From unknown Fri Aug 15 03:56:31 2025 X-Loop: owner@emacsbugs.donarmstrong.com Subject: bug#4707: 23.1; Elisp manual: index constant variables for defconst Reply-To: "Drew Adams" , 4707@debbugs.gnu.org Resent-From: "Drew Adams" Resent-To: bug-submit-list@lists.donarmstrong.com Resent-CC: Emacs Bugs 2Resent-Date: Mon, 12 Oct 2009 17:55:07 +0000 Resent-Message-ID: Resent-Sender: help-debbugs@gnu.org X-Emacs-PR-Message: report 4707 X-Emacs-PR-Package: emacs X-Emacs-PR-Keywords: Received: via spool by submit@emacsbugs.donarmstrong.com id=B.125536975016502 (code B ref -1); Mon, 12 Oct 2009 17:55:07 +0000 Received: (at submit) by emacsbugs.donarmstrong.com; 12 Oct 2009 17:49:10 +0000 X-Spam-Checker-Version: SpamAssassin 3.2.5-bugs.debian.org_2005_01_02 (2008-06-10) on rzlab.ucr.edu X-Spam-Level: X-Spam-Bayes: score:0.5 Bayes not run. spammytokens:Tokens not available. hammytokens:Tokens not available. X-Spam-Status: No, score=-2.3 required=4.0 tests=AWL,FOURLA autolearn=no version=3.2.5-bugs.debian.org_2005_01_02 Received: from lists.gnu.org (lists.gnu.org [199.232.76.165]) by rzlab.ucr.edu (8.14.3/8.14.3/Debian-5) with ESMTP id n9CHn8Nj016499 for ; Mon, 12 Oct 2009 10:49:09 -0700 Received: from mailman by lists.gnu.org with tmda-scanned (Exim 4.43) id 1MxP18-00034I-D9 for bug-gnu-emacs@gnu.org; Mon, 12 Oct 2009 13:49:06 -0400 Received: from exim by lists.gnu.org with spam-scanned (Exim 4.43) id 1MxP12-00031I-RC for bug-gnu-emacs@gnu.org; Mon, 12 Oct 2009 13:49:05 -0400 Received: from [199.232.76.173] (port=49375 helo=monty-python.gnu.org) by lists.gnu.org with esmtp (Exim 4.43) id 1MxP12-000315-9y for bug-gnu-emacs@gnu.org; Mon, 12 Oct 2009 13:49:00 -0400 Received: from rcsinet12.oracle.com ([148.87.113.124]:53427 helo=rgminet12.oracle.com) by monty-python.gnu.org with esmtps (TLS-1.0:DHE_RSA_AES_256_CBC_SHA1:32) (Exim 4.60) (envelope-from ) id 1MxP11-000599-KB for bug-gnu-emacs@gnu.org; Mon, 12 Oct 2009 13:48:59 -0400 Received: from rgminet13.oracle.com (rcsinet13.oracle.com [148.87.113.125]) by rgminet12.oracle.com (Switch-3.3.1/Switch-3.3.1) with ESMTP id n9CHmZaa003010 (version=TLSv1/SSLv3 cipher=DHE-RSA-AES256-SHA bits=256 verify=OK) for ; Mon, 12 Oct 2009 17:48:36 GMT Received: from acsmt354.oracle.com (acsmt354.oracle.com [141.146.40.154]) by rgminet13.oracle.com (Switch-3.3.1/Switch-3.3.1) with ESMTP id n9C7oBWR002082 for ; Mon, 12 Oct 2009 17:49:28 GMT Received: from abhmt004.oracle.com by acsmt357.oracle.com with ESMTP id 20354814971255369731; Mon, 12 Oct 2009 12:48:51 -0500 Received: from dradamslap1 (/130.35.178.194) by default (Oracle Beehive Gateway v4.0) with ESMTP ; Mon, 12 Oct 2009 10:48:50 -0700 From: "Drew Adams" To: Date: Mon, 12 Oct 2009 10:48:52 -0700 Message-ID: <861AFC71DFF34A2BACDC34D965D32133@us.oracle.com> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit X-Mailer: Microsoft Office Outlook 11 Thread-Index: AcpLZEMAC2Rdn26fQvmFZeLrGBYzog== X-MimeOLE: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V6.00.2900.5579 X-Source-IP: acsmt354.oracle.com [141.146.40.154] X-Auth-Type: Internal IP X-CT-RefId: str=0001.0A090208.4AD36C06.024B:SCFMA4539814,ss=1,fgs=0 X-detected-operating-system: by monty-python.gnu.org: GNU/Linux 2.6 (newer, 1) emacs -Q In the Elisp manual, `constant' is indexed for variables only for node `Constant Variables', which is really about keywords, nil, and t. I find no index entry for defconst in this regard, yet it is the way you define constant variables. Also, the node Constant Variables should mention defconst variables, and point out how they differ from the other constant variables, which are currently described in the node: Trying to set a defconst variable does not raise a `setting-constant' error. Trying to set a keyword, t, or nil does raise that error. IOW, there are really two different kinds