The different Emacs Lisp modes

(see GNU Emacs user manual: Compiling and Testing Programs - sub-chapter: Executing Lisp Expressions)

Emacs-Lisp mode

This mode is for editing source files of programs to run in Emacs Lisp. Emacs-Lisp mode defines C-M-x to evaluate the current defun.

Note: On Microsoft Windows C-M-x is typed as alt-ctrl-x what is not a very clever shortcut because alt-ctrl is often occupied by Windows itself. So if alt-ctrl-x doesn't work for any reasons either type <Esc> ctrl-x or rename the shortcut.

For Emacs-Lisp mode type:

 M-x emacs-lisp-mode

Emacs-Lisp Interaction mode

This is the interactive Emacs Lisp mode. It defines C-j to evaluate the s-expression before point and insert its value in the buffer. Interaction means: Input and output are inside the same buffer.

For Emacs-Lisp Interaction mode type:

 M-x lisp-interaction-mode

Lisp mode

This mode is for editing source files of programs that run in Lisps other than Emacs Lisp (e.g. Nyquist XLisp). Lisp mode defines C-M-x to send the current defun to an inferior Lisp process.

Note: Same problem like Emacs-Lisp mode. If C-M-x (alt-ctrl-x) doesn't work either type <Esc> ctrl-x or rename the shortcut.

For Lisp mode type:

 M-x lisp-mode

Inferior Lisp mode

This mode is for interactive sessions with an external Lisp interpreter (e.g. Nyquist XLisp). Inferior Lisp mode combines the special features of Lisp mode and Shell mode. This is the mode for running the Nyquist interpreter.

For Inferior Lisp mode type:

 M-x inferior-lisp-mode

How to run Nyqist see: Running Nyquist in an Emacs buffer

Scheme mode

Like Lisp mode but for Scheme programs. For scheme mode type:

 M-x scheme-mode

Inferior Scheme mode

The mode for an interactive session with an external Scheme interpreter.

 ??? - Issue: what is the M-x shortcut for inferior scheme mode ?