What is a prefix argument?
Many key-bindings accept prefix arguments. A prefix argument is a number that is generated prior to a key sequence and is used as a way of controlling the behavior of that key sequence. It is generated by pressing the “ESC” key and then pressing the keys that correspond to the number. For example, to generate a prefix argument of 314, simply press the 4 keys: “ESC 3 1 4”. Some functions use such arguments as repeat factors. That is, the function bound to the key sequence that they modify will be repeated the number of times specified by the prefix argument. Other functions may simply use it as a way of slightly modifying the behavior of the function. For example, if “1” is used as a prefix argument for the “followup” function, the original article’s headers will be included in the followup message; if “2” is used, the article also does not get modified (i.e. slrn does not insert quoting characters and neither attaches nor strips signatures). Without a prefix argument, you get