of variables that we often call "constants" in Emacs Lisp. Some of them are truly constants (raise an error if you try to set them), some of them are only intended to be used as constants, with no check wrt setting them. This needs to be better documented and better indexed. In GNU Emacs 23.1.1 (i386-mingw-nt5.1.2600) of 2009-07-29 on SOFT-MJASON Windowing system distributor `Microsoft Corp.', version 5.1.2600 configured using `configure --with-gcc (4.4)' From unknown Fri Aug 15 03:56:31 2025 MIME-Version: 1.0 X-Mailer: MIME-tools 5.427 (Entity 5.427) X-Loop: owner@emacsbugs.donarmstrong.com From: help-debbugs@gnu.org (Emacs bug Tracking System) To: "Drew Adams" Subject: bug#4707 closed by Chong Yidong (Re: 23.1; Elisp manual: index constant variables for defconst) Message-ID: References: <87ws2w2i3p.fsf@stupidchicken.com> <861AFC71DFF34A2BACDC34D965D32133@us.oracle.com> X-Emacs-PR-Message: they-closed 4707 X-Emacs-PR-Package: emacs Reply-To: 4707@debbugs.gnu.org Date: Fri, 16 Oct 2009 02:30:12 +0000 Content-Type: multipart/mixed; boundary="----------=_1255660212-7773-1" This is a multi-part message in MIME format... ------------=_1255660212-7773-1 Content-Disposition: inline Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8" This is an automatic notification regarding your bug report which was filed against the emacs package: #4707: 23.1; Elisp manual: index constant variables for defconst It has been closed by Chong Yidong . Their explanation is attached below along with your original report. If this explanation is unsatisfactory and you have not received a better one in a separate message then please contact Chong Yidong by replying to this email. --=20 4707: http://debbugs.gnu.org/cgi/bugreport.cgi?bug=3D4707 Emacs Bug Tracking System Contact help-debbugs@gnu.org with problems ------------=_1255660212-7773-1 Content-Type: message/rfc822 Content-Disposition: inline Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Received: (at 4707-done) by emacsbugs.donarmstrong.com; 16 Oct 2009 02:22:26 +0000 X-Spam-Checker-Version: SpamAssassin 3.2.5-bugs.debian.org_2005_01_02 (2008-06-10) on rzlab.ucr.edu X-Spam-Level: X-Spam-Bayes: score:0.5 Bayes not run. spammytokens:Tokens not available. hammytokens:Tokens not available. X-Spam-Status: No, score=0.0 required=4.0 tests=none autolearn=ham version=3.2.5-bugs.debian.org_2005_01_02 Received: from pantheon-po43.its.yale.edu (pantheon-po43.its.yale.edu [130.132.50.104]) by rzlab.ucr.edu (8.14.3/8.14.3/Debian-5) with ESMTP id n9G2MPCk006650 for <4707-done@emacsbugs.donarmstrong.com>; Thu, 15 Oct 2009 19:22:26 -0700 Received: from furry (adsl-99-69-50-94.dsl.wlfrct.sbcglobal.net [99.69.50.94]) (authenticated bits=0) by pantheon-po43.its.yale.edu (8.12.11.20060308/8.12.11) with ESMTP id n9G2MJwo000994 (version=TLSv1/SSLv3 cipher=DHE-RSA-AES256-SHA bits=256 verify=NOT); Thu, 15 Oct 2009 22:22:19 -0400 Received: by furry (Postfix, from userid 1000) id 9E05CC070; Thu, 15 Oct 2009 22:22:18 -0400 (EDT) From: Chong Yidong To: "Drew Adams" Cc: 4707-done@debbugs.gnu.org Subject: Re: 23.1; Elisp manual: index constant variables for defconst Date: Thu, 15 Oct 2009 22:22:18 -0400 Message-ID: <87ws2w2i3p.fsf@stupidchicken.com> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii X-YaleITSMailFilter: Version 1.2c (attachment(s) not renamed) > In the Elisp manual, `constant' is indexed for variables only for node > `Constant Variables', which is really about keywords, nil, and t. > I find no index entry for defconst in this regard, yet it is the way > you define constant variables. > Also, the node Constant Variables should mention defconst variables, > and point out how they differ from the other constant variables Fixed, thanks. ------------=_1255660212-7773-1 Content-Type: message/rfc822 Content-Disposition: