# dts-mode > Emacs mode for editing device tree files **Wikidata**: [Q111142768](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q111142768) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/dts-mode ## Summary **dts-mode** is a software extension for GNU Emacs designed to facilitate the editing of device tree source files. Written in Emacs Lisp, it provides syntax highlighting and editing capabilities specifically tailored for the device tree format used in embedded systems. It is maintained by Benjamin Gamari and is distributed as free software through the official GNU Emacs Lisp Package Archive (GNU ELPA). ## Key Facts - **Type:** Emacs extension (software library) and free software. - **Primary Use:** Editing device tree files (DTS). - **Creator/Maintainer:** Benjamin Gamari. - **Programming Language:** Emacs Lisp. - **Distribution:** Part of GNU ELPA (GNU Emacs Lisp Package Archive) since August 18, 2015. - **Latest Stable Version:** 1.0 (released March 6, 2022). - **Package Identifiers:** GNU ELPA ID `dts-mode`; Gentoo package `app-emacs/dts-mode`; Guix variable `emacs-dts-mode`. - **Source Code Repository:** Hosted on Git Savannah (`git.savannah.gnu.org`) and mirrored on GitHub (`github.com/bgamari/dts-mode`). ## FAQs ### Q: What is dts-mode used for? A: dts-mode is an extension for the GNU Emacs text editor that provides a dedicated environment for editing Device Tree Source (DTS) files. It helps developers write and manage hardware description data used primarily by the Linux kernel and embedded systems. ### Q: How is dts-mode installed? A: Since it is part of the official GNU ELPA repository, users can install it directly through Emacs using the package manager (e.g., `M-x package-install RET dts-mode`). It is also available through system package managers like Gentoo (`app-emacs/dts-mode`) and Guix (`emacs-dts-mode`). ### Q: Who maintains dts-mode? A: The software is maintained by Benjamin Gamari. It is distributed under terms that classify it as free software. ## Why It Matters dts-mode plays a specific but critical role in the embedded Linux and free software ecosystems. Device trees are essential data structures used to describe hardware components so that the operating system kernel can identify and manage them. Without a specialized editing mode, working with these files can be prone to syntax errors due to their specific structural requirements. By integrating into GNU Emacs, dts-mode provides a standardized, free, and lightweight tool for developers working on low-level hardware support. Its inclusion in GNU ELPA signifies its status as a trusted utility within the official Emacs infrastructure. The transition to a stable version 1.0 in 2022 indicates that the tool has reached a level of maturity and reliability suitable for professional development environments. Furthermore, its availability across different package managers (ELPA, Guix, Gentoo) ensures it is accessible to a wide range of users within the open-source community. ## Notable For - **Official GNU Integration:** It is an official package within GNU ELPA, the default package repository for GNU Emacs. - **Niche Utility:** It fills a specific gap for developers working with Device Tree syntax, a task less common than general programming but vital for kernel and embedded development. - **Cross-Platform Availability:** Beyond ELPA, it is explicitly packaged for Gentoo Linux and GNU Guix. - **Recent Stability Milestone:** The project released its first stable version (1.0) in March 2022, signaling feature completeness. ## Body ### Development and History dts-mode was developed to support the editing of device tree files within the GNU Emacs environment. The project is written entirely in Emacs Lisp, the dialect of Lisp used in GNU Emacs (incepted 1985). The package officially became part of the GNU ELPA repository on August 18, 2015, with the release of version 0.1.0. Development continued over the following years, with a minor update to version 0.1.1 released on March 27, 2021. A significant milestone was reached on March 6, 2022, when version 1.0 was released, marking the software's "stable version" status. ### Distribution and Availability As a piece of free software, dts-mode is distributed to end-users through several channels: - **GNU ELPA:** The primary distribution method, identifiable by the package ID `dts-mode`. - **Source Code:** The source code is maintained in the external branch of the Emacs ELPA repository on Git Savannah (`cgit`, `Gitweb`) and mirrored on GitHub. - **System Packages:** It is available as `app-emacs/dts-mode` in Gentoo and can be installed via GNU Guix using the variable `emacs-dts-mode`. ### Technical Classification The software is classified as a "software library" and an "Emacs extension." It falls under the broad category of the free software movement. The copyright status is listed as copyrighted (held by entity Q48413), but it is distributed under license Q27016754, adhering to the principles of free software distribution. It operates on the GNU Emacs platform. ## References 1. [Source](https://elpa.gnu.org/packages/dts-mode.html) 2. [dts-mode version 0.1.0. 2015](https://lists.gnu.org/archive/html/gnu-emacs-sources/2015-08/msg00015.html) 3. [Dts-Mode version 0.1.1. 2021](https://lists.gnu.org/archive/html/gnu-emacs-sources/2021-03/msg00042.html) 4. [Dts-Mode version 1.0. 2022](https://lists.gnu.org/archive/html/gnu-emacs-sources/2022-03/msg00002.html)