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LIFO Buffers and Registers¶
The RW Buffer and The XP Buffer¶
What is LIFO?¶
The program has two LIFO buffers. LIFO stands for 'last in first out'. This means that when we remove a part by using X, it will be stored in the XP buffer(AKA the Phantom Lair), and then, when we press P, that part will be restored. The part will even be returned to the same position. If we remove several parts, parts named 'A, B, and C' for example, and then restore them using the P key, they will be restore in the reverse order: 'C, then B, then A'. If you aren't sure about how this works, be sure to forget everything you have just read, and simply try pressing the keys for yourself. You will understand in about 30 seconds.
The Last Part That Was Removed Will Be Restored First¶
That is about the quickest, shortest, and best description of how those buffers work. So, let's just leave it at that.
There Are Too LIFO Buffers¶
RW: The Invisible Buffer¶
When you remove something using R, it really seems like it's gone because you can't see it anymore. It can be easily restored, however, by using the W key. If you need to remove an entire colour group, you can accomplish this by using SHIFT + R. That way you can remove the whole document with only three presses. Be careful, because using SHIFT + W will not restore those parts, instead it will only paste out a duplicate of the last part that was removed.
XP: The Semi-Visible Buffer¶
The XP buffer is also known as the 'phantom lair' because it is semi-visible, and appears as faded parts. The benefit to this is that we can still see where the parts are placed and we can easily identify them. The action for the X key and the P key is identical to the action for the R key and the W key. So, there is no need to tell it so soon again. A more interesting story will be that I have lied to you. I must now reveal that there is a third buffer. The line above claiming that there are exactly two buffers is actually a typo.
There is a Third Buffer¶
The Document Itself is the Third Buffer¶
Do not be alarmed at the presence of this least mysterious of all buffers. This one has the exceptional quality of being fully visible and accessible. It is absolutely crucial that there be a minimum of three buffers so that we can have a full interchange between them. There are a couple more keys to tell you about, and then you will understand how the interchange works.
To Swap the Buffers, Use Backspace¶
The backspace key has the distinguished honour of being the one key that is able to swap all of the parts from the visible document, and switch them out completely with all of the parts which are encapsulated within the confines of the phantom lair(AKA the XP buffer). Just try it and you will see what I mean.
Even more good news! Use the backspace key with SHIFT to accomplish a complete swap between the RW buffer and the XP buffer(AKA the phantom lair).
So now you see that it was part of the plan all along, to be able to switch the parts around very easily!
Alphabetical Part Registers¶
Almost Identical to Vi¶
The part registers will seem very familiar to anyone who has used that famous old computer program called Vi.
M Registers the Part¶
To place the part into an alphabetical register, first we must press the M key while the part is selected. Then we must follow that keypress immediately with an alphabet key. That final keypress will determine which register our part will be entered into.