How to swap the buffers in 2 windows emacs

Question

Hello,

I am using emacs I find that sometimes I have 2 files separated into 2 windows.

For example: I open 1 file using C-x C-f file1.c RET

and I split the fame into two windows: C-x 3

I then open another file C-x C-f file2.c RET

So I have 2 files:

window 1 (left) file1.c

window 2 (right) file2.c

I am wondering if there is any key combination to swap the files over? Normally I like to work on the left window when I have 2 window. I know I can easily do C-x oto move the cursor to the right window.

However, I am just wondering if I can swap the files so that file2.c is in the left window and file1.c is in the right window?

Many thanks for any suggestions,

Answer 1

I would contrive to open up file #2 in the desired location, i.e. after you hit c-x 3, move the cursor with c-x o before navigating to the second file.

Answer 2

I'm not aware of any built-in function doing this.

However, it does not seem too difficult to whip up some elisp for doing it. Devil is in the details though.

(defun swap-buffers-in-windows ()
  "Put the buffer from the selected window in next window, and vice versa"
  (interactive)
  (let* ((this (selected-window))
     (other (next-window))
     (this-buffer (window-buffer this))
     (other-buffer (window-buffer other)))
    (set-window-buffer other this-buffer)
    (set-window-buffer this other-buffer)
    )
  )

Notably, this may not be doing what you desire with respect to where the caret ends up. However, you'd first have to say what you want :p

Answer 3

I use buffer-move for this. Now if you are working on the buffer on the left side, calling 'buf-move-right' will swap it with the one on the right. I guess this is what you want.