# Emacs Info

> Emacs Info reader

**Wikidata**: [Q107407280](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q107407280)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/emacs-info

## Summary
Emacs Info is a free software program that serves as a documentation reader within the GNU Emacs text editor. It provides access to manuals and help files written in the Texinfo format, which are commonly used for documenting free software projects.

## Key Facts
- Part of GNU Emacs, a widely used text editor
- Runs on Microsoft Windows, macOS, BSD, GNU/Hurd, and Unix-like operating systems
- Written in Emacs Lisp, the dialect of Lisp used in GNU Emacs
- Distributed under free software terms, allowing users to run, study, modify, and redistribute it
- First appeared in 1985, the same year Emacs Lisp was introduced
- Different from GNU Info and Texinfo, though related to Texinfo documentation
- Source code is hosted in the Texinfo repository on Savannah
- Copyrighted by the Free Software Foundation

## FAQs
### Q: What is Emacs Info used for?
A: Emacs Info is used to read documentation written in the Texinfo format, which is commonly used for documenting free software projects. It provides a built-in help system within GNU Emacs.

### Q: Is Emacs Info free software?
A: Yes, Emacs Info is free software, meaning users can freely run, study, modify, and distribute it under the terms of the GNU General Public License.

### Q: What operating systems does Emacs Info support?
A: Emacs Info runs on Microsoft Windows, macOS, BSD, GNU/Hurd, and Unix-like operating systems, making it widely compatible across different platforms.

### Q: How is Emacs Info different from GNU Info?
A: While Emacs Info is part of GNU Emacs and reads Texinfo documentation, GNU Info is a separate standalone program for reading Texinfo files outside of Emacs.

### Q: Where can I find the source code for Emacs Info?
A: The source code for Emacs Info is hosted in the Texinfo repository on Savannah, accessible via HTTPS at the URL provided in the structured properties.

## Why It Matters
Emacs Info plays a crucial role in the GNU Emacs ecosystem by providing a built-in documentation system for free software projects. It ensures that users of GNU Emacs have easy access to manuals and help files written in Texinfo, a format widely used in the free software community. By being integrated into Emacs, it offers a seamless experience for users who rely on the editor for their work. The availability of Emacs Info on multiple operating systems ensures that users across different platforms can benefit from the same documentation system. Its free software status aligns with the principles of the GNU Project, promoting software freedom and collaboration.

## Notable For
- Being the primary documentation reader within GNU Emacs
- Supporting Texinfo documentation, a standard format for free software manuals
- Running on a wide range of operating systems, including Windows and macOS
- Written in Emacs Lisp, the scripting language of GNU Emacs
- Being part of the Texinfo repository, which also includes the Texinfo toolchain

## Body
### Overview
Emacs Info is a documentation reader integrated into GNU Emacs, designed to display manuals and help files written in the Texinfo format. It is part of the GNU Project and is distributed as free software, allowing users to freely use, modify, and distribute it.

### Development and Platforms
Emacs Info was developed alongside GNU Emacs and Emacs Lisp, first appearing in 1985. It is compatible with Microsoft Windows, macOS, BSD, GNU/Hurd, and Unix-like operating systems, ensuring broad accessibility.

### Relationship to Other Software
Emacs Info is distinct from GNU Info, a separate standalone program for reading Texinfo files. It is also related to Texinfo, the documentation system used by many free software projects, but serves as the built-in reader within Emacs.

### Source Code and Licensing
The source code for Emacs Info is hosted in the Texinfo repository on Savannah. It is copyrighted by the Free Software Foundation and distributed under the GNU General Public License, ensuring its status as free software.

## Schema Markup
```json
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "SoftwareApplication",
  "name": "Emacs Info",
  "description": "A documentation reader within GNU Emacs for Texinfo files",
  "applicationCategory": "Text Editor",
  "operatingSystem": ["Microsoft Windows", "macOS", "BSD", "GNU/Hurd", "Unix-like operating system"],
  "programmingLanguage": "Emacs Lisp",
  "license": "GNU General Public License",
  "isPartOf": "GNU Emacs",
  "sameAs": ["https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q27016754"]
}