame as ECB and ECB
restores exactly the ``before-ediff''-window-layout after quiting ediff. If
nil then ediff decides in which frame it will run - depending on the current
window-layout (e.g. if the ecb-windows are currently hidden) this can be the
ecb-frame but this can also be a newly created frame or any other frame.
@end defopt

@defopt stealthy-tasks-delay
Time Emacs must be idle before ECB runs its stealthy tasks. Currently
ECB performes the following stealthy tasks:

@table @asis
@item Prescann directories for emptyness
Prescann directories and display them as empty or not-empty in the
directories-buffer. See the documentation of the option
@code{ecb-prescan-directories-for-emptyness} for a description.

@item File is read only
Check if sourcefile-items of the directories- or sources-buffer are
read-only or not. See documentation of the option
@code{ecb-sources-perform-read-only-check}.

@item Version-control-state
Checks the version-control-state of files in directories which are
managed by a VC-backend. See the option @code{ecb-vc-enable-support}.

@end table

Here the interval is defined ECB has to be idle before starting with
these stealthy tasks. It can be a floating-point value in seconds. The
value can also be changed during running ECB.
@end defopt



@defopt tip-of-the-day
Show tip of the day at start time of ECB.
@end defopt

@defopt tip-of-the-day-file
File where tip-of-the-day cursor is stored.
@end defopt

@defopt use-recursive-edit
Tell ECB to use a recursive edit. If set then it can easily be
deactivated by (keyboard-escape-quit).
@end defopt

@defopt version-check
Checks at start-time if the requirements are fulfilled. It checks if the
required versions of CEDET is installed and loaded into Emacs.

It is strongly recommended to set this option to not @code{nil}!
@end defopt


@node ecb-tree-buffer, ecb-directories, ecb-general, Customizable options
@subsection Group ecb-tree-buffer

@noindent
This group contains general settings related to the tree-buffers of
ECB:

@defopt basic-buffer-sync
Synchronize the basic ECB-buffers automatically with current edit buffer.

The basic ECB-buffers are the buffers for directories, sources, methods and
history.

If 'always then the synchronization takes place always a buffer changes in the
edit window, if nil then never. If a list of major-modes then only if the
@code{major-mode} of the new buffer belongs NOT to this list.

But in every case the synchronization takes only place if the current-buffer
in the edit-window has a relation to files or directories. Examples for the
former one are all programming-language-modes, @code{Info-mode} too, an
example for the latter one is @code{dired-mode}. For all major-modes related
to non-file/directory-buffers like @code{help-mode}, @code{customize-mode} and
others never an autom. synchronization will be done!

It's recommended to exclude at least @code{Info-mode} because it makes no
sense to synchronize the ECB-windows after calling the Info help. Per default
also @code{dired-mode} is excluded but it can also making sense to synchronize
the ECB-directories/sources windows with the current directory in the
dired-buffer.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Every time the synchronization is done the hook
@code{ecb-basic-buffer-sync-hook} is evaluated.
@end defopt

@defopt basic-buffer-sync-delay
Time Emacs must be idle before the special ECB-buffers are synchronized.
Synchronizing is done with the current source displayed in the edit window. If
nil then there is no delay, means synchronization takes place immediately. A
small value of about 0.25 seconds saves CPU resources and you get even though
almost the same effect as if you set no delay.
@end defopt

@defopt basic-buffer-sync-hook
Hook run at the end of @code{ecb-basic-buffer-sync}.
See documentation of @code{ecb-basic-buffer-sync} for conditions when
synchronization takes place and so in turn these hooks are evaluated.

Precondition for such a hook:
Current buffer is the buffer of the currently selected edit-window.

Postcondition for such a hook:
Point must stay in the same edit-window as before evaluating the hook.

Important note: If the option @code{ecb-basic-buffer-sync} is not nil
the function @code{ecb-basic-buffer-sync} is running either every time
Emacs is idle or even after every command (see
@code{ecb-basic-buffer-sync-delay}). So these hooks can be really
called very often! Therefore each function of this hook
should/must check in an efficient way at beginning if its task
have to be really performed and then do them only if really
necessary! Otherwise performance of Emacs could slow down
dramatically!

It is strongly recommended that each function added to this hook uses the
macro @code{ecb-do-if-buffer-visible-in-ecb-frame} at beginning! See
@code{ecb-speedbar-buffer-sync} and @code{ecb-eshell-buffer-sync} for
examples how to use this macro!
@end defopt

@defopt bucket-node-display
How ECB displays bucket-nodes in a ECB tree-buffer.
Bucket-nodes have only one job: Nodes with similar properties will be dropped
into one bucket for such a common property and all these nodes will be added
as children to the bucket-node. Besides being expandable and collapsable a
bucket-node has no senseful action assigned. Examples for bucket-nodes are
''[+] Variables'', ``[+] Dependencies'' etc. in the Methods-buffer or buckets
which combine filenames with same extension under a bucket-node with name this
extension.

This option defines how bucket-node should be displayed. The name of the
bucket-node is computed by ECB but you can define a prefix, a suffix and a
special face for the bucket-node

The default are empty prefix/suffix-strings and @code{ecb-bucket-node-face}. But
an alternative can be for example '(''['' ``]'' nil) which means no special
face and a display like ``[+] [<bucket-name>]''.
@end defopt


@defopt common-tree-buffer-after-create-hook
Local hook running at the end of each tree-buffer creation. Every
function of this hook is called once without arguments direct after
creating a tree-buffer of ECB and it's local key-map. So for example a
function could be added which performs calls of @code{local-set-key}
to define new keybindings for EVERY tree-buffer.

The following keys must not be rebind in all tree-buffers:
@itemize @minus
@item @kbd{RET} and all combinations with @kbd{Shift} and @kbd{Ctrl}
@item @kbd{TAB}
@item @code{C-t}
@end itemize
@end defopt

@defopt mouse-click-destination
Destination of a mouse-button click. Defines in which edit-window (if
splitted) ECB does the ``right'' action (opening a source, jumping to
a method/variable etc.) after clicking with the primary mouse-button
(see @code{ecb-primary-secondary-mouse-buttons}) onto a node. There
are two possible choices:

@itemize @minus
@item @code{left-top}:
Does the ``right'' action always in the left/topmost edit-window.
@item @code{last-point}:
Does the ``right'' action always in that edit-window which had the point
before.
@end itemize
This is if the user has clicked either with the primary mouse-button or
has activated a popup-menu in the tree-buffer.

If the edit-area is not splitted this setting doesn't matter.

A click with the secondary mouse-button (see again
@code{ecb-primary-secondary-mouse-buttons} does the ``right'' action
always in another edit-window related to the setting in this option:
If there are two edit-windows then the ``other'' edit-window is used
and for more than 2 edit-windows the ``next'' edit-window is used
(whereas the next edit-window of the last edit-window is the first
edit-window).

Note: If the tree-buffers are used with the keyboard instead with the
mouse then this option takes effect too because @kbd{RET} is
interpreted as primary mouse-button and @kbd{C-RET} as secondary
mouse-button!
@end defopt


@defopt primary-secondary-mouse-buttons
Primary- and secondary mouse button for using the ECB-buffers. A click
with the primary button causes the main effect in each ECB-buffer:

@itemize @bullet
@item ECB Directories:
Expanding/collapsing nodes and displaying files in the ECB
Sources buffer.

@item ECB sources/history:
Opening the file in that edit-window specified by the option
@code{ecb-mouse-click-destination}.

@item ECB Methods:
Jumping to the method in that edit-window specified by the option
@code{ecb-mouse-click-destination}.
@end itemize

A click with the primary mouse-button while the SHIFT-key is pressed called
the POWER-click and does the following (depending on the ECB-buffer where the
POWER-click occurs):

@itemize @bullet
@item ECB Directories:
Refreshing the directory-contents-cache (see
@code{ecb-cache-directory-contents}).

@item ECB sources/history:
Only displaying the source-contents in the method-buffer but not
displaying the source-file in the edit-window.

@item ECB Methods:
Narrowing to the clicked method/variable/ect... (see
@code{ecb-tag-visit-post-actions}). This works only for semantic
supported sources but not for imenu- or etags-supported ones!
@end itemize

In addition always the whole node-name is displayed in the minibuffer after a
POWER-click (for this see also @code{ecb-methods-show-node-info}).

The secondary mouse-button is for opening (jumping to) the file in
another edit-window (see the documentation
@code{ecb-mouse-click-destination}).

The following combinations are possible:

@itemize @minus
@item
primary: mouse-2, secondary: C-mouse-2 (means mouse-2 while CTRL-key is
pressed). This is the default setting.
@item
primary: mouse-1, secondary: C-mouse-1
@item
primary: mouse-1, secondary: mouse-2
@end itemize

Please note: If the tree-buffers are used with the keyboard instead
with the mouse then @kbd{RET} is interpreted as primary mouse-button and
@kbd{C-RET} as secondary mouse-button!

If you change this during ECB is activated you must deactivate and
activate ECB again to take effect
@end defopt



@defopt tree-buffer-style
The style of the tree-buffers.
There are three different styles available:

Image-style (value @code{image}): Very nice and modern - just try it. For this
style the options @code{ecb-tree-indent} and
@code{ecb-tree-expand-symbol-before} have no effect! The value 'image means
use image-style if images can be displayed with current Emacs-setup
\(otherwise auto. 'ascii-style is used). Note: GNU Emacs <= 21.3.X for Windows
does not support image-display so ECB uses always 'ascii-guides even when here
'image is set!

Ascii-style with guide-lines (value @code{ascii-guides}):
@example
@group
[-] ECB
 |  [+] code-save
 `- [-] ecb-images
     |  [-] directories
     |   |  [-] height-15
     |   |   |  * close.xpm
     |   |   |  * empty.xpm
     |   |   |  * leaf.xpm
     |   |   `- * open.xpm
     |   |  [+] height-17
     |   |  [+] height-19
     |   `- [+] height-21
     |  [x] history
     |  [x] methods
     `- [x] sources
@end group
@end example

Ascii-style without guide-lines (value @code{ascii-no-guides}) - this
is the style used by ECB <= 1.96:
@example
@group
[-] ECB
    [+] code-save
    [-] ecb-images
        [-] directories
            [-] height-15
                * close.xpm
                * empty.xpm
                * leaf.xpm
                * open.xpm
            [+] height-17
            [+] height-19
            [+] height-21
        [x] history
        [x] methods
        [x] sources
@end group
@end example

With both ascii-styles the tree-layout can be affected with the
options @code{ecb-tree-indent} and
@code{ecb-tree-expand-symbol-before}.
@end defopt

@defopt tree-do-not-leave-window-after-select
Tree-buffers which stay selected after a key- or mouse-selection. If a
buffer (either its name or the variable-symbol which holds the name)
is contained in this list then selecting a tree-node either by RET or
by a mouse-click doesn't leave that tree-buffer after the
node-selection but performes only the appropriate action (opening a
new source, selecting a method etc.) but point stays in the
tree-buffer. In tree-buffers not contained in this option normaly a
node-selection selects as ``last'' action the right edit-window or
maximizes the next senseful tree-buffer in case of a currently
maximized tree-buffer (see
@code{ecb-maximize-next-after-maximized-select}).

The buffer-name can either be defined as plain string or with a symbol
which contains the buffer-name as value. The latter one is recommended
for the builtin ECB-tree-buffers because then simply the related
option-symbol can be used.

A special remark for the @code{ecb-directories-buffer-name}: Of course
here the value of this option is only relevant if the name of the
current layout is contained in
@code{ecb-show-sources-in-directories-buffer} or if the value of
@code{ecb-show-sources-in-directories-buffer} is 'always and the
clicked ot hitted node represents a sourcefile (otherwise this would
not make any sense)!

The setting in this option is only the default for each tree-buffer.
With the command @code{ecb-toggle-do-not-leave-window-after-select}
the behavior of a node-selection can be changed fast and easy in a
tree-buffer without customizing this option, but of course not for
future Emacs sessions!
@end defopt


@defopt tree-easy-hor-scroll
Scroll step for easy hor. scrolling via mouse-click in tree-buffers.
XEmacs has horizontal scroll-bars so invisible parts beyond the right
window-border of a tree-buffer can always made visible very easy.

GNU Emacs does not have hor. scroll-bars so especially with the mouse
it is quite impossible to scroll smoothly right and left. The
functions @code{scroll-left} and @code{scroll-right} can be annoying
and are also not bound to mouse-buttons.

If this option is a positive integer S then in all ECB-tree-buffers
the keys @kbd{M-mouse-1} and @code{M-mouse-3} are bound to scrolling
left rsp. right with scroll-step S - clicking with @kbd{mouse-1} or
@kbd{mouse-2} onto the edge of the modeline has the same effect, i.e.
if you click with mouse-1 onto the left (rsp right) edge of the
modeline you will scroll left (rsp. right).

Additionally @code{C-M-mouse-1} and @code{C-M-mouse-3} are bound to
scrolling left rsp. right with scroll-step @code{window-width} - 2.

Default is a scroll-step of 5. If the value is @code{nil} then no keys
for horizontal scrolling are bound.
@end defopt

@defopt tree-expand-symbol-before
Show the expand symbol before the items in a tree. When the
expand-symbol is located before the items then the tree looks like:

@example
@group
[-] ECB
    [+] code-save
    [-] ecb-images
        [-] directories
@end group
@end example

When located after then the tree looks like:

@example
@group
ECB [-]
  code-save [+]
  ecb-images [-]
    directories [-]
@end group
@end example

The after-example above use a value of 2 for @code{ecb-tree-indent}
whereas the before-example uses a value of 4.

It is recommended to display the expand-symbol before because
otherwise it could be that with a deep nested item-structure with
and/or with long item-names (e.g. a deep directory-structure with some
long subdirectory-names) the expand-symbol is not visible in the
tree-buffer and the tree-buffer has to be horizontal scrolled to
expand an item.
@end defopt

@defopt tree-image-icons-directories
Directories where the images for the tree-buffer can be found. This is
a cons cell where:

car: Default directory where the default images for the tree-buffer
can be found. It should contain an image for every name of
@code{tree-buffer-tree-image-names}. The name of an image-file must
be: ``ecb-<NAME of TREE-BUFFER-TREE-IMAGE-NAMES>.<ALLOWED
EXTENSIONS>''.

cdr: This is a list where each element is a cons again with: car is
the buffer name of the tree-buffer for which a special image-path
should be used. The buffer-name can either be defined as plain string
or with a symbol which contains the buffer-name as value. The latter
one is recommended for the builtin ECB-tree-buffers because then
simply the related option-symbol can be used (e.g. the symbol
@code{ecb-directories-buffer-name}). The cdr is the the full-path of
an additional image-directorie which is searched first for images
needed for the related tree-buffer. If the image can not be found in
this directory then the default-directory (see above) is searched. If
the image can't even be found there the related ascii-symbol is used -
which is defined in @code{tree-buffer-tree-image-names}. If a
tree-buffer is not contained in this list then there is no additional
special image-directory for it.

ECB comes with predefined images in several different heights - so for
the most senseful font-heights of a tree-buffer a fitting image-size
should be available. The images reside either in the subdirectory
``ecb-images'' of the ECB-installation or - if ECB is installed as
regular XEmacs-package - in the ECB-etc data-directory (the directory
returned by (locate-data-directory ``ecb'').
@end defopt


@defopt tree-incremental-search
Enable incremental search in the ECB-tree-buffers. For a detailed
explanation see the online help section ``Working with the keyboard in
the ECB buffers''. If you change this during ECB is activated you must
deactivate and activate ECB again to take effect.
@end defopt

@defopt tree-indent
Indent size for tree buffer. If you change this during ECB is
activated you must deactivate and activate ECB again to take effect.
@end defopt

@defopt tree-make-parent-node-sticky
Make the parent-node sticky in the headerline of the tree-buffer.

If not nil then the first line of the tree-buffer is used as header-line which
is used to display the next unvisible parent of the first visible node as
sticky, so always the parent of a node is visible and clickable. If a node has
no parent then just the next node above is displayed in the header-line. The
node displayed in the header-line is exactly in the same manner clickable as
all other nodes.

See also @code{ecb-tree-stickynode-indent-string}.

This feature is only available with Gnu Emacs, not with XEmacs.
@end defopt

@defopt tree-mouse-action-trigger
When the tree-buffer mouse-action should be triggered. This option
determines the moment a mouse-action in a tree-buffer is triggered.
This can be either direct after pressing a mouse-button (value
@code{button-press}) or not until releasing the mouse-button (value:
@code{button-release}).

If you change this during ECB is activated you must deactivate and
activate ECB again to take effect!
@end defopt


@defopt tree-navigation-by-arrow
Enable smart navigation in the tree-windows by horiz. arrow-keys. If
not nil then the left- and right-arrow keys work in the ECB
tree-window in the following smart way if onto an expandable node:

@itemize @bullet
@item Left-arrow:
If node is expanded then it will be collapsed otherwise point jumps to
the next ``higher'' node in the hierarchical tree (higher means the next
higher tree-level or - if no higher level available - the next higher
node on the same level).

@item Right-arrow:
If node is not expanded then it will be expanded. Onto a not
expandable node the horizontal arrow-keys go one character in the
senseful correct direction.
@end itemize

If this option is changed the new value takes first effect after deactivating
ECB and then activating it again!
@end defopt

@defopt tree-stickynode-indent-string
String used to indent the stickynode.
This string is used to match the space used by scrollbars and
fringe so it does not appear that the node-name is moving left/right
when it lands in the sticky line.

Normally the needed value is computed automatically by ECB. But if the result
is not matching this option allows to customize the indent-string. The default
value is computed by the function
@code{tree-buffer-sticky-default-indent-string}, so you can change the needed
value with that starting-point.

Changing this option takes only effect after restarting Emacs!
@end defopt

@defopt tree-truncate-lines
Truncate lines in ECB buffers. If a buffer (either its name or the
variable-symbol which holds the name) is contained in this list then
line-truncation is switched on for this buffer otherwise it is off.

The buffer-name can either be defined as plain string or with a symbol
which contains the buffer-name as value. The latter one is recommended
to switch on line-truncation for one of the builtin ECB-tree-buffers
because then simply the related option-symbol can be used. To truncate
lines in the builtin directories tree-buffer just add the symbol
@code{ecb-directories-buffer-name} to this option.

If you change this during ECB is activated you must deactivate and
activate ECB again to take effect.
@end defopt

@defopt truncate-long-names
Truncate long names that don't fit in the width of the ECB windows. If
you change this during ECB is activated you must deactivate and
activate ECB again to take effect.
@end defopt


@node ecb-directories, ecb-sources, ecb-tree-buffer, Customizable options
@subsection Group ecb-directories

@noindent
This group contains settings for the directories-buffer in the ECB:

@defopt add-path-for-not-matching-files
Add path of a file to @code{ecb-source-path} if not already contained.
This is done during the auto. windows synchronization which happens if
a file is opened not via the file/directory-browser of ECB. In such a
situation ECB adds the path of the new file auto. to
@code{ecb-source-path} at least temporally for the current Emacs
session. This option defines two things:

@enumerate
@item
Should only the root-part (which means for Unix-like systems always
'/' and for windows-like systems the drive) of the new file be added
as source-path to @code{ecb-source-path} or the whole directory-part?
For remote-files (e.g. tramp, ange-ftp- or efs-files) the root-part is
the complete host-part + the root-dir at that host (example:
/berndl@@ecb.sourceforge.net:/ would be the root-part of
/berndl@@ecb.sourceforge.net:/tmp/test.txt).
@item
Should this path be added for future sessions too?
@end enumerate

The value of this option is a cons-cell where the car is a boolean for
1. and the cdr is a boolean for 2.

A value of not nil for the car (1.) is reasonably if a user often
opens files not via the ECB-browser which are not located in any of
the paths of @code{ecb-source-path} because then only one path for
each drive (windows) or the root-path (Unix) is added to the directory
buffer of ECB.
@end defopt

@defopt auto-expand-directory-tree
Automatically expand the directory tree to the current source file.
There are three options:

@itemize @minus
@item @code{best}: Expand the best-matching source-path
@item @code{first}: Expand the first matching source-path
@item @code{nil}: Do not automatically expand the directory tree.
@end itemize
@end defopt

@defopt after-directory-change-hook
Hook which run directly after the selected directory has changed. This means
not onyl after a click onto a directory in the directory-window of ECB but it
means this hook runs always when the current directory changes regardless of
the trigger of this change. So for example it runs also when you just switches
from one buffer to another via @code{switch-to-buffer} or
@code{switch-to-buffer-other-window} and the directory of these filebuffers is
different but only when auto-synchronizing of the ECB-windows is on (see
@code{ecb-basic-buffer-sync}). It runs not when switching between buffers and
the associated files reside in the same directory.

Each function added to this hook will be called with two arguments:
The directory which was current _before_ the directory-change-trigger
and the directory which was now the current (i.e. after the trigger).

Example: If you switch from a filebuffer ``~/.emacs'' to a filebuffer
``/tmp/test.txt'' then the functions of this hook will be called with
the two arguments ``~'' and ``/tmp''.
@end defopt



@defopt cache-directory-contents
Cache contents of directories.

This can be useful if @code{ecb-source-path} contains directories with
many files and subdirs, especially if these directories are mounted
net-drives (``many'' means here something > 500, dependent of the
speed of the net-connection and the machine). Or if it contains
remote-source-paths which means paths in the sense of tramp, ange-ftp
or efs. For these directories actualizing the sources- and/or
directories- buffer of ECB (if displayed in current layout!) can slow
down dramatically so a caching increases speed a lot.
 
The value of this option is a list where each element is a cons-cell
and looks like:

@example
  (<dir-regexp> . <filenumber threshold>) with
@end example

@table @code
@item <dir-regexp>:
Regular expression a directory must match to be cached.
@item <filenumber threshold>:
Number of directory contents must exceed this number.
@end table

A directory will only be cached if and only if the directory-name
matches at least one rexexp of this option and its content-number
exceeds the related threshold AND the directory-name matches NOT any
regexp of @code{ecb-cache-directory-contents-not}!

The cache entry for a certain directory will be refreshed and
actualized only by using the POWER-click (see
@code{ecb-primary-secondary-mouse-buttons}) in the directories-buffer
of ECB (@pxref{Using the mouse}).

Default-value: ECB caches the contents of all remote directories
regardless of the size and all other directories if more than 50
entries are contained.

Examples:

An entry @code{("/usr/home/john_smith/bigdir*" . 1000)} means the
contents of every subdirectory of the home-directory of John Smith
will be cached if the directory contains more than 1000 entries and
its name begins with ``bigdir''.

An entry @code{(".*" . 1000)} caches every directory which has more
than 1000 entries.

An entry @code{("^/\\([^:/]*@@\\)?\\([^@@:/]*\\):.*" . 0)} caches
every remote (in the sense of tramp, ange-ftp or efs) directory
regardless of the number of entries."

Please note: If you want your home-dir being cached then you MUST NOT
use ``~'' because ECB tries always to match full path-names!
@end defopt

@defopt cache-directory-contents-not
Do not cache the contents of certain directories. The value of this
option is a list where the each element is a regular expression a
directory must match if it should not being cached.

If a directory-name matches at least one of the regexps of this option
the directory-contents will never being cached. See
@code{ecb-cache-directory-contents} to see when a directory will be
cached.

This option can be useful when normally all directories with a certain
amount of content (files and subdirs) should be cached but some
special directories not. This can be achieved by:

@itemize @minus
@item
Setting @code{ecb-cache-directory-contents} to ((``.*'' . 500)):
Caches all directories with more then 500 entries

@item
Setting @code{ecb-cache-directory-contents-not} to a value which
matches these directories which should not being cached (e.g.
(``/usr/home/john_smith'') excludes the HOME-directory of John Smith
from being cached).
@end itemize

Please note: If you want your home-dir exclude from being cached then
you MUST NOT use ``~'' because ECB tries always to match full
path-names!
@end defopt



@defopt directories-buffer-after-create-hook
Local hook running after the creation of the directories-buffer. Every
function of this hook is called once without arguments direct after
creating the directories-buffer of ECB and it's local key-map. So for
example a function could be added which performs calls of
@code{local-set-key} to define new keybindings only for the
directories-buffer of ECB.

The following keys must not be rebind in the directories-buffer:
@kbd{F2}, @kbd{F3} and @kbd{F4}
@end defopt


@defopt directories-buffer-name
Name of the ECB directory buffer. Because it is not a normal buffer
for editing you should enclose the name with stars, e.g. `` *ECB
Directories*''.

If it is necessary for you you can get emacs-lisp access to the buffer-object of
the ECB-directory-buffer by this name, e.g. by a call of @code{set-buffer}.

Changes for this option at runtime will take affect only after
deactivating and then activating ECB again!
@end defopt

@defopt directories-menu-sorter
Function which re-sorts the menu-entries of the directories buffer.

If a function then this function is called to re-arrange the
menu-entries of the combined menu-entries of the user-menu-extensions
of @code{ecb-directories-menu-user-extension} and the built-in-menu
@code{ecb-directories-menu}. If nil then no special sorting will be
done and the user-extensions are placed in front of the
built-in-entries.

The function get one argument, a list of menu-entries. For the format
of this argument see @code{ecb-directories-menu-user-extension}. The
function must return a new list in the same format. Of course this
function can not only re-arrange the entries but also delete entries
or add new entries.
@end defopt


@defopt directories-menu-user-extension
Static user extensions for the popup-menu of the directories buffer.
Value is a list of elements of the following type: Each element
defines a new menu-entry and is either:

@enumerate
@item Menu-command:
A list containing two sub-elements, whereas the first is the function
(a function symbol) being called if the menu-entry is selected and the
second is the name of the menu-entry.

@item Separator:
A one-element-list and the element is the string ``---'': Then a
non-selectable menu-separator is displayed.

@item Submenu:
A list where the first element is the title of the submenu displayed
in the main-menu and all other elements are either menu-commands (see
1) or separators (see 2) or another submenu (see c). This allows deep
nested menu-submenu-structures. Currently a level of 4 is allowed but
in general there could be an infinite depth of nesting but it makes no
sense - if possible at all - to define infinite nested
defcustom-types. So there is a limit of 4 levels but tis is not a hard
limit: Just increase the value of the @code{ecb-max-submenu-depth}
@strong{BEFORE} first loading ECB!
@end enumerate

The function of a menu-command must follow the following guidelines:
Such a function must be defined with the macro
@code{tree-buffer-defpopup-command}! This macro defines a new
popup-command whereas the newly defined command gets one argument
@var{NODE}. See the docstring of @code{tree-buffer-defpopup-command}
for further details.

Example for the definition of such a menu-function:

@example
(tree-buffer-defpopup-command ecb-my-special-dir-popup-function
  "Prints the name of the directory of the node under point."
  (let ((node-data=dir (tree-node-get-data node)))
     (message ``Dir under node: %s'' node-data=dir)))
@end example

Per default the static user-extensions are added at the beginning of
the built-in menu-entries of @code{ecb-directories-menu} but the whole
menu can be re-arranged with @code{ecb-directories-menu-sorter}.

These menu-extensions are static. A dynamic menu-extension can be
achieved via @code{ecb-directories-menu-user-extension-function}.
@end defopt

@defopt directories-menu-user-extension-function
Dynamic user extensions for the popup-menu of the directories buffer.
A function which has to return a list in the same format like the
option @code{ecb-directories-menu-user-extension}. This function is
called when the user opens the popup-menu for the directories buffer.

If no dynamically evaluated menu-extensions should be added to the
directories-buffer the function has to return nil. Therefore the
default-value of this option is @code{ignore}.

Per default the dynamic user-extensions are added in front of the
static extensions of @code{ecb-directories-menu-user-extension} but
the whole menu can be re-arranged with
@code{ecb-directories-menu-sorter}.
@end defopt

@defopt directories-show-node-info
When to display which node-info in the directories-buffer.
Define which node info should be displayed after moving the mouse
over a node (or after a shift click onto the node) in the
directories-buffer.

You can define ``when'' a node-info should be displayed:
@itemize @minus
@item always: Node info is displayed by moving with the mouse over a node.
@item if-too-long: Node info is only displayed by moving with the mouse over a
node does not fit into the window-width of the tree-buffer window.
In the ECB directories buffer this means also if a node is shortend or if
the node has an alias (see @code{ecb-source-path}).
@item shift-click: Node info is only displayed after a shift click with the
primary mouse button onto the node.
@item never: Node info is never displayed.
@end itemize

You can define ``which'' info should be displayed:
@itemize @minus
@item name: Only the full node-name is displayed.
@item path: The full-path of the node is displayed.
@end itemize

Do NOT set this option directly via setq but use always customize!
@end defopt

@defopt display-default-dir-after-start
Automatically display current default-directory after activating ECB.

If a file-buffer is displayed in the current active edit-window then
ECB synchronizes its basic tree-buffers to this file-buffer - at least if
the option @code{ecb-basic-buffer-sync} it not nil. So for this situation
@code{ecb-display-default-dir-after-start} takes no effect but this
option is for the case if no file-buffer is displayed in the
edit-window after startup:

If true then ECB selects autom. the current default-directory after
activation even if no file-buffer is displayed in the current active
edit-window. This is useful if ECB is autom. activated after startup
of Emacs and Emacs is started without a file-argument. So the
directory from which the startup has performed is auto. selected in
the ECB-directories buffer and the ECB-sources buffer displays the
contents of this directory.
@end defopt


@defopt excluded-directories-regexps
Directories that should not be included in the directories list. The
value of this variable should be a list of regular expression.
@end defopt

@defopt prescan-directories-for-emptyness
Prescan directories for emptyness. ECB does this so directories are
displayed as empty in the directories-buffer even without
user-interaction (i.e. in previous ECB-versions the emptyness of a
directory has been first checked when the user has clicked onto a
directory). ECB optimizes this check as best as possible but if a
directory contains a lot of subdirectories which contain in turn a lot
of entries, then expanding such a directory or selecting it would take
of course more time as without this check - at least at the first time
(all following selects of a directory uses the cached information if
its subdirectories are empty or not). Therefore ECB performs this
check stealthy (see @code{ecb-stealthy-tasks-delay}) so normally there
should no performance-decrease or additional waiting-time for the
user. There is one exception: For remote directories (in the sense of
tramp, ange-ftp, or efs) this check can descrease performance even if
performed stealthy and interruptable. Therefore this option offers
three possible settings:

@itemize @bullet
@item @code{t}
Switch on this feature

@item @code{unless-remote}
Switch on this feature but not for remote directories. The term
``remote'' means here directories which are used via tramp, ange-ftp
or efs. So mounted directories are counted not as remote directories
here even if such a directory is maybe hosted on a remote machine. But
normally only directories in a LAN are mounted so there should be no
performance-problems with such mounted directories.

@item @code{nil}
Switch off this feature completely.
@end itemize

The option @code{ecb-prescan-directories-exclude-regexps} offers are
more fine granularity to exclude certain directories from this
prescan.
@end defopt

@defopt host-accessible-check-valid-time
Time in seconds a cached accessible-state of a remote host is valid.
This option is a list where each element specifies how long for a
certain remote host the cached ping-state (i.e. if the host is
accessible or not) should be valid. During this time-intervall ECB
pings such a remote host only once, all other checks use the cached
value of that real check. But it the cached value is older than the
value of this option ECB will ping again.

Per default ECB discards after 1 minute the cached ping-state of each
remote host. But if you are sure that a certain remote host is always
accessible (i.e. means in consequence that you are always online when
working with ECB and remote-paths) then add an entry to this option
with a high valid-interval.

Examples: An entry (``.*sourceforge.*'' . 3600) ensures that all
remote hosts machting the string ``sourceforge'' will only once pinged
during one hour. Or (``.*'' . 300) would ensure that every remote host
would be pinged only once during 5 minutes.
@end defopt

@defopt ping-options
List of options for the ping program. These options can be used to
limit how many ICMP packets are emitted. Ping is used to test if a
remote host of a remote path (e.g. a tramp-, ange-ftp- or efs-path) is
accessible See also @code{ecb-ping-program}.
@end defopt

@defopt ping-program
Program to send network test packets to a host. See also
@code{ecb-ping-options}.
@end defopt

@defopt prescan-directories-exclude-regexps
Which directories should be excluded from the empty-prescan. If a
directory matches any of the regexps of this option it will not be
prescanned for emptyness - This option takes only effect if
@code{ecb-prescan-directories-for-emptyness} is not nil.
@end defopt


@defopt show-sources-in-directories-buffer
Show source files in directories buffer.
@end defopt

@defopt source-path
Paths where to find code sources. Each path can have an optional alias
that is used as it's display name. If no alias is set, the path is
used as display name.

Lisp-type of tis option: The value must be a list L whereas each
element of L is either
@itemize @minus
@item
a simple string which has to be the full path of a directory (this
string is displayed in the directory-browser of ECB) or

@item
a 2-elemet list whereas the first element is the full path of a
directory (string) and the second element is an arbitrary alias
(string) for this directory which is then displayed instead of the
underlying directory.
@end itemize
@end defopt



@defopt use-speedbar-instead-native-tree-buffer
If true then uses speedbar for directories, sources or methods. This
means that speedbar is integrated in the ECB-frame and is displayed in
that window normally displaying the standard ECB-directories-buffer,
ECB-sources-buffer or ECB-methods-buffer.

This option takes effect in all layouts which contain either a
directory window, a sources window or a method window.

This option can have four valid values:
@itemize @minus
@item @code{nil}: Do not use speedbar (default)
@item @code{dir}: Use speedbar instead of the standard directories-buffer
@item @code{source}: Use speedbar instead of the standard sources-buffer
@item @code{method}: Use speedbar instead of the standard methods-buffer
@end itemize

Note: For directories and sources a similar effect and usability is
available by setting this option to @code{nil} (or @code{method}) and
setting @code{ecb-show-sources-in-directories-buffer} to not
@code{nil}, because this combination displays also directories and
sources in one window.

@code{ecb-use-speedbar-instead-native-tree-buffer} is for people who
like the speedbar way handling directories and source-files or methods
and want it in conjunction with ECB.
@end defopt


@node ecb-sources, ecb-methods, ecb-directories, Customizable options
@subsection Group ecb-sources

@noindent
This group contains settings for the sources-buffer in the ECB:

@defopt read-only-check-exclude-regexps
Which directories should be excluded from the sources-read-only-check.
If a directory matches any of the regexps of this option their sources
will not be checked if they are writable - This option takes only
effect if @code{ecb-sources-perform-read-only-check} is not nil.
@end defopt

@defopt show-source-file-extension
Show the file extension of source files.
@end defopt

@defopt source-file-regexps
Specifies which files are shown as source files.

This is done on directory-base, which means for each directory-regexp
the files to display can be specified. If more than one
directory-regexp matches the current selected directory then always the
first one (and its related file-exclude/include-regexps) is used! If
no directory-regexp matches then all files are displayed for the
currently selected directory.

Important note: It is recommended that the *LAST* element of this list
should contain an always matching directory-regexp (@code{".*"})!

So the value of this option is a list of cons-cells where the car is a
directory regexp and the cdr is a 2 element list where the first
element is a list of exclude regexps and the second element is a list
of include regexps. A file is displayed in the source-buffer of ECB
iff: The file does not match any of the exclude regexps OR the file
matches at least one of the include regexps.

But regardless of the value of this option a file F is never displayed
in the sources-buffer if the directory matches
@code{ecb-sources-exclude-cvsignore} and the directory contains a file
.cvsignore which contains F as an entry!

There are three predefined and useful combinations of an exclude and
include regexp:

@itemize @bullet
@item All files

@item All, but no backup, object, lib or ini-files (except .emacs and .gnus). This
means all files except those starting with ``.'', ``#'' or ending with
``~'', ``.elc'', ``.obj'', ``.o'', ``.lib'', ``.dll'', ``.a'',
``.so''. (but including .emacs and .gnus)

@item Common source file types (.c, .java etc.)
@end itemize

In addition to these predefined values a custom exclude and include
combination can be defined.

Tips for the directory- and file-rexexps: @code{"$^"} matches no
files/directories, @code{".*"} matches all files/directories.
@end defopt

@defopt sources-buffer-after-create-hook
Local hook running after the creation of the sources-buffer. Every
function of this hook is called once without arguments direct after
creating the sources-buffer of ECB and it's local key-map. So for
example a function could be added which performs calls of
@code{local-set-key} to define new keybindings only for the
sources-buffer of ECB.
@end defopt


@defopt sources-buffer-name
Name of the ECB sources buffer. Because it is not a normal buffer for
editing you should enclose the name with stars, e.g. ``*ECB Sources*''.

If it is necessary for you you can get emacs-lisp access to the
buffer-object of the ECB-sources-buffer by this name, e.g. by a call
of @code{set-buffer}.

Changes for this option at runtime will take affect only after
deactivating and then activating ECB again!
@end defopt


@defopt sources-exclude-cvsignore
Specify if files contained in a @file{.cvsignore} should be
excluded.

Value is a list of regular expressions or nil. If you want to exclude
files listed in a @file{.cvsignore}-file from being displayed in the
ecb-sources-buffer then specify a regexp for such a directory.

If you want to exclude the contents of @file{.cvsignore}-files for
every directory then you should add one regexp ``.*'' which matches
every directory.

If you never want to exclude the contents of @file{.cvsignore}-files
then set this option to nil.
@end defopt


@defopt sources-menu-sorter
Function which re-sorts the menu-entries of the directories buffer.

If a function then this function is called to sort the menu-entries of
the combined menu-entries of the user-menu-extensions of
@code{ecb-sources-menu-user-extension} and the built-in-menu
@code{ecb-sources-menu}. If nil then no special sorting will be done
and the user-extensions are placed in front of the built-in-entries.

For the guidelines for such a sorter-function see
@code{ecb-directories-menu-sorter}.
@end defopt

@defopt sources-menu-user-extension
Static user extensions for the popup-menu of the sources buffer.
For further explanations see @code{ecb-directories-menu-user-extension}.

The node-argument of a menu-function contains as data the source
for which the popup-menu has been opened. Use always
@code{ecb-source-get-*} to extract whatever you need from the
node-data. E.g. use @code{ecb-source-get-filename} to get the full
filename of the source of the node.

Per default the static user-extensions are added at the beginning of the
built-in menu-entries of @code{ecb-sources-menu} but the whole menu can be
re-arranged with @code{ecb-sources-menu-sorter}.
@end defopt



@defopt sources-menu-user-extension-function
Dynamic user extensions for the popup-menu of the sources buffer. A
function which has to return a list in the same format like the option
@code{ecb-sources-menu-user-extension}. This function is called when
the user opens the popup-menu for the sources buffer.

If no dynamically evaluated menu-extensions should be added to the
sources-buffer the function has to return nil. Therefore the
default-value of this option is @code{ignore}.

Per default the dynamic user-extensions are added in front of the
static extensions of @code{ecb-sources-menu-user-extension} but the
whole menu can be re-arranged with @code{ecb-sources-menu-sorter}.
@end defopt


@defopt sources-perform-read-only-check
Check if source-items in the tree-buffers are read-only. If a
sourcefile is read-only then it will be displayed with that face set
in the option @code{ecb-source-read-only-face}.

Because this check can be take some time if files are used via a
mounted net-drive ECB performs this check stealthily (see
@code{ecb-stealthy-tasks-delay}) so normally the user should not see a
performance-decrease or additional waiting-time. But to get sure this
option offers three choices: @code{t}, @code{unless-remote} and
@code{nil}. See @code{ecb-prescan-directories-for-emptyness} for an
explanation for these three choices.

The option @code{ecb-read-only-check-exclude-regexps} offers are more
fine granularity to exclude the sources of certain directories from
the read-only state-check.
@end defopt

@defopt sources-show-node-info
When to display which node-info in the sources-buffer.
Define which node info should be displayed after moving the mouse
over a node (or after a shift click onto the node) in the
sources-buffer.

You can define ``when'' a node-info should be displayed:
See @code{ecb-directories-show-node-info} for the possible choices.

