path: root/doc/readline.0

READLINE(3)                                                        READLINE(3)



NNAAMMEE
       readline - get a line from a user with editing

SSYYNNOOPPSSIISS
       ##iinncclluuddee <<ssttddiioo..hh>>
       ##iinncclluuddee <<rreeaaddlliinnee//rreeaaddlliinnee..hh>>
       ##iinncclluuddee <<rreeaaddlliinnee//hhiissttoorryy..hh>>

       _c_h_a_r _*
       rreeaaddlliinnee (_c_o_n_s_t _c_h_a_r _*_p_r_o_m_p_t);

CCOOPPYYRRIIGGHHTT
       Readline is Copyright (C) 1989-2011 Free Software Foundation,  Inc.

DDEESSCCRRIIPPTTIIOONN
       rreeaaddlliinnee will read a line from the terminal and return it, using pprroommpptt
       as a prompt.  If pprroommpptt is NNUULLLL or  the  empty  string,  no  prompt  is
       issued.  The line returned is allocated with _m_a_l_l_o_c(3); the caller must
       free it when  finished.   The  line  returned  has  the  final  newline
       removed, so only the text of the line remains.

       rreeaaddlliinnee  offers  editing  capabilities  while the user is entering the
       line.  By default, the line editing commands are similar  to  those  of
       emacs.  A vi-style line editing interface is also available.

       This  manual  page describes only the most basic use of rreeaaddlliinnee.  Much
       more functionality is available; see _T_h_e _G_N_U _R_e_a_d_l_i_n_e _L_i_b_r_a_r_y  and  _T_h_e
       _G_N_U _H_i_s_t_o_r_y _L_i_b_r_a_r_y for additional information.

RREETTUURRNN VVAALLUUEE
       rreeaaddlliinnee  returns  the text of the line read.  A blank line returns the
       empty string.  If EEOOFF is encountered while reading a line, and the line
       is  empty,  NNUULLLL is returned.  If an EEOOFF is read with a non-empty line,
       it is treated as a newline.

NNOOTTAATTIIOONN
       An Emacs-style notation is used to denote keystrokes.  Control keys are
       denoted  by C-_k_e_y, e.g., C-n means Control-N.  Similarly, _m_e_t_a keys are
       denoted by M-_k_e_y, so M-x means Meta-X.  (On keyboards  without  a  _m_e_t_a
       key,  M-_x means ESC _x, i.e., press the Escape key then the _x key.  This
       makes ESC the _m_e_t_a _p_r_e_f_i_x.  The combination M-C-_x means  ESC-Control-_x,
       or  press the Escape key then hold the Control key while pressing the _x
       key.)

       Readline commands may be given numeric _a_r_g_u_m_e_n_t_s, which normally act as
       a  repeat  count.   Sometimes,  however, it is the sign of the argument
       that is significant.  Passing a negative argument  to  a  command  that
       acts  in the forward direction (e.g., kkiillll--lliinnee) causes that command to
       act in a backward direction.  Commands whose  behavior  with  arguments
       deviates from this are noted.

       When  a command is described as _k_i_l_l_i_n_g text, the text deleted is saved
       for possible future retrieval (_y_a_n_k_i_n_g).  The killed text is saved in a
       _k_i_l_l _r_i_n_g.  Consecutive kills cause the text to be accumulated into one
       unit, which can be yanked all at once.  Commands which do not kill text
       separate the chunks of text on the kill ring.

IINNIITTIIAALLIIZZAATTIIOONN FFIILLEE
       Readline  is  customized  by putting commands in an initialization file
       (the _i_n_p_u_t_r_c file).  The name of this file is taken from the  value  of
       the  IINNPPUUTTRRCC  environment  variable.   If  that  variable is unset, the
       default is _~_/_._i_n_p_u_t_r_c.  If that file  does not exist or cannot be read,
       the  ultimate  default  is _/_e_t_c_/_i_n_p_u_t_r_c.  When a program which uses the
       readline library starts up, the init file is read, and the key bindings
       and  variables  are set.  There are only a few basic constructs allowed
       in the readline init file.  Blank lines are ignored.   Lines  beginning
       with  a  ## are comments.  Lines beginning with a $$ indicate conditional
       constructs.  Other lines denote key  bindings  and  variable  settings.
       Each  program using this library may add its own commands and bindings.

       For example, placing

              M-Control-u: universal-argument
       or
              C-Meta-u: universal-argument

       into the _i_n_p_u_t_r_c would make M-C-u execute the readline command  _u_n_i_v_e_r_-
       _s_a_l_-_a_r_g_u_m_e_n_t.

       The  following symbolic character names are recognized while processing
       key bindings: _D_E_L, _E_S_C, _E_S_C_A_P_E,  _L_F_D,  _N_E_W_L_I_N_E,  _R_E_T,  _R_E_T_U_R_N,  _R_U_B_O_U_T,
       _S_P_A_C_E, _S_P_C, and _T_A_B.

       In  addition  to  command  names, readline allows keys to be bound to a
       string that is inserted when the key is pressed (a _m_a_c_r_o).


   KKeeyy BBiinnddiinnggss
       The syntax for controlling key bindings in the _i_n_p_u_t_r_c file is  simple.
       All  that is required is the name of the command or the text of a macro
       and a key sequence to which it should be bound. The name may be  speci-
       fied in one of two ways: as a symbolic key name, possibly with _M_e_t_a_- or
       _C_o_n_t_r_o_l_- prefixes, or as a key sequence.  The name and key sequence are
       separated  by a colon.  There can be no whitespace between the name and
       the colon.

       When using the form kkeeyynnaammee:_f_u_n_c_t_i_o_n_-_n_a_m_e or _m_a_c_r_o, _k_e_y_n_a_m_e is the name
       of a key spelled out in English.  For example:

              Control-u: universal-argument
              Meta-Rubout: backward-kill-word
              Control-o: "> output"

       In  the above example, _C_-_u is bound to the function uunniivveerrssaall--aarrgguummeenntt,
       _M_-_D_E_L is bound to the function bbaacckkwwaarrdd--kkiillll--wwoorrdd, and _C_-_o is bound  to
       run  the macro expressed on the right hand side (that is, to insert the
       text ``> output'' into the line).

