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14.7 Listing a File Directory

Files are organized by Unix into "directories".  A "directory listing"
is a list of all the files in a directory.  Emacs provides directory
listings in brief format (file names only) and verbose format (sizes,
dates, and authors included).

     Print a brief directory listing (`list-directory').

     Print a verbose directory listing.

   To print a directory listing, use `C-x C-d' (`list-directory').
This command prompts in the minibuffer for a file name which is either
a  directory to be listed or pattern containing wildcards for the files
to be listed.  For example,

     C-x C-d /u2/emacs/etc <RET>

lists all the files in directory `/u2/emacs/etc'.  An example of
specifying a file name pattern is:

     C-x C-d /u2/emacs/src/*.c <RET>

   Normally, `C-x C-d' prints a brief directory listing containing just
file names.  A numeric argument (regardless of value) tells it to print
a verbose listing (like `ls -l').

   Emacs obtains the text of a directory listing by running `ls' in an
inferior process.  Two Emacs variables control the switches passed to
`ls': `list-directory-brief-switches' is a string giving the switches
to use in brief listings (`"-CF"' by default).
`list-directory-verbose-switches' is a string giving the switches to
use in a verbose listing (`"-l"' by default).

   The variable `directory-abbrev-alist' is an alist of abbreviations
for file directories.  The list consists of elements of the form `(FROM
.  TO)', each meaning to replace `FROM' with `TO' when it appears in a
directory name.  This replacement is done when setting up the default
directory of a newly visited file.  Every `FROM' string should start
with ``^''.

   Use this feature when you have directories which you normally refer
to via absolute symbolic links.  Make `TO' the name of the link, and
`FROM' the name it is linked to.

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