Learning GNU Emacs, Third Edition

If you are just starting out with Emacs, check out the tutorial by typing C-h t (for help-with-tutorial), which deletes all extra windows (leaving just one) and starts up a learn-by-doing tutorial. Actually, it displays a file called TUTORIAL in the window. The tutorial is currently available in 21 languages. The tutorial provides an introduction to the following Emacs features:

• Basic cursor motion

• Delete and yank

• Visiting and saving files

• Buffers

• Text and auto-fill modes

• Incremental search

• Basic help commands

You might want to use the tutorial along with Chapter 1 and Chapter 2. The tutorial is helpful, but of necessity it covers only the most basic information.