Re-open *scratch* buffer in Emacs?

Question

If I accidentally closed the scratch buffer in Emacs, how do I create a new scratch buffer?

Answer 1

Like the docstring says, this function will:

Switch to the scratch buffer. If the buffer doesn't exist create it and write the initial message into it."

This will bring a new scratch buffer up which looks like the initial scratch buffer.

(defun switch-buffer-scratch ()
  "Switch to the scratch buffer. If the buffer doesn't exist,
create it and write the initial message into it."
  (interactive)
  (let* ((scratch-buffer-name "*scratch*")
         (scratch-buffer (get-buffer scratch-buffer-name)))
    (unless scratch-buffer
      (setq scratch-buffer (get-buffer-create scratch-buffer-name))
      (with-current-buffer scratch-buffer
        (lisp-interaction-mode)
        (insert initial-scratch-message)))
    (switch-to-buffer scratch-buffer)))

(global-set-key "\C-cbs" 'switch-buffer-scratch)