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(emacs)Completion Options

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Completion Options
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   When completion is done on file names, certain file names are usually
ignored.  The variable `completion-ignored-extensions' contains a list
of strings; a file whose name ends in any of those strings is ignored
as a possible completion.  The standard value of this variable has
several elements including `".o"', `".elc"', `".dvi"' and `"~"'.  The
effect is that, for example, `foo' can complete to `foo.c' even though
`foo.o' exists as well.  However, if _all_ the possible completions end
in "ignored" strings, then they are not ignored.  Ignored extensions do
not apply to lists of completions--those always mention all possible
completions.

   Normally, a completion command that cannot determine even one
additional character automatically displays a list of all possible
completions.  If the variable `completion-auto-help' is set to `nil',
this automatic display is disabled, so you must type `?' to display the
list of completions.

   Partial Completion mode implements a more powerful kind of
completion that can complete multiple words in parallel.  For example,
it can complete the command name abbreviation `p-b' into
`print-buffer', because no other command starts with two words whose
initials are `p' and `b'.

   Partial completion of directories in file names uses `*' to indicate
the places for completion; thus, `/u*/b*/f*' might complete to
`/usr/bin/foo'.

   To enable this mode, use the command `M-x partial-completion-mode',
or customize the option `partial-completion-mode'.  This binds the
partial completion commands to <TAB>, <SPC>, <RET>, and `?'.  The usual
completion commands are available on `M-<TAB>', `M-<SPC>', `M-<RET>'
and `M-?'.

   Another feature of Partial Completion mode is to extend `find-file'
so that the `<INCLUDE>' stands for the file named INCLUDE in some
directory in the path `PC-include-file-path'.  If you set
`PC-disable-includes' to non-`nil', this feature is disabled.

   Icomplete mode presents a constantly-updated display that tells you
what completions are available for the text you've entered so far.  The
command to enable or disable this minor mode is `M-x icomplete-mode'.