35 Syntax Tables

A syntax table specifies the syntactic role of each character in a buffer. It can be used to determine where words, symbols, and other syntactic constructs begin and end. This information is used by many Emacs facilities, including Font Lock mode (see Font Lock Mode) and the various complex movement commands (see Motion).

• Basics: Basic concepts of syntax tables.
• Syntax Descriptors: How characters are classified.
• Syntax Table Functions: How to create, examine and alter syntax tables.
• Syntax Properties: Overriding syntax with text properties.
• Motion and Syntax: Moving over characters with certain syntaxes.
• Parsing Expressions: Parsing balanced expressions using the syntax table.
• Syntax Table Internals: How syntax table information is stored.
• Categories: Another way of classifying character syntax.