reread-file(3)

NAME

reread-file - Reload the current buffer's file

SYNOPSIS

n reread-file
n reread-all ["path"]

DESCRIPTION

reread-file reloads from disk the file associated with the current buffer, this command is particularly useful when the file is continually updated by an external program. If the buffer has been edited and its name does not start with a '*' then the user is prompted as to whether the changes should be discarded. Also if the buffer has an active process running in it then confirmation is sort from the user before the process is killed.

The argument n can be used to change the default behavior of reread-file described above, n is a bit based flag where:

0x01


Enables loss of work checks (default), if this flag is not supplied then the buffer is reread without any user prompts (useful in macros).

reread-all reloads out-of-date buffers. The argument n is a bit based flag where:

0x01


Prompt before discarding edits in a modified buffer. This flag takes priority over 0x02.

0x02


Yes to all, discard edits in modified buffers without prompting.

0x04


Reload all buffers, not just those that are out-of-date.

0x08


Reload only those buffers whose file is within the given path. If path is not supplied on the command line the user is prompted for it.

Note that when both 0x01 and 0x02 are clear, buffers with unsaved edits are left untouched (not reloaded) and no prompt is given. The default with no numeric argument (i.e. n is zero) is thus to reload out-of-date buffers that have no unsaved edits, leaving any buffer with unsaved edits untouched.

NOTES

reread-file is a macro implemented in tool.emf.

SEE ALSO

find-file(2), read-file(2), view-file(2).

Ref: reread-file(3) File: m3mac053.3 Date: 2026/07/16

(c) Copyright JASSPA 2026