*scratch* is set to Lisp Interaction mode, but if I want to quickly evaluate some Elisp code, I could eval it running eval-expression ( Alt+:) or in Elisp interpreter IELM ( Alt+x Enter ielm). Or you manipulate a snippet of text or code, but you don't want to change the original buffer, so you just copypaste it to a new temporary buffer. For example, you write quick notes or thoughts in several different buffers to keep trace of them-later you decide if you throw them away or save them. In every other text editor or word processor the intuition is to create a “new file” or a “new buffer”, not to switch to idiosyncratic *scratch* buffer. Otherwise (for C-x b) you need to put the buffer in the mode you want.īuffer *scratch* is by default in Lisp-Interaction mode, which is similar to Emacs-Lisp mode (but not the same). Why would you want to use C-x C-f instead of C-x b, if you might not want to save the buffer? Providing a file extension in the file name you give automatically puts the buffer in the proper major mode (typically). In this case, if you use C-x C-s then Emacs prompts you for the file location to save the buffer in. Giving it a new name (not the name of an existing buffer) creates a new buffer. You are (even here) prompted for the buffer name. If you don't want to take the chance of accidentally hitting C-x C-s and thus saving your edits, then use C-x b instead of C-x C-f. Or use C-x d to put yourself in a Dired buffer for the directory. Or just do it by editing the directory part when you first use C-x C-f. To change directories, you can use M-x cd. Note that you can first put yourself in a directory whose contents you don't care about, so that if you accidentally do save the buffer there then you can easily find, recognize and toss the file. Do not use C-x C-s to save the buffer to the file (i.e., to disk). Use C-x C-f, giving the (to-be-file-visiting) buffer a name. Not what you wanted to hear, but this is the Emacs way.

How to create a new file in mac