Bind all C-x C-m sequences properly

Question

I'm trying to open a file with a given encoding and running into the problem that C-m is the same as RET. There is an answer here. However, I don't want to bind a specific function; I want to restore all C-x C-m key bindings to their intended behavior; so, the next time I look up how to do something, it just works.

This raises the question of why there even are C-x C-m bindings if they don't work. Note I'm assuming this documentation is correct. I don't know how to look up the command for the binding. If I use C-h k to describe the command, I'm still stuck with the problem of how to type C-x C-m!

I also looked at this answer, but I'm not clear if he's saying it can't be done, or is it only in a terminal that it's a problem? I'm only using emacs in a GUI; I can't remember the last time I used it in a terminal. I'm open to workarounds, such as using a different key. The trouble with this is I won't remember it has been remapped unless I use it frequently...

Answer 1

Note I'm assuming this documentation is correct.

It's basically correct, it sometimes puts C-m instead of RET. In a default configured Emacs those are the same anyway and you might find it easier to type C-x C-m than C-x <return>. Note that the official documentation uses RET uniformly in this case, (emacs) Text Coding:

C-x RET f coding RET

Use coding system coding to save or revisit the file in the current buffer (set-buffer-file-coding-system).

---

I also looked at this answer, but I'm not clear if he's saying it can't be done, or is it only in a terminal that it's a problem?

That's explaining that in a terminal, it's not possible to have C-m and RET be different. You can make them different in a GUI Emacs, but you probably shouldn't.