       In the second form, ""kkeeyysseeqq"":_f_u_n_c_t_i_o_n_-_n_a_m_e  or  _m_a_c_r_o,  kkeeyysseeqq  differs
       from  kkeeyynnaammee above in that strings denoting an entire key sequence may
       be specified by placing the sequence within double  quotes.   Some  GNU
       Emacs  style  key escapes can be used, as in the following example, but
       the symbolic character names are not recognized.

              "\C-u": universal-argument
              "\C-x\C-r": re-read-init-file
              "\e[11~": "Function Key 1"

       In this example, _C_-_u is again bound to the function uunniivveerrssaall--aarrgguummeenntt.
       _C_-_x  _C_-_r is bound to the function rree--rreeaadd--iinniitt--ffiillee, and _E_S_C _[ _1 _1 _~ is
       bound to insert the text ``Function Key 1''.

       The full set of GNU Emacs style escape sequences available when  speci-
       fying key sequences is
              \\CC--    control prefix
              \\MM--    meta prefix
              \\ee     an escape character
              \\\\     backslash
              \\""     literal ", a double quote
              \\''     literal ', a single quote

       In  addition  to  the GNU Emacs style escape sequences, a second set of
       backslash escapes is available:
              \\aa     alert (bell)
              \\bb     backspace
              \\dd     delete
              \\ff     form feed
              \\nn     newline
              \\rr     carriage return
              \\tt     horizontal tab
              \\vv     vertical tab
              \\_n_n_n   the eight-bit character whose value is  the  octal  value
                     _n_n_n (one to three digits)
              \\xx_H_H   the  eight-bit  character  whose value is the hexadecimal
                     value _H_H (one or two hex digits)

       When entering the text of a macro, single or double  quotes  should  be
       used  to indicate a macro definition.  Unquoted text is assumed to be a
       function name.  In the macro  body,  the  backslash  escapes  described
       above  are  expanded.   Backslash will quote any other character in the
       macro text, including " and '.

       BBaasshh allows the current readline key bindings to be displayed or  modi-
       fied  with  the bbiinndd builtin command.  The editing mode may be switched
       during interactive use by using the --oo option to the sseett  builtin  com-
       mand.   Other  programs  using this library provide similar mechanisms.
       The _i_n_p_u_t_r_c file may be edited and re-read if a program does  not  pro-
       vide any other means to incorporate new bindings.

   VVaarriiaabblleess
       Readline has variables that can be used to further customize its behav-
       ior.  A variable may be set in the _i_n_p_u_t_r_c file with a statement of the
       form

              sseett _v_a_r_i_a_b_l_e_-_n_a_m_e _v_a_l_u_e

       Except  where  noted,  readline variables can take the values OOnn or OOffff
       (without regard to case).  Unrecognized  variable  names  are  ignored.
       When  a variable value is read, empty or null values, "on" (case-insen-
       sitive), and "1" are equivalent to OOnn.  All other values are equivalent
       to OOffff.  The variables and their default values are:

