Smart Scan: Jump between symbols in a buffer

This simple package jumps between symbols that match the ones point is on.

By Mickey Petersen

Updated for emacs 24

A few years ago I wrote Effective Editing I: Movement and in that article I included a bunch of code for a feature I called “Smart Scan.” Back then I didn’t bother putting it on Github so I just left it as source code embedded in the article. I’ve now realized that hundreds have stuck it in their .emacs file but without the benefit of any potential updates, and with no way to actually contribute to the package.

Basically, Smart Scan let’s you jump between symbols in your current buffer that matches the one point is on. It does it unintrusively and without any prompts or other fancy UI gimmicks. Simply put your point on a symbol you want to search for in your buffer and type either M-n or M-p to move forward or backward respectively. Give it a shot. I have moved it Github here. Patches welcome :) Enjoy!

*************** *** 113,119 **** ;; brand-new command and we re-set the search term. (unless (memq last-command '(smartscan-symbol-go-forward smartscan-symbol-go-backward)) ! (setq smartscan-last-symbol-name name)) (setq smartscan-symbol-old-pt (point)) (message (format "%s scan for symbol \"%s\"" (capitalize (symbol-name direction)) --- 113,120 ---- ;; brand-new command and we re-set the search term. (unless (memq last-command '(smartscan-symbol-go-forward smartscan-symbol-go-backward)) ! (setq smartscan-last-symbol-name name) ! (push-mark)) (setq smartscan-symbol-old-pt (point)) (message (format "%s scan for symbol \"%s\"" (capitalize (symbol-name direction))

Emacs 28 Edition is out now!

Smart Scan: Jump between symbols in a buffer

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