Quickstart (require 'string-utils) (string-utils-squeeze-filename (buffer-file-name (current-buffer)) 20) (string-utils-stringify-anything (selected-frame)) (progn (message (string-utils-pad (buffer-name (current-buffer)) (window-width) 'right)) (sit-for 1) (message (string-utils-pad (buffer-name (current-buffer)) (window-width) 'center)) (sit-for 1) (message (string-utils-pad (buffer-name (current-buffer)) (window-width) 'left)) (sit-for 1)) Explanation String-utils is a collection of functions for string manipulation. This library has no user-level interface; it is only useful for programming in Emacs Lisp. The following functions are provided: `string-utils-stringify-anything' `string-utils-has-darkspace-p' `string-utils-has-whitespace-p' `string-utils-trim-whitespace' `string-utils-compress-whitespace' `string-utils-string-repeat' `string-utils-escape-double-quotes' `string-utils-quotemeta' `string-utils-pad' `string-utils-pad-list' `string-utils-propertize-fillin' `string-utils-plural-ending' `string-utils-squeeze-filename' `string-utils-squeeze-url' `string-utils-split' `string-utils-truncate-to' To use string-utils, place the string-utils.el library somewhere Emacs can find it, and add the following to your ~/.emacs file: (require 'string-utils) Notes Compatibility and Requirements GNU Emacs version 24.4-devel : yes, at the time of writing GNU Emacs version 24.3 : yes GNU Emacs version 23.3 : yes GNU Emacs version 22.2 : yes, with some limitations GNU Emacs version 21.x and lower : unknown Uses if present: list-utils.el, obarray-fns.el Bugs (defun string-utils-test-func nil "doc" (keymap 95)) (string-utils-stringify-anything (symbol-function 'string-utils-test-func)) Some objects such as window-configuration are completely opaque and won't be stringified usefully. TODO Stringification of autoload data type http://www.gnu.org/software/emacs/manual/html_node/elisp/Autoload-Type.html Maybe args should not be included when stringifying lambdas and macros. In string-utils-propertize-fillin, strip properties which are set to nil at start, which will create more contiguity in the result. See this example, where the first two characters have the same properties (let ((text "text")) (add-text-properties 0 1 '(face nil) text) (add-text-properties 2 3 '(face error) text) (string-utils-propertize-fillin text 'face 'highlight) text) String-utils-squeeze-url needs improvement, sometimes using two elisions where one would do. ; License Simplified BSD License: Redistribution and use in source and binary forms, with or without modification, are permitted provided that the following conditions are met: 1. Redistributions of source code must retain the above copyright notice, this list of conditions and the following disclaimer. 2. Redistributions in binary form must reproduce the above copyright notice, this list of conditions and the following disclaimer in the documentation and/or other materials provided with the distribution. This software is provided by Roland Walker "AS IS" and any express or implied warranties, including, but not limited to, the implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose are disclaimed. In no event shall Roland Walker or contributors be liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, special, exemplary, or consequential damages (including, but not limited to, procurement of substitute goods or services; loss of use, data, or profits; or business interruption) however caused and on any theory of liability, whether in contract, strict liability, or tort (including negligence or otherwise) arising in any way out of the use of this software, even if advised of the possibility of such damage. The views and conclusions contained in the software and documentation are those of the authors and should not be interpreted as representing official policies, either expressed or implied, of Roland Walker.