       bbeellll--ssttyyllee ((aauuddiibbllee))
              Controls  what  happens when readline wants to ring the terminal
              bell.  If set to nnoonnee, readline never rings the bell.  If set to
              vviissiibbllee,  readline  uses a visible bell if one is available.  If
              set to aauuddiibbllee, readline attempts to ring the terminal's bell.
       bbiinndd--ttttyy--ssppeecciiaall--cchhaarrss ((OOnn))
              If set to OOnn, readline attempts to bind the  control  characters
              treated specially by the kernel's terminal driver to their read-
              line equivalents.
       ccoommmmeenntt--bbeeggiinn ((````##''''))
              The string that is inserted in vvii mode when  the  iinnsseerrtt--ccoommmmeenntt
              command is executed.  This command is bound to MM--## in emacs mode
              and to ## in vi command mode.
       ccoommpplleettiioonn--ddiissppllaayy--wwiiddtthh ((--11))
              The number of screen columns used to  display  possible  matches
              when  performing completion.  The value is ignored if it is less
              than 0 or greater than the terminal screen width.  A value of  0
              will  cause  matches  to be displayed one per line.  The default
              value is -1.
       ccoommpplleettiioonn--iiggnnoorree--ccaassee ((OOffff))
              If set to OOnn, readline performs filename matching and completion
              in a case-insensitive fashion.
       ccoommpplleettiioonn--mmaapp--ccaassee ((OOffff))
              If  set  to  OOnn, and ccoommpplleettiioonn--iiggnnoorree--ccaassee is enabled, readline
              treats hyphens (_-) and underscores (__) as equivalent  when  per-
              forming case-insensitive filename matching and completion.
       ccoommpplleettiioonn--pprreeffiixx--ddiissppllaayy--lleennggtthh ((00))
              The  length in characters of the common prefix of a list of pos-
              sible completions that is displayed without modification.   When
              set  to  a  value greater than zero, common prefixes longer than
              this value are replaced with an ellipsis when displaying  possi-
              ble completions.
       ccoommpplleettiioonn--qquueerryy--iitteemmss ((110000))
              This  determines when the user is queried about viewing the num-
              ber of possible completions generated  by  the  ppoossssiibbllee--ccoommppllee--
              ttiioonnss  command.  It may be set to any integer value greater than
              or equal to zero.  If the  number  of  possible  completions  is
              greater than or equal to the value of this variable, the user is
              asked whether or not he wishes to view them; otherwise they  are
              simply listed on the terminal.  A negative value causes readline
              to never ask.
       ccoonnvveerrtt--mmeettaa ((OOnn))
              If set to OOnn, readline will convert characters with  the  eighth
              bit set to an ASCII key sequence by stripping the eighth bit and
              prefixing it with an escape character (in effect,  using  escape
              as the _m_e_t_a _p_r_e_f_i_x).
       ddiissaabbllee--ccoommpplleettiioonn ((OOffff))
              If set to OOnn, readline will inhibit word completion.  Completion
              characters will be inserted into the line as if  they  had  been
              mapped to sseellff--iinnsseerrtt.
       eeddiittiinngg--mmooddee ((eemmaaccss))
              Controls whether readline begins with a set of key bindings sim-
              ilar to _E_m_a_c_s or _v_i.  eeddiittiinngg--mmooddee can be set to either eemmaaccss or
              vvii.
       eecchhoo--ccoonnttrrooll--cchhaarraacctteerrss ((OOnn))
              When  set to OOnn, on operating systems that indicate they support
              it, readline echoes a character corresponding to a signal gener-
              ated from the keyboard.
       eennaabbllee--kkeeyyppaadd ((OOffff))
              When set to OOnn, readline will try to enable the application key-
              pad when it is called.  Some systems need  this  to  enable  the
              arrow keys.
       eennaabbllee--mmeettaa--kkeeyy ((OOnn))
              When  set  to  OOnn, readline will try to enable any meta modifier
              key the terminal claims to support when it is called.   On  many
              terminals, the meta key is used to send eight-bit characters.
       eexxppaanndd--ttiillddee ((OOffff))
              If  set  to  OOnn,  tilde  expansion  is  performed  when readline
              attempts word completion.
       hhiissttoorryy--pprreesseerrvvee--ppooiinntt ((OOffff))
              If set to OOnn, the history code attempts to place  point  at  the
              same  location on each history line retrieved with pprreevviioouuss--hhiiss--
              ttoorryy or nneexxtt--hhiissttoorryy.
       hhiissttoorryy--ssiizzee ((00))
              Set the maximum number of history entries saved in  the  history
              list.  If set to zero, the number of entries in the history list
              is not limited.
       hhoorriizzoonnttaall--ssccrroollll--mmooddee ((OOffff))
              When set to OOnn, makes readline use a single  line  for  display,
              scrolling the input horizontally on a single screen line when it
              becomes longer than the screen width rather than wrapping  to  a
              new line.
       iinnppuutt--mmeettaa ((OOffff))
              If  set to OOnn, readline will enable eight-bit input (that is, it
              will not clear the eighth  bit  in  the  characters  it  reads),
              regardless of what the terminal claims it can support.  The name
              mmeettaa--ffllaagg is a synonym for this variable.
       iisseeaarrcchh--tteerrmmiinnaattoorrss ((````CC--[[ CC--JJ''''))
              The string of characters that should  terminate  an  incremental
              search  without  subsequently  executing the character as a com-
              mand.  If this variable has not been given a value, the  charac-
              ters _E_S_C and _C_-_J will terminate an incremental search.
       kkeeyymmaapp ((eemmaaccss))
              Set  the current readline keymap.  The set of legal keymap names
              is _e_m_a_c_s_, _e_m_a_c_s_-_s_t_a_n_d_a_r_d_, _e_m_a_c_s_-_m_e_t_a_, _e_m_a_c_s_-_c_t_l_x_,  _v_i_,  _v_i_-_m_o_v_e_,
              _v_i_-_c_o_m_m_a_n_d,  and  _v_i_-_i_n_s_e_r_t.   _v_i  is  equivalent to _v_i_-_c_o_m_m_a_n_d;
              _e_m_a_c_s is equivalent to _e_m_a_c_s_-_s_t_a_n_d_a_r_d.   The  default  value  is
              _e_m_a_c_s.   The  value  of  eeddiittiinngg--mmooddee  also  affects the default
              keymap.
       mmaarrkk--ddiirreeccttoorriieess ((OOnn))
              If set to OOnn, completed directory names have a slash appended.
       mmaarrkk--mmooddiiffiieedd--lliinneess ((OOffff))
              If set to OOnn, history lines that have  been  modified  are  dis-
              played with a preceding asterisk (**).
       mmaarrkk--ssyymmlliinnkkeedd--ddiirreeccttoorriieess ((OOffff))
              If set to OOnn, completed names which are symbolic links to direc-
              tories  have  a  slash  appended  (subject  to  the   value   of
              mmaarrkk--ddiirreeccttoorriieess).
       mmaattcchh--hhiiddddeenn--ffiilleess ((OOnn))
              This  variable,  when  set to OOnn, causes readline to match files
              whose names begin with a  `.'  (hidden  files)  when  performing
              filename  completion.   If  set  to OOffff, the leading `.' must be
              supplied by the user in the filename to be completed.
       mmeennuu--ccoommpplleettee--ddiissppllaayy--pprreeffiixx ((OOffff))
              If set to OOnn, menu completion displays the common prefix of  the
              list of possible completions (which may be empty) before cycling
              through the list.
       oouuttppuutt--mmeettaa ((OOffff))
              If set to OOnn, readline will display characters with  the  eighth
              bit set directly rather than as a meta-prefixed escape sequence.
       ppaaggee--ccoommpplleettiioonnss ((OOnn))
              If set to OOnn, readline uses an internal _m_o_r_e-like pager to  dis-
              play a screenful of possible completions at a time.
       pprriinntt--ccoommpplleettiioonnss--hhoorriizzoonnttaallllyy ((OOffff))
              If  set  to  OOnn,  readline will display completions with matches
              sorted horizontally in alphabetical order, rather than down  the
              screen.
       rreevveerrtt--aallll--aatt--nneewwlliinnee ((OOffff))
              If  set  to  OOnn, readline will undo all changes to history lines
              before returning when aacccceepptt--lliinnee is executed.  By default, his-
              tory  lines  may  be  modified  and retain individual undo lists
              across calls to rreeaaddlliinnee.
       sshhooww--aallll--iiff--aammbbiigguuoouuss ((OOffff))
              This alters the default behavior of  the  completion  functions.
              If set to OOnn, words which have more than one possible completion
              cause the matches to be listed immediately  instead  of  ringing
              the bell.
       sshhooww--aallll--iiff--uunnmmooddiiffiieedd ((OOffff))
              This  alters the default behavior of the completion functions in
              a fashion similar to sshhooww--aallll--iiff--aammbbiigguuoouuss.  If set to OOnn, words
              which  have more than one possible completion without any possi-
              ble partial completion (the possible completions don't  share  a
              common  prefix)  cause  the  matches  to  be  listed immediately
              instead of ringing the bell.
       sskkiipp--ccoommpplleetteedd--tteexxtt ((OOffff))
              If set to OOnn, this alters the default completion  behavior  when
              inserting  a  single match into the line.  It's only active when
              performing completion in the middle  of  a  word.   If  enabled,
              readline  does  not  insert  characters from the completion that
              match characters after point in the  word  being  completed,  so
              portions of the word following the cursor are not duplicated.
       vviissiibbllee--ssttaattss ((OOffff))
              If  set to OOnn, a character denoting a file's type as reported by
              _s_t_a_t(2) is appended to the filename when listing  possible  com-
              pletions.

