bug#4707: 23.1; Elisp manual: index constant variables for defconst

bug#4707: 23.1; Elisp manual: index constant variables for defconst

[Drew Adams]

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)'
 

bug#4707: marked as done (23.1; Elisp manual: index constant variables for defconst)

[Emacs bug Tracking System]

[-- Attachment #1: Type: text/plain, Size: 904 bytes --]

Your message dated Thu, 15 Oct 2009 22:22:18 -0400
with message-id <87ws2w2i3p.fsf@stupidchicken.com>
and subject line Re: 23.1; Elisp manual: index constant variables for defconst
has caused the Emacs bug report #4707,
regarding 23.1; Elisp manual: index constant variables for defconst
to be marked as done.

This means that you claim that the problem has been dealt with.
If this is not the case it is now your responsibility to reopen the
bug report if necessary, and/or fix the problem forthwith.

(NB: If you are a system administrator and have no idea what this
message is talking about, this may indicate a serious mail system
misconfiguration somewhere. Please contact owner@emacsbugs.donarmstrong.com
immediately.)


-- 
4707: http://emacsbugs.donarmstrong.com/cgi-bin/bugreport.cgi?bug=4707
Emacs Bug Tracking System
Contact owner@emacsbugs.donarmstrong.com with problems

[-- Attachment #2: Type: message/rfc822, Size: 3959 bytes --]

From: "Drew Adams" <drew.adams@oracle.com>
To: <bug-gnu-emacs@gnu.org>
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>

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)'
 




[-- Attachment #3: Type: message/rfc822, Size: 1852 bytes --]

From: Chong Yidong <cyd@stupidchicken.com>
To: "Drew Adams" <drew.adams@oracle.com>
Cc: 4707-done@emacsbugs.donarmstrong.com
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>

> 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.