rluserman: Introduction and Notation

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1 1.1 Introduction to Line Editing
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1 The following paragraphs describe the notation used to represent
1 keystrokes.
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1    The text 'C-k' is read as 'Control-K' and describes the character
1 produced when the <k> key is pressed while the Control key is depressed.
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1    The text 'M-k' is read as 'Meta-K' and describes the character
1 produced when the Meta key (if you have one) is depressed, and the <k>
1 key is pressed.  The Meta key is labeled <ALT> on many keyboards.  On
1 keyboards with two keys labeled <ALT> (usually to either side of the
1 space bar), the <ALT> on the left side is generally set to work as a
1 Meta key.  The <ALT> key on the right may also be configured to work as
1 a Meta key or may be configured as some other modifier, such as a
1 Compose key for typing accented characters.
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1    If you do not have a Meta or <ALT> key, or another key working as a
1 Meta key, the identical keystroke can be generated by typing <ESC>
1 _first_, and then typing <k>.  Either process is known as "metafying"
1 the <k> key.
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1    The text 'M-C-k' is read as 'Meta-Control-k' and describes the
1 character produced by "metafying" 'C-k'.
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1    In addition, several keys have their own names.  Specifically, <DEL>,
1 <ESC>, <LFD>, <SPC>, <RET>, and <TAB> all stand for themselves when seen
1 in this text, or in an init file (⇒Readline Init File).  If your
1 keyboard lacks a <LFD> key, typing <C-j> will produce the desired
1 character.  The <RET> key may be labeled <Return> or <Enter> on some
1 keyboards.
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