[Orgmode] [PATCH] Allow property retrieval before first heading?

[Dan Davison]

Currently (org-entry-get) throws an error if point is before the first
heading. Is there a reason that this must be so? Org is too essential
for headings to be obligatory!

An example of when it would be useful to get properties is in a buffer
containing src blocks but no headings (babel takes header args from Org
properties). I make heavy use of such buffers as a scratch pad.

I'm not sure to what extent speed is essential in these functions, and
therefore unsure whether the calls to `org-before-first-heading-p' are
acceptable.

Dan

    Allow properties to be retrieved before first heading in file.
    
    * lisp/org.el (org-entry-get): Don't look for a property drawer if we
    are before the first heading in the file.
    (org-entry-get-with-inheritance): Don't attempt to move up the tree if
    we are before the first heading in the file. Also, enclose less of the
    function in the save-excursion.

diff --git a/lisp/org.el b/lisp/org.el
index 0104007..a676ec4 100644
--- a/lisp/org.el
+++ b/lisp/org.el
@@ -13567,7 +13567,8 @@ when a \"nil\" value can supersede a non-nil value 
higher up the hierarchy."
          ;; We need a special property.  Use `org-entry-properties' to
          ;; retrieve it, but specify the wanted property
          (cdr (assoc property (org-entry-properties nil 'special property)))
-       (let ((range (org-get-property-block)))
+       (let ((range (unless (org-before-first-heading-p)
+                      (org-get-property-block))))
          (if (and range
                   (goto-char (car range))
                   (re-search-forward
@@ -13680,6 +13681,7 @@ should be considered as undefined (this is the meaning 
of nil here).
 However, if LITERAL-NIL is set, return the string value \"nil\" instead."
   (move-marker org-entry-property-inherited-from nil)
   (let (tmp)
+    (unless (org-before-first-heading-p)
     (save-excursion
       (save-restriction
        (widen)
@@ -13690,11 +13692,12 @@ However, if LITERAL-NIL is set, return the string 
value \"nil\" instead."
              (move-marker org-entry-property-inherited-from (point))
              (throw 'ex tmp))
            (or (org-up-heading-safe) (throw 'ex nil)))))
+      ))
       (setq tmp (or tmp
                    (cdr (assoc property org-file-properties))
                    (cdr (assoc property org-global-properties))
                    (cdr (assoc property org-global-properties-fixed))))
-      (if literal-nil tmp (org-not-nil tmp)))))
+      (if literal-nil tmp (org-not-nil tmp))))
 
 (defvar org-property-changed-functions nil
   "Hook called when the value of a property has changed.