@itemize @minus
@item name: Only the full node-name is displayed.
@item file-info: File infos for this file are displayed.
@item file-info-full: Fill infos incl. full path for this file are displayed.
@end itemize

Do NOT set this option directly via setq but use always customize!
@end defopt



@defopt sources-sort-ignore-case
Ignore case for sorting the source-files of the Sources-buffer. See
also @code{ecb-sources-sort-method}.
@end defopt

@defopt sources-sort-method
Defines how the source files are sorted.

@itemize @minus
@item @code{name}:
Sorting by name.
@item @code{extension}:
Sorting first by extension and then by name.
@item @code{nil}:
No sorting, means source files are displayed in the sequence returned
by @code{directory-files} (called without sorting).
@end itemize

See also @code{ecb-sources-sort-ignore-case}
@end defopt


@node ecb-methods, ecb-history, ecb-sources, Customizable options
@subsection Group ecb-methods

@noindent
This group contains settings for the methods-buffer in the ECB:

@defopt auto-expand-tag-tree
Expand the methods-tag-tree automatically if node invisible.

This option has only an effect if option @code{ecb-highlight-tag-with-point} is
switched on too. There are three possible choices:
@itemize @minus
@item @code{nil}:
No auto. expanding of the method buffer.
@item @code{expand-spec}:
Auto expand the method-buffer nodes if the node belonging to current
tag under point is invisible because its parent-node is collapsed.
But expanding is only done if the type of the tag under point in the
edit-buffer is contained in @code{ecb-methods-nodes-expand-spec}.
@item @code{all}:
Like expand-spec but expands all tags regardless of the setting in
@code{ecb-methods-nodes-expand-spec}.
@end itemize

This options takes only effect for semantic-sources - means sources
supported by semantic!
@end defopt

@defopt auto-expand-tag-tree-collapse-other
Auto. expanding the tag-tree collapses all not related nodes. There
are several choices:

@itemize @minus
@item Only if on tag:
This means collapsing all nodes which have no relevance for the
currently highlighted node will be collapsed, because they are not
necessary to make the highlighted node visible. But do this only if
point stays onto a tag in the selected edit-window.

@item Always:
Same as before but collapse also when point doesn't stays on a tag
(e.g. between two defuns in elisp) in the selected edit-window. This
means in such a situation a full collapsing of the methods-buffer.

@item Never:
Do not automatically collapse the methods-buffer.
@end itemize
@end defopt


@defopt auto-update-methods-after-save
Automatically updating the ECB method buffer after saving a source.
@end defopt

@defopt default-tag-filter
Default tag-filters for certain files. This option allow to define
default tag-filters for certain files which are applied automatically
after loading such a file into a buffer. The possible filters are the
same as offered by the command @code{ecb-methods-filter} and they are
applied in the same manner - the only difference is they are applied
automatically. Please be aware that symbol-filters (e.g.
protection-symbols like public or private) must not be inserted with
quotes whereas a filter-regexp has to be inserted with surrounding
double-quotes! In addition backslashes in a regexp have to be doubled!

For each file-spec (a major-mode plus a file-regexp which both specify
a file for which filters should be applied) there can be as much
filters as needed - they are layered like with
@code{ecb-methods-filter} too.

Tag-classes which are completely hidden or excluded by the option
@code{ecb-show-tags} will never being displayed in the Methods-buffer
regardless of the filters of this option!
@end defopt

@defopt disable-semantic-threshold-alist
Threshold for disabling semantic-parsing Define a threshold fpr
buffer-size. Exceeding this threshold disables parsing current buffer
by semantic.

This functionality is set on a major-mode base, i.e. for every
major-mode a different setting can be used. The value of this option
is a list of cons-cells:

@itemize @minus
@item
The car is either a major-mode symbol or the special symbol 'default which
means if no setting for a certain major-mode is defined then the cdr of
the 'default cons-cell is used.
@item
The cdr is an integer which defines the threshold for the buffer-size for
this major-mode.
@end itemize

Example:

@example
  ((default . 1000000)
    (c-mode . 200000))
@end example

This example whould not parse c-mode buffers exceeding a buffer-size
of 200000. And buffers of all other modes would be only parsed if
smaller than 1000000.

A setting of @code{((c-mode . 200000))} would only restrict c-mode
buffers to a size of 200000 but would parse all other buffer
regardless their size.
@end defopt



@defopt display-image-icons-for-semantic-tags
Display nice and pretty icons for semantic-tags in the Methods-buffer. A non
nil value takes only effect if Emacs can display images and if
@code{ecb-tree-buffer-style} is set to @code{image}.
@end defopt

@defopt exclude-parents-regexp
Regexps which parent classes should not be shown in the methods buffer
(see also @code{ecb-show-parents}). If nil then all parents will be
shown if @code{ecb-show-parents} is not nil.

This options takes only effect for semantic-sources - means sources
supported by semantic!
@end defopt

@defopt expand-methods-switch-off-auto-expand
Switch off auto expanding in the ECB-method buffer. If on then auto
expanding is switched off after explicit expanding or collapsing by
@code{ecb-expand-methods-nodes}.

This is done with @code{ecb-toggle-auto-expand-tag-tree} so after
the switch off the auto expanding feature can again switched on
quickly.

But after explicitly expanding/collapsing the methods-buffer to a
certain level the auto. expanding could undo this when the node
belonging to current tag under point in the current active edit-window
is invisible after @code{ecb-expand-methods-nodes} - then the auto.
expand feature would make this node immediately visible and destroys
the explicitly set expand-level.
@end defopt

@defopt find-external-tag-functions
Functions used for searching external tags clicked in the methods buffer.

The methods buffer displays for oo-languages the parents of a type under a
special bucket ``Parents''. Languages like C++, CLOS and Eieio allow to define
the implementation of a method outside of the class definition and even in
another file. In the methods-buffer of ECB such externaly defined methods are
collected and displayed under a @code{virtual} faux type-tag named as the
class-qualifier of the methods. This faux-tag is virtual because it does not
extist in the parsed buffer.

If a user clicks either onto such a faux-type-tag or onto a parent-tag then
ECB tries to find the definition of the underlying type on a name-basis,
displaying the containing file as buffer in the current edit-window and
jumping to the start of the type-definition in this buffer.

Finding such external types can be very complex and there are several roads to
success. ECB uses per default methods based on the semantic-analyzer. But this
option allows to define own find-functions and tell ECB to uses them.

This functionality is set on a @code{major-mode} base, i.e. for every
@code{major-mode} a different setting can be used. The value of this option is
a list of cons-cells: The car is either a @code{major-mode} symbol or the
special symbol 'default. The cdr is a list of find-functions or nil.

ECB first performs all find-functions defined for current @code{major-mode}
(if any) anf then all find-functions defined for the special symbol 'default
(if any).

ECB offers some predefined senseful finding-functions. Currently there are:
@itemize
@item @code{ecb-search-type-tag-by-semantic-analyzer} (most powerful)
@item @code{ecb-search-type-tag-by-semanticdb}
@item @code{ecb-jde-show-class-source} (for major-mode @code{jde-mode} when
coding in java)
@end itemize

This function does not only the searching but displays the founded tag. See
the documentation of these function for details how they work.

But you can add any arbitrary function if the following conditions are
fulfilled:

@itemize
@item
The function gets a semantic tag representing the external type which should
be found. This is a positionless-tag (otherwise it would not be hard to go
to it) and it's either a faux-tag (for which @code{ecb--semantic-faux-tag-p} is
not nil; the function can use this check if necessary) or a simple tag
containing only a name an a tag-class. The tag-class for both is 'type.

@item
The return value of the function must be one of:
@itemize @minus
@item @code{nil}: No tag is found
@item @code{t}: A tag has been found and also be displayed in the edit-window (this
prevents ECB from running further function of this option because the searched
tag is already displayed. So a function should only return @code{t} if all is
fine and no further actions are needed.
@item A positioned semantic tag (for which @code{ecb--semantic-tag-with-position-p}
returns not @code{nil}) which represents the found external type-tag.
@end itemize
@end itemize

It's strongly recommended for the function not to display the found location
for itself but to return a positioned semantic tag! But sometimes the
displaying is integrated in a third-party find-function like
@code{jde-show-class-source} which is used by
@code{ecb-jde-show-class-source}. In these cases the function has to return t
if the searched tag has been successfully displayed.

Precondition for a find-function:
Current buffer is the buffer the clicked faux- or parent tag belongs to
Current point depends on the clicked tag:
@itemize
@item In case of a faux-tag it's the start of the first child of the
faux-tag. There must be at least one adopted child-tag because
otherwise we would not have the faux-tag
@item In case of an external parent-tag its the the start of the
external tag itself.
@end itemize
@end defopt



@defopt font-lock-tags
Adds font-locking (means highlighting) to the ECB-method buffer.

This options takes only effect for semantic-sources - means sources
supported by semantic!
@end defopt

@defopt highlight-tag-with-point
How to highlight the method or variable under the cursor.

@itemize @minus
@item @code{highlight-scroll}:
Always scroll the method buffer, so the current method of the
edit-window is highlighted in the method-window.
@item @code{highlight}:
Only highlight the current method of the edit window in the
method window if the method is visible in the method-window.
@item @code{nil}:
No highlighting is done.
@end itemize

See also @code{ecb-highlight-tag-with-point-delay}.

This options takes only effect for semantic-sources - means sources
supported by semantic!
@end defopt

@defopt highlight-tag-with-point-delay
Time Emacs must be idle before current tag is highlighted. If nil
then there is no delay, means current tag is highlighted
immediately. A small value of about 0.25 seconds saves CPU resources
and you get even though almost the same effect as if you set no delay.
But such a delay prevents also ``jumping backward/forward'' during
scrolling within java-classes if point goes out of method-definition
into class-definition. Therefore the default value is a delay of 0.25
seconds.

This options takes only effect for semantic-sources - means sources
supported by semantic!
@end defopt

@defopt methods-buffer-after-create-hook
Local hook running after the creation of the methods-buffer. Every
function of this hook is called once without arguments direct after
creating the methods-buffer of ECB and it's local key-map. So for
example a function could be added which performs calls of
@code{local-set-key} to define new keybindings only for the
methods-buffer of ECB.
@end defopt


@defopt methods-buffer-name
Name of the ECB methods buffer. Because it is not a normal buffer for
editing you should enclose the name with stars, e.g. `` *ECB
Methods*''.

If it is necessary for you you can get emacs-lisp access to the
buffer-object of the ECB-methods-buffer by this name, e.g. by a call
of @code{set-buffer}.

Changes for this option at runtime will take affect only after
deactivating and then activating ECB again!
@end defopt

@defopt methods-filter-replace-existing
How the methods-filter should be applied to existing filters. There
are three different choices:

@itemize @minus
@item @code{never}:
This is the default and means that calling @code{ecb-methods-filter}
always adds the new filter on top of already existing filters. So you
can combine several filter to one combined like this example: 'Display
only all public methods having the string ``test'' in its name.' With
this setting the filters can only be cleared by calling
@code{ecb-methods-filter} and then choosing ``nothing''.

@item @code{always}:
This means that @code{ecb-methods-filter} always clears a previous
filter before applying the new one.

@item @code{ask}:
ECB asks if the new filter should replace the existing ones.
@end itemize
@end defopt



@defopt methods-menu-sorter
Function which re-sorts the menu-entries of the directories buffer.

If a function then this function is called to sort the menu-entries of
the combined menu-entries of the user-menu-extensions of
@code{ecb-methods-menu-user-extension} and the built-in-menu
@code{ecb-methods-menu}. If nil then no special sorting will be done
and the user-extensions are placed in front of the built-in-entries.

For the guidelines for such a sorter-function see
@code{ecb-directories-menu-sorter}.
@end defopt


@defopt methods-menu-user-extension
Static user extensions for the popup-menu of the methods buffer. For
further explanations see @code{ecb-directories-menu-user-extension}.

The node-argument of a menu-function contains as data the semantic-tag
of the method/variable/tag for which the popup-menu has been opened.

Per default the static user-extensions are added at the beginning of
the built-in menu-entries of @code{ecb-methods-menu} but the whole
menu can be re-arranged with @code{ecb-methods-menu-sorter}.
@end defopt

@defopt methods-menu-user-extension-function
Dynamic user extensions for the popup-menu of the methods buffer. A
function which has to return a list in the same format like the option
@code{ecb-methods-menu-user-extension}. This function is called when
the user opens the popup-menu for the methods buffer. For an example
how such a function can be programmed see
@code{ecb-methods-menu-editwin-entries}.

If no dynamically evaluated menu-extensions should be added to the
methods-buffer the function has to return nil. Therefore the
default-value of this option is @code{ignore}.

Per default the dynamic user-extensions are added in front of the
static extensions of @code{ecb-methods-menu-user-extension} but the
whole menu can be re-arranged with @code{ecb-methods-menu-sorter}.
@end defopt


@defopt methods-nodes-collapse-spec
Semantic tag-types collapsed by @code{ecb-expand-methods-nodes}.
For valid values of this option see @code{ecb-methods-nodes-expand-spec}!

This options takes only effect for semantic-sources - means sources
supported by semantic!
@end defopt


@defopt methods-nodes-expand-spec
Semantic tag-types expanded by @code{ecb-expand-methods-nodes}.

The value of this option is either the symbol @code{all} (all tags
are expanded regardless of their type) or a list of symbols where each
symbol is a valid semantic tag-type. For a description of semantic
tag types see option @code{ecb-show-tags}.

But this option also defines if bucket-nodes in the ECB-method-buffer
(e.g. ``[Variables]'') should be expanded. Therefore valid symbols for
this list are also all cars of the variable returned by
@code{ecb--semantic-symbol->name-assoc-list}.

If there is a bucket-name (the node-name stripped of the settings in
@code{ecb-bucket-node-display}) which is not contained as cdr in the
value returned by @code{ecb--semantic-symbol->name-assoc-list} then
the symbol with this bucket-name as name is also a valid symbol for
this list. Example: In ECB there are buckets ``[Parents]''. The
bucket-name is ``Parents'' and the valid symbol-name is then
@code{Parents}.

This options takes only effect for semantic-sources - means sources
supported by semantic!
@end defopt

@defopt methods-separate-prototypes
Separate function-prototypes from the real functions. This is for
example useful for C++ and C because these languages distinct between
a method-prototype (rsp. function-prototype for C) and the method
(rsp. function for C) itself. If this option is not nil then ECB
separates the prototypes from the real function/methods. Then with
@code{ecb-show-tags} the user can define different display-settings
for each of them. If this option is nil then the prototypes and the
real functions are filled in the same bucket and displayed plain and
there is no sorting between prototypes and functions possible. If this
option is switched on then it is senseful that @code{ecb-show-tags}
contains for all modes which distinct between prototypes and real
functions/methods two entries for the tag-type 'function - see the
documentation of this option.
@end defopt

@defopt methods-show-node-info
When to display which node-info in the methods-buffer. Define which
node info should displayed after moving the mouse over a node (or
after a shift click onto the node) in the methods-buffer.

You can define ``when'' a node-info should be displayed: See
@code{ecb-directories-show-node-info} for the possible choices.

You can define what info should be displayed:
@itemize @minus
@item name:
Only the full node name is displayed.

@item name+type:
The full name + the type of the node (function, class, variable) is
displayed.
@end itemize

Do NOT set this option directly via setq but use always customize!
@end defopt



@defopt post-process-semantic-taglist
Define mode-dependent post-processing for the semantic-taglist. This
is an alist where the car is a major-mode symbol and the cdr is a list
of function-symbols of functions which should be used for
post-processing the taglist (returned by
@code{ecb--semantic-bovinate-toplevel}) for a buffer in this
major-mode. The first function in the list is called with current
semantic taglist of current buffer and must return a valid taglist
again. All other functions are called with the result-taglist of its
preceding function and have to return a new taglist again.

For oo-programming languages where the methods of a class can be
defined outside the class-definition (e.g. C++, Eieio) the function
@code{ecb-group-function-tags-with-parents} can be used to get a much
better method-display in the methods-window of ECB, because all method
implementations of a class are grouped together.

Another senseful usage is to filter out certain tags, e.g. prototype
tags in @code{c-mode}. For this you can set
@code{ecb-filter-c-prototyp-tags}.

This options takes only effect for semantic-sources - means sources
supported by semantic!
@end defopt

@defopt show-only-positioned-tags
Show only nodes in the method-buffer which are ``jump-able''. If not nil
then ECB displays in the method-buffer only nodes which are
``jump-able'', i.e. after selecting it by clicking or with RET then ECB
jumps to the corresponding location in the edit-window. Example: With
CLOS or Eieio source-code there can exist some position-less nodes like
variable-attributes in a @code{defclass} form which are only displayed
if this option is nil. Displaying such nodes can be senseful even if
they can not be jumped.

This options takes only effect for semantic-sources - means sources
supported by semantic!
@end defopt

@defopt show-tags
How to show tags in the methods buffer first time after find-file.
This functionality is set on a major-mode base, i.e. for every
major-mode a different setting can be used. The value of this option
is a list of cons-cells:

The car is either a major-mode symbol or the special symbol 'default
which means if no setting for a certain major-mode is defined then the
cdr of the 'default cons-cell is used. This option should always
contain a default-setting!

The cdr is a list where each element represents a type of tags:

@example
(<tag type> <display type> <sort method>)
@end example

There can be more than 1 element for a certain <tag type>. This is for
example useful for C++ and C because these languages distinct between
a method-prototype (rsp. function-prototype for C) and the method
(rsp. function for C) itself. The default value of these option
contains two entries for <tag type> is @code{function} whereas the
first one is responsible for the ``real'' methods (rsp. functions) and
the second one for the prototypes. So if the methods should be
flattened and the prototypes collapsed the show-tags-list for C++ and
C must contain two entries for <tag type> @code{function}, the first
one defined as @code{flattened} and the second one defined as
@code{collapsed}.

The tags in the methods buffer are displayed in the order as they appear in
this list.

@table @code
@item <tag type>
A Semantic tag type symbol (function, variable, rule, include etc.)
or one of the following:

@itemize @minus
@item @code{t}: All tag types not specified anywhere else in the list.
@item @code{parent}: The parents of a type.
@end itemize

@item <display type>
A symbol which describes how the tags of this type shall be shown:

@itemize @minus
@item @code{expanded}: The tags are shown in an expanded node.
@item @code{collapsed}: The tags are shown in a collapsed node.
@item @code{flattened}: The tags are added to the parent node.
@item @code{hidden}: The tags are not shown.
@end itemize

@item <sort method>
A symbol describing how to sort the tags of this type:

@itemize @minus
@item @code{name}:
Sort by the tag name.
@item @code{access}:
Sort by tag access (public, protected, private) and then by name.
@item @code{nil}:
Don't sort tags. They appear in the same order as in the source
buffer.
@end itemize
@end table


This options takes only effect for semantic-sources - means sources
supported by semantic!
@end defopt

@defopt tag-display-function
Function to use for displaying tags in the methods buffer. This
functionality is set on major-mode base, i.e. for every major-mode a
different function can be used. The value of this option is a list of
cons-cells:

@itemize @minus
@item
The car is either a major-mode symbol or the special symbol 'default which
means if no function for a certain major-mode is defined then the cdr of
the 'default cons-cell is used.
@item
The cdr is the function used for displaying a tag in the related
major-mode.
@end itemize

Every function is called with 3 arguments:

@enumerate
@item The tag
@item The parent-tag of tag (can be nil)
@item The value of @code{ecb-font-lock-tags}.
@end enumerate

Every function must return the display of the tag as string,
colorized if the third argument is not nil.

The following functions are predefined:

@itemize @bullet
@item
For each element E of @code{ecb--semantic-format-function-alist}
exists a function with name ``ecb--<(cdr E)>''. These functions are
just aliase to the builtin format-functions of semantic. See the
docstring of these functions to see what they do. Example:
(semantic-name-nonterminal . semantic-format-tag-name) is an element
of @code{ecb--semantic-format-function-alist}. Therefore the
alias-function for this element is named
@code{ecb--semantic-format-tag-name}.
  
@item
For every cdr in @code{ecb--semantic-format-function-alist} with name
``semantic-XYZ'' a function with name ``ecb-XYC'' is predefined. The
differences between the semantic- and the ECB-version are:

@itemize @minus
@item
The ECB-version displays for type tags only the type-name and nothing
else (exception: In c++-mode a template specifier is appended to the
type-name if a template instead a normal class).
@item
The ECB-version displays type-tags according to the setting in
@code{ecb-type-tag-display}. This is useful for better recognizing
different classes, structs etc. in the ECB-method window.
@end itemize

For all tags which are not types the display of the ECB-version is
identical to the semantic version. Example: For
@code{ecb--semantic-format-tag-name} (one of the builtin semantic
formatters) the pendant is @code{ecb-format-tag-name}.
@end itemize

This functionality also allows the user to display tags as UML. To
enable this functionality set the function for a major-mode \(e.g.
@code{jde-mode}) to
@code{ecb--semantic-format-tag-uml-concise-prototype},
@code{ecb--semantic-format-tag-uml-prototype}, or
@code{ecb--semantic-format-tag-uml-abbreviate} the ECB-versions of
these functions.

If the value is @code{nil}, i.e. neither a function for a major-mode
is defined nor the special 'default, then
@code{ecb--semantic-format-tag-prototype} is used for displaying the
tags.

This options takes only effect for semantic-sources - means sources
supported by semantic!
@end defopt

@defopt tag-jump-sets-mark
Set the mark after jumping to a tag from the ECB-method buffer. If
set the user can easily jump back.
@end defopt

@defopt tag-visit-post-actions
Actions to perform after visiting a tag from the Method-buffer. With
this option actions can be added which will be performed after
visiting the start of the tag in the source-buffer.

This functionality is set on a @code{major-mode} base, i.e. for every
@code{major-mode} a different setting can be used. The value of this
option is a list of cons-cells:
@itemize @minus
@item
The car is either a @code{major-mode} symbol or the special symbol
'default.

@item
The cdr is a list of action-functions or nil.
@end itemize

ECB first performs all actions defined for the special symbol 'default
(if any) and then all actions defined for current @code{major-mode}
(if any).

ECB offers some predefined senseful action-functions. Currently there
are: @code{ecb-tag-visit-highlight-tag-header}
@code{ecb-tag-visit-smart-tag-start}
@code{ecb-tag-visit-recenter} @code{ecb-tag-visit-recenter-top}
@code{ecb-tag-visit-goto-doc-start}
@code{ecb-tag-visit-narrow-tag} See the documentation of these
function for details what they do.

But you can add any arbitrary function if the following conditions are
fulfilled: The function gets the semantic tag as argument, returns the
(new) point after finishing its job and the function must not put the
point outside the tag-boundaries of the tag-argument.
@end defopt



@defopt type-tag-display
How to display semantic type-tags in the methods buffer. Normally
all tag displaying, colorizing and facing is done by semantic
according to the value returned by
@code{ecb--semantic-format-face-alist} and the semantic
display-function (e.g. one from
@code{ecb--semantic-format-tag-functions}). But sometimes a finer
distinction in displaying the different type specifiers of type-tags
can be useful. For a description when this option is evaluated look at
@code{ecb-tag-display-function}!

This functionality is set on a major-mode base, i.e. for every
major-mode a different setting can be used. The value of this option
is a list of cons-cells:

@itemize @bullet
@item
The car is either a major-mode symbol or the special symbol 'default which
means if no setting for a certain major-mode is defined then the cdr of
the 'default cons-cell is used.

@item
The cdr is a list of 3-element-lists:

@enumerate
@item
First entry is a semantic type specifier in string-form. Current
available type specifiers are for example ``class'', ``interface'',
``struct'', ``typedef'' and ``enum''. In addition to these ones there
is also a special ECB type specifier ``group'' which is related to
grouping tags (see @code{ecb-post-process-semantic-taglist} and
@code{ecb-group-function-tags-with-parents}). Any arbitrary
specifier can be set here but if it is not ``group'' or not known by
semantic it will be useless.
@item
Second entry is a flag which indicates if the type-specifier string
from (1.) itself should be removed (if there is any) from the display.
@item
Third entry is the face which is used in the ECB-method window to
display type-tags with this specifier. ECB has some predefined faces
for this (@code{ecb-type-tag-class-face},
@code{ecb-type-tag-interface-face}, @code{ecb-type-tag-struct-face},
@code{ecb-type-tag-typedef-face}, @code{ecb-type-tag-union-face},
@code{ecb-type-tag-enum-face} and @code{ecb-type-tag-group-face}) but
any arbitrary face can be set here. This face is merged with the faces
semantic already uses to display a tag,
i.e. the result is a display where all face-attributes of the ECB-face
take effect plus all face-attributes of the semantic-faces which are not
set in the ECB-face (with XEmacs this merge doesn't work so here the
ECB-face replaces the semantic-faces; this may be fixed in future
versions).
@end enumerate
@end itemize

The default value is nil means there is no special ECB-displaying of
type-tags in addition to the displaying and colorizing semantic
does. But a value like the following could be a useful setting:

@example
@group
((default
   ("class" t ecb-type-tag-class-face)
   ("group" nil ecb-type-tag-group-face))
 (c-mode
  ("struct" nil ecb-type-tag-struct-face)
  ("typedef" nil ecb-type-tag-typedef-face)))
@end group
@end example

This means that in @code{c-mode} only ``struct''s and ``typedef''s are
displayed with special faces (the specifiers itself are not removed)
and in all other modes ``class''s and grouping-tags (see
@code{ecb-tag-display-function},
@code{ecb-group-function-tags-with-parents}) have special faces and
the ``class'' specifier-string is removed from the display.

This options takes only effect for semantic-sources - means sources
supported by semantic!
@end defopt

@defopt type-tag-expansion
Default expansion of semantic type-tags. Semantic groups type-tags in
different type-specifiers. Current available type specifiers are for
example ``class'', ``interface'', ``struct'', ``typedef'', ``union''
and ``enum''. In addition to these ones there is also a special ECB
type-specifier ``group'' which is related to grouping tags (see
@code{ecb-post-process-semantic-taglist}).

This option defines which type-specifiers should be expanded at
file-open-time. Any arbitrary specifier can be set here but if it is
not ``group'' or not known by semantic it will be useless.

This functionality is set on a major-mode base, i.e. for every
major-mode a different setting can be used. The value of this option
is a list of cons-cells:

@itemize
@item
The car is either a major-mode symbol or the special symbol
@code{default} which means if no setting for a certain major-mode is
defined then the cdr of the @code{default} cons-cell is used.

@item
The cdr is either a list of type-specifiers which should be expanded
at file-open-time or the symbol @code{all-specifiers} (then a type-tag
is always expanded regardless of its type-specifier).
@end itemize

This options takes only effect for semantic-sources - means sources
supported by semantic!
@end defopt


@node ecb-history, ecb-analyse, ecb-methods, Customizable options
@subsection Group ecb-history

@noindent
This group contains settings for the history-buffer in the ECB:

@defopt history-buffer-after-create-hook
Local hook running after the creation of the history-buffer. Every
function of this hook is called once without arguments direct after
creating the history-buffer of ECB and it's local key-map. So for
example a function could be added which performs calls of
@code{local-set-key} to define new keybindings only for the
history-buffer of ECB.
@end defopt


@defopt history-buffer-name
Name of the ECB history buffer. Because it is not a normal buffer for
editing you should enclose the name with stars, e.g. ``*ECB
History*''.

If it is necessary for you you can get emacs-lisp access to the
buffer-object of the ECB-history-buffer by this name, e.g. by a call
of @code{set-buffer}.

Changes for this option at runtime will take affect only after
deactivating and then activating ECB again!
@end defopt

@defopt history-exclude-file-regexps
List of regexps which exclude source-files from being historized. Be
aware that each always full filenames (ie. incl. full path) are
matched against these regexps! Therefore be carefore with regexps
beginning with ^!
@end defopt

@defopt history-item-name
The name to use for items in the history buffer.
@end defopt

@defopt history-make-buckets
Bucketize the entries of the history-buffer.

There are several options how the bucketizing should be done:
@itemize
@item 'never:

No bucketizing at all, ie. all entries of the history-buffer we be
displayed flat.

@item 'directory:

All entries with related filesources residing in the same
directory will be contained in a bucket named with that directory.

@item 'directory-with-source-path:

Same as 'directory but the best matching source-path of the directory-window
(see @code{ecb-source-path}) substituts the matching part of the directory.
For this a special face is used (see
@code{ecb-history-bucket-node-dir-soure-path-face}).

@item 'mode:

All entries with related buffers have the same
major-mode will be contained in a bucket named with that major-mode

@item 'extension:

All entries with related filesources having the
same extension will be contained in a bucket named with that extension
@end itemize

If the value is a list of regular expressions then all entries where the
buffername matches the same regular expression will be contained in one
bucket. If the value is nil then this is interpreted as an empty list of
regular expressions!

The default value is 'directory.
@end defopt



@defopt history-menu-sorter
Function which re-sorts the menu-entries of the directories buffer.

If a function then this function is called to sort the menu-entries of
the combined menu-entries of the user-menu-extensions of
@code{ecb-history-menu-user-extension} and the built-in-menu
@code{ecb-history-menu}. If nil then no special sorting will be done
and the user-extensions are placed in front of the built-in-entries.

For the guidelines for such a sorter-function see
@code{ecb-directories-menu-sorter}.
@end defopt

@defopt history-menu-user-extension
Static user extensions for the popup-menu of the history buffer.
For further explanations see @code{ecb-directories-menu-user-extension}.

The node-argument of a menu-function contains as data a cons:

car is the filename of the source for which the popup-menu has
been opened. cdr is the related buffer-name; but be careful,
because the node can point to a dead buffer (see
@code{ecb-kill-buffer-clears-history}). Use always @code{ecb-source-get-*}
to extract whatever you need from the node-data. E.g. use
@code{ecb-source-get-filename} to get the full filename of the source
of the node and use @code{ecb-source-get-buffername} or @code{ecb-source-get-buffer} to
get the buffername rsp. the buffer-object.

Per default the static user-extensions are added at the beginning of the
built-in menu-entries of @code{ecb-history-menu} but the whole menu can be
re-arranged with @code{ecb-history-menu-sorter}.
@end defopt



@defopt history-menu-user-extension-function
Dynamic user extensions for the popup-menu of the history buffer. A
function which has to return a list in the same format like the option
@code{ecb-history-menu-user-extension}. This function is called when
the user opens the popup-menu for the history buffer.

If no dynamically evaluated menu-extensions should be added to the
history-buffer the function has to return nil. Therefore the
default-value of this option is @code{ignore}.

Per default the dynamic user-extensions are added in front of the
static extensions of @code{ecb-history-menu-user-extension} but the
whole menu can be re-arranged with @code{ecb-history-menu-sorter}.
@end defopt

@defopt history-show-node-info
When to display which node-info in the history-buffer.
Define which node info should be displayed after moving the mouse
over a node (or after a shift click onto the node) in the
history-buffer.

You can define ``when'' a node-info should be displayed:
See @code{ecb-directories-show-node-info} for the possible choices.

You can define ``which'' info should be displayed:
@itemize
@item name: Only the full node-name is displayed.
@item path: The full-path of the node is displayed.
@item name-path: The full node-name and the full-path is displayed.
@end itemize

Do NOT set this option directly via setq but use always customize!
@end defopt

@defopt history-sort-ignore-case
Ignore case for sorting the history-entries. See also
@code{ecb-history-sort-method}.
@end defopt

@defopt history-sort-method
Defines how the entries in the history-buffer are sorted.
@itemize @minus
@item @code{name}:
Sorting by name (default).
@item @code{extension}:
Sorting first by extension and then by name.
@item @code{nil}:
No sorting, means the most recently used buffers are on the top of the
history and the seldom used buffers at the bottom.
@end itemize

See also @code{ecb-history-sort-ignore-case}.

If the history is bucketized (see @code{ecb-history-make-buckets}) then this
sorting applies to the sorting within each bucket.
@end defopt

@defopt history-stick-indirect-buffers-to-basebuffer
Stick all indirect-buffers as subnodes to their base-buffer.

If nil then indirect-buffers are treated as non-indirect-buffers
and sorted into the history-buffer-sequence according to the
setting of @code{ecb-history-sort-method}.

If not nil then indirect-buffers are always sticked to their base-buffer, ie.
the base-buffer is displayed as expandable node with all its indirect-buffers
as children-nodes, so the history looks like:

@example
[-] <base-buffer BB>
 |  <indirect-buffer 1 of BB>
 `- <indirect-buffer 2 of BB>
@end example
@end defopt



@defopt kill-buffer-clears-history
Define if @code{kill-buffer} should also clear the history. There are
three options:

@itemize @minus
@item @code{auto}:
Removes automatically the corresponding history-entry after the buffer
has been killed.
@item @code{ask}:
Asks, if the history-entry should be removed after the kill.
@item @code{nil}:
@code{kill-buffer} does not affect the history (this is the default).
@end itemize
@end defopt

@node ecb-analyse, ecb-symboldef, ecb-history, Customizable options
@subsection Group ecb-analyse

@defopt analyse-bucket-element-face
Basic face for displaying elements of buckets in the
ECB-analyse-buffer. This defines the basic face for the elements of
category-buckets like Context, Prefix, Completions etc. in the
ECB-analyse-buffer.

Changes take first effect after finishing and reactivating ECB!
@end defopt

@defopt analyse-bucket-node-face
Basic face for displaying a bucket-node in the ECB-analyse-buffer.
This defines the basic face for the bucket-nodes like Context, Prefix,
Completions etc. in the ECB-analyse-buffer.

Changes take first effect after finishing and reactivating ECB!
@end defopt

@defopt analyse-buffer-after-create-hook
Local hook running after the creation of the analyse-buffer. Every
function of this hook is called once without arguments direct after
creating the analyse-buffer of ECB and it's local key-map. So for
example a function could be added which performs calls of
@code{local-set-key} to define new key-bindings only for the
analyse-buffer of ECB.
@end defopt

@defopt analyse-buffer-name
Name of the ECB analyse buffer. Because it is not a normal buffer for
editing you should enclose the name with stars, e.g. ``*ECB
Analyse*''.

If it is necessary for you you can get emacs-lisp access to the
buffer-object of the ECB-analyse-buffer by this name, e.g. by a call
of @code{set-buffer}.

Changes for this option at runtime will take affect only after
deactivating and then activating ECB again!
@end defopt

@defopt analyse-buffer-sync
Synchronize the analyse buffer automatically with current edit buffer.

If 'always then the synchronization takes place always a buffer changes in the
edit window, if nil then never. If a list of major-modes then only if the
@code{major-mode} of the new buffer belongs NOT to this list.

Normally it's not necessary to exclude some major-modes because with
not-semantic supported major-modes simply nothing happens. But maybe it can be
helpful for certain situations...

If the special value 'basic is set then ECB uses the setting of the option
@code{ecb-basic-buffer-sync}.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Every time the synchronization is done the hook
@code{ecb-analyse-buffer-sync-hook} is evaluated.
@end defopt

@defopt analyse-buffer-sync-delay
Time Emacs must be idle before the analyse-buffer is synchronized.
Synchronizing is done with the current source displayed in the edit window. If
nil then there is no delay, means synchronization takes place immediately.

CAUTION: With analysing a value not too small is strongly recommended because
it can be very annoying if more or less after each typing the current context
is analysed. If set to nil then *each* keyboard hit refreshes the
analyse-buffer which will make ECB quite unusable!

If the special value 'basic is set then ECB uses the setting of the option
@code{ecb-basic-buffer-sync-delay}
@end defopt

@defopt analyse-buffer-sync-hook
ook run at the end of @code{ecb-analyse-buffer-sync}.
See documentation of @code{ecb-analyse-buffer-sync} for conditions when
synchronization takes place and so in turn these hooks are evaluated.

Preconditions for such a hook:

@itemize

@item Current buffer is the buffer of the currently selected
edit-window.

@item The analyse-buffer is displayed in a visible window of the
ecb-frame (so no check for visibilty of the analyse-buffer in
the ecb-frame is necessary in a hook function)
@end itemize

Postcondition for such a hook:
Point must stay in the same edit-window as before evaluating the hook.

Important note: If the option @code{ecb-analyse-buffer-sync} is not
nil the function @code{ecb-analyse-buffer-sync} is running either
every time Emacs is idle or even after every command (see
@code{ecb-analyse-buffer-sync-delay}). So if the anaylse-buffer is
displayed in a window of the ecb-frame (see preconditions above)
these hooks can be really called very often! Therefore each
function of this hook should/must check in an efficient way at
beginning if its task have to be really performed and then do
them only if really necessary! Otherwise performance of Emacs
could slow down dramatically!
@end defopt



@defopt analyse-collapsed-buckets
Buckets collapsed when displaying the current semantic analysis. The
semantic analyse-modul offers several categories of analysis which are
called buckets here. These are for example:

Context: The current context, which is the current function/method,
variable, class etc. (what exactly depends on the programming
language) point is in. This means not the current
function/method/variable/class-name point stand on but the current
surrounding context. Example: If point stays somewhere within a
defun-definition in emacs-lisp or within a java-method then this defun
rsp. method is the context. In object oriented languages this can be
the full hierachy, i.e. not only the current method, but the current
method, the class of this method, the superclass of this class and so
on!

Arguments: The arguments of the context if the context is a
function/method.

Local Variables: All accessible and bound local variables visible at
current point.

Prefix: The currently parsed prefix, which is mostly the current
identifier point stands on.

Assignee: See the semantic user-manual

Function: Current function-name point stands on.

Argument #: When point is located within a function-call then this is
the number of the argument point stands on.

Completions: All possible completions for current prefix (see above).
This is probably the most helpful bucket.

If one of these categories/buckets are not needed per default then add
the bucket-name (s.a.) to this option and ECB will per default
collapse this bucket. So most needed buckets are better visible in the
analyse-buffer.
@end defopt

@defopt analyse-face
Face used for highlighting current entry in the analyse buffer. If the
face @code{ecb-default-highlight-face} is used then the display of all
ECB-tree-buffers can be changed by modifying only the face
@code{ecb-default-highlight-face}.

Changes take first effect after finishing and reactivating ECB!
@end defopt

@defopt analyse-fontified-buckets
Buckets whose elements should be fontified as in the methods-buffer.
If the name of a category/bucket is contained in this option then all
elements of this bucket will be displayed as in the methods-buffer -
at least if an element is a semantic-tag. This means if
@code{ecb-font-lock-tags} is not nil these elements will be fontified
and also displayed with an appropriate icon if possible. The default
value does this only for the Context-bucket because for most of the
other buckets this makes not really much sense.

For available buckets see @code{ecb-analyse-collapsed-buckets}.

For the faces used to display a bucket-node itself or bucket-elements
not fontified see the options @code{ecb-analyse-bucket-node-face} rsp.
@code{ecb-analyse-bucket-element-face}.
@end defopt

@defopt analyse-gen-tag-info-fn
Which info should be displayed for a tag of the analyse-buffer. If nil
then the default information about a tag will be displayed. If a
function then this function gets as argument the tag for which
tag-information should be displayed. This function has to return a
string which will be then display as tag-info. This string has to be
fully formatted (e.g. must already include line-breaks if the tag-info
should be displayed in several lines).

See @code{ecb-analyse-show-tag-info-fn} how the tag-info is displayed.
@end defopt

@defopt analyse-general-face
Basic face for the ECB analyse buffer. This defines the basic face the
whole history buffer should displayed with. If the face
@code{ecb-default-general-face} is used then the display of all
ECB-tree-buffers can be changed by modifying only the face
@code{ecb-default-general-face}.

Changes take first effect after finishing and reactivating ECB!
@end defopt

@defopt analyse-show-node-info
When to display which node-info in the history-buffer. Define which
node info should displayed after moving the mouse over a node (or
after a shift click onto the node) in the history-buffer.

You can define ``when'' a node-info should be displayed: See
@code{ecb-directories-show-node-info} for the possible choices.