   CCoonnddiittiioonnaall CCoonnssttrruuccttss
       Readline  implements  a  facility  similar in spirit to the conditional
       compilation features of the C preprocessor which  allows  key  bindings
       and  variable  settings  to be performed as the result of tests.  There
       are four parser directives used.

       $$iiff    The $$iiff construct allows bindings to be made based on the  edit-
              ing  mode,  the  terminal  being  used, or the application using
              readline.  The text of the test extends to the end of the  line;
              no characters are required to isolate it.

              mmooddee   The  mmooddee==  form  of  the  $$iiff  directive is used to test
                     whether readline is in emacs or vi  mode.   This  may  be
                     used  in  conjunction  with  the  sseett kkeeyymmaapp command, for
                     instance, to  set  bindings  in  the  _e_m_a_c_s_-_s_t_a_n_d_a_r_d  and
                     _e_m_a_c_s_-_c_t_l_x  keymaps  only  if readline is starting out in
                     emacs mode.

              tteerrmm   The tteerrmm== form may be used to  include  terminal-specific
                     key bindings, perhaps to bind the key sequences output by
                     the terminal's function keys.  The word on the right side
                     of  the == is tested against the full name of the terminal
                     and the portion of the terminal name before the first  --.
                     This  allows  _s_u_n  to  match  both  _s_u_n  and _s_u_n_-_c_m_d, for
                     instance.

              aapppplliiccaattiioonn
                     The aapppplliiccaattiioonn construct is used to include application-
                     specific  settings.   Each  program  using  the  readline
                     library sets the _a_p_p_l_i_c_a_t_i_o_n _n_a_m_e, and an  initialization
                     file can test for a particular value.  This could be used
                     to bind key sequences to functions useful for a  specific
                     program.   For instance, the following command adds a key
                     sequence that quotes the  current  or  previous  word  in
                     bbaasshh:

                     $$iiff Bash
                     # Quote the current or previous word
                     "\C-xq": "\eb\"\ef\""
                     $$eennddiiff

       $$eennddiiff This command, as seen in the previous example, terminates an $$iiff
              command.

       $$eellssee  Commands in this branch of the $$iiff directive are executed if the
              test fails.

       $$iinncclluuddee
              This  directive takes a single filename as an argument and reads
              commands and bindings from that file.  For example, the  follow-
              ing directive would read _/_e_t_c_/_i_n_p_u_t_r_c:

              $$iinncclluuddee  _/_e_t_c_/_i_n_p_u_t_r_c

SSEEAARRCCHHIINNGG
       Readline  provides  commands  for searching through the command history
       for lines containing a specified string.  There are two  search  modes:
       _i_n_c_r_e_m_e_n_t_a_l and _n_o_n_-_i_n_c_r_e_m_e_n_t_a_l.

       Incremental  searches  begin  before  the  user has finished typing the
       search string.  As each character of the search string is typed,  read-
       line displays the next entry from the history matching the string typed
       so far.  An incremental search requires  only  as  many  characters  as
       needed  to  find  the desired history entry.  To search backward in the
       history for a particular string, type CC--rr.  Typing CC--ss searches forward
       through  the  history.   The  characters  present  in  the value of the
       iisseeaarrcchh--tteerrmmiinnaattoorrss variable  are  used  to  terminate  an  incremental
       search.   If that variable has not been assigned a value the _E_s_c_a_p_e and
       CC--JJ characters will terminate an incremental search.  CC--GG will abort an
       incremental  search  and restore the original line.  When the search is
       terminated, the history entry containing the search string becomes  the
       current line.

       To  find other matching entries in the history list, type CC--ss or CC--rr as
       appropriate.  This will search backward or forward in the  history  for
       the  next  line matching the search string typed so far.  Any other key
       sequence bound to a readline command will terminate the search and exe-
       cute  that  command.  For instance, a newline will terminate the search
       and accept the line, thereby executing the  command  from  the  history
       list.  A movement command will terminate the search, make the last line
       found the current line, and begin editing.

       Non-incremental searches read the entire search string before  starting
       to  search  for matching history lines.  The search string may be typed
       by the user or be part of the contents of the current line.

EEDDIITTIINNGG CCOOMMMMAANNDDSS
       The following is a list of the names of the commands  and  the  default
       key sequences to which they are bound.  Command names without an accom-
       panying key sequence are unbound by default.

       In the following descriptions, _p_o_i_n_t refers to the current cursor posi-
       tion,  and  _m_a_r_k refers to a cursor position saved by the sseett--mmaarrkk com-
       mand.  The text between the point  and  mark  is  referred  to  as  the
       _r_e_g_i_o_n.

   CCoommmmaannddss ffoorr MMoovviinngg
       bbeeggiinnnniinngg--ooff--lliinnee ((CC--aa))
              Move to the start of the current line.
       eenndd--ooff--lliinnee ((CC--ee))
              Move to the end of the line.
       ffoorrwwaarrdd--cchhaarr ((CC--ff))
              Move forward a character.
       bbaacckkwwaarrdd--cchhaarr ((CC--bb))
              Move back a character.
       ffoorrwwaarrdd--wwoorrdd ((MM--ff))
              Move forward to the end of the next word.  Words are composed of
              alphanumeric characters (letters and digits).
       bbaacckkwwaarrdd--wwoorrdd ((MM--bb))
              Move back to the start of the current or previous  word.   Words
              are composed of alphanumeric characters (letters and digits).
       cclleeaarr--ssccrreeeenn ((CC--ll))
              Clear  the  screen  leaving  the  current line at the top of the
              screen.  With an argument,  refresh  the  current  line  without
              clearing the screen.
       rreeddrraaww--ccuurrrreenntt--lliinnee
              Refresh the current line.

