Re: M-! in dired-mode

[Paul Pogonyshev]

Juri Linkov wrote:
> > M-! runs `shell-command' in `dired-mode'.  However, I cannot figure
> > when it runs on file under point and when without a file at all, it
> > seems to be completely random.  I mean, the buffer prompt does
> > unambigously say whether it will be run on a file or not, but that
> > prompt itself varies for no apparent reason and I couldn't find
> > anything in help...
> >
> > Can anyone enlighten me (or just point to correct info node)?
> 
> `M-!' doesn't operate on dired files, but ! operates on files under
> point with the prompt displaying their names.  So there is a clear
> distinction: `!' works only in dired on its files, and `M-!' is a global
> command.  My latest week-old unconfirmed patches provide a default value
> for the command `M-!': when it is called in a file buffer then the
> default value contains the current buffer's file name.  But it could be
> improved also in a way that if `M-!' is called in a dired buffer, then
> its default value could be a file under point in dired.

Ah, that's explain it.  At work I have a keyboard with bad left Alt key,
so it seems randomness just plays when I try to press M-! and it comes
through as just ! (withot Meta).  Somehow I never considered this
possibility.  Sorry for false alarm :-/

Paul