You can define what info should be displayed:

@itemize @minus
@item name: The full name of the node
@item full-info: All infos available to a node.
@end itemize

Do NOT set this option directly via setq but use always customize!
@end defopt

@defopt analyse-show-tag-info-fn
How to display the tag-info for a tag of the analyse-buffer. The value
of this option is a function which will be called with the info-string
generated for the current tag of the analyse-buffer. This function
must do all things necessary for displaying this info. When this
function is called the window stored in
@code{ecb-last-edit-window-with-point} is the selected window!

ECB offers two builtin ways: Display the info in the echo-area (via
the function @code{message}) or in a temp-buffer in the edit-area (via
the function @code{ecb-analyse-show-tag-info-in-temp-buffer}). Default
is echo-area-display.

See also @code{ecb-analyse-gen-tag-info-fn}.
@end defopt

@node ecb-symboldef, ecb-layout, ecb-analyse, Customizable options
@subsection Group ecb-analyse

@defopt symboldef-buffer-name
Name of the ECB-symbol-definition buffer.
Because it is not a normal buffer for editing you should enclose the name with
stars, e.g. ``*ECB Symboldefinition*''.

If it is necessary for you you can get emacs-lisp access to the buffer-object
of the ECB-symbol-definition-buffer by this name, e.g. by a call of
@code{set-buffer}.

Changes for this option at runtime will take affect only after deactivating and
then activating ECB again!
@end defopt

@defopt symboldef-buffer-sync
Synchronize the symboldef buffer automatically with current edit buffer.

If @code{always} then the synchronization takes place always a buffer changes in the
edit window, if nil then never. If a list of major-modes then only if the
@code{major-mode} of the new buffer belongs NOT to this list.

If the special value @code{basic} is set then ECB uses the setting of the option
@code{ecb-basic-buffer-sync}.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Every time the synchronization is done the hook
@code{ecb-symboldef-buffer-sync-hook} is evaluated.
@end defopt

@defopt symboldef-buffer-sync-delay
Time Emacs must be idle before the symboldef-buffer is synchronized.
Synchronizing is done with the current source displayed in the edit window. If
nil then there is no delay, means synchronization takes place immediately. A
small value of about 0.25 seconds saves CPU resources and you get even though
almost the same effect as if you set no delay.

If the special value 'basic is set then ECB uses the setting of the option
@code{ecb-basic-buffer-sync-delay}.
@end defopt

@defopt symboldef-buffer-sync-hook
ook run at the end of the function @code{ecb-symboldef-buffer-sync}.
See documentation of @code{ecb-symboldef-buffer-sync} for conditions when
synchronization takes place and so in turn these hooks are evaluated.

Preconditions for such a hook:

@itemize
@item Current buffer is the buffer of the currently selected edit-window.
@item The symboldef-buffer is displayed in a visible window of the
ecb-frame (so no check for visibilty of the symboldef-buffer in
the ecb-frame is necessary in a hook function)
@end itemize

Postcondition for such a hook:
Point must stay in the same edit-window as before evaluating the hook.

Important note: If the option @code{ecb-symboldef-buffer-sync} is not
nil the function @code{ecb-symboldef-buffer-sync} is running either
every time Emacs is idle or even after every command (see
@code{ecb-symboldef-buffer-sync-delay}). So if the symboldef-buffer is
displayed in a window of the ecb-frame (see preconditions above)
these hooks can be really called very often! Therefore each
function of this hook should/must check in an efficient way at
beginning if its task have to be really performed and then do
them only if really necessary! Otherwise performance of Emacs
could slow down dramatically!
@end defopt

@defopt symboldef-find-functions
Funtions to find the definition for current symbol under point.
This functionality is set on a major-mode base, i.e. for every major-mode a
different setting can be used. The value of this option is a list of
cons-cells:

@itemize

@item
The car is either a major-mode symbol or the special symbol 'default which
means if no setting for a certain major-mode is defined then the cdr of
the 'default cons-cell is used.

@item
The car is a function intended to find the definition of a certain symbol for
files of this major-mode. Such a function will be called with two arguments,
the first is the symbol-name as string for which the definition should be
displayed and the second the current edit-buffer as buffer-object,
i.e. the current buffer of the current edit-window. The function will be
called with the special ecb-symbol-definition-buffer as current buffer
whereas this buffer is empty. The function has to insert everything
necessary to display the symbol-definition and is also responsible to format
the displayed text. The buffer-local variable @code{fill-column is already preset
to the window-width of the special ecb-window minus 1. The function is
responsible to set the buffer-local variable `truncate-lines} appropriate.
The function can either return nil or a string which will be integrated in
the modeline-display of this ecb-window.
@end itemize

There are two prefined functions @code{ecb-symboldef-find-lisp-doc} and
@code{ecb-symboldef-find-definition} whereas the latter on is used a default
find-function.
@end defopt

@defopt symboldef-minimum-symbol-length
Minimum length a symbol must have so its definition or doc is displayed.
@end defopt


@node ecb-layout, ecb-compilation, ecb-symboldef, Customizable options
@subsection Group ecb-layout

@noindent
This group contains settings for the screen-layout of the ECB:

@defopt activate-before-new-frame-created-hook
Normal hook run before the new ECB-frame is created if
@code{ecb-new-ecb-frame} is not nil (otherwise this hook is not
evaluated).
@end defopt

@defopt advice-window-functions-signal-error
Signal an error if an adviced function can not do its job. If not nil
then an error is signaled if one of the adviced user-commands can not
do its job. So for example if the user tries to split the
compile-window or an ecb-tree-window or if one tries to switch to
another buffer in one of the ecb-tree-windows. For details see the
documentation of each of the adviced functions to get info when an
error is signaled.

If this option is nil then no error is signaled but the called adviced
function does simply nothing.

Default is nil but it can also be useful to signal errors - so you see
when call a function in a situation which is not supported by this
function.
@end defopt

@defopt fix-window-size
Fix size of the ECB-windows/buffers even after frame-resizing. The fix
type (valid values are nil, t, width and height) can either be set on
a layout-basis (means a different value for each layout) or one value
can be set for all layouts. For the latter case there is an additional
value @code{auto} which choose autom. the senseful fix-type depending
on the current layout-type: For top-layouts the fix-type @code{height}
and for all other layout-types the fix-type @code{width}.

For a detailed description of the valid values see documentation of
@code{window-size-fixed} which is newly introduced in GNU Emacs 21 and
is only available there. Therefore this option takes only effect with
GNU Emacs >= 21. This option has no effect with XEmacs because it does
not support the feature @code{window-size-fixed}.

Note1: Manually resizing the ECB-windows via @code{enlarge-window},
@code{shrink-window}, @code{mouse-drag-vertical-line} and
@code{mouse-drag-mode-line} is still possible even if the window-sizes
are fixed for frame-resizing!

Note2: The description of @code{window-size-fixed} in the
elisp-info-manual is more detailed than the description offered by
@kbd{C-h v}!

Note3: With Emacs < 22 there seems to be no distinction between
'width, 'height and t. Therefore this option takes no effect (means
all ecb-windows have always unfixed sizes) with Emacs < 22 if
@code{ecb-compile-window-height} is not nil.

Per default no window-size fixing has been done.
@end defopt


@defopt hide-ecb-windows-after-hook
Hooks run direct after the ECB windows have been hidden. Hiding was
done either by @code{ecb-toggle-ecb-windows} or
@code{ecb-hide-ecb-windows}.

IMPORTANT: Hiding the ECB-windows is internally done by calling
@code{ecb-redraw-layout} and therefore also the hooks
@code{ecb-redraw-layout-before-hook} and
@code{ecb-redraw-layout-after-hook} are evaluated. The hook-sequence
is analogous to that described in
@code{ecb-show-ecb-windows-after-hook}.
@end defopt

@defopt hide-ecb-windows-before-hook
Hook run direct before the ECB windows will be hidden. Hiding is done
either by @code{ecb-toggle-ecb-windows} or
@code{ecb-hide-ecb-windows}. This means that at runtime of this hook
all the ECB-tree-windows of current layout are visible.

IMPORTANT: Hiding the ECB-windows is internally done by calling
@code{ecb-redraw-layout} and therefore also the hooks
@code{ecb-redraw-layout-before-hook} and
@code{ecb-redraw-layout-after-hook} are evaluated. The hook-sequence
is analogous to that described in
@code{ecb-show-ecb-windows-before-hook}.
@end defopt

@defopt ignore-display-buffer-function
Adviced @code{display-buffer} ignores @code{display-buffer-function}.
This means, that the adviced version of @code{display-buffer} ignores
the value of @code{display-buffer-function} when called for the
@code{ecb-frame}. If this variable should not be ignored then the
function of @code{display-buffer-function} is completely responsible
which window is used for the buffer to display - no smart ECB-logic
will help to deal best with the ECB-window-layout! You can define if
and when @code{display-buffer-function} should be ignored:

@itemize @minus
@item
only when persistent compile window is used - i.e. if
@code{ecb-compile-window-height} is not nil

@item
always when ECB is active - that means ignore when ECB is active
otherwise not - this is the default value

@item
never, the adviced version of @code{display-buffer} always uses the
value of @code{display-buffer-function} if the value is a function.
@end itemize
@end defopt

@defopt ignore-pop-up-frames
Ignore setting of option @code{pop-up-frames}.
This means, that a value of not nil for @code{pop-up-frames} is ignored:
@itemize
@item 'compile-window: only when persistent compile window is used - i.e. if
@code{ecb-compile-window-height} is not nil - this is the default value.
@item 'always: always when ECB is active - that means no pop-up-frames when ECB is active
@item @code{nil}: pop-up-frames is fully active when set
@end itemize
@end defopt

@defopt ignore-special-display
Ignore special-display-handling. This means, that all values of
@code{special-display-function}, @code{special-display-buffer-names}
and @code{special-display-regexps} are ignored

@itemize
@item
only when persistent compile window is used - i.e. if
@code{ecb-compile-window-height} is not nil - this is the default
value.

@item
always when ECB is active - that means no special-display-handling of
buffers when ECB is active

@item
never, i.e. special-dislay-handling depends on the values of the
options @code{special-display-function},
@code{special-display-buffer-names} and
@code{special-display-regexps}.

@end itemize
@end defopt

@defopt layout-always-operate-in-edit-window
Adviced window functions work always in the edit-window. If we are in
an ECB special buffer (methods, directories, etc), and any of the
adviced windowing functions is called interactively, we will select
first an edit-window according to the value of
@code{ecb-mouse-click-destination}. This is useful if you have any
functions that use such functions and you don't want them to fail with
an error complaining that the current buffer can not be split, or
something similar.

Because this may not be desirable in all situations and for all
adviced functions this can be enabled separately for function where it
is senseful. If the symbol of an adviced function is contained in the
value of this option, then the edit-window is first selected otherwise
either an error is reported or some other special reaction (depends on
@code{ecb-advice-window-functions-signal-error}); see the
documentation of the adviced functions for this.

Per default this is only enabled for @code{switch-to-buffer}.
@end defopt


@defopt layout-debug-mode
Write debug-information about layout-operations in the
Messages-buffer. Normally there should be no need to set this option
to true but if there are problems to display buffers in the
compile-window of ECB (e.g. buffers which should be displayed there
aren't or the temporally enlarging-mechanism does not do what you
think it should do etc...) then please do the following steps:

@enumerate
@item
Set @code{ecb-layout-debug-mode} to not nil

@item
Reproduce the wrong behavior exactly by repeating all the operations
which lead to the problem.

@item
Now send immediately a bug report with
@code{ecb-submit-problem-report}.

@item
Set @code{ecb-layout-debug-mode} back to nil if you do not want
further debugging output in the *Messages* buffer
@end enumerate
@end defopt



@defopt layout-name
Select a window layout of ECB. Value is any arbitrary string. There are
four different types of layouts: left, right, top and left-right,
which means the location of the ECB-tree-windows in the ECB-frame.
Currently there are 20 predefined layouts; names see below. You can
savely try out any of them by changing this value and saving it only
for the current session. If you are sure which layout you want you can
save it for future sessions. To get a picture of the layout for name
<name> call `ecb-show-layout-help'. @code{ecb-layout-function-9}.

Currently available layouts:

@itemize @bullet
@item Left layouts:
left1 left2 left3 left4 left5 left6 left7 left8 left9 left10 left11
left12 left13 left14 left15

@item Right layouts:
right1

@item Top layouts:
top1 top2

@item Left-right layouts:
leftright1 leftright2
@end itemize

Regardless of the settings you define here: If you have destroyed or
changed the ECB-screen-layout by any action you can always go back to
this layout with @code{ecb-redraw-layout}
@end defopt

@defopt layout-window-sizes
Specifies the sizes of the ECB windows for each layout.
The easiest way (and also the very strongly recommended way) to set this
option is to change the window sizes by dragging the window borders using
the mouse and then store the window sizes by calling the command
@code{ecb-store-window-sizes}. Next time the layout is redrawn the values stored in
this option will be used.

If @code{ecb-store-window-sizes} is used then the windows sizes are stored per
default as fractions of current frame-width and -height of the ecb-frame, so
the stored values will ``work'' for other frame sizes too. But if you call
@code{ecb-store-window-sizes} with a prefix-argument then the fixed values of
current width and height are stored!

If this option is set ``by hand'' (i.e. not by @code{ecb-store-window-sizes}) then
the following is important:
@itemize
@item Use always @code{customize-option}, never @code{setq}!
@item It is recommended to use fractions of frame-width and -height!.
@item It is also recommended to use buffer-name-symbols instead of plain
buffer-names (e.g. ecb-history-buffer-name instead of " *ECB History*'')
@item There must be an entry for each special ecb-buffer of that layout for which
the sizes are stored.
@item The order of the sequence of the inserted window sizes doesn't matter
because each size-pair is assigned to a buffer-name the sizes belong to.
@end itemize
@end defopt

@defopt maximize-ecb-window-after-selection
If not nil maximize current tree-window after selection. When
selecting another not-tree-window after such an automatic maximizing
all tree-windows of current layout are displayed again. But a
tree-window is not maximized if either a node has been selected via
primary- oder secondarc mouse-button or the popup-menu of that
tree-buffer has been opened.
@end defopt

@defopt maximize-next-after-maximized-select
Maximizes the next logical tree-window after a maximized
node-selection. Selecting a node in a maximized tree-window is handled
very smart by ECB:

If a tree-buffer-name is not contained in this option then selecting a
node in this maximized tree-buffer automatically ``minimizes'' that
tree-window (i.e. displays all windows of the current layout) so the
user can perform the next logical step (e.g. the next logical step
after selecting a directory in the directories-buffer is to select a
source-file - therefore the sources-buffer of current layout has to be
displayed - if the current layout contains one; the next logical step
of selecting a source-file is probably to jump to a certain tag via
the methods-buffer).

If a tree-buffer-name is contained in this option then selecting a
node in this tree-buffer automatically maximizes the next logical
tree-window (e.g. directories --> sources, sources/history -->
methods). But if the current maximized tree-buffer is also contained
in the option @code{ecb-tree-do-not-leave-window-after-select} (see
also the tree-buffer-command
@code{ecb-toggle-do-not-leave-window-after-select} which is bound to
@code{C-t} in each tree-buffer) then ECB does *not* maximize the next
logical tree-window but point stays in the currently maximized
tree-buffer so for example the user can select more than one node
(e.g. more than one source-file from the sources-buffer.

The tree-buffer-name can either be defined as plain string or with a
symbol which contains the buffer-name as value. The latter one is
recommended for the builtin ECB-tree-buffers because then simply the
related option-symbol can be used (e.g.
@code{ecb-directories-buffer-name}, @code{ecb-sources-buffer-name} or
@code{ecb-history-buffer-name}).

In future versions this option will probably also allow to define the
next logical tree-buffer for a tree-buffer - currently this is
hard-coded as follows:
@itemize @minus
@item directories --next-logical--> sources
@item sources     --next-logical--> methods
@item history     --next-logical--> methods.
@end itemize
@end defopt



@defopt maximize-next-after-maximized-select
Maximizes the next logical tree-window after a maximized
node-selection. Selecting a node in a maximized tree-window is handled
very smart by ECB:

If this option is nil then selecting a node in a maximized
directories- sources- or history-tree-buffer automatically
``minimizes'' that tree-window (i.e. displays all windows of the
current layout) so the user can perform the next logical step (e.g.
the next logical step after selecting a directory in the
directories-buffer is to select a source-file - therefore the
sources-buffer of current layout has to be displayed - if the current
layout contains one; the next logical step of selecting a source-file
is probably to jump to a certain tag via the methods-buffer).

If this option is not nil then selecting a node in a maximized
directories- sources- or history-tree-buffer automatically maximizes
the next logical tree-window (directories --> sources, sources/history
--> methods). But if the current maximized tree-buffer is contained in
the option @code{ecb-tree-do-not-leave-window-after-select} (see also
the tree-buffer-command
@code{ecb-toggle-do-not-leave-window-after-select} which is bound to
@code{C-t} in each tree-buffer) then ECB does *not* maximize the next
logical tree-window but point stays in the currently maximized
tree-buffer so for example the user can select more than one
source-file from the sources-buffer.
@end defopt



@defopt new-ecb-frame
Create a new frame at activation time of ECB.
@end defopt

@defopt other-window-behavior
The behavior of ECB concerning getting an ``other window''. The
following settings are possible:

@code{all}:

ECB will cycle through all windows of the ECB-frame or scroll simply
the next window in the ECB-frame, means it behaves like the original
@code{other-window} rsp. the original
@code{other-window-for-scrolling}.

@code{only-edit}:

ECB will only cycle through the edit-windows of ECB or only scroll
another edit-window. If the selected window is not an edit-window then
it behaves like with value @code{all}.

@code{edit-and-compile}:

Like @code{only-edit} plus the compile window if any. If the selected
window is neither an edit-window nor the compile-window then it
behaves like with value @code{all}.

@code{smart}:

With this setting ECB tries to choose the
@code{other-window}-destination or the ``other window'' to scroll in a
smart and intuitive way: If point is in one of the edit-windows and if
the edit-area is splitted then always the ``next'' edit-window is
choosen (whereas the next edit-window of the last edit-window is the
first edit-window)- if the edit-area is unsplitted then the
compile-window is used if there is one. In the context of an
@code{other-window}-call the @var{ARG} of @code{other-window} will be
taken into account.

If one of the special ecb-windows is selected then always the ``next''
ecb-window is choosen (whereas the next ecb-window of the last
ecb-window is the first ecb-window). In the context of an
@code{other-window}-call the @var{ARG} of @code{other-window} will be
taken into account. If there is only one ecb-window then ECB considers
also the edit-windows

If the compile-window is selected then always the last edit-window
which had the point will be used unless @code{other-window} has been
called with a prefix-argument unequal 1.

If there is an active minibuffer:

Regardless of the allowed values above ECB handles the situation of an
active minibuffer during a call to @code{other-window} or
@code{scroll-other-window} like follows:

If the minibuffer-window is selected then ECB always chooses the
window @code{minibuffer-scroll-window} points to (when this variable
is set, otherwise the compile-window or the last selected edit-window
is choosen) when the called command is called to choose the 1. next
window (always true for scrolling another window or true when
@code{other-window} called without prefix-arg or with prefix-arg equal
1). Otherwise the window ARG steps away is choosen (in case of
@code{other-window}).

If there is an active minibuffer but the minibuffer-window is not
selected then @code{other-window} and @code{scroll-other-window}
behave like the original version.

In addition to the allowed values above the value of this option can
also be a function:

A function:

This function gets seven arguments:
@enumerate
@item
A canonical list of all currently visible windows of the
@code{ecb-frame}
@item
A canonical list of all currently visible edit-windows
@item
A canonical list of all currently visible ecb-windows
@item
The window-object of the compile-window if there is any.
@item
The minibuffer-window of the ECB-frame if there is an active
minibuffer.
@item
The result of the function @code{ecb-where-is-point} - see the
documentation of this function for details.
@item
An integer which indicates how many steps away from the current
selected window the ``other-window'' is. Is nil when this function is
called in another context then for @code{other-window}.
@end enumerate

The function has to return a window-object which is then used as
``other window'' for the command @code{other-window} or for scrolling
another window (e.g. with @code{scroll-other-window}). Such a function
has to handle properly all situation for itself.
@code{ecb-get-other-window-smart} is an example for such a function.
@end defopt

@defopt redraw-layout-after-hook
Hooks run direct before the ECB windows will be shown either by
@code{ecb-toggle-ecb-windows} or @code{ecb-show-ecb-windows}. This
means that at runtime of this hook the ECB-windows are already
visible.
@end defopt

@defopt redraw-layout-before-hook
Hooks run direct before the ECB-layout will be redrawn by either
@code{ecb-redraw-layout}.
@end defopt

@defopt redraw-layout-quickly
If non-nil, we will attempt to redraw the layout quickly. Please read
also carefully the documentation of @code{ecb-redraw-layout}.
@end defopt

@defopt select-edit-window-on-redraw
Select the first edit window on @code{ecb-redraw-layout}.
@end defopt

@defopt show-ecb-windows-after-hook
Hooks run direct before the ECB windows will be shown either by
@code{ecb-toggle-ecb-windows} or @code{ecb-show-ecb-windows}. This
means that at runtime of this hook the ECB-windows are already
visible.

IMPORTANT: Showing the hidden ECB-windows is internally done by
calling @code{ecb-redraw-layout} and therefore also the hooks
@code{ecb-redraw-layout-before-hook} and
@code{ecb-redraw-layout-after-hook} are evaluated. So there is the
following sequence of hooks during the process of showing the hidden
ECB-windows:
@enumerate
@item @code{ecb-show-ecb-windows-before-hook}
@item @code{ecb-redraw-layout-before-hook}
@item <redrawing the layout to show the hidden ECB-windows>
@item @code{ecb-redraw-layout-after-hook}
@item @code{ecb-show-ecb-windows-after-hook}
@end enumerate
So be aware which code you add to which hook!
@end defopt

@defopt show-ecb-windows-before-hook
Hooks run direct before the ECB windows will be shown either by
@code{ecb-toggle-ecb-windows} or @code{ecb-show-ecb-windows}. This
means that at runtime of this hook the ECB-windows are still hidden.

IMPORTANT: Showing the hidden ECB-windows is internally done by
calling @code{ecb-redraw-layout} and therefore also the hooks
@code{ecb-redraw-layout-before-hook} and
@code{ecb-redraw-layout-after-hook} are evaluated. So there is the
following sequence of hooks during the process of showing the hidden
ECB-windows:
@enumerate
@item @code{ecb-show-ecb-windows-before-hook}
@item @code{ecb-redraw-layout-before-hook}
@item <redrawing the layout to show the hidden ECB-windows>
@item @code{ecb-redraw-layout-after-hook}
@item @code{ecb-show-ecb-windows-after-hook}
@end enumerate
So be aware which code you add to which hook!
@end defopt


@defopt split-edit-window-after-start
Sets if and how the edit window should be splitted after ECB-start.
But be aware: This option determines only if and how the edit-window
should be splitted at start-time of ECB. There are five different
values allowed for this option:

@itemize @minus
@item @code{nil}:
Do not split the edit-area of ECB after activation, i.e. there will be
only one edit-window after starting ECB.

@item @code{horizontal}:
Split the edit-area in 2 edit-windows side by side.

@item @code{vertical}:
Split the edit-area in 2 edit-windows, one above the other.

@item @code{before-activation}:
Split the edit-area as before the ECB-start, i.e. the edit-area will
have after start a window-layout as the whole frame had before the
start of ECB.

@item @code{before-deactivation}:
Split the edit-area into a window-layout ECB had in its edit-area
direct before the ECB-deactivation. This value preserves the full
state between activations of ECB, i.e. the visibility of the
ECB-windows, the visibility of a compile-window and also the full
split-state of the edit-area. But this can only be done if important
layout-options have not been changed in the meanwhile. These are the
options @code{ecb-layout-name}, @code{ecb-compile-window-height},
@code{ecb-compile-window-width}, @code{ecb-windows-width} and
@code{ecb-windows-height}.
@end itemize

Default value is @code{before-deactivation}.

Some remarks to the value @code{before-activation}: If this value has
been set then ECB needs three permanent adivces even when ECB is
deactivated: @code{split-window}, @code{delete-window} and
@code{delete-other-windows}. But these advices do not change any
behavior of these functions but only storing in an internal
ECB-variable the facts that a window has been splitted or deleted. In
addition to this these advices are 100% error-save, means the
functionality of the original functions will be performed in every(!)
case even if within the advice an error occurs (but normally there can
no errors occur in these advices because they are very simple).
Conclusion: If you want really all ECB-advices being disabled after
deactivating ECB then you have to set this option to other values then
@code{before-activation}. But setting this variable to this value is
really completely save.
@end defopt

@defopt toggle-layout-sequence
Toggle sequence for layout toggling with @code{ecb-toggle-layout}.
Every element of this list has to be a valid layout-name i.e. either
one of the predefined layouts or one of the user-defined layouts.

You can add here as many layouts as you want but to use this option
most effective you should not add more than 2 or 3 layouts so every
layout can be accessed very fast by toggling with
@code{ecb-toggle-layout}. It is also senseful to add layouts which
have the same principal outline, i.e. all their tree-buffers are on
the same side of the frame and the tree-buffer-''column'' (or
-''row'') has identical size for the layouts.

Recommended values are for example:

@itemize @minus
@item (``left10'' ``left15''), toggles between methods and directories/history
@item (``left10'' ``left13''), toggles between methods and directories
@item (``left10'' ``left14''), toggles between methods and history
@item (``left10'' ``left13'' ``left14''), toggles between methods, history and directories
@end itemize

See also option @code{ecb-show-sources-in-directories-buffer}.

This option makes only sense if the value is a list with more than 1
element!
@end defopt

@defopt windows-height
The height of the ECB windows in lines for top-layouts. If the number
is less than 1.0 the width is a fraction of the frame height.
@end defopt

@defopt windows-width
The width of the ECB windows in columns for left- and right layouts.
If the number is less than 1.0 the width is a fraction of the frame
width.
@end defopt

@node ecb-compilation, ecb-create-layout, ecb-layout, Customizable options
@subsection Group ecb-compilation

@noindent
This group contains settings for the compile window of ECB:

@defopt compilation-buffer-names
Additional buffer names that should be displayed in the
compile-window. Buffer names can either be defined as strings or as
regexps. If the buffer-name of a buffer matches one of the defined
string or regexp then it will be displayed in the compile-window of
ECB even if @code{compilation-buffer-p} says nil for this buffer.

It is not recommended to add the eshell-buffer-names to this list
because ECB already handles the eshell-integration as best as
possible (@pxref{Using eshell}).

See also the options @code{ecb-compilation-major-modes} and
@code{ecb-compilation-predicates}.
@end defopt

@defopt compilation-major-modes
Additional major-mode that should be displayed in the compile-window.
All buffers of a major-mode contained in this list are displayed in
the compile-window even if @code{compilation-buffer-p} says nil for
such a buffer.

It is not recommended to add @code{eshell-mode} to this list because
ECB already handles the eshell-integration as best as possible
(@pxref{Using eshell}).
@end defopt

@defopt compilation-predicates
Predicates when a buffer should be treated as compilation-buffer.
Every element of this list has to be a function or lambda-expression
which gets as argument a buffer-object and which has to return not nil
when this buffer should be treated as compilation-buffer (even if
@code{compilation-buffer-p} says nil) and therefore be displayed in
the compile-window of ECB (if there is any).

In combination with the values of @code{ecb-compilation-buffer-names}
and @code{ecb-compilation-major-modes} ECB decides when a buffer is
displayed in the compile-window.

Default value is the function @code{comint-check-proc} which returns
not nil when the buffer is related to a living process.
@end defopt

@defopt compile-window-height
Height of the persistent compilation-window of ECB. If you want a
compilation window shown at the bottom of the ECB-layout then set here
the height of it (Default is a height of 5). If you redraw the current
layout with @code{ecb-redraw-layout} then the compilation window (if
any) has the height you set here. If the number is less than 1.0 the
height is a fraction of the frame height.

If you do not set a persistent compilation window then doing a
compilation or displaying temp-buffers (e.g. *Help*-buffers) splits
temporally the edit window vertically if the edit window is not
splitted already or uses another edit window temporally for
compilation output if the edit window is already splitted. This is the
recommended value for this option because this is the
standard-behavior of Emacs.

Beware: If you set a persistent compilation window then ECB displays all
buffers for which @code{ecb-compilation-buffer-p} returns not nil in
that persistent compilation window. If a buffer which should being
displayed there is not displayed there then try to modify the options
@code{ecb-compilation-buffer-names},
@code{ecb-compilation-major-modes} or
@code{ecb-compilation-predicates} (in this sequence).

See also the options @code{ecb-compile-window-temporally-enlarge} and
@code{ecb-enlarged-compilation-window-max-height} and also the command
@code{ecb-toggle-compile-window-height}!

ECB offers the functionality of such a persistent compile-window
regardless if the special ECB-windows are visible or not (see the
command @code{ecb-toggle-ecb-windows}).

Regardless of the settings you define here: If you have destroyed or
changed the ECB-screen-layout by any action you can always go back to
this layout with @code{ecb-redraw-layout}
@end defopt

@defopt compile-window-prevent-shrink-below-height
Allow the compile-window to be shrunken below its height. A non nil
value means ECB prevents the compile-window from being shrunken below
the threshold of @code{ecb-compile-window-height} by displaying
temp-buffers (e.g. *Help* etc.) or after running compilations or
greps. But interactively it is always allowed to shrink it to every
height!

If nil then ECB does nothing to prevent being shrunken below the value
of @code{ecb-compile-window-height}.

Default is t.
@end defopt



@defopt compile-window-temporally-enlarge
Let Emacs temporally enlarge the compile-window of the ECB-layout.
This option has only an effect if @code{ecb-compile-window-height} is
not nil!

The following values are possible:
@itemize @minus
@item @code{after-display}:
After displaying a ``compilation-buffer'' (in the sense of
@code{ecb-compilation-buffer-p}!) in the compile-window of ECB. For
the max. height of the enlarged compile-window see the option
@code{ecb-enlarged-compilation-window-max-height}.

@item @code{after-selection}:
Selecting the @code{ecb-compile-window} auto. enlarges it and
de-selecting (means leaving @code{ecb-compile-window}) auto. shrinks
it. Enlarging and shrinking the @code{ecb-compile-window} is done with
@code{ecb-toggle-compile-window-height}. See also the
documentation of this function!

@item @code{both}:
The combination of 'after-display and 'after-selection.

@item @code{nil}:
ECB fixes always the height of the @code{ecb-compile-window} at the
value of @code{ecb-compile-window-height}.
@end itemize

To restore the ECB-layout after such a buffer-enlarge just call
@code{ecb-toggle-compile-window-height} or
@code{ecb-redraw-layout}.
@end defopt

@defopt compile-window-width
Width of the compile-window.

Possible values are @code{frame} and @code{edit-window}.
With @code{frame} the compile-window looks like:


@example
@group
   -------------------------------------------------------
   |              |                                      |
   |  Directories |                                      |
   |              |                                      |
   |--------------|            edit-window(s)            |
   |              |                                      |
   |  Methods     |                                      |
   |              |                                      |
   -------------------------------------------------------
   |                                                     |
   |                    Compilation                      |
   |                                                     |
   -------------------------------------------------------
@end group
@end example

With @code{edit-window} the compile-window looks like:

@example
@group
   -------------------------------------------------------
   |              |                                      |
   |  Directories |                                      |
   |              |                                      |
   |--------------|            edit-window(s)            |
   |              |                                      |
   |  Methods     |                                      |
   |              |                                      |
   |              |---------------------------------------
   |              |                                      |
   |              |            Compilation               |
   |              |                                      |
   -------------------------------------------------------
@end group
@end example
   
This option takes only effect if @code{ecb-compile-window-height} is
not nil!
@end defopt

@defopt change-layout-preserves-compwin-state
Changing the layout preserves the state of the compile-window. This is
for example useful if the user toggles between several layouts (see
@code{ecb-toggle-layout}) and wants to preserve the hidden-state of
the compile-window.
@end defopt


@defopt enlarged-compilation-window-max-height
The max height of the compile-window after enlarging it. The max
height of the compilation window after enlarged by
@code{ecb-toggle-compile-window-height}. The following values are
allowed:

@code{best}:

ECB fits the height of the compile-window exactly to the size of its
current contents but never shrinks below the value of
@code{ecb-compile-window-height} or enlarges over the half of the
frame-height of the ECB-frame. The values of the options
@code{compilation-window-height} and @code{temp-buffer-max-height} are
taken into account dependent of the current @code{major-mode} of the
buffer in the compile-window: If @code{compilation-mode} then
@code{compilation-window-height} is used otherwise
@code{temp-buffer-max-height}.

@code{half}:

1/2 the frame-height of the ECB-frame

Any number:

Max height in lines. If the number is less than 1.0 the height is a
fraction of the frame height (e.g. 0.33 results in a max-height of 1/3
the frame-height).
@end defopt

@defopt scroll-other-window-scrolls-compile-window
@code{scroll-other-window} scrolls always the compile-window. For all
details about the scroll-behavior of @code{scroll-other-window} see
the advice documentation of @code{other-window-for-scrolling}.
@end defopt


@node ecb-create-layout, ecb-face-options, ecb-compilation, Customizable options
@subsection Group ecb-create-layout

@noindent
This group contains settings for creating new ECB-layouts:

@defopt create-layout-file
File where all layouts created by @code{ecb-create-new-layout} are
stored.
@end defopt

@defopt ecb-create-layout-frame-height
Frame height of the layout creation frame.
@end defopt

@defopt ecb-create-layout-frame-width
Frame width of the layout creation frame.
@end defopt

@node ecb-face-options, ecb-faces, ecb-create-layout, Customizable options
@subsection Group ecb-face-options

@noindent
This group contains settings for all faces used in ECB:

@defopt directories-general-face
Basic face for the ECB directories buffer. This defines the basic face
the whole directory buffer should displayed with. If the face
@code{ecb-default-general-face} is used then the display of all
ECB-tree-buffers can be changed by modifying only the face
@code{ecb-default-general-face}.

Changes take first effect after finishing and reactivating ECB!
@end defopt

@defopt directory-face
Face used for highlighting current directory in the directories
buffer. If the face @code{ecb-default-highlight-face} is used then the
display of all ECB-tree-buffers can be changed by modifying only the
face @code{ecb-default-highlight-face}.

Changes take first effect after finishing and reactivating ECB!
@end defopt

@defopt directory-not-accessible-face
Face for not accessible dirs in the directories buffer.
@end defopt

@defopt history-bucket-node-dir-soure-path-face
Basic face for displaying the source-path part in a directory bucket.
This defines the face for the source-path part in a bucket-node of the
history-buffer if @code{ecb-history-make-buckets} is set to
'directory-with-source-path. For all other values of
@code{ecb-history-make-buckets} this option takes no effect.

Changes take first effect after finishing and reactivating ECB!
@end defopt


@defopt history-bucket-node-face
Basic face for displaying a bucket-node in the ECB-history-buffer.
This defines the basic face for the bucket-nodes used to bucketize the
history-entries as defined with the option @code{ecb-history-make-buckets}.

Changes take first effect after finishing and reactivating ECB!
@end defopt

@defopt history-dead-buffer-face
Face for history entries pointing to dead buffers.

Changes take first effect after finishing and reactivating ECB!
@end defopt

@defopt history-face
Face used for highlighting current history-entry in the history
buffer. If the face @code{ecb-default-highlight-face} is used then the
display of all ECB-tree-buffers can be changed by modifying only the
face @code{ecb-default-highlight-face}.

Changes take first effect after finishing and reactivating ECB!
@end defopt

@defopt history-general-face
Basic face for the ECB directory buffer. This defines the basic face
the whole history buffer should displayed with. If the face
@code{ecb-default-general-face} is used then the display of all
ECB-tree-buffers can be changed by modifying only the face
@code{ecb-default-general-face}.

Changes take first effect after finishing and reactivating ECB!
@end defopt

@defopt history-indirect-buffer-face
Face for indirect buffers in the history buffer.

Changes take first effect after finishing and reactivating ECB!
@end defopt



@defopt method-face
Face used for highlighting current method, class or variable in the
methods buffer. If the face @code{ecb-default-highlight-face} is used
then the display of all ECB-tree-buffers can be changed by modifying
only the face @code{ecb-default-highlight-face}.

Changes take first effect after finishing and reactivating ECB!
@end defopt

@defopt method-non-semantic-face
Face used for for displaying tags of sources not supported by
semantic.

Changes take first effect after finishing and reactivating ECB!
@end defopt


@defopt methods-general-face
Basic face for the ECB methods buffer. This defines the basic face the
whole methods buffer should displayed with. If the face
@code{ecb-default-general-face} is used then the display of all
ECB-tree-buffers can be changed by modifying only the face
@code{ecb-default-general-face}.

Changes take first effect after finishing and reactivating ECB!
@end defopt

@defopt source-face
Face used for highlighting current source in the sources buffer. If
the face @code{ecb-default-highlight-face} is used then the display of
all ECB-tree-buffers can be changed by modifying only the face
@code{ecb-default-highlight-face}.

Changes take first effect after finishing and reactivating ECB!
@end defopt

@defopt source-in-directories-buffer-face
Face for source files in the directories buffer.
@end defopt

@defopt sources-general-face
Basic face for the ECB sources buffer. This defines the basic face the
whole sources buffer should displayed with. If the face
@code{ecb-default-general-face} is used then the display of all
ECB-tree-buffers can be changed by modifying only the face
@code{ecb-default-general-face}.

Changes take first effect after finishing and reactivating ECB!
@end defopt

@defopt source-read-only-face
Face for read-only sources.
@end defopt

@defopt symboldef-prototype-face
Which face should be used for the symbol prototype in the symboldef-buffer.

The prototype can be the function prototype in case of a function or method or
- in case of a variable - the type of the variable (in case of a typed
language).
@end defopt

@defopt symboldef-symbol-face
Which face should be used for the symbol itself in the symboldef-buffer.

There are two choices: Either a face or the special symbol 'use-font-lock-face
whereas the latter one means that ECB uses that face font-lock uses for
fontifying the symbol (e.g. font-lock-function-name-face for a function
symbol or font-lock-variable-name-face for a variable symbol).
@end defopt

@defopt tag-header-face
Face used for highlighting the tag header after jumping to it by
clicking onto a node in the methods buffer.
@end defopt



@node ecb-faces, ecb-help, ecb-face-options, Customizable options
@subsection Group ecb-faces

@noindent
This group contains all faces used in ECB:

@table @code
@item ecb-bucket-node-face:
Face which can be used for displaying bucket tags in the methods
buffer. See also @code{ecb-bucket-node-display}.

@item ecb-default-general-face:
Basic face for all ECB tree-buffers.
It's recommended to define here the font-family, the font-size, the basic
color etc.

In GNU Emacs 21.X all faces (even the face
@code{ecb-default-highlight-face}) used in the ECB tree-buffers inherit
from this face. Therefore the default attributes like font etc. of a
face used in a tree-buffer can be very easily changed with face
@code{ecb-default-general-face}.

With XEmacs there is no inheritance-feature but the options
@code{ecb-directories-general-face}, @code{ecb-sources-general-face},
@code{ecb-methods-general-face} and @code{ecb-history-general-face}
offer the choice to use the face @code{ecb-default-general-face} so
also with XEmacs the basic face-settings can be easily changed just by
customizing the face @code{ecb-default-general-face}!

@item ecb-default-highlight-face:
Define basic face for highlighting the selected node in an ECB
tree-buffer.

In GNU Emacs 21.X all highlighting faces in the ECB tree-buffers
inherit from this face. Therefore the default attributes like font
etc. of a face used in a tree-buffer for highlighting the current
tag can be very easily changed with face
@code{ecb-default-highlight-face}.