   CCoommmmaannddss ffoorr MMaanniippuullaattiinngg tthhee HHiissttoorryy
       aacccceepptt--lliinnee ((NNeewwlliinnee,, RReettuurrnn))
              Accept the line regardless of where the cursor is.  If this line
              is non-empty, it may be added to the  history  list  for  future
              recall  with  aadddd__hhiissttoorryy(()).   If the line is a modified history
              line, the history line is restored to its original state.
       pprreevviioouuss--hhiissttoorryy ((CC--pp))
              Fetch the previous command from the history list, moving back in
              the list.
       nneexxtt--hhiissttoorryy ((CC--nn))
              Fetch  the next command from the history list, moving forward in
              the list.
       bbeeggiinnnniinngg--ooff--hhiissttoorryy ((MM--<<))
              Move to the first line in the history.
       eenndd--ooff--hhiissttoorryy ((MM-->>))
              Move to the end of the input history, i.e., the  line  currently
              being entered.
       rreevveerrssee--sseeaarrcchh--hhiissttoorryy ((CC--rr))
              Search  backward  starting  at  the current line and moving `up'
              through the  history  as  necessary.   This  is  an  incremental
              search.
       ffoorrwwaarrdd--sseeaarrcchh--hhiissttoorryy ((CC--ss))
              Search  forward  starting  at the current line and moving `down'
              through the  history  as  necessary.   This  is  an  incremental
              search.
       nnoonn--iinnccrreemmeennttaall--rreevveerrssee--sseeaarrcchh--hhiissttoorryy ((MM--pp))
              Search backward through the history starting at the current line
              using a non-incremental search for  a  string  supplied  by  the
              user.
       nnoonn--iinnccrreemmeennttaall--ffoorrwwaarrdd--sseeaarrcchh--hhiissttoorryy ((MM--nn))
              Search  forward  through  the  history  using  a non-incremental
              search for a string supplied by the user.
       hhiissttoorryy--sseeaarrcchh--ffoorrwwaarrdd
              Search forward through the history for the string of  characters
              between  the  start  of  the current line and the current cursor
              position (the _p_o_i_n_t).  This is a non-incremental search.
       hhiissttoorryy--sseeaarrcchh--bbaacckkwwaarrdd
              Search backward through the history for the string of characters
              between  the start of the current line and the point.  This is a
              non-incremental search.
       yyaannkk--nntthh--aarrgg ((MM--CC--yy))
              Insert the first argument to the previous command  (usually  the
              second word on the previous line) at point.  With an argument _n,
              insert the _nth word from the previous command (the words in  the
              previous  command  begin  with  word  0).   A  negative argument
              inserts the _nth word from the end of the previous command.  Once
              the  argument _n is computed, the argument is extracted as if the
              "!_n" history expansion had been specified.
       yyaannkk--llaasstt--aarrgg ((MM--..,, MM--__))
              Insert the last argument to the previous command (the last  word
              of the previous history entry).  With a numeric argument, behave
              exactly like yyaannkk--nntthh--aarrgg.  Successive  calls  to  yyaannkk--llaasstt--aarrgg
              move  back through the history list, inserting the last word (or
              the word specified by the argument to the first  call)  of  each
              line in turn.  Any numeric argument supplied to these successive
              calls determines the direction to move through the  history.   A
              negative  argument  switches  the  direction through the history
              (back or forward).  The history expansion facilities are used to
              extract  the last argument, as if the "!$" history expansion had
              been specified.

   CCoommmmaannddss ffoorr CChhaannggiinngg TTeexxtt
       ddeelleettee--cchhaarr ((CC--dd))
              Delete the character at point.  If point is at the beginning  of
              the  line,  there  are  no  characters in the line, and the last
              character typed was not bound to ddeelleettee--cchhaarr, then return EEOOFF.
       bbaacckkwwaarrdd--ddeelleettee--cchhaarr ((RRuubboouutt))
              Delete the character behind the cursor.  When  given  a  numeric
              argument, save the deleted text on the kill ring.
       ffoorrwwaarrdd--bbaacckkwwaarrdd--ddeelleettee--cchhaarr
              Delete  the  character under the cursor, unless the cursor is at
              the end of the line, in which case the character behind the cur-
              sor is deleted.
       qquuootteedd--iinnsseerrtt ((CC--qq,, CC--vv))
              Add the next character that you type to the line verbatim.  This
              is how to insert characters like CC--qq, for example.
       ttaabb--iinnsseerrtt ((MM--TTAABB))
              Insert a tab character.
       sseellff--iinnsseerrtt ((aa,, bb,, AA,, 11,, !!,, ......))
              Insert the character typed.
       ttrraannssppoossee--cchhaarrss ((CC--tt))
              Drag the character before point forward over  the  character  at
              point,  moving point forward as well.  If point is at the end of
              the line, then this transposes the two characters before  point.
              Negative arguments have no effect.
       ttrraannssppoossee--wwoorrddss ((MM--tt))
              Drag  the  word  before  point past the word after point, moving
              point over that word as well.  If point is at  the  end  of  the
              line, this transposes the last two words on the line.
       uuppccaassee--wwoorrdd ((MM--uu))
              Uppercase  the  current  (or  following)  word.  With a negative
              argument, uppercase the previous word, but do not move point.
       ddoowwnnccaassee--wwoorrdd ((MM--ll))
              Lowercase the current (or  following)  word.   With  a  negative
              argument, lowercase the previous word, but do not move point.
       ccaappiittaalliizzee--wwoorrdd ((MM--cc))
              Capitalize  the  current  (or  following) word.  With a negative
              argument, capitalize the previous word, but do not move point.
       oovveerrwwrriittee--mmooddee
              Toggle overwrite mode.  With an explicit positive numeric  argu-
              ment, switches to overwrite mode.  With an explicit non-positive
              numeric argument, switches to insert mode.  This command affects
              only  eemmaaccss mode; vvii mode does overwrite differently.  Each call
              to _r_e_a_d_l_i_n_e_(_) starts in insert mode.  In overwrite mode, charac-
              ters  bound to sseellff--iinnsseerrtt replace the text at point rather than
              pushing the text  to  the  right.   Characters  bound  to  bbaacckk--
              wwaarrdd--ddeelleettee--cchhaarr  replace  the  character  before  point  with a
              space.  By default, this command is unbound.

