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### 1.2 What does `M-x command` mean?

`M-x` command means type `M-x`, then type the name of the command, then type <RET>. (See Basic keys, if you're not sure what `M-x` and <RET> mean.)

`M-x` (by default) invokes the command `execute-extended-command`. This command allows you to run any Emacs command if you can remember the command's name. If you can't remember the command's name, you can type <TAB> and <SPC> for completion, <?> for a list of possibilities, and `M-p` and `M-n` (or up-arrow and down-arrow) to see previous commands entered. An Emacs command is an interactive Emacs function.

Your system administrator may have bound other key sequences to invoke `execute-extended-command`. A function key labeled `Do` is a good candidate for this, on keyboards that have such a key.

If you need to run non-interactive Emacs functions, see Evaluating Emacs Lisp code.