(emacs.info) Name Help

 
 Help by Command or Variable Name
 ================================
 
    `C-h f' (`describe-function') reads the name of a Lisp function
 using the minibuffer, then displays that function's documentation string
 in a window.  Since commands are Lisp functions, you can use this to get
 the documentation of a command that you know by name.  For example,
 
      C-h f auto-fill-mode <RET>
 
 displays the documentation of `auto-fill-mode'.  This is the only way
 to get the documentation of a command that is not bound to any key (one
 which you would normally run using `M-x').
 
    `C-h f' is also useful for Lisp functions that you are planning to
 use in a Lisp program.  For example, if you have just written the
 expression `(make-vector len)' and want to check that you are using
 `make-vector' properly, type `C-h f make-vector <RET>'.  Because `C-h
 f' allows all function names, not just command names, you may find that
 some of your favorite abbreviations that work in `M-x' don't work in
 `C-h f'.  An abbreviation may be unique among command names yet fail to
 be unique when other function names are allowed.
 
    The function name for `C-h f' to describe has a default which is
 used if you type <RET> leaving the minibuffer empty.  The default is
 the function called by the innermost Lisp expression in the buffer
 around point, _provided_ that is a valid, defined Lisp function name.
 For example, if point is located following the text `(make-vector (car
 x)', the innermost list containing point is the one that starts with
 `(make-vector', so the default is to describe the function
 `make-vector'.
 
    `C-h f' is often useful just to verify that you have the right
 spelling for the function name.  If `C-h f' mentions a name from the
 buffer as the default, that name must be defined as a Lisp function.  If
 that is all you want to know, just type `C-g' to cancel the `C-h f'
 command, then go on editing.
 
    `C-h w COMMAND <RET>' tells you what keys are bound to COMMAND.  It
 prints a list of the keys in the echo area.  If it says the command is
 not on any key, you must use `M-x' to run it.  `C-h w' runs the command
 `where-is'.
 
    `C-h v' (`describe-variable') is like `C-h f' but describes Lisp
 variables instead of Lisp functions.  Its default is the Lisp symbol
 around or before point, but only if that is the name of a known Lisp
 variable.   Variables.
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