# emacs-gnugo

> Emacs major mode for playing GNU Go

**Wikidata**: [Q110216643](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q110216643)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/emacs-gnugo

## Summary
emacs-gnugo is a free software Emacs major mode that enables users to play the game of Go within GNU Emacs. Created by Thien-Thi Nguyen in 2000, it serves as a user interface for the GNU Go program and is available through GNU ELPA.

## Key Facts
- emacs-gnugo is an Emacs major mode for playing GNU Go, created by Thien-Thi Nguyen in February 2000.
- The software is distributed under free software terms and is available through GNU ELPA (GNU Emacs Lisp Package Archive).
- As of December 2021, the current stable version is 3.1.2, released on December 19, 2021.
- The project is maintained by Thien-Thi Nguyen and distributed through the Emacs Lisp Package Archive since February 25, 2014.
- emacs-gnugo serves as a user interface for the GNU Go program, which is separate from emacs-gnugo itself.
- The project has a previous stable version 2.2.14 from March 2008.
- The source code is available through Savannah.gnu.org in both cgit and Gitweb interfaces.
- The project is copyrighted by the Free Software Foundation since 2014.

## FAQs
### Q: What is emacs-gnugo?
A: emacs-gnugo is a major mode for the Emacs text editor that allows users to play the game of Go within Emacs. It serves as a user interface for the GNU Go program and is distributed as free software.

### Q: How do I install emacs-gnugo?
A: emacs-gnugo is available through GNU ELPA, the default package repository for GNU Emacs. It has been distributed through Emacs Lisp Package Archive since February 2014 with the package ID "gnugo".

### Q: Who created emacs-gnugo and when was it released?
A: emacs-gnugo was created by Thien-Thi Nguyen and first released in February 2000. The project is still maintained by its creator.

### Q: Is emacs-gnugo the same as GNU Go?
A: No, emacs-gnugo is different from GNU Go. emacs-gnugo is an Emacs major mode that serves as a user interface for GNU Go, which is the actual Go-playing program.

### Q: What version of emacs-gnugo should I use?
A: As of December 2021, the current stable version is 3.1.2, released on December 19, 2021.

## Why It Matters
emacs-gnugo represents an important integration of traditional board games into the Emacs ecosystem, providing Go enthusiasts with a seamless way to play within their preferred text editor. As part of the free software movement, it embodies the philosophy of accessible, modifiable tools for users. By offering an Emacs interface to GNU Go, it brings a sophisticated AI opponent to users who may already live within the Emacs environment for their daily work. This integration saves users from switching between applications and leverages Emacs' extensibility to enhance the Go playing experience. The project's inclusion in GNU ELPA since 2014 has made it readily available to millions of Emacs users worldwide, contributing to the visibility and accessibility of both GNU Go and the game of Go itself.

## Notable For
- Longevity: emacs-gnugo has been actively maintained for over two decades since its inception in February 2000.
- Integration: It uniquely bridges the gap between the GNU Go program and the Emacs ecosystem, creating a specialized user experience.
- Distribution: Being part of GNU ELPA since February 25, 2014 gives it wide distribution and automatic updates within the Emacs package management system.
- Free Software Status: It is distributed under free software terms, allowing users to run, study, change, and distribute it.
- Copyright Status: Copyrighted by the Free Software Foundation since 2014, ensuring its continued alignment with free software principles.

## Body
### Overview
emacs-gnugo is an Emacs major mode specifically designed for playing the game of Go within GNU Emacs. It serves as a user interface for the GNU Go program, which is a separate entity. The software was first released in February 2000 and has been actively maintained since then.

### Development and Maintenance
- Created by Thien-Thi Nguyen
- Project inception: February 2000
- Maintained by: Thien-Thi Nguyen
- Distributed by: Emacs Lisp Package Archive since February 25, 2014
- Current stable version: 3.1.2 (released December 19, 2021)
- Previous stable version: 2.2.14 (released March 2008)

### Distribution and Availability
- Package ID in GNU ELPA: gnugo
- Source code repository: https://git.savannah.gnu.org/cgit/emacs/elpa.git/tree/?h=externals/gnugo
- Additional source access: https://git.savannah.gnu.org/gitweb/?p=emacs/elpa.git;a=tree;h=refs/heads/externals/gnugo;hb=refs/heads/externals/gnugo
- Website: https://www.gnuvola.org/software/gnugo/ (primary)
- Secondary website: https://elpa.gnu.org/packages/gnugo.html (end user)

### Licensing and Copyright
- License type: Free software
- Copyright holder: Free Software Foundation (since 2014)
- Copyright status: Copyrighted
- Movement affiliation: Free software movement
- GNU variable name: emacs-gnugo

### Technical Details
- Instance of: Free software, software library (for Emacs), Emacs extension
- Platform: GNU Emacs
- Operating system: Any system running GNU Emacs
- Depends on: GNU Go
- Main subject: GNU Go
- Aliases: gnugo.el, Go Mode, gnugo
- Free software directory entry: Gnugo.el

### Relationship to Other Software
- Part of: GNU ELPA (since February 25, 2014)
- Part of: GNU Go (February 2000 to March 2008)
- Different from: GNU Go (separate entities)
- Use case: User interface for GNU Go
- Applies to part: GNU Emacs (as an extension), GNU Go (as a user interface)

## References

1. Free Software Directory
2. [Gnugo version 3.1.2. 2021](https://lists.gnu.org/archive/html/gnu-emacs-sources/2021-12/msg00029.html)
3. [Source](https://www.gnuvola.org/software/gnugo/)
4. [Source](https://elpa.gnu.org/packages/gnugo.html)
5. [Source](https://git.savannah.gnu.org/cgit/emacs/elpa.git/tree/gnugo.el?h=externals/gnugo)