   KKiilllliinngg aanndd YYaannkkiinngg
       kkiillll--lliinnee ((CC--kk))
              Kill the text from point to the end of the line.
       bbaacckkwwaarrdd--kkiillll--lliinnee ((CC--xx RRuubboouutt))
              Kill backward to the beginning of the line.
       uunniixx--lliinnee--ddiissccaarrdd ((CC--uu))
              Kill backward from point to the  beginning  of  the  line.   The
              killed text is saved on the kill-ring.
       kkiillll--wwhhoollee--lliinnee
              Kill  all  characters on the current line, no matter where point
              is.
       kkiillll--wwoorrdd ((MM--dd))
              Kill from point the end of  the  current  word,  or  if  between
              words,  to  the  end  of the next word.  Word boundaries are the
              same as those used by ffoorrwwaarrdd--wwoorrdd.
       bbaacckkwwaarrdd--kkiillll--wwoorrdd ((MM--RRuubboouutt))
              Kill the word behind point.  Word boundaries  are  the  same  as
              those used by bbaacckkwwaarrdd--wwoorrdd.
       uunniixx--wwoorrdd--rruubboouutt ((CC--ww))
              Kill  the  word behind point, using white space as a word bound-
              ary.  The killed text is saved on the kill-ring.
       uunniixx--ffiilleennaammee--rruubboouutt
              Kill the word behind point, using  white  space  and  the  slash
              character  as  the word boundaries.  The killed text is saved on
              the kill-ring.
       ddeelleettee--hhoorriizzoonnttaall--ssppaaccee ((MM--\\))
              Delete all spaces and tabs around point.
       kkiillll--rreeggiioonn
              Kill the text between the point and  _m_a_r_k  (saved  cursor  posi-
              tion).  This text is referred to as the _r_e_g_i_o_n.
       ccooppyy--rreeggiioonn--aass--kkiillll
              Copy the text in the region to the kill buffer.
       ccooppyy--bbaacckkwwaarrdd--wwoorrdd
              Copy  the word before point to the kill buffer.  The word bound-
              aries are the same as bbaacckkwwaarrdd--wwoorrdd.
       ccooppyy--ffoorrwwaarrdd--wwoorrdd
              Copy the word following point to  the  kill  buffer.   The  word
              boundaries are the same as ffoorrwwaarrdd--wwoorrdd.
       yyaannkk ((CC--yy))
              Yank the top of the kill ring into the buffer at point.
       yyaannkk--ppoopp ((MM--yy))
              Rotate  the kill ring, and yank the new top.  Only works follow-
              ing yyaannkk or yyaannkk--ppoopp.

   NNuummeerriicc AArrgguummeennttss
       ddiiggiitt--aarrgguummeenntt ((MM--00,, MM--11,, ......,, MM----))
              Add this digit to the argument already accumulating, or start  a
              new argument.  M-- starts a negative argument.
       uunniivveerrssaall--aarrgguummeenntt
              This  is another way to specify an argument.  If this command is
              followed by one or more digits, optionally with a leading  minus
              sign,  those digits define the argument.  If the command is fol-
              lowed by digits, executing  uunniivveerrssaall--aarrgguummeenntt  again  ends  the
              numeric  argument, but is otherwise ignored.  As a special case,
              if this command is immediately followed by a character  that  is
              neither  a  digit or minus sign, the argument count for the next
              command is multiplied by four.  The argument count is  initially
              one,  so  executing this function the first time makes the argu-
              ment count four, a second time makes the argument count sixteen,
              and so on.

   CCoommpplleettiinngg
       ccoommpplleettee ((TTAABB))
              Attempt  to  perform  completion  on the text before point.  The
              actual completion performed is application-specific.  BBaasshh,  for
              instance,  attempts  completion  treating the text as a variable
              (if the text begins with $$), username (if the text  begins  with
              ~~),  hostname (if the text begins with @@), or command (including
              aliases and functions) in turn.  If none  of  these  produces  a
              match,  filename  completion  is  attempted.   GGddbb, on the other
              hand, allows completion of program functions and variables,  and
              only attempts filename completion under certain circumstances.
       ppoossssiibbllee--ccoommpplleettiioonnss ((MM--??))
              List  the  possible  completions of the text before point.  When
              displaying completions, readline sets the number of columns used
              for  display to the value of ccoommpplleettiioonn--ddiissppllaayy--wwiiddtthh, the value
              of the environment variable CCOOLLUUMMNNSS, or  the  screen  width,  in
              that order.
       iinnsseerrtt--ccoommpplleettiioonnss ((MM--**))
              Insert  all completions of the text before point that would have
              been generated by ppoossssiibbllee--ccoommpplleettiioonnss.
       mmeennuu--ccoommpplleettee
              Similar to ccoommpplleettee, but replaces the word to be completed  with
              a  single match from the list of possible completions.  Repeated
              execution of mmeennuu--ccoommpplleettee steps through the  list  of  possible
              completions,  inserting  each  match in turn.  At the end of the
              list of completions, the bell is rung (subject to the setting of
              bbeellll--ssttyyllee) and the original text is restored.  An argument of _n
              moves _n positions forward in the list  of  matches;  a  negative
              argument  may  be  used to move backward through the list.  This
              command is intended to be  bound  to  TTAABB,  but  is  unbound  by
              default.
       mmeennuu--ccoommpplleettee--bbaacckkwwaarrdd
              Identical  to mmeennuu--ccoommpplleettee, but moves backward through the list
              of possible completions, as if mmeennuu--ccoommpplleettee had  been  given  a
              negative argument.  This command is unbound by default.
       ddeelleettee--cchhaarr--oorr--lliisstt
              Deletes  the  character under the cursor if not at the beginning
              or end of the line (like ddeelleettee--cchhaarr).  If at  the  end  of  the
              line, behaves identically to ppoossssiibbllee--ccoommpplleettiioonnss.

   KKeeyybbooaarrdd MMaaccrrooss
       ssttaarrtt--kkbbdd--mmaaccrroo ((CC--xx (())
              Begin  saving  the  characters  typed  into the current keyboard
              macro.
       eenndd--kkbbdd--mmaaccrroo ((CC--xx ))))
              Stop saving the characters typed into the current keyboard macro
              and store the definition.
       ccaallll--llaasstt--kkbbdd--mmaaccrroo ((CC--xx ee))
              Re-execute  the last keyboard macro defined, by making the char-
              acters in the macro appear as if typed at the keyboard.

