Re: copying and pasting in emacs

[B. T. Raven]

Peter Finn wrote:
> At Sun, 5 Apr 2009 07:17:02 -0700 (PDT),
> luca pamparana wrote:
> > Hello,
> >
> > I am unable to figure out how to select and copy text as you would do
> > in another editors:
> >
> > For example, one thing I normally need to do is select from the
> > current position upto the next few words. Normally, I just press shift
> > + ctrl and the left or right arrow key and the editor would highlight
> > one word at a time. I have so far been unable to figure out how to
> > highlight text in emacs using the keyboard.
> >
> > Anyone knows how I can do it esp. highlighting one word, line etc. at
> > a time.
> >
> > Many thanks,
> >
> > Luca
>
> If you want behavior similar to other editors you might want to try
> turning on CUA mode (M-x cua-mode <RET>) which will give you exactly the
> selection behavior you want (using <SHIFT> in combination with <ARROW>);
> as well as key-bindings for the copying, cutting, and pasting of text
> similar to other editors you may be familiar with.
>
> CUA mode can be enabled permanently through Emacs' customization
> facility by typing: M-x customize-variable <RET> cua-mode <RET> and
> setting is value to ON, and saving your changes.
>
> Peter

And if you want the basic pc selection keys but want to leave Emacs 
undisturbed for everything else then do this:

Menu>Customize Emacs>Specific Group....
pc-select
Then turn on 1, 2, and 5 (Override Scroll Error, Pc Selection Keys Only, 
and Pc Selection Mode)
Save for future sessions


This will save the settings in your .emacs. This way the setup will 
encourage or at least allow you to learn C-space, C-w, M-w, C-y, M-y, 
and Emacs standard cursor movement keys.

Ed