Emacs Lisp: Find Syntax of a Char

How to find emacs syntax table classification of a character?

Place cursor on a character, then Alt+x describe-char.

For example, type -, place cursor on it (or place ibeam to the left of it), Alt+x describe-char. Emacs displays this:

[see Emacs Lisp: Syntax Table]

(info "(elisp) Syntax Class Table")

By Emacs Lisp Programatically

The function char-syntax returns a character's syntax class.

(char-syntax (string-to-char "-")) ; returns 95
;; 95 (#o137, #x5f, ?_)
;; _ means it's in syntax class of symbol

Show Current Syntax Table

• Alt+x describe-syntax 【Ctrl+h s】 to see the value of current buffer's syntax table.
• In lisp code, the function syntax-table returns current buffer's syntax table.

Syntax Table is Local to Buffer

Remember, each buffer has its own syntax table, typically set by a major mode.

Emacs has a standard-syntax-table, which is the syntax table used by fundamental-mode.

So, to find a character's syntax class in standard syntax table, first Alt+x fundamental-mode to switch to fundamental mode.

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