I am using emacs 23.1.1 on Ubuntu 10.04. I wish to program in Python with a 2-space indent. emacs looks to have a default mode for python (python.el?).
I put the following in my .emacs:
;; Only spaces, no tabs
(setq indent-tabs-mode nil)
;; Always end a file with a newline
(setq require-final-newline nil)
;; Don't know which of these might work
(setq-default tab-width 2)
(setq-default python-indent 2)
(setq-default py-indent-offset 2)
When I edit a Python file, it uses a 4-space indent. When I try C-h v python-indent it says:
python-indent's value is 4
Local in buffer webpage_cache.py; global value is 2
This variable is safe as a file local variable if its value
satisfies the predicate `integerp'.
Documentation:
Number of columns for a unit of indentation in Python mode.
See also `M-x python-guess-indent'
You can customize this variable.
That is, it is 4, not 2. Grr. I tried customizing the variable and saving, still 4. I tried customize-group indent, still 4.
How do I get emacs to pay attention?
Either in you .emacs file or in a file referenced by your .emacs add:
(setq-default indent-tabs-mode nil)
(setq-default tab-width 2)
You can put in a hook if you want to localize
;; Python Hook
(add-hook 'python-mode-hook
(function (lambda ()
(setq indent-tabs-mode nil
tab-width 2))))
EDIT: I have found the following the following issues can mess with my settings:
For both those issues I have found creating hooks and localizing the variables can help.