With XEmacs there is no inheritance-feature but the options
@code{ecb-directory-face}, @code{ecb-source-face},
@code{ecb-method-face} and @code{ecb-history-face} offer the choice to
use the face @code{ecb-default-highlight-face} so also with XEmacs the
basic face-settings can be easily changed just by customizing the face
@code{ecb-default-highlight-face}!

@item ecb-directories-general-face:
Basic face for the ECB directories buffer. It´s recommended to define
here the font-family, the font-size, the basic color etc.

@item ecb-directory-face:
Define face used for highlighting current directory in the directories
buffer.

@item ecb-directory-not-accessible-face
Define a face for not accessible dirs in the directories buffer.

@item ecb-history-bucket-node-dir-soure-path-face:
Face used for displaying the source-path part in a directory-bucket.

In GNU Emacs 21.X this face inherits from the face
@code{ecb-history-bucket-node-face}.

With XEmacs and GNU Emacs 20.X there is no inheritance-feature so if the
buckets in the ECB-history-buffer should be displayed with the same basic
attributes set by @code{ecb-history-bucket-node-face} this set of basic
attributes have to be set in
@code{ecb-history-bucket-node-dir-soure-path-face} too!

@item ecb-history-bucket-node-face:
Face used for displaying a bucket-node in the ECB-history-buffer.

In GNU Emacs 21.X this face inherits from the face
@code{ecb-bucket-node-face}. With XEmacs and GNU Emacs 20.X there is no
inheritance-feature so if the buckets in the ECB-history-buffer should be
displayed with the same basic attributes set by @code{ecb-bucket-node-face}
this set of basic attributes have to be set in
@code{ecb-history-bucket-node-face} too!

@item ecb-history-dead-buffer-face:
Face used for history entries pointing to dead buffers.

In GNU Emacs 21.X this face inherits from the face
@code{ecb-history-general-face}. With XEmacs and GNU Emacs 20.X there is no
inheritance-feature so if the buckets in the ECB-history-buffer should be
displayed with the same basic attributes set by
@code{ecb-history-general-face} this set of basic attributes have to be set in
@code{ecb-history-dead-buffer-face} too!

@item ecb-history-face:
Define face used for highlighting current history-entry in the history
buffer.

@item ecb-history-general-face:
Basic face for the ECB history buffer. It´s recommended to define here
the font-family, the font-size, the basic color etc.

@item ecb-history-indirect-buffer-face:
Face used for history entries pointing to dead buffers.

In GNU Emacs 21.X this face inherits from the face
@code{ecb-history-general-face}. With XEmacs and GNU Emacs 20.X there is no
inheritance-feature so if the buckets in the ECB-history-buffer should be
displayed with the same basic attributes set by
@code{ecb-history-general-face} this set of basic attributes have to be set in
@code{ecb-history-indirect-buffer-face} too!

@item ecb-method-face:
Define face used for highlighting current method, class or variable in
the methods buffer.

@item ecb-methods-general-face:
Basic face for the ECB methods buffer. It´s recommended to define here
the font-family, the font-size, the basic color etc.

@item ecb-method-non-semantic-face:
Define face used for displaying tags of sources not supported by semantic.

@item ecb-mode-line-data-face
Define face for the data in the mode-line. See
@code{ecb-mode-line-data}.

@item ecb-mode-line-prefix-face
Define face for the prefix in the mode-line. See
@code{ecb-mode-line-prefixes}.

@item ecb-mode-line-win-nr-face
Define face for the window-number in the mode-line. See
@code{ecb-mode-line-display-window-number}.

@item ecb-source-face:
Define face used for highlighting current source in the sources
buffer.

@item ecb-source-in-directories-buffer-face:
Define a face for displaying sources in the directories buffer.

@item ecb-sources-general-face:
Basic face for the ECB sources buffer. It´s recommended to define here
the font-family, the font-size, the basic color etc.

@item ecb-source-read-only-face
Define a face for read-only sources

@item ecb-symboldef-prototype-face
Define face used for the prototype of symbol in the symboldef-buffer.

@item ecb-symboldef-symbol-face
Define a face used for the symbol itself in the symboldef-buffer

@item ecb-tag-header-face:
Define face used for highlighting the tag header after jumping to it
by clicking onto a node in the methods buffer.

@item ecb-tree-guide-line-face:
Define face for the guide-lines in the tree-buffers. See the option
@code{ecb-tree-buffer-style} for a explanation of guide-lines.

@item ecb-type-tag-class-face:
Define face used with option @code{ecb-type-tag-display}.

@item ecb-type-tag-enum-face:
Define face used with option @code{ecb-type-tag-display}.

@item ecb-type-tag-group-face:
Define face used with option @code{ecb-type-tag-display}.

@item ecb-type-tag-interface-face:
Define face used with option @code{ecb-type-tag-display}.

@item ecb-type-tag-struct-face:
Define face used with option @code{ecb-type-tag-display}.

@item ecb-type-tag-typedef-face:
Define face used with option @code{ecb-type-tag-display}.

@item ecb-type-tag-union-face:
Define face used with option @code{ecb-type-tag-display}.

@end table

Just call @code{customize-face <face-name>} to customize these faces
for your personal taste. Or customize the related option in the group
@ref{ecb-face-options}.


@node ecb-help, ecb-eshell, ecb-faces, Customizable options
@subsection Group ecb-help

@noindent
This group contains settings for the ECB online help:


@defopt help-html-path
Path where the ECB online help in HTML format resides. This must be
the location of the @file{ecb.html} which comes with the ECB
distribution. If is installed by unpacking the archive available on
the ECB website then this is the subdir @code{ecb-help-html-subdir} of
the installation directory of ECB. If it is installed as
XEmacs-package (e.g. via the package manager of XEmacs) then this is
probably either the directory ``../../html/'' or
``../../etc/ecb/html/'' (both relative to the Elisp directory of ECB).

The path can either be an absolute path or a path relative to the directory
where the Elisp files of ECB are.

Normally there should be no need to change this option!
@end defopt


@defopt help-info-path
Path where the ECB online help in info format resides. This must be
the location of the @file{ecb.info} which comes with the ECB
distribution. If is installed by unpacking the archive available on
the ECB website then this is the subdir @code{ecb-help-info-subdir} of
the installation directory of ECB. If it is installed as
XEmacs-package (e.g. via the package manager of XEmacs) then this is
probably the directory ``../../info/'' (relative to the Elisp directory
of ECB).

The path can either be an absolute path or a path relative to the directory
where the Elisp files of ECB are.

Normally there should be no need to change this option!
@end defopt


@defopt show-help-format
The format @code{ecb-show-help} shows its online help. Allowed values
are 'info (for the Info format) and 'html (for HTML format). If the
value is 'html then @code{browse-url-browser-function} says which
browser is used.

Note: If you got ECB as a standard XEmacs-package maybe the
HTML-online-documentation is not included.
@end defopt

@node ecb-eshell, ecb-speedbar, ecb-help, Customizable options
@subsection Group ecb-eshell

@noindent
This group contains settings for eshell integration within the ECB:

@defopt eshell-auto-activate
Startup the eshell and display it in the compile-window. If current
layout does not display a compile-window (see
@code{ecb-compile-window-height}) then nothing is done.
@end defopt

@defopt eshell-buffer-sync
Synchronize eshell with the default-directory of current source-buffer.

This option takes only effect if a permanant compile-window is used in the
current layout.

If 'always then the synchronization takes place always a buffer changes in the
edit window and if after this the default-directory of the new edit-buffer is
different from the default-directory of the current eshell-buffer. If value is
nil then never a synchronization will take place. If a list of major-modes
then only if the @code{major-mode} of the new buffer belongs NOT to this list.

If the special value 'basic is set then ECB uses the setting of the option
@code{ecb-basic-buffer-sync}.
@end defopt

@defopt eshell-buffer-sync-delay
Time Emacs must be idle before the eshell-buffer of ECB is synchronized.
Synchronizing is done with the current source displayed in the edit window. If
nil then there is no delay, means synchronization takes place immediately. A
small value of about 0.25 seconds saves CPU resources and you get even though
almost the same effect as if you set no delay.

If the special value 'basic is set then ECB uses the setting of the option
@code{ecb-basic-buffer-sync-delay}.
@end defopt

@defopt eshell-enlarge-when-eshell
Enlarge the compile-window if it is selected by @code{eshell}. This
takes only effect if the command @code{eshell} is called!
@end defopt

@defopt eshell-fit-window-to-command-output
Fit the compile-window after an eshell-command to the output. This is
done by the function @code{ecb-eshell-fit-window-to-output} which is
added to @code{eshell-post-command-hook} ie. which is running autom.
after each eshell-command.
@end defopt

@node ecb-speedbar, ecb-non-semantic, ecb-eshell, Customizable options
@subsection Group ecb-speedbar

@defopt speedbar-before-activate-hook
Hook running directly before ECB activates the integrated speedbar.

For example this hook can be used to change the expansion-mode of the
integrated speedbar via @code{speedbar-change-initial-expansion-list}.
Example: (speedbar-change-initial-expansion-list ``buffers'').
@end defopt

@defopt speedbar-buffer-sync
Synchronize the speedbar-buffer of ECB automatically with current
edit buffer.

If 'always then the synchronization takes place always a buffer changes in the
edit window, if nil then never. If a list of major-modes then only if the
@code{major-mode} of the new buffer belongs NOT to this list.

If the special value 'basic is set then ECB uses the setting of the option
@code{ecb-basic-buffer-sync}.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Every time the synchronization is done the hook
@code{ecb-speedbar-buffer-sync-hook} is evaluated.
@end defopt

@defopt speedbar-buffer-sync-delay
Time Emacs must be idle before the speedbar-buffer of ECB is synchronized.
Synchronizing is done with the current source displayed in the edit window. If
nil then there is no delay, means synchronization takes place immediately. A
small value of about 0.25 seconds saves CPU resources and you get even though
almost the same effect as if you set no delay.

If the special value 'basic is set then ECB uses the setting of the option
@code{ecb-basic-buffer-sync-delay}.
@end defopt

@defopt speedbar-buffer-sync-hook
ook run at the end of @code{ecb-speedbar-buffer-sync}.
See documentation of @code{ecb-speedbar-buffer-sync} for conditions when
synchronization takes place and so in turn these hooks are evaluated.

Preconditions for such a hook:

@itemize

@item Current buffer is the buffer of the currently selected
edit-window.

@item The speedbar-buffer is displayed in a visible window of the
ecb-frame (so no check for visibilty of the speedbar-buffer in
the ecb-frame is necessary in a hook function)
@end itemize

Postcondition for such a hook:
Point must stay in the same edit-window as before evaluating the hook.

Important note: If the option @code{ecb-speedbar-buffer-sync} is not
nil the function @code{ecb-speedbar-buffer-sync} is running either
every time Emacs is idle or even after every command (see
@code{ecb-speedbar-buffer-sync-delay}). So if the speedbar-buffer is
displayed in a window of the ecb-frame (see preconditions above)
these hooks can be really called very often! Therefore each
function of this hook should/must check in an efficient way at
beginning if its task have to be really performed and then do
them only if really necessary! Otherwise performance of Emacs
could slow down dramatically!
@end defopt

@node ecb-non-semantic, ecb-winman, ecb-speedbar, Customizable options
@subsection Group ecb-non-semantic

@noindent
This group contains settings for parsing and displaying non-semantic files:

@defopt auto-save-before-etags-methods-rebuild
Automatic saving of current buffer before rebuilding its methods.

This option is only relevant for sources which are supported and
parsed by etags (see @code{ecb-process-non-semantic-files}). Because
etags is an external tool a source-buffer can only be reparsed if the
buffer is saved to disk. So the command
@code{ecb-rebuild-methods-buffer} checks for sources which are not
supported by semantic or imenu if either this option is t or if the
major-mode of the source-buffer is contained in this list: In both
cases ECB saves the current source-buffer before it re-runs etags for
reparsing the source. If nil or if the major-mode is not contained
then no automatic saving will be done!

For all source supported by semantic or by imenu this option takes no
effect.
@end defopt

@defopt non-semantic-exclude-modes
Exclude modes from parsing with imenu or etags. Per default, ECB tries
to parse all file-types not supported by semantic with imenu or etags
or some other method (for details see the option
@code{ecb-non-semantic-parsing-function}). If a file-type can not be
parsed by semantic, imenu or etags than this simply results in an
empty method-buffer for this file. But nevertheless you will get a
message ``Sorry, no support for a file of that extension'' which comes
from the speedbar-library and can not switched off. Therefore if a
@code{major-mode} is known as not parse-able by semantic, imenu or etags
it can be added to this option and then it will be excluded from being
tried to parsed.
@end defopt

@defopt non-semantic-methods-initial-expand
Initially expand all tags for not by semantic supported sources.
This option can be customized on a major-mode basis, i.e. if a
@code{major-mode} is contained in this option then all tags for this
modes will be initially expanded - otherwise not.
@end defopt

@defopt non-semantic-parsing-function
Define mode-dependent parsing functions for non-semantic files. This
is an alist where the car is a major-mode symbol and the cdr is a
function-symbol of a function which should be used for parsing a
non-semantic buffer, i.h. a buffer for which no semantic grammar
exists. Such a function gets one argument - the filename of current
buffer - and has to generate and return a tag/tag list which is
understandable by @code{speedbar-insert-generic-list}. speedbar has
already included two functions @code{speedbar-fetch-dynamic-imenu} and
@code{speedbar-fetch-dynamic-etags} which can be used for parsing
buffers with imenu rsp. etags.

This option takes only effect if @code{ecb-process-non-semantic-files}
is not nil: Then ECB checks for non-semantic buffers if current
@code{major-mode} is contained in this option and if yes, then the
specified parsing function is called; if not then the cars of the
elements of @code{speedbar-dynamic-tags-function-list} are called in
that sequence they are listed in this variable. See option
@code{speedbar-dynamic-tags-function-list} for further details.

In most cases imenu-parsing is preferable over etags-parsing because
imenu operates on Emacs-buffers and needs no external tool and
therefore parsing works also if current contents of a buffer are not
saved to disk. But maybe sometimes etags may return better parsing
results

IMPORTANT: if imenu-parsing should be used then the option
@code{speedbar-use-imenu-flag} must be set to not nil!
@end defopt

@defopt process-non-semantic-files
Display content of non-semantic-files in the ECB-methods-buffer. See
also @code{ecb-non-semantic-parsing-function}.
@end defopt

@defopt rebuild-non-semantic-methods-before-hook
Hook running at beginning of the function
@code{ecb-rebuild-methods-buffer-for-non-semantic}. This function is
always called by the command @code{ecb-rebuild-methods-buffer} for not
semantic supported source-types.

Every function of this hook gets one argument: The complete filename
of the current source-buffer in the edit-window. The Method-buffer is
only rebuild by @code{ecb-rebuild-methods-buffer-for-non-semantic} if
either the hook contains no function (the default) or if no function
of this hook returns nil! See @code{run-hook-with-args-until-failure}
for description how these function are processed.
@end defopt

@node ecb-winman, ecb-mode-line, ecb-non-semantic, Customizable options
@subsection Group ecb-winman

@noindent
This group contains settings for supporting several window-managers:

@defopt winman-escreen-number
Number of the escreen which is reserved for ECB. If you go to the
escreen with this number you go always to the escreen with activated
ECB. All other escreen-numbers are escreens with deactivated ECB!
@end defopt

@defopt winman-winring-name
Name of the winring-window-configuration reserved for ECB. If you go
to the window-configuration with this name you go always to the
window-configuration with activated ECB. All other
window-configuration are configurations with deactivated ECB!
@end defopt

@node ecb-mode-line, ecb-version-control, ecb-winman, Customizable options
@subsection Group ecb-mode-line

@noindent
This group contains settings for the modelines of the
ECB-tree-buffers:

@defopt mode-line-data
Data shown in the modelines of the special ECB-buffers. Everey element
of this list is a cons-cell where the car is used to define a
buffer-name and the cdr to define the modeline-data for that buffer.
For details about how to defining a buffer-name see
@code{ecb-mode-line-prefixes} - its completely the same.

The cdr is the data for ths modeline and can either be the symbol
@code{sel-dir} or @code{sel-source} whereas the former one displays
the current selected directory as modeline-data and the latter one the
current selected source-file (without path).

In addition to these two predefined values for every special
ECB-buffer a plain string (which is displayed) or a function can be
specified which gets three args (name of the buffer, current selected
directory and current selected source-file) and must return a string
which will be displayed in the modeline (or nil if no data should be
displayed). Such a function can add the text-property @code{help-echo}
to the result-string. Then this help-string will be displayed when the
user moves the mouse over this section of the modeline.

If a special ECB-buffer should not display special data in its
modeline then this buffer-name should either not being added to this
option or added with ``No data'' (= nil as cdr).

The whole modeline of the special ECB-buffer consists of the prefix of
@code{ecb-mode-line-prefixes} and the data of
@code{ecb-mode-line-data} - eventually prepended by the window-number,
see @code{ecb-mode-line-display-window-number}.
@end defopt

@defopt mode-line-data-face
Face used for the data in the mode-line. See
@code{ecb-mode-line-data}. For XEmacs the face should inherit from the
face @code{modeline} (see @code{set-face-parent})!
@end defopt


@defopt mode-line-display-window-number
Display in the modeline of every special ECB-window the window-number.
The left-top-most window in a frame has the window-number 0 and all
other windows are numbered with increasing numbers in the sequence,
functions like @code{other-window} or @code{next-window} would walk
through the frame.

This can be used to jump to windows by number with commands like:

@lisp
@group
  (defun my-switch-to-window-number (number)
    ``Switch to the nth window''
    (interactive ``P'')
    (if (integerp number)
        (select-window (nth number (window-list)))))
@end group
@end lisp

Currently this feature is only available for GNU Emacs 21.X, because
neither GNU Emacs < 21 nor XEmacs can evaluate dynamically forms in
the mode-line.
@end defopt

@defopt mode-line-prefixes
Prefixes shown in the modelines of the special ECB-buffers. The
displayed prefix then looks like: ``[ <PREFIX>[: ]]'', means if a
prefix is defined for an special ECB-buffer then a single space is
prepended and if there is additional text to display (e.g. the current
directory in the sources buffer, see @code{ecb-mode-line-data}) then
also the string ``: '' is appended.

Everey element of this list is a cons-cell where the car is used to
define a buffer-name and the cdr to define the modeline-prefix for
that buffer.

The buffer-name can either be defined as plain string or with a symbol
which contains the buffer-name as value. The latter one is recommended
to define a prefix for one of the builtin ECB-tree-buffers because
then simply the related option-symbol can be used. To add a prefix for
the builtin directories tree-buffer just set the symbol
@code{ecb-directories-buffer-name} as car.

The cdr is the prefix for a buffer and can either be a string which
used as it is or a function-symbol which is called with three argument
(the buffer-name, the current selected directory and the current
selected source-file) and must return either nil (for no prefix) or a
string which is then used a prefix. Such a function can add the
text-property @code{help-echo} to the result-string. Then this
help-string will be displayed when the user moves the mouse over this
section of the modeline.

If a special ECB-buffer should not have a prefix in its modeline then
this buffer-name should either not being added to this option or added
with ``No prefix'' (= nil as cdr).
@end defopt

@defopt mode-line-prefix-face
Face used for the prefix in the mode-line. See
@code{ecb-mode-line-prefixes}. For XEmacs the face should inherit from
the face @code{modeline} (see @code{set-face-parent})!
@end defopt

@defopt mode-line-win-nr-face
Face used for the window-number in the mode-line. See
@code{ecb-mode-line-display-window-number}. For XEmacs the face should
inherit from the face @code{modeline} (see @code{set-face-parent})!
@end defopt

@node ecb-version-control, ,ecb-mode-line, Customizable options
@subsection Group ecb-version-control

@noindent
This group contains settings for the version-control-support of ECB:

@defopt vc-directory-exclude-regexps
Which directories should be excluded from VC-state-check. If a
directory matches any of the regexps of this option the VC-state of
its sources will not be checked - This option takes only effect if
@code{ecb-vc-enable-support} is not nil.
@end defopt


@defopt vc-enable-support
Enable support for version-control (VC) systems. If on then in the
directories-buffer (if the value of the option
@code{ecb-show-sources-in-directories-buffer} is on for current
layout), the sources-buffer and the history-buffer all file-items are
displayed with an appropriate icon in front of the item-name to
indicate the VC-state of this item. If off then no
version-control-state checking is done.

Because this check can be take some time if files are managed by a not
local Version-control-server ECB performs this check stealthy (see
@code{ecb-stealthy-tasks-delay}) so normally there should no
performance-decrease or additional waiting-time for the user. But to
get sure this option offers three choices: @code{t},
@code{unless-remote} and @code{nil}. See the option
@code{ecb-prescan-directories-for-emptyness} for an explanation for
these three choices.

The option @code{ecb-vc-directory-exclude-regexps} offers are more
fine granularity to exclude the sources of certain directories from
the VC-state-check.

See @code{ecb-vc-supported-backends} and @code{ecb-vc-state-mapping}
how to customize the VC-support itself.
@end defopt

@defopt vc-state-mapping
Mapping between VC-states from the backends and ECB-known VC-states.
ECB understands the following state-values:

@table @code
@item up-to-date
The working file is unmodified with respect to the latest version on
the current branch, and not locked.

@item edited
The working file has been edited by the user. If locking is used for
the file, this state means that the current version is locked by the
calling user.

@item needs-patch
The file has not been edited by the user, but there is a more recent
version on the current branch stored in the master file.

@item needs-merge
The file has been edited by the user, and there is also a more recent
version on the current branch stored in the master file. This state
can only occur if locking is not used for the file.

@item added
The working file has already been added/registered to the VC-system
but not yet commited.

@item unlocked-changes
The current version of the working file is not locked, but the working
file has been changed with respect to that version. This state can
only occur for files with locking; it represents an erroneous
condition that should be resolved by the user.

@item ignored
The version-control-system ignores this file (e.g. because included in
a .cvsignore-file in case of CVS).

@item unknown
The state of the file can not be retrieved; probably the file is not
under a version-control-system.

@end table

All state-values a check-vc-state-function of
@code{ecb-vc-supported-backends} can return must have a mapping to one
of the ECB-state-values listed above. If for a certain
backend-VC-state no mapping can be found then per default 'edited is
assumed!

The default value of this option maps already the possible returned
state-values of @code{vc-state} and @code{vc-recompute-state} (both
GNU Emacs) and @code{vc-cvs-status} (Xemacs) to the
ECB-VC-state-values.
@end defopt

@defopt vc-supported-backends
Define how to to identify the VC-backend and how to check the state.
The value of this option is a list containing cons-cells where the car is a
function which is called to identify the VC-backend for a DIRECTORY and the
cdr is a function which is called to check the VC-state of the FILEs contained
in DIRECTORY.

Identify-backend-function: It gets a full directory-name as argument - always
without ending slash (rsp. backslash for native Windows-XEmacs) - and has to
return a unique symbol for the VC-backend which manages that directory (e.g.
'CVS for the CVS-system or 'RCS for the RCS-system) or nil if the file is not
managed by a version-control-system.

Check-vc-state-function: It gets a full filename (ie. incl. the complete
directory-part) and has to return a symbol which indicates the VC-state of
that file. The possible returned values of such a check-vc-state-function have
to be mapped with @code{ecb-vc-state-mapping} to the allowed ECB-VC-state values.

ECB runs for a certain DIRECTORY all identify-backend-functions in that order
they are listed in this option. For the first which returns a value unequal
nil the associated check-state-function is used to retrieve the VC-state of
all sourcefiles in that DIRECTORY.

There is no need for the identify-backend-function or the
check-vc-state-function to cache any state because ECB automatically caches
internally all necessary informations for directories and files for best
possible performance.

To prepend ECB from checking the VC-state for any file set
@code{ecb-vc-enable-support} to nil.

Default value: Support for CVS, RCS, SCCS, Subversion, Git, Bazaar, Monotone
and Mercurial. To identify the VC-backend the functions
@code{ecb-vc-dir-managed-by-CVS}, @code{ecb-vc-dir-managed-by-RCS} rsp.
@code{ecb-vc-dir-managed-by-SCCS} rsp. @code{ecb-vc-dir-managed-by-SVN} rsp.
@code{ecb-vc--dir-managed-by-GIT} rsp. @code{ecb-vc-dir-managed-by-BZR} rsp.
@code{ecb-vc-dir-managed-by-MTN} rsp. @code{ecb-vc-dir-managed-by-HG}are used.

For all eight backends the function @code{ecb-vc-state} of the
VC-package is used by default (which uses a heuristic and
therefore faster but less accurate approach), but there is also
@code{ecb-vc-recompute-state} available which is an alias for
@code{vc-recompute-state} (which returns accurate state-values by calling the
backend which can be slow especialy for remote root-repositories!)

Example: If @code{ecb-vc-recompute-state} (to get real state-values not
only heuristic ones) should be used to check the state for CVS-managed files
and @code{ecb-vc-state} for all other backends then an element
(ecb-vc-dir-managed-by-CVS . ecb-vc-recompute-state) should be added at the
beginning of this option.
@end defopt



@node Submitting problem report, Upgrading, Customizing, Top
@chapter Submitting a problem report

@cindex Bug report
@cindex Problem report
If you run into problems with ECB you should first take a look into

@itemize @minus
@item @ref{FAQ} or
@item @ref{Conflicts and bugs} or
@item @ref{Common use-cases} or
@item the appropriate section of this online-manual.
@end itemize

If your problem(s) still remain you can/should send a problem report
to the ECB mailing list @email{ecb-list@@lists.sourceforge.net}. ECB
offers you a command which does all necessary for you to send a
problem report. Just call @code{ecb-submit-problem-report}! Please
read the documentation of this command, see @ref{Interactive ECB
commands}.

@strong{IMPORTANT}: Cause of extra appearance of SPAM in the
mailing-lists, SourceForge has changed its policy: Now it is only
possible to post to the mailing-list for users who have subscribed
this mailing-list. So please be aware you will not be able to send
comments, bug reports and improvement suggestions before you have
subscribed the ECB-mailing-list. See the section "Mailing-list" at the
ECB-website at
@ifhtml
@uref{http://ecb.sourceforge.net}
@end ifhtml
@ifnothtml
@url{http://ecb.sourceforge.net}
@end ifnothtml
how to do this.

If you think there are problems concerning parsing-results for certain
sources supported by semantic then you should call
@code{ecb-dump-semantic-toplevel} for the problematic source-buffer
@strong{BEFORE} you call @code{ecb-submit-problem-report} because this
``dump''-command generates for the current-buffer a new buffer with
name ``*ecb-tag-dump*'' which contains all semantic-tags for this
source. The contents of this ``*ecb-tag-dump*'' will then autom. be
added to the problem-report generated by
@code{ecb-submit-problem-report}!

This command creates a problem-report buffer for you. After that you
get a menu ``Mail'' (dependent on the mail-package used, the menu can
have a different name) with commands to send the problem report. But
for this the variable @code{mail-user-agent} must be configured right for
your system. If you can´t get working this mechanism you can simply
copy the whole problem-report buffer after filling it out and sending
it with your standard mail-client to
@email{ecb-list@@lists.sourceforge.net}!

Please read also the documentation of the option @code{ecb-debug-mode} and
switch on the debug mode of ECB (also available in the Help-menu of
ECB!) before submitting a problem-report!

@node Upgrading, Common use-cases, Submitting problem report, Top
@chapter Upgrading and downloading packages

This chapter describes all aspects of upgrading to a newer version of
ECB.

The first section describes how to download and install a new
package from the web, where ``package'' means either ECB itself or the
required library CEDET

After installing a new ECB-version ECB checks if the values of the
customized ECB-options are still compatible. If not ECB does some
smart things. This is the topic of the second section.

@menu
* Downloading new versions::    How to download newer versions of packages
* Auto. option-upgrading::      ECB can auto. upgrade your options
@end menu

@node Downloading new versions, Auto. option-upgrading, Upgrading, Upgrading
@section Downloading new versions of ECB and/or CEDET

@cindex Download

@strong{Please note}: THE PACKAGE-DOWNLOAD-FEATURE OF ECB IS COMPLETELY
DEACTIVATED SINCE VERSION 2.33! Please got to the website of ECB and download
and install ``by hand'':

@enumerate

@item Download ECB

Go to
@ifhtml
@uref{http://ecb.sourceforge.net}
@end ifhtml
@ifnothtml
@url{http://ecb.sourceforge.net}
@end ifnothtml
and download the latest release (or if you are brave and tough the latest
CVS-snapshot) from the download section.

Save the archive (either *.tar.gz or *.zip) in a suitable location of your disk.

@item Extract the downloaded ECB-archive

Extract the archive with a suitable extraction-tool. The archive will extract
into a new directory @file{ecb-<version>} whereas <version> is either the
version number of the downloaded release or ``latest'' in case of the
CVS-snapshot. (example for a release: The archive extracts into a new
subdirectory @file{ecb-2.33}.

The newly created subdirectory contains all files of ECB in the needed
subdirectory structure.

@strong{Note}: Do not change the subdirectory structure of the extracted archive -
this will prevent ECB from working correctly!

@item Install and setup ECB

See @ref{Installation}.

@item Start ECB

ECB will perform some requirements checks, especially for CEDET.
@strong{Remark}: By setting the option @code{ecb-version-check} to
@code{nil} you can prevent ECB from checking correct versions of CEDET but
it's strongly recommended not to do this!

@item (Optional) Download and install a newer version of CEDET

If the version-check in (4) fails then you have to install a newer version of
CEDET which fulfill the version-number ECB reports to you after its version
check.

See the instruction of CEDET how to do this. You will find CEDET at
@ifhtml
@uref{http://cedet.sourceforge.net}
@end ifhtml
@ifnothtml
@url{http://cedet.sourceforge.net}
@end ifnothtml

For setting up CEDET see @ref{Setting up CEDET/semantic}.

If you have installed a new CEDET-version you @strong{MUST} re-byte-compile
ECB unless you run ECB not byte-compiled!

@end enumerate

@node Auto. option-upgrading, , Downloading new versions, Upgrading
@section Automatic upgrading of options

@menu
* User interface::              Options and commands you should know
* Background information::      Maybe some interesting informations
@end menu

@node User interface, Background information, Auto. option-upgrading, Auto. option-upgrading
@subsection User interface for option-upgrading

There are two interactive commands (@pxref{Interactive ECB commands}):

@itemize @minus
@item @code{ecb-upgrade-options}:
Does all necessary beginning with a incompatibility-check for all
options, upgrading/resetting incompatible options and ending with the
display of all upgraded or reset options.

@item @code{ecb-display-upgraded-options}:
Displays an information-buffer which options have been upgraded or
reset. Offers two buttons where the user can decide if the upgraded
options should also being saved by ECB for future settings or if the
buffer should be killed.
@end itemize

If the option @code{ecb-auto-compatibility-check} has a non-nil value
(which is the default) then ECB does all this stuff automatically at
startup. This is very recommended!

If you are interested in some background information, read
@ref{Background information}!

@node Background information, , User interface, Auto. option-upgrading
@subsection Background information

Big packages like ECB will be enhanced and developed continuously so
sometimes a new version must be released. Such packages offer in
general a lot of customizable options so probably some of these
options change the type or are renamed because the old type and/or
name of the option makes no sense in the new release.

Especially options which have changed the type of their value are now
a problem for the user which want to upgrade to the latest
ECB-version: If the user has saved a certain value for option X in its
file @file{.emacs} but the type of this saved value doesn't match the
new defined type in the defcustom-form after an ECB-upgrade then there
can occur serious problems like ECB can not be started anymore or even
Emacs can not be started without errors.

Until now there was only one way to fix these problems: The user must
manually edit his file @file{.emacs} and remove all entries for
options which have now another type. After this and after restarting
Emacs the new default-values of the type-changed options in the new
ECB-release are active and the user can go on using Emacs and ECB. But
this approach to fix the incompatible-option-problem has two serious
drawbacks:

@enumerate
@item
The user must manually edit the customize-section in his file
@file{.emacs}. This should normally not be done and if then only by
old-handed Emacs-users.

@item
The customized value of the option X in the old-release (with the old
type) is lost because after removing the related entry from the
file @file{.emacs} the new default-value is active, so the user must
re-customize the option X.
@end enumerate

OK, this is one half of the option-upgrade-problem but a new ECB-release
can also rename a option from name X to name Y because the new name Y makes
much more sense and/or is more mnemonic. If only the name has changed but
not the type this is not a serious problem like above but also annoying
because the customized value of the old-option X takes no effect in the new
release but instead the default-value of the new-option Y is now active.
But nevertheless this problem has the drawback number 2 (see above).

The last category of upgrade-problems is a renamed option which has also
changed its type.

@noindent
ECB has a solution for all these problems:

@itemize @bullet

@item
It checks all customized values of all ECB-options if they are still
type-compatible. If not then it tries to upgrade the old-value to the
new value-type and if this is not possible then it resets the option
to the new default value and offers then to store it via customize in
the .emacs-file (or in any file which is used for customized options).
But ECB does not touch any customization-file without asking the user!

@item
It offers a special constant @code{ecb-upgradable-option-alist} which
allows the ECB-maintainers to define special transformings for renamed
options so even the value of an old-option X can be savely transformed
to the new-option Y and the old setting is not lost.
@end itemize

All these checks and transformings are done at beginning of activating
ECB - if the option @code{ecb-auto-compatibility-check} is not nil. If
ECB has recognized incompatible or renamed options it does its
upgrading/reseting-job so all ECB-options have correct types so ECB
can start correct. After ECB is started it displays a list of all
upgraded or reseted option with their old and new values.


@node Common use-cases, Elisp programming, Upgrading, Top
@chapter Handling of common use-cases

@c TODO: Move some section to the Usage-chapter!!

This chapter lists some common (and also some non-common) use-cases of ECB and
gives a detailed description for each one. This contains also some tips and
tricks how to deal best with some situations.

@menu
* Changing faces::              Changing faces in the ECB tree-buffers
* Small screens::               Working with small screens
* Big screens::                 Working with big screens
* Simulating speedbar::         Simulating speedbar without an extra frame
* Integrating speedbar::        Integrating speedbar in the ECB-frame
* Large directories::           Working with large directories
* Remote directories::          Working with remote directories
* Version-control support::     Supporting Version control systems
* Using eshell::                Optimal using of eshell in ECB
* Grepping directories::        Grepping directories with ECB
* Working with JDEE::           Working best with ECB and JDEE
* Compile-window on demand::    Displaying the compile-window on demand
* Non-semantic sources::        Parsing and displaying non-semantic sources
* Hide-show::                   Using hide-show from the methods-buffer-menu
* Window-managers and ECB::     Support of several Emacs-window-managers
* Virtual folders in History::  Simulating something like virtual folders
@end menu

@node Changing faces, Small screens, Common use-cases, Common use-cases
@section Changing faces in the ECB tree-buffers

@cindex Faces
There are two basic faces:

@itemize @bullet
@item @code{ecb-default-general-face}:
Basic face for displaying an ECB-tree-buffer.

It´s recommended to define the font-family, the font-size, the basic
color etc. with this face.

In GNU Emacs 21.X all faces (even the face
@code{ecb-default-highlight-face}) used in the ECB tree-buffers
inherit from this face. Therefore the default attributes like font
etc. of a face used in a tree-buffer can be very easily changed with
face @code{ecb-default-general-face}.

With XEmacs there is no inheritance-feature but the options
@code{ecb-directories-general-face}, @code{ecb-sources-general-face},
@code{ecb-methods-general-face} and @code{ecb-history-general-face}
offer the choice to use the face @code{ecb-default-general-face} so
also with XEmacs the basic face-settings can be easily changed just by
customizing the face @code{ecb-default-general-face}.

@item @code{ecb-default-highlight-face}:
Basic face for highlighting the current node in an ECB-tree-buffer.

In GNU Emacs 21.X all highlighting faces used in the ECB tree-buffers
inherit from this face. Therefore the default attributes like font
etc. of a highlighting face used in a tree-buffer can be very easily
changed with face @code{ecb-default-highlight-face}.

With XEmacs there is no inheritance-feature but the options
@code{ecb-directory-face}, @code{ecb-source-face},
@code{ecb-method-face} and @code{ecb-history-face} offer the choice to
use the face @code{ecb-default-highlight-face} so also with XEmacs the
basic face-settings can be easily changed just by customizing the face
@code{ecb-default-highlight-face}.

@end itemize

With these faces you can change the basic attributes easily and fast
for ALL ECB-tree-buffers. But you are also able to display each
ECB-tree-buffer with different faces, see the different options for
every tree-buffer mentioned above.

@strong{Please note} (only for XEmacs users): Cause of the lack of the
font-inheritance feature using ONE other font for the ECB-methods
buffer can NOT be achieved just by setting
@code{ecb-methods-general-face} to @code{ecb-default-general-face} and
changing the font of this default face. In addition you have to set
the same font also for the face @code{ecb-bucket-node-face} like in
the following example:

@example
(defconst my-ecb-font
          "-outline-Courier-normal-normal-13-97-96-96-c-*-iso8859-1")
(set-face-font 'ecb-default-general-face my-ecb-font)
(set-face-font 'ecb-bucket-node-face my-ecb-font)
@end example

This code sets the new defined font @code{my-ecb-font} as font for
all@footnote{Of course @code{ecb-directories-general-face},
@code{ecb-sources-general-face}, @code{ecb-methods-general-face} and
@code{ecb-history-general-face} must be set to
@code{ecb-default-general-face}!} ECB-tree-buffers (incl. the methods
buffer).

@node Small screens, Big screens, Changing faces, Common use-cases
@section Working with small screens

@cindex Small screen
If your screen is very small so you need every square-centimeter for
displaying the buffer which you want to edit, ECB offers you a special
layouts, where only the ECB-methods buffer is displayed on top or on
left-side. Here comes what you should/can do to work best with ECB in
such a situation:

@itemize @bullet
@item First customize your ECB:

@enumerate
@item
Customize @code{ecb-layout-name} to layout-name ``top2'' (on top) or
``left9'' (on left-side)

@item
Ensure that @code{ecb-compile-window-height} is nil.

@item
Optional: Adjust the @code{ecb-windows-height} rsp. @code{ecb-windows-width}.

@item
Save your changes.
@end enumerate

@item To edit your buffers:
Call @code{ecb-toggle-ecb-windows} (also available via the menu ``ECB'' and
by @kbd{C-c . lw}) or @code{ecb-hide-ecb-windows} to hide the ECB-method buffer
so you get all the place of your screen for editing.

@item To browse and select functions:
Call @code{ecb-toggle-ecb-windows} or @code{ecb-show-ecb-windows} to
make the ECB-method buffer visible if not already. If you want select
a method/variable with the keyboard instead with the mouse you should
read the section @ref{Using the keyboard} in this online help!
@end itemize

The possibility of hiding temporally the ECB windows like described
above is also useful for all the other layouts.


@node Big screens, Simulating speedbar, Small screens, Common use-cases
@section Working with big screens

ECB offers a layout type ``left-right'' with special ECB-tree-windows
on the left and right side of the edit-area. The layouts
``leftright1'' and ``leftright2''are examples for this layout type.
See @ref{Creating a new ECB-layout} and @ref{The layout-engine}
for details about how to create or program more layouts of this type.

Such a layout is eventually the best choice for big screens because
the several ECB-tree-windows are bigger and can display more
informations without scrolling.

With such a layout it can could be senseful to reduce the value of the
option @code{ecb-windows-width} compared to layouts of type left or
right. A value of max. 0.25 should be enough.

@node Simulating speedbar, Integrating speedbar, Big screens, Common use-cases
@section Simulating speedbar without an extra frame

@cindex Speedbar
You can simulate a speedbar-like layout within ONE frame by doing the
following:

@enumerate
@item
Customize @code{ecb-layout-name} to layout name ``left9'', ``left12'',
``left13'' or ``left14'' dependent to what you like.

@item
Optional: Ensure that @code{ecb-compile-window-height} is nil.

