Emacs Keys: Minor Modes Key Priority

minor-mode-map-alist

Minor mode's keys priority depends on the variable minor-mode-map-alist .

minor-mode-map-alist is a Association List .

Each element of minor-mode-map-alist is a cons pair, of the form

(cons 'minor_mode_x_var minor_mode_x_keymap)

The minor_mode_x_var is a variable of the same name of the command to toggle the minor mode, and has value of t or nil. (all minor modes have this variable)

The minor_mode_x_keymap is a keymap for that minor mode. (keymap is basically a list, used for keybinding. Format of Keymaps (ELISP Manual) )

Each minor_mode_x_var may have value true or false. When true, it means the corresponding keymap is active.

Emacs goes thru the active one in minor-mode-map-alist, the front ones has priority.

Note: emacs has other mechanisms about priority of keys.

• keymap embedded as text properties has priority. 〔see Elisp: Text Properties〕
• emulation-mode-map-alists
• minor-mode-map-alist

Controlling Active Maps (ELISP Manual)

Show Minor Mode Key Priority

You can use this command to show minor mode key priority.

(defun xah-display-minor-mode-key-priority  ()
  "Print out minor mode's key priority.
URL `http://xahlee.info/emacs/emacs/minor_mode_key_priority.html'
Version 2017-01-27"
  (interactive)
  (mapc
   (lambda (x) (prin1 (car x)) (terpri))
   minor-mode-map-alist))