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bug#30241: Emacs 26.0.91: "Generalized variables" are not defined.
From: |
Drew Adams |
Subject: |
bug#30241: Emacs 26.0.91: "Generalized variables" are not defined. |
Date: |
Sat, 10 Feb 2018 14:54:58 -0800 (PST) |
> > > I think you'll see a difference - it is, IMO, "significantly
> > > different".
>
> > Actually, no, I didn't. I do see some additional explanations that
> > might have helped Alan understand the issue, but nothing
> > "significant". So much so that I doubt Alan will find the CL docs
> > helpful after disliking our docs of the same subject, as he did, based
> > on his original bug report. Of course, it's possible that I'm missing
> > something here.
>
> > Therefore, I invite Alan (and anyone else who'd like to chime in) to
> > please compare the CL docs on this matter with ours, and tell what
> > parts of the former made the issue "fall into place" (pun intended)
> > wrt this topic, where our docs don't. Bonus points for proposing
> > patches for the relevant parts of the ELisp manual, to make this
> > subject's documentation "significantly" better.
>
> I've read...,
> and found it clear indeed. However it was also long. After reading it,
> the Elisp sections on generalised variables make much more sense.
>
> This suggests that these Elisp sections contain the material, but are
> not suitable for readers who don't already understand generalised
> variables.
>
> In that CL page, a generalised variable is effectively defined as
> something you can use `setf' on within the first three paragraphs. In
> the elisp sections, that identification is not present in the opening
> paragraphs - there is no definition on that opening page. The first
> sub-page does not define a generalised variable as something you can use
> setf on - it merely says setf is a way to access one. But that
> definition needs to be in the top level page, and it needs to be clear
> that it _is_ a definition.
>
> The CL page gives a complete list of forms setf will work with. The
> elisp page merely gives a list, without it being clear whether that list
> is complete or not.
Good summary. FWIW, I agree. It's about `setf', in particular.