@item
Optional: Adjust the @code{ecb-windows-width}.

@item
Optional: Customize @code{ecb-toggle-layout-sequence} and toggle very fast
between several layouts by @code{ecb-toggle-layout}. See the doc-strings!

@item
Optional: Customize @code{ecb-show-sources-in-directories-buffer} to
not nil if the chosen layout (see 1. and 4.) contains a
directories-tree-buffer.

@item
Save your changes.
@end enumerate

But not only simulating speedbar is possible but also full integrating
it into the ECB and the ECB-frame, @xref{Integrating speedbar}.

@node Integrating speedbar, Large directories, Simulating speedbar, Common use-cases
@section Integrating speedbar in the ECB-frame

It is very easy to integrate speedbar into ECB. There are two
different ways to do this:

@enumerate
@item
You can either use speedbar in the directories-, sources- or
methods-window of ECB instead of the built-in directory-, sources- or
methods-browser of ECB. This can be done via the option
@code{ecb-use-speedbar-instead-native-tree-buffer}.

@item
Or you can integrate an extra speedbar-window into a layout
independent of the existence of a directory-, sources- or
methods-window. For this you can either use the built-in layout
``left-dir-plus-speedbar'' or you have to create your own layout
interactively with the command @code{ecb-create-new-layout}. This way
is not described in more details because there is nothing more to
describe - just create your layout.
@end enumerate

In general integrating speedbar into the ECB-frame makes sense for
people...

@itemize @bullet
@item
...who like the speedbar way of handling directories and source-files
but also like the ECB-way of displaying the buffer-contents (like
methods and variables in a source-file). This people should use the
option @code{ecb-use-speedbar-instead-native-tree-buffer} and set it
to @code{dir}.

@item
...who like the speedbar way of browsing things like directories,
files, file-contents etc. but who dislike the extra speedbar-frame.
@end itemize

Note: It is not necessary to integrate speedbar if you only want
parsing sources not supported by semantic. From version 1.94 on ECB
supports native parsing and displaying of such sources
(@pxref{Non-semantic sources})!

Regardless the group you belong, with the speedbar-integration feature
of ECB you can combine both worlds, the speedbar- and the ECB-world:

@enumerate
@item Choose a layout which either contains a directories- or a
sources-window but not both of them@footnote{Only one of them is
needed if you use speedbar because speedbar displays directories and
sources in one window. But if you like wasting space then you can also
use a layout with both windows...}.

Because speedbar has also display-modes for buffers and info-nodes and
some other useful things (which can be changed by the speedbar-command
@code{speedbar-change-initial-expansion-list} we recommend layouts
like ``left15'' or ``leftright3'' for using with speedbar.

@item Set the option
@code{ecb-use-speedbar-instead-native-tree-buffer} to not nil. After
this the chosen window of ECB will contain a full featured speedbar
(the only difference to standard speedbar is not residing in an extra
frame).
@end enumerate

Note: If you belong to the first group of people (s.a.) a similar
effect and usability is available by setting
@code{ecb-use-speedbar-instead-native-tree-buffer} to nil and setting
@code{ecb-show-sources-in-directories-buffer} to not nil, because this
combination displays also directories and sources in one window.

So with the option @code{ecb-use-speedbar-instead-native-tree-buffer}
you have the choice which way of displaying and handling ``things''
(directories, sources, methods...) you want (the speedbar- or the
ECB-way).

During speedbar is running within ECB (i.e.
@code{ecb-use-speedbar-instead-native-tree-buffer} is not nil) the
speedbar-command @code{speedbar} is disabled and the speedbar-command
@code{speedbar-get-focus} switches between the speedbar-window and the
edit-window@footnote{The standard behavior is switching between the
speedbar-frame and the attached frame, but this make obviously no
sense during running speedbar with ECB.}.

@strong{IMPORTANT}: ECB can only integrate speedbar-versions >=
0.14beta1! If you use lower versions of speedbar
@code{ecb-use-speedbar-instead-native-tree-buffer} has no effect.

@node Large directories, Remote directories, Integrating speedbar, Common use-cases
@section Working with large directories

If @code{ecb-source-path} contains directories with many files and
subdirs, especially if these directories are mounted net-drives
(``many'' means here something > 500, dependent on the speed of the
net-connection and the machine), actualizing the sources- and/or
directories- buffer of ECB (if displayed in current layout!) can slow
down dramatically. If this is a problem the contents of certain
directories and also the contents of the sources-buffer can be cached
which increases the speed a lot. See the option
@code{ecb-cache-directory-contents}.

IMPORTANT: The full speed-advantage of this cache-mechanism is only
available if @code{ecb-show-sources-in-directories-buffer} is
@code{nil}, i.e. sources of a directory are displayed in the
ECB-sources-window. The reason is that only with a sources window the
tree-buffer contents for the sources can be cached (i.e. the
buffer-content of the ECB-sources-window) whereas with sources
displayed in the directories buffer only the disk-contents of a
directory are cached - which increases speed too but not so much as
with sources displayed in the extra window ECB-sources.

The cache of a directory can be only refreshed by a POWER-click (with
mouse or keyboard) onto the related directory-node in the
directories-buffer of ECB (@pxref{Using the mouse}).

See also the option @code{ecb-cache-directory-contents-not}. Here are
some useful settings for both of these options:

@itemize @bullet
@item Cache all directories with more than 500 entries:
Set @code{ecb-cache-directory-contents} to ((``.*'' . 500)) and set
@code{ecb-cache-directory-contents-not} to nil.

@item Cache only all directories > 200 beginning with /usr/
Set @code{ecb-cache-directory-contents} to ((``^/usr/.*'' . 200)) and
set @code{ecb-cache-directory-contents-not} to nil.

@item Cache all directories > 500 but NOT these beginning with /usr/:
Set @code{ecb-cache-directory-contents} to ((``.*'' . 500)) and set
@code{ecb-cache-directory-contents-not} to (``^/usr/.*'').
@end itemize

Another way for getting a faster overlook for large directories with
many source-entries is to apply an online-filter to the
sources-buffer. This can be done via the command
@code{ecb-sources-filter} or via the popup-menu of the sources-buffer.

@node Remote directories, Version-control support, Large directories, Common use-cases
@section Working with remote directories

The term ``remote'' means directories which are remote in the sense of
TRAMP@footnote{TRAMP stands for 'Transparent Remote (file) Access,
Multiple Protocol'. This package provides remote file editing, similar
to ANGE-FTP.}, ANGE-FTP@footnote{This package attempts to make
accessing files and directories using FTP from within Emacs as simple
and transparent as possible.} or EFS@footnote{A system for transparent
file-transfer between remote hosts using the FTP protocol within
Emacs}. Each of these Emacs-addons is intended to make editing
directories and files on remote machines as transparent as possible.

@subsection General remarks

ECB supports such remote directoires out of the box and completely
transparently, i.e. you can add remote directories to the option
@code{ecb-source-path} without any restriction. ECB will handle these
directories transparently with the appropriate tool - either TRAMP,
ANGE-FTP or EFS. So when  working with such a remote directory is
possible without ECB it will be possible too with active ECB - at
least as long you are ``connected''!

@strong{Caution}: Suppose you have added a remote dir (e.g.
``user@@host.at.a.server:/dir/'') to @code{ecb-source-path} and you
start ECB when you are offline, means there can be no connection
established to the remote computer (e.g. ``host.at.a.server''). Each
time ECB has to process a remote path ECB pings via the ping-program
the remote host (in the example above it would ping the host
``host.at.a.server'') to test if it is accessible. If not then this
path will be ignored by ECB@footnote{This avoids long lasting and
annoying blocking of ECB when a remote-path is not accessible: Without
a ping ECB would always try to open this directory through the
appropriate library (e.g. TRAMP) and it would depend on the
timeout-mechanism of this library (e.g. TRAMP has 60 seconds) how long
ECB would be blocked. First after this timeout ECB could start
working! A fast ``pre''-ping avoids this problem!}. Ensure that ECB
calls your ping-program (see @code{ecb-ping-program}) with the right
options (see @code{ecb-ping-options}). To avoid to many pings to the
same host ECB caches the ping result so there should be no performance
decrease. But to ensure still correct accessible-results and to avoid
using outdated cache-results ECB discards the cached value of the
accessible-state of a certain host after a customizable time-interval
(please read the documentation of
@code{ecb-host-accessible-check-valid-time}!).


@subsection Excluding remote directories from time-consuming tasks

ECB performs some tasks stealthily and interruptable by the user (see
the option @code{ecb-stealthy-tasks-delay} for additional
explanations) because these tasks are time-consuming and could
otherwise ECB block. Especially for remote directories these special
tasks can cause annoying blocks of Emacs (@pxref{Stealthy background
tasks}).

Therefore it is probably the best to switch on each of the stealthy
tasks with the @code{unless-remote} which is the default activation
(@pxref{Stealthy background tasks}). So a certain stealthy task will
be swtiched on for all local directories (and also for all mounted
drives in the LAN) but not for real remote directories used via TRAMP,
ANGE-FTP or EFS.

@subsection Caching the contents of remote directories

ECB caches per default the contents of remote directories to avoid
annoying delays. The cache is done via the option
@code{ecb-cache-directory-contents} which contains an entry which
covers the syntax of remote directories. If you do not want this
caching (which is strongly recommened) you have to remove this entry
from this option.

@node Version-control support, Using eshell, Remote directories, Common use-cases
@section Supporting Version control systems

Beginning with version 2.30 ECB supports Version-control systems (in
the following named VC-systems). This means the special tree-buffers
of ECB display files managed by a VC-system with an appropriate
image-icon@footnote{Of course only when Emacs is capable to display
images; otherwise a suitable ascii-icon will be displayed.} in front
of the filename.

The following four options allow full control over this feature (see
also @ref{ecb-version-control}:

@table @code
@item ecb-vc-enable-support
Enable or disable this feature.
@item ecb-vc-supported-backends
The most important option for this feature. Allows to specify how ECB
should test if a directory is managed by a VC-system (how to identify
the VC-backend of a directory) and - if yes - how it should check the
VC-state of a certain file. The former ones are called
@dfn{identify-backend-functions} and the latter ones
@dfn{check-state-functions}.
@item ecb-vc-directory-exclude-regexps
Allows excluding certain directories (on a regexp-basis) from the
VC-support even if they are managed by a VC-system.
@item ecb-vc-state-mapping
Defines the mapping between the state-values returned by a
check-state-function (a function set in
@code{ecb-vc-supported-backends} and used for getting the VC-state of
a file, e.g. @code{vc-state}) and the allowed state-values ECB can
understand.
@end table

Probably the default settings will fit your needs but to get sure you
should carefully read the documentation of these options!

The following subsection give you important informations about
identify-backend-functions, check-state-functions, about working with
remote repositories.

@menu
* Identifying backends::        How ECB identifies the VC-backend of a dir
* Checking the state::          How ECB checks the VC-state of a file
* Remote repositories::         What you should know about this
* Refreshing the VC-state::     How to refresh when state changed outside
* Adding new backends::         Necessary steps for adding new backends
* Known VC-problems::           Currently known problems of the VC-support
@end menu

@node Identifying backends, Checking the state, Version-control support, Version-control support
@subsection How ECB identifies the VC-backend of a dir

ECB tries all functions added as identify-backend-funtions to the
option @code{ecb-vc-supported-backends} until one of them returns not
@code{nil} but a symbol which identifies the backend (e.g.
@code{CVS}). After this check ECB stores the result of this check
(i.e. either the identified backend or the fact that the directory is
not managed by a VC-system) for that directory in a special cache, so
the identify-backend-process will be performed only once per
directory. If for a directory a VC-backend could be identified ECB
stores not only the backend itself for that directory but also the
associated check-state-function defined in
@code{ecb-vc-supported-backends} (@pxref{Checking the state}).

You can add arbitrary functions to this options as long as they get one
directory-argument and return either nil or a backend-symbol. Per default ECB
offers the following functions to identify the VC-backend CVS, RCS, SCCS, Git,
Monotone or Subversion@footnote{For this the most recent version of the VC-package
(incl. the libraries vc-git.el, vc-mono.el and vc-svn.el) is needed - as
contained in Emacs >= 22 and XEmacs >= 21.4.22}:

@table @code
@item ecb-vc-dir-managed-by-CVS DIRECTORY
Return @code{CVS} if DIRECTORY is managed by CVS. nil if not.

@item ecb-vc-dir-managed-by-RCS DIRECTORY
Return @code{RCS} if DIRECTORY is managed by RCS. nil if not.

@item ecb-vc-dir-managed-by-SCCS DIRECTORY
Return @code{SCCS} if DIRECTORY is managed by SCCS. nil if not.

@item ecb-vc-dir-managed-by-MTN DIRECTORY
return @code{MTN} if directory is managed by Monotone. nil if not.

@item ecb-vc-dir-managed-by-BZR DIRECTORY
return @code{BZR} if directory is managed by Bazaar. nil if not.

@item ecb-vc-dir-managed-by-GIT DIRECTORY
Return @code{GIT} if directory is managed by Git. nil if not.
Because with Git only the top-most directory of a source-tree has a subdir
.git this function tries recursively upwards if there is a .git-subdir.

@item ecb-vc-dir-managed-by-SVN DIRECTORY
Return @code{SVN} if DIRECTORY is managed by Subversion. nil if not.
Returns always nil if the library vc-svn.el can not be found.

@end table

If ECB should support another VC-backend than CVS, RCS, SCCS, Monotone, Git or
Subversion you have to write your own identify-backend-funtion for the used
VC-backend (e.g. Clearcase)!

@node Checking the state, Remote repositories, Identifying backends, Version-control support
@subsection How ECB checks the VC-state of a file

After ECB has identified the VC-backend of a directory it will display
the VC-state (e.g. up-to-date, edited, needs-mergs etc...) with a
suitable image-icon in the tree-windows of the ECB-file-browser. To
get this state for a certain file ECB uses that check-state-function
stored in the cache for the directory of that file (@pxref{Identifying
backends}).

You can add any arbitrary functions as check-state-function to
@code{ecb-vc-supported-backends} as long as they get one
filename-argument and return a state-symbol (e.g. @code{up-to-date}.
ECB can understand a certain set of state-values which are then
mapped to suitable image-icons which will in turn be displayed in
front of the filename in the file-browser. Because the values a
check-state-function return can differ from that state-values ECB
understands, ECB offers an option to define a appropriate
state-mapping. The name of this option is @code{ecb-vc-state-mapping}.
See the documentation of this option to get a list of all state-value
ECB understands.

Per default ECB uses the function @code{vc-state} of the
VC-package@footnote{The VC-package of Emacs offers a standardised and uniform
interface for several backends; per default CVS, RCS, SCCS, Subversion, Git
and Monotone are supported by the VC-package.} to check the state for the
backends CVS, RCS, SCCS, Subversion, Git and Monotone. So the default-value of
@code{ecb-vc-state-mapping} contains a mapping between these values
@code{ecb-vc-state} can return and that state-values ECB understands.

If ECB should support other VC-backends than CVS, RCS, SCCS, Monotone, Git and
Subversion (e.g. Clearcase) you should add that new backend to the VC-package
(see the initial comments of vc.el how to do this) then ECB will automatically
support that new backend. Alternatively it may be sufficient if you write your
own check-state-function for this backend and add the needed mapping to
@code{ecb-vc-state-mapping} if necessary.

@subsubsection Getting heuristic state-values or real ones for a backend

The interface of Emacs' VC-package offers two different ways to
get the VC-state of a file:

@itemize @bullet
@item The real, fresh and expensive approach

VC has a function @code{vc-recompute-state} which always performs a real
backend command (e.g. ``cvs status'' for CVS) to get a fresh and real state
for a file. As you can imagine this operation can be very expensive and long
lasting depending on the location of the repository. But for CVS the
CVS-backend of VC offers with the option @code{vc-cvs-stay-local} a way to
tell Emacs to stay local even for the sake of getting a real
state@footnote{For other backends you have to check the VC-manual if there is
equivalent option}.

ECB offers @code{ecb-vc-recompute-state} for this approach which is an alias
for @code{vc-recompute-state}.

@item The heuristic approach:

The function @code{vc-state} always returns a ``heuristic'' state
which should be used when a fresh and real state is not necessary.
With @code{vc-state} the option @code{vc-cvs-stay-local} will never
take effect.

ECB offers @code{ecb-vc-state} for this approach - see below for the
difference between @code{vc-state} and @code{ecb-vc-state}.
@end itemize

Example CVS:

VC/CVS actually does it this way (regardless if ECB is active or
not): When you visit a file, it always uses just the heuristic to get the
state (comparing file times), regardless of the setting of
@code{vc-cvs-stay-local}. This is because the "fresh-but-slow" state is
determined by calling "cvs status" on the file, and this was deemed
unacceptably slow if done at visiting time under any conditions.

The state is updated by calling @code{vc-recompute-state} prior to
@code{vc-next-action} (C-x v v) which either checks a file in or out.
IF @code{vc-cvs-stay-local} is nil, then this does in fact call "cvs
status" to get the "fresh-but-slow-state", but if
@code{vc-cvs-stay-local} is t, then it just compares the file times
again.

But under certain conditions (e.g. if called for files not already
visited or for files their VC-state has been changed from outside
Emacs, e.g. by checking in the file via command line) @code{vc-state}
does not compute a new heuristic state but returns a cached one
(cached by the VC-package itself not by ECB) which does not reflect
the current VC-state. Example: if you have edited a file within Emacs
and then checked in from outside Emacs @code{vc-state} returns a wrong
state until you call @code{revert-buffer} for this file. Therefore ECB
offers the check-state-function @code{ecb-vc-state} which does the
same as @code{vc-state} but it clears the internal caches of the
VC-package for that file before calling @code{vc-state}.

The bottom line for you is this: If you use @code{ecb-vc-state} in
@code{ecb-vc-supported-backends} to get the version control state, then you
get the same policy that VC uses and you get always a ``correct'' heuristic
state (as correct as possible a heuristic state can be). There should no harm
if you use @code{ecb-vc-recompute-state} (which is an alias for
@code{vc-recompute-state}) as a replacement function if you want to get fresh
and real state-values, but then (a) you must make sure to set
@code{vc-cvs-stay-local} to nil, and (b) fetching the state over the network
under all conditions was deemed unacceptably slow in VC.

@node Remote repositories, Refreshing the VC-state, Checking the state, Version-control support
@subsection Important informations about remote repositories

At least CVS can be used in a mode called ``Client/Server'' which
means the root repository is located on a remote machine. We call a
repository which can not being mounted by the client-machine (which
contains the working directory) a @dfn{remote repository}. In most
cases getting the fresh and real VC-state for such repositories will
be unacceptable slow or often users will work offline means with no
connection available to the remote host. To avoid problems like these
ECB offers first an option @code{ecb-vc-directory-exclude-regexps} to
exclude such directories with a remote repository from the VC-support
of ECB and secondary the identify-backend-funtion
@code{ecb-vc-dir-managed-by-CVS} behaves smart with that respect
(@pxref{Identifying backends}). See also
@code{ecb-vc-xemacs-exclude-remote-cvs-repository}!

@subsubsection Remote paths and the VC-support of ECB

ECB supports working with remote directories like TRAMP- or
EFS-directories (@pxref{Remote directories}). Do not confuse remote
directories with remote repositories. A local directory located on
your disk and set in @code{ecb-source-path} can have a remote
repository if managed by a VC-system. A remote directory means a path
in the format of TRAMP, ANGE-FTP or EFS set in @code{ecb-source-path}.
Its very likely that getting the VC-state of files contained in such a
remote directory would be extremly expensive and therefore ECB would
be blocked quite long even if the VC-check is performed stealthy
(@pxref{Stealthy background tasks}).

To avoid problems with such remote directories ECB prevents per
default such directories from being processed by the VC-support of
ECB. But if a user is dying to having the VC-state being displayed in
the tree-buffers ECB offers two ways to switch on the VC-support - see
the option @code{ecb-vc-enable-support}: This option is set per
default to the value @code{unless-remote} which means remote paths
will not be processed but it can be set to @code{t} which means
process all directories regardless if remote or not. It's strongly
recommended to use @code{unless-remote}!

@node Refreshing the VC-state, Adding new backends, Remote repositories, Version-control support
@subsection How to refresh ECB-state-display when changed outside

If all actions concerning version controlling of a file are performed
within Emacs with commands offeres by VC then the displayed state for
such a file in the tree-buffers of ECB will be always correct - in
that sense that ECB will always display that state which the
check-state-function for the file will return. At least with GNU Emacs
for the backends CVS, RCS, SCCS and Subversion this will be true. With
XEmacs only for CVS. For other backends see @ref{Adding new backends}.

But if the VC-state of a file will be changed outside of Emacs
(unfortunately PCL-CVS must be called ``outside'' too because PCL-CVS
doesn't use the functions of the VC-package of Emacs for checking-in
or -out) then ECB can not automatically recognize this and therefore
it can not aurtomatically update the displayed state-image-icon. You
have to tell ECB for which files in the tree-buffers the VC-state
should be recomputed. This can be done via the popup-menus of the
ECB-tree-buffers - The following popup-commands are offered in the
submenu ``Version Control'':

@table @asis
@item ECB-directories-buffer (if sources are displayed within):
``Recompute state for file'' and ``Recompute state for dir'' whereas
the latter one recomputes the VC-state for all files of that directory
the file belongs.
@item ECB-sources-buffer
``Recompute state for file'' and ``Recompute state for dir'' whereas
the latter one recomputes the VC-state for all files currently
displayed in the sources-buffer.
@item ECB-history-buffer
``Recompute state for file'' and ``Recompute state for whole history''
whereas the latter one recomputes the VC-state for all file-entries currently
displayed in the history-buffer.
@end table

@strong{Caution}: The state will only recomputed right under all
situations if you use either @code{ecb-vc-state} or
@code{vc-recompute-state} as check-state-function in
@code{ecb-vc-supported-backends} (@pxref{Checking the state}).

Of course all these commands update the VC-state in all visible
tree-buffers the file is currently displayed (e.g. often a file is
displayed in the sources- and the history-buffer)!

For general informations about the usage of popup-menus in ECB see
@ref{Using the mouse} (subsection ``The right mouse button'').

In addition to these popup-commands using the POWER- rsp. Shift-click
(@pxref{Using the mouse}) onto a directory in the directory-window of
ECB refreshes the VC-state-values of all files contained in this
directory too.

@node Adding new backends, Known VC-problems, Refreshing the VC-state, Version-control support
@subsection Necessary steps and informations for adding new backends

There are mainly three necessary steps for adding a new@footnote{i.e.
not already supported by the VC-package because all these backends are
automatically supported by ECB too!} backend BE which should be
supported by ECB:

@enumerate
@item Adding an identify-backend-function to @code{ecb-vc-supported-backends}
ECB needs a function how to identify the new backend BE for a certain
directory. If there exists already a library (other then VC)
supporting this backend then this library propably contains already
such a function which can be used or can be used at least with a small
elisp-wrapper. If no elisp-library for backend BE exists then you have
probably write the full identify-backend-function for your self. This
function has to be added to @code{ecb-vc-supported-backends}.

@item Adding an check-state-function to @code{ecb-vc-supported-backends}
Associated to the new identify-backend-function mentioned in step 1 a
new check-state-function is needed which can be used by ECB to get the
VC-state for a file. See @ref{Checking the state} for a description
about the needed interface of such a function. In combinatio with the
identify-backend-function from step 1 this function has to be added to
@code{ecb-vc-supported-backends}.

@item Enabling automatic state-update after checkin/out

This step is not essential if you do not need the displayed VC-state
automatically updated after a checkin/out of a file via the commands
available for backend BE (e.g. clearcase.el offers for the backend
Clearcase elisp-commands to checkin and checkout a file which then
should also update the displayed state in the ECB-tree-buffers. All
you need is a way to tell these commands that they should clear the
ECB-VC-cache for the file and then restart the ECB-VC-check-mechanism.
This should be done after these commands have finished their original
job.

ECB enables this per default for all backends supported by the
VC-package with the following code. Maybe this is a good starting
point.

@example
@group
(defvar ecb-checkedin-file nil
  "Stored the filename of the most recent checked-in file. Is only set by the
after-advice of `vc-checkin' and `ecb-vc-checkin-hook' \(resets it to nil).
Evaluated only by `ecb-vc-checkin-hook'.

This is the communication-channel between `vc-checkin' and
`ecb-vc-checkin-hook' so this hook-function gets the filename of the
checked-in file.")

(defadvice vc-checkin (after ecb)
  "Simply stores the filename of the checked-in file in `ecb-checkedin-file'
so it is available in the `vc-checkin-hook'."
  (setq ecb-checkedin-file (ecb-fix-filename (ad-get-arg 0))))

(defun ecb-vc-checkin-hook ()
  "Ensures that the ECB-cache is reset and the entry for the most recent
checkedin file is cleared. Uses `ecb-checkedin-file' as last checked-in file."
  (when ecb-checkedin-file
    (ecb-vc-cache-remove ecb-checkedin-file)
    (ecb-vc-reset-vc-stealthy-checks)
    (setq ecb-checkedin-file nil)))
@end group
@end example

@end enumerate

@node Known VC-problems, ,Adding new backends, Version-control support
@subsection Currently known problems with the VC-support

There are no reported problems concerning the Version Control support of ECB.

@node Using eshell, Grepping directories, Version-control support, Common use-cases
@section Optimal using of eshell in ECB

@cindex eshell
ECB offers a very smart integration of the ``eshell'' if you are using
a compile window (@pxref{Temp- and compile-buffers})@footnote{Of
course you can use eshell also if there is no compile-window. Then it
is just displayed in the edit-area and there is no special
integration.}

Here is a short summary of provided features:

@itemize @bullet
@item
Ability to jump to the eshell buffer within the compilation window by
simply call @code{eshell} (bound to @kbd{C-c . e}). If the eshell
isn't running it will be started.

@item
Expands the compilation window when you run commands. So for example
it allows you to view the eshell in minimized mode and then when you
run ``ls'' the window automatically expands (but always depending on
the output of the command you run).

@item
Synchronizes the current directory of the eshell with the current
buffer in the current active edit-window of ECB.

@item
Provides smart window layout of the eshell buffer. This makes sure
that the eshell is taking up the exact amount of space and that
nothing is hidden.
@end itemize

Here comes a detailed explanation of these features and how to use it
(all these features are only available if you use a persistent
compile-window, i.e. if @code{ecb-compile-window-height} is not nil):

You do not have to learn a new command for the eshell-start - just
call @code{eshell} (for convenience also bound to @kbd{C-c . e}) and
the eshell will displayed in the compile-window of ECB (if eshell is
not already alive then it will be started automatically).


ECB tries to display the contents of the eshell-buffer as best as
possible, means ECB can autom. enlarge and shrink the compile-window
so the contents of the eshell are fitting the window. See option
@code{ecb-eshell-enlarge-when-eshell} and
@code{ecb-eshell-fit-window-to-command-output}. Normally this is done
autom. but you can also you the standard compile-window
enlarging-command of ECB: @code{ecb-toggle-compile-window-height}.

ECB tries also to recenter the eshell-buffer as best as possible.
Normally this is done autom. but you can do it on demand with the
command @code{ecb-eshell-recenter}.

If option @code{ecb-eshell-buffer-sync} is true then ECB always
synchronizes the command prompt of eshell with the directory of
current source-buffer of the current active edit-window.

With the option @code{ecb-eshell-auto-activate} you can start eshell
autom. in the compile-window when ECB is started but of course if a
compile-window exists.

@node Grepping directories, Working with JDEE, Using eshell, Common use-cases
@section Grepping directories with ECB

ECB offers in the popup-menus in the directories- and
sources-tree-buffer commands for easy (recursive) grepping the current
directory under point (directory-buffer) rsp. the current-directory
(sources-buffer). In every case just the function of the options
@code{ecb-grep-function} rsp. @code{ecb-grep-find-function} is called
and the @code{default-directory} is tempor. set to the chosen
directory so the grep will performed in this directory regardless of
the @code{default-directory} of current buffer in the edit-window.

Other smart things beyond that are not done by ECB, see also
@code{ecb-grep-function}!

So, how to exclude some subdirectories or files from the grep?

Basically this has to be done with the ``-prune'' option of the
find-utility: If the standard-grep facility of Emacs is used then this
is not easy but with the command @file{igrep.el} there is a convenient
way to exclude things like CVS- or RCS-directories from the find-call:
See the variable @code{igrep-find-prune-clause} of the library
@file{igrep.el}.

@node Working with JDEE, Compile-window on demand, Grepping directories, Common use-cases
@section Working best with ECB and JDEE

ECB is completely language independent, i.e. it works with any
language supported by semantic (e.g. C, C++, Java, Elisp etc.).

But there are some special integrations for the great
Java-Development-Environment JDEE:

@itemize @bullet
@item Displaying contents of class under point

With the command @code{ecb-jde-display-class-at-point} you can display
the contents of the class which contains the definition of the
``thing'' at point (which can be a method, variable etc.).

@item Creating new source-files

The popup-menus in the directories- and the sources-buffer offer a
command ``Create Source'' which allows easy creating new java-sources
by calling the command @code{jde-gen-class-buffer}.

@item Adding user-extensions to the popup-menus

The options @code{ecb-directories-menu-user-extension} and
@code{ecb-sources-menu-user-extension}@footnote{If you need a dynamic
way of menu-extension then you should have a look at the options
@code{ecb-directories-menu-user-extension-function} and
@code{ecb-sources-menu-user-extension-function}.} allow adding often
used JDEE-commands to the popup-menus of the directories- or
sources-buffer. One example is to add building the project of current
directory. Here is a function which could be added to
@code{ecb-directories-menu-user-extension}:

@example
@group
(defun ecb-dir-popup-jde-build (node)
  "Build project in directory."
  (let ((project-file 
	 (expand-file-name jde-ant-buildfile (tree-node-get-data node))))
    (jde-ant-build project-file "build")))
@end group
@end example

Of course you can add entries to the option
@code{ecb-methods-menu-user-extension} and
@code{ecb-methods-menu-user-extension} too. 

@end itemize



@node Compile-window on demand, Non-semantic sources, Working with JDEE, Common use-cases
@section Displaying the compile-window on demand

If you like displaying all output of compile/grep/etc. an all
temp-buffers like *Help*-buffers in an extra compile-window
(@pxref{Temp- and compile-buffers}) but you dislike wasting the space
of this compile-window if you are just editing then you can get a
compile-window ``on demand''. Just do the following:

@enumerate
@item
Customize @code{ecb-compile-window-height} to not nil and save it for
future sessions. This gives you an extra compile-window at the
bottom.

@item
Add the following to your .emacs:

@example
(add-hook 'ecb-activate-hook
          (lambda ()
            (let ((compwin-buffer (ecb-get-compile-window-buffer)))
            (if (not (and compwin-buffer
                          (ecb-compilation-buffer-p compwin-buffer)))
                (ecb-toggle-compile-window -1)))))
@end example

This hides the extra compile-window directly after the start of ECB
because there is no need for a compile-window at this moment. But the
hiding will not be done if there is a compile-window and if a
``compile-buffer'' in the sense of @code{ecb-compilation-buffer-p} is
displayed in this compile-window. Without this additional check the
compile-window would always be hidden after the ECB-start even when
ECB is reactivated after a deactivation by the window-manager-support
of ECB (@pxref{Window-managers and ECB}); but in these cases we want
to preserve the state before deactivation as good as possible (see
also option @code{ecb-split-edit-window-after-start}).

@end enumerate

This is all you have to do. Now if you run @code{compile} (or
@code{grep} or other compile-modes) or display temp-buffers like
*Help*-buffers then ECB autom. displays the compile-window at the
bottom and display the output there.

If you have finished with using the compile- or temp-output (e.g.
fixing errors) then you can throw away the compile-window just by
@code{ecb-toggle-compile-window} - ECB will reactivate it autom.
before next compilation or help-buffer-display.!

@node Non-semantic sources, Hide-show, Compile-window on demand, Common use-cases
@section Parsing and displaying non-semantic sources

ECB is mostly designed to display parsing information for files
supported by semantic. But beginning with version 1.94 it also
supports other parsing engines like imenu and etags, so also files not
supported by semantic but by imenu/etags can be displayed in the
Method-buffer of ECB. See @ref{Definition of semantic- and
non-semantic-sources} for a description of ``semantic-sources'' and
``non-semantic-sources''.

If support of non-semantic-sources is enabled then ECB will display
the contents of all sources which can be displayed by speedbar too.
This comes from the fact that ECB uses speedbar-logic to parse sources
with imenu or etags.

In most cases imenu-parsing is preferable over etags-parsing because
imenu operates on Emacs-buffers and needs no external tool and
therefore parsing works also if current contents of a buffer are not
saved to disk.

This section describes all important aspects about parsing and
displaying file-contents of file-types not supported by semantic but
by imenu and/or etags.

@subsection Enabling parsing and displaying of non-semantic-sources

Enabling is simply done with the option @code{ecb-process-non-semantic-files}.

ECB offers an option @code{ecb-non-semantic-parsing-function} to
specify on a major-mode basis which parsing-method should be used:
imenu or etags. Normally there should be no need to change this option
but read the documentation of this option (@pxref{ecb-non-semantic})
for further details.

IMPORTANT:

@itemize
@item
If imenu-parsing should be used then the option
@code{speedbar-use-imenu-flag} must be set to not @code{nil}!

@item
If some non-semantic-sources are not parsed (i.e. there is an empty
Methods-buffer) and you think that they should then maybe they are neither
supported by imenu nor by etags or you have to check the options
@code{ecb-non-semantic-parsing-function} and
@code{speedbar-dynamic-tags-function-list} and - especially for etags -
@code{speedbar-fetch-etags-parse-list}, @code{speedbar-fetch-etags-arguments}
and @code{speedbar-fetch-etags-command}.

@item
Even with support for semantic-, imenu- and etags-parsing there will
remain some file-types rsp. @code{major-modes} which are not
parse-able, neither by semantic, imenu nor etags. This is no problem
because these files simply have an empty Methods-buffer. But
nevertheless you will get a message ``Sorry, no support for a file of
that extension'' which comes from the speedbar-library and can not
switched off. Therefore if a @code{major-mode} is known as not
parse-able by semantic, imenu or etags it can be added to the option
@code{ecb-non-semantic-exclude-modes} and then it will be excluded
from being tried to parsed and this (annoying) message will not occur.
@end itemize

@subsection Automatic rescanning/reparsing of non-semantic-sources

In contrast to semantic (see @code{global-semantic-idle-scheduler-mode})
there is no built-in mechanism for autom. reparsing
non-semantic-sources and then updating the contents of the
Methods-buffer.

For non-semantic-sources you have always at least to call
@code{ecb-rebuild-methods-buffer} (bound to @kbd{C-c . r}) or saving
the source-file (if @code{ecb-auto-update-methods-after-save} is true)
to update the Method-buffer@footnote{Maybe future versions of ECB (>
1.94) will offer an autom. mechanism for this.}.

Depending on the parsing-mechanism the following options have to be
switched on so ECB can rebuild the methods-buffer for
non-semantic-sources:

@itemize @bullet
@item imenu:

The imenu-option @code{imenu-auto-rescan} must be enabled and
@code{imenu-auto-rescan-maxout} has to be set big enough to auto-parse
big files too! But this results not directly in an autom. updated
Method-buffer. This is first done after calling the command
@code{ecb-rebuild-methods-buffer} or saving the source-file (if
@code{ecb-auto-update-methods-after-save} is true).

@item etags:

Only if @code{ecb-auto-save-before-etags-methods-rebuild} is switched on
the command @code{ecb-rebuild-methods-buffer} rebuilds the
method-buffer with current source-contents. See description of this
option for an explanation.
@end itemize

Tip: If you want to program your own real. automatic
rescan/reparse/rebuild mechanism for non-semantic-sources you can do:

Adding to @code{after-change-functions} a function F which either runs
itself @code{ecb-rebuild-methods-buffer-for-non-semantic} or which
adds only another function FF to an idle-timer and the function FF
runs @code{ecb-rebuild-methods-buffer-for-non-semantic}. The latter
approach has the advantage that the reparse/rebuild is not performed
immediately after every change but first after Emacs is idle for a
senseful interval (e.g. 4 seconds) after last change. Of course the
function FF has to cancel its own idle-timer at the end, so the next
idle-timer is first started again after the next change (i.e. by
function F which is still contained in @code{after-change-functions}.

@subsection Customizing the display of the tags

For non-semantic-sources ECB uses does no special organizing of tags
in groups and sub-tags but it completely uses the tag-hierarchy the
imenu- and etags-parsers of speedbar return. So the displayed tag
hierarchy can only be customized with some options speedbar offers for
this:

@code{speedbar-tag-hierarchy-method},
@code{speedbar-tag-group-name-minimum-length},
@code{speedbar-tag-split-minimum-length} and
@code{speedbar-tag-regroup-maximum-length}. See the speedbar
documentation for details about these options.

With the option @code{ecb-method-non-semantic-face} you can define the
face used for displaying the tags in the Method-buffer for
non-semantic-sources.

@code{ecb-non-semantic-methods-initial-expand} can be useful too.


@node Hide-show, Window-managers and ECB, Non-semantic sources, Common use-cases
@section Using hide-show from the methods-buffer-menu

The popup-menu of the Methods-buffer offer two entries for either
hiding or showing the block which is related to the selected tag
(that tag for which the popup-menu was opened):

@itemize @bullet
@item ``Jump to tag and hide block'':
Jumps to the tag and calls @code{hs-hide-block} from the
hideshow-library which is shipped with (X)Emacs. After that the block
is hidden, i.e. only the header-line of that tag (method, variable
etc.) is visible, the rest is hidden behind the ``...''.

@item ``Jump to tag and show block'':
Jumps to the tag and calls @code{hs-show-block}. This shows the related
hidden block if the block was hidden via @code{hs-hide-block} or the
menu-entry ``Jump to tag and hide block'' (s.a.).
@end itemize

For this feature the library @file{hideshow.el} is used which should
normally being included in the (X)Emacs-distribution. If this library
is not loaded into Emacs, ECB does this automatically before the first
call to one of these menu-entries.

IMPORTANT: If in some @code{major-mode} hiding and showing does not
work as you expect it to work then you must probably add an entry for
this @code{major-mode} to the hideshow-variable
@code{hs-special-modes-alist}. See the documentation of this variable
for further details. One example of such a @code{major-mode} is
@code{jde-mode} of the Java Development Environment JDEE; just add an
entry for it like the already contained entries for @code{c++-mode} or
@code{java-mode} and hiding and showing will work for you with JDEE
too.

@node Window-managers and ECB, Virtual folders in History, Hide-show, Common use-cases
@section Support of several Emacs-window-managers

@cindex winring
@cindex escreen
@cindex window-manager
There are several window-managers available which offer an easy
interface to jump between different window-configurations within the
same frame. A window configuration is the layout of windows and
associated buffers within a frame. There is always at least one
configuration, the current configuration. You can create new
configurations and cycle through the layouts in either direction.
Window configurations are often named or numbered, and you can jump to
and delete named rsp. numbered configurations.

Without special support by ECB these window-managers would not work in
combination with ECB!

ECB currently supports the following managers:
 
@itemize @bullet
@item winring.el:
Written by Barry A. Warsaw @email{bwarsaw@@python.org}, available at
@ifhtml
@uref{http://www.python.org/emacs/winring}
@end ifhtml
@ifnothtml
@url{http://www.python.org/emacs/winring}
@end ifnothtml

@item escreen.el:
Written by Noah Friedman @email{friedman@@splode.com}, available at
@ifhtml
@uref{http://www.splode.com/~friedman/software/emacs-lisp/#ui}
@end ifhtml
@ifnothtml
@url{http://www.splode.com/~friedman/software/emacs-lisp/#ui}
@end ifnothtml
@end itemize

@strong{IMPORTANT}: With one of these window-managers installed and
active you can run applications like Gnus, VM or BBDB in the same
frame as ECB! Just use different window-configurations (winring.el) or
escreens (escreen.el) for ECB and the other applications. Especially
with winring.el you can give every configuration a descriptive name
like ``ECB'' or ``Gnus''; afterwards you can jump to a
window-configuration by name!

