2

I have a function that opens a buffer in order to extract some information from it, then switches back to the original buffer and inserts some text:

(save-excursion 
  (find-file ThisFile)
  (setq results some-function))
(insert results)

The brief flash when emacs switches to the new buffer is disconcerting. Is it possible to suppress the buffer -- I guess, keep it at the bottom of the buffer stack?

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5
  • 4
    You probably need find-file-noselect gnu.org/software/emacs/manual/html_node/eintr/Find-a-File.html
    – Kaushal Modi
    Nov 11, 2015 at 2:34
  • 3
    See also with-temp-buffer gnu.org/software/emacs/manual/html_node/elisp/… and insert-file-contents gnu.org/software/emacs/manual/html_node/elisp/…
    – lawlist
    Nov 11, 2015 at 3:03
  • @kaushalmodi I tried this, but then the subsequent operations in the save-excursion block get carried out on the original buffer (from which to command is called), sort of defeating the purpose.
    – Matt
    Nov 11, 2015 at 12:57
  • @lawlist that works! I'll rewrite as an answer.
    – Matt
    Nov 11, 2015 at 12:59
  • Glad it worked. As to the other idea with find-file-noselect in the first comment, a common usage is in conjunction with the macro with-current-buffer -- but then the buffer either says around or needs to be killed. insert-file-contents won't automatically enable a major-mode, whereas find-file-noselect may trigger a major-mode. It just depends upon personal preference and the result desired.
    – lawlist
    Nov 11, 2015 at 23:23

2 Answers 2

Reset to default
1

Thanks to @lawlist for this answer.

Instead of 

(save-excursion
   (find-file some-file)
   ... )

the solution is to use

(with-temp-buffer
  (insert-file-contents some-file)
  ... )

This keeps the temp buffer in the background, and also eliminates the problem of stray buffers being left behind after the operation is complete. Works perfectly!

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1
  • 1
    You can accept your own answer.
    – Kaushal Modi
    Mar 14, 2016 at 12:37
-2

I had a problem with visual-bell. Try this for gui Emacs:

(setq visible-bell nil)

or this for terminal Emacs

(setq visible-bell t)

One of these will fix it.

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2
  • This had no effect for me.
    – Matt
    Nov 11, 2015 at 12:54
  • Sorry it didn't work for you. I got that hint from someone else here on SX and it fixed the flicker for me.
    – Emacs User
    Nov 11, 2015 at 17:24

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