Syntax Tables

A syntax table specifies the syntactic role of each character in a buffer. It can be used to determine where words, symbols, and other syntactic constructs begin and end. This information is used by many Emacs facilities, including Font Lock mode (see Font Lock Mode) and the various complex movement commands (see Motion).

• Basics		Basic concepts of syntax tables.
• Syntax Descriptors		How characters are classified.
• Syntax Table Functions		How to create, examine and alter syntax tables.
• Syntax Properties		Overriding syntax with text properties.
• Motion and Syntax		Moving over characters with certain syntaxes.
• Parsing Expressions		Parsing balanced expressions using the syntax table.
• Syntax Table Internals		How syntax table information is stored.
• Categories		Another way of classifying character syntax.