Backup Files

The editor can optionally preserve the previous contents of a file when it is about to be overwritten by the saving of a buffer. It does this by renaming the old file, `foo' as `foo~' (the original name plus a tilde appended to it) before it is obliterated.

Variable: make-backup-files

This variable controls whether or not backups are made of files about to overwritten by the function write-buffer (i.e. the commands save-file and save-file-as). When non-nil the old instance of the file is renamed so that it has a tilde appended to its old name.

Variable: backup-by-copying

When non-nil all backups are made by copying the original file instead of renaming it as the backup file. This is slower but less destructive.

Variable: else-backup-by-copying

If backup-by-copying is nil and renaming the original file would not be a good idea (i.e. it might break a link or something) and this variable is non-nil the backup will be made by copying the original file.

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