Dired
Encyclopedia
Dired is a visual directory
editor, a computer program
for editing file system
directories. Dired runs on any Emacs
platform. Its commands are generally more modal than most Emacs commands because Dired is a specialized major mode on its own. Dired can perform all expected operations; in operation and use it is akin to an orthodox file manager like Midnight Commander
.
Dired was invented circa 1974 at the Stanford Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (SAIL) as a stand-alone program by Stan Kugell. It was quickly incorporated into Emacs, re-implemented in other operating systems, and became the basis for modern window-oriented file directory displays.
Several Emacs Lisp
scripts have been developed to extend Dired functionalities in Emacs. In combination with Tramp it is able to access remote file systems for editing files by means of SSH
, FTP, telnet
and many other protocols, as well as the capability of accessing as another user for editing files with restricted permissions (such as administrator access) in the same session. There are also functionalities that make it possible to rename multiple files via search and replace or apply regular expressions for marking (selecting) multiple files.
Directory (file systems)
In computing, a folder, directory, catalog, or drawer, is a virtual container originally derived from an earlier Object-oriented programming concept by the same name within a digital file system, in which groups of computer files and other folders can be kept and organized.A typical file system may...
editor, a computer program
Computer program
A computer program is a sequence of instructions written to perform a specified task with a computer. A computer requires programs to function, typically executing the program's instructions in a central processor. The program has an executable form that the computer can use directly to execute...
for editing file system
File system
A file system is a means to organize data expected to be retained after a program terminates by providing procedures to store, retrieve and update data, as well as manage the available space on the device which contain it. A file system organizes data in an efficient manner and is tuned to the...
directories. Dired runs on any Emacs
Emacs
Emacs is a class of text editors, usually characterized by their extensibility. GNU Emacs has over 1,000 commands. It also allows the user to combine these commands into macros to automate work.Development began in the mid-1970s and continues actively...
platform. Its commands are generally more modal than most Emacs commands because Dired is a specialized major mode on its own. Dired can perform all expected operations; in operation and use it is akin to an orthodox file manager like Midnight Commander
Midnight Commander
GNU Midnight Commander is a free cross-platform orthodox file manager and a clone of Norton Commander originally created by Miguel de Icaza.Midnight Commander is licensed under the terms of the GNU General Public License.-Design:...
.
Dired was invented circa 1974 at the Stanford Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (SAIL) as a stand-alone program by Stan Kugell. It was quickly incorporated into Emacs, re-implemented in other operating systems, and became the basis for modern window-oriented file directory displays.
Several Emacs Lisp
Emacs Lisp
Emacs Lisp is a dialect of the Lisp programming language used by the GNU Emacs and XEmacs text editors . It is used for implementing most of the editing functionality built into Emacs, the remainder being written in C...
scripts have been developed to extend Dired functionalities in Emacs. In combination with Tramp it is able to access remote file systems for editing files by means of SSH
Secure Shell
Secure Shell is a network protocol for secure data communication, remote shell services or command execution and other secure network services between two networked computers that it connects via a secure channel over an insecure network: a server and a client...
, FTP, telnet
TELNET
Telnet is a network protocol used on the Internet or local area networks to provide a bidirectional interactive text-oriented communications facility using a virtual terminal connection...
and many other protocols, as well as the capability of accessing as another user for editing files with restricted permissions (such as administrator access) in the same session. There are also functionalities that make it possible to rename multiple files via search and replace or apply regular expressions for marking (selecting) multiple files.
External links
- Dired manual at GNUGNUGNU is a Unix-like computer operating system developed by the GNU project, ultimately aiming to be a "complete Unix-compatible software system"...
.org - Entry at the EmacsEmacsEmacs is a class of text editors, usually characterized by their extensibility. GNU Emacs has over 1,000 commands. It also allows the user to combine these commands into macros to automate work.Development began in the mid-1970s and continues actively...
wikiWikiA wiki is a website that allows the creation and editing of any number of interlinked web pages via a web browser using a simplified markup language or a WYSIWYG text editor. Wikis are typically powered by wiki software and are often used collaboratively by multiple users. Examples include...
; focuses mostly on the many scripts and tweaks that can modify the default Dired.