Learning GNU Emacs, 3rd Edition

Working with Multiple Buffers

If you want to create a buffer that contains a file, simply type C-x C-f to find the file. Emacs automatically creates a second buffer and moves you there. If you already have a copy of the file in a buffer, C-x C-f just moves you to the existing buffer. This move is sensible and probably really what you want anyhow; if C-x C-f read the file from disk every time, you could end up with many versions of the same file that were each slightly different. If the filename you give C-x C-f doesn't exist, Emacs assumes you want to create a new file by that name and moves you to a blank buffer.

Switching Buffers

C-x C-f is always followed by a filename. The command for moving between buffers, C-x b, is followed by a buffer name. Did you realize that the mode line doesn't display filenames but only buffer names? Some versions of Emacs show both, but GNU Emacs shows only the buffer name. The buffer name and the filename, if any, are the same unless you change them (see the section "Renaming Buffers," later in this chapter).

To move between the buffers, type C-x b. Emacs shows you a default buffer name. Press Enter if that's the buffer you want, or type the first few characters of the correct buffer name and press Tab. Emacs fills in the rest of the name. Now press Enter to move to the buffer.

You can do the following with C-x b:

If you type C-x b followed by:	Emacs:
A new buffer name	Creates a new buffer that isn't connected with a file and moves there.