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(efaq)Basic keys

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What do these mean: `C-h', `M-C-a', <RET>, `<ESC> a', etc.?
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   * `C-x': press the <x> key while holding down the <Control> key

   * `M-x': press the <x> key while holding down the <Meta> key (if
     your computer doesn't have a <Meta> key, Note: No Meta key)

   * `M-C-x': press the <x> key while holding down both <Control> and
     <Meta>

   * `C-M-x': a synonym for the above

   * <LFD>: Linefeed or Newline; same as `C-j'

   * <RET>: <Return>, sometimes marked <Enter>; same as `C-m'

   * <DEL>: <Delete>, usually *not* the same as <Backspace>; same as
     `C-?' (see Note: Backspace invokes help, if deleting invokes
     Emacs help)

   * <ESC>: Escape; same as `C-['

   * <TAB>: Tab; same as `C-i'

   * <SPC>: Space bar


   Key sequences longer than one key (and some single-key sequences) are
written inside quotes or on lines by themselves, like this:

       M-x frobnicate-while-foo RET

Any real spaces in such a key sequence should be ignored; only <SPC>
really means press the space key.

   The ASCII code sent by `C-x' (except for `C-?') is the value that
would be sent by pressing just <x> minus 96 (or 64 for upper-case <X>)
and will be from 0 to 31.  On Unix and GNU/Linux terminals, the ASCII
code sent by `M-x' is the sum of 128 and the ASCII code that would be
sent by pressing just <x>.  Essentially, <Control> turns off bits 5 and
6 and <Meta> turns on bit 7(1).

   `C-?' (aka <DEL>) is ASCII code 127.  It is a misnomer to call `C-?'
a "control" key, since 127 has both bits 5 and 6 turned ON.  Also, on
very few keyboards does `C-?' generate ASCII code 127.

   Note: Text Characters, and *note Keys:
(emacs)Keys, for more information.  (Note: On-line manual, for more
information about Info.)

   ---------- Footnotes ----------

   (1) DOS and Windows terminals don't set bit 7 when the <Meta> key is
pressed.