Subject: bug#46084: [External] : Re: bug#46084: 26.3; Elisp manual: provide a link to (eintro) up front

From: Drew Adams <[email-masked]>
Date: Wed, 27 Jan 2021 02:58:48 +0000

> The eintr manual is for people who aren't programmers.  The lispref
> manual is a reference manual (for programmers).  So adding a link like
> that doesn't seem to make much sense.  Closing.

That makes NO sense to me.

Everyone who uses Lisp is still learning it.

Anyone who tries to learn Elisp can benefit from the Eintr help.

Anyone who uses the Eintr guidance can also benefit from referring to the Elisp manual for specific info about this or that thing that they're learning or they're interested in.

Many, many people will arrive directly at the Elisp manual - by googling, being referred from a website or mailing list, etc.  The Elisp manual is MUCH wider known and referred to by people.

An Elisp learner (and others) can _easily_ arrive at the Elisp manual, and not have the faintest idea that they might be able to benefit from the Eintr book.

Why on earth would we want to not help a reader of either manual know about the existence of the other?

Why do you think that reference books should not refer to user guides?  Or vice versa?  I can assure you that serious doc systems have tons of cross-references between reference material and guide material.