inline Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Received: (at submit) by emacsbugs.donarmstrong.com; 12 Oct 2009 17:49:10 +0000 X-Spam-Checker-Version: SpamAssassin 3.2.5-bugs.debian.org_2005_01_02 (2008-06-10) on rzlab.ucr.edu X-Spam-Level: X-Spam-Bayes: score:0.5 Bayes not run. spammytokens:Tokens not available. hammytokens:Tokens not available. X-Spam-Status: No, score=-2.3 required=4.0 tests=AWL,FOURLA autolearn=no version=3.2.5-bugs.debian.org_2005_01_02 Received: from lists.gnu.org (lists.gnu.org [199.232.76.165]) by rzlab.ucr.edu (8.14.3/8.14.3/Debian-5) with ESMTP id n9CHn8Nj016499 for ; Mon, 12 Oct 2009 10:49:09 -0700 Received: from mailman by lists.gnu.org with tmda-scanned (Exim 4.43) id 1MxP18-00034I-D9 for bug-gnu-emacs@gnu.org; Mon, 12 Oct 2009 13:49:06 -0400 Received: from exim by lists.gnu.org with spam-scanned (Exim 4.43) id 1MxP12-00031I-RC for bug-gnu-emacs@gnu.org; Mon, 12 Oct 2009 13:49:05 -0400 Received: from [199.232.76.173] (port=49375 helo=monty-python.gnu.org) by lists.gnu.org with esmtp (Exim 4.43) id 1MxP12-000315-9y for bug-gnu-emacs@gnu.org; Mon, 12 Oct 2009 13:49:00 -0400 Received: from rcsinet12.oracle.com ([148.87.113.124]:53427 helo=rgminet12.oracle.com) by monty-python.gnu.org with esmtps (TLS-1.0:DHE_RSA_AES_256_CBC_SHA1:32) (Exim 4.60) (envelope-from ) id 1MxP11-000599-KB for bug-gnu-emacs@gnu.org; Mon, 12 Oct 2009 13:48:59 -0400 Received: from rgminet13.oracle.com (rcsinet13.oracle.com [148.87.113.125]) by rgminet12.oracle.com (Switch-3.3.1/Switch-3.3.1) with ESMTP id n9CHmZaa003010 (version=TLSv1/SSLv3 cipher=DHE-RSA-AES256-SHA bits=256 verify=OK) for ; Mon, 12 Oct 2009 17:48:36 GMT Received: from acsmt354.oracle.com (acsmt354.oracle.com [141.146.40.154]) by rgminet13.oracle.com (Switch-3.3.1/Switch-3.3.1) with ESMTP id n9C7oBWR002082 for ; Mon, 12 Oct 2009 17:49:28 GMT Received: from abhmt004.oracle.com by acsmt357.oracle.com with ESMTP id 20354814971255369731; Mon, 12 Oct 2009 12:48:51 -0500 Received: from dradamslap1 (/130.35.178.194) by default (Oracle Beehive Gateway v4.0) with ESMTP ; Mon, 12 Oct 2009 10:48:50 -0700 From: "Drew Adams" To: Subject: 23.1; Elisp manual: index constant variables for defconst Date: Mon, 12 Oct 2009 10:48:52 -0700 Message-ID: <861AFC71DFF34A2BACDC34D965D32133@us.oracle.com> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit X-Mailer: Microsoft Office Outlook 11 Thread-Index: AcpLZEMAC2Rdn26fQvmFZeLrGBYzog== X-MimeOLE: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V6.00.2900.5579 X-Source-IP: acsmt354.oracle.com [141.146.40.154] X-Auth-Type: Internal IP X-CT-RefId: str=0001.0A090208.4AD36C06.024B:SCFMA4539814,ss=1,fgs=0 X-detected-operating-system: by monty-python.gnu.org: GNU/Linux 2.6 (newer, 1) emacs -Q In the Elisp manual, `constant' is indexed for variables only for node `Constant Variables', which is really about keywords, nil, and t. I find no index entry for defconst in this regard, yet it is the way you define constant variables. Also, the node Constant Variables should mention defconst variables, and point out how they differ from the other constant variables, which are currently described in the node: Trying to set a defconst variable does not raise a `setting-constant' error. Trying to set a keyword, t, or nil does raise that error. IOW, there are really two different kinds of variables that we often call "constants" in Emacs Lisp. Some of them are truly constants (raise an error if you try to set them), some of them are only intended to be used as constants, with no check wrt setting them. This needs to be better documented and better indexed. In GNU Emacs 23.1.1 (i386-mingw-nt5.1.2600) of 2009-07-29 on SOFT-MJASON Windowing system distributor `Microsoft Corp.', version 5.1.2600 configured using `configure --with-gcc (4.4)' ------------=_1255660212-7773-1--