Re: Changing star character

[Javier M Mora <jamarier@gmail.com>]

On 26/02/11 16:36, Bastien wrote:
> Hi Javier,
>
> Javier M Mora<jamarier@gmail.com>  writes:
>
>> If I can change star symbol from "*" char to "%" char (comment mark in
>> LaTeX). It become possible.
>>
>> Is it possible?
>
> No.
>
>> Is there a variable to change star symbol?
>> Is "*" so hardcoded that it is impossible change behavior?
>
> Yes.
>
> Besides, I don't really get what you are trying to achieve, an example
> would be better - but this example won't make it easier to change what
> you suggest ;)
>


I like org-mode, and I like Auctex mode and both are major modes so it's 
not possible use both simultaneous.


I'd like to write scientific text in LaTeX using org-mode way:

% Section: Importance of This
\section{Importance of This}
%% What is it "This"
    To talk about \emph{this} is important look to several factors:
%%% "This" depends on "That"
    \emph{That} is very important in \emph{this} and bla, bla, bla...
%%% This depends on "These"
    Also, \emph{These} is another. bla bla bla...
%%% This is not "another".
    And don't forget another has anything.
%%%% SubIdea
    blablabla


% is the comment in LaTeX and is the outline of my ideas. And the text 
associated to every headline is the text of the article. With  org-mode, 
I can sort ideas (and lines of text associated) moving subtrees. 
org-mode relate ideas with text.

% char is LaTeX comment so LaTeX ignores until the end of line.

The problem is org-mode only works with star '*' character to mark 
headlines and LaTeX would print lots of star in the text. org-mode LaTeX 
export is not enough good for this idea, because every headline in 
org-mode becomes a headline in LaTeX and as you can see in my example 
this is not always the better. The export org-mode to LaTeX of this 
example is:

\section{Section: Importance of This}
\section{Importance of This}
\subsection{What is it "This"}
    To talk about \emph{this} is important look to several factors:
\subsubsection{"This" depends on "That"}
    \emph{That} is very important in \emph{this} and bla, bla, bla...
\subsubsection{This depends on "These"}
    Also, \emph{These} is another. bla bla bla...
\subsubsection{This is not "another".}
    And don't forget another has anything.
\paragraph{SubIdea}
    blablabla

When the desired objetive is put everything in a paragraph:

\section{Importance of This}
    To talk about \emph{this} is important look to several factors:
    \emph{That} is very important in \emph{this} and bla, bla, bla...
    Also, \emph{These} is another. bla bla bla...
    And don't forget another has anything.
    blablabla

etc.


Before and after of send email to org-mode mail list, I read source code 
and I thought star character was hard coded in it. (IMHO star char must 
be a configuration var). But I wanted to hear the opinion of experts 
from the maillist before doing anything.

So, I created two elisp functions to make a translation.:

(defun org2latex ()
   "Convert star to comments in LaTeX"
   (interactive)
   (save-excursion
     (goto-char (point-min))
     (while (search-forward-regexp "^\*+" nil t)
;      (while (search-backward "*" (beginning-of-line) t)
;       (replace-match "%" nil t))
       (let ((finalsearch (point)))
         (move-beginning-of-line nil)
         (while (search-forward "*" finalsearch t)
           (replace-match "%" nil t))
         )
       )
     )
   (latex-mode)
)

(defun latex2org ()
   "Convert comments in LaTeX to stars in org-mode"
   (interactive)
   (save-excursion
     (goto-char (point-min))
     (while (search-forward-regexp "^%+" nil t)
;      (while (search-backward "%" (beginning-of-line) t)
;       (replace-match "*" nil t))
       (let ((finalsearch (point)))
         (move-beginning-of-line nil)
         (while (search-forward "%" finalsearch t)
           (replace-match "*" nil t))
         )
       )
     )
;doesn't work. I want open/see the currently (sub)tree
   (let ((position (point)))
         (org-mode)
         (goto-char position)
         )
)

I'm a newbie with elisp. This works but:

1.- I don't spend to much time with search-backward, and didn't work for 
me. So, I had to make a detour with search-forward.

2.- From Latex2org when I start org-mode, All trees are closed. I'd like 
keep open the tree in the cursor.

That all. I hope these functions can help someone or inspire to solve a 
similar problem. To make programs?

Again, I'm not in maillist. Please send me a copy to my email.