GNU bug report logs - #493
describe-variable to keep track of where vars were set; not just where they were defined

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From: help-debbugs <at> gnu.org (GNU bug Tracking System)
To: jidanni <at> jidanni.org
Subject: bug#493: closed (Re: bug#493: describe-variable misleading origin)
Date: Wed, 22 Feb 2012 01:06:02 +0000

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Your bug report

#493: describe-variable to keep track of where vars were set; not just where they were defined

which was filed against the emacs package, has been closed.

The explanation is attached below, along with your original report.
If you require more details, please reply to 493 <at> debbugs.gnu.org.

-- 
493: http://debbugs.gnu.org/cgi/bugreport.cgi?bug=493
GNU Bug Tracking System
Contact help-debbugs <at> gnu.org with problems

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From: Glenn Morris <rgm <at> gnu.org>
To: 493-done <at> debbugs.gnu.org
Subject: Re: bug#493: describe-variable misleading origin
Date: Tue, 21 Feb 2012 20:03:37 -0500

I see no prospect of something like this being implemented.
Closed as wontfix.

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From: jidanni <at> jidanni.org
To: bug-gnu-emacs <at> gnu.org
Subject: describe-variable vs. not necessarily soul origins
Date: Sat, 28 Jun 2008 00:03:01 +0800

describe-variable shows e.g.,

  kill-emacs-hook is a variable defined in `C source code'.
  Its value is
  (w3m-arrived-shutdown
   (lambda nil
     (sleep-for 5))
   #[nil "\300\301!\207"
         [server-mode -1]
         2])

The problems are: Saying

  kill-emacs-hook is a variable defined in `C source code'.
  Its value is

is misleading, as it looks like you are saying "this is the definition
as found in the C source code" when in fact it has been modified
since.

So maybe say
  Its CURRENT value is

Or if you keep track of whether it has been modified or not, than say
two different things accordingly.

P.S., saying
   #[nil "\300\301!\207"
         [server-mode -1]
         2])
presents the user with unexplained octal gobbledygook.

And maybe even add a list of all the files that altered the variable,
so one can track down just what put that byte-compiled stuff there
(that one doesn't see with emacs -Q).

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