Emacs comes with several predefined indentation styles for C and related
modes, including @code{gnu}, @code{k&r}, @code{bsd}, @code{stroustrup},
@code{linux}, @code{python}, @code{java}, @code{whitesmith},
-@code{ellemtel}, and @code{cc-mode}. The default style is @code{gnu}.
+@code{ellemtel}, @code{cc-mode}, and @code{user}.
@findex c-set-style
@vindex c-default-style
specifies an explicit choice for Java mode, and the default @samp{gnu}
style for the other C-like modes.
+ The style @code{gnu} defines the formatting recommend by the GNU
+Project; it is the default, so as to encourage the indentation we
+recommend. The style @code{user} is the same as @code{gnu} but
+incorporates any changes made in variables such as @code{c-basic-offset}
+and @code{c-offsets-alist} by your @file{~/.emacs} file. To make them
+take effect, you should select the style @code{user} with
+@code{c-set-style} or @code{c-default-style}.
+
@findex c-add-style
To define a new C indentation style, call the function
@code{c-add-style}:
@code{(@var{variable} . @var{value})}. The variables you specify should
be among those documented in @ref{Variables for C Indent}.
-If @var{use-now} is non-@code{nil}, @code{c-add-style} switches to the
-new style after defining it.
+ If @var{use-now} is non-@code{nil}, @code{c-add-style} selects the new
+style after defining it.
@node Matching
@section Automatic Display Of Matching Parentheses