   MMiisscceellllaanneeoouuss
       rree--rreeaadd--iinniitt--ffiillee ((CC--xx CC--rr))
              Read in the contents of the _i_n_p_u_t_r_c file,  and  incorporate  any
              bindings or variable assignments found there.
       aabboorrtt ((CC--gg))
              Abort  the  current editing command and ring the terminal's bell
              (subject to the setting of bbeellll--ssttyyllee).
       ddoo--uuppppeerrccaassee--vveerrssiioonn ((MM--aa,, MM--bb,, MM--_x,, ......))
              If the metafied character _x is lowercase, run the  command  that
              is bound to the corresponding uppercase character.
       pprreeffiixx--mmeettaa ((EESSCC))
              Metafy the next character typed.  EESSCC ff is equivalent to MMeettaa--ff.
       uunnddoo ((CC--__,, CC--xx CC--uu))
              Incremental undo, separately remembered for each line.
       rreevveerrtt--lliinnee ((MM--rr))
              Undo all changes made to this line.  This is like executing  the
              uunnddoo  command  enough  times  to  return the line to its initial
              state.
       ttiillddee--eexxppaanndd ((MM--&&))
              Perform tilde expansion on the current word.
       sseett--mmaarrkk ((CC--@@,, MM--<<ssppaaccee>>))
              Set the mark to the point.  If a numeric argument  is  supplied,
              the mark is set to that position.
       eexxcchhaannggee--ppooiinntt--aanndd--mmaarrkk ((CC--xx CC--xx))
              Swap  the  point  with the mark.  The current cursor position is
              set to the saved position, and the old cursor position is  saved
              as the mark.
       cchhaarraacctteerr--sseeaarrcchh ((CC--]]))
              A character is read and point is moved to the next occurrence of
              that character.  A negative count searches for  previous  occur-
              rences.
       cchhaarraacctteerr--sseeaarrcchh--bbaacckkwwaarrdd ((MM--CC--]]))
              A  character  is  read and point is moved to the previous occur-
              rence of that character.  A negative count searches  for  subse-
              quent occurrences.
       sskkiipp--ccssii--sseeqquueennccee
              Read  enough  characters to consume a multi-key sequence such as
              those defined for keys like Home and End.  Such sequences  begin
              with a Control Sequence Indicator (CSI), usually ESC-[.  If this
              sequence is bound to "\[", keys producing  such  sequences  will
              have  no  effect  unless explicitly bound to a readline command,
              instead of inserting stray characters into the  editing  buffer.
              This is unbound by default, but usually bound to ESC-[.
       iinnsseerrtt--ccoommmmeenntt ((MM--##))
              Without  a  numeric  argument,  the  value  of the readline ccoomm--
              mmeenntt--bbeeggiinn variable is inserted at the beginning of the  current
              line.  If a numeric argument is supplied, this command acts as a
              toggle:  if the characters at the beginning of the line  do  not
              match  the value of ccoommmmeenntt--bbeeggiinn, the value is inserted, other-
              wise the characters in ccoommmmeenntt--bbeeggiinn are deleted from the begin-
              ning  of the line.  In either case, the line is accepted as if a
              newline had been typed.   The  default  value  of  ccoommmmeenntt--bbeeggiinn
              makes  the  current line a shell comment.  If a numeric argument
              causes the comment character to be removed,  the  line  will  be
              executed by the shell.
       dduummpp--ffuunnccttiioonnss
              Print  all  of the functions and their key bindings to the read-
              line output stream.  If a numeric argument is supplied, the out-
              put  is  formatted  in such a way that it can be made part of an
              _i_n_p_u_t_r_c file.
       dduummpp--vvaarriiaabblleess
              Print all of the settable variables  and  their  values  to  the
              readline  output stream.  If a numeric argument is supplied, the
              output is formatted in such a way that it can be made part of an
              _i_n_p_u_t_r_c file.
       dduummpp--mmaaccrrooss
              Print  all of the readline key sequences bound to macros and the
              strings they output.  If a numeric  argument  is  supplied,  the
              output is formatted in such a way that it can be made part of an
              _i_n_p_u_t_r_c file.
       eemmaaccss--eeddiittiinngg--mmooddee ((CC--ee))
              When in vvii command mode, this causes a switch to  eemmaaccss  editing
              mode.
       vvii--eeddiittiinngg--mmooddee ((MM--CC--jj))
              When  in  eemmaaccss editing mode, this causes a switch to vvii editing
              mode.

DDEEFFAAUULLTT KKEEYY BBIINNDDIINNGGSS
       The following is a list of the default emacs and vi bindings.   Charac-
       ters  with  the  eighth  bit  set are written as M-<character>, and are
       referred to as _m_e_t_a_f_i_e_d characters.  The printable ASCII characters not
       mentioned  in  the  list  of  emacs  standard bindings are bound to the
       sseellff--iinnsseerrtt function, which just inserts the given character  into  the
       input line.  In vi insertion mode, all characters not specifically men-
       tioned are bound to sseellff--iinnsseerrtt.  Characters assigned to signal genera-
       tion by _s_t_t_y(1) or the terminal driver, such as C-Z or C-C, retain that
       function.  Upper and lower case metafied characters are  bound  to  the
       same  function in the emacs mode meta keymap.  The remaining characters
       are unbound, which causes readline to ring the  bell  (subject  to  the
       setting of the bbeellll--ssttyyllee variable).

   EEmmaaccss MMooddee
             Emacs Standard bindings

             "C-@"  set-mark
             "C-A"  beginning-of-line
             "C-B"  backward-char
             "C-D"  delete-char
             "C-E"  end-of-line
             "C-F"  forward-char
             "C-G"  abort
             "C-H"  backward-delete-char
             "C-I"  complete
             "C-J"  accept-line
             "C-K"  kill-line
             "C-L"  clear-screen
             "C-M"  accept-line
             "C-N"  next-history
             "C-P"  previous-history
             "C-Q"  quoted-insert
             "C-R"  reverse-search-history
             "C-S"  forward-search-history
             "C-T"  transpose-chars
             "C-U"  unix-line-discard
             "C-V"  quoted-insert
             "C-W"  unix-word-rubout
             "C-Y"  yank
             "C-]"  character-search
             "C-_"  undo
             " " to "/"  self-insert
             "0"  to "9"  self-insert
             ":"  to "~"  self-insert
             "C-?"  backward-delete-char

