Emacs, the popular text editor, is known for its vast array of features and customizable options. One such feature is the ability to switch between multiple windows within the same frame. This can be helpful when working on multiple files or when referring to different parts of the same document. In this article, we will explore how to switch to the previous window in Emacs.
To begin with, let's understand what a window is in Emacs. A window is a portion of the screen that displays a buffer, which is the content of the file being edited. Each window can display a different buffer, allowing you to work on multiple files simultaneously. You can create new windows by splitting an existing window vertically or horizontally. This can be done using the "split-window-right" or "split-window-below" commands.
Now, let's say you have two windows open in Emacs, and you are currently working on the buffer in the second window. To switch to the previous window, you can use the "other-window" command. This command switches to the window above the current window by default. However, you can also specify the direction in which you want to switch by using the "other-window" command with a prefix argument. For example, "C-u -1 other-window" will switch to the window below the current window.
Another way to switch to the previous window is by using the "ace-window" package. This package provides a visual way to switch between windows by assigning a unique key to each window. When you press that key, Emacs will switch to that window. To use this package, you first need to install it using the "M-x package-install" command and then add the following line to your Emacs init file:
(require 'ace-window)
With this package, you can switch to the previous window by pressing the key assigned to it, which is usually "p". You can also use the "C-u -1" prefix argument to switch to the window in the opposite direction.
If you prefer using the mouse, you can also switch to the previous window by clicking on it. However, this method can be time-consuming if you have many windows open.
Apart from the methods mentioned above, you can also use the "windmove" package to switch to the previous window. This package provides key bindings for moving between windows in different directions. For example, "M-s-<right>" will switch to the window on the right, and "M-s-<up>" will switch to the window above the current one. To use this package, you need to install it using the "M-x package-install" command and add the following line to your init file:
(require 'windmove)
In addition to these methods, there are a few other commands that can be used to switch between windows in Emacs. Some of them are "switch-to-prev-buffer", which switches to the previous buffer in the current window, and "switch-to-buffer-other-window", which switches to a specific buffer in another window.
In conclusion, switching to the previous window in Emacs can be done in various ways, depending on your personal preference. You can use the default "other-window" command, the "ace-window" package, or the "windmove" package. Whichever method you choose, being able to switch between windows quickly can greatly improve your productivity when working on multiple files in Emacs. So go ahead and try out these methods and see which one works best for you. Happy coding!
