Filling (first) column with a 'comment' character

[Alex van der Spek]

Emacs has proved a very valuable tool in a very short time! Using it for
python code, Fortran code, gnuplot scripts and plain text.

One thing I was unable to find:

How can I add a single character in the first column of a region? This to
'comment out' a number of lines in source code/scripts.

All help welcome!
Alex van der Spek

[Chris F.A. Johnson]

Post by Alex van der Spek
Emacs has proved a very valuable tool in a very short time! Using it for
python code, Fortran code, gnuplot scripts and plain text.
How can I add a single character in the first column of a region? This to
'comment out' a number of lines in source code/scripts.

(comment-region)

[Michael Heerdegen]

Post by Chris F.A. Johnson

Post by Alex van der Spek
Emacs has proved a very valuable tool in a very short time! Using it for
python code, Fortran code, gnuplot scripts and plain text.
How can I add a single character in the first column of a region? This to
'comment out' a number of lines in source code/scripts.

(comment-region)

Or just M-; (`comment-dwim').

For the first, more general question (add something to first column),
you can use e.g. C-x r t (`string-rectangle') or the multiple-cursors
package.


Regards,

Michael.

[Barry Margolin]

Post by Michael Heerdegen

Post by Chris F.A. Johnson

Post by Alex van der Spek
Emacs has proved a very valuable tool in a very short time! Using it for
python code, Fortran code, gnuplot scripts and plain text.
How can I add a single character in the first column of a region? This to
'comment out' a number of lines in source code/scripts.

(comment-region)

Or just M-; (`comment-dwim').
For the first, more general question (add something to first column),
you can use e.g. C-x r t (`string-rectangle') or the multiple-cursors
package.

Or M-x replace-regexp RET ^ RET # RET

[Martin]

Alex van der Spek writes:

...

Post by Alex van der Spek
How can I add a single character in the first column of a region? This to
'comment out' a number of lines in source code/scripts.
...

M-x comment-region RET

[a***@gmail.com]

The above advice is good for commenting but a more general way is:
- highlight the region
- M-x string-insert-rectangle
- type the character(s) then `Return`

-deech