             Emacs Meta bindings

             "M-C-G"  abort
             "M-C-H"  backward-kill-word
             "M-C-I"  tab-insert
             "M-C-J"  vi-editing-mode
             "M-C-M"  vi-editing-mode
             "M-C-R"  revert-line
             "M-C-Y"  yank-nth-arg
             "M-C-["  complete
             "M-C-]"  character-search-backward
             "M-space"  set-mark
             "M-#"  insert-comment
             "M-&"  tilde-expand
             "M-*"  insert-completions
             "M--"  digit-argument
             "M-."  yank-last-arg
             "M-0"  digit-argument
             "M-1"  digit-argument
             "M-2"  digit-argument
             "M-3"  digit-argument
             "M-4"  digit-argument
             "M-5"  digit-argument
             "M-6"  digit-argument
             "M-7"  digit-argument
             "M-8"  digit-argument
             "M-9"  digit-argument
             "M-<"  beginning-of-history
             "M-="  possible-completions
             "M->"  end-of-history
             "M-?"  possible-completions
             "M-B"  backward-word
             "M-C"  capitalize-word
             "M-D"  kill-word
             "M-F"  forward-word
             "M-L"  downcase-word
             "M-N"  non-incremental-forward-search-history
             "M-P"  non-incremental-reverse-search-history
             "M-R"  revert-line
             "M-T"  transpose-words
             "M-U"  upcase-word
             "M-Y"  yank-pop
             "M-\"  delete-horizontal-space
             "M-~"  tilde-expand
             "M-C-?"  backward-kill-word
             "M-_"  yank-last-arg

             Emacs Control-X bindings

             "C-XC-G"  abort
             "C-XC-R"  re-read-init-file
             "C-XC-U"  undo
             "C-XC-X"  exchange-point-and-mark
             "C-X("  start-kbd-macro
             "C-X)"  end-kbd-macro
             "C-XE"  call-last-kbd-macro
             "C-XC-?"  backward-kill-line


   VVII MMooddee bbiinnddiinnggss
             VI Insert Mode functions

             "C-D"  vi-eof-maybe
             "C-H"  backward-delete-char
             "C-I"  complete
             "C-J"  accept-line
             "C-M"  accept-line
             "C-R"  reverse-search-history
             "C-S"  forward-search-history
             "C-T"  transpose-chars
             "C-U"  unix-line-discard
             "C-V"  quoted-insert
             "C-W"  unix-word-rubout
             "C-Y"  yank
             "C-["  vi-movement-mode
             "C-_"  undo
             " " to "~"  self-insert
             "C-?"  backward-delete-char

             VI Command Mode functions

             "C-D"  vi-eof-maybe
             "C-E"  emacs-editing-mode
             "C-G"  abort
             "C-H"  backward-char
             "C-J"  accept-line
             "C-K"  kill-line
             "C-L"  clear-screen
             "C-M"  accept-line
             "C-N"  next-history
             "C-P"  previous-history
             "C-Q"  quoted-insert
             "C-R"  reverse-search-history
             "C-S"  forward-search-history
             "C-T"  transpose-chars
             "C-U"  unix-line-discard
             "C-V"  quoted-insert
             "C-W"  unix-word-rubout
             "C-Y"  yank
             "C-_"  vi-undo
             " "  forward-char
             "#"  insert-comment
             "$"  end-of-line
             "%"  vi-match
             "&"  vi-tilde-expand
             "*"  vi-complete
             "+"  next-history
             ","  vi-char-search
             "-"  previous-history
             "."  vi-redo
             "/"  vi-search
             "0"  beginning-of-line
             "1" to "9"  vi-arg-digit
             ";"  vi-char-search
             "="  vi-complete
             "?"  vi-search
             "A"  vi-append-eol
             "B"  vi-prev-word
             "C"  vi-change-to
             "D"  vi-delete-to
             "E"  vi-end-word
             "F"  vi-char-search
             "G"  vi-fetch-history
             "I"  vi-insert-beg
             "N"  vi-search-again
             "P"  vi-put
             "R"  vi-replace
             "S"  vi-subst
             "T"  vi-char-search
             "U"  revert-line
             "W"  vi-next-word
             "X"  backward-delete-char
             "Y"  vi-yank-to
             "\"  vi-complete
             "^"  vi-first-print
             "_"  vi-yank-arg
             "`"  vi-goto-mark
             "a"  vi-append-mode
             "b"  vi-prev-word
             "c"  vi-change-to
             "d"  vi-delete-to
             "e"  vi-end-word
             "f"  vi-char-search
             "h"  backward-char
             "i"  vi-insertion-mode
             "j"  next-history
             "k"  prev-history
             "l"  forward-char
             "m"  vi-set-mark
             "n"  vi-search-again
             "p"  vi-put
             "r"  vi-change-char
             "s"  vi-subst
             "t"  vi-char-search
             "u"  vi-undo
             "w"  vi-next-word
             "x"  vi-delete
             "y"  vi-yank-to
             "|"  vi-column
             "~"  vi-change-case

SSEEEE AALLSSOO
       _T_h_e _G_n_u _R_e_a_d_l_i_n_e _L_i_b_r_a_r_y, Brian Fox and Chet Ramey
       _T_h_e _G_n_u _H_i_s_t_o_r_y _L_i_b_r_a_r_y, Brian Fox and Chet Ramey
       _b_a_s_h(1)

FFIILLEESS
       _~_/_._i_n_p_u_t_r_c
              Individual rreeaaddlliinnee initialization file

AAUUTTHHOORRSS
       Brian Fox, Free Software Foundation
       bfox@gnu.org

       Chet Ramey, Case Western Reserve University
       chet@ins.CWRU.Edu

BBUUGG RREEPPOORRTTSS
       If  you  find  a bug in rreeaaddlliinnee,, you should report it.  But first, you
       should make sure that it really is a bug, and that it  appears  in  the
       latest version of the rreeaaddlliinnee library that you have.

       Once  you have determined that a bug actually exists, mail a bug report
       to _b_u_g_-_r_e_a_d_l_i_n_e@_g_n_u_._o_r_g.  If you have a fix, you are  welcome  to  mail
       that  as  well!   Suggestions  and  `philosophical'  bug reports may be
       mailed to  _b_u_g_-_r_e_a_d_l_i_n_e@_g_n_u_._o_r_g  or  posted  to  the  Usenet  newsgroup
       ggnnuu..bbaasshh..bbuugg.

       Comments and bug reports concerning this manual page should be directed
       to _c_h_e_t_@_i_n_s_._C_W_R_U_._E_d_u.

BBUUGGSS
       It's too big and too slow.



GNU Readline 6.2                2010 August 28                     READLINE(3)