GNU bug report logs - #57847
Emacs Reference Lisp Manual on defcustom

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Message #5 received at submit <at> debbugs.gnu.org (full text, mbox):

From: uzibalqa <uzibalqa <at> proton.me>
To: "bug-gnu-emacs <at> gnu.org" <bug-gnu-emacs <at> gnu.org>
Subject: Emacs Reference Lisp Manual on defcustom
Date: Fri, 16 Sep 2022 04:31:41 +0000

I am reading the Elisp manual

16.2 Specifying Variables using defcustom

The custom-set-variables function works somewhat differently than a setq. While I have never learned the differences, I modify the custom-set-variables expressions in my .emacs file by hand: I make the changes in what appears to me to be a reasonable manner and have not had any problems. Others prefer to use the Customization command and let Emacs do the work for them. 

I myself use customize for hardly anything. Mostly, I write expressions myself.

Why are we talking like this !!!  "I have never learned the differences" and "I myself use customize for hardly anything."

Message #8 received at 57847 <at> debbugs.gnu.org (full text, mbox):

From: Stefan Kangas <stefankangas <at> gmail.com>
To: uzibalqa <uzibalqa <at> proton.me>, 57847 <at> debbugs.gnu.org
Subject: Re: bug#57847: Emacs Reference Lisp Manual on defcustom
Date: Fri, 16 Sep 2022 03:00:56 -0700

severity 57847 wishlist
thanks

uzibalqa via "Bug reports for GNU Emacs, the Swiss army knife of text
editors" <bug-gnu-emacs <at> gnu.org> writes:

> I am reading the Elisp manual

This is from An Introduction to Programming in Emacs Lisp:

    (info "(eintr) defcustom")

> 16.2 Specifying Variables using defcustom
>
> The custom-set-variables function works somewhat differently than a setq. While I have never learned the differences, I modify the custom-set-variables expressions in my .emacs file by hand: I make the changes in what appears to me to be a reasonable manner and have not had any problems. Others prefer to use the Customization command and let Emacs do the work for them.
>
> I myself use customize for hardly anything. Mostly, I write expressions myself.
>
> Why are we talking like this !!!  "I have never learned the differences" and "I myself use customize for hardly anything."

That's just the style that this manual is written in.  Maybe we could
explain what `custom-set-*' actually does instead, or even mention the
new `setopt'.  Or we could just leave it alone: either way is fine by
me.

Message #13 received at 57847 <at> debbugs.gnu.org (full text, mbox):

From: Lars Ingebrigtsen <larsi <at> gnus.org>
To: Stefan Kangas <stefankangas <at> gmail.com>
Cc: uzibalqa <uzibalqa <at> proton.me>, 57847 <at> debbugs.gnu.org
Subject: Re: bug#57847: Emacs Reference Lisp Manual on defcustom
Date: Fri, 16 Sep 2022 12:05:49 +0200

Stefan Kangas <stefankangas <at> gmail.com> writes:

> That's just the style that this manual is written in.  Maybe we could
> explain what `custom-set-*' actually does instead, or even mention the
> new `setopt'.  Or we could just leave it alone: either way is fine by
> me.

I think leaving it alone is fine; closing this bug report.

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