hi, as i go on using emacs for coding, i go on exploring more and more about emacs features, but it also lots of pressure of remembering lots of keyboard sequences (atleast in intial phase). i was wondering, which method is prefered? how about, instead of doing C-<space>, i start using M-x set-mark (this is valid for all the commands)? but it invites hitting lots of keystrokes :( (i know the tab works).

also this M-x method, what exactly its called? i mean i though of googling it for the nice tutorial, but what should i put as a search string? (i discovered it accidently).