GNU Info

(elisp)Positions

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Positions
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   A "position" is the index of a character in the text of a buffer.
More precisely, a position identifies the place between two characters
(or before the first character, or after the last character), so we can
speak of the character before or after a given position.  However, we
often speak of the character "at" a position, meaning the character
after that position.

   Positions are usually represented as integers starting from 1, but
can also be represented as "markers"--special objects that relocate
automatically when text is inserted or deleted so they stay with the
surrounding characters.  Note: Markers.

   See also the "field" feature (Note: Fields), which provides
functions that are used by many cursur-motion commands.

Point

The special position where editing takes place.

Motion

Changing point.

Excursions

Temporary motion and buffer changes.

Narrowing

Restricting editing to a portion of the buffer.