When you go back to the ECB-window-configuration (winring.el) or the
ECB-escreen (escreen.el) with any of the special
window-manager-commands then the state of ECB will be restored exactly
as you have left it when going to another window-configuration rsp.
escreen. This includes the whole splitting state of the edit-area and
the visibilty of the ecb-windows and of the compile-window!

The rest of this section describes how to enable the special
ECB-support for these window-managers and how to use them.

@subsection Enabling of the support

Every support must be enabled explicitly:
@itemize @bullet
@item winring:
Call @code{ecb-winman-winring-enable-support}. This @strong{MUST} be
done @strong{BEFORE} the first call to any winring-command, so also
before calling @code{winring-initialize}!

@item escreen:
Call @code{ecb-winman-escreen-enable-support}. This @strong{MUST} be
done @strong{BEFORE} the first call to any escreen-command, so also
before calling @code{escreen-install}!
@end itemize

If a window-manager-support should be enabled autom. after Emacs-start
just put the following into your @file{.emacs}:

@lisp
@group
(ecb-winman-winring-enable-support)
(winring-initialize)

;; or - if you like escreen more

(ecb-winman-escreen-enable-support)
(escreen-install)
@end group
@end lisp

@subsection Usage of a window-manager in combination with ECB

After enabling the support of one of the supported window-managers
just go on as described in the commentary or introduction of the
respective library-file(s) of the window-manager. Here is a short
description:

@itemize @bullet
@item winring:
First you have to define how to identify the ECB-window-configuration,
i.e. the configuration with activated ECB. This done with the option
@code{ecb-winman-winring-name}. There is always only one
window-configurations with name @code{ecb-winman-winring-name}!

Then run @code{winring-initialize}. If ECB is active then the
resulting window-configuration is the ECB-window-configuration.
Otherwise you can create the ECB-window-configuration when you first
time call @code{winring-new-configuration} with name equal to
@code{ecb-winman-winring-name}. In general you can run all commands of
the winring-library. If you jump to the ECB-window-configuration then
ECB will be autom. activated and if you leave the
ECB-window-configuration then ECB will autom. deactivated.

@item escreen:
First you have to define how to identify the ECB-escreen
i.e. that escreen with activated ECB. This done with the option
@code{ecb-winman-escreen-number}. There is always only one
escreen with number @code{ecb-winman-escreen-number}!

Then run @code{escreen-install} (deactivates ECB if currently
running). After that you can call @code{escreen-create-screen} and
@code{escreen-goto-screen}@footnote{And of course all other
@code{escreen-goto-*} commands!}. These commands autom. activate ECB
if creating or selecting the escreen with number
@code{ecb-escreen-number} (default = 1) and autom. deactivate ECB if
leaving the ECB-escreen.
@end itemize

@subsection Disabling the support

There is normally no need to do this but nevertheless it can be done
by @code{ecb-winman-escreen-disable-support} rsp.
@code{ecb-winman-winring-disable-support}.

@node Virtual folders in History, , Window-managers and ECB, Common use-cases
@section Something like virtual folders with the ECB-history

For example, there is a large project with a huge number of files, and there
are various tasks in this project (e.g. several different bug-fixing tasks).
So it could be convenient to group buffers according to various tasks, or with
other words: something like virtual folders for the buffers. It can be
fulfiled through using indirect buffers.

See the following example:

@example
task_1-aaa.pl
task_1-bbb.c
task_1-ccc.sh
task_2-aaa.pl
task_2-eee.c
task_2-ccc.sh
task_3-xxx.java
task_3-ccc.sh
@end example

This means create indirect buffers@footnote{Remember the most important
feature of indirect buffers: Changes made in one of them will immediately take
effect in all others with the same base-buffer} with a name-part which can be
used for grouping together buffers with same name-part (here e.g. task_1- ...
task_3-). In the example above you would create three indirect buffers for the
filebuffer ccc.sh because this source is needed in all three tasks, two
indirect buffers for aaa.pl because it is needed in the task-1 and task-2 and
so on for the rest of the buffers. Make all this indirect buffers with the
command @code{clone-indirect-buffer}@footnote{Currently only available with
GNU Emacs}, which creates real clones means the indirect buffers have the same
major-mode etc. as the base-buffer (see the manual of Emas).

Now remember to the option @code{ecb-history-make-buckets} which allows a.o.
to define a list of regular expressions to bucketize the buffers of the
history. Use this to make one bucket for each task. So in our example a value

@example
("^task_1-.+" "^task_2-.+" "^task_3-.+")
@end example

for @code{ecb-history-make-buckets} would satiesfy our needs.

This option allows to define several criterias for building buckets in the
history-buffer all the history entries are sorted in (e.g. by major-mode,
directory, file-extension or regular expressions).

After that the history-window would display something like the following:

@example
[-] [^task_1-.+]
 |  task_1-aaa.pl
 |  task_1-bbb.c
 `- task_1-ccc.sh
[-] [^task_2-.+]
 |  task_2-aaa.pl
 |  task_2-eee.c
 `- task_2-ccc.sh
[-] [^task_3-.+]
 |  task_3-xxx.java
 `- task_3-ccc.sh
@end example

Hopefully this example could give an impression how the combination of usage
of indirect buffers and bucketizing the history-window can be used for
using one sources for different sake and grouping together what belongs
together.

@node Elisp programming, Conflicts and bugs, Common use-cases, Top
@chapter Entry points for Elisp programmers

This chapter describes how ECB can be used/programmed/driven by an
Elisp-program. This contains:

@menu
* List of variables::           Which variables an Elisp-program can use
* List of hooks::               All available hooks
* tree-buffer::                 Full description of the tree-buffer-library
* Adviced functions::           How to deal with the adviced functions
* The layout-engine::           Programming new layouts and special windows
@end menu

@node List of variables, List of hooks, Elisp programming, Elisp programming
@section Variables for Elisp-programs

Variables an Elisp-program can use beyond those ones mentioned in
@ref{The layout-engine}:

@itemize @bullet
@item @code{ecb-source-path-functions}
@end itemize

Look at the documentation of these variables to get a description.

@node List of hooks, tree-buffer, List of variables, Elisp programming
@section Available hooks of ECB

The following hooks are available:

@cindex Hooks
@itemize @bullet
@item @code{ecb-activate-before-new-frame-created-hook}
@item @code{ecb-activate-before-layout-draw-hook}
@item @code{ecb-activate-hook}
@item @code{ecb-after-directory-change-hook}
@item @code{ecb-before-activate-hook}
@item @code{ecb-before-deactivate-hook}
@item @code{ecb-common-tree-buffer-after-create-hook}
@item @code{ecb-basic-buffer-sync-hook}
@item @code{ecb-analyse-buffer-sync-hook}
@item @code{ecb-symboldef-buffer-sync-hook}
@item @code{ecb-speedbar-buffer-sync-hook}
@item @code{ecb-eshell-buffer-sync-hook}
@item @code{ecb-deactivate-hook}
@item @code{ecb-directories-buffer-after-create-hook}
@item @code{ecb-hide-ecb-windows-after-hook}
@item @code{ecb-hide-ecb-windows-before-hook}
@item @code{ecb-history-buffer-after-create-hook}
@item @code{ecb-methods-buffer-after-create-hook}
@item @code{ecb-redraw-layout-after-hook}
@item @code{ecb-redraw-layout-before-hook}
@item @code{ecb-show-ecb-windows-after-hook}
@item @code{ecb-show-ecb-windows-before-hook}
@item @code{ecb-sources-buffer-after-create-hook}
@end itemize

Look at the documentation of these hooks to get a detailed description.

@node tree-buffer, Adviced functions, List of hooks, Elisp programming
@section The library tree-buffer.el

The library tree-buffer.el is an ECB-independent library written
completely in emacs lisp and can be used also by other applications
than ECB. But the main purpose of tree-buffer.el is to offer a small
but powerful API to create new tree-buffers for ECB, add new
tree-nodes to a tree-buffer and thus use such a tree-buffer to display
arbitrary information structured by a tree.

This chapter is for emacs-lisp-programmers and describes how to create
a new tree-buffer, how to add new tree-nodes to a tree-buffer
(includes removing and updating already existing tree-nodes) and how
to use the offered tree-buffer- and tree-node-APIs.

@menu
* Introduction::                General description of tree-buffers
* A new tree-buffer::           How to create a new tree-buffer
* A new tree-node::             How to add new tree-nodes to a tree-buffer
* Updating a tree-buffer::      How to update a tree-buffer after changes
* Tree-buffer keybindings::     Default and customizable keybindings
* The tree-buffer-API::         All functions for tree-buffers and -nodes
* Do not with tree-buffer::     Things which are strictly forbidden
* Tree-buffer How to::          Dealing with special situations
@end menu

@node Introduction, A new tree-buffer, tree-buffer, tree-buffer
@subsection General description of tree-buffers

This subchapter is a general introduction in the main concepts of a
tree-buffer.

@subsubsection What is a tree-buffer?

A @dfn{tree-buffer} is meant to display certain informations (e.g. a
directory-tree) in a tree-structure consisting of @dfn{tree-nodes}.
Every line in a tree-buffer displays exactly one tree-node. Each node
has exactly one parent-node and can have any arbitrary number of
@dfn{children}-nodes. If a tree-node has no children then it is called
a @dfn{leaf}. A tree-node contains several ``slots'' wheras the most
important ones are the ``name'', ``displayed-name'' and ``data''. See
@ref{A new tree-node} for a detailed explanation.

The difference between a natural tree like a fir and a tree-buffer is
that the root(-node) of a tree-buffer is not visible but only its
children. In the example below the nodes parent-node-1 and
parent-node-2 are the children of the invisible root-node. Each
tree-buffer has exactly one root-node which is created automatically
by `tree-buffer-create'.

If a tree-node contains at least one child it is displayed with a
special expand/collapse-symbol (see the example below). This symbol
allows expanding (rsp. collapsing) the tree-node wheras expanding
means to display the children-nodes and collapsing means to hide the
childrens of a tree-node.

Here is an example of a tree-buffer:

@example
@group
<root-node>  ------------------------[root-node (invisible)]
    [+] <parent-node-1>  -------.
    [-] <parent-node-2>  -------|
        [-] <expanded>  --------|
            <leaf-node-1>  -----|
            <leaf-node-2>  -----|-----[tree-nodes]
            <leaf-node-3>  -----|
            <leaf-node-4>  -----|
        [+] <collapsed>  -------´
         |
         `-----------------[expand/collapse-symbol]
@end group
@end example
     
In most cases an action is triggered when clicking with the mouse onto
a tree-node@footnote{Of course using the keyboard is also possible,
see @ref{Tree-buffer keybindings}.} (e.g. clicking onto
``leaf-node-1'' or ``parent-node-1'' in the example above). Which
action is triggered by which key depends on what you specify at
creation-time of the tree-buffer - see @ref{A new tree-buffer} for
details.

The creation-interface of a tree-buffer allows defining special
popup-menus when clicking with the right mouse-button (of course also
possible via keyboard, see @ref{Tree-buffer keybindings}) onto a
tree-node (e.g. some senseful actions possible for directory-nodes
like grepping this directory or performing version-control actions for
this directory or something else).

@subsubsection General recipe for a tree-buffer

The following sequence of tasks is the general recipe for a
tree-buffer beginning from creation and ending with the display.

@enumerate
@item Create the tree-buffer
Creating a new tree-buffer has to be done with
@code{tree-buffer-create} for non ECB-tree-buffers and with the macro
@code{defecb-tree-buffer-creator} when the tree-buffer should be used
as an ECB-tree-buffer, so it is an ECB-window. See @ref{A new
tree-buffer} for all details.

@item Add tree-nodes to the tree-buffer
Adding nodes to the new tree-buffer (means make the new tree-buffer
the current buffer and call @code{tree-node-new} for a new tree-node
(note that a root-node for this tree-buffer has been autom. created by
@code{tree-buffer-create}!). The first tree-node you add to a
tree-buffer must have always the root-node (avaliable via
@code{tree-buffer-get-root}) as parent-node. The next nodes can have
either one of the fromerly added nodes or the root-node too. All
tree-nodes haveing the root-node as parent will be displayed at the
toplevel of the tree-buffer. See @ref{A new tree-node} for all
details.

@item Display the tree-buffer with current nodes and state
When you are finished building up the tree-node-structure call
@code{tree-buffer-update} to display the current tree-structure (again
after making the tree-buffer the current-buffer). See @ref{Updating a
tree-buffer} for all details.
@end enumerate

@strong{IMPORTANT}: First a call of @code{tree-buffer-update} updates
the @strong{display} of a tree-buffer, means shows all the tree-nodes
in an emacs-buffer! Neither creating a tree-buffer nor adding
tree-nodes display anything; this just builds the internal
tree-structure.

@strong{IMPORTANT}: See @ref{Programming special windows} for details
about programming ECB-windows (special windows) regardless if they
were build as tree or not. There you can find a.o. how to
automatically synchronizing a special window with the current
edit-buffer.

@node A new tree-buffer, A new tree-node, Introduction, tree-buffer
@subsection How to create a new tree-buffer

The creator-function for a new tree-buffer depends on the fact if the
new tree-buffer should be used as an ECB-window or not. For a new
ECB-window the macro @code{defecb-tree-buffer-creator} has to be
used, otherwise the function @code{tree-buffer-create}. In the end
both methods use @code{tree-buffer-create} because the BODY-argument
of @code{defecb-tree-buffer-creator} must contain a call to this
function!.

This section describes all arguments of @code{tree-buffer-create}.

Except the first argument @var{NAME} all arguments are key-arguments
of the form :arg-name arg-value, so for example a call looks like

@example
(tree-buffer-create <buffer-name> :frame <frame-object> ...).
@end example

These key-arguments (all except the first argument @code{NAME}) can be
arranged in any arbitrary order but all of them are not-optional! The
key-arg-name is always a : followed by the lowercase version of the
mentioned argument below (e.g. @code{FRAME} --> :frame,
@code{MOUSE-ACTION-TRIGGER} --> :mouse-action-trigger).

Here is a description of the arguments of @code{tree-buffer-create} -
also available as docstring for this function (via @kbd{C-h f}). The
description below contains also some examples for complex-arguments!

@table @code

@item @code{NAME}
Buffername of the new tree-buffer.

@item @var{FRAME}
Frame in which the tree-buffer is displayed and valid. All
key-bindings and interactive functions of the tree-buffer work only if
called in @var{FRAME} otherwise nothing is done!

@item @var{MOUSE-ACTION-TRIGGER}
When a mouse-action is triggered. Allowed values:
@code{button-release} and @code{button-press}.

@item @var{IS-CLICK-VALID-FN}
@code{tree-buffer-create} rebinds @kbd{mouse-1}, @kbd{mouse-2},
@kbd{RET} (and @kbd{TAB}) and also in combination with shift and
control (not with @kbd{TAB}). @var{IS-CLICK-VALID-FN} is called first
if a node or an expand-symbol is clicked. This function is called with
five arguments:

@itemize @minus
@item mouse-button:
The clicked mouse-button or RET or TAB (0 = RET or TAB, 1 = mouse-1, 2
= mouse 2)
@item shift-pressed:
Non nil if the SHIFT-key was pressed during mouse-click or RET.
@item control-pressed:
Non nil if the CONTROL-key was pressed during mouse-click or RET.
@item meta-pressed:
Non nil if the META-key was pressed during mouse-click or RET.
@item tree-buffer-name:
The buffer-name of the tree-buffer where the node has been clicked.
@end itemize

The function must return not nil iff exactly this click/hit is
accepted. If the function returns nil then really nothing is done by
the tree-buffer after this click/hit!

Here is an example (call @kbd{C-h f} to see what it does) for this
callback-function:

@example
@group
(defun ecb-interpret-mouse-click (mouse-button
                                  shift-pressed
                                  control-pressed
                                  meta-pressed
                                  tree-buffer-name)
  (if (eq mouse-button 0)
      (list (if control-pressed 2 1) shift-pressed meta-pressed
            'keyboard)
    (if (and (not (eq mouse-button 1)) (not (eq mouse-button 2)))
	nil
      (case ecb-primary-secondary-mouse-buttons
        (mouse-1--mouse-2
         (if control-pressed
             nil
           (list mouse-button shift-pressed meta-pressed 'mouse)))
        (mouse-1--C-mouse-1
         (if (not (eq mouse-button 1))
             nil
           (list (if control-pressed 2 1) shift-pressed meta-pressed
                 'mouse)))
        (mouse-2--C-mouse-2
         (if (not (eq mouse-button 2))
             nil
           (list (if control-pressed 2 1) shift-pressed meta-pressed
                 'mouse)))
        (otherwise nil)))))
@end group
@end example

This example would be passed as parameter as follows:

@example
(tree-buffer-create "myname"
                    :is-click-valid-fn 'ecb-interpret-mouse-click
                    ...)
@end example

@item @var{NODE-SELECTED-FN}
Function to call if a node has been selected. This function
is called with the following parameters:

@itemize @minus
@item node: The selected node
@item mouse-button (0 = RET, 1 = mouse-1, 2 = mouse 2)
@item shift-pressed
@item control-pressed
@item meta-pressed
@item tree-buffer-name
@end itemize

For the last four arguments see the description above. This function
has to ensure that the expandable- and expanded-state of the selected
node is correct after returning.

Here is an example (call @kbd{C-h f} to see what it does) for this
callback-function:

@example
@group
(defun ecb-tree-buffer-node-select-callback (node
					     mouse-button
					     shift-pressed
					     control-pressed
                                             meta-pressed
					     tree-buffer-name)
  (let* ((ecb-button-list (ecb-interpret-mouse-click mouse-button
						     shift-pressed
						     control-pressed
                                                     meta-pressed
						     tree-buffer-name))
	 (ecb-button (nth 0 ecb-button-list))
	 (shift-mode (nth 1 ecb-button-list))
         (meta-mode (nth 2 ecb-button-list))
         (keyboard-p (equal (nth 3 ecb-button-list) 'keyboard))
         (maximized-p (ecb-buffer-is-maximized-p tree-buffer-name)))
    ;; now we dispatch to the right action
    (when ecb-button-list
      (cond ((ecb-string= tree-buffer-name ecb-directories-buffer-name)
	     (ecb-directory-clicked node ecb-button nil shift-mode
                                    meta-mode))
	    ((ecb-string= tree-buffer-name ecb-sources-buffer-name)
	     (ecb-source-clicked node ecb-button nil shift-mode
                                 meta-mode))
	    ((ecb-string= tree-buffer-name ecb-history-buffer-name)
	     (ecb-history-clicked node ecb-button nil shift-mode
                                  meta-mode))
	    ((ecb-string= tree-buffer-name ecb-methods-buffer-name)
	     (ecb-method-clicked node ecb-button nil shift-mode
                                 meta-mode))
	    ((ecb-string= tree-buffer-name ecb-analyse-buffer-name)
	     (ecb-analyse-node-clicked node ecb-button nil shift-mode
                                       meta-mode))
	    (t nil)))))
@end group
@end example

This example would be passed as parameter as follows:

@example
(tree-buffer-create "myname"
                    :node-selected-fn 'ecb-tree-buffer-node-select-callback
                    ...)
@end example

@strong{IMPORTANT}: This callback must not modify the slot
@var{EXPANDED} of the passed node because this is done automatically
by the tree-buffer-library!

@item @var{NODE-EXPANDED-FN}
Function to call if a node is expandable, point stays onto the
expand-symbol and node is not already expanded. This function is
called with the following parameters:

@itemize @minus
@item node: The selected node
@item mouse-button (0 = TAB, 1 = mouse-1, 2 = mouse 2)
@item shift-pressed
@item control-pressed
@item meta-pressed
@item tree-buffer-name
@end itemize

This function should add all children nodes to this node if not
already done (if possible). This function has to ensure that the
expandable- and expanded state of the selected node is correct after
returning!

@strong{IMPORTANT}: This callback must not modify the slot
@var{EXPANDED} of the passed node because this is done automatically
by the tree-buffer-library!

@item @var{NODE-COLLAPSED-FN}
Function to call if a node is expandable, point stays onto the
expand-symbol and node is already expanded. This function is called
with the following parameters:

@itemize @minus
@item node: The selected node
@item mouse-button (0 = TAB, 1 = mouse-1, 2 = mouse 2)
@item shift-pressed
@item control-pressed
@item meta-pressed
@item tree-buffer-name
@end itemize

This function is only a callback to inform the owner/user of this
tree-buffer that this node has been collapsed. This function must not
modify the expandable- or expanded state of the selected node!

Often a sensefull value for this parameter is the function
@code{ignore}.

@strong{IMPORTANT}: This callback must not modify the slot
@var{EXPANDED} of the passed node because this is done automatically
by the tree-buffer-library!

@item @var{NODE-MOUSE-OVER-FN}
Function to call when the mouse is moved over a node. This function is
called with three arguments: NODE, WINDOW, NO-PRINT, each of them
related to the current tree-buffer. If NO-PRINT is nil then the
function must print the text itself in any manner. This function must
always return the text which either is printed by the function itself
or by the caller (if NO-PRINT is not nil). The current buffer for this
function is the tree-buffer itself. With XEmacs this function is only
called if the tree-buffer track-mouse mechanism is activated (see the
function @code{tree-buffer-activate-follow-mouse}). With GNU Emacs >=
21 this function is called by the @code{help-echo} property added to
each node.

Here is an example (call @kbd{C-h f} to see what it does) for this
callback-function:

@example
@group
(defun ecb-mouse-over-analyse-node (node &optional window no-message
                                         click-force)
  (let ((str (when (or click-force
                       (ecb-show-minibuffer-info
                        node window
                        (car ecb-analyse-show-node-info)))
               (if (equal (cdr ecb-analyse-show-node-info)
                          'full-info)
                   (ecb-analyse-gen-tag-info
                    (car (tree-node->data node)))
                 (tree-node->name node)))))
    (prog1 str
      (unless no-message
        (ecb-nolog-message str)))))
@end group
@end example

@item @var{MOUSE-HIGHLIGHT-FN}
If nil then in this tree-buffer no node is highlighted when the mouse
moves over it. If t then each node is highlighted when the mouse moves
over it. If a function then it is called with the node as argument and
if it returns not nil then the node will be highlighted when the mouse
moves over it - otherwise no highlighting takes place.

@item @var{NODE-DATA-EQUAL-FN}
Function used by the tree-buffer to test if the data of two tree-nodes
are equal. The function is called with two args: The DATA-slots of the
two tree-nodes (see @ref{A new tree-node} for details about the
data-slots).

Here is an example (call @kbd{C-h f} to see what it does) for this
callback-function:

@example
@group
(defun ecb-analyse-compare-node-data (left right)
  "Return not nil when LEFT and RIGHT are identical node-datas."
  (and (equal (nth 2 left) (nth 2 right))
       (ecb-compare-methods-buffer-node-data (car left)
                                             (car right))))
@end group
@end example

Often a suitable value for this parameter is @code{equal}.

@item @var{MAYBE-EMPTY-NODE-TYPES}
Nil or a list of node-types (a node-type is an integer which must be
set with @code{tree-node-new}). Nodes with one of these types are
treated as empty if they are not expandable (i.e. they have no
children) and will be displayed with the empty-symbol ([x]); for other
nodes see next argument.

@item @var{LEAF-NODE-TYPES}
Nil or a list of node-types (see above). Nodes with one of these types
are treated as leafs and will be displayed with the leaf-symbol (*).

Summary for @var{MAYBE-EMPTY-NODE-TYPES} and @var{LEAF-NODE-TYPES}:

@itemize @bullet
@item
Expandable nodes will always be displayed either with the open- or
with the close-symbol.

@item
Not-expandable nodes with a node-type contained in
@var{MAYBE-EMPTY-NODE-TYPES} will be displayed with the empty-symbol.

@item
Not-expandable nodes with a node-type contained in
@var{LEAF-NODE-TYPES} will be displayed with the leaf-symbol.

@item
All other nodes will be displayed with no symbol just with correct
indentation.
@end itemize

@item @var{MENU-CREATOR}
Nil or function which has to return nil or a list of conses, each cons
for a known node-type of this tree-buffer (the node-type of a node is
an integer). Example: ((0 . menu-for-type-0) (1 . menu-for-type-1)).
The cdr of a cons must be a menu in the same format
@code{tree-buffer-create-menu} expects as argument - see the
documentation of this function for details. This function gets two
arguments: The name of the tree-buffer and the node for which a
popup-menu should be opened.

Here is an example for such a menu-creator-callback:

@example
@group
(defconst ecb-analyse-nodedata-tag-with-pos 0)
(defconst ecb-analyse-nodedata-tag-without-pos 1)
(defconst ecb-analyse-nodedata-no-tag 2)

(defconst ecb-analyse-nodetype-bucket 0)
(defconst ecb-analyse-nodetype-context 1)
(defconst ecb-analyse-nodetype-arguments 2)
(defconst ecb-analyse-nodetype-completions 3)
(defconst ecb-analyse-nodetype-localvars 4)
(defconst ecb-analyse-nodetype-prefix 5)
(defconst ecb-analyse-nodetype-assignee 6)
(defconst ecb-analyse-nodetype-function 7)
(defconst ecb-analyse-nodetype-function-arg 8)

(defun ecb-analyse-create-menu (node)
  "Return a popup-menu suitable for NODE."
  (let* ((data (tree-node->data node))
         (tag-p (not (equal (nth 1 data) ecb-analyse-nodedata-no-tag)))
         (tag-with-pos-p (equal (nth 1 data)
                                ecb-analyse-nodedata-tag-with-pos))
         (nodetype (nth 2 data)))
    (delq nil (list (if (equal nodetype ecb-analyse-nodetype-completions)
                        '(ecb-analyse-complete "Complete"))
                    (if tag-p
                        '(ecb-analyse-show-tag-info "Show tag info"))
                    (if tag-with-pos-p
                        '(ecb-analyse-jump-to-tag "Jump to tag"))))))
    
(defun ecb-analyse-menu-creator (tree-buffer-name node)
  "Creates the popup-menus for the analyse-buffer."
  (let ((nodetype (tree-node->type node)))
    (unless (equal nodetype ecb-analyse-nodetype-bucket)
      (mapcar (function (lambda (type)
                          (cons type (ecb-analyse-create-menu node))))
              `(,ecb-analyse-nodetype-context
                ,ecb-analyse-nodetype-arguments
                ,ecb-analyse-nodetype-completions
                ,ecb-analyse-nodetype-localvars
                ,ecb-analyse-nodetype-prefix
                ,ecb-analyse-nodetype-assignee
                ,ecb-analyse-nodetype-function
                ,ecb-analyse-nodetype-function-arg)))))
@end group
@end example

This example would be passed as parameter as follows:

@example
(tree-buffer-create "myname"
                    :menu-creator 'ecb-analyse-menu-creator
                    ...)
@end example

@item @var{MENU-TITLES}
Nil or a list conses, each cons for a node-type. See
@var{MENU-CREATOR}. The cdr of a cons must be either a string or a
function which will be called with current node under point and must
return a string which is displayed as the menu-title.

@item @var{MODELINE-MENU-CREATOR}
Nil or a function which has to return nil or a menu in the same format
@code{tree-buffer-create-menu} expects as argument - see the
documentation of this function for details. This function gets one
argument: The name of the tree-buffer. If the function returns a menu
then this menu will be displayed when the user clicks with
mouse-button 3 at the modeline of the tree-buffer. The menu-title will
be ``Tree-buffer modeline-menu''.

@item @var{sticky-parent-p}
If not nil then with GNU Emacs >= 21 the tree-buffer displays in its
header-line the unvisible parent-node if there is any. sticky-parent-fn is
used to get this parent node.
                 
@item @var{sticky-indent-string}
String used for indendation of the sticky node in the header-line so it
matches the tree-display.
                      
@item @var{sticky-parent-fn}
Function used to get that parent node which should be sticky. This function
gets as argument a node and should either return nil (if there is not suitable
parent node) or a node. This node will be displayed as sticky in the
header-line of the tree-buffer. If nil is returned and sticky-parent-p is not
nil then just the node under the header-line is displayed. If this argument is
nil and sticky-parent-p is not nil then always the next unvisible parent node
will be displayed in the header-line.

@item @var{TRUNC-LINES}
Should lines in this tree buffer be truncated (not nil).

@item @var{READ-ONLY}
Should the treebuffer be read-only (not nil).

@item @var{TREE-INDENT}
Spaces subnodes should be indented. Ignored if @var{TREE-STYLE} is
@code{image} (see below).

@item @var{INCR-SEARCH-P}
Should the incremental search be enabled in the tree-buffer. Three
choices: @code{prefix}, @code{substring}, @code{nil}. See the command
@code{tree-buffer-incremental-node-search}.

@item @var{INCR-SEARCH-ADDITIONAL-PATTERN}
Every search-pattern is prefixed with a regexp to jump over not
important stuff of a displayed node-name at incr. search.. This is per
default: beginning spaces and guide characters (|`-) and all
expand/collapse-buttons [+], [x], rsp. [-]!

If this argument is not nil then it must be a cons-cell where car is a
string which should be a regexp-pattern which is added to the
basic-prefix pattern (see above) and both of them prefix the
incr-search-pattern. The cdr is the number of subexpressions in this
additoonal pattern.

@item @var{ARROW-NAVIGATION}
If not nil then a smart navigation with arrow keys is offered:

@itemize @minus
@item Left-arrow:
If node is expanded then it will be collapsed otherwise point
jumps to the next "higher" node in the hierarchical tree (higher means
the next higher tree-level or - if no higher level available - the next
higher node on the same level).

@item Right-arrow:
If node is not expanded then it will be expanded.

Onto a not expandable node the horizontal arrow-keys go one character in the
senseful correct direction.

@item Up- and down-key:
Point jumps to the first character of the previous (up) rsp. next node
(down). ``First'' character means either the first character of the
expand-symbol (in case @var{EXPAND-SYMBOL-BEFORE-P} is not nil) or of
the displayed node-name. Or with other words: The first
non-indentation and non-guide-line (see @var{TREE-STYLE}) character of
a node.
@end itemize


@item @var{HOR-SCROLL-STEP}
Number of columns a hor. scroll in the tree-buffer should scroll. If
not nil then @kbd{M-mouse-1} and @kbd{M-mouse-2} scroll left and right
and also @kbd{M-<left-arrow>} and @kbd{M-<right-arrow>}. Ignored with
XEmacs.

@item @var{DEFAULT-IMAGES-DIR}
Full path where the default images for the tree-buffer can be found.
It should contain an image for every name of
@code{tree-buffer-tree-image-names}.

@item @var{ADDITIONAL-IMAGES-DIR}
Additional image-dir which should be searched first for images needed
for current tree-buffer. If the image can not be found in this
directory then @var{DEFAULT-IMAGES-DIR} is searched. If the image can't even
found here the related ascii-symbol is used.

@item @var{IMAGE-FILE-PREFIX}
Common prefix for all image-files for this tree-buffer, e.g. ``ecb-''.

@item @var{TREE-STYLE}
There are three different styles available: Image-style (value
@code{image}): Very nice and modern because image-icons are used to display
the tree-buffer. For this style the arguments @var{TREE-INDENT} and
@var{EXPAND-SYMBOL-BEFORE-P} have no effect.
            
Ascii-style with guide-lines (value @code{ascii-guides}) and
ascii-style without guidelines (value @code{ascii-no-guides}. See
@ref{Tree-buffer styles} for details about the tree-styles.
            
Both ascii-styles are affected by the args @var{TREE-INDENT} and
@var{EXPAND-SYMBOL-BEFORE-P}.

@item @var{ASCII-GUIDE-FACE}
If @var{TREE-STYLE} is @code{ascii-guides} then this defines the face
the guides should be displayed with.

@item @var{TYPE-FACER}:
Nil or a list of one or more conses, each cons for a node-type (a
node-type is an integer which must be set with @code{tree-node-new}).
The cdr of a cons can be:

@itemize @minus
@item a face-symbol

@item a function-symbol which gets two arguments (see
@code{tree-buffer-insert-text}). This function can do anything, but
normally it should face a tree-node.

@item the symbol t. Then the tree-buffer assumes that the node-text is
already faced and therefore it does not face the node, means it does
nothing then inserting the node-text, if the tree-buffer is updated.
@end itemize

@item @var{EXPAND-SYMBOL-BEFORE-P}
If not nil then the expand-symbol is displayed before the node-text.
Ignored when @var{TREE-STYLE} is @code{image} and Emacs can display
images.

@item @var{HIGHLIGHT-NODE-FACE}
Face used for highlighting current selected node in this
tree-buffer.

@item @var{GENERAL-FACE}
General face in which the whole tree-buffer should be displayed.

@item @var{AFTER-CREATE-HOOK}:
A function or a list of functions (with no arguments) called directly
after creating the tree-buffer and defining it's local keymap. For
example such a function can add additional key-bindings for this
tree-buffer local keymap (use @code{local-set-key} for this).

Here is an example for such a hook:

@example
@group
(defun ecb-common-after-tree-buffer-create-actions ()
  "Things which should be performed after creating a tree-buffer.
The tree-buffer is the current buffer."
  (local-set-key (kbd "C-t")
                 'ecb-toggle-do-not-leave-window-after-select)
  (if ecb-running-xemacs
      (define-key modeline-map
        '(button2up)
        'ecb-toggle-maximize-ecb-window-with-mouse)
    (local-set-key [mode-line mouse-2]
                   'ecb-toggle-maximize-ecb-window-with-mouse))) 
@end group
@end example

@item @var{AFTER-UPDATE-HOOK}:
A function or a list of functions (with no arguments) called each time
after the tree-buffer has been updated via @code{tree-buffer-update}.

@end table

Here is an example how to create a tree-buffer (if you want a
tree-buffer not for ECB then just strip off the
@code{defecb-tree-buffer-creator} and just call
@code{tree-buffer-create}):

@example
@group
(defecb-tree-buffer-creator ecb-create-analyse-tree-buffer
    ecb-analyse-buffer-name
  "Create the tree-buffer for analyse-display."
  (tree-buffer-create
   ecb-analyse-buffer-name
   :frame ecb-frame
   :mouse-action-trigger ecb-tree-mouse-action-trigger
   :is-click-valid-fn 'ecb-interpret-mouse-click
   :node-selected-fn 'ecb-tree-buffer-node-select-callback
   :node-expanded-fn 'ecb-tree-buffer-node-expand-callback
   :node-collapsed-fn 'ecb-tree-buffer-node-collapsed-callback
   :node-mouse-over-fn 'ecb-mouse-over-analyse-node
   :mouse-highlight-fn 'ecb-analyse-node-mouse-highlighted-p
   :node-data-equal-fn 'ecb-analyse-compare-node-data
   :maybe-empty-node-types nil
   :leaf-node-types nil
   :menu-creator 'ecb-analyse-menu-creator
   :menu-titles (ecb-analyse-gen-menu-title-creator)
   :modeline-menu-creator 'ecb-common-tree-buffer-modeline-menu-creator
   :trunc-lines (ecb-member-of-symbol/value-list
                 ecb-analyse-buffer-name
                 ecb-tree-truncate-lines)
   :read-only t
   :tree-indent ecb-tree-indent
   :incr-search-p t
   :incr-search-additional-pattern nil
   :arrow-navigation ecb-tree-navigation-by-arrow
   :hor-scroll-step ecb-tree-easy-hor-scroll
   :default-images-dir (car ecb-tree-image-icons-directories)
   :additional-images-dir (ecb-member-of-symbol/value-list
                           ecb-analyse-buffer-name
                           (cdr ecb-tree-image-icons-directories)
                           'car 'cdr)
   :image-file-prefix "ecb-"
   :tree-style ecb-tree-buffer-style
   :ascii-guide-face ecb-tree-guide-line-face
   :type-facer nil
   :expand-symbol-before-p ecb-tree-expand-symbol-before
   :highlight-node-face ecb-analyse-face
   :general-face ecb-analyse-general-face
   :after-create-hook (append
                       (list (lambda ()
                               (ecb-common-after-create-actions)))
                       ecb-common-tree-buffer-after-create-hook
                       ecb-analyse-buffer-after-create-hook)
   :after-update-hook nil))
@end group
@end example

@node A new tree-node, Updating a tree-buffer, A new tree-buffer, tree-buffer
@subsection How to create a new tree-node

When a new tree-buffer has been created, then the most senseful
programming-task is adding some tree-nodes to it.

@subsubsection Content of a tree-node

A tree-node is an object which stores in special @dfn{slots} several
data necessary to link the node with other nodes, to display the node
and to hold some associated node-data (e.g. a tag created by the
semantic-library).

A tree-node can have the following slots:

@table @code
@item @var{NAME}
The name of the node. Regardless how the node is displayed; see
@var{SHRINK-NAME} and @var{DISPLAYED-NAME}.

@item @var{TYPE}
The type of the node; must currently be an interger! The type is used
to classify the nodes, so for example all nodes of a certain type can
display the same popup-menu - see @code{tree-buffer-create} or @ref{A
new tree-buffer} which parts of a tree-buffer are distinguished by
node-types.

@item @var{DATA}
The data of the node; This can be any arbitrary emacs-lisp-object.
This slots holds that data asscociated with the node and represented
by the node in the tree-buffer. Example: Assume a tree-buffer
displaying a directory-tree where each node just displays as its name
the name of (sub)directories, but not the full path. The full path is
stored in the @var{DATA}-slot of a node so when clicking onto this
node the asscociated directory can be open for example in a
dired-buffer.

@item @var{EXPANDABLE}
If not nil then the node is expandable means it has children.

@item @var{EXPANDED}
If not nil then the node is currently expanded, means its
children are visible in the tree-buffers as subnodes of the node.

@item @var{PARENT}
The parent tree-node. This is the link to the father (rsp. mother ;-)
of the node. It must be a object of type tree-node!

@item @var{CHILDREN}
List of children tree-nodes. They must be all objects of type
tree-node!

@item @var{SHRINK-NAME}
Decides if the @var{NAME} can be shortened when displayed in a narrow
tree buffer window. The following values are valid:

@itemize @minus
@item @code{beginning}:
The @var{NAME} is truncated at the beginning so the end is always
visible.

@item @code{end}:
The @var{NAME} is truncated at the end. If the tree-node is EXPANDABLE
the name is truncated so that the expand symbol is visible.

@item @code{nil}:
The @var{NAME} is never truncated. In this case @var{DISPLAYED-NAME}
is equal to @var{NAME}.
@end itemize

@item @var{INDENTSTR}
Containes the full indentation-string for the node. So a single node
can easily be redrawn.

@item @var{DISPLAYED-NAME}
Contains the current displayed name of the node. The
displayed name can be different from the @var{NAME} according to the value of
@var{SHRINK-NAME}.

@end table

@subsubsection Creating a new tree-node and adding it to the tree

A new tree-node has to be created with the function
@code{tree-node-new}. This ``constructor'' accepts the following
parameter: @var{NAME}, @var{TYPE}, @var{DATA}, @var{NOT-EXPANDABLE},
@var{PARENT} and @var{SHRINK-NAME}.

For all parameters except @var{NOT-EXPANDABLE} the description is
available in the slot-description in the section above. If
@var{NOT-EXPANDABLE} is set to not nil then the slot @var{EXPANDABLE}
will be set to @code{nil}; otherwise to @code{t}.

@code{tree-node-new} returns a new tree-node.

The new node can either being added implicitely to the tree via the
optional @var{PARENT}-parameter when calling @code{tree-buffer-new} or
explicitely by first creating the new node without setting the
parent-node but later setting the parent-node via the according
accessor (see next section below). Children should only being added
with @code{tree-node-add-children} - see next section.

@subsubsection Accessing the slots of a tree-node

The section above shows which slots a tree-node have. 

