what's the A key in Emacs?
reddit / emacs

----------------------------------------------------------------------
Imagi007 · 2022-06-22 10:14

I was looking at the output of the 'c-h b' in Emacs and came across
several key bindings that have the A key. For example, "A-*" is a
prefix key. But what is this A key in Emacs?

----------------------------------------------------------------------
notperm · 2022-06-22 10:37

Those are for the ALT key, but emacs uses alt as meta so they don't
actually work.

See http://xahlee.info/emacs/emacs/gnu_emacs_keybinding.html

----------------------------------------------------------------------
yigitemres · 2022-06-22 10:39

"A" is "Alt" key. But also "Alt" is "Meta" key. In order to use 'Alt'
key instead of 'Meta' you have to set

    (setq w32-alt-is-meta nil)

After setting this when you press "Alt-\*" you see that emacs turn
this to "A-\*".

----------------------------------------------------------------------
matyklug · 2022-06-22 14:08

What does the w32 in the variable name mean?

----------------------------------------------------------------------
keepitsalty · 2022-06-22 14:11

I’m pretty sure that’s the setting for Windows 32bit. If you’re on a
Mac the setting would be different. I’m not in front of my computer
atm but I believe Mac settings start with “ns-win”

----------------------------------------------------------------------
crochet_du_gauche · 2022-06-22 14:31

IIRC if you have a keyboard that actually has both Meta and Alt keys
then they will work (not 100% confident about this).

----------------------------------------------------------------------
matyklug · 2022-06-22 14:37

Emacs works on Windows? I tried there and it didn't work, so I only
have emacs on my main.

I also don't use macs.

----------------------------------------------------------------------
CorysInTheHouse69 · 2022-06-22 14:49

Yes it does

----------------------------------------------------------------------
justin49126 · 2022-06-22 19:41

If your xmodmap is correctly setup, you'll have Alt and Meta on two
different modifiers, and so you'll be able to use both keys.

I have found that the stock configuration is pretty lacking though
(Ubuntu, Debian).

----------------------------------------------------------------------
pinacoelho · 2022-06-22 21:26

Remap caps lock to meta?

----------------------------------------------------------------------
rswgnu · 2022-06-23 00:50

More like, Emacs makes Windows work 😀

----------------------------------------------------------------------
Imagi007 · 2022-06-23 03:48

Ah I see. Thanks. Also thanks for the link

----------------------------------------------------------------------
Hlorri · 2022-06-23 08:09

>I also don't use macs.

Not even emacs?

----------------------------------------------------------------------
matyklug · 2022-06-23 17:55

E is the only exception :P