25.6 Reading Input

The editor command loop reads keyboard input using the function next-event and constructs key sequences out of the events using dispatch-event.

Lisp programs can also use the function read-key-sequence, which reads input a key sequence at a time. See also momentary-string-display in Temporary Displays, and sit-for in Waiting. See Terminal Input, for functions and variables for controlling terminal input modes and debugging terminal input.

For higher-level input facilities, see Minibuffers.