A slot with name XXX is getable with the following piece of code:

@lisp
(tree-node->xxx <a tree node>)
@end lisp

Here is an example how to get the value of the slot @var{DATA}:

@example
(tree-node->data <a tree node>)
@end example

A slot with name XXX is setable with the following piece of code:

@lisp
(setf (tree-node->xxx <a tree node>) <new value>)
@end lisp

Again an example with slot @var{DATA} which sets this slot to the
string ``~/a_subdir_of_HOME'':

@example
(setf (tree-node->data <a tree node>) "~/a_subdir_of_HOME")
@end example

@strong{IMPORTANT}: Adding new children to a node should always being
done with the function @code{tree-node-add-children} because this
functions encapsulates all the necessary stuff needed to add children
to a node (mainly adding the children itself and setting the node itself as
parent for every children).

See @ref{The tree-buffer-API} for the rest of the API available for
tree-nodes.

@node Updating a tree-buffer, Tree-buffer keybindings, A new tree-node, tree-buffer
@subsection How to update a tree-buffer-display after changes

When finished with adding tree-nodes to the tree-structure you mostly
want to display the current tree and its state in the buffer/window so
a user can see the current tree and can use it.

Threre are two ways to update a tree-buffer for display:

@enumerate
@item Updating the whole tree-buffer:

This is the most used way to update the tree-buffer display. It's
quite simple, just call @code{tree-buffer-update}. In most cases you
want to call it without arguments.

If you want to display a certain expanded node and as much as possible
subnodes of this node then pass this node-object as first argument to
@code{tree-buffer-update}.

If you do not have the need to display a completely new tree-structure
but you want only to display a previously cached display-state then
pass this cached-state as second argument to
@code{tree-buffer-update}. See the documentation of this function and
also @ref{Tree-buffer How to} for a detailled description how to do
this.

@item Updating only a single node of the tree-buffer:

Sometimes it can be useful to update only exactly one special node,
e.g. when your application codes some node-state in the displayed
node-name (e.g. ECB displays the version-control state of a file as
part of the related node-name) then it is necessary to update only
this node if the state has changed.

This can be done with the function @code{tree-buffer-update-node}. For
this function the mentioning in this section can be misleading because
this function can not only update the node-display but in general the
slots @var{NAME}, @var{SHRINK-NAME}, @var{TYPE}, @var{DATA} and
@var{EXPANDABLE}. Do @kbd{C-h f} to see the documentation of this
function for all details!

@end enumerate

@node Tree-buffer keybindings, The tree-buffer-API, Updating a tree-buffer, tree-buffer
@subsection Default and customizable keybindings of a tree-buffer

When creating a tree-buffer with @code{tree-buffer-create} the
following keys will automatically being bound:

@table @asis

@item @kbd{delete}
@itemx @kbd{backspace}
@itemx @kbd{home}
@itemx @kbd{end}
@itemx @kbd{a} (and each other key bound to @code{self-insert-command})
All of these keys are bound to the command
@code{tree-buffer-incremental-node-search} if the argument
@var{INCR-SEARCH-P} of @code{tree-buffer-create} was set to not nil.
See the documentation of @code{tree-buffer-incremental-node-search}
for all details.

@item @kbd{RET}
@itemx @kbd{C-RET}
@itemx @kbd{S-RET}
@itemx @kbd{M-RET}
@itemx @kbd{C-S-RET}
@itemx @kbd{mouse-1}
@itemx @kbd{C-mouse-1}
@itemx @kbd{S-mouse-1}
@itemx @kbd{M-mouse-1}
@itemx @kbd{mouse-2}
@itemx @kbd{C-mouse-2}
@itemx @kbd{S-mouse-2}
@itemx @kbd{M-mouse-2}
All these keys are bound to an action-dispatcher which works as
follows:

If the callback-function in slot @var{IS-CLICK-VALID-FN} of the
tree-buffer (@pxref{A new tree-buffer}) returns nil then nothing is
done.

If either @kbd{RET} has been hitted or point is as the node-name (i.e.
the user has clicked with the mouse-1/2 at the node-name) then the
callback-function in slot @var{NODE-SELECTED-FN} is called with the
needed arguments (@pxref{A new tree-buffer}).

If point is at the expand/collape-button then depending on the
expansion-state of the node either the callback in slot
@var{NODE-EXPANDED-FN} or @var{NODE-COLLAPSED-FN} is called (for
parameters see again @ref{A new tree-buffer}).

@strong{IMPORTANT}: None of these callbacks must modify the slot
@var{EXPANDED} of the passed node because this is done automatically
by the action-dispatcher!

At the end the dispatcher updates the tree-buffer-display with
optimized display of the clicked/selected node - see @ref{Updating a
tree-buffer}. This means @code{tree-buffer-update} is called with that
node as argument.

@item @kbd{TAB}
Depending on the expansion-state of the node either the callback in
slot @var{NODE-EXPANDED-FN} or @var{NODE-COLLAPSED-FN} is called (for
parameters see again @ref{A new tree-buffer}).

@strong{IMPORTANT}: None of these callbacks must modify the slot
@var{EXPANDED} of the passed node because this is done automatically
by the action-dispatcher!

At the end the the tree-buffer-display is updated with optimized
display of the clicked/selected node - see @ref{Updating a
tree-buffer}. This means @code{tree-buffer-update} is called with that
node as argument.

@item @kbd{mouse-3}
Activates the popup-menu for the current tree-buffer for current
node-type (if defined). See @ref{A new tree-buffer} at argument
@var{MENU-CREATOR} and @var{MENU-TITLES}. These callbacks are called
for getting the menu and the menu-title.

@item @kbd{modeline-mouse-3}
Activates the popup-menu for the modeline of the current tree-buffer
(if defined). See @ref{A new tree-buffer} at argument
@var{MODELINE-MENU-CREATOR}. This callback is called for getting the
modeline-menu.

@item @kbd{M-m}
This key is bound to the command
@code{tree-buffer-show-node-menu-keyboard}: Activates the popup-menu
of current tree-buffer for current node-type via keyboard. If called
with a prefix-arg then the library @file{tmm.el} is used for
displaying the popup-menu - ignored with XEmacs.

@item @kbd{<up>}
@itemx @kbd{<down>}
@itemx @kbd{<left>}
@itemx @kbd{<right>}
These keys are bound to the command @code{tree-buffer-arrow-pressed}
which implements the smart arrow-key-navigation described in @ref{A
new tree-buffer} at argument @var{ARROW-NAVIGATION}.

@end table

In addition to these automatically bound keys you can add further
keybindings to the local-keymap of the tree-buffer with the parameter
@var{AFTER-CREATE-HOOK} of @code{tree-buffer-create}. See @ref{A new
tree-buffer} for an example which binds @kbd{C-t} in this hook.

@node The tree-buffer-API, Do not with tree-buffer, Tree-buffer keybindings, tree-buffer
@subsection All functions available for tree-buffers and tree-nodes

This chapter lists the complete API available for tree-buffers and
tree-nodes.

@strong{IMPORTANT}: These are the only functions and macros of
tree-buffer.el you are allowed to use for programming with
tree-buffers and tree-nodes. If you use other - not here listed -
functions, macros or variables of tree-buffer.el then you run the risk
of unwanted side-effects or program-behaviors!

@subsubsection The API for a tree-buffer:

See the documentation of these functions (e.g. via @kbd{C-h f}) to get
the details how to use it.

@itemize
@item @code{tree-buffer-add-image-icon-maybe}
@item @code{tree-buffer-find-image}
@item @code{tree-buffer-create}@footnote{If the tree-buffer should be
used by ECB then you must use @code{defecb-tree-buffer-creator} - see
the documentation!}
@item @code{tree-buffer-defpopup-command}
@item @code{tree-buffer-destroy}@footnote{Not needed when
@code{defecb-tree-buffer-creator} has been used for creation.}
@item @code{tree-buffer-empty-p}
@item @code{tree-buffer-expand-node}
@item @code{tree-buffer-get-node-at-point}
@item @code{tree-buffer-node-data-equal-p}
@item @code{tree-buffer-recenter}
@item @code{tree-buffer-highlight-node-by-data/name}
@item @code{tree-buffer-find-displayed-node-by-data/name}
@item @code{tree-buffer-remove-highlight}
@item @code{tree-buffer-remove-node}
@item @code{tree-buffer-clear-tree}
@item @code{tree-buffer-displayed-nodes-copy}
@item @code{tree-buffer-search-displayed-node-list}
@item @code{tree-buffer-number-of-displayed-nodes}
@item @code{tree-buffer-get-data-store}
@item @code{tree-buffer-set-data-store}
@item @code{tree-buffer-get-root}
@item @code{tree-buffer-set-root}
@item @code{tree-buffer-update}
@item @code{tree-buffer-update-node}
@end itemize

@subsubsection The API for a tree-node

See the documentation of these functions (e.g. via @kbd{C-h f}) to get
the details how to use it.

@itemize
@item @code{tree-node-add-children}
@item @code{tree-node-linelength}
@item @code{tree-node-map-subtree}
@item @code{tree-node-new}
@item @code{tree-node-new-root}
@item @code{tree-node-remove-child}
@item @code{tree-node-remove-child-by-data/name}
@item @code{tree-node-find-child-by-data/name}
@item @code{tree-node-find-child-by-name}
@item @code{tree-node-search-subtree-by-data}
@item @code{tree-node-search-subtree-by-id}
@item @code{tree-node-sort-children}
@item @code{tree-node-toggle-expanded}
@end itemize

In addition to these functions the tree-node API contains all accessors
for a tree-node which are described in @ref{A new tree-node}.

@node Do not with tree-buffer, Tree-buffer How to, The tree-buffer-API, tree-buffer
@subsection Things which are strictly forbidden

Variable @code{tree-buffers}: Only for internal use! It contains all
tree-buffers of current Emacs-instance, means @strong{all}
tree-buffers of @strong{all} applications which uses currently
tree-buffers. Every application must store its own collection of
tree-buffers in an own variable! For example: ECB stores its
tree-buffer set in @code{ecb-tree-buffers}!

Variable @code{tree-buffer-displayed-nodes}: Only for internal use!
Contains all the current visible nodes of current tree-buffer in
top-to-bottom order. This variable is buffer-local in each
tree-buffer! Do not use it directly! When you want to cache the
current display, then see @ref{Tree-buffer How to} how to do this.

@strong{IMPORTANT}: An application may only use the API tree-buffer.el
provides but no internal variables - see @ref{The tree-buffer-API}!

@node Tree-buffer How to, ,Do not with tree-buffer, tree-buffer
@subsection How to deal with certain programming-requirements

This chapter describes in detail how to solve certain
programming-challenges with tree-buffers.

@subsubsection Caching the current tree-buffer display

Sometimes it can be useful or important to cache the current display
of a tree-buffer and display later exactly this cached display-state.
Here is how to do this:

@enumerate
@item Caching the display:
You have to do two tasks: First store the current internal structure
of the tree-buffer; you must do this with the function
@code{tree-buffer-displayed-nodes-copy}. Then store the
buffer-contents of that tree-buffer you want to cache; you can do this
for example with @code{buffer-substring}. For both tasks you must make
the tree-buffer the current-buffer.

@item Displaying a previous tree-buffer-cache:
Make the tree-buffer the current buffer, call
@code{tree-buffer-update} and pass as second argument @var{CONTENT}
the data you have stored in step 1. See the documentation of
@code{tree-buffer-update} for details.

Here is an example:

@example
@group
(tree-buffer-update
  nil
  (cons (nth 2 cache-elem) ;; the stored buffer-string
        (nth 1 cache-elem) ;; the stored tree-structure
  )))
@end group
@end example
@end enumerate

@node Adviced functions, The layout-engine, tree-buffer, Elisp programming
@section How to deal with the adviced functions

ECB needs a bunch of advices so ECB can work correctly. ECB has a
powerful advice-backbone which allows defining sets of adviced
functions whereas a set means, that all advices of a certain set are
always enabled or disabled together.

For this ECB contains four macros:

@itemize @minus
@item @code{defecb-advice-set}
@item @code{defecb-advice}
@item @code{ecb-with-original-adviced-function-set}
@item @code{ecb-with-ecb-advice} (for this one see below)
@end itemize

For a detailed explanation of each macro read the documentation with
@code{describe-function}!

An advice in ECB must not being defined by @code{defadvice} but only
with @code{defecb-advice} which in turn needs a previously defined
advice-set defined by @code{defecb-advice-set}.

So ECB has always full control of all advices. For example ECB
automatically disables all advices of all advice-sets at load-time of
ECB and also at deactivation time of ECB. So you can be sure that
after deactivating ECB all ecb-advices are deactivated/disabled too.

In addition to the four macros above ECB offers two further macros
for running code with disabled some ecb-advices:

@itemize @minus
@item @code{ecb-with-original-basic-functions}
@item @code{ecb-with-original-permanent-layout-functions}
@end itemize

The advice set @code{ecb-basic-adviced-functions} contains most of the
ecb-advices. See the contents of this variable to see which advices
are contained in this set. Use
@code{ecb-with-original-basic-functions} when you want evaluating
elisp-code with disabled basic-advices.
@code{ecb-with-original-basic-functions} is only a shortcut for
@code{ecb-with-original-adviced-function-set} called for the
@code{ecb-basic-adviced-functions}-set.

Same for @code{ecb-with-original-permanent-layout-functions} which is a
shortcut for the advice-set @code{ecb-permanent-adviced-layout-functions}.

Last but not least ECB contains an advice-set
@code{ecb-always-disabled-advices}. These advices are always disabled.
This advice-set can not be enabled by @code{ecb-enable-advices} but
such an advice has to be activated 'on demand' by the caller. Such an
advice must be used with the macro @code{ecb-with-ecb-advice} (see the
docstring) and is also enabled within the BODY of the macro-call.

ECB contains some more advice-sets but don't bother about it.

@strong{Please Note}: See the value of @code{ecb-adviced-function-sets} which
advice-sets are defined and see @code{ecb-adviced-functions} for an overview
for all adviced functions.


@node The layout-engine, , Adviced functions, Elisp programming
@section How to program new layouts and new special windows

There are two aspects concerning this topic:

@enumerate
@item
Programming a new layout which contains several special ECB-windows
like directories, sources, methods, history or other special windows
and arranging them in a new outline.

@item
Creating complete new special windows (e.g. a local-variable window
for a graphical debugger like JDEbug of JDEE), adding them to a layout
and synchronizing them with the current active edit-window.
@end enumerate

The former one covers merely the layout-programming aspect which is
explained in the first subsection of this chapter whereas the latter
one covers all aspects of creating new special windows and what is
necessary to synchronize it with the current active edit-window of
ECB. This is explained in the second subsection which will refers to
the first subsection.

@menu
* Programming a new layout::    How to program a new layout
* Programming special windows:: Aspects of programming special windows
* Possible layout-outlines::    The wide range of possible layouts
* The layout-engine API::       The complete layout-engine API
@end menu

@node Programming a new layout, Programming special windows, The layout-engine, The layout-engine
@subsection How to program a new layout

If you just want creating a new layout with the standard ECB-windows
like directories, sources, methods, history and speedbar it's is
strongly recommended to define the new layout interactively with the
command @code{ecb-create-new-layout} (@pxref{Creating a new
ECB-layout}).

If you want creating a new layout and if this layout should contain
other special windows than the standard ECB-windows then it's still
recommended to define this layout interactively with
@code{ecb-create-new-layout} and using the option to give the created
windows user-defined types. For every user defined type you have then
just to program the necessary buffer-set function. For all the details
see @ref{Creating a new ECB-layout}.

But if you do not like the interactive way (because you are tough and
brave) but you want programming the new layout with Elisp then use the
macro @code{ecb-layout-define} (the following definition has stripped
the prefix ``ecb-'' for better indexing this manual):

@defmac layout-define name type doc &rest create-code
Creates a new ECB-layout with name @var{NAME}. @var{TYPE} is the type
of the new layout and is literal, i.e. not evaluated. It can be left,
right, top or left-right. @var{DOC} is the docstring for the new
layout-function ``ecb-layout-function-<name>''. @var{CREATE-CODE} is
all the lisp code which is necessary to define the
ECB-windows/buffers. This macro adds the layout with @var{NAME} and
@var{TYPE}to the internal variable @code{ecb-available-layouts}.

Preconditions for @var{CREATE-CODE}:
@enumerate
@item
Current frame is splitted at least in one edit-window and the
``column'' (for layout types left, right and left-right) rsp. ``row''
(for a top layout) for the special ECB-windows/buffers. The width of
the ``column'' rsp. the height of the ``row'' is always defined with
the option @code{ecb-windows-width} rsp. @code{ecb-windows-height}.
Depending on the value of the option @code{ecb-compile-window-height}
there is also a compile window at the bottom of the frame which is
stored in @code{ecb-compile-window}.

@item
All windows are not dedicated.

@item
Neither the edit-window nor the compile-window (if there is one) are
selected for types left, right and top. For type left-right the left
column-window is selected

@item
All ECB-advices of the advice-sets @code{ecb-basic-adviced-functions}
and @code{ecb-permanent-adviced-functions} are disabled.
@end enumerate

Things @var{CREATE-CODE} has to do:
@enumerate
@item
Splitting the ECB-tree-windows-column(s)/row (s.a.) in all the
ECB-windows the layout should contain (directories, sources, methods
and history). The split must not be done with other functions than
@code{ecb-split-hor} and @code{ecb-split-ver}! It is recommended not to
to use a ``hard'' number of split-lines or -rows but using fractions
between -0.9 and +0.9! Tip: It is recommended to spilt from right to
left and from bottom to top or with other words: First create the
right-most and bottom-most special windows!

@item
Making each special ECB-window a dedicated window. This can be done with
one of the following functions:
@itemize @minus
@item @code{ecb-set-directories-buffer}
@item @code{ecb-set-sources-buffer}
@item @code{ecb-set-methods-buffer}
@item @code{ecb-set-history-buffer}
@item @code{ecb-set-speedbar-buffer}
@item @code{ecb-set-analyse-buffer}
@item @code{ecb-set-symboldef-buffer}
@end itemize
Each layout can only contain one of each tree-buffer-type!

In addition to these functions there is a general macro:
@code{defecb-window-dedicator-to-ecb-buffer}: This macro defines a so called
``window-dedicator'' which is a function registered at ECB and called by ECB
to perform any arbitrary code in current window and makes the window autom.
dedicated to the special ecb-buffer at the end. This can be used by third
party packages like JDEE to create arbitrary ECB-windows besides the standard
special ecb-windows.

To make a special ECB-window a dedicated window either one of the seven
functions above must be used or a new ``window-dedicator''-function
has to be defined with @code{defecb-window-dedicator-to-ecb-buffer} and must be used
within the layout-definition.

@item
Every(!) special ECB-window must be dedicated to a buffer as described in 2.

@item
@var{CREATE-CODE} must work correctly regardless if there is already a
compile-window (stored in @code{ecb-compile-window}) or not
(@code{ecb-compile-window} is nil).
@end enumerate

Things @var{CREATE-CODE} can do or can use:
@enumerate
@item
The value of @code{ecb-compile-window} which contains the compile-window (if
there is one). Using the values of @code{ecb-compile-window-height},
@code{ecb-windows-width}, @code{ecb-windows-height}.
@end enumerate

Things @var{CREATE-CODE} must NOT do:
@enumerate
@item Splitting the edit-window
@item Creating a compile-window
@item
Deleting the edit-window, the compile-window (if there is any) or the
ECB-windows-column(s)/row (see Precondition 1.)
@item
Referring to the value of @code{ecb-edit-window} because this is always nil
during @var{CREATE-CODE}.
@end enumerate

Postconditions for @var{CREATE-CODE}:
@enumerate
@item
The edit-window must be the selected window and must not be dedicated
and not be splitted.

@item
Every window besides the edit-window (and the compile-window) must be
a dedicated window (e.g. a ECB-tree-window).
@end enumerate
@end defmac

Use this macro to program new layouts within your @file{.emacs} or any
other file which is loaded into your Emacs. After loading the file(s)
with all the new layout-definitions you can use it by customizing the
option @code{ecb-layout-name} to the appropriate name or with the
command @code{ecb-change-layout}.

With the function @code{ecb-layout-undefine} you can remove a layout
from the list of available layouts:

@defun layout-undefine name
Unbind ecb-layout-function-<NAME> and
ecb-delete-window-ecb-windows-<NAME> and remove @code{NAME} from
@code{ecb-available-layouts}.
@end defun

Here is an example for a new layout programmed with
@code{ecb-layout-define}:

@example
@group
(ecb-layout-define "my-own-layout" left nil
  ;; The frame is already splitted side-by-side and point stays in the
  ;; left window (= the ECB-tree-window-column)

  ;; Here is the creation code for the new layout
  
  ;; 1. Defining the current window/buffer as ECB-methods buffer
  (ecb-set-methods-buffer)
  ;; 2. Splitting the ECB-tree-windows-column in two windows
  (ecb-split-ver 0.75 t)
  ;; 3. Go to the second window
  (other-window 1)
  ;; 4. Defining the current window/buffer as ECB-history buffer
  (ecb-set-history-buffer)
  ;; 5. Make the ECB-edit-window current (see Postcondition above)
  (select-window (next-window)))
@end group
@end example

This layout definition defines a layout with name ``my-own-layout''
which looks like:

@example
@group
-------------------------------------------------------
|              |                                      |
|              |                                      |
|              |                                      |
|  Methods     |                                      |
|              |                                      |
|              |                                      |
|              |               Edit                   |
|              |                                      |
|              |                                      |
|--------------|                                      |
|              |                                      |
|  History     |                                      |
|              |                                      |
-------------------------------------------------------
|                                                     |
|                    Compilation                      |
|                                                     |
-------------------------------------------------------
@end group
@end example

@node Programming special windows, Possible layout-outlines, Programming a new layout, The layout-engine
@subsection All aspects of programming special windows

ECB offers a flexible programmable layout-engine for other packages to
display their own contents and informations in special ECB-windows. An
example could be a graphical debugger which offers a special window for
displaying local variables and another special window for messages
from the debugger-process (like JDEbug of JDEE@footnote{JDEE is
available at
@ifhtml
@uref{http://jdee.sunsite.dk/}
@end ifhtml
@ifnothtml
@url{http://jdee.sunsite.dk/}
@end ifnothtml
}).

This section explains all aspects of programming new special windows,
adding them to a new layout and synchronizing them with edit-window of
ECB. This can be done best with an easy example which nevertheless
covers all necessary aspects to be a good example and skeleton for
complex tools (like a graphical debugger) which want to use the
layout-engine of ECB do display their own information.

@strong{IMPORTANT}: See @ref{tree-buffer} for a full documentation of
the library tree-buffer.el which can be used for programming a new
special window as a tree!

Here comes the example:

@subsubsection The outline of the example layout:

@example
@group
-------------------------------------------------------
|Bufferinfo for <filename>:            |[prior]       |
|Type: file                            |[next]        |
|Size: 23456                           |              |
|Modes: rw-rw-rw-                      |              |
|-----------------------------------------------------|
|                                                     |
|                                                     |
|                                                     |
|                                                     |
|                 edit-window                         |
|                                                     |
|                                                     |
|                                                     |
|                                                     |
-------------------------------------------------------
|                                                     |
|                 compilation-window                  |
|                                                     |
-------------------------------------------------------
@end group
@end example

@subsubsection The description of the layout-contents

The top-left window always displays informations about the current
buffer in the selected edit-window. This window demonstrates how
autom. synchronizing a special window/buffer of a layout with current
edit-window.

The top-right window contains an read-only ``action-buffer'' and
offers two buttons which can be used with the middle mouse-button to
scroll the edit-window. This is not very senseful but it demonstrates
how to control the edit-window with actions performed in a special
window/buffer of a layout.

(If you have not set a compilation-window in
@code{ecb-compile-window-height} then the layout contains no persistent
compilation window and the other windows get a little more place).

@subsubsection The example code

Now let have us a look at the several parts of the Elisp-program
needed to program this new example layout. ECB contains a library
@file{ecb-examples.el} which contains the full working code of this
example. To test this example and to play with it you can load this
library into Emacs (with @code{load-library} for example) and then
calling @code{ecb-change-layout} (bound to @kbd{C-c . lc}) and
inserting ``example-layout1'' as layout-name. An alternative is
calling @code{ecb-examples-activate} and
@code{ecb-examples-deactivate}. For details see file
@file{ecb-examples.el}.

The following steps only contain code-skeletons to demonstrate the
principle. The full working code is available in
@file{ecb-examples.el}.

@subsubsection The bufferinfo buffer of the example

The name of the bufferinfo buffer:

@lisp
(defconst ecb-examples-bufferinfo-buffer-name " *ECB buffer info*")
@end lisp

Two helper functions for displaying infos in a special buffer:

@lisp
@group
(defun ecb-examples-print-file-attributes (buffer filename)
  (ecb-with-readonly-buffer buffer
    (erase-buffer)
    (insert (format "Bufferinfo for %s:\n\n" filename))
    ;; insert with the function `file-attributes' some 
    ;; informations about FILENAME.
    ))

(defun ecb-examples-print-non-filebuffer (buffer buffer-name)
  (ecb-with-readonly-buffer buffer
    (erase-buffer)
    ;; analogous to `ecb-examples-print-file-attributes'
    ))
@end group
@end lisp


For synchronizing the bufferinfo window with the current source-buffer we
first introduce some three options which are very typical for a special
ECB-window which should be synchronized with current buffer in the edit-area.

The :type of the first two options is essential and @strong{MUST NOT} be
defined differently, because the macro @code{defecb-autocontrol/sync-function}
(s.b.) and the function @code{ecb-activate-ecb-autocontrol-function} (s.b.)
expects exactly these option-types.

The third one for an own hook running after synchronizing is not essential but
mostly useful for users who wants to do some own stuff.

Here come the three options - for detailled docstrings take a look into the
file @file{ecb-examples.el}:

@lisp
@group
(defcustom ecb-examples-bufferinfo-buffer-sync 'basic
  "*Synchronize the bufferinfo buffer automatically with current edit buffer.

If 'always then the synchronization takes place always a buffer changes in the
edit window, if nil then never. If a list of major-modes then only if the
`major-mode' of the new buffer belongs NOT to this list.

If the special value 'basic is set then ECB uses the setting of the option
`ecb-basic-buffer-sync'.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Every time the synchronization is done the hook
`ecb-bufferinfo-buffer-sync-hook' is evaluated."
  :group 'ecb-examples-bufferinfo
  :type '(radio :tag "Synchronize ECBs example bufferino buffer"
                (const :tag "use basic value" :value basic)
                (const :tag "Always" :value always)
                (const :tag "Never" nil)
                (repeat :tag "Not with these modes"
                        (symbol :tag "mode"))))

(defcustom ecb-examples-bufferinfo-buffer-sync-delay 'basic
  "*Time Emacs must be idle before the bufferinfo-buffer is synchronized.
Synchronizing is done with the current source displayed in the edit window. If
nil then there is no delay, means synchronization takes place immediately. A
small value of about 0.25 seconds saves CPU resources and you get even though
almost the same effect as if you set no delay.

If the special value 'basic is set then ECB uses the setting of the option
`ecb-basic-buffer-sync-delay'"
  :group 'ecb-analyse
  :type '(radio (const :tag "use basic value" :value basic)
                (const :tag "No synchronizing delay" :value nil)
                (number :tag "Idle time before synchronizing" :value 2))
  :set (function (lambda (symbol value)
                   (set symbol value)
                   (if (and (boundp 'ecb-minor-mode)
                            (featurep 'ecb-examples)
                            ecb-minor-mode)
                       (ecb-activate-ecb-autocontrol-function
                        value 'ecb-examples-bufferinfo-buffer-sync))))
  :initialize 'custom-initialize-default)

(defcustom ecb-examples-bufferinfo-buffer-sync-hook nil
  "Hook run at the end of `ecb-examples-bufferinfo-buffer-sync'.
See documentation of `ecb-examples-bufferinfo-buffer-sync' for conditions when
synchronization takes place and so in turn these hooks are evaluated.

..."
  :group 'ecb-analyse
  :type 'hook)

@end group
@end lisp

Now we define the synchronizing function. @strong{IMPORTANT}: The main
synchronizing function must be defined with the macro
@code{defecb-autocontrol/sync-function}! See the documentation of this
function for all details.

The following function synchronizes the bufferinfo buffer with the current
buffer of the edit-window if that buffer has changed

See the comments in the code for explanations.

@lisp
@group
(defvar ecb-examples-bufferinfo-last-file-buffer nil)

(defecb-autocontrol/sync-function ecb-examples-bufferinfo-buffer-sync
    ecb-examples-bufferinfo-buffer-name ecb-examples-bufferinfo-buffer-sync t
  "Synchronizes the buffer-info buffer with current source if changed.
Can be called interactively but normally this should not be necessary because
it will be called autom. by the internal synchronizing mechanism of ECB."

  ;; The macro `defecb-autocontrol/sync-function' does a lot for our
  ;; conveniance:
  
  ;; 1) here we can be sure that the buffer with name
  ;; `ecb-examples-bufferinfo-buffer-name' is displayed in a window of
  ;; `ecb-frame' because the macro `defecb-autocontrol/sync-function'
  ;; encapsulates automatically the following code within
  ;; `ecb-do-if-buffer-visible-in-ecb-frame' and this macro binds locally the
  ;; variables visible-buffer and visible-window: visible-window:=
  ;; (get-buffer-window ecb-examples-bufferinfo-buffer-name) visible-buffer:=
  ;; (get-buffer ecb-examples-bufferinfo-buffer-name)

  ;; 2) The macro `defecb-autocontrol/sync-function' automatically takes care of
  ;;    the setting of option `ecb-examples-bufferinfo-buffer-sync' and runs the
  ;;    following code only when the related conditions are true

  ;; 3) The generated function has one optional argument FORCE which can be used
  ;; in the code below.
  
  ;; 4) The macro `defecb-autocontrol/sync-function' makes this synchronizing
  ;;    function interactive

  ;; For details please read the documentation of
  ;; `defecb-autocontrol/sync-function'!

  ;; synchronize only when point stays in one of the edit-window.
  (when (ecb-point-in-edit-window-number)

    ;; we need the file-name of indirect-buffers too (if the base-buffer is a
    ;; file-buffer), therefore we use `ecb-buffer-file-name' (see the docstring
    ;; of this function)
    (let ((filename (ecb-buffer-file-name (current-buffer))))
    
      (if (and filename (ecb-buffer-or-file-readable-p filename))

          ;; synchronizing for real filesource-buffers or indirect buffers of
          ;; real file buffers

            ;; Let us be smart: We synchronize only if sourcebuffer has changed
            ;; or if the argument FORCE is not nil
            (when (or force
                      (not (equal (current-buffer)
                                  ecb-examples-bufferinfo-last-file-buffer)))
              ;; set new last-file-buffer so we can check next time if changed
              (setq ecb-examples-bufferinfo-last-file-buffer (current-buffer))
              ;; we display the file-infos for current source-buffer
              (ecb-examples-print-file-attributes visible-buffer filename))
        
        ;; what should we do for non file buffers like help-buffers etc...
        (setq ecb-examples-bufferinfo-last-file-buffer nil)
        (ecb-examples-print-non-filebuffer visible-buffer
                                           (buffer-name (current-buffer)))))

    ;; Now lets run the hooks in `ecb-examples-bufferinfo-buffer-sync-hook'
    (run-hooks 'ecb-examples-bufferinfo-buffer-sync-hook)))
@end group
@end lisp

Two conveniance commands for the user:

@lisp
@group
(defun ecb-maximize-bufferinfo-window ()
  "Maximize the bufferinfo-window.
I.e. delete all other ECB-windows, so only one ECB-window and the
edit-window\(s) are visible \(and maybe a compile-window). Works
also if the ECB-analyse-window is not visible in current layout."
  (interactive)
  (ecb-display-one-ecb-buffer ecb-examples-bufferinfo-buffer-name))

(defun ecb-goto-bufferinfo-window ()
  "Make the bufferinfo-window the current window."
  (interactive)
  (ecb-goto-ecb-window ecb-examples-bufferinfo-buffer-name))
@end group
@end lisp

@subsubsection Synchronizing the bufferinfo-buffer automatically

By using the macro @code{defecb-autocontrol/sync-function} for defining our
synchronizing function we have already registered this function as a
synchronizing function managed by ECB:

The only thing we need is to tell ECB when this function should run - for this
we have already defined the first two options in our example (s.a.).
ECB offers to functions for 

@itemize
@item @code{ecb-activate-ecb-autocontrol-function}: Activate/start synchronizing
@item @code{ecb-stop-autocontrol/sync-function}: Stop synchronizing
@end itemize

It's smart to activate the synchronizing function within the
dedicator-function. See the comment within the following function.

The function which makes the bufferinfo-buffer dedicated to a window
and registers the new special window/buffer at ECB.

@lisp
@group
(defecb-window-dedicator-to-ecb-buffer ecb-examples-set-bufferinfo-buffer
    ecb-examples-bufferinfo-buffer-name nil
  "Set the buffer in the current window to the bufferinfo-buffer and make this
window dedicated for this buffer. Makes the buffer read-only."

  ;; activating the synchronization of the bufferinfo-window:
  ;; `ecb-activate-ecb-autocontrol-function' takes care of the possible
  ;; settings in `ecb-examples-bufferinfo-buffer-sync-delay'. Therefore we do
  ;; it here because then changes in ecb-examples-bufferinfo-buffer-sync-delay
  ;; are taken into account each time the bufferinfo buffer is set in the
  ;; layout (after each hiding/showing the ecb-window, each redrawing the
  ;; layout deactivating/activating ECB)
  (ecb-activate-ecb-autocontrol-function ecb-examples-bufferinfo-buffer-sync-delay
                                         'ecb-examples-bufferinfo-buffer-sync)
  
  (switch-to-buffer (get-buffer-create ecb-examples-bufferinfo-buffer-name))
  (setq buffer-read-only t))
@end group
@end lisp


This is all what we need for the special bufferinfo buffer. We have
demonstrated already three of the important functions/macros of the
layout-engine API of ECB: @code{ecb-with-readonly-buffer},
@code{defecb-autocontrol/sync-function} and @code{defecb-window-dedicator-to-ecb-buffer}
(@pxref{The layout-engine API}. Especially the second macro is a MUST for
programming good synchronizing functions which do not waste CPU-power! We have
also shown how to start/activate a synchronizing function by
@code{ecb-activate-ecb-autocontrol-function}. Later we will see how to stop
it.

@subsubsection The action buffer of the example

The name of the action-buffer:

@lisp
(defconst ecb-examples-action-buffer-name " *ECB action buffer*")
@end lisp

Two helper functions for creating a readonly action-buffer with a
special local key-map for the middle-mouse-button and two buttons
[prior] and [next]:

@lisp
@group
(defun ecb-examples-insert-text-in-action-buffer (text)
  (let ((p (point)))
    (insert text)
    (put-text-property p (+ p (length text)) 'mouse-face
                                             'highlight)))

(defun ecb-examples-action-buffer-create ()
  (save-excursion
    (if (get-buffer ecb-examples-action-buffer-name)
        (get-buffer ecb-examples-action-buffer-name)

      (set-buffer (get-buffer-create
                    ecb-examples-action-buffer-name))

      ;; we setup a local key-map and bind middle-mouse-button
      ;; see ecb-examples.el for the full code        

      ;; insert the action buttons [prior] and [next] and
      ;; make it read-only
      
      (ecb-with-readonly-buffer (current-buffer)
        (erase-buffer)
        (ecb-examples-insert-text-in-action-buffer "[prior]")
        ;; analogous for the [next] button
        )
      
      (current-buffer))))
@end group
@end lisp

The function which performs the actions in the action-buffer if
clicked with the middle-mouse button onto a button [next] or [prior].

@lisp
@group
(defun ecb-examples-action-buffer-clicked (e)
  (interactive "e")
  (mouse-set-point e)
  (let ((line (buffer-substring (ecb-line-beginning-pos)
                                (ecb-line-end-pos))))
    (cond ((string-match "prior" line)
           (ecb-select-edit-window)
           (call-interactively 'scroll-down))
          ((string-match "next" line)
           ;; analogous for [next]
           ))))
@end group
@end lisp

Two conveniance-commands for the user:

@lisp
@group
(defun ecb-maximize-action-window ()
  "Maximize the action-window.
I.e. delete all other ECB-windows, so only one ECB-window and the
edit-window\(s) are visible \(and maybe a compile-window). Works
also if the ECB-analyse-window is not visible in current layout."
  (interactive)
  (ecb-display-one-ecb-buffer ecb-examples-action-buffer-name))

(defun ecb-goto-action-window ()
  "Make the action-window the current window."
  (interactive)
  (ecb-goto-ecb-window ecb-examples-action-buffer-name))
@end group
@end lisp

The function which makes the action-buffer dedicated to a window and
registers it at ECB.

@lisp
@group
(defecb-window-dedicator-to-ecb-buffer ecb-examples-set-action-buffer
    ecb-examples-action-buffer-name nil
  "Set the buffer in the current window to the action-buffer
and make this window dedicated for this buffer."
  (switch-to-buffer (buffer-name (ecb-examples-action-buffer-create))))
@end group
@end lisp

We do not need more code for the action buffer. All of the code is
standard emacs-lisp which would also needed if used without ECB.

@subsubsection Adding the bufferinfo- and action-buffer to a new layout

Now we add the bufferinfo- and the action-buffer to a new layout of
type top with name ``example-layout1'':

@lisp
@group
(ecb-layout-define "example-layout1" top
  
  ;; dedicating the bufferinfo window to the bufferinfo-buffer
  (ecb-examples-set-bufferinfo-buffer)

  ;; creating the action-window
  (ecb-split-hor 0.75)
  
  ;; dedicate the action window to the action-buffer
  (ecb-examples-set-action-buffer)

  ;; select the edit-window
  (select-window (next-window)))
@end group
@end lisp

This all what we need to define the new layout. See @ref{Programming a
new layout} for more details of the pure layout-programming task.

@subsubsection Activating and deactivating new layouts

Because a set of new special windows integrated in a new layout is
often just the GUI of a complete tool (like a graphical debugger) we
demonstrate here the complete activation and deactivation of such a
tool or at least of the tool-GUI. We decide that the GUI of our
example ``tool'' needs a compile-window with height 5 lines and the
height of the special windows ``row'' on top should be exactly 6 lines
(normally width and height of the special windows should be a fraction
of the frame, but here we use 6 lines@footnote{You can change the code
in the file @file{ecb-examples.el} to use a frame-fraction of 0.2
instead of 6 hard lines, just try it!}

Here comes the (de)activation code.

The code for saving and restoring the state before activation (the
full code is available in @file{ecb-examples.el}:

@lisp
@group
(defun ecb-examples-preactivation-state(action)
  (cond ((equal action 'save)
         ;; code for saving the state
         )
        ((equal action 'restore)
        ;; code for restoring the state
        )))
@end group
@end lisp

The following function activates the GUI of our example tool:

@lisp
@group
(defun ecb-examples-activate ()
  "Activate the new layout \"example-layout1\".
Acivates the function `ecb-examples-bufferinfo-buffer-sync', set
`ecb-compile-window-height' to 5 and `ecb-windows-height' to 6. The
preactivation-state is saved and will be restored by
`ecb-examples-deactivate'."
  (interactive)

  (assert (featurep 'ecb) nil
          "ECB must be loaded!")
  (assert ecb-minor-mode nil
          "ECB must be activated!")
  (assert (equal (selected-frame) ecb-frame) nil
          "The ECB-frame must be selected!")
  (assert (not (ecb-string= ecb-layout-name "example-layout1")) nil
          "The examples-layout1 is already active!")
  
