> On May 12, 2020, at 12:21, Stefan Monnier <monnier@iro.umontreal.ca> wrote:
> 
>>> [ The first step is of course to make sure the file is found from
>>> `load-path`.  ]
>> 
>> Like ask the user to manually do M-x load-library and see the result ?
> 
> Traditionally it was done either by telling the user to
> 
>    put this file somewhere in your `load-path`
> 
> or to
> 
>    (add-to-list 'load-path "/where/ever/you/put/that/file/")

Excellent :)

>> Well, actually all this started because I wanted to install Drew's
>> help-fns+.el and it happens that Drew uses "require".
> 
> Then follow Drew's suggestion, since that's how he designed his library.
> 
>> So, in case I want to add a similar feature set, would 'require be too much ?
> 
> I know nothing about help-fns+ so I can't answer that.
> But nowadays libraries should be designed for the case where they're
> installed by a tool like package.el and in such a case, the user should
> almost never need to `require` the package.
> 
>> Would (autoload 'help-fns+) be sufficient ?
> 
> `autoload` takes 2 args, the first being a function name and the second
> the file in which that function is to be found.
> 
>> Keep in mind that this addition is for users who know a minimal subset of
>> Emacs lisp (enough to play with their init file), not for authors.
> 
> Those users should *never* need to do that: either they install via
> something like package.el

Which is already covered in the manual, so there is no need to consider that case.

> or they follow steps in the package's installation instructions.

Ok, I guess that's the information I was looking for :)

Jean-Christophe Helary
-----------------------------------------------
http://mac4translators.blogspot.com @brandelune