3.5.3 Auto-saving files

The auto-save feature allows for periodic backups of the file associated with the current buffer. These backups are only made if auto-save is switched on.

This feature is useful if the LispWorks editor is killed in some way (for example, in the case of a system crash or accidental killing of the editor process) before a file is explicitly saved. If automatic backups are being made, the state of a file when it was last auto-saved can subsequently be recovered.

By default, automatic backups are made both after a predefined number of key strokes, and also after a predefined amount of time has elapsed.

By default, auto-saved files are in the same directory as the original file, with the name of the backup being the name of the original file enclosed within # characters.

Toggle Auto Save

Editor Command

Arguments: None
Key sequence: None

Switches auto-save on if it is currently off, and off if it is currently on.

With a positive prefix argument, auto-save is switched on. With a negative or zero prefix argument, auto-save is switched off. Using prefix arguments with Toggle Auto Save disregards the current state of auto-save.

Auto Save Toggle is a synonym for Toggle Auto Save .

Auto-Save-Filename-Pattern

Editor Variable

Default value: "~A#~A#"

This control string is used with the Common Lisp format function to create the filename of the auto-save file. Format is called with two arguments, the first being the directory namestring and the second being the file namestring of the pathname associated with the buffer.

By default the auto-save file is created in the same directory as the file for which it is a backup, and it has the same name with surrounding # characters.

Auto-Save-Key-Count-Threshold

Editor Variable

Default value: 256

Determines the number of destructive/modifying keystrokes that automatically trigger an auto-save of a buffer. If the value is nil , this feature is turned off.

Auto-Save-Checkpoint-Frequency

Editor Variable

Default value: 300

Determines the time interval (in seconds) after which all modified buffers are auto-saved. If the value is zero or negative, this feature is turned off.