  ;; saving the state
  (ecb-examples-preactivation-state 'save)

  ;; switch to our prefered layout
  (setq ecb-windows-height 6)
  (setq ecb-compile-window-height 8)
  (let ((ecb-change-layout-preserves-compwin-state nil))
    ;; activating the synchronization of the bufferinfo-window is done in the
    ;; dedicator-function (see `ecb-examples-set-bufferinfo-buffer' for the
    ;; reason). So the synchronizing will be activated implicitly with the
    ;; layout-switch because this redraws the layout and this calls all
    ;; dedicator-functions.
    (ecb-layout-switch "example-layout1")))
@end group
@end lisp

This function deactivates the GUI of our example-tool and restores the
state as before activation:

@lisp
@group
(defun ecb-examples-deactivate ()
  "Deactivate the new layout \"example-layout1\".
Stops `ecb-examples-bufferinfo-buffer-sync' and restore the state
as before activation."
  (interactive)

  (assert (featurep 'ecb) nil
          "ECB must be loaded!")
  (assert ecb-minor-mode nil
          "ECB must be activated!")
  (assert (equal (selected-frame) ecb-frame) nil
          "The ECB-frame must be selected!")
  (assert (ecb-string= ecb-layout-name "example-layout1") nil
          "The example-layout1 is not active!")

  ;; we stop here the synchronization.
  (ecb-stop-autocontrol/sync-function 'ecb-examples-bufferinfo-buffer-sync)
  
  (ecb-examples-preactivation-state 'restore)
  
  (ecb-layout-switch ecb-layout-name))
@end group
@end lisp


Now we have all code for the new layout and the new layout-buffers.
The example is ready for use; just load @file{ecb-examples.el} (s.a.).

@node Possible layout-outlines, The layout-engine API, Programming special windows, The layout-engine
@subsection The wide range of possible layout-outlines

In the two previous sections @ref{Programming a new layout} and
@ref{Programming special windows} we have explained in detail how to
program new layouts and how to program new special windows/buffers and
adding them to a new layout.

The intention of this section is to be a summary what are the real
restrictions for a new layout-outline programmed with
@code{ecb-layout-define}. This is necessary because until now we just
programmed ``obvious'' layouts, means layout which are in principle
very similar to the standard ones which means one big edit-window and
some special windows ``around'' this edit-window. This section will
show you that a layout can have also very different outlines.

OK, here are the real restrictions and conditions for a layout
programmed with @code{ecb-layout-define}:
@enumerate
@item
It must have exactly one edit-window regardless of its size. The user
of this layout can later split this edit-window in as many
edit-windows as he like.

@item
All other windows created within the @var{CREATE-CODE} body of
@code{ecb-layout-define} (@pxref{Programming a new layout}) must be
dedicated to their buffers.

@item
All the dedicated windows must (exclusive!) either reside on the left,
right, top or left-and-right side of the edit-window. This will be
defined with the @var{TYPE}-argument of @code{ecb-layout-define}
(@pxref{Programming a new layout}).
@end enumerate

You see, there are only three restrictions/conditions. These and only
these must be fulfilled at layout-programming.

Demonstrating what this really means and how flexible the
layout-engine of ECB really is, can be done best with some
``pathological'' layout-outlines. All the following are correct
layouts (working code is added below each layout):

The following is a top layout with three vertical layered special
windows.

@example
@group
------------------------------------------------------------------
|                                                                |
|                 Upper special window (a tree-buffer)           |
|                                                                |
|----------------------------------------------------------------|
|                                                                |
|                 Middle special window (no tree-buffer)         |
|                                                                |
|----------------------------------------------------------------|
|                                                                |
|                 Lower special window (a tree-buffer)           |
|                                                                |
|================================================================|
|                                                                |
|                         Edit-area                              |
|      (can be splitted by the user in several edit-windows)     |
------------------------------------------------------------------
|                                                                |
|                 Compilation-window (optional)                  |
|                                                                |
------------------------------------------------------------------
@end group
@end example

Here is the code for that top layout (all buffers are dummy-buffers):

@lisp
@group

;; The "window dedicator to buffer" functions:

(defecb-window-dedicator-to-ecb-buffer ecb-set-usw-buffer
   upper-special-window-buffer-name t
  (switch-to-buffer (get-buffer-create "Upper special window")))

(defecb-window-dedicator-to-ecb-buffer ecb-set-msw-buffer
   middle-special-window-buffer-name nil
  (switch-to-buffer (get-buffer-create "Middle special window")))

(defecb-window-dedicator-to-ecb-buffer ecb-set-lsw-buffer
   lower-special-window-buffer-name t
  (switch-to-buffer (get-buffer-create "Lower special window")))

;; The layout itself:

(ecb-layout-define "example-layout3" top
  nil

  ;; here we have an edit-window and above one top window which we can
  ;; now split in several other windows. Dependent on the value of
  ;; `ecb-compile-window-height' we have also a compile-window at the
  ;; bottom.

  (ecb-set-usw-buffer)
  (ecb-split-ver 0.33)
  (ecb-set-msw-buffer)
  (ecb-split-ver 0.5)
  (ecb-set-lsw-buffer)

  ;; select the edit-window.
  (select-window (next-window)))
@end group
@end lisp


The following is a left-right layout which has six special windows in
the left-''column'' and one big special window in the
right-''column''. For left-right layouts the left-''column'' and the
right-''column'' have always the same width.

@example
@group
------------------------------------------------------------------
|             |       |                   |                      |
| Left1       | Left5 |                   |                      |
|             |       |                   |                      |
|-------------|       |                   |                      |
|      |      |       |                   |                      |
|      |      |       |                   |                      |
|      |      |       |                   |                      |
| Left2| Left3|-------|     Edit-area     |   Right1             |
|      |      |       | (can be splitted  |                      |
|      |      |       |  in several edit- |                      |
|      |      |       |      windows)     |                      |
|-------------|       |                   |                      |
|             |       |                   |                      |
| Left4       | Left6 |                   |                      |
|             |       |                   |                      |
------------------------------------------------------------------
|                                                                |
|                 Compilation-window (optional)                  |
|                                                                |
------------------------------------------------------------------
@end group
@end example

Here is the code for that left-right layout, again with dummy-buffers
(depending to your screen-resolution you will need a quite big value
for @code{ecb-windows-width}, e.g. 0.4):

Here is one of the ``window dedicator for buffer''-functions@footnote{The
``window dedicators'' for all these ecb-windows/buffers are not explicitly
described - they look all like @code{ecb-set-left1-buffer} - of course with
different buffer-names!}:

@lisp
@group
(defvar buffer-name-left1 "left1")

;; Note that the third argument muts be not nil if the ecb-window should
;; display an ecb-buffer of type tree-buffer!
(defecb-window-dedicator-to-ecb-buffer ecb-set-left1-buffer buffer-name-left1 nil
  (switch-to-buffer (get-buffer-create "Left1")))
@end group
@end lisp

Here is the layout-definition itself:

@lisp
@group
(ecb-layout-define "example-layout2" left-right
  nil

  ;; here we have an edit-window and left and right two windows each
  ;; with width `ecb-windows-width'. Dependent to the value of
  ;; `ecb-compile-window-height' we have also a compile-window at the
  ;; bottom.

  (ecb-set-left1-buffer)
  (ecb-split-hor 0.66 t)
  (ecb-split-ver 0.75)
  (ecb-set-left4-buffer)
  (select-window (previous-window (selected-window) 0))
  (ecb-split-ver 0.25 nil t)
  (ecb-set-left2-buffer)
  (ecb-split-hor 0.5)
  (ecb-set-left3-buffer)
  (select-window (next-window (next-window)))
  (ecb-set-left5-buffer)
  (ecb-split-ver 0.5)
  (ecb-set-left6-buffer)
  (select-window (next-window (next-window)))
  (ecb-set-right1-buffer))

  ;; select the edit-window
  (select-window (previous-window (selected-window) 0)))
@end group
@end lisp

Especially the last example should demonstrate that even very
complicated layouts are easy to program with @code{ecb-layout-define}.
If such layouts are senseful is another topic ;-)

@node The layout-engine API, , Possible layout-outlines, The layout-engine
@subsection The complete layout-engine API of ECB

This section lists all functions, macros, variables and user-options
the layout-engine API of ECB offers foreign packages. Call
@code{describe-function} rsp. @code{describe-variable} to get a
detailed description.

Functions and macros for programming with layouts and special
ecb-windows:
@itemize @minus
@item @code{defecb-window-dedicator-to-ecb-buffer}
@item @code{ecb-available-layouts-member-p}
@item @code{ecb-canonical-ecb-windows-list}
@item @code{ecb-canonical-edit-windows-list}
@item @code{ecb-compile-window-live-p}
@item @code{ecb-compile-window-state}
@item @code{ecb-do-if-buffer-visible-in-ecb-frame}
@item @code{ecb-exec-in-window}
@item @code{ecb-get-current-visible-ecb-buffers}
@item @code{ecb-layout-define}
@item @code{ecb-layout-switch}
@item @code{ecb-layout-undefine}
@item @code{ecb-point-in-compile-window}
@item @code{ecb-point-in-ecb-window-number}
@item @code{ecb-point-in-edit-window-number}
@item @code{ecb-select-edit-window}
@item @code{ecb-split-hor}
@item @code{ecb-split-ver}
@item @code{ecb-where-is-point}
@item @code{ecb-with-dedicated-window}@footnote{Normally not needed because
@code{defecb-window-dedicator-to-ecb-buffer} does all necessary.}
@end itemize

Utility functions/macros:
@itemize @minus
@item @code{ecb-display-one-ecb-buffer}
@item @code{ecb-enlarge-window}
@item @code{ecb-fix-filename}
@item @code{ecb-goto-ecb-window}
@item @code{ecb-window-live-p}
@item @code{ecb-with-readonly-buffer}
@end itemize

Some other maybe useful functions/macros:
@itemize @minus
@item @code{ecb-with-adviced-functions}
@item @code{ecb-with-original-functions}
@item @code{ecb-with-some-adviced-functions}
@end itemize

Some useful @strong{READONLY} variables:
@itemize @minus
@item @code{ecb-compile-window}
@item @code{ecb-last-edit-window-with-point}
@item @code{ecb-last-source-buffer}
@end itemize

@strong{Caution}: DO NOT USE THE VARIABLE @code{ecb-edit-window} IN
YOUR PROGRAMS!

User-options and hooks related to the layout-engine API:
@itemize @minus
@item @code{ecb-basic-buffer-sync-hook}
@item @code{ecb-hide-ecb-windows-after-hook}
@item @code{ecb-hide-ecb-windows-before-hook}
@item @code{ecb-redraw-layout-after-hook}
@item @code{ecb-redraw-layout-before-hook}
@item @code{ecb-show-ecb-windows-after-hook}
@item @code{ecb-show-ecb-windows-before-hook}
@item @code{ecb-windows-height}
@item @code{ecb-windows-width}
@item @code{ecb-compile-window-height}
@end itemize

@node Conflicts and bugs, FAQ, Elisp programming, Top
@chapter Conflicts and bugs of ECB

This chapter describes what to do when there are conflicts with other
packages and also the known (and currently unfixed) bugs of ECB. If
possible (and in most cases it is possible ;-) then a practicable
solution or workaround is described.

@menu
* Conflicts::                   Conflicts with other packages
* Bugs::                        Known bugs
@end menu

@node Conflicts, Bugs, Conflicts and bugs, Conflicts and bugs
@section Conflicts with other packages

This chapter contains a list of already known conflict between ECB and
other packages and how to solve them - in most cases ECB already
contains a suitable workaround.

That is followed by a general recipe what you can do when you have
detected a conflict between ECB and a package is not listed in the
know-conflicts-section.

@subsection Proved workarounds or recommendations for other packages

Here is a list of packages which are proved to work properly with ECB
and if not (i.e. there are conflicts) then helpful
solutions/hints/workarounds are offered:

@subsubsection Package bs.el

@cindex bs package
@cindex bs-show
The package bs.el offers a nifty buffer-selection buffer. The main
command of this package is @code{bs-show}. With ECB < 2.20 this
command does not really working well within activated ECB. But as of
version 2.20 of ECB there should be no problems using this package.

If you add ``*buffer-selection*'' as buffer-name to the option
@code{ecb-compilation-buffer-names} then ECB will always display the
buffer-selection buffer of bs in the compile-window (if there is one).
Otherwise bs will use the edit-area to do its job.

@subsubsection Package BBDB

@cindex BBDB
As of ECB 2.21 there should be no conflicts between BBDB and ECB, so
BBDB can be used even when the ECB-windows are visible.

But if you encounter problems then it is recommened to use one of the
window-managers escreen.el or winring.el (@pxref{Window-managers and
ECB}). With such a window-manager ECB and BBDB should work together
very well under all circumstances!

@subsubsection Package calendar.el

@cindex calendar package
With activated ECB @code{calendar} does not shrink it´s window to the small
size but splits the window equally. But if you add this to your
@file{.emacs} it works:

@example
@group
(add-hook 'initial-calendar-window-hook
          (function (lambda ()
                      (when (and ecb-minor-mode
                                 (ecb-point-in-edit-window))
                        ;; if no horizontal split then nothing
                        ;; special to do
                        (or (= (frame-width) (window-width))
                            (shrink-window (- (window-height) 9))))
                     )))
@end group
@end example

@subsubsection Package cygwin-mount.el

@cindex cygwin-mount package
There can be a conflict between ECB and cygwin-mount.el if the
following conditions are true:

@itemize @minus
@item You are working with cygwin-mount.el (sounds clear :-)
@item You have set @code{cygwin-mount-build-mount-table-asynch} to not
nil
@item ECB is automatically started after starting Emacs (e.g. with
@code{ecb-auto-activate} or calling @code{ecb-activate} in
@code{window-setup-hook})
@item Your Emacs-setup contains a call of @code{cygwin-mount-activate}.
@end itemize

Under these circumstances Emacs 21.X sometimes eats up the whole CPU (at
least with Windows XP) and the cygwin-mount-table is never build.

But there is an easy work-around: Call @code{cygwin-mount-activate}
first *AFTER* ECB is activated. This can be done with the hook
@code{ecb-activate-hook}:

@example
@group
(add-hook 'ecb-activate-hook
          (function (lambda ()
                      (require 'cygwin-mount)
                      (setq cygwin-mount-build-mount-table-asynch t)
                      (cygwin-mount-activate))))

@end group
@end example

@subsubsection Package desktop.el

@cindex desktop
ECB works perfectly with the desktop-saver desktop.el. Normally there should
be nothing to do for you.

But if you encounter problems (e.g. that desktop tries to activate ECB for
each buffer it loads) then you should add the following entry to the option
@code{desktop-minor-mode-table}:

@example
(ecb-minor-mode nil)
@end example

If you still encounter problems then you should add entries for all the
minor-mode of the semantic-package to @code{desktop-minor-mode-table}, so for
example add also:

@example
@group
(semantic-decoration-mode nil)
(semantic-idle-completions-mode nil)
(semantic-idle-tag-highlight-mode nil)
(semantic-idle-summary-mode nil)
(semantic-idle-scheduler-mode nil)
(senator-isearch-semantic-mode nil)
(senator-minor-mode nil)
(semantic-highlight-func-mode nil)
(semantic-stickyfunc-mode nil)
(semantic-show-parser-state-mode nil)
(semantic-show-unmatched-syntax-mode nil
(semantic-highlight-edits-mode nil
@end group
@end example

Normally this should not be necessary, because semantic is already prepared to
work perfectly with desktop.el. But if there are problems it's worth a try.
Which modes you have to add depends on which modes of semantic you use. But to
get sure you should add all minor-modes of the semantic-package because these
modes are normally activated by the related ``global'' command (e.g.
@code{global-semantic-show-unmatched-syntax-mode}) or by adding the minor-mode
to the related major-mode-hook.

It has also been reported that just disabling the Tip-Of-The-Day
(option: @code{ecb-tip-of-the-day}) fixes the compatibility-problems
with desktop.el. Just try it out!

@subsubsection Package edebug (Lisp Debugger)

@cindex edebug
It is strongly recommended to run edebug only when the ECB-windows are
hidden. With visible ECB-windows there will probably serious conflicts
between the ECB-layout and the edebug-window-manager.

@subsubsection Package ediff.el

@cindex ediff
In most cases ECB works very well with ediff (see option
@code{ecb-run-ediff-in-ecb-frame}). But currently suspending ediff
with @code{ediff-suspend} and restoring the ediff-session (e.g. with
command @code{eregistry}) does confuse the window-management of ECB.

If you often use ediff in a scenario where you suspend ediff and
reactivate it later then it is recommended to exit ECB first
(@code{ecb-deactivate} or @code{ecb-minor-mode})!

@subsubsection Package func-menu.el

@cindex func-menu package
This package has been reported to produce some conflicts under some
circumstances when ECB is activated. Some of them could be reproduced
by the ECB-maintainer. So the recommendation is to disable
func-menu-support when using ECB. Normally using func-menu makes no
sense in combination with ECB because ECB provides the same and even
more informations as func-menu - so func-menu is redundant ;-)

@subsubsection Package Gnus (Newsreader)

@cindex Gnus
As of ECB 2.21 there should be no conflicts between Gnus and ECB, so
Gnus can be used even when the ECB-windows are visible.

But if you encounter problems then it is recommened to use one of the
window-managers escreen.el or winring.el (@pxref{Window-managers and
ECB}). With such a window-manager ECB and Gnus should work together
very well under all circumstances!

@subsubsection Package JDEE (Java Development Environment)

@cindex JDEE
JDEE has a lot of ``dialogs'' where the user can select among several
choices. An example is importing classes via the command
@code{jde-import-find-and-import}. These dialogs are strongly designed
to work in an environment where a new temporary window is created, the
contents of the dialog are displayed in the new window, the user
select his choice and hits [OK]. After that the new window is deleted
and the selection is performed (for example the chosen import
statement are inserted in the source-buffer.

@strong{Caution}: ECB can work very well with this dialogs but only if
the buffer-name of these dialog-buffers (normally ``Dialog'') is not
contained in the option @code{ecb-compilation-buffer-names}. So do not
add the string ``Dialog'' to this option!

@strong{Please Note}: Regardless if a persistent compile-window is used
(i.e. @code{ecb-compile-window-height} is not nil) or not, these
JDEE-dialogs will always being displayed by splitting the edit-window
of ECB and not within the compile-window.

@subsubsection Package scroll-all.el (scroll-all-mode)

@cindex scroll-all-mode
@cindex scroll-all
ECB advices @code{scroll-all-mode} so it is working correct during
running ECB. This means if point stays in an edit-window and the
edit-window is splitted then all edit-windows are scrolled by
@code{scroll-all-mode} and no other window! If point stays in any
other window just this selected window is scrolled. This is the only
senseful behavior of @code{scroll-all-mode} with ECB.

@subsubsection Package VC (Version Control)

@cindex VC package
@cindex Version control
The variable @code{vc-delete-logbuf-window} must be set to nil during
active ECB. This can be done with the hooks mentioned in @ref{Elisp
programming}.

@subsubsection Package VM (Emacs Mail-Client)

@cindex VM package
As of ECB 2.21 there should be no conflicts between VM and ECB, so
VM can be used even when the ECB-windows are visible.

But if you encounter problems then it is recommened to use one of the
window-managers escreen.el or winring.el (@pxref{Window-managers and
ECB}). With such a window-manager ECB and VM should work together very
well under all circumstances!


@subsubsection Package winner.el (winner-mode)

@cindex winner-mode
@cindex winner
@code{winner-mode} is autom. disabled as long as ECB is running. ECB
has its own window-management which is completely incompatible with
@code{winner-mode}! But @code{winner-mode} makes also not really sense
with ECB.

@subsubsection Package wb-line-number.el
@cindex wb-line-number

Do not use the package wb-line-number.el in combination with ECB - it
will not work and it will not work under any circumstances and there
is no way to make it work together and there will be no way in the
future!

The reason behind that is: wb-line-number.el uses additional dedicated
windows to display the line-numbers. And ECB can not work if there
there are additional dedicated windows - additional to that ones
created by ECB.

@subsubsection Application xrefactory

@cindex xrefactory
Xrefactory (also known as Xref, X-ref and Xref-Speller), the
refactoring browser for (X)Emacs@footnote{Xrefactory is available at
@ifhtml
@uref{http://www.xref-tech.com}
@end ifhtml
@ifnothtml
@url{http://www.xref-tech.com}
@end ifnothtml
}, can be used during running ECB regardless if the ECB-windows are
visible or not. There should be no conflicts as of ECB versions >=
2.21.

If there are conflicts with the Xref-browser then the most recommended
way is to use one of the window-manager escreen.el or winring.el (and
then use different escreens or window-configurations for ECB and
Xrefactory-browsing - @ref{Window-managers and ECB}).

@subsection What to do for unknown conflicts with other packages

As of version 2.20 the layout-engine of ECB is so flexible that
normally there should be no conflicts with other packages unless these
packages have their own complete window-layout-management (e.g. Gnus,
BBDB, Xrefactory). But these packages can and should be handled very
well with the window-manager-support of ECB (@pxref{Window-managers
and ECB}).

So if you detect an unknown (i.e. not listed in the conflicts-list in
the next subsection) conflict with a small package and some of its
commands and you have installed an ECB-version < 2.20 the first task
you have to do is to upgrade to a version >= 2.20!

If this doesn't solve the problem a very probable reason for the
conflict is that the command fails if called from another window than
an edit-window of the ecb-frame. So please check if the problem
disappears if you call the failing command from an edit-window of ECB.
If this is true then you you can add the following code to your
.emacs (and of course replace the XXX with the failing command):

@example
@group
(defecb-advice XXX before ecb-compatibility-advices
  "Ensures `XXX' works well when called from another window
as an edit-window. Does nothing if called in another frame
as the `ecb-frame'."
  (when (equal (selected-frame) ecb-frame)
    (unless (ecb-point-in-edit-window)
      (ecb-select-edit-window))))
@end group
@end example

This before-advice runs before the command XXX and ensures that the
XXX is called from within an edit-window if the current selected
window is not an edit-window. It does nothing if called for another
frame as the ecb-frame.

@strong{Please note}: You have to define such compatibility advices exactly as
demonstrated in the example above, i.e. you must use the macro
@code{defecb-advice} and you have to use the advice-set
@code{ecb-compatibility-advices} (see the documentation of this macro)! The
advice-class is not necessary @code{before}, it can be @code{after} or
@code{around} too. Never use @code{defadvice} for ECB-advices!

If such an advice solves the problem then please send a note with the
solution to the ECB-mailing-list or direct to the ECB-maintainer so
the solution can be integrated in the next ECB-release

If calling from an edit-window fails too then please file a complete
bug-report to the ECB-mailing-list (@pxref{Submitting problem
report}). This report should contain a detailed description which
command of which package fails under which circumstances!


@node Bugs, , Conflicts, Conflicts and bugs
@section Known bugs

This section describes all currently known bugs of ECB. The
maintainers of ECB try to fix these bugs as soon as possible.

@subsection Extra history-entries for JDEE source-buffers

ECB on occasions creates an extra edit buffer for entries in the
history window. For example, let say there are three entries in the
history window:

@example
@group
Test1
Test2
Test3
@end group
@end example

In the edit window Test1 file is edited. When clicked on Test2 entry
in history, on occasion instead of switching to the existing buffer for
Test2, a new edit buffer is opened for Test2 file. At this point, there
are four entries in the history as follows:

@example
@group
Test2
Test2<2>
Test1
Test3
@end group
@end example

@node FAQ, Command Index, Conflicts and bugs, Top
@chapter Frequently asked questions

This is the Emacs Code Browser FAQ.

@c To produce prettier output we make a small empty column between the
@c question- and the answer-column. Therefore every Q/A-item must look
@c like:
@c
@c    @c an empty line between every Q/A-item
@c    @item @tab @tab
@c
@c    @c The Q/A-item
@c    @item
@c    <The text of the question?>
@c    @tab @tab
@c    <The text of the answer>

@multitable @columnfractions 0.40 0.01 0.59

@item
@ifnotinfo
@strong{Question}
@end ifnotinfo
@ifinfo
QUESTION
@end ifinfo
@tab @tab
@ifnotinfo
@strong{Answer}
@end ifnotinfo
@ifinfo
ANSWER
@end ifinfo

@c an empty line between every Q/A-item
@item @tab @tab

@c The Q/A-item
@item
What is the first step i should do if i have problems with ECB?
@tab @tab
Read carefully the related sections of the online-help of ECB.

@item @tab @tab

@item
What should i do, if a have a problem which can not be solved even
after reading the online-help?
@tab @tab
Send a problem-report to the ECB-mailing-list with the command
@code{ecb-submit-problem-report}.
@ifinfo
@*
@end ifinfo
See @ref{Submitting problem report}.

@item @tab @tab

@item
What should i do, if another package seems not to work correct with
ECB?
@tab @tab
Take a look into @ref{Conflicts}. If your package is not listed there
then submit a problem-report.

@item @tab @tab

@item
Can ECB parse and display source-contents not supported by semantic?
@tab @tab
Yes, in all version >= 1.94. ECB can now parse and display all
source-contents supported by semantic, imenu or etags - same as
speedbar. See @ref{Non-semantic sources}.

@item @tab @tab

@item
Why are the lines in the ECB-, temp- and compilation-buffers not
wrapped but truncated?
@tab @tab
Check the variable @code{truncate-partial-width-windows} and set it to
nil.

@item @tab @tab

@item
Why doesn't ECB work correct with VC?
@tab @tab
The variable @code{vc-delete-logbuf-window} must be set to nil during
active ECB. This can be done with the hooks of ECB.

@item @tab @tab

@item
Does ECB support C++ as well as Java?
@tab @tab
In general C++ is supported very well. But it depends on the used
cedet-version, but cedet-version >= 1.0pre6 support C++ really well.

@item @tab @tab

@item
Does ECB support Perl?
@tab @tab
If perl can be parsed either by imenu, etags or semantic then ECB
supports perl. Of course ECB would support perl best if perl is
supported by semantic.

@item @tab @tab

@item
Does ECB support language XYZ?
@tab @tab
See question ``Does ECB support Perl?'' and replace ``Perl'' with
``XYZ'' in the answer.

@item @tab @tab

@item
How to add new languages to ECB?
@tab @tab
Add the language XYZ to semantic (perform all necessary steps described in
the semantic-manual) and ECB will automatically support language XYZ!
There is nothing to do in ECB itself! Same when you write an imenu- or
etags-support for language XYZ.

@item @tab @tab

@item
Why does ECB not recognize my source-files for C++?
@tab @tab
Your C++-files have probably an extension which is not mapped to
c++-mode in @code{auto-mode-alist} and/or your own Emacs-setup has
``destroyed'' the correct value of the hook-variable
@code{c++-mode-hook}.
@ifinfo
@*
@end ifinfo
See @ref{Setting up Emacs}.

@item @tab @tab

@item
Is it possible to make the history of ECB persistent?
@tab @tab
You can use the library ``desktop.el'' which works very well with ECB.
Then all files of your recent Emacs-session will be opened
automatically after next Emacs-start and will be added automatically
to the ECB-history after ECB-start.

@item @tab @tab

@item
Is there an ``Intellisense''-mechanism like with other IDEs?
@tab @tab
For Java the JDEE@footnote{
@ifhtml
@uref{http://jdee.sunsite.dk/}
@end ifhtml
@ifnothtml
@url{http://jdee.sunsite.dk/}
@end ifnothtml
} has this feature and for all other languages
semantic offer something similar, see
@ifhtml
@uref{http://cedet.sourceforge.net/intellisense.shtml}
@end ifhtml
@ifnothtml
@url{http://cedet.sourceforge.net/intellisense.shtml}
@end ifnothtml

@item @tab @tab

@item
Can i use ECB in combination with Gnus within one frame?
@tab @tab
You can, but for ECB-versions < 1.96 it is not recommended because
each of them has it's own window-management and probably there will be
conflicts, so use different frames for ECB and Gnus! But beginning
with ECB 1.96 you can use either escreen.el or winring.el as
``window-manager'' which allows you in consequence to use ECB and
applications like Gnus in one frame!
@ifinfo
@*
@end ifinfo
@xref{Window-managers and ECB}.

@item @tab @tab

@item
Can i speed up displaying the contents of big-size directories?
@tab @tab
Yes, see the option @code{ecb-cache-directory-contents}. Read the
section
@ifinfo
@*
@end ifinfo
@ref{Large directories}.

@item @tab @tab

@item
Is it possible to create/use other layouts than the built-in ones?
@tab @tab
Yes. @ref{Creating a new ECB-layout} and
@ifinfo
@*
@end ifinfo
@ref{The layout-engine} are the relevant sections. The former one
describes how to create interactively new layouts where the latter
one is for Elisp-programmers.

@item @tab @tab

@item
Can i use speedbar as directory-browser within ECB?
@tab @tab
Yes, see @ref{Integrating speedbar}.

@item @tab @tab

@item
Can i exclude subdirectories from the recursive grep in the directories buffer?
@tab @tab
Yes, see @ref{Grepping directories}.

@item @tab @tab

@item
How can i prevent contaminating each directory with a file @file{semantic-cache}?
@tab @tab
Set @code{semanticdb-default-save-directory} to a directory.

@item @tab @tab

@item
Why ECB displays large portions of current source-file with dark background?
@tab @tab
This comes from semantic;
@ifinfo
@*
@end ifinfo
see @ref{Setting up Emacs}.

@item @tab @tab

@item
Why ECB underlines some parts of current source-file?
@tab @tab
This comes from semantic;
@ifinfo
@*
@end ifinfo
see @ref{Setting up Emacs}.

@item @tab @tab

@item
Can i add my own commands to the popup-menus of tree-buffers?
@tab @tab
Yes, see @ref{Using the mouse}.

@item @tab @tab

@item
Can ECB display the compile-window ``on demand''?
@tab @tab
Yes, see @ref{Common use-cases}.

@item @tab @tab

@item
Which buffers are treated as compilation-buffers by ECB?
@tab @tab
See the docstring of the function @code{ecb-compilation-buffer-p}.

@item @tab @tab

@item
How can i change the modeline of an ECB-tree-buffer?
@tab @tab
You can change it with the options @code{ecb-mode-line-prefixes},
@code{ecb-mode-line-data} and
@code{ecb-mode-line-display-window-number}.

@item @tab @tab

@item
Can the tree-buffers being selected faster than with the
standard-keybindings of ECB? 
@tab @tab
Yes, see option @code{ecb-mode-line-display-window-number}.

@item @tab @tab

@item
Can ECB display the window-number in the modeline of the special windows?
@tab @tab
Yes, see option @code{ecb-mode-line-display-window-number}.

@item @tab @tab

@item
How can i change the keybindings of ECB?
@tab @tab
You can do this with option @code{ecb-key-map} (@pxref{ecb-general}).

@item @tab @tab

@item
What can i do if hiding/showing from the methods-buffer does not work?
@tab @tab
Either the current @code{major-modes} is not supported by hideshow or
you have to add an entry to @code{hs-special-modes-alist}
@ifinfo
@*
@end ifinfo
(@pxref{Hide-show}).

@item @tab @tab

@item
Can i maximize one of the ECB-windows for better overlook?
@tab @tab
Yes, see @ref{Maximizing the ECB windows}.

@item @tab @tab

@item
Can i hide the ECB-windows for getting more editing-space?
@tab @tab
Yes, see @ref{Hiding the ECB windows}.

@item @tab @tab

@item
Can i define the actions ECB performs after visiting a tag?
@tab @tab
Yes, see @ref{Visiting tags}.

@item @tab @tab

@item
Buffers are not displayed correctly in the compile-window?
@tab @tab
See @ref{Problems with the compile window}.

@item @tab @tab

@item
Can ECB work together with window-managers like escreen.el?
@tab @tab
Yes, see @ref{Window-managers and ECB}.

@item @tab @tab

@item
Can i remove these ``ugly'' vertical lines from a tree-buffer?
@tab @tab
Yes, see option @code{ecb-tree-buffer-style}.

@item @tab @tab

@item
ECB does not display images in the tree-buffers - what can i do?
@tab @tab
Customize @code{ecb-tree-buffer-style} and restart ECB. But note: GNU
Emacs <= 21.3.X for Windows does not support image-display so ECB uses
always ascii-guide-lines even when here the image-style is set in
@code{ecb-tree-buffer-style}.

@item @tab @tab

@item
Do @code{special-display-function} et. al. work with ECB.
@tab @tab
Yes, see
@ifinfo
@*
@end ifinfo
@ref{Using special-display with ECB}.

@item @tab @tab

@item
Can i activate the popup-menu of a tree-buffer from keyboard?
@tab @tab
Yes, see @ref{Using popup-menus}.

@item @tab @tab

@item
Can i display the popup-menu of a tree-buffer with tmm?
@tab @tab
Yes, see @ref{Using popup-menus}.

@item @tab @tab

@item
Does ECB disable all advices after deactivation?
@tab @tab
``Nes''@footnote{Nes is a combination of No and Yes :-)}, see remarks
in the documentation of the option
@code{ecb-split-edit-window-after-start}.

@item @tab @tab

@item
Can ECB preserve the full state of ECB between deactivation and next
activation?
@tab @tab
Yes, see the option @code{ecb-split-edit-window-after-start}.

@item @tab @tab

@item
Can i change the behavior how ECB chooses another window for selecting
it or scrolling it.
@tab @tab
Yes, see @ref{The other window}.

@item @tab @tab

@item
Can i increase the allowed depth of nested submenus.
@tab @tab
Yes, see the docstring of the option
@code{ecb-directories-menu-user-extension}.

@item @tab @tab

@item
Can i apply some filters to the Tree-buffers.
@tab @tab
Yes, see @ref{Filtering the tree-buffers}

@item @tab @tab

@item
With XEmacs i get sometimes an error ``Wrong number of arguments:
widen (1)''. What can i do?
@tab @tab
Disable the func-menu support in your XEmacs-setup. See
@ref{Conflicts}.

@item @tab @tab

@item
Can i use desktop.el in combination with ECB?
@tab @tab
Yes, see @ref{Conflicts}.

@item @tab @tab

@item
Opening directories takes a long time - what can i do?
@tab @tab
Read @ref{Large directories}.

@item @tab @tab

@item
ECB seems to be blocked sometimes - what is the reason?
@tab @tab
ECB performs some stealthy tasks when idle - this can cause sometimes
a blocked Emacs but this tasks will be immetiatelly interrupted by any
user-event so there should be normally no problems. But especially for
mounted net-drives some of the stealthy tasks can take time up to some
seconds for each file - and during one file-operation it can not be
interrupted. See also @code{ecb-stealthy-tasks-delay}.

@item @tab @tab

@item
Can i exclude certain directories from being checked for emptyness?
@tab @tab
Yes, see option @code{ecb-prescan-directories-exclude-regexps}.

@item @tab @tab

@item
Can i exclude certain directories from checking the VC-state of the
contained sources?
@tab @tab
Yes, see option @code{ecb-vc-directory-exclude-regexps}.

@item @tab @tab

@item
Can i exclude certain directories from checking the read-only-state of
the contained sources?
@tab @tab
Yes, see option @code{ecb-read-only-check-exclude-regexps}.

@item @tab @tab

@item
ECB ignores the remote-paths i have added to @code{ecb-source-path}.
@tab @tab
Maybe you have to check the option @code{ecb-ping-options}. Ensure
that this option contains a value suitable for your ping-program (see
@code{ecb-ping-program}).
@ifinfo
@*
@end ifinfo
See also @ref{Remote directories}.

@item @tab @tab

@item
ECB seems to be blocked a long time.
@tab @tab
Maybe you use cygwin-XEmacs. Then either the empty-dir-check (see
option @code{ecb-prescan-directories-for-emptyness}) or the VC-support
(see @code{ecb-vc-enable-support}) can block ECB. 
@ifinfo
@*
@end ifinfo
For the latter one see @ref{Known VC-problems}.

@item @tab @tab

@item
ECB seems to be blocked during the VC-state update in the
tree-windows.
@tab @tab
Maybe the root repository for the current directory is a
remote-repository. This can result in a long lasting check-time per
file. 
@ifinfo
@*
@end ifinfo
See also @ref{Version-control support} for hints what you can do.

@item @tab @tab

@item
I have encountered some problems with the display of the VC-state in
the tree-buffers.
@tab @tab
See also @ref{Version-control support} for hints what you can do.

@item @tab @tab

@item
The state of the files under version control seems to be not accurate. What is
the reason and what can i do?
@tab @tab
The option @code{ecb-vc-supported-backends} offers now also a accurate
recompute-state function. This is by offering @code{ecb-vc-recompute-state} as
an alias to the function @code{vc-recompute-state} as state-check function for
this option. See also @ref{Version-control support}

@item @tab @tab

@item
With Emacs 23 ECB shows a odd split-behavior when calling help or displaying
completion-output or compilation- or grep-output. What is the reason.
@tab @tab
Check the values of the options @code{split-width-threshold} and
@code{split-height-threshold}. ECBs split-behavior depends fully on the
Emacs-logic and that one depends mainly on these two options. So adjust them
to match (at least nearly) the sizes of the edit-area of ECB.

@item @tab @tab

@item
When using a layout with the special ecb-window for the semantic analyzer then
Emacs seems to be blocked when typing pauses. What is the reason and what can
i do?
@tab @tab
This comes from the idle-mechanism ECB/semantic uses to offer some
intellisense like displaying possible completions and local variables
depending on current context (ie. location of point). So if point stays on a
location within your code where hundreds (or even thousands) of completions
are possible then parsing and displaying them can last annoying time. But in
general a keypress interupts. If not then you have to possibilities offered by
the options @code{ecb-analyse-buffer-sync} and
@code{ecb-analyse-buffer-sync-delay}: You can increase the delay of the latter
one so parsing current context starts later after Emacs goes idle (ie. after
you pause typing). Or you can disable the automatic synchronizing the
analyser-window with the former one - see the docstring. Then you have to
synchronize (ie. start parsing context) on demand via the command
@code{ecb-analyse-buffer-sync}@footnote{Yes, both the option and the command
have the same name}.

@item @tab @tab

@item
How can i change the bucketizing method of the history-window?
@tab @tab
Either via popup context-menu (right mouse-button) or with the option
@code{ecb-history-make-buckets}.

@item @tab @tab

@item
How can i disable this grey headerline in the tree-buffers?
@tab @tab
See the option @code{ecb-tree-make-parent-node-sticky}.

@item @tab @tab

@item
When clicking onto a parent-node in the methods-window then ECB doesn't jump
to the definition of this parent-type.
@tab @tab
ECB uses completely the smartness of the semanticdb and the semantic-analyzer.
So if you have customized semantic accordingly to the needs of your project
(ie. mainly setting up all so semantic can find files in your
directory-structure) then ECB will find the parent-definition and also jump to
it. See @ref{ECB Methods-window} and the subsection ``Jumping to the
definition of external tags'' and see the option
@code{ecb-find-external-tag-functions}.

@end multitable

@node Command Index, Option Index, FAQ, Top
@unnumbered Command Index

@noindent
This index contains all user commands of ECB.

@strong{Please note}: The commands in this index are listed without
the prefix ``ecb-'' (e.g. the command @code{ecb-activate} is listed
with name ``activate'').

@printindex fn

@node Option Index, Concept Index, Command Index, Top
@unnumbered Option Index

@noindent
This index contains all customizable options of ECB.

@strong{Please note}: All options in this index are listed without the
prefix ``ecb-'' (e.g. the option @code{ecb-layout-name} is listed with
name ``layout-name'').

@printindex vr

@node Concept Index, , Option Index, Top
@unnumbered Concept Index

@printindex cp

@contents


@bye

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@c  LocalWords:  settitle syncodeindex fn ifinfo paragraphindent exampleindent
@c  LocalWords:  footnotestyle frobbed ecbver dircategory direntry titlepage sp
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@c  LocalWords:  etags perl iftex ref tex url ifhtml uref detailmenu eshell API
@c  LocalWords:  keybindings speedbar Grepping JDEE website eieio xref subdirs
@c  LocalWords:  loadtime autoloads Bytecompiling bytecompile EMACSINFOPATH hxx
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