Thank you!
The function x-server-version indeed serves my needs. You are right,
no need to have non-standard behaviour for the system-configuration
variable. In hindsight it is even documented in an obvious
place. However, the wording in the documentation of x-server-version
and x-server-vendor is a little confusing (the relevant snippets are
included at the end of this mail):
- The elisp manual says "specifically about X displays". I would
expect a word about mswindows here.
- The docstring of x-server-version is compatible with that, but I
would again expect a word about mswindows.
- The docstring of x-server-vendor seems to ONLY mention W32 and
Microsoft. I would expect more or less the same text as in the elisp
manual with an extra remark about W32.
Best regards,
Albert.
From elisp manual: "Display Feature Testing":
--8><---------------
These functions obtain additional information specifically about X
displays.
-- Function: x-server-version &optional display
This function returns the list of version numbers of the X server
running the display. The value is a list of three integers: the
major and minor version numbers of the X protocol, and the
distributor-specific release number of the X server software
itself.
-- Function: x-server-vendor &optional display
This function returns the "vendor" that provided the X server
software (as a string). Really this means whoever distributes the
X server.
When the developers of X labeled software distributors as
"vendors", they showed their false assumption that no system could
ever be developed and distributed noncommercially.
--8><---------------
And in the docstring of both of them it says:
--8><---------------
x-server-version is a built-in function in `w32fns.c'.
(x-server-version &optional DISPLAY)
Return the version numbers of the server of DISPLAY.
The value is a list of three integers: the major and minor
version numbers of the X Protocol in use, and the distributor-specific
release number. See also the function `x-server-vendor'.
The optional argument DISPLAY specifies which display to ask about.
DISPLAY should be either a frame or a display name (a string).
If omitted or nil, that stands for the selected frame's display.
[forward]
--8><---------------
--8><---------------
x-server-vendor is a built-in function in `w32fns.c'.
(x-server-vendor &optional DISPLAY)
Return the "vendor ID" string of the W32 system (Microsoft).
The optional argument DISPLAY specifies which display to ask about.
DISPLAY should be either a frame or a display name (a string).
If omitted or nil, that stands for the selected frame's display.
[back]
--8><---------------