Re: & and M-& to run programs asynchronously

[Juri Linkov]

>> Below is a ready patch submitted for verification before checking in:
>
> As it stands its usefulness is rather dubious: the user could just as
> easily type the extra & at the end.  Could someone remind me what were
> the arguments for adding it?  What are the expected use-cases and
> planned improvements?

Sure, in its current state it is useless.  That's why I said
it is just a starting point for adding more options relevant only
for asynchronous commands.  These options include using M-& as an
application launcher that will allow automatic creation of
multiple *Async Shell Command* buffers, deciding whether to
display the output buffer for GUI apps or not, etc.

-- 
Juri Linkov
http://www.jurta.org/emacs/