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In (La)TeX, is there a way to redefine the command \ (that is "<backslash> <space>")?
I have lots of texts where \ is used as non-breakable space after "." characters like in Dr.\ or Mr.\ and I want to make that space in the output just a bit shorter than the normal space.
Please note, I do not want to change the texts, but rather redefine the \ macro in the preamble. Is this possible?
I would strongly recommend against this, but it can be done. The command \ is a primitive meaning 'a normal space' so shows up in various places, in particular the definition of \nonbreakspace. Thus a 'safe' redefinition of \ must at least deal with that:
\documentclass{article}
\let\hardspace\ %
\DeclareRobustCommand*\nobreakspace{\leavevmode\nobreak\hardspace}
%\let\ ~
\begin{document}
Some text to show that this is now a non-breaking space in a demo:
Mr.\ Black.
\let\ ~
Some text to show that this is now a non-breaking space in a demo:
Mr.\ Black.
\end{document}
I've commented out \let\ ~ in the preamble in the above so that the demo shows the effect of the change, but in a real case you'd apply it to everything. As pointed out by others, you really should use the correct mark-up to differentiate between a 'forced' normal space and a non-breaking space.
For example, starting from the definition of ~:
\makeatletter
\def\hallospace{\penalty\@M \kern0.3em} % say, 0.3em
\let\oldspace=\ %
\let\ =\hallospace
\makeatother
(And remember to use ~ as an unbreakable space in the future).
\macro inserts ordinary (breakable) space, not non-breakable space. For non-breakable space, you should use (and suitably modify, as necessary) the~symbol. – Mico Oct 24 '14 at 5:59